Chapter One: Dragon Lands

(Ten years earlier)

Destruction.

That was all there was for the outside of the city where the dragons lives. Human warriors firing weapons in order to shoot down dragons that strikes back the mankind. In the midst of the chaos, was a couple of a dragon and a dragoness. The female held a young dragon hatchling in one of her forepaws. The adult dragoness had beautiful purple scales, which shined brightly in the sunlight. On her back, spikes that goes across her back to the end of her tail, a blade-shaped tail, wings that are the colour of her scales, violet eyes, a rich gold underbelly.

While the male had red scales, green spikes across his back, white underbelly, gray eyes, a tail that are shaped like a spiral.

The dragoness let out a terrified scream, speaking with her mouth instead of telepathy like the others of her kind do. "I refuse to let my hatchling die!"

"Sweetie, calm down. Our own warriors are doing their best to defeat the human army." Her mate told her calmly.

The dragoness glared at her mate. "How can I calm down when there's chaos everywhere? I won't let our only son die!" As she said that, she glanced at the small red scaled dragon in her paws, cradling it to calm it.

Her mate putted a paw at her shoulder. "I know this is hard for you, it's also for me. I won't allow those humans kill our species, so we go extinct." That didn't much reassure his mate. She gave another glare.

"I don't want you to fight. I want you to help me save our child." She retorted. Her mate smiled.

"And I think I know the way." After he said that, the hatchling's mother blinked slowly.

"You do?" She asked with hope.

Her mate nodded. "Yes, but it is a very dangerous art. Something that was used in the ancient time of our ancestors."

"If it's the only way I can help save my son, then I'll do it." The dragoness had a determined look in her eyes as she said that.

"Are you sure?" Her mate asked, rather worriedly. "It is an art that nearly killed a dragon when it used it."

"I don't care. All I want to is get our son to a safe place." She gave a snarl at the first line, before having a softer stare when she looked at the small dragon in her paws.

"Alright, then." Her mate agreed slowly. The two dragons got into a safe building while the destruction and chaos continued out in front of the city. After they had gotten into the building, the male dragon took out something which held the teleportation art. "For using the art, however, one much have to stand still." His mate stood in the middle of the room while gently putting her only child on the floor, along with a picture of it, her and her mate, with a piece of paper in their ancient language, same with some blankets. The male dragon nodded as the dragoness walked over to him.

"Let's see if this works." She mumbled, clearly worried.

"Now, for sending our son to the safetest place." Her mate continued saying some things in a mutter, while as he was doing that, the small dragon in the middle of the room, was slowly glowing in a bright light, shape-shifting to a human baby. This wasn't being seen as the rest of the dragons was fighting the human warriors outside the gates to the city.

After the dragon hatchling was shape-shifted to its human form, it began to slowly vanish. This caused its mother to have extra worry, as her only child was being sent to a whole different unknown world. A world never-seen before in dragonkind's history. However, while the child was slowly disappearing, cries and screams of dragons outside of the building the two couple were in, was heard. The human warriors had been successful in infiltrating the city.

(Ten years later)

Running, the child fled into a dark forest. The dark, forbidden forest was cold, as though everything around was only in coldness. He was hurt and scared, his left arm broken, as he was holding it while he fled. The child, a human, was wearing a red jacket with black streaks on it, wears blue jeans, has green shoes. He had brown hair, and slender skin.

He didn't care how much it was hurting him. All he cared about was running away in fear, away from the "evil" unicorn that was chasing him.

He didn't knew how he survived that balloon crash, and hadn't much time to think about it. The only think he cared about was running for his life.

He could still hear the unicorn, running after him and that he shouted loud enough for him to hear.

"YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE FROM ME, YOU FREAK!! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!! MY CREW IS DEAD THANKS TO YOU!! YOU'RE GOING TO PAY!!"

That mean unicorn, "Death Stealer", wasn't joking. He feared what he would do to him if he managed to catch him. Ignoring the immense pain, the child continued running, with help from the dragon energy within him to increase his speed a bit. He finally got out of the forest and found himself in the open fields. He kept running but a stunt beam hit him in his back. It didn't hurt but he couldn't move. With much effort, he turned his head and saw the unicorn.

"Got you!" The unicorn cried out. "Now, what am I going to do with you?" He pondered for a moment.

Suddenly, he heard something else coming from behind him. Then, going from the forest, two timberwolves were approaching. They were covered in blood of the poor souls they had eaten.

Death, watching them, screamed: "Stay away from me! He is mine! I am the one who's going to kill him! You hear me?!"

The Timberwolves then started to attack the unicorn. He defended himself by throwing beams at them. They didn't help him very much since he was too weak. He was doom if things kept this way.

The child watched them for a minute and he finally started to feel his body again. It seemed Death was weak after all. The stunt spell wear off very fast, and he stood up and started to run again. One of the Timberwolves saw him and started to go after him. Seeing this, Death smirked and screamed,

"ENJOY BEING A SNACK, FREAK!"

He then used all of his strength left and fired a powerful beam to his wolf opponent. It exploded, leaving nothing more than little branches. With one final glance to the wolf running after the freak, he chuckled and ran back to the forest.

The child kept running until he reached a little river. He facepalmed for his bad luck. There was no way he could reach the other side with one broken arm, not to mention, he couldn't swim. Thinking one way to cross, he heard the monster behind him. He turned around and saw those horrible glowing green eyes. This was it. His end. He felt colder than ever, even with the energy within him warming him. He saw his life running in his eyes and started to regret all the things he didn't do with his mother, Cadance and his friends. It broke his little heart.

"Nopony is coming after me... right?" The child whispered and looked at the river, and then at the wolf. Either way, he was dead, but at least drowning was better than getting eaten... right?

The wolf noticed how the child was staring at the river. Not wanting to lose his snack, he jumped with its bloody mouth to bite Moon's little head. The child saw him, and with one last effort, he jumped into the river, but didn't notice his pendant. For the sudden fast jump, abandoned his hidden place under his jacket and was now flowing in the air. The wolf bite it and removed it from his neck, covering it all in pony blood.

"My pendant! Noo! Mother!"

Those were the last words the child cried before landing in the water. The river dragged him with force. He was at the bottom of the little river, struggling to come out with no success. He felt like if all his body was crushed. The pain in his arm was unbearable, but he didn't feel it for much time. A river rock hit his head and everything went black.

She sighed as she flew by the river. This flyer was a dragon, a blue female dragon at that. Ember, daughter of the Dragon Lord, was gliding through the air and landed at the bank of the river to drink some water.

After a few mouth full of water, Ember started to notice something coming from within the river by the coner of her right eye. What she saw startled her. There, in the water, was the strangest creature she had ever seen in her life.

Not wanting the creature to drown, she flapped her wings and glided above the creature and lifted it in her paws. After a good look at, she started to sense a familiar kind of energy from it.

"Hm. Dragon energy. I think I'll heal it since I felt the source coming from it." Without more words, she started flying to a near by cave in a mountain that was close to the river.

It only felt like eternity, but the creature opened his blue and yellow eyes as he felt dizziness fading from him. When he got a good look at his surroundings, he noticed that he was in a cave, and that he was leaning on a column that was behind him.

"Where am I?" He murmured. Suddenly, he felt pain in his left arm. He held it as he cringed from the pain.

"Oh, you're awake. Good." A femine voice cried.

The creature looked to see who it was. What he saw, stunned him completely. There, at the entrance of the cave, was a female dragon with, to the boy's eyes, a beautiful light blue scaly body, darker blue wings, ruby eyes, her underbelly a lighter shade of the same colour as her scales, her tailtip has a blue heart at the end.

"Where am I?" The boy asked.

"In a cave, at the borders of the Dragon Lands." The dragon answered. The boy's eyes widened in shock.

Dragon Lands? Why am I here?

He winced as he felt more pain from his arm. The female dragon raised an eyeridge, until she saw what was wrong.

"Your arm may be hurt, but I know what to not make it feel pain." The boy stared at her, perplexed. The dragon lifted a crystal up from the ground and walked up to him. She laid the crystal next to the boy's legs.

"What are you doing?" He asked, pain straining even from his voice.

"Healing you, of course." The boy raised a eyebrow. Just then, the crystal began glowing and he started to feel funny. Seconds later, he felt no more pain from his left arm, nor his body. The crystal stopped glowing after it did its thing.

"I felt funny."

Chuckling, the dragon responded, "It was the gem. It sealed your wound completely. Your arm should be fine now,." She stepped back as the boy moved his arm around a bit. A thankful smile grew on his lips.

"It's like nothing was there. Thanks."

A smile in return. "You're welcome. Though, I may ask, what kind of creature are you?"

The boy looked straight in her beautiful ruby eyes. "I don't know my species, sorry." He said regretfully. "I don't even know who I am."

The dragon looked at the ground and whispered, "Seem like he has amnesia, that isn't good." She then looked up to see the creature's downright face. "Don't worry. I think I know just what to make you remember who you are."

"You'd do that?" He asked, hope in his voice.

"Of course. I believe my father can know what you are."

The boy nodded in agreement, before asking, "By the way: who are you?"

"My name's Ember, daughter of the Dragon Lord, Torch." Ember answered with a smile. The two then began to walk out of the cave. The boy closed his eyes by the bright light that came onto his face.

This should be interesting. He thought.

The two then made their way down the mountain and onto the path of the volcanic region, home of the dragons.

The journey to Ember's homeland was a bit difficult for the boy than he thought. Knowing that he couldn't fly, she had to carry him over a river of lava, to which he thought of was crazy. When they reached the edge of the Dragon Lands, they stopped for a moment.

"Why are we stopping?" The boy asked, glancing at his companion.

"I just thought of something." Ember replied. "Since you were from the ponies's lands, from what you told me, I'm a bit worried for what the dragons might do to you." The boy putted two fingers on his chin.

"Well, we won't know unless we're going." He responded. The female dragon smiled a bit and nodded slowly. Then, they continued on with their journey to the dragons' home. After some minutes of walking, they came in front of a group of dragons that seemed to be in their early teens.

Their colour was that of red, white, and gray. The red dragon had dull scales, a yellow underbelly, pinkish freckles, yellow spikes that end in a webbed crest on his head, his eyes are yellow with purple pupils, and he has yellow, slightly torn wings.

The one to his right had white scales, a light shade of pink underbelly, light, slightly torn wings like the red one, his eyes are a red colour.

Ember growled as she recognized the dragons. "Garble, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, just checking the area, Princess." The dragon, named Garble, replied in a mocking way. Then he noticed the boy to her left. "And what do we have here? A monkey, or something?"

The boy gave a poisonous glare. "Better watch your mouth, dragon." He warned. Garble glared back.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe?"

The boy blinked as Garble laughed. "I like your attitude. However, you won't walk away from me in peace when the trial comes."

"Trial?" The boy looked at Ember.

"The trial is a competition that we dragons do to decide which one of us are better than the other ones." She explained.

They glanced back at the trio as Garble yawned in boredom. "This is getting bored. I'm going to do something that gets me better than to talk with the princess and you, monkey." The "monkey" stared in his eyes in a threatening way. Garble only shrugged and flew off, his companions following soon after.

Ember sighed. "Someday I'm going to teach him a lesson with manners."

"You and me both."

She then looked at him. "Though, I didn't quite get your name. What is it?"

"Call me Virin." Virin answered.

Ember smiled. "A mysterious name. I like it." They continued on their way to her home. When they came, Virin looked in awe at the rather big cave.

Who would even live here? He thought to himself. Then he could only guess one would. The Dragon Lord himself. Just then, the ground began to shake as he stared at his surroundings.

What came out was the biggest dragon he had ever seen. A dark shade of blue scales, curved orange wings, horns downwards, five crystals atop of his head, a gold ring on his left horn.

Virin stared at it with shocked, widened blue-yellow eyes. This was the largest dragon he'd seen.

"Why, Ember. Good to have you home." His voice was deep. "And I see that you have company with you." He glanced at Virin.

"Yes, father." Ember replied. "I found him in the river at the edge of the region. He seems to be in an anmesia-state, as he can't remember anything from his past."

Her father, no doubt Torch, stared at the boy with sympathetic. "My condolences. No one should have had such thing in a life." Virin nodded sadly. "Come, we have much to talk about." They followed Torch inside the cave.

When he was inside, Virin was still in awe. The cave wasn't what he'd expected. A few decorations was there, columns, he guessed dragons doesn't sit on a pillow. They sat on the ground on their hunches, with their tail coiled.

As he sat to be more comfortable, Torch asked, "Tell me, what is your name?"

"Virin."

"A mysterious name." Torch smiled warmly.

"Your daughter said the same thing." Virin pointed out. He felt a jap in his shoulder.

"Be polite." Ember snapped.

Virin smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

Torch chuckled. "It's alright. Normally dragons aren't very polite." Virin stared at him, confused. "From what I can tell, you have some dragon energy inside you. Is that correct?"

"I..." Virin sighed in defeat. "It's true. I don't know where it came from, nor how to use it."

"Thought so." Torch nodded. "It seems that you were born in a whole different world where dragons lived." Both Virin and Ember looked confused. A different world? Noticing their confused expressions, the Dragon Lord clarified, "Where you are from, dragons was sworn enemies to creatures from myths and legends in Equestria known as humans."

"Human?" Virin asked, shocked. "Is that what I am?"

"Only a half-human." Torch explained, a sad tone in his voice was clearly heard. "Your races, both dragon and human, was at war with each other for years, ever since another legendary creature of that world became evil from greed and hatred."

Ember's expression turned to surprise instead of shock. "But all dragons weren't all that bad, right, father?"

Torch nodded to his daughter's question. "Correct my dear. It would seem that a line of your family, Virin, defended both human and dragon alike. They were known as "World Protectors". They were the kindest and justified dragons the humans had known.

"Your ancestors were also in war, but only to defend the weak, young Virin. Your blood even streams from them, since you were born in that world."

Virin's eyes widened further. "But how could I possibly be ended up here?!"

Shaking his head, the Dragon Lord continued, "I do not know. But I could guess that your father, who was a descendant of two of the World Protectors, knew a forbidden spell that could send another living being to a different world, or dimension."

"This forbidden spell..." Ember started, gaining Virin and her father's attention. "Was it a transportation spell?"

"That could be, but I do not know how it worked." Her father said. "I only know spells that are from this world, no other creatures nor pony could perform such an art. If one wasn't careful, that being would be ended up in his or her own destruction."

A gasp escaped Ember's throat without knowing it. "An art that could end its spellcaster's life?! That's just horrible!"

Virin was still shocked to find out that he was a descendant of the "World Protectors", that he weren't paying attention to their conversation.

"World Protector"... He thought in sadness. What am I then? A half-human and half-dragon with no power? How can I even defend myself? JUST WHO AM I?!

Torch and Ember then focused their attention to the saddened human, who was in deep thought.

"Virin?" Said human who glanced at his companion. "Are you crying?" She noticed a few tears in his eyes.

"This is... too much for me to take in." Torch nodded in understanding at the human's troubled look.

"It is. I'm so sorry to hear that your family of dragons had become extinct. That was just wrong for those foolish humans to even consider going into war with them." Then a glint of hope lit in his eyes. "But," The two young ones glanced up at him. "You are, in truth, the last of their kind. The last World Protector. I can't believe that I'm meeting one in my many years."

"But father," Torch looked at his daughter. "Don't you think that he should have the proper training before he would be a World Protector?"

Virin looked at Ember with tearful eyes. How can I even begin my training without my family here? They probably won't know the true meaning of that philosophy yet.

Noticing his more saddened expression, Torch said, "It seems you're quite right. We don't know what kind of training your ancestors went through. But, we might still able to unlock that hidden power within you if you train with both me and my daughter at a separated time, until you're ready to start your duty throughout this world, to save it from threats."

"Though," Ember added, focusing her attention at Virin, "you may be in bit of trouble at first. But, it would just be the right training to get that power within you out. What do you say?" She extending a paw

Virin, still troubled, cleaned his tearful eyes with a hand, before looking more determined, to Torch's surprised look. Smiling confidently, the human took his left hand and shook Ember's extended paw.

"Excellent." Torch beamed, seeing Virin's confidence. "We thank you for your assistance. You will not be troubled in training from other dragons of Dragon Lands, before it's complete." His beamed expression slowly faded. "But I doubt that will stop Garble and his friends from bullying you."

"Bullying?" Virin asked.

"Garble had a rough past, but not as rough as yours. And from that past, he became a bully from getting bullied by larger dragons, but I doubt that he would do much on you when you're with me in your training."

With a small smile, Virin said, "I look forward for seeing his face when I beat him in that trial in a few years." A laugh came from Ember.

Author's Notes:

So, this is where the story goes. I originally wanted to keep this at Fanfiction.net, but today, I thought, Why not post it to Fimfiction and see how it will be going?

MLP: FiM belongs to Hasbro. I only own this alternative story, its plot, and its characters. Anything else, I do not own.

Note: Edited this chapter so you can get a better understanding of how Virin came to be, and how he got to the Dragon Lands.

Chapter Two: Voices of the Past

Three months.

Three months has passed since Ember found him and took Virin in. In that time, he had trained nonstop in the past few weeks. First, he should get his inner dragon out by concentrating his mind and energy, and then he should be able to let out the energy he possessed. Needless to say, he was still shocked to find out that, what Ember and her father Torch told him was true, but instead of being a human, he had always been a dragon all along.

All of this was a shocker to him. At first, he had a hard time concentrating to let his inner dragon out from within, but he succeeded nonetheless. When his transformation was done, Torch had a smile on his face to find out that he was indeed a "World Protector", but needed he some training however.

Virin should start out by extending his "wing-bones" by slowly flapping his wings. It took some time, but he eventually was able to levitate from the ground without anything going wrong. Next, he should fly along with Ember to try and learn to fly through the air like all the other dragons in Dragon Lands. He had a hard time catching up to her-as she was quite experienced and a fast flyer-but he followed her advice and took some slow flap with his wings, like she demonstrated.

He also took some sparring time with a few dragon guards on the training fields. He was having a hard time again catching up with those sessions his trainer gave him, but followed them by taking one step at a time.

When he was done, he would meditate with Lord Torch on a large mountain so that no one could interfere. Of course, as Torch predicted, Garble couldn't stop mocking and irritate Virin through his free time when he meditated by himself. One time, Virin was nearly on breaking the point of violence, but Ember told him to relax before she sent the older dragon away. Virin was relieved for that, and thanked the Princess, who only shrugged it off. She said that he should be out of Garble's way for now.

Now, in an average cave, close to the Dragons Lord's, a young red dragon with green spikes along his spine, a yellow underbelly, curved horns, and a spiral at the tip of its tail, had curled up into a ball as he slept through the night. The night's moon shined into his cave, causing it to become dark.

Virin continued to snore softly, until he began to hear someone in his mind.

Sweetie.

The dragon bolted up, hitting a column that was above him, making him wince in pain. Dust fell from the column above, before he shook it off.
He touched his head to where red liquid was slowly forming. The dragon sighed in irritation. His great dream, just stopped by that voice.

"Alright, who's there?" He whispered in a commanding voice.

Sweetie. The dragon blinked.

Sweetie? He thought. No one had ever called him that before. Then again, he didn't even have a parent that had a voice that sounded so...beautiful.

Come to us, son.

The dragon, Virin, blinked one or twice as he heard a male voice this time. Who would even call him "sweetie" and "son"? He just couldn't remember who.

"Who's there?" He asked one more time in a whisper, but it was more curious than commanding this time.

No answer.

"I know you can hear me, so answer." He said again in a more demanding tone.

Again, no answer.

Sighing, this time, in frustration, Virin looked around in the darkened cave. He had collected a few gold treasures when creatures dropped them on the ground, a "pillow" that was to make him feel comfortable, some of his precious possessions that were given to him by Ember and Torch on his "hatchday" as they called "birthdays" when a dragon hatches. A golden medal in a light blue pedestal, a silver armour for his sessions with the guards, and last but not least, a tooth from a hydra he had beaten one time. When he had told Ember and Torch about his fight with a five-headed hydra, they were full of pride for him.

Walking over to the tooth, Virin gave a small smile as he recalled his fight with the owner of that tooth. Never before had he even thought of taking on a fully-grown beast that looked like a dragon, but with no wings, and had more strength than him even. But somehow, he managed to find its weakness and took the tooth from the head in the middle as a spoil of war and of his victory over the hydra.

Dragons from all around the Lands had shocked and terrifying expressions when he came back covered in blood and walked on both his front and back paws. They were more shocked to see the tooth he had on his back, one that could only had come from one fully grown predator.

Virin was satisfied with the expressions as he recalled them. No one else had thought of fighting a fully-grown predator, but he did. He had fought the hydra and killed it. This had proved him worthy enough to be called a "true" dragon, even from Garble when he had seen him with the tooth.
The young dragon then frowned. Garble was still mocking him, interrupting his peace of free time.

Such pride Garble has. He thought. Whenever Virin saw Garble in the same field as him, the older dragon would always mock him, saying that even though he defeated a hydra, he would not be a "true dragon" he would never be a "true dragon".

Virin looked out of his cave. The night sky was still showing darkness, all but the stars, meaning it was no-where near morning. Sighing, he crawled onto his pillow, drifting back to his world of dreams.

Morning arrived, dragons slowly stirred as they awoke. In the cave beside the waking Torch, Virin was still snoring softly, dreaming.
His moment of sleep, however, was interrupted when he felt a bite on his tail. Yelping, he woke up in alarm, but not before seeing who had bitten him. He had an annoyed expression as he saw Ember removing her jaws from his tail.

Coiling his tail to him, Virin asked irritated, "What are you doing here?"

"Waking you, of course." Ember plainly said.

"Clearly." The young dragon mumbled in irritation, rubbing his tail to stop the pain from her sudden bite.

"Don't be like that." The Princess snapped. "It's time to start your training."

"Can't it wait?"

"No."

Virin sighed in frustration.

Ember noticed his frustrated and irritated look. "What's troubling you, anyway?"

"Nothing." He lied, slowly stirring from his pillow. Standing on four, he said, "We should get this done."

Raising an eye-ridge, the blue dragon said, "You know you don't have to walk on all four, right?"

"Better this way." Virin replied simply, walking to the mouth of his cave. "What's on the schedule for today?"

"Basic flying training, really." Ember responded, walking along with him.

"That's all?" Virin raised a eye-ridge of his own. "That'll be too easy."

"Not this time." Ember answered, earning a curious stare. Smiling, she added, "You'll have to begin a race today."

"A race?" Virin snorted, not amused. "Not my type."

"I know. But, this is one of the hardest ones you'll get."

The red dragon stared at her in curiosity. What couldn't be more challenging than a simple race? Fighting that hydra took almost all his strength to

just take it down. Then again, it did have five heads instead of one.

When they arrived at the preparations, Virin stared at his surroundings. Mountains on both front sides, two pillars where a "goal" sign swayed in between, fences on the sides of the start. Basically, like a normal race, but one for dragons.

In front of him and his companion, a crowd of participating dragons stood in preparation of the race. Amongst them was Garble's gang, whose leader glared in hatred at Virin, to his ignorance. This made Garble grit his teeth in anger.

As he done with other young dragons, the tall dragon always hated those who was faster than him. Virin was on the top of his list. That dragon, to him, shouldn't had been here today. When he had seen him with that tooth of that hydra, he felt humiliated that he wasn't the one who defeated it. That full grown beast was also the prince of the hydras.

Virin, from the corner of his right eye, noticed Garble's anger. "Hey, reddy." He called. "What does it feel like when you're about to lose this race?"

"Don't count on it, hatchling." Garble snapped angrily. "That trophy is as good as mine."

This made the young dragon roll his eyes. "No it isn't. Who was the one that defeated the prince of the hydras?"

"You got lucky!" The taller dragon roared, angrier than ever, making his gang take a step back. "If you hadn't used your remaining strength, you would had been as good as gone!"

"Yeah yeah. Whatever." Virin shrugged, ignoring his anger, only for Garble to fly straight at him, making him wince painfully. This took the younger dragon off-guard, not before growling. "What was that for?!" He growled.

"To make you off-guard for the race, of course." Garble snarled angrily, before stomping back to his gang.

Growling, Virin stood his ground as to not attack back. He shook his head violently. "Why is he such a pain?" He asked Ember.

"Mostly for his prideful attitude." She guessed.

Just then, a large dragon with gray scales, elder-looking, red eyes, a light gray underbelly, his tail ends in a scythe, walked onto his box. The dragons stopped talking and looked at him.

"Welcome, dear friends," he said in a rich, but old, voice. "I am glad to have you all come to this great day. Today we will decide who's the fastest dragon in the Lands by the competitors that has signed for the race.

"The winner will be given a golden trophy when he or she has proved faster than the rest." The crowd cheered as the old dragon continued, "I myself is getting old to be the fastest in our race. That's why I'll be chosen an successor if he or she has gotten the best of their wings, body and shape." As he continued, Virin, whom was determined to win, was in deep thought.

How can I prove myself worthy enough among this race of dragons? He pondered to himself. He side-glanced at Garble, who side-galred at him. he side-glared back. I'm going to win, proving myself, and hopefully make him stop mocking me and my friend Ember. The thought of the female gave him some encourage when he glanced at her. She smiled at him with pride. Unlike Garble, she has pride for me as I complete a task she and Lord Torch gives me. He smiled back as he thought that.

"Go for it, Virin. You can do it." Ember encouraged.

She believes in me, he thought, grateful for her support. I will not let her down. After that thought, the elder dragon finished his speech.

"Is that all clear?" All the dragons, exception of Virin who was in thought, nodded in understanding. The old dragon smiled proudly.

Virin felt a tab on his shoulder and looked for the source. The one smiling at him was his best friend and buddy. Black scales, azure blue eyes, a scythe tail, spikes on his back, horns curved like his. This dragon was a bit older than Virin, but he has stood up for him the most as Garble and his gang mocked the younger dragon.

"Excited?" The dragon, Nightwing, asked.

"You bet." Virin responded.

"I'm glad that you decided to be in the race." Nightwing said. "At first, I thought that you would've quit immediately, as races aren't you thing."

"What, and let my buddy be the fastest dragon in the world? You won't get a chance." Virin smirked cockily. Nightwing smirked back.

"I like your attitude." He nodded. He looked back at the start, where two dragons that seems to be the ones who will give the signal.

Garble, who heard the two's conversation, gritted his teeth hatefully. He predicted that Nightwing would stand beside the little squirt, but why? He was older, in his teens, he should've hanged out with him and his gang, but he decided to be with that little pest for no reason.

"And may the best dragon win," the old dragon called, gaining their attention.

The dragons at the start gave the signal, and the dragons bursted off in high speeds by a blink of an eye. Virin, unaware, felt something swipe his legs, making him fall to the ground, gasping in shock.

"What?" He exclaimed, getting up. He saw that Garble smirked viciously as he took off. That bitch. The young dragon took off when Ember opened her mouth to draw the old dragon's attention, immediately closed it as her friend flew.

Virin flew faster and faster, hoping to catch up to the antagonism dragon, who dared swiping him as he prepared to take off the ground.

He will pay, and dearly. The thought echoed in his mind as he flew past rock formations that spiked up from the ground.

Don't take revenge on him. The male voice in his head reminded. Virin briefly stopped, glancing at the sky.

Nightwing, who flew back towards the start to get his supposed fallen buddy, hovered in front of him. "What's wrong?" He asked, confused.

"Thought I heard someone." Virin carefully replied.

His friend cocked his head. "Someone? I didn't hear it." He said in confusion.

Virin shook his head. "Never mind. It's nothing." Before flying past him. "C'mon, we do not want to fall behind, now do we?" He smirked.

Nightwing smirked back. "Nope." Before following the young dragon through the forest.

Unaware to them, Garble and two from his gang had shadowed themselves in the trees.

"Why would Nightwing go back?" Thw white dragon asked.

"Don't ask me." The gray dragon shrugged.

Garble vicious growled at the pair that flew from their "trap". "Just who does he think he is?!" He roared, making his buddies step back.

"Don't know." The white cautiously responded. "But I think I hear him say that he heard someone in his head."

The tall red blinked briefly. "Heard something, eh?" Before he grinned evilly. "That could work in our favour."

Virin and Nightwing continued on their way through the mountains of volacnoes. The former glanced nervously around.

"What's wrong? Scared?" The latter teased.

"Very funny." The younger stuck his tongue out at him.

"Don't be like that." Nightwing laughed. "Remember, dragons are immune to fire."

Virin rolled his blue-yellow eyes. "That makes me soo much better." He sarcastically thanked. "But, remember, I've only been a dragon for..."

"I know I know." The black dragon interrupted, rolling his eyes. "Three months. I get it. You don't know that much about your shape-shifting yet,"

Groaning, the small dragon looked at a volcano nearby. Who would've thought of having volcanoes here? The world, apparantly.

In the shadows, three tall dragons was hiding behind big rocks at the top of the volcano near the two hovering on the ground.

"Okay, here's the plan." The first one whispered. "When the small dragon gets close enough to the top, push him down the lava, and get straight back."

"You got it, boss." The second nodded.

Virin flew a bit higher to the top of the volcano he and his friend was near. He shivered from the high temparature coming from the lava above. He wondered what makes it so hot in temparature. Maybe if he ask Ember, she'll know.

"Scared?" The black dragon beside him teased again.

"Ha, ha." Virin rolled his eyes. Even though he was frightened as heck, he didn't show it.

"C'mon, it'll be fun." Nightwing smiled. "What can go wrong?"

"Likely be plummed into the lava pit." The smaller dragon shivered.

"And you're right." Another, unexpected, third voice added in. just as they looked back, a figure flew straight at Virin, catching him off-guard and made him fall into the lava with a mighty "SPLASH".

Nightwing gasped in shock and horror, before glaring angrily with a scowl at the uninvited competitor. "Just what are you doing?!" He roared.

"Getting rid of the competition." The dragon bluntly responded. "That monkey has no right to be here. He's as good as gone now." He laughed triumphantly.

In the stands, Ember was worried for what might happen. Just then, she heard a big "SPLASH" from the distance, making her glance in the direction to the source.

"What was that?!" A dragon exclaimed in shock.

"What happened to that small dragon?" Another said just as shocked.

Ember glanced up at Torch. "Father, what do you think?"

"Hmm..." The big dragon hummed. "My guess is that Virin might had being pushed into that lava pit we heard from." His daughter looked worried now.

Please be safe... She begged.

In the lava, Virin was slowly falling to the bottom, his eyes closed as he concentrated to his mind.

What's going to happen now? I lost! The thought echoed in his mind as he continued to sink in the pit. Strangely, he didn't die from the sudden push to the lava. Maybe that was what Nightwing explained. Are dragons really immune to fire?

Son, The male voice came again. Virin opened his eyes and saw his surroundings. Not frightened, he just experienced the very think he did't want to experience. Though, the male voice seemed to call out to him again. Still, son. Who would even name him that? Could it be one of his parent's ancestors? Or could it really be his very own father?

Please be safe... Another voice said, but in a begging way.

Ember... Virin thought. I promise you, I will NOT LOSE THIS RACE! His entire body began glowing a deep red colour, his blue-yellow eyes turning a darker shade. He roared as he began to feel a tremendous power within him making its way out.

Nightwing scowled at the dragon, his own rival.

"Just why did you do it?!" He demanded angrily.

"He's a waste of life." His rival answered. "He's just not good enough." Then, unexpected to the four, the ground began shaking as a loud roar was heard from beneath them.

"What's happening?!" A yellow dragon exclaimed in shock.

Just then, a glowing dragon shot itself from the lava pit behind Nightwing. It was Virin!

"VIRIN!" The black dragon shouted in delight, happy that his friend was alright.

Opening his eyes, Virin looked down at his stunning audience. They were in complete utter shock that he was glowing red, his darker shade of blue and yellow eyes.

"Alright, WHO WAS IT THAT ATTACKED ME?!" He roared in a demanding voice.

Nightwing glanced at the stunned trio of dragons, smiling in satisfication at their reactions. "Never expected that, did you now?" He asked, making the trio froze.

Virin, growing tired of this, demanded again. "WHO WAS IT?!" This only made the trio step back in shock and worry. If he was going to attack, who would help them? No one ever expected that small dragon to glow like that!

The glowing dragon began to get tired of the wait, he flew straight at the frozen trio, hitting the leader, making him coil back from the attack. "So, it was you!" He roared enraged.

Nightwing's rival froze in utter shock, but not before growling viciously at him. Then, the dragon flew at the glowing dragon, hitting him at the chin.

Virin stumbled back, but regained his ground. Shaking his head, he snarled dangerously at the one who dared to hurt him.

Making their way to where the splash was heard, Garble and his gang flew to the volcanoes... only to find out that the tall red's rival was fighting a trio of dragons right before their eyes. But what shocked them the most, was that Virin was glowing in a deeper red colour.

"What happened to him?" The white dragon asked, pointing at the glowing dragon.

"Dunno." Garble shrugged. "But whatever did, he's vicious, and dangerous. Think we should leave them be." His gang agreed with that, and they flew back the way they came from.

Virin rolled to the side as the yellow dragon tried to bite his tail, missing it. Then he clawed the yellow's face with his sharp claws, making three claw marks on the nose.

Ranger, Nightwing's rival, tried to claw the small dragon's own nose with his pointed teeth, only to miss as Virin yerked back in time. Then the glowing dragon bashed his head into Ranger's stomach, making him to stumble back in surprise, but not long for the tall dragon to swipe his head his tail, scarring the left eye. Virin roared in pain as he felt the tail swiping his eye, having an openiing for an attack ready.

Ogyn took this chance to swipe at Virin's stomach with his claws, making claw marks that made the small dragon stumble more back, roaring in agony.

Nightwing, unable to watch his friend about fighting alone, ran to his buddy's side. "You okay?" He asked worryingly, only to get hit on the chin by Virin's head as he angrily stood up, making him coil back.

Virin dangerously snarled at the trio as he roared, angrier than ever. Inside him, a small black aura was slowly forming. Ranger, Ogyn and Azam growled viciously at the glowing dragon.

"Virin, you're not yourself!" Nightwing shouted, pleading. Said dragon who ignored him, glaring enragely at the trio. He heard a dark chuckle coming from his friend, only to have him feel worried for hm even more.

Virin viciously attacked the trio, not listening to the black dragon's plea. He swiped his claws at Ranger's stomach, clawing it to make it bleed. This made the taller dragon gasp as he coiled back in shock.

Ogyn, not listening to Nightwing's plea to stop the fighting, growled hatefully at the vicious small dragon and attacked him by biting his back. Virin roared in pain even more, his left eye sight was bad. He will not make himself embarrassed long enough! He WILL win this race, and this battle, even if it meant to kill the trio!

Azam, having enough of this, roared angrily. He swiped his claws at Virin, who dodged the attack by ducking. The glowing dragon glared at the dragon with rage. He roared, even more angrier, and hurled himself at Azam, who widened his eyes in shock at the sudden move, moved out of the way just in time, but only to enrage the young dragon more than ever.

Garble and his gang made it to the goal of the start first, winning the race. The audience cheered for them, but more to Garble as he was the first of the gang to make it.

The tall dragon smiled triumphantly, before laughing in victory. "YES!" He cheered, pumping his paws in the air.

Ember, who wasn't happy for the tall dragon, glanced up at the Dragon Lord. "Where are they?" She pondered.

"I don't know, Ember." Torch replied. "Something must had happened."

"If that's so, Lord Torch," the old dragon said, gaining their attention, "then he must be in trouble. I didn't see him in the line of the competitors that made it to the finish."

"I didn't either," His assistant added. Just then, they heard a loud, but enraged, roar from the volcano area of the competition. They all widened their eyes in shock.

"What was that?!" A dragon exclaimed.

"What was that roar?!" Another added.

"I've never heard something so enraged before!" A third proclaimed.

Ember looked at her father. "What do you think?"

"Hmm..." Torch hummed again. "My guess is, that could either be Virin or another enraged predator. But, I bet that a predator couldn't have had that as a roar, only from an..." His eyes widened. "Oh no!"

"What is it?" The old dragon asked, confused for the Dragon Lord's sudden reaction.

"Virin! He's in trouble!"

Ember gasped. "Not those three." She growled. If anything can go wrong, then those three dragons would make an unfortunate in the area. The dragons, capable of flying, took off to the direction of the roar.

Virin roared, enraged, at the trio who dared hurting him even more. No one, and he meant no-one, would make him angry, it will cost them their lives if they did.

Azam roared back, hurling himself forward to bite the glowing dragon and bit the bad eye, making Virin roar in pain again and stumble back.

Nightwing cringed. That looked like it really hurt.

Shaking to gain control, the glowing dragon snarled dangerously at his attacker and tail swiped at Azam's right eye, scarring it and made him step back as he yelled in pain. Then Virin angrily bit the yellow dragon's tail, causing him to shout painfully.

The black dragon could only watch helplessly. Please stop... he begged in his mind, but no one appealed to his wish.

Ranger roared as he bit onto Virin's back, making blood appear, causing the glowing dragon to cry in pain. Then he clawed his face, scarring his left eye more, getting Virin to shout in pain again.

Ogyn, who seemed to have stopped, panted heavily as he watched his buddies beat up the glowing draken. What strength, he thought. He's more violent than any other dragons we've met before, and could stand up to all of us. Impressive. That last one got him to respect Virin for his fighting spirit, wishing they could be buddies after they've recovered from all of this.

Nightwing whimpered, wished his friend would stop now, as he didn't want him to act violently. Ever.

"STOP THIS AT ONCE!" A roar pierced through the skies. Ogyn, Ranger and Azam frozed and nervously glanced up as Virin stood his grounds, waiting.

What made their eyes, except Virin's, go wide, was that there were dragons from the spectators and the competition.

Seeing them stare at him, the old dragon demanded, "Just what are you doing?!"

"He did it!" Azam exclaimed, pointing at the snarling dragon. "He fought us, and we wanted to stop him from going insane!"

"LIES!" Virin roared with rage, making the audience step back in shock as they saw him glowing. "IT WAS YOU WHO ATTACKED ME AND MY FRIEND! IF YOU DIDN'T, I WOULDN'T HAD BEEN IN THIS MESS!"

"What is this?" The old dragon pondered, gaining the snarling dragon's attention, only for him to step back. The old, gray dragon closed his mouth.

Ember widened her eyes as she noticed blood on Virin's body. "Virin?!" That got said dragon to look at her, getting his eyes to widen for a moment before relaxing, and stopped glowing.

Panting, the small dragon looked up to see his audience. "Um, what's going on?" He asked, confused for the situation.

Torch, who had slowly followed the dragons, responded in a gentle voice, "Virin, why were you glowing, and for that matter, so enraged?" This made the smaller one's eyes to widen further.

"I-I..." Virin stuttered. "I don't know. I can't remember!"

Coming to now returned friend's help, Nightwing said, "All this was by accident. As he said, if Ranger and his friends hadn't gotten in his way, he wouldn't had fought them."

"Not true!" Ranger defended himself and his buddies.

Sighing, the old dragon said, "Well, whatever happened, I'm glad that you didn't get severely hurt." Virin looked at him with his good eye, since his left was scarred by Azam. This made the elder gasp. "By the ancestors. What happened to you?!"

"Azam striked my left eye with his claws, two times even." Virin responded.

"Nu-uh." Azam shook his head, only for the small dragon to snarl at him, drawing him back. He vowed in his mind to never underestimate this dragon ever again.

Garble was, seemingly, impressed with his rival's skills.

Four days has passed since the incident of the race. Virin was resting in his cave, coiled up in a ball as he slept through the night sky.

Ever since the fight that day, he was considered a "real" dragon by Garble, but nothing more than a hatchling, which he expected him to say last. His mind of thoughts was going on as he slept on his pillow.

He'd been recovering from the battle at the race he lost. He felt so ashamed. But Ember still saw him as one of them, same with Torch and Nightwing. At first, after he had recovered, he had expected their reactions from his "true" powers inside him, but Torch said that they were his negative emotions he had used, which made the young dragon even more worried. Why would he even have such a power? Was he born with them, or had they come from Garble's mocking?

The other seemed to be the best one he will think of for now. His negative strength was the one thing that made him lose the race, to what Garble won instead of him. He wanted to give him back for the trial. He can't wait for that chance.

Chapter Three: The Darkness Within

Author's Notes:

This chapter looks a bit dark, but not much. Also, it has a song outside of MLP, but I hope that's alright, considering I'm a fan of that fandom, as well. I just insert it to the chapter, nothing more.

Three years.

It has been three years since that "little" incident. Virin, who not wanted to feel weak anymore, began to train even harder than before. He also began to excercise with his friend, Nightwing, for his wings and muscles to pump up.

After all that during the first half year, Virin's muscles started to grow more in build, same with his wings. Ember was impressed with the results. She was even started to make a sibling bond with the young red drake. For her, it felt... nice.

Lord Torch was pleased with his daughter's affections and protection of Virin. He knew that Virin was special. The last World Protector. During winter, he and Virin would meditate all the way through it. At first, the young drake thought he was crazy, but decided not to question the Dragon Lord.

The first few days for Virin wasn't what he expected. Even though he had fire in him, he still got sick a few times, and Ember had to made sure he was feeling better. That was the beginning of their brother and sisterly bond, with the latter's protective nature growing for him.

Virin was not always training with his new sister and father figure. He even had some dreams about the voices he was hearing inside his head, but he listened to the dragon voices, not those that sounded like ponies. For some time, he and Nightwing even had few fights with Garble and his gang. They knew they were outnumbered two to six. It was rather shocking to learn that Ranger, Azam and Ogyn was part of the tall red's group.

Knowing they couldn't match with Garble and his buddies, Virin and Nightwing started to search for a friend that would make them even with one of the tall drake's gang. The scar on Virin's left eye, however, made him a rather scary appearance. Few young dragons fled to their families by the mere sight of him, which disappointed him and his friend.

One, however, was different than the rest. He was a brown dragon, named Zach. Zach was a little scared of Virin at first, but soon began to open more up to him. This pleased the World Protector.

After two years of intense training, Virin was now called "Equestrian Dragon" as his title, from both dragons and creatures alike. His muscles was more muscular than the first half year. Nightwign and Zach was amazed by the drake's abilities growing each year. He was starting to grow stronger than even Garble, making the drake in question a bit "scared" of him.

Virin's flying ability grew even more. He was even faster than his friends in the air than his first time as a dragon. In the third year, he began to meditate with the one drake he considered his father, Torch.

Like last time, Virin had it a little hard for him to concentrate, but Torch told him to empty his mind to focus, into which he did. He felt more at ease with the help of the large dragon in his presence.

He was even started to become more mature with his sister, who knew all about being matured. Though, Garble was still mocking and interrupting his training alone. These times got him to be near the breaking point like at the incident, but Ember warned Garble to not interrupt her brother's peace, much to the bully's annoyance.

In his cave, Virin was snoring softly, his mind completely clean and controlled. He was sleeping peacefully with the dream he was having.

In a grassy field, Virin was smiling in pleasant as he felt more at peace. That, however, was soon faded as he began to feel a breeze, interrupting his peaceful dream. The field was replaced with a dark, cold void where no one would feel at ease.

Frowning, he demanded, "Alright, who are you?!" No answer. He tried again. "I command that you show yourself, now!"

In an instance, a bright light appeared in the distance, blinding him for a moment. The light faded. He slowly removed his paws from his eyes, only for hiis eyes to widen at the sight.

A few colours, white, pink, purple, and blue was in front of the young drake.

"Swee-" The white started.

Titling his head in confusion, Virin asked, "Who are you?" It didn't answer. Growing tired of this, he started to roaring, "WHO ARE YOU?!"

"Wh-why?" The dragon only blinked, now more confused.

"Did you had to die?" The pink one then said. Virin's eyes showed more confusion now. What did it mean by "had to die"? He was alive. Why would he be dead when he was standing where he was? This just didn't make any sense!

"I am right here! I am NOT DEAD!" Virin yelled to the darkness. He received no answer. He was starting to feel annoyed for the lack of answers. He turned around to leave.

"D-don't..." The purple one begged. This only made Virin confused as heck. "D-don't leave... u-us..." It finihsed. Virin's eyes widened. Why didn't it have him leave them? This just didn't make any sense at all!

Virin started to feel another breeze coming to his aid. Sighing in relief, he didn't have to talk with these weird colours. Though what made him frown, was that they sounded just like them in his other dreams.

"Son." A male voice came. The voice was the one that made the colours to slowly disappear. Virin tried to reach them with a paw, but they were now gone.

Turning to face the voice, Virin's eyes widened even more. "Who are you?" He had to have answers now.

"My dear." A female voice arrived. The young drake relaxed as he could see the wings and only eyes of the two unexpected voices. The female continued, "Do you wish to have answers, my son?"

Virin's eyes widened, but composed himself. Nodding, he said, "Yes, please."

He could feel that the female smilie. "Do you wish to know who you are?"

The boy blinked, but nodded anyway.

"You're our child from long ago. In fact, you're really ours to begin with." Virin blinked. The female clarified, "We were the ones who gave birth to you."

"Indeed, my dear." The male added. Virin could feel that the male was calm. "We trust that Mr. Lord Torch and Ms Ember took care of you?"

The boy blinked again. "How do you know my sister and the one I consider my father?"

"Sweetie," Virin glanced at the female. "We've been watching you since you got here."

"Huh?"

"You see," the male started, gaining his son's attention. "I was the one who teleported you here from one of our wars with the humans."

"But why?" Virin asked, puzzled. Why would his own father do that to him?

His mother was the one who answered. "In order for our species to survive, we had to send one of our children to a peaceful world, which was this one. Your father knew one of the dangerous arts discovered by our kind."

"Yes." The male chuckled sheepishly. "I found the art when our city, your birthplace, was being attacked. We was defended you as our last hope of survival against the human warriors." He then frowned. "But..."

"But...?" Virin also frowned.

His mother finished. "The humans destroyed the walls to our city when your father finished the spell. You could say we were outmatched by their skills in using weapons, like spears and arrows."

Virin frowned in sadness. Why would the humans do such a thing to his kind? Such beasts.

"And now," he turned to his father. "The humans took control over our planet, Earth, ever since our race was all but wiped out, even our World Protectors."

"You're the last of our hope." His mother begged, "Please don't die, or else our kind will be extinct."

"I promise... mother." Virin nodded. "I promise you." He felt his parents smile in his mind. Then the dream ended.

Virin's eyes opened. Gasping quietly, he looked around. Still in his darkened cave. Was that all real? Was his race really going to be extinct? No! He will not let that happen. Ever.

Day broke, and the dragons began to stir from their world of dreams.

Lord Torch yawned, rather loudly. His daughter also yawned.

"When do you think he will wake up?" Ember asked her father, wondering about her brother.

"Don't know." He answered, unsure. "He is a heavy sleeper, after all."

"I will wake him." His daugther volunteered. She walked out of their cave, and began her walk to the average one beside theirs. Ember looked inside. Still filled with the gold treasures from creatures who left them, the tooth was still in its place in the pedestal.

She looked to see a familiar dragon on the pillow. Ember smiled a evil smile. There, on the pillow, sleeping, Virin continued snoring as if nothing was happening.

Ember approached the sleeping dragon using her tiptoes. She nudged the red drake, only for him to moved to another direction, his back turned down as his face was upside. The Princess silently chuckled at the gesture.

What a funny way to sleep, brother. She thought, humoured. She took a side of the pillow and pulled it up as Virin hit the ground rather hard.

"Ouch." He groaned, rubbing his eyes. Blinking to focus, he looked up at the ceiling of his cave. He then heard giggling from the side. Glancing in the direction of the sound, he murmured,"Why did you do that?" He had irritation in his voice.

"Wake up." She ordered. "You don't want to miss your training today, right?"

Virin groaned again. He stood up and stretched his limps for them to be awake. They made their way out of the cave. Ember noticed his condition.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Just a bad dream this night." Virin responded.

"Nightmare?" She asked, worried. Ever since those few fights with Virin and Garble, she was starting to break them up when things got out of hand.

"Something like that." Her brother shrugged, standing on four legs. Knowing why Ember would ask him that, he just answered "Better this way" all the time, and added "Maybe you should too" one time.

The now-siblings began making their way to the place where their father, well "consider" for Virin, wanted them and the latter's two friends to meet with him. They wondered why he would, he only responded "You have to find out for yourselves".

In a open field, the siblings noticed Nightwing and Zach in the middle of it. The former smiled happily for seeing them.

"Hey, guys." He called, waving a paw.

"Hey." Virin smiled as he and his sister walked up to them. Zach was a brown dragon with a few white markings on his wings, merged horns, wings slightly curved, a spear at the end of his tail, his eyes were red in colour. His height were the same as the young red's.

When he first met Virin, Zach was scared for him, mostly for the scar on the left eye. But as they got to know each other better, Zach opened more up to Virin and joined his group with Nightwing, whom was a friend of his.

Zach's personality wasn't that obvious for Virin and Nightwing. He was mostly afraid all the time, he also had a stubborn and ignorant side of himself, often asking Torch questions about the young red.

"So," the black drake started. "What's for the schedule today?" Nightwing occasionally joined Virin whenever Torch gave the young drake a mission to complete.

"That is why I wanted you here." A booming voice trempled the ground below them. Firstly shaken, the friends and sinblings looked up at the Dragon Lord.

Virin frowned. "And why is it that you wanted us here?"

Smiling at his "son", Torch began explaining. "For the reason I gathered you and your friends here, is that I want you three to investigate something."

"Investigate?" This time, Zach was the one who frowned.

"Yes." The Dragon Lord nodded. "A disturbance seemed to appear in one land of the minotaurs."

"And you want us to solve the problem?" Virin questioned.

"Correct." Torch said, pleased with his "son" getting to know this.

"I don't know, father." Ember replied, uncertain, gaining their attention. "I don't want my brother to engage something that could be dangerous. The prince of the hydras was one of the things, since he was alone fighting it."

"I know." Her father said. "But this time, he won't be going alone. His friends will be there to help him."

Ember sighed in defeat. She didn't want to argue with him.

Nodding, Torch gave instrutions to the trio. "Since you'll be doing this yourselves, I want to tell you something about the problem. It seems that a group of thirty unicorns of Equestria sealed the entrance to the city, where the minotaurs' royal palace lies within, in order to steal the treasured artifacts they hold so dear."

"That's why you want us to help them?" Nightwing asked. Torch nodded.

"But why not Garble and his friends?" Zach wondered, gaining glares from his two friends. He coiled back by the stares.

The Dragon Lord responded, "Knowing them, I know that they would just take the artifacts and money for themselves when the problem is solved." He added, "I want those that I trust the most, the ones that wouldn't take things for themselves without permission from the owners."

"...You have a point." The brown drake smiled sheepishly.

"And we won't let you down." virin said, smiling confidently. Torch smiled, pleased with the one he will soon have to call son.

"I'm happy to hear that," the large dragon thanked. He then motioned them. "Now go."

Nodding, the trio flapped their wings, with Virin a bit faster, and flew beyond the mountains and out of the royals' sight.

Flying, the trio was making their way for the land of the minotaurs. Virin, knowing it'll be a long flight, called out,

"Hey, I have an idea." This got Zach and Nightwing's attention.

"What is it?" The black drake asked.

Hovering down, Virin was soon followed by his friends. "Why don't we sing a song on the way?"

Zach's eyes glittered. "What kind of a song?"

Virin thought for a moment, before a flash came to him. He also heard a young voice in his head, one that sounded like a small boy.

"Let's go on an adventure."

This got the one idea for a perfect song. "I know just which one." Zach and Nightwing had curious looks as Virin started singing.

[Insert song: Adventuring from Land Before Time.]

"I'm goin' to go adventuring."

Zach and Nightwing asked, "Adventuring?" Then they knew that this investigation was kinda like one.

"I'm goin' on adventuring

and who knows what I'll find."

The brown dragon, nodding his head, joined in the song. "He's goin' to see the great beyond."

"Across the mud." Nightwing.

"Beyond the pond." Virin.

"He's going to see the great beyond." Zach and Nightwing.

They started walked towards the mountain sides as the former continued.

"Will there be ugly, bugly things and ickely, tickely, prickely wings?"

"A front that bites

and back that stings?"

"You never know." Virin walked down the ledge of the mountain with his friends following.

"Will there be things with pointy horns that shoot magic?" Zach.

"Up above and underneath?" Nightwing.

"We'll bet so." Both.

Virin started flying, his friends following suit.

"I'm goin' to fly the mountain tall

where fires burn and rocks fall."

Nightwing started to fly creepily behind as Zach hadn't noticed him.

"And scary things can creep and crawl with one big bite."

Zach gasped, glancing back at the black drake. "Ah! Stop!" Nightwing laughed as he continued with the song.

"He's going to reach the highest high where even dragons never fly."

"Maybe he will touch the clouds." Zach.

"Well, I won't say goodbye." Nightwing.

"Will he cross the big ocean?" Zach imagined Virin flying over the ocean to the land beyond it.

"Where it hot, even hotter?" Nightwing imagined the red drake calmly walk across lava.

"Bet he's gonna meet a lotta evil creatures there." Zach.

"Yeah." Nightwing.

"Will there be yummy things to eat?" Zach, as he imagined Virin eat lots of meat.

"Will there be things that ouch your feet?" Nightwing, as e imagined the red getting hurt by spiked plates.

"Will you be scared?" Zach.

"No!" Virin shouted, flying down to the ground, his friends following him.

"I'm goin' on adventuring."

His friends joined the chores.

"Adventuring, adventuring."

"And when I go adventuring

There'll be so much to do."

All three: "But if you go adventuring, adventuring there's just one thing

Ya know what you are going to do?

You're going to take all your friends with you!"

"Oh, yes! Please!" Zach pleaded.

They then finished.

"We want to go adventuring, too!"

The friends laughed until tears came in their eyes.

"Oh, boy." Nightwing wiped his tears. "That was fun."

"Yeah." Zach agreed, before he looked at the red drake. "How did you know that song?"

"I don't know." Virin shrugged. "It just came to me." He had lied, since he didn't want them to know that he had a vision of a long-necked creature singing it.

"Well," Nightwing began, "whatever it was, it made our trip easier. Look." He pointed to their destination. His friends noticed that they were already at the minotaurs' main city.

"Yeah, you're right." Zach nodded in agreement. He looked at the red drake, who seemed to be in deep thought. "Something wrong, Virin?"

Virin jerked his head up, before seeing that it was the brown dragon who asked. "Yeah. Sorry. Was in my mind." Who was that that had sung that song? I only saw him in a few visions, but who was he, and with those other young children?

Nightwing, from the corner of his eye, side-glanced at Virin who was still in thought. "Let's go," he called. "We don't want to let those unicorns get away, now do we?" He gave them a smirk.

Zach and Virin also smirked. "No we won't." They replied at the same time.

After a few minutes of walking, the trio finally made it to the city. The walls were quite high, it had marble, and pointed spikes on the front side of the walls, making it look impossible for them to just fly to it.

"So," Virin began, "is that it?"

Nightwing nodded. "According to Lord Torch, it's the city with a wall that has marble rock as its construction." Then he frowned. "But, where are the guards?"

They made their way through the gates, and looked around. The city seemed to be deserted, but not to their eyes. Just then, a number of guards, around thirty, came out of their hiding places and pointed their spears at the intruders who dared to enter their home.

The trio lifted their paws up. "Wait." Virin called. "We mean no harm."

"Yeah, right." A guard spat. "You're just saying that so you will get our treasures, don't you?"

"No we won't." Zach pleaded. "Please, you have to believe us."

"That's quite enough." A new voice joined in. They all looked to see it was the minotaur king who joined in the conversation.

The king, who looked at the dragons, frowned. "And who are you supposed to be?" He asked Virin.

"My name is Virin, your Majesty." Virin bowed respectfully. "And these are my friends: Nightwing and Zach." Said dragons who also bowed in respect to the king.

The king smiled at their humbleness. "By looking at you, I see that you're not to threaten us." He gestured to the guards. "Now leave them be." They all nodded to their king. The king then said to the trio, "Are you here to help us?"

"Yes, your Majesty." Virin answered. "We were sent by the Dragon Lord himself. I'm also the protector of this world now."

The king's eyes widened a little. "The Dragon Lord? Now, I'll be. So you're the World Protector he's been talking about?"

"You know of me?" The young dragon asked, a bit shocked.

"Why yes." The king confirmed. "He had been visiting me whenever his pupil has his time off. I see that pupil is you, Protector."

Protector? Virin thought, amused. Then again, the minotaurs probably knew of his status as the Equestrian Dragon from his father figure.

"Enough of this talk." The king then said. "We're dealing with a threat here." This got the trio's attention.

"It's the unicorns, right?" Nightwng asked.

The king nodded. "Yes. They're causing us trouble whenever they travel to our beloved city, and we could use some assistance. I believe that's why Lord Torch sent you here?"

Zach nodded. "He had given us the basic details of them. He also said it was around thirty unicorns."

"And he's right." A guard confirmed.

"Then, let's not waste any time." Virin called.

"Now, now, no need to rush." The king told him. "We first need a plan, and get you to have at least ten guards each."

"I'll not need protection, your Majesty." Virin responded, narrowing his eyes. "This is probably the reason why Torch and my sister trained me. They also taught me the use of combat techniques to help myself."

"I understand." His Majesty finally said. "So, then, what are you planning to do without ten of my guards?"

"Fight them myself, of course." Virin replied, his pride taking over.

"I don't think so, my friend." Nightwing interrupted, gaining everyone's attention. "For what I've seen, you're a bit... aggressive when it comes to be outnumbered. Not to mention, you are also a bit distracted when you're talking to no one."

"I've got my birth father to thank for his aggressive personality." Virin rebuked, with pride in the voice. Not wasting any time, he turned to the west and bolted in the unicorns' direction.

"Virin, wait." Zach called out, hopelessly.

"His birth father?" The king frowned in tad confusion. Nightwing sighed and turned his attention to the king.

"From what he'd told Lord Torch and the Princess, he seems to be from another world." The black drake explained.

"He's an alien?!" A guard cried in fear. Nightwing and his friend looked at each other, with the brown drake nodding, whispering "They may know". The black dragon sighed and began telling them Virin's story.

Running, Virin glowered in the direction he's going.

"Stupid Nightwing," he muttered, irritable. "What's with him going around and be a leader, huh? I am the one who made him my friend. He must deal with it."

Anger is not the issue, my son. His mother reminded him sweetly.

Virin stopped for the moment, staring at the sky. "Mother?" He whispered.

I heard everything, she said. But, your friend is right. Aggression will not come to your aid when the time comes. You need to calm down and breathe.

Virin took a deep breath as his mother's voice told him, and relaxed.

"Well well." A voice came. "What do we have here?" The dragon looked up just in time to dodge as a red beam of magic shooting in his direction. He rolled to the side, glancing at the beam which hit a trash can. He looked back to see more than twelve male unicorns come out from their hiding place.

"What was that?!" The dragon growled angrily, the image of the one who attacked him coming back.

"Aw, isn't that cute, boys?" The same voice sneered. "The lizard think we would hurt him."

The "lizard" snarled in rage at the direction the voice was coming from. It came from a dark green furred pony that stood in front of the rest.

"What's with the attitude?" The dark green unicorn mocked. "Aren't you happy to be alive?"

The dragon roared in rage, taking them aback, but they recovered and stood their ground.

"You're a dragon." The leader sniggered. "No matter. We will deal with you so we can sell you for a good amount of money." Virin roared, enrage, the thought of them taking and selling him makes him very angry.

"Don't you you're messing with an ordinary dragon." He growled in a warning.

The leader laughed evilly. "Get him, boys." The unicorns did as their leader commanded, and began firing beams at the young dragon. Virin jerked his head up at the sudden attacks, but spread his wings and flew up, rather fast than they could see.

"Wow." A unicorn breathed, before noticing that he's friends giving him stares of irritation. He smiled sheepishly before shooting a beam at the dragon, who dodged to the side and began flying towards the stunned pony.

The pony's friends was stunned as well. Is he really going to fight back?! They thought in shock. They knew the dragon had the disadvantage, but he was really going to fight anyway.

"He's crazy!" Their leader yelled, before being rammed into by the angered dragon, sending him to the wall behind his gang, knocking him unconscious. Virin roared in triumph at the quickly defeated pony.

The others, however, growled in anger seeing their boss unconscious after one attack. They began firing their magic at the dragon, who dodged them with relative ease with his speed, stunning them once more.

"How can he just dodge them?!" A pony shouted. Virin snarled at the unicorn and flew towards him, clawing his eyes. "My eyes!" He was then sent flying to his unconscious leader by the same attack by the angry dragon.

The rest began to step back in worry. This dragon was crazy. In all their life, they've never come across a single being that intended to challenge their gang.

Virin roared in triumph and anger. He then glared at the rest of the unicorns, who looked back in shock and fright. The dragon landed on the ground, which they thought he was given up. That, however, was not the case. The fully enraged dragon ran at them at full speed, clawing two ponies, kicking two more, before flying up and spinning around into a ball as he was seen caught on fire. The ponies gasped just before the ground got slammed on by the dragon that had been on flames, creating a huge crater and knocking them all unconscious as they hit the walls behind them and the back walls with their fallen leader.

I call that attack "Flaming Meteor". Virin thought, before roaring in victory at the fallen ponies.

With Nightwing...

After telling them the story of Virin, Nightwing, along with his ten guards, was walking the city, carefully looking around for an ambush.

"Alright," he called. "One of you go ahead and scout for any unicorn that are ready to attack." A guard in silver armour nodded and walked forward.

"What are you planning, sir?" One of his guards asked.

Nightwing answered with caution. "I'm planning to see if the ponies are going to either attack from the north, the east, or west." Then he recalled what his friend, Virin, said. "I'm to blame for Virin to wander off from our arguement."

The guards looked at each other in sympathetically, before one young than the rest walked up to the drake.

Nightwing glanced at the young guard. "What is it?"

"Well," the youngling rubbed the back of his head, "you said you're to blame for Sir Virin's behaviour, yet I disagree with you. My guess is that he think you're just being overprotective of him."

"I'm not "overprotective" of him." Nightwing snapped, making the young guard step back. He sighed. "Sorry."

"It's alright," the youngling reassured him. "Another guess is that he thinks you are his father, but you're like a brother to him, right?"

The black dragon blinked, before nodding. "Yes. I'm like a big brother to him." Before realization came to him. "Oh, now I get it." He continued to look at the young guard. "You're saying his thoughts of my protective nature gets the better of me, while I should let him take care of himself at a time?"

The youngling slowly nodded. "And that you should try to be less protective for him, and try to apologize to him."

Nightwing smiled gratefully. "Thanks, I needed that. I'll apologize after our mission here." The young guard smiled in happiness, before he noticed a beam of magic coming his way. The black drake noticed it too, and quickly grabbed the youngling and slid the ground.

"Kid," the guard behind them cried out. "Are you alright?!" He kneeled beside the young guard.

"I'm alright," the youngling assured him.

"Well, well," a sinister voice came. "What are you looking for?" The guards and Nightwing took fighting stances, and the guard beside the younger one stood over him.

"You, obviously." Nightwing snarled at the dark gray unicorn. "Just what did you think you were doing? Attacking a child like that?" He was obviously pissed with the pony who dared to hurt his new friend.

"Just searching for our leader," the unicorn replied darkly. "But we found you. We had heard an enraged roar and decided to check on it, but didn't know where our leader had gone to."

An enraged roar? Then it came to him. "You're not talking about my friend, are you?"

"So, you know him?" The unicorn sneered. "We had heard a loud crash, and we also heard it crashed like an meteor."

Nightwing, still in battle stance, commanded his troops. "Prepare to attack." The guards did as commanded, and stood ready for an opening.

"Lookie, boys," the unicorn sniggered. "They think they can take us on."

"Oh, we can, and we will." The guard, who stood over the youngling, snapped.

"Alright, attack." the pony ordered. The unicorns lightened their horns... but not fast enough as a red blur as fast as lightning came ramming into the dark gray pony, sending him to a wall.

The guards looked agaped as Virin gave a loud, but dangerous, growl to the other unicorns who stepped back in fright.

"Virin?" Nightwing shrieked. He was afraid that Virin would attack them too, especially since his senses seemed to be out of control.

The pony Virin sent flying recovered from the sudden hit. He looked at the one who dared to ram him... only for him to shriek in fright as the red dragon growled visously and dangerously at him.

"That's the one who attacked our boss!" The pony, coming to his senses, shouted in rage. Virin, still growling dangerously, flew at him faster than the lightning at the pony, who screamed as he was sent flying back through the walls of a few buildings of the city.

The guards and Nightwing cringed at that. That looked like it had really hurt.

Virin, who stared mindlessly at the holes, roared in triumph, before glaring at the rest who coiled back in worry. He began to fly up to the sky, getting curious stares from the ground.

Oh no! Nightwing panicked in his mind. "Everyone! Get away!" The guards did as commanded and took cover. The black drake perked through his cover and stared in agap as Virin was soon spinning in the air while his body was being set aflame, and descended to the ground with a mighty "CRASH", sending the unicorns in the area everywhere, buildings, trash cans and broken benches.

Nightwing's eyes widened in sutter shock. Was that a new technique? If so, then how did he learn that? The Princess sure didn't teach him that move.

Virin, who was still in his uncontrollable state, began searching for the last unicorns in the city.

The black dragon began to panic. He's going to where Zach is! He ran out of his cover besides his guards' cries of stop, and flew to the brown dragon's area.

With Zach...

Looking around, the brown dragon began to sigh heavily.

The guard at his side glanced at him. "Tired?"

"A bit." Zach replied tiredly, his mind screaming for him to stop the search and rest.

"Maybe we should take a break for now." Another guard said, noticing the other eight's states. Just then, they heard a loud "CRASH" from the west, causing them to bolt up in surprise.

"What was that?!" A guard cried out.

"Dont know!" Another cried.

For Zach, however, it seemed the crash was made from one of his friends. His eyes widened as he saw a familiar black shape coming towards them.

"Nightwing?" This got his group of guards' attention.

The black dragon landed and started to pant from the rather fast flying. "You... have... to... get... into... cover..."

Zach blinked in confusion. "Nightwing, now you're starting to scare me. What is going on?"

Still panting heavily, Nightwing answered, "Virin... is... on... his way..."

The brown dragon, still confused for the situation, only beamed. "Really? Then this search will be easier than we thought." The guards nodded in agreement.

Recovering from the panting, Nightwing shook his head. "No. What I'm saying is that Virin is out of control."

"What?" Zach cried. "Are you telling me, Virin's anger and aggressive side took over?"

"Yes." Nightwing confirmed. "And I've seen it for myself. He's getting more unstable if we don't do something for him." Just then, a beam of blue magic was coming from his way through the shadows. The black dragon noticed from the corner of his right eye and ducked just in time.

This is why I'm worried! The thought repeated in his mind from his own area. He knew, if there's unicorns in the place, then Virin's not too far now.

"Well, see how lucky we are, boys." Another sinister voice sneered as the pony and his group stepped out from the shadows. The leader of the group continued, "Two dragons in one area? More money for us to get from the checkpoint."

Zach, confused for what he said, only asked, "And what are you needing that for?"

"For our own uses." The leader responded darkly, before being sent flying to a wall by a red blur. Recovering from the sudden attack, the pony sneered at the one who hit him. "Just what are you doing?!" Only for him to coil back at the vicious growl from the red "lizard".

Zach gasped at the sight and state of his friend. "Virin, what do you think you're doing?!" Said dragon who paid no attention to him, his only thought was to settle this.

The unicorn recvoered from the shock and snarled back. "You'll pay dearly for hitting me!" Before he shot a blue beam at Virin, who took it without flinching. Rubbing where the beam hit, the red dragon gave a hateful roar to the pony. He flew straight at the unicorn who continuously started to shoot at him, but he didn't flinch one bit.

Zach, Nightwing, the guards and the unicorns then felt a breeze...coming from Virin who was starting to form a black aura around him as his blue and yellow eyes' pupils was beginning to shrink into nothing as they was forming a evil red colour in their place.

The unicorn shrieked in horror at the dark dragon that was coming for him. He continued to shoot beams at the evil dragon that was flying towards him, only for them to sink into the darkness of the dragon.

Stopping for mere itches from the unicorn, the dragon started to talk in a dark voice. "Now you wish you hadn't attacked me with you magic." The pony shrieked in fear as he heard the voice.

Zach and Nightwing shivered uncontrollable as they had heard their friend speak in an evil voice. They just wanted him to be normal, and friendly.

Nightwing, not wishing Dark Virin to finish the unicorn off, cried out, "VIRIN, STOP!" the dark dragon's eyes widened as he heard his friend's voice, the darkness slowly starting to fade.

Virin, who began to swaying side to side, laid on the ground as he got into unconsciousness. He was unable to control that intense darkness within him. The unicorn was shaking uncontrollably as he thought it was the end of his life.

Nightwing and Zach let out huge sighs of relief as their friend was in his normal state.

"Guards," the black drake said, "bind them." The guards nodded, still frightened by the red dragon's dark powers that had been released, binded the unicorns' frozen states and hung them together.

Zach, again, let out a big sigh. "Thought he was going to be consumed by darkness for a second."

"Me too," Nightwing said in agreement. "But luckily, there was still light in him." Now everything was going to be normal...
right?

Groaning, Virin started to wake up from his unconscious state. The first thing he noticed, was that he was back in his cave, and was lying on his pillow.

How did I get here? The thought repeated his mind. The first thought that came to him, was that he was in an backyard alley of the minotaurs' capital city, being attacked by unicorns, and then... nothing.

"Oh, good. You're awake." A familiar feminine voice said, relieved in the voice.

Virin looked up to see his sister at the cave's entrance. "Sis?" he muttered.

"Don't worry, you're safe." She reassured him.

"'Safe'?" He repeated. "What happened? And most importantly, how did I get back here?"

Ember blinked at her brother's confusion, before smiling sweetly. "You can thank him." She gestured to the dragon beside her.

Virin saw that Nightwing was at his cave's entrance alongside his sister. "Nightwing..." he growled.

"Easy." He raised his paws. "Listen, I'm sorry for how I behaved back at the capital. I was... worried for your safety, and wanting to make amends with you."

The young red stared at him for a few minutes, hoping to find a lie... but strangely, nothing. He gave a heavy sigh. "Apology accepted. I was... in a bad mood that time."

Ember raised an eyeridge. "In a bad mood?" she frowned. "You seems to be in a fresh mood every now and then."

"But he wasn't today." Nightwing said, choosing his words carefully. "Let's just say, he was just a bit excited for the mission."

"Excited?" Virin and Ember asked at the same time.

Rubbing his neck, the black drake nodded. "Yeah. And, it seems he wasn't ready just yet with the investigation. He needed a bit more time."

"Guess you're right." Virin said slowly. For now, all he needed was a break from today's mission, and think of what happened back there.

Everything seems to be going to normal, right?

Chapter Four: A Trial of Courage! Virin vs. Garble

Author's Notes:

Ever seen one of these kind of chapters? No? Then, this is the first I think.

I had originally posted this on Fanfiction.net for over a month of work, but I thought of posting it here. And here it is now. One of the better chapters of the season, yet.

Six years.

Six years has gone by after Ember found and took him in. Virin, since three years ago, wanted to train with more intensity in his exercises. He'd been doing that for two years, his body had grown significantly, along with his wings' shape. His muscles had grown a bit more than last time, he'd also meditated with his "considered" father to help him being more calmer in nature, just as his former ego had almost disappeared.

Not only had he been training, he also hung out with his friends, Nightwing and Zach, a few more times, mostly before he was sent on a mission from the Dragon Lord; to the minotaurs' kingdom, the griffins', the zebras', and so on. His friends had been joining him in most of the missions, though they were merely investigations and not really missions, as Torch had told them.

Virin had also more fights with Garble and his gang, nearly at the point where his darkness took control over him. Ember managed to calm him down when he was out of hand, his aggressive personality had been there all the times he'd been fighting Garble. Ember suspected his aggressive side was from his birth father, who was a red dragon like him as well. Virin had been having dreams about the ponies for a few months, but thanks to his parents' arrivals, he was able to sleep peacefully.

That didn't stop, however, as when his dreams was gone, he was now having nightmares. Nightmares about a giant predator that scares him to death in the middle of the night. His nightmares saw it as a huge reptile-like creature. This had been going on for about a half year, not even his parents was able to secure the nightmares for him.

His sister and friends was unaware of his lack of sleep as he was training, but noticed his sleepy states now and then. He reassured them that he just had bad dreams, but they knew he was wrong.

Not wanting his friends and new family to worry about him, Virin had also searched for two friends to help him with his nightmares, though they were unnerved by them, and told him that they were merely from a bad sleep story. The dragons called themselves Amber and Minuette. The former was a bit hostile when she saw him, mostly when she noticed his scar on his left eye, but the latter was more cheerful and kind, as she broke him and Amber from each other before violence was at loose.

Virin had thanked Minuette for her help before a fight was issued. She shook it off, saying it was nothing.

A year before the day of the trial, he was still been having those nightmares about that giant predator. It was still scaring him, his parents couldn't help him, either. This had worried his sister to great heights. She'd wanted him to not have these nightmares.

The mystery behind Virin's powers of the darkness, however, remains unknown. For what they know, he loses consciousness whenever he gives himself to the dark power within him, the same almost goes for the glowing he had at the race those years back, but had no memory what happened afterwards.

The moonlight on the night stroke the land as every creature was sleeping through it. All dragons was sleeping tightly, having great dreams of the upcoming trial for some of them. Well, almost all dragons.

In his average cave, Virin was trashing on his pillow as his nightmare continued to plague his mind.

Running, he ran to find a safe place through the darkness. But sadly, there was nothing. Panic stroke him as he looked desperately around the endless darkness and shadows. It had been going on like this for over a year. These nightmares was getting worse every night.

Suddenly, he felt the ground below him shaking.

Virin jerked his head around, and panic and cold sweats now covered all over his shaking body. There, a large, dark green predator slowly walked up to him, the ground was shaking as it did. Its eyes were a blood red colour, giving the young human more panic as it was advancing to him.

"You can't escape from me," it said in a dark voice. Virin was now at the highest level of panic as he heard the dark, cold voice from the giant creature. It continued, "You will be mine. And when you do, you'll sink into eternal darkness forever. You'll never be able to see the light again."

"N-No," was Virin's shaking answer. The predator laughed evilly, enjoying seeing his helplessness. It continued its mark on advancing towards the helpless human.

"Enjoy seeing nothing but darkness!" Then, the titan brought its teeth down to the human's head. Virin screamed as he was about to get eaten.

Virin's eyes shot open, pulling himself up. He let out a scream, not to wake the sleeping dragons, of course. Noticing he was back in his cave, he let out a huge sigh of relief.

"I-It was just a bad dream," he mumbled, relieved. Looking out, he saw that the night was still out, the moonlight casting a light in the opening cave. He then noticed his hands were shaking fiercely.

"But that bad dream, that felt so real." he told himself, staring at his shaking pawss. "That giant reptile, just what was he? He wasn't anything I saw before. He couldn't had been an ancient creature, could he? If so, then how long ago had he been on the land?" Many questions were now filled in his mind about the creature.

Sighing again, the dragon tried to make his pawss stop shaking. "If the nightmare was real, then how come was I in my human form? If I was in this form, I could've taking it out by the mere sight of it, but I was so scared. Wait, scared? Dragons doesn't normally get frightened, right?" Feeling tired, he laid back down on his pillow, thankful for the nightmare to pass.

The nice, warm sun slowly stirred up in the sky, telling the creatures that morning has arrived. Every dragon slowly awoke and stirred. For one, however, Virin was still sleeping, unaware that today was the day.

Ember, who had slept the night like any other nights, was already standing outside her and her father's cave.

"Wonder how my brother is," she yawned.

"Still sleeping, I guess." Torch responded knowingly.

"Again, I will wake him." His daughter volunteered. Her father smiled gracefully. She walked to the right, to her brother's cave's direction.

Ember walked by the entrance, and noticed that Virin was... trashing around on his pillow. Her eyes were full of concern, and she ran in the cave. She started to approach her brother as he continued to trash around.

"Virin." She called worryingly. "Brother, wake up." The dragon's eyes shot open, he didn't notice her and he took on a defensive stance, ready for any attack from the predator he'd seen in his nightmares.

Strangely, Virin saw his sister and rubbed his eyes to focus. "Sis? What are you doing in here?" He asked tiredly.

"I saw you trashing on your pillow, and I was worried for you," she replied with great worry.

"It's nothi-" he was interrupted when his sister held her paw on his mouth.

"Don't you say that "it's nothing"!" She snapped. "I may not know what's wrong, but you're not going to tell me that it's "nothing"."

Virin sighed tiredly again. Ember took off her paw from his mouth as he spoke apologetically. "Sorry, for that I worried you. It's the same nightmare like every other night."

"The same one?" His sister repeated. Her brother nodded in confirmation, before letting out a loud yawn, noting to his sister that he was awake.

The duo then made their way out of the cave, meeting up with Virin's friends who were a few yards away from the entrance. One of the females was a violet colour, her horns slightly curved, along with her wings. Her eyes were a greenish colour, her underbelly was a brilliant cyan blue, the tip of her tail had a blade at the end.

The other female had a light blue body, four darker blue diamond shaped spots on her thighs and scattered on her tail. Her eyes were a red orangish colour, she was standing on both her paws and legs. She featured four spikes on the back her head, two tusks on both of the sides of her mouth. Her tail shows a spade at the end.

"Hello, Amber, Minuette." The Princess greeted enthusiastically.

"Hello, Princess." The two greeted back.

"What are you guys doing here?" Virin asked his friends.

Nightwing answered for them. "We were just going to pick you up, for the trial, but it seems Princess Ember beat us to you." The young red glanced at his sister who looked away slyly.

This got Virin to raise an eyeridge. "I see." He looked back at the gang. "Then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" His friends agreed with him, and they started to walk the path that led to the trial.

While walking, Virin was in his thoughts about last night. Just who was that creature anyway? The question still hung in his head. He silently shook his head. His friends and sister were oblivious to his condition.

What made them glance in his direction was a bright red light, coming from none other than Virin. They looked a bit surprised to see him in his human form, but that was what they hoped he was going to do. An human of average height stood in place of the dragon. It had a slender skin, a bulky build on its body, brown hair, the same blue and yellow eyes as the dragon form. It wore a red jacket with black streaks, blue jeans, and green shoes.

"Why in your human form?" Zach wondered, staring at Virin's temporarily form.

"Thought of having some more time in this when we get to the trial grounds." The human responded, shrugging his shoulders.

"You're right," the two glanced at Ember, who nodded. "You were never been able to be in that form while you were training so intensely." Her brother smiled sheepishly at Amber and Minuette's curious stares.

" "Intensely"?" They asked at the same time.

"I just didn't want to feel weak, mostly to Garble." Was Virin's sheepish reply. "And, sometimes, I was about to use "that" move." He didn't want to mention his "Flaming Meteor" attack, since it'll be a surprise for them at the last challenge of the trial.

The girls shook their head simultaneously. They knew him well enough. But, they were curious what he meant by "that move", though didn't want to press him.

After a couple more minutes, the friends made their way to the trial ground, a rather open field in the mountains, with a few enormous mountain sides. At the base of the mountains were the competitors and spectators who came to be in and watch the trial. The Dragon Lord himself was there.

"Welcome, my friends," the Dragon Lord greeted the gang. The gang greeted back warmly. Torch looked at his "son", whom seemed to be in his thoughts. He walked a bit closer to the young human, leaning down to his level. Virin's friends moved to the side as he did so.

"Is something wrong?" He asked the young human, who snapped his head up in alarm, but relaxed when he saw his "father".

"Something is, yes." Virin replied lowly, to Torch's raised eyeridges.

"If you want to talk about it, let's do it after the trial, alright?" The human only nodded in response. Torch rose back up after he confirmation.

"There's something odd about him, right?" Ember asked her father as she flew up to his shoulder. The Dragon Lord only stared at her, smiling reassuring.

Zach, Nightwing, Amber, and Minuette just looked at their leader as he was in his thoughts again.

"Welcome, my friends," an old, rich voice came out loudly. They all stopped their chatting and got their attention to the old dragon, who was standing on a ledge of a mountain side. "I am happy to inform you, that the day has come for you to compete in this thousand year's trial."

The dragons cheered, excited by the news.

"I want to express my gratitude for all the wonderful things you all have done to get to this point," the old dragon smiled with pride, looking at one particular human. "And, especially, for one creature in all my heart."

This got Virin to look up in alarm as he noticed from the corner of his eyes that every dragon looked at him. He smiled sheepishly by all the stares his way, before scowling at Garble, who stared at him with hatred in his eyes.

The old dragon continued, getting their attention back to him. "For this day, I hope to be a perfect one, I want all dragons in the land, exception to the younger ones, to participate for the title my ancestors has named;"Predator Hunters"."

The dragons cheered again, louder this time.

"For the trial, the challenges will be journey, hunt, and battle," the old dragon continued to announce. "The rules are quite simple. For the journey, we will have your parents to secure that you doesn't take shortcuts."

The dragons murmured in confusion among themselves.

The old dragon stared at them. "You really think we would just make it easy for you?"

No, you wouldn't. Virin responded telepathically to the old one, who smiled warmly at the silent answer from the young human. The telepathic communication power that he used was a gift to him by his dead parents on his fifteen hatchday, he was happy to receive such amazing power.

Beside the old dragon, was another one, but much younger than him. He had green scales, scars that seemed to have come from many battles, his eyes was a brownish colour, his wings curved like the older dragon. His head featured two horns that curved downwards, his underbelly was a rich gold colour. his tail had a hammer shaped at the end.

"Enough!" The green dragon bellowed to the murmuring dragons, who stopped and stared at him.

"Thank you," the old one thanked gratefully. "You may give the standard rules." The scarred dragon nodded and gave them out.

Virin and his gang, they all listened instantly to the rules giving to them. They all accepted no cheating, since they always worked together in teamwork, surpassed even Garble and his gang's teamwork.

For Virin, however, he seemed to be in his thoughts while listening to the rules, mostly about the giant, dark green creature. I wonder if it'll show up in the far future, he silently sighed as he stared around, observing the terrains.

Come on Virin, snap out of it. He scolded himself. You know that creature can't possibly be here. It was probably extinct long ago. You will be safe. That last line echoed in his mind.

Ember glanced at her brother for a few seconds, her eyes showing worry, then looked up at her father. He looked back at her, same expression.

"Let's begin the journey," everyone looked back at the old dragon. "You'll be walking to the rock formation that looks like a dragon from the past. Then, we will begin the second challenge." The dragons murmured among themselves, but followed the two dragons in front.

As they walked, Virin's gang started to chat to themselves.

"What do you think will happen?" Nightwing started, conversationally.

"Dont know." Amber shrugged, she was standing on all four as she walked alongside her friends. "Must be something important at the third challenge."

"I think it'll be like a treasure hunt at the end." Minuette guessed.

"Didn't you hear the old one?" Zach reminded her. "He said it'll be a battle, not a treasure hunt!" This caused the violet dragoness to grumble in disappointment.

"Who do you think will win all this, huh, Virin?" Minuette asked the red drake, who looked up at her, alarmed. She raised an eyeridge at his sudden move.

"I-I don't know," he stuttered. "Never done a trial like this before."

"Really?" She frowned. "You've done a race before, remember?"

"That was different!" Virin snapped harshly. His friends took a small step back at his sudden harshness. Seeing his friends like that, made him sigh in frustation. "Sorry. My mood isn't as good as it used to."

"You're in a bad mood?" Amber gave a small laugh of disbelief. "You've never been in one, only a good mood, from what I remembered."

"I know," Virin rolled his eyes. "But, I'm just not yet ready for this."

"Well, it's too late for that now." A six voice joined in. The four friends looked up to see their leader's sister walking up to them.

"Sis?" The human pondered. "What are you doing here, with us, I mean."

"I overheard your talk, and thought I would see to you, making sure you're good for the hunt." His sister answered kindly.

"Oh, don't worry, Princess Ember." Nightwing leaned his left shoulder on Virin's, making him quite uncomfortable. "We're all ready, right, guys?" The others nodded in agreement. Virin shoved the black drake's shoulder off him, and glared at him, who smiled sheepishly back.

As they stopped for a moment, they all looked at Virin, who gave an rather uncomfortable stare back.

"What?" He asked.

"Are you even okay?" Ember asked.

"Sure. I'm fine." Virin lied. "Why'd you ask?"

"From the tone in your voice, I can tell you're not fine."

The human sighed in irritation. "I'm fine." He desperately wanted to get going, not having this small talk.

Ember sighed in return, and walked back to her father.

The others' eyes darted back and forth between the two siblings.

"What was that all about?" Nightwing asked, breaking the silence.

"She's just overprotective for me now." Was his friend's response.

"We can see that." Minuette said, nodding knowingly.

"Let's go and not be left behind, shall we?" Zach then called. This alerted the group as they saw that the dragons was near the two mountain sides close the open field. They all sprinted as fast as they could, not wishing to be out of the trial.

As they got much closer to the two mountains, Virin was in his thoughts again.

Just why was I reacting like that? The thought echoed in his mind. I've never been that way before.

You sure haven't, son. He heard his mother's sweet voice.

Mom?

I heard your conversation, she replied. And, I'm a bit worried that you'll get severely hurt.

Don't worry, my dear. His father's voice reassured. From the obstacles that had stood in his way, he seemed to have overcome them just fine.

I know. His mother responded. But, I can't help but worry, especially for that Garble dragon. He seems to be quite a bully, and a good fighter.

"A good fighter". Ha! Their son scoffed. He's nothing compared to the training I went through.

We know, son, his parents said. But you must not understimate his abilities. Not even you know all his techniques yet.

Oh, I know, I know. Virin sighed silently.

"Virin, you okay?" Nightwing asked him, causing him to glance at him.

"Yeah, fine." The human assured, giving a small smile.

The others looked at each other, before shrugging. They made it to the mountain side a few seconds later, seeing all the dragons there. Garble and his gang stood proudly, puffing their chests out.

The Gang noticed them, and scowled at them.

They came first?! They all thought shocked.

The old dragon saw all the dragons in one place, and smiled warmly. "Well, it looks like we're all here," he noted in his old, rich voice. The dragons gave simultaneously nods to him.

"Ha," Garble laughed as he poked Virin's shoulder with a talon. "Who's the best dragon, now?"

"Don't get overconfident," his rival warned. "It might be your downfall."

"As if," the taller dragon scoffed.

"Please, settle down you two," the old dragon said to them harshly. The two rivals looked sheepishly at him. Then, beside the old one, the scarred green dragon stepped forward. All the dragons' eyes settled on him.

"Alright," he said in a thrilled voice. "Now that we're all gathered, let us begin the second challenge: the hunt." Everyone cheered with excitement, wanting to get it done with. The scarred dragon then gave the rules out. "For the hunt, you'll be hunting in the Everfree Forest, for the manticores that resides there."

The dragons gave simultaneously gasps, and began to argue with the scarred green dragon.

"What?!"

"That's not fair!"

"We would be doomed!"

"Fools!" The old one roared loudly, causing the dragons to rub their poor ears. "Do you really expect it to be easy?! If it were, you will bring nothing but shame and disgust to our whole kind!"

The dragons began to sheepishly apologize. Garble, his gang,,and Virin and his gang, gave heated glares at each other. They began to walk closer to one another, feeling the tension around them rising.

"This will be where we go alone," Garble told his gang.

"We will also be going alone," Virin told his, still glaring at his taller rival. Their gang glanced at them and each other, not knowing why they would go on a solo hunt. Then they knew; it was to prove to the other that he or she was better.

The gangs nodded in understanding, walking back to their places while their leaders were still glaring heatedly to one another, clenching their fist and paws all the while. Their rivalry was strong. The strongest rivalry that ever was in the Lands, even for only six years.

Ember glanced at the two. Knowing one of their fights could get out of hand, even if one of them had special powers, they could fight for more than three hours straight.

Torch noticed his daughter's expression, he said lowly, "You shouldn't worry for your brother. He can handle himself."

"I know," his daughter sighed lowly. "But, what if they were the ones to win the next part of the trial? Then they would be the ones to battle. I don't want my brother to have another long fight, one that is near identical to the one two years ago."

The Dragon Lord slowly nodded, not wanted everyone to have their attention to him. "I know what you mean," he whispered. "That time, they nearly destroyed one of the arenas our ancestors had build. Talk about some admirable power they wield."

Virin, who had telepathically heard his "father" and sister's talk, was more focused on his rival, Garble. "I'm going to win, you can bet on it."

"Dream on." Garble taunted. "You can't even handle two manticores for a few seconds. You'll be out before you know it."

The human growled dangerously at him, mostly for the taunting. Out of all the dragons, he was the easiest to pick on, even if he had friends at his side. Garble was the only one of the taller dragons who still mocked him. He also couldn't forgive Azam for the scar on his left eye those years back. That was one of the bad memories he ever wanted to forget in his mind.

"We'll see about that," Virin growled in a challenging way.

"Please, my friends," the old dragon sharply said to the two, "step aside from each other." They did so, but didn't leave their eyes from each other. The old one cleared his throat, about to announce. The dragons focused their attention to him. "Let the hunt part begin!"

The dragons cheered and went to the dark forest, preparing to hunt down the manticores that resides there.

[Insert song: Heart of Courage Extended here.]

After a few minutes of running, Virin, in his dragon form, came to an open clearing that was perfect for a fight. "Now," he calculated, "if I was a manticore, where would I attack my prey?" As if on cue, two manticores, coloured yellow on the body of a lion, they had a pair of bat-like wings, a scorpion's tail that looked poisonous, their mane was a red colour.

Virin smirked; his first two preys was in his sight. He could just feel his victory. One of the manticores charged at him, a forepaw with claws that looked sharp, raised in the air. The young dragon rolled to the side, barely missing the blow from the manticore. He looked at the tail, thinking it was a point hole for him to win against this one. He charged with his teeth visible as he opened his jaw. He bit the manticore's side, causing it to roar in pain as he did so.

The second manticore roared in anger, and charged at the dragon who dared attack its friend. This caught Virin off-guard as he narrowly dodged the attacking manticore's tail, which hit the first one in the back, making it roar in pain once more.

Phew, that was close. He thought, relieved. Virin, wanted them to be finished, ran up with his jaw open as he showed his sharp teeth. He hovered up on the second manticore's back, catching it by surprise. He bit down on its neck, causing it to roar in agonizing pain as it fell on the ground, unable to move, but rose up after the dragon flew from its back.

The two manticores, who Virin noticed, then began to glare at each other, as if to communicate. The dragon raised an eyeridge, wondering what they could be saying. The manticores nodded and charged at Virin at the same time. The young dragon, noticing this, and, as fast as lightning, vanished, making the mantocires look around in confusion.

Virin, wanted to finish this, sped right in front the manticores, catching them off-guard. The speed of this dragon was incredible. It was like lightning. The young dragon opened his mouth, confusing the manticores, until they were hit by a tremendous strength of fire. They were caught on flames, which got Virin to realize that wasn't supposed to happen.

Oops, he thought, realizing his mistake. The old dragon and the scarred green explained to bring back the manticores that was residing in the forest, not to burn them and bring back burnt ones.

He growled out loud as he punched the ground. "Dammit!" He cursed. "And here I thought I was going to show them burned manticore bodies. My mistake." Just then, after the fire calmed down around the manticores, and to his surprise and shock, a number of around twenty five of manticores came out of their hiding places, surrounding him with a vicious and threatening way.

Seeing them all surrounding him, made him to only mutter, "Ooh, man..." He wasn't prepared to fight so many of them in one place. His expression changed from surprise and shock, to a more terrified one.

With Nightwing...

Walking, Nightwing patrolled his area as he searched for the manticore he wanted to fight. His search had led him to one of the deepest places of the forest, the sky was dark and cold, clouds was out, which confused him a little. Why would there be clouds in the middle of the day?

His train of thoughts was interrupted by a mighty roar. He looked and saw his worthy opponent. There, in the front of an entrance, was a rather large manticore. Its build was impressive. It had an armour on it, which was a bronze colour. Its tail was significantly longer than most of its species. An perfect opponent for him.

To his surprise, Nightwing was amazed that the manticore spoke, in a telepathically way.

Welcome, dragon, it greeted. What brings you to my territory?

Talking out loud, the black drake answered, "I was finding an opponent for me to battle against. But, it seems no one was good enough. You seems to be worthy enough."

Hoho, the manticore laughed. Nightwing couldn't understand why it was laughing. I must say, it continued, I am rather surprised by the sudden challenge, by a dragon, no less.

"Why is that so surprising?" Nightwing asked aloud.

No dragon has ever set foot in my territory, the manticore responded. In fact, you're the first who ever stood in it.

Nightwing's eyes widened a bit. No dragon has ever walked into this terrain? Well, it IS the Everfree Forest, so no surprises there. The black dragon narrowed his eyes at the manticore.

"Do you want to accept my challenge or not?" He asked. "I have a trial to complete." The manticore smirked, delighted by his request, but was curious to this trial of his.

I accept. It accepted. There will be no interruption in our duel, how does that sound?

"That'll be fine by me." Nightwing nodded in thanks. A challenge with no interruption. Just what he wanted.

The manticore looked around the area, probably telling the spectators to not interfere. They understood and walked away a bit. Then, the manticore charged at the black dragon with its claws raised, ready to strike.

Nightwing narrowly dodged the attack, getting ready for one of his own. He charged at the manticore, jaw opened to show his sharp teeth, and bit down onto the manticore. He flinched as he suddenly felt a headache come to his head.

"I see," he noted. "So, the armour is not just for decoration. It's to protect your body from any close combat."

The manticore laughed, happily he might add. You got it right. I chose the best that I could find. This armour also proves it. It then charged at Nightwing, its tail preparing to infect some poison to the dragon. The black dragon dodged by spreading his wings and flew backwards. He was glad that the wind was at his side in this battle.

"Not bad," he admitted. The manticore smiled, pleased with the dragon as well.

Not so bad yourself, dragon, it added. You have my respect in this battle. Then, it charged at the black drake, who rolled to the side, narrowly dodging its claws. Nightwing gave a growl, and flew up to the air, before charging down at the manticore's back with full speed. The manticore noticed this and hovered backwards, dodging the hit. The black dragon then opened his mouth, ready to unleash his dark fire, to which his opponent saw. The manticore flew up to the air, he was unlucky, however, as Nightwing's dark fire engulfed around its body as he had flown right after his foe.

The manticore roared in agonized pain as it felt the dark fire melting its bronze armour to pieces. The pieces shattered to the ground, completely exposed. The manticore's eyes widened in horror, seeing its perfect armour torn to pieces by this dragon who dared to burn it. It looked ar Nightwing with a venomous glare as he roared in anger and hatred. It charged at the dragon, who was caught off-guard, but held composure and dodged to the side, barely escaping his opponent's wrath.

That was close, Nightwing exhaled in his mind. Better not underestimate him. He glanced back to the manticore, and flew to the air while opening his mouth in the process, preparing for another dark fire attack. The manticore noticed this, and flew right at the dragon in midair!

Nightwing's eyes focused on his foe, not worrying a bit. His mouth of dark flames was slowly forming into a ball, ready to fire. He launched his attack as the manticore neared him, causing it to roar in utter pain as it fell back down on the ground, creating a crater as it did so.

Nightwing panted, glad that the fight was over. He hovered back down, checking his manticore prize. It looked perfectly fine, small burn marks, but nothing too serious for him to carry back.

"And, I declare myself the winner," he said, loud enough for the spectators to hear, who glared at him, but retreated back to the dark forest.

With Zach...

Walking, walking, Zach continued to walk through the Everfree Forest, not spotting a single manticore for his opponent yet. He sighed in depression, feeling his loss already.

"Why can't I just find one manticore resident in this damn forest?" He mumbled angrily to himself, looking all over the area in hopes of finding one, but sadly there was none. He was beginning to feel hopeless, when a sudden roar, or two, came in his direction.

Zach looked up just in time to see two manticore coming out from their hiding places, ready to strike the intrusion of this dragon who trespassed in their territory. In his mind, he was feeling a little frightened from these manticores, they seems like tough opponents with their muscular build bodies, sharper claws from any other manticores. The only thing he was most frightened about, was those poisonous tails that they had.

Just why did I agree to this?! He panicked in his mind, feeling very scared now. He couldn't handle two manticores all by himself. He needed help.

You'll find your courage, young one, a deep, calm voice said in his mind. Zach could feel that this was probably one of the Shadow Protectors of the past that was in this world. How was it so sure that he would find his courage? He was scared, not to mention, frightened.

Suddenly, one of the manticores charged at him, one paw ready to strike. Zach shrieked and narrowly dodged the hit. Aware of his personality, his friends could've sense that he was sometimes scared.

That was a close one, Zach breathed with relief in his mind, glad he evaded the strike, but the manticores was not. The one who attacked was angry, it roared and charged at him again, ready for another strike.

Here, I will lend you some of my strength, he heard the voice offer, as he suddenly felt a power surging through his veins. His body was also glowing faintly, to the manticores obliviousness.

I feel strange, but stronger now. Zach thought as he looked over his brown body. He did not notice the faint glow that had happened just as he felt the boost through his body. He looked at the manticores, his eyes glowing with an unknown glow, to which the manticores was slightly scared of.

Zach roared out his battle cry, charging at the manticores, who shook off their uneasiness, and returned the roar and charged. The brown dragon, who now had small portion of Shadow, vanished as he looked at the shadow under his opponents. The manticores looked around in confusion, wondering where the dragon vanished to. Suddenly, the dragon reappeared right behind them and let out a strange brown dragon breath attack, which made contact with the manticores, who roared in sudden pain as they felt the attack from the drake. He opened his jaw, showing his sharp teeth, and leaped onto one of the manticores' back, and bit down, causing the manticore he was on roar in pain, who then fell to the ground, eyes slowly closing.

The second manticore glanced at its fallen partner and glowered venomously at the dragon who dared to strike its friend. It charged at the dragon, who dodged by rolling down from the manticore he was on, and let out his strange dragon breath attack at the manticore, who dodged by flying up to the air. Zach glared in annoyance as he saw the manticore dodge his attack. He roared and flew up to the manticore, who suddenly smirked deviously and charged down at the dragon. Their contacted attacks made them disappear in midair!

The two opponents quickly appeared in a brown and yellow light, but disappeared again as fast as their speed carried them. The two battled this way for minutes. The air was filled with brown, yellow/red light as both the dragon and manticore appeared and disappeared again and again.

Zach, on the other hand, was really surprised to see that one manticore was able to match a dragon's speed through the air. He gave his foe his respect.

The manticore, too, silently gave its opponent its respect. They were equally strong in the air. The two appeared again, glaring at each other while in the air, but quickly disappeared in a brown, yellow/red light as their speed came to the battle again. If they had spectators, they would probably not be able to see them.

Zach noted that this manticore had probably exercised its wings to match a faster winged opponent. This made him to give it the most respect it deserved from one of his species.

Wanting to finish this, the two stopped as they appeared again, this time, on the solid ground. While glaring at each other, Zach opened his mouth as his strange dragon breath slowly formed an even more strange ball of light and shadow. While he was a brown dragon, two of his ancestors was a Light and Shadow dragon respectively.

The manticore was slightly surprised to see this strange ball that was forming in its opponent's jaw. To the most shocked expression, the brown dragon launched his light and shadow ball from his mouth, which engulfed the manticore in a mixture of its colours. It roared in utter pain as its eyes slowly closed as it had a blurry image of the dragon, until it fell to the ground, unable to battle anymore.

Zach panted heavily, but that was quickly replaced with a happy and excited expression. He had finally defeated two manticores, probably enough for him to be in the next part of the trial.

"I dunno how," he muttered to himself, "but, somehow, I managed to win." He looked up at the blue sky. "Qonot, one of the Shadow Protectors, was it really you who gave me that strength for this fight?"

No answer.

But that was already made clear to the brown dragon as he smiled gratefully. "If you can hear me, then, you have the respect for helping me."

With Amber...

Amber walked through the dark forest, searching for her opponent, or opponents. She had a feeling that two of her friends had already defeated theirs. This made her slightly jealous. She really wanted to find the manticores, and it would be now.

"Why am I having this strange feeling that two of my best friends has already passed this part of the trial?" She angrily mumbled to herself, as she looked to her frontpaws. She was walking on all four as she had been wandering through this forest, unable to find a single manticore. Maybe her friend, Minuette, had the same feeling?

Amber looked up to see the trees, sighing. Why can't she just find one opponent worthy enough for her? It seems like they were cowards and ran away.

At that thought, as if to answer it, three mnticores roared in the nothing distance, to which Amber gave a small smile, glad that she had finally found her opponents.

Amber noticed that her opponents' bodies had been carefully build in order to fight a strong foe to their kind. She gave a smile to herself, she was finally happy to had found them.

"Now, why don't we get this on the way, gentlemen?" She asked them, to which they roared in response. Amber smiled as they accepted her challenge. She readied her body, standing perfectly still, waiting for her foes to attack.

The first manticore charged at the light blue dragon, who dodged by rolling to the side, evading the attack. The manticore roared in frustation and charged at her again.

No brain, no plan. Just like the simple mindless animal it is. Amber thought to herself as she dodged another strike from the manticore, who, again, roared in frustration. Unable to let this fight against it continue, Amber opened her mouth, forming a ball of light blue ball, and, to the manticore's eyes of horror, fired at it, engulfing it in light blue flames, causing it to roar in pain as it fell to the ground, not moving anymore.

The second mnaticore roared in anger, seeing one of its partners had fallen. It charged at an incredible speed at the female dragon, who rolled to the side in order to avoid its attack. This made the manticore even more angry. It attacked again, but with a more strategic one.

Amber rolled to the side, avoiding the second strike, but was hit by the next... coming from the poisonous tail. This caused her eyes to widen in terror and horror as she felt the poison infect her body slowly from the inside.

No, I can't die yet, she struggled to stand as she felt the poison slowly forming inside her entire being.

The two manticore partners smirked deviously to each other, noticing the dragon's struggle.

"YOU DARE TO ATTACK MY FRIEND?!" A female voice shouted angrily through the area. The manticores looked confusingly around, wondering where that voice came from.

Suddenly, a violet blur came crashing into the manticore who had infected poison to the light blue female, causing it to fall to the ground. Amber, while struggling to stand, looked to see Minuette stand protectively in front of her.

"M-Minuette?!" She struggled, shocked.

Said dragon who gave a small wink to her. "Missed me?"

"A-A bit..."

Minuette looked over at her friend, before her eyes widened in horror. "Did they infect poison to you?" Amber slowly nodded through her struggle. This caused the violet dragon to growl angrily at the manticores, who shrank back.

"Y-You can't defeat t-them by yourself..." Amber struggled to say as she fell to the ground, feeling the poison inside her body growing every second. Just then, a sound of a meteor, was heard over the forest.

Virin, was that you? Minuette silently wondered.

Back with Virin...

Growling, Virin glared at his fifteen manticore opponents. He had managed to take five out with his "Flaming Meteor" attack, to which had knocked the first five out cold.

Just how is there so many of them? He asked his parents.

That, we do not know, son, his father, to Virin's guess, shrugged unsure.

Suddenly, to Virin's surprise, a ball of fire came from above his head from behind. He glanced over his shoulder to see his rival, Garble, standing at the edge of the field, paws crossed.

"G-Garble?" He asked, shocked to see his rival.

"Hmph," the tall dragon huffed. "Can't even defeat fifteen manticores by yourself, can you?" This prompted Virin to growl at him, who shrugged in response. "Oh well, guess I have to help you out."

Virin was even more surprised. " "Help me out"?" He repeated. "Do you even know that we had to do this alone?"

Shrugging again, Garble gave a small grin. "Guess I just wanted to help you get pass this part of the trial, so you can face me in the last one."

The young red dragon rolled his blue-yellow eyes. "Guess, I have no other choice," he mumbled to himself, nodding to the taller one, who gave a small nod in return and walked up to stand beside him.

"Ready?" Garble asked his rival, while grinning at the manticores, who glared back.

"You know the answer." Virin replied. His rival nodded knowingly. The two stood ready, preparing to battle the manticores.

One of the manticores roared and charged at the younger dragon, who rolled to the side to avoid the being hit. Virin flew up to the air, with the manticore following. The red drake charged at his opponent, who did the same. The two collided, before disappearing in a red and yellow light.

Garble raised an eyeridge, noting that his rival's opponent must've exercised its speed and wings. He gave a sinister grin at two of the manticores in front of him, who growled back. One of them charged at the tall dragon, who easily avoided it by flying above it and rolled to avoid the poisonous tail. He gave the tail a hard kick with his right foot, which caused the manticore to roar in anger as it slid across the ground and charged in Garble's direction, who dodged by easily flying above it.

For Virin, he had a hard time as he and his opponent was fighting in midair. A red and yellow light lighting the sky as they battled side by side, above and under from each other. Virin gave his foe his respect for lasting this long. His fight with it in the air had been for more than a half hour. They had clawed the side of each other two or more times, their bodies had bumped into each other a number of times. They had also tried to kicking and punching each other's stomach, and head.

Virin's opponent silently gave him its huge respect for fighting and lasting this long against a single manticore.

Virin, wanting to finish this, quickly appeared right in front of the manticore, readying his body. The manticore stopped mere inches away from the dragon, who opened his mouth, forming a ball of fire, and launched it at the manticore, while hoping not to burn it. To his surprise, the manticore, with its speed, dodged the attack and flew straight at the Protector's head, making him to roar in annoyance, not in pain, as he had enough of this long fight.

Back on the ground, Garble had heard his rival's roar of annoyance, and briefly glanced up to him before rolling to the side to avoid a claw strike from a third manticore. He had battled two manticores, and defeated both of them with relative ease. His strength had grown over the six years, he had also been to a tournament that had happened in a weird place called Canterlot, where there was only nobles who disrespected some of the other creatures in the world, but respected the "ruler" of the place. He had won the tournament with the most easy opponents that were unable to defend themselves from his harsh and ferocious attacks.

Garble, again, rolled to the side from another claw attack from the same manticore, who snarled in irritation at his evading maneuvers. The tall dragon then charged at the manticore, ready to give it a hard punch as his right paw reared back, before punching its face right on the nose, causing it to break it and make it bleed with blood. The manticore stumbled back, rubbing its poor nose.

Up in the air, Virin dodged an air strike from one of the manticores on the ground, causing him to cancel his attack, which annoyed him even more. There was just no end to them. They just keep coming at them.

The manticore, who Virin had previously targeted, gave a roar of battle as it flew at the red dragon, who gasped but dodged the attack. Virin, who was now dealing with two manticores, growled at both of them, who growled back. Virin flew at the manticores, who returned the feeling and did the same. The dragon's attack made contact as al three of their charges collided with each other, which the two manticores pushed the red dragon back, to his surprised expression, but it quickly turned to irritation.

"You just don't give up, do you?" He narrowed his eyes as his foes did the same. Virin, feeling the strongest strength within him rise, was now pushing the two manticores back, to their surprised looks.

Garble, who had defeated two of his opponents, had a noticeable surprise expression as he saw his rival pushing two manticores back as he gained the upper paw.

"Well, that was surprising," he whispered to himself, before rolling aside from a new paw strike from a fourth manticore, who growled at the tall dragon, who growled right back at it. They just keep coming.

Garble, feeling a strange energy surging through him, got to his battle stance as his fourth opponent did the same. He started to attack his fourth opponent, who narrowly dodged the hit. The manticore responded by throwing its poisonous tail at the tall dragon, who lazily dodged by stepping back two inches from it, making the manticore to growl in frustration. Then, Garble gave a similar punch to the manticore's nose like he did with his third manticore opponent, breaking its nose as well, causing it to stumble back to rub its poor nose.

Smirking deviously, Garble gave harsh punches to the same hit point he had previously with his opponent, causing it to roar in agonizing pain as its bleeding nose was being torn apart by this dragon. The tall dragon gave another harsh punch, this time at its right front paw, causing it to fell to the ground, helplessly as its opponent senselessly attacking it with harsh kicks to its stomach. All the attacks made the poor manticore to roar the most painful one it ever had as its eyes slowly closed.

What brutal strength, Virin thought, feeling sorry for the poor manticore, the same was his own opponents as they both let out a roar as they felt tears coming from their eyes. This made the young drake glance at them as he looked confused by their expressions. But, they were not expressions. They were emotions. Tearful emotions. Shouldn't manticores be mindless animals, and not have any emotion? Guess he was wrong about them.

Deciding to spare the manticores that tearfully left the area, Virin joined his brutal rival and went back-to-back with him.

"Ready for another round, Virin?" Garble smirked as he side-glanced at the young drake.

"Yes, but this time, not as brutal as you had did with that poor one." Virin replied, sadly looking at the dead manticore, who had blood cover its body. Garble shrugged, as though saying,"Whatever".

The remaining manticores let out roars of war as the two rival dragons let out their own roars of war, and charged at each other, with both of them taking four of the last eight.

[Insert song: Fight Song here.]

One of the four manticores that Virin faced charged at him with full speed, raising its right claw as it neared him. The drake dodged by rolling to the side, before glaring at his new opponent. Then, Virin, not as brutal as his rival, gave his opponent a kick by its left paw, causing to fall to the ground. The drake gave it some hard punches in the stomach, still not as brute as his rival, making the manticore to roar in pain as it felt the punches.

Virin, then, opened his jaw, showing his sharp teeth, and bit down on its neck, making it roar in pain again as its eyes closed, dead. The second manticore roared and charged at the red dragon, who quickly looked at it, and narrowly evaded a claw attack from the manticore who attacked him.

The manticore gave a threatening growl, lifting its poisonous tail up, ready to poison its foe. Virin took notice of this, and rolled forward, right under the manticore as its tail missed its target. The manticore gave a surprised expression as the dragon that was under it gave a hard kick to its stomach, sending it flying to the air, letting out a pained roar.

By his part, Garble, who had narrowed his yellow eyes at his first opponent, let out a loud roar, and charged at the manticore in front of him, who let out its own roar and charged as well. The manticore tried a claw strike attack, but the tall dragon dodged by rolling to the left, he gave his own claw attack by slashing its eye, scaring it as the manticore let out a painful roar. Garble then got close to the manticore, and bit his sharp teeth in the manticore's left paw, causing it to roar another painful one. The tall dragon smirked in victorious. Then, he gave a kick, that was not as brute as his last ones, to its scarred eye, making it roar in pain again, falling to the ground, closing its eyes, now unconscious.

The manticores partners gave out roars of anger as the first one charged at the tall drake, who evaded the attack by flying to the air. Garble, as before, opened his jaw, showing his teeth, and bit down at the manticore's right wing, causing it to roar in pain, but shook him off, catching him by surprise.

How did it do that?! Garble wondered, enraged by its sudden move.

From his battle, virin was getting a hard time taking down two manticores as one of the last ones, who didn't want to wait anymore, had charged at him, which had caught him by surprise.

Dodging an claw attack, the young drake glared heatedly at his opponents as they did the same. All these manticores had passed the time long enough, he was getting tired as well.

How can I take them out? He tiredly asked his parents, who was getting worried themselves by this long fight.

We will give you the strength to do it, my child, his mother replied sweetly. Just then, his body began to glow with a tremendous power, power he hadn't felt before. The two manticore opponents gave startled expressions at the glowing dragon, who gave a confident stare back.

Then, unexpected to the manticores, the young drake suddenly vanished from sight. This made Garble and his opponents to glance at the battle from the other side of the field. Just then, the drake appeared again right behind his foes from the speed his parents gave him, catching them by surprise and shock. Virin let out a roar, and ran between tho manticores he faced, before kicking them by the side, making them to stumble back from the hit.

Garble raised an eyeridge of surprise. he certainly didn't expect that to happen to his rival.

Wanting to finish their fight, the tall dragon gave his two opponents hard kicks to their right paws, catching them by shock. He also clawed their right and left eyes, causing them to roar in pain. The third manticore had enough of this. It charged and swiped at the tall dragon's feet, making him to stumble to the ground in surprise, but this just enraged him.

Garble let out an enraged roar and gave a brutal punch to the manticore in front of him right in its left eye, causing it to roar in agonized pain as its eye felt like it just got out. He gave another brutal punch to the right eye of the manticore, making it to roar agonizing pain again, and stumble back, but froze as the tall dragon gave another brute punch, this time to its mouth, causing many of its teeth to fall out and shatter to pieces, causing the manticore to roar the most painful one it ever let out, falling to the ground, unconscious.

The two manticores let out fearful screeches as they tried to get away, but Garble, controlled by rage, grabbed them by the necks, squeezing hard, making them to roar in pain.

Virin looked at the scene that was on the other side of the field, widening his eyes in horror. His rival, Garble, was being controlled by his rage, something his "father", Torch, once told him about the tall dragon.

"GARBLE, STOP!" He screamed to the dragon, who heard it, and let go of the poor manticores who felt to the ground, rubbing their necks. Garble then looked at his rival, who had fear in his eyes just as his own foes had.

"W-what?" Garble forcefully let out in confusion, his rage ceases from his mind. Virin just breath out a huge sigh of relief, thanking himself quietly that his rival had returned to normal.

Hearing two roars, Virin glanced back at his opponents, who was in their battle stances, ready for more. The young drake smirked in acceptance, taking his own battle stance, getting himself ready for their assaults.

One of the two manticores charged at the red drake, a paw in the air. Virin evaded the assault by flying to the side, then clawed the manticore's right eye, causing it to roar in pain as its eye was now scarred. Then, with a blurry sight, the manticore lifted its poisonous tail and struck forward, hoping to poison the dragon it was facing. But, Virin, however, dodged the attack by rolling forward, right under the belly of the manticore, catching it by surprise. He then gave a hard kick to its belly, sending it flying to the sky. It, however, responded by spreading its wings and charged down at the dragon, who rolled out of its way, barely dodging the hit.

The second manticore let out its roar of war, and charged at the young dragon, who smiled with confidence, feeling the power within him, and dodged the charge with his new speed. Then, Virin, with his wings spread, flew right into the manticore by the side, sending it towards a group of trees, making some of the trees fall by the body of the manticore. The manticore, by anger, charged at the dragon again, raising a paw for an attack. Virin evaded the strike by flying to the side, before ramming into it by the same spot as before, sending it to another group of trees, making some of them fall for the contact by the manticore.

As the manticore was about to get up, a set of five claws from the dragon, struck its belly, causing it to roar in pain as its eyes slowly closed, falling back down to the ground, now unconscious.

The manticore's last partner, who had seen it fall, let out a cry of war, and charged at the dragon who dared killing its friend. Virin noticed it from the corner of his left scarred eye, narrowly evading the assault from it by rolling to the right side.

The manticore let out an frustrated growl, before lifting its tail and thrust it forward, ready to give the dragon poison. The dragon, however, saw it coming. He dodged it by rolling backwards, to his foe's surprise. He then kicked it in the jaws, not as brute as his rival, but enough for it to break some of its teeth. Virin then bit his teeth down to its neck, causing it to roar in agonized pain as it felt the sharp teeth from the dragon, before falling to the ground, now dead.

The first of the last remaining manticores charged at Garble, who side-stepped to evade the assault. Garble blasted a fireball at the manticore, but it flew up in the air to dodge. The tall dragon growled, flying up at high speed to catch it. The manticore saw it, and dodged the dragon, striking him with a claw. Garble howled in pain, but glared angrily at his foe.

The manticore tried to strike the tall dragon with its tail, but Garble rolled right under it. The tall red landed a punch to the gills of the manticore, who howled in pain. Garble wasn't done, as he kicked in the manticore's gills after he had punched it, causing it to roar in pain. Garble blasted two fireballs at the manticore, burning it to crisp. A mistake on his part.

Virin shook his head as he had seen the short fight between his rival and the manticore. Getting back to reality, he turned to face the second manticore that remained. Both charged at each other, claws ready to strike. The dragon managed to land an attack first; clawing the manticore's chin with his sharp claws. This caused the manticore to howl out painfully. Virin smirked.

The manticore glowered at the dragon with deadly and murderous eyes. It tried to hit the dragon with its left claw, but Virin evaded by rolling to the right. The small dragon blasted a fireball at the manticore, but managed to block it with both of its wings, surprising Virin. Then, to his sudden snarl of pain, a second manticore came to assist its ally. Virin growled
dangerously at the manticores, who snarled in response. The first manticore ran up to try and strike the draogn with a claw, but Virin saw it and dodged by flying to the air.

The second manticore flew up to the dragon, intending to attack him by surprise. However, Virin noticed its attempt, and tail-swiped it with his sharp tail end, causing it to fall back down in an perplexed expression. Virin began to spin around in the air, his body heating up with flames. This was a sign of his Flaming Meteor attack. The manticores' eyes widened in shock and fear, but it was too late to run. The Flaming Meteor collided with the ground, creating a crater in the center of the forest around them.

Garble raised an eyeridge of surprise. He'd knew that his rival would finish it off with an "Flaming Meteor" move, but it was quite impressive. Turning his attention to the stunned manticore he was now facing, Garble caught its attention by charging towards it. The manticore was too stunned to even notice the sudden hit in the side, which caused it to slid across the grassy ground. The manticore stood back up, enraged, with eyes blazing in fury. Garble quickly dodged the assault that the manticore tried to make, kicking it hard in the thigh of its left hindleg, causing it to roar out painfully.

Garble finished the manticore off by striking it in its throat, killing it instantly. He smirked triumphantly at his fallen prey, before crying out victoriously.

Virin finished off his manticore opponent by doing the same trick, by killing it by its throat. Only one manticore remained, but it had fled while the fighting had scared it.

Virin knelt down to one leg, exhausted. After getting his breath again, he stood up. He looked over to his rival, who had also defeated his opponents, who stared back at him, before walking over to him.

Garble stood over Virin, before giving him a smile of thanks, much to the dragon's surprise. "Well, I think I have to thank you for helping me out from the situation I was in."

Virin shook his head. "No, I was the one who should be thanking you for helping me." This made Garble's eyes to widen. "You were the reason we both would now be able to pass this part of the trial, getting ready for our battle."

Garble, still surprised, gave a small smile. "Yeah, I guess so." Then he frowned. "But, we have to show them our goods, now don't we?"

"Yes." Virin nodded in agreement. "But, how can we get all of them back?" This made the tall dragon to frown in wonder.

We will give you the ability, my son, he heard his mother's sweet voice, just before he, and his rival, started to glow with their eyes glowing as well.

"Wasn't expecting that," Garble admitted. Virin nodded, agreeing with him. He certainly wasn't expecting this either.

As the sun reached high afternoon, Virin and Garble finally made it out of the Everfree Forest, with their prizes levitating above the ground while their eyes are glowing. As the two neared the statue of the dragon, which Virin finally guessed was one of his ancestors, they could see that all the other dragons made it there as well.

The dragons, even the Dragon Lord, the old one and the scarred dragon, was surprised to see the two rivals walking side-by-side, but the competitors were most shocked to see that they each had ten manticores, outnumbering their own.

Virin and Garble exchanged triumph grins as they saw that the other dragons had only two, or five of the manticores they had managed to catch, while two of Garble's gang managed to get seven, but were still not enough.

"Well..." The old dragon began, unsure what had happened, staring in surprise at the two rivals. "This is unexpected. Since only Garble and Virin was able to have more manticores, they have advanced to the third part of the trial."

The other dragons' eyes widened in shock. They were out. As the number of manticores they should have, it was above ten they should catch. They all stared in hatred at the rivals, most specific for being outnumbered by them in this part.

"And now..." The old one started again, but was interrupted by a feminine voice shouting.

"HEY!" They all looked to the source of the voice. "Why don't you help us out?! We have one dying here!" That was when Virin's eyes widened in terror and shock. There, on the violet dragon's back, was his friend, Amber, in bad shape, as she was in a green colour, mostly for something that could've had poisoned her.

"What happened?!" The young dragon asked, running up to his two friends, assisting Minuette by holding Amber's right paw.

"A manticore had an surprise attack, and infected poison to her by using its tail." The violet dragon explained. Virin gasped in horror; he couldn't let his friend die.

"Quick!" The scarred green called out in a commanding voice. "Get a healing crystal now!" Not wanting their friend die, Nightwing and Zach, desperate, got out an red crystal, one capable of healing poison.

The two friends ran up to their poisoned friend, and held the crystal close to her body. At first, nothing happened, but, bit by bit, the crystal started glowing and began to heal the light blue dragon, whose body was beginning to get to its normal colour, to Virin's big sigh of relief.

"Well, she should be fine now," Virin noted, before motioning his violet friend. "Come, why not take some rest? You might need it." She only nodded, tired to even talk back.

As their friends walked to Virin's cave, which he told Minuette was fine by him, Zach and Nightwing exhaled relief as they looked at each other.

"Well," the former said, "that was close." The black drake nodded, glad his friend survived the poison

After he got Minuette and Amber to sleep in his cave, Virin came back out to his friends, and glanced at the old dragon, who cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Well," he started, "with that close comfort out of the way, let me explain the third part of the trial to you." The dragons cheered, exceptiong of Virin who was in thought. "This part, which will be a battle, will be in a stadium that has been used since two of the last World Protectors has ever been in the Lands."

The dragons murmured to themselves, excited to see this battle to get going.

"As only Garble and Virin, as I said before, will advance to this part, to battle against each other in a duel." The old dragon continued. The dragons cheered again. "They will battle in this stadium, inside the arena, to fight when one of them can't battle anymore, it'll be over, and the winner will have the title "Predator Hunter"." The dragons once again cheered, while the two rivals glared at each other, determined to win.

"Without any further explanations, let us walk to the stadium." Every dragon, both small and big, started to walk to the arena.

After a few minutes of walking, they all came to a stadium, which looked like an old-fashioned coliseum. Two statues of dragons overlooked the stadium, to Virin's another guess, was more of his ancestors.

They sure were popular, he thought. He had wondered who had even defeated them all those years ago, maybe if he asks his "father", he'll understand them better. After some few minutes of staring at his ancestors' statues, he walked with the dragons to the inside of the coliseum. The inside of it was pretty flat, a few rocks was in the battlefield, but nothing serious for him and Garble to fight.

Virin then noticed that his friends and the competitors from the trial, along with the spectators, was hovering to the stands. The only one who he noticed hasn't moved from his spot, was Garble, who had an intense glare at him, as if he was staring into his soul.

"Competitors, take your positions." The scarred dragon, who acted as the referee, called out. The two rivlas walked to their spots, readying themselves for any upcoming attack from the other.

[Insert song: Mother of All Battles here.]

Glaring at Virin, Garble started talking. "When this is over," he began, "I will finally have my reputation over you, for seeing how weak you truly are."

The young dragon only shrugged. "Whatever. You know those statues are my ancestors, right? Then it seems like I have the advantage, as how I am their descendant."

"Dream on." Garble growled viciously, still glaring. "Even if they are your ancestors, it doesn't matter now that I'm stronger than you, halfling."

Virin's eyes widened a bit. "Halfling?!" He roared. "That's it! You're going down!" He took his battle stance, with the tall dragon doing the same.

"Ready?" The scarred dragon called out. The rivals only nodded once. "Then begin!"

The two battlers roared and charged at each other, before colliding. Garble bit down at Virin's neck, causing him to roar in pain, but he returend the gesture by scratching the tall dragon's belly with his claws, making him to roar in pain as well.

Zach and Nightwing cringed. That looked like it had hurt.

Stepping back, Garble gave a tail swipe at Virin's feet, causing him to stumble to the ground on his back. The tall dragon then bit down his sharp teeth at the young dragon's left leg, making him roar in pain again, before his tail swiped the taller dragon's feet, making him to stumble to the ground as well. Virin got up, panting a bit as he stared at Garble's fallen body, whose eyes shot open and gave out a loud roar, causing the young drake to cover his ears.

The tall red stood up, glaring heatedly at his rival, who glared back. Around them, dragons started cheering for either of them, chanting their names all the while.

Whew, Virin breathed in his mind. He sure pack a bunch.

That he does, son. His father agreed. But, be careful. You don't know his true abilities yet.

I know, I know. Virin sighed silently. He gave out a roar and charged at his rival, who expected the charge, and stepped aside, letting a leg out, tripping the charging dragon to the ground, who spat out dirt, before glaring angrily at the tall dragon, who glared back.

"That was a dirty trick." Virin said, angered by the move.

"Hey, every dragon has a trick up their wings." Garble shrugged, uncaring. "You could've at least expecting me to do that, but you didn't, which means I will win."

"As if I care about tricks." Virin roared angrily at him. He charged again, only for a tail to swipe his feet to make him fall to the ground again, head down first, sliding across the dirty field.

"Hey, that was uncalled for." Nightwing yelled at the tall red.

Suddenly, a roar of rage caught both him and Garble off-guard, as the latter had little time to react as the young red gave him a charge at his back, before biting his tail, causing him to roar in pain. This made him to stare with a death glare around to the biting dragon, who still had his teeth onto his tail, not letting it go. Garble growled in a threatening way, before getting Virin off by punching him in the face, making him to stumble back in shock, but not long before he glared at him in anger. The tall dragon repeated his punch by giving a harsh punch to Virin's stomach, causing him to step back even more, holding a paw on the spot he felt the hit on.

Virin stared at Garble with a deadly glare, which was enough to scare either a pony or hydra. He opened his jaw, showing his teeth again. He ran up to bite down at Garble's tail again, but the tall dragon expected this from last time, punching him as he neared the tail, hitting him in the face again, causing him to stumble back.

Around them, dragons started to cheer louder for the show before them.

Garble gave his rival another punch, this time to the belly, making the dragon to hold a paw on it as he stepped back. Then, he did another punch to his rival, at the same spot, causing Virin to step back even more, but not before he gave another deadly glare at him. The young dragon fought back, holding his paws up to defend as the tall dragon made another punch to the face. Then, Virin swiped his tail at Garble's feet, causing him to fall to the ground, surprising him that he had fought back.

"Well," the tall dragon started, lifting himself up. "I wasn't expecting you to fight back. I only thought you were weak, but I guess I was wrong." Virin stayed silent, focusing on his opponent, mostly for the comment about being "weak", growling dangerously at Garble, who growled right back at him.

Virin then, not wanting him to be "weak", gave a roar of war and charged at the tall dragon with impressive speed, surprising his rival. With his speed, Virin got a direct hit to the belly on Garble, who stepped back from the sudden hit. Then, he gave a punch of his own, directing it right to the face of the tall red, who held his pained face as he stepped back from the punch. Garble, angered, lifted his claws up and gave a slight swipe at Virin's right wing, damaging it, causing him to roar in pain as he felt the sharp claws dig into his wing.

From her spot, Ember's eyes widened in shock, seeing her brother's wing being hit. "Hey," she called out, "wasn't that a bit brutal?!"

Garble only shrugged. "Everyone must do what they must in order to win a fight." He then looked at his panting opponent, who held his bleeding wing with a paw, head hanging down, as though motionless.

Why did he had to do that?! Virin cried in his mind. Now I have a bad wing!

Do not worry, son, he heard his parents. We will fix that up for you.

To everyone's, even Garble's, surprise, Virin's body began to glow as his bleeding wing was being healed within the glow. The blood on his stomach was also being healed. Then, his head slowly moved up, his eyes glowing with a multi-coloured light.

"How..." Garble began, bewildered by what happened to his rival's eyes. "HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO HEAL YOURSELF?!" He was obviously pissed by the now-healed dragon in front of him.

"Let's just say," Virin started, slowly walking over to his original spot. "I was treated by someone from within me." Garble also returned to his original spot, facing his somehow healed opponent. They were ready for round two of their duel.

"Well," Garble began, "whoever healed you, that doesn't matter to me. Let's just fight!" Virin gave him a smile, before opening his mouth. A ball of fire formed within it and he launched it towards the tall dragon, while it was engulfed in a fiery tornado, causing Garble's eyes to widen a bit, before giving a wicked smirk as he let the fireball tornado engulf his entire being, shocking their audience.

The dragons around them gave simultaneously gasps, shocked to see what happened to their protector's rival.

"Wasn't that a bit too much?!" A dragon exclaimed.

"Yes! It was!" Another agreed.

Suddenly, from within the fiery tornado, Garble's wings blew it away from creating a gust of wind, surprising Virin at this movement.

"How?" Was all Virin managed to say after his shocking state.

"Want an answer?" Garble mocked. "Then, I will happily oblige." He then shot a large ball of fire towards Virni, who gave a yelp of surprise as he felt the large fireball collide with his chest, making him to fall backwards to the wall behind him.

Nightwing an Zach winced at this.

"Ooh. He's gonna feel that in the morning." The former said solemnly.

"He's feeling it right now." The brown dragon replied, sharing a glance with the black drake.

Virin groaned as he lifted himself up to his feet, glaring heatedly at his rival, who gave a evil grin back at him. Then, suddenly, Virin started to glow the same colour as before, surprising Garble who then gave another wicked grin.

Ember, on the other paw, was more surprised to see her brother glowing again. "What's with him now?" She mumbled to herself.

Just then, Virin let out a screeching roar as he unleashed his newest attack, causing the whole stadium to shake from the unbelievable strength this power had. Garble, however, wasn't fazed by this and let the attack from his rival get to him as his body was a bit shaking, but remained unmoved. He, slowly, gave a smile that seemed to be of happiness, but were actually another wicked smile.

Why don't we show him our power? Garble asked his ancestors in his mind.

With pleasure, our descendant. One of his ancestors obliged. Then, from everyone else's shock, the tall dragon began to glow like the young dragon who didn't seem to be happy about this kind of power that's about to be used.

Garble let out a roar of war. "This is the end, Virin!" To the young drake's shock, bright red lightning was slowly forming between the taller dragon's paws, and it then fired toward him. Virin, who didn't have time to react, was engulfed in the lightning and let out a loud, painful scream.

Yawning, Amber slowly opened her eyes as she had heard that painful scream. From the corner of her eyes, she could tell that she wasn't in her home, but rather Virin's. She blinked in sudden surprise.

How come I'm here? The thought said in her mind.

She looked around, as she expected. She was inside her friend's cave, the one just beside the Dragon Lord's.

"Oh, you're awake." A familiar feminine voice cried out. Amber looked up to see Minuette walked up to her.

"How long was I out?" She asked the violet dragon.

"About half an hour." Minuette answered. "You were in bad shape, and we healed you with a healing crystal." Amber's eyes looked confused.

"What do you mean by "bad shape", Minuette?"

"A manticore had a lucky shot by infecting poison to your body." The violet dragon explained. "But, luckily, we managed to get it away with that green crystal that was specific with poisons, like an antidote Virin's friend, Zecora, made one of the times he was being treated by her."

"So, what was that pained scream I heard?" Amber asked. Minuette's eyes widened in shock.

"Oh no!" She blurted out. "The battle!" She helped the light blue dragon to her feet, and they both sprinted towards the coliseum where the scream was heard.

Virin continued to scream as he felt his entire body was literally being torn apart from this attack.

Ember gasped as she saw how troubled her brother was. "Shouldn't you stop that attack now?" She cried out to Garble, who looked at her with an evil smirk.

"As before, everyone must do what they must in order to win a fight." Garble responded. "This is one of the examples."

The Princess growled as she looked at the antagonistic dragon.

Son, do not worry. Virin heard his mother while the attack continued. Then, a flash came to his eyes that had tears coming slowly, and heard a teenage boy's voice call out.

"Maximum Dragon!"

From that, to Garble's noticeable surprised look, a tornado of flames surrounded the red dragon who, again, screamed in pain.

"Pathetic." The tall dragon spat. "You don't stand a chance." Virin continued to scream, but suddenly stopped as he felt the lightning around his body got away. He, with his speed, disappeared for a split second, before hovering right in front of Garble. "Hm?" Was his questionable stare.

"So, you think you're more powerful than my family's strength?" Virin asked, glaring at his rival. "Think again." He punched Garble's chin, nearly getting some of his teeth to fall out. The tall dragon fell back on the ground a few meters away from the young dragon, who hovered back to the ground.

Nightwing, Zach, and even Torch and Ember, winced at this.

"Ooh." Zach said.

"He's gonna feel that in the morning." The black drake corrected the brown drake's last statement, looking at Garble's fallen body.

From their spot, Amber and Minuette, who had just arrived, widened their eyes as they saw that the battle had already started.

Getting up, Garble gave a death glare at his rival, who smirked in triumph, snarled, "You'll pay for that." He let out another roar as his body began to glow again, this time stronger than the other time.

Virin's smirk of triumph then turned to a frown as he stared at the tall dragon's now-glowing body. What's going to happen now?

Be careful, son. His father warned. He's going to do something big.

"Let's try and start with this." Garble threw back his wings and shot them forward as a green, sharp cut flew towards the shocked Virin, who tried to block it with folding his wings to cover his chest and head, but was futile as the cut sliced through his left wing, causing him to roar in pain. Then, unexpectedly, Garble jumped and stomped the ground hard, creating the ground to shatter as the rocks flew upwards. Virin roared in pain again as he felt the rocks smashing into his body.

"Virin!" Ember cried out.

"Hang in there, buddy!" Nghtwing called out.

Garble then got his tail around and it fired a red beam that shot towards Virin, who tried to block the attack, but it was another futile as he roared in pain again. Then, Virin's body began to glow again, as if to call in an emergency attack.

"Alright," Zach called out. "You go, Virin."

Virin let out a screeching roar as he unleashed an attack that got his strength back up. His body glowed again, and let out his previous attack that had made the arena to shake. The attack made contact with Garble, but he just let out an evil laugh as he wasn't fazed by this strength. Virin's mouth formed an multi-coloured beam and launched it toward the tall dragon, who just stood there as if it was nothing. Virin let out another screeching roar as he let out his strongest move, his body glowing white instead of the previous colour. This power was quite powerful, as it could be seen by every creature within and outside their homes, telling them not to mess with the dragon race.

The dragons in the stands let out gasps of shock, as they hadn't seen this kind of power that their protector could have. He was something that they hadn't seen, and this was proof to that.

"Whew." Nightwing exhaled. "That sure was a powerful attack." His friends, Ember and the Dragon Lord only nodded, speechless by this power Virin held within him.

Virin panted as he had used every bit of his power in order to be equal with his rival, whom was covered in smoke, hoping that did the trick. But that thought was broken, as soon as the smoke cleared, Garble was seen...still standing on his feet like nothing had happened at all.

"What?!" A dragon cried out.

"He's still standing?!" Another added, just as shocked. Even Azam, Ogyn, Ranger, the gray and white dragon was shocked to see Garble on his feet, even after those powerful attacks.

"H-How?" Virin struggled, shocked to the very core as he stared at Garble's still body. The tall dragon let out an evil laughter.

"Is that the best that your ancestors' power can do?" Garble asked. "That was nothing compared to the kind of power that mine has. It's incredible."

Virin's eyes widened a bit, mostly for the fact that Garble had ancestors that were dead like his own. His rival's, however, was more into power than compassion and love unlike his own.

The young dragon gritted his teeth, angry that his attacks did nothing.

Remember, young dragon, he heard his grandfather's wise voice, Anger is not the issue in battle.

Virin sighed in his mind, agreeing with his grandfather's words. He was right. Anger was not the issue a dragon should use in a fight. He glared heatedly at his rival, who glared evenly back.

"Let's continue, shall we?" Garble asked in a mocking tone. Virin stood in silence, knowing what the answer was.

[Insert song: New Divide by Linkin Park here.]

Garble and Virin charged at each other. The two clashed as few coloured lightning was around them.

Virin reared his head back. "You're a fool, Garble."

"Admit it." The tall dragon said. "You love power." Then, his body glowed in another multi-coloured light as his mouth was forming with another multi-coloured beam, and fired it towards the young drake. Virin responded by having the same colour around his body as his mouth was also forming a multi-coloured beam, and launched it. The two beams collided, equally powerful as some of the sparkles fell over the spectators of the coliseum.

"Three attributes in one attack?!" Nightwing shouted as he held onto his seat. He knew that the battlers had used half of the attributes there were in the world.

"Man, that power was beyond epic." Zach added in a shout. The spectators looked back at the battle, seeing that Virin and Garble was glaring deeply at each other.

"Virin and Garble is charging this battle full on." Ember said next. "But, even with the strongest of moves has to work to stand in game. As I can feel that the world is just in Virin's paws."

As the two was glaring at one another, Virin started to smile, sensing this battle is just what he needed.

"Ah ha. Not bad, eh?" He asked his rival.

"But, now try... this." Garble's body started to heat up. "Consecutive of Fire Attacks!"

"Wait!" Zach cried out in shock. "Did he say consecutive of fire attacks?!" The dragons around them, even Garble's gang, gasped in shock.

Everything on his body started to form small balls of flames as he stared at Virin's still body. Garble's tail got around the side of his belly as it started to form a ball of flame as well. Then, not seeing it coming, the balls of flames grew bigger, even those on the tip of Garble's wings, and began firing at Virin, who yelped in surprise as he was hit by a few fireballs, even tried to deflect some with his left wing. Virin glanced back at Garble, and flapped his wings as he advanced towards his rival, who was continuing firing at him with the fireballs from his paws, tail, and wings.

Virin dodged the attacks as he advanced to the tall dragon. "Now I'm getting this. The way for the wings to work, is when you started flapping them, you can do basically everything with them, even when it comes to evading attacks." He gave a slight snicker after the last one.

"Way to go, Virin." Zach called out.

"You can't dodge this!" Garble opened his mouth, shooting another multi-coloured beam, which sliced through the ground of the stadium. Virin, however, dodged by hovering into the air, firing three fireballs at the tall dragon, who took them as though they were nothing.

"Can't I?" Virin questioned, before firing a bright red coloured beam at his rival, who also took that attack as though nothing happened at all. The fireballs around everything on his body was growing back as Garble launched the attacks again, firing everywhere around the arena of the coliseum. Virin, however, managed to dodged every single one as he fired two fireballs at Garble, who took them like nothing. The two rivals collided with each other, making some dirt and dust fly around from the ground.

"Virin, wait." Nightwing tried to call, but it was futile as his friend didn't hear him.

"How's it going, son?" Torch then asked. Virin was now worthy for him to be called son for the Dragon Lord, even after six long years.

"This is dangerous." Virin responded. "The more we fight, the more power we're generating, and I'm not sure we can control it."

"Who cares?" Garble then said. "I'll break apart the whole planet, if that is what I have to do!" His gang and the spectators gasped in shock.

"You're mad!" Virin yelled

"That is why I would always come ahead of you." The tall dragon growled, clenching his right paw. "Why waste time when victory is in my grasp? With unlimited power, the Infinity Diamond and the Universe is mine."

"Wake up." Virin shouted in desperate. "That power is dangerous."

"It's unsenstal." His rival shrugged. "Your hesitation will crush you in this battle, and with my ancestors' power, I will wipe you out." He let out a roar.

"You're twisted." The young drake muttered, before reminding him. "The dragon race don't fight for power, we fight for peace. Thinking like that will destroy the world. I won't let you get you away with it." His mouth started to form another multi-coloured beam, and he fired it towards Garble's stomach. This attack was strong enough for him to slide across the ground for a moment.

"Way to rip." Zach smiled, seeing that his friend could just win this battle.

"Wait." Amber called, as she and Minuette came down to their friends. "He's not done yet." The males looked at her in confusion, wondering what she meant. To prove the point, Garble's wings began to flap.

This caused the four friends' jaws to drop.

"I don't believe." Nightwing cried out. "After taking that much damage, he's still able to fly?!"

Fly high, our descendant. The tall dragon heard his ancestors call in his mind. Garble flew up above the ground and shot multi-coloured lightning down at Virin's still body, who felt the attacks as he cried out in pain.

"Virin, intercept." Zach called out.

"I was planning on it!" Virin called back, taking to the sky. As he flew past Garble, he looked back down. "I can see my cave from here," he joked as he continued to fly up.

"An battle in the air, eh?" Garble smirked in eagerness. "My pleasure." He flew after the young dragon.

"Brother," Ember muttered as she saw the two rivals flying up in the air.

"Just don't fall back down." Zach said in a mutter.

Up in the sky, Virin had just flown through a cloud that quickly shattered as he came through. He looked around, seeing no sign of his rival yet.

As he continued to look around for any signs of the tall dragon, his mind went back to his ancestors. For all he had known about them from his now-father, Torch, his Water ancestor, Gomruss, had control over the ocean and watering clouds, unlike those pegasi he had been hiding from when a new season arrived. His sister and father were always confused as to why he would hide when those pegasus were setting the clouds on the sky, he answered that he just didn't want them to see him, as he wasn't ready to see a different kind of species just yet. They had understood it, as not all were ready for a different species than their own. Gomruss' mate, Monirret, assisted him in having the best weather there could be, as she was a Wind dragon that was ordered with the responsibilities of the weather seasons.

His other ancestor, Qonot, was a master of the Shadow element, as he was able to cease any darkness away, same with his two brothers, Chargim and Jithade. The former was the one that had the responsibility to keep the shadows in balance with his brother, Jithade. Their mates, Ussys, Eza, and Coadhynus, were just like them. The mate of Qonot would occasionally help him with keeping the darkness in balance, as she was more focused on getting the darkness in people's hearts in balance. Chargim's mate, Ussys, would often assist him in his missions of having the shadows from the Underworld on an even level, but that proves to be just near impossible as war between humans and dragons continued to rage on the planet Earth. Jithade's mate, Coadhynus, were always beside him whenever there was a disturbance in the entire world, which proved to be a huge responsibility unlike the others, just with help of the king of the Olympian gods, Zeus, who was gladly enough to help them with their problems at any time.

Virin's Wind ancestor, Meirget and his mate, Aghoany, were responsible to keep the other seasons in order. The former was responsible with Autumn and Spring, while his mate was responsible with Summer and Winter. Although they had their responsibilities, they were rarely seen when the sky was clear from clouds, only glimpses of what they had looked like were the only thing they could know about them.

His Light ancestor, Toldryrith, was, as his ability names him, responsible for keeping the light in every heart and the world in balance. Though not much was known about him, all that was known, was that he kept the light in order. His mate, Qaphoss, was more often seen unlike her mate. She was in better form as she liked the attention that was drawn onto her, it wasn't the same as Toldryrith.

Virin's Lightning ancestor, Azzess, was gifted with the responsible with using the thunder and lightning alongside the king of the gods, Zeus. Unlike the others, Azzess was a well-known dragon that had been recognized as far back as the first war between humans and dragons. This meant how much he had aged over the years on Earth. His mate, Notenae, was also a well-known dragon just as much as her mate. She was also gifted with the one working alongside an Olympian god.

His Earth ancestor, Frituray, was another well-known dragon in the First Age of Dragons, as well as the Golden Ages, meaning he must have been an very old dragon from keeping the Earth stable. His mate Cagaenth, was known just as much as him. She lived through the First Age of Dragons, as well as the Golden Age.

Coming out of his trains of thought, Virin looked around, searching for his rival.

Careful, son, his father warned. He could around here somewhere.

"Looks like I scared Garble off." Virin replied aloud. "That's sweet." A loud roar was heard from the distance above. He looked up just in time to see his rival flying at him at a high speed. "Got him. Scroll patrol, twelve o'clock high."

"If you think you scared me off," Garble roared, "then you got another thing coming." His mouth started to form flames.

[Insert song: Burn it to the Ground by Nickelback here.]

Hang on, son, his parents warned in his mind.

Don't worry. Virin then called out loud. "Fire Armour!" An armour of steel-like flames surrounded his body. Then, Garble fired his attack at Virin, who prepared for what had come. His fiery armour repelled the attack, but he front body was now covered in a red-hot fire breath attack.

Hold on, grandson, his grandfather said in his mind.

Virin tried to dodge by flying to the side, but Garble redirected his attack in the same direction he was going.

It seems you have greater mobility with your wings, Garble telepathically noted. But you can't max my fire power.

"Get over of yourself." Virin shouted. He flapped his wings and flew right behind Garble, who stopped his attack in order to turn around. Then, from his palms, balls of flames started to form. Virin threw the fireballs at Garble, who took them head-on as if they wouldn't do much damage on his body.

"Epic hit." Virin gave a small cheer.

But, son, his mother then reminded, that wasn't enough.

"Are you kidding?" Her son asked aloud. "He's totally wiped." He looked at the now-smoking dragon that was in front of him, but the tall dragon flew straight out of the smoke and roared.

"Think again, halfling." Garble sneered. The wing tips of his wings then started a black and purple ball of darkness.

"Oh!" Virin gasped. "That's trouble."

It's a gravity space ball, his grandfather agreed. If you get sucked inside, you'll get crushed.

Virin growled. "So not happening." The tips of his wings started to glow up again, and he started to direct his attack right in the middle of the black/purple ball. "Now!" He then launched two fiery shots from his wing tips that hit right on the ball, and started to make it smaller. "Solid." Then, the ball of darkness exploded into smoke, giving a surprised expression on Garble's face.

"Brace yourselves, everyone." Virin glanced down at the coliseum as he yelled that. "Because things are about to heat up." His body began to be surrounded in a colourful flame-like form as he made his way towards his rival. "Woo. Flame on."

"Oh. I'll cool you down." Garble's body started to glow yellow as his wing tips began to form the same red-hot fire that he used just moments ago. His attacks collided with Virin head-on. "You will bow before me!" The two clashed with each other, struggling to push either of them. "You can't push this kind of power!"

"You want power?!" Virin shouted. "You got it!" The two continued to struggle as they tried to push back and forth.

From the ground, Azam, Ogyn, Ranger, Zach, Nightwing, Minuette and Amber stared at the two struggling dragons with admired expressions.

"Pulverize him, Garble!" Ranger yelled up.

"Virin, don't give in!" Nightwing shouted to his friend.

Then, like meteors, both Virin and Garble began to fall to the center of the arena and crash-landed on the ground, causing the dragon spectators to cover their eyes from the dusts and dirt that spread from the crash.

As they looked back at the battle, all they could see was two piles of rock covering the two battlers. Virin, however, with some effort, got up to his feet as he shook some rock off his body.

"Brother," Ember called, "you okay?"

"I think so." Her brother responded. "But, what the heck just happened?"

"It seems, both of you have had a more powerful strength than I've ever imagined," Torch then replied. "And because of that power, you crash-landed back in the stadium."

The scarred dragon, whom was the referee, looked from Virin and the pile of rock in front of the young dragon.

"And, the winner is..." He was cut off as a colourful light came from the pile of rocks at the side where the tall dragon had stood from the beginning of the battle, destroyed the rocks as it came straight at Virin, whom was right now preoccupied.

"Virin, INCOMING!" Zach quickly yelled. The said dragon gave a yelp as he barely managed to dodge the beam that was headed in his direction. From the pile of rocks, the tall dragon stirred up on his feet as he shook the dust off him.

"I want to annihilate you!" Garble snarled at Virin, before ordered aloud, "Unleash me, ancestors. Don't hold back."

We won't. His ancestors answered. It's time to show these compassionate dragons everything we've got. Garble's body then started to glow with every element the world ever had.

"All the elements?!" Virin cried out in shock. "I didn't know it was possible without the Cores."

It shouldn't be. His family agreed, before calling to the tall dragon's ancestors in a challenging way. Alright, rivals, we're ending this battle now. Then, to Virin's screeching roar, his body started to glow with the same colour as Garble. The ground underneath them started to shake as the rocks on the flat arena began to levitate from the ground while Virin and Garble growled at each other. The roof tops of the coliseum started to demolish into nothing.

Ember noticed this, along with Nightwing. "Wow," the former breathed.

"They sure has some serious move-swings." The latter agreed, staring at the glowing dragons in the center of the arena.

With a certain purple unicorn...

Walking towards the palace, the unicorn stopped in her tracks as she was feeling an extraordinary power from the far distance as she looked in the direction of the source.

"Why am I sensing such raw power?" She muttered to herself.

Back with the battle...

Virin and Garble was both grunting and groaning as their bodies was now beginning to light with a few colourful electricity around them.

"Their energy levels are out of control." Torch noted in alarm, causing his son's friends to look at him in alarm as well.

Zach looked back at the battle. "Virin, it's too dangerous. Chill it down."

"I can't, Zach." The young dragon struggled to call back.

"Why?"

"This is my only way to end our rivalry." Virin replied. "You know I'm right."

"Virin..." Was the muttering response, before Zach sighed. "Okay. Kick it up."

"Bah!" Garble spat. "You may be afraid of this wonderful power, but I'm NOT! I want MORE!"

Are you sure? One of his ancestors asked slowly. Your body may not be able to handle it.

"I don't care." Garble replied aloud. "He is going down." His gang gasped in shock and noticeable fear. He was uncaring with the fact that he would be destroyed by all that power?

Just then, a large ball of flames formed in his mouth as a colourful ball formed in Virin's as the two stared at each other for a moment.

I can sense my victory. Garble telepathically said in joyfulness. I can taste it. You've may have maxed my power, but are you willing to use it?

Virin telepathically replied, Stop bragging, and keep fighting. Then, they fired their attacks at each other, which made the two powerful attacks collide, causing a massive wind to the spectators.

From the strong wind, the two rivals struggled to hold the wind back as they roared. The wind, however, proved to be too powerful as they were flown back.

"WHOA!" Virin cried out as he was flown back to the wall behind him.

"WHOA!" Garble cried out as he was flown back to the wall behind him as well.

This caused the spectators' jaws to drop at the incredible amount of power that was used.

"What was that?!" A dragon cried out.

"That was the strongest amount of strength I've ever seen!" Another added.

"And it is a draw!" The scarred green dragon finally announced, noticing that both competitors was out.

Getting up, Virin called out, "I'm not done yet."

The dragons let out simultaneously, "Huh?!"

"I will show you no mercy." Garble added as was getting up as well.

"The battle has already been decided." The scarred dragon reminded them.

"But our rivalry is not." Virin gave a slight sneer at the green dragon, who reared back from the sneer.

"So, what if the battle results has been made? That doesn't matter to me. I want to fight! Garble glared at the young guardian. "What do you say, Virin? Are you brave enough to finish this?"

"Since you have shown almost no honour in battle," Virin started, "why should I fear you outside of one? Come. We will decide this once and for all." The two charged at each other, making their watchers gasp in sudden surprise.

"Huh?" Both of the rivals' gangs cried out as the Virin and Garble collided with each other.

Garble headbutted Virin, whose tail smacked into his side, before he bit his neck, causing him to roar in pain. Virin's tail then swiped at Garble's feet, making him to loose his foot, spin around, and land on the ground face-down.

The spectators winced at this.

Virin and Garble charged at one another, colliding with their bodies. The former had slid back a little.

"Garble," the young guardian said, "I understand your hunger for power, but you underestimate what the dragon race stand for. Please give up before it's too late."

"Of course you want me to give up," Garble snarled. "So that you can get the Infinity Diamond, and become the Ultimate Being!" He threw Virin to the wall to the right, causing him to grunt in pain.

The tall dragon reared back. "Isn't that all part of the all-so dragon spirit, to be the best that I can be?" Virin slowly looked up at him. "Who cares if I have to be a power-hungry one in order to claim more power? I am merely fulfilling my family's legacy, and I will not let you stand in my way!" Garble's tail smacked into Virin's face, causing him to be blown to the side.

After getting up, both Virin and Garble started to punch at each other's faces, causing them to grunt in pain as they side-glared at each other. The two stepped back from each other a bit.

"Alright. Take this!" Virin launched a fireball at Garble.

"Take this too!" The tall dragon launched a fireball at the young guardian as well. Both took the attacks right to their bellies, causing them to fall to the ground near the walls behind them.

Grunting, Virin then asked, "Have you had enough, Garble?"

"I got... plenty more." The said dragon struggled to respond.

"C'mon, Virin." Zach then called out. "If you get up first, you'll win."

Hearing this, Azam called to the tall dragon. "Get up first, Garble. You can do it."

With much struggling effort, both battlers tried to stand up. Virin was near with falling down, but stood his ground. Garble, however, wasn't so lucky. He lost his footing, and fell to the ground as his body was totally worn out.

The scarred dragon cleared his throat. "Let me rephrase that. The winner... Virin!" The said dragons' friends cheered on him as he took deep breaths as he gave a weak smile at hearing his victory. That was, by far, the longest fight he had ever fought, and he was proud of it.

His friends ran up to him, while his sister gave him a soft embrace.

"You did it, Virin." Ember congratulated.

"Well, I knew you were gonna win. No doubt." Nightwing admitted, smiling at his friend.

"That was the best battle I've seen." Zach commented.

"Same with me." Amber added as she smiled with happiness.

"You fought quite a fight today." Minuette noted, looking at Virin's small wounds.

"I did got some help with it, of course." Virin reminded them, giving a weak smile.

"So did Garble, I see." Ember said, glancing over at the fallen body of the tall dragon, who was struggling to stand up, but not without any help from his gang.

Getting up, Garble gave a death stare to his rival who had dared to defeat him and his ancestors power. How could this puny halfling manage to beat that level of strength? That was impossible! No other creature, not even those Alicorns, would be able to beat that.

"Don't think that this is over just yet, halfling." Garble sneered with a snarl at the young guardian, who looked at him with a stare that managed the tall dragon's. Turning around, the tall dragon left the coliseum to have some time of healing himself from this sudden loss.

"Garble..." Virin whispered, staring at the tall dragon's departing figure.

"Ah, don't worry." Nightwing reassured. "He'll get over his senses, and when that time comes, you two will be friends."

"I won't think so lightly about that," Ember pointed out.

In unknown location...

Space. An endless void of dark matter. This place was the very source of the Universe's creation from God the Father, the one who was thought to had created everything: the stars, the galaxies, the dark galaxies, the worlds. Everything was thought that he had made as he was born from nothing but darkness, until a light shined through that darkness.

In the center of the unknown location, a winged creature, which, if you looked closely enough, looked like a dragon, but its scales was different from any other dragons. It had skeleton scales, giving it a creepy appearance. Its eyes were purple, filled with the strongest dark magic that hadn't been used in eons. Its wings was attached to its arms, making it also different from any other winged creatures. Its tail had a shape of an sword that looked quite sharp. Its underbelly was a white colour, same was the rest of its body.

For many years, he had been fighting the World Protectors and the Gods of the planet, Earth. But, after more than thirty years of struggling with them, he was finally defeated, and his darkness and dark magic was sealed in the deepest part of Tartarus that the Ancient Greece Gods imprisoned him in.

After millenniums of nothing but anger, hatred, pain, darkness, and rage, he had done it. He got to the very center of the Universe that God the Father had created.

The skeleton dragon stopped as he was mere meters from two orbs.

"Yes," he said in a dark, pleased voice. "I have reached to the center of the Universe. Amazing." He examined the orbs. The one to the left was the brightest orb that had ever been seen from the worlds. The one to the right was the darkest orb that had ever been found.

"There they are," the dragon continued, "the Infinity Diamond and the Darkness Orb." He flew a bit closer with his wings closed. "They keep the Universe in balance. If I can absorb these two energies." His wings opened, after which he let out the evilest laugh. "I can finally become the strongest, the Ultimate Being, and a God to all those fools who would dare to oppose me, if those damn warriors hadn't sealed me in that cursed place of Tartarus for many years, and being moved to the deepest part of the soul of the descendant of the World Protectors, I would've have had my destiny fulfilled quicker, so I could conquer Earth and that world of Equestria"

He got a bit more closer to the orbs, but more to the darkest one. "The power. Feel the glorious power. More." His body began to glow. "Excellent. The infinite power is growing inside of me... Wait..." He was now being closer to the dark orb. "The Darkness Orb's power is greater than I thought. No. This can't be happening. I'm being overloaded by the negative energy of the Darkness Orb."

He tried to break away from the dark orb, but it didn't feel. "I can't control the balance. Too much. Too much. No. The positive energy is out of control. NO!" The energy from the Darkness Orb blasted the Infinity Diamond into a dimensional rift, sending it to an unknown location.

In Virin's dream...

Feeling the sudden vibration, Virin got his body under control.

"What's happening?" He wondered to himself, before seeing a rift in his dream world was being torn apart. "Darkness! It must be my darkness' doing!" Just then, a being made entirely out of darkness appeared through the crack of his dream.

He barely dodged in time as it moved in for the kill. "What is a Dark Being doing in my dream?" He pondered just before evading another strike, but was hit from a redirected attack, causing him to grunt in pain all of a sudden.

Virin and the Dark Being struggled with each other as they fought. The red dragon tried his best to reason.

"Dark One, listen to me." He was desperate. "The power of the negative energy is pouring into you. You must stop now." The Dark Being, however, didn't listen, as its eyes glowed for a moment.

"His powers are increasing," Virin noted, before kicking the dark one away. "Take this!" He shot a ball of fire at the Dark Being, who didn't have time to react as it was engulfed in flames as its body now vanquished from sight.

Waking up, Virin let out a small gasp as his head was covered in sweats. He looked around, sighing in relief that he was the only one in his cave for now. But, something in his guts was telling him that something from somewhere doesn't feel right...

Chapter Five: Virin vs. Hydra

Virin was sitting on a medium sized rock, meditating and was in the middle of his training, trying to stay calm and relaxed.

Ever since the trial four months ago, he and his friends had been hanging out with each other the first two weeks when Virin won the trial, which the other dragons were angered from. In the third week of their time together, a few dragons had enough of the human, wishing he should had been left in the wild like the animal he was. His friends and family, however, rejected the very thought of it, to his relief.

This only angered Garble and his gang further, however. Both Virin and Garble fought continuously in four weeks after the Dragon Lord's rejection of throwing Virin out. At the last day of the first week of their forever rivalry, the two rivals had accidentally destroyed a part of their home, which created a huge crater in the place. The two, however, weren't the least concerned about the damage they had caused, as they continued their battle from thereon out. The fight had continued only for two months. The dragons knew the reason for how they fought that long; life crystals and gems in the middle of their battle.

After their long and hard fought battle, Virin and Garble continued on with their rivalry, each intending to finish it until their last battle in a future tournament, whether it was in Dragon Lands or in Ponyland. They didn't care, as long as they're having the heated arguments and rivalry, they won't stop fighting, as it only boosts in their power and strength, making them two of some of the strongest dragons in the world.

Virin, though, still gets dreams of those ponies he was having whenever he sleeps in the night, probably trying to get him in contact with them. He, however, wasn't concerned about ponies, but that white light's motherly voice seems to be getting to his head when he wakes up in the morning. He was really confused by that voice, as the only voice that was soothing him, was his true mother. Sure, his sister, Ember, had a voice that matches hers, but she wasn't near that level yet.

He was, however, mostly concerned about the darkness that escaped from the deepest part of his very soul. The skeleton dragon, who told him that he wanted to rule all worlds with the ultimate power in existence.

He remembered what he had told him before his escape from his body.

Ten months earlier, Virin's soul...

In the deepest void of darkness, inside the soul of the current Guardian of Worlds, rests a white dragon with skeleton scales, his mind was filled with nothing but anger, hatred, rage, and revenge. Those things were the only thing this dragon cared about, after being born during the crowning of the first Ancient Greece God, whose name was all but forgotten.

After a few years of spending his childhood with his parents, the dragon soon met up with a dark wizard whose name shouldn't be spoken or thought of, as it would lead to a everlasting curse to that being. The dragon and wizard introduced to each other, while the latter didn't give him his name, to his confusion but understanding. When the introduction was over, the wizard led the enthusiastic dragon to his lair, where the wizard taught him on how to read and learn dark magic, the opposite of harmonic magic. While the dragon was being taught, his parents soon learned of his disappearance, contacted the King of Olympia about this sudden move. The King of Olympia knew who was behind it, as he was an enemy of the dark wizard, whose goal was to find a perfect second-in-command to his army of dark warriors in order to destroy all known kingdoms to build an evil empire.

The dragon's parents searched high and low for him, they discovered a terrible truth. Their child, was apprenticed to the dark wizard and had been taught the secrets of all dark magic and destructive power they wield. The parents were disheartened by his horrible betrayal, but he hatefully shouted to them that he wanted this kind of power from the beginning, but they were all-so wise as to not teaching him.

His parents rejected these very thoughts, saying that they didn't want to lose him to the darkness, but he didn't care, as the darkness was his ally now. From that point, and with his breaking point, the white dragon angrily declared that they weren't his parents, if they wanted to teach him, they would have been. But, from his anger and rage, he rejected every dragon as his kin, which ultimately led to his downfall and imprisonment in Tartarus two thousand years later.

Present...

Virin's eyes opened, looking down at his hands, as he was in his human form. After hearing that story from the archenemy of his ancestors, he was feeling a tiny sad for the dark dragon.

Returning to his training, Virin called upon his dragon powers, as a bright red light engulfed his body. Afterwards, a red dragon was in place of the human. Looking down at the floor, he smirked as he looked at the harmless pile of ten rocks under him.

Getting a few exercising clear, Virin jumped high into the air, readying his right paw as it was in a punching position. As he descended, he folded the wings on his back, just as he hit the ten rocks, from top to low, splitting each rock perfectly. As he split the last rock in two, he was hanging upside down, with his left paw on the ground in place of the right that was reared back in a split second.

From the corner of his eyes, Virin examined the larger rocks from a small distance between them and him. He smirked in triumph, thinking this will be an easy work. He felt his body calling upon the speed, which he happily obliged.

Virin got on his feet, throwing a fast punch to the large rock closest to him, before doing it with the others. With the last one, he raised his tail, then started running towards and slicing it in half, before letting his body rest from this training section, breathing out a sigh of relief.

Hearing clapping, Virin looked up to see his sister, Ember, standing a few feet away from him.

"I must say," she started, walking up to him, "Your training is getting better than the other times."

Shrugging, her brother wiped the sweat off his face. "What can I say? I learn fast." The Princess chuckled.

"Clearly." Was her response. She raised an eyeridge. "Are you okay?" She noticed his trouble before he began with the rocks as his training. "You looked a bit troubled before."

"I'm fine," Was Virin's dry reply. Then he changed the subject. "Why don't we keep on with my training?"

Ember nodded, more than happier to start this day. "Alright. Let's do it."

Near the noon, Virin was training nonstop. He had done all the exercises there were. From wing-ups, to push-ups. With all that, his body was beginning to relax as he got a deserved rest, with his sister and father by his side. Lord Torch and the Guardian were both meditating, as the tall dragon reminded him that meditating was all part of his training to become better, to clear and calm his mind, which he complied.

Ember was sitting on top of the cliff next to them, looking at her family meditate. If her brother had doing this when he woke up, quite earlier than any dragons, then should't he had skipped this lesson?

As for Virin, though, he was still not getting used that the very darkness had fled from his soul. His family on planet Earth had sealed the dark dragon in there for a reason, to try and get him out of his madness, but to no valid.

Before the trial, Virin's soul...

In the darkest part of the current Guardian's soul, a single skeleton dragon was flying to the middle of the soul, his purple eyes had the strongest dark magic ever existed, possibly more than this King Sombra figure from a thousand years back.

Virin noticed him flying, he stopped just in front of the dark dragon.

"Out of my way, Virin." The dragon snarled venomously.

"Why are you so obsessed with gaining all this power, darkness?" Virin questioned, his wings flapping. "You know it would only lead to your ultimate destruction."

"SILENCE!" The dark dragon roared in rage. "You, nor the inhabits of this "peaceful" world, have no idea what we Dark Beings feel inside. You know nothing about us, not even this world's royals knows about us."

"I would like to know this "Changeling Queen" they call Chrysalis," Vrin began, "What I would like to know, where did you find her?"

The dark dragon chuckled darkly, lifting up what looks like a card. "Do you know what this is?" The Guardian's eyes narrowed. The skeleton dragon threw the card to the right, opening a dimensional gate.

"A portal!" Virin exclaimed in shock, staring at the portal in shock, and fear.

"Yes!" The dark dragon shouted in victorious, flying to the portal. "It leads to the source of the power!"

Virin blinked fearfully. "But, to where?"

"The center of the Universe!" The last one echoed through the darkness of Virin's soul as the dark dragon made his getaway.

Present...

Lord Torch saw his son's twisting head. "Is there something wrong?" His deep voice rumbled.

Virin's eyes snapped open. Seeing as his father had leaned down to his level, he sighed to concentrate. "No, there's nothing wrong." His voice was shaken, probably because of the flashback he had before the trial and that conversation with the dark dragon.

"Virin." Torch's voice was more sternly now. He don't like it when his son was lying to him, nor his daughter.

Virin winced at the stern noise. He sighed in defeat. "I'm just worried."

"About what, may I ask?" This only questioned the Dragon Lord.

"Of the darkness that has been unleashed from my body." Virin confessed. Torch stared at him in shock. The darkness got away? Shouldn't it have been completely sealed in the deepest part of his soul? This just raised questions with the Dragon Lord, but he decided to slip it aside.

"Let us begin today's training lessons." The large dragon said, changing the darkness subject.

Virin silently let out a sigh of relief. He and his father resumed in their meditating throughout most of the noon, then Virin started to get his muscles in more growth, as he did push-ups, kicking the larger rocks that towered over him, before doing more wing exercising. He needs his wings to be in complete shape before he starts his journey to find out his other half's identity,, which his father told him was in Ponyland, but he needed to be stronger than the unicorns in order to repel their magic, along with the alicorn that lived there.

He weren't concerned, but if it was to find his other half, then he would do it. He had been living in Dragon Lands for seventeen years, but he also had been coming into loads of fights with the tall dragon, Garble, who was his rival. But, he wasn't sure if Garble had been battling him just out of jealousy, but the tall dragon said that it was out of his humiliation, even at the trial four months back.

In the afternoon, Virin began to hang out with his friends, who were glad that his training for today had stopped. While he had friends, Virin started to be concerned about his sister. Ember still hasn't gotten any friends since he lived with them, or even in the Lands, but she said they wasn't for her liking. Virin argued that friends does matter, if one needs to be defended when insulted or has been injured, that friend could get one of their parents, which was true.

Ember, however, just silently walked back to their home, leaving her brother baffled.

In high afternoon, Virin was still hanging out with his friends. That was until his father, Torch, came behind them, startling Nightwing, Zach, Amber and Minuette, while Virin just stood there, knowing what he was going to say.

"Listen," the friends looked up at the large dragon, "There has been a disturbance in the griffin land. I, nor they, don't know what it is. So, I want you five to see what's been happening in their territory."

Virin just sighed. Another mission.

Torch glanced down at his son. "This won't be like the ones where the unicorns had been the disrupting. No. Something more darker this time." His son raised an eyeridge. More darker? Nothing was more darker than that dark dragon that had escaped to the Universe's center, where he believe was where the Cores had been forming the rest of the Universe, when a God created it.

The Dragon Lord concluded, "I want you five to investigate what's been troubling the griffin kingdom. I have an old friend there that might be able to fill you in that's the cause." He turned back and left.

The Gang looked between them. "What do you think?" Nightwing asked Zach.

"I don't know." The brown drake replied shakily. "If it's something evil, then I guess Virin should take care of it. He did have that conversation with the evil dragon before."

"What a chicken." Amber grumbled and sighed momentarily.

"I-I'm not!" Zach stuttered out.

Virin was more in thought about this "threat". "Hm..." This indicated his friends to look at him.

"What is it?" Minuette asked in wonder.

"This "threat". It doesn't seem too bad." The red drake answered thoughtfully. "Let's see and what happens we get there."

Zach jumped at the word. " "We"?"

Rolling his eyes, Virin stared at him. "C'mon. You've been on these missions before. This is nothing." He left them by flapping his wings and took off.

"H-Hey. Wait up!" Zach cried out, following after him, the others followed suit.

Later...

After flying out of the Lands, the Gang has finally gotten to a place to stop and rest. Zach, who appeared to be struggling to catch up, finally got Virin to land here. The place was an open field, with many beautiful flowers of different colours; from blue to purple. Trees that was like a maze, but was in reality an forest. There was a few rocks for the Gang to sit on, to the brown drake's relief.

Letting out a sigh, Virin looked up in the blue sky, seeing a few white clouds in the sky. After having argued with Zach about resting, the brown dragon was always going to rest many minutes of flying, to the red drake's dismay as it would slow down their original quest to the griffins.

Amber glanced around, in awe, at seeing all the many flowers there were in the field.

"Ya know," Nightwing began, getting the others' attention, "This place ain't that bad."

"No. It isn't." Virin agreed. "We should visit this place more often." Amber's eyes lit up in excitement.

"Really?!" The light blue dragoness asked, not able to hide her voice of excitement.

Virin chuckled at her outburst. "Possibly." He got out an red gem and ate it, the others followed suit. He chuckled again. "We should probably spare the gems, as it would help us if we get hurt or injured."

"We know." The violet dragoness replied in understanding.

Virin was thankful that his original form was able to eat gems. It would greatly help him if he should go to Ponyland, which was in next year. He will really miss his friends when he is going, to which his sister also felt lonely if he would be going.

"We should continue." Virin called out, grabbing their dismay expressions. After getting up, they flapped their wings again, going to Griffinstone, a place within the kingdom, as Torch had described it.

After a few more minutes of flying, the Gang can see the place of their destination, Griffinstone. Landing just outside it, the Gang observed it. A few broken roofs on the buildings, the buildings were made of wood, the street of stone. If you look a bit faraway, and if nobody was there, it would look like a ghost town.

"Dang." Nightwing muttered. "What even happened at this place?" His friends just shrugged, as if saying "I don't know". They began to walk in the town, already getting attention from the townsfolk.

"I don't like how they're staring at us," Zach whispered to his companions, noticing the looks they're getting.

Seeing them from the corner of his eyes, Virin shrugged. "They just know us, from our visit to their king." Zach inhaled and exhaled, trying to get his breath under control. They continued to walk on the street, the female griffins even winks to the three boys. While Nightwing and Zach have small blushes, Virin didn't focus his attention around, he just keep going forward, ignoring the females.

"How can he just ignore them?" Zach whispered to the black drake.

"He just manage it, probably from his time with Princess Ember. She knows that some dragonesses stare strangely at him." The black drake whispered back. Nightwing always know what the feminine creatures are, as they probably look dreamily at the muscles of the red drake, to his ignorance. He is also seems to be getting the same results, but he mimics his best friend's moves and ignore them.

While the Guardian and his rival, Garble, has their heated rivalry, other creatures think they could destroy the world if their fights continues, the dragons, however, rejects those very thoughts, as the Guardian will be able to subdue the taller red's rage and hatred.

Meanwhile, planet Earth...

Inside a hallway of a building, a man with pale skin, brown hair, blue eyes, a mustache. He wears a black officer jacket, with the same colour of jeans, was walking through the halls.

He was an officer of the Humanity Defense Force (H.D.F), a commander of his troops. His name was Arnold Shimmer, a co-founder of the Defense Forces. After the last wars with the magical dragons, along with the threat of the Cold War, Arnold was appointed as a chief commander of the Humanity Defense Force, which he gladly accepted. His bravery and courage in the Cold War was what had gotten him in the army, to protect his country from further threats and wars.

However, he was still certain that one magical dragon had survived from the men that participated in the Great War of Man and Dragon. The others, though, wasn't at all that certain, merely skeptical of his sudden claims that a single dragon couldn't possibly survive that last battle with the dragons, as their resources was all but either destroyed or taken by the men that infiltrated the city. A few, on the other hand, was with Mr. Arnold that one dragon could have lived, as some men claimed to have seen a strange light in a building with a purple and red dragon inside of it. Arnold believed it to be some sort of teleportation spell, his officers rejected those claims as dragons wouldn't be able to perform magic, even if they did try.

In the year 1954, the Japanese people had been on the look out for a creature, a god, which they called "Gojira", in the oceans near Japan. The Japanese Self-Defense Forces wasn't able to get rid of the creature, as it swam out of to the more open sea, Pacific Ocean. The Americans, as they searched with the JSDF, called it "Godzilla", their name for the creature.

Godzilla was the major threat to both New York and Tokyo, as they are the capitals of the combined Defense Forces, but, over the years, Godzilla destroyed a large portion of the two armies, which indicated that other capital countries joined the Defense Forces, in order to combat with the threat.

As the Defense Forces searched the majority of the four oceans, Godzilla was able to gain more in strength and power, enable him to take on more than ten waves of troops, tanks, fighter jets, etc. As they continued to assault him, the more enraged the creature would be, to which Arnold warned his troops, fellow officers, and leaders, but they were just going to attack it whenever it stumbles upon the beaches of Japan, with the other countries doing the same. But, all of that only angered Godzilla even more, increasing his unbelievable powers, while it also gets it to destroy mankind that had awoken his slumber.

Arnold stopped in front a door. He opened the door, getting the attention of his fellow officers to him. Arnold looked around before sitting on his seat.

"Alright," a slender man with a blue suit, began, "What is there to this threat of this monster?"

The men looked between each other, before a man with a black suit, lifted a hand. "It appears that, while we don't know its location, it is most likely that Godzilla is in the Pacific somewhere."

"We know," the same man responded. "But, where exactly is it? The information is still not clear, but it must be in the bottom of the ocean."

The others looked at each other in concern. If they can't find Godzilla in time, then it would be increasing its power at this very moment.

"There must be something we can do." A clean man said.

"But, what exactly?" Another asked. Their was a few mutters with them.

While the men continued their discussion on the threat of Godzilla, Arnold was in deep thought. His two children, Omega and Sunset, was still nowhere to be found. The police and security had told him that they weren't on the planet anymore, which baffled everyone, including his friends and officers. Their reactions were something like this:

"What?!"

"How could they just disappear?!"

"This makes no sense!"

"There is no force that could have taken them away from our planet!"

Out of the reactions, Arnold was concerned for his children's well-beings on where they've gone to. His wife, in 1991, was stomped on by Godzilla's feet, had affected him greatly, while his children was still young.

As they continued on with the content of how to get rid of Godzilla, what they didn't know, is that in another world, the very dragon that survived the Great War of Man and Dragon, was with his friends.

Griffinstone...

Walking through the street of Griffinstone, Virin and his friends looked around. While the others were in admiration, Virin just kept going, intending to get this problem solved with as quickly as possible.

Zach and the others caught up with their leader, who continued his walk while looking around.

"What are you doing here?" An voice of a young female asked them, causing them to stop in their tracks. They looked to find an relative young griffin, Her coat was a light brown colour, the feathers on her wings was a darker colour, her eyes is a light amber. The talons on her forepaws was golden.

The Gang blinked. This griffin seemed to be younger than those they had met in the earlier years.

Getting out of his surprised state, Virin responded with calmness. "We're friends of the land. We want to meet with someone my father knows."

The griffin grinned. This dragon sure was a lot cooler than those Pegasi. "If that is how it is, then I will lead you to him." She walked in front of them, before walking forward, with the Gang following.

"We haven't gotten your name." Nightwing said. "May we know it?" The griffin blinked in surprise of his politeness, but that was what made her like them from the inside.

"My name is Gilda." The griffin introduced herself. "What of your names, if I may ask?"

The Gang introduced themselves.

"I'm Virin." The red dragon introduced calmly.

"Nightwing." The black drake added.

"Zach." The brown drake included.

"I'm Amber, at your service." The light blue dragoness bowed.

"Minuette." The violet dragoness finished.

Gilda blinked at Virin's name. "Your name is mysterious." She noted to him. He chuckled knowingly.

"What can I say? I'm pretty mysterious." The Guardian replied.

The griffin grinned. "I can see that." She stared in his blue and yellow eyes. She also noticed the scar on the left. "That is a nice scar."

Virin touched his scar with a paw. "I got this from my rival."

Nightwing looked at him, surprised he revealed it. "How can you just say that?" He whispered in bafflement to him.

"She can be trusted. I sensed her aura." Virin simply replied in the same whisper. Virin had this unique ability to sense other creatures' auras, which was useful when he discovered that some of them weren't bad, but neutral, while some where good.

The group walked towards the doors of the town's palace. The guards noticed the Guardian, and opened the doors as soon as they saw him. Nightwing and Gilda looked at each other, wondered how it was so fast. They didn't know that Virin was famous, or something.

They walked through the doors and stepped into the hallway. The hallway was unique. Its walls were white, with a mixture of red and golden in zigzag formations. The floor was made of marble, like the minotaurs' palace floor was. There were a two times of torches on each side of the walls, one medium, and the other large, with their flames shining the hall brightly.

The size of the inside of the palace was quite unique as well. It was a big larger than how the minotaurs' were.

Nightwing whistled. "This place is amazing."

Gilda looked at him, eyes not showing amazement. "This is just like any other palaces. What were you expecting?"

The black drake shrugged. "A bit fancier." The griffin shook her head, before noticing that Virin was already ahead of them.

"Hey! Wait up!" She called to him, with the Gang following her. As they reached him, Gilda looked at him with amazement. This guy, Virin, sure wants to finish the job fast. She respects him with the quick movements, more than how the ponies has it in their situations.

Virin took notice of her stare at him. "Can I help you?" Gilda blinked.

"Just surprised you don't want to be in a slower pace." She replied.

The Guardian shrugged again. "I like to end things quick, so I can get back to my training." The griffin blinked at the mention of "training".

"Really? I never thought you're an exercising guy." Gilda said. Virin just shrugged in response, walking through the doors to the throne room. The others followed suit. Gilda then thought back to her earlier statement, with how she noted with neveer heard of an exercising equine. By the look of the muscles of this guy, he sure has been training nonstop, which was true.

The throne room was like your everyday kind of room. There was a few windows on each wall, a few paintings of both the king and queen, even with their two children. The paintings themselves were in the colour of red and golden mixing together. The floor was a bit different than the hallway's. It was a yellowish colour with purple and white, on it was a carpet in the red and white colour.

On top of the thrones, were the king and queen. The king was a middle-aged griffin, with a yellow skin while his eyes are a purple colour. The feathers on his wings was a grayish colour, the forepaws was a yellow colour.

The queen had azure blue eyes, her wings had a pinkish colour, the feathers on her wings was like her wings, but in a lighter shade. Her skin was a beautiful purple colour, in the cleanest shade ever was, showing how careful she was when cleaning it.

Gilda, Virin and the Gang all bowed respectfully. The king raised a paw, indicating them to rise, which they obliged.

"We are glad that you have arrived," the king smiled in appreciation. "This sudden threat was taken its toll on us."

"We will do anything to help our Dragon Lord's friends, if they are in danger." Virin replied with humbleness. Gilda side glanced at him in mild surprise. His courage and humbleness was way better than the Pegasi of Ponyland.

The queen chuckled softly. "It does seem that you have the trait of the Dragon Lord." Virin blinked, before nodded in respect.

"With all due respect, your Majesty," Nightwing asked the king, making him look at the black drake. "If I may ask, what is this threat to your people?"

The king sighed. "It is from two Dark Beings. A Hydra and a humanoid figure, like how you stand right now, my young friends." He gestured to their standing positions, to their surprise. A humanoid figure? The only human was the red drake.

"We believe," the king continued, "that the two creatures are near the border of the kingdom. If you would, then please finish this threat for us." Virin bowed at his request. He was getting excited to have a duel soon.

"We will be leaving now." Gilda bowed her head to her king and queen, before standing up and left the room. the Gang followed her out. Virin, though, walked only a few steps, before the queen stopped him.

"If you will, my friend, then I have some words to exchange with you." The queen told him. Virin turned his head around, before turning his body.

"It would be my pleasure, your Highness." Virin bowed his head respectfully. The queen smiled in happily, before gesturing the guards at the door to lose it, as to not have eavesdroppers. The guards did as they were told, and the door was closed after a few seconds.

The queen motioned Virin to come with her, which he obliged. The two walked through the room, to a hidden door behind the thrones, to the Guardian's blinking. The queen pressed a bottom near them, opening the door to a dark hallway. The queen and Guardian walked into the hallway, before Virin lit it up with a small ball of flame from his right paw.

As the two continued their walk through the hallway, the queen spoke.

"For the information the Dragon Lord told us," she started. Virin looked at her. "It appears that you're really a human, isn't that right?"

Virin nodded in confirmation. "I am a Halfling. One of the few of my kin."

"And why is it that there are few of them?" The queen asked inquisitively.

"It was because, from my parents' information, that a large portion of them was wiped out by the warring species of my birth planet." Virin theorized. He can tell the queen about most of the things he was told by his parents. It would only be fair for the queen. She seemed like an honest creature.

"And, what of your powers, then?" The queen said. "Is it temporarily, or will you have it forever?"

"Forever." Virin responded, checking the ball of flame he had just in case. "My powers is what I was born with. It is rare nowadays, for any other beings to gain it. The way they work, is like how you call upon the magic, like how the unicorns perform theirs."

"And, why is it rare, if I may ask?"

"It's because, my race of Halflings is nearing their extinction." The queen had a shocking expression now. Virin continued, "I am the last of our kin."

"It must truly be horrible to feel like the last of your species, doesn't it?" The queen asked kindly. The red drake nodded sadly.

"My parents and grandparents were the last of my ancestors' descendants. I am the one child of my mother and father. My sister was before me, though she was killed right after her second year of birth."

The queen gasped in utmost horror.

"Before, and after my birth, the last dragons in existence of my birth planet was at a war with the warring species. The name of the species is from my other form: human." Virin explained, his sadness growing as he continues.

The queen had a few tears in her azure blue eyes. "It must be truly terrible to be the last of your kin." Virin nodded.

"You have no idea." And with that, the red drake was silent, not wanting to continue with his speech of him being the last of magical dragons. The queen noticed his silence, and respected his opinion of not continuing. She also didn't want him to go on, as it would only make her more sad.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, the duo got in front of a wooden door at the end of the dark hallway.

"This place...?" Virin started. The queen nodded.

"This is a secret place, in which the most trusted creature may enter. You have told me what I wanted to know. But, even of that, you must promise me not to tell, neither, your father or the Princess of this."

"You have my word." Virin answered, smiling in confidence. The queen smiled with gentleness, before gesturing him to the door. He obliged and opened the door, revealing a room inside.

This room wasn't like any other room. It was large, ven more than the throne room. It had bookshelves on each side of the walls, a few tools were in the middle of the bookshelves. The floor was made of cobblestone. The cobblestones was smoother than those outside on the streets. A few torches were on the bookshelves, even on the walls. In the middle, in front of the duo, was another door. It was different than the one they just stepped in from. It was made of iron. The iron looked hard, harder than any other materials to make it.

Virin looked at the queen. "What is this...?"

"This, as before, is the secret room of the castle. No guard, nor subject, may enter. Only the king and I have been able to, since we're descendants of the ones before us. It is a sacred place."

The queen gestured him to the iron door. He nodded, and walked up to it. He felt small electricity from the door, but his spikes absorbed it, like a lightning rod. The queen was surprised to see that, but stepped to the middle of the room.

Virin continued to feel the electricity, but his spikes continued to absorb it. He grabbed the door handle, slowly opening it. As he did, the electricity worsened, but he weren't concerned. His spikes absorbed them.

The queen was astounded at the Guardian's spikes. They just absorbed the electricity that could kill a single being a he or she neared it.

After having opened the iron door, Virin stared into the with an unemotional expression. The room was at least above his height, with iron and golden on each side of the walls, with electricity sparkling from them. As he didn't look around, he just stared expressionless at the item before him. It was unlike anything he had seen before, but it was like an normal necklace. Its shape was like a darkened amulet, as it had dark electricity sparkling around it. It was made from a strong object, he could see that. The darkened electricity, though, he couldn't quite be certain of.

Virin glanced between the queen and the amulet, not sure what to say.

"This amulet," the queen started, walking up beside the Guardian, "was made from the time of our ancestors. It is called the Amulet of Darkness."

" "Amulet of Darkness"?" Virin echoed, curiosity increasing.

The queen nodded. "Yes." She began to explain. "This Amulet is the opposite of the Amulet of Harmony, whose place is unknown for now. If the two of them are close together, a great power will be brought to the user.

"However, while the Amulets of Darkness and Harmony do have great power, they are known to corrupt the bearer if the being is not careful enough. Many from millennia has used the Amulets, but ended up destroying themselves in the process. If the bearer has a pure heart, like he Great White Guardian and the Guardian of Shadows, the Amulets won't affect them."

Virin frowned. "And why me? Why would the Amulet be calling me?"

The queen smiled gently. "It's because it could sense something from you. You do have darkness in you, don't you?"

"Yes." The Guardian confirmed. "But, my darkness is a bit out of control. Whenever I intend to use it, I lose my consciousness, as another being was taking its total control as I am in that state."

The queen's eyes widened in shock. "The God of Darkness!" This made Virin title his head.

"What?"

Clearing her throat, the queen clarified. "The one that takes over your body as you lose consciousness, is the God of Darkness. But," her expression wore off, "I don't know what it has to be controlling you for. You're a being of pure heart. This has just confused me."

"I am as well." Virin nodded. He looked back to the Amulet of Darkness, which still sparkling with electricity.

The queen glanced between the item and dragon. She smiled. "Take it." Virin quickly looked at her-

"Huh?"

"Take it." The queen repeated. "It looks to me like you were the one to wield it."

Virin frowned uncertainly. "Are you sure I should?"

The queen smiled warmly. "I am."

The Guardian slowly walked up to the Amulet, which reacted by sending dark electricity at him. He ignored it, as his spikes absorbed the warning. He reached it with a paw, holding onto it as it stopped with its attack, accepting him as its bearer.

That was easy... Virin thought, marveling the amulet with wonder. He held the amulet to his neck, putting it on as the darkness was slowly ceasing away.

After walking out of the sacred room, Virin and the queen continued to the throne room where the king was waiting for his wife. As they neared the thrones, the king's eyes widened.

"Are you alright?" He asked the queen, who reassured him.

"You do not have to worry. I am fine." The king sighed in relief. He looked at the Guardian, noticing an amulet on his neck.

"You took the amulet?" He asked.

"Yes. It seemed to have been calling me as I entered your kingdom. I did not know why until I placed it on my neck." The king nodded in understanding. A guard came, gesturing the dragon.

"Your friends are waiting for you, Guardian." The guard told the drake, who nodded. After saying goodbye to the king and queen, Virin told the guard to lead him to his friends, the guard nodded. The two walked through the halls, with the red drake being greeted by the other guards and maids. The dragon greeted back.

After nearing the doors to the palace, the guard left to do his duties. Virin opened the doors, closing his eyes for a second from the bright light of the high sun. Opening his eyes, Virin was greeted by the sight of his friends, even Gilda, who was shocked to see the object around his neck.

"I was permitted to have it." Virin told Gilda, knowing what she would say. She just nodded. The rest of the Gang marveled the amulet, specific the girls.

Nightwing was both amazed and surprised to see it. He knew his best friend had potential, but he didn't knew that an ancient amulet would be having him as its bearer. It is truly a shocker for him.

Zach was both frightened and amazed. He was more surprised than the black drake was. While he was disappointed the amulet didn't choose him, he was glad that he didn't wear it, as he would mostly be corrupted and darkened by its unbelievable powers.

Amber was jealous and marveled at the same time. Jealous that a beautiful amulet like this had chosen her friend and not her, marveled at how it was shaped and wondered why it was glowing with darkness.

Minuette was the same as Amber. She, too, was jealous that this amulet chose Virin.

Gilda wasn't like the Gang. She was mostly confused as though why the ancient amulet would pick a mere dragon and not a real griffin who is native to the kingdom.

After the stares and wonder, the Gang, plus Gilda, walked away from the palace where Virin had obtained the Amulet of Darkness. For the red drake, he was still surprised that the queen allowed him to take the Amulet without hesitation. It must had been valued to them since it had been in that room for millennia, which only the kings and queens could be able to enter and wield it, where none of their subject or guard may. It was still confusion him.

The Gang walked on the streets of the town, where the citizens was working their usually daily lives. Working in the shops, selling items they want to give away, or just talk with their customers. In the park of the town, children was playing with each other, laughing in joy and happiness as they continued with their playfulness.

Just then, a loud explosion was heard from the distance, scaring the children out of their minds as they ran for their parents. The Gang looked in the direction of the explosion, wondering what could had caused it.

"What was that?" Gilda asked, narrowing her eyes at the smoke coming from between the mountains and town.

"I don't know." Zach shakily responded. "It just came out of nowhere." The others, minus Virin, nodded in response. For Virin, he was wondering if the one that caused it, was a minion of the dark dragon.

"Let's check it out." Virin said, unfurling his wings. With his wings spread out, he took to the air, leaving his shocked friends.

"Hey! Wait up!" Gilda called to him, taking after him in the air, the others following suit.

From what they could see as they was high in the air, the Gang looked to where the explosion had occurred. The mountains was in medium size, big enough to cause a rock slide to those who were not careful enough. There were a few roads on the mountains, but they could hardly be seen from a few meters away. If you were close enough, you can see that the roads goes up to the top of the mountains.

Virin and the Gang looked at the mountains, unaware that on the ground, which was where a large creature was, had its sight on the red drake. As the Gang continued to observe the mountains, they were completely oblivious to see a dark purple ball of energy coming their way. Virin, though, quickly noticed the dark purple ball coming towards them.

"Spread out!" He shouted loudly, flying upwards. His friends were confused, until they had seen the ball of energy coming right at them! They spread their wings and dodged to every sides, with the ball barely missing them.

Nightwing exhaled with great relief. "Okay, that was too close." The Gang, and Gilda, nodded in agreement, speechless at what had just happened.

Virin looked down at the large creature that had just tried to shoot them out of the sky. It was a four-legged creature, it had purple skin, but with a darker colour on its neck. It had a long tail, that had quite a few sharp spikes at the end of it. Its underbelly was a magenta colour. Its head was different from a normal hydra's. Its eyes was blood-red, with dark purple pupils. Its fangs were sharp, sharp enough to cut through stone. On the underside of its belly and neck, a few spikes was striking out.

The Gang was much surprised to see a one-headed hydra that size. This hydra was mostly not like the rest of its kind, than what they thought it would.

"Hey!" Gilda shouted in anger, enraged at what it tried to do. "Were you trying to kill us?!" The creature gave off an evil smirk, showing his sharp fangs.

"Oh. I wasn't trying to kill you, insolent brat." The creature sneered coldly. The Gang was shocked to hear it speak. "I was trying to kill him!" The creature had a death glare at Virin, who had an emotionless expression.

"Was that a challenge?" Virin asked with the same coldness as the creature was speaking with. The Gang looked at him in shock, and a little fear. He sounded cold; they didn't know why.

"Why, yes." Another voice answered. Gilda and the four dragons widened their eyes to see a portal coming out from nowhere. From it, a human stood just beside the one-headed hydra. However, this wasn't like any other human. It had a white coat covering the upper part of its body. It had a mask on its head, covering its eyes. However, a small form of dark energy was coming out from the hidden eyes.

Virin narrowed his eyes at the strange humanoid creature. Two of the dark dragon's minions, I presume? The large creature sneered at the red drake.

"You seems to know our Master, you brat." The hydra snarled with hatred at Virin. The drake just stared back with the most emotionless look he ever had.

"So, what if I do?"

"It means, that we will have to destroy you." The cloaked figure replied coldly

"Halt!" The dark creatures looked to see thirty guards coming from the from. "By our king's order, we will have to get you to your prisons." Half of the guards flew forward, in an attempt to seize the cloaked figure.

The white figure huffed, raising a single hand. The hydra's tail swiped at the fifteen guards, impaling them!

Virin, Gilda and the rest of the Gang, along with the other guards, had their most shocking expressions to see what just had happened. The guards that was impaled was being sent to the air, before going to the underworld of Tartarus, as its gate had appeared from what seemed out of nowhere.

"B-B-But... how?!" Zach cried out in utter shock.

"It seems, that he is stronger than any other beings we've fought..." Virin observed.

"Very observant, Halfling." The hydra snarled dangerously. "For I am the second most strongest creature in existence. I feed off on the creatures that I send to Tartarus, where they'll be living for the rest of their lives, just like I will do to you, O great Guardian. Nothing can stand up to me!"

Virin growled lowly, showing his sharp teeth. From up above, the sky was slowly turning a eerily red colour, a sign of warning the inhabits of the darkness that will be coming at them. The Guardian looked up at the reddened sky, the clouds was starting to become black, knowing that evil has arrived in the world again.

The cloaked figure laughed evilly. "The plans of our Master will come soon enough. Soon, all of you will bow down before us, with him as the supreme ruler of the entire Universe." He continued to laugh evilly, sending shivers to the Gang, minus Virin.

The Guardian continued to growl, before starting to growl louder than he ever had in his life. The cloaked figure stopped laughing, staring curiously at the growling drake. The amulet around Virin's neck was beginning to glow stronger, "surprising" the dark minions of the Master.

From within the drake's mind, a greater darkness than anything ever seen was slowly beginning to wake up.

Outside of the red's mind, the battle had begun. The purple hydra tried smashing him with its hammer-shaped tail, Virin dodged it just in time. Virin launched a fireball that was slightly bigger than the ones he had used before. The fireball hit the hydra's head dead-on, engulfing its entire body into flames.

"This is for all the poor creatures that you had sent to Tartarus." Virin growled with anger, as he looked at the hydra within the flames. From what was heard, surprised them. It was an evil laughter.

"What's so funny?!" Gilda roared at the burning hydra.

"Is that the best you can do?" The hydra continued to laugh evilly, before letting out an loud roar, which removed the flames around its body. This shocked the Gang beyond their minds.

"What?!" Virin cried out in shock.

The hydra launched its tail at him again. "Saronara, Virin!" The Guardian gasped as the tail neared him to end his life. However, the remaining guards nearby sprung into action. The leader of this guard battalion shoved the red out of the way, making the tail impaling him instead!

"Chief!" Gilda and the guards cried out in horror, seeing their guard chief had risked his life.

"I-I am sorry, Guardian. But, this is where you will continue living on." The chief said painfully, before being flown to the gate of Tartarus that appeared out of nowhere, again. The gate closed as it swallowed the guard chief, leaving him in it for eternity.

[Insert song: Ansem, Seeker of Darkness from Kingdom Hearts here.]

The hydra huffed with annoyance. "What a useless griffin. Risking one's life was just as useless as that creature." Gilda, the guards and the Gang stared at him in shock, and horror.

"What did you say?!" The female griffin roared in rage.

"Why should I be responding to you, brat?" The hydra snarled at her, making her coil back.

Virin was getting angrier the more he stared at the beast that dared to trespassing into this peaceful kingdom, and world.

"I..." He whispered lowly. The guards, the Gang, and the hydra looked at him in confusion.

"What was that? I didn't hear you." The hydra mocked cruelly.

"I... will make you PAY!" The red drake shouted with the loudest roar he ever had produced. "Fire Armour!" Steel-like flames of armour surrounded his body. The amulet around his neck was glowing brighter than ever, unlike it had in the distant past.

The cloaked figure, who was at the road of the left mountain, looked on with interest.

"LET'S FINISH THIS FIGHT!" Virin roared in anger and rage, causing the remaining guards and his Gang to recoil by his vengefully attitude. Virin let out another roar, before charging at the purple hydra with such speed that it could hardly make an move. Virin hit the hydra right in its chest, which was with so much force that it slid back.

The hydra regained its composure. It launched a dark purple ball of energy at its red opponent. Virin noticed, however, as he was already on the move.

"Fire Shield!" A shield of red-hot flames appeared around him. The shield was impacted with the ball of energy, but it pounced off into another direction. The hydra launched its massive tail at the shield, which broke it with its power.

"You're going to die slowly in your last battle!" The hydra sneered at his opponent with an cruel snarl. He launched another ball of energy, but Virin was on the move like before.

"Fire Tornado!" A tornado of flames engulfed the red Guardian, blocking the ball fired by his dark foe. This only irritated the hydra further. The hydra and his opponent charged at each other, with the Guardian hovering up to the hydra's neck, biting into its flesh. The hydra howled in pain. It tried to smash the daring dragon with its tail again, but the Guardian just flew backwards, just much so the tail hit the hydra's neck instead. This got the dark opponent to roar in pain once more.

Virin flew underneath his opponent, who smirked with evilness. The hydra lay down, which was enough for the guards, Gilda, and the Gang not be able to see what happened to their friend. This made their eyes to widen in both terror and horror.

"No..." Amber muttered with sadness.

"This is the end..." Zach mumbled, seeing that the evil was winning. All of a sudden, which caught them all by surprise, was that the hydra howled in more pain as he was hurled into the air, before he crashed on the ground with the right side of its body, creating smoke that covered it.

The Gang and griffins was confused, until they saw that Virin was still alive, but was glowing with darkness. He must had used it in order to get the massive creature off him. Looking at him, Gilda was more amazed than ever. He sure was way cooler than those ponies.

"I WON'T BE LOSING TO YOU, YOU FOUL CREATURE!" Dark Virin roared in rage, making everyone recoil to cover their poor ears.

"Oh no..." Nightwing whispered in terror, shivering, as though it was cold. The griffins stared at Dark Virin in terror as well. They've never seen a dragon with that much darkness before. This was unlike anything they had seen in their lives.

"LET'S END THIS, NOW!" Dark Virin roared at the hydra who managed to stand up. The cloaked figure on the left mountain's road, was very impressed with the Protector's darkness inside him, as though it was his cousin, but it wasn't.

[Insert song: Not Gonna Die by Skillet here.]

Dark Virin launched a quick dark fireball at the hydra, who launched a purple ball of energy in return. The balls collided, both equal in power. Dark Virin growled in a sneer as he saw that their powers were equally strong. He let loose black flames at the hydra, who launched another purple ball of energy. Both attacks collides, neither gives in. Dark Virin didn't give in. Giving more power in his attack, he pressed the black flames at managed to send the ball of energy flying to the left mountain.

The cloaked figure stepped aside, just as the hydra's attack made contact. After the attack hit the rocky mountain, a loud crack was heard from it. The griffins and the dragons, except Dark Virin who was busy with fighting the hydra, looked up to see that the mountains were actually volcanic ones. That was something they hadn't thought of with them being volcanoes. As though in answer, lava was slowly coming up from the left volcano.

The cloaked figure snarled in outrage, knowing that this place won't be safe. He raised himself into the air, floating in an invincible force. The griffins and the Gang all flew up in the air, seeing that the ground isn't going to be the safest place now.

As the griffins and the Gang was flying in the air, a large vibration occurred underneath the ground.

"An earthquake!" Minuette screamed, loud enough for the others to look at the shaking ground.

Dark Virin and his dark foe, however, weren't the least concerned about the earthquake, nor the shaking ground. They just continued with their duel. The ground sudden split apart, causing both opponents to snarl in irritation as the they were separated. Dark Virin, on the other hand, flew over to the hydra's ground, launching a dark fireball at it. The hydra defended itself by launching another purple ball of energy, resulting in a colliding attack that made smoke appear again.

Dark Virin launched himself onto the hydra's back, slashing the back with his sharp claws, causing the hydra to howl in pain. The hydra turned its head around, and launched forward in order to bite the darkened drake. Dark Virin noticed, though, and lifted himself to the air, which made the hydra to bite itself that got it to roar in pain. Dark Virin smirked triumphantly, but didn't notice the tail coming towards him. He, however, just vanished into nothingness as the tail smashed into the hydra's own head, who roared in pain again.

The hydra looked around, searching for his opponent. The ground was still going on with the vibration, which broke it from the other side of the abyss that appeared in the middle. Lava was coming up from the volcanoes, fiery meteors threatens to burn the lands.

From behind the hydra, Dark Virin appeared, quickly launching black flames at the end of the hydra. This caused the hydra to move forward, but skipped right at the cliff of their dueling ground.

Dark Virin flew right above the hydra's head, ready to punch it with his empowered strength. The darkened drake punched the hydra's head, causing his opponent to fall to the ground. Dark Virin continued to punch rapidly at the hydra's head, which made it to roar in utmost pain. As the dark drake was continuing his punching, the griffins and the Gang looked on in shock and fear.

"What's with him?" Gilda asked her dragon friends. "Why is he attacking so ruthlessly?"

Nightwing was the one who answered. "The darkness. It is the thing that are attacking so ruthlessly. Four years back, while Zach, Virin and I were in the minotaur kingdom, Virin was unexpectedly consumed by the darkness because of the pride he had back then. He still has it, though."

Gilda was horrified to see one cool dragon being used by this darkness.

Back at the duel, Dark Virin punched continuously at the hydra's head. The hydra finally came to its senses and pushed the dark Guardian away with a paw. After getting on his feet, Hydra looked at the dark Guardian's demonic red eyes. They looked terrifying. No. More like, horrifying, if you has a stare contest.

Dark Virin smirked deviously at Hydra, who snarled right back. The dark Guardian launched black flames at the large creature, who returned the attack by firing a ball of energy which resulted into another collision. The dark dragon growled with hatred at the repeated collision made by their attacks.

"Why can't you just be defeated?!" Dark Virin roared angrily. The Gang recoiled in the air by the roar.

"Funny. I was just about to say the same thing to you!" Hydra let out an ear-splitting roar, which made the Gang to cover their ears. Hydra tried to strike the dark dragon with his tail, but Dark Virin just vanished into the shadows just as the tail almost hit him.

Hydra looked at the cliff side of the broken battleground. He smirked evilly, thinking this could be his chance to prove that he was the strongest in the world of "magical" creatures. The dark dragon reappeared right at the base of his neck from behind, shocking him by this move. Dark Virin bit Hydra in the neck with his sharp teeth, causing the purple hydra to roar in pain.

Hydra snapped back to reality as his foe continued to sink his teeth into the flesh. He swiped the dark dragon with his tail before he could vanish again, panting heavily afterwards.

Dark Virin sneered irritably as he was colliding with the ground head-first. He slid on the dirt, but that didn't matter to him. He got up rather quickly, snarling with more hatred than ever. Dark Virin launched a dark fireball at the hydra, who swiped it away with his tail. This only irritated the dark dragon, however, as he launched consecutively of dark fireballs at the large creature who couldn't block them all, as he was stunned by this kind of move. Dark Virin also blasted some dark fireballs from the tip of his wings, which shocked Gilda beyond her imagination.

As Dark Virin continued with his consecutive attack, the Gang stared at the scene before them in horror.

"How can he do that, blasting fire from his wings, that is?" Gilda asked Nightwing.

"Whenever a dragon, who is the only species that can do this, uses this, they can continuously fire their flaming attacks at their opponents. It is a deadly combination, I can guarantee you." The black drake answered grimly, thinking back at Virin and Garble's long duel in the trial just four months back.

"Wow..." Gilda breathed in amazement. She'd never realized how much this could mean for the world if powerful villains, like that one-headed hydra, came to conquer it.

In Virin's soul...

After opening his blue-yellow eyes, Virin looked around in his soul. It was cold, really cold, unlike what it had been in his dreams. The darkness is what was cold.

"Where am I?" He whispered.

"Inside your own soul." A dark, unfamiliar voice answered coldly. Virin looked to see a darker version of himself. This dragon had a darker red body, its eyes were a demonic red colour. Its claws were sharp, more than his in fact. Its wings were like the body, but in a lighter colour. It had a evil grin on its muzzle, sending shivers to Virin's spines.

Virin narrowed his eyes at the demon. "How did you get free?!"

The dark dragon chuckled darkly. "Why, because of the Amulet of Darkness you wield now." He had the darkest grin that could send shivers to the whole world. "And thanks to you, here I am. Free at last, from over my trillions of years of sleep."

" "Trillions"?" Virin echoed in confusion.

The dragon smiled evilly. "Do you even know who REALLY shaped the Universe?" Virin was silent. "Of course not. Because all of you think that God the Father was the one, but he wasn't. I was the one who had."

Virin widened his eyes. "Chaos?!"

"Got it correct. I am Chaos, the first being known in the Universe. Multiverse, in fact."

"Wha?" Virin titled his head in confusion once more.

"Of course." Chaos rolled his red eyes. "You wouldn't happen to know. All you creatures doesn't even know there are multiple worlds out there, but no one has ever been able to find them."

Gritting his teeth, Virin yelled, "Fire Armour!" Steel-like flames of armour surrounded his body. Chaos sighed in boredom.

"A meaningless effort." Raising a claw, Chaos removed the armour from Virin, shocking him by the move.

"How?!"

"I am the creator of this multiverse. I can basically do just about anything." Chaos replied with cockiness. "I will send you back, for now. I don't want to tell you everything of this multiverse just yet. When the time comes, then I'll tell you."

Before Virin could answer, Chaos lit the soul with darkness, swallowing Virin completely away to reality.

Real world...

The darkness around his body vanished. Virin looked around to see everything back to normal, even the sky and clouds were back to normal.

He really outdid himself. He thought. Then he realized Hydra was glaring at him with hatred.

Hydra glared at Virin in confusion. "What the heck happened, dragonling?!" He roared. Virin didn't answer, he just stared at him with a death glare

"Let's finish this, Hydra!" Virin growled in eagerness. Hydra smirked evill in response. "Fire Armour!" Steel-like flames surrounded the red's body.

"Time to end this!" Hydra launched a ball of energy at Virin, who was prepared.

"Fire Shield!" A shield of flames appeared around his body, sending the ball of energy to a different direction. Hydra growled. He really hate those attacks.

"Fire Tornado!" A tornado of flames appeared around Virin, who glowered at Hydra. "I will never forgive you for what you've done!"

The cloaked figure on the left mountain's road watched on in interest.

Back at the duel, Hydra let out a ball of purple energy again, but it bounced off of Virin's fiery tornado. That didn't stop him, however, as he continued with firing balls of energy in every direction, sending the last remaining guards to Tartarus.

"Hydra is destroying everything!" Nightwing called out, watching in horror from nearby rocks.

As Hydra continued to fire balls of energy, some even landed a few hits on Virin, causing him to roar in pain.

The cloaked figure laughed loudly, just so everyone in the area to hear him. "Hydra is evolving. Thanks to you, Virin." A blast of purple electricity vanquished a card he had in his hand, causing him to laugh even louder.

Virin lifted his head to see Hydra continuing his attacks. "I won't lose. Not now. Not ever!" He then had the strongest and loudest roar he ever produced. "ULTIMATE BOOST!" A large amount of fire and lava erupted from underground, which shook the entire planet.

"Take cover!" Zach cried out, ducking behind the rocks behind him and the Gang.

Virin continued with his attack, not caring if the terrain was being slowly vanquished. Hydra and his partner managed to teleport away from the move before it was finished. After the attack, a huge cloud of smoke appeared in the area.

"Is it done?" Amber asked her friends, too afraid to even look.

"Let me take a look." Gilda lifted her head, before her jaw fell on the rock she was hiding from. The Gang looked at her in wonder, before raising their heads, and their own jaws fell on the rocks they used as a hiding place.

All in front them, was a huge crater in the middle of a destroyed grassy place that used to be beautiful. In the middle of the crater, lay a dragon. Virin, unconscious.

"VIRIN!" Nightwing cried, rushing to his unconscious friend. The girls and Zach gasped to see their leader down, even Gilda. They ran up to the fallen drake, knowing what to do.

"Let's take him to the infirmary." Gilda ordered harshly, not wanting arguments. Lucky for her, the dragons nodded in agreement. Gilda was surprised, but know there wasn't time to waste.

Planet Earth, Location: Pacific...

Ships and naval ones was sailing over the waters of Pacific Ocean, where the Battle of the Atlantis had taken place in the second World War. All the men in, and on, the ships searched desperately for Godzilla.

Inside the command ship, Arnold was taking orders to his men, before getting an report from a sailor whose boat was destroyed by something.

"Tell me, what did you see?" He asked in a gentle voice.

"A monster!" The sailor replied in a frightening voice. "It's here to eat us all!" Then he let unconscious take over him. Arnold sighed before walking out of the resting room.

The commander of the ship came up to him. "Any news?" He asked.

"No." Arnold shook his head. "There isn't." The commander sighed in hopelessness.

"We need to have more information. If not, then Godzilla will most certainly strike Tokyo again."

"I understand your concern." Mr. Shimmer nodded. "I, too, is certain it will strike again."

The commander smiled, before frowning. "Got any report of your children?"

Arnold shook his head. "No. They're still missing. Police are still searching, but I don't think that's going to be enough."

The commander's smile disappeared. An soldier came, whispering something to his ear. He nodded and walked off, leaving Arnold alone.

Where are you, Sunset, Omega? Arnold thought sadly.

Chapter Six: A Gangly Rivalry

It's been a little over a week since the epic battle between Virin and Hydra. Everything was slowly returning to normal, but not all was normal. The darkness that slipped away from Virin's soul is still out there, in space or the galaxy somewhere. And it is up to Virin, the Chosen One, to get the job done.

The word, "Chosen One", was still new to Virin. How was he the"Chosen One" when he was just an ordinary dragon? Still, it sounded pretty cool. Gilda, who had moved to Dragon Lands, agreed with him that the word did sound cool.

With Gilda on their team, the Gang matched with Garble and his gang with six on six. However, Gilda can't fight a dragon with sheer power alone, as Virin told her. Strategy in the battles were used, to her complaining about "strategies" being used in a single fight. To her, strategies were nothing to her sheer force.

Two months after the incident at the griffin kingdom, Virin and Garble continued on with their strong rivalry. Their fights continued onward to the second month of the seventh year Virin lived in the Lands. To Garble, he was still humiliated at the trial a year back. He was going to kill that blasted dragon no matter what it takes him to kill the Guardian.

In the middle of awakening dawn of morning, Virin slept soundly, his amulet around his neck glows faintly. He hasn't let the amulet out of his sight ever since he got it, worrying that greedy dragons might steal it, which he won't be finding funny about.

The light of the morning sun shined on his closed eyes, telling him to be awake for a new day. Sighing, he opened his tired eyes, blinking rapidly to get the drowsiness out. When the drowsiness was out, Virin stood up and stretched his limps, cracking his bones to be awake.

After the usual morning method, Virin sighed and looked at his prized tooth possession. It was still there. No dragon had ever touched it. That was almost all he ever dreamed of the dragons not to do. His gold was also still in their places, not a single coin missing.

Smiling at his possessions, Virin moved over to the hydra tooth. It was still one of the first possessions he ever won over a hydra, the prince of all hydras. It was thanks to that, that the dragons allowed him to stay with them for the time being. However, he had lived here longer than what the other dragons normally wanted. This was his new home. He had everything.

A family to call his own. Friends to also call his own. An arrogant dragon to call his rival.

Yup. Life sure is funny nowadays.

Hearing foot steps, Virin looked at the mouth of his cavern, seeing his sister Ember, who had a surprised look on her expression. She was obviously about to wake him, but he did it himself.

Usually, back in the day, it was Ember that should be waking Virin to start their training sections. However, as time pass by, he was beginning to be awake himself in the morning.

"Well," Ember started, getting Virin out of his thoughts, "I'm surprised to see you up and about, brother. Had a good nap?"

"Something like that." Virin shrugged, not wanting to share his nightmare of that one-headed hydra. His sister raised an eyeridge before shaking it off, going to the point.

"You ready for some training?" She asked rhetorically.

"Always." Was Virin's quick reply, his grin on his muzzle visibly.

After that, seemingly, little conversation, Virin began his training for the day. He had to do running, to increase his speed for the Pegasi, because their wingspan should be quicker than dragons, to Chaos' point of view.

Virin, as well, had done some push-ups, increasing the muscles on his arms whilst in his human form. He took a few hundreds push-ups, to Ember's impressiveness. He had also done some exercising with his legs, more effectively to increase his speed to even the match of the Pegasi ponies.

Gilda, who had got permission to move to Dragon Lands, helped him with his wingspan and flying skills. She had taught him very valuable lessons on flying, which he thanked the griffin for. She sure was impressed with his learning and exercising, that's for sure.

The two even had races with one another. They had a few tie-ins, but that was nothing, as they never argued about it, considering Virin was just as fast as her. This had only increased his speed, nothing more, nothing less.

Nightwing and the Gang, on the other claw, helped him today. Zach was helping Virin with balancing on one foot, which he was appreciating the praise for the amount of minutes the drakes took. They spend thirty minutes on the balancing.

Minuette helped Virin with how to communicate with one another. Since Virin had the telepathic power, he needed to learn how to control it. Because she, too, had telepathic powers. However, hers were more advanced than Virin's, considering she lived with psychic dragons, a rare species of dragons in the Lands. After an hour of learning the communication power, Virin was done.

Amber helped Virin with how to swim underwater. With her light-blue scales, she was an water dragon, another rare species of dragon. She had lived with water dragons all her life before moving to live with fire dragons, a objection her people had been warning her about, because of her ferocity and "destructive" will of fighting. Virin learned on the swimming part, which was a bit harder for him, considering he was only a fire drake. He was an drake, because his family was of draken lineage. They were way more advanced on land than sea, since some of them were only of fire inheritance.

Nightwing helped him on how to control the darkness, since he was a shadow dragon thanks to his scales. Virin had six drakes in his family that were black dragons, as well. The Darkness and Shadow drakes helped him to control the darkness within him, because of his chosen being of the Amulet of Darkness, along with Chaos being an evil darkness dragon with a blood dragon lineage.

Blood dragons were the rarest of the dragons other than Light dragons. The Blood dragons could sap the blood from another being, while they continued to seek for blood. Zeus and the Ancient Greece Gods of Mount Olympic, managed to stop the bloodthirsty dragons from continuing, with minor causality.

Virin admired Zeus' bravery, wishing he could had met him someday. However, the Gods has long since been dead, besides them being immortal.

Getting back to the training program, Virin was continuing with his push-ups. He was at number four hundred and one. A really long process, if he must say it aloud.

"Hey!"

An unexpected voice cut Virin's thoughts and concentration, causing him to fall down on the grassy floor with a low "BANG". Groaning, Virin rubbed his blue and yellow eyes with an arm, blinking to the source of the voice.

What got him to groan again, was that Garble was standing a few feet away from his, eyes glaring intensely at Virin's fallen body.

"What do you want, Garble?" Virin groaned, getting up by lifting himself off the ground, brushing the small grass off with his hands. Yes, he was in his human form.

"What I want?" Garble mocked with a sneer. "I want revenge!" Virin rolled his eyes, boringly, in fact. "Hey! Don you roll your eyes at me! I want you to fight me!"

"A fight?" Virin echoed, getting a small interest from this.

"YES!" Garble roared angrily, only for it to be on himself as Virin had covered his ears just in time. "I WANT VENGEANCE FROM THE TRIAL!"

Sighing, Virin accepted. "Fine! I-" He was cut off as Garble quickly flew straight at him, but he managed to dodge the sudden strike by rolling to the right on the ground. Glaring heatedly at Garble's flying, and tauntingly form, a bright red light surrounded Virin as he called upon his dragon powers.

Smirking evilly, Garble blasted a fireball just as the light vanished from Virin, who blocked it with a shield of flames from his Fire Armourdefensive move.

Getting back from the assault, Virin lashed himself out at Garble, who did the same. Collision was made from the two charging opponents, creating a small gust of wind from the collision, but they didn't care. All they cared about, was getting this rivalry over with.

Slashing and clawing each other, they were starting to bleed with blood from the bruises they were getting from their ruthless attacks. Getting back a little to place an arm on the wounds, the rivals glared at one another in intensity, neither backing down. Garble blasted a fireball at Virin, who dodged it with agile movements, to the taller dragon's surprise. Unfazed by the attack, Virin launched his own fireball at Garble, who rolled to the side in order to avoid it. However, Virin wasn't done. He continued to fire at Garble with fireballs, who dodged them all by moving left and right, up and down. One attack, however, was unavoidable. It managed to land a hit on the tall red's flying form, causing him to fly back a bit.

From the training with Nightwing and his Darkness family, Virin vanished into his shadow, trying to get a sneak attack on his rival. Garble, confused, looked around in search for the smaller red. From behind the taller drake, Virin appeared and slashed in the back of Garble, who roared out in pain from the unexpeceted hit. Garble, in an instant, kicked Virin from behind, surprising the young drake before he could disappear again.

Grinning evilly, Garble kicked Virin's leg, causing him to cry out in pain.

A shadow ball, coming out what seemed nowhere, couldn't hit Garble as he dodged just in time. Glaring at the direction the shadow ball was flying, Garble heard five beings calling out.

"Hey!"

"What do you think you're doing?!"

"Don't you realize you're hurting him?!"

"It's a fight, Gilda. It happen often."

"Leave Virin alone!"

Grunting at the mere sight of them, Garble sneered darkly. "Isn't it rude to interrupt people when they're fighting? It would be bad for you!" He launched a fireball at the Gang, who dodged it by spreading out in different directions. The fireball hit a mountain nearby, making a small "BUFF" sound afterwards.

Gilda, in an angry scowl, growled, "What was that for?!"

Garble sneered coldly. "To keep you away." He looked at the Gang with a cold stare. "Virin's mine. And that's that." He turned around...only for his eyes to widen as he noticed Virin was standing perfectly. No scratch at all. "What?!"

"Hm," mused Virin. "A powerful attack, if I say so, Garble. However, you forgot my healing powers. They're quite strong and fast for me to heal myself." A growl escaped the tall drake's throat, eyes blazing with fury.

In response to the taller drake's fury, the Gang, while Garble's own gang arrived in time to combat the Gang of Six. It was a state of total fighting.

Azam fought Nightwing by flying straight at his opponent, intending to make a hit. However, the black drake barrel rolled to the right, dodging the attack. Nightwing blasted a shadow ball at Azam, who dodged by flying upward, grinning just like Garble. Azam blasted his elemental power, which is Electricity, at the black drake. Nightwing managed to dodge just in time, sending his own elemental attack at the ruthless dragon, who punched the attack back, surprising Nightwing. The black drake kicked his own attack in the air, making a collision with another shadow ball, making a shadowy spark, which shined quite beautifully.

Azam growled, thinking on an new strategy.

Ranger was one "sadistic" opponent for Zach. The dragon had been punching the brown drake many times, drawing blood on the nose and the eyes. Zach, who wouldn't back down, caught the next punch. Ranger smiled in amusement and entertainment, enjoying this battle. The ruthless dragon kicked Zach in the thigh, causing the brown drake to cry out in pain, getting on one leg, resting the now-bad left leg. Just as Ranger was going to finish Zach, a certain griffin intervened the next hit, swiping the daring dragon in the left eye with a claw, which caused him to roar painfully.

"You deal with him, you deal with me!" Gilda dared bravely. Ranger smirked deviously; this would be quick.

Ranger blasted his elemental attack at Gilda, but she evaded it by flying to the air. Gilda charged at Ranger at a high speed, clawing the surprised dragon in the eye. The ruthless dragon roared in pain, before glaring hatefully at the griffin who dared hurt him. He kicked the griffin in the stomach, causing her to slid back a few feet from the dragon. Gilda placed a paw on her stomach, glaring angrily at her foe. She charged forward with a claw ready, but Ranger evaded the assault by vanishing at a fast rate, to the griffins confusion. Gilda searched around for her opponent...before smiling triumphantly as she felt a hot breeze behind her. She kicked the reappearing dragon in the belly, causing him to fall on his back, much to his surprised expression.

Ogyn was having a conflict within him: should he attack Minuette, or not? For him, she was a beautiful dragoness. Her violet scales shined beautifully in the sun, which was what had started the conflict in the first place.

Minuette stared at him, incredulously. Was he thinking of retiring? Making her the winner of this short...fight? Could this really be called a "fight" if they just stared at each other?

Amber was enjoying herself, smiling delightfully. She kicked the white dragon in the belly, causing him to slid backward. The gray dragon roared in rage, intending to bite the water drake by the neck. However, Amber saw this, and punched the gray dragon's chin, causing him to fall on his back, before getting back up, wiping the place where she hit him, smiling excitedly.

For Virin and Garble, however, they were having a much harder time than the others. Virin blasted a multi-coloured beam at his tall rival, who blasted the same beam right back at him, resulting in a explosion that created smoke around them. Garble charged through the smoke, grabbing the smaller drake by the shoulders, biting him on the right shoulder, causing him to roar out in pain, snapping their Gangs' attention to them. They didn't care. They just wanted to finish this long-standing rivalry, once and for all.

Virin suddenly stopped with roaring in pain, to Garble's confusion. Smirking, Virin kicked the tall drake's leg, which caused him to let go and grab his leg in pain. Garble glared at the Guardian in the most hateful stare there ever was.

Garble blasted Virin with a fireball, which the smaller drake returned with his own, resulting in an smoking explosion between the two attacks. The tall drake growled, before charging at the small drake, who charged as well. The two clawed and bit each other around their body; be it neck, leg, stomach. Getting a few distance away from each other, Virin's Amulet shined with dark electricity, which shot straight at Garble, who blocked it with his wings, impressing their two Gangs, but they didn't care.

The fight lasted around for thirty minutes. Virin had continued with blasting and striking Garble with fireballs and his claws, the same was what Garble had done with the smaller drake. The fight continued for the evening, with neither sides giving an inch.

Ponyland...

Twilight walked in her library home, searching for a prophecy the Princess gave her. She was both determined and quick to come to the conclusion concerning about her friend's whereabouts, but the Princess and her parents told her to let it go, but she didn't.

After nearly eight years, Moon was nowhere to be found, only the sounds of a fierce dragon's roars in the other kingdoms. She did, however, see a hard-fought battle between two flying dragons two years back. It looked like it was one, hard fight. When she looked closely enough, the smaller dragon's scales looked nearly identical to Moon's jacket, which the maids had given him as a birthday present. She just wished there was something she could do, but what?

Chapter Seven: Of Training and Hatchdays

"Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night.

"Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day that her sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon."

"She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took responsibility for both...

"...sun and moon..."

"...and harmony has maintained in Equestria for generations since." A purple unicorn, with a purple coat and mane with a violet streak, mused in wonder. "Hm. Elements of Harmony. I know I've heard about them before... but where?"

Walking down the street of Canterlot, Twilight met up with three other ponies. One of them had an ivory coat, curly pink mane and tail, electric blue eyes, and a mark of three sparkly blue stars.

The second had a yellow coat, a cerulean man and tail with a lighter tail streak, raspberry eyes. A mark of three hearts, two light blue and one light green.

The last had a blue coat, periwinkle mane and tail with a pigment blue streak. She had dark blue eyes, and a mark of an hourglass.

"There you are, Twilight." The said pony stopped in her tracks. "Moon Dancer is having a little get-together in the west castle courtyard." Her eyes sparkled. "You wanna come?"

Twilight sighed dejectedly. "Oh, sorry girls. I've got a lot of studying to catch up with." Smiling sheepishly, she ran away from the three ponies, not hearing the ivory pony's sigh.

"Does that pony do anything except studying?" She asked her friends. "I think she's more interested in books than friends." The trio resumed their walk.

With Twilight, she continued to run towards her home.

"I know I've heard of the Elements of Harmony." She determinedly said to herself. A lime green unicorn waved to her, but she ignored it and continued her run to her destination.

Running up the stairs of her house, Twilight quickly opened the doors, not knowing that a small, green and purple dragon fell backwards.

"Spike. SPIKE!" She looked down when she heard a groan. "Spike? There you are." She ran to the bookshelves. "Quick!" She quickly ordered. "Find me the old copy of Predictions and Prophecies." Noticing something on Spike's tail, she pointed at it. "What is that?"

The little dragon lifted the now pierced present. "Well, it was a gift for Moon Dancer, but..."

A tired sigh. "Spike, you know we don't have time for that sort of thing."

"But we're on a break!" Spike defended himself.

Getting a few books to the side, each time she did it, Twilight groaned "No". With a frustrated grunt, she shouted, "SPIKE!"

"It's over here!" Spike responded, waving a book before it was engulfed in an lavender aura. Spike fell down as the book was taken from his hand. He sighed as books were scattered as he fell.

"Ah!" Twilight mused, before walking over to a table. Spike groaned as he began to clean up the floor. Twilight slipped through the pages of the book she was reading. "Elements. Elements. E, E, E...Aha!" She found the page she was looking. "Elements of Harmony, see: Mare in the Moon?"

"Mare in the Moon?" Spike echoed, before saying, "But, that's just an old ponies' tale."

"Mare, mare...aha!" She once again found the page. "The Mare in the Moon, a myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid her escape, and she would bring about nighttime eternal. " She gasped, looking over towards the dragon, who was on a staircase. "Spike! Do you know what this means?"

Grunting, Spike replied, "No- whoa!" He fell down from the staircase, but was caught by Twilight's back as she stood just where he had fallen.

"Take a note, to the Princess, please." Stretching her tail out, Spike rolled down from it.

"Okie, dokie." Spike began to write with the quill he held in his claws.

"My dearest teacher, my continuing studies have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster!"

"Hold on. Prec... preci..." He looked at his purple friend in confusion.

"Threshold."

"Threh..." He still looks at her in utter confusion.

"Uh, brink?" No answer. She groaned. "Ugh, that something really bad is about to happen!" Spike began to write it down on the paper. "For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she's about to return to Equestria, and bring with her eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Spike began writing her name. "Twi...light Spar...kle. Got it!"

"Great! Send it." She ordered. Spike looked at her in doubt.

"Now?"

"Of course!"

Spike reminded her uneasily. "Uh, I dunno, Twilight. Princess Celestia's a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration. And it's like, the day after tomorrow."

"That's just it, Spike. The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration! It's imperative that the Princess is told right away!"

"Impera...Impera..."

Twilight shouted at him, getting him to fly backwards into a shelf. "Important!"

Spike groaned. "Okay, okay." He inhaled his breath before breathing a small, green fire at the letter. "There! It's on its way. But I wouldn't hold your breath..."

"Oh, I'm not worried, Spike. The Princess trusts me completely. In all the years she's been my mentor, she never once doubted me." She smiled at him.

Spike suddenly belched up a letter.

"See?" Twilight asked. "I knew she would want to take immediate action."

Clearing his throat, Spike read the letter. "My dearest, most faithful student Twilight. You know I value your diligence and that I trust you completely."

The said unicorn smiled. "Mm-hm."

Spike, however, decided to read more. "...but you simply must stop reading those dusty old books!" Twilight gasped in shock.

After getting in an chariot that goes to a town north of Canterlot, Spike continued to read the letter the Princess sent.

"My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony's life than studying, so I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sum Celebration inthis year's location: Ponyville. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!" A town in the distance could be seen. There were timber-framed houses, with thatched roofs and overhanging upper floors.

Twilight groaned.

"Look on the bright side, Twilight." Spike tried to reassure her. "The Princess has arranged you to stay in a library. Doesn't that make you happy?"

"Yes," Twilight smiled. "Yes it does. You know why? Because I'm right! I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then go to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon's return."

"Then..." Spike started, "...when will you make friends, like the Princess said?"

"She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I'll do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends."

The chariot stopped in the streets of Ponyville. The guards whinnied.

"Thank you, sirs." Twilight thanked politely. The guards huffed.

"Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have something interesting to talk about." They stood in front of an pink pony. "Come on, Twilight. Just try!" He encouraged.

Twilight sighed, before saying to the pink pony. "Um... hello?" A deep gasp came as the pony raised itself a few meters in the air and sped away rather fast. "Well, that was something interesting all right."

Spike sighed.

"Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist." Spike read. "Number one, banquet. Sweet Apple Acres." The duo stood in front of a farm, with a sign that clearly said "Sweet Apple Acres".

A loud "Yee-haw!" was heard behind them. They turned around to see an orange pony with blonde mane and tail, with a cutie mark of three apples, running towards a tree, turning around quickly and used her hind legs to kick the tree. Apples fell down in the buckets under the tree.

Twilight sighed. "Let's get this over with..." She walked over to the cowgirl and began to introduce herself. "Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle-"

The pony grasped her hoof and started to shake it... roughly. "Well, howdy-doo, Miss Twilight, a pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends!"

"Friends?" Twilight struggled through the rough shaking. "Actually, I-" Spike snickered with his claws on his mouth to cover it.

"So, what can I do you for?"

Clearing her throat, Twilight clarified. "Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?"

"We sure as sugar are!" Applejack smiled. "Would you care to sample some?"

"As long as it doesn't take too long..." Twilight mumbled. Applejack began ringing with the triangle she was holding.

"Soup's on everypony!" The orange pony called out. Many ponies came rushing to the tables.

"Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family?"

"Thanks, but I really need to hurry-"

Applejack interrupted her and introduced her family anyway. "This here's Apple Fritter,. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious. Golden Delicious. Caramel Apple. Apple Strudel. Apple Tart. Baked Apples. Apple Brioche. Apple Cinnamon Crisp..." She took a deep breath. "Big Mclntosh. Apple Bloom and Granny Smith." She looked over to her grandmother. "Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got guests."

The old pony snorted and woke up. "Wha...? Soup's on? I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'..." She slowly walked over to the others.

"Why, I'd say you're already part of the family."

Twilight laughed nervously. "Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we'll be on our way." She stopped as Apple Bloom was in front of her... giving her the puppy eyes.

"Aren't you going to stay for brunch?" The little pony asked, saddened by her leaving.

Twilight sighed dejected. "Sorry, but we have an awful lot to do." The whole Apple family sighed in disappointment. Sighing once more, the purple unicorn said,"...fine." The Apple family cheered.

Walking on the streets of Ponyville, Twilight groaned as her full belly was giving her a stomach ache.

"Food's all taken care of, next is weather." Spike noted as he read the letter.

Groaning again, Twilight struggled, "Ugh... I ate too much pie..."

Spike looked upwards and mused, "Well, there's supposed to be a Pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds." Twilight looked up as well.

"Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?" Just then, a sudden Pegasus rammed into her, causing her to land in the mud a few meters away from her. The Pegasus looked over and chuckled nervously.

"Uh, 'scuse me?" The blue pony gave a nervous laugh. Twilight groaned. "Lemme help you." She flew and took a cloud above Twilight, and began jumping on the white cloud, causing much water than she expected to fall down on the purple unicorn.

Rainbow held her hooves on her cheeks, chuckling nervously. "Oops. I guess I overdid it. Um, uh, how about this?" Twilight's mouth hung over as the blue mare flew around her at a fast rate, causing the world around her to spin. As she stopped, the Pegasus held a hoof to her chest. "My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry! No no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome." She looked over, and her eyes widened to impossible level...before she burst out laughing. Spike looked at his friend, and burst out laughter as well.

Twilight sighed. "Let me guess. You're Rainbow Dash."

The said mare stood up proudly, puffing her chest out. "The one and only. Why, you heard of me?"

"I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clean." A sigh. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather."

"Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap." Rainbow cockily called out. "I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing."

"Practicing for what?"

"The Wonderbolts!" Rainbow pointed to a poster showing the team. "They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow, and I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!"

"The Wonderbolts?" Twilight echoed.

"Yep."

"The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?"

"That's them." Rainbow confirmed.

Twilight snorted. "Please. They'd never accept a Pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day."

Rainbow looked like she was offended. "Hey, I can clear this sky in ten seconds flat."

"Prove it." Twilight challenged. Rainbow accepted the challenge and began flapping her wings as fast as she could, while she began to clear the sky from clouds one by one. Twilight and Spike looked on as the Pegasus cleared the sky.

"Loop-de-loop around, and wham!" Rainbow called out. "What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging." She chuckled at her audience's expressions. "You should see the look on your face. Ha!" She flew around. "You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle. I can't wait to hang out some more."

"Wow, she's amazing." Spike mused, before holding a bit of Twilight's mane, laughing. The unicorn groaned and walked away. "Wait! It's kinda pretty once you get used to it!" He followed after her.

Walking inside the town's square, Spike read the next on the list on the letter.

"Decorations. Beautiful..." Spike breathed, seeing a beautiful, white pony with purple mane and tail.

"Yes, the décor is coming along nicely. This ought'a be quick." Twilight added. "I'll be at the library in time. Beautiful indeed."

"Not the décor, her!" Spike corrected. Twilight glanced at the white pony, who was levitating some bows.

"No, no, no, oh!" She gasped at the colour of the decor she was levitating. "Goodness no!"

Spike began checking on himself. "How are my spines? Are they straight?" Twilight walked up to the white pony, and started speaking.

"Good afternoon-"

"Just a moment, please!" The pony interrupted. "I'm "in the zone", as it were. Oh, yes!" She levitated a red bow. "Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent!" She cleared her throat. "Now, um, how can I help yo-" She yelped in shock, seeing a messed up pony in front of her. "Oh my stars, darling!" She exclaimed. "Whatever happened to your coiffure?!"

Twilight looked at her mane. "Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!"

"Out of my hair?" Rarity rephrased. "What about your hair?!" She walked up to Twilight and began to push her.

"Wait!" The purple unicorn gasped. "Where are we going?! Help!"

Inside the Carousel Boutique, Rarity changed Twilight into many different type of dresses. Each time she changed, she spoke.

"No, no, nu-uh. Too green. Too yellow. Too poofy. Not poofy enough. Too frilly. Too... shiny. Now go on, my dear. You were telling me where you're from."

Wincing at the strain, Twilight managed to speak. "I've been sent... from Canterlot... to-" This stopped Rarity in straining the liner more.

"Huh?" However, this caused Twilight to crash on the floor. "Canterlot?" Rarity's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all of it! We are gonna be the best of friends, you can I..." Twilight sighed at the word. Looking at the dress, Rarity exclaimed, "Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!" She ran off the stage.

Twilight saw her chance and ran. "Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a new colour!" She levitated a sighing Spike, who followed her in the air.

Walking through the yellow road towards their next destination, Spike started to sigh dreamily.

"Wasn't she wonderful?" He asked in his dreamland.

"Focus, Casanova." Twilight reminded him. "What's next on the list?"

Clearing his throat, Spike read, "Oh, uh, music! It's the last one!" Their ears flicked when they started to hear birds singing in the near distance. Their heads puffed out from the bush a bit, staring at a yellow pony with a cream body, light pink mane, looking at her birds singing... un-synchronized.

"Oh my," she whispered softly. "Um, stop please, everyone." Her head stopped the now stopped birds. "Excuse me, sir?" She looked at a blue bird. "I mean no offence, but you rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off. Now, follow me, please. A-one. A-two. A-one two three-"

"Hello!" Twilight greeted, rather loudly, startling both the birds and the yellow pony. The Pegasus looked behind her, a bit scared. "Oh my. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten your birds." She stared at the yellow pony. "I'm just here to check up on the music and it's sounding beautiful." A pause. "I'm Twilight Sparkle." Another pause. "What's your name?"

"Um... I'm Fluttershy." The pony greeted very quietly.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

"Um... my name is Fluttershy." Fluttershy replied even more quietly.

"Didn't quite catch that."

Fluttershy squeaked, as the birds returned to the tree branches. Another pause.

"Well, um, it looks like your birds are back, so I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work!" Another squeak. Twilight smiled sheepishly. "Oookay." She began to walk back to her assistant. "Well, that was easy."

Fluttershy suddenly gasped. "A baby dragon!" She ran up to the dragon, unnecessarily knocking Twilight on the ground, face first. "Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's sooo cute!"

Other than the other, furious one, it would seem. Twilight thought, thinking back on the day she saw that long battle between two dragons in the sky.

Spike looked at his fallen friend. "Well, well, well...!"

"Oh my, he talks." Fluttershy gasped again. "I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful. I, I just didn't know what to even say!"

Twilight levitated Spike in her magic, and on her barrel. "Well, in that case we'd better get going."

"Wait, Wait! What's his name?" The yellow pony asked in interest.

"I'm Spike."

"Hi Spike!" Fluttershy greeted happily. "I'm Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon! And what do dragons talk about?"

"Well, what do you want to know?" Spike asked in wonder.

"Absolutely everything." Fluttershy begged. Twilight groaned just so they could hear her.

"Well... I started off as a cute little purple and green egg..."

Walking towards the library, which was an oak tree, Spike was telling everything about his life to Fluttershy, excluding an important figure from his tale.

"...and that's my story of my whole entire life! Well, up until today. Do you wanna hear about today?" Spike asked the timid Pegasus.

"Oh, yes, please," pleaded Fluttershy.

"Gyah!" Spike screamed in surprise at the sudden stop from the pony underneath him.

"I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast?" Twilight wondered. "This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville, and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep."

"No I don't-whoa!" Spike fell on the ground by the sudden move made by Twilight.

"Aww," cooed Twilight, "wook at dat, he's so sweepy he can't even keep his widdle bawance!" Spike crossed his arms as she said that.

"Poor thing," Fluttershy took Spike on her back, "you simply must get into bed..."

Twilight interrupted her and levitated Spike back on her barrel. "Yes, yes, we'll get right into that. Well, g'night!" She slammed the door, as the timid pony looked hurt. Inside the library, Spike mused,

"Huh. Rude much?" He told Twilight in the darkness.

"Sorry, Spike," Twilight apologized, "but I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time!" She exclaimed. "I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time." She looked around. "Now, where's the light?" Right on cue, the light turned back on.

"Surprise!" The many different coloured ponies shouted to the surprised duo. Twilight groaned again, thinking this'll be a long night.

"Surprise!" The pink pony from earlier called out at her, a party whistle blows. "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?"

"Very surprised." Twilight admitted mildly. "Libraries are supposed to be quiet." She reminded the party pony.

The pony, Pinkie, said, "Well, that's silly!" She smiled happily. "What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring! Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember?" She reminded as they walked to a table. "You were all "hello" and I was all-" A deep gasp. "-remember? Y'see, I've never seen you before and if I've never seen you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville."

Twilight groaned as she took a "hot sauce" in her glass, as she listened to Pinkie's story.

"And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and I went-" Another deep gasp. "-I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!" A kettle whistled.

Twilight turned around, her face all read as she didn't know what she had just drunk.

"Are you all right, sugar cube?" Applejack asked in worry. A train-like sound was heard from Twilight as she ran to her room, while everypony looked at her in worry. However, Pinkie Pie was the opposite.

"Aww, she's so happy she's crying!" The pink pony cried out.

" "Hot sauce"." Spike read on the bottle. Pinkie took the bottle and drew some of it on a cupcake. She ate it, while everypony else looked disgusted.

"What? It's good." Pinkie said with a mouth full.

Inside of her room, Twilight could still hear the beating of music and chatter of the ponies. She groaned once again. The door opened, the music was louder this time.

"Hey Twilight!" Spike called, coming inside with a top hat on his small head. "Pinkie Pie's staring "pin the tail on the pony"! Wanna play?"

"No!" Twilight shouted, just so he could hear her. "Everypony in this town are crazy! Do you know what time it is?!"

"It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration." Spike remembered. "Everypony has to stay up, or they'll miss the Princess raise the sun! You really should lighten up the mood, Twilight. It's a party!" He walked out, but didn't hear Twilight mock him behind his back about what he said.

"Ugh." Twilight groaned again. "Here I thought I'd have to learn about the Elements of Harmony but, silly me, all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it!" She stood up on her bed, levitating the book she had to her face. "Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid her in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night. I hope the Princess was right... I hope it really is just an old pony tale..."

Spike opened the door, the music got louder. "C'mon, Twilight. It's time to watch the sunrise."

Inside the Town's square, everypony was waiting for the Princess to rise the sun.

"Isn't this exciting?" Pinkie asked Twilight, coming up beside her. "Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited-well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went-" A deep gasp again. "-but I mean really, who can top that?" Birds' fanfare music was heard overhead, stopping the pink mare.

An elderly-looking mare walked up onto the stage. "Fillies and gentecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration."

Everypony cheered. Once everything calmed down, the mayor continued with her speech.

"In just a few minutes, our town will witness the magic of sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year!" The ponies cheered again, but calmed down quickly. The mayor continued, "And now, it is my great hunour to introduce you to the ruler, the very pony who gives us the sun and moon each and every day," Twilight looked at the window and noticed the stars coming towards the moon, with the mare inside it gone. "The good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..."

"Ready?" Fluttershy asked the birds in a whisper.

"...Princess Celestia!" Rarity pulled the curtains out, revealing... an empty stage.

"Huh?!" The white pony gasped.

"This can't be good." Twilight mumbled, thinking only on something bad will happen soon. The ponies chatted among themselves nervously.

"Remain calm, everypony," the mayor tried to soothe the situation, "there must be a reasonable explanation!"

"Ooh, ooh," Pinkie jumped up and down. "I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" She looked around.

"She's gone." Rarity called out, getting collective gasps of shock from everypony.

Pinkie yelped suddenly. Everypony looked up to see a blue mist swirling on the empty spot where the Princess should've been. From the mist, a great black alicorn with blue armour, a blue floating mane and tail with stars, appeared.

"Oh no... Nightmare Moon." Twilight gasped, Spike fell back, fainted.

"Oh, my beloved subjects." The black alicorn smiled evilly. "It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces."

"What did you do to our Princess?" Rainbow demanded, tried to get to her, but Applejack held her back.

"Whoa there, Nelly..." The orange mare muffled.

Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly. "Why, am I not royal enough to you?" She asked, no answer. "Don't you know who I am?"

"Ooh, ooh, more guessing games!" Pinkie thought for a moment. "Um... Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty-" Applejack putted an apple in her mouth to keep her shut.

"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" Nightmare wondered in thought. "Did you not recall the legends?" A piece of her mane got in contact with Rarity's chin. "Did you not see the signs?"

"I did." Somepony called out. Everypony looked at the one. "And I know who you are. You are the Mare in the Moon - Nightmare Moon." The ponies gasped in shock again.

Nightmare Moon chuckled again. "Well, well, well, somepony who remembers me. Then you should also know why I'm here."

"You're here to... to..." Twilight gulped.

The black alicorn chuckled once more. "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!" She laughed evilly, with lightning flashing in the background. ''

Inside the average cave, Virin slept peacefully. Getting some light in his eyes, he groaned and got up. Opening his eyes, he blinked a few times, rubbing them. He looked down to his hands, smiling that he had a peaceful dream this time around.

Getting a few exercising of his body, Virin stretched his legs and arms. He was ready for some time in his human form.

"Brother?" He heard his sister looked to the mouth of his cave, seeing Ember standing there like all the other days and mornings. "You ready?"

"You bet." Virin replied, smiling fondly at his sister.

Getting a few more punches in the air, Virin could've sworn he saw a few gust of wind as he threw a punch. He started to kick the air with his feet. After twenty more kicks, Virin started to more push-ups. He got down to his stomach, letting his arms do the work as he pushed himself up and down.

Virin continued with doing a few more push-ups. After getting to a hundred, he stopped. Grunting in satisfaction, he nodded pleasantry, knowing he's ready for it in a half year.

After doing his push-ups, Virin was getting a few exercising ready. He had run, kicked and punched the air again, doing his usual routine he was doing, getting done with the training in his human form, Virin transformed into his dragon form. He was really having an easy time in this form, considering he was more in this than his other form.

Calling his friends through telepathy, Virin waited. As he waited he was in deep thought. In all but a half year, he'll have to go on his journey to Ponyland, where his other half laid in waiting. For all he know, he was getting a bit angry that he was going away from his home of Dragon Lands, to which Torch understood. He was rather glad that he understood his pain when he was going to be moving out of his home. He was just sure that the Dragon Lord would be willing to watch his stuff, something Torch told him not to worry about.

He was going to be meeting ponies now, and that is what made him a bit angry. Why couldn't he just stay and train to his heart's content? But, no. He should be needing to find his other half, something that was important to him and not care about what'll happen next. It was really frustrating for him, and hard to focus of where he should be going. Why couldn't Torch see that through him? But, nevertheless, he was rather happy to be away from the Lands and Garble, who was getting the most distresful expression he ever had when he heard that his rival was going away. He had wanted to finish their rivalry, but that'll have had to wait, something Virin oddly agreed on when Garble harshly told him that.

The Princess was "worried" that her brother would be facing the unknown, but that faded rather quickly. She knew her brother would be able to handle the ponies to their places, but her father reminded her that the ponies would not harm him as he had been training for that time when it came. As frustrating as it was seeing her only brother and friend leaving, Ember had to accept it as it was the only option that she had, to which her brother teased her on that she wouldn't accept options from her father, to her annoyance. It was fun to tease her like that, as always as it was teasing his friends. Virin was really going to miss her, but not much as he know she can take care of herself, which she proudly declared, pridefully he might add.

Hearing the sound of wings flapping, Virin looked up to see his friends flying towards him. He gave them a warm smile, happy to see them here. As they landed in front of him, there were emotions between the friends.

For Nightwing, he was rather sad that his best friend that he knew for more than seven years had to leave the place. He was the one that was the saddest to see him off, but he was getting ready if he were to return one day when his friend finds his true self. That was something that made him give a small smile to the red drake.

Zach was also rather sad. He was going to be watching his best buddy leaving for the unknown, kind of like how Ember felt. He was going to be having a hard time thinking that the ponies would be judging him for being way different than the other creatures in the world, but Virin reassured him that he would be alright, considering that he has his shadow powers if things gets out of control with the ponies. The brown drake was happy for that.

Amber was shedding tears, afraid that her friend should never come back, but Virin assured her that he will be back. He also reassured Minuette, who was also shedding some tears. The drakens gave him crushing hugs, wishing him good luck.

Gilda was a different story. She wasn't crying or smiling, her expression was unreadable. Virin cocked his head at this, first time he couldn't see an expression through the griffin, but she said it was nothing, holding back the inch to cry. She couldn't show her weakness of something so little. She just couldn't. She knows that, showing her weakness would make her weak and vulnerable.

"Alright," Virin started, getting their attention. "Let's get started with this. We need to move before my time is up." His friends gave encouraging nods, telling him they're ready. The drake smiled at this, getting pumped to begin.

Nightwing helped him with his shadow training, - he was going to be needing it if he should be feeling overwhelmed by the ponies - and exercising in push-ups. With the shadow training, he told Virin to focus on his shadow powers within him, knowing that he was a near protégé in doing this kind of training. Virin focused all of his attention to the shadows inside of him, before vanishing from the view. He reappeared on top of a cliff, stretching his limps out, inhaling a breath from the nice, cool wind. He was going to be enjoying this day of training and exercising. Virin vanished again, before reappearing in front of Nightwing, who smiled with pride at his work, happy to his mentor with the shadows.

"Good, Virin. Just what I'd expect from you." The black drake smiled proudly, as the red smiled back, before getting his attention to Minuette, who nodded with permission to get started with his telekinesis training. Virin nodded back, walking a few yards away from his friends before coming to a stop and closed his eyes. He concentrated for what seemed like minutes to his friends, but it felt like eternity to Virin. After a few more minutes of silence, the small rocks around the red drake started to shake as they slowly lifted off the ground, to his companions' surprise before they all smiled with pride, seeing that his training is going smoothly. Virin, however, just concentrated and focused as the small rocks started to heft from the ground to his claws. Virin finally opened his eyes and quickly caught four of the rocks before they fell down and cracked into half.

His friends gave collective "Wow's" as he watched the scene. Virin just rolled his eyes at his friends, as they stared at him in awe, knowing this was an easy part of the psychic training.

"Well," Minuette, having heard his thoughts, said, "it was the easiest part. Things will get a bit tougher in the next." She smiled, knowing what'll happen next. "Let's see if you can move that huge boulder to the side of you."

Blinking rapidly, Virin looked at the large boulder in front of him. "This? A piece of cake." The psychic dragon smiled deviously, not agreeing with him. Closing his eyes once more, Virin focused on the boulder only, closing everything else out. After a few minutes of silence and waiting, the big boulder started to shake a bit, but retained its place on the ground. Having felt it wasn't moving, Virin concentrated more into his telekinesis powers, determined to raise the boulder to the air. After what seemed like forever, a half hour, the boulder finally began to slowly lift off of the ground, but not much as its weight should be tons. Clenching his teeth through concentration, Virin continued with the pressure of trying to lift it to the air.

Another half hour passed, and the boulder didn't budge at all. After another fifteen minutes, Virin finally gave up, sighing as he slumped in defeat, tired of having to wait so long.

"T-That was hard..." Virin breathed, wiping some sweat that was on his forehead. He heard a soft laughter, and looked over to see Minuette rolling on the ground as she burst out her laughter.

"Oh sure, laugh it up." He grumbled, sighing once more. "How long did this take?"

Relieving her laugh, Minuette answered, "A little bit over an hour." She wiped the tears from her eyes, smiling innocently as Virin glared at her intensely.

"Whatever..." Virin grumbled again, before getting back on the topic. "Who's next?" He had a smug expression on his face as he looked over at the water draken, who gave a grin of excitement at being picked next.

"Alright then. Come you all." Amber flapped her wings and flew up in the air. The others did the same, following her.

"Where's she taking us?" Zach whispered to his companions, as they looked at him as Amber was too busy flying, not listening to their conversation.

"Well," began Nightwing. "We know that she's a water drake, then she must be taking us to the ocean, to see if Virin would be able to take up her challenge." A small laugh came from the red drake.

"Oh, it'll be easy." Virin then narrowed his eyes, looking towards the flying form of the blue draken. "Whatever she does, I can do better. I can take on any challenge from her, even if it comes from the ocean." A sigh. "I'd just wished I knew what she's thinking, maybe a bit of an harder challenge?" His friends shrugged, unsure of what to think.

Hearing the splashing sounds of the water, Virin gave an inaudible gulp, a little bit scared what to do in the water. Landing on the nice, cool sand of the beach, Amber turned to the red drake, and smiled rather deviously.

"Alright, Virin," the said drake perked up at this. "Let us see if you can manage to stand in the middle of the water while it's swirling." As she said this, a small wave splashed her as she gave a soft laugh and grinned in Virin's direction.

Another inaudible gulp, Virin did as she asked him to do, by standing in the water as he closed his eyes. This will be nothing, if he can swim in it, he can also stand while it's picking up the wind to make waves. However, one of the waves, washed the drake in cold water, causing him to shiver from the coldness. His friends laughed at the sight before them.

They continued this routine for the rest of the day.

The dragons noticed how longer this night lasted than the previous other nights. It was totally strange. The mare in the moon were also gone, but it somehow affected their Guardian. Virin.

Virin was staying up all day and night, trying to figure out of what's going on. Was it in Ponyland that the mare's face vanished to? He certainly must hope so, because she seemed rather... strange. There were three alicorns in Ponyland, he better get started to work on with his training.

With his friends still awake, Virin got back to his training. He and Minuette was having a tougher time levitating more rocks as they got bigger from the time he was trying to levitate only one large rock. They started off by levitating smaller rocks, to make it easier for Virin to begin his psychic training. After a few minutes, they finally got to work with the larger rocks. After a hard-fought psychic battle, Virin finally managed to levitate the rocks above the ground, to the pride of Minuette. She sure was getting prouder by the minute with him. She wished he would stay in the Lands, but she knew he had to go to find his other half.

After his training with Minuette, Virin began his water training with Amber, who was just about of getting ready to go swimming. However, this time was much more different. There were many tsunami in in the water now, getting harder for the two to train with Virin's gills in his neck. However, Virin was having no problem by taking his first step into the water, before a tsunami splashed him in the face, making Amber burst out laughing. Virin glared at her for her "fun-loving" attitude, but he decided to let it slide. He wasn't interested in having fun while training. Amber quickly stopped as she saw the annoyance in Virin's expression, making him sigh in relief. After a harder time swimming in the water, Virin's gills was having a more easy time in the tsunami waves caused by the strong wind this night. Amber was proud that he was getting used to swimming in the water, something other dragons doesn't find approval enough, but they let them be.

With his shadow training alongside his first-ever friend, Nightwing, Virin was getting more used of travelling in the shadows rather than on land, as it makes him more easy-going than annoying of all the walking he had to do. It would be easier for him to travel to Ponyland when the time comes. He could also makes copies of himselfby using the shadow element, to get an edge in battle.

He didn't train with Zach, knowing he would only hurt him. So, he trained alone for the time being as his friends returned to their parents and homes. Virin got a few punches ready as he saw a few gust of wind from his throwing punch, swearing how cool it is. He also got a few kicks ready, seeing more of the gust of wind from the kick. He was getting more and more ready for the three alicorns. He was getting stronger everyday that passes.

Virin hovered up to a larger rock than any he had seen, meditating to get a relaxed mind. He sat cross-legged on the top of the rock, meditating peacefully, with no interruptions for today. He thought that was better than the other days where Garble usually finds the right time to get a battle done by mocking him in his meditating for how boring that is and how uncool that was of him. Each time, Virin was getting more and more annoyed by the tall dragon. He sure was happy to be away from him in the next half year from now on, to get some time alone and an easy-going life to find his other half in Ponyland.

However, while he was meditating, a certain tall drake stood below him with his arms crossed and eyeridges furrowed as he narrowed his eyes at the sitting drake. This was none other than Garble, always finding the opportunity to have a fight with his rival.

"Hey! Virin!" The said drake sighed as he looked down on the tall drake. "I want you to come down and fight!" Garble was shouting, because Virin was up higher than the last time he was meditating on those rocks with his father, Lord Torch.

Virin sighed again, getting up and hovered down in front of the taller drake. Knowing that he would immediately attack him as he hovered down, Garble got in an fighting stance, ready for this longer fight.

"Why do you wish to challenge me, Garble?" Virin asked patiently, waiting for the taller drake to stop. However, he didn't. "You should know, that this is only making both of us any stronger yet. We are equal. You should know better than that, Garble. For the reason I accept the challenges from you, is that I wanted to get more ready for my journey to the distance."

"I know that already!" Garble growled viciously. "LET US FIGHT!" He was getting impatient by the minute as Virin talked, not getting into a fighting stance or anything, only speaking.

"Let's wait for a moment, shall we?" Virin patiently asked for calmness. Once Garble finally relaxed, the Guardian continued with his speech. "For the reason why I don't want to fight you right in an instance, is that I want to get a few questions done. One, why do you want to fight me?" This caused Garble to blink, perplexed by the sudden question. "Is it because we are equals? Or is it because you just wanted to battle, to pass the time with me?" Garble was silent by the question, thinking on how to answer. Virin continued his questions. "Two, why do you continue this endless rivalry? Is it 'cause you just wants someone to fight equally with? OR is this because you just wanted to find a rivalry in someone? If so, then why didn't you ask, or choose, some other dragon to have this rivalry with?"

Garble was still silent to answer, waiting for his rival to finish his five questions.

"Three, why do you want to have a battle with me now?" Virin wondered, looking at the silent dragon. "Is it because Father isn't with me now, along with my sister? Or is this just because I'm alone, and you wanted to get the perfect opportunity for you to have a single battle?"

"I..." Garble began, only for him to go to silence by Virin as he raised a claw.

"Let me finish." the Guardian ordered sternly. "Four, why do you not have parents to look after you?" This caused Garble to growl fiercely.

"Don't you dare!" The tall drake warned dangerously. However, his attitude only furthered as Virin answered his own question for him.

"Was it because they died protecting you from other wild dragons?" Virin asked sympathetically, causing Garble to growl a warning to him. "It may be the answer why you don't have someone to help you to get your attitude to calm down. Or, they could have died protecting you from larger dragons, that could had been the reason why I hadn't seen them in all my years living here."

"I'm warning you, stop talking about my parents!" Garble snarled furiously at the smaller drake, getting irritated by his endless talking.

"Last question, why do you have to feed for yourself?" Garble only growled dangerously at the question. "Was it because your parents died when you were young? OR was it because they didn't want to feed you when you were older? Or was it 'cause you bullied other dragons? This is also in the question. Why do you bully the dragons when the Dragon Lord isn't looking, along with the Princess?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Garble snarled at him in a threatening way, daring him to continue. Virin did, only furthering Garble's hunger for battle now.

"Yes, it is quite obviously." Virin agreed, not thinking of his rival's threatening pose. "The reason why you feed for yourself, is because of your hunger never ends. Your hunger for your battles with me also never ends. It is quite irony, if I must say so myself."

"STOP!" Garble roared, shutting the now-stopping drake to cover his ears while his gills closed. "I am sick and tied of hearing you talking shit about me and my parents! My parents left me when I was young, reason for why I fed for myself. I looked up for the other dragons, because they were stronger than me. I wanted to be stronger than them, and now I am, thanks to you. I'm much stronger than before, also thanks for my friends' help."

"Figures." Virin muttered, low enough so Garble didn't hear him. Virin looked up at Garble, eyes glittering with hope and shined with eagerness for battle now. Garble happily obliged his look, attacking him with full force, knocking the smaller drake into the rock behind him.

[Insert song: Rise by Skillet here.]

Garble scratched the smaller drake in the guts with his claws, causing the young drake to roar out in pain. The amulet on his neck, along with the new-powered shadow powers, got Virin to vanish quicker than expected, to Garble's expectation. He knew that Virin had the Amulet of Darkness on him, never letting it go. Virin appeared a few yards away from the tall drake, panting for air.

The tall drake smiled deviously, firing an empowered fireball at the recovering drake, who yelped in surprise before firing his own empowered fireball, causing smoke to appear from the collision. Garble ran up to the small drake, only for a fast kick to knock him back a few meters from Virin. The Guardian fired another fireball at the taler drake, who fired his own fireball, causing another collision to happen, smoke appeared from the collision.

Virin got in his fighting stance, while the night was slowly turning into day, to their confusion. They looked up, only for them to squeeze their eyes shut from the shining sun. They opened their eyes, resuming their fight. The day was young, so they decided to fight all morning. Virin and Garble ran for each other, holding their arms while biting their necks with much force, causing them to cry out in pain. They stepped away from each other, firing two fireballs at the other, causing them to fall on the ground as they slid across it by the force in the attacks.

The two dragons stood up quickly, resuming in their consecutive attacks from the trial. From wingtips to tail, they continued firing fireballs at each other, not holding back from the attacks made by the other drake. They continued this consecutive strategy until they stopped, flying up in the air firing fireballs at one another until they stopped their attacks again. Virin flew straight at Garble, knocking the dragon to the ground.

Garble had fallen to the ground, before getting back up. He glared at the hovering Virin, spat, "This isn't over!" He flew right up and bumped into the yelping drake, taking him by surprise, which was his plan from the start when he began this attack. Garble saw Virin hovering a few meters from him, but he quickly fired an fireball at the young drake, who fired his own and another collision appeared in the sky.

Virin recovered remarkably quick, growling at the snarling taller drake. He flew at him, getting an empowered fire punch at the surprised drake, knocking him back a few yards. Virin was surprised at the fire punch, but quickly thought back to the battle. He didn't want to think of anything else than now, his battle was with Garble, and that's that. Virin fired an fireball at the tall drake, who fired also an fireball right back at him, resulting in another collision. Smoke appeared in the sky again, this time a bit stronger than the other times.

Garble recovered from the attacks made bu his rival, glaring heatedly at the smirking drake. He flew straight at the small drake, getting a punch right at the face, knocking Virin back a few meters but he recovered from the hit. The Guardian glowered at the taller drake, firing a fireball at him, but Garble, too, fired an fireball, resulting in another collision. They thought the same think; why the same collisions?

They flew right at each other, biting into the other's flesh, drawing blood. But they didn't care, they continued their assaults. The assaults continued until much blood was drawn on the other dragon, causing them to fly back down on the ground, panting hard. Their regenerations were slow, but effective of the blood. The regenerations continued until there were no blood left, relieving them.

After the recovery from the bloody assaults, both dragons ran for each other, biting the other's necks and clawing the torso of each other, causing them to roar out in pain. Virin stepped back, so did Garble, to recover with his regerenation healing powers. After the regeneration had done its work, both dragons fired fireballs at one another, sending them both back on the ground, a few meters from each other so they could get back up without being assaulted again.

[Insert song: The Resistance by Skillet here.]

After getting back up, they both panted for breath as they looked at each other with much hatred in their eyes, thinking the same thing; let's battle until the last breath. Virin fired an fireball at Garble, sending him back a few meters across the ground. He fired an fireball as well, sending the Guardian back a few meters from where he stood, but not much.

Glaring at one another with anger and hatred, both dragons fired fire breaths at one another, resulting in an collision with both breaths, each believing in their power to gain the upper claw. Virin pushed forward, walking a bit so he could send the taller dragon back. It worked. Garble was sliding across the ground from the pushing from Virin, but he held his ground, not wanting to be the weak.

Garble pushed forward, though not sending Virin back as he too pushed forward. With both dragons in the distance of one another, the fire collision exploded, resulting in both dragons being sent back to the rocks behind them, creating large cracks on the rocks from the collision. Virin groaned in pain, before looked at the grunting Garble a few yards away from him... before a smile appeared on his expression.

Getting back up, the Guardian made copies of himself, shocking the painful taller drake. He didn't know Virin could even do that. There were at least ten copies of the smaller drake, each one of them getting into fighting stances, The first copy ran forward, before being blasted to dust by the angered drake, who had fired an fireball at the copy. The tall dragon stood up, roaring out his battle cry.

The second copy ran forward, scratching the tall drake in the face, causing him to roar in pain. The copy dodged a strike from the taller drake, who fired a fireball in the instance afterwards, getting rid of the copy. All of the remaining copies, even the original, fired their fireballs at the tall dragon, who withstood the attacks head-on. He was getting pissed off by the amount of copies left.

The third copy, whom was getting ready, was quickly vaporized by the angered drake, who fired a large fireball at the copy instantly vanishing from sight to dust. The tall drake began using another consecutive attack, from wingtip, tail to mouth, continued firing blasts from multi-coloured fire to a large amount of fireballs. The copies braced themselves, using their Fire Shield to shield themselves, blocking the attacks in an instance, only furthering the tall drake's rage.

The tall drake continued with his consecutive attack, vaporizing the copies with ease, with only the original to block the attacks. This time, however, the shield vanished, to the small drake's shock. He, though, somehow deflected the continuing attack from the tall dragon, only angering the drake even further. Virin blasted the tall dragon with his fire breath, resulting him in stopping his consecutive attack, blocking the breath with his shield which appeared rather quickly.

Virin was surprised that Garble had the shield technique, but that didn't matter right now. What only matters, is their rivalry and battle. He fired an fireball at the tall dragon, but his shield didn't flatter for a moment. It blocked the attack. This only irritated the small drake, but that disappeared rather quick, as he only cared about ending this endless rivalry with Garble.

Garble started flapping his wings and flew away from the battlefield, to Virin's confusion. Garble never flown away from him before, but this time must be different. He was about to follow, but he stopped as he heard his friends calling to him.

"Virin!"

"How are you today?"

"Are you alright?"

"You look beat."

"Is that really the time, Gilda?"

All of his friends were there. From Nightwing, to Zach, Amber, Minuette, Gilda, Ember and to Torch. Even the old, gray dragon and his assistant were there. They looked ready to talk about the roars of pain they'd heard.

Ancestors dammit! Virin thought, grumbling at the sight of the, to their utter confusion.

Virin! He heard his rival call to him. The said dragon's eyes began glowing a brighter colour, as he was seeing where his rival was.

"Are you alright, friend?" Nightwing asked in worry. Virin, however, didn't listen, as he continued to search for Garble's location. He was standing in a field of a large canyon, with a few seats so spectators could see the next battle.

"I found him!" Virin called out loud. The others looked between each other in confusion, wondering what he meant. However, they were quickly lighten up in a multi-coloured light, as they began to vanish from sight.

With Garble...

Standing alone in the rocky field, Garble was waiting impatiently for his rival to come. After a few seconds, he started to see light coming from the opposite rock from him.

"I see you've brought an army," he mused. "Am I fighting your whole group, Virin?"

"Nope." Virin replied. "Just me."

"Got any last words, Virin?" Garble asked excitedly.

"Just three, Garble." The small drake responded. "Bring it on."

"Remember to be on your guard, Virin." Nightwing reminded his friend.

"Yeah." Gilda agreed. "Garble seems... a little different today."

"Yup." Virin gave her a thumbs up.

"Keep your eyes on your foe, friend." Zach added in worry.

"Watch his back." Ember mumbled worriedly.

"I'm on it." Minuette replied to the Princess' worried look.

"Me too." Amber added.

"Yeah, ditto." One of the female dragons in the spectators came to pat the Princess on the back.

Virin jumped onto the rock in front of them, getting ready for the next phase of their long fight.

"I'm going to enjoy this." Garble dryly called out.

"Not as much as me." Both rivals jumped into the canyon, ready.

No mercy, Garble. His father told him.

Calling out loud, Garble said, "Don't worry. I have none in my heart to give." He let out a roar, as did Virin when he was ready. "At last, one of our finals battles has begun."

"Time to dance, Garble." Virin called to him humouredly. "Let's go. Let's do it." They waited for the other to move. Garble happily obliged, as he began firing one of the largest fireballs they've ever seen. Virin was ready.

"Fire Up!" A fiery glow began appear around Virin's body, empowering his speed. As Garble fired his largest fireball, Virin ran forward, dodging each of t he large fireballs Garble was firing. As Garble continued to fire the large fireballs, Virin dodged every single one.

"You've gotten faster, Virin." Garble noted with interest, firing two more fireballs, but Virin dodged them by running faster than light. "Stay still!" Garble was firing up, as Virin flew up with his Fire Up still active. Virin blocked an fireball with one hand, shocking the others.

"You wish." Virin answered to his call.

Garble, keep firing! His ancestors ordered him. Garble obliged to their call, as he continued to fire large fireballs, before shifting to a large fire breath which hit Virin in the guts, sending him to the ground. However, Garble flew straight up at him, kicking him in the stomach with a thigh, causing the small drake to roar out in pain. Garble fired smaller fireballs, which exploded around them, causing more pain to the small dragon. Garble used a karate technique and cut in Virin's neck as he fell to the ground, slowly trying to get up, but Garble stood above him with a foot on top of Virin's neck, keeping him down.

"I told you, I'd finish you off, Virin." Garble growled delightfully. Suddenly, the ground lit up, as a bright light appeared. "Heads up!" He flew up in the air, not wanting to be the one to be hit by the light.

"No way!" Virin looked up to Garble, standing up. "Fire Tornado!" A fiery tornado engulfed the young drake, destroying the light in the process. His friends and family cheered for him, even the spectators for the show giving to them.

"Yeah, nice one!" Nightwing called out.

"Quick, counter attack!" Amber called to him. Virin fired off a strong fireball, that were larger than Garble himself, knocking him back a bit, before being sent to the rock behind him by Virin's full-force punch.

"Ooh. That's gotta hurt." Gilda muttered. Virin continued to punch the tall drake, with his regereration not working, blood began to draw from him.

"Ooh, that must be hurting him." Zach mumbled, looking at the blood on the tall drake. Wings drained from the lots of punching by Virin, Garble fell to one knee. However, this wasn't a sign of surrender, this was a sign of exhaustion. He was panting hard.

"Not yet..." Garble panted. "I can still FIGHT!" An red aura of power surrounded him, surprising the group of dragons that looked on. Virin looked expressionless.

"So, Garble," Virin started. "Are you done trying to prove that you're the best of us?"

"In your dreams!" Garble raised an arm. "I'd rather die trying in this second, and so would my deceased family."

"Be careful for what you wish for, Garble." Virin warned with a smile on his face. He let out a roar of power, as a red aura empowered him to equal with the taller drake. Garble let out his own roar, getting up as his blood ceased from his exhaustion. Virin let out a huge fireball at Garble, who let out a huge fire breath, which resulted in another collision like the ones from earlier this morning.

"That was a lucky shot from before, Virin." Garble snarled. "You're going down!"

"Talk all you want, Garble." Virin challenged. "Fusion Attack! Ultimate Dragon Palanx!" A fiery aura engulfed Virin, with his power levels going way beyond anything has ever seen before. He raised his arms, as a ball of fire was beginning to form in the middle of them. "I will NOT be defeated!" Garble looked at the ball of fire, as Virin launched it away, resulting that Garble was covered in a huge smoke, with his scream of pain was heard from three miles away

"That ought to hurt." Gilda cringed, looking at the smoke.

"No kidding." Amber agreed, so did Ember and Torch. From the smoke, Garble stood, motionless and expressionless from the huge attack. His wingtips began to lit up, as they began firing at Virin nonstop. Virin flew up to the air, with Garble in pursuit right behind him.

"Quit your jumping around!" Garble ordered harshly to the dodging dragon. Garble continued on with his attacks, not stopping.

"Fire Shield!" A red shield appeared around Virin, blocking and deflecting the shots from the wingtips of Garble, until he stopped his assault, getting tired of this.

"C'mon, Virin. Finish this." Zach called out to his friend.

"My pleasure."

You heard him, Garble. His father told him uncaring about what'll happen.

"I'm going to tear you apart, Virin." Garble sneered coldly. "Say goodnight." An stronger red aura surrounded his body, empowering him to maximum level. He groaned in pain from this power.

"Garble! What are you doing?!" Virin asked in worry, worried of why Garble would do that.

"Now nothing can stop me from fighting you until the very end." Garble groaned in more pain than ever.

"Okay, you really wanna fight so badly?" Virin fired off a huge fireball at the tall dragon, who punched it with just one arm, vaporizing it. "What?!" A sudden red light appeared on Garble's back, with a red gear-like machine appeared from the light. It had two guns, a functional motion that could shoot from both fronts of the guns.

"What's this?" Torch asked in wonder and confusion. Garble let out a roar of pleasure, happy that his ancestors would grant him his new powers. Garble moved, activating his new battle gear to battle mode. He fired at Virin, unleashing its power at the non-shielded drake from the assault. Virin tried to fly up in the air, but Garble redirected his attack to the air, continuing with his assault.

Now, Garble. His father ordered him.

"Okay." Garble replied aloud. "Down you go, Virin." He continued with his attack, not stopping.

"You're the one who's going down. Fire Shield!" A fiery shield appeared around the small drake, however it didn't manage to block the continuing assault made by Garble.

"It's over!" Garble's battle gear continued with its attack, nonstop. Virin fell to the ground as his shield broke to pieces, not yet defeated by the sheer force of Garble's new gear.

"That was intense." Virin wiped sweats off his forehead, getting back up. "Alright, you were right there, Garble. This one of the final battles' been a whole lot of fun!" His friends, family and spectators sweat dropped at this.

Garble let out his victorious roar, but that ended quickly when Virin let out his own roar again. Garble was having enough of this game, he wanted to end this quick, but that didn't come.

The two gun-like battle gear appeared from a bright light on Garble's back, already on, to the others' surprised expressions.

"Fire Tornado!" A fiery tornado engulfed Virin, getting ready for the next attack. Another bright light came, sending Virin to the ground, panting all of the sudden.

A red aura engulfed the battle gear on Garble's back, bringing it to level two of its abilities.

"I'm going to tear you apart, Virin." The tall dragon sneered snidely. "Say goodnight!" He fired his battle gear at the smaller dragon, causing his Fire Tornado to vanish and fell to the ground, but still directed his assault at him. Garble continued on with his shooting at the small drake, intending to finish him off.

"VIRIN!" Zach cried out in horror, seeing his best friend was going to lose this battle, or not. The battle gear suddenly stopped firing, to Garble's confusion.

"Huh? What?!" The tall dragon got back down on the ground, his tail swiped the floor. "I'm not done with you, yet!" He tried shooting at the small drake, but it didn't work. Virin and Garble ran for each other, with the former holding onto the battle gear and destroyed it by tearing its guns away. The rest of the battle gear exploded, causing blood to drop to the floor.

"Don't look." Ember looked away, so did the spectators.

As Garble looked at where Virin is, who punched him in the face, causing him to go back.

"Now it's over, Garble." Virin declared.

"Never!" The tall dragon growled furiously. "I will DESTROY YOU!" He held onto Virin and pushed him to the mountain behind him, crashing into it.

"Man that was harsh!" Nightwing noted.

"No kidding." Amber agreed. "My rips are just watching." Virin kicked the tall dragon's chin with a thigh, while Garble punched him in the face. After a few moments of waiting, Virin finally had enough and ran towards his opponent, holding with arms with sheer force.

"Enough!"

"I will not lose!" Garble reminded. "Did you hear me?! I will not be defeated!" Stepping back, Garble let out a loud roar and fired a red and orange beam at the small dragon, who held his arms up and began to form a ball of fire from his Ultimate Dragon Palanx attack. The attacks collided with each other, resulting in a energy beam lock for the first time in Dragon Lands history.

"Wow." Gilda mused with interest.

"Yeah," Zach added, "you could say that again."

With the beam lock still intact, both opponents groaned and grunted by not holding anything back.

"You just don't know WHEN to give up, do you?" Garble wondered in frustration.

"I could say the same about you!" Virin groaned as he continued with his attack. "Come, brothers and sisters! Lend me your strength! Ultimate Dragon Palanx!" The small drake pushed forward, with his attack winning the beam lock. The attack from Virin won the beam lock, and caused an explosion to happen from where Garble stood, also causing a huge amount of smoke to appear.

After the attack ended, a huge crater was in the middle of the canyon where the battle took place. Virin held an arm on his thigh while the other was on the ground, hold for support. He stood up, panting for breath by the long battle. He couldn't believe it, he won against Garble again after a hard-fought battle in this year. He was rather proud about it.

"Virin! He won!" Zach cried out, the spectators all cheered for their Guardian, glad to witness another long fight between the two rivals.

Garble laid on the ground, before getting slowly up, panting for his breath after this battle, and the fact that his newest gear was destroyed by this daring dragon.

"Why?!" He sneered at the small drake, coldly. "Why do I always lose to you, bastard?!" He was cursing, because of his second lost.

"Because, you don't believe in the magic of friendship." Virin simply answered, mimicking a certain purple equine who said that same thing to a black mare.

" "Magic of friendship"." Garble snorted. "Don't talk about shit, Virin. Only ponies talk about it, not you, nor other dragons!"

"You're right." Virin nodded, before sneering at the tall drake, who raised an eyeridge. "And, if you ever come across the ponies, I'll not hesitate to try and kill you, if I must."

"Please." Garble snorted again. "No ponies dare to enter our kingdom, only someone with a ridiculous mind would try." He glared at the small drake, darkly he might add. "Don't even think that this of the final battles will make me want to make amends with you, Virin. I'll not be your friend until the real, last battle has been won by either of us."

"That's just what I'd like to hear." Virin smiled with a sneer.

The next few days...

After the long, hard battle with Garble, everything cooled down a bit. Garble hasn't irritated Virin as much as he thought he might do, but that's just the way he liked it. He wanted to have some peace for the arrival of his hatchday. Speaking of hatchdays, it was nearing, so the Princess and her father had to find some gifts to the hatchday boy, who was meditating inside his cave, while protecting it from greedy dragons that might try and steal his gold and tooth from the hydra prince.

However, no greedy dragons had come to dare enter the Dragon Lord's place, not wishing to be punished, to Virin's relief. For Virin, he was sitting cross-legged as a human inside his cave, trying to avoid being a dragon to his hatchday.

I wonder what Father and sister are doing. He thought. They've been away for some time now.

While he was waiting for the Dragon Lord and the Princess, Virin was getting flashbacks from the time he met his friends, the first time he'd befriended the drakes.

Walking down the rocky road, the human was going happily, happy that he was alive still and lives with the Dragon Lord just beside his lair. Torch said that it was intended to be, because it was so that he could be with him if one day he might be sick or cold, to which the human didn't complain about. He was just glad that he didn't drown in the lake where Ember found him.

The human soon met up with a black drake, who had curly wings, eyes that are azure blue, a scythe tail, spikes on his back, and horns that are curved. "Hi." He called to the drake, who looked at him with surprise.

"H-Hello," stuttered the black drake, never seen the creature before. "How may I help you?"

"Nothing." The human smiled happily. "I was just hoping we could hang out, since I have no other ones to hang out with." His smile faded. "So, I guess you could say that I'm lonely."

"Lonely?" The drake echoed. "Why would you be "lonely"? You were the one the Princess is with, so you two could get along."

"She's busy with her duties, right now." The human responded gravely. "So, I don't have anyone now. So, I thought, "Why not try and find friendly dragons?" And so, I came to you."

The drake smiled, "You are one strange creature." His smile widened as he looked at the blue and yellow eyes of the human. "Okay, why not?" The human smiled happily, glad that one dragon would hang out with him.

Virin still remembered that day like it was yesterday. He still couldn't that Nightwing was so accepting so quickly. He was lucky to have a friendly dragon like him as his friend. He was getting a flashback from the time when he met Zach, the brown drake.

A few months had passed in the Dragon Lands for Virin. He and Nightwing was getting along nicely, to the latter's parents relief, that he wasn't a judgmental dragon after all. For Virin, he was getting more hanging with his training with the Dragon Lord, although it may seem hard, it was actually isn't. He thinks it was a piece of cake with getting his inner dragon out, but the hard part was getting to know his inner dragon, to Lord Torch's amusement.

"HELP!" Someone screamed near them, to their quick action as they sprinted towards the noise. As they got nearer, they stopped in their tracks. Garble and his dragon gang was torturing a poor brown drake with a few white markings on his wings, merged horns, his wings are slightly curved, a spear at the end of his tail, and his eyes were red in colour.

Virin looked at the poor state at the brown dragon, thinking quickly, he called. "HEY!" Garble groaned as he heard his new rival, and looked over to him. "Isn't that a bit harsh to do that to the poor drake?" Nightwing looked at him in worry, thinking that this'll end for him. However, Garble hasn't moved.

"What's your point, twerp?" The tall drake grunted. "Can't you see we're busy?"

"No." Virin simply replied, to Garble's twitching eye. "All I'm seeing is you should know your places."

"Are you challenging us?" The white dragon beside Garble frowned in wonder.

"I am a capable fighter, so I'll say so." Virin dared.

"Well, in that case..." Garble smirked evilly, letting go of the brown drake, facing his rival. He flew straight at him, knocking the human down to his feet a few meters back. He groaned in pain from the sudden attack. Nightwing came to the fallen human.

"You alright?" He asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." Virin responded, before a bright red light engulfed him. Garble and his, along with the freed brown dragon covered their eyes from the light. When the light stopped, they let their arms down, seeing a red dragon with a yellow underbelly standing in place for the human creature. "Let's have a little fun, shall we?" After that, a long battle broke out, causing the brown drake, named Zach, and Nightwing to widen their eyes in shock.

Virin remembered that day when he first fought against Garble. It was hard, but he somehow won against him, with his first victory. However, that only strengthened their rivalry to a new level no drake has ever seen before. He also remembered the day when he first met up with Minuette and Amber, the latter whom was hostile towards him. She was ready to attack the scarred drake, but Minuette stopped her before a battle broke out.

It was a year since Virin lived in the Lands with Ember and Lord Torch. He was very happy to still live, even though he eats gems, they were delicious, rather than meat. It was a bit strange for him when he first tried a gem crystal. He thought his teeth would break, but with Ember's assurance, he managed to eat the crystal.

After a bit of walking, Virin noticed two female dragons. The first dragoness was a violet colour, with her horns slightly curved like Zach's, along with her wings. Her eyes was a greenish colour. Her underbelly was a brilliant cyan blue colour. Her tail had a spear at the end.

The other dragon stood on all four, with two tusks on both sides of her mouth. Her eyes were a red orangish colour. Her head featured four spikes on the back, her body colour was a light-blue one. She had four darker shaded diamond spots on her thighs, her tail was a spade at the end, with scattered pieces of the four darker shaded diamond spots.

For a dragon like the violet one, she was rather beautiful in Virin's eyes. When he walked up to them, they spotted him. The light-blue dragoness spotted his scar, and went to a defensive stance, ready to defend her friend. Virin raised his arms, not sure how to react.

"W-Wait. I'm not a threat!" He stuttered out. The violet dragoness looked at him suspiciously, looking unsure of him.

"And how do we know you're not a threat, creature?" Virin looke dhurt at the word.

"It's because, I'm a dragon as well." Both dragonesses looked at him in wonder... before bursting out laughter. For laughs, Virin thought they sounded beautiful. "What's so funny?" As both dragonesses calmed down, the former answered his question.

"It's because you're not even one." She laughed again, though not louder this time. Virin sighed, a bright red light engulfed him, to the females' shock. From where the creature stood, a red dragon was in place of the two-legger.

"I-I-" stuttered the violet dragoness, with the light-blue stood with a mouth agape. "B-But... how?"

"Well, you see," Virin began, "I am in fact the student of the Dragon Lord himself." Both females' eyes widened in shock. "If I were you, I wouldn't have had laughed at me.. You would had been punished right here and now."

"W-We didn't know!" The light-blue dragoness barked. "There's no way you're the student of our Lord!"

"Yes I am, in fact." Virin responded knowingly, getting tired of this "unbelievable" thing. "Why don't we hang out for a while?" Both females looked between each other, before nodding in acceptance to the student.

Virin remembered their reaction to his transformation. He thought they looked cute while in shock, to his small, inaudible chuckle. Hearing wings flapping, and feet tapping the ground, he looked up to see his sister, Ember, standing in the mouth of the cave.

"Welcome back." Vrin greeted his sister, getting up. "I was beginning to feel bored with you out."

"Oh please." Ember scoffed. "Like we would take that long." She looked at him. "You ready, hatchday boy?" Virin smirked at him name given to him.

"Do you need to ask?" Ember smiled at him, walking away for a bit, before waiting for her brother to follow her. Virin walked up to her, before glancing back to his golden cave. All of his possessions were still there, not even a single gold missing. He was glad for that. He looked back at his sister and nodded with permission, she nodded back, and they walked together like they did from the time when they first met.

Ember still couldn't believe of how her brother had been. For the first time he was here, he was shy, quiet, and known to cry a lot. But now, he was brave, compassionate, has a lot of passion, and is gentle to all creatures. She wasn't exactly sure if he was the same human she'd met the time when she found him in that river near the borders to the Lands. It sure was strange seeing him grown up, acting like an adult to the children who admired him for his bravery. It may be because he stands up to all he evil he fights against, even against Garble and his gang.

After walking to the place where the dragons stood, they cheered for the Guardian as he gave a small blush of embarrassment by the cheering. The dragons congratulated him on his eighteenth hatchday, to which he thanked them for. The dragons gave Virin their presents, who was shocked to see so many presents from his other hatchdays, but Lord Torch said that it was different this time around.

Garble was nowhere to be seen, neither was his gang, to Virin's relief. His presents consisted of blue, to yellow, to red and to purple colours. They were boxes made from, presumably, the griffin kingdom, as the two kingdoms are now united as one.

Virin got a necklace from Amber as a gift, which was made out of steel that withstood even his hot fire breath. He was happy that she would give him such a present, she said it was a token of their friendship, nonetheless, he was happy. Minuette gave him a black belt, which Virin put together with the necklace, as he would wait until his return to wear them.

Zach gave him a rare gem, which was in a dark purple colour. Virin looked at it curiously, he decided to put it in his collection of gems after this party. Nightwing gave his friend the most wonderful gift he had ever given him. It was one of the rarest of all crystals, the rarest life gem that had ever been found. It was shaped in a tornado-like shape, it was in a multi colour from white to red, which was the reason it was the most rarest of all gems. Virin would treasure it as a sign of their eight-long years of friendship.

The dragons of both children and parent gave Virin different presents. It was from bows and arrows, to fire-made metallic armour. Virin gotta thank the griffins for helping the dragons for finding these wonderful gifts.

The dragons began to dance after the gift exchange, to their heart's content. The party lasted until midnight.

Author's Notes:

This chapter took me a month to finish, so please respect my hard work. Before you say anything about Virin, yes. I have made him a marine, fire dragon, reason for the gills have suddenly appeared in his appearance. I also made him a subspecies to Godzilla, the creature mentioned in the other chapter before this one.

Please comment, rate and favourite.

Chapter Eight: The Journey Begins (Season Finale I)

A half year has passed since the epic battle between Virin and Garble in the rocky canyon. Everything has been settling down. No more fights has been established since one of the final battles in the two drake's rivalry. It was nearing its ending, to the Lands' relief.

Ever since the day with one of the final battles, Virin has trained nonstop in order to get his last training done for the journey. Zecora, the zebra that had once healed him with his sickness, had been helping him with his meditations, as she was once a training zebra in meditation. She knows almost everything to the young drake, but some important stuff were kept secret from her, to her frowning expression.

Zecora's home, Zebrica, and the Dragon Lands were united thanks to Virin and the zebra's insistence that the two lands should unite as one. There had been a little fight between the two kingdoms, but was stopped by the "Chosen One" and the Dragon Lord, along with Zecora's help.

Virin had been visiting Zecora a few times in his life, but nowadays, he was more interested in travelling around the world to defend it from creatures of darkness, to the young zebra's understanding. She was a bit hard for him to understand, since she rhymes a lot, but he was able to understand her, to her once shocked expression, considering he had a fast-talking lightning ancestor that were hardly understandable.

Virin's friends had also been helping him with his training. Minuette with his psychic training. Amber with the water training. Nightwing with the shadow training. Zach with... the lightning training. Virin was surprised that Zach had the lightning element, which was rare to a brown dragon, to the young drake's embarrassment.

Ever since then, the training had been good. Virin's muscles had been improved to their limits, but they were still not ready to be developed. Torch was impressed with his son's program, as was Ember. She was the most surprised of the two, that her brother was able to get his wings to appear in his human form without having to be in his drake form, to his sweat drop. But, she knew he was ready, so was Torch.

After a half year of nonstop training and stopping evil, the day of the journey had come.

Virin was getting the last bit of his training done. He was also getting a little frustrated that he couldn't train more with his family and friends, even have his final battles with Garble. But, that'll have to wait. He should be focusing on getting he last training done before the journey. He was getting anxious to leave the Lands for once. He would be meeting new settlements, all the other places he couldn't get to, would be visited when he was going to get his other half back from the ponies' land, Ponyland.

He knew getting it was important, but he couldn't shake the feeling off when he found out that the face of the mare in the moon was gone. There were three alicorns in Ponyland, he'd better get to work.

He was throwing punches in he air, with each punch he saw faster gust of wind from the throw. He was anxious, and a teeny-tiniest nervous about meeting with the alicorns and the ponies. For the reason he was feeling a small amount of nervous, was because he would finally become whole again, something that he was missing would come back to him for over eight years long of nothing but training and battles with Garble and his gang.

After getting the last punches done, Virin was ready for the journey. But, before that, a question came up in his mind when Torch, his father, figured out how he was a human. How was he able to know that? Wasn't his species only on Earth, or something like that? So many questions had came to his mind after his father had told him what he looked like. He was getting restless about it nowadays.

I'd better get back to the cave and get some rest, he thought with tiredness as he yawned as the setting sun was going down to an beautiful orange colour. Tomorrow was the day he was going to be on his journey, he would miss this place a lot.

The next day...

Today was the day. Virin should be going on his adventure to Ponyland alone, no help from his friends this time. He was getting anxious about it. Altogether, he was both happy and sad about leaving the Lands and the children of the place. They had admired him for his bravery and kindness for them, showing so much respect for their parents and letting the children play with him when he was only ten. Those were the reasons why he was sad about.

The happy part, was that he was getting away from Garble for a while. That drake was a lot of pain in the flank when he wasn't giving up in the middle of their battles. He sure was restless about beating him whenever he was alone, but ended up losing every time they battled. That was a matter of amount of courage, compassion, bravery, skilled and talentful he was when fighting him. He wasn't going to miss those battles one bit, he was happy to have a break about them for the time being.

Virin yawned as the sun's light hit his face. He rubbed his eyes with one arm, stirring. He looked around to see his prizes still in one place. He sure was glad that no greedy dragons took them, because he lived right next to the Dragon Lord, and no one dared to enter the Lord's son's cave without permission.

Virin yawned again, blinking rapidly to get the tiredness off. Once it was away, he walked to the mouth of the cavern, stretching his arms as he took in the air in a deep breath. Once done, he walked over to his father's cave, only for him to see it empty. He wasn't worried, nor in panic, like how he once was when he was ten whenever the Dragon Lord was up before him and would let him rest after training. He only wondered where he could be, but that thought quickly got away when he heard wings flapping.

"Oh, you're already awake." Virin looked up to see his sister landing in front of him. "I had a wonder if I should have woken you, like how I did before." Virin chuckled. She was referring to when he was ten years old, no more.

"I was just waking up now. Just taking in the fresh air." Virin responded to his sister's remark.

"Of course." Ember rolled her eyes, shrugging her shoulders afterwards. "Well, c'mon. You should be ready for your journey." Together, both siblings walked side-by-side towards the place where their father stood waiting.

As he waited for their arrival, Torch smiled happily to his two children. His treasures. They meant everything for him in his life, even though he has no mate, he was still happy. He had managed to raise them on his very own, though Virin was a troublesome for him to raise. Because Virin was troublesome for him, was that Garble was mocking him very much until the day he fought back. That was the reason he was so much trouble raising, plus he was an omnivore, a cross between vegetarian and carnivorous. But, luckily, he was able to get him to eat gems and crystals instead of plants and meat, something that wasn't quite challenging.

"Hi, Father." Virin and Ember greeted in unison to him.

"Hello, dear children." Torch greeted back. "I am glad that you had awoken, son. Because, today was the day." Virin nodded in understanding, knowing that he mean the journey had come.

"Father..." Lord Torch looked down to his son, wondering what he was nervous about. "I was meant to ask this a lot of times, but my nervousness got in the way."

"It's fine." The Dragon Lord rumbled. "No one has the perfect chance to speak when they have it. Now, what is it that you wanted to ask me?"

"How did you know that I was a human?" The human blurted out, causing Torch to blink in surprise. "Sorry, let me rephrase that. When did you learn that I was a human to begin with?" Ember shot her brother a death glare, not wanting to know his history now. Virin shrugged helplessly to her, since he wanted to know how his father learned about him.

Torch, having a minute to relax, spoke to him in explanation. "Let me start from the beginning." Both of his children glanced up to him. "From the day that your ancestors came to Equestria, which was eons ago, a war broke out between all nations in the lands. There were nothing but death and destruction. Luckily, a certain golden dragon came and stopped the war after having rested for millions of years. That golden dragon was none other than Cyrus, your ancestor of old, my son.

"Cyrus was an elegant dragon. He was able to stop a war only by coming to the world. All nations admired him, and stopped their meaningless fight. The nations made a rule: no outsiders was allowed to enter their kingdoms. However, Cyrus was allowed to enter the kingdoms, since he was respected as the golden creator of the Universe. However, after a few years of rebuilding, a black dragon, your darkest ancestor of old, son, came to Equestria and brought death and destruction once again.

"The black dragon, Typhon, was the strongest of the three creators of our Universe. Typhon was the evil son of God the Father, the sole creator. The black dragon brought death and destruction wherever he goes. He also brought life to Tartarus when he killed it. However, Cyrus interfered the black dragon's path of destruction and fought against him in a long battle that lasted for years."

Both Ember and Virin's eyes widened in shock. "A battle that lasted for years?!" They spoke in unison, shock and nuisance taking over them.

Torch nodded in confirmation. "Yes. That battle was the longest in the history of the battles fought in the worlds. Cyrus and Typhon were legendary creatures. They fought until many innocents died from lifespan to days of old. The battle was also the destructive one. Sometimes, son, it kinda reminds me of one of your battles with Garble."

Virin laughed with nervousness. Ember rolled her eyes at him, thinking enough was enough, but her father continued the story.

"Once they had stopped fighting, they looked guilty. Guilty because they had also caused mass death in the battle, along with mass destruction because of their godly powers. Before you say anything, dear daughter, yes. They are gods." Ember closed her mouth as soon as she opened it. Torch cleared his throat, continuing. "After seeing what they had witnessed, they rebuilt the lands with their amazing powers of regeneration and healing elements. Their powers was beyond imagination. They could do just about anything with it, but they used it for their own purposes.

"For Typhon, he used his powers to create an army of evil, while Cyrus created an army of good. It was an battle between good and evil. Their father, God, stopped them from creating more destruction, warning them not to create overpopulated armies and civilizations of the planets that were made before a greater evil."

"Who is this "greater evil", Father?" Ember wondered with sly interest. However, before Torch could continue, Virin intervened.

"But, that doesn't answer my question as to how you knew I was a human, Father." Virin reminded him. The Dragon Lord sighed, wished that his son would had listened to his two greatest ancestors' history.

"Well, to answer that question, my son," began Torch. "I knew from the moment that I saw you, that you were human. Before you say anything else, I had met your birth father before his mate was pregnant with you. He came to this world through some strange light, and met up with me and your sister. He told us, or rather me, that he was a Halfliing, which consisted of a human and dragon combining one another before breeding began. He also explained to me, that his child would be a Halfling as well. The species of a Halfling was very rare on Earth, a planet full of various creatures, some of us were legends and myths in that world. However, I wasn't paying too much attention to that, and was more interested in learning about you, his soon-to-be born son.

"From that moment, I was fascinated with meeting a real human, but none came before you arrived to the world and was taken in, Virin. I hope that this explains how I learned of you."

Virin, still troubled by the news, reluctantly nodded in understanding. For the reason he was troubled, was that he didn't know his birth father that much, but he was in his mind, probably taking in the surroundings in his son's mind.

Torch took in a deep breath, having explained too much. "I hope that you'll learn from this storytelling, especially you, dear Ember. You were the one who wasn't much interested in humans before, nor the myths of our Universe's creators."

"I'll keep this in mind, father." Ember replied with seriousness in her voice. Torch nodded in gratitude, glad that his daughter would keep this information. The Dragon Lord noticed something sparkle around his son''s neck, the Amulet of Darkness hung around it.

"Why do you carry the amulet, son?" He asked the young drake, who touched the amulet with two fingers.

"It's so I can protect myself if things with the ponies go out of hand." Virin answered casually, prompting his father to nod in understanding.

"I understand." Torch said. "Sometimes things dont go as well as you had planned. Why don't I give you this as a small gift to help you on your journey?" He gave his son another necklace. However, this one was different from the dark amulet. It had a triangle form,, with three small figures on each side of the triangle amulet. Its form was also red instead of black.

"What's this?" Virin asked, admiring the necklace as he took it from his father's large paw.

"A different amulet of yours, crafted from combining two things: blood of tears and steel, to make it stronger and more than fragile to be destroyed." Torch explained, smiling fondly at his son as he took the amulet on his neck, creating a small shockwave when the red amulet touched the black amulet, which pushed Ember away a little.

Virin raised an eyebrow at his sister, who stood back in place. "That was weird..."

"No kidding." His sister concurred with him, looking up to see their father laugh heartily at them. "What's so funny?"

Torch stopped laughing. "Nothing." He wiped a small tear away from his right eye with a claw. He looked down to see Virin string daggers at him from his funny attitude. "Is something the matter, son?"

"I don't find it amusing, father." The drake replied simply, crossing his human arms, still glaring at his father. Torch raised two forepaws up, surrendering, to Virin's relief. "Let's just get this done with, so I can get going."

"Of course." Torch agreed with him almost instantly. "Ember, don't you have a present to give your brother before he journey away?" Ember sighed and got out a bag of crystals and gems.

"This is a combination of healing life crystals, gems if you somehow gets hungry, and crystals to boost your speed if things gets out of hand." Virin took the bag gratefully, happy to have some things to have if he was bleeding or worse.

"Thanks sis." He gave her a small hug, to her surprise. Virin quickly stood back, knowing his sister doesn't like hugs. Ember looked at him with expected ember eyes, smiling fondly for a second before it faded away. Virin raised an eyebrow as his sister suddenly tackled him in a crushing hug, to his shocked surprised.

"Be careful out there." Ember ordered him with sharpness in her voice. "I don't want to be all alone again when I finds out that the ponies "killed" you."

"No worries. I'll be fine." Virin reassured her.

After getting the last of family hugging and farewells, Virin finally left the Lands to his next destination: Canterlot in Ponyland.

At the borders of Dragon Lands...

Virin walked through the landscape of the borders to his home. The mountains were slowly starting to fade from view, but there were still some in the far distance. One large mountain with a city on the side of it.

Walking out of the borders, Virin started to hung his head as he looked back to the mountain range he called home. He sure was gonna miss it.

[Insert song: Kion's Lament (Instrumental Version) from The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar here.]

"Why?" Virin sang, hearing the beat of the music in his head.

"Why even trust me at all?

They say the ponies is my call

But then come tell me I'm wrong

Now what, what shall I do?" Virin walked over to the pond of water to the side as he looked at his reflection, which was replaced with a beautiful white alicorn and a human baby, presumably him, smiling fondly at the alicorn. Virin noticed the smile, it reminded him of his own smiles. He began to sing again.

"And who, who do I turn to?

Now everything feels so upside down

Deep down, maybe I knew

It was way too good to be true

With all my friends lookin' up to me

Some leader I turned out to be!" Virin kicked a rock in the pond, causing the reflection to vanish. He walked over to a cliffside looking over to the horizon, which made him smile in happiness, that the setting sun would always make him feel better.

"Maybe my journey is far from done

They need a leader and I'm the one

So now it's time for them all to see

The dragon I was born to be." Virin continued to look over the horizon, seeing the sight to be beautiful as he looked.

"It is time

To take the lead on my own

It is time

For something bigger than I've ever known

No need to wonder, the choice is done

Now I believe I truly am the one." Virin was about to walk away, but a certain spirit of a golden dragon smiled at his back.

"Virin." The golden dragon surprised him.

"Ancestor Cyrus!" Virin gasped in shock. "I heard a lot about you."

"And I had been watching you ever since you came to this world." Cyrus smiled heartily at his descendant, the clouds shining brightly.

"But, what should I do?" Virin asked his ancestor. "I'm not sure that I should had left the Lands. They sees me as the one who I was. But, what about the ponies? They may be judgmental ponies who thinks I'm disgusting something like that."

"You don't have to worry." Cyrus smiled with assurance. "I'll be watching you if things turn out bad. But, you'll also have my brother watching your every movement." This caused Virin to sweat drop. "However, I got him to turn into something that's far away. It'll take him a few more years before coming here."

"That's good to know, dear ancestor." Cyrus smiled again before the clouds consumed his head, vanishing from the sight. Virin looked where his ancestor vanished, before sighing, clearly depressed.

"It is time

For something bigger than I've ever known

No need to wonder, the choice is done

Now I believe I truly am the one."

"So, is it time? Is it time?" Virin looked at his necklaces. "Yes. It is time."

Location: Tokyo Bay, planet Earth...

Ships were deployed into th é bay of Tokyo. On the naval ships, jet fighters were launched to fly overhead to see if Gojira had came ashore or not. The monster had been attacking mostly Tokyo for a while, it was its playground. The Japanese Self Defense Forces, J.S.D.F, was on high alert if the monster had decided to strike, but nothing had come for the current year, 2018.

All of Japan were in a panic, but the government tries its best to reassure its citizens that the monster will be destroyed one way or another. Gojira was a dangerous monster, Ever since the day sixty-four years ago, the monster had made regular appearances in Tokyo and New York City, the home steeds to the H.D.F, Humanity Defense Forces. The monster was going down, no matter what it took.

Inside the command deck of the lead naval ship, a tall man with a beard, white skin, dark brown hair, came towards his second-in-command.

"Sutetasu wa nanidesu ka?" The commander asked in Japanese accent.

"Subete no hitei-tekina, sêr." The man responded in Japanese.

"Kuso!" The commander cursed. "Kare wa doko ni imasu ka?" Suddenly, the radar started beeping uncontrollably.

"Sêr!" A Japanese solider called out in panic. "Gojira!" A large creature was on the radar, going towards the ship, in the intend to destroy it. All the men panicked as they fired two missiles at the creature, Gojira.

Outside in the water, a shadowy silhouette of Gojira was hit by the two missles, but no effect had happened to it. It dived under the naval ship, with its spikes going through the ship as water entered it, drowning the men inside as the ship exploded. The ship destroyed, Gojira's silhouette swam back down to the seafloor.

Equestria, Ponyland...

Virin was walking through the grassy terrain, panting for breath. He stopped in order to catch his breath, his gills closed. He wished that he could had swam towards Canterlot of Ponyland, but no. He just had to walk to it on foot. He cursed to himself of the long walk he was going, before realizing that he had wings. He had walked for two days now, and nothing but grass and trees were in sight, along with ponds of water where he could drink in the fresh water. He had also ate some of the eatable gems, which he was lucky to have, thanks to his sister.

Virin crouched down to sit on the grass to grab some lunch. He took his bag that was on his back, getting it in front of him as he took out a red gem. He licked his lips with hunger, taking a bite of it, feeling the fresh, cool feeling it brought to his stomach as it settled down with the growling. As he continued to eat it slowly, he was in deep thought.

Who was that pony in the reflection that he had seen as he sung a song? She sure was beautiful, but him as a kid was cute. Wait, did he just thought that he was cute as a baby? He shook away that thought, relying only on the white alicorn. No matter what he thinks, that pony seemed nice. It could potentially had been his "mother" when he was young, but his real mother was hearing every one of his words, so he better be careful.

Hearing the sounds of someone crying and was hurt, Virin quickly ate the last of the gem he was eating and packed his backpack onto his back. He made a sprint to the child, running through the forest.

As he came towards the source of the sound, he quickly stopped as he saw a gang of griffins ganging up on a little colt. Anger boiling, Virin decided to step forward to the light, causing the gang to stop their assault.

"Hey!" They looked over to see the human standing tall and mighty. "What are you even doing?!"

"What does it look like?" A griffin of the gang mocked. "Getting rid of a life, of course." He kicked the little colt in the stomach, which caused the colt to cry out in pain.

Teeth gritting in anger and rage, Virin quickly ran to the kicking griffin, grabbing his neck as he lifted him up. The others stopped their cheering as they stared in shock.

"Now, what should I do with you?" Virin scowled. "Do you even know that Griffinstone and my Lands are united? Or, do you prefer to be alone as a lone pack of cowards?"

"What did you call us?!" The griffin to the side growled in anger. Virin smirked delightfully, darkness ready to take over.

"I was calling you... cowards!" A darkened drake sneered coldly, throwing the griffin he was holding to a tree. The other griffins got into fighting stances. "Oh, please. Do you honestly think you can take on me? Me?! The Master of the Darkness?!" Dark wind was blown against the griffins, as they stared in shock at the dark voice given by the dark dragon. The colt cowered in fear, backing up to a tree, wishing this would end soon.

"What is with you, anyway?" The griffin in front asked in fear.

"This just comes and gone, whenever I feel angry at someone hurting a small child," Dark Virin growled with rage in response. He threw a punch in the face of the griffin in front of him, causing it to step back while holding the nose as it was bleeding.

"You broke my nose!" The griffin shouted with rage. "Nobody breaks my nose and gets away with it!" He ran forward, only to be kicked in the stomach hard by Dark Virin, causing him to step back to hold it. The second griffin tried to hit the dark dragon, only to get the same kick as well.

The griffins started to fly towards Dark Virin at full speed, only for them to be shocked by the black amulet around his neck. They screamed in pain as they fell to the ground, their mane all puffed out in a funny way. The darkness of Virin disappeared, leaving him for now. Sighing, he looked back at the colt that shivered in fear. Muttering to himself, he walked up to the colt, who squeaked fearfully as the human was towering over him.

"I'm sorry for scaring you, little guy." Virin apologized, his head hanging. "Can you accept mt forgiveness?" Still a little reluctant, the colt nodded as the answer. Virin sighed mentally in relief, glad that he just saved a young pony's life. Looking at the colt, Virin got a better look at how to describe him. He was a middle-school pony, with a light brown coat, mane that are a darker brown colour, has a triangle tiphat on top of his head. He also had no cutie marks, which Virin thought was weird, as most ponies usually had something on them.

"Let's get you home." Virin lifted the colt in his arms, walking towards the nearby town. As he walked, Virin couldn't help but ask the colt. "What's your name, little one?" He asked in a soft voice, with compassionate in it.

"L-Light Glare, sir," Light answered in a stutter. Virin couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the name. Sure ponies had different names, but Light Glare was kind of like a normal name for a pony.

"Nice to meet you, Light Glare." Virin greeted with softness. "I'm Virin, Guardian of Fire and Harmony." Light's eyes widened in realization.

"You're the Guardian of Fire and Harmony?!" The Guardian nodded in confirmation. "Wow."

"Just the right word to put, didn't you, little bud?" Virin chuckled. Light chuckled as well, the two were getting along nicely as they continued with their conversation to find Glare's mother and father.

As he walked into the town, many ponies stared at the duo as they talked to each other, as though they were friends or something. There were murmurs among the ponies, regarding the human holding the little colt.

"What is he?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe we shouldn't try and get that colt, right?"

"Are you kidding? He's an habitat to our town, so of course we should take him away from that thing."

Virin chuckled. "That thing", was something he was used to. The dragons usually called him that when he was just ten years old. Light couldn't take the murmurs te calmest, as he was angered by the ponies saying bad things to his new found friend and saviour.

"Light!" A maternal, kind voice shouted not too far from them. Virin looked over to the voice and saw a mare of a lighter shade colour than Light Glare's coat. She had a purple mane with a light blue streak in it, a cutie mark of three stars, she had a horn. This meant that she was an unicorn. The pony beside her was a light blue male. He had a dark brown mane, with a cutie mark of three stars as well. He also had a horn,

This meant that Light was an unicorn as well. Virin couldn't had described it, because the horn was brown while the mane was a darker colour, covering the horn from him. He gotta admit, that sure was handy.

The female unicorn, Light's mother, levitated her son to her hooves as she nuzzled him protectively "Are you alright? The thing didn't hurt you?"

"Mom!" Light exclaimed, mouth agape. "That "thing" is the one that saved me from the griffins. He's a hero." The ponies nearby gasped in shock. The creature saved the young colt? Unbelievable.

"No need to babble, son." Light's father shook his head.

"I'm not! Just ask the Guardian of Harmony!" Virin raised his arms in defense as the ponies stared at him in shock. He's the Guardian of Harmony? Another impossible thing to believe.

"Please. No need to flatter me, young one." Virin responded when no one asked about him. "I was just doing the right thing that anypony could do." It was weird for him to say "anypony", since he was more used to say "anyone" and "somebody".

"You saved him, didn't you?" Light's mother asked in wonder. Virin nodded, affirming that he did. Her smile widened. "Then let's go to our place, so nopony can come." Virin raised a finger.

"Sorry. I'd love to, but I don't have the time." Virin said apologetically. "I'm in a hurry to head for "Canterlot" to find something important to me."

"You said Canterlot?" Light's father wondered, before motioning his family and the human to come with him. Once they were out of earshot of the ponies of the town, Light's father continued. "What do you need to find?"

"Just something that was missing inside me, no more." Virin replied with seriousness. Light and his parents raised their eyebrows at the seriousness in the voice. He was being serious.

"Okay. Let us help you." Light offered, smiling happily at his saviour.

"No thanks. I can handle this myself." Virin shook his head. "I don't feel like endangering any of you because of my selfishness actions."

"You aren't being selfish. You're becoming a hero to us." Virin raised an eyebrow. A hero? That sound like something that had just boosted his pride even more.

"Even so, I can't risk getting you potentially injured. There are far stronger opponents out there, somepony far wilder than most." The word "somepony" was also a weird thing for him to say. He was also referring to Hydra and Garble, two of his rivals that were dangerous enough.

"Okay. We understand, dear." Light's mother sighed in understanding. "Why don't we fix something for you? I bet it wouldn't hurt getting some food on your journey to Canterlot."

"I guess not." Virin shrugged his shoulders, agreeing with her. Crystals and gems aren't the only thing that he eats. "Sure, why not?" Light smiled happily at the reply, using his horn to grab the Guardian of Fire's hand and take him to their home.

The house where Light and his parents lives was a two stage building. There were windows, flowers in ponds on the inside. Curtains were open, to see in the house. On the outside, there were two bushes on the roar to the door. The door was a wooden one.

Virin and the trio walked inside the house, while the former remembered to brush his shoes before taking them off. Walking inside the kitchen, Light's mother, whom was later revealed to be Light Pearl, was preparing something special for the human who saved her colt's life from a gangster group, to Virin's raised eyebrow. He didn't know that the griffins, which he shocked, was a gangster group from the griffin kingdom. However, he learned that they were from another kingdom, one that weren't friendly with other kingdoms.

Light Glare showed Virin his room. There were plenty of toys and games in the room, which the young one uses to play in order to pass the time. Virin chuckled as he remembers clearly the times where his training was the only thing to pass the time. Light raised an eyebrow at the training he had went through, before going wide eyed at looking at the strong muscles that Virin had. He sure had been training like crazy.

"The food is ready!" Pearl called from below. Light Glare responded by calling down as well as soon as he heard it. Light remembered that the food were for Virin, since he was a special guest and a hero, to his embarrassment.

Going down the stairs to the living room, Light and Virin stopped as they came down. Virin was amazed at hearing Light's life as he had explained most of it to him, leaving important stuff out.

"Here, dear." Pearl gave Virin a box full of warm food. "This is something that I had made, just for you if you ever became hungry." Her voice was sincere and gratified.

"Thanks, ma'am." Virin thanked her. "I'll be sure to save it when I does." He putted the box inside his bag of gems and crystals. Pearl raised an eyebrow at the crystals.

"Do you eat those?" She asked in wonder.

"Of course." Virin responded, being careful with his words. "I'll be needing the strength and stamina when I'm at Canterlot, possibly tomorrow will I be there. Hopefully." Pearl chuckled at his hopefulness.

"By all means, be sure not to eat them all." She told him. "You don't want an stomach ache, am I right?" Virin chuckled alongside her. Walking towards the door and opening it, Virin turned back to the family.

"Thanks again, for your kindness." Virin bowed respectfully to them, which they returned with much respect.

"Of course. We will welcome you anytime if you need anything, Guardian of Fire." Blue Glare said with the respect he had with the words.

"You flatter me." Virin chuckled before going outside, and walked to the left of the family's side. Walking outside of the town, Virin couldn't help but turn his glance back to the town. All of the ponies didn't judge him for who he was, which was a good thing. All of them stared at him respectfully, when they had heard he was the boy's saviour. That was all he needed to hear and found out that the ponies weren't evil. To him, he thought that they were, but he guessed wrong.

Are all ponies like that? He thought to himself. I'd better find out when I'm in Canterlot.

Location: Seafloor of New York City, planet Earth...

Ships were deployed into the water of the docks of New York City, to the citizens' confusion. the government understood the confusion; they all wondered if Godzilla would return after a year absence.

Inside a large naval ship, a man with a beard, slender skinned, black hair, grey eyebrows, yellow eyes, walked to his second-in-command.

"Anything to report?" He asked.

"Nothing, sir." The second man replied. "There are nothing out there. Maybe we should take a rest; the men are getting restless." The commander sighed. It was true. The men were getting tired of searching for Godzilla all day long. But, they can't rest. What if he were to return back to the surface and destroy the city? What would they do?

Suddenly, the radar started to beep uncontrollably. The men were stunned by this.

"What's this now?!" The radar continued to beep, not stopping, sensing something approaching. "Is there something out there?!" He were all but in panic. The other men were also in panic. They were inside a naval ship, which means they could be drowned to death if the sea water gets in.

From the outside, a large shadow was swimming slowly towards the ship, intending to destroy it. The shadow was a big one. It weren't a large fish, or other types of fish. No. This shadow was none other than Gojira, nicknamed Godzilla by the Americas. Godzilla's shadow came towards the ship, its large spikes slicing through the ship, shoving water inside it, drowning the men in the naval ship as they died. The ship exploded as Godzilla's shadow's spikes sliced through the ship in two, causing a low, but loud explosion in the water.

The ship destroyed, the shadow of Godzilla swam back towards the seafloor.

Author's Notes:

I promise that this is the final time gap in my story. I'll be keeping Gojira's identity a secret until the time comes for him to reveal himself. For now, he's just a silhouette that attacks ships under the seas of Tokyo and New York, as this chapter describes it.

The moment you've all been waiting for will happen in the next chapter. For now, I'll be taking a month break from the story and think of better ideas of how to work with this.

Chapter Nine: Virin vs. Queen Chrysalis (Season Finale II)

Walking down the pathway to the ridge of the cliff, Virin looked over to see the majestic city of Canterlot in the distance. He has done it. He finally made it to the city of Canterlot. After everything he has done in order to get to this city, was worth it.

As he looked at the bubble shield surrounding the city, Virin was in deep thought. What will the ponies do to him if he were to go into the city? Would they judge him for being different? Or love him like the dragons did with him? After everything he has to do in order for his training, his missions to secure peace to this world, and his many battles with Garble, has finally came to an end. But, everything is not over, because he still has to find his other half in this city of Canterlot. He will do just that. After that, he don' know what to do afterwards. Should he stay in the city? Or leave and never come back to Ponyland, and have more ferocious battles? He'll think about it after he has stopped those black dots in the air.

Wait. Black dots in the air? Could they be Changelings like him, shape-shifters? They looked like ponies, but had a bug-like form with green wings and black horns. The Changelings was barging at the bubble shield, intending to break through with great success.

Virin stood there, shocked and angered at what had happened. He let out a ferocious growl. Why?! Why should they do it now?! Why not tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow? But they didn't wait that long. No. They had to do it on this very day of his arrival to Ponyland. He was just so angry that he would beat them up, breaking their forms limp by limp. But, he promised his father, Torch, that he wouldn't use anger for violence since the race eight years back. That really sucked. He just needed to let the anger flow through him and grow dark and fierce to beat them up one by one.

After some seconds of staring angrily at the city, Virin let out one of the most ferocious roars ever heard. It could be heard from four miles away, long enough so all the ponies Changelings could hear him.

In the city...

It was all but chaos. Changelings was everywhere. They shot green magic from their horns, making holes to appear in the buildings that towered the ponies. After some more chaos, they all heard the most ferocious roar they've ever had heard in the distance.

"What was that?" A Changeling frowned, along with the ponies who cowered in fear.

"I don't know." Another Changeling responded. "Let's ignore it and cause more damage to this city."

"Yeah. Let's do it." The Changelings all but cackled as they continued with firing green magic at the buildings and everywhere else. Suddenly, the leader of the Changeling group was hit hard in the face by strong force of an fist, sending him crashing into a building. The other Changelings stopped what they were doing and looked at their commander slowly getting up.

"Ugh." He groaned. "What was that?" He suddenly felt shivers going through his spines as he looked over to see an very hateful dragon. The dragon was red, with a slender underbelly. It had red wings, blue and yellow eyes. Its spikes were green. Its tail was a spiral-shaped one. It had a scar on the left eye, meaning it was a tough dragon. It had an enraged expression on the face, causing more of the commander's spines to shiver in fear.

"What are you?" He frowned in wonder.

"I... am just a dragon." The dragon said in a dark tone, gritting his teeth as he looked at the commander of the Changelings. The Changeling shivered at the tone but stood firm and never backed down. "Not running away? Good. Then I can beat you up for damaging this city through unconditionally methods." He sped up to the Changeling, punching him in the face, sending him crashing to a building behind him.

The other Changelings looked at their sudden fallen commander, in shock, but had their teeth gritted in anger as they began firing green magic at the dragon. The dragon's amulet lit up with dark electricity, vaporizing the magic all at once, as the magic failed to hurt him, surprising the Changelings as they looked at the Amulet of Darkness in wonder and astonishment, but the latter was a minimum one.

What could be described next was just eternal chaos as clones of the dragon and the Changelings brawled with each other. One light gray mare with a purple streaked mane, looked at the dragon in surprise and shock. She hugged her blue husband, who hugged her back, crying with joy as they watched the dragon beaten the Changelings up one by one.

"I thought he was dead..." The mare cried silently, whispering.

In the throne room...

Up in the throne room, a black mare with holes in her hooves, green mane and tail, green wings, watched her army getting beaten up by a single dragon that had somehow cloned himself.

"What's the meaning of this?" She said to herself, with the other ponies looking at her in confusion. "Why's there a dragon in the city? Dragons weren't supposed to be here. Am I not right, ponies?"

The ponies, consisting of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, watched her with all but confusion in their eyes. Why would a dragon be here? They were meant to be in Dragon Lands for Celestia's sake. Or, maybe that dragon could be here for a personal reason? How funny to think of that.

"Please," Amore Cadenza, otherwise known as Cadance, begged. "Stop this meaningless fight, Chrysalis. It's not worth it watching your people getting beaten by a dragon."

"You're right." Chrysalis sneered idly, looking at her with an evil smirk. "But, I think that dragon has more love in his heart than any of you combined. He should be an worth subject to me. Don't you think so, Cadance?" Cadance shook her head. "Too bad. I'll turn him in. Because I say "him", is that he has a different look than how the female dragons have. He is an interesting creature, being able to clone himself. An worthy subject to me, Queen Chrysalis, and my armies."

Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing a Changeling running up to his Queen.

"What's the meaning of this?!" She asked furiously. "How come you came barging in from my reputation?"

"I'm sorry, my Queen." The Changeling apologized. "But, the army has been defeated single-handedly by the dragon, and he's now shifted back to a weird form that I think I can describe."

"Well?" Chrysalis demanded.

"He looks to be a furless monkey, a bipedal creature, in fact." The Changeling replied, describing the creature. "He has brown mane, stands on two feet, has no tail. He also has blue and yellow eyes. He got an amulet around his neck. I believe it is the Amulet of Darkness, your Highness."

"That's impossible." Chrysalis spat. "No creature has ever been able to find the Amulet of Darkness for centuries. Are you sure you looked closely enough?" She leaned in on the Changeling, who swallowed nervously.

"Y-Yes, y-your Highness." He confirmed. The ponies silently gasped by the word "furless monkey", but more with Cadance and Twilight, the latter of whom swayed back and forth as she managed to catch herself before fainting.

Chrysalis suddenly laughed evilly, giving off an evil cackle. "My. He's so poor. I can't believe that you are having so much trouble with that furless monkey. I'll just have to take over, then. You may go." The Changeling hurried out of the room, closing the door with his magic as he got out.

There was a sudden knock on the door. "You may come in, strange creature." Chrysalis told him, not very politely. The door opened, revealing the same creature the Changeling had described. As she looked, Chrysalis' eyes widened in surprise as she saw a scar on the creature's left eye. He must have had a battle sometime in his years.

Twilight couldn't take it. She fainted as she saw the same human in her childhood, alive and well. Applejack leaned in to her side.

"Sugarcube, you alright?" She whispered lowly, leaning to Twilight's head. She didn't hear her, however.

"My." Chrysalis looked at the human in "surprise". "You look different from all the other creatures I've met. A surprise indeed."

"Yet, you're not surprised." The creature said emotionlessly. Chrysalis blinked. How'd he figure that out? She was also surprised by the coldness in his voice, smiling greedily at him.

"You really think I'm not surprised?" Chrysalis asked in slight confusion, playing with him.

"In fact, yes." The creature replied. "You have that expression of non-surprised. I can describe, because I have fought against someone that are not very surprised by my abilities. You are one of them." The Changeling Queen laughed heartily, glad that he had found out.

"You are correct." She said. "I am, in fact, surprised you'd managed to find that out, without even breaking a sweat from talking such boldly to a Queen. You sure are something else."

"Shall we do it?" The human suddenly asked.

"Do what, creature?" Chrysalis inquired.

"Battle, of course."

"What are you saying, creature?" The black mare frowned.

"I'm not an "creature"." The human snarled with rage. "I'm known as a human."

"Why, "human"." She mocked him, uncaringly. "I will accept your challenge." The human, Virin, smirked as a bright red light engulfed him, lighting up the throne room. The ponies and Chrysalis covered their eyes. As the light faded, they saw a dragon in place of the human.

[Insert song: Feel Invincible by Skillet here.]

"I'm ready when you are." Virin challenged. He quickly charged at the Changeling Queen, who stepped to the side to avoid the sudden attack. Gritting her teeth, Chrysalis fired a green magic beam at the dragon, who flew up to dodge, but created an electrifying shield around the scared ponies, stopping the beam.

Groaning, Twilight awoke from her faint. Her eyes widened as she saw that her childhood friend was battling the Changeling Queen, who dodged a fire breath from the dragon. Virin redirected his fire breath as it hit the Queen in the side as she screamed in pain. Grunting in pain, she shot a green magic beam at the dragon again, but he dodged it as he flew around it with a quick shift move.

Virin flew straight at the Queen, punching her in the stomach, causing her to be sent back into the throne behind her. The ponies cringed at this. That might've hurt. The Queen shook the rubble of the throne off her, glaring heatedly at the dragon who dared to mess with her. She shot another green magic beam at him, but he dodged it again with a shift move. Virin fired a fire breath at Chrysalis, but she dodged it by flying into the air, sighing in relief. But, that relief quickly turned into shock as Virin redirected his fire at her, disable her wings as the fire made contact with them, causing her to fall to the ground in pain.

Virin flew straight at the Queen again, punching her back as he made an electrifying punch, causing more damage to her wings but they spread out and flustered as they made contact with the electricity. Smirking deviously, Chrysalis shot a magic beam at the surprised dragon, who couldn't manage to dodge the beam in time, sending him flying into the roof with strong force. The ponies winced at this, thinking that might hurt him. But, suddenly, the dragon smiled as he let loose some fire breath at the Queen, who shot a green magic beam at the same time, resulting in a beam lock.

The beam lock lasted longer than how Chrysalis and Princess Celestia's beam lock lasted. That may be because the dragon had stronger force in his might than love, which was true. Love didn't affect him as much as it did to Celestia, who was inside a cocoon nearby the battle that was currently happening. The beam lock finally came to an end, as smoke appeared after the beam and breath exploded, making the ponies to cover their eyes while the dragon was covered by the smoke, taking this as an advantage to overcome the Queen of Changelings, who searched figuratively for him. Suddenly, she was hit with a powerful punch in the face from what seemed to be nowhere, sending her back into the ground.

The dragon had just unleashed a powerful punch right at her face, surprising the ponies by his might and power.

"Dang." Rainbow muttered to her friends. "I wouldn't wanna mess with him." Her friends nodded in agreement, not wanting to get on his bad side. Twilight and Cadance looked at the battle in astonishment and amazement. The latter was for their friend's power and strength, the former was for his manageable to hold his own against the Queen of Changelings.

Virin punched rapidly at the Queen, who tried to block the attacks with her green magic shield. It was to no valid, as small cracks was being seeing through the shield. With a few more punches, the shield broke, shocking Chrysalis. Virin let out a powerful roar, that made them to cover their ears. The roar was from none other than Gojira, the one the Earth people was currently dealing with.

Chrysalis fired an green magic beam at the dragon, who just shook it off like it was nothing. That truly shocked her greatly. No one was able to resist her new power so easily. But, this dragon, was no dragon. No. It was a beast of nature, a monster from space. This was proven untrue, as the dragon flew straight at the Queen again, kicking her in the face with strong force, sending her back again. Chrysalis shook the rubble off her, firing four beams at the dragon, who created a fire shield around him to protect him, shocking her more than before. This was unexpected. The fire shield was stronger than the magic shield she had, as she fired continuously at it with her magic beams, intending to destroy it, to little effort. Small, very small, cracks was seen through the shield, not very surprised was the dragon. As she continued to fire magic beams at the shield, stronger cracks was seen on the shield, surprising the drake a little.

After getting a few more cracks the shield, it finally broke. The dragon looked emotionlessly as he watched a smirking Chrysalis, whose horn charged up again. She fired another green magic beam at the dragon, but he dodged it just in time as he did some shift move. Virin fired a fire breath at the Changeling Queen, who made another shield around her, protecting her from the blast. Gritting his teeth, the dragon fired continuously fireballs at the shield, with cracks coming in faster than the other time. Really, he should've done that from the beginning. But, he wanted a challenge from her. Which he got.

The ponies watched the battle with amazement. This was some showdown they're seeing. At the battle, Virin let loose a consecutive attack with fireballs, continuously firing at the dodging Queen, who had spread her wings to go airborne in order for her to evade the attack. Virin continued on with his attack, intending to finish that bug off with a fireball, but she managed to create a shield around her, stopping the fireball.

"Not bad." Virin told her. "You're better than I thought you'd be."

"You too." Chrysalis smirked. "I thought that you were useless, but I thought wrong." At the word, Virin let out his powerful roar that made her ears go deaf. He was angry, she could feel it. She smiled deviously, firing another green magic beam at the dragon, but he evaded it by the side, firing a fireball at her. She shot another beam, resulting in smoke to appear between them. Chrysalis laughed evilly as she vanished in the smoke.

Virin braced himself for wherever she was going to attack. He smirked as he felt something cold behind him. He kicked the Queen in the stomach with strong force, knocking her back in a surprise attack. He made his own attack, before she even could land a hit. That was because he wasn't going to let her win. He turned around to see an enraged bug, his eyes turning red, which surprised the Queen as she looked at the now blood-red eyes. As she tried to hit him with a magic bream, he vanished into thin air at a fast rate.

"Where are you?" She shouted in anger. Virin felt her anger, and he liked it.

"Right here." Came his voice, with a fireball being heard through the air behind her, causing her to shriek in surprise and shock. She looked over to see an red eyed dragon with a strange aura around him.

"You will pay for that, worm." Chrysalis said venomously, thinking of killing him now. She fired an green magic beam at him, but he quickly evaded it, disappeared from sight again. Looking around, she felt a warm breath beside her. She looked, only for her to shriek in surprise as a dragon was right beside her. She fired an green magic beam at him, but he disappeared again. After firing many magic beams through the air, she finally landed a hit on the dragon's shoulder, causing him to roar out in slight pain. She smiled deviously, thinking that victory would be hers.

However, what she didn't expect, was that the dragon was slowly healing himself as he waited for her next attack. Chrysalis narrowed her eyes at the healing wound, her eyes goes wide open as she noticed the wound's healing process.

"How can you heal yourself?!" She demanded in rage. Virin didn't respond, but only smiled evilly as he fired an fireball at her, who created an shield to protect her. Virin continued to fire fireballs at the shield, causing it to break faster than before. Unexpectedly, his spikes was slowly starting to glow a blue colour, to his obliviousness, eyeing only on Chrysalis, who had created another shield when she saw the frighteningly glowing spikes on his back. Rearing his head back a bit, Virin unleashed a powerful blue beam that shattered the shield in a flash, shocking the Queen greatly while she roared in pain as the beam hit her. The ponies were shocked and terrified to see that, with Pinkie awed at the colour of the beam. As the beam stopped, and his spikes going back to the normal green colour, Virin panted as he looked at a shocked Chrysalis, who gritted her teeth in sudden rage and anger.

"How come, you use that "secret" weapon, worm?" Chrysalis inquired angrily, glaring at the panting dragon. "And, most importantly, how can you heal yourself like that? The wound is gone!" Virin looked at the wound, smiling triumphantly at the Queen.

"That's a secret you won't ever understand." He said simply. "Because, with tough training, I would've tell you. But, seeing as how you don't have to train, I won't tell you a thing or two." Chrysalis gritted her teeth as they clenched with outrage, not believing what he just said.

Resuming to their fight, Chrysalis fired continuously green magic beams at the dragon, who dodged them rather quick despite taking his time to rest from the powerful beam he had just unleashed. After taking a pause to regain his strength from that sudden blast, Virin unleashed another blast of that powerful blue beam at Chrysalis, now believing to getting his victory. But, he didn't know that the Queen made a double shield to protect, with only one of them being broken. Virin gritted his teeth at the double shield attack, but he pressed forward with his blue beam, shattering the second shield relentlessly, shocking the Queen who screamed in pain as th beam made contact with her.

Virin panted again, but quickly regained his strength after a few seconds from his healing regeneration move, flying straight at the Queen who didn't managed to move in time as the dragon made contact with her body, sending them flying out of the window. The Queen had spread her wings fast, hovering just above the unmoving dragon. Now their fight takes place in the sky.

Virin fired a fireball at the Changeling Queen, but she quickly dodged it by flying to the side. She chuckled as their battle now took place here, her advantage. But, she didn't know that the skies was also the dragon's advantage as well as his battleground. The dragon smirked suddenly, firing a fire breath all over as he spun around, making a position that was spinning, stunning the Queen, who was hit from all the sides, causing her to scream out in pain. The Queen shot another green magic beam at the dragon, who dodged it by whirling around as he made some shift move. The Queen couldn't believe it. He was taking her advantage for himself. She fired a consecutive of green magic beans at the dragon, who dodged all of them effortlessly, smiling triumphantly as the Queen panted from her sudden attack.

"Giving up?" He asked, smiling still.

"Never!" Chrysalis roared, firing another magic beam at him, but he dodged it with little to no effort. Virin flew right above the Queen, to her confused expression. All of a sudden, the dragon was spinning around rather quick as he made a Flaming Meteor attack on her, causing her to scream in pain as she fell to the ground, making a large crater on the ground, while smoke appeared from the huge crash.

From within the crater, Virin stood, not panting or something. He just held an arm on his knee, before slowly getting up as the Queen coughed up blood as a tooth fell out of her mouth.

"I can't believe this!" Chrysalis stared at the dragon, who was suddenly transformed back into his "human" form, unmoving and not panting. "How could I lose to you, worm?!" She was so enraged, that an red aura was around her for feeling her anger.

"Because," Virin started. "You used someone else's strength, not your own. The reason is, love can't only make you stronger, it can manipulate you from your training. I have both might and love in me. That was the reason why I won this round."

"Nonsense!" Chrysalis roared out, her horn lit up with green magic. Virin braced himself, but before that, they heard Changelings screaming as they flew to the skies from the pink blast of energy. Chrysalis was blasted away as well, but Virin stood there, unmovingly, in confusion. Love can be a powerful thing, she should had known that.

Dusting his jacket off for the dust, Virin walked out of the crater as everypony stared at him with great shock and fear. The latter was of his strength, might and power to take on a Queen. The former was because they were shocked to see him actually defeating Queen Chrysalis single-handedly without help.

Virin chuckled nervously. "Hello, everypony." He greeted. "I was just taking a stroll to this city, and I was suddenly engaged in a fight with that bug. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go." As he was going to turn away, several, or many, royal pony guards stopped him with spears as they surrounded him.

"Halt!" They shouted in unison. "Don't move a muscle!"

"Hey!" Virin shouted with great hate, eyes slowly turning to a brighter colour, frightening them. "I just helped you take care of those Changelings. How come you surround me when I helped you?!"

"It is of no question." They just said in unison. Suddenly, in a flash, a pink alicorn appeared in front of them with a stern expression on her face. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza! Please, Princess. Move away from that creature. He's dangerous!"

Cadance didn't listen to them. She just turned to face the human, silently crying as she stared at him. Virin sweat dropped as he looked at this weird pony.

I'm so screwed!

Planet Earth, Location: Pacific Ocean...

After a restless searching of Gojira, the humans had finally found his location. Turns out, that he was resting in the Pacific Ocean near Odo Island, his birthplace. As the humans sailed over to the island, few ships was unexpectedly lost in the confusion, presumably caused by Gojira.

Inside a naval ship, the commander of the ship walked up to the ship's steer, asking, "Anything?"

"Nothing, sir." The steer responded. The commander sighed angrily as he looked on the radar with great concentration. It suddenly started to beep uncontrollably as a large figure was seen on the screen. "Sir! Godzilla!"

Outside the ship, a large, shadowy silhouette of Gojira was seen slowly walking towards the ship. Its spikes glowing, the shadow fired off an powerful blue beam of radiation that caused the ship to be destroyed, killing all the men inside of it. The ship destroyed, the shadow walked away from the scene, behind a few rocks as more ships had heard the explosion. The shadow of Gojira landed a surprise attack on the ships as it fired its atomic breath attack on them, destroying them all at once. The other ships destroyed, the shadow began to swim away.

Chapter Ten: A Chase and Understanding

Author's Notes:

If you notice some similarities with this story: An Unexpected Life, by Alejin, then it's by mistake.

Here is the first part of a two-parter of the second season. I think that this one was good, but what do you guys think? Was it better than just the action scenes from the previous season?

A few minutes earlier

Looking through the window, Twilight couldn't help but smile in pure happiness. She had seen it; her brother and Cadance had defeated all the raging Changelings that had attacked Canterlot, even their queen, although they did get some help from her friend.

Wait. He was alive? She thought that he was dead, same with the rest of the palace. But, somehow he survived, along with having new powers. That was something you don't see everyday now and then.

"You did it!" Twilight called to the Princess of Love. "You and Shining defeated all the Changelings!" She was so happy that she didn't noticed that Cadance had already left, while leaving a now-freed Shining Armor confused.

"Twily?" Shining called to her, making her turn to face him. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you not to come." He had a stern expression on his face, looking rather angry at seeing his sister.

"But," Twilight frowned. "I wanted to help you with the decorations and the wedding. But it isn't time for that."

" "Not time" for what?" Shining asked in confusion, before noticing his sister's saddened look. "Twily? Why are you sad?"

"A miracle happened." Twilight simply replied. "A true miracle. Moon arrived to help us from the Changelings."

"Moon?" Shining cleared his throat. "Um, Twily, you do know that he's...no longer with us, right?"

Twilight narrowed her eyes at him. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that. Wait, where's Cadance?" She finally noticed that she was gone. Looking around frantically, they couldn't see a trace where she was. Realization came to Twilight as she saw her mentor on the ground, having been freed from Chrysalis' spell. "Princess!" She ran up to her, helping the Princess of the Sun to her hooves. "Are you alright?"

"Y-Yes, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia replied with a slow nod. "I'm fine. What happened? Last time I saw, was that I was beaten by Chrysalis in a beam lock. But, after that, I don't remember anything else."

"Well," Twilight played with her fore-hooves with a nervous expression on her face. Celestia noticed this, draping a wing on her back.

"Twilight?" Her mentor asked in worry. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost or something."

"You promise you won't freak out?" Twilight suddenly asked in a nervous gesture. Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"Twilight. I've been living for a thousand years. I don't think anything can scare me, well... except for what happened to my... you know..." She had an awkward smile as the other mares looked on in confusion.

"Well." Twilight. "About that..."

Looking through the crowd of Canterlot ponies, Cadance scowled as they cowered in fear from her human cousin. Reason for why she was calling him cousin, is that this was none other than Moon, the human raised amongst ponies from his childhood before he was "banished" from Ponyland to Dragon Lands, by a group of thieves that happened to be either dead or in the dungeons for the rest of their lives.

Looking back at the human, who had an unreadable expression, she couldn't help but let her tears fall. So, he was alive after all.

"Um..." Virin said awkwardly. "Why do you keep staring at me? I've got things to do."

"Please." Cadance begged, hugging him close, to his much confusion. "Just let me have this moment." He felt his shoulders be wet, probably from the tears of this strange pony.

So, after all the training he has done, he was defeated by the tears of a pony. How wonderful, isn't it? Even after his many tough battles with the tall dragon, Garble, he was just been defeated by the cuteness of a single pony. Wait. Cuteness? The only thing he finds adorable, was his sister, Ember. So, why would he think this pony was cute?

Thinking back to his many battles with the tall dragon, Virin finally let out a sigh as he gently putted the pony down, to her displeasure. She was obviously crying at this point, but not by the gesture he just pulled off, but at seeing him once again after eight long years of being alone with her other cousin. Moon sure has changed a lot in these years.

"Look," Virin raised a hand as she opened her mouth. "I know what you're thinking. How could I still be alive and well, while having been away for eight years?" Cadance's eyes widened in shock. How'd he knew that? Virin simply answered her inner thought. "Telepathic abilities. An neat, and unique, ability, if I must say so myself." He had a small smile as he said that.

"Okay." Cadance replied with a nod. "How did you manage to earn those abilities? If you don't mind me asking."

"Well." Virin rubbed his chin with two fingers. "For how I was able to learn them, is that I have a friend whose unique ability is psychic. It's an handy way for me to levitate and see through things with only my mind, even been able to hear the thoughts of other beings close enough, like how I was able to hear you thoughts of how I did it."

Cadance's eyes widened in shock. He's able to levitate objects, see through a mind and hear their thoughts?

"As a matter of fact, yes." Virin nodded, having heard her thoughts. Cadance looked at him in shock. How'd he able to hear these thoughts? Wasn't it against privacy of other beings if he can interfere with them? "While I know it's a matter of privacy, I don't do it all the time. Although I can be able to hear them, I won't tolerate in their privacy of wanted it. I do it respectfully. Only allowing myself to do it with their permission, like how my family gave me their permit of hearing their thoughts."

Cadance frowned. He was having a replacement family of some sort? By who? By ponies, or those from the outskirts of Ponyland? She was going to find out soon enough. All this infomation was useful for her, as she could say it to her aunts, but one of them was still asleep.

"Although I don't get what you're saying about an replacement family," Virin frowned himself. "I don't have a family in Ponyland, or the outskirts of it. Having lived all my teenage life with winged creatures, not griffons. Nor bats." He was going to give her a small riddle of getting it through her. "They live in the volcanic regions, having wings of bats and have the body of a lizard."

Cadance's eyes widened in realization. "You've lived with dragons, haven't you?" Some of the older guards had heard it, lowly gasping in shock. How would a single human live with dragons? He wouldn't had been living in a few days. But, somehow, he lived with them for eight years, having been separated from them as much as their ruler.

Virin frowned again, not understand what he had heard of their thoughts. What did they mean having been separated from their ruler? Was it that he had been living with ponies with his other half? He still needs to find it, though. So he'll let it go for now.

The Princess of Love noticed his frowning, not sure what he had just heard from his psychic abilities. He was going to be stronger even than her aunts and Discord together if he keeps that training of his up. He had also explained to her that he had been training for the last eight years in intensity, having his muscles grown to be at least limited as well as his powers and other abilities, like transforming into a dragon himself.

Cadance wasn't surprised that he was able to undergo an transformation. She'd seen it from his battle with Queen Chrysalis, the ruler of Changelings. As they continued to talk amongst themselves, the ponies slowly started to warm up for the human, having seen him speaking with their Princess of Love.

As they continued, a voice bellowed from above on a balcony.

"WHAT?!" The voice bellowed with a Royal Canterlot voice. "Twilight! How can you say that?! My son's alive all this time?! I need to see... who is this imposter?!"

Cadance face-hoofed for the clumsiness. How could she forget that her aunt would had freak out by seeing her cousin alive? Looking at him, he had an enraged expression as he stared daggers at her.

"I knew I couldn't trust you!" The human spat with disgust. "Maybe this was a bad idea coming here, and "helping" you guys out. Maybe I should just go home right now."

"No!" Cadance cried out in shock. "Please wait!" A bright red light shined against her eyes, blinding the ponies for a moment. As the light died down, they saw the human gone as he fled with wings on his back as he flew from the city.

Seeing her cousin acting like this, Cadance couldn't help but be angry at her aunt Celestia for scaring him away from them. Now she had just gained his trust, and had a nice conversation with him. He was also just been able to warm up to her, and not being scared of talking with her.

"Cadance!" Twilight ran up to her and hugged the smaller Princess, who hugged her back. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Cadance replied with calmness and reassurance, smiling at the purple unicorn before staring angrily at her white aunt, who looked confused at this moment.

"Cadance?" Celestia frowned in confusion.

"How nice." Cadance suddenly said as she spat. "And just when things were going to be great."

"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked in worry.

"It's about him." Cadance pointed to the fleeing human with wings on his back as he continued to fly north of the city. "We were having a wonderful conversation, until you decided to interrupt and making me lose his trust. I was also nearly gaining with him coming back to us."

Looking at the flying human, Celestia was feeling a bit sick now. Her head was swirling back and forth. He was alive? How? For all she knew, he was dead and didn't come back to her. Until now that she saw the same human from her dreams about a future invasion. It must've been at Chrysalis' invasion that her son would had come back. How did he manage to beat Chrysalis, then? With his...

"Guards!" A flock of guards came up and saluted with a fore-hoof.

"Please, auntie!" Cadance begged with sadness. "Don't do this. We can't further lose his trust in us." However, Celestia didn't care.

"Bring back the flying creature." Celestia ordered the guards. "If either of you try to strike him, then you'll be set in the dungeons for the rest of your lives!" The guards shivered in fear at her tone and nodded in understanding. "Good. Then spread out, lock up any field from where the creature might be landing. Do not attack. I repeat. Do NOT attack him. If you even comes in the slightest failure of attacking him, you'll be in the dungeons for your life of eternity. Am I clear?!" The guards nodded again, spreading their wings as they flew after the fleeing human.

With Virin...

Continuing to fly above the green scenario of the lands, Virin was in deep thought. Who was that white alicorn? Was she the one from his dreams? Although she was from his dreams, she was different in real life. She was bellowing at him. That wasn't nice. He was enraged at the pink pony, too. He shouldn't had trusted her that well.

Now, all he gotta do, was go to the outskirts of Ponyland, making his way home and forget all of this and never speak of this to neither of his father or sister.

As he continued onwards to the nearest cliff, Virin stopped to catch his breath for the moment. He hadn't flown this much since the time with that strange song from his head. Going all the way across the mountains of the Lands, and made his way towards the Griffin kingdom.

Narrowing his eyes at the small flock of pegasi, Virin scowled as he stared angrily as they descended from the air to the ground, having angry expressions, not feeling happy at this moment.

"Halt!" The leader called out. "You're coming back with us, either being scolded or be put in a royal dungeon for your life." Although he was scared as heck as he said that, his ruler would most likely punish him for saying that single line.

The human, though, just scowled at them as he spouted, "I'm not coming back there, little pony. I am just about to get home to my family. Is there a problem with that?!" He was so enraged at them stopping him, he hadn't felt the darkness in him growing stronger.

"Of course there is." The leader replied sternly. "Our ruler was missing a part of her, something she couldn't say to us. But, we know that it's you who she's missing." The other guards nodded, having seen the human from his childhood in the palace.

Virin scowled at having heard their thoughts. So, this was the group of ponies that was having a good time with his other half? It sure looks like it.

"Oh, please." Virin spat in disgust. "There's no way that she has been missing me her whole life. I was with the dragons, remember? So, she should just had visited the Lands, and she would be happy." Although it pained him for saying that, he was having none of it.

"It's not so simple," the leader shook his head, dismayed at his stubbornness. "She was having a hard time coming out of the palace for a whole year. She wasn't so convinced that her son was dead."

An eye twitched in annoyance, Virin seems like he can't convince them to leave. So, all he gotta do was battling them until they're exhausted. Seems fair enough. These pegasi looks like they had been well trained in their years, he gave them a crude smile, to their eyes widening in shock. He's not serious, is he?

With his wings spread out majestically, Virin flew straight at the leader of the guard squadron, knocking him back for a moment. Virin was surrounded by a bright red light, blinding them for the moment. As the light died down, they saw a different dragon standing in front of them with a crude smile. He was standing on all four, having a spiral-shaped end of the tail. He had a yellow underbelly, like before. He had an angered expression on his face, ready for the rumble that's about to start.

Uh oh. The guards thought in nervousness. Virin charged them, knocking the leader down again. The leader was so nervous that he weren't going to fight back. Noticing him not fighting back, Virin gave a rude smile as he let out a fireball from his mouth, but it was blocked by a pink shield from out of nowhere.

Virin growled angrily as he saw the Mane Six and the Princess of Love coming towards the group of guards. Looking at the four-legged dragon, they were confused. Where'd that dragon come from? They were going to find out soon enough.

Cadance had a worried expression, staring at the dragon form of her cousin. He was totally different from his battle with Queen Chrysalis. Did he change? She were so unclear that Virin answered the question for her.

"OF course I'm not different." The Mane Six's eyes widened in shock. "I am the same old halfling from the Dragon Lands, looking for some fight. Will you battle me?" Applejack's teeth gritted in anger. She was ready to fight him, but Cadance held her back.

"No." Virin blinked in uncertainty of what he had just heard. "I'm looking for a conversation with you, you know, before the ruler interrupted us." The four-legged dragon sighed angrily, but didn't change back to his human form.

"Tell me," Virin sought for the conversation. "Why did you follow me here? I was only trying to get home."

"We know." Cadance replied. "But, you can't go back to the Dragon Lands. Those lands are dangerous for a creature like you to live in. How about living in this nice place, Ponyland? I'm guessing you'll find it lovely here, just like how you found the dragons' home lovely."

Relaxing at the tone of her voice, Virin sighed with uncertainty. "I'm not sure. Your ruler sounded pretty upset. I am not sure if I can go back with you guys, especially not after that fight with that ugly bug." Rainbow snorted in good humour, almost slipping away with a laugh.

Twilight glared at her rainbow friend, before looking back at her childhood friend. "Do you remember me?"

Rubbing his temples, Virin said slowly, "I...remember a little about you. But not much, since I couldn't quite remember our time together as "friends", how my mother described it once." Twilight raised an eyebrow, interested at finding out about his mother.

"And who's your mother?" She asked in a slow pace, not wanted to cause him a headache.

"Her name is Susan, a purple dragon from my people's legends." Virin answered her question as he continued to rub his head.

Rainbow titled her head. A purple dragon? From legends? That was just a fairy tale, with the purple dragons.

"And, who's your father?" Twilight asked again. This only caused Virin to rub his head as he suddenly let out a cry of pain. Her eyes wide, Twilight nearly got close to the four-legged dragon until a pink hoof stopped her.

"I...his name was Jonathan..." Virin let out another cry of pain as he rubbed his head continuously, not feeling well about these questions right now. From within him, the darkness was growing as it heard his cry of pain, wanting to come out to play with the ponies. Virin, though, held back the darkness in him as he slowly panted from his sudden cries of pain.

Cadance looked at him in worry, afraid that Twilight might had hurt him with her curiosity. Panting for his breath, Virin slowly raised his head to look at the worried ponies staring at him.

They were worried for him? That was weird.

"Are you alright...?" Cadance hesitantly asked, not wanting to get on her cousin's bad side, not after having seen him in a bad mood against Queen Chrysalis.

"I...I am fine..." Suddenly, he rubbed his temples as he let out another cry of pain from the growing headache. He continued to let out cries of pain, as he unexpectedly cried out, "Stop it!!" The ponies stepped back at his raised voice as he suddenly was beginning to glow with darkness

Let me out. Chaos' voice ran, strangely, smoothly in Virin's head. I can help you get rid of them, because they had caused the pain in you. C'mon, young one. Let the darkness take control of you.

"Make it stop!!" Virin cried out aloud, causing the ponies to take defensive stances as they watched the four-legged dragon glowing with darkness. His body couldn't take it anymore, the darkness took over as the wind was suddenly blowing against the ponies' fur, which made them take cautiously steps back. All was silence. Not even the ponies could breathe in the air, as the clouds above was now a reddish black colour, with the then blue sky to a black colour.

Looking up at the heavens, the ponies gasped in fear as they had never seen such darkness in the world. Not even before Nightmare Moon had arrived in the world.

Slowly, the head of the dragon rose. It had a dark smile on its face, looking rather evil in the ponies' eyes. The wings were a dark red colour, the underbelly was a darker yellow as well. The horns was also a darker tone in colour. They were a dark golden colour. The eyes of the dragon was blood-red, meaning this was the evilest creature of the darkness the ponies had ever seen or met.

"It sure is nice to get out once in a while." The dragon said with an evil and dark tone in its voice.

"W-Who are you?!" Cadance's voice was full of fear that she was trembling, not sure about what's happening right now.

"I, my dear, am none other than Chaos." Chaos introduced himself. "The mastermind of darkness. Creator of the universe, or should I say, multiverse." He gave them a crude smile, feeling somewhat happy to make his introduction again for so many years.

"Chaos?" Twilight pondered for a moment. She was sure, that Discord was the only one that was a mastermind of chaos. But, she sure was wrong now.

"That's right, my dear." Chaos replied with a dark chuckle. "The one and only. If you had thought that Discord was the first creature to wield the other technique besides Harmony, it's me. However, unlike him, I have full control over my chaos. It's so simple to get used to, especially if you're the multiverse's creator." He gave off another dark chuckle.

The ponies stared at the dark creature in confusion. Multiverse? That was impossible. There were only one universe. This one. There couldn't possibly be more universes. But, in scientific way, there could be other universes. It was so confusing.

Chaos got into a offensive stance. "Let's get this party started." He charged at the ponies, who gasped as he was coming near them. Those that had horns, teleported away from the charging dark dragon, who growled as he kicked some of the pegasi guards with its hind legs, knocking them back.

Although it pained her for attacking him, Twilight had no choice. Her friend was being possessed by this dark being, and she was going to free him no matter what. She fired an lavender magic beam from her horn, hitting Chaos in the stomach, causing him to stumble back. He smirked evilly as he got onto her nerves as he had possessed her first friend. He could feel that he was already victorious.

While it was frightening them as heck, the pegasi guards couldn't help but charged at the dark dragon with their might, knocking him back. It scared them as they had heard what their ruler had said. They shouldn't had attacked him, but with an good explanation, they wouldn't be in the dungeons for the rest of their lives. They just hope that she would be able to understand them.

Chaos sneered at the guards, let loose a dark fireball from his mouth, but a pink and lavender shield blocked the fireball from hurting the guards. The master of chaos snarled at the ponies responsible, hurling himself at the taller pony than the purple one. Rolling on the ground, Chaos held Cadance with a paw right at her neck, causing her to sweat drop as he was about to do what wasn't necessary. But, with a blast of two magic beams, the dark dragon was knocked away from her, and to the trees.

Gasping for air, Cadance smiled in thanks to Rarity and Twilight, who smiled back before their smiles faded away as the master of darkness let loose dark fireballs at them. Creating shields to protect them, the fireballs that was coming at them was slowly beginning to fade away as Chaos was suddenly panting for breath.

This was their chance.

The pegasi guards charged at the dark dragon, knocking him to the ground as the guards held tightly on the dark creature. With her horn charged, Twilight performed a magical spell that somehow looked like it was from Harmony itself. It was a golden light, stronger than the darkness that held her friend. Eyes widened in shock, Chaos was hit by the golden light, causing him to roar out in pain as his darkness was fading away from Virin's body.

Coming back to reality, Virin held back the darkness from controlling his body once more. It was fighting back, but Virin was holding nothing back. He was going to seal it away to the inner core of his soul, to make sure it won't come back out.

With the darkness gone, Virin panted as he sweat dropped while he laid on his belly on the ground. He was exhausted. That's for sure. He fought back the darkness, that was an accomplishment. But not much of an accomplishment. He had just hurt his "friends" because Chaos had control over his body. That was uncool of the dark being.

Taking cautiously steps towards her cousin, Cadance asked, "Are you alright?"

"I...think so..." Virin replied slowly, giving her a single nod. He will need time to think about coming back to that city with them. Yes. He had decided to take a scroll into the city of Canterlot once more.

"Will you be coming back with us?" Cadance asked slowly, not wanting to hurt him more. Without a reply, Virin just nodded, as though saying "yes" to her. The Princess of Love smiled with appreciation and anticipation, while looking really happy on the inside that her cousin would be coming to them.

"Excuse me." Applejack called out, gaining their attention as they looked at the orange mare. "But, if you don mind me asking, who are anyway? You just showed up from out of nowhere and helped us. What are your purpose of coming to Canterlot?"

"That doesn't concern you right now." Virin shook his head. "What does concern you, is stopping with all those questions. I'll be getting another headache if you continue like that." Applejack narrowed her eyes at the red dragon, but he was having none of it, only looking at the pink alicorn. "Shall we?" Without replying, Cadance nodded.

As the guards smiled happily at having their good male heir back, they were frowning as he hadn't answered their question about changing to a dragon.

As the group was making their way towards the city of Canterlot once more, Virin was in thought. Who was that white alicorn? Was she really his other half's mother? That sounded a bit racist, but a bit cool that he would be a Prince once he returns to that city with all those nobles. Ugh. He hates nobles sometimes, mostly the pony ones. They were so questionable, so strict to their ruler about having new places to be here and there. While the noble ponies were strict, the griffin and minotaur nobles weren't. They were nice and all, but in their minds, they were strict to their rule.

Looking at the Mane Six of ponies, Virin couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. They sure was something you don't see everyday now and then. Two pegasi. Two unicorns. Two earth ponies. An unlikely group indeed.

"So," Virin tried to get a conversation with Cadance, who glanced at his dragon form. "What would I be if I get to meet the ruler, then? And, what would I become if I get back into the city?"

"You're our ruler's son." Cadance replied, glad that the ponies were far at the back, unable to hear them. "So, that'll make you a Prince."

"Huh." Virin hummed in interest. "Never knew that I would be a Prince." Cadance raised an eyebrow.

"That's not the kind of reaction I expected to see." She noted. "Normally, people would be freak out about being a Prince of a country. But, you wasn't. How come?"

"Mostly because it's just a title." Virin shrugged idly. "I have lived alongside a Princess all my life, not even gaining the title of Prince back home in the Lands. That may be because I was a Halfling, a cross-bred species of two in one. There were some in my family, my real family, that were Halflings themselves. But, now there's only one left. Me."

Cadance's eyes had a tearful look now. "Would your family be dead by now?" She hesitantly asked.

"Well, yes." Virin confirmed rather darkly. "While I'm the only dragon alive from my home planet, there were some exceptions. I don't know where that other living dragon is, but that's not surprising that it must had kept on hiding from my other half's people. The home planet of mine is inhabitant by creatures known as Humans, a warrant species that never rest with battle and war."

"Who is your "other half"? If you don't mind me asking." Cadance asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"That would be the one you seems to be calling "Moon" all the time." Virin said in admittance. "I'm still looking for it, though, because I was incomplete these eight long years of being separated from it."

"Okay." Was the only thing Cadance said in reply, not wanting for him to be having another headache, just to be safe.

Coming up to the two, Twilight asked him, "Who was your mother and father? I didn't hear it properly."

Sighing, Virin answered her question more clearly. "Their names are Susan and Jonathan. The former is a purple dragon, while the latter is a red dragon, where I got my scales and body from."

Twilight nodded in understanding, happy to have that out of the way. "If you got you body from your father, where did you get that underbelly from? If you don't mind me asking again."

"From my mother." Virin gave a small blush at that question, not feeling well after having answered that. "Are you done? I don't want to be feeling even more embarrassed." Twilight flushed herself as her cheeks turned a red colour when she realized what she had asked him.

"Y-Yes. I think I'm done." Twilight returned to her friends. Virin sighed in relief, while hearing a small giggle from the Princess. He raised a scaly brow.

"Are you done?" He asked her, making her stop with the giggles. She nodded. "Good. Then let's get back to that city, shall we?" Cadance nodded in agreement, picking the pace up, so did the others.

Chapter Eleven: A Duel or Not?

A calm breeze blew against the calm wind, sending a serene scent of calmness through the air. The high sun was glowing brightly along with the sky blue heaven.

On the grassy ground, a group of ponies and a single human was taking a slow pacing towards the city of Canterlot, talking amongst themselves of how great it was for having a good Prince than that other male.

"So," the human, Virin, started, getting the pink pony's attention. "If I am a Prince, what would this make that white alicorn?"

"Your mother." The pink pony, Cadance, answered, smiling calmly.

Huffing, Virin crossed his arms. "It just doesn't make any sense. How can I be the child of an alicorn if I am a human? That's just legally impossible."

"But," Cadance began. "It does. I made myself clear that your motheristhe white alicorn, whom we identify as Princess Celestia. We're just happy to have you back after so many years of depression, loss, unhappiness, and sadness."

Sighing, Virin lowered his gaze to the ground in thought. Was he really the child of that white alicorn? If so, then how come he doesn't remember her from his dreams of ponies? All of this information was just too much for him to handle.

When he gets to that city again, he would just be in his four-legged dragon form all the while. For the reason why he was in human form, was because of the insistence of Cadance, the Princess of Love, that was very persistent of having him in this form. Like the old times, to her vision.

After having Chaos temporarily stopped, the group was walking slowly to the city of Canterlot, while taking the sweet time to talk about the human in their conversations, to Virin's discomfort. He wasn't much of an talker, more like an action seeker person that wants to battle creatures of all things, to which Rainbow thought was pretty cool. Maybe that was the reason for how he got his scar? She always thought that he was the coolest, but at the same time, the most stubborn person in the whole wide world of Equestria, to which he couldn't help but disagree on. He weren't being stubborn, more like persistence in his fights, which she chuckled at, knowing the experience.

Why was he being persistence some may ask? Well, for one, his ego wasn't completely vanished. There were still a few small things from his old ego that made him win and lose some of his battles. Garble's huger for power was an example for his persistence of keeping on the fight.

At first, when she heard the name Garble, Rainbow snarled at remembering the drake, to Virin's confusion as he hadn't seen any ponies in the Lands. He weren't sure when they had gotten there in the first place. To her answer, she said that she followed the green dragon, known as Spike, to help him return to Ponyville, a location in Ponyland that was the home of Earth, a few unicorn and some Pegasi ponies. Virin thought he might visit that quiet town sometime after his visit to Canterlot again.

Twilight had thought of something when she and he talked like old times. Was he really a human? Although they were new to her, she couldn't help but examine to see if he lied or something like that, to his most discomfort expression. However, Cadance managed to stop Twilight from doing anything to her cousin.

"Well," Virin started, gaining their attention. "I don't know what, but I feel kind of hungry." The ponies agreed on that, stepping off the road they were on and took some of their lunch ready. Virin, on the other hand, took some crystals out of his backpack that was on his shoulders.

Seeing the crystals, the small, green dragon couldn't help but had his mouth covered in saliva as he looked at the delicious crystals.

"Do mind sharing, Virin?" Spike asked hopefully.

Shrugging, Virin gave a few of his many crystals to the small dragon, who thanked him as he took the crystals to his clawed arms.

Eating in silence, Virin looked at the pink alicorn with wondrous eyes. For someone as she was, she was oddly familiar, like with the pony Twilight. He weren't sure what, but he was at peace with their presence as he continued to eat silently, munching on his red gem as his strength returned from that experience with Chaos, who had him drained from strength after having taken over his body.

With the corner of her eyes, Cadance noticed the human gazing at her with a wonder expression. He must think that he hadn't seen her in years, like she was completely alien to him.

Alien? Yeah, right. They had been cousins since foalhood, which Virin couldn't remember of, to her disappointment. She had honestly thought he might remember at least some of it, but it was still all fuzzy in his mind.

After eating in a few minutes, the group resumed their walk on the road to Canterlot, with the human in the lead with Twilight and Cadance by his side. Uncomfortably, the human glanced at them one time. They were awfully close to him.

"Do you mind stepping away?" He asked politely. "This is very uncomfortable." Looking at him, both Twilight and Cadance noticed how close they even were to him. Flushing, they stepped back to the group, with the human sighing in relief as he got some privacy finally.

Walking towards the cliffside, the group stopped right at the end of the grassy road. Staring at the majestic city of Canterlot, Virin closed his eyes as he transformed into his four-legged dragon form, to the confusion of the group.

"Need a way to the city, don't I?" He wondered.

"That won't be necessary." Cadance pointed to another road, just down to the right. Looking incredulously, Virin shifted back into his human form with a shrug afterwards.

With a smile, Cadance led the group doing the road to the city, of which Virin inwardly sighed at. He already had an experience with that city, because the guards there were being rude to him for helping them. Cadance had told him that it doesn't matter.

After what seemed like hours of walking, the group managed to get to the front of the city without much trouble. As soon as they saw them, the citizens immediately looked frighteningly at the human for his second visit. Ignoring the stares, the group walked forward, but somepony stepped in front of them with an rather stern expression.

"Do you have a problem, pony?" Virin asked rather irritably, raising an eyebrow as the pony answered his question.

"My problem is you, creature." The pony had a cold voice. "I don't know you, that's true, but you're dangerous enough to be considered a threat. You must be one of them Changelings, intending to invade our city once more. Isn't that right?"

Sheesh. How rude.Virin thought with an irrational expression. "No. I do not plan on invading your beloved city. I am just waiting for something to happen to me, that is all."

"Right." The pony rolled his eyes, unconvincingly. "Do you want me to believe that, creature? Or do you prefer to be locked in a cell in the dungeons for coming back here? I'd be happy to be one of those reasons."

"Sorry, mister." Cadance shook her head in bemusement. "But, he's here to see our ruler, because there's some connection with him and her."

"You can't believe in this creature, do you, Princess?" The pony asked in frustation as the creature wouldn't leave.

"Please refrain from calling him, "creature"." The Princess impolitely sneered at the pony. "His name is Virin. He's a kind "human" that wanted to help us reclaim our home from the Changelings. Do you have something against that noble act?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." The pony replied. "I do have something against this "human". He's a unkind and strange individual that must be locked in the dungeons. Princess, if you won't do it, then I will. Creature, you are hereby apprehended for attacking our beloved city-" His mouth was clamp shot by the human's harsh interrupting, with a hand on his muzzle.

Rainbow smirked, while the other ponies looked displeased.

"I'll say this one, and only one, time," Virin said threateningly, growling at him angrily. "If you finish that sentence, I won't mind breaking you into pieces. Do you understand me? I won't hesitate to do it." Shivering in fear, the pony rapidly nodded as the human removed his hand from his muzzle. The pony ran to his house and rushed inside it. Sighing in relief, Virin turned to his audience of ponies, who looked quite displeased with his action.

"Sorry 'bout that." Virin apologized. "I'm tad to get threatening when something like that happens."

"You don't need to be sorry." Rainbow smirked pleasantry. "I quite enjoyed that moment." Her friends shook their heads in bemusement, although they couldn't help but agree with the blue mare.

"Rainbow, if that's what your name is," Virin looked for clarification. The mare nodded. "I can teach you on how to be threatening, but that will most likely boost your undefined ego to a new level. So, I will not do that. Understood? Only be that in certain circumstances, but not all the time."

"Okay, dude." Rainbow smiled at him. Nodding in an rather pleased moment, Virin turned to the pink alicorn, who had a displeased expression.

"I wasn't enjoying that, mind you," she said firstly. "But, I'll admit, that was rather enjoyable seeing him being frightened for your next appearance. But, please don't be that when we go see the ruler, okay?"

"Sure. Whatever." Virin gazed down to the ground with his eyes. Cadance looked worried when he did that, but knew that the other citizens was in the area. She turned to them, and called out.

"Please, excuse us for a moment. We'll be on our way." She called to them, the nobles shrugged and returned to their homes to spend the rest of the day with their families. Sighing in relief for the privacy given to them, Cadance glanced back at the human with worried eyes.

After what he had said, Virin couldn't help but look worried with that moment. What if Chaos had returned in front of them? What would he even do to them? Luckily, he hadn't come back yet. So, that was by luck he guess. After that display, he were worried for what his father would say to him when he's going to tell him about his discoveries in Ponyland. Would he still be considered a son tot he Dragon Lord? He hopes so, especially like a brother to Ember.

Giving a small humming sound, Virin looked at te majestic castle of Canterlot with a renew interest. If that alicorn really was his mother, then he finally had new parents other than his already dead ones. Although it pained him to admit it, he was rather lucky to have found replacements to his dragon family. For what he knew, this alicorn was really worried for him for the lat eight years. Was it true? Was he really gone for eight years from Ponyland? It was all still a bit fuzzy and funny to admit it, but he liked to have returned home.

If she was indeed his mother, he would finally feel complete inside. He had a father and sister now. But, it wouldn't hurt for him to have a mother with them. From what Torch, his father, had told him. His new dragon mother, Torch's wife, had been dead for a few years after an accident involving a war with the Yaks, a brute species that have the strength of a bull. Although he didn't know what a bull or Yak is, he was going to find out soon enough, if it was only possible when he's about to return to that white alicorn that had missed him for the eight long years of losing him.

Pained, he was actually worried for that white alicorn. Although he hadn't seen her yet, he found her voice beautiful when he had that first dream about them before that race. He was also going to tell her all about his life in the Dragon Lands, but he's hesitate to tell her everything, even about his scar. Though, she would most likely see it when her first glance at him happens.

"Virin?" Cadance's voice interrupted his train of thoughts. He looked at her with an unreadable expression, like he had seen a ghost or something like that. "Are you alright?"

"Fine. Just fine." Virin responded. "Was just in my thoughts." Nodding in understanding, Cadance turned back to their worried audience, with her addressing them in an authority voice.

"Alright." She said with authority. "Let's get going. We don't want to be out here all day, do we? Then, let's get going to the castle. We can take a break after Virin has seen the ruler of our land."

The ponies nodded firmly, agreeing with her on that.

Walking towards the castle, Virin was hesitating to even open the doors when the castle guards stepped aside. With his hand shaking, Virin looked at it for a moment before finally opening the door to the inside of the castle.

Worried for her cousin, Cadance walked up to him, before giving him some distance from her. "Are you okay? You looked hesitant just now." She said worryingly.

"Just fine." Virin lied, walking on the red carpet that led to the throne room once more. The white pillars was hanging at the walls and was holding the rooftop from collapsing down on them. There were a few strain glasses of the rulers of this land. A dark blue mare with a horn and wings, along with two others. A white alicorn and a pink alicorn. They were in the halls of legends.

"Wow." Virin breathed, hearing a giggle from Cadance.

"That's the first word I did when I first walked through these halls." After a while of looking at the strain glass containing her aunts, she said, "Let's get going, shall we?"

Virin nodded in agreement and got his gaze away from the glass of the white alicorn. While he had finally looked at her, she looked kind of beautiful for a ruler, but he's not here for sightseeing. He was here to find answers to his childhood.

Walking down the carpet to the throne room, Cadance addressed him. "Wait inside the throne room. I'll be here shortly." She walked off the scene as Virin shrugged as he stepped inside the door to the throne room. His blue and yellow eyes wandered around the room. It looked completely white, but with some dark blue walls. There were two thrones at the pedestal, indicating that there were two rulers.

Sighing, Virin walked behind the thrones and sat cross-legged as he meditated in his thoughts.

Smiling in her sleep, Princess Celestia was having the dream of her life. She had been wanting to see him. Her son. He was here.

With a nice picnic, Celestia was sitting on the blanket as her son was filling her cup with tea. He had a nice glint in his blue and yellow eyes, like they were going for adventures. Although she didn't want it, when he grows up, he was going to have his own kingdom soon enough and rule over it. But, that was in due time. She was going to enjoy this moment for now with her life.

"Son?" She whispered with a purr. Moon looked at her with wondrous eyes. "Do you mind coming here?" Smiling in knowing, Moon came over to her as she hugged him tightly, not intending to crush him, of course.

"Mother?"

"Yes, son?"

"Do you love me?" Moon suddenly asked, rather mysteriously.

"Of course I love you." Celestia answered warmly. "We're family. No matter what happens between us."

"Then, why did you lose me?" Moon gave a small growl of anger. She felt it. He was angry with her.

"What are you talking about?" Celestia wondered curiously. "You're right here. With me. Nothing can go wrong, right?"

"Then, why did you let them take me?" Moon's growl grew angrier every small sentence he said.

"What are you talking about?" She repeated curiously. "I didn't let "them" take you away from me. I was searching for you. You know that."

"Well, guess what." Moon started angrily. "I don't love you anymore. You let them take me away. You promised to keep me safe. But, guess what happens? You didn't kept me safe enough. That's why they took me and was nearly about to do something to me." His growl was more visible now, with it echoing through the void. The picnic was now replaced with darkness, with the small boy growing into something terrifying.

Celestia's eyes widened in horror as she watched her son transforming into the most terrifying dragon she had ever seen. It had black scales, it had blood-red eyes. It was standing tall and mighty, along with standing on all four legs. It had the sharpest tailblade she had seen, like it was ready to cut her to pieces. The wings on its back was black as well.

"You monster!" Celestia shouted, before covering her mouth for what she said. But she didn't take a second of this. "How dare you ruin this moment between us!"

"Guess what? I don't care."The dragon's voice was dark and evil, more than anything Celestia had fought in past with her sister."All I care about, is ending you right here and now, so they can be freed from the tyranny of you, "Princess"."Her heart shattered in pieces, Celestia lost it.

"You dare interfere with the beautiful ruling of me?!" Celestia shouted angrily. "That's it! You're going to Tartarus, you foal creature!" She tried to make her horn lit up, but it didn't. The dark dragon laughed evilly, feeling an enjoyable sense in it as it watched her failures of making her horn light up with magic.

"You can't do anything in this darkness."The dark dragon laughed evilly again."But I can do something like this."It blew dark flames towards Princess Celestia, who screamed until something stepped in between them, shielding her from the flames.

"This stops now." The being shouted with anger. It looked like Nightmare Moon, but it was like a lighter version of her, to Celestia's shocking eyes. The dark dragon only laughed evilly even more, like it was enjoying this moment of anger and rage.

"Oh, how delightful."It said darkly."Just what I needed. Daybreaker, was it? You're the more angrier version of this oh-so supposed ruler of ponykind. I like it, actually. Maybe if I defeat you right here and now, I can feed on your rage and darkness, as it fuels me with energy."

"I won't let that happen." Daybreaker shot a reddish coloured beam at the dark dragon, shockingly vanquishing it with one attack. After a sigh, Daybreaker turned her head towards the shaking Princess of the Sun, asking, "Are you alright?" She had an oddly soft tone in her voice.

"N-No." Celestia shook violently. "That was the most frightening experience I had faced. But, thank you for coming."

"It's my job to protect my bearer." Daybreaker replied, giving her a soft smile. "Do you wish to see him?"

"Who?" Celestia wondered.

"Your son, I mean." Daybreaker clarified softly. "He's at the castle. I saw him when he entered. He has grown quite strong lately. From what I had heard, he took on an army of creatures known as Changelings in single combat. I'm amazed by him."

Taking in the information, Celestia's eyes soon widened in shock. Daybreaker nodded in confirmation at what she had said to her.

"He is indeed back." Was the last thing she said before she vanished into Celestia's body.

Waking up with a start, Princess Celestia gasped in shock after what she had dreamt of. Looking out to the balcony, she walked towards it as she looked down on the streets of Canterlot. If her son was back, then he must had saved the day from those Changelings. She was actually impressed by his single handedly of combat from what Daybreaker had told her.

Thinking back to Daybreaker, Celestia was in train of thoughts. Was she really the one that saved her from that dark dragon? If so, then she was thankful for her then. She looked like Nightmare Moon, but was soft to her, which was strange for an entity like her to even be that. All she ever had wanted was to be with her son, but he transformed into a dark dragon. What if he did that in real life? What was she going to do then? Would she kill him? She shivered at the very thought.

No. She couldn't bring herself to kill her own son. He was everything to her. He meant her whole life. So, she couldn't bring herself to even kill him. If he was going to be transforming into a dragon, what kind of dragon would that be? She didn't know that her anger was growing at the thought of her son being a dragon in front of her very eyes.

"Auntie Celesita?" Cadance called from outside the door. "Do you mind if I come in?"

"Oh no. Please come in." It wasn't her aunt's voice, which was strange.

Shrugging, Cadance slowly opened the door as she walked inside the room of her aunt's. What caught her off-guard, was the fact that it wasn't her aunt that stood in front of her. It was like a light version of Nightmare Moon.

"Guards!" She shouted. A group of at least twenty unicorn guards came rushing to their Princess.

"Cadance?" Daybreaker's voice came through the body. "What's the meaning of this?" The unicorn guards' horns lit up with hesitation.

"Bind her!" Cadance shouted. "She's not the Princess!" The unicorn guards' magic was forced to get Daybreaker down to her hooves as she struggled to get free.

Cross-legged and meditating, Virin was in deep thought as he calmed himself down.

Was he really the child of that white alicorn? He repeatedly asked himself in his thought that it was legally impossible. If he really was, then he would had been a pony and not a human nor dragon to begin with. From what he was told by his father and the King of Griffins, he was the only human in this world to be here. There really wasn't anymore of his species, but it was rumoured that there had been humans in legends and fairytales in Equestria. He had a strange feeling that he wasn't going to be seeing another human in his life other than himself. That really was a bummer.

Suddenly, the doors exploded open, to his open-wide eyed shock and anxiety. He was feeling cold inside. This was it. He was going to be meeting his "mother".

"Oh, son." Daybreaker's voice, unknowing to him, called with a singing tone. "Where are you? Let's have some fun." She hummed as she looked frequently around for something, most likely him. "I wonder where you could be. Maybe behind the curtains?" She blasted the curtains with a reddish magic beam from her horn, destroying the curtains in a second. No human there.

"Oh, well. At least I tried." Daybreaker continued to look frequently around for him. She blasted a strained glass in a second, nothing there. She shot another reddish beam at another set of curtains. Still nothing.

Growing angrily, Daybreaker looked at the thrones with mild interest. "You're behind the pedestal, aren't you?"

Damn!Was the only thing Virin could think of as he thought that white alicorn was crazy.

"Auntie Celestia!" Cadance came rushing into the room with the Mane Six and a few guards along with Shining Armor, whom was unknown to Virin because of his fuzzy thinking. "Please stop this madness."

"But, he won't show himself." Celestia's saddened voice came through the muzzle. But that quickly faded as Daybreaker's voice was harshly interrupting her.

"What? Stay out of this, Celestia!" Came the voice of Daybreaker. "He'll either show himself, or I have to destroy this castle from above him!"

Alright that was enough.Was the think Virin could think of. He finally transformed into his four-legged dragon form and made himself known to the ponies as he stepped out of behind the thrones, staring curiously at the white alicorn.

Daybreaker looked behind her, and finally saw the dragon. It was completely calm, which was strange because of that dark dragon. It had red scales instead of black. It had bluish-yellow eyes instead of blood-red. It was standing on all four. It had red wings, yellow curved horns and a yellow underbelly. It was staring at her with an intense expression, which was also strange from that dark dragon in Celestia's dream and thoughts.

"You wished to see me?" The red dragon asked calmly, giving her a small smirk of confidence.

Her expression blank, Daybreaker finally shook herself out of her glance on the red dragon, glaring at him for not being like that dark dragon.

"As a matter of fact, yes." She replied finally. "I would like you to meet your mother, me."

"Sorry, but you're not her." Virin was unfazed by the glare. "And, for that glare, I'm not scared of you. I can take you on anytime." Daybreaker smirked evilly, before her horn lit up with a reddish aura. She fired an red beam at the dragon, who stood still as the beam made contact with him, causing smoke to appear in the area.

Cadance and the other ponies' eyes widened in shock at what they just saw. Was he dead? No. It couldn't end like this. But, to their surprise, with the smoke clear, the dragon stood there, unscratched from the attack by the nightmare, Daybreaker. How did he do it? Was all they could think of.

"What?" Daybreaker yelled impolitely at him. "How can you withstand that attack?!"

"I've faced many challenges in the past," Virin began. "And this is nothing compared to them. I took on many strong opponents and a far greater evil than you. Daybreaker, was it? I'm not scared nor afraid of you. I'll take on anything that you have."

Gritting her teeth, Daybreaker shot another reddish beam at him, but he finally responded with aFire Shieldthat shielded himself from the attack. Her eyes widened in shock at the quick response.

"Is that all you've got?" Virin smirked confidently at her, staring with an unbearable expression to the nightmare.

Finally lost it, Daybreaker shot red beam consecutively at the dragon within the shield, but the attacks just bounced off the shield. Angered by this, the nightmare shot a stronger red beam at the shield, creating small cracks on it. Virin raised an eyebrow at this. That was an impressive move, actually. However, he weren't that impressed yet. Daybreaker shot more red beams at the shield, creating more cracks on it as it finally broke from the force of beams that was shoot at it.

Cadance and the ponies' eyes had widen in shock at this development at the battle.

Smirking deviously, Daybreaker shot a red beam at the dragon, who jumped out of the way faster than she could blink. The dragon couldn't hold this. He shot flames out of his muzzle and fired at her, but she created a quick shield to protect herself from the flames that the dragon had blown at her.

Humming in interest, Virin decided to work on his martial arts that he had been working on from a year ago. Looking at him with curiosity, Daybreaker's eyes widened in shock as the dragon rushed towards the shield that she had made. A foolish move in her eyes. However, to her greater shock, the dragon started to kick the red shield relentlessly as he also punched it with his forepaws. What was those moves? She wondered.

Rainbow stared at him with a newfound interest. He could do martial arts? That's actually impressive.

Virin continued to kick and punch at the shield, creating cracks faster than how her beams did it to his shield. With a few more kicks and punches, the shield finally broke as Daybreaker was hit relentlessly all over her body as the dragon continued to punch and kick her.

Sorry, "mother".Virin thought sadly as he continued to do martial kicks and punches at her. His kicks and punches continued until Daybreaker was exhausted at being kicked and punched at.

Stopping with his martial arts, Virin stared at the audience that was watching the battle with a renew interest and disgusted expressions. It was mostly the latter for some, but the blue mare stared at him with interest. He'd wondered why, but he was in the middle of an duel.

Panting heavily, Daybreaker finally met his gaze as he stared at her with apologetic gaze. "Why do you feel sorry for? You can end this." She said to him, breaking him out of his trance.

"Sorry, but I need her alive, and in good condition." Virin replied with sadness. "After the duel." He added as an afterthought.

"What duel?" Daybreaker asked. "Why do you think that this is a duel?"

"What does it look like?" Virin questioned her. "You attacked me, I attacked you. That's the reason why this is a duel."

Humming, Daybreaker lost it as she fired a red beam at the dragon, who quickly let out aFire Shieldto defend himself from the attack. Consecutively, the nightmare fired red beams at the shield, creating some cracks at it after every tenth beam that hit it. After a few twenty more beams, the shield broke, with Virin being unfazed by this. He weren't going to be showing any weakness in this duel, that's for sure.

Virin let loose some flames out of his muzzle, but Daybreaker activated an shield to defend herself from the flames. Irritated by this, Virin's spikes glowed a faintly blue colour as he opened his mouth and fired an blue beam that was powerful enough to break the nightmare's shield, shocking her.

"Why use that, dragon?" Daybreaker asked him curiously.

"Because I didn't want to use my normal flames to break your shield." Virin answered rather coldly. He decided to use some of his martial arts again, rushing towards her and started kicking and punching her relentlessly at all sides, causing her to cry out in pain. He continued to use his kicks and punches until he was exhausted, which was going to take a bit longer than usual as he wasn't feeling tired as of yet.

Relentlessly, Virin continued to punch and kick the nightmare all over her body as he was starting to get tired from all the kicking and punching. He let out an exhausted pant as he stopped as he looked at an panting Daybreaker, who stared at him with a fearful expression as she looked at him with her red eyes.

"W-Who are you?" She finally asked.

"Just a dragon looking for his childhood in this palace." Virin answered, panting heavily. "And that white alicorn, not you, is going to help me find that childhood."

"Why do you search for it in the first place?" Daybreaker panted. "What's so special about this palace to you?"

"I guess in a way you could say," Virin started, "that I feel like I was born into this place and that it was my home from when I was a kid." Suddenly, he let out a pained cry as the audience was worried for him.

"What's wrong?" Daybreaker strangely asked him, worried for a moment.

"This memory." Virin began, clenching his head with a paw. "It is starting to pissing me off. I feel like I couldexplode." He had a dark voice after that last word. A dark aura was slowly forming around him as he roared out, not in pain, but loudly as he was beginning to change into his dark form.

Daybreaker looked worried for him in a second, but it faded as fast as it came as she tried to fire a red beam from her horn, but, as soon as it made contact with the shadow, it vanquished in an instant, shocking her. As the shadow exploded around the area, the ponies removed her hooves from their eyes, as they looked in shock, especially Shining Armor, Cadance and Twilight, at the slightly darker dragon in front of them.

After the shadows had calmed, a black dragon with black wings and a darker yellow underbelly stood in front of them as it finally opened its blood-red eyes, staring at them with a cold expression.

"H-How?" Shining was the first to ask a question.

"My name is Dark Virin."Dark Virin introduced coldly."I am the dark counterpart of that goody dragon that had locked me in his very core for the sake of "safety". What he didn't know, was that I was still able to tap into his light, swallowing it, and be set free a couple of times whenever he got angry with a few creatures.

"Virin is a dangerous being, mind you. And I am a calmer version of him to be the real and original one. For, you see, I'm the one that aids him in some of his battles with his opponents, with him tapping into the darkness and setting me free to take care of the rest. We are one, but I'm more in control now because he was feeling enraged at being not able to find his awful childhood with ponies."

"What makes you think that you can just take control over him and ruin everything?" Daybreaker impolitely shouted at him. "We were in the middle of an conversation." She closed her mouth shut as she realized what she said. She was evil, not good.

"Nice try, Daybreaker."Dark Virin smiled evilly."But, who makes you think that you're the evil one here? There are other beings that are far more evil than you or Chrysalis. I won't be spoiling it, though."

"How do you know Chrysalis?" Cadance asked in bewilderment, staring at the dark dragon with an intense expression.

"My dear,"Dark Virin started."IamVirin. I am the one that helped him fight her, because I allowed him to use that strong blue beam in the first place. Because, he and another creature are related."

"And what may that creature be?" Shining asked him.

"Not telling."Dark Virin shrugged. Shining sighed in frustration, feeling irritated at not being told why Virin had used that strange, but powerful blue beam. Suddenly, a cry of surprise caught their attention as they looked at the dark dragon, whom was struggling for something."No! I won't let you out!"

"Give me my body back!"They heard Virin's voice coming from within the dark dragon. After a few seconds of struggling, the dark dragon vanished as the black scales changed back to red, along with everything else on the body.

Standing there and panting, Virin let out a sigh as he looked at his surprised and worried audience of ponies. He was feeling ashamed at letting his darkness out, but at the same time, he wasn't, which was strange.

"You okay?" Celestia's voice came from Daybraker's muzzle.

Virin's eyes snapped to the white alicorn, gritting his teeth as his headache was coming back. All of this information, pain, struggle, was just too much for him to handle. He needed to get away from this place, but he couldn't. He needed that white alicorn to help him find his childhood. Suddenly, he let out a pained cry as a paw clenched his head. The headache was coming back, rather fast.

A glint in her purple eyes, Twilight turned to her friends as she thought of something. While the white alicorn was busy with checking on the red dragon, they could use the Elements of Harmony on their ruler, to get rid of the nightmare.

"Let's use the Elements." She whispered to her friends, as they nodded with Shining and Cadance looking at them curiously. With their Elements on their heads and necks, they were engulfed in a multi-coloured light as a rainbow was shot towards a now-shocked Daybreasker as she managed to let out a scream of fear until she was silenced by the rainbow.

Looking at the white alicorn for a final glance, Virin let consciousness go as his headache was becoming too much for him to handle. He fell to the ground with a crash, closing his eyes as he was very tired.

Chapter Twelfth: Stories and An Old Promise

Author's Notes:

Here's the next chapter. It was a quick one at that. So, tell me, how is this season doing for you? Is it good or bad? Let me know down in the comments.

Everything was darkness. He couldn't see a thing. For all he know, he could be dead, or worse. But, that was all false when a voice awoke him from his sleep.

"Virin! Hey, wake up!"

Groaning, Virin's eyes blinked open as he gave a few more blinks as his vision became focused. Once the focus was done, he could see an oddly familiar place he had pictured himself to be in.

It was his former room, within the castle of Canterlot.

Jolting up, Virin gave a light pained grunt as he bumped into someone's head as the person, or pony, moved away in shock. Blinking while rubbing his head with a hand, he noticed that Cadance was in his room, smiling happily at him.

"You're awake!" She grabbed him in a tight hug, as though she won't let him go.

Blinking again, Virin gently pushed the alicorn away, to her displeasure. "Look," he said with a groan. "I haven't been here for a long time. How can you treat me like this?" He wanted answers, she knew it.

Sighing, Cadance answered his question. "It's because this was your room, the very room where we used to play in. It was at next door that I found out about you from your mother, and my aunt, that you would be treated kindly into this family."

"Huh." Virin blinked once again, rubbing his tired eyes as he gave another groan. He hadn't been here in more than a few days. Wait, days? "What time is this?"

"Morning. And it is the third day after you let go into unconsciousness." Cadance answered him.

"Third day?!" Virin gaped in shock, looking out of the balcony as he walked up to it and stood by the rails. The sun was slowly coming up in the horizon, sending a warmth breeze to the land as it continued to rise slowly. He had wondered when he had woken up that he would had checked in before he left for the Lands again. But, at the same time, he liked it here. He don't know why, but he felt more at peace here than in the Dragon Lands, which was strange for him because he had lived there for seven and a half year.

Hearing hoof steps coming up to him, Virin looked over his shoulder to see Cadance walking up to him with a slightly worried look in her pink eyes.

"You okay?" She asked him.

"Yeah." He replied. "I just hadn't thought of that I would had been unconscious for three days. It was truly an experience."

"I'd say." Cadance chuckled lightly at that. "So, what are you planning to do?" She wondered as she looked at him deep in the eyes once he turned around to face her. Staring at his warm eyes was feeling like he haven't changed one bit for her. Although looking at him now, he had really changed from a stubborn kid to a calm young adult.

"I don't know-" He shrugged. "Maybe having a walk through the castle, checking in on the city and its citizens. After that, I don't know much to do."

"You could check on your mother." Cadance instructed him. "She had been worried for you for the last eight years of being separated from you. Why not do that afterwards?"

"Hm." Virin hummed, rubbing his chin with two fingers. "I might and might not. What if she overreacted for seeing me?"

"Trust me." Cadance said. "She won't."

"Uh-huh." Virin stared at her pink eyes with tension inside him.

Hearing the door opening from behind her, Cadance turned around as they watched as Twilight, the strange familiar purple pony to Virin, walked in the room. Glancing at the bed for a second, she frowned in confusion until she noticed that Cadance was standing beside the human. Smiling in happiness, she ran up to him and hugged him as he watched her in earnest confusion.

"Wha-" Was the only thing he could mutter until she had tackled him in a hug. Sheesh. These ponies really do like hugs. With a tighter hug, Twilight's eyes was watering with tears as she could only whisper.

"How are you feeling?" Was the only thing she whispered.

"Doing fine." Virin tried to soothe her by rubbing her shoulder with a hand, calming her tears as she finally let go of him, staring into his bluish-yellow eyes with a stern expression on her face.

"Good." She said sternly. "Because you had worried us so much." Virin stared at her in earnest confusion. What was she talking about? "You were unconscious for three days."

"Listen." Virin said with firmness. "I didn't worry you that much. I was just asleep-"

"Not that excuse, mister!" Twilight pointed at him with a hoof. "I know you as much as I did when we were kids. I know that excuse so well."

Sigh. That pony sure was irritating now. She was acting like a mother towards a child.

Another sigh, Virin said, "Look, I don't know that much about our childhood together. So, catch me a break, will ya?"

Befuddled, Twilight looked at Cadance for help, but she just nodded with Virin as he had just woke up. Sighing in defeat, the purple unicorn finally said nothing else. Virin gave a tired smirk of victory, but she pointed a stern hoof at him for that, to his shrug.

After a few minutes of staring at each other, Virin finally let out a sigh as he began walking towards the door, which made Twilight to turn to him.

"Where are you going?" She asked, stopping him for a moment.

"Just going out for some fresh air." Virin answered honestly, opening the door and walked out of the room from a silent Twilight and Cadance, who just stared at where he left.

Turning to look at one another, Cadance broke the ice.

"Should we make sure he make it out of the castle safely?" She asked the purple unicorn, who nodded in agreement. It had been eight years since he had been here, so he doesn't remember the place that often.

But, they were wrong.

Walking through the halls, Virin sighed again as he decided to walk to the exit as he wanted some air to breathe in. He walked a few more steps until he found the palace doors that was the exit. Two guards were standing firmly at the door, eyeing him suspiciously as he walked towards the door.

Once they saw him thoroughly, they let him pass as he gave a single nod of thanks as he opened the doors to the outside world. After walking out, the palace doors clamaped shut behind him. They didn't know that he just wanted some fresh air for the day.

Smiling in a pleased way, Virin walked towards the city's streets where the citizens looked at him with suspicious eyes as they stared. Ignoring the stares, the human continued to walk around the city as he made a stop when a gang of ponies stood in front of him. One was a brown colour, the two others were white with blue eyes while their leader had black eyes.

"Can I help you?" Virin asked the gang suspiciously as they stared at him.

"Yes." The leader replied. "We want you to leave our city this instance. We don't want somepony like you to be around these parts. We will fight you if we must in order to get you out. If you'd accept our challenge, that is if you're not a chicken."

"Chicken. Bah." Virin spat in disgust. "I'm not like a coward who runs away in fear. I like challenges, especially the hard ones. Fine. If I can prove myself worthy of being here, then I'll duel you, not to death, though. I'll playnicelywith you."

Gritting his teeth, the leader of the three ran for the human with a hoof ready, but a blinded red light caught his vision as he squeezed his eyes shot as he wanted to avoid the blindness that came from the light. When the light disappeared, they saw a four-legged dragon standing in front of them with a confident smirk, as though he was ready to kick some butt.

"Shall we begin?" The dragon asked them with confidence.

Letting out a growl, the leader of the gang sped towards the dragon, whom dodged the strike easily. Deciding not to use his flames, Virin chose to use his martial art skills to defeat them. He began to run to the two white ponies, who tensed as they prepared themselves for the attack.

Virin jumped in the air with impressive speed, to their amazement and bafflement. The dragon had a kick ready as he kicked one of the white ponies hard in the back, causing him to cry out in pain.

Hearing the cry of pain, the citizens began to watch the fight with interest and a few disgusted expressions.

Ignoring the citizens, the leader of the gang growled at the dragon and rushed forward as he punched the red dragon in the face, to his small pained cry. Raising an eyebrow in surprise, the leader was kicked hard in the stomach by the dragon as it lunged forward with a kick, knocking him back as the leader fell to the ground, groaning in pain as he was beginning to rise up.

One of the two white ponies of the gang ran and punched in the dragon's side as the winged creature slid across the ground, grunting in slight pain. Looking at the one who dared to hurt him, Virin punched the white responsible for the punch as the pony rolled across the ground with a grunt. The dragon continuously punched and kicked the same white pony consecutively all over his body as his martial skills was reaching a new level.

Crying out in immense pain, the white pony managed to grab an incoming punch from the dragon, making the dragon to raise an eyebrow at the move. But, to the white's surprise, when he had readied his own punch, the dragon steadily moved out of the with swift movements.

Gathering together, the gang of ponies looked at each other with nods, which made Virin to raise another eyebrow at the small exchanged words by the ponies. The leader ran for the dragon, punching him continuously in the face, which made some blood to appear from the mouth of the dragon. The two white ponies ran also for the dragon, kicking him mercilessly all over his body as the dragon cried out in pain as he was being hit all over his body.

Deciding enough was enough, Virin finally let out a roar that pierced the heavens, causing everypony in the area to cover their ears from all of a sudden. Virin punched the two white ponies in their faces, making them stumbling back in surprise. Kicking the leader in the stomach, the pony stumbled back as well as he gritted his teeth as the duel was more intense now than it was earlier.

With his eyes glowing a brighter colour, Virin let out another roar as he charged at the leader, but the two white ponies stepped in his way as they both punched him in the face, causing him to stumble back in little surprise. Virin, though, didn't back down there. He let out an threatening growl as he charged at the leader with his horns ready, hitting him in the stomach, which caused a small amount of blood to fall on the ground.

Gasping in shock, the leader let out a small roar, which caused Virin to laugh at the display. The dragon let out an higher roar, which caused the leader to cover his ears from it. The brown pony ran for the dragon, punching him in the face as Virin stumbled back from the sudden punch. Grunting, the dragon made his own punch at the brown's face, which made him stagger back in shock.

Virin decided to end this as he let out a third roar, his body glowing as he kicked the brown pony hard in the stomach, which caused him to cough up some blood as he laid on the ground, defeated. But, the duel was not over. There were still two white ponies to deal with. So, he turned to them with intense eyes, to their growling reply as they prepared themselves.

The brother of the first white pony ran for the dragon, ignoring his own sibling's cry of stop. Virin smirked as he punched him back, which made him stagger back in pain as the pony leapt into the air and got onto the dragon's back, surprising him as he tried to shake him off to some success as he managed to get him off, making him fall to the ground as he laid there. Virin kicked him with a left back leg, which made the pony to roll over to his leader as he groaned in pain.

Looking at the remaining pony, who stared back angrily, and ran for him, Virin jumped to the side as the pony cried out in surprise. The dragon kicked and punched the pony's side continuously as the white cried out to stop, but the dragon didn't listen, continuing with his assaults. Ending with one last punch, Virin managed to get the white pony over to his leader, lying by his side in pain as he groaned.

Panting heavily, Virin fell to one knee as his breath was hard until it calmed down in a few minutes. That was some duel, he'd say, but he enjoyed it all the while. It felt good to have at least some fights in Ponyland. It reminded him of his times in the Dragon Lands, but the latter was more dangerous than here.

Hearing hooves clapping in a cheery way, Virin was surprised to find an audience looking at him with amazement and some disgusted looks. Ignoring the latter, Virin transformed back into his human form as he bowed his head to them.

"I'd say, that was some display." A kind voice caught his attention. Virin looked over to see a business pony walking up to him with a white unicorn that was quite beautiful. "If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"

"Virin." The human answered with suspicious in his voice. "What's yours?"

"Fancy Pants. And this is my friend, Fleur." Fancy Pants introduced himself. "Although I don't like violence, that was an unkindly fight, you know."

"Sorry." Virin apologized. "But, from where I'm from, that's all I had to do in order to survive." He didn't lie; he indeed only fought with others to live.

"I see." Fancy responded, before smiling kindly at the human. "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of species are you? I hadn't seen one of your kind before. I know that you're a dragon, but what is that kind of "form"?"

Deciding to answer his questions, Virin replied honestly, "Human."

"Never heard of that species before." Fleur said, blinking a few times.

"Not surprised there." Virin said. "There's only one of a kind from my species, and that's me. No others. Sorry for the inconvenience."

"Don't be." Fancy said, smiling at him. "I'd like to get to know you more, if you don't mind walking with us for a moment."

"Hm." Virin hummed, rubbing his chin in thought. "Well, I don't have anything else to do. Okay, why not? I'll walk with you guys." Smiling again, Fancy let him go through the crowd of ponies, leaving the defeated bodies back at the center of the crowd.

Walking through the streets, the trio had made some stops at the Joe's doughnut shop, to which Virin approved of as he couldn't live on eating gems and crystals. Fancy raised an eyebrow at the mention of that.

"Why do you eat crystals?" Fleur also asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Part of the reason why I'm half dragon." Virin answered, eating his doughnut happily as he took a small bite on it. "Hm. This is delicious."

"I'd say." Fancy chuckled. "This is one of the recent recipe of them. Though, they won't tell us, of course."

Virin rolled his bluish-yellow eyes fondly as he continued to eat his doughnut. Fleur looked at his eyes for a moment, before he noticed her stare.

"Is there something the matter?" Virin asked her. She leaned back, shaking her head as she gave a response.

"I've never seen eyes like those before." Fleur replied. "How did you get them?"

"The blue inner colour was given to me by my mother." Virin answered. "The yellow colour was gifted to me by my father. So, I kind of had both of their eyes. Though, I do't know why I have them, but I didn't care for the moment I was told why."

"Uh-huh." Fleur hummed in interest, eating more of her doughnut as she gave another humming sound, not by curiosity, but from the delicious food. "You wouldn't happen to see two small hatchlings going around, do you?" She asked him all of a sudden in a low voice.

"What?" Virin asked just as low. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Fleur whispered. "There has been rumoours going about that two small dragons had been lurking around in the alleyways of Canterlot. Though, I don't know why they are. They're a bit of an mystery, if you ask me."

"Two...dragons...?" Virin was at a loss of words now. How would two small dragons be at Canterlot? Don't they know that this place was a bit dangerous for a none-pony race? Well, for him, he had no problems, that's for sure. But, he don't know about those two dragons. He hadn't seen his kind for a few days, and already, from what he was told, two of his other species were here. When he meets them, he want to know why they are here, and for what reason to be even here.

A shadow lurked in the alleyway of Sweet Apple Acres, going as far as to not reveal itself to the owners. It took a couple of red, fresh apples from a tree near it and walked over to the smaller shadow by the hidden alleyway of Ponyville.

"Here, sis." It handed the small shadow an apple. "Eat up. You're going to need the energy that you need."

"Thanks, bro." The small shadow, revealing to be a female, thanked gratefully as she took a bite from the apple.

Looking to the horizon, the brother of the female looked at the majestic city of Canterlot, giving a low sigh as he watched his sister eating. With his tummy giving a small growl, he began eating his own apple.

After being done with eating, and paying Joe with the amount of bits, Fancy and Fleur led Virin out of the shop and began looking around for two small dragons that were happen to be in Canterlot.

After a fragile search, they gave up on it as they walked back to the castle, with Virin in the lead as he turned back to the duo.

"Well," he said. "It was nice meeting you two, Fancy, Fleur. I hope to be seeing you two again."

"And us, as well." Fancy nodded in farewell as he and his friend walked back into the streets of Canterlot.

Sighing, Virin turned and was about to open the door when a pink aura opened it for him. In the doorway, was Cadance looking at him with a saddened expression as she tackled him in a hug, before motioning him inside as they walked in the castle, with the doors going shut behind them.

"Where were you?!" Cadance finally asked. "Have you realized how worried I was when you left?!"

"Gee, sorry." Virin apologized. "But, I had a fight in the city and talked with two friends. Nothing too big." He was being honest; he knew that she could be trusted.

"What do you a "fight" in the city?" Cadance asked in confusion, before realizing what that roar earlier was. "Wait, you don't mean that those ponies I saw was fighting you, do you?"

"Ding." Virin made a dinging sound. "We have a winner."

Cadannce flushed at that, but not before she had a more stern expression now. "You should've told me sooner that you were going to have a fight in the streets. What we ponies don't like, is the violence of your species."

"But, Cadance." Virin gave a small whining sound. "What else was I going to be defending myself with? Flames from my mouth? As if I would burn your citizens to death."

"I like that you're being honest," Cadance said. "But, you should be more careful now before you're having more fights in our home." With his eye twitching a bit, Virin let out a small cry of pain as he clenched his temples with a hand. "You okay?"

"Yeah." Virin replied. "Man, this headache sure is getting on my nerves."

"Don't you think that it could be your amnesia?" Twilight's voice came, walking up to them with her friends. Pinkie was about to tackle Virin with a hug, but, with his quick movements, he jumped above just as she was about to hug him. She slid to the doors, nearly hitting it with her nose as she whirled back round as she jumped back on her hooves with a disbelieving expression.

"Sorry, pink pony." Virin said. "But, I'm not in the mood for hugs right now."

"Hey!" Piinkie exclaimed. "I'm not a "pink pony". My name is Pinkie Pie."

"Sure. Whatever." Virin rolled his eyes in boredom. He turned to Twilight with an serious expression. "Also, what do you mean by, "my amnesia"?"

"Well," Twilight recalled in thought. "If you don't remember much, having an headache, and not sure about what to do, that is what an amnesia is. Thought it's mostly the first if you don't remember very much about your former life."

"Huh." Virin hummed, rubbing his chin. Then, as though remembering the white alicorn, he gave a small cry of pain that surged through his body. He still don't get it. Why do he have this amnesia? And, for that matter, why him? Why couldn't he remember that white alirocn, nor Cadance? It just doesn't make any sense at all.

After a while of worrying about him, Twilight decided to change the subject. "Why did we hear a roar from outside the castle, Virin? We thought we didn't hear something until that moment."

"I had a fight in the streets. Nothing too big." Virin replied. "Why? Is that bad?"

"Yes." Twilight said. "Attacking a pony in Canterlot could be called a crime. You could be in the dungeons for your life if you weren't careful enough. You didn't use your powers, did you?"

"No." Virin replied simply. "I used only kicks and a few punches. Nothing too serious about their injuries. Though, I wouldn't say about their leader in that gang, however." He gave a slight snicker at that thought.

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that. "What did you use instead of your powers?"

"Meh. Martial arts." Virin shrugged. This caught Rainbow's attention as she looked at him with interest.

"Really?" The blue mare asked. "Did you say that you used martial arts?"

"Yes." Virin nodded in confirming. "My kicks and punches were a part of the martial arts. Though, I was a rookie a year ago about understanding it. But, as the months passed by, I was more understanding in terms of using martial arts instead of my fire all the time. That is how I "beat up" the gang, consisting of two white ponies and a brown one."

"Was it three against one?" Rainbow asked again. "Man, wished I could've been there with you. I had my own martial arts that I wanted to work on."

"Meh. They were no match for me." Virin shrugged. "I was too quick for them." There was a strange glint in Rainbow's pink eyes.

"Could you probably train me?" She wondered in a beggar tone.

"I'm sorry. Did you say "train" you?" Virin sought for clarifications.

"Yes." Rainbow clarified. "I was hoping to find someone to teach me. But, I was out of luck because not everypony could use martial arts."

"Hm." Virin hummed, rubbing his chin in thought. "Well, I could, but at the same time, could not. I don't want to spoil my skills to a rookie like you."

"Hey!" Rainbow shouted. "I'm not a rookie! I'm a black belt in martial arts! You need to show some respect."

Virin raised an eyebrow. She was an black belt? Then she didn't need him r´for that matter. "If you're a black belt, then you wouldn't need me for training." He said simply and finality.

Sighing, Rainbow lowered her head in disappointment. Here she thought she could use some teacher to teach her new skills, and all her hope were crushed. Virin looked at her disappointed expression, sighing himself as he began walking from them.

Twilight noticed his walk, and caught up with him, as did the others. Walking together, the group decided to pay his room a visit to see what it was like for a few years ago. After a few minutes of walking in silence, the group made a stop at Virin's former room, with him opening it as Pinkie bounced inside. Chuckling quietly to himself, Virin walked inside his old room as he began looking around properly.

There were a few shelves with books on one wall, with pictures of him and this Celestia pony on the next shelf. Curious, Virin walked up to the pictures, with Cadance following him. Examining them, Virin saw that the small baby child was his younger self as he remembered some of what his real parents told hm about his other self's living place. Maybe it was here his life began, he wondered in his thoughts.

"Are the pictures about me?" Virin asked Cadance, who nodded in confirming. "Well, I'd say that this was some life for me back then." He clenched his temples as he gave a little cry of pain, because of his amnesia still intact.

"Don't push it so hard," the Princess of Love told him comfortingly. "One day, the amnesia will go away."

"Man, this bites." Virin sighed, lowering his head in shame as he couldn't remember a thing about this Celestia pony. "Here I thought I could remember her, then after a moments of hesitation, she really was my "mother". But, don't thing that I still don't says the fact that I was with her in my childhood years. Because, from what my father told me, I was raised by ponies. Tell me, is that true?"

Cadance looked at him worryingly, knowing what he meant by that. Deciding to answer his question, she only said, "Yes. It's true."

Sighing again, Virin lowered his gaze to the ground as he began to think this thoroughly through. What was he going to do? Was he really going to let his life with his sister and new father away? No. He couldn't just ignore for what they had done to him. All of his years of training, being taught about life, having fun with them, and learning to fly, was all the same as his other self's life here. But, at the same time, it wasn't like that. This stinks.

Cadance decided to let him be and walked over to Twilight, the unicorn looking suspiciously at her. "He's confused by all of this," Cadance said lowly. Twilight nodded; she'd noticed. She sure was worried for her childhood friend, he wasn't the same as he was back then, that's for sure.

Leaving Virin with his thoughts, the ponies left the room to check up on their Princess.

Sighing in relief, Virin looked more closely at the pictures with sharp eyes as he was in a void of nothingness just then. Out of the bloom, a silhouette of his younger self playing with an crystal coloured mare as she held him with her hooves.

"Oh, Moony, I just like you," the mare said, cooing into his ear.

"Do you really like me?" The younger human, named Moon, asked in surprise.

"Of course." The mare nodded her head. "You're our beloved Prince, no matter what you are." Moon smiled as he hugged his caretaker with soft and short arms.

Seeing them like this, made Virin smile a little. Maybe he really were raised by ponies. This flashback proved it; he belonged here just as much as he belonged in the Dragon Lands with his other family. Though, he was in small pain by this memory. If he were coming back to his younger self, would his family forget him for what he had done to them? It couldn't be like this. No. They would just miss him if he'd were here all along, even if he were to regain his lost memories. He were going to go tot one place to the other somehow. It was then he realized something, he'd need to check on this Princess Celestia pony if he were going to be coming back to this land of ponies as their beloved Prince.

By regaining his lost memories, would he lose his newer ones if they were happen to disappear? If it was going to be like this, then so be it. He were going to get them back, no matter what happens.

Walking down the halls to Celestia's private room, the group made a small stop to see on how Luna had it. She were tired, no doubt. After leaving Virin to his thoughts, the ponies were worried for him. What if he were happen to run away? They would just chase after him, though.

"Do you think Virin would be good in this palace?" Twilight asked Cadance, whom looked at her in confusion. "I mean, he did say he still hasn't accepted the fact that he were raised by ponies, after all. Maybe he just needs to get some help with that. But, at the same time, not."

"I don't know what you mean, Twilight," Cadance replied honestly. "But, I do know that Virin needed to be left in his thoughts to know the truth about that fact. He's just confused, that's all."

"I know." Twilight sighed, stressful. "But, I just can't help it. He needs to be told the truth about this. Although I don't like the idea of forcing it into him, he still need to be told."

"I know." Cadance gave a small nod in agreement by that statement. He did needed to be told the truth about this "fact" that he was raised by them. No matter what happens, he would still be her little cousin, even if he were happen to be half-dragon in his blood.

"Welp, we're here y'all." Applejack called, making the group stop in front of the golden doors to Princess Celestia's room. Politely knocking on the door first, Applejack heard a voice coming from the other side of the door.

"Come in." The soft voice of Celestia came.

Opening the door slowly, the group made their way inside as they watched their ruler sitting on the bed, clearly confused by what had happened to her in the first place. The bed were at least a few feet high, but it were the perfect size to fit for a Princess. Its blanket were a red colour, with the pillow being a golden colour. On the floor, there was a blanket as well. It was a blue colour, with a few stars in the center. There was a fire, lighting up the place with golden and orange colour.

"What can I do for you?" Celestia asked them, gaining their attention instantly.

"Well," Twilight began, playing a little with her hooves shyly. "You can tell us what happened back there, with the fight of the Changelings."

"Honestly, Twilight," her mentor replied. "I don't know much about that battle after I was knocked down by Chrysalis. She was just too strong for me."

Sighing in regretful way, Twilight began answering her a few unasked questions. "Would you believe me that a creature happened to fight off the Changelings instead of us?"

"Wait, what?" Celestia asked, dumbfounded. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, a creature came, telling us that he was a dragon. He was mostly sent here by the Dragon Lord you told me about, Princess. But, he were really strong against Queen Chrysalis. He bested her in single combat, even her army of Changelings, without breaking a sweat. He sure was something else in a whole other level."

"Why would a dragon be here in Ponyland?" Celestia asked her student in confusion. "And, can you describe what he looked like?"

"Well, he was red as blood," Twilight began, describing the dragon she had spoken with. "His eyes were a bluish-yellow colour. His tailblade was a spiral-shaped at the end. He looked quite strong with muscles on his arms. He had a scar on the left eye. He even had green spikes on the back. That is all what I can remember of him."

Taking in this information, Celestia began realizing something very important. If the dragon had red scales, then he must have had that from her son's red jacket. And, those green spikes must had came from his shoes. But, what about that tailblade? It was something entirely different. It weren't like Spike's tail end, that's for sure. But, red as blood? That was sure something o be told.

After a few moments of silence, Celestia began to speak again. "If he's what you've told me, Twilight, then I need to see him for myself."

"Um," Twilight started, "I don't think that that's a good idea, Princess. He's very stressed right now, and is in deep thought about what to do."

"What do you mean?" Celestia asked. "You mean that he's already here, in this palace?!" She was shocked by the revelation that a dragon would be in her castle and dear city.

"No need to fear, Princess," Applejack spoke up just then. "From what we've seen, or heard of, he's actually quite nice once you get to know him. He's in one of the rooms beside yours. However, he needs to be alone for a while, right now. If you don't mind him, that is."

"Huh?" Was all Celestia could reply with, clearly confused.

"We will leave you to gather all of this, Princess." Rainbow began shoving her friends out of the room.

As she watched them close the door, Princess Celestia was in deep thought. If he had bluish-yellow eyes, then what could he possibly be? Could he really be her long lost son, that was gone for eight long years? He must had been. But, she was worried for him, as he had taken on an whole army of Changelings all by himself. What if he were injured? Or worse, dead? But, from what Twilight told her, he had not taken serious damage nor injuries through that invasion. So, that was lucky, she thinks.

Walking down the halls to Virin's room, the group stopped in front of his door, but froze when they were about to open it. What if he were still stressed, or worse, angry with them? Anything could happen with him, but they were unsure what it could be.

Shaking out of her frozen state, Rainbow knocked on the door firstly.

"You may enter," came Virin's voice from the other side. Looking at one another, the blue mare opened the door and they walked in the room as they watched Virin standing by the balcony with his arms on the rails, frowning in confusion and uncertain shock.

Wait, shock? That was something entirely new to them.

"Do you mind if we came back inside?" Twilight asked him.

"Sure, I like company," Virin said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Seriously, come in. We need to talk."

Looking at one another, the Mane Six sat in the center of the room. Pinkie and Fluttershy sat close to each other, with Applejack and Rainbow by one another. Rarity and Twilight sat a few meters away from each other. Cadance sat in front, ready to reply to Virin's speech.

Walking into the room, Virin let out a heavy sigh, fear overtaking him. "A-as you may not understand, I had taken sometime to think things thoroughly. I have almost, and almost, decided to be living here again. From what I've seen of your city, this is an actually nice place. I met up with two nice fellows, both of which were good to me as we talked about some things.

"But, that doesn't mean that I will take my job just as seriously. For what my job is, it's called something like Predator Hunting, like how you play it. But, this isn't a game to be taken likely. It is quite dangerous, as I had a few injuries from it. But, with a couple of red gems, I managed to heal back to full health. I'm no expert to this kind of hunt, but after a trial that happened in Dragon Lands, I somehow managed to defeat a dragon named Garble."

"We know him." Rainbow gritted her teeth in anger, same with Rarity and Spike "He were a bully to poor Spike. That wasn't nice."

"I know." Virin nodded. "And, he's my rival. We've been at each other's throats for at least eight years, with many duels happening from place to place in the Lands. From what you may not had seen, he had powers similar to mine. However, unlike his power-hungry attitude, I was more compassionate than my own hunger for power. I was more careful with planning strategies than going head-on against an opponent. You may know it as distance fighting, as I attack from a distance than close combat from my time in the Dragon Lands.

"I think I've trusted you long enough for you to hear my long tale of living in Dragon Lands. Will you hear about it?"

"We'd like to know, darling." Rarity nodded in approval, same with the others.

Taking a deep breath, Virin began from the beginning. "Let's start from the beginning, shall we?" The ponies nodded in agreement. "Alright, it started like this. When my life were nearly ruined by a great river, I was found by the Princess of Dragons, Ember, whom I viewed as a sister back then. After she had taken me to a small cavern for her to heal my injured arm, I was treated with a red spirit gem, which are gems that can heal wounds.

"Afterwards, we began our journey to the land of dragons, which she told me was called Dragon Lands. But, on our way, I found a rude, tall dragon going by the name "Garble". After a threat he made to me, I was determined to change his ways of fighting, to which Princess Ember agreed on. By the time night were nearly about to fall on the land, I met up with Dragon Lord, going by the name Lord Torch, father of Ember, also my then soon-to-be father. He spoke that he knew my race of humans, my half-blood other than my true inner powers.

"After a talk, he decided to train me the next day after I told him about a rude dragon by the name Garble, to see if I could beat him in a fight. Three months later, we were about to have a flying race in the Dragon Lands. All dragons, from youngling to adult, were there, as they wanted to watch who would win the race.

"After a terrible move made by Garble, who had swiped his tail at my feet, I fell behind as the last in the number of dragons that attended the race. However, a friend of mine, called Nightwing, backed me up as he waited for me to catch up to him. He was generous enough to wait for me, As we came over to a volcano, I was pushed in by a dragon going by the name Azam, who was a violent dragon that obeyed every order given to him by his leader."

The ponies gasped in shock and disgust. How could Azam do something like that?

"After I had been thrown in the lava of the volcano, I wasn't dead." Virin continued with his story. The ponies looked on with curious eyes. "Instead, I somehow withstood the lava of the volcano, as if I were immune to it. It soon came for me to realize that it was indeed true: dragons were immune to lava and fire.

"As I sped up from the bottom of the volcano, I glowed a brighter colour and my eyes glowed an bright colour. When I demanded for who had pushed me, the trio of dragons froze in place. As soon as I realized who pushed me into the volcano, I attacked the one who dared to do that. When I were nearly about to finish him, an elderly grey dragon roared the heavens, stopping our fight as I glanced at him with a furious expression on my face.

"When he asked who started, I immediately pointed to the "innocent" Azam, blaming him for the push and threatening gesture. After the race, Garble won it and I lost. It was the first time that I lost to him in an official race. However, I didn't stop there. As soon as I lost, I immediately began to train more intensely back then."

"But, why intensely?" Fluttershy shyly asked.

Smiling at her kindly, Virin replied, "Because I didn't want to feel weak to him, my dear. After three years of intense training, I was ready for my first actual mission, which was going to be proven as one of the best moments. However, it was ruined because of my inner darkness had taken its toll over me. As I was that angry, I was merciless and more threatening than my real self. When I lost consciousness, I couldn't remember a thing about the mission, which still bites.

"After what had happened, I began to train even more intense, with training at least eight hours per day from then on. As I was training, there were times when I had reached my limits. However, I couldn't stop as the trial was coming closer every day. You may wonder what kind of trial that was, right?"

The ponies nodded again for clarification.

"Well, it was called "Dragon of Courage", a name gifted to dragons that managed to pass it." Virin continued once more. "After three more years of training, I met up with a dark being by the name Hydra. The creature had only one head, while its body was purple with purple spikes all over its body. Its horn were also purple, while its eyes were blood-red. After an hard-fought battle, I managed to at least making it a tie after using an move called "Ultimate Boost". However, by using that, I lost consciousness again. Before he came, however, the Trial of Courage had undergone its way. I managed to win the second phase of the trial with Garble as the second one to win the phase. After that, the battle phase had begun.

"We fought a really long battle, with neither of us backing down. But, at the last minute of the battle, I won it by managing to stand up while Garble fell to his knees, defeated."

Spike perked up at this. He defeated Garble? Really?!

"After the trial, and with that Hydra guy," Virin continued once more. "I ceased my intense training to a normal level as I was given another mission by my then-father, Torch. He gifted with me a mission to the Griffon kingdom. At the kingdom, named Griffinstone, I was appointed the new bearer of the Amulet of Darkness." He looked at the amulet around his neck in question, nodding at it as the ponies watched it in wonder.

"As I was the new bearer of it, it was at Griffinstone that I had fought with Hydra," Virin continued again. "In one of the years, I had fought an cyborg creature going by the name Helios. He was hard as heck. That ability to regenerate himself was annoying, mind you. So, with that ability, I had to come up with a new strategy, by fusing myself with my own abilities. Who knew it? It worked! I was happy that Helios' ability was broken by that strategy. As you may know by now, I was a strategy planner in my fights, carefully analyzing my foes closely when they're using their moves and abilities."

"That must had been some fight with that Helios guy," Rainbow said in surprise.

"Tell me, Rainbow, it was," Virin nodded his head. "After one half year more, I begun my journey to here. When I managed to reach the outskirts to a forest, I met up with the Glare family, three generous unicorns who weren't afraid of my sudden appearance. They fixed me some meals, as I was planning to head out to Canterlot. After that, you know the rest." He crossed his arms as he finished his long story and speech, his breath almost out.

"Wow." Twilight breathed. "That was...a long story coming from you, Virin."

"Man, all of this information is making my head spinning, " Pinkie swirled her head to the sides as her eyes nearly popped out of their holes. Virin chuckled at this.

"You tell me," he said to her. "I was out of breath from telling you in the first place. It is such a long story to tell."

Twilight gave a low humming sound, rubbing her chin as she thought about all of this history about Virin. He had a rough life, no doubt about it. That Azam dragon must hd been the reason for why he had that scar in the first place. She wondered...

"Virin?" She called to hm, making his head turn in her direction. "How did Azam get you that scar? I've been wondering how you got it in the first place."

"To tell you the truth," Virin sighed. "I got the scar from when he bit me in the eye, nearly taking it out when he reared back. But, he didn't stop there. He began to clawing in the wound on my left eye to worsening it even more. There were a lot of blood for a few days, but with a few red gems, it managed to heal but the scar remained there for the rest of my life. And that is how I got it in the first place."

"Gosh, fella." Applejack breathed out. "I've never thought he was that brutal, this Azam fellow."

"He was more brutal when Garble gave him orders, mind you." Virin reminded her. "For how they met, I do not know." He gave one final shrug afterwards before silence overtook him.

Cadance was in deep thought. That Azam drake seemed to be too dangerous if he were to come here. Luckily, thhey had their own nations for protection. But, there were a tournament happening in two years here in Canterlot.

"Virin?" The pink pony finally got his attention as he glanced at her. "Do you know about the Gladiator Tournament?"

"No." Virin simply replied, crossing his arms. "Why?"

"Well," Cadance began thoughtfully. "It is going to happen in two years, and I thought that maybe you would like to participate in the tournament, to see if your powers are going to get any stronger than Garble. What do you say? You up for some challenge?"

"Hm." Virin hummed, rubbing his chin in thought and decision. "Well, I may not be able to continue if I lose, right?" Cadance nodded. "Okay. Sure, why not? I'll participate in the tournament, just for you, Cadance." She gave a slight blush at that, with Twilight giving a low giggle.

Celestia hated it, but she overheard everything that was being told inside his room. Although she didn't like eavesdropping, this was a special kind of situation. She wanted to hear his voice again for so long. And now she had heard it with a much more serious tone. She had one thought about this.

What happened to her son?

With her head giving a small spin, Celestia walked away to go out to the garden of the castle, to rest there for a moment.

With the Mane Six leaving the room, Cadance stayed behind as she watched Virin going over to the rails of the balcony again, to gather his thoughts bout the Gladiator Tournament coming in two years.

After all of the history she had been told by Virin, Cadance was gathering her own thoughts about his old life here in the Canterlot castle. She gave a beautiful humming sound from behind Virin's back.

He'd heard the humming sound. What was she thinking this time? It all soon came to realization that she had been gathering her thoughts about something, but what?

To answer his inner thought, Cadance called to him. "Virin? Would you like coming here for a moment?" She heard a sigh coming from him as he turned around and walked over to her as he began to sit by the bed, with legs crossed while his arms were folded.

"What is it?" He asked in confusion.

"Well," Cadance started. "Since I've heard about your story, how about you heard about my story about your childhood? I think that it might be for the best for you to at least hear about it."

"Hmm." Virin hummed, rubbing his chin again. "Sure. Why not? I've always wondered what my life had been here. Tell me about it." He gave a small narrow of his eyes after that last line.

Not intimidated by the stare, Cadance began from the beginning. "Let's start from the beginning, shall we?" Virin blinked, before giving her a little nod of his head. "Well, it started like this. You had been found by my auntie, Princess Celestia, after she had told me when I was a bit older, that a wooden box had appeared in the White Tail Forest behind the castle.

"After she had decided to take care of the child, the baby were appointed as her son. She was so happy that she was going to cry tears out of pride. When she had taken the baby to the castle, at first she was unprepared to get what it wanted. After some thinking, she sought for a foalsitter for the child, which happened to be you. When the child found the crystal pony, it wanted to not be let go, as it wanted to be in her hooves all day long. The pony, Crystal Rose, accepted its wish and stayed by its side all day long.

"One night, I had happened to come across it while my auntie slept with it under her wing. When I saw the baby, I was teary and cheerful that I had a new cousin, a playful one at that. When my auntie told me that she had decided to adopt it as her own, I was happy for her. Because, what else was going to be happy for her when her sister, whom I hadn't realized was there, were gone? She was nearly broken at that point.

"Although she had me and cousin Blueblood, she weren't at all happy, but at the same time, she were with the two of us. However, Blueblood wasn't happy one bit that a child of an unknown species were adopted into the royal family. He was going to take it out, until my auntie stopped him from doing anything reckless."

"Huh. Good for him that she was merciful." Virin said with a huff. "If I met him, I would just burn him down to ashes."

Cadance giggled at that. "Yes. I'd imagine you would. However, he were happen not to have a soft side to the child. When the child grew up, he was more disgusted with it than before. Because why, you may ask? He were fine with it being just me and him in the royal family because we were siblings.

"After the child, named Moon, was five years old, a unicorn by the name Sunset Shimmer came to be under his mother's wing as her student. Don't get wrong, she did love the child, after all. So, she hadn't taken a replacement at all."

Virin, though, didn't say anything as he continued to listen to her story. This Sunset character, she sounded awfully familiar. He don't know why, but it all just seems familiar to him, somehow.

"After a few months of getting to know each other," Cadance continued, gaining Virin's instant attention. "Sunset mysteriously disappeared."

"Why?" Virin asked finally.

"We don't know how," Cadance replied, unsure. "But, it all happened too quick for us to notice that she were gone. At first, when he found out that he were gone, Moon was disappointed that their friendship didn't matter in the end. But, he still had me and his mother, so at least he didn't disappear with her.

"After a year of her being gone, his mother took another unicorn under her wing. Moon was a bit disappointed, but was curious about the unicorn, so he would let it slip by then. After he had met up with the unicorn, named Twilight Sparkle, he were found a little attracted to her. But, Radiant Hope, a crystal pony, was more his attention than her when he found out her talents." She giggled at that. "Funny, Moon reminds me of you, Virin."

"Yeah. Maybe." Virin whispered to himself, still with his attention to her.

"After they met, the trio of unlikely friends was friends for life." Cadance continued again. "His mother and I were happy for Moon. However, only three years, a gang of thieves greedily took Moon out of the castle in a bag as they prepared to sell him for money."

Virin narrowed his eyes after that. "What happened to the gang of thieves?"

"They were either killed or put in the dungeons for the rest of their lives." Cadance answered his question. "When we found out that Moon was no longer in the castle or the city itself, we began to search nonstop for him. After a couple of hours, we soon came to the realization that he was gone for good. But, when we heard a loud crash at the borders of Ponyland to Dragon Lands between the great river, we seized the gang of thieves to the castle for personal reasons. After she gave the death sentence to the leader, Princess Celestia gave lifeless tears as her son were no longer with us. We also soon came to the realization that he were gone for good. That is the end of this tale of the childhood of Moon."

"..." Virin was speechless. "That's just... wow."

"The word I would use." Cadance giggled. "That was a truly fascinating story, right?"

"Well, fascinating or not," Virin began. "It was nothing like mine."

"I'd say." Cadance added thoughtfully, "However, it does not appear as it seems, Virin. You look identical to Moon. You even has his eyes. You may not be different characters after all."

"Now that you think of it that way," Virin started carefully. "I would like to go back being called Moon. It seems like an interesting name." Cadance gave a yelp of happiness, and was about to hug him. "However, when I'm in my dragon form, I'd like to be called Virin. Okay?"

"That's fine." Cadance nodded in understanding. Then she thought of something. "Moon, do you remember what you promised to my aunt?"

"What did I promise?" Moon asked, titling his head to the side.

"Well," Cadance began, "You'd promised to always be here with her. That is what I remembered her telling me after a few years."

Crap!Moon thought, cursing himself for that. "Man, I forgot." He gave a slight nervous chuckle after that.

Cadance narrowed her eyes at him. "Of course you did. Now go down to the garden and apologize to her." She said in a commanding voice.

"How'd you knew she'd be there?" Moon asked, dumbfounded.

"I know a few tricks." The pink pony chuckled. "Now, off you go." She walked over to the door, opening it with her horn's magic and walked outside.

Sighing, Moon's wings appeared on his back as he walked to the balcony as he watched where the garden was. It appeared to the in the middle wing. That was easy for him to notice.

Giving a good beat with his wings, Moon hovered into the air as he began descending to the garden's grassy ground. As he landed, he began to search for his supposed mother. He noticed two white wings coming out of a bush nearby. He walked up to the bush, with his wings dispersing from his back as he neared the bush.

Hearing footsteps. Wait, footsteps? Celestia's head looked up from the bush as she watched the strange creature standing really close to her. With her eyes spinning, she thought she heard his cry as she blacked out.

"Mother!" Was the last thing she heard when she lost consciousness.

Chapter Thirteen: The Announcement

It was a calm morning in Canterlot. Everypony was enjoying themselves in the daylight, living their daily lives in excitement and thrilled to start this new day of the year. The sky was blue as water, with white clouds decorating it with white dots. The ground's green grass was just as green as the dirt was brown.

The streets of Canterlot was just as lively as the days before, with the citizens enjoying the warmth of the day.

In the palace of the city, inside the Princess' chambers, a group of ponies was looking at their ruler with worried eyes as they watched her slowly waking up.

Groaning, Princess Celestia had a wondered. How'd she get in her chambers? It was still a bit fuzzy of how she got here, but that didn't matter for now.

"Princess Celestia?" Twilight's soft voice called.

As she looked, Celestia saw the seven ponies watching her with expected and worried looks. "Yes?" She asked in turn.

"Do you remember what happened?" Twilight asked softly, not intending to cause a headache to her mentor.

"I remember a little." Celestia remembered, rubbing her head with a hoof. "I was at the garden, looking at the plants. Then, all of a sudden, a strange creature came in front of me as I was about to feel dizzy. When I lost consciousness, I only heard it say, "Mother". But, how is it possible? I had no children, after all."

"Well," Twilight looked at her friends as they nodded as they walked out of the room to give them privacy. Once they were outside of the room, and outside of earshot, Twilight continued. "Do you recall what happened to your son, if you know what I mean?"

"Well," Celestia started. "All I remembered was that gang of thieves taking him in their clutches, and that I was desperate to get him back." It was then she realized something important. "Wait, you don't mean that strange creature could be him, do you, Twilight?"

"Look who now know it," a third unexpected voice joined in the conversation. Celestia's head quickly turned to the source of the voice, and saw a four-legged dragon standing in the corner of the room, sitting on its butt as it stared at her with intense eyes that looked like they were going to pierce through her very soul. Its bluish-yellow eyes were awfully familiar, but she couldn't quite picture why it was so familiar.

"Well, well," it said in a chortling voice, as though it was going to laugh. "You certainly took your time in recounting the times when we were together, Mother." There was it again. It called her "Mother".

The dragon raised an eyebrow. "You know that it's rude to call a dragon "it", right?" Celestia's eyes widened in shock. How'd it knew about that thought? "Psychic abilities. Telepathic, telekinesis, all you could had dreamt of are counted in psychic abilities."

"Alright," Celestia said, composing herself straight. "How did you had those abilities?"

"I have a friend who taught me on how to use the psychic element." The dragon answered her question. Though, it frowned after that. "You don't remember me at all?" It asked in slight worry.

"Well," Celestia answered honestly. "Not that I know of. But your eyes seems awfully familiar. How is it that you called me "Mother", actually?"

"mother, Mother, Mother." The dragon shook its head. "You should at least know about this other form." Then, a strange bright red light lit up the room. Celestia's eyes shut closed in order to protect them from the light. When the light faded, she opened them as she saw a strange, ape-like creature standing in the corner of the room. While it looked like an ape, it had no fur nor tail. It was standing perfectly on all two of its legs. It had a red jacket with black stripes, blue jeans and green shoes. It had brown hair, brown eyebrows while its eyes were the same bluish-yellow as the dragon had.

"Do you remember me now?" The human asked hopefully.

" "Remember you"? How?" Celestia asked in shock.

"You remember the day that I promised to keep at your side?" The human questioned her. "Well, I did in fact promise that, didn't I? It was because that I was taken by the thieves that I was not able to keep my promise. But, since I was told that they were either dead or in the dungeons for the rest of their lives, I can finally fulfill my promise in keeping me by your side.

"However, with my job as a Predator Hunter, it might be easier said than done, as I had been that for the past year now. It might never be like what it used to be, that's for sure."

Predator Hunter? What had happened to her son for the last eight years? Well, it was about tiem to find out,right? When she realized that her son was right in front of her, Celstia broke into tears as her eyes were watering with them.

With his arms spread out, Moon braced himself for the crushing hug he was about to get. However, the crushing hug felt more like a death uhg when Celestia got him into her grasp, crying aloud as she began to cry out.

"OH, MY SON IS BACK!" She shouted delightfully. "I'VE ALWAYS KNEW YOU WERE HIM! WELCOME HOME, SWEETIE!" She started to peck him all over his ehad as he jerked his head back in surprise and shock.

"Gee, a little warning next time would be fine, Mother." Moon, though, didn't mind being kissed by his own mother, but with two mares in the room was a completely different thing.

Celestia, however, continued to kiss her missed son all over his head, hearing a tired sigh from him as he didn't fight back.

"What happened to you after all these years?" She began questioning him. "How did you manage to survive? How did you get all those musces? And, for that matter, how did you get yourself that dragon to be replaced by your form?"

"One question at a time, would be nice." Moon complained as she finally stopped kissing him. When she loosened her grip on his for him to breathe, he began answering her questions one after one. "For how I survived, was that I was found by my other species' race, dragons. They took care of me, well, most of them. For how I managed to survive, is that I was found by the Princess of Dragons, Ember, at the great river. For how I got these muscles, is that I have trained for the last eight years with normal and intense methods. How I got my true form, is that my inner powers were released with my father, Lord Torch."

Celestia was shocked. The Dragon Lord was his father?! That's actually amazing. So, it was true then?

"Yes. It's true." Moon answered her inner question. "I am the son of the Dragon Lord himself, though more like an adopted son, in reality. I have met with my real parents in my dreams."

Waiting outside of the Princess' chambers, were almost all of the guards, maids, Shining Armor, the rest of the Mane Six, and even Prince Blueblood, whom looked disgusted for some reason.

"Why is it taking so damn long?" Blueblood asked in frustration, breaking the ice of excitement. "Why is my auntie taking her "sweet" time?"

"Zip it, Blueblood." Applejack pointed at him with a hoof. "You'd better be thankful that he was in there for now, and not outside with his abilities. You should be grateful for that."

"Oh please." Blueblood huffed, then realized what she said. "Wait, what do you mean by "abilities"? The monk-" He then also realized something horrifying in that thought.

"I wouldn't finish that sentence, Blueblood." Shining warned him. "From what we've seen or heard of, he had taken on an entire army of Changelings all by himself with a few clones of his own. He even took on that horrid Queen Chrysalis in singe combat. He's quite amazing, I'd say."

"Yes." Rarity agreed. "He's the true hero of Canterlot. His abilities are simply diving, as are his new form. It most truly feel special to have them, doesn't it?"

From his place, Blueblood began to sweat drop as he overheard everything. If the monkey was back, he was going to have a hard time getting him away now, especially if he had taken on a whole army by himself.

Seeing him sweating, Rarity smiled greedily. "Oh, we didn't tell you? Well, guess what, O all mighty Prince. The boy has quite amazing arm muscles, as well. He's so diving, as a matter of fact. He'd even had a side of him that show how aggressively he can be if you anger him to that level."

Blueblood now panicked after that line. The monkey can be aggressive? But, isn't that what all monkeys are when they're angered? It all made a little sense, but he was still going to have nightmares for his life when he finds out what he was told was the truth.

"In fact, I'd love to see what he can do to you," Rarity said, smiling mischievously. Blueblood let out a cry of a big "No!" and ran for the hell out of here, passing through the crowd of maids and guards, who looked at him suspiciously.

With the door to the Princess' chambers slowly opened only a little, the head of Celestia peeped through the hole and looked at the crowd awaiting for her.

"Captain Shining Armor." She called from the hole. "Please, inform everypony that it may take some time for us to be acquainted. Would you do that?"

"Of course, Princess." Shining bowed respectfully as the door closed again. "Alright, everypony," he turned to the crowd that watched in confusion. "You heard her. Let's give them some time alone." The crowd dispersed as the rest of the Mane Six and Shining also left the chamber door to Princess Celestia.

Inside the chambers' door, Moon was sitting on his mother's bed as she began counting his childhood with her.

"Well," Celestia began, recounting the times they used to live in. "It sure feels nice to be together again, doesn't it?" Moon nodded in agreement. "Although I'm still not used to you being a dragon, it sure feels safe whenever I look t your eyes. They represent the same kindness as it once held, but more of a sharper kindness than ever. How did you change, son?"

"It was my training, Mother," Moon replied honestly. "When I first arrived in Dragon Lands, I was cocky in my abilities and confidence. However, as the years passed by, my ego was slowly disappearing, to my father's approval. It feels nice to have some "replacement" parents than my true parents, Susan and Jonathanl, are their names."

"I see." Celestia said. "It must be nice to feel whole again, won't it?" Her son nodded his head a little. "Can you tell me about that "Predator Hunter" thing, son?"

"Well, it's hard to explain," Moon said with honest. "But, I've received quite a few numbers with wounds in the job. Ever since my first requirement , I was at first cocky with my confidence like I used to. But, that soon faded when my training as a Predator Hunter grew more in accurate. You need to be less egotistically to be able to have more seriousness in the training. The job is to find a lot of monsters, predators mind you, and stop them before they terrorizing the cities of creatures alike.

"When I first discovered one of them, I was feeling confident in my abilities to take it down. But, that soon came to my almost downfall as the predator weree nearly about to eat me. But, I managed to tap into my fire powers to burn it down, stopping its rampage as it laid there, dead."

"So, you need to kill in order to live?" Twilight asked, anxiety overtaking her mind.

"Yes." Moon nodded his head in confirming. "I had killed a lot of predators, however I won't do it to innocent lives, mind you."

"Well, that's a relief." Cadance sighed in relief.

"But, don't think that I won't be just as merciful to you than the predators." Moon reminded them. "There were times when my darkness overtook my being, mercilessly killing the predators to nothingness."

"That seems rather scary." Celestia said, with her child nodding his head again. "But, how did you get that darkness in the first place, son?"

"Well," Moon recounted the times of being consumed by hatred. "Whenever I feel angered, my darkness comes and takes over my being. The first time it happened, was because of my pride taking its toll over me. After the trial, the Dragon of Courage, I was overtaken by the darkness again when I was battling a one-headed hydra named Hydra. It was also when I was battling a gang mocking a young colt in a nearby forest of a nearby town in the west of here. There were also two times when Twilight and Cadance here tried to take me back to you, Mother."

"Never thought you would had been consumed by darkness that much, son," Celestia said in worry. "How did it feel?"

"It was scary. I was scared that I might hurt everypon else, innocence lives along with you, Mother. But, there was a time, in the middle of my battle with Daybreaker, the darkness took its toll over me again. So, that counts as six times when I was consumed by the darkness in my heart."

"Man, never thought you had that rough of a life, cousin." Cadance said sympathetically, looking at him with sad eyes.

"Well, yeah," Moon said. "I've had a tougher life back in the Lands with the dragons. But, you've heard my story, Cadance, but not my Mother." Celestia looked at him as he took a deep breath and began telling her his teen years of living with dragons: how he was saved by Princess Ember, taken in by her father as an adoptive son and brother to them, that he was going to have a race in three months after that. Also, that there was a going to be a trial in six years afterwards. So, he trained intensely after meeting up with tall dragon by the name Garble, who was now a rival to him. After three years of training, his first mission had begun; he should be at the minotaur kingdom that had a group of unicorns that threatened its citizens. It was here that the darkness first overtook him when his pride was high.

After the incident at the minotaur kingdom, he had trained for the next three years as the trial neared. With the Dragon of Courage taken place around the Dragon Lands and the Everfree Forest, he had been taking down twelve manticores down with Garble, which surprised the three ponies. After the first two trials were complete, Moon, whom had taken by the name Virin back then, had a long battle with Garble to determine who was the better dragon. Moon, or Virin, won the battle, being the better dragon in the Lands after using many multi-coloured attacks to take Garble down.

After the Dragon of Courage, Moon, or Virin, had battled a creature called Hydra the year afterwards. In the battle, the small dragon had been overtaken by the darkness again and fought viciously against Hydra, to Celestia's raised eyebrow of concern. As the battle ended, her child had used the loudest voice to be ever heard in Equestria and used a calledUltimate Boostto take out Hydra. But, he knew that it was not over as Hydra had just vanished out of thin air. A few months after that, he had trained again, with normal methods this time, but he still trained intensely in secret from his dragon family and friends. As the eight years were almost over, Moon, or Virin, decided to leave the Lands for Ponyland to find his other self, which he had now found, and battled an entire army of creatures known as Changelings, to Celestia's impressed expression.

With the story coming to now, Moon was almost out of breath as he finished it with saying that he had been overtaken by the darkness two times; the first when Twilight and Cadance tried to take him back, and the other was in the middle of an duel with Daybreaker. They knew the rest.

Gasping for breath, Moon was hugged by his mother as she held him with her wings around his body, tears of pride coming out of her eyes.

"I don't know what to say," she said. "But, all I know is, you had one of the toughest life in Equestria history. No doubt about it."

"Believe me," Moon gasped for breath, but still smiled at the gesture he was given. "I was called terrible things by Garble and his gang whenever I came across them. It was simply rough, to say in the least."

Celestia smiled at him kindly. "Thank you for telling me your story, son. It really helped me out as to why I couldn't find you for the last eight years." She cried at that, but Moon wiped the tears away with a hand, to her surprised look.

"Don't cry." He said. "I hate seeing people, or ponies, showing weaknesses. I haven't cried in my teenager life for the last years of living in the Dragon Lands. That was because I didn't want to be called "weak"."

His mother nodded her head, it was true. If she cried, she would just show her weakness. "Have you heard about your childhood life in this palace?" She wondered.

"Yes." Moon replied. "I heard it from Cadance." Twilight looked at her former foalsitter in surprise, but she just shrugged her shoulders in exaggerated.

In the alleyways of Canterlot, a shadowy silhouette was sneaking away from a barn, having an apple in its tail, and carrying one in its mouth along with its right paw. It was walking to the female that rested in the corner of the alleyway, having had coiled into a ball as her head lifted itself up at the sound of paws walking up to her.

"Here." The male's voice muffled, putting the apple in his mouth down in front of his sister, who took it in her left paw gratefully.

"Thanks, bro." She thanked sadly, taking a bite of the apple with a moaning sound coming from her, tears slowly beginning to form in her blue eyes.

"You okay, sis?" The male asked, concerned for his sister's well-being.

"O-oh, I'm fine." The female lied, taking another bite on her apple, but her gaze was downwards as she ate.

"You miss mother?" Her brother suddenly asked.

"Y-yes," his sister finally confessed. "What about you, bro? Do you miss her?"

"Of course I do," her brother said, adding, "I also wonder who our father is. Since I have his red scales, he must have been a red, fire dragon. Grandpa were also red, but our grandma was purple. So, I guess his scales must had come from grandpa."

His sister nodded sadly, tears striking down on her cheeks but her brother wiped them away with a free paw, holding his balance with his tail. The small youngling, without the shadow covering them anymore, was a red scaled dragon with bluish eyes as his spikes were relative small. His tailblade was a sword-shaped at the end.

The female, his sister, was a wyvern-like dragon. As she were a wyvern, she had the characteristics of a dragon, too. She stood on all four, with her wings connected to her forepaws. Her tailblade was a scythe-shaped at the end. Her eyes were a pinkish colour. She had no spikes on her back at all. It was just a smooth back.

After having lost their mother to the humans, the two small ones were transported to this new, strange colourful world with no intentions at all. They were completely lost, as they had lost their home, the White City, by the humanoid creatures with guns and bazookas. It was just a horrible sight of seeing their home being torn apart by them, so they were transported to this world by their grandmother in order to be protected.

Although they had no memory of what their home looked like anymore, they were reminded themselves of what their family had been like before they had come here. Since living in this new world now, they had to be extra careful of not being spotted by these strange, talking hoeses.

"Bro?" His sister's voice got him out of his trance of thoughts. "You alright?"

"Yeah, just thinking." He answered.

"Hey you!" A sharp voice got their attention as they were being taken outside of the alleyway by a gang of unicorns, revealing themselves to the public, who gasped at seeing two such young dragons in the city.

Standing on his balcony, Moon took in the fresh air as he breathed out, inhaling and exhaled again. Just then, he heard a loud commotion coming from below the palace. He looked down to see a crowd surrounding two very young creatures that looked like a dragon and a wyvern from the myths.

Gasping in shock, Moon transformed into his dragon form, spreading his wings out and took flight down to where the commotion happened.

Hearing the sounds of wings flapping, the crowd of ponies looked up to see a third dragon landing in front of the two small ones in a protective matter, with a scowl and stern expression on his face.

"What's going on here?" The Prince demanded in sternness. "Why are you surrounding these young ones?"

"Step aside, dragon." The leader of the gang called from his place. "These two must be dealt with before they decides to eat more of our food."

Moon heard the two young ones gasp in shock. He glanced briefly at them from over his shoulder before sternly looked back at the one who dared to talk to him. "you have no respect for your Prince, do you?" He questioned.

The ponies gasped in shock and a little bit of fear. He's their Prince? When did that happen?

"Just a few hours ago, actually." Moon answered their thoughts. "Now, disperse!" However, they didn't listen to him, just standing there, as though motionless. Gritting his teeth in anger, Moon tried again. "I'll repeat myself more clear. Disperse!"

"We do not take orders from you, dragon." The leader laughed greedily and evilly. "We only takes orders from the Princess herself."

"Well, let's to be clear on one thing, shall we?" Moon said, angrily. "Iamyour Prince. Princess Celestia's son, nephew to her sister, and new ruler of Canterlot. I'll say this one more time before I get angry. Disperse!" They didn't listen to him,again, however. They just stood there, angry scowls on their faces.

"Sorry, "Prince", but we takes no orders from the likes of you anymore." The leader of the unicorn gang reminded him. "Now, where were we, oh dear young ones?" His horn lit up with a bluish colour, but Moon let loose a small fireball in his face, stopping the magic before it was ready to levitate the two young ones. "You dare attack me?!"

"Hey, if this is going to stop you from taken this too seriously, then so be it." Moon spat in disgust, spitting in the unicorn's face, who wiped the spit away with a hoof, staring angrily at the Prince.

"Normally we don't like violence, but this'll have to do." The leader's horn lit up with a bright blue colour and shot a magic beam at Moon, hitting him in the chest, but it did no damage at all. "What?!"

"I don't take damage that easily, you piece of dirt." Moon shouted, creating gasps of horror from the ponies at his bad wording. The dragon got into his defense stance as the unicorn blinked at him. He really want to fight? Alright, that does it.

The leader's thugs charged at the dragon, ignoring their leader's cries of stop. The dragon punched the one leading the charge hard in the face, forcing him to stagger back in surprise. When the unicorn's horn lit up with a brown colour, he shoot a magic beam at the trio of dragons, with the younglings gasping in horror. However, to the younglings' amazement, Moon let out aFire Shieldto protect them from any harm, shocking the one who attacked a great deal.

With the shield disappearing, Moon charged forward with an angry scowl on his face as he gritted his teeth. He punched a unicorn in the face, while kicking another in the side, causing them to cry out in pain. Moon did the same with the opposite way, making more cry of pain appear in the air. The unicorns' horns lit up with different coloured magic, and shoot two beams at the dragon, but he jumped above them to avoid the being hit, with the unicorns themselves being hit by their own partner. Chuckling at that, Moon punched and kicked one of the unicorns all over with his forepaws and backpaws, causing great cries of pain from them.

When he stopped, Moon looked over at the younglings, now being held by two of the gang's unicorns. He gritted his teeth, and opened his mouth while firing two fireballs at each of the unicorns, causing them to drop the younglings to the ground. Moon charged at one of the two unicorns who dared hold his two young ones, kicking and punching him in the front all over, making him being paralyzed in shock as he fell to the ground, unmoving. The partner of the unicorn's horn lit up with magic as he shot a beam from his horn, but Moon fired a fireball at the incoming beam, resulting in a shock lock between the two attacks. The unicorn ran for the dragon, but the dragon punched him in the face, while kicking him on the side, sending him in a few of the innocent watchers of the crowd, being paralyzed like his partner.

The two young ones ran up to Moon, who soothed them that everything was going to be alright. His voice, being protective of them, was like he was their father all along, in the younglings' sparkling eyes.

"Hey!" The leader shouted. "We're in the middle of an battle here!" The younglings winced at the voice, but Moon was unfazed by the threat that the leader made, running up to one of the unicorns and started punching and kicking him all over as he cried out to stop. But, Moon didn't listen as he continued with his assaults as he managed to get him paralyzed as he coiled himself down on the ground in defeat. The leader gritted his teeth in rage. What was going on here?! Everything was happening so fast!

With the unicorn being defeated, Moon focused his angry stare at the leader, who cowered back in fear as he was next in line. Moon charged at the leader, with his young ones watching in amazement as he hit the leader hard as the leader fell backwards ni pain from being hit by the horns in the chest. Moon ran up to him and began kicking and punching him all over, eventually managed to paralyze him as well as he laid there, defeated in a matter of seconds.

That was a quick battle,Moon thought, panting as he headed over to protect the young ones more as the crowd began to walk closer to them. Just then, a booming voice came from above them.

"What's going on here?!" The voice of the Princess demanded heatedly. They all looked up and saw the Mane Six and Cadance with the Princess, standing on a balcony overlooking the streets.

Motioning them to hop on his back, the two young ones obliged as Moon spread his wings and flew up to his mother and friends as he hovered in the air.

"Moon, what happened?" Celestia asked in worry, looking at the frightened children on her son's back as they shivered.

"These two young ones were being threatened by the gang below, whose intention was to harm them with their magic. However, I managed to step up and got them down in a battle." Moon replied honestly, shrugging his shoulders a little, not wanting to drop the young children.

"Thank you for being honest, son." Celestia thanked him gracefully. "You didn't use your fire did you?"

"Only at a minimum level." Moon answered with honest. "I didn't burn them, as you are seeing below."

"Is he being honest, Applejack?" Twilight asked her friend, who looked at him with sharp eyes, before jerked her head back in surprise.

"Aye. He's being honest." Applejack finally answered. Moon smiled at the blonde haired Earth pony, happy for being honest.

"Do you think you could gather them together, son?" His mother asked him. "I would like to have a word with them for threatening these children." She motioned her head to the frightened children.

"Sure." Moon hovered over to his cousin. "Take care of them, would you?" He asked her.

"Of course." Cadance nodded, lighting up her horn with a pink magic and levitated hte scared children over to her so she could soothe them. Moon flew straight down to the ground, and began gathering the paralyzed unicorns together.

With his telekinesis ability activated, Moon levitated the unicorns with his eyes glowing a bright bluish colour, to the ponies' shock and amazement. Moon's wings began flapping as he hovered into the air, with the paralyzed unicorns following him by his will, flying up to his mother as she nodded in thanks.

After what seemed like hours, the children that Cadance had finally submitted to sleep as the group watched them with smiles on their faces. Moon, though, watched them with a frown on his face. He still didn't know how they got here, mostly the same as him with his mother transporting them to Equestria.

As they continued to watch the sleeping children, the group walked out of the room without talking, intending to let them sleep.

As the door slowly closed behind them the group finally began to speak but lowly.

"What do you think could had happened to them?" Twilight asked, her voice low.

"I don't know." Rarity admitted. "But, those poor darlings sure had a rough life, especially after what happened earlier today."

"It was just so horrible seeing them like that," Fluttershy said in a whisper, only be heard by her friends. "It felt like I was being torn apart just by seeing them getting bullied by that gang."

"Aye," Applejack nodded her head, tapping her hat with a hoof. "It wasn't a pleasant sight, that's for sure." It was then that she realized something. "Was it them that took some of my apples?" She whispered sharply.

"Shh!" Her friends shushed her. "Don't wake them." However, although she hate to admit it, Applejack thought it was alright for them to take her apples.

"Jeez." The orange mare whispered. "Calm down. I was fine with them not being hungry to death. Besides, they're just apples." She shrugged after that.

Moon had been quiet in the whole whispered conversation. He just stared at the door to the children the whole time, as though he wanted to check up on how they were doing. He touched his scar on the left eye with an flat hand, letting out a sigh as he prepared to enter the room again.

"Hey!" Twilight cried out lowly. "Where are you going?"

"Just checking up on them, actually." Moon replied, though he didn't lower his voice as he slowly entered the room to the two younglings, closing the door as he had entered.

Letting out a low groan, Twilight looked at her friends as they nodded for her to let them be. They walked down the hall to the throne room where Princess Celestia was already punishing the gang for bullying the two younglings.

With his friends finally leaving, Moo had peeped through a small crack of the door so he could see them that they had left. Sighing in relief, he closed it whole as he transformed into his dragon form as he waited for the two young ones to wake up.

After what had seemed like hours, two groans were heard from them. They blinked a few times until their visions became clear as they looked around for the red dragon. They saw him sitting in the middle of the room, waiting patiently for them to come over.

They obliged as Moon hugged the children warmly, whispering, "Good afternoon."

"It's already afternoon?" The male asked in surprise.

"Yes." Moon confirmed. "You slept through the noon until it were fourteen AM." Their eyes widened in sudden shock. They had slept that long? "Actually, yes." The fire dragon confirmed again.

The young hatchlings' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as they had heard him just confirmed their inner thoughts.

"Long story short," Moon started. "Psychic abiility, able to read inner minds of people. Though, I do it respectfully with their permission. But, in this case, I allowed myself to touch your minds willingly, whether you wanted me to or not."

"It was fine...dad." The female rubbed his chest with her head.

Moon's eyes widened in shock and a bit of anxiety. "What did you just call me?" He whispered, as though not to frighten her.

"I called you daddy." She clarified. "Why, is that bad?"

"Oh no." Moon shook his head as she perked up at that. "I would love to be your protective parent. I love children, in fact. So, it was no problem for you to call me dad, or daddy."

Eyes watering in tears, the female wyvern rested her head on his chest again as Moon tried to soothe her with small and kind words, with her brother helping their new father.

After she calmed her tears down, Moon began asking her one question. "If you don't mind me asking, dear daughter," he started. "What kind of species are you?"

"A wyvern and dragon hybrid." His daughter answered his question, resting her head on his warm chest again, eyes beginning to water again as she felt so happy with emotions trigger inside her. They were positive emotions; happiness, calmness, innocence, and a bit of both of anxiety and fear.

Moon felt her waves of emotions in his body. She felt so happy for him to confess that he wanted them to be his children. It was then that he decided to show them their grandmother and her sister.

"Come, dear children," Moon got their attention. "I want to show you around the palace, your new home, and how it has many guards to protect you."

"Really, dad?" His son asked. "You want to show us around, like a tour?"

"Of course." Their father nodded. "However, since I'm still readjusting to these surroundings, I'll get us two guards to show us around since I'm not very familiar with these grounds." His voice began calling for duo of guards to come. "Guards!"

Just as quickly, two guards came to the room in a rushing manner. "Yes, our Prince?" They asked in unison.

"Would you please show us around the palace?" Moon asked. "I want to show these children of how great it is."

"Of course." The guards bowed respectfully to him. "This way." They motioned for the door. Deciding to trust their father's words, the two younglings stayed close to him as he walked out of the room, with the guards following them behind and began leading them around the palace.

After what had seemed like hours, the tour came to an end to the throne room. Moon had just showed his new children around like how a real father would do if it was a normal house.

With the doors to the throne room opening by a blue magic aura, Moon led his children in the room as the Mane Six greeted them with expected eyes, as though they had just realized something while they hadn't.

"Welcome, dear young ones," Celestia, from her throne, greeted the two. "Please come closer." Looking at their father, who nodded in reassurance, the two younglings came over to their grandma as she went down to their level with expected pink eyes. "I've heard that my son had confessed his feelings for you two."

"Y-You have?!" The two sputtered together.

Giving them a soft laugh, Celestia nodded. "Of course. He can't hide anything from his mother." From where he was standing, Moon gave an unnoticeable blush as he flushed in embarrassment. His mother giggled at that, she had clearly seen his blush.

"W-What do you mean, mother?" Moon stuttered in shock.

"Oh, please." Celestia giggled again. "Like you can hide anything from mares, dear son. Though, I thank you."

"For what, mother?"

"For bringing me some grandfoals." Celestia thanked gratefully. "I've always wanted to feel what it was like being a grandmother to children of my child. But, since you're clearly a human I guess, you can't produce any foals with another mare as your marefriend."

Blushing noticeable, Moon spluttered out, "I-It's not like I had found anypony yet!" It felt still weird saying "anypony", especially in front of his friends and mother, who all chuckled at the now family's embarrassment.

Celestia composed herself. "I have an announcement to the citizens of Canterlot that their Prince has returned. Would you like to attend?" She gave him the puppy eyes, but he could nearly resist them.

"Sure, why not?" Moon sighed in defeat. Celestia smiled gracefully and nodded in thanks, with her son rolling his eyes in exasperation as he watched her going down to his children's level again.

"What is it?" They spoke in unison.

"Before the announcement, would you like to meet your grandmother's sister?" Celestia asked them softly with a motherly voice. Feeling soothed and safe by her voice, the younglings nodded as they made an agreement to give her a visit. "Excellent. Now, if you all would please..." The Princess looked at the Mane Six and Shining as they nodded knowingly as they walked out of the throne room with smiles on their faces.

"Why did you send them away?" The wyvern asked her grandma.

"For nothing, my dear." Celestia smiled at her kindly. "If you would just follow me this way." She walked down from the two thrones, going over to the hallway with a moon symbol above it, with the trio following her as they walked down the hall to Luna's room.

After a few more minutes of walking, they came to a stop in front of an door with a moon symbol on the front side of it. Moon chuckled as he recognized the symbol as it had probably gave him his name.

"Wait behind me, okay?" Celestia asked the family kindly. They nodded as the Princess slowly opened the door to her sister's room as she walked inside with the family walking after her from behind. "Luna, wake up."

Groaning the dark blue mare said, "Why wake us up, Tia? We are sleepy."

Both Celestia and her son chuckled at that. It was Old English to the human's eyes, that's for sure.

"Remember to say "I", sister. We're not in the old literature anymore." Celestia reminded her sister.

"W-I am sorry, Tia." Luna groaned, rubbing her azure blue eyes that seemed familiar with the human. "But, after what thou had taught me, I felt more sleepiness overtaken me." It was an excuse; no doubt about it.

Chuckling again, Celestia began asking her sister one question. "Do you remember my son?"

"Oh, you mean the child that was foalnapped and was murdered?" Luna questioned.

Moon's eyes, from behind Celestia, widened in shock at that brutal response.

"Now, sister, that wasn't very nice thing to say-" Celestia was cut off as Luna began booming in front of her.

"Tia! Watch out! A strange creature is behind you!" Her horn lit up with an azure blue aura and fired it at Moon just as he managed to get a bright red light to protect himself, causing Luna to shield her eyes from the light.

When the light faded, a dragon was in place of the human that Luna had tried to strike with her magic, with an angry scowl on his face, to the dark blue mare's confusion.

"Okay, now I'm angry." Moon growled. "Oh, one last thing before I attack, never anger dragons!" He flew straight at a shocked Luna, who didn't have enough time to dodge the incoming assault from the dragon as they flew out of the window behind the bed and landed down in the garden, with a duel that had commenced.

Moon charged at the dark blue alicorn with his horns in front, hitting her directly at the chest, sending her back as she lit her horn up with an azure blue aura as she fired an magic beam from it and at the dragon, who managed to hover in the air to avoid being hit.

Luna gritted her teeth as she fired another magic beam at the dragon, who flew around to dodge the attacks from the alicorn as he let out anFire Shieldattack to defend himself from the coming attacks by the alicorn, who was supposed to be his aunt.

With her horn lit up with an azure blue aura, Luna fired an consecutively attack at the shield that protected the dragon from her own assaults. Gritting his teeth in rage as the shield had broke after a tenth attack, Moon charged down at the alicorn and hit her hard in the chest when he landed and ran straight for her, staggering her back in mild surprise.

After an intense duel, lasting for a few more minutes, it finally came to an end with both creatures panting hard as they gave each other a small smile at the duel that had just ended in a draw.

"Now, feel our wrath and go to the moon, dragon!" Luna shouted in rage, but a voice stopped her from doing so.

"Stop!" A young feminine voice yelled and a wyvern-like dragon ran up to her exhausted father, who hugged her as she had tears in her eyes.

Seeing them like this, made Luna's eyes go wide open in shock. The way they hugged, reminded her of the times when she had been hurt on the inside with her sister. They must be a family, which was true.

The female wyvern begged Luna with, "Please don't send my daddy to the moon. He's quite a nice and cool dragon once you get to know him." She had tears in her eyes as she sobbed, resting her head on her father's chest, who gave her comforting words that everything was going to be alright.

Luna's eyes widened even more in shock. He's that creature's father?! It didn't make any sense. How can a dragon be a parent to a wyvern hybrid? It all just doesn't make any sense at all. It was just impossible.

"Nothing's impossible. It's actually quite possible." Moon groaned as he had heard her thoughts with his psychic abilities. He had pain all over his body from being hit by that alicorn from the sides. It was too much for him to handle, but he managed to evn hug his daughter despite the pain he felt.

Luna widened her eyes even more. He had heard her, then? Weren't that against privacy?

"I know that it's against the privacy of one's inner thoughts, that's why I do it respectfully and only be allowed to do so if the creature allows me to. But, in my family, I had permission from my mother to read your thoughts with my psychic abilities." Moon groaned in pain at each word he had mouthed.

Luna narrowed her eyes at him. Why would her sister be a family to a brute dragon like him? It didn't make any-

"Actually, it does make sense." Moon grunted to her. "Before you had finished that inner sentence, I read your thoughts with my abilities. For how do I have these abilities you may ask? I have a friend that is unique for being a psychic dragon, or drake if you may so decide to call us, whom has elemental attacks, that. And, it's quite rude to call a human a brute dragon if he's a cool one that decides to spare an innocent being like you."

Luna narrowed her eyes even more. "How are thou a "human", dragon?" The wvvern didn't ask the same question as she just rested her head on his chest while he rubbed her back comfortingly.

"It's because I am a shape-shifter, or an Halfling, a being that is capable to transform into any creature if they do so choose. I chose to be a dragon for standard and decided to always change into that." Hearing wings flapping, Moon raised his head to see his mother coming down to him as she hugged him with her wings around him, gently, though.

Luna was confused at that.

"How are you feeling, son?" The dark blue mare's eyes widened at that. Her sister called that creature "son"? She titled her head as she listened to the conversation.

"Pain. Too much pain." Moon groaned painfully. "She sure got me good. I've never seen anypony attack that violently before."

"Trust me," Celestia said. "She'd never attack that violent when she would had found out that you were my son and his children my grandfoals."

Luna's eyes widened again. That wyvern is a grandfoal of her sister's? Well, it made sense since she was the child of the red dragon. After a few minutes of talking, Celestia unwrapped her wings from her son's body, as he felt to one knee as he summoned a red gem that glowed a brighter colour and healed him with energy, feeling refreshed after that.

"Well, that sure was quite a display you showed us, son," Celestia gave a weak chuckle as her son were done healing with the red gem growing a darker colour for being left out of energy.

"I concur." Luna agreed, walking over to them. "It was quite refreshing to have a sparring partner once in a while. It usually gets boring in the day than at night." Her sister chuckled at that.

With his daughter coming over to her grandma, Moon narrowed his eyes at Luna, who leaned back at the stare giving her way.

"You think this was a spar, do you?" He snarled. "It was dangerous, especially if you were happen to send me in the moon for a thousand years. From what my dad told me, you were the new alicorn that came a year back, right? Then, you must be it."

"Why are thou snarling at me?" Luna demanded in a heated voice.

"Because you just tried to "kill" me." Moon sneered, keeping the word "kill" as a minimum word to his daughter.

"We did not."

"Did so."

"Not."

"So."

"Stop it." Celestia came in-between them with her granddaughter at her side. "Arguing isn't going to sole anything. Try and be calm and nice to each other. I want our family to be together again." She had tears in her pink eyes after that.

Luna and Moon regretted everything they now had done, with the latter coming close to his mother and hugged her, whom hugged him back as they stayed like that for a few minutes.

After a few more minutes, the heated argument between aunt and nephew finally calmed down, with the former apologizing to him.

"Sorry." Luna apologized. "I did not mean to sound anything harsh towards thou. I was just hoping to scare thou."

"Hey, you didn't say "we" this time." Moon chuckled, happy that his aunt forgave him after she had threatened to send him to the moon.

Hearing hooves coming their way, the four looked over to see the male dragon, the Mane Six and Shining coming over to them, with the siblings hugging one another in happiness that the other was alright.

Smiling at his children, Moon looked at the group apologetically. "Sorry if we scared you just now. We didn't mean to go into a duel, right, aunt Luna?"

"Yes, dear nephew." Luna gave a nervous chuckle along with him. "We were sorry if we happened to create a commotion in the palace."

"It's mighty fine, Princess." Applejack said, accepting the apology. "Just happy that you two were being honest is all." Her friends nodded at that.

A day passed by after the little duel between Luna and her nephew, with the former still apologizing to her nephew after what she had said to him. He still forgives her, but said that she needed to be more careful with her words from then on.

Luna was happy that she had found a better nephew than Blueblood, who was a spoiled brat to her eyes, believing to be the stronger pony in all of Equestria, although he wasn't.

Moon had explained his story to his aunt, who was both surprised and shocked to hear how he had gotten his scar from a violent drake called Azam. She noted that she want to deal with him when she sees him in Ponyland. When he had told his story again, Moon was almost out of breath, but luckily, Luna had summoned a glass of water for him to drink when he were done with his story.

He had also told her about his old childhood here in the palace, to her wide smile of happiness for her sister.

The next day came, where the announcement was going to happen, Celestia had prepared a stage in front of the palace for them to meet up with the citizens of Canterlot. Moon, as always, was shivering at the very thought of going onstage for a whole city. He hated the very thought about it, but he agreed with his mother to do it, despite his fright of stages.

Walking through the crowd of ponies, who watched her with amazed eyes, she was curious as to why she was here.

"Mom, why are we here again?" She asked her mother, bearing an azure blue coat with a brown fedora on her to keep her hidden from the stares. "After when he was gone for eight years, I thought of never coming back here."

"It was a special delivery from the Princess herself," her mother reminded her. "We just couldn't say no, and besides, I'd bet that he would be here if he's even are here."

Sighing, the cloaked mare looked at the stage decorated with red curtains and yellow stars on them with curiosity.

If he was indeed here, then she would love to just see him one last time to see if the rumour was true. After hearing about a strange two-legger had taken out an entire army of Changelings, she was curious as to who it could had been that had taken them out of Canterlot.

Afraid, Moon was hiding behind the curtains with the Mane Six who stared at him with confused eyes.

"Why are ya scared, Prince Moon?" Applejack asked in wonder.

"Afraid of stages." Moon replied honestly.

Applejack blinked at him by the honest answer. She gave a soft laugh, to his inquisitively look.

"What's so funny?" He asked sternly.

"You." Applejack replied. "Afraid of stages? Oh, please, don't be so frightened of that. It's just a stage. Nothing to be worried about."

"Says you." Moon rolled his eyes, with his children staring at him incredulously. Hearing a cry, they looked around for the source of the voice. With something landing on his head, Moon smiled a little as he remembered its name as he perched on his shoulder. "Hello, P-Philomena." Philomena's eyes sparkled and nuzzled his cheek gently. Moon scratched the pheonix gently at its feathers, gaining an enjoyable grunting sound from it.

"Well," his mother's voice came from behind him. "I see that she has fully regenerated herself. I'm not surprised that it wanted to look for you first."

Moon turned his head to her, asking, "She's mine, then?"

"Oh, yes." Celestia nodded. "I gave her to you as a birthday present at the age of seven, or was it six? I don't remember." She gave a soft laugh at that, with her son giving one as well. The Princess then asked him curiously, "Are you really scared of stages, son?"

"Yes." Moon sighed. "After an experience with a large group of dragons, with I on a stage with the old grey dragon, I was scared. Heck, I was frightened out of my mind after I won the Dragon of Courage."

"I'd imagine you were." Celestia laughed softly when he finished the sentence. "But, you don't have to worry. I am right here next to you when you go out on the stage."

Sighing again, Moon continued to scratch Philomena gently on her feathers, gaining a moaning sound from her as she flapped her wings and flew over to Twilight, landing on her back as Celestia walked out on the stage, with the crowd cheering for her to finally announce what they had come for.

"Hello, dear citizens." Celestia greeted, gaining another round of cheering. "I am here to announce that, for ten years, have I kept hidden that I had a child all of these years all along."

The crowd was curious, especially the cloaked mare standing next to her azure blue mother.

"I have a bit of an announcement, he is the one that had defeated the Changelings that had attacked our dear city. I am grateful to him, as I know you all are as well."

The cloaked mare perked up at this. The city had been attacked? That's legally impossible.

"With the army defeated, the hero of Canterlot had fled the city to go to his home, which I was worried about when I found out about his appearance that were similar to my own child. The way he looked, the way he moves, and his agile, were all in a rush as he came back into this city.

"After he had come back, a gang of unicorns had attacked him a few days later." A collective gasps of shock. "But, he defeated them in single combat, overpowering them with his swift movements and quick scanning of their own movements. From what I had heard, he defeated them without using his fire power. An noble goal to beat a group of ponies, I say."

Moon blushed at that, hiding behind a cargo with his arms folded.

"But, just after a few days again, two young ones were reported being in the city. However, he protected them from another group of unicorns with relative ease. He was capable of defending both them and himself."

The ponies were happy after that. He was a noble hero, they think.

"However, this isn't an announcement for the recent events that had occurred in the city. I am here to announce you that my son has returned to me after eight long years of being separated."

The ponies cheered her and were happy for her.

"Thank you." Celestia had tears in her eyes at this. "You don't know how much this means to me and my son. I would be sure to tell him how you care for the both of us. Now, with the announcement nearly done, I am hereby going to present you the Hero of Canterlot. Everypony, I give you my son, your Prince: Moon." She motioned her head behind for him to come forth.

Giving a shaken breath, Moon summoned his wings as he looked at his children who gave him courageous eyes. Nodding to them, Moon smiled at them as he hovered above the cargo as he landed beside his mother, to a confused crowd of ponies as they went silent and stayed still.

"Hello, everypony!" Moon called out. "As for what my mother has told me, I am the Hero of Canterlot, the creature you had seen taken on an entire army of Changelings by himself. I, however, had cloned myself in order for me to defeat the Queen's army, just so I could take on her myself. With the clones taking on the army, I decided to go to the palace and attack the Queen herself.

"After a long, or short, battle, I defeated her with one of my attacks just right above her from the skies of Canterlot. However, it was truly one of your Princesses that defeated the Changeling army, I just exhausted them to allow them to send them away. I confess, I wasn't the true hero this time around.

"When I found out about that I was grown up here, I decided to be your Prince again after eight years of being away. For where I was, it's a secret to you. However, I suspect that you might had heard of an long battle between me and my rival in the skies, correct?"

The ponies stayed silent, giving their expressions as the answer.

"I'll take your inner thoughts as a yes." Moon said aloud. "For how I am able to hear your thoughts, it's also a secret." As he continued with talking about how he had defeated two groups of unicorns just after he had arrived in the city, the cloaked mare couldn't take her eyes off of him as she looked at his bluish-yellow eyes that were all but familiar to her.

After a long speech, Moon ended it with, "I thank you for listening. Now, I will be on my way with my mother as we want to reconcile ourselves a bit more." Applejack narrowed her eyes. It was a lie, no doubt about it.

The cloaked mare, however, slowly began to walk up to the stage when he was about to turn away along with the Princess, who was disappointed at the crowd for being silent for her son.

"Wait!" The cloaked mare called out finally, gaining the two's attention as they turned back around to her. Two unicorn ponies, both females, walked up to the stage as they watched the human with curious eyes.

"Are you really him?" The mother of the cloaked mare asked.

"Him, who?" Moon questioned inquisitively, eyeing her suspiciously.

"No need to be suspicious." The mare told him. "We're just familiar with your eyes, that is all." The cloaked mare couldn't take it anymore; she ran up and hugged the human tightly, resting her head on his chest as he looked at her in shock. However, while he was shocked, his mother smiled gracefully at the display before her.

Celestia turend her head to the crowd that looked quite surprised. "Well, unlike this cloaked mare, all of you are dismissed. I am very disappointed in you all." The crowd dispersed finally, giving the group some space alone.

Chapter Fourteen: A Day with the Children

It was like any other day. The sun was blazing gracefully in the blue sky above the land, its yellow setting slowly rising the sky. The trees were as green as the day before, with the ground filled with grass and beautiful flowers. The cities were just as lively as they always were, even the quiet towns. The birds chirped happily while some of them gave their young some food in the nests.

In the city of Canterlot, on the balcony overlooking the ponies below, a human of average height was resting his arms on the rails as his two children were looking down with him. He was smiling in pure happiness, as his family were whole again.

After a strange encounter with the cloaked pony, Moon was suddenly happy to see her again. Again was another word new for him. He hadn't seen her in ages, not before he had received his amnesia and the like. But, just that one encounter with her, filled him with emotions of happiness and joy, filling his once anger away.

Just by seeing her one time made him either shocked or innocent, as he hadn't felt this kind of emotions before in his life.

"Dad?" His son's voice gained his attention as he looked down at him.

"Yes?" Moon gave a small pouting look as his son nuzzled his leg.

"We're happy to be your children." The small dragon smiled in pure happiness.

"And I'm happy to be your father," Moon admitted. "Also, while we're on topic, I didn't quite catch your names before. What are they?"

"I'm Jaxar." The small dragon introduced himself. "And my sister's name is Varin."

"Hm. Varin sounds like Virin in some ways." Moon hummed in interest, looking at his innocence daughter. "Just with the "I" replaced with an "A" in the name. I approve of it, actually."

"I'm glad you like it, daddy," Varin gave a noticeable blush of embarrassment, nuzzling his other leg as he patted her on the back, her winged arms close together while she nuzzled him.

Hearing his door opening from behind them, Moon turned his head over his shoulder, seeing his mother standing in the doorway with a knowing smile on her face.

"Breakfast is ready, you three." Celestia called to them.

"Be there in a few seconds." Moon called back, as the Princess closed the door with her magic as he looked down at his children. "Let's go slowly there, alright? There's no need to rush to the dinner hall." Varin and Jaxar nodded as the trio made their way towards the door, with the human opening it by the handle with a hand, with his children walking out first before he closed the door behind him as he got out of his room.

As they walked down the hallway, Moon bumped into someone, or somepony, by accident, causing him to fall on his butt on the floor.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" The voice of Blueblood rumbled angrily. When he noticed who he bumped into, he narrowed his eyes in rage. "Oh, it's you. What do you want?"

"Nothing for today." Moon grumbled, dusting himself as he got up. "What do you want, Blueblood?"

"It's Prince Blueblood to you, monkey!" The Prince yelled at him, but he was unfazed by the yell.

"Say that again, and I will burn you to ashes." Moon threatened, scaring Blueblood as he thought that he now had a fire power inside him that he want to play with. Sweating like paper, Blueblood dashed away from him in a sprint, passing through curious stares of guards on the way.

Sighing in relief of that very short encounter, Moon assured his children with a smile. "I just joked around. I promised mother that I wouldn't hurt anypony unless threatened."

Varin and Jaxar smiled in response, glad that was settled. Resuming their walk to the dinner hall, Moon greeted the many guards and maids with a "Good morning" which they greeted back with as they passed by him and the two younglings.

As they made their way towards the dinner hall's door, Moon opened the door and narrowed his eyes at his mother whilst her horn had lit up with an magic aura. She smiled sheepishly at him, with her horn's magic fading away as she chuckled nervously.

"Why that narrow stare, son?" Celestia sheepishly asked.

"Not going to happen this time, mother." Moon simply replied, getting two chars out to his children when they hopped on them and sat down. He took a seat between his mother and son, ready to eat some breakfast to start the day.

"What's for the menu?" Moon asked her, resting his arms on the rather large round table, taking a deep breath as he smelt some food in the kitchen.

"I ordered some oatmeal for you, son." Celestia replied. "It's because, when you were little, you always loved to have some oatmeal to breakfast and lunch. So, I thought why not order that like good old times?"

"Works for me." Moon shrugged his shoulders. "I can't live on gems and crystals, you know. So, I believe some oatmeal will have to do for the time being when I'm here."

Nodding in pleasure, Celestia looked at the two small ones with a reassuring smile. "And I ordered the same thing for you two, my dears."

"Thanks, grandma!" Both Jaxar and Varin chirped happily, causing their father to chuckle at that.

"I still don't get the reason why they're your grandfoals, Princess." Rainbow said, looking at the children with a curious look. "And especially two who'are not ponies."

Shaking his head, Moon reminded her, "Rainbow Dash, any being can be a grandfoal, adopted or not. I adopted these two as my own, so they're her grandfoals now. Accept it that way."

"Fine." The rainbow maned pegasus said grumpily, rolling her pink eyes.

Chuckling again, Moon turned to the cloaked pony that sat between Twilight and Rarity. "What's your name? I don't think I heard about it before."

Breaking up in a few tears, the cloaked mare answered, "Radiant Hope, my Prince. And, for that matter, we were once friends in your foalhood."

"Were we?" Moon repeated. "Strange, I don't remember." Radiant teared up at that moment, with Rarity soothing her with motherly words.

"You could've been more approachable than that." The white unicorn scolded him.

Shrugging, Moon turned to the mother of the cloaked mare. "I don't think of seeing you before. Were you in any way my foalsitter?"

"Yes." The azure blue mare nodded. "when you were just a small child, I was the foalsitter of you when your mother had Day Court with the nobles of Canterlot."

"Huh." Moon said in surprise. "That's definitely something. What's your name, then?"

"Crystal Rose, my dear." Rose introduced herself with a bow of her head, making Moon chuckle at the humbleness giving to him. Unlike Blueblood, he were more approachable to their subjects than him. Subjects were another new word for him, since he wasn't a dragon prince back when he lived with Princess Ember and Lord Torch. That was because the dragons were rejecting and objecting the fact about it. So, his father accepted that when they objected that the human shouldn't be their prince.

As they talked amongst themselves, the door to the dinner hall opened. Moon expected it to be his male cousin, but it wasn't him. Instead, it was Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, along with the latter's presumably parents, whose coats were a dark blue and greyish purple colours.

The latter immediately noticed the human getting up as he prepared to introduce himself. She broke into tears as she tackled him into a hug, crying outloud at that.

"It's okay. It's okay." Moon tried to soothe her along with the dark blue unicorn. The grey mare finally calmed down as she looked at him in the eyes, staring in his bluish-yellow orbs caringly.

"Are you really him...?" She asked slowly.

"Him, who?" Moon cocked his head to the side in confusion. Then realization came to him being. "Oh, yes. The hero of Canterlot. That's me."

"I wasn't asking about you being the hero of Canterlot." The mare corrected him. "About if you were my nephew or not."

"Oh, that?" Moon gave a sheepish smile, as he nodded in confirming. "Well, since I learned that there were the Sparkle family being in this family, then I guess I am your nephew in some ways."

The mare broke into tears again and hugged him once more. The two small ones were confused at the display before them, not understanding the situation around them nor did their father.

The mare continued to hug the human, who pleaded with a mouthed "Help me" to his mother, who finally nodded as she began speaking to the grey mare.

"I think that's enough, my little pony." Celestia called to her as the mare stopped hugging the human, to his breath of relief. The dark blue unicorn also breathed out in slight relief after the display that had just occurred with his wife.

Just then, breakfast was served to the two families. Oatmeal to the trio consisting of a human, dragon-slash-wyvern hybrid and dragon, with the two small ones already digging in their food, making chuckle echo around the table at their hunger, to their ignorance as they continued to eat their meal.

Chuckling to himself at his children, Moon began to eat his own oatmeal as he took a fork to eat with, while the unicorns used their magics to levitate their own forks to eat their own breakfast.

After a few minutes of eating, they were already full with stomachs as they all breathed out in huge relief as their hunger stopped. The two small younglings rested themselves on their father's lap and shoulders, which made him chuckle in enjoyment as he enjoyed the company of his two young ones. Varin was on the lap on her farther whilst her brother rested on his shoulders.

When Moon prepared to stand, he took his daughter under his left arm as he walked to the door, with his son still resting on his shoulders as he slowly breathed in and out with his breath.

Opening the door, Moon looked behind him as he nodded his head as the ponies nodded back as he walked out to his room to let his children rest for the morning until noon. When he came to his room's door, Moon opened the door with his free arm, walking inside it and got over to his bed as he raised his daughter to the blanket and let her rest on it for the time being. He took his son and rested him beside his sister, giving them a pleasant smile on his face as he made his way to the balcony overlooking the city below.

Thinking back to his dragon family, Moon wondered how they were doing. Was they worried for him being gone for two weeks? They must be. But, even so, he knew they were strong enough to not show that emotion for when he would return one day.

Just then, his eyes glowed a brighter colour as he got a vision of the future.

In a dark and spooky forest, laid a red dragon with a yellow underbelly beside a campfire. It was resting for the day, dreaming for that matter. Just then, Moon saw the scenario change into something horrific.

Blood, loads of blood, were spread on the ground like a pool. There were bodies of ponies and dragons lying down, dead. They weren't breathing as they were still. Their heartbeats couldn't be heard, nor their pulsing sensation. They were still like a rock, gone for good.

A two headed hydra stood tall and mighty, laughing out in an evil and scary way. It looked over to the spirit of the human envisioned this horrifying sight. It prepared to launch an attack on him, but the scene stopped right there as the human spirit screamed for it to stop.

Gasping for breath, Moon looked quickly back at his children, still lying down on the bed in a restful sleep. He sighed in great relief. It was a luck that they weren't up yet, or else they would had questioned him for what he had just experienced in a vision. It was also a luck that they didn't know what a vision was. He tried to explain it to them, but they just cocked their heads to the side in confusion. This was from two days ago.

Sighing and inhaled and exhaled a breath, Moon walked inside his room from the balcony, holding on his children's shoulders and began shaking them gently.

"Varin, Jaxar, wake up." He called softly, smiling as they yawned while waking up, blinking a few times and staring up at their father with innocence.

"Why wake us, dad?" Jaxar groaned. "We had such a wonderful sleep."

"Well, for one, it's noon." Moon replied. "And two, we should interact with the citizens some more. They're still scared for seeing three "unwanted" beings in their city, after all. I know two friends that could help us with that problem."

Yawning again, the two children nodded their heads a little, prompting Moon's small smile as he went for the door, opening it by the handle and was met with Cadance, who stood outside of the doorway with a surprised expression.

"Well," she began. "Never expected you to answer it, especially since you have two children now."

Moon chuckled. "Believe me, I'd would've answered it anyhow." His smile grew as his two children ran up to their aunt, hugging her by the hooves, who smiled with happiness down at them.

"You two sweethearts are so adorable." Cadance cooed, still smiling at them. The two young ones blushed noticeably, prompting a chuckle to come out of their father.

"That, they are." Moon teased them a little, "And, they're so small they could fit through a crack."

"No teasing." Cadance scolded him by pointing a hoof at him. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, what do you want, Cadance?" Moon asked in wonder. "I believe that your wedding was postpones, but what would you do in the meantime?"

"Hang out with my family is all." The Princess of Love answered kindly. "What better way to spend one's time with? Training? As if I need something like that, unlike you of course."

"Of course." Moon rolled his eyes. "Teasing about my exercising."

"That's not about teasing it," Cadance reminded him sweetly. "All I said was that you could spend less time training with your family. That's all."

"Huh." Moon hummed, looking down on his two innocent children. "Now that you think of it, all I ever did in my time in the Lands, was all but training and exercising. I've never really did spend time with my family back then." He shrugged after that. "Sure, why not? I'll hang out with you guys, just for one day in the least. That should probably get all that fighting out of my head for the time being of me being here."

"Glad you would like the idea." Cadance nodded approvingly, motioning him with a hoof behind her. "Shall we?"

"Ladies first." Moon motioned with his own hand.

Laughing at that, Cadance smiled at him. "You're too kind." She led the two curious children out of the room and walked down the hallway with the human to the throne room where Celestia was waiting for them.

As they neared the throne room, and with the guards opening the doors for them, Moon narrowed his eyes at his mother as her horn had lit up with magic again, smiling sheepishly down at him from her throne. Beside her, Luna chuckled at the display before her, as she liked Moon's sharp expression with her sister.

"I see that you've decided to take the rest of the day off, son?" Celestia asked him, making him flinch a bit at that.

"How...?"

"You can't hide anything from us mares, dear nephew." Luna chuckled weakly at his sharp stare coming towards her.

"Hardy har." Moon gave her a suspicious stare instead of an sharp one, wondering how they had known about his day-off. Maybe he needs to be more careful with revealing anything to these mares. They can be much of an pushover sometimes.

"Don't be like that, son." His mother said warmly. "Be happy. Your day-off might be one to remember. I take it you would visit your two friends, right?"

"H-Yes." Moon re-composed himself with a nod. "Fancy Pants and Fleur, two kind ponies who were amazed by my skills at fighting, and for the show I gave them a while back."

"You know Fancy and Fleur?" Radiant asked him hopefully, eyes sparkling with interest.

"Why yes, I do." Moon nodded again, more clear now. "After that encounter with that gang, I made the city a more proper place to live in. However, there are still those that resists some of them. So, that's why I can sometimes get into a few fights here and there."

Celestia hummed at that, eyes looking in wonder at him. "And, you're sure you don't mind taking a day-off of your training?"

"I am." Moon nodded. "Though, still skeptical about the idea." He side-glanced at Cadance, who whistled innocently at the look she was given.

"Of course you are." His mother chuckled at his skepticism. "Radiant Hope, if you would please help my son show around the city's streets? He is still adjusting his old life, after all."

"I don't think that's necessary-" Moon was cut off by the once cloaked mare, giving him a full body view of her. She had an azure blue coat, with sparkling eyes that were quite beautiful. Her tail and mane were a light blue colour.

For something as her, she sure was beautiful.

Radiant nodded her head to the Princess. "I'll be glad to." She turned to the skeptical human. "What do say you, Prince Moon? You up for it or what?"

Looking at his two young ones, Moon saw them giving him nods of agreement. Sighing, he gave her a nod as she clapped her forehooves together in anticipating, smiling in a pleased way that could melt Moon's very core down.

After showing him around the castle, which he already notifying her about he had already done, Radiant led Moon and his children to the castle doors, which prompted the guards standing at the door to open for them as they thanked them for the gesture.

Walking outside to the open world, Moon's eyes clenched shut at the sunlight shining brightly at them, as he regretfully followed Radiant downtown to the streets of Canterlot. He had promised her to be kind and let her be his guide along with his children, so he'd let her be on her own business once he were away from her. But, he just couldn't take his eyes off of her ever since this noon when she had revealed her true form to him.

As they walked down the streets, Moon bumped into somepony that happened to be in his path, causing him to fall to the ground on his butt, grunting in little pain at the fall.

"Hey, watch it, you vermit!" The stallion sneered at him. "Well, look who we got here. A two-legger in our city? As if I would accept that fact."

Gritting his teeth, Moon composed himself from attacking the pony as he stood back up. He sure was getting on his nerves, despite the little error he had just shown.

"Well, sorry 'bout that, pony" Moon impolitely snarled at the stallion. "But, you were happen to be in my way. So, just get out of the way, would you?"

"I think not, monkey." The stallion gave him his own snarl as he continued to sneer at the human. "It was very much you who bumped into me. I was looking for where I was going, you did not."

"Oh, pleease." Moon rolled his eyes in boredom. "As if it was just an accident."

"As a matter of fact, it was." The stallion gritted his teeth.

Tensing, Moon couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed the stallion by the throat, as though he was preparing to choke him to death.

"Listen here, pony." Moon downright growled at him. "Let's get this out of the way. It was you who had bumped intome.I was just in my thoughts, nothing more and nothing less. If you have any problems with that, run the damn off." Scared, the stallion was released as he breathed in the fresh air and ran for the hills away from the human.

Galloping up to him, Radiant reminded him, "It wasn't very polite to growl at him, y'know."

"Sorry." Moon apologized with a sigh. "But, guys like him tad to get on my nerves sometimes. Just be glad that I hadn't burned him to ashes."

Sighing, Radiant gave a nod of her head to the road. "I can show you three around a bit. Sounds like a wonderful idea, doesn't it?"

Moon nodded in agreement. "Please do show us around." Jaxar and Varin gave their own nods of agreement. Smiling in a beautiful way, the azure blue mare led the trio around the city.

First, they pitched a stop to Joe's doughnut shop, which Moon reminded her that he had already been there. Joe were warmly anticipating their arrival, especially Moon's, to the human's raised eyebrow of amusement. Jaxar and Varin had eaten a few doughnuts to the point where their father had stopped them from overdoing it, to their small complaints.

After that, they made a stop to the park of Canterlot, where Moon played a little with his children for a bit to spend the time around. The small ones enjoyed the company of Radiant, like she were their mother all these years of being lost in a world unkindly to them. Moon had noticed their sad expressions when they watched them from a bit afar away in the park, but didn't say anything.

Afterwards, they payed a visit to Radiant's old house, which was close to the castle, to Moon's amused look that they were practically neighbors. Radiant also found that a bit of amusing, but not as much as the human's bemusement, not since moving to Manehattan for the time he were gone and about getting a job while there. Though, she didn't say it aloud so he could hear it, it was a little secret to herself, after all.

When they prepared to move back to the castle for the evening, a gang stopped them mid-walk on the way to the castle, to Moon's annoyance and dangerous expression. However, the gang weren't fazed by his mere expression.

"Can we help you?" Moon asked annoyingly to them.

"As a matter of fact, yes." The leader replied. "Give us her, and we'll be on our way." He had pointed to a shocked Radiant when he said that.

Narrowing his eyes, Moon spat at them in disgust. "Fools like you never seems to be give up when they know they're outmatched."

"Stop talking about that." The leader shook his head. "If you're not going to hand her over, then we'll force her to be with us. She's more safe with ponies like her than a mere monkey-" He was punched in the face when he had that word aloud.

"Nobody calls me a monkey, since I'm not one." Moon growled at him in a dangerous way. "You shall be lucky that I am a day off right now. So, leave us and never cross our paths again." He narrowed his eyes again. "Got it?"

However, the leader were unfazed by the threat. He stood his ground in a firm desire. "Just give us her, and we'll be on our way." He repeated his first sentence.

"You wanna try?" Moon threatened, eyes glowing a bright colour as a bright red light engulfed him and blinded everypony around him. When the light faded, a four-legged dragon was in place of the "monkey". It was snarling at the gang with bared fangs, showing his sharp teeth and growled dangerously, body shaking with rage as it was visibly dangerous to come in contact with.

The gang was shocked to see a dragon instead of the monkey.

"Your move." The dragon sneered coldly.

"But, you've promised not to engage in a fight." Radiant reminded the dragon, holding the two children close to her.

"Sorry." The dragon apologized. "But, looks like I can never truly catch a break when I'm here." He turned his head back at the gang with a threatening snarl. "As I said, your move."

Letting out a battle cry, the leader ran for the dragon, but was punched in the face hard, forcing him back to his comrades.

Hearing the cry, the citizens looked at the new fight that was currently happening in the streets. Interest blooming in them, they walked over and watched as the dragon roared out as it made an impressive agile move against the nine ponies, punching the first pony in the face and kicked the second in the side, causing them to cry out in slight pain.

The eighth and ninth ponies of the gang ran for the dragon, either punching or kicking him in the sides and face, making the dragon to roar out in pain as it growled dangerously at them in a threatening way. Taking challenge of the threat, the two ponies made a teamwork that confused the dragon for a moment as it tried to look after them while they ran all around him, making it tilt its head in concentration.

Concentrated, the dragon opened its once closed eyes and quickly grabbed the two ponies by the throats in an impressive way, making bemused expressions from the watchers that looked on the fight. With the two ponies in his grip, Moon threw them to their leader, making groans of pain from them to prompt Moon to take action as he ran for the three ponies in a fast way. He punched the leader in the face, kicking the two other ponies in the stomachs, which nearly made them to throw up by the force of the two kicks.

Moon tackled the first of the two ponies, causing them to slid across the ground after the pony was forced on his back. Moon did something horrible to the audience, by biting into the flesh of the pony that he had grabbed, causing him to cry out in agony as he trashed wildly to shake the dragon off of him. However, Moon held on the pony, sinking his bite more in the flesh, making blood to appear in the bite's force. Satisfied, Moon leaned back with an evil grin as he leapt into the air, after he had grabbed the pony by the shoulders and threw him hard on the ground, making another cry of agony come out of him.

Satisfied, Moon looked to his next victim, who was scared as heck as he tried to run. However, as fast as he was, Moon grabbed him by the tail, throwing him on the ground hard, and landed on top of him as he bit into his flesh, causing the pony to cry out in pain as the teeth sank into his neck as blood began to appear after the stronger force of the bite from the dragon. Moon continued to sink his teeth in the pony's neck, before had enough as he threw him into his fallen partner's side, making groan of agony come out of the pony.

Deciding to spare him for now, Moon turned his attention to the last seven ponies of the gang, who tensed up by the stare he was giving them. Moon ran for the closest pony as he bit onto his neck and made him cry out in pain. A second pony came to try and punch him away from his friend, but Moon grabbed him by the throat and threw him away to the side. Moon's bite continued to sink into the pony's flesh as he let out cries of pain from the bite as Moon was satisfied by the cries and threw him to the two fallen ponies to the side, causing more groans of pain come out from them.

One of the last six ponies stood up for the dragon, kicking him in the guts, which caused Moon to roar in pain as he bit onto the pony's neck and let him feel his bite as the pony cried out in much agony as the dragon's bite became more intense than the last three times. Moon continued to sink his bite into the pony's neck, causing him to cry out to stop and in pain. But, suddenly, the dragon stopped as he threw him to his fallen comrades, groaning in pain as he looked at the dragon one last time before going unconscious and into the land of dreams.

Moon decided to use his martial arts against the last five ponies, kicking and punching them all over as they tried to overrun him but the dragon ran backwards in an attempt to shake them off. The ponies, however, pursued him as they overcome him by their own martial arts, kicking and punching the dragon all over the body as he roared out in pain. The dragon stopped with the roars of pain, though, as he gritted his teeth in anger as he kicked one of the last remaining ponies in the guts, causing him to cry out in pain as he punched the dragon in the face, grabbing him by the throat and threw him to the fallen ponies as he made his angered way towards the last four ponies in a dangerous way as he slowly walked forward.

"What's gotten into him?" The leader asked as the dragon slowly marched forward. "We hadn't done him anything!" The dragon, though, didn't acknowledge him and it made its way towards them dangerously and threateningly as the leader finally had enough of this. The leader ran for the dragon, but was forced back by the punch he had been given as a reward for being foolish to challenge a dragon. The dragon slowly, but menacingly, walked forward still, intending to end their lives here and now. But, he want to give them a well-deserved punishment as a reward for being such a fool to duel him.

The four remaining ponies had enough of this and ran for the dragon, with each one of them giving them either a kick or a punch all over his body. However, the dragon's didn't acknowledge the pain he was feeling and stood tall and mighty as he took the attacks dead-on while trying to be feeling nothing. The dragon, on the other claw, made finally a move as he gave them tail slaps with his tail as he also kicked and punched them in the faces, as though he had just broken their skulls hard. But, that was untrue as he flapped his wings and flew above them as he gave a roar of a challenge, diving straight down to the ground, landing on all four at the last second and started to consecutively kicking and punching one of the ponies at a time. After a few more punches and kicks, the ponies all but laid on the ground, either in agony or pain as the dragon stood in a victorious way as he spread his wings out majestically as he let out a victorious roar.

Sighing as he transformed back into his human form, Moon was met with two hugs by his children, who cried in happiness that he was alright.

"We're so glad you're unharmed, dad." Varin whispered sadly, tears in her eyes.

"I did tell you I would be, didn't I?" Moon asked in amusement, smiling down at his daughter as she wiped her tears away.

Radiant walked up to him firmly, saying, "You need to be more careful next time we're in the city, Moon."

Chuckling nervously, Moon merely shrugged his shoulders in exasperation. "What can I say? I attract battles like these." He said innocently.

"Clearly." Radiant rolled her beautiful eyes knowingly. "Shall we head out of here before they get back to their business? I'd like to stay away from guys like them."

"Sure." Moon nodded in agreement, motioning his children to follow him and Radiant to the park of the city.

Coming to the part, the four met up with Fancy Pants and Fleur on the way to a bench as the three friends talked about what the commotion was.

"So," Moon started, recalling the events before. "I used my martial arts on the gang, but they somehow also knew about martial arts. It was martial arts versus martial arts. It was kind of an rumble between us. But, in the end, I won the rumble." He shrugged in exaggeration. "I guess you can say I just love to fight guys like them."

"It clearly shows us." Fancy gave him a nod with his head. "However, like before, we weren't there because we didn't like the violence that had previously occurred in our beloved city. First the invasion, then three gangly fights between a group of ponies and a dragon. I'd say you're really liking the city in the last, am I right?"

"Well, yes." Moon said. "As I told you about my previous life, I only fought in order to survive in the Lands where dragons like me lived. Some of them were violent, while others were nice enough to let me be one of them. There were others, though, that reconsidered the very idea of me being in the Lands, my rival's gang was one of them." He looked over at his children, who played Hide and Seek nearby, smiling fondly at them playing.

Seeing him smile at the two young ones, made Fancy and Fleur smile as well, along with Radiant Hope who looked at the children with fondness.

"Tell me," Fancy started, gaining the human's attention. "How did you even find them? I've never seen them around before."

"Well," Moon sighed, trying to recall the events that happened. "When a group of ponies, five unicorns, ganged up on them, I stepped up in front of the small ones to protect them from possible serious injuries. Although I defeated them with my martial arts, the other citizens looked generally disgusted at what they saw. So, I decided to bring the young ones to the Princess of Love for them to be calmed. When they calmed down, I talked with them for a bit and became their father, only a few hours after I've met them. A little fast, I know, but I like kids in fact."

Fleur looked horrified when he said one of the parts in the story. "That must truly be terrible to experience in their age." She breathed uneasy.

"Aye." Moon nodded his head. "Those poor young ones were also happened to have lost their mother, whom I don't know was or who she were, but all I know is that they lost her against some species of sorts. It must possibly be hunters that hunted dragons, but who knows. I don't know much about their home, after all. But, I would like to visit it sometime."

"Maybe because they were the same species as you, Moon, that they lost their mother?" Radiant guessed quizzically.

"Could be." Moon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "However, I'm not sure that there are others of my kind's race. I haven't seen another human for ages. Well, unlike that white cloaked guy from my storytelling to my other friends."

"Did you tell the Elements a story?" Fleur asked in wonder. "What kind of an story was that?"

"About my teen life with the dragons." Moon replied, smiling warmly at his two children, while Jaxar has found his sister from beneath the bush she was hiding behind. "It's a long story, but my breath is almost out whenever I tell it to somepony." Again, it was weird for him to say "somepony", but it felt good somehow.

"It must be really long, then." Fleur nodded in acknowledgement, not wanting to hear the story, to Moon's relief.

"Believe me, it is." Moon responded. "It's about my eight years of living with dragons. So, I guess in a way that it is my most experienced story to tell somepony to. However, I'm not in the mood to tell it again, since it is such a long one at that."

"Dad!" Varin ran up to him, making him stand and kneel down as he grabbed her in his grasp, hugging her gently. "Can you tell us your story? Pleease?"

Cursing himself silently in his thoughts, Moon decided to speak of his story to his two curious children. To make it short, he didn't include the parts where he was found by a Princess. He spoke of how he met up with his old friend Nightwing, and met up with four others called Zach, Amber, Minuette and Gilda.

Of course, at the mention of Gilda, Radiant silently told herself to meet this Gilda griffon in person someday.

Continuing on with the story, Moon told his curious kids about how he battled a cyborg by the name Helios, tying with him in a long fight, making almost amends with Garble at one of the final battles against him. He also told them that he was the son of the current Dragon Lord, to their amazement and more of their curiosity. When the story was about to come to an end, Moon was almost out of breath from telling it in the first place.

When the story came to an end, Moon was out of breath as he inhaled some fresh air and exhaled it out a few times before catching his own breath at telling the stort again.

When he finished, Varin was in awe of his long story. In her sight, he was the best storyteller in the world. It was such an amazing story that she wanted it to be a book of sorts. But, she knew he couldn't write well.

As he had finished his story, Moon panted for breath as he knelt down to his daughter's height, smiling at her with fondness.

"Now you know my story." He said, getting her attention to his eyes. "Now, tell me, how did you end up here in the first place? I'm a bit curious myself."

"Sorry, dad," Jaxar said apologetically. "But, we don't know about that either. It was such a rush; we've never had time to prepare ourselves when we knew we were going to be sent to another world."

"What do you mean by "another world"?" Fleur asked him kindly. "We've never heard of another planet in the middle of the universe."

Sweat dropping, Jaxar cursed himself silently in his head. "Sorry, but it's not my story to tell." He apologized. "Nor my sister's to tell you."

"We understand, son," Moon replied understandingly. "But, out of curiousness, why did you be sent to Canterlot in the first place? It must had been the same way as I was used to be sent here." He was told by his mother that he had been sent to this very location by her own powers.

"Well," Jaxar began. "It all happened in a flash. We didn't had time to react when grandma used her teleportation spell on us. In fact, we hadn't known she could even do that."

"A teleportation spell, you say?" Radiant asked in interest. "I need to learn more about teleportation in a few more months."

"Sorry to say this," Jaxar apologized. "But, our grandma died out of exhaustion when she used it on a third being, whom we now realized was our father all this time, and because she didn't had any time to prepare when the outsiders attacked our city."

"I see." Radiant said. "So, I need to learn them on my own, then. Or I could just ask Twilight for help."

"Twilight's the best choice, I think." Moon added to her. "Since she know many different spells, as far as she told me, she knows a lot about magic. That's because she studied them during her youth, which is impressive mind you."

"I know." Radiant nodded. "She's amazing isn't she? All the possibilities while studying under the mighty ruler of Ponyland." That caught the human's attention as he focused his gaze on her.

"Come again?" He asked. "Did you say she studies under my mother, the most graced pony all of kind? That's just legally impossible."

"But, it's true." Radiant argued. "She's under her wing. She even comes to the palace often to learn more about magic from the Princess herself. Even I would be impressed with it if it was I who was under the ruler's wing."

Titling his head, Moon reminded her, "But, you're not, are you?"

"Obviously not." Radiant sighed. "But, it would had been the best if I even was."

Humming to himself, Moon thought of something important about his life. Ever since learning about life from his father Torch, he had been taught many different things about how predators hunts on herbivours for food, and that herbivours ate plants and some of the disgraced food to predators. Ponies are herbivours, while dragons are part predator, that is all he could think of for now. Even she should know about it as much as he do.

Learning about life from his father, Moon had also been told that humans were omnivours that are both part predator and herbivour, eating both of the things that dangerous predators could think of eating, like fish and sharks for example. However, Moon was different from the rest of the humans, as he could eat gems and crystals by his inner draconian instincts. Although he eats crystals and gems, Moon could also eat a few predators that he could hunt whenever he was on his solo hunts alone, eating them either dead or as a whole meal, the latter of which was unlikely.

"Moon?" Radiant called. "You okay? You look lost in thought."

"Huh?" Moon redirected his shape as he gave her a shrug of his shoulders. "I am, just thinking about my life lessons with my father is all."

"You learned life lessons?" Fleur asked next. "When did that happen?"

"It was because I was the most curious being Father had ever met." Moon replied, looking down on his feet. "Whenever I would ask a question about something, he would respond, saying "It's what life is, son". That was because I asked him why a predator would hunt an herbivour, which I understood why the predator would hunt. Whenever I see something move or do something, I would ask him about what that being was doing.

"Also, out of my curiosity, I had learned about life lessons because I asked too many questions one time. Overtime, I learned why a predator would hunt down an herbivour; it was so the predator could eat food. I also wondered what a big, mighty ancient alpha would be. Father said that an ancient alpha was nothing more than a myth, but he was wrong I just know it. Ancient alpha predators exists in the world, since learning from my darkness, I was related to one of them.. However, unlike it, I didn't hunt for outlining or overpopulated areas or world. Whenever I gazed up at a star at night, I would think of the predator I was related to, thinking it could be blood-related to my family. Once I see it, I would like to watch every one of its movements and attack styles. When I get the chance, I would be happy to meet it, since I didn't know that an ancient alpha predator was in my family."

"Well," Fancy said after a moment's silence. "I would also think that an alpha predator is in your family. Although I don't like predators, I too would like to meet it one day, however it may be, I have no clue."

Nodding his head, Moon looked down on his two watching children. "So, you see, we have a large family. That is all I know of for now."

"Wow." Was all Jaxar and Varin could breathe out.

Moon chuckled at his children's amazement, especially their sparkling eyes of wonder.

"Shall we head back to the castle now, Moon?" Radiant asked him suddenly. "I bet the others are worried for us."

Eyes widening in shock, Moon nodded a bit rapidly with his head. "Yes. Let's go." He turned to Fancy and Fleur. "It was nice meeting up with you two again."

"Please, it was all a coincidence that we would meet in a place like this." Fancy shook the offered hand by the human. "We could hang out some more often, I'd like to know more about you if you would be so kind the next time we meet."

"Sure." Moon nodded in agreement.

After saying farewell to Fancy and Fleur for now, the four walked straight back to the castle and was met up with Shining in his clad of armour, his expression firm and strong as though it would tear through their inner minds.

"Took you long enough." He said flatly. "What kept you?"

"Sorry." Moon apologized. "But, we had, or should I say I had, run into another gang of ponies, nine this time, and engaged them in a good fight. After that, we met up with my friends Fancy Pants and Fleur at the park. We talked for a bit and lost track of time."

Looking more at him, Shining gave him a nod. "I see. So, that's your excuse for being away the whole noon and afternoon? It's almost evening, and my wedding is closing in."

Eyes widening in shock, Moon, Radiant, Jaxar and Varin looked at each other as though they were just paralyzed.

"Your wedding's today?!" Moon exclaimed.

"Yes." Shining responded. "It was decided that we couldn't wait any longer after the invasion. So, Cadance and I came to an agreement that almost three weeks later, we would be having our wedding. I'd expected you four to be there when it was coming. But, since knowing you and your battle-hunger personality, Moon, we made so it was today."

"Hey!" Moon proclaimed. "I'm not a "battle-hungry" person. So, be a little bit nice since I had just come back for three weeks, okay?"

"Sorry." Shining gave an apologetic look. "But, I've been a bit stressed today, since my wedding was coming closer any hour. Whenever something important is on the line, I'm tad to get stressful when that situation comes."

"Oh." Moon flatly said. ""So, it's like whenever you have important matters to attend to?"

"Something like that."

"I see." Moon then added quickly. "But, since your wedding's this evening, then we'd better get ready. Or else, we won't look as fancy as you will."

Chuckling at his nervousness, Shining reassured him, "It's fine. Nopony's perfect when it comes to fashion, nopony like Rarity for example."

Sighing, Moon nodded finality, saying, "Okay. So, we'll be off to our rooms." Shining nodded as the four made their way inside the castle, making their way to their respective rooms.

Coming to his door, Moon opened it by the handle, allowing his children to enter it excitedly. Chuckling at their excitement, Moon walked to his closet and opened it to reveal some fancy outfits for an important event. Before he even got back, Rarity was quick enough to create a fancy outfit just for him, to fit on him in perfect size.

He'd gotta hang it to her; she sure knows how to make outfits that suits his delight. He took the outfit out of his closet, walking to his bathroom door and opened it while walking in it and closed the door.

Curious, Jaxar and Varin looked at where their father has gone. When the door opened, their eyes almost popped out as they were almost ready to pounce on their dad, but he raised an hand.

"Don't make it stinky now, children." Moon told them. "I would need to look nice, don't I?" He smiled teasingly at them, which they returned as they exited the room, making their way towards the throne room.

After coming to the doors of the throne room, Moon opened it, revealing the ponies that were going to attend the wedding today. When the ponies saw him, their eyes widened in amazement and were utterly breathless at seeing him.

The outfit Moon had on was a black attire. The upper part of the jacket was covered in yellow stripes, with a small bit of blue in them. The jeans were a marvelous purple colour, it had small green stripes from bottom to top of the jeans. The brown hair was combed to look as nice and comfy as possible. He had sleeves that were not quite as long as the ponies expected them to be. They were going to the middle of Moon's arms, only showcasing the front of the arms while the muscles were under the sleeves. Even the jeans weren't as long as the ponies expected them to be. They fit perfectly on the legs, showing that they were as long as the flesh of the legs would allow them to come down, almost touching the shoes. The shoes were a marvelous reddish colour, with a few black stripes on the sides.

"Wow." The ponies breathed out in the silence.

"You look...marvelous, darling!" Rarity exclaimed, running up to him.

"Well, it was actually you who made it, didn't you?" Moon raised an eyebrow.

"Oh." Rarity realized. "Oh. Yes. It was. And I must say, it suits on a perfect colt like you."

"Okay then let's get this wedding started." Twilight called out, creating a collective of chuckles throughout the room. "I have just perfected everything that needed to be done. So, all we need now is the brides themselves."

"And they're right here." Celestia called, seeing the brides coming in, smiling fondly at the soon-to-be couple.

Moon looked behind him and saw their outfits. Cadance's dress was a beautiful pink colour, with its length going quite far from her back. There were a few flowers on her headdress, but they weren't the one that were outstanding to him. The only thing that were outstanding was his beautiful cousin that looked really beautiful. On the side of her, Shining's outfit was a bluish colour as it matched his eye colour. His attire was consisting of a black outfit, with a few blue stripes on it while the stallion himself looked quite amazing.

"Wow, Shining, Cadance," Moon breathed. "You both look amazing." The two chuckled at his touching words.

"Thank you kindly, cousin." Cadance thanked him. "You look quite amazing yourself." She winked at him as he gave an unnoticeable blush on his cheeks. Jaxar and Varin giggled at his embarrassment.

Holding back a giggle, Twilight said, "I think they suits you two."

"Thanks Twily." Shining thanked his sister, blue eyes sparkling elegantly. "And yes, let's get this wedding started." Twilight couldn't help but agree on that. Pinkie Pie already blowing her party cannon, making confetti appear all over the place.

Moon blinked at that eagerness to get this started, that he couldn't help but chuckle at the pony's bouncing as she bounced all over the place, setting up what fell on the ground.

What followed next could only be described as an overjoyed party of ponies of nobles, human and Elements alike. All were happily enjoying themselves, either chatting with one another or spending time alone. Moon was one of the ones that spend time alone, as he was much of an silent-type when at parties like these.

Standing on the balcony on the right side of the throne room, Moon smiled as he watched the ponies enjoying themselves in the room with his cousin, brother-in-law and mother, who enjoyed herself with some cakes, which he couldn't help but chuckle at seeing her like that. He sure was happy for his cousin for having such an lovable aunt, even he thought she was an lovable mother to have, but she was unlike anything from his real mother, who was sweet, kind and warm towards him on a different level.

I'll take your word for it,his mother suddenly spoke in his mind, ignoring the party-loving ponies.

Mom?Moon was surprised to hear her voice again after so long of being silent.

Believe me.Susan's voice said sweetly.I was cheering for you when you would make a turn to join the ponies of this land and world. In truth, I always believed that you couldn't ignore your childhood for long. In fact, I believed that you wanted to come back here, correct?

That's correct, mom.Moon clarified.But, still not getting used to all this telekinesis and psychic abilities stuff. It'll take a while for me to adapt to them still, as I am new to this kind of stuff unlike Minuette.

I know, son.Susan's sweet voice echoed in his mind.But, take this as a word of advice, never leave them out of sight when they're in for a great need of help. A tyrant is coming back from Tartarus, but I've never known about him. So, that's all I know of.

Alright.Moon mentally sighed.At least that gives me enough time to prepare myself. When's that tyrant coming?

That, I do not know.His mother seemingly shook her head, he felt it.

Damn.Moon cursed mentally in his head.

No need to be cursing, son,his mother reminded him.For, one day, it may be your downfall as well as another creature's own downfall.

Sorry.Moon apologized.

"Moon?" Cadance's voice came to him as he shook his head as he looked at her. "You okay?"

"Yeah." The human nodded in reassurance. "Just spoke with my draconian mother is all."

"I see." Cadance said. "What is she like? Your real mother I mean."

"Well, where do I start?" Moon smiled as he remembered what she was. "She's kind, mentally and psychically strong-minded. She's sweet, warm and has a willpower that is of sweetness and kindness. She's the kindest dragon I've ever heard of. She told me that she saved a bunch of dragons by her ancestral powers over time itself. She even saved an entire city of dragons from other people like me from total destruction. For what I know, she's one of the strongest dragons in the world other than myself, Garble and Helios."

"Wow." Cadance breathed. "I've never thought she was that strong. She would sure had been amazing to meet." Her eyes went downcast at that, knowing that she was dead from what her cousin had told her.

"Yeah." Moon sighed sadly. "It's too bad she was killed in one of the assaults by my other race. From what I believe, it was during the Siege of the White City, an event that had occurred after my birth. It must had been horrible to get killed in the middle of a war, huh?"

"I know the fact." Cadance nodded. "It's not fun of being killed when you have somepony to protect. I don't imagine what pain she was in when she died."

"Don't be sad." Moon told her. "It's my people we're talking about. So, it should just be I to be that."

"No." Cadance objected. "It's too tragic. Other people must also feel sad when it's one of their relative's family had died in warfare."

Sighing, Moon's gaze went downcast at that. Well, she weren't kidding about it being too tragic, that's for sure. But, he should be feeling sadness now and not happiness for what was currently happening. Whenever he thought of his true parents, he would feel down when he thinks of them, along with his dead sister that was killed right before his own birth. It must had been terrible to die at such a young age.

It was by luck that his mother had sent him to Equestria in a last moment, which was by just luck nothing more. From what he was told, other humans, not evil by choice, infiltrated their beloved city in an attempt to stop the War of Man and Dragon, a war that happened since long ago in the Middle Ages on their homeworld.

Little understanding, Moon had decided to train intensely in order to prepare with entering that war to turn the tide of it to the dragons' favour. However, his mother strictly told him not to enter for it would just kill him instead and he needed here in this world, something he didn't like being held back from possible action and many fights. That was a bummer.

When he would grow up, Moon, going by Virin back then, wanted to change into something big and frightening that the humans would runaway in fear and despair from just by seeing him.

"You okay?" Cadance called, getting his attention to her. "You look deep in thought."

"Yeah. I was." Moon gave her a reassuring smile. "Cadance, whatever happens to me, do you promise to keep it a secret? I won't like to hurt my pony mother's feelings, after all."

Blinking, Cadance gave him a small nod of assuring. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, and stick a cupcake in my eye."

"What?" Moon asked in bafflement.

"It's a Pinkie Pie Promise." Cadance clarified. "It means that I can never break it. If I do, it would just make her go crazy."

"You can never break a Pinkie Pie Promise!" Suddenly, the pink pony appeared beside the alicorn, causing her to jump all of a sudden. Moon, on the other hand, blinked at the sudden appearance of the pony.

"Where did you come from?" He just had to ask.

"I come from everywhere, silly." Pinkie smiled giddily, jumping back into the party.

"She's so..." Cadance started, looking at her cousin.

"Weird." They stated together.

Chapter Fifteen: Evolution, Revolution

Author's Notes:

Here it is. The first chapter without a battle. It was a bit tough, but I hope you like it as much as I did writing it.

It was a nice day. All was doing so well. The green grass was gently blowing in the wind, with the trees giving a gentle breeze. The yellow sun was glowing gracefully in the blue sky. Al was nice.

On the ground, sitting on a blanket, was two creatures, one a human and the other a pony. They were giving each other some water in two cup of glasses, both smiling in a way that indicated that they were in some sort of love.

However, that soon ended for the human, as a darkness slowly crept its way to them, grabbing the azure blue mare in an evil way, prompting the human to take action.

"Hey!" He shouted to the darkness. "Give her back!"

"Not a chance, human."The darkness replied evilly."We have other plans for her."Soon, it was going under the ground, taking the blue mare with it.

"Moon, help!" She called helplessly.

However, Moon stood there, frozen as he took in hard breaths of air. When he finally began to take a single step, the darkness had already taken his beautiful mare underground.

"My, my. Such fire."Dark Virin's voice chuckled darkly, appearing in front of the frozen human."You sure has an tense expression there, my other self."

"Don't pretend this is funny." Moon growled angrily. "Because, it is not."

"On the contrary, my "friend"."Dark Virin snarled."This is quite fun to watch. You, standing there helplessly without a move to give, while your "wonderful" mare had been taken in by the darkness. My darkness. You have a fire that is unlike anyone I have ever seen before. Maybe you and I could work together, to save this world from the coming threats. What do you say? I can give you my powers if you give me yours. That's not a bad idea, is it?"

"It is quite bad, in my opinion." Moon sneered snidely at his counterpart. "However, I will defeat them by my own powers, not by anyone else's. I can do whatever as I please. You can't stop me from doing my own ways."

"You are so right."Dark Virin gave a smug expression."However, I can stop you from doing just that."He prepared to attack the human, however, a voice became to bellow from above, stopping the darker counterpart in its tracks.

"Stop right there!" The voice bellowed, coming into view as it was revealed to be Moon's aunt, Princess Luna, in all her glory and majestic way, as her wings had spread out wide open, showing their magnificence. She hovered to the ground, glaring angrily at Dark Virin that she could pierce right through the counterpart of her nephew. "You have no right to be here," she said to the darker self.

Chuckling darkly, Dark Virin answered her."On the contrary, I have every right to be here."

"Obviously not." Luna strictly said. "You, darkness, are no longer in control in this dream, or should I say nightmare, of my dear nephew's mind. Be gone!" She goot Dark Virin away with a azure coloured beam of magic, stabbing him in the stomach as he roared in pain as he vanished into thin air, gone from the dream realm for now.

Luna galloped up to her nephew, hugging him tightly. "Oh, nephew, are you alright?"

"I-I think so." Moon responded shakily. "But, how did you get here, Aunt Luna? Weren't I supposed to have privacy?"

Chuckling at his question, Luna spread her majestic wings out wide. "That's easy to answer, dear nephew. I am the Princess of the Night. It is my duty to control the nightmares of my family and subjects, to reassure them that they're alright and are fine in their realm of dreams. Whenever I sense somepony in trouble, I come to help them in any way I can. That goes for you too, nephew."

Blinking at the response, Moon understood her more clearly now. However, just as he opened his mouth to speak, he suddenly glowed red as he grunted in slight pain. Just then, the dream ended.

Hitting the floor of his room, Moon didn't wake his children up, which was a good sign. Groaning lowly, his body suddenly began to glow a red colour as he lowly grunted in slight pain just like in his dream. Looks like this was real and not a fake sign.

Sighing, Moon's body stopped glowing for now as he got back in his bed, sleep overcoming him as he entered his realm of dreams.

The sun slowly settled up on the land, glowing a bright yellow colour while blazing gracefully in the blue sky. The birds chirped as some of them nested themselves in their nests with their young.

The trees and forests were as calm as they could be. The flowers on the grass was blowing gently, showing it was another good day in the land of ponies.

In his room, Moon was sleeping soundly in his bed as he felt two nudges on his shoulder. Groaning, he awoke as he blinked a few times, seeing that his two children were wide awake with smiles on their faces.

"Good morning, dad!" They chirped happily.

"Good morning to you two." Moon groaned, resting his legs on the floor as he got to the side of the bed, stretching his arms out as Varin rested herself on his lap, to his kind chuckle.

As his daughter got off of him, Moon stood up, stretching again as he let out a sigh when his arms relieved themselves.

"You okay, dad?" Jaxar asked in concern, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Huh? Oh, yes." Moon lied. "I'm perfectly fine."

"Right." The small red dragon gave a roll of his eyes.

When Moon was about to get himself dressed, the door to his room opened suddenly, and in came Princess Luna, his aunt, looking slightly concerned.

"Is everything alright, aunt?" Moon asked her.

"Oh, yes." Luna replied. "Just concerned of your well-being is all." She was lying, they just know it. There was a reason for why she came in the room.

However, Jaxar and Varin ran up to her, hugging her legs as she chuckled and hugged the children back.

"I'll get myself dressed so we can eat breakfast." Moon called, walking over to his bathroom and got inside in while he got dressed. When they saw him go in the bathroom in that position, the trio couldn't help but be worried for his being.

"Princess Luna?" Jaxar's voice got her attention.

"Yes?"

"Do you think dad will be alright? I'm worried about him. He hasn't been like this since he got here."

"You're right, Jaxar." Luna nodded in agreement. "My nephew doesn't usually beeb like this. From what my sister told me, there's an evolution process when I told her that her son had glowed a red colour in his dream."

"Evolution process?" Both Jaxar and Varin titled their heads in confusion. "What's that?"

"I do not know, children." Luna shook her head. "But, I believe that it is only accessable through dragon blood and their kind, but only with a special race of them."

"World Protectors have all kind of surprises, don't they?" Moon's voice joined in the conversation, resting his arm on the doorway as he leaned on it with folded arms.

"World Protector?" Jaxar frowned. "What are they like?"

"Oh, where do I start?" Moon smiled at his son. "A World Protector, like me, has an duty to defend the innocence from evil and darkness, like how a parent defends their young. In a way, you could say I'm a parent to all of you in this world, because of my status as an World Protector."

"I see." Luna hummed in interest. "So, with you being a "parent", we are well protected by you in your ways of fighting?"

"In a way, yes." Moon clarified. "However, I don't just do "fighting", I also talk some sense to a few of the evil creatures to leave our subjects alone. So, I guess I'm not just a fighter, but also a sense speaker."

As they began talking some more, Moon's stomach began to rumble in hunger, to his embarrassment, to Luna's chuckle. When they got to the door to leave the room, Moon gave a low grunting as his heat was beginning to take effect.

When they got to the dinner hall, Luna opened the door with her magic and Moon narrowed his eyes at his then sheepish mother, whose horn had lit up with a golden aura, as though it was to surprise him when he got in the hall.

Luna chuckled at the display, walking up to sit beside her sister while Moon and his children sat beside Radiant Hope, who looked all too happy to see him, along with Crystal Rose.

"I had ordered some salad to you today, son." Celestia got his attention. "Is that alright?"

"It's fine by me." Moon shrugged his shoulders, hit heat calming down a bit from inside him.

"So, tell me," The Princess of the Sun narrowed her eyes a bit. "What is wrong with you today? I sensed there was something from what Luna told me."

"A process is about to happen." Moon replied honestly. "But, I won't let that happen to change my personality. You see, mother, a World Protector like me has an evolution process that is specifically to them. I am one of them, remember? So, it's no surprise to me that I'll evolve soon."

"Evolve?" Celestia squeaked a bit. "Are you sure you have the information when that happens?"

"Yes." Moon lied. "My draconian mother told me." Another lie; Celestia felt it. She narrowed her pink eyes at him, to his lean back attitude as he hadn't been like this since he had gotten back.

Just then, to Moon's relief, the service was served as chefs came to their round table, setting the food down near them, with Moon silently gives a sigh of relief as he got ready to eat his food as he began to dig in the salad.

Chuckling at his excitement, the four others of the table dug in their food as well, with their stomachs being relieved for now. As the seven was eating, a glow caught the others' attention as well as a groan of slight pain from the human. He seems to be holding the process down, but it exhausted him as he managed to stop glowing a red colour.

"Something wrong?" Celestia asked her son worriedly.

"Exhausted." Moon answered, panting a bit from holding the evolution process. As he continued to eat, he suddenly just gazed down on his food, as he stopped to eat for a moment before continuing.

Celestia knew that her son was exhausted, so she nodded. "You can take a break for today, son. I'll have court soon, so I won't interrupt you any way."

Finishing eating, Moon nodded himself, getting up and headed for the door until his aunt called to him.

"Nephew?" Moon turned to Luna. "Don't act different when you evolve. Promise?"

"I promise." Moon replied, opening the door as he headed down the hall. As he walked down the hall to his room, Moon was in deep though.

If he were going to evolve, would he change his attitude from that? He hopes not, because his family worries about him whenever he glows red. So, he won't be changing his personality when he evolves. He just hopes that he will stay the same way as he does now; stern, protective, warm, and serious. The only thing he hopes to change, is his old ego that were still in him when he battles a foe.

As he was thinking, he couldn't see that the guards was worrying about him as he just walked straight down to his room. When he reached it, he opened the door and walked inside, while closing the door behind with a sigh of relief. A day without fighting. This ought to be good for one time.

Moon walked over to his balcony, resting his arms on the rails as he sighed again. He just hopes that he needn't to change like that when the evolution happens. From what he was told by his true mother, an evolution process happens when a dragon almost reaches the peak of its powers. However, there are some risks. When evolution continues, the being that continued to evolve gets far more power than before, to the point of no controlling it when the dragon was too careless about its abilities to evolve. Some may brag about it, others don't care about being evolved. For Moon, he can control his powers because of his training. So, the evolution wouldn't bother him that much. However, it does to his family. They're pretty worried for him when he glows red like that.

Sighing again, Moon reached back to his room and went for bed to rest for the morning. However, as he slept, he dreamed about another horrific thing, about his darker counterpart.

Darkness. That was all he could see. In the corner of the room, a chained four-legged dragon was lying on the floor in despair. It was groaning as it tried to shackle the chains off of it, to no avail.

"Don't bother trying."Dark Virin's voice echoed darkly around the room."The chains are so tight you can't even break free."

"Why are you doing this?" The dragon asked. "They haven't done anything to you."

"You're right."Dark Virin sneered coldly."They hadn't done anything to me, butyouhave done something to me, Virin. Trying to keep me in your darkest part of the soul? I'd say that's pretty pathetic, and you were weakened from doing so. I am free, and can do just about anything to you if I do so self wish."

The dragon, Virin, widened his eyes in realization, as it clicked in his veins like a ring just dinged him. As Virin glowered at his dark counterpart, it laughed evilly as it continued with its torture to the red dragon, who screamed in pain as it were being torn from the inside and out. The scream was delightful to the dark counterpart as it continued to laugh evilly as it tortured the dragon even more, with the screams going as painfully as the first.

Gasping for breath, with sweat on his face, Moon sprang up in his bed as he panted slowly. That was some nightmare. The dragon side of Moon was tortured? That was one of the cruelest things to be done by the darkness from his soul. This dream came again.

Wait, again? Had he that dream before? Now that he think of it, he had seen a similar scenario of being tortured by the darkness of his soul, but it felt more like a vision than a dream. Whenever he was trashing in his dream, he was having this cruel vision in his sleep at night when he was thirteen or twelve.

Sighing in relief that the vision was over, Moon decided to have a stroll in the city for the time being. He needn't to walk to the palace doors to exit it. Summoning his wings, Moon walked up to his balcony and hovered in the air and began descending to the ground. It was still morning, so not so many nobles were out to insult him for being half lizard. That was a good sign.

Landing on the ground safely, Moon's wings disappeared from his as he sighed again as he began walking on the streets of the city.

Ponyville...

In the little town of Ponyville, inside the library of the town, a certain purple unicorn was slowly waking up after smelling the delicious food from Spike's cooking. Whenever it was morning, Spike would make some breakfast just for the two of them.

Getting off of her bed, Twilight galloped to the door of her room, opening it with her magic as she walked out, closing the door behind her while her horn stopped glowing a lavender colour.

As she trotted in the kitchen, Twilight's nose caught the scent of the breakfast meal as she looked over to the table to see the food already being served by a small, green and purple baby dragon with small spikes on his back. This was none other than Spike, Number One Assistant to Twilight. He was setting the food down on the table as he looked at the unicorn who had raised him with care.

"Good morning, Twilight." He greeted. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Spike." Twilight replied. "I slept wonderfully." She took her seat at the table, giving a soft sigh of relief as her stomach rumbled in hunger. Spike chuckled at the sound of her tummy's rumble.

"Good thing I woke up early then." The baby dragon noted, taking a seat himself. There were peanut butter, salad, and oatmeal on the table, even a few hay sandwiches was on the menu.

Levitating a hay sandwich to her, Twilight took a single bite of it and hummed delightfully as she started to eat it with small bites to give enough space for the peanut butter and salad.

Spike took an hay sandwich in his hands as well, taking a few small bites as well. As they continued to eat, Twilight began to speak up.

"I hope Moon's alright being in Canterlot alone." She said, taking another bite from her sandwich.

"Ah, he's fine." Spike waved a dismissively claw. "He got his powers, remember? And he did take out three gangs consecutively a day after the other."

"I know." Twilight sighed, taking the final bite of her sandwich as she took some salad to her plate. "I just wished there was something we could do to help him being less violent and aggressive to others."

"Aggressive?" Spike titled his head to the side.

"Yes." Twilight clarified. "Whenever he goes into his dragon form, he tad to get a bit aggressive when he fights. It's lucky you weren't looking at his three fights in Canterlot, Spike. Because, from what I've heard, he had beaten them up pretty badly." She smiled a bit as she finished.

Blinking, Spike made an "Oh" sound from his mouth. "That's what you mean by aggressive. Well, I'm lucky as well, Twilight, as I'm not used to seeing dragons like me beaten up somepony that badly."

Twilight giggled at that. "I suppose." They returned to their breakfast as they managed to finish it all by eating it. Spike took the dishes and began washing them clean, while Twilight was in her usually thought-like attitude.

When she thought of Moon's aggressive personality, she could only think of Garble, the tall red dragon from Dragon Lands. She had seen him ready to beat up Spike, but she, Rarity and Rainbow managed to stop them from doing so. As she was thinking, the door to the library was suddenly knocked on, to her returning to reality.

"Who could that be?" She muttered, trotting out of the kitchen and trotted to the doorway of the library. As she opened the door with her magic, she found her friends greeting her with happy looks. Seeing that could only make herself happy.

"Hey, guys!" She called from her place, trotting up to them. "Why so early?"

"Well," Rainbow began, hovering in the air. "I thought we'd check up on you after we finished our breakfast. So, here we are. And, look, you finished breakfast too. It only gets better." She puffed her chest out proudly, to Twilight's giggle. "What's so funny?"

"You and your "proud" attitude, actually." Twilight replied. "Whenever you see something to amaze you, you only gets prouder for some reason."

"Hey!" Rainbow called down to her, hovering higher. "You can't tell me what to do! I can do just about anything."

"In your dreams." Twilight smiled playfully at her.

"Oh, I'll get you for that." Rainbow's eye twitched afterwards. "Just wait and see."

"I'll be looking forward to it." The purple unicorn challenged.

The rest of the Mane Six shook their heads in exaggeration and exasperation at seeing those two like that.

Canterlot...

Walking down the streets of the city, Moon decided to walk to the park for some strange reason. Whenever he gets troubled, he would go there to cool down.

After a few minutes of walking, he reached the park as he saw children of youth in it as he smiled when he walked towards a bench, sitting on it as he was in thought about his evolution to come.

When he reaches a certain peak of level, he would be engulfed in lava as he was a fire dragon. He wondered, will his abilities disengage from his body when he does evolve? He hopes not. He want to be stronger than Garble, and that's final. The final battle was going to happen in Ponyland, in Canterlot's upcoming Gladiator Tournament in less than two years.

He just hopes to defeat him so their rivalry gets to be done.

As Moon was thinking, a child trotted up to him in amazement.

"Excuse me?" Moon's eyes darted to the colt in surprise. "Are you really our new Prince?"

"Y-Yes I am." Moon honestly, but nervously, answered the colt's question.

"That's so cool!" The colt chirped. "We have a new male that aren't so judgmental like the Princess' nephew."

"Remember, young one," Moon reminded him. "Never say that in front of an royal's face, especially not to the Princesses. Okay?"

"Sure!" The colt ran back to his friends.

Sighing, Moon rolled his eyes. Kids. Never the same wherever you are. As he sat on the bench in thoughts, he was thinking on his evolution process that's about to happen, again. If, and if he were going to evolve, then would it mean that he would still be the same as he was before? He hopes so, as he don't want to change between character and personality. The only thing he hopes to not be changed about was his personality. Will he become more aggressive with the changes if he were to evolve? He hopes not. Then again, it is only a matter of time before he would be evolving.

When he was thinking, he hadn't realized that the children of youth was near him a few meters away. Blinking in realization, Moon looked to the many children gathered awa from him. Those kids. Man. They sure are questionable to be considered a hero with.

"Is it true?" The front colt asked.

"What?" Moon questioned.

"Did you really take on an entire army of strange creatures by yourself?" The same colt asked him, eyes sparkling in interest.

"Yes." Moon confirmed. "That was me." The children began to spout out their amazement,

"Wow."

"Amazing."

"Truly."

"It's the best thing that ever happened."

"You really are a hero."

Raising an hand, Moon silenced the children as they quieted themselves down. "Alright. One question at a time. What do you have to ask me about?"

"What kind of creature are you?" A filly questioned.

Giving a fond roll of his eyes, Moon answered, "A human. And dragon. I'm a cross-bred between the two races."

"Wow. That's so cool."

"How did you manage to defeat the three gangs of Canterlot? I've never seen a fighting style like that before." Another filly said.

"I used a style that are called "martial arts"." Moon replied honestly. "It's a style of kicking and punching. Though, I won't say what kind of other styles I used."

"Aw, man." The filly whined.

Giving her a small laugh, Moon fondly rolled his eyes as he asked, "Any more questions?" When there were no one that raised any hoof, the human nodded. "Then, I'll dismiss you all. For now, don't bother me next time when I'm in my thoughts."

The children ran back to their parents, who welcomed them back as they were relieved they weren't hurt by the "human".

Ponyville...

Walking through the streets of Ponyville, the Mane Six was preparing to have a new adventure as they began planning on what it should be.

"I'd say we pay the Princesses a visit." Rarity spoke up. "Don't you think so, darlings?"

"Yeah." Rainbow nodded. "I'll have to get used to have a "rookie" martial art user in this world. He'd better teach me some of his moves when we get there."

"Rainbow," Twilight reminded her. "Remember what he said. He can't teach a black belt martial arts user if they already have enough training in the style. You know what I'm saying, right?"

"Yeah." The blue pegasus rolled her pink eyes. "I just thought of that. No more."

"Sure you did." The purple unicorn rolled her own violet eyes.

Thinking clearly, Twilight began to be in her usually "deep thought" mode. If, and only if, Moon, her best friend, had decided to teach Rainbow his styles of fighting, he'll be no match for her when they have a duel of sorts. Well, the Gladiator Tournament is just two years away, so maybe they can train together or separate for the tournament when it arrives.

When her friend was aggressive, he would use his martial arts in his fights. He did use it against two of the first gangs of Canterlot, while managing to defeat them by himself. The first gang was just so he would "go away" from Ponyland and be with his true species. However, Moon was acting a bit like a pony as well. Since he was raised by the Princess of Sun herself, he was having some of her personality as well as grace of style. But, they were completely different beings.

As she was thinking of that, Twilight couldn't help but wonder what it must had been for him when the Princess raised him as her son. Was he having a bit of a rough time being in the palace all of his years of being raised? He must had been. If it weren't for the Princess, he would had been long dead by now. Ever since learning that the Dragon Lord was his father, his family was complete again after learning of his real parents' unpredicted deaths. With his true parents gone, he had found replacements for them. But, they were in his mind all this time while he was here. So, he wasn't completely alone in this world of many creatures that were possibly strange to him.

"Twilight?" Rarity's sweet voice called. "You okay? You look deep in thought just now."

"Sorry." The purple unicorn apologized. "But, I was just thinking about my friend is all."

"And, what did you think about?" Fluttershy kindly asked.

"Of some of his privacy, while also being raised in this new world to his eyes." Twilight replied honestly. "It must had been tough for him to live here. But..."

"But, what, Twilight?" Rainbow asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"I couldn't say." Twilight hung her head down sadly. "It'll just break a promise."

"What promise?"

"Again, not saying."

Rainbow sighed stressfully. More secrets. She's about to go nuts about this "secret" stuff.

After his small trek to the park, Moon returned to his balcony by flying with his wings. After every question asked by the adults to him, he was exhausted. He needs a good night rest, as the sun was slowly setting on the horizon.

As he reached his balcony, Moon was greeted with a tight hug by his mother and cousin, Cadance.

"Where have you been?" The former asked sternly.

"Just at the park is all." Moon answered honestly. "No fighting has occurred today at least."

"That's a relief, then." Cadance sighed in relief. "We wouldn't want you to be possibly injured or worse...killed."

Moon understood her hesitation of that word. Nopony was liking the sound of the word "killing" or "killed" as much as he had to when he was training with his father and sister, Torch and Ember, along with his friends back in the Lands.

Suddenly, he began glowing red again. He groaned as he managed to hold it off, not wanting to evolve just yet.

"You alright?" Celestia asked him worriedly.

"Yeah." her son reassured her. "Man. This evolution thing is hard to keep down."

"You tell me." Cadance said. "Never once have I heard about "evolution" before. But, as aunt Celestia told me, it only occurred to you World Protectors. Is that true?"

Moon nodded in confirmation. "It's true. Only World Protectors has this process that undergoes when they reach a certain peak of their power. However, while this a good sign for them to develop, it can kill one if they evolve too much. Like this, if one has unlimited power, it can destroy that being in the process while reaching a final evolution. However, with me being a prodigy, I have an unlimitless amount of power that I control within me. I have psychic, water, lightning, shadow and fire in me. So, I can continue to evolve to an even stronger being than ever before. I can become an "Ultimate Being" if I do self so choose.

"An "Ultimate Being"?" Celestia questioned. "What's that?"

"It's the highest level of evolution that occur for an World Protector dragon." Moon replied. "If a being reaches that level, they literally becomes a God to the world. However, only two has ever reached this high level in their lives. Those are the black and golden dragons, Gods of Harmony and Destruction. I don't know their names, though. I still has a fuzzy mind, after all."

"I see." Celestia said. "That's just...wow. I've never realized this much before. How should I not have not about that in my thousand-year of living?"

"Because," her son answered. "The two Gods are in a different dimension right now. But, while the Godly black dragon is still alive, the other God is not. Don't get me wrong; Gods can't get killed by mortals, only by another God like them. The way I see this, is that the black dragon God has possibly escaped during a huge battle in the far past. There, I do not know anymore."

"Is this information given to you by your real mother?" Celestia was sad that she said that.

"No. By my ancestor." Moon replied. "I do not know his name, but I do believe he was a golden dragon since I saw his colour before everything went black around me."

"That's amazing, actually." Cadance breathed. "In all my life, I thought that only my aunt, your mother, and Princess Luna were the only Gods of the world. How many Gods are there?"

"I don't know." Moon shook his head. "Probably over a hundred of Gods. No more than that amount. There are other myths that even more Gods had appeared on my birth planet. But, I do not know how many."

"Any more information?" His mother asked. Moon shook his head in regret. Sighing in a dismayed way, Celestia motioned her head to his bed.

"Get some sleep; there's something I will tell you tomorrow." She ordered him. Moon nodded; going inside his room as his wings disappeared from his back while Celestia and Cadance walked out of the room to let him sleep for the night.

Moon got on the bed, removing his clothes to the ground and went straight for sleep. He closed his eyes as his breath became low as he began sleeping through the night.

Chapter Sixteen: Return of the Crystal Empire

Sitting on her throne, Celestia was checking on a stack of papers that she would use for her upcoming test for Twilight.

While her sister was standing on the balcony to the right side of the room, the door suddenly burst open, and in came a guard running up to his mistress.

"What is it?" The white alicorn asked in concern.

"Well, Princess," the guard started. "I have come to inform you, thatithas returned."

A gasp of shock. Celestia turned to the guards next to her. "Tell and bring me Princess Cadance and Shining Armor."

"Yes, your highness." As the guards stopped at the doors, they turned around. "And what of your son?"

"He needn't to know about this." Celestia replied finality.

"Of course, your highness." The guards resumed their run in contacting the new Prince and the Princess of Love about an empire's return.

Taking a scroll to her by magic, Celestia began writing on it. "Dear Twilight, I write this letter to inform you that something has returned. I'll speak of it in person when you arrives in Canterlot." She magically made the scroll vanish into thin air when she rolled it up.

So, it seems that it has returned, after well over a thousand years. Celestia was becoming worried. If the empire's return is true, thenhemust have returned as well.

Standing on his balcony with his two children, Moon got a good view of the sky and the land from afar of him.

"Dad?" Varin's voice caused him to look down on her.

"Yes, Varin?" Moon questioned her curiously.

"I think that grandma is keeping something from you." The female wyvern hybrid made his eyes go wide open. She would hide something from him? That's a cruel thing to do. He has every right to know.

"How did you manage to find out, dear daughter?" The human asked gently.

"I, let's just say, overheard what grandma said to her guards." Varin sheepishly gazed down to the floor. "I'm a terrible daughter, aren't?"

"Of course not." Moon smiled at her with gentleness. "I'm happy to have you tell me about this sudden turn of events. I'll go see what she's up to. You wait on the bed in our room, okay?" His children nodded in understanding.

Moon walked up to the door, opening it by the handle as he walked out while turning back to see his children getting on his bed for some sleep. He smiled as he gently closed the door to his room, walking down the hall to the throne room with a serious expression on his face.

If his mother has kept something from him, he will strictly tell her that he had every right to know about it.

After having informed Cadance and Shining about an lost empire's return, Celestia was getting ready to give Twilight her test to see if she's ready to become what the white alicorn has dreamt of with doing to her.

When she recalled all the letters that Twilight has sent to her, she knew she was ready to have one of the final tests to become one of them.

Coming in by the door, Twilight Sparkle saw Princess Luna give them some space.

"You wanted to see me?" The purple unicorn asked. "To give me a test?"

"Yes, Twilight Sparkle." Princess Celestia nodded. "There's something I want to show you." With much effort, the white alicorn shot a magic beam on the ground, revealing an peaceful empire image. "The Crystal Empire has returned."

"You want me to help to protect an entire Empire?" Twilight asked in shock. "I'm not sure I can handle that."

"You'll do fine, Twilight." Celestia's soft voice reassured the unicorn. "There's nothing to worry about. You-"

"Your friends will help you." A strict voice called from behind the unicorn. The two turned to the source of the voice in shock. They saw Moon, arms folded as he narrowed his eyes at Celestia with strictness. "Isn't that what you will say, oh dear mother?" Moon asked her in a strict voice.

Twilight's head hung down at the strict tone in his voice, not wanting to be in the crossfire to come.

"Son?!" Celestia was shocked. "How'd you know about this-?"

"My daughter told me." Moon interrupted her harshly. "You may not know about this, but she was stealthy enough to overheard you a while ago."

Facehoofing, Celestia groaned as she knew that Varin was a good listener. No doubt about it. She must had been eavesdropping at the doors while being hidden in the shadows.

"Alright. Fair enough." The alicorn said, nodding her head to her son. "I'll let you know about what has returned as well."

"It's about an lost empire, right?" Moon guessed quizzically.

"How-"

"Psychic abilities, remember?"

Groaning again, this time in a neutral way, Celestia gave another nod of her head as she began explaining. "The Crystal Empire, my son, has returned to us. It's an isolated area in the far north of the country. Many centuries ago, from where I was a little younger, me and my sister managed to defeat a tyrant away from the Empire, but he used some sort of spell to make it disappear from history, too. So, that's why you almost see nothing about it in the Archives."

"Is that all?" Moon raised an eyebrow in an non-surprised way.

"That's all there is to know about it, yes." His mother confirmed.

Looks like another adventure is on the horizon. Moon felt it like the back of his head. He always liked adventures, especially in the Dragon Lands when he should introduce himself to all the dragons in the place.

"Sorry, son." Celestia apologized. "But, I have strict orders for you not to go there. I don't want you to get possibly sick from the cold, as well. No more adventures for you."

"So, what?" Moon raised his voice. "Do you honestly think I care about the cold? I may be a cold-blooded dragon in my veins, but I have my fire to keep me warm. You can't keep something like that away from me. Not ever! Iwillgo with Twilight and her friends to the lost Empire. And that's final!"

"But, your evolution-" Twilight was cut off.

"So, what do I care?!" Moon's voice was higher this time. "Do you really think I care about my evolution anymore?! I can evolve like never before! I can do just about anything! So, I don't need you, mother, to tell me what to do! I'm an young adult, remember? I can go just about everywhere."

Shocked, both Twilight and Celestia shook out of her position as they shook their heads.

"Sorry." The latter apologized again. "But, you can't go there, my dear son. Not while I'm still alive, you'll never go out of this castle ever again."

"Do you really think I'll die after a hundred years?" Moon questioned her. "Sorry to say this, "mother", but my race of dragons are immortal beings. We can't die that easily."

After hearing he was immortal, Celestia felt guilty about it as she shook her head in finality.

"Sorry, son," she apologized for a final time. "But, you're not to leave these doors. Understood?" She narrowed her eyes at him, wanting to at least make him flinch. However, he didn't flinch. He just stood there, huffing as he turned to leave, not before telling her...

"Iamgoing there," the human responded as he neared the doors. "No matter how many guards you have to stop me, I'm going for an adventure. That's final. You hear me?!" He shouted the last line with a high voice, making the white alicorn flinch from the volume.

Smirking in victory, Moon left the throne room in rage as he stomped the ground to his room.

Sighing as he was now gone, Celestia turned to her pupil as the unicorn turned to face her.

"That was something I didn't expect to hear." Twilight sighed in despair. "I'm sorry, your majesty. But, I wasn't sure how he would react to these unexpected news.

Shaking her head, Celestia smiled a little to her pupil. "It's alright, Twilight. I expected my son to do that when he heard about this. In fact, I believed he would be angry with me. However, I won't let him leave the palace grounds for the once-long gone Crystal Empire. But, I'll be expecting him not to follow my orders to go. As he said a while ago, he had the ability to manipulate the shadows to his own means. But, that won't stop me from blocking him inside the palace."

"So, about the Crystal Empire, and my test?" Twilight got her mentor to her informing as she shook her head in realization, for the reason why she was here..

"You're right. Sorry." The alicorn apologized, getting back on the topic. "There's an lost Empire returned, as I said before, but an evil tyrant has also returned. So, I want you, Twilight Sparkle, to investigate and defend the Empire from him along with my niece and your brother."

"My brother's there?!" Twilight was shocked.

"Don't worry." Celestia soothed her pupil. "He's in good hooves. He won't be harmed by the tyrant."

Sighing in relief, Twilight nodded her head as the two walked to the throne room's doors, where Luna was awaiting them as Celestia smiled at her sister, who smiled back.

"Remember, Twilight." Celestia got her pupil's attention. "The time is near, so be ready to defend it at all cost. I want you to stop the evil tyrant at all cost, as well. There'll be nothing to worry about. You have friends that'll help you."

"Alright." Twilight nodded in determination, just as the doors closed in front of her as she headed back out to her friends, who waited for her to be done so they could get started with their trek to the Empire.

Sighing in depression, Moon stopped in front of his door, slowly opening it as he lowly closed it without making a sound. His children was still asleep, after all. So, he needed to be careful.

Walking up to his balcony, Moon spotted Twilight on the streets, hearing her with his psychic abilities as she was singing a song, which was soothing to his ears as he heard her clearly from above her.

Smiling a bit, Moon summoned his wings as he was about to leave his children behind. He saw the Mane Six going to the train, getting inside it as the train made its way towards the Crystal Empire.

Hovering in the air, Moon quickly followed the train from behind it, to hide himself from the ponies inside of the train. So, he landed softly on top of the train, crouching low as he felt the wind in his face as he gritted his teeth.

With the train, it was going quite fast for a slow one. He respected it being a faster train so he could go to the Crystal Empire in no time at all. As the train stopped at the station of in the middle of nowhere, Moon hopped off from behind it as the Mane Six got out on the other side.

"Twily?" He heard Shining's voice from the other side.

"Shining Armor?!" Twilight squeaked in happiness, seeing her brother removing his goggles from his blue eyes.

"Twily! You're here!" Both siblings gave a hug, happy to see each other again.

"We'd better get moving." Moon heard Shining call from the harsh snowy wind. "There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark."

Collective gulps.

"What kind of things?" Fluttershy's voice whispered in fear.

"Let's just say," Shining began dramatically. "That the Empire, isn't the only thing that's returned." The group left after that, going into the wild wind of snow while it was going to be dark soon.

Hovering above the train, Moon landed in front of the side of it as he began his own trek to the Empire, but walked slower as to not being seen by the ponies that were ahead of him in the wind.

Making his way through the harsh snow, Moon began thinking on what it would be like living out here.

It was lucky that he wouldn't want to live in a place like this. Ponyland is warmer than this. When he thought of this, he couldn't remember what his mother said about the tyrant that lived in the dark after an well over millennia. It must had been hard and harsh for it.

Stopping as he saw a dark silhouette of the tyrant, Moon vanished into the shadows as the dark being banged its head at the bubble shield that surrounded something.

"Crystals..."The being whispered darkly.

"Hm?" Moon whispered himself from his hiding place. The being roared after a few more bangs into the bubble shield, before disappearing in the dark night.

After seeing it leave, Moon revealed himself as he walked up to the bubble shield. He chuckled as he remembered what kind of weird protection spells the ponies uses. It must had been hard to live with a dark being close by in this place. That's for sure.

Knowing that the shield only held that being back, Moon began to wonder. Will it accept him as a good creature? Or will it not accept him when he goes into it? Well, only one way to find out, right?

Moon started to walk close to the bubble shield, going inside and was met with a beautiful scene. The whole city was made entirely out of crystal!

It must had been like heaven to live in a place like this.

"Interesting." Moon muttered to himself, walking in and out of the shield. "It seems that this shield identifies me as a good creature. That's a relief. However, while it identified me as a good one, the dark being couldn't get in. Why was that?" He wondered to himself, before shrugging as he made his way through the city to the palace to meet up with his cousin and in-law.

As he walked through the city, many of the citizens was scared of him, mostly because of his muscles. He chuckled to himself lowly, not wanting to scare them even more. When he got a few more meters in the streets, he was bounced on by a pink blur.

"Moony!" The pony, none other than Pinkie, cried. "What are you doing here? Oh, your mother is going to be soo mad. No worries. My parties will surely cheer you up afterwards."

Pushing the surprised Pinkie off of him, Moon chuckled again. "Although I get your craziness, I rather enjoys your parties. I might attend one. However, that will have to do after I make some amends with mother when I return to her as I broke her order of not to come."

"That's right you did." Another voice, presumably Twilight's, called to him. He looked over to see the rest of the Mane Six walking up to him, daggers in their eyes.

"What are you doing here, darling?" Rarity asked strictly. "This is no place for you. Plus, you got your evolution to worry about. From what Twilight told us, this "evolution process" only happens to your race of dragons. It would be wise to go back to your palace, young Prince."

Spoken like she was his mother.

Moon rolled his eyes at her tone. "Oh, please, Rarity. What better way could keep me from coming? You know, I sneak on board the train to get here. I was on the roof while you were in the warmth of the train. You'd better be more careful when you're not looking at your surroundings, especially above you."

"Are ya saying ya followed us?" Applejack narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I'd better get a word with ya mother when she comes."

"Like I'll let you do that." Moon threatened, narrowing his own eyes at the orange pony.

Huffing, the orange pony turned around.

"You'd better get back from where you came, Moon." Twilight said, gaining his harsh attention. "If you don't you'll get grounded for weeks."

"Like you're my mother, Twilight." Moon snarled at her, making her coil back in fear.

"Hey! No snarlin'!" Applejack shouted at him, turning back around. "And, for ya information, we're here for the unicorn's test. So, you'd better not interrupt it. You still have to worry about ya own test, remember?"

"What test?" Moon shrugged uncaringly. "I don't have to worry about small things like that. I had passed a test long ago. Two, almost three, years ago. I'm a Predator Hunter, that's a higher rank than your own tests are worth it."

Taking aback, Applejack stood her ground as she narrowed her eyes. "Oh, I'll get ya for that."

"Whatever." Moon rolled his eyes. "Now, if you're done, I have a cousin to visit." He shoved the ponies aside, to their shock as he walked to the palace, getting access to enter by the guards and entered the palace.

Walking to the throne room, Moon couldn't help but wonder how easy it was to get there. A straight line, no more than that.

When he entered the throne room, Moon was in shock. Standing at the throne itself, was his cousin Cadance, looking tired as ever. Her horn was glowing, presumably holding the bubble shield up with difficult efforts. Next to her was Shining Armor, his horn covered with dark crystals, with it being utterly useless now as he tried to perform a magic beam, to no avail.

Surprised by his visit, the two of them overcame in happiness to see the human as he walked up to them.

"Moon?" Shining called from his spot. "What are you doing here?"

"Just paying my cousin a visit." Moon replied honestly, hugging Cadance who hugged him back, feeling relived to see him.

"But, aren't you supposed to be at Canterlot only today?" Cadance asked him.

"Mother told you?"

"Of course she did!" Shining exclaimed, coming up from his sitting position. "When she told us that you were coming, despite against her will, we will make sure you get back as soon as possible by getting you there safely.

"But," Moon started. "An adventure like this? Pleease. It was most likely begging me to come. If I had heard about this sooner, I woul just had rushed to help you protect this empire from its tyrant."

"She told you?" Cadance asked in bewilderment. "How'd you manage to find out?"

"My daughter is very stealthy." Moon answered. "She, well, overheard "mother" with her plans on sending you two here. So, I came in the throne room and merely demanded her to let me come. When she did not let me go, I did it myself." He was being honest; he wouldn't lie to his cousin and brother-in-law.

"I see." Cadance breathed lowly, holding her horn's magic up still. "But, still, you shouldn't have-"

"I know I shouldn't had come." Moon cut her off sharply. "But, the adventure practically begged me to come to it. If you know me as much as my sister do, then you know I would always come on an possible adventure." He turned around. "If you have nothing moret o say, I'll wait on the streets."

"Wait!" Cadance made his head turn to look at her. "You're not planning on attacking the tyrant, are you?"

"You know me better than anyone does." Moon merely said, walking out of the room and headed to the exit of the palace.

As he sat on the ground floor near the bubble shield, Moon yawned widely as he glanced back to the city. He'd better hope Twilight will find that "Crystal Heart" thing before the tyrant does. He put all of his hopes on her. If she fails, he fails. They were mostly in sync with each other by their connection link.

Just then, the shield broke as the citizens began running around for their lives.

Sighing in exaggeration, Moon looked at the dark being that was coming in front of him, smiling evilly.

"Crystals...huh?"The being saw the human standing in front of it, looking as serious as it was."Hm. This is new."

"Hello." Moon greeted coldly. "You must be Sombra. Is that correct?"

"That's King Sombra to you, worm."Sombra yelled at him."And, yes, that's me. When I first sensed you, I knew you were different than the ponies."

"What can I say?" Moon questioned. "The world is full of surprises, right?"

"That's right."Sombra sneered coldly."Tell me. What kind?"

"Huh?" Moon spluttered out in confusion.

"What kind of an slave will you be if I take back my Empire?"Sombra clarified."Do you want to become a guard's slave, or be my servant? Either will work."

"So, you just met me," Moon started. "And, already you plan on making me a slave?"

"That's right."Sombra replied unkindly."The weak must serve the strong. The stronger I am, the better the land of ponies will fall"

"Sorry to say this." Moon said emotionally. "But..." He transformed into his dragon form, taking an attack stance. "I'm notWEAK!" He flew straight for the head of Sombra's shadow, punching it hard in the nose, causing the shadowed pony to stagger back.

"You dare attack your better?"Sombra threatened with a sneer.

"Yes." The two-legged dragon replied. "I dare!" He fired an fireball at the shadow, only making it flinch slightly.

Having enough of this game, Sombra fired dark magic at the daring dragon, who dodged every single beam of dark magic as it smirked deviously, firing another fireball at Sombra, hitting him directly in the face. This made the shadow pony only angrier as its horn glowed with a dark green colour, firing another round of dark magic at the dragon, who dodged them again with little to no effort.

Continuing with firing the beams at the dragon, Sombra's anger only grew as the dragon was evading every one of his attacks. He's fast, he'll admit that. He may be of an worthy servant when he takes back the Crystal Empire.

Flying up to the face, Moon kicked Sombra in the nose, causing him to fall back as his horn lit up with another dark green aura as he fired another round of dark magic at the dragon. However, like before, Moon made evasion maneuvers to dodge the attacks by Sombra, who was growing even more angry at each dodge movements from the dragon. With the dragon stopping in front of him, Sombra prepared to finish it with a strong beam of dark magic, hitting it slightly on the stomach, causing it to fall to a knee.

Grunting, Moon stood back up as he had relieved his strength with anFire Upability. He glowed a redder colour than he did the other times he used the ability. Testing it, the dragon made its way towards Sombra, who managed to block him with a dark magic shield, barely surviving from the hit by the dragon. It was strong, he'll admit that.

Smirking evilly, Sombra's horn lit up with dark magic as he created at least four dark crystals around them, sealing the dragon in his upper hand ring of play.

"What's this?" Moon wondered to himself, before shrugging carelessly. He began running towards Sombra at a fast rate because of his active ability, surprising the shadow pony greatly as the dragon made a punching contact with the face, causing Sombra to stagger back to the crystal wall behind him.

Moon fired a consecutively fireball attack at the shadowed Sombra, hitting his then-managed shield that quickly appeared around the dark pony. Moon stopped the attack once he heard the shield breaking into pieces, going straight for the shadow pony at a fast rate, hitting him directly in the dark stomach of the shadow around the pony, causing the dark King to stagger back again.

"You're strong, I'll admit."Sombra began speaking.

"I've trained for the last eight years for one of these moments." Moon revealed uncaringly.

"I see."Sombra mused in dark humour."In that case, would you like to be a guard trainer to new recruits once I've taken back what's rightfully mine?"

"The answer is the same." Moon replied. "No." He charged for the dark King, hitting him in the face, making him stagger back again. With an evil growl, Sombra's horn lit up with dark magic as he fired an dark green magic beam at the dragon, but the dragon dodged the beam effortlessly, making the dark King angrier every second that's being wasted.

The dark King's horn was still glowing with dark magic, as he fired an consecutively attack at the dragon, managing to hit it a few times when it wasn't moving from its spot. Smirking triumphantly, Sombra continued with his attack on the dragon, who dodged a lot of the attacks but was hit a few times, making him cry out in pain as the pain was some of the most painful ones he'd received. This dark King was strong; no doubt about it.

The dragon, recovering from the attacks, fired an fire breath at the dark King, who made an dark shield to appear around him, deflecting the attack from the dragon. Growling angrily, Moon charged at the dark shield, scratching it while kicking it with his feet and claws.

Laughing evilly, Sombra hit the attacking dragon hard in the stomach with an dark magic beam from his horn, causing it to fall straight to the ground hard. Groaning in pain, Moon stood back up as he glared heatedly at Sombra, firing an consecutively fireball attack, but the dark King created another shield to defend himself from the attack. The shield stood its ground from a few more fireballs, but it eventually broke with a strong force that shocked the dark King.

This dragon was on an whole other level than an normal unicorn, that's for sure.

In response to that silent phrase, Moon continued to fire his fire breath at the dark King, causing him to roar out in great pain. This fire breath was stronger than the last one. This dragon was nothing to play around with.

With that silent statement in mind, Sombra fired dark magic beams at the dragon, but it dodged the attacks by flying around the crystal cube they were in. Tiring from dodging a lot of magic beams, Moon tried to assault Sombra from behind, but he knew the dragon was trying to do something like that. So, the dark King turned around, facing the red dragon as his horn lit up with dark magic as he fired an magic beam at the dragon,hitting it hard in the stomach, causing it to roar in pain by the harsh hit.

Shaking the attack off, Moon fired fireballs at Sombra, hitting him a few times before an magic shield appeared around the evil unicorn. Gritting his teeth in anger, Moon charged recklessly at the shield, with the evil unicorn King prompting to stop this long-lasted fight no more. Sombra fired an surprise attack on the dragon from behind the shield, hitting him to make him fly back to the wall behind it, while falling to the ground in pain.

Smirking in dark triumph, Sombra moved forward to the then fallen dragon. Shockingly, the dragon shot its eyes wide open and fired an fire breath at the dark unicorn, burning him as the dark King roared in great pain.

Victory near, Moon charged at Sombra in a careless manner, prompting the unicorn King to fire at him with dark magic, stopping the dragon in its tracks with a shocked face. The fighting wasn't over, however, as Sombra began torturing the dragon with dark electricity from his horns, causing a loud scream to come out of the dragon. Something was similar to this, that's for sure.

Smiling evilly, Sombra stopped the torture as the dragon faced the ground with a hung down head, as though it was dead.

Curious to its body, the dark King spoke darkly,"It looks like you were never truly a match to me. Oh well. I hoped that you were going to entertain me more. But, it seems to me that you were nothing more than a weakling."

At that last word, Moon's head shot with an enraged roar from his muzzle, shocking the King greatly as the eyes of the dragon was glowing a darker colour as the red scales changed into black ones, with the eyes changing from bluish-yellow to blood-red.

Dark Virin growled evilly at Sombra, speaking darkly,"So, you think I'm a "weakling", do you? Well, for your information, I am not. I'm stronger than you are. I shall prove it."With the dark unicorn creating a shield for a test of the dark dragon's strength, Dark Virin accepted the challenge as he let loose an dark fireball at shield, breaking it with little effort, shocking the King.

"It seems you weren't kidding about being strong."Sombra mused darkly."However, this fight ends now."He summoned dark electricity from his now-lit up horn, prompting it to torture the dark dragon like with the real red one.

Not going to let that happen, Dark Virin created a dark fire shield around him as the dark electricity hit the shield, but it didn't break through it, to Sombra's mere surprise. Getting tired of this fight, Sombra shattered the crystal cube with his dark magic, now free to do just about anything to the citizens.

Deciding to defend the innocence, Dark Virin charged to stop Sombra from retaking the Crystal Empire, hitting him hard in the visible face from the shadow around the unicorn, sending him back a few meters to the outside world. Getting back inside the Empire's territory, Sombra fired fired an dark magic beam at Dark Virin, causing little to no damage to the dark dragon, who smirked evilly all of a sudden.

"What's so funny?"Sombra dared to ask.

"This."Dark Virin fired an dark fire breath at the dark King, engulfing him in flames as he roared out in pain as it could be heard all over the territory. Stopping the attack, the dark dragon smiled in evil victory. However, it suddenly froze as the real form was fighting from the inside."No, you fool!"

Confused by its now struggle, Sombra raised an visible eyebrow as he watched in faint amusement as the dark dragon changed back into a red dragon, panting for breath on the ground below the shadow pony.

However, as they were having a glaring contest, a rainbow blur landed beside the red dragon, standing proudly as the dragon looked at her in confusion.

"Rainbow?" The dragon said in surprise. "What are you doing here? It's too dangerous."

"So, what?" Rainbow shook her head. "I'm not going to let you die on me because I've promised our friends to protect you from the evil King." Moon shrugged carelessly, glad to have a partner now.

However, just as he was about to make a move, Moon felt a heat coming from his very being as he was now glowing a red colour.

"Is something wrong?"

"It...It..." Moon then shouted loudly. "IT FEELS LIKE MY BODY'S BEING TORN FROM THE INSIDE!" He screamed as his body glows a more clear red colour, as the ground began shaking violently, causing all of the citizens to cower in fear from the tremble.

Roaring out in pain, Moon heard the ground to crack right open as lava was now beginning to surround his body. His evolution was happening. Right here. Right in front of everypony's eyes.

Continuing to roar out in a loud pain, Moon was engulfed by a rock as he was floating in the air while inside the lava within the rock.

Watching the process happening in front of them, the gang couldn't believe their eyes.

In all of their years of living, they've never seen anything quite like this before. Their Prince, Moon, was evolving in front of them, in the middle of an fight with the dark unicorn King.

Applejack whistled, impressed. "Reckon. I've never seen something like this before."

"Yeah." Her friends agreed, with Fluttershy cowering behind Rarity from the rock.

Within the lave of the rock that was floating above the Crystal Empire, Moon began opening one bluish-yellow eye as he began to crack the rock right open with an arm, with doing this to the whole rock as he had stopped his evolution process.

Hovering in the sky above the Crystal Empire, was an forty meters tall dragon. It was red like before, its wings on its back. However, there were a few metallic parts of the wings, like they were made from steel, but not quite. The wings were still the same as before, but with a few difference with each wing. The right wing was with an steel formation on the tip of it, while the right had nothing on it except the tip of it.

The belly of the dragon was now a white slender colour. It had white stripes above the slender part of the belly. Its tail was sharper than ever before. Its scythe was longer, more than twenty meters in length. Its spikes was also sharper and longer than how they were before.

Gaping up at the tall dragon, Rainbow whistled in amazement. "Wow. Never before had I realize that you would evolve now." She said, impressed.

"It's different, I know." The tall dragon replied. "But, I'm still the same Moon as I was before, but I am stronger than ever before." Just then, Sombra sensed something from the palace.

"NO!"He roared."The Crystal Heart's mine!"But, Moon was in front of him."Back off, worm!"The dark unicorn snarled.

"Always say something nice, Sombra." Moon growled with a snarl at the dark King. A strange colourful light began forming from behind him. Moon smiled a little with his muzzle, before opening it wide, with fire forming inside it. "Let's see. I know.V Strike Attack!" The ball of fire was shot towards Sombra, who screamed frightfully as both the light was shattering him to pieces while the larger fireball caused him to explode into a million pieces, gone for good.

Rainbow cheered for their victory against Sombra. "Good job, Moon! You did it!"

"No, Rainbow Dash." Moon transformed back into his human form as he landed on the ground, turning to go to the palace. "Wedid it. We all had a part in this, especially Twilight."

"So," Rainbow started. "You think you'll do good now and listen to us?"

"Yes." Moon replied. "After the evolution, I'm starting to feel more relieved now. Just don't say this to mother, please."

"Oh, really?" A third voice joined the conversation, making the two froze in place.

"...She's right behind me, isn't she?" Moon asked his friend, who nodded after seeing behind her.Element of Loyalty, man.

He was engulfed in a golden aura, turning around and came face-to-face with an angry Celestia.

"Hey, mom." He greeted her nervously. "You're not angry at me, are you?" With a single nod, the white alicorn levitated him on her back for a ride and began flying to the palace from the air.

I'm so dead.Moon thought frighteningly.

Chapter Seventeen: A Talk and the Soul's Confession

It was a pain.

He means, riding on a pony's barrel while being constantly looking at? That was what his pain was. It was embarrassing.

Walking through the hall to the throne room, Princess Celestia ignored all the stares that was given to them. She just kept going with her son on her back. After a while, she managed to get to the throne room without much more attention with the glare she was giving the crystal ponies.

As they were inside the throne room, Moon was levitated out of his mother's barrel and was being hugged by his cousin, who was relieved to see him being okay.

"Oh, Moony." Cadance said to him, staring daggers at him. "What were you thinking?! Taking on King Sombra like that?! Haven't you realized how much worried you made us?!"

As he was about to open his mouth, Moon was engulfed in his mother's golden aura and was levitated back into her barrel.

"I'm sorry, my little ponies." The ruler apologized. "But, me and my son are going back to Canterlot. Before that, though, I will express my gratitude to you, especially you, Twilight Sparkle. I look forward to your report when you returns."

Then, without even a tiny snicker at seeing Moon on his mother's barrel, the duo left the throne room and was quickly out of the castle and, with her wings spread out, Celestia got into airborne as she flew towards their location: home.

After a few minutes of flying, the duo made a turn when they saw Canterlot on the horizon, to Moon's confusion. His mother landed on the side that were out of a mountain close by the city that they call home.

"Mother?" Moon called, receiving no response. "Why are we here? Weren't we supposed to go back home?" Again, no response. Sighing, he nodded. "Alright, in that case..." He was about to go off her, when she shot him a death glare when her head turned to him.

"Don't you dare do that, little colt." She threatened.

"I'm not a little-" Moon let out a tiny shriek when he looked back at her face. With that glare, she could give even his father a hard time. And, with that, Moon stayed on his mother's barrel when Celestia allowed him to sit on the ground beside her for a few more hours.

Sitting cross-legged, and with his arms on his lap, Moon sighed gratefully. Finally. They were alone for the time being. Seeing the sunset, Moon couldn't help but stare in awe at how beautiful it looked. He hadn't seen such a beautiful sunset since his time of training in the Dragon Lands.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" At that moment, Celestia finally asked as she spoke.

"Yeah." Moon agreed. "I've never seen such beauty in my teen life, not when I was training consecutively in the Lands with the dragons, and my family."

"I see." Celestia hummed. "How did you feel when training?"

"I'm sorry?" Moon blinked as he looked at his mother.

"I said," she repeated. "What did you feel when you were training?"

"It was...different, to say in the least." Moon answered honestly. "I was just training constantly, not even having the slightest break to watch even a sunset."

"And, how did you feel about that?" Celestia had to ask.

"I'm not sure." Her son replied. "I hadn't had the slightest feeling when I was training intensely. I was always being held on and was constantly being near at the brink of exhaustion. However, there were a few times where I could take a break, that's when I was near exhaustion in the middle of the training sections."

Nodding, Celestia said, "I can understand it was hard for you."

" "Hard"?" Moon echoed. "Hard isn't even compared to when I was being bullied by Garble and his gang over and over again. They made fun of me when I first came into the Lands. No. There were far worse things that I had endured in my time there. Like, being bullied was one example, being picked on by older dragons, nearly at the brink of being beaten up until my then-mentor Torch decided to step in. There were even a few times where I was outnumbered in my fights with Garble, like with his friends helping him in his own battles.

"So, as you see, mom, I had a tough and rough life." Moon finished, folding his arms.

Eyes widened in shock and a bit anxious, Celestia started speaking again when her son had finished his small speech. "I couldn't imagine what pain you must had felt when they picked on you for being smaller than them."

"Oh, believe me," Moon added after his speech. "I had more worse things in my time when I was a Predator Hunter. Others would almost get to attack me, but, with my status, the elders stopped them from doing so. The elders knew I was special to them, so they would make me one of them after my battle with Hydra."

Hearing that word, Celestia asked, "Isn't that "Hydra" from the Everfree Forest?"

"Nope." Moon shook his head. "It's from a different dimension."

Hearing the word, the Princess was in total shock. From a different dimension? That's legally impossible.

"I'm afraid that's possible." Moon, having heard her thoughts, replied.

Humming in deep thought, Celestia began to wonder for about an hour. If that Hydra wasn't from the Everfree Forest, then it was mostly created by that mystical white dragon that had made those shockwaves from two years ago. Even if that were true, then it would still be impossible for it to create something like that, right?

"I'm afraid that's still possible." Moon answered her inner thought through his psychic abilities.

"Let me guess," Celestia began. "Psychic?"

"Bingo." Moon winked idly at her.

"From who did you learn those abilities?" Celestia asked her son gently.

"From my good friend, Minuette." Moon replied, smiling a bit. "She's a Psychic dragon, a rare element for a dragon to have. Both of her parents are from fire and psychic races. So, I guess she took that element from her mother, whose also a Psychic dragon."

"But," Celestia was confused. "I thought there were only Fire dragons."

"And you're right." Moon confirmed her. "There's only Fire dragons in the Dragon Lands. However, there are other places of dragons that has different abilities. For example, if a dragon is born with a lightning element, they can control thunder and lightning at all. Just imagine, that they're sort of one of the pegasi that makes weather."

Blinking at his words, Celestia gave a small nod of understanding. "Can you tell me about your enemy other than this Hydra creature?" She asked politely.

Humming, Moon shrugged. "I guess, why not?" He then explained his enemy's name. "His name is irrelevant, but it's something with an "M" first. His age is over seven thousand years, which is longer than how you lives, mom."

"I agree with you on that." Celestia agreed with a blink of shock. She haven't realized that a dragon could live that long.

"As I told you," Moon answered her inner thought. "Dragons are kind of immortal. They can live into the present day if they so choose. However, from what my draconian mom told me, there's not that many dragons left. In ancient times, both human and dragon lived together in peace, although they live separately. My people trained youngsters like me, while the humans hunted down for food.

"One day, a human warrior mistook a dragon for an mere animal. The human killed that dragon, taking its dead corpse with him back into his village. The humans were, of course, shocked to see a real life dragon in the world.

"From that moment, and on, the humans build weapons that could kill a dragon. Whenever a dragon was killed, its soul emerged from its body so it can be ready to be killed. An human, like the first one, took the final blow to the dragon he has been facing, killing it instantly. The dragons, on one hand, were very furious so they killed that human before he could report back to his people.

"A young warrior, named Vortex, was very pleased with his friend's kill of the dragon. Vortex assembled a group of warriors to do his bidding, taking out many dragons in the process of hunting down their capital city. However, they found no trance of the capital where dragons lived in harmony. So, they humans decided to train themselves and become Dragon Slayers, which title is used when one slays a dragon.

"As Vortex and his group made their way into the wilderness, Vortex stumbled upon a wounded dragon. At first intending to kill the mere animal, Vortex heard its voice in his head, pleading with, "Don't kill me. Please". When he was about to do so, the young dragon entered his "evil" mind and made him stop in his tracks.

"When Vortex stopped, he decided to bring the dragon to safety, away from the possibly deadly humans and dragons alike. Choosing to spare the dragon's life, Vortex made amends with the young dragon, becoming what was first a new peace treaty to my two races. They are called "Dragon Riders", a group of both human and dragon alike, where a human was riding on the steed, taking his or her life than their partner's own life.

"With the new feat, the two friends stopped an ancient war that had been going on for thousand of years. It was called "The Great War" only, however. So, it's hard to be absolutely sure of how it ended. But, with my parents' knowledge of the dragon race, I learned more about it than any other species.-2

"And, you decided to tell me that?" Celestia asked after a moment's pause. Moon nodded.

"Yes. Back on the story," the human continued. "After having stopped the Great War, the two friends finally made their demise after a good hundred years with peace of the two warring species.

"When they died, the dragons and humans resumed their war against each other, to almost be at the brink of destroying each other. After the Rider's death, at the hands of another human, the two warring races decided to part ways, bringing peace to the world.

"However, the peace didn't last long. A young dragon, a rare white one, chose the path of evil when he was just a teenager and when he met up with an evil wizard of the human race. The two, student and teacher, made an dark army of evil creatures and decided to bring the then-warring races to an end.

"But, the two races chose to join and do what Vortex and his partner had once done: to bring an end to the war."

"And, if the war was just the beginning," Celestia finally began when her son took a deep breath. "How did it end?"

"Glad you asked that, mother." Moon smiled happily. "After having brought about great destruction, the dark dragon was brought to an end when one of my ancestors of six thousand years old, who was an Dragon Elder named Drago, chose to send him into the depth of Tartarus, an evil place where dark creatures with the worse sins has been sent. I believe you have one of them here, right?"

"Yes." His mother nodded. "We have Tartarus in this world. However, out of curiosity, how do you know so much about this?"

"Well," Moon started. "My draconian mother revealed a bit too much about our history. But, I did not regret hearing about it. When the two races managed to defeat the dark dragon, peace stroke the world once more. But, after a good thousand years into the Modern days, chaos spread the world again. This time, in the wake of two World Wars between super powers of many countries of this world.

"My people entered the war, though, and managed to kill a lot of evil humans that threatened to destroy the world. When the evil humans were defeated after twenty six years, peace reigns the world once more. But, at that moment, the War between Man and Dragon, which is currently ongoing, happened between my two species.

"The war is still going on. But, as my draconian said, with me, my children and another adult dragon still alive, the war is not going to end."

"And, who is this other dragon?" Celestia asked in wonder.

"I don't know who it is." Moon shrugged helplessly. "Nor do I know its name. It's a mysterious dragon."

"I'd say." Celestia agreed with him. "There's one thing I would like to know about you, son."

"And, that is?"

"Do you love me?" Celestia asked all of a sudden.

A blink. "I'm sorry?" Moon asked, unclear of what she said.

"I said," his mother repeated. "Do you love me? Like am I good at being your mother and all?

"Oh. That." Moon realized. "Of course you are. From what I had seen in my dreams with you ponies, you took great care of me. I liked how you had taken care of me, mother. For that, I am grateful to be your son, along with being the nephew of Princess Luna. But, curiously, how did she end up being a nightmare? I've seen you as a nightmare, mother. Sorry to bring that up."

"It's fine." Celestia reassured him. "I can tell you Luna's story, alright?" Moon nodded hurriedly, eager to hear about it.

"Well," the alicorn started. "It all started when a darkness inside my sister took over her from greed, jealously, and hatred towards me and my beloved subjects that adored the sun than the night."

"But, the night is beautiful." Moon rejected that thought. "How could they reject her night?"

"I'll tell her you said that, son." Celestia smiled in pleasure. "When Luna, my sister, had enough of the sun and our subjects adoring it instead of her beautiful night, the darkness inside her took over and transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon."

Blinking in realization, Moon said slowly, "I believe I had heard about it before, from my father, but I'm not entirely sure."

"That's because it was an old ponytale." Celestia told him. "From that moment, when she had turned into that nightmare, Luna decided to bring about an Eternal Night of darkness. However, I managed to defeat her in a short battle, sending her permanently in the moon and peace has passed onto the land for a thousand years.

"With her revenge still clear, Nightmare Moon sought out the Elements of Harmony, which are artifacts created by the Tree of Harmony, and bring out her Eternal Night. However, my student, Twilight Sparkle and her newfound friends, managed to defeat her a second time, reducing the darkness in Luna's body and transformed her into her body you saw when I brought you to her room to introduce the two of you. And that's the end to the tale of Nightmare Moon, your aunt's evil form. But, there's an even bigger tale to her in Nightmare Night, which are going to happen in a few months."

"I see." Moon hummed. "That's, well, an interesting. Definitely a better story than my own two people's history."

"I love you, son." Celestia suddenly whispered in his ear, to his widen eyes of shock.

With a purr, Moon added, "I love you too, mother."

Standing tall and mighty, and roaring out, the one-headed hydra shot out a powerful purple ball of energy at a group of minotaurs, sending them into Tartarus forever.

"Good job, Hydra."The Dark One praised his partner."Now, let's take out the trash."

"With pleasure."Hydra roared again, sending another group of minotaurs to Tartarus with another ball of purple energy. Darkness began to swirl around the one-headed hydra, making a vortex around him.

"What's going on?!" A griffon asked in fear.

An evil laughter. The Dark One responded with,"My beast's evolution is near."

"Evolution?" The same griffon gasped in fear.

Hydra began breathe the darkness in.

"That's it, Hydra."The Dark One was pleased."Breathe in the darkness."Just then, a new head began to go up as the first head split into two heads. As the wind settled, a two-headed hydra with a moving, metallic crest stood in place of the one-headed purple hydra.

Another evil laughter.

"My beast has finally evolved!"The Dark One laughed evilly again.

"He...evolved?" The leader of the group between the two species gaped in fear. His ears went deaf when Dual Hydra roared out his arrival, making the griffons and minotaurs to hold their poor ears.

"Let's take out the trash, Dual Hydra."The Dark One commanded darkly, raising an arm. Dual Hydra opened his mouth, with two purple energy began forming in the muzzles. Dual Hydra then fired the two purple balls of energy, sending all the remaining group of griffons and minotaurs to Tartarus.

"The job's done."Dual Hydra roared out loudly, which echoed through the valley of a mountain terrain.

"We're coming for you, Virin."The Dark One told himself, as Dual Hydra transformed into a dark swirl of energy, swirling around the Dark One's right arm as he laughed evilly.

Releasing their hug, which they regretted, the duo, getting up from their sitting positions, began leaving for Canterlot.

"We wouldn't want your aunt to get worried, would we?" Celestia asked her son.

"No. We wouldn't." Moon smiled to her happily, feeling their bond getting stronger by the minute. Spreading her wings out wide, Celestia flew towards their destination: home.

Chapter Eighteen: Delta Moon vs. Dual Hydra

A week has passed, along with a little over a month.

Since that time, Radiant Hope and her mother, Crystal Rose, returned to their home in Manehattan, to Moon's objections. However, they reassured him that they would return one day to see him making more readjustments to his childhood's life.

After they had returned to their home, Moon began to feel lonely as his cousin and in-law was at the Crystal Empire. He had nothing better to do than train in the royal gardens in order to pass the time.

When she saw him train, Luna couldn't help but request for a rematch with her nephew, to which he promptly accepted and won with his new powers, to his joyful expression. Luna was disappointed in having lost to her second nephew, but couldn't help agree with his joyful expression as she had a new one in the royal family to play with to pass the daytime.

Moon, though, in some nights, had visions of the future where he would be sent to Tartarus and being defeated by a two-headed purple hydra, the one he had tied with in the past when he was seventeen years old.

With the month over and done with, Moon was returning to his usual routines of exercising and training in order to defeat the hydra. But, with his new body and dragon form, he was having a bit of trouble controlling his new powers as he was almost about to burn the castle down when he trained a bit farther away from it, to his nervousness as he knew his mother could be strict sometimes.

When she scolded him for nearly burning their home, Celestia decided to help her son in controlling his new body as she had some experience with evolutions like this.

In present day, Moon was sleeping in his bed with his children by his side. Then, a dream occurred, one that was different than his last ones.

Waking up when he felt a breeze, Moon looked to the side to see the Dark One giving him an evil smile.

"Dark One!" Moon threw the cover forward as he sprang up from bed. "What are you doing here?!" A laugh was the response. The Dark One disappeared and reappeared behind the human.

"You told me to come out of the shadows."The Dark One reminded him.

"Yeah." Moon added. "I called you a chicken as well." The Dark One reappeared above him.

"I request a battle with you,"the Dark One requested."Then we'll see...who's chicken!"He threw a card at the human, who screamed as the dream ended.

"I'm no chicken!" Moon let out a low scream as he leaned forward, but he didn't wait wake his children up. He sighed in relief. He then noticed a card in the floor, he got up and picked it in his hand. "It was...real. Dark One, I'll accept your challenge."

In the next morning, Moon and his children awoke with yawns of tiredness.

"Good morning you two." Moon yawned again, stretching his arms.

"Good morning, dad." The two chirped together, yawning as well. They stretched their arms, wings and legs in a cute way, to which Moon chuckled at.

As they got ready to leave, Moon quickly dressed in his red jacket and blue jeans, along with putting his green shoes on. He was lucky that his clothes morphed along his transformation, otherwise, Rarity would had to clean them up with her own magic.

When they left the room, Moon and his children walked straight for the dinner hall to eat some breakfast. As they arrived there, Moon narrowed his eyes at his loving mother, to her sheepishly smile as her then lit up horn stopped glowing a golden aura.

"Good morning, mother, aunt." Moon greeted them, taking his seat beside his mother.

"Good morning to you, too." The two alicorns greeted back.

"So, what are you going to do today?" Celestia asked them.

"Sleep, here." Luna replied grumpily. "After thou had awoken me, Tia, I would like to rest for the day to when the night comes. I need the energy to calm our subjects down, remember?"

Chuckling nervously, the white alicorn apologized, "Sorry, sister." She turned her head to her son, who began eating his served oatmeal. "What about you, son? What are you going to do?"

"Train." Moon lied. "You know, the usual I do to pass the time." He didn't tell her that he was going to take a battle in the middle of the day against his dark rival.

"That's just like you." Both alicorn spoke in unison, before looking at each other in surprise. Moon chuckled at their surprised expression.

After breakfast, the duos left for their respective duties. Luna was going to sleep in her room, while Celestia walked into the throne room and sat on her throne beside the dark blue's own throne. Moon, on the other hand, walked to his room as his children laid down on his bed as they yawned as their eyes felt a little sleepy.

"Go to bed, you two." Moon told them. "I won't be long." His children nodded as they fell asleep as Moon summoned his wings on his back and flew out of the balcony as he headed down to the little town in the south of Canterlot. Ponyville.

He chuckled at hearing their town's name. Ponies sure has one thing for weird names. As Moon landed in front of the Golden Oaks Library, he didn't disengage his wings as he knocked on the door.

"Coming!" The little voice of Spike called from the inside. The door opened, revealing the baby dragon as his eyes widened in shock. "Prince Moon?! Y-You're early here."

"Just Moon is alright." Moon told the baby dragon, who nodded uncertainly.

"Spike, who's at the door?" Twilight's voice called from behind.

"It's Moon!" Spike called back, to her loud gasp of shock.

Chuckling, Moon tried to calm them down. "It's fine. I don't need some formal introductions. I just need to tell you that I'll be going for the day." He heard Twilight galloping up to him at a fast pace, her shocked expression clearly visible.

"I-I'm sorry you had to come today!" She apologized. "I didn't prepare when Spike told me that you were here. I was unprepared with the book shelves adjustments."

"It's alright." Moon reassured her. "I'm not here for long."

A blink. "I'm sorry?"

"I just came to see if I could get an audience to see if I can defeat someone who has challenged me to a battle." Moon answered honestly. "So, I came to Ponyville for something like that. But, it'll just have to be the six of you and your friends."

Blinking again, Twilight nodded in small understanding. "I understand. I'll go get my friends." Moon nodded gratefully as Twilight left the door with Spike, who clearly wanted to see Rarity again.

Chuckling again, Moon awaited for their arrivals.

Galloping to the Sugarcube Corner, Twilight and Spike began to wonder what their friend could mean about a battle request. What it so they could see him either win or lose? They hope that it was the former, because he had always won against many different creatures throughout the world, from what he had told them in his story.

"Let's see." Twilight began. "I'm sure that Pinkie should be awake by now. It's close to noon, so I am pretty sure she is up."

"Up for what, Twilight?" Pinkie's voice from behind them startled them as they jumped a bit. The pink pony giggled at that.

"Don't do that, Pinkie." Twilight groaned a bit. "And, for your information, I came to check on you to see if you're ready for something with Prince Moon involved in it."

"Moony's here?!" Pinkie leapt up in joy. "I've gotta go find him!"

"Wait, Pinkie!" Twilight managed to stop her. "Let's gather our four other friends at the Golden Oaks Library, shall we?"

"Of course, silly." Pinkie stuck her tongue out at her. "I'll go tell them." She then hopped to Fluttershy's place.

Blinking at the randomness, both Twilight and Spike chuckled in a humourous way. That pink pony is about to break her bones if she keep doing all of that randomness

Gathering them in the library, Twilight, Moon and Spike had just managed to find their friends as the former spoke up.

"Alright. Listen up." The purple unicorn called out. "The Prince, Moon, has been challenged to a battle by somepony. We need to cheer him up in the battle, so he can have courage to defeat him or her."

"It's a him." Moon clarified for her.

"Thank you." Twilight thanked him. "As you may be confused by this, Moon has accepted his challenge, to prove that he is the superior being in the fight."

"For one thing," Applejack raised an hoof. "He hadn't told us who "him" is. Care to explain that, sugarcube?"

Chuckling, Moon nodded. "Alright. Don't freak out if I had a vision-slash-dream about it, okay?" His friends nodded. "Okay. It's the Dark One and Hydra, two of my many rivals from a different dimension."

"F-F-From a different dimension?" Fluttershy's nervous squeak echoed the living room.

Moon raised a hand to silence her. "Yes, Flutters. From a different dimension. Now, I believe that they are stronger this time around, but so am I because of my evolution process had occurred in the Crystal Empire.

"From what I had seen in my vision-slash-dream, Hydra had evolved into a two-headed purple hydra with a stronger darkness in his heart. When I realized that, I knew that he couldn't be reformed like most of the villains in this world."

"Villains are just boastful dark counterparts of us good guys." Rainbow gritted her teeth. "I'll teach him a lesson about reforming to a good one."

"Sorry, Rainbow." Moon said apologetic. "But, Hydra is far more evil than you could possibly imagine. His hatred is on a different level than Queen Chrysalis' own hatred."

"I understand this." Twilight spoke up. "Chrysalis has an undefined amount of hatred in her heart. So, we couldn't reform her even if we did try. She would just stay in the evil ways."

As she spoke, their friends began to mutter to themselves about what they're hearing.

"So," Applejack spoke at last. "You're telling us that the most evil ones are not the reform type?"

"Yes." Moon revealed. "They're not." He was sad; because Hydra would've been a powerful ally to them.

A while later, after a lot of explanations, Moon led his six friends to the place where he had been challenged to a battle. But, first, they got to the Canterlot train station to wait for Radiant Hope and her mother.

When a few more minutes passed, Moon was starting to get a little impatient. He clapped his foot on the ground for a few times in his impatience before looking at a group of pegasi guards.

"You four." He pointed to them. The saluted in front of him. "Go and see why the train's late."

"Yes, our Prince." The guards saluted and flew from the scene and began flying to where the train was being held back. After a few couple of minutes, they returned with a duo of unicorns, to the ponies and human's confusion.

The human ran up to the two unicorns when the pegasi landed. "What happened?" He asked sternly, kneeling down to their level.

"I-It happened so fast." The first unicorn managed to say through some coughs. "There was a two-headed hydra-like creature in front of the train when suddenly it charged a purple ball of energy at the front train, stopping it for a couple of seconds later. It was evil and horrifying to even bare watch."

Narrowing his eyes at the landscape through his eyes, Moon nodded to his pegasi guards, whom saluted and took the unicorns n their forehooves and flew to the hospital for them to recover.

Moon looked at his six friends. "Let's go. Better catch up." He summoned his wings and flapped them and flew straight for the place where the train stopped.

Twilight looked at her friends and, with her horn lit up, teleported them away from the scene.

Flying through the air, Moon felt the harsh wind coming in his bluish-yellow eyes. He gritted his teeth but held on as he flew faster and faster to the train in which Radiant Hope was in.

Seeing the train crumbled on the ground, Moon landed as he saw pools of blood from the ponies. He gasped as he walked through them to find his mare of his dreams. Just then, he heard a faint voice calling to him.

"M-Moon?" His eyes widened in shock as he ran for the voice. He listened to where it was, and finally saw her. Crystal Rose, on the ground, nearly dead as he saw a pool of blood around her.

"Crystal!" Moon knelt down to her level as he held her in his arms. "Are you alright?!"

"I should be asking you that." Crystal Rose coughed up some blood from her mouth.

"I'm fine." Moon assured her. "But, I can see that you're not."

"C-Clearly not..." Crystal coughed some more, letting more blood out of her mouth.

"Save your breath." Moon told her softly. "I'll get you some help."

"I-I'm afraid it's too late." Crystal said, looking on the blood around her. Moon, after a gasp of horror, felt his eyes tear up with blue water. "Don't cry. You couldn't do anthing to stop it."

"Y-Yes I can." Moon choked. "I can do just about anything! I'm unstoppable!" He let a hand over he and began pouring some of his energy in the azure blue mare's heart.

"Don't." Crystal warned him. "You'll just feel weak."

"I don't care!" Moon pressed his regeneration healing on his former foalsitter. "I'll heal you, so you can continue to live." But, all of his efforts were futile, as the mare coughed up more blood instead, prompting Moon to stop his regeneration process. "Crystal!" He gasped in horror, seeing her eyes beginning to close.

"I can see him..." She whispered.

"Who?" Moon wondered fearfully.

"My husband." Crystal answered. "I can see him waiting for me in his hooves. I'll come, my dear."

"Don't go!" Moon cried out. "I'll find a way to heal you."

"Please don't." Crystal assured him. "This...this is how life is...Please take care of her. Radiant Hope...for me..." Then, she closed her eyes, never to open them again.

Silence feel over Moon. His eyes were watering with tears. He just lost one of his beloved ones. All because of that Hydra guy.

"M-Moon?" Eyes widened in shock, Moon listened to the voice. "Are...Are you there?" It was Radiant's voice!

Getting up on his feet, leaving Crystal's dead body behind, Moon ran to the source of the voice. He saw her. The mare of his dreams. Radiant Hope, in a pile of blood like her dead mother.

"Radiant!" Moon knelt to her level like before. "Are you okay?!"

"I should ask you that..." Radiant whispered lowly, blood all around her and on her body.

Feeling guilty wash over him, Moon raised an arm on Radiant's chest softly.

"What are you doing?" She whispered again.

"Heal you, of course." Moon answered softly. "I regret this, Radiant. I couldn't save her."

"Who?" Radiant's eyes widened in horror as Moon made a reply.

"C-Crystal Rose."

Gasping in horror, Radiant closed her eyes, but not in dead, out of shock. Moon felt his heart pierce through his soul, but he wanted to at least save one of his beloved ones. He poured all of his energy into his arm that rested on Radiant's chest, beginning to glow a strange golden colour as the healing process was happening.

A few feet away from them, the Mane Six appeared as they all but gasped in horror at seeing the ponies in pools of blood. They saw Moon, with Radiant, using his healing ability to wake her. They ran over, trying to stop him.

"Moon! Don't!"

"You still have that battle to accept!"

"Don't do this, darling!"

"Yeah! I still need somepony to train me!"

"Please, Prince Moon. Listen to us."

"I don't want you to do this! I need you for a party!"

However, Moon didn't listen to them. He continued to pour his energy into his healing ability, with his hand glowing a brighter golden colour. The ponies covered their eyes as the light faded after a few minutes.

Panting for breath, Moon shakily stood up. "I-It is done."

"Whatever did you do, darling?" Rarity finally asked, eyes in worry.

"I healed her. That's all." Moon could see the blood on his dream mare's chest beginning to wash away slowly. He sighed in great relief. At least his crystal pony friend wasn't going to die that easily now.

Just then, Moon let out a horrifying roar of anger, causing the ponies to cover their poor ears.

"I WILL DEAL WITH THAT FREAK MYSELF!" Moon roared loudly, summoning his wings and flew to where Hydra was standing, behind the mountain rang. After a good amount of seconds, Moon finally saw the bastard that had killed his foalsitter. Hydra, standing tall and mighty, smirked in a delightful way as revenge was near.

"I heard you loud and clear."Dual Hydra sneered coldly.

"Then you know why I'm here!" Moon roared again.

"Indeed."The Dark One's voice laughed evilly. The white cloaked figure appeared beside Dual Hydra."So, you have accepted my challenge. That's good."

"I'm here for revenge!" Moon roared angrily. "I'm not here to idly chitchat."

"Very well."The Dark One merely shrugged."Have it your way, then."A bright red light appeared around the human, as he transformed into his forty meters tal dragon form, just as high as Dual Hydra's thirty nine meters. The Dark One smirked evilly."Let the battle begin."

"I don't need you to tell me that!" Moon shouted in rage, getting into a fighting stance. "Come at me, Hydra." The two-headed hydra smiled greedily, accepting the threat. Dual Hydra opened his two mouths, with two balls of energy forming in them and fired them at Moon, but he just stood there with angry eyes as he didn't flinch when the attacks hit him. Smoke appeared all over him. As soon as the smoke cleared, Moon stood there, unscratched from the hit.

Moon opened his own mouth, with a fireball forming in it. "V Strike Attack!" The ball of fire was launched, engulfing Hydra in a pit of flames. However, Dual Hydra let out a roar, blasting the flames away. Moon didn't look shocked; he'd seen this before.

"If that doesn't work, then...Fire Tornado!" A fiery tornado appeared around the red dragon, with Moon flying straight at the two-headed hydra with an angry glare. The tornado hit Hydra, engulfing him in a fiery tornado of flames. He didn't roar out in pain, however, as Hydra blasted the tornado away with a double roar as his mouths began to lit up with purple energy and fired the two balls of energy at Moon, but the dragon just took the attacks dead-on as he didn't flinch from that.

Roaring in rage, Moon's bluish-yellow eyes went blood-red as he began firing consecutively at Hydra with fireballs, engulfing him in a pool of flames. But, Hydra did not finch from the attack. Instead, he laughed evilly as he fired his own consecutive attack at Moon, sending him back to the mountain, causing it to fall down on the red dragon. Grunting, Moon jumped straight back up on his feet, firing an fire breath at Dual Hydra, engulfing him in yet another pile of flames.

Like before, Hydra just stood there, unflinching. Roaring out again, the two-headed hydra blasted the flames away once again. Gritting his teeth at the move, Moon continued with his fire breath attack as Hydra finally let out a roar of pain. Smirking deviously, the blood-red eyed dragon flew straight for the hydra in an intense rage, knocking Hydra on the ground as the dragon began punching the two-headed creature in the heads a lot of times.

Finally having enough of this child's play, Hydra kicked Moon off of him as the dragon flew forward as he was kicked from behind. Getting up, Hydra roared in anger as his two mouths lit up with purple energy and fired two balls of energy at the fallen dragon, engulfing him in a purple vortex. Dual Hydra laughed evilly.

"Do you now see it?"Hydra asked him."ThatIam the Ultimate Being?"He continued to laugh evilly until Moon walked out of the purple vortex.

"Once again, you speak too soon." Moon said slowly, stopping just a few meters away from Hydra. "You are far from the Ultimate." He began punching Hydra in the right face. "You think that others will bow down towards you when you're the Ultimate Being. I don't fight just for myself, but forallthe creatures in this world. So, you see, there's more to it than just yourself." He punched Hydra again, this time in the left face.

Dual Hydra roared in anger, giving him his own punches to the belly, making Moon to roar in pain while his blood-red eyes glowed a brighter colour as the dragon seemingly vanished from sight. Hydra cocked his head, before smirking deviously and tail-slammed into Moon's side from behind him, sending the Prince to the mountain nearby. Moon groaned, before getting back up as he fired an fireball at Hydra, who created a purple shield of energy to protect himself.

Moon let out his own roar and charged at Hydra, which was reckless on his part. Hydra smiled evilly and bit onto the dragon's neck once he got close enough, to his roar of pain and anger in response. Moon continued to roar in pain as Hydra's bite was sinking in his flesh. However, this time, Moon kicked Hydra away with a foot, sending him a few meters back as the dragon felt to one knee. Hydra laughed evilly again. However, this wasn't a sign of surrender, he know it. Moon just relaxed until his strength returned back to him as he fired an fireball at the two-headed hydra, engulfing him in a fiery tornado of flames.

Moon gave a small laugh at his handiwork. To his unsurprised look, Hydra stepped out of the fiery tornado, unscathed by the attack, with a look of anger in his dark purple eyes. Dual Hydra let out a roar, with purple energy forming in his two mouths and fired two balls of energy at Moon, who just stood there and took the attack head-on, being engulfed in a purple vortex again.

Moon spread his wings on his back out, blowing the vortex away. He growled hatefully at Hydra, firing an fireball at the hydra, but he, too, fired his own ball of energies, resulting in a short energy lock and an explosion occurred. Hydra let out an angry growl, firing another double purple ball of energies at the red dragon, but the dragon fired a fireball against the ball of energies, resulting in another explosion.

Dual Hydra let out an angry roar, charging at Moon, who charged at him as well, locking arms with the hydra. Dual Hydra tail-slapped into Moon's face, with him punching in Hydra's right face before the two-headed hydra bit the red dragon's neck, causing him to roar out in pain. Delta Moon fired an fireball at Hydra after having flown backwards for a few meters, engulfing him in a fiery tornado of flames. Dual Hydra, though, blew the fire away with a powerful roar, to Moon's angry growl before he charged at the two-headed creature again. Hydra, too, charged at the dragon, locking arms with him once more.

Delta Moon punched Dual Hydra in the left face, with the hydra biting onto the dragon's neck again, making another roar of pain come out of the drake. Smirking evilly, Dual Hydra clawed across Moon's chest, causing blood to come out of it as the dragon screamed in pain as Hydra continued to claw across his chest, making the blood to fall on the ground like a pool. With his metallic chest moving, Dual Hydra moved in for the next attack, making the moving chest contact with the bloody chest, causing Moon to scream out in utter pain as he unfolded his wings and flew backwards to safety. Dual Hydra snarled at the move, thinking on finishing this fight now.

Moon shared that inner statement as he fired an fireball at the two-headed hydra, with the hydra firing two balls of purple energy, resulting in another explosion. Sneering at the dragon, Hydra moved in for another attack with his metallic chest. However, Moon flew upwards and barely dodged the predicted move from Hydra. With his blood-red eyes, Moon felt immense hatred towards Hydra for everything he had done to the drake's beloved ones. He killed innocent ponies, killed his former foalsitter, and nearly killed Radiant Hope. That was simply too much for the drake to bear as he let out a prolonged roar of rage and anger at the two-headed hydra, who raised an eyeridge at the rage the drake was showing...before suddenly smiling evilly as the hydra realized what was wrong with his foe and rival.

Hydra fired two balls of purple energy, but, with his hatred coming the best of him, Moon fired a dark red fireball against the purple ball of energy, resulting in another explosion. Suddenly, with another prolonged roar of rage, Moon's body began to change into darkness as he continued with his roar of anger and hatred. He was going to kill this bastard. No matter what it takes, even if it meant giving up to the darkness in his heart.

Dual Hydra stared at the darkened drake with an emotionless expression on his face, only giving a single evil smirk. He charged and fired two balls of purple energy at the dark dragon, but it simply went right through him as the energy balls hit the mountain behind the dark dragon instead. Eyes widened in shock, Hydra backed slightly away from the now walking darkened dragon, whose eyes were in the darkest colour the world has ever seen, despite it showing only anger, hatred and rage towards this very creature that dared to kill his loved ones, with the intention of killing him right in front of his subjects.

After having heard the loud, prolonged roars, many ponies, both Earth, pegasi, unicorn, and alicorn alike, all stood at the sidelines away from the current battle between the purple hydra and the dark dragon, with their eyes showing fear at their darkened Prince.

The Princesses were the most shocked out of their subjects. Their human-slash-dragon had the intention of killing the hydra with two heads. Never before had they seen him with this much hatred in his heart than from what he had told them just one month ago.

Side-glancing at his subjects and friends, Dark Virin gave them an evil smile as he turned his attention back at the two-headed hydra, opening his mouth and fired an dark red fireball. However, Dual Hydra fired his own two balls of energy, resulting in another explosion to happen. Dark Virin charged, as did Hydra at each other, with arm-locked. Dual Hydra tail-slapped at Dark Virin's head, but he ducked and gave a punch to the creature's right head. The dark dragon punched at least three to four times afterwards, with the metallic chest of Hydra beginning to move closer while it was spinning, cutting into his chest's side as Dark Virin roared in pain as he spread his wings and flew backwards like before in his normal state.

Dual Hydra roared out in anger again, tail slamming into Dark Virin's side, sending the dark dragon across the plains into a forest as he grunted while standing back up. Dark Virin growled threateningly at the two-headed hydra in way of warning it. However, Hydra didn't care about the warning-slash-threat giving to him as he fired two balls of purple energy at the dark dragon, but it flew upwards to dodge the attack.

The two-headed hydra growled at the dodge, firing another two balls of energy as the dark dragon landed on the ground, hitting him directly as a purple vortex swirled around it. Dual Hydra laughed evilly, but that didn't last long as the dark dragon spread its wings out as it let out a roar of anger and charged straight for Hydra, knocking the hydra on the ground as Dark Virin began punching his dark rival in the faces a few times as he stopped after thirty times of punching. Dual Hydra roared in rage, kicking the dark dragon off of him with a kick, sending the darkened Prince to the mountain behind the hydra.

Getting back up, Dual Hydra fired large purple balls of energies at the dark dragon, engulfing him in a stronger purple vortex of energy, trapping it in the vortex. Hydra laughed evilly, glad to have gotten rid of that damn dragon. However, its success was short-lived, as Dark Virin blew the vortex away with his wings, giving both a snarl and sneer at the hydra with anger and hatred in them.

Dark Virin fired an dark fireball at the two-headed hydra, with it firing two balls of purple energies, resulting in another explosion to happen in-between them. Growling hatefully, the dark dragon moved in for the kill. But, Hydra predicted this and tail slapped into the dark dragon's side, sending him back down on the ground a few meters to the side, groaning in slight pain as the dragon stood back up, seemingly unscathed.

"This ends now!"Dual Hydra roared angrily.

"I couldn't agree more!"Dark Virin agreed with his own roar of anger, with both of them firing at least four balls of energies at each other, hitting themselves in the chests, sliding backwards a bit.

Roaring in rage, Dual Hydra had enough of this game as his body began to glow with darkness and purple energy, both at the same time. Dark Virin's body began to glow with darkness as well, increasing their power levels to maximum. With one final attempt, Dark Virin tried to his Dual Hydra with a dark fireball, but, at last, Dual Hydra moved out of the way as the darkness in Dark Virin's heat began to swept away from the struggle with the light, going back to the normal state.

With another roar, Dual Hydra's two mouths began to lit up with two balls of purple energies. The Dark One, watching in fascinating, decided to step in as he held his fingers ready.

"And now, Dual Hydra."The cloaked figure said darkly."It's time to take him out..."His fingers made a loud "click" sound as Dual Hydra began to consecutively fire at the red dragon, hitting him many times.

"Moon!" Celestia shouted in worry. "Please stop this! Don't do this to him!" Her pleas were hopeless as Dual Hydra continued by firing at her son. "Moon!" One final ball of dark purple energy hit Moon, with him falling backwards.

"Oh no!" Pinkie cried out, next to Celestia. "Moony's falling!"

With one last look at his family, friends and subjects, Moon called, "Mom, everyone...Farewell my friends." He closed his eyes as the Dark One began to shout at him.

"Away with you!"Tartarus' gate opened behind Moon's body as he flew straight in it. Tartarus' gate closed after it had sucked Moon inside it, never to be open again.

Chapter Nineteen: Tartarus

Author's Notes:

Yes. I made the main character lose in the previous chapter. Not all main characters can win. I hope you understand this, that they can lose too.

In the land of paradise, in the world of the afterlife, a group of elderly looking dragons was looking at a ball swirling in the center, seeing that their descendant had lost.

"Oh, I'm worried for my child." The red elder said worriedly.

"So, am I, Jonathan." The purple elder added. "It was sad seeing him lose to that beast of a creature. He should've known better than attacking head-on with only anger, rage and hatred."

"Don't despair, Susan, Jonathan," a young-looking, grey dragoness tried to calm them down. "We've only seen what had happened. He hasn't been totally defeated."

"Are you saying we should just let his loss go?" Susan asked rather angrily, staring daggers at the grey dragoness.

The dragoness raised her arms up. "Oh, of course not. I'm just saying he should had been the greater being in that duel. That's all." She managed to escape the anger in the female purple dragon's expression. She sighed inwardly in relief.

"I'd say we should test the youngster." A rowdy voice echoed to their side.

"To what, if we may ask?" The grey dragoness asked curiously.

"To see if he's the chosen one, of course." The yellow coloured dragon answered. "We should have at least five tests against him, since he's on his way to Tartarus, a place where only evil beings are sent to. He's not evil, however, as we've seen so far. Only when he's consumed by darkness, he's half evil. The reason why I said half, is that he's half good as well."

"He's both of those things!" The grey dragoness gaped in shock. "No beings has ever been both good and evil."

"Aye." The yellow dragon then spoke in a fast pace, "Ibelievethathe'sthechosenbecauseofhisbravery. That'swhyIbelieveinhim."

"We believe in him, too." The purple female, Susan, nodded in agreement. "Alright. Let's see if my son can clear our five tests to see if he's worthy of learning a portal magic spell."

"Gotthatright." The yellow dragon spoke speedily, nodding hastily, excited to get this started.

Location: Tartarus...

Falling. Screaming.

That was all he could do. Moon was falling down to the pit of Tartarus, to the lowest floor a being has ever reached before. Only the most evilest creature are being sent to the bottomless pit of Tartarus.

"NO!" He screamed, opening his eyes. "There's no one that can escape from Tartarus!" He continued to scream as he was continuing to fall to the bottom. After a few more minutes, hw saw the bottom of Tartarus, a great darkness was lurking in these parts of the evil land.

After an harsh landing, Moon got shakily on his feet...gasping in fear as he saw his surroundings. Darkness, and black pointy mountains was all around the place. The black mountains was higher than he is, which was a great shock to the forty meters tall dragon.

"Good gracious." Moon whispered to himself. "How did I end up here?" He then remembered his dark rival firing at him...to him prompt growl of anger as he remembered his previous fight very clearly. "Man, this stinks."

A dark laughter was heard overhead.

Moon looked up to see a very familiar reaper sitting on a nearby large rock.

"My. What a pleasant surprise."Reaper said, faking his surprised look."The all mighty Virin has been defeated by my former partner's new guardian creature. What a shock."

"Reaper!" Moon yelled his name. "What are you doing here?"

"Why, I'm stuck here thanks to you and Hydra."Reaper replied coldly, sneering down at the dragon,"Why am I not surprised that he sent you here too? It just makes things perfect. More noise than that whiny centaur in the cage."

"There's other beings here?" Moon asked unexpectedly.

"Of course there is."Reaper spread his arms wide."What else did you expect from such a dark place, hm? That it was the afterlife or something like that? This is the dark afterlife, where onlyevilcreatures are sent too. You are no evil being, my "friend". You're a goody-two one."

"Stop mocking me." Moon warned. "And, for your information, the name's Moon here. Not Virin."

Reaper gave a dark laughter, before going into the air and disappeared.

Sighing in relief at the end of his conversation, Moon started to look around in the dark place. Moon decided to walk around the place for a bit.

Canterlot...

In the real world, in Canterlot, the Mane Six and the Princesses were discussing on how to get their Prince back.

"I don't know the spell to get Tartarus open," Celestia regretfully said. "Nor do I know how to get my son back."

Everypony in the room sighed sadly, their heads down in despair. All of their hopes are being crushed right under their noses.

"Dad's gone?!" Two squeaky voices came from behind them.

The group and the guards looked behind them. They saw Jaxar and Varin, standing at the door to the throne room, eyes wide open in shock and fear of losing the one they loved.

"Regretfully," Celestia started. "Yes..." She saw tears in their eyes as they began to sob uncontrollably. Guilty striking their hearts, Luna and her sister walked up to the children and tried to soothe them with soft words.

"Oh my." Fluttershy whispered sadly, feeling her heart pierce from the sight of those loving children.

Tartarus...

Walking down the darkened path, Moon was beginning to feel his legs to be tired. He decided to take a break from walking as he started to meditate down on the black stony floor, trying to calm his mind...to little success.

Sighing in relief of getting his mind checked, Moon's energy began to feel like water to him as he seemingly drank it down his sour throat, feeling his energy stir from within him.

Hearing a shriek, alerted the dragon as he opened his eyes wide, getting up on his feet as he looked closely at the danger that lurked forward from his position. Staring at the harmless darkness with a glare, Moon finally saw the threat that slowly, but threateningly, walked into view. Moon blinked at the strange creature.

It had black scales, with a few blue stripes going down from it. It had a long, pointy head while its eyes were a reddish colour. It stood on all four.

The creature roared, alarming Moon of its predicted attack as it charged at him, knocking him down as he grunted in pain. Moon got back up as he whirled around and tail slapped into the creature's face, sending it into a mountain nearby.

However, the creature wasn't done. It got back up on its four legs and roared angrily at the red dragon and charged at him again. It swung a paw at the dragon, but he flew backwards with the then-spread out wings and evaded the attack just in time.

Roaring in anger, the creature's other paw slammed into the dragon's side, knocking him into an mountain nearby. Groaning in slight pain, Moon stood back up on his two feet, firing an fireball at the creature, vaporizing it in flames as it roared painfully while finally exploding into pieces.

Grunting in satisfaction, Moon panted a bit before continuing his way towards his destination.

After his fight with that strange creature, Moon was met up with a new one.

This creature had red scales, it had reddish-brown eyes. It had black stripes going down from its scales. It had a strange, formed head as it was hanging almost upside down.

Moon blinked at the creature, before getting into his battle stance, ready for the fight to come. The creature accepted the challenge and charged at the dragon, hitting him in the belly with its head, knocking him back a little. Moon groaned from the impact, before firing a fireball at the creature, but it somehow dodged the attack by jumping to the side, surprising the dragon.

The creature charged at the dragon, but the dragon flew upwards to dodge the strike. Delta Moon flew a little away and flew straight down with his foot ready, kicking the creature hard in the face as it stumbled back in shock. The creature slammed a paw in the dragon's face, barely managing to slap him as the dragon growled threateningly at the creature. The creature accepted the threat and ran straight for the red dragon.

However, Moon predicted its charge and flew upwards again for a few meters away. He charged down with a harsh kick to the creature's back, causing it to roar in pain as it prepared to strike back. But Moon dodged the attempted assault by flying to the side.

Growling hatefully at the dragon, the creature launched a liquid spray attack on the dragon, but he dodged it by flying upwards with his wings blowing the liquid away. The creature roared in anger as it charged at the dragon, whom landed a few feet away ahead of it, before being knocked back by the headbutt from the creature.

Grunting in pain, Moon fired a fire breath at the creature, singing it in flames as it roared painfully as an explosion occurred as it was made into pieces like the other creature.

With the creature defeated, Moon continued his way to his non-destination of this Tartarus place.

Canterlot...

After having managed to soothe Jaxar and Varin into bed, Luna stayed with the children while her sister got back into the throne room where the Mane Six was waiting for her to be finished with her kind words to the despaired children.

"Are they alright?" Twilight asked her as she came in the room.

"No." Celestia shook her head. "Their hope are nearly crushed. If my son doesn't come back soon, they'll continue to be like this for the of the days while in Canterlot."

"I'm so sorry for the kids." Rainbow's eyes went downcast at that. "They shouldn't had felt this much pain and sorrow because of that hydra sent their only parent away."

"Got dat right, Rainbow." Applejack added. "They shan't had felt this kind of sorrow only because of their father is in Tartarus, maybe for the rest of his immortal life. From what we've heard, his draconian species are immortals. Right, Princess?"

"Yes." Celestia nodded. "Dragons from his homeworld are immortal."

"That's kinda cool if you ask me." Pinkie said, her mane going a darkened colour after that as her face went downwards. "I just wish there was something we could do to get Moony back."

Twilight began humming to herself, thinking on something to get her friend back from Tartarus.

Tartarus...

Continuing his walk, Moon began to feel heavy as he had been in his dragon form all day long. Why didn't he just transform back into his human form? Well, as much as he liked that idea, but since there are still monsters in this place, he couldn't just transform back. What if a monster came right in front of him?

On cue, a red light appeared in front of him.

Rolling his eyes, Moon cursed himself for his stupidity as he knew that this wasn't over. He shouldn't had thought of that last line.

This creature was red in colour. It had green stripes going down from its scales. It had yellow eyes.

Moon roared, so did the creature. They both charged at each other, locking arms as they made contact with one another. The tail of the creature slammed into Moon's head;while he punched the creature in the face, causing it to roar in pain from the punch.

The creature reared back, before biting onto the dragon's shoulder, making him roar in pain as he felt the teeth sink into his flesh, causing blood to drop down to the floor. Moon growled and tried to punch the creature away. After the fourth punch, the creature reared back once again as it walked backwards while glowering at the dragon in hatred. The dragon shared this hatred with his bluish-yellow eyes.

Moon roared again, charging at the creature with an intention of killing it. However, the creature evaded the charge by moving to the side as it managed to tail-slapping into the dragon's side, sending him into a mountain nearby. Groaning in slight pain, Moon stood back up on his feet, growling angrily at the creature that dared to hurt him.

The creature shared that growl of anger, charging at the dragon once more, slamming into his side as the two brawled for dominance over each other. Rolling on the ground, Moon managed to get the damn creature off of him, by kicking its back and sent it flying into a mountain which he was sent into. Getting back on his feet, Moon fired an fire breath at the creature, but it smartly rolled out of the way to evade the attack.

Moon tried to fire another fire breath at the creature, but it simply dodged the strike by moving to the side again. Growling in rage, Moon charged at the creature, which charged at him like before. They made their arms lock with each other, with the creature tail-slamming into Moon's head while he punched at the creature's belly, before doing it at least four times more like before. He managed to get the creature away, while it growled, enraged at him.

Moon shared that enraged growl as he threatened the creature to move forward with his spikes glowing a blue colour. The creature went alarm at this sudden move. With his mouth opening, Moon fired an powerful blue beam that set the creature ablaze as it exploded into pieces, never to be seen again.

His spikes no longer glowing, Moon continued his trek around Tartarus' lowest floor.

Continuing his trek, Moon stopped as he sniffed the air's scent. Darkness, clearly, but something big was coming next.

Just like before, he regretted his ways of thinking.

This being was just as big as him. It was thirty-nine meters tall. It had blue scales, with some yellow stripes in them as well like the other creatures the dragon has fought, as it was going to avenge them for taking out the dragon.

Moon was unfazed by the daring glare of the beast, he insert himself in a battle stance, ready for the upcoming rumble. The beast accepted the stance, charging head-on at the dragon, but it dodged by rolling to the side, avoiding the strike from the beast. The beast snarled in rage, tail-slamming into the dragon's side, sending him across the darkened ground of stone.

Groaning, Moon got back on his feet, glaring heatedly at the daring beast. He ran for it, charging right into its belly with his sharp horn, causing it to roar out in pain. Moon smirked deviously at the pained roar, it was like a taste of his powers.

The beast, though, stopped its painful roar as it glowered at the dragon, punching into his belly, causing him to spit out saliva from his mouth as he was sent backwards into a black mountain of Tartarus. The beast wasn't done, however, as it charged at the dragon with its head, slamming into him with a strong force that sent the dragon rigt through the mountain, destroying it as it broke into a million pieces.

Groaning as he stood back up on his feet, Moon fired a fireball at the beast, who retaliated by firing its red fireball, resulting in an explosion to occur in-between them. Gritting his teeth, Moon fired yet another fireball while the beast did the same, with another explosion happen in the place.

The beast fired another red fireball, hitting Moon in the stomach as he was unprepared for the incoming attack, making him scratch his belly with his hand, as though it was nothing. The beast was furious at this, that it ran forward in a reckless move. Moon, seeing this coming, tail-slammed the beast to a mountain a few meters to the side, causing it to crash right into the mountain's low bottom.

Moon fired an powerful blue beam when his spikes glowed a blue colour, vaporizing the beast once and for all, setting it aflame as it exploded into pieces, spread around the place. Panting for breath from the battle, Moon was on one knee as he panted heavily from four consecutive battles.

In the afterlife...

Looking through the ball that swirled in the center, the group of elder dragons couldn't help but admire their descendant's strength and power. He sure was an interesting being, that's for sure.

"Interesting." The grey dragoness hummed with mild interest.

"What is it?" Susan asked her, eyes curious.

"It seems that your son are far greater than we've ever imagined." The dragoness responded. "He's strong, I'll have to admit."

"Well, he did train for the last eight years for nothing." Jonathan reminded her. "I'd say it was thanks to his friends and family, that he was able to defeat such a large foe." His wife nodded in agreement.

"Aye." She added. "I still thought that I should had been there, watching him with a smile while he grew up in Equestria. However, it was because of those damn humans that we're here in the afterlife and not really psychical. That stinks."

"How did we even know of Equestria's existence?" Jonathan asked her with curious eyes.

"Because of our grandparents, remember?" Susan rolled her eyes fondly at him. "They came to Equestria for the first time when they were young. They met up with Lord Torch and his mate a thousand years ago. I still thinks that's a good place for sending our child to. He's been adapting to their habitat quite nicely."

"Indeed." Jonathan agreed. "He's been a well herbivour for ten years before switching to omnivorous instincts. I'd say that's pretty impressive for our only child now." His gaze went downwards at that.

"Don't worry." Susan tried to soothe her mate. "I'm sure our daughter had a good life, although we didn't get to see her for a mere few seconds. Those humans had made worse sins than us dragons."

"Agreed." The grey dragoness added. "The humans have wars against themselves, which is pretty pathetic to my eyes. They can destroy themselves if they self so choose. I don't care about them."

"But, isn't our child a human, too?" Susan inquired.

"Half human, actually." The grey dragoness corrected. "I'm fine with a half human in our species. I don't mind that." Susan sighed in relief, glad that she will accept her son into their species.

"Look." Jonathan's voice called to them. "He's about to face the final test." The two females looked back to the swirling ball.

Tartarus...

Growling angrily at his last opponent, Moon made sure to finish this in a longer fight. He want some enjoyment in this place at least.

The monster he was facing had red eyes, pitch black scales. It had large and powerful wings, with a long, sharp tail. It had also sharp spikes, as well. This was none other than a red-eyed black dragon, one of the rarest dragons to ever have in the dragon race.

"So," the red-eyed dragon spoke coldly. "You're the one I was sent to destroy? I'll gladly do that."

"Don't think I'll go down that easily, black one." Moon snarled dangerously. "I've defeated tons of opponents before and I never back down from a fight. So, you will expect joy in our coming battle."

"I'll look forward to this," the black dragon sneered coldly, getting into a fighting stance as Moon did the same.

The black dragon charged at the red, who dodged the strike by flying upwards. But, the black dragon followed after him as they made a flying race through the bottomless pit of Tartarus. They continued like this for a few minutes, while firing balls of both red and black colours, while dodging their attacks.

Moon had enough of this flying game; he slammed right into the black dragon, who yelped in surprise at the move as they fell from the dark sky of this deadly place. They plummeted into the ground, creating a crater in the center.

The black dragon roared angrily, kicking the red one off of him with a harsh kick, sending him out of the crater as he was sent flying face-first into a mountain. The black dragon got back on its feet, roaring out in rage as it flew straight for the red dragon, pushing the red right through the mountain, causing the mountain to collapse into a million pieces.

Moon groaned as he was being sent flying through the air by this black beast. The black dragon smirked wickedly, pressing on with its move, sending them through another mountain as the red dragon groaned loudly this time in pain.

The red dragon vanished all of a sudden by its amazing speed, to the black's confusion. The black dragon looked around...before being punched from above and was sent straight down into the ground by a mighty punch from Moon, creating an crater in the center of the dark place again.

The black dragon groaned as it shot a death glare at the red, who smirked all of a sudden. Why was it...until it suddenly fired a great fire breath at the black dragon, burning it as the dragon roared in pain but, with its wings spread out, blew the flames away as it shot another death glare at the red dragon, who shot his own death glare back.

Moon fired another great fire breath at the black dragon, but, suddenly, the black dragon blew the breath attack back with a powerful gust of wind, blowing the flames right into the red's face, causing it to cough by the wind. Smirking deviously, the black dragon sped towards the red dragon, hitting him and pushed the red dragon right through the dark ground of stone, creating a great hole in the process.

Finally having enough of this, Moon flew upwards, barely managing to fly as his wings' wind blew something in the black's face, causing it to cough as well. The black dragon shot its glare upwards at the red dragon, flying after it as the black fired a dark fireball against the daring dragon's underside. The red, however, noticed this when it looked back down, disappearing from sight as it appeared underneath the black dragon in an instant.

The black dragon was confused as to what happened to the red dragon. But, hearing wings underneath it, the black dragon looked down in shock as the red tail-slammed into its side, sending it towards a mountain nearby, making the mountain to collapse into a pile of rock.

Moon fired a fireball down at the laying dragon, setting it ablaze as it roared in pain. With his spikes glowing a blue colour, and his mouth opened, Moon fired an powerful blue beam from his mouth and made the black dragon to explode into nothingness as it was set ablaze, dead from the explosion.

Landing back on the ground, Moon panted heavily again as he didn't transform back into his human form. There're still dangers in this place. But, was it the last object in his way? He hopes so.

It was.A loving, familiar voice echoed in his head.

Moon shot his eyes up to the dark sky, as six figures appeared above him, with them staring down at him.

"The six great dragon warriors!" Moon gasped. "Mom, Dad, you're one of them? Really?"

"Of course we are." His father nodded his head to his son, smiling down at him from his place in the sky. "What else did you expect that we, in our city, defended it from the deadly humans in our war?"

"A war, father?" Moon asked curiously.

"Yes." The grey dragoness answered this time. "It's the War of Man and Dragon. One of the deadliest wars in history. Many causalities have been made in it. You're lucky that you've survived it along with another dragon."

"Who are you?" Moon demanded, eyeing her dangerously.

"My. Such determination and fire." The dragoness chuckled. "Nevertheless, I'll answer you question. I am Curis, one of the Great Dragon warriors who died in battle against the humans."

"Curis?" Moon titled his head to the side. "Never heard of a name like that."

Curis' eyes widened. "You haven't?!"

"Nope." Was all the larger dragon could reply with.

"I see." Curis said. "I am one of those that died honorably. My spirit lives on in the afterlife, along with your parents'."

"And why should I know that?" Moon questioned.

"Why, you're the Chosen One, of course." The yellow dragon babbled.

"The...what now?" Moon titled his head to the side again.

"You've received a special power that only exists in another creature, along with being the second fastest being in the universe." The yellow dragon continued on with his babble. "No other creatures has something like that before."

"I think I see what you mean." Moon started slowly, moving his head to the side again. "However, there's one thing I don't understand."

"And, that is?" Curis questioned.

"Why have you appeared to me now?" Moon demanded. "And why inside Tartarus itself? I don't get it."

"That's something we'll discuss later." Curis simply replied. A sigh of frustration came from the large red dragon. "Oh, don't be like that. You're just confused at the moment, right?"

"Yeah." Moon nodded. "So, what's your purpose, then?"

"We've come to the conclusion to give you a special ability." Curis replied slowly, to make sure he understood it. "One that allows you to travel between worlds at will. This ability is called Portal Magic, one of the kind to enables a being to travel through the existing worlds. We've enabled you to do just that."

"So, I can go back to my pony family?" Moon asked, hopefully.

"Of course." Curis nodded.

A laugh of joyfulness. Moon smiled happily. "Then, let's get this over with."

"Wait."

A groan escaped Moon's throat.

"Before you do anything," Curis said. "Let me give you the instructions. First, focus your energy into your horn." Moon stood still, pointing his horn to nothingness and focused his energy. "That's it! Now, second phase. Think of the most dearest ones that you want to return to, like the Princess of Equestria, for example. If you want to summon a portal, think of her."

Moon began to think of his pony mother in his memories. She'd taken care of him for ten years as a child, looking after him when he was just a little baby. When he thought of her, his horn began to lit up with a light magic colour and shot a beam into the nothingness he had pointed to. A portal opened.

He opened his eyes wide and flew in the portal, as it closed when he got inside. The great dragon warriors also vanished from sight, as a red centaur had heard the commotion from somewhere...

Chapter Twenty: Prelude to a Long Fight

Author's Notes:

This is going to be one of the longest fights in the story yet. Sorry for the short chapter, guys, but this was merely a prelude to the ongoing battle to the first EQG film's events. I hope to entertain you with this battle.

Thinking.

That was all Twilight could do for the moment.

She'd been thinking for half an hour since her friend's children were being soothed by the Princesses, even by Cadance who was now with them along with Luna. After what she had revealed to them, Celestia now regretted by had said that her son was gone aloud. Maybe she shouldn't had done that, maybe she should had her lips sealed, hidden from the children. But, no. She needed to tell them that their father was gone.

After what that two-headed hydra did, Twilight came to the conclusion that that creature couldn't be reformed as it had so much darkness in its heart. When she thought of this, Twilight couldn't help but wonder where it indeed came from. Was it really from another dimension like Moon said it was from? She hoped so, because it would be trespassing in another world if it was. She was unsure of how dimension travel even worked. Was it science? Well, for one thing, she was glad that she couldn't do a spell like that even if she did try, it would simply not work.

However, when she was thinking, all of her friends were doing their own business in keeping them calm and collected as they, too, saw what had happened to their Prince in that duel.

"I still think we ought to teach that Hydra a lesson." Rainbow said, pumping her hooves in the air.

"But, Rainbow, you've seen what it did to Moon, didn't you?" Applejack asked. "If you were going to be reckless, then it would certainly do the same to any of us." A sigh of frustration came from the rainbow pegasus. That was true.

Just then, something that startled them greatly, a portal appeared in the middle of the room.

"What the-?" Rainbow was cut off as a human jumped through the portal, dusting himself off as he looked at his surroundings. He was back. That was good.

"Moon!" Twilight squeaked as she ran up and hugged her friend tightly, just as the portal disappeared behind the human. She knew that this only human could be her friend.

"Easy, Twilight." Moon tried to calm her down. "I'm alright. I'm alright." He rubbed her back as he felt something wet on his belly. She was crying. He hated creatures showing their weakness.

"Have ya got any ideas on how worried ya made us?!" Applejack shouted at him, galloping up to them. "We've been worried for little over a day! A day for Celestia's sake!"

"Gee, chill, Applejack." Moon rolled his eyes. "For me, it has only been a few hours in Tartarus."

"Oh, yeah?" The orange pony snorted, unconvinced. "I've been trying, or should I say, we've been trying to calm ya children down when they cried. Ya could at least use yoor telepathic abilities to tell us on how you were fine. But, no. Instead, ya decided to make us worried sick for ya."

Jeez.Moon let out a small groan. "Just chill. I'm fine, wasn't I? I didn't need to tell you that. You could've just feel that I was alright in Tartarus, except for the five battles that I've been having while in that horrid place."

"You had five consecutive battles?" Celestia asked, walking up and hugged her son with her wings, before pulling back.

"Yup." Was all Moon replied with. "So, a little respect would suffice, Applejack, since all you've been doing is shouting at me as well as scolding me."

"Well, ya did worry us, after all." Applejack huffed, giving another snort.

"And, you've never been worried for a human being all this time when I was here." Moon pointed out.

"I-" Applejack cut herself off. "Good point." She gave him a small smile.

Dragon Lands...

Opening his eyes, the tall red dragon felt a breeze in the wind. He was back. So, let get this show over with.

"Virin," the red dragon snarled out. "I've been waiting for this day, Lizard Prince. The day where I'll finally defeat you in battle. Prepare yourself, for I'm coming foryouthis time."

Location: planet Earth, city: Tokyo...

Walking down the halls to the conference room, a tall pale man with a black mustache, brown hair, yellow eyes, and a black attire, was going through the halls. His name was Alimayo, a second-in-command for the Japanese Self Defense Forces.

After having witnessed the first Godzilla's attack in Tokyo in 1954, Alimayo was appointed to the second-in-command ranks in the Self-Defense Force as he had the courage to attack the monster with his men and had great strategies on how to deal with the Kaiju.

After several minutes later, Alimayo had gotten to the conference room as he opened the door by the handle, as the door slid back as the men inside the room looked at the one who entered their conference.

"Alright, let's begin." An rather thin man called out as Alimayo closed the door and sat on his seat.

"Any news on Godzilla's location?" Another thin man asked, looking through the group gathered here.

"Yes." Another nodded. "His location is in the depth of the Pacific Ocean. So, all we have to do is using bombs so we can get rid of the Kaiju."

"It won't be that easy." Alimayo raised a hand, gaining his men's attention. "Remember the first Godzilla's attack? The Kaiju had survived many bombs and had received no damage at all. So, we have to use an atomic bomb in order to get rid of it." Mutters came through the men after this.

"Using an atom bomb?"

"Impossible!"

"We'll never do something like that!"

"We could destroy our Defense Force if we do that against Godzilla!"

"And," the same man that had reported Godzilla's location, said. "We've done so that using an atom bomb would be illegally use only. If we indeed used an atom bomb, we would just cause panic throughout Japan. So, using the atom bombs is downright forbidden for us."

Sigh. It was worth a try.

Getting out of the topic, Alimayo asked, "Any news on the final dragons, then?"

"No." The same man replied. "There are no reports on the last of the dragons. It looks like they've just disappeared out of thin air. But, that's legally impossible. They've got to be on the Earth somewhere."

Alimayo nodded in acknowledgement. They've got to be on the Earth in some place they hadn't looked before.

Equestria, Canterlot...

After what had happened in the throne room, Moon decided to announce his return to his children, just because they've been the most worried for him as Rainbow had pointed out.

As he walked, Moon bumped into somepony as he fell on his back as did the pony.

"Ugh. Watch where you're going." Blueblood's voice grunted, before looking at the human. "Monk-Moon, you're back?!"

Rolling his eyes at his "cousin, Moon answered, "Yes. And I'm stronger than ever. So, if you want a duel, it's fine by me."

"Not on your life!" Blueblood sprinted away from the human, going as far away as possible.

Laughing a bit, Moon got back on his walk to his room.

After a few seconds, Moon finally reached his room as he opened the door slowly by the handle, not intending on waking his two young ones up yet. When the door was open, Moon closed the door silently as he slowly walked up to his bed where his children laid.

Groaning, Jaxar opened his eyes slowly...before seeing an all too familiar being in front of him. The human was smiling at him fondly.

"Dad!" The red dragon didn't care if he woke his sister up, he tackled his father with a tearful hug. Varin, with tears in her eyes, hugged him as well.

"You're really back, dad!" She cried in his chest, rubbing her cheek alongside it.

"I'm glad to be back, too." Moon had his own eyes in water, hugging his children close to his chest. Just then, he got a message from an all too familiar rival's voice.

Virin.

Moon snapped his eyes up, gaining confused looks from his children.

"Dad?" They asked in unison.

I challenge you to a battle, Virin.Garble's voice echoed through his head.I'll be waiting for you in Dragon Lands, near a volcano. I'll expect your arrival within two hours.

Then his voice was gone.

Moon looked back down to his children. "I'm sorry if this will have to be cut short. But, I've been challenged to a battle."

"Don't go!" Varin cried. "You've only just got back."

"Sorry." Moon apologized. "But, this is something I have to do. If I don't show up in time, it'll consider me a coward."

"We understand." Celestia's voice called from the door. The trio looked to the door. "We expect the outcome to your victory, my son."

"Yeah!" Rainbow cheered. "Kick that Garble guy's butt!"

"How'd you know him?" Moon asked her, eyes curious.

"Been in the Lands, duh." Rainbow replied in a duh tone, shrugging her shoulders.

"It takes some time before Twilight's test is done, anyhow." Celestia said slowly, whispering to his ears when she galloped up to him, smiling at him lovingly. Moon slowly nodded as he put his children down to the floor, going to the balcony and summoned his wings.

"I'll announce my victory once we're done!" He called to them before he flapped his wings and are gone to the air.

Dragon Lands, near a volcano...

With his arms crossed, Garble stood and waited for his rival to come. He huffed as the time was nearly up. Only an half hour more and it'll show that Virin is a coward of not fighting him.

Narrowing his eyes as he heard powerful wings flapping, Garble smirked as he finally saw his rival coming to him and landed on the ground a few meters away from him.

"Took you long enough." The tall dragon sneered coldly.

"Sorry." Virin apologized. "But, I've had to reassure my pony family that I'll win."

"You mean whenIwin." Garble snarled out, narrowing his eyes at his rival.

"Whatever." Virin shrugged, uncaringly. "Shall we do this thing or what?" An evil smirk from the tall dragon.

Garble charged at Virin, but the smaller dragon evaded the attack by rolling to the side. An snort came out of the taller dragon's nostrils as he fired a fireball at the smaller red. The smaller dragon, too, fired an fireball, resulting in an explosion to occur between them. Garble fired another fireball at Virin, but he retaliated by firing another fireball as well, resulting in another explosion.

Virin charged at Garble, knocking him back as the taller dragon grunted as he fell on his back and pushed the smaller dragon off of him with a kick, causing the smaller drake to fall to the ground face first forward. Getting on his feet, Garble fired an fire breath and engulfed the four-legged dragon as it laughed delightfully, to the taller dragon's confusion. What was so funny?

In answer, Virin walked out of the fire, no damage at all. Gritting his teeth, Garble charged straight for the four-legged dragon, knocking him back as the two wrestled on the ground, grunting and groaning at the same time. With an effortless push, Virin kicked Garble off of him as the tall dragon fell face first on the ground, before getting back up in his feet as he launched an fireball at the four-legged dragon. Virin fired an fireball as well, resulting in an explosion to occur in-between them.

Gritting his teeth again, Garble launched another fireball at his rival, but he launched an fireball as well, with another explosion between them. Roaring out, the taller drake charged at his smaller rival, but the four-legged dragon evaded the strike by rolling to the side. Virin began to make a Comet Dash at Garble as his body lit up with energy, going faster than lightning at the tall dragon, who roared in rage as he had been hit by the Comet Dash attack.

Making another Comet Dash, Virin got Garble to a corner as the small dragon smiled in victory. This was a small duel, that's for sure. However, to his surprise, Garble roared in anger as he made his own Comet Dash strike as he knocked Virin off his feet by the unexpected move. Grunting in pain, Virin launched a fireball at the taller drake, but Garble dodged it by flying upwards, laughing ni a different way than the other times.

Virin made, once again, an Comet Dash attack against Garble, surprising him as he was knocked out of the sky and landed on the ground with a harsh thud. Virin, once more, made an Comet Dash by pushing Garble forward, causing the tall dragon to roar in pain as he had enough of this game. The tall dragon clawed against Virin's side, making him roar out in pain as he felt another claw pierce through his scales, causing blood to drop to the ground.

Garble made his own Comet Dash attack as he pushed Virin forward, causing him to finally roar in pain as he was being pushed backwards. With his wings spread out, Virin flew upwards as Garble followed after him with a fireball attack, hitting him underneath as the small dragon roared in pain as the taller dragon made in for the strike as he clawed Virin's wing, causing the drake to fall straight down to the ground, panting for breath as he tried to get up.

Garble landed on the ground, smirking deviously as he prepared to finish his rival off as his mouth opened with a fireball forming in his mouth, intending to kill the Guardian of the World...

Chapter Twenty-One: Virin vs. Garble I

Author's Notes:

This chapter will get an sort of another cliffhanger. I want to at least give you a worthy battle between the two rivals...if I do give you it, that is.

Menacingly walking towards his fallen rival, Garble prepared a fireball attack as he had his mouth open wide. However, to his surprise, Virin opened his eyes and shot straight into the air, managing to dodge the then fired fireball from Garble.

What a close call.

A glaring contest then happened between the rivals. Virin was glaring heatedly at his rival, as did the tall dragon. Their rivalry needs to be coming to an end.

Virin opened his mouth, firing an fireball at Garble, who dodged the attack with a swift movement, firing his own fireball at the smaller drake, who evaded it by flying to the side. Garble fired another fireball at his rival, but the drake dodged the attack again by flying to the side once more. Virin opened fire at Garble, with consecutive fireballs being fired at the tall dragon.

With quick and swift movements, Garble managed to dodge every single fireball, glaring hard at the daring drake, who glared once again back. Garble let loose a fire breath at the smaller dragon, but the small red dodged it by flying upwards, before firing his own fire breath at Garble, damaging him as the tall dragon roared in pain as he felt the breath attack singing him all over.

With the attack hitting him, Virin stopped the fire breath as he looked down at the taller drake with immense hatred. Garble, too, glared at him with immense hatred, feeling the same feeling the other do. Garble fired an fireball at the smaller drake, but he dodged it by flying downwards this time around, enraging the taller drake even more.

Virin fired his own fireball at the tall drake, hitting him hard in the chest, making him fall to one knee, but he didn't surrender as the taller drake stood back up on his feet, roaring out in anger as the rage inside him was greater than the smaller one's own rage.

Garble fired an fireball at the smaller drake, but he dodged it by ducking under the ball of flames, as it swept right above him when it passed through. The taller drake was enrage at this, as he fired an fire breath this time, hitting the surprised dragon as he roared in pain while being flamed alive from the attack. With the attack continuing, Virin spread his wings out, blowing the flames away as he glared angrily at Garble, who glared angrily back.

Virin charged straight for the tall dragon, but Garble predicted this move as he flew upwards to dodge the strike, surprising Virin as he was being pushed to the ground when Garble got back down on his back, before punching restlessly at the smaller drake's head, causing him to roar in great pain as he struggled to get free from Garble's grip.

With a mighty kick, the small dragon managed to get the taller red off of him, sending him face-first into the ground, groaning in pain from the harsh impact with the rocks. Virin stood back up on all four, firing a fireball at the fallen dragon, causing him to roar in pain as he was being hit once again by a fireball from the Guardian of the World.

Angrily, Garble stood back on his two feet, punching hard in the smaller dragon's face, as the punch was enough to break teeth out. But, it didn't break the Guardian's teeth out, to Garble's roar of rage as the tall drake pushed Virin into a mountain from a distance and made his back being hurt from hitting the mountain, before punching him in the face multiple times. Virin, feeling pain in his back and face, bit onto Garble's next punch from the right closed fist, causing him to roar in pain as the small dragon kicked the tall dragon away with a strong kick, sending him back a few meters away from him so the small red could pant for breath.

After having regained his energy, Virin glared heatedly at Garble, thinking on ending this now. Garble shared that inner statement, roaring out in anger and charged for the still drake, but the small drake moved out of the way, making Garble to make contact with the mountain first with his readied fist, causing a hole to appear with the punch.

Raising an eyeridge, Virin shrugged as he flew away from Garble, who followed after him after having regained his position and fired an fireball at the small drake, but the small drake dodged it by flying to the side before firing his own fireball down at Garble, who managed to stop the attack with another fireball, creating an explosion to occur between them.

Garble continued to follow after the flying Virin, who fired an fireball at the tall dragon, but Garble retaliated with an fire breath, causing an explosion to happen again. Stopping in midair, Virin made an Comet Dash as he moved straight down for Garble, who yelped in surprise and shock at being sent down again as they made a huge crater to appear after the crash.

Virin punched Garble in the face, but the tall dragon blocked a few of his punches with his arms, before kicking the small drake off of him when he kicked the small red's butt, sending him into the volcano's mountain side. Getting back up, Garble, in a rage, fired an large fireball at the fallen drake, setting him ablaze as the tall drake began laughing menacingly in a delightful way.

However, his laugh was cut short as Virin stepped out of the flames, seemingly unharmed. An eye twitching, Garble fired another large fireball at the small red, but he finally retaliated with his own large fireball, resulting in a huge explosion to happen between them, loud enough to be heard in the area for the other dragons to hear the commotion. But, the two fighters didn't care as they charged for each other, beginning to slash and scratch one another when they got close enough, making blood to drop to the ground.

Both dragons didn't care about their blood, as they flew backwards as they wiped their cheeks with their right arms before glaring angrily at each other. Opening their mouths, both dragons fired large fireballs at one another, resulting in another huge explosion to happen in between them, sending them backwards for a few meters away. When they got back up, the two rivals fired two more large fireballs at each other, once again resulted in a new explosion to happen between them, sending them even more back.

Garble grunted as he stood back up on his feet, glaring hard at his rival, who glared back as he stood back on his own four feet. The tall dragon fired an fireball at the smaller drake, but the drake fired an fireball as well, resulting in another explosion to occur between them. Roaring out, Garble let loose a fire breath at his rival, whom fired an fire breath as well, colliding with the tall red's own breath attack in an lock.

The lock lasted for a few minutes before it exploded between them, sending them back as they stood back up with a grunt, glaring hard at one another. Garble fired an fireball at his rival, who fired an fireball as well, with an explosion to happen between them. Snarling in rage, the tall red charged straight for the smaller red, who braced himself for the attack. They collided, struggling for supremacy while the other tried to overcome the other one. Biting onto the smaller drake's shoulder, Virin roared in pain as he felt the sharp teeth in his shoulder, before biting onto Garble's own shoulder, causing him to roar in pain as well.

The bite attack continued as they sank their teeth in the other's shoulders, making blood to drop to the ground while they finally reared back as they held their bloody shoulders in pain. Glaring at each other, both had enough of this game as they fired two more fireballs at each other, resulting in another explosion once more. With their healing and regeneration abilities working, and with their shoulders' blood being sealed, both rivals let loose two fire breath attacks at once another,, with another lock to happen in-between them as they continued with the lock. For a couple of minutes, both seemed to struggle like never before, however Virin's powers proved to be more supremacy as his breath grew a bit larger in strength, overcoming Garble's breath as the tall drake roared in pain when he was hit, being engulfed in flames as he roared painfully.

Smirking delightfully, Virin charged at his rival, knocking him out of the flames and in to a mountain, creating a cracked hole when the tall dragon made contact with the mountain. Groaning, Garble's eyes snapped open as he bit onto Virin's neck this time, causing the young dragon to roar in pain as he tried to punch his rival away. After a few more punches, the small dragon managed to get the taller drake away from his then bloody neck.

With an evil smile, Garble went for the neck again, biting onto it as the small drake roared in pain again before trying to punch the tall red away again. However, the tall red held on this time as he sank his teeth in the wound, making Virin to roar out in much pain as he felt the teeth sink into his flesh. Garble continued with his assault, sinking more into the neck of his rival, making him roar out painfully this time.

When Virin had enough, he reared back with a "twig" as a piece of his neck fell off when Garble reared back as well. Groaning in much pain, Virin's healing ability went to work on his wound, sealing it after a few minutes of silence from the two rivals. Panting, the small drake fired an fireball at the then startled taller red, making him yelp in pain from the sudden attack.

Getting back to his senses, Garble tail-slapped into Virin's head, sending him across the ground to the small red's left, causing him to grunt in painn. Virin stood back up, glaring heatedly at his rival who glared back, firing an fireball at his small rival, who fired an fireball as well, resulting in another explosion to happen between them like the other times.

Using his tail, Garble continued with tail-slapping at Virin's head, making him groan in pain after the tenth time. Grabbing the tail on the eleventh time, Garble was caught by surprise as the small drake whirled it around, with the tall red following his tail as he was being thrown into a mountain nearby, making a hole appear in the bottom of the mountain. Garble grunted as he stood back up on his two feet, glaring hard at his rival, whom was unfazed by the stare he was given.

Roaring in anger, Garble fired an fireball at his rival, who blocked it with a fiery shield around him before a fiery steel-like armour appear on his body, as he stood with an almighty expression on his face. Smiling evilly, the tall dragon summoned his own fiery steel-like armour, surprising the smaller drake to great heights. The armour appeared to be of an red obsidian armour, an rare colour for it to be. To Virin, such an armour was unlikely to have, since it was so rare amongst dragon kind.

Both roared out, as they charged at each other, either punching or kicking one another, with neither giving an inch. Garble kicked the small drake in the spot where it was most painful, in the guts. Coughing at this, Virin punched the taller drake in the face, giving him a black eye as the taller drake roared as he punched and gave the smaller drake his own black eye, to the right eye. However, they would give off after a few days, which was lucky for Virin.

Virin held his black eye, glaring with a sharpened look at his rival, who gave the same expression to his own rival. This ends now. Both dragons opened their mouths, firing two fireballs at each other, but they collided with an explosion afterwards, sending them backwards. Both grunted and groaned, getting back on their feet, glaring hard at each other with immense hatred in their eyes, as a spark was seemingly in their eye-lock.

Garble roared, firing an fireball at the small drake, but the drake retaliated with his fire breath, causing the two attacks to explode after a while of being stopped. Virin fired his own fireball at Garble, who fired an fireball as well, making another explosion between them.

Gritting his teeth, Garble let out another roar as he charged straight for the small drake, who braced himself for the potential strike. However, as clever as he was, Virin dodged the strike when Garble got close enough, to the tall red's surprised look but it quickly turned into a immense rage in the eyes as he looked at Virin's bluish-yellow orbs, who braced himself for another attack. Garble obliged, hitting Virin directly as he sprung forward, causing them to collapse to the ground, rolling on it as they both groaned in pain from the sudden fall, but it was intentional on Garble's part.

Virin gave an nerved smile, firing an fireball at the tall red, who blocked it with his arms that were in armour, barely a scratch on it. Gritting his teeth, Virin let loose an fire breath at his rival, engulfing him in flames as the taller dragon roared in slight pain as he spread his wings out, blowing the flames away, surprising the smaller dragon, but not as much as the other times he were unharmed by his fire breath.

With an aura glowing around their bodies, both drakes disappeared from the ground, seemingly gone. However, they reappeared in the air, punching and kicking one another to take the other down. Virin roared as he gave a hard punch to the taller red's face, knocking him back in surprise, but he smirked all of a sudden in the middle of the fight. Virin stared in confusion. What was so funny?

In answer to that inner thought, Garble glowed a brighter red colour as he fired an large fireball at Virin, who fired an large fireball as well, creating an huge explosion to appear in between them, sending them backwards for a few meters.

Grunting, both dragons decided to play fair and square by speeding their way towards the other, punching and kicking one another all over, with their martial arts being greater from the attacks they're doing. With more punches and kicks, both dragons realized something: they were equal.

They held a stare down, glaring sharply at each other. This duel was going to get what they deserves, that's for sure...

Chapter Twenty-Two: Virin vs. Garble II

Author's Notes:

I forgot to tell you, that go to the previous chapter, and listen to the song "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce, to make the battle more enjoyable for you to read. I think that the song suits the battle, won't you agree?

Please Comment, Rate and Favourite!

Glaring hard at each other, both Virin and Garble knew that they were equal. It was like their battle in the Dragon of Courage trial. They hope that it won't last as long as that fight.

The small drake let out a strange, but powerful roar from his lungs, charging at the taller drake directly. Garble smirked, he felt right through his trap. Suddenly, fire chains appeared around the then helpless stopped dragon, who struggled against the red chains.

However, Virin roared out his new roar, breaking free from the chains, destroying them in the process. Rubbing his arms, he glared at his rival sharply, who gave the same glare. Garble and Virin both charged at each other, hitting when they made contact with the other dragon. They began clawing and scratching one another, but they stepped back after they felt blood coming from their hit points.

They proceeded with their fight, with Garble speeding his way towards his rival, punching him in the face. Virin stepped back in shock, how'd he do that so fast? Whatever.

Virin kicked Garble in the back, causing the drake to roar in pain and sent him flying through the air. But, with his wings flapping, Garble managed to stop midair, glaring down at his rival for that kick.

Garble pointed his index finger at his rival, who cocked an eyeridge. Suddenly, a red beam from his finger, shocking Virin greatly as he was being hit from the attack, roaring in pain as he was engulfed in smoke.

The tall dragon laughed evilly, seeing his handiwork was done. Suddenly, a fire breath came from the smoke, engulfing the tall red in flames, causing him to roar out in pain all of a sudden. Going down on one knee, Garble glared hard at his daring rival, who stood still as the smoke cleared, with an intense expression on his face.

Garble pointed his index finger at Virin again, with multiple red beams coming from it as Virin just took them head-on, with a large explosion occur after the last one. Panting for breath, Garble looked at the smoke, before laughing like a maniac from his handiwork.

However, that laugh came to an short end, as Virin stepped out from the crater that appeared in around him, unharmed. Gritting his teeth, Garble let out an fire blast from his mouth, creating an explosion from where Virin was standing, making the crater larger than before. But, Virin was once again unharmed when the smoke cleared, to Garble's shock as he stepped back a bit.

Smiling, Virin let out his own fire blast at Garble, hitting him as he roared in pain as he was engulfed in flames from the attack. That was a strong fire blast, he'll admit. But, Garble spread his wings out, blowing the flames away from his body, glaring down at his rival, who glared back.

Garble had enough; he roared in anger and charged straight down for his rival. But, it was a reckless move on his part, for Virin cloned himself as at least ten clones was multiplied from his very being, stopping Garble dead in his tracks as he looked at them in confusion. Which one was the real one, he wondered.

One of the clones roared, charging at Garble directly, knocking him back as the tall drake vaporized the clone with a single fire breath attack. The second clone charged at him as well, but received the same result like the first. The others did the same, but in return, received the same treatment from Garble, vaporized from sight as the taller red panted from using ten fire breath attacks.

The last one, no doubt the real one, smirked in pleasure, happy to acknowledge that he was in fact the true dragon from the clones. Garble gritted his teeth, roaring out and charged at the real dragon, knocking him back as the two wrestled on the ground for supremacy.

Virin, however, proved to be stronger than the taller drake, as he kicked him off of him, sending him face-first into the side of the crater before the small drake got back up on his two feet, with a sharp glare at the then fallen tall red drake. Garble groaned, but stood back up as he whirled around, letting out a strange roar, to Virin's own strange roar, before firing two strong fire blasts that sent them back up from the explosion, either grunting or groaning in pain.

Virin stood back on his feet, as did Garble from the other side of the crater. Just by seeing the smaller drake made the taller dragon sick to his stomach. He needed to end this battle and fast. Both dragons let out two fire blasts from their mouths, hitting the other while being encased in smoke from the hits. When the smokes cleared, both dragons stood on their feet, unharmed from the attack by the other.

Garble roared out his strange, new roar and charged at his rival, who charged as well, clashing with the taller drake before they suddenly vanished from seemingly thin air. Above the ground, the two battlers reappeared and punched each other all over then disappeared and reappeared and doing the same thing over and over again. Virin was punching his rival all over his body, with the taller drake doing the same.

Virin roared as they reared back from all the punching, firing an fireball at Garble, who fired an fireball at well, engulfing the each other in smoke when they got hit from the attacks. But, as the smoke cleared, both were unharmed from the attacks. Garble growled angrily, and with a few flaps of his wings, charged at his rival with a death sentence in his eyes. Virin acknowledged the dead look in Garble's eyes, charging in as well.

Both dragons made contact with the other, clawing and punching the other all over his body, before landing on the ground and panted as their healing and regeneration abilities activated and began to seal the wounds around their bodies, perfectly healed and battle ready. As they panted, both dragons were glaring intensely at each other, both with the intention of killing the other.

Virin roared out his strange roar, prompting Garble to take a defense stance as the small drake charged at him, clashing with him as they wrestled on the ground, going for supremacy. However, with Garble, he simply kicked the younger dragon off of him with a harsh kick, sending him into a mountain face-first, groaning in pain as the young dragon stood shakily back on his two feet, glaring at his rival with immense hatred. Garble, too, glared with immense hatred at the young dragon, firing an fireball at his rival, who fired an fireball as well, resulting in an explosion to happen between them, sending them backwards again. Virin was sent back into the mountain, while Garble was sent into another mountain behind him, before getting back on his feet while Virin did the same.

Garble roared out, charging at Virin at full speed, prompting Virin to activate his fiery shield as the taller drake got closer to him, barely blocking the potential strike from the tall dragon. Garble slashed against the shield, intending to break it, but it held on in order to protect the smaller drake from the wrath of the tall dragon. With one, hard punch, the shield broke into pieces, shocking Virin greatly as he was met with another punch, sending him right through the mountain harshly as he groaned while being sent flying through the air. Flapping his wings, Virin went into airborne as he took a glance at Garble, before going up to the top of the mountain, with the taller drake following after him.

The taller drake fired an fireball up at the flying Virin, but he retaliated by firing his own fireball downwards, resulting in an smoky explosion to happen under him. Garble flew through the smoke, clearing it as his wings flapped hard to catch up with the small dragon. Virin noticed his catching up, he sped forward, going as fast as possible as he went right into the blue sky, disappearing.

Garble stopped flying after, cocking his eyes curiously as to where his rival has disappeared to. In answer to his curiosity, a fast blur, too fast to the eye, sped down at the tall drake, knocking him down on the top of the mountain underneath them, creating a large hole to the top of it. Groaning in pain, Garble noticed that it was Virin who had sped that fast. He cocked an impressed eyeridge at the incredible speed his rival had just did.

Virin roared, knocking Garble off the mountaintop as he made contact with him, as he had just pushed him off the edge as Garble fell down to the ground. Spreading his wings as he neared the ground, Garble flew back up in an impressive degree that awed Virin for a second before the small drake realized that he was coming at him. Gritting his teeth, Virin made an fiery shield appear around him to block the incoming attack, but it never came as Garble just flapped right in front of the small dragon, who had his shield up just in case the tall drake should do something nasty.

In answer to that, Garble let out a huge fire blast from his mouth, breaking the shield into a million pieces, shocking Virin greatly as he grit his teeth in anger as he fired an fire blast of his own at the taller drake, who retaliated by firing another fire blast at the same time, resulting in an explosion between them that sent the small drake off of the mountaintop, and straight down to the ground.

With a roar at the top of his lungs, Virin spread his wings out wide, managing to stop his fall from hitting the ground, looking up at the taller dragon with immense rage in his eyes. The small drake fired an fireball from his mouth, intending to hit the taller drake in an instant. However, Garble predicted this as he made his own fiery shield around him, deflecting the attack from Virin, who had his eyes go wide for a split second before it turned into anger.

Virin let out another roar and, as quick as his reflexes were, sped up towards his rival, whose shield broke from the harsh impact by the small drake. Garble weren't impressed anymore, as he roared in anger, knocking both him and Virin down to the ground fast, creating a crater again. With the big crater, in the center of it, stood Garble, towering over the then fallen small drake. The tall dragon laughed like a maniac again, but that ended as soon as it came when Virin groaned and stood back up on his two feet, glaring at his rival with immense rage again. Garble, too, glared with immense rage at the small drake, before going all-out at him by speeding towards the small drake, either punching or kicking the young dragon all over his body, causing him to cry out in slight pain several times. But, that ended with Virin grabbing the next punch with his arm, staring at Garble angrily before kicking him in the guts, making him cry out in pain as he felt the kick was a harsh one.

Garble stepped back, angrily glaring at his rival with immense hatred that could melt the planet in two. Like before, Virin glared at him too, before opening his mouth and fired an fireball at the tall drake, who fired back an fireball, resulting in an explosion between them, sending them backwards. Getting back up with groans, both rivals glared immensely at each other with rage in their eyes, both intending to kill the other.

Virin roared again, charging at the same charging tall dragon, locking arms with Garble and began to either punching or kicking one another hard all over their bodies. When the twenty punch and kick came, both dragons stepped back from each other, glaring at the other angrily as they opened their mouths and fired two fireballs at each other, sending them back once again as the two fell to the ground on their backs, struggling to stand up...

Chapter Twenty-Three: Virin vs. Garble III

Author's Notes:

Short chapter. No complaints, please.

Well, it looks like the fight between Virin and Garble continues to go on. It seems like it's not going to end, right?

Struggle.

That was what the two fighters could feel at the moment.

They got shakily back on their feet, glaring heatedly at the other drake, strong enough to melt the planet in two. Garble opened his mouth, with a ball of flame beginning to form in it and fired an fireball at Virin, who responded with his own fireball attack from his mouth, resulting in an explosion in between them again. The two dragons healed themselves when they felt their strength leaving them but returned in a fast rate.

Virin opened his mouth and fired an fire blast at Garble, who retaliated with his own fire blast attack, sending them back when the two fire blasts collided with each other and exploded. Getting back on their feet, both dragons glared with immense anger and hatred at each other, intending to finish this battle off now. Opening their mouths at the same time, both dragons launched two fireballs at each other, sending the other back once more as the two fireballs collided with the other dragon, though no harm was done to them.

Garble groaned, before getting back on his feet as did Virin. The tall dragon charged at his rival, intending to finish him off as he got close enough. But, to his surprise, Virin disappeared into the shadows underneath him, stopping Garble dead in his tracks when he neared where the small drake was from before.

Virin silently reappeared behind the confused tall red, before readying his punch and made contact with Garble's back, sending him into a mountain face-first, causing him to groan in pain as the tall drake slid down to the ground. Smirking in victory, Virin opened his mouth and a ball of flame began forming in it and was launched at the then fallen dragon, engulfing him in flames as the tall drake roared in pain.

But, that didn't last long. The tall dragon then knew that Virin was behind him. As soon as Garble stood up, he whirled around and fired an fire blast at Virin, sending him back to the mountain behind him, making him grunt in pain from the hit with the mountain.

Garble wasn't done, however, as he charged and knocked Vrin right through the mountain, causing it to crumble down into a million pieces as the two fighters continued with their fight. The tall red opened his mouth as the small drake had fallen on the ground, seemingly unconscious. As soon as Garble fired his fireball, Virin opened his eyes and quickly flew up into the air at a fast rate, shocking the taller drake, who then growled angrily at the smaller drake. He was pissing the tall red off immensely.

Virin opened his mouth, with a ball of flames forming in it as he fired an fireball at Garble, who countered it with his own fireball, resulting in an explosion between them again. When the small drake, with hatred in his eyes, opened his mouth for another attack, Garble charged to intercept it. However, Virin managed to launch the attack, hitting and sending Garble back to where he was from before, down on the ground in pain.

When Virin tried to get near the fallen drake, Garble shot his eyes open and fired an fire blast at his rival, sending the shocked drake into the crumbled mountain. Garble stood back up on his feet, sneering at his fallen rival in anger before opening his mouth and, with a ball of flames forming in it, fired another fire blast at the smaller drake, engulfing him in flames as the Guardian roared out in pain when he felt the attack all around him.

The Guardian, though, immediately stopped as Virin glared at the taller red with immense hatred and stood back up on his four feet, opening his mouth and opened fire at Garble consecutively with a lot of fireballs. The tall dragon, however, activated an fiery shield to protect him from the attacks, which was working on his part.

Growling angrily, Virin opened his mouth again when he closed it for a second, firing an large fire blast from his mouth and vaporized the shield around Garble, angering the tall dragon greatly as Garble charged at the then charging Virin, locking arms with the other.

They both began to punch and kick each other, with neither giving an inch in the battle. They disappeared from the ground and reappeared in the skies above, continuing to do this while punching and kicking the other drake for a good few minutes. When they reached the ground again, they stepped back for a few meters away from each other, glaring hard at one another.

Virin opened his mouth, as did Garble, and fired an fireball at the tall drake, who fired an fireball at the smaller drake at the same time. Both hit each other, being sent backwards from the hits and laid on the ground in pain but stood back up rather quickly, glaring at the other with immense hate.

Garble opened his mouth, with a ball of flames began to form in it, and fired an fire blast from his jaws that was sent to Virin, who retaliated with his fiery shield, barely managing to block the then incoming strike. Garble growled hatefully, opening his mouth again, firing a good few fire blasts from his mouth at Virin, who still managed to block them with his fiery shield. But, at the last one, the shield broke into pieces when it hit the shield, shocking Virin a bit before he growled at his power-thirsty rival. He was going to finish this match, no matter what.

Glaring at each other for a few minutes, both dragons opened their mouths and fired fireballs consecutively at each other, being sent back into their whole and crumbled mountains behind them, groaning and grunting in pain.

Getting back up on their feet, both dragons glared at one another immensely with hatred and rage. They opened their mouths, with ball of flames forming in them, and fired two fire blasts at each other, sending them further back when they hit the other dragon. Virin groaned while getting back up on his four feet, glaring at his fallen rival, before sighing in relief, glad that it was over for now.

However, to his immense surprise, Garble charged at him when he stood quickly back on his two feet and flew straight for the small drake, pushing him back when the tall red collided with his body, sending him through several mountains. As the two was nearing the last mountain, Virin disappeared quick enough before impacting with the mountain with his back, reappearing behind the then stopped Garble, firing an fire blast at the tall red, causing him to be sent into the mountain face-first instead of him.

Garble stood back up on his two feet, whirling around and fired an fireball at Virin, who retaliated with his own fireball, causing an explosion to happen between them. After the smoke from the explosion cleared, both dragons let loose two fire breaths at each other, in an breath lock that lasted what seemed like forever.

Virin tried to gain the upper hand by empowering his breath, but Garble did the same by empowering his own breath attack. Finally, both attacks exploded, sending both dragons backwards from their positions, groaning in pain as they had fallen onto the ground once more.

Getting back on their feet, both dragons charged at each other, locking arms against one another before starting to punch the other all over the body, either grunting or groaning in pain as they stopped and stepped back to recover from the assaults by the other drake. Virin opened his mouth, with a ball of flames beginning to form in it and fired an fire blast from his mouth to the taller red, who retaliated with his own fire blast, resulting in another explosion to happen between them, sending them further back.

Back on their feet once again, Virin and Garble launched two more fire breaths at each other, in another collide with the breath attacks. It lasted a bit longer than the previous breath lock, but it exploded between the two dragons, who stood on the ground, unmovingly. Glaring at each other, both dragons knew they were equal, so they decides to end this now. Both dragons fired their fire breaths at one another, resulting in another breath lock that resulted in another explosion that sent them back on the ground in pain when they hit it harshly.

Virin and Garble both got back up on their feet, hardly injured from their harsh fall to the ground, glaring at each other once more. The small dragon opened his mouth, firing an fireball from his mouth and at Garble, hitting him hard in the chest, causing the tall red to groan in pain but opened his own mouth and fired an fireball at the small drake, hitting him directly in the chest, making him to groan as well from the hit.

Glaring at one another once more, both dragons was getting tired of this child's play. Virin opened his mouth, fired an large fire blast from it and clashed with Garble's own fire blast, resulting in another explosion between them, sending them back once again. Garble had enough, he roared loudly and charged at his rival, intention of killing him slipping through his mind of focus. Virin braced himself with a fiery shield, blocking the incoming strike as Garble tried to break the shield with his bare claws, which proved to be more difficult than it seemed.

Garble continued with clawing at the shield his rival had summoned, before delivering one harsh kick at it, barely making a single crack on it. Growling hatefully, the tall drake roared again, stepping back and fired a large fire blast from his mouth, breaking the damn shield into a million pieces as a shocked Virin looked on. However, the shock merely lasted for a second, as Virin growled at the handiwork made by Garble, colliding with him as the small drake had just charged at the taller dragon with hatred in his eyes.

Garble groaned as he stopped on the ground with his feet claws, surprising Virin at his strength to do that. Virin grunted, trying to continue with the pushing his rival forward, but had much difficult effort into doing it. Garble held on, before slashing his rival at his scarred eye, causing Virin to roar in pain, stepping back as he held the his scarred eye with an arm before roaring in anger at his rival, and in rage. Garble smirked, looks like he broke his rival into a hateful rage in the moment of slashing him. That was kinda of a good sign. No one can predict the tall red's moves in an instant, not even his own rival.

Virin, in a pit of rage, fired a consecutive attack of fireballs at the then-protected Garble, who had managed to create a shield to defend himself, angering Virin even more. This battle needs to end...now.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Virin vs. Garble IV

Author's Notes:

The fight's under its way!

Looks like this is going to be an intense battle, right? Well, it actually is right now.

A heated glaring contest was currently going on.

Virin and Garble both glared at each other in anger and rage, enough to melt the planet in two.

The tall dragon roared out, prompting Virin to take a defensive stance as his rival charged at him. Smirking, the small drake summoned a fiery shield around him, blocking the incoming strike from Garble, who gave a snarl of rage at the defense from his small rival.

Virin heard that inner statement loud and clear. He needed to end this battle right now, he disengaged his shield, opening his mouth and fired an fireball at the standing dragon, hitting him in the chest as the tall drake groaned from the small hit. Garble glared at his rival for the attack, opening his mouth and fired his own fireball at the small drake, hitting him directly in the chest, causing him to kneel down on one knee. The tall dragon smirked evilly, thinking he had this one in the bag. However, Virin stood back up after a moment's pause, firing an fire blast at Garble, who yelped in pain as he was hit hard in the chest once again.

Garble glared once again at his rival, who glared back. The tall dragon opened his mouth and fired an fireball at the small drake, hitting him directly in the face, prompting him to hold his head in slight pain from the attack. Virin growled angrily at Garble, who growled back as the small drake charged at the taller dragon, knocking him back for a few meters until the taller drake stopped by setting his feet claws in the ground, coming to a stop merely a few centimeters from a mountain behind Garble. Virin grunted, trying to push the tall dragon further back. But, the tall dragon held on, before doing something nasty, by hitting Virin's head with two arms, causing the small drake to step back to hold his head from the sudden hit. Garble smirked, before opening his mouth, firing an fire blast from it as the blast hit Virin directly in the chest, prompting the small drake to be sent back for a couple of meters from his previous position.

With the small drake away from him, Garble charged at his rival with intention to kill him. However, Virin expected this charge, summoning a fiery shield around him, blocking the coming strike from the taller red dragon, who began slashing against the shield in desperation to break it. However, this time, the shield held longer than before, which really frustrated the power-hungry drake. Virin smiled in relief, for a short amount of time before one last look at his rival opening his mouth and shot a large fire blast from it, breaking the shield and shocked the small drake. The tall, power-hungry dragon roared in a small victory way, before glaring heatedly at his rival, slashing against his scarred eye, causing the small dragon to roar out in pain again, and held his bad eye. Garble roared again, charging at his rival, knocking him back as the two began wrestling on the ground for supremacy, but they were equally strong. However, Virin managed to push the tall dragon off of him, sending him flying into the air with his incredible strength.

However, Garble spread out his wings wide open, going into airborne as he glared down at his rival with immense hatred in his eyes. He opened his mouth, with a ball of flames beginning to form in it, and fired an large fireball from it and aimed at Virin, who moved out of the way from the blast, as the fireball hit the ground instead of him, creating a crater from the impact. Virin breathed out, that was a strong one, he'll admit. However, he didn't had time to think of it as Garble had charged straight down for him, sending both of them into the ground, while creating a great hole in the ground. In the hole, Virin grunted as he pushed Garble to the cavern next to them, before flying upwards as Garble followed after him, intending of finish him off. As the two managed to get out of the hole, Virin whirled around fast as the tall drake could see and, before he noticed it, the small drake punched him in the face, sending him back down to the crater, groaning in pain as the small drake landed outside of the crater, panting hard as he looked at the crater.

From what he could feel, this couldn't had finished Garble off. To prove the point, Garble shot straight up rather quickly, anger in his eyes as he looked down upon his rival with the intention of killing him growing increasingly. The tall dragon roared out in rage, flying straight down to his rival, before tail-swiping him in the face when he got back down on the ground, sending the small drake into a mountain behind him, harsh at that. Groaning, Virin got back up from his position, glaring at Garble for the hit, before opened fire at his rival with a consecutive fireball attack. Garble summoned a fiery shield around him, deflecting the incoming fireballs one by one. Growing tied of it, Virin stopped his consecutive attack, glaring at his shielded rival, whose said shield disengaged and, with the tall dragon readying himself, charged at the small drake in desperation of bringing him down, knocking him into the same mountain behind him, creating a huge hole on the underside of the mountain as the two drakes flew straight through it, causing it to crumble down in a million pieces.

Garble continued to push his rival through the air, but, after a couple more minutes, the small drake disappeared from sight. Stopping in midair, Garble looked around for his foe, wondering where he had disappeared to. In answer to that, Virin came from behind the tall drake, knocking him into a mountain in front of him, causing him to groan in pain as the tall red stood back on his two feet, whirling around and fired an fire blast from his opened mouth, intending on hitting Virin. However, the small drake was quicker than that. He disappeared again, appearing right in front of the then blinking Garble, before punching him in the face multiple times. As Virin continued with punching the tall drake in the face, Garble managed to grab the incoming fist, shocking Virin as he glared heatedly in his eyes, as though they were going to melt them from being hit so many times. Garble gave him his own punch, but this was in the stomach, causing Virin to cough up saliva from his mouth as the taller drake punched him continuously, all over his body as the small drake was being pushed back, as though he was pulling back from all the punches.

However, Garble walked after him, continuing on punching him in the stomach, then all over his body, as Virin coughed up some blood from his mouth and landed on the ground. Garble smirked, finally. He was getting something from the hits. After a couple more punches, Garble finally stopped as Virin knelt on one knee, holding his chest as he coughed up some more blood. But, that didn't last long, as the small drake was beginning to glow a brighter colour as his healing ability got into effect, sealing the inside and outside wounds on the small red, making Garble grit his teeth in anger and rage. The tall drake couldn't let it continue, he tried to intercept the healing process, but was stopped by a repelled arm from the smaller red, who glared at his rival with immense hatred in his blush-yellow orbs. Virin kicked Garble in the chest, prompting the tall red to cough up some saliva. Virin then kicked him in the face, before standing up with a readied punch, before launching it forward and punched Garble in the face, making the tall dragon to take a step back. Garble's coughs were heavy, as he coughed up some blood from his mouth before he glared hard at his daring rival.

Virin were unfazed by the glare, however, as he took an readied stance of his fighting style, martial arts. Garble huffed, taking his own martial arts stance, which was a surprise to Virin. But, that surprise didn't last long, as the small drake made a swift movement, knocking the tall red down on the ground on his side, before the tall red did the same, knocking Virin on the ground on his side. The two stood back up quickly, punching and kicking each other all over, intending on bringing the other down. However, with their equality, they stopped their martial arts once their punching and kicking stopped, glaring at each other for having the same styles of fighting. Garble roared in anger, knocking Virin back as he charged with his head, managing to headbutt his rival in the chest, which caused Virin to step back in shock as he growled angrily at his rival, doing his own headbutting, causing Garble to take a step back as well. The two reds, while glaring at each other, began to open their mouths and fired fire blasts from their mouths and at each other, sending them back for a few meters from their position. Getting back up on their feet from their respective mountains, both dragons charged straight for each other, with rage in their eyes and mind.

As they neared each other, Garble quickly spread his wings and flew into the air, surprising the smaller red as he missed his head-charge. Garble smirked darkly, firing an fireball down at the stopped dragon, setting him ablaze as Virin roared in pain from the flames around him. But, Virin spread his own wings out, blowing the flames away as the small red flew upwards towards Garble, who smirked as they began to take a flying race around Dragon Lands. As the two fighters was flying around the Lands, all the dragons looked up at them in inquire as they frowned. Why would those two be fighting in the middle of the day? Then, it all hit them. They were battling one of their last battles.

Virin and Garble stopped above a volcano, as the lava bubbled in the center of the top of it. Both dragons were glaring heatedly at each other, opening their mouths and fired two fireballs at one another, sending both of them down from the top of the volcano, and straight down to the ground. However, before they even hit the ground, they spread their wings out, going into airborne as they fired fire blasts and fireballs at each other while they were circling the volcano. As the two neared the top, Garble tried to get nasty again, by charging at Virin, grabbing him from behind, and tried to throw him into the lava. But, virin let that happen, since dragons were practically immune to both fire and lava. He plummeted into the center of the volcano's top, going slowly down into the bottom. From above, in the air, Garble let out a victorious roar as he had finally won over his damn rival.

However, to Garble's unawareness, in the lava, Virin was slowly opening his eyes as he felt a similar scene appear in his mind. This happened just like the last time when Azam pushed him in a volcano. At first, he thought he were done for, but to his surprise, he survived the flames within the volcano. Was this what really felt like being immune to lava? It must be.

Smiling at remembering the scene, Virin spread his wings out wide open, whirling around as he was aiming the hole and shot himself straight through the lava and got safely back up to the skies rather fast, faster than how Rainbow was. It must have felt good to be the second fastest being in Equestria.

Looking at a blinking and shocked Garble, Virin smiled wickedly at him as the small drake opened his mouth, and fired an fireball at the tall red, intending to bring him down for good...

Chapter Twenty-Five: Virin vs. Garble V

The fireball was coming towards him. Garble barely managed to duck under it as the fireball hit an mountain instead of him, which was a relief to him. However, that relief quickly turned into an rage like never before as he shot a death glare at his rival. Virin was unfazed by it, as he simply stared back with the same glare. Garble opened his mouth and fired his own fireball at his rival, who did the same as the tall dragon, by ducking under it as it hit an mountain behind the small drake. Garble growled venomously at his rival, before charging forward with an intend of killing him here and now. But, Virin quickly spread his wings out and flew out of the way before his rival had made contact with him. Garble stopped mere inches on the top of the volcano, barely managed to catch himself before he fell down to the ground. Virin smirked, he had him on his spot. He opened his mouth and fired an unexpected fire blast from it, engulfing Garble in flames as the tall dragon roared out in pain as he glared upwards at his rival with an immense rage.

As the flames had finally subdued, Garble spread his wings out and flew up to his rival, who flew to the side as the two were mere meters from each other, glaring heatedly at one another as they both opened their mouths and fired two fireballs which collided and caused an explosion that sent the two fighters away from each other, for a few meters before they stopped in midair as they glared at one another again as they opened their mouths and opened fire on the other, all the while dodging the other's attacks as they began to grow tired of doing this. As the two fighters were taking their time to pant for breath, they glared at each other with an kind of spark as their eyes was making contact with each other. After having regained their breath, both fighters spread their wings wide, flying down to the ground in a fast rate, before going airborne as they nearly hit the ground, flying just a few meters above it as they opened fire on the other dragon, doing another consecutive attack.

With both battlers going on with their fight, the dragons of the volcanic regions were confused as to why they were fighting, even the two fighters' friends that were happen to watch the battle with the other spectators.

However, the two fighters ignored their watchers. They just continued with their consecutive attack as they stopped on the ground, with smoke coming around them as they slid the ground with their feet. As the smoke had cleared, both dragons opened their mouths and fired two fire blasts from at each other, beginning to be knocked back by their attacks as they were sent into two mountains behind them. Getting back up on their feet, Virin and Garble both charged at the other, punching and kicking the other all over the body. With a couple more punches and kicks, along with coughing up some blood, the two dragons stopped and stood still as they panted for breath while glaring heatedly at one another, as the glares could've melt the planet in two. With their healing and regeneration abilities done, both drakes resumed their fighting as they opened their mouths and fired at least four consecutive fireballs at the other, sliding a few meters back from the attacks the other made.

As they stopped with their consecutive attacks for now, both drakes spread their wings out wide open, going into airborne as they resumed their consecutive fireball attack as the other dodged and evaded the attacks made by his rival. With the dodging and evading becoming a bit tiring, both fliers stopped midair as they glared heatedly at each other again, opening their mouths and fired two, large fire blasts from their jaws and hit the other drake hard all over his body, sending them back for a few meters from each other. Virin growled at Garble, who growled back angrily as they resumed their battle as they opened their mouths and began to open fire at the other, hitting the other drake many times all over his body. As both dragons managed to land multiple hits to the other, they flew straight up to the skies above, going straight through the white clouds and continued to open fire on the other dragon, while that dragon managed to dodge every single attempt of hitting him. Flying down to the ground quicker than the eye could see, both dragons spread their wings out to lose a couple of speed when they were nearly about to hit the ground face-first, but managed to fly above it as they opened fire on the other dragon again, intending on finishing him off.

But, both drakes repelled the attacks when they made contact with the skin, with Virin snarling at Garble in midair as the tall red did the same as both of them landed safely on the ground as they both opened their jaws wide, with balls of flames forming in them, and fired two fireballs at the other, sending that dragon back for a couple of meters before glaring at each other once more. After a while of glaring at one another, both drakes opened their mouths and fired two fireballs at each other, but it resulted in an explosion instead of hitting the other drake.

Virin continued to open fire on Garble, who retaliated with a fiery shield around his body, blocking the incoming attacks from the small drake. With the shield still intact after countless of fireballs, the tall red disengaged with the shield, flying towards his rival at a fast rate, with Virin barely manage to let out a yelp of surprise when the tall dragon made contact with him, knocking him back as the tall dragon stopped on the ground where the small dragon stood previously at, while Virin was sent flying back to a mountain behind him, causing him to let out a groan of pain.

Shaking his head from the rubble of the mountain, Virin got back up on his four feet, glaring heatedly at the tall dragon before opening his mouth and fired an fire blast from his jaws, with the fire blast making contact with Garble, causing him to be engulfed by a large smoke, After the smoke had cleared, Garble stood there, unfazed and unharmed by the fire blast's impact.

Gritting his teeth, Virin opened his mouth again, with a ball of flames forming in it and fired an fireball at Garble, who retaliated by firing his own fireball at the small drake, which caused an explosion to occur between them once more, sending them back for a few meters. Getting back on their feet with groans, both fighters glared heatedly at each other, opening their mouths and fired two fire blasts at each other, resulting in another explosion to occur between them, sending them further backwards for a couple of meters.

Garble opened his mouth as soon as he stood back up on his two feet, with a ball of flames forming in it, and fired an great fireball at the smaller drake, who protected himself with a fiery shield as soon as the flaming ball was fired, barely managed to defend himself from harm's way. The tall drake was furious, he charged straight for the smaller red, who still had his shield around him as Garble neared him and began slashing against the fiery shield that defended the small drake.

With a couple more slashes, Garble stepped back and launched an large fire blast from his mouth at the damn shield, breaking it into pieces, with an unfazed Virin as the pieces fell to the ground to disperse from the shield. Virin gritted his teeth as his shield had just been destroyed, before going head-on with Garble, charging straight for him as the small drake was pushing Garble back for a couple of meters before Garble did the unexpected, by grabbing the ground with his two feet claws, stopping the drake from pushing him even further back as the unfazed Virin was now fazed by this move.

Virin stepped back as the taller drake opened his mouth and prepared to fire an fire blast from his jaws. Virin's mouth opened as well, with a fire blast forming in it as they both launched the fire blasts at each other, with an explosion happening in between them both again, as the two drakes were sent flying backwards as they hit the mountains that were behind them as they groaned.

Getting back up on their feet, both dragons glared heatedly at each other as they opened their mouths and, with ball of flames forming in them, launched two fireballs at the other, hitting the other drake hard in the chest, causing the drake to slid a bit back from the attack made by the other. Virin gritted his teeth, flying up into the air as Garble followed after him in an attempt to bring him down. However, the small drake predicted that he would follow, so he whirled around and sped down and knocked both him and Garble out of the sky as they fell down to the ground, screaming.

But, as they were going straight down to the ground, both fighters spread their wings and managed to get airborne again as they nearly hit the rocky ground, sighing in relief as they both glared at one another while they opened their jaws and fired two fireballs at the other drake, hitting him harsh in the chest, which caused him to land to the ground in exasperation as they panted for breath for this long fight.

After getting back their breath, both dragons charged at each other, tail-slapping the other in the face, while clawing the cheeks afterwards. Virin stepped back, opening his mouth and fired an fireball at Garble, who protected himself with a fiery shield which appeared around him, blocking the then incoming fireball. The small drake gritted his teeth, before opening his mouth and fired an fire blast at the shield, breaking it into pieces, with an angry Garble standing in place as the small fragments fell to the ground.

Garble, in a pit of rage, quickly opened his mouth and fired an fire blast from his jaws, hitting the startled Virin harshly, sending him backwards and into a mountain behind him. The tall drake roared, charging at the small drake head-on with an intention of killing him. However, Virin predicted this, moving out of the way as he picked himself from his fallen position, barely managing to dodge the then incoming head-charge from Garble, who growled in anger and rage at the small drake, opening his jaws and fired an fireball from his mouth, hitting the small drake in the chest, sending him a few yards away from him.

Virin growled at Garble, who growled back in defense before the small drake opened his mouth and fired an large fire blast from his jaws, just as a large fire blast from Garble made an collision with the small drake's fire blast, resulting in an explosion to happen in between them, sending them back and away from each other.

Getting back up on their feet, both dragons had the intention on killing the other, but decided to swept that thought away from their mind as they knew the creatures of this world wouldn't like the thought of death.

Having enough of this battle, both drakes relaxed as they glared hard at one another, with the battle's tension growing...

Chapter Twenty-Six: Virin vs. Garble VI

Author's Notes:

Ah! I forgot something again. Go back to the previous chapters, and listen to the song "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce to make the battle more interesting to read.

Sorry 'bout that.

Another glaring contest was currently happening, with the tension growing by the minute.

Virin and Garble was glaring hard at one another, while they began to open their mouths, with ball of flames forming in them, and fired two fireballs at each other, but it caused an explosion instead, sending them a bit back. Getting back up on their feet, both dragons fired two fire blasts this time, which caused another explosion to occur between them, sending them further back as the two rivals was sent into the mountains behind them as they got shakily back up on their feet, glaring at each other once more as the tension grew even more as the two dragons opened their jaws and fired four consecutive fireballs at each other, sending the other back for a bit. Virin and Garble stood their ground against the other's attack, growling angrily at one another as the tension grew more than ever.

Garble opened his jaws, firing an fire blast from his mouth and aimed it at the smaller drake, who dodged the incoming attack by moving to the right, barely managing to evade the then coming blast of flames. Virin growled at his rival for that puny attack, but not before opening his own mouth and fired his own fire blast that were larger than the taller red's blast, sending the drake on the ground on his back as the taller dragon groaned in pain as he had felt the attack right in the spot where it hurt.

Getting back up on his feet, Garble opened his mouth and fired an consecutive attack at his rival, hitting the then-generated shield that appeared as quickly as the attacks had come, protecting the small drake from the small assaults made by the taller drake. Growling in anger, Garble charged at the shield, slashing against its hard shell as the tall dragon continued with his slash attack against the shield, intending to break it by himself. However, the shield this time proved to be stronger than the other times it was used.

This greatly frustrated the taller red, as he growled hatefully at the protected drake, who smirked deviously at Garble, as he felt the victory coming into his hands. As the two drakes was growling at each other, finally, the shield disengaged around the small drake after a while of waiting for the taller red to attack. Garble smiled evilly, thinking in his pride and glorious victory. As the tall drake moved in for the kill, Virin blocked the strike with his own hands as the taller red growled at the smaller drake as they began to move, with the taller red moving forward while the smaller drake was moving backwards while blocking the strikes coming from the taller dragon.

Growling angrily, the tall dragon stepped back as the smaller drake raised an eyeridge in wonder. Garble opened his mouth, and fired an fireball from his jaws and the ball of flames hit the small drake in the stomach, causing him to groan in pain as Virin glared at his rival for that attack. Garble smiled evilly again, before firing another fireball at the small drake, who finally responded with his own fireball, which resulted in a small explosion between them.

Growling, Garble charged at his rival, knocking him backwards as the two wrestled for supremacy as the two continued on with their brawl. Virin kicked Garble off of him as the small drake got back up on his feet, firing an fire breath at the taller red, engulfing him in flames as the tall dragon roared in pain as the flames was stronger this time around. Virin smirked in victory, but that faded as quickly as it came as the taller dragon spread his wings out, blowing the blazing flames away from his body, glaring heatedly at his rival.

Garble opened his mouth and fired an fire blast from his jaws, hitting Virin directly as the flames was engulfing him this time, with him being unfazed by the fiery blaze. Virin spread his wings out, blowing the vortex of flames away, with his scales shining from the flames that had been around him. It was more like a bath to him than pain, to Garble's irrational growl as the tall dragon charged at the smaller drake, knocking him back as they wrestled again on the ground as they brawled for supremacy once more.

Kicking the taller dragon off him, Virin got back up on his four feet, eyes glowing a brighter colour like at the race all those years back. To Garble, that was nothing more than magic. Nothing like that could ever happen to his rival. But, it was not coincidence, it was truly happening in front of his eyes.

Virin growled hatefully at his rival, who growled back just as hatefully. They took a step forward before dashing towards each other in a blink. They disappeared and reappeared all over the ground, clashing with one another as they punched the other all over his body while kicking in the stomach, trying to take the other dragon down.

Disappearing and reappearing again, the two fighters stopped in front of each other as they glowered at one another, while also snarling at each other while showing their sharp fangs. Virin opened his mouth and fired an enchanted fireball at Garble, who generated an fiery shield around him to protect him, blocking the enchanted fireball just in time as the glowing dragon charged forward, intending to bring the shield down with his bare claws.

Slashing against the shield multiple times, Virin hovered into the air and flew backwards, opening his mouth and fired an enchanted fire blast from his jaws, breaking the shield to million of pieces as they disengaged as they touched the ground, with an enraged Garble at his place. The tall dragon had showed his fangs, with was sharper than before, as they would kill an mere animal when they would make contact with its flesh. But, with dragons, it would just paralyze it.

With that thought coming to his mind, Garble charged forward, pulling his tail by the arm, throwing the small drake to the ground as the glowing drake groaned in pain as the taller drake began to bite into the scales of the small dragon, with Virin roaring in pain as he felt the sharp fangs deepen into his very bones. Blood was coming down to the ground from the bite of Garble, as the tall dragon inwardly snickered evilly as he continued to bite in the wound he had just inflected on the small drake, with roars of pain coming from the small red.

Trying to give a punch, Virin intended to do one punch, but Garble grabbed the then incoming fist from the small dragon, stopping it in its track. Virin continued to roar in pain as the bite from Garble deepened into the wound, until he finally disappeared from place, with the tall dragon's face plunging to the ground, with Garble groaning in slight pain.

Reappearing a couple of meters from Garble, Virin held his wound carefully with one arm, hanging his head as though he was motionlessly in pain. Just then, the drake's inner darkness was beginning to take control over the light. With an explosion, the darkness took over the small drake as he roared loudly, making the watchers to cover their ears poorly.

The spectators was worried for their Guardian. He was under the control of darkness once again. Not good.

Garble, however, was unfazed by Dark Virin. He just sneered coldly at the dark dragon, who snarled back at the taller drake. They opened their mouths, firing two fireballs at each other, but it resulted in an explosion to occur between them. Dark Virin sneered coldly at the red dragon, charging at him as they locked arms in an arm-lock. Unfazed by this development, Dark Virin began to punch and kick the red dragon all over his body, but the taller dragon managed to block each one of the attacks, enraging the dark dragon further into a pit of rage.

Garble blocked two more attacks from Dark Virin, before delivering a powerful punch that managed to send the dark dragon away from him for a few meters, as Dark Virin grunted in small pain. Dark Virin glared at Garble darkly, giving off an threatening growl that made Garble froze in hesitation as he knew that his rival was just being used by the darkness in him. This was still the same Virin as he remembered him. He was a kind-hearted dragon with compassionate and caring nature, nothing like this dark beast.

Dark Virin heard that last, inner statement and roared out in anger at the red dragon, who tensed up as he prepared himself for the worse. The dark dragon obliged to that; he charged at Garble, delivering an immense and powerful punch to the dragon's stomach, causing him to cough up some blood and being sent into the mountain behind him, creating a huge hole in the bottom of the mountain. Dark Virin smirked darkly, thinking victory was his now.

However, Garble shot out of the hole, making contact with the dark dragon's stomach as he delivered an much stronger punch than the last ones, causing the dark dragon to cough up some black blood and being sent to the mountain behind him, crashing into the side of it as it began to crumble down towards the dark beast, who let it come down.

Garble looked a bit fazed at the then crumbled mountain. It might've been an accident to have it crash down on his rival, but whatever. Victory was what he had been more anticipated. But, just as soon as he had a small celebration, the mountain's rocks flew away from where the dark beast had been hit on. The rocks didn't hit Garble, as he had a shield to protect him from the rocks that was happening to come into his direction.

Dark Virin roared out in anger and rage, growling threateningly at the red dragon, giving him a death glare at the same time. Garble was unfazed by the threat, opening his mouth and fired an fire blast at the dark dragon. But, the dark dragon defended himself from the blast as he had a dark, fiery shield around him just in time as the blast got closer to him.

Garble gave a loud bark, charging at the dark dragon whose shield had disengaged at that moment. Dark Virin had little time to prepare himself for the impact, as he was being knocked off his feet as the two wrestled for supremacy as the two continued to roll on the ground in a tense moment. As the dark dragon kicked the taller dragon off him, Dark Virin gave a threateningly bark of his own at Garble, who took the threat head-on as he charged at the dark dragon in a desperate minute of getting the darkness away from his rival.

Both dragons made contact, wrestling on the ground again as they brawled for supremacy over the other. Garble, this time, kicked the dark dragon off him as he stood quickly back up on his two feet as he glared in a threatening manner at the dark dragon, who took the glare instantly as he got back on his four feet. Both dragons opened their mouths, firing two balls of normal and dark flames at each other, hitting the other as he were sent backwards for a few meters. Garble groaned in pain, not liking this.

Neither did the dark dragon. He knew that they were equals. No doubt about it. As both dragons was glaring heatedly at each other, they both thought on one thing. This battle wasn't going to stop anytime soon.