BGM 1

"How can we be sure she'll get the job done?" Nova argued. Konan stepped down from where he sat and looked Nova in the eye. He stayed silent for a moment before he gave his child a wicked grin before he turned away.

"Because she has been given a special gift." He replied. "A gift that will give her powers beyond her mortal imagination. Even you can be granted these powers." Nova's tail twitched at the sound of that sentence. A power that goes far beyond his imagination, the strength he so desired. A power that could possibly crush his foes without even moving a muscle. Even if he couldn't do that, he wanted it regardless. He wanted that strength. He wanted that power.....

And he wanted it now.

"Father, please tell me. How can I acquire such a power? I must know!" He demanded. Konan chuckled and looked to his son.

"You're just as ambitious as He is. Very well. I shall tell you. It's a simple thing that you must do." He walked over to Nova and placed a claw on his shoulder.

"I will do what i must. To succeed in my objectives, to defeat any foe and to make you proud, father. I will do whatever it takes." Nova proclaimed. Konan just chuckled at his statement.

"I know you will. Now listen carefully. What you must do is very simple. Close your eyes. Calm your mind. Clear it of any doubts you may have. All ambitions. All your pain. All your sorrow and defeat. Empty it all from your mind until it remains blank."

Nova did as he instructed and cleared his mind, allowing nothing to distract him nor discourage him. Konan's smile grew wide, filled with wicked thoughts and sickening pleasure. He had Nova eating out of his hands. He knew he could count on his own son's loyalty in order to fulfill his ambitions. To him, Nova was nothing but a puppet. But the moment had passed. He had to get this over and don with before they were discovered. He believed that they were alone, but that was not the case. From the sidelines, Silva was watching them from a distance. She had no clue what they were up to, but she knew it was no good.

"Good boy, Nova. Now then....are you prepared to receive your gift?" Konan asked. Nova nodded slowly.

"Yes father." Konan smiled wickedly and raised his hand.

"Good. Then from now on...."

The action of which Konan performed was beyond vile. It was sickening and cruel for him to do such a thing to his own son. Just the sight of it caused Silva to flinch and turn away in fright. What was burned into her eyes will never be unseen by her, nor will she ever forget Konan's cruelty.....of ripping out his son's own heart.

BGM 2

"Is everyone here?" Arcius asked, looking around the livingroom of Lyra's house. Sure enough, every single pony friend that Von made along his arrival to Equestria was gathered in the room. Axel sat next to Arcius, while Von sat with his friends in front of the two drakes. However his gaze was locked on Reina, who was also looking at him. The two of them smiled at each other, not having to say a word to express what they felt. And neither did the ponies beside them for they already knew that Von and Reina made their choice. And they knew they would live with it, as long as it made them both happy.

"You wanted to see me, Reina?" Von asked. Having woken up the next day, feeling rejuvenated and fully relaxed, Von had left Lyra's home and made his way through Ponyville. On his way, most of the ponies around him stopped and stared as he walked, making him feel nervous. He believed that they would reject him, his true form having been revealed on the day of Nova's assault. And even now, his form was revealed to them. But to his surprise.....they didn't. In fact, they were more than happy to see him. They waved to him, thanking him for protecting their homes and their loved ones.

On his way through town, Reina had called out to him. She had asked him to follow her to her cloud home because she wanted to talk to him. At first, being a stallion and all, he believed that she wanted him to come to her house because.......

Either way, she wanted him over to talk.

"Yeah. I think we need to talk." She told him.

"About what?"

"Well....remember when we almost kissed back on the hill?" Von remembered that event. It was the day he and Reina went on their first date. The day Nova came to Ponyville. And the day he left Ponyville in shame.

"Yeah. I do." he replied.

"Well.....I know you asked me to be your marefriend and all....but i don't think we should. For our sake." She told him. Normally most stallions would get upset and beg and plead for the mare to reconsider after getting rejected. But Von was not like that.

"I was thinking the same. In fact, I was gonna tell you that I don't think we should. Nopony knows what would happen if we did. Would it work out? Would we fight? What if one of us got hurt? I don't wanna think that kind of stuff, especially about my best pony friend." Reina smiled at him and gave him a hug.

"I know. I know you better than anypony except your mom and....oh. Sorry." She let go of him and stepped backwards.

"it's alright. I'm happy now. Anyway, I think that this is best for the both of us. And to tell the truth, I've always thought of you more as a sister." Von said with a teasing grin.

"Heh. And I thought you as a brother," She replied. "And I think it should stay that way." The two of them nodded their heads and shook hands, agreeing with one another that they would see each other as siblings rather than lovers. This gave them both the opportunity to try and find their own special someponies. But they had something important to attend to first.

"Let's get going. Arcius and Axel are expecting us." Von reminded her.

"Right." Thus, the two of them spread their wings and flew to Lyra's house.

"Now that we're all here, Axel and I will tell you what's been going on." Arcius proclaimed. "On an important matter, your mother wishes you well and hopes that things are going how you thought they would, Von." Von nodded his head and smiled at his friend.

"So far, yeah. And I hope everything is going well for her, too. But anyway, what has been going on? is it Konan again?"

"Not just Konan. Him and Nova have been acting really weird lately. Even Cynder." Axel spoke. "We think they're going to try and overthrow the elder." Von's ears perked up and he jumped up the moment those words were spoken.

"THEY'RE WHAT?!" He screamed. Daring cleared her throat in an attempt to grab their attention, which she did and Von calmed down.

"Who's this 'elder'? If you don't mind me asking." She inquired. Von took a deep breath and glanced in her direction.

"It's ok. Anyway, the elder is my trainer and king of the dragons." He told her. "He's also a long time friend of my dad's." Von had great respect for Eldrich. Not just because he was king, not because he trained him and not because of his connection to his father. But because he accepted Von's birth and encouraged Von's dream of coexistence. To him, Eldrich was like family.

"So this Konan guy is trying to overthrow your king?" Reina asked. Arcius nodded in response, turning to Axel who began to speak next.

"We're not sure how, but he seems to have gained the favor of many other dragons for him to replace Eldrich as ruler. Not only that, he's been acting rather weird lately." Von tilted his head in confusion.

"How so?"

"We don't know for sure, but it seems like there is a great change in him. Something powerful....and frightening."

"At any rate, we cannot stop him at our current level of power," Arcius said. "So with that, we cannot go after him until we feel we're ready. So until then, Axel and I will keep trying to figure out what's up. Think you can handle it?" Von looked to his friends, seeing their determined faces and back to his dragon companions. He knew they had another task to complete before they could even begin to think of going after Konan.

"Yeah. I can wait. We have another task at hand." He told them.

"Good to hear. And we will help you in any way we can. But for now, how about a break? Axel and I have been droning on for quite some time. And i figured you deserve it anyway." Von and the rest smiled, getting up from where they were seated and took Arcius' advice. Lyra and Bon Bon went for a walk, Reina went back up to Cloudsdale to see what weather was to be scheduled for the week and Axel.....well, he decided to head into Ponyville to grab a bite to eat, leaving only Von, Daring and Arcius behind.

"So...." Arcius started, "you're the famous Daring Do, huh?" Daring blushed and looked away from him.

"So you know me, huh?"

"Only because of the book Von had. Shame Konan burned it. But i must admit, you've had quite the impact on him. He never would've come here if it wasn't for you. Thank you for helping him live his dream."

"Heh...no problem. Say, you're a smart one. Do you like reading history novels?"

"I've quite the astute mind when it comes to ancient history. In fact, I--" Arcius and Daring continued to ramble on to one another about ancient history, artifacts, old civilizations and it was all giving Von a headache. But it pleased him to see his friends getting along with one another. Seeing as how it looked like he didn't exist to them, Von took to the streets of Ponyville.

The sun in the sky hadn't changed a bit. It was still as bright and peaceful as ever. The only difference was that now many things ran through Von's mind. Who is Professor B.? Who murdered his father? Will Konan succeed in his mutiny? And what is this strange power that made him become so frightening to his friends? All this and more had to be answered. But he could only focus on one at a time.

"First things first. Gotta find this Professor B." He told himself. To find this unicorn, he had to travel to Baltimare. He heard of the place, but never got to see it with his own eyes. He's always wondered what the cities in Equestria looked like. Baltimare, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, Manehat--

*Crash*

Von had walked smack dab into the wall of a building and fell on his back. He mentally cursed at himself for not paying attention when a sweet voice called to him.

BGM 3

"Hey....are you ok?" The voice asked. It was feminine with a hint of shyness to it. Von opened his eyes and stared at the mare that was standing over him.

"Uh...." Von stammered. In terms of appearance, she looked a little like Daring. But completely different. Her green eyes sparkled as her gaze was locked with his, her black and green mane complimenting her luscious white body. Daring was pretty and all, but Daring was nothing compared to this mare. And despite his resisting, a thought crossed Von's mind.

I wanna rut this pegasus like no tomorrow.....Gah! No! No perverted thoughts! I did this with Reina, I don't wanna do it again! Stop it! Stop thinking!!!

"Um....are you ok?" The pegasus asked again. Von was too busy disciplining himself that he had forgotten the pony that was before him. Feeling rude, he got back onto his feet and dusted himself off.

"My apologies. But yes. I'm ok." He replied. The mare smiled at him and sighed in relief.

"That's good." She said. But at that moment, she realized something. "Are you a dragon-pony?" Von looked at her and smiled.

"Yes I am." He answered. "You know about my kind?"

"Yeah. My old coltfriend told me how there used to be dragon-born ponies in a place called Dragonheart Village. But it got wiped out. That sucks. I really wanted to see one with my own eyes." She told him. Her voice was full of sorrow. Seems she really wanted to see a kirin. "But now i met you. So I'm happy now."

"Good to hear, miss....."

"Storm Front."

"I'm Von. Pleasure to meet....you...." Wait. She said 'coltfriend'......darn it. Guess she's taken. I can't believe this. I meet a nice, beautiful mare and she's taken by some random stallion. Von kicked his foot against the ground. This isn't fair. Why are all the good mares--

Von smacked himself in the forehead, having just come out of his daze and realized what she ACTUALLY said.

"You're single?" He asked.

"Yeah. My coltfriend dumped me for some other mare. I could swear that she was probably a slut at some point in her life. And he's nothing more than an idiot. Leaving me for somepony like that. That no good two-faced, lying, manipulative treacherous...UGH!!!" Storm groaned in frustration and sat down beside Von. "Sorry. I'm probably boring you, huh?"

"Not at all", Von said, dismissing her outburst. "It's good to let out your feelings. So who did he leave you for?"

'Some pink alicorn pony. And get this? They got married about a few months ago. It was talked about all over town. I woulda made a good bride......" Now she was mumbling to herself, thinking about her break up. Von continued to stare at her, worried and intrigued. Worried because she seemed to still be quite shaken up about the loss of this stallion....and intrigued as to what she'd look like in a wedding dress.

Gah! Come on Von. You just met her. Don't go acting that way again. But he couldn't really help himself. They only met a few minutes ago and she was opening up so much to him. She seemed to be very trustworthy. Whoever the stallion was that dumped her, he lucked out. And worst of all, he went and married some pink alicorn. Remembering some of the pink females (and by some strange means, pink males) back on the mountain, he pretty much came to a quick conclusion.

She was definitely a slut at some point. Probably in her teens. Heh....a pink alicorn.... "Don't worry about him. He missed out. Anybody would be lucky to have somepony like you for a marefriend. Even......well....me, i guess." Storm lifted her head and looked at him. Her cheeks were flush with red and when his eyes met hers, he began blushing as well.

"Um....Von?" She managed to get out.

"Yeah?"

"Are you seeing anypony?"

"No. Why?" He inquired. She blushed and looked away from him and it only took him a moment to realize what was going on. Is she thinking about asking me out?!?! But we just...I mean she....I just.............ah buck it! She's hot. She thinks i'm cute. She's my type. She accepts me. I want her. She wants me. End of story. "Are you thinking about asking me out?" He said aloud.

At that moment, Storm's wings unfurled from their resting place and stood at full salute, the owner blushing brighter than ever.

"Huh? Oh.....no. no no no no no no no.....I-i wouldn't. I-I-I couldn't....i mean......not unless you don't mi--" Her words were cut off when she felt a pair of warm lips press against her own. Her eyes widened at Von's sudden action until they slowly shut, responding to his kiss by pushing her lips against his. Seeing that she wasn't resisting, Von continued kissing her and the two felt like they were in their own little world. Von had liked Reina at one point, but never felt like this around her. And he had not expected to feel this way towards this strange pegasus. His body felt like it was going to melt. He felt hot, his forehead dripping with sweat, his tail was wagging against the ground uncontrollably and his heart was beating a mile a minute.

Storm was feeling the same way as her heart felt like it was going to leap from her chest. Reluctantly the two broke the kiss with only a trail of saliva connecting them. They stared at each other, trying to catch their breath and didn't look away from one another. In that instant, they knew what is was they were feeling in their heart.....

BGM 4

Awakening from his bliss, Von began to look around the surrounding area. Something wasn't right....the air that was once warm had now grown cold. Not cold like winter air.....no....cold due to fear.

"V-Von? Is something the matter?" Storm asked.

"Get going..." Von muttered.

"W-what?"

"Now! Get away from here!" This time he yelled. Storm could see a hint of worry in his eye and seeing that as her signal to get going, she flew away. Von growled to himself and began running towards the center of Ponyville. "Dammit. He's here again?!"

As he continued to run, he was quickly greeted by the presence of his friends.

"You felt it, too?" Axel asked. Von nodded his head and kept running forward.

"Well whoever this is, we're not letting you handle this alone. We got your back." Arcius proclaimed. Von smiled and looked in Daring's direction.

"Where are Lyra and Bon Bon?"

"I told them to stay in their home. Whatever this feeling is, ponies inexperienced with danger like them don't need to get involved. I'm not much of a fighter, but i'll help any way I can." She said. Von smiled and the four of them stopped upon reaching the center.

Looking to the sky, they saw a feminine silhouette descending until it landed in front of them. The female smiled at them all, but the main focus of her attention was Von.

BGM 5

"Hey Vonny. Long time no see, baby~" She said with a sultry tone.

"Dammit, Cynder. Why are you here?!" Von asked.

"Simple. I have orders from Konan to bring you back." Axel sighed and shook his head at his sister.

"So even you have become Konan's lap dog, huh?" He said. Cynder giggled and smiled at him.

"Oh come on. You don't really think I'll follow him 24/7, do you? Now....if I was his PERSONAL lap dog, well--"

"We've no time for your games, Cynder. If you came here for Von, then you're going to have to get through us first." Arcius said. He and Axel stepped in front of their half breed friend, ready to defend him and Cynder's smile turned into a scowl.

"You know....if there's one thing I hate about men, it's their persistence!!!" As she screamed the last word, she opened her mouth and a stream of purple lightning came out and blew the two drakes away.

"Arcius! Axel!" Von cried. He looked back to his two friends, seeing them lying on the ground motionless. They were still breathing, but they were heavily injured.

"I-it's alright." Arcius spoke. "We're just a bit injured. That's all."

"Yeah. Ack!" Axel grunted. "I don't remember her lightning being THAT strong before....." Von turned back to Cynder, but she was not there. She was, however, over to his side and choking a certain pegasus that was with them.

"Daring!"

"My, my. Lookie here. A pony. You came here to meet ponies like her, didn't you?" Cynder asked. Von kept quiet and let Cynder continue speaking. "She has such a soft coat...." At that moment, she pressed one of talons lightly to Daring's neck. "Let's see what she looks like when she's SKINNED!!!"

"No, don't!" Daring squeaked out.

"Cynder, don't do it!!!" But Cynder wasn't paying any attention to Von's words. She drew her arm back, her talon aiming dead center for Daring's throat. As she was about to sink it in, Von yelled at her.

"Zu'u jur hi wah ziinkrif!" Cynder stopped what she was doing and smirked as she turned her head to Von.

"Hehe. You really wanna do that?" She said. Her face was smug and confident while Von's was nervous and unwilling. But he needed to do what he could in order to protect his friends. Without a word he nodded his head, prompting Cynder to drop Daring and the pegasus ran to the two injured dragons.

"Are you two ok?" She asked.

"Yeah. We're fine." Axel said. Arcius groaned and looked at Von and Cynder.

"But i'm more worried about him."

"Why?" Daring asked.

"He just challenged her to a duel." Arcius told her. Daring's eyes widened and she shifted her attention to the situation before them. "Dragon duels are very strict.They are one on one and if he wins, then she'll have to do whatever he decides."

"And if he loses?" Daring looked to both dragons and saw that their expressions had become mournful and sad, causing Daring to feel the same. "Please win, Von..."

BGM 6

Von looked up at Cynder, who was still smiling down at him and readied himself.

"You already know the stakes, right Vonny?" She asked in a teasing manner.

"Just shut up and let's fight." He bluntly replied. And before Cynder could make the first move, Von acted before her and struck her with his tail. He seemed to do some considerable damage.....however, Cynder just stood back on her feet and shrugged it off.

"Is that all you can do?" She asked him. She was clearly teasing him, baiting him to attack. But for what purpose? Cynder was never much of a fighter, likewise for him, but she always had the tendency to goad her foes into striking her. A smart fighter wouldn't fall for such a ploy. Von, however, wasn't the smartest fighter. He flew towards her and tackled her into the ground and shot a fireball down at her to finish the job.

However, she wasn't fazed. She had a few burns, but she didn't seem to notice them. In fact, all she did was just smile. Von grew enraged. He had to win. He needed to win. If he didn't, Cynder would show no mercy. He attacked her again. Charge after charge, flame after flame and punch after punch. Cynder just took it all and acted like it was nothing. This was unreal. Von had no idea what to do next. He used all his best attacks, save for one, but Cynder acted like she was being tickled rather than hit.

What do I do now?, He thought. I've used most of my best attacks. But she just keeps shrugging them off like they were nothing! ......I got no choice. I have to use Meteor Dash....If this doesn't work, nothing will.

Arcius and Axel looked on to the battlefield before them, Daring tending to their wounds and started to analyze the situation. Well, mostly Arcius.

"This is most peculiar. Cynder likes to mess with her opponents, but not like this. She normally counters the moment she can. And Von left plenty of openings for her to attack. So why not......oh no." Arcius muttered. Axel looked over at him.

"What? Could it be she doesn't want to fight?" He asked.

"No. She wants to fight. But i noticed something. Each attack Von sent at her, she shrugged it off. She looks like she's hurt, but she's really not."

"Can you be clearer, please?"

"She's absorbing his attacks."

'What?! But how?!" Axel asked. "She doesn't have that kind of power."

"Maybe not before, but she does now. I don't know why, but I can feel some kind of sinister power lurking within her. ...And i don't like it. But my point being, she's goading Von to use all his attacks until he's completely exhausted and then she'll strike." Daring looked up at Arcius with worry in her eyes.

"D-Does that mean he's gonna lose?"

"I don't know for sure. But Von's stamina has depleted quite alot. And I know he has enough strength for one more attack. We can't let him go through with it." Arcius told her, looking in Von's direction. "Von! Don't attack! She's just baiting you!!" But Von didn't listen. Instead, he was concentrating his energy and Arcius could see the fire in his eye burning brightly. "You idiot! Don't attack!!!" But it was too late.

Von summoned his inner fire and it surrounded him in a glorious blaze and he charged headlong at Cynder. Cynder smiled without them noticing and began to lift her hand. Von charged faster, getting ever closer to her. His rage and determination burned fiercely, increasing the size and heat of the flames around him. He had to win. He couldn't lost. Not here and not now.

Closer...

I have to win....

Closer......

I need to win....

Closer.........

I can't give up.....

Closer............

I won't give up.....

Closer.................

For Reina.....For Lyra and Bon Bon.....

Closer........................

For Arcius and Axel.....For Daring.....

Closer...........................

For my father.....and for myself......I won't lose....

Closer..................................

They're all counting on me!!!

The sound of crackling thunder rang out as a large surge of energy emitted from Cynder's body the instant she caught Von's fist and stopped his attack. The flames dispersed leaving Von completely stunned...shocked by what just happened.

"W-wha..." Was all he could get out in his daze. He was shocked not just because of his attack failing....but by what was in front of him...holding him in its claw.

BGM 7

In front of him was a completely different Cynder. Her scales that were once purple had now been altered to a midnight black. Her underbelly had turned to a blood red and her claws had become sharper. Her tail had what looked like the head of a morning star on it, her beautiful wings turned grotesque and torn. Her fangs as sharp as knives, her eyes bloodshot and full of malice and the aura around her body was menacing. But what was most noticeable about her was that she had dark crystals coming out of her shoulders and hind legs....

"...Just like the chimeras..." He muttered. Cynder giggled sinisterly at the reaction on his face and in one swift movement, she let him go and kicked him into one of the buildings. The speed of her strike was indescribable. It looked like she didn't even move an inch. Von flew through the side of the building and out the other, only to be greeted by Cynder on the other side and she hit him back through the same building. The ponies in Ponvyille began to panic seeing such a bout and ran away or locked themselves in their homes.

This display of power was beyond the likes of which Von and his companions had ever seen. Her strength, her speed and that sinister aura. It was almost like Nova's....no. BEYOND Nova's power level. For there to be a dragon other than Eldrich whose power surpassed Nova's....it was frightening, to say the least. Von, weakened from using all his best attacks on Cynder, couldn't so much as lift his hand to defend himself. Instead, all he could do was endure her attacks and pray that he'd live.

When Cynder halted her assault, Von saw this as his chance. He got back onto his feet and mustered up what strength he could and shoot a blast of wind at Cynder. It hit her chest, but it didn't even faze her in the slightest. She smiled in his direction, her eyes locking onto his and he stumbled back. He wasn't sure how, but it felt like she just pierced his soul just by looking at him. This wasn't good. He was scared beyond belief. He had to run. He had to get away.

But he couldn't. The moment he turned to run, Cynder stood in front of him and grabbed him by his neck.

"Going somewhere?" She asked. Her voice was distorted. Almost demonic, as though two voices were speaking at the same time. She smiled at him and punched him in his gut, earning a pained *oof* to come from his lips before dropping him. Von writhed in pain and looked to his friends. They were all fear-stricken as well, feeling like they were going to lose their friend. And they just might. Cynder was far too powerful now. Wherever this power was coming from, it couldn't be surpassed.

"I....i can't...." Von muttered. It was hard for him to even speak given his injuries. But Cynder didn't care and she stood over him, smiling down at his pathetic form.

"Get it now?! You can't beat me. You always look on the bright side and hope things go better. But guess what? They won't! It almost never does. That's life!" She said. "And since i'm feeling benevolent, i'm going to give you a choice. You can either continue fighting me and die...." She giggled and leaned closer to him, dragging her claw along his cheek in a seductive manner. "...Or you can give up. The choice is yours, Vonny."

Von looked at his feet. He didn't like to give up, even if it would help him. But he couldn't keep fighting. If he did, he would die and his friends would suffer, too. But if he gave up, they might be saved but Von would have to suffer for losing to her. He was in too much pain and so were his friends. The choice was clear to him. All that was left to do was voice it.

Author's Notes:

Von has dealt with many foes so far on his journey. But now he has come face to face with a foe that he cannot overcome. He has been given a choice. But which will he choose? That, my dear readers, will be for you to decide. Will Von continue to fight? Or will he finally give in? Stay tuned for the answer.