Picture a dark room. There are no sounds, no windows and no furniture. The temperature is warm. You are in it. Blackness is all around you. You can not feel or touch its walls. You have no idea where you are just that I teleported you in this little vision. Hoofsteps sound near you. You're turning in every direction but you can't pinpoint from where they are coming form. You try to say something but there is no air. No one hears you. You hear them. A mare, a stallion and an young pony.

"What is it, Silver?" he was a bit surprised.

"I want to talk to you." something in her voice told him that she was bothered by a painful thought.

"About what?" indicated a lot of concern.

"I don't think it's right to seal the Portal. Who are we to condemn thousands of ponies to this hell? Don't they deserve to choose freedom too? What about Dragon Born and her friends? Closing it will make us into the same monsters, from which we managed to escape!"

"I understand, but what if she fails? There will probably be another war and when the Dragon leader conquers everypony on the isle, his sight will turn to the lands beyond the seas. He'll come here and bring death to every living thing!"

"She is right, Feather."

"Razor?"

"Maybe you should have told her of your intentions. Now it's too late..."

"What are you suggesting then? We are going to leave for the Northern Kingdom tomorrow morning, after we have packed the necessities and the tents. No pony will be here to guard the portal..."

"I shall remain here. I'll guard it and seal it, if evil tries to spread it's tentacles to this land. This will be my punishment for ever lifting a sword against a friend." readiness to sacrifice his being for something far bigger than him.

"Razor, no, you don't have to!"

"No pony can stop me. We are free and I'll choose what to do with my freedom."

"Are you sure that you'll managed to hold on your own?" her voice brought the notion of understanding his mission, his last one.

"Eye."

"There is no turning you around, right?"

"Yes."

"In this case, may the spirits of the old warriors watch over you!"

Light, small but growing bigger. Wind, speeding up, blowing at your face. You want to hold to something but there isn't a single object. The invisible force pushes you away from the light. It blinds your eyes. It consumes the darkness. Noises from the entire universe mix with your thoughts of death.

Blue opened his blue crazy eyes. The very important pony just arrived as planned.

He had a job to do. Only one take at it was permitted. Failure would mean destruction to everything.

The deathly white unicorn stood up from his improvised bed, made out of leaves. He was completely naked, every scar was visible. His white, extra long mane and tail hadn't seen much the edges of the scissors throughout his lifetime. Nasty black spots on his back showed the age of his illness. It was coming for him too fast. Circle needed more time. The gold ring on his flank was barely visible. If it entirely disappeared, that would mean his end.

Surrounded by trees and shadows, he felt like home. The only thing missing was a hot mare beside him. Childless, Circle's biological clock was alarming. The line of the first shadow ninja ended with him. Death so near, he knew what had to be done. Call it a mechanism, created by nature, but every living thing fights for the survival of its genes. Though, some more complex creatures would fight just for the sheer pleasure of seeing others burn in pain.

The outfit was lying next to him. Red and brown stained its white clothing. It screamed for some cleaning. He took the white mask and stared in it's two holes. One more time he had to become the legendary ninja outcast and then the final prize: the so desirable peace. The madness was unstoppable. A week ago, Circle thought that he had at least an year... now he'd be lucky, if the little piece of his past self managed to survive two months.

Those eyes that had no meaning in them. Almost soulless and demonic. They had witnessed the universe, when he went on his spiritual journey. The Fountain of Fates revealed to him the big picture, in which the young unicorn saw his demise and the passing of this reality because all of this was not real. Corrupted by the Princess of Darkness, this timeline was false like the ones before it.

Circle silently put on the mask. The nature around him was honoring him by not revealing his location to his enemies. A sunbeam was falling on his back, gently massaging him. It was time to meet his destiny!

Somewhere near the big capital, under the cover of the trees, ponies were dedicating a lot of their time and energy to prepare a bomb of unknown proportions. Like evil demons, they carefully placed the explosive compounds inside a black caldron. General Zap was watching the operation from an 'unsafe' position. His planning was coming together quite well, the only problem was the variable Blue Circle. He was simply unpredictable. Zap didn't like that at all. Things could get really nasty, when that dangerous pony was around. Somehow he had to outsmart Circle and place him in a position, from which there was no escaping the end.

One of his spies came to him with a steady gait. Colored in yellow and blue, she didn't have the best disguise for this place. What would seem like a stupid clothing, was actually magically enhanced. Its ability was to change its colors depending on the surroundings and was absolutely under the wearer's control. Her cyan eyes were constantly looking at the hazardous payload. When the ninja was at a hoof distance from the general, she saluted:

"Fires of tomorrow!"

"The change is unstoppable." the brown unicorn turned his head to her and asked. "What news you bring?"

"No pony suspects a thing! Every clanner thinks that we are just burning villages and murder innocents." her subordinate contentedly answered.

"Perfect." a sinister smirk appeared on Zap's face. For a moment, his only grey eye was seeing the terror of his brutal plan. The pain, the screams, the suffering! "The flames did a great job concealing the thefts of the necessary materials for the bomb and the grenades. Even if they somehow managed to learn about them, they would not know for what purpose they are going to be used because each of them are harmless. Mix them together and you get one big firework."

"Soon, everypony shall know this day!"

"Yes, they shall pay for what they did to us!"

The spy got closer to him and whispered with a bit troubled tone:

"What about White Shadow?"

"He's a thorn in the eye, isn't he? I'll have to deal with him, during our operation. It's still the same goal but with a little twist."

Both looked at each others eyes. A lot more information was being transferred than said. The yellow ninja nodded.

"I understand."

"Good. The guards are paid, right?"

"Even better, I managed to disguise myself like on of the chiefs and re-arranged their positions. They won't notice a thing, until it's too late."

"I like your thinking." Zap was very pleased. He turned his sight at the horrible weapon, which was going to be unleashed very soon.

It was almost two o'clock in the afternoon. A few clouds were visible on the horizon. The forest seemed calm for what was about to happen. The black guards watched over the city from the tall wall. Not a single bird or squirrel could come near the white walls, without being noticed by the ninjas. For some time now, rumors came and went, most were just imaginations of some madponies, others of the casual citizen but they all had one in common: something bad was going to happen in the not so distant future.

Something in the air was not right. All felt it. As if a higher being was trying to warn everypony of the grave danger on their way. It was heavy, but tolerable. A wind was needed to bring the so needed freshness.

The life in here, as usual, was a bit repetitive. The simple blood ponies lived to serve the clan and many of the joys of which their distant cousins took for granted, here they were almost absent, there was only work. The fillies and colts went to pre-ninja schools to begin learning the arts of fighting. From young age they started training how to take life. The clan needed warriors and warriors were what it was going to get. Sad but true...

The leader, who was above all in his palace, was sitting in front of a short wooden table. It was well-made piece of furniture, just for the likes of him. Its shape was of a square, which had a lovely masterfully engraved figures. Lupi was in his cabinet, which was a small room with shelves on every wall. The occasional book and documents were lying on the floor next to him. There was only one big window, which pointed at the only gate to the city. It was a bit dark. On the table was an expensive china cup with hot mint tea. On the white walls were illustrated blue clouds and a red dragon, who was soaring in the sky.

The tan earth pony took a sip from the healing liquid and then put it back on the wooden surface. He then grabbed one of the documents from the shelf behind him and began reading. A report from his officers, who were assuring that the capital was safe from every threat. He didn't believe it. Lupi knew that no pony was safe, as long as they were on this island. The last attempt to take his life proved that and since then, he doubled the guards around the palace.

The leader was prepared for the next one, it was just a matter of time. In his green eyes was only the cold reality of his current situation. Many enemies, he had and all of them wanted him cold under ten feet of soil. How Lupi dreamed of the day, when this was going to be over. His heart wanted only to see her live again. To stroke her mane and gaze into those magnificent orange eyes. For a brief moment he remember the innocent youth, far from the pain of this reality. When her heart was still beating. Snake Tail used to be treated with respect by all leaders but like her daughter, she was a bit of an outcast compared to the other kids. Many fillies and colts were afraid of her, only he saw the good side of her amazing personality. A bookworm, Lupi admired on her interest to learn as much as possible. She noticed him after months of innocently spying on her and later they became close friends. Together they ventured in the worlds of the letters and the more they did this, the more his feelings for her grew. Although can not be said the same for Snake, who was too abscessed with finding the answer for her curse. Years passed and she died, without him being able to express the fires in his stallion heart. Her last words were: "Curse him!" Lupi learned of them from one of the midwives. He guessed that it was the dragon, who put this terrible magic on the Tails.

How he wanted her back.  

One problem though... her daughter was coming to kill him. A daughter, he perceived as his own child. Yes, because of his duties Lupi wasn't a good father to her. Their relation was more like a boss to a subordinate. He regretted putting Foxy in her mother shoes and using her as a tool of war, instead of showing Tail the appropriate care and attention she deserved. The past was the past and nothing could be done to change the mistakes, or that's what the linear time creatures thought.

The question was, what to do now? The leader didn't want to harm her. He was going to try talking to her, first, before facing her like an opponent. He was going to find the cause of her pain and find a way out of this misunderstanding.

Somewhat this whole thing seemed forced on him, as if Lupi was being tested. Did his ghost adviser have something to do with this? She would not tell him, even if her hoof was dirty...    

There was a knock on the door, which pulled him out of his thoughts. An old pony in pink cloths entered without being invited. He had wise yellow eyes and a bald head. The color of his fur was cyan.  

At first, they were silently looking at each other, then the adviser asked:

"Do you have a minute to talk, sire?"

"For my trusted advisers, always. What's seems to be the problem?"

"Well, don't take this personally... but you are the problem." there was some fright in his voice.

"Oh? This is not about the old debate we had a week ago?" the leader figured, where this was going. He took another sip from his warm tea, while looking directly in the adviser's eyes.

"Sadly, it is. There are rumors flying around in the palace and among the general population. They think that you can not have heirs due to a disease." the old one approached him and stop in front of the small table. There was a lot concern coming from him. "We both know that's not right, or have I been put in the dark too?"

Lupi smiled.

"No, I'm more than capable of doing it. Just, the time is not right. Too many things come first and I don't have time to think about finding a mare, who will love me for the pony I am."

"I understand, sire. However, when your father was younger than you, he was already married with a son. Your grandfather too."

"I know but what can I do..." he looked away, trying to cover his lie.

"No you don't!" the old pony slammed his his hooves on the table. He seemed a bit angry now. The cup shook and the liquid almost got out. Lupi turned his sight from it to the adviser. "One of the most important duties of the leader is to produce an offspring, which will succeed him after his retirement or death. The bloodline of the first dragon slayer runs inside your veins. Never forget that!"

"Are you threatening me?" Lupi asked coldly. "Watch your place, old friend. You may have been my grandfather's right side but this doesn't give you any right to act like this in front of me. Such behavior won't be tolerated."

The cyan pony was numb at first, then he humbly bowed.

"I apologize for my outburst, my leader. I promise, it will not happen again."

"If this was it, I'd ask you to leave me."

The coldness struck the old one right in the heart. He understood and quietly left the room. The door was shut behind him and finally Lupi could get some piece of mind. Or so he thought...

At the Blood Portal, the dragon skull was standing on the gates, warning everypony of the mighty inhabitants of this city. The only road, Golden Tail went in a straight line for a mile or so. Whoever traveled on it could be seen from a far. It was empty, no pony was coming to the capital. The main problem was the forest around it, which could hide a strike group but the blood ponies had that sorted out by having patrols, which circled around the city clockwise.

They thought that they were safe in their little shell, how wrong they were...

Out of a sudden, two unicorns in dark outfits came out of a flash, holding a big black caldron. They teleported just in front of the magnificent gate and immediately placed the deadly payload on the ground. The guards needed two seconds to realize what was happening, a crucial time, in which the two terrorists turned their pony tails around and began galloping away from the explosives. Arrows and kunais were sent at them, one of the unicorns got hit in the leg but he didn't stop.

One of the guards teleported next to the caldron and touched it. He wanted to flash away from the gates but it was too late. The packed explosives blew up right in his face. It was such a blast that it shattered the strong gate, sending thousands of bone pieces, parts of the wooden massive doors and rock in the direction of city. The bang was so loud, that it awakened the sky spirits from their slumber. Sharp projectiles were falling from the sky like hail. The nearby sections of the wall were blown away too. Every guard in the vicinity was dead.

The powerful boom, made the leader to immediately look outside the window. A giant yellow smoke was covering the place, where the portal used to be. He was frozen. The sounds from the bells began to invade the airspace after the blast. Screams of civilians gave the sign for the terrors to come.

Ninjas from all over the capital headed in the direction of the gates. On the opposite side of the wall, the few guards saw the sudden fast strike from the unknown enemy. They were wondering if they had to go and help their comrades or stay on their posts. While the dragon ninjas were hesitating, hooks with ropes landed on the wall. Some of them saw that and quickly went to see who was climbing. The five guards looked in confusion, when they saw no pony on the ropes. Then there were flashes behind them. When the black ninjas turned around, they were met with cold steel. Without putting much resistance, these few defenders few down without a chance. Their comrades on the other sections didn't see them perish because their attention was taken by the smoke, which was engulfing more and more of the houses in front of the entrance. The explosion still echoed in their minds and paralyzed them.

One of the three unicorns gave a signal and eighteen ninjas, wearing brown robes, came out of the near forest and began climbing on the white wall, using the ropes. The pegasi gave some of them a free lift. They were operating like one very well oiled machine for destruction. No errors or delays in their movement, they were the perfect strike team. To get off the wall, they jumped on the roofs of the near buildings and then disappeared in this 'civilized' jungle. By the time any of the guards noticed what happened, these ghosts were already invading the city streets under the cover of panic and chaos.

Dressed with dirty brown robes, they looked like ninjas for higher or poor travelers. They moved in three groups of seven. The streets were filled with all kinds of ponies, who were scared for their lives. Running in all direction, screaming or just starring at the dust cloud in disbelief. This was way easier then the arsonists thought. Like shadow feints, they were creeping closer to their goal. Even the warriors, who passed near them, didn't notice a thing. Without a problem they approached the ninja barracks and the palace. Before they would start the second part of the plan, they all met in a small, tight street.

Hidden by two big wooden buildings, they could stay in those shadows as long as they you'd like.

"Do you smell this boys?" general Zap turned to his evil brothers. "The smell of fear and chaos! Do you like it?"

They all nodded. Death was only seen in their eyes. What a smug smile appeared on him.

"Good. I absolutely love to see how my chaos theory works in practice. They won't know what hit them. Let's make a little rehearsal of the plan. Seven of you will go immediately to the barracks, other seven to the palace. Remember the pattern! Following it will make the enemy confused and let you have all the time to sow pure destruction. Stay near the unicorns, they'll light up the 'nades for you. After you are done with your targets, use the rest of the ammo at the civilian houses, after that you have permission to retreat to the forest. Got it?"

They all nodded again.

"Excellent. One more thing: watch out for Circle. He is up to something and it ain't any good for us. Don't drop the amulets I gave you." his hoof pointed the closest one's neck. "Be quick and deadly! Now go!" he ordered with a glorious tone, as if their mission was a holy one...

Fourteen of them split up and quickly headed to their goals. Full of dedication for this demonic deed, they were.

Why were they so evil? Couldn't they give peace a chance? How crazy they had to be to willingly bring the flames of war in times, when the light was so much needed? Doomed to their own hatred, these cowards, who knew how to fight dirty and without honor, were going to meet their fates, just like they lived in their short lives.

Six remained with the general. They awaited his command.

"What about the third place we need to burn to the ground? He did tell you where and what it is, right?" the spy asked.

"Nope. He remained silent about it." Zap smirked at her. "Do not worry, I don't have plans to serve him that much." then an yellow aura came from his horn that created seven illusions in his hoof. They were badges of the mercenary guild, which had to be worn all the time by its members. They were simple blue circles, very easy to distinguish from afar. "Take these. Now come on, let's enjoy the anarchy from a good spot."

The seven terrorist stealthily went in the opposite direction and then mixed with the multicolored crowds.

The unprepared ponies in the barracks and in the ninja schools were looking in shock at the huge hole, where their great gate used to be. Everything near the entrance was covered in thick layers of dust. The wounded were crying for help, the dead were lying still in different poses. Some were killed by the explosion, others by the falling sharp debris. Many came to help the injured. Many warriors went in the front of the wall and into the forest to counter attack this hidden enemy. How foolish of them to let the foe inside.

Most of the ponies at the schools were novices and not ready for the real thing, not ready for the life of the ninja. Suddenly round glass objects with strange substances inside were thrown at the windows of the military buildings. They exploded with bright red flames inside the barracks. Thankfully they were almost empty. The few ninjas in them survived the hell fires, which rapidly began to consume the entire buildings, which were made out of wood.

The students were standing numbly in the schools' yards, when the 'nades flew in their direction. They only watched in fear how those balls of doom were coming their way.  Before these evil tools of destruction could harm any of them, the masters and teachers created purple shields around the novices. The rookies were saved, now they watched how the flames tried to burn through the magic spell but without success. While the inferno was raging above their heads, the terrorists went to the next targets.

They tried to spread as many flames of hate as it was possible to their surroundings.

Fortunately, some of the experienced ninjas noticed the arsonists on their way to the Big Hole. Very quickly these bad ponies found themselves surrounded on the two sides by twenty black defenders. There was no other way, except to fight their way out of that street.

Wait, something must be wrong here... Circle was supposed to be here to take all the attention, while they were doing their dirty deeds. Where was this ninja? Dark smokes came from the building around them. The red and orange tongues were quickly taking over. It was getting hot in there. The air was fueling the flames and leaving less for them to breath. The smell of burn was so intoxicating.

The seven arsonist prepared to throw a barrage of 'nades at their opponents, when a deep shadow appeared between the dragon ninjas. Ten tentacles hit the nearest ones with the force of a hammer and sent them flying in the air, until they either fell down on the paved street or smashed into the walls of the buildings. Both ways ended with the same result: they were knocked out and were unconscious. The attack came as a surprise to them and the rest were not able to put a meaningful resistance. A few tried to escape him but were not quick enough for his shadow techniques.

The arsonist only looked amazed by the skillfulness of this master ninja. They were evilly smiling, knowing that White Shadow was going to make their job easier, or so they thought. After he was done with the defenders, Circle slowly turned around, staring with his crazy blue eyes at those cowards. They could sense that something was not right. Why was Circle showing them the unending abyss of blue madness.

"We are happy to see you too!" one of them spoke out.

The ex-leader was silent. Their coats bristled and before they knew it, black tentacles were sent at them. He didn't killed them, Blue just made sure that they'd have a good nap before they had to answer for their crimes. The white ninja looked around, everypony was in the cold zone and then said:

"Well, aren't you all on equal ground? Muahaha..." his laugh was highly disturbing. "Now the pony who wakes up will decide your fates. Isn't that exciting?" he used one of his tentacles to turn the head of one of the lying warriors, he was not awake to answer. "You think so? Great, then I'm off to another place, where my skills are needed! See ya!"

Then his shape melted to the ground and turned into a shade, which quickly headed to the ruler's palace...

Almost everything was visible from their view . The general and the other six of his trusted warriors were sitting on a green tegular roof of a two story house on a hill. Somehow they managed to stay hidden from many citizens and ninjas, who were seemingly running in panic.

"Ah, such views are priceless! It fills my heart with so much joy! Don't you feel the same?" Zap was smirking at the horrible sight of pain and suffering. The barracks were turning into giant torches, burning bright and strong. Every bell tolled in the city. Confused ponies were trying to bring order. One group of ninjas, who were going to the barracks, just passed near them. The last one, the captain stopped and turned to the sitting strangers on the roof. They were all wearing brown robes, that hid their faces and bodies. The blue badges told him of their profession.

"Hey, you!" he shouted from the street. "Come down and help us!"

"We are ninjas for hire, pay us and we will." Zap said.

"We'll pay you later, now go and help the others!" the ninja pointed in the general direction of two tragedies.

"Gold first, help later." Zap provokingly said and smiled.

"Mercenaries..." the commander rebuked. He wanted to get on that roof and teach them a lesson of respect but his skills were badly needed somewhere else... "Stay there! I'll have a word with you after I'm finished with my duties!"

"Oh, we will. I'll await your return." Zap's voice was getting on the pony's nerves. The ninja turned away and continued on his path. The general turned his sight at the direction of the palace, which should be bursting into flames any moment now.

Suddenly, the unicorn looked back at the burning barracks. Something in his gaze told the spy that things were not going as planned.

"What's the matter general?"

"The amulet's energy... the captain is unconscious! Circle betrayed us so early. That means one thing..." Zap sighed, turned to his subordinates and said with a cold voice. "I don't like retreating."

The rest looked at each other in a bit of a confused way.

"We are leaving?" she asked.

"Of course! Do you want to stay here and get captured or killed? Our cause must survive this day!" then his brown horn flashed in an yellow light. Grenades in magical auras were taken from the vests under their robes. His subordinates silently made a circle around Zap to protect him from unwanted eyes. Floating in the air like ghosts, the round objects with eery liquid inside, were gathered in one place. Then Zap light the wicks and telekinetically threw them in random directions. "Boys and a gal, it's time to flash away!"

They quickly got closer to him.

"The cause must live on!" they simultaneously said.

Suddenly, the seven ponies disappeared in a bright white light, teleporting a few streets in the direction from which they came. They left behind a rising inferno, which caught everypony by surprise. It's flames were not easy to extinguish, even when trying to fight the fires with water, they seem to grow bigger. Were the hellfires brought from Tartarus?

Shadows were falling. Quiet, it was in that narrow space. Seven arsonist were about to commence their part of the failed plan, when suddenly a noise above their heads took their attention. Arrows were fired at them, six of the terrorists were pierced by the sharp edges and fell on the ground in agony. The last remaining somehow managed to dodge the projectiles and then threw some kunais at the ambushers, who quickly went behind cover. The small street didn't give him much room to maneuver. He was in a trap, the two exits were blocked by black ponies with swords. There was one thing to do. The arsonist jumped through one of the windows on the first floor of the house on his right. He was not quick enough, though... His flank got hit by an arrow. Because of the pain, the ninja couldn't move his rear leg.

He could give up. He could just lie there and wait for them to capture him. The sad pony chose death, instead of prison. He took out one of the 'nades and attempted to light it, when a keen object hit it from his hoof, sending it to the other side of the room. The arsonist looked up and saw the sword of the warrior aimed at his throat. The faulty ninja had one chance and he blew it. Absolute surrender was given.

The mission was a fail!

The well furnished room was quiet and its environment calm. Lupi was putting on his ninja outfit in his quarters, when the captain of the palace guards burst in, without being invited. The ninja saw a fine sword, a pair of extremely acute of hoofclaws and a mask, all lying next to the leader, who was preparing. His cloths were black with red lines on the back and his chest. He was with his back at the captain, so the latter was not able to see the troubled look on his face.

"My leader, I apologize for my intrusion! I bring news!"

"Let me hear them." Lupi calmly said.

"We've captured the arsonist. One tried to take his own life but failed to do so. Their targets were the barracks, the schools and the palace. Unfortunately, the barracks couldn't be saved. What should we do with them?"

"Take them to the prison and interrogate them. Find out who is their leader and what their ultimate goal is! I want to know how many still remain in the shadows." he said, without ceasing his preparation.

"Yes, my leader!" the red and purple ninja bowed down. Suddenly, the sounds of a running pony echoed in the hallway. Then a black warrior appeared at the opened door. He was out of breath and frightened from the thing, his eyes had the misfortune to see. The ninja didn't have time to give respect to Lupi, that was to show that the situation was extremely dire.

"Sire! White Shadow has appeared in front of the palace's gate! The guards have engaged him but we are not match for his skill!"

The leader quickly turned his head to them. He was surprised to hear that his foe had returned to finish the job so early. Was this all his doing or did Circle just took advantage of the situation?

Things were getting hotter...

"Tell everypony to stay back! He'll exterminate you all!"

"But who will stop him, sire?"

"I'll take care of him!" Lupi put the beautiful sword in the scabbard on the back, put the mask on and then placed his hooves in the claws, that were made out of young dragon nails. The mask was masterfully crafted out of bones of the first killed serpent. Black like the outfit, it made the wearer look like some sort of a grinning demon. Spikes were coming from the top, which serve the purpose of protecting the head and also bring fear in the hearts of ponies, who'd go against the wearer. In some places it was dyed with red, blue and yellow to make it more intimidating. Especially the place around the two eye holes was made to look like it was crying fires.

He completely turned to his warriors, who were amazed by the might and glory, brought by the perfect symbiosis of the pony and the outfit. Lupi resembled a god, whose powers were unlimited. His green eyes seemed to look beyond this world, as if they were seeing the whole universe. His figure was of an ancient spirit of war. He looked so surreal, the two were speechless. This was the holiest sight their unworthy eyes were ever going to see.

From the macabre mask, to the old black cloths and to the silver plated claws, Lupi looked and felt like a being of absolute awesomeness!      

"What are you waiting for? You have your orders!" he almost roared.

The two instinctively bowed and then off they went to their jobs, leaving him alone in his greatness. Dealing with Circle was going to be very difficult and there was a very big possibility of defeat. His opponent was known to be the master of deception, when it came to combat. Lupi, as an earth pony, didn't have any magical tricks under his sleeve. Only the red medallion provided him with some powers but would they be enough?

Concentration. That was all he needed.

Circle was jumping around like a jester of some sort, not doing acrobatics for entertainment but to dodge the incoming arrows and knifes. Somehow, without breaking his pace, he managed to send a few tentacles at the guards and kill them,  right where they were standing. No pony dared to get close and personal with this monster. Ten bodies were lying in blood on the dirty street, a few others were in the eternal sleep on the walls or on the roofs of the nearby buildings. This was not a battle, but a massacre. They didn't seem to have a chance, the guards' moral was very low after seeing him in action.

Steadily they gave up ground, retreating behind cover. Where was their salvation? Where was their protector? Circle's mad look in his blue eyes was killing their spirit more than an Ursa minor would do, if they happen to be in front of one. This wasn't a good day to die. There was no honor and glory to be won, when they outnumbered him so much and still died like flies.

Then, on the balcony appeared the ruler of this city. The guards ceased their attacks and silently watched their star rising to face the black demon. Light was falling on him, making him look like an angel from the skies. He was their light, their last hope. White smile appeared on Circle's dark face. The king finally came out of his lair. Just like he wanted.

"Blue Circle!" Lupi shouted. "Leave my ponies alone, 'cause I'm going to be your opponent!"

"Oh, I see that you've changed your pajamas!"

"You've brought too much pain by those cowardly acts of terrorism! You've disgraced the word ninja! Do you know no shame?"

Circle began to snicker. Lupi calmly looked down at the master assassin and tried to predict his next move. This crazy pony was capable of doing the imponderable and attack him from the weakest spot.

"Haha-haha-Buaha-haha!" the maniacal laugh made every warrior to shiver from fear. It was loud, it couldn't be escaped.

"Is your disease gotten the best of you?" Lupi asked.

Blue fell down, began rolling on the street and laughed as hard as he could. Did he remembered a funny joke?

"I'll end your misery!"

Suddenly, Lupi jumped from the balcony on the lower roof and then on the wall. He did it with absolute precision and with utter confidence. Circle seemed to not pay attention. He kept on laughing. The dragon leader jumped again with his claws aimed at Blue.

Out of a sudden, he turned into a shadow on the ground. Lupi hit the pavement. Then from the ground appeared black snakes, which attempted to capture him. He used the locket and became like a ghost. They were waving in a chaotic manner, hoping to somehow get him. He just looked down at the black spot on the street. Lupi had noticed that Foxy's sword was not on Circle's scabbard. So, that meant that he couldn't be harm by him, while the ghost form lasted.

"You've lost your sword, haven't you?" he sounded absolutely serious.

"Nah, why would I do that?" the shade spoke with a changed voice. "I made sure that the rightful owner gets it. By the way, she is probably on her way as we speak."

"How long can you keep that form? I doubt that you can afford to stay like this indefinitely. You are too weak and old to do that!"

"We'll see."

"Come out and play! Or are you scared of me?"

"Are you?" an provoking laugh came out of the dark spot.

"I am not." Lupi quickly stood on his two front legs, so that his sword was beginning to slide down from the scabbard, then he took the handle in his mouth and pulled it out. Then leader pushed himself from the ground, barely escaping the tentacles. He swung with the sword, doing a wide arc with the edge. His target was the shadow below him. The metal began to scrape the pavement, producing sparks. Blue was not stupid to stay there and quickly moved out of the blade's way. It almost touched him.

The sound was irritating for the ears. When Lupi landed back on his legs, he was no longer in the ghost form. He was open for attacks. A very defined line was on the street, where he tried to cut Circle. The latter materialized a dozen of feet away from him. They stared at each others eyes.

"You should have brought a sword." the great looking ninja said though clenched teeth.

"Don't you remember that I mostly don't use weapons? I don't need toys, when I got these!"

Immediately four tentacles were sent at him. In a split second the dragon pony managed to cut them with his sword. The black snakes fell down behind him and shook in agony. Then they puffed in smoke, which quickly dissipated. The cut stems got back to the source. The blade shined under the warm light of the sun. What a beauty it was. Elegant but practical. Forged by legendary crafstponies a few centuries ago. Despite it's age, it was still one deadly weapon, which was enchanted to hurt magic beings. The shadow ninja had an embarrassed look on his dark face.

"Okay, maybe I should have brought a sword. It wouldn't be too much of a problem, if you lend me a good one?"

"Do I look like your pal?" Lupi was a bit annoyed by his behavior.

"Well, we could be but not in this reality!" Circle seemed to be having a lot of fun. Was his mind realizing the position he was in?

Without a warning, Blue sent five more spears at him, two of which moved on the surface of the street. The three were to block his view. They stopped just outside of the sword's reach and waved in a chaotic manner, while the two on the ground approached their target. Lupi immediately dodged to the side. He spotted the real threats with his peripheral vision. They split up and were going to attack him from the sides.

When they got very near him, he jumped to the left, performing a barrel roll and cutting the one below him. Then out of a sudden, all four of them went after him. There was noway that he could defend against them. He had to use his medallion again. The four spears went through him and nothing happened.

"Look guys! I've captured the mouse! You know, I can keep those inside you as long as that annoying spell lasts. I wonder what will happen then." Circle began to walk slowly towards him. The leader started to back off a bit. He wasn't able to run, while in this form because it took a lot of concentration and a calmer heart to maintain it.

Lupi was feeling a bit outplayed but there was a way out. This was the perfect moment for his loyal ninjas to intervene and help him to get out of this tricky situation. They understood that their leader was in trouble. Their love for him was greater than the fear of one pony. They suddenly attacked him with everything they got.

No, Circle was not going to waste the trap, so he kept the tentacles inside Lupi, while dodging every arrow and kunai sent at him. They made the sky rain metal. The earth ponies went on the street with a mighty roar and charged with weapons held high in the air, or if they're wearing claws, then made sounds of viscous predators.

"Oh, come on lads! That ain't a fair fight!" he smiled like a madpony. "I dare you to get a piece of me! He-he!"

The first wave surrounded him, blocking his view on Lupi. The space, in which he could maneuver was getting smaller. He had to use three more tentacles to fight them off, while trying to maintain the ones inside the leader. They encircled him like hyenas around a lion. Pieces fell from the dark wall, but more and more bricks came to fill the holes. Lupi was slowly getting out of the tentacles' reach, just a little more and he'd be able to end the spell.

It was getting harder. Circle was getting tired very quickly. His world was only hurt. Forest of sharp tools were all that his eyes could see. Some of his mistakes got him scratches on his body, at best. Everypony who dared to wound him paid with his life. Sons and daughters were not going to return home for dinner...

Circle had to break free. This distraction was working kind of... Lupi began to slowly get away. He needed just a tiny bit more, when the pony wall between him and Blue was torn down like it was made out of cards. Ninjas were sent flying like potatoes. Circle jumped out of the deadly grip. Like a beast out of its cage, he aimed his fury at the first thing he saw. Lupi managed to escape the tentacles and now prepared to defend himself with his magical sword.

White Shadow threw another dose of blackness at him. The leader stood ready for the incoming projectiles. Then he moved to the right and with one clean swoop cut through all of them. The defender was as fast as a lightening.

Unicorns from the sides were firing their hate beams at the assassin but they couldn't exactly get a hit. He was making all crazy zigzag maneuvers. How could they hit a shadow? Circle tantivy was melting the distance between him and his target.

Lupi prepared for the clash. His calm green eyes under that demon-like mask were looking directly at the incoming menace. Unlike his opponent, Circle looked so full of crazy impulses. The maniac versus the slave.

Two shadows came from the right, one from the top and three from the front. Lupi had less than a second to make a counter-attack plan. This was not going to end well...

The rest ceased their attacks in case that they might hurt their master.

He dodged the first ones from the side, rolled forward, the front ones missed him by an inch. The tentacle from the top made a ninety degree turn and pointed directly at his back. The moment of fates. The blade was aimed at Circles heart, the dark spear at Do's spine. Who was going to be first to kill the other?

Their eyes were staring at each other. Both had determination. Both fought for their place in history and destiny. Their fire were burning brightly, both with black flames.

Lupi rolled to the left, the shade hit the pavement with a great force. The strike was so powerful that rocks and dust were sent in the air. The leader swung to behead Circle, the latter almost instantaneous vanished in smoke, when the shining edge was about to cut him. He hit only air.

Then a gut feeling told him that his adversary was going to come from behind. Lupi quickly pointed the sword backwards and stab just when a murky figure appeared right where he wanted. Finally. Successful hit. The blade pierced White, right next to the heart. It went deep.

Everypony froze. It turned out very quite out of a sudden. They couldn't believe it. Was this monstrosity finally stopped in its tireless hooves? Lupi moved the edge deeper to seal the deal.

Then, the leader realized that he pierced the wrong pony. Instead of White Shadow, one of the fallen guards was now at his place. When did Circle have time to switch? He felt scared for the first time in this uneven fight.

The wild laugh sounded near him. When he got the sword out of the body, a black tentacle impaled his center, just where the red locket was. Because the pendant felt threatened, it lent him some of its dark powers, making his reflexes super fast. He threw the sword at the pony, without even seeing him. It hit the mark, this time it was for real.

Call it luck or very precise calculation on his part, the blade impaled Circle's left side, damaging his important internal organs. Blue stood still for a few seconds before falling on his right sight. He painfully hit the dirt. The tentacle disappeared, his shadow form ended, revealing a pony in white ninja cloths. The place, where the sword penetrated his body, was beginning to turn red. The warm spot grew bigger with every breathing. This was a critical wound, from which many do not survive.

Suddenly, Lupi felt weak, as if the life was being drained out of him. He opened his clothing and looked at his chest. He wasn't harmed. But the medallion was damaged and black smoke was coming out of it. Do felt dizzy, he was not understanding what was happening to him. His green eyes turned to the lying unicorn, who was barely starring at him with his dying sight.

"I got you in the heart of your power!" his words were a bit incomprehensible because of the blood that was trying to get out through his mouth.

"That was your plan all along, wasn't it?" Lupi asked with anger in his voice.

"Not quite, silly! I have one more task to do before I perish from this unreal world!"

The other ninjas surrounded them, the ones at the leader we trying to help him and the ones at Circle were about to chop him into pieces. Blue smiled at his audience, who so much hated him. He felt like a rock star in a concert. His evil titter was very sick and turned into a loud maniacal laugh.

They looked down like judges, like black serious statues, not amused by his innocent child laugh. In his last moment, his mind remembered his beautiful youth years, before the burden was given to him. There was a filly in his life, who got lost in the chaotic fires of this brutal reality. How nice things were back then. No suffering, no pain, no madness. A tear came out of his eye and splatted on the hot pavement. In the reflection of the small water drop, he saw his no longer alive friends and family. They were waiting for him, happily waving their hooves at this passer. They smiled... they welcomed him home.

The blades struck him. What a silent moment. The passing of the last of his family. Their bloodline was cut forever... Everything drifted away and gave path to eternal nothingness.

Lupi watched the execution, while he was struggling to stand on his hooves. What did this damn pony do to him? What was the sorcery he used to make him weak?

The answers, he was never going to get from this silent corpse.

In the forest...  

The seven arsonist managed to escape the great walls of the city and were now heading away from it. After the mission that couldn't be called a success, despite the damage they did, their moral was not on top. It was quite the opposite. However, the determined general was not going to give up because of one failure. His goal to bring every clan to a collapse was not going to be left in dust. He had to make them pay for every crime they did.

Like mouses they ran deeper and deeper into the wild, when suddenly inside Zap's mind something flashed. It was visible in his grey eye. He stopped, making the rest to do same. They turned to him, confused.

"What's the matter, general?" the spy asked.

"A vision, my darling. From a dead pony..." he quietly answered.

She came closer and looked at his eye.

"What did you see?"

"I know where the Fountain of Fates is and how to get to it from the safe side. The second entrance is near to us." he spoke, as if something big was revealed to him.

"How does that get in our plans?"

"There are no plans anymore!" the other six worryingly looked at him. The general still had his serious face on, which completely confused them. "Every plan, every deed, every action to this point was,is and will be meaningless."

"What are you saying?" she was now standing right in front of him and placed her hoof on his shoulder. And asked with a kind voice: "Are you feeling alright, general?"

"How can I be alright, after learning the truth?" they were starting to think that he was going crazy, except the mare. "I saw everything, which Circle endured in his life in just a flash. He performed memory sharing with me. It's a ritual of the shadow ponies, which is done before a said unicorn warrior is about to face certain death. It can only be performed, when the said unicorn is revisiting his memories. That way their small numbers keep the memories alive of their dead as long as they can. It's something close friends would do... I ain't a relative of his, but I understand why he did it..." he pointed his hoof at the five ninjas behind her. "Our mission is done. Burn your cloths and return to your mothers and fathers. The next days will be your last in this world, so better make sure to use every second of the short time."

They were very uneasy about this.

"But we joined you..."

"You joined me for the wrong cause!" Zap interrupted. "I repeat myself again and I do not like repeating! Go home! Everything this world stands for, every pain and joy are illusions! Plot of a sick mind, who has been controlling our lives for as long as we have existed. It's over, lads. Go home or I'll cut you, where you stand."

The arsonist looked down at the ground. They had no words. Nothing could describe their disappointment. They wouldn't disobey his last order. They quickly left the two, headed now to their parents' homes, where they had to face judgment or lie about ever having their hooves stained with innocent blood in this post-war time.

When they got all alone, Zap turned to her and said.

"We have to go inside the Leader's cave and fulfill Circle's last wish." the stallion sounded very determined to this change of plans.

"How can you be sure that he didn't trick you with false memories?"

There was a short pause. He looked her directly in the eye.

"I felt pain, love and more pain. I just know." Zap gently stroke her cheek and said. "If time had been different, I'd never have chosen to be a general. What a better times they'd have been. I ask you to come with me on this final mission, from which there is no return. It may sound strange but this is the only way to make a difference in this controlled world."

"I'll gladly accept it." her cyan eyes sparked. "I'll follow you to the bitter end, general!"

The brown unicorn smiled. Next Chapter: Chapter 41: A Night Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 25 Minutes