Equestria Undone

Chapters

Syllabus
Freedom
Calm
The Battle of Canterlot
Pegasi and Dragons
Betrayal
Recovery
Celebration
The Beginning

Syllabus

A pony wearing a hooded cloak stepped over a cleverly hidden trip wire. She trotted though a cave with glowing torches mounted on the walls. Gems sparkled on the ceiling of the cave but that was not what she was after. She continued at a trot until she reached a door with a picture of the sun on it. "Huh" she tapped it with a hoof and the door opened. Her eyes narrowed and she then galloped forward and jumped over a pit hidden in the floor. She looked back into the pit and saw the spikes at the bottom. "Overkill much, Celestia?" She said aloud. She then turned and walked down a now carefully designed hallway with statues and carvings of royal guards. She continued her trot until the hallway widened into a massive room with a pedestal in the center made from crystal. Atop the pedestal was a single glowing orb. It glowed red and was transparent. On the inside of the orb was a lighting bolt bouncing around. The mare smiled and walked up to the pedestal, her horn glowed as she took the orb and placed it in her saddlebags, four others were in her bags, blue,green,yellow and purple. "Five down just one more and the staff" she turned only to see Discord standing there. "My,my you are a busy bee, Celestia was correct you are a crafty one finding all those in just two days, I applaud you" the mare scowled at discord but held her ground. "Begone fool! My master awaits me and I musn't dally" she walked around him and started for the door down the hall. Discord snapped his fingers and the mare was in a cage. "Not this time Syllabus" The mare eyes turned red as she hovered the orbs out of her saddlebags and they surged with energy. "BE STILL!!!" She yelled with power in her voice. A rainbow of energy came from the orbs and struck Discord. "Ahhhhhhh!!" He screamed and fell to the ground and he watched in horror as his legs began turning to stone. The cage disappeared and the mare turned her back on Discord walking away "Bye,bye" she said sweetly. Discord snapped his fingers as his wings turned to stone. He teleported away and landed on the couch of Fluttershy's cottage. "Eeeep!" Fluttershy backed away from the couch and her eyes widened. "Discord what happened?" "I failed tell the Princess I failed she has to stop Syllabus!" Then Discord was trapped in stone again. Fluttershy ran out of the cottage to Twilight's castle. She arrived a few minutes later and ran inside to find Twilight and spike reading. "Twilight!! Discord needs help come quick!!!"she didn't wait for an answer, grabbing Twilight and bringing her back to the cottage on her back, Spike ran after them. Halfway there Twilight flew off her back and galloped with her to the cottage. On the way Fluttershy explained what happened. "Spike, send a letter to Princess Celestia explaining what happened" Spike nodded and got out a scroll and quill, writing quickly. They opened the door and went to Discord who was trapped inn stone on the couch. Twilight went to Discord and her horn glowed as she lifted Discord and stood him up. Spike burned a scroll and said "Its done Twilight" Twilight looked over Discord and after a moment said "I don't know how to free him without the Elements of Harmony, maybe Celestia knows how to release him, I could look over my books but I don't remember any spells that would help" Fluttershy started to sob "But there has to be something you can do! How long before Celestia can free him if she even can?" A chariot landed outside and Princess Celestia stepped inside. Her eyes went wide as she saw Discord. "Stand aside" they did as they were told, a beam of gold energy erupted from her horn and hit Discord, cracks appeared all over him and in a minute he was free again. "What happened Discord!?!" Celestia yelled. Discord stood up and told of how for the past two days hunted for Syllabus and how he was turned to stone. Celestia was pacing back and forth, Fluttershy was hugging Discord "Its okay Discord you tried your best" Discord looked to the yellow Pegasus with a sad face "Thank you my dear Fluttershy but I could have done better, thanks to me Equestria is doomed! Collosus will rise and all will be lost. I have failed" Celestia stopped pacing. "We still have the staff and even if she can release him without it he can't use the cores without the staff and he will be weak without his............."

She stopped suddenly and said to Discord"We can't talk here, we must return to Canterlot, until then it is time to bolster the ranks of the Royal guard and hunt her down. If she releases him we must be ready for war" Twilight gasped "War? Celestia you can't be serious,its been over a thousand years since anything close to a war has happened." Celestia looked to the smaller alicorn with sadness on her face " No Twilight. Collosus will try to raise an army to conquer us and he will destroy Luna and I himself if he is at full strength. We must prepare for the worst, Discord come with me" Celestia went to her chariot and Discord followed saying bye to Fluttershy. The chariot flew off and Twilight found herself having to comfort Fluttershy.

Zecora was balancing on a bamboo poll, beside her another poll was standing straight up with Gary the griffon was balancing the same way she was, except his wings were stretched out behind him. Zecora smiled "Good work little one, our stretching is almost done. " Gary smiled. A knock at the door made Zecora dismount. She opened it and said "Twilight do come in ,is all okay why don't you grin?" Twilight sat down on a chair, Zecora sat down and Gary flew over and sat next to her. "Hi Miss Twilight" he said. Twilight smiled at him "Hello Gary. Now Zecora something has happened" Zecora looked at Twilight with her full attention, Gary was playing with his tail. Twilight explained what happened with Discord and the talk with Celestia. When she finished Zecora spoke, Gary had fallen asleep halfway through the conversation. "She truly spoke of war? I have seen it and that choice is very poor" She looked to the griffon sleeping next to her "I must protect him Twilight, he must be kept from this fight" Twilight nodded. "Were going to hunt her down, don't worry Zecora" the zebra smiled and after a few minutes of chat Twilight left. Zecora picked up the adolescent griffon and put him in bed. She stood looking at him. I must protect my child from this evil. He will learn to truly fight this devil. Zecora thought.

Celestia was sitting on her throne, Luna was next to her and Discord was standing in front of them. "Discord we have a new mission for you" Discord looked surprised "But I failed you" Celestia shook her head "You didn't fail us Discord that's ridiculous. This mission is more important anyway" Discord looked to them in surprise. "More important than stopping Collosus? I doubt that" Celestia shook her head"The goal in the end is the same Discord, to stop Collosus. I ordered 300 Royal guards to protect the statue of Collosus and thousands of ponies have joined the Equestrian day and night guard. Bounty hunters are searching for Syllabus and we will get her! But until then, I need you to take this" she floated a scroll to him and he took it in his lion hand. "Don't look into it here, take it someplace secure, then open it to see your mission. This will be no easy task but I know you can do it, good luck Discord" Discord saluted Celestia and Luna then with a snap of his fingers he was gone. Luna looked to her sister and said "The odds of this working even with Discord's power is miniscule, you know that" Celestia nodded "But we must try Luna its the only way. I know Discords mission is nigh on impossible, but who knows he might find................." Celestia stopped speaking as Shining Armor stepped into the throne room "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, reports came from the last vault, Syllabus has the sixth orb." Discord appeared outside of Fluttershy's cottage and knocked on the door. It opened a minute later "Oh Discord its good to see you are you okay? Come in" Fluttershy waved a hoof and Discord flew in. "Thank you Fluttershy, I am doing good. Not stone anymore so that's always a stress reliever. I came to say farewell my dear" Fluttershy's smile faded "What do you mean Discord"? Are you going somewhere?"she looked concerned. Discord sighed and looked at her with a sad face "The Princesses have given me a new mission to help stop Collosus, I cannot specify but I won't be able to make our Tuesday Tea for quite some time. I'm sorry Fluttershy." Fluttershy flew up and gave him a hug "Be careful Discord, well miss you, all of us will miss you,please be careful!" Discord hugged her back "Don't worry my dear I I'll take every precaution I can and I will write when I can. Don't write back though my mission is secret. Oh and before I forget" he snapped his fingers and a present appeared in the air next to him. "Here's your birthday present I might not make the party, don't open until then though" he smiled at her. Fluttershy looked sad "You will be gone that long then?" Discords smile faded "Yes, I'm sorry" Fluttershy hugged him one last time and with a final goodbye and a snap of fingers he was gone. She grabbed the present and put it on the mantle of her fireplace next to a picture of Discord. She looked at the calendar with tears in her eyes "Just nine months to go" she then went to lie down on the couch next to her rabbit Angel, who hugged her foreleg.

For the next seven years the Royal guard hunted for Syllabus across Equestria to no avail but thanks to the protections around Canterlot and the statue of Collosus she was not able to release her dark master. Celestia's frustrations grew as no one could find her and after all this time, Discord had still not returned from his mission, though he sent the occasional letter to Fluttershy. The mysterious Syllabus still roamed Equestria and no matter how long they searched they couldn't find the evil mare.

Zecora was standing in the main room of her hut, all of the furniture had been moved to the corner of the room. Zecora was standing on her hind legs with her forelegs up in a fighting stance. Five feet across from her was a griffon standing in a nearly identical stance. The griffon was nearly half a foot taller than her. He had his wings outstretched behind him and his tail stood angled up, perfectly still. They stood facing each other for nearly five minutes. The only motion was a small twitch in the griffon's tail, Zecora lunged and roundhouse kicked at the griffon's head. He put up a talon, which was balled up in a fist and blocked the kick. He struck back with his other talon and struck at Zecora's neck. Zecora in turn blocked it and double kicked Gary in the chest and sending him into the opposite wall. Gary turned in mid air and jumped off the wall when he hit it, propelling him forward he spun and hit Zecora with his right wing. She withstood the blow and attempted to roundhouse kick him in the head, he dodged it however and spun on his head kicking her in the chest. She was knocked back from the blow but stood firm, she tried to buck him with both forelegs repeatedly. She sent the bucks, left,right,left,right but each time he blocked the hits. After blocking maybe twenty strikes he jumped over Zecora and landed behind her, with a smooth movement Gary touched Zecora on the nape of the neck. Zecora and Gary dropped to all fours and sighed "You have grown so much these past years, you are not my little foal anymore I fear" Gary went to Zecora and hugged her "Mom, I may not be little anymore or a foal but I'm still your son" Zecora returned the hug and said "Thank you little one" Gary looked slightly irritated. "Mom I'm not little anymore" Zecora smiled "To me you are, now time to go to Ponyville, we must see Rarity there is something for us to see" Gary grabbed saddlebags for Zecora and himself, then the two of them left the hut and began the hike to Ponyville.

Freedom

Shining Armor was walking alongside a squad of Royal Guards in the Canterlot gardens. He looked over each soldier and moved on to the next. Each guard was standing at salute while Shining Armor inspected them. After a few minutes Shining Armor said "Your all dismissed, back to your positions" he turned and trotted back to the nearest guard tower as his soldiers went back to their posts. He stopped and looked around quickly I thought I saw a shadow he thought as he looked around. Must have been my imagination. He turned back to the tower and trotted up to the door. He telekinetically opened the door, two hooves came down from the ceiling and hit him square in the face. Shiny Armor fell unconscious to the floor as a hooded pony landed deftly beside him.

Dragging him inside she placed him in a closet with ten other unconscious guards. She locked the door and trotted up to a window, she looked out and saw the ten foot tall statue of her master Collosus. She smiled as her horn glowed. This is Prince Shining Armor, all royal guards are to report to the throne room, the Princesses are under attack. The glow faded and she jumped from the window and dived though another one on the main castle wall. As alarms went off all over the castle the mare slipped into the treasury and she came to a stop before a pedestal. Upon the pedestal was a staff, ten feet long and carved with magical symbols. She lifted the staff off the pedestal very carefully, like it was made of glass. She hovered it next to her carefully. She galloped out as fast as she could without waking the dragon and she slipped out unnoticed. She returned to the garden and from there to the guard tower. She galloped up the stairs and activated the defensive shield around the garden. She smiled devilishly and looked to the statue " I am coming master"

Celestia and Luna were sitting upon their respective thrones when the doors to the throne room burst open. Hundreds of Royal guards ran in all of them moving to take up defensive positions around Luna and Celestia. The princesses looked confused "What are you all doing?" Celestia yelled "You should be guarding the gardens! Why have you left your posts?" The guards bowed and one said "Prince Shining sent the message that you were under attack your majesty" Celestia looked incredulous "Under attack?....." the wail of alarms went off in the castle. "Syllabus!!"Celestia yelled " Back to the gardens now!!!" The guards immediately went into action as Celestia and Luna flew towards the gardens. Celestia and Luna stopped as a massive force-field surrounded the gardens. Celestia landed and sent a bolt of lightning at it, the bolt bounced off and hit a flag pole. She looked in and saw Syllabus exiting the tower. Syllabus looked towards them and smiled, behind her floated the staff all six power cores pulsing with energy. She continued to walk at a leisurely pace while Luna and Celestia sent magical attacks against the shield."No,no,no!!" Celestia yelled as she bombarded the shield with magic attacks. Syllabus walked up to the statue and held the staff up "Rise my master and know freedom once more!" A beam of energy came from each power cores and hit the statue. One to the tips of each wing, one to the tips of the dragons claws ,one to its forehead and the last one hit its chest. The six beams of energy made the statue glow brilliantly. After a few moments the statue darkened and the light went away, standing in front of the mare was a dragon twice as tall as Celestia with red eyes. The dragon had armor on its chest, he looked skinny if not sickly. As if his time as a statue left him weakened. The dragon looked to the mare. "Syllabus, you returned for me." The mare looked apologetic "I am so sorry master, Celestia had me imprisoned in Tarterus when I had obtained the fifth core. I understand if you want to punish me and I won't resist" the dragon looked surprised "My dear Syllabus, you are my most faithful servant, you have shown me absolute loyalty. Now I am weak from my imprisonment, you must teleport us somewhere safe while I recover" Syllabus looked to her master with a expression of absolute gratitude. She handed her master the staff and her horned glowed. Celestia blasted through the shield the moment they teleported away. A blast of energy hit where they were seconds before, leaving a smoking crater. Celestia stared at the crator. A guard came up to her. "Your majesty, Prince Shining Armor was found unconscious with nearly a dozen other guards." Princess Celestia turned on the guard "Call up all reserves, put Equestria on full alert and put up a forcefield around Canterlot! And this time stay at your posts!" The guard looked hurt but followed the orders without complaint. Celestia looked to her sister, a worried expression on her face. Luna nodded and they returned to the throne room.

Celestia and Luna were talking when a white flash caught their attention. Discord appeared near the doors to the throne room. Celestia and Luna looked to him and said "Did you find it?" Discord slowly shook his head. Celestia stomped the floor, cracking it beneath her hooves. "After seven years, nothing!" Discord looked apologetic when he asked "Has he escaped?" Luna nodded "Then we are doomed, I failed and Collosus is free" Celestia shook her head "No he isn't at full strength, we can still rectify the situation. We've sent out patrols and every city is on level seven alert. Luna and I will travel across Equestria with the Wonderbolts acting as a protective sky guard. Princess Cadence has been called from the Crystal Empire to oversee Canterlot. Discord, you must get Twilight and her friends to come here from Ponyville, they must be kept safe" Discord nodded "I will retrieve them at once Princess" with a snap of fingers he was gone.

Gary and Zecora had arrived at Twilights castle. Twilight answered the door and quickly let them inside. "What is it Twilight?" He asked her. She turned and quickly told them "AppleJack,Fluttershy,Rainbow Dash,Rarity,Pinkie Pie and I have been called to Canterlot. Collosus has been freed"Zecora gasped."Discord is at Fluttershy's helping her get ready and Spike went to get the others. I thought I'd ask if you two wanted to come with us" Zecora shook her head "No Twilight I have prepared for this for years now." She looked to Gary "We will be fine and we will see you in good time" Okay, if your sure. Be careful you two" they left Twilight's castle and started on the way back. Zecora stopped "We must get home quickly, little one can you carry me?" Gary stood up proudly and picked up Zecora in his talons and flew out of Ponyville. In three minutes they reached the hut. Gary landed and set Zecora down. The two of them went inside. "Mom what did Twilight mean, who's Collosus?" Zecora looked to him and sighed " I will explain but first I need the boxes from Rarity's , inside is something you must see" Gary handed her the boxes from his saddlebags and handed them to Zecora. From one she pulled out a suit made from blue and black fabric "Go to your room and put this on" Gary did as he was told, he put it on in his room and put it on, it was as soft as silk and fit perfectly. It covered him from tail to neck all the way down to his talons and feet. It had holes for his wings and left his talons uncovered going to the wrist. He went into the main room of the hut he found Zecora wearing identical clothing but with armored plates on her chest legs and back. The armor was supplemented with chain-mail so she could move without being burdened. "Good now put this on over it" she handed him metal plates that looked like they been bathed in diamond. Gary put on the chainmail first then the plates. There was the chest plate which protected his torso then grieves and bracers for his forelegs and hind legs. Finally a helmet made of the same material. He was astonished how light it was. All of it combined weighed less than five pounds. Next Zecora handed him four blades made of the same material. "The two single edged blades go on your wing tips. The double edge goes on your tail and the machete you hold in your talons when its not sheathed" Gary put the blades on his wings, they were maybe fourteen inches long. The on for his tail was only six inches and he sheathed the machete in a slot between his wings. Even with he armor on he could move in every possible way. He stretched in thirty different moves from Fallen Caeser Style and had no problem moving. "Mom whats up with this?" Zecora looked at him "We will be living n the forest for a while, this armor will help protect us if we are forced into battle. Now back some things we will be going this day, I will tell you of Collosus on the way" Gary looked confused but did as he was told, after they had all they needed they set off into the forest.

Tartarus was dark and foreboding as a hooded mare made her way through the crevices on one of the many paths that led to the evil enemies of Equestria. A dragon only three ponies tall followed deftly behind her. They had gotten past Cerberus quickly,just give him a milk bone and he loves you, especially if your just a pony. "Master were almost to his cage" she whispered. The dragon merely nodded and chuckled. The two continued until they came upon a cage with a strange creature in it. The legs of a pony but a monkey head and torso with red skin and glowing yellow eyes. The mare tapped the cage. "Tirek, wake up fool" Tirek stirred in his cage "Who goes there?" He said in a weak voice. The dragon came into Tirek's line of sight. Tirek immediately recoiled "No!Not you, please have mercy!" The dragon chuckled "No" Colossus reached in and grabbed Tirek's neck and what energy that was left in the old villain was drained out of him and into the dragon. Tirek screamed as his very essence was ripped from his body. Colossus dropped him to the floor of his cage, and all that was left of him was a husk. Colossus's eyes glowed brighter, and his muscles were more defined. "That should hold me over until we can retrieve my essence. Celestia made sure I was weak before imprisoning me but that will not stop us. Celestia and Luna will fall at my claws but until that day we need an army. Syllabus who in Tartarus can help us with this?" The mare stood still for a moment then stomped her hooves in remembrance. "I know just the one" the two of them went through Tartarus until they came upon a single cage with a large changeling inside. The changeling inside was taller than Syllabus. "Here we are Master" the changeling cringed "Who's there?" She said. Syllabus and Colossus came into the light. "Hello Chrysalis" Chrysalis's eyes widened "Syllabus you actually did it. You freed the dragon, all those nights of rambling were true huh? Well, what do you want?" The mare looked angry, but Colossus waved a claw. The mare remained silent; Colossus stepped forward "My dear Chrysalis it must be hard to be separated from your children" she looked at him in surprise at the gentleness of his words "You miss them and want to help them right?" She looked at him and said cautiously " Of course I do" The dragon smiled kindly or as kindly as a dragon can smile as he said "I knew it. Now we can help each other; we will free you, and you will fight with us and have your changelings fight for us as well." Chrysalis looked suspicious "Okay" "and in exchange you and your children will get all the love you could ever feed on" Chrysalis smiled and said "Where do we begin?" Colossus ripped the cage open, and Chrysalis stepped out. She followed them to a portal that led to a cave in the mountains. "Now call your children to us" Chrysalis's horn glowed a sickly green, and she called "To me my children!" After ten minutes hundreds if not thousands of changelings had arrived in the cave and were chattering loudly. The dragon overlooked the creatures. "They will do for now,but if we are to conquer this land we need more". Chrysalis looked offended "We took Canterlot without any real resistance last time, my children are more than enough" the dragon scoffed "Last time Celestia didn't have a massive army of thousands in Canterlot alone, this time, she does. No, we need more allies, Discord perhaps." Syllabus looked shy as she said"Uh master, Discord is loyal to Celestia, he tried to hunt me down and stop me from letting you out" Syllabus said. The dragon looked surprised "Well that won't work then. There must be ponies who are sick of Celestia. Syllabus, you are to disguise yourself and sneak into the nearest prison and look for those who are useful. Chrysalis stay here, I will return from Tartarus soon" Chrysalis nodded and Syllabus left the cave.

Celestia, and Luna were standing in front of hundreds of Royal guards who stood at attention. Seven Wonderbolts stood behind the Princesses, one, in particular, looked very excited, a blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane. Twilight Sparkle stood next to Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. Celestia called for attention, and all faced her. "Princess Luna and I along with our vanguard will depart now. We shall hunt Colossus and Syllabus down and end this problem before it gets out of hand. All guards shall answer to Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight while we are away. Now, attention Captain Rainbow Dash!" The blue Wonderbolt stepped forward with a salute and ordered, "Stand hut! To the sky!" The Wonderbolts launched into the air and circled in the air. Celestia and Luna flew into the air and headed north, the Wonderbolts flying in v formation behind them. Twilight watched as they flew off into the horizon. Cadence looked at her and said, "Don't worry they will be okay, after all, Celestia and Luna together no one would stand a chance." Twilight smiled at her but still felt worried. They are hunting the greatest threat in Equestria's history. Rainbow Dash is with them too. I hope they're careful. She thought. The three of them (with Shining Armor) went into Canterlot Castle. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were waiting inside the throne room. The seven of them chatted for a while until a guard came into the throne room "Princesses someone has stolen something from the treasury" Twilight asked "What was stolen?" The guard looked grim as he answered "The Alicorn Amulet"

"I still don't see why you need me for this" the pink unicorn said as she followed Syllabus up the mountainside. Syllabus sighed "You need to show me how that spell works or more precisely my master" After maybe an hour they reached the cave. The pink unicorn seemed unfazed by the hundreds of changelings. The pink unicorn turned and said "It is simple all you have to do is focus your magic on the cutie mark and enact the spell after that you have that pony's total loyalty". Syllabus looked shocked "That's all?" she asked the pink made responded "Yes it worked on an entire village of ponies when I tried it." Syllabus smiled "Good" then she shot a blast of energy at the mare. He cutie mark came off and was replaced with an equal sign. Syllabus laughed and said "Now we can raise a massive army" A portal opened and the dragon Colossus stepped out of it. Syllabus bowed to her master and informed him of the spell she learned and its effects. The dragon smiled "Good work Syllabus, I have a couple of rewards for your loyalty to me, one" he blasted her with his staff and watched as bat-like wings sprouted from her back, they were dark green like her coat. Syllabus looked startled but thankful. "And second" he pulled out an amulet with an alicorn on it. "This will make your magic far more powerful. With the gifts I have just given you, you will be able to match Celestia or Luna. Now you must build us an army of ponies; I will retrieve my essence from the castle of the two sisters. Once I return I expect to find an army ready to attack Canterlot, don't fail me, also get some magical cannons there is an armory nearby." Syllabus put on the amulet and said, "I shall not fail you my master!" she flew out of the cave as he went through another portal.

Calm

Gary looked around the nearby trees and saw a single phoenix sitting in a nest. Cool looking bird. I wonder how the phoenix came to be, magic most likely. He thought. He returned to the small camp they would be calling home for a while. Two sleeping bags, a supply of plants and their armor was all they took with them when they left Zecora's hut days earlier. Zecora had been teaching Gary his entire life on how to brew like she could, so by the time they had been camping about a day they had brewed dozens of potions. Zecora was cooking dinner, even though it as only early evening. Gary went to lie down by the fire, after a moment he asked "Why do we have to stay out here again?" Zecora looked very irritated as if he had asked this question about twenty times "I told you already, to stay safe and to teach you to survive in the wilderness. It is what we must do" she answered. The same answer as last time I asked. he thought. He rolled over on his back and looked to the first stars appearing in the night sky. "Mom, you think its hard for Princess Luna to arrange the stars and raise the moon?" Zecora thought for a moment before answering "I think she has done it for so long that she doesn't even need to try to make such a beautiful night" Gary nodded satisfied with the answer. After a few minutes more how asked "Why are we camping so close to Canterlot?" Zecora answered "So we can help Twilight and the others if necessary" Again Gary stared at the stars in deep thought. He looked to the moon just coming into the sky and he said "It is such a nice night" Zecora agreed as she gave him a bowl of stew. The two of them began to eat when Celestia, Luna and seven Wonderbolt's flew overhead. They were heading north, towards the mountains. Gary thought Huh? Where are they off to?

Collosus stepped into the castle. The inside was damaged from an ancient battle and dust covered everything. He looked over the inside and said "Now if I was Celestia where would I hide my essence?" He looked around, after a few minutes His eyes fell upon a sun carved onto the wall. He snapped his claws and went to it. He pushed on it and a door opened before him. He stepped into a room with a single glass jar the size of a watermelon sitting on a pedestal. Inside was a dark swirling energy. He grabbed the jar and broke it. The dark energy went into Collosus, his muscles became bulging and solid looking, his eyes glowed like miniature suns and the horns on his head grew longer. "Finally!! I am whole again!!" He yelled to the world. He flew out of the castle and was halfway to the mountain cave that was his base, when someone sucker bucked him in the face. The dragon was knocked from the sky and landed on the ground below very ungracefully, carving a swath the ground and stopping only when he hit a tree. Luna and Celestia landed on the ground near him. Seven Wonderbolts landed in formation behind them. Collosus got to his feet "That was rude you know. If I recall, flying isn't illegal" he said looking annoyed, but surprisingly unhurt for the 100 yards of ground he dug up with his face when he landed. Celestia and Luna stood firm "No it isn't, but your other crimes are reason enough to warrant deadly force. Surrender and go to Tarterus or Luna and I shall destroy you once and for all!" Celestia yelled.The dragon looked mildly amused, like she told a joke that was a little funny five years ago. He lifted his staff and sent a beam of red energy at Celestia. She matched it with her own and Luna added her power to it. The beams collided mid air and made a pulsating ball of energy that exploded between them. That got the Dragons attention and he sent more power blasts at them but together they deflected them. They surrounded themselves in energy and rammed into Collosus who surrounded himself in a similar energy field. They rammed each other back and forth for a minute or so before Celestia and Luna got the upper hoof on him. Together they pushed him into a large tree, but he stamped the ground with the bud of his staff and a strong force push knocked them both back away from him. The Wonderbolts surged forward but he did it again and they were knocked back. Collosus looked worried now as he slowly backed away "You are both stronger than you were when we fought last. I must be going now, I will see you again when my army takes Canterlot. She you soon Princess's " a portal opened behind him and he went through it before they could stop him. Celestia cursed and stomped the ground cracking it spectacularly. Celestia looked absolutely terrifying when she was mad, her eyes swirling with magic power "Sister shall we return to Canterlot?I believe he has just made an ultimatum" Luna said Celestia looked to her younger sister and said "We searched for a week to have him run like a coward, I say its time we slept in our own beds." Luna nodded and they took off flying fast with their Wonderbolt vanguard behind them as they flew towards Canterlot. After flying for an hour they reached Canterlot, the massive shield around the city dropped to allow them access , then it resealed. Luna and Celestia landed on the balcony of the castle that leads to the throne room. They dismissed their vanguard and went to their thrones. Twilight and Cadence were standing in front of a group of guard ponies who were almost hysteric. "The buildings were burned!" Pegasi reporting from Cloudsdayle, they can see them carrying cannons!" "The kingdom is under siege" tired of the arguing Luna stomped and yelled "Be still!" The guards turned to them and saluted. Twilight and Cadence looked relieved. One stepped forward "Princesses , Equestria is under siege, a small farm not far to the west was destroyed and we have spotted hundreds if not thousands ponies armed and marching this way. Hordes of changelings follow them as an aerial guard." Celestia looked grim "Do you have idea how many exactly?" The guard nodded "We believe their numbers are over twenty thousand strong" Celestia was silent so long that Luna spoke for her"Evacuate the civilians through the emergency tunnel, pull up all the reserves and contact Cloudsdayle to send all the Wonderbolts they can spare. We must summon Discord sister" Celestia came out of her silence "Yes, prepare for battle. Reinforce the city" the guards left and Twilight yelled "Discord get out of the window, Luna and Celestia are back!" The stained glass window came to life and sighed. Snapping his fingers he appeared next to Twilight. He stretched his back "Well how was the trip Celestia, Luna?" Celestia dropped her head "When you were gone Discord, your sure you didn't find it?" Discord looked shocked "I would have told you had I found it" Celestia nodded to him"Discord set up traps around the city then report here, it will take all of us to stand a chance. Twilight you have a more important mission, you must go with civilians and keep order. If Canterlot falls with Luna, Cadence and I here you must rule Equestria in our place" Twilight looked offended "No!" Celestia looked surprised "No?" Twilight reiterated "No! I wont let you send me away from the fight, if we all fight together we can beat him!" Celestia looked argumentative but Luna stepped forward " He would kill you Twilight. He would kill us while we would be mourning you, is that what you want?" Twilight seemed unable to answer. "For that matter" Luna continued"Cadence should go as well" Cadence shouted "What!," Luna continued as if she had heard nothing "She is so young compared to us sister and we can coordinate more precise strikes more accurately if it were just the two of us. We stand a better chance of winning if we.. ".BOOOM!! Luna stopped and then said to Celestia "Those shots are from our own cannons, the enemy is here, sister" Celestia shook her head and stomped "Twilight,Cadence you are to go now!" Guards came from another room and flanked them. Celestia and Luna walked past them as the guards escorted Twilight and Cadence to the evacuation tunnel. Celestia and Luna flew into the city and saw as a large army was marching towards the city, magical cannons mounted along Canterlot's wall were firing on the oncoming force. Celestia watched as a barrage of return fire hit the shield and almost made it collapse. This day is not going to be fun Luna thought.

The Battle of Canterlot

"We have to go Mom!" Gary said as he packed their potions into the armored saddlebags they made. Zecora was just stashing away their camping gear in a tree. "I know, I am hurrying" Zecora finished stashing their things and said "Okay little one let us go into battle!but remember if I die just fly away as fast as you can I don't want you getting hurt" Gary ignored this and then picked up Zecora in his talons and flew towards Canterlot, even from the forest they could hear the roar of magical cannons and bolts of lightning as the fighting went into the city. The shield had fallen just minutes before.

"Head to the market Gary, I can see Rainbow Dash, she is surrounded" Gary banked to the left and flew as fast as he could towards Canterlot's shopping district. Rainbow Dash and a dozen other Wonderbolts were fighting a horde of changelings. She spun and bucked one in the head, breaking its neck, but a second bit down on her back. She screamed in agony as the changeling latched itself on. The others were completely surrounded Well, we had a pretty good run. At least I'm going down fighting she thought. Just as she was sure she would die the changeling released. She looks around just in time to see an armored Zecora snap the changelings neck and drop it to the ground. The other changelings were attacking Gary who was spinning his wings like fans cutting the creatures to pieces. Rainbow Dash smiled, then scoffed "You know I had them right where I wanted them, right?" Zecora smirked and Gary rolled over on the ground laughing. The roar of cannon fire erupted over head as royal guards who were positioned on the roof of a department store were exchanging magical cannon fire with ponies on an opposite building. Rainbow Dash looked at Zecora "My squad is going to take out those guns, you guys just keep doing what you just did, be careful" she took off and flew towards the building with the cannons, the other Wonderbolts followed. Gary looked to Zecora and grinned "Right where she wanted them, right?" Zecora laughed and the two of them went on foot looking for more opponents.

Celestia and Luna watched as their city was torn by battle. The civilians had been evacuated but the fighting was still fierce. Twilight and Cadence had tricked their guards and were fighting with the crystal empires forces in the west section of Canterlot, fighting the brunt of the changelings. Outnumbered three to one the royal guards were earning their pay and proving their strength as they held off the larger force of changelings and traitor ponies. Celestia saw as two city blocks erupted in flame and burned as bright as the sun, her sun. She knew he was there before he spoke "Hello my dears. Discord was most rude when he answered the door, I hope you don't mind he's taking a dirt nap." Celestia cringed, then she turned and spread her wings "You will fall this day Collosus" the dragon smiled. "Shall we take this chat to the sky your majesties?" Celestia and Luna flew up and Collosus followed flapping his wings at half the rate of the princesses being over twice their size. Celestia and Luna surrounded themselves in an aura of magical energy. Luna's was blue and Celestia's gold, Collosus did the same but his was a dark, blood like red. They charged each other , each leaving a light trail in the air.

They collided and pushed Collosus back in mid air. The three of them continued to ram each other, from the ground far below all anypony could see was balls of colored light colliding at high altitude. Celestia and Luna closed with Collosus, the aura of all three disappearing as they grappled. After a minute or so of struggle, Celestia was thrown off and she went into a building below, "Celestia!" Luna cried ,but Luna held firm and bucked Collosus hard in the chest which sent him rebounding off a building and into a hotdog stand. Luna shot a magical energy beam from her horn and it hit Collosus in the face. He was knocked aside as the beam burned his face, but he quickly recovered and sent a blast of his own. Luna sent another beam and the blasts collided mid air forming a massive ball of energy between them. A shockwave emanated from the ball which was so powerful it cleared the skies of clouds for miles around and shattered windows in the city below. The ball was in the middle between them and holding as they continued to lock magic beams ,until slowly the red beam of Collosus began getting closer to Luna. Luna put in all her strength but the beam wasn't strong enough to hold back Collosus. The ball of energy was just feet away from Luna when Celestia surrounded in an aura of magic once more rammed into Collosus and sent him sprawling through a guard tower. The distraction was all Luna needed to redirect the ball of magic energy into him as he crashed. The explosion was like that of a nuke as the tower was blown to smithereens.

Cadence blasted another changeling as Twilight healed Shining Armor, he had been bitten on his left hind leg. "Thanks Twi"he said as he lifted his spear in his telekinesis and stabbed a changeling coming behind Twilight. The three of them along with the soldiers of the crystal empire were keeping the changelings from overwhelming the cities west flank. "Good shot Cadence!" Twilight said as she downed another of the creatures. "You have hurt too many of my children, Princesses. You shall pay for ruining my plans" Chrysalis was hovering before them, her insectoid wings keep in her aloft. Cadence,Twilight and Shining Armor turned to face the Changeling queen. "So many of my children have been harmed this day. It is all your fault and you shall pay for your crimes against my children" Chrysalis sent a green energy beam at them ,which Twilight matched mid air. A small ball of energy formed between them which fluctuated with energy. Cadence added her own power to the struggle and the ball of energy was pushed back towards Chrysalis. Meanwhile the fight between Collosus and the princesses was raging above them. "Noooooooo!" Chrysalis yelled as she was overpowered , the beam struck her horn exploding with energy sending her into a wall nearby. Every Changeling in the city screeched and headed towards Twilight and Cadence. Twilight saw hundreds of them converging on them and simply said "Crap" Shining Armor and Cadence both nodded. Crystal soldiers fired magic cannons at the horde and made a wall of shields appear as they came close. A armored griffon flew into the horde slashing out with his wings at the creatures. Twilight was shocked to see Gary , the Griffon she taught to read ancient unicorn runes was in a full suit of armor and fighting like a demon against some of the foulest creatures in Equestria. Zecora landed next to him and began doing amazing fighting techniques, each strike resulting in a dead changeling. Rainbow Dash flew in followed by Gilda who had a spiked mace in her talons. The two of them ripped through the changelings. Two changelings were holding up Chrysalis, they looked to twilight then flew away carrying their queen. Twilight was about to chase them when a huge explosion ripped through the city. All the changelings were flying after their queen. Gilda,Rainbow Dash, Gary and Zecora went to Twilight, Cadence and Shining Armor. Gilda said "Well this has been a blast but I want to see Celestia cream that big lizard" Zecora shook her head "We still have traitors to hunt down. Most of the attackers weren't changelings" Gilda looked argumentative but nodded. They separated and Twilight and Cadence flew to see Celestia and Luna.

Celestia watched as four square blocks were leveled by the blast from Luna. Collosus is rethinking his choices now. If that didn't kill him he will at least consider surrender, the city may fall off the mountain if this continues. She thought. Luna flew up to her "Exelent shot sister" she said Luna blushed and waved a hoof. BOOOOM!!!!!!!

A explosion of magical energy ripped through the city, Collosus flew out of the rubble and yelled "Arrrrrgghhhhh! Syllabus! Aid your master and destroy Luna!" Syllabus, with her bat like wings flew into the air and struck at Luna just as Collosus flew to Celestia. Balls of light once again collided in the sky above Canterlot as Celestia battled Collosus alone and Luna faced off against Syllabus with her amulet. Collosus and Celestia had begun to grapple once more. Celestia attempted to impale him on her horn but he dodged and with a strike of his tail broke her right wing "Aaaaaahhhhhhh!!" She screamed and plummeted to the ground landing on the steps of the castle. She wasn't moving. "CELESTIA!" Luna screamed, Syllabus took the opportunity to strike Luna across the back. Luna fell from the blow and dropped to the ground next to her sister. Celestia had cuts over most of her body from the crash and her wing was bent in such a way that broken was an understatement. Luna hit her head when she landed and was unconscious. Collosus and Syllabus landed in front of them. "I believe that is checkmate Celestia. Now you give me the sun and I will have Luna thrown in Tarterus, but you will still die." Celestia looked to her little sister, Luna opened her eyes as she shook her head. Celestia looked into the dragon's eyes "Never" she said weakly. Collosus looked disappointed. He held up his staff and a ball of multi colored energy appeared at the tip. It grew until it was larger than himself, he pointed it at them and launched it. Luna touched her hoof to her sisters and they faced the blast. At least well go quick and together instead of slow and alone. Celestia thought. She closed her eyes and waited for the hit. BOOOOOM!! She felt the vibration of the explosion but it didn't hit them, Celestia and Luna were lifted off the ground and moved out of the way. When she was set down Celestia opened her eyes she saw a Pegasus stallion standing over her, a black coat covering most of his body. Luna was lying across his back. He put her younger sister down next to her, a look of shock on her face. Celestia noticed he was about as tall as Princess Cadence. The stallion shook his hood from his head, revealing his face. He had a light blue coat with dark blue eyes, and his mane was white and dark blue colored with a pattern that resembled fire. He was as tall as Prince Shining Armor. He had headphones on his ears and Celestia could hear rock music coming from them. He turned from them to look at Collosus and Syllabus, his armored hooves clattered on the ground as walked towards them.

Pegasi and Dragons

Collosus was laughing merrily as the Pegasus walked towards him, the Pegasus was scowling. He stopped just ten feet from the dragon and took off his cloak, he wore an armored chest piece and armored shoes, they were made of black steel. He had black knives on the tips of his wings, and his tail had the same blue fire pattern as his mane. He was wearing saddlebags, he took them off and pulled a black spiked helmet out of them. He put the helmet on and with the spike he resembled an alicorn.

He touched his headphones with his right forehoof and turned it. He took them off and said, "Okay, now I can hear you. Either give up, surrender to the princesses or I'm going to kill you both" his face was totally serious and that fact made Collosus laugh far harder. He was almost keeling over from laughing when finally he stood up, wiping tears from his eyes and said "Really? That is adorable, one of your ponies coming to save the day. How funny Celestia that you let a pony who can't even use magic fight me or more specifically, my most loyal servant." He looked at Syllabus and said, "Syllabus, kill the spare" she nodded and turned to the Pegasus, dropping into a combative stance.

The Pegasus didn't look worried as he stood to face her. Celestia called out "No! Fly away you fool that traitor will kill you!" She tried to stand but she was still hurt and fell back on her side, Luna just looked at the Pegasus stallion an expression of contemplation on her face. He turned to them and said earnestly "Please Princess let me do this for you. I know you care for my welfare and safety as you care for all of us but you need help" Celestia scowled and countered "You have no magic! You stand no chance" the buck chuckled and tapped his headphones saying "I think I'll be just fine" he turned without another word, still chuckling to himself. He put his headphones on and turned them on, an energetic song began playing.

Still chuckling he walked about fifty feet from the princesses and waved a hoof for Syllabus to follow him. She looked at her master and the dragon nodded a confirmation. She trotted over to the Pegasus and went into a combative stance. The Pegasus turned and made a motion with his hoof, clearly conveying the words 'Bring it on'. Syllabus scowled and sent a blast of powerful magic energy at him. Amazingly he jumped over it and barrel rolled mid-air, then he flapped his wings hard propelling him forward fast enough to make Rainbow Dash proud. He reached Syllabus and spinning mid-air bucking her in the side, hard. She was knocked back, caught completely off guard by his speed. She jumped and flew upwards with her bat wings, chasing after the Pegasus. Celestia looked from them to Collosus, he was watching with apt attention. This would be a good time to strike. She thought and she and Luna began healing one another.

Syllabus was flying after the stallion, trying with all her might to blast him out of the sky with lightning bolts. The frustration was evident on her face as the Pegasus dodged every attack without effort, he spun as she tried to charge him and using the blades on his wings chopped off half of her tail. She watched as her tail fell to the ground and screamed in anger. She again tried blasting him with beams of red magic. After missing half a dozen times she surrounded herself in energy and charged him. His eyes widened and he touched his headphones with a hoof, Celestia cried out as the Pegasus erupted into blue flames before her eyes.

He wasn't hurt however, his tail and mane had turned into flowing blue flames. Syllabus rammed into him mid-air and looked shocked as she was pushed back by a powerful magic blast. She dropped her shield and dove as the Pegasus sent a series of fireballs at her. She dodged them and flew upwards ramming into the Pegasus How in the name of Collosus did a Pegasus do that!?! She used her magic to throw him to the ground, she bucked him hard in the wing for good measure, breaking it. He was knocked into the ground about thirty feet from where Celestia and Luna were lying, they were both fully healed. Syllabus charged, intending to kill the Pegasus for severing her tail.

He jumped surprising her and slashed her across the face with the spike on his helmet. The gash went the entire length of her face. She screamed and flew away from him as he took off from the ground in pursuit. His wing appeared fully healed. Celestia thought How is this possible!?! He's a Pegasus, he can't use magic. That didn't stop him however from facing Syllabus head on. The two of them collided mid-air and grappled for a few moments. The Pegasus spun and slapped his tail against the left side of Syllabus's face. She cried out in horrid agony as he face was scorched and her left eye burned out of its socket, leaving a gruesome looking hole. He bucked her right wing and she was knocked to the ground.

Syllabus landed with a thump and was quick to get to her hooves. Her wing was shattered and she was about to heal it when the Pegasus landed just feet from her. He removed his headphones and his mane and tail returned to they're previous state of not being on fire. Celestia stared at the headphones with an expression of curiosity and dawning comprehension. The Pegasus smirked saying "Well, this has been fun and all but, to be honest I'm kinda bored." Syllabus looked like she had been slapped, he continued "And that is nothing against you.......that you're boring me I mean. But the thing is........ yeah you're boring"

Syllabus looked like she was on the verge of a tantrum as she screamed "You insolent cur! I will rip your wings off and feed them to you, I will destroy you!!!" Her horn and hurt wing glowed red as she healed it, when the glow faded the Pegasus put his headphones back on and his mane and tail erupted into flame once more. Syllabus charged and tried to impale him on her horn. He jumped over her and had an easy shot at her back, he didn't strike however he barrel rolled mid-air and drew her further away from Celestia, and Luna. The tactics of the Pegasus confused Luna, she thought Why not strike then? Surely he saw the opening, he did I saw it in his eyes. Luna saw as once more Syllabus left herself open, and the Pegasus didn't strike. Luna's eyes widened as she realized what was going on.

He's toying with her! Celestia realized. She and Luna watched as the two of them continued they're duel, and tried to remember another instance where the Pegasus didn't strike, she remembered several. Syllabus, and the Pegasus closed once more and grappled violently, each bucking the other with enough force to break bones. They disengaged and the Pegasus flew away from her, enticing her to use magic once more. After about a minute and a half of Syllabus trying to blast the Pegasus with magic, she screamed in frustration, and flew straight for Celestia saying "Enough! Celestia will die!!" The eyes of the Pegasus widened as he took off after her. Syllabus was just yards away, and Celestia was about to blast her with the strongest attack she could muster when the Pegasus flew over he and brought all four hooves down on Syllabus's back, breaking her spine. She landed on the ground in front of Luna twitching and said "Sneaky bastard"

The Pegasus took off his headphones, his mane, and tail reverting to normal then he said "Well, that's over then"

Betrayal

Syllabus lay twitching on the ground as Celestia, and Luna stood up and went to stand by the Pegasus stallion. Collosus looked agitated as his gaze lingered on his defeated servant. "You cannot defeat Luna, and I without your henchpony" Celestia said confidently. Collosus ignored Celestia completely, his hard gaze locked on Syllabus. She was shaking in fear as Collosus walked closer to her, he spoke his voice cold and even "You have failed me once more, that's the last straw" Syllabus had tears in her eyes as she tried to speak but Collosus raised a claw silencing her. He raised his staff and Syllabus was lifted magically into the air. He scowled and a marble sized ball of red energy appeared at the tip of his staff. "You're finished Syllabus!" He said as he touched the staff to her horn, she screamed horrifically as her horn shattered into hundreds of small pieces going in every direction. One even cut a small slash against Celestia's face. Collosus dropped his unconscious servant to the ground, and turned to face the princesses, an expression of hatred on his face.

Celestia looked at the Pegasus next to her and said, "You have done you're part, please step aside, and allow us to handle this" the Pegasus looked affronted and his feathers bristled as he said "But your majesty I can help!" Celestia shook her head and was about to explain her reasons when Luna spoke "Sister, we should allow him to assist us" Celestia scowled at her sister but Luna continued without missing a beat "My Pegasus, if you could retrieve the Elements of Harmony from the castle, we could destroy him easily. They are located in the Royal Armory, in the western wing" Celestia smirked as she understood what Luna was doing, the Elements of Harmony were in the Tree of Harmony, miles away. The Pegasus said "I can get them, no problem! I'll be right back!" He flew off' and into the castle through the front doors. Celestia, Luna, and Collosus surrounded themselves in energy, and continued they're battle above Canterlot. Luna, and Celestia were coordinating they're strikes against the dragon, working as a team to destroy him.

Collosus sent a beam of red magic towards Celestia, and she countered it with her own. Luna added her own power to the fray doubling the power of Celestia's magic. Even with the two of them the beams were equal in power, Collosus roared and his magic beam doubled in size, then pushed towards the princesses. No no no! Celestia thought. The beam had almost reached them when the Pegasus returned, he yelled and threw himself into the blast, which exploded the second he touched it. The blast knocked the princesses and Collosus backwards, sending Collosus into a castle wall, and the princesses onto they're haunches. The Pegasus landed on the ground with a sickening crunch, his right wing was ripped to pieces and it looked like all his legs were broken. His armor hadn't survived the attack or his headphones. He was shaking badly, blood began to pool near his shredded wing. Celestia looked where his wing used to be and felt two emotions; sympathy and rage. She was about to go to his aid when two mares came towards him from the city. The first mare, a light green Pegasus with a dark blue, and yellow colored mane and tail. Her tail was braided. She wore a light and dark blue colored scarf around her neck, and had a blue flower clip in her hair. Her cutie mark was a sunflower with a line of music notes wrapping around the stem. The second mare, a white unicorn with an apple red mane, and tail. She wore a black turtleneck, and round rimmed eyeglasses. Her cutie mark was a scroll, and a quill. Both mares went to the injured Pegasus and stopped by his side. The Pegasus hugged him and sobbed, saying "Hold on Cedric! It'll be okay, I swear it will be okay!" She was hysterical and the unicorn was obviously in control of herself, she had her horn glowing as she scanned his body. She said "You need to stop that, you'll hurt him more" she said this in an intelligent voice. The Pegasus mare let him go and scowled at the unicorn saying"But I want to help!" The unicorn sighed as she overlooked his wing. The scene had drawn the princesses attention, even Collosus was watching attentively. The unicorn said "If you want to help him, bring me a radio or another set of headphones to plug into his Ipony. All right?" The Pegasus nodded and flew off, the unicorn's brow was furrowed in concentration as she overlooked the horridly wounded Pegasus. "Going to have to cauterize" she said as her horn glowed, and she wrapped bandages around the cuts on his sides and flanks. A burst of fire came from the end of her horn, creating a steady torch erupting from her horn.

She looked the Pegasus in the eyes and said seriously "Cedric can you hear me?" He slowly nodded, and she continued "This is going to hurt very, very badly. But if I don't do it you'll bleed to death, I need you to hold still" Once more he nodded to her, he looked away from the bloody stump of his wing. She leaned forward and the torrent of flame burned the stump of his wing "Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!" The Pegasus, screamed horridly. After twenty seconds of going back forth over the wound the unicorn ended her spell and went to putting the Pegasus's broken legs in splints. His wing was scorched black, but the bleeding had stopped. Finally the unicorn cast a single spell all over his body, and after tensing for a second the Pegasus, Cedric sighed and closed his eyes, falling asleep. Celestia watched as the unicorn wiped the sweat from her forehead, and lifted him with her magic. She carried him to the doors of the castle, and gently set him down. She turned and scowled, a ball of energy shot from her horn towards Collosus. He was so caught off guard by the change in her demeanor that he didn't react before the magic blasted out his left eyeball. "Aaaahhhh!" He yelled out and gripped his eye socket. "How dare you harm my friend!?!!" The unicorn growled, this broke Celestia, and Luna out of they're stupor. They charged Collosus and struck him before he could attack the unicorn. Luna impaled his other eye with her horn while Celestia conjured a sword out of fire and slashed off his left wing. Again the dragon cried out in pain as the princesses took the opportunity to bring him to his knees. They blasted him with a blast of magic, burning a hole in chest. Collosus fell to the ground, he was dead. Celestia and Luna landed near the unicorn, and the wounded Pegasus Cedric. Just as Celestia was about to ask if she could help heal him, the light green Pegasus mare returned with a pair of headphones in her mouth. She dropped them and the unicorn picked them up off the ground, putting them over Cedric's ears. She plugged them into a small box and pressed the button. Celestia heard music playing, and watched as the small cuts on his body began to slowly heal. Celestia and Luna were amazed but the other two mares looked worried.

The unicorn said "He's weaker than I thought" she turned to Celestia and said "A thousand pardons you're majesties but we need to get him to the hospital, he's very weak. That music isn't enough to heal him, not with wounds like this. Hell, the fact that he's still alive is a miracle, so could you help us?" Celestia eyes went wide, nopony had ever spoken to her in this manner before. She called over some EUP guards and said "Take this Pegasus to the hospital, and his friends. Get the best doctors to tend to him and see to it he is protected. I will be there to see him soon." She watched as they carried Cedric off to the hospital with the two mares following. Celestia thought I need to see what's going on with that stallion. She said music can heal him, it must be complicated magic at work for music to heal his body. Not to mention that flaming hair of his. She mentioned this to Luna, and she agreed. The gears in Celestia's head began to turn as she saw two particular ponies approaching them from the city. Twilight , and Cadence were both trotting towards them with Prince Shining Armor following close behind. Celestia thought, Another test perhaps?

Twilight went to Celestia and asked "Princess, what happened? Is that Pegasus going to be okay?" Celestia nodded and said "Twilight, I have an unusual request for you if you will accept it" Twilight seemed taken aback by this request, considering only minutes before both of them had been in battle. "But Princess, what happened?" Twilight asked. Celestia smiled, and asked "Twilight, do you trust me?" Twilight looked abashed, and replied "Of course I do" Celestia nodded saying "Then can you wait for a proper explanation until you complete this mission for me?" Twilight nodded and Celestia continued "Good. I need you to retrieve somepony for me, and that pony is Doctor Hooves from Ponyville. I need him for an important project" Twilight nodded and asked "When do you need to see him?" Celestia smiled, and answered "Within the hour, I need him A,S,A,P,." Twilight nodded, smiling then said "No problem I can......" her eyes widened and she shrieked, teleporting away. Luna chuckled and asked "What are you planning sister?"

Gary, and Zecora were sitting on a bench at the train station, waiting to catch the first train to Ponyville. Gary's armor was covered in changeling blood, and on top of that pony blood. He looked around the station, he and Zecora were the only ones in the entire station except the ticket pony. Gary's gaze went from the station's interior to his talons, he saw the blood and scratch marks on his armor from the fighting, and suddenly felt sick. He got off the bench, and flew to a nearby trash bin. He began to puke very violently into it, puking his guts out into the bin. As he vomited into the bin his thoughts were on the ponies who had served Collosus, the ones he had killed. He could remember every one of they're faces, and there were dozens. Zecora patted him on the back for several minutes as he continued to vomit violently. After nearly ten minutes he had nothing left to puke, and he managed to stop retching. Gary turned to Zecora, and said "I'm okay........I just got a little lightheaded there" Zecora looked at him skeptically, and he asserted "Really, I'm fine. I'm just tired, I'll be better once we get home" Again Zecora looked at him skeptically but she didn't question it. They went back to they're bench, and sat down, waiting for they're train. The train arrived about half an hour later, and they got aboard. After going to they're car, and taking off their blood stained armor Zecora said, "You can tell me anything you know" Gary hugged her saying, "I know. Don't worry I'm fine" He didn't mean it, but he wasn't about to worry her. After all, shed been through just as much that day as he did. He released her from the embrace, and went to lay down on one of the train beds, trying to get some sleep. Zecora went to another train bed, and tried to do the same. She put her head down on the pillow, and thought, I hope he's okay.

Gary was flying through Canterlot, he turned mid-air, and struck a Changeling in the throat. The creature fell to the ground, writhing as it gasped for breath. Gary landed near a store, overlooking all the ponies he had killed in the battle. He looked from one pony to the next, dread beginning to fill him when all the bodies rose around him. They started speaking, "You killed us!" Gary shouted out "I'm sorry!!" The ponies continued "Collosus enslaved us! Instead of helping you killed us!!" "I didn't know, I swear I didn't know!!!" Gary yelled to the dead ponies around him.

"Monster! Murderer!! Killer!!!" The ponies yelled, and swarmed him, grabbing him. They dragged him into a swirling vortex in the ground, and everything went dark.

Gary woke with a start, and looked around the train car frantically. It was dark outside the train, Zecora was sleeping soundly on her bed. Gary looked out the window, and watched the landscape roll by. He thought What's wrong with me? I am a monster.

Recovery

The doors to the surgery ward of the hospital burst open, and a Pegasus was brought in on a stretcher, carried by two EUP guards. Doctor ponies in surgical shrub followed closely behind them, a light green Pegasus made, and a white unicorn were side by side with the stretcher. They moved the injured Pegasus from the stretcher to an operating table. The EUP guards took the mares out into the waiting room as the surgeon ponies connected IV tubes, and machinery to the wounded Pegasus named Cedric. The green Pegasus was pacing back, and forth through the waiting room, muttering under her breath. The unicorn was sitting on her haunches by the door, reading a magazine on Arcane Sciences. She was about to turn the page when her friend's muttering finally drew her attention, she looked at her, eyes narrowing in irritation she said "I know you're worried but he will be fine! Now please take a seat, and relax. Sunny May you have to have faith in the ponies here, they're professionals." Sunny May sat down on her haunches, and asked "What if they can't help him, Annie? What if they take his headphones off, what if he can never fly again? Oh, I should have never let him do this, I'm such an idiot!" Annie stood up, went over to Sunny May, and hugged her. She said to her, "Stop it Sis. You're not an idiot, and he would have gone without us anyway, then he would have died. I wouldn't have been here to power his wards, we wouldn't have been able to save him. You know how stubborn that buck is, Sunny" Sunny May had tears in her eyes as she nodded, she hugged her sister back saying, "I know, but I love him so much. Why does he have to scare us like this? Were supposed to get married in a few months, what would I do without him Annie?" Annie was silent for just a moment before responding "I don't know what either of us would do. He's one of my best friends, I can't imagine what it would be like without him. But we have to remain calm, we have to trust the surgeons to do they're jobs" Sunny May sniffled, and looking at the door to the operating room asked, "How can you always stay so calm, I can never keep my head straight but you can" Annie smiled at her sister, then answered "Years of practice, Sunny. Years of practice." They stopped hugging, and Sunny May pulled a small mirror, and makeup sponge from a bag on her left flank with her teeth. She set it down on the small table next to her chair, and looked in the mirror. "Ahhh, I look like a mess!" She used her wings to pick up her sponge, and mascara, she began to adjust her make up. She continued speaking "I need to look my best for when he gets out of surgery." Annie held in a laugh as her sister fussed over her makeup. Come on Sunny, you know he thinks you're gorgeous no matter what you're makeup looks like. She thought. The Pegasus continued fretting over her appearance as the next three hours went by in the waiting room.

After reading the Arcane Sciences magazine, Annie gave the waiting room another look. There were posters of various health issues on the wall along with posters proclaiming. You don't have to join the EUP to be a hero! Join the Equestrian Medical Association today! Under the words was a picture of two mares, and a stallion in doctors garb helping a wounded EUP guard on a random battlefield. Annie looked at the poster, and thought If only I could. Her thinking was interrupted when a unicorn surgeon came out of the operating room, the surgeon was a stallion with a brown mane, and tail. He was covered in blood. Annie, and Sunny May got up, and galloped to him. Before either of them spoke he raised a hoof for silence, when they remained silent he spoke, "Don't worry, he will be just fine. We have supplemented that magic music of yours with healing potions, and pain killers. His wounds are mostly healed, all internal wounds have been healed, and only his right foreleg was broken. He has a black eye, but its clearing up" the mares were smiling, and they hugged clearly relieved, this is when the surgeon put a hoof behind his head, and said slowly, " Yes this is good news but, we couldn't do anything for his wing"

The mares turned towards the surgeon, Sunny sat on her haunches, and started crying. Annie asked him "You mean there's nothing you can do for it?" The surgeon looked sorry as he answered "I'm afraid not, he'll never fly again. I'm so sorry" Sunny May continued crying, and Annie just stood there. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence the surgeon said "He's stabilized, if you would like to see him you can. He's tired but I think it would do him a world of good" Both mares perked at his words, and rushed to follow, as he led them to Cedric's room. They went through the hospital, and stopped at a room on the third floor. The surgeon said, "Go inside, he's waiting for you" The surgeon left, and they opened the door to go inside. In the room Cedric was lying in a hospital bed, he had many band aids on him but he was smiling. He was connected to an IV, and the stump of his right wing was wrapped in a plaster cast. His foreleg was in a sling, he had his headphones around his neck. He smiled, and said "Sunny! Annie!" Sunny May flew to him, and wrapped him in a tight hug. He moaned a little in pain but Sunny May didn't release him. Annie trotted up to his bed, and hugged him as well, more gently though, she said, "I'm so sorry about you're wing its my fault, if I hadn't cauterized it...." Cedric cut her off, saying "If you hadn't done that I would have bled to death, like you said. Its not your fault" They released him from the hug, and Sunny May said, "I love you so much, Cedric. Don't ever scare me like that again, okay?" Cedric looked at her saying, "I love you too Sunny" then he looked at the stump of his right wing. He moved the stump back, and forth as he inspected it, he sighed"I can't fly anymore, that dragon clipped me. Did the princesses stop him?" Sunny May nodded, saying "Yes they stopped the dragon, and Annie shot him in the face!" Annie blushed, and nodded, Cedric smiled but his eyes betrayed him. Sunny May looked into his eyes, and saw only sadness. Cedric stopped smiling as he looked at her face, a single tear ran down his face. They both hugged him as he cried, no sounds only silent tears of immeasurable sorrow. He stared at the stump of his wing for a few minutes before wiping his face with his right foreleg, he turned to the door as somepony cleared his throat. "Excuse me but you have more visitors, would it be okay to let them in?" The doctor pony asked. Cedric rubbed his eyes, and nodded. The doctor opened the door, and none other then princess Celestia, and princess Luna strode inside.

Both were out of they're battle armor, they also appeared fully healed. Annie, and Sunny May bowed, Cedric was stuck in the bed so he lowered his head. Celestia smiled kindly as she said, "Rise my little ponies, you need not bow." They stopped bowing, and the princesses sat down near the bed, Celestia continued "What you did today was very brave and likely saved all of Equestria. I have to asked though, how did a Pegasus use magic?" Cedric scratched his head and pointed to Annie, who quickly explained "He didn't actually, the spells he appeared to have used were cloak spells, and wards that I placed around him. I was powering them from where Sunny, and I were hiding" Celestia said "Ah, so the music healing, and flaming hair was actually clever spell work on your part. I see" That's a shame. I thought I had something here. Celestia thought. Annie shook her head, then said "No actually that wasn't me. That's just what's special about Cedric." Celestia's hopes were rekindled when she heard this, she turned to Cedric, and asked "May I examine your damaged wing?" Cedric nodded, then stretched out the stump as far as it would go. The princess's horn glowed as she swept it over the stump. Celestia noticed for the first time that the feathers on his wings were different colors. They were the same color as his coat, light blue on half his wing but the half closer to the tips of his wings got gradually darker until they were dark blue.

She pulled her horn away, as she ended the spell then asked "Why does you're mane, and tail catch fire like that?" Cedric shrugged, replying "I really have no idea, when I listen to music it does that if I really like the song or sometimes when I get really, really mad it sparks but it doesn't catch fire unless I am listening to music." Celestia nodded, Luna spoke for the first time asking "Are there any other changes that come with the flaming hair?" Cedric thought for a few seconds before answering "I can fly faster, and much longer when I'm listening to music or I used to I suppose. It also heals me when I get hurt, it varies on the song, and how bad I'm hurt but this is the first time I've ever needed to go to the doctor" Once again Celestia nodded then asked "Why did you fight?"

Cedric looked shocked at the question, he answered "I will be forever loyal to you, and Equestria. It was the right thing to do." That was just the answer Celestia had hoped for, she called into the hall "Okay Twilight, bring him in" A second later Twilight Sparkle trotted in followed by a brown earth pony with a black mane, tail, and an hour glass for a cutie-mark. Celestia said "Cedric, would you allow Doctor Hooves to examine your wing?" Cedric looked a little surprised but nodded. Doctor Hooves went over to the bed and closely examined the damaged wing, he looked at it from every angle, and wrote down things on a piece of paper on the night stand. After twenty minutes he picked up the paper, and pencil, then put them in a pouch on his right flank. He turned and left the room without a word. Celestia, and Luna stood, Celestia spoke "Thank you again for all your help today. I would like to invite to the castle next week for the victory celebration if you would agree to come, that is" Cedric smiled, saying "Of course! Well be there" Celestia nodded, bid them farewell, and left the room. Luna, and Twilight followed closely behind, leaving Cedric, Sunny May, and Annie in deep confusion.

Celebration

The city of Canterlot looked brilliant in the light of the sunset on the eve of the victory ceremony. Not a single trace of the battle remained in the glorious city after the unicorns used they're magic to begin clean up efforts. The only difference in the city from before, and after the battle was the newly added battle memorial. Across a large multicolored wall of crystal were the names of all those who lost they're lives in the battle, those who were wounded, and a special section for those who didn't have to fight but did so regardless. Syllabus had survived the battle, and was currently awaiting punishment in the Canterlot dungeons under heavy guard, her wounds healed save for her horn.

The ceremony was to be not only a celebration of victory but a remembrance for those who died, and those who were wounded for Equestria.

Medals of honor would also be distributed to those who showed great bravery during the battle. The city was decorated in banners, streamers, and other party favors. The ceremony would be held in the Canterlot ballroom, inside the ballroom a massive stage was set up on one side. On the other side of the room were over a dozen tables lined with apple cider, and snacks of all kinds. Large flags lined the wall from every city in Equestria. Dignitaries from every city in Equestria were present, even representatives from other kingdoms like Yakyakastan, Saddle Arabia, and Griffonstone. A dozen griffons were standing near one of the tables holding drinks, they were looking towards Gary, and Zecora who were talking with Fluttershy. The doors opened, and three ponies trotted in, Cedric, Sunny May, and Annie.

Cedric still had a bandage on the stump of his wing, the stump was less than three inches long a mockery of a true Pegasus wing. He was wearing a tuxedo, Sunny May was wearing a elegant black dress, with matching shoes. She had a golden locket around her neck. Annie was wearing a simple black dress, and was wearing a black hat on her head.

Cedric walked forward towards the cider table flanked by Sunny May, and Annie. Without his armored horseshoes Cedric's hooves were a darker shade of blue than the rest of his legs. The three of them got they're drinks, and tried to enjoy the performance by Sapphire Shores on the other end of the ballroom. Cedric's hair was sparking from the music but not fully ignited. Gary, and Zecora were now speaking adamantly to Doctor Hooves, who had a large flat box strapped to his back. The dignitaries from Griffonstone were watching them with peculiar intensity, one in particular an old griffon woman was staring at Gary with disturbing intensity. The performance ended, and Princess Celestia stepped onto the stage, then went behind a podium set in the center. She called for attention, and the room went silent. "Today we are gathered here to honor those who lost they're lives in the grand battle of Canterlot.

However we are also here to thank those who fought in the battle, and lived, more specifically the hoof full of ponies, and otherwise who could have fled but did not. Even those who traveled from other cities on they're own initiative to assist the EUP guard in holding Canterlot, and in the end defeating Collosus, and saving Equestria from his eternal rule. Let us begin." After this Princess Celestia called name after name, ponies who fought bravely in the battle stepped on stage to accept a medal, and meet each dignitary. "Gary the Griffon" Celestia called, and Gary walked briskly onto the stage. He stopped before the princess, and bowed, she touched her horn to each of his shoulders then said, "For your bravery, and valor I award you with the Lunar Medallion" she placed a medallion with a crescent moon on it around Gary's neck. She continued "And for taking a step further, by saving princess Twilight, princess Cadence, and prince Shining Armor you did Equestria a great service. For that I award you the highest honor I can, the Celestial Ring" she used her magic to place a golden ring on his middle finger, it had Celestia's cutie-mark engraved on it. "Normally, this would be placed on a horn but only minor alterations had to be made for you to wear this. Now go forward, and meet those who have come to honor you" the ponies stomped, the griffons clapped, and Gary walked nimbly to each dignitary then shook their hooves. He went from pony to pony(then yak), greeting the various representatives of Equestria's cities, and other nations. Gary stopped to greet the Griffonstone representatives, he reached out to shake the old Griffon's talons when she hugged him tightly in front of everypony, and griffon, and Zebra. The old griffon's coat was light gray, her feathers a dark blue, and her eyes were yellow. Her beak, and talons were a slightly lighter shade of blue than Gary's. Gary decided it was time to speak "I need an adult, I need an adult!"

Gary said this in such a serious tone that the whole room burst with laughter, the griffon hugging him even started laughing. The old griffon whispered "I knew you'd come back" that confused him, he'd never met her before. She released him from the hug, and he shook talons with the other griffons before returning to his seat next to Zecora in the audience.

Celestia cleared her throat "And finally, we have a very special pony who gave up his wing for princess Luna, and I. A pony who is loyalty personified, a pony who has a gift I've never seen. Cedric, if you could come on stage" she finished, and the crowd cheered as the light blue Pegasus trotted to the stage, and climbed onto it. He walked to the podium, and bowed. Celestia touched her horn to each of his shoulders, and placed a Celestial Medallion around his neck. "Everyone, I give you the Hero of Canterlot!" The crowd cheered, and Cedric shook hooves with each dignitary before heading back to his seat. "Now everypony, let us celebrate our victory!" Celestia shouted merrily, and everypony and griffon left they're seats to begin discussing the nights events, Gary looked smugly at Gilda showing off his ring, and medallion. Gilda was wearing a purple dress that she looked distinctly uncomfortable in. She rolled her eyes, then went to talk with Rainbow Dash. Cedric was sitting in a corner of the room with Sunny May, Annie was speaking adamantly with a gray unicorn at the cider table. Cedric was looking from his wing-stump to the medallion around his neck. The expression on his face revealed Cedric's melancholy, the loss of his wing had deeply wounded him no matter how happy he tried to appear. Sunny May was trying to console him, to little effect. Twilight Sparkle, and pink unicorn with a purple, and turquoise colored mane, and tail walked over to where they were talking.

"Hello" the princess said. Cedric responded "Good evening Princess" After a moment of uncomfortable silence later she said "This is a friend of mine, Starlight Glimmer" she indicated the unicorn next to her who waved. "Nice to meet you, Starlight Glimmer. My names Cedric, and this is Sunny." Cedric replied, "Hello Starlight" Sunny May said quietly. They talked a little about Canterlot society, when Doctor Hooves trotted over to the corner they were speaking in. He stopped, and smiled cordially. "Hello there everypony! You're Cedric right?" He said. Cedric nodded, and Doctor Hooves continued "Excellent! Now old chap I have something I'd like to show you, you seemed a bit sad, and I figured this would cheer you up." He showed the box to them, then turned, and waved a hoof for all of them to follow. At first Cedric wasn't going to follow but just sit in the corner, but Sunny May Nuzzled him, and said. "Come on let's see what's in the box". Reluctantly Cedric stood up, and followed Doctor Hooves. They followed him outside into the castle garden, Doctor Hooves stopped in front of a statue of a pony waving a flag.

He turned, and said, "Okay, Cedric I need to close you're eyes, and not open them until I say. Alright?" Cedric rolled his eyes then nodded, closing them. Doctor Hooves opened the box, and Cedric heard Sunny May gasp. He wondered what made her do that but he kept his eyes shut. Suddenly he felt a very sharp pain in the stump of his right wing eliciting a shutter from him, but he still kept his eyes shut. After a minute or two of pinching, and hisses Doctor Hooves said, "Okay, open your eyes" Cedric did, and looked at his right wing. Attached to the stump of his wing was a wonder, a metal wing exactly like his old one. It was silver, and the detail was amazing, each feather looked completely real. He tried flap pin it and it obeyed his every command, it was just like his old one. He slowly hovered off the ground, he could fly again. His gaze lingered on his new wing for a full minute before he shouted to the heavens above "I CAN FLY AGAIN!!!!" He laughed doing loops in the air, he rushed to the ground, and asked urgently"Sunny, my headphones are in your purse. Can you give them to me?" She nodded smiling brightly, and gave Cedric his headphones. He laughed maniacally, putting them on quickly, and turning them to max volume, then rocketed into the sky. He flew up to the skyline, his mane, and tail erupting into blue flames. He flew faster, and faster back, and forth across the sky over the glorious city of Canterlot. Dozens of ponies including all the princesses, and princes came into the garden to watch, Annie had come out of the ballroom, and stood next to Sunny May, who had tears in her eyes as she watched her true love. He did a series of barrel rolled, and then a massive loop to loop before launching himself upwards. He flew up to an altitude over ten miles over the city before diving straight down, he left a trail of blue fire behind him while flying.

He was plummeting towards the city, he was halfway to the ground, when a cone of air surrounded him, crackling with energy. Sunny May looked at him, and said, "No way!" Cedric was one hundred yard from the ground when a crack like lightning split through the air. From Cedric erupted a sonic boom ringed with blue flames that spread out across the sky over Canterlot. The ponies watching could feel the heat wash over them as Cedric flew through the sky trailing flames behind him. He shouted "Whooooohooooooo!!!!" As he sped through the air, he did one last loop, and flew downward, dropping to his hooves in front of Sunny May, and Annie. Sunny May galloped to him, and hugged him tightly. He looked into her eyes, and she into his ,then they kissed passionately. The crowd cheered, and whooped as the two embraced, Cedric flapped his wings lifting them both off the ground without apparent effort. They hovered twenty or so feet off the ground for a minute or two before slowly drifting back towards the ground. They landed, and by order of Princess the crowd dispersed except for Doctor Hooves, the princesses, and Annie. Princess Celestia said, "I see that your experiment has born fruit Doctor. Very good, Now Cedric I have a question for you that I have saved until you were in high spirits. Did you really think you could defeat Collosus?" Cedric smiled proudly, and replied. "Nope!" Princess Luna stepped in, asking "They why did you say 'If you don't surrender I will kill you both'? " Cedric shrugged " I was bluffing, to be honest I thought I would just dodge them until you two healed. I only did it to buy time. Syllabus was different though, she was overconfident, and slower then me. She just got her wings so she wasn't exactly an adept flyer." Celestia nodded then said, " I want you Cedric, Annie, and Sunny May to meet me in the throne room at the end of the celebration. I have an offer for you." the three of them agreed, then returned to the party to enjoy themselves a little more. Dozens of ponies congratulated Cedric on his new wing, and he didn't mind showing it off to anypony who asked.

Gary was talking to a purple mare at the cider table when the Griffonstone dignitaries walked up to him. The old griffon woman spoke quickly, and urgently. "Meet us outside, and don't let the Zebra follow you" she said 'Zebra' with a tone of distaste. This angered Gary, dignitary or not nopony or griffon spoke about his mother that way. He spat " Whatever you want to say to me you can say to my mother!" he puntuated the sentence with a stomp, which drew Zecora's attention to the conversation. The old griffon's feathers bristled, ash she yelled "But that Zebra is not your mother!! My daughter is your mother, whether she is living or not!!" Zecora heard her words, and galloped over to them, Gary sat down on his haunches so surprised by the news that he couldn't continue standing. Zecora reached them, and said venomously " Get away from my son you old harpy!!" She turned to Gary, and commanded "Lets go, Little One!" Gary didn't move however, he sat there unflinching then said, "Is it true?" Zecora didn't answer, she stood there tapping the floor with a hoof, and staring at the old griffon with anger bordering on seething hatred. The old griffon smirked, then said " Yes its true. I have a picture of your parents, and uncle." she pulled out a picture, and showed it to Gary. Three griffons were standing around a tree next to a straw house on a large branch, the griffon in the middle was a girl with a small griffon cub in her talons. Zecora looked into the eyes of the griffon in the middle, and she instantly flashed back to the day with the hydra. She wouldn't back down however, yelling "Coincidence!! That could be any griffon, and their cub. You are senile, you old dodo!" The old griffon bared her talons at Zecora, as she retorted "You are wrong, he's my grandson stripey!!" The two continued to argue until a large crowd had gathered around them. The two hadn't even noticed when Gary stood up, and walked away. Gary left the ballroom, and flew away. at first he was heading to the Everfree forest but the more he thought about it the more he hated the idea. After flying for a few minutes he decided on a course of action. I'll go home, get all my bits, then leave a note, and fly to Manehatten. He was satisfied with the plan, and had almost reached the hut when somepony tackled him out of the sky. They landed in a jumble on the ground, and by force of reflex, Gary spun, and kicked his attacker in the muzzle. "Ow! Damn it!!" Gary cringed, he just kicked Rainbow Dash in the face. "Oh shit Rainbow, I'm so sorry!" He said quickly. Rainbow Dash scowled and spit a tooth out on the ground with some blood on it. She held a hoof to her muzzle, while the two of them flew into the hut. Gary quickly stirred together a bunch of ingredients and after a few minutes of simmering he poured some in a cup and gave it to Rainbow Dash. She drank it and watched in a small mirror as her tooth regrew, she worked her jaw to make sure it was in the proper position before she spoke "You know running away isn't going to help anything. Zecora was a mess when she realized you left, and that crazy old griffon left with the other dignitaries from Griffonstone." Gary looked at his talons, then said " I know, its just so confusing" Rainbow Dash went to his side and put a hoof on his shoulder, saying "Just talk to Zecora, she will tell you the whole story" Gary scowled and looked right into her eyes "How much do you know about it?" he asked venomously. Rainbow Dash looked at her hooves nervously. "All of it" she admitted reluctantly. She tried to put a hoof on his shoulder but he shrugged her off, then said "Tell me" Rainbow Dash shook her head "Ask Zecora, she will tell you. Zecora will be here in a few hours, I'm heading back to Canterlot" she stood up, and left the hut then flew away. Gary stared at the cauldron in the room contemplating what to do next. Finally he thought allowed, "I'm getting some answers when she gets here"

The Beginning

A twig snapped as Zecora put her front hoof down on the ground, she lifted it and looked at the pod she had smashed. She smiled as she beheld the purple liquid coming from it. She had already filled her saddlebags with a dozen other plants. She began to gather the unbroken pods around it in her saddlebags. "A lovely brew I can make if there are enough pods to take," she said in a poetic voice. She filled her bags with over twenty of the alien pods and was lifting one in her mouth when she heard a scream rip its way through the Everfree forest. Zecora dropped the pod and ran in the direction of the scream. She galloped as fast as she could and was turning around a tree when she saw a massive green hydra standing in the center of a ring of large trees.

Three Griffons were trying to get away from it. Zecora watched in horror as one head snapped a griffon out of the air, she watched the severed wing fly into a tree. A griffon with a small bundle in her talons tried running on foot away from the hydra but it swung its tail and smashed the griffons back, she fell to the ground screeching. The last griffon yelled and dove for her, but the hydra saw him move and bit the griffon in half. Zecora nearly puked a little as she saw his hindquarters fall to the ground. The Hydra turned to the last griffon; all four heads hissed with hatred, Zecora couldn't watch anymore. She charged into the ring of trees and with a smooth motion she spun and threw her saddlebags right into the mouth of one of the heads. The hydras other heads roared as purple foam spilled from the mouth of one head. The Hydra ran in the direction of Froggy Bottom Bog, screeching in pain. Zecora watched for only a moment before going to the wounded griffon. "I'm not going to make it, I can feel myself slipping away, " the griffon told Zecora in a weak voice "Please. Take my son and keep him safe, please" Zecora looked to the bundle of cloth in the griffons talons and saw the face of a griffon cub with black feathers on his head, his eyes were blue, and his hind legs had black fur. He had dark blue leopard spots all over his hind legs. He head dark blue and black feathers on his ears that pointed backwards from his head. The spots were also on his tail. His tail was black and was dark blue on the end, his beak and talons were dark blue. Remarkably after a few moments, he went back to sleep. "Please, will you care for him?" Zecora looked into the eyes of the griffon and said, " Worry not for I shall protect him, even if his future seems dim" the Griffon smiled and closed her eyes for the last time. Zecora lifted the bundle in her mouth and began trotting back to her hut when she stopped and looked at the griffon.

A tear ran down her face as Zecora went to the body and set the cub down. She dug a hole and buried the mother and what was left of the others. She picked up the bundle again and started trotting for her hut. She arrived about ten minutes later and opened the door, she trotted inside and set the bundle down on the bed. The griffon rolled over and started sucking on of one his talons. She looked at him with enough sadness to make a dragon weep. " I'm so sorry little one, but life isn't always fun." She thought for a moment and said, " I must go to Ponyville to get things for you, but how to carry you?" She looked around the hut and found the parts she needed to make a carriage for the griffon. After putting it together, she picked up the griffon cub and placed him in the carriage. She put on new saddlebags and pushed the carriage out the door and started walking to Ponyville. She looked at the cub and smiled; he was still sucking his talon. " I will bring you Twilight so I can find you a proper name; it must be a good one without shame" She kept pushing the carriage along the path and an hour later she could see Ponyville.

She just got into town when a bouncing Pinkie Pie came up to her. " Hiya Zecora what's in the carr........ Oh...my...gosh!!!! He's adorable! Where did you get him? Are you babysitting? Can I play with him?" She pleaded Zecora caught Pinkie by the shoulders to stop her bouncing as much as to get her attention"Not now my friend, to other matters I must attend. Where is Twilight I must see her before tonight" Pinkies smile faded then instantly returned " Please, he's adorable!!" Zecora looked stern "Pinkie Pie...." Pinkie frowned but relented "Fine, but I'm playing with that cub one day, Twilight is at the library, they just got it rebuilt!" She went to the carriage and whispered to the cub "Bye bye cutie I'll see you at the library in a few minutes!" Pinkie went bouncing away singing "Smile, smile, smile!" Zecora watched her until she went around the corner then hurried through town to the library. She stopped to get the cub a bottle of milk from Mr. and Mrs. Cake before continuing to the library. After a few minutes, the library came into view. She saw Twilight fly out a window and bank towards her. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy trotted from inside the library with expressions of glee. Twilight landed next to her and said quickly "So Pinkie wasn't kidding you do have a griffon cub...... What's wrong Zecora" Zecora had a look of sadness on her face and tears in her eyes. "Twilight we must talk elsewhere, his story is not for all to hear" Twilight nodded as Pinkie and Fluttershy came to the carriage and were adoring the cub. "Come on Zecora, well go to the castle," Twilight said. Zecora pushed the carriage after Twilight as the four of them walked towards Twilight's castle. They arrived a few minutes later. Twilight pushed the door open, and they walked inside, they walked into a room with a large map table. Twilight flapped her wings and Fluttershy asked Zecora "What happened Zecora, why do you have a griffon cub?" Pinkie jumped in "And why can't I play with him?" Zecora shook her head picked up the griffon cub and sat down with him in her forehooves. The others sat down as well. Zecora sighed "I was walking through the forest collecting herbs......" Twenty minutes later Zecora finished telling the story. 'Pinkie's hair had long since deflated, Fluttershy was crying, and Twilight just sat there, unable to respond"What are you going to do Zecora?" Fluttershy asked. Zecora looked at her "I will do as I promised and took care of this cub, it is better that way for all." She looked at Twilight "I have never cared for a cub before, could I borrow some books, I do not wish to do poorly." That seemed to bring Twilight out of her stupor. She got up and pulled several books from the shelves then she put them in Zecora's saddlebags and walked her out while Pinkie and Fluttershy were explaining the situation to Rainbow Dash, who flew into the room near the end of her story, she floated silently, wide-eyed as Pinkie explained. Twilight hugged Zecora and said, "I could write to Celestia if you want" Zecora shook her head. Twilight nodded "Well if you need any help just tell us and we'll be there" "Yeah!"Pinkie agreed "Totally!" Rainbow agreed too, as did Fluttershy with a nod, she was still crying. Zecora nodded and pushed the carriage back through the market; many ponies stopped to see the cub, but Zecora shooed them away. She bought everything she needed from the stalls and went back to her hut in the forest. She arrived and fed the cub and put him in a small bed she built and tucked him in. She then picked up a book Twilight gave her. Bygone Griffons of Greatness. She looked through it and came to a chapter about the seventh griffon king, King Gary. He looked remarkably like the cub she now cared for. She laid down on her bed and said, "Gary, it is a good name." she smiled at the griffon. She put her head on her pillow and closed her eyes. Her ears perked at a sound; then something climbed on her bed. She looked and saw the griffon, he curled up next to her side and went to sleep. Zecora smiled and went to sleep herself.

She awoke the next morning and felt the weight of the small griffon next to her, she yawned and looked down at his face. He was sucking on his talon, Zecora lifted herself off the bed very slowly so she didn't wake him up. She tip-hoofed away from the bed, until she reached the cauldron. She then began putting various ingredients into the large pot and stirred them up inside. She began to hum a tune when a loud shriek made her start. She looked around and saw Gary the griffon rolled up in the blanket and lying on the floor by her bed, he had his head sticking out but only one of his ears. He started crying loudly. She picked him up and thought this is going to be very difficult.

Five Years later

Zecora was stirring a pot full of plants when a small griffon flew in the window and landed on the table, he held a plant in his talons. "Mama, I found the plant we needed!" Zecora smiled "It appears you found the plant to brew, now drop it in the stew" the small griffon flew to the cauldron and dropped the plants into the stew. "Excellent little one, now breakfast has begun" she scooped up some in a bowl and passed it to him. Gary took it in his talons ,then he picked up a spoon and started eating. Zecora also got a bowl and started eating as well. "Mama what are you doing?" Gary asked. Zecora had finished eating and was now balancing on a bamboo poll, her legs were straight up and her forelegs were together in a meditation type way. Zecora looked at him and said "I am practicing my Fallen Caesar style fighting technique, you wouldn't recognize it, it is quite unique" the young griffon watched as she bent her back spectacularly until it was a perfect 90 degree angle. He slurped up the last of his stew and wiped his beak. "Can you teach me to do that, Mama?" He asked. Zecora looked at the griffon with a curious look. She put her hoof to her muzzle thoughtfully. Gary looked to her with his eyes wide and Zecora said with a smile "Alright little one I will teach you Fallen Caesar Style, but be warned, it will be hard and will take a long while" Gary jumped into Zecora's forelegs, which made her dismount off the poll and she hugged him. A knock at the door interrupted their hug and Zecora went to get the door.

The second the door opened the cannon went off. Confetti, streamers and candy flew everywhere, a cake the size of three ponies rolled through the door followed by a bouncing Pinkie Pie who began to sing "Happy, happy birthday from all of us to you!!!" Pinkie continued to sing while Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight, Applejack and Rainbow Dash trotted in carrying presents. Zecora turned to Gary with a smile and said "Happy birthday young one, this day shall be very fun" Gary smiled as the music started playing.

Princess Celestia was walking back and forth across the throne room. Prince Shining Armor was standing in front of a stained glass window with Discord on it. The mischievous sprirt was sitting in a hammock and tapping his one hoof on the head of a pony in the stained glass window he was in. "Come out of there Discord, the princess wants to talk to you when your not in a hammock and made of glass" Shining Armor told the mirror. The glass depiction of Discord sighed "Ugh, can't you let me enjoy my nap?" "No Discord come out now!" Shining Armor said forcibly. Discord snapped his fingers and he appeared next to Celestia. When not in the window he was much taller than Celestia. With a deep bow he said "What do you require of me dear Princess Celestia? As you know I'm always ready to help friends" Shining Armor made a sound of disbelief. Discord scowled and snapped his fingers. A thick piece of duct tape appeared on Shining Armor's muzzle. "Ugh" he mumbled through the tape and he started rolling around on the floor to get the tape off his face. Celestia looked at Discord with disapproval. A huge grin was on his face "Oh come on that's funny, look at him!Hahahaha!" Celestia laughed a little but pointed a hoof at the prince and said "Discord.."Discord's grin faded and he snapped his fingers and the tape went away. "Thanks Princess" Shining Armor said. Discord looked to Celestia "Well, what is it you need Princess?" Celestia turned away and said "Discord an old enemy of mine has escaped from Tarterus, this one is not like Tirek, she is not powerful in magic or very strong but she is a threat beyond any we've faced. Her name is Syllabus and she holds the power to release a monster beyond my ability to defeat. She is the only one who can release the dragon Collosus" Discord's face immediately went serious "You mean the Collosus who once tried to destroy Equestria and the lands beyond with the darkest magics conceivable?" Celestia nodded. Discord was rubbing his chin in deep thought for almost a minute before asking "Is he in Tarterus as well?" Celestia shook her head "No. He is imprisoned the same way you were. Luna and I used the Elements of Harmony to turn him to stone but his case was different. In order for the imprisonment to work for long periods a magical key had to be made to lock him in the stone. The key was made from his magical staff. The six power cores were removed from the staff. The staff itself is here in the royal treasury, but the power cores are hidden across Equestria and only Syllabus knows where they are. Discord you must stop her from finding them and from getting the staff" Discord nodded "But why does she know where they are?" Celestia looked angrily at the wall. "Because I was foolish enough to trust her with the secrets. After I banished Nightmare Moon to the moon, I needed another pony to monitor the cores at night. She was my trusted adviser and ...my friend" she had tears in her eyes as she spoke"I thought I could trust her with my life but one night she broke into the treasury and stole the staff. She had five of the cores by the time I stopped her. You have to find her and throw her back into Tarterus. She has a dark green coat,light blue mane with a short tail,finally she has a star for a cutie mark" Discord was about to respond when Shining Armor interrupted "Princess you can't trust him after what happened with Tirek! He betrayed us, I don't trust him with catching a stray dog much less Syllabus. Let me go instead." Discord scowled "How dare you! I would never betray you and you know it! Tirek tricked me, I won't make that mistake again" Shining Armor looked skeptical but Celestia continued as if she didn't hear either of them. "Go now Discord, you must stop her" Discord bowed and with a snap of his fingers disappeared. Shining Armor said "Princess......." Celestia silenced him with a look and said "I trust Discord and that is final!" He looked argumentative but remained silent. Celestia walked to the largest window that overlooked the glorious city of Canterlot. I will not allow my city and my kingdom fall. It was too close last time, you must hurry Discord! She thought as she watched her subjects move about the city, unaware of any danger. She looked over the glorious city for a few minutes longer then she returned to her throne and sat down. Luna came into the room and hugged her sister "Its alright sister. Everything will be fine" Celestia looked to her thankfully "Thank you Luna but I worry still, do you think Discord can stop her? She may not be strong but she is very smart, she might outsmart him" Luna sighed "I'm sure Discord can handle her don't worry" the two went back to the window and overlooked the city once more. Celestia sat in deep thought hoping her worry was for naught.