Rise of the Golden Guardian

The next morning, Nick woke up to find himself alone in the bedroom, and the whole house, he went to Ponyville, to see if Octavia and the rest were there. Not a single pony around, it was quiet...TOO quiet. Then all of the sudden, a HAND grabbed him around the neck, picked him up, and started squeezing.

"In-The-Nick-Of-Time Braveheart? That's your name, isn't it? It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard...", smiled a cold, dark voice.

"Tirek...", he groaned, struggling for air.

"Let him go!", Octavia cried, chained to the ground, along with everyone else in Ponyville.

"I've heard so much about you, but you're a lot more pathetic looking in person. Perhaps I could let you live, you don't look like much of a threat, but then again, I'm not taking any chances! For this time, I will succeed in my quest to dominate Equestria, and then, the world!", Tirek laughed, squeezing Nick all the more, until he saw the snow caps, which about 5000 miles away.

He smiled a cold smile, "Ever been skiing, Braveheart? No? Off you go then!" He tossed him towards the snow caps with such force, there was no doubt about whether he made it.

"DAD!", screamed Ananasrenette, as she watched her father fly through the sky.

Nick had blacked out on his way to the snow caps, but he still felt the pain on impact. He hit so hard it knocked his leg out of joint, and left a bruise on his head.

"Braveheart...Mommy's Little Braveheart. You must get up!", said a voice Nick hadn't heard for almost 20 years.

"Oh dear, he might be done for, honey!", said another familiar voice.

"No, he's stronger than this, I know he is.", retorted the first voice.

"Nick opened his eyes, "Ma...Pa...I must be dead..."

"Almost, but Fate has given you a choice, to go back and save Equestria and your family, or to die and give up.", Mrs. Apple, who was glowing, said.

"Well, there's no point in me going back, I couldn't even save you...", he sighed, setting himself up.

"Nick, son, you did your best.", Mr. Apple smiled, also glowing, putting a hoof on his shoulder.

"My best wasn't good enough, I'm a screwup! That will never change! It was my fault you died, just like...I should have gone with Rachel, to protect her...it's all my fault...", Nick sobbed, curling up into a little ball.

"Braveheart...it wasn't your fault...", Mrs. Apple sighed, stroking his fur, "We should have listened to you when you told us not to go to the dark side of the orchard. I'm so, so sorry, Braveheart."

"My Dearest Braveheart!", Rachel exclaimed, charging him with a flying hug, "What happened?"

"Tirek got me.", he sighed.

"You must go back! You can't let your family down! That would let me down!", she screamed.

"What's the point?! Tell me that! Even if I did get back to Ponyville, I couldn't do anything!", Nick hollered, tears streaming his face.

"My Dearest, you sell yourself short too much! You're much more than you think! You were a great husband, and a great father! Please, don't give up on Ananasrenette, you're giving up on me if you do...please..."

Nick sighed, "I'll try, but I won't be able to do much..."

"Tell Applebloom we said hi!", Mr. Apple beamed, hugging his son.

"Braveheart, no matter what happens, we still love you for what you are.", Mrs. Apple smiled, kissing his forehead.

"Ma...before I go...what am I? I'm just a Luck Dragon, there's not much to say about me.", Nick asked.

Mrs. Apple took him in her arms, "Oh, Braveheart! You're many things. You're kind and compassionate to your family, you love everyone around you, you're smart and funny, and perseverant, but most importantly, you're you! Farewell, Mommy's Little Braveheart!"

Nick walked over to Rachel, "I guess this is it...", he sighed.

"Dearest, I will always love you, take this with you...", she smiled, kissing his snout.

Nick woke up buried in the snow, he climbed out, his leg bent out of joint. He was angry, and one look at his leg ticked him off. He slapped it back into joint, and spread out his wings and took off like a rocket, faster than 50 sonic rainbooms!

Meanwhile in Ponyville, everyone sat in cages sobbing, while Tirek prepared for global domination.

Pinkie then saw a twinkle in the sky.

"Look! The first star of the night! Make a wish!", she sighed.

Everyone wished for the same thing, Nick to come back.

All of the sudden, Tirek went flying, carried by a golden flash, up to the sun, where he was never seen again!

The Golden Flash came back down, slowing as it descended. The cages disappeared, allowing every to stare in shock and awe at the sight before them. It was Nick, but he was no longer the fluffy, white Luck Dragon everyone loved, he was now a fluffy gold, with feathered wings, a long tail with a sharp end, and two horns on the side of his head, and one in the middle of his forehead, he wore a crown with a star on it.

"Dad?", Ananasrenette shivered, afraid of the figure, who looked similar to her father.

"Ananasrenette, it's me!", smiled Nick, putting his golden, feathered wings around her.

Everyone cheered.