Anger from the Shadows

by xgenwolf99

Rating: teen
Tags: Spike, Adventure, Flash Sentry, Twilight Sparkle, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Other, Original Character
Length: 8577

A shadow dragon named Spiritus learns of the new Dragon Lord and goes on a quest to overthrow her by killing her. He ends up failing because he is killed by the Lumen Tenebrae, a weapon created by Starswirl, only for it to be defeated.

Away for many years, a dragon born away from the Dragonlands learns of the new Dragon Lord. Upon hearing of the name, he feels like the Dragon Lord was of power and strength. He was mistaken.

Full of vengeance and blinded by rage, Spiritus tries to replace Ember as Dragon Lord. Now, the order of the Dragonlands is threatened by this one dragon. How much trouble can one dragon cause anyways?

Published 2016-07-22 03:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-07-22 03:10:02 UTC

Killing for Fun

A normal day was what the ponies of Canterlot would've wanted. With Celestia and Luna out on diplomatic duties and Twilight in Ponyville at the moment, the guards were the only defenses.

"Just got back from patrolling the gardens. Anything out of place here?" One guard said to another.

"Everything is fine. Just 'cause Celestia is gone don't mean the world is going to end."

Shadows surrounded the two guard ponies. A bipedal cloaked figure was seen closing his hand into a fist. His hand was surrounded by the same shadow. Upon closing it, the two were seized by shadows and dropped their weapons. Before they could say anything, the figure let out a black fireball. The two were killed instantly. More guards came to inspect the damage. The figure jumped the first one he saw and stabbed his claw straight into his neck. Bringing it out, he splattered the blood onto two other ones; temporarily blinding them. Another black fireball was shot out and blew one of the guard's head clean off.

"Banish from this Earth!" A guard stabbed his spear into the figures chest. Blood slowly came out but the figure threw his cloak onto the guard revealing a dragon.

"What's a dragon doing here?" The guard captain said. "Sound the bells. We must evacuate as much as we --

The dragon stabbed his claw straight into his eyes. Then, using his other claw, slashed his throat. The other guards ran in fear as the dragon spewed flames into the garden. The fire slowly spread, turning the vibrant green into a scorched black. He walked into the castle and proceeded to burn everything in sight. From the tapestries of Celestia to the pillars that weren't connected to the roof. Priceless statues and glasswork destroyed by simple movements of the claw. The interior guards were no match either. Those that attacked, died. Some were spared a gruesome death just by losing their head or getting stabbed. Others had the honor losing two or more of their legs. The dragon left one of them to bleed out, all four limbs off and his own spear stabbed into his lower torso. The blood of his friends was used to paint the halls red. The word left behind, slowly drying, read Spiritus.

"Get word to Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight." Another guard captain said. "We require additional aid. Dragon attacking. Squad Delta, get the citizens to the caves beneath Canterlot. It's the only safe location."

The guards followed the orders. Breaking down doors and funneling the ponies through the street. Donut Joe was dropping his donuts left and right as he was forced from his store. The bakers and boutique owners were separated from the other ponies. The captain looked at the remains of the castle. It was consumed with growing black flames and holes were everywhere. The dragon could be seen flying through the sky, spreading his flames across the buildings. Flying in the sky, he changed his direction and headed for the civilians' path. The captain ran towards them but got there too late. Upon arrival, the dragon was just finishing off the last civilian. The guards lay lifeless around the street, one impaled on a broken window. Civilians were unrecognizable. Their bodies were scorched to the bone and the color and life was gone. The dragon looked at the guard captain. His red eyes, surrounded by a dark flame, were etched into the captain's memory.

"I think I'll let you live." The dragon said. "You'll get the fun part. You continue to live but watch everyone else die; unable to stop me." He flew off towards the skilled workers (bakers, boutique owners, artisans, etc.). The captain knew he was right, but followed after him.

"If anyone can hear me," the captain yelled. "Disperse. He can't kill everypony if we are far away from another. All guards, scatter." It was his last effort to save some lives.

Every direction he ran, nothing but corpses. Walls were paved in blood and shadows. The sun started to set and death was everywhere. Some guards were left to bleed out, spears stabbed into them, helmets used to hold blood. The captain couldn't hold tears forever. He decided to get to the caves and see if anypony survived. There were some civilians and a hooffull of guards. "Did you see any other guards on your way here?" the captain asked.

"I'm sorry." One answered. "We went after civilians but came up with only a few. Thankfully some medical staff were left alive. I put them to work, but --

"We must remain hidden as long as possible." The captain said. "If we are to survive, we mustn't draw attention to ourselves. That dragon must be terminated. Do we still have the weapon?"

"Sir, you can't possible be talking about --

"Do we have it?"

A long time ago, Celestia and Luna feared that dragons would attack them. Starwirl the Bearded was told to create a spell to prevent it but thought that it wouldn't be enough. "To defeat a dragon requires something more than magic" he'd say to the princesses. Starswirl decided to take the plan up to another level. With the help of the blacksmith Hayphaestus, he created a sword that could penetrate through a dragon. The magic was imbued to protect one from the fires they could spread. It was known as "Lumen Tenebrae". It could take the light or darkness from the wielder's soul and transform it into an aura surrounding the blade. In order to properly use it, one needed to be balanced in their mind and soul. Celestia had it sealed away not only for its power but also for the requirements to wield it. If one wasn't strong enough, it would use the aura and burn the user's life force.

The dragon flew towards the waterfall coming from the mountain. Inside the cave, he saw something glimmering. Walking closer he saw a blade locked away by a field of magic. He pulled a stone from his coat pocket and threw it at the field. A rune appeared and dispelled the field. "Lumen Tenebrae," he said. "I thought it was only a legend. Good job concealing it Celestia." He grabbed it and the blade was surrounded by a black aura. "Now, let's see how powerful this blade is." With a single motion, the blade let out a wave of dark magic and sliced the waterfall in half. Even though it formed together, a layer of dark magic remained on the top layer.

He flew out the mountain and held it in the sky. "For the dragons of ancient past," he said. "I fight for thee. I kill for thee. I wield the Lumen Tenebrae and nopony or dragon will stop me. I thank you, Starswirl the Bearded. You've allowed me to end your species and take over the Dragonlands." Another aura was swallowed by the sword. It burst into the sky and spread a layer of darkness over Canterlot.

"I pray that Princess Twilight will help us." The captain said. "She may be the only one to have any chance."

Adapting

Ponyville was already aware of the situation unfolding in Canterlot. Two guards had made it to Twilight and started the evacuation process. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy took the Pegasi to Cloudsdale, Rarity and the Unicorns were well on their way to Manehattan, and Pinkie and AJ took the Earth Ponies into the forest to hide in the Everfree Forest. Zecora was to aid in the supplies for the Earth Ponies. Twilight was in her castle, looking through ways to defeat a dragon of any kind. Sadly, the library was lacking any knowledge of dragons.

"I knew Ember wouldn't have answered my letter asking about how to kill a dragon." Twilight said. "She probably thought I'd use it for other reasons."

A guard ran into the castle. "Princess Twilight, Canterlot is burning even faster. We haven't received any word of surviving soldiers. We can only assume they made it into the caves beneath the city."

"Thank you guard." Twilight walked out with the guard. "How is the evacuation going?"

The city was almost desolate. Doors were wide open as if ponies were dragged out. Toys were left on the ground and newspapers were blowing through the wind. The schoolhouse was empty. Desks still in place, doors open, playground equipment moving without a pony nearby. The Cakes shop had an unfinished cake left on the counter. The crib was unlocked and the toy chest was open. The spa tables and supplies were still out. The bath was just about to be cleaned. Twilight and the guard walked through the streets to make sure nopony was left behind. The sky over Ponyville started to turn into black and a figure flew over. In one hand was what looked like a blade, the other had some flame around it.

"What is that?" The guard said, squinting at the sky. "It looks like some sort of -

"It's the dragon." Twilight said. "Run."

The figure flew towards the couple. They ran through the empty town as the figure had trouble hunting them. Each turn brought more trouble to him as he dodged them. The guard turned around, spear in hoof, and looked at his opponent still coming. He was getting ready to fight.

"Go Princess, I will hold this foe off."

"No," Twilight said. "We need you alive."

"Get the word to Princess Cadence. We need all the forces we can get." Twilight ran through the streets. The guard had his spear raised. "You will fall Dragon."

The figure flew right passed him but paused. He concealed the Lumen Tenebrae. The guard's head fell clean off. "You will not stop me. Nopony will."

The dragon continued his flight after Twilight. She was getting too tired to carry on, but kept running anyways. The shadow over Canterlot started to envelop Ponyville as well. Twilight tried to shoot at him with magic. He was pushed backwards, but only for a moment. Sucking in air, he shot out his own flame to try and hit her. She teleported away, but to a location far from Ponyville. Nothing to stop him, he flew into the air and forced magic through the blade. On top of the blade, a ball of dark magic was growing larger with every second. After three minutes, the orb became the size of Cerberus. With a single thrust, he threw it beneath him. The blast blew him higher in the air and smoke covered the town. Once it settled, all that was left of Ponyville was a large crater with black flames dying slowly.

"Destruction at its finest." Spiritus said. "Next, the Dragonlands; once I figure out where that is exactly."

Outside of the Crystal Empire

Twilight resurfaced outside and fell to the ground. Her magic hadn't been used in a rush like that before so she collapsed from exhaustion. Before closing her eyes, two pony outlines walked over her. She could feel her body moving but didn't know to where she was being taken. When she woke up, she found herself inside the royal castle. A guard stood over her, his left eye scarred. His body looked weak, but he stood strong.

"I'm glad to finally meet with you Princess Twilight." the guard said. "Sorry to skip introductions. My name is Armis Ignis, 2nd Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard."

"I've heard the name but no very little." Twilight said. "How did you get your name?"

"I was given this name through training in the guard. My spirit was as strong as fire and was one of the best soldiers, besides Shining Armor. It's a shame that Shining Armor has become weaker. He was a fine warrior."

"Shining Armor is my brother, do not speak ill of him."

"I'm sorry." Ignis said. "I came from the caves beneath Canterlot to rendezvous here with Cadence. I was able to secure some of the civilians and procure some supplies but we ran low. So, we escaped and took the nearest train to get here. Cadence has been a gem with ponitarian efforts. The refugees are the ones who found you. I've been stationed here for the time being."

"If you were at Canterlot, did you see it fall? Did you see the dragon?"

"Sadly, yes." Ignis sat next to her. "He now wields the Lumen Tenebrae, the weapon to kill dragons with ease. It was first created by Starswirl and is powered by one's purity and impurity."

Twilight gasped. "I thought it was only a myth. We must raise an army as soon as possible."

"I've tried to convince Cadence, but she wouldn't see reason." Ignis said. "With you here, she may see need for an army." He stretched a hoof out for her.

She grabbed it and they walked down the corridor. At every door there were two guards stationed. In front of the throne room were two larger guards. They were armored from head to hoof, all except for their eyes. The armor upon them was of pure black obsidian and chain armor made from black steel. In their hooves were a halberd for each of them, made from diamonds. Twilight and Ignis walked closer to them.

"Halt," they said. "What business do you have with the Princess?" Their halberds blocked the entrance.

"I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, I wish to speak with my sister-in-law."

"She is much too busy to speak about such trivial matters. Come back later."

Ignis stepped in front of the guards. "I am Armis Ignis, 2nd Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. You will --

"You hold no jurisdiction here. Come back later."

"If we come back, you will all be dead." Ignis said. "There is a dragon who is wielding Lumen Tenebrae. Canterlot is enveloped in darkness and Ponyville may be in worse condition. You are soldiers. You should understand what we is necessary."

"If you are talking about raising an army, that is a fool's move." A guard behind the duo said. "Cadence is focused on a standing army protecting the Crystal Empire. She won't send any forces to help Ponyville unless she has enough to protect us."

The two turned around. "Flash Sentry." Twilight said, hugging him.

"It's good to see you to Twilight." He said. "As for your army, I've tried to get Cadence to get an army. To be honest, I just got back from my scouting party headed for Ponyville. The news isn't great."

"What happened to it?" Both Ignis and Twilight said.

"All that is left of Ponyville is a large crater. No sign of life is left."

Twilight fell to the ground, tears streaming down her face. To know her home was destroyed, was unimaginable. Celestia was still off somewhere in Equestria and Twilight was separated from her friends. Starlight Glimmer was on a friendship mission and Spike was still with Ember. Ignis held his tears back. He walked closer to the guards, but pushed them aside and opened the door. Inside Cadence was getting her royal hairstyle done again.

"This is what you've been doing." Ignis said. "Altering your appearance. Ponies are in danger and the dragons are the only hope now. We need an army and communication with them. Why have you not been doing that?"

"I am to keep the ponies in the Crystal Empire calm." Cadence said. "I want you out of here, now."

"You can have more." Ignis threw his helmet off. "I hereby resign my emblem and my rank. No longer will I fight for Canterlot or royalty. I will deal with this dragon on my own." Ignis stormed out of the castle. Flash Sentry and Twilight followed after him.

"Stop." Flash said. "Don't be a fool. That dragon will kill --

"That dragon will kill everyone in Equestria if nopony stops him." Ignis said. "You're still young, but you have to act at some point. I'm taking matters into my own hooves right now. I will do my best to fight for Equestria." Ignis teleported in an instant.

"He can't do it alone." Flash said.

"I know." Twilight pulled out a parchment and pen. "Princess Ember, once you get this letter you must move to a safer location..."

In the Dragonlands, Princess Ember and Spike look over the dragons from the giant central mountain her father once stood upon...

"Spike, this dragon we've heard of," Dragon Lord Ember said. "I fear he won't see eye to eye with you and friendship."

"He may not, but we still have to try." Spike said.

"Garble may be a prick, but he was right. Those ponies have made you soft." Ember looked over the valley. "All other dragons would fight this threat, but your first idea is to talk with him. He possesses power we can't understand and he killed a fellow dragon. We have to fight him."

"If violence is the only answer, then I don't want to take part in it." Spike stood up. "We have to try and be diplomatic at some point. Why can't it start now?"

Ember stood over Spike. "Because that's a stupid move. If we were to try that, he'd kill us on the spot. We have to strike now or you'll die. I can't lose you just yet."

"At some point, I'll have to go out there." Spike stood his ground. "If you're so afraid of him, them accompany me. Bring an army if you want, but I'm doing it my way. The Spike way."

Meeting for the First Time

"Where is it?" Spiritus said, holding a young dragon by the neck. His other hand was still wielding the blade. "Where are the Dragonlands? Tell me now, or you'll meet the same fate as those other dragons."

"It's North of here." He said.

"Thanks." Spiritus through the dragon on the ground.

"Why do you harm dragons?" The dragon said. "We are of the same kind, why attack us?"

Spiritus used the Lumen Tenebrae to kill him. Lifting himself into the air, he flew north. His fate would be dealt with shortly, but he was going to get as far as he could.

In the outskirts of the Dragonlands

Spike was walking alongside Ember and a group of soldiers. Each dragon was armored up and carried a spear. The captain of the guard was in full black armor. His chest plate was roughly four layers thick and heavy like a boulder full of gems. Instead of a spear, he used a two-handed sword. The hilt was composed of iron and gold. Gold for decoration, iron for durability. It may have only been a group of six soldiers, but they were the strongest ones in the Dragonlands.

"Halt," The captain said. The bushes near them rustled. "Something approaches." The guards encircled Ember and Spike, their backs facing them. "If there is something, we will take it on."

Out from the bushes stepped, a hoof. "Do not attack." Ignis walked out, Flash following. "I journeyed here to find that dragon and stop him. He's destroyed two cities already, and I fear more will follow."

"What do you mean?" Ember asked. "What cities?"

"I was originally stationed in Canterlot, but I evacuated the remaining civilians. Ponyville is now a crater." Ignis said. "He must pay for what he's done."

"This can't be." Spike said, falling to on his knees. "Ponyville. Rarity. They can't be gone." Tears were falling.

Ember walked Spike to a different area. The guards were waiting for them while talking with Ignis and Flash. "Now do you see Spike," she said. "Do you see that he can't be helped. Death is our only option to stop him."

"I still refuse to believe that." Spike said. "Twilight has succeeded in bringing other ponies together. Ones that have used dark magic or magic to alter time and space. Ones that were deemed helpless, but she did it. If she can, then so can I."

"You're still a fool Spike. Don't you see I'm trying to help you. I --

An explosion erupted from behind them. As they turned, a cloud of shadows was in the sky. In front of the soldiers, stood a black dragon. His right arm held the Lumen Tenebrae, the other was a fist. His eyes were blood red, shadows emerging from the sides, but his scales were thin in the chest. "Looks like I found my welcoming committee." He looked them in the eyes. "I am Spiritus, a dragon once banished from the Dragonlands. You're father will remember me, Ember."

"Leave the Princess out of this." The guard captain said. He raised his blade.

"Are you challenging me," Spiritus said. "to a duel? Don't make me laugh." He turned his head and saw Ignis. "Have we met before?"

"Yeah," Ignis said. "You destroyed my home in Canterlot. You killed the civilians as if it was for fun."

"That's right. You're the one I let live." He held both hands out. "And now you've created a small force to try to kill me. Cute. But nothing can stop me." He spat out a black fireball.

The dragons were in the air and Ignis and Flash Sentry on the ground. Two dragons charged him, but he ducked below them, using the Lumen Tenebrae to slash one of them across the chest. He turned to the one in the air and shot out a ball of black fire. It hit the dragon. Falling to the ground, he landed on the other dragon. Spiritus launched a stream of shadow magic and it hit both dragons. Their bodies were surrounded by black and their breathing was slowing. Flash Sentry, stupidly, charged Spiritus. Spiritus grabbed him by the head, until he was shot by a ball of magic.

"Let him go." Twilight said, flying towards him. She shot again and Spiritus let go Flash.

"Charge him." The dragon captain said.

The remaining dragons flew to attack alongside Ignis. Flash Sentry and Twilight fled alongside Ember and Spike. Spike watched what happened. Spiritus was able to kill the three dragons but left the captain and Ignis left to fight. One dragon was stabbed straight through by the blade, another's head detached, and the third one burnt to a crisp. The last ones Spike saw were Ignis and the captain. Spike, Ember, Twilight, and a wounded Flash Sentry stopped to catch their breath by a lake. The sun was starting to set.

"Did we lose him?" Flash Sentry said. "Did we lose that dragon?"

"I'm scared to say yes." Twilight said. "Ember, who is that?"

"I don't know." Ember said. "I've yet to go through the birth certificates of other dragons. If I had to guess, he was a former soldier; but he seems too young to be one. Plus he knows of the Legend of the Lumen Tenebrae." Ember looked at Spike. "There is nothing else we can do Spike. He can't be saved. He has to die."

"I agree with Ember." Twilight said. "A dragon like him, they can't be saved. Not like Starlight Glimmer, or Trixie."

Spike sat by the lake, looking into the water. He couldn't help but think, maybe they were right. Maybe there was no way to save him. That he was too dangerous to live. In his reflection, he saw tears around his eyes. He saw what made him weak. If he couldn't come to the point where he'd need to kill Spiritus, then he'd die. Ember sat next to him and wrapped an arm around him.

"Listen Spike," she said. "I know you want to help him. That might stem from how you were hatched."

"What makes me different?" Spike asked.

"Dragons are to be born in the Dragonlands. Not only that, but they must be incubated in lava pools. Those pools is what helps dragons develop their scales out of protection. If a dragon cannot develop scales hard enough to protect them from lava, then they die as a youngling. I was almost like that." Ember started to tear. "My father always wanted me to be protected because of it. He thought I wasn't strong enough to fend for myself, so I tried to prove it to him at every chance I could get. That's why I took part in the Gauntlet of Fire. Now, I'm the leader of the dragons. What do I have to show for?"

"Ember," Spike hugged her.

"Why are you hugging me?" Ember's face started to blush. "Dragons don't hug, remember Spike?" She pushed him away. "Besides, now isn't the time. We need to ensure his demise." A black cloud emerged from where the soldiers stood. A figure emerged in the sky holding a large blade, but covered with shadows.

25 minutes ago

"Charge him." The dragon captain said.

The three dragon soldiers charged him. Spiritus jumped over the first one and used the Lumen Tenebrae against the second one. He swung down and cut his head clean off. He dodged the last one and turned around to face the two. He took a breath in and shot a ball of dark magic at both of them. One dodged, the other had no chance of escape. His armor melted to his scales and the spear into a pool of liquid. Spiritus then put the Lumen Tenebrae in front of him and lunged forward. The blade went right into the third one's chest. Spritus pulled the sword up and sliced his upper body in half. All that was left was Ignis and the dragon captain. He pointed his blade to them. "It's time I exact my revenge against the dragons."

"Why do you kill your own kind?" The captain said. "We are dragons, why attack us instead of join us?"

"I've asked myself that question before. It's meaningless to find an answer." Spiritus said. "As long as dragons are led by Ember, they will fall." Spiritus launched a stream of fire, turning his head to try to hit both of them.

Ignis started to circle around him while the dragon captain took to the skies. The dragon started his own fireball. Ignis charged Spiritus, who was catching his breath. Ignis kept swinging his own sword, the handle in his mouth, but couldn't land a hit. Spiritus glided through the space between them to move. Above him, a fireball was coming. BOOM. Spiritus was launched back but got back on his feet. Ignis swung again and hit one of his scales. Enraged, Spiritus poured some of his magic into the Lumen Tenebrae. A black aura surrounded the blade. Spiritus swung and a wave of dark magic was thrown at Ignis. He was hit back, his armor now broken. The dragon captain dived in, but their blades were crossed.

"There's one difference between you and me, Spiritus." the captain said. "You lack experience." He started to take in a breath.

Spiritus hit his blade to the right and used one arm to grab the captain by the throat. The captain could hardly get the flame he needed to kill Spiritus and his eyes started to close. His breath was coming in only through the nose, but it wasn't enough. Ignis came charging so Spiritus threw the dragon towards the pony. Colliding, the pair was thrown back. Spiritus, with an aura around the blade, sliced the air and created a wave of darkness. The pair dodged and charged him simultaneously. Slices and slashed were thrown against Spiritus, but he dodged every one. With the little distance he had, he spat up a small fire and hit Ignis back. Spiritus and the dragon collided blades again. With a quick movement, Spiritus angled his blade and launched himself into the dragon. Stepping back, a large hole was in the dragon captain.

"No." Ignis said. He charged Spiritus, but to no avail.

Spiritus sidestepped and lunged his blade into his chest. "You're a fool. I'm amazed you've lasted this long." Spiritus forced the blade even deeper. "It was fun seeing you again. But now, you're time has come." He forced the sword out and beheaded Ignis. "I'll keep this, as a trophy."

Spiritus put his claw on his forehead. His mind was in pain, but he couldn't understand why. The blade started to shock his body, but the aura grew stronger around it. In a fit of pain, Spiritus let out a volley of fire aimed at the dragon captain's corpse. He flew up in the air, and looked around.

"You will grant me your body, in exchange for power." A voice said. "If you want true power, you must grant me your soul."

"Who said that?" Spiritus said, looking around. "Where are you?"

"I am in your hands. I am Lumen Tenebrae." The sword started to glow black. A flame surrounded it, sending a shockwave through Spiritus. "I can sense your power. It just needs a connection with you." The aura flowed into his arm. He screamed in agony. "Now, our minds are properly connected."

He caught his breath. "You'll give me power, in exchange for what?"

"You'll find out soon enough." The sword said. "But first, your targets are nearby." Spiritus around and saw them. The Lumen Tenebrae created a black aura around him. He dove towards Twilight and Flash. Ember and Spike joined the commotion.

"We meet at last, Princess Sparkle." He pointed the sword to Ember. "I will claim the title of Dragon Lord, one way or another." He smirked, the blade turning black. "Prepare yourself."

A True Battle

"Prepare yourself." Spiritus said, pointing the sword at Ember.

Twilight stepped forward, but Ember blocked her. "This is my fight. Dragons fight with honor. I will not let another take my fight."

Ember and Spiritus looked the other in the eye. Spiritus concealed the Lumen Tenebrae. His claws came out and the two charged each other at full speed. Their arms were pressing against another, Spiritus standing taller than Ember. He forced himself against her, but her strength was enough to keep him at bay. Moving his left leg, he kicked her chest and charged her head on. She formed a shield with her arms, but his head broke her guard easily. He grabbed her by the arm and spun around three times, releasing her into a tree. She turned to look at him, his hand grabbing her face and smashing it into the tree.

"I need no blade to kill a dragon." Spiritus said. "I killed Garble with my bare hands." He threw her on the ground and tried to step on her.

Ember rolled out of the way. "I may not have killed other dragons, but that's only because I never needed to." Ember said. "Until now." She built up a flame, followed by Spiritus charging one as well.

"Move." Twilight yelled, grabbing Spike.

Both dragons unleashed their flame. Their flames were equally matched, starting to move over another and forming a sphere. Ember's red flame was impressive, burning brighter than Spritus's black flame. The sphere was growing larger with every moment, the stream of flames shrinking as it was added. Ember was starting to sweat. Her legs getting tired, starting to slowly retreat. Spiritus forced every speck of strength inside him into one final breath. The pure black flame became too much and the sphere exploded. Ember concealed her face from the smoke with her wings. Opening them, Spiritus was at close range and swung at her. He let loose a small fireball, singing her wings. He circled around her and wrapped his arms around her head.

"You do not deserve the title of Dragon Lord." Spiritus said. "You are weak and pathetic. I bet Garble would've beat you in a fight."

"That may be true," Ember said, "but I'm better at you in one area. Intellect." She bit into his arms, her teeth sinking deep into his scales. She threw him off, claiming his left arm. "Now you'll see the power I've hidden." Around her, a golden aura formed around her. Her eyes sank back and her voice changed into that of a frightening dragon.

She punched Spiritus in his chest. Ember then rotated her body in a full circle and kicked him across the face. In her hands, she conjured two small flames and pushed them into his chest. Spiritus was blown backwards. He got back up, Ember charging at him. With both hands, she shoved a golden fireball into him. With one claw, she slashed across his throat and then across his left eye. He tried to get a hit on her, but her speed had increased. She dodged every hit, until he grabbed her with his tail. He threw her away from him and recovered his breath.

"I forgot about dragon magic." Spiritus said, panting. "Let me show you my form."

He allowed his magic to surround him, forming a black shadow over his body. The shadow darkened his entire body that the only color was his blood red eyes. His magic formed another arm to replace his lost one. In his new left arm, a black ball of magic was forming. Ember was using both to form one. Charging, Ember got the first hit into his face. Turning back he struck her in her chest. They continued to perform single blows while the others watched from a distance.

"The magic dragons possess," Twilight said, "is frightening. How could anypony hope to defeat one in combat?"

"Is that power inside of Spike?" Flash Sentry said. "If it is, he could tap into it and --"

"No." Twilight yelled. "I wouldn't let Spike do something that dangerous."

Spike was watching the two dragons fight. Tears started to form as he saw his kind fight each other to the death. To not understand your kind other than they are beasts hurt him. "How could they?" Spike said. "How could they kill another and feel no remorse?"

Spiritus used both fists to hit Ember right on the top of her head. She fell to the ground, the rest of her body growing numb. Spiritus, panting, dragged her by the head to a tree. He threw her against it, then fell to the ground as well.

"I'll give you one thing," Spiritus said, "you are strong. If I didn't have to kill you, I'd respect you as Lord."

"Why is it your mission to kill?" Ember said. "You've killed pony and dragon to get to me, but why? Why kill your own kind?"

"I've asked that question many times." He looked at her. "I kill for one reason. To avenge."

"Avenge what?"

"To avenge the name of my father." He grabbed the Lumen Tenebrae. "He was a draconic historian, but his works were never accepted. He would publish them, but they'd get burned or ruined. If I kill dragons, it is of my dragon blood."

"Your father was --

"My father was a pony." Spiritus dropped the blade. "I am a half-blood, but he used his fire magic to hatch me in a pool of lava. One that was on a remote island, where there were no dragons watching the eggs. I will do anything for father, even if it means killing Princess Celestia. As Dragon Lord, I will find every one of his works and prove their claims. He knew of the blade's existence, but could never find it. I did it for him. I understood my magic at a young age, an age when he disappeared."

"I can help you." Ember said. "Let me help you."

"He can't be helped." A voice said. "He has nothing."

"Who said that?"

"I did." The Lumen Tenebrae floated in the air. "I've seen into his mind and his past; he's always been weak. After learning how to tame his dragon magic, he sought power. Thanks to him, I can fulfill Starswirl's wish."

The blade absorbed the magic emanating from the dragons and mixed them. "Starswirl created me for a purpose, to kill dragons. In order to kill a dragon, one must have the draconic spirit of war. The brutality, the bloodshed, the intimidation is what makes a dragon." The auras created the outline of a dragon, the body build similar to a 'teen' dragon. "Now, this will be a true battle."

"What in Tartarus are you?"

"Lumen Tenebrae is not just a name. It is not just a blade. I am Lumen Tenebrae, the spirit of the Dragon of Light as well as Darkness." He formed a fireball in his hand. "With dragon and pony magic, I am unstoppable." It shot at Spiritus, scarring his left eye.

Spiritus turned to look at the form, and was consumed in a large flame. The Lumen Tenebrae dragon form held him by the neck and threw him at Ember. Ember pushed him off and tried to spit out a fireball. Her injuries were too much, and she fell before firing. Spiritus looked up at her. He had tried to kill her, yet she stood in front of him. Lumen rushed her, seizing her by the neck, throwing her against a tree, and spewing a fireball at her. Ember used her arms to block it, but fell. Spiritus felt a foot pushed against his back. Looking at an angle, he saw the Tenebrae's form above him.

"You let free your own destruction." It said. "Nothing will stop me."

An aura started to form around Spiritus, but was getting absorbed by the Tenebrae. He charged his opponent and swung at it. Lumen dodged all of his attacks. Jumping back, he stepped forward and punched Spiritus in his gut. He hit him again in the same area, and shot a flame at a his face. Spiritus was knocked back. Both he and Ember lie on the ground, defeated. Lumen walked over to them, creating an aura around one of his hands.

"Ember," Spiritus said. "if this is our end, I'm not going down without a fight."

"Spiritus, what do you mean?" Ember asked. "You're in too much pain to do anything."

"I may be a part-pony," Spiritus stood, a fire burning in his eyes, "but I am still dragon. Nothing will take that away from me." He assumed a fighting pose. "Come at me."

Lumen flew towards him, headbutting him. Spiritus, knocked back, was then seized by the arm and taken to the air. Spiritus was then spun around and thrown back towards the ground. Flapping his wings, Spiritus crashed to the ground. Lumen dropped to the ground and walked over to Spiritus. Recovering, Spiritus shot a small fireball at Lumen. He smacked it away and kneed him on the underside of his chin. Lumen continued to strike Spiritus, slashing across his face and chest. Spiritus grabbed Lumen by the arms and placed a foot on his chest, slowly pushing him away as if to rip off Lumen's arms. Lumen's arms came off.

"Looks like this got a bit easier." Spiritus said. "How can one win without one's a-

Lumen's arms grew back. "Don't you remember, this form is created due to your dragon magic." It said. "I can't be hurt physically, so those arms are worthless. Magic is all there is." With his new arms, he shot out to smaller fireballs at Spiritus.

Blocking them with his arms, Spiritus shot back. Releasing a stream of fire, Lumen was being slowed. It continued to walk closer and close to Spiritus. The flame stopped, and Spiritus shoved one of his claws into the torso of the dragon form. He gripped the handle of Lumen, only to get pushed away. "Found it." Spiritus moved the shadows around to regain power. Flames spawned around him, growing larger than ever before.

The Lumen Tenebrae stood in its tracks. Its eyes twitched just by looking at the amount of magic before it. "Where is this power coming from?"

"This is the true power of a dragon." Spiritus said. "Why have I killed my own kind? I now know the answer." His flame grew even larger. "I've been trying to eliminate myself. I've felt that I was never a dragon and based all of my dragonhood on the past of dragons. Today, dragons stand stronger together, not apart. I will fight for all of the dragons I've killed, to right my wrongs. And you are one of them."

Spiritus charged Lumen Tenebrae, leaving a streak of flames behind him. His attacks hit harder and faster, but only slashed away at a regenerating aura. Spiritus then took a large breath, taking in the aura he created. Lumen charged Spiritus, but the flame was released. Lumen was engulfed by the shadow flame as it poured out into a large stream. It burned through the forest, catching several trees on fire and scorching the earth beneath them. Spiritus was barely standing, looking dazed.

"Not good enough." Lumen said, barely standing. "Let me show you true power." Lumen harnessed the remaining magic that was shot at him. Combining his own magic, he shot a wave of energy. It drilled right through Spiritus. He fell.

"No," Ember yelled. "Spiritus, get up." She ran to his side.

"I'm sorry Ember," Spiritus, coughing up blood. "I failed as a dragon. I failed to serve the Dragon Lord. But I know how to stop it."

"Tell me."

"Break the gem within the blade. That is what houses the mind." Spiritus coughed up his last bit of blood.

Ember dropped his body and stood up. Her injuries were visible but she felt nothing. Her golden aura returned, shining brighter. Her wings stretched out and she flew towards Lumen Tenebrae, cutting through the wind. Lumen punched, but she dodged to the side. Ember punched right into him, piercing the dragon magic form it created. She grasped the handle of the blade, and tried to pull it out of the form. He grabbed her, but Ember put a foot against it and pushed off. Ember ripped the Lumen Tenebrae out. The magic aura around it dissipated.

She held it high. "Wait," Lumen said. "I can give you more power, strength that rivals the magic of all the princesses of Equestria. Let me aid the dragons on a path to victory."

"If I give you any chance at life," Ember said, "you'll use your freedom to kill me and my kind. I will protect all of dragonkind," She swung it at a rock, "from you." The gem within the Lumen Tenebrae cracked on the first impact. Ember hit it repeatedly against the rock until it completely shattered.

She through the blade aside. Flash, Twilight, and Spike came running towards her. Spike hugged her leg. Ember pat his head hesitantly.

"Is it over?" Twilight asked. "Is the Lumen Tenebrae gone?"

"Its dead." Ember looked at Spiritus's body. "And so is he."

Epilogue (Optional)

Months later

The Canterlot guards had finished burying the last of the soldiers. The grave for Armis Ignis was in the front row of them. His gravestone was the largest out of the fallen soldiers. A statue to honor him was placed in the Canterlot Gardens. It was of a pony wielding a sword with a fire burning underneath him. Ponyville's reconstruction was led by Princess Twilight. Most of the residential buildings were rebuilt, but the hospital was still underway.

In the Dragonlands, a grave was marked for the dragons killed by Spiritus. Names had been added as more corpses were returned. The name and trust of dragons had been stained by Spiritus. Ember and her foreign relations officer had been working with the Crystal Empire and Canterlot to control the damages. The Dragon's Vault, their treasury, had been left with barely anything left in it.

"What do you mean you want to name an academy after him?" Ember's foreign advisor asked. "He killed his own kind and you think he deserves an academy?"

"He was a great warrior and helped me defeat the Lumen Tenebrae, a weapon forged by ponies." Ember said. "If we can train more soldiers like Spiritus, we'd be unstoppable. We need to tap into the magic we have as dragons."

"If we do that, we will be no better than he was. Spiritus was a monster, we shouldn't promote that image at all."

"I don't care, we will honor his final moments. As Dragon Lord, I command you to comply." Ember walked out of the room. "I'm only asking that you name an academy after him, not erect a statue or give him a status as hero."

Spike and Twilight met up with Ember about a month later. They met at Canterlot as Ember was leaving from a meeting with Celestia. The trio sat out in the gardens. Ember set down a satchel.

"So how's the reconstruction going?" Ember asked.

"Almost half of the city is rebuilt." Twilight replied. "It's hard to get rid of the magic he left around."

"Sorry about that, Dragon magic isn't something to mess with. We can get pretty powerful when we need to."

"I've been meaning to ask, how does dragon magic work?"

"It works like your elements but is better." Ember said. "You can use raw emotion to power it up and expel it as long as your feelings are strong. Spiritus used hate to power up originally, but then used love for dragons to get even stronger. The power of love is a great factor dragons can depend on, that's why previous dragons couldn't use it."

"If Spiritus was half dragon like me," Spike said, "then why can't I use my powers?"

"Spiritus was hatched by a pony yes," Ember said, "but he was hatched in a lava pool. Dragons hatched in a draconic setting will absorb the nearby magic. You were hatched by Twilight forcefully, he was hatched by a combination of pony and dragon magic. That's why he has those powers."

"Do you think I'll ever get those powers?" Spike looked at both Ember and Twilight.

"We can't dismiss it just yet." Twilight pat his head. "Ember, do you have the works made by Spiritus's father yet?"

"I have found them." Ember said. "It seems a small clan of dragons was actually friendly with him and shared information about the Dragonlands to him. A journal of his revealed that it would've been published, but as a work of fiction since ponies thought of dragons as unintelligent beings."

"He wouldn't accept that?"

"If his works were seen as fictitious, he would give up on writing since they would be seen as inferior works." Ember pulled out a bunch of notebooks from her satchel. "These are all of his works, nothing edited."

Twilight took the notebooks and headed on a train home to Ponyville. Spike followed behind her.

"Hey, Spike," Ember said, refraining from making eye contact, "Feel free to come to the Dragonlands anytime."

A Meeting of Dragons

It was a cold winter night. Spike had been summoned by Dragon Lord Ember, but Twilight went along with him. The stars were shining and a new moon was out. The hall they spoke in was large. They sat at a round table, a dragon in armor next to Ember.

"It's nice to meet again Spike." Ember said. "I've been wondering what you've been up to after the trial for the staff."

"Have you gotten the letters I've sent to you Ember?" Twilight asked. "I mean, I've sent so many and you've only responded to one or two of them."

"I mean, I've been busy as Dragon Lord and all." Ember was trying to hide her embarrassment. "However, I've called you here for something different than friendship. There's been a story that another dragon has been noticed. When two of my guards made contact with him, they ended like this." She opened a door and inside were two dragons. Or what was left of them.

"Where are their wings?" Spike asked. "And their heads? Why are there holes in them?"

"We found them like this. There was also a note attached to one of them." Ember showed them the note.

Dear Dragon Lord Ember,
I hear you are in charge. However, you lead dragons down a path of weakness. You may be wondering how I know this? That is because the dragon known as Garble hugged me. He may be under order of the one called Spike, but he is now free from that. I've already destroyed two villages of ponies. It was quite fun actually. Watching them die slowly in the black flames from my soul was amusing. They cried out to their Princess Celestia but found no comfort. If you seek vengeance, then come at me.

Sincerely,

Spiritus

"Spiritus?" Twilight said. "He will not go unpunished. I can help you take him down Ember."

"No." Ember and her guard brought their meeting back to the table. "If we go after him, we're just going to lose more lives."

"I have magic. Powerful magic that no dragon could defeat."

"Then why didn't you use it to help Spike win the trial? If you're so strong, why didn't you help Spike so many times before? He's sent me mail about his problems and I can see why. You rarely ever help when he has a problem. Don't you understand his pain?" Twilight remained silent. "There's a reason I only called for Spike. He should stay here with the other dragons. Not just for himself, but there are dragons here that want him."

"Ember." The guard got her attention. "I believe we should call this a night. You can stay at the local inn Princess Twilight. As for the dragon," the guard showed the two to a room. "He will sleep in the finest material we have to offer. It is because you are a pony that the inn is for you Twilight. I'm sorry we couldn't put a room together for you."

"I'll show myself out and come back for Spike." Twilight teleported back to Ponyville.

Spike entered the room, alongside Ember. "I'm sorry if I scared Twilight."

"You can't scare Twilight," Spike said. "unless you have quesadillas lying around." Both of them laughed. "Why did you want me to come live here?"

Ember held one of her arms. "Spike, I lied when I said other dragons wanted you back." She held Spike in her arms. "I wanted to see you again Spike. This new dragon would most likely hunt you down if he found out about you living in Ponyville. Thankfully he doesn't know where the Dragonlands are."

Meanwhile in the Wastelands visible from Canterlot. A dragon, one that is taller than Garble and capable of using his claws as hands , is walking through the land. He looks up to see a city hanging on the side of a large mountain.

"What idiot would build a city on the side of a mountain?" He said. "Have they never heard of tremors?"

He sat down and unpacked his backpack. In it was a couple chunks of wood and a rusted sword. He sat down on a ripped, brown blanket that he'd occasionally use to cover himself from rain. He lit a small fire and warmed his hands over it. The blood on his claws started to dry.

"To think that the daughter is in charge now." He said to himself. "Whoever I find in that town up there is going to have a bad time. Especially if they're ponies."