An Echo of What Once Was

As the sun set on the world, an unnerving silence fell over the land, animals large and small, powerful and weak went into hiding. Children and adults alike ran inside their homes as if a monster was on their heels, though there wasn't just the undying need to be Inside that night. Bandits, Soldiers and Collective Mercenaries stopped engaging each other within the massive ruined fortress as something had caught all their attention.

It was well after sunset and they had just realized, the moon had not risen nore hard stars come out, the world was in twilight. A Twilight that sent shivers up the spines of even the most steadfast warrior.

Their attention was soon pulled from the Twilight when the cobblestone floor of the decrepit ruin began to rise and fall, similar to one breathing. As the floor rose, the stones separated slightly for a few moments to reveal a purple light and jet black smoke. Those close enough who inhaled the smoke began to cough and foam from the mouth, their skin and eyes would darken and give a bloodcurdling cry before savagely attacking anyone close to them.

This went on for a few minutes before the floor caved in on itself, revealing a massive metal pit filled with the same black smoke. Before the smoke thinned, the sound of heavy chains falling to the ground could be heard and a low growl that caused all those not frenzied to back away from the hole. “W-what is down there?” Asked a nervous Collective Mercenary who took a quick glance into the hole to see the smoke was completely gone and could see something big shifting within the darkness.

(Several hundred miles away)

“Sister why haven't you raised your moon yet?” a concerned Alabaster Alicorn clad in golden ornaments asked a slightly smaller midnight blue Alicorn clad in black ornaments.

“I-i don't understand…” The Midnight Alicorn muttered, ignoring her sister's question moments before a soft pop was heard followed by a soft chorus of yays came from behind.

“Now what is all this then? I was ready to enjoy a did in moonlight Lulu” A voice stated from a odd chimera creature that looked like someone had put a range of creatures in a blend along with some superglue and took out what was intact.

“Eris is this your doing?” The White mare accused.

“Come now Tia, it has been a good two decades since then, and if you remember I only turned the moon Purple” Eris stated with a smile before her expression changed to that of a serious one, one which always send a shiver a fear up Tia’s spine. “Do you feel that?” She asked.

“Feel what?” Tia asked confused.

“The overwhelming urge to run, run and hide and pray that something doesn't find you” She said as Celestia stopped and suddenly shivered.

“She is too frightened…” Luna said gaining both Eris and Celestia’s attention.

“Who? Who is too frightened sister?” Tia asked concerned.

“My Moon” She said causing Celestia and Eris to look at each other nervously.

“What is she scared of?” Eris asked even though she didn't want to, in which Luna simply raised her hoof and pointed towards the Everfree.

“Him” Luna said as a massive creature rose from the forest, it was bigger than any creature they had ever seen before but it's features were covered in darkness so they could make out what it was. “She knows that she can drive him into hiding but she scared at what he will do to her” Luna said as the beast roared.

The roar wasn't loud when it reached them but the three ancient beings felt terrified. “Wh-what is he…” Celestia asked.

“The Darkness” Luna said before fainting.

(Several Thousand Miles… in the opposite direction.)

Within a large floating fortress, a cloaked man was standing on the balcony of his room while looking towards the direction of Equestria, he couldn't see what was happening but he could sense something, something with an incredible amount of power. The man sipped a dark amber liquid from his glass as he turned to face one of his Collective soldier's.

“I want it, I think it would help the Collective take this world” He said as the soldier cringed at the thought of going near whatever was that powerful. “Send Tirak and his Magic eaters. .. and if they can't capture it, they are to kill it” He ordered as the Soldier hesitantly nodded and bowed before leaving the man’s chambers.

The man returned his gaze to Equestria and took a long sip of his drink while pondering. “What are you?” He asked out loud.

(a few minutes earlier, Everfree)

“So why did you start with this group?” Tony asked as he walked beside Mayli, the pair had been walking for the passed half an hour with the sun setting behind them.

“They were kidnapping people so we needed to figure out where they were keeping them… unfortunately seeing as they were being taken by the Collective, we couldn't do anything so Lucy decided it was best to make the bandit group disappear altogether” Mayli responded before sighing. “It has been about two years since I was home in Sanctuary. .. it'll be good to see everyone again” She said before smiling. “And if you are really you then it will be even better” She said looking at Tony.

“Well then you are going to have an…” Tony was saying until the sound of gunfire cut him off.

“That came from the ruins” Mayli said moments before the sky took on deep purple and blue colour. “What the?” She asked.

“Come on, we have to get the prisoners to safety” Tony said as he started running, snapping Mayli out if her trance who proceeded to follow the man.

“Tony wait!” Mayli called out as the pair reached the wall of the massive ruined fortress, where Tony effortlessly leapt through a small hole and ducked behind cover. “how did you…?” Mayli climbed into the window and got behind cover.

“Shush, we have got trouble” Tony said as peered around his cover to spot the large group of people, several in black armour, the rest in greyish gear. They were all standing around a massive crater in the middle of the courtyard.

“What are they looking at?” Mayli asked.

“May, I need you to find the prisoners and extract them” Tony said moving over to her.

“What are you going to do?” The She Orc asked as she watched Tony take her side arm out and several clips.

“Run interference” He said before turning away from her to look back at the group of fighters before checking the magnum was loaded.

“Tony” Mayli said as she attempted to gain his attention but he had already stepped out with the weapon raised and aimed forward at the unknown black armoured enemies moments before a massive black blur zoomed out of the crater and into the sky attached to several heavy chains. Said chains soon disconnected and fell to the ground just as the unknown black object let out an deafening roar, forcing everyone to hold their ears in pain.

“Bring it down!” Ordered someone within the group before everyone open fired upon the unknown floating creature.

“May, get down” Tony ordered the orc just as he watched the body of the beast shift and ripple as the bullets and rockets slammed into it.

“Why what's wr…” She was saying before dull amber beam of energy cut across the courtyard which originated from the beast. The metre thick line where the beam struck began to distort for a moment before detonating into a cloud of dust and rock, those who were hit by the beam distorted also before turning into a mist of blood and gore. “nevermind” Mayki said before going through the inside of the fortress to find the prisoners.

“Inside!” Tony shouted but the men and women didn't have a chance to react as the Beast landed harshly onto the soldiers, crushing most to death. The beast appeared to be metal and covered in spikes and ribs but this changed as it’s flesh dissolved in the air, revealing a large black and toxic purple dragon that was a third of its original size. It had purple eyes, two sets of large purple webbed wings, black horns and spines running down its body and glowing marks all over its chest.

“Well aren't you pretty” Tony remarked moments before the Dragon roared angrily before a dull amber or of energy began forming between the two long forward pointer horns on its head. “Shit!” The Man said as he dove to the side just as the dragon fired off the same attack from moments before, obliterating the wall behind Tony. “Okay Cool not pretty” Tony corrected himself as the beast snorted angrily at him. Behind the dragon, Tony could see Mayli moving inside of a building in search of the prisoners. Unfortunately as she did, she knocked a flood light over causing it to hit the ground loudly.

The man could almost make out the look of dismay on the she orc’s face as she watched the dragon begin to look over its at her, though it would not see her as Tony raised his sidearm and fire several bullets into the side of the beast’s head, not harming it but gaining its attention and fury.

“Oh double shit” Tony said as the Beast turned to him and roared, causing a frill to extend around its neck before it launched itself at him in an attempt to gore the human. As the dragon attempted to turn the man into an accessory, Tony dove to the side but unfortunately the dragon anticipated this and swung its head around and bit down on Tony’s side making him cry out in pain. Tony’s entire left arm and part of his chest was engulfed in the beast's maw, with its teeth slowly sinking dangerously close to his heart but a sudden noise caught the nightmarish beast’s attention.

“A DRAGON? IS THAT WHAT HAS CAUSED ALL THIS MAYHEM? I HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED” A booming voice declared making the dark dragon turn and look while Tony struggled in its jaws. There standing just outside the ruins was a colossal centaur with blood red skin, thick black chest hair that resembled a tank top, towering horns upon his head. He had a silver mohawk and long neck beard but the most unnerving feature of the titan was his black eyes that seemed to suck in draw your gaze “BUT MY MASTER STILL WANTS YOU IN HIS RANKS! SO I HAVE COME TO MAKE YOU JOIN!” The Mohawk titan exclaimed as the Beast bit down hard on Tony, making him cry out in pain before it tossed him near the hole it emerged from.

“Fuck you too” Tony wheezed painfully as he felt a pair of arms snake under his making him look over his shoulder to see Biaxao. “Where the fuck were you?” Tony asked angrily before the pair teleported to the location of the prisoners.

Once inside the building, the Void walker gently leant Tony against the wall before looking towards Mayli, who was pointing her rifle at him until she saw the condition of Tony and ran over to him. “What happened to you?” She asked in a worried tone as she opened her pack and pulled a small canister from it.

“Turns… turns out it doesn't like getting shot… shot in the head” Tony said coughing up small amounts of blood occasionally.

“Idiot” Mayli replied before using the canister to fill Tony’s wound with biofoam causing him to grit his teeth in pain. “That should hold you until we're home baby” She said causing Tony to cock an eyebrow. “Mr Xao showed me what happened and even though I am furious at him, I am happy you are alive” She said to him with a soft smile as the man climbed to his feet.

“Lets not get over excited yet, still need to survive this” Tony said as he walked over to a dead bandit and grabbed the Spartan Laser from beside him. “How the fuck did bandits get one of these?” He asked as Mayli shrugged. “Wow so helpful” He said sarcastically as he exited the ruined building and back into the courtyard, much to Mayli’s and Baixao’s disapproval. Once outside he saw the Centaur was trying his hardest to get a response from the dragon.

“ANSWER ME!” he roared only for the beast to roar angrily back at him, making him take a step back before glaring back. “ENOUGH OF THIS, I AM LORD TIREK AND YOU SHALL OBEY M… AHHHH” Tirek was stating before the dragon fired its distorting beam into Tirek’s left arm, causing it to distort before detonating violently. The Titan cried out in pain as he clutched the bloody mess that used to be his arm. “MY ARM? WHAT HAPPENED TO MY ARM?” He asked shocked.

“Oi fuck face!” Tony shouted as he raised the spartan laser, the shout gained the attention of the beast, who snarled angrily at the trooper “How do you like it?” Tony said as he charged the weapon while the beast cocked its head to the side at the noise. The dragon didn't get a chance to react as Tony’s weapon fired off the red laser, which pierced the dragon’s chest, tore through its body and exited out its back but the dragon didn't fall. “What the?” Tony asked as he looked at the gaping bleeding hole that he made, only to be shocked as wound rapidly repaired itself. “Okay now that is cheating”

“YOU WHORE SON, I'LL END YOU!” Tirek roared as he fired his own magical laser beam that was several feet in diameter, the beam caused the dragon to wail in pain before the ground underneath it collapsed, sending it back into its prison, along with Tirek and Tony. After a few minutes, Tony regained his senses to find that none of the buildings had followed the three in.

“Ow well something is probably broken” Tony said as he checked himself over before being interpreted by vicious snarling, the man turned quickly to see the dragon rising to its feet while its damaged back repaired itself. The monster lowered itself as if it was about to pounce, so Tony started running. He could hear the sound of the beast behind him before the man suddenly found himself on a pink cloud just above the ground. “Okay what the fuck?”

“Oh so vulgar, I don't see what little Tia saw in yo…” A female voice was saying but didn't get to finish as Tony whipped around and sucker punched the source instinctively, only to knock out a weird blended creature.

“What the actual fuck is that?” Tony asked as he looked at the creature moments before he heard screaming from below. Tony looked over the edge of the cloud to see Tirek getting ripped apart by the beast.

“Tony!” Another voice cried out, making the man look behind him only to be tackled by a black blur.

“Ow, look this is not a brilliant time!” Tony said as he forced his head free of the death grip of the blur, who turned out to be a armour clad Nightmare Moon, who did not look pleased.

“No this is as good a time as any” She argued before looking around. “Wait where is Eris?” She asked. “She was asked to get you out of the pit” She added.

“Um is she like several different creatures in one?” Tony asked, receiving a nod from Nightmare. “Um look down” Tony said, causing the Alicorn to raise an eyebrow before looking at her feet to see Eris out cold with little blue birds circling her head. “I kind of sucker punched her” Tony said with an uneasy smile.

“Wha… but… how did… I mean… what?” Nightmare asked confused but before she got her answer, the Dragon flew out at high speed and through the cloud, trying to gore Tony but the man kicked Nightmare off the cloud and leapt away with Eris in his arms.

“This is why it is a bad time” Tony said before landing roughly with the Draconequus landing on him. “Moon, what is this thing?” Tony asked as he wrapped Eris around him like a scarf and picked up an assault rifle.

“What makes you think I have any idea?” She asked as she dodged a swipe.

“Because you are fucking ancient” Tony called out as he began firing at the beast to gain its attention and rage.

“Buck you I am not that old, and besides I have never seen this thing before” She called out as she hid behind cover.

“Great, you go ask Tia about this fucking thing, maybe her fat ass knows” Tony called out as he tossed a grenade at the dragon.

“Okay, I'll back” She said before teleporting away.

“Fuck she forgot to grab snake woman” Tony said to himself. “Wait, Baixao can't you just obliterate this thing?” Tony shouted.

“What do you think I am trying to do, I can't fucking sense it, I can see it but I can't do anything with it” He replied as Tony kept moving and firing. “But I got a theory on how to hurt it” Bai said.

“How?” Tony asked while tossing another grenade.

“Look at the sky” Bai answered.

“Kind of busy” Tony shouted as the beast lunged forward to bite him but it was intercepted by a group of gargoyles.

“It has been twilight for quite a while now” Bai stated “So maybe the sun or moon hurt it… which also means that it can control at least the moon” He added.

“Fucking fabulous” Tony called out from his cover before he got an idea. “Baixao, can you make it midday?” He asked as he dumped Eris in a random ruined building just as a Gargoyle’s corpse landed near him.

“Yea I can, but why?” The Void Walker questioned.

“Just do it, and level all the trees with a mile of here” Tony ordered as he grabbed the fallen Gargoyle’s lance like weapon.

“what the hell is he up to?” Mayli asked as Baixao’s hands began to glow a soft violet while Tony climbed on top of a small ruined house. “Tony what is the goddess’ name are you doing?!”

“Something very fucking stupid” He exclaimed before moving to the opposite edge of the building. Once there, he turned and ran as fast as he could before leaping onto the back of the beast just as a massive explosion was heard. All the surrounding forest was incinerated in an instant as the sun suddenly materialized over head making the dragon scream in pain. “Fuck, stop wriggling!” Tony shouted as he impaled the lance into the small of the dragon’s back and twisted it sharply.

“He may actually be insane” Baixao stated as a brilliant flash of light occurred, blinding everyone. When they regained their senses, the dragon was gone and Tony was standing in the middle of what was left of the courtyard with the bloodied lance in one hand, a scale in the other.

“Does that mean I win?” He asked before collapsing from his injuries.

(Sanctuary, Armonia… several days later)

“How is he Doctor Stripe? we have been told that he has been in constant surgery” A worried green carapace covered mare asked the Zebra.

“He is stable for now Lady Chrysalis but it will take some time before he is back to perfect working order” He informed her as he sipped his coffee and read over the information.

“But why was so much surgery required?” a elven woman in silver and gold armour asked him in a slightly desperate tone of voice.

“Well apart from his visible injuries and the large amount of internal bleeding, we had to… remove all the cancerous material… and before you ask, no we couldn't use magic as this cancer we discover is not natural, nor is it really anything for that matter… it seemed to absorb any magic we used and quickly rusted any tool we used” He said before sipping his coffee.

“What? But then how did he get it inside him if it isn't natural?” Chrysalis questioned.

“The bite wound he received from the dragon thing… it was concentrated in his left lung, rib cage… and his heart” He said with a frown.

“What!” the two females exclaimed in shock.

“With help from those two… people, Mr Xao and Mr Ming, we removed majority of his heart, all the infected flesh, bone and his lung before they… well… rebuilt it… it would have been amazing to watch if… well Anthony didn't die twice on the table and wake up once and nearly slit my nurse’s throat.” He said as he shook his head.

“What?” Lucy asked shocked.

“The cancer infected his blood and well caused a sort of Feral state when it hit his brain, luckily this could be treated with magic but… if this dragon is still on the loose then we may encounter more cases like this” He explained with a sigh. “Also the scale and blood we acquired has helped make a vaccine for the tainted blood”

“Okay so when can we see him?” Chrysalis anxiously asked.

“As soon as he is awake, but we will need to see him few days to make sure no more tainted blood or cancer has formed” He explained as he finished his coffee. “Also, under no circumstances is he to do any strenuous activities” He said as he rose from his seat.

“Why are you telling us?” Lucy asked.

“Because last time I told him that twenty odd years ago, he went and bucking did it and nearly had his arm fall off” The Zebra said with a huff as he walked off.