The Villain: Darkness Unbound

Chapters

Prologue: Awakening
Chapter 1: Djinn
Chapter 2: Dragon Rebirth
Chapter 3: The Nightmare Begins

Prologue: Awakening

A searing, unforgiving sun hangs over the Outlands. The mountainous region that sits at the southern border of Equestria fames for its purple rock and many dangers. Narrow passageways make the only way to traverse, but a single slip would have any pony tumbling to their doom as the bottom of the mountains are littered with jagged spires. Cracks in the rock allow for the underground volcanos to spew boiling steam that is said to burn a dragon to the bone. And the purple landscape is home to many subterranean beasts, including stone snakes the size of a Canterlot tower.

Only a foolish pony would dare step foot in the territory. That, or a desperate queen. A hoof filled with holes pulls the blackened figure of Queen Chrysalis up the side of one of the foreboding mountain peaks. The wind howls, pulling her mane out in a whipping manner. She tries to move her wings, only to wince when the left gnarled one only twitches in response. Unable to take flight, she grits her teeth and continues to climb. Her front hoof fits into one of the holes dug into the side of the mountain. Heat greets her flesh, forcing her to pull it away. A plume of steam shoots out just inches away. Even from a distance, it stings her skin.

“Once I have my kingdom back,” she says only to herself, “I will make sure to banish Thorax to this accursed place.”

The air seems to settle for a moment, as she continues her climb. Chrysalis manages to find a foothold, propelling her onto a flat. She carefully drags her body up, letting out a gasp of relief once she is safely on the leveled ledge. Glancing down, the bottom of the mountain is a dizzying thousand feet below with the jagged rock bed looking like a jumble of pin pricks. A quicken heartbeat flutters in the queen’s chest, forcing her to stumble away from the edge, finding safety toward the mountain. She shakes off the fear, turning her attention to a mouth carved into the violet rock.

Standing on either side of the rock formation are hideous creatures that are a mesh of various animals. The chimeras have the hulking body of a great ape, paws of lions, and the heads of serpents. Unlike the purple rock that makes up the Outlands, these two are frozen in gray statues. Each is a slightly different pose, as if frozen in the midst of a vicious lunge. Chrysalis waltzes up to the figures with a bemused look on her face.

“Draconequus,” she looks at them intently. “This must be the place.”

The crooked horn atop her changeling head is lit in a ghastly green, shedding light into the mouth of the tunnel, which suddenly shows a staircase spiraling down into the bowels of the mountain. A low groan seems to slither up from the depths, like the wails of the dead. Undeterred by the ominous moans, Queen Chrysalis takes her first step into the cavern. The stairs seem almost endless as she continues with her descent.

After what seems to be hours of climbing, she stops, “I feel like I am getting nowhere with this.”

She looks back up, and is able to see the exit. The changeling narrows her eyes, as if trying to strain her vision toward the entrance. Slowly, she turns, and makes her way back up the winding stairs. When she reaches the cave mouth again, the mountain landscape is no longer there. Instead it opens to a large cavern. Diamonds jet from the ceiling, large enough to crush a small cottage beneath it. They dazzle in vibrant blues, purples, and whites.

Chrysalis does not pay much attention to the riches that hang above her head. Rather, her green eyes are locked on a pedestal standing on the opposite end of the cavern. The small granite pedestal looks nothing special, crudely carved flat in order to house a bottle upon it. The bottle sits a foot tall, and is forged from a blackened substance. The topper is securely fastened, as red chains are ornately wrapped around the neck.

“It’s here!”

She gallops across the cavern, her hooves echoing in the open, empty space. Throwing caution aside, she scoops the bottle off of the pedestal. Even in the dark design, her glowing emerald eyes glisten like a mirror.

“At last,” she cradles the bottle, nuzzling it against her face, “All my wishes will come true.”

The ground suddenly quakes, jostling the bottle out of her grip. It hits the grounds, but only bounces harmlessly away. Queen Chrysalis tries to scramble for it, only to have herself knocked off her hooves. From the center of the cave, the ground is split apart as an enormous rock snake bursts from the underground. The beast looks like a compound of boulders, with diamond spikes sprouting from the rocky surface. It slithers out of the hole, stretching long enough to fill the cave. A forked tongue made of diamonds slips from its mouth as it hisses at the queen.

“No, no-no-no,” she grits her teeth, glaring at the beast. “I will not be denied!”

She returns the hiss, baring her fangs. Getting back on her hooves, she charges and lowers her horn. It begins to glow a dull green, but the snake swings its massive tail, batting the changeling queen against the wall. Her crashing into the wall causes some of the diamond stalactites jostle free, and crash to the ground. Queen Chrysalis gasps in horror as one of the massive gems lands right on her bottle, shattering it to pieces.

Despair envelops her face, as the tail smashes into her again, forcing blood to decorate her mouth. Tears stream down her cheeks. The snake lowers its head toward the defeated queen, and opens its maw. Diamond fangs emerge from its expanding jaw as it goes to take its meal.

He…he…he…

All of a sudden, the stone snake rears back, thrashing as if it were in pain. Cracks begin to web across its rocky skin, which seeps a glowing orange light. The serpent lets go of its prey, slinking back toward its hole. It lets out a painful roar just before it explodes, fires bursting from inside its body which swallows up the fragments the snake leaves behind. Dust flutters gently to the ground inside the cave, the only remnants of the stone serpent.

Chrysalis hits the ground, stumbling as she gasps for air. Her hoof presses against her underside where she winces at the slightest touch. A wisp of dark floating in front of her eyes, forces her to look up, as another creature is before her.

A blackened tail floats off the ground, leading up to the broad chest of a creature whose body appears to be made of living darkness. Two pairs of arms are crossed over its massive, muscular torso. The entities head is slightly round in shape, sporting a set of horns that curl upwards from either side of its head. In the void of black that is its face, glowing red eyes look upon Chrysalis.

“Did you free me from my prison?” the being hisses, a mouth appears as it speaks, revealing a set of razor sharp teeth.

“Y-Yes,” Chrysalis gets back onto her feet. “I am Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings.”

The creature floats about her, as his four arms open, falling away as he seems to circle the queen. His crimson eyes never lead her. Smoke spills from his dark body, causing Chrysalis to choke and cough.

Suddenly, he leaps away, crossing his arms back over his chest, “You are too weak. Useless. Disposable.”

“W-What?” she says, her horn burns brightly. “How dare you speak to me that way!”

Green light bursts from the tip of her crooked horn in a beam of energy. It strikes the creature square in his broad chest, but he shrugs it off with little effort. Seeing that her magic does not work, Chrysalis charges straight for him, ignoring the pain at her side. Lowering her head, she drives her horn into the being, without him putting up any resistance. The tip of her horn buries deep in his chest. He looks down at her, as a smile appears on his featureless face.

Unfolding one set of arms, he clamps his clawed hands on either side of her skull, and starts to squeeze. Chrysalis screams and tries to wretch away, but her horn remains trapped in his abdomen. Cracks start to form across her flesh, as green light emanates from her body. The gives her one last sinister smile before smashing his hands together, crushing her head. Her screams are silenced as the changeling queen explodes in a flash of emerald light. A green mist slithers in the air, until he seems to suck it in, pulled down into the darkened abyss beyond his sharpened teeth.

His eyes flash emerald for a second, as the smile reaches over his face again, “Equestria. I am coming.”

Chapter 1: Djinn

“Okay, just move it a little to the left.”

Mayor Mare motions her hoof in the same direction as two construction ponies struggle under the weight of a large sign. Sweat drips from underneath their yellow hard hats while their knees quiver. They look back to the mayor for guidance, but now her hooves are motioning backwards. Stepping carefully, the pair follow her request and move back a few steps. When Mayor Mare nods in approval, they drop the heavy wooden sign. The pillars pierce the earth from the sheer weight of it. Both let out a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from their manes.

“Excellent work gentle-ponies,” she thanks them. “Now, I believe that Sugar Cube Corner is in need of some assistance.”

“We’re on it, mayor,” one of them says, as the pair trot off.

Mayor Mare looks at the clipboard she holds in her hoof, then turns her attention to the town. Ponyville had been rebuilt much larger than three years prior. Many of the little shops have grown into structures that could once rival the palace of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Such flimsy households of the past are replaced by strong buildings made of stone and wood. The dreary gray of the rock most houses are made of are vibrant in paints. In the distance a great tree seems to have sprouted from the earth, but it is no mere marvel of nature. The great oak is in actuality the new palace of the Empress of Friendship. While standing dauntingly over the town, it manages to blend in harmony with the forest that has magically sprouted around it.

“How are the preparations coming, mayor?”

Mayor Mare turns to see Twilight Sparkle happily trotting up to her.

“Y-Your highness,” the mayor stammers, bowing her head.

Twilight rolls her eyes, “Please, mayor, there is no need for such formalities.”

“But, but you are the empress,” the mayor does not lift her head.

“That is only an empty title,” Twilight puts a hoof under the mayor’s chin to make her look up. “I am just regular Twilight Sparkle.”

When the mayor looks, she sees that it is true. Twilight Sparkle looks like the young alicorn she had been for many years. Of course, this was only a façade, as the great power of the elements had warped her body into something else.

The mayor is a shade of red as she pulls herself back onto all four hooves, “If you insist, Twilight Sparkle. As for the preparations, everything is on schedule.”

“Excellent,” Twilight says with a smile. “I want to make the dragon dignitaries as welcomed as possible.”

“Yes, I wanted to talk to you on that matter. A great number of the citizens are wary about dragons coming into Ponyville.”

“I know that ponies and dragons have not gotten along in the past,” Twilight speaks with a sorrowful look. “However, Dragon Lord Ember has requested an audience with me.”

“Yes, I know,” the mayor looks wary. “But…”

“Twilight!”

Apple Jack rushes toward her friend, interrupting the mayor. The bucking pony digs her hooves into the dirt to skid to a stop. Sweat is drenched on her face, mixed with the panic in her eyes.
“Apple Jack, what’s wrong?” Twilight asks.

“You have to come with me,” she answers. “Better you see it for yourself.”

The two ponies race off to the part of town that is near Sweet Apple Acres. Other ponies have gathered around a strange pit that has materialize in the middle of town. Twilight and Apple Jack stop at the edge, looking down into the hole. A strange black substance bubbles like tar. It ripples, sloshing against the sides of the ground.

“When did this appear?” Twilight asks.

“About a minute ago,” Apple Jack explains, “Tarnation, I think it got bigger.”

“Whatever it may be, I doubt it is good,” Twilight answers. She looks around at the rest of the citizens of Ponyville, “Listen, every pony, I would advise to go to another part of town, for your own safety.”

Ponies look at one another, but do not leave. Suddenly, the ground starts to rumble, which really gets a number of them fleeing from the scene. Twilight turns to the pool of black sludge as it bubbles as if being boiled. The quaking get fiercer, as the black ooze shoots straight for the sky. Spiraling out of the pit is a large creature.

A blackened tail of smoke wisps about as the creature floats off the ground. Four arms sprout from its broad chest. From its round head, two red eyes glow off its featureless face.

“What in the name of Celestia is that?” Apple Jack gasps.

The creature looks down at her and Twilight, only to laugh.

“Who are you?” Twilight demands, stamping her hoof.

Teeth and fangs appear on the featureless face as he smiles, “My name is Djinn. I will be new ruler of this land.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Twilight scowls.

Djinn throws back his head and gives a hardy laugh, “Pitiful ponies are weak. No pony can defeat me.”

“Apple Jack,” Twilight Sparkle speaks with a coldness to her words. A thin veil of light emanates from her body as magic swirls about her. “I need you to leave.”

Without a word, the earth pony hightails it out of the area. The magic around Twilight Sparkle grows as her body also changes shape. She becomes taller, her hair is draped in an unending current, flowing majestically as it is peppered with stardust. Her wings are aglow in a wash of colors.

Djinn puts his hands together, creating twin balls of what appear to be black energy. A smile greets his face as he hurls the magic at Twilight. The empress bats them away with a magical barrier. The balls of energy pass by a roof of a nearby house, and seems to pull at the roof tiles before harmlessly flying off into the sky.

The fiendish creature folds his arms close to his chest, and then starts to spin about. His whirling body creates a vortex that pulls at Twilight, but the empress stands her ground. He seems to spin faster before launching upwards, arcing, and coming down on Twilight like a spiraling drill. Twilight throws up yet another barrier, but it shatters by the rotating horns digging into it. Just before it hits, the empress leaps out of the way, allowing for Djinn’s head to burrow into the dirt.

He pulls his head out, “Pony is stronger than she appears. I am surprised.”

“Enough of this,” Empress Twilight Sparkle shouts, “I’m putting an end to this, Djinn.”

Crushing her front hooves against the ground, Twilight Sparkle begins to shine brightly in a rainbow of magical energy. From her body, gems begin to materialize. They take the shape of the six Elements of Harmony, which floating about her. As they spiral, beams of light shoot from the elements and converge at the tip of her horn.

Djinn appears to wave his hands as if to conjure a spell of his own, but stops when he sees the elements appear. He merely gawks at the sight of them.

“You,” he speaks slowly, “You have the Elements of Harmony?”

“Yes!” Twilight shouts as a beam of rainbow shoots from her horn.

As it flies at him, the fiendish Djinn smiles, “Excellent…”

His hands meet the beam, and catches the magical attack. The force alone pushes him back a few feet, but he manages to hold himself through the air. It requires all four of his hands to keep the magical attack from reaching him, but even he struggles to hold it back. A smile reaches his face as he opens his maw. Flames spiral like a small sun just inches from his mouth. It builds to the size of his own head. Letting go of the beam, he counterattacks with his own magic. Twilight Sparkle’s rainbow attack hits the fiery ball and explodes. A pillar of smoke rises as dust sprawls about the town.

When it settles, Twilight is ready for another attack, but Djinn is nowhere to be found.

Reverting to her smaller self, she scowls, “Just who, or what, was that?”

***

In the dangerous mountains to the south, a rift in space is thrown open as Djinn tears back into reality. Smoke sizzles from his hands, as his claws seem to have dissolved. He appears weary, but he throws his head back and laughs.

“The seal is gone,” he shouts triumphantly through the endless canyon. “The seal is gone!”

Chapter 2: Dragon Rebirth

The oaken doors are thrown open to the sound of trumpeting fan fair. Princess Celestia trots through the foyer, taking note of the hand-carved décor that leads to the next room. Her horn glows its sunlit color as it enchants the second set of doors, flinging them open. The room is flushed with colorful crystals that hang from the ceiling with a pure white chandelier in the center that bathes the area in a rainbow. A long red carpet leads up to a stone table with six thrones gathered around it. One in particular is larger than the rest, and sitting in it is Twilight Sparkle.

“Princess Celestia, it is good to see you,” Twilight Sparkle addresses the princess in a quick, uncaring manner.

“Let us skip the pleasantries, shall we?” Celestia is unamused as she takes a seat across the table from her former protégé. “I do not enjoy being summoned in such a manner.”

“I am sure you get over it,” Twilight remarks.

Celestia’s eyes flare, “Enough of this. Tell me why I am here!”

“Ponyville was attacked this morning by a malevolent creature called Djinn,” the empress answers. “And following the usual trend of monsters appearing into existence, you usually have some history with them in the thousand years you have been alive.”

“Djinn,” Princess Celestia rubs a wing under her chin. “No, sadly I never contended with a creature by the name of Djinn.”

“I see,” Twilight Sparkle looks down. “That is troublesome.”

“I cannot help, but sense your insecurity about this Djinn,” Princess Celestia looks at Twilight Sparkle with a curious look. “How is it that this creature has the Empress of Friendship rattled?”

“When I confronted Djinn, I used the same magical attack to defeat Spike three years ago. But Djinn, he was able to shrug it off with little effort.”

This grabs Celestia’s attention, “That is troublesome news to hear.”

Twilight takes a deep breath, “Princess Celestia, I know you and I have been at odds these three years. With such a fearsome enemy in our midst, I wish that would be able to put ourselves aside and work together like we had in the past to better Equestria.”

Hearing the plea of her former student, Celestia smiles, “I believe it is time—”

The doors burst open, cutting the princess off in the middle of their discussion. A Pegasus guard hovers in as she leads a giant dragon down the carpeted corridor. The great lizard crawls on its stomach, looking like a large red crocodile. Upon its back is a saddle where a blue dragoness sits with a staff in her hand. As the beast approaches, the smaller dragoness leaps from her seat, landing to the ground gracefully with her dragon wings. She is decorated in golden armor that matches the staff she holds at her side.

“Dragon Lord,” Twilight puts her hooves against the table as she excitedly sits up in her seat.

“You can call me Ember, Twilight,” the dragon lord smiles. She turns to the princess. “And you must be Princess Celestia. It is an honor to be in Ponyville.”

Twilight turns shyly to her former teacher, “I am sorry, Celestia, I had forgotten about my meeting with the Dragon Lord.”

“Yes, we will continue our discussion after your meeting.”

“No, please, stay,” Ember insists. “I came to Twilight with exciting news.”

“News?” Twilight is caught off guard, “What news?”

Ember is smiling ear-to-ear, the dragon lord motions for someone in the saddle to come. A small figure pops its head from behind a monstrous scale. The ponies gasp as the little figure suddenly vanishes in a pop of purple magic, only to rematerialize beside Ember. Standing beside her is a baby dragon. Deep purple scales look almost like deep night as there is a shimmering of stars mixed in. Jade fins run from the top of his head down to the back of his tail. He looks at the two ponies with fierce, emerald eyes.

Seeing the baby dragon, Celestia nearly falls out of her seat, as if she were looking upon a ghost. Twilight shows the same look of shock on her face, but it is less of dread. The little one makes no motion to speak as Ember steps in front of the youngling.

“I apologize for his staring,” she says with a smile, “This is the first time he has ever seen an alicorn in real.”

She looks back to find the little dragon hiding behind her tail.

“Go ahead, little one, it is alright.”

Stepping forward, the little one swallows a lump in his throat before speaking in a familiar voice, “Hello, your highnesses.”

“S-Spike?” Twilight looks at him curiously.

“It, it cannot be,” Celestia whispers under her breath.

The dragon clears his throat, as he gives a bolden look, “I am Prince Thorn, direct descendant of the ancient Dragon King, Talon.”

“Dragon King?” Twilight Sparkle looks oddly at the little one. “I thought that Dragon Lands were under the command of an elected Dragon Lord?”

“It was not always the case,” Ember answers. “Long ago, the Dragon Lands was a great kingdom for dragon kind. That was, until the King’s Lineage suddenly vanished. After King Talon passed on, our lands were left without a ruler, and our kind became the dull, violent beasts you may remember. But now we have the offspring of the great kings of the past. He will restore the Dragon Lands to a glory not known for over a thousand years.”

“My hoping is to create peace and prosperity between dragons and ponies,” Prince Thorn answers with a whole-hearted smile.

Celestia abruptly gets up from her seat and begins walking by the two dragons. The young dragon looks up at her and their eyes lock for just a moment. Something in his gaze has the princess trot just a little bit faster as she exits the throne room.

“Is everything alright?” Ember looks back to see Celestia disappearing.

“Yes,” Twilight gives a weak smile, “Princess Celestia and I were talking about matters that needed to be addressed.”

“Is there anything that we can do while we are here?” Prince Thorn asks politely.

“No Spike-I-mean, Prince Thorn,” she covers a mouth over her hoof.

Ember laughs, “It is okay for the slip up, Twilight. The two look a lot like each other. Speaking of Spike, where is he? I would like to catch up with him.”

The question causes a furrow to reach Twilight Sparkle’s brow, “Spike, he, he went on a journey of self-discovery some time ago.”

“I see,” Prince Thorn says. “Princess Twilight Sparkle…”

“Twilight is fine.”

“Yes, Twilight,” he gives a bow, “Thank you for having us. If it is alright with you, I would like to see the rest of Ponyville on my own.”

“I will see if I can get one of the guards to escort you,” Twilight Sparkle says.

“No need,” Ember assures her, “Despite his size, our little prince is quite capable of defending himself.”

“I,” Twilight pauses, “Very well. Ember, if you are willing to stay, I’d like to catch up.”

“Me too,” the dragoness smiles.

Prince Thorn looks back as his fateful friend, Ember, and the princess sit down at the table. A smile crosses his fangs as he heads out of the throne room. The large salamander like dragon is left confused as he looks between the dragon lord and prince.

***

A cold wind brushes through the rocky atmosphere of a cavernous landscape, giving a hollow groan as it passes the jagged spires. Desolation is such a fitting description to the world that is laid out before the few unfortunate souls that inhabit it. In this single plane of existence, there are several towers carved into the rock with stairs leading to the top. At the base, there is a vicious three-headed dog that stands guard, patrolling. Froth bubbles from the ones muzzle, while the other two suddenly let out a low growl. All three bear their teeth.

The air ripples as a sudden tear appears in the sky as blackened talons poke into existence. A hole is thrown open as Djinn is floating on the other side. The great fiend pulls at the wormhole, making it grow large enough for him to float through. He greets Cerberus with a fanged grin that rakes across his entire round face. The dog plants its front feet and begins to bark.

“Enough, dog,” Djinn snaps his fingers.

A steak suddenly materializes out of thin air. The great big juicy piece of meat falls and he snatches it out of the air. Holding it up, he waves it in front of the beast, but it proves to be useless as the dog only growls louder, its snots scrunched to expose its sharp teeth. Digging in its back legs, it lunges at Djinn. The black monster throws one hand up in front of him, and seemingly snatches Cerberus out of the air.

Three heads thrash wildly as they try to continue their attack, but each falls short of locking onto their target. The smile fades from Djinn’s mouth as his eyes narrow, looking at the fierce canine that is attempting to attack him.

“Down!” he snaps.

Moving his one hand, he slams Cerberus to the ground. The impact causes the rock to crack underneath the beast. Cerberus gets up and snarls louder.

“I have no time to play with a puppy.”

He aims his finger at the dog, as a beam of blue light shoots from it. The three-headed beast is struck, and explodes into a billowing ball of smoke. From the plume, three puppies come rolling out. They whimper and run away.

Djinn does not pursue the fleeing canines, as he floats up to one of the mountainous towers. The inside of the mountain top is hollowed through to allow a strange light to pour down. Sitting there is a cage that is bolted to the ground. The floating fiend pulls at the cage, ripping the chains as if they were nothing more than stems from a flower. Peering into the prison with his crimson gaze, he sees a scrawny centaur shackled.

Tirek opens his eyes and sees the monstrosity staring at him. Yet, instead of cowering, a smile grips his goat-like face.

“What kind of fool would come to Tartarus to visit me?”

“I have need of you,” Djinn answers, the smile returning to his face.

“As do I,” Tirek clasps his hands together, “That precious energy.”

Without warning, Tirek opens his mouth and begins sucking in Djinn’s essence. The black monstrosity makes no effort to back away as his life force is pulled into Tirek. Every passing second, the centaur grows, soon becoming too large for the cage, as it breaks against his body. Djinn lets go as Tirek stands at equal height, large and muscular.

“Your essence was exactly what I needed,” Tirek answers in his deep, daunting voice. He stretches his arms, “I can go free to get back at Twilight Sparkle, and the rest of Equestria.”

Djinn laughs loudly, using all four of his arms to hold his sides. This does not amuse Tirek at all as a ball of energy forms between his horns. He fires the beam of energy, but the floating fiend knocks the attack aside without the littlest bit of effort.

“How?” Tirek is thrown back. “How do you have that much power. I absorbed your magic!”

“You are strong,” Djinn smiles. “But I am stronger.”

Djinn’s palms glow a faint blue and suddenly Tirek is wrapped up in that same magic. He struggles to move a muscle. As the fiend watches the centaur struggle, a sinister smile reaches across his face.

“But you are exactly what I am looking for,” Djinn smiles evilly.

Floating closer, he puts a hand against Tirek’s chest.

“There is tremendous darkness in your heart. Let me unleash it…”

Blackness pours off Djinn’s body like a toxic sludge and spills into the centaur demon’s chest. It sinks into the flesh, and Tirek starts to thrash. Djinn lets his magical grip loose as his victim crashes to the ground. The magic begins to spew, causing him to roar in pain.

His large muscles shrink and dissolve, melting off his body in a pool. Only bones remain as he is stripped of flesh. The darkness that belonged to Djinn begins to soak into his skeletal body, and creates an ooze of smoke. It swarms and surrounds Tirek, until a large plume of blackness surrounds him.

Djinn laughs as he takes a deep breath, before blowing away the smoke.

Standing there is a monstrous nightmare. A giant skeletal horse stomps its hoof against the ground, its jagged bones claw at the dirt. Vicious black tendrils intertwine with the bones to hold its frame together. In its empty sockets, a purple fire ignites like eyes. Sprouting from the stallions’ back is a barrel-chested creature that holds some remnants of Tirek. The creature looks more like a knight as it wields an enormous claymore made from bone. Looking up at Djinn, the creature once known as Tirek bows both heads.

“Good,” Djinn smiles. “Now go, my malicious rider. Bring a Knight Mare upon the ponies of Equestria.”

Chapter 3: The Nightmare Begins

Two little claws hug a brown mug as emerald eyes gaze down into a pool of an orangey liquid. In the cider is the reflection of the tiny prince who continues to gaze into the drink with a curious look. He looks up to see Ember who has taken a similar drink and has dove her snout into it. Cider froths around her mouth as she guzzles it down. When finished, the blue dragoness slams it down. She smacks her lips with a smile.

“My little princeling,” she says, noticing the young dragon’s stare, “What is the matter?”

“This, this muddied water,” the princeling stares down into the drink with an ever-growing frown, “It is considered unhealthy to drink in our kingdom. And yet these ponies consider it a treat?”

“This isn’t water, my prince,” Ember says, putting a claw over her mouth to muffle a laugh, “It is called cider. It is a sweet drink that the ponies make by mashing up apples.”

“You mean those fruits we saw hanging from the trees?”

“The very same,” she answers. “Go on, young one, drink up.”

The tiny dragon lifts up the drink to his snout and lets it slip past the row of miniature fangs as he gulps it down. He starts to drink faster, reaching the same pace as Ember before putting the cup down. A great big smile crosses his mouth before his cheeks puff out. A small burp slithers past his lips, making him blush.

“It is sweet and tangy,” he says, licking his lips. “I will make sure to ask the ponies for a tree to take us back home with.”

“Oh, Thorn,” Ember giggles, “Apple Trees won’t be able to grow in the Dragon Lands. The earth is too tough. Besides, we are just fine with the gems growing in caves.”

“Then our next priority is tilling the lands,” Thorn says in a serious tone. “In the past, our kind would feast on the riches of the lands besides the precious gems of the earth. I told you that I will restore our home to a glory not seen in a thousand years.”

“Thorn,” she says, moved by his words.

“Spike?”

Realizing that the words are being thrown his way, Prince Thorn turns to see a white unicorn gawking at him from afar. Her dazzling blue eyes seem to swell, sparking like the three diamonds that make her cutie mark. Before she can speak she is slowly making her way up to him, not a word spoken. Ember narrows her eyes as she watches Rarity with a sort of contempt. The pony proceeds up to the prince, and looks him in his large emerald eyes. Suddenly, she presses her nose against his snout, an angry expression overtakes her.

“You have a lot of nerve coming here after what you did,” she scowls.

“Rarity,” Ember has risen from her seat, both sets of claws placed firmly against the table. A dark look has come over the dragonesses face, “Do not address my liege in such a manner.”

“Your liege?” Rarity is thrown back.

“You addressing the future king of the Dragon Lands. Prince Thorn.”

“Thorn,” Rarity’s anger seems to only burn brighter as her horn glows. “Thorn!”

Pointing the tip of her horn at the little dragon, the seething Rarity unleashes a flash from a powerful spell. It creates a burst of blinding white light that swallows the area. When it fades, Rarity is on the ground, panting heavily as she appears slightly worse for wear. However, despite her powerful spell, the little dragon is left unscathed. His twilight scales glisten. The unicorn grits her teeth, but ends up collapsing. Looking up with weary eyes, she is shocked to see a friendly claw reaching out for her.

“Are you okay?” Thorn asks.

She hesitates to accept the talons, looking up at him with disdain. Yet when their eyes meet, she can read the innocence in his. Something inside her compels her to accept his claw. Wrapping his fingers around her hoof, he helps her back up. Once she is back on her hooves, she shies away from the prince and his dragoness guard.

“I-I’m sorry,” Rarity hangs her head, “I acted rashly.”

“Rashly?” Ember steps forward, bearing her fangs. “You attacked the crowned prince of the Dragon Lands. This is no short than an act of war…”

Before she reaches Rarity, Thorn throws up a claw, blocking his blue mentor.

“Ember, there is no need for such hostility,” the young prince smiles. “We are here as guests. I came here wanted to learn the ways of the ponies. Miss Rarity has quite the explosive method of greeting other ponies, but it was pleasant nonetheless.”

“Your majesty,” Rarity is left in awe.

“Please, Thorn is fine.”

“Y-Yes, well, Thorn,” the pony blushes and giggles to herself. “If you would like, I can show you more of Ponyville.”

“That would be—”

The young dragon is silenced by the abrupt trembling of the ground beneath his feet. He stumbles off his seat, falling flat on his stomach. Ponies let out horrified screams Many of them are looking off in the distance of the Everfree Forest. Thorn’s emerald eyes follow them to see a plume of fire rising over the tree tops out in the distance. A cross look decorates his face.

“Your highness?”: Ember looks at the young dragon.

“I need you to keep this pony safe,” he orders.

“What? What do you plan on doing?” Rarity asks.

“I am protecting the home of my new friend.”

Before Rarity can speak, Thorn is hunched over with a small pained look. At his shoulder blades, two points jet out, breaking the scales. Covered in a black ooze, they slowly morph open to be two large wings nearly the size of the little dragon they are attached to. One flap sends the dragon upwards into the clouds. From below Rarity watches as the small purple dot that is Thorn suddenly speed off in the direction of the Everfree Forest.

***

Deep in the Everfree Forest, the undead behemoth Knight Mare swings his mighty claymore, cleaving the tops of trees with a single cut. Creatures of the forest, small and tall, flee for their lives. The skeletal horse-head hangs its jaw open to let loose a stream of fire that torches what is left of the trees. Smoke billows into the sky. Once the path is clear, the monstrous knight marches forward.

Earth turns to jagged violet rock. The beast’s eyes flare like twin fireballs as it falls upon the image of a crystal tree set in the maze of stone. Rather than take the stairs nearby, Knight Mare charges down the slope, only to dig its hooves into the ground as it skids to the bottom. Before he crashes, he digs his claymore into the rock, slowing his descent. Landing, he rips his sword free and marches for the Tree of Harmony.

Without resistance, Knight Mare holds his sword up over his head. Silently, he brings it down upon the top of the tree. The Tree of Harmony is shattered upon impact, the force blasting the crystal to bits. Blue shards scatter on the ground, and a sapphire dust cloud meets the smoke in the sky. Once the dust settles, Knight Mare sees that at the root of the former tree is a sigil etched in the dirt. A snake-like creature with the horn of a goat and antelope wraps itself in the shape of a circle. The image appears to be biting its own snake-like tail, a large tusk jetting out from its bottom jaw to bite down onto its feathered tip.

Knight Mare picks his sword up again, the skulled knight lets steam ooze from its mouth. The steed that is a part of its being snorts as the abomination readies to attack again. Just as it attempts to stab the odd insignia, a small violet ball careens out of the sky, and smashes the beast in the chest. It tosses Knight Mare backwards until his hooves dig into the edge of the sloping hill.

Thorn stands between the creature and the circle, unaware that he is defending it. The little dragon plants his feet firmly and snorts a small stream of smoke. The great wings at his back stay fanned outwards, making the little creature appear more intimidating. Sadly, it is not to deter the colossal beast that towers over him. Knight Mare tightens its bony grip on the claymore. Its steed body rears back, the stallion letting out a stream of fire as it cries out in battle. He charges the little dragon, its sword held out like a lance.

The tip of the blade reaches the small dragon, who holds up his hands to meet it. His talons dig into the bone weapon, and he is immediately sent flying backwards, unable to get a footing from the monstrous momentum of the charging knight. Knight Mare thrusts the sword upwards, sending Thorn up into the air where he spirals down to the ground, landing with a painful thud. The stallion continues its charge, slamming its front hoof into the ground to swing about and make for a second pass at its prey.

This time, Knight Mare holds the sword out at his side. Flames erupt in its skeletal form, cloaking him in a hellish armor. The inferno travels down to the sword, setting it ablaze. Thorn gets up in a slight daze as he catches sight of the sword barreling toward him.

***

Rarity looks nervously at the growing smoke from the Everfree Forest.

“Will he really be okay?”

Ember smiles, “Of course. Our Prince can handle anything.”

“How can you be so calm?” the unicorn bites her bottom lip. “He is just a baby dragon.”

“Thorn is unique,” Ember explains.

“What do you mean?”

“When a dragon is overcome with greed, he will grow big and strong,” Ember says. “But Thorn…”

***

The flames burn bright. Smoke sizzles against the deep purple scales. Thorn has a hold of the fiery blade, his claws sending cracks sprawling across the weapon. Piercing green eyes look upon Knight Mare, as the little prince has grown into a dragon twice the size of his escort, Ember. The stout, round body has become long and slender.

The Eclipse Dragon will grow stronger in order to defeat his foe…

The mature Dragon Prince closes his palm, crushing a section of the towering claymore. Stamping his foot into the ground, Thorn twists his head in the direction of Knight Mare, sending a stream of black fire at him. It seems to swallow the fire armor, wrapping the undead behemoth in a blanket of agony. It lets out a unnerving screech as it flails.

Using the opportunity, Thorn takes blasts off the ground at a booming speed. He rips through the armed side of Knight Mare. The skeletal hand and claymore crash to the ground, and the beast again shrieks in pain. A cone of air forms about Thorn as he dives for another attack. The beast moves, but not enough as the horse head is obliterated.

Knight Mare pants heavily as the flames finally die from its body, leaving charred bone in its wake. Realizing that it is no match for the dragon, it turns and instead runs for the insignia. Thorn watches it flee, and instead grabs the claymore off the ground.

The beast charges with all its might for the strange marker, but topples to the ground as its back legs are sliced off with its own weapon. It screams as it claws its way. Thorn soars up in the air, and ignites the sword again, but in his black flames.

On the ground, Knight Mare swings its lanky arm and digs four long fingertips into the marker of the snake. The stone cracks, and a hiss of smoke rises from it. Knight Mare lets out one last battle cry as it rakes its talons across.

Its triumphant scream is cut short as the claymore is thrust through the back of its skeletal head, splitting the skull down the middle.

Thorn stands victorious over the remains of the beast. The flames that jet from the blade lick at the rest of the fallen skeleton. Thorn looks at the destroyed marker, watching as the strange steam leaks out onto the ground, rolling like a fog. He narrows his gaze, even as the mist disappears.

***

From afar, a dark figure has sat and watched the events transpire. Djinn floats on a cliffside that a former dragon once used to gaze upon Ponyville. The creature of darkness has its bottom arms folded together, and his top right hanging at his side. The last he holds out in front of him, a large smile on his featureless face.

At his wrist, a golden cuff shows signs of cracks webbing across its shimmering surface. Djinn squeezes his hand into a fist, and the muscles bulge, breaking apart the cuff. His glowing red eyes follow the pieces tumbling to the ground. Opening his mouth, a long, black tongue slithers out as he licks his non-existent lips.

“Useful, you were,” he chuckles, “But brute force no longer good. The Eclipse Dragon will prove too difficult to overpower. Must use other tricks. Yes, it must be done to break the other three.”