Author's Note

I do not own My Little Pony Friendship is Magic

A/N: Hey everypony, I hope you are enjoying the story so far, but in the chapter I wanted to let you in on what the size Gable is going to the transform into. I'm pulling the size numbers from the Dungeons & Dragons Draconomicon, The Book of Dragons. Garble will be a Colossal size dragon: Overall Length 120 ft, Body Length 35ft, Neck Length 35ft, Tail Length 50ft, Body Width 15ft, Standing Height 22ft, Max Wingspan 150ft, Min Wingspan 60ft, and Weight 1,280,000 lbs. Yeah he going to be big ass motherfucker LOL! Alright enough of my blabbing now on with the story.

Thank for reading everypony.

Remember comments are magic

The Seventh Element

Chapter Four: The Seventh Element

Everyone watches in horror as the empty clothes of the other dragons fall to the ground. Gable unleashes a monstrous earth shaking roar as a black green flame aura erupts from his body. The earth around him begins to break up fly away in all directions. One piece of ground the size of a boulder rockets up and flies toward where everyone is standing; Spike quickly rushes in front of everyone punching the rock turning it into dust in the blink of an eye. "EVERYONE RUN FOR IT!" he screams while running back towards everyone and picking up Rarity bridal style flying a safe distance back.

Twilight and the others quickly follow behind the young adult dragon. They land near the border of remains of Ponyville; they look towards the growing green-black fire aura. Major Coats and Spitfire come running up to group to seeing the sinister aura grow in size and strength; Coats then says, "Princess Twilight, what's happening taught the dragon here defeated the enemy, but I'm sensing a terrible power coming from that aura!"

Twilight gives a low growl then says still watching the power emitting from the flames, "What spell is he using?!"

AJ quickly replies, "Twilight, do you think this is really the time to worry about that?"

Twilight prepares to answer, but Zecora quickly jumps in, "It is an ancient spell, one that comes from the dragon's dark realm. It takes the power of the innocent and entraps the heart within the user. Major Coats we must retreat and raise the shield; while the others handle this ordeal."

The girls were about to object, but Spike states, "Understood, my Master!" Zecora nods then guides Coats and Spitfire back into to city-limits. A second later, the light blue barrier goes back up leaving the seven of them outside to watch the flame shoot up into the sky in a swirling column of green and black flames. The column stretches over twenty feet wide as another monstrous roar are released from inside the flames. Spike closely looks at the column and hears the faint cries and moans of hearts trapped within. He squeezes his fist tightly and gives a low growl feeling anger welling up within him, "Damnit Garble look at what have you done; you're taking the lives of innocents to power yourself up."

Rainbow looks at Spike to see his aura rising up; then she says, "Spike, how can you still have so much power?"

The purple dragon pays no attention to the sky-blue Pegasus as his purple aura grows bigger as hands transforms into talons and his skin becomes scale shape platelets. The girls see his growing transformation; then their ears peek up when they hear Zecora's voice, "One who uses Dragons Rage, their power is restored in spades. After each battle Spike wins, his strength grows within. Know this, time is short to save the others you all must attack at full power."

After Zecora finishes her line, the swirling column explodes sending the flames in every directions burning the land and turning everything around the blast radius to ash. Twilight puts up a barrier shielding them from the waves of flames. At the center of the blast, Gable transforms in his ancient colossal size form with a black horn at the center of his head. Bright orange-red lava dips from his mouth through the gaps of his razor sharp teeth, and black coal smoke puffs from his nose. His eyes glow bright green with black energy tail waves hovering from the sides of his eyes. Garble tilts his head up pointing his black horn to the sky; then the horn crackles with green and black electric energy. The energy grows more powerful at the tip of the jet black horn forming a black sphere. The sphere expands three times the size; then fires a beam of black energy into the air.

The cloudy smoke filled sky is hit with the black ray spilling jet black ink over the whole area. Everything fades into the darkness. A couple seconds later, only the color of the two barriers glow in the blanket ocean of black darkness. "What the hell is going on?!" AJ questions just as the sounds of screams grow louder. They look for where the screams are coming from to only see a terrorizing sight. The so called walls grow into the semi-shapeless faces of the dragons absorb by Garble.

Fluttershy collapses to the floor crying and screaming, "Please make it stop! Make it stop!"

Pinkie wraps her arms around herself as tears fall down her face. Her body begins to shake as the screams grow louder by the second, "This isn't fun anymore!"

"How the fuck are we suppose to fight that shit!" Rainbow cries out then she falls to her knees, "There's nothing we can do to stop him! And all the souls…"

Twilight feels a wave of despair course toward her body while she saying in a frighten voice, "This isn't possible, he's too powerful."

Rarity also breaks down crying out, "We are all going to die! There's no hope!"

Spike listens to the girls' cry to the point he yells with a powerful tone, "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SAYING! IF WE GIVE UP HERE, EVERYONE WILL BE LEFT DEFENSELESS TO THIS BULLY! I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN! YOU HAVE TO FIGHT THIS! GET OFF YOUR ASSES AND LET'S STOP THIS MOTHERFUCKER BEFORE HE KILLS EVERYONE WE KNOW AND LOVE! TWILIGHT, APPLE JACK, PINKIE PIE, FLUTTERSHY, RAINBOW DASH, AND RARITY REACH DOWN INSIDE YOU AND PULL OUT YOUR BRASS BALLS AND LETS KICK SOME DRAGON ASS! LETS GOOOOOO!" Spike takes off through Twilight's barrier at full speed towards to Garble.

The girls watch Spike head towards the colossal size red dragon; they still feel fear coursing through them. Spike launches a powerful Dragon Rage blast on Garble's back making the red dragon roar in pain and tries to counterattack. Rarity watches through her teary eyes as Spike continues to fight without pause. She feels a warm sensation within her heart as the fear melts away. Her hands, horn, and Element of the Harmony begin glow dark-purple. "He will pay for this!" she exclaims to gathering more power around her and rocketing towards the massive enemy.

The soldiers and remaining citizens start to collapse to the ground crying in terror hearing the screams of the captured hearts. The cries of the people reach Fluttershy's ears causing her to lift up her head, and sees Spike charging the red monster only to be repel off by his thick scale armor. She stands to her feet balling up hand into a fist watching the unfolding battle. "This isn't right! He's hurting everyone around here along with the animals! He's nothing but a big bully!" the yellow Pegasus states as her fists and element begin to glow pink.

Just as Rainbow and AJ look at their shy friend, Fluttershy takes-off with the speed only seen from Rainbow Dash. The girls look at each other with dumbstruck expression while they see Spike going head to head with the now fire breathing monster. Rainbow softly says to AJ, "Hey AJ are you scared?" The orange earth pony nods yes making the sky blue Pegasus snicker for a second, "Me to, but are we going to stand here and let our friend do all the work? Besides this looks like it will be fun!" Rainbow smirks as her hands and element start to glow red.

AJ laughs while her hands and element glow orange. "Rainbow if you're going, so am I. First one to bring him down will be the true Ironpony! Let's Go!" AJ yells out as they go rushing off to help their friends in battle.

Pinkie Pie watches as AJ and Rainbow Dash go rushing off towards the battle; she forces a smile on her face as she says, "Well if they say its going to be fun, then I'm going to bring my party cannon to make it even better!" The pink earth pony pulls out her shoulder size party cannon as her hands, cannon, and element start to glow a bright sky blue aura. Pinkie gives out a loud *woohoo* while charging full speed to the battlefield.

Its only minutes later, Twilight looks up to see no one left in the barrier but herself. She watches as her friends launch back to back attacks on the roaring dragon. He lashes out with his massive claws, but he is unable to hit the speedy small targets. She goes to close her eyes, the she hears a male voice in her head, ~Twilight don't let this darkness overwhelm you. You must stay strong, so that you can save me when the time comes. ~ Twilight opens her eyes watching the battle continue to unfold. The voice goes on saying, ~Don't be scare this is a spell called Dragon's Fear. It causes the target to doubt themselves and become fearful of the caster. Bravery will temporarily block out the fear, but to end the spell you have to kill the caster. I have seen your bravery before; it was able to defeat me, and sent me back into the darkness. You have the power to do it, so get moving Princess Twilight Sparkle and show me the power that can defeat the darkness.~

Twilight takes a deep breath and once again looks at her battling friends. She feels courage welling up within her while saying to herself, "Spike, you stood up for us against Garble in single combat and won. Now once again, you are fighting for us…" Twilight's smashes her arms down with her forearm and fists pointed upward as her whole body and element glow bright purple. "Save some for me Spike!" she calls out rocketing into the skirmish.

Spike goes into a power dive firing several dragon rage fireballs down the right side of Garble's face. The blue fireballs explode on his face making the super-size red dragon growl in anger; he swings his massive claws through the air trying to the hit the tiny speeding purple dragon. Spike laughs out loud, "AH HA HA! LOOKS LIKE GETTING BIGGER ONLY MADE YOU AN EASIER TARGET!"

"YOU FOOL! YOU DON'T KNOW THE TRUE POWER I NOW POSSESSES!" Garble growls taking a couple of swings at Spike but to only miss every attack swing.

"YOU MEAN THE POWER THAT YOU STOLE FROM EVERYONE ELSE YOU MONSTER! YOU CAME HERE TO SEE AND CHALLENGE ME TO A DUEL FOR OUR HONOR! DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS AN HONOURABLE DUEL! WHERE'S YOUR HONOR AS A DRAGON!" Spike shout back as he dodges more attacks.

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HONOR, AND THE POWER I HAVE IS MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE! YOU HAVE NOTHING!" Garble fires back while splitting out waves of green-black fire all over the place.

"YOU'RE WRONG! HE HAS US! HIS FRIENDS AND WE WILL STOP YOU!" the girls say in unison charging towards the battle.

Rarity fires several energy blasts at Garble, but her shots bounce off his scales. She swiftly dodges a couple of flames that come raining from the air.

Twilight summons her energy sword and flies down hacking and slashing on Garble's back but her blades are not able to pierce his scales, so she fires a couple of energy shots through the tips of her swords. Sadly, the shots like Rarity's bounds off his scales.

AJ draws her guns and they are coated with her orange aura; then she dual wields her weapons opening fire. She unleashes a hail of bullets from her specially made six shooters, but her aura covered bullets fail to break through the dragon's super thick scales.

Rainbow uses her staff to bash at Garble's face with a number of quick powerful attacks making the giant dragon open is fanged filled mouth. He tries to bite down on the sky-blue Pegasus. Even though he misses with his bite attack, he blows out a wave of skin melding flames making the young woman dodge in haste, but the tip of her tail gets hit. Rainbow is force to the retreat while patting her tail and yelping in pain.

Pinkie covers Rainbow's retreat by firing a flash bang from her party blinding Garble for a couple of seconds. Next, she fires a wave of fireworks at his eyes; making the great dragon cry out in pain and swings wildly in all directions with his talons. The girls and Spike all back out of range of his wild slashes, but Gable does a wide swing catching Rarity in the back sending her screaming into the air and landing about thirty feet away.

Spike watches the scene unfold in slow motion. When her seemly lifeless body land with a nasty thud, Spike unleashes a terrifying scream while flying at full speed to his fallen lover's side; he cradles her bloody body crying out, "Rarity! Rarity! Can you hear me?! Rarity!"

Garble quickly regains his sight and sees the defenseless purple dragon; he flaps his powerful wings propelling him into the air.

Twilight hears Spike's scream and turns around to see Rarity on the ground. She feels a rush of wind then looks over to see Garble flying towards them. She shouts, "SPIKE WATCH OUT! SPIKE!" She sees he is not paying any attention to her warning. "Damnit!" she curses; she looks to her right to see Rainbow flying close by. Twilight quickly calls out to the sky blue armored Pegasus, "Rainbow! Listen we have to give Spike some cover! Rarity is hurt, and Garble is going after them!"

Rainbow just finishes putting her tail out, and quickly gives a salute before taking off a blinding speed leaving her famous rainbow trailer. The purple alicorn quickly follows suit while getting Fluttershy to follow behind her. The three flyers hastily intercept the angry beast start to the orbit around him doing what they can to either slow him down or make him turn his attention to them. Twilight fires energy bolts from her swords along side of his body. Rainbow uses her staff as a ramming rod and goes at full speed turning herself into a rainbow rocket hitting Garble's body over and over. Fluttershy uses judo and wrestling moves to grapple any manageable part of the dragon's body.

The girl's efforts are quickly join by Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie as they fire shots from the ground to towards the airborne enemy. AJ unleashes a hail of bullets from her endless round twin six shooters. Pinkie's cannon fires missile after missile towards the giant target.

Garble growls out, "YOU FUCKING NATS NEED TO LEARN NOT TO FUCK WITH A DRAGON!" The green black energy starts to whirl around his front two claws; then they transform into hand-like talons. He looks took left then right carefully watch the flying ponies movement. Then without warning and the reaction speed of a ninja, he grabs the girls in his powerful claws. They struggle to get loose by it unless; he changes direction heading toward Pinkie and AJ dodging some of their attack, and just as quickly he throws Twilight, Rainbow, and Fluttershy. The three rocket towards and clash into the two earth ponies. Garble follows up his throw with charged up green-black fireball. Before any of the girls are able to recover, the earth around erupts in a gigantic fire column.

The girls' bodies fly off in directions only to land painfully burnt and broken. The girls are left motionless with their eyes blank void of life. Garble laughs then takes off back towards his true target.

Spike holds Rarity in his arms slightly lifting up her head, "Rarity come on please respond! You can't die on me please! Breathe, cough, or talk please do anything." A second later, the white unicorn coughs up a blob of blood; then she starts to breathe heavily. "Oh Rarity!" Spike says passionately moving a strand of her purple sweat drench hair to the side of her face. "Hey there, you had me scared for a moment!" Spike says with tears draining down the sides of his face.

"Spike, what happened? The last thing I remember was something powerful hitting me. I feel so cold," Rarity says as she suggest to move her hand, but the limb fails to respond. She tries to move some, but Spike motions to her not move as he continues to gently rub the side of her face. She closes her eyes as tears begin to form in the slits of her eyes as she wills her left foot to move, but once again the signal to the targeted limb fails to respond and move. She closes her eyes while saying, "Spike, I can't… I can't…"

Spike wipes away the tears on from her face while saying softly, "Don't worry once we get you back home; the doctors will fix you up. Besides you have to stop crying, your tears is going to make your make up run we wouldn't want that would we."

She cracks a small smile and opens her eyes to see a horrific sight. Rarity sees Garble flying above them with his arms crossed looking down at the couple with a smug look on his face. Rarity's eyes fill with fear seeing the menacing dragon watching them comforting each other, and she says in a frighten tone of voice, "Spike… Garble is…"

Spike glances behind him and sees the monstrous dragon hovering in the air. ~Damnit! We're sitting ducks here, and on top of that Rarity is too injured to move. ~ Spike looks back at Rarity and sees that she is fixing her mouth to say something, but he puts his finger over her lips and says, "Don't you dare tell me to leave here because I won't."

"Spike…"

"No Rarity I won't leave you!"

"AHH! ISN'T THIS CUTE LOOKS LIKE THE LOSER'S MATE HAS ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE! WELL HOW ABOUT I PUSH YOU BOTH INTO THE GRAVE TOGETHER!" Garble roars out loud.

Spike gently lays Rarity down before removing his shirt. He puts it over the wounded unicorn; then he turns to face the hovering dragon. Spike growls then takes off to come face to face with the powerful enemy. "You'll pay for this! For all the people you hurt, I will make you pay!" His aura explodes all around before taking a fighting stance. A second later, he charges at full speed firing a barrage out nonstop at the monster.

Once again, Garble finds himself at a disadvantage when it comes to his opponent's speed. He swings uselessly around him trying to hit the speedy purple dragon as he continues to take damage from Spike's dragon rage fireballs. He turns around to see the perfect way to break his opponent's will. "YOU ARE A FUCKING IDIOT YOU KNOW THAT SPIKE!"

Spike continues to swiftly moves around Garble while replying, "What are you talking about?!"

"YOU LEFT ONE MAJOR OPENING!" Garble roars charging up a powerful fireball. He turns his head taking aim them unleashes the attack.

Spike pauses to see the direction of the flaming ball and feels his heart drop seeing the target. "NOOOOO!" he yells moving as fast as his wings can carry him. He gets ahead of the attack and shields Rarity from the blast. His back and wings are burnt and scarred; he struggles with all his might to keep standing. Before he can make another move, another fireball strikes his back. Rarity cries out for Spike to run, but he remains firm taking another three powerful shots to the back. Spike's breathing is labored as he struggles to say, "I…(pant)… I won't… (pant)… let anyone…. (pant)… hurt you… (pant)… you are my… (pant)… mate, and I…. (pant)… will protect you!" Seven more shots hit his back, but each blast wave never goes beyond him.

Garble pauses his attack and waits for the smoke to fade away to see Spike still standing. His back is charcoal black with smoke rising from the burnt area. "WHY DO YOU CONTINUE THIS FUTILE STRUGGLE?! LOOK AT YOUR SO CALLED FRIENDS THEY ARE BEATEN AND BROKEN, BUT YOU CONTINUE TO RESIST! WHY? TELL ME! WHAT DRIVES YOU TO FIGHT? CAN'T YOU SEE THAT YOU HAVE NO CHANCE IN HELL TO BEAT ME!"

Spike coughs up blood, and turns around to face Garble with blood dripping down the sides of his mouth. Spike gives a weak smile saying, "You just… (pant)… don't get it… (pant)… do you? (Cough)… I won't stop… (cough)… as long as I… (pant) have the determination… (cough)… TO FIGHT!"

Garble growls hearing his response then replies, "FINE KEEP YOUR DETERMINATION! I WILL DESTORY IT AND EVERYTHING HERE!" Garble flies higher into the sky until he is a small spot in the pitch back sky.

The other girls regain consciousness just in time to see Garble charge up a fireball ten times his size. The ball lights up the sky like a sun casting its foul light all over the land.

"No that is too much!" AJ grunts out.

"He's mad!" Fluttershy cries out.

"This can't be happening!" Rainbow gasps.

"I think I'm want to go home now!" Pinkie shakes trying to move.

"We have failed!" Twilight says with a depress tone.

Spike watches Garble prepare his attack; then he looks behind at Rarity shaking with fear watching the battle unfold. He gives her a reinsuring smile, "I won't let him hurt you again. I love you Rarity just always remember that, ok." Before she can say anything, he takes off while at the same time Garble fires his super monster size sun like fireball.

The girls watch as Spike charges head long into the attack. They all call out, "SPIKE!"

On the wind, Zecora's voice is heard saying, ~For the moment is now! And the time is here! For the seventh element to reappear! ~

Everyone watch as Spike charges at the attack; then they all shutters once Spike and the fireball collide with each other. The explosion fills the sky sending out powerful shockwaves in every direction. Garble starts laughing uncontrollably while watching the explosion still going off. The girls continue to cry out Spike's name, but they slowly come to realize that he was destroyed. Rarity feels a powerful wave of sadness wash over her and she cries out loud above everyone else, "SPIKKKKKKEEEEEEE!"

Spike floats in a sea of darkness; his body is the only small glowing entity in the black void. He holds up his hands in front of his face and just simply flexes his hands open and close as he feels himself fading into darkness. ~I did my best dad, and…~ he starts to the close his eyes.

"SPIKKKEEEEEEE!"

His eyes spring open saying, "Rarity!" He folds his hands into fists while growling, "Damn it Garble! I have had enough of your fucking shit! You attack my home, my friends, and the pony I love! On top of that you stole the lives of those who were following you! Enough is enough! I will use my determination to put an end to this once and for all!" He looks up in the sea of darkness; then yells out, "I'M NOT DEAD YET! SO GET READY GARBLE ROUND THREE IS ABOUT TO START! AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN!"

The girls continue to watch in horror as the blast starts to clear, and they look frantically around for any sign of their friend, but they see nothing but smoke hanging around in the air. Twilight forces herself to sit up and tries to move her arm, but the second she does, a wave of pain crushes her body making her gasp forcing her to fall back to the ground. She looks up into the smoke field, and she sees something floating in the sky. Twilight's eyes widen as the smoke clouds move apart to unveil a figure near the center of the explosion.

All the girls see the figure hovering in the air wrapped in the thin purple aura. They say in unison, "Spike!"

Spike hovers in the air with all his wounds healed and energy restore, but the girls see something new added to him.

"What is that?" Fluttershy questions as she tries to sit up and look for her other friends.

"What in tarnation? How is that possible?" AJ questions grabbing her burnt hat and one of her nearly melted gun.

"Wow!" Pinkie exclaims standing up looking at Spike.

"What's going on? How did he…?" Rainbow expresses still confused about everything going on.

"This can't be possible, but how did he get…," Twilight gasps looking at Spike's hips.

"A cutie mark!" Rarity calls outs.

The sides of his black jeans are ripped forming a perfect circle around his new cutie mark. The mark is the silhouettes of the dull colored red-winged dragon with a dull color blue unicorn. The images encircle each other to form a yin-yang symbol. The purple aura starts to contract around Spike's neck forming a circle; then the aura starts to transform into a gold necklace and in the center the aura forms a medallion of his newly awaken cutie mark. Spike looks at his new necklace with amazement; then they all hear Zecora's voice once again on the wind, "Spike has awaken the element that once slept, now you have the power to defeat the darkness! Everypony know this to be true! The true enemy does not lay before you, but one before you is a slave to darkness as well. His and others' hearts cry out to be free, and only the seven of you can grant their plea."

Spike nods his head; then looks around to see where the other girls are at. In the blink of an eye, Spike appears in front of his adopted sister reaching out to grab her hand. His purple aura washes over her healing all her wounds and restoring all her energy. In a split second, they appear in front of Rainbow Dash; Spike does the same thing and Rainbow is back hovering in the air fully healed. Once again, Spike and the girls flash step to another one of their fallen friends performing the same act. Lastly, Spike and the girls appear in front of Rarity. Spike alone walks forward and kneels down to her. He gently grabs her hand leans over face to face to the weaken unicorn; she closes her eyes then feels Spike's soft, warm, moist lips on hers. She opens her mouth allowing for a deeper kiss. Rarity feels Spike's warm tongue massaging hers as she loses herself in the powerful passionate kiss. She starts to feel a rush of power coursing through her body healing her and giving her more strength.

Spike helps Rarity to her feet without breaking the kiss between them. More of Spike's power washes over her as their kiss deepen. After another thirty seconds, the two lovers break away from each other, but he keeps his powerful arms warped around her as he looks deep into her eyes then moves close to her ear whispering to her, "Rarity once this is done, I will take you as my greatest treasure."

Rarity can only smile and nod hearing the Spike's manly voice flowing into her ear. Rainbow coughs getting their attention, "If you two are done making out we have some ass to kick!" This makes Rarity and Spike blush.

Garble watches in ah seeing Spike surviving the attack then healing the others. He roars out, "HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE DIE YOU BASTARD!" He fires three powerful shots at the group. The attacks explode on impact, and as the smoke quickly clears, it unveils the seven of unharmed and protected by a purple see-through barrier. "THIS ISN'T POSSIBLE!"

"Believe me when I say it is possible, and know that your time is up!" Spike explains. He looks at Twilight nodding to her for her to end this battle.

"Spike is right," she says stepping forward, "You have attacked our home, killed and wounded so many, and even taken the lives of your own people! This ends right here right now." Twilight starts to hover in the air with her element crown glowing brightly. "Now its time to end this, the six no the seven Elements of Harmony will stop you!"

Twilight flies high up into the air then yells out, "HONESTY!"

AJ's element glows brightly allowing her to fly up to the left side of Twilight, "LETS CORRAL THIS VARMINT!"

"KINDNESS!"

Fluttershy's element glows then moves up to her right side; then she saying in a soft aggressive voice, "YOU'RE GOING DOWN!"

"LAUGHTER!"

Pinkie rockets into the air leaving a bright blue light trial as flights up next to AJ, "WOO HOO ITS SUPER PINKIE PARTY TIME!"

"LOYALTY!"

Rainbow does the same as Pinkie, but she encircles everyone with a brilliant dazzling rainbow, "OHH YEAH! NOW THAT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!"

"GENEROSITY AND DETERMINATION!"

Spike and Rarity ascend into the sky hand in hand hovering next to Fluttershy as they say in unison, "WE WILL STOP YOU!"

"LASTLY MAGIC! WITH THE SEVEN OF US AND THE MAGIC OF FRIENDSHIP! WE WILL DEFEAT THE DARKNESS!" Twilight calls out as her element along with others coat them in a powerful light. The seven lights join together to form a giant orb of burning bright light. The glowing radiance flows all around lightening up the dark realm to show that everything in a massive dome. Then the orb of light pulses unleashing a powerful rainbow; the bright and colorful beam rockets towards Garble striking him in the chest lightening up massive dragon's body.

*RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!* Garble cries out as the beam hits him, but the light quickly fades leaving him unharmed. He rubs his hands over is chest feeling no injury or change. Garble looks back at his opponents then he slowly bursts out into laughter. A couple seconds later, he is laughing wildly while bright orb of light surrounds Equestria's defenders fades away leaving them exposed. After a couple more moments of laughing, Garble seizes the laughing and gives an evil toothy grim. "HA HA HA! NOT EVEN WITH THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY, CAN I BE STOPPED! NOW PREPARE TO WELCOME OBLIVION!"

The evil dragon opens his mouth readying to fire another mega fire death ball, but in a twist of fate a small single sparkle of light appears in the front of the colossal beast. The sparkle forms into the figure of a person who holds her arms out while calling for everyone to hear, "NO! I WON'T LET YOU USE MY POWER LIKE THIS YOU TRAITOR!"

Garble is frozen in his tracks struggling to move. "IMPOSSIBLE HOW CAN IS THIS BE! SYLVIA HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS! YOU BITCH RELEASH BY BODY!"

"NO!" she cries out causing thousands of other lights to appear around the struggling dragon. The lights transfer into the figures of the other dragons Garble absorbed. "SPIKE EVERYONE PLEASE END THIS! HE'S WEAKENING YOU MUST ATTACK NOW WHILE WE HOLD HIM BACK!"

Everyone watches closely as things start to stack up against Garble. Suddenly two orbs of light float down to Rarity and Spike. The dark blue orb floats to the white purple hair unicorn; the second orb is colored like the sun floats to Spike. The orbs grow in length and take the shape of a sword. The sun color orb transforms into single-hand sword. At the center of blade, just above the handle, the radiant glowing is in the center of a sun shape emblem. The dark blue orb forms the same type of weapon, but at the center of the blade, the dark blue floats sight above a white crescent moon shape connected to the rest of the blade. Spike and Rarity look closely at blades with a puzzled look on their faces.

From the blades they hear two voices talking in unison in their heads, ~Rarity, Spike take these blades and free the hearts of those trapped by this dark spell. ~

They look at each other; then the others, but their attention is still squarely on Garble's struggle. ~Please you must hurry! Their strength is fading fast you must wield these blades and save them, or they and you all will be lost to the darkness forever. ~

Spike nods grabbing the sun sword, "Come on Rarity, we have a battle to win!" Rarity grabs the moon sword and they takeoff at blinding speed towards Garble.

Twilight and the others see the two rushing through the air, "SPIKE! RARITY! WAIT!" Her words fall on silence when she sees them wielding the glowing swords.

Spike and Rarity fly side by side lighting up the sky with their glowing aura from the swords. Their aura colors are replaced with the aura color of the swords. As they continue their ascension, everyone watches as Rarity grows dark blue with white sparkles aura wings while Spike's wings are coated bright sun yellow. As they rocket towards their target, they once again hear the two voices say in unison, ~Call out their name and awaken their power! ~

Rarity takes the lead and strikes the colossal red dragon first while shouting out, "NIGHT'S KEEPER!"

Spike quickly follows behind her striking almost nanoseconds later as he yells out, "DAWN'S BREAKER!"

After their strike, Spike and Rarity reunite in the air hovering next to each other holding hands and pointing the swords at Garble.

The monstrous beast tries to turn his head to look at the couple, but suddenly a crescent moon and sun emblem appear around him causing his body to tremble uncontrollably. He unleashes another inhuman roar; then his body explodes sending shards of light from the shell. The shower of lights pierces through the darkness dome. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief as they see the darkness fading away, and those still in the ruins of Ponyville cheer when they see the colossal Garble gone. The sun breaks through the smoking clouds shining down on the burnt and battle scarred landscape.

The barrier around the town comes down just as everypony lead by Zecora go rushing towards their heroes. Rarity and Spike's swords start to fade and vanish in bright flash. Once the weapons disappear, Rarity's wings also start to fade and burst into a shower of bright sparkles. Spike quickly grabs hold of the unicorn's waist, and holds her close to him face to face. "You know, I can get use to having you in my arms like this," Spike states giving Rarity a handsome grin. Rarity starts to blush looking into his million dollar smile; then the smooth talking dragon says, "Remember, I said after this I will claim the greatest treasure for myself."

He starts to go in for another kiss, but they hear Rainbow Dash from below, "HEY KNOCK OFF ALL THE THAT KISSING SHIT AND GET DOWN HERE!"

They look at each other and giggle before Spike hovers down to the others. Once on the ground, they and other girls are greeted with cheering crowds of ponies. Zecora makes her way forward to the girls and Spike. She then says with smile on her face, "You all have done a great deed." The cheers quiet down as the mystic zebra continues, "One worthy of song and creed, you have save many hearts from darkness this day, and saved one who lost his true way."

"Yeah, but they all died so needlessly," Twilight states looking at the all the clothes that litter the burnt landscape.

As what seems to be thin air Princess Celestia and Luna come walking up through the crowd as all of the soldier quickly create a pathway and snap to attention and salute the two women alicorn. "You must not jump to conclusions," Celestia states. Zecora, Spike, and the girls bow before the women.

Luna then says, "Sister is right. Look!" She points behind everyone drawing their attention. They turn around to see a surprising sight.

A lone figure stands up from the ground nude as the day she was born with only dirt and ash to cover her body. Rainbow Dash looks closely then quickly recognizes the woman. "Sylvia!" She calls out rushing over to grab her. The sky-blue Pegasus helps the weaken dragon walk towards everyone else, and as if from a zombie movie, other dragons start to pop up one by one. Luna orders the uninjured soldiers to help the dragons to the medical tents in the city.

A couple hours later, the medical quarter is packed with injured Equestrian soldiers and the newly freed dragons. All the medical workers along with Celestia, Luna, and Twilight work quickly to help heal the injured. After another three hours of casting multiple healing spells, the three princesses sit in the breakroom resting feeling almost all their magic drained from healing the wounded. "Twilight, since we a have minute, I wanted to tell you how proud we are of you, your friends, and every pony in Ponyville," Celestia proudly states taking a drink of ice water.

"Tia is right, you preformed grandly in this crisis. We expect you and everyone else to do the same if the need shall every rise again," Luna states in a commanding tone.

Before Twilight can respond a Pegasus guard comes rushing into the room. She salutes the women then says, "Your highnesses please come with me there is something you must see!" The women hastily get up and follow the guard. The four winged women fly through the air; they land a few minutes later to find Spike and several other guards standing around what looks to be a twelve year old child's body. His red body is bare nude with a full head of yellow-orange hair. Spike takes off his black over shirt and throws it over his nude body.

"Who is this?" Twilight calls out looking over at the sleeping youth.

Everyone gives a questionable looks trying to figure out who the child is and where he came from. Spike looks closer at the red child; then says in a stern tone of voice, "Princess Luna! Princess Celestia!" The named alicorns look at the purple dragon to see a serious look on his face. "The swords Rarity and I used, what do they actually do?"

The sisters glance at each other; then Celestia steps forward saying, "The Night's Keeper and Dawn's Breaker work by striking down any and all darkness in one's heart allowing it to revert back to a time when the heart was at its greatest purity."

Twilight gives a questionable on her face, and before she can pose her question Spike picks up the twelve year old and takes off towards the field hospital. Twilight stares as everyone flying away before she takes to the sky.

At the field hospital, the red child lies in a hospital bed still unconscious. The field nurses keep a close eye on the medical monitors hooked up to him. Outside of his room, everyone stands there discussing the situation with the doctor. The green earth pony sporting military fatigues with a white lab coat and stethoscope wrapped around his neck informs everyone about his status. "After our examinations, he seems to be in perfect health; my guess is he was physically drained just like the other dragon patients."

Rarity then asks, "Now that we know he is in good health, who is he? I clearly don't remember any red children running around during the battle."

"Your highness you are telling us not to long ago that the swords we used were responsible for this," Spike states.

Luna then replies, "Yes my sister's words were quite accurate, but the swords were not the only acting factor in this. His change can also be linked to the Elements of Harmony."

Rainbow Dash throws her hands in the air saying in a flustered voice, "Ah come on already! Just tell us who he is already!"

Spike glances back at the impatient sky blue Pegasus, "Rainbow think about it who's the only person with red scales and orange yellow hair. Hell we just fought a life and death battle against him!"

Seconds before the girls put two and two together and their eyes light up in startling revelation, Zecora quickly chimes in while walking up to the group, "Your eyes cannot lie. Your powers of deduction are quite sharp to see through to this one's heart. If you silly pony folk cannot see, he once led forces in a great rivalry."

Before anything else could be said the girls all saying unity, "GARBLE!" After their startling epiphany, questions came pouring out of the girls' mouth at record speed until Twilight says to everyone, "All right all right everypony calm down. Are you absolutely sure that is Garble in there?"

Spike nods and looks through the viewing window, "I am 100% sure Twi. There is something about his energy that tells me it is him."

The nurse comes out of the room telling everyone that he is starting to wake up. They all start piling into the room and line up around the bed. Garble starts to open his eyes only see haze and blur of shades and colors around. His sight starts to focus on an orange blob until it takes the shape of the well-known blonde headed earth pony. AJ shocked by the first words that come out of his mouth, "Wow you are really pretty."

AJ quickly regains her composure after hearing the flattering remark and replies with, "Wow thank y'all for those kind words. Excuse us for one second." She holds up her finger looking towards the others, "Is he messing with us or has he completely gone nuts?"

Spike then asks, "Are you playing some game?"

The young red dragon gives a puzzled expression on his face while looking at the purple elder trying to grasp the meaning behind his question. Then Garble replies saying, "Wow mister you are big. I hope someday I can be big as you."

Spike puts an annoyed expression on his face and fires back, "Stop messing around and tell us what happened to you. Is this some type of plan you are hatching to get back at us?"

The puzzled youth displays a confused look on his face until the doctor ask, "Can you tell us your name young man?"

"My name is… my name is… name is… Garble," he struggles to say tapping his finger on his fore head in order to get his brain to process and send the correct information.

The doctor does a quick follow-up asking, "Do you know how old you are, and what today's date is?"

Garble struggles desperately to recall any and all information about anything. After a couple more seconds of tapping his finger on his forehead to help stimulate his mind, he finally states with pride in his voice, "I am 10 years old!"

Spike once again interjects by saying, "You got to see it! He's messing with us. He is running some type of game in order to attack us again!"

The doctor reads the telltale signs and comes up with a diagnosis. He motions for everyone to step out of the room; then closes the door behind him. "What he is doing is not a game nor is he faking. He is suffering from a severe case of mental suppression or even worse mental amnesia."

Fluttershy says with a compassionate tone of voice, "Oh the poor thing he must be so confused right now."

The doctor replies while crossing his arms, "I believe you're right ma`am. In most cases like this, the patient has suffered a traumatic injury to the brain or the event that caused their psyche to wipe any and all memories leading up to and/ or associated with it."

"Really what tragic event has he been?" Rainbow questions; then she quickly adds, "I mean last I checked he was one causing all kinds of fucking tragic events."

Twilight quickly interjects, "No Rainbow the doctor is right. Think about it he got hit with Spike's Dragon Rage attack, the combined power of the Elements of Harmony, and the swords that Rarity and Spike were wielding. I think all of those things can be counted towards his tragic events."

"Truer words have not yet be said, however you are forgetting two more events that hurt his head," Zecora rhymes out.

The mane six and Spike all say in unison, "What?"

"Yes," Luna states. She starts to have quick flashbacks to her transformation into Nightmare Moon, "the rapid transformation into that colossal dragon form is very painful. I know from personal experience."

"Hum… that does fit the profile," the doctor states.

"Then what's the other event?" AJ questions.

Celestia says, "The lost of his heart." Everyone goes quiet focusing all their attention on the white alicorn. "Spike, Garble is playing no game nor is he just suffering from memory loss. The dark spell he used to absorb the hearts of his companions, so he can transform had the major side-effect of engulfing his heart into darkness."

The nurse walks out of Garble with him in hand. "Doctor, Garble wanted to ask Lady Apple Jack a question," the nurse says.

AJ nods looking at Garble, and he says with a shy tone of voice, "Will you take me to bathroom please Ms. Apple Jack?"

AJ jaw drops hearing his request; Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie fight with all might not to laugh. AJ is still shocked with she sees him start to do the pee-pee dance. She drops her head then takes a deep breath looking back at the young man. "Alright little fella lets go take you, so you can drain the snake." AJ leads the way, but she suddenly feels him grabbing her hand with a big warm smile on his face.

Once they are out of hearing distance, Rainbow and Pinkie burst out laughing. "Oh man this is priceless! AJ has a Spike on her hands!" Rainbow shouts while still laughing like crazy.

Spikes huffs while saying under his breath, "He's not like me, I went after the sexiest one!" Rarity giggles hearing Spike's comment and gives a small peck on the cheek.

Twilight and the others giggles slightly until she coughs to seize her laughter and questions, "Doctor how long before he regains his memory?"

"I can't say it can be as long as weeks, months, years, or he may never regain the memory of his past present life. It is possible that he will just relive his life anew with what he has now."

Twilight rubs her chin then a light bulb goes off in her head. "I got it," she starts off, "I can use the memory spell. It worked on my friends when Discord fucked with their memories. There is no reason why it shouldn't work on him."

"I'm afraid the answers is 'No' Twilight," Luna states with her arms crossed with a stern look on her face. Everyone turns to look at the midnight blue alicorn; she continues by saying, "The spell that you're thinking of using will not work. In truth, it will cause him nothing but pain and heart break. It will cause his heart to shatter."

"But Luna," Twilight protests looking at Celestia for her to counter Luna.

Celestia shakes her head, "I have to agree with Luna on this Twilight. I believe to Luna has the right idea; it would be best to wait and see what happens."

Twilight continues to argue her point when one of the other field nurses taps the doctor on the shoulder drawing his attention. The two medical professionals talk for a couple minutes; he confirms the nurse's information then turns back towards to others hearing Twilight, Celestia, and Luna still talking about her using the memory spell on Garble. "Uh ladies," the women look at him, "Lady Dash, a Miss Sylvia is asking to speak with you and your friends."

"Thank you doctor," Luna replies then orders Twilight and the others, "please go talk with her and see what she has to tell. In the meantime Zecora, Celestia; I must talk with you about an important issue." The women nod and walk away.

In another area of the field hospital, Rainbow reaches ward unit first to see Sylvia walking around talking with other dragons while holding the rolling IV stand. The doctor and others reach the ward then he yells out, "Miss Sylvia please return to your bed at once! You know better than to be walking around!"

Sylvia turns around with a smirk on her face, "Ok ok doc, don't blow a gasket. Hey Rainbow Dash good to see you again." She waves at the sky-blue Pegasus.

Rainbow goes to her side and helps the white dragon back to her bed, "Looks like your making a fast recovery."

The doctor walks up to the other side of Sylvia's bed picking up her medical chart reading over the notes from the last nurse's check-up, "Hum… she would be recovering faster if she would stay in bed."

"Come on doc, I feel as healthy as a horse," Sylvia states with a smirk on her face drawing a sight giggle from Rainbow Dash.

"Regardless of how you feel, your body is still recovering from whatever ordeal that you faced in that battle," the doctor comments checking her IV bag then taking a couple more quick medical checks.

Rainbow then questions her former opponent, "So what's up? The doc told us that you sent someone to get us, and I'm guessing it's not so that you get you busted by the anal doctor here!"

"Careful Lady Dash, you still have to go through your medical check-up; then I will really show you how anal I can be," the doctor fires back with a smirk and evil gleam in his eye.

Sylvia giggles hearing the responses from the two ponies. A second later, she looks at Rainbow, and the others, "First, I want to apologize again to all of you for us destroying your homes and the lives that were lost in the attack. Most of all, my comrades and I ask for your forgiveness Prince Spike. We have dishonored ourselves for the ruthless way we fought that battle; you must think that we are nothing more than bloodthirsty monsters." Spike has his arms crossed with a stern look on his face; while the girls have a compassion look on their faces. "You have to understand, we weren't acting like ourselves, but somehow Garble was able to convince us to go on this crazy attack. Then…" she hold head as pain flows across her forehead, "from there until I started fighting with Rainbow Dash is all a giant fuzzy blur."

"Hum that does seem odd, doctor any possible answers?" Spike questions.

"We didn't find any physical medical traces, so that can only leave a magical cause. I don't know enough about the art to myself to say whether or not that can cause the mind haze," the doctor replies.

"It does make sense, and we forgive you for what happened Sylvia," Twilight replies with a smile on her face reaching out her hand to shake the female dragon's hand in friendship.

"Thank you Princess Twilight Sparkle, but we have one request," Sylvia states. The purple alicorn gives a questionable look as the female white dragon continues with, "We have committed a grave dishonor to your people, so we want to help you in rebuilding. It's the only way we can think of repaying for our crimes."

"We would be honored to have your help," Twilight replies, but she then looks up at the doctor, "if that's ok with you, doctor."

The doctor puts the chart back on the side of the bed then says, "If she and the other patients stay in bed, then I will clear them to leave in a week."

"Deal doctor," Sylvia replies with a gleeful look on her face.

Elsewhere in an empty part of the field hospital Zecora, Luna, and Celestia talk softly about other events occurring.

"I believe this is reasonable place for us to talk more about the events unfolding," Luna claims.

"So my dear sisters what it this about? Why must we talk in the shadow and leave the others out?" Zecora inquiries leaning up against the wall.

"Zecora you already know that somebody deeper was pulling the strings behind the scenes." Luna leans against the opposite wall and continues, "Plus we have to decide what we are going to do with Garble. In my opinion, we should lock him up and throw away the key."

"Luna!" Celestia snaps at her younger sister.

"I'm joking Tia, but we must decide what to do with him. If he regains his memories, we must have a plan in place," Luna retorts.

"He is quite taken with pony name Apple Jack. Why not let her watch his back. She can us know if anything goes awry or if his memory returns over time," Zecora suggests looking at younger alicorn.

Luna shakes her head no in defiance, "Absolutely not having the guy that led the attack against the city to turn around and live in there, the people would go nuts. He would be safer in Cantorlot under direct guard."

"Nooo… I don't think that would be best Luna. He has been reverted back to a younger age of innocence, so it wouldn't be right to punish him for something that his former self did. Besides that, his true powers and wings have been sealed. Maybe, if he is raised in Ponyville, he will become a dragon like Spike. Sorry Luna, but I'm going have to go with Zecora on this one," Celestia expresses to her sisters.

Luna rolls her eyes hearing Celestia opinion on the situation; she holds out her hand with the palm facing up. A small dark blue orb with small white sparkles floats up from her palm to the float midway in the air. The orb transforms into the Night's Keeper; Luna then walks over to Zecora, "Since it looks like I can't change your minds, take Night's Keeper." Luna looks at Celestia, and she nods walking over to Zecora holding up her hand in the same motion as Luna. A golden sun like orb floats up then transforms into the Dawn's Breaker. Luna continues on, "If something goes wrong and Garble becomes a threat, have Spike and Rarity use the swords to destroy him once and for all!"

Celestia and Zecora faces fill with shock hearing Luna's statement; the older alicorn fires back, "Luna you are kidding right?" Celestia looks at her sister, but Luna expresses a stone cold look on her face. "Luna I don't think we have to take such extreme measures. Hell he is a child for crying out loud!"

"It doesn't matter," Luna says in a cold tone, "He is a potential threat that must be put down the second he becomes active there is no ifs, ands, or buts about it Celestia." Luna's voice and expression softens as she continues, "Tia, Zee, I want this to work just as much as you, but we must take the necessary actions to safeguard our people from any other threats from him."

"Luna…"

Zecora holds up her hand stopping Celestia's argument; she gives a warm smile to her sisters, "Luna's worries have weight; I will take the swords and faith in my sister-in-law ability to change is his fate." The swords hover over into Zecora's hands; then swords revert back into their orb forms and fade into her palms. Luna exhales while feeling a wave of relief washing over her knowing that her sisters heeded her words. Zecora then questions, "Now that issued has passed, where were you two during this crisis?"

Celestia retorts, "We had to safeguard the other parts of the kingdom from the attacks. While at the same time, Luna and I needed to check on some disturbing information."

"I am guessing it has to do with the dark seed; who might be responsible for such an evil deed?"

"That's what we are trying to figure out. When Celestia returns to Cantorlot, she going to dispatch spies in all directions to the gather more about information," Luna replies.

"Agreed and I must prepare to return three more things that belong to Spike, but it will take some time to complete," Celestia states.

"I have to return to the Moon Kingdom and get things settled there," Luna adds on.

"Zecora in the meantime will you handle things in Ponyville and guide Twilight and her friends in the right direction," Celestia requests her sister.

"I understand, I will keep my ear to the ground, and get the true secrets to sound," Zecora replies with a smile on her face.

The two alicorn nod and turn around to depart, but the midnight blue sister pauses to glance back at her black striped sister, "Zee things would go a lot smoother if you awaken."

"Luna, don't pressure her!" Celestia snaps out while looking straight at Luna.

Luna turns to come face to face with the white alicorn, "Celestia you have to agree with me! If Zecora was to awaken then…"

"No Luna, Zecora…"

"Please sisters do not fight, Luna is in the right," Zecora interrupts the two alicorns. "If I was to reawaken, then maybe I can aid more in the situation. But Luna, I can't reawake, until I fulfil my destine fate; plus I have yet to tell my mate."

Luna displays a disappointed look on her face for a couple seconds. They walk outside; then a warm smile fills Luna's face, "Ok sister we will leave everything here up to Twilight and you. Good luck and don't fuck it up." Zecora nods with a big smile on her face. Luna looks at Celestia, "Check you later sister!" She opens her wings and takes off at super speed toward the moon in the blue sky.

Celestia and Zecora watch her fly off towards the moon. Once she is out sight, Celestia looks at Zecora, "Sister, I know the citizens of Ponyville are going have a negative view towards Garble, but he needs this second chance in order for his heart to heal. I believe with time and the right environment he will grow to become a powerful ally to the people."

"Will do, I will keep him true," Zecora conveys.

"Thank you Zecora," Celestia replies. Just as Zecora goes to bow, Celestia pauses her motion, "Sister, you don't have to do that no one is around." Zecora smirks in response; then the alicorn says, "Good luck sister, and I will see you soon." Celestia's horn glows bright with magic energy pour into an orb then in a bright quick burst she vanishes.

AJ walks back from the bathroom with the young red dragon; then he looks up at the foot taller orange pony admiring her well curved body with chiseled uncovered biceps, and her free flowing blonde hair. He stealthily glances at her butt seeing how the blue work jeans nicely hug her apple bottom; he moves up words seeing her neatly style tail come out of her jeans and swings side to side with every walking motion. Garble becomes hypnotized by the swaying motion; after what seems to be a minute or two, he shakes his head breaking himself from the swaying trance. The red dragon child coughs cleaning his throat then says, "Umm… pretty lady," his words causes AJ to pause and look down at the dragon as he continues, "Thank you for going to the bathroom with me."

AJ gives the young dragon a blank face while in her mind she processes every single word he said. ~What the hell is with this varmint? Why the fuck am I helping this monster? Because of him, Ponyville is in ruins, and to make matters worse he caused the farm to be burnt down not once but twice, and he caused the death of hundreds of ponies and dragons. By all rights, I should, ~ AJ goes reaching for her six shooters in the side holster, but then she remembers what the field doctor said about his condition, ~ In most cases like this, the patient has suffered a traumatic injury to the brain or the event that caused their psyche to wipe any and all memories leading up to and/ or associated with it. ~

AJ continues to give the young dragon a blank look for what seem like a life time, until she says to herself, ~From what doc said, this little fella can't be really held responsible for what he did in the past. ~ AJ works a smile onto her face moving her hand from her gun; then looks at the innocent dragon, "Why thank y'all kindly, and call me Apple Jack."

"Ok Apple Jack," he smiles with a happy tone then grabs her hand as they continue down the hall.

Around a dark corner standing in the shadow, Zecora's green eyes fade as she watched and listen carefully to the exchange between AJ and Garble. Once they are far enough away, she steps out of the dark corner with her arms crossed and a smile on her face clearly please with AJ's choices. "Well done fair Apple Jack, you prove my trust in you was not lack," the stealthily zebra says; then as if a ghost, she fades away from sight.

After AJ returned Garble to his room, the mane seven head out of the hospital to meet with the reconstruction committee. At the meeting, Twilight, Mayor Mare, and Major Coats each oversee different building crews.

A week later, Sylvia and the other dragons joined in the rebuilding effort and under the direction of Spike. He orders some of the dragons to start burning down buildings that were beyond repair while he leads the others to carry away heavy concrete slabs and steel beams that litter the streets or inside buildings that are marked for restoration.

Days fly by as crews work day and night to rebuild the ravaged town. At the start of the third week for repairs, both ponies and dragons celebrate the completion of the City Hall along with other essential facilities throughout Ponyville.

A month passes, and Ponyville is nearly 85% restored. The lives of the people return to normal as businesses start reopening along with the breaking down of the tent neighborhoods. Pinkie Pie and the Cakes hold a dessert blow out sale give samples of the different cakes to the children.

On the outskirts of the town, Sweet Apple Acres is under construction as they haul out the burnt to death apple trees, clear the ash, and burnt earth away. Allowing the new tilted soil can be accessed. Big Mac, Zecora, and the other farm hands along with some volunteers from the surrounding areas work in the fields. While Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Granny Smith work near the house, barn, and animal holding areas.

AJ and Rainbow carry boards of wood to towards the animal pens when the two women see two cars driving up the dirt road. "Now who can that be?" AJ questions setting down the planks of wood next to the side of the newly unpainted barn. She holds her hand over the 'c' shaped gap in her hat blocking the sunlight to get a better view of the oncoming cars. "Hey Rainbow, take my load; while I see who comes a calling?"

"Sure AJ," Rainbow replies picking up AJ's lumber and heading to the animal pens.

The orange earth pony makes her way to the loop around driveway a just as the three cars pull up into the upper part of the loop. Twilight, the military doctor, Garble, and three other military guards exit the vehicles. AJ waves at the purple alicorn princess, but only replies by asking with a serious tone, "AJ can we talk somewhere private?"

"Sure Twilight," AJ replies motioning for them to follow her. Twilight and the doctor follow her to the front porch of the house. Once they are out of ear shot of everyone, AJ sits on the railing looking at her guest then says, "So what brings you out here?"

Twilight crosses her arms while replying, "We need your help AJ."

AJ tilts her hat up with her right thumb, "Sure Twi. What you need help with?"

The doctor steps in saying, "We like for you to watch over my patient." The doctor points at Garble as he rubs Winona's belly.

"WHAT! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME! WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I TAKE CARE OF HIM!" AJ shouts with her eyes bugging out.

"Apple Jack please keep your voice down. I know this is a lot to ask, but please hear us out," Twilight tries to persuade her.

AJ takes a deep breath folding her arms, "Ok Twi, but this had better be good."

"Lady Jack, I have been watching him as he completed his recovery, but my original diagnosis still holds up. His mind as regressed back to the mindset of a ten year old, yet as of last week, he displayed aspects of a twelve year old. This is expected since his body is showing signs of pre-puberty," the doctor reports.

"Ok that's all well and good, but what does this have to do with me?" AJ snaps.

Twilight gives her friend a cross eye glaze as the doctor continues, "Well, when he woke up, Garble talked to you first; then ask you to escort him to the restroom. After you left the hospital, he would not let anyone else help him do some things during his recovery. The week the other dragons were discharged; Garble asked the nurse what they were doing. She told him that they were going to help in the rebuilding; then he wanted to know when he could leave. Garble told me that he wanted to get better as soon as possible, so he could come and help you directly in doing repairs."

"What? Why would he say that?" AJ questions.

Twilight then chimes in, "That's why the doctor called me in. He told me that Apple Jack is a kind person and he wants to do something to help her." A smile begins to grow on her face when she then says, "Plus I think that he might have a little crush on you."

Those last words made the farm pony ears perk up as her expression begins to change from plain to uncomfortable. "Hold up a minute Twi…"

"AJ if he can't stay, then he will be sent to an orphanage home in Cantorlot. Princess Celestia personally requested that for you to allow him to stay, so he can learn the value of honesty in friendship. Please AJ," Twilight pleas.

AJ looks back out towards Garble and Winona playing with each other, she then lowers her head, "Twilight please tell me that you are joking with me," AJ starts then holds up her hands wave left and right then says, "Twilight regardless of what Princess Celestia says; I just can't have Garble stay here."

"Come on AJ, I was kidding with the crush thing, but why can't he stay with you?" Twilight questions while stepping closer to her friend.

AJ shakes her head no then holds up her left hand as she counts off, "First off, I already have my hands full putting the farm back together and getting it operational. Second, I have to supervise hiring new farmhands to help out. Lastly, I wouldn't feel comfortable with him staying here because if he goes nuts; who knows what type of damage he will cause."

"AJ, I promise you, I have that all covered. I put a spell on him sealing all his powers. His wings are bounded inside his body and won't grow. His breath weapon is useless, he only make small puffs of fire not enough to cause damage or burn anything up. Plus his dragon's strength is locked away, I guarantee you AJ, his just as strong as Spike was before whatever happened to him. That reminds me, I never got the story behind his transformation."

The purple alicorn then walks to the side thinking out loud with a high pitch girlie voice, "Oh this will make a great entry into the… no better yet I can write a whole new book about this. That settles it, the moment I get back I am strapping Spike to the chair and going to make him spill every single detail."

AJ gives an annoyed look on her face, "Twilight!"

"Oh sorry," she replies with a blush on her face. She clears her throat, "Look AJ." Twilight points to three muscular stallion unicorns dressed in military basic dress uniforms. "They are on loan from Major Coats; they are here to specifically keep an eye on Garble."

Apple Jack shakes her head, "Twi are you nutter than a squirrel at an acorn convention? Granny Smith will have my ass if she were to see three military men trotting around."

"Then give them the cover of the new farm hands," Twilight retorts holding out her hands.

AJ gives the yeah right expression while saying, "Like those three can be farm hands, from the looks of them, they don't know a thing about working or living the farm life Twilight. I'm sorry sugar cube, but my answer is no."

Twilight glances back at the doctor and says, "Doctor would you please give AJ and I a little privacy." The doctor bows then walks away from the two mares. The alicorn princess turns back to her friend walking closer to her; then says in a lower tone of voice, "AJ, I understand your distrust towards Garble, but look what happened with Discord. Fluttershy was able to get him to change his ways, and now we are all good friends with him. Look at it this way, Garble has none of his powers and all his memories are gone. On top of that, if his powers were to resurface, the spell I put on him will stall him long enough for the guards to launch an attack, and you have dragon slayer bullets. You can kill him the second he starts to get out of control."

The orange earth pony exhales, "You make a good point, but my answer is still no. I won't risk my family's safety."

Twilight facial expression changes to sad dishearten look, "AJ I understand your position completely, but Princess Celestia told me if I fail to convince you to take him in; the only option left is for Luna and Celestia to seal him in an egg until we come up with a reasonable solution. Please Apple Jack, you're his only hope to save him from the same imprisonment Spike was in."

Apple Jack feels a wave of guilt washing through her as she unfolds her arms and lowers her head. She takes a deep breath then gives a loud exhale as she thinks about the possible options open to the red dragon. She feels the wind race across her face and hears the sounds of laugher filling the air. She looks back up turning her attention to the source of laughter to see Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle all playing together alongside with Garble. She continues to watch the four play with Winona and laugh with each other while her mind races through the options. Twilight stands next her watching the same scene unfold, "AJ look at him. I know he has done horrible things, but the young dragon we are looking at right now is an innocent soul. Who's heart needs guidance in order to the know the benefit of friendship and love. Apple Jack, you are the element of honesty that makes you the perfect the teacher and guide to help him along this path I just know. Please AJ look into your heart and listen to the honest truth it tells you."

"Twilight my head is telling me this is the worst idea I could ever follow, but my heart tells me there is something more to him, and the little rascal deserves a real shot at happiness," AJ states. She takes off her hat then runs her fingers through her blonde mane; she then puts back on the hat while turning to Twilight with a smile on her face, "Alright Twi you convince me, but I'm going to put that rascal to work. If he wants to eat here, Garble is going have to work. Also, you better let those guys watching him that they aren't going just stand and watch him. They are going have to work as well since they are my new farm hands. They should know that will at times be a real horse's ass, so they better be ready for whatever comes their way."

Twilight smiles then hugs her friend while saying, "Thank you." Apple Jack hugs her back and after of couple of moments the two ponies break away from each other; then Twilight says, "Come on let introduce you to your new student."

The girls leave the front porch and walk over to the others who are joined by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. The shy yellow Pegasus says holding out her hand, "Hello Garble it's good to see you out of the hospital."

He smiles shaking her hand while responding, "Thank you, uh I sorry, but what is your name?"

"Her name is Fluttershy," Apple Jack interjects walking up with Twilight.

Garble turns to look at Apple Jack; he breaks away from everyone running up a hugging the foot and half taller earth pony. "Apple Jack it's so good to see you again. I missed you!"

She gently pulls him off her; AJ pats him on the head, "Thank y'all I reckon its good to see you again too Garble." Apple Bloom and her friends walk up them. "Garble, I have good news. Since you told Twilight and the doctor that you wanted to help, you can stay here and help my family and I tend the farm. What do you say to that?"

"Thank you Apple Jack, I can't wait to start working! Hey Apple Bloom did you hear that!" Garble says looking at her.

"This is going to be great!" Apple Bloom replies jumping up and down along Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

"Alright kiddos calm down. Apple Bloom take Garble into the house and get him a pair of working overalls from the closet. Then take him with you to go and finish working on the animal pen fence," Apple Jack orders.

"You got it big sis," Apple Bloom replies as the four kids go running off into the house.

AJ then looks at the three military dress unicorns, "So what do you three know about farming." The three unicorns gives a puzzled look at her. She slaps her hand up to against her forehead, "Well, I that is what afraid of? Ok, I'm right in assuming that you three will be taking orders from me?"

"Yes ma`am Lady Apple Jack," one of the soldiers replies.

"Ok go and change into work clothes. Rainbow will show you to the guest house so can change. Here are your first orders. One leave those guns in the guest house. Two head to the apple field to help Big Mac and Zecora," she orders.

"Yes ma`am," they reply.

In the middle of the recovering apple fields, Zecora sits in a meditation position while her eyes glow green. The earth sage watches everything unfolding at the house; her eyes fade back to normal as she stands up. Zecora looks off into the distance to see Big Mac pulling up a dead tree stump; she says to herself, "My second student has arrived, but these restrictions on him must not survive." She walks over to her mate watching as he grunts and blows out puffs of air uprooting the dead stump from the ground; with a mighty thrust the tosses the object to the left about five and half feet away. He bends at the waist breathing heavy feeling his muscles pulsing to the point of small waves of pain flowing through his arms, hands, and shoulders.

Zecora snickers slightly him in that state, she walks up behind him placing her hand on Big Mac's back. The earth sage then says with a caring tone of voice, "My Big Mac, you have done well; come rest in the shade with me for a spell."

Mac looks at Zecora and gives her smile. He slowly follows her to a nearby fully restored apple tree. Zecora sits down first leaning her upper back on the trunk of the tree; then she pats her hands on her jean covered lap. The red stallion follows suit laying down on his back with his head comfortably resting on her lap. Little beams of sunlight shine through the gaps between the tree's leaves as a mid-cool wind gently blows by them. Zecora gently runs her fingers through her mate's mane while softly messaging his head. He slightly giggles when she plays with his ears; she finally leans over giving him a quick kiss on the lips before she says in a sensual voice, "My Big Mac wish not to plea, but please once again become one with me." His eyes springs open feeling a heated rush flow through his body towards his manhood, but before he can react Zecora says in the same erotic tone of voice, "Tonight; can you wait till then?"

Big Mac brings his big work worn hand to Zecora's cheek gently it while he replies, "Yep!"

Zecora begins her hand resting it on top of her mate's hand with a warm smile on her face, "There is one other thing I must tell, but you must wait until I undo my new student's binding spell."

Big Mac sits up look at Zecora with a serious expression on his face, "New student? What do you mean?"

"As told you before Spike and l left, I would be getting another student to help. Spike's training goes well and he gets stronger every day, but for the journey that lays before him a true ally he will need to stay well. Worry not my Big Mac," Zecora reinsures him with a strong embrace.

Chapter 5: The Dragon Knights of Equestria