The Legend of Xephers: Adventures in Equestria

Chapters

Prologue: Taken From Home
Chapter 1: Free-falling Stallion
Chapter 2: Bramble Blast
Chapter 3: The Hero Arrives! Then gets shown up...
Chapter 4: Tree of Harmony
Chapter 5: Return to Ponyville
Chapter 6: Questions And Answers
Chapter 7: Ancient Castle of the Two Sisters
Chapter 8: The Inevitable Pinkie & An Old Enemy
Chapter 9: Battle With A Demon

Prologue: Taken From Home

Author's Note

Hello and welcome to my first FimFiction story!
This story has characters from my Video Game The Legend of Xephers: A Journey Across Time! I'll try to get this done as well as I can, this First "Chapter" is how Xephers was taken and landed on Equis.

Edit: Misspelled Rah Krivaan a bunch so had to fix it.

Prologue: Taken from home

In the land of Hytopia, a hero and his friends adventure around the world saving it from evil villains from destroying it or conquer it. Xephers, the legendary hero, is currently walking with his friends in the early hours of the day. They’re trying to cross the border into Terminus, the Northern area of the main continent, from the Central Area, Seruna Desert.

“Man this Desert is so hot, I’m running out of sweat,” Xephers says while wiping his forehead with his arm. “Firasha, how much farther till we get to the Terminus border?” Firasha, Xephers’ guardian Micro-Dragon appears in front of Xephers and his friends.

“Only 2 miles to go before you can see the border building sir.” Firasha sits on Xephers’ Shoulder and takes out a Raw Meatball. “You know, if you guys had some extra gold,” Firasha breaths fire onto the Meatball cooking it then chomps into. “You could’ve rented a camel or something to make the trip a lot faster,”

“Well, Dragon, you could transform into your full Dragon form to carry us their way faster than camels.” Ceasar, Xephers’ best friend, snaps at the Micro-Dragon. “I swear Xephers, your ‘Guardian Dragon’ is really lazy. I suggest we just hurry up and get to Terminus so we can get to an Inn to rest,”

“Yeah, *sigh* I’m starting to think we might not make it out of this sandstorm, a princess shouldn’t really be in this situation, but I knew what I signed up for when I joined you and Sam back in the Palace Xephers,” Princess Maryum, Princess of Vernaria, the Southern area of the main continent, says while trying to cover her eyes from the sandstorm.

“At least in this sandstorm, Monsters aren’t running around too much above ground, though I can feel a couple of Sandworms underground but not very close to the surface Brother,” Groroson Vulcan, the Cheif of the Vulcan Tribe’s Son, adds to the Conversation. Suddenly Firasha jumps up from sitting on Xephers’ Shoulder and looks to the Sky.

“Huh? Firasha, what’s wrong buddy?” Xephers looks at Firasha and then also looks to the sky and his eyes widen in terror.

“Everyone get ready, a Rouge Dragon approaching from the Sky it’s pretty high up but I’m certain it has already spotted us.” Firasha disappears to keep his presence unknown.

“Oh no...” Xephers if frozen in fear while everyone else is unsheathing their weapons. “We’re doomed...” Xephers falls to his knees still looking at the incoming Dragon.

“Xephers what’s wrong, get your sword and shield ready!” Ceasar runs up to Xephers and puts a hand on his shoulder. “Come on man, it’s just a Rouge Dragon right?” Ceasar looks up at the ‘Rouge’ Dragon and his eyes also widen.

“Heroes, it is I Rah Krivaan! And your Journey stops here,” The Dragon God of Chaos Rah Krivaan Lands in front of the Heroes dispersing the sandstorm with his gigantic wings. “I have grown bored with your adventure and will be destroying it...” He leans his head down to the ground to look the heroes in the eyes. “Unless you can entertain me in a different way,”

“What do you mean ‘in a different way’?” Xephers stands up and brushes sand off his pants. “We’ll do whatever it takes to continue our adventure,”

“*Maniacal Laughter* I am going to take you ‘Legendary Hero’ to another world, you alone will go and your friends will be frozen in time until you can return,” Rah Krivaan’s eyes glow blood red and a Red aura surrounds Xephers. “I hope you like walking on all fours, Hero,”

“What’s happening to me, *grunt* why can’t I move,” Xephers is straining against the red glow around his body unable to move very much at all. “I’ll go but why must you restrict my movement?”

“*Chuckle* So you don’t mess up the transformation...” Rah Krivaan reaches a claw to Xephers taping him on the head. “It’s going to be a long trip, get some rest hero,” Xephers’ entire body glows red and he is knocked unconscious and floats onto Rah Kirran’s head. “Now it’s time to freeze this world’s time now, Don’t worry Hytopians, it will feel like your Hero was never gone at all. *Maniacal Laughter*” Rah Krivaan’s eyes glow Lime green and time stops for all of Hytopia.

“*Chuckle* This is going to be hilarious to watch,” Rah Krivaan starts flying away from the planet slowly disappearing into the atmosphere. “Just have to make sure no one notices I’m there,”

<========================================================================================>

Meanwhile, on a Distant Planet called Equis, A blue, rainbow maned pegasus known as Rainbow Dash is helping a pink-ish purple alicorn known as Twilight Sparkle learn to fly with her newly earned wings. “You gotta really flap ‘em hard,” the Rainbow said to Twilight. She nods and starts flapping her wings harder but loses control and collides with a tree branch. “Maybe not quite that hard,” Twilight tries again but still isn’t getting the hang of it and crashes to the ground.

“Looking good up there Princess Twilight,” An orange Mare with a stetson hat known as Applejack canters up and helps Twilight back onto her hooves.

“Applejack, you know you don’t have to call me that,” Twilight said not really liking the Princess title given to her when she earned her wings.

“Why do you protest so, you’ve already given up wearing your crown all the time, the least you can do is embrace your new title,” A white Unicorn with a dark purple curled mane known as Rarity Belle interjects.

“If other ponies want to address me that way I suppose it’s fine but, not my friends,” Twilight looks around at her friends. “It just doesn’t feel right, *Sigh* and neither does this flying business,” She lifts her wings and looks back at them. “The summer sun celebration is only 2 days away, and I’m never going to be ready to perform my part,”

“Not if you spend all your time down here you won’t, now get up there and show everypony the big finish,” The rainbow maned pegasus cheers! Twilight then flies into the air with a determined look on her face. All of her friends start cheering her on.

“Wahoo!” Twilight cheers then suddenly gasps and hits 3 clouds and starts free-falling back to the ground, she regains her flying but only barely as she starts doing summersaults and screaming then lands unceremoniously in the dirt creating a small trench. Her friends run to her little trench to check if she’s ok.

“Wow! That was a big finish!” An entirely Pink Pony known As Pinkie Pie yells enthusiastically, while twilight just sighs in defeat in the dirt. Meanwhile above what’s going on with twilight and friends Rah Kirran is approaching Equis.

<========================================================================================>

“Finnaly we’re here,” He stops short of the planet and his Eyes glow Green stopping time momentarily on Equis. “Ahh Equis land of fairytales and pretty ponies, Xephers will have a hard time getting used to this place. *Chuckle*” Rah Kirran Teleports Xephers down to Equis a fair distance from the ground in the sky. “Now to turn you into one of them, let’s roll the dice and toss you in,” Rah Kirran summons a small table and a D20. “Let’s see, 1 to 5 Earth Pony, 6 to 10 Unicorn, 11 to 15 Pegasus, 16 to 20 Alicorn.” His eyes glow red for a second and the Die gets tossed on the table and rolls around a bit. “Hmmm... I know this is mostly cosmetic but it will prevent him from using his hands as an advantage, though he will still be able to use his magic no matter what,” The die stops on the number 4 and glows red then disappears with the table. “Earth Pony it is then, *Chuckle* this will be very entertaining,” Rah Kirran’s Eyes glow orange and the aura around Xephers turns orange as well, the aura surrounds him shrinking his form and changing it painlessly into an Earth Pony Stallion. “There the deed is done and I shall now retreat to a safer distance and observe his progress from there. *Maniacal Laughter* I hope he puts on a good show for me,” Rah Kirran’s Eyes glow red then green releasing Xephers from his hold and Resuming time on Equis. “Let’s see how he fairs in the world compared to the other,” Rah Kirran Slowly glides backward away from Equis but keeping it in his peripheral vision. Though he himself cannot be sensed by anything on the planet, his sudden time stop magic was by 3 beings. Celestia looked out the windows of the throne room.

“What was that power, it felt as though it could eclipse both mine and my sisters Magic.” Celestia stands up from her throne and walks to a side door. “Guards, notify the nobles that due to an unknown surge of magic Day court is canceled for today.” Her Guards salute and head out the Main Throne room doors while Celestia heads for her sister’s room.

Chapter 1: Free-falling Stallion

S1 Chapter 1: Free-falling Stallion

Celestia knocks on her sister’s chamber door. “Luna are you awake?” Celestia puts her ear to the door to listen if Her Sister Luna responds.

“Sister? Come in,” Luna opens the door and lets Celestia in. “I trust you’re here because you also felt that strange surge of magic?” Luna stands next to Celestia looking at her with worry in her eyes.

“Yes Luna, I felt the surge, but I can’t figure out what it was, it was there for only a moment then it vanished entirely,” Celestia canters over to Luna’s Balcony and looks in the direction of the Magical Surge. “I fear we may either be in terrible trouble, or it was just a strange occurrence, but there is no way to tell unless it were to happen again,”

“Tia, do you think Discord is the cause of this magic?” Luna looked in the same direction as Celestia. “Maybe we investigate after the Summer sun celebration as to not entice any panic to our subjects,”

“I think you’re right Sister, we will wait until after the celebration to investigate this matter for now I think you should sleep so you can be ready for your nightly duties,” Celestia looked toward Luna.

“Alright sister, I shall go back to sleep, let’s hope that magical surge doesn’t happen again,” Luna cantered over to her bed while Celestia went for the Door.

“Have a beautiful rest sister,” Celestia said in a motherly tone before she left and closed the door. “I only hope whatever that was isn’t malicious,”

<========================================================================================>

We join Twilight and her friends as they are in the castle admiring the Stained glass portrait of Twilight being Crowned a Princess!

“You look amazing Darling, they’ve really captured your reality,” Rarity says with her Hoove over her heart. Twilight lowers her head a little.

“I suppose,” Twilight adds, Rarity then waves a hoove at twilight.

“Oh don’t be so modest, it’s everypony’s dream to someday wear a crown and have their coronation ceremony preserved in stained glass for all to see,” Rarity says with a lot of enthusiasm.

“I don’t know if it’s everypony’s dream,” Rainbow says floating in the air next to Rarity and Twilight. Pinkie then jumps in front of everypony excited.

“Most of my dreams are about frosting!” She then licks her lips and starts drooling a little. A Pink maned Yellow Pegasus known as Fluttershy moves forward a little to get everypony’s attention.

“We better get going, we don’t want to miss our train,” she then turns around and starts cantering away.

“Fluttershy’s right, don’t know about ya’ll but I’ve still got bushels to do to get ready,” Applejack says and turns toward Fluttershy. “The official celebration may be here in Canterlot, but Hoowee has the mayor put us in charge of one heck of a party back home,” Twilight lowers her head and her ears droop down, Applejack turns back towards her and raises her head with a Hoof. “Aww don’t look like that sugar cube, you get to be right there with the other princesses when Celestia raises the sun,”

“And I’m honored, really I am, *Sigh* It’s just the summer sun celebration is what first brought us all together,” Twilight’s other friends canter up to her. “It just doesn’t feel right not getting to spend such a special day with my Ponyville friends,”

“It doesn’t feel right to us either darling if the mayor wasn’t so desperate for our assistance we’d most certainly stay here in Canterlot, and of course we do understand that your royal duties must come first,” Rarity says to try to cheer up Twilight.

“The summer sun celebration may have brought us together but it’s something much bigger that’ll keep us all connected,” Applejack says then goes over to the Stained Glass of them all defeating Nightmare Moon with the elements of harmony. “Exhibit A: the six of us are united by the elements of Harmony, no amount of royal duties is gonna change that,” She looks to the others. “Right everypony?” the others sans Pinkie nod in agreement, Applejack turns to Pinkie. “Right Pinkie Pie?”

“Creamy, Creamy Frosting *Shudder*,” Pinkie says still drooling about frosting, Flutter shy runs up to clean her up a bit.

“You should take that as a yes,” Fluttershy looks back to the others.

<========================================================================================>

We cut to Xephers who is still high in the sky falling to the ground above Ponyville. He has yet to wake up and no one seems to see him in the sky yet. A train is heard in the distance but not loud enough to wake Xephers up. At the train station, we see Twilight’s friends exit the train and head to the town square. “I really hope Twilight won’t miss us too much,” Rarity said while walking with the others.

“She’ll be fine, she has Spike to help her out and keep her company,” Rainbow adds flying upside down above rarity for a moment. They arrive at the Town square and look around for the mayor.

“Huh?” Xephers finally wakes up but can’t move very well due to the body change. “Where am I?” he turns his head to only see a vast ocean of clouds above him so he tries to turn around to look behind him. “Woah! AHHHHH!” He finally notices he’s falling from Really high up and starts screaming his head off. “Rah Kirran, why didn’t you place me on the ground!?” He shouted, some of the townsfolk heard him and looked up.

“Oh my word what’s that Earth pony doing in the Sky!?” an earth Pony mare screamed getting Rainbow’s attention. “Somepony needs to do something before it’s too late!” she screamed.

“What in the world?” Rainbow said to herself then flew ultra fast to save the Earth Pony. “And-- Got ya!” She effortlessly catches him in the nick of time and takes him to her friends. Xephers opens his eyes as he heard someone say ‘got ya’ and sees Rainbow Dash bringing him to the ground safely.

“*Phew* Thanks for the save,” they reach the ground and rainbow almost immediately starts interrogating him.

“Alright mister, How and why were you, an Earth Pony, 90 feet in the air without any Pegasus or Unicorn anywhere near you huh?” Rainbow gets up into his personal space.

“I don’t know how I got in the sky. Wait, did you just talk?” Xephers tilts his head with a confused look on his face. Rainbow backs away from the stallion with a look of confusion on her face too, then she snaps out of it and gets back in Xephers’ face.

“What do you mean you don’t know and yes I just talked, everypony can, what did you hit your head on a bird or something during your fall?” Rainbow lands in front of him and pokes his chest.

“I mean what I said, I don’t know how I ended up in the sky, also where I’m from horses can’t speak,” Xephers poked her back with a slightly annoyed look on his face. At the word, ‘Horse’ Rainbow got really mad and tackled Xephers to the ground.

“What the heck did you just call me punk!?” She had pure rage in her eyes as she looked and the stallion that called her a horse. “Depending on your answer you might get out of this situation with more than just dirt in your coat!” Xephers looked at Rainbow with horror in his eyes and held up his hands... Hooves in defense... HOOVES!? Xephers stopped looking at Rainbow and looked between his front hooves moving them around like he didn’t believe they were his. Rainbow is getting impatient and yells “Answer me punk!” He looked at Rainbow again with a look of urgency on his face.

“What happened to me?” He said then looked back at his hooves. Rainbow punched the area right next to his head.

“I said answer the question, what did you just call me?” Her eyes full of rage her teeth clenched she was ready to end this stallion.

“I said Horses where I’m from can’t talk, and then you tackled me, but somethings strange about me,” He looks at his chest and notices he can see his nose more than before. “What happened to me?”

“You got knocked out that’s what happened!” Rainbow then decided to knock the Stallion out by hitting him in the face.

“Rainbow! You didn’t have to hurt him that bad!,” Rarity galloped up with the others. “Why hurt him more after he was just falling from that high up?”

“He called me a Whorse, kind of seemed he was off his rocker too, kept saying stuff like ‘what happened to me’ and ‘Whorses don’t talk where I’m from’ serves him right” Rainbow kicked his hoove as she got off his chest. Fluttershy walked up to him and check if he was breathing.

“Good news is he’s still breathing, but we may need to get him to the Ponyville hospital before his broken nose gets infected,” Fluttershy attempted to pick him up but Applejack cantered up to her and slung him over her back.

“I got this sugar cube you all tell the mayor what happened I’ll head to the hospital and get this here varment some help, Celestia knows he’ll need it,” Applejack shakes her head and gallops off in the direction of the Hospital.

Author's Note

I'm not really imaginative but I try I hope how I've interrupted the first episode goes well.

Chapter 2: Bramble Blast

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoy this chapter, I'm trying my best to interrupt the main storyline but it's kinda hard if you haven't watched the show in a little while. So I'm rewatching it so I can do this a little bit better.

S1 Chapter 2: Bramble Blast

The day after Xephers arrived in Ponyville. Black, thorny vines are taking over the town, and Xephers is awoken fully healed by a vine breaking into his hospital room through the window. Xephers opens his eyes and sits up.

“Huh? *yawn* Where am I?” Xephers looks around and sees the Vine and broken window. “What the...” He is cut off by the vine slapping him across the face. “OW! Son of a... That hurt!” He gets off the bed and hits the ground forgetting he isn’t on 2 legs anymore. “Welp, now I remember why I was here. Better get out of here and ask some locals to find out what the heck is goin’ on,” He gets up and races out the door but is stopped by Doctors and Nurses, ‘Well this is gonna take some explaining.’ He thinks to himself.

<========================================================================================>

Somewhere in Ponyville, Twilight and her friends are summoning Discord, God of Chaos, to have him explain himself. He is summoned and spawns in front of them... While taking a shower.

“♪ Winter wrap up, winter wrap up ♪, oh, *Chuckle* Now Twilight, you know Princess Celestia told you to give me a heads up before you summon me with that little spell she gave you. In case you haven’t noticed I was in the middle of a particularly invigorating shower” he wipes his back with a towel directly in front of Twilight.

“Enough!” She pushes him with her forehooves, she starts walking towards him while he backs up. “Release Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and stop the Everfree Forest from invading,” She commands with an angry expression on her face. A ‘Vine’ coils around her neck but transforms into discord.

“Why, whatever are you talking about?” He says in a sarcastic tone.

“Don’t you play dumb with us Discord, we know you’re the one behind all of this!” She yells at him. He slithers off Twilight and teleports to a building.

“Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely lo~ve what you’ve done with the place,” He takes out a camera and takes photos of the Chaos. He then floats over to Fluttershy. “But I couldn’t possibly take responsibility, I’m reformed, don’t you remember?” he bumps Fluttershy with his elbow. Rainbow flies up to him.

“Yeah right!” She shouts then points a hoof at him. “This has got your Cloven Hoofprints all over it,” Discord puts his claw on his chest.

“I’ll have you know that I only have one cloven hoof,” His hoof seemingly climbing up his body, then it kicks Rainbow’s flank. Discord then teleports back to the ground and starts walking away. “Such accusations, and here I thought we were friends,” He tries to play innocent but even Pinkie knows better.

“Drop the act buster!” She yells, she squints her eyes looking at Discord suspiciously. “We’re on to you,” Discord then shuts her up by putting his finger over her mouth in a shush gesture.

“Ladies, ladies, I’m innocent, would I lie to you?” he tries to look inconspicuous but fails miserably. The girls except for Fluttershy all say yes with an annoyed look on their faces while Fluttershy nervously says maybe. “Well then, it seems we’ve reached an impasse, I’m telling the truth, but you think I’m lying,” He bends over and leans toward Twilight. “What do friends like us do in a situation like this, *Poke*Princess *Poke* Twilight?” He then hugs her with one arm and pokes her nose. “Congrats on the promotion, by the way, you totally deserve it,”

“I say we blast him back to stone!” Rainbow buts in yelling. Applejack and Rarity agreeing and starting to use the elements. But Fluttershy flies in front of them to stop them.

“Wait, we can’t do that, what if he really is telling the truth,” She gestures toward Discord and he makes a halo appear above his head and puts his paw and claw together in mock prayer.

“Well finally, Somepony willing to give me the benefit of the doubt, the rest of you could learn a lot about friendship from my dear friend Shutterfly,” He then grabs Rainbow, who looks annoyed, in a hug.

“Umm, it’s Fluttershy,” She says while flying towards him. He then realized he grabbed the wrong pony and tosses Rainbow away and hugs Fluttershy.

“Oh, right, whatever,” he says with a slightly annoyed look.

“If you’re not the one responsible then help us figure out who is,” Twilight asks forcefully to him. He drops Fluttershy and turns his back on them.

“I suppose I could, But after all the Hoof pointing and besmirching of my good name, I just don’t know if I’m up to it,” He grabs a vine and starts to crochet it. Twilight Grunts with anger and Discord speak up again, “Why don’t you ask your Zebra friend if she knows anything?” Said Zebra, know as Zecora then arrives in Ponyville carrying a ton of her belongings.

“Zecora!” Twilight smiles then the girls all run to help her and ask her for help.

<========================================================================================>

Xephers finally left the hospital after being held back to check if he was really fine to leave. He then spots Discord crocheting the Vine and approaches him.

“You there, Chimera, What are these Vines any why do they seem to have a mind of their own?” Xephers asks, Discord stops and starts squinting at the Hero. “I shall ask again Beast, What are the Vines and... Why are you doing that with them?” He points at the crocheted Vine.

“My, my, how rude. If you didn’t know my name is Discord, God of chaos!” Dramatic Pause! “And for your information, I’m a Draconequus, NOT a Chimera or a Beast!” Discord spits out with venom in his words. “These Vines are none of your business and those ponies over there, where my crocheted Vine is pointing, if you were paying attention, are going to fix the issue, so just go away and leave me be good sir!” He turns around crossing his arms, but the vine stays in place still crocheting itself.

“Wait, you’re the God of Chaos? If that’s true then that must mean you’re responsible for this mess, it has Chaos written all over it,” Xephers looks at Discord with slight anger evident in his voice. “I can’t let an injustice like this go unpunished, come at me Discord, it’s time for you to get your punishment!” Xephers gets into a fighting stance. “Leaf Blade!” Xephers glows leafy green for half a second and leaves begin to swirl around him forming a Leaf sword, he grabs it with his mouth. Discord’s eyes widen at the sight of an Earth Pony using elemental magic.

“How did you do that?!” Discord yells, he has never before seen such magic, especially from any Earth Ponies. ‘Is this guy the one responsible for that magic I felt yesterday?’ He thinks to himself. “How can you use magic without a horn, Earth Pony, if that’s even what you really are,” He summons a toy Lightsaber. “Alright, I didn’t want to do this today but, Let do thi...” His ear perks up, and he looks toward the girls. “Oh poo... Hang on I’ll be right back, got to take care of some business real quick,” He snaps his fingers and disappears leaving a cardboard cut out of himself holding the toy.

“Damn it, I should’ve just rushed him, I’m too kind for my own good.” He sits on his haunches. “Even villains can talk to me without interruptions, if he really even is the ‘God of Chaos’ that is,” Xephers stabs his sword into the ground and a vine grows around it. “Well seems you can’t get away from these things for too long. Might as well take care of some of these.” He stands up and pulls his sword out of the ground cutting the Vine in the process. “Alright, here goes nothing,” he runs around cutting Vines as much as he can but they’re growing faster each time he cuts them. “Damn *Sigh* This isn’t working, must be something in that forest causing this.” He looks toward the Everfree Forest where the Vines are coming from. “I’m gonna have to try and help, better start from the supposed source,” He gallops straight into the forest cutting any Vines blocking his path. After the girls start traveling into the Forest Discord teleports back to his Cardboard cut out.

“Alright I’m back, sorry about that *Chuckle*, I just had to watch the Purple one freak out and mumble while under the influence of that potion,” Discord makes the cut out vanish and he grabs the toy Lightsaber and looks to where Xephers was standing only moments ago. “Ok, let’s... What the? Where did he go?” He looks around the area a bit. “I guess he realized I was more powerful than him,” He makes the Lightsaber vanish, “*Growl* He insults me by calling me a Chimera and a Beast and then runs off, *Chuckle* good riddance,” He lounges back in mid-air putting on sunglasses and taking a nap.

Chapter 3: The Hero Arrives! Then gets shown up...

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 4: Tree of Harmony

Author's Note

Nothing to report, other than this chapter is finished, enjoy readers!

S1 Chapter 4: Tree of Harmony

The Main 6, Spike, and Xephers arrive at the Tree of Harmony, but it’s covered in Black Vines strangling it and oozing green goop from it.

“Holy... That looks really bad.” Xephers canters toward the tree, a Vine shoots toward him and grabs his forehoof. ‘Shit!’ He struggles as the Vine squeezes tighter. “*Grunt* This hurts so Much, *Grunt* Leaf Blade!” Leaves Form a sword for Xephers and he cuts the Vine but also himself a little.

“Mister Xephers, are you okay?” Fluttershy slowly approaches him while he backs away from the tree. “Oh... My... *Gulp* you’re bleeding,” She grabs his bleeding forehoof. “We need to get this treated before it gets infected.” Xephers nods his head.

“I can teleport my first aid kit here,” Rarity adds while her horn lights up, “I’ll get it now,” A First aid kit popped out of nowhere in front of Fluttershy. “Here you go dear, now Twilight see what you can do to help the tree,” Rarity turns to Twilight who nods and flies over to the tree.

“Alright let’s get this taken care of,” Fluttershy opens the First aid kit and works on Xephers’ wound. Twilight goes to touch the center of the Tree but a Vine grabs her forehoof and starts squeezing just like before. She tries to pull away but it doesn’t work so she shoots a Magic beam at the Vine and destroys it. The other Vines wrap around the center of the tree. Twilight thinks and remembers something she heard from Celestia.

“Even without these Elements, the Tree of Harmony will possess a powerful magic, as long as that magic remains it will continue to control and contain all that grows here,” Twilight flies back to her friends and lands in front of them.

“I know how we can save the Tree, We have to give it the Elements of Harmony,” Twilight says with a determined look.

“Woah Woah Woah *Chuckle*,” Rainbow says then lands directly in front of Twilight. “How are we supposed to protect Equestria?” Rarity canters forward.

“How are we meant to reign Discord in if we can’t use the elements to turn him back to stone?” Rarity adds looking a little scared at losing the elements. Applejack canters next to Twilight.

“Twilight, the Elements of Harmony, they’re what keeps us connected no matter what,” She closes her eyes.

“You’re right about one thing Applejack,” Twilight says, Applejack opens her eyes and looks at Twilight. “The Elements of Harmony did bring us together, but it isn’t the elements that will keep us connected,” Twilight adds with an assured look. “It’s our friendship, and it’s more important and powerful than any magic,” She hangs her head a bit. “My new role in Equestria may mean I have to take on new responsibilities,” She raises her head and puts a hoof on Applejack’s chest. “And our friendships may be tested, but it will never, ever be broken.” All of her friends smile, “There’s no time to lose, everypony ready?” with that She flies up into the air, and all her friends shout ready!

Twilight uses her magic to take all the Elements from their necklaces and her crown, she moves them toward the tree and inserts them into their respective slots on the tree. The Vines attempt to stop her but fail as the last one is inserted the tree starts to glow bright white. The Glow expands and Destroys all of the Vines near it and destroys the rest of them like Fuses, Clearing the Everfree Forest and Ponyville entirely of Vines. The Glow shrinks back around the tree and gives it back its shiny color. It then clears the two giant masses of Vines holding the Princesses. The glow dissipates and they canter over to Twilight and her friends. Twilight gallops over to Celestia and hugs her.

“We know how difficult it must have been to give up the elements, it took great courage to relinquish them,” Everyone smiles, then the tree glows again, Twilight canters over to the tree as it uses the colors of the elements to make a strange flower appear out of one of its roots. Twilight touches it and it opens revealing a Diamond chest with 6 keyholes on it.

“What’s inside it?” Twilight asks Celestia, who puts a hoof to her chin in thought. “How am I supposed to open it?” Luna speaks up.

“Six locks, Six Keys,” They look back towards Celestia, she shakes her head.

“I do not know where they are, but I do know it is a mystery you will not be solving on your own,” she canters out from in front of Twilight’s friends. Twilight looks at the chest then back to her friends with a smile. Celestia notices Xephers as she’s cantering away from the others. ‘Who is that, I’ve never seen him before.’ She analyzes him while not looking suspicious but notices something very off about him. ‘Why doesn’t he have a cutiemark? He looks like an adult, so where is his Cutiemark.’ She stops just before getting too far away from him. “Sir,” She said in a motherly tone, Xephers looks at her. “Could we have a chat in private really quick, I wish to thank you for help Twilight and her friends,” He nods and canters toward Celestia. She puts up a sound and visual Barrier around her and him. “Alright, Discord,” She says in an angry tone. “Enough games, what are you doing here?” She steps closer to Xephers.

“Discord? Do you mean that Chimera I saw in town earlier?” He tilts his head in confusion.

“Yes you, what are you doing here, did you create that magical surge?!” her tone was getting louder and angrier.

“Wait, what Magical Surge you mean when I summoned my weapon?” He grabs it, sits it on the ground, and puts a hoof on it. “Disperse,” the sword turns into ordinary leaves and flies away.

“Enough, show your true form Discord, I know it’s you!” She says with Venom in her words, she’s almost at the Royal Canterlot voice in loudness.

“Wait, you think I’m Discord? *Hearty Laugh* No madam, I’m not that beast, My name Is Xephers Strike, Legendary Hero from Hytopia, Master Grass Mage, and Expert Swordsman, It’s nice to meet you, Mam.” He salutes. Celestia looks closer at him for a moment.

“Even though I can tell you aren’t lying to me, that story you just said sounds very unbelievable,” She then relaxes a little and returns to her motherly tone. “At ease soldier *Giggle*,” At that, he stops Saluting. “You said you were from Hytopia? I’ve never heard of such a place, and I’ve been around for a thousand years.”

“Hytopia is what the planet is called where I’m from,” He explains, “I was taken from my world by an ancient Dragon called Rah Krivaan, I’m here to help with any dangers you all have.” Celestia thinks for a moment.

“That would explain some things, but for right now I see that you’re not a threat to my little ponies so my sister and I will be going back to the Palace in Canterlot to discuss some things,” the Barrier around them dissipates. “I bid you Farewell Sir Strike,” With that, she takes off flying towards Canterlot with her Sister following close behind. Twilight and her friends canter up to him.

“What did she want to talk about?” Twilight asked looking like she really wanted to know. He looks at her and simply shrugs. “Ok, would you like to come back to Ponyville with us?” He nods.

“I don’t want to get lost again, so I’ll go with you guys.” He nervously smiles while looking at Rainbow. She does the hoof gesture again. “*Nervous Gulp* Just lead the way, Miss... Uh... What’s your name actually?” He looks at Twilight and tilts his head.

“Oh right, we never really introduced ourselves,” Pinkie then jumps up and down repeating ‘I did’ over and over till Rainbow stopped her. “Well, My name is Twilight Sparkle, this is Rarity,” She points a wing at Rarity who twirls her hair and just says ‘Charmed’, “This is Applejack,” She points to her and she says ‘Howdy’ tipping her hat and smiling, “This is Spike, my number one assistant,” He poses proudly. “The one that helped you with your cut is Fluttershy,” She hides behind her mane and whispers ‘Hi’. “You already know Pinkie, and last but not least...” She gets cut off as Rainbow gets in Xephers’ face again.

“The name’s Rainbow Dash, Fastest flyer in Equestria, and Future Wonderbolt!” She backs off a bit. “And I got my eyes on you buddy, you hurt my friends, you better be ready to run.” She flies back behind the others away from him.

“Ok... Let’s go then Twilight, I think it would be best if we get back before dark,” He says a little scared at what Rainbow said. Twilight nods and they all start walking back to Ponyville.

Chapter 5: Return to Ponyville

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6: Questions And Answers

Author's Note

I'm currently trying to do things on my game but writing this is actually fun so I might get some more Chapters out faster than before! but still a MAX of 2 a day... Maybe... don't quote me on that. I might even just lengthen Chapters to 2k words minimum but Right now I want at least 1.5k words minimum. Also, I had a small Vertigo spell last night, had to go to bed early and it sucked, almost fell on my PSVR setup. This is also where I start adding stuff to clear a few things up. if you see text in Brown that's added for lore and stuff. And yes the dragons mainly speak to each other in Dovah Tinvaak, Skyrim's Language for dragons it will be bolded, italic, and Red, and for sanity's sake, All dragons know Dovah Tinvaak at birth, they do in Hytopia so I'll make it the same for Equis. Don't worry the Power of Thu'ums will remain in Skyrim, I'm just using the Language here and there.

WARNING!!! Dark Hytopian History ahead, read at your own risk!

S1 Chapter 6: Questions and Answers

“Welcome to the Golden Oaks Library!” Twilight announces while opening the door for Xephers to walk in, she walks in after him with Spike still riding on her back. “Please, make yourself at home, I’ve got tons of books you can read and an extra bedroom you can use until you get your own home here in Ponyville.” Spike hops off Twilight and heads for the Kitchen. “Would you like some tea before we start with the questions?” She asks stopping just before the Kitchen.

“No thanks, I’d kinda like to get these questions over with as soon as possible, if you don’t mind of course.” He finds a table and sits in a seat. “*Yawn* I’m getting kind of tired from the long train ride here.” He looks to Twilight and smiles.

“*Giggle* Ok then, let’s get these questions underway,” She walks over and sits at the table too. “Ok, first things first, How are you able to use magic without a horn?” She tilts her head, Spike comes out of the Kitchen with a half-eaten Sapphire and joins them at the table.

“Well, you see, where I’m from when we get old enough we visit the Elemental Monistary in our home country to discover our elemental magic,” He explains, “There are 13 types of Elemental magic known to us, Null Basic Magic that has no real strengths or weaknesses, Fire Magic able to start campfires or blaze through enemy forces, Water Magic able to purify water or heal wounded efficiently, Electric Magic able to power homes and able to paralyze monsters with ease, Grass Magic able to control the wind and leaves for camoplouge or make potions to cure diseases, Ice Magic able to cool the Hottest lava and allow the user walk on shallow water with ease, Poison Magic mainly used to protect settlements from monster attacks but some evil doers use it for nefarious perposes, Psychic Magic that can help the old recover memories they have lost to time and levetate great objects in the air, Spirit Natural Magic in all of us that we can strengthen to be able to use special abilities, Draconic Magic almost exclusively used by Dragons but some have been able to master it,” Spike stopped eating his gem and looked at Xephers with excitement. Dark Magic that can be used to sneak up on villains to get an upper hand, Light Magic that can Heal or below life onto recently passed individuals, and finally Chaos Magic only used by Demented Deities wishing to Kill or hurt the populous,” Xephers shuddered at the thought of Chaos Magic. “Everyone is born with innate Spirit and Elemental Magic, but you only able to discover your elemental Magic after the age of 10, but there are a few that can be born with Chaos magic,” Xephers looks deadly serious. “Those born with Chaos magic are destined to bring Chaos to all the land, Killing and maiming without mercy.” Twilight Gasps and Spike looks like he might pass out. “Sadly, a Child born with Chaotic magic must be... *Nervous gulp* Killed immediately after it is known to stop the spread of Chaos.” Twilight starts tearing up, Spike collapses dropping the Sapphire, and Xephers closes his eyes, “We’ve tried to train them to use it for good but, The power corrupts their Spirit and drives them criminally insane or worse, a Demon will possess them and go on a rampage.”

“Oh my Celestia... That sounds terrible,” She grabs a tissue with her magic and wipes away her tears. “I’ve never heard of Elemental Magic before, is it anything like my Alicorn magic?” Her horn lights up and envelops Xephers to give him a feel of her magic, Twilight also checks what kind of Magic Xephers has. Xephers thinks for a moment.

“I have never felt this kind of Magic before,” The magic around him disappears and Xephers opens his eyes, “What Twilight?” Twilight has a look of horror on her face.

“I just tested how much magic you had and I can’t feel any Pony magic on you!” She stands up and starts backing away from Xephers slowly, “What’s worse is I can feel Draconian Magic in you as if you were a dragon in disguise.” Xephers tilts his head then realizes what that means.

‘She must have felt Firasha’s Magic, shit!’ Xephers smiles at Twilight, “You’re right Twilight, I do have Draconian Magic in me,” Her Horn ignites grabbing the nearest broom to protect herself from Xephers, “But it’s not mine,” Twilight drops the broom and looks confused. “It’s my Guardian-Dragon’s Magic,” With that Firasha Appears with a flash of Black Fire (Draconic Magic is Black Fire essentially in Hytopia), “Twilight, meet Firasha, Firasha, meet Twilight,” Firasha lands on the ground and walks over to Twilight and bends down on one knee.

“A pleasure to meet you, Princess Twilight Sparkle, I am Firasha Guardian-Dragon to Sir Xephers Strike,” Twilight looks between Spike, who is still passed out, and Firasha. Firasha stands back up to his full height, a head shorter than Spike... “I know I may be small but I can change my size at will but this is my real height and I prefer it honestly,” He Backflips onto the table Xephers is still sitting at and sits on the edge facing Twilight.

“Uh... Nice... To meet you... Firasha...” Twilight slowly returns to the table and tries to wake up Spike, “Spike, wake up Xephers’ is done talking about his magic,” Spike slowly opens his eyes and groans, “Spike come on, there’s someone here to meet you,” Spike raises his head and spies the tiny Dragon on the edge of the table and he gets up. “Spike, meet Firasha, Xephers’ ‘Guardian-Dragon’ he’s been hiding from us until now,”

“Correction, I have been resting until now,” Firasha Lies matter of factly, “I was weakened when we arrived by... An Unknown force,” He lies with a fake smile. “It’s not important now, Hello Spike, I’m Firasha a Micro Dragon Guardian!” Firasha stands up and Poses. “And if I’m correct it’s Xephers’ turn to ask a question,” Twilight opens her mouth to question the tiny drake but he puts up a claw, “Before you ask, Yes while I was resting I could hear everything Xephers heard and said, I just couldn’t see anything,” He lied masterfully at the end.

“Alright,” Twilight and Spike sit down at the table again, “Firasha is right, Xephers do you have anything to ask me?” She Smiles, spike keeps looking at Firasha with a fascinated face. Xephers puts a hoof to his chin and thinks for a moment.

“Ok then, Who rules Equestria, I know your Princesses but who are the King and Queen?” Firasha teleports onto Xephers’ head and sits down.

“Yeah, who runs this place, where we’re from we got multiple kings and queens... And a Dog...” Firasha teleports Spike’s Sapphire off the floor, cleans it, and hands it back to Spike. “Het hi bo goraan Dovah, You dropped this.” Spike perfectly understands Firasha and grabs his Sapphire, Twilight looks at Firasha curiously.

“What did you just say?” She looks at Spike, “I’ve never heard that language before, Spike do you know what he said?” Spike looks at her and laughs, “What are you laughing at Spike?”

“*Laugh* You really don’t know what he said? *Laugh*” Spike calms down and bites into his Sapphire making Xephers and Firasha tilt their heads. “He said ‘Here you go young Dragon, you dropped this, didn’t you just hear him? *Chuckle*” He stops at both Xephers and Twilights’ silence.

“Ah, you mean Dovah Tinvaak, it’s our native language, and all Dovah or Dragons, in your language, are born with the natural ability to understand it, but we must learn to speak it just like every other being in the multiverse when we are young.” Firasha explains. Twilight shakes her head in confusion but recovers and looks at Xephers with a smile.

“Well, that’s enough about that, now to answer your question, We don’t have a King or Queen, we just have Princesses,” She flairs her wings out and poses slightly, she regains her casual posture, “Now back to me, where are you two from?” Xephers answers her question without hesitation.

“I am from Vernaria Village on Hytopia, He is from the Dragon Realm on Hytopia, a mirror dimension home to only Dragons,” Xephers explains, but Firasha interjects.

“That’s a common misconception, our realm is not an exact Mirror of yours,” He stands up and materializes Glasses and a lab coat on himself. “Our realms are mirrored but, our realm is full of Lava instead of water and it never rains, volcanoes erupt Magma into the sky to make Clouds and it falls back down eventually,” He makes the glasses and Coat disappear and sits back down, “Just had to clear that up, sorry for interrupting you Xephers.” Xephers shakes his head slowly as to not throw off Firasha.

“You didn’t really interrupt I was done talking, and thanks for the lesson on your Realm buddy,” Xephers smiles. “Alright, my turn, Spike, Dragons can eat Gems here?” Spike looks at Xephers and finishes his Sapphire.

“Yeah, doesn’t Firasha eat Gems?” Spike asks to which Firasha just says maybe, and spawns a Gem and Chomps down on it. “Well, how does it taste Firasha?” Firasha pauses mid-chew and then tosses the whole thing in his mouth and sloppily eats the thing drooling on Xephers’ head,

“*Goran* Gross, Firasha get off!” Xephers tilts his head forward and Firasha falls onto the table with a thud and holds his enlarged belly picking at his teeth with a toothpick. “*Sigh* Twilight can we call this the end for today I’m getting really tired.” He grabs a Tissue and starts wiping the drool from his head.

“Oh, of course, your room is upstairs, first door on the right, good night!” She says with a smile, Xephers says ‘night’ and heads up the stairs to bed with Firasha flying right behind him.

Chapter 7: Ancient Castle of the Two Sisters

S1 Chapter 7: Ancient Castle of the Two Sisters

The next day... Twilight is awake rummaging through her collection of books to find anything on how to open the mysterious chest that the Tree of Harmony produced. Spike is currently cleaning the Library with a feather duster and apron. Twilight growls in frustration and throws the book she’s currently reading across the room destroying Spike’s feather duster.

“What’s wrong Twilight?” Spike walks over to her and she turns to face him.

“*Groan* I’ve gone through every book in Ponyville Spike,” She levitates a new book in front of her and skims it. “And there isn’t a single mention of the mysterious chest that came from the tree of harmony, nor anything about keys to unlock it,” She puts the book down and looks directly at Spike. “But something tells me that opening it is pretty important,” She flies to the top of a leaning tower of books and reads the top one. “I hope Princess Celestia has some ideas,” She hastily puts the book back, “If the Library in Canterlot doesn’t have anything, I don’t know where else to look.” The tower of books falls onto Spike, Twilight lands, and helps spike out of the book pile. After getting up Spike burps a letter from Celestia for Twilight to read. “My dearest Twilight, while it would be perfectly lovely to have you in Canterlot once more, I have another option in mind closer to Ponyville. As you know, the ancient castle I once shared with Princess Luna lies mostly in ruins, deep in the Everfree Forest, but if you look carefully, you may find a book to help you with your research hidden somewhere in what’s left of the castle library,” She rolls up the letter and teleports it away.

“Does this mean we’re going into the Everfree again?” Spike says with worry in his voice, “If we are, how about we ask Xephers to come with us for protection?” Twilight thinks for a moment then nods.

“That’s a great idea, Spike, let’s go ask him if he’ll come with us.” She trots out of the room with Spike following close behind. They get to Xephers’ room and hear talking inside.

“Alright, you have fully recovered your health and Mana pool, Your spirit energy is full, and you can transform a total of 4 times today, not counting any involuntary ones.” They hear a small draconic voice say, “Is there anything else you would like me to check about your vitals Xephers?”

“Not right now, thanks Firasha, good to know this world isn’t negatively affecting me. You can do as you please until I call for you,” Xephers says to Firasha, “*Yawn* I need to get downstairs and see if anyone else is up, see you later bud,” Hoof steps are heard closing in on the door to the room and twilight politely knocks on the door. “Huh, looks like someone else up, I got it,” He opens the door, and smiles when he sees Twilight and Spike, Firasha waves at Spike who in turn waves back. “Twilight, just the Pony I wanted to see this morning, do you need something?”

“As a matter of fact, yes we do need something,” She smiles back at Xephers, “We have to go into the Everfree Forest and would like to know if you would come with us when we go?” She pauses, “You don’t have to if you don’t want...” Xephers cuts her off,

“Alright, I’ll come with, I’ve got nothing better to do,” He looks around making sure he has his cloak and Vest on, “When are you guys leaving? I’m ready whenever you are,” Twilight smiles, turns around, and starts heading back downstairs.

“We were just about to go before we asked you, so we can go now if you’d like.” Xephers and Spike follow her downstairs and out the front door, closing it behind them.

<=======================================================================================>

They get to the old castle without a hitch and head inside, they look around the castle for a little while until they find the castle Library, a decent-sized Library with a few huge bookshelves full of old books. Twilight squeals in excitement at being able to read centuries-old books. Xephers stands guard at the entrance of the room, occasionally glancing at either Twilight or Spike to check on them. Twilight flies around in excitement while Spike gets caught in cobwebs, falling over trying to get them off. Suddenly the Inhabitants of the room, Star-Spiders, start checking out the intruders of their home, causing Spike to shiver in fear.

“We need to get some candles for light...” Before she can finish her sentence a bright ball of light appears on Xephers’ Hoof, floats to the center of the room on the ceiling, and glows bright enough to see the entire room perfectly. “Nevermind then, didn’t know your magic could produce light.” Xephers looks at her with a small grin.

“It’s a basic Null Spell that illuminates a Room perfectly no matter what, but it only lasts for 2 hours, I’ll have to recast it after that, but it doesn’t use too much power to cast,” He looks around and spots the Strange Star-Spiders roaming around, “Are these Star backed Spiders going to be a problem?” Twilight looks at them and shakes her head, “Alright then, I’ll keep an eye on the Light spell, if it goes out don’t panic it’ll be back up in no time,” He smiles then turns back towards the Entrance, glancing at the spiders, just in case they decide to try to attack them. Twilight gets back to reading and Spike begrudgingly joins in to help her, but he’s being conscious about the Spiders. After a few hours Xephers is sitting by the Entrance instead of standing and Twilight and Spike are still reading.

“Find anything Spike?” Twilight asks, Spike setting down a large book shaking his head. A book floats toward spike and out hops Angel, Fluttershy’s pet rabbit, scaring Spike and alerting Xephers, “Angel? What are you doing here?” as she says this Spike falls back in his chair and it pulls a lever revealing a room behind a bookshelf. Xephers joins them as they investigate what’s in the room, finding The Journal of The Two Sisters, Princess Celestia and Luna’s Personal Journal. “*Gasp* Maybe this is the book that Princess Celestia was talking about!” She opens it and begins to read with Angel resting on her back. A few more hours later and Twilight is still reading the journal with Angel lounging next to her eating some delicious carrots,

“Guys, you’ve got to hear this,” She announces to Spike and Xephers, “I love to duck behind the paintings, and though the hall of hooves still gives her a fright, the trap door slide is Luna’s favorite,” She finishes and Spike walks up to her to look at the Journal.

“Hall of Hooves?” Spike says confused, Twilight flips the page to show said ‘Hall of Hooves’, then She begins speaking again.

“Soon the Organ to the outside will be finished, I can hardly wait,” She finishes again and Spike grabs a pillow to sit next to her.

“What’s the Organ to the outside?” Spike asks and Xephers shares his two cents.

“If I had to guess it’s an organ that can be heard everywhere in the castle, even the courtyard.” He stands up and walks up to Twilight, Spike, and Angel. “I’ve dealt with an Organ like that, Creepy Music in an abandoned Temple, turns out the Demon at the End of the dungeon was a Musician in his previous life. Also, his ‘Organ’ was a spectral Instrument, and his weapon to fight me and my pals, he wasn’t easy to defeat.” He sat down next to Angel and gave him a Super Carrot, a large Carrot filled with double the nutrients, from his bag.

“Well let’s hope nothing skitters over it to make loud sounds, *Chuckle*,” A few seconds after Twilight says that Creepy Organ Music begins to play,

“Spike, do you hear that?” Xephers hears the Creepy Music, standing up and walking over to the secret door. Spike follows him slowly until he also hears the Music. “Sounds like we’re not alone, that music is coherent,” Spike looks at him confused, “Intelligent, Spike, just like back then at the Temple...” Xephers looks at Twilight, “Princess, We’re not alone, there’s Something playing the Organ,” He pauses, “Something Intelligent,” She breaks her concentration towards the book and looks at Xephers.

“What are you talking about...” She started hearing the music, “You’re right, we aren’t alone, we need to investigate come on.” She picks up Angel and trots out the door. “Xephers can your Light spell be used as a torch?” Xephers nods as He and Spike catch up, Casting Light 1 again but passing it to spike to hold.

“Spike, here, hold this, it’s not hot or cold but it can fly away at any time so just keep a good grip on it.” Spike nods and hops on Xephers’ back for better height for the light source. “Good Idea, hang on tight and if we run into any trouble hop off so I can fight without you falling off,” Spike says ‘Right’, and they continue on their path To find the source of the music.

Chapter 8: The Inevitable Pinkie & An Old Enemy

S1 Chapter 8: The Inevitable Pinkie & An Old Enemy

“Does anypony else hear a bunch of crying and yelling ahead of us?” Xephers inquires prompting Spike and Twilight to listen closely, “I think your friends are here Twilight, and they might be in trouble,” Xephers speeds up making Spike bounce a little and hold on tighter. Twilight nods,

“I think you may be right Xephers, I do hear my friends, let’s hope there’s nothing dangerous with them,” She speeds up too, and they gallop for the lobby where the crying and yelling is coming from. After a minute of galloping they reach the lobby and see all of Twilight’s friends minus Pinkie Screaming and crying over seemingly nothing. “I don’t see anything attacking them, just them running around in hysterics,” She looks at Xephers, “We need to stop them and access the situation, correct?” Xephers looks at her and nods, he springs into action stopping Applejack from running around screaming by tackling her to the ground lightly,

“Applejack, calm down, there’s no reason to be panicking!” He looks her in the eye with determination and she calms down, they stand up as Twilight stops Rainbow, from playing pinball with her body and the walls, with her magic. Angel runs up to Fluttershy to stop her from crying over a pillar and she hugs him tightly. Spike hops off Xephers and consoles Rarity, stopping her from crying, then they all group up in the center of the room.

“Well, that went better than expected,” Twilight pauses, “Have you guys been running around scaring each other?” They think for a moment then Applejack speaks up.

“That depends, who’s making that creepy noise,” The Organ is still playing, “If we’re here, then who’s playing that?” Xephers steps up,

“There’s only one way to find out... Everypony on me, time to see who’s the creep playing the Music, Leaf Blade!” His sword appears and he grabs it and heads toward the area the Music is coming from. Rainbow, Twilight, and Applejack nod and catch up to him with the rest following slowly behind.

They reach the Organ chamber and see a cloaked figure playing the Organ, Xephers casts his Light spell to illuminate the room and the figure stops playing. It turns around revealing a twisted Theater mask under the cloak. It slowly reaches for the mask, stopping once it touches the mask. Xephers, Rainbow, Applejack, and Twilight ready themselves with the others hiding behind the door opening. The figure speaks up in a low Femaleish voice.

“I’m glad everypony decided to attend...” It takes its mask off and throws it across the room hitting a target causing a chain reaction in the room, “It’s time for...” Smoke covers the room then quickly dissipates to reveal... A party. “Xephers’ Welcome to Ponyville party!” The cloaked Figure throws the cloak into the air revealing Pinkie pie! “Were you surprised?” When she said this several dozen Posters and balloons appeared out of nowhere. “Jesse it took you guys so long to get here I was about to run out of material for the Organ, but now you’re here!” She moves extremely fast to grab Fluttershy and the others and push them into the room for the Party.

“Wait, you set up a party here?” Twilight pauses then looks at Pinkie, “For Xephers?” She pauses again, “Without telling us?” Pinkie smiles and happily answers,

“Yes, I did this all for him and I hope he likes it so we can be the best of friends.” She bounces over to Xephers to gauge his reaction, “So, Xephy, Do you like it?” Xephers cringes at the bad nickname and looks at her, he drops his sword and steps on it.

“#1, Disperse,” He un-summons his Sword. “#2, don’t do that again,” Pinkie deflates a little and stops bouncing. “#3, I love it, thanks Pinkie.” Pinkie cheers up instantly and shoots up into the air and Yells ‘YAY!!!’ then bounces around the room. After a few minutes of food and comradery things calm down a little with the party starting to head toward the entrance.

“*Maniacal Laughter* This is going to be so much fun, I just hope they survive...” An invisible being with a visible pair of red demonic-looking eyes says quietly then snaps something on its body almost silently. “Time to show you’re real... Hero...the eyes close and disappear.

“So, anypony want to go back to the library with me to keep looking for any clues on the chest?” Twilight asks everypony present. Before anyone can respond the Organ begins to play again, making everypony look at it. “Pinkie, knock it off already,” Twilight shouts but she notices Pinkie standing right behind her. “Wait, if you’re here then who...” She gets interrupted by Ghostly Laughter that makes Xephers jump in fright.

“No... It can’t be...” Everypony looks to Xephers, he looks pale and has sweat dripping down his face. “I thought we defeated you in the Temple!” Xephers is slowly backing away towards the door.

“*Chuckle* Where do you think you’re going?” A very low growling voice asks from behind the entire group making them turn around and face a Ghostly figure of a human with Pale white skin, long boney claws for fingers, yellow Jagged teeth, Blood Red eyes, baggy clothes that show his malnourished body, Sharp Black horns growing in his thin white hair, Chains around his wrists, and nothing from the knees down floating in the door opening.

“Thozzal, you were sealed into a light crystal, how did you escape!” Xephers barks out still slightly freaked out. “You were meant to be sealed permanently!” Thozzal floated closer to him making everypony else back away from the demon.

“Let’s just say, I had a little help from a friend so I could exact my revenge once and for all.” Thozzal waves a glowing red hand behind him and the doors slam shut and lock. “It’s time we had a rematch without all your pathetic friends...” He looks around the room spotting the others, and laughs, “Or your new ones,” He raises his hand and summons black holes below Everypony except Xephers.

“Leave them alone Thozzal, It’s me you want!” Xephers stands straight, winning over his fear. “Let them go and we’ll have our rematch.” Thozzal hesitates for a moment then sucks the others into the Black holes and drops them outside the castle.

“Your friends are safely outside the castle... But as for you...” Thozzal grows in size to fill about half the room. “This is where you meet your end! *Maniacal Laughter*” A giant black hole opens under both of them transporting them to Somewhere unknown.

<========================================================================================>

“Is everypony ok?” Twilight stands up from the cold ground and looks around, “It looks like we were teleported outside the castle,” Applejack gets up and dusts herself off with her hat.

“I’m ok Twi but, what was that thing, it looked unnatural,” Rainbow gets up and helps everypony else onto their hooves and feet. “Alright, we need a headcount, Rainbow check if everypony’s here.” Rainbow salutes and looks around carefully.

“We have everypony but Xephers,” Rainbow lands next to Twilight. “If he’s not here then that means he’s still with that monster,” Twilight nods and tries to find him with a spell.

“Oh no... I can’t find him anywhere in the castle...” She searches around the castle as well but, finds nothing. “He’s not around it either...” Suddenly a strange magical force starts emanating from the Organ room alerting Twilight. “Wait... I feel strange magic coming from the Organ room, come on we need to help Xephers!” Twilight charges back into the castle with the girls following behind while angel and Spike wait safely by the door.

After a few moments of full-speed galloping, they reach the doors to the Organ room still shut. Rainbow tries to open the door to no avail, Twilight tried to teleport into the room but something blocks her. All hope seems lost until the doors disappear before their very eyes, looking into the room they see Xephers lying there on the ground in a pool of blood.

“Xephers!” Fluttershy flies to assist her fallen friend followed by the others, when she lands next to him she notices he isn’t breathing. “Oh no he’s not breathing Twilight can you do anything?” Twilight thinks frantically, but before she can do or say anything the body of Xephers stands up, half of his coat, mane, and tail stained red. Fluttershy starts shivering as he opens his eyes revealing the whites of his eyes have turned black and his pupils are now Red and much like a cat’s eye.

“Uhh, anypony else getting a bad feeling about Xephers here?” Applejack starts backpedaling, making Xephers slowly look in her direction, once his eyes lock onto hers, his eyes go full red and he gallops at her full speed making everypony jump in fright except Rainbow, she flew into the air and tackled Xephers to the ground easily seemingly knocking him out.

“What in the hay was that about?” Rainbow looked closely at Xephers, His eyes reopen and lock onto Rainbows making her jump and letting him get off the ground and look at Rainbow tracking her every move, the longer he stares the more he starts drooling bloody saliva, soon opening his mouth revealing razor-sharp teeth and a forked tongue.

“Wait, I don’t think that’s Xephers,” once Twilight started talking ‘Xephers’ stopped staring at Rainbow and slowly turned his head toward her. “I think it’s an imposter, his teeth aren’t normal, they’re shard and pointed!” Once ‘Xephers’ locked eyes with Twilight he started speeding towards her. “*Gasp* Freeze!” She grabs him with her magic and lifts him into the air, ‘Xephers’ Is still attempting to gallop at her in the air, mouth open and tongue hanging out one side. “Let’s see what you really are,” She concentrates her magic on her captive, he glows oranges before exploding into smoke making everypony cough, after the smoke dissipates everything looks normal. No blood, no corpse, but also no Xephers.

“*Maniacal Laughter* It seems you sniffed out my trap, but Xephers is still with the real me,” A Thozzal clone appears out of the floor in front of the girls. “If you really want to join him, we’re at the spot where you defeated Nightmare Moon,” He floats into the ceiling, “But don’t expect to get there without any roadblocks *Chuckle*,”

“Really, where we defeated Nightmare Moon, that’s on the other side of the Castle,” Rainbow yells in anger. Twilight looks at Rainbow with a determined look.

“You’re right Rainbow, but we can make it, we just have to try our best to make it there before anything happens to Xephers,” She turns toward the entrance, “Come on everypony we have a friend to help!” They all nod and start galloping towards their destination.

Chapter 9: Battle With A Demon

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