Chapters The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Author's Note: Keep in mind, the entire time I wrote this, I had no Internet. Some details may not be 100% accurate.
Chapter 1: Departure
It had been four months since Taro had returned from Equestria. All of his pony friends had been left in Equestria, Cadence and Shining Armor happily married, and, while he was gone, the new Dragon Rider had been found: Jarden, the rider, and Chalmen, the red dragon. Jarden was 15 when he discovered his destiny as a Rider, unlike Taro, who was 17, and is now 19.
Jarden ducked. "Fight back!" Taro shouted. It was his first lesson in sword fighting.
Jarden stabbed at Taro's gut. Taro jumped and slanted his body parallel to Jarden's sword.
Taro grabbed Jarden's head and flipped over him, landing safely behind him. Jarden spun around, swinging his sword in a circle. Taro stopped the attack and flipped the sword up over him, and knocked Jarden down on his back.
"Not as bad as I thought you'd be, but don't get me wrong, you were still terrible." Taro said, helping Jarden to his feet.
"Well what did you expect, it was my first time!" Jarden shot back.
Is something wrong? Chalmen asked, her voice trailing in and out of Taro's thoughts. She had just started to learn how to enter others' minds.
She walked up to her Rider. "No," Taro replied, "Your rider is just being a bad fighter."
Chalmen looked at Taro menacingly, at which point Thatch landed at his side and returned the glance.
"Taro, there you are!" Isron shouted from afar. "Good day to you all. Taro, you have another mission."
Taro turned his head. "Great, just what I wanted."
"What's wrong? You always loved missions. What's been going on lately?"
"Nothing, what is it?"
How big is this mission? Thatch asked.
"Hopefully not too big, Thatch, because you won't be going with.""What!" they both shouted.
"Chalmen needs to learn how to fly better, project thoughts and almost everything else. Thatch, you need to stay here and teach. Taro, I will teach Jarden what he needs to know."
"Alright, what's the mission?" Taro asked sourly.
"Remember four months ago when you had to save Equestria from a disaster? Well, it's happening again. Well, sort of. Princess Celestia fears something is about to happen, and wishes you to be there incase her suspicions come true."
Taro perked up. He could finally go back to see them. "I don't have to hide who I am, right?"
"No, everyone already knows. Are you ready to leave now?"
"No, let me go instead!" Jarden shouted.
Isron looked at Jarden. "If it's alright with Taro, it's alright with me."
"Please!"
"Sorry, Jarden. You're too inexperienced. If you want to, you can come with me to watch, but you can't take over."
"No thanks..." Jarden said, hanging his head. Taro felt a presence in his mind.
The answer is the same in here as it is out there, Jarden. And don't you EVER try to do that again!
Sorry.
"I'm ready, let's go!"
Isron lifted out his hands, and Taro was once again flashed to Equestria.
Before Taro could open his eyes again, he was tackled by, none other than, Pinkie Pie.
"WELCOME BACK!" she shouted, jumping on him.
"Pinkie Pie, you're hurting him!" Rainbow Dash said, pushing her off.
"Sorry."
"No, no, it's totally fine, I love being jumped on by pink ponies obsessed with parties," Taro said, getting up.
"Hmm, that's rather specific," Pinkie Pie said walking back to the group.
Taro shook his head. "Thanks Rainbow Dash."
"Four months and you still remember our names," Twilight said, walking up to Taro to greet him.
"I can't just FORGET the names of my best friends."
Rainbow Dash nudged him, a smile on her face.
"Are you hiding Thatch again? Why isn't he here?" Spike asked, looking around.
"Remember when I said there was another egg, and it would hopefully hatch while I was here? Well it did, and it's Thatches job to train the dragon while Isron trains the rider."
"So Taro, since you left before we even left Canterlot, I didn't get a chance to study Dragon Riders," Twilight stated.
"No!" Taro protested.
Everypony started to laugh.
"Hey Taro, let's go for a fly," Rainbow Dash suggested.
"Sure." Taro jumped into the air and flapped his wings.
They flew for a while, leaving everypony to find something to do on their own. They came to a rest on a cloud, lying down. It was night.
"We flew for quite a while," Taro said, smiling at Rainbow Dash. He looked down at Rainbow's wings. "You put my ring on your wing?"
Rainbow Dash looked down at her wing. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that."
"It looks good on you." Rainbow Dash blushed. "I knew it wouldn't take much to make you blush like that."
Rainbow Dash nudged him with her hoof as they laughed.
Rainbow sighed. "Beautiful night."
"Yeah..."
They lay there for hours, exchanging comments and, mostly, laughs, before Rainbow Dash suggested they go home.
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Chapter 2: Close
Taro had woken up on Rainbow Dash's bed. How did I get here? I fell asleep on the floor. He looked over. Rainbow Dash was sound asleep. The covers slipped off of her shoulder. Taro smiled and put it back over her. She grabbed the cover in her sleep and nuzzled it closer, causing Taro to smile a little more. She then stuck her muzzle under Taro's arm and her hoof over Taro's stomach.
"A little close, don't you think?" Taro whispered.
"But you're comfy," she laughed.
Taro put his arm around her and went back to sleep.
"Rainbow Dash, Twilight needs to..." Fluttershy said, coming into the room. "Oh, I'm sorry, am I interrupting?"
Taro and Rainbow Dash awoke to find them in the same position as they had fallen back to sleep. Rainbow Dash went wide eyed and flew to the corner of the room. "Oh no! Agh! Taro!"
Taro was shuddering in an opposite corner. "What, you did it to me!"
"No I didn't!"
"Excuse me?" Fluttershy asked.
"Oh, what did you want, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Twilight needs to speak to Taro."
"Alright, I'll be at the library in a minute."
Fluttershy left and Rainbow Dash turned to Taro, smiling. "Come on, you liked it," she said.
"Not as much as you did!" he shot back.
"So you admit you liked it!"
Taro turned away. "No!" What do I talk myself into?
"Well, you had better go see what Twilight wants."
"Yeah, while you sit here thinking about what just happened."
Taro landed by the library door and opened it to find Twilight, Spike, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Spike was staring at Rarity with hearts in his eyes. LITERALLY! Twilight smiled as she looked at Taro.
"What?" he asked.
Fluttershy left.
"Nothing, it's just that Fluttershy told us about how you and Rainbow Dash fell asleep together," Twilight replied.
Taro groaned. "Come on! What's the big deal? We were asleep! We couldn't control what we did in our sleep!"
"But still, it's sweet," Twilight said.
"I think you'll make a great couple, you're so similar," Rarity said back.
"Couple?" Taro retorted.
"Yeah, from what Fluttershy told us, you two looked perfect together."
"Can we just drop it? I didn't even mean to sleep in her bed!"
"Then how did you get on it?" Twilight asked.
"I don't even know, I fell asleep on the floor and woke up on the bed with her. Anyway, why do you need me?"
"Actually, Rarity needed you."
"Yes, we don't exactly know how long you'll be here, and I was hoping to make you some clothing," she said politely.
"Knock yourself out, now if you don't mind, I need to talk to Fluttershy." Taro turned to leave.
"Wait, I don't have a base for you, only for ponies."
Taro groaned again. He knew where that was going. "Fine."
Taro and Rarity walked back to Rarity's shop, Carousel Boutique.
Taro walked out of Carousel Boutique with an armful of clothing that, he had to admit, looked pretty good. Maybe a little too flashy, though. Taro looked up at the sky. It wasn't too late, maybe five o'clock. He decided to fly up to Cloudsdale, put his clothes away, and see if anypony needed his help.
After several hours of doing the various chores, and receiving some good payment for his troubles, which he reluctantly accepted, he returned back to Rainbow Dash's house. "Welcome back," she greeted from inside her room.
"Hey Dash," Taro said, walking into her room. She was on her back reading another one of her Daring Do books.
She lay there reading for hours while Taro just stood there, staring at her. He wasn't bored, in fact, he was rather entertained with examining her body.
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Chapter 3: Closer
Rainbow Dash had woken up the both of them. They had fallen asleep and somehow, Taro was holding Rainbow Dash across the waist, his knee between her legs. "How do we do this?" Taro asked.
"I don't even know," she replied, getting up, trying (and failing) not to blush.
"You sure do blush a lot Rainbow Dash, at least, around ME you do."
"We need to get a separate bed or we're going to do something... suggestive... while we sleep."
"Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you, Rainbow."
She turned and blushed straight at his face. "Maybe..." She went back toward Taro, who was now a little red as well. "Wouldn't you?"
"A little..." he replied, Rainbow Dash's face getting closer and closer, still. She started to close her eyes, and Taro, his. They leaned ever closer, until their lips met in a kiss. Taro knew it would happen. Back in his mind, he knew he loved her, and she knew she loved Taro. They just couldn't admit it to themselves. Maybe that's why they kept waking up in these positions. Taro broke the kiss. "I love you, Dash," he whispered, stroking her cheek.
"I love you too, Taro." She put her hoof over his hand. Taro continued caressing her face, then moved back to her neck, and kissed her again. He stroked her neck as they continued to kiss, brushing his fingers through her beautiful mane.
There was a knock on the door and a sigh of annoyance erupted from both of them. "Hey mister Rider! I need to talk to you!"
"That would be me..." Taro reluctantly got up and answered the door.
"Hey, can I ask you a question?" the stallion asked.
"You just did, but feel free to ask another one," Taro commented back.
"Okay then, I need some help moving some clouds around, think you can help? I can pay you."
Taro looked at Rainbow Dash who had just come out of her bedroom. "Sorry, I'm a little busy right now..."
"Oh, I understand. You're probably too busy doing Dragon Rider stuff to deal with low-level ponies like me..." He turned to leave.
Great, now he's trying to guilt me into it. Well it won't... "Fine." DANG IT! Why am I so nice!
"Really! Thanks! Come with me please!" the stallion beamed.
"Taro, why didn't you shoo him away? We could've had more alone time," Rainbow Dash asked, walking up next to him.
"I-I don't... know. I guess it's my Heroic nature. I can't turn down people, or rather PONIES in need."
Rainbow Dash sighed. "Alright, I'll wait for you here..."
"Thanks Dashie." He kissed her and followed the stallion.
Taro FINALLY finished working and doing tasks for everypony who asked at 10:00 PM. "I need to stop being so nice..."
He opened the door to Rainbow Dash's cloud home and was met with darkness. He lit up the room with a simple spell. On the counter was a note: Taro, meet me at the clearing you and Thatch always stayed at. I'll be waiting for you...
Taro landed by the tree that had just started to regain it's branches. "Rainbow Dash?" he shouted.
"Over here!" she returned.
Taro followed the sound of her voice. "Where are you?"
"Right... here!" she hissed. A changeling appeared, changing form from Rainbow Dash to Taro.
Taro jumped back and drew his sword. "Kveykva!" he shouted. "I've killed your kind before, and I'll be GLAD to do it again! Where's Rainbow Dash!"
"Taro, help!" Rainbow Dash was being held by three other changelings who had recently taken the form of Taro.
The first changeling lunged at Taro. Taro blocked the over-head attack and kicked the changeling in its gut, knocking it down. Seeing its vulnerability, Taro stabbed it through the throat.
Taro quickly jumped at two of the three changelings and chopped one in half with a jumping uppercut, and on the way down, killed the second one. He grabbed the third and final one by the collar and lifted it off the ground. With one fatal swipe, he split it through its stomach.
Deactivating Kveykva and throwing the carcass down in anger, he went to comfort Rainbow Dash. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." This was Rainbow Dash. Taro knew it.
"How did those changelings survive my last visit?"
"I don't know. They weren't in range of the elements when we used them. They should be the only ones left."
"Why weren't they around?"
Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Sick day?"
"Come on, let's go home."
They started to take flight and go back home.
Taro had woken up first. He was holding Rainbow's waist with one arm and held the middle of her inside thigh with the other. This time, it wasn't an accident. "I'm starting to like the way we sleep," Rainbow Dash said, getting up.
"Me too." Taro got up as well.
A loud knock was on the door. "Rainbow Dash! There's something going on with the clouds!" Fluttershy shouted. She never shouted. It must be important.
Taro and Rainbow Dash ran outside to find pink clouds everywhere. But that wasn't the weirdest part. The weirdest part was... the chocolate milk that was coming out of them...
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Chapter 4: Discord
"Taro!" Twilight said as him, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash came to the ground. "What's going on with these clouds?"
"I don't know, I didn't do it!"
"We need to get rid of these clouds!" Twilight ordered.
"Forget the clouds, my apples are huge!" Apple Jack shouted.
The apples on her trees were so large, the trees had bent over in there weight. Suddenly a white rabbit lead a group of other animals. Well, not necessarily animals. All of the animals had gigantic legs and no sense of control.
"We need to fix this! Taro, can you burn those clouds like you did before?" Twilight asked.
"Most definitely." Taro flew up in front of one of the clouds and shouted "Brisingr!" Taro held out his arm for what felt like a minute. His energy was draining quickly, his wings growing tired. The cloud hadn't even sparked. He wish he could retract the spell, but magic didn't work that way. Once a spell was started, it had to be finished.
Slowly the cloud burned, but quickly Taro's energy had left him. His wings grew tired and the lightning bolt on his palm glowed. The cloud had slowly disappeared, and Taro dropped to the ground, barely holding onto life. He hit the ground hard, panting heavily.
"Taro, are you alright?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Taro shook his head and swallowed. "Come... closer!" he mumbled. She did. He put his hand on her wing. She put her face close to his, looking deep into his blue eyes, ready for anything. Life had slowly come back to him. Taro took a sigh of relief. He wasn't healed completely, but it was enough. "Thanks for keeping that ring. There's so much energy stored inside that." He slowly stood up.
"Why was it so hard to use that spell? I thought you could practically do it at no cost," Apple Jack asked curiously.
"I don't know, it must be protected by someone else's magic. Not just any magic, POWERFUL magic."
"Any chance you can do any more?" Twilight asked as the chocolate milk poured out of a near by cloud. And who else would be under it than Pinkie Pie.
"Not at all. We can move these faster than destroy them."
"Hmm..." Apple Jack thought, "That's not a bad idea..."
"Where are you going with this?" Rainbow asked.
"Twilight, get my rope, Rainbow Dash, Taro, round up those clouds the best you can."
Taro and Rainbow Dash gave a salute and flew off. Taro grabbed a cloud. "Aww! Gross! What is that?" He smelled it.
"Cotton candy?" Rainbow Dash said in disbelief. Pinkie Pie's ears perked up.
"Okay, I officially believe ANYTHING I'm told," Taro joked.
Taro and Rainbow Dash brought the clouds into a ball and Apple Jack quickly threw her rope around all of them, stopping the rain and bringing them all into one cotton candy mess.
Twilight gave Fluttershy a wink. They had apparently come up with a plan while they were gathering the clouds. "Oh, wow. Look at all of this delicious cotton candy I have. I would sure hate to share..." she said innocently.
Pinkie Pie had already started eating it. "You're tellin' me!" she gloated through a mouthful of candy. The animals had run to cotton candy immediately, knocking Pinkie Pie out of the way. Within seconds, the animals had eaten every last cotton candy cloud.
"Okay, it's time to see the Princess..." Twilight suggested. With that, they all headed for the train.
The party ran into the Great Hall, where Celestia was waiting. "Princess, what's going on? Why are there a bunch of cotton candy clouds, and animals that are... just weird, and..." Twilight started.
"What happened to my apples!" Apple Jack interrupted.
"Long ago, before Luna became Nightmare Moon..." Celestia started.
"Who did what, now?" Taro interrupted.
"I'll tell you later, continue?" Rainbow Dash said.
"Before Luna became Nightmare Moon, a ruler of Chaos came to be. He was known as Discord. When Luna and I were fighting Discord, we used the Elements of Harmony to stop him and encase him in stone."
"Way to go, Princess!" Rainbow Dash complimented.
"Unfortunately, Luna and I are no longer connected to the Elements of Harmony. He has escaped from his stone prison."
"Wait, why? Shouldn't the Elements still have power?" Taro pointed out.
"Yes, but it was me and my sister who trapped him. When I banished Nightmare Moon, our bonds with the Elements of Harmony faded, and I no longer controlled them. The stone spell had broken, and over time, Discord weakened it and escaped only recently."
"So who controls the Elements?" Taro asked.
"Turn around and find out," Rainbow Dash gloated.
Taro turned around to see them all standing high and mighty. "You guys are the Elements of Harmony?" he gaped.
An evil laugh echoed through the hall. "What an intelligent Dragon Rider you are..."
"I take it you're Discord!" Taro said triumphantly. "Show yourself!" Taro drew Kveykva and activated it. He fueled it with so much power, his hair and clothes were whipped back.
He laughed again. "So serious, Taro. I thought you needed a calm mind to do what you do..."
He deactivated Kveykva. "How do you know me?"
"Oh, you'd be surprised at what I know..."
"Quickly," Celestia ordered. "The Elements of Harmony!" Celestia hovered a chest over to them and opened it wide. Empty. Discord laughed again. "What have you done with the elements!"
"Oh Celestia, you haven't changed a bit..."
"Tell us where they are!" Twilight ordered.
"Hmm, Twilight. The Element of Magic. The hidden element and student of the Princess. You're so much like her."
"Shut it and tell us where you hid the Elements!" Rainbow Dash shouted angrily.
"You must be Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty."
"That's right! I'll always be loyal to the Princess!"
"We'll see about that. Then there's Apple Jack, the Element of Honesty..." Discord warped into the stain glass windows and took control of his image. Taro didn't pay any mind to that. He only noticed the one near it of him saving the Canterlot Wedding, riding a colossal, green dragon.
"Then there's Rarity, the Element of Generosity, Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness. And then Pinkie Pie who represents the Element of Laughter, a personal favorite."
"Enough talking! Tell us where you hid the elements!" Celestia ordered.
"Always so boring, Celestia. Fine, I'll tell you, but I'll only tell you my way."
Discord left the glass and began to speak in a riddle: 'Twists and turns are my master plan, then find the elements back where you began.' His disembodied voice trailed off as he left.
Twilight walked up to the window, pondering the riddle. "Hmm... back where you began..." Twilight's eyes set on the labyrinth in the Castle Garden. "Twists and turns! The Garden Labyrinth!"
"I don't know, seems a little too obvious... Why would he put them in the first place we would notice?" Taro pointed out.
"Well do you have any other ideas?" Rarity asked.
"Mmm, no. I wish Thatch were here, he's great at riddles..."
"Go, my little ponies. Find the elements and save Equestria form eternal chaos!"
They all ran out to the labyrinth, minds set on achieving their goal.
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Chapter 5: The Labyrinth of Deceit
Chapter 5: The Labyrinth of Deceit
They stood at the entrance to the green maze. "This will take forever!" Pinkie Pie complained.
"Duh," Rainbow Dash said, stretching her wings, and Taro his. They jumped into the air to take flight.
"Ah-ah-ah!" Discord said. At the very release of the syllables, Rainbow's, Taro's, and Fluttershy's wings disappeared and Taro's ring dropped to the ground. As Taro landed, he picked it up and put it on. He looked around as Twilight and Rarity screamed about their horns being missing as well. Discord appeared in front of them. "I'm not the biggest fan of rules, but for this game, there are some. No flying and no magic." He gestured toward Taro. "I can't take away yours, so you're just going to have to settle without using it. If you break these rules, the game is over and I win!" He immediately disappeared.
"Alright guys. Together, we can do this," Taro said, taking a step forward. All the other ponies did the same. "We just need to stick together..." As if on cue, the hedges blocked the exits and each other. Everypony started to panic.
"It's all right! Just meet at the middle!" Twilight shouted. Instantly everyone set off down the labyrinth's twisted trails. Well, except for Fluttershy, who sat there panicking.
Taro walked down the twisted maze, making random turns. Some of the walls even seemed to rearrange themselves, making passages even more confusing. Taro had figured he had gone to the same place at least five times already. He knelt down and studied the ground. To his surprise, he didn't just find his own foot prints, but he found a set of hoof prints as well. He looked up and down the maze. Nothing. No one. He scratched an arrow into the ground, pointing the way he went.
The chambers moved again. Hmm, left or right? I went left before, I could end up going in circles. He gasped. "Right! I if I just keep going in the same directions, I should be able to navigate pretty well!"
He made several right turns and a left at every changed wall, marking his direction each time. He had just cleared his next turn when he was met with Isron. "Hello Taro, my student. How is your time in Equestria?"
Taro looked at him in doubt. How can Isron be here when he was supposed to be at home, training Jarden? "Pretty well, except for this." Taro silently searched through Isron's mind. Well, he would have, but it wasn't there. Taro searched for the energy around him. He found Twilight with Apple Jack on the other side of the maze, Fluttershy a few passages away, Rarity with a rock on her back, Rainbow Dash halfway to the center, and Pinkie Pie... well, she was just being Pinkie Pie, being an unknown distance away. She was Pinkie Pie far away, that's where she was. She was in Pinkie Pie. But of all of these entities, there was no Isron.
"Yes, well... Maybe I should aid you," Isron offered.
Taro walked up to Isron, looked him in the eyes... and punched him square in the nose. Isron was knocked back and held his face in pain. He looked back and smiled. He delivered a punch to Taro's gut. Taro clenched his stomach in pain.
Quickly, he kicked at Isron's face, who blocked it by passing his arm by it. Taro spun around, regaining his balance and round house kicked him across his face. Isron stumbled back and thrust his fist toward Taro's neck. Taro deflected it and Isron tried bringing up his foot to kick him. Taro was faster. He threw his foot over Isron's knee and forced it back down. Taro tried punching Isron across the face, but he blocked it and hit Taro in the shoulder. Isron went for another hit, but Taro grabbed his arm, twisted him closer, and elbowed him in the face, then quickly kicked him across the back, knocking him down. Isron flipped over, getting back to his feet, wincing in pain.
"Just like old times, huh Taro?" Isron said, holding his back.
"Shut up, I know you're not him," Taro replied, fists up.
Isron punched at Taro's face, and Taro after Isron's. They met each others chins with their fists. Neither retreated as they threw a second punch, only to meet their own fists. Taro spun around and elbowed him across the face again. Taro jumped up, spun, kicked him again in the face, the dropped to the ground, tripped him, and, on his way down, kicked him in the stomach. Isron lay there, holding his... everything. "You've gotten much better,my student," he said through gasps of pain.
"I could never beat the real Isron." Taro delivered a forceful kick to his head, nearly tearing it off his shoulders. Isron went motionless. Taro continued down the maze as the fake Isron turned into dust. A passage opened, holding Twilight, Apple Jack, and Rarity, who was holding a gigantic boulder.
"Taro!" Twilight shouted in excitement. "Finally! You're not acting weird, are you?"
Taro looked past her to Rarity. "Why is there a boulder on her back?"
"It's not a boulder! It's a diamond!" she shouted back.
"No, that's a boulder."
"Don't even try, I have already. Let's go,"
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Chapter 6: The Elements of Disharmony
Chapter 6: The Elements of Disharmony
They were only missing Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy and Rarity had been fighting the entire time, Fluttershy touching the rock, and Rarity telling her to stop. "Would you two shut up!" Taro shouted. He turned back to Twilight. "We need to find Rainbow Dash."
"Look, there she is, flying away," Apple Jack said.
"Now I know that's a lie!" Twilight said. Apple Jack had turned from honesty to dishonesty in, dare I narrate, 10 seconds flat. Fluttershy had done the same, going from kind to a jerk, Rarity from generous to greedy, which Taro didn't find much of a real change anyway, and Pinkie Pie from laughter to cruelty, finding pain in the slightest bit of joy.
The only ones who hadn't changed were Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Until Taro looked to the sky, that is. Rainbow Dash was flying away to the clouds above. "How can she do that?" Taro wondered aloud. The Element of Loyalty had turned to disloyalty. Taro and Twilight were the only ones left.
Discord laughed maniacally. Suddenly, the maze disappeared, and Discord was in front of them. "Well, well, well. Someone broke the 'no flying, no magic' rule. Looks like I win!"
"But that's not fair! How are we supposed to find the elements if you took away the maze before we could find them!" Twilight protested.
"Wha- oh! You thought the Elements of Harmony were HERE?" Discord laughed. "I never said it was in the labyrinth!"
"Then why did you make us participate in this stupid game?" Twilight asked as Discord returned her horn, Rarity's horn, and Taro and Fluttershy's wings.
"I thought it'd be fun."
"You are the weirdest villain I've ever faced," Taro inquired.
"Yes, well, guilty as charged." He disappeared.
"Great, now what?" Twilight asked turning to Taro.
"I don't know. Let's go back to PonyVille and see what we can come up with. Back to Library," Taro suggested.
"Why?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know, it's where we began. Might as well start there."
"Alright, let's get on the train."
"No! No one can look at my diamond!" Rarity protested.
Taro and Twilight looked at each other. "So you're saying you want to walk?" Taro asked.
"If it keeps ponies from trying to take Tom, then yes!" Rarity said.
"Tom?" Twilight asked.
"Of course. That's his name."
"Well I would've named it pebbles," Taro said.
Twilight giggled, getting Pinkie's attention. "What are you laughing at!" Pinkie shouted in disgrace.
After a LOOOOOONG hour of walking, they finally arrived at the outskirts of PonyVille. Time was impossible to judge. The moon and sun continued to switch, and at one point, the road had turned to soap. PonyVille faired no better. several houses had been lifted out of the ground and turned completely upside down. Nearby in the sun, Discord skated along on the soap road. "Isn't it just wonderful, Twilight and Taro? PonyVille, the chaos capital of the world," he said gleefully.
"It's beautiful..." Taro replied sarcastically.
They ignored him, and continued walking, followed by the others. They had shortly arrived at the library.
Taro, Twilight and the others entered the library, save for Rarity, who pushing her boulder. "Let me guess, you're not going in without him," Twilight asked.
"No!" she shouted back. Twilight lifted the rock in through the door with her magic, bringing a grin to Rarity's face.
Inside they met Spike, sleeping in his bed. Fluttershy hesitated by not even a second to pour water on him.
He jumped up. "Fluttershy, what did you do that for?" he asked, shaking himself off.
"I thought you looked peaceful," she replied.
"I was..."
"Hello Spike," Twilight greeted, carrying "Tom."
"Twilight, why does everyone look so... gray?" he asked.
"Don't ask. Where's the book on the Elements of Harmony?" she asked, setting the rock down.
"Same place you left it," Spike said, handing her the book.
She reached out to take the book, but it was stolen by Fluttershy. "Hey! Give it back!" Twilight shouted.
"No," Fluttershy replied.
Taro tried to grab it, but Fluttershy threw it to Rarity. "Give it!" Taro shouted.
"No, if you want it, I want it!" she shouted back.
She passed it to Pinkie Pie, who threw it back into the crowd.
"Where is it!" Twilight asked.
"I don't know," said Apple Jack, rolling her eyes.
"LIES!" Twilight shouted, diving at her.
A quarrel broke out. Taro stepped out. He could see the book jumping around the cloud of dust. He extended his arm. "Gath sem un lam iet!" The book froze in mid-air and thrust toward Taro's open hand. He held it high in the air. All attention was on him. Twilight walked over to him and handed her the book. Rarity jumped after Taro as he did, who returned by swiping his hand and shouting "Skolir," deflecting her back.
Twilight sat down and opened it. She gasped. "The elements! They were her the entire time! We can defeat Discord!"
"I'M not gonna, I don't want to," Apple Jack protested.
"Yes you will!" Twilight shouted. She hovered the necklaces toward them, forcing them around their necks.
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Chapter 7: The Hidden Harmony
Chapter 7: The Hidden Harmony
"There!" Twilight said, donning her tiara. "Now let's go beat Discord so we can get this over with and never have to see each other again!"
"We can't," Taro said, stopping her.
"Not you too!"
"No, I mean we can't do it. We need Rainbow Dash. She's gone."
Twilight thought, then hovered the necklace into Taro's hands. "There, YOU do it for her."
"What! I can't! I don't even know what I'm DOING with this!"
Discord walked in front of them. "Well, well, well. Looks like you found the elements. Congratulations."
"That's right, now we can defeat you!" Twilight said back.
"Well, go right ahead. I'm waiting."
Taro stood there as the others started to glow and rise into the air. The other elements started to glow, but Taro's remained a red lightning bolt. They fell to the ground and Discord laughed once again. "Looks like they didn't work. Well, I've got to get back to my chaos! I'll see you later!"
"I don't understand. Why didn't it work?" Twilight wondered aloud.
"Mine's workin'. Must be somethin' wrong with YOUR'S." Apple Jack said.
"Quiet!" Twilight ordered.
"I'm out of here!" Pinkie Pie said, throwing her element on the ground.
"Me too!" Apple Jack copied.
Rarity quickly gathered both of them and ran off.
"I'm leaving too!" Fluttershy said, throwing hers at Taro.
"That's it... they're all gone," Taro pointed out.
"Fine! Who needs you! With friends like you, who needs... enemies..." Twilight looked down in shame.
"Come on, Twilight, you can't give up." Taro knelt down, dropping the Element of Loyalty. "We have to stop him."
"What's the point?" Twilight walked away.
Taro watched as she left. "She's gone too." he said to himself.
Discord appeared right next to him. "Aww, so sad. Looks like your team of hero's has disbanded. You're ALL on your own."
"It doesn't matter. I don't need the Elements of Harmony to kick your ASS!" Taro drew his sword and thrust it toward Discord.
"Language, Dragon Rider," Discord said, putting his hands slightly up.
"You got rid of my friends, ruined their personalities, made them give up, and turned them into complete jerks! I have no reason to even LISTEN to what you say! You even corrupted my girlfriend! I have NO sympathy for what happens to you! I am so pissed off, I want to beat you up and heal you, JUST so I can do it again!"
"Temper, Taro. That's not very heroic of you, killing for your own pleasure."
"What are saying!?"
"Don't you understand? I've turned all of your friends, except one."
"Twilight HAS turned."
"Not her... you. You see, you are also an element. When the original five Elements of Harmony are brought together, a spark ignites, creating the sixth one, who was Twilight. YOU however, are the hidden, and FINAL element. The element that binds all the other elements together. The Element of Heroism. This element isn't even known to Celestia, it's so hidden."
"Then how do you know about it?"
"I love riddles." Discord said with a grin. "In the labyrinth, I sent forces to deny all of the elements their natural powers. I sent the fake Isron to you. You were supposed to go with, then he would tell you of how your world is falling at the hand of the new Dragon Rider. You would've gone back to it, corrupting yourself. But now, I have to result to doing it myself."
"Even still, it's not just for me, it's for Equestria!" Taro slashed Kveykva toward Discord, only to have it hit an invisible force-field. It was as if he had hit a brick wall instead. "What!?"
"Ooh, isn't THAT disappointing. My chaotic magic is too strong to be broken by any blade, magic or not. The only thing that can hurt me and turn me back to stone are the Elements of Harmony."
"Then I will get them back. I'll get all of them back. We'll break that barrier and incase you in stone again. I can't just let you get away with it." Taro turned and walked away. As soon as he took his first steps to library to get Spike, a flash of light appeared around his neck. He didn't even acknowledge it. It disappeared and left a green sword dangling at the bottom of a necklace.
"Spike?" Taro called. He was met with a groan. Spike was upstairs, burping out letters and scrolls every second.
"The Princess has been sending them non-stop!" he groaned in agony.
Taro bent down and picked one up. "What is it?"
"Twilight's lessons on friendship..." He burped out another letter.
"All of them?" Spike burped out yet another letter. "Can't you just breathe it out?"
"No!" He belched again. "Make it stop!"
"I got an idea!" Taro grabbed an armful of letters and searched with his mind for Twilight's energy.
Twilight walked passed Sugar Cube Corner, looking down. "Twilight!" Taro landed next to her, dropping a few scrolls.
"Hi Taro..." she said, disappointed.
"Twilight, look. It's your letters. To the princess. Celestia! These are YOUR friends! Discord changed them, and he tried changing me too, and now he succeeded at you!" Taro dumped the scrolls at Twilight's feet.
"But, you don't even have an element." She looked up and saw Taro's pendant. "What! A seventh element! How is that even possible?"
"The seventh element, the Element of Heroism, is what binds the other six. There's still hope! I'm still left, and we can still defeat Discord. I can't do it alone. I need EVERYONE'S help. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Apple Jack. Everyone."
Twilight lifted up a letter and began to read. "Why would the princess send these back?" Twilight's face started to light up. "I know how we can defeat Discord! There's a spell I know that can return their memories and bring them back!"
"Great! I'll see if I can do the same. We'll split up. You go for Apple Jack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, I'll get Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash!"
"Why them?"
"Can you fly? I didn't think so. Can they fly? That's what I thought." Taro immediately took off.
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Chapter 8: Heroism
Rainbow Dash was lying on a cloud. "Rainbow Dash!" Taro shouted.
"Hey Tao, how's it hangin'?" she replied.
"Come on, we need to defeat Discord," Taro said, landing next to her.
"No thanks, I'll just stay here."
"Come on, we're going."
"Are you kidding? Have you SEEN PonyVille? It's a disaster! Let's stay here in Cloudsdale."
"That's a cloud."
"Well DUH! It's CLOUDSdale, city made of CLOUDS!"
"I mean it's just a regular cloud. Nothing special about it." He entered her mind. Like all minds when entered, it was a memory and thought haven. Memories of Rainbow's past floated through every space and thoughts of what Rainbow Dash was thinking filled the crevices. Many of them were of Taro. One was of how she wanted to stay in Cloudsdale with Taro. She just wanted to be with him. In another, she was with him in what he assumed was supposed to be his world. She was human, and they lived together. Her thoughts were beautiful. She was no longer loyal, yet she still only thought of him. He didn't want to leave. But he had to help save Equestria.
He found the memories of her and Discord. "Yeah I got a conversation right here!" she shouted triumphantly. She was offered her wings. Taro cut out that part and pushed it toward the back of her mind. Her dreams. He exited.
She was looking at him with her beautiful magenta eyes. She hugged him. "I'm sorry! Will you ever forgive me?" she pleaded.
Taro hugged her back. "Of course, you're my Rainbow Dash." He let go. "Now, we have to save Equestria. I need to cleanse Fluttershy."
They flew to Fluttershy's cottage to find her picking on her animals. "Fluttershy, stop!" Rainbow Dash pleaded.
"Don't tell her to stop, she's just going to keep going to make you mad," Taro informed Rainbow. Taro grabbed Fluttershy and entered her mind. It was just like Rainbow's, only it was thought's of not feeding her rabbit, only to see him beg, and pouring water on Spike... again. He found her memories. Discord had a hard time with her. "Oh no, I AM weak and helpless, and I appreciate their understanding." Great, just one more reason for everyone to love Fluttershy. He removed the memory and thrust it toward her dreams.
"Oh, Taro, Rainbow Dash! I'm so sorry I was so cruel! I didn't mean..."
"It's okay Fluttershy." Taro interrupted.
"We know it wasn't your fault," Rainbow Dash stated.
They met Twilight in the center of town with Rarity, Apple Jack, and Pinkie Pie. "Now all we need to do is confront Discord," Twilight said, giving everypony their elements.
"Hey, Taro has one!" Pinkie Pie pointed out.
"Oh my, it is just fabulous on you," Rarity complimented.
"What does it mean?" Fluttershy asked.
"Heroism," Taro explained triumphantly. He went on to tell the others of it's existence.
"Well, now that we know that story, I think it's time we defeat Discord, don't you?" Rainbow Dash asked.
They didn't have to travel far to find Discord sitting on a throne, drinking literally a glass of chocolate milk. Not the chocolate milk in it, the actual glass. "Oh, look," he started, "You've gathered the Elements of Harmony once again. I'm sooo scared."
"You should be!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
"I told you I'd make you pay, Discord," Taro said. "Now, it's time."
They all started to glow, except Taro. He backed up. They started to hover in the air. "Oh, that's not good," he heard Discord say.
Taro felt his rage toward the villain build up again. Steps of light appeared over his pony friends. Taro whipped out his sword and ran up the stairs. As he did, his thoughts were being transferred to everypony else: "You got rid of my friends, ruined their personalities, made them give up, and turned them into complete jerks! I have no reason to even LISTEN to what you say!" "I will fight for Equestria, no matter WHAT the cost!" "It's not just for me, it's for Equestria!" "You're my Rainbow Dash." "Discord changed them." "I'll always stay true to my friends!" Taro reached the last step, high above Discord. He jumped, raised his sword high above his head, and shouted "KVEYKVA!" The bright green sword glowed in lightning, as well as the one around his neck. He came crashing to the ground in a thunderous boom.
They stopped glowing. All the ponies could see was smoke and dust. Shrapnel of gray stone fell from the sky. Short bursts of lightning came from inside of the crater that had been left behind. The smoke cleared, and Taro was kneeling on one knee, sword drawn, and panting hard. A bolt jumped out of the sword and back in. He stood and faced his friends, who were awestruck. Taro had scratches and cuts in random places, as if the power needed more room and created places to exit through.
"Woah," Apple Jack muttered.
"So much power. I never felt anything like that. Well, besides the first time I used magic. But this time, I didn't fall unconscious from lack of energy," Taro said.
There was a short silence. Rainbow Dash ran to Taro and hugged him, who hugged her right back. "Those were your thoughts we heard, weren't they?" she asked.
Taro nodded.
"You really are the Element of Heroism, aren't you?" Twilight asked, walking to his side. "All of those thoughts, never giving up hope, never leaving us. You stayed by our side the whole time, no matter what we said or did."
Taro released Rainbow Dash. "I never really thought of myself as a hero. I just do what I think is right. I don't do it to make me feel better."
"Maybe that's why it's you who's Heroism," Apple Jack inquired. "I never thought I was honest, just doin' the right thing."
"And I never thought about being kind," Fluttershy said, joining them.
"Well I ALWAYS laughed," Pinkie Pie said. "But whatever."
"Your heart and mind, so pure. Your thoughts of loyalty and righteousness,"Twilight stated. "And you and Rainbow Dash..."
Rainbow blushed and Taro smiled. "You heard that part too, huh?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight nodded. They all did. Twilight looked back at them and smiled. "But GEEZ is that a big crater you made! It's going to take forever to clean that up!"
Taro smiled. "I do what I can."
They looked around to see all of the clouds return to white, the houses flip over again, and ponies slowly walk outside again.
A portal opened beside Taro. Jarden, Chalmen, Thatch, and Isron walked through. They stood in the middle of the crater. Taro smiled at them.
"Did you do this?" Isron asked.
Taro nodded. "Why are you here?"
"Thatch said he felt something was disrupted. For a minute, he couldn't sense you. He was worried," Isron said.
Thanks pal, Taro said, hugging Thatch's head.
You're welcome.
"You must be the new Dragon Rider," Twilight said, walking up to Jarden.
He looked at her in disbelief. "The horse is talking, Taro."
"Yeah, where? I only see ponies here," Taro replied.
"The ponies are talking."
"Oh, yeah, I know. They're very nice ponies. Pet one," Taro joked.
They all laughed. "So Taro, looks like you've got this handled," Isron said.
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Epilogue:
Taro, Rainbow Dash, and the others walked down the open path in a room inside Canterlot Castle. Everypony was there, watching them walk past. Even Jarden and Isron were there. Chalmen and Thatch looked through the window. Taro could've sworn he heard Isron say to his neighbor, "That's my student up there."
"Elements of Harmony," Celestia started, "You have once again rescued Equestria from certain doom. Taro, you have done extremely well. Saving us when all hope was lost and forgotten, earning an element yourself: The Element of Heroism. We all owe you our gratitude. Anything you need, and we shall get it for you."
"Please, Celestia, I didn't get this by accepting gifts. I am happy to aid Equestria in any fight."
"Please accept this, then." Celestia gestured toward a window. A new stained glass window was revealed. The original six Elements of Harmony faced Discord as Taro rained complete hell upon him.
"I'll take it thank you."
Taro, Chalmen, Twilight, and the others gathered in the same clearing as before. "Well, looks like it's that time again," Taro sighed. "I always hoped I wouldn't need to do this again. I don't want to leave you all again. Especially after what just happened."
"Then don't leave. You have Jarden to take over for you, don't you?" Twilight asked.
Taro shook his head. "He's too inexperienced. I have to train him."
"So stay here with him! Isron can take up your duties!" Rainbow Dash said, at the edge of tears.
"I wish it were that simple. I can't do it on my own. Taro and Thatch are stronger than I will ever be," Isron stated.
Rainbow Dash ran up to Taro and hugged him. "Don't leave me again!"
"I wish I didn't have to," he said. He pulled away and kissed her. "But I do." Taro pulled off the sapphire ring and put it back on her cyan wing. "Keep this safe," he said.
She nodded. Tears from saying goodbye had formed at the edge of her eyes. "I will."
Taro stood, holding Kveykva's hilt. "I hate saying goodbye."
"It happens to all of us," Isron said, grabbing Taro's shoulder.
Taro sighed.
Hey, I know how hard this must be. But for some reason, I can't share your feelings. It's as if we became separate just for her. I feel nothing for her, besides friendship.
Yeah, you'd better. Taro walked toward the portal. He turned back to see Twilight comforting Rainbow Dash.
Jarden put his hand on Taro's shoulder. "If you want to stay, I promise I'll do my best to fulfill your duties, Master." Taro looked up. That was the first time Jarden had called him "Master." "I'll train hard every day to be just like you."
As will I, Chalmen said.
I will stay with them to help, Thatch volunteered.
"You'd do that for me?" Taro asked in disbelief.
Anything for the greatest hero who has ever lived, Chalmen replied.
"Well, are we going?" Isron asked.
"Isron, change of plans: I will stay here in Equestria, working as hard as I can to protect it from whatever danger may try to harm this land, while you four stay in our home, doing your best to do the same. Isron, you can continue to train Jarden, Thatch, you can still train Chalmen. When you feel they're ready, come back to me." Taro suggested. "Oh, and one more thing, announce to everyone that I won't be returning for a while, and you and Thatch will take up my position."
Isron smiled. He was no longer considered Taro's mentor. Taro had become a great ruler. "I can ask for no better student. Congratulations Taro, you are now my leader. What ever you need, whatever you want, I will not hesitate to fulfill the task. We will visit often."
Taro smiled back. "Thank you, Isron, for everything." Taro turned around. All of the ponies were grinning at him. "Looks like I'm staying." Twilight and her friends ran toward Taro, hugging him and tackling down to the ground. The hype drained down and Rainbow Dash was sitting there watching, smiling. Taro was on one knee. "Come here," he said with open arms. She ran to him and met him in another kiss.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Taro replied.
Thatch and the others watched them for a minute before leaving and removing the portal to home.
End of 'Legacy of the Rider II'
The Legacy of the Rider II: Hidden Harmony
Bonus Story: Attempt for Harmony
Bonus Story: Attempt for Harmony
Wedding day. Taro and Rainbow Dash had spent most of the day apart from each other to make sure everything was ready. They met back on the ground only a few minutes before they had to be at the wedding. That was the first time they had seen each other dressed for the wedding.
"Wow, Dash. You look amazing," Taro complimented.
"As do you, Taro," she replied dreamily.
"Ready to get married?" Taro asked.
Rainbow Dash nodded.
"Let's go then..."
"Taro!" shouted a stallion. "There are thieves back at Bon-Bon's shop!"
Taro looked at Rainbow Dash. "It shouldn't take too long, I'll be back soon!" Taro started running and was about to rip his wings out, but then he remembered he was wearing that same tux to his wedding. He jumped into a carriage and directed them to the store.
Rainbow Dash sighed and flew to the wedding alone. When she walked through the door, everypony was already getting ready to witness the wedding. Rarity was waiting for them by the door. "Where's Taro?" she asked.
"Thieves at Bon-Bon's store. He just HAD to deal with it." Rainbow Dash looked down.
"Oh don't worry. He's strong, he won't be more than a minute."
Taro threw the last of the thieves out the door. "You're lucky I'm in a hurry."
He jumped back into the carriage and charged back toward the wedding. He jumped out and his escort left. His almost touched the door knob when a black humanoid of muck jumped at him. Taro was pinned to the ground. "What the hell?" he asked.
Taro freed a hand and punched the ooze in the face. It opened it's mouth revealing fangs as it screeched in anger. Taro kicked it off him and jumped back to his feet. The monster threw a punch at him, which Taro dodged. He then shot a fist at the monsters gut. It barely seemed phased as it punched Taro in the face, knocking him back to the ground. The black slime got back on Taro who struggled to gain his momentum to force the monster off. It lifted a hand off of Taro and opened its fist to reveal sharp claws. The claws met Taro's dirty tuxedo and scratched three lines in it, touching his skin and drawing blood.
"Hey! I have to get married in this!" Taro objected.
Everypony was starting to get anxious. Taro was supposed to be there ten minutes ago. Taro and the monster jumped around silently outside the small window behind Rainbow Dash and Rarity.
Rainbow Dash looked disappointed. Rarity noticed. "Don't worry, I'm sure he's outside the door right now."
Rainbow Dash turned away from Rarity. If he is, he had better be fighting some kind of monster." Taro blasted through the door, breaking it down as he flew through the middle aisle. "Well I didn't mean it literally!"
Taro stood slowly and faced the ooze that entered the chapel. Rarity immediately noticed Taro status. His wings were sticking out and was ridden with blood. He might have even had a few broken bones. Rarity immediately spoke up. "What did you do to the suit I made you!"
Everything just froze. Taro looked at her in disgust. "Really? That's the FISRT thing you think of?"
The monster lunged at Taro. They exchanged a few blows. Rainbow Dash had come into the aisle, keeping her distance between the fight. The monster kicked Taro at the wall further down the chapel's aisle. "Taro!" she shouted.
"Stay out of it Rainbow Dash!" Taro commanded.
The monster turned his head and screeched at Rainbow Dash. Then it went for Rainbow Dash. Taro looked toward it and jumped at the monster who was about to land on Rainbow. He hit the monster in its gut and they continued to sail until they hit the wall. Taro held the monster against the wall, anger welling up in his eyes. He hit the beast in the head with each word he spoke. "DON'T! TOUCH! MY! BRIDE!" With the final blow, the monster's head broke through the wall of the church. It opened its jaws to squeal in disapproval, only for Taro to shove his fist down its throat. "BRISINGR!"
The black ooze soon exploded into the church, splattering everything with black as it quickly burned. Taro backed off panting. He turned to meet everypony in the chapel. Ignoring their glares of awe and fright, Taro walked passed them to his frightened fiancee. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Rainbow Dash nodded and hugged him.
The slowly released each other and Taro turned back to the crowd. "Well, I think this goes without saying, but it looks like the wedding will have to be postponed until tomorrow." Taro turned back to Rarity. "Think that's enough time to clean this up?"
"Definitely."
The next day, the two were wed. Nothing too out of the ordinary aside from construction workers putting a new door on during half of the ceremony. Taro and his wife exited the yard behind the chapel to lave the after party Pinkie Pie had thrown them. About half the other party goers had already left. "Congratulations, you two," a mare said from behind them. They turned to see Twilight. She had been invited to the wedding by Taro, but Rainbow Dash tried her best to avoid her after what she did only a couple weeks before Taro proposed.
"Thanks Twilight," Taro said happily.
"Any plans on a honeymoon?" she asked.
"Well, we haven't discussed it yet, but I was thinking of a visit to my old home. I want to see how everypony... er, everyone is doing without me. I wonder if they'll even come to Equestria to stay."
FORESHADOWING!!!
"That sounds nice," Rainbow Dash said.
"Dash, I can't say I'm sorry enough for what I did to you two in Canterlot," Twilight apologized.
"It's okay, Twilight," Rainbow Dash said.
"I am so glad you're the Element of Loyalty and NOT honesty. That was terrible," Taro replied.
"Alright fine, I'm still mad at you, but can you blame me? I just want to get through the happiest day of my life without having to relive my worst, is that so wrong?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Taro was brought back by her statement. The happiest day? "I love you, Rainbow Dash." He knelt down and gave Rainbow Dash a peck on the lips.
"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash," Twilight said.
"Don't worry about it for now. Come on Hon, let's go home," Rainbow Dash suggested.
