//-------------------------------------------------------// In The Beginning Part 2 -by TheDarkprince600- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: The Knight and his Dragon //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: The Knight and his Dragon So, where we last left off, a rampaging dragon hypnotized by Discord, had just arrived to terrorize the village and all of the pony folk who live in it. When White Knight and the girls, including Twilight, White Knight tells Celestia and Luna to stay put and away from the dragon. But as he was about to engage battle with the dragon, Celestia tells the White Knight that she wants to help him take on the dragon and that she can be of good use to him in battle, but the White Knight refused to let Celestia fight the dragon. After all, like the father figure that he is, he doesn't want the girls to get hurt in any way whatsoever. But Celestia was too persistent, she had kept begging for him to reconsider, she even tried to pull the cutest puppy dog look, hoping that White Knight would change his mind, even Luna joined in with her because she too wanted to take on the dragon. White Knight was in under a lot of pressure, the dragon still destroying property, the girls wanted to partake in the battle, White Knight was sweating like crazy and couldn't focus while he was looking back and forth. And course, the girls were still pleading and begging and then the White Knight snapped; "NO!" yelled out the White Knight. And right after he yelled out "no" to the girls, they were dead silenced. They were even getting upset as they were putting their heads down in shame, and the White Knight starts telling them the reason why he won't let the girls fight. "I mean... no, you can't participate in this fight. It's too dangerous." "We can handle our own, White." said Celestia with confidence. And the White Knight replies; "That's not it, girls. I know you can handle your own, it's just that... even though I'm not your father... ...I can't afford to lose you both. I would be nothing without you two, after all you're both my pride and joy, you two are what keeps the smile on my face and it's you two that keeps me going. I would be sad if anything were to happen to the both of you." Having said that, Celestia felt a little bad about asking White Knight to join him in the fight, that sad face started to get the White Knight down, and while the dragon continues to destroy property and scaring off everypony, White Knight comforts Celestia and tells her that she doesn't have to feel bad, wiping the tear off her face, he tells her that it's not her fault that she was pressuring him to help fight the dragon. She wanted to help no doubt about it, but of course though, White Knight is overprotective of the girls and doesn't want them to get into any trouble. "Now then girls, I need you to just stay put for a second. Taking care of this dragon will be a snap, trust me I've handled such worse things like such and after I'm done, the three of us will do something fun, what do you say?" "Sounds like a plan!" they both said out loud with excitement. Oh the smiles on their faces were something you would love to see, Celestia and Luna already were thinking of fun activities to do together, and so the girls had decided to stay where they are and wait for White Knight to finish the fight and get back to them. So as the White Knight warms up to take on the dragon, the dragon is still looking for the so-called poacher to fight him, looking high and low for White Knight and right out of nowhere... there he was floating right behind the dragon; "Leave those poor pony folk alone! You want somepony to pick on... try me!" After White Knight's voice reached the dragon's ears, the beast turns around to see who it was that was yelling at it and when the dragon saw who it was, Discord's voice reached out to it; "Be warned, the poacher might pick up a fight, and don't forget... the name he goes by is the White Knight." and so, the dragon starts to growl deeply and angrily when he spotted it's target at long last. The purple dragon starts to engage the White Knight by shooting it's green flames at him, White Knight was evading every flame that the dragon kept shooting, the dragon blows out his biggest flame at him. White Knight uses his powers to separate the flames in half and when he did so, the dragon got closer to him and attacked him with it's dragon claw. Sending the White Knight flying in the air and crash downward to the ground, the girls gasped loudly when they saw the White Knight get hurt by the dragon and wished they could have helped but couldn't. They were afraid that White Knight was about to lose, even Twilight wishes she could help as well, but all she can do is watch, and at the same time, she tries to observe the dragon's purple scales, green spikes, shooting green flames... she could assume that it might be Spike, but the dragon is too aggressive and cruel. But she had to stick around to keep watch just to make sure, then White Knight gets back up to continue fighting the beast, he was a little injured, but he can still fight the dragon. "Come on, now. Is that all you got? That can't be all you have, surely, you must have something up your scales, no?" Then, after the White Knight taunted the dragon, the dragon pulls an evil smile at the White Knight and chuckled evilly, realizing that the beast might actually have something in store for the White Knight. So the purple dragon opens it's mouth wide open and starts to conjure up it's own green energy beam, White Knight was a little surprised to see the dragon create a beam of energy, this was clear to White Knight that the dragon he's facing is far from ordinary. "So, it seems like I'm dealing with a Puff the magic dragon... ...great, just great." Says the White Knight in a nervous tone. After his slur of random words, the dragon had completed his beam and shoots it at White Knight. The beam was coming at him at great speed, White Knight couldn't get out of the way before it could even arrive, it was too fast for him and so he holds out his left hoof to block it. Unfortunately for White Knight, the beam was too powerful for him to hold it with one hoof, so he holds out his right hoof so he can use both hoofs to successfully block and push away the beam. However, it still wasn't enough for him and was blown away by the great force of the dragon's energy beam. Celestia and Luna were still very much worried that White Knight might lose the fight, so they try go in to help him, but White Knight yells at them to stay right back where they were. Then there was Twilight Sparkle who was amazed at the Dragon's abilities, so she went to get a closer look. And right up in the sky... was Discord himself relaxing on a sofa in the air, eating popcorn, drinking refreshments and enjoying the showdown between the Dragon and White Knight. "Ah Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Oh, this is just too exciting to watch, if only stuff like this were to happen, then I wouldn't mind watching the chaos than have to cause it myself. Now this is quality entertainment! Oh, how I wish it would never end... ...hello what's this?" While the fight was going on, Discord spots Celestia and Luna standing on the hill, watching the White Knight losing to the Dragon, looking at their faces; the nervousness, the sorrow, the thoughts of their precious White Knight losing... and while the fight was still going on, Discord would want to see how it all ends. But instead... he came up with another devious plan. "Hmm... It would appear that I have yet another plan. If the White Knight were to survive this fight... which he won't, He'll meet up with his little friends, but of course the only thing he'll be meeting up with... is nothing. Absolutely nothing. Well, better go meet up with them." And so, Discord heads on over to the hill to meet with Celestia and Luna, he flashed from his spot to theirs in an instant, the girls were still discussing on rather they should help White Knight or not, after all they do not enjoy seeing him like this. "Look, no matter what he says, we have to help him, my sister." Luna said, then Celestia replied to Luna with; "We can't do that, you heard what he said... we are not to leave this spot until the fight is over. I trust that he will win this fight." "You know your little sister is right, my dear. What good can come from obeying your superiors? Sometimes, you just need to rebel, just this once. And plus you have a real good reason to, White Knight doesn't stand a chance... there are some battles that he can't win alone." Said Discord. "Who are you... or.. what are you?" replied Celestia with a confused and shocked look on her face after she turned around and looked and what was behind her and Luna. They even gasped loudly because of what they're seeing right before their eyes. "Celestia, my sister. What pray tell is that?" "Who am I you ask? Why, I happen to be the master of chaos and disharmony, the being that brings distraught and despair to the world, I am Discord. And you two... ...are going to be my hostages." After introducing himself to the girls, he then starts to snap his fingers to teleport the girls to someplace far away from where they're standing. And then, Discord takes another good look at the fight, just to see who is winning and who is losing, afterwards he turns around and wishes White Knight good luck on the fight and snaps his fingers to teleport himself out of there. Now back to the fight, it seemed like the fight is almost at an end, White Knight was almost down for the count, the Dragon had him where he had wanted him, White Knight tried to get back up and resume fighting, but after taking so many licks from the dragon... White Knight just seems to be losing his fighting spirit. During the fight though, White Knight had been observing every tactic the dragon had been displaying, the dragon is indeed far from ordinary as the White Knight said before, it was clear that White need to somehow befriend this dragon. He moves his head to the right to get a good look on the dragon, hoping to find an opening somewhere, and while he's doing that, the dragon comes closer and closer to White Knight. As the dragon got this close to White Knight, while it was about to pick him up with it's hand, White Knight makes a flash step from where he was lying... to the dragon's torso. White Knight places his right hoof on it's torso and starts performing some kind of a lock spell, the dragon tried to shake it off, but it was too late for it to make another move. Next thing you know, White Knight managed to lock the dragon's true form and somehow revert the dragon into it's baby state. Not only that, White Knight noticed that the dragon was under a hypnosis spell as well, so he used a counter hypnosis to get rid of the trance. After that, the dragon managed to wake up, when he got up he was dazed and confused. his eyes were spinning around and felt like he was sick, he didn't know where he was, then the White Knight tells the dragon that he was in a trance and was terrorizing the village and fighting White Knight. The White Knight opens up with; "You know, I've never seen a dragon who can fight like you can. Heck, I didn't think a dragon like you can even produce an energy beam and shoot it out with ease. Might I ask, what kind of a dragon are you?" "Well if you must know... I happen to be a dragon prince. The things you've seen me do during our battle... well, let's just say, I'm quite gifted. I have many talents. But like everything, my talents are limited." replied the young dragon prince. "A dragon prince, ha! You don't say? That's pretty impressive there, friend." Said the White Knight. Yes, he was quite impressed and a little excited to hear that the dragon is a prince and that he has special talents. So White Knight and the dragon prince were starting to get acquainted with one another, and while they were doing that, White Knight asks the dragon prince to hop on his back so they can fly back to the spot where Celestia and Luna were standing. And as they were flying back to the spot, Twilight Sparkle was standing there, she had a very surprised face, her jaw had already dropped, a little twitch on her left eye and she was doing a little bit of stammering. She couldn't believe what she had saw and what she had heard... "I... I- I can't believe it... no, it can't be him... although it did kinda looked like him. His face, his eyes, his green spikes that stick up on his head... even his voice sounds the same! I don't want to believe it, but if that dragon is definitely Spike, then I have one question to ask... ...How was it that he was able to exist in the past, if he's currently living with me in the present time?! This doesn't make any sense!!!" //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: Celestia and Luna, Missing in Action!!! //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: Celestia and Luna, Missing in Action!!! Twilight Sparkle was still going on and on about the dragon looking like Spike in it's baby form, even though she can't really confirm that the dragon she just saw was Spike, she can safely say that she's going to stick around some more and keep watching to make sure that the dragon is or isn't Spike, and all before she wakes up too. Along the way, as she was following the White Knight and the dragon prince, White Knight had arrived back to the spot, but notices that the two Alicorns aren't there. As he lands softly on the ground, he looks around to find them, up, down, sideways and behind him... and still there was no sign of them whatsoever. He was getting a little worried that they might have wonder off on their own or something, his eyes moving left and right, getting a little paranoid, and even though he strictly told them to stay put, he knew that those two wanted to help him fight the dragon prince and assumes that they have walked out on him. White Knight uses his powers to pick up their trail to see if they have far away they've gotten, so far he couldn't pick up anything, as if they had disappeared into thin air. "Celestia... Luna... oh my goodness, girls! Girls, where are you?! Where have you gone?!" This got the White Knight even more nervous than he was before, he was shaking, his teeth chattering, he knew how much those girls mean to her and if anything were to happen to them, he will never live it down. Then he started running around the whole hill and resume finding them, Twilight had just got up the hill and notices that the White Knight was getting paranoid about something, then she looks around the whole area and notices that Celestia and Luna were gone. She can assume that White Knight was freaking out because Celestia and Luna are missing, and of course... she too started to freak out on where they might be. "Oh my, this isn't good... where could Princess Celestia and Princess Luna be?!" As she said that, she started running around looking for them also, she searched every bush, tree, she even teleported herself downhill to find them there... but alas, there was no sign of them whatsoever. And so, after she teleported herself back to the usual spot, she wanted to see if she could use a spell to make herself known to the White Knight and ask him if he could use some help, unfortunately for her... she doesn't know any spell that can make her visible while in somepony's dream. She was so frustrated and afraid that her teacher and her teacher's sister are missing and she can't do a thing about it, then as she started to talk down to herself on how she can't help in this situation and that she's useless in the dream world, right out of nowhere... she started to hear a familiar laugh from a distance. The laugh got her attention, it was echoing, Twilight knew who this evil laugh belonged to... even White Knight and the Dragon Prince started hearing the laughter as well. And then suddenly, the evil Discord appeared right before them, Twilight Sparkle was surprised to see Discord once again and as for White Knight and the prince, they were surprised themselves when they saw Discord. "Ah, Ha ha ha ha ha! You should see the look on your face, when you noticed that your little friends had just disappeared. Ha ha ha! Ah, Priceless. But anyway, bravo for you, taking on the dragon all by yourself, you should be proud. And you even showed mercy to it, now... how does that make you feel?" "What's going here? Who are you... what are you? And more importantly, why does your face look familiar?" said the White Knight in a tone of confusion. And then Discord starts to properly introduce himself to the White Knight; "Why, I am the great master of chaos, tyranny and disharmony, I upset the natural order by putting it out of order, I put the world in a state of unrest and unhappiness. I.. AM... DISCORD!" After the introduction, the White Knight places his hoof on his chin roll his eyes left and right so he can remember where he has seen Discord's face before, and right at that moment... White Knight's eyes were wide open and in a stand still. In other words, he remembers where he has seen Discord before. "that's right... you were that one pony who would always pull off those horrendous pranks on everypony. In fact, almost every one of them hated you for it and you became a problem to us and that's why I stepped in and stopped you and locked you away. But what I don't understand is that... how are you out, and why are you a chimera?" Then Discord answered White Knight's question in anger at first, then in a calm and suddle tone. "I became this way because of you, White Knight! You ruined my life that day, and now I'm tend to return the favor. I brought the dragon here, it came here looking for you because I told it to, then you came and fought it and what's worse... you had won the fight and managed to tame that stupid beast! But it wasn't a total lost though, those girls you're looking for... well, I have them." White Knight's eyes widen in fear when he heard that Discord has the girls, the words were echoing in his mind, and then that fear turned into rage and he yells out to Discord; "You... YOU MONSTER!!! Tell me where they're at! Where do you have them??!! Tell me right now, or I swear to you, I will..." After that outburst, White Knight tried to hold the rest of his anger in because he made a promise to himself that he would never sub come to anger, and so he started to calm down by breathing in and out. At that moment, Twilight had saw what had become of White Knight when he heard that they were abducted by Discord, she saw it in his eyes, she saw the spark. She thought to herself that the White Knight truly does care for Celestia and Luna, even though they're not his children, they are still and always will be... best friends for life. "Please... just tell me... where they're at. And are they safe?" White Knight spoke out in a calm and depressing tone. "pleading to me so that I can give out their location, and asking me if they're safe. It's adorable, really. Such an outstanding performance, you even convinced me as well. You know, I wish I could tell you where they are, but that would only ruin the fun. And I don't like to give out spoilers." After Discord replied to White Knight's question, Discord then tells White Knight that he won't be telling him anything and that he'll have to figure it out for himself if he wants to save Celestia and Luna. Afterwards, White Knight starts to engage Discord in battle, but Discord grabs hold of his head with his lion paw, spins around and tosses him back to the spot on the ground where he was standing before White Knight jumped up to attack Discord. "Sorry my little white mouse, I can't help you. For the moment, you are well and truly... on your own." After that, Discord snaps his fingers and disappears on White Knight, the Dragon prince and Twilight. Leaving them to wander around in confusion, worried what might happen to Celestia and Luna and for the first time ever... White Knight has become lost and doesn't know what to do next. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3: They're my Pride and Joy //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3: They're my Pride and Joy After Discord had left, White Knight, the dragon prince and an astral projection of Twilight Sparkle are left alone on the hill, with absolutely no clue on where Discord took Celestia and Luna. For the first time ever, White Knight has no idea on what to do next, and what's worse... he suggests on laying on the ground and do nothing but hope that they make it out okay and that they don't get hurt. The Dragon prince wasn't going to allow this, he was so mad that White Knight was suggesting on giving up so quickly, and so he walks up to the White Knight and says what's on his mind. "I can't believe you're just gonna stand there. I mean, do you even care about those girls at all?" "How can you say that to me?" Said the White Knight with his voice cracking up as he was speaking. "Of course I care about them. They're my pride and joy, they are what keep me going through the day, they are what keep the smile on my face everyday." Then after he said that, He wipes his tears off his face with hoof, and looks up at the sky; thinking about the girls' safety, thinking on how he's going to explain this to the Black Knight when he goes back to the palace to tell him and of course, what will happen to him if he told him. So many thoughts were swirling through White Knight's head and at the moment, he just can't seem to think straight while carrying so many things that he can barely hold on to. He's got so much on his plate, he can't afford to have anymore than what he's got now. "Look, I may not know much about those little pony friends of yours, but I do know how much you care about them, I really do. And if you really do care for their safety and what not, If I were you... I would stop moping around, hoping for things to happen. I'd get up on my feet and do what I need to do to save those I care about, and that's what you should do right now." says the Dragon prince. And with that being said, White Knight is starting to see what was clear to him now, He needed to do what needs to be done... and that is to save Celestia and Luna. So White Knight wipes off the rest of his tears, gets back on his feet, puts his game face on and says to the dragon prince; "You know what, prince? You're right. Celestia and Luna are as I said... they are my pride and joy, and I can't just sit here and do nothing but wallow in sorrow. I have to go out and find them, no matter what the cost may be for me, I'll do anything for them, they're like... ...well, I guess you can say they're like my daughters. And I have to be there or them, I promised them I would." Afterwards, White Knight asks the prince to join him on their quest to find Celestia and Luna, and the first thing they need to do first... is go meet with Black Knight, so that he can break the news to him about his daughters. Even though White Knight doesn't want to worry Black Knight by giving him bad news, he knew that it had to be done, he has a right to know and plus he'll be of even bigger help in finding the girls. So the dragon prince hops on White Knight's back and they both fly up to the palace in the stars to deliver Black Knight the bad news. As they were flying up to the skies, White Knight starts to feel a little nervous, considering that he's shaking after all, and why wouldn't he... he's going to face the Black Knight and tell him about the girls. So many thoughts were swimming inside the mind of the White Knight like for instance; when he faces Black Knight, tells him about the abduction of Celestia and Luna, Black Knight would probably banish him in a far away place where he'll have no contacts with anypony what so ever, and would probably be starving and thirsty. Another thought would be, that Black Knight after he heard the bad news, he would lock up White Knight away in a cell for disobeying him and for letting something like some monster take Celestia and Luna away and without supervision. At that moment, White Knight was slowing down, he wanted to turn back because he was afraid what would happen if he confessed. Then the dragon prince told White Knight what was wrong with him and why he was slowing down. Then White Knight replied to his question; "Nothing really, I'm just having second thoughts about this. I mean, I really don't want to face him like this, especially when he's busy. What I'm trying to say is... I'm just nervous, I don't know what he'll do to me after I told him what happened." "Well, it can't be worse than not telling him at all. He does have a right to know, he is their father after all." Said the prince. After hear what the prince just said, he was right about having to tell Black Knight. So for that, White Knight clears all of his thoughts and proceeds to the palace with great speed. And so as they continue flying to the skies, they finally reach the stars, White Knight was still flying up to find the palace, and of course the prince was rather impressed to see the stars up close. He had never been this far up in the skies before, and he was glad to have made up here where he can actually get a better look at the stars. In fact, the little grubby beast wanted to get his hands on one of the stars, he has his eyes one the one star he wanted to get. So while White Knight was in a stand still looking for the palace, and giving the prince an opportunity to grab the star right before him, the dragon tries to get closer and closer by walking straight at the edge of White Knight's dock. Then, only one foot he was standing on, trying to grab the star with his little hands, he knew he couldn't reach it, but he had to do it anyway because he wanted it. And then, as the White Knight finally found the palace, he got himself ready and finally started to fly straight towards the palace. And right at that moment, when White Knight had taken off, the prince had slipped on his one foot and fell off, leaving him to grab the White Knight's tail so that he can avoid falling off out of the sky. And so, White Knight was head straight to the palace, the dragon prince continued to hold on to White's tail, along with the prince screaming out loud and saying; "Uh, Hey! Mister White Knight sir, can you please slow down for a bit?!" After that ride from the Earth grounds to the palace, White Knight makes his steady landing on the palace grounds, and as for the dragon prince... well, I guess we can say he had one heck of a ride, but he was glad that it was all over. And of course, he didn't managed to get the star he wanted, what rotten luck. But that's beside the point, and the point is that White Knight and the prince had finally arrived, and so White Knight decides to face the music and then take his punishment after. "Hey prince, I need you to stay put. I need to face this alone. So if anything happens to me, then you might wanna hide somewhere where the Black Knight can't find you. He has a thing about having creatures in the palace." After warning the prince about the Black Knight, he decides to stay right on the spot where he's standing while the White Knight goes inside. Prince was indeed afraid after being warned about Black Knight, and so all the prince can do is wait and hope that White Knight makes it out okay. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 4: Wait, You can see Me? //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 4: Wait, You can see Me? So, while the dragon prince stays put, the White Knight was also standing right before the palace. The doors were just ahead of him, and all he needed to do is just walk on over there, open the doors and find Black Knight. Even though it may be easier said than done, White Knight then gets himself ready, he wipes the sweat off his face, he swallows up his gulp, and then he starts to take slow steps towards the palace doors. Those thoughts of consequences were still swirling the White Knight's mind, but he had to stay focused on the task at hand, and then, as he approaches the stairs, he stops to take a deep breath... and immediately walk up the steps to get to the door. As he was walking up the steps, right behind him by 12 steps away, was Twilight standing there watching him go inside. She knew that he was still afraid to go in, so she went up there to join him and see if he makes it through, so she starts walking up the steps to catch up to him. Twilight really wish that she could talk to him, but of course... she knows that she couldn't because she's an astral projection, but she tries to talk to him anyway, even if he can't hear her. "I doubt you can hear me, but... I need you to focus on this task. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are in trouble and they're counting on you to help them. Look, I really don't know that much about you, but I do now that you care for the princesses a lot. So please, for them, for me... toughen up and go talk to the Black Knight about his daughter's kidnappings." "That's exactly what I'm going to do. After all, it is how it was suppose to happen; I got to him, I tell him and we all head out to find the girls." Said the White Knight in response to Twilight's confidence boost. But then after the White Knight had responded, Twilight Sparkle had gasped in shock that the White Knight actually heard what she said and replied back to her. She was still freaking out of the fact that White Knight actually heard her and what's more, is that was he able to actually see her this whole time and never bothered to tell her directly? She was so confused and so she told him that if he can actually see her and did he really hear what she said. So White Knight answers her questions by telling her; "Yes, I can see you. In fact, I had been ever since you popped into Celestia's dreams. So here's what I need you to do..." Afterwards, Twilight was excited that he had listened to him and that he can actually talk to her, but of course she was more excited because White Knight has something that she needs to do. "Really, you have something for me to do?! Oh, what is it that you need me to do?" After being giddy with excitement, the White Knight brings her down by telling her that she needs to leave this dream world right away. "You have to leave, you don't belong here. This isn't your time period, this isn't your dream and therefore you have no reason to interfere." Having said that, Twilight couldn't do what the White Knight had told her to, because she has come this far to see where it all began and she wants to see how it all ends. But the White Knight insists that Twilight should go back to her on dream world and forget what she had seen here because she doesn't have a place here. And of course, the answer was still no, Twilight will stop at nothing until she sees what's going to happen next, or at the very least... tell White Knight what happens next. She even pleaded to him to tell everything that will happen next and/or has happened, But the White Knight starts to warn her... "Listen to me, Twilight Sparkle... I'm not going to tell you what's going to happen next, mainly because I cant. And I'm going to say this once... You need to leave this dream, you don't belong here, therefore you have no business here.. none whatsoever. And plus you really don't want to know what happens next." Even though Twilight was told to leave Celestia's dream, and after hearing that last part of what White Knight told her, she was even more tempted to stay and see what was going to happen next. Then the White Knight was even more upset to see that Twilight Sparkle wasn't planning to go anywhere, anytime soon. Although, White Knight could place his hoof on her horn and cancel the dream-scape spell and therefore waking up from her dream-scaping adventures, but instead he wishes for her to stick around to see what happens next, in the hopes that she might actually learn a lesson from all of this. In which of course... she will eventually. "If you wish to stay here and see the end, then be my guest. But you've been warned, for what you're doing right now is forbidden, there is a reason why the dream-scape spell was labeled 'off limits' for a reason." And with that being said, White Knight and Twilight Sparkle started to focus on the objective by going inside the palace through the palace doors and find the Black Knight so that he can deliver him the bad news. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 5: How to Break the Ice //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 5: How to Break the Ice As they finally go inside, White Knight tries to get comfortable, he calms himself by breathing in and out slowly, but it still wasn't enough to calm down the nervousness in him. And he can't let the nervous feelings get in the way of telling Black Knight the bad news, he must stand tall and confess what has happened and hope for the best, while preparing for the worst. He then swallows his second gulp, shakes off his nerves and begins walking further within the palace. He takes the door straight ahead, opens the door and then proceeds down the hallway and with Twilight having to follow him around to see what will happen. The hallway seemed like it would take a long time to get where he needed to be, he was still going at it, he was dead straight focused on the door ahead of him, which leads downstairs to his private quarters. "Come on, I believe in you. I know you can do it, whatever happens I assure you, we'll take it on together. Do it for the girls." Said Twilight in a tone that was suppose to be a motivation boost for the White Knight. "You know, miss Sparkle... it's not too late for you to go back to your own dream world." Said the White Knight while he was still focused on the door. And with that being said, Twilight still refused White Knight's offer of turning back and still wants to stay to see what happens next. After all to Twilight, this is just like reading a really interesting book and that it's visual, then White Knight tells her not to blame him if anything happens to her after the dream ends. And after he said that, Twilight starts to feel a little worried and a little cautious, due to the fact that something could happen to her. Like for instance; she could probably get in trouble with Princess Celestia for snooping around in her dreams. And that had never even crossed her mind when she first came into Celestia's dreams right up till just now. And as Twilight Sparkle starts preparing for the worst of what's yet to come, White Knight steps up to his plate and opens the door. He walks into his room to see if he was available, he was sharp on his hooves, a little bit of sweat was coming down on him, and as he looked left and right to see if he was around... he starts to see a lot of things that were in plain sight, some things that were not meant for the White Knight to see. He called out to his name to see if he was around here, but alas the Black Knight was nowhere to be found in the room, then White Knight saw something that might have caught his eye... it looked like a drawn out diagram of a dragon-like creature. Then he approaches the Black Knight's desk and as he tries to get a closer look at the diagram, the Black Knight shows up on the front door of his room. "Is there something I can help you with, White Knight?" said the Black Knight in an awfully suspicious tone. Afterwards, White Knight's eyes had widen right when he had been startled by the Black Knight's tone of voice, then he turns towards him, looks at him dead on and tells him that his daughters have been kidnapped by what would appear to be a chimera named Discord. At least, that's how he said it in his own words. "You know you were told not to come in here for one, and two... what do you mean by; 'kidnapped?' Where on earth are they, what happened to them, White Knight? And what is this talk about a chimera?" And so, White Knight tells him the whole story of what went down on the Earth; he started off with him fighting a dragon that was under Discord's possession, the dragon put up a rough fight, and while the fighting was going on... right out of nowhere, Discord showed up and took the girls and hid them where White Knight couldn't sense them. When the White Knight saw the monster for the first time, he told White Knight that he was responsible for the abduction of Celestia and Luna, after that the White Knight finishes off with the evil Discord disappearing on him. After he had finished his explanation, he then asks the Black Knight to help him find the girls, and with that being said out... Black Knight took a moment of silence when heard what happened, White Knight saw the Black Knight's expression in his face, his eyes filled with anger, he growled deeply inside and right then and there, White Knight knew that he truly does care for his children. But, what was going through the Black Knight's mind is what was Discord thinking when he took Celestia and Luna... "That imbecile! Why on Earth would he do that? What was he thinking, that wasn't the deal we agreed on, they were not meant to have a part in this, I simply told him to create a little bit of chaos and getting White Knight out of the picture." Afterwards, the Black Knight had calmed down a bit so that won't let his anger get the best of him, especially in a situation like this. And then, he tells the White Knight that he'll do whatever he can to help find the girls and that he can't afford to see them getting into deep trouble, he also tells him; "White Knight, I know that I usually disapprove of this but... I need you to go to the Earth to gather up a search party. Please, for our dear Celestia and Luna." It would seem that the Black Knight is taking this very well, or at least... that's what it seems like to the White Knight, although Twilight Sparkle isn't convinced that Black Knight is going to help find the girls. She even went to go take a look at what was on the table that caught White Knight's attention, but before she could do it, the Black Knight enters into his room so he can devise a plan to find Celestia and Luna and as he walked passed White Knight and Twilight, he took the diagram and other papers so that White Knight wouldn't get a chance to see it. Twilight was for sure that the Black Knight might be hiding something, but she can't figure out what he's hiding without the diagram he took and plus she might have a theory that he might be responsible for Celestia and Luna's abduction. And she wanted to tell White Knight... but how could she? //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 7: Search Parties and Flashbacks //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 7: Search Parties and Flashbacks The gang were just heading into the Haven forest, as they walk inside, all of the animals that live in the forest gather around to see who's entered the forest. Every animal was watching them, watching their every step, keeping their eyes focused on White Knight and the dragon prince... and already the prince was quivering in fear due to the animals sharply starring at him. Even though the prince tries to not stare at them and focus on the road up ahead, he can still feel them looking down on him and it's giving him the chills. "Umm... mi-mi-mi-mister white knight. Uh, buh-buh-by any chance... are we th-the-the-there yet?" Said the scared little dragon prince in a frightened tone. And as the White Knight was still walking, hoping to find Wintergreen in this deep forest with the dragon prince on his back shaking in fright, he tries to get the prince to calm a bit and tell him that he has nothing to worry about. "My dear friend, you have nothing to worry about. We're almost there, just a few more steps and it's okay to be scared if you are, the animals can sense fear." Said the White Knight mockingly, trying to scare the dragon prince some more, but he knows that there really isn't anything to worry about. "I'm not scared!" yelled out the prince in anger to cover up his fear and embarrassment. "I'm just shivering because it's cold is all." finished off with a calm and steady tone to keep his cool. Then he gets off the White Knight's back and starts walking in front of him, but keeps close to the White Knight. Even Twilight was giggling just a little just because, the little dragon prince is scared of a bunch of animals watching his every move. And even though White Knight knew that the prince was afraid of all of the animals that were starring at him strangely, what he doesn't know is that they're only watching to see if the visitors they get are either friendly or not. "Let me tell you something prince, the animals that are watching us, are only trying to see if we're friendly or not. And notice how they didn't even try to ambush us or attack us?" "Ye-ye-ye-yeah?... but are they going to?" Nervously said the prince. "They're not going to attack us. You see, to them we are friendlies, we mean no harm to them. As long as we keep passing through and mind our own business, they won't hurt us." "You really think so?" Said the prince in a form of relief "Silly dragon. I don't think so, I know so. And plus, most of the animals already know me, so we're golden." And right after he said that, he smiled at the prince with his eyes closed at the same time. Assuring that the dragon prince has nothing to fear. As they keep walking deep into the heart of the forest, White Knight hears thumping noises from a distance, straight ahead towards the White Knight's path, the thumping noises get closer by the second and the prince is already starting to quiver yet again because of what's coming at them. "I thought that you said, that if we keep passing through and mind our business, nothing will happen to us." said the prince while he was still shaking in fear and holding on to the White Knight's right hoof, White Knight continues to hear these thumping noises to see if he can read them out. Then White Knight shakes the prince off his hoof when he discovers who's thumping sounds are headed to their direction. "There's nothing to worry about prince, I have a pretty good feeling who it might be headed our way." Then, as the thumping gets even closer, White Knight sees a shadowy figure hopping it's way to them, then he tries to squint his eyes to get a better look just to make sure that he's right about who's headed their way. And then the figure gets even more closer and then the figure's shadow had lighten and White Knight had knew who it was that came, because he had a hunch that the animals might have warned the mysterious thumper that White and the prince were coming to Haven forest. The animal who was making thumping noises had finally arrived and it turns out to be a familiar face that White Knight knows. "Ha ha! Just as I figured, if it isn't Mister Fluffaluffages. Long time no see, how are things in the forest, good I presume?" "Been a good three years since last time you visited, what's going on with you, good ol' White Knight? And um... who's the dragon?" said Fluffaluffages. Then the White Knight introduces Fluffaluffages to the dragon prince, then he asks Fluffaluffages that if he can see Wintergreen for something important. However, Fluffaluffages says to the White Knight that Wintergreen is far too busy to be interrupted and that it is very critical that Wintergreen wouldn't be interrupted. Although, that wasn't going to move the White Knight an inch, so he tells Mister F. the reason why he arrived to Haven forest to meet with Wintergreen; "Listen, Fluffaluffages, it's very urgent that I need to see Wintergreen because Celestia and Luna have abducted by a draconequus named Discord and I need his help to finding the girls and stopping the evil Discord." And then, after hearing White Knight's reason of wanting to see Wintergreen, Mister F. was pretty shaken up when heard that the girls were abducted and was wondering if they were all right and what he and Wintergreen can do to help. Then White Knight suggests that he'd go see Wintergreen right away, but Mister F. insists that White Knight shouldn't interrupt his master while he's busy. White Knight was getting even more upset that Fluffaluffages won't let him see Wintergreen and questions him on why he can't see him. "Please, you have to let me see him. What could he possibly be doing that is so important than the safety of the girls?" Then Mister F. tries to explain to White Knight to why Wintergreen cannot help at the moment. "White Knight you have to understand, our dearest Wintergreen the wise is in the middle of his meditations, it's critical that he stays focused on all of his energy to keep the forest the way it is now and if not... the forest will fall apart and turn into something far worse." Then White Knight started to take a look at the majestic glory of the Haven forest, the trees, the flowers, grass and all the animals who live happily in the forest, and it's all thanks to Wintergreen... for using his power to keeping the forest pure and majestic. Even though he understands that he needs to do what he needs to keep the forest pure, he still needs his help in finding Celestia and Luna. So he decides to give Fluffaluffages the message about the girls in order to give to Wintergreen so that White Knight can wait further response. "I'll be sure that master Wintergreen receives the message." After that, Fluffaluffages went hopping back to the trail and White Knight and the Dragon prince left the forest to find the others and ask if they want to be a part of the search party. As White Knight, the prince and Twilight head out to find the others to gather up a search party, the world continues to get worse and worse by the minute. It's imperative that Discord needed to be stop, but White Knight cannot face him alone, he wouldn't know where to begin. So that's why he needs his friends to assist him in taking on Discord and rescue Celestia and Luna, so the next pony that he's headed to meet again, is Solara. He feels that she can help him with anything, although three years ago, she didn't want anything to do with elements of harmony because it seemed like too much responsibility for her, so that's why she left. It didn't turn out so well last time, but White Knight is hoping that this time will be better, after all... it is to help White Knight rescue the girls from Discord. And while they find Solara, the prince starts to think that this might be a lost cause. "White, I don't mean to burst your bubble here, but... don't you think that this might be a little... pointless? I mean, from what you've told me, your friends didn't seem the least bit interested in helping you with important task that you wanted them to do three years ago. So... what makes you think this time, will be different?" Said the dragon prince. "It wasn't that they weren't interested, it's just that... to them, it seemed like it was too much for them to handle. They thought it was a crazy idea, I mean... I was the one who brought up the elements of harmony load to begin with... and what's worse, I knew that they weren't ready to handle such responsibility." Replied the White Knight. And right after he replied the prince's question, he started to go through his flashbacks from the day he brought all of his friends together for the task he wanted to assign them three years ago, as he was still running in the air to find Solara. Three Years Ago... After White Knight had gotten all of his friends to come meet with him about something incredibly important, they all have gather together in a hut where White Knight can discuss why he wanted them all together. So inside the hut, White Knight starts telling them that they're all... including the White Knight the keepers of the soon to be legendary elements of harmony. White Knight was explaining it all to his friends for about 23 minutes and came to the conclusion that Blue Flash is the spirit of Loyalty, Solara is the spirit of Honesty, Madam Krystal is the spirit of Generosity, Wintergreen is the spirit of Kindness, White Knight is the spirit of laughter and Merlon M. is the spirit of Magic. After the explanations, he wants them and himself to use the elements to change the world, making the world a better place to live for all pony and other animal kind. And even though he was caught up in the moment in making the world a better place, his friends on the other hand... weren't quite on board with helping White Knight making that dream a reality. "Um, don't you think that this may sound a little too... extreme for our tastes?" Says Wintergreen the Wise. Then Blue Flash starts saying; "Ol' greenie's right. You're kinda asking a lot here, scratch that. You're asking the impossible." And of course, all of the others nod their heads in agreeing with Blue Flash's statement. "I believe that this task sounds ludicrous. I'm sorry, but this is a little off our comfort zone, if you ask me. But if it makes you feel any better, I managed to finish creating the stones for the elements of harmony and get this... the stones can only be transformed into gems for whenever the keepers of the elements are present. And best of all, they can tap into and amplify our unique talents." Said Merlon Magic. Afterwards, the whole gang started arguing about the idea of being the keepers of the elements, yammering back and forth, the White Knight was growing tired of it and couldn't take any more of this pointless arguing. So he yells out "STOP!!!" at all five of them, in which, got everyone to stop arguing. Then White Knight starts asking about what could be so difficult in helping him change the world for the better, to him it was a dream that needed to be a reality, he was growing tired of the same old thing. The world in a great divide, all three pony tribes living separately, all on strict rules and regulations, no room for exploring new things, for fun, for imagination... nor for friendship. But to them... ...to them, this was just a task that they can't seem to get into. And that's not all... they're not ready for something new, they're not ready for a change just yet, they're just not ready for a new world. Even the White Knight could tell that they're not ready, just by looking at the unsure look on their faces, and of course he was afraid of that they wouldn't be. And so, ending their little meeting, the five had come to the conclusion that this was a job not meant for them, so they all apologized to White Knight, said their goodbyes to him and left the hut. They went back to their homes, back to do what they normally do best and try to forget about tonight ever happening. They felt bad for leaving White Knight hanging in his time of need, but they just couldn't see themselves doing something that they're not ready for. Even as Merlon was about to leave, he decides to leave the elements of harmony in White Knight's disposal and say his apologies. "I'll admit, it was a fantastic plan from the beginning. It's just that the things you required were... ...out of reach. I'm sorry things didn't turn out like you planned." After that, Merlon Magic makes his exit and heads on back to his home... leaving the White Knight all alone. And there he was... standing there, inside the hut... all alone. For the first time ever, the White Knight was starting to figure out what sorrow actually feels, just by experiencing it for himself. He had sat down, he hung his head in shame, swallowed his own sadness... basically, his face had "Sad" written all over it. He was about to shed a tear out of his eyes, but he was trying so hard to hold it in. Then he started looking at the elements, giving them a really good look and began thinking; "What might have been." Afterwards, he grabs the elements, finds a chest to put them in, grabs said chest, opens it and place all six of them inside. And then close up the chest and put it away for whenever the time should arise... that is, if it does of course. Afterwards, White Knight walks outside the hut, starts looking up at the stars, hoping to find a sign. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything that would pull White Knight out of his dark corner. And as he kept looking up at the skies, he starts to doubt himself about his ideology. "Elements of harmony... ...making the world a better place..." As he kept doubting himself, he puts his head down, takes one good look at himself to see how far he has fallen and realizes that his ideology is just another pipe-dream. "What was I thinking? After visiting his flashbacks, White Knight began to think that maybe the dragon prince was right, he began to feel that this was becoming an actual waste of time. So he starts slowing down and finds solid ground to land on, then the dragon prince notices that he was landing and realizes that if they had arrived to their destination. And so, White Knight lands softly on his feet, and starts to sit on the ground, stare at the ground and mope to himself; "Oh, what's the point? What I do, isn't going to make a difference, it's not even going to lead us to the right direction. So... why do I keep trying?" The dragon prince was starting to worry about the White Knight's behavior, and starts to ask what's wrong with him. "White, what seems to be the problem?" Said the prince in an attempt to see what's up and hopefully cheer him up. "You know what? You were right, this was pointless... ...even from the very beginning. At first, I thought this was a dream that will soon become a reality, but... I was wrong. I realize now, that this isn't what I was meant to do, I wasn't meant to change the world for the greater good. No, for the first time ever, I realize that my real purpose in life is to just be the watcher. Just like the Black Knight instructed me to be. So, I've decided to give up this pipe-dream of bringing about peace, joy, love and harmony to this world. Instead, I rather go back to my post and continue on watching these ponies live in dismay... and despair." And right after those depressing words reached the dragon prince's ears, and Twilight's most of all, the prince was starting to feel sorry for White Knight, but he was mostly becoming upset at him for giving up. Realizing that Celestia and Luna are still captured, the dragon prince couldn't accept this behavior, it was unbecoming of the White Knight to give up at a time like this, so the prince tries to knock some sense into him. With that angry look on the dragon prince's face, he walks up to White Knight, gets a good look at him, his arms on his waists, and then he slaps him in the face with his right claw. It was a loud slap indeed, it sure got White Knight's attention. Heck, that slap in the face, even surprised Twilight Sparkle. "Ow! What the heck was that for?!" Cried out the White Knight, while the left part of his face was red with pain. "Unbelievable, White Knight! This is unbecoming of you, in fact, you should be ashamed of yourself! Quitting at a time like this, while the world is at a frenzy?! And not to mention... those little Alicorn friends of yours are still held captive by that Discord character! If I were you, I wouldn't be sitting here, moping around like some loser who just lost his lollipop. Instead, I'd be doing what's important at the moment... saving those I care about. Just as you should be doing, saving those you care about!" After seeing the dragon prince take a stand for what's right and knocking some sense into the White Knight, Twilight was impressed to see that this dragon was trying to get White Knight back in the right direction. She sees now that this dragon is much more than just obtaining gems, stars and such rare artifacts, this dragon has a heart... just like her dear apprentice; Spike. Seeing him go on and on about what's at stake, has made Twilight see that the dragon prince has matured ever since he hung out with White Knight, and at the moment... it's becoming the other way around. Because after all, it would seem that the White Knight also has some growing up to do. "You know what, forget those guys. You and I can take on Discord ourselves! You got your incredible, magical powers and I can shoot flames at him, we can take him on together! You and me, side by side, nothing can stop us because we'll be unbeatable! And if those other ponies can't even help you with something as big as saving the world, then we'll do it together, as a team!" Even Twilight Sparkle agrees with the dragon prince, in which, made the White Knight's eyes open and see that the prince is right. Celestia and Luna are still in trouble, and the world is in even greater trouble. There was no time to sit there like a log, the lives of many are in trouble and White Knight and the prince are the only ones who can save them, so White Knight gets back up on his hooves, motivated to get back to doing what's very important and can't let anything get in the way of his objective. "Well, sounds like it's gonna take a lot more than just a Earth pony and a baby dragon to clean a mess this big..." "Wait, that voice..." Said the White Knight when he heard that unknown, yet familiar voice coming from behind him. The voice behind him sounded similar to Blue Flash's voice, so when White Knight turned around to confirm... it was Blue Flash who spoke from behind. But it wasn't just Blue Flash though... nope, it was the rest of the gang, that includes; Wintergreen, Madam Krystal, Merlon and Solara. When White Knight saw all of his friends right in front of him, at first he thought that he was dreaming. the Dragon prince then tried to pinch White Knight's skin to prove that he was dreaming and that his friends are actually right in front of him. White Knight was so excited to see his friends show up in his time of need, all he could say at the moment was; I... i-i just don't understand. What changed your minds? "Well, as you can see, this crazy, out-of-order, messed world has been bugging us lately, and we want it to stop. The Clouds have been interrupting our daily, everyday lives. And, it's been ruining my speed sessions." Said the Blue Flash. "But most importantly, we came to help rescue Celestia and Luna. I figured we know how much those girls mean to you, so I thought we'd do you a favor and help you save them. and of course, clean up this mess. After all, my animal friends can't take much more of this chaos and neither can I." Said Wintergreen the Wise. And so now, the whole six have all decided to pair up together to clean up the mess Discord made, stop Discord and save Celestia and Luna. And after that's done, they can all go back to their regular, everyday lives and enjoy it like there's no tomorrow. At least, that's what they told the White Knight after their mission is completed. So for right now, White Knight, the five, the dragon prince and of course Twilight, set out to find Discord, take the fight to him, rescue Celestia and Luna and restore the world back to it's natural order. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 8: Cleaning Up Chaos //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 8: Cleaning Up Chaos Now that all of the six had finally decided to work together for the time being, they must come up with a strategy on how to resolve the situation at hand. So far, Wintergreen suggests that they should clean up the upside down, sideways, out of control world that Discord had created, Blue Flash insists that they should find Discord and take him down, Madam Krystal and Solara decide that they should all find Celestia and Luna first before taking care of the rest and for their own safety. They kept on arguing back and forth about their individual strategies and it was going nowhere, as they continued arguing, the White Knight grew eve more irritated by the second. And just as he was about to explode on them, the Dragon prince suggests that as a team of six, they should split up into twos. First team should clean up the worldly mess, second team should find Celestia and Luna, and third team can find and take on Discord. After hearing the prince's strategy, White Knight thought that this was the best strategy ever heard, although White Knight makes a slight change to the plan. And so he tries to get everyone's attention so they can hear the plan. "All right fellas, listen up! The Dragon has a really good plan that will benefit all of us. We are about to split this team into twos; Wintergreen and Merlon, you two clean up the huge mess Discord caused. Krystal and Solara, you two do whatever you can to find the girls and get them out of harm's way, we'll follow you. and Blue Flash..." After he said Blue Flash's name, he looks directly at him with a serious look on his face. While Blue Flash looked at White Knight with a big smile on his face waiting on what the White Knight has in store for him, White Knight says to the Blue Flash in a serious tone; "...you and I are gonna take Discord head on while Krystal and Solara save the girls." So now the plan is put into motion, Merlon and Wintergreen stayed behind to figure out how their going to restore the world back to it's natural order, Krystal and Solara set out to find the girls in every part of the world, and as for Blue Flash, prince and White Knight... they went to follow Solara and Krystal so they can find Discord and teach him a lesson for messing up the world. And then there's Twilight, who so happens to follow the White Knight and the others, although she is pretty excited that he and all of his friends are all now working together to bring peace and balance to the world, rescue her mentor; Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. And on a top note; defeat the evil Discord by imprisoning him in stone in the process. That's how she and her friends stopped him when he was free, that's how Celestia and Luna stopped him when they had their battles, and that's how White Knight and his team are going to stop him. "Don't worry, Celestia, Luna. I promise, I will save the both you, and after all of this is over... ...we will be together again, I'll make sure of that." Said the White Knight in a calm and quiet tone. Now focusing on Merlon Magic and Wintergreen the Wise, the two are trying to figure a way on how to clean up this huge mess without any difficulties. At the moment, there are many ponies who are running, flying, flipping and rolling around like crazy. The animals are dancing, having tea, wearing clothes, riding ponies and conversing with one another. It was outrageous for Wintergreen to witness first-hand, and as for Merlon... he tries to figure a way on how to put everything else back to it's original order without creating another mess that will be seemingly impossible to clean up. Merlon reaches for his broken horn, takes a look at it and thinking; "Do I really need to use magic to fix this mess?" Merlon had kept thinking about whether to use his horn again, since he hasn't used it in a long time. But of course, he needs his horn to perform his magic, so he re-attaches his horn back to his head and used his magic to seal the crack. Then he pulls out one of his spell books to find a good spell to use to clean up the Earth of the chaotic residue that Discord had created, and while he's doing that, Wintergreen has come up with a plan to calm the entire ponies and animals of their madness. His plan is to whistle a lullaby to the whole world, that way, after he finishes whistling the lullaby, all of the ponies and the animals will fall into a deep sleep. So, as Wintergreen begins to whistle out a tune, the song he's whistling begins to reach out to the animal's ears, as well as the Earth ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi. The song was so loud, it can actually reach the entire world, it's drawing out to the everyone and everything, except for Merlon. And as for the other four, they don't seem to be affected by Wintergreen's lullaby song, although it did seem to be putting the dragon prince to sleep and it would seem that the song doesn't appear to affect Twilight. And that's only because she's an astral projection, anything inside Celestia's dreams or White Knight's dreams, will not affect her in any way. And as for the others, it will not affect them because the whistling tune was aimed directly at all the other ponies and animals, except for White Knight and the rest of the team. Even the White Knight said it himself; "Even though Wintergreen's lullabies can make anyone and anything go to a deep sleep, just remember... Wintergreen needs to picture somepony in his head in order to put to sleep. So what he did, is picture the whole world, but he left visions of us out of his mind. So that way, we don't fall asleep to his tunes." As the gang were still on their way to finding their target, they head for a detour because they need to find a place for the dragon prince while he's sleeps. So white Knight suggests he'd find a small hut, he lands on the ground, while the others wait for him to return. He searches every part of land only to find a hut in plain sight, he walked the extra mile only to find a place for the prince to sleep and on top of that, the prince was still on the White Knight's back sleeping. White turns to his back, sees the prince just sleeping like a baby and thinks to himself that it's cute to witness. (It is really adorable, just seeing sleep. I wonder what he dreams about...) White Knight eventually finds a hut 14 paces northeast, so he rushes over there, checks to see if anypony was around and then goes inside to see what was in store. While inside, he finds a really good spot for the prince to nap on so he walks over there, calmly and carefully places the dragon prince into little spot, gives him a sheet to cover him for in case he gets cold. Afterwards, White Knight tells him a proper good night; "All right, prince... I'm gonna be gone for a bit, so you stay put and get a good night sleep. Sweet dreams." And then he leaves the hut without making a sound. Afterwards, he flies back up to the sky and tells the gang; All right, after we're done with Discord, you guys go back for the little dragon and bring him to me. All right, let's keep moving. And so, the gang then proceeded to get back on track in locating Discord and rescue the girls. As the whistling lullaby was still going, it would seem that everypony and every living creature was falling asleep, and the lullaby was so loud that it even reached the north, where Discord was hiding. Discord was sitting on his throne watching the chaos all over the world, but the song had reached his ears and began to doze off to the song slowly. Discord was trying his hardest to keep his eyes open and keep his neck up, but the song kept beating him, making him close his eyes and lower his neck. No matter how much he tried to shake his head or slap himself in the face to stay awake, the song got into him, relaxing all of his muscles, closed his eyes and went to sleep. "Yawn. ahh, nighty-night." As he began sleeping, he began to snore aloud and simply dozed off into slumber land, where all is fun in slumber land. Meanwhile, back at the usual spot where Wintergreen and Merlon was at. Wintergreen was just finished with his whistling lullaby, then he turns directly to Merlon while he had pulled out a yawn because the song tired him out too, he tells him that it's his turn to do the cleaning up the Earth. "Give me a second, will you?" cried out the short-tempered, screw loose sorcerer. After looking at his books, Merlon found something that might actually restore everything back to the original order. So he closes his books, teleports them back to his old castle and begin to perform the spell. "Now sit tight, you old horse. This will only take a second." Merlon levitates himself to the sky, performs the Fail-Safe spell, shoots his beam unto the ground with great speed. And as the beam had landed on the ground, the beam had conjured a bright white flash that had expanded across the world. as the flash had covered all of the Earth, it had disappeared, leaving nothing but tiny bright lights floating in the air. The results of the Fail-Safe spell was excellent, but not successful. Even though everything is back to the way it was previously, the random acts of chaos began to grow again. Merlon knew that the Fail-Safe spell was a temporary solution, but the world had indeed settled down, although it won't be long until things start to get crazy again. Wintergreen takes a good look at the environment, to see if anything is back to the way it is. "Well Merlon, I've got to say... you've really outdone yourself." complimenting on his work, Wintergreen was excited to see that everything was normal again and more importantly, his forest his safe. But Merlon tells Wintergreen that it's a little too soon to celebrate and makes him look at the ground just to show what he means. Wintergreen and Merlon look at the ground, flower buds were starting to grow, and then they began to bloom into popcorn flowers. That wasn't all, they went down to see that the river streams were full of moving rocks acting as water, and the water that Wintergreen picked up on the ground, was hard as rock. the water wasn't frozen as ice either, the water was exactly warm, but yet... it was hard as stone. "I don't believe it, I thought you fixed everything, Merlon. Why's everything going all loopy again?" said Wintergreen in a tone of confusion. Merlon replied to his question; "Wintergreen, my dear friend. You must understand this, even though I fixed the world with my Fail-Safe spell, I will admit to you that it wasn't 100% successful. Now, if you want this mess to be stopped, we need to go directly to the source of it all. That way, stuff like hard water, rock streams and dancing animals will never happen again." "And where, pray tell... is the source of all this crazy shenanigans?" said a grumpy and upsetting Wintergreen. "I noticed that there was stronger chaotic activity happening up in the north when I was using the spell. I think... that the north may be our source." "The north huh? Well then, lets go meet up with the others and head straight for the north." And so Merlon and Wintergreen began to fly off to go find White Knight and the others, and at the rate they're going, it will take hours to reach them. So Merlon asks Wintergreen to get closer to him so that they can be teleported to the White Knight's direction, Wintergreen didn't wanted to do it and therefore refused to do so because of one reason; he hates teleporting. Merlon believes that Wintergreen was being stubborn about not wanting to be teleported from one spot to the other, he even teased Wintergreen on how "afraid" he is about teleportation, which made Wintergreen not want to participate even more. And even though they were running out of time, Merlon convinces Wintergreen to teleport one time or else the world will re-enter into a state of chaos once again. Wintergreen was griping like a little colt, while at the same time; he was looking at the world getting out of hand again, and turning back to smiling Merlon. then he slowly shakes his head and says to himself; "Ooooh, I just know I'm going to regret this." quietly said Wintergreen with pouted lips, stating that he was sulking at the idea of being teleported by Merlon. Merlon and Wintergreen got together, then Merlon's horn began to glow dark purple with white sparkles, close his eyes, and then Wintergreen realizes that he was ready to do the spell, so he quickly grabs onto Merlon as he was about to teleport. But Merlon got interrupted when he got grabbed by Wintergreen and they disappeared in a bright flash. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 9: Elements of Harmony, Unite! //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 9: Elements of Harmony, Unite! White Knight, Solara, Madam Krystal and Blue Flash were just headed to south to find Discord and save Celestia and Luna, they thought they were getting close to their destination, but what they don't know is that they are way off. Meaning, they won't be able to find Discord in the south, because he's nowhere to be found there. However, White Knight is so determined to get to the south that nothing could ever distract him, after all, his only mission is to rescue girls... nothing more. And as the others were following him, they begin to feel a bit unsure about Discord being in the south. Seeing that there isn't a lot of chaotic shenanigans anywhere near the south region, White Knight assumes that this part of the region is less chaotic because Discord knows it's the best hiding spot, hoping that White Knight wouldn't be able to find him. However, the gang start to feel that maybe... they're just going to a dead end and they wanted to tell White Knight but... now wasn't the time for White Knight to be wrong. Even Twilight senses that the gang weren't sure about the White Knight's sense of direction, as the three try to get one of them to tell White Knight that they're headed into a dead end, they keep refusing to do so because they don't want to make him mad. "Blue Flash my dear, you need to tell White Knight that where he's going is the wrong way." said Madam Krystal quietly to where White couldn't hear her. "Are you insane, I'm not going to do that. if anyone wants to correct White's mistake, YOU should be the one to tell him" replied Blue Flash as quietly as he could go. "I don't know if I should, he seems so concentrated on this little search, any interruptions would just fuel his rage." Krystal said nervously. "Well, if we get there and if we don't find who were looking for, he's going to even more mad when he finds out that he was wrong about where Discord was hiding." Said Blue Flash with an angry look on his face, staring at Krystal hoping that she would have to be the one to tell White. And then Solara interrupts their little back and forth conversation; "I can't believe what I'm hearing, you guys are acting like children. Is it really that difficult to tell the Truth?" "You know I can hear just fine, thank you very much." Said the irritated White Knight. After that, they all had stopped; Blue Flash stopped flying, Madam Krystal placed her levitating crystal platform to a gentle stop with Solara on board and White Knight turned around and faced his team with a upsetting look on his face. Blue Flash, Solara and Madam Krystal all looked nervous when White Knight had overheard their conversations, they even looked at each other hoping that one of them would come clean. So Solara decided to play grown up, and tell White Knight that they have been going to a dead end and that they didn't want to him because they all thought he would get mad. "Is this true?" Said the calm-toned, level-headed White Knight. Then they all nodded their heads and said yes simultaneously. And then after they had said yes, they were about to prepare themselves for the White Knight's rant. And even though they were ready to take the heat, especially with the White Knight's furious look on his face, he got angrier, and angrier and then... ...he exploded. But strangely though, he didn't explode out of rage, he exploded out of laughter. Right when he burst into laughter, the gang had their eyes shut and teeth clenched, but when they heard the White Knight laugh out loud, they opened their eyes and their mouths in confusion. After all, they were expecting him to yell but he didn't do so, in fact, he was still chuckling at the fact that he was wrong and the gang started to laugh with him. "AH HA HA HA HA HA HA! Oh my goodness, I made an error... ...ahh, how wonderful. Then again, we all do make mistakes through time to time, no?" Said the White Knight. "So, wait a minute... you're not mad? Not even one bit?" Said Blue Flash, still in total confusion. Understandable, because whenever a major mistake has been made, Nopony could just laugh it off. But then again, this is the White Knight we're talking about. "Of course not, I mean I am still worried about what Discord is doing with the girls at this moment. But other than that, I'm fine. I'm not angry, I have no need to be." Replied the White Knight. Afterwards, things started to settle down, everypony was happy and the dragon prince had just gotten up from his nap. He felt like he was very rested, then he started yawning and he also seemed to notice the laughter that was going on right when he woke up. "Hey, guys... what's so funny?" Said a young and rested dragon prince. "Oh, it's nothing really. We were just having a laugh." Replied the White Knight. As the whole gang stopped laughing, a bright purple light had just appeared from nowhere, the light was bright to where White and the gang had to cover their eyes. Then, they start to hear screaming from a distance, White Knight tells them that if they hear the screaming, which of course they all did, and the screaming got closer and closer. They were starting to realize that those screams sound very familiar and right after that, Merlon and Wintergreen appeared from the light, still screaming and holding on to one another. And then, White Knight's began to widen when he notices that they were headed straight for him, and right then and there... they tackled the White Knight on the spot. They had fallen into the ground and made a hard landing as they fell, Merlon, Wintergreen and White were mashed up together and were seeing stars. After that, the shook their heads and separated themselves from one another, Wintergreen apologized to White Knight for that surprise entrance, Merlon then tried blaming Wintergreen for that tackle just because he was afraid of teleportation and then after that, Merlon and Wintergreen started to argue back and forth about teleportation and the dangers of it. "As I told you before, Merlon... teleportation is way to dangerous! That's why I would never condone teleporting, I mean I feel like a part of me has been left behind!" Cried out a very scared and angry Wintergreen. "The only that has been left behind, grandpa green... was your valor and dignity. In fact, I believe that you've lost both of those things before you and I had teleported to the south." Said Merlon in a mocking tone. "ENOUGH!" Yelled out the White Knight. When he broke up the argument, he tells them that the whole gang still has a mission to do and that they have no time to goof off or argue. So, with that being said, the whole gang focus on the mission, White Knight asks Wintergreen and Merlon if they took care of their part, and of course... they said they did. Then Merlon tells them that his Fail-Safe spell only worked as a temporary solution, and then he tells White Knight that if they all want the chaos to stop growing and spreading, they have to go to the source which is the North. And that's where they all need to go, if the root of all chaos is in the north, then that's where Discord is most likely to be and where he's keeping Celestia and Luna captive. So now, the whole gang gather around, so that Merlon can perform the teleportation, although Wintergreen, still doesn't want to go through with this again. But of course, he didn't have much of a choice, he had to be okay with it if he wants to help his friends save the world. So they get in a circle, Merlon's horn begins to glow, White Knight looks at Twilight and conjures up a two doors for her to pass through. The red door will take her to the north where Discord's at, and the blue door will take her back home and will wake up in her bed the next day. "I'm giving you one more chance, miss Twilight Sparkle. You can still go back home and forget this ever happened, or keep advancing so you can see what happens next. Remember, it's your call..." Said the White Knight. After that, White Knight and the rest of his friends have been teleported to the north, leaving Twilight alone to decide whether she should pick the blue door that can take her home... or pick the red door that will take her to the battle between the six and Discord. "Well, I guess now would be a good time to go back home, I mean... I've seen enough of what I needed to see." After that, she tries to use her magic to open the blue door, but before she could open the door... Twilight Sparkle started to have second thoughts on whether she should leave or not. "NO! I've come this far to go back now, I need to see what happens next... will White Knight and his friends defeat Discord with the elements?!" And with that being said, she uses her magic to open the red door and she goes inside to see what happens next. Meanwhile, in the north... up on the mountains where Discord is relaxing on his throne, watching the flying pigs, bunnies with deer legs and hooves running about, alligators in the air playing chess upside down, dancing buffalos, pretty much the usual random chaos he would create. "Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Oh man, this is all too exciting! I mean, what more can I ask for? How often do you see alligators play chess upside down... while in the air?! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Ah, I'm having way too much fun." Then he summons a gray cloud and a glass, then he puts the glass beneath the cloud so that it can pour water on the glass at full so that he might be able to drink it. Although, he drinks the glass up, as for the harden water, he turns it into a crystal with wings and starts flapping to the left. "Ha ha. What? The glass had more flavor than rain water." Said Discord while he was staring at the crystal flapping away. Meanwhile, the red door appears in front of Discord, the door opened and Twilight Sparkle came out of it. She was just looking around at the random things that were flying around, running around and... crawling around. She was mostly looking around to see if White Knight and the gang had arrived yet, but apparently she was the first one to arrive to the mountains and then, she looks directly in front of her and there was Discord relaxing on his throne. "Discord....." As she saw him, she got furious so quickly, just looking at him made Twilight want to take him on herself. After what he did to her and the others, trying to separate them, making them turn against each other and breaking up their friendship. With that being said, she had every right to be angry towards Discord, after all she almost gave up hope because of him; "What you did to me and my friends, trying to tear our friendship apart... trust me when I say this, you are about to receive what's coming to you." Even though she was waiting for the others to arrive, Twilight Sparkle still has Discord in her sights, she still wishes that she can at least fight him a little... after all it's imperative that she do so. But for right now, all she can do is wait for White and the gang to take care of the situation themselves. "Oh geez, I know I should be having fun and all, but it's becoming a little... ...erm, what's the word... BORING." Discord was still sitting around in his throne, only this time he's got a bored expression on his face, rolling his eyes, scoffing, flexing his fingers... oh yes, he was definitely bored. "Hmm, I wonder... I hope it's not too late to pay the White Knight a little chat. I mean, after all with him, I could have some real fun." And so, he gets up and out of his throne, starts stretching his muscles, and just as he was stretching, he starts to hear strange noises from a distance. The noise got louder and louder and it was starting to bug him, Twilight was also able to hear the noise as well, getting louder by the second. And then a bright purple light appeared from nowhere, right in front of Discord. "Oh, geez! What is that awful blinding light?! Oooh... so irritating." Said Discord while he was covering his face from the brightness of the light. "Hey, draconequus... ...hope you didn't forget about me...." Said the White Knight. When Discord heard the sound of White's voice, he couldn't help but to think that this was a dream. After all, he did made it clear that White Knight would never be able to find him and that he never gave any hints onto where White Knight could find Discord. However... Discord did gave one huge and clearly obvious hint on where Discord can be found, with the help of Merlon, White Knight had figured out where Discord was hiding. The bright light was starting to fade a bit, to where Discord can look directly forward. "No... it can't be... I must be dreaming. I know that voice sounds vaguely familiar, but I don't want to believe it." "Well, you better had best believe it, then. For I have found you, at last." Said White Knight. Discord still didn't want to believe that he was found by White Knight, and as the brightness cleared, Discord was able to see. And what he saw, was the White Knight, his friends and the dragon he had tricked by hypnotizing him into attacking White Knight. The bottom line was; what Discord sees before him... was his fate about to be sealed. "I don't understand, how did you find me? There was no way I left any breadcrumbs behind, I even told you that I wouldn't give any hints onto where I was hiding." "You didn't have to. With the help of my friends, I was able to find you. And plus... you gave away a pretty obvious hint of where you were hiding." Said the White Knight. At first Discord didn't know what he was talking about, but then he started looking around at the random chaos that surrounds him and figured out how White Knight was able to find Discord. "Hmm, I see... well, it doesn't seem to matter anymore, considering that I was about to go look for you but instead, you came to me. And you even brought friends, well, you know what they say; the more the merrier." Said Discord. And right after Discord had said "the more the merrier," White Knight and his friends assume formation, pulling out the Elements of Harmony so they can use them to defeat Discord. "All right, everyone. It's time to put the elements into good use." Said the White Knight as he had his eyes focused on Discord, just to see if Discord will make a move. "Ha Ha- Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Exactly what's with those little gems, dare I ask?" Asked Discord while he was still laughing. Then White Knight replies to Discord; "These gems, are the only things that can stop you. Now before we defeat you, I need you to ask me one question; Where are Celestia and Luna, the two young Alicorns that you kidnapped?" As he asked that question, all he was thinking about was the girls' safety. "You're wasting your time, like I'm gonna tell you where they're at. HA! Don't make me laugh." "Oh, you're gonna tell me... even if I have to make you talk." After that, White Knight, Blue Flash, Solara, Madam Krystal, Wintergreen the Wise and Merlon Magic began to use the Elements of Harmony. The Elements began to glow, they were floating in the air, forming a circle around the six. Then the gang started rising up, they were in mid-air, Discord was becoming a little worried whether the White Knight might be serious in defeating Discord. Discord tried taking a few steps back while he was looking at them, he knew he was asking for it so he decides to flee. "Well, heh-heh-heh. This looks bad, and uh... ...I should go." And as he was about to fly away, the Elements of Harmony were at full power, Discord kept gathering some distance between himself and the six, but at that moment... using the Elements, the six had shot a rainbow beam. The beam was tailing in on Discord, he tried to speed up, but the rainbow beam had caught up to him. And just as it hit him, Discord was about to be turn into stone. He tried fighting it, he kept on wiggling his body to break free from becoming stone, but it was pointless to do so because... his whole body had completely turned into stone. After Discord had been stoned, his statue fell all the way to the ground and while it was falling, White Knight and the other five used the Elements to clean up the Earth of Discord's out of control, chaotic mess. When they used the Elements, they had produced a shining bright light that had expanded around the world, after the light had disappeared, everything was finally back to normal. Not one weird thing in sight, no dancing animals, no hard water, no rock river steams... nothing. White Knight and his friends went to see how the world has turned out, and yes, it turned out exactly the way it was before Discord came along. Now all the Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth ponies can live in harmony once again, Even Twilight Sparkle was happy to see that everything is at peace. "Thank you, White Knight. Thank you all for protecting this world." Said Twilight with a simple, yet adorable smile on her face. At this very moment, the whole gang are just savoring the moment by watching the sun, slowly rising up to start a brand new day. Everyone was happy, even the White Knight most of all, the look on his face, his smile, his eyes shining as he's looking at the sun rise... he has finally found his happy place. But he knows that it's not over yet, there is still after all, Celestia and Luna to find. So, Madam Krystal creates a floating crystal platform from the ground so that the whole gang can descend to the ground and find Discord. Even Twilight was on for the ride, but something had caught her attention, she turned around and saw a door on the mountain grounds. When she saw the door, at the moment that the crystal platform was about to descend, she jumps out of the platform and onto the mountain ground to run towards the door. She then made a sudden stop, realizing that there's only one door and not two. Last time there were two doors; one that would take her to Discord, and the other one that would take her back home in the real world. But now there's one door and Twilight isn't sure where this door will take her. "Hmm... only one door, huh? I suppose I could go through it, but where will it take me?" All she could hope is that the door will take farther into what happens next, so as she was hoping for the best and preparing for what happens next, she opens the door, goes right on in... and what was on the other side was a place where Twilight Sparkle thought she would never end up... ...back outside the front doors, of the Black Knight's palace. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 10: The Mare Who Knew Too Much //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 10: The Mare Who Knew Too Much As the crystal platform finally descended to the open grounds, White Knight and the whole gang jump off the platform, then White Knight tells his friends to go cover more ground so that they'll have a better chance of finding him. But White Knight also warns them that they have to be on their guard, for they don't know whether the fall might have made Discord's stone prison broke and also they need to be on alert of anything else that might be in the area. So, as the gang split up, White Knight decides to stay put and wait for the others to advance farther into the fields, so that way he'll be able to go back up to the mountains to check up on Twilight. Because from the moment the whole gang were headed down, White noticed that Twilight had jumped off the platform before Madam Krystal was about to lower her crystal platform to the ground. He was looking back up to the mountains, he's hoping that she's still up there so that when he gets up there, he'll want to know why she didn't go with them. All White Knight is worried about right at this very moment, is her getting closer to the truth and that she will not like what she'll see. "Twilight Sparkle... whatever you do, don't do anything rash. I can't let her know more than she already does, I have to stop her." So as he takes a good look at how far the gang had gotten, White Knight finally flies back up to the mountain just to see if Twilight is still up on the mountains, well... he's actually hoping that she's still up there when he gets there. "Twilight, when I get up there, you had better still be lingering about in the mountain." Meanwhile, the others were still at the grounds looking for Discord; so far Blue Flash was vigilant, he was flying from one spot to another, and he was also turning around at 360 degrees to see if any enemies were near by. Solara was running as fast as she could go, looking both ways and behind her to see any sign of Discord's presence. "Hmm, this is really getting ridiculous. I mean, how far could he have fallen?" Said Solara. Madam Krystal was strolling through the grounds, minding her own business and focusing on finding Discord, as for Wintergreen he was doing the same thing. Only difference is, is that he was above ground, searching high and low for he might believe that Discord could be using his wings to fly away. "I don't understand, we turned him to stone with the elements. Usually, there's a spell lock along with that, so if Discord fell, the stone prison won't break." And as for Merlon speaking of which, he was using his magic horn to pick up Discord's essence, his horn acts like a Radar, it can only do a flashing glow whenever he's near in Discord's presence. So far, he's just walking around, waiting for the horn to flash, he hasn't picked up anything yet but he feels that he will soon. "Hmm, I'm not getting anything, but I am certain that we are close to finding the draconequus. I just need to-" And before he could even finish what he was about to say, his horn began to flash. "Oh, I am picking up something? Ah-ha! This is a good sign, meaning I am closer than I thought I would be." He was a little excited to see he was getting close to finding Discord, and as he was running towards the direction that caused his horn to flash, he sees dark glowing hoof steps. "These hoof prints... the dark ominous glow, they may have something to do with the draconequus. Which means I'm close, I can feel it. At his rate, I'll probably be the first one to catch him." Meanwhile, White Knight was still climbing up the mountains, hoping that Twilight would still be there, he was so focused on getting up on the mountains and most of all... he didn't want Twilight to interfere anymore than she already had. Because if so... then she would end up having more questions that White Knight cannot answer, he says to himself; "I can't let her discover anymore than she already has, because there are things that a pony like Twilight Sparkle cannot know about... things that should remain in the dark." But what exactly is it that White Knight is trying to avoid Twilight from knowing, even now it will be too late for him to stop her. As he makes it to the top of the mountain, he sees that Twilight is nowhere in sight on the mountain grounds, her aura is also faded, which could mean only one thing... He looks up on the sky and says; "I'm too late, that foal is already in the Palace." Frightened that Twilight might soon discover this truth that White Knight is trying to keep Twilight from knowing, having thoughts about when she does finds out how will she react. But of course, he was going to let that happen, so the White Knight heads up to the skies to get to the palace and hope he's not entirely too late to stop her. While White knight tries to get to the palace, Twilight was still standing in front of the palace doors, curious as to why the mysterious door back to the mountains would bring her here. "I don't understand, why am I back in the palace? What exactly could be happening here?" After asking these kinds of questions, she the walked up to the doors, open the doors and just before she was about to go inside... she hears her name from a distance; "Twilight!" As if someone was yelling at her. She then turns around to see who it was that yelling her name, she tried to get a good look and couldn't see anyone. Then she heard the same voice yelling out her name again; "Twilight!!!" She looked again to see where that yelling was coming from, she then sees something heading towards the palace. "Twilight, do NOT go in the palace!" Twilight got a good look at the entity that was headed her way, as it turns out, it was the White Knight who was yelling her name out loud and was headed towards the palace. Twilight then proceeded to run down the stairs, waiting for the White Knight to come and as he finally descends to the palace grounds, he starts running towards her, almost out of breath but a little excited that he came just in time. "Oh, Twilight. There you are, thanks goodness I found you here." Said the White Knight as he came to a gentle stop and then trying to catch most of his breath. "White, what's going on? Why am I back in the palace, what happened to Discord, did you ran all the way here?!?!" After asking those questions, White Knight was catching his breath, and then he proceeded to answer Twilight's questions. First he breathed in a lot of air, then he replies; "What's going on, is that you're not suppose to be here, the Discord situation is being taken care of, and yes..." And before he could finish that last part, he was still breathing hard because of all the running he had to, trying to chase twilight. "...I ran all the way here..." And he was still catching his breath. After all, he ran as fastest as he could. "...because I was chasing after you." "Chasing after me...?" Twilight questioned in a very awkward tone. "Why were you even chasing me White Knight, I mean... what's going on here? Is there something that you're hiding from me?" White Knight's eyes began to widen as Twilight told him if he was hiding something, his eyes turned left and right, he swallowed a big gulp and then he replies in an awkward, high-pitched voice; "Ha ha ha ha! You're funny. What makes you believe I'm hiding anything, I'm not hiding anything at all, it'd be pointless to hide anything. I have no pockets to hide anything. Heh-heh-heh... nope, nothing." Of course, this was obvious to Twilight that White Knight was lying to her, and that got her a little upset to see the majestic White Knight was lying to her face. But White does have his reasons to lie, he didn't want to, he was already feeling guilty  but... he had no other choice but to. "White, what is it that you're not telling me? Please, you have to tell me, what exactly is going on here?" Said a very upset Twilight. "I... I can't....." Before he could go on, White Knight let out a deep and distressful sigh and resumed what he had to say. "I cannot tell you, dear Twilight." "Well, why not?" Asked Twilight with the exact same upset tone. Then, after she asked, White Knight went silent for about 6 seconds, Twilight was even more anxious when he keeping his silence and then... after those six seconds, he finally replies to her; "Honestly..." Then, there was more silence. But for only three seconds, after that White Knight lowers his head and finally finished his response; "...you wouldn't like it." "What do you mean, I wouldn't like it?" Twilight asked nervously. And right after she asked, the Palace doors began to open. White Knight raises his head, looks at the doors and Twilight was also looking at the doors to see who had opened them. When the doors had opened all the way, a silhouette figure was just standing there, then walks out of the shadows to reveal that Black Knight was the one who opened the doors. Twilight had gasped to see Black Knight come out of the place, as he got out... Twilight felt something ominous surrounding Black Knight. "The Black Knight" said Twilight in a awfully quiet but nervous tone. "White Knight..." Says the Black Knight. "What are you doing back here so soon?" After Black's question, White Knight walks up to Black then immediately answers his question. "I couldn't find the girls... but do not worry though, my friends are looking. Plus we also caught Discord, so he should be able to tell us where they are momentarily." After hearing White's response, Black lets out a gentle sigh and tells him of Celestia and Luna's location. "White Knight, that won't be necessary. I already have the girls in my custody, they are safe in their rooms as they should be." Discovering that the girls are safe and sound once more, White Knight and Twilight were thrilled and relieved to hear that their saved. Twilight most of all. "My goodness, I am so glad to hear that they are safe and away from that monster and- ...wait... how did they get away from the creature?" Asked White Knight, curious as to how did they managed to escape Discord without him noticing. "They didn't escape, White. I saved them from Discord, I got them away from him and brought them back home." Said the Black Knight. "But if you were the one who saved them, why didn't you stop Discord in the process?" Asked White Knight in a loud, upsetting tone. Then, Black Knight replies; "To teach you a lesson about disobedience and the prices that come with it. You smuggled Celestia and Luna to the Earth, just so you can show them what it's like down there, how the ponies down there live their lives. Without my Approval!" And after hearing what Black Knight told him, White Knight couldn't believe that Black would send Discord as a form to teach a lesson. But of course, White wasn't buying what he was told... "No... there's more to it than that. The draconequus wasn't some kind of scare tactic to teach me a lesson, it was probably doing what you were telling it to do. That's why you didn't stop him, because he was with you!" Yelled out the White Knight. Twilight was incredibly shocked to hear that Black Knight actually had something to do Discord, of course she knew that there was something off about him from the beginning, and now she's seen everything. And that just leaves her with one question to ask; "Why did he send Discord to cause trouble and abduct the princess?" White Knight was walking in a circle around the Black Knight, because he has so much questions regarding Discord, the girls and why he's always isolated in his private quarters. But no matter how much White would even ask, Black Knight wasn't going to answer any of his questions. Although he does answer the White Knight one solid answer and will still use the same answer if the White Knight continued to ask Black more questions. "I wish you I could tell you, but you wouldn't understand, my dear White Knight." "What do you mean; 'I wouldn't understand?!' What makes you think that I'll never understand?" Asked the White Knight in Anguish. "Please tell me Black Knight, what is it that you can't tell me that I won't able to understand?" "Even if I were to tell you the truth, you wouldn't believe me. And unto your righteousness, you would seek me out a liar" White Knight didn't want to think about it, but he knew that the Black Knight was right. White wouldn't believe what the Black Knight might have to say, even if Black wanted to say it, would White Knight try to understand where he was coming from? Even Twilight was more curious as to wanting to know what Black Knight was hiding, and she knows that White Knight also knows what Black Knight is hiding, considering that she's reliving a history she didn't know. All she can do now, is wait for the White Knight to ask some questions... even if White Knight doesn't want to, which he has no choice but to. "Try to humor me, Black Knight." Said the White Knight. "Even if you think that I won't able to understand, just try to explain it anyways so that I might be able to get an understanding." Black Knight didn't want to tell White Knight of his plans, he still senses ignorance within him. He knew that it would be pointless to tell him, but he was going to tell him, just to see what would White Knight's response be. "Very well, since you wish to find an understanding about my plans, then I shall tell you. But you have to pay close attention, for I will tell you only once." "All right, I will. You have my full undivided attention." Said the White Knight. Even Twilight had her ears ready to listen to what Black Knight had to say. Meanwhile, inside the palace... Celestia was just staring at the White and Black Knight through the balcony, trying to listen to what they were saying down on the grounds. Then, Luna shows up to see what Celestia was up too, she start to take peek outside to see what her sister was staring at. "What is it that you are staring at, dear sister?" Luna got a good look at what Celestia was looking at, and was already surprised to see the White Knight back on the palace grounds. She got excited to see that he had returned and wanted to say hi, and from the moment she was going to yell out "Hi" to the White Knight, Celestia quickly places her hoof in Luna's mouth to prevent her from getting their attention. "Shhhh! We don't want father to know that we snuck out of our room, or else he'll get really upset with us if he finds out." Celestia still had her hoof in Luna's mouth, Luna was muffling but it was clear that she was telling Celestia to get her hoof off her mouth. And so, she gently removed her hoof out of Luna's mouth, hoping that Luna won't yell out to the White Knight. "Tia, what's going on here? What are Father and White Knight talking about, why does your hoof smell like honey?" After telling Celestia why her hoof smelled like honey, she gives Luna a really awful stare, making Luna feel a little uncomfortable. "What?" Said Luna. "I'm merely stating the obvious, is all." She added. Afterwards, the both simultaneously looked at the Knights as they were still locked on each other. The girls were starting to get worried, thinking that they are having an argument or about to fight. "Celestia..." Luna called out nervously. "what do you think is going to happen to them?" She asked, leaving Celestia with the inability to answer her sister's question. Luna turned to her sister, waiting for her response, seeing that Celestia was filled with fear and worry, which got her scared. And so she looks back to the Knights, knowing that something bad is going to go down, but hoping that it doesn't come to it. "Celestia, my sister..." Whispered Luna as she was holding onto Celestia. "I'm scared..." "It's okay, Luna. I too am afraid at what's to come." Said Celestia while she was holding her sister close to her. The Knights were still standing there, looking towards each other, not one of them has kept their eyes off each other and Twilight was just idly standing there waiting to hear what Black Knight has to say. "All right, Black Knight." Said the White Knight in confidence. "I have your attention, you may tell me why you're doing all of this and I'll give you my response afterwards." And so the Black Knight finally begins to open up, he takes a deep breath and exhales with his eyes closed. Then he opens up his eyes and locks them straight ahead towards White. "It will be a long story, so I'll do my best and try to keep short, because I don't have the time to have this chat with you." And then he starts to cough and begins to explain his plan. "Do you know why I'm doing this; this 'Great Divide?' It's because I tend to keep the ponies in check, the Earth Ponies, the Pegasi and the Unicorns, what would it be if they all came together? Well, it would be a disaster. These ponies would be consumed by jealousy, then it will turn to greed, then proceed with arrogance and then such things will merge and evolve into something dark... something wicked... something *Evil*. Even with the Great Divide, the seed of jealousy still grows within them." You may have a point, Black Knight. Said the White Knight. "But not everypony is like that, you know. I've seen these ponies in person, they're all filled with hope, joy, peace and many other positive things. No matter what they were; Earth Ponies, Pegasi or Unicorn... they were all kind, even to one another." "Even if that were the case, eventually they will turn on one another. It's only a matter of time..." Said the Black Knight. Listening to the Knights go back and forth about what they know about the Pony folk, has Twilight moving in various directions. When she's listening to them talk about the individual ponies and what they're about, it sounds as if she was writing one of her friendship letters to Princess Celestia, in fact that's the only way she could even see it when she was listening to them. Along the way, she's beginning to learn more about the Knight's personal opinions about peace, harmony, joy, sorrow, chaos, hate and disharmony. She understood where they were coming from and somehow, she feels that they might be on the same page, according to the current conversation they were having. "Oh, it's like reading a very interesting book, The more I listen to this, the more amazing knowledge I obtain from these two." Twilight was in tune with the Knights rambling back and forth, until she heard something from the Black Knight, something about a "vision" that he was told. "White, there's something that I should tell you... you probably won't make sense of what I have to say, but then again... when do you ever make any sense?" "Where are you going with this, Black Knight?" Asked the White Knight as he tilled his head to the right and raised his left eyebrow. "Long ago, a week before I took you in under my wing when you were young, figuratively speaking of course." As he was saying that, he lifts his right wing, curls it a bit and puts it away. "I was told a vision, about a certain time where a disaster is said to befall all pony kind in the future, where everypony will be living in a world filled with false hope, dreams, peace, happiness and harmony. I suppose you can call it, 'the perfect world', but to me... it's a world full of lies." Replied the Black Knight. Then the White Knight asks; "What exactly... do you mean by that? How can you be so certain that this vision of yours will actually happen, what is the cause of this disaster?" But before the Black Knight could even reply to the next question, he closes his eyes, takes a huge breath and exhales deeply. "One out of a group of six ponies, will be assigned a higher, a more independent role. Which involves loads of responsibility, trials to face, difficult decisions to make and consequences that go along with some of those decisions." As the Knights were talking about this vision, Twilight starts to get the feeling that they were talking about her and her friends when the Black Knight mentioned the six ponies, and that some disaster would befall them and everypony in the future. But she's still trying to make out about what BK meant about one of them would take on an independent role. So she tried to think back at all the past disasters that had happened and that she and her friends had faced. (Which disaster is Black Knight talking about? Does he mean the return of Nightmare Moon, but wait she wanted to make night time eternal, although it was a little disastrous. How about Discord and turning Ponyville into chaosville, is that what he meant about 'perfect world?' No, Black Knight said that the perfect world involves false hope, dreams, happiness, peace and harmony. Or maybe, the wedding in Canterlot. After all, I was assigned an important role in the wedding, tried to warn everyone that the Cadence my brother was marring was a fake and everyone didn't believe me. And then there was the changeling invasion during the wedding... but they only wanted to feed on love.) Twilight was thinking really hard on what Black meant, but still nothing had fit the piece in the puzzle. (What is this disaster that he mentioned, and what of this perfect world?) She thought. "An independent role, you say?" Says the laughing White Knight, as he was trying to take hold of what Black Knight was telling him. Then as he stopped laughing, he picks himself up and finish what more he had to say. "When you say it, you make it sound like there's a catch behind it." "That's because there IS a catch behind it." Said the Black Knight. "And what's unfortunate is that the foal who will soon be chosen, will be blissfully unaware of the strings that are being pulled and in time... the foal will lose sight of what's most important." "And what would that be?" White asked nervously. And then a steady 7 second silence was coming to past, but before the seven seconds would pass by, Twilight had heard what Black Knight said, when he said that the foal will lose sight of most important. She tried to figure out what is it that is most important in this world and right then and there... after the seven seconds were up, her eyes widen and a spark lit up in them when she finally got the answer. It was clear to her now, the answer was obvious and then, she and the Black Knight responded the answer at the exact same time... "Friendship." White Knight then lowered his head in shame, trying to accuse the Black Knight of doing something evil, but was actually on the same page as White Knight. Then the White Knight noticed something else, he's still wanted to know why he send Discord to cause havoc and abduct the girls in the process. So he lifts his head back up and starts to ask Black Knight about Discord. "Look Black, I get where you're coming from here. But I still need to know... why did you send Discord to the Earth to start trouble and why did he kidnap Celestia and Luna?" "I send Discord to create chaos in order to draw attention, so that I can go down there and get the girls without being noticed. And as I said before, I also send Discord to teach you a lesson for smuggling my girls to the Earth without my say so" Replied the Black Knight. "Well, are your lessons always lethal, Black Knight?" Asked the White Knight in a very upset tone, and after he said that, he then pouted his lips and gave Black an uncomfortable stare. White Knight... He said quietly. "I overheard one of your previous conversations with Celestia long ago, I also heard that the girls prefer you as their father over me." As Black Knight was talking, White Knight slowly started walking up to him. I was a little upset and jealous of the fact that you made a better father than I ever could ever possibly be, so I acted towards those negative feelings but at the same time, I was focusing on what was important. But then my feelings got the best of me and when made Discord, I simply wanted to-" But before Black Knight could finish what he needed to get out of his chest, White simply placed his hoof over Black's mouth to stop him there. "Shhh... I know, Black Knight. And honestly, you can be a better father to those girls. You just need to try talking to them every once and a while, spend some quality father/daughter time with them, embrace them as the run or fly towards you when they try to give you a hug and most importantly... always believe in them. Never give up on them, Black Knight. Because who knows, one day they might surprise you." After hearing what he was told, Black Knight had felt this warm, soft and comfortable feeling inside of him. He felt as if the weight of guilt had been lifted, knowing that no matter what he would do to the White Knight, even if he were to oppose him, White Knight will never hold anything against him and will always forgive Black no matter what. And that made the Black Knight... smile for the very first time in a long time. Then the White Knight raises his right hoof, waiting for the Black Knight to shake his hoof. Black Knight then sighed at the fact that White wanted to shake his hoof, knowing that it was a sign of forgiveness. "Come on, you're not just gonna leave me hanging, aren't you?" And so, Black politely takes White's hoof and shakes it, seeing now that everything is all in the past and that tomorrow will begin anew. "I'm sorry." Said the Black Knight. "No need for apologies, all is forgotten." After the apology, everything was finally cool with the Knights and had let go of their hooves and everything was golden. Even Twilight was happy to see that the Knights had repaired their bond, but unfortunately it was too soon to celebrate because Twilight and the Knights had just heard an anonymous voice in the distance. "Well now, isn't this riveting?" Said the anonymous voice. "Looks like I couldn't picked a better time to show up unannounced and uninvited." Then Twilight slowly turned around to see where the voice was coming from, White Knight also turned around but quickly because he was startled by the voice. What they see is a silhouette of a stallion, about the exact height as the White and Black Knight and wearing a cloak by the look of it. But as it got closer, all they could see was the hood covering the stallion's face, his mythical yellow green flaming tail and Twilight also began to notice that the mysterious stallion was wearing the Alicorn Amulet. "You..." Said the Black Knight. "What are you doing here, how did you find this place?! I made a special cloaking spell to hide from you and the others, how could you have-" Then the mysterious stallion interrupts; "Oh, come now Black Knight. Did you really think that you could hide from me forever? I'll admit, your spell really did the job well, I've been looking for you for about awhile now and now that I have found the two of you knights, I believe that the two of you possess something that I want. And you're going to hand it over to me... or else I'll take it from you by force." Then the Black Knight walks right past White Knight and Twilight, with a very furious look on his face, believing that this mystery pony has made a mistake of invading the palace and confronting the Knights.  "YOU SIR, just realized that you have trespassed into my property, my home. And as the owner, I would appreciate it if you leave this place immediately... or else you'll get into.... really big trouble." Said the Black Knight in a very strong and infuriating tone as his horn and eyes began to glow, hoping that he would intimidate the trespasser and convince him to leave. "Hmm, such strong talk... but I fear that your taunts are merely harmless to me. If you really want to frighten me, you'll have to put your worthless words into fierce action." Said the Stallion. "Very well then." Said Black Knight, then he turns to the White Knight and tells him; "White Knight, listen to me... I need you to go inside the palace, get Celestia and Luna out of here, put them somewhere safe and take good take care of them while I take care of this... problem." After he told White Knight of his request, the Black Knight turns back to his opponent. Then the White Knight rushes to the Palace, with Twilight following him. He arrives to the front doors, but before he opens them, he turns around to tell the Black Knight; "You sure you're going to be okay on your own?" The Black Knight replies; "I'll be fine. After all, this isn't my first fracas." Then the White Knight faces forward, opens the doors, but before he goes inside, he tells the Black Knight one more thing; "Be careful, Black Knight and..." Before he could say the rest, White Knight closes his eyes, breathes in and then exhales. Leaving him to finish what he had to say; "...come back in one piece." And then, he and Twilight finally head on inside the Palace, leaving Black Knight to face the threat on his own. But Black Knight feels confident that he'll take care of the situation and he also makes a promise that after the fight is over, he will see his daughters again and they'll live together once again and become one happy family. He closes his eyes and starts imagining himself, the girls and the White Knight outdoors, having a wonderful time together. The Knights chasing after the girls, playing games, having lunch together and at night... they would watch the stars together. (Celestia, Luna... when this is all over, I will meet up with you girls and promise to make more time for the two of you and less time on my work. You are my girls, and I love you both no matter what.) After that, he opens his eyes, focusing on his opponent and prepares himself for the fight that he has to face, shouting out his last words; "And that is a promise I intend to keep!" As Twilight and the White Knight are inside the palace, The White Knight yells for Celestia and Luna to come downstairs to the main foyer. Twilight was still a little jumped and worried about the situation taking place outside, so she turns to the White Knight and says to him; "White Knight, what do we do? We have to have a plan or something I mean, we can't let the Black Knight face that... whoever he's facing out there alone! Speaking of which, who is that mysterious, hooded stallion and why does he have the Alicorn Amulet?" The White Knight turns to Twilight, they were both staring at each other for about 4 seconds, she asks why he was staring at her and then the White Knight says; "Twilight Sparkle..." Then another 4 seconds had past, Twilight was getting more worried by the moment because she felt that White Knight might have something for her to do about the current situation. And then the White Knight lets out a heavily sigh, finishing what he had to tell her; "I'm going to release you from the dreamscape spell that you performed. Once that's done, in a few moments, this whole environment and everything else in it, will all start to dematerialize. Imagine, tiny shattering glass pieces, and then... You'll be able to wake up in the real world, thinking that all of what you witnessed, was all a huge dream." Twilight was surprised to hear that White Knight was going to release her from the spell, meaning she'll be kicked out of this dream and back into reality, although she didn't want him to do that just yet. She is just learning something new about the situation here, but White fears that she knows too much already and releasing her from the spell is necessary. "Please, White Knight. Reconsider this! I'm sure that there's something that I can help with here, maybe I could-" "Twilight..." Said the White Knight as he interrupted her by placing his hoof on her lips. "You are only a living astral projection force, you can't do much here, in fact... you can't do anything at all." Then he places his hoof onto her horn, both his hoof and Twilight's horn began to glow to their individual colors, stating that White Knight is using his power to do what he told her he was going to do. "All you can do, is just pop into Ponies' dreams, that's all." Then White Knight's white glow shrouds the magenta glow on Twilight's horn, which states that White Knight was finishing up what needed to be done. Then, once the glowing had stopped, White Knight places his hoof away from Twilight's horn and onto the ground, meaning he had successfully released her from the spell and the White Knight says his goodbyes. "Farewell, Twilight Sparkle. It was nice knowing you, you were a very interesting individual, but it's time for you to wake up." After that, he then disappears into thin air like a hologram glitch. Twilight was all alone now, everything seemed stable, the palace was still standing, but she was looking around to see if anything unusual was about to happen. She paid close attention to her surroundings to see if the ceiling, the walls, floors or anything in the palace was already starting to shatter into pieces, but nothing has happened yet. At first she thought that for a moment there, the White Knight had been bluffing about environment becoming dematerialize, but then she sees these white glowing lines passing by, horizontally and vertically. The lines seemed like they were forming a three-dimension grid around her, she was so mesmerized at what she was looking at, but she was also a little afraid because seeing that she was surrounded by a huge grid, is very much breathtaking. After the three dimensional grid was formed, the whole environment surrounding Twilight started to shatter into tiny glass pieces, from the ceiling... to the walls, windows, doors, pillars, stairs and all the way to where Twilight was standing. Even Twilight was becoming dematerialized herself, every part of her being shattered into a million tiny glass pieces, she was freaking out and wanted it to stop, but she knew... that it was inevitable. After she was all the way dematerialized, there was absolutely nothing left, nothing at all... but a huge white blank. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 11: Wake up, Twilight Sparkle //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 11: Wake up, Twilight Sparkle After the White Knight had released the dreamscape spell from Twilight, everything in Twilight's surroundings, including her had just been dematerialized, like shattering pieces of glass. Then Followed by a bright white blank and then after that... everything had turned pitch black. Everything was really pitch black, Twilight couldn't see a thing because everything was too dark for her eyesight, she was even trying to yell out the White Knight's name over and over in the hopes that White would respond to her. "Hello?! White Knight, are you there? White Knight!" But there wasn't any response whatsoever, however she kept on calling out to someone. Anypony out there?! Somepony, anypony... hello?!" She kept yelling out in the dark, hoping someone would at least respond to her call, she even tried to yell out to Princess Celestia's name, but she hesitated before she could even. Instead, she just quietly called out her name; "princess... Celestia... are you... ...are you out there?" It would seem that Twilight was really all alone in the dark, with no one to respond to her, there wasn't anything out there other than her. Just when she thought that there wasn't anyone or anything else in the dark, she began to lower head, with her eyes closed, tears shedding out of her eyes and she also began to sniffle in sadness. At first, she thought that she was all alone and that she was gonna be alone in the dark... but then, there was voice yelling out from a distance. "Twilight..." The distant voice was very quiet, however the voice was starting to get a little louder, then Twilight started to pick up the voice from afar. Her eyes had opened instantly when she heard the voice, she was surprised to hear that someone is out there, but the voice was still so very distant... but she knows that someone is out there. "Hello?! Is anyone out there?!?!" Cried out Twilight. As she was waiting for further response, she still gets the feeling that she's alone and that no one is out there, but she doesn't want to believe that, she just had to wait for the voice to respond. "Twilight..." Yelled out the voice. And just as the voiced called out to her name, Twilight knew that the voice might be someone she must know, but the question was; who is it that's calling out Twilight's name. So for that, she tried yelling out; "hello" and "who's out there" hoping that the voice will respond and that the voice will be louder this time. "Twilight... wake... up..." The voice was getting louder than before and it was getting clearer to Twilight, she realizes that the voice was starting to sound like Spike, and so she tries to respond again; "Hello, anyone out there? Wait, that voice... ...Spike! Spike, is that you? Where are you?!" Twilight was so excited but at the same time she was worried, because she's still stuck in the dark and she can hear Spike's voice from a distance. Then Spike's voice began to respond to her once again; "Twilight! Listen to me... you need to..." But before Spike's voice could even finish, Twilight starts to interrupt by telling Spike where he is; "Spike, where are you? Are you there, tell me if you are. Where can I find you?" Then Spike's voice replied; "I'm right beside you, Twilight." "Where, beside me?" she said looking all worried and confused, turning around just to see if Spike was beside her, but there was no sign of him anywhere. "Twilight... I'm right here, beside you. You just need to wake up! Open your eyes, will ya?" said the really annoyed voice of spike. "Open... my eyes?" Right after she said that, a bright and gaping light started to shine at Twilight from above, the light above was so bright she had to close her eyes and cover her face with her hooves. And as the light got brighter, Spike's voice got louder... as if he was actually right next to Twilight. Then Twilight began to fully open her eyes and the first that she saw when she woke up, was her number one assistant right in front her, with a big smile on his face. "Oh, good. It's about time you finally woke up." He said with a hint of relief. As Twilight finally woke up, she started to feel like she was in total pain; she had received some headaches, she's still tired out and she's in a little bit of pain. But of course though, she'll adjust quickly. "Oh, my goodness, Spike. What happened last night? And more importantly... what time is it?" "Well, if I had to guess it's around 11:00am somewhere. And plus, I woke up on the floor 12 minutes before you did." Replied Spike. "Oh, I see. Wait, did you say it's around 11:00 am?" Twilight asked nervously. And of course, Spike replied; "Uh, yes?..." And just as he replied to Twilight's question, she began freaking out because she believes that she might be missing out on some important stuff today, so she goes and checks her calendar to see if there was anything she needed to do. And Spike tries telling her that she shouldn't be freaking out about today, because there isn't anything important for her to do today. "How can you be so certain about that, Spike? You never know whenever something unexpected is gonna happen today, therefore I have to add the time and place on the calendar and I might just have to be there for it, eventually." cried Twilight. "Twilight, you're being ridiculous! I'm telling you that you have absolutely nothing to do today. Nothing important is marked on your calendar, so there's nothing to worry about." Said Spike as he tried to calm down the nervous wreck named; Twilight. While he was calming her down, Twilight tries to close her eyes, breathe in and out slowly, and just settle down and relax. But, as Twilight was so calm, so deeply relaxed, and as everything had seemed so peaceful, Spike then breaks the ice by telling her that Princess Luna is downstairs. Twilight then responded to what Spike said; "Princess Luna is downstairs... in the library? Oh, well that's good to hear." And that's when the calm and relaxed Twilight Sparkle went back to being the nervous wreck she was previously. "Wait... WHAT DID YOU SAY?! Princess Luna is inside the Library?! Oh, Spike. Why didn't you tell me that right after you woke me up?" And then Twilight goes to the mirror so she can clean herself up and look presentable for the princess of the night. Considering, that it is daytime already, it matters not, because Twilight has to be present for royalty. So after she had finished brushing her mane, she immediately walks downstairs to meet with Princess Luna. "Ah. Good morning, princess Luna. Sorry for keeping you waiting, I just woke up and I heard that you were in the Library, so I had rush out of bed and come downstairs to see you. Oh and uh, sorry about the yelling upstairs, it's just that... well, I wasn't expecting you here. So uh, what brings you here to Ponyville?" Said Twilight as she was nervously laughing and pulling a silly look towards the princess. The same kind of look Twilight makes whenever she forgets to turn in an assignment and has to get it turned in at the last moment. "Yes, it is good to see you too, Twilight Sparkle. I am here because I have a question to ask of you. That is, if you do not mind me asking." Said Princess Luna. "Oh, sure. Of course, you can ask me anything. What is it that you want to ask me?" Said Twilight with a big smile on her face, showing Princess Luna that she is capable of answering any question that the princess has to say. "I wish to ask you about the dream you had last night." "Um, dream? I'm not sure if I follow you..." Right after she heard Princess Luna's question, her smile had faded very quickly, she had a nervous look on her face and she rolled her eyes to the left. After all, she just lied to the princess and she doesn't enjoy doing so, nothing good can come from it. "Twilight Sparkle, don't try to hide it from me. If you are worried that if I'm going to tell my sister about this, then I assure you... this little chat of ours will just be between us." Twilight was shocked to hear princess Luna say such a thing, she couldn't believe her ears... and right when she looked up to the princess, Luna's eyes were locked onto her like a target, she wanted to hear what Twilight had experienced in the dream world. "Twilight Sparkle..." And here it was, the moment of truth... Twilight knew this was coming, but she wasn't prepared for this. "I need you to tell me everything about what you saw, when you used the dreamscape spell. I was able to get so little on what had been going on, but I want to hear it from you. I want you to tell me in your own words on what all you saw and please... do not spare any details." After hearing what the princess said, everything just went silent. Twilight's mind went blank after what she just heard, she wasn't so sure whether to tell her about what she saw, but she knew she had to come clean and so... ... she began to confess, about everything she saw... and what she lived through. The End. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 6: Search Parties and Engineered Conflicts //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 6: Search Parties and Engineered Conflicts After telling the Black Knight about what had happened to the girls, White Knight and Twilight Sparkle immediately stormed out the palace, White Knight went to see if the dragon prince was still stand outside, right on the spot where White told the prince to stay put at. He looked around to see if the prince was even still around the area, but he couldn't find him anywhere, White Knight and Twilight were starting to get worried if something might have happened when they were looking for the Black Knight, even Twilight was wondering that if Black Knight might be responsible for Spi- er well, the dragon prince's disappearance. And as White Knight try to shout out to the prince, the prince had responded to the White Knight's shout out. Then White Knight looks around to see where he was; left, right, in front of him, behind him. Twilight had looked up to see if he was up in the stars, and of course... there he was, the prince managed to grab the star that he so wanted to have for his little collection. Then when White Knight saw up to see the prince right up to the stars, grabbing hold of the one star light he wanted, White had a felt a sense of relief to the fact that he was okay. "Hey Prince, what are you doing up there?" Asked the White Knight. "What does it look like, I'm trying to grab hold of this star. It would look so beautiful for my collection. So how did go with Black Knight?" Replied the prince as he continued to hold on the star. "Well, let go of that star and hop on my back. We have two Alicorn princesses to save." And right when he said that, he looked at Twilight; he gave her a smile and blinked his right eye at her to show that she should have trust in his efforts for the rescue. Then there was the prince who was still grabbing hold of the star that he wanted so much, and even though the prince didn't want to let go of the star, he needed to if he's going to help White Knight with the search for Celestia and Luna. "I'll be back for you star, just you wait." After that, Spike lets go of the star and lands on the White Knight's back so that they can get ready to save the girls. So now White Knight, the dragon prince and Twilight Sparkle leave the palace to find Celestia and Luna, but before they do that, White Knight suggests that he should gather up a search party to help out with the search. And of course, the search party that White Knight tends to gather up are his old friends, the same ponies that he had met up with 3 years ago, asked about his offer and all refused because they thought that the White Knight was crazy for wanting to help him become the keepers of the Elements of Harmony. And even though they have refused him in the past, they have to come around to help White Knight this time because of the fact that they need to assist him in finding Celestia and Luna, so the first one to go to for assisting White Knight in the search; is Wintergreen the Wise. Flying throughout the skies, with the dragon prince on his back, White Knight was in deep focus about something... something that he can't really shake off because he can't or he doesn't want to. His eyes were dead on straight, he was breathing slowly, and he was going through some flashbacks of his times with the girls. the flashbacks start off with him running around and playing with young Celestia, then it was him, little Celestia and baby Luna out in the fields where they usually hang out, the two were playing fun activities while baby Luna watched them play. And then White Knight, Celestia and Luna were all running and flying through the fields, having a good time and enjoying the sunlight. After going through his previous memories, he thought to himself saying what great times that he had, spending with them was a glorious moment for him and then he simply gave out a smile and was started to cry out tears of joy. "Hey, uh... White Knight? Are you all right?" said the prince in a tone of confusion as he saw the White Knight tear up. "It's nothing." replied the White Knight. "I was just going through some good old memories, that's all." Then, White Knight just resumed flying through the skies, hoping to find them and bring about peace to the world from it's current chaotic state. And as they were flying, the first place that they head out to, is Haven forest; Wintergreen's home. "We should be able to head on over to Haven Forest, that's where Wintergreen the Wise is most likely to be at, seeing that he never goes anywhere." Meanwhile, on top of the highest mountains just right over to the northern part of the world, Discord is watching the world crumble through the random chaos that he had created when he first arrived to the world, clouds moving wildly on their own, animals defying gravity, ponies running around like wild animals, even a few villages are upside down and sideways. Discord was having the time of his life, he wishes that days like these would never end... but of course with his powers, it will never end as long as he's still around causing it. And while he was enjoying himself, Celestia and Luna were both thinking on how they intend to get out of this without letting Discord about them escaping, while they think of an escape plan, Celestia prays that the White Knight will rescue them. And as she prays that he will arrive in time to stop Discord and save them, Celestia and Luna walk backwards just to keep an eye on Discord, hoping that he doesn't turn around and notice that they're escaping, trying to distance themselves from Discord so that they can make a break for it, and as they get further away from him, Discord starts to notice that they were trying to run away. In fact, he had already noticed that they were trying to flee from the moment they started walking backwards... "You know, you could use your magic to escape, but I just remembered you both don't have horns. Well, there's the fact you could fly away, but how could I forget... you don't have wings either." What's worse is that the girls were just noticing that they have no wings and horns, and how Discord knew that Celestia and Luna were ready to make a break for it, is that he had a third eye keeping an eye on them. A literal eye floating on top of the girls, watching their every step, reading their lips, their body movement... you name it and the eye was watching. Then Discord introduces Celestia and Luna to his third eye, when they saw it, they tried moving around to see if the eye would follow them around, which of course it did... and therefore they couldn't leave the mountains even if they wanted to. And without their wings and horns gone, they really don't have any other choice in the matter. "Tia, what's going to happen to us?" said Luna in a frightened tone, you couldn't imagine or wouldn't want to imagine how Luna was feeling at the moment, she was deeply scared, but she didn't want to show that she was scared in front of her older sister and their enemy. She kept her brave face going even though she was incredibly nervous, and then Celestia replied to her question by telling her; "Don't worry, Lulu. Everything is going to be fine, I promise that nothing is going to lay a hand, claw or hoof on you. Count on it." Right when she said that, she winked at Luna and pulled out a smile to comfort her and assure that everything is going to be all right. Even though they have a right to be afraid at the moment, it still doesn't mean that they're going to give in or give up that easily. So Celestia looks directly at Discord with a thousand yard stare, her eyes gleaming at the beast, she gets into battle position so she can protect herself and her little sister. "You may have our horns and wings, but you haven't taken away our fighting spirit. You should think twice about intimidating two young mares like us, we don't scare easily and we are not to be taken lightly." said Celestia angrily, and with that being said, she knows better than to try to run from fear, so she and Luna decide to face fear in the face by taking on Discord. After all, it's something that they learned from White Knight, "only facing your fears will make you truly brave." the wise words of the White Knight had reached into their heads as they were ready to fight Discord, then Discord starts to laugh uncontrollably at the fact that the young mares are about to engage in battle with the draconequus and tells them that they should know better than to face him and also tells them to NOT take on Discord because it would be pointless. But that didn't seem to matter at all though, They're still not going to run away, they're not going to be intimidated by Discord and for that, they ready themselves for this fight, and as for Discord... ...he wasn't sure that if he wanted to fight them or just continue laughing at them. "Oh, this is starting to become quite a pain. I never thought that I have to fight my captives, can you do that? Then again, I wouldn't know... I've never held anyone captive before. Eh, oh well. Okay my little ponies, if you think that you have a fighting chance against me, then let's have at it!" Celestia was this close to charging at Discord and with her young sister Luna right beside her, Discord was even ready for them to come to him as he was glancing at them and smiling widely. And as they were about to fight, there were some loud thunderclaps and rumbling from a distance. Then the rumbling sounds and thunderclaps were getting closer to them, even dark purple were coming towards their direction, Discord was starting to get a little worried because he thinks that the White Knight had already arrived to save Celestia and Luna. Even the girls were nervous to see what the clouds, the thunderclaps and all the rumbling was about. Then the lightning in the clouds started to appear, the lightning struck down to the mountain grounds, it was so bright to see the lightning so close, the girls and Discord covered their eyes when the lightning was still striking down, Celestia and Luna at first thought that lightning would somehow hit them when it came down... but it didn't. After all, they weren't even that close to it, they were about 10 paces away from it, and as it finally stopped, they all looked at the direction of where it was strucked. And what they see at the moment, even Celestia and Luna couldn't believe it... but it would seem that, their father; the Black Knight had arrived to save them. But that's just the one part of why he arrived, then there was Discord; who's state of nervousness had turned to quick relief so quickly when he saw that it was only the Black Knight that had arrived. "Oh, thank goodness. It's only you Black Knight, what an unexpected surprise." Black Knight as walking towards Discord and the girls slowly, while he was walking, he starts looking around just to see if there was any signs of a battle that took place, then he starts looking at the girls to see if there were any signs of injuries on them, as he was looking at them, the girls were starting to feel even more nervous and more shaken up when the saw their father rather than relieved considering that he had arrived to save them. The angry look on his face shows that he was disappointed at them, and also notices that their wings and horns are gone. Then he turns around facing Discord with the same angry look, he was walking towards Discord slowly and Discord starts telling him that at first, he had mistaken Black Knight for the White Knight and then thinking to himself out loud; "But then again, he couldn't have arrived so quickly, I haven't even given him clues to where I was hiding... yet. "After what's going to happen to you, draconequus... you're going to wish... ...I was the White Knight." "Eh, heh heh heh. What do you mean by that?" Discord questioned nervously. and as he said that, he was starting to float back slowly and focused on the Black Knight and his hooves to see if he makes any sudden movements. And as Black Knight started to walk towards Discord, he looks at him with a vindictive look on his face, he starts questioning Discord about the girls' little "issues" in a darkly tone; "I happen to notice that they are without horns and wings, why's that?" "As you can clearly see, I was only trying to defend myself from those two. They were trying to put a fight with me, and I just took away their wings and horns... ...for insurance reasons. ha ha ha." Nervous enough as it is, it was surprising that he was able to come up with an answer for the Black Knight's question in such short notice. Other than that, he was still floating back while the Black Knight still walks towards him, and right after he had looked away for one second and looked back, Discord saw that the Black Knight had disappeared from the moment he looked back at the direction Black Knight was standing. Then, as he slowly turned around, the Black Knight was already behind him and then, he grabs Discord and pushes him against the wall with brute force. Then Black Knight starts to warn Discord about what would happen if Celestia and Luna get involved in the mess Discord made in a low, but menacing tone; "Now listen to me, I made you what you are for two reasons; one, is to cause chaos in this world to back up White Knight's mistake of bringing the three pony tribes together. Two, is to take care of the White Knight. If these two girls get involved in any way, like right now for instance... ...I will change you back and have you trapped in that cage of yours forever more. Are we clear?" And with that being said, Discord gave a quick and shaky nod, said "transparently" in a frightened tone and was released by Black Knight's grasp. "Now, give them back their wings and horns back." Said the Black Knight. Afterwards, Discord snaps his fingers and returns Celestia and Luna their wings and horns back, then Black Knight tells them to go back to the palace and wait for his return, and so Celestia and Luna flew upward to the skies and they start worry about what's going to happen to them next. "Tia, father sure seems awfully mad at us... what do you think he'll do to us? Luna asked nervously. "Hopefully nothing really terrible, Lulu. I mean, he did save us from that monster, I can assume we are awaited a lecture from him when he gets home." Replied Celestia in a saddening tone. And while she and Luna were flying back to the Palace, she started looking down on the Earth to see the mess that Discord made. She was so devastated to see Earth fall into chaos, she even hopes that the White Knight will do whatever he can to stop it and stop Discord. And while they were headed home, Celestia was still thinking about the White knight's promise, the promise he made with her and Luna about how all three of them were going to stay together forever, and that He will never leave their sight and that he will never forget them. Even though she does believe him, she's still not sure if White Knight can keep a promise that big... Meanwhile, White Knight, the dragon prince and Twilight Sparkle had just arrived to Haven forest to find Wintergreen the Wise, if White Knight is going to search Celestia and Luna and take on Discord in the premises, he'll need the help of his trusted friends to handle such a task and plus White Knight will use the opportunity to use the Elements of Harmony to defeat Discord. But before he could go into the forest, he needs to have a talk with Twilight first. So he asks the prince to stay put and that he needs a moment to himself for just a minute, then he quietly asks Twilight to come with him so that they can talk. Then Twilight proceeded to follow White Knight so she can figure out what he wants to talk about, as they were far away from the prince, she stays put and hear what the White Knight has to say. "Okay, since it's no use getting you to leave this dream world, I suppose you could stick around and see what happens. But let me ask you something... do you notice anything unusual in this picture?" After hearing the question, Twilight was little confused at what he said, then she looks around to see what was missing, then White Knight says to her that there's nothing missing here and that she should think about what White Knight said. So as she was thinking, pacing back and forth to figure out what the White Knight meant, she scratched her head thought aloud; "I don't understand, I mean when I first came here, everything was exactly the way it is. I mean, what could be different?" "When you first arrive here, you immediately believed that this part of the dream is Celestia's dream just because you were following young Celestia and Luna right?" "Right, what's your point?" "Well, do you see them here at all? I think not, remember, they were captured by Discord and if they were captured by him, you'd be with them in captivity instead of being here with me searching for them. and Why's that exactly?" And then, Twilight closed her eyes to resume thinking, she was pacing back and forth again trying to figure out the one of many probable reasons on why she's with White Knight and not with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, afterwards, the answer had popped into her head and Twilight Sparkle had finally came to the conclusion that she's in the White Knight's dream world. "The reason why I'm not with Princess Celestia is because I'm in your dreams." "Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. From the moment you came here, when I saw you, I had transferred you from Celestia's dreams into my dreams so I can keep an eye on you. You, Twilight Sparkle are a foreign entity, You have no affiliation of our past, therefore you don't belong here. But seeing that you don't want to leave, I guess you can stay and take a look at what happens next." "But wait a minute... back at the palace, you said that we were in Celestia's dream and that you are the only one who can see me, and you also told me to leave because something bad will happen if I don't. Were you lying about that?" "I did say that, but I only told you that because you don't need to be here, you have no business here. And plus, you can get in trouble for snooping around in somepony's dreams, that's why I transferred you from Celestia's to mine so that you won't get caught by her. Because if she found out if you were here, you would be in humongous trouble." And with that being said, it's no wonder why Twilight couldn't be seen by Celestia, why she didn't get caught, well actually she did get caught... by the White Knight. But he wasn't mad, in fact he gave Twilight the option to leave so many times but the answer remained the same. So now, he wants her to stay and continue observing what's going to happen next, that already happened in the past. After their little conversation, Twilight Sparkle and White Knight head back to the edge of Haven forest to meet up with the dragon prince, and there he was sitting on a rock, waiting for the White Knight to show up. "Oh, that was quick. So you ready to head on in mister White Knight?" said the dragon prince in a very ecstatic tone. "You betcha I'm ready, are you ready?" Replied the White Knight. Afterwards, the dragon prince jumped up and landed on his feet to the ground stating that he was ready to go in. So now, Twilight Sparkle, White Knight and the dragon prince all went into the forest to find good ol' Wintergreen and ask him if he can join White Knight in search for Celestia and Luna.