My Little Castlevania: Resurrection of Discord

Chapters

Prologue: The War of 1999
Introduction
Chapter 1: Into the Castle's Corridors

Prologue: The War of 1999

"Dear Princess Celestia,

An inextinguishable evil awakens into our world once more, and soughts the very extinction of ponykind and mankind. This corrupt individual seeks that the only way that he can satifisy his eternal thirst for destruction, is to slaughter the countless innocents on earth until nothing remains but him and his army. He is once again given life on this very year of 1999. You may known him as Dracula Vlad Tepes. He is my father. I plan, with the help of Julius Belmont, to put an end to his existence. It is our duty to make sure that he may never resurrect again.

You may curse the evil hearts of mankind, and pity dark human nature for seeking such destruction. I cannot understand myself why a few individuals would prefer such things, but please, remember my mother's last words. She said "Do not hate humans. If you cannot live with them, then at least do them no harm. For theirs is already a hard lot". I ask of you and your army to join us in our final battle against my father, to purge this evil once and for all. My soul will not rest, until his influence is eradicated for good."

-Adrian Farenheights Tepes

The moon illuminates the battlefield below with a blood red gaze. The year is 1999. One of the largest battles is about to unfold this night in the history of human and ponykind. Humanity, in the past, has been in short conflict with the arrival of the Equines. By divine intervention of Celestia, and a benevolent force responsible for the creation of humans, the two species settled their differences over time with peace and love. Celestia offered her token of graditute by allowing humans access to her world, and vice versa for her rule over the Equine race. What she wasn't aware of, was the influence that the humans would bring with them.

A mass number of Dracula's undead minions loom over the horizon, spears and swords ready. The night air is stagnant with intensity from the two opposing forces. A classic battle between good and evil. Rightousness and unjust. Holy and pure vs vile and dark. You can hear the sounds of humans breathing heavily under their war fatiques, alongside with their fellow metal armored ally equines. The Wonderbolts take to the skies, ready for the aerial bombardment of Dracula's castle from swift orders from Celestia.

Here on the ground, Celestia sits on a golden throne, marching forward with her comrades into battle along the side of a human. A familiar face from the Belmont marches right along with her. His family has delt with this menace of evil for countless generations. This was nothing new to him. He trained all of his life for this glorious moment, destined to slay Dracula from Romareia. Armed with his ansterial vampire killer whip, a few bottles of blessed holy water, a pure untainted soul, and a heart of gold. Behold the latest generation of Belmont.

Julius Belmont, a man who bore the name of heroism and justice.

The sounds of a hundred thousand animated skeletons march forward in the night casted by the blood red moon. Their hollow bones crackle and rattle the atmosphere of the silent night. However, consisting of Dracula's army was not just animated corpses. Demonic fiends from the very depths of hell march right along the side of the skeleton commanders. Animated Axe Armor metallic plates clammer to the rythmetic marching of the unholy army. The beating wings of aerial skeletons, along with blue velvet medusa heads and other dark aerial creatures, responded to the Wonderbolts and Pegasai warriors of the sky.

Some of the earth ponies tremble at the sight of the unholy advancing army. Cowardly individuals, sweat a cold sweat and cletch their teeth under their armor, wishing that they never participated this prophesied conflict. The army was assembled in short notice with little time to prepare. However, fear not for the side of purity. No matter how many casualties that both sides may suffer in this impeding conflict, the side of holiness will emerge victorious no matter what. Good will always triumph over Evil....

Right?

The forces of purity halt their advancement, and stand ready for further instruction. The lone Belmont pauses for a moment. Celestia halts her advancing army as well. Keep in mind, this is a 21st century conflict with modern technological advancements beneficial for both Celestia's army, along with the humans. The Belmont raises his hand to the air, and gives the signal for the blessed artillery mortar rounds. Celestia's army, along with her royal guards, believe in tradition. They form a enlongated defensive line formation in front of the humans as well as some other ponies.

Vile forces from evil are infuriated by the discharge of the mortar rounds and start to charge. Skeletons, armed with lances and polearms, cover the whole entire front line. Humans, alongside with Stallions, raise their shields in a defensive perimeter. Celestia looks over to the Belmont in worry of failure. She begins to speak along the side of the Belmont.

"My friend, I share the best of luck to you during this impeding battle of Equestria. May the sun cast a beam of light to guide you. If I may not emerge from this battle alive, I want you to rule over Equestria for me. My hierarchy of mages, armored warriors, and pony spell casters will stay by your side loyally to the end."

The Belmont responds to the Celestial mare.

"May the humans assist your warriors until the end. My holy magic will protect you from the deepest roots of evil, your highness. Stay by me and we shall emerge victorious. We shall banish Dracula from this realm, forever."

A shower of arrows, shot by an army of winged skeletons and fallen angels from the clouds above, glide down to reign on any soul caught in the hail of death. Ponies along with humans cover their upper section, with the help of shields modern armor. The Pegasi recieve orders from Celestia to conduct a wind current, to steer off a majority of arrows away from the army below. Some were unfortinate and were caught by the hail of arrows, collapsing to the ground in a puddle of blood. Celestia gave the impending orders for her army to use her cannons.

The sound of a thousand primers striking inside the elongated rifled tubes of the cannons, strike in deadly presicision. The 120mm blessed shells rain down on the army of evil. A fog of war covers the entire battlefield due to the smoke of the mortar rounds. The humans and ponies blindly cheer in the aftermath, thinking that they defeated the dark army entirely.

"Hold your cheer, brave ones! This battle seems to be not over just yet." The Belmont shouts aloud.

He was correct. Emerging from the fog of war, were the mangled skeletons and demons from hell still charging forward with lance and sword. The army of purity gasps in shock and brances for what's worst to come. As the lances draw closer, the shields merge into what seemed like an impenetrable barrier. When the first lance made contact with the first shield, all hell broke loose across the battlefield. The impenetrable forces of evil collided into the forces of good, with no intentions of backing down now. Humans withdraw their rifles and bayonets, while the earth ponies withdraw their swords and maces. The sounds of a thousand metal clammoration rages across the battlefield, along the side of explosions of grenades and mortar fire.

Each side takes their fare share of casualties as the night continues on for what seems like an eternity. Celestia's elite guards stand by the princess and casts out offensive magical spells. The Belmont flings his bottles of holy water and glowing shuriken crosses into the demonic entities. The tide of war takes a turn for the side of good. The demonic forces back down and start to retreat back into Dracula's castle. The humans along with ponies charge at the castle's closing gates. The Belmont dismounts from his horse and charges into the castle's creeping closing gates just before it closes, along the side of ponies and humans who managed to get in as well. The colossal gates seal the entrance shut so that no other pure soul may enter the castle.

"May I hope he clenses this evil once and for good...." Celestia whispers to herself silently.

"....and I wish him the same." Alucard's voice emerges from the shadows behind Celestia.

This voice startles Celestia. She looks over to the source of the voice, but finds nothing but mist drifting back into the shadows. A man on a nearby hill watches the whole event from a distance, and records the war into a log book. He titles it the "Demon Castle War". He looks over to his pocket watch, and summons a golden portal before him. He vanishes into the thin night air, along with the sudden appearance and disclosure of Dracula's son.

The Belmont, now contained inside the castle, forfills his family name and duty by slaying Dracula over what seemed like a split second after he entered the castle. Apparently, once an indiviual enters the castle, time spent inside the mystical castle remains unphased and doesn't apply to the laws outside of it. The forces of good drop their weapons in awe, and cheer at the sight of the castle crumbling to the ground. The moon shifts from a blood stained red, back into a healthy pure white. However, Julius Belmont emerges from the castle's ruins with amnesia in the aftermath. He wanders into the everfree forest, keeping out of the public eye until he finds his path of rediscovery. Many lives were sacrificed preserving what's initially pure, but his ultimate sacrifice gave a glimmer of hope for all of Ponykind and Mankind. It paved a new era of prosperity....

Until now.

Introduction

"Surprise! Happy Birthday!"

The Mane 6 shouted upon my arrival inside the Golden Oaks Library. The interior of the tree house structure was congested with many familiar faces from my past. My entire family, old friends from out of town, and so many warm smiles expressed from both humans and ponies greeted me out of the blue. Pinkie pie blasted her party cannon directly at the doorway. The atmosphere reigned with confetti and glitter. It caused everyone to crack up from her completely random and compulsive nature. Twilight, now an alicorn with her princess duties, trots over to congratulate me on my 24th birthday.

"Wow! The big two-four! How's it feel to finally be 24 years old, birthday guy?"

"No different then when I was 20 years old, Twi. Thanks for holding the party at your place. You didn't have to do that for me." I returned to her with sincere admiration.

"Oh, don't worry about it! It's my pleasure! Really, it is! Pinkie Pie made fruit cocktails for everyone who could attend tonight. Rarity and Fluttershy did the decorations as you can see. Applejack made a few pies, and Dash sent out invitations for everypony in Ponyville. Unfortunately, I could not get Princess Celestia and Luna to attend tonight. They were overwhelmed with many letters. I bet you can't wait to try out Spike's homemade nachos, wouldn't you?" She grinned up to me.

"With melted cheese and sour cream? You bet your purple flank I would! By the way, how's the new wings holding up for you?"

"Eh, alright I suppose. You remember how I've obtained my wings so suddenly a few months ago. I'm still getting used to how to fly, but I feel slightly awkward having a body part that I wasn't born with. It's like learning how to walk again, or tying your own shoes as you humans metaphorically speak it. Anyways, how's school going for you? I heard the Canterlot Temple foreign exchange program just started up." She changes the subject over to my interests.

"The foreign exchange program with the Cruz's is going well. Japan is such a fascinating culture, Twi. Perhaps when I gather enough money, maybe you and your friends can catch a plane ride with me. I'm sure that they would love to have you over. Just....One thing regarding Pinkie Pie. Make sure she's under control inside a Japanese household. Japan is a highly humbled, polite society. Her rambunctious behavior would drive them absolutely insane, if you know what I mean."

Twilight giggles slightly. After hearing her name spoken, Pinkie Pie bounces over to our conversation.

"Did I hear my name?!?! Hey! Happy 24th birthday party pants! Since your on the topic of Japan, I brought over some purple sake just for you! I know that's your favorite drink! Twi, birthday man, why don't you two follow me?" She squeaks over to Twilight with a high pitched voice.

"You know that I'm not much of a drinker, Pinkie Pie, but I'll come over to keep my friend company. I might have a shot or two, just for this occasion."

I followed the two mares over towards a bartender's table. Pinkie bounces behind the counter, to pour us both a shot of the purple rice liquor. While I shared a few shots with the purple Alicorn, I looked around to see who was present at the party. Many familiar faces attended the event from around Ponyville. Mayor Mare, Trixie Lulamoon, Lyra Heartstrings, Spitfire, and many others spoke amongst themselves. One peculiar character was present as well. Discord. I wasn't overly thrilled with his presence at the party. Fluttershy claimed and boasted that he was truly reformed. However, Twilight and I still had our reasonable suspicions that he, in fact, wasn't. Do individuals really change over time? Especially figures who enjoy the conformity of chaos? I don't believe so. Just recount all the times Dracula Vlad Tepes was resurrected, and how many Belmont's in the past casted him back to his grave.

"What's he doing here?" I pointed out Discord inside the crowd, who was busy chatting with Fluttershy.

"Oh I don't know. Fluttershy invited him in your birthday party without my consent. That's for sure. Trust me, I begged and pleaded with Fluttershy to not bring him along. She insisted that he should participate with the social interaction. It's to rebuild trust with Ponyville's citizens I suppose. I'm willing to give him a second chance, but I will not hesitate to cast him back into stone if he expresses even the SLIGHTEST amount of disarray..."

Fluttershy trots away from Discord, to join us from where we all sat on the barstools.

"Um, hi there. Pinkie Pie, I would like one virgin fruit cocktail...If you don't mind. Happy 24th birthday! How's your Russian domesticated fox? Is he feeling better since the last time I've taken care of him?"

"Oh hey Flutters. Yeah, he's feeling much better. Your really a miracle worker. Whatever you gave him did the trick." I returned to her.

"Just plenty of love and attention!" She squee's aloud to us.

That was one thing that I found attractive about her. Don't worry, this tale will not evolve into something romantically inclined. I will say that I've always expressed a hidden crush on Fluttershy. At the same time, I've always teased Rarity with flirtatious remarks about her appearance. She absorbed it like a dried up sea sponge. Fluttershy and I shared a deep rooted connection with animals. How? It was just a natural bond between us I suppose. However, something held me back from expressing my true feelings for her.

During our last ski trip up on Foal Mountain, I was assisting Fluttershy on how to snow plow properly with her skies. You know how it is with overzealous ladies, how frantic they can be over a guy's attention. Rarity was extremely jealous that Fluttershy was receiving all of it. She would even go as far as putting in harms way, just to compete for my diligence. You know, the whole 'Damsel in Distress' ordeal. It's part of the reason why I've never dated Fluttershy in the first place. Simply for the fact that my presence might cause envy and strife within the Mane 6; And that it may cause separation between her friends.

So I was just a single human, living inside a small cot on the outskirts of Ponyville. I had a few pets to claim as my own. One of them being a exotic Russian domesticated Fox. What the heck is a Russian domesticated Fox you might ask? A selective breed of fox raised in Stalliongrad. That fox stuck to me like Velcro where ever I went. I gained the nickname "Fox Man" for that reason alone.

The college that I attended to was entitled 'Canterlot Temple'. I've been going to obtain a degree in Historical Mythology, now on my third year of studies. I would later work inside Ponyville's National Museum, giving out tours for visitors on the display of various crypto zoological creatures. Creature displays such as the Cockatrice, Sirens, Minotaurs, Werewolves, and many others that I could recall from the back of my mind. Never would I think I would have to fight one.....

"Konichiwa."

Twilight, Fluttershy, and I turned away from the bar table. The sudden Japanese greeting nearly made Fluttershy leap from her yellow fur coat. The greeting was spoken by no other than Mr. and Mrs. Cruz! They boarded a plane to fly all the way from Japan, just to attend to this special occasion. I got up from my stool, return a fellow greeting and a bow to them.

"Mushi mushi..." I returned to the couple. They expressed a puzzled look to each other, then realized what I was trying to communicate to them.

"Oh, silly you! Only use that phase while speaking to someone on the phone. This is great party to attend to. We are glad that we made it here. Are these your friends?" They attempt to speak English, which I was instructed to teach them while overseas.

"You mean 'This is a great party to attend to'. Don't worry Mr. and Mrs. Cruz, we will work on your grammar structure when we return to Japan. Yes, these are my friends. I want to introduce you to Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle." The embarrassment from my mistake, was swept away with the introduction of Fluttershy and Twilight.

The Cruz's were a very humbled couple. Like you would find commonly in Japan. However, Mrs. Cruz was now pregnant with her first child! It made it difficult for her to bow properly. Twilight and Fluttershy bow down with their fore hooves, as a sign of respect for the newfound oriental visitors of Ponyville. Twilight implores the Japanese couple to follow her, to give them a brief tour on the Golden Oak's Library. A few hours pass by. As Fluttershy and I proceeded to speak amongst each other, Mrs. Cruz goes into labor without any prior warning. The entire party evolves into a silent atmosphere.

"Rainbow Dash, wave a taxi to transport Mrs. Cruz for the closest hospital! She's going into labor!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Mrs. Cruz collapses onto the hard wood floor.

"I'm on it!" She returns. Dash vigorously trots from out the doorway. Fluttershy and I propel away from our barstools, to pace over from where Mrs. Cruz lied on the floor.

"Stand back everybody and everypony! Give her some breathing space! Twilight, get a cold rag for Mrs. Cruz's forehead. Rarity, get some pillows and blankets. Fluttershy and I will stay with Mr. Cruz. Applejack, please escort everyone from the party."

"Right. We're on it." The three girls return to me in synchronization.

"Alright everybody and everypony, y'all heard the man! Party's over 'til further notice!" Applejack blocks off the crowd from viewing the disturbance.

The guests disrupt the quiet atmosphere with groans and grumbles. They are escorted by Applejack by the front door. Mr. Cruz spoke Japanese faintly to himself, while he trembled in anxiety over his wife. Fluttershy wrapped her right fore hoof over his shoulder, as an attempt to comfort the distressed man. I kneeled to where Mrs. Cruz lied on the party floor. The girls returned with the objects that I've requested.

"Come on! Pusshu! Pusshu!" I dabbed her forehead with the damp rag. Mrs. Cruz cries out in laborious pain, while grasping Mr. Cruz hand and mine. The Mane 6 circle around us in apprehension. The taxi arrives thirty minutes later, with the accompany of an ambulance as well. Two EMT stallions wheeled in with a stretcher. Mrs. Cruz is rushed from the Golden Oaks Library, while we followed from behind the ambulance briskly. As we arrived at the hospital, we waited outside the ER's room in anxiety. About ten minutes later, we all overheard one last cry from Mrs. Cruz. The sounds of a infant crying shortly followed after. Mr. Cruz appeared from the ER doorway, to wave us in overwhelming excitement. He revealed a massive smile that radiated our hearts with joy.

There on the hospital bed, cradled Mrs. Cruz's new son in her arms. The tension and anxiety was now over. The girls all exhale a sigh of relief, and congratulate Mr. Cruz for his new son. Pinkie Pie bounced over to the infant, where the infant reached out to her and giggled for his first time. A ER Stallion walked in with a medical clipboard, to acquire information about her newborn son. Their child was born on May 24th, 2017. Directly 18 years after the war on 1999. The child was born directly at midnight on a full moon. A small tremor was felt from across the world. It rattled the bed slightly. The disturbance was so minor, that it was ignored by everyone at the time.

"Have you decided the name of your absolutely precious child?" Rarity questions over to the couple, while she extends her hoof over to the infant's hand. The infant runs his hand along the curvature of the mare's fore hoof.

"Yes. His name will be Soma.....Soma Cruz....."

Chapter 1: Into the Castle's Corridors

"We interrupt this regularly scheduled broadcast for some breaking news! Shocking reports from Romaneia indicate that the castle of Dracula Vlad Tepes has risen once again! With no Belmont's in sight, who will stop the wrath of Dracula and his dark army? Stay tuned! More news after this..."

The TV monitor blares before going into a commercial break. Dracula Vlad Tepes's castle has risen once again? That was merely impossible! The war of 1999 ceased the existence of the Dark Lord and his army. Princess Celestia has foretold many tales of the event when we were younger. Back when Twilight and I were attending to the same grade school, we would rush over to Princess Celestia's castle after class was over. She would tell us countless stories about her past. One of the stories that I could vividly remember, was her recollection of the war of 1999. The mythological creatures that the brave Julius Belmont encountered during his journey inside the castle. A mysterious letter she received by a man named Alucard. The unforgettable time traveling man who would log the events. Oh, how those tales inspired me when I was younger.

What was the world supposed to do without the presence of the Belmont clan? The clan shortly phased out after the disappearance of Julius Belmont. Some say that Julius lives inside the Everfree Forest in seclusion. Others say he's undergone a phase of amnesia after emerging from the ruins of the Dark Lord's castle. Rumors state that he's visited Zecora on many occasions to recollect his memories. While I was recollecting my lucid memories from the war of 1999, one of Celestia's royal guards greeted us from the outside of the ER room. He delivered an urgent message from Princess Celestia.

"Princess Sparkle and the elements of harmony, I am here to deliver an urgent message on behalf of Princess Celestia. She requires the elements of harmony to be escorted back insider her royal castle. Right this instant. She also demands that your human friend to tag along as well. Her royal escort carriage awaits you all outside. Follow me please."

Before I had the opportunity to question the courier about the urgent meeting, we had no choice but to follow the heavily armored stallion. We trotted closely from behind the royal guard. A gilded carriage blocked the entryway of the hospital, with it's doors wide open and a extended step ladder for all of us to step onto. We've crowded the parallel plush seats. I gazed from outside the carriage's window, to look upon the luminous full moon. However, the moon was a crimson blood red. Never in my lifetime do I remember the moon casting a blood red color. Applejack broke the taciturn atmosphere of the carriage ride.

"Ah wonder what all this fuss is about. Ahm gettin' mighty tired from a long days of Apple buckin'. Sure hope this message that Celestia's about to tell us is quick and simple. Ahm gonna hit the hay after this." Applejack yawns to the group.

"Whatever it is Applejack, it sounds like it's pretty acute. I could never recall the princess gathering us for a midnight meeting. At least as long as I've known her." Twilight returns to Applejack.

"I simply hope that it has nothing to do with that appalling castle on the news. Oh my! What shall we do if she sends us over to Romaneia? Where is a hero when you need one?" Rarity adds more tension for everyone inside the carriage.

"The...The castle of Dracula Vlad Tepes! Oh dear, I'm scared!" Fluttershy whimpers aloud.

I had to voice my thoughts to ease the tense atmosphere.

"Now girls, I'm sure whatever Princess Celestia has to say will be brief. I pray that it has nothing to do with Dracula's castle, since I'm on schedule for another tour early tomorrow. What could Celestia possibly want with me?"

I was just an ordinary human. Nothing extravagant or unusual about me. A million thoughts raced like a speeding bullet throughout my mind.

"Maybe it has something to do with your knowledge of mythology? Other than that, I don't know?" Rainbow Dash shrugs her shoulders.

"I hope she makes it quick too party pants! I gotta babysit Mr. and Mrs. Cupcakes siblings for tomorrow morning. You still haven't received your birthday presents either!" Pinkie Pie squeals over to me.

"That really isn't a priority now, Pinkie Pie. Let's all hope that this 'urgent message' isn't what I think it is..."

After a long ride over to Princess Celestia's castle in Canterlot, the royal guard withdraws from the carriage. He grasps the door handle with his hoof, and extends the step ladder for us to descend onto. I was the last to depart from the carriage. The door slams behind us and the carriage fades away into the horizon. The blood red moon painted the castle with a crimson glow. A royal guard operated the castle's colossal drawbridge. We emerge inside the torch illuminated interior of the castle's gates, where we are greeted and escorted by Princess Luna herself.

Princess Celestia awaits us on her golden throne, where her sister trots besides her. Celestia radiated a dire, apprehensive expression inside the interior of her chambers. It only increased the tension among all of us. Whatever this urgent meeting was about, surely wasn't going to be pleasant news.

"My friends, burdensome news be founds us all this very night. My worst fears has emanated into Equestria once more. The castle of Dracula Vlad Tepes has arisen in Romaneia without prior warning. Also, Discord is no where to be seen in Ponyville. I fear that he may be traveling to Romaneia as we speak. If he were to gain control over Dracula's dark army, then chaos and disorder would surely reign over Equestria once again. I want you girls to wield your elements of harmony, to stop his reign of terror before Equestria plunders under his pandemonium. I am deeply remorseful that I could ever trust him with his new reformation...."

The girls exchange glances of woe to each other. Fluttershy lowers her head in utter defeat. Her reformation of Discord's personality has appeared to be impractical. Like I've always said, you can never change an individual no matter how hard you may try.

"Excuse me Princess Celestia, but where do I fit in this category? I'm just a tour guide for Ponyville's national museum. How in the world will I be able to assist the elements of harmony?" I asked the princess, who gazed down upon her throne.

"I will be unable to assist the elements of harmony on their journey. Even though Princess Twilight Sparkle has proven herself with extraordinary leadership, I feel that she is still yet inexperienced for this dire situation. You are an invaluable asset for the girls. I want you to mentor the elements of harmony throughout their journey inside the castle. Your knowledge of mythology will help them prepare with whatever monstrosities await them. Now go, our time is essential. Stop Discord before Equestria crumbles into a state of turmoil...."

A leader for the Elements of harmony? What? Sure, I've guided many catechistic visitors in my tours, but never would I think I would have to mentor the elements of harmony. We traveled back onto the royal plush carpet, to be escorted by yet another royal guard. Twilight confronts the stallion with a single question.

"Were are we being escorted to?"

"The Princess has assigned me to safely escort you to Romaneia by carriage. The trip will be a long one, so make yourselves comfortable when your inside. I suggest you all try to get some rest. Her majesty's carriage is quite luxurious; There are fold out cots for you to all sleep on." The stallion returns to Twilight.

He sure wasn't kidding! I've never seen such an impressive carriage in my entire lifetime. The carriage was enormous, with a white peril exterior and gilded trimming along the frame. When we appeared inside, all of our jaws nearly dropped to the floor. It was retrofitted like an upscale RV that you would only see in a rich man's magazine. Complete with a single bathroom, a compact kitchen, eight folded cots built into the walls, and various forms of entertainment. Among the kitchen counter, sat the supernatural artifacts displayed inside a wooden case. The girls decided to wear them when the time was right.

"Oh my! Never would I think I'll be personally escorted inside Princess Celestia's carriage! Isn't it absolutely marvelous, darling?" Rarity gazes inside the interior in awe.

"It sure is, Rarity. Well, I'm sure you girls are exhausted from a day's worth of aggravation. How about we all hit the hay?"

"That sound's mighty fine 'right about now Sugarcube. See y'all in the mornin'...." Applejack yawns to her friends. She trots over to a fold out cot, to place a plush pillow at the head of the bed frame. A silken blanket covers her entire orange silhouette. She firmly drifts off into sleep.

"I think that seems like the most rational decision right about now. Well, good night ladies. I'll see you all at sunrise." Twilight extends her fore hooves outwards, while emitting a slight yawn.

"Goodnight Twilight." We return to the alicorn princess in synchronization.

"Oh yeah, before I hit the sack, I want you to have this. Just a little birthday gift that I grabbed from my place. I definitely do not want to sleep on this." Rainbow dash trots over with something tucked behind her wing. She extends her left wing outward, to reveal a small metal object. It was a small pocket knife. She offers the little sharp object with her left hoof.

"Thanks Dash. This will make a great addition to my survival kit at home." I firmly hug the blue mare before she trots off to sleep. I fold the blade into it's handle, and place the object in my right pocket. I peer towards the rest of the Mane 6 who were awake. Rarity was too wound up for sleep. Fluttershy expressed a look of discontent, but her eyes sagged with fatigue. Pinkie seemed to never run out of energy, so she sat in a corner and buried her head in a magazine.

"Alright ladies, I'm heading off to bed. See you all in the morning."

Rarity and Pinkie returned a fellow goodnight to me. Fluttershy, with a expression of anxiety, trots over to me as I prepare my cot.

"Um, do you mind if I sleep close to you tonight? Your presence will help ease some tension off from me..."

"Sure Fluttershy, I don't care. I ask you only one thing in return; What in the world is on your mind? Is it Discord? Your looks of discontent is starting to trouble me."

"Um...Yeah, it is. I believed that he was reformed after my kindness seminars with him. Princess Celestia was even impressed with my work! Am I responsible for all of this? Oh, I can't take it anymore!" She begins to silently wimper to herself. I kneeled down to her stature, and proceeded to wipe the tears away.

"Fluttershy, by all means you are not clearly responsible for Discord's actions. This is not your fault. Look, if it makes you feel better, I will stay by your cot tonight. Just make sure Rarity doesn't notice, alright?" I brush her pink window's peak away from her mountain meadow eyes.

"Ok...." She whispers in a comforting tone.

As the hours passed, I seated myself at the foot of Fluttershy's cot. All of the girls were sound asleep inside the carriage. My eyes sagged with drowsiness and fatigue from the long day. I crashed at the base of Fluttershy's cot, when I felt a hoof cross over my side before drifting into a deep sleep. The next day has begun, however, the sky was still pitch black with a omniscient crimson moon. However, the moon was undergoing a solar eclipse cycle.

The girls were all gazing outside the carriage's main window when I reawakened. By the time I joined them, the carriage came to a complete halt. Before I was escorted by the royal guards to a small town in Romaneia, I promptly examined the blood red moon, now completely shrouded by a pitch black ring. Off in the distance, the adumbrate complexion of winged skeletal figures flew in the horizon. We were close to the castle.

Transylmaneia was as quiescent as a ghost town. The streets were completely empty, where you can hear an old tavern sign creak and sway in the wind. Twilight suggested that we traveled north east on the streets of Transylmaneia, according to her geographical studies of the area. When we finally journeyed at the end of the road, beheld Dracula's castle at the peak of a cliff. From the exterior structure, the castle contained it's battle scars from the War of 1999. Evidence of heavy artillery bombardment exposed opened gaps and large chunks of wall missing. Twilight decided it was now time to wield the supernatural artifacts of harmony.

They formed a complete circular formation, as they wore their corresponding artifacts at once. A blinding white light cascaded throughout the forest in a energetic shockwave. A sensation of purity traveled through my veins like a jolt of lighting. After the blinding white light diminishes, the Mane 6 descends briefly from their floating stature. We were ready to breach the castle.

"Alright girls, let's track down Discord and banish him to stone! Move out!" Twilight boasts enthusiastically to the Mane 5.

I jog behind the girls, as they trot to the front of the castle's drawbridge. The drawbridge blocked the main entrance, where it's colossal wooden gates covered the iron barbican into the castle's corridors. Twilight uses her magic to snap the iron chains of the gate, where the enormous bridge crashes to the ground in a cacophonous thud. With the intense strength granted by the elements of harmony, Applejack lifts the iron barbican with her fore hooves to escort everyone inside the castle's entrance. Afterwards, the iron gate slams abruptly behind us.

A rather unusually pale man stood at the entryway of the castle's corridors. The description of this individual can be best described as youthful in appearance. He wore old fashioned 18th century styled clothing, consisting of side seams with four square broaches that ran vertically down his black jacket. His cape was pitch black on the exterior, darker than a night without the moon. The interior of the cape seemed to fade into a crimson red periodically. Around his long, white blonde hair was a white scarf and a necklace imprinted with the letter "J" visible to the naked eye. He was armed with a sword and a heavily decorated shield.

"What is your business here?" The man casted a single question towards us.

"We came here to stop Discord's madness!" Twilight boldly stepped forward.

"...Discord?" The rather usual pale man returns to Twilight with little emotion. It was best that I tried to communicate to the man, since he seemed somewhat human. His facial features lacked any visible life, even through he seemed like he never aged.

"What she is referring to is a creature named Discord. He contains the power of chaos and disorder. He is labeled as a draconequus, the head of a pony and the body composed of many other creatures. Our Princess feels that he is solely responsible for the resurrection of this castle. We are here to stop him before he spreads his influence in Equestria. Would you happen to know anything about this creature?"

"...No, I am not aware of a creature named Discord. Ever since the war of 1999, Julius Belmont sealed Dracula and his minions within a solar eclipse. I am here to figure out why my father's castle is once more. But be aware, this castle is a creature of living chaos. If this so called 'Discord' creature whose solely responsible for the resurrection of this castle, then I must stop him..." The man departs inside the castle's entryway, where he fades into the shadows.

"Oh, wasn't he absolutely marvelous!" Rarity whinnies in dramatic joy from behind us. I turn around with the girls, to see what the heck Rarity was overhyped about.

"What the hay do you mean Rare? That man looked like a walkin' ghost! I reckon we don't trust him, he seemed a little too mysterious for mah tastes." Applejack responds to Rarity's comment about the youthful pale man.

"But his extravagant clothing! Did you all not witness his elegant pre-Victorian attire? I must track him down and find out where he has obtained such garments." Rarity speaks in a dreamy demeanor.

"Let's stick on track and find Discord. We should follow the man into the castle, I have a feeling he might know the whereabouts of Discord." Twilight returns to everyone.

We followed Twilight into the castle's corridors, where the entire interior was pitch black due to the lack of moonlight. Green, omniscient eyes glowed towards us inside the long corridor. Windows slammed inward and outward, due to the imbalance of atmospheric pressure in the hallway. After we descended down a short stone staircase, the torches inside the hall flickered with sudden life. The entire hall of the corridor was now visible with light. A wooden timber wolf growled at the end of the hall. Twilight casted a single offensive spell to defeat the lone wolf. Afterwards, the undead from the war of 1999 rose from the masonry of the floor.

I withdrew my pocket knife received from Rainbow Dash. Twilight casted a protective barrier around us. The tattered war fatigues from the many deceased soldiers from the war of 1999, stretched the atmosphere with an unpleasant aroma of rotting flesh. I swing my pocket knife while advancing forward into the corridors with the girls. They bucked the undead with unprecedented strength. The undead imploded into a small violent series of flames, until nothing remained but ash.

The staircase to the next room was completely severed. However, another ascending stairway raised into a miniature cave pathway. The girls galloped forward. I jumped down hitting the next staircase at it's base. Bats stormed out from the miniature cave structure from the peak of the stairs. After the bats cleared from the walkway, I was forced to jump onto the next severed stone staircase, in order to keep up with the girls. Rainbow dash offered her hoof as support, while I grasped it in order to venture forward into the next area in front of us.

We appeared outside again, where we arrived inside a courtyard full of impaled skeletal corpses. The sky spiraled with an abnormal cloud formation, as it appeared as reality was in the process of being sucked into a massive black hole. Thunder and lighting crashed from the center of the cloud formation. A large scythe was lodged into a stone wall overhead. Out from thin air, a large floating figure dislodges the scythe embedded into the masonry wall. I step in front of the girls, to protect them from whatever this hovering figure was. It extends a skeletal finger towards us, to croak in a ungodly voice in response to our sudden arrival.

"The elements of harmony? My grand master has been awaiting for your arrival here. I see that you brought along a human friend as well. It shall be my pleasure feasting on all of your souls! But first, my master will require something that he desires. We will meet again!"

The floating skeletal figure extends it's bony hand outwards. It's hollow eye sockets project an inauspicious red glow. The artifacts of harmony suddenly escalate into the sky, where the objects unexpectedly evaporate in front of us. Along with this event, Twilight lost her ability to cast magic along with her wings. She was a unicorn once again. Rarity was also unable to use her magical abilities as well. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy suffered with amnesia on how to fly. Applejack and Pinkie Pie remained unfazed by the event, but all of the girls ultimately lost the artifacts of harmony. The skeletal figure swiftly ascends in the sky above, where it dissipates into the horizon from out of sight. Stranded without the artifacts of harmony, we had no choice but to venture deeper into the castle...