Prologue: Victory and death

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"My name? I don't have one as of yet. To get one, I would have to pass my final test and it's hard to do it while you are considered dead in your world.

"But about who I am... or was? I will stay with am. So as I was saying the name of my people are 'Druids'. After we were separated from our cousins, the 'Barbarians' to find a better way to protect THE Worldstone, we bounded ourselves to the very forces of nature, to understand how life can be upheld in peace and harmony, and to be protected from the Hell's hordes.

"So when time came for a dark traveler to take his way and leave all kind of filth behind him, my brothers have chosen me to go after him.

"The journey was extensive and difficult, since I was forced to use all my knowledge and strength just to stand on the edge of my endurance, in purpose of becoming stronger, smarter, wiser, and to find hope where there was almost none. But, I am thankful for my friends and companions that I met in the way. I was finally able to stand beside them against all our challenges; to fight together against our last enemy, one of the Three, the demon named Baal and his followers.

"In the last minute of our struggle where blood flew like rain, bodies lied under foots and we had overcome most of his tricks, I stood between him and our amazon friend to protect her from his last attack, (and at the same time use the chance to take his head in the process.) But unfortunately, I wasn't able to suspect that it would be my final act.

"I was too stupid, too rush and stubborn... too young to remember who I was standing against. So when his smile faced me from the ground, I was already slowly falling to my knees, holding my shield in my left hand. Earlier what laid in my right hand was my sword, then it was my still-beating heart."

"There aren't a lot of things I could think about. So when I found myself smiling on the look of tears from my friends. The last thing I said was that they all shouldn't worry because we won, and they should be happy. I was quite joyous myself, but not anymore."

"Out of the brim, I saw dark angel with two sickles in both hands. It was saying something to me, but I can't remember what it said. I then saw a strange rainbow of light. The dark angel gave me fear, but the light counteracts that feeling with a sooting and peaceful touch. As a result, I barely flinched when Death screamed on me when this light approached me."

"The next thing I remember is that I was lying under a beauteous shining tree. Its light looked a little dim, like if something was slowly draining the tree's energy. I also realized that I was being circled by my familiar spirit, plant and animal friends but then..."

"Master... are you all right?"

Chapter 1: Cave

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When the sun rose over the Everfree Forest before the thousandth Summer Sun Celebration, there were hundreds of birds and even occasional pair of manticore flying how far they could from ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters. Why? Because of the very loud and strange screech of an alien-like creature that appeared inside of the cave under the castle.

That creature belongs to an unusual race. He's a human, that is a hybrid between angel and demon, with life expectancy was dependent on his strength and knowledge. This specific creature was known as a Druid. It is one of the mighty guardians of nature who control fire, wind, plants, animals, and even the spirits of nature itself. He is also a shapeshifter. It can transform into many creatures, such as a swift werewolf or a brawny werebear.

But this Druid wasn't like any other one. He was still young by human standards. This Druid was stronger than most barbarians (before the transformation), faster than Amazon (after his transformation), wiser than wizards, and had enough courage to fight against the real Lord of Terror Diablo. Of course, he wasn't the strongest person. Others were more skilled compared to this Druid, such as his six companions. Which he had to leave because of how stubborn he was to protect one of them. It ended in him killing last of devil brothers Baal Lord of Destruction using to this his most bellowed sword (with now lied beside him). But at the same time, this Druid had to pay the ultimate price for his actions.

Now, this young hero was inside of this small cave.

"WHAT THE FUCK!!!" He yelled. The Druid now wept on the ice-cold grounds of the cave-like little girl 'cause of shock, his brutal and painful death, fact that his friends started to talk human language and maybe a little bit because author of this story is forced to write this chapter on his phone and want to throw his PC out the window.

Ahem... so back to the story.

"Master, calm down! I understand that this situation is more unpredictable than the tricks of Baal, but you must calm yourself and start to think! This place is too strange to have an attack of panic like that.." said Alfa, member of the Dire Wolves pack. He still remembers the fight on the way of Caravan that almost annihilated the wolves. If it wasn't for his quick reaction to the battle cry, this event could've been catastrophic.

"Calm myself? For fuck's sake! I just freaking died and went crazy. Besides, what do you mean by strange? It's just a magical cave with magical tree there's nothing strange with it at all!" the Druid cried.

"Pff, are you sure you weren't crazy before your death? After all, you fought against Diablo head-on with only me, your magic, and a barbarian to help you. For me, it's pretty crazy already. Don't tell me that a bunch of talking critters and myself is enough to make you jump out of your skin!" Told him the only creature that wasn't standing next to him. Big and proud bear going by the name of Grizzly was currently circling the tree, looking for a way on how they found themselves in the cave. He was hoping to maybe even find a reason why they are here in the first place. After all, you can't be a guardian of the great city, Kurast if you're not smart enough.

"Okay, fine. I will calm myself, jeez. I can't even have my little episode once in a while or someone will be rambling all the time. I swear that someday I will make myself bound to the legendary black dragon from my father's book, only to let him eat you Grizzly." Explained the embarrassed human. The only answer to his outburst was muffled laughter and small comments like:

"Are you a retard there's no such thing as dragons." Or:

"Dude, check your head. You were facing all known evil in this world and you still believe in the existence of dragons? Cra Cra"

"If it goes on like this, you will end with a black magical pony as your lover."

He stood, brushed himself, and began to observe his environment to find something that will make his red face a trifling problem. He then swiftly found an exit. After one last look on the tree, he decided that it's time to departure. So, they carefully took a few steps back to it and looked outside. It was easy to find that they were actually inside a small valley. So, he first let loose his crows to investigate the surroundings before he explores the rest with his friend. He then climbed the steep stairs that someone built outside the cave.

What he saw was just a dream of every druid. It was an enormous, mighty, and wild forest. He was able to feel the power of life inside of every tree, blade of grass, and even in the air itself. If it wasn't for the ruins of the old castle that he found behind him, he would think that they are in heaven of his clan.

"Now we know that we're all in a new place, it would be best to find where exactly we are and what dangers we can find here. So, that's what we will do. I'll be with the ravens and spirits. We will check this old castle there. Meanwhile, the spirit wolves will check this road to where it leads. Dire wolves will check this bush on the left. And you, Grizzly, on the right plus everyone, you will all take one of the vines with you.

"So, let our adventure begin!"

"Yes Master!"

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"Hmm 'Elements of Harmony'... I know I heard about this before, but where?"

Chapter 2: Everfree

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"So, you are telling me that your mother is the biggest one here?" Grizzly said to the Ursa Minor as it gave a small grunt. "But, there are dragons in this place. One of them is almost as big as she is!" the creature let out a huge growl.

"Ugh, I can already see the face of this stupid druid when he gets to know that he was right all along," Grizzly then sighed. "Let's just hope I will be dead for the moment when he finds out about this.

"But for now, let's meet your mother, shall we?" the Ursa Minor growled in response.

"Don't worry, she can't be this scary! Besides, even if I die, it's highly unlikely I will be back before you say that Mefisto has eaten Baal's cookies and went to Diablo for help.

"So, after you Ursa Minor."

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"Listen, guys, I know that this isn't our forest. But, its scent is making me go wild! So, remember Omega our plan I and Beta will go ahead when you hold back to provide our safety before something unknown will get us," says my oh-so ever-optimistic Alpha before we begin our first hunt in this new world.

You ask how I know this isn't Sanctuary? It's because I talk with this piece of fuck of an "author", and I know some shit of things that will happen to my master soon.
Of course, I won't give you any spoilers. Sometimes, I will reveal something spicy to you for mere fun of this.

Okay, but back to hunt. We begin, as always, by them going into a bush, leaving me alone on the highest hill in the area (Oh, don't worry! I like to work alone, after all. Being the weakest but smartest from the pack doesn't make you a very social wolf.) I was sniffing air of this "Everfree Forest", waiting patiently for my first encounter with this so-called cockatrice. I was unable to hide my smile when I thought of the look of these two in their stone suits. So the moment when I heard the whine of Beta, I went down to help my only friend (Poison Vine which was currently tied around it) in an attempt to subdue this mix of snake and chicken.

"Hello, little birdy! Could you be nice and take your spell from this pair of lovers before my friend here will sting you? After all, you are already dead. So before this, you could manifest your respect to winner.

"Ah! And don't even try to use your magic on me after my fight against Mefisto! I have stolen part of his essence, which is what makes me immortal and to be able to absorb any power that I am exposed to. So, I am already able to turn them back myself, but I want to give you a chance to die with honor of a mighty predator with you was before our meeting." I told him (Because it was dude) before he nodded and took his spell from my pack and I mercifully broke his neck giving him quick death.

And if you want to know, besides you dear readers, nobody even a master doesn't know about my powers. Of course, he is very suspicious that something is off. After al,l he is unable to go into my mind anymore, so he would have to be stupid to not suspect anything. But I want to hold it to myself for a little more time. It's very funny to watch them fight, knowing that I can do it two times as fast, and they don't even know that. It's just so precious.

"So how you two like your first encounter with this forest fauna hmm?" I asked them smirking on their confused look.

"Very funny, Omega. It's still good to know that you are still here to save our asses when things go south. So since it was your kill, you can take the first bite. Anyways, do you want a chicken or a reptile part?" Alpha told me.

""Haha, you still remember the fact that I am unable to eat meat after this Mefisto incident right?"Yeah, I know. Kinda strange but true. In exchange for my powers, I had to become the only known solely herbivore wolf in the whole wide world. It's something for something, and I can live with this.

So after they had their fun and a quick meal, we took our asses to check this forest further. Ugh, it's gonna be a long night.

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I sighed. Being a leader is so boring and tiring! I say "Jump!", they jump. I say "Follow me!", they are following. Why can't they show me some more initiative of their own? I am asking for too much?

So, we were tracking this fucking boring path. He told me to hope to meet someone or something on the way. And when I was about to lose this small hope of mine, I went upon a smell of the wildest magic in all my vast memory; And it smelled like the scent of other spirit wolves. If I didn't know what Death looks like, I would think that I died again and went to heaven.

"[color=#be4343Listen guys, we have company. So, be ready for fun," I said to this bunch of idiots and readied myself for an encounter with this new creature. When I saw the first of these wolves being built completely out of timber, I wasn't even surprised at this strange oddity.

"Hello I am alpha from this pack. Who's yours?" I began as an old wolf tradition orders me as the intruder on their territory.

The biggest one answered. "Grrrrrrrrrr." Oh glorious day, so polite he was that it may be a beginning of a great friendship.

So, now to not fuck this. "Thank you for your kind words. May I ask, why haven't you matched your territory in any way known to wolves?" I asked him. After all, wolves must know when they are going into foreign territory, and their smell wasn't on any tree that we passed on the way here. I also really doubt that they would leave it behind the river that was close by.

"Auuuuu" he answered. It appears they are spirit guardians of this whole forest, so there isn't any need for them to leave marks on it.

"Oh forgive me for this intrusion. We were summoned here by strange powers, so we were unaware of the rules in this place." I said to him. "So what now?"

"Uauuu," What a great host of him to let us in and the rest of my companions stay here without a fight for domination! How long ago was it when met someone like him? The last one was He who collected my pack in Tristam.

"Thank you, oh mighty one! But, I must let you know that I was sent here to investigate what is at the end of this path," I told him sincerely. He may even help me with my task.

"Wrrrrrr," Oh great, there's a village of natives here, and they will take us to see it if we prove them that we are stealthy enough to not disturb them by our presence.

To be polite, I accepted. "Ok only how?"

"Auuuuuuuuu," Great! Now I have to show them that I will be able to pass three trials. I have to kill a manticore, take an egg from a phoenix, and go between a bunch of crakadils, not disturbing any of them. I just love these kind of challenges.

I smirked and said, " Let's do this."

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In the castle that has been abandoned for over a thousand years, there weren't many guests. But, this day made it very unique, as today was the first time that it was about to change. About twelve hours ago, its first visitor exceeded the threshold and was still, very emotionally, looking through all the nooks and crannies of this majestic structure.

"Fuck, I think I'm gonna hate this castle," said our oh so cheerful Hero.

"Raven, how many traps have I already went through?"

"Man, with the last one it will be about seventy-two Cra. Even in a monastery, there weren't so many Cra. You have broken your record, Cra Cra," answered his first of many friends.

"No shit? It was a rhetorical question dear genius," Druids spend most of the time with animals that are unable to answer. They also tend to talk to themselves, and this one was particularly good in this field. "Of course I remember! How many it was myself,"

"But really, what is wrong with this place? Just after the entrance, there is this strange monument. Everywhere, there are some kind of references to ponies. In the library, there isn't even a single book in a known language. And in general, this is the weirdest ruin that I've ever been in. How is this castle still standing anyway?
"The only good that I know about is that wherever we are, this world has the most beautiful moon I have ever seen. It almost looks like as if some beauty was watching me from the skies,"

Of course, what could be the answer to his little friend on his question? "Dude magic, magic everywhere." said the bird on his shoulder.

For that kind of an answer, Druid could only do one thing. He facepalmed.

"You don't say? Yes, this is another rhetorical one," he sighed. "Okay, that was our last chamber anyway. So, I will just go to this strange throne room to check on the others. While I will meditate, spirits will hide in the shadows while your three will be waving in the air. If someone is coming, inform me so I can deal with the situation. Got it?"

"Sure Dude no problemo. Cra" as said, they went to take their specific positions while Druid sat on the throne under a blue tapestry and went into his trans to look into the minds of his charges.

Raven got a full view of the region and castle alike. When he ended his bird's eye view sight, It came time to check the wolves.

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Kill this whole manticore - easy, get phoenix egg - piece of cake, don't let yourself be spotted by cragadile... This isn't so much fun as I thought. These beasts, they are huge have good sight, smell hearing and if there is in them something more of crocodile than they jaws then they can use their six senses to feel my presence if I will be too harsh in my passage. Well, who doesn't risk, don't win.

My idea for this task is simple if I can't make it quietly I will just use a bait to distract them long enough to pass undetected. Simple.

As a bait, I've used this stupid egg to lure its parents into cragadile's den to let this living fire get under lizard skin and when they weren't looking in my way I simply carry my pack under their noses.

My plan was successful just very time-consuming and when my dear Timberwolves have finally led us to the village border it was already long after midnight.

"Thank you very much for all your help my friend, when we are done here we won't forget to mention about you guys to Him when we will be back in the ruins"

"Auuuuuuuu"

"Oh don't mention it. This game of yours, it was a real pleasure. So see you next time." I say my goodbye. and took my team to town.

"Ok guys split up and search the area for anything suspicious." At the time when we reached the highest building in town I gave my regular order and took my way towards this big tree from which I heard some noises to check it first.

The closer I approached, the more home-like vision this tree had on it. It has doors, many windows, a small balcony and from inside you could saw bright lights. So it wasn't so strange to say that it was occupied. No, what shocked me was who occupied it. They're having some kind of party were a bunch of equines that were using His language. I had to use a great amount of sheer will-power to not pass on the spot.

But when night air has finally cooled my head. Inside this home, between all these horses I spotted five very different individuals.

First was this blue, winged one with the most colorful mane known to the world that was flying under the ceiling. Second hiding in the corner was this yellow one with pink mane also winged. Next was this white, horned, violet maned, dancing in the center of the room. Most important was this funny pink blur of energy that looked on me once in a while almost as if knowing that I was watching them. And last was this orange one with this hat on blond mane.

I don't know exactly how, but they had this strange aura around them that very much resembled this magical tree from this cave, only they were weaker and looked like each was only part of whole as if they were destined to become somewhat whole.

Then I felt one more aura that seemed to come from the upper part of this tree. So I've used my agility to get onto the balcony and check who's the source of this particular one. What I saw was this new one that was currently in the middle of a talk with some kind of purple lizard creature. This horse was one of the horned kin have purple coat and navy blue mane with a streak of dark purple and pink in it. But what caught my attention the most was that she had a great amount of magic within her, almost as much as this mysterious Omega from Dire band has. Of course it's still nothing compared to Him, but there were only this few demons specialized in magic who can compare to Him and only this Sorceress that accompanied us was even more powerful, (Of course I can't count evil trio cause they mana comes from worst depths of Hell). So I spend about the next six hours watching citizens until this party had come to an end and they started to en masse vacate this possession. I went then to the border of the forest, to join my team.

"So after this quick reconnaissance, I believe that its time to bring our intel back to Him to announce our discoveries of this new land, assuming of course that He haven't already check it Himself. Any question?" As I make our next object clean and not hearing any objections, we went back to report all gathered this night information, after all, there were only minutes to dawn.

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"Can you guys tell me one more time: how the hell for 5 minutes when I didn't look, were you able to anger this beast hard enough to make it chase as about..." I looked on the moon position, (with actually haven't changed since the moment that it switched place with sun.) "9 fucking hours hmm?" I asked these two idiots. Oh, I almost forgot we were currently trying to outrun this fucking Hydra that of which this fucker "author" forgotten to tell me. I probably could take him by myself but if I want to stay incognito for little more I will have to think about something that doesn't need demonic powers and stolen magic to work, if only I could get some time to think.

"You know how Beta is sometimes. She just had to try water in this swamp. How could we know that something this huge was sleeping inside it and that it doesn't like to be scratched on the eye?" Said my dear Alpha giving me her biggest puppy eyes.

"Sigh* ok just stop it already sigh*, but still I have ENOUGH! We have to stop him, after all, how long can you be angry for awakening even so brutal." And with a little miracle, I got an idea.

"Listen I think I know what we can do." I quickly make reimbursement of one hundred and eighty degrees "If we can't escape from him we must use his strength what means hight and heads against him. Just choose one and make it attack the other one. Like that." Then I went and jumped on hydra until I get on his last left head blocking his vision and when he tried to shake me off it the one next to it tried to bite me, and then actually get some of the head that I was standing on while I just went on the attacking one and slide with my claws and fangs on it neck tearing its throat open. Meantime rest of pack took care of other heads that now hydra was bleeding from last still conscious head and limping back to his swamp, probably discouraged further revenge.

"Woohoo we get this fucker!" And of course beta has to comment sigh*.

"Ok we did it. But now it's time to come back to master and knowing you two neither of you probably don't remember right way, do you?"

"Umm noope."

"Sigh* I thought so. Well, your lucky that someone does." Then like on command, my dear friend come out of the ground.

"Hey there buddy thanks for not killing this hydra." I nudged him on welcome. "Could you be so nice to show as the shortest way back to master. After all, it should be dawn in 30 minutes." So when he nodded we took our way back to the castle, while I have only one thought in mind: How good that this hydra was such idiot.

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"Thank you for this little sparring of ours, but unfortunately, it's time for me to go. Bye Minor. Goodbye Major."

"GRAAAAAAAA" Said very happy but slightly weary Ursa major.

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"I know who You are. You are "Mare in the moon", Nightmare Moon!"

Chapter 3: First encounter

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"1000 years, we lost 1000 years trapped in the moon until our night was finally able to set us free. And what do we find after our return? Nopony even remember us, they don't love us, they don't even know my or Luna's name, just this one purple mare knows our legend. Legend phi, more like a fable, or myth. But even she don't remember our dreams. Our glorious night that all ponies always neglected. I will show them its beauty, even if I have to hide Luna's existence or make myself the villain that will always be hated, they will at least begin to appreciate our night." I thought while flying back to our old castle.

After this little demonstration of power in first encountered town, I left part of my essence to watch over its residents, to prevent them from doing anything too risky for them. (Who wants to have dead subjects? They won't appreciate our work if they can't see it anymore.) Most of the attention focused on this purple one, she had enough guts to oppose me and had enough knowledge to probably be aware also about the existence of elements. She will probably try to take them. Unfortunately for her she won't be able to use them. Besides, Everfree is too dangerous for common ponies to wander into. So if she tries, part of me will chase her out of the forest before something will happen to her.

But back to the present, I was just about to see our old home when it hit me. This tremendous magic aura. It was like a burning inferno of the wildest energy I had ever felt. It filled the entire surrounding space. And just like it showed itself, it just as quickly disappeared leaving only the feeling that something was about to happen.

Then came a shake like if the whole forest had moved. Only when I get this chilling feeling and saw some flash on the horizon I understood that it does.

It was the first time in a long while that I was stuck in shock. The whole Everfree became incredibly beautiful for a few minutes. By every tree that I could see went a wave that was making them bloom in millions of shining flowers each different variation of colors and form, yet every single being splendid. But only together they looked like a whole magnificent masterpiece of colors. Like if someone took control over untamed forest and made it into magical spring.

But unfortunately, it lasted only a short while. Still, when the flowers disappeared I could feel that it wasn't that same forest anymore. I don't know exactly what changed but whole wood become just a little bit more vivid than ever before.

"I can think about this power later." I thought after I shook off the shock "For now I better check what happened with my home while I was gone."

"There it is," I said when I got to see it. Unluckily there was almost nothing that even resembled my home anymore.

The walls were covered in ivy, the roof was filled with holes and a lonely crow was sitting on one of the remaining gargoyles which means that the protective wards were also destroyed.

General picture of misery and despair.

"I know that she could leave this place after our fight, but she could have just care about it enough to leave it after she made it into something more presentable.

"Sigh* after all Celestia it was castle made for us by our parents." I quickly threw away incoming memories.

Then I entered my home. The first thing that caught my attention was, of course, the Elements, or rather what was left of them. They were turned to stone like Discord, besides there was only five of them. "'Element of Magic' is gone. Without it, the others had no power so there was nothing that could stop me anymore. Soon the whole of Equestria will be mine HAHAHAHAHA. Ups I let my emotions get to me again."

Then went straight back to my throne room, with little hope that perhaps it was looking more decent than the rest of the castle.

Of course, I was wrong but who forbids a mare to dream?

I was about to take place on my old throne when I noticed that it was already occupied by somepony.

No, not somepony. Something.

I have never seen anything like this thing before. This thing, was big, even while sitting it was higher than normal ponies and judging by its posture it was bipedal like these gross minotaurs. It was even having fists like them only its had more appendages than theirs. But on this, all similarities to them had ended. (Happily because if I will be forced to get rid of another trash like them it would make my great day much less pleasurable.)

It had a short mane and medium-sized beard on its head which was beside them hairless. Its face was somewhat resembling that of a pony except its maw was much shorter and it had this small nose. There were of course also eyes but for some reason they were currently closed, it was probably sleeping right now.

I couldn't get a good look at the rest of its body because of a worn out, thick armor that it was wearing. I could only see that in one place of the armor was a single circular hole through which you could see a big scar on its body. Also when I looked at it more closely I could see that it had some kind of sword lying on its laps, a big hammer on its back and a single shield staying next to my throne.

I was about to approach this strange creature when I saw this stupid crow landing on its arm. I thought then that it wasn't just sleeping, only that it used my throne for its final resting place. I must say that it looked a little intimidating while sitting on it, so it wouldn't surprise me to do that in his place. But then the crow had pecked it on the ear and he opened his eyes. (Because if the beard wasn't enough of a clue, his small eyes certainly show this masculine in him.) And what eyes they were, it was the most beautiful shade of blue that I ever saw. They were filled with so much strength, so much warm and yet buried in them were also some big layers of grief. As if the whole world had been his enemy yet he still faced it with kindness.

He then looked on me with these great eyes of his and I felt this heat on my face.

Until he face hoofed and started to talk with this stupid bird. That was enough, he comes to my castle, sit on my throne and he don't even have enough mind to show me even the slightest respect. This is unforgivable. I took my pose readied my magic and said:

"Hello there you stupid creature. I don't know what you are, or why are you here. But you have chosen a bad day to anger Nightmare Moon." And then I just struck it with a simple lightning spell of mine. That should teach him some manners.

When the dust had fallen I expected to see him lying on the ground behind my throne. But what I saw was beyond my wildest dreams.

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I just finished making my connection with this magnificent forest, when I felt that some great power was coming my way.

Of course, I simply sent 2 ravens to watch on the path of this force to see what the source of it was but for some reason, they couldn't see it so when it was already over the castle I just waited for it to approach me. Then I felt it standing before me. I asked my only remaining raven if he could see it. But he just looked at me, flew up on my shoulder and just like that he pecked me. So I stopped my meditation and looked at this intruder myself.

What I saw was this black, winged, horned mare of a pony with strangely similar to a human face only that it had incredibly big, cute, emerald, cat-shaped eyes, plush mane and tail looked as if someone has cut out part of the night sky and sewed it to this pony's body. Oh, right she was also wearing some kind of shining armor made of a helmet, a chest plate, and 4 hight horseshoes.

When I saw her I could do only one thing. I facepalmed.

"Hey raven, when Dire Wolves comes back please remind me that I must kill Omega for this stupid joke of his."

"Sure man. But you know that lately it is really hard to kill that guy right."

"Yeah, I know sigh*. I will just make him do some stupid chores for about a week for this, it should be enough of a punishment for him.

"But for now let's welcome our guest shall we."

I was about to say my traditional greeting when I heard this pony talked:

"Hello there you stupid creature. I don't know what you are, or why you are here. But you have chosen a bad day to anger Nightmare Moon." I then saw that she was preparing herself to attack me with some kind of spell. So I reacted. I quickly got up from the throne grasping my sword in my left hand, then put on my cyclone armor, took my shield on the other hand and readied myself for impact.

When it finally came I was a little disappointed. She used so much magic to use this spell and what I got was only single lightning? Sure it got enough power to destroy two of three chains from my spell, but I could have imagined that it will be something more... spectacular than that. Well, I won't cry over spilled milk.

But then if she wants to fight, I will fight.

If her first thought was to use a quick spell then I will just use the quickest transformation. So before the dust had time to fully fall I was there standing as the fastest creature known to me.

The mighty Werewolf is here.

So when the dust was finally gone, (look on her face just priceless.) It was a signal that it's my turn to move.

I went for her horn cause it looked on a very delicate appendage, but when I was about to cut she just disappeared inside a dark vortex.

"So you are capable of teleportation hmm," I thought on spot while I sniffed the air in search of her scent. "Oh right I still don't know her smell."

I was about to read my defense when I heard her angelic voice:

"You dare to attack me inside of my castle? This lightning was supposed to be mere punishment to you for your lack of respect towards me. But now after you angered me... let's see what you do with this you beast!"

Then she shot me with a beam of pure energy, which I swiftly dodged and was about to counter with a quick blow from my paw when she shot once more hitting me in my arm.

I smelled a stench of burning fur and felt burning pain. It then enraged me but I knew better than to simply charge on her without help of Carrion Vine. "Ok if speed isn't working then let's see what endurance can do."

I then shifted from my form of wolf into one of greater prowess.

The powerful Werebear has come.

I used state of astonishment, (that she went into after my transformation,) to swiftly ram into her with all my mass and strength. And threw her into the throne that I was just sitting on moments ago, breaking it into pieces.

Then I just changed back into my original form and waited.

"How dare you! This throne was made for me by my father before his death." Ouch after look on her face I could say that now she could have certainly exceeded limits of endurance.

Her mane and tail were billowing in a circle, her wings had some loosened feathers and on most of her body, there were small cuts. However, the worst was her cute shining eyes. She looked as if she was about to explode into tears. And it was because of me. I couldn't make it happen.

"Sigh* I'm sorry."

She just then looked on me a little dumbfounded. "What have you said?"

"I said that I'm sorry. I never wanted to offend you.

"When you came here I was just so shocked by your person that I reacted on instinct. Then you just attacked me, and my experience made me answer with violence. You know in the place where I'm from you normally don't welcome strangers with lightning. I just didn't know that someone was still living in these ruins."

She then began to calm herself. And then she looked on the floor.

"Nopony lives here. Not anymore. But it's still don't give you an excuse to destroy it!"

"Sigh* I know. And I can understand that you can now want some kind of satisfaction for this crime..." I then looked deep into her eyes hoping that I will find some sign of understanding. What I saw: "But to get one you must tell me why are you calling yourself per 'I' when I can see that there is two of you. If you answer this honestly I will let you do to me whatever you will want. Deal?"

"How do you know that. Even Celestia haven't noticed and she had known me from my birth." She looked then very confused.

"What are you talking about I just looked into your eyes there is everything shown very clearly. But that is of no meaning for now. The question is do we have a deal for now or not?"

"Sigh* alright I will tell you.

"You see this other one is named Luna, when she was young and inexperienced, like every little pony she also dreamed of finding her special talent. But not some normal talent like baking or singing. No, she wanted to do something spectacular just like our older sister Celestia whos special talent was to rise and lower the sun, thereby being a princess of the day.

"Someday Luna had discovered that while Celestia's sun was in good hooves nopony was caring much attention about the moon. So to change that she stayed awake every night to watch over it. But it wasn't enough. One night she just had enough of pony's inaction and then she decided to change it. The very moment when her magic had touched the surface of the moon she had changed, she was finally conscious of her purpose and had become a princess of the night.

"That night was also the moment when I was born. From that night we were together standing on guard of every night that was to come. We learned how to manipulate dreams of other ponies to get rid of any nightmares, later we even learned how to control any other star that wasn't our sisters sun. Our night we make it into something beautiful.

"But nobody cared.

"So about a thousand years ago when Luna was already so depressed that she stopped to eat. She went once more to Celestia for help, but like many times before she haven't listened.

"That was the final string. I had to do something... So I did. I took control over my and Luna's body and I brought our moon during a day to use it to cover this blasted sun with it. After that, I had challenged Celestia to a fight. After a short battle, I was standing victorious on any field of this fight. But the very moment when I was about to proclaim my victory... She had cheated. She used ours 'Elements' against us destroying our connection to them and for a thousand years, she had enslaved me and my dear Luna in the moon. And now after my night has freed me from my prison I will make my night to last forever."

I then looked once more into her eyes for a hint of deception, but I could find only this sorrow.

"Sigh* your plan is full of holes, but deal is a deal. Do to me whatever you want."

"Wait you believe me?"

"Yep."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that"

"And what do you mean that my plan is full of holes?

"No matter. As for your punishment let's see how you like saw every one of your worst nightmares shall we." I was about to warn her to be careful with this, but she only smiled showing me a row of her shining canines. Her horn flashed and she was gone.

Two seconds later she shows herself back on the same spot after I threw her out of my mind. Fortunately, she was able to see only our fight against Andariel.

But even this was enough to make her a little uncertain of going into my mind again.

"I'm sorry for this, but you don't want to see terrors of my home."

"This THING what was it?"

"That was a demon," I answered simply.

"What was it doing in your head? Something like that 'demon' shouldn't even exist yet it wasn't even part of your fears! Only one of the minor memories. Who are you?"

"I am just a mere druid from forests of Scosglen and its stone towers."

"Ok mister 'Druid' if I can't make you pay in my favorite way we will have to hope that you will survive my strongest blast besides my time for fun is over it looks like my even less expected guest is coming to visit." She then used her strongest blast until now and sent me through the wall to a nearby tower where I landed in some rubble losing consciousness.

What I saw after my awakening and unearthing was this six ponies (that I saw in mind of my 'Spirit Wolves' pack Alpha) on one part of the room hovering in the air readying some rainbow with some kind of trinkets on their bodies. And Nightmare Moon on the other standing there scared to death.

So, of course, I jumped before her with my maul. That time It was instinctively already.

So I smashed my maul into the ground before me. I spread my arms in a gesture of protection and got hit together with her by a rainbow tornado losing consciousness... Again.

This time my awakening was a little more pleasant. What I saw was this beautiful eyes of Nightmare looking on me with some kind of affection. And this other two-winged and horned ponies.

First was this little bright purple one that must be Luna. 'Cause now that I can see her, she has an identical mark on her flank than Nightmare Moon.

The second one, big, white, with aurora mane is probably this whole Celestia whos is currently hugging Luna.

"Thank you dear 'Druid' for your humble arrival to my rescue. But I'm afraid that you've paid a very high price for your action." Was Nightmares welcome.

I was about to ask her what she meant when I saw a single broken mirror standing next to this high chair. Inside this mirror, I saw another pony looking creature that was lying on the stones but this one was looking as if someone has mixed ponies from this world with some kind of bug.

His body is covered in black chitin, his hooves are full of holes, he had wings of a beetle which also have some holes, it has short silky red mane, but most important are his eyes.

He is currently looking straight into my eyes with his eyes looking exactly like mine except his got these cat-like pupils.

I then looked into my hands and what I saw was this holed hoof from a minor.

Then I fainted for the third time.

Chapter 4: Begining of the new life

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"Noooooooooooo!" that was all I could say when 'The Elements' were about to hit me and probably send me to the moon again, until I felt that their purpose was different and much worse. They were used to separate me from Luna and clense my existence into nothingness.

"Sob* I don't want to die. sob*" Was all that I could think. I knew that my jealousy and anger wasn't entirely something that anypony could call good. But to destroy my soul for them!

My despair thoughts were almost on their peak when I saw him. He who's beaten by my very hooves. He who is so alien to me. He who was standing in my way from the very moment when I first saw him. He who is hiding great power (as now I am sure that is his magic that now filled this cursed forest.) And many others secrets about himself, is now standing between me and them trying to protect me.

"Why?"

"Because you are scared. Because you need help. Because you aren't evil enough to be killed." I heard his voice in my mind first time experiencing telepathy from an receiving end, (not a very pleasant feeling I must admit.)

"It's futile. Look the magic has already get past you." I thought to him when we were engulfed inside of the rainbow vortex.

"Then we had no choice. We must bind your soul to mine."

"Are you crazy! I won't become your servant even if It's going to kill me." I then heard his pleasant laughter.

"You don't get it I can't enslave you with my magic. If I could I wouldn't need to have your permission.

"If you accept my proposition you are going to become part of me and I will become part of you. We will then become something that is above and yet below anything else. Your life will last as long as mine and when I die your soul will come with mine. No matter will it be depths of hell, or gardens of heaven.

"Last thing. Just hurry up with this decision I'm afraid that we don't have any more time."

"OK I accept. I don't think that I have there much choice anyway."

"Great. So see you in a minute hmmm?" That Was the last thing that I heard from him.

After this I felt as if my entire body was slowly melted and then reconstructed only to be melted again. I felt as if that was happening now about an hour. When the pain had suddenly stopped with one final flame. I was thinking that it was over for me. I couldn't feel Luna's presence anymore, I also couldn't feel any of my, or her negative emotions. I couldn't even see anything anymore.

"So this is death huh I thought that it will be scarier than this." I tried to say something only to find that there was no sound in this empty place, I tried to use my magic to maybe see something but that didn't work either. "It looks that now I am forever exiled into here wherever it is without chance for my night to save me anymore."

I was about to try if I am at least allowed to cry here when I felt it. This feeling it was as if 'he' has went here after me. It was so good to feel his presence here. It was coming from the very insides of my soul. It covered me like some warm blankets and then it pulled. It was pulling me out of that void and was doing it with the strength of a dragon, yet gently as if caring foal. It was pulling until I saw light. And then it was dawn.

-----------------------------

"I can't believe how stupid you can be Omega. You were given one job, one! To watch over the Solar Creeper. You knew how important this little plant is to Him and yet you still leaved it in this village. Because of your idiocy we were forced to go back to the village and were almost spotted by these six strange equines along the way. You undestand that this is unforgivable to be seen by potential enemy, (not to mention a bunch of talking herbivores,) until He say otherwise don't you?"

Was words of Spirit Wolves Alpha who was now about to, for the fourth time this day, cross the same river. As anyone can guess she wasn't very happy about that fact.

About half an hour of reprimanding her underlings later she was finally able to see the bridge. She was about to cross it when she catched a familiar scent. It was already frustrating enough for her to wander aimlessly because of one of her own pack, but now she had to endure the presence of Dire Wolves... "And of course this freaking bear must appear at the same time sigh*"

"Hey guys what kept you so long?" Was the greeting of the other Alpha.

"Nothing big, just this idiot over here had forgotten about our companion."

"Great now that we all are here, we can go to Druid's together and have this too long night out of our heads. I swear that if sun will come so late again, (no matter how quick it will be on its right place again.) Then I will just begin my hibernation. It isn't healthy for bears to spent so much time awake." Was the last greeting until they went towards the castle.

-----------------------------

With the very glow of sunrise insides of the tower was filled with presence of a new person.

"Gasp* Princess Celestia." Said recently awaken Twilight Sparkle. From recently 'Element of Magic'.

Celestia smiled while answering. "Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I knew you could do it."

Purple pony was a little confused by this statement. "But... you told me it was all an old pony tale."

Then Celestia's smile grew even wider as she looked on her students face. "I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well. Princess Luna!" She said while her eyes were slowly wandering from one pony to another until her eyes stopped on the forms lying in the very center of the room.

Only then everyone had noticed that there still was someone else with them in the room.

"Gasps* Nightmare Moon I thought that we had defeated you!" All ponies screamed united.

Like on the signal Nightmare had rose from the ground. "Can't you see it. You really did. Just look out the window. I don't want to fight against you ponies any longer." She then slowly trudged to the much smaller pony lying beside her. "C'mon Luna wake up it's over now. I had lost again."

While the other mares were shocked by fact that their recent enemy was still among them and also the fact that there was now two more ponies lying on the ground. Luna had slowly began to open her eyes.

"Gasp* Moony I thought that I lost you there." She then quickly hugged her other self. "It's so nice to be able to finally see you, to tough you and to hear your voice."

"But how? I was sure that nothing is able to stop the elements until their goal is achieved. Yet you are here."

Nightmare then exploded with laughter."I thought so too, my dear little Lulu. When the 'Elements' hit me with the magic of harmony they were so concentrated on cleansing you from my existence that if it wasn't for his sacrifice." She then looked on the new body of Druid. "I would be gone for good."

"However let's leave this subject for some other conversation. For now we have another problem to solve, like maybe this little crowd standing over there." she then guided Luna towards Celestia.

"Gasp*" was all that came from Luna's mouth when she saw Celestia.

Celestia who first recovered from the shock slowly walked towards them. "It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister." That statement was a final straw for the other mares. Their jaw were hung open so much that they almost hit the ground. "Sister!"

When Celestia had finally standed just before Luna's and Nightmare's forms. "Will you accept my friendship?"

"Whoaa!" was heard in background.

Luna at first wanted to hide behind her bigger counterpart. (Who, now that Celestia was standing next to her, was now smaller than their older sister.) But when Moon had nudged her toward Celestia she quickly jumped on her. "I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!"

"I've missed you, too." Celestia answered while hugging and nuzzling Luna.

After a moment they have broken they embrace. "And what with you Nightmare Moon?" She have asked darker mare.

"I've also missed you, Celestia but can you forgive me my actions? After all I had almost destroyed the delicate balance.

"Besides I'm unable to make many decisions on my own anymore." Nightmare replied.

Celestia looked at her. "Of course I can. I forgave you many years ago." She then slightly frowned. "And what do you mean by your statement that 'you are unable to make many decisions on your own'?"

"I mean that while Luna and I are now different ponies. But while she is now free to do anything what she wants, I on the other hoof am now bonded to the one that is lying over there." She said matter-of-factly and to emphasize it she walked towards Druids immobile body.

That was too much for Twilight. "How is that possible I don't know about any magic that would allow one pony to bind another creature to himself without at first breaking their targets will. That however takes weeks to accomplish.

"Besides on the other hoof what is that thing? I had never seen that kind of a pony earlier."

Nightmare Moon then looked on her, making her as nervous as during their first meeting, until Moon smiled delicately towards her making her suddenly less nervous. "To answer your first question nopony ever knew and probably never will. But as you all have already noticed he's not a pony. Whatever magic he had used was one of his very own.

"As to answer your second question. He is now a changeling quite unique one as it seems, yet still changeling no less. They are creatures that can take a look of your beloved one to feed on your love towards them.

"But the more important question you should ask is what he was before you with others five had hit him with magic of the 'Elements'. Because as I was able to see myself he was earlier creature much more alien to our world than now. He called himself a Druid but I really doubt it, that it is name of his kind. He was biped like minotaurs yet mostly hairless claded in that armor that lies next to him and while his mane has the same color as before he had also beard. Shortly saying it was quite strange if only not his deep blue eyes I would take him for some beast.

"What's even more important is that, that he is much stronger than me."

"Gasps* no way!" was an obvious reaction of all the gathered ponies.

"Yes way! Wherever he is from he had enough raw strength to destroy magically enchanted throne." This time it was only Celestia and Twilight that gasped.

"But even we wasn't able to even scratch them, they were made with use of dragon fire by ours father. How could he do that?"

"That's not important 'cause he isn't exactly a warrior. As we fought for short moment I could feel that mostly he is a very powerful magician. If he hasn't used most of his magic to make something to this forest and also that he literally allowed me to throw him through walls. He would probably be still sitting on our old throne with my immobile body next to him."

In that very moment Twilight again let her tongue slip as she had to ask. "But then why is he here, if he was beaten shouldn't he be now curing his wounds rather than expose himself on more danger?"

"He had done it to protect me. He said that for him I wasn't even close to evil and that he won't let me die. Because that was what was going to happen to me if not for him. The 'Elements' would had parted me from Luna and leave her in her current form while I would be stripped from the body. It would either have killed me or worse, destroyed my very soul.

"I owe him my life. Even if from now I will have to serve him." She then had ended her story.

Not long after she saw that her hero began to wake up, he opened his eyes.

"Thank you dear 'Druid' for your humble arrival to my rescue. But I'm afraid that you've paid a very high price for your action." Was Nightmares welcome.

He then looked into a mirror that was standing nearby... And he fainted.

"Wow! You think that he's alright because it wouldn't be much fun if he woul..." was all that escaped Pinkies mouth before they all heard some loud noises behind them.

When they looked on the stairs, that was recently used by the young mares, they were able to see moving shadows of many beings. The very next moment they were able to see the shining eyes of a incredibly large wolf. Then they understood that the sounds they hear are actually claws scratching the floor.

But it wasn't just one wolf. They were able to see that there were coming three large wolves, where two of them had golden eyes and one standing behind them was blue eyed. Five slightly smaller wolves came just behind them but they all had red eyes beside one that looked like the leader of the smaller wolves whos one eye was also blue. And lastly came one big bear whos presence was especially intimidating.

"Ummmm princess what's going on? Why are there suddenly so many wild animals in here?" Said a slightly nervous Twilight when creatures began to slowly surround them.

Celestia's horn began to shine dangerously. "I'm not sure Twilight, wards put on a castle shouldn't allow anything from this forest to approach it, let alone to enter inside."

Then happened something even more disturbing, cause while enter of three ravens through the windows was still acceptable and even the fact that three vines creeped inside wasn't so alien in this forest. Yet fact that through the walls entered three ghosts isn't something you take calmly.

"Wow how cool is that thing." Normally...

"Pinkie get away from it! We don't know what they are, or what they want!" Said Applejack before she grabbed Pinkie's tail with her teeth pulling her back to the center of the room.

"Cra oh what we wants is quite simple Cra." Was heard by ponies. This voice came from the center of the group so when they looked on its source they all except surprisingly Fluttershy jumped from surprise to see single crow standing on druids head. "Cra what we want is this guy here to wake up and let us finally go to sleep Cra. Cra it is already fourth day without one and most of us is quite restless without good nap Cra."

When raven finished his explanation, he delicately bent over ear of new changeling and... "Cra WAKE UP YOU INCOMPETENT FOOL Cra!" He shouted so hard that air escaped from his other ear.

"GHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" Druid has awaken about third time this day startling everyone present and jumping onto his legs wobbling in all directions. "Fuck I think I just lost hearing in this ear."

He then looked around him shifting his gaze from one to another until his gaze don't fall upon the same minor again. "Great so this wasn't a dream huh."

"Sigh* hey everyone it's nice to see you back. I hope that your scout had been done without any major problems."

There were quick ensurances of success like: "No master everything went as swiftly as it is possible with this two." before it was time for ponies to regain themselves.

Nightmare Moon was first to ask question that was haunting minds of all other ponies. "So like I see it all these creatures are with you hmm?"

"Oh! Yes sorry for that little delay. Let me introduce you to them.

"Guys meet Nightmare Moon from this day on she becomes part of our little family.

"Nightmare Moon meet pack of 'Spirit Wolves'..."

"Hey."

"Pack of 'Dire Wolves'..."

"Hello."

"Flock of 'Ravens'..."

"'Sup"

"My dear friend Grizzly..."

"Snort*"

"And we can't forget about 'Spirits of Nature'..." he emphasized his words with his new hoof, also effectively meeting his face with the ground.

"Or my little 'Creepers' over here." he showed her his vines that were now circling around him.

"It's nice to meet you all." She said politely with a little bow. "But if I may ask you something? What are you planning to do now?"

"Oh it's quite simple really. But first I would like to know who are these ponies over there. 'Cause while I'm sure that this beauty here must be Luna." 'Luna blushed so hard that someone could mistake her face with apple. "And this white one is probably Celestia. But, I don't remember that I had pleasure to being introduced to the rest of them properly.

"So while we are at it, let me begin: akhm* Hello there little ones. I am one of the druids from great stone city of Scosglen, great guardian of wilds, live and everything what's good. Besides that for about five years now, I was also known as 'Demon Slayer', thanks to me and my friends journey through the world, in the pursuit of 'Devil Brothers'.

"And you are?"

That was the signal for ponies that they were able to talk again, as they were all surprisingly silent (even Pinkie,) moments ago.

"Oh oh me take me I'm Pinkamena Diana Pie but everypony calls me Pinkie the best party pony in entire Ponyville do you like parties cause I love parties you know that when you introduce yourself you should also give your name 'cause if you don't ponies won't know how to talk to you and this would be very sad mhmhmhm...."

Pinkie could probably continue her normal tirade, if not for an orange hoof in her mouth. "Whoa hold on there sugarcube."

"Ah'm Applejack. Ah with mah family run the apple orchand in Ponyville nice to meet yah."

"Pleasure Applejack, Pinkie. and going back to your statement then I'm afraid that I can't give you my name, simply cause I don't have any."

"Mhmhmhmhmhm mhmhmmhhm mhmhmhm"

"Umm what now"

Pinkie then spat out Applejack hoof "I said WHAT! How can you not have a name everypony have one."

That was time for Rarity to interfere. "Pinkie's right. It's unthinkable to being without one. You simply must have a name. By the way mine is Rarity and I'm running the boutique in town."

"Well it is an honor to meet you Rarity, but unfortunately my parents died before they gave me a name. And as traditions of my people orders in that situation children who don't have a name must earn one. I haven't and I won't be able anymore to do that."

"What a shame."

"Don't worry about that too much. So who's next?"

"It would be me. My name is Rainbow Dash. And I am fastest flier in entire Equestria, future Wonderbolt and generally I'm awesome."

"umm I'm Fluttershy."

"Then that leaves only me. My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am Princess Celestia's personal protege."

"Hi there Rainbow, Fluttershy and Twilight. I'm glad to meet you and your friends.

"So going back to the previous question you asked what are my plans from now on.

"Apparently my long quest against evil is at last finished. So I'm going to take my belongings and visit the closest town, from which I'm to buy fragment of the ground, close to this beautiful forest and build there my new home. It shouldn't take me longer than about a week. Is this enough of an answer to you?"

"Yes it is enough for now.

"But then what are you going to do with me?" On this question the atmosphere in the room become much more tense as everyone was waiting on his answer.

"What do you mean? I'm not going to do anything to you, you wouldn't want." Everyone breath a sigh of relief. "But as we are bounded to each other we will be forced to remain approximately close to each other. Otherwise at the beginning it would make you very 'uneasy' to be too far away from me. With time you will learn how to ignore this feeling. So for now I will just build a room just for you."

"Sigh* I understand.

"But had it must be exactly Ponyville, couldn't you chosen other place than city with I showed as first?"

"Nope, sorry it is that, or we will have to stay in the woods.

"Believe me after five years of fight I really want to see something more peaceful than survival of the fittest. Still for the next few weeks I am forced to stay close to this place."

"And why is that?"

"Because I promised. And I always keep my promises."

"Promised. To who?"

"To the tree."

"You made a promise to the tree?"

"Yep."

"You know that you are strange right?"

"Yep.

"But as this interrogation is over it's time for me to put this guys to sleep and then we will be able to go." As he said that. He was about to leave when he lost his balance and crashed into the floor. "And before I forget I will need someone's help with walking, as it looks like it will take some time before my magic will adjust to this new body."

Pinkie then began to excite like crazy. "Hey, you know what this all calls for?"

-----------------------------

"A party!"

Thanks to little talk performed by princess Celestia in with she briefly explained Nightmares current situation and introduced to everyone Ponyville newest resident there was no more trouble with the townsfolk in the end Pinkies words became reality as that day Ponyville had a bigger party than ever before. After all not every day you had the chance to celebrate the successful return of not one but now three princesses even if one of them was about to bring eternal darkness.

Everyone was having great time on it.

Everyone except one single mare that was a little saddened.

"Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?"

"That's just it. Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them."

Then Princess Celestia just smiled. "Spike, take a note, please. I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville. Besides She is also decreeted to watch over our other two residents as to help them adjust to their new lives among ponies."

"Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before." Was the quick reply of a much happier Twilight.

After Celestia's departure Pinkie jumped over to Twilight. "Isn't this exciting? Are you excited cause I'm excited I've never been so excited, well, except for the time that I went gasp* but I mean really..."

Chapter 5: Memory and ticket

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It was a beautiful day at Sweet Apple Acres, where there was something to do everyday, (mostly work.) And it was this day that Twilight Sparkle, personal student of princess Celestia, recently designated to learning 'Magic of Friendship' after she became 'Element of Magic', was currently helping her friend Applejack with her chores. And there was nothing that could destroy this moment.

"No. Nope. Nope..." Nothing except for some baby dragon that was at the moment thrashing freshly collected apples out of the basket. (Really?)

And of course his actions were unnoticed by two mares that were busy with their talk.

"Thank ya kindly, Twilight, for helping me out. Ah bet Big Mc'Intosh Ah could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If Ah win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of granny's girdles." she finished chuckling.

"No problem at all, Applejack. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry."

"I know, right?" Spike said while discarding another apple that actually hit Twilight in the head.

She then turned towards the lizard."Puh-leez, Spike, you've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked."

"Exactly. You two are taking so long, I missed snack-time." On this statement Twilights stomach decided that it was time to announce his existence with loud grumbling.

"Heheh. Eh, I guess we better get some food." she said to the dragon that went back to scouring of the basket.

"Ah get'ch ya Twilight, but before a meal, wasn't ya telling me that this fella Druid would want to see how we work on the farm. So where is he?"

"Oh you know, he told me that he would've wanted to come but today he is finishing the building of his new home. And after this whole week with him and Nightmare under one roof I am really glad that it's finished. Besides after this time I spent with him I know that he is probably still sleeping."

Applejack looked on Twilight with quite concerned eye."How can he sleep, it's almost noon, nopony sleep so long. Ah thought that he's more morning pony than that."

"Ahh no Applejack, it's not like that. He is sleeping only five hours per day, sometimes even less. He just sleep only during day and never at night."

"What, how is that so?"

Twilight then looked up and stroked her chin. "You know, I once asked him that question and he just laughed at me and asked that when else should he sleep. It also looks like Nightmare's sleep exactly at the same time as he, so he is probably just actually some kind of pony that is most active during night, it also explain his eyes. It is not so uncommon, after all almost all batponies are like this, many other creatures too." She finished.

That was also moment for Spike to find an incredible apple.

"Oh Spike, that looks delicious." Said drooling Twilight when she saw it.

And of course unaware of the suggestion the drake ate it before her very eyes, by the way spitting apple juice onto her face.

"Spike!"

"What?" Asked oblivious baby before burbing out a letter, what actually dropped him from Twilights back.

"It's a letter from Princess Celestia." Said Twilight. (Captain obvious.)

Spike swiftly catched it, cleared his throat and began: "Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest."

On this announcement AJ and Twilight both looked between themselves and gasped. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" And started to cheer.

Spike looked on them with an annoyed face and vomited two tickets. "Look, two tickets." (Ok he's captain obvious.)

"Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?" Twilight said excited.

"No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense." Spike finished, exasperating his words with a waving of his claw.

And of course Twilight must have her last word. "Aw, come on Spike. A dance would be nice."

On this AJ had to intrude into Twilights personal space. "Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice. Ah'd love to go. Land sakes, if Ah had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles till the cows came home. Do ya have any idea how much business Ah could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip.

"Why, Ah'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala." At the end of her sentence her eyes even sparkled with exasperation.

Then Twilight went into AJs space with a simple invitation: "Oh, well in that case, would you like to..."

Or rather would invite her if not a sudden crash of Rainbow Dash atop of them, which was followed by a swift landing of a big raven atop Rainbows mane.

"Ugh. Are we talking about The Grand Galloping Gala?" Rainbow asked still lying on the other girls.

"Cra Wait a minute. What the hell is this Grand Gallopa Gala anyway Cra?"

Applejack then standed from under Dashs body with a angry frown. "Rainbow Dash, ya told me ya were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were ya busy doing, spyin'?"

On that Rainbows answer was. "No, I was busy napping," then Twilight looked at the tree from which Rainbow had fallen. "And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" Dash said while hovering upside down over Twilights head.

Then the raven landed on Twilights head pecking into her ear."Cra Gal I don't like to repeat myself but for you I can make exception Cra. I asked: 'What the hell is this Grand Gallopa Gala anyway' Cra?"

"Auch. Sorry and it's 'The Grand Galloping Gala'. It is a big celebration first time organized by unicorns from Canterlot, in honor of completion of the construction of their city. It was so good that from that day it is organized every year and I just got two tickets for this year and was about to..."

She couldn't finish 'cause of Rainbows sudden excitement. "YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at The Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now. Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on The Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut. Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, The Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member."

She then flew straight into Twilights face. "Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me! Wah!" And her rambling was abruptly stopped by Applejack that pulled her by her tail.

"Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here." She spit out Rainbows tail. "Ah asked for that ticket first."

This of course made the two begin to compete for the ticket. ('Cause why not?) And meanwhile.

"Cra You know, I can understand why you Celestia's student get a ticket for herself Cra. But I don't get why she haven't sent one to her sister as well Cra?"

"Blurb* Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Nightmare Moon plus one guest."

"Cra Ok I withdraws my question Cra. By the way you should probably take care of them Cra." the raven said pointing towards the hoof-wrestling ponies before he flew towards Spike who was now burbing out tickets. He catched them in mid-air with one of his claws and the letter in the other, "Cra in the meantime I will take this to this kidos Cra." Before he flew away towards Golden Oak Library.

'Kidos?' Was all that left behind crow in Twilights head before she rushed towards Applejacks and Rainbows duel.

-----------------------------

"YAWN*" 'There's nothing that can surpass a good sleep.' I thought while stretching. I then got off my sleeping stone and slowly trudged towards the bathroom, it's quite the interesting place 'cause while this toilet is waste of precious manure and this bath is slightly small compared to hot springs back home, yet it is a convenience to have it all inside home so I haven't forgotten to install it in tower.

After I disposed of my morning needs and took care of hygiene, I went slowly towards Nightmares bed.

Heh I still remember this day when Twilight let us stay in her library, as against letting us go to the city hotel, suggesting that it would be better for us that way.

---------------

"Why in the name of Celestia is there this stone? And why are there so many spiders in here?!"

---------------

I still don't fully get what made her so angry, after all what other way could I make a bed for a princess if not with the use of the best materials. And nothing is so good to sew than spider thread or spiders to sew it.

When I was standing next to Nightmare's sleeping form I just had to admit to myself that I had done a really good job with this bed.

The base, legs and pillars were my biggest pride as I bred them from the very oak that we were currently leaving in, their color is dark brown, they are durable yet very elastic and big enough for three Nightmares in their full form, also I might say that this night engraving I made is greatly composed with the whole bed. Canopy, mattress, pillows and coverlet were made by the best spider weavers I could find in this town, they were even so kind to make it with the nights emblems, the moon on the canopy is most spectacular, it all is really matched to her. The hardest was the mattress filling, 'cause while the pillows were carefully filled with prepared feathers of my raven friends, I just couldn't find enough birds for it, so after a while I just filled it with water ('cause why not it proved to be very comfortable earlier.) And most importantly she just looked gorgeous while sleeping in it so peacefully.

I came closer to her and began to delicately shake her, (which isn't very easy with hooves.) "Hey sleeping beauty wake up."

She groaned and turned on the other side of the bed. "Ugh* What madness posses you to wakes lady at so unholy hour?"

I silently rolled my eyes, "Come on Moonie it's already past noon! Your eight hours for beauty has ended already, so if you won't stand up within the next five minutes then I won't make you breakfast."

"And what it is for today one?" She asked with still closed eyes.

"I thought about making these so called pancakes that Spike showed me how to the other day." I answered.

"Monster." She stated before slowly sliding out of her bed with one loud thud* when she get onto floor.

That made me laugh for about two minutes before I could speak again. "Really... I am big scary monster 'cause you told me to wake you... And for making meals for you, very scary."

"Umm yes?" She said pretending innocence, while standing back on her hooves, which looked quite adorable.

"Haha very funny. Now go wash yourself while I try to answer to ours stomachs requirements." I told her before I went down the stairs and later into the kitchen.

I must say that cooking without hands is freaking me out, mostly when it's me who cooks, but thanks to very long training I was able to become almost as good in this as I was before, (after all to survive you must learn how to make your own meal.) Also I have learned many new recipes, even if I am unable to eat most of it after my transformation. Who the hell even thought that frying hay was a good idea?

I was about to apply the last pancakes on the table, when Nightmare went through the door. As always she looked dazzling, her mane and tail were slowly moving on the nonexistent wind, her black coat were groomed, her eyes were sparkling and her smile shining, if not that her steps were uneven I would've thought that she was trying to impress someone.

"Hello there sleeping beauty," I'm not sure but for a brief moment she looked slightly redder, "I hope that you will like dish made by humble person," she giggled, well good for her and sat down next to me. "As I am about to devour as much as I can, until my mind won't went into oversugar rush to lend me strength during work."

"Then you better hurry or else you can find that there is not enough for your case." She said as she began to eat one pancake after another.

I don't even want to know how the guys from royal families are able to eat so fast and still do it with their elegance.

Well I will stay with my simple devouring food as if it was going to be the last meal in my life.

"Oh don't you worry about that, besides I can always do more, it's not as if I used Twilights last bag of flour on a few, dozens failed trials before I was able to properly turn the pancakes with my hooves." I admitted with a slight grin which probably showed something unpleasant judging by her scolding expression.

She then stopped for a moment, "You know that I don't really mind your eating methods, but it's just impolite to talk with full mouth." Before she went back to her pancakes.

"Ah sorry about that, but while in home it actually was expected to talk while eating, even more it was considered a custom to talk the way so your words would be understandable, and to not choke yourself during your speak." I explained it to her, after all I don't need any misunderstandings.

She was about to say something more but unfortunately for her, (and quite fortunate for me,) she was stopped by an abrupt intrusion of my first friend.

"Cra Hey dude, hey gal Cra, I have some news for both of you Cra.

"Cra First one are this things that go to lady Cra," he said before he gave Nightmare two brown parchments and one official looking letter, "Cra and second is so that the tower to be finished needs only to have last enchantment Cra, you know which one I'm talking about Cra."

When he finished I saw that he was about to steal some of Nightmare's pancakes while she was distracted with a letter, when a swift swap of Moonie's mane sent him sliding through the table. "CRA!"

I looked on him quite amused. "Here old friend take this." I told him before I gave him my last pancake.

Nightmare looked on me from above her lecture. "You know, I'm quite confused, why would someone like you stick with this thieftly creature? After all you are surrounded by other much stronger creatures, so why this crow?"

Of course she had to ask me in a way that offend him. "Hey Cra, I'm raven not some little crow Cra."

Well I will better answer now than later. "Sigh* You know that you could have asked it much nicer, considering the fact that he surpasses you in the terms of a title."

She raised an eyebrow in confusion. "How is that so I was a princess and he..."

"And he was a king of all birds from northern Sanctuary." I cut her off. "Going back to your question as you have probably noticed, I can't make anyone or anything to bind themselves to myself against their will, it isn't I that choose to stuck with him it is he that choose to stay with me.

"And to tell you how that happened," I continued, "It was the very time that I was deemed capable of performing tests for becoming a fully recognized druid, I was 6 or 7 I don't remember exactly. First test was easy, it was to perform the act of sprouting a plant from three seeds that a future druid must choose between thousands possible, if you don't know they are my three creepers, that were from that day put into my care.

"Second test much harder for me was to show your talent to communicate with elements, it never was my good point and while there is nothing that I am unable to do with wind and snow now, or rather before this... change, I was having grand trouble with communicating fire and earth, fortunately it was enough to pass.

"Third and last test was as you probably understand now to find a suiting partner that will teach next druid of the animals ways. That day could be the worst or best one in my whole life, as from my choice between many gathered creatures depended my future. There were wolves, bears, tigers, lions, crocodiles, hippos, and even one elephant. All of them strong, mighty and they all took it with pride if whenever one of them were chosen by someone. But when I looked them in the eyes I just knew that none of them were good for me. So I was standing there for two longing hours unable to make a choice. It was about time for Elder to announce end of the ceremony when I saw him, sitting on the branch of the oldest tree, one lonely old raven whose life was about to end. He looked into my eyes with something that none of the others had it wasn't strength or pride or anything that they had. No what I saw was the eyes of someone experienced and they were filled with wisdom. So I show my hand toward him and he landed on it accepting the link between us.

"From that day he was my mentor, my friend and my father as it is he who showed me the world and let me know its inhabitants, then peoples and lastly my companions."

She then looked on me dumbfounded. "So basically you are telling me that this insufferable little thief,"

"Hey!"

"is actually a king... and to be more specific a wise one?" If her disbelieving look was able to kill, I would have been able to check if death looked the same as in my new form.

"Why don't you just look him into the eye and find out yourself?" I asked simply. I still don't understand why this ponies don't even bother to try and see what is hidden behind a sapient eye but as she is linked to me she is supposed to see at least part of this what I can.

And she saw it, but the vast knowledge of the bird king of the north isn't something to take lightly so after ten minutes of staring contest I interjected her with a question. "So what's this letter about?"

She then slightly shook her head. "What? Oh right, it's an invitation for us to some kind of gala in Canterlot."

I then slightly tilted my head, "And by gala you mean?"

"Probably some kind of official banquet, or ball, given the way the letter is written, in the castle where nobility will be showing off with they wealth." She frowned on the end of sentence.

I then felt this strong need to facepalm, but given my current lack of palms... I was left with an facehoof, (not a good idea considering how hard they are). Or given that I was able to transform for several seconds I shifted into werewolf to get one good facepaw, before changing back to my current self. 'Ugh* Ok so I will have to visit jeweler and maybe Rarity later, but for now...' "I will just clean here before I will go to take care of last thing in the tower."

I went to the kitchen with the dirty plates, washed them and was about to exit when I saw this paper hovering in front of me.

"Don't forget your ticket, without it you won't be able to enter the gala." Said Nightmare when I looked toward her with questioning eyes.

"Ok," I put it into my pouch with all my belongings that now I was always wearing around my neck, as not like earlier by my belt. (I still find it fascinating how sorcerers are able to make them.) "There I go, have a nice day and be safe while I'm not around."

I entered into the sunny street of Ponyville's town, leaving behind a chuckling Nightmare and loudly laughing Raven, before I headed in the direction of the tower.

-----------------------------

I still can't believe that I'm doing this. How the hell master was able to convince me into following Twilight Sparkles every move is beyond me, granted yesterday it was ravens spying on Rainbow. Granted she is very interesting pony and quite important no less, but after first few attempts of her friends to make her give them her remaining ticket it become rather troublesome. And now bear is sleeping, crows are at the library, vines are exploring, ghosts stayed at the castle, spirit pack is at the lake and rest of my pack is doing Diablo only knows what while I'm stuck here. Life sucks.

So as I saw that she was currently stumbling back to library, (which I saw that was recently leaved by Nightmare (who was about to buy some more flour to the kitchen,) and now being occupied by Fluttershy.) I was able to see that Twilight was on the verge of mental breakdown, I had no heart to let her suffer any longer.

"Twilight, wait!"

She jumped startled on the sound of my voice, "Um hello there... eh dire wolf it was right?" Really she remember only my species.

I rolled my eyes while coming closer to her. "Yeah Omega from dire wolves pack that would be about right."

"Sorry I'm quite stressed today." She showed me her sheepish smile before she quickly told me about the letter, tickets and what confusion resulted after this, finishing with "Please don't tell me you also want it."

I just furrowed a single eyebrow on this. "And what would I do with it, eat it?" I shook my head, "No I just saw your distress and I decided to help you."

She looked on me confused "How?" she asked after a moment with pleading eyes.

I smirked towards her, "If you can't decide between which friend you want to help then you have only three choices.

"First is the simplest don't help any of them, just go there yourself and live with the consequences, I don't really recommend this one as it could be first step to lose your friends and we wouldn't want this would we?" She quickly shook her head.

"Second one is considered the hardest as to fulfill it you must find a way to share with all of them, 'cause it would need hell to freeze before you could choose one of them not hurting the rest." She was about to say something but I stopped her with a swift move of my paw.

"Third method is probably the best for you as it just need you to send these cursed tickets back to your princess with small apologies and simple explanation and before you say something I really doubt that she won't understand considering the circumstances.

"Ok I have shared my humble knowledge about friendship with you to ease your troubled mind. Bye Twilight!" I then quickly merged into shadow, before she even realized I was already invisible, yes I can disappear when in shadow great power I know.

After that I watched as she entered the library only to after a minute be pulled outside by Pinkie (don't ask how she appeared there even I don't want to think about this party powers of this world bellwethers.) Then there was little commotion as whole town was about to chase after her, (really guys for one stupid ticket I'm really disappointed in these ponies sometimes.) And finally she was left with her friends in the library to have a little talk (oh the way she had broken on the middle of the room that was precious.)

But after all she had made her decision and as I knew she had chosen number three. She then got a replay and tickets to spare with the rest of her friends, the only thing that was better than little happy ending was when Nightmare returned with: "Can somepony tell me why the hay I was chased by a mob of ponies that asked if I gave them a spare ticket for a gala?!"

Chapter 6: Enter the griffin (Not edited)

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"So Pinkie, any ideas what an amazing prank we should pull on these two?" Rainbow Dash asked while she and pink demon, (commonly known as Pinkie Pie,) were currently hiding inside of a small bush, in front of the newest addition to Ponyville. Namely stone tower of druid kin, and what a building it is, higher than biggest trees of Everfree with a roof in a shape of one and with a pair of caves under it, ba it even have a hot springs next to it. Wider than 'Golden Oak Library' only it is straight directed into sky. Made completely from a single rock that was now so much covered by plants that are so dense that you are unable to say what color of original stone is located beneath them, with the exception of the big, sometimes round, sometimes square windows that are the only guidance that this is actually someones home, as doors stayed invisible for anyone who don't know where to look for them, (being they are also covered in plants and fact they are made from beech wood isn't very helping, even handle is wooden, only it is made from hornbeam) and that it is only outside of the structure.

"Nopie dopie lokie." Said very excited, (like on her standard normal,) Pinkie Pie.

"Shush then we must think about something before they will wake up." At this Rainbow started to tap on her chin with her hoof, quickly followed by Pinkie. "Ichy powder?"

Pinkie quickly shook her head "Noper last portion we used on Rose's bed besides they are already sleeping and could wake before we even prank them properly."

Rainbow throwed her hooves into air with angry "Gah* We have used to have so many good ideas until now so why we can't find anything good enough to use on them?"

"What are we hiding from guys?" Asked spirit wolves Alpha who have quietly crept into bush behind Rainbow.

Rainbow answered too focused on what prank they should made, while Pinkie was focused on taping Rainbow's arm to tell her that they have a guest, "Pinkie don't ask stupid questions, we're here to make some mega awesome prank on the Nightmare Moon and this Druid fella to properly introduce them into Ponyville's community hab..." She couldn't finish as because of constant jabbing she finally turned toward Pinkie, only to look dead center into pair of multicolored eyes of wolf.

Rainbow only reaction was: "GHAAAAAAAAA" and startled jump into air, "Whoah dude don't do that. You want to kill me?"

That statement was enough to put spirit wolf known from her calm mind into small confusion, "Why would I want to do that? Don't you know that we are hereby forbidden to eat anything that has an aura?"

"What? No! I mean don't scare me like that." Rainbow sputtered. "And what the hay is this aura?"

"Ahh sorry about that, I try not to do that too often." She send Rainbow a mischievous smile. "And about aura. Honestly I don't know that myself, it's just that when someone links his or her soul with His there occurs phenomenon of feedback between abilities of the linked souls. So after about a week from the day that he took us into his herd we were gifted with a... skill yeah let's call it skill to see this light around creatures that also have souls of their own, or that's how He had defined this." She finished before she started to scratch herself behind her ear.

And of course what is reaction of rainbow maned pegasus? She looks dumbstrucked into Alpha's eyes before she say: "Whaaaa? All I've got was only soul mumbo jumbo and some light."

With her words Dash was able to get very mighty sigh from Alpha and when she was about to put it into simpler words when surprisingly she get help from very unpredictable source. "Oh silly Dashie it's simple when you becomes Druids friend he gives you this super power to see this very beauty colors around everypony that can show you even better how everypony is so special and how he don't even need a cutie mark to be special on his own and that is so cool 'cause not everypony have cutie mark like for example minotaurs or griffins or many others creatures and you still are able to distinguish them between each other if I could have this power I would be able to give them this super big party for anypony to celebrate their aura's it would be something like second birthday as of everypony has them and everypony could get this party See how easy this is?" Pinkie finished with one of her biggest grins.

"Oohh is that right?"

"Yeah something like that. Anyway before you bombarded my ears you were talking about some prank, weren't you?"

On that Rainbow began to profusely sweating and her eyes started to dangerously move to the sides. "Umm... Yes?" She asked uncertain.

That was all that Alpha needed, she smirked evilly before she said: "Great so when do we start?"

Of course first think that showed on the muzzles of ponies was mild confusion, but it quickly transformed into most evil grins that the land of Equestria ever saw. "Whenever you're ready." They answered in sync.

Alpha only chuckled on pones antics. "Then better listen 'cause the pranks that I have already made for them, if we are lucky may even went to history of best. So there is the plan." And when the ponies get enough close to her she whispered her plan to them. When she finished they were already hollering on the ground unable to contain their laughter.

-----------------------------

"You know, when you first time offered me an open pass into yours dreams I was expecting something much... Darker considering my first visit into your mind, not..." I took a look around, I was standing on the wall of the powerful fortress, that was surrounded by snow and smaller mountains and just like (I recently get to know) Canterlot, it was located on the edge of the majestic mountain. "... This." I said to my companion who was back to his bipedal form.

And then he just looked on me and started to laugh, "Heh sorry to disappoint you but for over two years I haven't had a single nightmare and I really doubt that they will just start to pop out in any near future." He replied and showed me this charming smile of his that I got used to see recently.

I looked straight into his magnificent blue eyes, before I put off this one question that tormented me from the very beginning of this dream. "So will you be so nice to tell me exactly where are we? Because I know, that this place can't anywhere in Equestria."

He just shrugged, "Sure. This fortress on with wall we stand currently is Harrogath, the great and proud city of Barbarian Tribes, the mountain on with it is located is called Arreat." In this moment I saw deep melancholy on his face, "Ironically this city is at the same time first and the last longer stop of my journey, as it is here that after my travel from Scosglen I studied about Druids ancestors and it is exactly the inside of this mountain that is become my grave." He then shed single tear. "But still I believe that the sight from this place is one of the greatest things that I ever experienced." It is then when he finished that I saw that all sadness was replaced with mirth of happy memories.

"Yes I must admit that the view is really breathtaking, but I also noticed that this place looks just plain empty. Where is everypony?" I asked him.

"Nowhere this dream is about place not its inhabitants. If you want I will show you them next time but for now I fear that it's time to return to the real world,"He then smirked, "no matter how impossible it is looking for me compared to this one." He said before I noticed waves of dreamspaces signaling end of the dream.

---------------

I woke up to be greeted by the same joyful look on this sapphire eyes that minutes ago leaved me in the dream space. Only this time they were slitted and owner of the eyes was trying to suppress a laugh.

I raised single brow, "Ok, or there's something on my face, or you just went crazy."

I saw him snickering before he finally said: "You know like on some dark entity, you are quite bright don't you agree?" And before I could ask him what he had meant by that he showed me my reflection into mirror.

I was shocked by what had I saw, from the inside of this reflecting object I was watched by different alicorn than normally, granted she had the same blue, eternal mane and tail as I, the same smug silhouette and most important the very same eyes. But her coat wasn't black, it was pristine white like those of my sister Celestia, only little dimmer.

When I finally embraced what happened to me, I've done the only possible thing that respecting herself mare could do. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" I screamed.

"My wonderful dark coat is gone! How am I supposed to show myself to my precious night looking like that? Who had dared to do something so monstrous to me!" Then I was stopped by a gentle jab from a hollowed hoof.

"The same way I will. Just take a shower and I'm sure that effects of this prank will disappear in a flash, just like mine." Druid began to reassure me.

"So you are telling me that this is just a prank?"

"Yup."

"And not some revenge?"

"Not even the slightest, we were just challenged into battle on pranks and trust me when someone challenges me into one my reply is always a big one. But we must wait for now as it is obvious that this pranksters right now will be ready. No we must strike when they won't be expecting anything." He finished with a evil grin that I returned.

"But as for now go get a shower and I will make our breakfast, after all we need energy to plan next move."

-----------------------------

I was walking through the crowded market of Ponyville wondering what kind of prank would be best revenge against this three little pranksters that got us yesterday. 'I could probably sent Rainbow on a full course through the spa plus some dress from Rarity would made her suffer enough to be even, but what the hell I should do to Pinkie and Alpha they are unpredictable so there is almost nothing that can make them pay for they prank. What do, what do?' Until my thought were abruptly stopped by very strange scene.

Before me I saw a creature that mostly resembled an eagle but was also much bigger plus I don't remember for eagles to have back side of a lion. If not the fact that no one else was reacting on this sight before him, as well the obvious lack of corruption in this creature aura I would assume that it was some demon, like the cursed vultures from surroundings of Lut' Gholein that swarmed us every night outside the city.

As I was getting back my composure I noticed that her tail, (it easy to recognize sex of any creature, (as long as it have any,) when you are druid,) has stolen one of the bitter apples that ponies use mostly for hard cider and when she bite it she quickly spat it out. 'It's not a good idea to steal just for the favor of stealing.' was all that I could do before I shrugged it of and was about to continue my march.

But then I saw that Flutershy stumbled into this mixture of animals. The shriek that she was gifted for that was enough to put me into action, so when poor pegasus ran away I stepped to interrupt her from making more harm to the towns peop... err ponies.

"Forgive me, but cou-" I began to say to her when I was within few centimeters behind her, when she turned around, looked on me with an angry frown, that almost instantly changed into pure fear, before it was again swapped with anger that was much more determined.

Before I could react properly she jumped upon me with some kind of war cry and her sharp talons with the clear purpose to hurt me, almost taking my eyes away from me. Almost, as I haven't had time to dodge I did second best think, just blocked it with my own attack, feeling as her claws dig quite deep through my shell and then into my flesh (it seems that this armor of mine isn't good against cutting weapons like blades or claws.)

She then retracted her arm to take stand more battle friendly, "I don't know what are you doing here monster! But that doesn't mean that I let anyone of your kind ram freely inside town of my friend changeling." She spat the last word, "Not while I'm here!"

'I suppose that a changeling is the right name of the species that body I currently have, or something very similar to it.' Was my first thought about her tirade, my second was: 'Green blood how interesting.'

"You know I was just wondering why were you scaring Flutershy but if it is the battle you want," She snorted on that. "then battle you'll get." I finished my sentence by taking my blade from the pouch.

'Oh Azurewrath, I still remember the day when you were cleansed from corruption that fell on your ex-master Izual and when you give me the honor to let me wield you as to once more let you sly horde's of hell's. Will you again lend me your power to defy any defeat? After all even if I technically lost once and even if I'm no longer human I still will refuse to surrender.' his answer was his Lightsong. 'Thank you my friend. So let's show her what we do with guys who have enough gull to mess with us.' I heard readiness in his song. 'Oh just remember, don't kill her, I just feel that it wont be our best move if we do..' he wasn't very pleased by that but I still heard acceptance in him.

When I finished my little talk with Azure, I realized that for some time there were absolutely no co motion around me. While I understood wary in the eyes of the hybrid, I didn't really get what was the reason for apparent shock within her eyes and the local ponies, after all most of them already knew that I was a warrior from far away, even if the princess wasn't so stupid to tell them from where exactly I came from, but to think that they won't believe her was an interesting occurrence. 'Well I can think about this later for now i have enemy to defeat.'

My opponent looked toward me apparently her mind focused on the fight ahead. And then without warning she looped toward me once more.

But this time I was ready.

I used flat side of Azure to swiftly pat her stretched out claws away depriving her of the balance, while using my empty ha... hoof to strike her into side of her beak with enough strength to sent her tumbling on the ground. Clearly it wasn't enough to knock her off, as she was back in position to attack again after mere second, (but that's good. I haven't had any real challenge in weeks and there's no better way to adjust your body than during a fight.)

As it looked that she wasn't to come at me any near time I understood that it was my time to move.

So I moved. And when I do the last think I saw before i struck her into chest with my wounded fist was her widened eyes. As she wasn't expecting me to move quicker than her she was still able to barely minimalise damage by spreading her wings and using the shear force of my punch to propel herself back toward me with renoved anger.

As she was blindly attacking with her claws I was steadily deflecting them with Azure until she began to slow down. When her frenzy tired her hard enough I catched her by one of the talons and throw her straight into closest stand with vegetables, hard.

When she emerged from the ruins she was little dizzy but as eager to continue as before.

But this time she decided to change her strategy, if she wasn't able to fight me on ground she rushed to the air with evident hope that I will follow after her.

Well I don't really like to disappoint others but there is no freaking way that I will let her pull me into so clear trap, beside I still haven't tried to fly yet and there is no way I will start during a fight.

When she finally realized that I won't come to her, (it took her whole five minutes of glaring to find out,) she started to assault on me from the skies always retreating after each deflected cut.

We were at it for about next three minutes of constant clashes between claw and blade, before I had already enough of this play.

When I felt that it was finally time to finish this fight, I focused my magic on my quite delicate bound with Equestrian nature and waited for her attack.

The very moment that it came I knew what to do, two second before she reached me I released all my cumulated energy into one focused arctic blast that catch her into her right wing. Before she had even time to react she lost her ability to fly back into sky and would have graciously crashed into me, if not the fact that I took simple step aside, what made her crash straight into the ground.

But before she was able to put herself back together I rushed toward her and with a single kick to the side sent her flying toward centre of the town where she tried to stand before she planted into ground unconscious.

That was the end of my first fight in this new body. 'But it still felt strangely familiar for some reason' I quickly shrugged it off as something that i can think about later, for now i simply thanked Azure for his help before I putted him back into the pouch. Only then I realized that ponies that was watching began to move again, only this time they looked between themselves in confusion as if they didn't know what just happened. I also put that into things that i can work out later.

"This is for the repairs of your stand and for this pair of golden corns." I told to the mare that stand I destroyed before I handed, or rather hoofed her one of my spare brilliants, before I have taken my way back to the tower. I had enough adventures for one day and it has only began for me.

On my way I still heard answer of the standkeeper: "Thank's. I think?"

-----------------------------

When Druid was walking away he haven't realized green bloody marks that he was leaving through his path, or the golden ones that he left in the place of his fight that were slowly disappearing into nothingness. He also wasn't aware of the fact that absolutely no one, even Gilda haven't remembered what happened that summer afternoon no matter how hard they tried, the only thing that they all remembered was double explosion of white fire nothing more.

Later that day he was informed about griffins appearance and events that took place during her welcoming party, but for now he decided to focus on his studies of his body as well as his surroundings to better acclimate with his situation and leave learning about other cultures for another time, (it's not like griffins are some way super cold proof or anything,) after all what could possibly happen that will be worse than attack of an angry griffin right?

Author's Notes:

I am very pleased with how this chapter developed but people that don't know anything about Pandemonium might be quite confused, so don't be afraid to ask if you have any troubles with anything that happened during this chapter.

I also please to not spoil about what actually happened during fight between Druid and Gilda as I want to make it a little suprise for guys who don't know about it.

Ps. If any of you waited for the chapter with the first dragon, then unfortunately I must disapoint you 'cause mountain on with the dragon will make his little nap is for now too far from Ponyville for Druid to go there, it will happen of course as dragons will be crucial for my work, only later. So for now you must stay satisfied with the first apearence of Zecora into my story.

Demon Slayer and Pony

by Slayerseba

Prologue: Victory and death

Chapter 1: Cave

Chapter 2: Everfree

Chapter 3: First encounter

Chapter 4: Begining of the new life

Chapter 5: Memory and ticket

Chapter 6: Enter the griffin (Not edited)