Chapter 6:Old Friends Reunite
Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship, and her number one assistant Spike were now making their way down to the Ponyville train station to meet with some very special visitors from the Crystal Empire, as well as her friends. Those visitors were none other than the crystal prince and princess, as well as her brother and sister in law Shining Armor and Cadence, two of her most favorite family members in the world. Some how she felt that the three of them were going to meet under less violent circumstances especially with many enemies defeated and almost no pony to stop this visit from becoming a disaster, however their reason for coming to her kingdom was a mystery.
It could have had something to do with the recent attack from the monsters before, but why would they still want to come here when it had been taken care of in the past, maybe it had to do with the fact that Tirek had returned since her and Tirek shared a great personal battle before. However she then couldn't help but to think of her colt friend Heavy Weight, some how she was starting to think he was going to be a tie to all of this, and if that were true, it was going to be a lot more difficult controlling her brother and Heavy when they meet again. After the history these two former friends shared together, it was a potential recipe for disaster, but by Celestia's good grace, she was going to make this whole thing work out perfectly and according to her plan.
All she needed to do was welcome her fellow royalties, invite them to stay a bit if necessary, talk to them about the disaster that struck them, tell them about Tirek, and then reveal Heavy Weight and the good deeds he did for all of them. Then hopefully after talking to her brother some more, they would be ready to be civil and nice about this reunion, and maybe an old friendship could even be repaired. However that was a thought that seemed to be a bit unlikely, for her brother has hated Heavy Weight for the longest time for a crime Heavy did that was only for the best of Equestria, a crime that only she could understand the means for doing so.
It was then that as she walked through the enter of the town just to get her thoughts in order, they were then interrupted by her assistant Spike who was sitting right on her back as they finally left the town center and moved towards the train station with more clearer heads.
"Hey uh... Twilight, were joking about Heavy and Shining Armor not getting along? To be honest, I don't really want to see a fight between those two,"Spike asked out of concern for the task at hoof.
"It did sound like a joke didn't it... Yes it's true, Heavy and Shining Armor don't get along, its been like that for quite some time,"Twilight answered while Spike listened with some great interest,"Although they did use to be friends at one time... Heavy rescued me and Shining Armor from a bully when we were young and Shining never forgot that moment... When Heavy jumped right in front of us, and took a direct attack, just to save us."
"So... They were friends at one time, so why aren't they friends now? Why do they suddenly hate each other?"Spike asked out of confusion and with more interest in their history.
"It's just... Bad things have happened in Heavy's past when he was little, and it really changed his life, for better or worst, I don't know,"Twilight explained again as a filly and colt ran right by them,"Something... Happened between a bully and Heavy a while back, and... Heavy did something, mostly by accident, and this bully once tried to kill me and my brother when he tried to steal Heavy's own powers."
"Well... What happened?"Spike asked once more hoping to get all the answers he hoped for.
"He... Killed the monster, and disposed of him when he was a colt, it was only a moment of weakness really,"Twilight said in a slight concern tone as she looked back to see Spike frozen and on the verge of turning white,"Spike please don't freak out about this, Heavy lost his mom that same night and he wasn't in control of himself, and Dark Shine had to harass him and pick at him...! And who knows what else he was planning to do to him...!"
"But... He killed some pony Twilight... No offense but that's some scary and huge stuff right there,"Spike admitted while hearing Twilight sigh very hard with frustration,"I didn't mean to say it, but just... With an issue like that to deal with, that's not just something you can just patch up as easy, how are you going to handle this kind of mess?"
"Don't worry Spike, I already have this completely planned out, and a plan b if they decide to stay for a bit,"Twilight said as Spike instinctively pulled out a quill pen and paper to write down the plan,"We're just going to talk, probably about the whole monster attack and Tirek's... Short return. I'll assure them that nothing is wrong and send them on their way."
"Okay...! And what is plan b if they decide to stay a while and continue to look around?"Spike asked after writing down the first plan and readied for plan b.
"Simple, I'll invite them in, talk a little bit more on royalty stuff, like how the town has been growing and the empire's growth,"Twilight explained for her assistant once more with more confidence,"Once I have them warmed up and set at ease with everything, I'll call Heavy back, and we'll handle this nice and peaceful like ladies and gentle colts...!"
"Um... It doesn't exactly look like their quite ready to be gentle colts just yet Twilight..."Spike said as Twilight raised an eye brow in confusion before Spike pointed to the train station.
Twilight turned towards the train station that they were gradually approaching conveniently enough and were surprised to see not just her friends, but also a whole circus going on at the train station, full of mostly Crystal Empire guards. There must have been at least fifteen to twenty guards flowing out of the train station and beginning to search around all areas of the city that they could see. It was then that they suddenly froze and bowed to Twilight before four guards circled around her and Spike and directed their spears outward towards the surrounding town in a defensive form, which did more than confuse Twilight and Spike.
She then directed herself over to her friends and saw that they too were being defended by a group of crystal guards, and were looking over the town ever so sharply doing the bidding of the commanding stallion and brother of Twilight. She could then see Shining Armor and princess Cadence themselves standing just outside the train station entrance and currently giving directions to some of the may guards of the Crystal Empire. They looked scared, but also angry and ambitious, it was clear that Shining Armor came here for some sort of serious reason, and she was getting the feeling that she might know what it already is, but she kept her wits about her and let out a deep calming breath.
"This doesn't look good Twilight..."Spike stated before they were then suddenly urged to move towards the crystal couple.
"Please...! Princess Twilight, your brother is worried about you, he wanted us to put you in protective custody and bring you to him safely."One of the guards said as they walked with her and guarded every spot around her.
"Protective custody...?! Why would I need to be protected by anything? me and my friends are perfectly capable of protecting ourselves from any threat,"Twilight said without getting an answer from the guards,"Guards! Answer me! What is the meaning of all of this?!"
"It will be better if you were to hear the news from prince Shining Armor."One of the guards finally answered as they approached the station.
After waiting a solid moment for Shining Armor to sort out more guards for a perimeter, he then turned back to his wife and nodded with satisfaction in the set up before Cadence was able to see Twilight coming forth with guards defending her every step of the way. She let out an excited gasp to see her little sister in law as she waved to the guards to let her go now before prancing to Twilight happily. Once Twilight was released, she too could not help but to smile with excitement to see her sister in law and her old foal sitter as they ran to each other just after Spike jumped off to join Twilight's friends.
"Twilight! It's good to see you again, We got so worried about you after those attacks on our kingdoms!"Cadence exclaimed out of deep concern for Twilight.
"I was too, but it's so good to see you and Shining Armor alive and well,"Twilight said as both princesses shared a welcoming hug with one another,"So... What are you two doing here, I thought the Crystal Empire would need some serious tending to after what happened...!"
"Hey Twilight! You wanna call off yer brother and these here guards, they're really starting to get pushy and too protective!"Applejack called out as the group of guards huddled in closer to the mares.
"Yeah, and I'm feeling like these guards are getting a little too into this work,"Rainbow yelled in before she swore she could feel hooves brushing against her flank,"Hey pal! Keep those hooves where I can see them!"
"I'm really sorry about this every pony, but Shining Armor's been a bit worried since well... Learning about Tirek and all,"Cadence admitted before thinking of the reason he is really here,"And... He kind of learned that a certain some pony else has arrived, and that's when he became really nervous... And...well... Here we are.
"Alright! Has there been any word from captain Flash Sentry since we sent them into the town first?"Shining Armor asked loudly to a Sargent of the guard.
"No sir, we haven't heard back from them in the last hour."The guard answered with an honest yet stern tone.
Shining smacked his face and let out a sigh at the situation, he was certainly on edge about the situation he was in and the job he and his wife were carrying out, but he knew he wasn't going to let anything bad happen to Twilight again. It was then that he was rewarded for his efforts in this situation when he saw his little sister talking with his wife, and he was more than happy to see her as he was next to rush to Twilight.
"Twily! Are you okay, oh I was so worried about you!"Shining Armor exclaimed as he suddenly came in and hugged Twilight with great relief.
"Uh... Hey Shining Armor, it's good to see you too, I was worried about you and Cadence when those animals started attacking us,"Twilight said before noticing that Shining Armor was virtually unharmed,"Cadence told me you were injured when the cragodile attacked, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it was only a slight headache I got, I was just worried about you when I found out Tirek had returned,"Shining said as they slowly parted from their hug,"Tirek didn't hurt you did he? He didn't take your magic or anything?"
"No... He had revenge more on his mind than he did power, but you don't have to worry any more now,"Twilight reassured with a small smile to her worried big brother,"Tirek's gone now, we destroyed him for good, he can't hurt any pony else ever again."
"You mean... Tirek's dead...? I'm sorry it's just, I never expected you to go as far as to defeat Tirek for good Twilight,"Cadence admitted with a bit of shock as did Shining Armor,"But I suppose this should be a good thing, an infamous enemy of Equestria is no more, and this means a more peaceful time for the world."
"And maybe a bit too hard to believe... Twilight I know you... You would never kill any pony no matter how bad they were,"Shining Armor suddenly pointed out much to the ladies shock,"Twilight in all our years together, you were one of the friendliest ponies around, plus you never could really lie to me, some pony else had a hoof in Tirek's defeat didn't they...?!"
"Now Shining Armor, lets not just jump to conclusions and start getting testy,"Cadence said in an attempt to calm her husband,"We'll find him Shining, we don't need to assume anything, just because they had a history doesn't mean we have to-"
"You know about Heavy Weight don't you? Is that why you're here?"Twilight suddenly questioned much to Shining Armor's fear.
"So... You know that Heavy Weight has returned? How did you figure out it was him?"Shining questioned while Twilight let out a deep breath knowing all too well where this could end up going.
"He came back to me... And he helped us defeat Tirek, and he told me of how he saved you, Cadence, and even Canterlot,"Twilight confessed to her brother while Cadence took interest in Twilight's feelings towards this mysterious stallion,"So before you say anything, since you have already been made aware of Heavy, I want you to know that he now lives with us in the castle, and will continue to remain with us, safe, protected, and very much happy."
"Twilight...! Are you insane?! You can't seriously still be this way about Heavy Weight?!"Shining Armor suddenly exclaimed out loud gaining a gasp from all the mares for his out burst.
"I can't believe he just said that..."Fluttershy whispered to a surprised Pinkie Pie.
"Just where in the hay did that come from...?!"Applejack whispered to Rarity while the white unicorn looked on in dramatic shock.
"Well this doesn't look like it's going as planned..."Spike said dumbfounded by the turn this conversation was taking.
"Well what the hoof is that suppose mean Shining?! Don't tell me you're still acting this way about Heavy Weight,"Twilight snapped at Shining while Cadence backed away from a potential brother and sister argument,"I'll have you know that he has saved us on a few occasions, and his friendship with us is what drove us to be what we are now...!"
"He's also done some bad things that we cannot let go of. Let me remind you that he assaulted the princess, and nearly killed me,"Shining Armor snapped back while they stared at each other muzzle to muzzle,"Not to mention he nearly killed you that night! He left Celestia with an ugly scar on her chest, and lets not forget about Dark Shine!"
"Oh don't even bring that up! Dark Shine would have killed us that day at school if Heavy didn't do what he did,"Twilight yelled right back with disbelief at her brothers cruel words,"Heavy saved our flanks, he jumped in front of a deadly attack for us because we were his friends and he was ours, and Dark Shine...! Who knows what he could have done to Heavy that night, do you forget that his mother died that night?!"
"That's still no excuse for him killing Dark Shine that night! He's a killer and a beast that must be captured,"Shining Armor stated firmly while Twilight stood her ground against her brother,"No...! He needs to live in peace and harmony here with ponies that care about him! And no pony is going to ruin what he has here!"
Ponies started to fear for themselves and the royalties as the argument was rapidly escalating to the verge of a possible sibling fight, why Twilight would want to defend this stallion against her own brother was far beyond many of them. However it was perfectly clear to Cadence as she felt an ever growing love and connection forming between Twilight and this stallion, obviously Twilight felt a very special way about this stallion.
"You know! I don't really care what you think of Heavy, but he's staying with me no matter what you say, and I don't want you mentioning any of this to Celestia!"Twilight yelled out making Cadence come out of her thoughts and jump a bit with fear.
"Just because you're a princess now doesn't mean you can just command every pony you wish Twilight,"Shining defended standing tall as their voices could be heard from across half the town,"Why can't you see that what you're doing here is wrong?! Can't you see how much of a monster Heavy is?!"
It was then that Twilight responded with a sharp and shocked gasp before she felt her anger finally boil over and control her actions as she then reared back a hoof and slapped Shining across the face and making him stumble back and fall on his flank. They all lit up in shock, the crystal guards wanted to intervene, but last thing they wanted was for an angry Alicorn to start knocking them around. Cadence lit up and tried to get between them while Shining Armor tried to shake off the blow, but Twilight nudged Cadence out of the way before angrily stomping towards her brother.
"Don't you EVER call him that again! That's all you and your guards have ever done is call him names, call him... THAT! And treat him like an animal,"Twilight began to shout while Cadence desperately tried to separate the two,"You've been the one that has always been pushing me and him apart, AND I'M NOT ABOUT TO LET YOU RUIN WHAT WE HAVE TOGETHER AGAIN!"
"What you have...? You mean, you and him are...?"Shining asked himself before Cadence stepped in and was able to hold Twilight back.
"Twilight please just calm down...! We didn't know this meant so much to you, we swear!"Cadence said in a begging tone before sudden cries were heard.
They all froze and turned to the town as they heard distant cries of what sounded like a bunch of stallions slowly growing louder and closer to them as if they were a flock of approaching birds in the sky. It was then that it sounded like they were coming from the sky as the royalties were first to look up only to get quite a surprise as a small pile of screaming crystal guards were coming in from the sky. They all came down like a bundled up meteor of stallions before crashing into the ground right in front of them and separating from each other like an explosion as the stallion went in every direction.
The guards flew and landed in all directions before half of them went unconscious while others groaned and rolled around in pain, much to the shock of both prince, and princess of the Crystal Empire. Shining Armor quickly got up to his hooves and ran outside to his downed guards in confusion to see them badly beaten, and in a lot of pain, but more importantly, they were without their captain present.
"What the hay happened, guards! Tell me what happened, what's going on, and where's captain Flash,"Shining Armor questioned frantically before noticing a guard trying to say something while all the others were going completely defensive,"You...! What happened here, where's your captain?"
"He's coming in... For a landing... Look out...! Prince Shining Armor...!"The guard said loudly before Shining Armor suddenly felt a spear against his throat.
Shining Armor was only able to slowly look up before he was met with the faces of four Ponyville guards, including the captain himself Rex, who was looking very mad as he jabbed lightly at the crystal prince's throat with the spear. Slowly then the prince stood up and kept his hooves where they were and remained calm and quiet before his patience was then rewarded when Twilight chimed in.
"Captain Rex! That's enough! You wanna tell me what's going on?!"Twilight entered this rising chaos while the captain lowered his spear.
"Your brother here has betrayed your trust princess, he had sent some guards into the town earlier and attacked us,"Rex replied much to Twilight's growing disappointment for her brother,"They attempted to kidnap Heavy Weight right out from under us, but that turned out to be a big mistake...!"
"My captain! Where's captain Flash Sentry?"Shining asked before the scariest voice he could hear answered.
"He's RIGHT here Shining Armor! It's been a long time hasn't it old friend...!"Came the calls of a voice that was all too familiar to Twilight and her friends.
Shining couldn't help but to freeze in sudden fear, for he knew only one pony who had a voice like that, full of hate, power, and knew Shining Armor inside and out. They all turned around towards the train station before looking up to see quite a shocking sight as Heavy Weight himself now stood on top of the train station with a badly dazed and injured captain of the Crystal Empire royal guard in Heavy's right arm. He was currently being held in the form of a head lock as was slowly losing consciousness, indicating that Heavy decided to have a bit more fun with him before arriving to the train station.
While Flash choked and finally lost consciousness in Heavy's right fore arm, Heavy stared down a very surprised and a very spooked Shining Armor with his soul piercing dark eyes that made his former friend start to sweat. Heavy sprouted his wings before jumping off and slowly floating down to the ground while they all watched with interest as the crystal guards relinquished the mares they had in protective custody and run to the stallion. However Heavy counted on them huddling together to have strength in numbers and suddenly reared back his occupied right hoof and threw Flash Sentry right into the group of incoming guards.
"Long time no see Shining Armor! I see you haven't changed one bit...! Still hiding behind guards like always now a days!"Heavy called out with a snort at the captain he had just thrown.
The captain soared like a missile before crashing into the group of guards like a bowling ball smashing against pins as guards were then sent flying in all directions before Heavy finally came to a landing in front of Cadence and gave her a cold stare that assured him that she wasn't going to try anything. He then calmly and slowly walked down the stairs towards the brother and sister before Twilight stuck up her nose and casually made her way over to her colt friend and stood at his side proving that she was never going to let Heavy be taken away again. The stallion smirked at her faith and trust in her by slowly lifting up his right fore arm and putting it around her and pulling her in close to show that they were once again back together, just like their old days.
Shining Armor could only shake his head in disbelief, he could feel the immense magic coming off Heavy and he knew this was a battle he could not hope to win, and he felt Cadence thoughts tell him to stand down, for Cadence could very well sense the love between the two.
"Heavy Weight...! It's...actually you, it... You...! You actually came back, and you..."Shining stuttered before Heavy stopped him there with a sudden magical aura over his mouth.
"First off Shining Armor, I don't take kindly to you barging in here on this town and sending your dogs after me rather than coming to get me yourself,"Heavy said before teleporting in a bright flash and reappearing right in front of Shining,"Another thing! I came back here for only two reasons, I came back here to save this world and fulfill the dream I had set for myself! And... I did for Twilight, because I couldn't stand to be without her...!"
"Heavy... But... You and Dark Shine... How can I possibly forget about that...?"Shining asked more to himself rather than Heavy.
"We were young back then! Things are different now, the past is the past, get over it,"Heavy scolded while all gathered around to hear this stallion speak,"Yeah I did some bad things in my life, but those times were different, and things aren't the same as they once were, things will be better now, just forget about this nonsense!"
Heavy's hard words rung in Shining Armor's ears as he held his head to try and control all the hard thoughts he felt being questioned and corrected by his old friends words, and the fact that Heavy decided to use words rather than violence was a whole new thing to him. Shining could only ponder and think about what was being said to him, and he could only look to Heavy with disbelief at his maturity and better control over his anger. This was clearly starting to no longer look like the colt he had fought and had even fought with before when they were young, this was a new Heavy Weight, and possibly one who could even call friend, and he sure didn't like seeing his sister unhappy or fighting with him.
"Heavy... I... I don't... What...?"Shining suddenly said in confusion, much to Heavy's confusion as well.
Once Shining Armor had looked over to see his sister, he was then in even more shock to see black vines suddenly wrapping around her and ever pony else while they turned grey and disoriented. Shining Armor let out a gasp of fear and pure shock before Heavy looked as well and was in a state of confusion before a sudden darkness and cold feeling began to overtake both stallions. This darkness was unknown to Shining Armor, but to Heavy it was familiar, one that he had once felt when he was back in the forest and watching Tirek become a pet in the new enemy's game. They both then watched as Twilight, Cadence, Twilight's friends, and even all the guards suddenly became consumed and trapped within a pile of these black thorn like vines.
Heavy even had to look away and put his fear and pain aside and look for the source of the dark presence he and his old friend were now sensing as they quickly stood back to back and covered the other's blind spot. It was then that a dark laughter could be heard from Heavy's left and they both turned to an old tree and looked up the tree to see what Heavy feared it to be. Standing on a weak branch of the tree very lightly and in style was the dark Alicorn himself, and the mere sight of him was scaring all of the towns ponies off as the dark one chuckled a bit more before snapping his pure red eyes open.
His eyes then gazed upon the two stallions who looked to him before he smiled brightly with his black teeth that were deadly to the touch as he sprouted his wings and leaped from the branch only to make a slow descent to the ground.
"Well...! As I live and breath! If it isn't my two oldest and most obnoxious friends I have ever known,"The Alicorn announced while he came to a smooth landing on the ground while the stallions stood their ground,"Heavy Weight...! And Shining Armor...! It has been far too long...! Oh! And I just notice how... Familiar this scene looks too!"
"Who's this guy...?"Shining whispered to Heavy while the white stallion let out a sigh.
"This is the guy that's been playing around with Tirek and sent those monsters on you all... He calls himself Dark Star,"Heavy said as he looked to the dark Alicorn and narrowed his sights on him,"Strange... I don't know him... Yet he looks so familiar..."
"So...! I guess I should have known it was you who killed Tirek Heavy Weight! Who else could have done that, Twilight?!"The dark one questioned with a smug and crazy like look.
"I don't believe we made your acquaintance before...! Do we know you from some where?"Heavy asked out of false curiosity that only angered the Alicorn with his carelessness towards him.
"You don't remember me Heavy...? You don't remember me at all...?! I was your victim remember,"That Alicorn questioned while moving his silver mane to the side to show off his arm and chest,"You did this to me...! You made me a freak! A dead colt, a ghost to be forgotten in the world of Equestria!"
"What a second...!"Shining realized while Heavy widen his eyes with realization.
"No way... It can't be...! You were dead! I killed you,"Heavy yelled noticing and remembering the scars on Dark's chest and his arm,"DARK SHINE...?! You're actually alive?!"
"Yes...! And it took you long enough to figure it out, but like you said, Dark Shine is dead... He couldn't cut it like you have always said,"Dark confessed with bitter anger in his voice,"Dark Shine died, and Dark Star was born Heavy, rescued by the power of the Ever Free forest before death came and growing in it's magic just for the day I could take my revenge on Equestria for casting me aside like I was nothing to it...!"
"Oh give me a break Dark Shine...! You were nothing from the very start, all you ever did was pick on ponies weaker than yourself,"Heavy snapped at the old enemy while the words fueled Dark's desire to see both old enemies dead,"You were to busy being a basket case and a thug to truly find talent and abilities within yourself, you've been nothing but a no pony who liked nothing better than to see others suffer for your weakness!"
"Shut up! Just SHUT UP NOW!"Dark shouted in anger with Heavy's taunts.
"Uh Heavy...? What are you doing...? You're just making him angry...!"Shining whispered in confusion with Heavy's actions.
"I'm distracting him...! You free the others, and I'll take this clown...!"Heavy explained short and sweet for Shining Armor to understand.
"Are you sure you can take him...?"Shining asked out of concern when he saw Dark's horn light up bright red.
"I took him on before remember? And we were just kids back then,"Heavy said with a smirk as he lit his horn up in defiance,"Things are different now, all bets and restraints are off...!"
"GRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHH! YOUR DEAD HEAVY WEIGHT!"Dark roared before suddenly charging with his horn lowered down to attack.
"GO...!"Heavy shouted to Shining before taking off as well towards Dark.
As soon as Shining was running off towards the vines to free all the captured ponies, Heavy was now free to focus only on Dark Star as they closed in on each other and slammed their heads together sending a great force of magical wind in all directions. Shining Armor felt the ground shake and threaten to knock him off his hooves as he made it over to the vines only to turn to the fight and see the two Alicorn stallions disappear in a flash of magic. Shining was finally able to make it over to one of the piles of vines before he then looked to the sky and saw red and blue flashes crashing into each other and sending sparks and tremors through the air that shook the ground he stood on.
The roofs of houses even blew apart from the impact as Heavy and Dark came at each other at sight escaping speeds and smashed heads and exchanged a flurry of hooves and magical blasts that struck the ground around them. Heavy and Dark slammed their hooves together before landing and standing on their back hooves as they attempted to fight with pure muscle for an upper hoof in the fight. Heavy quickly won that fight as he pushed Dark back before throwing his hooves to the side and swinging his back legs around for a hard buck across the face.
Before Dark could even be taken back by the attack, Heavy swooped behind him and slammed his arm straight across the dark one's back making him freeze before kicking him in the back of the head and sending him falling forward into the dirt. Dark lifted his head from the dirt and looked up quickly in time to see Heavy coming in for a landing on top and pushed with his back legs to dodge and get wind under his wings to fly. Heavy exploded behind him giving him away as a clone before Dark turned around only to be tackled straight in the gut by the real Heavy and forced into the air before they separated and the Ariel battle continued as they flew connected their horns like swords in a magical display of strength and power.
Shining Armor could only watch before he was finally able to free the first victim of Dark's entrapment in the vines, who turned out to be Twilight herself as she fell into her brother's fore arms almost completely unconscious. She stirred a little bit before she was finally able to open her eyes and look to her brother while also noticing the sky going dark with the combination of magic and dark presence.
"Shining Armor...? What's going on...? Where am I?"Twilight asked as she managed to get to her hooves and rub at her head in confusion.
"Twilight, you were right and I was wrong, it's Dark Shine, he's back! He's still alive,"Shining quickly explained before looking up in time to see the two foes clash heads before Heavy was smashed in the chest by Dark's hard head,"Heavy told me he could take him, he told me to free the other's."
"But don't you think he may need help?! We should be helping him!"Twilight exclaimed while Heavy bit down on his foes neck and shot him towards a building with a mouth full of blue fire.
"We have to trust him on this one, we have to save our friends and Cadence, Come on!"Shining said loudly before rushing over to the other vines.
However, Twilight could only stand and watch with fear for her colt friend as Dark crashed into the house before it lit up with blue fire quickly burning it away, it was then that Dark emerged from the house alive, but badly burned and scratched up. He growled in anger seeing Heavy floating there with nothing more than a bruise on his chest and on the side of his cheek, and yet he was completely unfazed, and was even staring at him as if he wasn't taking him seriously. Finally Dark roared at the sky before opening his mouth long and wide to surprise Heavy as black Ever Free vines suddenly shot from Dark's mouth and attempted to catch Heavy in their tentacle like clutches.
Heavy took to higher air and flew with the large tentacles after him, he looked back to see the vines multiplying as they seek to destroy him, and they would soon get their chance as one lucky vine managed to wrap itself around Heavy's back legs. Heavy froze and looked to his caught hooves before he was surrounded by vines full of evil magic and thorns before he began to concentrate his magic. It was then that the vines constricted as they wrapped Heavy up in a little ball of vines, trapping him there while the thorns of the vines would work with the attack and eventually tear Heavy to pieces.
Twilight was in shock and stricken with sickening terror as she suddenly felt in the back of her mind that Heavy had just been killed right in front of her as tears formed and she almost felt like she was choking in disbelief and absent illness. On the other hoof, Dark Star was now laughing maniacally at his accomplishment as he spewed out the vines and planted them to the ground to grow even more as other vines sprouted up to wrap the vine prison of Heavy Weight even more.
"Yes...! YES...! I've won! I have defeated the great Heavy Weight! Now nothing can stop me,"Dark cackled and shouted in blind accomplishment while Twilight had turned to Dark with a very furious and sickened look,"Now there is no pony I can't best, the whole world is mine! All I need to do now is conquer the kingdoms! IT WILL BE A PIECE OF CAKE!"
Suddenly after another cackle, Dark was suddenly silenced as he heard his old name shouted before he saw a swirling vortex of purple magic soaring straight into him and felt the wind leave his body as the spiraling comet crashed into his stomach. Dark felt himself gag and even spew blood before the comet aimed back towards the ground and crashed him deep into the rocky land before a purple spark went off. Twilight at that time had then suddenly appeared before Shining Armor as he was able to free Cadence and Twilight's friends before looking back to see Twilight standing tall and strong for them all as if she was Heavy Weight himself.
"I won't let you hurt my brother or my sister in law, OR my friends Dark Shine! You've done that for too long now,"Twilight yelled as Dark emerged from the hole in the ground and stumbled to his hooves before chuckling at her,"You can knock us down as many times you'd like, you can torment us if you want, but you are NOT going to win this day! Or any day EVER!"
"Twilight...! You've... Gotten so strong...! And,"Shining Armor started before remembering who really trained her in fighting and true magical combat,"Heavy Weight... You learned all of it from him, because he wanted to make sure you would always be safe, and believe in yourself... How could have been so wrong...!"
"I SAY...! I have already won...! Princess Twilight! Because now your Heavy Weight can no longer save you or your brother,"Dark said before suddenly flashing red with magic all over his body,"You were always just a weak little unicorn with basic magic skills, you were only special because that fol Heavy Weight was there to protect and train you...! But not any more...! Because the today is the day I wipe Equestria's three newest rulers off the face of the world!"
It was then that Twilight was ready to defend them all as Dark suddenly made a large red ball of magic charge up at the tip of his horn and only get bigger with the more power he packed into it and looked to his targets. He flashed a toothy black smile as red lighting stabbed the dark skies and made the town glow bright red with dark and powerful power, yet Twilight only let out a sigh and remained strong in the face of death. Shining was seeing the look in his little sisters eyes and knew she wasn't going to move or let them take the blast head on, and knew she was ready to give her life for them, and that's when Shining Armor panicked and ran to her.
"TWILIGHT...! NOOOOOOO!"Shining shouted in a panic before surprising his little sister by hugging her tightly and protecting her instead.
"DIE YOU ROYAL PIGS!"Dark shouted as he aimed his horn and unleashed his attack.
The boiling hot red beam exploded from his horn and shot like a giant comet with an endless tail as it soared to it's group of targets and fried everything around it and making the air heavy and almost impossible to breath. It fried the ground with it's heat and power as Shining Armor threw his body in front and hugged his sister while a stray tear of the end dropped from Shining's cheek. However the end never came for them as the vines that had their prisoner wrapped up were suddenly burning up before exploding to pieces and a mass of ice blue soared like a bullet towards Twilight and Shining Armor just as the red beam made contact with them.
An explosion had then went off and shook the town as red smoke and magical sparks went every where, the power was immense and almost made them all lose their footing in the ground as they felt a blast of warm air hit their faces. However, they did not feel any pain, nor did they feel their deaths become a reality, and as they opened their eyes, the whole place was littered with smoke and red magical dust. It was also starting to glow with ice blue magic surrounding them, but once the smoke was starting to disappear. They realized their was more than an ice blue magic that was protecting them, as they looked all around each other to see themselves wrapped around by a protective giant see through fore arm, completely made of magic.
"What the hay is THIS...!"Shining Armor exclaimed with deep shock to see a giant pony arm around them.
"HEY...! You crazy kids aren't hurt are you,"Questioned the booming and magical enhanced voice of Heavy Weight,"Doesn't this just bring back memories?!"
"Heavy Weight...?!"Twilight said in confusion and astonishment as they then saw what was in front of them.
When the smoke finally cleared, they were all staring muzzles to giant muzzle with an immensely large Alicorn stallion completely mad of ice blue magic, and was completely see through as it mimicked the appearance of Heavy Weight himself. The stallion then stood up and was as tall as the rainbow castle itself with Heavy Weight floating completely stationary within the chest of the stallion with his eyes glowing blue and leaking small flames out the corners of his eyes. Heavy snorted and chuckled bravely with a smoking hot burn mark on his side while the stallion just stood there with a serious look to the ponies while they stared in astonishment and with dropped jaws.
"I'm guessing you guys like what you see...! Hehe... This is my newest trick, so sorry if it's a little rusty,"Heavy said before he turned the giant stallion around to look to Dark Star who was now shocked himself,"Wow...! The look on your face says it all Dark Shine, you honestly didn't think I was going to get lazy just because there were no other enemies to face did you?"
"What in the hoof is this monstrosity?!"Dark said as the large stallion slammed a hoof down in front of him.
"THIS is power you can never have Dark Shine! because you don't carry the responsibility, the passion, and the heart to wield great power,"Heavy yelled as the giant spirit like pony suddenly roared like a massive beast in Dark's face,"This is what practice, heart, courage, and... Love can bring out, THIS is what true power looks like!"
It was then that Heavy lifted up a giant hoof and brought it down on Dark Star crushing him completely under fifty tons of magical made stallion and making the ground tremble before it's horn glowed and made a badly beaten Dark star appear before him. He then tapped his giant horn on his head before a massive beam blasted Dark straight into a building at sound breaking speed. While Dark disappeared in the rubble of the house, Heavy looked to his giant stallion and suddenly vegan to shrink the giant down much to every ponies confusion before his eyes stopped glowing and he landed on his normal hooves while the spirit quickly went back into his horn and all the magic disappeared.
Heavy then stood there and let out a deep and slightly weary sigh from all the power that was crushing his body, but he was unharmed from the beast and was only left a little winded from using the spirit. Twilight noticed his weariness and rushed to his side while also noticing the burn injury on his back, she then hugged his neck before gently touching the injury in deep concern for Heavy.
"Are you okay, you're hurt Heavy... That burn doesn't look so good,"Twilight said before her horn glowed and surprised Heavy by casting a healing purple aura over the injury,"Here... I learned a bit of how you could heal all kinds of injuries before, I don't want to see you hurt so much like this..."
"Twilight... You always were a fast learner weren't you, always ready to do everything you can for others."Heavy said with a soft smile while Cadence and Shining noticed the connection they had.
"Such love... There hasn't been such a strong connection of love in a very long time,"Cadence whispered to her husband while he slowly nodded in agreement along with a solemn look,"They're meant for each other... And yet... I still feel that they're missing something, or some pony..."
Suddenly Dark Star finally emerged from the rubble of the ruined house and appeared before them badly injured and panting with exhaustion, and filled with the anger of feeling completely inferior when it came to his resourceful foes. He growled as he saw Heavy's wound heal and was once again being looked down to by the hard ice blue eyes that pitied him and made him feel weak.
"Those eyes...! Those same eyes are staring at me, and they continue to mock me, and all I have achieved,"Dark growled while Heavy's mane blazed with a strong will to fight,"What will it take to kill you?! CURSE YOOOOOOUUUUU HEAVY WEIGHT!"
"Dark! You really have lost your mind haven't you?! At least the Dark Shine I knew was smart enough to quit when he knew he was bested,"Heavy said before he looked to a small fountain full of water next to Dark Star,"Maybe some cold water will clear your head!"
As the two Alicorns stared each other down, Heavy's horn began to glow as he then turned to the fountain, suddenly a massive amount of water rose from it and floated towards Dark who tried to blast it away, but his magic beam only past right through the water. The water swerved around him and roared in his ears filling his mind with even more madness mixed with anger as he hopelessly shot red magic at the water. The water then surrounded him and closed in around him, now trapping him in a sphere prison of water, Dark Star struggled and kicked around while holding his breath, but couldn't manage to break free from his watery prison.
Heavy then began to shake and throw the water sphere around, trying to make Dark panic and drown, he felt every slam and disorienting shake that damaged him further and made him leak blood from his snout and start to turn the water red. Finally Heavy gave up and threw the sphere into another old looking yet sturdy tree, making the sphere explode on impact. As Dark coughed up water, he then felt a sharp pain in left front hoof and his back right hoof, he looked at them to discover that sharp tree branches have punctured through his legs and had pinned him into the tree like a scare crow as blood leaked from both wounds.
"RRRRRAAAAAAAAGGGGHHH!"Dark roared in pain as he then struggled against the grip of the tree to no avail.
Heavy just smirked and let out a chuckle as he then began to charge directly at the trapped Dark Star, as he got closer, his entire body lit up in a bright ice blue aura and he suddenly took off like a bullet right at Dark Star who's eyes widened and was gripped with fear. Heavy soared in his signature comet charge attack before finally making impact with Dark, destroying the whole tree and carrying Dark a good twenty feet before smashing him into the ground in a large explosion that shook the whole town.
When the dust cleared, Heavy was standing right on top of Dark Star who was now spread eagle under Heavy and looked terrified by the now furious Heavy Weight who gritted his teeth and poured a ton of magic into his right hoof. He gave Dark one last intimidating stare before rearing back and bringing down an earth shattering right hook that smashed into Dark's gut and formed a large crater right under them, Heavy then back flipped away allowing Dark to move, but all he could do was crawl and cough up blood. Blood went in all directions as Dark felt that he could not move, and could only look up to see Heavy Weight looking down to him with disgust and shame.
"You really have... Gotten stronger Heavy Weight...! You're... Too much...!"Dark said with a weak chuckle before coughing up more blood.
"It's too late for flattery and begging for your life Dark Star...! Now the time has come for me to finish you for good this time,"Heavy said as he aimed a glowing horn at Dark Star once more,"It's time for you to die Dark Shine...! For GOOD this time...!"
"Ha...! Not yet Heavy... I'll see you again another time my old friend..."Dark said before his horn had lit up and made him disappear in a red flash just in the nick of time.
"What...! No...! Where is he?! WHERE IS HE,"Heavy roared as he lowered his horn and looked around to see Dark nowhere in sight,"Great...! He escaped, well... Once a coward, always a bucking coward!"
Heavy felt all go quiet as he let out a sigh to calm his nerves before his ears twitched towards the sounds of approaching hooves while noticing the guards being freed from the vines and shaking off the enclosure they were in. Heavy then looked to not only see a bunch of crystal guards approaching, but Twilight and all the others approaching as well with the most astonished looks he had ever seen.
"What...? What's with all the looks?"Heavy said before Twilight suddenly jumped to Heavy and hugged him as tightly as she could.
"I'm so glad your okay...! I was so worried about you...!"Twilight confessed as she breathed heavily with worry as she looked into his eyes.
"I'm fine Twilight, I wasn't about to die and let that scum do as he wanted with you or my friends,"Heavy said as he nuzzled Twilight gently and chuckled at her nervousness,"That's no way to be the best, and to protect the ones you love, you know that more than any pony else Twilight..."
Twilight was mixed with emotion as she chuckled with a sad smile before hugging him and pressing her lips against his own in a burst of passion and love that forever connected them both in mind and body, much to every pony's delight, except for captain Flash however. The mares including Cadence stared at the passionate couple with cute looks of happiness and bliss at their friend that had finally gotten the stallion she had truly loved back in her life. Cadence nodded at the obvious love they shared and felt as it even threaten to match the love her and Shining Armor had for each other, such a bond of love made Cadence warm and happy in the inside, while Shining could only sigh and look on with solemness and regret at his past actions.
"It's not too late you know Shining... There's still a chance to make up with them,"Cadence suddenly whispered to her husband who looked back to her with confusion,"You still have a chance to make up with Heavy, maybe you two could even be best friends after so long..."
"Maybe... If he'll even want to talk to me after so long,"Shining said as he watched the five mares and the guards go over to join in on the celebration of victory over the enemy,"I guess it's worth a try...*sigh*"
With Cadence right next to him to help with a bit of courage, Shining Armor nervously made his way over to the crowd, and even felt the need to gulp with nervousness at how the ponies would all react to him arriving to talk to Heavy. It was when he and Cadence came upon the crowd that they were greeted kindly by the guards and Twilight's friends moving aside knowing all too well what his new intentions are. When the two Crystal Empire rulers made their way through the crowd, they could see Twilight and Twilight just parting from their kiss and nuzzling each other with loving emotions controlling their actions before they looked to Shining Armor and Cadence.
It started out as a moment of pure silence and Shining Armor nervously thinking about what to say to his old friend after so long, and after he had once again saved him and his sister from death, and the whole ordeal was driving him crazy.
"Hey Heavy... I don't really know what to say... Thank you for saving us and... I'm sorry about everything that's happened between us,"Shining said while Heavy looked solemnly to his old friend while he and Twilight parted from their hug,"I said some things that I shouldn't have said, and did some thins I'm not proud of, and... I just want you to know I'm sorry... For everything..."
"Don't worry about it... Twilight told me once before that the past is the past, and we should be looking to the future, and I realized that she's right,"Heavy said while slowly raising a hoof up for a hoof bump,"It's a start Shining, I'm guessing maybe you want to be friends again right...? I suppose I can give you another chance..."
Instead of a hoof bump however, Heavy was surprised by something a bit more surprising from his old friend as Shining Armor pulled him in and gave Heavy a long awaited hug he had never thought he would ever give Heavy after so long. However, after all the things he did to Heavy, and the fact that he was willing to accept him as a friend once more was making Shining Armor emotional and threaten to allow liquid pride to leave his eyes again.
"I suppose I can take that as a yes, it's good to have you back Shining Armor."Heavy said while hugging his newly remade friend and patting his back to put Shining Armor to ease.
"Well...! Since you two are getting along again, how about we all retire to the castle and we can all catch up with each other?"Twilight suggested as her friends instantly agreed with cheers all around.
"We would love to stay for a while and spend some time with you Twilight, and these boys have plenty of making up to do from the looks of it...!"Cadence pointed out as the stallions finally parted from their hug.
"Yeah, I suppose a day or maybe more would do, how about it Shining? You wanna hang out just like old times?"Heavy asked while Shining was nodding with agreement.
"I'd be honored to spend some time with you all, lets go every pony...!"Shining Armor agreed as they all then decided to make off for Twilight's castle to enjoy a day of reminiscing and to celebrate a victory over evil, and a renewed friendship.
ALRIGHT EVERY PONY, THERE'S THE FIRST BATTLE OF HEAVY AND THE RETURNED ENEMY DARK SHINE, WHO IS NOW DARK STAR, MANY OTHER BATTLES AWAIT AND THE SOON APPROACHING MEETING OF ANOTHER SIBLING STUDENT, ALONG WITH AN OLD MENTOR.