Hello, Everypony! Sorry for not updating over the last couple days, I wanted to take a much-needed break from writing, my hand was getting cramps and everything, but now I return! I wish you to welcome my newest member of the Story Editing Team, Henry Anthony Courtler! Please read his story on the popular manga, "Rosario Vampire" called "A Beautiful Day" (.net/s/7257255/1/A_Beautiful_Day). This is the Last chapter you'll get before I move on to other Stories. This is going to be a huge series, and I plan to make it as interesting to the viewer as possible. With many adventures ahead for Graham, Aramis, and friends as they meet new friends, and even new enemies, I hope you'll enjoy this last chapter. Thank you all for the support over the progress that was made on this.
For all my fans with Love (and Tolerance)...
-Doomlord1234 & Henry Anthony Courtler
One more thing from the both of us...
Keep On Rockin'!~
Chapter 14: Sin's Tale in The Trial of Magic and Strength...
Graham took about a half an hour using a few new spells. Over that time, he was able to learn how to cast what seemed like a small burst from his hand. He didn't understand it, until he experimented.
He jumped and shot the little burst from his hands, he was able to give himself a little height, so he focused on his feet as well, which allowed him to get one extra jump in the air. He was able to Double Jump!
He tried teleporting, but he could only go so far, which was only a few feet, which to him, was a wonderful experience. He was able to use some magic to help his punches have a greater effect, which he used on the apple tree. The punch was a lot more powerful, as he left a big dent in the tree's side.
He felt ready. He was gonna go in there and beat the last trial. After this, he was gonna get back up to his friends and his lover. He could see it now in his head. Twilight giggled as he sent the thought over.
"I cant wait to see you again..."
The voice played over like a record in her mind as she blushed a deep red. "Aww..." She said silently.
He soon walked towards the last portal. He sighed and shook off his doubts. He walked in, and looked around. He was on a giant stone slab with nowhere to go. The area was clouded with darkness, just like before. He looked as frightened as ever, with the unknown shrouding his vision. All he could hear was the laughing of a very frightening Sin.
"Welcome, my dear boy...to the final trial...you think you're tough stuff, hm? Are you sure you don't want to back down now? Perhaps go home...?"
"I already told you, you stupid Entity, that I got a home RIGHT HERE. In Equestria. With my friends, and you're not about to fuck it up!"
"Little boy has gotten an attitude, hm? We'll see about that..."
The dragon only chuckled deeply as he slithered around him, not laying a claw on him, but dangerously close.
"Let me tell you of my tale, little Graham..."
"I don't have time for these games, Sin...I want out of this!"
"You'll leave here in good time, but I figured...I know so much about you, but you know little about me..."
Graham could only get angrier and angrier. Sin was stalling, and he knew it. He tried to throw a punch, but he was stopped by Sin's Powerful Magic. In fact, he couldn't move a bit due to a powerful force that Sin was conjuring.
Graham then looked upon his enemy. The demon changed the scenery around them both to show Sin, and the two Princesses within a vision. With everything Sin explained, the vision showed the same.
"My tale begins a long time ago, even before there was even an Equestria...I was bored of a lifeless plane of existence, so I used what Magic i knew to create the first two beings, of whom you call Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna...I told them that they could create their own world, one that will be perfect." The vision then showed a battle between the three up above the world of Equestria.
"It was only when they created Equestria, that I saw something amiss...the world that was created was almost...too perfect...so I started to bring what you call evil upon the inhabitants of Equestria. Many ponies, even today, still have my little gift embedded into their heads...When Celestia challenged me for bringing horrible things to Equestria, like Disease, and other such wonderful things, I simply ignored her, and went on to my business. They wanted to thwart my reign of the throne I once stood in. When they discovered they could also create, they created the elements of Harmony to defeat me...I was never gone, I was into hiding, regaining my strength..."
The vision the shown Equestria and the bright and colorful scenery of the palace they remade after Sin's Demise.
"They used the power gave unto them, to be able to create the Sun and the moon, and create the first day, and the first night. Little did they know, I was still around...I gave Luna a nice little chat about how her nights were not as favorable as the daylight...So I gave her a little gift of dark power...she titled herself that day as Nightmare Moon..."
Graham's eyes were wide with disbelief. He could believe the story that Sin was telling him. He could only listen to the entity as he continued.
"I was even able to convert the one you know as Discord...He was just a plain old soul with nothing...but he loved pulling pranks...He loved to play tricks upon the ponies of ponyville, Canterlot, everywhere he visited! Of course, with his fun, came some negative reaction...he was an outcast in Equestria. He wanted to have fun...so I let him taste a bit of my magic power...and he used it to cause some...delicious chaos...The ponies in Equestria later deemed him Discord for his mischievous nature and what damages he caused before being turned to stone by your princesses..."
He stroked his scaly chin and chuckled. He looked into Graham's Fear-filled eyes and spoke once more.
"In here, I am quite the force to be reckoned with...I have every advantage, Little one. While you have but a few spells. Sure you have power, but really, how MUCH?"
"Enough to kick your sorry ass over the moon and back, buddy!"
"Such a sharp tongue too! Hahaha! Well, while we are here..let's play a little game...so you think you can really beat me hm?"
Graham looked angry as ever. "No matter what, I could beat the livin' crap from ya!"
"No matter what circumstances, hmm? Alright, your challenge is accepted, little one...Why don't we try this then..."
"The dragon then snapped his claws, and a dark shadow engulfed the field. The others outside were worried as hell at the sight.
Graham soon opened his eyes. He felt funny and he didn't understand it.
"Ugh...what the hell you stupid...ooow..."
He rose his hand to his head to find out he didn't have fingers. in fact, it wasn't even a hand at all! It was...a Hoof! He looked at his body. It was a pony's body that replaced his human form. His fur was a dark grayish color, and he had what appeared to be a horn on his forehead, like all unicorns. His hair and tail was black, with a streak of grey in it. He stood about as tall as where Big Macintosh's height was, although he was far slimmer. His eyes still had that Forest green hue, with a patch of black hair on his chin.
He looked all over himself and was shocked at his new body. He looked over to see a giant Alicorn with a black color, and armor with the similarity of Nightmare Moon's design. His wings were not of feather, but of scale and leather, like a dragon's wings. He over towered the little pony as he laughed.
"W-What the hell is this!"
The Alicorn loomed closer and snorted a black mist from his nostrils. "You said that you could defeat me, with any circumstances...so I'm going to test you on that...I hope you know how to run on all fours!" Was all he said as a bolt of lightning crashed down right in front of him. He jumped and ran backwards as the Alicorn only laughed more at his prey.
"Yes...run! Run while you can! You will never muster the power to defeat me!"
Graham soon got accustomed to his new legs as he then faced his enemy. He focused on his horn to fire a small shot from it. It hit the Demon with little effect. The Alicorn levitated his opponent in the air. He looked upon Graham's frightened face.
"You don't have as much strength as you think." He said as he threw him right into the stone floor with ease. Graham choked out a wail of pain as he collided with the floor. He slowly got up to see the monster step up to him.
"I'm feeling generous today, so I'm going to let you take a good whack at me." The towering alicorn smirked as Graham looked up at him.
"You're kidding..."
"Oh no! I'll let you hit me, you obviously need the practice!" He laughed as he stood completely still for his opponent's content.
Outside the trial, the others looked at Graham's new body.
"Hey Twi! Ain't that a cute lookin' Stallion for ya," Applejack said in a teasing, yet playful tone.
"Applejack...Q-Quit it..." Twilight blushed while staring at the new stallion in the view. She was worried about him. She didn't need distractions. Applejack was only saying it to keep her mind off of the fight, but it didn't work.
Graham took an attempted swing at Sin, but the moment his hoof made contact with Sins' chest; his body recoiled in shock before falling to the ground. He panted as his muscles randomly twitched, causing him to sporadically quick out or twitch his neck in agony from the electric shock he received.
"Did you really believe it would be that easy young one? I'm certainly not enough of a fool to give you an honest attempt at hitting me, right?" Sin asked, the sadistic sarcasm dripping off his every word.
"I kinda figured you wouldn't..." Graham said weakly as he slowly stood.
Sin looked upon the human turned pony and smiled. He had an evil thought. He couldn't possibly fight him anymore. He knew having the Champion on his side would be most pleasing, but he needed to seal the deal. He then opened his mouth, a devious smile unseen to Graham because of his position on his face.
"You seem like you're going to faint really soon. Why don't I help you a little..." he offered. Graham snorted.
"I don't need your kinda help, you monster!"
"I don't think you really mean it. Look at you, you can hardly stand! You need my help. I'll let you have a bit of my strength.."
The other ponies looked in horror as the two conversed.
"He cant be serious!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
"Twilight, Don't let him do it!" Yelled Fluttershy in agreement, leaving the rest of her friends in shock at her outburst.
"I-if you can that is..." she finished up quietly.
Twilight tried to sent a message towards him, but she felt cut off. She knew right away it was Sin's Magic keeping them apart.
"I...I cant..." She said quietly.
"Why not?" Rarity said. "You can send thoughts to him, are you not trying hard enough?"
Twilight looked upon her friends and slowly spoke. "Sin...he's blocking us..."
The other ponies suddenly started to chatter about the matter. They could only talk to each other as they soon started doubting Graham's loyalty to them... Twilight grew angry and angrier, and yelled at the top of her lungs.
"STOP!" The others immediately ceased what they were talking about as they took notice of her pained began to spring from her eyes. "Don't you understand he's not going to let us down? Why would you think he would...?" She said with a shaky voice. The others kept staring at her, feeling terrible about what they were saying about him.
"We're sorry, Twi, but y'all gotta understand...that Sin feller and Graham are talkin and' we don't know what's gonna happen. We're as scared as you are." Applejack spoke up to her. Twilight kept the same look of anger as she eyed all of them, almost as if testing their loyalty.
Twilight sighed. "I know...but please...for me...have faith in him...he would never betray us..." The group nodded in agreement. no matter what thought formed in their head, they would still have confidence that Graham would do the right thing.
Back to the trial room, Graham struggled to stand. He looked upon his enemy as Sin's horn glowed. He closed his eyes, thinking it was the end. He's come so far, just to die in a pit.
He waited for his imminent doom. He soon felt...different...He looked at his body and saw his human form was back, but his costume was changed drastically. His button up shirt was now glowing a golden hue, and on each side of his shoulders, he saw a symbol. One of the Sun on his left shoulder sleeve, and the symbol of the moon on his right shoulder sleeve. On the back of it, the Dragon was now accompanied by a Shield, and upon it, a Sword with wings, much like the symbol of the Valkyrie. The dragon was now wrapped around the sword, looking intimidating. He enjoyed the new look, but then stopped loving his new look and sighed as he looked looked around. He didn't see Sin anywhere, but could hear his voice in an echo that traveled around the room.
"I'll see you when the Sun is highest in the sky...Upon the Summer Sun Celebration...I hope you like the gift..." Was all he heard as laughter filled the air around him.
He soon found himself back at the lobby. The middle of the room gleamed a bit with a shine. He stepped onto the middle as the platform started to move. It traveled upwards for him to meet the door he first entered. Opening the door slowly to see everyone there, he was soon greeted with cheers and hugs by the others. The two princesses could only smiled, a sigh with relief from the older of the two signified that she she was happy nothing happened to him. They soon started asking him questions regarding his health and if anything hurt. He only shook his head as everyone sighed in equal relief.
"So what did he tell you down there?" questioned Twilight. He looked at every one's face to see equal concern amongst them.
"He told me something about a Summer Sun Celebration. That he would see me when the sun is highest in the sky during the celebration" muttered Graham, trying to make sense of what he was told.
"I'm sure he's jus' tryin' to scare ya sugarcube. I wouldn't trust his advice if ma life depended on it." AppleJack consoled. Doubting Sin's threat. The other girls shared their own personal doubt, believing it to just be a bluff to scare Graham into working with him.
Celestia looked thoughtful for a moment before she decide to add in her own input. "Everyone, I believe there are many things to doubt about Sin's surprise for the Sun Celebration. But we must not blow off what information he has given us. The summer sun celebration is within five months. we must prepare for anything that Sin will try to pull."
Graham looked at them all and smiled. "Whatever he tries to pull, I'm gonna hit him harder. I wont let him lay a slimy claw on any of you!" The others cheered after his relieving words.
Twilight walked up to him, and jumped up to meet his face with her own and smiled. "I'm glad you're alright..."
Graham could only hug her as he rubbed her back while she was staring into his eyes. "I would never let anything happen that would keep me away from you..." She soon found her lips on his as they exchanged kisses. The others could only join up in a warm "awww".
Twilight stopped the kiss to look at her man. "You were a pretty nice looking stallion in there, just so you know." she said with a hint of husk and a seductive wink.
"You like me as a stallion?"
"I like you just the way you are. I don't want you to change for me." She added as she giggled. She plopped down onto the floor to meet their friends. Graham was tired, and needed a lot of rest from the difficult trials. He felt as though he could sleep for days.
"Why don't you go rest back at home, Graham. You deserve it." Rainbow commented as she zipped right up to his side, putting a hoof on his shoulder.
"I can take care of Gypsy while you rest..." Fluttershy added after Rainbow Dash's comment. "That is, if that's okay..."
"I'm fine with it. She needs somewhere to go where she can be taken care of. I don't have any food for her, so please, take good care of Gypsy." He smiled as she did.
"Then lets get you into some nice warm pajamas, and get you into bed." Rarity said in her usual manner.
Graham yawned a little bit as the lovely thought of sleeping on a soft mattress clouded his mind. "You have no idea how good that sounds right about now..."
Everyone said their goodbyes to the royal sisters as they lead Graham towards Twilight's Tree House. After about an hour, he soon laid in bed. Twilight walked over and gave him a kiss.
"Good night, my strong man." She said quietly as he soon entered dreamland. She walked quietly as Spike closed the door for her as she left. Spike walked downstairs with her as he pondered.
"Twilight" Spike called. "Do you think that Sin's really going to appear on the Summer Sun Celebration?" She could only look at him with concern.
"Whatever he is going to try, we need to be there for Graham when the time arrives..." Was all she said as she went about reading her books. Spike could only frown as he started cleaning.
"Your right Spike, and we all will be there for him when the moment comes for us to band together to defeat Sin if his bluff comes to fruition." The determination on her face could probably scare even Sin as she helped Spike clean up the place and tidy things up. The two had manged to make the place sparkle from the good cleaning they gave it. Twilight wiped some sweat on her face with a towel.
"I'll be right back Spike. I'm going to go check on Graham and make sure he's okay" she got up from the comfy couch they sat in and began to head for the stairs.
"Go right ahead Twi. He needs to be checked up on, especially after the beating he took from Sin." he called up to her as she went up the staircase.
She walked into his room and saw his sleeping form, a smile on her face. Twilight smiled warmly at him and decided to take a peak at his dream. what she experienced in his dream was very surprising.
"I'm really glad I took Celestia's offer." Graham said with a hoof around her neck, a smile spread across his face.
"I am too Graham." She said quietly.
Graham could only smile outside his dream world, as Twilight made Spike take a letter to Pinkie Pie...
Then a few hours later, Graham woke up as fresh as ever. It was dark out, but he didn't feel tired anymore. He stretched his arms and got up to see a note from Twilight on the night stand.
"Dear Graham,
We have something you need to pick up. It will be in the park. When you're ready, come down and Pinkie Pie will give it to you.
Love,
Twilight Sparkle"
Graham looked at the note with confusion. "What could Pinkie Pie possibly have for me..." He said as he threw the note away. He stepped out of tree house and started treading the path towards the park.
He looked up as he stared at the moon and the stars. "The night sky looks amazing!" He said to himself. "Much better than the ones I had back at home." He kept walking up until the smell of baked sweets enter his nostrils. "Is that cookies?" He asked as he started jogging. The scent became stronger as he neared his destination. He started running at a quick pace, his focus was upon the sweet smell of cookies. He got past a few trees and jumped back to see everypony there with smiles upon their faces.
"SURPRISE!" They all yelled at once. Graham smiled as he realised what it was.
There was a banner behind them, spelling the words "Welcome to Ponyville" on it. And beside them was a picnic blanket holding all sorts of goodies upon it. Fruit Punch, Baked Goods, and even a giant cake was piled up on it!
Graham laughed. "You guys didn't need to do this!" He said as Twilight stepped up. "Pinkie Pie even said when you arrived she wanted to throw you a party, remember?" She giggled as Pinkie Pie bounced around him. "It's true! I did! I said it!"
"And Spike helped make the party possible!" Rarity said as Spike blushed with embarrassment.
"Oh stop it, it was nothing!" He said after as he picked up his famous cookies and eating one. Graham soon joined the rest as they partook in the celebration. All of them enjoyed the sweets that were baked by the generous Mr. and Mrs. Cake over at SugarCube Corner.
After eating the goods, Twilight walked over to him, sitting down with him. "There one more thing we all want to give you. It's a little something that I thought us, as a couple, could enjoy together...it was in your dream, too..." She blushed as he soon saw Celestia and Luna flying in the air, they soon landed and both smiled. The younger of the two spoke.
"The fireworks are ready." Luna said as Celestia the raised a wing, signaling to two stallions at the fireworks at the bottom of the hill to fire them. Lights soon filled the night air as everypony started watching. Twilight sat with Graham as they started ignoring the fireworks, and started Kissing each other as one particular firework formed a rainbow-colored heart up in the air. The firework made the others turn their attention towards the all smiled as the two continued to make out during the firework spectacle.
"You know you two, we do need to discuss something quite important regarding the romance you share for one another." Celestia said, as she looked at the fireworks. The two stepped kissing each other wildly and sat on the grass looking at her from behind.
"We do?" was all Graham could manage. He felt a small amount of fear in the pit of his stomach as if he had done something wrong.
"Don't worry Graham, I can assure you that you have done nothing wrong in the slightest. What we need to discuss is more in the realm about your future plans with my beloved student Twilight Sparkle and the intricacies that it brings since your not a stallion. We will talk about this after the festivities so please enjoy the festivities and congratulations on passing the trials." Princess Celestia had been very concerned about their relationship, but had a good feeling Graham would know what to do when the time came for it.
"Thank you very much Princess Celestia." Graham said with a slight bow.
"No need for formalities young Graham. I believe we know each on a certain level we can talk on a first name basis my friend." she assured. "Luna and I have some things to attend to, please excuse us for the time being; though rest assured we'll return in a while." and with a courteous goodbye from both sisters, they hand flown off to attend whatever business they had yet to finish.
"Twilight" Graham started off slowly. "What we feel for each is so very real, that it truly shocks me that I could find this love, this bond we share, but there is one thing I blame myself for." he stared at the firework, a sad smile gracing his face.
"What do you feel so guilty about Graham? Did I do something wrong, what is it something I said o-" she was interrupted shortly by a kiss full on the lips.
"You have done absolutely nothing, but care and love me. It's I who feel that I've let you done in some way. I wasn't really sure what I wanted while I was here, but some way you made that path clear to me and you and the rest of the girls gave meaning to what I did in my day to day life. You made me feel whole again. For years I felt empty, incomplete and the confusion I felt was borderline infuriating. Then I met you and everything changed. I just feel as though I'm an asshole for being so willing to push this relationship on the fast lane and not even consider how much stress it put on you through our toughest and our lowest points. I want to take things easy from here on out, and truly allow the love we share for each other to manifest and grow." Tears brimmed the edges of his eyes and he stared deeply into Twilight's purple pools that he always found himself drowning in.
"G-g-raham" she choked out, tears freely falling down her cheeks. It was like watching a majestic angel cry for the pain and suffering of others. Graham just couldn't handle it, and even he was crying with her.
"I-i love y-you so mu-uch it just hurts Graham." she sobbed as she threw her forelegs around him and pressed her face into his chest.
"I know Twi. It hurts like the intensity of a thousand suns. My love for you is an undying fire and I can never see myself not loving you every moment of my life." he pulled her face up, causing their eyes to meet. It was as if they just understood everything.
"I love you Graham" Twilight said, as her tears slowly stopped.
"I love you too Twilight Sparkle." Graham replied.
The two kissed slowly under the fireworks, uncaring of the festivities that still went on around them.
Author's Notes
I hope you enjoyed the last chapter of Friendship is a Miracle. This was a wonderful story to do, and no worries, there will be more...MUCH more..more than you could possibly realize. I mean we have many things in store for you guys, and with the conclusion of this story; comes a new series that has been born. Although Henry ol' boy will be working on the Retelling of this story, I will personally be steam rolling the next few parts of our grand design for our Saga, while Henry will be interacting with you ponies in a very exciting way. To demonstrate the new interactivity, the first chapter has already been redone and a note will be waiting for all of you as the next "chapter" So if you think we're done, you're WRONG. DEAD. WRONG. We've yet to get started If anything. Now if you fans, our backbone to our inspiration to continue, wish to help us with ideas for future updates, we might JUST might add you to our little community, In SOME way or another, whether as a cameo or some bizarre new character; we'll really let you guys in on what will be happening going forward.
I think this is about it, fellahs. Until Next time...
Keep On Rockin'!~