Welcome back, readers, to another exciting episode of Dragon Ball Harmony! When we left off, our heroes had just defeated the evil Nartron Shenron and secured the Seven-star Dragon Ball. With West City saved and free from danger, the people of the city could begin to rebuild, and our heroes could find a place to stay the night, and even a bit to eat. They found both, when Twilight reunited with an old friend from Equestria, Moondancer, in West City's Capsule Corp. office building. She invited them back to the McColts' home, where she has been staying during her time on Earth, where they also meet Marron's Time-patroller boyfriend, Kamote, who supplied them all with dinner upon their arrival. Now, with a full night's rest, our heroes stand ready to continue their search for the remaining three Dragon Balls. What dangerous manifestation awaits them next? Find out now…

The Hidden World of Monsters: The Four-Star Dragon!

The chirping of birds gently roused Zackary from a most pleasant slumber. Sunlight just peaked through small gaps in the wooden walls of the barn they had been shacked up in. Who knew that a bed of hay could be so comfortable?

Zackary pushed a quilt he had been given off of him and sat up to look around. His friends were still sleeping soundly around the barn. Marron was wrapped up in Kamote's muscular arm, Pan and Uub were sleeping with their heads facing each other, Buu was in the corner snoring loudly, Bulla was in a hammock hanging from the pillars of the barn that she had made from her quilt and Twilight and Spike were curled up together in the middle of the barn. Zackary remembered with a smile how Sunflower kept insisting that Twilight have the master bedroom for the night, but she kept insisting that "I wouldn't want to take your bedroom from you! Besides, I should be closer with my new friends here! We could get another reading after all!"

Spike opened one eye, then the other, then he sat up and stretched out both arms with a big yawn. His eyes fell on Zackary's.

"You're awake early," he said.

"Is it that early, though," Zackary replied, looking back at the rays of sunlight coming into the barn.

Spike shrugged as he stood up, careful not to disturb Twilight. "I'm just used to being the first one awake, I suppose," he said. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," Zackary said. "Feels like I haven't slept that well in ages!"

"Probably because we got woken up in the early hours of the morning yesterday," said Spike.

Zackary suddenly felt his stomach rumble. Spike turned bewildered eyes in Zackary's direction.

"Seriously, Zack," he asked. "Already?"

"Trust me, Spike," Zackary replied, scratching his head. "I don't get it, either."

"You're part Saiyan, remember?" Bulla's voice suddenly called from the hammock hanging above their heads. "You're going to be hungry for like… seventy percent of your day."

"I… oh…" Zackary muttered as Bulla gracefully levitated out of her hammock and floated down to the ground.

"Good to see you two up and awake already," Bulla remarked.

"Yeah," Spike replied before pointing a thumb at Zackary. "But it sounds like this guy could use some breakfast!"

"I could use some breakfast too," Pan's groggy voice said behind them. Zackary turned around to see that Pan and Uub were both stirring from their sleep and slowly sitting upright.

"'Morning all," Uub yawned as he stretched his arms out, letting one fall behind Pan as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Did you guys have a great sleep too?"

"Yeah," Zackary replied. "It's good to actually have sleep in between fighting shadow dragons for a change."

"Buu… smell… food…" Buu began to murmur in between snores. Zackary soon caught the whiff of maple syrup and freshly cooked…

"Who wants pancakes!"

The barn door suddenly burst open and the strangest creature Zackary had ever laid eyes on strutted in holding multiple plates stacked with butter and maple syrup smothered pancakes. Its head could have passed as a pony (even if the snout was freakishly long) with a goat horn and an antler on top. Its torso was covered in reddish brownish scales, with one lime green leg ending in a dragon like claw, and the other ending in a hoof with brown fur. Holding the plates of Pancakes was an eagle talon on one side and a lion's paw on the other. It wore a big grin with a single fang protruding from one side of its mouth. Its dramatic entrance startled the others who were still asleep. What Zackary found most shocking though, is that he didn't feel it coming at all.

"Discord?" Spike asked. "What are you doing here? HOW are you here!"

"Oh, Spikey-wikey, did you forget that I can be anywhere I want with a click of my talon?" this creature, Discord, replied. "Your friends and I at home have been watching your progress in real time, and Pinkie Pie had the most stupendous idea of bringing you breakfast in bed!"

"Wait, you've been watching us?" Twilight asked. "How…" a sudden wave of realisation suddenly changed Twilight's demeanour. "Oh, right, the table."

"Starlight's idea, mainly," Discord said.

"She certainly has a knack for getting things to work," a now fully awake Kamote said.

"She certainly does, Kamote," Discord replied as he handed the first plate of pancakes to a reluctant Bulla.

"Wait, you know each other?" asked Marron.

"Uh, duh," Discord said. "Time Patroller? Spirit of Chaos? You think we haven't run into each other?"

"Well, we appreciate breakfast delivery," said Twilight. "But, could you have made a… gentler entrance?"

"My dear Princess Twilight," Discord replied, handing her a plate of pancakes. "When have you ever known me to not make a big entrance?" He handed another plate to Spike, and then to Zackary, where he paused for a moment, looking into his eyes. Zackary could almost feel the red circles against the yellow piercing into him. After a moment, Discord spoke again.

"You are gonna have an exciting time in the next arc," he said.

"The next what?" Zackary asked.

"You'll see," said Discord cheekily, waltzing over to Marron and Kamote. "This one's already seen,"

"Discord," Kamote scolded as he took a plate of pancakes. "Spoilers!"

"I know, I know, but I just can't help it," Discord replied as he handed Marron her plate.

"I'm not even gonna ask," Marron said, as she began eating her breakfast.

The trotting of hooves outside suddenly caught all of their attentions. Sunflower poked her head into the barn with a wide smile on her face.

"Good morning every – Christ on a Harley it's Discord!" Her demeanour suddenly turned at the sight of the strange creature still with three stacks of pancakes on his arms.

"Stay calm! He's on our side," Spike hurriedly reassured the stunned mare.

"It's nice to meet you too, Dr. Hoofield," Discord deadpanned as he left a plate on Buu's belly. "I'm pretty sure Pinkie Pike made some for you and your husband as well."

"Some…?" Sunflower raised an eyebrow.

"Pancakes," Spike answered, showing her the plate.

"These are great, Mr. Discord," Pan's voice said. Zackary turned around to see that Pan was happily stuffing her face with the Pancakes already, and Uub was just getting his.

"You may want to enjoy these a bit quicker, Zackary," Discord said, turning to Zackary.

"Ok," Zackary replied. "Don't want them to go cold."

"Also, you have another reading," Discord pointed to Bulla. The next second, Bulla's dragon radar began beeping on her hip.

"What, already?" Bulla said. "Eat, everyone! We gotta go!"

Zackary nodded and hurriedly scoffed down his pancakes.

"Well, that was nice of your friends to send us breakfast, Twilight," said Marron. "Even if we didn't get to take our time enjoying it."

The eight of them flew off further west, following Bulla's dragon radar. The pancakes were light and fluffy, and put everyone in high spirits.

"Honestly, I can't believe Discord didn't bring up all the garbage I sent to his dimension," Twilight remarked candidly.

"Wait," said Spike. "That's where you sent that? And he didn't say anything?"

"Starlight and the others must've started watching us after Haze Shenron," Twilight replied. "Discord surely would've noticed all the junk in his dimension, but if he didn't see how it got there, I doubt he'll make the connection until we get back home."

"That is, if your friends can't hear as well as see what's going on," Bulla called from the front of the group, causing a drop of sweat to drop from Twilight's mane.

Zackary was getting the hang of flying for long periods, as he kept pace with Marron with relative ease. They eventually reached what Zackary could only assume was East City, passing over the high rises towards a green mountain with a thick canopy covering the base. The eight of them followed Bulla right towards the mountain and into the trees, landing on the soft ground beneath.

"And it should be right here…" said Bulla as everyone landed. Zackary looked around, but he couldn't even sense anyone else around besides his friends.

"…Where the hell is it?" Bulla asked aloud.

"Are you sure this is where it is, Bulla?" Pan asked.

Bulla deadpanned Pan while showing her the dragon radar. Zackary had a look as well. They were apparently standing right on top of it!

"Shouldn't we have found the shadow dragon if it was right here?" Spike asked.

"Buu no find anything," Buu exclaimed.

"Maybe it can go invisible," Marron suggested.

Bulla shook her head. "We'd still be able to sense its energy. They're not gods. I'm telling you, it's here!"

"Maybe it's under the mountain?" Zackary said. "Did anyone notice any tunnels?"

"Hm…" Twilight put a hoof up to her chin in thought. "I didn't notice any, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. Let's split up find any caves or tunnels around the place."

"Sounds like a plan," said Uub as he took to the sky, followed closely by Pan. One by one, they all flew in different directions in search of any secret caves or tunnels.

Zackary's head peaked over the summit of the mountain and caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a road in the distance. The road seemed to lead away from the mountain towards East City.

I wonder if that leads to the mountain itself, he asked in his head. He descended towards the road down the other side of the mountain, over the canopy of trees all the way down to the road. He was surprised to see that Uub was already standing there.

"Looks like we found our tunnel," Uub said as Zackary landed next to him. The road did indeed lead to a tunnel under the mountain.

"That was easy," Zackary remarked. "I wonder how long it will take the others to find us?"

"Did you guys find any- oh, here it is!" Twilight and Spike landed just behind Uub and Zackary.

"Looks like that won't take very long either," Uub chuckled. "Might as well wait for everyone else to show up."

Zackary nodded as they waited. Soon enough, the rest of the group joined them by the mouth of the tunnel.

"Is it just me, or is anyone else getting really creepy vibes from this place?" Spike asked.

"No, I'm getting them to," Marron answered. "Something feels off about this tunnel."

Zackary couldn't deny feeling the same unease as his friends. It was as if the tunnel was threatening to swallow them up at any moment, or that some gargantuan monster might suddenly spring out from inside. A strange howling wind came from the tunnel as well, as if it were carrying screams of some innocent victims fallen prey to the horrors waiting just within."

"Oh god, I think I know why we're getting those feelings," Bulla suddenly sighed. "Come on everyone, lets go find this thing."

Reluctantly, the eight of them followed Bulla into the tunnel.

The only way Zackary knew where his friends were was by their ki. They walked slowly through pitch blackness, carefully placing each step as they moved. The same howling wind echoed around them as if letting out a dire warning of what was to come.

"I don't like the feel of this, Spike," Twilight muttered. "What if the Shadow Dragon of this ball is just waiting for us in this darkness."

"We should be able to sense them if one was here," Spike replied. "But your right. I can't see a thing and those creepy vibes are getting stronger."

"Buu no worried," said Buu's voice in the darkness. "Buu just turn them into candy and eat them!"

"You can do that?" Spike asked.

"Hey look," said Pan. "There's a light at the end of the tunnel!"

Zackary looked straight ahead and saw that there was indeed, a light at the end of the tunnel. It was a very deep shade of red, though, which did little to quell Zackary's unease. Still, he kept pace with the others as they ran to the other end. When they finally left the tunnel, a cold chill shot up Zackary's spine…

They were on a long cliff overlooking an ocean… that was red… to the right of the tunnel's exit. There was a scarecrow close to them, a carved pumpkin for a head on a cross wearing a glove on each arm and a tattered cape. A nail with a piece of broken wood in the middle of the cross indicated that there was once a sign hanging there.

To the left, a path lead into a forest of darkened bare trees and hooked off further left. Gravestones were scattered throughout where Zackary could actually see, and some of them looked like they had been moved somehow from where they were supposed to be.

"I don't like the feel of this place, Twilight," Spike muttered.

"Me neither," Twilight replied. "That whole forest looks… looks…"

"Dead," the other six finished in unison.

"I know where we are," Bulla sighed, causing everyone to turn to her in shock.

"You… you do?" Zackary asked.

Bulla nodded, leading the way. "Come on guys, follow me."

The all followed Bulla down the path into the woods. It suddenly became considerably darker as they walked, and the occasional cawing of crows above their heads gave no comfort either.

"So, Bulla," Zackary asked. "Where exactly are we?"

"If we follow this right down to the end, we're going to reach Yokai Academy," Bulla replied.

"Yokai Academy," Twilight asked. "What's that?"

"It's a high school for Earth's… non-human native residents, if you know what I mean."

"I don't, sorry," Twilight replied.

"Vampires, werewolves, monsters, things that go 'bump' in the night, mainly," replied Marron.

"So, you have those here, too," Spike remarked. "Why would those things need a high school?"

"To help them assimilate to Earthling society without trying to eat everyone they lay eyes on," Bulla replied. "Actually, quite a few Saiyan kids come here too, now that I think of it. Earth-Guard cadets, mainly."

"How do you know about this place, Bulla?" Zackary asked.

"Well, my family helps fund it every year," Bulla replied. "One of my great grandfathers on my mom's side decided that chasing monsters around with a silver loaded shotgun every time they acted up was going to be an expensive problem, so he helped a bunch of elder S-class monsters build this place."

"So Yokai Academy is a Capsule Corp. project," Pan asked.

"Yep. I'm afraid–," Bulla was suddenly interrupted by a great energy surge just ahead of them. Zackary felt it too. Everyone halted in their place. Explosions could just be heard ahead of them, up the path.

"Looks like we found our Shadow Dragon," Uub said, gritting his teeth. "And it looks like its found someone to pick on."

"Come on," urged Bulla. "We might be too late to save them, but we can still get that dragon ball!"

All eight of them left the ground and sped off down the path in flight. The earie scenery no longer mattered as the group of heroes flew down the road. Eventually, they found themselves before the remains of what Zackary could assume was a large iron gate. The two halves of this gate were mangled beyond any kind of function. Just beyond they gate was a large castle-like mansion, that was on fire. What Zackary suddenly drew his attention to, suddenly reminded him of the chill in his spine.

Bodies. Dead bodies everywhere. Most appeared human, but some were larger or smaller and took the form of some kind of monster. All of them were wearing high school uniforms and were dead. The energy surge was still there, as was the explosions, now much closer.

"What could possibly do this to high school students?" Twilight asked in horror.

Suddenly, one of the towers of the building exploded and a figure flew down and landed hard on the ground just in front of them. A girl, also in school uniform, if tattered and torn. She had snow white hair and as she gritted her teeth in pain, Zackary could see two elongated canines. She struggled to open her eyes, which were blood red. Zackary also noticed mild burn marks on her knuckles.

"Moka!" Bulla gasped. "Marron, have a senzu bean ready for me!" She knelt down next to the injured girl and lifted her head up with her hand. Marron joined Bulla, senzu in hand.

"Is she going to be ok?" Twilight asked. "I can't sense her energy, but she looks pretty beat up!"

"There are certain creatures here that you won't be able to sense, like vampires," Bulla explained as she brought her wrist up the the girl's mouth.

"Ah, that's why I couldn't sense her either," Zackary noted aloud.

"Alas, the fact that she is a Vampire did her no good," a deep and mysterious voice called from the now destroyed tower. "Still, she put up an astounding fight, even though I am in my restrained form."

Zackary and the others looked up to see a surprisingly humanoid figure hovering over them. He was completely red, with dragon like wings that were a shade darker. His dark eyes and wide mouth held a serious look as he hovered down to the ground to meet them.

"I take it you're the shadow dragon we came here for," Zackary said.

"Wait, where's the dragon ball?" Spike asked.

"Never you mind that," the mysterious shadow dragon replied. "I'll tell you exactly who I am. I am the invincible four-star Shadow Dragon, Nuova Shenron!"

"Someone, keep him busy!" Bulla called out. Nuova Shenron simply put up a hand.

"No need," he said. "I'll wait for you to restore your vampire friend."

"Wait, really?" Pan asked.

Nuova nodded. "I have no need for underhanded tricks and surprise attacks. I am among the strongest of the shadow dragons."

"That's what all the others said, too," Twilight retorted. "And we kicked their flanks just fine!"

"Ah, but the others would not have waited for you to help someone in need," Nuova replied, smiling as he continued. "And you'd best hurry. I think your vampire's fading."

Bulla shook herself out of her shocked stupor and turned her attention back to Moka. The vampire girl opened her eyes to see Bulla's wrist in front of her face.

"Don't ask questions," Bulla said. "Just bite and drink."

Reluctantly, the girl did as she was told, and bit deep into Bulla's wrist. Zackary winced as he watched what was happening. After what seemed like minutes, this Moka finally let go, and Bulla quickly gulped down the senzu bean Marron gave her.

"Bulla," Moka demanded. "What are you doing here?"

"You know each other?" Marron asked.

"We went to junior high together," Bulla said. "We were… sort of each other's only friend."

"Which again, begs the question of why you brought more humans into this world, Bulla," Moka asked again.

"They're here for me," replied Nuova. "They're looking for the dragon balls. That quest led them right here, to the Hidden World of Monsters."

"We've got four of them already," Zackary said. "We just need three more, and this guy's got one of them."

"Let me help you get it, then," Moka said, shooting upright. Pan put a hand on her shoulder.

"I think you've done more than enough, miss Moka," said Pan. "Let us take the reins from here."

"You don't understand," Moka argued, a tear rolling down one cheek. "He's not the only one of him here!"

"Wait," said Zackary in surprise. "He's not?"

Bulla took out her dragon radar and had a look. "Nope, he's not. There are two readings here."

"Ah that's right, my brother, Eis, is here to," Nuova said. "Now, if you're done with the briefing, it's time for a fight!"

Zackary approached Nuova and got into his stance. "I did assume you weren't going to just give up the dragon ball quietly," he said.

"Did any of the others?" Nuova asked in reply.

Zackary nodded. "Fair enough." A thought occurred to him suddenly. "By the way, what wish brought you into existence?"

Nuova Shenron smiled as he replied. "I was created with the wish that King Piccolo made to restore his youth. I do not know how that information will help you as you are clearly not Son Goku."

"Sheer morbid curiosity I suppose," Zackary said, placing his guard on his centre line. "So, we doing this or what?"

"I see you are already in position," Nuova said with a laugh. "Very well, prepare yourself."

Nuova charged a threw the first punch. Zackary deflected it with his front had and immediately returned a punch of his own, which landed right on Nuova's chest. Though it knocked the Shadow dragon in his place, Zackary could see that his strike did very little real damage. Furthermore, his knuckle suddenly felt very warm…

Nuova threw another punch, which Zackary deflected again and simultaneously responded with another punch, which also found its mark and also did little except push Nuova back a few steps.

"You managed to land hits on me, boy," Nuova said with a smile. "Impressive. But tell me, how are the burns?"

"Burns?" Zackary asked quizzically until he looked down at his knuckles. They were red, raw and blistering. He also just now started feeling the sting of them, as if he had punched a red-hot iron.

Zackary yelped in pain and blew on his hands in a vain attempt to cool them, only to make the burning worse.

"You should consider yourself lucky that your hands are still in one piece, boy," said Nuova. "I have the ability to raise my body temperature to even higher levels than the sun."

"This was my problem with him too," said Moka.

"Great, now what?" Uub asked, gritting his teeth.

"You leave him to me," Twilight suddenly replied in a chipper tone.

Everyone turned to the purple pony in shock, including Nuova himself.

"You would face the invincible Nuova Shenron?" he asked. "Surely you know you of all creatures…"

"Surely you know who I am by now, Nuova Shenron," Twilight interrupted, taking to the air with one big flap of her wings.

"Of course, Princess Twilight Sparkle," responded Nuova. "Word did reach my ears of your presence on Earth. Perhaps you will give me a real challenge, unlike the supposed 'S-class super monster' over there."

"Don't worry Nuova, I'll put you in your place one day," Moka replied, through gritted teeth.

Twilight hovered just opposite the Shadow Dragon with a hoof on her chin. She then looked down on said hoof for a few seconds, before promptly spitting into it. The spittle began to trickle down the sides of her leg, which is when her horn suddenly glowed purple. With that, the spittle started to crystalise and grow, forming a club-like covering over her hoof. She treated her other hoof in the same way. Soon both front hooves of hers were coated in a crystal-like covering. She adopted a side on fighting stance.

"So, this is pony-magic, huh?" Marron remarked. "I've never seen anything like that!"

"Twilight beat up red guy!" Buu suddenly called out.

Nuova chuckled as he put up his own fists. "An impressive spell, but is it enough to…"

Before he could utter another word, Twilight's covered hoof collided with his cheek, sending him flying back into the building. He crashed into the burning wreckage, causing it to explode further.

"Woah!" Spike put his claws on his head. "Twilight, I didn't know you got that strong!"

"What did we train for six weeks for, Spike?" Twilight asked rhetorically. "This must've been why Princess Celestia…"

She was interrupted buy the burning wreckage exploding upwards. The faint figure of Nuova Shenron hovered above all of them. Twilight shot up to meet him on his level.

"It seems you are a match for me after all, Princess," Nuova said. "Very well. No more holding back!"

"You got it, buster," Twilight retorted, putting her covered hooves up.

Princess Twilight Sparkle has taken it upon herself to face the formidable Nuova Shenron! Will her magic and all her experience on Earth give her the edge? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Harmony!

Zackary: G'day, Zack here! Twilight's really giving it to Nuova!

Twilight: Heha! I haven't had this much fun in ages!

Nuova Shenron: Nor I Princess Twilight. How about we up the ante?

Zackary: Next time on Dragon Ball Harmony: Go, Twilight Go! Battle for Yokai! Don't miss it!