Drago closed his eyes and gave a solemn sigh, his grip tightening around the Staff of Purity. It had all come down to this. All the years of preparation, blood, sweat and tears. The relentless pursuit of safety at the expense of everything else.
He gritted his teeth and lowered his head. All of the loved ones, all of the friends he had driven away with his desire… no, his obsession to keep Vestroia safe. It would all be worth it in the end. Lucemon's bane would finally be dealt with.
He glanced down over the top of the tower where he was currently situated, over the pathway leading to the entrance of Canterlot, the capital city of Equestria. The enormous army assembled before the barricaded gates of the city awaited his orders silently, looking up at the Arch-Paladin with expectant eyes, thrumming with both nervousness and anticipation. Row after row of Royal Knights stood stalwartly, their lances and shields gleaming in the faint light of the sun. The Siege Bakugan were more than ready to die for the Equestrians, their treasured friends and allies. Behind them were lines of Magmortar, Blastoise, and other artillery-based Guardians, along with platoons of Charizard, Braviary, Falconeer, and other flying-types, each with a Lucario or Gallade warrior riding on their back. The full might of the Vestroian military was on display, prepared to fight and die if need be for Equestria, the nation that had given them a home and an everlasting bond between the Ponies and their Guardian counterparts.
Drago could not help but feel a sense of pride as he looked down at the army before him. It had been him, along with the help of the other members of the Circle of Guardians that had transformed Vestroia from a ruined hellhole after Naga's invasion to the thriving, multicultural empire it was today.
"Lady Arceus… Lady Giratina, your sacrifices were not in vain…" Drago thought, his mind drifting back to his former mentor and her sister, both of whom had given their lives to hold back an invasion of the Subterra region by legion after legion of Lucemon's Gargonoid and Diaboromon.
The remaining members of the Circle of Guardians had set up a perimeter around Canterlot, each commanding a different part of the Vestroian military. Boulderon led the Heavy Armor Corps, consisting of squadrons of Rhyperior, Aggron, Mamoswine, Saurus, and other heavily armored Guardians, meant to provide a form of shock cavalry. Helios led the Vestorian Air Force, hundreds of Falconeer, Ravenoid, Pidgeot, and other Flying/Ventus types, along with a few massive GigaSeadramon bombers. A grim-faced Taylean balanced atop the tallest tower of Canterlot, surrounded by the invisible forms of Ninjask, Greninja, and other assassin-themed Guardians. Wolfurio whooped and bellowed from atop his muscled Griffon mount, his lance and shield gleaming in the faint sunlight. Behind him was the full might of Vestroia's cavalry attachment, hundreds of Sieges atop Griffons, Stantler, Tauros, and Bouffalant, alongside a few Lucario warriors atop the heads of towering Steelix. Normally Trister would have commanded the navy, but with his untimely death protecting Pinkie Pie, Drago had personally taken control of the empire's sea forces. Wailord acted as floating weapons platforms, Troopmon able to man their rotating gatling guns and cannons. Schools of Sharpedo and Gyarados acted as the mobile destroyers of the navy, attachments of Equestrian Royal Guard riding atop the massive beasts.
A pang hit Drago's chest, causing him to grunt and put a calloused hand to his chest, the soft light of the Perfect Core embedded into it softly enveloping his claws. The city was also the seat of power where his former partner Twilight Sparkle ruled.
Twilight… he thought, his memories coalescing around a single moment, that of his partner's coronation and the subsequent departure of the Guardians from Equestria. He had to say, through the several centuries he had been alive for, the most painful moment was precisely that, saying goodbye to his partner. The mare he had been bound to, the mare he had called his friend, his sister.
Tears stung his eyes. The Dragonoid grunted as he blinked away the liquid. He was the Arch-Paladin, his troops looked to him for inspiration and hope. If he broke down in front of them, then all morale would be lost. No, he had to stay strong, not only for the sake of Vestroia, but for Equestria as well.
It was when he thought of his coronation, the same one when Twilight was crowned the ruler of Equestria, where the most vivid memories came rushing back…
Flachback…
Drago closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He felt the tightness of the suit of armor he was currently encased in against his chest and sides, yet the thing troubling him the most was not his physical state, but rather his mental one. Taylean was frantically rushing around him, taking measurements and tightening individual screws to make sure his finest piece of craftsmanship did not fail his friend on his biggest day. The armorsmith, normally so calm and collected, was even more nervous than Drago was!
Just a few meters away, Rarity was busy prepping Twilight for her ceremony as well, making any adjustments as necessary to the princess' dress and stitching. Drago could not help but feel a lump in his throat as he looked upon his partner, her beautiful dress and shining tiara adding to her regal look. Words couldn't describe how proud he was of her, how proud he was of them.
The things they had accomplished together seemed impossible from where they had begun, seeing how he was nothing more than a helpless refugee who had crash-landed on Equestria's shores, his home destroyed and his family slaughtered by Naga's troops, while she was little more than a social outcast who didn't want to associate herself with anything that didn't have to do with the library. And yet here they were, about to be crowned as the rulers of their respective realms, their respective peoples, expected to lead their kingdoms into a glorious future. The rapidly approaching retirement of Celestia and Luna along with Arceus and Giratina marked the end of an era, yet it also heralded the arrival of a new one, hopefully a better and brighter one as well.
"You look so royal, Drago!" Taylean remarked excitedly as he tightened the last few screws around Drago's breastplate, the ninja reaching up with an armored gauntlet to wipe away sweat from his brow as he proudly looked at his handiwork. Drago managed to crack a smile in response, rolling his shoulders and craning his neck to test the armor.
It fit perfectly. Just as he did so, Rarity finished with Twilight's dress, using her magic to neatly fit a brooch onto her chest before stepping back to admire her work. The two designers wiped tears from their eyes as they departed the room to leave their friends to their coronations. Drago coughed awkwardly, looking down at his feet as Twilight turned to face him, flaring her wings and looking at herself.
"How do I look?" she asked her guardian, the nervousness clear in her voice.
"You look beautiful, Twilight, more than ready for your coronation.." Drago responded. The alicorn could easily see through the Dragonoid's façade, yet she had surprisingly little to say either. The bitter pill of truth was hard to swallow for both of them.
"Drago…" Twilight began, watching as the Dragonoid cringed at the sound of her voice.
"I know what you're going to say,Twilight; there's no need to make it more painful than it already is," Drago responded, his voice filled with pain.
"You can't feel sad now, Drago… Vestroia and Equestria are counting on us," Twilight urged her guardian, placing a hoof on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.
The Dragonoid didn't respond, his mind embroiled in emotional turmoil. The fact that Arceus had told him first about the need to leave Equestria to not only rebuild Vestroia but to protect their partners had gnawed at him for weeks. The fact that he had to say goodbye to his foster brothers Spike and Shining Armor, his sister-in-law Cadence, his adoptive parents… He could not bear with it. All the memories they made, all the time they shared, all of it would be for naught if he didn't embrace his destiny as the new ruler of Vestroia. The other races of Guardians had elevated him as their leader as well, having seen all the accomplishments he had done over the course of his tenure as a Paladin of Equestria. He did not know whether or not the choice had been for the best, however, seeing how emotional he was, how weak he was.
They deserved a stronger guardian as their ruler, not someone like him. They needed someone to lead them into a prosperous new era of peace and harmony, rather than an insecure wimp who didn't even have the guts to tell his friends until the very last minute. They needed a leader, not a follower.
Drago took a deep breath to steady himself, the room feeling like it was spinning around him.
"Drago…" The Dragonoid stiffened when he felt a comforting hoof on his shoulder. Looking to his side in shock, he saw that Twilight was hovering next to his shoulder. Before he could do anything, she had pressed herself against his chest, wrapping her hooves around his neck in a gentle hug.
"It's alright Drago, I know how you're feeling, it's time to say goodbye…" Twilight whispered, the Dragonoid feeling the tears rolling down his chest. Drago felt his throat go tight, powerful emotion gripping his chest. He struggled to keep his composure, but the instant he heard Twilight sniffle, the dam broke. The mighty Dragonoid fell to his knees, tears streaming freely down his cheeks. Partner and guardian cried together.
"I'm sorry Twilight… I shouldn't be trying to hide how I feel, especially at this time…" The Dragonoid blubbered, but Twilight hushed him with a quick nuzzle to his chest. He glanced down into her amethyst eyes, unable to see within five inches of his watery eyes.
"Don't be sorry, Drago, we'll face it together." Twilight whispered, despite the heartbreak in her eyes. The great Dragonoid gave a small sniffle before smiling in response.
"Let us be off then, to a new life." Drago said, gently clasping a massive claw around Twilight's hoof, the duo exiting the castle to the bright sunlight and the roaring crowds outside…
Flashback Over
Opening his eyes to once again feel the chilly air against his face, Drago realized that his name was being shouted. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. Whirling around in shock, Drago saw that Helios had materialized beside him, glancing at him with concern.
The mighty Darkus Dragonoid had a hardened look in his one good eye, the black eyepatch covering his ruined left eye gleaming softly in the sunlight. The Marshal's cap on his head signaled his authority, the former Captain of the Thunderbolts looking more than ready to tear some Dark Seekers apart. Ever since Rainbow Dash's death, Helios had been beating the drums of war against Lucemon, constantly lobbying his friend and ruler to take the fight directly to the corrupted Angel Digimon, yet Drago had constantly refused up until now, citing the dangers of rushing blindly into the hands of the master manipulator. The tragic passing of Trister and Pinkie Pie brought an end to that hesitation. It was now war or annihilation: if they did not defeat him, both Vestroia and Equestria were doomed.
Drago could see the emotion in Helios' eyes. The Dragonoid had never gotten over Rainbow's passing, tearing up whenever he saw his nephew, her adopted son Specter. Although Wolfurio was doing a good job of raising him in the absence of his parents, he could never replace the kind of love that Applejack and Rainbow Dash gave Specter. With the end of the Mane Six's influence over Equestria, the bonds that had bound the Circle of Guardians had began to fray as well. Although the Guardians were a war-like race, trained since birth to fight and not give up an inch of ground to their enemies, the time they spent in Equestria and the Ponies had significantly tamed their bloodlust, turning them into more peaceful beings.
Each of the Guardians had a different reaction to their partner's death, with Boulderon turning to alcohol to drown his sorrows in after Fluttershy's passing. The golem had begun faltering in regards to his responsibilities both as the warden of the park and the governor of the Subterra region, Fluttershy's death having numbed him to anything but his own grief.
Taylean had become even more aloof and withdrawn after Rarity's death, his duties as Drago's chief assassin further jading the already brooding ninja. Although he excelled in his role, quietly slaughtering nearly thirty of Lucemon's lieutenants throughout the past three months, the grim nature of his work, combined with the death of his beloved partner had severely impacted his relationship with Drago. The very principles Rarity had taught him… he was spitting on them with every person he killed.
Wolfurio and Helios, both of whom lost Applejack and Rainbow Dash respectively barely one after the other, both fell under deep depression. Both threw themselves into their work, thinking that being busy would numb the sheer agony of their losses. While Wolfurio could barely be seen outside the doors of his headquarters, Helios busied himself with training the next generation of Thunderbolts, along with keeping the Vestroian Air Force up-to-date.
And only Arceus knew what was going on within Trister's mind when the merman gave his life attempting to protect Pinkie Pie.
This was their last chance to turn back a rising tide. Tensions were already rising up among the various populations of Guardians distributed across the empire. The Digimon had their grievances with the Pokémon, who in turn had their conflicts with the Bakugan. Like the three Pony races before the coming of the Wendigos, the fractures within the previously united Guardians were making themselves known.
Lucemon's influence had done its work. Vestroia was being torn asunder from within, the great Dragonoid knowing that if he did not do something to stabilize the situation somehow, the entire empire would collapse into civil war. All that he and Twilight had worked for throughout the past twenty years would be gone in a fiery blitz of death and suffering.
To hell if he would let that happen under his watch. The Dragonoid tightened his grip around the shaft of his staff. With a faint gleam, the staff transformed into a massive greatsword, its blade studded with rainbow gems. In another puff of smoke, the mighty Perfect Shield appeared in his left hand, the reinforced metal gleaming faintly in Twilight's sun. It was time.
"Order the troops into position, Helios." Drago said, his tone tinged with anticipation. The Darkus Dragonoid nodded and disappeared in a flurry of wind.
Over the horizon, the form of a massive army took shape. Banners emblazoned with the birthmark of Lucemon came into view. At its front was Lucemon himself, the angel and demon wings on opposite sides of his body fluttering gently in the breeze. He was in his Chaos mode, the form he usually took in the Digimon mythology. Drago felt his heart catch in his throat as he realized the sheer size of the opposing army. Row of after row of dark-armored Fifth Paladin stomped their way towards the Equestrian border, backed up by hordes of Diaboromon and swarms of Gargonoid.
"To battle, Guardians of Vestroia! To battle, for Equestria!" Drago roared, shaking off his fear and thrusting the Infinity Blade into the air. His soldiers roared, the rippling force of their collective shouts deafening the mighty Dragonoid.
This is for you, Twilight…Drago thought, before leaping into the midst of his army. Lowering his blade, he unleashed a mighty bolt of infinity energy, obliterating the entire front row of Lucemon's army with a mighty explosion. The Creator Digimon simply raised a hand, a glimmering, transparent barrier rising to protect both himself and the second line of his troops.
The forces of Vestroia thundered towards Lucemon's army, the Creator unleashing a crazed laugh as he shot into the air as well, making his way directly towards Drago. The ponies of Equestria, safe behind the magically reinforced walls of Canterlot, watched in sorrow and shock as their friends rushed forward to engage the forces of darkness. The Dragonoid gritted his teeth before unleashing a mighty roar, tucking in his wings and charging straight forward in response.
The battle had begun.
A few hours later…
Drago panted as he pulled his blade from the back of a slain Diaboromon, the monster dissolving into data as the Dragonoid struggled to stay upright.
The battle was going horribly, simply put. The Vestroians did not expect Lucemon's forces to number so much, so much that they couldn't put up a proper resistance. Countless Guardians had already lost their lives attempting a counteroffensive.
As Drago watched, Boulderon drew back his massive fist, a quake bubble forming around it before he unleashed a powerful punch, the resulting shockwave wiping out a group of corrupted Hydreigon. Wolfurio and Helios unleashed simultaneous blasts of Haos energy and barrages of bullets/missiles, devastating the entire frontline of Lucemon's army. Taylean zipped from enemy to enemy, cutting them apart with slashes of his Sky Blades or vaporizing them with blasts from his wrist cannons before vanishing in a flurry of wind to repeat the process.
The great Dragonoid narrowed his eyes. Despite his own exhaustion, he knew what he needed to do to keep Equestria safe. The Perfect Core in his chest glowed brightly with the colors of the rainbow as the Dragonoid leaped into the air. He unleashed a mighty roar.
"BURNING INFINITY!" he bellowed, a massive wave of infinity energy blasting forth from the Core. Every enemy the attack hit was instantly vaporized. Within a couple of seconds, three-quarters of Lucemon's army was destroyed.
The surviving Guardians, along with the thousands of Equestria's civilians lining the streets of the shielded city erupted into raucous cheers upon seeing their great Arch-Paladin's trump card. Within the highest spire of Canterlot, Princess Twilight Sparkle smiled with both pride and relief upon seeing her former guardian's shining form in the sky.
However, Drago had left himself vulnerable being so out in the open. And it was only a matter of time before Lucemon took advantage of it. The Creator Digimon promptly destroyed the pair of Royal Knights he was fighting with a quick burst of Chaos energy before darting towards the occupied Dragonoid.
"Drago…" Twilight whispered in shock before Lucemon's sharpened claws sank into his chest, piercing through and emerging through the other end. The great Dragonoid's pupils contracted as the sheer pain of being impaled coursed through his veins.
"You let down your guard, Dragonoid…" Lucemon hissed in triumph, his other hand glowing with energy as he prepared an Ultimate Sacrifice to finish off the Dragonoid. The fighting stopped across the battlefield as friend and foe alike looked up in shock at the despairing scene. The other members of the Circle of Guardians also stopped, wheeling around to see their leader impaled on the end of Lucemon's hand.
Drago grunted in pain as he felt blood dripping from his maw, sliding down his pure-white scales to coalesce on the ground. Slowly the glow of the Perfect Core faded as its bearer keeled forward, the Infinity Blade slipping from between his limp claws to clatter to the ground hundreds of feet below.
"You feel the agony, Dragonoid?" Lucemon hissed, his crimson eyes gleaming with malice as he watched Drago shudder in agony.
"I… I swore an oath to keep Equestria safe… no matter what… And I do not intend… to break that promise!" Drago bellowed, a sudden flare of strength leaping into his frame as he grabbed ahold of Lucemon with both hands, the Angel Digimon screeching in agony as the Dragonoid sank his massive fangs into his throat. With the last of his failing strength, Drago allocated all of his remaining energy to the Perfect Core, the gem blazing with a multicolored aura.
"You… you fool! You'll destroy yourself as well!" A panicked Lucemon screamed, struggling to break free of the Dragonoid's grip to no avail. Drago's emerald eyes glowed with a steely conviction.
"FINAL SPECTER!" he roared, the entirety of the sky being engulfed with a massive explosion of infinity energy. The Dragonoid's final sacrifice.
"DRAGO!" Twilight cried out, unable to hide her despair and sorrow. Her guardian, the Arch-Paladin himself, was gone, and she only had herself to blame.
Later…
Twilight flew above the her Guardian's remaining army as they cheered over their victory. Knowing that their Arch-Paladin would want them to keep fighting for their Pony friends, the Guardians charged forward. Feeling powerless without their leader, Lucemon's Dark Army retreated to whence they came. Some of them got shot down by their pursuers, but the rest were able to escape, possibly into the Wastelands.
But Twilight was in no mood to celebrate. Tears were streaming down her face like waterfalls over the loss of her Guardian…her dear Drago…
"Twilight! Down here!" Hearing someone calling her, she shot her eyes open and looked down sharply. At the ground before her, Boulderon and Taylean were waving at her to guide her. Behind them, Helios and Wolfurio were with…
"DRAGO!" Her Guardian was weakly and painfully sitting up, Helios and Wolfurio aiding him. With flying speed that would make Rainbow Dash beam down at her with pride, the Alicorn shot down to the ground and galloped over to his side where she fell to her knees.
More tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked over her Guardian's body. Pieces of his armor have been broken off, revealing the freshly bleeding wounds underneath. Dark bruises littered the bare parts of his body like Dalmatian spots; there's even a shiner on his left eye. And blood was trickling down from each corner of his mouth. He groaned a bit as he opened his hood eye at Twilight and smiled weakly.
"Sorry ya had to…see me like this, Twilight…"
"Hang on," Twilight said as her horn started to glow. "I'll heal you." But Drago stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, Twi, but…it's too late for me…"
"Don't say that!" Helios snapped as he and the other three Guardians knelt beside them. "Ya gotta hang on!" But Drago can see the tears brimming the Dragonoid's eye.
"Even you know I'm right, Helios…That Final Specter…used all my strength…to destroy Lucemon for good; I don't have anymore…to hold out much longer…"
"Drago…I'm so sorry," Twilight whimpered, unable to hold back her tears. Her Guardian only placed his hand on her cheek with a weak smile.
"Don't blame yourself, Twi…I'm the one who didn't tell you. That's because I…couldn't risk you helping me; I could've…ended your life too." Twilight sobbed out a laugh as she wiped her tears away.
"Still looking out for me, huh?"
"Once a Guardian…always a Guardian," he chuckled lightly before turning to the others. "Helios…Wolfurio…Boulderon…Taylean…I've one last request for you guys…not as your Arch-Paladin but as friend."
"Anything, Drago," Wolfurio replied.
"Lucemon may be gone…but his dark power still thrives…within the remainder of his army. No doubt…they will do all that they could…to avenge him…and finish what he started. And they will…destroy all we love…to fulfill it…even Equestria. You must lead in my place now…protect Equestria…stop the dark army until they are no more. And last…but certainly not least…" He gave Twilight's hoof a gentle squeeze and a loving smile.
"I name all four of you Twilight's Guardians in my stead." All ten eyes widen at him in shock.
"Drago," Taylean replied. "Are…are you sure?"
"I mean," Boulderon agreed, "she was your partner first."
"I'm sure," Drago answered with a nod. "She's your friend too…through me and your partners. Rainbow Dash…Applejack…Fluttershy…Rarity…even Trister and Pinkie Pie…they would want you to be there for Twilight." The four of them fell silent and looked down at their respective fading marks they still bear from their respective Ponies. Then they turned to Drago with determined eyes.
"I promise, Drago," Helios said, placing his hand on his friend's holding Twilight's hoof. "As your General and as your friend, I shall protect Twilight and her Kingdom of Equestria from Lucemon's dark forces to the bitter end."
"I make the promise as well," Wolfurio concurred, placing his hand on Helios's, "as your General and your friend."
"I also make the vow as well," Boulderon added, placing his hand on theirs, "as your General and friend."
"As do I," Taylean finished, placing his hand on top, "as General and friend." Drago gave them a weak, smiling nod in thanks before turning to Twilight once more.
"Twilight," he then said to her, "now you won't be alone…the others will be by your side…and fight for you to the end…I know…it's what the girls…would want."
"Thank you, Drago," she replied tearfully as she pressed her forehead against his, "but it's just going to be so hard…to let you go."
"Don't worry, Twi," he replied softly. "I'll still be with you always…even if it doesn't feel like it." With eyes closed, a small tear trailed down from each of the two, Alicorn and Guardian.
"I love you, Drago," she said softly with a lump in her throat.
"I love you too, Twilight," he replied softly. "Keep the Magic of Friendship alive for me…" With that, his hand slipped out slowly from the grip of Twilight and their four friends before falling onto his chest.
Arch-Paladin Pyrus Drago of Vestroia is now gone.
Seeing that her Guardian had just died, Twilight gave in and threw herself onto him, sobbing loudly for everyone around the group to hear her. Helios and Wolfurio each placed a free hand on her back tearfully to provide comfort, and Boulderon and Taylean hugged her lightly. All the other Guardians of the army each went down on one knee, mournfully honoring their fallen Arch-Paladin with tears.
Rest In Peace, dear Hero of all…