Chapter 3
Shadow Showdown
After the birth of their daughter Solana, Flareon was going to do everything he could to protect her, and that meant Flareon had to be ready for anything. Flareon remembered how the alicorn in that dream told him that he would soon be faced with difficult tests that Alexei would send his way. After his fire magic was strengthened, Flareon decided he was going to learn to master it, Flareon knew he had to get stronger. Luckily for him, Applejack knew the perfect place for some target practice, Apple Acres. After setting up some wood targets painted with bull's-eyes on them, Flareon decided to get to work. A couple of minutes later, after a few perfectly destroyed targets, Flareon began to realize something. "Either I can shoot fireballs in rapid succession, which are very fast, though they aren't as powerful as normal ones, or I can charge them up and shot them as big fireballs which are stronger, but they do take longer to shoot. Before I was only able to shot regular fireballs, but now I can shot both fast and strong fireballs along with normal ones. It's a good thing too because we don't know what Alexei is going to send after me. I have to be prepared for anything. I won't let anything bad happen to Twilight, Solana, you, or anyone else, including my friends. I'll protect everyone the best I can!"
Applejack walked over and patted him on the back. "Remember Flareon...we got your back. Friends always stick together through thick and thin," Applejack said as she began to walk into her house, "Come on in...I'll fix you up a cold glass of apple juice. You looked parched." Soon after, Flareon followed her into the house. Meanwhile, in Death Valley, Alexei was pacing back and forth flexing his claws. As he stopped, Alexei began to smile mischievously.
"Yes...very nice. It seems I've regained some of my lost power. Let's see...what should I do with it? I know...how about I summon some shadow dragons from my army?" Alexei then began to gather power into his hands as they began to glow dark black. A few seconds later, he fired that power into the ground before him. Soon after, twenty-five small winged dragons and twenty-five big wingless dragons appeared before him. When the dragons saw Alexei, they began to bow before him.
"We are at your command lord Alexei. What do you wish for us to do?" they said together. Soon after, Discord appeared in the cave.
"Master Alexei, I found out where Flareon is living. He's in Ponyville!" Discord said.
Alexei began to laugh. "Ponyville you say? He's not living in Canterlot? Flareon is just like him. Nova didn't like to live in royalty either, he preferred to live among the pheasants he called friends. It's such a waste if you ask me," he then turns to the group of dragons, "My loyal dragons, here's what I want you to do for me. Go to Ponyville and destroy the place as much as you can to get the chosen one's attention. Once he shows up...kill him." The dragons saluted Alexei and quickly headed for Ponyville.
As they were leaving, Discord turned to Alexei and asked, "Your plan is to kill him?"
Alexei sat down in his throne and replied, "No, not kill him...it's more like a test for him. You see Discord, if those dragons kill Flareon, then that would have proved he was never a worthy challenge for me. I'm actually hoping he defeats my shadow dragons, it would be such a shame if Flareon would to be killed by those worthless tools. By the time my full power returns to me, I want to enjoy killing Flareon in front of all his friends and family. It would be perfect revenge for what Nova did to me!" Soon after, Alexei and Discord began to laugh as it could be heard from outside the cave. Meanwhile, back at Apple Acres, Flareon and Applejack had come back outside.
"Hey Applejack...thanks for helping me," he said. Unfortunately, Applejack didn't have time to respond as they suddenly heard screaming coming from town. "Come on, let's go!" Flareon said as they hurried into town. When they got there, Flareon and Applejack where shock to find a bunch of dragons vandalizing buildings, stands, and houses. It was total chaos as ponies everywhere were trying to flee. As Applejack went to help the ponies escape, Flareon quickly decided this had to stop. "Hey you jerks! Leave our town alone!" Soon after, the dragons noticed Flareon.
"Well...well, what do we have here?" One of the dragons replied, "You finally decided to show yourself! You ready to die chosen one?!"
Flareon then spit on the ground and smiled. "Bring it on!" A few seconds later, all fifty dragons began to attack Flareon at the same time. After a few well placed fireballs attacks, Flareon began to realize something important. The rapid-fire fireballs weren't powerful enough to defeat the strong wingless dragons, while the big fireballs weren't fast enough to hit the fast winged dragons. He was going to have to use the rapid-fire fireballs on the fast dragons and the big fireballs on the strong dragons. Unfortunately for Flareon, the dragons weren't giving him a lot of time to think as they relentlessly kept attacking him one after another. They were actually trying to kill him, but Flareon wasn't about to give up. "It's time to show you guys what I can really do!" As Flareon pumped himself up, he quickly began defeating every dragon that attacked him with perfectly aimed fireballs. Suddenly, a dragon came behind Flareon and grabbed him. At that moment, the dragons quickly began to rush him. Flareon then used his right hoof to elbow the dragon in the face and was able to get out of the way as the dragons soon crashed into their brethren. As they tried to recover, Flareon flew into the air and charged up his fire magic as much as possible. He then shot a huge fireball directly at the dragons, instantly defeating them. As the black flames near the spot where they once were disappeared, the ponies that were hiding and watching Flareon battle the dragons, quickly came out and rushed him. They then began to throw Flareon into the air while cheering his name. After they let him down, Flareon was quickly met by his friends.
"Holy cow Flareon...the way you totally owned those dragon jerks was so awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"What did I tell you Flareon? I told you Apple Acres was the best place to practice some good, old-fashioned target practice!" Applejack replied.
"I have to admit...the way you use your fire magic is so elegant and beautiful. Thanks to you, I've got some new ideas for some dresses and hats!" Rarity happily said.
Suddenly, a voice from behind them. "What do you think Solana? Did your dad do a great job?" When they turned around, they saw Twilight carrying Solana on her back. She then walked up him, and soon after, they kissed as Solana began to clap and giggle. "Thanks for saving Ponyville Flareon, we knew you could do it!" Twilight said.
As they began to talk about Flareon's battle against the dragons, Solana looked at him and said, "Daddy!" Everyone quickly gasped in amazement.
"Oh my god!" Twilight exclaimed, "Solana said her first word!"
Flareon smiled and patter Solana on her head. "That's my girl!" Soon after, Pinkie Pie decided they should have a picnic in the park to celebrate Flareon and Solana's accomplishment. Even though he had just saved Ponyville from Alexei's shadow dragons, Solana saying her first word was what made it so much more important. As they began walking to the park, Flareon knew that Alexei was going to send more powerful dragons after him. With his wife, daughter, and friends behind him, Flareon was ready to face anything Alexei sent his way.