It wasn't until sometime later that my body soon returned to consciousness as my eyes soon opened up and I began to return to life. I opened my eyes but everything was fuzzy and they still felt kinda heavy. I blinked a few times and rubbed them with my hooves. As I started becoming more aware of my surroundings I soon noticed that twilight who had a few bandages covering her body, was sleeping right in front of me with her head buried in my chest. I also felt another presence right next to me too. I looked down to see scarlet who was resting on me like a pillow and had her head rested on my flank. Then I felt somepony else behind me. I looked back to see that It was Rena who held onto me and pressed herself up against my back... What happened when I was asleep?

Why did I wake up, literally covered in mares? If this is some kind of harem then it's the weirdest fucking harem ever. Rena is a vampire from another dimension, scarlet is myself, and twilight is my friend... Why can't I just be happily married? I was able to look out over the room to see that other than me everypony else was asleep, but there were far fewer ponies now, they must be having breakfast, or something. They probably are feeling better by now, it's been two days. I blinked a few times to clear up my eyes and then I stretched and let out a powerful yawn. I relaxed again and figured I would wait until the others wake up so I don't disturb them, but it turns out that my yawning and stretching already woke them up, all three of them.

"Oh, good morning crimson." Said scarlet looking up at me with a smile as her head remained on my flank.

"Crimson...you're up." Said twilight who looked up at me and smiled.

"I see the sun has risen you as well." Said Rena looming over me with a smile.

"Uhm... Good...morning?" I said awkwardly.

"You're probably wondering why you woke up next to us all." Said twilight.

"The thought may have crossed my mind." I said.

"Well, when the others woke up you were already out like a light, and we saw that you were just sleeping over here by yourself, and you looked cold and lonely, so we decided to sleep beside you... To keep you warm." Said scarlet.

"Thanks..." I said. "Pathans very generous and kind of you three, but I wasn't exactly freezing my tail off, in fact I just needed some rest to regain my strength, and I'm feeling much better today." I said. Rena stood up behind me and scarlet got up as well. I rolled over and got up on my four hooves and so did twilight. "So, is everypony alright?" I asked.

"Yes, they're all fine." Said twilight.

"Are you alright too twilight?"

"Yes, I'm fine, just a few cuts and wounds... But I've been resting and getting better." She said.

"Where are the others?" Asked scarlet.

"Probably eating in the mess hall." Said twilight.

"These horned knights to know how to harvest a rare banquet." Said Rena.

"Hmm... I, dealing kinda hungry myself." I said.

"Let's go eat then." Said twilight smiling and walking over to the door. We all went out to the main hall and surely enough everypony else was there smiling and welcoming me and scarlet back. Once all the please tries were out of the way we walked up to the huge table and sat down to eat some food. We ate food and caught up on what's been going on. Knight commander Merideth was saying that she was surprised at what's happened to us, but then she started beating herself up for not seeing this before. Once we got all those grim details out of the way it was nice to take some time and just talk and eat with friends. It felt like things had gone back to normal. Except there were huge Minotaurs sitting among us. Suddenly from behind us, two familiar Minotaurs had walked into the hall from outside. It was Rokk and Gord.

"Ah crimson... Feeling better I see." Said Rokk who walked over happy to see me. Gord placed his axe down and smiled as he walked over too.

"Just the pony we were looking for." Said Gord.

"Remember what we talked about yesterday, about meeting the chief?" Said Rokk.

"Don't tell me the chief is going to have an audience with this pony." Said one of the Minotaurs sitting around.

"We don't know that yet..." Said Gord.

"But the chief said that he could take the test." Said Rokk, suddenly the room got rather quiet.

"The...test?" I asked speaking up.

"Yes... The test." Said Rokk.

"What's that?" Asked twilight.

"The test is a challenge given to an outsider to determine if he is worthy of seeing the chief." Said one of the Minotaurs sitting down.

"I heard that the last pony to take that test was eaten alive by a cave slime." Said one of the other Minotaurs at the table.

"Cave slime? I heard that it was a glacier garner." Said another Minotaur. Soon they got into a debate about which strange monster was responsible for killing the last pony to take that test. I just ignored them and turned to Rokk and Gord.

"So... Can you tell me anything else about this test?" I asked.

"No, it's different every time..." Said Rokk.

"All we can tell you is that you don't have to take it at a certain time, but you can't see the chief without taking it." Added Gord.

"So I can take it whenever I want...huh?" I said rubbing my chin. I suddenly saw a worried look spread over twilights face.

"Crimson... What are you doing? You're thinking about doing something stupid aren't you?" She said.

"Possibly..." I replied. "I'd like to take the test now."

"Crimson... That's stupid." Said Merideth speaking up. The other Minotaurs stopped arguing now and just looked over at me.

"Why on earth would you want to take the test right now." Asked twilight.

"You just got up and you're in no condition to be fighting right now." Said scarlet.

"I don't know." I said stretching my hooves. "Last night was one hell of a good nights sleep, I'm feeling pretty good this morning." I said. "Don't worry, I know that whatever it is, I can handle it."

"Crimson..." Said twilight but she knew it was useless to argue with me when I've got my mind set on something.

"Well, if that's so, then come with us... And we'll take you to the arena." Said Rokk. I got up and followed them and they lead me out of the hall. The others came too and soon the Minotaurs went out to tell the others about the test I was going to take. I followed Rokk and Gord through the village until they brought me to a huge building that was dead in the center of everything. The building was the largest I ever saw. It was some kind of arena but a castle at the same time. And it looked kinda like the hall we were staying at too. It was large and circular with battlement stations and mortars on the corners. The opening of it was a huge wood and iron door. Rokk and Gord walked up and opened up the gate and lead me in. We walked in and it was some kind of hall like the one we were staying in. But in the very center was a pit of some kind which looked like an arena.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"This is the great hall." Said Rokk.

"This is where the chief is, it is also the gathering place for the whole village. Down there is the pit, we usually have fights in there to see who is strong. Sometimes we fight each other, other times we fight monsters that we keep in the mountain dungeon. Whenever there's a fight we always bet on who's going to win. This place also serves lots of food."

"It's also a resting place once a feast is over and everybody is tired from the day." Added Rokk.

"So basically you come here and all you do is eat, sleep, fight, and gamble." I said.

"Pretty much..." He said. I looked around and though about what it would be like if we had a place like this in Equestria... It would be very interesting. As I looked around I saw that there were already other Minotaurs here who had already been here. Rokk lead me over through the great hall and over to a gate by the pit. He opened the gate and there were a set of stairs going down into the arena. Lots of the Minotaurs started to talk and whisper to each other.

"Go down there and we'll announce the fight. Once all the betting is done and everybody is ready... The fight will begin." Said Gord. I looked down and swallowed my doubts. I took my first step and the. Began walking down into the arena. The pit was covered by a dome of metal poles which acted as a crude but sturdy cage over the pit. I walked down the stairs and stood in the pit. I walked closer to the center and saw that there was a gate to my left. Right across from me was another set of stairs, probably if there's going to be another competitor, and the gate to my left must be for the monsters.

"Alright everybody listen up." Said a loud voice which could be heard over everything. I looked up to see that it was Rokk. "This fight is going to be a bit different. This pony is going to be taking the chiefs test in attempts to gain audience with him. We will begin the match shortly... So if you have bets to make, then make them."

"Who's the little guy fighting?" Asked somebody in the crowd.

"It's going to be a monster." Said Rokk. It wasn't long until the news spread and the great hall had gotten full. Minotaurs came in and ate food as they placed bets on me, I'm assuming most of them were placed on the monster instead of me.

"There's no way he's going to win... He didn't even walk in with armor or a weapon." Said a random Minotaur.

"Probably just another dumb outsider... This is going to be quick." Said another one. I stayed in the center of the arena with my eyes glued on the gate, but I sometimes took my eyes off the gate to look around at everything. The hall had. Grown very full now, and there was lots of chatter and the sound of beer mugs being clanged together. Female Minotaurs served out drinks and food and everybody, even my friends, gathered around the cage. It seemed that all the bets had been placed since Rokk walked up to some kind of stand right above the gate in the pit and spoke out over everybody.

"Alright!" He shouted. "The match is about to begin. One of the guards has gone down and chosen a monster at random. Once we open the gates we will know." He said. "Good luck to the competitor, and remember... Anything goes." He said as if giving me a hint, and I think I knew what it was. It wasn't long before the sound and chains clanging together filled the air and I heard the sound of churning metal as the gate started to lift up. The gate was rather big, probably big enough to fit a giant through, must be for some of the monsters that they have in there. Once the gate had fully risen I got ready to fight and waited. There was darkness beyond the gate, but then I heard a growing sound, it was deep and it echoed through the caves beyond the gate.

Soon a figure started to appear, and it was a big one. It grew closer and closer until it stood out from the shadows of the cave and became visible. It was some kind of huge monkey, giant like beast. The creature was three times my size and had icy blue skin with white fur covering its body. It had a monkey like body, but it was different. It had a large jaw which was full of sharp teeth. It had six eyes on its head. One pair of large eyes and two pairs of smaller ones above them. It breath howled and pounded its chest with it big, hammer like fists. Also to my surprise the beast had four arms and large monkey like feet. It let out a breath and you could see its breath. This thing was a monster,

"Looks like its a frost troll." Said somebody in the crowd. So it's a troll, I don't think I've ever seen something like this, but I see new things pretty much all the time, so it isn't that big of a surprise to me. The beast pounded its four fists together and howled at me again. There were metal cuffs around its wrists and neck suggesting that at one point it had been bound and restrained, but not anymore. It didn't take the beast long to quickly charge at me running with two fists hitting the ground and the other two at its side like its going to attack me. It leapt towards me with all four fists in the air and brought them down towards me. I quickly leapt out of the way and all four fists hit the ground and the ground shattered from the hit. It's definitely a powerful beast, I'll give it that.

"Crimson... Do something!" Shouted twilight from up above. The beast lashed its arms over to swipe at me since I was still close to it, but I leapt into the air and spread my wings out. I focused my energy and began to glow. I quickly trusted both wings forward and a blast of light shot from my body towards the troll. The light blasted the troll and kicked up a cloud of dust. But it wasn't long after that the troll quickly jumped up out of the dust and hit me out of the air. I rocketed towards the ground and made a hole on impact. The crowd was definitely riled up now and were shouting and yelling. I abruptly got up on my hooves and snarled. I focused all of my energy and began glowing brightly. I summoned my armor and my scythe to me and was transformed in a huge flash of light.

I stood there holding my scythe in my wings and the troll soon charged after me. I quickly spun my scythe and launched a blast of light towards the beast. The magic hit the troll and it flew backwards into the wall, by this time the crowd was very confused, except for my friends who cheered me on. I held the scythe up and thruster the tip into the ground and a wave of spikes jetted from the ground towards the troll at quick speeds. The troll managed to dodge the attack and came after me again. He swung one of his fists at me but I spun out of the way and used that momentum to stab my scythe into his arm and he hollered. He picked his arm up, and me with it since my scythe was still stuck in his arm. I quickly changed force and pulled my scythe downward with all my might and is cut right through his arm. I fell to the ground and so did one of his right arms. The beast hollered in pain and was growing angry.

Suddenly and unexpectedly the beast let out a deep holler which seemed to freeze the very air around it. The ground started to ice over and the air grew cold. The troll held up one of its hands and bits of ice started to form into the shape of a large, but crude hammer. It looked like a piece of ice stuck to a stick, if the stick was made of ice too. The troll rushed over and used and overhead swing to hit me with his hammer. I quickly moved my scythe up and blocked the attack. I broadened my stance because I knew that the impact would be massive, and it was. The force pushed me into the ground slightly. The troll pushed down on my with his hammer, but what I didn't see was his third hand which quickly came out of nowhere and punched me right in the body. His fist was as big as I was, so he didn't just punch my face, or chest, but my whole body. I flew backwards and hit the wall. That's once damn smart monkey. I fell from the wall but sloppily landed on my four hooves. I figured that now, the only way to beat ice is with fire.

I attuned my body to the element of fire and the symbols covering me quickly changed from white to red. Fire soon started to sprout from the fire and from my eyes too. The blade of my scythe caught fire as well and my mane turned into a long stream of fire. I let out a growl and heat, and embers emitted from my breath. I quickly dashed forward with my scythe in my grip and aimed for his weapon. I flew right past him with wings of flame and cut the trolls ice hammer in half. The head of the hammer fell and hit the ground as I landed on my hooves behind him. He didn't seem to like that since he hollered and then threw the stick of ice at me. It traveled through the air at great speeds but I quickly put up a super heated barrier which quickly turned the whole thing into water.

The large troll took in a deep breath and then he exhaled a frosted breath, like a dragon breathing I've instead of fire. Luckily I have the same trick up my sleeve,vandalism I took in a deep breath too. I let it out and expelled fire from my mouth in defense of the trolls frost breath. The two were equal in power. Once I was out of breath the troll was too and our blasts stopped. I quickly let out another breath but used it to creat a wall of fire I front of me. I did that to act as a sort of temporary safety barrier, even though it won't hold the troll back for long. I quickly let out a short breath and fired a bolt of fire towards the troll. The blast of fire hit the troll and got him right in the side. His fur caught fire and he screamed and hollered as he started to burn. He managed to breath his ice breath on it and It stopped the flame, but he was burnt badly.

Even though this was a fight like any other, I still didn't forget the reason why I'm fighting this thing, which is to impress the chief of the village, who must be watching. I had to think of something that no pony has ever seen before. Thoughts ran through my mind until I settled on one idea which I found to be quite interesting. I quickly put my thought into action and let out another breath of fire which covered me in flames. I had forgotten that many years ago when I defeated chrysalis the changeling queen I absorbed her soul, and therefore her power. Used that I began to use that power to shift and change my body into a new form. My hooves started to grow out, turning from ordinary hooves to razor sharp claws. The fur and hair fell from my body and were replaced by scaled and spines. My tail grew longer and spikes developed at the end. My snout grew longer, teeth grew sharper, my body grew bigger and my eyes changed shape until I had completely transformed myself into a dragon.

The fire still burned around me and I took up most of the space in the pit, there wasn't much room left. I had shiny black scales and pikes running down my back, my armor even changed with me and covered my arms, legs, tail, body neck and head with golden and black spiked armor. The runes still burned over my figure and fire still expelled from them and my eyes. I let out a deep growl and ember end flew from my mouth. Everypony was silent now. This was the first time I've ever done anything like this, and to be honest... It feels kinda good to be a dragon. I opened my mouth showing my razor sharp teeth and let out a fierce roar right at the troll as embers and heat travelled through my breath. The troll was now scared, it should be. Being in this body was a bit strange, but it felt oddly natural, and I was getting more and more used to it by the second. I trusted my head towards the troll and picked him up in my gaping may. He hollered and I bit my teeth down on his body and then threw him over to the side. He hit the wall and tried to get up. I let out a deep breath and expelled a great amount of super hot fire. The flames engulfed the entire side of the arena and once they were gone the troll was nothing but a burnt corpse. I let out a puff of smoke from my nose and started changing back.

I let out a large breath of fire to cover my body as I changed back into my normal self. My claws reverted back to hooves, the scales went away and fur and hair returned. My figure shortened and went back to normal, and soon I was just a regular pony. I did notice that I forgot my tongue which was still forced and snakelike. I flicked I front of my on its own accord which made me realize and I quickly sucked it back in and changed it to a normal tongue. Everything was silent now, you could literally smell the awkwardness and the confusion in the air... Or that could just be the smell of burnt corpse... Either one. The. Suddenly one Minotaur who stood against the rest of them began to clap his hooves silently and everybody looked over at him. He wore shiny golden armor and wore lots of piercings and jewelry on his horns and neck. He was on some kind of throne like chair above the rest of them at the end of the great hall... He must be the chief.

He stopped clapping and then put his hand forward and stuck his thumb out to the side. It was like what Cesar would do during a battle. Everybody watched and waited, and then he stuck his thumb upward in the air... That's when everyone lost their shit. All the Minotaurs let out an earth shattering cheer and began celebrating and clanging flagons of ale together and drinking. Even my friends were celebrating. Rokk and Gord were the happiest. They were all celebrating even though most of them lost their bets. Rokk had come down and opened the gates and smiled at me. I walked over and up the stairs, back into the grand hall. I took my walk of glory back over to my friends and I got there and some of them smiled, others looked rather concerned.

"Well, that was a new trick." Said twilight walking over. "A little concerning, but I have to admit... It was pretty cool."

"Kinda sad that I make a better dragon than spike, who... Actually is a dragon." I said smiling.

"Yeah..." She said but then a sullen look spread over her face. "I miss spike, and the others." She said looking down.

"Hey, don't worry." I said picking her head up and smiling. "I've got a good feeling that this long journey of ours is soon coming to its conclusion."

"I hope you're right." She said starting to cheer up. All the others cheered and celebrated still. I don't really know why, it wasn't that great, most of them were against me too and I'm sure that most of them just lost money to me.

"Crimson..." Said Rokk walking over with a smile. "Follow me, the chief wants to see you now." He said. I smiled and followed Rokk. I looked back to the others and saw twilight smiling at me. I smiled back at her and followed Rokk towards a large door resting behind the huge throne like chair made of stone. Rokk opened up the door and let me through. I walked in and he closed the door and I looked around the room, which was kinda like some sort of shrine.

The room was only lit by candles. The chief sat down with his back turned to me, facing an altar which had tons of candles burning on it. The candles had been burning for a while and the white wax had dripped over the altar. All along the sides of the room were huge, thick red candles which burned like torches. Their wave made large pools on the floor and practically fused them to the ground. The floor had knitted carpeting on it and the air was warm, and smelled like incense. The candles were burning a scent into the air which seemed to instantly relax my body. On either side of the shrine was a totem pole. It had four faces on it, a Minotaur at the top, under that was an eagle with wings on the back, then a wolf, then some kind of deer or elk.

"Please, come forward, sit by me... And pray." Said the chief who talked in a calming voice. I did as he said and started walking forward. I moved over to him and sat down at his side and closed my eyes. I started to think about things and I found it very easy to think clearly in this room. The scents, the silence, the lighting... It all seemed perfect. I found it strange how this room could be so peaceful with all the ruckus outside. "Tell me warrior... What is your name?" Asked the chief still calm and relaxed, and in a meditating like pose. His voice was deep and calming.

"My name is crimson blast." I answered still with my eyes closed as well.

"What is it that you want here?" He asked. "What has driven you here?"

"Honestly... My being here was not intended, but I'm here anyway."

"You're presence here was no accident, there are no accidents in life... You have been brought here for a great purpose... What is your purpose?" He asked. I took in a deep breath and let it out then opened my eyes.

"I came here, to help out the city of neverspring... But that is only the means to an end." I said.

"And what is the end?"

"When I leave this world, to find a demon who has taken something very dear to me, and has caused many of my loved ones to suffer pain and sadness." I said. He opened his eyes and glanced over to me for a moment as to judge me. Then he closed his eyes again and turned back to face forward.

"There is no doubt in my mind that you are destined for great things." He said. "There aren't many who have your power... And I'm not talking about being a dragon or using magic without a horn." He said. "Us Minotaurs are very proud warriors, very deeply connected with the earth, that's why our weapons and tools can only be beaten by dwarven steel. Most Minotaurs now are warriors, but there used to be those who were deeply connected to the flow of energy in the world."

"Are you speaking about magic?" I asked.

"No... Not magic, but life and energy itself." He said. "They were called Shamans,tv he great warrior healers, both masters of nature and steel." He said. "I am one of the last." He said.

"The last shaman, what powers do you have?" I asked.

"I am a warrior healer, I bend and change the flow of energy. I can heal great wounds, sooth angered beasts, and call upon all of natures wrath." He said holding up his hand as sparks of lightning began to form on his fingertips and jumps past his palm to other finger tips. He closed his fist and then opened it to reveal that he had created a seed of some kind. "What I am interested in knowing is what powers are under your control, I can see the energy in you, on the surface there is much energy, much magical power... But underneath all of that... Deep in your heart is a power that I have never seen before, a power that would shatter the very earth, but it is locked away, and only you have the key, so why do you not use it?"

"I... Don't know what you're talking about."

"Inside of your heart is a great power... But it is locked away, only you can unlock it."

"How do I do that?" I asked.

"That power will only unlock, when you truly believe in the power you have, only when you finally believe that you have the power to shape the world as you see fit... And you do, but me telling you this is not going to help... You need to figure that out by yourself."

"What have you become so interested in me?" I asked. The chief sat there for a second and took a long, deep breath before opening his eyes.

"The energy of the world is moving quickly, and shifting in unexpected ways. There's a sense of fear in the creatures of this place, and a great darkness has began to overwhelm to world, I can see it every day. The shadow of death looms in the horizon, and the fires of hell burn closer to the surface every day." He said. "There is a great evil here, and it is preparing to consume the world."

"Are you talking about everything that's been going on?" I asked.

"Yes... Though it cannot be seen. I knew the world was beginning to churn into the abyss, so I took looked into it, and an ancient evil has resurfaced and brought its judgment with it. I set up a whirl portal by the city..."

"That whirlpool... It was yours?" I asked.

"Yes... I know ponies may have died, and horrible things have occurred... But I only needed to bring in help from Equestria...and thus the prince arrived in this place." He said.

"So the prince really was here." I said.

"Yes, and he has left now, set out to solve the worlds problems, but that was two months ago... And the darkness only grows stronger." He said. "And then you came, a light amidst all the darkness."

"What did the prince tell you? Do you know where he went?" I asked.

"Yes... I know." He said. "I know of the place that evil dwells, I knew before the prince." He said.

"Where?" I asked.

"Down... Deep below where metals and gems grow in darkness, a vile abyss slowly grows and begins to consume the earth from within." He said. "It's under the earth, deep the the caves. There is a way to reach it from this village, the ancient caves of this evil are also connected to this villages mines, if you follow the mines, you will find the evil deep under the surface."

"Thank you..." I said.

"I would advise that you leave tomorrow, take the rest of the day to gather your supplies and your spirits, know that only those who are brave and pure of heart can go... And there are some with you who's hearts may be fell by the darkness."

"I understand... I will proceed with caution." I said. "Thank you, for all of your help... And I promise that I will bring back the light, and expel the darkness and evil."

"I must ask again... What has brought you here... Why have you taken this upon yourself?" Asked the chief.

"Simply because it's what I was meant to do." I said. "I'm a keeper of peace. Some say I'm simply an angel, others say that I'm a savior, or a god... But it doesn't matter to me which tittle I'm given. All I am is a keeper of peace."

"Then I pray for you, angel of peace... May the light stay by your side, and know that the world will fight for you. The energy of this world flows through us all and chooses those who it believes are worthy... If your cause if just, then I know that the world will not let you fall." He said closing his eyes and returning to a meditated position. I closed my eyes as well and took a deep breath. "So... Warrior, angel...and keeper of peace... Are you ready for the challenges ahead of you?" I took in another deep breath which calmed my whole body and I began to relax.

"Yes... I'm ready for anything that this world or any other has to throw at me..."

-Authors Note: Hey guys, hope you enjoy this new chapter and let me know what you think in the reviews section. this story is starting to near an end now. expect crimson and the others to jump to a new world in 3 or 4 chapters. after this is the human world, but im not sure what im going to do with that one, but it'll be fun. so im glad you guys like it, and be sure to check out the next chapter when its out. see you guys later.

-Stay Shady~