Chapter 4: Curse of the Golden Master
The Ninja and their friends finally made it to the city, landing in the streets. But they were shocked to find it completely deserted.
They walked out into the streets and look around. "What happened?" Sky asked.
"No power that's what happen!" Landrush answered.
"Are we too late?" Ocellus worried. They decided to look around but then Trail pulled a trip wire and a mountain of cars collapsed in front of them.
"Whoa!" Spike gasped and then they heard the sound of angry people as they looked up to see a mob of people dressed in post-apocalyptic clothing holding makeshift weapons.
"Hey, what is this?!" Flash demanded.
"Outsiders must answer to the Mailmare!" a griffon yelled as they turned to see Derpy wearing a commander's robe and a large soup ladle in her hoof.
"Return to sender!" Derpy declared as the mob cheered before both Borg and Dr. Gear came up the pile.
"Ah, you finally made it!" Gear said with delight after seeing the Ninja and the group. "Don't mind the savages. Since power went out, everycreature here has grown a bit bored."
"And their imagination knows no bounds," Borg complained as they went up to the group. They then saw a familiar face coming up to them and were surprised. "Pixal, amazing! You're... powered!"
"You and Dr. Gear needs to stay in character, Borg," Derpy called out as she hit her spoon ladle on her hoof. "This is no fun if we're not all committed," she added, which earns a look from both Borg and Dr. Gear.
"Oh, we'll have you committed if you don't all leave us at once," Dr. Gear retorted as she waved her hoof at the mob. "Now shoo!" she yelled at the mob as the crowd grumbled from this, walking off and leaving the Ninja and their friends with Dr. Gear and Borg.
"Now then, we have real problems to address," Borg added as he turned to Pixal with a smile as she walked close to her creator. "Pixal, what's powering you?" he asked, wondering how Pixal survived the outage throughout Equestria.
Pixal came to Borg's side as she held his hoof. "Frost gave me half of his heart," she answered as she turned and smiled warmly at Frost.
"What?!" Dr. Gear asked in shock as she turned to her son as she walked close to him. "Frost, you know how dangerous that is. Your power source is not to be tampered with, and there could be unforeseen consequences from you dividing your heart," she scolded Frost as she examined his chest area and power supply.
"I know, mother. But it was the only way to bring Pixal back after all she did to us," Frost apologized to his mother, knowing how she would react if he did something like that. "And I learned what happened when I split my heart, it inhibited my fighting abilities and I couldn't do Spinjitzu. But by working together with Pixal, we were in sync and we worked as one," he added while giving Pixal a warm smile in return.
Dr. Gear sighed as she gave her son a small smile. "I did build you to protect others, so I shouldn't be surprised why you did what you did. Just… Just be careful from now on, son," she said as Frost nodded his head to mother, confirming that he would be okay.
"And thank you, Frost," Borg said with a grateful smile for bringing Pixal back. "I am greatly indebted," he added before he gave a worried expression. "Unfortunately, the hard drive was stolen with the digital imprint of the Overlord."
"That means you'll be unable to erase him with your Techno Blades until we find it," Dr. Gear added with a serious tone.
The Ninja and their friends then gave small smiles as Thunder spoke up with a wave of his hoof. "Aw, don't worry, we already had a little run-in with the three red-clawed suspects. Or should I say for one of them, white-clawed?" he levitated the white scale, showing it to the two scientists. "One of them left behind a white scale," he added.
"And get this, he's Serpentine," Fang called out as his siblings nodded their heads in agreement.
Landrush then came to an entrance to the sewers as he opened the lid. "Unh. Lucky for us, the last Serpentine were sealed within a tomb right under the city, so it's about time we pay them a little visit," he said, having recently learned where the Serpentine were trapped when the Samu-Taurs first attacked the city. Aqua climbed down first, then Landrush as the others followed.
"This would be so exciting to see our kind," Coal said in excitement as he climbed down.
"Yeah, but also worried about what they did to Equestria," Fang is worried, having heard from the Ninja and Twilight and Flash of what their snake king did to Equestria.
"But up until now, we haven't seen them since they got trapped, and if they were free, they would've attacked long ago," Sky said as she climbed down next.
"Let's just worry about that when he gets to the tomb," Toxsa said as she climbed next.
"I wish they were other Anacondrai like me, since I'm the last of them," Melody said with a little down expression since she's the only snake of her kind left.
Flash then lifted Melody up as he placed her on his back, since she had a tail and no legs to climb down, as he gave her a comforting smile. "Don't be like that, Melody, you are one of a kind and special," he said as he gave her a muzzle.
Melody giggled from that as she spoke. "Thanks, Dad, and I guess you're right," she said with a small smile as Flash blew down the sewer hole.
"Approach with caution," Borg called out as he and Dr. Gear came next to Frost and Pixal. "We've also lost a few valuable prototypes," he pointed out that most of their inventions and tech prototypes are missing along with the hard drive when they check what else Borg's Tower was missing.
"Meaning that the three suspects may be armed and extremely dangerous," Dr. Gear said in a worried tone for the others to be cautious and be ready for anything.
Thunder then called out with a smile as he was just about to enter the sewer. "We know, and just for the record," he said as he gave a fan stallion smile at Borg, "when those prototypes are made available to the public, could you let me know?" he asked as he climbed down to the sewers while the others gave him a small smile in amusement. "They're just the coolest gadgets," he finished as he climbed down.
"Another time, Thunder darling. Right now, we got snakes to visit," Gaia said in an amusement look as she climbed down next, and then Trail as Frost and Pixal are the last one as Frost gestured Pixal to go before him.
Before Pixal could climb down next, Borg spoke out to her. "Uh, Pixal, where are you going?" Borg asked out in confusion as Pixal stopped. "Now that my assistant has an unlimited power supply, there's an infinite amount of good to be done," he said as he tapped his hooves together, having some ideas for Pixal with her improved capabilities.
"Yes. Now that you have half of Frost's heart, we may have some ideas to help Neo Equestria City get back into working order," Dr. Gear added, knowing that Pixal was needed for this.
"As you wish, Mr. Borg and Dr. Gear," Pixal said as she bowed with a small smile at the two scientists.
Dr. Gear then turned to her son with a worried look. "Now, be careful, Frost. With your power supply limited, most of your systems will function less efficiently. So please, be careful," she said in a worried tone since Frost was now functioning on half capacity.
"I will be careful, mother. Don't worry, I got my friends to watch over me," Frost said in an assuring smile as he and his mother hugged briefly before they departed as Dr. Gear and Borg walked off.
Frost climbed down the hole, but stopped as he and Pixal gave each other longing looks as Pixal walked off with a raised hoof, reaching Frost as she walked away to catch up to the two scientists as Frost watched her go as he closed the sewer hole as he climbed down.
While climbing down the sewers, Landrush turned to Aqua below him.
"Watch your step, Aqua. We don't know the last time this ladder was used," Landrush pointed out, not wanting Aqua to get hurt on accident.
Aqua gave a smile at Landrush. "That's thoughtful of you, Landrush," she said as she climbed down.
Thunder heard that as he looked down a glare at Landrush. "Hey! How about you watch where you're watching, Landrush. Huh?" he questioned angrily.
And just then, Aqua cried out in surprise as she felt two metal bars come off the ladder. She started dangling as she held onto the bar for her life. "Aah! Aah! Uh, guys? A little help?" she called out to the others as she kicked her hind hooves as she held on.
The others didn't hear her as Gaia glared at Thunder. "Can you not start a fight right now, Thunder? We don't have time for this," she scolded.
"Mind your own business, Gaia!" Thunder yelled at Gaia.
"Oh! How dare you!" Gaia yelled in anger as she glared at Thunder.
Landrush does not like that. "Oh, is that a threat you're saying to Gaia, Thunder? 'Cause coming from you, it sounds like some of your best material," he retorted angrily.
"Ha, ha, ha!" Thunder sarcastically laughs at that. "There's a reason nocreature liked you, except for Ocellus and Gaia defending you," he said with a glare.
"Hey!" Both Ocellus and Gaia yelled out as they glared at Thunder.
"Can you ponies not fight for one second please!" Starlight yelled out in rage from this bickering. "Now I know how Twilight feels when she and her friends bicker a lot," She muttered to herself.
"Aah!" Aqua cried out as the bars she was holding to the ladder broke off next as she fell to the floor. "Aah! Unh!" Aqua cried out as the others looked down as they heard bars clanging and Aqua hitting the floor as she grunted as the others realized what happened.
Aqua got up with a sigh as she dusted herself. "My knights in shining armor," she rhetorically said before looking up. "No offense, Flash," She quickly said as she lit up her horn for lighting, knowing Flash is a royal knight.
"None taken," Flash said, not feeling offended by it as the others jumped down behind her.
"It was his fault," Both Landrush and Thunder called out as they pointed at each other.
"Can we not play the blame game, please?!" Gaia yelled out as she separated the two ponies.
"Yeah. Let's keep our eyes peeled," Frost said in agreement.
"We got three figures and a stolen hard drive to find and Serpentine to see. So, no fighting," Starlight added, getting them back to the matter at hoof.
"And our mystery suspects could be anywhere down here," Frost added.
"So that means no arguing either," Flash said to them as he looked at Ocellus and Yona. "And that means you too, Ocellus and Yona," he added, knowing that they were not on good terms lately.
Landrush and Thunder gave each other looks as Ocellus and Yona did the same. "Fine," All four said as Thunder, Frost, and Starlight use their horns for lighting while the rest of them use glow sticks to see through the dark.
As they walked down the sewer tunnels for a bit, Trail spoke. "Serpentine. Never thought I would see them again," he said, never having thought to see them after so long… before realizing who was among them. "No offense kids," he quickly added to the Serpentine Kids.
"None taken," The Serpentine Kids all said together in understanding.
"And it will be the first time we meet our own kind other than us," Sky added since they never saw their own kind before they hatched.
"Oh yes. It will be quite interesting for all of us," Gaia stated as she looked at Aqua. "Aqua, can I speak to you, darling?" she asked as Aqua nodded in confirmation as she and Gaia walked back behind the others so they could talk in private. "Did you notice how quickly Landrush defended me by Thunder's outburst from the ladder?" she asked in a whisper tone.
"Yeah. I did actually," Aqua nodded as she heard them while she was dangling. "He was pretty mad when Thunder yelled at you and Ocellus," She added.
"Yes, but I've also noticed his behavior lately. He was worried when I got hit and he was more than eager to help me out whenever I was in a dire situation, like when Mini-Droid nearly blasted me back at the power station if Landrush hadn't pushed me out of the way," Gaia said with a smile as she looked at Landrush ahead of them. "I've been thinking that… perhaps he does have feelings for me, but just doesn't know it. What's more, I'm worried that his friendship with Thunder will be ruined if they don't make amends and settle this lovers' triangle," she added with a slightly frightened tone.
"Yeah, I know how you feel. Ocellus and Yona aren't faring better either," Aqua stated as she pointed at the changeling and yak girls, the tension being quite obvious between each other to everycreature else. "I hope they can forgive each other, not just for us but for Sandbar's case as well," she added while seeing Sandbar looking at Yona and Ocellus as he sighed at their tensions.
Gaia then sighs as she spoke next. "I should've told Landrush how I feel before all this," she said in a guilty tone.
Aqua then placed a hoof on Gaia's shoulder. "There's still a chance for you, Gaia. It's never too late," dhe said in a comforting smile.
Gaia smiled back at Aqua. "Thanks, Aqua, and I will tell him when the time is right," she said as she and Aqua caught up to the others as they continued through the tunnel.
Back at the three figures lair, White Cloak is typing at the controls as the other two are watching by.
"We know where the Golden Ninja and the Council is, so why are we doing nothing about it?" the Overlord questioned with exasperation of all this waiting. "I must escape this wretched digital prison!" he demanded.
"Patience. The Golden Ninja and the Council won't go down without a fight," White Cloak answered.
"And we already depleted our Electro-Cobrai," Red Hood added as he pointed to the remaining Cobrais they had left in the tubes after they used some to power up the Nindroids.
"Before we take the Golden Ninja's Golden Power and the Council's magic, we need more power of our own," Black Shroud finished.
"Then find more!" the Overlord ordered. "Once I become physical again and rid the scourge that is the Ninja and the Council, I will walk Equestria with the power to rule this world… and beyond!" He declared.
"Don't worry," White Cloak said as he held out a pamphlet of an aquarium, which the front cover shows a shark and Electro-Cobrai on it. "We're one step ahead of you," he said, having an idea on where to get more power.
"And we know just the place," Red Hood added as he and the dark figure looked at the pamphlet.
Lloyd, Garmadon, Luna and the Mane Six found themselves trekking through the jungle.
"Ugh! My hooves are killing me!" Rarity complained as they kept on walking, "I swear, the Overlord is so paying for my hooficure bill!"
"And I thought the Everfree Forest was a maze. Just how big is this dang jungle?!" Applejack asked as she pushed away a leaf.
"I don't know, but how anycreature got through this place is beyond me," Lloyd said.
"Hiroshi's Labyrinth," Garmadon spoke as he parted some leaves. "Legend says no one has ever escaped its deadly maze except for Hiroshi himself."
"Yes, but the maze is no match for any of your powers," Luna told the group as they walked deeper. "This is the place to hide from the Overlord's clutches."
"Hide. That's all we've ever seen to do," Lloyd complained.
"Yeah, ever since the Overlord came back, we've just been playing the worst game of hide and seek ever!" Pinkie added.
"Why don't we just go back to the city, find that hard-drive and use our magic to blast it and the Overlord into dust?!" Rainbow suggested.
"Your powers only strengthen his cause," Garmadon told them. "We must not lose sight."
"As long as the Overlord has technology to access, the city will never be safe," Luna added.
"But I miss my animal friends and everyone else too," Fluttershy remarked.
"We all miss our friends," Lloyd added before he turned to his father. "What good is being all powerful if I can't ever have any fun?"
Garmadon let out a sigh before placing a hoof on his shoulder. "The Golden Power needs to be protected, honored. Evil forces will seek it, try to take it from their own. And that goes the same for your magic as well," he told the Mane Six. "It seduces. Even your friends may one day covet it."
Twilight then glared at him. "Don't say that! Our friends would never hurt us!" she protested.
"You have seen time and time again how power can corrupt and blind even the strongest of wills," Garmadon told her.
"He's right," Luna told them. "For they who hold the power have tremendous obligation. You must be prepared to handle this journey alone. Even without either of us one day."
"Yeah, we know," Lloyd responded in a sad tone.
"Keep your chin up, son," Garmadon told him. "Legend also states there is a jewel inside the maze, the most beautiful oasis no one has ever seen before. Perhaps we will be the first."
Back underneath Neo Equestria City, the Ninja and the Kids finally reached their destination. "The Tomb of the Stone Army," Trail said as they saw the door had several snake decoration on it.
"It's been sealed since the Serpentine were trapped here," Gaia added before she noticed the door was opened. "At least… until now."
"The seal's been opened," Sky said.
"Which mean the Serpentine are free," Flash finished before they heard whistling coming from behind them. They turned to see a familiar Hypnobrai, wearing royal attire with a cart coming through the tunnel, it was Skales.
"Aah! Not you pessssts again!" He complained when he saw them.
"Skales. Something told me you'd be behind this!" Landrush said with a glare.
Skales humphs and points to his crown. "That's King Skales to you," he said. "So what are you doing down here?"
"Searching for our thief, and we just found him," Gaia said. "Search his bags!"
Trail and Thunder walk up to him and Skales yelps in surprises, "Ah! Thissss isss harassssment! I've done nothing wrong!" he insisted.
"Except steal the hard drive! Where is it? What are you hiding?!" Thunder accused.
Trail began digging through the bag. "He's hiding... groceries?" he said in confusion and then pulled out a newspaper. "And the latest issue of Equestria Times."
"What can I sssay? I like to keep myself updated on what goesss on above ground. Plus, I'm a big sssucker for the crosssssword," Skales said before taking his newspaper back. "Sssorry, but you've got the wrong sssnake."
"Daddy?" They all heard a young male voice from behind before they turned to see a Hypnobrai boy coming out of the entrance. "Are you okay?"
Then a female magenta Hypnobrai, wearing royal attire like Skales', came out as well, followed by a teenage Hypnobrai girl. "Ssstay inssside, Junior!" the teenager said.
"Lisssten to your sssissster, Serena, ssson!" the older female Hypnobrai added.
"'Junior?' 'Sister?'" Flash repeated before turning to Skales. "You have a family?"
"We've been busssy sssince we've been trapped down here," Skales explained as he slithered up to his family. "And we prefer to keep it that way."
"Is this about the Golden Master?" His son asked with concern as he clinged to his sister, the female Hypnobrai returning the gesture to comfort him. "Is he going to hurt us?"
"That isss only a ssstory, ssson," Skales assured his son as he gave both children a comforting hug. "Thessse folksss were jussst leaving."
"Golden Master?" Spike asked in confusion, as did the others.
"Is this about Lloyd?" Starlight said while giving a look at Skales along with the others.
"Like you, we have our own legendsss," Skales said before adding, "But I guessss in oursss, you lot are the bad guysss."
"What legends?" Aqua asked curiously.
"They have a right to know," Skales' wife told him. "If we're going to sssshed a new sssskin, we mussst open our home to otherssss," she pointed out to her husband.
Skales sighs at his wife's words. "Oh, all right, Ssselma." He then turned to the Ninja and their friends as Junior, Serena and Selma walked back into the door. "Let'sss go, ssssurface dwellersss. If you would like to hear about the Curse of the Golden Master, then you might asss well follow me," he said as he followed his family through the door.
"I don't like Serpentine, but I don't like curses either," Trail said as he and the others followed after Skales.
"Ditto, bro," Spike agreed.
"But if this has anything to do with Lloyd, we need to know," Flash pointed out that they need to know this legend if they are talking about Lloyd.
"On the bright side, at least we can finally see what the Serpentine has been up to after being trapped down here," Landrush said in a little excitement.
"And get to meet other snakes like us!" Toxsa added as they all entered through the door.
Somewhere in an aquarium in Neo Equestria City, Dareth and the students from the School of Friendship entered the building as Dareth took them on a field trip.
"We may not have power, but we still have sharks," the curator announced to the students inside the aquarium. The students were cheering in excitement of this feel trip as Dareth stood in front of them.
"All right, everyone. Stay together, stay together. Come on now," Dareth announced to the students as they calmed down a bit.
Daisy came next to Dareth while not being excited about this trip. "Why do we have to do our field trip at the aquarium?" she asked about this not-so-exciting trip before facing Dareth with a smile. "Can't we go to the Toxic Bogs, or anywhere else not so lame?" she questioned as she crossed her hooves together.
"Because until your regular teachers and Headmare Starlight get back from saving the world, I'm in charge and I have the responsibility of making sure nothing bad happens to you," Dareth explained while combing his mane before he put it away and faced the students. "Now, single file," he called out to the students and formed a line as Daisy followed as Dareth leaned on the table as he spoke to the last student, a dragoness, in line. "Did I ever tell you I am fluent in the language of the sea?" he asked her with a smirk.
"Right, Mr. Dareth," the dragoness answered with a smile.
"That's Mr. Brown Ninja to you, Sally," Dareth said while looking at his hoof as she shook her head and kept walking, with Dareth following her. But what he did not know was that the barrier gate somehow moved on its own after Dareth moved through.
In the tunnel of the aquarium, the students were looking at the fish in wonder before a shark showed up and tried to eat the fish which swam away from the shark while startling the students.
"Oh! And I thought Mr. Dareth had a big mouth," one of the students commented in surprise as his friend next to him nodded in agreement.
"I heard that," Dareth called out with a small frown after he heard that comment as he turned to the security guard next to him as he cleared his throat. "Ahem. Excuse me. Which way to the Electro-Cobrai Exhibit? I hear it's shocking," he asked as he nudged the guard with a small smile at his pun.
The security guard sighed from that joke as he pointed to a direction. "That way," he told him.
Dareth smiled as he called out to the students. "All right, all right, my precious minnows. Come on. Follow me," he called out as he walked ahead as the students started making chattering noises in excitement.
Alas, they did not notice that White Cloak suddenly appeared out of nowhere right behind Dareth and his students as he moved close behind them.
The students made it to the Cobrai exhibit as they saw tons of Electro-Cobrai in their tanks. "All right!" one of the students called out in excitement.
In the tunnel, the security guard took notice of White Cloak, knowing that he was not part of the students' field trip and that he did not see him come in. "Hey, you! Come here," he called out, but before he could walk closer, White Cloak disappeared again, which shocked the guard. "Whoa! Oh! Shocking," he said in surprise as he pressed the alarm button, but then remembered there was no power. "Hm? Alarm! Alarm! Alarm!" he called out, making his own alarm as loud as he could.
Dareth and his students heard the guard's voice as they grew worried.
"What is it?" Sally asked in worried.
"The sound of danger," Dareth said as he got serious as he turned to the student. "Huddle near, child," he told Sally as the dragoness got close to Dareth for protection as White Cloak appeared in front of them, opening the drain hatch on the floor. Dareth saw White Cloak as he spoke. "Hey, you're not one of my students," he called out to the stranger as the other students turned and saw him.
"No. No, I'm not," White Cloak answered as he turned and faced Dareth and his students as he brought out a whistle and started blowing it in a high-pitched whistle.
Dareth and the other students all started screaming from that high-pitched sound, which made the glass of the tank behind them start to crack before it cracked open, flooding the room and allowing the Electro-Cobrai to swim out.
"Hold on, minnows! Hold on!" Dareth called out to his students as they all held onto some debris, while others that could swim like the hippogriffs helped keep afloat the ones who could not.
Below them, the Electro-Cobrai are going down the drain that White Cloak opened up as the sharks in the tanks start swimming out.
"Help!" Sally called out as she is across the room from her classmates as she could not unfurl her wings and she was struggling to swim.
"I've got you, Sally!" Dareth called out as he dived down and started swimming towards Sally. The sharks noticed their presence as Dareth got close to Sally as he grabbed her and started swimming back to the other students. The shark swam up as it got closer to them while the students started yelling at the sight of the predator fish.
"Stay back, kids!" Dareth yelled out as he pushed Sally to her classmates as he swam closer to the shark as Sally screamed at it.
But just when the shark was about to eat Dareth, the stallion raised his hoof for it to stop with its jaw opened. Soon, Dareth started making various animal noises while making sign language as he then leaned back into the water before he raised up again. As he kept making the noises and gestures, this caused the shark to look at him before swimming away at a fast pace, which caused the students to cheered to Dareth for saving them from being eaten.
After swimming to the stairs as they got out, Dareth caught his breath from the adrenaline they went to as Sally stopped next to him. "Thank you for saving me," The dragoness thanked Dareth. "You really can talk to them," she said in amazement.
"Fluttershy's not the only one who can speak to animals. She would be proud," Dareth said while catching his breath.
"She sure would. What did you say?" Sally asked in curiosity at what Dareth just said to the shark.
"I told him, 'Leave the Brown Ninja alone, or else I'd be serving fish sticks.'" Dareth said to Sally as they walked out. "Just don't tell Fluttershy I said that. She would not like it," he quickly added fearfully. Sally nodded in agreement as Dareth and his students walked out.
However, the school group and Dareth failed to notice that all the Electro-Cobrai were still going down the drain and through the tubes.
In the sewers, the Electro-Cobrai from the aquarium are going through a tube as they are now filled in a big tank as White Cloak, along with Red Hood and Black Shroud, looked at the tank.
"The heist is complete," White Cloak said to his two comrades next to him and the Overlord on the console.
"We now have enough power to go after the Golden Ninja and the Council," Red Hood added as the three figures looked at the Overlord.
"So now we can proceed with our plans and get you those powers," Black Shroud finished.
"Good," the Overlord said in satisfaction as the four started laughing maniacally as their boat started moving through the sewers down a tunnel.
Meanwhile, beneath Neo Equestria City in the tomb of the Samu-Taurs, the Ninja and their friends followed Skales and his family through the tomb that is now a village for the Serpentine, overtime the serpentine made the tomb their new home as there are some homes and glowing structures around it.
"Wow. You Serpentine really made a great village here," Gaia said in surprise at the Serpentine's new home.
"Thank you, Gaia," Skales said. "After our humbling sssscrap with the indesssstructible Sssamu-Taursss, we've made amendsss with our warring passst and found waysss to help better ourssselvesss," he said as they passed a few Serpentine.
"Your're not thugssss, you give hugssss," A male Hypnobrai said to the two Constrictais in front of him as he showed them how to hug.
"Try again. 'It will be our pleasssure.'" A Male Venomari said to Fangtom, teaching him how to talk politely.
"It would be…" One of Fangtom's heads started in a thick accent. "... our pleasssure," The second head finished.
"You snakes really are turning over a new leaf, or scales in your case. Twilight would love this," Starlight said with a smile at the Serpentine starting anew and that Twilight would be proud.
"We've had a lot of time trap down here to ssssee the errorsss of our way," Selma said. "And to that end, we've been following the Princessss of Friendssship's lessssons through thisss book we've found sssometime after we got that tomb door opened," she said while showing a copy of the friendship lessons book they've found. "They are really helping usss learn more about harmony and friendssship rather well," she finished.
"Rather well, indeed," Skales added as he gave a side hug to his wife as Selma giggled a bit.
"Twilight would love to hear this when we see her and the others again," Melody said with a small smile to her siblings as they nodded in agreement, very glad that Twilight's dream of a united Equestria finally touched an age-old enemy of ponykind.
Trail then walked up to Skales and his family as he spoke to Skales. "So, you got a few snakes to go straight. Doesn't mean there's not one bad apple," he pointed out, noting that not all of them are good. "Fangpyre like Fang have white scales, don't they?" he questioned to know which snake had white scales.
"A few," Skales confirmed. "Is this about the missssing hard drive?" he asked since this has something to do with the hard drive they are talking about.
"This is about the Overlord," Landrush called out.
"Ah, the Overlord," Skales said in surprise and shock by this, now understanding why they were looking for it. "Glad we weren't around for that messss," he remarked. "No, we have no desssire to meddle in the affairsss above. Asss you can sssee, we ssstick to our own," he said as his family huddled close to him. "We only want what'sss best for the next generation," he said while placing a hand on his son's shoulder.
"We can understand what you mean," Flash said as he patted Melody on the head as the Anacondrai female giggled from that.
"Yep, Melody and her siblings turned out really great when we took them in," Spike said as he and the Serpentine children gave a little laugh together.
"And we can be pretty challenging to our friends," Sky said with a small smile.
"That we have much in common," Skales said with a small smile as he and his family went ahead while the Ninja and their friends followed them to rows of stones with the fire in the middle with some stone tapestries behind them. "Have a seat. You could learn a thing or two about your beloved Golden Master," he said as the Ninja and their friends sat around the fire in a circle as Acidicus came to them.
"Hello, hatchlings, and camouflaged land dwellers," he started as he greeted the Serpentine childrens and their friends. "Do you seek to learn about the Curse of the Golden Master?" Acidicus asked.
"Tell me! Tell me!" Thunder called out in excitement as he raised his hoof.
"We want to know about it, too!" the Serpentine called out in excitement as they raised their hands too, wanting to hear the Serpentine story as well.
Acidicus chuckled at Thunder and the Serpentine children's excitement as he came closer to the fire. "Then everyone come closer," he said to them as the Ninja and their friends looked closer to the fire as Acidicus spat some venom into the flames, causing it to grow as they started seeing some visions on the fire.
"Wow! I didn't know we could do that!" Toxsa said in awed at what the Venomari just did. "Can I do that?" she asked the elder in curiosity.
Acidicus chuckled at Toxsa as he rubbed her head. "Takes practice. Someday you will. Now, let's begin the story," he said as he began to tell the story as some scenes were shown in the fire.
"When the First Spinjitzu Master created Equestria, deep in the ground, he created the Serpentine. Since the first dawn, our elders knew of the Curse of the Golden Master, when he who had the powers equal to the First Spinjitzu Master would rise and usher in the last of the setting suns. With no equal adversary, his power will go unmatched. His destructive rule will change the face of the world, and he will not stop until every pony, every creature, and every Serpentine are enslaved under his control."
The Ninja and their friends listened to the story and were surprised by this legend. "Is he referring to Lloyd?" Frost asked his friends in confusion.
They all shrugged from this as they are not certain. Sure, Lloyd had Golden Power, but not completely sure if they are referring to him.
Ocellus then turned to Acidicus. "Don't stop because of us. Tell us more about the legend," she politely asked the elder.
Acidicus nodded his head to her as he continued the story. "The Serpentine tried to warn the land dwellers, but they wouldn't listen. They thought we were the enemy."
"Well, that's just mean and rude, when they were just trying to help," Melody commented as she and her siblings frowned that they land dwellers would do that to their own kind.
Starlight placed a comforting hoof on the children. "Well as they say, the past is the past. And the future is the future," she said in a comforting smile as the group all nodded in agreement. "Continue the story, please," she bade Acidicus who resumed the tale.
"The land dwellers thought we were the enemy, though we were only trying to prevent the prophecy of the Golden Master's terrible reign. After the Great Devourer failed to scare the unbelievers below ground, it is we who retreated beneath the soil, promising never to return, even now that the end is inevitable," Acidicus finished his story, which made the Ninja and their friends surprised and shocked by this.
"Wow. That is just… wow," Flash said as he was lost from words at what they just heard.
"Looks like there is more to Golden Power than we thought," Gaia said in surprise.
"And looks like now we know why the Overlord wants the Golden Power so badly, along with the magic of the Elements of Harmony in Twilight and the girls. It's not just about escaping the digital world," Spike pointed out.
"Looks like there is more to this than meets the eye," Starlight said in worried as the others are processing what they just learned.
At the top of Borg's Tower, in the top office, he and Dr. Gear were patching Pixal up into a control panel, placing a plug on Pixal's chest where the half of Frost's heart was installed.
"First patch into the mainframe…" Dr. Gear started as she carefully placed the plug on Pixal's chest. Once it is secured, Borg pressed a button as power from Frost's heart inside Pixal is being transferred into the panel. "Success!" she cheered.
"Suppress bandwidth for wider connection…" Borg continued as he smiled at this as the panel powered up completely. "We have power! By Celestia's golden sun, my office is clean, untouched by evil power!" he cheered happily as he blew a kiss in the air in success. "Thank you, Pixal," he thanked his assistant, who nodded in confirmation with a smile.
Dr. Gear then came up to the controls as Borg came next to her. "Now we can use this to track the Nindroid presence, and they won't see us coming," she added happily.
Pixal said with a thought in her head as she spoke. "Mr. Borg, you created me and gave me life. I belong to you," she said to Borg as he and Dr. Gear turned to her as she continued. "Yet Frost… saved my life," she said as she gave a loving smile at the thought of Frost as the warmth feeling side her grows stronger. "When I was with him, I felt… a connection. I felt… free."
Dr. Gear chuckled at this as she saw where Pixal was going. "I think I know what's going on with you. You wish to be with Frost and you have feelings for him?" she guessed with a small smile.
"Yes. Something like that," Pixal said. "I don't know why, but it just… happened," she finished with a warm smile at the thought of Frost.
Borg understands his assistance as he speaks with a small smile. "Pixal, remember this: You belong to no one," he said to Pixal, acknowledging Pixal's newfound ponyhood.
"He's right, Pixal," Dr. Gear said as she placed a hoof on the mare droid. "I did the same thing with Frost long after I first built him. I may have built him to be my son, but I wanted him to have his own life when he thought I was gone. He is free to choose his own life the way he wants with his friends. And you can choose that life too. Nopony is stopping you from having your own life," she said in a comforting tone with a smile.
"Really?" Pixal asked in a hopeful and happy tone.
"Really, Pixal," Borg confirmed with a smile. "If you want to be with Frost, then you should be with him," he said, which caused Pixal to smile at their words. Suddenly, the panel started beeping, which got the three's attention. "What?" Borg asked in surprise as the three looked at the screen as they saw some red dots on the panel. "Nindroid power signatures," he said in surprise.
"But this is impossible," Dr. Gear pointed out what they were seeing on the screen as more red dots appeared. "It says they're right here. Twelve feet, eight feet… This makes no sense," she remarked with great concern.
Pixal then have a thought in her head of why it says the Nindroids are here when they are not as she turned to the two scientists. "Unless they're beneath us," She theorized.
Dr. Gear and Borg turned to her in surprise and worried by this, knowing there was only one conclusion on why the Nindroids were beneath them.
Back in the Serpentine village, the Ninja and their friends are processing what they had just learned.
"I can't believe they think Lloyd could become the Golden Master," Trail said in disbelief from what the Serpentine believed about their friend.
"Well, he is the son of Lord Garmadon," Thunder pointed out.
"Even so, I doubt it. We have known Lloyd longer and he has come a long way from being a bad colt to the most powerful Ninja in all of Equestria," Gaia said.
"I may have felt off about Lloyd before, but even I know he would never become that Golden Master," Smolder added, sticking up for his friend.
"What I want to know is, if none of them took the hard drive, who else could it be?" Aqua wondered, their searching having come to a dead end.
"It could be any snake from what we can tell, but it does not really narrow it down," Melody pointed out. "And we don't even know who the red and black figures are either.".
Just then, a male Venomari called out in fright. "We're under attack! Protect the young!"
The Serpentine all started screaming in panic as a battalion of Nindroids came into the village, holding out their swords.
"Nindroids!" Landrush called out as many Serpentine parents then started grabbing their children and running to their homes for safety.
"Ugh! These toasters never know when to quit," Thunder groaned from the Nindroids, really annoyed by them as the Nindroids charged at them with their swords out.
"If we don't stop them, they will destroy the village!" Flash called out.
Trail sighed as he spoke. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but… Protect the Serpentine!" he yelled out to the others.
"That's something nocreature has ever said before," Gaia commented, surprised from the words. "Nonetheless… Let's give these ruffians a few dents!" She yelled out.
"Nocreature messes with our kind!" Melody yelled out as she and her siblings were ready to defend.
"NINJA, GO!" Everyone, except Frost, did Spinjitzu as they charged at the Nindroids, leaving Frost behind.
"If only I could use Spinjitzu. Without Pixal, my technique is barely adequate," Frost lamented, his power source having crippled his ability to help.
Skales came to Frost while furious. "What evil have you brought here?" he asked angrily.
"Sorry about that," Frost apologized to Skales. "We didn't know we were being followed," he said in defense.
Starlight came to them as she turned to Skales. "Don't worry, Skales. You protect your people, we got the Nindroids," she assured as Skales nodded to defend his subjects, while the others kept the fight up.
Aqua faced a Nindroid as she brought out her Tessen. The Nindroid swiped his sword at her, which she blocked it repeatedly in grunting efforts while dodging the Nindroid's attacks before she bucked it away in a distance.
Melody turned invisible as she struck some Nindroids down who were surrounding some Serpentine. At the same time, her siblings helped out by using their respective Serpentine abilities against a squad of them.
"Get to safety and hide!" Melody called out as the Serpentine they had saved ran off.
Selma looked for her children before she saw them running towards her. "Children? Children!" She cried out in worry as she held out her hands to her son and daughter.
"Mommy! Aah!" Skales' son cried out before he tripped and fell to the ground as Cryptor lifted him off as Skales Junior looked at him fearfully.
Cryptor laughed at Skales Junior. "So you two are the future of the fearsome Serpentine?" He taunted him, having learned from the history about Skales and the Serpentine. "Please, you're nothing but a joke!"
Serena's eyes narrowed at the Nindroid general. "Get your hooves off my brother!" she screamed.
"Or what?" Cryptor sarcastically asked. "You'll put me under your power? Ha! It will do you no good even if you tried!"
Selma looked worried and nearly panicked that her son was about to get hurt as Cryptor continued to laugh and draw closer to Skales Junior. Suddenly, Flash appeared as he kicked Cryptor in the head. The General found himself surrounded by the Ninja and their friends.
"And you're about to be history," Flash said angrily as Junior made it to his mother who ran with him to safety while the Ninja faced Cryptor.
"Trying to hurt a kid, that's just cruel!" Gaia added in anger.
Cryptor cracked his neck as he laughed at the Ninja in challenge.
"Let's get 'em, guys," Landrush said to the others as they put on their masks as they all tackled Cryptor to the ground.
But then Cryptor used his strength to get them off him as he got up with a laugh as he picked up Landrush by his hind hooves as he then tossed him away as Landrush yelled from the toss.
Frost then starts picking up Frost while Flash does the same to Trail as Gaia stands by. "Hey, thanks," Thunder thanked Frost for helping.
But then, Landrush crashed on Gaia before they landed on the others, groaning from the impact.
"Whew," Landrush sighed in relief from that. "Sorry, guys. Sorry, Gaia," he apologized for landing on Gaia and the others.
"That's okay, Landy," Gaia said.
"Huh," Aqua sighs, not how she pictured for Gaia and Landrush but also how Thunder is still holding a grudge.
The younger members of the group then tried to attack Cryptor but then he blocked and tossed them back with bucks and punches before he grabbed Yona and tossed her, crashing her into Silverstream, Gallus and Ocellus as Silverstream was about to pick up Ocellus. They all groaned from that while Ocellus glared at Yona.
Sandbar sighed from this as they were still mad at each other.
The Ninja and their friends got up as they took stances. "If we could figure out what powered them, this would all be a whole lot easier," Thunder pointed out.
"Yeah, but I don't think those guys are gonna tell us," Smolder groaned.
Cryptor laughed as he and his troops came charging at the Ninja and their friends, drawing swords at them while taking their battle stances.
They all gasped from this. "Spread out!" Starlight called out as they all took off in different directions as the Nindroids followed each of them while growling.
Trail then did a jump flip on a stalagmite and did a kick as he bucked some Nindroids back.
Yona then charged at one who had Sandbar cornered, using hers horn to throw them off before turning to Sandbar with a smile and wink. Sandbar however looked a little unsure and uncomfortable by this, as he saw that she was just trying to beat up Ocellus.
Thunder did a jump kick on Nindroids that got Aqua cornered as he kicked them back.
"Uh… oh," Aqua said in surprise.
"Ha, ha!" Thunder cheered as he turned to Aqua, as he was smiling under his mask as he tried to win Aqua over from Landrush.
Flash then flew overhead as he kicked some Nindroids in the air as he and the Serpentine Kids fought them off.
Landrush ran up against a wall before flipping over a Nindroid chasing him. In mid-flip, he saw the Electro-Cobrai container on its back as he pulled out the plug attached to its head. The Nindroid immediately powered down and fell to the floor.
"Hey! They're powered by some sort of eel thing inside their backs!" Landrush called out to the others about his discovery.
Gaia heard Landrush as she pulled a plug behind the Nindroid as it powered down and saw the container. "They're Electro-Cobrai! Of course! That's how they are powered," she said in realization, having learned about them since her mother had a spot for them in her home for the indoor garden.
The others then followed Landrush's lead as they all started pulling the plug out of the Nindroids, causing them to power down.
"Let's pull the plug on these metalheads! Literally!" Melody cried out.
"NINJA, GO!" they all cried out as they did Spinjitzu, except for Frost, as they all started pulling the plugs off all the Nindroids.
They all stopped as a Nindroid behind Thunder growls as Thunder screamed in surprise. But as the Nindroid was about to swipe its sword at the unicorn, it powered down as Thunder lowered his hooves as he saw Aqua with the plug in her hooves.
"Heh," Thunder sheepishly chuckled from his embarrassment.
Aqua laughed from that as Thunder laughed back as he then tapped the depowered Nindroid to the side as it tilted, falling onto the other Nindroids which fell like dominos as the others watched. In the end, Landrush got piled by powerless Nindroids before he jumped out while the others are cheering for their victory.
Fang then kicked a depowered Nindroid with a smirk. "Not so tough now, are you, tin head?" he taunted.
And then, Frost felt something grab one of his hind hooves. "Huh?" he said in confusion as he turned to the only remaining powered Nindroid looking at him with purple eyes.
"Foolish Nindroid, you are helping the wrong side," the Overlord's voice spoke through the Nindroid.
"The Overlord?" Frost asked in surprise from this as he glared down. "You'll never succeed. Not if we have anything to say about it," he said to the Overlord as the others came to him as they all glared at the possessed Nindroid.
"I already have," the Overlord said as he gave an evil laugh. "You've unknowingly led me straight to the Golden Ninja and the Council. And this was merely a diversion to keep you busy," he said, which made the others surprised and shocked by this.
Flash walked up to the Overlord with a glare. "How did we lead you to them?!" He asked in rage.
The Overlord chuckled as he answered. "My three benefactors had intercepted your last transmission to the Golden Ninja and the Council during our last raid. And now… We have the precise location of their hiding place without you knowing it," he explained, which made the others surprised and worried by this.
"Lloyd and the girls…" Spike said in shock by this. "That attack on the junkyard fooled us into giving away their location."
"And now… my release and return to the real world… is all but complete!" the Overlord remarked as he laughed evilly and triumphantly at them.
Frost had enough of him as he ripped out the plug with a grunt, the Nindroid powering down to get the Overlord to stop talking.
Skales and Acidicus came to them as they heard what the Overlord just said. "The boy holdsss too much power, along with the Council. I fear the curssse of the Golden Massster is upon ussss," Skales said with great worry and fear now that the Overlord knew where to find Lloyd and the Mane Six.
"The dawn of the end of timesss isss near," Acidicus added.
The Ninja and their friends walked up to Skales as Aqua spoke. "We have to get to Lloyd and the girls before they do," she said, wanting to save their friends before their enemies get them first.
"Are you sure you won't help us, Skales?" Flash asked the king serpentine.
"I'm sssorry," Skales apologized. "We made an oath never to return to the sssurface," he explained as he pointed up to the surface.
"You can't just keep living down here forever," Melody spoke up as she and her siblings walked up to Skales. "Equestria is open to all creatures. With Twilight's words, you Serpentine could live up to the surface and be like everycreature. Like my family and I did."
"I'm not sssure," Skales said uncertainty.
"Hey, the past is the past. And when creatures saw us, we were not treated badly then we thought," Sky said with a smile.
"When we heard that you guys did some bad things in the past, we thought we were gonna get mistreated because we were Serpentine," Fang added.
"But instead, we are treated like everycreature else," Toxas said with a smile.
"Equestria knows that we are all equal, and us living with Twilight and the surface dwellers proves that," Coal added.
"Really?" Skales asked in surprise.
"Yes. Maybe when this is all over, you can talk to Princess Twilight to negotiate with you Serpentine so that you can live not just underground, but on the surface as well as equals," Melody finished with a smile.
Skales thought of what the Serpentine Kids just said as he gave a small smile. "Very well. Once this whole 'Overlord and Nindroid' thing issss over, I will negotiate with Princess Twilight Sparkle for a treaty For now, I wish you all good luck," he told the Ninja and their friends as they walked out, but then he remembered something important to tell them. "Oh, one more thing," he called out to them as they stopped and turned to Skales again. "There's only one Ssserpentine who's had a history of being ssso fond of using Electro-Cobrai," he called out in worry, now knowing who the white scaled figure they were .
"Who?" All of them asked with wide eyes and worried.
Skales then turned to look at Melody, the others followed Skales' look.
"What?" Melody asked in confusion and worried by this.
"This Ssserpentine you are looking for… isss actually one of your kind, Melody," Skales answered in a grim tone.
"W-what?" Melody asked in surprise and shock from this.
"Wait, you mean to tell us that this white scaled figure is…" Flash trailed off as he and the others gave wide eyes at each other, having the same thought as well. "Oh no," he said, now knowing who this white figure is.
Back in Hiroshi's Labyrinth, Lloyd, Garmadon, Luna and the Mane Six have found themselves in an oasis with a pond and a waterfall as the area is a beautiful place.
"Sweet Celestia, such a beautiful sight," Rarity said in awed.
"The Jewel of the Labyrinth," Garmadon said in awed at the sight. "It's…" he started but then his son walked closer.
"The most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Lloyd said with a smile at the sight.
"It is amazing," Twilight said in awed.
"It's awesome," Rainbow Dash added.
"It's the most amazing landmark there is," Fluttershy added.
"Never seen an oasis this great," Applejack added.
"It would be a great place to chill," Pinkie said as she lay back on a chair that suddenly appeared as she had sunglasses on.
"Yes," Luna said with a smile at the group. "Beauty can be borne, even in darkness," she added as they all took a long look at the oasis.
But then the moment was ruined as the group heard buzzing sounds as they turned and saw trees coming down to their right.
"They've found us," Garmadon said in a serious tone.
"How did they find us this quickly in this jungle maze?!" Rainbow asked in disbelief. "I thought this place would be hard for them to find us!" She exclaimed.
"We don't know, but they've found us!" Twilight said in worried and shock by this.
"You ponies must leave! Go!" Luna called out to Mane Six and Lloyd as she and Garmadon walked forward to the source of the sound and the path of the enemies.
Lloyd and the Mane Six looked at them uncertainly. "We are not running!" Rainbow yelled out, not wanting to run away from this.
"We can't leave you two to face them!" Twilight added to my worries.
Luna and Garmadon turned and faced them. "We said, leave!" they both yelled out, which got the group to leave them as they ran off while Garmadon and Luna turned and saw Cyberstia and Techno Wu on buzz saws vehicles as the two controlled ponies stopped their vehicles and jumped down and faced Garmadon and Wu while the Mane Six and Lloyd looked down as they try to flew up to the top.
Techno Wu tried to whack Garmadon with his staff but Garmadon blocked it with his own while Luna and Cyberstia butted heads with each other in strength.
"Why must the two of us always be on opposite sides, brother?" Garmadon asked his controlled brother, wondering why they have to fight on opposite sides, and that Garmadon is on the good side and Wu on the bad this time.
"And why do we keep getting into scrapes like this, sister?" Luna asked her controlled sister as she and Garmadon glared at their respective cyborg siblings.
"I made an oath not to fight, brother, but I'll still beat you," Garmadon said to Techno Wu.
"And I don't want to hurt you sister, but I will defend myself as I try to stop you," Luna said to Cyberstia.
"We will see about that, sister dearest," Cyberstia tauntingly said to her sister as she and Techno Wu took ready stance with Luna and Garmadon doing the same.
After a brief moment of staring each other down, they all jumped up and struck each other. while Garmadon just blocks and dodges Techno Wu's strikes, while Luna faced off Cyberstia in the air as they exchanged magic blasts at each other.
Garmadon blocked another strike when Techno Wu jumped and tried to buck him before Garmadon jumped on a tall tree and swung on a vine, twirling over as Techno Wu followed him before Garmadon blocked Techno Wu's staff again.
Luna was being chased by her controlled sister as Cyberstia tried to strike her with her magic as Luna kept dodging as best she could. And then, Luna got struck as she fell to the jungle floor while Cyberstia tackled her as they rolled around, the elder sister on top of the younger as they struggled to hold each other down.
The Mane Six and Lloyd manage to make it to the top of the hill, but then they saw a group of Nindroids in front of them as they walked towards the seven alicorns.
"Seriously? Can we at least catch a break today?" Rainbow Dash complained about this outcome.
"What are we gonna do now? We can't use our magic or powers on them since that only makes them stronger," Applejack pointed out the dilemma they are in.
Lloyd then had an idea with a smile as he turned to the girls. "Twilight, girls, take to the skies and follow my lead," he said as Lloyd lit up his horn as he started using his powers to make something.
Down below, Garmadon and Luna struggled to hold back their siblings as they turned and saw Lloyd using his powers. "Lloyd! Don't!" Luna cried out, thinking Lloyd was gonna use his powers to stop the Nindroids.
"No, son! Trust in the balance!" Garmadon called out to Lloyd.
But then to their surprise, Lloyd used his powers to create a Golden Power motorcycle as he revved up the engine.
"Whoa!" the Mane Six awed.
"That is so awesome, Lloyd!" Rainbow Dash said in amazement.
"We didn't know you could do that," Fluttershy remarked.
"With Golden Power, it can make anything." The Nindroids in front of them stopped and backed up in surprise from this as Lloyd put on his mask. "Girls! Follow me!" he called out as the Mane Six nodded while Lloyd turned his motorcycle and knocked back the Nindroids as he drove off the ledge.
The four siblings saw Lloyd and the Mane Six flying over them as Lloyd landed on the ground before he and the Mane Six took off in high speed.
"Don't let them get away!" Cyberstia called out to the Nindroids as they took to the air, following the Mane Six and Lloyd through the jungle.
As Lloyd drove down the jungle with the Mane Six by his side at high speed, they turned to dodge some branches and bushes in their path.
But above them, a few Nindroids appeared as they unfold their wings and flew after them.
Applejack turned and saw the Nindroids. "We got company, y'all!" she called out to the others as they turned and saw the Nindroids behind them.
"Grr! I hate it when they can fly!" Rainbow Dash groaned from this.
"We gotta shake them!" Lloyd called out as he moved his motorcycle to try and shake the Nindroids.
"Follow Lloyd's lead!" Twilight called out as the Mane Six shakes around as they fly past the trees to try and lose the Nindroids.
The Nindroids flew close enough to go on both sides of the seven alicorns as Lloyd hit a couple at the side of his motorcycle while the Mane Six kicked or punched them back, which got a couple to hit a tree as they crashed and exploded.
"Take that!" Rainbow Dash yelled with a smirk.
The remaining Nindroids fell behind as they tried to catch up to the seven alicorns, but Lloyd and the girls kept their eyes forward and focus as the remaining Nindroids followed as quickly as possible, but then they saw that they are about to hit the tree as they are flying too fast to slow down, which caused them to crash into it.
"Eat it, tin heads!" Rainbow Dash taunted as she and the others kept going.
They then saw more Nindroids flying towards them ahead of them as they duck and dodge them as the Nindroids turned around and chased after them.
"That was a little too soon for that taunt, Rainbow!" Applejack called out while giving a look at Rainbow Dash, who gave a sheepish chuckle as they kept going.
The Nindroids the fired on them as the Mane Six uses their magic to shield themselves from the blasters as the Nindroids closes in on them on both sides, but then the girls and Lloyd had an idea as they then speed up as the Nindroids them crashed into each other heads first and fell onto the floor.
"That's what happens when you mess with us, you ruffians!" Rarity added.
Fluttershy looked ahead as she then widened her eyes in fright as she turned to her friends. "Girls, Lloyd, stop! Cliff!" she yelled out.
"Cliff?" Pinkie asked in confusion as she and the others looked forward and saw a cliff that heads to the ocean. "Oh, that cliff," she said in a squeaky tone.
"Lloyd! Stop!" Twilight called out as she and her friends stopped in midair.
Lloyd then stopped his motorcycle as he hit the brakes while swerving to the side as the cycle screeched as he stopped right at the edge of the cliff before he fell over.
The Mane Six landed beside Lloyd as they came to him. "Are you okay, Lloyd?" Fluttershy asked in concern.
"I'm okay, Fluttershy," Lloyd answered as he looked over the cliff as he saw the ocean. "That was close," he added.
"Too close," Applejack added.
But then, the Mane Six and Lloyd turned and saw the MechDragon appearing from the side of the cliff next to them as it got Electro-Cobrai tanks on both sides of its neck for it to be powered.
"Ah, man! Not this thing, again!" Rainbow Dash cried out in frustration at seeing the MechDragon again.
Pinkie chuckled nervously at it. "Hey, Mr. MechDragon, sir. How are you?" she asked nervously.
But then they saw Garmadon and Luna being held hostage by Techno Wu and Cyberstia, with both horns wearing inhibitor rings to block off their magic while Luna's wings are tied together, keeping her from flying as they struggled to break free from their controlled siblings.
"Dad!" Lloyd called out in worried at his father being held as he took off his mask.
"Princess Luna!" Twilight and her friends called out as well at Luna being held.
"Go, ponies!" Luna called out to them.
"And never look back!" Garmadon added as the two struggled to get free.
"We can't leave you both!" Twilight yelled out to them as she and her friends could not leave Garmadon and Luna.
Just then, the Overlord's eyes appeared on the MechDragon's eyes as he spoke. "Leave, and your father and the Princess shall fall," the Overlord threatened as Cyberstia and Techno Wu leaned Luna and Garmadon over the edge of the MechDragon's mouth over the ocean.
"It's your choice! Save them, or serve them to the sea!" Cyberstia threatened.
"Leave them alone!" Twilight yelled out as Lloyd dispelled his motorcycle as he landed on the ground. The seven alicorns faced them as they charged up their magic to make their strike first to save their teachers, despite the risk of making the Overlord stronger.
But the three figures sneaked from behind them as they placed down seven like robotic snakes as they slithered to Lloyd and the Mane Six.
Before the Mane Six and Lloyd were about to strike the Overlord, their magics and powers canceled out as each of the robotic snakes wrapped themselves around them and hissed at them as they struggled to break free.
"W-what's this?!" Rarity asked as she can't break free or use her magic. "I can't use my magic!" she cried out.
"Our powers and magic are gone," Lloyd called out as he struggled to break free as he can't use his strength or powers.
Twilight took a closer look at the robotic snakes on them as she recognized the metal work. "These snakes are made of Vengestone!" she cried out.
"What?!" Rainbow Dash called out as she struggled to break free.
"Vengestone! That cancels out all magical and elemental powers!" Applejack cried out in surprise.
"What a surprise," Pinkie added with a roll of her eyes.
"But who would make these?!" Fluttershy wondered as her robotic snake hissed at her, which made her scared from the hiss.
"That would be us," Red Hood's voice called out as the Mane Six and Lloyd turned and saw the three cloak figures come out of hiding and walk towards them.
The three villains soon lowered their masks as they revealed their faces one by one, which made Lloyd and the Mane Six shock at what they saw.
"Well hello... old chum," spoke a slightly raspy Trottingham-accented voice coming from a certain Anacondrai of the past as White Cloak revealed his face.
"PYTHOR!?" all seven targets said in surprise.
"Not just Pythor, I'm afraid. Long time no see, Princess," Red Hood spoke as he removed his mask.
"TIREK!?"
"Missed us?" Black Shroud asked smugly as he unveiled his identity.
"THE STORM KING!?"
"I don't understand," Twilight said to Pythor. "We thought you were-"
"What, gone?" Pythor replied as he took in his now pure white scales and purple markings and spoke with hoarseness. "Actually, I suffered the worst of it: digested in the bowels of the Devourer. It can wreak havoc on one's complexion," The last male Anacondrai then turned to Techno Wu and Cyberstia. "Fortunately for Sensei Wu and ex-Princess Celestia, well, they escaped unscathed."
"The Storm King and I actually crossed paths with him after we were freed from the Overlord," Tirek added. "Once we got to talking, we found we had a lot in common. It was only natural that we struck an alliance."
"Finally!" the Overlord exclaimed. "The Golden Ninja and the Elements of Harmony are mine, at last! Now, the transformation can be complete!"
Lloyd looked at his father and Luna. "We couldn't leave you. I can't do this on my own," he said regretfully before lowering his head. "I failed you, father."
"No, Lloyd," Garmadon responded. "It was us who failed-"
"They are no longer of importance to me," the Overlord interrupted. "Toss them into the sea!"
"With pleasure. Farewell, ex-siblings," Cyberstia replied.
With that, both Techno Wu and Cyberstia pushed Garmadon and Luna out of the MechDragon's maw and into the depths of the ocean, screaming. Lloyd and the Council of Friendship could only watch in horror while Pythor, Tirek and Storm King had sadistic smiles on their faces.
"NOOOOOO!" the seven cried out.
The Princess of the Moon and the Brother of Destruction splashed into the water and their unconscious bodies slowly drowned to the depths. The MechDragon did not give Lloyd and the Mane Six a chance to grieve as it flew back to Neo Equestria City. However, this meant it did not see Garmadon and Luna poke their heads from under the waves and cough out saltwater. As they kept themselves afloat, they narrowed their eyes at the retreating form of the MechDragon.
"Be strong, my little ponies," Garmadon said with determination. "We will find you. And we will save you!"