Chapter 3: Family Problem and Threat Rising
All the way back in Canterlot the next day, some ponies were walking down the streets while others were busy doing some shopping. High above one of the mountains, Antonio ran down a slope on his hind legs with his horn lit and aura hands replacing his front hooves.
He uses his Earth Element to slam on the ground with his right aura fist, making a makeshift sled pop out and he grabs it.
"Ha!" Antonio laughed as he jumps up with the rocky sled, landed on it, and rode a path down the mountain on his hind legs. "Why skate a walk path when you can skate a mountain path? Woho!"
Antonio continued to slide down the path, zip past some puddles, and jumped over a sleeping dragon.
"Whoa!" Antonio shouted excitedly as he went over the dragon, who woke up to see the unicorn stallion fly over him, and continued sliding down the mountain path. "Surf's up, bra!"
He jumps right into mid air before sliding down a stony path and jumps over a huge gaping river while yelling out excitedly. Antonio lands on the other side and slides down another mountain path.
"Cowabunga!" Antonio shouted as he continued to slide down and jumps on a rooftop. "Going down!" He jumps down in front of the building and his rocky sled shatters. "Yeah!"
Antonio turns the knob of the door, opens it, and goes inside. He slides down a rail of a staircase, front flips, and lands on the ground.
"Here's Ani!" Antonio said as he chuckled while looking around the place to see that it was the inside of a japanese living room with different kinds of decor, furniture, a dojo, and a living room. Antonio chuckled sheepishly as he realized everyone was not in the place. "Uh…guys? Anypony? H-Hello?"
Not getting a response, Antonio sighed and made his way to the living room.
"Whatever. This place used to be fun." Antonio muttered to himself as sits on a couch and turns on a nearby radio.
"And with rocketing interest rates, that's bad news for homeowners...as the real estate market continues its downward spiral. Coming up, the latest Blue Dragon gang were arrested from stealing thousands of bits out of a nearby bank in Manehatten." A news pony's voice was heard.
"Well, I can't say for sure, but we really needed the Elite Ninja for this." A male's voice was heard on the radio as Antonio smiled widely.
"I think Master Chase and his family made a perfect glory for the city. Bring the heroes back for us!" A female's voice was heard on it as Antonio chuckled.
"Yeah, I remembered how they used to feel. Busting up crime syndicates. Sure they had a bunch of guns." Antonio said, boasting about the glory days when Jade, Sokka, Trini, and Clay came in as they turned to Antonio as he flexed his forelegs. "But they weren't like these guns!"
The sight of it made his two family members and two friends groan in annoyance.
"Why do you do this to yourself, Antonio? Those glory days are over." Sokka said as he walked over to the kitchen, opened a fridge, grabbed a soda can, and drank it.
"Sokka's right, Antonio." Jade said as she sat some equipment down on a table and equipped her goggles to her head. "Forget about them. You know, your life is more important. Concentrate on your work."
Antonio just waved them off a bit with a dismissive look and went back to listening to the radio.
For almost a year, Sokka and Clay had joined up to help the Elite Ninja as best as they could to maintain most of their jobs in Canterlot. Without Chase, there hasn't been any luck of them getting back into shape for a while.
That's when Antonio heard a tired groan from above as he looked up to see Sunray walking down the stairs to join his family and friends.
"Yeah, well, if you ask me, there's gotta be more hope to come around soon." Sunray said as he slid down a pole and landed on the ground on his hooves. "Who would've thought that handling the blacksmith shop was hard."
"Sunray, relax. You're still getting better at it, but you're a little far behind." Trini said with a smirk as Sunray grabbed a soda can and drank it.
"I still think we could do a lot better because it beats sitting around doing nothing while dirtbags run free." Sunray remarked annoyingly.
"I would like to know what it is that you do that's so great before starting Santos' shop." Sokka said as Sunray crushed his soda can before tossing it away. "At least we're contributing around here. All you do is sleep for half of the day after you're done with work."
Sunray gave an amused chuckle.
"Yeah. I do nothing for half of the day after I'm done with the shop. You're right, Sokka." Sunray said sarcastically before he pointed at Sokka annoyingly. "You've got me all figured out."
"Well, I know that sometimes your rogue attitude has always been a source of contention to this team. You think fear is the best way to accomplish things, but you're wrong." Sokka said sternly.
"First of all, this team you speak of doesn't exist anymore without Chase." Sunray said as he slightly turned away for a bit with his horn lit. "And second of all… HYAH!"
"AAH!" Sokka yelped as Sunray's right aura fist was mere inches from his face, ready to strike it.
"Sunray." A new voice said, gaining Sunray's attention as well as Sokka's.
Approaching from the shadows was Santos and Jewel as they glared at their younger son sternly.
"Enough." Santos said sternly.
"You've already made your point, now leave Sokka be." Jewel added firmly as Sunray chuckled.
"I think I made my point." Sunray said with a smirk as he walked away from Sokka while Jewel and Santos approached Jade.
"That doesn't prove anything!" Sokka argued as Sunray front flipped on to the wall and over a rail, heading to his room as Jade sighed.
"Why couldn't you guys just send him away for training instead of Chase?" Jade said as she lowered her goggles to her face and began to wield on some metal. "Things have always been better when he was still here."
"Jade, this home has become like an empty shell. Each of your friends and family have strengths and weaknesses." Santos said to his daughter as she looked back at her father for a moment before looking down a bit. "You must learn to be strong when they are weak. Because if you don't learn to recognize this, then all hope is lost for our family."
Jade sighed as she knew her father was right.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile at the Zepplin Cruise docks in the dessert of Japon, a lot of worker ponies were unloading some crates while some operated cranes for heavy loads.
Walking down from a ramp out of a cruise ship was Twilight Sparkle as she still had her saddlebags with her. She turned to look at a scroll she found back on her trip from the jungle she found Chase and sighed.
"I hope this might be enough." Twilight said with a soft tone.
"Mom!" A voice called out, making Twilight turned to see Nyx and Darius running up to her.
"Kids!" Twilight said joyfully as she hugged her children and they hugged her back.
Over the past few years, Darius has now grown up into a young colt now.
"Welcome back, Mommy!" Nyx said as Twilight let go of her children.
"Have my children been good to each other?" Twilight asked Nyx and Darius with a soft smile.
"Yeah!" Darius said happily as Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy walked up to them with smiles.
"Howdy, Twilight. Glad you could make it back." Applejack said with a smile.
"I've missed you!" Pinkie said while hugging Twilight tightly, making the purple alicorn grimace in surprise before she smiled as the pink pony released her.
"So what have you got for us today to show Kon?" Rainbow asked with a smile.
"Is it something that he has asked you after you went to the jungle?" Fluttershy asked with interest as Twilight looked at the scroll for a moment.
"Well, it wasn't any strange crystal yet, but I think I managed to find something that might get his attention." Twilight said with a smile.
"Twily!" A new voice called as they turned to see Shining Armor, Cadance, and Flurry Heart coming up to them.
Over the years just like Darius, Flurry Heart has grown up at the same age as Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.
"Shining Armor! Cadance! Flurry!" Twilight said as she rushed up to Cadance, who did the same.
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Twilight and Cadance chanted together before they giggled.
"Auntie Twily!" Flurry said happily as she hugged Twilight and her aunt hugged her back with a smile.
"How have you been doing, Flurry?" Twilight asked her niece as she set her down.
"I've been doing great, Auntie Twily." Flurry said as she smiled at Nyx and Darius, who smiled back at her. "My two favorite cousins have been keeping me company while you were away."
"So how was your trip, Twily?" Shining Armor asked as he hugged Twilight with a foreleg, making her smile at her brother. "Were you able to find what Kon was looking for?"
"It was great. I've managed to find something at the jungle village. It's not exactly crystal related, but it might have to do." Twilight said, showing the scroll with her magic. "I've gotta get this back to him so that he can examine it."
"Hey, wait, Twilight. Real quick. You left a message saying you found Chase." Rainbow said as she showed a letter that Twilight had sent. "I mean did he join you?"
Hearing this made Twilight sigh sadly.
"No." Twilight replied back, making her family and friends frown at her concernedly. "I found him, but he's not coming back."
"But… but didn't you tell him how weird things have gotten with the Elite Ninja?" Shining Armor asked, knowing that his sister missed her husband so much as well as the others.
"I'll fill you in later. Right now, we need to meet up with Spike and see if I can get this delivered." Twilight said.
"Alright, let's see Spikey-Wikey." Rarity said as she and the group began to walk back to the Tribunal's Monastery.
As they were making their way back to the village, Nyx and Darius walked next to Twilight with sad looks, missing Chase as well.
"Mommy, when is Daddy ever gonna get back? I really miss him." Darius said with a sad look as Twilight turned to her son.
"Don't worry, Darius. Everything will be fine. We just need to be sure that your father will return." Twilight said gently to her son with a smile, making him look up at his mother with hope as they all pressed onward.
(Scene changes)
In no time, they all made it back to the village as some Earth Pony Monks praised some statues of mythical dragons while most of the bunyips were forging some materials into weapons.
At the doors of the Tribunal Monastery, Spike was signing some papers for a bunyip soldier before finishing it up and giving it to him. The soldier smiled at the baby dragon with a nod before walking away.
"Spike! There you are!" Twilight said as she, her family, and friends approached Spike, making him turned to see them.
"Twilight! You're back!" Spike said happily as he hugged Twilight, making her return the favor before they broke it. "It's about time you made it back. You wouldn't believe all of the paperwork Nandu Gili has made me sign. He's got new helpers to double the guards for something important."
"I'm sure we'll figure it out soon, Spike." Twilight said gently as she showed the scroll to Spike. "Right now, I need to get this scroll to Kon."
"Well, you're in luck. He's inside the throne room Iris." Spike said as he led the group inside the throne room.
(Scene changes)
Once they arrived in the throne room, they noticed Kon was starring out the window overlooking the village with Iris by her father's side.
"Kon." Twilight said to the alicorn master, who turned back to her.
"Ah, Twilight. So glad you could join us. Were you successful on finding what I needed?" Kon asked as he and Iris approached Twilight.
"Yes. It might not be crystal related, but I found something in one of the libraries at the village." Twilight confirmed as she brought out the scroll and gave it to Kon. "I believe it would be most valuable to your research on what you might have been sensing."
"Good. This will indeed help us with what we need. You may leave now." Kon said as Twilight and the others bowed in respect to Kon and Iris before they made their leave.
Once they were gone, Kon placed the scroll on a table and he opens it wide to show that it had images of Demodragons from the past three thousand years as well as it showed two large dragons of black and white fighting against each other. There was also a strange symbol of black and purple.
Seeing this made Iris look at it in concern as Chikara, Juto, Chen, and Nandu Gili approached them while eyeing the scroll with grim expressions.
"Dad, are you sure this is it? Will the Demodragons actually return?" Iris asked her father with concern.
"I am afraid so, Iris." Kon said with a grim look. "It is just as I feared. The Demodragon King will make his move soon enough. There is no telling that he may be in search of the Eco Dragon Crystals."
"You know as well as I do that if he finds all of them, including his prized gem relic, he will awaken the Great One we have feared." Juto said while glaring at the images.
"We do not have much time left before he awakens his Lurker army. With Zhao gone, his pupil will finish what he began all those years ago." Chikara added with concern. "His curse will plague the world again."
Kon continues to look at the images with a grim expression.
"Then the time has come for the Elite Ninja to rise again. We must make sure Chase arrives to Canterlot before it is too late." Kon said firmly. "He will do whatever it takes to stop this threat. I am sure of it."
(Scene changes)
Unknown to any of them, they were being watched from the flames on a goblet. There in front of the flames was a black hooded figure in a throne room that looks like the inside of a volcano.
"And so will I." The hooded figure said sinisterly as he gave off a chuckle. He turns to the left and walked up to staircase before stopping as he bowed in respect. "Master, all is ready to find the gem you have been seeking."
Sitting on a throne was a shadowy figure as it stood up to reveal none other than the Demodragon King, Talos.
"Good. Now is the time to bring my curse back from the ashes and my generals as well." Talos said as he approached the statues of his generals from three thousand years. "With the Solar Eclipse in seven days, this world will plunge into darkness."
Then he turns his attention to his mysterious student.
"And you will have your revenge on the current Elite Ninja that almost destroyed you back in Canterlot." Talos said as the hooded figure nodded back in reply.
Growling was heard as Talos turns to see two Gorilla soldiers walking up to them.
The first one had light scaring on his left ear and cheek while the second soldier had a long scar going across his face.
"All is ready, King Talos. We have located the Dark Eco Crystal's location." The first Gorilla soldier said as he and his comrade bowed in respect to Talos. "It is in the National History Museum in Manehattan. We also have confirmed that the scroll to bring the generals back is located there as well."
Talos smirked evilly.
"Good. Bring me the crystal and the scroll. I need them to awaken my prized dragon to open the silos." Talos said as the two Gorilla Lurker soldiers bowed in respect again before they walked away to head for Manehattan.
Once they were gone, Talos smirked evilly with a sinister look.
Author's note: Hey guys,
Sorry for the long wait, but I had to take care of a few things. One is my job and the other is my bills for my place. Anyway, here's chapter three. I did my best on it so I'll be busy for almost a week. The weekends are my best time to work on the other chapters of my last story. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I'll be back in time for the next one.
Peace out!