In a distant land a couple hours ago...
The night seemed to linger a little longer than usual on one side of the sky. The sun hadn't moved from its dawn position in over three hours, piquing the interest of a cruel tyrant who lived within his metallic palace as he approached his periscope.
"Hmm, what could have possibly happened to cause this unusual turn of events?" mused the creature as he peered through his contraption, which allowed him to see in the farthest reaches beyond the land of metal. "A powerful disruption at this magnitude must also mean a power conduit of such magic!?"
A grin spread across the king's face as he liked the sound of that, but he was also slightly unnerved at the thought of his wife, the queen, ever finding out about this.
Increasing the range on the scope, the creature spotted something that really drew its attention: inside a large building, which sat in the center of a small town, two battling forces clashed with great might and magic. One was a creature that resembled a black horse with wings and a horn, and the other was a teal unicorn who somehow shifted into a very familiar white wonder deer before the king's eyes!
"MUNGO!" bellowed the tyrant, watching the scene unfold with interest.
Shortly after shouting, a massive, light-purple creature, as big and strong as an ox, with muscular arms and a face only a mother could love, quickly entered the room, wearing only his pajamas, with a nervous smile on his face. "Uh, yes, your highness?" he asked, keeping his teddy bear out of sight.
"Prepare yourself for a retrieval..." He stopped short upon seeing his lackey still in his bedwear, pinched the bridge of his nose with a strained groan as he got down to business. "A retrieval mission. I believe I have found exactly what I need to conquer the five lands permanently!" he chuckled darkly.
Something else caught his attention just outside the castle. Running to the balcony with his oversized idiot behind him, they saw something revolutionary: a meteor with a luminescent green light flew through the air at incredible speeds, shortly crashing in an unknown location out of the parascopes' range.
"That's interesting," muttered the Taotie king with a thoughtful look.
Ace's POV... Present time...
Here I stood, face to face with a legendary being. My friend Twilight Sparkle was by the dormant Elements of Harmony, busy trying to reactivate them. And it was up to me to keep the Alicorn busy and away from her.
Okay, Ace, this is it. This is the moment you've been waiting for. Either you take down your opponent with this next attack, or all is lost! It's now or never, do or die, everyone is counting on you!
"Attack: Hydro-drill!" I shouted as I manipulated the water around me, in the air and fog, and condensed it into a drill shape in front of me. Launching my attack move with a karate style dual palm strike on the boss-level villain.
Hey, I may basically be a level one player, but I was going to give it my all!
Her nebulan tail and mane swirled around her as a form of barrier against my blast, but my magic had more kick to it than either of us suspected and actually broke her defense. Nightmare Moon stumbled back a bit in surprise, then she grinned darkly.
"Is that the best you've got? Just a little water?" She taunted, standing to her full height with her horn glowing.
Within the blink of an eye, she started moving at high speeds in my direction. Charging her horn with a blinding white light, like a comet!
I decided to meet her halfway, stopping only to duck under the mare as I prepared a counterattack. "Counter: Up from the deep!" I shouted as I crouched underneath like a crocodile, my magic flowing above my head, turning into a fierce geyser that broke Nightmare's concentration as she looked at me in confusion.
"Washout!" I chanted, a tidal wave rushing past me towards the dark mare, who tried shooting telekinetic blasts at the onslaught. My washout attack neutralized the black magic she sent as the wave crashed into her, soaking her to the bone and making her wings all soggy!
"You fight well, for an imposter," Nightmare grunted, slightly impressed as she shook her wings. "But not good enough!"
"Surrender now, Nightmare Moon, and we'll go easy on you," I said in an authoritative tone, attempting to end this without anypony getting hurt. Cautiously, I then approached the waterlogged alicorn. "It doesn't have to be this way. Just stand down and tell us what you did to Celestia, and you can still be a part of Equestria!"
Oh no, I'm speaking in rhyme!
However, when I spoke Celestia's name, the mare on the moon's eyes snapped open with a feral gleam that honestly made me give a startled yelp. Within seconds, she gathered some rubble from the castle walls and converted them into a giant hammer, swinging it down on me with an angry yell.
When the dust settled, and she removed the stones, I was more prone than a training dummy on a crash course. I felt paralyzed from the neck down as the alicorn mare strode up to me with a malicious smile.
"You should have taken my offer when you had the chance, insolent fool. Now, watch as I destroy your last hope and take my rightful place as high ruler of Equestria!" Nightmare Moon bellowed, standing over me with a billowing aura of dread.
In a last-ditch attempt, I struggled free of her grasp, snapped my wings open, and flew up. "Not if I can help it!" I grunted, gritting my especially sharp teeth.
Throwing my arms up with my hydrokenisis working overtime I shouted, "Icicle arrows!" Which unleashed a barrege of icicles at the alicorn.
Nightmare, however, turned herself into her vaporous form and flew at me while my ice attack went right through her. To my shock, she re-solidified and grabbed my tail with her jaws, her sharp teeth clenching my scaled appendage as she dragged me along.
Using her strength alone, the mare in the moon started to swing me around by my tail as I was slammed against the cold stone floor multiple times, until she released me briefly to stomp me down with her forelegs in a mighty blow. I couldn't hold back the cry of pain I felt close to the base of my wings from her merciless strike!
Okay, that didn't feel good. Now I feel bad for Loki!
Lifting me up with her telekinesis, she charged a great deal of magic into her hoof, throwing it back until it glowed like her horn. With a mighty swing, she superman-punched me with an exploding force that rocketed me to the far side of the throne room.
After slamming against the stone wall, I all but crumpled into a heap on the ground. I looked up just in time to see the alicorn become her mist form, racing towards the occupied unicorn pony.
An electrical burst shot out from the Elements, knocking Twilight back a couple of meters. Before she could hit the ground, however, I tore myself from the rubble and caught her in my grasp just in time, breaking her fall as I took the brunt of the blow.
"Oof," I groaned with a wince, helping my charge stand back up as we turned our attention back to the Elements.
The orbs must have been reacting to the magic, because I could see them glowing a bit with a spark of electricity. Nightmare Moon started to grow nervous as she was within range. "No! No!" She exclaimed in frustration.
Twilight smiled confidently from her position, thinking that we had an advantage--until the glowing stones dimmed down again, leaving us all in an awkward moment.
"But...where's the sixth Element?" Twilight gasped with growing concern.
At Nightmare Moon's dark laughter, I used my wings to shield my charge as I saw the alicorn raise her forelegs. Then she stomped her hooves heavily where the Elements sat, shattering them like glass, and our only hope of defeating Nightmare!
I could vaguely see the look of utter defeat on Twilight's face out of my perepheral vision as we watched the shards raining down, I only gritted my teeth in both pain and preperation.
"You little fools, thinking you could defeat me!" Nightmare Moon said in outrage, making Twilight shrink down out of fear as I stood protectively over her. "Now you will never see your precious princess, or your sun!" Drawled the mistress of the night, her nebulan hair spiralling up into a tornado above us. "The night will last forever!"
Aaaand cue the evil laugh!
"Twilight," I whispered, keeping my gaze firmly planted on the alicorn. "Gather up the others and hurry back to town; I'll buy you some time." I couldn't help but wince at the slight pain between my wings.
"But... but, you'll be killed!" stuttered the purple pony, hardly moving from my side out of instinctual fear. I turned to look her in the eye, expecting to see an outraged expression, but only saw genuine concern etched in her features. Her eyes were even on the brink of tears as she begged me with a pleading look not to face the black mare alone.
"Don't worry about me, Sparkly," I said with an encouraging smile, draping my wing over her back like Celestia did for me whenever I was stressed. "You just need to have a little faith in your guardian and your friend. After all, this is what I was meant to do!"
After my little speech, I gave my dear friend a hug and spread my wings to take flight. Launching into the air with a battlecry worthy of a Spartan, I prepared for my next attack.
"You just don't know when to stop, do you!?" Growled Nightmare Moon, charging her own magic as she flew up to meet me.
"Twin torrential blast!" I shouted, shooting two pressurized water spouts from my prominent horns, nailing the alicorn's wings!
I saw an opening to take her down now that her flight pattern was unstable, and I landed on the ground while prepping my Dragamonz magic. "Vitamin Sea!" I shouted, levitating small stones and imbuing them with kinetic force, then I launched them like a Gatling gun!
However, she must've been expecting that, because what she did next blew my mind: her horn lit up in its ethereal glow as she manifested some kind of portal that swallowed up my attack, then created a second portal that redirected it back to me!
"Uh oh!" I uttered before the stones struck me, creating a mild explosion that knocked the wind out of me pretty hard.
I landed next to my charge, who surprisingly hadn't moved too far from where she had previously stood, as I tried to regain my footing. I heard hoofbeats getting closer until Twilight now stood over me with panic etched on her face, placing her hooves on me.
"Come on, Ace, get up. Please!" she said worriedly, jostling my shoulder lightly, minding my sore spot. I knew for certain that if I survived this, I was going to sleep for a week straight.
When I could at least sit upright, I barely had enough time to jump in front of my charge and do a tail sweep that sent a wave of Dragamonz magic in a slicing, water-like blade to cut through the dark magic the mare in the moon sent our way!
Seeing her create a condensed blast of black magic at us, I crossed my arms to create a glacial shield that withstood the blast. For now, at least.
I suddenly heard a gasp coming from Twilight behind me. When I turned her way, I saw she wasn't even looking at the battle, but was looking at the exit with wide eyes.
Now, I'm not sure, but I think I saw something like a small spark go off in her eyes. But I had to focus more on the shield I was empowering, so I turned back to face the evil alicorn. Just as she was chipping away at the ice!
"You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong!" Twilight declared with a confident look, catching both my and the villain's attention. "Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!" And standing behind her were the rest of the girls, each one giving the same determined look in the direction of the action taking place!
"Hevi kebisa! What are you all still doing here?" I exclaimed in shock, dropping the shield now that the antagonist had stopped firing, giving the girls an exasperated look.
"Don't worry, Ace, I know what I'm doing." Twilight whispered to me, before giving the alicorn her full attention.
Turning back, I saw the shards were reigniting around the black mare's hooves, levitating gently in the air like Saturn's rings. "What?" Nightmare Moon gasped in fright.
Even the crystal in my satchel started to give off a light glow, going unnoticed by all except me as I took a quick glance at it, pulling it out in curiosity before Twilight's voice pulled my attention away.
"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of honesty!" Twilight announced. The farm pony looked mighty proud of the recalled memory, until she saw the shards floating towards her and hovering around like a halo.
Either out of fear or anger, I could see Nightmare Moon charging her horn again to halt the reawakening of the Elements. I wanted to stop her desperately, but all my attacks would only interfere with the process that was happening.
"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of kindness!" With that being said, more shards were sent to the pony in question, who almost shrank away from them.
"Let the Crystal guide you!" said the strange voice in my head, making me reflect on seeing this thing in action from the cartoon. I really hope this works! I thought to myself, putting my trust in the voice and crystal as I held it out towards the offending mare.
"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of laughter!" The party pony couldn't hold back the grin at those words as more shards flew over, she bounced a bit on her hooves from the sheer excitement.
The crystal burned a bit brighter as I saw it launch a blue beam of magic at the alicorn. It lightly paralyzed her, preventing her from using her own magic against my friends. She could still move a little, mostly from where she stood, but with my hold on the crystal and, in turn, her, she wouldn't be going anywhere!
"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of generosity!" Rarity could only watch as the pieces flew to her, wearing a nervous smile.
Nightmare Moon struggled like a netted tiger against the restraints, fighting with all her might. And being an alicorn, she had a lot of it! It took nearly all my strength to keep the crystal steady in order to keep her pinned like that, perspiration began to build on my forehead from the effort!
"And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the spirit of loyalty!" The cyan mare hovered in the air with a confident smile, the remaining pieces of the Elements of Harmony floating around her as Twilight continued with her speech.
"The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!" Twilight said confidently, which in turn gave courage to the other mares.
Oh, they grow up so fast. I jokingly thought, feeling rather proud of my charge.
"You still don't have the sixth Element, despite him using that cursed thing!" Nightmare cut in, slightly panicked at seeing the Elements still having their magic and being secured to the ground by me. "The spark didn't work!"
"But it did! A different kind of spark!" Twilight countered, unfazed by Nightmare's remark, as she turned her attention to the rest of us with a warm smile. "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you..." Tears spilled from her eyes in joy as she took in the happy faces around her, saving me for last as she said, "The spark ignited inside me, when I realized that you all," she faced Nightmare Moon again with an unwavering look, "are my friends!"
She said the F word! I said to myself in complete shock, eyes wider than saucers at the purple pony before me. She called me her friend. I felt my heart do backflips inside me from the thought itself. Until I had to shield my eyes from the sudden beam of light from the ceiling above.
"You see, Nightmare Moon," Twilight said, standing next to me. "When those Elements are ignited by the...the spark that resides in the heart of us all..." Nightmare continued to struggle, looking frantically at the little ponies. "...it creates the sixth Element. The Element of magic!"
As she said that, the missing Element lit up like a supernova overhead, connecting with the other Elements, which started to glow as well on their respective bearers.
Each one reassembled on the girl's chest in a different color scheme, lifting them all into the air until they looked like angelic beings.
With my focus wavering from the crystal, Nightmare Moon broke free from the hold and tried to make a break for it. However, she forgot about a little detail: I may have been distracted, but I wasn't going to let her get away that easily.
Charging my next attack, I went for a Hydraulic Headbutt, flying fast enough to have a blue comet-like tail behind me from my magical essence. Ramming headfirst into the dark mare, pushing her back to where she last stood, within range of the upcoming finale!
With a backstroke of my wings, I returned to my spot among the six ponies, holding the crystal out to keep her there. But, the crystal had other plans, as it instead floated out of my taloned grasp and shot a bright light at where the Elements rested, augmenting their power like a prism until a rainbow-colored laser beam flew into the air, then descended down onto the corrupt alicorn.
"No!" Bellowed the mare in the moon, unable to move as the beam struck down and began to envelop her. The light became brighter by the minute in the area, and a roaring could be heard in my ears.
"Till the five lands meet, never accept defeat!"
After the intense light show, I saw all six of my friends lying on the ground in the dimly lit room. The crystal of the five corners was floating just in front of me. "Whoa," I breathed out in awe, grabbing the overpowered object to place it back in my satchel.
Anxiously, I checked their pulses to be sure they were still alive, and it was confirmed when they stirred at my contact with them. Thankfully, they were all unscathed from the ordeal, even a certain fashionista had something given back to her. My Dragamonz magic had decided that it was done and receded until I was once again the teal pony boy.
"Ugh, my head," was the first sound I heard from the downed girls, namely Rainbow Dash, making me sigh a breath of relief knowing that they weren't unconscious.
"Everypony okay?" asked Applejack, looking at the group with concern. That is, until Rarity's squeal of delight.
"Why Rarity, it's so lovely," Fluttershy complimented, although the white unicorn was still over the top about her tail.
"I know. I'll never part with it again!"
Thank goodness. I couldn't help but mutter with a sweatdrop.
"No, your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark!" Fluttershy pointed out, until Rarity said the same about the pegasus' own jewelry.
From where I stood, I could see all of them start to admire their snazzy new bling; the Elements shaped like each individual's cutie mark rested comfortably as necklaces around five of the six mares, while Twilight Sparkle sported an impressive tiara above her head.
As I tried to approach them, I felt a twinge of pain that laced through my entire being, making me collapse like a ragdoll. This went unnoticed by the girls, however, which I'm glad they didn't see me. It would really dampen the mood they were feeling from their victory.
"Gee Twilight," Applejack spoke up. "I thought you were just spoutin' a lot a hooey. But I reckon we really do represent the Elements of friendship!"
Suddenly, with a bright light coming from the east at the beginning of a new dawn, we all heard a feminine voice say, "Indeed you do!" in reply to Applejack's statement.
As the sun crested over the horizon, chasing away the lingering night, a spark of light trailed in through the window until it dispersed to reveal Princess Celestia in all her glory.
Since I was already on the ground, I played it off as bowing, not that I wasn't going to anyway. The five Ponyville mares bowed as well to the ruler of Equestria. Twilight stepped forward. "Princess Celestia!" She cried out in both joy and relief for her teacher.
"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student!" Celestia said, leaning down to nuzzle her charge affectionately. "I knew you could do it!"
Confused, the purple mare said, "But... you told me it was an old pony tale."
"I told you that you needed to make some friends ‐-- nothing more," Celestia said to clear things up. "I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her." Twilight looked like she was beginning to understand as her teacher continued. "But you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart!"
Twilight couldn't help but share a look with her new friends, each one smiling along with her until her gaze landed on me. With a surprised gasp, she ran over towards me, drawing everypony's attention to my 'still laying on the ground' form.
"Oh my gosh, Ace! Are you alright?" asked Twilight, helping me up despite my protests.
"Eh, I'm fine. Don't worry!" I coughed out with a blush, trying to pull away from the mare who was getting a little too close for comfort.
"Gee, Ace. You're littered with more bruises than an apple tumblin' downhill!" Applejack remarked, pointing to the purple spots that stuck out against my teal coat.
"Hehe, he looks like he's wearing polka-dot pajamas!" Pinkie said, hoof-bumping with Rainbow Dash as they chortled together.
I merely rolled my eyes at the duo before turning to my charge, giving her a reassuring smile. "Honestly, Twi, I'm fine. In fact, I'm more than alright knowing you've learned an important life lesson I've been trying to drill into your head for months!" I said teasingly, nudging her with my elbow. "I'm very proud that you have finally given friendship a chance!"
"Now if only another will as well!" Celestia said as she approached where we last saw Nightmare Moon.
Lying on the ground was a scattering of broken blue armor surrounding a blueish-violet alicorn mare slightly taller than me, with a light blue mane and tail, wearing her regalia in a lavender color, and an identical cutie mark to Nightmare Moon. Initially, I was about to investigate, thinking that she was playing dead, until I heard an all-too-familiar voice echoing in my mind. "Don't worry, Ace. It isn't what you think it is." Askari softly spoke to me, holding me back from doing anything drastic.
"Princess Luna," Celestia said, standing over the prone form. The new pony let out a gasp at hearing the name. "It has been a thousand years since I've seen you like this." The Solar Princess then lay down in front of the young mare with a caring look on her face. "Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister!"
"Sister?" I heard coming from the six little ponies while I was in a frozen stupor. Oh my G.O.S.H! I thought ruefully. I just attacked a member of the royal family! "And you'll need to find a way to make up for it too." Stated my cervine sensei.
"Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia asked as she rose to her full height. The newly dubbed Luna hesitated for a bit, turning away as if she felt she didn't deserve forgiveness.
Myself and the six ponies leaned forward in anticipation with anxious expressions from the suspenseful laps of a reply until Pinkie comically fell over with a "Whoa!"
With teary eyes, the smaller alicorn made her choice; rushing to embrace Celestia, who was much taller than this new princess. "I'm so sorry!" cried Luna. "I missed you so much, big sister."
That action alone brought tears to the white mare as she leaned down into the hug with a reply. "I've missed you too!"
Guilt overtook me as I approached the royal sisters, clearing my throat to gain their attention. "I would like to formally apologize, Your Majesties, for any harm I may have inflicted upon you. It was very unbefitting of a guardian like me to strike against the very ponies I was sworn to protect." After my regretful speech, I bowed to the diarchs. Especially to Princess Luna, whom I was deeply sorry for laying claw, hoof, and magic against.
Feeling a hoof resting on my shoulder brought my attention up, seeing a teary-eyed blue alicorn smiling at me. "Thou shouldn't be sorry, sir Pentagon. For we are grateful for your services." Luna said in what sounded like Old English. "Had thou not interfered, breaking Nightmare's hold upon thee with thy guardian might, thine own power would have caused severe damage to thy little ponies!"
"In other words, Ace," Celestia said, approaching us. "We thank you, all of you, for reuniting us once again." Then, she pulled both her sister and me into a big bear hug, despite my protesting muscles, I gave in to the embrace.
It was moments like this that made me feel glad I was a guardian; reuniting family and loved ones after situations like this, because nothing is stronger than the love and friendship that resides in all living things. This was honestly quite nice, I haven't felt this accomplished when living in my old world, but bringing these sisters together was worth it!
Until Pinkie Pie ruined the moment with her dramatic crying, rivers of tears leaked from her eyes. Then she snapped out of it and asked, "Hey, you know what this calls for?"
From my position between the two royal sisters, I merely rolled my eyes before asking what everypony was thinking, "A party?" I earned a giggling yes in reply.
"I do not know about this sister," Princess Luna spoke up after we seperated from the hug, looking uneasy. "Would thine subjects really be so forgiving?"
A placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder, grabbing her attention away from her hooves. "Your Highness, if you can forgive me for hurting you like I did, I'm sure ponies would be just as forgiving as well!" I smiled reassuringly, earning a smale smile from the blue alicorn who stood about a foot taller than me.
When she complied, nodding her head, Pinkie gave out a whoop of excitement as she led the way out. Everyone else followed shortly, with me bringing up the rear rather slowly.
I was limping quite a bit from all the battering I had received. My limbs were still quite tender, and I almost lost feeling in certain parts of my body, which shall remain nameless. Oi, at this rate, I'll be back in civilization by nightfall!
"You alright there, darling?" Rarity's voice piped up, causing me to look up. All eight mares looked back with concerned expressions, (and a little guilt from the freed princess,) as they watched me hobble along.
Acting nonchalant, I just snorted. "Who, me?" I asked coolly, sporting a false grin. "Sure, I am. Never felt..." Ow, severe headache. "better."
"Ace, you're limping," stated Twilight bluntly. Her concern made her ask, "Do you want us to help?"
"That's very nice of you, but no thanks. As my teachers have always said, 'pain is just weakness leaving the body.'" I proclaimed, holding my head high until another twinge of pain flared up in my back. "Ow, ugh."
But even through the pain, I could hear Rainbow Dash snicker as she said, "Boy, if he's in that much pain, he must be really..." but she trailed off from the looks of disapproval from the other five girls and raised eyebrows from the alicorn sisters. Dash just chuckled nervously afterwards and kept her mouth shut.
My groan of discomfort caused the company to wince, even the prismatic pegasus, until somepony had enough. I saw a raspberry-colored light surround my body and I suddenly felt weightless, as if I had taken a swim, only there was no water. I then saw Twilight's horn was lit like a candle as she gave me a knowing look.
"Hey!" I cried out indignantly, flailing my hooves tiredly. "I don't need you to carry me; I'm a grown stallion!" and other words I threw out in my tirade of humiliation, turning the mare's winces into grins as they must've thought my discomfort was humorous.
3rd Person POV...
After the ponies had left the castle ruins, a sky blue portal opened up right in the middle of the forest. And out from the portal leapt a towering figure; light purple fur covered his body, a leather tunic with studded belt straps that contained a strange device on his belt buckle, clawed feet and hands, two curling horns, the ugliest face in all creation, and a weird contraption in hand! This was a Taotie warrior, sent from the land of metal to retrieve something important, but from where he stood, nobody was here!
"Huh, where did all the ponies go?" he asked cluelessly, scratching his head like a huge purple ape as he looked about the empty space. "I thought Da-Ming said the portal would bring me closer to them, so, where am I?"
A rustling in the bushes caught his attention away from his thoughts, however few they were, and made him curious.
"Okay, come out from wherever you're hiding," said the towering figure, pulling out his crossbow-like contraption and aiming it at the foliage. "I won't hurt you if you're a kitty, that is!" He chuckled darkly, firing a sticky net made of green slime from the weapon.
He rushed over to see if he had caught his prize, thinking he had netted up the one he was after in the substance.
However, it wasn't some little pony that he caught; in fact, it wasn't a pony at all. It was a lion-like monster about as big as he was, with a pair of bat wings on its back and a large scorpion tail arched over its head. The net had caught the beast's paw, which was still tender from the thorn that a nice pegasus had removed.
Tearing off the net with ease, the manticore gave a fierce, angry roar at the trespasser. The Taotie laughed nervously before turning and fleeing, with the manticore hot on his heels!
"Mommy!" cried the purple giant as he ran for his life!
Ace's POV...
I will say this: Pinkie Pie can really throw a mean party! And it was all done within an hour of returning to town. I got myself patched up at the local hospital to ease my aches and pains.
Afterwards, I sat on a nearby picnic table as I watched the whole thing transpire: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna rode in on a chariot after getting the younger sister cleaned up, the six ponies who bore the Elements reunited with their loved ones in teary embraces, and the citizens of Equestria finally accepted the new lunar alicorn as their princess, welcoming her with open arms!
From my position I could only watch as the mane six partyed it up with the town, Spike was even having a ball. But I knew with my condition, I was supossed to take it easy for awhile. Not that I minded, since Pinkie was kind enough to bring me slices of cake to compinsate for my inability to particapate.
And for that moment, everything was perfect.
And yet, something felt off. I wasn't sure what it was, but it felt almost like a mental bond was loose, as if I had been released from a harness.
"Ace Pentagon!" called out a ghostly voice, catching my attention. "Come to the edge of town; your guides have an announcement to make."
And lo and behold, I caught sight of Rafiki just outside of Ponyville's reach, waiting for me. Being the obedient fellow I was, I followed after the mandrill. Leaving the party so discreetly, nopony noticed I was gone.
Walking to the outer limits of town, I sat by a shady tree to rest. Boy, if what they have to say is important, it must be worth my sore muscles!
Suddenly, I lost sight of that darn monkey after turning my head for a second. It left me baffled by the disappearing act!
"Uh, hello? Master Askari? Rafiki? Master Alabaster?" I called out, looking for any sign of whoever told me to come here. "I heard someone calling for me. Is anyone here?"
"They are not!" echoed a new voice from behind me, startling me from my comfortable position. I quickly turned to see a massive silhouette land on the ground with a thud, crouching like a tiger before rising to its full height. "Ace Pentagon!" said the figure, glaring down at me with piercing blue eyes.
"Uh, who? What? I...I mean, who are you?" I stuttered, nervously backing away from a possible mugger. I was in no condition for a tussle with so much as a kitten right now, let alone a pony-sized thug of any kind!
Then, the creature stepped into the light, revealing something that I can clearly remember: a large dragon-like creature with orca features, wearing seashell shoulder pads, who stood nearly three feet taller than me. "I am Cyrus of the original Stormclaw Dragamonz, your newest teacher, and you have the crystal of the five lands, which has chosen you to be its wielder!" he spoke, spreading his wings for emphasis.
"Wait, wait, wait," I said quickly, shaking my head a bit. "The crystal? As in the one that... But, why me?" I couldn't help but ask, finding it more confusing than before when my first teachers appeared.
"Yes! And I'm glad you asked!" Cyrus said with a pleased expression. While sitting more comfortably, for a spirit that is, to explain further. "But first, if you feel like you aren't up to the task anymore, that crystal has enough power in it to return you to your true home!" With a wave of his wing, the larger Dragamon used his magic to make a portal appear before the two of us. In surprise, I jumped back a bit with a yelp.
"While only guardians can create dimensional rifts like this, that crystal is the only guarantee that you'll survive going back!" Cyrus said stoically.
"Wait, I can go back?" I asked with the barest hint of hope flickering in my heart. Looking between the crystal I had pulled out of my satchel and the spirit who awaited my decision.
I can finally go home and see my family again! Tanya must've grown so much since I last saw her, Dad has probably gotten his job back by now, and Mom is hopefully back into her hobbies once more! And the best news ever: I'll be human again!
A lingering doubt popped into my mind. "But, what about my friends, Twilight and the others? Will they be okay if I leave this world?"
"They have found the Elements of Harmony. I'm fairly sure they can handle a few new challenges thrown their way. And if you wish, we can try to recruit someone more eager to be here as your replacement." Cyrus stated, smiling at me with a distant look in his eyes. "So, what do you say, Ace?
Looking at the swirling vortex with a mix of trepidation and hope, I reflected on my memories both as a human and a pony. The friends I've made, the fun I've had, the hardships and sorrows. It made me realize where I was meant to be, and who I was supposed to be with!
"Alright, let's do this," I said, lifting the crystal of the five lands as it gave a bright flash of light...
Twilight's POV... minutes ago.
I was feeling down, despite the whole festive atmosphere around Ponyville. I just realized something that would be the only dampener to ruin my mood for a party. And apparently, my somber look didn't go unnoticed.
"Why so glum, my faithful student?" asked the solar princess as she approached. "Are you not happy that your quest is complete, and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?"
I just couldn't hold the same amount of enthusiasm as she did. "That's just it," I said glumly, seeing the arrival of my new friends along with Spike, all with the same saddened expressions. "Just when I learn how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them!"
Plus, I'll be losing another friend too. I couldn't keep that thought from popping in my mind.
"Spike, take a note, please," Celestia said, breaking me from my musings. "I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria." My friends and I all started to brighten up the more we heard from her. "She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville!"
At that, I was suddenly in the embrace of all five of my new friends who had partaken in the journey with me to save Equestria! Each one shouted out excited congratulations that made my heart swell. "Oh, thank you, Princess. I'll study harder than ever before!" I cried out happily, hearing the crowd cheer as well.
Looking around at all the supporting smiles from everypony in Ponyville, confetti rained down on us as the party commenced. I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear at the elation.
But something felt missing from this happy moment, and I could see that Spike had noticed it too as he looked around the crowd for something, or somepony.
"Where did Ace go?" my number one assistent asked curiously, catching our attention.
"I thought he was with you, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked, only to receive a headshake of no.
"Last I saw him, he was right over there!" Fluttershy said, pointing to an empty picnic table, which got some worried looks from my friends and me.
"Come on, girls," Rainbow Dash said, hovering above us with a determined look. "He can't have gone too far, not in his state at least!"
"Ho-ho-ho, you won't find him here!" chuckled a voice from the rooftops, which turned out to be an elderly monkey of some kind when we turned his way. "D'e guardian has returned." he then stated, dipping his head in respect to us with a smile.
Incredulously, I tried to figure out what the primate meant. Why wouldn't we find him here, least of all anywhere outside of town?
Unless, of course, he was saying that Ace had left them to return home, which he kept talking about whenever I tried to ask about his past. Could it be possible that he was able to go home?
"I don't believe it," I said, coming to the realization. "He's gone back!"
"Gone back?" What do you mean? asked the dragon hatchling. We turned to ask the mandrill, but he suddenly wasn't there!
"Hey, what's going on here?" Rainbow Dash asked huffily, pointing to the now vacant roof. "Who's the monkey?"
"I think what he means is that Ace has been sent home!" I concluded, rubbing my arm with a hoof and feeling guilty.
"WHAT!?" my new friends shrieked, which went almost unnoticed by the crowd of partygoers.
"But...but why?" Fluttershy asked worriedly. "Was it something we've done?"
"Don't recken so Flutters," Applejack said, rubbing her chin with her hoof. "Besides, how could he up an' leave us like that?"
"That old monkey must have had something to do with it!" Dash then said accusingly.
Pinkie then popped up a little too close to her face. "You mean the monkey's his uncle?" she asked curiously.
"No," I said, speaking up with a downtrodden expression.
"This is on me. I kept pushing him away every time he tried to get me to open up, and with the way I've been treating him for the past few years, I guess I don't really blame him for leaving us. For leaving me." I felt the tears building up in my eyes from the thought of how I had left things with him, the only friend who put up with me and my over-studious lifestyle.
"Does this mean, we'll never see him again?" Spike asked sadly, walking up to me with his bottem lip quivering.
I can completely understand what he's going through; Ace has been a part of our lives for a long time, so him leaving would really change so much in our future. "I'm afraid not Spike, I'm so sorry." I said, dropping my head in shame.
I felt Spike's little arms wrap around my muzzle in a comforting hug. He would especially miss the estranged stallion as much as I did. But I still couldn't shake away the guilty pit in my stomach for my behavior towards him after all these years.
And after just risking his life for me, for us, for everypony! She thought as more tears escaped.
"Hey, what's with all the sad faces?" a voice asked nearby in a gentle but teasing tone.
It's probably somepony from town. I thought to myself, restraining from snapping at some random pony for interrupting the moment.
"Oh," I heard Spike say. "It's nothing, just thinking about a friend we probably won't see again."
"And why is that?" asked the stallion's voice, slightly more serious this time.
This time I spoke up. "Because I was a horrible friend, I hurt him very badly, and now he probably resigned from his guardship to leave!" I plopped to the ground softly and cried some more. "I wish I could take it all back!"
As I lay there crying like a foal, I felt a hoof gently drape over my back as whoever owned it started to comfort me. I started to feel better, until I heard something I feared I never would again... "Oh Sparkly,"
My head shot up immediately at that, looking at the teal unicorn stallion wrapped in bandages giving me a small smile. "You know I hate to see a grown mare cry; it's one of my weaknesses!" he said, half jokingly and half sincerely.
And just like that, all my emotions crashed at once seeing my closest friend standing before me; shock, joy, a little anger, and relief! My friends became more upbeat once they saw who was standing with us.
"ACE!!!" we all shouted happily, barreling into him in a dogpile/group hug.
"That's my name!" he grunted under our combined weight, making us laugh at his expense!
"Where did you go?" I asked, perplexed, while Spike was keeping Ace's muzzle in his grip as the stallion held him up with his head alone. The rest of us backed away to give him a breather.
"You had me believe that you left us, after everything that's been happening to us since coming to Ponyville, plus dealing with a pack of hyenas in the Everfree, and don't even get me started about the monkey!" my questioning turned into a full-blown shout by the end of my rant.
All Ace could do was smile sheepishly at me with Spike, who looked more like a silly hat than a dragon. It was quite cute, to be honest.
"Well, how could I leave after all the fun we've been having? You guys are my friends, and I intend to keep the promise I made to Celestia and a certain sister of mine. I am honor-bound to keeping that in mind!" Ace said as the hatchling slid down to his back.
"What's that?" I asked curiously, looking up at his uncomfortable expression. I may have been oblivious to many things in the past, but one thing I could easily remember was that Ace was very uncomfortable in the presence of mares his age!
"Helping my friends achieve their goals! And from what we've just experienced, I can assume that there's bound to be more surprises in store for us!" He said with a wink.
My Little Pony belongs to Hasbro...
The Lion Guard belongs to Disney...
Valt the Wonder Deer belongs to Dream East...
Dragamonz belongs to Spinmaster...