Chapter 4: The Truth of Darkness

Everything Twilight and her friends had been through... had turned into worst and darkest day of their lives...

Twilight and her friends had managed to escape from Mystic Jade Palace since it was occupied and captured by Three Lords of Equestria, and especially Ben turned and surrendered to them.

They had returned to Ponyville.The Equestria Realm was covered in dark crimson and orangeous color-mixed sky and atmosphere. Most of the trees and flowers had died while others had turned into demonic and scary modes. The foods had dried and died out. The water had turned into pure blackness. The ground had some long cracking lines. The beauty and harmonically scenes of Equestria had turned into scarred, demonic, darkest and scariest world.

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Returning to Friendship Rainbow Kingdom, they were all recuperating and recovering from the battlefield. They were in deep shock, scared and heartbroken of Ben's betrayal such as Dragon Strike Force, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy while some were in angered and raged such as Flash, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer and Pinkie Pie...

Why and how could he did to them after many harsh and hard adventures and journey they had been through...

Saber Dragoon, Laxtinct, Omega, Jack Zen and Terrorcreep were on guard duty of keeping an eye on their enemies from the balcony. Pinkie Pie and Flutetrshy were with them as well.

Pinkie Pie took a glance on the sky. She gave a scared and worried looks, "This is so not good... I had never seen this so evil and terrible since we had the 'Operation: Eternal Nightmare'."

"Ohh... This is scary and more frightened than before. And I'm very worry about it," Fluttershy said in concern.

"Sure hope, everything is fine," Lax sighed.

Saber nodded, "Yeah, me too..."

Terrorcreep glanced at his allies as his eyes glowed in pure golden eyes with demonic pupils. He smirked darkly. What was that?

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Tailtech and Icy were in another chamber where both Jade Emperor's Slumber Coffin and smaller version of Mystic Crystal were kept. Twilight and her friends had managed to get the Emperor in their magical bag in time and especially turning the Mystic Crystal into smaller version. They can only hope the Emperor woke up at once and helped them to solve Ben's case from being evil and save the Equestria.

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Within the Living Room, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Tao were still in meditating position. No sign of movement or sound had made. Twilight and her friends were in concern and worry about them.

Rainbow Dash groaned in upset, "How could this had happen?! Ben; of All the Ponies, turned to Dark Side?! That can't be him!"

Applejack nodded her head, "You say it, Rainbow Dash. This can't be the truth. Why will he do that? Was it because of Hoboken Joe?"

"Well, we can't blame him for snapping and scolding at us because Hobo Joe was defending Ben when we all are done during the Nightmare Incident." Rarity said in concern.

"This is very bad," Sweetie Belle said in concern.

Scootaloo nodded her head, "I never thought Ben could do this to us when he came back from Yin-Yang Realm."

Apple Bloom sighed, "I knew that asking Dark Mystic Ponies was a bad idea. The one time they help us, the next they betray us."

"Girls! Let's not think about that. We need to solve this 'Dark Triforce Awakening' now." Jade said in concern.

"Jade You're not supposed to tell them that!" Dragon Kick exclaimed in worry.

"Dragon Kick, we are in the crisis now," Mighty Heart said in concern, "We can't contact on anyone from outside now. We are on our own."

"Not quite," Rarity said, "We still have one more team to help us: Megan and her family."

Shorty Thinking nodded, "Right ahead of you, Rarity. In fact, I can only hope that Megan and her family can received the distress call, and especially Moonchik. They are our only hope to solve this problem."

Shorty Thinking turned and headed to the table as he set his radio up in hopes of reaching and contacting Megan and her family.

"You sure that's a good idea?" Rainbow asked.

"It's one shot we had. They're the only Humans we can trust," Applejack said in worry. She sighed, "I sure hope Twilight, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Sunset and Flash got the answer from the library. Hopefully we can find out more about this Yin-Yang Realm."

Dragon Kick hummed lightly as he gave a nod, "Yes... I suspect Yin-Yang Realm has something to do with Royal Sisters, Uncle and Ben."

Mighty Heart nodded as he levitated thousands of books and dropped them down, "We need to do more research on bringing them back out from their comatose states." He sighed, "I wish Sensei hadn't been coma. He would have solve this problem in no time."

"Me too, Mighty. Me too..." Jade said in worry.

Applejack cleared her throat, "Come on, everypony. We had our duty to make. Twilight had hers to find out about Yin-Yang Realm while we tried our best to get Princess Celestia, Luna and Tao out of their comatose."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement,

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Twilight and her remaining friends were at the Library Sections. Pinkamena, Sunset, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Aquastroke and Blazefist were doing the research on searching and finding out more about Yin-Yang Realm and Yin Yo-Yo. Hopefully they can find it in time.

Twilight and Flash were talking with Lightningblade and Golden Heart. They wanted to know more about 'Dark Triforce Awakening'.

Golden Heart sighed, "We had hope this will never happen again. But now it did. Just like every one thousand years, the users of Triforce Elements had fallen to their darkest hearts. And I never thought Ben would fall for it."

Twilight Sparkle and Flash became concern and worry of what Golden Heart had said.

Lightningblade cleared his throat as he explained, "When Link had his Triforce powers turned dark sides, he had his darkest self within him released. Both him and his shadow fight and battle each other to only show one can live and another ceased to exist. At the very end, Link won and the Tirforce Elements had return to normal. His Shadow Link was gone.

While his darkest form was gone, but his three Triforce were affected by his darkest essence. And that time is the beginning to turn any user into their evil, darkest and dangerous Dark Self, if they were not cautious or careful. That is the beginning of 'Dark Triforce Awakening'."

"Can't you remove them?" Twilight asked in concern.

Golden Heart sighed, "They did. But the essence was too strong and dangerous. It could have take someone as its host or destroy the world if they were not contained and kept properly. So, we have no choice but to contain them in the Elements."

"So, did it happen to Shadow Dragon?" Flash asked in worry.

Lightningblade nodded, "Yes. It had taken over him. He had let his anger, rage and despair bested him when he lost Iris Crystal and drank the Lao Meng Lone Soup. And once he drank it, there is no turning back unless his Light was willing to fight back."

Twilight gasped in fear, "Ben... Then, that means... he's gone..." She sobbed before burst into tears of pain and despair, "He's gone... He's gone..."

Lightningblade and Golden Heart took a deep breath as they felt pained and despair as she was. The Ben they once knew gone...

Flash's eyes narrowed in rage and determination. He turned to Twilight and spoke, "Twilight, listen. Ben is not evil!"

Twilight gasped in surprise, "But..."

"Let me finish. Yes, that is Ben but not the one we know. The Ben we know would never work with those monsters. What we saw is a part of Ben, but isn't the real one."

Golden Heart thought of the moment, "Correct. The enemies has cheated and Shadow Dragon was part of it. We were right, what's left of him is gone. Shadow Dragon has become a monster."

Lightningblade sighed, "Somehow, I really wish I could share with Ben's opinion and view on him. But like you said, he's gone. Dragon Hope is dead, and Shadow Dragon murdered him. But it doesn't mean we're giving up on Ben."

Twilight thought for the moment. She shook her head and spoke calmly, "You're right. Ben is not evil. Ben's somewhere in there, and we'll gonna bring him back. I can only hope Megan can find Moonchik. He's the only one knows about Mystic Weapon since he had known both Mystic Avatar and Lauren Hope Faust."

Blazefist, Aquastroke, Sunset, Nyx, Spike and Phobos continued searching and researching through the various books and stories as they were hoping to find the answer about Yin-Yang Realm and what caused Ben into a monster.

Aquastroke groaned as she threw a book to the window hard, "I hate researching! Damn it! I'm a warrior, not a scientist!"

"Cool it, Aqua. Besides, those books are hard to find, you know. And I hate to see Twilight's bad side," Phobos said in unpleasant.

"Cool it, Spike," Phobos said angrily. She sighed, "I don't get one thing. How could dad decided to join the dark side? It doesn't make sense."

Blazefist sighed in concern, "I really don't know. I went through lots of research about him, and not to mention watching over him. He shown no sign of darkness or evil. He shouldn't have turned into monster."

"So, you think that Yin-Yang Realm is the cause of it?" Spike asked in worry.

Aquastroke nodded her head, "Well, Ben's the only one been to that creepy and scary place. But now... he's with the bad guys."

"Yeah," Blazefist said in concern, "Yin-Yang Realm is a strange and mysterious realm we ever been to. But one thing for sure: that place is not good. Let's keep searching. Hopefully, we can find one. One that really save him."

Nyx sighed, "I hope so. I hope daddy's back to home..."

Sunset Shimmer nuzzled Nyx gently, "Don't worry, Nyxie, we'll make sure we get him back. I promise."

Nyx smiled. Twilight and her friends continued on in doing their researches, hoping to find an answer to get Ben back from the Darkness or he'll be permanent with them...

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At Dark Mystic Palace's Training Hall, Shadow Dragon was training and helping Ben in sharpening and strengthening his skills and powers. Grimmore, Dark Curse, Smaug, Merluck and Trixie were still on the 5th's balcony in watching the event. On the below, Twilight Moon, Dragoking, WarKnight Destroyer, Sammy and Ashley had witnessed the event.

Sammy and Ashley were in great shock and scared. How could Ben joined the Dark Side? They know him wanted to bring their father and mother back to good, but joining him wasn't part of it. What had happen to him?

Dark Elves, Dark Mystic Soldiers and Dusk Ponies charged in as they battled and attacked Ben. But he avoided the attacks in high speed while thrust his Master Sword on them on left and right one-by-one in one straight line. He jumped up high. Orcs roared in anger as they jumped up and battled with him. He quickly slashed and swung his at them one-by-one. Almost to the top, the light glared and blinded his targets. He charged straight down while slamming it on the ground hard. He had his sword transformed into a spear as he swung and stroke at them one-by-one. Through many weapons, Ben continued attacking and striking his enemies down one-by-one.

For about 15 minutes had passed, most of them were killed and dead. Ben remained standing as he breathed and panted heavily. He then chuckled and laughed evilly.

"Is that all you got? I'm disappointed!" Ben exclaimed angrily, "Bring me the Elite Warrior! I want to give them piece of my hooves! They owe me lots of punches! Come on, give me some challenges!"

Shadow Dragon cleared his throat, "Perhaps, you need a rest, my little brother."

"Who needs rest?! I rather fight than doing nothing! Besides, resting is for weakling like Tech and Trixie's Brotherhood! They are the true reason why you guys keep on failing!"

"Yes... Perhaps, you are right. They are indeed the true reason why we are losing, and the reason why Grimmore was so wise not to send his Elite Warriors to fight you. You had proven yourself worthy."

"Not enough! If they don't come out and fight with me, then they are cowards like Grimmore! Yeah! You heard me! They're all cowards like chickens!"

"I wouldn't insult Grimmore if I were you. He is the true reason of bringing chaos to this realm."

"Who cares about him?! I want to fight with Elite Warriors! If they're truly powerful and stronger, then why are they so easily beaten up by Mystic Council and Ultimate Mystic Warriors?! I can easily beaten them up! Not one of them win the battle! Ha! What a joke!"

Shadow Dragon chuckled darkly, "You impress me, my brother. But rest assured that there will be more opponents for you to battle. However, there is one important about fighting. You must choose the battle more wisely and be sure that you are ready and especially your former allies."

"I wouldn't be worry about that! I can handle it anything!"

"With you remain on my side, we will bring and restore true order to both realms. And all shall fear Three Lords of Equestria. You shall take the order from me alone. You trusted me. But when I gave the word, can I trust you do it?"

Ben scoffed, "Of course, I can! Ben Mare takes order from no one but my true master! Can we fight?!"

Shadow Dragon smirked as he positioned himself for battle. Both him and Ben charged in as they punched and kicked hard and quick at each other while blocking and dodging them for several times.

On the balcony, Trixie looked scared and worry, and even Merluck was. Three Lords smirked darkly. Everything had gone according to their plans...

Merluck gulped, "What had gotten into Ben?! He's getting more annoying than before, father!"

"And scary too... What has happen to nice Ben?" Trixie asked in concern.

"Thanks to Dark Curse's magnificent prophecy and plans, Ben is no longer that weak, pathetic and nice one, but the true fallen Dark Warrior," Smaug explained calmly.

Grimmore nodded, "Indeed... Ben may yet achieve the goals of what we had hope for: Dark Mega Mystic Form. With that on our sides, we shall destroy this old and rebuilt to new one. And all those who were involved of Great Elf War shall suffered by my hand..."

"First phase is complete. The second phase is on progress," Dark Curse said calmly.

"Second Phase? What Dark Curse was talking about?!" Trixie asked in concern.

Smaug chuckled darkly and evilly, "Now that would be telling... We shall wait until the time of unleashing the true evil within Ben..."

Trixie gulped in concern as she looked down and watched both Shadow Dragon and Ben continued punching and kicking at each other quick and hard while yelling and roaring wildly. Whatever Dark Curse plan was, it was not good...

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At Friendship Rainbow Kingdom, Twilight and her friends (Sunset Shimmer, Flash Sentry, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Lightningstrike, Blazefist and Aquastroke) met up with others but Terrorcreep. They have no information that helped them to understand and know about Yin-Yang Realm. The others had manage to get Megan and her friends to help but main problem was Moonchik as he had forgotten whose friends were... again...

Everyone looked upset and disappointed about it. There was no way to save Ben...

PUFF! Everyone looked up and found frightened and wounded Discord.

"DISCORD?!" Everyone asked in shock and surprise.

Discord dropped to the ground as he looked around of his surrounding. His looks were in deep scared and worry. What had happen to Discord.

"Is he gone? Please tell me, he's gone right?! I can't reveal everything, with him around! How can I be so blind?!" Discord asked frantically.

Everyone looked worry and scared. Why had Discord became worry and scared? What had made Discord scared in the first place. Instead of asking, they shook their heads in answering his question.

Discord sighed, "Good... I was worry that he's gonna kill me."

"Discord, what's wrong?" Fluttershy asked in concern.

"And where were you?! You were supposed to help out than running away! Geez! You're lot worse than your dark self." Rainbow Dash said angrily.

Discord groaned, "I'll have you know, Rainbow Dash. I have my own reason of escaping from the attacks of Tao's Shops!"

"And what would that be?" Applejack asked suspiciously.

"I have the evident of what really happen to Jade Mystic Palace!" Discord exclaimed.

Everyone gasped in shock and surprise. Discord had the evidence of how the Jade Emperor's Palace attacked?! Then again, he did disappeared after his appearance for explaining about 'missing page' of Yin Yo-Yo document.

Twilight's eyes narrowed in determination, "Show us."

Discord nodded his head. He gave snap from his claw. The camera appeared. The lights turned off. He rolled it out as it shot the film out on the walls.

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It shown Tao, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna talking and discussing at his nice and good office. Everyone looked worry and concern about it. This was the Pre-Incident...

Princess Celestia asked, "Tao... Are you alright? You seemed to be off lately... Is there something wrong?"

Tao remained silent as he looked down in deep despair. Princess Luna approached and hugged him gently, "Please, Tao... Tell us, we can help you."

Tao had some serious thoughts and concerns. He then took a deep sigh, "Today is the day. Dark Triforce Awakening Prophecy..."

Royal Sisters gasped in concern.

"Why would you say that? The Solar Eclipse may had come, but it does nothing when my son is completely safe from darkness. He has no darkness," Princess Celestia spoke up.

Princess Luna nodded, "Sister's right. You have nothing to worry. Ben is too pure to unleash his Darkness for midnight's prophecy."

Tao sighed, "I hope you are right. Blackwitch told me that Ben will bring himself to his downfall. And that downfall... involved Yin Yo-Yo..." Royal Sisters gasped in concern. He turned to them, "I can only hope Ben gets it before his enemies do. Because if he did used it, there is no telling what Yin-Yang Realm do to him."

"Rest assure, Tao; he won't," Princess Celestia said confidently.

Tao smiled gently. Before they could do anything, they heard the door opened. They turned to the door and found Terrorcreep entered.

"Terrorcreep? What's the meaning of this? You were supposed to protect the Emperor!" Princess Luna demanded angrily.

Terrorcreep smirked as he held the Yin Yo-Yo up. Three Immortal Ponies gasped in shock and concern. He continued, "Business... Friend's Business. Goodbye, my friends. And soon the prophecy will come true. Yin Yo-Yo!"

Terrorcreep had his yo-yo lassoed on three ponies. He slammed them straight on the walls hard. They all disappeared through the walls while leaving their shadows behind.

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Everyone gasped in shock and worry. Terrorcreep was the traitor?! They continued watching on the next film...

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At Tao's Apartment Shop, Dragon Strike Force (Aquastroke, Saber Dragoon, Shorty Thinking, Icy and Laxtinct) and Mighty Heart were discussing and talking. Golden Heart and his Company barged into the door. They all looked worry and scared as they informed them about what they had. Before they could do anything, their shadows got struck and touched. They looked down on their shadows as they wondered what had done to theirs.

They got turned to their backs. They found Shadow Dragon, Demon Assassin and Burnblast were standing before them. Before they asked, Demon Assassin and Burblast charged in their high speed. They beat and hit them very hard into their conscious while throwing them around of Tao's apartment hard.

As soon as Dragon Strike Force, Mighty Heart and Golden Heart and his company got knocked out, three Dark Mystic Ponies headed out of the entrance. Shadow Dragon wore the Helmet of Memory as he blasted the greenish beam on all of his enemies' heads. For the moment had passed, Shadow Dragon, Bunrblast and Demon Assassin turned and left the Mystic Realm before Twilight and her friends returned.

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Everyone was in shock and concern. Terrorcreep was the traitor from the beginning?! And not to mention, it also explained how Tao, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna disappeared to Yin-Yang Realm while the others got knocked and recall no memory...

Before Twilight and her friends could ask, Discord screamed in fear as he pointed at the wall. The shadow figure appeared in front of them. They turned to their backs. Terrorcreep held his axes as he prepared to attack. His eyes were still in golden demonic eyes. Blazefist jumped up and gave Terrorcreep a hard Fire Punch on his gut and then kicked him to the ground. Terrorcreep was killing them?!

For the moment had passed, Terrorcreep moaned in pain as he slowly got up. He opened his true light blue eyes. Everyone armed themselves in ready to fight. He looked shock and concern of what they were doing. They explained to him of what had happen. He was in deep shock and concern as he claimed he recall of nothing he had done.

Tailtech approached Terrorcreep. He used his scanner as he scanned on him closely and carefully. He gasped in shock as he explained, "Guys... Terrorcreep was under the Forbidden Spell: Black Puppet! It happen when the Vampire Fruit Bats invaded Applejack's Apple Crops."

"Black Puppet?!" Everyone asked in shock.

Twilight gasped, "Of course! The reason why Terrorcreep kept on insulting and mocking Ben, and even helping him was because of him being controlled and manipulated! Someone wanted Ben to be angry and upset while trying to reach his Darkness. And I know who did it."

Everyone also knew the answer and answered, "Shadow Dragon!"

Terrorcreep groaned, "Damn him! How dare he manipulated me?! He shall feel my pain!"

"But how did Terrorcreep get the Yin Yo-Yo and at the same time, give to Shadow Dragon?" Fluttershy asked in concern.

"Yeah... How did he do that? Shadow Dragon is one tricky bad guy," Rainbow Dash said in concern.

Everyone thought for the moment. Twilight had her eyes narrowed in suspicious as she spoke, "I had a theory. Terrorcreep; while controlled, took the Yin Yo-Yo while we're fighting with Apocalypse Ponies. After he completed his mission, he secretly send it back to Shadow Dragon."

"And during the fight with Smaug and his Apocalypse Ponies," Applejack added, "Shadow Dragon took the Yin Yo-Yo like it was really from him."

"So, everything has added up," Rarity said in concern.

Pinkie nodded, "That leaves one question... Why..."

Pinkamena growled in anger as she exclaimed in anger, "I'm gonna make Shadow Dragon suffered for what he has done to Twilight Sparkle, and especially erasing the memory I can't remember of what so important to tell Ben about it! I am so mad!"

Everyone yelped in concern and worry as they hated to see her bad sides...

Pinkamena growled, "If he takes Ben away... I will make sure that Twilight Moon taste that feel! And they both will be very sorry! You hear me?! SORRY! I'll make sure of that!"

BOOM! Everyone gasped in concern and worry. They knew what was that. Friendship Rainbow Kingdom was under attacked!

To be continued...

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