Chapter 6: A Dragon Legacy

At the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom, Twilight and her friends were still on the patient beds. They moaned and groaned painfully as they all struggled in getting up from them. They tried to move their legs and hooves in getting up from the beds. Pegasus tried to flapped their wings. Unicorns and Alicorn tried their Magic. None of them but their bodies were working well.

"My magic... It's not working!" Rarity exclaimed in fear.

Twilight Sparkle gulped in concern, "Mine too... Not this again..."

"Not only that! My wings aren't flapping!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in upset.

Fluttershy nodded her head, "She's right... What's happening to us?"

"I don't want to be stuck on the bed! I don't want to stay on the bed!" Pinkie exclaimed and whined unhappily.

Applejack gulped in concern, "I've get the feeling that Dark Plague is making us weaker an sicker than before."

Everyone cried and remarked angrily of their position and conditions

Shadow Dragon groaned painfully as he knew what he had to do, "Dad... FATHER!!!"

Since the screamed from his son, Tao and his assistants came to the patient chamber as they all checked on Shadow Dragon and his friends in finding out what had happened. They explained to Tao and his assistants of how it happened when they woke up in the late afternoon.

Tao hissed in concern, "Aieyah! This isn't good... You're losing your strengths and abilities, my friends. Third day is happening..."

"Time is running out. Only four days to go before your fate..." Zecora spoke grimly.

Laxtinct gulped, "This is bad... Really bad..."

Everyone looked shocked and concerned of what Tao and Zecora had said.

"Oh boy..." Soarin said in fear and worry.

Rainbow groaned in upset, "Just great! First the sickness, then the kids went missing and now we're losing our strengths and skills?! What's next?! Our memories?!"

Pinkie and Cheese; shocked and scared, cried and sobbed in deep despair, "I don't want to be stuck on the beds! I DON WANNA!"

"Don't say that, Rainbow Dash! I don't want to lose mine!" Fluttershy sobbed and cried in tears.

Terrorcreep shushed gently while touching her hoof, "Don't give in, Fluttershy. We'll make it. Be strong. Don't give in."

"Vampire Pony got the point. We can make it. We can't give up yet. Not now, not tomorrow - we'll make it out," Aqua said confidently.

Blazefist nodded, "Yeah... We can do it. We've gotta hold on."

"But how long? I don't think we can hold it much longer..." Rarity said in concern.

"We will. Dragon Kick and the Rescue Team are on their way to rescue the children and get the ingredients," Shorty said calmly, "They can make it. They can..."

"You're right. It's not over yet. We've got hold on tight." Applejack said calmly.

"Hopefully it's a quick one," Caramel said in concern while looking at his skin were covering more of Chicken Poxes, "I can't stand on Chicken Pox!"

"Toughen up, kid. Stop being a whiner. It's not over yet," Saber said firmly.

Zecora nodded her head calmly, "Indeed. The fight with your disease continues till the children return to home safely."

Twilight nodded her head in understanding, "I hope the children are okay. I don't know what they have been doing lately."

Shadow Dragon sighed, "All we can do is wait... If Dragoking was with them, he can take care of them. After all, he's my loyal companion I ever trust since the day we met. He was like a brother and friend to me."

"Yeah..." Twilight smiled weakly, "Your relationship with Dragoking reminds me of Spike being my first friend and brother. But if he was my son, I would be proud to be his mother. I just wonder something else..." Everyone looked at him as she continued, "How did Spike ended up at Princess Celestia's castle in the first place? He had that wonder too ever since the Dragon Migration."

"Well... Now you mention it, I feel wondering about Spike's origin. Where did he came from," Rarity said curiously.

"I wish I knew..." Applejack said in concern.

Pinkie sighed, "Not even my Pinkie Sense can help..."

Tao sighed in defeat as he felt like that he should tell them about it before their fates. He turned and looked at them, "Twilight... There's something you need to know about it. It involved Spike's family..."

Everyone turned and looked at him as he began his explanation about Spike's family. They were in shock yet surprise of what they just heard of. Could it be true...

---------------------------------------------

At the demonic European Castle-like with bull's horns, the brownish humanoid yet demonically Minotaur dressed in his yellowish Egyptian loincloth was sitting on his seats as he heard the latest news from his minion. The Minotaur growled and snorted in anger as he banged on his seat's handlers for few times. He roared in anger as he stood up. His Buffalo Demon Warriors screeched and yelped in fear as they quickly moved away from him.

"Unacceptable! Metal Ponies, Dai Gui's Pet, Elite Commander - ALL GONE! Dai Gui will not accept the defeat! NEVER! Dai Gui will have his revenge!" Dai Gui exclaimed in anger. He breathed heavily before he went gently. He turned and glared at his shivering and worrying minions, "Where are they now?! Dai Gui demands it!"

The Buffalo Demon Captain bowed down while shivering in fear, "We don't know, my lord!" Dai Gui growled in anger. He yelped in fear as he bowed down again, "But we have reports claimed that the pony children were searching for Night Flower."

"Flower? Grr... Dai Gui hates flower..." Dai Gui exclaimed in anger as he slammed his fist on the Buffalo Demon Captain to his death. He turned and glared at his minions. He growled, "Anything to report too?"

"There is, sir-" Demon Buffalo Warrior spoke up. Dai Gui turned and glared at him. He continued, "Reports coming from both Wild Tribe and Amphibian Units - They claimed that those fleshlings have retrieved both Venus Seed and Poisonous Frog's Slime. I have no idea why they're interested on scavenging hunts..."

Demon Buffalo Warrior #2 shrugged, "Who knows... It must be their injuries. Those things are rare to come by for these days..."

"Yeah?" Demon Buffalo Warrior #3 asked in annoyance, "How rare or dangerous the disease can be when you need those rarest and effective ingredients to combine?"

Dai Gui hummed calmly before gasped and yelped in shock. He slammed his fists on the handlers. His minions yelped in fear as they remained bowing down and silent. He spoke, "It make sense now... Now Dai Gui knows what they want..." He stood up at once as he gave the order, "Minions, prepare the defense on Night Flower Garden! No pony must get there!"

"Yes sir!" Demon Buffalo Warriors

Dai Gui hissed in annoyance. He held his hand up as he had his glowed in brownish in summoning seven portals. He spoke, "Brothers and sister... Dai Gui has the information to report..."

Tso Lan had his eyes narrowed in suspicious, along with his siblings as they all listened to what Dai Gui had to report...

---------------------------------------------

After the 'Battle of Metal Prison', Lance and his team headed off to the next area of Bull Badlands while the Metal Ponies and Armorhide headed off to the Equestria for new settlement and home. Lance and his friends including Zelda and Aurora were sitting and riding Dragoking's back while Metalgear headed off in securing the road and area on the front.

Each time Metalgear went on recon while hiding behind the rocks or grass, he signaled his allies of moving out by blinking his crimson right eye to them. They then moved out.

Boomer growled in annoyance, "Remind me why we put that Metalhead as our recon?"

"Well, he did beat you," Spike joked before chuckled a bit. Boomer glared at him. He sighed in annoyance, "It's just a joke, Boomer. Will you relax? Metalgear knows about this place like his backyard. That would be cool enough for us to get the third ingredient."

"The little dragon got the point," Jade agreed, along with her nodding Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Boomer huffed in annoyance, "I still don't trust him. He's up to something..."

"What's with you? You've got something against him and his kind?" Rob asked curiously. Boomer growled in anger while looking away. Rob then looked at Boomer before turned to the scouting Metalgear as he put the puzzle together. He gasped, "Of course! You're jealous on him! You're upset that you couldn't beat the intelligent and toughest Metal Pony. "

"Yeah. And Lance beaten and kicked that metal tin flank of Metal Pony!" Spike exclaimed proudly. He yelped in concern as he turned to Metalgear, "No offense."

Metagear turned and bowed, "Your words have no meaning to insult me."

"I am Grunt," Grunt smiled.

Rob chuckled in amusement, "You've got that right. Boomer is jealous! Boomer is jealous! Boomer-!"

"SHUT THE HELL UP, ROBBY!" Boomer exclaimed in anger.

Boomer jumped and slammed both Rob and Grunt down as three of them had a big fight with each other. Spike and Cutie Mark Crusaders were in shock as they watched three dragons fighting with each other.

"Is it me," Apple Bloom asked in concern, "Or does this fight reminds me of something?"

Sweetie Belle nodded her head, "Yup. It does remind us of the fighting from Canterlot Castle Tour."

"You mean that was before Discord's breaking free?" Scootaloo asked curiously. Her friends nodded their heads. She turned to the dragons, "Those dragons... They sure love to fight with each other."

"Yeah... The dragons are known to be proud and stubborn. All they wanted is prove themselves that they're the toughest and strongest dragons at Equestria. But when it comes the scary parts, they're too stupid to admit that they're scared."

"HEY!" The dragons exclaimed in anger.

Nyx slide down Dragoking's back neck. She came to her friends. They turned to her.

"Hey, what's up?" Nyx asked curiously.

"Nothing unusual. Just Drake Trio got a fight with each other about trusting Metalgear," Spike explained. He turned to his adopted sister, "Say, Nyx - mind telling us what Night Flower do again? I kinda forgot about it."

Cutie Mark Crusaders agreed with Spike's questions. They also wanted to know what Night Flower do.

Nyx took a deep breathe before she smiled, "Okay... Night Flower is the rarest flower across the Equestria and even Demon Land. It helped and cured pony's most painful and dangerous mental disease into a better pony like being trauma, having PTDS, headaches, anger issues, disillusions or having nightmares. I could use that to cure mine."

"Why? Because of being Nightmare Moon?" Spike joked as Cutie Mark Crusaders giggled in amusement.

Nyx shrugged, "Something like that."

"I really wish I have some effective ingredient to shut those dragons up." Jade remarked in amusement.

Drake Trio growled in annoyance while glaring at Jade as the ponies laughed in amusement and happily. As Nyx and her friends were having some chats and fun; Lance, Shiroi, Zelda and Aurora were having some discussion on how they entered Dai Gui's Castle and also wondered of how Zelda found Aurora.

"Okay... We know where the Night Flower is, but the main problem is how?" Lance asked in concern.

Zelda nodded her head in understanding, "Yes... Dai Gui is brutal, mightiest and strongest demon among his brethren. But of course, he has no patience and intelligent with his enemies. He controls the Earth as his element. And he doesn't like flower and dragons."

"But why would he hates flowers and dragons?" Shiroi asked curiously.

"History claimed that Dai Gui was defeated by a young wizard: Starswirl the Bearded and Mystic Tao by using a golden flower and the very first dragon companion." Zelda giggled a bit before she continued, "At first, he thought it was just a joke. But because of the dragon's prowess and intelligent, Dai Gui was distracted and annoyed that he was unable to defeat him. With that, both Mystic Tao and Starswirl banished the Demon Lord of Earth."

Lance chuckled, "And he was pissed off."

Lance, Shiroi and Zelda laughed happily and in amusement. Aurora remained quiet as she stayed behind Zelda. Shiroi approached to Aurora as she held her hoof to the latter. Aurora quickly hid behind of Zelda's.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you," Shiroi said calmly.

Aurora remained quiet and scared. She then looked at Zelda who remained calm and gave a nod. She then came out from Zelda's back. She approached to Shiroi. Shiroi gently approached to her. Shiroi gave Aurora a passionate hug. Aurora gave Shiroi a nuzzle on her chest.

Both Lance and Zelda smiled happily upon looking at the event.

"So, how did you find her yesterday?" Lance asked curiously.

Zelda smiled, "During my recon on Bull Badlands, I was searching and looking for some help in finding the Night Flower. I came across Aurora. She's kinda scared and worried, and not to mention shy in making contact with any pony else. "

"Must be Dai Gui's Palace scared her off."

"Yeah... I tried to befriend her but she refused. She's still scared and worried of me. Just defeating some Demon Buffalo Warriors gain her trust and my friendship. She then told me about her being Dai Gui's slave in taking care of the Night Flower Garden. So..."

Lance gasped, "Aurora must have known about going into his castle. That's great!"

"But wait. You did said that Dai Gui hates Night Flower. But why would he kept them?" Shiroi asked in concern.

Aurora cleared her throat gently as she explained softly, "It's true. But the Demon Lords required them as their medicine to cure their mental problem. They haven't gotten over their defeat last centuries ago."

"That's good. Giving them a headache will be our perfect advantage to get what we need." Lance said proudly. Upon looking at something, he gasped as he pointed out, "Speaking of advantage, we've found it!"

Everyone but Zelda and Aurora gasped in shock and surprise of what Lance had said. Nyx and her friends climbed up on Dragoking's neck to the top as they all looked and found Dai Gui's Buffalo Castle. They all commented and remarked happily of what they were seeing.

Aurora approached to Zelda as she pointed the latter. Zelda turned and looked at Aurora as the filly Alicorn asked, "Are you sure it's good idea to put them at risk? Mother, I feared for Spike's safety. Because a dragon that face with Dai Gui is his father..."

Zelda sighed, "I know, dear. But don't worry. Leave everything to me. Nothing happens to them. I promised."

Aurora sighed, "I hope so..."

Everyone headed off to Dai Gui's Castle as they all prepared to get their third ingredient. Did Aurora referred Zelda as her mother? Weird...

---------------------------------------------

Lance and his team had arrived at Dai Gui's Castle. They all came down from Dragoking. They hid behind the bushes as they all went through it. They then stopped as they all saw hundreds of Demon Buffalo Warriors guarding the entrance gate.

"Wow... There's a whole lots of Demon Buffalo Warriors," Spike commented in shock.

Jade nodded, "Yeah... it looks Dai Gui doesn't want anyone steal his Night Flower."

"Any bright ides of how to get in?" Shiroi asked in concern.

"We charge in," Lance said confidently. Everyone glared at him. He shrugged, "That's the best idea I've got."

"I do have," Aurora said. Everyone turned to her as she explained, "There's a back door of Dai Gui's Castle. And there aren't many guards too because it's always open for his siblings. And I assure you for that."

"Lead the way, young Aurora," Zelda spoke calmly.

Aurora nodded her head as she led her new friends to the back entrance of Dai Gui's Castle. Arriving to the back of Dai Gui's Castle, they spotted three Demon Buffalo Warriors guarding the back entrance. Lance took his Twin Dragon Swords out as he charged in and defeated Buffalo Demon Warriors.

Lance and his friends entered the back entrance at once.

---------------------------------------------

Lance and his friends had entered Dai Gui's Castle. Within the building was more of cave's interior landscape. It was filled with more rocks, stones and yet it was dark and moist as well. It was unlike any castle's interior design.

"Wow... This castle was nothing like our home or Canterlot Castle," Nyx commented.

Spike nodded, "Yeah. It does suited Dai Gui well since he's Demon Lord of Earth. He likes dirt and stones."

"True... But do we know where the Night Flower Garden is," Apple Bloom asked in concern.

Aurora smiled as she turned to her friends, "I know the way. I was the slave here before I escaped. Follow me. We have to be careful too. Dai Gui might have his guards guarded the Night Flower Garden."

"I wouldn't worry of that," Lance said confidently, "I'll take care of the guards while you guys get the Night Flower."

Shiroi nodded her head, "Sure. You'd be careful too."

Lance smiled, "No worry. I'll be fine."

"Sure," Shiroi answered.

Zelda hummed in concern, "I wouldn't be worry of the guards. I'm more concern with Dai Gui. He could be nearby to Night Flower Garden." Everyone turned and looked at her. She continued, "He maybe not smartest Demon Lord, but he's well-prepared for his enemies."

Lance nodded his head, "No worries. The boys will hold Dai Gui as long as possible."

Zelda sighed, "Perhaps. But be weary of Dai Gui. He can be smart sometimes..."

Lance didn't understand why Zelda was worry about brutal Dai Gui being smart, but he knew not to underestimate his enemies. He had some experience from his time with his mother and Third Mystic War as well. He nodded his head in understanding.

He and his friends moved out as they followed Aurora in finding the Night Flower Garden.

---------------------------------------------

After half-an-hour passed in walking through the stoned and rocky hallway, they arrived on the garden area which was located in the middle but outside of the castle. It was guarded by more of Demon Buffalo Warriors. Lance turned his friends as he nodded his head. They armed with their weapons. Shiroi and Zelda remained with Cutie Mark Crusaders, Nyx and Spike.

Lance, Metalgear and Drake Trio charged into the battlefield. Lance swung his Twin Dragon Swords at his enemies while dodging and avoiding the attacks from Demon Buffalo Warriors. Metalgear fired his Buster Canon at his enemies while blocking and deflecting the attacks. Drake Trio punched and kicked at their enemies while firing their Dragon Flames at them. For the moment had passed, they defeated all of Buffalo Demon Warriors.

Lance waved to his friends to come out. They then approached to the Night Flower Garden's Gate. They all awed in amaze while complimented and commented of how beautiful the pure golden flowers were. Lance, Shiroi, Drake Trio and Metalgear entered the gate.

"Don't you guys think this is too easy?" Rob asked in concern. Everyone turned and looked at him. He continued, "I can't help but to think that this could be-!"

The ground was shaking, causing everyone yelped in concern and worry. Before they could do anything, the ground created a sinkhole in dropping Lance, Shiroi, Metalgear and Drake Trio into it. They screamed in fear as they all fell to the deep ground hard. They moaned and groaned painfully.

"Lance! Shiroi! Guys! Are you alright?!" Nyx asked in worry.

Lance moaned, "Yeah... We're okay. Damn. That hurts."

"We must leave at once. Dai Gui could capture us any minute." Metalgear suggested in concern.

"Yeah! You don't have to tell me twice," Boomer agreed.

Before Lance and his friends could do anything, the sinkhole was closing from two sides. Nyx and her friends cried in anger and upset.

"DAMN IT!" Lance exclaimed in anger.

"We're trapped..." Shiroi said.

"Yeah, no kidding..." Boomer complimented sarcastically.

While Lance and his friends were trapped in underground, Nyx and her friends were on the top as they were all in shock and scared. Their friends were trapped.

"LANCE! SHIROI! GUYS! Damn it!" Nyx exclaimed in anger.

Zelda groaned, "This is the work of Dai Gui..."

"Including those guys?!" Scootaloo asked in concern as she pointed her hoof up at the ground.

The shadows emerging from the ground. They formed Shadow Crabs the muscular warriors with right crab's pincer and left scorpion stinger. They surrounded Nyx and her friends. Zelda, Nyx, Jade and Spike armed themselves in ready to fight.

The Shadow Crabs charged at them at once as they all swung their Pincer and Stinger at their enemies. Zelda deflected the attacks while piercing, thrusting and swinging her Long Sword at them. Nyx and Jade fired their Unicorn Bursts, Lunar Shots and Chi Spell Strike at them. Spike fired his Dragon Flame at them. Cutie Mark Crusaders and Aurora threw some hard rocks at their enemies.

For the moment had passed, the Shadow Crabs ceased from attacking. They stood still while glaring at them. Nyx and her friends remained firm and ready to fight. Before they could do anything, the rocks formed up and trapped them up. They groaned angrily as they tried to escape it. They then saw the horns from the ground coming through them like a shark. It stopped as it emerged from the ground in revealing Dai Gui.

"DAI GUI?!" Nyx and her friends exclaimed in shock.

Dai Gui chuckled evilly, "Welcome to my Castle... Do you truly think you actually came here and retrieve my Night Flower?!" Nyx and her friends remained silent and quiet as they all could was glared at him. He then turned to Spike, "We meet again, my niece and Spike..."

Everyone but Zelda and Aurora looked shock and surprise of what Dai Gui had mentioned.

"But... How?! How did you know my name?!" Spike demanded in shock, "And more importantly, you dared claim Nyx your niece?! She's a pony, for Celestia's sake!"

"I'm not stupid, traitor," Dai Gui snarled, "But I will tell you this. Nyx belongs to us. She's the Princess of Demons. As for you, traitor - I know you well because I know your father..."

"My-my-my father?!" Spike asked in shock. His friends but Zelda and Aurora were in shock and surprise of what they heard. He continued, "I have a father? How?"

"Your father's name was Spiketail. And he's the real traitor. He worked for his former master: Shendu the Demon Lord of Fire as his Elite Commander. We Demon Lords planned to take control of Equestria but he betrayed all of us. He informed those weakling of what we were planning right before the war begun. They wounded and defeated us. Because of him, we've lost the Demon War."

"My dad... He saved the Equestria... My dad is a hero?" Spike asked in shock and surprise. He sobbed in joy before he looked up and glared at Dai Gui, "Where's my dad?! What did you to him after the war?!"

Dai Gui chuckled evilly, "The last we heard that Spiketail was having his quality with his newly family. And I heard that they were having a newborn son. And we gave him a perfect gift for betraying us..."

Everyone gasped in shock and fear. Spike's family were killed.

"No... NO!" Spike cried in anger and despair before sobbed and cried in tears.

Nyx gasped as her eyes narrowed in rage and anger, "You-you killed Spike's family?! You kill them all!" Dai Gui smirked darkly. As her eyes narrowed in anger and rage, Nyx growled, "You! You monster! You'll pay for what you had done to my brother's family!"

Dai Gui chuckled evilly, "Your eyes... They have the Demons of Rage. As soon as I'm done with your friends, I'll deliver both of you and Spike to my siblings. We shall start the Demon War again."

"Not this time," Zelda commented, "Everyone hold your breathe!"

Cutie Mark Crusaders, Spike and Aurora held their breathe tight as Zelda levitated some smoke bombs. She threw them on the floor at once. The smoke emerged as it caused Dai Gui and his minions to be blinded and had hard time to breathe.

For the moment had passed, the smoke dispersed. Dai Gui and his minions found the imprisoned rocks were empty as Nyx and her friends were nowhere to be found. Dai Gui roared in anger.

"Ha! It looks you've lost them! Too bad for you!" Lance exclaimed happily from the underground since he and his friends heard of what happened.

Dai Gui growled for the moment before he smirked as he had some plan in his mind.

---------------------------------------------

Dai Gui had ordered Shadow Crabs and Demon Buffalo Warriors in search and hunt on Nyx and her friends across the castle.

Nyx and her friends were hiding behind Supply Depot Storeroom. They taking some breathe from dealing with Dai Gui and especially learning the truth about Spike's family. Spike was sitting down and looking down as he had hard time to believe that he actually had a family before. His father was a hero.

"Spike? Are you alright, partner?" Apple Bloom asked in concern.

Spike sighed, "No, Apple Bloom. I'm not okay. I just can't believe it. I just can't. All my life... All the time I've keep on wondering of who am I, where I came from and what kind of dragon am I. Now, I know. My dad... My dad was Shendu's Elite Commander, but he helped and saved Equestria. He's a hero. But now... he and my mom are gone..."

"Spike... I'm sorry," Apple Bloom apologized, "I know how you feel. I have that kind before."

"Me too, Spike. I wish to comfort you well." Sweetie Belle said in pain.

"Yeah... Those Demon Lords are jerks! They're the ones who ruined your family. They're gonna pay for it." Scootaloo remarked angrily.

Nyx nuzzled Spike's face gently, "It's okay, Spike. Everything alright." Spike turned and looked at her. She continued, "I know you didn't get to meet your mom and dad, but you still got family. You've got Twilight, Owlowiscious, Shadow Dragon, friends and me. You've got family. Your dad would be happy to see you that."

Jade nodded, "Yeah. You've got everything you need."

Spike thought for the moment before smiled happily, "Thanks guys. You're the best."

Cutie Mark Crusaders gave Spike a warm yet passionate hug. He smiled as he hugged them back. Zelda and Aurora smiled happily in seeing them and Spike being together.

"Now that everything's alright. We should focus on saving Lance and others while getting the Night Flower," Zelda spoke up.

Aurora nodded, "Dai Gui held them as his hostage. But how?"

"There's a way to get them both while defeating Dai Gui," Zelda spoke calmly, "Here's how we do it."

Zelda explained to her friends of how they should able to defeat their enemies and saving their allies.

---------------------------------------------

At the Night Flower Garden, Lance and his friends were still trapped on the ground - leaving their heads up for breathing and talking. Dai Gui was interrogating them of how Nyx could not remember about him and his siblings, along with who was behind of raising Spike.

"I will not ask again," Dai Gui growled in anger, "Who raised Spike?! How could Princess of Demon remembers nothing?!"

Lance growled, "Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you anything. Besides, Nyx and Spike are my family. And I won't sell them to you!"

"Agreed! I don't know why you and your Demon Lords are interested on Nyx and Spike. But I'm sure I won't sell my friend neither," Shiroi agreed angrily.

"You said it, princess," Boomer agreed.

"Yeah, in your face, buffalo!" Rob exclaimed wildly.

"Your interrogation is futile. We will not submit." Metalgear agreed.

Grunt nodded his head, "I am Grunt..."

Dai Gui growled in anger, "Very well... Death shall be yours..."

Dai Gui was about to stomp his feet. Some rocks knocked on his head for few times. He turned and found Zelda, Nyx, Jade and Spike standing by as they were ready to fight with him. Lance and his trapped friends were in shock and concern upon looking at their friends. They cried in telling their young friends in getting out from the place.

"So you came..." Dai Gui chuckled evilly as he clenched his fists, "Dai Gui shall be your executor. Dai Gui shall reunite you with your family."

Spike glared at Dai Gui, "I already have my own family. Now let them go, jerk!"

"Then die!" Dai Gui exclaimed wildly.

Dai Gui roared wildly as he and his minions of both Demon Buffalo Warriors and Shadow Crabs charged at their enemies. Zelda, Spike, Nyx and Jade charged into the battlefield. Zelda swung her Long Sword in slashing and defeating them one-by-one. Nyx and Jade fired their Unicorn Bursts, Lunar Shots and Super Beam at their charging enemies. Spike fired his Dragon Flame at them. The heroes dodged and avoided the attacks from his enemies.

Dai Gui launched his Punching Rock Fists on the ground hard in shaking Nyx and her friends to the ground hard. He charged in as he gave them a hard punch and stomps on them one-by-one. They dodged and avoided the attacks quickly while fired back at their him from various directions. Dai Gui roared in anger as he chased and fought them back. But at the same time, Nyx and her friends had to deal with his minions.

As Dai Gui and some of his minions continued fighting with Nyx and her friends, 20 Demon Buffalo Warriors and Shadow Crabs were guarding the prisoners. They yelped in shock as they felt a shaking beneath their feet. They looked down as they found some cracks. Before they could do anything, the ground cracked into a hole in allowing them to fall into them and to the ground hard.

Lance and his friends turned and found the guards were underground. They saw another cracking hole as it popped the emerging Cutie Mark Crusaders and Aurora. The younger ponies were the ones who trapped the guards. Cutie Mark Crusaders and Aurora helped and freed Lance and his friends from their imprisonment by using the hammer that Demon Buffalo Warriors had used.

Dai Gui's minions were defeated and knocked out. Dai Gui grabbed Zelda as he clenched on her tightly. Nyx and Spike flew up to the sky as they both fired their Lunar Shots and Dragon Flame at his face. With him yelped in pain, Zelda freed befroe she could stabbed her sword on his fist hard. He swung her away from him before slammed both Spike and Nyx to the ground. He was about to step on them. Jade launched her Super Beam at his face. Zelda, Nyx and Spike launched their Wisdom Power Strike, Luna Shot and Dragon Flame at his feet. Dai Gui fell to his back hard.

Zelda and her friends were about to finish Dai Gui off. Dai Gui hovered up and slammed them to the ground. He was about to punch them. Zelda threw her smoke bombs on his face. They quickly escaped from the fight.

Dai Gui growled in anger as he stomped his feet on the ground in summoning the Rising Stone Stairs. They charged straight at Zelda, Nyx, Jade and Spike. Before they could do anything, they had been lifted up to the top. He quickly summoned Earth Thrower Storm at them. Zelda quickly blocked and deflected the attacks off with her Force-Field while Nyx, Jade and Spike fired their Unicorn Bursts and Dragon Flame at the attacks quickly. For the moment had passed, Nyx and her friends weakened as they all were exhausted and tired from fighting with Dai Gui.

Dai Gui approached to his enemies as he readied to finish them off. A sudden Mega Beam the greenish laser beam at him off. He turned and found Lance and his friends were freed and readied to attack.

Dai Gui roared in anger, "It doesn't matter how many you have, Dai Gui will defeat you all!"

Dai Gui roared wildly as he charged at them all. Cutie Mark Crusaders threw the stones at him hard and quickly. While he was being distracted, Drake Trio and Spike jumped and fired their Dragon Flames at his face hard. Shiroi, Nyx and Jade fired their Unicorn Burst at his stomach hard. Metalgear flew and rammed straight at his stomach in knocking straight to the walls. Metalgear flew off. Zelda and Lance charged in as they both jumped. They slammed their swords through his chest.

Dai Gui cried in anger as he grabbed them both. He threw them right at Drake Trio to the ground hard. Shiroi, Nyx and Jade fired their Hikari Strike, Night Beam and Super Beam at him. He summoned Earth Wall in blocking and deflecting the attacks. He then pushed his right at the unicorns off. Metalgear fired his Buster Canon at him from around the direction while charging straight at him with his Metal Claws for few times.

As Metalgear was about to give final strike, Dai Gui stomped the foot in front of him. Metalgear got slammed and knocked out. Drake Trio and Spike fired their Dragon Flames at the Demon Lord of Earth. Dai Gui turned as he summoned the Earth Thrower Storm at the dragons in knocking most of them out while Spike was thrown to the Night Flower Garden. Cutie Mark Crusaders were about to do something but he summoned Imprisoned Rocks in trapped them inside.

Dai Gui turned to both Lance and Zelda as they both charged in. He gave them a slamming punch but they both rolled over to the front. Lance turned and jumped on his back as he thrust and stabbed his swords on him for few times. With Dai Gui yelled in pain, Zelda swung and slashed her swords against Dai Gui's stomach for few times. As they continued swinging and striking their swords against him, he roared painfully. As Lance climbed up to the top, he struck the sword right on Dai Gui's head while Zelda fired at his eye. Dai Gui roared painfully and angrily as he grabbed and thrown Lance at Zelda to the ground. Before they could do anything, he slammed his fist on them hard. They were knocked out.

Dai Gui turned and grabbed Nyx tight on his grasp as he chuckled evilly.

"Victory is mine..."

Spike moaned and groaned painfully as he slowly get up. He turned and saw Nyx been captured by Dai Gui.

"NYX! NO!" Spike cried in fear, "Damn it! I can't let her take away. I've gotta help her!"

"Spike! Catch!" Aurora cried as she threw the Night Flower to Spike. She explained, "Use it! Use it against him."

Spike looked confuse as he glanced at the Night Flower. He then heard the voice, "Late it maybe, but it shall bloom to defeat its dangerous enemy..."

Spike gulped, "I don't know what the heck was that. But worth my time now!"

Spike got up and charged at Dai Gui. He stood and aimed the Night Flower at Dai Gui. He cried, "Dai Gui! Let my sister go, jerk!"

Dai Gui turned and glared at Spike upon looking at the Night Flower. He roared in anger, "I shall rip you apart!"

Dai Gui threw Nyx aside as he charged straight at the standing Spike. Before both of them could do anything, Night Flower glowed in golden. The flower fired right at Dai Gui. The portal opened. It then captured and dragged the struggling Dai Gui to it.

Dai Gui roared, "Dai Gui will have his revenge, Spike! He shall have one!"

With Dai Gui thrown into the portal, it closed down. Lance and his friends got up. They all came to Spike as they all cheered wildly and hugged Spike happily. They all commented and remarked of how bravery Spike had turned out to be.

Spike blushed, "I couldn't have done it without the voice. And I'm happy to have a family like you guys."

"Oh, Spike..." Nyx smiled happily as she gave Spike a warm hug.

Shiroi smiled, "We couldn't have done without Zelda and Aurora."

"Alert! Zelda and Aurora are missing!" Metalgear exclaimed in concern.

Everyone looked around of their surroundings. Both Zelda and Aurora were nowhere to be found again...

"They're gone... Again..." Scootaloo said in shock.

"Just like Blaze Leo," Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement.

Jade groaned in annoyance, "Why did Zelda keep on doing this? This is getting annoying."

"Ah, save your complaining, Jade," Apple Bloom snapped, "If it weren't for her, we wouldn't able to get three ingredients.

Shiroi nodded her head, "Apple Bloom's right. We've got the Night Flower. And we've got five more to get. And we're still here too."

"Yeah. We're still here. That's important." Nyx agreed.

Grunt smiled as he hugged both Boomer and Rob tightly and passionately. The latter sighed in annoyance. Everyone laughed happily yet amusement of what they were seeing.

"So, what's next?" Spike asked curiously.

Lance smirked, "We move out. Next ingredient to catch! Let's move out, everyone!"

"YEAH!" Everyone cheered wildly and happily.

Lance and his friends packed their stuffs up. They headed straight to the back entrance. They had Venus Seed, Poisonous Frog's Slime and now Night Flower. They had five more ingredients yet to retrieve...

---------------------------------------------

As Lance and his friends got on Dragoking's back, they all left Dai Gui's Castle. Two familiar characters were hiding behind the bushes.

"They did it," Aurora said in surprise, "they did it. You were right, mother. Spike did it. Spike chose to live than the death."

Zelda nodded, "Yes... It's what his parents would wanted. They wanted him to be a great dragon hero and a friend. Spike uphold his family's legacy..."

"So, what is next? Should I return to my brother Blaze?"

"Yes, you should. I should keep an eye on them. The next challenge will not be easy..."

With Aurora nodded, she turned and disappeared through the greenish swirling portal-like. Zelda turned to the front. She looked and watched the young children heading straight out of Bull Badlands. The next journey was next...

To Be Continued...

Review and Suggest...