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"Rarity?" Twilight's voice called out from the main floor.

Rarity sluggishly stretched next to me as her eyes opened. She slipped away from our spooning position on the bed and went down to meet Twilight. I waited a few minutes for them to talk before I went down to join them.

"There you are, I was beginning to think Rarity was going to keep you all day."

I looked out a window; the sun was a lot further in the sky than I thought it would be. "Oops" I joked.

"Is it ok if I steal him away now?" Twilight asked, to which Rarity nodded.

"Ok, Ike lets go check on how Pinkie is doing setting up the welcoming party." Twilight turned to leave and Rarity stole a quick hug.

"Must you always micromanage Twilight?" Rarity joked letting me go.

"What? I was only going to see if she needed help." Twilight quickly defended.

Once we were outside she looked at me a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "I hope you saved some time in your schedule for me, Mr. busy pony." I felt a little blush creep into my cheeks. These girls just can't keep a secret can they?

~

We shortly arrived at the welcoming site, just outside of Ponyville.

"No, no, no that's no good! That banner is right where she normally lands the chariot. Pinkie!" Twilight started to shout orders "Move that banner 5 feet to the right, and that streamer needs to be centered with that table, and..."

I cut Twilight off with a hoof over her mouth. " I believe this is what Rarity meant when she said micromanaging." Twilight gave an embarrassed blush. "Aaand speaking of chariots..." Twilight looked up a panic in her eye.

"No! She's early? We aren't even ready yet." Twilight began to panic but then took a second look. "Wait! That's Princess Luna! What could she be doing here? It's close to night but not that close."

The chariot landed and Twilight ran up to the princess of the night taking a quick bow. It seemed there was also a Zebra along with her in the chariot. The two guards, a unique set of ponies with bat wings and silted pupils observed the small crowd with gaze that seemed both cautious and indifferent at the same time. I wondered to myself if to become a guardian of Luna you had to undergo some form of transformation. They did look quite suited for the night.

Twilight conversed with the Princess; I wasn't close enough to hear so I moved a bit closer receiving a little more attention from the two guards. It was then I heard Luna speak "Some... events have come up. If you do not receive a visit from Celestia by the morrow assume there is an emergency in Canterlot, bring these." Luna levitated an ornate gemmed chest to Twilight who nodded worriedly.

"I will mix up a powerful brew. One to set things right and true." The Zebra assured Twilight.

"Thanks Zecora, Send Celestia my regards. I can only hope whatever this is can be righted quickly."

Luna gave a quick command and the two guards took off towards the direction of Canterlot. The chariot was out of sight quickly and I trotted over to Twilight. I looked over to the box.

"Rarity told me the stories. Are they in there?"

Twilight nodded. "It seems Luna believes that there could be some reason for the elements to be needed. I hope Canterlot is ok."

"I will be there to help if you need me." I assured Twilight, standing beside her. We looked off towards where the princess had gone.

Pinkie came into view shaking rapidly and uncontrollably. She barely managed the words "Doozy" between the rapid up and down bouncing.

Twilight was suddenly completely alert again. "Is it Canterlot?" Pinkie shook her head as Twilight continued. "Then what?"

Pinkie ceased vibrating. "Well, I know you have heard this one before... But it seems to be coming from the Everfree forest. But this time is different; the doozy is coming towards us. And I'm getting a strong vibe that it's angry."

I could hear in the distance a chorus of angry roars. The sound of trees being broken and uprooted reached us from the tree line. The ponies assisting in the decoration looked to the forest in fear. As the trees were cleared I saw a giant shape... with four heads... The ponies all cleared out fearfully, only Twilight Pinkie and I remained to watch the beast's approach...

"So, let me get this straight, you girls neglected to tell me that gigantic monsters such as hydras roam the Everfree forest?" I questioned somewhat disbelievingly.

"They usually never leave the bog." Replied Twilight sounding scared.

"Ooh, Ooh! Maybe its some kind of evil magic." Pinkie stated waving her hooves around at the words evil magic, seemingly unafraid at the moment.

The creature was approaching rapidly, its giant size making the distance negligible. If these girls were so important to Equestria I had to protect them.

"Whatever is causing this doesn't matter, I have to keep it away from town. Girls, go and get everyone in Ponyville to safety. You have done so much for this land and so much for me, it's time I did my part."

"Ike! The hydra will kill you!" Twilight tried to reason.

"I've had my time, and I'm done loosing the people I care about!"

"Ike..." Twilight's eyes began to water.

"Autumn's gold rests on trees. Then falls to ground, sundered." I muttered, knowing this was likely my final hour. The girls saw my expression, they knew.

"When you beat this silly hydra, we're going to have a giant party." Pinkie sniffled a tear coming to her eye.

"Go!" I ordered the girls charging forward.

~

Twilight bolted off with Pinkie, there was no way she would leave him truly alone. She would be back as quickly as possible and with her friends, the ornate chest rested on her back as she ran. She could only hope that she could move quickly enough that he came out alive.

~

I charged towards the massive beast, one of its four heads tracking my motions. My heart leapt as it let out a challenging roar. I had to push my fears aside if I was to challenge this creature. I put on a burst of speed, using magic to accelerate myself. As I rapidly approached another head noticed me. The first one snapped down at me and I leapt up onto it, continuing to run but now along its massive neck. The second head lunged and I deflected it with a blast of wind, its jaws missing me but still close enough to smell its toxic breath.

I leapt over to that head using the neck to ramp up to full speed. As I approached the base of the hydra's third neck I focused my magic, turning the wind that had been assisting me into a compressed disk. The blade of wind, traveling at an amazing speed severed the hydra's thick neck. The creature flailed in pain and I was forced to jump off and away. As I landed behind it the hydra continued forward.

The success of my attack was surprising to even me, the power I had so foolishly played with just a day earlier could have gone seriously wrong. I may have just injured it but it was still threatening to wreak havoc on Ponyville. The creature continued forward, on a mission.

My horn glowed as I charged what I could only assume was a magical blast, never having tried it before. I released all the power I could into the blast, digging my hooves into the ground. The creature growled out, turning away from Ponyville to face me. The effect of the blast had done little other than anger it but that was all I needed.

I could see the beginnings of two new heads forming from the stump of the hydras one amputee. Well crap, this hydra was just like the ones in Greek mythology. Pissy and able to regrow multiple heads if one was removed. The creature looked me over as if I were no better than a fly buzzing around his head. If I could only keep it distracted for a bit longer, long enough for the girls to evacuate Ponyville... The creature five faced creature now charged me, its new heads quickly growing to full size.

I countered its charge running towards it again. I knew the same tactic wouldn't work again so I zipped around its heads as they crashed into the ground around me. I ran under its gigantic body and reached out with my horn, causing the creature minimal harm and slashing through the scales on one of its legs. As I progressed out from under the creature I was met with a flexible hydra head snarling at me. I quickly changed direction as the head lunged. I managed to avoid it but the massive tail swung toward me. It had guessed my tactic; I leapt as high as I could to avoid it, but my jump was sadly inefficient.

The breath was struck from my lungs at the massive blow and I was sent flying. My body landed roughly, tumbling thought the dirt. I weakly raised my head, seeing the hydra turn to me. Was this how my life ended? I shuddered as one of the heads slowly snaked out towards me, its virulent breath fogging the air. My limbs would not obey me and from the utter lack of pain I knew my broken body had gone into shock.

The hydra knew I was downed and the head retreated, the others seemed to argue amongst themselves over which of them could eat me. I was sickened at the thought, watching them blurrily as they challengingly snapped at each other. After a short while they seemed to come to some form of consensus. One of the elder heads reached down to devour me and I closed my eyes as a streak of blood trickled down from my mouth. I shuddered; my body went slack as I gave up trying to move.

Right as I felt the creatures rank breath upon me a noise caught my attention, one I had never heard before. It was unique, and indescribable, I opened my eyes as the Hydra pulled back its head questioningly. That which accompanied the noise was the least expected thing. A blue 1980's style British police box flew from the corner of my vision smashing into the hydra at a massive speed. The hydra was thrown back violently and the box came to rest on the ground nearby.

The door squeaked as it opened and I heard a voice. "Doctor. Are you sure we are in the right place this time?"

"Right place yes." The Doctor emerged "As for right time you will have to see for yourself." he said staring at my battered form. Princess Celestia emerged from the door as well followed by princess Luna; from what I could tell the box was much bigger on the inside.

The Hydra shifted and Dr. Whooves looked concerned, his cutie mark hourglass flipped over and began draining sand at a rapid pace. " One minute." He stated as the hydra froze in place and time stopped around us.

"Luna! He needs the shackle of dawn!" Celestia shouted upon seeing my state.

"Sister! He isn't ready yet, the power might destroy him."

"He can outlast it. He is of pure heart, a perfect candidate."

I lay there, still stunned from the blow as Celestia approached me. "I'm sorry. This will hurt very much, but we cannot stay in this time and fight this creature. Dr. Whooves assures us it would only cause greater chaos."

At this her sister approached with a twisted metal ring, the visage of a valiant Alicorn stallion emblazoned into it. The ring opened up on an invisible hinge and floated over to my front right leg. It clasped itself, clicking on, fitting like its namesake... oh... And it began to glow, and yes did it hurt. My whole body erupted in the pain it had moments ago neglected to feel.

At that moment my purpose became clear to me through the searing pain of the shackle glowing with magic. A crest, fading from the darkest of black at the top and descending in blue like the night sky entered into my head. On this crest, near the bottom, you could see a hint of the rising sun, its colors mingling with the rest.

The mark I had just envisioned seared its way into my flank in a border of silver. My hooves and lower legs changed their color as well, appearing to be on fire like the skyline during a sunrise. This crest... this shield showed I was a defender, hero to the dawn. I would fight this day and I would live. I would fight to see the world a better place. And I would continue to fight, even to my last breath to defend those that I loved. My injuries knitted themselves together as the trio who saved my life hastily disembarked. The impossible blue box faded from view.

The pain had ended, and I was completely refreshed. I actually felt better than I ever had. As I stood back up onto my hooves two giant spectral wings emerged unfurling. Ok, this was officially awesome! The Hydra regained its footing and growled at me, but this time I felt little fear. I charged into the fray once more.

I jumped into the air, my false wings taking me aloft. The Hydra's five heads hissed at my action. I flew on these wings, rushing the hydra. It snapped at me as I passed but I dodged landing a powerful kick in its eyeball, sending it reeling in a shocked pain. I turned around for another pass, content in knowing I now had this creature beat for speed.

I continuously dove around, its five heads braiding themselves into a twisted knot trying to track me. I allowed power to surge within me and I teleported away from the hydra to the location I was looking at. It began trying to sort its heads out as I flew with all my might funneling magic as well. I sped towards the creature faster than I had ever moved before. I focused my newfound, and now more powerful, magic and formed a massive wind blade to sever the bunched up necks. I tucked my wings, flying through a small gap as my blade hit. Every single one of the Hydra's long necks slid off onto the ground, writhing. The creature collapsed behind me as I caught the wind again gliding down.

I saw a group of six ponies, standing there on the hillcrest in front of me jaws agape. I alighted in front of them. They all had a gemmed necklace on, except Twilight who wore a tiara. All the gems seemed to match the cutie mark of the individual in shape.

"What the hay?" Applejack questioned

"You... um look different." Fluttershy stated shyly.

"That Was Amazing! The way you took down that hydra was so cool!" Rainbow then proceeded to poke at one of my wings with a hoof. Her hoof passed through the wing entirely as if it weren't even there. "Woah..."

"Sorry to be the one to point it out..." Twilight paused "But it doesn't seem to be over quite yet.

I looked back, the hydra stirred as a nest of ten heads rapidly grew from the stumps. "Oh geez... are you kidding me? This will take a minute. Don't mind me, continue staring in awe." I joked launching myself back into the air, doing a flip to face the proper direction.

I flew in close, dodging the numerous heads. It was hard to keep track of them now that there were so many. I wondered to myself for a second. What if I could just cut off so many heads that it fell over due to being top-heavy? Nah, I should probably just use fire...

That second of distraction was all it took and the creature managed to clip one of my spectral wings. The wing sputtered for a second as I tired to correct my flight. That's all the time the creature needed, as it had effectively boxed me in. As I hovered there flapping my wings I looked desperately for an escape. The large necks converged on me, twisting around to cover any possible escapes. My wings flared out, seemingly on their own, and changed shape into a protective sphere of crystallized energy. The necks pressed against the sphere and started to squeeze.

I fought against the crushing force, pooling my magic to assist the barrier. I could faintly hear the sounds of Twilight and Rarity trying to distract the beast by firing magical projectiles. My barrier began to crack like it was a glass dome; I could feel the power slipping. I couldn't even teleport due to the barrier and the fact that my vision was completely obscured. How could I have been so foolish, my life had been miraculously saved once today... and now it still gets to end and all because of one stupid second of distraction? I had to at least try something; I wasn't going to give in without a fight.

I dug deep, finding every last bit of power I could within myself. I focused it all and began to weave an intricate spell. The barrier gave way and time seemed to slow as my life flashed before my eyes. The thick, scaled necks started to push in towards me... I just needed a few more seconds... The first one found my side and the rest joined shortly, they began to constrict. The spell I had been weaving was not going to come fast enough...

Just as I thought I was about to be crushed I heard a joyously familiar sound, a sonic rainboom. The necks loosened for a second in the hydras confusion. That was all the time I needed. All of my power began to release itself.

A huge fiery inferno emanated in all directions around me melting through the hydras thick scales. Each of the creature's heads howled out in a symphony of tormented wails, flailing around and removing me from their grasp. The spell was cast, unable to be stopped now, and I floated there in the epicenter eyes aglow. The fire continued to burn; treating the hydra's vulnerable flesh like paper. Luckily, I myself was somehow protected from the consuming fire.

I floated there, as the ashes flew and the cinders fell. As my eyes ceased their glowing I saw that the hydra had been seared completely. None of the heads would regrow now, the remains of the creature collapsed around me. My wings reappeared and I shakily glided downwards. But before I could reach the ground they sputtered out of existence and I began to plummet. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were there for me, catching my fall and gently taking me to the ground.

I took a few shaky steps forward, the extra coloration of my hooves bleeding away into the ground. A few more steps, the mark I had gained vanishing from sight. The next steps ended in my collapse, I could feel a numbness wash over me. My mind was clouded and I felt like I was starting to forget something important.

Wait? What is happening? Why am I so tired? The shackle around my hoof unclasped itself falling to the ground; I looked at it questioningly as it evaporated into a dark vapor. Why was I wearing that again?

Never mind that, I was too tired to think, maybe I was already dreaming.

My eyes closed, the darkness warm and inviting...

Author's Note:

Thanks for reading!

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If you read Dr. Whooves: The Redemption of Equestria, set over 1000 years before this story, then you would know more about the Shackle of Dawn. But it will be explained further in a future chapter.