Friendship and Mysteries

Chapters

New World, Old Problems. (Now edited thanks to Neko Majin C)
Something Black, Something Borrowod, and Something Blue. (Now Edited thanks to Neko Majin C)
Worlds Collide. (Now Edited thanks to Neko Majin C)
The Adventure (Kinda) Begins! (Now edited thanks to Neko Majin C)
Don't Shoot the Messenger.
The Scorpion and the Frog.
One Heck of a Morning.
Unpleasant Dreams and a Powerful Treasure.
The End?
A Very Mysterious Christmas Special.
Too Far.
The Sweet Sound of Silence.
A Call to Arms.
Catching Up.
Halloween Special
Diagnosis
A Chill in the Air.
It's a-
Memories
Nightmare or Reality? (Now Edited thanks to Neko Majin C)
Show Time!

New World, Old Problems. (Now edited thanks to Neko Majin C)

Chapter 2

Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celesta slowly made their way down the twisted corridors deep within the underbelly of a secret palace in the frozen north.

“So, if I may ask Princess, why are we here?” The little Alicorn asked, “The letter you sent me, for one, was hoof delivered by one of Princess Luna’s guards in the middle of the night, and two, all that was said is that it is of the utmost importance that I meet you at the Crystal Palace.
Then, at the end of it, you told me to burn the letter after I read it! All I'm saying is it must be pretty important if we are going through these methods to cover our tracks.”

Princess Celestia stopped in front of a door and placed her hoof on the handle, she looked over to Twilight, bearing a serious expression.

“You’ll have to forgive me for being so secretive about this, Twilight,” Celestia said. “But what I am about to show you is perhaps one of the most well-kept and important secrets in all of Equestria.”

With that said, Princess Celestia opened the door to revel an enormous room filled with an array of massive machines with beeping lights which shot out streams upon streams of data that was collected by what seemed to be about a dozen ponies in white lab coats.

One of the scientists took notice of the two and trotted over.

“Welcome, your majesties, I am Professor Shines Brightly,” the elderly unicorn bowed his head. “Thank you both for coming on such short notice, but the team and I thought that it was imperative that this be seen with your own eyes. This way please.”

The unicorn led the two Princesses over to a small pedestal surrounded by a protective aura and yellow hazard tape with a red shroud that covered whatever lay on the beam.

Shines Brightly dispelled the barrier and cleared away the tape. “Out of all the things we have seen the N.T. produce, this is by far the most disturbing we have ever received. Since the both of you have the most experience dealing with such matters, we thought it best to get your opinions on the matter.”

As he finished, the unicorn's horn illuminated in a bright green glow, as this happened, the cloth itself enveloped in the same color aura, and dropped to the floor. Directly in the center of the pedestal lay a dark crystal shard.

The two figures stared at the crystal in sheer horror. Celestia was the first to break the silence, as she gave a long sigh.

“I was afraid this would happen, and you're sure, without any shadow of a doubt?”

“Yes your Majesty, there's no mistaking it, this shard came from the other side.”

“Alright, that's it!” Twilight announced.“Would somepony please tell me what's going on!? Who are you ponies, what's an 'N.T',and why in the hay is one of King Sombra’s dark crystals here!?”

Twilight shrank down as she realized all eyes had been placed on her.

Celestia looked over to Shines Brightly and gave a dismissive nod before she turned her attention back to Twilight. “Please, forgive me Twilight, you have all the right in the world to be upset. I know this is quite a lot to take in, so I shall start from the beginning."

Celestia gestured for Twilight to follow her into the conjoining room. “Shortly after the disappearance of the Crystal Empire. It was believed by some ponies that it had merely been teleported to an unknown location still within the frozen north. We still don’t know if that was the case or not, no pony ever did find the answer. But on one expedition, led by a brave Earth pony named Wild Runner, we found this.”

Princess Celestia stopped and placed a hoof on Twilight’s chest, stopping the mare in place.

Twilight looked down and gasped in shock as she found she had been mere steps away from falling into a large pit.

“We call it the Northern Tear or N.T. for short, and it is believed to be a portal into another world.”

“Um, Princess, this just looks like a normal pit. Granted a very large, deep ,dark, and scary pit, a pit nonetheless.” Twilight said as she nudged a nearby pebble over the ledge and into the pit.

Celestia raised her hoof as if to say something, but stopped as she saw the pebble drop.

“You may regret that,” Celestia said.

“Regret wha-OW!” Twilight was interrupted by the same pebble coming back to hit her in the jaw.

Twilight rubbed the red mark where the pebble had struck her, “What just happened?”

Celestia merely smiled and shook her head, “What you just experienced was a repellent produced by the N.T. Guardians.” Celestia gestured to four regal unicorns adorned in silver armor placed strategically around the pit.

“Until the N.T. was discovered, there was nothing stopping anything from crossing from this world to the next. We still aren’t sure who, or what, are from this world, and we may never know. But thanks to the Guardians, and a select few scientists on hoof, we are able to regulate and study what goes in and out of it of the N.T.

“If anything were to come from the other side, the magic produced by the Guardians would keep it in a suspended state so the other ponies could have a chance to scan it and deem it safe or unsafe. If the item is deemed dangerous it is sent right back where it came, but if it is deemed safe then it is brought through to the other side for further studies.

“The N.T. has produced a vast array of wonderful things; some of the better of these have actually advanced our technologies by hundreds of years.”

Twilight stood there with her mouth agape as she processed all the information.

“But Princess,” Twilight said. “That still doesn't explain why we're here, or why there's a dark crystal?”

“I believe I can take it from here, your, Majesty”, both Princesses turned around to see Shines Brightly standing behind them. "On the day that Princess Cadance had used the power of the Crystal Heart against King Sombra, it was believed that we had very well seen the last of him.” Shines Brightly said, as the grey unicorn looked over the edge and into the N.T.

“Well, it sure looked that way,” Twilight said. “I mean, everypony saw him enveloped by the blast and, when it had cleared, he was gone.”

“That being the key word, Princess Twilight. Gone, yes, but not destroyed.” Shines Brightly paused and gave a deep sigh. "The day of Sombra's second fall, on what we presume to be the exact instant he was defeated, there was a massive force that attacked the magical barrier of the N.T. By the time anypony could react it had overwhelmed the Guardians, breached the barrier, and leaked through to the other side.

“It was not until a few weeks ago that we were able to obtain the Dark Crystal shard you see before you from one of four of the native inhabitants that had come in from the other side. This Dark Crystal proves, that without a doubt, King Sombra survived the blast and has been regaining his strength on the other side for the past few months.

"This is where you come into play, Twilight.” As Celestia spoke she bent her head over to become eye level with Twilight. “If this is the case then you are the only one strong enough in all of Equestria to find and be rid of his corruption once and for all.”

Twilight turned to Princess Celestia with a salute and a look of pure determination. “You can count on me, Princess,” Twilight said.

Princess Celestia smiled. “I knew I could; now, there are a few things you need to know before embarking on this journey. First. Stealth is highly advised. The local Inhabitants are known for being highly unpredictable. As such, you should endeavor to avoid them at all cost. You should be able to recognize them quite quickly; they walk on two legs, are completely fur-less except for their head, and are most always covered in clothing. Second, if King Sombra really has been there all this time, by now he has nearly seven days until he has regained his strength at which point he will become unstoppable. For that reason you have within that time period to find and stop him.”

Twilight nodded. “Understood Princess, is there anything else?”

Celestia gave the young Alicorn an awkward smile. “Well, due to the circumstances of this problem, we thought it best that somepony familiar with dark magic come along with you on your mission.”

Twilight quirked her brow and rubbed under her chin “And who, might I ask, would that-”

“OW!” Twilight exclaimed, as she felt a sharp pain on her head, followed by the sound of something hitting the floor. She looked down to find the same pebble that had attacked her earlier, laying before her hooves. “How in the-”

Twilight was quickly cut off, as the pebble gave her a raspberry. Twilight jumped back as the pebble began to levitate and shake violently. Suddenly, the pebble exploded into a flash of bright light, and in its place stood the Spirit of Chaos himself, Discord.

“Twilight Sparkle, my favorite little book worm!” He said with a big goofy grin, as he picked her up and promptly noogied the mare. “It’s been quite some time now, hasn't it and what have we here?” Discord dropped her to the ground, dashed behind Twilight ,and began lightly examining her wings. "Who would have thought that all it takes these days to become royalty are wings and a horn. If that's the case, Tia, then I believe we should start discussing my new kingdom, preferably somewhere in the tropics next to a huge Volcano where I can fill it with Hot chocolate and-”

“Discord!?” Twilight wailed. “You're sending me to another world with Discord!? Why, of all ponies, are you sending me with him?! Last time I checked, he’s still the spirit of chaos! Not to mention he was the one who plunged the world into chaos, twice!”

“Now, Twilight, when you say it like that, you make it sound like a bad thing,” Discord crossed his arms with and frowned. “I'll have you know that, since my reformation, my powers have been used for the better of ponykind.”

Celestia nodded “It’s true, since Discords release he’s done nothing but help the ponies of Equestria. Be it in his own special way. We feel that Discord is ready to take on higher tasks for the kingdom.”

“Oh I know you'll just love it on the other side! I'll show you all my favorite spots!” Discord said as he wrapped his lion paw around Twilight’s neck.

“Wait, hold on. Are you saying that you've been there before?!”Twilight asked.

“You got it,” Discord said. “Since my release, I've been going back and forth as much as my little heart desires. Even before I was turned to stone, I use to pop in and out for a visit. Oh, the locals were so easy to fool back then, they even gave me a little nick name, Coyote, I believe it was."

It was at this time that Princess Celestia felt the need to step in (as she noticed a slight twitch in the corner of Twilights' eye).

“Due to Discords prior experience in the other world, and its inhabitants, he might be able to provide crucial knowledge on what you are going to face.” Celestia then bent down and whispered into Twilights ear. “Plus, I think it would be a good idea to get him out of the castle. Luna can't handle much more of his pranks and I'm a little worried for his safety.”

Meanwhile, in Canterlot…

Princess Luna (unable to sleep) wandered groggily into the royal kitchen in search of a midday snack. She grumpily opened the fridge and-

BOOOOM!

The entire contents of the fridge had exploded outward and into the kitchen, covering the area with in a coat of food which had combined to form an inedible and unrecognizable super glop, and standing right in the middle of the blast was Princess Luna.

Her mouth was agape and her eyes widened with disgust and rage.

The fridge then spat out a small puff of confetti and a small Discord cutout with a speech bubble that read:

“I hope you love my parting gift as much as I loved putting it together, Bon voyage, Loony. P.S. Bwahahahahaha.”

Steam rose out of the blue mare's ears as a fire raged in her eyes. Spreading her wings, the food that had enveloped her was slowly being melted off, revealing that her blue coat had become a deep, cataclysmic red.

“WHERE IS HE?!”

A loud, heart stopping scream could be heard deep within the castle walls, causing everypony to cringed in fear. Discord puffed his cheeks and covered his mouth in an attempt to hold back his laughter.

“Well that's my cue, arriverderci ponies!” Discord said, and snapped his claws together.

Instantly, he was wearing a floral print shirt, some leis draped around his neck, a set of red sunglasses and a straw hat. He gave his farewell before diving head first into the N.T.

Twilight watched the creature keep perfect form as he disappeared into the darkness behind a sudden flash. Twilight then sunk her head down to the ground.

“Princess Celestia-“

“Twilight," Celestia interjected. "I know this is a lot to take in within such a short amount of time, but fear, not my little pony. There is not a pony alive that I believe in more than you, Twilight Sparkle. ” Celestia gently nuzzled under her chin, causing Twilight to look upward, a small smile rested on her face.

“Thank you, Princess, I won't let you down!” Twilight said.

“I know you won't, good luck Twilight. The fate of two worlds rest in the hooves and claws of both of you.”

Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the sounds of crashing coming closer accompanied by a rage filled voice, growing in volume as the sounds of crashing came closer.

“Where is he?!"

"Where is he?!"

"WHERE IS HE?!”

Twilight quickly jumped into the hole, having a greater fear of what was coming rather than what was on the other side.

She looked up to see the light from the surface become smaller and smaller until it had completely vanished and she was surrounded by complete darkness. As she fell, she felt a tingling sensation suddenly shoot up her body, and she noticed her mane blowing in the opposite direction. “That must be the magical barrier” she thought to herself. Suddenly she realized she was being pushed forward towards a bright light. She came closer and closer and closer until finally she was shot out and upwards.

Twilight tried to open her wings to slow the fall but it was too late. The young Alicorn fell to the ground head first into something hard.

As the mare slipped out of consciousness, she took note of a sign that was placed near to her.

“Bottomless pit,” she murmured, before everything went black.

Twilight slowly opened her eyes to a glaring sun. She sat up in a fright. Looking around frantically, she realized that what had happened wasn't a dream. She was in a dangerous new world hunting, an evil so great that even Princess Celestia and Princess Luna couldn't handle it, and her only companion through this was the Spirit of Chaos.

“Hey, where is he anyway?” She asked herself.

“Well, it’s about time you got up! I was starting to think that bump on the head gave you brain damage or something. Although maybe a knock on the head is what you need to lighten up a little! ”

Twilight looked up to find Discord resting on a pink cloud and looking down at her with an enthusiastic grin.

She ignored the comment and continued massaging the bump on her head with her hoof. “How long was I out?”

“Oh, a couple hours, you didn't even flinch when I applied your lovely new facial accessory.”

“What are you-” Twilight put her hoof to her face only to realize that she had inexplicably sprouted a healthy goatee on her muzzle.

“Discord!” she wailed as the trickster cackled with sheer delight.

Twilight gave an annoyed sigh as she conjured up a razor to dispose of the newly formed facial hair.

“Alright," she said to herself. "So we officially have seven days to locate and take out King Sombra before he gains enough power to come back and enslave all of pony kind. All while hiding from the locals and trying to keep Discord under control. Great, Twilight, a real fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into this time,”

Discord dismounted his cloud, wrapped himself around Twilight ,and gave her a crooked smile as he locked eyes with her.

“Aaaalllrighty, then, dear Twilight, welcome to the new world!” Discord announced. “Since this is your first time being here, I believe it is in your best interest if you get to know the environment. To do that, we’re going to play a little game.” He raised his claw and snapped his fingers together, with that he disappeared leaving behind a confused and very annoyed Twilight.

“Discord, where in the hay did you go?” Twilight groaned.

“Now, Twilight,"Discord's voice echoed. "It’s just a simple game of hide and seek, I’m hiding nearby disguised as the most out of place object in the forest. Just find me and the game will be over.”

Twilight stood up and began looking frantically for the Draconequus. As she looked around, she quickly became aware that she had landed dangerously close to what appeared to be a log cabin.

The building seemed to be in rather poor shape. In some places moss had completely taken over, creating green patches of plant life. Roof tiles were loosely attached, and in some places, nonexistent. The most prominent feature of the cabin was the large sign placed on the top of it that read, “Mystery Shack”.

The “S” had fallen down, leaving a shadow of itself on the billboard, thus turning it to “Hack”. Twilight bit her bottom lip and continued her search with a tad more stealth as not to draw attention to any of the possible inhabitants of the building.

“Discord!?” she whispered/shouted, “Come on, we don’t have time for this! Princess Celestia gave us a deadline and the longer we stay here, the more likely we are to be discovered by the locals.”

Then Twilight stopped. Behind the adjacent bush, the sound of Discord's hushed voice could be heard. She grinned with a smug sense of satisfaction that she was able to locate him so quickly.

“Gotcha now!” she said as he focused her magic on the source of the voice and brought it forward.

“Alright, now that your silly game is over we can finally get down to busi-” Twilight stopped. Surrounded by her aura wasn’t Discord, but a small terrified local.

“Oh no!” Twilight said in horror.

Author's Note

Chapter is 3 is all done and ready (With the exception of a few editing quarks to work out) So I'll be working on chapter four tomorrow. Please give me as much input as possible every bit helps.

Now with edits thanks to Neko Majin C
Yours truly Thecakedevil

Something Black, Something Borrowod, and Something Blue. (Now Edited thanks to Neko Majin C)

Chapter 3

“One thousand years of waiting, and this is my fate.” Sombra pondered while he faced his defeat as he and a blast of energy edged closer and closer to each other. As he neared his demise, time seemed to slow down inside the head of the dark lord. “To be overthrown within a few days of my release by my miserable crystal slaves, a lowly Alicorn, and a dragon?!”

King Sombra winced his eyes as the light from the blast became brighter.

“No, this will not be my fate. No matter how long it takes, somehow I will return, and take my revenge on all those who rose against me this day. Then, I will take my place as King Sombra: Emperor Supreme of all!”

As Sombra realized that the blast was mere moments upon him, he felt a strange sensation, an electrical tingle that started at his back legs and moved up his body.

“Wh-what is this?!” he thought to himself as his body was broke down into millions upon millions of pieces all at once, every last one of them moving in the same direction.

King Sombra lie motionless as he slowly regained consciousness. As his vision came into focus, he could see that he was in the middle of a darkened room surrounded by a circle of candles emanating a purple flame. He paused his investigation when he suddenly became aware of a small robed being standing before him.

“Ehehe it worked, it worked, my very own demon servant to do my bidding.” It said as it happily danced back and forth.

“I am servant to nopony!” Sombra hissed.

He steadily lifted himself from the ground and aimed his horn at the figure with the intention of setting the little creature ablaze with fire and watch it burn to his amusement. Sombra gave a small sinister smirk as he concentrated on the image of fire and the little pest screaming in agony. But nothing happened.

“M-my magic, it’s gone! What have you done?!” Sombra roared as he attempted to gore the being with his horn, only to hit his head against an unknown force and be knocked onto his flank.

“What is the meaning of this, and who are you to dare claim yourself master of the Crystal Emperor?”

The small figure turned to face Sombra, allowing his cloak to drop to the ground.

What stood before Sombra was a small, chubby, ape-like creature. On its head was a snow white mane that made up most of its height, on its face was a prominently upturned nose and three freckles dotted each cheek. All of this was wrapped up in in a cyan suit and brown shoes.

"I'm Gideon Charles Gleeful," it announced. "Or Li’l Gideon for short, and I have brought you to this world for one purpose, and one purpose alone-"

“Son, are you almost done down there? I need to check to see if the laundry is done.”

“I WILL TELL YOU WHEN I AM DONE OLD MAN, THEN, AND ONLY THEN, CAN CHECK YOUR DARNED LAUNDRY!”

“Alright then take your time.”

Gideon cleared his throat and continued. “Perhaps I should start from the beginning, you see, Mr. Demon, I’m a humble young man with simple goals in this small town. Win over the love of my life, destroy her brother, and crush their family business into the ground. But no matter how hard I try victory is constantly swept away from my reach. So one day after another failed courtship with my beloved Mabel, I was reading through a certain book, trying to find something that could aid me in my endeavor.

“Then, one day, the book seemed to come to life right before my eyes. The pages started turning on their own and came to rest on one of its empty pages, a bright flash of purple light came from the book, blinding me momentarily. When I looked back, this was on the page.”

Gideon opened a tattered book and flipped to a marked page before placing it in front of Sombra’s face.

The picture depicted a circle made of unrecognized symbols on the outer edge with a star in the middle, on the outer wall of the circle were five candles each aligned with the points of the star.

“These here are instructions to a summoning circle, by replicating this image to a larger scale, the book tells of bringing forth a creature whose heart could black out the sun, and whose evil knows no bounds.

“Now, the way I see it, since I’m the one who brought you into this world and freed you from the fiery underworld, you owe me a life of loyal servitude as my loyal minion,” Gideon said with a face of smug satisfaction.

King Sombra had been nearing a new level of rage at this point. The very thought that this “Li’l Gideon” had possibly saved his life was one thing, but now said creature was claiming to be his master! This was far from anything he could even imagine tolerating.

As Sombra was about to launch into a blind rage in an attempt to destroy the little parasite, it spoke.

“Yes, I reckon a dark and evil creature like yourself will do a far better job at eliminating that low down, dirty Pines Family. Hehe, no magic crystals or fancy powers this time, just a malevolent demonic creature eliminating every last one of my enemies at once. Oh, Gideon, you have outdone yourself this time, mmm-mm.”

“Magic crystals?” Sombra asked, pausing his rage as to make sure his ears hadn’t deceived him in any way.

“Hm? Oh yeah, that was my most recent failed plan, it’s nothing to be concerned about.” Gideon said.

“No, no, you fool, I demand you tell me about the crystals!”

Gideon turned to Sombra with a face of rage and disgust. “You will demand nothing from me! I own you, you worthless piece of demonic trash, do you understand me!?”

Sombra opened his mouth to unleash a barrage of insults when the reality of his situation truly struck him. He had no idea where he was, his magic was gone, and he was trapped within an energy field with no known way out.

Every fiber of his being wanted nothing more but to obliterate the insolent little fool in front of him. But if Sombra was ever going to have any chance of regaining his powers, he needed its help. Sombra swallowed his pride and forced himself to bow as he attempted a sincere smile.

“My apologies… Master Gideon. I momentarily forgot my place; I do hope you will… forgive me.”

The words burned his mouth as they came out.

Gideon gave an approving nod, regaining his composure. “Well I suppose I can forgive ya’ll just this once, just don't let it happen again. Now, why is it you're so interested in those crystals?”

“Well, my lord, if you truly want me to succeed in the destruction of your enemies, would it not be best to know of all failed attempts so I myself don't find myself in the same positions?”

Gideon scratched his chin and narrowed his eyes. “Hmm, I reckon you've got a point there. Alright, listen up, because I'm going to tell ya’ll once, and only once.”

“So, the crystal was taken from you.” Sombra gave an irritated sigh. After two painful hours of listening to the creature yammer on, Sombra’s hopes had been crushed.

“Well yes, and no,” Gideon said.

“What do you mean?” Sombra said, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, while the main crystal was taken away, I must have knocked it against something, because while I was looking around in my pockets, I found this.”

Gideon pulled out a crystal shard no bigger than a pebble.

“For one reason or another, though, it seemed to have lost its powers. I was gonna throw the useless trinket away after today.”

Sombras eyes were fixed on the crystal shard as his plans of vengeance were rekindled once again. “Master Gideon, what if I told you I could retrieve you another crystal? In fact, what if I led you to the source of the crystals?”

“Hmm, I’m not one for repeating plans, but I suppose if I did get my hands on another one of those crystals, things would go much differently indeed.” Gideon said as he sinisterly rubbed his hands together.

“Indeed, all I need is to touch that crystal shard and I will lead you to its origin.” Sombra said in a low hiss, as a devious smile formed on his face. “You would have the upper hand this time around, you would have an unlimited supply of magic crystals at your disposal and with me by your side, we could once and for all lay waste to the Pines Family.”

Gideon grinned ear to ear as he approached Sombra. “Ooh, you sure do have a way with words don't cha? Alright, Mr. Demon, I'll give the crystals another shot, after all, second time's the charm, right?”

Gideon held out the crystal shard in his outstretched hand to Sombra.

“Alright minion, do your stuff!”

Sombra cleared his throat as he raised a hoof to touch the invisible barrier separating the two of them.

“Hehe, oh right, silly me.” Gideon said as he used his foot to scoot one of the candles off to the side, causing the barrier to instantly dispel.

Sombra rolled his eyes and stepped forward. Lowering his head, his horn made contact with the crystal. Within moments, he could feel the magic of the crystal trickle into him. At the same time, the once lovely multi-colored crystal, had turned to an ominous black.

Sombra grinned as the tip of his horn began to pulsate with a dark aura.

“It's not much, but it will do for now,” Sombra said.

He then turned his head until his horn was glowing a solid black.

“The crystals are in this direction. We have to move now whilst I still have a charge.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Onward to our inevitable victory!” Gideon said jumping onto Sombras back.

Sombra winced, feeling the sudden weight of Gideon on himself, he looked back and gave Gideon a fake smile. Turning his head forward, he sneered and ground his teeth together out of frustration.

“Just a little longer,” he thought to himself. “Just find the crystals, and we can deal with this pest properly.”

“Are we almost there?” Gideon moaned. “We've been out here for well over an hour and my li’l tummy is starting to grumble.”

“It shouldn't be too far now.” Sombra said.

As the two rounded a corner, there it was. Surrounded by trees, was a small clearing riddled with crystals of all sizes, and nestled in the center was the father of all crystals. An enormous spectacle, bigger than any of the others, a specimen so grand it could have made any jeweler sink to his knees and weep tears of joy.

The both of them stared at the quarry in amazement before Gideon leapt to the ground his eyes filled with awe and wonder.

“Why, there must be thousands of ‘em. Thousands of pristine beauties ready to be plucked and be used for my evil ambitions. With these at my disposal, after destroying the Pines Family, I could just as well take over the town. But why stop there? I can take over more than just some silly tri-state area, the entire state, the country, the world! All will bow down to me, Gideon Gleeful!"

Gideon caught himself and cleared his throat.

“Oh my it seems I went and gotten ahead of myself.” Gideon said as he turned around. “One step at a time. Now, let’s get some of these crystals and-WHAT IN BLUE BLAZES ARE YOU DOING!?”

While Gideon had been talking, Sombra had begun converting the surrounding crystals. Altering them into his own power source. By the time Gideon had turned around, Sombra had surrounded himself with the dark crystals, which were producing a dark substance that flowed into Sombra.

“M-my crystals!” Gideon reached out to touch one of the converted crystals only to be greeted with a sharp shock.

His face burned with rage as he ran up to Sombra.

“Stop this, stop right this instant! As your master, I order you to cease this at once and turn my crystals back to normal. Do you hear m-”

Gideon was cut off as Sombra smacked him into a nearby tree.

Sombra grinned with sheer delight while he walked over to where Gideon had landed. He reached down, picked him up by the collar, and pressed him against the tree.

“No, no, this isn't how it works! I summoned you, I brought you into this world. You're here to serve me!”

“ENOUGH!” Sombra Bellowed. “I don’t know how or why I am here, or how a little whelp like you was able to bring me into this world. But now that I can feel my magic begin to replenish, I will no longer deal with your insolence for another moment! These crystals belong to me now and I shall do with them as I wish, and furthermore,” Sombra narrowed his gaze and gave a wicked smile. “You serve me now.”

“W-w-what?!”

“Yes, as much as I would love to simply finish you here and now, relieving myself and the world of your measly existence, I am unfamiliar with this new world and require information on it.”

Sombra dropped Gideon to the ground with a loud thud.

“It's going to be some time before I have reached a sufficient power level, so in the meantime, I might as well read up on this miserable place. Who knows, after I have had my revenge, perhaps I will come back and take over this world as well. ‘King Sombra Lord and Master of two Worlds.’"

Sombra grinned and narrowed his eyes as he rubbed his hoof under his chin.

“Yes I rather like the sound of that.”

“Well that's all fine and dandy," Gideon said standing to his feet. "But what if I refuse to help, hmm? What are ya’ll gonna do then?”

Sombra turned his head, and with a flash of his horn, shot a ball of fire through Gideons hair leaving a smoldering hole and penetrating through the tree he was forced against along with several others behind it.

“U-u-understood, master.”

“Good. Now run and fetch me some books on this world.”

“Yes, sir.” Gideon stood up and began to frantically run in the opposite direction.

“Oh, and do hurry back, I'm not one to be kept waiting.” Sombra grinned as he took a few shots at Gideons feet, cackling in sheer, unholy delight.

A few months had passed and Sombra had grown in wisdom and knowledge of this world.

He learned quickly that the inhabitants of this world were not to be taken lightly. In their existence, countless wars had been waged, and technology here was far superior to that of Equestria.

But to these “humans”, magic is something of myth and legends. Nothing that is taken seriously in modern society. This was a fact that Sombra felt was an advantage on his part.

Gideon had become a loyal servant in the past few months, primarily out of fear. He would come in all hours of the night to assist King Sombra, no questions asked and without a twinge of resistance.

He had planned a few attempts on Sombras life in the past. But as Gideon slept Sombra would enter his dreams and dispel any further plans of the manner. Giving him unspeakable nightmares while he slept as punishment for treasonous thoughts.

One night, Sombra was partaking in a particularly engrossing piece of literature, when his reading was interrupted by the sound of a snapping twig.

“Who's there? Show yourself!” He demanded.

Sombra stood up as his horn glowed with a dark aura, ready to strike down whoever was there.

“Well, somepony is in a grumpy mood.”

Sombra quickly looked up to find none other than Discord floating above him.

“King Sombra, I presume? Ugh, I could smell the stench of dark magic a mile away phew,” Discord said as he pinched his nostrils shut. “So, this is what you've been doing all this time. I must say, I do love what you've done with the place.”

Sombra merely glared at the trickster his horn still ready to fire. “What are you doing here, abomination?!” Sombra snarled.

Discord ignored the insult and proceeded to land in front of him.

“Well, to put it frankly, I want to help you.”

Sombra’s eyes widened in shock.“Explain yourself.”

Discord smiled as he paced back and forth with his paw and claw behind his back.

“The whole world thinks that you died, my friend. Yet here you are today so very much alive and livid as ever. I was in your position once, released after a thousand year nap only to be stopped by a bunch of fillies. The same fillies actually. You know, it's quite odd, now that I think about how they always seem to be the ones to stop us rather than- sorry went off track there. Like you, I was given a second chance. And with said second chance, I was able to find the true magic of friendship. And now King Sombra, I would like to help you see the magic of friendship as well. Come back with me, I can talk to the Princesses. You can start a whole new life, and this time for the better.”

“Y-you're lying!” Sombra snarled, as he stomped the earth beneath his hooves and ground his teeth. “I know all about you and your tricks. You're nothing more than a common fool endowed with powers he doesn't deserve. This is all to your amusement isn't it? Yes, I bet you'd just love for me to take you up on your so called offer, just so you can have the satisfaction of imprisoning me yourself!”

“No,” Discord said bluntly. “I can understand why you would think that. All by yourself for all that time, and not a single pony to trust except for yourself. I can't imagine just how alone you must have felt. I was lucky enough to be placed in the royal garden. Sure I was unable to move or talk to anypony but at least I had a small sense of company from the ponies that would visit, even if they weren't there to see yours truly. But you, you had nopony, all by yourself for all that time. Just festering in that cold dark prison, with only yourself and your dreams of vengeance to ward off the intense loneliness and boredom of it all.”

Discord began to calmly walk toward Sombra as he spoke.

“My offer is sincere, a new life, one where you don't ever have to be alone again. Granted, it won't be easy. But I know a few fillies I could persuade and one painfully clever draconequus that would be willing to help in your new life.”

The glow on Sombras horn dimmed and his gaze lightened from a death stare into a look of confusion.“What use could that new world possibly have for me?”

“Oh I’m sure we could think of something. There's bound to be a few things that the scholars got wrong, and I know there is a certain egghead who would just love to pick your brain, metaphorically speaking of course. It’s a bright, new, shiny world out there, my friend. Where even an old soul like me can find a place. And I'm sure you can find one, too, with a little help that is.”

He flashed Sombra a classic Discord smile and outstretched his lion paw to him.

“So what do you say, pal?”

“It’s a trick,” Sombra thought to himself. “He's lying, he has to be. This is some sort of game to him and you would be playing right into his little plan. But what if it's not a trick? What if for the first time in so long, there is a way out? Yes, yes this is it, isn't it? An escape from the never ending torment of the relentless cold and the empty darkness. I could have friends, a family perhaps? I would never have to be alone again!”

“Oh, but, your Majesty, you have never been alone.” Sombra cringed as the familiar voice echoed in his head. “Don’t you remember Sombra, the day that you found me? I promised I would always protect you and be by your side no matter what.”

“You did, but-.”

“And who was the one who stayed by your side on the day of your parents funeral?”

“You were,” Sombra said as he looked to his hooves.

“And when you were surrounded by nothing but filthy crystal ponies who wanted nothing more than to take your crown, who was the only one you could turn to? Who was the only one you could trust? Who was the one who opened your eyes to what those crystal fools were planning, Sombra? Who was it, Sombra? Who?!”

“It was you,” Sombra gave a small sigh. “But things are different now. I've been gone for one thousand years, who knows what else is waiting for me beyond the Crystal Empire, perhaps I could find some peace in a new life.”
Sombra gasped as he felt the impact of a disembodied hoof against his lower jaw.

“You selfish, ungrateful, pile of filth! After everything I've done for you? After centuries of looking out for you and keeping you safe for all this time, you would let all that be for nothing just so you can have some absurd false sense of happiness? Listen to me, Sombra, there can be no happiness or peace of mind until our vengeance has been brought upon those retched sisters who so cruelly imprisoned us in the first place! Am I understood?!”

Sombra swallowed hard and slowly nodded his head. “Your right, please forgive me. I…wasn't thinking correctly.”

“Yes. There, there, Sombra, all is forgiven. But don't you see, you don't need anypony else, and why on earth would you want to start over? You were a king, Sombra, a king! Why would you want to throw all that away just for some inferior ponies? All our work would be for nothing if you give up now. You wouldn’t want all those centuries of waiting to go to waste, now, would you?”

“I suppose not.”

“There's a smart colt, Sombra. Now get rid of this pest.”

“Yes, sir, thank you for your kindness.”

“Just make sure you don't forget all that I've done for you.”

Sombra glared at Discord who still had his paw out stretched and was smiling brighter than ever.

“Leave now.” Sombra said, reigniting his horn to its full glow.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I believe I was very clear, I'm not interested in your offer. Now leave!”

“Sombra, please, I must ask you to reconsider. We can help you-”

Discord was suddenly interrupted by a boulder crashing at his feet.

“You pathetic old fool, you have the power to rule that world, yet you choose to work with them!? I don’t want your petty friendship and I don’t want to start a new life. Friends weigh you down, make you weak and vulnerable. You are the perfect example of this, a once god of chaos turned servant of the throne.”

Discord frowned as he gave a disappointed sigh. “Very well, Sombra, then I leave you with this warning. Stop this now… or I will.”

Sombra laughed. “Ha, you fool; you couldn't possibly dream of matching my powers. My strength now surpasses anything even I could have ever imagined! And after taking over Equestria, I will return here and take my rightful place as the ruler of this realm as well! Now get out of my sight,” Sombra said as he fired a barrage of lightning at Discord.

The Draconequus managed to dodge the bolts with ease as he quickly flew off into the night.

“Oh, and Sombra,” The voice echoed once more.

“Y-yes?”

“You're never alone, I'll always be with you. No matter what.”

“Well that could have gone better.” Discord muttered to himself. Discord gave a long and troubled sigh as he opened his paw and gazed down at the dark crystal.

“Now what to do with you?”

As Discord flew back to the N.T. entrance, he spotted a group of locals standing around and dumping their trash into it.

As he watched the group, an idea struck him. Acting on the opportunity, he quickly turned himself invisible, slid behind the older one of the group, and slid the Dark crystal into his pocket.

Then, using a weather manipulation trick that he picked up from a certain rainbow maned Pegasus, he conjured up a small storm with a fierce wind, forcing the elderly one (and to Discords dismay, the other three) into the pit. Discord gave a small smile and crossed his arms.

“Let the games begin.”

Author's Note

The pieces have been set, the players ready, let the game begin indeed. In chapter four.

Please recall what I said about chapter four it may be a tad late I was able to work on it a little this week but I spent most of two weeks working on this chapter and making it just so. I just want to give a special thanks To Wasabi-Beans, KuteKitKatKatie and Darkmatterbutterflies for all the help they gave me. This fic might just be a humble jumbled mess if it weren't for you three.

Yours Truly Thecakedevil

Now Edited thanks to Neko Majin C

Worlds Collide. (Now Edited thanks to Neko Majin C)

Chapter 4

Dipper braced himself as he came crashing down to earth. He instinctually threw his arms in front of his face, closed his eyes tightly, and turned his head as he prepared for the worse.

“Don’t hurt me!” The two beings cried.

Dipper hesitantly peeked from underneath his arms to find the small creature cowering behind her wings as she peeked at him as well.

“Wait, what did you say?” Dipper asked.

“I’m sorry I grabbed you, it was an accident, I swear, just please don’t hurt me.”

“What? No, I’m not going to hurt you.”

“You’re not?”

Dipper shook his head. As he did, the small horse removed her wings from her face and stood back up.

“Well that’s a relief.” She sighed.

The two stared silently at each other for what seemed like ages.

“So who, and what, exactly are you?” Dipper asked as he rose to his feet, scratching his head. “You’re not like any horse I’ve ever seen. Are you like some sort of mutation, or did you do something like eat a fairy?”

“I’m certainly not a horse, or a mutation. I’m an Alicorn.”

“A what-a-corn?”

“Alicorn. And I’m a who, Princess Twilight Sparkle, to be precise. But, Twilight is just fine.”

“Oh, well, nice to meet you Princess- I mean Twilight- I’m Dipper, Dipper Pines.” Dipper gave a friendly smile as he approached Twilight with his hand outstretched.

Twilight returned the smile and placed her fore hoof in his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Dipper. Um, excuse me, I hope you don’t find this rude, but what is that on your forehead?”

Twilight used her magic to part Dipper’s bangs to reveal his birthmark (resembling the big dipper) hidden behind his hair.

“Well, that’s an odd place for a cutie mark. And I must say, I’ve never seen one like yours before.”

Dipper’s face went red with embarrassment as he yanked his hat down over his head.

“It’s a birthmark, and I’m not cute,” Dipper mumbled.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.”

“It’s okay, just don’t do it again… please. So, if you don’t mind me asking, Twilight, just where did you come from and why?”

Twilight shook her head. “Sorry, Dipper, but that information is on a need to know basis. But what I can tell you is-”

“Equestria, and we’re here to find and eliminate the spirit of an evil unicorn king before he gains enough power to take over our world and this one.”

“Discord!” Twilight screamed as the Spirit of Chaos teleported himself to her side.

“Oh, don’t get your feathers in a bunch, Twilight. You’ve already gone and blown our cover; within the first few hours of being here, I might add. I don’t see the harm in letting just one local in on the fun.”

Twilight’s face turned bright red from a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

“That wasn’t my fault, and you know it! If you hadn’t have been so determined to play that silly game of hide and seek, none of this would have happened!”

“Oh, I see how it is.” Discord crossed his arms and turned his back to Twilight. “You know, Twilight, just because you lost doesn’t mean you have to be sore about it. It’s rather immature of you.”

“Immature of me?! We have seven days to stop an unspeakable evil and you’re playing games. You’re the immature one here!”

“Tsk, tsk, Twilight. You best watch that temper of yours more carefully, you’ve gone and scared our new friend right out of his wits.”

“What are you talking about? He’s fine.”

Twilight’s eyes widened as she looked over to see Dipper on his back side looking up at the two. His eyes were filled with sheer terror and his knees were quivering out of control.

“Oh my gosh, Dipper, what’s wrong?” Twilight asked as she quickly trotted over to him.

“Stay back!” Dipper screamed. He shot to his feet and held a shaking arm in front of his body.

Twilight stared at him with a mix of concern and confusion.

“Dipper, I don’t understand. What’s going on?”

“First, what is that thing?!” Dipper asked, pointing a shaking finger at Discord. “For the past few hours, I’ve seen nothing but that monster. In my dreams, in my book, and even on my sister! What is it, and why won’t it leave me alone?!”

Twilight turned her attention back to Discord, who quickly flashed an innocent grin as a halo manifested over his head.

“What did you do?” Twilight asked as she shot him a glare.

“Well, you were knocked out for a pretty long time, and it was rather boring just listening to you snore. So, I decided to have a little fun with the little fella, is all.”

“Discord look at him!” Twilight demanded, holding a hoof out to Dipper. “He’s absolutely terrified, for Celestia’s sake!”

“Oh, come on, Twilight. If anything, I’ve made his past few hours far more entertaining.”

“Entertaining!?” Both Dipper and Twilight shouted.

“Yes, entertaining.” Discord said as he slunk his way over to Dipper’s side and wrapped a paw over his shoulder. “How wonderful it must have been to see such a fantastic creature in your dreams. Then, after waking up, you had the pleasure to see me two additional times. I’m a regular dream come true, if I do say so myself.”

“You can distinguish between a nightmare and a dream, right?” Dipper asked slowly coming out of his shock.

Twilight giggled, putting a hoof over her mouth as she attempted to hide her smile.

“Humph.” Discord muttered as he removed his paw from Dipper and crossed his arms. “Well, if that’s the way you’re going to be about it, then maybe next time I’ll just let you suffer when you’re dreaming about that awful, red-headed witch.”

Dipper’s cheeks turned a dark red, he was about to respond but was interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Yo, is anyone over there?”

Author's Note

Hello my friends! Man it's good to be back I'm so sorry for the short chapter and I double promise this is the shortest one that your going to see me do . I solemnly swear that all proceeding chapters shall be longer then this one!.

Yours truly Thecakedevil.

The Adventure (Kinda) Begins! (Now edited thanks to Neko Majin C)

Chapter 5

“Yo, is anyone over there?”

Dipper turned around to find Soos making his way toward the three of them. He proceeded to wave Soos over with a smile. “Hey, Soos, come here, you’re never going to believe what I’ve found. It’s some kind of magical talking-” Dipper turned back around to face his new friends only to find that they had inexplicably vanished.

“A magical talking what?”

Dipper turned once more to see Soos standing behind him with a puzzled look on his face. Dipper quickly bent over and grabbed the first thing he could find. “A magical talking pine cone,” he said with a nervous smile. “Hello, Soos,” squeaked Dipper as he shook the pine cone up and down. “You’re looking pretty sharp today, is that a new hat?”

“Why thank you my fine prickly friend.” Soos said with a proud smile. “I am, in fact, not wearing a new hat. I am, however, sporting the new mystery shack T-shirt. Now a lovely army green instead of the old and outdated jade green.”

“Well that’s nice. Now I know where to go if I want to look like a giant brussel sprout.”

“Wait what?” Dipper rotated the pinecone in his hands to find Discords eyes and grinning mouth resting on the other side.

“Actually, little pine cone dude, you’d want to go down to the Summerween store for that. I don’t know about vegetable costumes, but if you go down there I highly suggest the cackling skulls as a possible purchase. ”

“Soos it’s just me,” Dipper said, throwing the possessed pine cone behind his back.

“Wow, very nice, little dude. You’re good enough to be one of those ventrila-thingies.”

“Right thanks, so what’s up, Soos?”

“I mean now that I think about it, how would a pine cone get down to the store anyhow ?”

“Soos?”

“Well, since it was a magic pine cone, it might just use its telekinetic pine cone powers to float there. But last I checked, the store doesn’t supply costumes for plant life-”

“Soos?!”

“Oh, right, sorry Dipper, what was your question again?”

Dipper rolled his eyes. “What are you doing out here?”

“Oh, right. Well, after finishing a lovely cereal, provided by Mr. Pines, Mabel came in and said you were a little down in the dumps. So, I thought maybe you’d want to talk to your ol’ buddy, Soos. Or we could just, you know, hang out and do guy stuff, what do ya say?”

Dipper smiled. “Thanks, man, but I’m kind of busy right now. Can I take a raincheck?”

“Sure thing, little dude.” Soos smiled as he began to walk away. “Oh, hey, you haven’t seen my broom my any-” Soos stopped in his tracks. He tilted his head upward and opened his mouth. Dipper watched in disgusted horror as a long wooden handle slowly erupted upward from Soos’ mouth. Reaching the end, Soos gave a large cough and expelled the rest of the item from his body, revealing it to be a wooden broom. He grabbed it in his hand before it fell to the ground, slightly shaken, he wiped his mouth and stared curiously at the broom in his hands. “Hm, this is the second time that’s happened this morning. Maybe I was subconsciously craving cleaning supplies in my sleep or something? Oh well, see ya latter, Dipper.”

Dipper watched as Soos made his way back to the shack. Standing in silent horror, he attempted to comprehend what had just transpired. Dipper was brought back into reality by way of a bright purple light, and the return of Discord and Twilight.

“Uh, finally. I thought he’d never leave,” Discord said.

Twilight looked over to him with a scowl as she planted a swift elbow to the ribs.
“What the heck was that?”

Discords eyes widened as he placed a claw on the spot where Twilight struck. “Watch it there, missy. I may not look it, but I’ll have you know, I’m quite fragile. And I’ll state for the record, I was merely helping that poor butterball locate his lost items. I’ve done nothing wrong, so I will be accepting your apology now.” He said as he stuck his tongue out to Twilight.

Twilight rolled her eyes and gave a defeated sigh before turning to face Dipper. “Well, it’s been nice meeting you Dipper, but I’m afraid we must be on our way. We are on a very tight schedule, after all, and you probably need to get back to whatever you were doing. Come on, Discord, let’s go.” Twilight turned around and started walking towards the forest.

“Oh, are you sure you don’t need any help? I know my way around these woods pretty well, and they can be a dangerous place for someone who doesn’t know where they’re going.”

“Oh I’m sure we’ll be alright, besides, Discord has been scouting around here for months. By now he should have a pretty good idea where everything is, right, Discord?”

“Aaactually, Twilight, that’s what I’ve been meaning to talk to you about,” Discord said. “I believe the trip might have rattled my brains just a little, because I can’t seem to remember my way around this place anymore.”

Twilight froze in her tracks, a blank stare locked on her face as she turned to the draconequus. A small twitch began in her left eye and a single hair on her mane sprung out of place. “So, let me get this straight,” she said with a forced smile. “We are in a completely alien world, have seven days to find an unspeakable evil, and the only one who was sent here to help me, can’t help me? Why didn’t you mention this earlier?!”

Discord grinned and gave a small shrug. “Oh, you know how it is with old age. I’m surprised I can remember which way is up these days.” He said as he levitated off the ground and spun in a circle. “Sorry, Twilight,” he thought to himself. “But if I’m going to have any chance of getting through to Sombra, I can’t have you getting involved quite yet.”

Twilight smacked her hoof to her head and slowly dragged it down her face. “Great, just great, now what are we going to do?” Discord tilted his head back toward Dipper. Twilight looked over her shoulder to the child, who, in turn, gave her a smile and wave. “No,” She said turning back to Discord.

Instantly Discord’s smile faded as he placed his paw and claw on his hips. “What, why not?”

“Discord, he’s just a kid, and, for the last time, Princess Celestia said to be stealthy. Which means no one is supposed to know about us.”

“Ah-ah-ah, that’s where you’re wrong, my little pony. She only said stealth was merely ‘advised’, not required. That means we either follow it, or we don’t. Furthermore, even if I could remember anything, my knowledge would surely be overshadowed by somepony who actually lives here.”

Twilight stood silently in a moment of disbelief. “B-but no, it can’t be. Discord, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but, you may have a point.”

Discord smirked with a sense of self-satisfaction. “I do tend to have my moments. Now, go recruit our new guide.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, she turned back around, and with a semi-forced smile, she started to address Dipper. “Well, it seems, due to certain circumstances,” she said as she shot a quick glare to Discord. “We have to take you up on that offer. But if you’re going to help us, you have to understand two things. First, we will be facing a foe whose evil knows no bounds, and you need to be ready for anything that may come your way. Second of all, and this goes for you too, Discord, it would be best that knowledge of our existence be kept down to a minimum. I’m guessing that nothing like us exists in your world, so we need to remain out of sight and out of mind, lest we start panic among the public.”

Dipper nodded. “Understood, you can count on me, Twilight.”

“Good, then by the power entrusted to me, I hereby proclaim you, Dipper Pines, honorary-temporary-assistant.”

Dipper smiled. “Cool, so what’s first?”
“Well honorary-temp-”
“Just ‘Dipper’ is fine.”

“Oh, right,” Twilight smiled. “Well, Dipper, first thing is first, I think we should map out the area and pinpoint possible locations where-” Twilight paused as she was suddenly cut off by a low rumbling sound from her stomach. She gave a shy smile to Dipper as her face turned a bright red. “S-sorry about that.”

Dipper chuckled. “Sounds like someone hasn’t had breakfast yet.”

Twilight nodded. “I really didn’t have time to pack anything. But I’ll be alright, nothing to worry about.” She said as another growl emanated from her stomach.

“Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

“Wait, where are you going?”

“I’m going to get you guys something to eat.”

“What? Oh, Dipper, no, we couldn’t ask you to do something like that.”

“I could,” Discord said. “I’ll eat anything but pears, for Celestias sake I hate pears.”

“Got it,” Dipper said. “And what about you, Twilight?”

“I told you I’ll be-” *Grumble* “…some apples would be nice.”

“Alright, I’ll be right back.” With that, he sped off to the house.

Once Dipper had disappeared into the house, Twilight gave a long and exhausted sigh.

“Something on your mind, sparkle brain?” Discord asked.

“Besides the hunger pang, this mission just looks like it’s falling apart before we even get started. Right now, I’m not sure if Princess Celestia made the right choice.”

Discord frowned and as he placed a paw on the back of her neck. “Now, I’ll have none of that. We’ve only been here for little over an hour, and you’re already giving up? We have little over a week to find Sombra and put a stop to him, and if you’re throwing in the towel on the first day, then he’s already won. So suck it up, and use that egghead of yours to start figuring out a plan.”

Twilight looked up to Discord with a small smile on her mouth. “You’re right, Discord, thank you. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Don’t mention it, if there is anypony who's going to make you miserable on this mission, it’s going to be me.”

Twilight gave a devious smile as her horn began to glow and a small bolt of electricity shot onto Discord. “That’s for calling me 'sparkle brain', and for putting a beard on me!”

“Yyyyyyy-ouch! Jeez, well that’s the last time I help you accessorize.”

“Accessorize?! Facial hair is not an accessory for a princess…or a mare!”

“Well, I would think you of all ponies would know that it’s the inside that counts, not the outside.”

“Well, you do have a poi- you’re changing the subject!”

As the two argued, neither of them noticed the small blue figure, and a set of beedy eyes removing themselves from the two, and disappearing into the forest.

Dipper peeked his head slowly through the kitchen door. The kitchen showed no sign of life. That being noted, he inched his way to the refrigerator. Swinging the door open, he began looking over its contents. “Okay, so let’s see. Wow, is there anything in here without mold on it? Alright, so some apples, celery, a bag of chips with some canned meat. Note to self, help Stan go shopping.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know I bought that food only one month after its expiration date.”

“Ah!” Dipper yelled and turned around to see his Grunkle Stan standing behind him.

“So, are you going to tell me what you’re doing with all the food there?”

Author's Note

I'm back baby! Yeah yeah I know it's been a long time and I love you all for being so patient with me. Chapter 6 is in it's beginning stages so it should by no means take so long. But if by any chance it does you guys/girls will be the first to know.

Hope you guys like the chapter.

Yours Truly Thecakedevil

Don't Shoot the Messenger.

Chapter 6

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

“I’m waiting,” Stan said as he impatiently tapped his foot. “That food doesn’t come cheap, you know. I spent five-no-ten-fifty dollars on that, and I would hope you’d have a good reason for taking it in bulk. And the answer better not be to feed Soos, I don’t want him picking up any bad habits.”

Sweat rolled down Dipper’s head as he struggled for an answer. “You see, I need this food because-um.”

“Wait a second; I know exactly what’s going on.” Stan said as he rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes. “Hoarding mass amounts of food, awkward disposition, and a river of sweat running down your shirt. Why didn’t I see sooner, it’s so obvious you’re-”

“Grunkle Stan I’m so sorry I was going to t-“

“Starting puberty!”

“Wait, what now?”

“I can’t believe it, my great nephew is becoming a man,” He sniffed. “This has to be the seventh best thing to ever happen to me.”

“Uh, Stan, that’s really not what’s going on here.”

“It’s alright kid,” Stan said wrapping an arm around Dipper. “Your good old Grunkle Stan is here to answer all your weird and personal questions you may have on this weird and hairy journey into adulthood. You know what, I have just the book for this occasion, wait here while I go and get it. Then we can discuss all the horrible things that are going to happen to you.”

With that, Stan made his way out of the kitchen. Dipper seized this opportunity to escape, sweeping the food into a backpack and hastily making his way out the kitchen door.

At around the same time, Stan had made his way back into the kitchen clutching a small pamphlet in his hand. “Aw, come on, Dipper, you can’t hide from adulthood forever. It'll always find you, no matter how much camouflage you use!”

“Master Sombra, master Sombra.” Gideon yelled racing toward the crystal garden. “Master Sombrahahaha.” He screamed as his foot caught on one of the crystals, causing him to tumble uncontrollably into the center of the garden.

Sombra snorted and rolled his eyes at the sight. Sombra illuminated his horn with a dark aura, as he did so, Gideon was lifted off the ground and placed on his feet in front of the dark lord. “What is it, you bloody fool?” he said with an irritated hiss.

“A thousand pardons, s-sir.” Gideon placed his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. “Whew, oh my, last time I ran that fast some crazed fan was trying to get a lock of my hair and-”

“Boy, you are trying my patience, speak now, or so help me, you'll have nightmares so severe you'll be reduced to a shivering pile of waste!"

“No, no please, I’m sorry, master, it won’t happen again," Gideon pleaded, shielding himself with his arms. "Alright, so there I was, minding my own business and making my way past the Mystery Shack to deliver another batch of flowers and love letters to my darling Mabel. When all of a sudden, I heard some voices over near that big hole in the ground.”

One brief explanation later.

In a fit of rage, Sombra smashed his hoof through a nearby tree. “Curse that meddling trickster; I should have ended his pathetic life when I had the chance!” Sombra ground his teeth together whilst Gideon stood in place, his knees quivering uncontrollably out of terror. “Now I have him and an Alicorn to deal with, and with only seven days to my accentuation. They’re probably on their way to stop me right now, with that old fool leading the way.”

“A-actually, sir, they don’t seem to know where you are.”

Sombra slowly turned his head to Gideon, revealing a look of pure disgust. “Excuse me?” Sombra’s horn began to glow once more, at the same time, a layer of ice had begun to crawl its way up Gideon’s leg. “Are you saying I’m wrong? That perhaps I was merely delusional the night that celestial jester appeared to me? But I know that can't possibly be what you meant, because that would mean you would be insinuating that I’m insane.”

Gideon was in a panic as he attempted to free himself from the encroaching ice, which was crawling its way up his stomach. Sombra came eye to eye with Gideon as his voice became a low hush.

“But you and I both know that somepony who was crazy wouldn’t give you twenty seconds to explain yourself before the ice completely envelops your wretched little body. I would suggest you start talking, you have about nine seconds left.”

“H-he said he just forgot, I-I swear!” Gideon’s eyes dashed back and forth, watching in horror as the ice crawled up his arms.

“Hm, what a waste of three seconds.”

“Please, sir, I’m telling you all I know I… swear!” With that, Gideon’s body had become completely encompassed in ice.

Sombra gave a low annoyed growl from the bottom of his throat. With a sudden flash from his horn, the ice shattered around Gideon. He approached the drenched and shivering boy with a sneer. “Go now, keep an eye on them and make sure they stay as far away from this place as possible.”

“Y-y-y-yessir.” Gideon ran off with clattering teeth as he rubbed his arms attempting to regain some lost body heat.

“Sombra!” The voice hissed. “Why did you let that useless little parasite live? He has long outlived his usefulness, why not finally be rid of him?!”

“The time will come when he is no longer needed, but that day is not today. The boy can access places we can’t and hopefully he’ll act as a distraction for our foes long enough to retain our full power once more.”

“Hm, very well, but you can’t expect him to last that long without any assistance, can you?”

“I suppose not.” Sombra’s horn sparked to life once more, he turned his head and fired a blast of energy into the forest. Moments later dozens of sticks and branches floated toward the clearing quickly assembling into three separate piles. The branches of each pile slowly started to take shape. Paws formed, then four strong legs, a large frame, tails made from pine needles and finally the heads and jaws, armed to the teeth with sharpened branches. The creatures opened their glowing green eyes, raised their heads, and let loose the blood curdling howl of the timberwolves.

Sombra gave a sinister smile as he looked over his creations. “Seek out my foes and destroy them, my pets!”

The beasts bowed their heads and dashed off into the forest, snarling and barking at one another.

Sombra watched as the pack disappeared out of sight. “What is that old fool up to?” He muttered to himself.

Dipper hustled his way back to the bottomless pit, cradling the food in his arms. He arrived at where he had last seen Discord and Twilight, only to find that they had vanished from sight once more. “Hey, where are you guys?”

“We're over here, Dipper.” Twilight’s voice called out from a nearby patch of bushes.

Dipper made his way over to the foliage to find Twilight resting on the ground with her legs tucked underneath her body. Discord was a little behind her, toying with a flower that appeared to be snapping at him, which he threw behind his back as he rushed to Dipper.

“Oh goodie, goodie, breakfast! Alright, let’s see whatcha got for Discord.” He said as he placed himself in front of Twilight.

“Well, I wasn’t able to get you guys anything fancy, but I at least brought you back the stuff that didn’t have any mold on it." Dipper said as he reached into the backpack. "Alright, for Discord, since I really don’t know what you are, I kind of had to just guess what you eat, so here is a can of meat and some chips.” Dipper held up the two items of food which Discord took in his claws.

He smelled both items before popping the bag of chips in his paw and pouring the contents into his mouth. He tossed the bag aside and used his tooth as a can opener to remove the lid of the canned meat; he took one sniff before he dumped out the putrid brown substance and ate the can instead. “Well, I’ve had worse, but it’s the thought that counts. Many thanks, Dipper.”

“No problem, Discord, and for you, Twilight, the freshest apple I could find and some celery.”

Twilight smiled as she used her magic to levitate the two items closer to her. With hungry eyes and a single bite, half of the apple was gone. She chewed the fruit slowly, savoring every last bit of it before she finally swallowed. “I think it may be the hunger talking, but this may be the best apple I've ever had, thanks again, Dipper.”

Dipper grinned as his face turned a light shade of red. “Don’t mention it. So, Twilight, would you mind if I asked you a question?”

“Of course, what’s on your mind?” She said while chewing on the other half of the apple.

“Well, it’s about the guy we’re after.”

“Sombra.”

“Right, him. Well, when we find him, how exactly do you expect to take him down?”

“Well, Dipper, I’m glad you asked.” Twilight said as she gave a proud smile. “While you were gone I used the spare time to whip up a little list. It’s by no means anything special, but for the good of the mission, I thought it necessary to plot a few possible outcomes and ways of dealing with them for when we encounter Sombra. But I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested in something like that, would you?”

“Actually I kind of am.”

“No, no, no, no, no, no!” Discord said, frantically waving his arms.

“I’m a bit of a list enthusiast myself, actually.”

Twilight’s eyes lit up as she let out squeal of excitement and clapped her hooves together.

“Oh, my stars, there’s two of them! What could I possibly have done to deserve this?” Discord groaned as he slid a paw down his face.

Twilight shot him a nasty look before she turned back to Dipper. “I knew there was something special about you that I liked. Fair warning, I kind of made this last minute so there are quite a few variables that may need to be factored in along the way, but this should detail some of the possibilities.” With a quick flash from her horn, Dipper watched as Twilight conjured a medium sized scroll on the ground in front of the two of them.

Dipper chuckled and shook his head. “Really, Discord, this is what you’re so afraid of? It doesn’t even look like it will take fifteen minutes to go over.”

“Yes, you go ahead and keep right on thinking that.” Discord said as he conjured up a set of pajamas, a teddy bear, and night mask over his eyes. “You kids have fun, I had a long night, and I’m going to take this opportunity to catch up on my beauty sleep.”

“What? But it’s like one p.m.”

“You’d do well to remember that.” With a snap of his figures, Discord was resting comfortably on a pink cloud with a blanket draped over his long body. With one final snap, Dipper watched as his ears sprouted a pair of legs and scampered somewhere into the cloud. “Good luck, Dipper. And Twilight, try to take it easy on him.”

“Well, at least he’ll be out of the way,” Twilight said. “So, are you ready to get started, honorary-temporary-assistant?”

“I thought we were just going with Dipper?”

“Right, sorry.” She smiled as she began to unroll the scroll. “Here we go, option number one...”

“And that’s all seven hundred ninety-six possible scenarios, and most, if not all, their possible variables thus far. Wow, I’m actually quite impressed with you, Dipper, if you hadn’t been here, there would be quite a few unaccounted variables in some of these theories.”

Dipper smiled. “No problem at all, Twilight, I’m always happy to help. Besides, number two hundred seventy-three was a doozy. How were we suppose to get ahold of eighteen boxes of confetti, thirty gallons of apple cider, and something called a ‘party cannon’?” Dipper’s face lit up as he began to laugh.

Twilight stomped her hoof to the ground as she joined Dipper in his laughter. “Well, I do hold out a sliver of hope a certain friend of mine would somehow stumble her way here.” Her smile slowly faded as her head tilted downward.

“Hey, is everything alright?” Dipper asked.

“Y-yeah, sorry I guess I’m just a little homesick, is all.”

Dipper edged closer to her; he gave a comforting smile and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Twilight turned her head in response and smiled in return. “Th-”

“Dipper, it’s time for bed!” The sound of Mabel’s voice echoed through the forest. “Come on, Dipper, you can stop hiding now. Stan says he’ll postpone the gross guy talk for some other time.”

“Yeah!” Stan’s voice chimed in. “Like when I catch you doing something creepy like spying on your sister and her friends.”

“Grunkle Stan, that’s gross, Dipper wouldn’t do that!”

“I use to think the same thing about me and lying, but look who has a Dalmatian made of ivory and pays all his taxes, this guy! Anyways, I’m off to bed, goodnight, you two.”

“Goodnight, Grunkle Stan. I’ll see you inside, Dipper.”

“Well,” Twilight said, “you better not keep them waiting.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright out here? I could sleep out here tonight if you want.”

“Oh no, I could never ask you to do that. Besides, I’m not completely alone out here.” Twilight said as she glanced up to a snoring Discord, with his lion paw dangling over the side of the cloud.

Dipper gave a look of concern as he rubbed his chin. Dipper’s eyes widened and a smile appeared on his face. “Wait here.” He said, after which he dashed into the house, leaving Twilight alone. He reemerged minutes later dragging something behind his back. He grinned with eagerness as he stepped in front of Twilight. “Alright, close your eyes.”

Twilight gave a curious look before she did as he said and closed her eyes. “Alright, Dipper, just what are you up to?”

“Just keep them closed for a little bit longer, alright?”

Twilight giggled and nodded.

“Okay, that should just about do it, open your eyes.”

Twilight gasped. “Oh, Dipper, you shouldn’t have.” Lying before her was a small makeshift bed made up of two blankets spread out and lying on top of one another with an additional blanket off to the side, two pillows, a flashlight, a cooler, and a small horse doll placed on top of the two blankets.

“It was nothing, really. Until I can get something figured out, this is the best I could do. Anyway, I brought you an extra blanket in case you get cold, a few more apples with no mold on them, and the doll just in case you feel like you need something to hold. Oh, and if you need anything else, here is this.” Dipper reached into his vest and pulled out a small box with wire on the top of it. “This is called a Walkie-Talkie, if at any time you need anything just push this button, talk into it, and then let go, and I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Dipper placed it next to one of the pillows.

Twilight gave him a small smile as tears began to well up in her eyes. “Dipper, I don’t know what to say, except, thank you. This truly has to be one of the nicest things anypony has ever done for me.”

“Hey, don’t mention it. Hey, I have to get going, but I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow, alright?”

“Right, we have big plans for tomorrow, after all.”

“Alright, goodnight, Twilight.”

“Goodnight, Dipper.”

With that, the two parted ways. Dipper made his way back into the shack and Twilight situated herself into bed. She rested her head on one of the pillows, and, using her magic one last time, she levitated the horse plushy and placed it under her hoof and pulled it close to her. Lying on the small makeshift bed, Twilight closed her eyes and fell asleep.

At about the same time, Discord’s eyes shot open. He rolled over to the side of the cloud and peered over at the sleeping Alicorn. “Finally, I thought they’d never stop.” Discord whispered as he rose from his cloud bed. “Now, let’s see how plan B fairs.”

Author's Note

Dear Readers.

As promised chapter six just a tad later then promised. I hope everypony is enjoying the story and as always leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

Yours Truly Thecakedevil.

The Scorpion and the Frog.

Chapter 7

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

Dipper stepped into his bedroom as happy as can be, whistling a joyous tune as he entered. His hair was dripping from the well-deserved shower that washed away all the dirt and sweat from a day of jumping on magical pineapples and doing errands for purple alicorns.

“Well, aren’t we in a better mode tonight?” Mabel said as she sat upright in her bed, smiling a great big, bracy smile.

“Yeah, a little. Let’s just say the rest of the day made up for how it started.”

“So what’s her name?”

Dipper’s cheeks instantly flashed red.

“Wha-wha-wha-what? There’s no her who said anything about a her because I sure didn’t. Did someone else say something? Who was it, did they see something-”

“Oh my gosh, it is a girl, isn’t it?!” Mabel said. Her eyes lit up and a gasp escaped her mouth. In an instant she was standing in front of Dipper with her hands clenched tightly on his shoulders. “I was just kidding, but you actually met someone!? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Dipper you have to tell me everything! Where did you two meet, what’s her favorite color, where does she live, does she like pigs, come on talk to me, Dipper.” Mabel said as she shook her brother.

“Alright, alright, Mabel, enough, I’ll tell you, just stop shaking me!”

Mabel obliged and removed her hands, but only to start bouncing up and down eagerly.

Dipper sighed. “So first off her name is Twilight-”

“Oooo, I like her name.”

“Let me finish. Anyways we kinda bumped into each other this morning. She’s new here and on a business trip with her… uncle.” Dipper said as he rubbed his arm and tried to avoid eye contact with Mable through the mixture of truth and lies he told her.

“How long is she in town, can I meet her? I need someone else to talk too while Grenda and Kandy are gone.”

“What, where did they go?”

“Well, Kandy went to some sort of science place with her mom, and Grenda’s at wrestling camp. Now answer the question, yes, kinda, absolutely!?”

“No, you can’t meet her, Mabel!” Dipper shouted.

Mabel jumped a little, she stared back at her brother, her mouth agape and her eyes wide with surprise. “What, why not? You don’t think I’d embarrass you do you, huh huh, do ya?”

“No, it’s not that.” Dipper said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s just she’s really shy and she's kinda nervous around new people.”

“Aww,” Mabel frowned. “Please, Dipper, I promise I’ll tone my hyper cuteness down to like a five or something.” Mabel placed her hands back on Dipper’s shoulders as her feet slowly started sliding back. “Please, pretty please with fifty kajilion pounds of smile dip on top.”

“Weeelll, I suppose I could talk to her, but-”

“Horray! Thanks, Dipper.” Mabel leapt to her feet, hugged Dipper, and then quickly ran back into bed.

Dipper rolled his eyes and smiled at her. As he crawled back into bed he placed his walkie-talkie on the nightstand and pulled the covers over his body. Finally he flicked the bedside lamp off, instantly encompassing the room with darkness. “Goodnight, Mabel.” He said.

“Goodnight, Dipper.” Mabel yawned. “I can’t wait to meet Twilight.”

“Yeah.” Dipper mumbled. “I bet she feels the same way.”

Dipper sighed and closed his eyes. “Goodnight, Twilight,” He muttered before retiring into the warm embrace of sleep.

Later that same night, within his crystal garden, Sombra lay on the ground with his legs tucked underneath his body, deep within meditative thought; a black aura surrounded him and licked at the air like a roaring fire.

It was because of this deep thought he failed to notice a leaf like object floating down to him, landing daintily upon his muzzle. Sombra jerked his eyes open and glared at the light weighted offender which interrupted his meditation and promptly flung it to the ground.

At first glance the item looked like a regular leaf, as it shared the shape of the common dogwood greenery, but upon further inspection there were several key elements about said leaf that made it stand out. One instantly notable trait was its texture: furry, not smooth, but definitely furry with a grey exterior and a pink interior.

The second intriguing factor was the so called leaf being present with nothing but pine trees for miles around.

“What in the name of Tartarus are you?” Sombra asked as he leaned down for a closer view of the item. To his shock, the leafy object sat upright and hopped in the opposite direction of Sombra. The item stopped a little over a foot away from him and fell to its side once more.

Sombra eyed it suspiciously; he rose to his hooves as his horn flickered to life and prepared to turn the object into ash. He watched as a claw sprang from the tip of the leaf, reached back into itself and started to pull an entire body out of it.
Finally the so-called leaf was revealed to be nothing more than the left ear from Discord’s head. His body fully stretching out with a springing noise.

“Ta-da!” Discord said, shaking his claws back and forth. “Come on, give me your honest opinion, I thought that could be my opening bit for birthday parties.”

Sombra rolled his eyes and dimmed the aura emanating from his horn. “I thought I made it very clear that you are not welcome in this place the last time you were here.”

Discord smirked as he hovered above the ground and rested his head on his claws. “Oh, then why, pray tell, am I not a handsome scorch mark on the ground by now?”

“All in good time, but as of now I demand answers.”

“And I demanded a pool of chocolate pudding to be installed in the grand hall, and that sure as hay didn’t pan out. But I’ll see what I can do about getting you those answers.”

Sombra ground his teeth, and snorted, restraining the urge to blow him away to kingdom come.
“Why haven’t you revealed my position yet? You are supposedly here to eliminate me, are you not?”

“Me? Not at all, my partner, on the other hoof, is all too keen on seeing your black behind flung into oblivion. Like I told you before my only desire is to help you.”

“Then why on earth did you bring an Alicorn with you!?”

“Might I ask how you knew she was an Alicorn?” Discord asked as he quirked a brow.

“I think you’ll find that, during my time here, I have acquired eyes and ears all throughout this place.” Sombra said as he gave a smug smile of self-superiority.

“Hm, yes, well, your eyes and ears could stand to lose a few pounds. I could have sworn I was looking at a giant blueberry that sprouted arms and legs.”

Sombras smile quickly sunk and his eye twitched from his dwindling patience. “Answer the question! If you truly are interested in helping me then why bring the one being that has any chance of destroying me?!”

“Allow me to answer that question, with another question. Have you ever heard the tale of the scorpion and the frog?”

“What? No, now get out of-”

“Oh well I’ll spare you the details and give you the summary. Scorpion asks for a ride across the river from frog, frog says yes, scorpion stings frog while crossing said river, and they both die.”

“What does this have to do with anything?” Sombra barked.

“Because, my good stallion, this is what is happening right now. I am the frog and you are my scorpion in the middle of the river. Do you sting me, thus dooming us both, or do you take a different path and allow the frog to carry you to a better place?”

Sombra merely stood there, speechless with his mouth agape.

“With that in mind I will show myself out. I’ll just leave you with my card.” Discord said as he placed a small rectangle of paper at Sombras hooves and floated past him.

Sombra shook himself back into reality. “Wait!” Sombra said. Igniting his horn, he turned his head to where Discord had floated past only to find empty space. He quivered with unbridled rage as he fired bolts of lightning into the surrounding area.

After a minute of outrage, Sombra was left panting in a cloud of ash and debris. As the dust settled, he lifted his head to the sky and let loose a deep, rage filled scream that shook the tops of the trees and could be heard from miles around.
“How do I know I can trust you?” Sombra asked in a hushed tone through gasping breaths.

“You don’t, Sombra,” The voice said. As Sombra regained his strength, the voice took the form of a shadowy figure with piercing red eyes, manifesting itself in front of Sombra. “That in itself is what makes him such a cunning foe.

“Can’t you see it, Sombra, you’re playing right into his claws. That miserable creature has slipped doubt into you and now your thoughts are clouded by his twisted lies. But fear not, Sombra, for I alone am your guiding light in this dark and deceitful world.”

The figure enveloped Discord’s card in its shadowy grasp, encompassing it in a sheet of ice before letting it drop to the ground where upon it shattered into hundreds of pieces and scattered into the wind. “I know I can rely on you to do what needs to be done, next you see him.”

Sombra didn’t look up, but instead nodded and swallowed hard.

“Good. Now continue our meditation, for now that our foes know our whereabouts, it is imperative that we finish before they can stop us.” With that said, the apparition dissipated, leaving Sombra alone.
Little did they know, perched on a tree within listening distance was Discord. “Hm, well this complicates things.” He said while he stroked his long white beard.

Dipper slowly opened his eyes to the melody of chirping birds. He yawned and was closing his eyes in an attempt to go back to sleep when a familiar voice roused him awake.
“Psst, Dipper, are you there?” Twilight’s voice emanated from the walkie-talkie.

Dipper groaned as he blindly searched for the device from under his blanket. He grabbed it and pulled the walkie-talkie under the covers with him. “Twilight? Yeah, I’m here, what’s up?”

“Well.” Twilight started as she cleared her voice. “I hate to be a bother, but in order to utilize the most out of our days, I’ve given us all a sleeping limit of seven hours each, and according to my calculations and the suns position in the sky it has been approximately seven hours and two minutes since you and I fell asleep.”

“How do you know when I fell asleep?” Dipper took a moment to peek his head out from under the covers and catch a glance at the clock. Five o’clock it read.

“Oh, just some basic calculations actually. You were showing all the tell tail signs of exhaustion, baggy eyes, frequent yawning, frequent rubbing of said eyes. I also added fifteen minutes for the estimated amount of time it would take for you to get ready for bed. Of course there is your height to add in as well so- ”

“Alright, alright, you’ve made your point. I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

“Great, I’ll see you then. Oh, by the way, you haven’t seen Discord by any chance have you?”

“Um, no. Why?”

“Well, when I woke up, he wasn’t on his cloud, so I figured he might be causing you trouble again.”

“Nope, oh well, I’m sure he’s fine. He’s probably somewhere causing nightmares for some other poor guy.”

“For his sake he better not be, anyways, I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“Alright, oh what do you want for breakfast?”

“Oh, no, I’m alright, Dipper, you don’t need to-” She was interrupted once more by the sound of her grumbling stomach.

“Fruit?”
“Yes please.”

Dipper tip-toed his way down the stairs of the shack. He made his way once more to the fridge and grabbed a few cans of fruit and some sub-par apples that evaded his gaze on his last raid.

As he made his way out the door, he was stopped by the sound of a nearby thumping. He paused for just a second before he continued on, passing it off as the mere sound of the wind moving trees in the forest, unaware that three pairs of glowing green eyes were watching his every move.

Author's Note

Dear Readers.

For you my darlings chapter seven, so be absolutely honest with me, what do you guys think of the story so far. Further more how did you guys like this chapter. I always love and look forward to hearing what you think.

Yours Truly, Thecakedevil.

One Heck of a Morning.

Chapter 8

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

Mabel yawned and rubbed her eyes as she made her way to the kitchen table. Stan was by the stove, wearing nothing but his wife-beater, briefs and a filthy apron whilst frying up a few sausage links for breakfast.

“Good morning, Grunkle Stan,” Mabel said, flopping onto the table.

“Morning, breakfast should be ready in a minute!” Stan said. “How bout you go upstairs and wake Dipper up? That boy needs to eat his sausages when they’re warm and juicy!”

“What? Dipper isn’t upstairs; I thought he was down here with you already?”

“Nope, it’s just been me, my weenies, and the sweet sound of suspicious noises outside the window coming from the forest.”

“Hmm, interesting,” Mabel said as she squinted her eyes and rubbed her chin.

“Oh by the way, you wouldn’t happen to know where the spare blankets ran off to, would ya’? Since we’re on the topic of things that are missing and highly flammable and all. To top that, we’re missing the cooler and most of our least expired food! I swear if I didn’t know any better, I think Old Man McGucket’s been breaking in here again.”

Grunkle Stan made his way to the table with frying pan in hand. “But I know that’s not the case, otherwise the trash would be knocked over and all the buttons on my shirts would be gone or slightly chewed.”

Mabel placed her elbows on the table and lightly tapped her head with her index finger as she attempted to assemble all the pieces of this mystery into one clear image.

Stan looked at her and rolled his eyes. He placed the frying pan on the table’s surface, took a seat opposite to Mabel, and unfolded his paper.

“I got it!” She announced triumphantly as she smacked Stan’s paper down, “Using my super-duper-sleuthing skills and the evidence before me, I’m able to come to one conclusion… Dipper went on an early morning picnic with his new girlfriend!” She declared as she stood up in her chair, raised her arm and extended her pointer up in the air.

“Girlfriend, huh?” Stan said, “Are we still talking about the same Dipper? Because, no offense to the kid, but he’s not exactly a ladies man... Ha! Who am I kiddin’! He’s terrible with them! Maybe he just wanted to get an early start to a crazy adventure or… Larping or whatever... I don’t know; it’s too early for this nonsense!”

“No way Grunkle Stan, I’m absolutely positively positive! He even admitted the other night that he was hanging out with this new girl in town. I even have a witness, tell him Waddles.”

Waddles responded by looking up from his breakfast bowl; he gave his owner a small snort before he dove his snout back into his morning meal.

“Enlightening,” grumbled Stan, folding his paper downwards. “Alright kid you got my attention; let’s hear about this so called ‘girlfriend’.” He made air quotations with his figures to emphasize his point.

“Okay, well I knew for sure that it was a girl because he was acting all awkward and weird like when he’s around Wendy.”

“What about me?”

Mabel abruptly halted her speech as she turned around to see none other than Wendy standing at the kitchen entrance.

“Oh we were um, uh-” Mabel fumbled over her words in an attempt to think of a plausible excuse. “-talking about how your name rhymes with shemendy!”

“Oh brother,” Stan said as he smacked his hand to his forehead.

Wendy looked at the two for a moment. “Eh, whatever.” She said as she shrugged her shoulders and pulled up a seat next to Mabel. “So, what’s going on guys?”

Stan grunted. “Well, Mabel was about to enlighten me on some girl Dipper’s, supposedly been hanging out with.”

“Say whaaat? Aw, you gotta let me in on this!”

“Hey dudes, what’s up?” Soos said as he made his way into the kitchen. “Wow, is there like some sort of staff meeting going on that I didn’t know about?” Soos gasped, “Oh no, was I supposed to know about it!? Please, Mr. Pines, I promise I won’t miss any more meetings just don’t fire me, this is all I know!”

Stan groaned and rubbed his temples. “Oi, Soos, you’re not getting fired, and this isn’t a meeting, now get over here.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Pines, sir.” Soos saluted, marching his way to the table. “You really had me going there, dude. I thought I saw my life flash before my very eyes or something, but then I realized it was just one of those weird little eye squiggles.”

“Alright, Mabel, this kitchen is starting to fill up fast, you better get on with it before anyone else-”

“Howdy ya’ll!” Old Man McGucket said as he stuck his head out from under one of the floor boards. “I couldn’t help but overhear that-”

“Get out of here! O-U-T OUT!” Stan shouted as he slammed his paper on McGucket’s head, causing the old prospector to retreat back under the house. “That’ll only keep him away for so long, so talk fast.”

“Come on, come on.” Discord said as he frantically tore through the twins’ bedroom. “I know it’s in here, now where did he put it?” He said with a tone of desperation. He finally turned his head to the top of a nearby storage shelf and instantly located his target.

The book.

“Ah there you are, you crafty little minx, you.” He said as he breathed a sigh of relief and picked it up.

“Now, let’s see if you can help Uncle Discord.” He said as he cracked the book and flipped through the pages. “Water Nymphs, no, Holy Grail, no, Blue Box, no,” Discord groaned. “Oh come now, he had to have written something useful in-”

Discord paused mid-sentence and gasped, a smirk rolled up his face as he gazed upon the page which held the image of someone he was all too familiar with. “Bill Cipher, so this is where you’ve been hiding.”

He closed the book and casually slid it into his ear. “Now that that’s settled, let’s go see what’s for breakfast.” He said as he slithered his way out of the devastated room.

“So, wait, you mean to tell me that even though she knew you had five other friends, she only gave you two tickets?” Dipper asked.

“Oh I’m sure she had her reasons.” Twilight said before she took a bite out of an apple. “Maybe she was expecting only me and Spike to come, or perhaps it was a test of friendship, yeah that sounds right.”

“Or maybe you’re just too dense to realize when you’re being played for a fool.” Spoke a mischievous voice.

They looked up to find the source of the voice to be Discord floating a few feet above them with a cheeky smile upon his face.

“What, no, I’m sure that’s not the – where have you been!?” Twilight demanded.

“Oh, please forgive me, Warden Sparkle. How was I to know midnight jogs were against my probation?” Discord stuck out his tongue and levitated an unopened can of peaches to his mouth which he promptly devoured it in one swift bite.

Twilight rolled her eyes and groaned. “So now that Discord decided to show up, we can finally get started on finding the possible whereabouts of Sombra.” Twilight’s Horn flashed and instantly a detailed map of Gravity Falls lay before them. “Thanks to Dipper’s current knowledge of the area, I was able to compile a rough draft of all the possible spots Sombra may be hiding. It may take a while but as long as we follow this we’ll find him in no-”

“Now!” A voice screamed from the bushes behind the three. The trio watched helplessly as a timberwolf sprang from the nearby foliage, seized the map in between its teeth, and bolted in the opposite direction.

“What the heck was that!?” Dipper asked in a panicked tone as he held a hand to his heart and franticly gasped for air.

“A-a timberwolf,” Twilight said with her eyes widened in disbelief. “But what’s it doing here, and more importantly what’s it doing with our map?!”

Twilight quickly rose to her hooves and spread her wings. “Come on, Dipper, we’re going after it.”

“Ya’ll ain’t goin’ nowhere!”

The three turned their heads and were met by Gideon with his arms crossed and a cocky smile upon his face, accompanied by two additional timberwolves at his sides, preparing to strike.

“Gideon,” Dipper said as he glared at the white haired menace.

“You know him?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, but commanding wolves made out of wood is a new trick.”

“Boy, you’re in way over your head,” Gideon taunted. “I’ll go ahead and give ya a chance to run along inside where it’s nice and safe. Well, safe till I dispose of these two, then I reckon I’ll finish off the rest of ya’ll.”

“Well,” Discord said as he floated down to ground level. “It seems that I’m going to have to get my paws dirty today, which is quite a shame because I just had them done.” He said as he looked to his claws, each of them dotted with a coat of pink nail polish on each claw.

“What, Discord, are you sure?” Twilight asked as she turned her gaze to Discord.

“Oh yes, I’m quite sure I can handle two piles of wood and a piglet in a suit.”

“What did you call me!?” Gideon screamed as his face flashed bright red and slammed a foot to the ground.

“Oh dear, it seems I struck a nerve.” Discord snapped his claws together and in an instant, Dipper manifested onto Twilight’s back. “Just do me a favor and try not to get horribly maimed, at least while I’m not around.”

With concern still shown on Twilight’s face, she nodded and extended her wings.

“Um, Twilight,” Dipper said. “I’m not all that sure about th-” Was all he could manage to say before Twilight gave chase to the fleeing Timberwolf, the sounds of Dipper’s screams could be heard even when the two were out of sight.

Gideon, the two timberwolves, and Discord shared in a moment of disbelief as they watched the duo bolt into the distance. Discord then shook his head and turned his attention back to his adversaries.

“Can we put a rush on this?” He said then pretended to yawn. “I really should be helping them, you know.”

“Ha! You really think you’re gonna make it outta this?” Gideon taunted as the timberwolves slowly began circling around Discord. “Boy, when we’re through with you, they’re not gonna be able to recognize your tail from your head.”

“Well I have to admit, I sometimes have trouble separating the two myself.” Discord said as he snapped his fingers. In a quick flash Discord’s head had switched spots with his tail.

The timberwolves locked their gaze onto their prey, growling as they slowly inched towards Discord’s sides.

“Enough tricks, sick ‘em, boys!”

The two timberwolves sprang into action, each leaping towards Discord with their jaws wide open. As the predators were about sink their teeth into their unconcerned victim, Discord spoke up. “Tag in!” Discord shouted, as he did the beast were instantly frozen in midair.

Gideon’s face turned bright red as a small but very visible vain protruded from his neck. “What the heck are you doin’?!” He screamed, causing his voice to strain.

“Oh, I’m just evening the odds a little.” Discord said as he walked out from between the attacking timberwolves. As he did, he lightly flicked an ear of one of them before he placed his paws firmly behind his back.

“You know, I have a fine group of friends who would just love meet the two of you.” Discord gave a sinister smile to timberwolves and snapped his fingers. In a flash of smoke Discord had vanished, and the timberwolves unfroze, colliding into one another before crashing to the ground.

Gideon coughed and attempted to wave the smoke away and regain some visibility. “W-where is he?!” Gideon froze as he heard movement coming from behind him. Quickly he turned around in a fright but was met with more smoke. “He’s over here, quick get’em!” Gideon could hear the sound of the timberwolves making their way towards him.

He breathed a small sigh of relief as he saw the familiar pair of green eyes glowing from within the smoke. But that relief was replaced with fear, when with a single yelp one of the eyes had vanished under the smoke.

The remaining timberwolf looked wide-eyed at where his comrade had once stood. Gideon broke out in a cold sweat and small tremors were going up his body. “Get over here now!” Gideon screamed as the timberwolf bolted over to him with its tail between its legs. Suddenly, and just mere inches away from Gideon, the beasts leg seemed to give way and with a yelp, it sunk under the smoke.

Gideon fell back in utter shock as the timberwolf fell before his feet. He tentatively rose to his feet, and as he did, he could hear a small noise coming from where the creature had fallen. He mustered up what remaining courage he had and slowly scooted his way to the area. Gideon used his hand to brush away some of the smoke and was taken aback by a grizzly scene. Beavers, dozens and dozens of beavers pinning the creature down and taking turns gnawing on its wooden body.

“You know,” Discord said. “If you’re going to create minions made out of wood, I would suggest doing it somewhere where there isn’t a surplus of creatures whose diet consists of primarily that.”

With that, the smoke cleared to reveal that the same fate had befallen the other timberwolf. Suddenly the beavers stopped gnawing and simultaneously looked at Gideon.

“Well, what are you lookin’ at?!” Gideon shouted. “I ain’t afraid of no overgrown rodents!” It was then that Gideon came to realize that he was no longer in his robin egg blue suit. But instead his entire body was covered by a single hollowed out log.

The Beavers began gnashing their teeth as they slowly made their way towards Gideon.

“No, stay away, get back!” Gideon screamed as he fled into the forest, the beavers in hot pursuit.

Discord fell from his perch to the ground laughing and holding his sides.

“Oh absolutely priceless.” He said as he wiped a tear from his eye. His laughter was interrupted by two heavy clicks and gruff voice.

“You have two options, start talkin, or become an exhibit.”

Meanwhile

Dipper and Twilight were neck and neck with the escaping Timberwolf, with Dipper desperately trying to grab the map.

“Twilight, we need to get closer!” Dipper yelled.

“Alright, but this is as close as I can get, any more and we’re sure to collide with it.” Twilight tilted her wings and the two inched closer to the beast.

Dipper held tight to Twilight’s mane as he made one last attempt for the map. His outstretched hand drew closer and closer to the flailing parchment. He could feel it lightly flick his fingers as he grabbed for it. With one swift burst of energy, Dipper managed to get a firm grasp on the map.

“I got it!” He yelled triumphantly. His victory was short lived, however, as the timberwolf yanked its head in the opposite direction, pulling Dipper with him. As Dipper crashed to the ground his hand was still clenched tightly to Twilight’s mane causing her to crash to ground with him.

The two hit the ground with a fierce thud and rolled out of control down a hill. They only managed to stop when they finally reached the base of the hill.

Minutes went by before Twilight slowly opened her eyes. She tried to move only to be met with a sharp pain emanating from her wing.

“Dipper,” she called out. “Are you there?”

“Yeah,” he groaned as he lied face down close to where Twilight landed. “How badly are you banged up?”

“Well, I think I sprained my wing, how about you?”

“I’m not sure but I think I dislocated my shoulder, let me cheeeeeeeck, yeah that hurts!”

“Dipper, did you get the map?” Twilight’s eyes suddenly shot open as she became blatantly aware of a dark presence. She slowly turned her head upward and was horrified with what she saw.

Standing directly over her with a fanged grin was King Sombra. “I don’t think you’ll be needing that map anymore.”

Author's Note

Dear Readers.

Yes, after hours of rolling over in my head I have decided to add Bill into the story (I think a master of the night will be happy with this).

Anyways I hope you guys like the chapter it took me a little longer then I thought it would have but I'm glad I have it. Now I won't be working on chapter nine for a while because finals are just around the corner and I need to work on that but as always I will keep you posted.

Yours Truly Thecakedevil.

P.S. And as always a thank you to Insula Sol, KuteKitKatKatie, Darkmatterbutterflies,and Wasabi-Beans.

Unpleasant Dreams and a Powerful Treasure.

Chapter 9

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

Deep within the walls of the crystal palace, a unicorn colt tossed and turned in his bed. The colt had long since kicked off his sheets and was rolling in a small pool of sweat. He flailed his legs seemingly to escape some unknown force. “Stay back!” he screamed as he shot upright in his bed, gasping for air.

The colt leapt off the bed and quickly trotted out the bedroom door and to the next room over. As tears began to well up in his eyes he lightly pushed the door open and stuck his head through. “M-mother, Father, I…had a nightmare. Would it be okay if I slept with-” He stopped as he realized he was addressing an empty room.

The young colt hung his head low and was about to let loose his tears when he heard a warm and familiar voice.

“Having nightmares again, Silver Shroud?”

He hastily wiped his eyes of any tears, as Silver turned, his gaze was met with that of a slightly aged crystal earth pony stallion, sporting a coat of light blue fur and a grayed mane.

“Diamond Chisel,” he said, sporting a forced smile. “Where are Mother and Father?”

“I do apologize, Master Silver, but the King and Queen were called away to a diplomatic crisis.” Diamond stared at the young prince with a mounting concern growing in his eyes. “Do you need anything?”

Silver’s eye slightly twitched as the child fought back tears and every other word would be accompanied by a small sniff.

“No, everything is fine,” Silver said. “Thank you, Diamond, that will be all,” he said as he started making his way back to his room.

Diamond lightly placed a hoof on Silver’s shoulder. “You know they can’t hurt you, no matter how real they may seem.”

Silver broke down and buried his face into Diamond’s chest. “It was just so awful, Diamond,” Silver said through sobs. “It just kept getting closer and closer no matter how fast I ran.”

“There, there, young Master Silver, it’s alright,” the crystal pony cooed as he stroked the young colts mane. “It’s all over now, nothing is going to hurt you.”

“It felt so real though.” Silver whimpered. “And no matter how loud I screamed for help, nopony came to help me.”

“But it was all just a bad dream, Silver.” Diamond said in a softened tone as he raised the young colt’s chin with his hoof. “You know full well that both your parents and myself will always be there for you when you need us.”

Silver smiled and wiped the tears from his face. “I know, Diamond.”

“Good. Now let’s go see about getting you something to eat before sending you back to bed. Does that sound like a good idea?”

Silver sniffed and nodded his head. “Can I ride on your back?”

Diamond gave a heavy sigh and smiled at the young colt. “Oh, very well, but you really are getting a little too heavy for these old bones.”

Diamond lowered himself to the ground, allowing Silver to drape himself over his back.

“Aw, but you never use to complain before.” Silver pouted.

“Yes, well I use to be younger and you use to be lighter.” Diamond chuckled, rising to his hooves with a small grunt. “Alright, off to the kitchen we go.”

“Huzzah! Can we see if there is any leftover cake?”

“An admirable try your majesty, but I think not.”

“So you’re the one the Princesses thought could handle me?” Sombra taunted. “Tell me, young one, do you even know who I am?”

Twilight glared at him as she spoke. “You’re King Sombra, former tyrant of the Crystal Empire.”

“Hmm, you’re smarter than you look,” he said as he turned away from Twilight. “But what I really wish to know is how you expected to defeat me with the help of a yammering abomination and your pet primate?”

Twilight quickly took advantage of the moment and slowly started to crawl her way over to Dipper, who was still lying face down on the ground.

“Dipper,” she whispered. “Are you still conscious?”

“Yeah,” he murmured as he turned his head toward her. “Twilight, what do we do?”

“It’ll be alright, Dipper I’ll get us out of here. Just grab hold of my hoof and I’ll teleport us back to our base.”

As Twilight’s horn lit up in preparation for a hasty teleportation, she reached her hoof out to grab hold of Dipper. But just as the two were about to make contact, a large wooden paw slammed onto Dipper’s hand, causing him to cry out in agony. Twilight looked up in fright to see the narrowed stare of the remaining timberwolf.

“Dipper!” Twilight rose from the ground, a thick purple aura emanated from her horn as well as the corner of her eyes. She pointed her horn directly at Sombra with her ears folded back she stomped her hoof to the ground. “Let him go!” she said in a swift, demanding tone.

“I don’t believe you are in a position to be giving demands right now.” As he said this, the timberwolf placed its other paw onto Dipper’s back and pressed downward, pushing him deeper into the dirt, causing Dipper to cry out in pain once more.

“Don’t worry about me, Twilight,” Dipper said. “Take him out quick before-” He was cut off as the timberwolf removed its paw from his hand and placed it firmly on Dipper’s head and gave him a low rumbling growl.

Twilight’s horn dimmed and she lowered her head in defeat. “What do you want?”

A small smirk appeared on his face as he turned back around to face Twilight. “It’s quite simple really, all I want is for you to take your allies and go home.”

“Excuse me?” Twilight’s gaze widened in puzzled suspicion.

“I don’t believe I stuttered,” Sombra snapped. “All you have to do is walk away from this world and pretend none of this ever happened.”

“If we walk away now, then what’s to keep you from destroying this world and ours?”

“Absolutely nothing. Within six days, I will regain my full strength and become this world’s supreme master. After which, I will come back and conquer our world as well.”

“Why in the name Celestia would I ever agree to a deal like that?” Twilight snarled as she gave a snort from her nostrils.

“Because I’m not giving you any other choice.” As Sombra spoke a dark aura began to pulsate from his body while purple flames emanated from the corners of his eyes.

Twilight was at a loss for words. “This can’t be happening,” she thought to herself. “I can’t possibly leave this world at the mercy of King Sombra, but if I don’t,” Twilight looked over to Dipper. Time between each gasping breath had become increased as he struggled under the crushing weight of the timberwolf.

“You’re prolonging this far more than needed,” Sombra said. “And I believe time is running out for your little pet, as well.”

Twilight remained silent as she stared at Dipper with mournful eyes. As those eyes began to wander back to Sombra they briefly widened as they caught sight of Dipper's re-exposed hand. An ever so tiny glimmer of hope ignited in her as she shifted her attention back to Sombra looking for a means to cause a momentary distraction. As luck would have it, positioned right alongside the dark king, a badly damaged tree stood with a tilt, only stopped from its descent by a few visible roots protruding from the ground. A well-focused blast could in fact sever the roots, causing it to fall directly between them. It was a long shot to say the least, but it was the only shot there was.

“Your time and my patience have run out, young one.” Sombra said as his horn ignited in a black aura. “Give me your answer now, or I must assume you have chosen to deny my offer, and as such, I’m afraid you leave me no choice but to-”

Without a second thought, Twilight set her plan in motion, firing a concentrated beam at the base of the tree. Hitting its mark, the sound of straining and snapping roots could be heard as the tree made a speedy descent to the ground. But in Twilight’s speedy calculation, she failed to take in the true path of the tree’s decent and instead of falling between them, it was falling directly where Sombra stood.

Sombra only had moments to react. He pointed his horn directly at the falling lumber and fired a black beam of aura that managed to split it in half. But that only did so much, one half of the tree landed in front of him, whilst the other half fell onto his back legs, pinning him to the ground.

Twilight quickly took advantage of the distraction and dove for Dipper’s hand. She slid onto her stomach, barely avoiding the gnashing jaws of the timberwolf, and quickly took his hand in her hoof. Within a moment, the two had vanished in a bright flash of light.

Sombra burst from his wooden prison with a vengeful roar. He searched for his opponents only to find that the two of them had fled the scene. He slowly regained his composure, making way for a sinister grin to form on his face.

His attention soon turned to the timberwolf, which was making its way back to the Mystery Shack.

“Let them go.” Sombra said as he raised a hoof. “They made their decision, now they must suffer the consequences.”

It was another cold winter night in the Crystal Palace. Peace and silence swept over the palace and its inhabitants, only to be disturbed by the hoof steps of the occasional patrolling guard. Whilst everypony else was in a deep sleep, the light of a candle flickered to life in the Royal Library. Diamond Chisel sat at a desk surrounded by scrolls, belonging to both him and of others long passed. With quill and ink at hoof, he wrote tirelessly on a parchment, only pausing to take brief glimpses at a mysterious item, hidden under a sheet.

“Hi, Diamond!” a small voice screamed from behind.

Diamonds pupils shrank to pin pricks as the crystal pony quickly turned in a fright to see Silver giving him the grandest of toothy smiles.

“Oh, your majesty, thank goodness it’s only you.” Diamond said through deep breaths as he held his hoof to his heart. “You mustn’t sneak up on me like that; my body doesn’t handle surprises very well these days.”

“I’m sorry, Diamond.” Silver’s head and ears dropped in a mournful manner.
Diamond gave a small sigh and patted the prince on the shoulder.

“It’s alright, your majesty, no harm done. Having nightmares again, are we?”

“Mhm.”

“Hm, those nightmares of yours are becoming more and more frequent. I’m starting to think Princess Luna is slacking off on her duties a little.” Diamond said with a snort from his nostrils.

“Well, mother and father say that Princess Luna is guardian to all the dreams of little fillies and colts, and sometimes she can’t make it to all the foals in one night.”

Diamond gave a small ‘humph’, in response before he turned around and picked his quill back up. “In any case, allow me to finish taking down these last few notes and I will be happy to accompany you to the kitchen.”

"Okay," Silver said, peeking over the stallions shoulder at his scribblings. “So, um, mind if I ask what you’re working on?”

Diamond stopped writing and dropped his quill on the table. He looked up and around the library in both directions, confirming that they were the only two present.

“Do you honestly wish to know?”

Silver smiled and rapidly nodded his head.

“Very well,” Diamond leaned over close to the colt’s ear, and whispered. “What if I said there was a way to live forever?”

The small prince tilted his head as if he had heard a strange noise. “But I thought only Alicorns could live forever?”

Diamond scoffed. “That was all too true, my little prince, but I believe I have found something that can mimic, if not best, the abilities and traits of the Princesses themselves.” Diamond smiled as he placed a hoof on top of the covered item. “And it’s sitting right on this table.”

Silver’s eyes lit up with a childlike wonder as his little mouth dropped. “No way, can I see it?!”

“Of course, but you must promise me one thing. This remains our secret, understood?”

Silver’s smile quickly turned to a frown of sorts as he tilted his head. “Why’s that, Diamond?”

“Well, you see, your majesty; this project is still in its starting stages and it would be an utter catastrophe if it were to fall into the wrong hooves. Do I make myself clear?”

“Oh, well, okay then. I won’t tell, promise.”

“I knew I could count on you. Very well then, without further ado, I give to you, the crystal kingdoms most well-guarded artifact.”

With that Diamond yanked off the cloth. Lying underneath was a golden crown topped with three sharp points and adorned with three red gems.

“Prince Silver, I present to you, The Crown of the Ice King.”

Author's Note

Dear Readers.

Back in action baby!

Ok a few notes. I realize that Twilight can telaport herself and individuals out of an area without physical contact, how ever, there has been an occurrence where Twilight ,while in the process of teleporting Spike, accidentally teleports Pinkie as well. I'm not saying for sure that under her current circumstance she might have teleported the timberwolf as well as Dipper, but then again I'm not ruling it out. Another factor as to why she may have needed to make physical contact is that it is a very draining procedure and given that she was already hurt and she was under quite a lot of physical and mental strain. So that contact may have been what she needed to get a clear fix on the who and the where of the teleport.

But as for the twisty twist, let's just say your ol'buddy The Cake Devil has plans for another story in the future that will explain just what the hay The Ice King's crown is doing in B.N.M Equestria.

On another note chapter ten might be a little longer dud to college. But fear not! I shall always make time for this story no matter how busy I am.

Yours Truly, The Cake Devil.

The End?

Chapter 10

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

A bright flash of light illuminated the forest floor as Twilight and Dipper manifested within the safety of their camp. Twilight still clutching Dipper’s hand as they laid on their stomachs breathing heavily, neither one speaking to the other. Dipper was the first to break the silence with a series of loud rasping coughs that caused Twilight to jump in her spot.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said as he turned to face Twilight. “Um, I think you can let go of my hand now.” Dipper said with a weak smile across his face.

Twilight’s eyes widened, she quickly removed her hoof from Dipper’s hand as a small blush shot across her muzzle. “Sorry about that.”

Dipper gave a small laugh before he quickly changed the subject. “So, that didn’t go exactly as planned, huh?”

Twilight hung her head low and slowly shook her head.

“Hey, but look on the bright side, at least we’re in one piece. Plus, now we know where he is so we can—”

“No, Dipper, not we, just me.”

Dipper stared at her in stunned silence. “Wha—what do you mean?”

“What do I mean?!” Twilight shot up from her stomach and onto her hooves. “Dipper, I didn’t stand a chance against him back there, if it hadn’t been for that one in a million miracle, the both of us would be dead right now!” Twilight’s eyes pooled with tears as she continued to speak.

“I’m sorry, Dipper, but this is just too dangerous, if something were to happen to you, I’m not sure I would be able to live with myself.” Twilight sniffed as tears now flowed like tiny rivers down her face “Just go home, Dipper, forget you ever met me and just go back to your life. Discord and I will take it from here, we’ll figure out a way to stop Sombra, but it’s better if you get as far away from me as possible.”

Twilight turned around and lightly placed her horn onto Dipper’s back. As it made contact with him, the horn glowed with a bright aura, followed by a sharp crack as Dipper’s shoulder popped back into place. Twilight took a few steps back from Dipper once more, who had risen to his feet and was weeping as well.

“Twilight, you don’t have to do this. Look, I’ll be okay, really. You don’t have to go.”

Twilight merely shook her head and turned away. “Goodbye Dipper, and thank you, for everything.” That said, Twilight vanished into a flash of light.

“Twilight, wait!” Dipper screamed as he bolted after her, only to be met with empty space.

Dipper’s head hung low. He stood there, motionless, clenching his fists as tears began to slowly pour from his eyes.

Silver’s eyes filled with wonder and curiosity as he stared at the crown. He slowly approached the crown and reached one of his hooves out in an attempt to seize it.

“Ah-ah-ah,” Diamond scolded, dropping the sheet over the artifact and out of the reach of the now frustrated prince.

“I just want to try it on, just to see how I look.”

“Absolutely not!” Diamond shouted causing the colt to jump. “The crown’s power of influence is capable of taking even the most brilliant of ponies and turn them into raving psychopaths. I do believe you’ve heard enough for one night, so I will kindly ask you to show yourself to your room.” Diamond turned back to the table and continued in his note taking.

Silver nodded weakly as he slowly shuffled out of the library, a disappointed frown upon his face.

“I presume I will be seeing you the same time tomorrow night?” Diamond shouted from his desk.

Silver picked his head up and nodded furiously. “Yes, yes, yes, yes, thank you, Diamond!” Silver rushed over and wrapped his forelegs around Diamond’s waist from behind.

Diamond smiled as he turned around, giving the colt a small pat on the head with his hoof. “Now remember, your majesty—”

“Our secret, I know, Diamond.”

“Good, now off to bed with you.”

With that said, Silver released his hold of Diamond and rushed out the library.

Diamond smiled and shook his head, turning back to his work he picked up his quill only to drop it moments later as he was besieged with a fit of deep, rasping coughs.

“You’re wasting your time, Diamond.” The voice of the crown echoed in Diamond’s head. “Why not just put me on and save your life instead of trying to help all those ungrateful ponies?”

“I will not be tempted by your twisted lies once again, do you hear me?!” Diamond said, glaring at the crown. “No, your twisted powers will finally be put to good. I may pass, but not before then, not before justice can be done.”

“Very well, Diamond, but let me ask you this. Who would you rather I bestow my powers upon, you, or her? Because, my darling Diamond, the time will come when you can no longer protect me, and when that happens, it’s only a matter of time before she comes for me.”

Diamond gave a heavy sigh and turned back to his notes once more. “Soon, soon my work will be done, and then there can be peace, once and for all.”

Setting the last candle down, Discord hovered over his circle of eight candles, with a semi-annoyed expression on his face.

“Oh, for pity sake,” he groaned. “I swear, as soon as our business is done, I’m introducing that needle brain to a more efficient means of being summoned.” He gave a sharp thud on his chest, causing a jet of flame to shoot from his muzzle and ignite the wicks. “I mean candles; really, I mean, could you be any more clichéd?” He gave a small huff before landing on his back legs and opening the book. “Well, might as well get this over with, knowing Bill, he’s bound to hold a grudge.”

Discord opened the book and read aloud in a monotone droll. “Trianglium, entangleum, veteforest dominous ventium veteforest fedensidinium.”

As if by saying a magic word, at the very last word, Discord was struck with a sharp pain that shot through his stomach, momentarily forcing him to his knees as he grasped his stomach in agony. His eyes, once clenched shut in pain, suddenly shot open as a blinding blue light poured from his eyes as he chanted, “Egassem sdrawkcab , egassem sdrawkcab , egassem sdrawkcab !”

The world around him grayed, the sky seemed to rush by at an unimaginable speed whilst the world around him slowed to a halt. A sudden flash of light appeared above the circle of candles, and it was if someone had cut a triangle hole in the fabric of space and time itself; the outside of the triangle suddenly sprang to life with dozens of small, individual golden flames. A small, cackling laugh began to echo throughout the forest as an eye opened near the point of the triangle. With one jerking motion, the skies came to a complete stop as the triangle entity’s body filled the void that was itself, turning into solid gold, sprouting arms, legs, a bowtie, and a charming top hat floating just above his point.

“Bill Cypher is back, everyone!” The creature said with a delighted look in his eye. His gaze quickly shifted to Discord as he hovered toward the miss-match god, still on his knees. “Well, would you look who it is. Discord, you old rapscallion you, you’re a sight for a sore eye, that’s for sure. Ha ha, get it, because I only have one eye.” Bill remarked as he promptly removed the single eye from his body and held it out in front of Discord. “See, see, ahahahah! But no, really, good to see you again, buddy.”

Discord rose to his hind legs, brushing himself off, giving a forced smile as he addressed the demon. “Biiill, what an absolute pleasure it is to see you again, Have you gotten pointier? Can I offer you refreshment?” He asked as he snapped his claws, and creating a small glass filled with chocolate milk and a tiny paper umbrella.

Bill’s eye narrowed “Hmm, chocolate milk, huh?” He asked taking the small glass in hand and dumping the entire thing into the inky black void of where his eye use to be. “With tiny umbrella included. What are you up to Discord?” he said as he placed his eye back in place and proceeded to rub his hand under it.

“Well, you see,” Discord cleared his throat as he tentatively tapped his claws together. “I kind of wanted to maybe ask your help in doing something—”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait.” Bill interrupted. “Let me get this straight, I don’t see you for over two thousand years, you don’t write, you never visited—”

“It’s not like I didn’t try—”

“I’m not finished!” Bill’s voice boomed as his eye became noticeably darker. “Do you know what it’s like in there, in the void!? Floating around for all eternity, with no one but yourself to keep you company, it’s enough to drive you sane! In fact, it did for a few hundred years and I hated it! But no, I’m not mad about the intense loneliness and boredom that you brought upon me. What I'm mad about is that you thought I wouldn’t know who helped put me there, DISCORD!” With that Bill changed from a bright yellow into blood red as he towered over the stunned Draconequus.

“So, you knew about that, huh?” Discord asked, loosening his nonexistent collar as he backed up against a tree.

“You know darn well I know lots of things! Like how Benjamin Franklin was a woman, the name of the Doctor, and the fact that Stan Pines is right above me waiting to strike… wait, what?”

“Now!” Discord shouted.

“Wait a minute, let me see if I’ve got this right,” Soos said as he swept the shack and conversed with Mabel as Wendy listened with an amused grin. “Do you mean to tell me that Stretchy Snakes and Gummy Koalas aren’t the offspring of majestic chewy creatures, but just made in a factory?”

“I know, weird right?!” Mabel said.

“Aw dude, you have no idea how glad I am to hear that.” Soos said, wiping his brow. “Ever since like, forever, I’ve never been able to eat those things because I was worried about what would happen if the parents found me, and like, smelled their babies on my breath.”

Their conversation was cut off by the front door opening. They looked up to see Dipper standing at the door, his hands shoved into his pockets and his hat pulled down over his eyes. Averting his gaze, he made his way past Mabel and Soos. The both of them watched as Dipper disappeared behind the entryway.

The door to the attic slammed shut and all three of them sported a look of concern as they quickly made their way up the stairs, Mabel taking the lead.

“Waddles, you’re in charge of the shack!” Mabel shouted down. To which the pig replied by rolling over in his sleep and giving a quiet snort.

Dipper sat on his bed, clutching his pillow tightly as he stared at the floor. His silence was quickly broken by the sound of hushed voices behind the door. He groaned as he rolled his eyes and plopped onto the mattress.

“I don’t want to talk, guys,” Dipper said. “So you can just go back down stairs.”

The voices stopped. “So, do you think he was talking about us or some other group of people?” Soos asked, attempting to whisper.

Wendy and Mabel gave a collective sigh before Mabel made her way into the room.

Dipper groaned once more flipping over and sticking his face into his pillow.

“Mabel, I’m fine,” Dipper muffled through his pillow. “I don’t need, or want, any help. I just want to be left alone.”

“Dipper, you’re not fine,” Mabel protested. “You’re on the verge of tears and you’re bruised from head to toe! What happened?”

“Does this have something to do with your new girlfriend or something?” Soos asked, looking in from the doorway.

“Soos!” Mabel screamed.

“Mabel!” Dipper yelled, springing up from his pillow, glaring. “You told them?!”

“My bad, dude—Ow!” Soos yelled as Wendy gave him a swift punch to the arm.

“We’re going to head back down stairs,” Wendy said. “Let us know if you need anything alright?”

The twins listened silently until the sound of footsteps faded.

Mabel turned back around, averting eye contact with Dipper and awkwardly shifting her shoulders as she spoke. “I may have maybe, kinda, sorta, told them a little bit of everything.”

“Gah! Thanks for keeping a secret, Mabel, glad I can count on you!” Dipper said, throwing his face back into the pillow.

“Dipper, look, whatever it is, you can tell us, alright? It’s not like we’re gonna laugh at you or something like that.”

“Fine!” Dipper shot up in his bed, his face a deep red and tears welled up in his eyes. “You want to know what happened, I screwed up! Something happened and we both ended up getting hurt. She blames the whole thing on herself and now she’s gone! She didn’t even give me a chance to say anything, she just…left.” Dipper returned his gaze to the floor as he brought his knees to his chest.

Mabel looked at her brother with concerned eyes before hopping onto the bed and scooting next to Dipper.

“Dipper,” Mabel said, placing an arm on her brother’s shoulder. “What you need to do right now is find her, and say exactly how you feel right now.”

Dipper’s head turned to Mabel, sporting a face of shock and confusion. “Do what now?!” He shouted.

“You heard me, Dipper Pines,” Mabel said. “Right now she’s out there all alone, probably beating herself up about what happened between the two of you. The right thing to do right now would be to find her, and tell her exactly how you feel.”

“Mabel, are you nuts?!” Dipper retorted, throwing his arms up in the air. “I can’t just tell her how I feel, what if she doesn’t feel the same way, and what then, huh?” Dipper curled back into the fetal position and returned his gaze back to the floor. “Besides, she’s probably long gone.”

Mabel scowled before she clenched her fist and placed a hard punch to Dipper’s arm.

Dipper yelled as his eyes immediately shot back to Mabel, clenching his slightly bruised arm as he glared back at Mabel.

“What the heck was that for?!”

“It was to stop you from being a big, whiny crybaby!” Mabel shouted back. “Right now you’re in here crying and feeling sorry for yourself, when your friend needs you now more than ever!”

Dipper’s scowl slowly began to fade.

“I’ll be gosh darned if I let the best thing that has ever happened to you, slip away from you just ‘cause you’re bein’ all weepy.” Mabel placed her hands on Dipper’s shoulders. “And so what if she doesn’t return your feelings, at least if you do and she doesn’t, you’ll know for sure instead of always wondering, right?”

Dipper’s expression lightened as he wiped his nose and straightened his hat with a small nod.

“Right.”

“Now, get out there and find your girlfriend!” Mabel shouted triumphantly.

“She’s not my girl—” Dipper stopped himself as he jumped to his feet. Filled with new determination and hope he proudly strode to the door. He stopped for a moment, turning around to face his sister once more. “Hey, Mabel?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks again, I—”

Dipper was abruptly cut off as a sudden explosion that shook the very walls of the shack and caused him to almost lose his balance.

The twins stared wide eyed at each other before rushing out the door and down the stairs.

A huge hole was blown into the side of the shack; the door was flung to the floor and wooden high beams were split in half. In the center of the shack was Gideon with a sinister expression on his face and his arms behind his back.

“Gideon?!” the twins screamed.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favorite twins, what a pleasant surprise,” he said with an air of cockiness.

“What the flop did you do to our shack?!” Mabel screamed. She gasped placing her hands to her cheeks as she turned her head frantically, “And what happened to everyone else?”

“Oh, your friends are just fine, for now anyways.” Gideon reached into his jacket and pulled out a dark crystal. Holding it in front of him, the twins were greeted with a horrifying sight. Inside the crystal were Soos, Wendy and Waddles desperately pounding from the inside of the crystal.

“Waddles!” Mabel gasped. “Put them back you little creep!” Mabel made an attempted lunge at the small foe only to be held back by Dipper.

“Dipper, what the what, let me go!” Mabel struggled under his hold to no avail. “Come on let me go we have to save them!”

“Mabel,” Dipper hissed. “Just calm down—”

“Calm down, calm down!? Our friends are in trouble and you want me to ca—mph” Mabel was interrupted by Dipper placing his hand over her mouth.

“Look,” he whispered. “We’re going to get them out of there, but we’re in no position to help them right now. I’m going to let you go now, but when I do you need to not go crazy, okay?”

She glared at glared at Dipper for a moment before reluctantly nodding.

Dipper slowly released Mabel from his hold. “What do you w—”

“Let them go!” Mabel screamed as she once again lunged toward Gideon. Dipper once again intercepted her, grabbing Mabel from under her arms as she kicked and swung her arms. While Gideon reeled back in terror, shielding his face with his arms.

“Gideon,” Dipper said, struggling to hold back his thrashing sister. “What do you want?!”

“Oh it’s not what I want boy,” he said, uncurling from his protective stance and placing the crystal back into his jacket. “It’s what my master wants.” Gideon raised his hand in the air and snapped his fingers together.

Within an instant the remaining timberwolf was at Gideon’s side.

“My master feels that this game needs to come to an end.” He lightly patted the side of the beast which, in turn, lowered itself, allowing Gideon to climb on. “Tell your friend to be at the crystal quarry in twenty-four hours, and if she doesn’t show, well, let’s just say the shack is gonna need to dust off their ‘help wanted’ sign.”

Author's Note

Dear Readers.

And here it is. You all have been beyond patient and here is your reward. I have to of course thank Darkmatterbutterflies and Insula sol for being there when I need me and , Discord who consistently screamed in my ears until I rose form my frosted hiney and got to work.

You guys truly are the best.

Yours Truly, The Cake Devil.

A Very Mysterious Christmas Special.

Dear Readers Merry Christmas my dahlings, alright so heres the deal. This is a Christmas special, it has no relevance to the main story and will not be mentioned again. With that said, please enjoy and expect chapter 11 within the break. Oh and p.s. Really didn't have time to edit this I whipped this up in the span of a day.

“Knock, knock, knock” went the door.

“Dipper, get the door!” Stan bellowed from the living room, taking a sip form his eggnog filled mug.

Dipper emerged from the kitchen, his face dotted with flower and sporting an annoyed frown. A white apron hid a red wool sweater with the left half of a Christmas tree with bright multi-colored lights.

“Grunkle Stan come on your not even doing anything,” Dipper argued. “The pies aren’t even ready yet and the oven is full.”

“Not doing anything, why without my eye for perfection, how on earth would the Christmas tree get decorated?”

“Grunkle Stan, that’s a fidkis.” Dipper said, glancing over to the painfully fake tree covered with make shift ornaments and a dangerous amount of lights. Mabel was gluing red and green sparkles onto the leaves as Soos struggled to keep the top of the tree from drooping from the weight of a single red ball ornament.

“Hey, did you see the prices they were asking for those over grown spider nests?” Stan scoffed. “Season of giving indeed.”

“Those prices were perfectly reasonable, and you stole that fidkis from the waiting room!”

Three more knocks came from the door.

“Door now.” Stan partly shouted pointing to the front entrance.

Dipper grumbled as he removed his apron and made his way to the door .

Opening it he was greeted with Twilight, Discord, five more multicolored ponies, three smaller ponies, two larger horse like beings, and a small purple lizard. All of which greeted Dipper with a hearty “Happy Hearts Warming Eve!”

Dipper stood there in utter disbelief for a moment before responding back “Hey guys glad you could make it, and thanks, Merry Christmas.” Dipper stepped aside to allow the group inside watching with a smile as the group came in carrying plates of food and presents which they stacked onto Dippers outstretched arms.

Dipper began to Struggle a little as the gift tower went over his head.

“Now be extra careful with this one.” Discord said holding out large, heavy looking, and crudely wrapped anvil shaped gift “I picked this out especially for you dear boy.”

Dipper braced himself for the oncoming shock, only to be met with nothing.

“Here, let me help you with those.” Twilight said, levitating the packages out of Dippers hands.

Dipper gave a heavy sigh, whipping the sweat from his brow.

“Thanks again for inviting us to your, what was it again, Christmas party? Anyways I hope you don’t mind that I brought my friends along.”

“Twilight we’ve been over this I said you could bring some friends along when I invited you so don’t worry about it.”

“Good, so want to tell me about that sweater you’re wearing?” Twilight said covering her hoof as she stifled a giggle.

“Why tell when he could show.” Mabel said, springing toward her brother and placing herself to his right side. Pressed together the image of a Christmas tree was sown onto their sweaters.

“Woooow!” Pinkie Pie. “It’s so sparkly and flashy, did you make this!?”

“You bet I did-and ohmygoshyourapinkponey!”Mabel said separating from Dipper and wrapping her arms around Pinkies neck.

“Tell me your secrets oh adorable one.”

“Ok.” Pinkie said with a grin , walking back into the main room while dragging a semi-paralyzed Mabel.

Twilight looked back over to Dipper. “Is she going to be-”

“She’ll be fine.”

“So you and your sister are like Princesses , right?” Stan asked , as he leaned on his eight ball cane attempting to start a conversation with Celestia. “You know I bet you two are absolutely loaded with loot, so if you ever, I don’t know, get too much or need a place to store it there’s no safer place then The Mystery Bank.”

Celestia smiled and took another sip form her cup of eggnog. “I thought this was the Mystery Shack? Or at least that’s what the sign said outside.”

“Eh, a minor typing error, so how much should I put you down for, fifty million, seventy billion? Hey that crown looks pretty heavy, please allow me to ste-hold it for you.”

“Ho, ho, ho” Soos Claus bellowed as he sat on Stans blue comforter as a nervous Sweetie Bell sat on his lap and the other two Crusaders waited patiently. “And what would you like for Christmas little unicorn-pony-dudet ?”

“Well” Sweetie Belle said looking off to the side, gasping she turned her head back to Soos Claus “Could you get me my cutie mark?!”

“That would be sooo cool!” Scootaloo said.

“Can ya mister Claus pretty please?” Asked Applebloom.

“Well, uh” Soos muttered, bearing the full force of three sets of puppy dog eyes. “You see, kids-”

“Of course he can!” Discord said warping an arm around Soos’s shoulder. “But it’s only for one night.”

“Horray!” The Crusaders cheered.

Soos looked nervously back to Discord and cupped his hand around his ear. “But dude, I don’t even know what a cutie what’s it is.”

“Do as I say.” Discord whispered back. “Alright girls are you ready for your Cutie Marks?”

“Yeaaah!” The girls cheered.

“Alright now close your eyes.”

The girls closed their eyes, bouncing up and down with anticipation.

“Alright Santa, reach into your sack and pull give them their Cutie Marks.”

“But dude” Soos whispered once more. “There’s only reject merchandise Mr. Pines told me to give away in there.”

“Just trust me and do it.”

Soos nodded and reached into the sack, feeling around, he pulled out a small sack of glowing sand.

“Now sprinkle it on their flanks.”

“You mean their butts?”

“Yes, whatever, now do it before I change my mind and stuff you in the sack.”
Soos complied and sprinkled a little bit of the glowing sand on each of the girls. The sand glowed even brighter as it hit their skin and forming into small images.

“Ok girls open your eyes.”

The three opened their eyes and looked to their flanks, and shrieked in unison ,“Our Cutie Marks!”

“Now girls there’s only one condition,” Discord said, interrupting the girls conversation. “The Magic will only last for the night so when you wake up tomorrow , they will all be gone.”

“Awww.”The girls moaned.

“Well, at least we get‘em for a little bit” Applebloom said, perking her head up.

“Yeah that’s pretty cool.” Agreed Scootaloo.

“Thanks Santa Clause.” The girls said wrapping their forelegs around Soos for a group hug.

“He, he, no problem girls.” He said, giving a warm smile as he returned the hug. “Now you girls be good alright?”

“Come on girls, let’s go show everypony our cutie marks!” Sweaty Bell said, leading the other two into the living room.

“Welp, there’s my one good deed for the year.” Discord said brushing his paws together. “Tell anypony and I’ll turn you into a candy cane, kapeish?”

“You got it dude.” Soos said zipping his lips. “ Alright, who’s next?”

Pinkie eagerly plopped onto Soos’s lap unrolling a lengthy scroll as she got comfortable.

“Ok let’s see, for starters, I’d like longer forelegs so I can give ponies even bigger hugs!.”

Spike smiled as he approached Rarity with a small package behind his back. The Fasioneista was standing under the archway leading to the main room, vigorously taking down notes and muttering to herself.

“Hey Rare, everything alright?”

“Hm, oh why of course dahling everything is marvelousness. This party and these decorations have given me more ideas then I know what to do with.” She said enthusiastically.

“That’s great, but there was something I wanted to ask you.”

Rarity stopped writing and turned to face Spike. “Why, what is it Spikeie ?”

“I-”

“Hey, hey look who’s under the missile toe!” Mabel called out form across the room.

“Missile toe?” Applejack perked up. “Why, we got that stuff back where we come from. What makes it so special here, and what’s so important bout standin under it?”

“Oh oh, does it shoot candy and rainbows, and glitter?!”Pinkie asked.

“No, but oh my gosh that should so be a thing! If two people are standing under it” Mabel paused as she mushed her cheeks together, “then they gotta kiss.”

“Wwwwhat?!” Spikes purple cheeks reddened instantly as eh looked over to Rarity, whose cheeks were just slightly less red then his.

“We, um, we don’t have to if you don’t want to Rarity. I mean I’d understand if you don’t” Spike said, looking off to the side and nervously crossing his legs.

“No, no it’s quite alright, it is custom after all and we shouldn’t be rude.”

“Are you sure, because um-”

“Just kiss her already!” Someone(or somepony ) screamed form the crowed.

“Well, I guess we might as well.” Rarity turned to Spike, closing her eyes and puckering her lips.

Spike was dumbfounded, his heart raced, his claws became clammy. The young dragon closed his eyes, puckered his lips and-

“Snort.”
Spike opened his eyes to find that his eyes to find that his lips had not made contact with the ivory mare of his dreams, but instead with the cheek of a festively dressed pig being held in place by Rainbowdash.

“See, see.” Rainbow yelled “I told you I could make’em kiss the pig, Wendy you owe me five bits,er bucks, whatever you call them.”

Rarity shot back in horror, brushing her tongue off with her hooves in disgust.

“Dal darn it Rainbow, why’d ya have to do a thing like that?” Applejack said glaring at the confused Pegasus.

“What, it was just a prank?”

“Yeah,” Mabel barged in “a prank that involved the abuse of my poor defenseless Waddels !”

As the argument took a majority of the attention of the occupants of the room Spike gave a longing sigh as his gaze went to the ground. Suddenly he felt a sudden warm presence quickly press against his cheek. A kiss, he’d been kissed, realizing this Spikes eyes lit up and turned to Rarity who was giving him a dazzling smile.

“There, now that’s more like it. After all, a lady doesn’t like to be pressured into something.”

A quiet knock was heard at the door.

“I got it.” Mabel said.

“Well hurry up.” Pinkie echoed back, “It’s almost your turn to play pin the tail on the me!”

“Alright, alright I’ll be there in a sec,” Mabel opened the door. “Hello-”

Mabel was dumbstruck, standing right in front of her were the dark King Sombra, the fake Gideon, the timberwolf, and the demented Bill Cipher.

“H-hey guys, what’s up?”

“Well kid,” Bill started. “You see, we heard you guys were havin a little shindig and we thought we might stop by and see what’s what. Now before you say no, look we even brought our own dip!” Bill pulled out a cast iron bowl brewing with the most foulest of atrocities and screams of un known terrors.

“Excuse me?!”Sombra bellowed. “I’ll have you know I was dragged here against my own accord! If I had it my way, this gathering along with the building would be smoldering pile of ash.”

“Hey who’s here Mabs?”Pinkie came trotting from behind. “Oh my gosh, more party go’ers, come on in!”

Mabel pulled Pinkie aside. “I don’t know Pinkie these guys are kiiinda sketchy.”

“Well that shouldn’t matter, especially this time of year. It’s like Smart Cookie said on the first Hearts Warming Eve, No matter what our differences, we're all ponies.”

“So, kinda like, we’re all the same on the inside?”

“Exactly!”

Mabel looked back over to the suspicious crowed and gave a heavy sigh. “Alright guys come on in.”

They all gave a hearty cheer and rushed in. All except Sombra who remained at the doorway.

“Well come on in silly.” Pinkie said, bouncing over to the dark lord.” Everypony is waiting and there’s a glass of apple cider and pie with your name on it.”

Sombra scoffed as he pushed aside the pink mare and entered the shack. Looking back to the two girls he gave a small glare. “There better be hot chocolate , if there isn’t hot co co so help me there will be tartars to pay.”

“Oh of course. “Pinkie said bouncing alongside him. “Aaaand we have the poofiest marshmallows too, oh and we have delicious candy canes that I learned you can lick into a point but you have to be real carful or else you’ll jab your tongue and that’s no fun.”

“Alright ever one and pony.” Dipper said. “Time for dinner!”

Everyone gathered in the kitchen to take their seats. Pony and person, friend and enemy, timberwolf and pig all sat together as equals laughing, joking, sharing stories, making memories. When a loud shrieking sound rang out through the house. Everyone looked at each other as the shrieking only got louder as it faded in and out, in and out, and coming to a sudden halt with a loud mechanical thud. Everyone quickly got up and rushed to the living room.

There standing in the middle of the living room was a blue police call box. Then out came a tall man , wearing a white button up shirt, slick black pants , dress shoes, a brown overcoat, and a bowtie.

“Here we are Kazran, Abigail, 18th century Fr-oh hello.”

“Doctor is something wrong?” Emerging form the phone booth was a much younger man, with a slightly older, and very lovely, blonde women.

“This is Earth isn’t it?” The Doctor asked.

The group stared wide eyed at the man, jaws dropped as they were un able to form a single word. Well, except for one pony.

“You bet your bowtie it is.” Pinkie said bouncing right up to the man. “And you just happen to be coming into the best party in the eververse! So wanna join?”

“The eververse huh?” The Doctor said, bending down to get a better look at the enthusiastic mare. “Well I think I’ll be the judge of that, well gang what do you say?” The Doctor said turning around to his companions.

“Why not?” The young women said shaking her head with a smile.
The young man smiled and nodded along, taking a few glimpses at the participants.

“Now what are we having, I hope there’s no apples I’ll have you know I absolutely can’t stand apples.”

“I beg yer parden?!”

And so it was the best Christmas in the eververse.

Author's Note

Dear Readers.

Happy holidays my dahlings, I hope you have a fantastic season and a merry Christmas. And for the few it wasn't obvious for, this was Kinda sorta my little send off to Matt Smith as the Doctor by referencing my favorite Matt Smith episode (which I cried like crazy to). Like I said, expect chapter 11 within the break, the writing bug has bitten and it's bitten hard baby. Hugs and Kisses

Yours Truly, The Cake Devil.

Too Far.

Chapter 11

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

Alone in the chapel stood Silver Shroud, slightly older. He had grown a considerable amount since his years as a colt. He could almost lock eyes with the average pony. His mane and coat had grown darker in color, his mane now a jet black and his coat only a few shades away from matching it.

The young prince silently read the inscription before him, “In loving memory of King Amber Shroud, and Princess Ruby Heart, taken in the efforts to make peace. Their memories shall live on forever.”

Since the news reached the Empire, to the funeral itself, Silver had not shed a single tear, swallowing hard every now and again in order to keep back the pain from the public’s prying eyes.

Having had his fill of the monument for the time being, he gave a long sigh and was about to leave the place of great sorrow when he felt a hoof on his shoulder.

“They were truly two of a kind, weren’t they?” the feminine voice said. “Never have I seen so many ponies weep at one time in one place.”

Silver, being a little irritated that his privacy had been invaded, brushed the hoof off his shoulder and turned his head, scowling at the intruder. To his dismay, the intruder was none other than Princess Celestia. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped for a moment or two before he quickly regained his composure. “Princess Celestia, what are you doing here?”

She smiled at the prince, “I could ask you the same thing. Everypony in the Crystal Empire is searching for their new king, yet here you are, all alone.”

“I just need some time to think is all.”

“Understandable,” she said taking a few steps toward the colt. “Everypony else must deal with the pains of losing their leaders, but you, you have to deal with the loss of your parents. And even then, they come to you for guidance, for direction, for hope.”

Silver lowered his head as he grinded his teeth. “Is there something you needed your Majesty or—”

“As a matter a fact, there was something I wanted to know.” Silver’s eyes widened as Celestia lowered her neck, bringing herself snout to snout with the colt. “On this day, everypony in the Kingdom spared not a single tear for the loss of their beloved leaders. The streets were stained with the sorrow of every citizen except for two ponies, you and your elderly companion. The two of you stared on as your parents were taken away, and even now your eyes show no sign of sadness. I would like to know what kept the two of you so strong?”

“Well,” Silver started, taking a few steps back from the Princess. “Diamond says that we need to stay strong for everypony. The responsibility has fallen to me to guide the ponies of this kingdom, so I need to let everypony else cry for me.”

Celestia smiled. “I see, that’s very noble of you, Silver.”

“Well that and—” Silver stopped mid-sentence. Biting his tongue, his eyes widened and his head turned, averting his gaze from the Princess.

Celestia raised a brow as her smile faded. “‘And’ what?” She said stepping closer to the prince once more.

“P…perhaps one day, death won’t have to be the end.”

Celestia shook her head, as a frown crawled across her face. “I’m afraid that dream of yours may be a little farther out of your grasp than you think, your Majesty.” She paused as she turned toward the memorial. “Perhaps one day, ponykind will be able to prolong life to a very, very long time, but in the end I’m afraid we all must face it.” The Princess stopped, and in a low hushed breath she said through closed teeth. “Including me.”

Silver looked on in a moment of stunned silence. “Princess, what if there was a way to keep going after your body has expired?”

“Prince Silver!”

The two of them looked to the entryway to find a white maned and slightly wrinkled crystal pony, making his way to Silver with a rather sour look.
“Diamond, I—”

“Please excuse us, Princess,” Diamond said, wrapping a leg around Silver. “His majesty’s presence is required by the royal council.”

Celestia nodded. “I understand.” She bowed her head to the two of them. “It was a pleasure talking with you, your Majesty; I do hope we can do it again sometime.”

As the two made their way down the aisle, Celestia watched with narrowed eyes. When she was sure the two were out of earshot. She walked to a nearby wall and cast a ball of aura onto it. A moment later an image of a guard pony appeared.

“How might I serve you, your Majesty?” the guard asked.

“I’d like a tightened watch on the activates going on within the Crystal Empire, primarily anything surrounding his Majesty and his assistant.”

“Yes, Princess, will that be all?”

“Indeed, now make it so,” she said, closing the portal between the two of them. As she did, she took one last look at the monument, and with a bright flash of aura, was gone.

Unbeknownst to her, pressed against the wall just behind the door, were Diamond and Silver.

“Do you realize what you’ve done!?” Diamond said slamming the door behind him.

“I’m sorry!” Silver said, his eyes winced and his posture leaned back. “I just thought that maybe she might be able to help us.”

“Help us?! That’s exactly what we needed, Silver, more guards breathing down our necks and an even closer eye kept on us by the Princess herself!”

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry.”

“Is that all you can—” Diamond paused; his anger sank as tears began to fall from the sunken head of the young colt. He gave a heavy sigh and walked over to Silver, wrapping his foreleg around his back and bringing him close. “There, there, Silver, it will be alright. I know you didn’t mean to cause any harm. But you need to realize that our work is to be kept a secret from all of Equestria for the time being. If the wrong pony were to find out about our work, about the crown, all of our work would be for nothing.” Diamond placed his hoof under Silver’s chin and gently raised it upward, lightly patting away the tears that slid down the colt’s face. “Do I make myself clear, your majesty?”

Silver nodded.

“Good, now I do believe we’ve kept the council waiting long enough. Shall we be off then?”

As Twilight walked through the forest, a soft sniff came from her nose as her head hung low, her eyes red with tears. “You did what you needed to, Twilight,” she said to herself. “Dipper could have been killed back there and then what would you do? Besides, you never should’ve got him involved with all this in the first place. All this could have been avoided if it wasn’t for—” She stopped in her trek and looked up from the ground with a scowl on her face. “Discord. This is all his fault!” Twilight said, stomping her hoof. “If it wasn’t for his stupid game of hide and go seek, I would have never picked Dipper up by mistake, he would never have gotten hurt, and I would have never had to leave him!”

She screamed as she used her magic to uplift a tree from its roots and fling it into an adjacent tree, knocking the other tree over as the sounds of fleeing woodland creatures echoed throughout the forest.

Twilight stood there, taking in deep heavy breaths as the forest slowly calmed itself. “Why… why did it have to be like this?”

Her train of thought was suddenly derailed by a loud explosion echoing from whence she came.

Twilight whipped her head up in a sudden fright. “That explosion came from the shack. That could only mean…oh my gosh—Dipper!” Twilight quickly took flight in the opposite direction, disregarding everything else as one thought zoomed through her mind.

“Please let him be okay.”

“NOW!” Discord shouted.

In a scream of elderly fury, wielding a golden upside-down oil lamp above his head, Stan descended upon the bewildered trickster. Bill turned around just as the lamp made contact with him. As Stan fell, the oil lamp seemed to consume Bill in a heavenly light, sucking up his entire figure until there was nothing left by the time Stan hit the ground. In one swift motion, Stan quickly pulled out the lid to the lamp and sealed the opening.

Stan and Discord opened their eyes with a jolt as the world around them regained their colors and the world resumed its natural flow.

“Wow,” Stan said, remaining in his crouched position. “I can’t believe that actually worked!”

“And what exactly is that suppose to mean?” Discord said as he crossed his forearms. “Of course it worked, with my astute mind and acting abilities, there wasn’t a reason why this plan wouldn’t have worked.”

“Really?” Stan said raising a brow. “Because it looked to me like he was about ten seconds away from rearranging your parts more than they are now, and you were five seconds from falling to pieces yourself.”

“Nonsense.” Discord waved a dismissive paw, shifting into a Shakespearean ensemble with a flick of his finger, turning to a volleyball with a smiling hand print as he spoke. “I was merely displaying my well-honed skills in the theatrical arts for this grand occasion.”

“Oh yeah? Then how come your knees are still shaking?”

Discord looked down to see his knees rattling out of control. Throwing the volleyball behind him, he looked back up to Stan with a glare. “What, like you’ve never had stage fright before?” He said in an annoyed tone. “Enough chit-chat, let’s give our guest a warm welcome into this plane of reality.”

“I don’t know.” Stan said, holding close to the lamp. “Maybe we should give him just a little more time to cool down?”

Discord slid the lamp out from Stan’s grasp. “Trust me, he’s had two thousand years to calm down and you’re looking at the result. So it’s best we just get this over with.”

Holding the lamp by the handle, Discord hesitantly rubbed the lamp on its side. As he did, a small stream of smoke emitted from the lamp. At the end of the cloud, stood Bill with his arms at his side and his eye turned to a solid glare.

“Alright,” Bill said. “You have my attention.”

“Dipper, what are we going to do?!” Mabel screamed as she frantically shook her brother.

“I don’t know, just give me a minute to think!” Dipper shouted back as he rubbed his temples.

Mabel made her way over to a corner of the shack. She lowered her gaze to the remains of a small cardboard box with the name “Waddles” scribbled on it. A tear dripped down her face as she bent down and placed one of the pieces in her hand. Clutching it tightly, she rose to her feet with a look of pure determination on her face. She turned around, wiped her nose, and began to storm out of the Shack.

“Mabel?” Dipper quickly noticed this and began walking alongside her. “Mabel, hey where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going to get our friends back,” She said, her face holding a twinge of rage.

“But you don’t even know where you’re going. You don’t have a plan, you’re not prepared, and you don’t even know what you’re up against!”

“Don’t care.”

“Mabel, just wait a second.”

“NO! I’m not waiting, Dipper! Gideon’s gone too far this time and now he’s gonna pay.”

Dipper froze for a moment. For all the years he had been with his sister, this was new. No longer was there the girly-goofball Mabel that he was use too. What stood before him was a Mabel in pain, a sister that felt she had nothing to lose and everything to gain. A Mabel that he had to stop.

Dipper hesitantly put his hands on Mabel’s shoulders. “Mabel, listen to me. If you do this right now, you’re only going to get yourself either captured or worse.”

“So what? It’s better than just sitting around thinking.”

“Mabel, you’re not listening!” Dipper shouted, lightly shaking his sister. “If something happened to you, where do you think I would be, huh?! I need you right now more than ever, and you getting captured right now would only make things worse.”

Mabel’s eyes softened as Dipper’s words slowly began to sink in through the rage.

“Look, I know you’re mad, but we will get everyone back I promise. But we need to work together, okay?”

Mabel slowly nodded.

“Good.” Dipper said as he let go of Mabel. “Now, first thing’s first, we need to find Twilight.”

“Your girlfriend?”

“For the last time, she’s not my—”

“Dipper!”

Dipper turned around just in time to see the purple Alicorn swoop down and scoop him up in her forelegs.

“Oh thank Celestia you’re alright, I was so worried.”

Dipper’s face had turned a bright red as it was pressed into Twilight’s neck.

“I’m fine,” he muttered. “Can you please put me down now?”

Twilight’s eyes shot open as she began turning a bright shade of red.

“Yes, of course. Sorry about that.” With a few flaps of her wings the two of them were safely on the ground.

“Dipper, what happened?! It looks like an Ursa Minor threw a temper tantrum in here.”

“Well, you’re not far off, it was Gideon and the timberwolf. They came in and kidnapped everyone.”

“Do you know what they wanted?”

“Yeah they—”

The two of them stopped in mid speech. Standing there, her mouth wide open and her eyes filled with stars, Mabel stood speechless as she stared at Twilight.

“Oh no,” the duo said.

Author's Note

Dear Dahlings.

Aha, first chapter of the new year! Anyways I would of course like to think Insula Sol And Darkmatterbutterflies for coming to my aid at the drop of a hat! Let me know what you guys think, it's been a while since we last spoke, how is every pony liking season 4?!

Yours Truly, The Cake Devil.

The Sweet Sound of Silence.

Chapter 12

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

“So that’s the plan, huh?” Bill said, rubbing the space under his eye. “And what, pray tell, is in it for me?”

“Well, how about your freedom for starters?” Discord responded with a shrug.

“What?! Are you craz—” Stan was cut off as the snap of a claw rendered his mouth nonexistent.

“It’s a start, but it’s gonna take a lot more,” Bill said, unhinging his eye to let loose a scroll that unrolled itself to the ground and beyond. “First of all, I want seven ounces of Hydrogen chloride and thirty six gallons of a wooden rocking horse.”

Discord gave a small sigh. “Let’s just start with your freedom and work our way down the list, deal?” Discord stuck his lion’s paw out to the floating pyramid.

“Deal.” Bill raised his stick figure arm and shook it up and down.

“Mhmhmhph!” Stan mumbled, still lacking a mouth.

“Oh, right, sorry about that, I was getting too used to the silence.” Discord snapped his claws once more, bringing back Stan’s noise maker.

“Ha, s’taht hcum retteb! Tiaw, tahw did uoy od ot em!?”

“Oh, come now, don’t be like that, I literally turned your constant frown upside down. Or perhaps inside out…or maybe it was your tongue I messed with, Stan could you do me a favor and say—” Discord turned his head to be face to face with the double barrels of Stan’s shotgun.

“—Ah.” Giving a ‘harrumph’, Discord raised his paw and snapped his fingers once more. “Has anyone ever told you you’re sense of humor could use some serious work?”

“My sense of humor is fine, it’s just everyone else is either a moron or insane,” Stan deadpanned.

“Anyways, do you really think we can— wait, how do we put him away?” Stan asked pointing to Bill.

“Put me away!? What do you mean p—”

“Like this.” Discord rubbed the lamp once more, within moments, Bill’s body began to run thin as it stretched into the lamp. With a fading scream, Bill quickly disappeared into the spout of the golden relic.

“Right, now that that’s out of the way, do you really think we can trust this guy?”

“Let me put it to you this way, if my head were to turn into a diamond right now, I’d have more faith in the possibility that you wouldn’t decapitate it and sell it to the highest bidder.”

“Wait, can you really do that? Don’t mess with me, patch job, I’m an old man with expensive dreams.”

Discord gave a disconcerting sigh as he ran a paw down his face. “Point being, we have his trust just so long as we have his attention.” Discord craned his serpentine neck down and pressed his forehead to Stan’s, staring into the elderly man’s eyes with deep intensity. “So that doesn’t mean blatantly spouting any negative thoughts towards our new ally, do I make myself clear?”

Stan hastily backed away from the glaring beast. “Alright, alright, easy there, Frankenstein, I got it. No need to go drill sergeant on me, yikes.”

“Good,” Discord said, leaning his neck back to an upright position. “Then to the crystal garden we go!” he said, giving a snap of his lions paw.

But the two hadn't moved, much to Discord’s dismay.

“I don’t understand.” Discord said, frantically snapping his claws. “We should be there right now, why isn’t it working?” He asked before his claws gave a heavy wheeze and fell limp, swinging freely as smoke began to rise from the appendages.

“So uh, patches, what’s the hold up?” Stan asked.

“The ‘hold up’ is that something is preventing us from getting anywhere near the crystal garden! Which, one, means our dark friend has kicked his plan into overdrive. Two, the dark aura from said plan is interfering with my magic. And three, without magic, we can only get there the old fashion way.”

“What exactly does that mean?”

“It means get on my back.”

“Your girlfriend is a purple-talking-pegicorn!?” Mabel blurted. “Why didn’t you tell me this?!”

“She’s not my girlfriend!”

“I’m an Alicron!” Twilight shouted. “Dipper, what the hay were you thinking?!”

“What, me?! What about you, you’re the one who ran off!”

“I did not ‘run off’ I did what I thought was for the best.”

“Oh yeah, and as you can see that worked out just fine, poindexter.”

“Excuse me?!”

“Enough!” Mable screamed. Dipper and Twilight looked up from their argument, directing their attention to her.

“Fighting is doing nothing but wasting time, and that’s the one thing we need right now. Dipper, you can explain this to me later. But right now our friends need us, and bickering isn’t going to do squat! So let’s think of something that can get our friends back, can we do that?”

Dipper and Twilight turned their attentions away from Mabel and back to each other. With a shared averted gaze the two mumbled their apologies to one another.

“Alright then, now that that’s out of the way, Twilight,” she said, pointing to the Alicorn.

“Y-yes?”

“Who is this Sombra guy and how hard do I need to punch him till he gives us our friends back?”

“Wh-what?” Twilight said shaking her head in disbelief. “King Sombra is almost at the peak of his power, you can’t just ‘punch’ him and hope to win!”

“Look, girls,” Dipper interjected. “Neither one of us are strong enough to take on Sombra alone. So we’re going to need some help, and I think I know just where to find it.”

“Blast!” Diamond said, slamming a hoof on the table. “So close, so, so close this time.” The elderly stallion muttered as he held a shaking hoof to a chalk board and scratched a mark below a board already filled to the brim with a multitude of preexisting tallies.

“A more focused source of energy, yes, that’s what we need, yes.” He said as he glanced into the dimly lit room, separated by a sheet of glass. With a disappointed sigh, Diamond pulled a red rope, drawing a curtain between him and the lifeless mass that lie on the otherside.

As he turned to look up from the curtain, his attention shifted to the gray stallion standing in the doorway.

“Ah, Silver Shroud, you’re back,” Diamond said with a nervous grin. “And just how long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough,” Silver said with a sigh and a shake of his head. “I thought you said that we’d limit our testing on living beings before I left?” he asked, stepping into the musty workshop as he passed a cage of shivering parasprites.

“Oh come now Silver, they’re just parasprites. If they’re not breeding then they’re eating everything in sight.”

“Just parasprites, huh?” Silver said, glancing back at the board.

“Well yes, and the occasional woodland creature but nothing outside of th—”

“Lies!” Silver hissed.

Violently slamming his foreleg onto the desk, the stallion cleared the contents onto the floor with one swoop. In their place he placed a piece of parchment.

“Diamond Dog Disaster,” Silver angrily read. “The bodies of three diamond dogs were found outside city limits. What was thought to be the simply diamond dogs being diamond dogs, was quickly dismissed as there were no fresh scratch or bite marks on any of the bodies. On a more disturbing note, all three of the victims’ faces were frozen in a state of sheer terror, along with bruises on their wrists and ankles, suggesting that all three bodies were restrained.”

“You don’t understand,” Diamond said, cautiously approaching Silver. “The subject needs sentience in order for the process to properly work. Without that element, the subject’s soul will wander aimlessly under the illusion that it’s passed on and will give up all hope of escape!”

“Diamond, listen to yourself!” Silver roared. “This isn’t simply buying animals at the underground market, we’re talking about actual lives. Diamond dogs are one thing, but just how far are you willing to go for your blasted results?”

“I’ll go as far as I need to!” Diamond shouted, slamming a hoof onto the table. “This work supersedes the lives of all who dwell in our world and it’s the only way it’s going to be freed from its tyrannical rulers once and for all!”

“Again with your hatred for the royal sisters. It seems every time the wind doesn’t blow right it’s their fault. I’ve listened to your babblings since I was a foal, but only now do I see them for what they really are, the ravings of a mad old fool. Ravings from a sad old stallion who is too thick headed to see the good that they have done for the world!”

“But it’s all a lie! None of it is right, none of it! No being was meant to have the control over nature as we do, yet we have pegasi controlling the weather and unicorns altering the fabric of reality. Our very destinies are assigned by theses ridiculous brands on our hindquarters and everypony simply goes along and dare not question ‘why’?

“Do you want to know why that is, Silver? Time. Time, Silver, the one thing that none have enough of. With enough time, everything that we as a society hold precious will fade away. Facts that could alter the very essence of who we are, forgotten or worse yet, altered to fit the twisted will of those who remember it. But with this, Silver, with the crown on our side, we can break down that final wall and tear the veil that has been pulled over societies eyes for so long!”

“I’ve heard enough,” Silver said, brushing past Diamond on his way out. “It ends tonight; I want this room cleared out by tomorrow. No more testing, no more bodies, no more crown. You’re still welcome here but as long as I live you will not put anything or anypony under your experiments again. Do I make myself clear?”

“You’re dooming every last one of us, you ignorant fool!” Diamond screamed. His face turned red with anger as the veins in his neck grew, pulsating up and down with every rasping breath.

“No. I’m trying to save what’s left of the stallion I once looked up to. I love you, Diamond, you’ve always been there for me before and after mother and father died. But these past few years have warped you…that crown has warped you, and it’s turned you into something else. The past few minutes have proved that to me, once and for all. So I’ll say it once more, this ends tonight. And be warned, if I catch wind of any more testing or strange bodies found, I won’t hesitate to call upon the royal guard myself. I’m sorry, Diamond, but this is the only way.”

Silver made his way out the door, closing it behind him. He began his silent ascent up the spiraling staircase, counting the steps as to keep his mind off the ear piercing sounds of rage coming from the lab.

“Time is running out, Sombra,” the entity said. “Our enemies are weakened, but they still remain, and are growing stronger as we speak.”

“I know,” Sombra said. Heaving a heavy sigh, he turned to look at the entity floating before him. “I’m aware of what needs to be done but—”

“Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh, ssssssssh. There is no need for any worries, my little Sombra, I will take care of everything whilst you prepare.”

“Very well,” Sombra said as the entity faded away.

In a flurry of broken branches and crushed bushes the timberwolf emerged, sliding to a stop in front of Sombra. Clutching onto the creatures wooden hide for dear life was Gideon, his face frozen in a frown and his whole body shaking uncontrollably.

“When I say slow down, you slow down!” Gideon screamed. To which the timberwolf responded with a low, rumbling growl.

Rolling his eyes, Sombra put on a sneer and levitated the pudgy creature off the beast and placed it at his hooves.

“Am I to assume you return successful, slave?” Sombra asked, leaning his neck down with narrowed eyes and a glowing horn.

“Yes, sir, three hostages, just like you asked.” Gideon reported. Reaching into his jacket he pulled out three black gems, each with their own prisoner trying frantically to break through the crystal.

“Well then, congratulations are in order,” Sombra said as the glow dimmed form his horn. “You’ve successfully prevented your destruction after the final task.”

“Final task, your lordship?”

“Indeed. In order to obtain the last remaining power required for my ascension, a physical bond between myself and the crystals core. This process leaves me susceptible to attack and thus in need of protection during.” Sombra turned his back to Gideon, his eyes gazing up the length of the great crystal. “That’s where you come in.”

“M-m-me?! Are you crazy?!” Gideon screamed.

In an instant Sombra turned his head to Gideon. Black aura pouring out of the corner of his eyes as his fangs glistened in the dark light.

“Aha, what I meant to say was, while I would gladly lay my life on the line, I doubt I’d last very long against our foes.”

“Of that I am painfully aware, that’s why it’s only your body we’ll be using.”

“We?”

“Me, to be more specific,” A voice whispered into Gideon’s ear.

Gideon turned around with lighting speed to be face to face with two blood red eyes nestled among a cloud of darkness. As he opened his mouth to scream the entity gave a sinister cackle and rushed into his mouth and disappeared down his throat. For a moment, Gideon stood in place, gasping for air as he attempts to register what just happened. Attempting to scream once more, Gideon took in a deep breath of air only for it to be caught in his throat. Suddenly seized with intense pain, he fell to the ground clutching his stomach and quivering uncontrollably. With a deep breath, Gideon ceased all movement and calmly climbed to his feet. He turned to face Sombra, now bearing the eyes of the entity.

“You’re turn Sombra,” the possessed Gideon said.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Sombra teleported to the tip of the crystal formation. With his eyes closed tightly, the lord’s horn sprang to life, enveloping him in its dark magic. The aura quickly solidified into its own crystal, trapping Sombra in a transparent tomb. The aura began to spread down the length of the main crystal slowly working its way into the soil and deep into the very core of the mineral.

Gideon turned away from the crystal. Staring to the forest, the fiend chuckled through a sneer.

“It’ll all be over soon. After so long, everything is falling into place.”

Author's Note

Dear Dahlings.

WOOOOOOOO! Happy Birthday FAM! Wait, what's that? What do you mean I'm a day early?! Anywhozers yes indeed I am a day early in celebrating the one year anniversary of when I first submitted my humble jumbeled group of words to the masses. Never would I have thought that I'd gain so much love and so many friends from this experience. I'd like to thank Darkmatterbutterflies ( in a couple days will commemorate the anniversary of when we first met) who set me on the path that I now follow today, Wasabi-Beans, who although left my side to attend to other antics, still holds a place in my heart for being one of my first editors and who's Celesticord Fic was the reason I joined this wonderful sight in the first place. And last but not least Insula Sol, he remains one of my biggest inspirations and one of my biggest fans(as I am his :))). There are just so many people I'd like to thank so I have s surprise for the lot of ya. In the ajurning blog post will be the first bit of the prequel to FAM! It's a working title and I have a lot of work still ahead of me. It's just my way of saying thank you to the people I didn't name in this post.

Thank you all so much,
Yours Very Truly, The Cake Devil.

A Call to Arms.

Chapter 13

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

Shouts rang out in the center of a clearing deep within the forest. In it stood various creatures of all shapes and sizes, bickering at one another.

“Everyone, please, if I could get your attention,” Dipper yelled, trying to gain control over the crowd.

“Look, Destructor,” Chutzpar the Manotaur began, rising up amongst his brethren. “The only reason we’re not pounding in the faces of you and every other nerd here, is because we were promised a year supply of beef jerky! That and some lotion for Clarks growth, seriously it’s been weeks since he got it and at this point, it’s just getting hard to look at,” he said as his fellow Manotaurs roared in agreement.

“Please, gentlemen, try to show some patience,” a large multi-headed bear said, stepping into the clearing. “I’m sure Dipper has a perfectly logical exp—”

“Oh no, no, no, no, no, no! Destructor I knew you were lame, but to invite this…loser, is just sinking to a whole new level!”

“Chutzpar, come on man,” Dipper pleaded. “We need all the help we can get, now, if we could just put aside our—”

“Hey! Quit your complaining!” a brown haired gnome yelled. “This isn’t exactly a ‘Women Looking for Short Men’ pageant that we were promised. In fact, this looks more like a— what do you call it, it has something to do with hot dogs or sausages. Do you have any idea, Shmebulock?”

“Shmebulock.”

“Yeah, that’s it, a baseball game!”

As the arguing grew louder, Dipper gave a heavy sigh and turned to face Mabel and Twilight.

“Gah, this isn’t working!” he groaned. “Twilight, is there any way you can get their attention?”

“Well, there is one,” Twilight said. “But for a crowd this big, not to mention noisy, it’s going to take some concentration.”

“Whatever it is, just do it. We’re kind of on a tight schedule here.”

Twilight nodded and made her way to the front of the crowd. Taking a deep breath in, Twilight’s horn ignited with its raspberry aura, pulsating and building in mass with every beat. As she was about to release the spell onto the oblivious crowd, a shrill scream rang out from an unknown location. Shouts of anger transformed into screams of agony as the screeching forced the group to their knees. After what seemed like an eternity, the screeching finally let up, leaving the crowd in a bewildered state of silence.

“Yikes,” Dipper said. “When I asked to get their attention, I didn’t mean make their eardrums bleed.”

“I hate to disappoint,” Twilight said. “But that wasn’t me.”

“Then who—”

“That would be me.”

Dipper and Mabel shuddered as the familiar voice cut through their very souls. Looking up to confirm their nightmares, they were met with a lanky figure, with twig-like arms and legs. A patchwork suit covered his dark purple skin, while a dime store smiley mask eyed them both. Standing directly above them, was the Summerween Trickster. “Hello children,” he said. “It’s been too long.”

“Mabel, get back!” Dipper said as he grabbed his sister and forced her behind him. “What are you doing here, man?!”

“Yeah?!” Mabel said. “And aren’t you suppose to be dead, we saw Soos eat you and stuff!”

Twilight quickly slid in between the twins and the lurching creature, her horn at the ready. “Dipper, what are we dealing with here?”

“He’s the Summerween Trickster and he’s—”

“Here to help,” the Trickster said.

“What?!” the three screamed.

Silver calmly made his way down the halls of the crystal castle, stopping every so often to rub his eyes in an attempt to ward off the seduction of sleep. Rest had eluded the King due to the events the night prior.

“I did the right thing,” he mentally repeated to himself.

As he pushed the doors to the dining room open, his eyes immediately fell upon the lone soul sitting alongside his chair: Diamond. Having had his meals delivered to his lab for so long, his presence was something of a shock. And taking into account the night before, only adds suspicion to the king’s mix of feelings.

“Good morning, your majesty!” the old stallion said, smiling and waving to an increasingly confused Silver. “Did you have a good night’s rest?”

“I did,” the king lied. Making his way to the head of the table, his eyes never leaving the aged stallion. “And yourself?”

“Oh, like you’d never believe. It was like sleeping on the softest of clouds. Huh, almost gave me a little Pegasus envy, it did,” he said, following a short burst of laughter.

“I see,” Silver said, as he took his seat. “Well, I’m glad to hear that. D…Diamond, there’s something—”

“Hold that thought, Silver,” Diamond said, rubbing his hooves together. “I do believe I see breakfast coming our way.

Sure enough, breakfast was making its way to the dining hall.

Silver watched as Diamond eagerly eyed his food as it was slid in front of him and thanked the young maid who brought it to him.

“Is everything alright, Master Silver?”

Snapping his head to the voice, Silver smiled and nodded to the elderly butler.

“Ye-yes, everything is fine. Thank you, Wise Heart, that will be all.”

The butler nodded and made his way back to the kitchen.

“Come along, Calm Fire.”

“Coming, Grandfather,” the young mare said, disappearing into the kitchen.

“Well,” Diamond said. “No use in letting this get cold, let’s dig in, shall we?”

“Indeed,” Silver said, giving a small nod.

As the two ate, Silver’s eyes would dart back and forth from his meal, to Diamond, then back again. Puzzled as to what could have happened to change the raging stallion he left the night before into an almost mirror image of his former self.

“Is there something on your mind, Silver?”

Once again, Silver was brought back to reality. He turned his head to see Diamond gazing at him, with a smile upon his lips.

“No… well… yes, actually.” Silver said. “About last night—”

“Let me stop you right there,” Diamond interrupted. “You were right.”

For a brief moment, Silver’s eyebrows raised in sheer and utter bewilderment at what he was hearing. Questions raced through the king’s head, begging to be asked. Taking a deep breath, Silver dismissed all other thoughts and calmly replied, “Go on.”

“After you left last night, I had a long hard think with myself,” Diamond sighed. “And what I had come to realize was, I had lost control. Over the years, I slowly convinced myself that finishing my work was the only thing that mattered, and that mind set was leading me down a dark path, as you saw last night. What happened was the shock that I needed to stop myself from going any further down the road I was taking.”

“I see,” Silver said, exhaling a deep breath. “Diamond… I just want you to understand, I was only doing what I thought was best. It was evident long before the paper, that was just the breaking point. All your meals were delivered to you, you never left the lab, and when you did it was under the cover of night to gather more materials for your experiments. Gone was the stallion that had always been with me throughout my life, and in his place was a ghost. I…I just wanted the things back the way they were. I need you, Diamond, you’re my friend, you’re my most trusted advisor, and you’re the closest thing that I have to a father.”

Diamond reached over and lightly patted Silver’s hoof, and bearing a warming smile. “There, there, Silver, everything is going to be alright. I’m back, and I’m here to stay.”

Stan leaned against a tree, gasping for air as sweat stained his clothes and drenched his forehead. The lamp rested on the ground at his feet.

“By the nine realms,” a minuscule Discord groaned from upon Stan’s shoulder. “I’ve met rocks who’ve moved faster than this, granted I put wings on them, but rocks nonetheless!”

“Back….off…franken-mutan—oh boy I just can’t do it. It’s too much effort. Tell ya what, think of an insult and I’ll let you know if I’d call you it.”

Rolling his eyes, Discord snapped his claws and grew to normal size. He then proceeded to slap Stan’s cheeks and spray his face with a bottle of water before slinking behind the wheezing grunkle and placing his claws on his shoulders.

“Come on, old timer, I know you have some fight in those old decrepit bones of yours. We’re almost there, I can just feel it.”

“I think you’re mistaking ‘fight’ for exhaustion, and don’t touch me,” Stan said, swatting away the Draconequus’ hold. “Remind me again why I’m the one busting my hump when you have six perfectly yet to be broken limbs?” He asked in an exhausted rage filled huff.

“Tut, tut now, Stanly,” Discord said, waving a talon at him. “One does not question the brains of the operation, lest he be wanting to get anywhere.” Snapping his claws once more, he returned to his former size and rested back on Stan’s shoulder. “Besides, we’ve been over this, dark magic is messing with my naturally chaotic powers. Break’s over, less talk, more walk!”

“Fine.” Stan groaned, picking up the lamp before bursting into a small jog.

“You’re plus size load doesn’t help the situation either.”

“I heard that! For your information I happen to be quite appealing to the ladies.”

“Oh, is that so? I had no idea the blind and deaf were so prominent in this area. But on another note, I am quite surprised you heard me. If it’s not the mass amounts of hair it’s the faulty hearing aid. At this point, I’m wondering how the world doesn’t just sound like one big muffled sound.”

Stan rolled his eyes and glared at the mini-trickster. “You do know where we’re going, right?”

“Oh, no need to worry about that, Stan-my-boy. That dark magic gives off a horrid aura that only gets stronger the closer we get, almost like someone’s painful halitosis.”

“Do you have any idea what they’re charging for toothpaste these days? Besides, peppermint candy is just as good as brushing.”

“Mmm, sure, I think your teeth would have something to say about that.”

“Look, freak show,” Stan said, stopping dead in his tracks, causing Discord to fall flat on his face. “You’re about three nerves away from landing yourself a knuckle sandwich! Now either pipe down and show some respect, or your face is going to be the next thing I take a step on, got it?!”

Discord’s eyes sunk back into his head as the initial shock of the outburst wore off. He nodded and gave a motion of zipping his lips.

“Good, glad that’s out of the way,” Stan said, continuing his jog. “Man, that felt good!”

“Dipper,” Twilight exclaimed. “Who, or what, in Celestia’s name is a Summerween Trickster?!”

“Long story short, a monster made out of candy who threatened to eat us but ended up getting eaten himself!” Dipper said, his gaze still focused on the creature. “Which begs another question, how are you here?!”

“Yeah,” Mabel chimed in. “We watched Soos eat you alive, which means you should either be a ghost or Soos’—”

“Ah-ba-ba-ba, Mabel, Mabel, that’s enough,” Dipper said, frantically cutting her off.

“Hmm,” the Trickster said. “Perhaps I do have some explaining to do. Very well, children, you shall have your answers.”

“Although the great Soos did consume most of my candy flesh, the truth of the matter is that a good portion of me slipped away from his warm grasp. These spare pieces found their way back to the dump, where I was able to piece myself back together, and reclaim my past form. Albeit with a few more…advantages, that is. And with this form came new purpose, and a debt to be repaid.”

“Look, that’s great and all,” Dipper said. “But that still doesn’t explain why exactly you want to help us.”

“Oh, but it does, dear boy,” the Trickster said.

Keeping his legs straight, the Trickster bent his upper half downward, and locked his dark, abysmal eyes onto Dipper’s.

“For today is the day that I repay the debt to the man who gave me not only peace, but a new purpose. Today, I fight not for revenge, but for honor, and for the glory of Soos!”

“Ahem,” Said a mass of collective voices.

The three turned around to see the crowd staring angrily at them.

“Blah, blah, blah,” Chutzpar mocked. “I think we’ve seen enough, come on, guys, we got stuff to punch,” He said, motioning for his comrades to leave.

“I can’t believe I wasted a perfectly good squirrel bath for this,” Jeff muttered.

“FOOLS!” the Trickster shouted, causing all to stop and turn once more to the figure. “If you leave now, you forsake not only your own lives, but the lives of every living being on the face of the planet.”

“Pfft, as if,” Chutzpar said. “The manotaurs can handle anything that comes our way!” The group roared in agreement.

“Yeah,” Jeff chimed in. “And us gnomes are masters of stealth and evasion, show ‘em guys!” He said as he turned around to see nothing but forest, except for a singular red hat poking out from a bush. “Great work everyone, except for that guy, yeah you behind the bush, is that you Marcus? Ya gotta up your game, man, we’ve talked about this, it’s all about—”

“Look,” Twilight said, cutting in. “It doesn’t matter how strong, or fast, or sneaky you are. This evil will infect everything from a single blade of grass, to the tallest mountain. It’ll feed, and feed, and feed until there is nothing left of this world but a twisted wasteland of crystals. And when it’s done with this world, it will be coming after mine…and by that point, I don’t think there’s anypony, or anyone who can do anything to stop it.” Twilight looked back to Dipper, who was wearing a face of concern. “So I ask you now,” she said turning back with a face of pure determination. “Who among you is brave enough to look sheer destruction in the face, and push it right back? Who among you, will rise out of the shadows and fight for a noble cause? Citizens of the forest, will you help save not just your own lives, but the lives of countless others, in countless worlds? So, I ask once again, Manotaurs, Gnomes, and everyone else, will you put aside your differences in the fight to defend everything that you hold dear? What say you?!”

A wave of enthused battle cries rushed over the Princess in response.

Dipper gave a small punch to Twilight’s shoulder, causing the princess to jump.

“I have to say,” Dipper said, “I’ve heard some pretty impressive speeches in my day, and that’s gotta be at least an eight and a half.”

“Oh really,” Twilight said, giving him a playful sneer. “And what would be a ten, Mr. Critic?”

“That title belongs to Stan talking his way out of our parents pressing charges, after getting the three of us in county jail for counterfeiting,” Dipper smiled. “But cheer up, you hold a spot in between Mabel trying to convince Mom and Dad to get a chinchilla, and Soos’ job application speech.”

Twilight smiled “Hey, speaking of Mabel, where did she go?”

“When I say Mabel you say Pines, Mabel!”

“Pines!”

“Mabel!”

“Pines!”
“Guys, you so gotta try this,” Mabel said, turning from the crowd. “I think these guys will say anything!”

Author's Note

Dear Readers.

Hello my dahlings, and welcome back! School is in full swing once again and I am sorry it took so long to give you this chapter. Things are going to be heating up soon so stay tuned.

Yours Truly, The Cake Devil.

P.S. Anyone spot my little easter egg yet?

Catching Up.

Chapter 14

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

“Why not her?” Diamond whispered, gesturing to a petite Pegasus across the ballroom. “She’s a little thin for my taste, but I’m sure she’d be a right fit for you.”

“First of all,” Silver whispered back. “She’s the Duchess of Prance, second, her spouse is right beside her, and third, thin or not, you’re old enough to be her grandfather.”

“Oh, nonsense,” Diamond retorted with a cocky smile. “Give me two minutes and I’ll have her eating out of my hooves. Diamonds are a mare’s best friend, after all.”

“Please...please stop,” Silver said, struggling to maintain his composure, as he hid a smile under his hoof.

It had been five weeks since Diamond had been pried out from his lab and back into the sunlight. During which, there was an almost instantaneous change in the stallion. He had indeed held true to his word and was far more involved with the young king’s life. Attending diplomatic meetings, joining him for every meal, he was even seen going on walks about the kingdom every now and then.

Now at the Grand Galloping Gala, the two stallions tried desperately to make the best out of an otherwise boring night.

“Good evening, King Silver,” a feminine voice called.

Turning around, the two stallions were faced with none other than the younger of the two sisters: Princess Luna.

“Ah, your majesty,” Silver said as he bowed his head.

“A good evening indeed,” Diamond said. “I must say, you’ve outdone yourself this time. Not once can I say I’ve seen the stars in the sky, as to rival the sun itself in their utter beauty.”

Silver turned to the stallion, his eyes the size of plates and his mouth hung slightly agape.

“Why th-thank you,” Luna said, as a small blush crawled over her muzzle. “We‘re glad we could impress. We do try to make the night sky particularly lovely for the Gala. Our apologies, but have we met? You seem oddly familiar.”

“No, not formally at least. I’m Diamond Chisel, assistant to Lord Silver Shroud, at your service.”

“Ah, well, it’s a pleasure to make, or perhaps, remake your acquaintance.” Her attention turned back to Silver, whose eyes were still fixated on Diamond. “And what of you, Silver, are you enjoying yourself?”

Silver’s eyes immediately snapped to the princess.

“Uh, yes, yes I am… Thank you for asking, Princess.”

“Well then,” Luna said looking off to the side. “If that’s all, we think we’d best be off.”

“Actually, your majesty,” Diamond said. “My lord wanted to ask you for a dance, if that would be alright.”

Silver’s jaw practically dropped to the ground as his face turned bright red.

“Well,” Luna said, looking off to the side. “We really should get back to helping our sister greet the guests—”

“Oh nonsense,” Diamond said waving a dismissive hoof. “I’m sure she’ll be fine for just one dance.”

“I suppose…very well then. Shall we make our way to the dance floor then, Silver?”

“Just wait one moment!” Silver said as he snapped back into reality. “I…” Silver paused, instantly entranced by Luna’s memorizing gaze.

“Do you…not wish to dance?” Luna asked, bearing a hint of pain.

“N-no, it’s not that, it’s just I’m not exactly well educated in the practice is all.”

“‘Tis no problem,” Luna said, a smile now adorning her muzzle. “Come, we shall teach you along the way.”

“Very well then.” Silver nodded as the two made their way to the center of the room.

“Have fun, you two,” Diamond said while waving the two off, causing Silver to turn his head and give a mock glare to the elderly stallion.

It was about five dances later and the two were still on the ball room floor. Diamond sat against the window, a smile on his face as he watched the two converse.

“I was beginning to wonder where she got off too.”

Diamond sighed at the voice, dropping his smile instantly.

“Figured it’d only be a matter of time ‘til I ran into the likes of you,” Diamond said, turning to Celestia.

The princess smiled. “I can’t say the same for you. Word was that you all but disappeared,” Celestia said as she took a seat next to the stallion.

“Your so called ‘spies’ tell you that? Little advice, next time you hire somepony to keep an eye on somepony, make sure the idiot remembers to not wear a Celestial Guard symbol for everypony with a working set of eyes to see.”

“Noted,” Celestia said.

An uneasy hush brushed over the two. Both reluctant to break it as they watched the young king and princess of the moon.

“They make quite the cute couple,” Celestia said, breaking the silence.

“My thoughts exactly,” Diamond responded. “It’s such a shame that she has to be associated with somepony like you.”

“I suggest you watch how you speak to me. Need I remind you you’re not in the safety of your crystal tomb? Which begs the question, why are you here in the first place?”

“I don’t believe it’s any of your business as to what I choose to do with my limited time.”

“Quite the contrary. Everything you do is my business.”

Diamond’s eyes narrowed. “If there’s something you want to say, just say it.”

“Very well,” Celestia said as she stood up. “But I’d rather discuss our business in a more…private setting.”

“Oh?” Diamond smirked. “Don’t want to risk your precious subjects seeing how you really are?”

“No,” she said turning her head to the stallion. “I was just thinking how much of a shame it would be to interrupt the happy couple.”

Diamond’s eyes widened, looking back up to Silver and Luna, his gaze softened, giving a sigh. Turning back to Celestia, Diamond gritted his teeth and glowered at her. “Very well.”

“Good,” she said turning her gaze back to her set path. “Now, if you’d be so kind as to follow me, we can get on with our night.”

Seven hours until the deadline.

The sun had started its slow descent downward, yet the forest was busting with life as the makeshift army prepared itself for battle.

Gnomes covered the area, with some stripping trees of any sturdy branches and turning them into arrows, others were attaching harnesses and mounts to several deer.

The Manotaurs trained vigorously, preparing themselves for the battle with an extreme workout regimen. Bench pressing massive boulders, and others squatting entire trees.

In the center of all this stood six figures gathered around an enormous stump.

“Alright,” Twilight said. “So, after I make the signal, the Manotaurs will strike from the north and the west—”

“Being led by me and the Multi-Bear,” Chutzpar interrupted.

“Right, and while that’s going on—”

“While sticking to the trees, myself and the trickster will lead two teams of gnomes from the east and south.” Jeff added.

“Riiight… so while Sombra is dealing with the main attack—”

“You swoop in and dive bomb him like some kind of insane falcon!” Mabel said.

“Ok, am I even needed here?!” Twilight huffed. “It seems that everyone knows what they’re doing.”

“Well in all honesty, your majesty,” the Trickster said leaning down. “We’ve been in agreement with the plan for quite some time; it’s been you who has been keeping us here.”

“Oh…” Twilight gave an awkward smile as her face began to redden. “Trickster, Jeff, Chutzpar, you’re dismissed. But be ready in—”

“Five hours,” the three creatures said before dispersing into the training ground.

Twilight sighed as she turned back to the stump, muttering inaudible gibberish.

“Uh, Twilight?” Dipper said placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Huh?”

“So, Mabel and I were wondering where we come into the plan?”

“You two aren’t coming.”

“What?! Come on, Twilight, not this again.”

“Dipper, I’m not arguing this with you,” Twilight stated as she turned to face the twins.

“They have our friends, Twilight. This is just as much our fight as it is yours.”

“Yeah!” Mable added. “How can you possibly expect us not to help?!”

“I know,” Twilight sighed. “Guys, look, this isn’t up for debate. This isn’t going to be a repeat of earlier—”

“‘Cause we’re going to help.”

“NO!” Twilight yelled. “Since we know what we’re getting into, I can be sure to keep you two out of harm’s way.”

“Twilight, you don’t have to do this alone. We can—”

“I said no!” Twilight shouted, causing the twins to jump. “Now, if you two wouldn’t mind, I need to go over a few more scenarios in my head.”

“Fine,” Dipper said, glaring at the princess before turning away. “Come on, Mabel.”

“What?” Mabel asked, looking back and forth between the two. “But Dipper—”

“I said let’s go!” Dipper turned back around. “Twilight obviously knows what she’s doing and it seems we’d just be in the way. So let’s just get out of here before we cause more of a nuisance.”

Mabel was about to give Dipper a piece of her mind once more, but right as she opened her mouth, she was stopped by Dipper giving a wink of his eye. A smile crawled across Mabel’s face, and after clearing her throat; Mable replaced the smile with a heavy frown and went to her brother’s side.

“You’re right, Dipper, she obviously does not need our help. So we shall take our leave and not help in any way because we shall be gone…and not helping!”

Dipper rolled his eyes.

“Well, good luck, Twilight,” Dipper said looking over his shoulder. “I don’t think you’ll need it, but, well, you can never be too sure.”

With that said, the two made their way into the training grounds, leaving the alicorn princess to her planning.

Twilight swallowed hard before taking a fleeting glance at the twins from the corner of her eye.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered before returning to her thoughts.

The door to Celestia’s room swung open, wrapped in a heavenly glow. Through them walked the princess of the sun herself, followed shortly by Diamond Chisel.

“Please,” Celestia said, “make yourself comfortable.” The door slammed shut with a slam, causing the stallion to jump. “We have much to discuss.”

Diamond gave a soft ‘hmph’ as he glanced at the door then back to Celestia.

“I see your chamber hasn’t changed since last I saw it,” Silver said, taking a seat on the marble floor.

“You’ll find that with quite a few things,” she said while lying down on her enormous pillow bed.

“Believe it or not, Celestia, I’d rather get on with my night. So if we could dispense with the small talk, that would be fantastic.”

Celestia smirked. “You haven’t changed a bit, have you, Skivier Topmon?”

Diamond glared back at her, raising his upper lip into a sneer.

“Very well,” Celestia said. “You have something that rightfully belongs to me and I want it.”

“Belongs to you?” He scoffed. “It belongs to you as much as the sun you claim to have complete control of.”

“Oh come now, Skivier,” Celestia said putting on a fake pout. “There must be something I can do to convince you. Name your price, wealth, power, I can give you back your youth if you so wish it, even cure you of your ailments.” She stood and made her way over to where the stallion was sitting. Leaning her neck over, she gently craned her neck around the back of his. “Just wish it and it shall be yours. Besides, you couldn’t begin to understand the capabilities of such a powerful artifact. So why not just return it to somepony who knows how to use it?”

“Somepony like who? You?” Diamond sneered as he pulled away from her. “Oh, dear Tia.” He shook his head back and forth. “There’s not a thing in this world or the next that could convince me to cooperate with the likes of you. I’d think you’d know me better than that.” Diamond stood up and turned to the door. “If this is all you wanted to say, I think we’re done here.”

“No, I don’t think we are.”

A halo of yellow aura wrapped around Diamond’s neck, choking the stallion as it lifted him into the air.

Celestia rose from her spot and walked to where the struggling stallion hung. A blast of golden light struck the door and rippled throughout the entirety of the room.

“There, that should ensure our conversation stays private.” Her eyes narrowed to a glare as she stared at him. “This game has been going on long enough and we both know it’s only a matter of time until I receive my prize. So why not just tell me where it is. It’ll make this far easier for me and far less painful for you.”

Diamond gave a winded chuckle and smirked at the Princess.

“You think you can scare me? Bah, I can see past this petty display of power. Something has gotten you scared.”

Celestia’s eye twitched.

“I’m right, aren’t I? What’s the matter, afraid of the changing times, growing population, or perhaps you’re finally realizing how big of a disappointment to your mother you are.”

“Don’t you dare speak of her, you insolent swine!” Celestia boomed in her royal Canterlot voice, throwing Diamond across the room and into a table, destroying it upon impact.

Diamond groaned, momentarily stunned by the impact, he quickly attempted to regain composure and stand to his feet. Only to be abruptly stopped by a hoof slamming down on his side, pinning him to the ground and breaking a few ribs in the process.

Celestia stared down at the stallion, golden aura streaming from the corners of rage filled eyes.

“You know nothing of my mother, you, or your accursed order. And now, like them, you shall perish at my hooves. But first you will tell me what I want to know!”

The stallion chuckled.

“Go ahead, make my day,” Diamond struggled to say as he fought under the increasing pressure. “I’m not long for this world anyway; you’d just be doing me a favor. Because when I die, so die the last possible hope you’d ever have of seeing that crown ever again.”

“Oh… I wouldn’t say that.” Celestias lips rolled into a smile. Turning her head, she blasted a ray of golden aura onto the mirror behind her. In it appeared Silver Shroud and Princess Luna conversing on the balcony under the moonlight.

“They look like they’re getting rather close.”

“You monster, he has nothing to do with this, so stay the bloody heck away from him!”

The image dissipated and her focus turned back to Diamond. “I thought I made myself clear,” she said while applying a sudden burst of pressure on Diamond, sending a shockwave of pain through the stallion’s body. “That I would do anything to get my just reward.”

Diamond gritted his teeth as pain radiated through every bone in his body.

“Either you tell me and you die, or you die and I invade the Crystal Empire until I find what is mine.” Craning her neck down, Celestia hissed into Diamond’s ear, “The choice is—”

“Sister.” A voice from the outside called out. “Sister, are you there?”

The rage in Celestia dimmed as she turned her head to the door. From her horn came a second blast of magic that this time hit a stationary area of the door.

“Yes, Luna, I’m in here, but I’m a little busy at the moment. Can it wait?”

“Well, actually, dear sister, Silver is about ready to take his leave and I was wondering if you might help us look for his friend Diamond.”

“Please, your majesty, there’s really no need,” a second voice spoke. “I’m sure he’s around somewhere. No need to bother your sister for it.”

“Oh don’t be silly. I’m sure she’d be happy to help, and I thought I asked thee to call us Luna.”

“No need strain yourselves, you two,” Diamond struggled to say. “I’m in here.”

Celestia's gaze shot to the crystal pony, a heavy glare plastered on her face.

“Diamond? What in the world are you doing in there?” Silver asked from the other side of the door.

“Me and the Princess were just catching up on old times. Isn’t that right, your majesty?”

“Yes…yes we were,” she said as her left ear franticly twitched.

“I do apologize for interrupting,” Silver said.” But your sister—er—Luna was right. We do have some business to attend to, and it’s best we take our leave now to have any chance of getting there early.”

“Very well then. He’ll meet you at the front entrance, we’ll be done shortly,” Celestia said returning her gaze to Diamond.

“Thank you, your Majesty,” Silver said. “I do hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.”

“See,” the hushed voice of Luna uttered. “We told you she’d help.”

Celestia rolled her eyes and stared at the stallion, his muzzle now bearing the tiniest of smirks.

“I don’t know what you’re so happy about,” she barked. “All you’ve done is buy yourself a little more time. My promise is still very much in effect.” With her horn surrounded once again by a golden aura, Celestia leaned down and firmly jabbed the tip of it into the pony’s side, getting a small grunt from him in response. Within moments, the bruises and cuts that littered his body were slowly beginning to vanish.

Celestia removed herself from his body allowing Diamond to shakily make his way back on his hooves.

“The clock is ticking, Skivier,” Celestia said. “How much time do you really think you can squeeze out of that feeble body of yours?”

“It’s not the time that matters,” Diamond said, his eyes still fixed on the door. “It’s what you do with it that counts.” Grabbing the handle, Diamond calmly opened to door to the halls of the palace. Stepping through the door and disappearing down the hall, leaving the Princess alone with her thoughts.

Hobbling down the steps, Diamond made sure to keep his head held high as he spotted Silver and Princess Luna waiting by a prepped carriage.

“I promise I’ll write as soon as I’m back home, your majesty,” Silver said sporting a glowing smile.

“Oh, very well,” Luna said, looking off to the side with a mock pout. “Art thou sure you must leave? The night is still so very young, and I could always have one of our elite guards fly you and Diamond back to the Crystal Empire.”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Silver said, giving a small chuckle. “I need to be on my way and I’ve kept you away from your other guests long enough.”

“Oh, fine, but one last thing before you go.”

“And what might that be—OW!” Silver started before receiving a firm punch to his shoulder.

“That’s for not calling us Luna once again!” she said with a light hearted glare. She quickly dropped it though as she looked around.

Silver only looked at her with a tilted brow. He opened his mouth to question the princess, only to be answered by a small kiss on the cheek.

“And that’s for a wonderful evening,” Luna said with a small blush dashed across her smiling muzzle.

Silver was still quite speechless, his mouth hung agape with his own face turning a bright red.

Luna giggled and gently closed his mouth with her forehoof.

“I expect to hear from you soon, Silver Shroud.”

“Y-yeah.”

Luna giggled before she turned around and walked back up the stairs.

“Have a wonderful night, your majesty,” Diamond said passing the princess.

“Eeep!” she squealed with a small jump. “I-I mean, to you as well, Sir Chisel… you didn’t see anything, did you?” Luna asked looking off to the side, her ears slightly folded down.

Diamond chuckled and gave the young princess a pat on the head. “Fear not, your majesty, I saw not a thing.” Diamond said giving a small wink.

Luna smiled. “Thank you,” she said as she resumed her trek up the stairs. “You have a wonderful night as well, and a safe trip back.”

“Thank you as well, your majesty.” Diamond said before turning away from the princess. He looked back for a moment, his eyes filled with a great sense of pity for the princess of the night. With a shake of his head, Diamond dismissed any feelings of sorrow and made his way down the steps.

Reaching the carriage, Diamond was amused to find Silver still stuck in his dumbstruck state.

“Did we have fun tonight, Master Silver?” Diamond blurted, sporting a devilish smile.

Silver quickly shook himself back into consciousness and turned his gaze to the elderly pony. “Y-yes, yes we—er—I did.”

“And I see you got a little mare friend out of the night, a princess no less,” Diamond continued, his grin only growing more devious by the second.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh really?” Diamond halted and placed a hoof on Silver’s cheek. “Because last I checked, it wasn’t custom for friends to bestow upon a fellow friend such an adorable little kiss.”

“You…you saw that?”

Diamond chuckled and removed his hoof from the stunned lord’s shoulder. Stepping past the king and entering the carriage. “No need to fret my dear boy, dear old Diamond will remind you all about the birds and the bees.”

“Please, for the love of all that is holy, not again!” Silver pleaded while following Diamond onto the carriage and closing the door behind him, thus signaling the driver and its several pegasi pullers to take flight.

“Oh, but why not?” Diamond continued. “I haven’t seen your face that red since you caught one of the maids and the cook kissing in the wash room.”

The old stallion could barely hold himself upright, tears streamed from his eyes as his laugh only grew louder.

“You-you-you couldn’t look either of them in the eyes for a week,” he managed to say before falling back into a laughing fit.

Silver’s eye gave an irritated twitch.

“I was young and they were performing that unorthodox…‘activity’, in the middle of the day!” Silver spat out.

“Young?! You were dang near 18!” he said before resuming his mad laughter.

Silver gave a frustrated sigh of defeat and turned his head to the side, grumbling something inaudible to anypony but himself.

Diamond regained his composure and sat back up in his seat shortly after. “All joking aside, Silver, if you do have any questions you do know you can—”

“—Always come to you. I know,” Silver said while glancing to Diamond with a single eye as his lips curled into a small smile.

“Good,” Diamond said, cracking a small smile of his own.

“Actually,” Silver said, sitting back up in his seat. “There is one thing I’d like to ask?”

“Oh, already? Very well then, shoot.”

“What were you and the princess talking about?”

Diamond’s smile morphed into a small frown, his eyes shifted out the window to the clouds passing by and sighed. “Just catching up on old times.”

“Old times?” Silver asked tilting his head. “I didn’t even know you two had a past. Why didn’t you—”

“Silver,” Diamond interrupted. “You need to remember every word I’m about to say. Promise me you’ll do that.” He turned his head away from the window.

Silver slowly nodded with a stunned yet worried look in his eye.

“By the time I leave this world there will still be many questions that have yet to be answered. With any luck, I will have taught you enough so that you can live a happy life and rule justly over your subjects. But know this,” Diamond said, leaning over to place his fore hoof on Silvers shoulder. “No matter what you end up doing with your life, I will always love you like the son I never had. I’m proud of you, Silver, of your choices in life, and of the stallion you’ve become. If your parents were still here, I think they’d say the same.”

Diamond finished by wrapping his forelegs around Silvers neck and hugging the young stallion tightly, to which Sliver responded by returning the gesture.

“Diamond… what aren’t you telling me?” Silver asked through shaky breaths.

“Things are going to change, Silver, events that will shake the very core of this land are about to take place. I’m telling you this to prepare you, because I don’t think I’ll be in this world long enough to help guide you through them.”

Diamond pulled back from the hug, his forehooves still resting firmly on Silver’s shoulders, locking his tear filled eyes with Silvers.

“It won’t be tomorrow, or the next, or the one after that, but soon and without warning.”

Silvers head began to shake back and forth as the tears in his eyes began flowing down his face.

“Diamond, I don’t understand,” he said, his voice growing increasingly shaky. “What’s wrong? Why are you telling this to me now?”

“It’s going to be terrifying and you’re going to want to run or hide,” Diamond continued, seemingly ignoring Silvers pleas. “But you can’t do either of them. You need to face this threat head on, or it will hunt down, devour you, and everything you hold dear in this world. I’m telling you this, to keep you from repeating my mistake so many, many years ago.”

“Diamond, answer me,” Silver practically screamed. “Why are you telling this to me now?!”

“Because I’m tired, Silver. So very, very tired, and I think when I close my eyes this time… I’m not going to be getting back up.” Without another word, Diamond suddenly sank to the carriage floor.

“Diamond!” Silver screamed, as he picked the stallion up and laid him down on his seat.

“Driver!” Silver yelled sticking his head out into the cold night air.

“Yes, milord?” The driver answered.

“There’s been a change in plans. Take us to the nearest hospital, now!”

“Yes, milord!”

Silver pulled his head back in and gently placed his ear to Silver’s chest. He pulled back breathing a small sigh of relief.

“A heartbeat. Faint, but still there,” Silver said to himself, his eyes growing deeper in concern. “Please Diamond, don’t go. Not yet, not yet.”

“Stan, get down!” Discord said with a dire sense of urgency, halting Stans stride in the process.

“Why, what’s wrong?” Stan asked, turning to the creature resting on his shoulder.

“Just do it!” Discord demanded.

Sensing the urgency in Discord’s voice, Stan compiled and lowered himself onto the forest floor. Without a second to lose, Discord snapped his claws and instantly a layer of forest debris covered the both of them.

“What the heck are you—”

“Shhh!”

Stan was about to make a retort when suddenly a group of timberwolves charged past the two, stepping only inches from where they hid.

The two waited until they were sure the beasts were out of hearing distance before releasing a shared sigh of relief.

“What the heck were those things?!” Stan asked, emerging from the forest floor.

“Timberwolves.” Discord answered.

“...You’re joking, right?”

“Unfortunately no. Look if we’re going to point out all the ridiculous puns of my world we’re going to be here for a while.”

“I mean seriously that’s such an awful pun—I-I-I-I don’t know what to say. You’re just taking two words that describe what they are and calling it good.That’d be like calling bees wingstingers , bunnies hoppingdiggers, or—”

“Stan!” Discord shouted. “Now’s not the time to be pointing out flaws in the naming system of another world!

“Look,” Discord said calming himself down. “Timberwolves, plus the sudden increase of dark magic, means we’re close… very close. So it’d be in our best interest to proceed with caution, capisce?”

“Yeah, capisce,.” Stan said proceeding in his path with a slow walk. “But those...things, he can’t expect to take over the world with nothing but angry kindling, right?”

“No, odds are those are just the pawns in this game of chess, keeping the big guns back for when the real game begins.”

“So then, what are the big guns?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. But if our plan works, he won’t get the chance to use them.”

Author's Note

Dear Dahlings.

Why hello my dears, and how might we all be this wonderful October? Anyways, just thought I might stop and tell you all that school is going so well that I'm planning to release the next chapter within the next two weeks. That, and I wanted to let you know that Discord, Stan, and the others will be receiving far more then what they received in this chapter.

Best of wishes, Yours Truly, The Cake Devil.

P.S. Wanted to give a big thanks to Dudeler for helping edit this as well as Insula Sol. You guys are the best!

Halloween Special

Dear Dahilings.

Great googley moogly, another chapter within the same week?! Yeah yeah, truth is this one , like the Christmas special, was rather spontaneous, don't ya wish I could write actual chapters this fast...yeah me too. Anywhozeer, editing is pending and chapter 15 is still on schedule.

I hope you this little brain child, as well as your Halloween.

Sincerely Yours, The Cake Devil.

Halloween Special.

Ah Nightmare Night, a night celebrating the late Nightmare Moon and the darkness she ruled over. A where fear reigns supreme, and all manner of monsters come out in the hopes to scare the unsuspecting pony. But most importantly, it’s when dressing up in costumes and asking for candy, is not only expected, but welcomed! It’s on this night of nights that we come across our friends of FaM, scattered about the streets of Ponyville, causing all manner of mischief and merriment.

Our first group we come upon are our favorite duo Dipper Pines and Twilight Sparkle. Dipper sported a generic cowboy costume. Twilight had used her magic and created the illusion that she no longer had her horn and tail, along with changing her fur and mane color, from her usual lavender and purple, to white coat with brown spots. Accompanying the two were none other than Pinkie Pie and Mabel Pines, who seemed to be dressed as the other. Mabel was sporting an all pink wardrobe, which included an almost blindingly pink sweater that she knitted three balloons into the center of. Her hair was dyed a matching pink and fashioned with maximum curl intended, and from her back pocket she sported a pink pom pom to act as a tale. Pinkie had dyed her mane and tail a light brown and straightened her mane except for a large ‘poof’ that she allowed to form at the end. Over her front section was a crimson sweater with a shooting star plastered in the middle of it, and in her mouth were apparently a set of temporary braces…Is that a thing? Seriously that had to have been extremely-
Of course they’re a thing silly, I’m wearing them aren’t I?
…Moving on!

“Man, I just can’t get over how close we are when it come to holidays,” Dipper said. “ Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, you guys have your very own versions of theses that are almost identical to ours.”

“It’s quite odd indeed,” Twilight said. “ Do you think there’s some kind of source for each of them?”

“Who knows, maybe, wanna research it when we get back to the tree house?” Dipper eagerly asked.

“Is Star Swirl the Bearded’s cap surrounded in bells?”

“I..don’t know, is it, is that a yes or-”

“Yes, it’s a yes.”

“Then count me-”

“Boooooooaring!” Mabel said from atop Pinkies back. “ Come on guys, save the nerd stuff for later, use those big brains of yours to figure out how to get more candy!”

“Yeah!” Pinkie said. “With your combined smartnessesses, we’ll be able to score like, a quadruple billion more pieces of candy!”

“Wow, is that even a real number?” Mabel asked sitting up from the pink mares back.

“With their smarts and our awesome costumes, we can sure as hay make it a number! A number that will represent delicious, sweet, and delicious candy.”

“You said delicious twice.” Dipper pointed out.

“That’s because all candy is double delicious!”Pinkie shouted.

“Speaking of costumes, what exactly are you two suppose to be?” Mabel said tilting her head.
“Oh that’s easy,” Pinkie said. “Dipper’s an old timey barber, and Twilight is his faithful dog patches. Together they solve mysteries, and trim manes, all while singing catchy tunes as they
travel across the old west.”

Dipper and Twilight simultaneously face palmed/hoofed.

“OK,” Twilight said. “We’ll go over this one more time. I’m Hildago, the trusty mustang of-”

“Frank Hopkins,” Dipper interjected. “Famous for winning over four hundred races-”

“Competing in a three thousand mile race in the middle east-”

“Rode with Buffalo…Bill-right?”

“Yeah, and was involved in the conservation of mustangs until his death in 1951.” Dipper said as the pair sported proud smiles.

Pinkie and Mabel stared at the two then each other, before turning back to the duo and shrugging.

“Sooo a cowboy and his horse?” Mabel asked.

Dipper and Twilight sighed in defeat and lowered their heads.

“Yes, a cowboy and his horse.” Dipper said.

“Then why didn’t they just say that?” Pinkie asked turning to Mabel.

Mabel shrugged.

“And an even greater question of importance, why are we standing here talking when there’s candy to be snatched?!” Pinkie screamed.

“Oh my gosh you’re right!” Mabel shouted sitting up. “Quickly my pink steed, onwards to the first house!” Mabel said pointing forward.

“Yes ma’me,” Pinkie said giving a salute and bolting to the closest house, dragging behind her a red wagon containing Gummy (the alligator) and Waddles( the pig) both dressed as the others species.

Twilight and Dipper rolled their eyes and followed the energetic duo.

“Do you think we put too much thought into our costumes?” Twilight asked.

“Nah,” Dipper said. “We’re just ahead of our time is all.”

Meanwhile- Hey, what about our candy?! Not now Pinkie I’m doing a transition, I’ll get back to you guys at the end. OK, but no skimping in the candy, or else! Yeah, or else! Mabel?! Ok, everyone out!

Anyways, meanwhile, in the town square, we come upon a multitude of costumed ponies all gathered and participating in various seasonal activities. But in a nearby alley way, the fun loving pony folk were nothing more than potential victims to two potential pranksters.

“Who would have thought that there’d be not one, but two chances I’d have in the summer, to scare the living daylights out of innocent civilians.,” Stan said rubbing his hands together.

“Yeah yeah, now shush,” said Rainbow Dash. “Just remember to stick to the plan.”

From out of the alleyway came a makeshift booth. The booth rolled to a stop near the edge of the activities. Said booth was supported by four tiny wheels that barely supported the structure. On it’s surface was a single silver platter and a lid covering it, and above it was a sign that read “Mystery Dish.” All of which were surrounded with a weakly supported curtain

“Step right up step right up,” Rainbow (dressed as a circus ring leader for the night) called out. “Come one come all, and behold the wonders of, the Mystery Dish!”

A small group of fillies and colts began gathering at the site of the booth, curious of the mares intentions.

“That’s right, that’s right, everybody come close. Could it be gold? Could it be candy? Who knows, you’re guess is as good as mine. The answer can be revealed for the simple payment of three pieces of candy.” She finished as she held out an empty bag.

The group nodded and smiled as the first group of ponies threw in their pieces of candy and gathered around the dish.

“Alright, alright , very good. OK that’s all we can fit for right now, the rest of you will have to wait. Rainbow said as she closed the curtain around the small group and flew behind the booth.
“Alright everypony gather close, that’s it.” She said as the ponies leaned in with widened eyes.

“Everypony ready?” She asked, to which the group nodded. “Alright, here it is!” She said as she quickly yanked the cover of the plate off the platter.

The ponies were met with the sight of the green and rotting head of a corpse. Causing the ponies to initially gasp and jump back in shock. But as one brave colt reached out to poke the odd secret, the head instantly shot its eyes opened and screamed as loud as it could. All participating parties fled the both as fast as their legs could carry them, screaming at the top of their lungs.

Once the booth was clear, the two tricksters burst out into a fit of laughter.

“Oh-oh-oh I can’t- I can’t breathe!” Rainbow said clutching her sides.

“Sweet Moses, human children or pony children, the satisfaction of scaring kids is always the same,” Stan said, reaching a hand up from under the booth to whip away a tear.

“Aw man, the way you screamed just as that kid was about to touch you, perfect!”

“Oh contraire, if it wasn’t for your over drawn pitch, we wouldn’t have had those suckers in the first place!”

“You’re pretty awesome for an old guy you know that?”

“Likewise-except for pony instead of old guy.”

“Right, enough talk; let’s get ready for the next group.”

“Right!” Stan said placing the silver cover back over his head.

“Uhhh,” Dipper groaned. “I’m starting to think we just should have dressed in more recognizable costumes. Like, I don’t know, Frankenstein’s monster and Dracula?”

“I think you’re right,” Twilight said, giving a groan of her own. “I stopped keeping track of how
many times we’ve been asked what we were and received the same dumbfounded look.”

“Really?”

“No, it’s forty three counting that last one.”

“You guys are just over thinking it,” Mabel said taking a handful of candy out of her over stuffed bag, and shoving it into her mouth. “It’s just like back home, cute wins the day, right Pinks?”

Pinkie raised her head from her bag of candy wrapped around her neck.

“Right!” She stated before plunging her face back into the bag of sweets.

“Maybe then you might have an actual haul rather than kind of heavy pillow covers.” Mabel said
pointing to the duos bags, filled with only an eighth of the pillow’s maximum carrying capacity.

“You know what, they’re right!” Twilight said slamming her practically empty bag to the ground.

“Come on Dipper, I have an idea.”

“Lead the way!” Dipper said giving a mock salute before the due sprinted into the direction of the tree house, leaving Pinkie and Mabel eating their candy.

“Think their plan will work?” Pinkie asked.

“Probably not,” replied Mabel. “Wanna get some more candy?”

“You know it! Come on guys!” Pinkie said, gesturing to the Gummy and Waddles, who were busy merrily munching on their own piles of candy.

“Welp, that’s another bag of candy,” Stan said after another successful scare. “What’s that bring us to Rainbow?”

“Four, we have four whole bags of candy!” Rainbow responded gleefully.

“Holly tileto, are there any more suckers out there? Let’s shoot for five bags!”

“Hold on, let me check.” Rainbow said poking her head out from behind the curtain.

To her surprise, there was nopony, and the ponies she did see had already been scared or seemed uninterested.

“Sorry Stan,” Rainbow said pulling her head back in. “ I think we hit our limit. But hey, four bags is pretty darn good.”

“Yeah I suppose,” Stan grumbled. “But I’d still like to get at least one more scare in before the night is over. Mind checking for at least one more sap?”

“Welll, why not,” Rainbow said poking her head back out of the curtain.

Just as before it seemed that the two were out of luck. Then, in the center of the festivities, Rainbow saw the ultimate target. With widened eyes and a sharp gasp, she closed the curtain with the grin of all grins on her face.

“What, what is it, who’d you see?!” Stan asked.

“Princess Celestia.”

“Hooooo!” Stan exclaimed. “Rainbow, if you have any pity for this old man, you’ll get that princess over here, asap!”

“One princess, coming right up,” Rainbow said rubbing her hooves together.

“With any luck, she might just throw money out of sheer terror!”

“Shh, it’s time for mama to work her magic.” She said before stepping out from behind the curtain.

“Princess, oh Princess!”

“Princess, oh Princess!” Celestia heard as she turned around to meet the source of the voice.

“Oh, Rainbow Dash, what a pleasant surprise. How are you enjoying your Night mare night?”

“As good as any other,” Rainbow responded. “Anypony give you a good scare tonight?” Rainbow asked giving a cheeky smile.

“Unfortunately not,” Celestia said. “When you get to be my age there’s not much that can surprise you.”

“Hmmm, sounds like a challenge.”Rainbow said rubbing under her chin. “ How about this, we-er-I manage to scare you, you owe me four bags of candy.”
Celestia smiled.

“And if I win and by some miracle I’m not frightened?”

“Then you get our-er-my four bags.”

“Hm, double or nothing, alright, I’ll take your bet Miss Dash, lead the way.”

“This way your Majesty,” Stan heard from under his lid.

“Ooo, cash shower here we come,” he thought to himself, struggling to contain his excitement.

Stan heard the curtain slide closed then shut as Rainbow sealed away the unsuspecting victim from the outside world.

“Behold, the Mystery Platter!” Rainbow announced. “Few have gazed upon its continents, and those that have, only flee at mere sight at what it lies under its protective cover. Do you think yourself ready to gaze upon the unholy contents, of The Mystery Platter?!”

“Man,” Stan thought to himself. “I should think about givin this broad a job.”

“I think I’m ready enough,” Celestia cooed.

“Very well, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

Stan readied himself, taking in a deep breath, Stan let loose his most violent scream of the night, shaking his head violently back and forth as foam inadvertently sprayed from his mouth. He proceeded this action until he slowly realized that his victim wasn’t showering his head with riches nor was she showing any kind of fear for that matter. In fact, the princess was…smiling?

“Hello Stan.” She said. “Say, aren’t we supposed to be on a date?”

Shut up alright, I’m getting to that!

“Hmph, anyways, not bad, had I been a century younger you might have actually scared me.”

“What?!” Stan interjected. “Come on lady, that was downright terrifying. I almost passed out for that performance!”

“Yeah!” Rainbow said. “And if I may ask, what exactly do you know about horror?”

“Well, I’m glad you asked.”

Moments later two screams echoed from behind the curtain before the whole stand seemed to pick itself up and start running. Following it closely was an equally terrified cyan mare , screaming at the top of her lungs.

Celestia gave a soft chuckle as she levitated the four bags of candy onto her back.

“Sister?” She head as she turned around to see Luna. “What pray tell, was that all about?” Luna asked quirking an eyebrow.

“Oh nothing to worry about dear sister, just teaching some armatures a lesson or two.”

Back at the treehouse, everyone/pony had convened and were counting up their loot. The CMC and Spike, were admiring Pinkie and Mabel's now monumental hoard of candy. Fluttershy was snuggling the passed out Gummy and Waddles. Rarity, Wendy, and Applejack were bobbing for apples. The royal sisters were conversing with Stan and Rainbow (the latter were still shaking quite a bit). All was well except-

“Hey,” Pinkie yelled. “Has anyone seen Dipper and Twilight?”

The room gave a collective shrug when suddenly a slam came from the front door. To the rooms surprise, there stood a manticore and a timberwolf , booth out of breath. The CMC were the first to panic, followed quickly by Applejack, Rarity, and the royal sisters taking up a defensive position.

“Wait, wait, wait don’t shoot!” The timberwolf pleaded in a familiarly feminine voice.

“It’s us,” the manticore added.

“Dipper, Twilight, the Sam hill happened to you two?” AJ inquired.

“Well,” Twilawolf started. “We may have kinda sorta used a transformation spell instead of costumes.”

“And it turns out that town ponies don’t react the same way they would a pony dressed as said monsters.” The Manti-Pines finished.

“Wow,” Mabel said, tossing ball of candy in her mouth. “Even we could have told you that was a bad idea.”

“For sure,” Pinkie added.

Happy Halloween every-

“Wait a minute!” Pinkie yelled. “Has anypony seen Discord?”

“Yeah,” Stan said. “Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve seen Soos at all tonight.

Just then, Mabel and Pinkies candy mound began to rumble, suddenly, out flew Discord dressed as a pumpkin, and Soos as jolly old St. Nick himself.

“Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas every dudes!”

“Soosa Clause!” The CMC cheered.

“Yes, tis I, the humble Soosa Clause, and my trusted associate The Great Pumpkin.” Soos said gesturing to Discord.

“Ok,” Manti-Pines groaned. “Putting aside all the things wrong with what just happened, where have you two been!?”

“Well, we had to make a few stops.” Discord said, pulling a sack out of nowhere. “It wouldn’t be a
Night Mare Night without a touch of evil.” He said dumping the bag upside down.

From the bag tumbled King Sombra, Lil’ Gideon, Bill Cypher, and a timberwolf.

“Wow,” Bill said clutching his pointed head. “Even I’m confused as to how that happened.”

“No,” Sombra said. “ No, no, no, no, no, I will not be in another one of these ‘specials’. Take me back ri-”

Sombra was cut off by the sudden intrusion of a caramel apple into his mouth. Pushed in by a blue aura.

“Oh sush up and live a little,” Luna said giving the King a small wink.

Sombra gave a subtle blush before rolling his eyes and popping the apple out of his mouth.

“You’re lucky I can’t resist anything doused in caramel…” The King said before trotting off with the Princess of the night.

Rising from the ground was the timberwolf, still a bit groggy from the trip, the beast gave his head a good shake as his vision adjusted. As it did they fell upon Twilight, still in timberwolf form. A primitive grin formed on his muzzle as he leaned into the disguised Princess.

“Oh horsefeathers,” Twilight screamed in a sudden realization. “I forgot to change us back!”
With a sudden purple flash the two returned to their original forms. Only problem was the timber wolf had still been leaning on Twilight at the time, resulting in the Princess becoming the crash pad for the love stricken pup.

As the night went on, and around the time the party was in full swing, a familiar groaning sound came into audible range. And with the sound came a familiar blue phone booth growing stronger in visibility with each moan. Then, out from the phone booth, popped the head of an ever so familiar face, sporting an oh so dapper bowtie.

“Huh, well this isn’t exactly planet Midnight.”

“Doctor!” The group cheered.

“Hello gang,” The Doctor said emerging from his blue box. “And what have I crashed into this time?”

“Hi Doctor!” Pinkie says bouncing up to the man. “We’re celebrating Night Mare Night! You’re welcome to come celebrate it with us, you can even bring Kazaran and Abigail if they’re inside!”

The Doctor looks down at the pink mare.

“Oh, they had , other plans, yes other plans.” The Doctor says averting eye contact with the mare for a brief second.

“But, I do have some more friends that’d be happy to meet you, isn’t that right?!”

As the Doctor opened the door, out ran a short purple figure, screaming at the top of her lungs
“PARTY!” And almost like it were instinct, dove straight for Mabel and Pinkies Candy stash.

“Amethyst!” a lengthy elegant figure cried stepping out of the TARDIS. “That is not how we introduce ourselves!”

“Wooo, party!” Cried a young read shirted, curly black haired, boy. “Wow, what kinda party is this?”

“The best kind!” Mabel and Pinkie shouted.

“So what’s your name?” Pinkie asked.

“I’m Steven, Steven Universe.”

“Doctor,” came a deep but feminine voice. Out from the TARDIS stepped large, square haired women. “We really should be going.”

“Awww, Garnet, do we have to?” Steven cried. “We just got here, can’t we stay for just a little longer?” He asked clinging to one of the women’s sizeable legs.

Garnet looked down to the begging boy, then back to the crowd, then finally back to the boy again, who this time seemed to be putting on his best puppy dog eyes.

“I can’t say no to that face.” She said.

“Horray!” Steven cheered.

“But only for a little while, then it’s back on the mission.”

“A little while is all you’re gonna need , sister.” Mabel said strapping a party hat to Garnets head.

The End.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Diagnosis

Chapter 16

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

Silver paced back and forth, concern painted on his face as he trotted the waiting room. It’d been an hour since Diamond was taken to the doctor’s office, leaving the king alone with no way of knowing if his friend was okay.

“It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine,” Silver muttered to himself. “He probably had a little too much fun, is all. Yeah, that’s probably it. He’ll be up any minute now.”

“Your Majesty,” a voice called out, snapping the king back into reality. Turning his attention to the source of the voice, he was greeted by a slightly older unicorn mare. Her fur was a light yellow, with a green mane and tail; she sported a stethoscope around her neck which mirrored her cutie mark. “I’m Doctor Double Check, if you don’t mind; I have a few questions regarding Diamond Chisel’s—”

“D-Doctor,” Silver replied. “How is he, is he alright, is he awake, can I see him?” He asked, taking a step closer to the doctor with each question.

“Your majesty, please,” she said taking a step back, a slightly nervous look in her eye. “Diamond is just fine, he took the treatment well and right now he’s resting his eyes.”

Silver let go of a deep breath he’d been holding since Diamond left his sight. “Thank Faust,” he said rubbing a hoof on the back of his neck.

“But if it’s alright with you, I’d like to ask how—”

“Silver!” A voice interrupted. Turning, the two ponies were met by Princess Luna bursting through the door, a deep concern evident on her face as she all but tackled Silver in a warm embrace.

“P-Princess Luna?!” Double said, before falling to her forelegs and lowering her head.

“L-Luna,” Silver managed to say within the tightening grip of the Lunar Princess. “Wh-what are you d-doing here?”

“How could you ask us such a question?” she said, slightly loosening her death grip on the stallion. “We are here to see how you fair and the condition of your friend. We came as soon as we received thine letter.”

“That parcel was simply stating we would be staying in Canterlot a while longer while Diamond recovers. How on Equis did you even find us?”

“We simply asked the mail carrier where he came from, but that’s irrelevant,” Luna said, finally placing the stallion back onto his hooves. “How is your friend, Diamond, was it?”

“Yes,” Silver panted, taking in a breath of sweet sweet air. “The doctor said that he’d be alright, and that he was just resting right now.”

Luna smiled.

“Good,” she said. “Now, on to the matter of where you’ll be taking residence for the rest of your stay.”

“You needn’t bother Luna,” Silver said, giving her a smile. “I’ll just stay here for the evening and if need be, I’ll gladly pay for my stay in a local inn.”

“Nonsense,” Luna nearly shouted. “This is hardly the place a noble such as you should stay,” she paused and turned to Double Check. “No offence to you or your place of business, doctor.”

“None taken your majesty, but if I could just inter—”

“You shall reside under our castles roof until Diamond has made a full recovery, for however long that may take.”

“I thank you very much for the offer, Luna.” Silver said, a small blush arising on his muzzle. “But—”

“Oh, twas not an offer,” she said, a mischievous grin on her face. “We’ve already taken the liberty of sending your things back to the castle.”

“Um, a thousand pardons,” Double said attempting to intervene. “But if I could just—”

“What of your sister,” Silver interjected. “I’m sure she has something to say about this.”

Luna crinkled her muzzle at that. Taking a few steps back as she gave an irritated glare at the stallion.

“Our sister is not your keeper, King Silver, and for the record it was she who suggested it.”

“W-well then,” Silver said. “All that’s needed to be done is—”

“MY LORD!”

The two nobles turned to see a rather red faced Double Check, currently shrinking in her spot.

“Again,” she almost whispered. “My apologies, but I need to speak with King Silver about Diamond’s condition.”

“Ah, yes,” Silver said directing his gaze to the mare. “What is it?”

“Well,” Double started, looking to Silver then back to Luna. “It’s actually something to be discussed in private, so if you wouldn’t mind coming with me for a moment.”

“Oh, not at all,” he said, turning back to Luna. “Would you mind waiting for a minute or two?”

“You needn’t even ask,” she said, giving him a smile.

“Very well then, right this way,” Double said, gesturing for the king to follow.

Silver complied and was led into an adjacent office complete with a desk, and two pillows facing it.

“Please, take a seat,” Doctor Double requested, making her way around the desk.

“I’d rather stand, but thank you,” Silver said. “Now, what’s this about Diamond?”

“Well,” she said placing her stethoscope on her desk. “Does Diamond have any…enemies ?”

Silver lifted his brow and shook his head.

“None come to mind, wh—”

“Has he become clumsy? Stallions of his age tend to become more—”

“No,” Silver spat back. “Diamond is perfectly coordinated. Doctor, what are you try—”

“Did at one point he leave your s—”

“Doctor!” Silver blurted, stomping a hoof on the ground, silencing the doctor and causing her to jump in her seat. “What does this have to do with Diamond?”

Double gave a long sigh before looking back up to the king.

“At some point in the evening, somepony or something, attacked Diamond Chisel and beat him nearly to death.”

Silver was rendered speechless. Taking the news as one would take a sudden blow to the back of the head. His lips quivered and his pupils shrank to the size of pins.

“W-what?” he managed to ask.

“Indeed,” Double said. “Just at the first glance I can see evidence of several fractures on his right foreleg, heavy bruising nearly everywhere on his body, and at least five broken ribs on his left side. One of which seemed to have punctured his lung.”

“B…But he was fine,” Silver stammered. “He looked as he always did, not a thing was wrong with him! He was laughing, he was smiling, he was acting just like himself. So explain to me Doctor, how on Equis could the things that you claim ail Diamond Chisel be true?!”

“Well, because they’re not ailing him.”

“Excuse me?”

“As I said, there’s merely evidence of these injuries. You see, your majesty, medical magic is a tricky skill to wield.” Using her magic, Double projected an image of a fractured rib “Even with our advancements in the field, healing anything via magic is a slow and tedious process.” As she spoke the crack in the bone slowly began to disappear. “Which is why we most always put our patients under, otherwise they’d be forced to experience their bones, cuts, and tears, re-forming.

“Such procedures would leave marks on the ailing area, thus why I was able to tell what exactly happened to your friend and where the damage was done. Quite frankly, I’ve seen nothing like it, and you should be very worried for your friends safety, because the way I see it, you’re either dealing with several well versed unicorns in the field of medicine, or one very, very powerful magic wielder.”

Silver allowed those last few words dwell in his mind. His eyes glued to the floor, lost in his thoughts, multiple emotions rushing through him as he fought to maintain his composure.

Who, he thought to himself. Who would do something like this? Assassins, why bother healing him if that were the case?A political rival, not likely, I’ve done everything in my power to keep my nation peaceful. Then who, Silver’s breath began to quake as he bit into his bottom lip. The only ponies he was with were I and—

“Your majesty?”

Silver quickly snapped his head back to the doctor.

“Yes,” he said, clearing his throat and attempting to regain his composure. “Is there anything else I should know?”

“N-no,” Double said, looking to the side for a moment. “But I do advise giving him at least two days of rest. Plus, I’d like to keep him under close watch for a little while longer.”

Silver nodded and rose to his hooves, turning for the door, he paused for a moment.

“Doctor,” he said, earning a slight jump from Double Check. “Would it be possible to speak with him?”

“Uh, well,” Double stuttered. “As I said, he is conscious, but it’d be best to let him have his sleep, at least for the night.”

“Thank you, doctor, you’ve been most kind to us in this hour. I and the Crystal Empire shall not soon forget this.”

This warranted a light blush to consume the mare’s muzzle, which was accompanied by a smile and a dismissive wave.

“Think nothing of it, your majesty,” Double said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to help one as kind and as noble as yourself.”

“Well regardless,” Silver said, reaching into his cape and pulling out a small sack. “I believe this,” he said, plopping the sack onto the mare’s desk, revealing the content to be a large amount of gems. “Should cover your services, plus a little extra.”

Double Check’s mouth fell to the floor as her eyes fixed themselves on the bag.

“K-king Silver,” she said. “That’s very kind of you, but that’s more than enough for everything, I couldn’t possibly—”

“You can and you will,” Silver said giving the mare a playful smile. “I must be on my way, but I’ll be leaving my guards to watch over Diamond whilst I’m gone. The moment he wakes, send for me. Am I understood?”

“Y-yes your majesty.” Double said. “A-and where will you be staying?”

“Canterlot Castle. Now, if you’ll excuse me doctor, it’s been a long night, and I have quite a lot to think about.”

With that, Silver promptly made his way out of the office, closing the door behind him, and leaving Double Check to her newfound wealth.

Silver exited the Doctor’s office, his mind filling ever more with unanswered questions.

“The event was heavily guarded per usual,” Silver muttered to himself. “So where ever he got hurt must have been secluded. But there were ponies everywhere, so somepony must have at least saw something. Maybe I can ask Princess Celes—”

“You’re either dealing with several well versed unicorns in the field of medicine, or one very, very powerful magic wielder.”

The doctor’s words ran through his head.

“No no, it couldn’t be...but then again—”

“Silver!”

The king was once again abruptly taken out of his train of thought by the Lunar Princess all but shouting in his ear.

“By Faust, Luna,” Silver nearly yelled. “I’m right in front of you, was that really called for?”

“We would think so,” she said, scrunching her muzzle ever so slightly. “We had tried to to grab your attention in a calm manner, only for you to continue muttering to yourself.”

“My apologies,” Silver said, looking off to the side with a soft blush forming on his muzzle. “The doctor gave me quite a bit to think about after our talk.”

“Oh?” Luna said, concern growing in her heavenly blue eyes. “Is there more that ails your friend than you were lead to believe?”

“Uh, no, no, nothing like that,” he said, not wanting to worry her any more than she already was. “Its just, I might actually need to stay a day more than anticipated.” Silver averted his gaze for a moment as he nervously rubbed one of his forehooves against the front of the other. “If it wouldn’t be too much of a bother—”

Silver paused, being abruptly cut off by Luna’s hoof being placed over his mouth.

“You needn’t even ask,” she said, bearing a small smile.

As the two exited the building, Silver gave the two crystal guards waiting outside their orders and boarded the carriage to Canterlot castle. Although managing to maintain a conversation with the Princess of the Night, Silver’s attention always went back to the doctor’s words.

“A very, very powerful magic wielder.”

I think the Princess of the Sun and I are due for a chat, he thought to himself.

“Staaaaaan.” A voice called out to the groggy senior citizen.

“Oh Staaaaannn,” the voice called again.

“I’m tellin ya,” a second voice said. “We should use the mackerell, nothing wakes someone up faster than a firm fish to the face.”

“Huh, what?!” Stan said, shooting up from the floor nearly hitting Bill and Discord who were positioned directly over him. “There will be no fish slapping today, cowboy!”

“Awww,” Bill said, opening up his eye and throwing a fish into the empty void which lied behind it.

“Well, glad you’re up,” Discord said. “I know one needs their beauty sleep, especially one as finely aged as yourself, but we have a schedule to keep and nap time isn’t on the ‘to do’ list.”

“Wh-where are we even?” Stan said, looking around at his inky surroundings, save for one crystalline door.

“Inside the mind of a thousand year old tyrant king unicorn,” Bill stated, giving a twirl of his cane.

“Huh,” Stan said looking around. “Pretty empty for something that’s lived that long.”

“Oh this?” Discord said. “ This is just the outside.” He said placing his paw on the crystalline door knob. “This is where all the good stuff is stored.” Discord said before flinging the door open.

Through the door flew a mighty gust of wind, causing a chill in all parties involved. The inside was an icy labyrinth, riddled with moving images and doors, floating about here and there with no direction. Some colliding into each other while others frozen in blocks of ice.

“Welp,” Discord said, clapping his forepaws together. “Let’s get started.”

Author's Note

Dear Dahlings.

SURPRISE! That's right my dahlings, no waiting a month for an up-date and no Christmas sepcial filler, I worked my little brain to the max to poor this little puppy early.Par usual, a thank you to Insula Sol for his mad editing skills ,I hope you like it, and that all of you have a wonderful Christmas.

Sincerely Yours, The Cake Devil.

P.S. Got a Q&A going on in one of me blogs, if ya have any burning questions, I'll be answering until the 26th.

A Chill in the Air.

Chapter 17

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

“Have you found anything yet?” Discord shouted over the screaming winter winds.

“Does it look like we found anything?!” Stan shouted back, slamming the door to yet another set of memories. “We’ve been here for hours and all I can say for sure is this is one sick puppy—er—pony, whatever,” he said, rubbing his arms in an attempt to regain his lost body heat.”

“I hate to break it to you, Stanny boy,” Bill said, popping out from behind a closed door, “but it’s only been about ten minutes.”

“Oh come on!”

“Yeeeah. Time has a tendency to slow down in here,” Bill explained, manifesting a hot mug of cocoa which he proceeded to stir whilst he spoke. “It’s kinda funny really, to me, not to you. To you, it’s probably an unending nightmare of ceaseless cold and unrelenting winds, to me it’s…oh wait, that’s what it is to me too…ha,” he finished as he poured the hot drink on his face and promptly tossed away the mug, which in turn landed on Stan’s head before falling to the ground and incinerating on the spot.

“Why is it so c-c-cold in here again?”

“Well,” Discord said, opening another door. “When this is the only thing your senses can pick up for a thousand and some ought years, one’s mind would begin to accept that as reality. Oh, that’s not right,” he mumbled to himself before slamming the door to another set of memories shut.

“That’s all fine and dandy, but I’m still freezing my orthopedic soles off out here!”

“Well then, do something about it,” Discord shouted back, looking annoyed. “Word to the wise, Stan, we’re in the mind. You can do whatever you can imagine in here.” Taking a step back, Discord closed his eyes. With a sudden flash, a pink jumper appeared around the draconequus.

“Huh,” Stan said, closing his eyes. In an instant he was surrounded in the warmth of a heavy black jacket and “Mystery Shack” brand ear muffs. “Gonna have to remember that.”

“Now that you’re over your little ‘crisis’,” Discord said, making air quotes for emphasis. “Would you please get back to searching?”

“Wow, take it easy there, buddy,” Stan replied, quickly following suit. “I know we’re in a hurry, but didn’t the floating tortilla chip just get done saying we have plenty of time?”

“True, but we’re not the only ones in here.”

“What, you mean tall, dark, and scary?” Bill asked. “No need to worry about him, even if he does wake up, we’re so deep in his subconscious that he’d need a completely different set of eyes to find us.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

Stan and Bill paused, looking at each other with a shared look of confusion.

“Something you’re not telling us, Discord?” Stan asked.

“It’s—it’s nothing,” he said, giving his head a firm shake. “Come on, let’s try another door.”

The three carried onwards, moving deeper into the screaming winds.

“Come along, Silver,” Luna said as she walked down the long corridor. “We’ve almost arrived at your room.”

Silver Shroud trailed close behind her, his head tilted slightly downward and his eyes pointed at the floor. His mind was still elsewhere as he followed the sound of Luna’s voice.

Alright, he thought to himself. All we know is that she ‘might’ have had something to do with what happened to Diamond. Nothing concrete, so when we see her, don’t outright accuse her, just—

“S-Silver, watch out!” blurted Luna, causing Silver to snap back into reality just in time to feel his face smack into a hard wooden surface.

“Blasted door,” Silver groaned as he rubbed his snout.

Luna stifled a giggle.

“I don’t believe it to be fair to blame an inanimate object for one’s lack of awareness.”

“Albeit true,” Silver said, trotting into his room, “my lust for vengeance burns nonetheless.” He grumbled, earning a giggle from the Lunar Princess.

“Care for some friendly advice?” Luna asked.

“Always,” Silver said. Before he could register what was happening, Luna had made her way to his side and was gently nuzzling her head underneath his chin.

“Forget about everything, at least for tonight. I know it may seem like a lot to ask, but worrying about your friend isn’t going to do anything but cause pain on yourself.” She stepped away from the now stark red King, a small smile on her muzzle. “So, get some sleep. We will have a carriage summoned for you first thing in the morning. So until then, I wish you the sweetest of dreams, your majesty.” With that, Luna gave a small bow and made her way out, shutting the door behind her.

Finally coming to with a quick shake of his head, he gave a content sigh and turned his attention to his bed.

“Yes, yes perhaps she’s right,” Silver said, removing his cape and crown and placing them both on the nightstand before crawling into bed. “First thing—” he paused as a yawn overtook him. “—in the morning.”

“Diiiiiamond,” a voice called out, causing a stir from the stallion. “Diiiiiiamond, wakey wakey.” The voice called out once more, earning another stir from him. “Oh for the love of—wake up you old fool!” Diamond suddenly shot upright. Finding himself not in the carriage, but in the middle of an icy tundra. The bitter cold tearing at his exposed hide, and the winds attempting to take what little hearing he had left.

Wrapping his arms around himself to retain his slowly draining body heat, Diamond looked to the sky and, with clattering teeth, asked, “Where in the name of Tartarus am I?!”

“You don’t like it? I was hoping to do the world like this.”

Diamond turned his head toward the source of the voice, finding an all too familiar black mass floating mere inches away.

“Y-y-y-you?!” He said through both fear and rage. “What have you d-d-d-done, where have you t-taken me?”

“Oh relax, will you. You’re passed out after your little ‘talk’ with Celestia. Silver took you to the clinic and you’re fast asleep in a soft, cozy bed.”

“Th-this is not a bed.”

“Brilliant deduction there, Diamond. No, we’re in the former sanctity that was your mind. I got a little bored waiting for you to come to, and well, here we are.”

Diamond remained silent, his sense of feeling in his limbs slowly draining with each passing second.

“But if you’re so opposed to my creativity, I suppose I can turn up the temperature.” The dark figure extended a jet black arm and with one swift downward motion, the storm and snow vanished, leaving the two beings in utter and complete darkness.

Diamond rose to his hooves, regaining the sensation in his limbs. “I’m not going to thank you,” he said flatly.

“Good, then listen,” the figure said as he draped an arm over Diamond’s neck. “If you haven’t noticed already, you’re kind of dying.”

Diamond scoffed.

“Now who’s pointing out the obvious?” he said, pulling away from the figure. “If that’s all you’re here to tell me then I’m afraid you’ve come all this way to spit cold air.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re taking this with such a light heart.” The figure straightened his back and leaned its head against a cupped hand. “Do you think young Silver will take death so easily? After all, he’s on the fast track to meet him shortly after you.”

“What are you—wait—you mean Tia's barking?” Diamond paused, his eyes falling to the ground in contemplation. “She—she wouldn’t actually—”

“You saw her tonight,” The figure said, slowly shifting around the stallion, its arms held gracefully behind its back. “You heard the rage in her voice, you saw the desperation in her eyes. Skivier, I think you and I both know that she fully intends to enact what she’s promised tonight.”

Diamond said nothing, his whole body trembled as reality struck him head on.

“The Crystal Empire will burn,” the voice continued. “ The crystal ponies will die. And the one who you hold most dear to your heart, will perish. All of this will happen, and you’ve only yourself to blame.”

“What do I need to do?” Diamond muttered, his face still directed toward the ground.

The figure turned, its face holding a twisted smile as it gently placed a hand under Diamond’s muzzle, lifting it upwards so their eyes met.

“There’s but one thing, and one thing alone, my little pony.”

Silver shot up in his bed, sweat dripping from every pore in his body. Looking around the room, he cursed inwardly to himself before resting his head in his fore hooves.

“Just another nightmare,” he grumbled. “Too old, I’m too old to still be having these.”

Slipping out from his bed, Silver groggily made his way to the door. “Nothing a small midnight snack shouldn’t quench.” But as the King poked his head into the hallway, all thoughts of returning to his slumber perished. For slipping into a room five doors down, was Princess Celestia herself, closing the door behind her as her form disappeared into the room. Silver’s eyes narrowed, he took a step forward, making his way to the room.

Reaching the door, Silver’s eyes picked up a light flash from under the cracks of the door.

Taking no mind to it, the King cleared his throat before giving a polite series of knocks.

“Your Majesty,” he started. “It is I, Silver Shroud. I apologize for calling upon you at such an hour, but I feel that we must talk. May I come in?”

There was only silence from the other side.

Silver knocked once more.

“Princess Celestia, please,” Silver said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “I must insist we speak, I believe you are aware of the circumstances of my stay.”

Once again he was met with silence, his eye gave a noticeable twitch.

“You were one of the last to speak to Diamond, he was in your room.”

His breaths grew more rapid with each passing moment of silence, each question accompanied by slam on the door.

“Was he acting oddly? Did he have a limp? Did you see anypony with him? For Faust’s sake, answer me so I know I’m not addressing an empty room!”

With one final slam the door burst open, swinging on its hinges and slamming against the hard stone wall.

Silver’s mouth hung agape, the door was one thing, but it was what stood before him that caused his shock.

Emptiness, save for a bed, a bookshelf, a chair, a desk, and a lone bust, the room showed no signs of anypony’s presence, much less Celestia.

“This—this can’t be,” Silver stammered, taking a hesitant step into the room. “Teleportation, perhaps? But then why even bother entering the room?”

Searching the room, Silver soon discovered that the room was far more abandoned than upon first glance. Most of the furniture was coated with a fine layer of dust, the books that lay in the book shelves wore coats so thick, it rendered their covers nearly unreadable. The room itself was only lighted by a small window from the north side, producing not enough light to illuminate the room, but just enough to allow Silver’s eyes to adjust.

Too caught up in his observations, Silver was thoroughly caught off guard as his nose collided with the bust, knocking him backward. Quickly regaining focus, he hastily returned his gaze back to the bust, hoping to intercept the statute as it fell to the ground. Yet the bust hadn’t moved, in fact, nor had the pillar supporting it.

Brushing off the pain in his snout, Silver approached the offending decoration. The statue wasn’t anything special, a simple marble carving of a pony’s head. Two ears, two eyes and a muzzle were present, though the lack of pupils on the bust was enough to send a small unnerving chill up the young King’s spine.

But upon further inspection, something seemed off. Around the area where the neck connects the head, there was a clear circle where the dust was absent, revealing the statues true pearl white color.

“How odd,” Silver said to himself. Raising a hoof, Silver lightly pushed the chin of the bust. In doing so, the entire head rotated with Silver’s touch, the sound of stone rubbing against stone meeting the King’s ears. In a fright, Silver retrieved his hoof and jumped back, as he did, the head snapped right back to its former position.

Taking a deep breath, Silver placed his hoof back onto the bust, pushing the head in a counterclockwise direction. The sound of stone against stone began once more, nonetheless, Silver pushed on, doing his best to ignore the painful sound.

Just as the head reached a full circle, it stopped with a sharp ‘click’. The sound of cogs turning echoed throughout the room. Fearing the worst, Silver turned to the door, anticipating a hasty retreat from the room. The sound of cogs finally came to a stop. With a sharp metallic squeal, the bed lifted upwards, shoving the mattress into the wall to reveal a hidden flight of stairs.

Silver took a moment to regain his senses.

“Must have been a muffling spell then,” he muttered to himself, thinking back to the flash. ”But now a new question arises.” Silver’s eyes gazed down the dimly lit flight of stairs. With a loud gulp, he began his shaky descent into darkness.

It didn’t take long for Silver to reach the bottom of the stairs, but once he did, his eyes were greeted by nothing but darkness. With an illuminated horn, he slowly navigated his way through the corridor.

Lining the walls were dozens of tapestries. Some depicting events familiar to him, the tale of Hearths Warming, for example. The fine stitching depicted the three pony tribes putting aside their differences and coming together to fend off the dreaded Windigos. There were other familiar events, the dethroning of Discord, and the building of the castle of the two sisters. As Silver’s eyes rested on the final tapestry, he stopped.

Before him was a sight he had read in books, or been told about it from hardened soldiers. An event that he prayed he nor his crystal subjects would have to suffer through.

War.

It wasn’t just the war itself that drew the young King’s attention, it was the two opposing forces. Depicted by the stitchery were ponies of all the three races, adorning armor from head to hoof, bodies of fallen soldiers lie strewn about the battlefield, on the other side of the tapestry were what appeared to be...

Silver shook his head, brightening his light to be sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him in the darkness.

They weren't.

His eyes had held true, the ponies were up against an army of bipedal candy creatures of all shapes and sizes. Leading a charge stood a fleshy pink creature, its legs were covered in a dark blue fabric, while its upper half was shielded by an armor set of its own, with two pieces of lighter blue fabric surrounding its forelegs. In one of its hands it held a sword of the purest white, its length stretched downward and the sword seemed to be surrounded by an orb of the purest blues. And resting on the being’s head sat an odd white hat, tipped with two little nubs, ripped and torn, revealing bits of blonde mane.

Silver continued to stare in bewilderment, what was this surreal image doing among theses historical moments? Surely this couldn’t be implying that this battle actually took place...could it?

Shoving the thought to the side for a moment, Silver’s eyes continued to scan, only to stop once more on another figure. From the top right hand side of the battlefield, soaring above the combatants, there was creature similar in form to the blond maned one, sharing the same placement of its odd limbs. But that’s about where the similarities ended. This creature wore a dark blue tunic over its body, from what little could be seen, its skin appeared a lighter shade of blue as well. From its forelimbs shot what looked like lightning made of ice toward the ponies. What wasn’t covered by his tunic was snow white hair, wafting from down his face and from the top of his—

“Imposible!” Silver blurted. A hoof pressed against his muzzle as his eyes darted back and forth, making sure he hadn’t caught any unwanted attention. Being met with silence, his fears were put to rest, the stallion returned his eyes to what rested upon the creature’s head.

Sure enough, a golden crown, ending in three points and adorned with three crimson gems.

“The Ice King’s Crown, then that means—”

“No more excuses!”

Silver flung his back against the opposite wall, only to shoot forward with a muffled cry as he unknowingly backed into a resting blade mounted on the wall. Biting his tongue as the pain raced through his body, Silver turned his head to assess the damage. Sure enough, dashed across his right flank was a single cut.

As the pain slowly faded from his fresh injury, Silver turned his attention to the source of the voice. Or rather...voices?

With a deep breath and quiet steps, the King ventured further down the hall toward the source of the voice, curiosity blinding him to any dangers that might lie ahead. From the opposite end of the hall, as it turned off into another room, there shone a iridescent light that went unnoticed.

Drawing closer, there were indeed two sets of voices. One belonging to Celestia, while the other sounded alien of sorts. Its tone was feminine, but it was as if it was being filtered through something.

“Why must you make me wait longer, my dear?” the voice said. “We know who has it and we know where it is, why are you not bursting down that empire’s doors right now and retrieving what’s ours?!”

“Because it’s an entire empire we’re talking about,” Celestia yelled back. “Full of ponies and their families! They at least deserve a chance to hand over the crown—”

“Decades, he’s had decades! We finally track him down after all this time, and now, just because he’s using a few flesh shields, you feel it necessary to give the dingus a little more time to further donk up my plans? He could just as well use that time to escape!”

Silver edged closer to where the voices emanated, his steps taking longer to hit the floor as with each hushed breath intake. Stopping his stride as he reached the corner, not daring another step lest the two entities see or hear him.

“No!” Celestia screamed, desperation coating her tone. “It’s not like that, he won’t leave the Empire, he cares too much for Silver Shroud to just abandon him. Besides, I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon.”

Silver’s brow furrowed.

“I’ll say, after the way you messed him up, I’d be surprised if he even made it through the end of the month.”

“Please, you know as well as I do that I had nothing to do with that.”

At this point Silver was absolutely livid, not only had the Princess of the Sun admitted to knowing of the assault on Diamond, but had a hoof in it herself.

“Yeah, well, your sweet talkin’ wasn’t working so somebody had to take over if anything was going to get done.”

“I just wish you weren't so...harsh with him.”

“Wait...oh my glob, no way, you still have feelings for him?” The voice let out laugh. ”All that time and you still can’t get over him, oh that is just precious.”

“Mother, please!”

“Mother?!” Silver blurted out. His eyes shrank to pinpricks as the realization of his actions hit him square in the face. He quickly turned to run only for his eyes to be bombarded by a flash of golden light. Shielding himself from with his fore hoof, Silver’s vision cleared just in time to see a white foreleg swing behind him. With a sudden sharp pain the King’s vision went black as he fell to the ground.

“No!” Diamond yelled. “No, no, no, no, no! I can’t do it, I won’t do it!”

“What part of ‘there’s no other option’ don’t you understand?” The figure said, its hands placed behind its head as its body lay on the ground. “You roped him into this the second you laid eyes on him and you’re the one who’s going to give him the best chance he has to defend himself.”

“But what you’re suggesting is madness!”

“Madness is all we have left. Diamond Chisel, Skiver Topmen.” The figure lifted itself to its feet and turned to the elderly pony. “I’m offering you the one option that will give the one being you care for more than your very life, the means that he’ll need to defend himself against a force that knows no limit. Will you deny him that and instead selfishly perish, leaving him and his home defenceless?”

“N-no,” Diamond stammered, his eyes welling with tears as he faced the figure. “There must be another way, any other way. I’ll be dooming him down the very path I lost myself on so, so many years ago. He has so much life left to live, so much more to experience. Please, doing this is as good as sending him to his death.”

“And not going through with it isn’t?” The figure bent down to Diamond’s level, gently dabbing the tears away with the black cloth surrounding its form. ”I wish I could say there was another way, truly I do, but this is it.”

Diamond gently pulled away from the figure, wiping the remaining tears from his eyes. He looked back up at it, taking a deep breath before giving a nod.

“Excellent,” the figure said, a smile crawling across its mouth.”Now then, first thing’s first, you’ll need to get out of here and get to the Crystal Empire. For that, I’ll gladly lend my hand in the matter. But first, you need to wake up.” Raising his hand, the figure brought it to his mouth. With a soft breath, it blew a small cloud of snow into Diamond’s face. Upon making contact, the stallion vanished from the dark room.

The figure stood there, a smirk on his face.

“You know this is wrong.”

“That’s all in a matter of opinion,” the figure said, turning to face the new presence with an annoyed glare.

“No, no I’m pretty sure causing the fall of an entire kingdom is pretty low.”

“It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve been responsible for the fall of an empire.”

“Doesn't make it any better. Yeah, in fact, I’m pretty sure that makes it a lot worse.”

“Did you come all this way just to make me feel guilty? Because I have to say that’s quite a waste of energy on your part.”

“I came here to try to talk you out of doing this, maybe appeal to that one tiny shred of humanity that says it’s not okay to mess with things like this.”

The figure chuckled.

“You and I are very much aware that that spot of me shriveled up and died a long, long time ago.”

“A guy can hope, can’t he?”

“Even the youngest of children know when to give up hope. But then again, you never did know when to quit, did you?”

“One of my many good qualities that I pride myself on.”

Back in Diamond’s room, a crystal guard stood by the elderly stallion as he slumbered. Quartz Spear was his name and unfortunately he’d almost reached his limit. His eyes threatened to close every so often, growing heavier and heavier, only to be kept conscious with the occasional shake of his head before he fell completely to sleep.

His attention was quickly drawn to the main door as a series of knocks echoed from the other side.

“It’s Double Check, I’m coming in,” the voice said before the door opened, allowing the mare to make her way in. “How has he been?” she asked.

“Still,” Spear answered. “Aside from a slight jolt here or there he’s been sound asleep. The lucky stallion,” Spear added with a yawn, eliciting a chuckle from the doctor.

“Well, don’t worry, I’m just here to make sure nothing’s changed since I was here last. After that, you can go back to your not sleeping.”

“Oh joy.”

The Doctor proceeded to pull out a thermometer from her white overcoat and gently place it under Diamond’s tongue. Taking the binaural of her stethoscope in her hooves she stretched the two pieces apart until she comfortably slid the ear pieces into their proper positions, after which she proceeded to grip the bell as she searched for the stallion’s heartbeat with the diaphragm.

“So doc, anything out of the ordinary? Two heartbeats, a fifth leg, a third eye.”

Double laughed and shook her head.

“No, nothing like that, in fact he’s exactly how I le—wait a minute.”

“Wait?” Spear asked with a raised brow. “What’s up, doc?”

“Come over here, quickly.” She said waving a hoof to him.

Spear obliged, making his way over to the bed.

“What am I looking for, doc?” He asked scanning the stallion.

“Look at the thermometer.”

Spear did as she said and found the little red line of mercury steadily making its way to the bottom.

“Wow, maybe it’s a faulty thermometer?”

“Maybe,” Double reached out with her free hoof and placed it on Diamond’s head, only to reel back in shock not a moment later.

“By Celestia, he’s freezing cold!”

“His fur.” Spear said, his fixated downward.

“What?”

“Look at his fur, and his mane, they’re...changing.”

Double looked back and sure enough, the stallion’s grey-blue coat was fading into an icy blue. Around his muzzle grew a thick and luscious beard of the purest whites, as his mane turned to an identical color and grew along with his facial hair.

“Doc...what’s going on?” Spear said in a shaky voice.

“I...I don’t know, I’ve never seen anything like th—ah!”

Double Check reeled back as shards of glass from the broken thermometer flew everywhere.

“Go for the other guard, now!” Spear ordered.

Double nodded and rushed out the door, only for Diamond’s body to begin violently convulsing, shooting up and down in the bed as if he were being shaken by an invisible foe. Spear quickly spread himself over the stallion’s body. The guard was jostled about, only managing to stay on the elderly stallion by gripping the side of the bed and pressing his barrel into him with all his might.

Moments later, Double came back with the additional guard just in time to see Spear lose his grip and fly to the other side of the room, hitting the wall with a loud ‘thud’.

“Don’t just stand there,” Spear shouted to the other guard. “Hold him down!”

The guard did what he was told, but just as he was about to make an attempt to get on top of the stallion, the convulsions stopped. Diamond lay still on the bed, motionless before his eyes shot open, eliciting a scream from Double check. His blue eyes had faded and were now a pale white. Wasting no time, Diamond removed himself from the bed and started heading for the window.

“D-don’t let him leave!” Double blurted.

The additional guard quickly moved to intercept the stallion, blocking the exit and stopping Diamond in his place.

Diamond looked up the the crystal guard, the guard looked back, meeting his gaze. The guard held fast, staring deep into Diamond’s soulless white eyes, his own eyes, trembling with fear. With a low gruff voice, Diamond spoke one sole command to the guard.

“Move.”

“I’m sorry Sir,” the guard said. “But I can—”

Without any warning, Diamond lifted a fore hoof and pointed it at the guard. With a sudden flash the guard was encased in a layer of clear ice, a look of terror frozen on his face. Diamond gave the block a slight push, causing the guard to easily slide to the side.

The remaining occupants were petrified. Double Check was reduced to tears as she shook uncontrollably.

“Stop!” Spear yelled, pointing his spear at the assailant. “Y-you’re going to undo what you did to that guard. Th-then you’re going to get back into bed and—”

Diamond turned, with another raise of a fore hoof and with a sudden flash, Spear was encased in his own icy prison.

Diamond gently slid the window open, stepped into the hall, put his fore hooves onto the windowsill and stuck his head outside.

“For what it’s worth,” he said as he turned his head back to the petrified mare. “I’m sorry.”

With that said, his beard and mane split into two parts and gave a mighty thrust downward before throwing himself out the window.

Double Check watched as the crystal earth pony, flew away with his mane and beard wings. Keeping her eyes open for as long as possible before passing out.

“Diamond!” Silver shouted, shooting upright in his bed.

His eyes instantly shut closed as the sun shone through his window and into his eyes.

“What on Equis happened last night?” he asked himself, vaguely recalling blurred visions of the night prior.

“Was it...just a dream?”

Knock knock knock

“Silver?”

Silver groaned at the sudden bout of noises.

Knock knock knock

“Silver please, you need to get up,” called the voice. “It’s Diamond!”

“What?!” Silver yelled. Shooting out of his bed, he used his magic to fling the door open. Princess Luna stood in the hallway, a look of worry cast upon her face.

“What’s going on, what happened, is Diamond okay?”

“We don’t know,” Luna said shaking her head. “We weren't given the full details, but from what we were told, your friend bested the two guards you left to protect him, then fled through the window.”

“W-what?”

“Come,” Luna said turning down the hall. “Gather your things, there’s a carriage waiting to take us to the medical center.”

“Us?” Silver asked. “Luna, there really is no need to—”

“There’s no time to argue,” Luna blurted. “The carriage awaits. Besides, is it not a friend’s duty to be there when another friend is in need?”

“Well yes, but—”

“Then together we shall go, grab your wares, posthaste!”

Silver nodded. Turning around to grab cape and crown, Luna’s eye caught a glimpse of something before the cape enveloped the King’s upper half.

“Let’s go.” Silver said, as he moved past the Princess.

“Right.”

Just how long hast Silver had that ghastly scratch?

Author's Note

Dear dahlings.

TADA, by Celestia's milky milk glass , I did it! It took me the entire night, but I managed to pump this baby out with the few remaining drops of energy drink I had left, and I broke my word count record with this bad boy! Alright, so for those of you worried about Twilight and the gang, they'll be returning the the spotlight soon enough, I just want to make sure all the stories line up. Let me think in the comments below.

Sincerely Yours, The Cake Devil.

It's a-

Chapter 18

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

Twilight stared over the force gathered before her. The rag-tag army had donned their armor and weapons of various types, and now stared back at the princess in a shared silence.

“Alright,” she said, calmly exhaling. “The time has come; we all know what needs to be done. But before we take our leave, I want you all to know that your bravery on this day will never be forgotten. You are not only fighting for your world, you are for fighting for mine as well, and for that I am in your eternal debt. Although some of us will not be joining the fight, the kindness and friendship shown to me when I arrived is more than I could have ever hoped for from a complete stranger. So, would Dipper Pines please come forth?”

She paused, waiting for the young man to come forward. And waited, and waited, and waited. She gulped as murmurs began to emanate from the crowd.

“Chutzpar,” she said, causing the Manotaur to jump. “Do you know where Dipper is?”

“Um,” he said while rubbing the back of his neck. “He said something about taking Mabel and heading back into town where it’d be safer, right guys?” Chutzpar said turning to his fellow Manotaurs, who answered with a series of nods and grunts.

“Oh,” Twilight said, her smile instantly sinking into a frown. “I see, well, at least they’ll be safe.” She put on a fake smile and turned her attention back to the crowd. “Well then, let’s move out, and remember—”

“Wait until you give the signal,” the crowd finished.

“…Right.” Twilight turned away from the dispersing crowd and folded her ears back. “No need to worry,” she said forcing a smile. “Dipper’s safe, they’re both safe. That’s all that matters.”

The carriage came to a screeching halt in front of the clinic, giving the guards stationed at the entrance a small fright. Silver lept from the carriage and bolted toward the door and through the entrance, failing to heed the cries to desist from the guards.

It didn’t take him long to find the door to Diamond’s room. With a burst of magic, the once closed door slammed against the back wall, revealing a shocking scene.

The small room was filled with several ponies shuffling about the room. What immediately attracted his attention were his guards, currently frozen from the neck down in solid ice. At the base of each guard were two unicorns, each of them producing a steady stream of fire from their horns in an attempt to thaw out the guards.

“Oi!” a voice shouted, grabbing Silver’s attention.

Coming towards the the king was a green earth pony with a short cut grey mane and matching grey side burns. The stallion sported a tan flat cap that failed to hide the stallion’s bushy eye brows. On his flank was the image of a magnifying glass and a question mark in the middle of the lens.

“This building is off limits to civilians,” the stallion stated in a gruff voice. “I’m unsure how that’s not obvious considering the two guards out front. So if you don’t mind—”

“Can you tell me where he is?!”

“My apologies sir,” he said, placing a hoof on Silver's chest. “but you need to—”

“I am King Silver Shroud,” he said, swiftly swatting the stallion's hoof away. “King of the Crystal Empire and all its inhabitants, and I refuse to move a single step further or backwards until you tell me what in Tartarus happened to my guards and where Diamond is!”

All eyes were now on the king, the stallion in front of him completely taken aback, his jaw hung open and his pupils shrunk. Just as the stallion was about to speak, a weak and fragile voice just barely broke the silence first.

“S-s-s-sire”

In an instant the gazes of the occupants were drawn back to the guards, one of which were conscious.

“Opal Blitz!” Silver shouted, brushing past the inspector as he made his way to the conscious guard.

“F-f-forgive me, your majesty,” Opal pleaded, his voice quaking. “It all happened so fast. Th-th-there was no way we could have been prepared for him. ”

“Who, sergeant?” Silver asked. “Tell us who did this.”

“Diamond, sir,” the Opal coughed out. “H-he sprouted a massive w-w-white beard, and his fur t-t-turned blue. Th-then he tried to leave, and when we tried to stop him, that’s when he attacked us. I-I know it sounds unbelievable, b-but it’s true, I s-s-swear.”

“But-but how?” Silver questioned the sergeant, rising to his hind legs and placed his forelegs on the ice block. “You’re not making any sense, sergeant, how is this even possible?”

“I’m sorry m-my lord,” the guard stuttered, his eyelids slowly drifting closed and his voice fading. “I’m s-s-so sorry.”

Silver’s mind was filled with questions that raced throughout his head at a million miles an hour. But as he opened his mouth to release them upon the guard, his eyes fell to the tired guard and his eyes fell to the floor. With a heavy sigh, he gently removed his forehooves from the block and made his way to the door. He stopped, and turned his attention to the inspector, who was still standing at the entrance.

“My most sincere apologies, your majesty,” the stallion said as he bowed and removed his hat. “If I had known—”

“All is forgiven, inspector—”

“Coldcase,” he said.

“Very well, if you would, please, once you have them thawed out, admit them to the next nearest clinic. Spare no expense, I’ll see to cover everything.”

“Yes, your majesty,” he said, raising from his bow and placing his hat back on his head. “If it helps any, what your guard said corresponds with what Miss Double Check was saying.”

“It does,” Silver said, making his way out the door. “Thank you.”

The forest floor trembled with the sound of hoof steps as the Manotaurs ‘stealthily’ made their way through the dense foliage—as stealthy as a group of half ton man-bulls could be, mind you.
Amongst these warriors was Dipper, who rode at the head of the group on the shoulder of Chutzpar and alongside the Multi-Bear.

“So, Destructor,” Chutzpar said, glancing to Dipper. “Ya think you’re going to be ready for this? There’s still time to back out, after all.”

“What? Are you kidding, man?” Dipper asked, looking to the man-bull. “After you guys went through all the trouble of getting us this sweet gear? No way.”

“Ha ha, just checkin’.” Chutzpar said, his face giving way to a small smile. “Can’t have ya flakin’ out on us in the middle of the battle, ya know.”

“Wait a minute,” Dipper said, his voice taking on an air of suspicion. “Why would you think I’d flake?”

“Well,” Chutzpar said, his eyes gesturing to the Multi-Bear.

“Aw come on, dude,” Dipper said, gaining a scowl. “You’re still upset about that?!”

“We’re all still upset,” Chutzpar said, gaining a scowl of his own. “Some more then others.” He gestured to the group behind them. Dipper looked back just in time see one of the man-bulls quickly looking away, his eyes slightly moist.

“We brought you in, Destructor, shared with you our secrets of being a man, and when the time came to prove yourself, you let us all down.”

“Look, I’m sorry, okay,” Dipper said. “But it’s different this time and there’s a lot more at stake here then just proving that I’m a man. I have someone and something other than myself to fight for and I’m not about to let my feelings or fears stop me from helping Twilight and saving my friends.”

“I see,” Chutzpar said, his eyes returning to the path in front of him.

The two once again drifted into a silence.

“So this ‘Twilight’ girl, she’s something else isn’t she?” Chutzpar asked.

“Yeah,” Dipper said, a small smile forming on his mouth. “She really is.”

“One of the only ones I’ve ever known who can whip us into shape.”

“Yeah.”

“Brought all theses different species together into one functioning army.”

“Yeah.”

“You like her, don’t ya, Destructor?”

“Ye—wait, what?!” Dipper stammered as his face flushed and his eyes darted nervously back and forth. “Come on man, yeah as a friend but I mean—”

Chutzpar chuckled and shook his head.

“Can’t hide it from me, Destructor,” he said tapping his snout. “I could smell it on you a mile away.”

Dipper hung his head.

“Is it really that obvious?”

“Indeed,” the Multi-Bear said, drawing the attention of the two. “And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it either. Love is but an ever changing maze filled with dead ends and misleading paths. But stay true to yourself and to others, and one day, all of us will find ourselves out of the maze and in the arms, wings, or other appendages of our one true love.”

Dipper and Chutzpar stared at the creature in stunned silence.

“Wow,” Dipper said, his eyes widened. “That was really deep, man. But I don’t know about love.” He shrugged, “I like her, don’t get me wrong, but I think we just need some more time to get to know each other, ya know?”

“Wise words indeed, child,” the Multi-Bear said.

“Thanks,” he said, as his eyes drifted to the ground and he let out a heavy sigh. “Too bad we’re not going to get that after this is all over.”

“Pffft,” Chutzpar said, waving a dismissive hand. “Listen here Destructor, anyone can quote beloved romantic author No-Shirtie-O—”

“Wait,” the Multi-Bear said. “How did you know—”

“But a real man acts on his instincts, seizing the opportunity like an opponent and pounding it into submission until it cries for mercy! Because even if you do end up getting beat, that’s okay. Because at least you did something, and you can be proud of that.”

Dipper’s eyes grew significantly wider as he cast his gaze on the man-bull.

“Okay,” Dipper said, shaking his head in an attempt to regain his senses. “Now that I was—”

“Quiet,” the Multi-Bear said, his voice suddenly shrinking to a whisper. “Chutzpar, stop your men.”

“Hold on,” Chutzpar said, his eyes narrowing as he took a brief smell of the air, “who do you think you—oh—ooooh no.” he said stopping dead in his tracks, causing the rest of the group to do the same.

“What?” Dipper said, his eyes darting back and forth between the two. “What’s going on?”

“Form up, men,” Chutzpar barked, “the fight is coming to us!” The group complied as they created a tight circle, unsheathing their various makeshift weapons from their backs.

“How long do you think they’ve been following us?” Chutzpar asked, turning to the Multi-Bear.

“Long enough for us to stumble right into their trap,” the Multi-Bear said, cursing himself. “I should have been more alert, this never should have happened.”

“Well it’s happening now, so no point in beating yourself up—”

“Would someone please tell me what’s going on?!” Dipper half shouted half whispered, his voice dripping with anxiety as sweat formed on his brow.

“Plain and simple, Destructor,” Chutzpar said, turning his head to Dipper. “We’ve walked right into a trap.”

“Jeazy peats,” Stan groaned, closing yet another door of memories with a shudder. “This guys done some seriously messed up stuff. That was, what, the eighteenth or twentieth door that was exclusively for different forms of torture?”

“Twenty-second,” Bill said, phasing through the adjacent door with a notepad with one hand and a quill in the other. “I’ll give him this, he’s got an imagination. I mean, that thing with the rats, the funnel, and the blindfold... pretty decent stuff.”

“Don’t tell me you’re actually enjoying this.”

“Eh,” Bill said, shrugging. “Frankly I’ve seen better. Ha, I’ve done better, actually.”

“Look,” Stan said rubbing his temples. “I like the pain of others as much as the next guy, but this, yeesh. If there weren't chills down my spine from the cold, there’d be from this junk.”

Stan turned his attention to Discord, who at the time, was slamming the door to another set of memories with an annoyed look on his face.

“Back me up here, Discord,” Stan said holding his arms out to the floating triangle.

Discord looked over at the two and rolled his eyes as a frustrated snort came from his nostrils.

“Yes, yes, Bill said something disturbing, big surprise.” He said, his tone oozing with sarcasm. “I suppose next you’re going to tell me that you’re cold or that the sky is blue?”

“Wow,” Stan said, adopting a glare as he eyed the being. “I could do without the sass there, buddy.”

“And I could do with you two picking up the pace!” Discord said, craning his neck so his head was in front of Stan’s.

“The Sam Hill’s gotten into you, patch job?” Stan said, as he balled his fist. “If you got somethin’ to say, then say it.”

“You want to know what’s wrong?!” Discord shouted, . “I haven’t a clue where we’re suppose to be in this snow ridden place, I can’t use my chaos magic whatsoever while I’m in here, and let’s not forget that we’re on a time limit! So you’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little tense!”

“Well shouting isn’t going to help anything!” Stan said, his head pressing against Discord’s.

“Well, maybe if you two would go faster, I wouldn’t have to yell!”

“Um, guys?” Bill said.

“We’re going as fast as we can,” Stan said, lifting his sleeve. “I don’t see you moving any faster.”

“Guys?” Bill said again, his voice raising slightly.

“Well, then maybe you need to get those oversized spectacles of yours looked at.”

“Oversized?! That’s it, you and me, patch job, let’s go!”

“GUYS!” Bill bellowed, his entire body increasing ten fold.

Stan and Discord both turned, their ears ringing and their brows furrowed.

“WHAT!?” They shouted back.

“I think I found what we’re looking for.”

Author's Note

Dear Dahling.

The Hiatus is over! Happy Memorial day everypony and happy birthday FAM! Finals are done and I'm ready to move on with this story. Expect another chapter soon mine comrades ( despite my previous track record). It's been ages since we've talked mine dahlings, tell me, what do you think of the new season? And Gravity Falls fans, what did you think of the season finally?

Sincerely Yours, The Cake Devil.

Memories

Chapter 19

As Silver passed through the entrance of the clinic, he departed with more questions than answers. How was Diamond able to freeze two of his guards? Why did he do it? Where was he now? These questions and more occupied the king's mind so much, that once again he was brought out of his train of thought as he slammed into another hard surface, said surface being the carriage this time around.

“Blast!” Silver barked, rubbing his snout with his forehooves.

Luna stuck her head out the window, a small smile on her muzzle.

“We might have suggested using one’s hoof to knock,” she said as she opened the door to the carriage. “But using thine skull seems just as effective.”

Silver grumbled to himself as he hopped into the carriage and took his seat.

“Coachpony,” Luna yelled, sticking her head out the window once more. “Back to the castle at once.”

As the carriage began to move, she returned her gaze to Silver. Her smile quickly changed to a look of concern.

“We hope stopping the guards somehow aided in your quest for knowledge? Pray tell, what did thy learn?”

Silver dragged a foreleg down his face and let loose a heavy sigh.

“I do thank you for that Luna, unfortunately I only come back with more questions than answers.”

Silver went on to explain his experience inside the clinic, going over every detail in his head as he told the princess in an attempt to make any sense of the situation. He tried desperately to remember anything that he might have missed that would help all the pieces fall into order.

“Goodness,” Luna said as Silver finished. “We find this all quite hard to take in, to say the least.”

“How do you think I feel?” Silver asked, taking a long, heavy sigh as he gazed out the window. “But unfortunately, this is all I have to go on for the time being.”

Luna placed a hoof on Silver’s shoulder, prompting him to turn his head.

“Worry not, my friend,” she said, taking on a reassuring tone. “We’re sure that all will become clear very soon, and We will gladly help in any way possible.”

Silver gave a weak smile and placed his hoof over Luna’s.

“Thank you, Luna,” he said before gently sliding the appendage off his shoulder. “But right now I think it best to just get back to my quarters and prepare my leave.”

Luna nodded and withdrew her hoof.

“We understand,” she said, turning her gaze elsewhere. “This whole incident sits uneasy with us. What kind of sorcery allows for an earth pony to best two guards using frost magic and then using the facial hair that they suddenly sprouted to take flight?”

There was something about that description that stuck out in the young king’s mind. It was as if the image was in a dream or was a distant memory. Whatever it was, it refused to make itself known to the king and remained a constant source of frustration.

“Silver?” Luna said.

“Y-yes, Lunam” the king replied, shaking himself out of yet another bout of deep thought.

“We’ve been meaning to ask, and We apologize if this is too forward, but how long hath thee had the cut upon thine flank?”

“Cut?” He asked, tilting his head. “What on earth do you mean?”

“There is a rather ghastly cut upon thine hindquarters that we did not notice from last night. Did thou somehow injure thyself?”

“Luna,” Silver said, tilting his head toward his flank. “I’m not sure what you mean, but I’m positive there isn’t a—”

Silver stopped, his eyes expanding and his pupils shrinking to pin pricks. Stretching along his right flank was a single cut.

As he stared upon the cut, all the events from last night became clear. Him going to confront Celestia only to find an empty room, the discovery of the passage, the green light, the conversation, how he received said cut—and the creature. The creature whose description matched the description of Diamond as told by both Opal and doctor Double Check. And the same creature that bore the crown of The Ice King.

His eyes shot immediately back to Luna.

“I must return to my kingdom this very instant!”

Luna’s eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak.

“Coachstalion,” Silver shouted. “Back to the castle at castle at once!”

The carriage increased in speed as requested, bounding down the cobblestone streets.

Silver stuck his head back inside and turned his attention to Luna.

“Luna, I apologize for the sudden request, but might I borrow your guards?”

Luna shook her head, her eyes widened as she struggled to speak.

“W-whatever for?” she stuttered out.

“They’re the fastest flyers in all the known kingdoms, they’ll cut a three day trip back to the Crystal Empire in half, now please, yes or no!?”

“Y-yes,” Luna said, still taken aback from Silver’s sudden and abrupt change in demeanor. “Silver, what on Equis is this about?”

“Honestly, Luna,” he said, gazing into the Princess’ eyes. “I don’t know, but I can only pray I can make it back in time to stop whatever is about to happen.”

Silence reigned throughout the forest. The birds, the frogs, and even the insects, were all absent.

The group of man-bulls—plus one Multi-Bear and human—huddled together in a circle, their backs facing each other’s and their eyes scanning the forest around them.

“Do you hear anything,” Chutzpar asked, his ears swiveling back and forth.

“Nothing,” the Multi-Bear responded.

“Guys,” Dipper said in a hushed tone, his eyes darting between the two beings. “Does someone want to maybe fill me in here?”

“Plain and simple, Destructor,” Chutzpar said, turning his head to the boy. “Whatever’s been tracking us has been using the forest as cover.”

As Chutzpar explained, the crackling and crunching of the abundant wood scattered throughout the forest floor could be heard as the group occasionally moved their hooves, shifting their weight from one side to the other.

“Indeed,” the Multi-Bear said, his eyes still on the forest. “Our foe isn’t just using the forest as cover, it somehow is the forest at the same time, only giving off a small hint of dark magic that we are only now picking up on since we’re in the thick of it.”

“Wait,” said Dipper, becoming weary of the increasing noise of wood clicking and crunching. “Did you just say it is the forest?” He asked, his eyes widening and a drop of sweat running from his brow.

“Yes,” The Multi-Bear said, attempting to talk over the growing noise. “Why—”

“Hey!” Chutzpar shouted, “Keep it down, I can’t hear a thing with you bozos stomping!”

“It’s not me!” One of the man-bulls shouted. “It’s Headcruncher!”

“What!?” An adjacent manataur said turning to his neighbor. “It’s probably you, cause you’re so scared!” he said, now shouting over the sound of creaking wood.

“I’ll show you how scared I am!” The manatuar said as he reeled back his arm and clenched his fist.

“I don’t care who it is,” Chutzpar said turning around. “Just knock it—”

Chutzpar stopped mid sentence as his eyes fell directly to the middle of the circle. He’d only manage to just throw Dipper to the Multi-Bear before he was tackled to the forest floor by a timberwolf.

“Chutzpar!” Dipper screamed as the Multi-Bear caught him in his paws.

The timberwolf snapped relentlessly at Chutzpar, clawing dozens of scratches into the man-bull’s chest as it attempted to wrap its jaws around his neck. Unfortunately for the beast, its size was only half its prey’s and its jaws were only met with Chutzpar’s left arm as he held the creature at bay.

“This is what we were worried about?! “ Chutzpar asked, an annoyed frown on his face.

With a single move move, Chutzpar drove his fist into the timberwolf’s side, sending the creature flying into the base of a tree and causing small fragments of the beast to fly in all directions.

Rising to his hooves with a grunt, Chutzpar brushed himself off and turned his attention to the timberwolf, who was doing the same.

The wooden canine glowered at the man-bull, its head lowered and its teeth bared exposed for all to see, as a low growl emanated from its maw.

“That suppose to scare me, tough guy?” Chutzpar said, a brow raised and a smirk on his mouth. “Well come on then, let’s see what you got!”

With a loud bark the timberwolf bolted toward Chutzpar, its eyes locked onto its intended prey.

Just as the beast was right in front of him, he plunged his fist downward with the aim of plowing the creature’s head into the ground.

But with only mere milliseconds to spare, the timberwolf dodged the opposing fist and maneuvered around the mighty bull.

Momentarily stunned by the sudden impact of his fist against solid ground, Chutzpar was caught off guard as the creature leapt upon his back and drove its teeth into his shoulder, prompting a painful grunt from the man-bull.

“Guys,” Dipper shouted. “Come on, we gotta help him!”

“Don’t you dare,” Chutzpar grunted. Reaching behind him, he grabbed the creature by its lower half. “I can handle this, MYSELF!” he shouted as he hurled the creature off of his back and to the ground. Grasping the creature by its throat, Chutzpar proceed to plunge his fist into the creature's muzzle, taking off chunks of wood with each blow. As the timberwolf struggled to escape the man-bull’s grasp, it desperately clawed at its assailants arm. Slowly though, the struggling began to lessen until its limbs finally slipped off the manotaur’s arm and fell to the ground as the light in its eyes slowly dimmed.

Streams of blood poured from the cuts and gouges that riddled the manotaur’s body. As he released his hand from the creature's throat, he proceeded to rotate his neck bringing forth a symphony of cracks.

Dipper finally managed to squirm his way out of the Multi-Bear’s grasp and ran to Chutzpar’s side.

“Dude,” he exclaimed, a smile on his face. “That was amazing!”

An angry snort emanated from his nostrils as he nudged the wooden corpse with one of his hooves.

“That’s it?” he asked, a smirk on his face as he turned back to Dipper. “It was scrappy, I’ll give it that. But if these flimsy wooden wuss hounds is what what’s-his-face is calling an army,” he said, raising his hoof and positioning it above the timberwolf’s head. “Then we should be able to take care of this before lunch.” he finished, slamming his hoof down, shattering the creature's skull.

“I congratulate you on your victory, Chutzpar,” the Multi-Bear said, his voice hushed and his eyes shifting. “But I fear that we may need to delay any celebrations.”

“Pffft, yeah right.” Chutzpar said, waving a dismissive hand. “You saw what happened, I opened up a can of butt-kicking on its sorry wooden tail.”

“Yes,” the Multi-Bear said. “But don’t you think it was a little too easy?”

“With theses babies?” Chutzpar said, raising his biceps which he proceeded to flex. “ I don’t think so.” he said planting a kiss to each arm.

“What do you mean ‘too easy’?” Dipper asked.

“You saw the same fight as I,” the Multi-Bear said, turning his main head to the boy. “It easily could have scored a devastating blow to our friend’s ankle, crippling him in the process. Yet instead, it went for a minor strike on Chutzpar’s shoulder instead.”

“Maybe it was just stupid?” Chutzpar said.

“No,” the Multi-Bear said, his tone increasing in dread. “Gentlemen, I think we were being distr—”

“Uh, bros,” a shaky voice said from behind the three. “We have company.”

The three looked to the forest and their pupils immediately shrank to pinpricks.

Edging toward them were countless sets of glowing green eyes that now surrounded the small army. Their owners, considerably larger than the opponent they had just encountered. Their heads now reaching chest level of the man-bulls, their frames far bulkier, reinforced with layers of hardened wood, and their open maws revealed two rows of jagged, sharpened spears. Leaking out the corners of each and every set of eyes, were wisping purple flames.

“Hm,” Chutzpar said with a furrowed brow. “So what, the big bad wolves look a little scarier. It’ll take a few extra minutes, tops, to take care of these losers and we’ll be on our way.”

Just as Chutzpar finished, the corpse that had once been lifeless, quickly started to disassemble itself. An eerie green aura surrounded each and every piece as they quickly reassembled away from the trio, taking additional parts from the forest floor. In a matter of seconds, the opponent which had taken only moments to defeat, was once again standing in front of them, its form matching that of its brothers. Yet it stood at least a head taller than Chutzpar and adorned a row of black crystals running along the length of its spine. As it stared at the three, dark purple flames began emanating from the corners of its eyes, and a noticeable sneer appeared on its muzzle.

Chutzpar and the others gulped.

“Regeneration,” Dipper said, his voice quivering. “Did not know they could do that.”

The three slowly retreated back into the circle, walking backwards as not to be caught off guard by the wooden hounds, their eyes never leaving the encroaching beasts.

“No problem,” Chutzpar said, unsheathing his makeshift battle hammer—which comprised of a thick pipe with a fire hydrant attached. “Just means me and the boys might get a proper work out now.”

Chutzpar turned to Dipper, whose eyes were still glued to the timberwolf as his body visibly shook.

“Hey,” Chutzpar grunted, quickly gaining Dipper’s attention. “Now's the time where you put your money where your mouth is. If you were serious about what you said about Twilight, now’s the time to prove it. But I need to know right now, that you’re not about to chicken out, and you’re going to stand and fight. If you are, then I got your back one hundred percent. But if you’re not, you better find a tree and climb it now, cause things are about to get nuts really fast.”

As Chutzpar finished, Dipper took in a deep breath and his shaking stopped. Reaching down with his right hand, he drew his sword and grasped it in both hands as he held it in front of him. He blinked once and when he opened his eyes, his brow furrowed and a look of fiery determination glowed brightly in his eyes.

“Heh,” Chutzpar said, his eyes returning to his foes. “There may be hope for you yet, Destructor.”

Deep within the psyche of the dark, king past decades upon decades of unspeakable acts, and hidden just inside the realm of conscious memory, there is a door apart from all the rest.

Where most of the memories the trio encountered were held behind doors of blackened crystal or ice and came in the standard rectangular from, this one, however, was in the shape of a square crystal and glowed crimson red through the multitude of chains and locks that covered the entrance.

The three beings stared at the door, silently taking in the sight before them.

“So,” Stan started. “You think this is it?”

“Seriously?” Bill asked, his eye taking on a slightly confused expression. “This has to be the most ominous and out of place thing here, apart from us.”

“He’s right,” Discord said. “And besides, it’s not like we have any other leads. Alright Bill, make with the ‘master of the mind’ business and get us in there.”

“I don’t know.” Bill said, as he floated over to the chains. His eye half lidded as rubbed his hand underneath it, inspecting the restraints up and down. “These chains are made out of solid mindtanium. I’m not sure I can bust through this stuff.”

“What?!” Discord and Stan shouted.

“Yup,” Bill said as he turned to the two. “This stuff is the real deal. It could take days or months or even—” With a single snap of his fingers the chains were gone and the door gently swung open. “Ahahaha, oh, you should have seen the looks on your faces!”

The two other beings stared at their triangular comrade, a deadpan expression on both of their faces as they brushed past the smug trickster.

“Whew,” Bill said, following in after them. ”But seriously, how do you guys keep forgetting how awesome I am?”

As Bill entered, the door slammed shut with a loud boom, causing the three to quickly turn around just in time to see the entrance blink out of existence.

“Well,” Stan said. “Guess there’s no going back now.”

As the three progressed further into the room they soon discovered that this wasn’t simply a single memory, but a collection of different memories. Hundreds upon hundreds of medium sized squares floated aimlessly throughout the room, as they each played out a different memory. But like the door, the memories displayed differed vastly from the ones previously encountered. Instead of horrendous acts of torture and violence, theses memories all appeared to be happy and revolved around a single individual.

“I have to say,” Stan said, as he gently pushed away a stray memory from his head, “this is quite the improvement over what we’ve been seeing.”

“Indeed,” Discord said. Reaching up, he plucked a memory from the air and held it in front of his face. “Although I’m relieved at the change of pace, one must wonder why all these memories are gathered up in one spot.”

“What are you three doing here?”

Author's Note

Dear Dahlings.

Well, that didn't take me too long now did it? Okay maybe it did, just a little at least. Anywhozer, happy Fathers Day everypony, and as always, thank you to Insula Sol and Neko Majin C for your dedicated work on this little puppy of mine.

If anyone has any questions or criticisms, feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

Hugs and more hugs.

Sincerely Yours, The Cake Devil.

Nightmare or Reality? (Now Edited thanks to Neko Majin C)

Chapter 1

“But, Wendy I…” Dipper reached out his hand to touch Wendy, only for to be smacked it down.

“You really thought that I could ever love a twerp like you?” Asked Wendy. Disgust made itself evident on her face,“I never want to see you again, Dipper Pines!”

Her words echoed in his head as Dipper stood there unable to speak, unable to move his legs. He stood there as the one girl who he had hid his true feelings from for so long, shattered his heart into a million pieces. Dipper looked down as the tears began to pour down his face.

Dipper felt a hand be gently placed upon his shoulder.

“Dipper?”

He raised his head to meet Wendy's eyes, as small shimmer of hope was suddenly rekindled inside of him.

But what he saw wasn't Wendy.

Towering over him was a creature like nothing he had ever seen. As Dipper stood horrified at what had manifested in front of him, the creature stared right back at him with its crimson eyes. A crooked smile began to form on the creature's muzzle, giving Dipper a good view of a tooth protruding from its upper jaw.

The creature then bent its neck downwards, reaching eye level with Dipper. He looked back at the creature, unable to close his eyes or look away for a single moment.Then...it began to laugh. A deep laugh that echoed in his mind and only got louder, and louder, and louder and-

“AH!” Dipper shot up in his bed drenched in a cold sweat, gasping for air. “It was only a dream.” He told himself as he wiped the sweat from his brow and gave an exhausted smile.

It was still dark outside the cabin window, yet birds could be heard chirping outside.

He gave an irritated groan as he plopped back onto his bed. “Well, no use trying to get back to sleep now.”

Dipper glanced over to the other side of the room to his twin sister Mabel. Realizing how much noise he had been making, he hoped that she hadn't been woken in the process.

Luckily, it looked like his outburst hadn't hindered his sisters's sleep. She lay face down on her bed, her mouth wide open, showing off her braces. Her arm was clenched around her beloved pig, Waddles. Somehow the pig had managed to sneak his way under the covers of his sister's bed and was sleeping soundly next to her (with the exception of the occasional kick).

Dipper gave a smile at the sight of the two and turned his head to the ceiling as he tried to recollect his dream.

“I never want to see you again, Dipper Pines!”

Dipper continued to replay the sentence in his head. He knew it had only been a dream, but it hurt nonetheless. It had only been a few weeks since Wendy had started going out with Robbie.

Dipper sneered at the very thought of him, how Wendy could fall for such a looser was beyond him. But the fact was Wendy had chosen to be with Robbie, and Dipper was left with a broken heart.

Dipper violently shook his head back and forth. Attempting to dismiss the thought from his mind. Instead he tried to recall more factors of his strange dream.

He faintly remembered something else. Squinting his eyes, he tried to bring back the dream, as he did, fuzzy images began to come back into focus. Slowly, the thing that had entered his dream started to take form.

The creature was indeed a mismatch of different parts: Its tail was covered in red scales. At the very tip sprouted a tuft of white fur. It stood on two different legs, one that was hoofed, and another that was clawed and covered with green scales. The creature was sporting a lion paw and an eagle's claw for front legs. Two different wings rested on it's back, one that was transparent and looked like it had been torn from a bat and the other was covered in a layer of blue feathers. There was what looked like two different protrusions coming out of its head-one that looked like a deer antler, and the other a blue goat horn.

Dipper paused in his thought process as he recollected what had truly scared him awake.

Its eyes.

Dipper shuttered at the very thought of them. There was just something about them that made him feel…uneasy. Not that the rest of the creature was pretty to look at either. But it was the eyes that had a touch of utter delight and pure insanity, that represented the cherry on top of a creature who's appearance was beyond belief to begin with.

Dipper flipped on his light and grabbed a book from under his pillow.

He stared at it momentarily, the book that he had found by chance in a secret compartment in the woods, had helped him many times during his strange adventures. Perhaps it could be of assistance once more.

He cracked open the book and started flipping through the pages.

“Ghost, no. Gremlin, no. Lawn gnome, no. Rainicorn, no.”

Dipper gave a frustrated groan. “Come on, there's gotta be something in here.”

As he franticlly searched through the book, Dipper felt something lightly brush the top of his head. He reached up and grabbed the mysterious item. To his dismay, it was a page from the book. It had the same texture and worn out look as the other pages in the book, but looked like it had been torn out. Being that the side Dipper had turned to him was blank, he flipped the page over.

Doing so caused his eyes to widened in a mixture of satisfaction and fear at the sight of what lie on the opposite side.

On the page was the very creature that had haunted his dreams. The picture depicted the monster with a very small grin whilst his arms rested behind his head and his legs crossed. He seemed to be relaxing on a pink cloud that was raining some sort a brown liquid upon some very distraught citizens.

“You know, I must say that picture really does capture my essence quite well, if I do say so myself.”

“AHHHHGH!”

Dipper screamed. Flying out of his bed, the young boy found the wall and pressed his back to it. His heart raced as he scanned the room frantically, looking for the source of the voice. But finding nothing but the room itself.

“Ughhhhhh, Dipper? What's going on?”

Dipper looked over to see a very groggy Mable sit up in bed and rub her eyes.

“Sorry Mable, I… saw a mouse and it really surprised me is all. Just go back to sleep, okay?”

Mabel yawned, lied back down, and wrapped her arms around Waddles.“Okay. But please try to keep it down.”

Dipper gave a sigh of relief, being a terrible liar Dipper felt lucky Mabel was in such a state to not ask questions.

Slowly,he made his way back to bed. He picked up the book slid it back under his pillow, and crawled back under the sheets. He was about to turn off his light when something caught his attention once more.

The page.

He slowly reached for it and put it to his face once more. He looked to the picture and above the image was a single word.

“Discord?” He said to himself in a hushed tone.

As he predicted, Dipper failed in his attempts to go back to sleep that night. His exhaustion was announced most prominently when, at breakfast, he enjoyed a hearty bowl of pig feed and milk. Compliments of Grunkle Stan and Mabel, who snickered to one another and snickered in anticipation of his reaction. Unfortunately for the two tricksters, Dipper consumed his peculiar breakfast none the wiser. Frustrated at Dippers response (or lack of one), Stan got up from the table, grabbed his paper and headed to the bathroom. While Mabel on the other hand, looked to her brother with increased concern.

“Dipper, are you feeling okay?”

Dipper continued to eat his breakfast.

“Dipper, hey Dipper, earth to mister groggy froggy.” This time Mabel placed a hand on Dipper's shoulder and lightly shook him.

“WHAHUH?!”

Dipper shot up at the sudden sensation of his sister's touch, causing his breakfast to spill onto the floor, much to the delight of a patient Waddles. The pig eagerly gorged himself on the fallen mess as Dipper stared blankly at the pig. His knees were drawn up to his chest with his arms wrapped around his legs; his eyes were deathly bloodshot with bags hanging just under them.

“Alright bro-bro, what's going on with you?” Mabel asked. “What happened last night that's got your brains all smooshed up?”

Dipper looked over to Mabel and gave an exhausted sigh. “I'm fine Mabel; I thought I told you I just saw a mouse and got scared.”

Mabel shook her head. “Uh-uh, Dipper, my twin telepathy is going bonkers up in here.” Mabel put a finger on her forehead. “And it's tellin' me that there's something else making you act like this, and it isn't some silly mouse.”

Dipper remained unphased.

Mabel frowned. Once again, she reached out to her brother and placed her hand back on his back.

“Dipper, whatever's bugging you I'm sure we can fix it together.” She said as she cracked a smile. “We are the Mystery Twins, after all.”

Dipper gave a small smile. He knew that his sister was right, and if there was one person that could give him the help he needed, it was Mabel.

He turned his head to look at Mabel, only to see the grotesque sight of the creature's head stapled to his sister's body. Dipper quickly rubbed his eyes hoping to rid himself of the sight.

He opened his eyes, this time greeted by the very worried face of his sister. Dipper breathed a sigh of relief as he excused himself from the table.

“I’m going to take a walk in the woods. I think I just need to clear my head, alright?”

Mabel frowned as she gave a heavy sigh. “Alright, just be careful.”

Dipper nodded and made his way out the door. He stopped for a moment and turned around to face his sister.

“Hey, Mabel,”he said.

Mabel turned to look at him.“Yeah?”

“Thanks."

Mabel gave a big smile and waved a dismissive hand at him. “Any time, dipping sauce.”

It was still a little chilly out when Dipper left the Mystery Shack. He didn't know where he was going, but he just knew he had to get out of the house.

He hadn't walked far when he saw Wendy from a distance. His mouth became an instant smile as he waved and called out to her.

“Hey, Wendy!” He shouted.

Wendy seemed to wave back, which caused Dippers heart to jump a little. He proceeded to walk over only to stop in his tracks. Unbeknownst to Dipper, Robbie had been leaning against the other side of the cabin out of Dippers direct line of sight. Robbie walked up to Wendy and they greeted each other with a quick hug as Wendy continued her way to the gift shop entrance with her hand holding Robbie's.

Dipper's smile faded and his gaze wandered to the ground. He continued on his way, with disappointment and heart break as his traveling companions.

“ Dipper. Hey, Dipper!”

He looked up to see Wendy smiling down at him, Robbie was still holding her hand but trying as much as possible to avert eye contact with Dipper while he gave an annoyed look.

“Oh, hey Wendy, what's up?” Dipper asked with a weak smile.

“Eh, you know, same old same old. Dang, did you not get enough sleep last night or something? You're looking pretty messed up.”

Dipper gave her an awkward smile and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Yeah, last night I thought I saw a mouse run across my bed, and it kinda freaked me out a little, is all.”

Robbie snickered,“Pfft figures a twerp like you would get scared because of a little mouse.”

Wendy scowled at him and gave a quick elbow jab to his side. “Cut it out Robbie.” She said.

“Oof.” Robbie grabbed his side.

Wendy turned her attention back to Dipper, a comforting smile on her face. “ Hey don't sweat it Dipper, its nothing to be ashamed of. Tell you what, I'll have Soos set out some traps today, sound good?”

Dipper smiled. “I would say yes, but I think all we would catch is Soos.”

The two of them share a laugh.

“Alright, little dude, I’ll see you a later.”

“Yeah, see you later.”

Dipper stood there for a little longer and watched the two make their way through the front entrance. Before the two completely disappeared into the shack, Robbie turned his head and gave Dipper a menacing-death stare.

Dipper returned the stare as they finally disappeared behind the door. Dipper gave a small sigh and was about to make his way back into the house when he heard a hushed voice call out.

“Discord?”

Dipper froze in his tracks.

He gave a nervous laugh and attempted to blow it off as nothing. “It’s all in your head Dipper, you're tired and you're hearing things because of it.” He assured himself.

“Discord!?” He heard again.

He swallowed hard. “Okay, so not just hearing things.”

He contemplated running as fast as he could to the back door, but his curious nature got the better of him and he cautiously made his way towards the voice.

“Come on Dipper you can do this, you can do this.”

The voice seemed to be coming near the bottomless pit.As he edged closer the voice sounded feminine and started to have an irritated tone to it.

“Uhh, come on, we don't have time for this. Princess Celestia gave us a deadline and the longer we stay here the more likely we are to be discovered by the locals.”

Dipper creped ever closer, the only thing separating the source of the voice and himself was a small shrub. He lowered himself onto his stomach and tentatively parted the shrubs.

Standing next to the bottomless pit was what appeared to be a horse? Dipper gave a sigh of relief.

“Okay, odd, but not exactly bad.” He whispered.

Dipper watched the odd little horse scurry around, looking as if it had lost something. The more he watched the little horse, the less and less it looked like a regular horse.

The first thing he noticed about it was the color of its coat. A soft tone of purple fur covered its entire body. Its mane was a dark shade of purple with a violet stripe going through it, and on its rear was some sort of...star tattoo? He continued to scan the horse and noticed that neatly tucked into its side were two feathery wings. “Okay, so its a purple Pegasus.” he muttered. As the little horse came closer to where Dipper was hiding, he saw something sticking from its forehead:a horn. “Alright so scratch that, a purple, Pegasus, Unicorn? A Pegicorn. Mabel would love this.”

“Ah, crab apples!” The little horse muttered.

"Did that horse just talk?" He thought to himself as his jaw fully dropped; his eyes were glued in a state of shock and amazement. Feeling satisfied with his findings ,and a little uneasy, he slowly rose and turned to make his way back from where he came.

He turned around and started walking. He'd only taken two steps, when an unknown force caused him to trip, landing flat on his face. He looked around to see what had caused his sudden reintroduction to the ground.

“A pineapple?” Dipper muttered. He picked up the fruit and inspected it, spinning the object around in his hands.

“How in the world-” Dipper was suddenly cut off by a sharp “Shhhh.”

Dipper jumped, he looked around to find the origin of sound only to find empty forest.

“Would you keep it down, for Celestias sake, you're going to give us away.”

Dipper reluctantly looked back to the fruit and found that it was now glaring at him with two frustrated eyes looking back at him.

Dipper screamed and fumbled the fruit.

“Aha, found you!”

Dipper found himself surrounded by a purple aura as his feet were slowly lifted off the ground. He was being pulled into the clearing and brought in front of the horse-like creature.

“Alright, now that your silly game is over, we can finally get down to busi-”

The horse's eyes widened and its jaw dropped as it suddenly became aware of Dippers presence. The two were in a mutual state of shock and terror as they looked at one another.

“Oh no..”

Author's Note

Alright people this is my first fan fiction ever. Let me know what you guys think I need the input.

A Huuuge thanks to Neko Majin C for his mad editing chops. I had no idea just how bad my earlier writing sucked. :twilightoops:

Show Time!

Chapter 15

(Now edited by Neko Majn C)

“I can’t believe her,” Mabel yelled, walking alongside her brother. “She’s seriously pulling this ‘it’s too dangerous’ malarkey now,” she huffed. “Just who does she think she is—”

“Mabel,” Dipper said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Relax, okay,” he said with a small grin. “I got us covered.”

“What you talkin’ ‘bout, bro-bro?” Mabel said, tilting her head in response.

“Well,” he said, letting go of his sister. “I think we’re far enough away to not be heard from, right guys?”

With that, out of the forest emerged the Summerween Trickster, Chutzpar the manotaur, and Jeff the gnome.

“Wow,” Mabel said. “How long have you guys been following us?”

“For the past couple minutes,” the Trickster said.

“And I didn’t even notice, you guys must be uber stealth!” She said, not noticing the obvious path of pushed over bushes and broken branches from where the three had been walking.

Dipper and the other three shared a confused look before shrugging and brushing it off.

“Wait, why are you guys here anyway?”

“Because,” Jeff said. “We want to help you guys fight.”

Mabel didn’t respond with words, but when her face burst into a huge grin, Chutzpar continued.

“When Destructor here told us that Princess Purple Pants probably wouldn’t let you guys help get your family back, we couldn’t just sit back and let you guys miss a fight like this.”

“So,” the Trickster continued. “Dipper asked us to acquire a few…trinkets to assist you in the oncoming battle, as well as accompany the two of you as well.”

“Anyways,” Dipper said. “You guys got the stuff I asked for?”

Chutzpar nodded with a smile.

“Right here, Destructor,” he said reaching behind his back. In each hand rested a small set of metal armor, consisting of a chest and back plate, a helmet, leggings, and arm guards. “Forged with some of the finest metals we could take from the dwarves.”

“Thanks,” Dipper said, taking one of the suits. “But did you really have to steal from dwarves?”

“Only if you want good stuff with little effort,” Chutzpar said, handing the second set of armor to Mabel and crossing his arms. “Alright, gnome, you’re up.”

“Sweet,” Jeff said, clearing his throat before pulling out two glowing green gems from his pockets. “Behold, the talismans of Leaflebum! Two priceless treasures from one of gnomekind’s greatest warriors. Forged in the fiery pits of Huggle Sniffle and blessed from a powerful snail mage, these gems helped Leaflebum too—”

“They make you stronger and faster when you wear them.” Chutzpar interrupted, earning him a nasty look from the gnome. “Look, it was either that, or I use you as a hacky sack because there is no way I was listening to that again.”

“But I rehearsed and everything,” Jeff said. “I even had Shmebulock waiting with a fog machine.”

“Shmebulock?” A cheerful gnome said popping out from behind the bushes.

“No, no, abort mission. We’ll save it for the after party.”

“Shmebuloooock,” Shmebulock said, bowing his head in disappointment before disappearing back into the bushes.

“Anyways, yeah,” Jeff said returning his attention to the twins. “Like ruddy M.C. Rude Pecks said, if you wear one of these puppies around your neck, you get a pretty decent speed and strength boost.”

Dipper nodded and took both gems from the gnome. Stuffing one into his vest and handing the other to Mabel.

“And then there was one,” the Trickster said. “For you, children, I bear your mode of offence, your means of defending yourselves, and the tools to which you smite your foes.” The Trickster paused as he extended his bone-thin arms out to the twins and splayed his open hands in front of them. The two watched as a weapon was slowly spat out of each of the Tricksters hands. In his left hand, rested a silver sword, bearing a blade that just about went the length of Dippers arm, and ending in a hilt that was sculpted to resemble an eagle in flight. In his right hand sat a stunningly black morning star. A small group of black chains connected a long white bone, to a small skull with protruding metal spikes.

“For you Dipper, the ‘spatula’ of Quinton Trimbley. Used when he couldn’t find a woodpecker, this tool was said to have accidently aided him in his battle against a hoard of posssesed apple trees and the evil apple wizard, Johnny.” The Trickster slid the weapon into its sheath before handing it to Dipper.

“As for you Mabel,” the Trickster said, turning to the giddy child who, with widened eyes, was bouncing up and down in place. “A…uh, well it’s a morning star,” he said, scratching his head while looking at the instrument. “It’s got a spiked skull instead of the regular spiked ball, and it’s got a bone instead of handle…that’s all I got.” He said, handing the weapon to the frowning child.

“Hey wait, how come I didn’t get a cool history?” Mabel asked.

“And how come he got to deliver a back story,” Jeff asked in a resentful hushed tone to Chutzpar.

“Do you really want to be the one to interrupt him?” The manatour asked in a hushed tone of his own. “I hear that guy eats peop—”

“Ahem.”

The two jumped, turning to see the cold eyes of the Tricksters mask cast upon them.

“S-sorry about that,” Jeff stuttered.

“Yeah, sorry about that, bro,” Chutzpar said, a bead of sweat dripping from his brow.

The Trickster nodded before turning back to the disappointed Twin.

“Well,” he started. “As we are crunched for time, and in need of arms, I ‘acquired’ your weapons from a place that doesn’t really take too much thought into investigating the background of their possessions. Dipper’s being one of the few with a scrap of documentation attached to it.”

“Where exactly did you get these again?” Dipper asked.

Meanwhile, within a secret room located at the Gravity Falls Police station, two officers of the law pondered the whereabouts of two artifacts.

“Ya know,” Deputy Durland said. “I don’t recall der bein’ two perfectly empty spots in the ‘weird stuff’ vault.” He said while he and his higher up stared at the two empty spots in question.

“An awfully peculiar event to be sure.” Sheriff Blubs said, stroking his silver mustache while nodding.

“Do ya think we should report it?” Durland asked.

“Well we could,” Blubs said, turning to his Deputy. “Or we could use the space to hold our commemorative plates with pictures of us on our vacation!” The officer said as he pulled out two plates from behind his back.

“Oh I can’t believe it,” Durland squealed, bouncing up and down as he shook his hands. “When did they get here?”

“Eh-he-he, just this morning, I wanted to surprise you.”

“Let me see, let me see.” Durland said as he gently took the plate from the sheriff. “Oh I love it!”

“The perfect mementos, to remind us of a perfect vacation.” Blubs said, placing a hand on Durland’s shoulder.

“It’s irrelevant,” the Trickster said. “Moving on, we need to go over the battle plan now that the two of you are involved.”

“And ya may not like it,” Jeff added.

“What, why?” Dipper asked.

“Once again, irrelevant,” the Trickster said, momentarily casting his gaze to the gnome before turning back to the twins. “For safety’s sake, we’ve decided it’s best that each of you be divided among each of us. Mabel will be with myself and Jeff, while Chutzpar and the multi-bear will fight with Dipper,” he said gesturing to the manataur.

“Wait,” Dipper said. “So you’re splitting us up?” he asked, adorning a look of concern.

“Essentially, yes.”

Dipper and Mabel turned to each other, Dipper sporting a look of concern on his face while Mabel bore one of confusion.

“Is something wrong?” The Trickster asked.

“See,” Jeff said. “Told ya they wouldn’t like it.”

“Hush,” the Trickster hissed, turning to the gnome who almost lost his balance as he jumped back.

“It’s not that we don’t like it,” Mabel said. “It’s just—”

“Do we really need to split up?” Dipper said.

“Well,” the Trickster started. “It would create an equal power distribution. Spreading your skills equally amongst the battlefield. Aside from that, the eyes watching you would be distributed as well, but it’d also minimize the gaps in the defences that’d arrive with the two of you in play.”

“Soooo,” Mabel said, confusion evident on her face. “Is that a yes, or—”

“It’s a yes and a no,” the Trickster stated flatly.

“Well then, how come he didn’t just say that?” Mabel half whispered to Dipper.

“Look,” Dipper said, seemingly ignoring Mabel. “I think I speak for both of of us when I say we’d rather not split up.” Dipper took in a deep breath as he cast his gaze to the Trickster. “It’s just, if something were to happen to Mabel—” Dipper paused as he felt a sudden smack on his shoulder, looking over, he stared with confusion (and a teensy bit of pain) at a smiling Mabel.

“You big worry wort, that’s what you’re worried about?”

“Well, yeah,” he said, still clutching his arm.”Mabel, if something were to happen to you, I don’t—”

“Dipper,” Mabel said placing a hand on his shoulder. “I’m covered with armor, wearing weird gnome magic stuff—”

“Oh,” Jeff said, crossing his arms. “Well if you think it’s weird you can just—squeak” he managed to say before Chutzpar wrapped his hand around the small creatures frame. Silencing him, but producing a small squeak when pressure was applied. The manotaur gave a small nod to Mabel and she continued.

“Both of us have sweet mystical weapons, and to top it off, I have an army of gnomes and a shape shifting monster guarding my back!”

“But what if—”

“Dipper, look at me,” she said as her eyes took on a serious tone.

Dipper complied and lifted his gaze to his sister’s eyes.

“Are you looking?”

“Mabel, you can see me—”

“Answer the question!”

“Yes, I’m looking.”

“I. Will. Be. Fine.” She said flatly. “If there’s anyone who’s going to need your help today, it’s going to be Twilight. She may not act like it, but she’s holding onto some serious fears right now.”

Dipper opened his mouth his mouth to say something, only to close it a moment later and give his sister a solemn nod.

“That’s the spirit,” Mabel said, releasing her grip and giving her brother a firm punch on the shoulder. “Now get out there and go be the knight in shining armor I know you can be!”

Dipper placed his armor and other apparel on the ground, returning his gaze to Mabel, a soft smile on his lips.

“Just promise me one thing,” Dipper said.

“Anything, bro-bro.”

“After this is all over with, we all get together and get something to eat at Greasey’s.”

“It’s a deal.”

“Awkward twin hug?”

“Sure.”

Dipper proceeded to wrap his arms around his sister in a warm embrace, Mabel smiled and returned the gesture immediately. The hug lasted only a few moments before the two broke the silence, both patting the others back while saying “pat-pat”, matching their words to their actions and finally breaking the hug.

“Sheesh, finally,” Chutzpar said, dropping a partially blue Jeff to the ground. “Now that that’s over, come on, Destructor, we got some stuff to go over, especially if you’re gonna be fightin’ with me and the guys again.”

Dipper nodded.

“Right, so I guess I’ll see you later then.”

“Of course you will,” Mabel said. “ See you later, alligator.”

“After awhile, crocodile,” he replied before retrieving his things and making his way toward the manotaur. “So, how is everyone?” Dipper asked as the two began to leave. “It’s been what, two weeks now? How’s Ragetaur doing, has he gotten any better?”

“Yeah, actually. Last time he had an outburst, Beardy only lost a few teeth.”

“Ah, good for him.”

“You surprise me, Pines girl,” the Trickster said. “You manage to put your own fears aside for the benefit of others.”

“Pffft,” Mabel said waving a dismissive hand. “Scared, who’s scared? I’m not scared.”

The Trickster merely responded by slightly tilting his head to the left.

“Okay, I’m a little scared,” she said shrugging her shoulders. “But you’d have to be crazy to not be a little scared. Besides,” Mabel turned her gaze to her brother, as he walked along side the manataur. “I think a certain somepony needs Dipper a lot more than either of them realize.” She finished and smiled up at the Trickster. “So you know what, I think I can manage without my bro-bro, at least for a little while.”

The Trickster gazed at the girl, stroking his chin before giving an audible “hmph”.

“Perhaps there’s yet more to be learned from humanity. Maybe—”

“Oh man,” a voice said, followed by a small series of coughs.”What happened?”

The Trickster and Mabel cast their gaze on a now conscious Jeff, clutching his head with half lidded eyes.

“Wow, you okay there?” Mabel asked. “You were out for a pretty long time.”

“Oh yeah, yeah I’ll be fine.” Jeff said giving a dismissive wave. “It’ll take a lot more than a few minutes without air to keep me down, but thanks for asking, archduke porcupine.”

Meanwhile, back at the crystal gardens, Sombra slumbered still within the confines of his crystalline casing. Dark essence flickering about the king, growing ever larger with each passing minute.

While at the same time, two sets of eyes looked on, safely perched and hidden within a nearby tree.

“Alrighty then,” Discord said, clapping his paw and claw together. “I think we’re close enough for this to work.”

“If you say so,” Stan said. “Look, I don’t know about this, patch job. You never did say what was gonna happen once we were in there.”

“Not to worry my, wrinkled accomplice,” Discord said, turning back to Stan. “My master plan is safely hidden away within the lock box that is my mind.” He said giving his skull a small tap.

“More like jack-in-the box,” Stan muttered. “So, are we doing this or not?”

“Quite,” Discord said. “Let’s wake up our friend and get to it.”

Stan nodded and proceeded to rub the golden lamp. As he did, Bill quickly emerged from the spout, leading a stream of white smoke behind him.

“Oh, oh, ooooooh,” he groaned, as he popped his back. “I’ve met dryers that have given me a better ride than that.” Bill said, returning his gaze to Stan, a glare held in his single eye.

“You can complain about that later,” Discord said, gaining the entities attention. “We've arrived at our target,” he explained pointing an eagle claw at the slumbering king.

“Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, Dissy,” Bill said. “Now, are you two sure you’re safe up here? Bodies themselves don’t really do too well without someone behind the reigns, they kinda just flop around. Kinda like a sack full of potatoes and kittens.”

“Yes, yes, we’ll be fine,” Discord said in an irritable tone. “Please, will you hurry up, we haven’t much time as it is.”

“Sheesh, keep your pants on,” Bill said giving a small huff. “If you two die, I’ll have to leave empty handed. Well, actually, more if you die Dissy-po, if prune face here croaks, I’m pretty sure you can still get me what I want.”

“Hey!” Stan said. “I partially resent that!”

“Anyways,” Bill said. “ Let’s get this show on the road, huh?”

With that, Bill stuck his hands through Discord’s and Stan’s heads, causing each to shudder for a moment before falling limp and slumping against the tree. With one quick tug, Bill pulled from their bodies two translucent forms of the entities.

“Iiiiiit’s showtime!” Bill exclaimed, clutching the two forms as they plunged through the crystal casing, into Sombra’s head.

Author's Note

Dear Dahlings.

Meeeery Christmas e'ry one! Once again, a jolly great thanks to Insula sol for the prompt and through editing. Holiday wishes and all the best.

Sincerely Yours, The Cake Devil.