Fallen Crown, Rising Sword

Chapters

An Underground, A Promise Yet Filled
A Wasteland Legend
There's a Return Date
A Kink of a Plan
When Blades Cross
Rainy Days are the Best Days
Facing the Final Fear- Part I: Don't Fear the Reaper
Facing the Final Fear- Part II: One Haunted Orchaestra
A Train a Day... Keeps the Statues Away
Reminiscence

An Underground, A Promise Yet Filled

You know, if two years ago, you came up to me and told me that I'd meet an otherworldly being whom I'll fall in love with, then leave only to have another otherworldly being to take over Equestria. I would've called you the craziest pony alive. But now... not so much. And two years ago, I would be welcoming anypony to Equestria instead of trying to keep astray from our home. After he left, it all fell apart, I kinda can blame him, but did he know this was going to happen? I could tell you an answer if I had his response. He promised me, he promised that he would return one day, and that day hasn't come.

A year after, well almost a year after he left, these dark clouds were rolling in, and not just in Ponyville, but in Canterlot, Las Pegasus, Manehatten, and Vanhoover. Weather teams tried their all to rid these clouds from our lands, but they persisted. Celestia appointed me to track where these mysterious clouds were originating from, and with extensive research, tracking, and observations, these clouds were coming from somewhere deep in the Everfree.

But even then, I was dumbfounded even though the answer was right there, the only pony to ever have known where otherworldly things lie. That's when I had to report to Celestia that these weren't clouds, but *something else** entirely. Sure, it might have actually taken me a few weeks to even figure it out, but how did I know at the time?*

I'd like to blame him, but I can't. He did miss my coronation... but how would I have even let him know? He left me with a pendant and told me one thing; "I will return, that's a promise, and when I do, this will let you know." I was going to ask him how, but even then, I think I know. Reports are coming in from my informant network I successfully established. Each report is a sighting, and these sightings are appearing more and more amongst citizens, and more importantly, Ponyville. Each one the same; a cloaked figure with one eyes covered, the eye is a bright red that can be seen in the night, hangs around bedroom windows, stares to his targets for a few hours, then disappears.

If it weren't for the red eye, I wouldn't know who it was, but then again, I could be wrong. Anyway, these clouds, this being I suppose, made itself know the day Canterlot fell. Fear, it called itself, announcing to the entire population simultaneously. Tell all of us to bow before it like our rulers were forced to. Too bad it overlooked me. But I have hope, a hope that someday, the one that can stop this all, will come back, to save Equestria form this rule, to comeback for me.

Twilight closed her journal with an audible sigh, placing the quill down and wrapping a hand around her pendant. A lone candle flickered as the only light source in the room Illuminating just her front and the desk. Shadows crept along the backdrop of the flickers, dancing on the walls with the fire.

"Dammit Infinity..." She silently cursed to herself.

Tears started to stream down her face, thoughts of the wolf-slash-pegasus filled her thoughts. They were good, sometimes bad times, still could bring a smile to her face even when crying. Twilight's hand released the bronze pendant as she let out a small whimper. The peridot jewel in the center of the bronze shining in the dim light. She slid her chair back, the tee that covered her torso, quite possibly the only thing she had on tonight, and trudged towards the stairs. The candle went out with a bit of magic, but even then, she forgot to check the window.

With slow movements, Twilight climbed into her warm bed, though now if felt empty to her without her love there. She faced away from her bedroom window. Spike was sleeping comfortably in a guest room somewhere downstairs. Some wind rustled the outside branches of the library.

"Happy anniversary Infinity, I guess." Twilight spoke softly again closing her eyes and turning over to face the window, opening them again.

Twilight almost didn't believe what she saw. Even though it was pitch black, there was a single, red eye staring in at her. This intrigued her since that was a second-story window with no support for any one pony to be sitting as still as this figure was. There would've been atleast some sway if the figure was on a ladder or the shoulders of some other ponies.

She just stared back, immediately sitting up, not wanting to blink out of fear that the figure would be gone. They both stared for while, Twilight starting to fall sleepy. A flash of yellow-green fell over the red iris for a brief moment. A familiar dizziness fell over with a small smile, now she knew.

The next morning was a bit of drag, like it has been for the past year. Dreary grey clouds just barely letting any of Celestia's glorious morning rays to break though. Twilight's eyes fluttered open, an elongated yawn,and a slow push of her chest off the bed. Propping herself on her elbows, Twilight rubbed the sleep from her eyes, wings standing on in from the previous dream. Even though those around her were having nightmares, she wasn't. Twilight had guessed that Infinity had put some magic over her, the pendant, or the library. It was anypony's guess. But she continued one with her day, getting ready for a long, boring day ahead.

Twilight was awoken from the makeshift pillow of books on the front desk by a knock on the front door. With a slink here and slunk there, Twilight was being a bit lazy considering how late she was up last night. She trudged, like she did to her bed last night, to the door and opened it just the slightest. Rarity quickly barged in without a question nor aware that Twilight was just on the other side of the door, ready to poke her head out for a greeting.

"Darling, I know that're you're busy and all, but something just came up and it calls for an emergency meeting." Rarity rambled on.

"And what's so important to have you barging on in?" Twilight asked, rubbing her snout.

"It has to do with Rainbow dear."

Twilight didn't ask any further questions and rush out the door with Rarity following close. If it involved her friends, something was going down. The question is, what? Rarity soon took the lead, their meeting locations usually changing due to the fact that various scouts have been put under the Fear's control. Sometime Twilight would have to be gotten and sometimes she'd have to send ponies to fetch ponies. Very confusing at times, but worth the secrecy.

It didn't take too much time to reach their new meeting location, and it looked like it was being held in Applejack's apple cellar, not ideal, but again, worth the secrecy. Rarity closed the door quietly behind Twilight and the two continued down the hall. Upon meeting the brightly lit main room of the cellar, standing in a circle, were Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. Dash actually looked more timid than Fluttershy would on any given, a characteristic unlike the brave RD.

"Rainbow..." Twilight caught the cyan mares attention, causing her to jump a bit, "... Are you all right?"

"All right? I'm far from 'all right' Twi! I got a visit last night, by two things!" Rainbow blurted out, nervous breakdown was occurring.

"Just calm down RD, tell us what happened." Twilight insisted, looking at the pegasus with a soft look.

"Well... it was late, right? And I was..."

Rainbow was getting ready for bed, performing some of her routine nightly exercises in her room. For all she knew, she was all alone inside. Some motivational music blaring as she finished up. Her mane was matted down with sweat along with her fur, a sure fire sign that it was time for a shower since she didn't like sleeping in her own filth. Grabbing a towel and fiddling with the thunder cloud for the right temperature, Rainbow stepped in, letting the warm falls take her.

"Rainbow...." A whisper called out.

She tugged the curtain open and looked around the bathroom. Noone was there. With a shrug, Rainbow went back to her shower.

"Rainbow Dash....." The whisper called out again.

This time, the way the whisper sounded sent a chill up her spine. Rainbow quickly finished up her shower and got out before anything else sorta creepy happened. She stopped at the doorway when she spotted a single red eye staring into her bedroom, what made her uneasy is that it was staring at her. Rainbow quickly flew over to close the blinds, she noticed that the eye belonged to a figure with no wings, but was floating at least 30 yards up to her window from the ground. The eye flashed a yellow-green tint over its red for only a second. Rainbow started to feel dizzy, sleepy even, collapsing to the floor and pulling the blinds down.

She awoke the next morning on the floor of her bedroom, still not an ounce of fabric to cover her assets. When she rose to her hooves, she noticed a folded up piece of paper on her nightstand.

"Do yah still have that there note?" Applejack asked.

Rainbow nodded and dug it out of her pocket and showed it to AJ, AJ then gently took it from Dash's hand and unfolded it, reading it over:

You have nothing to fear in your own home or outside of it. I have protected you and will be protecting you when you read this.

-IDA

"Well that's strange." Applejack commented. "It reads right here the same like mine, the same initials n' all."

The other four peeked over the farm pony's shoulder.

"Mine also." Rarity commented, fishing out the note.

"Mine reads the same too.." Fluttershy inserted, brining hers out too.

"Oo.. OOOO! Mine reads the same also! Isn't this just fun?" Pinkie Pie burst with joy, pulling her note out of her cotton candy mane.

"Signed by the same feller?" Applejack asked, the three nodding. "Well, I reckon that whoever this pony is, we might as well teach him a few things or two about peepin' on ponies."

"Especially mares." Rarity huffed.

"Wait a moment girls. You all just so happened to have been carrying these notes for whatever reason, and the only one who brought this to attention was Rainbow?" Twilight looked at the lot of them.

"Yeah it seemed important!" Rainbow stated. "Why just a few nights ago, this creep visited Fluttershy."

"And a few night before that, AJ." Fluttershy went on.

"N' a few nights before that, Rarity." Applejack nodded towards the fashionista.

"And that ruffian visited Pinkie first." Rarity had a finger at the mare in question.

"I thought it was exciting to be watched while I slept!" Pinkie perked up with a big smile, a few of the others looking at her strangely.

Twilight rolled her eyes, "So if this mystery figure visited Rainbow last night, then how was he also at my bedroom window?"

"You're usually up late studying, Egghead." Rainbow smirked.

"A bit more clever than we all think then, hm?" Twilight grew a big smile on her face. The other girls looking at her with questions on their minds.

A Wasteland Legend

It's amazing, really, I never thought he could figure out which ponies were my best friends, but even scaring Rainbow out of her wits is pretty impressive. Anyway, these notes, all five, are written the same with the initials of 'IDA' signed at the end of each one. I can already guess what the 'I' stands for.

What perplexes me is why he would make two visits in one night. From what the girls told me, they each saw him a separate night, but made time to see me after seeing RD. It doesn't seem logical to me, but then again, with him it never really is.

Elsewhere...

Infinity's eye snapped open, his other eye may have been covered, even though it was still good, he found it useful to keep the right covered. He sat cross-legged on top of an old building. He could here small rubble fall off the broken structure from time to time. Often gunshots in the distance, and....

Tap-tap tap-tap-tap tap-tap

And something approaching from behind. Running up the building. Infinity stayed in his meditation pose, bringing his hands to the handle of one of his most rusted allies, Insanity Edge. Slowly, his claws wrapped around the canvas covered handle, gripping it tight,

"Edge..." Infinity said.

"Yes Sire?" The sword replied, her voice always in his head.

"Go pole-arm, I think we have company."

A short moment after his words, a creature the size of a big cat, if not bigger, leapt from behind. A roar came out and Infinity was quick to bring the once katana to the creatures mouth. Once it bit down, the handle of Edge stopped its jaws from reaching Infinity. Infinity pressing hard against his weapon, helping keep the creature away.

"I hate stalkers." Infinity muttered, his legs delivering a powerful kick.

The stalker flew a few yards away from Infinity, allowing him to get up and ready himself. He gazed upon the beast before him. A quarrel he had not with this creature, but with another being. The stalker charged with a hiss, its head down for a ram. Infinity jumped, a flat part of the blades colliding with the side of the creature's head before his feet came crashing down into its back. A cloud of dust erupted from the roof they were on.

"I have no fight with you, beast. My fight belongs with that of time immemorial." Infinity stated, stepping off the beast.

The stalker whipped its head around, a loud collision came from its jaws, but bit down on nothing. Dumbfounded, the stalker looked around, no sign of Infinity, not even a trace. Until a drop kick was delivered from the side, sending the creature tumbling to the edge.

The building they were on was the tallest in what was left of one of its great cities. The skyscraper overlooked most of the buildings and by default, would take hours to climb by hand. If anyone were Infinity, it'd take mere minutes to just fly up. Which in any case, there was one whole Infinity dealing with a rather obnoxious stalker at the current time.

A screech emerged from the stalker, taking another charge at its 'prey.'

"You've forced my hand." Infinity struck edge into the ground, sparks flew out.

In a simple movement, Infinity summoned an invisible force and pushed the creature to the edge. He thrust his palms forward again, the final wave burst forth from his hands. The stalker knocked clear off the ledge and sent spiraling in a one-way trip to the street. Infinity tilted his head and grimaced under the cloth covering his face. From where he stood, he heard the crush and splat of the stalker he sent over the edge. He didn't enjoy it, but it has to be done sometimes.

"Edge." Infinity spoke again.

"Yes sire?"

"Journal entry number... 3729, Home..." Infinity began.

He looked on to the horizon as he spoke. His eye grazing across the desolated landscape of his once home. His birth dimension, his origin. Now it lay as a wasteland, very little vegetation covering the ground, There were surviving settlements, small, frequently raided by bandits and such, but even then, that is a story for another time. Infinity finished up his little monologue of a journal entry.

"Do you think it's time?" Infinity asked.

"Time for what?"

"Time for a return to Equestria. I think I'm ready." Infinity went on.

"That would be up to you, sire. You have been getting stronger for the past two years."

"Yeah... but first." Infinity got down to his knees, making a perfect triangle with his hands, and mumbled something, finishing his hushed words with, "Per il mondo"

Infinity took a few steps back, the feeling of a smirk crossing his face. Then, he broke into t full-on run for the edge of the building, as he neared, he leapt. Over the side he went and down. The wind tearing through his clothes and hearing. Wings sprung forth from his back, and broke into a glide. This is why he is know as a wasteland legend here, this is what he wanted from this realm. To be know as the winged one. To inspire those striving to survive.

There's a Return Date

Twilight shut her journal with an exhausted sigh. It was another gloomy day spent cooped up in the library, and another night at her desk. The recent entry of the journal were her thoughts for today. For that day was Hearth's Warming Eve. Midnight would strike and in a few hours, the marking of two years since he left. Tears started to well in her eyes as the thoughts of him flooded her mind. Gradually starting to cascade down her cheeks, eyes fixed on staring out the window.

"Hey Twilight?" She turned to see Spike behind her with two mugs in each claw, a soft smile gracing his features that even brought a sort-of-smile to her face.

"Yes Spike?" Twilight answered, graciously accepting the mug from her friend to see its steaming contents.

"Just be happy this Hearth's Warming, for me. Kay?"

The request itself couldn't seem more simple, but it was Spike's concern for her happiness caused her to form a legitimate smile. With said smile, Twilight set the mug down on the desk and pulled the dragon in for a hug. Spike didn't object to said hug and gladly accepted it.

"Sure thing buddy." Twilight said quietly before letting the draco go.

Spike smiled and nodded before heading out of the room and back to his. Twilight turned back to the window, returning to her gazing. She grasped the mug again and brought to her lips, the moment the liquid came in contact with her tongue, stinging occured. The shock of the sting caused her to drop the mug to the floor, spilling the cocoa. Twilight groaned at the mess and stood. Her ears started to pick up a rattling noise behind her, and relatively close too...

"Edge! Hurry up with that link! I can't keep running forever!" Infinity yelled at his sword, his footsteps echoing as he ran.

"I'm sorry but it's a little hard to get a lock. It feels like something is interfering with my signal." A voice replied that belonged to Edge.

"Great. A supernatural computer in a sword can't deal with a little interference." Infinity groaned.

"I don't see you trying anything!" Edge screamed inside his head.

Just as the supposed duo found themselves at a dead end, a subtle growl came from behind. Infinity turned his head to gaze upon his persuer. A dragon was roaring towards them. Its wings were incapacitated, not that the tight space it found itself in would allow any sort of flight.

"This is why I don't like dealing with dovah I don't know!" Infinity groaned, placing his back against the wall.

"I'm not getting anything, sire."

"Must I do everything myself?" Infinity sat for a moment before bringing out a pendant, a very familiar looking pendant. "I'm activating the Direct Link! You better hold on to your spectral ass!"

Infinity did something to the pendant, at the same time, the dragon let loose its fire breathe down the corridor they were in. The gem within the pendant glowed, albiet that it was a bit late considering the fire storm reached Infinity. Once all the smoke settled, the dragon felt content with itself thinking that Infinity was a pile of singed ash.

The rattling Twilight was hearing came from her pendant. The item in question was not only rattling, but jerking all across the desk. The alicorn didn't know how to deal with the situation. The peridot gem in the center of her pendant was flickering with light. This wasn't what she had intended for the night, but the pendant finally stopped, the gem glowing as bright as could be, and shot straight for the ceiling. At the pendant's chosen location, a sort of door started forming. Twilight held her breathe, hoping that a certain somepony, or somebeing in this case, would come through.

Silence fell over the the room. An unmistakeable silence of hope. The door on her ceiling was still, yet unwavering. Seconds ticked by, those seconds turned into minutes. After a while, Twilight just gave up on staring, but not hoping, to continue on to clean up the mess near her desk. It was probably seeping into the wood by now. After she left the room however, the door started to rumble.

Infininty burst out of the door covered in embers and smoking. He tried to get up only to fall back down with his face landing in the cocoa. Whatever he just pulled obviously made him emensly weak. Meanwhile, downstairs, Twilights nose started to pick up the smell of something burned. She remembered that she still had a candle still lit upstairs. Twilight fell into a panic thinking that she might've knocked over the candle when she dropped the mug. Quickly grabbing some napkins and making a dash for the stairs again only to stop in the doorway with a gasp.

She had just witnessed the last few seconds of Infinity taking on his pegasus form again. A face she loved to stare at, and probably would if she got the chance, hours on end. Her eyes traced over the smoking form, nothing else seemed to be out of the ordinary, other than the embers still clinging to his fur. Of course she had questions as to why he was covered in embers, but that can wait since he was unconscious and needed the rest.

Twilight quickly encased the recent pegasus in a levitation spell and lifted him up off the floor to find his face dripping with cocoa. She silently rolled her eyes before carrying him off.

"I guess some wishes do come true.." Twilight said to herself quietly, getting to the mess present on the floor.

That morning, Hearth's Warming Day

Infinity was roused from his slumber by something putting a slight pressure on his back and something wet dabbing at his cheek. His eye cracked open to spy on just exactly who was dabbing at his cheek. A smile crept along hos face when he spied that it was none other than Twilight Sparkle. Another wet dab and she was finished. Twilight on the other hoof or paw or hand or claw wasn't aware that her stallion was awake now, she reached a hand down towards his cheek, which Infinity leaned into.

"It's nice to feel your touch again." Infinity muttered with a smile.

"It's nice to even touch you again." Twilight shot back, rousing a bit of a chuckle from the pegasus.

"Well, I've certainly been gone a while..." Infinity brought his own hand to his cheek, placing it upon Twilight's, "...probably need a shower and a shave too."

"And a mane cut." Twilight interjected. "Although, you do look stunning in a beard."

Warm water cascaded from the shower head, gracing Infinity with its warmth. Freshly shaven, beards weren't really his thing, but he kept a bit of a goatee for Twilight. Speaking of which, she had just entered the bathroom, which she was thankful that Infinity had the same terrible she had of leaving the door unlocked. She set her towel down and stepped inside, only to press her body against his back.

"It's been a while since I last was rutted by you." Twilihgt commented tracing her fingers along the features of his chest, her head in the nape of his neck. "That is, if you don't mind a bit of shower sex."

"Haven't been here a day and I have atleast one great Hearth's Warming presents." Infinity turned to her with a smile. "You, excuse me for beimg a bit sappy."

"Not that I care, all I needed was you.." Twilight responded with a sultry look and locked Infinity in a kiss.

Infinity accepted and deepened the kiss further. Hearing a subtle pomf of feathers, at first he thought that the sound originated from his wings, until he heard a second pomf. Twilight was busy letting her hands find the treasure she had been seeking since stepping into the shower.

Infinity didn't object to the feeling of Twilight's hands starting to work at his shaft, trying to get him to rise. She was doing a pretty good job at it, an excellent job at it since she got the being to groan into the kiss. Twilight certainly was proud of herself. A quick 'eep' was inserted when she suddenly got pressed against Infinity, feeling his stallionhood against her stomach.

She broke the kiss to look up at Infinity, who was smiling back at her. His hand came into view, a single digit that he twirled in the as he let go of his lover. Twilight took a moment to silently gulp and satisfy his request. Infinity gently took her hands and placed them against the wall so that her position would present her ass to him. He smiled to himself as he placed his hands on Twilight's cutie marks, his tip grazing her awaiting lower lips.

"Oh yes!" Twilight moaned out, arching her back as she felt his rod penetrate her marehood. But ahe kept her position.

Infinity was able to stifle another moan from her with a final thrust into her depths before he noticed that she had wings. "Twi, when did you get wings?"

"J-just shut up a-and rut me..." She replied, Infinity figured he might aswell get and answer later.

A steady pace was soon established by Infinity and he continued to fill Twilight's aching marehood with his own stallionhood. Twilight finally felt complete again, if not more. But nonetheless, ahe was enjoying being fucked again by him, even though it was only the second time ever. Spike was just about the to open the door until he hear moaning. A blush quickly enveloped his face and he rushed off before he heard anything else.

Infinity's thrusting eventually started to pick up speed and force, causing the alicorn he had his hands on to start moaning louder. Everytime he'd pull out, he'd just slam his dick back into the waiting depths of her now dripping pussy. Each dive into her still tight folds would push him further towarda the edge of orgasm, the same could be said about Twilight.

"T-Twi... I'm abo-out to... cuuuum!" Infinity groaned, straining to not blow his load right then and there.

"In-nside! Please! I w-want to feel your s-seed inside!" Twilight moaned out before she tipped into her climax.

And Infinity did just that, following close to Twi's climax. A few volleys of semen were shot into her. Her walles clenched tightly as the milked him, or tried to atleast. The pair collapsed in a panting mess, Infinity still in Twilight, and some of their mixed juices leaking out from her. Twilight turned her head back towards Infinity and was met with his lips on hers once more.

"I love you." Twilight whispered lovingly.

"Yeah, I love ya too, Twi." Infinity whispered back, a smile on his face.

A Kink of a Plan

A few hours earlier

Rainbow awoke in a cold sweat, the silence in her room broken by a screech. Her worried eyes searching the darkness of the nightfallen bedroom for anything out of the ordinary. Yet., she saw nothing. She was alone... in the dark... like her dream. The silence was broken again with a slap across her face followed by a short exhale. Dash wasn't dreaming, good. But she still needed to get some help and there was only one pony she could trust...

But they'll have to wait until morning.

Present Hour

Infinity sat down at the small wooden kitchen with a bowl of cereal, a fork, and his thoughts as he gazed out the window. The sky covered completely with dark clouds. An unnatural occurance, he was sure of that. But the source he wasn't too sure of himself. His utensil clanged against the bowl as he forced the pieces of cereal to swim around in the milk. The dark clouds swirled with his motions. Infinity was impressed that those clouds could even let light bleed through. Alone, himself.

"Morning Infinity." Spike called out as he walked into the kitchen from the library.

"Morning Sp- Whoah!" Infinity looked over at the dragon and barely fell off his seat. "Look at how big you've gotten! Your head probably reaches my stomach by now!"

"Uhh... thanks? I guess." Spike replied awkwardly

"Morning guys." Twilight greeted walking in while stretching in a tee that she swiped from Infinity.

"Spike's so big now! Look at 'im!" Infinity exclaimed, pointing his fork at the dragon.

"Are you eating with a fork?" Spike asked only for his question to go unheeded.

"Yes, yes he has gotten bigger." Twilight chuckled. "It's easy to forget that you've been gone for two years."

Infinity gave a slight smirk and returned to eating his cereal. Some of the dark cloud clusters shifted a bit in the sky, but didn't seem to do much of exposing the true blue it covered. Which also reminded him of the question he was about to ask before getting distracted by Spike's growth.

"Hey Twi," Infinity started, grabbing the alicorn's attention, "when did this happen?"

Twilight followed his gaze, and with a heavy sigh, began to speak. "Whatever that is, moved in about a year ago. The first year of your absense. It managed to overpower both of the royal sisters..."

"Celestia had a sister? And I never met her!?" Infinity turned to Twilight with mock shock.

"Yes, she was probably busy with Night Court to have met you. Now, as I was saying-"

Twilight was quickly interrupted by a knocking at the door.

"I'll get it." Spike announced as he walked out the kitchen.

Twilight was then left to catch Infinity up on recent events. What Spike found, more of who, stunned him as soon as he opened the front door. There, before him, stood Dash. Something about her seemed... off... to him. Was it the way her face looked? No, maybe it's her mane. Can't be.

"Hey... Spike... is Twilight up yet?" Rainbow asked a bit timidly.

"Yeah. Sure, she's in the- hey!"

Rainbow zoomed by the poor dragon, coming to a skidding halt in the middle of the room to make a ninety degree turn. Stopping at the entrance to the kitchen. Her eyes quickly noticed that there was another pony in the kitchen with Twilight. That started to make her a little more uncomfortable about the situation she wanted to talk about.

"Twi... can I talk to ya in private?" Dash asked cautiously, her voice catching the slight attention of the other pony.

"Why? What's wrong Rainbow?" Twilight began to worry a bit about her friend.

"Well.... it's about a dream I had last night..." Rainbow replied, very out of character.

"Was it... a nightmare... Rainbow?"

With a timid nod, Dash replied with not a single word. Twilight's eyes quickly shifted focus from her friend to the pale pegasus across the table from her. That look she gave him said it all for Infinity. He quickly took action by bolting out of his seat to Rainbow, his hands resting on her shoulders rather tightly. With wide eyes did she stare at him, a bot shaken with how quick he was in general.

"Ms. Dash, tell me, have you any fears?" He sternly asked.

Rainbow quickly shook her head, an obvious lie to Infinity and Twilight.

"Don't lie to me Dash. Everypony has their fears whether or not they like it." Infinity's look went cold.

"I- I don't! Wha-at do you take me f-for? A scardy pony?" Rainbow said more shaken.

"Rainbow!" Infinity boomed, making both Twilight and Rainbow jump. "It is vital for you to tell me what fears you have! You could be a grave peril to us all if you don't cooperate!"

"Wh-who are you?!" Rainbow tried to defend back.

"Let's just say he's sort of an expert on dreams." Twilight replied for Infinity in a calmly manner. "Please Dashie, save ua some time and spill the beans."

Rainbow just looked at Twilight and sighed in defeat.

"Fine.... I'm scared of losing my friends....... and not making it to the Wonderbolts."

"Any strange dreams lately? Nightmares?" Infinity asked, examining the mare's eyes.

"Just last night... it made me feel like I was truly alone..." Rainbow explained briefly, rubbing a hand behind her head. "I didn't like the feeling."

"Shit..." Infinity muttered under his breath

"Shit?! What does shit mean?! Is that bad?!" Rainbow started to panic.

"Yes, this is bad." Infinity replied briefly before turning his attention to Twilight. "Twi, I need something made of glass, like a jar or something. Spike, get me some salt."

"Salt?" Spike questioned.

"Yes, salt." Infinity turned his attention to Rainbow once again. "Now Miss Dash, I'll have to ask you to sit down for what I'm about to do."

"But.... why?" Rainbow asked.

"We don't need you on the floor that is." Infinity urged the cyan mare towards his seat. "Now sit. Don't move. Breathe slowly and with control."

Rainbow Dash did as instructed, she barely moved save for blinking, and slowed her breathing considerably. Twilight finally returned with a glass test tube in hand, Spike was standing nearby with a salt shaker. Infinity carefully removed the slim glass container from Twilight's hand and put it in Rainbow's mouth. This caused the pegasus mare in question to get a curious look on her face. Infinity then took the salt shaker from Spike and popped the top off before proceeding to pouring a considerable pile of salt in his hand.

"Did you happen to bring a topper for that?" Infinity asked Twilight as he circled to the back of Rainbow.

Twilight simply nodded, a sort-of smile on her muzzle.

"Good, don't need any escaping." Infinity stated as he raised his hand.

Just like the first day she met him, Twilight watched Infinity's irises turn the yellow-green peridot color and stay that way. His eyes were fixed on Rainbow's back though, hand still raised but the salt starting to go from clear-white to match Infinity's eyes. Once both colors were about the same, his hand came in contact by a light slap. All traces of the salt pile disappearing insode the mare before him.

Rainbow's eyes glazed over as a dark smoke started filing out of her mouth and into the test tube. The pegasus' eyes slowly closed and started to lean forward. This indicated Infinity to take quick action by removing the smoke filled tube and have it quickly topped by a cork. The consequence was the the pegaus stallion's breakfast now went to waste.

"Oh, and Spike." Infinity caught the dragon's attention. "I do eat cereal with a fork. It saves more milk for drinking."

Infinity and Spike were left to their own devices downstairs while Twilight took Rainbow upstairs for the pegasus to recover. Spike had himself busy with a book while Infinity busied himself with observing the sky again.

"Infinity, what exactly are you if you're not a changeling?" Spike asked curiously out of the blue.

Infinity just looked at the young dragon. "Well... I am a Crosser. A Dimension Crosser. Though not of the original race, I still possess the abilities and skills to match one."

"And what do you do as a Crosser?" Spike now looked up from the book he had open.

"Easier to say than to do... I make sure the exsisting worlds are at a balance with their connection to the Hall." Infinity paused. "I also make sure that other interdimensional entities don't screw with the balance for their own agenda."

"The Hall.... and other inter-whats-its?" Spike cocked his head a little, now confused.

"All the worlds that exsist, even this one, are connected by the Hall of Dimensions. The Hall allows for easy travel to other worlds just by stepping through a seemingly plain door."

"And what happens if a world gets destroyed?"

"You ask a lot of questions." Infinity teased a little. "Their door remains, but is severly damamged and a Crosser such as myself is unable to pass through or open said door."

"Now what about those other whos-it-whats?" Spike asked.

"The other interdimensional beings?" Infinity got a slight nod from Spike. "Well.... there's only four others that banded or were brought together and dubbed themselves the Lords of Chaos-"

"Like Discord?" Spike asked.

"Sort of, only worse when they're all togeher. Anyway... there's only one of these so-called Lords that I have run into extensively. So, long story short, we have a bit of a history."

"And just who is this so-called 'Lord of Chaos' you've run into many a time my dear?" Both males heard Twilight. Infinity brought his head down slightly.

"The Lord of Fear, Phalatrex." Infinity looked out the window towards the clouds again. "He possesses a great power of the emotion and exploits any-beings' fears for his own amusment."

"He doesn't sound do tough. I bet I could beat him!" Spike boasted, puffing out his chest while flexing.

"I wouldn't advise it, young Spike. He would tear you down with your own fears. I've barley managed to go toe-to-toe with him on my best days." Infinity quickly shot down the drake, but quickly changed the subject. "Man... I've worked in the shadows for so long I forgot what it was like to have beings to trust."

"Who else have you trusted with your true identity?" Twilight asked, her curiousity piqued.

"None else."

"You think Dash is gonna be fine?" Spike wondered.

"Let her rest, I have no doubt she'll be in danger anymore.." Infinity answered with a smile.

within Rainbow Dash's subconscious

Rainbow just kept running. Running from maniacal laughter. But no matter how fast she ran or tried to fly, that eerie laughter was always just behind her. Dash took a quick glimpse back at the dark clouds in pursuit. Her heartbeat quickened, urging her to run faster than she ever ran before.

I'm coming for you.... Rainbow Crash....

Oh how she hated that nickname. But the whisper in the voice had a malicious tone to it, almost demonic. But Dash just kept running.

You can't out run me Crashie! That terrible voice called out again. I will get you!

"Like hell you will!" Rainbow heard as a figure rushed by.

Rainbow came to a halt to gaze at the spectacle behind her, which wasn't long enough to watch. The figure that rushed by her wielded a weapon of some sort and used it to cut down the smoke to near nonexsistant. The figure itself looked to be another animal, canine in nature, but cyan fur with different color frosted tips between the figures made her feel unthreatened by it. Dash watched as the figure turn its head to reveal red eyes and give her a friendly wave and smile.

Dash just waved back with some disbelief.

Twilight's kitchen

"So, about the royal sisters, where are they Twi?" Infinity asked, a calm gaze direct at his lover now seated across from him.

"I don't know, really. Nopony does." Twilight responded sheepishly.

"Last know location?"

Canterlot Palace in Canterlot, I suppose."

Infinity leaned back a bit in his chair. "You suppose...."

Twilight had a faint brush as she nodded.

"Pack your bags, we're goin' to Canterlot!" Infinity exclaimed, hopping out of his seat.

"You can't be serious..." Twilight groaned.

"Oh I am serious hun. SPIKE!" The drake was quick to respond to his name being called. "Can you look after the library while we're gone."

"Sure, I guess..." Spike looked back to the room he was previously cleaning.

"Good. When Miss Dash awakens, you can send her home with no worries." Infinity was quick to interject.

"What are you even planning, Infinity?" Twilight asked, probably expecting his next answer.

"To find the Princesses in Canterlot!"

Yeah, totally expected that answer. "Infinity, that's going to take forever juat alone."

"Why do ya think I told you to pack your bags?"

Twilight just facepalemed, having walked right into that trap.

When Blades Cross

Infinity set hoof into a chamber that was hidden within the mountain. Judging by how it looked and was built, it wasn't an actual part of this world nor any other. Just a large room meant for something and almost looked like an arena. He carefully scanned his surroundings for any possible threats from anywhere other than where he came in.

Then he spotted a form in the center of the chamber. Three of them to be exact. This discovery sort of brought hope to Infinity.

Ponyville

Spike nearl jumped out of his skin when the door to the library was knocked clean off its hinges from a rather powerful kick. Of course the pony responsible was anything but happy.

"SPIKE!" A familiar accent sreeched in his ears. "What in tarnation is Twhi im Canterlot and why did'n she tell nopony?!"

"Well, AJ, you see.... she went to go find Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." Spike replied sheepishly.

"And ya let her go by herself?!" Applejack slammed a fist on the counter.

"Of course I didn't let her go it alone!" Spike quickly countered. "I let somepony she trusted go with her.

"Just who did ya let her take then?"

Spike started to look nervous as he thought about his answer.

"C'mon Twi... wake up!" Infinity shook the lavender mare in his arms gently.

Celestia was barely conscious, having set herself up against one of the pillars surrounding the area. An ever growing feeling of something watching Infinity was present and increasing at an alarming rate. Twilight began to stir just a bit. Celstia, on the other hoof, was a bit curious of a certain somepony.

"If... if I may.." she piped up, exhaustion ridden all over her tone, "... but... how did you...*yawn* manage to find us?"

Infinity looked over to Celestia before looking back to Twilight, his mind at work to answer her question. "I have ways..." was his simple reply.

"Finding us... must've been a task. Just... how long did... it take you?" Celestia had asked.

"Several hours maybe... you need to rest. Gain your strength." Infinity gently put Twilight before grabbing Edge off the ground.

"Peculiar..blade.." Celestia commented, yawning yet again as he sheathed it.

"Crafted far from Equestria. Is an interesting piece of metal." Infinity responded, his tone getting a bit urgent.

Twilight finally snapped awake, quickly looking at Infinity and ensaring him in an embrace that even surprised Celestia. Infinity returned the action before breaking off.

"About time you found us." Twilight in a feign scorn but couldn't hide the smile.

Infinity then stood, looking at the other princess with question. "Is that your sister, Celestia?" Infinity asked with a single digit pointed in the direction of the mare.

Now that he thought about it. Celestia's mane wasn't its usual multi-color, physic-defying self. Instead it was in a more natural state, a more natural, pink state. Fit her rather well. But when he look towards the other princess and saw the same thing on her, only a more of sea green or very light shade of blue. Something was definitely off here.

"Celestia, have you been feeling... well... lately?" Infinity asked as he began to stand.

"Besides exhaustion? Very little.... just a feeling of being very distant from my sun." She replied.

"Okay.... not that troubling..." Infinity slowly made his way over to the sun monarch and kneeling before her. "What's your sister's name?"

"Luna..."

"Good. Good." He began to examine her face. "Could you pay attention to Twilight for me?"

Celestia nodded and did as told without question. Her eyes met the warm smile of her student's and a soft gaze. Somehow, this put the princess at ease as Infinity was performing his thing. If it's one thing he never left home without besides Edge, it was a special mix of nueral powders specially designed for sleeping and quick recoveries. Taking a small pinch in his fingers and blew the powder right into Celestia's face. She sneezed once before falling into a deep slumber. In a fluent motion, Infinity quickly put the pouch away and held his palm over her forehead, working a bit of his own magic to protect her from any further nightmares.

"Will she be all right?" Twilight chimed in, looking at her lover.

"She'll probably awaken in a few minutes, maybe a few hours." Infinity shrugged as he looked over to Luna. "Now for her sister."

He noticed the expression on her face as he got closer, the various twiching of her limbs from time to time. It pained him to know that others of this world suffered at the merciless hands of a being not of this world. With some newfound motivation, he quickly used the same spell the was casted upon others. Infinity smiled at the results now that her mind was at ease. Her expression softened and movements ceased. Infinity looked to the mare he came to love with a smile. Twilight returned the gesture with a grin of her own. Luna snapped awake and quickly became aware of her surroundings. Infinity was quickly knocked down by a swift punch to his jaw.

"WHAT HAS THOU DONE TO US?!" Luna boomed, a deadly glare directed towards the pale pegasus she just struck.

Twilight was quick to act, immediately rushing over to the lunar monarch.

"Easy Princess Luna. He's here to help us." Twilight hoped that would help the situation.

"What hath he done with our dear sister?" Luna seemed to have lowered her voice for the mare.

"She's okay and sleeping quite well..." Infinity answered.

"QUIET KNAVE!" Luna seethed, throwing another seemingly-deadly glare his way.

"Damn...." Infinity rubbed his bruised cheek and jawline. "The mare has a hook to her."

"Luna, please, he hasn't done anything bad." Twilight assured the glaring lunar princess.

"How would thou knowest? He could've done something to Us!" Luna protested.

"I would know if he had any malicious intent, he's my personal guard."

"Oh..." Luna was taken a bit off guard at the young princess' statement. "We apologize for our action."

"It's alright princess." Infinity stood tall again, taking a slight note at how much taller she was compared to him before speaking. "I've been through worse. A lot worse."

With a silent and a bit uneasy nod, Luna turned her attention to the younger princess and began conversing among themselves. Infinity continued to examine the rather sizable chamber. From what he heard from Celestia and how they booth looked, this was definitely a heavily enchanted room, if ever it was really a part of the mountain. His ears started to focus on a sound that.... was coming right at him.

It was too late for him to react. Infinity saw the blunt end of a short stick hit his chest before bursting into a massive cloud of heat. Dark smoke heavy on him, he was flung across the room from sheer force, his back slamming into one of the pillars and cracked it. Both Luna and Twilight gasped as the spectacle they just barely witnessed. It all happened so fast.

"Oh my goodness!" Twilght yelped near a higher tone than usual.

Infinity started coughing out the dark colored vapor as he forced himself out of the pillar.

"Are thou alright?" Luna asked, a bit of worry sprinkled in.

"Yeah...." Infinity hit his chest a few times, a nice hole burned into his shirt. "Twilight, get the princesses outta here. I don't want anything to happen to the either of you."

Twilight nodded slightly and was about to fire up her magic until Luna's arm crossed her chest. "You need not worry about our sister, Twilight, for We wil handle her."

The two mares began to make way out of the chamber with the sun princess in tow by the moon's magic. Luna was being led by Twilight out of the chamber and quickly switched to Luna leading. The trio seemed to have a proper idea of getting around the palace. That is... until they somehow ended up on a balcony overlooking the courtyard despite the fact that they ran through the front door.

"This... this doesn't seem right.." Twilight muttered, confused and looking around for any other explanation.

Meanwhile, Infinity drew his blade, scanning the area for where that bolt just came from. The answer soon came from above when his ears picked up slow clapping. His gaze fixed on a hole somewhere near the ceiling as a figure revealed herslf. A wicked grin on a pale face, her eyes as blazing as a fire, clad in pieces of dark and unnatural armor.

"Bravo... just bravo Crosser! Getting your little pets out before I shame you in front of them." She cackled while walking down to him on an invsisible flight of stairs.

"They aren't my pets..." Infinity just gazed at her with no emotion, "... they are denizens of this world."

"I couldn't help but assume. Since, oh you know, you have taken a special liking to the lavender creature."

Infinity got a good look at the figure before him. A distorted form of a different species. Her skin pale in nature but mainly retaining original feature. He guessed that her skin was modified a bit, had to have been for her to look sinister. Her eyes are what gave away her transformation. Two on the left of her nose, and one to the right.

"This coming from an attack dog for Fear..." Infinity retorted. "What would you know anyway?"

"A Crosser insulting a Lord of Chaos? And here I thought you're race were respectable in nature." She smiled wickedly again.

Infinity then observed her armor. Mainly a cuirass, gauntlets, groin piece, helmet, and greaves. She kept her distance of course, standing near one of the pillars in the room. A hand placed on it carefully. Infinity just waited for her to strike. It was a stand still for the two of them, each waiting for the other to strike.

He got a better look at her face though. Pale skin mostly, but her eyes. Her eyes were a darker crimsion. All three of them. Yes three, she had two eyes on the left side of her face and one on her right. Meant to look disturbing to anyone not expecting it, and it was working.

Infinity was soon taken off guard by a pillar piece flying and taking him off his hooves. The piece was a clean cut from the gauntlet that turned into a blade in the blink of an eye. The pillar smashed into the cavern wall with a satisfying thud to the Lord of Chaos' ears. She started to take her steps towards the rubble slowly, admiring the possibility of a knocked out Crosser. She smiled, please at her work.

A figure dropped silently behind this Lord of Chaos from one of the archways. Wings spread out from the figures back and blew a sudden gust of when that was enough to make her stumble a bit. Her reaction was plain as day, she turned with a wicked smile.

"Well played, Crosser, well played. You're little parlor trick isn't quite enough to phase me! Wrath! The Lord of Chaos! The Bringer of War!" She taunted as she charged him

Infinity swiftly moved off to the side and drop kicked her back, making the Lord tumble. With a growl, she turned and charged again. Wrath threw a punched the Infinity ducked for and sucker punched her unarmored gut. She was about to go down until an uppercut was delivered shortly after, knocking her backwards.

"First mistake.." Infinity opened up, ".. you took my marefriend. Second mistake: you attacked me. Third and last mistake: You invaded a realm with no quarrel you had with and kidnapped their leaders."

Wrath started to cough as she spoke. "You... *cough*... think I care? These mere simpletons of.... *wheeze*.. beings are nothing compared to our... power!"

Wrath stood once more and Infinity took to the defensive. He was impressed with her quick recovery and how quick she started to throw punches and kicks. He managed to block or dodge most of the blows, very few got by him. Wrath took a couple steps back from her opponent, and both were breathing heavily. Then she grinned, evil and wicked.

What Infinity felt next was too fast to even catch, a mean hook connected to his lower jaw. The punch was hard enough to knock him out of his pony form and into his truer wolf form. He fell on his ass, dazed, hurt, and completely senseless. Before he could get up, a pair of hands grabbed his collar and slammed his back into one of the pillars. The mere force of impact was enough to smash the pillars center.

Wrath then threw him into the next pillar across the room. She listened for the satisfying crash of the Crosser crashing into the next target. A wicked smile appeared on Wrath's face again as she approached the intended crash site. She punched into the rubble and pulled out the dazed Crosser. With a powerful throw, she launched him towards the roof.

Outside the Palace

Luna was straining herself trying to get the doors to the balcony. Something was a bit off as they seemed to have just locked by themselves. Twilight was busy looking around for a way down. They both figured that they could fly down... if it weren't for the magic field keeping them on the balcony.

What sounded like an explosion coming from the mountain caught their attention quick. They watched in awe as their eyes seemed to focus on what looked to be rock and dust falling towards the palace. Twilight quickly calculated their trajectory to the courtyard. The area that the balcony overlooked. The rubble seemed to crash in order, the dust settled and...

Twilight gasped.

There, laying on the ground in the middle of it all, was Infinity. He looked like the first time they met. There was little movement down below. Infinity seemed to be unconscious, but she could see the bruises from up here. Boy... did they look bad. She kept on watching as the palace front doors flew open. Out steeped a creature she didn't recognize, but she felt like it was encountered before.

Infinity slowly came back. Sitting up in pain as he took his time to stand. Drawing Edge from her sheath and using her as a support. He spied Wrath over yonder, a wicked grin on her face as she stood there. He growled a bit as he raised Edge to her. Wrath started to cackle, her gauntlet growing back into the blade. She was the first to charge, she stroke, the blow was deflected by Infinity.

The unnatural element of each of their weapons discharged some kind of force. The first strike was only a small one, but as the two engaged more over the the fight. Each blocked strike from Wrath created bigger, larger, and stronger fields of discharge. A few of the stronger fields managed to make to Twilight and Luna. Infinity though, he start to for cuts on his body. started with small nicks on his face. but the more the battle raged, the larger they grew and showed up in more places.

Infinity knew he couldn't keep fighting much longer. So he block a last time and sent Wrath back a couple meters away from him. She smiled and her gauntlet formed back into its original state. She hissed at the Crosser. A menacing stare in his direction. In a quick motion, Wrath threw her palms out in front of her, and a cold breeze picked up

Luna couldn't believe what unfolded before her. It wasn't a fight per say, more of a stalemate. neither party took a hit from the other. What intrigued her more is that the other creature that looked close to a dog didn't even try to strike back. Instead it just stood there, blocking any attack the stranger one threw. What happened next though, caught the lunar princess off-guard.

Both of the princesses looked on in shock as Infinity was frozen to a solid block of ice. His silhouette still seen within as Edge clanged loudly on the ground next to the hunk of Infini-sicle. Wrath started to laugh and cackle maniacally in the distance. Twilight just gasped and stared, feeling Luna's arm on her shoulders.

"Come young Twilight, there is nopony alive who can be frozen like that and survive..." Luna stated, clearly not the optimist.

Tear started to roll down Twilight's cheeks. She didn't want to believe that Infinity was actually gone now. Not now, after he said he wouldn't leave her again. Twilight was too preoccupied to listen to Wrath's cackling die down.

Wrath was now staring, confused, at the frozen Crosser. The ice was cracking. Little bits fell off as the cracks grew bigger and bigger. She thought she had finally captured the retched Crosser. Now she knew she was wrong. Now Wrath had to act quickly before...

The chunk shattered, shards fell to the ground and broke into smaller bits of ice. Infinity clenched a fist as he reached into his jeans pocket. Luna patted Twilight and she looked up at her before her attention was directed to the courtyard. Her smile replaced her frown as she saw Infinity was fine. He rushed forth in a blazing speed and pulled out his Everfreeze shard. Having it a few millimeters from Wrath's covered forehead. Both Luna and Twilight were temporarily blinded by the brightest white light they could ever witness.

When the light died down after a few minutes, the two princesses saw Infinity kneeling in front of the figure he was fighting. Although... now the creature looked more good than evil now. Now it was know this creature was female. They saw radiant glowing skin, a long flowing white dress, and long blue hair. She placed the palm of her hand on Infinity's forehead before she disappeared. Infinity let out a elongated breathed before collapsing to the ground. The last thing he heard was Twilight's voice calling out to him in the distance.

Rainy Days are the Best Days

Hours Earlier, ????

Darkness... darkness is what surrounded her. A prisoner in her own body. Tapped in a corruption. What could she do? She couldn't fight. Just barely hanging on to what's left: Her own name. It was lonely in here. Trapped in her own head. Just something that she got used to after these years. Standing there. In her own head.

She felt a sudden presence on her shoulder as if it were a comforting hand placed itself on her. White then replaced the Darkness as she watched on in awe. Then she heard a comforting voice..

"A bit lonely in here."

She turned to come face-to-face with a creature she felt like she has met before, but couldn't quite remember it. His presence was relieving to say the least as he just smiled at her.

"Been a while since you actually looked at yourself, eh?" He asked to her utter confusion.

"What?" She simply asked.

"OH right... you ain't Wrath... you're who it took over." He stated.

"Who... who are you?"

"Me?" He looked at her with a wider smile. "Why I'm Infinity, and I'm here to set you free."

She didn't know what to say, she just stood there as he approached cautiously.

"What's your name dear?" He asked a bit sweetly.

"An...Anniselle.."

"Alright Anniselle, I want you to take a deep breath and count to five... I'll even count with you." He said as he put an arm around her.

She nodded and inhaled deeply.

"One... two... three... four..."

Now, Canterlot

Infinity cracked his eyes open to find himself in a room he didn't recognize. Judging by the architecture of the room, he was still in Canterlot Palace. Slowly he began to sit up, finding that his shirt was removed in favor for bandages and a certain lavender mare hunched over in a chair fast asleep. He laid back down with a small smile.

Morning came, the crack of dawn peering over the horizon with it's glorious warmth. Infinity cracked his eyes open and looked on to the sun creeping out. He immediately sat up in excitement and hopped out of the the bed. Twilight came in and laughed a bit at her lover running around the room like a child before speaking up.

"Guess you saw the good news?" Twilight smiled.

Infinity looked over at her and quickly rushed over to grasp her in a tight hug and kissed her.

"Oh hell yeah." He smiled back as he stared into her eyes.

Twilight could see his excitement that left a glint in his eyes. She could express the same happiness now that she could see Celestia's sun shine over in the blue Equestrian skies. Which, honestly, was a welcome enough change. Twilight's smile faded into a slight grimace as Infinity looked out the window.

"So, do we know how much these clouds have retreated?" He asked.

"Not at the moment, but when we get back to Ponyville I might be able to get my hands on a full report from one of my contacts." Twilight replied as she pulled away from him.

"Contacts? My my, the mare I love has been busy, hasn't she?" Infinity chuckled as he looked at her. He saw the expression.

Twilight couldn't help but smile a little at his comment. "Yeah.. well.. you know me. I like to have information on any situation."

"Guess that's true." Infinity got closer to her, taking her hand gently. "Is something wrong, Twilight?"

She just looked at him and quickly pecked his cheek. "Nothing. You might want to get ready, my friends are here and both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would like to speak with you."

"Your friends came all the way out here?" Infinity looked at his mare.

"Yeah, I kind of did disappear on them without telling them just to come to Canterlot with you." She explained. "Which did worry them when they did find out I was gone."

"And what of the Princesses? What do they want?"

"They didn't tell me. Just that they wanted to talk to you."

Infinity nodded and kissed Twilight's lips gently with his before he let go of her hand and walked over to the chair his lavender lover slept in last night. Mainly he was heading back for the bed, but he caught the sight of some new clothes on the chair. He eyed for a bit before picking up the top article and looked at it.

He shook his head a bit and realized that he was holding a top for a royal guard uniform. Only this on was a bit custom to represent Twilight more than representing either Celestia or Luna. There was a patch on either shoulder with Twilight's cutie mark. The main color of the fabric was dyed to resemble, as he guessed it, her navy blue hair. The buttons and trimming seem to take on a more silver hue.

"I know you don't do formal.. but I hope you like it.." Twilight stated sheepishly. "I uh.. tried to make it look the best I could."

"Like it? No.." Infinity turned towards her with a stoic expression, "... I love it. Thank you."

Twilight sighed in reliefs and smiled a bit, blush in her cheeks. "You're welcome. There's even some slits in the back for your wings."

"You thought of everything for this, didn't you?" Infinity asked as he slipped on the top, and taking off his pants.

"Well... Celestia gave me the uniform... I decided to tweak it a bit in your favor."

It wasn't long before Infinity was now standing in front of a door he couldn't quite recognize himself. Fully dressed and back to his pegasus form, he sighed and pushed on the handle for the door to open. Twilight had returned to the dining hall to meet with her friends and inform them of her reasons for just disappearing on them.

Infinity was met with a friendly face accompanied by her sister. He only spoke to Celestia very little but she had a calm demeanor. His eyes met a rather surprising sight, they both were sitting at a small round table with a golden platter stationed in the center of the table with a porcelain teapot and cups. Three cups to be exact, each with their own little saucer to boot. Both of the royal sisters nodded to him. Infinity made his way casually over to the table and occupied a seat.

"Morning, Prince-" Infinity was immediately cut off.

"Please Infinity," Celestia spoke calmly, looking at him with a smile, "there's no need for formalities here. Just us and a some tea."

"Well, I'm sure you wanted to have more than just a simple chat with tea Celestia." Infinity smiled as the cups and teapot started floating around.

"Well, we'd also like to thank you for saving my sister, Luna, and me." Celestia took a sip of her tea.

"How is thou feeling?" Luna quietly asked, her eyes aimed more down than trying to make eye contact with him. "Thou seemed like some hits were taken quite roughly."

Infinity took a small drink before he spoke. "I may just experience a bit of back pain, but I'll be fine. You're both welcome by the way."

The two sisters nodded and took sip at the same time.

"So, Infinity, the situation appears to be more dire than it let on as time went on." Celestia stated as her gaze is fixed on the white pegasus across the table.

"Appears to be is an understatement. This isn't just some mystical creatures from the far reaches of the continent of Equestria, these are beings from the far reaches of the realms." Infinity set his cup down gently, his expression going mutual. "This isn't them flexing their powers over you either. They were prepping this place for a full-scale invasion."

"You speak as though our world is not alone." Luna now looked at him, her cup out of sight.

"It's a bit complicated to explain in its entirety, but yes, your realm is not the only one. There are many realms that are all separated for one another. I technically don't exist here, or anywhere, so I can go crossing into these worlds like you would a stroll in a park. I'm not a pony though the form itself did originate here, it isn't how I really look either. I'm kind of a guardian of sorts. I protect realms form the likes of these now-so-called 'Lords of Chaos' with whim only one I have a history with." Infinity went on to explain, ending his statement with a drink of tea.

"Lords of Chaos? Hath we the Spirit of Chaos dear sister?" Luna went to ask her elder sibling.

"Yes, we do, but I think these aren't what we think they are Luna." Celestia tried to reassure her sister. "Infinity, can you please elaborate on these 'Lords of Chaos?'"

"I only know one of Lords, and he's a bit of a trouble to actually defend against. I know he goes by the title of Fear. He doesn't attack physically unless you find him, but he attack the subconscious, causes you to have nightmares on end to keep you awake, exhaust you. Other than him, I know next to nothing on the other Lords and what they do." Infinity swirled his cup around a bit

"Which brings us to why we wanted to speak with you, Infinity." Celestia calmly set her cup down and looked at him dead in the eyes. "How about we offer you an office within the palace and a handful of royal guards to carry out any needed activity to combat this Fear character."

Infinity looked backed and smirked a bit. "No offense Celestia, but unless your guards had the most extraneous mental training, they wouldn't last a week trying to combat that thing out there. They would all run home and actually cower."

Celestia couldn't help but smile. Infinity did make a good point about the guard not being able to hold out against this otherworldly being. She should have known better since she and her sister were technically defeated by one of them. Then, by some unknown reason fate had, saved by this stallion.

Meanwhile in the dining hall of the palace, Twilight sat with five of her closest friends: and getting chewed out by Applejack. She's been at it for a solid hour now. Rarity in the middle of doing her nails, Fluttershy actually grooming her hair, Rainbow fast asleep in a nap, Pinkie being Pinkie and nodding her head wildly. Twilight does feel bad for not telling her friends where she ran off to, but they did leave in a bit of a rush.

"What were yah thinkin' Twi? We war worried about 'cha!" AJ finished off with that strain in her voice.

"Uhhh..."

Twilight was about to answer the cowpony, but interruption cut her off in the form of the door to the hall being opened. Somehow, the noise awoke Rainbow. Everypony in the room turned their heads towards the visitor. Twilight smiled and sighed in relief seeing that it was just Infinity coming in awkwardly.

He waved with a sheepish smile to the girls. "Uh.. hi, hopefully I'm not interrupting anything and if I am, terribly sorry about it."

"No.. yah weren't." Applejack almost scolded at him.

Infinity just laughed awkwardly and made his way to the kitchen, leaving the girls be. Twilight looked back at AJ who had the thousand-yard glare aimed directly at the lavender alicorn. Twilight audibly gulped down a lump in her throat as she tried to think up an answer. So far he mind is failing her in doing so.

"I... I don't know. It's just that we kinda left in a rush that I didn't think about letting you girls know." Twilight said as she started to look down.

"Are you eating a lemon?!" Dash blurted out, catching the attention of the others.

"Yes. I am. It wan't her fault, it was mine." Infinity stated as his hooves clacked against the tile, a lemon with a bite taken out of it in his hand. "Her forgetfulness should be blamed on me."

Applejack just looked at this pale pegasus, a rather familiar feeling as she looked into his bright red eyes that almost seemed to glow, but she kept steady as a mock glare was forced. "And yah are?"

"Infinity Plane, Twilight's personal royal guard. You may call me Infinity for short." He replied rather smugly, a faint gasp hit his ears.

"Twilight, darling, is what this stallion says true?" Rarity looked over to the young princess, having a hard time not referring to Infinity as 'handsome' or 'dashing.'

A faint blush crossed over Twilight's cheeks as she nodded slightly. Dash slid down her chair a little, groaning silently as she remembered the last encounter with him. Fluttershy kind of cowered at the sight of the rather imposing figure next to Twilight. Pinkie was making an 'O' shape with her mouth she she stared excitedly at the strange pony she already met twice before. AJ just stared at him, unmoving in nature.

Infinity offered his hand for a shake. "Don't worry, I've been contracted to protect Princess Twilight in this rather unusual crisis plaguing Equestria."

Applejack took the good-manner and shook his hand firmly. "Ah do't see why Twilight here would hire a single guard when she has her friends to do tha exact same."

"No offense to any of you..." Twilight spoke out, a rather noticeable blush from Infinity referring to her status suddenly, "..but even you all can't protect me from everything." She fiddled a bit in her seat, her wings shifting uneasily. "He has a specific set of skills not normally found here in Equestria to fend off whatever this is."

"What!?" Rainbow rose from her seat rather heated and brash. "What do ya mean we can't protect you from everything?!"

"Uhm.. Dashie has a point..." Fluttershy quietly spoke.

"What I mean is that Infinity is here to protect all of us instead of just me." Twilight then shot a look towards Infinity who then shrugged at her.

"Rainbow." Infinity then looked towards the rainbow-maned mare as she stiffened up at her name being called by him. "Keeping the dreams good?"

Rainbow mumbled something and nodded as she just sat back down without another interjection.

"If that is all, I'll be continuing to make my exit and leave you all to discuss recent events." Infinity took another bite of the lemon and left through the doors as rain started to tap at the windows.

Later on that day, Infinity stood shirtless on the balcony to his room, his royal guard attire had been folded and placed neatly on a chair near the closet. Twilight came is silently just in time to catch a sight of Infinity standing out on the balcony in some sort of black tights that cut off just behind his knees. Silently standing as he let the rain pour down on his fur.

Silently, Twilight just observed him. The doors wide open as he slowly started to move, bringing his forearms to his chest. What she saw next was something... magikal. She watched as her lover's movements became more smooth, flowing forth, out, and around as if he was the only one in the world. Slowly making her way to the bed and sitting on it, Twilight just watched in complete awe. Infinity was moving his limbs and body in one natural motion. The rain flying off his arms as if being commanded to. A crack of lightning lit up the sky followed by a loud thunderous rumble. She was left breathless. This being from another world, dimension, or realm was moving with such grace. Yet, she found herself to be loving him more for it. A being who was neither pony or from Equestria caught her heart, and treasured it as she treasured his.

Infinity came to a gradual stop. His back still towards the room, he brought his arms up and extended them away from his body. With a powerful clap that was even heard from within the room, lightning struck his hands. Twilight jumped at the thunder that followed, but also noticed that Infinity had bolts of the stuff zigg-zagging around his legs, arms, body, and head. Then it just faded away, like nothing happened, like it wasn't even there.

Facing the Final Fear- Part I: Don't Fear the Reaper

When Twilight and Infinity walked through the door of the library, they were met with a sight they didn't expect to see. Their eyes went wide and jaws dropped upon what they saw. The entire main library was a total disaster. Books and papers strewn everywhere, on tables, on chairs, even covering the floor. Someone was here, and Infinity might have an idea of who. First, he had to make sure that Spike was still around, if he was smart, he would've found a place to hide.

He looked over to Twilight, his face contorted to one of determination as hers was still one of shock. She looked towards him and the silent connection was made. Both nodded to the other and quickly began searching for the one presence that may still be here. With that task clear as day: find Spike.

Twilight took to searching the kitchen and loft, looking in every nook and cranny Spike could fit in. her search ranged from inside cabinets and under furniture. Infinity took to searching the basement and library. The door to the basement was ripped clearly off its hinges and claw marks in the surrounding area. Infinity had a plausible theory that there might have been a struggle between a defender and an attacker. He looked under the front desk of the library before he stood in front of the basement.

"Any signs of him?" Twilight asked coming back downstairs, see him standing in front of the basement.

"If we're lucky, he could be down there." Infinity didn't look away from the doorway.

The stairwell was completely dark, shadows stretching from all corners. A shiver ran up Twilight's spine quickly, shaking her entire body. Something definitely was off down there, Infinity could tell that much, but he had hope that her longest companion was down there. Somewhere. In all that darkness.

"Twilie," Infinity finally spoke up, his tone rather unnerving to her, "mind fetching me a candle?"

Twilight didn't say anything as she walked off. Coming back only moments later with a lit candle. Infinity didn't take it when offered though. Instead she watched him hover his hand over the flame and watched it disappear into his hand. She watched as his hand glowed orange then disappear into his sleeve. Not even a moment later, it quickly popped out of his shoulder. It appeared bigger, brighter, and even help the same flaming properties. Only it just levitated over his shoulder.

Infinity quietly and steadily made his decent down the stairs. His way being lit by the floating conjuration of flame that resided above his shoulder. The room seemed extremely and unusually dark, a definite sign that something was here at some point in time. Yet, it could be fixed simply with the shard, but he left that in his other pants.

Infinity's hooves were finally met with the floor of the basement, his light just barely reaching even the closest table. For some unknown reason, Infinity started rolling up his sleeves past his elbows, then moved his hooves slowly across the wood floor towards the first desk. Kneeling down and peering under it resulted with no one under it. Standing back up, Infinity made his way towards another of the desks. Before he could kneel down though, his peripheral picked up a slight purple and light green over in the corner. Slowly, Infinity approached the hunched over figure.

Steadily placing his hand on the figure resulted in a quick string of actions. Spike jumped at Infinity, screeching and scratching. Only causing small scratches on Infinity's arm, the pegasus' reaction was a simple: tapping Spike's forehead with the side of his fist knocked the dragon unconscious. An image was burned into Infinity's mind though, one he may never forget.

Twilight had no idea what to think when she saw Infinity return from the basement with Spike over his shoulder. Just as quickly as the flame was made, it dispersed into the air. Thinking nothing of it, she walked over and started looking the dragon over, then looking Infinity over.

"Is Spike okay?" Twilight asked as she finished looking over both of them.

"He'll be fine, I think he was just spooked was all." Infinity replied as he head up the stairs with Spike.

Something in atmosphere changed as Twilight followed Infinity. She observed as he placed Spike in one of the lounge chairs, then sitting in one himself. His posture was anything but as he leaned over with his elbows on his knees and his muzzle hidden behind a pair of clenched together hands. Twilight walked over her hand on his shoulder to find it tense. More tense than normal. She jumped a bit as the wood in the fire place burst into flames. She found Infinity's gaze unmoving from the flickering fire. Twilight looked over to Spike and made way over and knelt down in front of the sleeping dragon.

"I think something else happened down there.." Twilight stated as she continued to look at her unconscious friend. "..I heard screeching that didn't sound like him."

Infinity sat for a moment, then changed his posture so that he was sitting back in the chair. "He went feral. Jumped when I touched him and thought I was an attacker. Had to knock him out."

"He didn't hurt you, or you didn't hurt him?" Twilight asked, looking over to him.

"I didn't hurt him, he barely scratched me."

The tone unnerved Twilight, something shifted in him seeing Spike like this. It made her wonder how he'd be if something happened to her; Like spike, or maybe worse. Infinity then swiftly rose from his seat and walked out of the room in a march. She was quick to follow as she watched him change out of his uniform, back into those knee-high tights, but he also slipped on something that was different. It fir on his torso, but nothing covered his arms. There were two shoulder-mounted pieces of metal attached to each of the arm slips.

"Twilight, get your friends together and hold down the library. It's time for me to end this.."

Twilight nodded as she gulped. Quickly leaving the room.

Infinity lingered about upstairs while the six friends just entered the library below. The mares were all looking at each other in a rather confused manner. As to why Twilight all needed them to stay at the library. Infinity was nearly silent coming down the stairs. They watched as he made way to the center of the room, a weapon attached to the back of his belt and just above his tail. His eyes locked on to Twilight and she just looked at him. Worried about what he was about to do.

"Under no circumstances does anyone leave this library unless a signal is given." Infinity commanded as he looked about the room at the other five confused mares.

"What signal should we look for?" Fluttershy quietly asked.

"You'll know when you see it." Were his finals words before he disappeared beyond the front door of the library.

The room fell to silence as they all just looked at the door.

"What was he wearing? That color with those tights?" Rarity commented as she looked back around with a ghastly expression.

"It's traditional guard armor where he's from." Twilight interjected the quick save.

"Looks like they need a bit of fashion sense." Rarity huffed a bit.

Infinity landed in front of the Everfree Forest. Looking beyond the treeline he could see a giant spire of smoke leading up to the dark clouds that remained on the edge of the forest. With a deep breath and a look of determination, he quietly stepped into the dark woodland, and just kept walking past dozens of trees, flowers, and critters of the land. Infinity made his mission clear, stop this second Lord before he could cause any more damage. He soon vanished into the forest, now out of sight. His hooves gradually changing back into paws, his tail resembling more that of his original wolf body. Becoming as white as the rest of his body as it changed back. His muzzle lengthened a bit and nose became a textured dark piece on his face. His eyes reduced in size with his ears and hair.

Spike abruptly awoke with a large gasp and looked around the room. Swiftly jumping out of the chair and dashing downstairs with a quick burst of speed and stopped in front of the group of girls. The six just looked at the dragon, whose face showed a great amount of worry. With a short silence, Spike produced one question.

"Where's Infinity?"

Infinity stepped out of the forest to a clearing. He observed the source of the dark clouds: a swirling pillar of dark smoke leading from the grass up to the sky. His eyes sharpened a bit as he inhaled deeply. Locking his eyes onto the pillar of twirling dark smoke and pulled Edge out, away from the katana's sheathe.

"FEAR!" Infinity roared across the plain, disturbing some of the wildlife.

The shadowy sky overhead seemed to grow a bit darker as the swirling pillar came to a halt. As if on queue; deep ominous laughter erupted into the air. The heaven-reaching object detaching itself from the sky and shrinking to just below the tree line. The low chuckling stopped as a brightly lit, yellow eyes and jagged mouth appeared.

"Ah, Infinity" The pillar bellowed in a calm, deep voice. "You've hidden yourself wee this time. Going on trips around the realms. Leaving this one wide open for us Lords to just take with pleasure."

Infinity just glared as he took a step forward. Slowly approaching and readying his body into a sort of stance. His legs were well placed from each other, his knees bent at a small angle, and both hands on his weapon that was kept eye-level. Anticipation thick with his statuesque posture of that being a warrior.

"Not even a simple 'hello?' My... have you grown since last we met." The face smiled before opening up again. "Tell me, where all did you go my old foe?"

"I've been all over the realms, even went back to my home." Infinity kept his pose.

"Come then, Infinity, let's settle this in a manner that your more familiar with..." Fear smiled at him and made an electric guitar appear in front of the bipedal wolf. "..with a rock-off."

As Infinity knelt down and wrapped his fingers around the end of the guitar. A stage started rising up out of the ground, right under him and lifting him up. A group of seven came to a halt, six mares, one dragon gazed upon the sight before them as they watched a stage stop some meters off the ground. Twilight and Spike knew the creature up on the stage, the other five didn't really connect the dots.

With a smirk, Infinity opened with six strings starting at four, two ,two. He continued before more music inexplicitly picked up along with vocals. Gradually Infinity starting to bob and move with the music as he continued, breaking into solos as drums beat and vocals shifted in and out of existence. Attacks of all kinds shot out from the guitar, ranging from air to liquid to flames, at the giant pillar of smoke. These attacks caused minimal damage.

That is until everything fell silent. Except for him playing three strings in a quick succession. All lighting mysteriously fell dim as he played. Then lit up again as other instruments kicked in and flashes forming around the pillar of dark smoke. The wide range of barrages continued as the members of the group sat there with mouths agape, except for Pinkie who was head banging to the whole ordeal.

The assaults continued on in a more rapid pace as the song really picked up, and stopped at the drop. Infinity was panting as his tail wagged at the result, one of his favorite songs that got him pumped even for its subtlety. The pillar faultered a bit to his pleasing, a smile adorned on his face. His attention was drawn to the group when Pinkie started cheering him on.

"WOOOOOOO! ENCORE!" She cheered as she jumped up and down with excitement.

"He's better than when I last heard him.." The group looked over to a pony taller than even Celestia herself only the slightest, the figure being near skeletal in appearance with a sunken face to boot.

Soon, another song kicked in. This one wasn't being played by the mystery guitar creature, but rather somewhere else that cause Pinkie to freeze as it started out elegant until breaking into guitars and drums. This piece was heavier than what the creature played, and he knew it.

Infinity started to feel a pain in his chest as the music continued on from Fear. It soon grew too great to where he fell to his knees. Painfully slow, his body started changing against his will back to a Pegasus. The five girls gasped and cringed at the painful, but watched as the identity of the player was revealed to them. Infinity kept screaming in pain as his body kept forcefully changing.

"Let's switch it up shall we!" Fear sadistically bellowed as he forced the Crosser's body to change more and more.

The vest started to grow, or rather, its wearer became smaller. He stepped out still cringing in pain as his body was being morphed. Infinity was now a typical four hoofed Pegasus pony. Twilight brought a hand to her mouth as she watched the spectacle.

"This.." Infinity groaned out as he reared up onto his hind legs. "...enDS..." Aloud clash and lightning struck him as his forehooves hit the stage and caused to collapse. "..NOW!" He roared, his body back to normal and charged with lightning and cutting off the song.

His fists clenched out in front of him as the electricity surged to them. His fang bared as a death glare was aimed at his foe. He started to take steps, even his feet drawing the static bolts from the ground. Fear just looked with a smug, jagged grin. Infinity was mere centimeters away, not even looking into the face and more towards the pillar.

"Uh oh.... Infinity forgot the most important and essential rule to crosser magic..." The figure spoke silently.

Twilight just looked at the figure. "What...?"

"STAADNAU..."

"Never let your anger consume you." The figure spoke

"...STRUN..."

"Oh dear.." Twilight looked back.

"..NAH!" Infinity yelled and threw his arms up and opened his hands.

Not even a second after he did, bolts of way faded purple shot from his palms and to the skies above. The lightning then came crashing down in one huge attack on the pillar. Fear moaned out in immense pain. The attack itself caused Infinity to skid all the to the edge of the arena, just in front of Twilight. She could still feel the static emanating from him before he rushed at the pillar of smoke again. Fear shot a tendril out and struck the ground before Infinity, causing him to lose his footing.

That's when Fear really took his chance and launched a large fireball at the downed Crosser shortly after falling. The flames consumed and exploded on Infinity. Twilight yelled out along with the other five. Fluttershy now cowering behind a tree for good measure. Spike was wide-eyed and jaw hanging as he looked on to the large smoldering area.

Something went amiss as there was a low roar that seemed to come in from all directions. The solid black was dispersed as something flew up out of it at blinding speeds. Slowing down near the apex of it's flight, a dragon spread its wings before swooping down towards the pillar with another loud roar and cutting through the pillar with a large figure in its grasp. The large reptile flew up again before falling back and heading into a divebomb with its target. Gaining speed the more the dragon formed into a smaller figure on the larger's back.

Infinity and Fear crashed to the ground into a flume of smoke. Infinity flipping and landing on his feet in front of the group, looking to the skinny figure then smiling some at him.

"Grimmy, I didn't expect you to be here." Infinity said, then he looked over to Twilight.

"Is it.. is it over?" Fluttershy asked as she peeked out from the tree.

"NOT EVEN CLOSE!" Fear's voice shattered.

Infinity looked behind him to see the pillar of smoke gone and sctattered portals leading elsewhere. He turned to Twilight and was about to run for her until a portal opened up in front of him leading into the space close to a sun. It closed leaving Twilight reaching out for her love. She started to whimper as tears formed in her eyes and she fell to her knees crying.

Her friends surrounded her to console her, but made very little progress.... he was taken from her...

Facing the Final Fear- Part II: One Haunted Orchaestra

Space. The final frontier. So Infinity would love to think right now if he wasn't stuck in it, casually floating towards the sun as he gazed upon the planet Equestria was located on. He didn't think that space would even be his final grave, but atleast he got to see a beautiful sight before he died. How fitting.

"I thought I trained you better than this, Infinity..." A voice seem to fill his ears. He even could feel the scolding. "Before you even ask, ,Death? What are you doing here?' I'm here to not see that my training with you go to waste because you decided to let your anger get a hold of you. Now you might be thinking that you're gonna burn up when you get near that sun. We both know that's not happening when instead you can get back down there and fight for that girl who loves you, and I know you love her back. Defeat the Fear. Win the girl. Happy clichéd ending like every other hero story out there."

Twilight helpless wept as her friends huddled around her in a failing attempt to comfort her. Fluttershy had tears streaming down her face from the brooding feelings, Pinkie wailing because, well because two of her friends were crying. Rarity had a piece of cloth out and dabbing at her own tears, Applejack on that verge with little pools of liquid threatening to just stroll down her cheeks. Rainbow was biting back her own as she just sat there, and Spike just hugged the lavender alicorn's waist with his face buried against her shirt.

All they had left was the vest he was wearing before and the sword harness that flew off with his blade when he was hit with the fireball. None of the seven dared to touch the items out in the open. Either it was out of respect for the fallen, or Twilight wasn't ready to retrieve them. Celestia's sun was beginning to set, changing the colors of the sky accordingly to a mix of blue and orange.

The groups attention was then caught by something lighting up the sky. In a blaze it flew over them, crashing feet away from them, but closer to the vest and katana. A small crater was the result of the object as the girls and dragon now stared in silence, with some sniffling here and there.

Smoke coiled up from the crater, a slight glow emitting from within. Everyone jumped when a golden-tinted hand popped up and grabbed the dirt rim, shortly followed by a familiar face gasping as he managed to climb out of the hole.

"Oh sweet fuckin' air!" Infinity praised as he kept taking in more breathes. "Oh sweet, sweet glorious air! How I love you so!"

Twilight was the first to speak up as she steadily took a stand. "Infinity...."

"Oh hey Twi." Infinity looked over with a smile, grabbing his armored vest and slipping it back on, soon getting covered in the metallic glow. "Fear's gonna need more than just space and a sun to take me down."

"..but how.. how are you even glowing like that?"

He looked at himself then back to her. "It's solar energy... apparently something I can use..."

Twilight just stared at the being before her, a bit awe-struck. "Then.. how did you get back?"

"I used a small portion of the energy to travel like a comets from the sun back here."

"But.."

"Twilie.." Infinity interrupted as he walked over to her. "I know you have a lot of questions right now, but please, I need to go handle Fear... make sure he won't come back and harm you or your friends." He smiled at her as he spoke, gently wiping away the mare's tears. "Then we can finally have some time to ourselves."

His touch was warm, and his words were soothing to her ears. Twilight couldn't help but give him a weak smile. There, standing in front of her was a creature not of her world, but could fit in with just a physical change. Sweet and kind are the qualities she loved of him, and now his valor and dedication to protect her home, her friends, and her. She squeaked a bit when Infinity locked her lips into a deep kiss, but it didn't take her too long to even melt right into his arms.

He broke the kiss as she looked up at him with her ears flattened. "I will be back... sooner than last time."

She nodded to him and stepped away as he casually scooped up his blade and harness. He approached the portal as he fastened the rig around his legs and waist, but stopped as he was just a step away. Something started to bug him, but he ignored it for now.

"OH..." Infinity turned and pointed at the dragon amongst them. "..and Spike, I'm going to show you some neat tricks when I get back."

Spike then excitedly grinned despite his own teary face, nearly hopping up and running after him. Twilight just giggled a bit, now standing among most of her friends.

"Ready Edge?" Infinity asked his katana.

For the first time since they met, Twilight heard the feminine voice of his so-called 'sentient' sword call out to him. "Ready Sire."

Infinity came into contact with stone flooring, but upon exiting the portal was something he expected: a corridor of a castle. The walls were adorned with yellow fabric banners that had intricate embellishments all over them. One thing was constant on each banner, which was a large 'F' or 'P' done in different styles.

"He always did have a thing for the classics." Infinity muttered as he looked around the structure.

Infinity was more impressed at the architecture rather than disgusted with it. It was smooth, form-fitting, and accurate on what it was supposed to represent. Which means he should be able to find the main hall with ease. And if he knew Fear well from past encounters then...

Cheers from far away erupted and broke the silence.

"Bingo.." Infinity smiled as he started walking

His ears swivel in all directions attempting to pick up the source of the cheers. Quickly reasoning that that he was gathered in the main room, but it was harder to just use his hearing... he needed something that could yield results like...

"THAT'S IT!" Infinity snapped his fingers and closed his eyes. "Edge.... activate sonar abilities."

"Done"

Now all Infinity had to do was wait for a more constant source of sound. Fear liked classical, so he was bound to play something triumphant. Right on cue, Fear had organized a single piece to play. IT started off simple, a barely audible piano for a few seconds before switching over to a pipe organ and drums. Perfect, enough sounds for his sonar to pick up accurately. Closely following where the audio was coming from and carefully navigated the halls.

His feet swiftly carried him through the maze of corridors. The song picking up in tempo as it continued on. This made Infinity smirk as he was getting a much more clear sonar image of the corridors he was navigating. Bettering his footing and guessing. Fear was definitely playing a war tune, probably for Wrath-now-Annesille in honor. Since those two would never invade separately.

The tempo dropped again, which was alright for Infinity since he was now in the Grand Hall of Fear's castle. He pried open his eyes and looked to the one end to see a pair of simple wooden doors. Then turned his attention the other direction: There stood a pair of intensely decorated doors. He approached the doors as the piece of music came to a close. With a smirk, Infinity raised his leg in the air.

Fear raised a goblet into the air as his song came to a close, the room then erupting into cheers as his familiars hissed and crackled. He then turned his head to the prize he had taken before he left the pitiful world called 'Equestria.' His victory however was short lived as the doors to his chamber were kicked in and wide open, smashing his guards against the wall and causing ink to stain the stone.

"SURPRISE BITCHES!" An all-too-familiar voice roared into the room.

The black creatures quickly returned to their more natural liquid state from the scare. Fear just groaned as he set his goblet down on the table and looked over to his old foe. He quickly noticed the glowing golden hue on Infinity, but shrugged it off.

"Just when I thought I finally got rid of your stinking ass, it fucking comes to my doorstep.. on my home turf." Fear rose from the table, revealing his two stories height, ripped to near impossibility as he smiled. "THIS IS MY TERRITORY!" He yelled back as the room flashed.

Infinity shielded his eyes from the flash, but found himself standing on the edge of his city...in pristine condition, when opened them again. He crossed his arms as an explosion went off in the center. The ground rumbled and stones shook as the dome of fire grew and grew. He gazed on as the walls of heated doom consumed the buildings, rapidly closing in on him.

Then it just stopped centimeters away from his nose. Infinity raised a brow and poked the wall of fire, making it ripple like it was water before it fell apart.

"Really Phalatrex? That's the best you got for me? My own memory of all things you try to scare me with." Infinity commented as he watched the dome fall completely.

Then everything went black. "DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME THAT!" Fear roared out as his came up from below and grabbed Infinity before throwing him down.

Infinity shot up in his cloud bedding, rubbing the bridge up his nose then his eyes. Once the sleep was steadily rubbed away, he scanned the room. His memory seemed to be a bit hazy from last night, but he recognized the room just fine. Almost everything consisted of the white fluffy substance that stayed in the air. The only thing in the room that wasn't made up of the stuff were the framed pictures of a cyan Pegasus and a white Pegasus together.

Each a still memory of some activity they did with each other. A warm smile spread across his face as he made his way out of the bedroom and down the hall to the kitchen. There, he was met with a multicolor mane bobbing and a tail swaying, a pair of earbuds in her ears as he could just faintly hear her music.

"Wow Trexxy.. I didn't think you'd stoop so low as to put me with the wrong mare and become her yourself." Infinity teased as he leaned on nothing.

The faux Rainbow Dash turned around with deep yellow eyes and growled. "I've defeated and killed many Crossers that were a treat to torture. you though? You're just becoming a pain in my ass... most Crossers didn't even bother to hide what they truly feared, You're something else entirely." Fear grimaced before turning back to his giant form.

"Trained by the best, to be the best, of the best." Infinity smugly stated as he looked at his hands.

"BUT THIS IS MY WORLD!" Fear bellowed yet again.

"Is it though?" Infinity deadpanned as he stared right back

A sudden moment of realization slammed Fear as the world around them started to fall apart. Reality gradually setting back in as Infinity faded out and back in as the golden hue he was when he arrived. The main hall started to building itself back in. Fear couldn't take on this Crosser like he's used to. Then he heard a deep inhale.

"SOLAR FLARE!" Infinity summoned up his power, a wave of energy blasting out as he put out his chest.

A beam shot out of the center of Infinity's chest and right at Fear. A hole gradually forming in his armor as the beam made contact with its target, then blasted through to the wall. Fear bellowed out in pain as the beam came to halt. Infinity panting as he gripped a forming war hammer, a hole right in the middle of his armored vest, and the gold tint fading from him.

"I already had my ass nearly handed to me by Wrath... now it's my turn to open my own can." Infinity said with a smile.

Fear quickly regained his footing and grabbed his sword. Hoisting the bulky squared-blade weapon on his shoulders and running at the Crosser. The blade was raised above his head as he neared. The giant blade coming down upon...

CLANG!

Infinity witnessed Fear's eyes go wide as the bigger sword came down on his left hand weapon, the Edge. Sparks flying off from the enhanced metals went against eachother. Then, in his right hand, he hefted his hammer up against Fear's weapon and smashed it into pieces before jumping up and drop kicking Fear away from him.

"Impossible!" Fear exclaimed worriedly as he looked to his broken blade. "Nothing's been able to break this! My Bane! My legendary sword!" He then pointed at Infinity's hammer with distain while he growled. "WHAT TI HELL IS THAT?!"

"Oh this?" Infinity lifted the hammer with a single hand. "It's just my family's war hammer, the Abatore Basher."

"You're family were a bunch of Crossers!?" Fear couldn't believe it.

"No, I'm the only one. I've made a few modifications to it so it's now the Infinity Hammer."

Infinity then rushed in close and left the floor. Spinning his body sideways to bring the hammer down on Fear's head before switching up and slamming it against his face. The blows rendered the behemoth a bit out of sync. Trying to recover, Infinity took the opportunity and swung the hammer at his legs. This caused Fear to come crashing to the ground, and Infinity jumped up on to his chest.

"Now.. let's see if I can-" He was cut off by a massive fist slamming into his head and launching him into a wall.

"Bastardized Crosser... that's all you are..." Fear grumbled as his got back to his feet. "A mere weapon crafted for death, destruction, chaos, and power.."

"Infinity.." A familiar voice called from within his ears.

"Equipped with a powerful tool in all known realms.. and you waste it on good and protecting lesser creatures." Fear continued on as he grabbed his busted sword.

"...You can beat him.. I believe in you" The voice called again.

"AND HERE YOU WILL DIE!" Fear roared out as he threw his blade at the Crosser.

Infinity felt something awaken inside him. The blade was about to make contact, but he suddenly blinked out of the way a split second. Fear smiled at the thick cloud of dust that his blade made from the blow before he started to cackle himself. The air shifted around him and he felt it, stopping his laughter.

The girls all were watching Twilight as she was positioned on her knees. They all felt a slight shift in the air as her wings shot out and a visible aura surrounded her. She felt awoken, a new potential as she sat there and focused on one thing, one being, one motive: Belief. The wind started to pick up, causing her mane to flip about in the breeze.

Infinity blinked back into view beside the smoke. Fear stepped back in surprise as he gazed upon a new Crosser. Infinity had a visible aura around him. Half a yellow-green, the other half.. a magenta. The Crosser took one and was raised to the same heint as Fear, stone encasing his legs and growing into a new form. Heavy stone for legs as a charcoal torso and head formed, then water spilled out from the sides of the charcoal forming arms and hands before freezing into a solid ice. The result was an avatar of Elements. The torso actually being separated by swirling wind and mist.

"Elemental Warrior.." The combined voices of Infinity and Twilight called out. "..activate."

The torso, arms, and legs lit up in a colored pattern of Infinity's aura, ethereal wings of magenta light unfolding from the back. the eyes each a single of the two colors. Then a lavender six-point star lit up on the chest before being overlain with a white eight turned on its side.

Fear charged at the mass of elements and threw the first punch only for it to be caught and a knee delivered to his gut. He took a few steps back then a fist collided with the side of his jaw, spinning him in a circle. Fear regained his foot and kicked the chest of the being before punching its head. The head got lodged sideways and a shallow indent was made on its chest.

"HAH!" Fear scoffed with some vigor.

The dent popped out automatically and it snapped its head back into place.

"OH for fuck's sake. That's fucking cheating!" Fear turned his back and tried to flee.

The elemental held it's hand out and a magenta whip launched out of it and wrapped around Fear's waist. He got pulled back to the being quickly and clocked in the back of the head before being flung into a wall. The elemental just stood there as Fear fell from the wall before leaping on top of him. Fear coughed as it quickly grabbed his head. The being reeled back and smash heads with him before standing and stepping away.

Fear groaned out as he sat up, holding his head. "You think you can defeat me that easily?"

"No." The combined voices of the elemental replied.

"I'm not finished with you just yet." The male counterpart called out.

The element then raised its hands and shat out some of the magic stored within, opening a portal to pure white. Slowly turning to Fear and taking a step forward. Fear was trying desperately to scoot away, knowing where he was going. Yet, he couldn't escape, he was up against a wall as the elemental grabbed his legs and began to spin him around. Letting go, Fear flew through the portal. He could only watch as the white symbol disappeared and Infinity shot out of the chest after him.

Twilight gasped as her head shot back. Her friends rushed over to her as she fell back. Her eyes fluttered open and a smile spread across her face as she stared up to the Luna's night sky, as it was scattered with stars.

"He's all yours Infinity..." She whispered before falling soundly asleep.

Phalatrex looked around. This wasn't the place he was thrown into.

"Seem familiar, Phalatrex?" Infinity called out behind him.

"No.." He was taken back by his voice. IT was... normal. Then he looked to the Crosser. "Where are we?"

Infinity simply walked up with a friendly smile and pointed to Phalatrex's head. Phalatrex silently nodded, understanding a gesture and looking around. It was just darkness... all of it. How was this even possible? Inside his own head.

"Here. Lemme show you something." Infinity broke the silence before pulling up a memory.

Phalatrex could see himself conversing with... others.. that kind of looked like him, but different. He was smaller. Their size. But they seemed angry with him. Phaltrex knew this felt familiar.. but he wasn't sure of it. He turned back to Infinity with a puzzled look. Infinity smiled as he looked over to him.

"What.. what is this?" Phalatrex asked.

"The first time you succumb to the corrupting force known as the Fear. It buried this so you'd forget it and wouldn't fight back." Infinity replied, gazing back.

Phalatrex witnessed his past self grow angry and lash out with powers he'd never seen before. He stepped back, physically shaking as he watched on. Until he felt the presence of a calming hand on his shoulder. He looked over to Infinity and weakly smiled back before looking again.

"It's alright now. Fear won't get you." infinity said as everything went bright.

Equestria, Some Time Later.

It was a beautiful spring day as Twilight was busy preparing some sandwiches and tea for lunch. She took a quick glance out the window to spot her boys doing some training. She giggled, remembering Infinity's promise to Spike about tricks. As true to his word, the two have been training ever since the defeat of Fear. It was nice to see Spike learning some new things and improving his fire breath.

Infinity spread his wings as he looked at Spike with a smirk. "Alright dragon-boy, hit me with your best shot."

"You got it feather-brain!" Spike retorted, breathing in and launching a good sized green fireball at Infinity.

Infinity strafed out of the way and rushed in. Spike took quick reaction and used a flamethrower-like attack. Infinity flew up to the sky, near the sun before landing behind the dragon. Spike turned around and punched. Blocked. Then went in for a knee. Blocked again. The two smiled at eachother.

"You two done sparring yet?" Twilight called as she approached them with a platter. "Or can at least cease until lunch's over?"

"I think we can call it a day, whaddya say Spike?" Infinity grinned as he nudged the dragon.

"Yeah! Hey Infinity, do you think I could beat you in a fight one day?" Spike grinned up at the pale Pegasus.

Infinity chuckled a bit and ruffles Spike's head spines a bit. "Maybe, we'll just have to see."

Infinity took a moment to quickly kiss Twilight and rub her slightly bulging stomach before heading inside Golden Oaks. So far, he's been enjoying a calm life. A family life soon with a little present on the way. He felt good and so did the ponies and dragon around him. Finally, he was in the clear.

A Train a Day... Keeps the Statues Away

"So, let me remember all this..."

"Yes?" Twilight asked. Having explained to Infinity the entire(nearly) history of Luna/Nightmare Moon to a point.

"Luna, Princess of the Night AND sister to Celestia, ruled with her sister in peace some odd thousand years ago. Got jealous and turned into some sort of evil corrupted princess, tried to overthrow her sister but ended up getting trapped on the very moon she controlled only to escape to take over Equestria again, but was stopped and turned back into her good ol' self by you and five other mares that are now the Elements of Harmony?"

"Well.... yeah I guess thats right."

Infinity gave a silent nod, having processed and summarized hours of information into minutes of a paragraph. This impressed the alicorn greatly and made her sorta jealous, but nonetheless, she still loved him.

The train ride was only half over though. The entire trip being eight hours total. Her attention was slowly drifted to the outside and to the sky. Just something about those clouds just unnerved her greatly. Infinity was acrossthe table from her in the booth they sat in and observed her. In an instant he noticed that she was thinking, and about what wasn't hard to guess. So they sat in silence for a while.

Of course, he couldn't help but stare at the mare's figure. It remained so unassuming. Her sweater didn't hug too tighly to her body, but enough to compliment her perky breasts, which weren't too big nor too small. Perfect fit to fit in the palm of a hand and then some. Then there was the skirt she wore, very professional-looking but also casual. Hugged her legs nicely. Compared to him, she looked more presentable. Infinity took a moment to look over himself, faux leather jacket over a red t-shirt, all accompanied by jeans.

The hairs on the back of Infinity's neck stood up, quickly snapping him out of his daze. A shift in the air as the train neared Canterlot Station.

"Whoah.... did ya feel that?" Infinity went on the alert.

"Feel what?" Twilight asked, slowly returning to reality.

"Don't know. Something seems.... off... in the air."

Twilight was about to say something about his statement, but thought against it considering her was a transdimensional being.

"You seriously brought that thing?" Twilight questioned as she observed the stallion bringing his weapon down from the baggage department.

"Well, yeah. Never know what we're gonna face and you can never be too careful." Infinity reasoned as he hooked up the blade and sheathe to the back of his legs via a specially designed belt.

Twilight couldn't help but groan and made her way out of the booth with Infinity trailing close behind. Their traverse through the terminal was unhindered due to the fact that ponies were scared to come out of their homes most of the time or mainly stayed within their hometowns to help ease others. That is, until they came across two guard ponies that stopped both of them in their tracks at the entrance. Spears pointed at Infinity moreso than Twilight Sparkle herself. The guards even loomed like they haven't slept for days.

"HALT!" The captain barked, "Indentify yourself!"

Infinity had his hand on his sword, ready for a fight. Twilight quickly took hold of the situation. "Relaxs guys. He's my personal guard, Infinity Plane."

The guards eyed Twilight for a few moments.

"So, if you please, would so kindly retreat your weapons from my guard's face, he won't have to shame you all in front of a princess." Twilight did her best to hide a smirk.

Infinity was apalled. He hadn't expected this much spunk or a well-placed lie to even flow so smoothly out of the librarian's mouth. It did the trick though as the five or so guards pulled their spears away and bowed their heads.

"Yes, Princess Twilight." The captain spoke again, turning his attention to Infinity. "Sorry for the misunderstanding Sir Infinity Plane."

"Not a promblem solider." Infinity replied, much to the captain's relief. "Juat doing your duty."

Twilight then leaned over to Infinity's ear. "A personal guard has, if not the same, higher authority over most Royal Guards...." she whispered into his ear.

"Shall we escort the Princess and her Sir to a hotel to rest? You both must've had a rather long trip." The captain adressed the both of them.

"What about the palace?" Infinity asked only to recieve a deadpan look from the whole squad of guards.

"Nopony has set hoof in that place since the invasion. It's been locked up tight and nopony can get in or out." The captain stated.

"Have you even tried looking for the royal sisters?" Twilight questioned interestingly.

The guards stiffened for a few moments, then drew spears. Infinity quickly took defence by sliding in front of Twilight, drawing Edge from its sheathe and blocked the blows in one fluent motion. The troop stepped back but were quickly knocked off the hooves by a blast of wind from Infinity's wings. The pegasus held his position close the princess. The fallen guardponies rising to their hooves like marionettes.

"I fuckin' knew it! Possessed guards!" Infinity took quick note of their now glowing eyes. "But by who?"

All glowing, red eyes were now focused on one being.

"Get the Crosser!" The captain hissed in a more demonic tone, noticable higher pitch.

Infinity took a different defense position, keeping himself close to Twilight as possible, both hands on his sword now, crossed diagonally but parallel with his torso, legs spread and bent slightly. He gave a thousand yard stare that would scare a pack of

Wait a sec...." Infinity paused, turning to look at Twilight. "... princess?"

Four of the guards rushed towards the pair

"Are you really gonna ask about that NOW?" Twilight couldnt believe what she was hearing.

"Well yeah! I'd like to know when that happened!"

"I don't think now is a time for a chat!" Twilight argued back, crossing her arms.

"Now is a more perfect time than ever to chat!" Infinity launched himself onto the shoulders of one of the charging guardponies, his knees on either side of her head.

"How insane can you even be to think about talking while we're being attacked?!"

Infinity brought his left palm down on the bridge of the guard's muzzle hard enough to stun her in place. "It helps with my no casualties policy!"

"You know what? Fine. I became an alicorn some time ago by completing an old spell of Starswirl's."

"Neat. How old was this spell exactly and what did it do?" Infinity asked while blocking the other three incoming spears.

"Thousand? Couple thousand? I don't know! I did find out that it could switch ponies' cutie marks though." Twilight explained.

"Sounds dangerous..." Infinity sheathed his katana and brought his right fist down onto the guard's helmet, causing her to go unconscious and fall to the ground.

"It was relatively harmless. If you consider possibly screwing up your friends' destinies and jobs harmless."

Infinity made quick work of the other three guarda rather quickly. The ways he dispatched them were different but also the same. The second guard to charge simply got his spear swatted away before recieving a heavy left hook to the snout. The third tried to jab at his foe only for Infinity to dodge these attacks with movements of his torso, eventual disarming followed by quick decks to the abdomenal region that ended with an uppercut to the chin. The fourth and final guard was pushed back a few steps before Infinity brought himself to a handstand on his shoulders, which was over the instant he planted hooves on the ground, lifting the guard over his head, and slamming the guard on the floor with her back facing out.

"Well. Some of them aren't gonna be returning to active duty for a looooooooong while" Infinity huffed, making his way over the unconscious body to the lavender alicorn.

"Uhm.... Imfinity..." Twilight tried to interject into his rambling, her eyes fixated behind the pegsus.

"I mean really! Who takes control of guards who can't fight?! It's unheard of!"

"Infinity!" Twilight yelled, successfully interrupting him.

"Can't you see that I'm on a rant here? These guys-" Infinity was cut off by a backhand to the side of his face that sent him flying through several pillars before stopping, a pile of rubble on him.

"I told you to look out... URK!"

Twilight was then grabbed by her neck and lifted a few inches off the ground. The now changing guard possessed a wicked smile, taking on a new form. Hissing as the gender changed from that of male to female.

"Too bad your little guardian isssn't a match for me, princessss." She laughed a bit before continuing to speak. "You're coming with me back to the cassstle. Three down, one more to go..."

And with that, they were gone.

Infinity emerged from the rubble of the pillars hours later. A sort of darkened night had fallen across the city and much of the land. He groaned as he moved, his body protesting any more movement as he suveyed the area. Infinity, however, did find someone missing. That someone was gonna help him traverse the city of Canterlot up to the palace, but she was missing. So he opted to do the one thing he could do: wander the city until he found a place to stay for the night. With his plan set in stone, not literally, Infinity stumbled out of the train station and into the streets of the night-fallen Canterlot.

Much wandering later

Infinity managed to wander aimlessly enough and long enough so that a sleep-deprieved denizen asked where he might have been heading. The citizen was a polite pony that Infinity was glad to work a little magic behid his back and relieve them of that burden. When he set hoof in the hotel's lobby he was given directions to, there was a mare at the front desk at the very late hour.

"Welcom to the..." she stopped mid-sentence and gasped when her eyes looked upon the new customer. "Oh my Celestia! What happened to you?!"

"Let's just say that I got into a fight protecting someone." Infinity simply replied as he moseied his way over to the desk. "Got any rooms open?"

"I think.... if you don't mind me asking, but who were you trying to protect?"

Infinity took a few moments to think about his answer. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. How much for a room?"

"Nono. You can tell me who." She was persistent, something Infinity usually liked.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle." Infinity said the name as if it wasn't a big deal. If he wasn't focused on digging for some bits (that he gladly had stashed before he left), he would've heard her take another gasp.

"You have the privilege of protecting a princess?! Is she okay?"

"No. She was taken and I plan on getting her back. They chose the wrong being to mess with." Infinity stated with a determination tha even inspired this mare to.... do something.

When he brought out a pouch, she simply put her hand up and tossed him a room key. "You deserve this, think of it as a token for your services as a guard. Plus you look like you had a rough night."

Infinity caught the key and nodded to her despite the fact he wasn't a real guard, just a lie that stuck.

The room Infinity got was nice. Surely didn't look expensive. He had just gotten out of the shower and was now drying off his somewhat short mane. Another towel was wrapped around his waist snugly. He stopped and looked at the artificial light that was on in the room. Infinity held out a hand towards the light. A spark flew into his hand and curled his fingers to enclose the new light in his hand.

"Messed with the wrong being, Phalatrex. Attack me once, shame on me. Take my girl, shame on you. Send your lackey... shame on it." Infinity then crushed the light in his hand. He knew the powers anger held, but he was pissed, not angered.

The Next Morning

Infinity took some time, not too much, to enjoy how the city of Canterlot was built. Even amazing to him that it was literally built into the face of a mountain, but the buildings still spoke elegance. He was on his way to the palace to hopefully find not only the Royal Sisters, but Twilight aswell. The directions given to him when he checked (and when he asked) were rather simple: look for the tallest tower in Canterlot. A direction he followed to a T.

It didn't take nearly as long as he suspected, but still made it to some big, padlocked iron gates. Simple contraptions locks were, easily broken by Edge's steel, but effective in keeping unwanted visitors out. Infinity figured he could save the padlock from his wrath and use his wings to get over the wall. It only took a few flaps of his feathered appendages to get his body off the ground and few more to reach the top of the wall. Once he was over the wall, Infinity simply let himself glide back down to the ground.

The courtyard of the palace seemed so empty. There were no guards, no servants, not even a soul looked to exsist here. Of course, this isn't entirely true since Infinity was walking up to the large double doors of the palace. He slowly opened one of them to point that he could slip in and disappeared into the building. The very interior of the palace was almost dark, but Infinity came prepared.

He wandered throught the slightly darkened halls of the palace. No sense of a real direction, but silent enough to keep his thoughts to himself, mostly. His amore recent thought was a question from yesterday morning. A question about his strange habit with cereal.

"Maybe I should tell Spike why I eat cereal with a fork...." Infinity muttered to himself.

"I'm reading life signs, sire." Edge filled his ears.

"Where and how many?" Infinity quickly asked, his hope very evident.

"Close, very close. About three....."

"Oh thank-"

"Dozen." Edge finished.

"Fuck...." Infinity nearly deflated.

A slight glow began in his hand, traveled up his arm, and exited just above the shoulder. His eyes went wide and jaw nearly hit the floor at the sight before him. There, stood statues. As still as stone but eerie like the darkened halls of an adandoned house. They each looked to be the bust of a knight, two swords crossing each chest. The same position as far as the light could shine. The closest statues drew back for a swing, but Infinity jumped up near the top of the hall.

"Edge, activate the spirit tracks!" Infinity commanded.

The light that followed Infinity dimmed. Ghost-like railroad tracks started to lay themselves from around a corner and straight through the entire army of stone beings. The faint sound of a train whistle not to far off.

Infinity rounded the corner riding the boiler of a ghost train, laughing like a schoolfilly all the way.

"Choo choo mothafuckas! CHOO CHOO!"

The train rammed into and smashed a good number of the statues before seeming soaring off the rails and turning around. The statues, much to their limited intelligence, made a formation back onto the track, drawing their blades for a counter assault. Their idea did little to protect them from the second strike. With their numbers now dwindled to a good few. Knowing the full damage he did, Infinity cast off the spell after jump and landed with his hooves planted firmly on the linoleum. With a smile, he drew Edge from her sheathe and silently challenged the rest of the statues to come after him.

Infinity now had a direction to go, but still didn't know the layout of the palace. So he was lost with only a little bit of help from Edge. Just a general direction, a point B with no way to get to it. This sort of ticked off Infinity. Edge still remained in his right.

"Take a left here." Edge stated, making Infinity skid to a complete stop.

"Really? Now you start giving directions?!" Infinity looked at his blade in disbelief.

He took the left though, running right into some nice mahogany doors. Infinity took the moment to rub his now bruised snout since he did run inot the doors pretty hard, before opening one of them. They led right into a brightly lit hall that turned out to be the royal archives.

"A library.... secret passage in the library I suppose. Now why doesn't that sound cliche?" Infinity slightly groaned.

"To save the sire some time, he might want to try the far west wall, the third to last bookcase on the left, top shelf, sixth book." Edge instructed in a matter-of-factly tone.

Instead of opening his mouth like he usually did when Edge did this sort of thing, Infinity simply did as instructed. Finding the exact location of the wall, case, shelf, and book. All it took was a tug for the bookcase to slide in and to the right, reveal a flight of stairs.

"Yeah.... totally not cliche at all... How did you even manage to find all that anyway, Edge?"

"I may have looked ahead a bit in the story."

"Edge....." Infinity scolded. "You know how dangerous that is."

"I know, I know. Figured you'd need the help." Edge reasoned.

"Let's just go get the princesses and Twilight, show the attack dog not to mess with me, and go home." Infinity sighed.

"You forgot about finding Phalatrex."

"His time will come." Infinity said in a rather unnerving tone.

Then he took the first few steps of descent down into the darkness.

Reminiscence

Infinity was sitting in the train's booth, now in his royal guard uniform, next to Twilight. His focus was set on the the rolling countryside outside the window, Twilight's set on Infinity. Twilight had noticed since early this morning that Infinity was a tad off to her. Still, he was close to her, she even woke up to his arm wrapped around her and his head buried into her neck this morning. Yet, she noticed that his face wasn't a usual smile around her, just stayed in a sort of emotionless expression.

"You don't have to sit here with me y'know." Infinity broke the silence and looked over at her. "I'm sure you're friends would like to see you after disappearing on them."

"I know.." Twilight began, taking his hand into hers, holding it tightly. "...but I want to make sure you're okay."

"OH, I'm fine. Just remembering some things." Infinity replied as he started to smile a little at his love.

"What kind of those things would they be?" Twilight inquired, smiling back.

"Well, the things I've done traveling for the two years that I was gone. Things like standing on the edge of a universe, finding powerful creatures to learn from, training with the few world masters..." Infinity's list to seem to go on.

"Okay, I get it." Twilight laughed a bit, cutting the stallion off. "Things that seem to be impossible to most."

"You're sweet, but damn do you read me like one of your books." Infinity teased, swiftly pecking her cheek.

Twilight playfully huffed a tapped his cheek as if she were going to slap him.

"Alright there, before I turn you into Twilight 'Fiestypants' Sparkle, why don't you go see what you're friends are up to." Infinity suggested with a pleasant tone and smile. "I'm sure I'll be fine with you gone a bit."

Twilight looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "Oh alright, I'm sure you need some time to plan anyway."

With that said; Twilight got up from her seat, letting go of Infinity's hand, and leaned down to kiss his lips gently. She soon disappeared out the door. This left Infinity shaking his head and returning his gaze to the window. Bringing up memories, feats, and also past incursions with his foe. Soon a smile broke out on his face.

Dammit, she read me again. He thought, silently breaking into a fit of giggles.