Author's Note

Here's the full set, enjoy!

Ch.8

The Red Light King: Carolus Rex.

Ch.8: The first days, are always the hardest.

(Princess Celestia, present time...)

"No way... You slept with Princess Luna!?" Rainbow Dash shouted, which nearly made me do a spit-take with my tea. After Rex finished telling them about his first day of learning and such, I stared down at Rainbow with disappointment.

"Now Rainbow, it's not appropriate to say stuff like that..." Saying that didn't really do much to discourage her.

"But still! He and Luna!" Still she continued.

"Yeah. So?" Rex asked her flatly.

"Well, I mean, wasn't she....you know...underage!?" All four of us looked at her in bewilderment.

"Seriously?" Luna spoke. "How old did you think I was? Besides, we didn't do anything, and I was hugging him! Not the other way around!" That actually got Rainbow re-thinking.

"Oh... Ooohhh.... Okay, my bad."

"You got that right...ya fuckwit." Rex retorted to her, which made her cringe away. He then decided to take another swing at his Whisky, only to find it empty. "Why is the Whisky always gone?"

"I'll go grab another if you like Rex?" Discord inquired.

Rex shook his head though. "No, it's fine Dizzy. That's enough for one day." After saying that, he got up from his seat and started walking. "I'll be back in a few moments. Gotta go take a leak." Before he opened the doors though. "Wait a minute..." One second he was there, until the next he wasn't.

Everypony were shocked at that display.

"Whoa nelly! Where did he go!?" Applejack exclaimed.

"Did he just teleported, or something!?" Rainbow Dash said next.

"Didn't he say he needs to use the bathroom!?" Pinkie Pie inquired, remembering what Rex said.

"That he did girls." I simply answered them. They talked amongst themselves while we waited for Rex. I wonder what we are going to tell them next? Perhaps the training he had us undergo. It certainly sounds like it. Well, Rex only trained Tirek, Sombra, and Chrysalis, for the first time. While I, Luna, and Discord were up in the Observation room, with our parents. Yet again, he has defied all logic... Our logic. Not only did he forced himself to study through what knowledge we had, but Rex kept choosing to conduct his newfound abilities in the Everfree. He really did made it his territory, his battlefield, his...home. Probably more so than anywhere else.

After remembering that, Rex came back. "Sorry about that. Took a little longer." Sitting back down, he looked towards me. "So, what should we talk about next?"

"Well..." I began. "We could talk about your first time training with Tirek, Sombra, and Chrysalis. After all, you are one for action."

He smiled at that thought. "Hmm... That takes me back..."

Discord snorted at that. "More like you kicking three sorry asses."

"Wait a gosh darn minute!" Applejack exclaimed. "Are you saying you weren't training with them!?"

"Nope, he was going up against the three." Discord said with a grin. "And boy, did he showed them up!"

"The only one that was actually using his head was Tirek." Rex said with a serious look on his face. "But to think, when he got out, he would use trickery. I thought I taught him better." Seems he'd figured out about his second coming. I knew he wouldn't like what Tirek pulled off.

"Um... Excuse me?" Fluttershy said as she held her hand up. Rex nodded to her. "OK, you obviously know them all. But, when it comes to Tirek, it almost sounds like you two are...the same?"

"Yes. That's true. We were not ones to go around backstabbing others to win fights." Rex replied. "In fact, you could say he can go head-to head with me. But ultimately, I still came on top, barley."

"Wow... That's so awesome." Rainbow Dash said, but then she pull herself back together. "B-but not anywhere near cooler than me, of course!" She's barking up the wrong tree.

"Oh really?" He spoke with a smile on his lips. "Want to prove your worth to me?" At that point, Rainbow lost her 'Coolness', shall we say. The mere thought of it must have made her scared.

Chuckling nervously, she replied. "O-on second thought! How about we continue with t-the story!?"

Rolling his eyes at this, he knew she would tried to dodge it. "Yeah well..." Rex pointed at the unconscious form of Twilight. "I'm not sure if she's dead or alive." I can't believe we've forgotten about her. Although, from the sounds of things, Twilight seems to be sleeping. If her snoring was to go by it. "Jesus... She is becoming more and more of a disappointment, by the second."

"Hey!" I shouted at him. "Will you stop picking on the girls! Especially Twilight! Honestly, I don't know how you became King going about with that kind of attitude!"

"Up yours, Tia!" He snapped at me. "These aren't children, they're young adult women! They have to learn how to take the punches life will throw at them! So stop brainwashing them!"

"Brainwashing!?"

"Inadvertently brainwashing, all of Equestria!" I can't believe this! Rex just accused me of something that I'm doing without knowing it! Oh that man! Of all the things he has the nerve to... Argh! I'm so annoyingly frustrated about him, I could---!

"That's enough! Both of you!" Luna shouted at us both. "This is unbecoming of you two!"

"Quite right." Discord added. "This isn't the time to bark at each other's faces." I sighed at this. Those two are right, there's no time for this debate. "But I will say this: I agree with Rex."

"Can we please drop this and get on with the story telling." I really don't want to get into a fight. Not when the girls are in here. But it seems that Twilight woke up while we were arguing.

Rex scoffed. "Fine, let's get on with it." Somehow, I get the feeling he isn't going to let this one go....

(Carolus Rex, a few months later after the challenge....)

Man... Time flies by when your kept busy. Throughout that time, I have been studying up on some things about how this world works, especially Equestria, but all I could say though is this. "I don't belong with them..." I bluntly said. "There's no place for me here. If I'm lucky enough, I could just live inside the forest. But I need to train in order to survive its unpredictable nature." After all, it's not a theme park. As in, not tamed. It's never going to be tamed.

But then another thought appeared. "What about the others?" I doubt they would want to come visit me in there. Even with all of their skills, whatever that may be, they're not equipped to handle the harshness of reality.... My Reality. The Everfree Forest isn't all that different from home, from Earth. Save for the beasts that roam within it, but that's besides the point. Remembering what Sombra has told me, a brief description on how things work here. Yeah, I don't think I can handle that. Not to mention, The Three Tribal Wars that they had, man that was something. I wouldn't say it's worser than World War II, not even close, they're getting off easy. Well, not really. Earth ponies gets their hardworking harvest taken from both the Pegasi and Unicorns. Unicorns creates defensive barriers, while also draining magic from any that aren't like them. And the Pegasi creates destructive weapons out of clouds, filled with unstable electricity, enough to level a few blocks anywhere.

I feel more sympathy towards the Earth ponies. Those other two can go fuck themselves, or fuck each other, if any of them got the balls to do so.

There was a knock on the door, so I got up and went to see who it is. Opening it, I got a face full of white. "Jesus!" Jumping backwards, I got a look at who it was. "Gaia! What the hell!? How many times am I gonna tell you to watch where you swing those jugs of yours!?" Believe or not, this sort of thing has been going on for some time. Twice on Sundays, but thrice on Mondays! Some I manage to dodge, such as now, over times I'm stuck in between the heavens that be. Well, not that I didn't like it, but one of these days they're gonna be the death of me!

I think the universe is out to get me, well fuck you, dammit! Go choke on your own cock!

"Sorry..." The Queen said with a slight blush on her cheeks. "I just came to tell you that the Arena is ready to be put to use." I was surprised by this news, to say the least. Guess I should be thankful that it didn't take 100 years to get it sorted.

Smiling a little, I spoke up. "Thanks for the news, and just in time too. I got some plans for today's training."

"Training?" She asked with a raised brow.

"Yes, training." I confirmed for her. "There are some techniques I wish to try out. But I also wish to see how the others work, as in their skills, what they specialise and such." I explained to her.

"Oh! That sounds interesting." She said. "So, who are you going to train with? Or what type of method? One-on-one? Teams?" She asked.

Smiling a bit more wider, I told her. "It's a bit of a handicap thing: three vs one. I face three of them."

She stared at me, jaw hanging open with widen eyes, before screaming at the top of her lungs. "WHAT!?!?!?!?!?"

"Okay, some more explaining is in order..." I said as I tried to unblock my ears.

"You can't be serious Rex!? You going up against three!? That's insane!" My rolled my eyes at that.

"Well, since I'm in charge of leading this team, I get to decide on how things work." I stated to her. "Seeing as how you think of me crazy, maybe I'll show you when it starts. I'll be picking Tirek, Sombra, and Chrysalis for this session." With that said, I walked past her and saw one of the maidens.

"Oh, good afternoon your highness..." I groaned when she addressed me like that.

"Honestly, I'm not actual Royalty." I told her. "Anyway, can you rely a message for me? I want to you to tell it to my team..." After explaining to her the details, she bowed her head and went off to do the deed. "Alright, now that that's out of the way, I'll go prepare..."

(Princess Celestia, Sickbay...)

"... Okay, everything checks out. You're free to go, just remember to take it easy, your highness." The doctor said. This is my last day in the sickbay, and little Lulu was waiting for me. My left arm was still in bad shape, but at least I can finally walk again. Coming out, Lulu ran up to me and hugged me.

"Tia! You're finally out!" I giggled a little and bent down to hug her back.

"Never have I felt so relieved to be out of that dreadful place." I replied. "As helpful as the staff were, there was only so much they can do." After saying that, we heard hoof steps coming our way. Looking up, it was father himself.

"Celestia, Luna, I must speak with you both." He said to us.

"What is it?" I asked him.

"Come with me. I'll explain it in my office." We did as we were told and followed him. Soon we reached his office, inside was mother, but something was...off with her. Her left eye twitching, face contorted into a creepy smile, mane and tail frazzling like crazy.

"Mommy? Are you alright?" Luna asked, but what happened next was unexpected.

"WHO? ME?? OH I'M JUST FINE DEARIE, NOTHING TO FRET ABOUT AT ALL!" Yeah... I don't know what to think of this. Father came to her side and gave her a glass of water. After drinking it all, she started to calm down and went back to her normal self again. Letting out a loud sigh, she spoke up. "I'm so sorry children, I didn't mean to act out like that to you." She apologised. "It's just that... It's about Rex."

"Rexxy? What about him?" Luna perked up. But I was surprised that she would call him like that. I wonder what happen while I was hospitalised?

"Well..." Our Father answered. "He called for a training test match. Tirek, Sombra, and Chrysalis are to team up against him." We stared at him when he explained. Rex, a lone human turned alicorn, facing three opponents, all by himself!

"But... But that's absurd, even for him!" I exclaimed. "What does he hope to gain from this!?"

"The way I see it, as your mother explained to me, he seems to be wanting to test them." Father told us. Even so, that's still suicidal!

"Test them!? At the same time!?"

"Doubtful." He said. "Seeing as how we outsourced the responsibility to him, Rex realises that they won't be able to defeat him as a team. Not to mention, you may know each other's specialties, but not knowing how you use it effectively."

"Effectively?" I was confused by what he meant by that.

"Yes. You don't entirely know each other's strengths and weaknesses. It is even more harder for yourselves since none of you can agree on one thing. This gives Rex a far better chance of success. Even if you did manage to pulls your heads together, it's already too late." I winced at that. He wasn't wrong about that part. "To that effect, if he manages to pull you all into the Everfree, it's game over. You still remember what happened, correct?" I nodded my head.

"Yes. It's hard to forget it, especially when he beats it into your head... Literally." Seriously, it's like he was made to make you remember every painful moments he inflicted on you.

"Well, that's his home turf. As we all know, it reminds him of home, to an extend. None of us has that much survivability. He uses magic differently too, I wonder what he's got planned today." He sighed as he and mother got up. "Come now. The match will be starting soon." Walking alongside our parents, we went up to the Observation room. There, Discord was waiting inside.

"Discord? What are you doing here?" I asked him. Although, my father didn't approve of that.

"Celestia, he's here because Rex told him. Discord cannot fight." He explained. "It would only complicate things on both sides. Besides, Rex commented that Discord would rather be a liability, and will just be in it for himself." Discord grumbled at that, seemingly not liking it.

"Well excuse me for being what I am!" Discord complained. "It's not my fault for being me!"

"None of us are blaming you, it's just that you can warp all of reality to your advantage..."

"It's more than just that! He can literally touch me!" Discord cut off father. "Just a few weeks ago, I tell him a joke, after that he went ballistic at me!"

"Well, who's fault is that? I remember him saying something about your joke being pretty...explicit..."

Well, he wasn't kidding about that. Rex was hunting Discord down, out of retribution. Mind you, I don't blame him if Discord said something universally inappropriate, I would have done the same. It was probably the worst day for the staff, since Rex was basically bashing his way through walls and such. Lots of shouting and screaming as well...

(Flashback: A few weeks ago...)

Lying in my temporally bed, I was still thinking on how I can get back at Carolus Rex. A few moments later, I heard rumbling. Then screaming.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME, I'M SORRY!!!!!!!!!!" Was that Discord? What did he do?

"GET YOUR LIZARD ASS BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!! SO THAT I CAN FUCK IT UP YOU LITTLE SHIT!!!!!!!!!" Rex?? That's who he's running from? Soon more rumbling can be heard, along with more screaming. It seems the staff are trying to get this situation under control, but ultimately failing.

"NO! DON'T SEXUALLY ABUSE MY BUTT!!!!!! I DON'T WANT THAT!!!!!!!!" That sounded close. Soon enough, Discord came phasing through the wall, and he was a complete mess: A black eye on his right, a bleeding nose, missing teeth, bruises and bite-marks. At least, that's all I could have seen before he phased through the other side.

After that the room started to shake and before long, Rex comes barging in, destroying the wall in the process and did the same for the other, roaring out loud.

"RRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Blocking my ears as hard as I can, to save myself from becoming deaf, Rex continued on. From the look of things, I won't be able to get back at him. If it means getting shredded by his bare hands, limb from limb, then forget it! I'm not dying out like that!

"I'll just....follow his lead...."

(End of flashback...)

Sighing at that memory, I looked out into the Arena. In there was Star Swirl, readying the simulation, and Rex, waiting patiently for his chosen three. We didn't had to wait long, Tirek, Sombra, and Chrysalis arrived, from there Star Swirl activated the simulation. Taking on the form of where Rex and I battled.

As of now, I was a bit curious, to what Rex has planned. He's not one to jump in so blindly, so he will need all the information he can gather from each of them. Even so, the numbers are stacked against him, and he let it. Just what are you thinking, you fool?

(Carolus Rex, in the Arena...)

Man... What was I thinking? Pitting myself against odds like these? Yeah, way a go me! Ah fuck it! I still got the Everfree Forest as my home field advantage. All I need to do is see what they're made of, then proceed to making a plan for each of them. Right now, I need to see their powers.

"Alright then..." Star Swirl started to talk. "As you know, this is the first time we've ever done this. Letting four of you to train in here at the same time."

"Excuse me, professor?" Sombra raised his hand. "Question: why are we, the three of us, have to go up against him?"

"Because I said so." I answered him. "If you think your enemy is going to play fair, you're fatally mistaken."

"What?" He looked at me confused. "What are you talking about? There is no enemy. You're worrying over about nothing!"

"Oh? How can you be so sure?" I asked him, and he couldn't give an answer to that. "Thought so."

"OK, so this training session you have planned, will this help us?" Chrysalis asked next.

"That depends on how well you perform." I answered her, plan and simple. "For this will also give me something to test you all on, if not only for myself."

"So then, you found something of interest?" Tirek asked next, and I gave him a nod. "I suppose you want to test it out, as well, correct?"

"Yes, I do." I ended it there and handed the talking back to Star Swirl.

"Thank you for the clarifications young Rex." He said. "Now then, you all know the objective: you are to defeat your opponents. If you are injured by any of the wild life, you will be immediately be transported back to where I am, and I'll patch you up."

"One thing I still don't understand is the damages we receive from those damn things. How come they're really real, when all of this is just... You know?" I asked him.

"Well, that might be my fault." He answered. "Remember, this was one of my greatest inventions. But even I wouldn't know how things would work out."

"So this was nothing but some sort of fluke."

"You could say that, yes." He concluded. "Alright, you all may begin when ready." With that said, I stood my ground, and waited for one of them to make the first move.

Sombra pulled a red crystal out of his bag, weaved it with his magic, and out came a sword. Colour me impress. Both Tirek and Chrysalis were surprised by this.

"What in the world?"

"What kind of spell is that?"

"It's a Transformation of Objects spell." If you think that was Sombra answering them, you'd be wrong. I did the answering, the rest is easy to figure out how this spell works.

"So, you know how this works?" Sombra asked and I nodded. "Well, at least I don't have to explain myself."

"Like I need your shitty-ass complicated lectures to tell me what's what." That got him riled up. He started charging and I just stood there.

"Sombra, wait!!" Tirek tried to warn him, but it was too late. Just as he made it within range, he swung his sword at me, and I caught it with my bare hands.

"What the--!?"

"Did you really think a frontal assault would work?" I said to him, the look of shock plastered on his face. "Didn't think so." The next thing I did may seem like a low blow, even for me, but I liked this spell of his: Copycat. Draining all the power stored in that crystal sword of his, as it started to change in colour, losing its red, becoming grey and dull-looking. Lifeless, that's the only way to put it. After finishing with learning how it works, the sword starts to crumble away.

Sombra was still n a state of shock, leaving him wide open, and for that mistake, he gets a kick to his stomach. Sending him flying back towards the rest. Tirek manages to catch him, but then Chrysalis comes at me next.

"Chrysalis, stop! Dammit!" Sheesh, it's as if Tirek is the only one that has a brain.

As for Chrysalis, well she was about to attack, but I stop her with negative emotions. She retreated when felt it. This isn't even moving things along, I might as well drag them into the Everfree with me. Turning around and making a run for it, I travelled deep within the thicket of it all. Now it's time to test out some of these newfound abilities...

(Sombra, one kick later...)

"Ow... That hurt." I wheezed out.

"Yeah well, that's what you get for charging in headlong." Tirek retorted. "Why did you do that? It was obvious that he'd tricked you."

I sighed. "It's what he'd said about me lecturing..."

"Are we going after him, or not?" We heard Chrysalis said impatiently. "This talking isn't getting us anywhere. If this all you are doing, then I'm going in after him!" With that said, she took flight and headed into the Everfree Forest.

"No! Wait!!" Tirek tried to stop her, but it was too late.

Standing up on my own again, I ran in there as well. "C'mon, let's go! We need to find Chrysalis!"

"Oh... Why do I have a bad feeling about this...."

(Chrysalis, in the Everfree Forest...)

Dammit, those idiots let him escape! If only we attacked him at the same time, we would have finished him off quickly! But nnooo, Sombra had to lose his cool and go at him like a fool! Well, I won't be needing help from them, I can do this by myself! Using my magic, I can sense him out, I know his signature through his emotions. Although, when I did that, I practically got bombarded by a mass flurry of emotions in all directions. Stopping the spell, I was taking in deep breaths to calm myself down.

"Gah!... What was...?" I stopped myself from asking that question, as the answer was so simple. "Curses! No wonder why you chose this place. How could I have not seen that!?" The Everfree, it's teaming with life, so many beasts roam in here, unhindered! It also makes for a good get away, during that spell, I couldn't find a single trace of him! It's as if he doesn't exist anymore! Not even a mile away could I sense him!

"Grrr.... I can't linger in one spot for too long!" Getting myself together, I pressed onward. Hopefully he left some kind of trial. Although, I wish he could leave just his hoof-prints. "Sheesh! What is with him and mass-murdering everything in here!?" Honestly, he's already back to killing things! I know this place is full of death traps and whatnot, but Rex might end up becoming a monster himself! It's not good for ones health, spending your time in here.

Heading deeper into the forest, I heard rustling among the bushes. Taking a defensive stance, I readied myself for any appending attacks from the wild. Just then I caught a glimpse of something moving, but it was fast. Soon I saw it on my right, then the left, behind me. Could it be him? "It must be..." Right after saying that, he came at me from above. I managed to narrowly dodge his attack and gain some distance between us.

There he was, right in front of me. I wanted to end this while he had his back was turn to me. But something about this feels...off. Like, not all is as it seems. Using my magic once more, I tried to see if this is...wait...why can't I pick up anything from him? Was this some sort of mind trick? I mean, he's there, and yet he's not! What's going on here!?

No emotions radiating from him, but his magical prowess is still there. But how did he managed to suppress his feelings? I'll figure that out later. As he was turning to face me, I ran up to him, followed by a swift sidekick. Although, when I made contact, his body just...disappeared. I was left confounded by this. But I didn't have time to think on this further, because the moment I vanquished this copy, more started to come out from hiding. They have me surrounded!

"Surrender..." What??

"Submit..." Huh??

"Succumb..." Grrr! I'm getting sick of this! I tried blasting them all away, but even that did little to stop those to replace the fallen!

"What kind of magic is he using!?" I shouted before one of them took a swung at me. Fortunately I dodged this easily to my left, unfortunately while I was distracted, another came in over his companion and followed up with a kick. Blocking it didn't do much, not even my chitin could take on the kinetic force put in that one kick. He practically sent me flying through a few trees and planted me into a giant rock.

"Owwww..... This hurts a lot more than I thought it would..." I wheezed out.

"Of course it would..." One of his many doppelgängers droned out.

"What did you think would happen...?"

"Did you believe I would go easy on you...?"

"Shut up already!!" Okay! Now he's starting to get on my nerves! Pulling myself out, I stumbled a little bit before I could find my barring. At least my chitin absorbed some of it, but not enough.

"Interesting, it seems a Changelings chitin works as natural body armour..." Dammit! He's figure it out!

"Well then, no point for us to hold back." Wait, that one had more life in him... Hey, how come all of them are starting to become more alive?? "Time to put that ability of his to good use." And just like that, they vanished into the thicket, but they did not retreat. They were still in the area, though, but as to what they're up to, I don't know.

"I should get moving..." I have to get away from here, I can't fight this many. Taking up to the air, I thought I might be safe. I was wrong.

"Where do you think you're going?" Snapping my head around, I saw one of his copies, but before I could do anything, one of his fists made contact with my face, sending me crashing back down the earth.

I have to get back up! Picking myself up, I teleported away. Even so, it seems he still knows exactly where you teleport. Right now, I'm surrounded. But I also took a look at each of them, and I was shocked beyond belief. It seems that, they have used Sombra's transformations of objects spell, on nature! How could he have taken this ability to another level!? I knew he was crazy...crazily, creatively, smart! He might as well be more of a genius than Sombra, or Star Swirl!

"Surprise?" One of them said with a sly smile. "So am I."

"What....what are you?"

"That's a pretty stupid question, don't you think. I mean, I'm still me. Ain't I?" Another said, while the rest seem to ready themselves. "By the way, you may want to prepare yourself." He wasn't kidding about that. I almost got pounded into the ground from behind! If I didn't teleported at the last second, I might as well be dead.

Looking back at the assailant, I saw him holding a Warhammer. Or a makeshift of one. It was made out a long stick, which seems to be refined to be stronger and comfortable to hold. The top part was a rock, only one side of it sticks out more pointier. The bottom end had what looks to be a very sharp rock. Now I'm starting to question his methods of training.

"Chrysalis!!" A voice called out my name. Turning around, I saw Sombra running towards me with another crystal sword in hand. He would have made it, if Rex didn't have more of his copies hiding about. "ARRGGH!?!?!" Two ambushed him, wielding different weapons. One had stoned fists, while the other had wooden claws, like the Timberwolves. The first was with the stoned fists, trying to give Sombra a hook to the face.

Luckily he just barley dodged it, but had to block off the other that flanked him on his right. "Hey, back off!" He tried pushing that one off him, but got swooped off his hooves and thrown towards me.

I tried to catch him, but I got kicked from behind into him at the last moment. I can't believe him! Since when does he resolve to cheap shots!? He's never one for that kind of style! Groaning, we got up and dusted ourselves off. "For goodness sakes, give us a minute, will you!?"

"Okay..." He said, which surprised us both.

"Wait, what? Really??"

"Yeah..."

"Wow..." Sombra muttered out. "For a moment there, I thought that yo--"

"Time's up!!" One of them shouted from behind, as he leaped high up into the air, a raised fist, then came back down on us. We jumped out of way, and just in time too. Once his fist made contact to the ground we were standing on, it made a crater in the earth, sending chunks of stones flying everywhere, as it cracked under his attack.

"It's official..." Rex's doppelgänger said, as we were surrounded by them all once more. "... You're both screwed."

Immediately, me and Sombra were back-to-back. He created another of those crystal swords of his and gave it to me. Finally, a weapon that can help me hold my ground. Looking around, I asked Sombra if he has a plan. "So, any bright ideas on how are we getting out of this mess?"

"Well..." He started. "Right now, I got nothing."

"... What??"

"No joke. I seriously can't think of anything. All we can do is hold out." He sighed in defeat. "In all honesty, this is something I never thought of. I mean, how do you get out of this? Alive, might I add! It's pretty obvious that the real Rex isn't here! He can be casting this ability far away, somewhere in this damnable forest!" Now I understand.

Sombra is right, you know; how can you beat an opponent that can summon many of themselves? It's not like we were Rex himself. It seems that he outsmarted us all. To make matters worse, Sombra was snagged by the legs, by some vines, that one of the replicas had and half of them ran off somewhere with Sombra in toll. I was left all alone with the rest that stayed.

"All alone, yet again..." I rolled my eyes at this.

"Thanks for stating the obvious." I said to them sarcastically, but they all, simultaneously, rolled their eyes at me.

"You seem to have forgotten, that we can use the environment to our advantage..."

"Oh...right." I really have forgotten about that. So, how am I suppose to get out of this?? I really need a way out right now! "C'mon Chrysalis, think!" Although, unbeknownst to me, it seems the one with the wooden claws came back...the problem with it is that he looks a lot like a Timberwolf biped! Flinching from this, he came charging at me, snarling feral-like.

"EEP!!" Squealing, I jumped out of his way, only for him to scratch my left leg. Hissing, I tried to use my magic to heal myself up, but he went at it with me. Already he was close and started to lash out against me. Using my sword as best as I can, I tried to fend him off, but he was fast and relentless, I couldn't keep track of his movements!

At one point, he managed to get behind me and slashed my back. "Argh! Dammit!" I swung my sword at him, but he jumped, up and over me, landing on the other side of me. Again I swung at him, but his wooden armour seem to have withstand my attack. Growling, he knocked me away from him. Staggered, the others got into the fight. The one with the Warhammer, followed close by with another that wield a makeshift Mauler, with spikes, flanked me on both my sides, weapons raised above their head, ready to strike.

The only option I had was to teleport a short distance away from where I previously were. But the Timberwolf-like being leaped over the two, running on all four, and rammed into my stomach, sending me tumbling onto the ground.

"Oh... C'mon! Give me a chance!" I shouted out at them, but I knew they wouldn't grant me that one! Again they ganged up on me, using many different tactics and fight patterns on me. Eventually, I started to become tired. My breathing becoming shallower by the second.

Maybe... I should...

"You're done with..." One of them said as they got ready to bury me in a bloodied up grave. I have to do it. I have to make the change now!! Using what was left in me, I manage to blind them with enough light before changing into something small. Embarrassing enough, I was a mouse. Upside to this, I guess, I don't exactly need to use much up for this transformation, and I can navigate my way out, from under their noses.

"ARGH!!!"

"FUCKING DAMMIT!!!!"

"I CAN'T SEE SHIT!!!!"

"RRRAAAWWWRRRR!!!!!!"

Sheesh! That one really is a feral beast! Well, I managed to scurry away from them and hidden within a tree. Hopefully, I'll be able to rest and gain some of my strength back....

I know not of how long I've slept, but enough to feel refreshed. I almost forgot about my wounds I sustain from him. "Better take care of those." Finally, now that those are out of the way, I headed out, but cautiously. I highly doubt they are gone. Too bad I have to leave my sword behind, they're all probably thinking I'll come back for it. "They might as well be right..."

Making my way back there - and yes, this is the worst decision - I found my sword lying there, where I was about to meet my imminent end. It's all quiet, too quiet. "Where are they all?" This isn't right. But I'll have to be quick, run in there, transform back to myself, make the grab, and the teleport out of there.

It was going well too: ran out into the opening, transformed halfway, and then went for it. Only for it to turn out to be a mirage. Next thing I knew, something hit me from behind and my vision was fading to darkness. But then... I heard...him say something. Right before...

"K.I.A...."

(Sombra, after being separated from Chrysalis...)

"Hey! Put me down!"

"Fine then!"

"Wait! No, not like--!" Okay, so, after getting dragged off to somewhere else. Separating me from Chrysalis. I've been basically demanding to be put down. Unfortunately, I got what I asked of him, only to be slammed into the ground. Let me tell you, it was not the most pleasant thing to experience.

After digging myself out f there, I was, yet again, surrounded. Luckily, I know a spell to disperse all of these fakers from whence they came. Preparing it was pretty simple, and since they are all here, I don't have to worry about one of them left standing, coming from behind and get the jump on me. Plus, this is a 360 degree in diameter, a wide spread too.

Just before any of them could make their move against me, I fired off the spell. Making every last one of them disappear back into the void. Although, my victory was short-lived.

"Really? You mean to tell me you can do that from the start?" It was him, the real Carolus Rex. "Let me ask you this then: why didn't you use that, from when you were with Chrysalis?"

"... Oh." Was all I could utter out from my dumbfounded self. "I feel stupid for some reason...and I think I know why now..."

"If you're gonna blame anyone, look no further than yourself." He said to me. "Although, tell me, how did you find my...abilities? Did they...peak your interests?" How did I find his abilities? Why would he ask me that? "Oh well, it doesn't matter. For the moment."

"What are you...?" Was all I could say, before I felt something get taken off from me. Looking at my left, the patch that held all of my spare crystals! "What the...!? When did he..!?" How did he do that!? I didn't even see, or hear him coming!

"Looking for something, Sombra..."

"Rex! Give those crystals back to me!"

"You fucking nimrod. Have you forgotten already!?" I was about give a retort to his question, but I punched from the left. "When it comes down to these kinds of situations, there is no negotiations!" Shaking the daze off, I grabbed my sword and tried to be ready for him, but I still got punched here and there.

"Arrgh! C'mon, think!" In a state of panic, I placed a shield around me. Hopefully this will hold him until I figured out how to expose him.

"Not bad. Protecting yourself while figuring out how to exposing my presence to you." I heard him say. "But, you know what, I'll save you the trouble." Hearing rustling from behind me, I turned and saw... Well, I'm not sure, I mean it is him, but... It was the things he's wearing! It looked like some kind of an abomination of armour! From head-to-hoof, he coaxed himself in stone, wood, and...are those bones!? No way! Why would he create something like THAT!?!?!?

Well, at least it's...tidy, refined even. But it still gave off a sense of dread! Just looking at it sent chills up and down my spine. Anyway, I couldn't exactly see his face, because he's wearing a skull of a creature. The only thing it reminds me of is a Timberwolf. That sure is terrifying. But besides that, I can actually feel him smiling underneath that thing.

"So, what do you think? Pretty neat, right?" I just stared at him, eyes widen, jaw hanging. I mean, how do you respond to something like that!? This is ludicrous! When he saw my response, he just laughed, as if it were funny! "Speechless now, are we!?"

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!?!?!?!?" I shouted at him, at the top of my lungs. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?!?!? YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS, CAN YOU!?!?!?!?" I questioned him, although, I soon found out that was a grave mistake. A very grave mistake.

His eyes started to glow a fiery red, as he gave of a animalistic growl at me. The next thing I knew, he was all over the place! He was using a hit-and-run tactic on my shield, luckily it can take the beating, or so I thought. Cracks started to form, from the smallest, growing and connecting to the larger ones.

"Oh boy, this is very bad..." My shield can't take anymore of this punishment. I'll just teleport myself out of here at the last moment, before he breaks through. "Alright...just a little bit more... NOW!" Right when he broke through, I made the jump.

As to where I ended up in...well, let's just say that I didn't want to be there. Nor do I want to disturb those occupying this place. "Why...?" I whispered to myself. "Why did it had to be Manticores?" Oh, just my luck! Okay, calm yourself down. All I need to do is tip-toe my way out of here, and think of a way to defeat Rex. "... If that's even possible." I bemused. I'm not even sure if it is. Sighing quietly, I navigated my way around the pride, making sure I didn't step on any of their scorpion tails and such. It's a miracle that I can still get out of there, despite there being little-to-no light. Making my way out of the cave, I came face-to-face with something I never thought possible, nor did I want to. It was a Manticore, but this one is female, a big girl too. Her body features wasn't like any of the males, as most ponies were lead to believe: she was more leaner, slender, just like any other mare would be. Only, she carried a more powerful presence. No mane, either. Truly a magnificent creature. I only wish I wasn't so nervous of her jumping at me at the slightest mishap on my end.

She seemed surprised to see something like me, so slowly I shuffled my way around her. We didn't lose eye contact during the whole thing, and she seem to be curious of me. How do I know this? Well, just as I got pass her, her scorpion tail blocked my way. In a bit of a panic, I jumped back in fright and bumped into her muzzle. Then I heard her...purring? I was too scared to want to find out why, but my curiosity got the better of me, as I turn my head to see her...smiling!? Since when can animals smile!?

T-t-this is too much! I have to get as far away as possible from her! But she'll just hunt me down! Maybe...! That's it! I'll put her to sleep! Preparing the spell as she was distracted, I used it on her. First came the drowsiness, then she fell to the ground. Sighing in relief, I levitated her at the entrance of her Pride's cave. What? You never leave a woman out in the open sleeping, so don't judge me!

Anyway, after that, I ran for it. Hopefully, I can find out where Chrysalis is, once that happens, we'll regroup with Tirek and think on how to bring Rex down. Eventually, I found Chrysalis, but unfortunately she was unconscious. "Dammit, no!" I ran over to her, but little did I know it was a trap.

I got jump by some feral form of Rex, almost mistaking that one to be HIM him. Only the real one has more detail, this one is more Timberwolf-like. But he was as ferocious as his real counterpart. I tried to get him, but he kept violently thrashing at me, so I forced him away from me. Snarling at me, he got ready to try and charge at me, but I won't let that happen. Using my magic, I conjured up a massive fireball above me and send it hurling towards that beastly thing.

I thought I had him, but I was wrong. He took in a deep breath, and at the last moment, lets loose a huge roar. Somehow, that alone deflected my attack. Not only that, he also signalled his position to the real one, as he roared in reply and ran towards us. Soon he appeared from behind his replica, jumping over him and punched me in the face, before I even had a chance. One after the other, both of them ganged up on me. Pushing them away wasn't enough, they still used hit-and-run tactics. Coordinating and timing their strikes against me, I wasn't going to last.

My hunch was right, the last one was when both of them punched me simultaneously. Falling backwards, hitting the ground, looking up to the sky, I could only utter out one word before passing out. "Damn..."

(Carolus Rex, after defeating Sombra...)

Looking down at the two, I sighed and teleported them back to Star Swirl. "At least you both gave it your all. But still, you have a long ways to go..." Closing my eyes, I can see the fight with Tirek. I sent the remainders my replicas to engage him. He doesn't seem to be tiring out. Good.

"Well, at least he has the knowledge to know how to fight." Using my magic, I phased out of my beast-form and gave it to another replica. "You two, head over to Tirek, and engage him with you brothers." They both grunted, and headed out. I took to the sky and watched the scenery from a Birdseye view.

"Now Tirek, you're all that remains. Show me what you're made of..."

(Tirek, fighting off the Replicas...)

"... Hold still!" The one with the Warhammer shouted, as he swung it downwards at me, but I easily dodged it.

"Like I'll give you that luxury!" I retorted, standing up on my hind legs and smashing the ground, sending earth and stone their way. Only to have it foiled by the other wielding the Mace with spikes on it. "Grr! Damn you!" Just one swing from him counteracted with my earth-based attack.

"Gotcha!" I snapped my head to the left to see another one coming at me with whip-like weapon, full of razor sharp thorns. I manage to dodge it, but the second time around, he scratched the right side of my cheek. This one was fast.

I tried to get in close, but unbeknownst to me, his can retract itself to a length of a cane. Using it like a one-handed sword, since the bottom end was more pointier than usual. Swishing and stabbing, trying to wound into submission. Luckily, I managed to grab him and broke his neck, fading into nothingness.

"That's one."

"Not bad." Looking behind me, another came walking forward, holding something behind him. "My turn!" He was also a whip user, only this one was a bit bigger, longer, slower, but powerful. Unlike the previous one, which was about speed and agility, this was all about strength and power, I didn't want to get caught in that, so I jumped to the side. As it retracted, it basically looked a lot more like a club, with spikes on one side of it.

"Okay, now I'm questioning your obsession with spiking things up." I said to them.

The one that attacked me just shrugged. "Eh, does it matter? It's not exactly for show, you know." After that, he prepared hi next attack. "But now is not the time!" Stretching it out behind him, he swung it horizontally, destroying anything that was in its wake. I ducked down as it passed by. Getting up quickly as I can, I ran towards him and threw a punch at him, only for him to roll out of the way, making me miss him.

"Dammit!" Turning around, charging at him again, I made a second attempt. Only to be tripped by him. "Agh!!" Falling down face first, he came behind me, weapon raise above his head. Before he could deliver the final blow, I managed to buck in the face, so hard in fact, I sent his head flying off his shoulders. "That's two." Getting back up, the last two charged me, leaping into the air, then brought their weapons down on me.

I caught both of their weapons, and it was struggle for who can overpower who. But at least I have the upper hand. Lifting myself on my hind legs once more, they got the idea.

"Shit!"

"Fuck!"

"Goodbye." I said to them both, before slamming down on the earth sending chunks of rock into the two. Grabbing their weapons off them, I crushed the last two with their own. "Finally!" I was really getting of facing these fakers!

"Now, where is the real...huh?" I can hear something coming. Readying myself for it, I waited for it. Soon jumping out of the bush, were two feral-looking replicas of him. Even though I was ready for it, these two were on another level then those I've faced, because they were all over me! Even the weapons I had were useless in this situation and shattered against the onslaught.

"I'll have to make a run for it!" With that said, I sprinted out of there! They were still on me, following me out of the Everfree. Eventually, I got out into the opening, and I just barley manage to buck one of them. The bigger one got in front me and clawed at my chest. "Ow! Get off!" I swung my right arm outward, back-handing him across his mask, which cracked a little.

Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention to the little one behind me. He jumped onto my back and I tried to shake him off. A couple of times he punched me in the face, until I grabbed him. With the bigger one coming, I used the little one as a rag doll and smashed him against the other. Eventually, I stopped as they both started to fade away.

"By the Celestial Light, that was annoying."

"Sorry for the inconvenience." I froze when I heard the real Carolus Rex. "But that was a test I wanted to use."

I sighed at this. "Really? I thought you were the physical type." I said to him as I turned to face him.

"I am. But I also have a brain, and not using that is stupidly dangerous. For anyone." He told me with a frown. "Even you should know that."

Sighing again, I just got to the point. "Are we gonna fight, or not?"

Rolling his eyes at me, he answers. "Fine." Making the first move, Rex kicked me in the stomach, sending me flying a few meters.

Clinging my stomach, I got back up, only to be pinned on the spot by him. "Honestly, you were doing good so far until now. Out of the three, you were the only one with a brain."

Grabbing his leg, I threw him off, but he flew back around and punched me across the face, just as I got back up. Rex landed some steps away from me, as I got myself together. "Alright then, if that's how you want to play this out."

"Be thankful I'm not using any of Mother Nature's elements." He snapped at me. "Because I'll give you a straight up fight!"

"Good! I'm getting sick of this magic show of yours anyway!" I charged up to him and tried to hook him. Only he blocked that and proceeded to continuously kick my face in. Backing off, I threw another punch, and this time I got him in his face. Only for him to come back around with his own.

We kept trading blow for blow, trying to topple the other. He sent rapid punches to my stomach, but he was close enough for me to hug him, and crush him with it. Growling in frustration, he head-butts me, making me loosen up a bit for one of his arms to slip free. Grabbing one of my horns, he pulls my face close, and endlessly head-butts me. Letting go, I tried to pry him off, only now he held onto both my horns and starts kneeing me in the guts for some time.

Having enough of this, I punched the left side of his face, which made him let go. Although, he used his wings to propel him up and kicks me behind my head. Making me topple forward. Rex fell down on his back, both of us taking in breaths until getting back up on our hooves. Looking back at each other, we actually smiled to one another. We were... Enjoying this fight, the kind of fight we would rather take part in. Both of us were bloodied, bruised, and battered. But we were having actual fun! Where we can test our skills through combat! However possible! I can't think of anybody worthy of a challenge! The same can be said about Rex too.

"C'mon! Let's wrap this up, and call it a day!" He shouts as he readies himself.

"You're on!" After saying that, we charged at each other, and in blinding, blurry, fast movements, did we gone all-out. It didn't matter how much damage we took upon ourselves, we kept at it....

But at the end of it all, somehow Rex still came on top.

"Well, that was fun..." He said weakly, as he struggles to walk over to me.

"Heh... Yeah, it was..." I replied. Soon I felt him picking me up, having me lean on his shoulder. "Aww, how caring of you..." I chuckled.

He gave a grunt before saying. "Don't make me dump you in a swamp." After that we got moving, at a slow pace, since we tried to stay up. When we got back, the Royals were present. "Well, would you look at that."

"Congratulations Rex." Solaris commented. "Yet again, you have shown promising results."

"Whatever." Rex told him. "I wasn't doing this for myself, you know."

"I understand that. But surely, you must feel proud of yourself."

"And your killing the mood with your mouth. A silent applause is all that's needed, the talking can wait." Wow. I've never seen anyone talk to the King like that before, he was stunned silent. Rolling his eyes, he walked pass the rest and through the door.

"Oh my!" A maiden said, as she saw the state we were both in.

"Ah! Perfect timing, my fair lady..." I snickered at how calmly he was taking this, despite the reaction she was giving us, and I don't care how much this hurts. The pain is worth it. "Could you run down to the medical wing and tell them about us?"

"W-w-what!? N-no! I'll walk you both over there!"

"Don't worry! I'll walk us both there. You just tell them to prep for us."

"But why!?"

"I'm afraid I'll crash down if I let you help. Not to mention, I doubt you're strong enough to carry us both there. So please, do this for us." She was at a lost for words. So she did as she was told and headed off.

But she stop and turns to look back at us. "You better make it there." She said to us before continuing.

"Well, that was interesting, more so than the King." He commented before walking again.

"I'm surprised you talked to him like that." I said. "I've never seen anything like that happen to him before."

"Well, I am still a democrat."

"Democrat?" I asked, confused at that word.

"Think of it as free-will. I'm allowed to speak my mind out. But I don't go around abusing such a thing." He answers simply.

"Oh, I see."

"Anyway, that was nice for a change. The training, I mean." I nodded my head, it was, indeed, a nice change. Looking back at him again, I saw him smiling. When he saw me looking his way, he asked. "What is it?"

"You're smiling." I told him. "You barley ever smile about anything."

"I know. But you are the first true opponent to have ever damaged me." We laughed a little bit.

"If you were a mare, I'd probably give you a kiss."

"Pfft! As if I'll let you get the chance!" He retorted.

"You've never..."

"I can say the same about you."

"Smartass." I told him off, only that made him grin in delight.

"Now you're talking my language! I'm even tempted to letting you give me one!" I was confused at that last part he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Believe it or not, but I'm bi curious." Interesting. Bringing my muzzle up to his right cheek, I nuzzled him and he froze for a moment, before he was crushing my hand. "Tirek, what the hell?"

"But... But you said...?"

"Now is not the time. Not to mention, you didn't have my consent, and that's considered fraternizing." He explained, which made me feel disgustingly stupid.

We reached the sickbay, and there were teams ready for us. They took off Rex and moved onto a bed. He just prop himself on one and laid there with his eyes close. I practically messed up, he isn't even smiling no more when we got here, all because I did something offensive. Sure, he declared he was bi curious, but that wasn't permission, that was a statement.

"Still... For him to be attracted to both genders..." It's not unheard of, just uncommon. Most might as well outright declare it wrong. I know Rex isn't going to be happy about that. He'll kill those who oppose the idea of illegalizing it. No doubt.

Although, I realised one thing that made itself known. Pain. "Ow... Did he had to squeeze me that hard?"