The Ghost of Dream Valley

by Inazuma

Rating: mature
Tags: Dark, Alternate Universe, Human, Anthro, Princess Luna, Changelings, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Adventure, Sunset Shimmer, Princess Celestia, Crossover
Length: 8052

A remnant of an Ancient Time returns while another still stalks Equestria.

A Dark Shadow looms across Equestria (literally) and it's up to Sunset Shimmer and pals to find out why and call upon the ancient stories before the world as they know it ceases to exist.

A Spawn Displaced story.

Published 2015-02-22 23:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-06-06 23:35:49 UTC

Chapter 1

As the rain opens the day, deep in an nondescript city, falling over branch, hovel and lampposts alike, an old-fashioned-looking car with a green-eyed driver looms in the darkness. He slips a CD into his radio and a techno-trumpet solo steals over the air, time seems to slow to a crawl. “I hate the rain. It makes me all sentimental.” The driver sighs. “Things used to be so simple.” The driver pauses and listens to his CD for a few minutes before speaking again to his unseen audience. “I love stories, do you? I know one particular story that I can recite by heart. I often tell myself this story, it helps keep me sane in an insane world.”

'Once upon a time there lived a being of no particular note. He lived among divine beings in eternal bliss. Until one day he was tricked by one of his fellows and was cast into the void.

The being appeared out of nowhere, a bipedal creature wearing living armor and a ridiculously long flowing cape. He also wielded powerful magics and weapons of terrifying power. At first nothing happened, but then he got angry. He was outraged at being cheated out of his place of happiness. In his wrath he went on a decades long path of random destruction and violence in order to vent his frustrations and to find a way home. Years later he arrived in the legendary Dream Valley and after a chance encounter with the even more legendary Magog The Mighty, he stopped his rampage. No one truly knows what the encounter was like but at the end of it the two became fast friends. Adopting the name Spawn, he along with Magog, Danel, Moloch and the residents of Paradise Estate embarked on bringing true peace to Dream Valley and its fellow nations. One day, after years of defeating monsters, curses, abominations, crimes against nature and organizing the ponies; the Rainbow Bridge disappeared along with Magog, Danel, Moloch and the mysterious artifact known as the Rainbow of Light. The Spawn did his best by himself, however eventually he too disappeared, fading into history like a ghost. Some say he is still around to this day, guarding Equestria from the true evils. Others say he is just a myth like Magog, used only to scare fillies and colts into behaving properly lest they be dragged into Mu by the Ghost of Dream Valley.'

The rain stops and the twilight sun peeks out of the clouds. “Interesting story, huh? That being, that "Ghost" is me and right now I've got work to do.” I open the car door, step out and close it behind me. I make a quick survey of the area and spot a seemingly abandoned warehouse. I received a tip that someone was going to attempt to summon Cerberus from his usual stomping grounds. Now we all know that's a horrible idea. Turning invisible I climb to the top-most window of the warehouse to peer inside and see what I'm up against. Aaand.....What the?! I was expecting crazy cultists or grunts from the local city mob, heck even a group of teenagers but not this. Inside was a colt wearing a black robe standing next to a pentagram made of blood that smelled like it was from that one burger chain run by griffons. The colt pulled out a dagger and a medallion and began to speak "By the wrath of Hades, the Damned Souls of Tartarus, By those who swear by the river Styx! I summon thee, Guardian of the Underworld, Cerberus!" The Pentagram burst into flames and the giant figure of Cerberus arose from the fiery depths.

"GROAARRRR!!!!" Cerberus roared out. I was all set to interfere and rescue the kid but something caught my eye that stopped me. The kid calmly walked to an altar that had a stack of papers and spoke to Cerberus.

"Oh Mighty Cerberus! I humbly sacrifice to thee these scrolls of knowledge!" All three of Cerberus's heads immediately tore into the papers.

"GRRR!" NASH, CHOMP!!! After utterly destroying the papers the colt banished the dread dog back to whence he came from. Soon, the colt cleaned up his mess, after which he left the building smiling, this is when I decided to make my entrance. Turning visible again I jumped down in front of the colt who gasped in utter fear. I glared at him for a few minutes, my green eyes fully aglow and said to him sternly,

"Never again." The colt trembling in fear nodded, satisfied I flew into the darkness of the night muttering to myself "Kids today".

The Next Day

"And that's what happened. My dog ate my homework and the Ghost of Dream Valley stole my pencils so I couldn't start over again." The colt said to his teacher. The teacher raised an eyebrow then face-palmed.

"Sit down Calvin." The teacher told him.

The colt went to his desk grumbling, "I knew I should have told her my tiger ate it instead."

Elsewhere

I sat in a lotus position on top of a gargoyle on one of this city's older buildings and began an internal conversation,
"So Lilly. Is today the day I think it is?"

A beautiful, ethereal voice that only I could hear inside my head responded,

"Yes. Today is the day you told me to remember and remind you of all those years ago. The day Discord returns from his thousand year old imprisonment. What are you going to do about it?"

I thought for a moment. This was a good question. What was I going to do about it?

"Nothing. I'll just observe and interfere if I need to." I answered finally.

"Are you sure that's wise?" Lilly questioned.

"Yes. I'm sure. I won't rule out the possibility that things might go awry, which is why I'm going to observe. After all, this Equestria is not the same as the one back home, so it stands to reason my knowledge might differ from the one I know of too."

"Oh? How so?"

"Well for starters, we're not supposed be here. Nor were we supposed to interact with the pony’s ancestors and their heroes."

"You mean Megan and her siblings?"

I paused for a minute and answered stiffly, "Yes. Then there's the matter of the ponies themselves. Last time I checked they weren't anthropomorphic at least not to this degree." I gestured to the inhabitants of city I currently occupied. It was bustling and filled with the activity of ponies of every shape, size and color of the spectrum. They looked almost human except for the fact that some had horns, some had wings and some had none at all but they all had fur and tails.

"Not to mention their tech is slightly like ours." Indicating the vehicles I saw below us.

"Ah, I see."

"Yup. They've certainly come along way since their formative years. Welp Time to go. To Canterlot." With that I teleported to my destination.

Author's Note

Further editing by thtiger.

Chapter 2: Discord

Author's Note

Would've been out sooner but I had some complications you know how it is (least I kept my promise of having it out before the end of the weekend). This chapter was going to be longer but because of said complications I had to cut it down. Also now I'm going to try to name my chapters. Enjoy and tell me what you think.

Chapter 2: Discord

Apparently, my timing couldn't be better. I arrived on top of one of the castle's spires only two minutes before the start of Ms. Cheerilee's field trip to the Canterlot Gardens. The first thing I did upon my arrival was turn invisible to all the senses and shield myself against any magical detection, can't have the princesses spoiling my plan now can I? Now where are they? Ah, there they are. I spotted Ms. Cheerilee's class quite easily. I jumped down right behind the students that were bringing up the rear. Using my magic I transformed myself into a random earth colt while at the same time surrounding myself in an aura of familiarity while keeping my earlier shields up. One might wonder why was I following an elementary school class to the Canterlot Gardens instead of just teleporting to Discord's statue and wait for them to come to me. Well truth be told, it's a bit embarrassing really. The chief reason was...back when I was in elementary school I never really got to go on field trips myself for one reason or another. So I figured if I followed them around I could pretend (just for a few minutes) that I was in elementary school again on one of those trips I've always wanted to go on. *sigh* I'm really getting sentimental in my old age and it's not even raining. Anyway I was following the class for a good few minutes, taking in everything that Ms. Cheerilee said (I was genuinely interested) about the various statues and what they represented; when suddenly they stopped in front of three statues I was even more familiar with than Discord's own twisted form.

"Okay class who can tell me who this statue depicts?" Ms. Cheerilee inquired of her charges.

"It's Magog the Mighty! One of the most important figures in Equestrian History." a filly in a silver sweater and skirt who I recognized to be Silverspoon.

"If not The most important figure in Equestrian History. Along with her siblings Danel and Moloch. They single-handedly brought peace to our mythical ancestral home of Dream Valley." another filly also in a skirt, who I knew to be Diamond Tiara added. They may be bullies but let it never be said they were intellectually stupid. Hey wait a minute...

"Um Ms. Cheerilee?" a southern voice called out.

"Yes Applebloom?" Ms. Cheerilee turned her attention to a light yellow filly with red hair and a pink bow, a red shirt and blue jean overalls.

"Uh what about the fourth one? You know, The Ghost?" Applebloom seemed nervous for some reason. "My granny says there were four champions of Dream Valley. And one of them is The Ghost of Dream Valley." Dead silence, one could practically cut the tension with a knife.

"I'm sorry Applebloom but that subject is too mature and controversial for the class. I'd need a signed permission slip to talk about him to any of you." Ms. Cheerilee answered with a kind yet stern tone.

Great, just great. I've been put on the same level as Sex Ed. I don't know whether I should take that as a compliment or an insult. If King knew about this he'd be laughing his ass off.

"Anyway to continue Silverspoon and Diamond Tiara are quite right. These three are very important to our nation's history. In fact they are so important, did you know that there is a national law stating that every village, town and city is required to have a statue of at least one of these three before it is recognized as part of the country?"

The class and I whoa-ed in unison at the revelation of that fact. I knew we were awesome and command respect but dang.

"Well now class we need to move along now but first" Ms. Cheerilee turned around closed her eyes, brought her hands together and performed a deep standing bow of respect and thanks to the three statues with the rest of the class following her example. They stayed that way for a few minutes before righting themselves and moving along to the next area. I however stayed behind.

I didn't bow. I was after all their equal. I continued to stare at the statues for few minutes longer,

"Say Lilly?"

"Yes?"

"These statues look nothing like them. They're older and hotter, makes me wonder what my depictions look like."

"....."

"Let's hurry and go catch up with the others before we miss anything.

"Yes. Let's."

And with that I ran off.

_______________

Once again luck was in my favor (which is unusual I might add), I had caught up to them just as Ms. Cheerilee was scolding the CMC for the fight that had released Discord in his debut episode.

"Actually, in a way, you're all right. This statue represents "Discord", which means a lack of harmony between ponies. In fact, you three have demonstrated discord so well that you're each going to write me an essay explaining it."

The class laugh at the CMC's misfortune and they continue on their way, I on the other hand stay put and wait as the stone begins to pulse and crack as Discord's most sinister laugh rings out. And soon the statue explodes into a million pieces that made various sound effects.

"Hello Discord. I said confidently to him."

"Just who are you" he asks.

"Nobody, just a Ghost. Now enough about me I have gift for you."

I take a small box out of my pant pocket and hand it to him, Discord took the box and looked at the label.

It had his face on it saying, "Every Flavor Beans, we guarantee every box will be quite… chaotic."

"I made them in honor of you. By the way I'd be careful when eating those. When I put "Every Flavor" on the box, I meant Every Flavor.

Discord grinned and promptly ate the entire box. His reaction was priceless, his head literally went into a montage of various stages of disgust and pleasure.

"Child, you said you made these?" Discord gasped out after a few minutes passed, his face still twitching.

"Indeed I did." I responded.

"Oh they are absolutely fantastic. Definitely a snack worthy of me and my face. Have any more?"

I take a few more boxes out of my pocket and hand them to him.

"Excellent, well I must be off. Ta, ta, for now." with a snap of his fingers he disappears in a flash of light.

I transform back into my original form, turn myself invisible again and with a grin teleport myself inside Canterlot Castle.

___________________________________

I appeared inside the throne room to see Celestia pacing back and forth muttering to herself.

"Perfect." I teleported straight into where I sensed Princess Luna's room to be. When I arrived I saw her reading at her desk.
Dropping my voice shield and modifying so it would echo and sound ethereal I said,

"Luna"

Luna's ears popped up and she looked around

"Hello?"

"Luna"

"Who's there?

"No one of importance right now, but we need to talk.

"So speak." She commanded.

"Discord is free and is in the process of breaking those who liberated you from the Nightmare."

Luna gasped, "Discord is free and is harming Twilight Sparkle and friends?"

"Yes."

"This is a disaster. I must tell my sister about this." Luna got up from her chair and rushed to the door, she had her hand on the handle when I stopped her by saying,

"Or you could show some initiative, go to Celestia's room. There you will find Twilight Sparkle's friendship reports in the middle shelf next to Celestia's Death Metal CD's. Send all of them via messenger fire to Twilight's assistant in Ponyville. That will help immensely. And when the time comes you will get all the credit for single-handedly aiding in the salvation of Equestria, any doubt about you will be gone."

Luna was silent for moment then gave a small smile.

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes.

"Thank you but who are you?"

At that point I walked right up to her and whispered in her ear, "I'm just a Ghost who happens to be one of your fans."

"A Ghost? Could you be the legendary Ghost of Dream Valley?"

"I'll let you figure that out." I teased. And with that I was gone.

______________________

"What was that?" Lilly demands of me.

"What was what?" I ask innocently.

"Don't play dumb with me. You just gave Discord Jelly Beans and Princess Luna the key to saving Equestria. What happened to the "Not interfering, unless I need to" deal?"

"Ah, yes that. It's all part of a plan I cooked up while looking at the statues of our friends."

"And you just so happened to have tainted Jellybeans on hand? And what plan could possibly involve tainted Jelly Beans anyway?"

"Actually yes. I forgot I even had those until I transformed into that colt, the plan just suddenly came to me out of nowhere to turn Discord into a pawn of mine. As for Luna, the show never actually revealed who sent those letters. Twilight just assumed it was Celestia so therefore I had no real knowledge of who did what thus leaving it open to interpretation. I still don't know what happened, I left before Luna had a chance to do anything, for all we know Luna told Celestia my plan anyway or perhaps she did the deed herself. We'll just have to wait and see an-"

A sudden blast of rainbow color interrupted our conversation.

" And cue the Star Wars ending. Now hush, it's time to visit some Changelings and put phases 3 and 4 into action."

And once again I teleported, when I would reappear later it would be inside a Horror movie.

Chapter 3: Changelings

C.H.F. #1-NH: CLASSIFIED.
PASSWORD: **************

PASSWORD ACCEPTED.

OPENING FILE:

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM MY PERSONAL FILES ON THE CREATURES KNOWN AS CHANGELINGS:

The Nekropolis Hive

The Nekropolis Hive and its queen Calliphora are probably one of the most elusive and least explored hives in all of Equestria. They make their home in graveyards, feeding off ponies’ love by posing as ghosts of dead relatives and loved ones. Their size is unknown (except by me).

Usually they move into already existing family graves and crypts and only set up rudimentary constructions and decorations. Although they use remains and coffins for this purpose, they don’t actually eat either of those to manufacture their building material, as many ponies believe. Instead it has been found their “Changeling Goo" is mostly composed of various moss and fungi types (I also suspect ectoplasm but have no proof, needs more investigating).

They have little to no contact with other hives and are actually often purposely avoided by them, for the simple fact that, even if it sounds unbelievable, even other changelings are creeped out by them.

Beside their macabre living conditions, the biggest reason for this are their appearance and their general behaviour. While they appear even more “perforated" than other changelings, with colours reminding of dead leaves and decaying matter, their most distinguishing and disturbing feature is what appears to be a second set of eyelids that they can close vertically and, while see-through, allows them to block out most light. This is important because the hive is almost exclusively nocturnal and thus reacts pretty badly to bright lights. Even their hive is kept in complete darkness (which is why they seldomly keep husks).

Their general behaviour has so far been described as “sort of otherworldly". They tend to buzz around with their second set of eyelids closed, seemingly without direction, or huddled in dark corners, humming quietly, as if listening to some inner voice. Perhaps this stems from the fungi they consume and the various gases present in a graveyard. Nevertheless the hive never falls into ruin or disarray. When an intruder appears, the hive is immediately at full alert and goes into attack mode without so much as a whisper. Many a pony has already found themselves thinking they just walked into a zombie pony attack when the coffin lid next to them flew off with a loud hiss.

One should take special precautions when a full moon is out. For some reason, it sends the hive into even more of a trance and a strange sort of dancing motion above the graveyard it currently resides in. Any intruder is immediately killed on sight, but one can usually tell and avoid these events by keeping a lookout for red eyes dancing in the sky like fireflies.

Some ponies refer to this hive as “the order of the fly", proving that they are rather superstitious, but given that anyone who would find themselves in the clutches of this hive would surely think themselves in Tartarus, it is somewhat understandable.

END OF FILE.

________________________________________________________

11:58pm. Location: An Unknown Graveyard.

It's a Full Moon tonight. But not just any old full moon, no, it's a Full Blue Moon. Contrary to popular belief, there are some things Princess Luna has no control of in regards to certain aspects of Astrological Bodies such as the Moon and Stars. For example she cannot control when there will be a Blood Moon or the rarer Blue Moon. Nor does she control all the stars, same came be said of Princess Celestia and the Sun. But anyway, that's not relevant right now. What is relevant is where I am, what I'm about to watch and who I'm going to see.

12:00pm. Midnight.

It begins

Ghostly Figures arise and music begins to play from out of nowhere:

After the performance I decided to make my entrance:

*Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!*

The Changelings turn to the source of the noise

"Lovely performance Cally. Terrifying as always." I complimented.

There was a flash of red light and when the light faded a terrifying figure stood in front of the other Changelings facing me

"Who dares enter my domain?!" The figure roared out.

I smiled.

"Why Cally, I see you've been watching movies." I said to the Changeling Queen.

There was a burst of bright red fire and Cally resumed her normal appearance, glowing red eyes peered at me from behind a dirty brown mane flowing over a rust-red carapace as the queen of the Necropolis Hive hissed at me:

"Damn it Spawn! I thought for sure I had you this year."

"If it's any consolation you reminded me of a character that made me shit my pants the first time I saw him. In fact you are scarier then him and if I was still capable then I would have shit my pants again." I said soothingly.

"Really?"

"Yes. You are by far the most terrifying, creepiest person I've ever met in modern times." Which is true.

"Stop it you are going to make me blush again." Cally giggled.

"Now that the greetings are done will you please take on my preferred form?" I asked politely.

Another burst of bright red fire,

"Awww, does my form disturb you?"

"Not really but whenever I see you like that I want to put on a really big boot and..." I left that sentence hanging.

Cally stared at me for a minute then shook her head.

"Anyway, what brings you here? It must be important for you to disturb us during a Blue moon."

I remained silent for minute.

"Oh of course. Give me a sec." Cally's eyes glowed a dark bright red and suddenly we were gone.

_________________________________

One bright red flash of fire and light later, and we were standing in Cally's bedchambers and Cally sent the other Changelings to another area of the hive. She brought out a bottle of red wine from her personal stash poured me a glass and handed it to me then poured herself a glass. After downing it and pouring another one she turned to me,

"Well?"

"Right. I need a few favors from you." I answered.

"Oh? What do you need?" she inquired.

"A few of your Changelings. Three should be adequate I think. I need them to help me conduct some....experiments." I stated.

"Fine. What else?"

Cally had answered me so easily and casually that one would think that 1: She'd been expecting this request for some time or 2: She had so many drones/children she didn't care if she lent a few to me. I like to think it was actually because she trusted me enough.

"I also need you to send some of your Changelings to spy on your fellow Changeling Queens. Specifically Chrysalis and Ambrosia."

Unlike before this request actually got a reaction, she raised an eyebrow,

"Why?"

"I believe Chrysalis is up to something and I want know what, I also want to keep an eye on Ambrosia. And I already know you spy on Miasma regularly, so I want that info too." I already knew what Chrysalis was planning but I wanted insurance just in case.

I paused for a moment before continuing because I knew she'd take this next request hard,

"I also want you to send some drones to infiltrate Canterlot, Canterlot Palace and both divisions of the Royal Guard."

I stated as bluntly as I could.

This got me another reaction, stronger this time. Cally spat out her drink and looked at me like I was crazy.

"What?!!" She shrieked.

"You heard me. But don't worry I'll take measures that'll keep your children safe. Provided that they don't do something stupid they won't need it though." I responded casually.

"The Lunar Guard will be easy but The Solar not so much. And you know why right?" Cally said, expressing some concern.

"Yes. But don't worry, I have a plan." I knew that concern would come up, which is why I came up with a solution before I even made the request.

Cally sighed before relenting.

"I hope you know what your doing."

"I do. Like I said unless they do something stupid they'll come back fine. Worst case, they get a little roughed up but they'll definitely come back alive, that I guarantee you." I asserted with confidence.

Cally went over to her Queen sized bed, sat down, closed her eyes and sighed again. I decided she could use a little more reassurance.

"Cally, you know I wouldn't come here and ask this of you unless I knew you would succeed. I came to you during the full blue moon to emphasize the importance of these requests and my confidence in you and your hive." I whispered calmly in her ear.

Cally merely nodded.

"So now that our business has concluded, wanna just sit here and....talk?" I offered.

"Sure."

And so we talked until dawn came after which Cally offered me to stay and sleep the day away. I accepted and retired to the room that was reserved only for me.

________________________________

As I lied upon my bed staring into the darkness I recounted the day's events:

The Field Trip

Discord

Luna

Cally.

My mind wondered Cally and my relationship with her.

I remembered when I first encountered Queen Calliphora. It was on a night just like this one, only it was a Full Blood Moon.

I was a zebra at the time.

I watched Calliphora perform a different dance to a different tune, "Night on Bald Mountain" I believe. I clapped after the performance, apparently this was a bad idea.

I was attacked by a few of her drones. Naturally it didn't end well for them, I killed them. Which of course caused more to attack me and I of course responded by beating, subduing or killing them.

Soon, Calliphora decided to end me herself. It was a long battle because I was holding back to avoid killing her.

Our little duel became a draw. As we stood there panting Cally pointed out that no zebra had ever fought her to a standstill before, guessed I wasn't really a zebra and demanded that I reveal myself.

I said "Meh. Why the hell not?" and so I reverted to my true form.

I think that was the first time Cally experienced true fear. And who could blame her? I was "The Ghost of Dream Valley" said to be the only one in existence who is stronger then "Magog the Mighty" and they're right. Of course she would be scared, I scare everyone.

Nonetheless, Cally simply closed her eyes and waited.

After a few minutes I asked her what she was doing. She told me that she was waiting for me to kill her or drag her into Mu and asked only that I spare her children. I told her I was not going to either of those things and as an act of good faith I resurrected the Changelings I killed and healed the ones I injured.

Needless to say Cally was extremely happy about that. We talked some after that and soon discovered we had a lot in common.

A few centuries later we became close friends.

I smiled at that thought. I played my favorite bed tune and went to sleep.

Chapter 4: A Very Special Home.

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 5: The Wedding. Sooner Or Later It Was Bound To Happen: Spawn Vs. Queen Chrysalis!!

C.H.F. #2-CH: CLASSIFIED.
PASSWORD: **************

PASSWORD ACCEPTED.

OPENING FILE:

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM MY PERSONAL FILES ON THE CREATURES KNOWN AS CHANGELINGS:

The Chrysalis Hive.

Of all the known hives, the Chrysalis Hive is the most actively aggressive. Instead of slowly draining singular ponies of their love by infiltration, this hive will actively overtake whole towns. Scouts are sent out to infiltrate military and governing positions and sabotage them. After that, a full scale attack is launched on the city, until every last citizen is captured. Victims get placed in cocoons and are only released for being fed on. Usually changelings of this hive won't bother with transformations, but instead aggressively hypnotize them. After the feast, victims are sealed up again. Being trapped in the cocoon weakens them and makes them only more susceptible to hypnosis. This hive seldomly uses husks, but usually kills and disposes of ponies who have been drained of their love.
After a city is successfully overtaken, the changelings will start occupying various cellars and other underground structures, because they prefer to live in the dark, and will start connecting them, building strange architecture, brood-chambers and decorations inside, correcting errors in the structure and improving stability. After a town is completely drained, the hive moves on to the next location. Sometimes they occupy nearby ruins and/or caves before launching an attack.
The hive in general is pretty militaristic and has a higher percentage of changeling commanders than any other hive. No-one (save I and the other changelings) knows what they eat to produce their building materials, but most wager it is something icky. Their military nature is reflected in the way they shape their cocoons and other structures.
Through this military strength and aggressiveness, Queen Chrysalis has established herself as "Queen Of All Queens", and the hive is the largest of all (currently) known hives.

END OF FILE.

The day I had been preparing for for months had nearly arrived. The "Wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza a.k.a. Cadance to Royal Solar Guard Captain Shining Armor". It was Tomorrow.

Despite my preparations and godlike powers, I was nervous and agitated. Even though I shouldn't be, I was. Different scenarios on how this could go wrong kept on popping up in my head but I ignored them as they weren't the true problem. No, it was my memories plaguing me that were the real problem. They kept springing unbidden in my mind no matter how hard I tried to suppress them; in the end I had to ask Lilly to help me contain them. I closed my eyes to better focus on my breathing.

In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four. In, two, three. Out. . .
I swallowed. I would not think. I would not remember.
I sat down in a rocking chair and began to rock back and forth. As I tried to calm myself, I began reciting some of my favorite quotes/sayings: "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." "Feel pain, think about pain, accept pain, know pain."
But even that wasn't enough. I needed a distraction. I teleported to my armory and began retaking inventory. I checked on my "To Go" Boxes. Basically they were ten sets of huge crates filled with all sorts of weapons: swords, shields, handguns, machine-guns, boomsticks, rifles, explosives, high-ordinance weapons, and ammo, lot's and lot's and lot's of ammo. Plus medical supplies. I created these huge crates last week after I created my second token and tossed into the Void, they were for in case I needed to assist in a war or something, which is also why I included medical supplies even though I did not need them.

Suddenly a cold chill went down my spine I held out my hand as my token appeared in my palm:

A voice echoed out: "If you are hearing this I could use some help. And bring guns lots and lots of guns."

A potential ally already? That was quick. I thought before answering back:

"I am Spawn the "Ghost of Dream Valley". Toss my token into the air and cry out "I send my Scourge! I send my Sword! Thus saith the Lord!" and I will be there."

I located my token in the multiverse, opened a portal, levitated my "To Go" Boxes, jumped in and vanished.

Minutes later I returned from assisting a fellow Displaced in a big battle.

I checked my energy levels: 50%

Damn. This would not do. With the wedding tomorrow I would need to be at full strength. Which means I'd need to Hell for a quick recharge, oh well, the sooner I got there the sooner I could leave. I opened another portal, steeled my mind, reigned in my emotions and stepped through.

Sometime later I came back from my trip. I really hate that clown thing, he pisses me off to no end and not to mention he's disgusting, seriously, two words: Pure-ell! Well on the plus side I was fully charged and ready to go. After grabbing some more weapons I teleported to the garage where I kept my cars. When I arrived I looked at my modest collection of cars and simply picked one at almost random. It was a simple black car with a retractable roof and nothing else. To be honest I was never much of a car fan preferring motorcycles but even then I actually prefer to walk or run. The car was pretty plain in the looks department both on the inside and out. True, it had it's share of gimmicks and tricks but they were well hidden, but that was the point, to blend in and live up to the part of nickname The Ghost of Dream Valley. But after tomorrow everyone will know I am not mere myth. I was real. With that thought I got in and teleported myself out my home and into the outskirts of Canterlot. I drove around for a time before finding an empty alleyway cloaked in the darkness of the night. I parked backwards inside of the alley, switched off the engine and lights leaving only the radio on and just sat there and waited for what tomorrow would bring.

I woke up the next day at precisely 12:00 pm. Only a few seconds to go, I cruised the streets slowly to consider if this is what I truly wanted to do. Yes, I do need to do this but not for them nor for me but for something else. Besides, I had a distinct feeling a big change was coming and I wanted to meet it up on my terms and mine alone.

Time.

I watched as Changelings descended upon the city, I steered the car closer and closer to the castle's gate and watched as the Mane 6 bravely albeit futilely fight off the hoard. Soon enough the Mane 6 had been captured and were escorted into castle. Time to make my move.

I put on a small burst of speed and smashed through the outer gates, gaining the attention of every Changeling and Pony in the area. I took a deep breath, exhaled, worked a few kinks out of my neck, revved the engine a few times, conjured a few images from my past onto the Changelings and floored it.

I accelerated to the nearest group of changelings and plowed into them. One slammed against my windshield and another fell beneath my tires and went CRUNCH!!! I immediately turned and purposely slammed into another one with the side of car's light. I then turned full circle and began mowing down more of them, plenty of changelings tried to escape to the sky but weren't fast enough and were quickly turned into pizza. I turned my CD to one of my favorite songs while going in reverse and slammed into a changeling so hard he flew back into a five story window. At this point blood began covering my windshield from all the Changelings I'd run over, a few squirts of water and two swipes of the wipers fixed that. Soon my mind began to drift and my thoughts turned to fried chicken, bacon, cheese, hamburgers and ketchup. Flash Fact: A Changeling's blood color is completely different according to the hive they belong to. For example if I were to stab one of Cally's changelings his/her blood would be red while Chrysalis's changeling blood is green. After a few more minutes of motorized mayhem I drove to the gardens and paused in front of Discord's statue and flipped it off. Going in to reverse I continued running over more and more Changelings before arriving at the front door of the castle. After retracting the car roof I launched myself into the air towards the glass ceiling.

Meanwhile inside the castle, Chrysalis on the outside had an air of triumph about her but on the inside she was freaking out over the sudden disappearances and cries of pain in the hive mind.

'What is going on out there? What is happening?' Chrysalis called out via the hive mind, however there was no response. Chrysalis went up to a group her lieutenants and was about to give some orders when suddenly a loud CRASH!! came from above them. A ridiculously long, flowing red cape floated down from the ceiling and pulled back to reveal a dark being.

Chrysalis cried out in fear and alarm,

"The Ghost Of Dream Valley."

Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy).

There was a collective gasp from every pony and changeling in room.

"Why are you here?!" Chrysalis demanded.

"Why am I here? I'm here to punch you in the schnoz." I calmly stated.

"All the power I've obtained from the love of these two," she pointed to Cadance and Shining Armor has boosted my already vast powers to even greater heights. Legend or not there is no way you can defeat me!!" Chrysalis shouted pulling out a green and black sword from her shoulder.

"Then prove it." I said.

"Eeyaahh!"

Chrysalis shouted as she jumped into the air and preformed a basic but powerful chop then followed with four quick swings which I easily blocked and parried.

Chrysalis pressed her offense with more quick strikes, I on the other hand was content to simply block each attack. After three minutes of just blocking Chrysalis's attacks I let out a deep laugh and decided it was time to go on the offensive.

"HiYah!" I bellowed out as a downwards chop, which Chrysalis managed to block but was sent staggering back thanks to a kick to the stomach. Sensing danger, Chrysalis raised her blade to block and parry eight swipes and slashes but was not able to block my mighty punch that came afterward and sent her hurling back into the air, seeing an opening I launched myself towards her with the intent of cleaving her in mid-air but Chrysalis managed to block it and use the momentum and force of the blow to flip onto her feet back on the ground. Increasing my speed, I dashed towards her with intent of goring her through the chest. Chrysalis went on the evasive and began dodging my blows instead of blocking in order to keep some distance. She managed to block one attack while the others she barely avoided my blows by using specific parts of her dress as a type of shield which I cut through. I went for another slash which she attempted to block but at last moment I switched to my left hand and punched her in the face then kneed her in the gut then punched her in the face again with my right hand which sent her crashing into a table, her sword landing a few feet away from her.

"Give up Queen Chrysalis before you really get hurt."

Chrysalis simply glared at me for a moment before averting her eyes to a spear one of her minions was holding. Chrysalis yanked the spear from his hands and into hers with her magic then made a dramatic showing of spinning it around for a minute then halting it's point at me.

'Hmmm.' I thought to myself. Something's not right, something's different. But I'll have to figure it out later.'

Time to change weapons.

"Alright Queeny. Let's see what you can do with that against-" I tossed away my sword and held out my arms, four large lengthy spikes, along with a few smaller ones sprouted from the right, left, upper and lower portions of my wrists along what appeared to be handles for gripping, quick detachment and throwing, "-These!"

Chrysalis charged with a look that said she intended on impaling me but jumped in the air instead.

I raised my arms in front of my face where her spear impacted, Chrysalis landed, swivled, and thrusted, I dodged, blocked and slammed my spikes onto the shaft of the spear, in attempt to catch it and direct it away from me. Chrysalis retreated a little ways back and the using the spear as leverage vaulted over, and twisted toward me. She thrust the spear to stab me but I dodged each time. I caught the spear briefly and directed and misdirected it in attempt to dislodge it from Chrysalis's hands but she managed to use her footwork to keep up with me and prevent that from happening. After ten minutes of exchanging blows with her I faked an opening which Chrysalis spotted and went in for the kill but I got her spear using the tips of one of my wrist blades, bonked her on the head with the handles, the pain distracted her long enough for me to retract my blades and grab hold of her spear in an iron grip. Chrysalis used her legs to make me slightly lose balance and slammed me into the wall in attempt to dislodge me from her spear. But I would not let go.

"Pretty good. But not good enough!" with that I snapped the spear in half and yanked the halves out her hands.

I then began to use those pieces against her. Having no weapon to defend herself with she could only rely on her footwork and try to dodge my attacks. Which she did, again. And again. And again and Again.

A long time ago I would've been frustrated by an opponent who kept dodging my attacks and would've resorted much more damaging tactics in order to hit my opponent. But that was a long time ago. Now? Now.

Now I just laughed uproariously and kicked at her which she dodged by jumping over it.

"Alright. Dodge THIS!!"

Chrysalis eyes went wide as fired at her. She ran barely keeping away from the bullets. Chrysalis retreated behind a pillar, readied her counter attack and waited for an opening. I stopped firing for a bit, not wanting to demolish the pillar. When the onslaught ceased Chrysalis ran from behind her cover, hurling at me shruiken, kunais, senbon, regular knives plus a few stingers laced with different types of poisons.

I merely grinned, took out another gun and shot each weapon out of the air before switching it to rapid-fire mode. Now Chrysalis had to contend with two guns. She ran toward two her minions who immediately dropped their weapons and took flight. Chrysalis picked up two abandoned shields and used them to protect herself from the barrage of bullets. Thinking quickly she flew into the air and charged up a spell. When she saw the right moment she fired them but instead of aiming at me like I thought she would she aimed at Cadance and Shining Armor! I willed my cape to come forth and spread out in front of them in order to shield from the attack. However, the shots fired from Chrysalis were no ordinary shots like I had anticipated. Upon making contact with my cape they exploded! I unconsciously willed my cape to shield everyone while I took the explosion full force.

Chrysalis smiled in victory.

'Not even Celestia could survive that blast.' she thought. But her eyes widened in shock and her jaw dropped because as the smoke cleared her enemy was still standing.

"No more Mr. Nice Ghost. GERRRRRAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!" I roared.

"Nyaaaah!!!!"

The fight had devolved into a simple brawl with me no longer holding back. I slammed my fists onto the shields the Chrysalis used to help defend herself with denting them severely. Chrysalis managed a good blow against my jaw but was immediately backhanded in response.
I ran over to her punched harder and harder onto those shields, I managed to grab one, wrench it from her grasp and ripped it in two as easily as I snapped that spear. Using he agility she dodged my blows but I kept swinging, eventually hitting the shield so hard hard it shattered into pieces as if it were glass. I grabbed her by the legs and powerbombed her twice. Upon making contact with the ground the second time Chrysalis managed to roll away.

Chrysalis got up and attempted a flying kick but I caught her in mid-air by the neck and Chokeslammed her into the ground. I lifted my left leg to stomp on her chest but she rolled away just in time and Shoryukened me in face and followed up with eight punches against my face. I grabbed her arm before she could land a ninth blow and threw her against a pillar leaving a large Chrysalis-shaped imprint. I rushed up and held her against the pillar and continued punching her in the gut. I could hear her bones begin to crack and Chrysalis began coughing up blood. I delivered one final blow against her face. I picked up her limp form and tossed it into the middle of the room. Chrysalis struggled to get up but I closed the distance with a single leap and landed my feet upon her legs breaking them. I pummeled her more and more. My fists and feet landed blows all over her body Chrysalis quickly lost consciousness against my brutality. I picked her up, performed a Tombstone, and put her arms across chest. I turned and ripped a huge chunk of the floor out. I walked slowly to body and lifted up huge chunk and prepared to smash her like the bug she was.

"Fool! You will never have Equestria!" I shouted. But then suddenly a mental voice snapped me out my rage.

"Huh? Fine."

I used my magic to briefly hijack Chrysalis's mind (which was easy due to her current state) and gave out the mental command for Chrysalis's children to come pick her up.

After they left I took a few cleansing breaths and looked around. Amid the broken and abandoned weapons I took in the full of the property damage. I noticed the ponies were all staring at me.

"What the Fuck, Ya'll lookin' at?"

They all began cheering.

Author's Note

Whew. Finally a new chapter. One full of action. And firsts. First crossover with another Displaced and first detailed fight sequence. The reason it took so long among other things is because I was working on how the battle played out. Anyway, after this will be more plot/character development so don't expect a detailed fight like this for a while. Next up I will be working on the new chapter of Black Fury, Red Logic. then other Displaced stories I have planned.

Later.