No need for Equestria

Chapters

No need for Help
No need for Aliens
No Need for Allies
No Need for Heroics
No Need for Repercussions
No Need for Law Enforcement
No need for Demons
No Need for Engagements
No Need for Loneliness.
No Need for Travel
No Need for Mare Talk
No Need for the Law
No need for Escape

No need for Help

Nuada arrived at the far side of the Everfree Forest as the sun rose into the air.

“Time to see if, my house is still standing,” Nuada stated. Touching down at the edge of the lake, Nuada advanced upon a very large tree sitting in the middle of it. Condused as the old wood bridge looked well maintained. As he approached thin beams of light came out of the foliage and bounced off the lace surface towards the sky. Holding the sword hilt out Nuada touched the tree with it, “Hello Kirito sorry for being gone so long.”

“All is forgiven my lord,” The tree spoke into his mind. At this point the three gems in the hilt began to glow along with the tree, “The connection is reformed all energy is returning to full strength.”

“Good to hear, status of living quarters?” Nuada asked.

“Subspace hole deteriorated during your time away, living quarters in a damaged state, all food stores spoiled, workshop in need of heavy repair, general overview; unlivable,” Kirito responded, a portal forming to the side of Nuada, “Would my lord like to perform a personal review?”

“Thank you, while I’m there please prepare a summary of the general history you have seen with the high points focused on,” Nuada said pulling his hilt away, and stepping through the portal.

“Yes my lord.”

“Sister have you heard from Nuada?” Luna asked entering her sister’s room.

“Not sense he was here a week ago,” Celestia said looking around her room through some papers in her room at the stationary.

“Does thou think he shall forgive us? I’ve never seen him so angry before,” Luna asked taking a seat on Celestia’s bed watching her sister.

“Ah ha,” Celestia stated pulling out 5 golden tickets and set them aside for a minute on the top of her desk. Taking a seat by her sister Celestia spoke, “Luna my dear sister, forgiveness is but a matter of time for those who seek to truly repent for the past. So long as you make the effort I’m sure he will forgive you. As for that rage, you remember what he told us of his homeland it may be that he had too much pent up and just needs to release it.”

“We know this, we just wish for him to talk with us soon, we doth miss him much,” Luna stated, as Celestia nuzzled her.

“I know sister, I missed you both for the last millennia, I think we just need to wait a little more time,” Celestia said.

Nuada stepped out of the portal with a large empty sack across his back wearing a pale blue hand stitched tunic, and a pair of brown wrap pants, “Kirito I’ll be back later.”

“Yes my lord,” The tree named Kirito replied.

“Nurse what happened here?” Twilight Sparkle the purple unicorn asked walking into Ponyville hospital.

“Looks like case of baked goods gone wrong,” the nurse pony with a red cross on her flank stated.

“Not baked goods, baked bads,” the pink pony on a bed said, just prior to puking into a bucket. Moments later spasms rocked the pink mare on the bed.

“Pinky are you okay,” Twilight asked about to leave.

“There is a new not a pony coming to town I must greet them,” Pinky said trying to get out of bed.

"Hold on Pinky, you're in no condition to get out of bed,"Twilight's point illustrated by the sick earth pony puke into a bucket.

"But I have to meet the new not a pony," Pinky argued Twilight's magic holding her down, "if I don't then, gasp, ifIdon'tmeetthemtheywillthinkponiesinPonyvillearerudeanddon'tlikevisitors!"

With a deadpan stare Twilight rolled her eyes, "How about this if you stay in bed I will go greet this new pony."

"It's a new not a pony," Pinky said.

"Okay I will meet this not a pony and then go talk to Applejack, about her needing help," Twilight stated, turning to leave.

"Okay be as happy as you can be and smile, oh and he should be around Fluttershy's," Pinky said as she lied back down.

“That mare is insane,” Twilight thought leaving quickly.

Nuada arrived at the edge of the Everfree by noon and found the small village Kirito had told him of, 'Maybe I can get information from the owner of that cottage.'

"Excuse me miss?" Nuada spoke up to a small yellow pegasus flying about feeding small animals.

"Eeep," the butter yellow pony with pink hair froze up upon being startled by the voice.

"Are you okay?" Nuada asked, the animals keeping a distance from him but keeping close to the pony.

"Monster leave Fluttershy alone!" a yell came and a magic blast slammed into Nuada sending him sprawling into a tree. Looking up Nuada saw a very angry looking purple unicorn. As the stun was wearing off he began trying to find the monster only to see none.

"Wait me?" Nuada asked dodging a beam of magic. Twilight must not have heard him as she continued to attack.

"Please stop.... hold up.... STOP!" Nuada dodged her attacks expertly until he got in her face and yelled.

"You can talk?" Twilight asked falling back on her flank.

"Yes I can," Nuada stated glaring, "now then rude little pony I was about to ask this mare where I could get some fruit and some supplies."

"I.. I'm sorry," Twilight stammered, rearing back. Nuada nodded and went to walk over to Fluttershy. Sitting calmly he waited for the yellow pony to move.

"Um Fluttershy you have a visitor," Twilight said walking up to the pony.

"..." Nuada thought he heard a response but was too quiet to make it out.

"No it's not a monster at least he's not acting like one,"Twilight replied.

"If it helps I'm called a human, and I just need directions," Nuada called over calmly.

Twilight's ear flicked back for a moment, when she heard the term human.

“...” Again Nuada heard a voice to quiet to understand from the one called Fluttershy..

“Okay I’ll cover it,” Twilight said to her friend before walking over to Nuada, “please forgive her she is very shy, and please accept my apologies I should not have attacked you like that.”

“I forgive your friend, being shy is hard to get over. Now as for you attacking me that will take longer to forgive,” Nuada stated standing back up, beginning to walk “so as penance please guide me to a fruit seller and a hardware shop.”

“Um okay, I was actually going to go meet my friend who is and apple farmer after I meet with somepony out here by…” realization dawned on Twilight, as she caught up to him “oh no you’re the not a pony I was supposed to meet out here for Pinkie Pie and I just screwed it up. She’s going to be so disappointed with me. I told…”

Nuada listened to the little unicorn spaz out for about half a minute watching her mane start to fray and split. When she went into world ending due to this he bent over and flicked her ear.

“Owch! What was that for?” Twilight asked rubbing her ear.

“Calm down,” Nuada said, “let me settle your many fears. First I am not mad at you, annoyed but not mad, this has happened enough that I don’t really mind anymore. Second if you give me a formal greeting including your name and the name of this town, you will have ‘greeted me’ and I’m sure your friend will forgive you, lastly I really just need help getting around, let's say it’s been awhile since I was last in the area.”

“Oh right sorry, that all makes sense and works,” Twilight agreed putting a hoof to her chest, “I am Twilight Sparkle personal student of Celestia, new Element of Magic, and librarian of the Golden Oak Ponyville library, this town is called Ponyville located in the center of Equestria.”

When Twilight finished with a hoof wave at the town Nuada nodded, “That covers all of that, now please guide me to your apple farming friend.”

“With pleasure while we walk can you explain who and what you are and why you came out of the Everfree forest?” Twilight asked.

“Name is Nuada Lugh, species Human, I live in the forest,” Nuada stated walking.

“Human? Live there! are you crazy there are tons of dangerous creatures out there,” Twilight yelled.

“I am well aware but not much bothers me, as I can outrun most of it, and if I can’t out run it, most things I can beat,” Nuada said, “as for the human part, I am the only one in Equestria that I know of, as to how and why I got here I will not share with you, but know that I am generally a peaceful creature.”

“For being peaceful you move like a well trained guard,” Twilight commented getting an eye raise from Nuada, “well you dodged all but my first attack with minimal movement all the while getting closer to me without me noticing. To dodge and move like that a pony has to be trained in combat usually.”

“First a favor I ask, I am not a pony, so please use the term person, or body, that pony thing is speciesist, second just because I embrace peace doesn’t mean I can’t wage war,” Nuada said as he began to see apple trees, “Looks like we’re here.”

“Oh right,” Twilight said looking about, “she should be out here bucking the trees.”

“That her over their?” Nuada asked watching as and orange pony with a blonde mane and tail, wearing a stetson backed a cart load of apples into a bucket. Nuada rolled his eyes seeing the cart end up perpendicular to the ground and the pony in it fall asleep upside down.

“Applejack,” Twilight said trotting up to the pony, with Nuada in tow.

“Oh Twilight, look I know what you’re gonna say but I don’t need no help from no pony,” the one called Applejack said as she tried to wiggle the cart so she was back on the ground. Nuada watched this for only a moment before putting his hand on the cart and forced it over.

“Thank you but I didn’t need your help…” Applejack paused in her conversation, “now what in tarnation is this Twilight?”

“This is a human named Nuada Lugh, he’s come to see about getting some apples,” Twilight stated.

“Well it’s nice to meet you mister Nuada but I’m a bit busy gotta buck these apples,” Applejack said walking over to a dead tree, and began kicking it.

Nuada face palmed, “a pleasure to meet you miss Applejack as well, and if I may you are literally beating a dead tree.”

“I knew that,” Applejack said before walking off.

“She always like that?” Nuada asked Twilight.

“She’s a born and raised farm pony, a good friend but stubborn as a mule,” she replied before looking over at a mule that had walked by, “no offence.”

“None taken,” the mule said before continuing on his way.

“I have and idea then, thank you for your time miss Twilight, you have guided me to a fruit seller, as such I forgive you for our first meeting,” Nuada stated turning to go.

“Wait what are you going to do?” Twilight asked.

“Getting some apples, don’t worry gonna do it totally legit,” Nuada stated and left Twilight there.

“Miss Applejack,” Nuada called to the exhausted mare.

“What do ya want?” Applejack asked.

“Well I would like to get some apples from you, so I was hoping to either buy them from you real quick or make you a deal,” Nuada stated.

“Yur not gonna leave me alone till I agree are ya?” Applejack said almost asleep.

“Probably not, how about this, I will help you buck these apples until you’re done and I get a bushel of them?” Nuada asked.

“I don’t need no help,” Applejack stated.

“Not saying you do you look strong enough to buck this whole field,” he agreed, “I am merely offering to speed the process along.”

“Look I ‘preciate what you’re trying to do stranger but I can handle this now leave me alone I got apples to buck,” Applejack ordered, kicking a tree. Nuada shrugged at her and walked away. Halfway back to the path he saw a very large red pony walking in his direction.

“Hello,” he said nodding his head.

“Sup,” Nuada replied walking past him.

“Spike can you get me the book, ‘An Expanded Guide to the Creatures of Equus’,” Twilight called from her pile of books.

“Here you go,” Spike said pulling a book from his shelf, only for it to be pulled by Twilight’s magic causing him to fall off the ladder into a pile of books.

“Thanks Spike I know I’ve heard the term human before,” she said reading thru the book at break neck speeds.

*Knock Knock Knock*

“Spike!”

“On it,” Spike said opening the library door, “sorry the library is... closed.”

“Oh my apologies,” Nuada said, “Um is miss Twilight around?”

“Um yeah one second, Twilight!” Spike ran of with the door open.

“What Spike?” Twilight asked continuing to read. Spike moved her head to look at the door that Nuada was standing on the other side of, “Nuada what brings you by so late? Oh please come in.”

“Thank you,” Nuada said ducking his head to enter the building, “I am here because, well you are the only pony I sorta know around here, and I got lost coming back to town and now it’s too late to go shopping. Would it trouble you if I slept on your floor.”

“Like a sleep over?” Twilight’s eyes lit up.

“Kinda but were I just sleep off to the side, and we leave each other alone,” Nuada said remembering the description of female sleepovers in his home world with a light shiver.

“But we could do so much,” Twilight started grabbing a book, then realized the state of the room around her, “eh hehe, um sorry about the mess.”

“No problem for me, how about I just help you and the small dragon over there cleanup?” Nuada asked.

“I’m not small,” Spike said puffing his chest out.

“Oh Spike this is Nuada, the human I told you about,” Twilight said as she began shelving books with her magic, “Nuada this is my assistant and friend Spike, he’s a baby dragon.”

“Nice to meet you Spike, and I meant no insult but from my hight most ponies and such are small,” Nuada said as he looked at the second to top shelf of the library.

“Just so long as you’re not trying to make fun of me,” Spike said in a huff picking books up.

“I would never think of it,” Nuada said sorting books into alphabetical by title.

The next morning found Nuada waking to the sound of Spike making pancakes and Twilight watching him intently. “Good Morning Twilight.”

“Good morning, Nuada, can we talk?” Twilight asked hair seemingly unbrushed.

“Sorry, I think I’ll take a raincheck, I still need to gather things today,” Nuada stated tossing the mostly empty bag over his shoulder.

“Raincheck?” Twilight asked confused.

“We’ll talk in a month,” Nuada said slipping out and running off.

“Noooooo!”

Nuada’s bag was mostly full at this point with some lumber sticking out of the top of the bag he had. He had been napping on the top of a building keeping out of sight of the skittish ponies.

“The horror, the horror.”

“It’s awful.”

“A disaster. A horrible, horrible disaster.”

Nuada looked down and saw and infestation of bunnies and one Twilight Sparkle heading in the direction of the apple farm. Nuada shrugged it off until he saw the shy little pony he’d first meet in a panic over the bunnies. Making sure his bag was secure he hopped down and calmly walked up to the yellow mare, “is there something I can do to help?”

“Oh no the bunnies all got scared and now I need to get them to.. stop.. eating…. the….. town,” Fluttershy finally noticed the human behind her, “eep.”

“Gather bunnies sounds easy enough,” Nuada said stretching a little and began calmly walking up to the bunnies and began gathering them in his arms. Fluttershy watch in amazement as Nuada would gather armloads of up to twenty bunnies and deposit them at her hooves telling them to stay. Moving at an unnatural speed soon all the bunnies were in a group.

“How did you do this?” She asked as she began guiding the bunnies back to the woods.

“Mastering the art of calm,” Nuada said keeping an eye out for stragglers, “many animals in this world seem to be receptive to emotions and the calmer one is the more at ease they are.”

“Um how did you learn that, if you don’t mind me asking that is,” Fluttershy’s voice wavering.

“Spent a few years living alone in a forest made friends,” Nuada said averting his eyes from the pony, “can’t speak the language but I like to think we understood each other.”

“Um thank you for the help, I’m Fluttershy by the way,” she said as they left town.

“Nuada we sorta met yesterday,” Nuada said, “well this looks under control see you around.”

“Bye,” Fluttershy watched him walk back to town.

“Can I help ya’ partner?” Applejack asked as Nuada arrived at the farm house.

“Trying to get a bushel of apples,” he said setting his bag down, “I need to leave shortly, so I wanted to see if you’d be more receptive to dealing.”

“Sorry ‘bout that, meh pride got a hold ah me tighter than one of them fru fru dresses,” Applejack said standing up, “but I’ve learned my lesson, lets see if we can make a deal.”

“Okay, I want to get a bushel of apples, I’m a little short on money, so if I can I’d like to earn it,” Nuada said point to his bag.

“Whew whe, that is one heavy looking bag, alright well bucking needs to be done, lets see ifen ya can buck a tree,” Applejack led him to some apple trees, “the goal is to buck the tree and knock apples down, I’m thinkin ya saw me workin yesterday.”

“Yes I did,” Nuada said walking up to the tree, “gonna go for a different style though seeing as I’m not a pony.”

“What ever suits ya best partner,” Applejack said nodding to him. Nuada took a low stance feet shoulder width apart, lowered center of gravity, and roundhouse kick. As his foot made contact with the tree, apples shook and fell into waiting baskets.

Author's Note

There is chapter two sorry for the delay, I only write occasionally, so this may take a while for chapter three.
Please leave reviews and criticism,

(Edit) cleaned up and changed somethings

No need for Aliens

Nuada sat in his home, it was a simple oriental home, very open with many rooms. I wonder what happened to my family? Nuada was lazily eating an apple while he was staring at a piece of lumber. Well no use thinking about it, I can’t do much about it. Nuada tossed the core into a woven trash bin and got back to work fixing a large hole in the wall where the wood had rotted with age.

“Luna I have news!” Celestia called holding a letter from Twilight.

“What is it dearest sister?” Luna asked groggy waking from a nap.

“It seems Nuada has met Twilight,” Celestia remarked happily handing the letter to Luna.

“Dear Princess Celestia,” Luna began, “today I learned…. ask for help… friendship means helping… yours Twilight Sparkle…. PS can you help me with some research, a creature named Nuada came thru town calling himself a human, I’ve heard the term but can’t remember where. Sister is this true?”

“My student would never lie, Nuada is still in Equestria, and sounds to be okay,” Celestia said happily.

“This is good news, let us write a letter for her to give to him if she sees him,” Luna stated.

“So this is the planet the energy comes from,” a dark figure stood looking out a window, observing the hemisphere planet with it’s two satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Seemingly at random the two orbs moved changing the hemisphere from bright day to dark night.

“Hey Mister,” Nuada was called by a bouncing pink pony.

“Can I help you?” he asked turning to face her.

“Hi, My name’s Pinkie Pie, and I love meeting new friends, Twilight told me your name is Nuada that is so cool, hey sorry about Twilight’s greeting, between you and me she’s still too new at this sorta thing, anyways you left before I could meet you last time and throw you a welcome to Ponyville party, so are you free tonight?” the pink one spoke with such speed it took him a moment to grasp what she said.

“I just came to town to get some supplies and then was going to head home,” Nuada said indicating his large bag full again of supplies, this time it looked like seeds and food.

“Oh,” Pinkie Pie’s face fell.

“But I suppose I can stay for a bit if you can help me find a couch to crash on,” Nuada said relenting to the pony’s pleading eyes.

“Silly why would you want to crash that sounds painful, anyway I’ll see you tonight at Twilight’s I’m 100% sure she won’t mind,” with that Pinkie bounced off.

“She is a strange one,” Nuada said to nobody in particular.

Nuada arrived at the Twilight’s library before dusk and knocked.

“It’s open,” a shout came sounding like Spike.

“Sorry habit,” Nuada stated opening the door to find a frustrated Twilight complaining as Pinkie Pie threw streamers in seemingly random places.

“But the book says that’s not how to throw a party,” Twilight said her hair curling at the ends.

“When will you learn Twilight parties are for funsies, and should be random,” the pink mare said bouncing around pulling random things from her hair to make it more party like in the library.

“Urrah, and why my library, why not Sugarcube Corner?” Twilight asked.

“Cause he looks like the type who prefers a library and I knew he knew where here was, right Nuada?” Pinkie was suddenly in his face a smile ear to ear.

“Yeah, I guess,” Nuada agreed taking a step back, “am I too early?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Pinkie we haven’t finished setting up,” Twilight started to argue, “the book says everything should be ready before guests are to arrive.”

“La, la, la, la, la, silly Twilight but we are done,” Pinkie Pie said pulling a cord causing a banner to drop. ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ was written on it in large letters.

“Welcome!” Pinkie cheered as confetti fell out of the banner across the open mouthed Twilight.”

Nuada snickered a little at Twilight’s face as other ponies started to show up for the party. Nuada spent the next two hours meeting and greeting ponies, getting the names of some shop vendors he was going to do business with later.

“So who is this party for?” a blue pegasus asked Pinkie Pie while Nuada was walking over to her.

“That would be me,” Nuada said extending his hand, “my name is Nuada Lugh, I am a human.”

“Rainbow Dash, weather team manager for Ponyville, you’re an odd looking one,” she said extending her hoof which Nuada shook.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Nuada said, “I’m intrigued I was under the impression that weather control was restricted to only the most senior and well trained pegasi, how did one so young as yourself become one?”

“What you think I can’t handle my job?” Rainbow asked getting in Nuada’s face.

“No, just surprised is all, a pony so young and small weren’t made weather manipulators until later in life,” Nuada stated

“Now you’re calling me small, you’ve some nerve buster,” Rainbow replied, “let me show you just what this little filly can do.”

A crowd formed around the two, as Rainbow flew back and prepared to charge him.

“Are you two crazy?” Twilight asked walking between them.

“Out of the way Twi, I need to teach this hornless minotaur a lesson.”

“Rainbow!”

“It’s okay Twilight,” Nuada said gently moving her aside, “I shall not be harmed by such brash actions.”

“But,” Twilight stopped seeing Nuada shake his head.

“Okay Miss Dash please come at me and show me that you’ve earned that title of yours,” Nuada stated taking basic stance with his right side forward and his left hand behind his back. Without further banter Rainbow charged at Nuada, hooves forward. Just as Rainbow was to hit Nuada she felt something grasp her hooves, the next second she slammed into the floor.

“What?” She asked getting back up, and shaking the cobwebs out of her head.

“That was such a weak attack,” Nuada said, “the speed and force were there but it was too predictable, so brash.”

“I’ll have you know I am a black belt in karate,” Rainbow said changing stances.

“Show me.”

Rainbow stepped in and threw a kick at Nuada in a wide spin. Nuada used his height to flip over Rainbow’s attack and get behind her.

“Still too predictable,” he said poking her in the back of her head. This caused her to throw an “elbow” at Nuada who caught it and waved his finger at her. Further enraged the cyan pegasus went for another kick only Nuada to intercept it with his hand, mostly locking Rainbow Dash down.

“You know the moves but you are too short tempered, you are quite brash, and lack discipline. I am saddened to see my teachings have fallen so far,” Nuada said letting the mildly shocked pegasus go.

“What do you mean your teachings?” Twilight asked amazed at the speed, each attack looking like a single flash in her eyes.

“I taught Private Pansy the ropes after Hurricane refused to listen to me,” Nuada stated.

“That can’t be right,” Twilight stated, “you would have to be well over a thousand years old.”

“And that is exactly what he is,” a calm regal voice said causing everyone to stop and look at the door. Princess Celestia smiled as the whole room took a knee and bowed, except for two.

“Princess I wasn’t expecting you,” Twilight said walking up to her.

“Well I got this note earlier today from Spike,” Celestia giggled handing it to Twilight, “please everypony, don’t mind me, continue the party.”

“Princess,” Nuada said walking away from Rainbow Dash after being ordered to have a rematch later.

“Nuada it is good to see you are well,” Celestia stated, as Twilight read the note over and over.

“Pinkie Pie invited you?” Nuada asked looking at the pink mare in question working on getting the party going again.

“Yes I’m not sure how she knew too but she did,” Celestia stated, “may we talk?”

“We’re already talking,” Nuada stated.

“True, Twilight please be a dear and let everypony know we’ll be back in a moment Nuada and I are going for a walk,” Celestia said waking Twilight from her daze.

“Um yes Princess right away,” Twilight agreed and bolted off. There was an uncomfortable silence as Celestia and Nuada walked out and around the tree house. Guards formed around the pair as they walked away in silence.

“So,” Nuada said.

“How have you been?” she asked.

“Fixing my home, a thousand years will do a number on even the best construction,” Nuada stated, “today was just a shopping run.”

“Nuada,” Celestia said looking at him sadly.

“Don’t try it Celestia, guilting me didn’t work before and it won’t work now,” Nuada said.

“Luna and I are both sorry, Luna’s been…” Celestia was cut off by a hand to her muzzle. Her guards tensing until they saw her give them the look.

“Celestia that betrayal is still too fresh for me,” Nuada stated looking at her in anger. Celestia swore she saw a flash of red in them as he continued, “I was betrayed by my best friend, and spent a thousand years in her trap, taunted by her shadow. Were it not for you, I would have hurt Luna. I would have broken her, I feel that much rage when I see her.”

“Nuada,” Celestia looked at him with pleading eyes, “please don’t, I miss my family and you’re a part of that, brother.”

“I’m sorry Tia but I can’t,” Nuada said looking to the moon, “I just…”

“Nuada?”

“Duck,” Nuada said shoving the Princess to the side as a beam of energy cut thru the night, “who’s there?”

“Oh ho, I didn’t think you had seen me,” a voice said from the shadows, “however that doesn’t mean much.”

Nuada drew his weapon a soft blue illuminating the area, as the guards all formed up around Celestia.

“Show yourself,” Nuada stated eyes wide looking thru the dim light. Dodging a beam of energy.

“Not bad,” the shadows stated as a form revealed itself from the night. Before Nuada stood a 6 foot tall bipedal anthropomorphic tiger with white hair, wearing strange clothes, reminding Nuada of something.

“What is your name?” Nuada asked his blade ready for an attack at any time.

“Katago, I am the greatest researcher in the universe,” the feline stated laughing maniacally. This caused Nuada to facepalm and groan irritated.

“Hey you should be honored that you are in my presence,” Katago stated, “for with finding this… hey,” Katago dodged back as Nuada attacked interrupting the start of a monologue.

“Listen Kagato, leave before I have to end you,” Nuada said remembering the first true enemy his hero had to fight in the otherworld.

“Katago you oaf and I shall not leave without my prize,” he said looking at Celestia who had a shield around her directing her guards to let Nuada handle this, much to their irritation.

“What do you want with her?” Nuada asked swinging his sword in a charge.

“With her power over mana, I will…”

“Unlock the secrets of the ultimate force?” Nuada asked parrying an attack from an energy blade the tigerman had summoned, following with a kick to the tiger’s chest.

“How do you know this?” Katago asked charging energy into a ball between his hands.

“Heard it before,” Nuada said generating a small shield that deflected and diffused the energy beams from the collected energy.

“Then have you seen this?” Katago asked as Nuada’s sword met home from a quick charge. The body divided in two but faded into shadows.

“A simulacrum,” Nuada stated looking for the true body.

Kraka-boom

Nuada was thrown forward by an explosion, and rolled into a nearby tree nearly breaking it in half. As Nuada shock the daze from his mind he felt the air change around him, the warmth that had been there since he had stepped outside stopped. Looking up he saw the guards thrown across the battlefield and Celestia with a device over her horn and her eyes shut.

“Bastard, what have you done to her?” Nuada asked reaching for his sword trying to stand, the explosion was stronger than he thought if it was affecting him this bad.

“She’s alive, I’ll need her for my experiments later, weak fool,” Katago stated before he and Celestia teleported out of view.

No Need for Allies

“That’s what happened,” Nuada said finishing explaining to Twilight what had just transpired, with the occasional input from the one guard that was conscious. All but Twilight's five closest friends and Spike had left when Nuada had first returned.

Twilight shook her head, "you're telling me that an alien from beyond Equestria came down and kidnapped Princess Celestia? And that he probably has a 'ship' in orbit right now that we need to chase."

"About sums it up," Nuada said clapping his hands together. At this point a small tear in the air formed before Nuada and a gold object flew out and stabbed Nuada in the chest knocking him over.

Twilight froze up trying to figure out whether to ask if he was okay, if he was insane, or what just hit him. After a minute Nuada answered the first question by sitting up clutching his chest, "Damn that hurt."

Spike's ears were covered and a small flame ignited Nuada's shirt before fizzing out, "What in tarnation is wrong with you, there's a child in ta room," Applejack chided him for his outburst.

"Sorry that hurt worse than getting thrown into that tree," he pointed out taking a moment to look at the object that had struck him. It was a medallion of sorts, gold and in the shape of an inverted triangle.

I am LT. Commander Sparkle, if you wish to be my friend, understand that I hold the six elements of harmony in high regards, I will come to the aid of those who require the aid of a friend.

"Did any of you hear that?" Nuada asked as the voice of Twilight resounded in his head.

"Hear what sugarcube?" Applejack asked, as the others were trying to restart the Twilight.

"There was a voice in my head called itself LT. Commander Sparkle and sounded like Twilight," he said holding the medallion up.

"What?" Twilight asked her brain finally rebooting. Twilight took the item in question and examined it, "Impossible this has my magic signature but this spell attached to it is far beyond me and I've never seen the item."

"Multiverse theory," Nuada started realizing something, "here let me see that."

"Lt Commander Twilight, I, Nuada, seek your aid, Princess Celestia has been taken and I need a space faring vessel to rescue her," Nuada called into the medallion.

For a moment nothing happened other than Dash making cookoo gestures at Nuada.

Give me 20 minutes, the medallion said into Nuada's head again.

"Seems like we have help coming," Nuada said throwing the medallion on for safe keeping.

"Anyone else think this guy is nuts?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Still there? asked the medallion.

"We're here," Nuada stated to the medallion.

Sorry for the wait had to debrief and prep the jumper, get me a clear spot figure aircraft runway.

"Okay clearing by town okay?" Nuada asked walking out of the library.

Sounds good set the token on the grass and step away

"Roger," Nuada said breaking into a run. The element bearers keeping pace with him. A few moments later Nuada stopped at the clearing and took the medallion off.

"At the clearing," Nuada stated setting the medallion down. Energy arced off the medallion shooting purple sparks into the grass. Nine gray stones with red symbols appeared in the air just above the medallion, more stones spun out forming a perfect ring. Red runes spun around the stones before locking in place, then a blue poff shot out stabilizing into a blue wavy portal. Soon a large tube shaped object came flying out of the portal, did a loop around pass and set down gently in the field.

Nuada retrieved the now warm medallion as the portal winked out of existence and approached the back of the ship, slowly recognizing the design. The back opened up to reveal a pony shape in body armor with guns strapped to it's sides.

"Sparkle I presume?" Nuada asked extending a hand to the pony.

"Yup," the figure said, before taking off it's helm.

"Twilight!"

The purple pony stared at the Bearers and sighed, "Just call me Sparkle, please makes this so much easier."

"On a time limit here," Nuada said, "would you give me a lift there should be a ship in orbit here that doesn't belong."

"We'll talk on the way," Sparkle said nodding to the ship, but blocked the bearers as they tried to get on the ship.

"Hey what gives?" Rainbow asked.

"Displaced only, I'm not taking you into a dangerous situation and trying to protect you," Sparkle said glaring at the ponies.

"The princess is in danger we're coming along," Twilight said glaring at her double.

"No you're not," Sparkle said glaring back, "you're not old enough for this." With that that door closed on the ponies faces. Seconds later the ship levitated from the ground and took off.

"Well she was quite rude," Rarity said with a huff.

"Twilight do you know what's going on?" Fluttershy asked from behind her hair.

"No I don't, she was me in every way but she seemed so hurt," Twilight said.

"She was older too," Applejack said, "and something was off about her."

"Maybe it's a future version of Twilight that became an alicorn and was flung from her world into a dark world full of fighting?" Pinkie Pie asked, "or something else what do I know, lalalala."

The group watched the pink mare bounce away, "you..."

"Don't go down that road Twilight, you don't want to know," Applejack said, "let's head back and see if Luna has written back.

"So what did you mean displaced only?" Nuada asked strapped into the passenger seat.

"Displaced, capital D," Sparkle said, "what you are seeing as you have my token."

"You mean this?" Nuada asked fingering the medallion.

"Yeah, must be new to this, so I'm figuring like the others you were cosplaying as something bought an item from a strange merchant at a convention and ended up here?"

"Nope, got a book online about my favorite anime, and it sent me here," Nuada said, "turned me into a Jurain and left me with supplies to start my own lab and Space Tree."

"That's new," Sparkle stated, "most Displaced follow that rule, other than the power lotto guys."

"Power lotto?"

"Doesn't matter, anyways, so you understand parallel world theory?" Sparkle asked.

"Yeah up to multiverse theory," Nuada stated, "so my guess is I'm not the only person sent to another world."

"Yeah mostly it's humans sent to variants of my world, like you, recently a small group of ponies have been sent out to 'human' worlds, though most seem to be based on movies or games. I'm from what Mistress Change called the 'Mass effect' world," she explained.

"That explains the armor and guns but why do you have a puddle jumper?" Nuada asked.

"Story for a different time," Twilight said motioning to the front windows, "that the ship?"

Before Nuada was an exact replica of the Sonja, from Tenchi Muyo, "yup."

"Okay entering stealth mode," Sparkle said pressing a button with her magic. Nuada saw a glimmer of gold aura pass over the window and a red light on a console lit up.

A few moments later the console beeped.

"That can't be good," Twilight said, pressing a button, "we're being hailed."

"Hello foolish pilot, I am Katago and either you break off from your path or I will destroy you," the voice said.

"This Lt. Commander Sparkle of the SR2 Normandy, I order you to release all captives and surrender or face my justice," Sparkle replied.

"Enjoy your death," Katago replied as the line cut. Sparkle started pressing some buttons and the gold shimmer faded.

"Hang on, we're in for some chop," Sparkle told Nuada.

"Yes ma'am," Nuada said holding tight to his seat.

"We'll have to hold for 5 minutes to arrive," Sparkle said charging her horn, "anyway you can add power to the shields?"

Nuada pulled out his sword hilt as the ship shook from the first of a barrage of shots, "if you can tap this power yes."

"Toss it in here," Sparkle replied opening a compartment under the primary console. Nuada set the hilt in and the ship lurched forward.

"Shields over charged, engines overloading, what the fuck is that?" Sparkle asked a small flame exiting her mouth with the curse.

"The gems are supposedly from a Goddess who sealed her power into them, a Goddess whom was a Multi-dimensional power," Nuada explained, "or at least that's what they were in the show they're from."

"Okay, ship should hold, contact in less that 2 minutes," Sparkle levitated her helm on, "prep for spacewalk."

Nuada twisted the ring on his finger and changed into his Jurain battle armor. Hand hovering over the sword ready to grab it. Sparkle hit a pair of triggers causing two massive bolts of energy to launch from where Nuada figured wings should be.

"Weapons overheating let's hope that was enough," Sparkle said. Smoke cleared and a massive hole in the side of the ship showed, three large levels visible. Sparkle landed the ship in the middle level.

"Ready?" Sparkle asked reading her sniper rifle.

"Ready," Nuada said sword at the ready.

Author's Note

Nuada's first Displaced, LTC Sparkle soon I hope to have a token created for Nuada.

No Need for Heroics

“Okay Girls the princess hasn’t had much time to adjust to the present times,” Twilight told the others as they stood before the throne room. Fluttershy was cowering down behind Applejack, the carriage ride had not helped her nerves at all.

“So what do we expect?” Rainbow asked.

“Oh I bet she speaks with the traditional Equestrian dialect,” Rarity thought aloud, “completely refined and proper.”

“You may enter,” one of the guards said opening the door.

“Well girls let’s meet Luna properly,” Twilight said turning and leading the group in. It was late at night and while as expected there were no nobles in the area, however there were more guards than Celestia normally had on hand.

“Please step forward,” a voice called from the throne. All the girls walked forward and saw the somewhat familiar form of Luna, though she had grown slightly.

“Princess Luna we are here to give you a detailed report on what happened to Celestia,” Twilight stated.

“My guards told me she was taken by some manner of cat creature,” Luna stated, “and Nuada was planning on rescuing her.”

“Yes Princess, the creature Katago seems to be an alien from beyond the skies of Equestria from what Nuada explained. He believes the creature’s goal is to learn how to use magic to further research, what Nuada called the Unified Field theory,” Twilight explained, “as Nuada explained this to us an object literally appeared from nowhere and struck him in the chest. We later learned the object was a summoning object of some form as Nuada used it to bring forth a strange chariot that he said could make it into space.”

“And inside was an Alicorn Twilight,” Pinkie Pie said bouncing.

“Alicorn Twilight? Please explain this,” Luna said taking in everything as best she could.

“Well you see looked like a grumpy Twilight wearing strange clothes with funny looking party cannons on her side. I glimpsed her wings under them as she told us Displaced only and closed the door on our faces. Then the ship just levitated straight up and then took off faster than Rainbow Dash into the sky,” Pinkie explained all this with exaggerated hoof gestures, constant moving around and ended with her foreleg over Luna’s shoulder. Luna nodded her understanding as Pinkie Pie let go and returned to the group of ponies whose mouths were all agape.

“I see, this is more my sister’s and Starswirl’s area of expertise,” Luna said mulling over her thoughts, “I must think on this matter but you said Nuada is going to rescue my sister?”

“Yes Princess,” Twilight said has her mouth began working again, “if you don’t mind how do you and Celestia know Nuada?”

“That is a sad tale to tell, please let us retire to the tea room as I tell it,” Luna said nodding to one of the guards before leading the group to the tea room.

“It was many years ago when Celestia and I were but Fillies.”

Luna hid with her sister in a small cave, both alicorn fillies were starved and dirty. They grazed on near by plants and drank from a pond by the cave mouth but were afraid to go further than sight distance from the cave. Least they lose track of it and each other.

“Luna are you up?” Celestia asked her pink mane flat and full of leaves.

“Yes sister, what are we doing today?” Luna asked shaking herself trying to knock some of the filth off.

“Today I wanted to go over the alphabet with you again,” Celestia said levitating a stick with her magic.

“Can we eat first?” Luna said her tummy growling loudly.

“Yes of course,” Celestia said setting the stick down by the cave wall. Both ponies heard a twig snap and ran back into their cave quickly.

“Do you think they found us?” Luna asked as Celestia covered her sister watching the cave mouth.

“I hope not no pony goes into the haunted forest,” Celestia stated as they waited.

An eternity of waiting later it seemed a shadow appeared in the mouth of the cave, “hello is anyone there? anyone I’m lost and could use a hand.”

“Luna stay here,” Celestia said moving off her sister.

“Wait it could be a trap,” Luna said trying to stop her.

“He sounds sincere, let’s trust him,” she said, “Hello?”

“That’s what got us into this mess,” Luna muttered as her sister walked into the light.

“Why hello little one,” the voice said as Celestia came forward.

“Hello,” Celestia said staring at him, “you said you were lost?”

“Yes, my name is Nuada and I’m trying to find my way home,” the large bipedal creature said.

“Nice to meet you Mister Nuada, I’m Celestia,” she said bowing, “um I only know the direction of the nearest town will that help?”

“If it’s to the west not likely I’m afraid,” Nuada said sitting down setting a saddle bag he had on his shoulders down.

“Um why?” Celestia asked.

“Those Unicorns there ran me out, called me monster and such,” Nuada said pulling out an apple. Celestia’s tummy growled loudly at the smell.

“Would you like one?” Nuada asked offering the apple.

“Thank you mister,” Celestia said taking it in her magic. Nuada flinched at this a little before calming.

“Must be nice having magic,” Nuada mused, “seems to make things easier.”

“Sometimes but magic can’t solve everything,” Celestia said sadly chewing on the apple, “I’d rather not ask this but may I have another?”

“Of course, so what reasons does a filly like yourself have for being out here alone in a cave?” Nuada asked tossing her an apple.

“Can you keep a secret?” she asked.

“I know not a soul in this world whom I could tell, nor would I if given the chance,” Nuada said.

“My sister and I are hiding from the King’s guard,” she told him.

“Sister!” a small voice yelled from in the cave.

“Luna what’s wrong?” Celestia asked.

“Sister we don’t know this monster, he could work for the king or trying to lu..lu..lure us into a trap,” Luna said glaring at Nuada her horn charged.

“He’s nice,” Celestia said, “look he gave me an apple and I have a second one for you here.”

“They could be poisoned you can’t just trust strange monsters,” Luna said.

“That’s it!” Nuada roared standing up, “you little one are being rude.”

Luna released the spell she was charging and hit Nuada in the chest burning the garment he was wearing, but doing little else.

“Luna,” Celestia cried out as Nuada closed the distance.

“That hurt and was rude,” Nuada said rolling his sleeves back as he marched towards the little filly dodging spells she threw at him taking the occasional glacing shot. As he raised his fist Celestia stepped in front of Luna.

“Please don’t hurt her, she’s young and been thru so much,” she said hoofs spread.

Nuada looked calmly at Celestia, “all I was going to do was give her a spanking.”

Both fillies looked at Nuada with shock, Luna eeped and then ran into the cave.

“Spanking?” Celestia asked confused.

“Yeah, I was taught when I did or said something wrong I would get spanked, you know a few butt swattings,” Nuada said sighing as he sat back down, “teaches that all actions have consequences and some hurt.”

“I am aware of spankings, but don’t parents give those out?” Celestia asked.

“Would you rather I hit her?” Nuada asked, “besides I’m figuring your parents aren’t around, to give them out.”

“We never had parents,” Celestia stated sadly.

“I’m sorry,” Nuada said gently stroking the filly’s head, “here.”

Nuada emptied his bag of apples, before standing up and setting his bag on his shoulder, “see you around kids.”

“Wait,” Celestia called out.

“What is it?” Nuada asked.

“Um you said you didn’t know anyone?” Celestia asked.

“Yeah traveling alone,” Nuada said.

“Well maybe we could be friends?” Celestia asked turning on the puppy eyes.

"You wanna be friends with me?" Nuada asked confused.

"Yes, you're nice, and Luna and I could use a friend. That I was thinking you could too if you didn't have any," she said.

"Okay," Nuada said agreeing to it, "let's eat, Luna if you want there are apples out here."

Everyone was quiet as Luna finished the story.

"A few days later Nuada took us out into the world. He taught us how to defend ourselves, pushed us to learn new magics, and showed us that family doesn't have to be blood related," Luna stated.

"Princess Luna," Twilight started but was unsure what to say.

"I did something terrible to him as Nightmare Moon, and sealed him away for 1000 years. I betrayed my brother," Luna said crying. Pinkie was the first to hug her, soon after everypony including the terrified Fluttershy was hugging the crying princess.

LT.CMD. Sparkle double checked her gear, ensuring the weapons were all in top shape, before releasing the hatch letting them out into the, now partially voided, ship. The hallway that was large enough to fit three of her ship easily was empty.

“Expect resistance,” Nuada said stepping forward, “I’ll take forward point.”

“I’m a ranged fighter anyways,” Sparkle responded before falling quite. Nuada strode forward, into the expansive hallway. A blast flew by Nuada as they arrived at an intersection, a large robotic cat head with a cannon in its mouth was floating there.

"Why am I not surprised?" Nuada asked as he focused on the master key. An energy field manifested in front of him as a shot from the cat head bounced off of it. A second later the robot had a massive hole in it Nuada turned to see Sparkle with a sniper rifle in hoof.

"Overkill much?" Nuada asked moving forward.

"I saw a robot and thought it would have armor," she replied swapping to a smg, "figure they are all that weak?"

"Most likely, if it's like the show my powers came from then I can probably beat them all bare handed," Nuada replied thinking back to the show.

"Then let's not waste time," Sparkle said taking off at a trot. Nuada used his battle armor to float with her.

"We're lost aren't we?" Nuada stated seeing ship maintenance access ways and machinery.

"My omni-hoof says there is a life form this way," Sparkle said with a growl.

"Okay, glad there aren’t any more of those kitty faced robots around here," Nuada said walking behind her.

"Well this looks like the brig," Nuada said seeing sealed doors. Sparkle used her omni-hoof to hack a console and found the only prisoner file on saved.

"Subject number: 8843

Name: Ushio

Notes: survived mixture 67, no visual changes, however no use of mana detected. Hold for further observation," Sparkle read the file, "it goes it to tests and new mixtures. This guy is nuts."

"I agree, let's go," Nuada said turning to leave.

"Hey," Sparkle grabbed his shoulder with magic, "we can't just leave her?"

"We don't have time to waste on this," Nuada said.

*slap*

Nuada looked at Sparkle, her hoof across her body, having not moved after slapping him.

"What is wrong with you?" Sparkle asked, "there is a girl in there who needs help. Like your Celestia she is trapped and alone right now. She has been abused, tortured, and hurt. AND YOU WANT TO LEAVE HER HERE?"

Nuada didn't respond for a minute as he glared at Sparkle. For a brief moment he saw the filly alicorn that he had met so many years ago.

"Fine, which cell is she in?" Nuada asked.

"Third on the right give me a minute to crack the lock," Sparkle said.

"Don't bother," Nuada said triggering his sword, "If you can hear me girl stand away from the door!"

Giving her a moment to move Nuada cleaved the door to pieces with a loud clang the door fell apart.

Alarms began to blear as he stuck his head in. There was a young bunny girl in rags hiding in the corner under a blanket that only hid parts of her.

"Ushio right?" Nuada asked walking to her as Sparkle watched the hall from the door. The girl flinched as Nuada's approach, trying to curl into a smaller ball.

"Listen, I'm here to rescue my sister, Katago took her from me. Now if you want you can come with me, I'm going to beat him, save my sister and destroy this ship if I can," Nuada explained.

"But if I don't stay here he'll hurt me," she said holding herself.

"Not much time, I'm picking up inbound," Sparkle said.

"Is that a talking pony?" Ushio asked her eyes wide.

"Yeah I live planetside with a whole nation of them," Nuada stated.

"If you beat him can I meet more ponies?" she asked.

'What is with girls and ponies?' Nuada thought to himself, "Yes but we have to leave now."

"Okay," Ushio said wrapping the blanket around her shoulders.

"Nuada cover the girl I'll clear a path," Sparkle said as she opened up fire into the wave of kittyfaces coming at them.

"Right," Nuada said his sword at the ready. Ushio stayed close to him as they ran thru the kittyfaces destroying them all as they went.

"How are you holding up," Sparkle asked the girl.

"I'm okay miss pony," she replied, breathing hard from the running.

"My name is LtC Twilight Sparkle, this is Nuada, let me know if you need a break," Sparkle said ignoring Nuada's eye roll.

“I’ll be fine,” Ushio said keeping up with them.

“Hey Ushio, do you know where the main control center is or the bridge?” Nuada asked cleaving thru a dozen kitty faces.

“The bridge was mounted to the front top center of the ship,” she said, “but that’s all I know.”

“Good enough, Sparkle can you reference our current position and give us a direction?” Nuada asked shredding more kittyfaces.

“Calculating now.”

“Insolent worm, how can they be getting past all of my defences?” Katago asked himself glaring at the screen floating before him.

“Nuada is going to save me,” Celestia said glaring at the tiger man. She was sealed in a hourglass, the sand encasing her up to her neck and an inhibitor ring on her horn.

“Not going to happen, even if he gets here, I now have enough data on your ‘magic’ I’ll just destroy him and the other two myself,” he said laughing maniacally.

“Other two?” Celestia asked unable to see the screen.

“The fool brought another, what was it? ah Alicorn is what you call them, and has freed my slave,” he said banishing the screen, “it matters not the data I get off you will make up for the loss of the slave.”

“You’re a monster Katago,” Celestia glared.

“Your opinion matters not,” he said as he sat at a giant pipe organ and began playing.

“Those giant double doors should be it,” Sparkle said as they came to the end of the hallway, the kittyfaces had stopped coming at them and they had advanced calmly to catch their breath.

“Weapons check, be ready,” Sparkle said doing a once over with her guns.

“Ready,” Nuada said before whispering into Sparkle’s ear, “if things go bad or I tell you to leave, make sure you go, take Ushio with you, I’ll contact you thru token if needed.”

“Roger, and hey be careful, we need every good Displaced alive in this multiverse,” Sparkle stated before nodding to Ushio to open the door.

As the door opened the three were greeted by music playing, and a very large open room. Nuada did a quick sweep of the room, and saw Celestia in the large hour glass, and Katago at the organ.

“Welcome to my ship, the Sonja,” Katago said rising as the music stopped, “now then I am afraid I’ll have to remove you from it.”

“Kagato release Celestia now and I won’t remove you from this world,” Nuada threatened.

“It’s Katago damnit!” Katago summoned an energy blade and swung it at Nuada who blocked it with his own blade.

“Ya ya, just let Celestia go. I already know what is going to happen. I told you I’ve seen this all before.” Nuada explained as he parried the attacks. Sparkle dodged off to the side with Ushio, dropping her behind a pillar before teleporting across the bridge by the organ. Katago cried in pain as small arms fire burned into his back, the rounds left a silver fire trying to burn him before if fizzled out.

Nuada closed in slashing at Katago only to be blocked at the last second. Katago then grabbed Nuada’s arm and threw him at Sparkle. The kinetic barrier of Sparkle’s armor protected her as Nuada and her slammed into the wall. Nuada’s battle armor cracked under the force, and Nuada coughed some blood up. Sparkle opened fire again driving Katago back just long enough for Nuada to get back up.

“Get Celestia out of here,” Nuada coughed out charging Katago.

“Roger,” Sparkle replied swapping to her sniper rifle.

Rounds bounced off the glass of Celestia’s cage as Nuada kept Katago occupied. Celestia watched helpless, and confused. She recognized Twilight her faithful student, but she was an alicorn and she fired a weapon with the intent to kill with ease.

“I’m not your Twilight,” Sparkle said over her gun fire, “I made sure your’s is still safe and innocent back planetside.”

“I see, where did you come from then?” Celestia asked. Sparkle growled glaring at the glass and stopped shooting at it.

“Another world, I’ll explain later with Nuada.” she said as she turned to Katago and sniped him in the back. The bullet tore thru his shields and wounded him slightly.

“Insolent wretch,” Katago screamed throwing Nuada and charged Sparkle. Sparkle managed to block his sword attack with her omni-hoof blade. As she went to teleport away she noticed her magic being blocked, going for guns with telekinesis proved fruitless.

“I’ve analyzed your magic and can now block it,” Katago said kicking her sending her flying over by Ushio, who was trying to block out the sounds of the battle.

"Nuada problem," Sparkle said, guns inert on her sides, "active magic is being blocked, guns are at reduced power."

"Yes my studies on your world has been most useful," Katago leaping back, "mana will lead me on the path to true energy. Watch this."

Katago snapped his fingers and the master key went dead in Nuada's hands.

"Sparkle got something to crack that cage?" Nuada asked staring down Katago winded from the fight.

"All tech and magic is disabled, the bridge is under his total control," she explained grabbing Ushio’s attention.

"I'll be there in a minute," Nuada stated gasping for air. Sparkle nodded and lead Ushio off the bridge.

"What can you do boy? You have no weapon or power, you will die shortly, and yet you still oppose me," Katago smirked readying an energy blast.

"I'll admit you have me in a bad spot," Nuada stated calming himself, "but Sparkle reminded me of something earlier."

"Oh what's that boy?"

"Years ago when I met a filly she showed me the power of friendship, and because of that I could remember who I truly was. I forgot for a while there but, now I remember who I am," he said, energy arcing around him, “I am Nuada the one whose sword can never lose!”

"Foolish worm, die!" Katago released the charged attack. The giant energy ball flew straight and true, and blasted into Nuada.

"Nuada!" Celestia cried out watching the energy ball explode.

"Foolish boy," Katago stated before he felt something amiss, "what?"

The smoke began to clear around Nuada, floating before him was two long shapes like shields made of light. One moved and washed over Nuada giving him ethereal combat robes and armor, the other compressed itself into a broadsword of light in Nuada's hand.

"Impossible, all energy should be disabled beyond mine," Katago stated.

"Light Hawk Wings, the life force of the gods, this Katago is the true ultimate energy," Nuada said taking a low stance prepared to end this in one blow, "and with it I will stop your reign of terror."

"Just try it," Katago charged at the same time with his sword. Nuada brought his sword up high for a down cleave, leaving himself open with a jump. Katago didn't miss the chance and swung his sword as he used his ship to make a shield over his head.

A flash of light later left Nuada on the other side of Katago, energy burning across his middle where the energy sword had hit him.

"Light Hawk Wings, if I had only know of them," Katago stated turning to face Nuada. The energy on Nuada faded leaving him unmarked and unharmed.

"You won boy," Katago stated as his body split in two and burned away to dust, the hourglass holding Celesta shattering and let her fall to the floor.

"Nuada are you okay?" she asked as the power around him faded leaving him in his Jurai battle armor.

“I'm fine," Nuada said grabbing his sword, "we need to leave though."

"Why?" Celestia asked, looking around. That moment the ship shifted and half of the bridge shifted.

"I may have cut the ship in half," Nuada said running. Celestia took off after him

Sparkle target neutralized, need evac asap, Nuada thought to the token around his neck.

Getting a position lock be there soon, was her reply as they ran.

Luna watched the night sky as the elements slept on the tea room floor tiered from the late night and everything going on. She noticed a sudden flash of light that lit part of the sky for a moment followed by what looked like shooting stars from the point of origin.

"What was that, Princess?" Twilight asked rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"I don't know, I just hope everypony is okay?" Luna said, light streaking towards them. Luna took flight telling Twilight she would be right back.

Author's Note

Continuing to work with My brother and I's Displace from here thank you all for the reviews I do read them and try to take things mentioned into account, even if I forget to reply

No Need for Repercussions

Guards lined up around the chariot landing pad in the wee hours of the morning. Luna descended and landed as the the tube shaped ship landed in the center of the platform. Luna stood to the back as the door opened light flooded the dim area.

“Luna!” Celestia cried out giving her sister a hug. Nuada followed her leaving the ship with Ushio attached to his arm and Sparkle at his side.

“Sister it is good to see you safe,” Luna said hugging back, “thank you all you’ve done a great service to Equestria.”

Nuada glared energy arcing around him before Ushio gave him a look of worry. Nuada paused looking confused for a moment before he calmed down and looked at Celestia, “I cannot stay, Sparkle if you wish you may stay until you are ready to return home. Ushio do you want to stay here or leave with me?”

“Why can’t you stay here?” Ushio asked as everypony looked on.

“One day I will tell you,” Nuada said energy crackling around his tightened fist.

“Um I’ll go with you,” Ushio said feeling it was the best plan.

“I’ll explain things,” Sparkle said nodding to him as he flew off with Ushio in his arms. With Nuada out of sight Sparkle turned to the group before her, “let’s get this over with.”

Everypony was led inside where a breakfast feast was setup. Sparkle told everypony to stay quiet until she finished her story. Beginning from when she was summoned to when they got on her ship back to the planet.

“That is how Nuada and I found Ushio and rescued Celestia,” Sparkle finished telling the story drinking down some orange juice.

“Quite the epic story,” Luna commented as the element bearers were all struck silent by the news.

“Wait Nuada killed this Katago, that’s horrible,” Twilight said, “who could take a life so callously.”

“This is why I couldn’t take you with us,” Sparkle shot at her younger double, “in the multiverse there are things that love and friendship can’t stop. For ponies like myself and Nuada we have to be willing to end those threats. We don’t like it but it’s something we have to do.”

“Excuse me, Sparkle,” Celestia said interrupting the two, “but could you now explain how you came to this world?”

“Okay, because you’re going to need to know this,” Sparkle said pulling out a device from her armor, “I am now what is referred to as a Displaced. I am a individual who has by some means been ripped from my home world and placed in another world.”

“Much like how Nuada described his arrival here,” Luna remarked.

“Yes Nuada told me as much. Now there are many Displaced in many worlds, an infinite amount, many humans though recently us ponies have been getting displaced as well. I was taken from my world, and thrust into a world with advance technologies, referred to as the Mass Effect world by other Displaced. That world has a galactic spanning civilization under attack by a force called the Reapers,’ Sparkle explained.

“What’s galactic mean?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Anypony here know much about space?” Sparkle asked.

“Myself and Twilight probably know the most, and we learned of aliens last night,” Celestia explained.

“Okay you know what a solar system is?” Sparkle asked.

“A solar system is a collection of planets, moons, and one to two suns, from our observations they vary between heliocentric and geocentric, we have so far observed twenty systems in the sky,” Twilight explained, “astronomers believe that each star in the sky is actually the sun of another system, though some are something else unexplained.

“Fairly consistent with my home, well imagine if you can that all the stars in the sky are systems and it is only one tenth of an area called a galaxy where they all orbit a central point. There are aliens that live covering pretty much the entire thing, and Reapers are strong enough to wipe us all out unless my Commander can stop them,” she explained wanting to drive a point home.

“That is horrible,” Twilight stated.

“Yes it is, now then, the thing about Displaced is that most of them are too strong for normal ponies to handle as I’m sure Nuada has shown Celestia on the ship,” Sparkle said, as Celestia nodded.

“Nuada has always seemed so strong,” Luna said, looking surprised by the statement, “though during our rule a millennia ago, we had began to surpass him.”

Celestia shook her head, “the power Nuada showed in his battle exceeded anything I’ve ever seen. The elements of harmony would be hard pressed to even slow him down with the power he was putting out. These Light Hawk Wings, they are a force to be reckoned with.”

“Are you saying Nuada is stronger than both of you?” Twilight asked.

“Not surprised,” Sparkle commented, “like I said Displaced are mostly overpowered, the powers they are given are just too much for Equestrians to deal with. However there is a way to stop invading forces from beyond your universe from getting in.”

“There is?” they all asked.

“I will show Celestia and Luna how to use this device, it’s a mobile data pad,” Sparkle said activating the disk device making images appear. “this has saved on it a folder created by a Displace who ascended to a godlike power level with true immortality. In it is how to shield your world. What you do with that information is up to you.”

“Will you show me as well,” Twilight asked.

“No, this is for Celestia and Luna to review first, they can share the information later if they want,” Sparkle said, “now then I need to go see Nuada, so if all of you will excuse yourselves so I can get this lesson out of the way.”

Nuada touched down at his lake in the Everfree with Ushio and was greeted by his tree, “Ushio this is Kirito, Kirito this is Ushio she’ll be staying with us for a while.”

The tree shot light beams out in response, leaving Ushio awed.

“Yeah yeah I know,” Nuada replied to the tree, “also if you see a small spaceship, kinda tube like, it should be LtC Sparkle, she’s welcome to stop by.”

The tree shot out a few more flashes of light beams and the portal to Nuada’s sanctum opened for Ushio and him.

“Shall we?” Nuada asked leading Ushio in. Nuada quickly got Ushio settled into a room and left her to sleep when he felt a call from Kirito, ‘Sir we have a strange ship inbound matches the description you gave me to your friend’s vessel.’

‘Hail her,’ Nuada requested as a display was projected in front of him, a loading bar and a phone icon accompanied by a ringtone. A moment or two later the screen displayed LtC Sparkle, “hey Nuada, I have a favor to ask before I head home.”

“Anything in my power, I owe you for your help,” Nuada replied.

“Fantastic, I need a place to sleep this off, I’ve been up for almost twenty-eight hours now, and I don’t want to have to fight with getting home right now,” she said the weariness of her body showing.

“Yeah, I’ll have Kirito send you a map to my space tree. Once there just jump thru the portal Kirito will open for you,” Nuada stated, “I’ll prepare a bed for you.”

“Thank you, I’ll be there in a moment,” she said as the map was displayed before her.

“Okay,” Nuada said as the window cut out, ‘you heard it, please make sure she gets here. I’ll take care of the bedding.”

‘By your command sir,’ Kirito withdrew from Nuada’s mind and went about his assigned tasks. Nuada got up and began gathering bedding supplies, a straw futon, and some light blankets, and one of his hand woven straw pillows. A bell rang as Nuada watched Sparkle come thru a door that appeared in the courtyard.

“Subspace?” Sparkle asked confused by the setting sun in the distance, considering it was early morning.

“Yup, Kirito made this for me, perfect climate controls, controlled time cycles, and even a control on seasons,” Nuada explained.

“Who is this Kirito?” Sparkle asked being lead into a room were Nuada had made a quick bed.

“My tree half, I will explain later, you should sleep,” Nuada stated leaving her to sleep.

“Officer we have detected an explosion in the special reservation area, the energy signatures are similar to Katago’s ship the Sonja, we need you to investigate the area quietly,” an anthromophic wolf in a police officer uniform stated on a screen.

“Yes sir, First Class Detective Bestla is on the case,” a wolf lady stated with a salute.

“Don’t let us down, we are sending you the case data on Katago, and whatever you do don’t make contact with the natives on the planet. It is under the highest restrictions so please don’t even think about it,” the officer stated.

“Wouldn’t dare, sir, now relax I have this all under control,” she said hiding crossed fingers.

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he mumbled as the line cut out.

“Okay Kurama, take us to the restricted area, I have research to conduct,” Bestla said breaking into a manic laugh.

“Yes ma’am,” the ship’s AI stated with a quiet sigh.

Nuada woke first, having Kirito wake him only four hours into his nap, leaving the others to sleep he went out to his small garden and began checking over his plants. A deep sigh left him as he realized he would have to make another trip to town, having forgotten his supplies at Twilight’s, and he didn’t have enough food for two.

“That’s only if she stay with me,” Nuada said to nobody.

“If who stays,” a female voice asked. Turning around Nuada saw Sparkle out of her armor, her wings up as she walked towards him.

“Ushio, we saved her, and from what I remember of Mass Effect your place isn’t safe for a scared hurt girl,” Nuada stated, “so I am obligated to care for her until she chooses to leave, if she wishes to stay.”

“Obligated?” Sparkle asked eyes narrowing, “don’t you mean you want to help her?”

“Lieutenant Commander Sparkle, let me tell you something,” Nuada said glaring at her, “I spent one thousand years trapped in a ten foot square room, knowing that I could not age and death would not come for me. I had only a virtual AI for company and all she knew was combat skills. I literally spent one thousand years fighting everyday, my only companion a false existence. I was betrayed by one I called family, and left to rot forever. I am done with being nice, I have a job to do. I swore on my honor that I would protect Equestria and I’ll do just that but I don’t have to be nice about it.”

Sparkle recoiled from the outburst, she figured he was hurt but didn’t realize how bad, “I am sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it, it doesn’t concern you,” Nuada said turning away from her.

Sparkle regarded the human, remembering how she felt when she had been forced to break apart the Geth hurting her new friends. Shaking her head to clear it she put a hoof on his shoulder, “Look you are hurt I get it. I’ve been there and still am trying to get past it. So if you ever want to talk about it contact me.”

“You know I actually have one last favor to ask,” Nuada stated.

“What can I do to help,” Sparkle asked.

“If you meet a Displaced human can you send them my way, I would like to talk to them,” Nuada said for a moment his face showed the years of wryness, his eyes dull shadows showing little emotion or energy.

‘Sparkle this is Starswirl, Mistress has returned and got herself in a pickle, can you get ready and go meet with her?’ an older voice said filling Sparkle’s mind.

‘Got it, glad to hear she’s active again,’ she responded back, the other voice not responding.

“What’s with the glowing?” Nuada asked, looking at the medallion around Twilight’s neck.

“Just a friend calling me up,” Sparkle said, “anyway do you want to come with me, I’m about to get ready to meet a Displaced from classic earth.”

“Let me talk with Ushio, maybe I can let her stay with Twilight and Spike,” Nuada said getting up, his face returned to his neutral expression.

A little while later Nuada knocked on the Golden Oak Library.

“I’m coming,” Spike’s voice called sounding tired and irritated. The door opened to reveal a very sleepy looking dragon.

“Sorry to bother you Spike, but is Twilight home?” Nuada asked.

“Yeah, Twi it’s Nuada,” Spike said waving Nuada and Ushio in.

“Good, I have so many questions,” she said running up to him.

“Hello Twilight, before questions can I ask a favor?” Nuada asked.

“What do you need help with?” she asked confused and saw Ushio standing behind him. He rags were replaced with one of his hand woven tunics and some pants.

“Sparkle is going to take me to meet a Displaced from earth, could Ushio stay here for a few days. In exchange I will sit down and tell you my story, like you’ve been asking when I come to town,” Nuada explained.

“Um sure,” Twilight said taken back, Nuada had been avoiding talking to her about his past the last few times he came to town.

“That’s good, Ushio this is Twilight Sparkle she’s this world’s version of Sparkle and this is her assistant Spike the Dragon,” Nuada said introducing her, “Twilight, Spike, this is Ushio she’s a new friend of mine whom Sparkle and I saved from Katago’s ship. She needs some friends and a place to stay, as Sparkle is taking me to meet some of her friends and help me meet some more DIsplaced. Please take good care of her.”

“Sounds fun,” Twilight said, “I have so many questions for you.”

“Eeeep,” Ushio said as Twilight latched on in a hug, “nice to meet you both.”

“Okay I should be back soon, thank you,” Nuada said leaving, followed by lots of byes.

“So this Mistress Change is from an Earth like mine?” Nuada asked getting into the shuttle.

“From what I understand yes and no, she’s complicated,” Sparkle triggered the portal system. Gate stones flew out of the puddlejumper and formed a gate in the air. With a flash of blue the wormhole formed.

Sparkle’s ship came thru the wormhole over Ponyville, making loud popping noises as it landing at the edge of town.

“Nuada you going to be okay?” Sparkle asked looking at the pale human.

“So much blood, so much death,” Nuada said not really moving.

“Right, so I’ll go get Ushio,” Sparkle said leaving the puddle jumper. Taking a trot thru town she stayed in armor keeping her wings hidden. A few ponies gave her odd looks that she ignored as she walked by, use to being the odd one out.

Knocking on the door to the Golden Oaks Library she felt a wave of nostalgia, remembering when she had lived in the same place in a world long gone to her.

"Can I help you?" Spike asked.

"I'm LtC Sparkle, I'm here to pick up Ushio for Nuada," she said glad her helm kept her face hidden as she began to tear up.

"One second," Spike said leaving the door open as he called for Ushio and Twilight. Ushio came out of the kitchen wearing a cute sundress with an apron on.

"Miss Sparkle welcome, where is Nuada?" Ushio asked concerned.

"He's resting on my ship, he's had a long day," she replied.

"Day? It has been a week here," Ushio stated.

"Time dilation," she replied as the basement door opened.

"Sparkle good to see you, I was curious if you could answer some questions," Twilight asked as she left the basement.

"Depends, I need to leave soon so you get two questions," Sparkle replied.

"Okay then," Twilight agreed, "how are you an Alicorn?"

"Magic, beyond that not sharing you'll have to figure it out for yourself," Sparkle said dismissing her question.

"Fine, it sounds like you know about human physiology would you share what you know?" She asked, "so if Ushio or Nuada get sick we can help."

"Fair argument however neither are true humans at this point not sure if my data will help," she stated, "I will send some notes to you thru Nuada at a later time though."

"Thank you, please visit again there is a lot I want to know about you and the Displaced," Twilight said as she levitated a bag to Sparkle, "a gift from Rarity for Ushio."

"Miss Rarity gave me this dress and some other clothes," Ushio said with a blush.

"Sounds like her, let's get going," Sparkle said as Ushio and her made their goodbyes. Spike gave her some last minute cleaning tips and Twilight told them to visit soon.

Ushio was quiet as she walked beyond saying hi to ponies she recognized. Sparkle lead her to the ship where they found Nuada shaking in the fetal position.

"Nuada?" Ushio cried out rushing to him. To find him unresponsive.

"I knew this was going to happen. Ushio I can't stay any longer, can you use advanced tech?" Sparkle asked moving Nuada back into his seat.

"Yes, my people were fairly advanced," Ushio said as Sparkle brought out a tech kit from a storage compartment.

"This is a dream walking device, put the headband on two people and as they sleep they share dreams," Sparkle explained, "when you get home, put Nuada to bed by making him take one of the pills in there, then put the devices on and go to bed."

"What happened to him?" Ushio asked as Sparkle began piloting the ship.

"He helped fight in a small army. Nuada was okay as we fought the ghouls and enemies, however afterwards he started to get sick. My diagnosis is he's suffering a mental shock," she explained, "he needs mental help, however I can't stay, I have to go back to my world and fix my ship or there is going to be serious problems. So I need you to go and help him deal with this."

"Understood," Ushio agreed.

Sparkle set the ship down at the lake's edge, the ship cutting out and dropping the last foot, and help carry Nuada to his tree. Flashes of light meet them.

"Hey Kirito, Nuada needs rest please take us to his sleeping area." The tree lit up again and a portal opened. Stepping thru, they found themselves in the little courtyard by the house.

"Good luck, Ushio," Sparkle said leaving Nuada on a bed,leaning down and whispering, “you’re gonna be okay, be strong.” With that and a great deal of guilt Sparkle left.

Ushio pulled out the equipment Sparkle left, and a pill from a bottle of them. Feeding the pill to Nuada she place the metal circlet on his head and took one on herself.

“I hope this works,” she said laying down next to him.

Nuada looked around, it was a battlefield, blood and bodies everywhere. Ponies and griffons everywhere looking at him. Standing over them all was Katago laughing.

"What did you do?" Nuada asked his sword appearing in his hands.

"Me? Don't you recognize this? These are the corpses of all that you killed just hours ago,” Katago laughed as the bodies began to move and shift. Swarming onto Nuada the ponies and griffons began to tear away at him their soulless eyes wide open, locked in place.

“No help somebody help!” Nuada cried as the bodies began to cover him. All Katago did was laugh.

She felt like she was drowning she couldn’t breath but she wasn’t dieing, cracking her eyes open she saw she was in the tank again. Stripped of her clothes and floating in this vat of lime green fluid.

“Well then it’s time to see if you can gain magic,” a voice said to her not sure how she heard it. Looking she saw the tigerman, presiding over a computer console. He pressed a button and she heard a machine whir to life and she saw restraints lock onto her body. She felt pain as something bored into her back, thrashing but unable to escape. The burning pain of the drill stopped and she felt ice enter her veins.

“This will flush your system out,” Katago explained, “I will then pump the blood of a mana user into you, and we’ll see what happens.”

Ushio thrashed wildly as she felt fire enter her bloodstream, pain so intense she wished she could die. Every part of her body screamed in agony as the foreign blood entered her system.

Nuada began clawing his way thru the bodies as they were tearing at him, climbing ever up, he gasped for air as he breached the surface of the corpses. Looking around he saw the scene had shifted as he was now also in a room where Katago was using a computer and a girl was in a tank of some kind.

Ushio watched in horror as the back wall and floor of the room changed into a mass of flesh, ponies and strange half bird half lions swarming about. Looking closer she wanted to retch as she saw they were all rotting corpses. A human hand burst from the floor and Nuada began pulling himself up out of the bodies, his clothes were torn and his body covered in blood and wounds. His nice white hair now a deep crimson. Ushio tried to call him, to tell him to flee from this room, but no sound could escape her lips.

“Ah the murderous boy returns,” Katago said shifting his attention away from the console.

Nuada fell to his knees worn out from the fighting, “you’re right I am a murderer.”

‘No Nuada you saved my life, you acted out of need not vengeance,’ Ushio thought at him, struggling harder her restraints began to weaken.

“I killed ponies and griffons alike out there, I killed you, I swore never to kill, and I did so so easily,” Nuada said sinking back into the bodies, tears streaming from his face.

‘No, no, NO!” Ushio’s restraints broke and the glass of the tank shattered. Ushio found herself in the cute white sundress Miss Rarity had given her.

Nuada looked up and saw her standing free, “Ushio?”

“Nuada, you freed me from Katago,” Ushio said stepping down the dream changing around her. Kneeling down the mass of flesh turned to a grassy meadow around her, “you saved myself, and Celestia. I’m sure you fought to defend lives not to take them.”

“You’re right Ushio, thank you,” Nuada stopped crying and stood up.

“You haven’t won yet,” Katago said his form shifting swirling to a dark miasma, “I will end you.”

Nuada watched as the darkness faded away, before turning his attention to Ushio, “That’s a nice dress.”

“Thank you Miss Rarity made it for me, she said that it was a travesty against fashion to be wearing those rags,” she said spinning around.

“That was nice of her,” Nuada said with a smile, “now then this is feeling dreamish.”

“Oh that’s right, Miss Sparkle said you were traumatized and lent me a dream sharing device.”

“So this is a dream?” Nuada asked looking at the grassy meadow, “and we’re sharing it?”

“Yup,” Ushio said the area shifting to a picnic.

“Okay.”

Nuada stretched waking up, feeling a weight on his side he looked down to find Ushio laying on him in the dress from his dream.

Pulling the device from his head, Nuada gently moved Ushio off him and got up. Memories of the dream began to fade as he went about his morning chores. Nuada explained his trip to Kirito, meeting Mistress Change and getting enchanted by her friend Gilgimesh. Nuada even demonstrated the effect as a shovel hit him in the face. Kirito observed it as ambient energy spontaneous changing to matter, then fading away after hitting him.

An hour later, Nuada went to wake Ushio.

"Hey wake up," Nuada said shaking the young bunny girl.

Slowly she stirred, realizing that Nuada was looking better, she jumped up and hugged him, "Nuada! You're okay!"

"Not sure how okay, but I am doing better, thank you," Nuada held up the dream headband, "I'm kinda fuzzy on what happened."

"Miss Sparkle said you were suffering from a kind of emotional shock, she couldn't stay, the ship was critically damaged. So she left me with this dream sharing device, so I could help you," she explained.

"I must thank her later, and thank you, Ushio, I remember you came to me in my dream," Nuada said with a gentle smile.

"You're welcome, so what is going to happen now?" She asked.

"Right we never discussed the future," he said tapping a fist to his other hand, "well I have no way to contact deep space to find anyone to help you, so until something changes you are welcome to stay here."

"Thank you," Ushio said giving him a hug, that he returned a bit awkward.

"You're welcome, now then I left my stuff at Twilight's didn't I?" Nuada remarked thinking back to when Celestia was taken.

"Yes I was going to grab it when Sparkle picked me up, but it was too heavy."

"That’s fine, I'll go grab it today," Nuada said, "but first a proper tour."

"Lady Bestla, I have finished the scan of the debris around the planet, it is Sonja the ship of the criminal researcher Katago. Reason for detonation, the ship was cut clean in half. Secondary and third energy residues detected sources unknown. End report," the Ai Kurama said as his wolf mistress was tinkering with her wrist communicator.

"Bring up energy signatures two and three," she said setting the device down. A screen displayed both patterns side by side.

"On three overlay our data on mana," she said recognizing the wavelength.

"A match at seventy-five percent, isolating remaining twenty-five percent, close match to sub-light drive signatures. Conclusion energy belongs to a close range ship."

"Okay now bring up the second signature on the large display," she said grinning. The display showed an impossible energy signature, it looked like it looped back on itself and was made of the four forces of physics and something else.

"Displayed data is partial, scanners cannot make sense of energy signature."

"Odd you should be able to read fourth dimensional energies, " Bestla said confused, "this is interesting."

"Shall I compile a report for HQ," Kurama asked.

"Do that, I'm going to take a skipper down to the surface and scan for this strange energy," she said picking up her wrist communicator pieces and tossed them in a bag, "see you later."

"But ma'am, this is a special..." Kurama sighed as his mistress left the ship and began ignoring his hailings.

Author's Note

Edit: Remade the chapter and change the title in doing so. Following some advice, I moved the off world interactions out, they will be in the respective stories they belong in, including a chapter of Displaced Ponies. Hope fully this chapter flows better now, I personally like it better.

No Need for Law Enforcement

Nuada touched down at the edge of town like normal, and began walking to Twilight's. Quickly he noticed the town was dead quiet and began to worry. He heard someone call him as he walked past Sugarcube corner.

"Pssst, come hide," Pinkie Pie said yell whispering at him.

With a raised eyebrow Nuada walked over to her, and was violently pulled into the bakery. Looking he saw the element bearers and a little filly hiding in the dark.

"What's going on here?" Nuada asked sitting himself up right.

"These girls are freaking out over a Zebra outside," Twilight said pointing out a window.

Nuada saw a brown robed pony, pawing at the ground.

"And the big deal is?" he asked, as Twilight sighed. Pinkie burst into a quiet song about an evil enchantress, and dancing, and other silly things.

"Really you guys are spooked by her but let me into town just fine?" Nuada asked unimpressed.

"Thats what ai was sayin," the filly said getting shushed by the older ponies.

"And what is your name little one?" Nuada asked.

"I'm Applebloom, Applejack's sister," she said.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Nuada," he said.

"Ai know you help on the farm for apple sometimes."

"Yup, now then if you ladies will excuse me I'm going to speak with that zebra."

"But you can't it's not safe," Pinkie said latching on to his chest trying to stop him.

Nuada ignored her as he opened the door, swatting her hooves off his shirt, the material tearing.

“Really, I go thru a fight against thousands of foes and come out without a single snag but one pony can rip it?” Nuada complained glaring at his shirt.

“I’m sorry,” Pinky said looking sad her hair deflating, the others were startled by his outburst. The few times they hand interacted he was always so calm.

“Forgiven, I shouldn’t have swatted your hooves off like that, now then,” Nuada patted her head that returned to full poof, and stepped outside. The girls all sucked in a breath except Applebloom and Twilight as Nuada walked closer to the zebra.

[Greetings friend what brings you here?] Nuada spoke in a strange tongue the girls not recognizing it other than Twilight.

“What did he say?” Rainbow asked.

“I’m not sure it’s Zebracan I think, but a strange dialect,” Twilight said, “I never had the time to study foreign languages in depth.”

[Your words are old creature, but seem to be in kindness. I am Zecora I’m looking for an herb shop, but they all seem closed,] the zebra known as Zecora replied.

[I learned this tongue over a thousand years ago, glad to see it hasn’t changed too much,] Nuada answered, [I am Nuada the warrior of light, if your people still tell the legends.]

[A bold claim to be he, but not have a heard of another human in the realm, to verify do you carry the sacred blade?] she asked.

Nuada nodded and pulled out his sword hilt, triggering it and showing it to her. The girls were startled by this but quickly the blade returned to his pocket. The two spoke in Zebracan a while longer before Nuada waved over to Sugarcube corner.

“Hello girls this is Zecora the zebra, may she come in for a snack and conversation?” Nuada asked his face telling them no wasn’t an answer.

“O..of couurse,” Pinkie said scared.

“For your care, I thank you mare,” Zecora said entering the building. Nuada bought some food from Pinkie Pie while Zecora sat in a booth and Twilight sat next to her the other girls all sat in the next booth over watching.

“Hello Miss Zecora it’s nice to meet a zebra, I’m Twilight Sparkle, if I may ask what brings you to Equestria?” Twilight asked politely.

“I am here to study the properties of local plants in the Everfree forest where my abode lies,” Zecora said as Nuada sat the food down.

“A tad dangerous to live in that forest,” Nuada remarked.

“And yet you choose to live there still,” Twilight replied.

“I am probably the strongest person, on this planet,” Nuada said.

“Take heed lest your pride bring you too your knee,” Zecora said sipping the tea.

“I think I first taught that to your ancestors, but a pleasant reminder none the less, now then, Zecora I hear you’re having issues being let into town?” Nuada asked.

“It is true, and makes me quite blue,” she said looking down cast.

“Well then good thing we have Twilight here,” Nuada said nodding to the unicorn.

“What about me?” Twilight asked confused.

“Celestia sent you here to learn about friendship right?” Nuada asked.

“Yes but I don’t remember telling you that,” Twilight said and caught Pinkie Pie trying to hide a panicky grin.

“Yeah that party was very informative, so think you can help us out and get the town to help Zecora, she’s low on some herbs for her brews,” Nuada said looking over at the zebra who nodded.

“Of course I can, Girls,” Twilight called the girls over, who came over slowly, Fluttershy being dragged over by Applejack by her tail.

“What can we help you with Darling?” Rarity asked looking at Nuada’s shirt in mild disgust.

“Help me get Zecora introduced into the town,” she said, “to think you girls are scared of such a nice pony.”

THWEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDD

“Uh what’s that noise?” Rainbow asked.

“That sounds like an engine,” Nuada said before running outside. Following him out, the girls watched a metal craft flying thru the air out of control, fire coming out of the back.

“A friend Nuada?” Rainbow asked watching it crash into the whitetail wood.

“Not sure, Rainbow get your weather team out, there is going to be fires over there. Twilight, you stick with the girls here and continue helping Zecora. I’ll let you know if I need help,” Nuada said flicking his battle armour on and flew over in the direction of the smoke.

“You heard the guy,” Twilight said nugging Rainbow Dash who nodded and flew off.

Nuada touched down by the burning ship, the trees near by were on fire, and the ground was warm. However there was foam being shot from ports on the ship causing the ground to cool and the fires on the ship to go out.

Keeping his sword ready he began looking for an opening, the ship seemed to be much larger than LtC Sparkle’s seeing as it made a hill where the front had burrowed under the ground. A section of the ship exploded out revealing a corridor, Nuada stood before it his sword at the ready as a ramp came out from below it and touched the ground.

“Owowowowow,” a voice said from the corridor, “that smarts.”

“Hello?” Nuada called, “are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” it said walking out into the light. Nuada was met by an anthromorphic she-wolf, judging by the ample chest on her. Mild shock took Nuada as he noticed her uniform.

“Greetings Officer, may I ask what a Galaxy Police Officer is doing crashing a ship on to this world?” Nuada asked.

“You know of the GXP?” she asked.

“In a manner of speaking, I am Nuada Lugh guardian of the lands of Equestria,” he said putting his sword away but left his armor on.

“I am First Class Detective Bestla of the GXP, I am here to investigate the case of a criminal named Katago,” she said dusting herself off.

‘This girl should be like Mihoshi, but not sure yet,’ Nuada thought looking her over, “I see and what about him are you investigating out here?”

“His strange death, seems two days ago he was slain and his ship destroyed,” she said looking over Nuada’s reaction, ‘this guy knows something.’

“That would have been a friend of mine and I,” Nuada said, looking over his shoulder he saw a small group of pegasus flying over with gray clouds, “we should relocate, this area is about to get very wet. Are you able to fly by yourself?”

“I can levitate short distances,” she said looking at the group, “are they moving rain clouds?”

“I’ll explain later, give me your hand,” Nuada took her hand and lifted her over to beyond the side of the crater.

“Hey Nuada is this the alien in the ship?” Rainbow Dash asked flying up a trail of rainbow behind her.

“Yes she is Bestla of the GXP, a type of guard in space if you would,” Nuada said as Bestla’s mouth was agape in awe watching the ponies douse the area and push clouds around with their hooves.

“She safe?” Rainbow asked taken back by the mouth of teeth and the clawed paws.

“She should be,” Nuada said turning to her, “now Miss Bestla, what happened to your ship?”

“I overclocked the engine output and they burned out the control systems upon hitting atmosphere. Manual override failed, I was only able to slow the ship slightly and land, lucky for me I’m made of stern stuff,” she said happily. Nuada sighed starting to see part of this was intentional.

“What’s that all mean?” Rainbow asked.

“It’s like if you dove too fast, got a muscle cramp, and at the last minute managed to pull flat to the ground and biffed it in a nice slide roll,” Nuada said dumbing it down for the athlete.

“Ouch, good thing it was in that metal thing then,” she said nodding to the ship the others were looking over.

“Nuada!” a voice called and caused Nuada to look up to find Celestia’s chariot and squad of guards following.

“Tia, saw the crash?” Nuada asked as she landed. All the pegasus flew over and bowed.

“Yes I did,” she said before turning to the ponies,”Hello everypony, good job putting the fire out, please return home and relax.”

“Yes Princess,” Rainbow said motioning for the others to go, “Nuada fill us in later okay.”

“Got it,” Nuada said waving to them.

“Now then who is this?” Celestia asked, looking at the clothed wolf, “she looks similar to the diamond dogs.”

“Princess Celestia this is Officer Bestla of the Galaxy Police, Bestla this is Princess Celestia of Equestria our highest ranking official,” Nuada said introducing them.

“It is an honor to meet you Princess,” Bestla said bowing to a knee.

“A pleasure to meet you as well, now please rise we have something to discuss of course,” she said motioning to a table and chairs she summoned out of nowhere.

“Yes of course,” Bestla said taking a seat. Nuada sat down and took a sip of the tea a guard served them.

“Now then what brings a traveler from space to our world?” Celestia asked taking a seat as well.

“I was investigating a dangerous criminal named Katago whose ship was last seen headed in this direction. We received reports of an explosion thought to be his ship. After confirming it was his ship and he was dead, I came down to investigate the how. Nuada here said that was him and a friend,” she explained.

“Yes, Katago foalnapped me two nights ago. Thanks to Nuada and a new friend of his they came up to his ship, and saved me,” Celestia said, “twas quite the spectacle.”

“I also rescued a girl named Ushio, it seems he was running illegal experiments on mana,” Nuada added in.

“Is that what caused him to foalnap you?” she asked, a smirk at the term formed.

“Yes,” Celestia stated.

“So this mana is that what let's you guys fly, move clouds, and such?” she asked.

“We just refer to it as magic but yes,” Celestia said.

“I knew magic was real,” Bestla stated happily, “those techs called me crazy well I’ll show them, mwahahahahahahaha!”

Nuada leaned over to Celestia, “my gut says she’s okay, but she’s making it hard to justify.”

“I can see that, is magic rare outside of Equestria and our world?” she replied.

“From what I can gather it is,” Nuada’s eyes lit up with a thought and his face turned to a scowl, “Miss Bestla, a question.”

“Ahem, yes what is it?” she asked.

“This system wouldn’t happen to be a special protected zone, something along the lines of no contact with the natives?” Nuada asked raising his eyebrow.

“Um,” Bestla began to sweat under her fur, “maybe.”

“Sigh, too many similarities,” Nuada said running his hand down his face, “let me guess ship can’t fly and coms are down.”

“Yup, how did you figure that?” she asked looking him over suspiciously.

“I’ll explain later, would you care to stay at my place, at least until the communications relay is fixed?” Nuada asked his memories of the show becoming clearer and clearer.

“I appreciate the offer but I should stick with my ship, it has space for me to sleep,” she stated.

“Not a worry, Luna and I with some guards can move your ship to Nuada’s place,” Celestia stated. Nuada glared at her and was hit with a shovel in the face, causing him to curse and set some grass on fire. Stomping the fire out Nuada sighed and calmed himself, “that sounds like a plan if Bestla is okay with it.”

The two looked at him confused, nodding in agreement.

“Ignore the shovel, its… ack,” the shovel struck again, “a gift from a friend I made yesterday.”

“Looks painful,” Bestla said noticing his nose turning red.

“It is but, it’s to help me deal with… ack, a rage issue,” Nuada said blood starting to flow. Celestia summoned some tissue and let Nuada plug his nose.

“You must tell me this story sometime,” Celestia said concerned.

“Later, get your sister here and let's move this,” Nuada said rubbing his tender nose. A scroll of parchment later they sat waiting. During this time Bestla began having them answer questions of the Katago case. Nuada held back on the Displaced info saying he didn’t want to explain it, and might later.

“Hail sister,” Luna said landing with two more squads of ponies, some being unicorns in chariots, “what do you need my help with?”

“This is Bestla, she crashed her ship and needs it moved to Nuada’s place,” Celestia explained.

“Well met Bestla,” Luna said, “we finally get so see your home Nuada?”

“Yes you...ack, may….ack,” Nuada agreed, before placing an energy shield in front of his face blocking the onslaught of shovels.

“What causes these attacks?” Luna asked.

“A spell from a friend if his, he says, to help him with his rage,” Celestia said trying to ignore the clang of metal on energy shield.

“Oh,” Luna said downcast, “let us be on our way then.”

Together Celestia and Luna pulled the massive ship free from the ground, and let some pegasus guards tie ropes around it. The massive ship strained the ropes causing Celestia and Luna to reinforce the ropes with magic. Taking a lead rope from a guard Nuada assisted and began leading them into the Everfree Forest.

"You live in the forest?" Luna asked confused.

With a glare Nuada nodded at her, "before the forest became so wild, and you built the first castle, I planted my home."

"Planted? You have a tree home?" Celestia asked, "but that enchanted kind of seed was formulated only 300 years ago by Aticus Growth. How do you have one?"

"If you mean like the library or Fluttershy's cottage? I don't have one like that, you can see the top of it on the horizon from here, the big tall round one," Nuada said pointing at where Kirito's foliage rose over the tree line.

"Your home is the sacred tree?" Celestia asked.

"I guess, what do you mean sacred tree?"

"After you disappeared, a strange tree was found in a lake growing out of a small island. Unicorns felt drawn to it when they came near to it, I observed first hand as the ageing Clover touched the tree and was infused with power unlike we knew, similar to your wings now that I think about it," Celestia explained, "Clover then explained she had seen the 'truth' and like yourself and Starswirl she helped change how we understood magic."

"Strange, I'll ask Kirito about that," Nuada said as the lake came into view and they saw Ushio by the tree waving. Nuada waved back and directed the guards and Princesses where to set it down on the shore line.

The ship sank into the sand and knocked a few trees over, as Celestia and Luna relaxed their magic and left the ropes where they laid. Sweat poured off the princesses particularly Luna who's magic wasn't at full strength.

"Nuada what's going on?" Ushio asked coming over in a white dress with an apron over.

"We have another house guest, Ushio this is Bestla, Bestla this is Ushio, the girl I rescued from Katago," Nuada introduced as Bestla got out of the ship.

"Nice to meet you," Ushio said with a curtsy.

"First Class Detective Bestla of the GXP, pleased to make your acquaintance," Bestla replied with a salute.

"Good now then, Celestia, Luna, owwww, please excuse us I need to get Bestla settled in and still return to Ponyville for some supplies," Nuada said avoiding looking at the hurt moon princess.

"Of course, please take this," Celestia pulled out a scroll, "an invitation to the Grand Galloping Gala. Details inside."

"We'll see," Nuada said waving to her, a tear forming in his eyes.

"Nuada?" Ushio looked up at him concerned.

"Remembering my first party with those two, it was long ago but we had a lot of fun. I miss those times," Nuada said watching the retreating flock of ponies.

"I'm sure you'll have those times again, it's never too late to make up," she said giving him a hug.

"I know, I wish I knew why this rage won't go away, every... gah... time I think of her," Nuada said before calming himself and changing thoughts, "Bestla let's get you settled in."

"Okay," she said a pack on her shoulders. Nuada showed her into Kirito's subspace and left her in a room to get situated, saying she was welcome to stay as long as she wanted. Leaving Nuada made it back to Ponyville late afternoon to find a large herd by the spa. Touching down he found a stallion of to the side with an hourglass cutie mark.

"Sir, what's going on at the spa?" Nuada asked.

"Zecora is showing Aloe and Lotus how to mix a special facial cream to reduce wrinkles, all the mares in Ponyville are in there, frivolous if you ask me," he said adjusting a clock he was working on.

“I agree, thanks see you around,’ Nuada said walking away, and into the market.

Author's Note

Finished this on my phone, got a new job and have had not time to myself per say, and when I did I didn't feel like writting so sorry for the delay.

Please review and vote, I don't know how the story is without feed back.

No need for Demons

In Equestria may wayside hoses existed between major cities and towns. Way points for travelers and caravans. Many young folk would use them as they traveled Equestria looking for work that matched their cutie mark. The prancing pony inn was one such house that sat between Ponyville and Trottingham. Normally a quiet inn, the last few hours many strange noise had been emanating from the building, until slowly the sounds died off and the inn went dark.

“Now that was quite a meal.” a figure said with a smile as she left under the cover of night. In the house many stallions and mares lay passed out on the floor, their coats had turned grey and while they had smiles on their face, they were oddly all old looking, and looked malnourished.

“Bestla do you really have to do this?” Nuada asked, he was being held in place by some flexible robot arm, with some head band with lights on his head flashing.

‘Have I seen this before?’ Nuada thought to himself wondering how he ended up here in a towel.

“Of course it is, how else will I be able to figure out what you are unless I get a sample of everything,” she said laughing like a mad woman.

‘Oh crud I know what this is,’ Nuada thought as he remembered the old anime, “now now, I already told you who and what I am what more do you want?”

“Well in the GXP registry we don’t have Humans or Juraians on file so you’re unique and new so I must learn everything about you.”

“Ushio should have breakfast ready can we do this later,” Nuada said trying to reason with her as she got a very perverted grin.

“But I need one more sample from you,” she said a shimmer in the air and her GXP uniform had been replaced with a long white doctor’s coat, a tight tank top showing off her ample bust, and a pair of spanks, leaving little to Nuada’s imagination.

“No you don’t!” Nuada cried as she advanced on him.

“Come on Nuada, I promise to be gentle,” she said with a grin, sliding a hand up his leg.

“Noooo!”

“Nuada! Bestla! Breakfast is ready, oh my,” Ushio covered her face as she blushed seeing the situation she walked in on.

With a nervous chuckle Bestla removed her hand, “Breakfast sounds good let's forget all about this and go eat.”

“Sister Bestla please leave Nuada’s innocence alone,” Ushio said with a bit of a glare.

“Yes yes,” Bestla said hitting a button on her control system. Robotic arms relaxed and Nuada fell to the ground. Taking stock of the cave turned into mad scientist lab Nuada felt exhausted. Ever since he decided that he was gonna let Bestla stay he’d been assaulted every day in some form by her, ‘looking for data.’

“Nuada can you take me to town today?” Ushio asked as Nuada hid behind a screen near by and dressed in his normal tunic and pants.

“Yeah I need to head that way anyway, apparently Rarity found out I was invited to the Gala and insists on making me a Tux,” Nuada explained rolling his eyes.

“How did she find out?”

“Twilight and I have been exchanging letters, this last month,” Bestla said remembering when Twilight and her friends stopped by just after she arrived.

“Oh you two hit it off so well,” Ushio said happily skipping as Nuada and everyone walked to his home.

“Yes now then, after breakfast Ushio and I will be taking off unless you wanna come Bestla?” Nuada asked.

“I need to stay here and work on the ship, if I don’t respond soon then my bosses will send someone to look for me,” Bestla grimaced. She had come clean to Nuada and Ushio that she had broken a few rules with coming down to planet side, and some of the damage to her ship was intentional, but something had caused it overload more than she planned and now she really was stuck here.

“Okay let me know if you need help,” Nuada said as they sat down to eat.

After breakfast was done and the dishes cleared Nuada grabbed his bag and a few bits from his quickly dwindling supply, he may have to rethink his spending plans, Duncan hadn’t made it to him yet and he didn’t have a way to call Mistress Change beyond going through LtC Sparkle, who he didn’t really want to bother, right now, she had a galaxy to save after all.

‘Nuada you there?’ asked the mare in question as the medallion around Nuada’s neck began to glow.

‘Yeah I’m here what’s up?’

‘Get me a clear spot Starswirl finished your communicator token.’

‘Okay come on over,’ Nuada tossed his medallion high into the air and watched the multidimentional blue stargate form, before shooting out the puddle jumper. Waving to the ship Nuada caught the falling token.

“Ah fresh air, I miss forests,” Sparkle said walking off the ship in her n7 pony variant armor, helmet off.

“Sparkle welcome back, that took longer than expected,” Nuada said hoof bumping the mare.

“Time dilation and Gage was really particular on the programming, I swear she was in her room for three weeks coding that thing.” Sparkle explained, “Ushio, how are you doing, sorry I couldn’t swing by sooner has Nuada been mean to you?”

“No miss Sparkle, Nuada has been really nice since then.” Ushio beamed, “he even is letting another person stay here, even though she can be a bit rude.”

“Oh?” Sparkle raised an eye at Nuada.

“Bestla is a member of the Galaxy Police whom were after Katago, we saved them some work. Anyway she came down to investigate what happened and got stuck. I decided to let her stay till she got her ship working.” Nuada said shrugging, “Ushio and I were going to town to see Rarity wanna come with?”

“Sounds good I have some time to spare, Commander told me I needed to take a break before I broke.”

“I can see that, how goes the good fight?” Nuada asked.

“The Collectors are eluding us, Commander has a plan it seems, but we need to reinforce the Normandy if we’re to do that.” Sparkle said leading Nuada and Ushio into the puddle jumper, “by the way how are you doing, after the last time?”

“Better, Ushio has been helping me in my dreams deal with what happened. I can’t imagine you did much better the first time?” Nuada asked.

“I was worse, I had lost my magic when I first arrived, and only got it back when I saw the Geth attacking my new friends. I kinda annihilated them all, it took the Commander and Garus three hours to get me to stop crying long enough for the Doctor to give me a physical.” Sparkle said grimacing at the memory, “After a while and some encouragement I got better.”

“Never gets easier?” Nuada asked his heart tightening.

“More like you grow numb to it, than anything, I still struggle with it as violence is against everything I was taught but, in this case it is Us or Them and I like my new friends.” Sparkle explained, “I focus on that.”

“Thanks.” Nuada said leaning back.

“Ushio how has things been going, all settled in?” Sparkle asked.

“Yes everyone has been very nice to me, Miss Applejack keeps giving me extra apples when Nuada and I go shopping.” Ushio said happily, “and Mister Spike has taught me so much about cleaning and cooking, though some of his receipts are a little strange.”

“That’s good to hear.” Sparkle said drifting the ship slowly down to the edge of town. When the doors opened, Ushio excused herself saying she would meet them for lunch at Sugarcube corner.

“So Rarity’s?” Sparkle asked replacing her helmet.

“Yeah, why the helmet?” Nuada asked.

“Less confusion,” Sparkle said her voice slightly modulated through helm.

“Okay, but I think you look better without it.” Nuada said.

Sparkle glared at him, though glad the helmet covered her blush.

“So you’re into ponies?” Sparkle asked trying to get him back.

“I’m into life,” Nuada stated, “I spent over a hundred years here before my entombment, I came to appreciate beauty in all forms.”

Sparkle noticed that Nuada’s body tensed at the mention of entombment, and a spark of dark red energy arced across his fist.

“What happened?” Sparkle asked.

“Sigh… Short Story, I grew up with the Princesses and was Betrayed by Nightmare-”

*Clang*

“Moon, and sealed for a thousand years.” Nuada said ignoring the shovel to the face.

“I see, but Luna--”

“I know that here,” He said point to his head, before moving his hand to his heart, “but it still hurts here.”

“I’m sorry,” Sparkle said looking away, “I can’t say I know that feeling of betrayal.”

“Lets leave it for now, We’re here.” Nuada said pointing to the gaudy dress maker’s shop.

“Of course.”

Nuada and Sparkle walked into the Carousel Boutique causing the bell to ring and “just a minute to sound,” from the back of the building.

“Take your time,” Nuada called back.

“So what have you been up to while I was gone?” Sparkle asked, “besides getting a new roommate?”

“That would be the highlight of the last few months, Ushio regularly joins me with that dream device you let us. The nightmares re-manifest when she doesn’t and leaves me exhausted and withdrawn the next day,” Nuada explained.

“I see well keep it till you get better,” Sparkle said her helm turning away from him.

Nuada was about to ask her what was wrong when a very tired looking Rarity walked in from the back, “Thanks for waiting, oh Nuada how nice to see you here finally, oh and you brought Miss Sparkle along.”

Sparkle looked at him and he felt her raise eyebrow.

“I’ve been busy,” Nuada coughed looking away.

“I’ll say your clothes look far worse than last I saw you a month ago.” Rarity commented a look of disgust on her face. Nuada looked at his tunic, the hand spun wool was unraveling, stained with sweat and dirt, and a large line of off color thread held the front together where Pinkie had managed to tear it.

“Once I got my house and stuff fixed I was going to make a new one,” he said in defence and heard a snicker from Sparkle.

“I’m sure my dear, I don’t understand why you don’t just have me make you some clothes it would be fun, Ushio really likes the ones I made for her.” Rarity said thinking back to the dresses she made for Ushio. The young bunny girl had ended up with quite a closet full of them, she got one almost every time she was in town.

Nuada looked at her slightly hurt expression and sighed, “look I don’t like fancy looking things. I can wear a suit and dress up but I don’t like it, I need more practical clothes for my day to day.”

“Well my dear I can do that though not today, may I ask what brings you here today?” She asked adjusting her sewing glasses.

“Ushio said you wanted to help me with getting a suit for the Gala ready.” Nuada said taking more notice of the mare realizing how exhausted she looked. Her mane was in dire need of brushing, her coat was dirty from sweat, bags were under her eyes. Nuada began to question if this was as good time.

“Of course dear, if you’ll give me a moment we can get your measurements.” Rarity said her horn glowing as a cloth tape floated over, her magic flickered and died dropping the tape on her as she started to faint.

Sparkle caught her side as Nuada knelt down.and picked the tape up off of her.

“I’m sorry about that.” Rarity said regaining her footing.

“Rarity are you making Gala dresses for the girls?” Sparkle asked.

“Why yes how did you know?” Rarity asked.

“I’ve been through this once before.” Sparkle said.

“Right crazy dimensional time stuff.” Nuada said, “I think I’ll wait on suit till you get some free time.”

“Oh no I couldn’t do that, you came all the way out here from the forest, I couldn’t just turn you away.” Rarity said.

“How about I measure Nuada for you, I’m familiar with humans like Nuada, and I learned about sewing from one of my Displaced friends,” Sparkle asked holding the tape in her magic, “you take a break and eat something while we use the workroom.”

“But-”

Rarity was cut off as Sparkle held an armored hoof to her face, “I insist, you need to take a break, I promise that I will get what you need for measurements and you can start on the Tux after the girl’s dresses are done.”

“Okay, I suppose I can take a break.” Rarity said, “but just to eat something.”

“That’s all I ask,” Sparkle said pushing her towards the kitchen in the back. Rarity left and Sparkle led Nuada up stairs.

“You can sew?” Nuada asked confused as he stepped into the messy work room.

“Fluttershy taught me on Starswirl’s ship, I was making a flag for the Squad and couldn’t make it look right. So Fluttershy showed me some tricks. We kinda rebonded over that, and she even helped me with some other projects.” Sparkle explained, “now strip.”

“What?” Nuada asked as Sparkle held the tape measure in her magic.

“Strip, to get accurate data I need to measure you without clothes. Other wise the tux could be loose in some areas and rub wrong.” Sparkle said calmly, “This is professional and nothing more.”

“Um well.” Nuada fidgeted.

“Look I know humans have a thing about clothes, but do me a favor and just drop your shorts already.” Sparkle said grabbing his clothes in her magic.

“Hold on, there-” Nuada fell over as his clothes were taken from him.

Sparkle’s eyes glazed over and her body went stiff.

“-is something you should know.” Nuada said with a sigh as he set about removing his loincloth, this was very clean at least as he had made a couple dozen of them. Grabbing his clothes and piling them on a chair, he proceeded to knock on Sparkle’s helm until her head shook.

“What just happened?” She asked seeing the now naked Human.

“Freak out, a condition in this world.” Nuada stated, “for some reason undergarments seen on the body cause those attracted to that gender to ‘freak out’ and go into a catatonic state. I take it that’s not actually something you have in your Equestria?”

“Um no, that’s a very strange effect.” Sparkle said picking the tape measure back up and grabbing a scroll and quill.

“We have a couple, back in the day Tia and I came up with a theory with Starswirl, if this world was made by these incarnations of power from his book, then just maybe they also established some of the rules. Such as how the Sun and Moon must be moved by magic instead of by physics.” Nuada explained as Sparkle measured him.

“That’s fascinating, do you know where that book is?” Sparkle asked, “I would love to study this world’s history and compare it to my own. Oh you lived in Classical Equestria right, can you tell me about that?”

“It sucked.” Nuada said, “Nobles sucked, bandits sucked, villages sucked, and sleeping on rocks sucked. I will send a letter to Tia, and see if she still has Star’s old books somewhere, mind you the book can be difficult to read, seeing as it was written in Tartarus.”

“Tartarus? Interesting, once I help the Commander take out the Reapers, I need to come here and study for a while, the demons of Tartarus in my world had no written word, and never did they travel between our worlds unless criminals.” Sparkle paused and Nuada heard her voice strain a little.

“Anyways you’ve measured just about everything.” Nuada said as the tape had been floating around him along with Sparkle, “can I put my pants back on?”

Nuada sat to the side thinking, talking about the old times had brought back painful memories. Sparkle and Rarity had begun talking about the Tux. Sparkle displayed some images on her Omni-hoof tool of what the humans of her world wore, and pointed out the military ones may be more appropriate for Nuada.

Rarity loved it and made some quick sketches before a knock came to the workroom door.

“Rarity I had an idea.” Twilight said through the door.

“Yes dear, please come in.” Rarity said with a sigh and a forced grin.

“Oh Nuada you’re here, and You!” Twilight pointed a hoof at Sparkle, “why are you here?”

“Vacation.” Sparkle said nopony could see it but, she held a glare on her younger self.

“Oh oh this is so great, can you come over, and we can discuss Magical theory, oh we can go over what books are in your world.” Twilight started to bounce.

“I’m busy with some other thing.” Sparkle said getting up and leaving the room.

“Was it something I said?” Twilight asked confused and a little saddened.

“No, I don’t think it’s anything you did specifically.” Nuada said getting up himself, “I need to go meet Ushio for Lunch, we’ll talk later.”

“Okay, take care. Now Rarity, how about constellations…” Twilight’s voice was cut off as Nuada left. Looking around he saw the sulking alicorn solder heading to Sugarcube corner.

“Are you okay there Twilight?” Nuada asked putting a hand on her helmet.

“I’m fine. Look there is Ushio.” Sparkle said brushing him off and trotted over to the bunny girl who was holding a big bag in her arms.

“What’s that?” Nuada asked seeing it.

“Some supplies,” Ushio said happily.

“Okay, let’s eat.” Nuada said walking into the bakery. Pinkie greeted them from behind the counter as she helped a customer. Sparkle removed her helm to eat, but sat with her back to the room, and ignored everypony around her. Ushio had tried to start a conversation but it fell flat like the air around her.

“Awe what a group of gloomy gusses, you should cheer up.” Pinkie Pie said popping up with three cupcakes. One purple with a pink star, on with white frosting and sprinkles, and one with pink icing and a cherry.

“Oh carrot cake, my favorite.” Ushio said grabbing the white frosting one.

“Thanks Pinkie.” Nuada said grabbing his cherry one.

Sparkle stared at the cupcake, she already knew it was Snozzberry her secret favorite. Replacing her helm she got up, and with a quiet sorry she left the building.

“What’s wrong with Sparkle?” Pinkie asked.

Nuada slapped himself in the face, “Of course she’s home sick.”

“Huh?” Ushio and Pinkie asked.

We were doing great at Rarity’s till Twilight showed up, and asked about ‘her world’. I think Sparkle is home sick for her Equestria.” Nuada said getting up. “Sorry Pinkie, I’ll see you later, Ushio can you meet me by the ship?”

“Yeah.” Ushio said giving Pinkie a hug and grabbing her bags, “see you later Pinks.”

Nuada found Sparkle staring at the Golden Oaks library, and sat down next to her.

“Sorry I should be happy, I’m on vacation, hanging out with new friends, and here I am sulking.” Sparkle said.

“I use to cry myself to sleep.” Nuada said in reply, “must have been around about six months after I got here that I would cry every night.”

Sparkle looked at him.

“I was alone and everypony I met thought I was some monster. I was alone, traveling the countryside, foraging for food, hunting, and stealing to get by. I spent a winter in a cave near a town where I would steal food from ponies. Every night I would cry myself to sleep, and wish I was home in my world. I missed my family, and friends.” Nuada kept talking to her.

“One day I came across a cave in the late spring, in it I found two fillies, and I was greeted with mostly open arms. One distrusted me for a while, but the other one she saw me and wanted to be my friend. I was amazed, what kind of pony was this filly that she would trust something so strange. We decided to travel together, I knew deep down that if I had left them, they would have died in that forest. But I think they knew that if they let me go, I would have died of loneliness. Soon I stopped having nightmares, and no longer did I cry myself to sleep. To this day I still miss my old world deep down in the bottom of my heart, but it’s thanks to those fillies that I now can say that this world is my home, and I even got to meet my current friends and family thanks to them.” Nuada finished his story.

“Thanks Nuada, that helped some.” Sparkle said, under her helm a small smile formed.

“The horror! The horror!” A pony screamed as loud commotion started their way.

A stunning unicorn mare walked down the Main road of Ponyville, her crimson coat shined, and her orange hair glowed looking almost as though it was fire, but the thing that held every pony's eyes was the very daring black lingerie he wore over her plot. Stallions and mares all around her had their faces glazed over, drool dripping from the mouth of some.

“Mwahahahaha, good come now bee my slaves!” She laughed as some of the ponies began to follow her like zombies. Some ponies saw this and panicked fleeing.

“Yes your lustful eyes I can feel them, give me your power!” She said as more stallions and mares fell under her power.

“Now you hold there ya varmin.” A pony in a stetson stood in front of her.

“Oh my what a delicious looking pony. Why don’t you be a dear and come here.” The mare said beckoning her over.

“Not gonna work, now then you release those ponies and give up a fore I make ya.” The orange pony said pawing the ground.

“Not even if I do this?” The mare said as her body shifted and grew. Her hair shortened and muscles grew fuller, and the lacy black panties began to shift and loosen into shorts with little apples on them.

Applejack felt her mind going blank.

Nuada and Sparkle arrived to see a mob of ponies surrounding a single stallion, in…

“Sparkle cover your eye!” Nuada said looking at his companion. Saddly he saw her stiffen up and then start walking towards the mob and joined the group.

“Hey you what is the meaning of this?” Nuada asked muscling his way through the crowd.

“Oh my another slave.” The stallion said his body began to shift. However much to it’s surprise, Nuada had vanished from its sight. Then she felt a breeze on her rump and saw her underwear was missing.

“Look shapeshifter, I need you to drop your magic right now.” Nuada said holding the lacy black panties in his hand, blushing slightly.

“Oh how daring removing a lacie’s underwear, such perversion.” She said giggling, “I like you, I think I’ll let you live as my slave.”

“I only grabbed these so you wouldn’t freak me out, now let everyone go!” Nuada said trying to hold back a blush.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I need them to give me all their lusty magical power.” She said, “why not come just come peacefully to me?”

The mare had invaded his personal bubble and was stroking his chin with her hoof, while batting her eyes.

“Never.” Nuada said slapping her away.

“You bastard.” She said fire coming out of her mouth as she began to shift again. Her horn split in half and migrated to the sides of her head, curving back along her skull before making a quick turn to point straight up. From her coat a pair of wings grew, the bat like wings sharing a color with her coat. Lastly her tail twisted together forming a long thin tail ending in a spade.

“Well well a Succubi, I haven’t seen your kind sense Celestia made that pact with the King of Tartarus.” Nuada said taking a battle stance.

“How surprising somepony old enough to remember back then.” She said with a sneer, “however after I break you and make you my slave my next stop is to make Celestia ‘withdraw’ from that stupid treaty.”

“I can’t let you do that.” Nuada said as he punched her in the face.

The world spun as she tried to remember if she saw him move. Channeling magic she began to strengthen her body. It was a problem seeing as she needed as much as she could get, but already could tell this creature was no pushover. Whipping her tail around she caught Nuada in the chest as he approached from above.

Landing on her hooves, she turned and managed to dodge a kick from Nuada aimed at her head. Flipping her tail up she caught his leg and tossed him into the fountain. A splash later, she turned and saw him standing up, not wanting to give him time, she flew forward and drove her hooves into his chest. Nuada fell as the creature knocked him under the water. He was surprised to find her tail around his neck choking him.

Nuada ignored the pain as he rolled her off him with a well placed punch to the barrel. Surprised the mare tumbled and her tail loosened around his neck. Grabbing the offending appendage Nuada yanked hard pulling her towards him as he head butted her plot. Not giving up the advantage Nuada used his free arm to put her in a choke hold while locking his legs around her barrel keeping her wings pinned. Sitting in the fountain he held her as she struggled however her hooves found no purchase, and soon her body went slack.

Nuada tossed her out of the fountain and climbed out just as the mob from before started coming to their senses. Around the same time, Twilight and Rarity arrived with Spike. Sparkle muscled her way over and summoned ropes to bind the Succubus.

“What happened here?” Twilight asked seeing the soaked Nuada, tied up pony, and group of confused ponies.

“One of the Succubi ponies came up from Tartarus for a visit.” Nuada coughed rubbing his neck.

“But isn’t Cerberus guarding the gates?” Spike asked.

“Yes no pony should have been able to get out.” Twilight said concerned, “Spike take a letter we must alert the Princesses.”

“AHHHHHH!” The bound pony cried in pain as her flank began to smoke.

“What’s happening?” Rarity asked seeing her writhe in pain..

“ARGH!” Nuada fell over holding his right shoulder as it too began to smoke.

Sparkle removed his tunic and held his hand away. The skin was burning in the pattern of a small flame around a heart. The burning stopped as Sparkle watched and Nuada stopped fighting her.

“What just happened here?” He asked examining the slightly tender brand.

“Nonononononononononononono.” The succubi said looking at her flank in a panic. Right where a cutie mark should have been was the same brand as Nuada’s arm though larger.

“Does anypony know what’s is going on here?” Applejack asked from the crowd.

“I’m not sure, AJ can you disperse the crowd we’ll have Mayor Mare send out a bulletin on what happened as soon as we know.” Sparkle said holding the bound pony in her magic. “Library?”

“Library.” Twilight agreed leading Nuada. Spike excused himself to go with Rarity to gather the rest of the girls.

Author's Note

Yes my slowness updates, not really edited, so forgive errors, point them out and I'll fix them. Goodnight all

No Need for Engagements

Everypony, except Rarity who rushed back to her shop remembering her work, and Spike who went to help, sat staring at the bound succubus, who had it seems had fainted. They were all sitting in Twilight’s library waiting for the mare to wake up while Sparkle examined Nuada’s arm.

“What is she?” Rainbow Dash asked, poking a horn.

“That is a Succubus, a demon from Tartarus that prays on the, ahem, lust energy, of other races.” Twilight said holding a book in her aura.

“What’s she doing up here?” Applejack asked glaring at her.

“It seems she was planning to enslave Tia, and make her void the treaty between the realms.” Nuada stated scratching his arm where the brand was.

“What treaty?” Fluttershy asked.

“According to this book, the treaty of Tartarus was signed over a thousand years ago not long after the two sisters took the throne of Equestria. Prior to this point denizens of Tartarus would come and go across the land attacking ponies and causing havoc. With the aid of one of their greatest generals whose name was lost to time Equestria managed to push a large force of demons back through the gateway. The King of Tartarus Vorak, then challenged the general to single combat. After being bested, he agreed to surrender.” Twilight read.

“And he was quite the honorable warrior, and actually nice guy.” Nuada said remembering back, “Vorak is the one who lent Starswirl his book on the world’s origin, and worked with Tia to establish a trade agreement.”

“What!” Everyone said looking at him like he had two heads.

“Is it that surprising, you all know I knew the Sisters as young fillies.” Nuada said calmly, “I’d like to know why a succubus is disobeying the King?”

“Because I had too.” A voice said quietly. Everyone turned to look at the bound figure who was looking up at the ceiling from her back, “You don’t know what it’s like down there. The strongest rule, those who are weak either become slaves or die.”

“I spent a tour down there.” Nuada said, “I was under the impression that King Vorak was working on changing that.”

“He was, but his power only really extends so far. Most demons were offended that he would bow to the Princesses and left to outer rim, far enough away that his power couldn’t reach them.” She said.

“Right so why are you up here?” Nuada asked kneeling before her.

“My family has lived just on the inside edge of the kingdom, by the rim, one day a very strong demon came through and kicked my family out of it’s home. The rim it seems is getting over populated and demons are vying for new turf, raids and such are becoming more common.” She explained, “however the demon decided not to kill us outright. He wanted us as pets, to sate his needs.”

“My mother begged him to let us go, but he refused saying the only way was if he got out of Tartarus.” The succubus glared at Nuada, “Vorak is weak, so I snuck out the gate during a shipment. Hid as a pony and began amassing power.”

“I see, so suc-”

“Cinder my name is Cinder.” She said glaring at Nuada.

“So Cinder what is this?” Nuada asked showing her his arm.

“Brand of ownership.” She said, “see the one on my plot?”

“Yes, it looks the same.” Sparkle said.

“Ancient Succubus curse.” Cinder said, “if a non demon male is able to overcome a succubus’s power, and beat her in one on one combat, she must marry the stallion and live with him.”

“WHAT!” Everyone cried out.

“I thought Sexy here was some kind of demon, and I could overpower him, seeing as his magic is so weak, but no instead I get my flank handed to me.” She said sadly, “story of my life.”

“Um what happens if I don’t want to marry you?” Nuada asked feeling uncomfortable.

“Well for you nothing, for me I lose my powers and immortality, and would be forced to live my life as a magicless pony.” Cinder said.

“Interesting, when does this start to happen?” Twilight asked.

“I have one year to ‘whoo’ my owner.” She said, “anyway I failed call your princess and do what you will with me.”

“Nuada?” Sparkle asked seeing him deep in thought. Nuada’s mind was in over drive thinking about things, he knew he was gonna have a harem due being like Tenchi, and from what little he had heard from the few Displaced their ‘shows’ influenced their worlds. That meant that this girl before him was probably going to be one of it, she wasn’t to bad he thought, decent fighter, looked nice, but what about this mark of ownership.

“Cinder, if I do someday marry you, does the mark stay, and what is to keep you from leaving me then?” Nuada asked.

“What?” Sparkle asked glaring at Cinder.

“Once the marriage is consummated, the mark leaves, and the curse is broken. Nothing would be forcing me to stay with you.” She explained.

“I see, but I have a year to decide.” Nuada thought aloud.

“Um Sugarcube you can’t be seriously thinking of marrying that there pony, look at what she did to the folks around here.” Applejack interjected,

“Yeah she was all mean and everypony was like a zombie.” Pinkie Pie added.

“Yeah who cares if she loses her magic and becomes a normal pony, not our problem.” Rainbow Dash added.

“They’re right you have no obligation to this demon.” Sparkle said glaring at Cinder.

“She’s displaced.” Nuada said calmly.

“What? No she’s not, Displaced are much different than her.” Sparkle said.

“She may not be a capital D displaced, but she has lost her home, and yeah she did some bad things, but so have other ponies for worse reasons.” Nuada explained, “Cinder can you promise to not attack other ponies except in cases of self defense, and become a productive member of society.”

“What choice do I have?” She asked nodding her head, “I swear on my on my soul as a succubus that I will not harm ponies except in self defense and become a productive member of society.”

“Alright you can live with me for a year, and we’ll revisit this then.” Nuada said removing the rope from her.

“WHAT!” Everypony yelled.

“Man you girls are so easily surprised.” Nuada said rubbing his ears.

Sparkle glared at him, but saw the honest relieved look on Cinder’s face. It reminded her of Ushio and then she sighed, it was the same thing, only this time Nuada had extended the hand, despite her telling him not to. The roles were reversed this time, the irony was not lost on her.

“I still don’t much like this but, I’ll follow Nuada’s lead.” Sparkle said removing her helmet, “Lieutenant Commander Twilight Sparkle at your service.”

Cinder looked between the two Twilights, “Um nice to meet you, why are there two of you?”

“I’ll explain later, girls please introduce yourselves.” Sparkle said waving a hoof.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia and wielder of the Element of Magic.” Twilight said tentatively extending a hoof to shake.

“A pleasure.” Cinder said disinterested as she shook the extended hoof.

“I’m Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie said coming in for a hug crushing Cinder’s ribs. “Oh my this is gonna be so great, new pony not a pony friend, Oh I can throw a party!”

Everyone watched as Pinkie dashed away leaving Cinder to deal with a now spinning room. After that the girls introduced themselves, except Fluttershy whom was still rather scared and ended up with Nuada introducing her.

“Lastly I am Nuada Lugh, Guardian of Equestria, wielder of the Light Hawk Wings, and I guess your new fiance.” Nuada said shaking Cinder’s hoof.

“And such a fine looking fiance too.” Cinder cooed as she shook his hand, “now what happens?”

“Well, I need to meet with Ushio, and then Sparkle can we get a ride home?” Nuada asked.

“Yeah.” Sparkle said putting her helmet back on.

“Ya’ll be careful now.” Applejack warned, “and Cinder I’m watching you.”

“Trust me it’s in my own best interest to behave.” Cinder said waving a hoof as she was led outside.

“Nuada hang on.” Twilight said holding his sleeve with magic.

“What’s up?” Nuada asked.

“I can see you want to sympathise with her, but she’s still from Tartarus, you should be careful.” Twilight said with the girls nodding their heads in agreement.

“I appreciate that warning Twilight, just remember never judge a book by it’s cover.” Nuada said with a look that told the girls to drop it, "Also please ask Pinkie Pie to hold off on the party for a few days."

“Welcome to my home.” Nuada said standing before his sacred tree Kirito.

“You live in a tree?” Cinder asked looking at the massive tree, “Where’s the door?”

“Right here, Kirito please open up we have another house guest.” Nuada said causing a portal to open behind him. “Please everyone come on in.”

Ushio squeezed past Nuada, and was followed by Sparkle carrying the bags in her magic. Cinder shrugged and jumped in followed by Nuada as the portal closed behind him.

“This is inside that tree?” Cinder asked looking around the homestead.

“In a sense it’s actually more like a miniature world that exists out of phase with our world, and the tree, who is known as Kirito, made it and opens the door back and forth.” Nuada explained, “I built the house by hand, it’s Neighponese in style you can say, because it was easier, and because Kirito controls this space, the area around the house is always a comfortable temperature, and he does a remarkable job with the seasons, when it comes to the farm areas.”

“Farm areas?” Cinder asked confused.

“Yup, about a quarter mile from the front gate is my farm land. I’ve got an orchard going and some other plants. Part of your responsibilities will be helping me tend to the plants.” Nuada explained.

“Um I’ve never much worked with plants.” Cinder explained, “Down in Tartarus we mostly only had weeds we foraged.”

“Well you’ll learn I’ll be right there to lend a hand.” Nuada said with a thumbs up, “Now then let’s get you a room.”

“Can’t I share yours?” she asked with a sly grin.

“Nope, Ushio, Bestla, and even Sparkle get their own rooms, it wouldn’t be fair for you not to get your own.” Nuada explained ignoring her attempt to seduce him.

“Who’s Bestla?” Cinder asked following Nuada along the walkway between rooms.

“She’s a space police officer, she’s out right now but you’ll meet her at dinner. She’s staying with us because her ship you saw outside is broken.”

“That giant metal thing is a ship, wait space police, I’m getting confused.” Cinder said her head feeling light and fuzzy.

“It’s okay we’ll take time and explain it all later, for now this is your room, right by Sparkle’s and Bestla’s. Why don’t you take a few to relax and get use to your situation, I’ll send Ushio to get you for dinner.” Nuada said leaving the confused mare in a plain room with what she decided was a very comfortable bed on the ground.

“So she’s a demon?” Ushio asked as Sparkle helped her load perishables into the new refrigerator that Bestla had fabricated.

“Yeah, I never dealt with her kind except once, and it want’s a good memory.” Sparkle said floating a bundle of carrots over, “I’m still surprised Nuada would just agree to letting her stay.”

“Oh I think I know.” Ushio explained, “A little after he took in Bestla, Twilight came over and he explained to all of us what world he was from and how he got his power. Apparently this Tenchi Muyo story was one where the main character got an ‘accidental’ harem and lived with five very nice, very different ladies. When he spoke with Mistress Change right before that whole nasty fight, she mentioned things from his source character would bleed over. So he must figure that we’re his accidental harem, and it’s not worth fighting it.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about that.” Sparkle said passing some lettuce over.

“I wouldn’t worry, Nuada seems like the guy who wouldn’t put up with a bad person in his home. Sure Bestla takes some liberties but she is a nice person deep down.” Ushio said happily.

“Right so who is this Bestla by the way you’ve mentioned her twice now.”

“She’s a galaxy police officer, her ship is the one you saw outside, she’s been working on it since she got here trying to get a distress signal out. Nuada took her in without much thought like Cinder.” Ushio explained, “She’s like a troublesome older sister, always trying to analyze Nuada and figure out his power, in her off time.”

“I see, maybe I can lend a hoof, I know a lot about technology now, and even how to merge it with magic, so maybe I can help her out. I’ve got about a week off, Commander needs me for the final push after that.” Sparkle explained.

“Final push?” Ushio asked.

“We found the Collectors origin point, Commander wants to take them out before they can do anymore harm. But he authorized a twenty four hour shore leave. I lucked out in that much more time passes here than it does in my world. Starswirl figures sixteen hours at home is around seven days here.” Sparkle explained.

“Well that’s nice, you’ll come back by after it’s over?” Ushio asked a little fear playing across her face. She hadn’t spent a lot of time with Sparkle, but she still is one of the two that saved her from Katago. The thought of her dying in a war twisted at her heart.

“I’ll make sure to come back over after it’s over.” Sparkle said with as much confidence as she could, despite knowing she could die at any point in the coming fight.

Besta watched her cameras in confusion, she had just watched as a small aircraft came back from town carrying Nuada, Ushio, some very strange kind of pony she didn’t recognize, and what looked like Twilight but didn’t at the same time. Running the energy signature against her database she found it was the exact same as the secondary mystery signature from the explosion of Katago’s ship.

“Interesting, so this must be that pony, from another dimension, that Nuada mentioned. I think I’ll observe her for a little while.” Bestla said to herself as she turned on a few cameras she had placed throughout the house in secret. Turing on all the different filters and scanning systems, a holographic three dimensional of the small home formed in the air before her. Dots representing all the residents formed showing locations. And readouts on energy levels started displaying.

“Nuada I was looking for you.” Sparkle said entering the storage shed attached to the house.

“What’s up?” Nuada asked as he pulled some carrots and potatoes out of a box. It had been some time and his farms had finally borne fruit so to speak. It had been a busy week for him as he had to harvest them all and take them home before they went bad in the ground.

“I forgot to ask earlier, Starswirl is holding another communicator like this one, but he needs a message to attach to it, before sending it off to other Displaced.” Sparkle said.

“Okay, would you mind sending it to him? I haven’t had a chance to learn how this one works.” Nuada stated holding the GXP communicator up.

“Sure we’ll just record it on my omni-hoof. I also infused the communicator into the omni-hoof so we can communicate at any time.” Sparkle said holding up her left front hoof a screen with a record button was projected.

“Okay how about this. Hello this is Nuada Lugh, Master of the Light Hawk Wings, and Guardian of Equestria. If you need assistance in any form and are of good alignment please contact me.”

Sparkle nodded as she hit the stop button, “I’ll send it to Starswirl now, I wouldn’t be surprised if you got a call soon.”

“We’ll see what happens.” Nuada nodded as he handed off a basket of vegetables to Sparkle’s magic and grabbed another basket loaded with different things.

“Ushio, can you got get Bestla from her ship it’s about dinner time.” Nuada called from the kitchen the smell of a stew wafted through the doors drawing Sparkle and Cinder from their rooms to wait.

“Okay!” She called back from where she was sweeping the floors. Ushio had just reached the little wooden arch that Nuada made as a point to use for the door in and out when Ushio saw a portal form and Bestal walk in.

“Ushio what a surprise.” Bestla said with mock innocence, “I was just coming in to see Nuada.”

“Uh hu, well dinner is ready, Nuada made vegetable stew tonight. We also have two guests.” Ushio said raising an eyebrow at the wolf girl.

“Really I wonder who they are?” she said skipping past the little bunny girl and towards the house.

“Bestla please behave, these two are gonna stay with us for a while.” Ushio said following her.

“I’m shocked to think, you would think I wouldn’t be on my best behavior.” Bestla joked with a smirk, “I will be on my best behavior for these fine ladies.”

Ushio frowned knowing she hadn’t mentioned anything about gender.

“Okay everyone we have a new addition to the household and a guest for a week. So lets all introduce ourselves.” Nuada said as everyone seated themselves around a small table. Nuada thought about having to make a new one to accommodate everyone. “As we all know I am Nuada Lugh, I own this house so my rules are law here. Kirito is the spirit of the tree that maintains this space, he’s a Jurai Royal Tree, you can ask him for help with finding anything in this space. Be aware though if I ask him to block something from you it’s for your own good don’t try to circumnavigate it.”

Ushio stood up and bowed, “I’m Ushio, I was rescued by Sparkle and Nuada a few months back. I’ve been taking care of the house chores like most of the cooking and cleaning. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Bestla of the GXP, Nuada let me stay here while I’m trying to fix my ship. It’s so nice to meet you both.” Bestla said winking at the two new girls.

“Lieutenant Commander Twilight Sparkle of the SR2 Normandy, please call me Sparkle. I am a Displaced, one of a group of interdimensional travelers separated from our original worlds like Nuada here. I am visiting for a week before I return to my new home. It’s nice to meet you all.” Sparkle said nodding her head to Bestla.

Cinder fidgeted beside Nuada, she felt self conscious and her normal self esteem felt greatly diminished. ‘It seems that mark has more effects to it,’ Cinder thought steeling herself. “I am Cinder the Succubus, Nuada defeated me in a fair fight and has won me as his new fiancee.”

Ushio and Bestla looked at her and raised their eyebrows at Nuada.

“Engaged in a day well well thats pretty quick.” Ushio stated forcing a smile, “congratulations.”

“My my how interesting, you said he beat you in a fight and claimed you. How very manly.” Bestla said looking at Nuada with a bit of a glare, “Seeing as he is so powerful it must have been an easy thing for him.”

“Yes he beat me quite soundly, and by the customs of my people he and I are to be wed within a year.” Cinder said tasting their jealousy in the air, even caught a small but strong taste off of Sparkle. Cinder relaxed into her old ways and continued to rub it in, “He was so manly the way he literally swept me off my feet before tieing me up.”

“Really now, swept you off your feet?” Ushio asked cocking her head but glaring at Nuada.

“Tied you up, my my you should have told me you wanted it the other way.” Bestla said with a smirk.

“Um girls I think there is a misunderstanding here. Sparkle help me out?” Nuada asked before he saw the smirk on her muzzle.

“But it’s all true, Nuada even now bears a mark on his right shoulder binding him to Cinder. It's a very important mark binding them together.” Sparkle said tossing her two bits in. Causing the other two girls to glare at him, the fury rising off of them.

Nuada nursed his cheek where over lapping hand prints were forming. Everyone else was laughing as Sparkle properly explained what had happened.

“So this was an accident, Nuada was just trying to stop you from enslaving Ponyville?” Bestla asked sipping some sake as they all ate.

“Yes I’m embarrassed to admit, he beat me so quickly too, I had thought I had the power to take down Celestia only to find out I was sorely mistaken. I found out a little later that he was the general of the princesses that had beaten our King Vorak in the first place. If I can’t hold a candle to him how could I hope to even scratch Celestia.” Cinder sighed tasting the sake. It tasted different but good and decided to shoot it.

“Now now Cinder sake is a sipping alcohol.” Sparkle said her face flush as she drank more sake, “You shouldn’t chug it. Hic. Excuse me.”

“Yes Princess can't hold my liquor.” Cinder snarked back drinking some more, making loud slurping noises.

"Now you stop that, I can hold my liquor just fine." Sparkle said stomping her hoof to make the point, but stumbled cutely ruining her attempt.

“It looks like Cinder is gonna fit right in.” Ushio said as she offered Nuada another helping while apologizing for the slap.

Author's Note

So here we are, another chapter Cinder is making friends, and Nuada has finally joined the ranks of the Displaced properly. Go ahead and message me if you wanna cross over, though I have two lined up right now.

No Need for Loneliness.

“Is everyone ready?” Nuada asked as they stood on the beach.

“I have a full charge on my blaster and a few tricks for these Collectors.” Bestla stated, patting her belt. She was in a tight fitting armored body suit with a belt full of supplies, she also told Nuada that she did have force field emitters in her shoulder pads that surrounded her with an invisible barrier that would stop most if not all attacks.

“I swung by the Cake’s and filled up on ambient lust energy, I’m gonna be good for a while.” Cinder said she wore a similar body suit that Bestla had made for her. It hugged her curves in such a way that Nuada had to fight back a blush as Bestla had helped her into it.

“Okay Ushio we’ll be back in a while.” Nuada said as he shifted in his Juraian battle armor, “I hope this is a short trip.”

“Me too, I wish I could go with you.” Ushio said sadly.

“I know, but for now watch the house. Twilight said her and her friends would come by tomorrow, and Celestia said she wanted to have some tea with you later today.” Nuada said with a nod, “Besides, we need you to watch the house for us.”

“I know, be careful.” Ushio said as a portal opened behind them accompanied by some bells ringing twinkle twinkle little star.

“We will be.” Nuada said as he walked through the portal.

“We’ll be back before you know it.” Bestla said following.

“Don’t worry we’re gonna kick some robot butt and bring back Sparkle.” Cinder said pulling Ushio into a hug before jumping through the portal and vanishing.

Ushio sat on the porch to the house, kicking her feet while chewing on an apple. It was the first time since she met Nuada that she was alone and she didn’t much like it. She began to shiver as she remembered her time in the cell on the Sonja.

‘Mistress Ushio, what is wrong?’ Kirito’s voice asked her through a mind link.

“Hey Kirito, I just haven’t been by myself since I got here, and with the others gone I started to remember where I was before.” Ushio told the tree spirit.

“I am sorry to hear that, is there something I can do to help?” He asked.

“Not really, Do you know when Celestia was gonna come by?” Ushio asked deciding that maybe doing some chores would help take her mind off things.

“According to Nuada, Celestia will arrive here around noon.” Kirito replied while displaying a clock indicating it was around 10:30am.

“Enough time to start some laundry.” Ushio thought, going to collect laundry. On the opposite end of the house from the kitchen a large building sat connected by the wood walkway. Inside were a couple baskets with various articles of clothes, mostly Bestla’s, Nuada’s, and her’s. She did note a daring pair of black pony panties and blushed, “I wonder if Nuada likes this kinda thing?”

“Master Nuada is more interested in personality than clothes.” Kirito thought to her, “However, he has shown signs of arousal when seeing Cinder’s plot.”

“Too much Kirito!” Ushio shouted while blushing profusely as she finished collecting the laundry and took it outside to the wash basin. Kirito had let in some lake water and warmed it up so it was hot but not painful. Ushio set herself to her task, and began scrubbing clothes against her washboard.

“Lady Ushio, Celestia is almost here, she should arrive in a five minutes.” Kirito told her, breaking her concentration.

“Thank you Kirito.” Ushio said sighing. She finished the pair of trousers she was cleaning and hung them up. Moving quickly, Ushio went to the kitchen and put a tea kettle on the stove that Kirito began heating.

“Celestia has arrived, I will let her into the courtyard.” Kirito said as Ushio pulled out the tea, before heading to the center courtyard.

“Ah Ushio a pleasure to see you again.” Celestia said as a guard stood near the arch for the portal.

“A pleasure to see you again Princess, I am sorry last time we did not have a chance to talk.” Ushio said remembering the last time she saw Celestia was in the puddle jumper as they were being rescued.

“It’s quite alright. I was hoping to see you sooner but, you know duties.” Celestia said smiling gently. “I must say this is quite a strange place, I did not know the sacred tree had this place inside it.”

“Kirito is pretty cool he maintains everything in here.” Ushio said spreading her arms indicating the entire subspace.

“Who is Kirito, I heard somepony mention the name before, is it the soul of the tree?” Celestia asked looking about.

“Yeah he is, Kirito say hello.” Ushio said looking to the sky.

“Lady Ushio, Celestia cannot hear my voice.” Kirito informed her causing Ushio to look confused.

“Is something wrong?” Celestia asked in concern.

“Kirito says you can’t hear his voice.” Ushio said, “but why?”

“Ushio only yourself and Nuada have ever heard my voice.” Kirito explained, “I don’t know why it’s that way, I was quite surprised when you actually could hear me.”

“Ushio, nopony in the last thousand years has been able to hear the spirit of the sacred tree. It only granted a few visions.” Celestia explained.

“Okay. Kirito, we can ask Nuada when he gets home, okay.” Ushio said with a smile. “I was just preparing the tea if you want to come in Princess.”

“That sounds lovely, do you have the Zebrican Red Tea?” Celestia asked as she motioned for the guard to stay where he was.

“I think Nuada has some.” Ushio said, leading Celestia into the dining area by the kitchen.

“Wonderful, I brought some cake with me that we could share.” Celestia said with a smile, watching as Ushio went about pulling the heated kettle off the stove and looked through the tea collection again. She prefered the mint Nuada had, but a princess guest should get her choice, she thought.

“That sounds nice, so Princess why did you want to have tea with me today?” Ushio asked, still confused that someone so important wanted to see her.

“To be honest; I was hoping to have tea with everyone, but I got Nuada’s message about having to help his friend.” Celestia said with a smile as she took a seat. “However, I did also want a chance to talk with you.”

“What would you like to talk about?” Ushio asked as she was bringing in the tea set. The smell of the tea soothed Celestia and helped her relax.

“I would like to know how you are adjusting, how Nuada has been treating you, and I’d like to talk to you about Katago.” Celestia explained with a grimace as she mentioned the tiger.

“I like it here, Twilight and Spike are very nice and help me out a lot. Once Rarity found out that Nuada and I wear cloths all the time she started working on designs, though Nuada seems to be avoiding her for some reason. Though after your invite to the Gala he finally went to see her, that day we meet Cinder.” Ushio said.

“It does sound like you’ve been getting along well with everypony. So how is Nuada?” Celestia asked before sipping her tea, giving a hum of appreciation.

“I’m kinda curious why one of the first things you and Sparkle asked are how is Nuada treating me. He’s been a perfect gentleman to me since I got here.” Ushio said as she pouted a little, at the repeated line of questioning.

“Sorry, but ever since Nuada got free of Nightmare Moon’s trap he has seemed a little off.” Celestia explained, summoning a cake to the table. It was a nice little strawberry topped, white frosted cake, from which she cut a slice for both of them.

“So I’ve gathered.” Ushio said before taking the cake offered. “Nuada explained to me about what he did before he was sealed, and everything after he got free up to rescuing me. He knows that he’s not acting like he used to but can’t seem to get ahold of his feelings. Some nights I’ve found him up at the training ground near here training with his bokken. When I asked what was up, he just said it was a bad dream and he wanted to work it off.”

“Strange, Luna hasn’t noticed this.” Celestia said surprised slightly, “Though she did mention she’s having a hard time tracking him.”

“That’s right; Twilight said your sister can enter dreams. Does she visit everyone?” Ushio asked.

“She tries to, but mostly she focuses on those who are suffering from nightmares. She has stopped in on all of your dreams, she was happy to see Nuada surrounded by so many ponies that care about him.” Celestia grinned and winked at Ushio.

Ushio blushed, remembering a very intense dream she had of Nuada one night, hoping that wasn’t the one the Princess had seen.

“Don’t get embarrassed Ushio, Luna doesn’t even tell me what she sees in ponies dreams. That and after Cinder, I’m sure your dreams are more tame.” Celestia said which caused the poor bunny girl to blush even harder.

“Um Princess, can we change topics please.” Ushio asked her face as red as the tea leaves.

“Of course, though I’d rather not ask, can you tell me about Katago?” Celestia asked her face adopting a mask of neutrality as she set her tea down.

“There isn’t much I know about him.” Ushio sighed as she also set her tea down. “He showed up one day on my world years ago. I didn’t pay him any mind, until one day I woke up in the cell Nuada found me in. Other children from my planet were taken and some children from across the galaxy were there too. We didn’t know what was going on and a lot of us spent a lot of time crying. We eventually found he was studying magic because he would talk to himself while he ran tests.”

“What happened to the other children?” Celestia asked already guessing the answer.

“Apparently forcing magic into someone isn’t the safest thing.” Ushio said shivering, “He said I was a freak because it didn’t kill me.”

“Oh I’m so sorry to hear about your friends.” Celestia said levitating Ushio over to her for a full hug, “and you’re not a freak. Different definitely, but not a freak.”

“Oh Princess. Why did he do it, why kill my friends?” Ushio asked crying into Celestia’s barrel.

“I can’t say for sure, I know that sometimes ponies do horrible things. But in a thousand years, I have never figured out why they do it.” Celestia softly said while hugging her tightly. They sat for a while just like that until the tears Ushio had held back until now stopped.

“Better now?” Celestia asked while nuzzling her neck.

“Yeah, thank you.” Ushio whispered, “Um, Celestia I have a question.”

“What is it?” Celestia questioned as she relaxed from the hug.

“I was wondering, if I might, well Twilight’s too small, but I mean you’re a Princess.” Ushio fumbled for words.

“Ushio, anything you need I would be willing to help with. In fact since we’re friends I’d like you to call me Celestia.” Celestia told her.

“Well then Celestia, as a friend, could I have a ride on your back?” Ushio asked shyly.

“Why certainly. Climb aboard! We shall gallop with all haste to the front lines!” Celestia cheesed with a broad smile as she lowered down, and Ushio squealed with excitement as she jumped onto the alicorn’s back. “Legs in front of the wings, arms wrapped tight towards the base of my neck where it’s harder to choke me.”

“You seem really knowledgeable about this.” Ushio commented as she got comfortable and Celestia slowly rose and moved about to help Ushio adjust.

“I’m old enough to remember the days when ponies weren’t so peaceful. Nuada introduced the idea to me during the war against Tartarus, I was just old enough to carry him at that point. We actually still have the training on our books, if we ever need to ally with the diamond dogs or minotaurs.” Celestia explained trotting out to the courtyard where she saw her guard give her a funny look. A smile placated him well enough and Celestia started trotting out to the forest.

“Sister how was Nuada’s?” Luna asked lounging on Celestia’s bed.

“Interesting, the sacred tree apparently houses a spirit, with power greater than either of us.” Celestia said tossing her crown and boots in a padded chest.

“What makes you say that? I read that it granted visions to special ponies, but that’s hardly amazing.” Luna asked.

“You know how Nuada said he lives inside the tree?” Celestia asked and got a nod back. “Well while I was in there I took a bit of a tour with Ushio. The tree is making a subspace, like what Starswirl theorized. Only instead of just making a bag twice as big on the inside like what we can do, the tree has made an entire habitat.”

“Habitat?”

“Nuada has a house, in a yard, next to a stream, with an orchard, and multiple plots of farmland, all inside a massive forest with mountains.” Celestia explained, “I flew for a few hours with Ushio just going out and about. I found no edge or wall. Nothing, not even a roof.”

“That sounds like an entire world. Are you saying the tree has made and is managing an entire planet?” Luna asked in surprise.

“I don’t think it’s as big as Harmony, but Ushio was saying they do get seasons in there too, the forest and farms are in a summer cycle. The house is kept at a constant late spring state.” Celesta said laying on her bed by her sister. “Oh and apparently Ushio can hear and speak with the spirit of the tree.”

“My word, that tree sounds impressive. How is Ushio by the way, I only saw her once when Nuada brought you back, and I glimpsed a dream.” Luna asked.

“Ushio is doing well, you should see her when you next have a free night. Something odd I noticed about her is her magic.” Celestia said.

“Magic? I thought Katago said magic didn’t exist outside of Harmony.” Luna asked confused.

“It’s very rare he said, and Twilight has told me that Bestla has said about as much as well. Apparently they both spent an afternoon analyzing one another. Anyway, Ushio was experimented on by Katago and magic user blood injected into her body. Ushio has shared that it was a failure as she never showed signs of having magic.” Celestia explained.

“You think she has magic?” Luna asked.

“I could feel it, she’s giving off magic like Twilight did the day I took her as a student.” Celestia said, “I don’t think she knows she has it though.”

“Did you tell her?” Luna asked.

“No I hadn’t, I wanted to speak with Nuada about it first, he may have some insight to help us understand the problem.” Celestia explained, “that and I’m not sure how she would react to knowing Katago’s experiment succeeded.”

“We should tell her soon, you know how bad untrained magic is.” Luna said nuzzling her sister.

“I will once I speak with Nuada, I was told to expect him in about a week.” Celestia said with a yawn, “anyway I’m going to sleep, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Until the morning sister.” Luna said leaving her sister to sleep.

Ushio felt cold and in the dark. Attempting to roll over she realized she was vertical and strapped into something. Eyes open in panic she realized she was back in Katago’s test chamber. Tubes and needles were injected into various parts of her body, as she struggled to breath in the amniotic fluid she was stuck in. She began to thrash about as best she could trying to get free.

Was all of that an illusion? She asked herself as she thought of Nuada and home. The began crying as she saw Katago enter the room talking to himself. Computers sprung to life and she felt her restraints tighten.

“Time to begin testing if switching the blood of a mana user into subject will grant ability to use mana.” Katago said his features glowing with red lines of energy is teeth larger and sharper.

Ushio renewed her thrashing as a shadow with silver eyes watched from a distance. Luna watched in horror as she relived the memory nightmare with Ushio, had Nuada not slain Katago Luna might well have done so herself. Luna kept watching, from what Celestia had told her and what her last visit had shown, Ushio hadn’t been alone for a single night since she was rescued.

“I will help you through this.” Luna promised quietly to Ushio before something caught her eyes. A small single little sapling poking out of the floor right in front of her. It looked like it had just grown through the metal plating. Looking around she saw more growing, and every second of the dream world had another one growing in. Luna looked over at Ushio and saw her eyes surrounded by a green aura. Luna watched as Katago ignored the scene around him and was operating a console that was pumping the blood through Ushio.

All at once the saplings turned into vines and tore through everything, glass shattered, Katago vanished under a sea of green, and Ushio was plucked from the test chamber. Luna sneakily followed the vines up as they punched through the roof of the room. A gentle cage protected Ushio as they ascended through layers of steel. Luna soon actually lost sight of Ushio as the vines ascended too quickly for her.

Luna broke through the dark and saw sky. Luna did a quick loop around diving behind a tree as she took in her new surrounding. Ushio’s nightmare had turned itself into a pleasant dream it seemed. A thick lush forest surrounded a clearing where Luna caught sight of Ushio.

Ushio was in a vine hammock petting a puppy that sat on her chest as a few other animals surrounded her. Flowers of all kinds carpeted the clearing and a old looking tree was leaned over providing shade. More curious now than anything Luna decided to walk up and speak to the dreamer.

“Young Ushio how fairs you this night?” Luna asked her form coalesced to her natural figure.

“Oh Princess Luna.” Ushio squawked in surprise, the animals shifted around her forming a barrier between Ushio and Luna. “Stop that you guys, Princess Luna is a nice pony.”

“They seem very protective of you.” Luna said watching the animals mostly relax but kept eyes on her.

“My friends here always protect me when I’m in trouble.” Ushio said as the vines shook and the tree branches moved. “Yes you guys too.”

“You speak to the plants?” Luna asked she remembered anything could happen in dreams but this was strange one for her most ponies didn’t dream of talking to plants.

“Oh yes they have quite the stories the older ones, and the young ones are so full of energy. But enough about my friends and I what brings you here Princess?” Ushio asked before her face fell. “I’m just dreaming aren’t i?”

“Ushio no pony is ever just dreaming.” Luna said striding forward to take a seat next to the hammock. “Dreams are very important, they help us heal wounds and show us our inner most desires. Some dreams can even tell us the future.”

“My dreams must be very mundane compared to those.” Ushio said snuggling the dream puppy.

“Much to the contrary, this dream is one of the most unique I’ve seen in a long time.” Luna said pointing around with a hoof. “The detail of the environment is amazing, few dreamers are this detailed. In addition usually when nightmares are involved, they are dreams that go arigh. In your case you managed to make a nightmare into a good dream.”

“Oh that wasn’t me that was the vines, I was trapped powerless in the test chamber. The vines are what saved me.” Ushio said emphasising.

“Yes of course.”

No Need for Travel

Nuada smiled as the portal from Starswirl left him right on the beach where they had left. It was a little later in the morning than he expected but not too bad. Nuada visually relaxed as he took in his world, it just felt right to be home. Bestla and Cinder arrived right behind him, and slumped down to the sand, the fatigue of the trip finally catching up with them.

“That was exhausting.” Cinder complained leaning against Bestla, “so much running.”

“I’ve been neglecting my own training.” Bestla said rubbing her legs, “but we saved Sparkle and helped stop an alien threat. We can take pride in knowing we did good.”

“Helps you got a bunch of new toys to mess with.” Cinder joked.

Nuada nodded, chuckling some, as a voice called to them. Ushio ran up and tackled Nuada in a hug, “Welcome back.”

“Thanks.” Nuada said giving her a hug back, then a thought crossed his mind, “how did you know we were back?”

“Kirito told me.” Ushio said smiling, causing Nuada to raise an eyebrow.

“Let’s talk over food, we’ve been gone for 7 hours and missed lunch.” Bestla said nodding everyone towards the tree, and helping Cinder up.

“Oh I can make us an early lunch.” Ushio said skipping across the stones, and into the portal that opened by the tree.

“So then Princess Celestia is able to move the Sun not by power alone, but because she has an affinity with it that makes it easier for her to do?” Bestla asked Twilight as they sat in her ship’s cargo hold turned lab.

“Yes I did some research after our last conversation, Princess Celestia informed me that we are infact a Geocentric world, and that our Sun and Moon are in fact orbiting Harmony.” Sparkle explained, “you confirmed this with your model of our system on your computer. What is happening when the Princess is moving the Sun is she is touching the mana the makes up a part of the sun and coaxing it into moving a little faster or slower, in orbit, but maintain the orbit. Luna is doing the same thing with the moon. They also told me that they think both are made of an ultra light mineral as they seem to have little gravitational effect on Harmony’s oceans. Our tides are mild but do happen. Based on your records, if we had a moon as dense as your home moon the gravity would cause large tidal changes everyday.”

“That makes sense, we have been researching these geocentric systems, and what we always see is no extra planets in orbit, and the mass from what satellites are in orbit seems very low. Our scanners state most of these have ‘sun’ like satellites made out of a core of Oganesson, holding a field of Argon around it. The slow breakdown of the Oganesson mixing with the Argon creating the ‘solar’ rays.” Bestal explained, “but the whole thing has a very short life in the cosmic view of things, only about 10,000 years.”

“Oh no does that mean our Sun is going to go out? Wait we have ruins here from 15,000 years ago what does that mean? Wait if the sun goes out will that hurt Princess Celestia?” Twilight started to freak out.

“Calm down, the readings from my ship was saying that the sun you have here is still very young, based on our data from other similar systems. What I think is happening is the magic is somehow stabilizing the sun and renewing it. From what little I’ve gathered the sun will be around for a very long time. But I’m curious how the Princesses are moving the Sun and the Moon.” Bestla said, “the moon could be the same but with a hard shell over the top of whatever core it has. If only I had my main ship, I could use its sensors to probe deeper.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask what is wrong with this ship, why can’t it fly?” Twilight asked.

“I’m not sure, I fixed the main drive unit but everytime I try to power it up it starts to overload and forces a shut down. The read outs don’t make much sense, as it says it’s over producing, but it’s only running at minimum settings. There are all sorts of wavelengths coming off of it that doesn't make sense. Then there is the fact that even with my comms array working all signals are scrambled. It’s frustrating, I haven’t told Nuada because I don’t want to trouble him too much more, but it’s looking like I am very much stranded here. At least until command comes looking for me, but it seems they haven’t come here yet and it is way past search and rescue time.”

“Don’t worry I’m sure they’ll be coming for you soon.” Twilight said giving her a hug. When she did this she noticed something odd on one of Bestla’s monitors. “Hey Cinder is acting strange on your viewing monitor.”

“What do you mean?”

“Right there, looks like she’s hiding by the potato field.” Twilight said a quill floating over and pointing at the screen.

“What are you doing there?” Bestla asked the screen.

Cinder sat and watched Nuada swing a farming tool at the dirt, some dust and earth flew off but nothing all that great. The power he had shown in the Collector ship wasn't in the swing. The way he walked was very relaxed, everything about him was like when she first started getting to know him. Very casual and relaxed, as she lived with him she sometimes forgot that he had actually beat her so soundly.

“But what about when he beat the collectors?” Cinder asked herself. Her heart was fluttering in her chest. She knew she was crushing on him, but didn’t really know much about him despite the last couple months she had spent with him.

*CRACK*

Cinder’s eyes widened, the handle of the hoe Nuada was using snapped and the head went flying straight into the air. Her body tensed as she was about to try and knock Nuada out of the way of the falling object. She made a whole three steps before the object landed in Nuada’s hand that somehow was over his head already.

“I guess I should consult a professional.” Nuada said with a sigh, “tool making is a lot harder than I thought. Or is it because I used wood from a dead tree in the forest for the handle?”

“Nuada is quite fast.” Bestla said after watching the event.

“Yeah, I noticed it when I first met him. He looks really weak and relaxed but he can move in such a way that guards look like foals.” Twilight said blushing at the memory of her attack on the human.

“Yeah it’s odd all readings I take of him make him seem totally average, when comparing to most space faring races, but then in rare cases like this I see his real reaction time and wonder if he’s faking on the tests.” she said looking at some data lines on another screen.

“Yeah, did you know he actually trained the original royal guards.” Twilight said as they watched Cinder stalk Nuada.

“Really now, I know he said he’s over a thousand, and adopted the princesses as siblings. He never mentioned that though. He doesn’t really act like a guard that I’ve seen.” Bestla said thinking back to the couple times she managed to get him to blush, and all the tests she ran on him.

“Yeah I asked the Princess about him when he first showed up, and in our Equestrian history books, volume three, obscure facts section, section 2 it explains that the one who taught our guards combat style basics and organized them acting as the first captain was a bipedal creature called a human. Not sure why his name wasn’t used.” Twilight wondered, after finding his real origin she delved deep into early equestrian history, but while his deeds were mentioned they never mentioned his name.

“Bet it’s because he asked to not be recognized.” Bestla said as she watched Cinder sneaking behind the farm shed. “Nuada is a very humble person, he will answer questions about himself and things that he has done, but he doesn’t brag and he downplays his actions.”

“Makes sense I guess, still curious how someone who shaped so much of our history can be so absolutely absent from the records.” she complained.

“I am more surprised that someone as strong as him can hide it. Look here.” Bestla pulled up the strange multidimensional energy residue from Katagos’ defeat. Next to it was an active feed of Nuada’s vitals.

“What’s this?” Sparkle asked.

“This is the energy he used to defeat Katago, and this is what he is currently putting out.” Bestla said showing the two feeds. Twilight saw that the current output matched into the first screen but that screen had some data flowing in strange ways.

“I don’t get it but the snapshot on the left looks to be feeding back on itself, but that shouldn’t be possible. Data can only flow in one direction.”

“I would normally agree, however my sensors can read energy in four dimensions.” Bestla said grinning, “I can read temporal fluctuations.”

“So then Nuada’s power is reaching back in time on it’s self, but that would be…”

“A paradox, yes it should be, but what is crazier is this is only partial data, it seems that this energy he manifested is reaching into other dimensional levels. I can’t even guess how far up it goes. His power may even allow him to cross over and affect other worlds.” she explained, “isn’t it fascinating?”

“We need to research this, it could change everything we know about magical science.” Twilight said eyes glueing to the screen.

“Trying, I only have this piece of partial data. I trust Nuada but even now I sometimes question if it really was him.” Bestla said, “Even Celestia collaborated the story, but I have investigated pretty much everything on that guy but I can’t find any of that power.”

“Very interesting, so do you know why Cinder is doing that?” Sparkle asked seeing Cinder take off running to the house ahead of Nuada.

“Doing what?”

I wonder how long she’s going to follow me? Nuada thought to himself as he kept a fraction of his focus on Cinder, she’d been following him just about everywhere sense they got back from helping Sparkle. Wait could this have to do with that thing Ryoko went through? Nuada dredged up the old memories of the show, they were getting clearer each time he thought of them. Nuada smirked realizing what must be happening, one of two things, and he could test it very easily.

“Man today was hard.” Nuada said aloud to the trees, “let’s see before I’m done with work I still need to clean up the toilet, and clean out the food storage for the harvest in a week.”

Nuada noticed Cinder trying to stealthily run off and towards the house, by the time he got back she should be part done with one of the chores if his guess was right.

“Kirito question, do you think there is any chance that Cinder was replaced by some strange marionette?” Nuada asked the tree.

“With the exception of your trip offworld she has not left my sensor range. There has been no strange activity around her beyond her infatuation with you.”Kirito told him.

“So she is crushing on me then, I thought that may have been the case. Well I can’t be surprised demons are biologically attracted to power.” Nuada said, “keep an eye on her please.”

“Of course I monitor everyone in and around the subspace. On that subject, Bestla has been monitoring you for a while now, are you comfortable with this or should I remove her access?”

“Let her be, you know I have no secrets here.” Nuada said waving it off and started walking to the house again.

Cinder was sweating and huffing after having cleaned the toilet by judiciously heat-sterilizing the whole bathroom without scorching anything, which was very tiring, and was now curiously looking at the food storage, completely at a loss. “How do you know if something’s gone bad? Or...is that what he was talking about at all?” Fresh food was a scarcity in Tartarus, at least where she was from, so she had absolutely no clue how to go about this.

Hay, she had little experience with any sort of chores, or housework, or anything domestic to be honest. Now that she thought of it, Cinder was starting to hyperventilate in panic, realizing she had no marketable or desirable skills of a lover outside of giving pleasure as her species was wont and known to do. “How can I impress him? I have to have some way to get him to marry me, not just because we’re bound, but I want him!”

Nuada wasn’t just powerful, he was kind when he wanted to be, fair otherwise, and was incredibly attractive by the standards she understood for minotaurs and satyrs which helped her easily find him attractive herself among everything else. Just thinking of him with her all heated-up from cleaning the bathroom and her rising panic was getting her-!

“Hey, someone cleaned the toilet, how thoughtful.” Nuada’s voice echoed down the hall, getting Cinder’s body to seize up, her heart pounding in her ears, steam rising from her nose and mouth as her long prehensile tail whipped about in anticipation. “It was kinda warm in there, did you do the cleaning Cinder…?” Nuada paused, seeing the literally steaming hot mare slowly turn a lascivious look his way, getting him to step back from memories of that look haunting him.

“Hello love~...I think it’s time we started talking about our marriage~....” Cinder cooed, before Nuada instinctively bolted down the hall, and her expression turned from come-hither to rage-lust. “GET BACK HERE!” Cinder demanded as she began chasing the frantic Juraian out of the house, across the fields, and out the portal into the Everfree heading towards Ponyville.

Bestla was face-palming watching Nuada tear through the forest dodging trees and the resident creatures. Cinder was burning a path through the flora and left some creatures tending slight burns. “Well at least we’ll have an easier road to town after this.”

“We should help him.” Twilight said watching the screen.

“He’ll be fine, and we can study him. Look at this data.” Bestla said the readings coming of Nuada were changing in addition they were noticing that his reaction time to speed was beyond normal means. The rate he was moving should have left him milliseconds to respond to seeing branches, however he was dodging them, moving with such grace that it was like a dance through the trees.

“Look at this read out.” Twilight said causing Bestla to change focus. The active energy signature Nuada was generating was starting to change slowly it was beginning to match up to the residue energy she had recorded from the wreckage of Katago’s ship. It wasn’t a perfect match yet but it was starting to take shape.

“Interesting.” Bestla said watching the energy feed, it was obvious to her that if this process continued it would match the energy he had used before. Just a few more minutes by Bestla’s estimation, and she would have verification of the multidimensional power he had used.

And at that point her feed went dark.

Author's Note

So a quick little chapter leading into a cross over with GameJunkie7 on his story Doorways, fun story worth a read.

No Need for Mare Talk

Nuada was still running through the Everfree forest at top speed, behind him was the rage lusting form of Cinder breaking through trees hot on his tail. Telling her, as he ran, that they couldn’t get married right now was a mistake, it seems. “Someone help me!” Nuada cried.

Clearing the treeline by town, Nuada barely noticed as he ran by ponies, and market stands. Dodging by Applejack with not even a wave, Nuada managed to duck Cinder’s tail as it grabbed at his hair. Nuada’s new GXP communicator beeped repeatedly, the image of a stone golem in a tuxedo appeared in the watch as Nuada kept running.

“Hi this is Nuada, sorry to be rude but I’m in a bind right now, please make it quick,” he said leaping over a cabbage cart only for now cooling Cinder to barrel right through it.

“MY CABBAGES!”

“Keep running, take the third door on the left.” A dry English voice answered, like the voice of a veteran butler.

“But that’s somepony’s house-.”

“Fifth door now.”

“Well I needed to see Rarity anyway,” Nuada said as he tossed open the door to Rarity’s and ran in.

“There’s no hiding Nuada-!” Cinder screamed as she burst through the oddly resilient Doorway, pausing in confusion upon realizing she couldn’t smell, hear, or sense him at all in the posh parlor.

“Where the buck is he?!” Cinder screamed angrily, her curse lighting one of the curtains on fire.

“What is the cause of such strong language? What if my dear little sister had heard?” Rarity huffed as she descended the stairs and put the fire out on the drapes with her magic, “My poor drapes, whoever you are you’ve…Cinder?”

Rarity had not seen the succubus since Nuada had taken her with him. The other girls had spent some time with her when they went through that vile forest to visit but sadly Rarity had been too busy with her fashionista work, so knowing her only from what her friends have said, Rarity was perplexed as to why Cinder was in her shop, beings she clearly wasn’t the sort of mare who cared for fashion from her third-pony perspective on her.

“Have you seen that stupid sexy idiot Nuada come through here?” Cinder demanded of Rarity, who frowned and flicked her ears in thought.

“No, and while I was upstairs, I heard nopony, or nobody rather come into my boutique before you did.” Rarity informed astutely, getting Cinder to blink and begin to steam and simmer again.

“What?! But I saw him come in here!” Cinder shouted, getting Rarity to recoil slightly, only for Cinder to begin roaring in fury and proceed to begin tearing her store apart!

“S-stop! Stop this instant!” Rarity demanded as she tried to grab Cinder in her magic, and yelped in pain as the demoness practically ignored her attempt to restrain her and ripped out of Rarity’s magic like it wasn’t there, which gave Rarity some backlash. The dressmaker whimpered as she sat on her haunches and held her head to try and mitigate the magical migraine, she’d not experienced magic backlash in so long she forgot how painful it was. “Ouch, ouch, ouch.”

“Ouch?” Cinder calmed down slightly in worry, the last month with Nuada and the girls had made her a little more aware of how soft others were.

“Dear you gave me a touch of backlash, ouch. Wait right there.” Rarity left the front area of the boutique and headed for the kitchen to put her horn on ice.

It was now that Cinder let her actions catch up to her, and looked around the scorched and demolished parlor, feeling like a total heel for what she did to somepony’s home and livelihood, as well as hurting them just because she wasn’t mindful of her anger and her strength.

*sniff* “W-what use could Nuada have for a dumb, useless brute like me?” Cinder demeaned, whimpering and sniffling as she laid down on the floor, curling around herself as if to shrink away from reality.

This was what Rarity returned to with fresh painkillers in her stomach and a cold compress tied to her horn, ready to ream the succubus out, only to stop in the Doorway in consideration upon realizing the strong mare was actually crying on her floor. Her good nature, as well as her romantic side latched onto this, connecting the dots from earlier, and realized; Cinder was in Love! It was the only explanation in her mind, for why a mare would be so desperate to find her stallion and be so irrational about it, her novels said it was so.

“Oh dear...stallion troubles.” Rarity uttered as she trotted to the shivering mare, and prodded her shoulder. “Cinder, Cinder you get up this instant! No self-respecting mare should make such a pitiful display of herself.” Rarity hypocritically chastised, since she waxed dramatic about the smallest things in public all the time.

“I have no self-respect. What mare with no idea how to even take care of a house, or cook, or clean normally can ever even consider themselves bride material?” Cinder wept more openly as Rarity frowned empathically down at the mare, realizing she indeed did have a problem, but just crying about it wasn’t the answer.

“Get up mare, I as a true Lady would be remiss to leave you to suffer. I have two things for you at the moment, advice, and ice cream.” Rarity stated with full seriousness, and Cinder sniffled as she looked up at the white mare.

“W-what’s ice cream?”

“I never want to go back to Tartarus, never.” Cinder affirmed as she shoved another spoonful of heavenly delight that was practically naughty into her mouth, the frozen dairy product steaming and hissing when it hit her hot mouth, the contrast so good to her that it helped calm her down and all kinds of fuzzy, relaxed feelings she wasn’t used to, but welcomed all the more for it.

“I haven’t even been there and I can sympathize if they don’t have ice cream. It’s a must for a mare to destress, even if it is rather risky on the flanks and barrel.” Rarity informed as she had her own huge tub of ice cream that she daintily snacked upon, having to use her hoof with her spoon since her horn was still sore.

“Succubi don’t have that problem,” Cinder said taking a large bite, squeeing slightly, “we have limited shapeshifting abilities and we can convert food into magical energy. If you ever meet a fat succubi, she’s doing it because whoever she’s seducing, is into big mares.”

“Oh I see.” Rarity said with a light blush, “so now that we’re both calm, could you share what happened?”

Cinder sat her tub of ice cream down gently on the end table and started down sadly. “It’s embarrassing for me to explain.”

“Well my dear please take your time and go slow, I’m here to help.” Rarity said slightly amused that such a open individual would be so shy about something.

“Well so you know how I have less than a year to convince Nuada to actually marry me or I lose all my powers right?” Cinder asked.

“So I heard.” Rarity said slightly frowning.

“Well I started trying to figure out how to do that with Nuada. You know what he likes, favorite foods, what kind of girls he’s into.” Cinder explained, “I was being really selfish thinking I could just seduce him like I’d done so many times to others.”

“What happened?” Rarity asked curious as tears started to form in Cinder’s eyes.

“I actually fell in love with him. I’m not sure when it happened but I know when I realized it. We were helping rescue Sparkle in her world from some really crazy space robot alien things.” Cinder explained, “and Nuada started to show how strong he was. We had been testing the enemy and found out, they couldn’t really hurt us, but Bestla and I could not hurt them either. Even a full strength buck to one barely dented it.”

“For clarity, how strong is your buck?” Rarity asked, knowing her dainty kicks were like a breeze compared to Applejack’s hurricane.

“Um full strength I can knock over a tree about 6 hooves across.” Cinder said thinking. Rarity gasped slightly, to knock over a tree like that is some serious power, and Nuada, she was told, wrestled this mare into submission.

“Well Nuada realized that they couldn’t hurt him if he used his light shield skill, and started to literally walk up to them and cut them in half with his light sword. Like he was only cutting vegetables for dinner.” Cinder explained.

“My word, he cut them in half?” Rarity asked, shocked to hear such violence from someone who had been such a gentle pony just a few weeks before.

“I’ve seen how peaceful Equestria is, but in Tartarus if you’re not ready to kill the other demon, you’re going to get killed. Nuada apparently knows this quite well as he just marched through there without even really trying.” Cinder said giving Rarity as sad look, the tears had started to fall and quickly turned to whisps of steam on her cheeks. “The thing about Succubi is we’re biologically attracted to power. It’s like ponies finding a well toned Stallion with long hair attractive.”

“Oh my that is rather true isn’t it?” Rarity said thinking of her Prince to be Blueblood.

Cinder smiled a little catching a taste of lust off of Rarity, “So we came back from that only a few days ago, and I realized that not only was he strong, he was kind, gentle, patient, hard working, honest, darn right sexy. I’m not even talking about his muscles~....” Cinder cooed, waving a hoof at her flushing face which began to start melting her ice cream a couple feet away.

“Ahem yes,” Rarity said interrupting as the other mare got a far off look in her eyes, “Nuada from what I’ve gathered is quite a catch.”

Rarity held her tongue about her own opinion, which was he could use some more aristocratic training to match his noble pedigree. But as per her romance novels she knew better than to insult a mare’s stallion, especially in this situation.

“Yeah, and then today, he was talking about some chores he had to do before he had free time, and I thought well why not help out, and that didn’t go so well.” Cinder said going back to eating her ice cream.

“Why, what happened?” Rarity asked.

“I realized I don’t know how to do anything. I just barely figured out how to use my fire and heat to clean in my panic. Aside from that, I literally can only fight and seduce ponies.” Cinder said breaking back out in tears, “I want Nuada to actually like me and he has no reason to!”

“What nonsense is that?!” Rarity demanded, getting Cinder to reel back in surprise at the unexpectedly outraged Rarity, who glared at Cinder reprovingly. “You are an amazing mare! You don’t know how to cook, clean, or whatnot? Learn! I’ll even help! Physically you’re everything every mare wants to be, as well as stronger than any earth ponies...save maybe Big Mac or Applejack, can hope to be. If you’re still around, it’s because Nuada is interested.” Rarity insisted, and Cinder perked up with hope.

“Do you really think so?!” Cinder asked gleefully, and Rarity nodded with a smirk and a tiny little giggle at Cinder’s complete turnaround.

“Certainly! Why, with your brawn and amazing good looks, and my knowledge of how to be a lady, I’m certain that we can turn you into a true warrior-bride yet!” Rarity gushed in excitement, realizing she might be able to coach Cinder into becoming a real-life version of one of her favorite romance novel series’ heroine; a warrior princess who courts a commoner stallion yet has no clue how to appeal to him.

However, Rarity’s enthusiasm was curbed when Cinder wrapped her in a painful squeeze of a hug. “Thank-you-thank-you-thank-you~!”

“Cinder! Ponies...are...squishy!” Rarity squeaked out, getting released abruptly by a blushingly embarrassed demoness who chuckled nervously.

“Sorry...so...where should we start?” Cinder asked, before twitching her ear and instinctively using a back hoof to scratch it like a dog.

“...First; manners….”

“Manners are hard.” Cinder slumped down on the floor.

“Tut-tut, my dear you can’t just slump. A true lady doesn’t slump, she sits daintily.” Rarity said demonstrating, “now then if you’re that tired we can stop practicing the prance for a little while and we can talk about eating proper table manners.”

“That I can handle.” Cinder said with a grin.

“Cinder stop that right now.” Rarity said with a blush.

“What I was eating a carrot.” Cinder said sliding the carrot out of her mouth. Whole.

“My dear that was not the proper way to eat a carrot. I’m not sure what that was but it wasn’t the way of a lady.” Rarity said blushing.

“Well then how does a lady eat a carrot?” Cinder asked confused.

“There are two ways, the relaxed manner you take small dainty bites like so.” Rarity took a very small bite off the tip. “Or in formal situations a lady is expected to cut her food into small bites and eat with a fork.”

As Rarity demonstrated, Cinder sighed and took a small bite, “why such small bites?”

“This way you can eat a little quickly and then you can talk without having your mouth full.” Rarity said taking a small bite.

“Again, why do I need to mess with my mane?” Cinder asked in confusion as Rarity had it curled in places.

“Why Cinder, as lustrous as your usually wild mane is, it’s far too feral a style for a lady. In situations involving dress, or finesse, you must look the part.” Rarity insisted, and Cinder looked at Rarity perplexed.

“But you have your hair like that all the time from what Twilight’s told me, and that’s even when you’re out doing things that are really not all that fancy-sounding.” Rarity sighed at Cinder’s naive observation.

“Are you sure? I thought wedding dresses were supposed to be white.” Cinder asked the fashionista as she was being measured, fighting an urge to add a bit of junk in her trunk as Rarity insisted on the dress fitting her ‘base’ shape and not have to be ‘filled out’ like Cinder at first suggested.

“Absolutely darling. White would just clash horribly with your blood red fur and your fiery mane, not to mention your ram horns. I believe you’d bring out the beauty in black, rather than the wonder of white.” Rarity insisted, demonstrating a strip of white and black cloth in comparison to their coats. “I’d look fine in white, but since my fur is white, I’ll need to add accents. You, however, need just black with your natural colors-.”

A loud thud in the front room caused both mares to jolt, and the two looked at each other before trotting to Rarity’s still-trashed front room to find a large chest in the middle of the floor, and Rarity opened it to gawk and gasp at the insides. “What? What is it?”

“Traditional Neighponese silk clothing! I’ve never been able to get my hooves on them before!” Rarity squealed in joy as Cinder looked at the note on the top, quirking an eyebrow and pointing it out to Rarity, who then pouted and put the kimono she was examining back inside before slamming the lid.

It was then that Rarity’s front door sprang open and a furred figure fell through it, rolling into the large trunk. Looking over the trunk was the still dog-formed Nuada, who was reading the note that was on the side of the trunk.

Cinder tasted Nuada’s unique scent on the Diamond Dog, and smirked at Rarity who was leveling quite the glare at the dog. Cinder followed suit, glaring at Nuada.

Nuada looked up and saw Cinder and Rarity glaring at him. “Dog or not, you’re still mine Nuada.” She looked him over, eyes glaring sultrily. “Especially if that tongue does what other demons say it can.”

“And I looked in the chest, that’s not enough to forgive you with, I expect a few shopping trips with you as my mule will do.” Rarity huffed. “And you will allow me to try and copy your fur’s texture if it’s wonderful in any way.”

With a sigh Nuada resigned himself to his fate, glad at least Cinder had had time to calm down. “This form is temporary, and any wedding will be a while away.”

“That’s fine, I’m sure we can work something out.” She said in a sultry voice, turning back to Rarity with a joyful expression. “Now, we were talking gowns?”

“Oh yes darling! I think a nice black gown rather than white would go with your natural color. Especially if we emphasized the shape of your body rather than hide it like a mourning gown.” Rarity said as she and Cinder trotted to the intact stairs, leaving Nuada to sulk in his misery.

“Stupid Tenchi….”

In the next room over Rarity and Cinder broke out into fits of giggling. “I can’t believe he couldn’t tell we weren’t mad!” Cinder gushed.

“You picked up quickly Cinder, I’m so proud!’ Rarity snickered, the two new friends leaning against each other as they enjoyed their mirth. “Keep it up Cinder, soon; you’ll have Nuada practically begging for more.”

“But I don’t get it still, why do males like being abused?” Cinder asked curiously, and Rarity shrugged.

“Cinder, the stallion mind is a thing we mares may never understand. I mean, really, I keep leading Spike on and he keeps coming for more. I mean, it’s sweet, but...I have no idea what’s going through his mind.” Rarity shrugged. “So I can only assume from my own experience and my novels that stallions are simply attracted to strong mares.”

“Well I have that down, I just need to keep the right attitude!” Cinder beamed, and Rarity nodded in affirmation.

“No go out there and march your stallion back home for being inconsiderate.” Rarity ordered, and Cinder saluted like Rainbow is prone to, and fake-stomped out to the parlor. “They grow up so fast….” Rarity sniffed with pride.

Author's Note

Nuada visits Bronze through the Doorways

No Need for the Law

“This is the area?” a husky heavy voice asked.

“Yes sir, the communications from Officer Bestla went dark here. There is a strange energy permeating the area I am unsure what it will do to our systems.” a robotic voice replied.

“Proceed with caution, send a signal to command informing them, also drop a relay beacon outside the energy’s field of effect.” the husky voice replied.

“Right away sir.”

Duncan, and Ushio watched from the edge of the kitchen as Cinder danced around the kitchen. “What’s happening?” Ushio asked fearfully as the demoness was actually cooking dinner. Cooking. Dinner. Without having been asked either.

“She’s been acting odd since Rarity’s, just the other day she took my shirt and mended it.” Nuada stated surprised to see that whatever she was cooking, the ingredients looked normal, “At least she’s not pulling a Ryoko.”

“What do you mean?” Ushio asked.

“You don’t wanna know,” Nuada said shaking his head, “let’s leave her be.”

“Okay, I’ll go get the linens in.” Ushio said before skipping out of the house.

“I swear, if she skips any harder she might touch the ceiling.” Nuada smirked after her and then decided to go about his own business for the day.

Nuada was back in Ponyville, his visits had became frequent enough he was thinking of seeing if Bestla could create a subspace door to somewhere in town.

“Restock on, cheese, herbs, milk, and eggs.” Nuada said to himself looking through his bag, “more mill-cut lumber, actually professionally made tool handles for the rake and hoe, and some more fabric for Cinder’s new hobby, hopefully this embroidery thing will increase her patience. Oh right her letter for Rarity.”

Nuada strolled over to the boutique and walked in. The bell rang and everyone in there paused to stare. The Gala was just a month away and every mare in Ponyville that was going was now hounding Rarity for her dresses or to have theirs altered. The boutique was silent for a full moment until Nuada waved and smiled. The loud din of conversation returned in full force and Nuada had to dodge ponies to get to the center where Rarity was discussing with a mare why she couldn’t just make her a dress for the gala.

“There is a whole month before the gala, you made those dresses for your friends in less time.” the mare complained.

“That was months ago before I got so many orders from all over to make dresses for other ponies. If you want I can alter a dress for you, but I simply cannot afford the time to make one from scratch. Amethyst you’ve known me for years now, I would make the dress in a heartbeat if I simply had the time.” Rarity said stressing her point about time.

“Alright I’ll take a look around at what is still here.” the purple mare said walking away.

“Please do, and next year please come to me sooner.” Rarity said waving her off.

“You seem busy.” Nuada said taking a knee to hug the mare.

“Oh it’s both dreadful and wonderful at the same time, I may have to hire some help if this keeps up.” Rarity said returning the hug, “now then what can I help you with, nothing wrong with the tux I hope.”

“Nope, Cinder just asked me to give you this letter while I was in town shopping today. You would be amazed at how much food a house of four goes through, if I didn’t have my own farm we would have starved by now.” Nuada said holding out the letter.

Rarity’s magic took it from him and she glanced through it, “I see, Cinder is asking for a pattern for a simple dress. Could you wait here for a moment while I fetch one from my studio?”

Before Nuada could reply Rarity was gone. Dodging the ponies milling around Nuada took a seat on the bench by her staircase. A few moments later he felt eyes on him, glancing around he spotted three pairs of eyes watching him from one of the dressing rooms. Judging by the size and height off the ground, he figured it was some foals and paid them no mind.

“See I told you he was weird.” Scootaloo said watching the strange creature sit up on the bench.

“Scoots just because he’s strange doesn’t mean he’s bad, I mean he’s the one who got everyone to calm down about Zecora.” Applebloom said thinking back to the first day she met him.

“And my sister seems to like him, she’s only complained about his manners a couple times when he was helping rebuild out here.” Sweetie Belle said remembering her sister praise the prince.

“But I mean look at him, he’s all tall and gangly, Rainbow Dash says he even flies, without wings!” Scootaloo said waving her hoof around.

“Well he is crazy strong, I mean he can keep up with ma sister and brother out in the fields when he trades work for apples.” Applebloom said starting to recognize how strange he was.

“And he’s really smart about things, and graceful. When I was watching him work he never slipped or dropped anything, and he moved so fast my eyes started to spin.” Sweetie agreed.

“So we agree he’s strange?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yup!” “Yes!”

“But doesn’t seem inherently bad.” Scootaloo stated

“Yup!” “Yes!”

“So what do we wanna do?” Scootaloo asked them, “he’s so strange there must be something we can do to try and get our cutie marks.”

“Oh look at his foreleg.” Applebloom said drawing attention to the bottom of a sleeve.

“That’s actually called an arm.” Sweetie Belle said looking, at the bottom was what looked like part of a picture.

“Whatever it is, it looks like he might have a cutie mark.” Applebloom said.

“So should we ask him how he got it?”

Just then a loud screeching filled the air and all the windows rattled, the vase near Nuada started to fall, only for Nuada to catch it. Setting it down he looked at the window concerned, everypony was also staring out the window. Frowning Nuada saw what the source was and left the boutique after asking Lyra to tell Rarity he had to leave.

The crusaders were also watching the window, and they all saw a large object flying over the Everfree forest. Remembering months ago when Bestla showed up Applebloom realized what it was.

“Girls it’s another spaceship.” she said bouncing happily, “more aliens.”

“We should go meet them, maybe we can get our cutie marks in alien greeting?” Scootaloo said eager to get moving.

“I don’t know looks like it’s parking over the Everfree.” Sweetie Bell said concerned.

“It must have gone to Nuada’s place, and there’s a clear path there sense Cinder came through a few weeks ago.” Applebloom figured.

“Okay let’s do this.” Scootaloo said pumping her hoof.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, ALIEN GREETERS!” they cheered loudly.

Nuada was blazing over the treetops flying straight towards the GXP shuttle parked by his tree. Before he could get to it, the shuttle took off and left into the sky. Coming in for a landing he saw Cinder and Ushio holding each other, Ushio was crying and Cinder was flaring flame out of her nostrils very angry about something.

“Girls what happened?” Nuada asked as his feet hit the sand.

“Bestla’s been arrested.” Ushio cried.

“They said she was trespassing in a special reserve location. Specifically interacting with the locals. I had to keep Ushio hidden as Bestla told me, as they were coming down, they would probably take her too.” Cinder said, “stupid Bastards.”

Nuada ignored the curse and glared at the sky, they would probably still be nearby if he acted quickly he could probably pull off getting her back, might have to stretch some truths though. Flicking open his communicator Nuada put in a call to his one friend with a ship.

“Nuada? What’s going on?” Sparkle asked her face filling the screen.

“Bestla was arrested for trespassing in a special reserve location, specifically for being here on Harmony.” Nuada said, “would you give me a ride up there so I can get her out of it?”

“I suppose I could, but she did break the law shouldn’t she be punished for that?” Sparkle asked as the background around her started moving, looked like she was moving quickly.

“What are friends for if not for helping bail them out of a tough situation. Besides I have an argument that should fix the problem.” Nuada said with a smirk.

“Alright be over in a few minutes.” Sparkle said cutting the feed.

“Okay girls we’re going into space to save Bestla.” Nuada said, “grab some nice formal clothes we’re going to crash court.”

“We’re going to save Bestla?” Ushio asked.

“We’re going to try.” Nuada said patting her head.

It had taken Sparkle ten minutes to be ready to come in, and the minute she touched down Nuada was climbing into the ship, a large bag on his back. “What’s with the supplies?” Sparkle asked watching through her helmet as Ushio and Cinder also came in carrying duffel bags each.

“As much as I want to think I can just waltz in there in a half an hour and make everything right, this may take a few days, if you need you can just drop us off.” Nuada said as they finished loading everything.

“It’s okay, I was just staying at my room in Starswirl’s ship, with the commander arrested for ‘consorting with terrorists’ and all the stuff after that I just left, I still contact the commander and some of the team but right now we’re in a holding pattern till the Reapers actually arrive.” Sparkle explained closing the doors.

“Sounds like a lot happened since we last saw you.” Nuada stated as Ushio and Cinder strapped in, Nuada took the co-pilot seat.

“Only for about a week, after the alliance revoked my special enlistment status I went to Star’s to study and research.” Sparkle explained, “besides helping this new pony Comet Crusade deal with some stuff in his world, I’ve been taking it easy.”

“You’re always welcome to come by and stay for a while.” Nuada said patting her shoulder.

“Thanks” Sparkle said her her helmet hiding a blush.

“I can taste that Sparkle.” Cinder said from the back, “I bet a chang-”

“Cinder dear please be quiet I am busy flying and speaking with Nuada.” Sparkle said with a strained voice, her horn glowing as a magenta aura covered Cinder’s mouth keeping it from moving.

“I wouldn’t provoke Sparkle.” Ushio said quietly to Cinder, “remember she’s still an alicorn princess.”

Cinder growled and glared at Sparkle but relented and stopped struggling.

“Thank you, now then Nuada what is going on here?” Sparkle asked.

“Bestla was arrested for trespassing in a special restricted zone of the galaxy.” Nuada explained, “it seems that Harmony matches the Earth from Tenchi Muyo in this world.”

“I see and Bestla is a cop and should have known better, so what is your plan?” Sparkle asked.
“Have you ever seen and old show called Star Trek?” Nuada asked getting head shake. “Well they have something called the prime directive, basically the more advanced society has to hold to the less advanced societies rules for punishing law breakers, so I’m going to arrest Bestla.”

“WHAT!” all three females yelled.

“It’s simple if I can convince them that she’s currently carrying out a sentence at my home I might be able to convince them to let her stay, maybe even tack on some extra time to knock out two timberwolves with one stone.” Nuada explained with full confidence.

“Well I hope you’re ready, I have a ship on my sensors looks like they are preparing to leave orbit.

“As ready as I can be.” Nuada, “let’s hail them and see if they’ll talk to us.”

“Sir an unknown ship is hailing us on an unregistered frequency.” an officer said.

“Bring it on screen.” the captain said watching the viewing screen. He saw a small tube like shuttle, thing was obviously designed for short range travel, and could only hold two or three crew members, “is there any ships in the area, this looks like it couldn’t even handle travel within it’s own system.”

“No sir, other than the planet below being a blind spot due to the energy interference I can safely say there is nothing near us. I think it may have come from the planet sir. There is an energy trail coming off of it that matches the interference of the planet.” the crew member stated, “sir I think it’s a local’s ship.”

“Impossible when we went down they had no such indications of that level of tech, open the channel we’ll find out what’s happening.”

“On screen sir.”

“This is the GXP ship Hyperion, I am Captain Durin of the Galaxy Police, please state your name and intentions.” the captain said as the screen began to display two figures, one was covered in armor the body shape though matched the natives of the area, the other was a bipedal of an unknown race.

“Captain Durin, I am Crown Prince Nuada Lugh of the Equestria Kingdom on the planet Harmony. I have reason to believe you have trespassed on my lands and taken a criminal with you who was serving a sentence for damages to said land.” the bipedal said.

“Which criminal do you speak of?” the captain asked.

“First Class Detective Bestla. She was being held until a trial for the damages done to my lands and endangerment of my citizens could be performed.” Nuada said cooly.

“Nuada?” Bestla asked as she saw a group of officers escorting the tall hairless creature she had been cohabitating with.

“Silence Criminal, I am merely here to make sure you serve your sentence under proper supervision.”

Author's Note

I'm kinda back, been sitting on this for a while. I'm hoping to get back into it.

No need for Escape

“What do we have here?”

“Looks like someone tried to copy your powers and make a Champion of some sort.”

“I see and what do you think we should do with this one?”

“He is an innocent, however I would like to find the interloper, maybe send him on to his destination?”

“I agree, Young warrior take this part of myself, may it grow with your pure heart, and one day we will meet again.”

Nuada woke up from his nap on the stone floor, “Ah same dream again.”

Brushing his white hair from his face Nuada preceded to stretch out. He saw still in the 8 foot square room that had been his home since, that curse creature Luna had betrayed him. Across from the room by the hidden door that had trapped him there, her laughing silhouette sat laughing at him.

“Oy shadow, bugger off you know I can’t touch you, and you can’t hurt me, so shoo.” Nuada said shooing the shadow, which promptly slid under the crack of the door back into the castle. Nuada glared at the ward that had pulsed on the door for a millenia.

Timeless.

A special curse crafted by the Nightmare forces of old, it tied a creature’s life force to a place. While the caster lived the sealed room would preserve the contents, decay would be held back, and ageing was halted. The curse part was that living things would still note the passage of time, and as an immortal Nightmare Moon’s spell would continue until either she was killed or she dispelled it.

“So more image training.” Nuda said to himself, taking a seat Nuada pulled out a wooden sword hilt, the pommel carried three red spheres, and there was no blade. Using his will Nuada levitated the hilt in front of himself and began focusing.

Nuada was standing ins a large grass field. Before him stood a woman with teal hair.

“You’re back again?” she asked her kimono shifting in the breeze.

“Kinda stuck in a room.” Nuada stated, “you know this Ryoko, so more fighting?”

“Yeah yeah.” She said her previous clothes shifting to a skin tight red and black body glove, “you really need to get out of that little trap, can’t keep wasting your time in here.”

“I know that, but absolute rules on the trap.” Nuada stated pulling out a duplicate of the sword hilt from before, a blue energy blade emerging from it. The one known as Ryoko summoned an orange blade of pure energy and charged at Nuada, who deflected the blade and threw an elbow in her direction as she teleported away.

“Not bad, I think you’re as good as he was at when he met me,” She said laughing.

“Who are you talking about?” Nuada asked, leaping into the air with a sword slash.

“You’ll remember one day.” She said dodging over him and punching him, only for him to catch the fist and use it to spin out of the way and land a spinning kick in her back sending her to the ground.

The duo spent the next few hours clashing blades, parrying thrusts, and evading strikes.

“Well Nuada it’s been fun.” Ryoko said as they took a minute to rest, “but it’s time for me to go.”

“What it’s only noon, we spar far longer that this regularly.” Nuada said confused.

“Nuada I’m an imprint, a virtual life in this sword, designed to train you.” Ryoko said as the environment vanished leaving them in a black abyss, “We have spared for the last 1000 years now, almost to the date, you have grown much strong, your technique is strong, you know all the moves I have and then some. My time has come to an end.”

“Can’t we still hang out, I would go crazy if you left,” Nuada stated, “my sanity depends on you.”

“I’m sorry this goodbye is for a very long time,” Ryoko said a tear forming in her eyes, “besides I’m sure you’ll be out soon.”

“I’ll miss you Miss Ryoko.”

“Buck up kid, even the longest goodbyes don’t have to mean forever, I’ll see you around,” and with that the Virtual woman vanished leaving Nuada awake and in his cell.

“Goodbye ya old demon,” Nuada stated staring at the sword.

Three days later it happened

Nuada had gone to pure physical training in his cell, distraught with the loss of his one companion, he would cleave at the rune with his sword, only to have it deflected. As his last lights of hope started to dwindle he felt a shift. First he felt hungry, for the first time in a thousand years his stomach asked for food. Then he felt a pulse of energy and then the rune on the door went out. Finally he felt a presence in his mind, one that he missed for the last millennia, Kirito?

The presence was weak but Nuada knew his partner lived still alive. Using his beam sword Nuada cleaved threw the door holding him in, without the magic of the curse the stone was cut like butter. Collecting himself Nuada twisted his ring, his normal bland tunic and wrap pants, shifted to a more wood like battle armor and leather. Ascending the stairs Nuada cut through any door that was blocking his path. He didn’t care if it was Celestia and Luna’s castle he was out and his anger was growing again, and one of the sisters was in for a serious beating.

“Come now Luna,” Celestia said coaxing her sister to her new tower room.

“Is thou sure we should not be in the dungeons?” Luna asked following into the room.

“Luna I told you, you are forgiven,” Celestia stated, “now get in here I had this room made just for you.”

Luna nodded and entered the room slowly, looking around. Unlike Celestia’s room that she had seen earlier, this room had more blue and purple trimmings. The general style reminded her of her old room at the Castle of Two Sisters keeping to the old architecture, only a special balcony had been installed with a telescope on it.

“Sister it is beautiful,” Luna said examining everything, shelves lined with books, a few older weapons on walls, and the fluffy bed that she proceeded to jump onto causing the carefully made blankets to fluff out and become messy.

“I’m glad you like it,” the sun goddess answered giggling at her sister’s antics, “rest up we have an early start tomorrow.”

A knock came to the doorway, “Princesses excuse me.”

“What is it Captain Armor?” Celestia said as a stallion in guard armour walked in, his blue
mane contrasting his white fur.

“Your majesties scouts have reported a creature coming out of the everfree forest, flying roughly this direction,” the guard captain stated.

“What manner of creature?” Luna asked in her royal canterlot voice.

“Luna please volume down,” Celestia said holding a hoof to her ear, as Shining Armor tried to regain his composure.

“Sorry sister, we shall try,” Luna said embarrassed.

“Right the scouts described a hairless ape like creature covered in strange clothes that looked part wooden,”

“What?” Celestia ask using the canterlot voice for the first time in a hundred years. Shining Armor rolled back against the wall of the hallway. A second later a minor quake shook the castle. Celestia and Luna shared a look for a moment and rushed down to find the source, Shining Armor right behind them.

“Oy I demand to see your ruler!” Nuada yelled bannging on the ornate double doors of the castle. Behind him a group of guards lay knocked out.

“Come back tomorrow,” a shaky guard voice called out from behind the door.

“I will not,” Nuada hollered, “now open this door before I cut it down!”

As Nuada readied his sword he heard noise on the other side, listening in he heard someone say to open the door. Taking a step back Nuada watched the doors open. As the doors opened Nuada first saw the white alicorn princess, standing tall looking down on him from her slight height advantage. Nuada just glared back until he saw the billowy stary mane behind her, “LUNA!.”

“Hi Nuada,” Luna said waving from behind her sister.

“Don’t ‘Hi’ me you little brat!” Nuada hollered, charging right at her..

“Nuada calm yourself,” Celestia said as she caught him in her aura.

“Not until I have beaten that backstabber to my satisfaction!” black and blue sparks began arcing around Nuada’s held form and Celestia and to concentrate to keep him locked in place.

“Luna was cursed, Nuada she was not in control of her actions,” Celestia said panicked as her spell was beginning to crack.

“She seemed pretty in control when she locked me in that room,” Nuada said as the spell shattered.

In a blink he was before Luna a fist cocked high ready to strike. A blast to the side sent him sprawling into a wall. Shining armor stood defiantly in front of Luna glaring at Nuada.

“Calm yourself before we have to take you down,” he said as more guards formed up in a phalanx around Luna.

“Captain watch over my sister,” Celestia said as her aura took hold of Nuada again.

“What ar-” Nuada began flying thru the night sky with Celestia leading, at the top of Mt. Cantor they stopped.

“Let me go,” Nuada said straining against the spell.

*SLAP!!*

“The?” Nuada asked his cheek stinging.

“How dare you Nuada, how dare you do this, what has gotten into you.” Celestia asked tears forming as she began hugging him, “where have you been all this time?”

“I have been trapped in your old castle, in a secret room,” Nuada stated his body relaxing

Celestia looked at Nuada letting the spell fall, “What do you mean trapped in the castle?”

“Ask Luna about a spell called Timeless,” Nuada said his body tensing.

“I will, but can you forgive sister and come with me to the castle?” her eyes pleading with him.

“I can not forgive her, but it would be pointless to press the matter right now.” Nuada said.

“Please Nuada come home, we can work this out,” Celestia said a tear falling down her face.

Nuada looked away and shook his head before taking off towards the Everfree forest fast enough Rainbow Dash would be impressed.

“Princess was that really the First Captain?” Shining Armor asked as Celestia landed by the front doors where Luna and the guards were waiting.

“Yes it was Captain, but something seemed off about him,” Celestia said looking over to a large hole in the ground, it seems from when Nuada landed.

“The stories do paint him in a better light,” he said nodding to Celestia as guards Nuada had knocked out were checked by medics and taken to the infirmary. “Good news is that none of the guards were seriously hurt it seems, merely knocked out.”

“Nuada was the strongest warrior in Equestria one thousand years ago, but also the kindest, he refused to fight innocents, and would always seek to end the fight peacefully,” she said with a sigh.

“That wasn’t very peaceful,” Shining stated.

“Whe.. when Nuada was to fight his aim was to knockout his opponent, never ,” Luna said crying, “tis is all our fault.”

“Come we have much to discuss, I am sorry that we could not have a night to ourselves sister,” Celestia said leading them all inside after asking the guards to rope off the hole till it was fixed.

“He told you to ask about Timeless?” Luna asked her voice straining.

“Yes it’s a spell I am not familiar with,” Celestia stated holding Luna.

“That’s because it is a curse,” Luna explained, “a curse crafted by the First Nightmare.”

“First Nightmare?” Shining asked having never heard of it.

“When the world was young and ponies had yet to walk the world, other beings ruled. One of these creatures was referred to as the First Nightmare by Starswirl.” Celestia explained, “Starswirl thought that many forces from today could be traced back to these beings, such as the elements of harmony, and the nightmare forces. He only had limited information on them though as it was in a book brought to him from tartarus.”

“What?”

“That’s a story for another time. Please sister continue what is this curse?”

“Timeless is a spell that is placed around a container, it loops time in the area affected creating a seemingly frozen period of time. It’s base is similar to the preservation spells on the library in the old castle.” Luna explained quietly. “However this curse was cast by tying a portion of the life force of the caster to the area, meaning it would last as long as the caster lived.”

“This sounds as though Nuada shouldn’t be so mad, a time loop should have made the time pass without notice,” Celestia remarked thinking.

“This is where the curse part really shows. A living creature trapped in the spell would note the passage of time, they would live knowing they had been trapped. The curse stopping even death, the only result for a normal pony would be madness from isolation.” Luna stated, “Nightmare Moon wanted us to be rid of Nuada’s power over Light, knowing we could not fight him alone and win. We.. we,” Luna began sobbing.

“Luna, I’m so sorry,” Celestia said hugging her sister.

“Wait so if Nightmare Moon did this why is Nuada so mad at Luna?” Shining asked.

“Nuada was last seen a week prior to my conflict with Nightmare Moon,” Celestia said, “and I banished, her to the moon.”

“So Nuada was trapped for a thousand years thinking it twas I who betrayed him.”

Author's Note

First chapter please let me know what you think

(EDIT) cleaned up my formatting a little and changed some things around to make later chapters make more sense.