The next morning met Nikolai with several challenges. One was showering as he had no towels, another was how long he had been asleep. His clock was not much help, it might have been based on one he could read, but it ran BACKWARDS for God's sake. That and the Godzilla in the background....Nikolai's head snapped around and he looked back at his room. A figure he could see as his wife was near by. “Honey, come back to bed, you had today off. Don't go.”

“Okay then.” With that simple statement Nikolai walked back to the bed and lost himself in the now obvious dream. I wonder what THIS is about. Oh well, not looking this gift horse in the mouth. Time ceased to have any real meaning for the man turned pony. After an indeterminate amount of time, he did awaken to the real world however. The clock ran in the right direction, the sun was up, and he felt the little aches and pains that came with life. Getting up he wandered into the bathroom attached to his room. Last night he'd had a small journey of self discovery as using the facilities was no longer QUITE the same. His plumbing was still male and he still had the same urges in light of that discovery, but all in all, it was the freaking TOILET that almost did him in. He couldn't describe how it worked, what MADE it work or anything. The tub however he could use. It was a older than normal tub for him. He could have understood if the toilet was based on the medieval ones from earth; almost everything else was as far as he could tell.

But after a few minutes of re-figuring out the toilet, Nikolai showered. And as he did so an urge to sing and let his voice reign hit him for some reason. And so, giving in, he did. As he sang one of his more liked songs, he thought about how it applied to him now. It had been a song he liked since it seemed to fit him more as an expression of how far he had come. Now he looked back and saw just how much had changed, how much he was willing to do; all for the sake of killing the V'sori. As he reached the crescendo of the song, his voice hit the loudest it would be. Nikolai listened to his voice, it was echoing, loud and strong. It was almost as strong and deep in song as it was in life. He was almost exactly copying the voice of the man who sang the song. And as he listened in his head to the song and its high point solos, he sang out as he neared the end. The music seemed to play out loud and strong in his head as he came to the end. Getting out to the shower he dried off, he finished the song. As the song ended and the last few notes faded, he dried off. Opening the door, he finished drying his head and hair. A voice reached his ears as he stepped out.

=====================================

Floral Down walked back to the mysterious stallion's room, his clothes mended and cleaned. She was slightly more aware of the castle this morning for some reason. The castle's pulse throbbed in time to those inside, it's lifeblood. As she came to his door, she could hear a song. It played out louder as she knocked and then opened the door. The tune was more somber and melodic than usual for a moment of Harmony. A voice she could only guess was the stallion's rang out and sang his lyrics proudly. The passion in the words was awe inspiring. The implications of his words was even more powerful. A stallion who fought like one would have to to earn this moment of song would be quite a sight.

As he left the restroom, towel around his head, she asked a question quietly. “Did you really do all of that? Fly all those miles, Shake those hands?”

“Maybe not those exact numbers, but close enough some days. Can I help you?” he responded.

“Your clothes. I was bringing them back. The palace tailor mended the few places that needed it and then had them cleaned. They should be better now.”

“Thanks, is there anything else?”

“Yes, Princess Celestia wanted you to meet her and the Elements in the main throne room. Seeing as I was told to take you there I can wait here or outside.”

“Head on out, I wont be long.” His response while taking his clothes back was very subdued. After taking his things back, he walked back into the restroom; muttering under his breath. Floral shook her head and walked back outside. His scars weren't as bad as they had been last night. Thinking on it it might have just been the dim lighting making them stand out. While they were still visible, there didn't seem to be as many. And his size was a little more manageable in the day, now that she was expecting it. Still creeps me out though. How did he get so BIG? After a few minutes, the stallion walked out of his room and closed his door.

“Lead the way.”

“We are headed to a private meeting room, the Princesses wanted to meet with you in the morning; but seeing as you got up just before the evening, they can both still meet with you.” Floral began, trying to make small talk. The stallion was listening and walking just behind her, a few body-lengths back. His question caught her off guard, seeing as he didn't be seeming to be paying attention.

“Any others coming to the meeting or is it just me and the Princesses?”

“It was just going to be you and the princesses as far as I am aware. I am just a maid; things like diplomacy aren't my forte.”

“They ain't mine either.” his shit eating grin and comment were unexpected, “But until I wake up form this nightmare of a hellhole, I guess I have to deal with it.”

“Huh?!”

“That ain't for the likes of you to worry about. I take it we're here?” Morgue asked as they stopped outside of a room with a cracked door. The guards outside were a bit of a give away as well. As Floral nodded, he thought for a moment and then reached out with his hoof. A moment passed before Floral bumped hers into his. “Thanks for the help. Have a decent day.”

“Can I get your name at least?”

“........Morgue.” The door's slam was loud and final. And as she thought about it, he never slammed it. It just did that on it's own. That was definitely weird. I hope the others believe this when we go drinking to night was Floral Down's biggest thought as she stared and started to move away and finish her tasks for the day. He wasn't so bad, honestly. It isn't like he is a violent killer or anything-. Her musings are brought to an abrupt end as the stallion came flying through the wall, him and the Changeling queen attempting to kill each other via bludgeoning. WHY ME!? was her last thought as she took to the sky and flew for her life. As she left the area, her last task she had forgotten came back to the forefront of her mind. DAMN, I knew I forgot to tell him she was here I just hope they don't bring the castle down.

=======================================

The door's final 'say' in the conversation he had been having with the maid echoed loudly in the room as Morgue entered. He stopped to look around and take in the new environment he was in. The room was large, but not ostentatious. It had the feel of a private retreat, one used for business. His wife had...shaking his head, Morgue looked for the twin forms of the Princesses that he was supposed to meet. Seeing no-one in the room, he looked for a chair to sit in; a nice high back near a window looked just the right size for him. Oddly there were no other chairs the right size in the room. Sitting down gingerly was a challenge. Since he was now apparently huge, he needed even more concentration to avoid breaking things. A door was on the wall apposite him, but the window allowed him to see it, it was almost hidden from the one he entered by. Cheeky, but that is an old tactic. Unless they don't realize that the pane of glass right there is reflective. Granted, it wasn't until I sat down that I noticed it either... The door opened shortly after he got into the chair; all of maybe ten seconds had passed since he had entered the room.

“Really Chrysalis, Just because he was un-rouseable at the time we had initially put aside for the meeting is no reason to throw a mild tantrum-” began Celestia.

“Mild isn't how WE would put it.” muttered Luna.

“About nothing more than the various and sundry things we have and will be talking about after all of this is said and done. Oddly enough, this stallion's actions have inadvertently opened up relations between our domains again. And this time there isn't war involved!” The last line was delivered with a MUCH too happy tone for Morgue, like someone who was WAY too much of a morning person. Deciding that this was the time for him to interject, he spoke one simple line,

“A tantrum is easily dealt with by means of a time out.” With that said he got out of the chair and looked back at the three mares as they entered. Luna looked like she was torn between laughing and yelling at him. Celestia was just giving him a stink eye for something, probably sitting in her chair, and Chrysalis was shaking with a renewed rage. Her eyes burned as she opened her mouth only to be cut off by the stallion. “Ah-ah-ah! No talking while in time out, didn't you mother ever teach you not to do-”

The rage filled cry, and the body-slam into the wall were unexpected. As was the brief and extremely satisfying brawl that ensued. Today is going to be SO FUN! thought Morgue sarcastically.

=======================================

After the ensuing chaos was dealt with and ice distributed, the talks and verdicts began. Celestia, after quickly mending the wall and looking more than a little out of sorts, started the session.

“Alright, if that is all of that out of the way, lets get to business. As for your defense in this case regarding murder in the Changeling castle, we need your tale of what happened. But first, as is customary, Chrysalis is going to present her case. Chrysalis, if you please?”

“As you two know, the passing of the Secretariat Comet recently was the start and rather abrupt end of my failed plan to take Twilight Sparkle on as my 'apprentice'. That was to really get back at you Celestia for what happened after my failed invasion during the Royal wedding. After the Element Bearer's showed up, my plan was almost done. However, it was around that time three days prior when I received the sisters of Rarity Belle, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash; as well as-”

“Actually, Scootaloo is unrelated to Rainbow Dash, she is just very taken with her as an idol and role model. She might consider her a sister and Rainbow her one as well; but they are not related by blood.” chipped in Luna. Chrysalis looked over, initially annoyed, but more understating as the interruption went on.

“Yes, well; anyway- I received reports of something much closer had actually hit the desolate lands near my new home. Taking some Centurions with me, I went to look. In a crater around ten body-lengths wide and five deep we found a stallion who was bleeding. While my medics advised against removing his clothing to avoid further injury, they did say he seemed stable enough to move back to the castle. What isn't widely known is that a Changeling pod is capable of acting as a medical device. While in the pod itself, a individual's body is placed in a type of stasis. This can be encourage to do a few very specific things based on the Hive's or the individual's needs at the time. While normally used to keep a 'prisoner' sedated and controlled, if placed in a light coma and continually fed a very rich mix of fluids and Honey, healing can occur at a vastly increased pace.

While not usually used as such on ponies, my medics feared this stallion may die without it in as few as a two days. Seeing the opportunity for another backup should my plan fail I allowed it to happen. What happened next is actually not much more than speculation from the remaining guard and my own information gathering on this subject; but seeing as Morgue there actually began rampaging in the depths of the castle I feel it is close to actuate. SOMETHING awoke him, and then when he burst out of the pod, which for reference have held similarly sized dragons with minimal effort, after which he was 'attacked' by one of the two guards left to watch his pod. The guard in question was said to have spun around and hit him in the face with her spear. While he recovered almost instantly and reacted as we now know him able to, she was unable to take one of his blows. The guard was then EMBEDDED in the ceiling. Head first, up to her withers.” At this point, Chrysalis is pacing looking at the ground, trying to keep her facts straight. Morgue was rather subdued, merely listening as his own memories played out.

“After that, the story got complicated by the sheer level of chaos he wrought. The lives of no less then twenty of my soldiers were ended at his hooves and there may be more we can't even find. One witness stated he watched that stallion hit one of the guards so hard the mare exploded into a green mist! If that isn't enough, he then burst from the tower, bringing that down and killing many and injuring an excessive amount of my Hive. I got lucky that the hive nursery was located nowhere near him. His rampage, which was described as a, and I quote, 'Laughing lunatic slaughtering our fellows and calling out to a figure about how when he got to him, he was going to anally violate him is such a way with inanimate objects of various types that he would never shit correctly again', so on and so forth; the ramblings of a lunatic and insane individual. While I DO concede that his tale is tragic and the incident, while most likely an accident,require that amends made to me and mine. However, I want him NOWHERE NEAR my hive again, if it can be helped. If I invite him in, it is one thing; but I do not want him near by his own choice EVER. Which I believe ends my case in this.”

“That is quite the story. Is there any rebuttal form you Ser Morgan?” asked a somber Celestia.

“A few things pop up in my mind, but for the most part that is right. Here is what I remember-

=======================================

Nikolai was running forward, hitting the roaring warriors near him. The men were all to a degree the same build and size. Hulking mounds of muscle and rage as they clashed. In the center of the melee was a huge bear of a man with a fire engine red beard and head of hair. His right hand was encased in a metal gauntlet, to protect it from the heat of the weapon in his hand. A hammer or mace like weapon of considerable weight and power, the head radiating the heat of the forge that birthed it. It was known by many names, one more common than any- Mjolnir. The being in question was Thor. Nikolai waded through the crowds and reached the monumental warrior god. “Great day, eh?”

“AH! Morgan! What brings you to mine side today?” yelled the great being, as he swatted some of the warriors near him back into the raging mock battle. “Surely you aren't looking to fight again so soon! No matter how powerful you might be, there is only so many times one can be hit with yon hammer!” With that being said the two slammed together back to back.

“Nah, I am here to ask you a question. How long have I been here? No-one will answer that. I mean I know I died and all, but I need to at least find my family and since we don't really worship you all anymore...”

“I understand my friend! But such heavy matters are best discussed at the table, with a feast at hand and drink to follow.” the normally jovial god said with a serious tone, “Still mine Father might be able to assist you. Come to his table at the end of this night's feast and palaver with us. We might just be able to help ye.”

“Thanks man. I know there are rules and such that y'all have to follow, but in the end this isn't my paradise, despite it looking and feeling as such.”

“I know and it saddens me to think you still wish to leave. Not many have your skill and it truly is fun sparring with you upon this field!”

After a few hours more of extreme physical exertion, Nikolai heard the call to the tables in the food halls. Helping the warriors of Valhalla put themselves back together was always a unique experience.

“That is MY LEFT LEG.”

“Nay, you have my right arm!”

“Someone get my body, it lies under the pile over by young Morgan.”

“After he PUTS ME HEAD ON RIGHT!”

And like that, the post battle bickering began as who he was to help and who 'needed' his help more. It wasn't like they liked him or anything, it was just he was usually in one piece after the training battles. The few times he wasn't (and boy did that SUCK) they helped him as best as they could. So returning the favor wasn't all that bad, but by all that was holy their bickering was getting annoying. Sure, at the start it was hilarious, but by the what...three to five month mark...Still the food was amazing and while the Valkyries were pleasing to the eye, they weren't his wife. Oddly they seemed grateful that he wasn't pawing them every evening like the other warriors he was usually with (and they spared no expense at his lack of interest). When he was able to talk with them, the warrior-maidens were actually quite the repository of fighting techniques and skill. They tried to teach him to fight with many more weapons, but his knives still felt like his hands when he was asked about it, despite showing some skill with a spear and shield, as well as a staff and axe for some odd reason. Still that night, was both too fast and slow for the man out of time. After a few hours, he noticed Thor looking at him. Taking that as his cue, he waked quickly and quietly over to the table he sat at. “My Father is ready to speak with ye, just bear in mind he might not be able to help you.”

“I understand, I might not like that, but I DO understand.”

“Then come,” Thor stood and motioned to follow, “Let us see what he has to say.”

=======================================

“I wish I was able to help more, young one, but for you to return to the land of the living...”

“That ISN'T what I want. I know that is less likely than ice surviving in my Hell. I just want to talk to my wife and daughters again, once before I take the eternal torment I earned with my life. Guru sending me here reeks of a setup. And I can't tale that.”

“Why do you wish to not return to Midgard? Surely your family-”

“I thought I told you they died due to the actions of my enemies.”

“Nay, you hadn't. That does simplify things a tad.” The large and well built man with an eye patch and beard to make Saint Nicholas jealous stated after Nikolai said his piece. He stood and walked to a balcony. After initially meeting with Odin, Thor and Nikolai were led to a semi-secluded room, nearby the tables, but removed enough to have a semblance of privacy. Here Odin told them the simple truth. 'Once dead, a mortal is so hard pressed to return to the realm of the living most don't try merely due to the risks involved.'

“Can we help him?”

“Only he can help himself, my son. That doesn't mean we can't help him get started however.”

“And how would that be?”

“You need to go to Niflheim and speak with the Goddess, Hel. She MIGHT help you. This is oddly enough a case she needs to made aware of regardless.”

“Why? He died a warrior's death.”

“Simply put, he has said it himself- our ways aren't followed by many at large in Midgard. While he knows where he is, I doubt he understands it's importance that he is here. We Æsir are outside of any influence to help or hinder him. That does not mean we CANNOT do so should we wish.” states the old god. He looks back, “Come, I shall escort you to the Bifrost.”

=======================================

“Then what happened?!” call the three mares in suspense. The tension is astounding. Nikolai jumped a bit at hearing them. He realized he had fallen silent and began to speak again only for more voices to call out.

“Whoo-wee, that doesn't sound like it is goin' to end well.” muttered Applejack.

“I say, just what mythology is he talking about Twilight?” asked Rarity.

“I don't know, it bears a resemblance of the Raiders of the Ice, but the lack of normal equine terms is throwing me off.”

“Could you describe the Bifrost?!” oddly enough called out the rainbow maned pegasus.

“Why did they fight so much?” asked Fluttershy.

“So what kind of food did you eat? Any good pastries? OH! What was the 'drink' you mentioned!” quickly asked Pinkie.

Spike was quiet, just making notes, as was Twilight, but his were more general and at the same time focused on names. Only Twiglight caught this, but was unable to ask him about it as her friends and the three rulers all began speaking at once. She sighed and looked to the stallion of the hour.

Groaning, Nikolai put his head in his hooves. The headache had started and didn't seem to be going away anytime soon. This was going to take a while...He hoped he had the patience for this. God help them all, he was going to need it.

Author's Note

TOOK ME LONG ENOUGH.

any ways, enjoy this one-
I begin the story in earnest now! (maybe not in terms of updates, but hey as long as i put something down i win there right?)

Peace!