The Dragon King of Equestria

by Ausbrony

Rating: teen
Tags: Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Profanity, Gore, Violence, Crossover, Alternate Universe, Human, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Other, Adventure, Final Fantasy
Length: 78249

In a world filled with monsters and cities hiding behind magical barriers, a powerful entity awakes from a thousand year slumber. And the first thing he does? Give three little fillies unfathomable magical power!

Equestria. A world plagued by monsters. Their cities protected by magical shields, ponies afraid to step beyond the borders.

Four mares, friends for years and students of the powerful alicorn princesses, they possess the means to fight back.

And at their side, a dragon of unparalleled power. Sealed away for a thousand years, he is awakened by the very mares he now fights beside. But can he be trusted?

And what does he mean by "I'm not really a dragon?"

My own entry for the 'Displaced' series of fics. While I know they tend to have a dubious reputation, I'll try my best to provide you all with an enjoyable fic that brings the worlds of MLP FiM and Final Fantasy together.

Swords, sorcery and an awesome story. What more could you want?

Generously edited by Thadius0 he also providded much inspiration for this fic.

Edit: Featured the same day I posted the fic ; 6/02/16. Thanks so much guys and girls. I love you all~

Published 2016-02-06 00:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2018-08-27 01:07:34 UTC

Chapter One

Celestia sighed as her horn powered down. She had been casting almost non-stop since they arrived at the castle and even the powerful alicorn was beginning to feel a little drained.

“Well?” Luna asked, staring at the small drake. “Is it truly him?”

“Seems to be,” Celestia nodded. “Everything points to this being Bahamut, but his magic is almost non-existent. Even a weak unicorn foal could out-cast him now.”

“Well isn’t that just the fucking bees knees!” Bahamut frowned. “And quit talking like I’m not in the room. It’s rude and annoying!”

“You are hardly one to comment on our etiquette demon!” Luna turned and snapped at him. “Be grateful we haven’t obliterated you yet!”

“Oh? So go ahead then,” Bahamut said with a sharklike grin. “Come on Moonbutt. I fucking dare you!”

“Gladly!” The princess roared as her horn flared to life, only to be stopped by Celestia putting a hoof against her chest. “Sister? Do not try to stop us!”

“I can and will,” Celestia said. “If you kill him—”

“Yup,” Bahamut smirked widely and finished her sentence. “I’m connected to the little purple pony.”

“What does that even mean?” Luna spat and the dragon chuckled.

“Good to see you’re as bright as a sack of moonrocks!” Bahamut doubled over and laughed. Luna growled and fired up her horn again, only to have Celestia stop her.

“Luna, they share some kind of… soul bond. If you kill him, you kill young Twilight Sparkle as well.”

Luna paused and looked at her sister, her incredulous expression caused Bahamut to laugh again.

“It’s true,” Celestia nodded. “I do not know the details, but somehow, Twilight was able to not only release Bahamut from his seal, but command his power.”

“No-one commanded me,” Bahamut replied, his joyful demeanor gone. “I did as I wanted, for the first time…”

“Discord,” Luna spoke and Bahamut clapped his hands.

“Well, look who brushed the moondust out of her head,” he said. “Yes, for the very first time, my mind is my own. A thousand years is a long time to ponder the meaning of a great many things. You’d be surprised what I have remembered… and what I have learned.”

“You were conscious?” Celestia asked and Bahamut gave a sharp, barking laugh.

“You bet your sweet flanks I have been,” he replied. “I have heard every single word in this castle ever since we moved here. I like this place… and I miss Starswirl. He was delightfully snarky.”

“That he was,” Celestia chuckled, before catching herself and coughing daintily.

“And now she’s making friends with it,” Luna muttered and sighed. “Honestly, can’t we just seal him up again and pretend he doesn’t exist?”

“Ouch, that really hurts my feelings Moonie,” Bahamut clutched at his chest and groaned. “I thought we were the bestest of friends now.”

“Sister, if I can’t kill him, can I at least maim him a little?” Luna pleaded, but Celestia shook her head, causing the lunar mare to scoff and pout.

“So, how long do you intend to keep one of my students hostage?” Celestia asked, her stony expression didn’t faze Bahamut all that much though.

“Who knows,” the small dragon shrugged. “I mean, there are several outcomes to all of this.”

He took Celestia’s raised eyebrow as a sign to continue.

“Well for one. I could simply wait until enough of my strength naturally returns, siphon the rest from the cute little unicorn and retake my former glory,” he said, holding up one claw.

Luna’s horn shone dangerously. “We are considering that the needs of the many outweigh the few. I will be despised for it, but if I must sacrifice one unicorn for the sake of Equestria—”

“And that’s why I like you Moonshine. Always there to make the tough calls when Tia can’t. Heck, remember when Sombra attacked Equestria? Invoking a little Dark Magic yourself?”

“Do. Not. Speak of it!” Luna’s magic grew brighter, but Bahamut raised his claws in surrender.

“Hey now, don’t get me wrong. I was really proud that you fought it and returned to your little Loonie self. You’re much more fun that Angstmare Moon.”

Luna’s eye twitched as the glow died down a little. “...And enough of those bloody nicknames!”

Bahamut chuckled and looked at Celestia. “Isn’t she just the cutest when she’s all mad like that?”

Celestia had to admit. Luna really was adorable when she was angry. But still…

“And the second?” she asked, remembering Bahamut’s words.

“And that’s why you’re the big mare in charge,” Bahamut smiled. “The second. Is that I’ve only been up and about for an hour now. But as I’ve said, I’ve heard everything that goes on around here. And I know that ever since I showed up, Equestria has had something of a little monster problem.”

“So, is that your fault then?” Luna spat and Bahamut turned to face her.

“Yes.”

That… That honestly threw the sisters for a loop. They’d expected a rebuttal, but an admission of guilt like that?

“Explain,” Celestia said.

Bahamut sighed, he was still feeling tired after that filly sealed his power. Note to self, find out how the hell she did that. “I, when Discord called me. I don’t know what happened. I have thought about that day for a thousand years, and yet I can’t remember a thing before being sealed away, aside from who I used to be.”

“‘Used to be’?” Celestia echoed.

“Not important. But when I arrived… something changed. Equestria was set down a path it wasn’t supposed to take.”

“You mean, time was altered?” Luna spoke up this time.

“More like fate itself,” Bahamut said. “I do not know how Equestria was supposed to end up. But when I appeared, these monsters did as well.”

“So,” Luna said as her horn shone once more. “Does that mean if we destroy you, the monsters will vanish as well?”

“Maybe,” Bahamut sighed, causing the sisters to falter again. “But then again, they have been a part of Equestria’s eco system for a millenia. You may end up destroying Equestria as you know it. Maybe the monsters will vanish. Maybe only I and the filly will die, and you will be left without any hope at all.”

“Hope?” Luna stepped forward and lifted the tiny dragon with her magic and slammed him into the floor. “You think you’re hope!?”

“No,” Bahamut wheezed. That had hurt a little. “But those three fillies I gave power to? They are!”

Celestia put a hoof on Luna’s shoulder and shook her head. “Lulu. Go and check on those three please? I want to talk with him alone.”

Luna frowned and cast a small spell. “I will still hear everything in this room,” she said, before turning heel and walking out. Bahamut waited until the door closed and counted down from five.

“Moonlight has a pretty nice flank huh?”

He snickered when he heard a surprised shout and vase break from out in the hall.

“That was mean,” Celestia said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I want to ask. Why those three? Why give them strange powers. And how?”

“Well, in order then,” the dragon replied as he sat down. “One. The little purple one was able to hear me. I don’t know how. I have a lot of questions about her, and yet, I feel as though it will be a long time before I get answers. Two, the others just happened to be with her. I felt… something from them. I can’t explain it really.” Bahamut sighed as he rocked back and forth. “I’m going to level with you Tia. My powers are coming mostly from instinct right now. My memories are… scrambled, from whatever Discord did, or perhaps even before that. So I don’t know how I did it, only that I can.”

“So then, could you give them to anypony?” she asked, laying down on the rug.

“Maybe, but I won’t. This power could be misused. Greatly. And for some reason… I trust those three. They’re young, but that just means they have time to train. And…” He paused and wondered how best to word this. “There is one more I’d like to have along with them.”

“Oh?”

“You know her quite well… but seeing as how she’s off doing her own sort of training…”

“You mean…” Celestia’s eyes widened and Bahamut smiled.

“There must be at least Four. I don’t know why, but that’s how it must be.” Bahamut stretched his arms and sighed. “Your wayward niece will be their partner.”

“Cadence…” Celestia’s thoughts drifted to the mare and the reasonings behind her current sabbatical. “I’m going to have to disagree with you.”

Bahamut just shrugged and looked out a nearby window. It had been a long time since he’d seen the sky… or anything for that matter. “We’ll see…” he simply replied. “Now, I think I should speak with those filly’s, before the orange one learns how to burn things-”

There was another shout, before a maid practically bucked the door in.

“Princess! There’s a fire in the gardens!!”

“Called it,” Bahamut smirked as Celestia just groaned and shook her head.

It had a while since that strange monster had been defeated by the big dragon that Twilight somehow summoned. Once the purple unicorn awoke, the three new friends decided to get some fresh air in the gardens.

“So… how long do you think the princesses will be with that dragon?” Moondancer asked them as she looked at some flowers.

“Beats me,” Sunset shrugged. She was pacing around in a small circle as a multitude of thoughts ran through her mind. The foremost being the strange magicks conferred upon them. And more so, how could she make them more powerful.

Twilight was still feeling a little spaced out, and then suddenly winced a little as she felt some minor pain, like she’d just fallen out of bed with the gravity doubled. This didn’t go unnoticed by Moondancer, the filly running over to Twilight.

“Hey, you feeling okay?” she asked, placing a hoof on her withers. Her horn shone as Twilight’s body begun to glow with an emerald hue and she felt her pain vanish as the light soon faded.

“Wow, that magic is really something” the purple filly smiled. “Thanks Moondancer.”

“How can you use it so easily?” Sunset said, her tone hinting at jealousy. “I can barely get off a few sparks of it, yet my Unicorn magic is just fine.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Moondancer blushed and shied away from the fiery filly. “I just wanted to help Twilight…”

“Perhaps emotion is a factor,” Twilight said, already taking a book from her bag to write down notes. “Or maybe yours and my abilities need vocal incantations?”

“Why don’t we just ask that dragon?” Sunset frowned as she gave up for now. “He’s the one that gave us these powers. he should be able to tell us how to use them as well right?”

“I’d thought about that,” Twilight sighed as she lay down on the grass. “But he’s with the Princesses right now. And they looked pretty mad…”

“Yeah, I didn’t think Princess Celestia even got angry,” Moondancer added, then shivered a little. “Princess Luna’s pretty scary though.”

“No way,” Sunset scoffed. “Princess Luna’s totally cool, and awesome!”

“They’re the same thing,” Twilight giggled as Sunset shook her head.

“Nuh uh! They’re totally different. It’s cause you're not cool Sparkle. You wouldn’t understand.” Sunset crossed her front hooves as she stared up at the sky. “So uh… what do you think will happen with us now? Is one of us still going to become the Princesses protégé?”

The other two fell silent. In all the excitement that had passed, they hadn’t thought about that.

“Uhh, you don’t think she’s gonna be mad at us as well?” Moondancer asked hesitantly. “I mean… we did kinda run out there like that.”

The other two fillies fell silent. They only wanted to help ponies, but if they made the princesses angry…

“Y-Yeah, well, it’s all that stupid dragon’s fault!” Sunset stomped a hoof and frowned. “We wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for him. We wouldn’t have some freaky magic to work out. We wouldn’t be in trouble with the Princesses and one of us would have been their student!!”

“Well, aren’t you quick to blame everyone else for your problems, trite as they may be.” The new voice caused the filly’s the squeal in surprise as they turned around. Princess Celestia stood there, along with the diminutive form of Bahamut. The dragon smirked and folded his arms.

“Yes, I gave you three powers that nopony else has, so yes, your current predicament is my fault. But I believe a certain filly sealing away my powers and leaving me weaker than you lot is fair payment.”

Twilight’s face was flushed with embarrassment as she rubbed one foreleg with the other.

“And you are not in trouble,” Celestia said with a soft smile. “While it was extremely foolish to run off into that situation. You could have been hurt, or worse! But a lot more ponies went uninjured, because of the actions you three took. For that, I am most grateful.”

“W-Wow… the Princess thanked us,” Moondancer whispered to the other two.

“That said,” Celestia continued. “There is still the matter of selecting an apprentice…”

“Wait, you still want to do that?” Twilight blurted out as Sunset rolled her eyes and nudged her shoulder.

“Yes, somehow a monster got inside the Barrier. But it will not disrupt our way of life,” Celestia said. “And so it is decided that Luna and I shall instruct…”

The three fillies leant forward.

“That our decision is…”

Their ears perked up as they leaned closer…

“Our student will be…”

“Get on with it!” Bahamut yelled as the three fillies faceplanted out of shock.

Celestia giggled and lifted them up with her magic. “All three of you shall be taught.”

“All…” Twilight started.

“Three…” Moondancer added.

“Seriously?” Sunset said, ruining the train of thought.

“You three have such amazing potential, even before Bahamut intervened the way he did, this was the decision that Luna and I had come to.” Celestia knelt down so she could look them in the eye. “Honestly, each year we see so much potential in our students, but only select one. So… why not change that up a bit hmm? I’m pretty sure we could handle a few more students.”

“Famous last words,” Bahamut muttered under his breath. He looked at the cutie marks of the three and groaned.

“So we have Sunbutt Jr., Moonbutt Jr., and Starswirl Jr. Oh joy…”

“That is not the reason!” Celestia admonished him.

“Never said it was,” Bahamut smirked and narrowed his eyes. “You just did~”

Celestia just snorted and rolled her eyes. “Well, the last few days have been quite hectic. I shall arrange some Guards to escort you three home. Your studies will start next week, so feel free to spend the time with your friends and family. You’ll be getting rather busy in the future.”

“Yes Princess Celestia!” they echoed.

“Oh, and Twilight Sparkle?” Celestia turned her attention towards the purple filly.

“Y-Yes princess?” she asked in a timid tone. She wasn’t used to being the centre of attention like this.

“As you were the one that released, and sealed Bahamut here…” She nudged the dragon over to her and smiled. “I shall deem it your responsibility to look after him.”

“WHAT!?” Both Bahamut and Twilight echoed as they stared at one another.

“As it stands right now, Bahamut is quite harmless,” Celestia said, that enigmatic grin still plastered on her face. “He cannot hurt you without injuring himself. And after our talk, I feel as though we have misunderstood a great deal about one another. However…” Her horn shone and Bahamut was enveloped in a golden glow. “A little spell, that will allow me to listen in should I desire. And teleport Bahamut to his chamber if the need arises.”

“A bloody breach of privacy is what it is,” Bahamut muttered. “Well, whatever. At least Starswirl here looks like she could be amusing to hang around. At least until she returns my power.”

“Ah, that’s the other thing,” Celestia said. “Twilight Sparkle. Until Luna and I deem it safe. Under no circumstances are you to release even a single iota of Bahamut’s power.”

“AW WHAT!?” Bahamut yelled and glared at the mare. “What makes you think—”

“Yes Princess,” Twilight nodded as the dragon turned his glare on her.

“Oh aren’t you just the obedient little puppy Starswirl? Who’s a good little girl, yes you are~”

“I am not a puppy! And my name is Twilight Sparkle. TWI-LIGHT!”

“Whatever, Twibright Sparkleswirl.”

“GAH!” Twilight groaned.

“Princess, although this is hilarious, is it a good idea to leave those two alone?” Sunset asked.

“Worry not Miss Shimmer, I believe this is the correct course to take. After all, you will require Bahamut’s help in understanding your new magic.” Celestia reached over and ruffled her mane. “Now, you three head home. Luna and I shall await your arrival next week alright?”

“Yes Princess,” Moondancer and Sunset said. Twilight and Bahamut were too busy glaring at one another to answer.

During the ride home, Twilight and Bahamut opted not to talk to one another. The carriage ride was so silent, you could hear the small squeaks of the axle, the clicking of the wheels against the cobblestone…

For Twilight, all she needed was a book and this would be perfect- Oh! She opened up her saddlebag and pulled one out. Ahh, so much better~

For Bahamut, this was like being sealed up all over again.

“Starswirl, hey, Starswirl?” he poked at the filly as she tried her best to ignore him. The increasing depth of her frown and flicking ear said she could hear him just fine though.

“My. Name. Is. TWILIGHT!” She finally yelled at him, throwing her book at his head. They both groaned in pain when it connected.

“Yeah, well then stop reminding me of Starswirl,” he muttered and rubbed his head. “You are seriously so much like him it’s scary.”

“And how would you know?” she said. “Haven’t you been sealed up for like—” she waved her hooves around. “—a million years?”

“A thousand, but let’s not get technical…” Bahamut would eventually come to learn that one must always be technical around Twilight Sparkle. “And yes, I was sealed away. But I could still hear and see everything within the castle.”

“How?” Twilight asked, setting her book down. “What kind of state did the seal leave you in? You didn’t appear to have a physical body…”

“No, the Elements destroyed those. I wasn’t quite as lucky as Discord there. He was just sealed in stone, I was obliterated and contained to an astral form.” Bahamut frowned and stared at his claws. “In hindsight, when you unsealed me… I probably could have become any form I desired. But after spending a thousand years thinking I was Bahamut, I guess the idea stuck.”

Twilight listened and nodded. “Waht! What do you mean think—?”

The carriage pulled to a stop and the door swung open. “Milady Twilight, we have arri-Guh!” The Guard was shoved aside as a mare with a light grey coat and a striped purple and grey mane. She really just looked like an older Twilight Sparkle.

“My little Sparkle-fairy!” she exclaimed as she pulled the filly into a bonecrushing embrace. “I was so worried about you!”

“L-Let… go… gaaaah!” Bahamut rolled around on the floor as he was suffocated along with Twilight.

Velvet set her filly down as kissed her head before looking at the dragon. “What… is that?”

“An annoying, disrespectful little imp!” Twilight exclaimed.

“The most powerful Dragon King in the universe,” Bahamut corrected her.

“I think I’m lost here,” Velvet said flatly as the now-recovered guard handed her a letter. She unfurled it and read over it. “Ah, I see now. Well if it’s a request from Tia, I can’t rightly refuse now can I?” She looked at Bahamut and smiled. “Well then, guess we’ll be putting up with you for a while then. Mr. Imp.”

“Alright, what the hell did Sunflanks write in that letter?” Bahamut asked, making a grab for it. Velvet held it out of reach and looked at Twilight.

“Still, becoming Princess Celestia’s student, I knew you could do it Sparklefairy~”

“Urgh, Moooom! Stop calling me that,” she pouted and folded her legs. “I’m a grown mare now.”

“Aww, but Sparklefairy is such an adowable name~” Bahamut cooed and Twilight threw another book at him, causing them both to yelp.

“Oh dear…” Velvet sighed. This was going to be a looooong weekend.

Bahamut didn’t even resist the urge to facepalm when he saw the filly’s room.

Books. Books everywhere!

All four walls were ceiling high bookshelves, save for the windows, one of which had a writing desk under it. But aside from that, he saw no other furniture.

Which only begged the question…

“Where… do you even sleep?’ he asked. Twilight’s horn glowed as the bottom row of one shelf slid out like a drawer, showing that a bed was hidden inside.

“Of course,” the dragon groaned and looked at her. “You realise you have a problem right? You realise that there’s a magical place called outside where all the other little fillies and colts play? Don’t you have friends, toys? Something?”

“Why?” Twilight asked. “Mom and dad are always busy with work. And my foalsitter just sits on the couch watching TV.”

“You could try playing with kids your own age. Or maybe a brother or sister…”

“I’m an only child,” Twilight said as she put her bed away.

Aaaand now the ‘mighty’ Bahamut felt like an ass.

“Sorry,” he said. “Well… hey. You have friends now right? Tia and Luna Jr. I’m sure they’ll…”

“I don’t need friends.” Twilight said flatly and left the room. Bahamut frowned and scratched his head. Then he smiled and poked his leg with a claw. Now, he had scales that masked the sensation.

Twilight did not.

“Ow!’ she yelped and turned around. “What are you—”

He poked again.

“Ow! Quit it!” she yelled louder.

He just smirked and poked once more. “Make me.”

It wasn’t long before the little unicorn was chasing him through the house, hurling books at him with her magic, then cushions when she ran out of those.

“What on Equus…” Velvet yelped when they tore past the kitchen and blinked. Twilight was… smiling? “Well I’ll be…”

An hour later, both dragon and pony were laying on their backs in the living room, panting heavily from exertion.

“God… damn…” Bahamut wheezed. “Why… am I so… tired…”

“I’m… tired… too…” Twilight retorted. “Stupid imp.”

“Sparklefairy.”

“Gah!” Twilight flung herself at him as the two wrestled, before Velvet stepped in to break them up, holding them in the air with her magic.

“Okay you two, that’s enough,” she scolded them lightly. “Twilight, your father will be home soon. So let’s get you a bath and we’ll go out to eat to celebrate your success.”

“Yes Moooom,” Twilight whined. She hated baths.

“Yes Moooom,” Bahamut echoed, earning a glare from Twilight and a bemused look from Velvet. The mare just shook her head and carried them both upstairs.

“And you as well Bahamut, you haven’t had a bath in a thousand years after all.”

“Eewww,” Twilight giggled and wrinkled her nose.

Bahamut just opened his mouth and exhaled, you could almost see his breath.

“Urgh, and we’re brushing your teeth too,” Velvet gagged. She opened the door with a little more magic and stepped inside.

This room was so… clean. Bahamut could see his reflection in the tiles and everything smelled like lemon or lavender. “Yeesh, someone likes cleaning a little too much.”

“It happens,” Velvet shrugged as she closed the door and set the two down. Reaching over, she turned on the faucet for the bath and filled the sink with some cold water.

“Mom’s a writer,” Twilight explained as she got her toothbrush. “And when she gets stuck or get Writer’s Brick…

“Block dear, Writer’s Block.”

“Ah, well that. Anyway, when she gets stuck, she just starts cleaning. Everything. I once had three baths…”

“And now I know where you get your crazy from,” Bahamut snarked. He yelped when Velvet lifted him with her magic and took a toothbrush.

“This will only hurt for a second,” she said with a gleam in her eyes.

“Brushing hurts?” he blinked before she began her assault on him.

[Scene Redacted for viewer safety]

“That was… that was…” Bahamut rocked back and forth in the corner of the room, wrapped in a fetal position as he glared at the toothbrush he’d just incinerated. Never again could that weapon of evil be used against anyone.

“Mom… that… that was just cruel,” Twilight shuddered, rocking in the opposite corner.

“So melodramatic,” Velvet sighed as she held up a bottle. “Bubbles or no bubbles?” She saw the raised eyebrow of her daughter and chuckled as she poured the mix in. “Of course, bubbles it is.”

Soon, both filly and dragon were seated in the warm water as Velvet worked the shampoo through Twilight’s mane and tail as Bahamut just reclined in the warm water and sighed. It had been far too long and this felt heavenly…

Then some water splashed in his face and he coughed and spluttered. He looked up as Twilight wore the most guilty ‘innocent’ face she could muster, whistling as Velvet rolled her eyes.

Bahamut stared at her for a moment longer, before closing his eyes and leaning back.

*Splash*

Bahamut sat up quickly as he saw Twilight’s hooves ready for another attack.

“Oh… you wanna fight?’ he growled as he mustered what minute power he had as the water started to swirl. “Then, let’s go to war~”

“Twilight! Bahamut! Nooooooo!” Velvet’s cries fell on deaf ears…

Night Light was a simple stallion. An astrologer for the Canterlot Observatory and magitech inventor, he’d just spent the last three days straight investigating how that monster got inside the city. No faults lie with the Barrier, and that beast had been far to big to smuggle in any othr way.

As he lifted his keys to the door, he heard his wife shout from within the house. She sounded… angry.

“Oh boy… I hope the couch is comfy,” he muttered as he turned the key and stepped inside.

He saw a sight… that he could honestly, without a doubt say that he hadn’t seen before.

He saw his wife, Twilight Velvet, soaked to the bone as she held two squabbling somethings in her magic. As the bubbles that encased them flew away, he was greeted with an equally soaked Twilight Sparkle, as well as a little black dragon.

“Uh… do I dare ask?” he finally said as Velvet looked up and sighed.

“No Night, no you do not want to ask as I may just explode.” She set the two down and wrapped them with towels. “Now. Do you two think you could at least dry yourselves while Mommy goes and has a mental breakdown.”

“Sorry Mommy,” Twilight replied with huge puppy-dog eyes.

“In my defense, she started it,” Bahamut waved a hand was he toweled himself. he suddenly withered under velvets gaze. “Heh… b-but of course, I escalated it…”

“Oh boy,” Night Light sighed. “You two be good for a moment. “I’m going to help Mommy and be right back…” Well, maybe a few minutes.

What, Velvet rocked the wet mane look~

He trotted upstairs after her as Twilight rubbed her head with the towel.

“So…” Bahamut asked as he finished. Scales dried so much easier. “Having fun yet?”

“What do you…” Twilight paused as her eyes widened. She… she was having fun.

“Having friends is pretty neat right?”

“You… you tricked me!”

“No, I just showed you that having friends can be fun. And,” he smirked and booped her nose. “It’s not my fault that you're easily tricked Starswirlsparklefariy.”

“Gaaaaah!” Twilight flung her wet towel at him and stomped off, leaving wet hoofprints in the carpet as she did.

Bahamut smiled as he pulled the towel off of him. ‘Okay, note to self. Acting like a kid again is a lot of fun.’

He had no idea what was taking Twilight’s parents so long, but it took a little over a half hour for them to return.

“Moooom, I’m hungry,” Twilight pouted, flopping over the dining table with a low groan. Bahamut was leaning against the doorframe, but his own stomach gave a loud rumble in response.

“Of course, sorry Mommy took so long,” Velvet said as she rubbed her head.

“Though she’d have liked to have taken longer,” Night said as he put the bags he’d left at the door on the table.

Bahamut stumbled and stared with wide eyes. Oh for fucks sake, he did not need to hear that.

“What?” Twilight tilted her head as Velvet cuffed her husband upside the head.

“Daddy says silly things to ensure they won’t happen again for a very long time,” she said in a low tone that just served to confuse Twilight even further.

“Wow, you want a collar to match that doghouse?” Bahamut chuckled, causing both ponies to blush. “Oh yeah, subtle nuances like that? I get them.”

“R-Righto,” Night Light coughed. “Since it’s Twilight’s night. Where would you like to go for dinner little lady?”

“Burger Princess!!” Twilight hollered, throwing her hooves up in the air.

“You don’t want to go somewhere… nicer?” Velvet asked.

“Nope. Burger Princess is totally yummy! And they have Princess Celestia dolls there right now!”

“Of course dear,” Velvet smiled. She fetched her bag and the family headed out, though they noticed Bahamut wasn’t following them.

“Hurry up dear,” Velvet turned around. “We don’t want to be out too late.”

“You… want me to come?” He blinked. “Uh, this is a family thing right? Just go. I’ll stay here and catch up on a thousand years worth of history.”

“Nonsense boy, we’re all family here,” Night said as he picked Bahamut up with his magic.

“Getting real sick of being treated like the family pet,” the dragon groaned as he was levitated.

“Ah, sorry about that. You’re right of course. I should have asked.” The stallion set him down and pat him off. “Righto. Shall we go. Together?”

Bahamut sighed and shook his head. “Well, I’m stuck here thanks to Tia. Might as well make the most of it.”

Twilight giggled as Velvet flagged down a taxi and they climbed aboard. This was gonna be great, like a second birthday all over again.

“Oh my, that is just the most precious thing,” Celestia giggled as she lay on a large plush pillow. She stared into a crystal ball, showing the events playing out half a city away. “First they played chasies, then the bath and now this. I don’t think I’ll survive the cuteness when they come back to the castle.”

She chuckled as an afterthought occurred. “Or Bahamut’s rage if I called him cute~”

A knock on the door jostled her and she turned her head as the ball dimmed. “Enter.”

The heavy door swung open and a guard entered. “Your Highness,” he bowed his head. “We have received a message from the Mountain Temple.”

“Cadenza,” Celestia whispered, before clearing her throat. “Of course. Please relay it now.”

The guard shifted uncomfortably and started to sweat. It was his job to relay messages. Word for word.

But this message…

“It’s alright,” Celestia smiled and nodded her head. “I’m well aware of how Cadenza is. Whatever you say will not be held against you alright.”

“Y-Yes your Highness. Please forgive me…” He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.

‘The fuck do you want now? First you send me to this little shithole, now demand that I come back!? Well, screw you! I’ll come back when I’m good and Tartarus-damned ready you demanding diva bitch…’

“Well now,” Celestia coughed delicately. “Seems the retreat has done her wonders. She’s so much more polite now.” She snorted and looked at the thoroughly embarrassed guard. “Thank you Stargazer. Take the rest of the night off. And expect a small bonus for keeping this between us.”

“Y-Yes your Highness. Thank you your Highness,” he stammered as he closed the door. Once he left, Celestia turned back to her crystal ball.

“I’ll worry about that in a bit. I need to see this~”

Twilight sat patently at the table while Night Light was getting everyone’s orders. Bahamut was just looking around, this place really reminded him of that other restaurant with a royal name. Right down to the 80’s disco theme decorations and design.

And even better? This place catered to Griffons.

That meant one thing.

“Meeeaaaaaaat~” Bahamut drooled slightly as he awited his chicken burger. Due to cows being sapient, they were off the menu. Chicken, fish and other stuff? That was all game~

“Righto, here we are!” Night said as he put the tray down. “For my lovely Velvet, one Prench salad and a side of fries with sparkling soda.” He placed the food in front of her. “One hayburger for me and for the dragon of the house…”

He put the monstrous thing in front of the drake. “Ultra deluxe ‘Humongous Carnivorous’.” This this was huge. It had about six whole chicken breast patties, cheese, bacon, eggs, lettuce, tomato, beetroot, onion and barbeque sauce.

“Ohhhh~” he drooled more, now needing a bucket to collect it all. “Thanks~”

“And for the princess,” Night placed a little plastic tiara on her head. “One Super Deluxe Princess Meal. With toy of course.” Twilight squealed with glee as she reached for the box, only to have it pulled away by Velvet.

“Twilight, eat some of your food first,” she said.

“Ergh… fine,” Twilight grumbled as she ate a single prench fry.

Bahamut was already killing his burger with great vengeance. ‘This. Is. DELICIOUS!!’ he mentally cheered as he powered through it with a pace that had a family of Griffons looking on in awe.

“Heh, one would think you haven’t eaten in a week,” Night Light chuckled as he sat down. Bahamut paused just long enough to raise an eyebrow at the bad joke before resuming his attack on the titan burger.

Twilight’s hunger won out over her internal battle with desire for her toy and had now mowed through her fries and was starting on her burger. She looked at Bahamut and out of curiosity, snagged a small piece of chicken with her magic and ate it.

The entire table suddenly fell silent as they stared at the filly.

“Twilight?” Velvet started.

“Did-Did you just…?” Night added.

Twilight made a few odd faces, before she opened her mouth and let out a window-rattling belch. The Griffons all cheered and thumped their tables as Bahamut couldn’t help it. He doubled over and howled with laughter.

“‘Scuse me?” Twilight blushed as Velvet sighed and dabbed the filly’s mouth with a napkin.

“If you get sick, don’t come crying to me,” she chided her.

“As if you’d turn her away,” Night chuckled, internally cheering for his daughter’s awesome display of stallion-y might.

“Well no… but my point stands,” Velvet said as Bahamut recovered and devoured the rest of his food before the newly omnivorous Twilight Sparkle could steal anymore.

Soon, the little filly was given her toy and she reached into the box, only to pull out a figure of a very pink Celestia.

“Uh… is-is the Princess… supposed to be so... “ Twilight looked at the toy similar to what one would at something stuck to the bottom of their hoof.

“Oh god, I’m so calling her Pinklestia,” Bahamut snorted as Twilight sniffed.

‘Let’s fly to the castle.’ the toy chirped in a tone that sort of sounded like the Princess.

“It just gets better,” Bahamut laughed. “This is the greatest toy ever!”

“It’s… it’s…” Velvet and Night recognised an incoming ‘Twilight-level’ meltdown when they saw it.

“M-Maybe it’s just a defective batch?” Night said quickly and took the toy. “Let daddy go and see if they have another one.” He hurried away as Twilight sipped her soda, her horn sparking on occasion.

And with her new powers, there’s a good chance a dragon god would sprout up in the middle of the eatery. That’d make a fun night for everyone.

Night Light returned a few moments later, and Bahamut could tell his magic reserves were low. He’d been casting a lot in the last few minutes.

“Haah, da-daddy… got one…” he panted as he placed the toy on the table. It was the same Celestia, only now she was the right colour, and her mane glittered in the light. Her shoes and necklace also shone like gold.

“Ohhh, it’s so pretty~” Twilight giggled and hugged her father’s barrel. “Thank you Daddy~”

“Anything for you,” he smiled and rubbed her head. The filly soon excused herself to go to the bathroom and Bahamut smiled as he poked the Mini-Celestia.

“Not too bad,” he said. “That’s some pretty good transmutation magic. You wouldn’t think it was the same ‘Pinklestia’ abomination a few minutes ago.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Night blushed and looked away.

“Hey, no worries,” Bahamut shrugged. “Twilight’s your special princess. I get it. You’re pretty cool parents you know. Even if she is a little coddled.”

Night and Velvet shared a smile as Twilight returned, Bahamut laughing at the toilet paper stuck to her hoof.

All in all… a nice evening.

Bahamut lay on the couch, buried in a nest of sheets and blankets as he sighed comfortably. “Ahhh, this is the life. And this is a comfy couch~”

Then he felt something poke his blankety wall. He shuffled around and poked his head out, only to come muzzle and snout with Twilight Sparkle.

“I… wanted to say thanks,” she said after taking a step back out of surprise. “I guess, you aren’t so bad after all.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re alright as well,” Bahamut replied and yawned. “You know, if you really wanna be friends, you could release my power and—”

“No.”

“Damn…” Bahamut shrugged and sighed. “Come on, just a little bit? I hate being so… powerless. I mean, what if someone took your horn away? And said they could give it back, but only if they felt like it? Well, that’s what it’s like for me.”

Twilight closed her eyes and shuddered. She didn’t like ponies touching her horn. “W-Well… I guess. But, even if I could. I don’t know how…”

“Take out that garnet you have,” he said. Twilight reached into her bag and held the blood-red gem in her hooves.

“This thing?”

“Yes, that’s my Magicite and that’s what’s currently holding my power. If you focus on that, you can release it. Maybe… think of it in percentages. Can you do that?”

“Of course I can, I love math!” Twilight nodded and held the gem. “So how much do you have right now?”

Bahamut closed his own eyes. “I’d say… about 6 percent.”

“T-That little?” she gasped.

“Yeah, well it was at zero when you first did it. I’d have died if Celestia didn’t release at least that much to keep me alive.”

“I nearly… I’m, I’m so sorry. Even after you saved us from that monster I—”

“It’s fine, my spirit would have just returned to the Magicite and I would have had to wait until you had enough magic to summon me back in a physical form.” He didn’t even want to know how a filly her age had enough to summon his true form in the first place. Just how powerful was she?

“Okay… I’ll do this,” she said and the gem begun to glow. Bahamut felt himself get a little stronger, at least until his body started to glow gold.

“Twilight Sparkle! What did I tell you?” Celestia’s voice came out of nowhere and Twilight squeaked and scampered away to her bedroom.

“Dammit Tia!” Bahamut yelled. “Come on! I wasn’t asking for all of it…” He groaned and he looked inside himself. Still, twelve percent wasn’t too bad. Some words floated around in his head and he smiled as he held up a claw, three small balls of Fire. Ice and Lightning orbited his hand.

“Level one magic unlocked,” he smiled. “That’s all I ask for.” He looked at the doorway Twilight ran through and closed his eyes.

“Goodnight. Twilight Sparkle.”

Chapter Two

Twilight Velvet wiped a tear from her eye as she watched her little filly adjust a strap on her saddlebags.

“I can’t believe how much you’ve grown up,” she said through her tears. “My sweet, innocent little filly.”

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. She just knew her mom was going to be embarrassing about this.

“It’ll be alright, I’ll be home on weekends. And I have Bahamut with me as well…” Though, that might have just added to her mother’s worries. Ever since she released a little bit of his power, not only was he now a little taller than her, he’d also become really quiet and kept to himself for the last couple of days.

The carriage that would take her to the castle had finished being loaded up with her luggage. She gave her parents one last hug and climbed aboard. But before Bahamut could get on, Night Light pulled him aside.

“Look Bahamut,” he said. His tone was stern, but caring. “We haven’t known you long, and I don’t know what you think of us ponies…”

Bahamut remained silent, but he was listening at least.

“Can you promise me one thing? Please, no matter what. Keep Twilight safe.”

The dragon opened one eye and looked at the stallion.

“I saw the way you two were on that first day you came here. Please, can you promise me that?”

“I don’t know what the future holds,” Bahamut finally spoke. “But I can tell you one thing. Twilight will be in all of them. I’ll make that promise.”

“Thank you,” Night Light said. “Now go on, before I get sappy.”

“Bit late for that,” Bahamut replied and climbed aboard the carriage. Velvet gave her daughter one last kiss for luck and the carriage pulled away.

The only sounds they could hear was the clickaclacking of the wheels on the cobblestones. Bahamut looked to his left at the unicorn filly and sighed.

“You’re not gonna start crying are you?”

“N-No,” Twilight replied curtly, which was followed by a sniff as she tried and failed to fight back some tears.

“Look,” Bahamut sighed. “Sorry I’ve been quiet the last couple of days. I’ve had a lot to think about. A few… inevitabilities I’ve had to really sit down and accept. I didn’t mean to ignore you okay?”

“Whatever,” Twilight folded her legs and pouted. She missed her parents already.

“Oh come on, I’m trying to apologise here,” Bahamut said and hung his head. “Well… guess I’ll just keep this then.” Twilight’s ear flicked and her curiosity betrayed her as she turned her head slightly to look at him.

And the book that he held.

“L-Like I care about some book,” she said.

“Yeah, I didn’t think this ‘Basic Principles of Alchemy’ would be your thing,” he said and held the book closer.

“Basic… the Updated Edition? By Transmuter?”

“What else?” Bahamut shrugged. “But if you don’t want it…” He flexed his claws as he realised he was holding nothing but air, the filly already flipping through the book with mad glee.

Bahamut just smirked at his victory and looked out of the window. He’d come to like Equestria, well, aside from the Princesses, but he’d just mess with them until he figured they were even.

“Bahamut?” Twilight turned to him as the castle drew closer. “What if the Princess is still mad at me?”

“Why would she… ah, for giving me a little power?”

Twilight nodded and clutched her book tighter.

“Don’t worry about it,” Bahamut said and ruffled her mane. “Let me take care of it okay? Worse comes to worse, I’ll tell her I brainwashed you or something.”

“I’m too smart to be brainwashed,” Twilight nodded. “She’ll never believe that?”

“But how would you know?” Bahamut smirked. “I could have brainwashed you to make you think you weren’t brainwashed?”

Twilight paused as that scenario ran through her head. She came to the most logical conclusion. “I just would.”

“If you say so… little sister.”

Twilight paused again. “Little… sister?”

“Well, I’m older and taller than you now. So that makes me your big brother,” Bahamut nodded. “Sorry Starswirl.”

“Stop calling me Starswirl!” twilight punched his arm with a hoof. She suddenly pitched forward when the carriage came to a sudden stop, but Bahamut caught her.

“Oi, you wanna be a little more careful!” he yelled at the guards pulling the carriage. “We don’t exactly have seatbelts back… here…?” Then he saw why they stopped so suddenly.

Princess Celestia was walking towards the carriage. And she looked pissed.

“Aw hell,” the dragon muttered. “Alright Twibright, stay here for a minute.”

“Don’t call me that either,” she said, then squeaked when she saw Celestia. Bahamut hopped out of the carriage and closed the door, putting himself between Twilight and Celestia.

“Hey there Sunflanks. Nice morning huh?” he smirked, but Celestia’s unwavering gaze didn’t falter. “Alright, did you steal the stick out of Luna’s flank? What are you so pissed about?”

“I told Twilight not to release your power,” Celestia said through a clenched jaw. “And she breaks that rule, only hours later!”

“I convinced her,” Bahamut said with a wave of his claw. “She’s like what… ten?”

“Eleven!’ Twilight called from the carriage.

“My mistake,” Bahamut nodded. “Anyway, she’s just a kid and I’m almost as old as you Grammy Tia. Besides…”

“Besides?” Celestia took a step forward.

Bahamut held up a claw and it sparked with lightning magic. “It would be a little difficult to teach these filly’s if I can’t use the spells myself, now is it?”

“That is beside the point!” Celestia started.

“No, it’s not,” Bahamut continued. “I can only access basic tier magic. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say I’m at around 12% power. You could still crush me without any effort at all. Well, you’d still kill Twilight along with me though…”

“Still hiding behind that?” Luna asked as she teleported in.

“Oh, heya Moonshine,” Bahamut waved. “Now that we have your combined intellect here, we might be able to have an actual intelligent conversation.”

“I will end you!” Luna growled.

“Meh, you do strike me as the type that finishes quickly,” Bahamut said with a wide smile.

“Of course, I end faster than anypony else,” Luna nodded, utterly missing the innuendo. To her confusion, Bahamut just laughed harder and even Celestia sighed and resisted the urge to facehoof.

“Look Tia,” Bahamut said once he’d calmed down. “It’s not Twilight’s fault alright. I needed a little more to function properly and teach them so they don’t hurt themselves or anypony else. Has that little bacon-haired one burned anything down yet?”

Celestia remained silent.

“I’ll take that as a yes. Twilight owes me five bits,” Bahamut smirked.

“Dang it!” the filly yelled from the carriage.

“Besides, don’t you think my ‘rehabilitation’ would go along if I were to teach them?” Bahamut made air quotes with his claws. “I found that I can get along with Twibright-”

“TWILIGHT. TWI. LIGHT!” the filly roared.

“Sparklefairy,” Bahamut smirked, one that grew when he heard her screams of rage. “So let’s see if I can get along with your other little ponies without feeling the desire to snack on them.”

“You’d eat ponies!?” Luna raged.

“I’d love to eat you Lulu~” Bahamut wiggled his eyebrows. Luna’s eyes widened and she took a step back.

“Bahamut… stop messing with Luna,” Celestia groaned, her earlier anger fading away. “Fine. But Luna and I will be observing all of your lessons. And you are to be within our sight at all times…”

“Oh, so I get to sleep with you as well, so bold of you Tia~”

That one, Luna got. She snorted and smiled at her sister.

Celestia sighed and turned around. “Go mount a cactus Bahamut.”

“Assume the position then,” the dragon smiled again.

“I can’t believe she hit me,” Bahamut groaned as he rubbed his head. Twilight was shuffling along as well, her own head pounding.

“Sorry Twi, I shouldn’t have egged her on like that,” the dragon sighed.

“S’Okay,” she mumbled. Her head hurt. “What did you say, I don’t get it. What position? Like yoga or something? Why did you want the Princess to exercise?”

“Er…” Bahamut paused. he felt as though he’d just encroached on dangerous waters and that Twilight Velvet would very likely cause him a great deal of pain if he didn’t choose his next words carefully.

“...I’ll tell you when you're older.”

“Aw come on!” Twilight yelled and winced when her head throbbed. A gentle light surrounded her and she felt the pain vanish. “Ahhh, that’s better,” she sighed.

“You’re welcome,” the quiet voice replied and the pair turned to see Moondancer standing there, a green glow fading from her horn.

“Moondancer!” Twilight giggled and ran forward, pulling the mare into a hug. The other unicorn looked rather terrified at first, but soon returned the embrace.

“You’ve already gotten pretty good at using Cure,” Bahamut nodded, noting that his own pain had faded. She’d already learned how to cast on multiple targets? “I take it that you’ve been practicing Moondancer?”

“Aw what? You use her name and not mine?” Twilight pouted as she released the hug.

“Moondancer has already reached the first stage of our training and we haven’t even started yet,” Bahamut pointed out.

“How am I supposed to practice?” Twilight riposted. “I can’t summon you!”

“Who said I was the only summonable creature?” Bahamut smirked as he beckoned for Moondancer to follow him.

“...I...WHAT!?” Twilight stood there. “You never told me!”

“You never asked,” Bahamut called back and Moondancer giggled. Twilight pouted again and ran to catch up with them.

True to their word, Bahamut wasn’t left alone with the fillies for long. Luna had first shift it seemed, and Bahamut raised an eye at the massive mug of coffee she was nursing.

“Wow Lunalu. You could drown a hydra in that thing,” he chuckled.

“You’re a dragon, care to test that theory?” Luna sniped.

“So prickly,” Bahamut shrugged. “Well, I guess we’ll wait for Bacon-hair to show up and then we can start on figuring out some sort of lesson schedule.”

“Oh come on!” they heard Sunset Shimmer yell from out in the corridor. “Those buildings asked for it!!”

“Um...wat?” Twilight blinked.

“Oh boy,” Bahamut sighed as the doors flew open and Sunset Shimmer was escorted in by two guards.

“I like this one,” Luna smiled.

“Flamebrain!” Bahamut called out. “What did you blow up?”

“It was one. Time!” Sunset frowned and glared at her guard escort. “Stupid hoity-toity nobles’ll think twice about calling me a commoner!”

“Hah!” Luna pumped her hoof in the air.

“Don’t encourage the little pyro,” Bahamut said. “She’s my student now and it’ll make me look bad if she starts setting ponies on fire.” He turned to the little unicorn and shrugged. “At least learn how not to get caught first…”

Sunset just grinned as she took a seat at the table, and a few minutes later, some of the palace chefs brought them out sandwiches and some juice.

“So, what’s going to happen now?” Twilight asked. “Will we be learning from the Princesses? Or from Bahamut?”

“Both,” Luna said, and shot a small glare at Bahamut.

“She’s just sore that i gave the Job Classes to you three, and not Celestia and Luna,” Bahamut chuckled.

“Why?” Twilight asked. “Why did you give them to us? The Princesses are much stronger…”

“And that’s why,” Bahamut said. “Ever heard the saying, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Moonbutt and Sunbutt have had a thousand years to practice their magic and that’s left them with a particular mindset. Younger ponies with far less experience can take to them much easier. Also…” He turned and looked at Luna. “I just really hate those two. They’re too short-sighted and narrow-minded.”

“Why you insufferable…” Luna went to stand up.

“See, you’re so incredibly easy to anger,” Bahamut said. “I like riling up Starbright, but that’s because her reactions are as adorable as all get out.”

“I am not adorable!” Twilight pouted, puffing out her cheeks.

“Case and point,” Bahamut nodded. “The first thing you’d do dear Loony, is try and find military applications for them. And Celestia would likely just lock the secrets away, deeming them ‘too dangerous’.”

“Are they?” Twilight asked him. “Are our new abilities dangerous?”

“If misused, yes.” Bahamut nodded. “It’s like any other magic. What would some well-aimed telekinesis do to a pony? Or a misfired Transmogrify spell?”

Luna shuddered. There were some… graphic horror stories about ponies failing that spell, as well as misfired teleports.

“But, the key here is that your skills? They are highly effective against the monsters outside the shield.”

“I’ve been wondering about that,” Sunset asked. “Why?”

“A good question Sunbutt Jr.” Bahamut cleared his throat and explained. “Those monsters? They’re like me. In a sense anyway. They aren’t from Equus.”

“Not…” Twilight tilted her head. “But monsters have always been around-”

“No,” Luna interrupted her. “They have not. The beasts that reside outside have only existed for a thousand years.”

“Ever since I arrived,” Bahamut clarified. “I don’t know if Discord summoned them along with me. Or if my arrival altered time and space, allowing them entry from wherever they once came.” It was one of the biggest problems that weighed on his mind. That his arrival had drastically altered this world.

“It still makes we wonder if you are the source of all of this,” Luna said and stared at the dragon. “If your… departure from this world will cause the monsters to disappear.”

“NO!” Twilight yelled, causing Luna and even Bahamut to flinch and stare with widened eyes. “You can’t kill Bahamut for something so… unproven for one. Not to mention unethical.”

Well, to say Bahamut was surprised was a massive understatement. The fact that Twilight was standing up to one of her beloved Princesses for him…

Hah! Luna must be friggen pissed right now~

“Y-You’re right,” Luna admitted, causing Bahamut to spit out his juice. Did… Did Moonbutt just cave to the whims of a filly? “I cannot believe a filly has more kindness than I. And to think I call myself a Princess…”

“To be fair, those were self-appointed titles,” Bahamut smirked. “If somepony stronger came along…”

“And then you ruin the mood by irritating me again,” Luna scowled. “Well whatever. Shall we start with what you filly’s are capable of in terms of pony magic? Celestia and I will need to get a gauge on what you can do before we are able to teach you more effectively.”

The three shared a look and nodded.

“And while you do that, I’m going to go and nap,” Bahamut stretched and yawned. “Good luck with Princess Stick-in-her-Butt. I’m outta here.”

The chorus of Luna’s indignant shouts as he left the room was music to his ears.

A few days had passed since the trio of fillies had come to live at the castle. They had taken to their studies like a moth to a flame, and seemed to endlessly soak up knowledge faster than Celestia or Luna could teach them.

The solar alicorn sat upon her throne, taking some time to attend a few royal duties that had piled up since then. No more incidents had come to pass like the Barrier breach, but Celestia knew it was only a matter of time before it happened again. Any and all investigations into the matter had turned up exactly nothing.

“At this rate… if one turns up again…” She wouldn’t rely on Bahamut or those fillies. She would not subject the ponies to that kind of danger.

One of her ears flicked as she heard a commotion from out in the hall. Somepony was shouting and she heard her guards running to the source of the noise.

“What in Equestria…?” Celestia went to stand up, just as the throne room doors crashed open, the unconscious body of one of her guards being the battering ram that did it.

“I thought I fuckin’ told you NOT TO TOUCH ME!” somepony screamed as another guard was hurled. A pink filly in her late teens strode into the room, her striped mane was disheveled and her eyes were narrowed with fury.

Celestia sighed and descended from her throne, first checking the guard that had been tossed. “Hello Cadenza,” she said flatly once she confirmed he was still alive.

“Ah, so the Bitch-God herself descened from fuckin’ heaven to greet me,” Cadenza smirked. “So what’s up Cakebutt? I thought you banished me to that shithole temple! What, miss me already? Or has Luna stopped giving you any?”

Celestia’s eye twitched. This had to be a mistake. There was no way Bahamut wanted her to work with those sweet fillies. “I am not the one that requested your presence…”

“Well now, isn’t that right fecking interesting,” Cadneza mused, casually wiping some of the guards blood from her hoof. “So who is it? Some pompous Prince found out I exist and wants my hoof in marriage? Cause all he’ll get is my hoof feeding him his own bleedin’ lungs.”

Ah yes, how could Celestia have forgotten that incident. Blueblood still had the scars from that encounter. Literal and mental…

“No, actually,” Celestia was trying so hard to remain calm here. “Someone from my past has resurfaced. And he has said that he would like to teach you.”

“Yeah, cause that doesn’t sound like a fuckin’ scam does it?” Cadenza spat. “Out with it Celestia. What. The fuck. Do you WANT!?”

“The Dragon God-King. Bahamut.” Celestia said.

For the first time, the pink pegasus didn’t say a word. She just stood there as the name milled around in her head until it struck a chord of recognition.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” she shook her head. “This is a pretty weak prank Celestia. Or had Luna’s lame-ass jokes finally robbed you of all your humor?”

“This is no joke Cadence,” Celestia enjoyed the visible twitch the pegasus got whenever her fillyhood name was used. “Bahamut has been revived, and by an eleven-year old filly no less. Not only that, he has bestowed some strange new magic upon her and two of her friends.”

Cadenza paced around the room, the remaining guards giving her a wide berth. The last thing they wanted was to mess with a mare half their size that could kick their collective asses with her bare hooves.

“Alright then, where is he?” Cadenza asked. “I failed to see some fecking big dragon on the way in.”

Celestia’s mouth twitched into a smile. This was going to be amazing.

Bahamut snored lightly on the huge bed. He’d been sleeping wherever he felt like the last week and today, he was in Moondancer’s room. These girls had been given a ridiculously huge living space and he had to say that the vanilla incense she burned in here was rather relaxing.

“He’s in here,” he heard Celestia from outside the room and sat up. He could sense somepony else… somepony he thought he recognised…

The door opened and Celestia walked in, followed by a pink pegasus with a chiseled scowl on her face.

“Are you drunk? I don’t see no fuckin’ ‘Dragon God’.” Cadenza frowned deeper and then she spied the small dragon on the bed. “Oi! Fat-Flanks.”

“Yes, you pretentious little bitch?” Celestia smiled sweetly. Cadenza had worn her final nerve.

“You’re kidding right? That little toy-thing there is Bahamut?”

Ahh, Mi Amore Cadenza. Now he remembered her. This was going to be fun. Seems Celestia was in a mood as well. Oh his day suddenly got infinitely better.

“Celestia. I swear I’m gonna break ya fecking jaw if you’re having me on here,” Cadenza said, her jaw set in place as she eyed Bahamut.

The dragon sat perfectly still, before slowly tilting to the side and falling over like a limp toy. He even made a small squeaking sound.

“It is a fucking toy!” Cadenza whirled around as Celestia stared past her.

‘Bahamut, I swear I’m going to eviscerate you!’ Celestia screamed internally. “Cadenza, he’s having a joke at your expense…”

“You’re a fecking joke is what it is,” Cadenza said and then let out the most filly-like shriek as something stung her flank. Celestia caught the flash of Thunder magic that Bahamut had shot.

“WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!?!” Cadenza whirled around, seeing only the ‘plush toy’. “Somepony’s gonna fucking die for that!”

“Whatever is the matter dear Cadence?” Celestia smirked.

“Something stung my bloody butt is what’s up!” she growled as she looked around. “And their entrails hanging from the ceiling will be next!”

“Such language, I doubt all the soap in Equestria will be enough to clean that out,” a voice said and Cadenza glared harder. Bahamut sat upright and grinned. “Hello Cadence. So glad you could join us here.”

“Celestia…” Cadenza said slowly.

“Yeee~eesss?” the princess beamed, her wide smile could barely be contained.

“Explain.”

“She already did Candy-Flanks,” Bahamut hopped off of the bed. “I am Bahamut, and it is I that requested your presence here in Canterlot.”

The expression on Cadenza’s face was… interesting. Internally, she was wondering how many pieces she could tear this lizard into before she started force feeding them to Celestia.

“As I understand,” Bahamut continued, ignoring her mental debate. “You’ve spent several years in a mountain monastery to try and… tame that wild temper of yours.”

“More like somepony was a little embarrassed her ‘perfect little niece’ wasn’t so bloody perfect. If only they knew what the Bitch-Queen was like when you really push her buttons~”

“Keep going, I dare you,” Celestia said, her horn crackling.

“That sounds like fun for later,” Bahamut said. “So Sunbutt sent you away. Well, I already knew all that anyway. What I don't know is how that little vacation went for you. Did you learn anything useful?”

“I learned some monks don’t take that vow of chastity very seriously~” Cadenza smiled.

“Marvelous,” Bahamut deadpanned. “But I’m talking about fighting. Did they teach you at all?”

“They tried,” Cadenza said and left it at that. Apparently their philosophy of ‘Do not strike out of anger’ was broken a few too many times for their liking. “Was okay I guess.”

“Excellent!” Bahamut smirked and looked at Celestia. “Can you fetch Twilight and meet us outside? I have a little gift for the returning princess.”

“This is only going to end in blood and screams,” Celestia sighed.

“Sounds like a bloody good time,” Cadenza hummed. “Throw in an orgy, maybe some hard cider and fat flanks as a pinata?”

“I like her, she knows how to throw a party,” Bahamut smirked as he walked out of the room. “Come on Cadence. Let’s go~”

“Don’t call me that if you don’t wanna die!” Cadenza roared and headed after him.

“I’m going to need medication for this,” Celestia groaned…

The alicorn soon met them in the courtyard, young Twilight Sparkle in tow. Cadenza spied them and smirked. “Took ya long enough you blo-” Cadenza looked at the little filly that accompanied her and her eyes widened.

A second later, the pink pegasus was hugging and nuzzling the hay out of her. “Oh bloody hell, she’s the most goddamn cutest thing I’ve ever seen!”

“I need an adult!” Twilight cried and held out her hooves for help.

Celestia teleported Twilight to safety and sighed. “So what are we doing here?”

“Easy, I need Twilight to release my power so I can bestow a Job Class upon Cadence,” Bahamut smiled.

“Absolutely not,” Celestia said. “No way is that happening.”

“Well I can’t bestow it upon Cadence,” Bahamut replied. “I don’t have the power.”

“I don’t have a bloody clue what you’re all prattling on about,” Cadence said, but her tone had lost a lot of it’s bite. “I just wanna snuggle that adorable little filly~”

“What’s going on out here?” Sunset asked and Cadenza whirled around.

“More adorable fillies!” she squealed happily and scooped up Moondancer and Sunset into a tight hug. “Oi Fat Flanks, how dare you hoard cute little fillies and not invite me!”

“I swear to me, I’m going to send her to the goddess-damned sun,” Celestia muttered. “And no Bahamut. I am not allowing the release of your power. That is that. End of story.”

“Like he could do anything anyway,” Cadenza said as she stroked Moondancer’s mane. “Lookit the little shrimp. Other dragons would use him as a buttplug.”

“CADENZA!” the pink pegasus turned her head and just barely put Sunset and Moondancer down before Luna’s hoof collided with her face, sending her sprawling across the ground. “I am going to tear you to shreds, you pathetic excuse for a pony!”

“Aww,” cadenza wiped some blood from her snout. “Iz widdle Woona still mad that I replaced all her banners with pictures of her butt? Or when I snuck all those stallions into your room on the promise of a royal harem? Or was when I-” She jumped back as a blast of magic struck the ground. “Ooh, almost got me that time. Whats up Princess Loudmouth? getting blind in your old age?”

Bahamut sat back, idly wishing he had some popcorn. “I’m putting fifty bits on Cadence.”

“Why not Princess Luna?” Twilight asked, horrified that the obscene pegasus was getting attacked in the first place.

“Candy’s scrappy, and she probably fights dirty,” Bahamut smirked. “This should be fun, unless…”

“Stop it right this instant!” Celestia yelled as her horn flared, holding both mares in a golden aura. “Honestly Luna, at least try to act like a Princess…”

“She started it,” Luna pouted and poked her tongue out at Cadenza.

“Better use your safeword,” Cadenza smirked back, “Or the big bad princess might get… physical~”

“Goddess above,” Celestia groaned and dropped both mares in the dirt.

“Unless Princess Fun-Police ruins it,” Bahamut concluded. “Alright Twilight, summon my power and we’ll add Candeza to our little gang.”

“Twilight, you are forbidden from doing such a thing!” Celestia warned. “I was lenient when you broke my rule last time. You will not be so lucky for a second.”

“I… uh…” She closed her eyes and looked away. “Sorry Bahamut… I, I can’t…”

“It’s fine,” the dragon shrugged. He wouldn’t have done anything… except vapourise Celestia’s bedroom. “I can use some of the Job’s Abilities, so maybe I can teach her that way until Celestia works that stick out a little…”

“Bahamut!” Celestia lifted him with her magic. “I am not in the mood to deal with your particular brand of attitude today. I expect you to behave, or…”

“Fine,” he shrugged. “And when another monster winds up inside the barrier, you can tell the families, then husbands, wives… children of all the little guards that get themselves killed trying to kill it. You can tell them all about how they might not have died, because you refused to let me train up some ponies that could actually defeat them swiftly and effectively.”

“That. Is not. Fair!” Celestia said, leaning in close. “You will not trick me into releasing your power, and letting you become that very threat!”

“Maybe I will,” Bahamut shrugged. “And when I blow up the city and kill the filly I’m soul-bonded to, I’ll die. Yup, sounds like a real great plan.”

“He’s got you there,” Cadenza laughed. “So what’s the matter Tiiiia? You sealed him away before right? Why don’t you get your little Elements of Harmony and do it again?”

“Cadenza. Don’t.”

“Oh that’s right,” The pegasus said with a small sneer. “You can’t use them anymore!”

The courtyard fell into total silence. The three fillies eyes were almost as big as their heads as they looked at Celestia and Luna.

“You… you can’t use the Elements?” Moondancer spoke up. “Princess Celestia, is-is that true?”

“Didn’t tell them?” Cadenza asked sweetly. “You don't want to admit that if something like Bahamut or Discord happened again, you and Luna are fuckin’ powerless to stop it. You’re scared that if this little toothpick really is Bahamut goes on a rampage… You. Can’t. Stop him!”

“Cadenza!” Celestia roared. “That is enough of your insolence!!”

“Princess,” Twilight had stepped forward and placed her hoof on Celestia’s leg. “Princess Celestia. Please? I promise that Bahamut won’t do anything bad. And… and if he does. If something happens and ponies… might be killed…” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “T-Then all you have to do, is kill me right?”

Celestia’s eyes widened and she took a step back, shaking her head slowly. “Oohh, oh Twilight. No, I could… I could never do that.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “Fine. I will allow it this once. Do not betray this trust Bahamut.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever,” Bahamut shrugged and winked at her. “Don’t worry Sunbutt the First. I’ll be a good little dragon.” He turned to Twilight and gave her a fanged grin. “Alright Twilight. Let’s initiate a summon!”

Twilight nodded and smiled. “You used… my name.”

“Only for today. You showed some real guts standing up to Celestia. That’s a resolve that comes in handy when you get older. But for now, summon my power.”

“How do I do it?” she asked, taking out his Garnet.

“Just like before. But don’t worry about focusing on trickling out the power. Just grab it and let it go!”

Twilight nodded and closed her eyes, the Magicite started to glow brightly as Celestia and Luna stood back, their horns lit in case he tried anything.

Bahamut cackled as a massive magic circle appeared beneath Twilight and he felt his body surge with power. Higher and higher it climbed and he felt his form shift accordingly as he grew larger.

“Well… I’ll be a feckin’ daughter of Discord,” Cadenza whispered as she saw the massive black dragon take shape. “That’s Bahamut!?”

The look of slight fear in the eyes of her aunts confirmed that it was indeed the Dragon King. His roar shook the castle to its very foundations as he took a deep breath and smiled as he looked down.

“Scary,” Moondancer whispered.

“Coooool~” Sunset laughed.

“This… This is soooo much better~” he rumbled as he flexed his claws.

“Bahamut! Do as you said. Bestow Cadenza with the power and return to your bound form!” Celestia said loudly.

“Hmm, I could…” he mused and the glow around the alicorn’s horns grew brighter. “Oh do try and relax, Daughters of Heaven. I jest…” He looked down at Cadenza and then with one claw, lifted her off of the ground as she swore, screamed and struggled.

“Well now, am I regal enough for you now?” he mused and stared into her eyes. “Tell me Mi Amore Cadenza. Would you like to protect this world? Would you like to become more than you are?”

For the first time, Cadenza was stunned into silence. She could only nod and hope the dragon didn’t eat her.

“Oh come now Candy, where’d that spirit go?” He narrowed his eyes and peered into her. Not into her eyes, but into her very being. “Ah, now ‘that’ explains a lot. Not many realise when an Eidolon is housed within them.” He growled and set Cadenza down. “Come now Ifrit. Do you intend to hide yourself from my presence?”

Cadenza screamed in surprise when her body erupted in flames and then a demon took form, causing everypony to shout in surprise.

“So, you have finally graced the world once more,” Ifrit spoke. “So tell me Bahamut, King of Eidolons. What is it you want from me?”

“You will submit yourself to the summoner,” Bahamut ordered and pointed at Twilight. “She is young, and I will not always be able to be called upon. So you shall form a Pact with her.”

“And if I refuse?” Ifrit suggested, before Bahamut’s tail slammed him into the ground, the entire mountain trembled from the impact.

“Then I shall ‘make’ you submit!” Bahamut roared at him. “DO NOT TEST ME!!”

“Bahamut!” Twilight shouted from the ground. “Stop being mean to your friends!”

“I WILL… wat?” Bahamut paused and looked at Twilight. “Oh come on Twilight! He’s a prick and needs to be taught a little respect!”

“No, he just needs a friend,” Twilight said and walked right up to Ifrit. “Mr. Ifrit right? Sorry Bahamut hurt you like that. Moondancer? Could you heal him?”

Moondancer trembled but nodded her head. “S-sure…” she replied and cast a Cure spell.

“There we go,” Twilight smiled and rubbed one of his horns. “Do you wanna be friends Mr. Ifrit? Will you… help us?”

“I am Ifrit, the Lord of Flames,” he replied as he got to his feet. “All where I walk is cinders and ash. My flames are now yours to command Young Summoner. May all your foes feel the Flames of Hell and fear them!” His body burst into light and vanished, a Ruby now sitting on the scorched ground where he once stood.

“I have ‘never’ seen a Eidolon obtained like that…” Bahamut sighed and smiled. “Well, that aside, Cadenza? IT. IS. TIME!” He raised a claw and on it, he held a glowing orb. “I bestow upon you, the power of the Dragoon. The power to crush your enemy on the land or in the sky! The powers of the dragons themselves will be at your command.”

“Ohhh, fuck the hell yes,” Cadenza purred as the orb touched her and merged into her being.

Twilight’s Garnet suddenly begun to glow again, before a dozen replica’s surrounded Bahamut and flashed in sequence. Words filled Bahamut’s mind.

“I am Bahamut, God-King of the Dragons. If you think your pitiful self worthy. Then I may heed your call with my absolute power! I will terraform the very land itself and obliterate all!”

And with that, the gems scattered and vanished, Bahamut sensing some dimensional magic at work.

‘Well now, that’s interesting…’ the dragon mused. ‘I wonder what that was…’

Twilight’s Garnet glowed again and the dragon felt his power leave him, his body shrinking down until he resumed the form he had a moment ago.

“And just as I was getting used to it,” he sighed and he felt something in his claw. He opened it to see a Gold Coin, as another voice echoed in his mind.

‘I am Auric Fulcrum, the light, the candle, the wielder of Alchemy! Reborn by the Golden Sun, I punish the wicked, no matter their form! You who would bring back balance and peace, I call friends to my cause!’

“Well, now that is even more interesting,” Bahamut chuckled to himself. “And what a pretentious name. I think I’ll hang onto this for now. Let Twilight get used to Ifrit first.”

Still… Golden Sun? Why did that sound so… familiar?

Ah well.

“So… what was all that about?” Cadenza finally asked. “What the fack is a… Dragoon?”

“A warrior, a very specialised one at that,” Bahamut said. “So, I’d get started on using a spear if I were you.”

“Those monks taught me a little about their spears~” Cadenza purred. “They thought I handled them very well~”

“You know how to use a spear Miss Cadenza?” Twilight started up at her and the pegasus blushed and coughed.

“W-Well, y-yeah. Sure. A little I guess…”

Well now, that too was interesting. Cadenza was surprisingly normal around foals. Maybe Celestia should have made her a foalsitter instead of a monk.

“Well, I’m tired so I’m going to bed,” Bahamut stretched, before Celestia blocked his path.

“I believe you still owe us an explanation,” she said. “What was that thing you pulled from Cadence?”

“Oh, that?” Bahamut tapped his chin. “That was Ifrit. He most likely lived in in her head because of her fiery spirit. Or maybe because she’s just hot?”

“You know it!” Cadenza said, shaking her rump.

“I didn’t actually know until I held her close enough to feel his presence. But now that I know that other Eidolons exist here, I should be able to sense them a lot easier.” He looked at Twilight, “Plus, when a Summoner obtains more power, her summons will also grow stronger in response. But…” he paused and yawned. “I’m tired so I’ll explain later. And don’t panic, Ifrit will only appear if Twilight summons him. Until then, he exists only as pure energy inside his Magicite. He still possess a consciousness though. We all do.”

And with that, he left the ponies to contemplate what had just transpired.

Chapter Three

Bahamut scratched his head, wondering where in the heck those three fillies and one filly-minded teenager had gotten to. Twilight wasn’t in her room when he woke up, and they hadn’t been at the breakfast hall.

Seriously, how the hell did Cadence eat like that and still have the figure of a goddess? That wasn’t natural.

The trio of bookworm unicorns weren't in any of their rooms, as that was where he’d usually find them when they weren’t studying.

Their activity of choice?

Reading books.

Bahamut was fairly certain by this point that they’d read every book in Equestria. Or at the very least, every book in the castle. It had only been a few months, yet they were learning fast. He scratched his head again as he wandered down a hallway.

“Just where the bloody hell are they?” he asked aloud. “Come on, I should at least be able to hear Cadenza swearing up a storm by now.”

Cadence brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. This exercise had been wonderful, yet she felt s though her partners were… lacking.

“You know,” she looked at one of the stallions that had tried to mug her in the alley she was in. “You could have at least tried… but you’re unconscious and can’t hear me.” She looked down the decimated street, a half-dozen other stallions all in similar positions and similar states of unconsciousness. She gave a lazy twirl of her spear and set it against her shoulder. “Tch! Useless.”

She turned and headed for the donut shop to meet the others. These idiots had made her late.

“Are you sure Bahamut didn’t want to come?” Twilight asked Moondancer.

“Well, I just couldn’t wake him up,” she replied. “And we couldn’t wait around all day. We’ll bring him a box back to apologise.”

“Well, if you say so,” Twilight said.

“Lighten up Sparkle,” Sunset sipped her coffee and sighed. Ever since Luna introduced the filly to the stuff, life was infinitely better. “We girls need some time to ourselves as well.”

“I guess,” Twilight shrugged. She still felt bad about not inviting him. He was… her friend after all. Almost like a big brother. And then she figured he’d just use one of his stupid nicknames and she started pouting. “Stupid dragon.”

The doors to Joe’s Donuts swung open as Cadence strode in, her large spear slung over her shoulder as she looked around.

“Oi!” Joe called out. “No weapons inside. Leave it at the door miss!”

“Aww, and if I refuse?” Cadence cooed and narrowed her eyes.

“Then you can take that pink butt of yours and wait outside,” Joe replied with a curt nod.

“Cadence!” Sunset called out. “Just leave the damned thing at the door and get over here!”

Cadence shrugged and propped her spear up against the wall before walking over to them. “And you little miss—” she pointed at Sunset. “—shouldn’t swear at your age.”

“Says the pot to the kettle,” Twilight muttered under her breath. Cadenza turned to her, a slight twitch on her muzzle.

“Oh, what was that Twiley~?”

“Uh, I said… we should get milkshakes and let these donuts settle,” she said before getting up a little too quickly and heading for the counter to place her order.

Moondancer giggled as Cadenza shrugged again. “Alright, so somepony tell me that they saved me the pink ones with sprinkles! If anypony ate ‘em, they get to be my next training partner.”

Sunset and Moondancer pushed a plate of the described donuts forward.

“Aw, I have you trained so well~” Cadenza smiled and lifted one up to eat it.

Twilight was returning to the table, before she yelped loudly and pitched forward, spilling the four cups on the floor. Moondancer was the first to rush to her side, almost slipping on the milky puddle as she checked over Twilight.

“What happened? Are you alright?”

The unicorn didn’t respond, but Moondancer could see a large lump already forming on the back of her head, “What in Equestria…?”

A pegasus stallion paced up and down the quiet airship docks. He bit down on his cigar and frowned. Where were those idiots?

“Boss!”

He turned as two earth ponies approached. One was tall and the lanky, the other, more heavyset one wearing guard armour and had a burlap sack slung over his shoulder. “We gots it! That little monster that lives in the palace!”

“About feckin’ time,” he muttered. “Do you have any idea how much we can sell that thing for?” A pet owned by the Princesses, he could retire with the amount of bits he’d get for this thing.

“Well, we’s couldn’t nab it while it was in the castle now could we?” the other pony said. “Dat’d be stupid!”

“Whatever, just get it on the ship and we can get outta here,” the pegasus grumbled. “We’ve already invested enough time and money to get it.”

“Yes boss,” they grumbled. The armoured one sighed and looked at his buddy. “See Wedge, I told you he’d be cool.”

“Whatever,” Wedge replied and sighed. “I just hopes we gets paid for this one Biggs. I really do’s.”

Bahamut noticed two things when he awoke. One, his head hurt like bloody hell.

And two, wherever he was, it was noisy and rattling about. The ground itself seemed to be rumbling with a constant vibration. He groaned and opened his eyes, trying to see around the dimly lit area.

‘The hell…?’ This… this wasn’t the open streets of Canterlot. Where in the hell was he?

His claw moved to his face, only to find some sort of iron muzzle around him. He couldn’t open his mouth at all.

“Aw, the lil’ monster’s awake!” a voice said and he looked around to see two earth ponies playing cards on a table nearby. He also noticed he was inside some sort of cage.

“Good thing we put that muzzle on ‘im,” the fat one laughed. Bahamut recognised him. He was a guard that started at the castle a few weeks ago. Ahh, this was starting to make sense.

“Yeah, Boss’d be pretty mad if ‘is ship burned down,” the skinny pony laughed. The room started getting brighter and he sighed. “Ah, that’s better. Who opened the… wind...oh?” He saw that Bahamut was grinning through his muzzle, as a ball of flame was forming in his hand. “Oh shi—”

“I’m already countin’ that sweet, hard cash,” Boss chuckled as he rested on the wheel of his airship. It suddenly pitched violently and the stallion stumbled, cursing as his jaw smacked the wooden wheel.

“What in blazes was that!?” he yelled and turned his head. His coat paled.

The dragon was free.

And it was burning his ship!

His muzzle had been removed, Bahamut having used Thunder magic to incapacitate the idiot guards and take the key. Now he was free and he was going to burn things! The muzzle had been pointless, as he couldn’t even breathe fire anyway. Did they mistake him for an Equestrian dragon?

It was still degrading and Bahamut believed that setting all of the pegasus’s stuff on fire was a valid response.

Ohh, that painting looked expensive~

“FIRE!” It exploded in flames and Bahamut cackled madly.

“Y-You… you little…!” the pegasus quivered in rage. Forget the reward, Boss was going to make himself a dragonskin belt. He flew at Bahamut, his hoof connecting with the dragon’s face and sending him spiralling across the deck.

“I’m going to eviscerate you!” Boss screamed as he drew his curved cutlass.

“You say that now,” Bahamut said as he got up and rubbed his cheek. “But all I hear is, ‘Please Mr. Bahamut. Test my resilience to a few lightning bolts’.” The drake flexed his claws and smiled. “Why certainly, I’d be glad to~ THUNDER!” He thrust an arm outwards as a lance of lightning arced across the deck, the pegasi’s sword acting as a big old lightning rod.

The winged pony yelped as the shock hit him, mentally thanking himself for a peagsi’s natural resistance to the element.

“Well, that didn’t work,” Bahamut sighed and drew one foot up as he clasped his hands together in a pitching pose. “Bottom of the ninth, all the bases are loaded. Time to strike him out!” the dragon said, and he was pretty certain he’d screwed that reference up. “FIRE!”

Boss ducked as the fireball whizzed past his head… and into the cabin with the steering…

The room exploded as Bahamut smirked. “Aww, you’re running out of airship~” he cooed. “Stand still so I can burn you.”

This… this was not worth it. The pegasus sheathed his sword and took to the sky. “I don’t see any wings on you. Good luck getting back to Canterlot!” he said and flew off. Bahamut raised a hand and clicked his fingers, another bolt of lightning striking the pegasus and he squawked loudly.

The ship pitched again and started a rather steep angle in the downwards direction as one of the engines exploded. Bahamut narrowed his eyes and started casting.

“This… this is going to hurt…”

When Twilight Sparkle woke up, she somehow felt worse than before. It had felt like somepony kicked her in the head, but now her entire body ached. It was like when her bookfort collapsed on top of her, only times a hundred.

“Twilight?” she looked to her left to see Moondancer casting some White healing magic on her. “Are you okay now?”

“Urgh… define ‘okay’,” she moaned and put a hoof to her head. “Where am I?”

“Back in the castle,” Moon explained. “You suddenly fell over in the donut shop, so Cadence rushed you straight back to the castle for help. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her fly so fast before.”

Okay, thank Cadence later.

Then a thought occurred, if she was in this much pain… “Where’s… Bahamut?”

“Nopony knows,” Moondancer said. “We can’t find him, but Princess Celestia is looking now that she’s finished her duties.”

Twilight gasped and looked at the window, it was already nightfall!?

What was happening?”

Bahamut lay on the grass, the burning wreckage of the airship a few dozen meters away. Combining Float, Protect and Shell had been what’d saved him from most likely being killed in all that, what he would give to have Mighty Guard… or just a pair of bloody wings!

His stomach rumbled and he groaned. He hadn’t eaten all day and his prospects weren’t looking good either. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and looked around. In the distance, he could see the distinct bubble of a Barrier. So, there was a town nearby?

“Problem is that I’m not a pony,” he sighed. “This is probably going to suck.” But hey, he could just set things on fire again if things went south. He got to his feet and looked at the airship. Then he caught sight of something crawling out of it and he smiled.

‘My day is looking better already~’

“There is no doubt, whatever ails dear Twilight, Bahamut is at it’s source,” Luna said as she looked at the sleeping filly. “We must find a way to separate them, if only to protect her…”

“Your Highness!” a guard walked into the room and saluted. “Princess Celestia has some information for you. She waits in the throne room.”

Luna nodded and turned back to Twilight. “Keep her well Moondancer. We shall see about retrieving this troublesome dragon.” Moondancer nodded and went back to healing Twilight again as Luna left the room.

In the throne room, Celestia waited along with Cadenza until Luna finally joined them,

“‘Bout fucking time you got here!” Cadenza snapped at the mare. “Seriously, you could just use that phallic object on your head and teleport?”

“A good plan, let’s test it by teleporting you to the center of the planet,” Luna spat back as the mares butted heads, glaring into each other’s eyes.

“If you two are quite done?” Celestia sighed. “We have some information regarding Bahamut. Namely where he might be.” She pointed to a table with several sheets of paper spread out across them. “One, some of my guards reported one of their own missing. He has now been found tied up in his home, and his hooflocker in the barracks has several empty vials of polymorph potion.”

“So somepony in your guard was replaced?” Luna made a note to give a thorough check on all her guards later.

“Two, an unregistered airship left the docks around noon,” Celestia tapped another sheet. “We still cannot find out to whom it belonged however.”

“And Bahamut is missing,” Luna tapped her chin. “You don’t suppose, he was foalnapped do you? Or, I guess dragonnapped in his case.”

“That’s the idea we’re going with right now,” Celestia nodded. “And if he has… you are aware of the market for rare monster parts yes?”

“If somepony tries to do that, then young Twilight will…” Luna turned slightly green under her coat. To feel yourself being slowly dissected…

“I’m going!” Cadenza said as she turned around. “Just tell me where that bloody airship went. Nopony fucks with my cute little fillies!!”

“Well, that’s the thing,” Celestia said and motioned to the last of the reports. “It sort of… caught fire and crashed. In the middle of the Everfree Forest.”

“You-You’re kidding? Right?” Cadenza’s expression fell and took a more neutral tone. “The Everfree, why the fuck did it have to be the Everfree. That little dragon is pretty much dead already. Provided he survived the crash.”

“Twilight still breathes, so he is alive,” Luna nodded. “But if that is the truth, then time is no longer on our side. We must make haste.”

“There’s a small village near the forest, Ponyville I believe,” Celestia said as she stared at a map. “Cadenza, how long until you can leave?”

The alicorn turned to see that she was no longer in the room. An open window and a curtain flapping in the night air showed where she had gone.

“Luna, see if you can wake Twilight.” Celestia turned and summoned a few guards with a flash of her horn. “We may need the power of those three fillies sooner than we thought.”

Life had been… interesting for Mi Amore Cadenza. Abandoned by her parents after obtaining her Cutie Mark, one her parents could see no use or material gain from, she was tossed out onto the streets of Canterlot and left to die. And she might have too, but she learned, she adapted, and in just a few short weeks, she knew how to lie, steal… survive.

And then that changed. When Princess Sol Celestia took her in. What she saw was a lovely young filly that had been dealt a bad hoof. She led a life in which Celestia could make a difference.

What Cadenza saw, was a mare just trying to show off. Aww, look at the little poor pegasus I took in. Look at how benevolent I am! Aren’t I just a pretty little princess.

‘Well, fuck that,’ Cadenza thought and proceeded to make life a living hell for Celestia and Luna. Let’s see them love a filly that would turn their lives inside out, and their castle~

It took a few months, but Cadenza saw that she'd finally grated Celestia’s last nerve. ‘Here it comes’, Cadence thought at the time. ‘She’ll throw me away and show she’s just as bad as everypony else.’

She tossed her out alright, Celestia sent her to a temple high atop a mountain in the Pegasopolian region. There, a group of monks had lived for centuries, maybe more. They practiced peace, tranquility and living a balanced life. Worldy possessions, base desires. None of those mattered to them. Well, some of the younger ones showed they had a lot to learn in snuffing those out~

And it pissed Cadenza off. What, Celestia thought she could be sent here and become a good little girl? One that would follow orders like a little pet!?

“Fuck. THAT!” Cadenza roared as she dropped through the treeline, landing a few dozen feet away from the airship wreckage. She snorted and shook her head to clear it. That was why she hated flying at night, made her dwell too much.

“Alright Bahamut, where the hell are you?” she muttered as she looked around. Nothing but trashed airship, burning trees and… oohh~ Treasure~

She pocketed the little bits of jewelry she found and hummed happily. Now, back to the matter at hoof…

Speaking of, there were hoof prints, and they were leading away from the airship, towards that town in the distance. But she noticed a distinct lack of dragon tracks. Luna had said he was still alive… so, was he being carried?

“Out of the frying pan, into the fire huh?” She turned to head towards the town, but stopped when the trees shook and something growled.

“And so, like a moth to the flame,” she chuckled. The trees burst and a giant insect-like monster appeared, buzzing and staring at Cadenza hungrily.

“I didn’t fuckin’ mean it literally!!” she yelled and drew her spear. “Alright, here’s what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna die, I’m walking away and I’m finding that pain in the ass dragon. In that order.” She brought her spear to bear, just as the bug snared a log with its tail and flung it at her. She vaulted over it, using the log itself to leap high into the air.

‘Jump!’ She twirled her spear and aimed down, rushing towards the ground and the bug below her at tremendous speeds. The Granaldo moved backwards, only receiving a glancing blow from the spear, but it was enough to tear a large gash open in its tail.

“Aww, did widdle buggy get a booboo?” she taunted. “Come on then, I’ll only hurt a moment more!”

The beast roared and extended its large, scythe-like claws. Cadenza smirked and opened her mouth, taking a large amount of air so her cheeks looked all puffy.

‘Dragon Breath’ She exhaled as a blast of white flames washed over the monster. It buzzed in pain, it’s thin wings forming holes and it crashed to the ground. Cadence wobbled for a second, before grabbing her spear and leaping again, it’s tip finding purchase in the insect's head. Cadenza struck so hard, her spear burst through the other side and became embedded in the ground below.

The monster gave a few dying twitches and lay still. Cadenza sighed and pulled her spear out, twirling it around and flicking the gore from it.

“Haaah, not even a warm up,’ she sighed. “Honestly, you would have thought a beastie your size would know how to play… oh well~” She tucked her spear under her wing and started walking towards town, whistling a small tune as she did.

“You know,” Bahamut said as he rode on the back of one of the stallions he’d pulled from the airship wreckage. “You two morons must have the luck of the gods themselves. Surviving that, then surviving me? I mean, I’m being rather benevolent here I know. Well, speak up.” Bahamut raised a claw as he summoned some flames.

“Yes Master Bahamut SIR!” Biggs and Wedge replied.

“That’s better,” he nodded. “Oh look, we’re here. Now you two shut up and let me do the talking.”

They approached the gates and Bahamut felt the tingle of the Barrier. Hmm, so once he was outside of one, he could still pass through it? Interesting.

“Halt!” Two stallions approached, wearing the garb of a local militia. “Who goes there?!”

“Just an envoy and his Royal Guard escort,” Bahamut said as he hopped off of Biggs. “We were enroute to Canterlot when an airborne monster attacked our airship and we crashed in the forest there.”

“The Everfree…” one of the guards looked at the other. “You survived? Nopony has gone into that place and lived.”

‘Knowing these inbred hicks, they never even tried looking for survivors,’ Bahamut thought to himself. “Well, if you gents could let us in. Some food and water would be appreciated. And a messenger to Canterlot.”

“What do you think?” one asked his friend. “Could be brigands.”

“One’s wearing armour, and they all look like hell,” the other said. “Sides, there’s just three of ‘em.” He turned to Bahamut and nodded. “Alright, but we’ll be keeping an eye on you. Ponyville’s a peaceful place and we’d like to keep it that way.”

“As you wish, dragon’s honour.” Bahamut crossed his heart. He had no intention of setting anything else on fire… yet. The gate opened and they were ushered inside, the heavy wooden doors closing behind them.

The village itself looked rather quiet and peaceful. There was a large building in the center of town, the spire coming from the roof was what the Barrier generator was built into. Some places had the Barrier built into a structure like that, to protect it further.

One town had had their just out in the open, and when a monster got inside and damaged it… well, it didn't take long for more to swarm the town and completely raze it to the ground.

“Alright, if you follow us, we’ll take you three to the inn for rest,” one guard said. He had a cobalt blue coat and a rather striking rainbow coloured mane and tail. His partner was a beast of an earth pony. A copper-red coat and a sun-bleached mane and tail, he probably could have looked Celestia in the eye.

“The name’s Rainbow Blaze,” the pegasus said as they walked. “And this here is my buddy, Big Red Apple.”

“Howdy,” the massive stallion nodded.

“And this is Ponyville, one of the best farming towns you’re likely to come across,” Blaze continued. “I still can’t believe you survived a crash in the Everfree though.”

“I’m tougher than I look,” Bahamut nodded and motioned to his ‘guard’ “And these ones are just lucky, ain’t that right boys!”

“Sir yes SIR!” they said in unison. Aww, they were so well trained.

“Yer all lucky,” Red rumbled as they headed towards a building with a sight that read ‘Inn,’ along with a little white cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt.

Wow… subtle.

“Kickin’ Clouds Inn,” Rainbow Blaze said proudly. “My cute little wife owns and runs this place you know.”

“Never would have guessed,” Bahamut said dryly as Blaze opened the door for them.

“I’ll go and get the messenger,” Red said and walked off. Huh, not much for words with that one huh? Bahamut ambled inside, Biggs and Wedge soon following. The ground floor looked more like a bar than an inn. Multiple chairs and tables, along with a long bar that housed an assortment of liquors behind it.

Biggs and Wedge licked their lips at that sight. They could really use a drink after a day like today.

From behind the counter, a rather attractive pegasus mare approached. Her coat was a pale pink and her mane and tail a gentle sky blue. Bahamut noticed Biggs and Wedge stand at attention as their eyes were glued to the mare. He snorted and rolled his eyes.

“Hello Miss,” Bahamut said and bowed. “Sorry to intrude upon you so late.”

“Nonsense, and please, call me Firefly,” she smiled at them. “Welcome to our humble inn, what brings you here?”

“They had an accident with an airship,” Blaze said as he moved around them and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Think we could put them up in a room?”

“Not a problem,” Firefly smiled. “And I’ll fix a hot meal for you as well. Does that sound alright?”

“MA’AM YES MA’AM!” Bigg and Wedge saluted, their faces flushed red.

“Ignoring them, that would be nice,” Bahamut said with a smile. “Just no flowers in my food. Stomach can’t handle them.” And they tasted awful.

“Of course,” Firefly nodded and headed back around the bar, towards the kitchen.

“Told ya she was cute huh?” Blaze chuckled as the other stallions nodded. Bahamut just shrugged, he could at least admit she was a pretty mare. And that was when he was tackled by a small blue blur.

After tumbling a few times, he groaned and looked up. “Twilight! I thought I…” Oh yeah, Twilight wouldn’t be here. But there was a filly about her age perched on him.

“Name’s not Twilight,” she said in scratchy voice. “I’m Rainbow Dash! And I’m gonna be the best flyer in all of Equestria someday!”

“Your kid I take it?” Bahamut looked at Blaze, before looking back to the diminutive gender-swapped version of him.

“Sure is,” Rainbow Blaze said and lifted Dash off of Bahamut. “And what have we told you about tackling guests sweetie.”

“That if they’re weak, they need to train more?”

“...The other thing.” Blaze deadpanned.

“Ohh, not to tackle the guests?” Dash guessed and Blaze nodded.

“That’s the one,” Baze smiled and ruffled her mane. “Now, go and help your Mom while I show them the room.”

“Urgh, fiiiiine,” she grumbled and limped across the floor. Bahamut noticed a scar that ran down her back leg.

“Noticed that huh?” Blaze sighed as he led the trio upstairs. “She got attacked by an Everfree monster a few years ago. She survived of course, but her leg hasn’t worked right since.”

“But, can’t youse jus’ use magic to heal it?” Wedge asked.

“Healing magic of that sort is expensive,” Blaze sighed again. “More than this inn makes in a year. We’ve been saving up for a while now, but… we’re nowhere near close.”

“You don’t say,” Bahamut said. Cure… might work. If only he had access to Level Two or Three magic. Curaga would heal her up in seconds.

Whatever, she was just some filly out in the sticks right? Bahamut frowned, that thought alone twisted his gut and made him wince.

“Bloody Twilight’s making me soft,” he muttered and turned around, wandering off. “Be back in a bit.”

“Huh, but that bathroom’s that way…” Blaze said as the three stallions watched him leave.

In the kitchens, Firefly hummed small tune as she stirred a large pot, Rainbow Dash stood on a stepstool and poured some diced vegetables into said pot.

So when Firefly turned and saw Bahamut in the doorway, well, she certainly wasn’t going to admit she screamed in surprise.

Bahamut’s ringing ears said otherwise.

“Quite the set of lungs you have there,” he said, rubbing the holes where his ears here. “Mind if I borrow your kid there for a second?”

“Me?” Rainbow looked at her Mom, the older mare looking just as confused. “What for?”

Rainbow Blaze had rushed downstairs after hearing the scream, just in time to see Bahamut lead Dash out into the bar area.

“Alright kid,” he picked her up and put her on a table. “Lay down and show me your leg there.”

“Uh?” Dash hated ponies staring at her scar. They always had this look of... pity on their face. She hated that look. Fluttershy was the only one that didn’t do it.

“Come on,” Bahamut said and looked at the leg. She noticed he didn’t have the look either. In fact, he just looked curious.

“Hmm, oh I see now,” he said. “This ligament is damaged, and the injury wasn’t stitched properly, hence why the scar is so prominent.” He raised his claws and Rainbow Dash flinched, memories of the attack coming back.

“Don’t like the claws huh?” He pondered for a second and looked at Firefly. “Do you have any oven mitts?”

The mare slowly nodded and returned to the kitchen, fetching the requested item.

“May I ask what you’re doing to my daughter?” Rainbow Blaze said, his wings flared widely.

“Relax, I’m going to try and help her,” Bahamut said as he took the mitts from Firefly and slipped them over his claws. “There we go, that better kiddo?” Now that she couldn’t see them, he just looked like a goofy lizard with fluffy, colourful hooves. She giggled and nodded her head.

“That’s good,” he said and ruffled her mane. “Now, I want you to look at your Mom and Dad okay. This is an old injury, so healing it might hurt a bit. Okay, it might hurt a lot. But, can you be a big filly for me?”

“Heal?” Firefly asked. “But—”

“I need to concentrate, so please shush and hold your daughter’s hooves, okay? I can’t have her thrashing around while I do this.” Blaze and Firefly each took a hoof as Bahamut took a deep breath. He raised his hands again as a soft green light started to emanate from the mitts, encompassing Rainbow’s leg.

Nothing seemed to happen at first, but the pegasus filly soon started to squirm and whimper as the spell took effect. To set the wound right, the healing would have to come undone first, the wound reopening as her muscles and bone were shifted to what they were supposed to be.

Dash was screaming now, Firefly whispering sweet words to her and stroking her mane as Blaze glared at the dragon, vowing that if this didn’t work, he’d throw him back into the Everfree personally.

It seemed like hours, minutes… who knows. But the glow eventually started to fade as sweat poured from the filly’s brow, an action that Bahamut mimicked as his magic reserves neared depletion.

“A bit more…” he growled to himself. “Come on! I need more!!”

A city away, Twilight Sparkle lay restlessly in her bed, clutching a glowing Garnet. She closed her eyes and held the Jewel to her chest. “Help her Bahamut,’ she whispered and prayed into the Jewel...

Bahamut felt his magic surge and if he hadn’t been concentrating so hard, he’d have smirked at the release of his Level Two magics. Light spilled forth with renewed vigor, and soon faded altogether as the dragon fell back, panting heavily.

“Rainbow, sweetie?” Firefly stroked her daughter’s mane, her face matted with dried tears. “Please honey, speak to us?”

“Uhhnn…” Rainbow opened her eyes and looked at her parents. “That… didn’t hurt.”

“Atta girl,” Blaze gave a choked chuckle and rubbed her ears. He looked at her leg and gasped. “Oh…”

“Huh? What? Is my leg busted!?” Rainbow twisted her head to look and gasped. “No waaaay,” she whispered.

The deep scar that had run the length of her leg was gone. Only a faint whisper of it was left behind, a thin line through her cyan fur was the only reminded that it had ever been there. “It’s gone…”

“Do you, feel alright?” Firefly asked as Rainbow slowly got up.

“Dunno, help me down?” she asked and her dad nodded, slowly lifting her up and placing her on the floor. She wobbled a bit, her legs numb and tingling. But after a few moments, she raised her once-scarred hoof and tapped it on the ground. “It… doesn’t hurt anymore,” she whispered and took a few steps. There was still a limp, but getting used to a fixed leg would take a little time.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore!” she giggled and broke out into a run around the room. Getting used to it? Apparently nopony told Rainbow Dash that.

“I-Incredible,” Blaze laughed, happy tears streaming down his face.

“Rainbow Dash! Stop running before you hurt yourself,” Firefly chased after her.

“Rainbow Dash is invincible!” the fille cheered.

Bahamut groaned and sat up, that… had take a lot out of him. He was gonna sleep well tonight, that’s for sure.

And that was when Rainbow tackled him for the second time, the giggling filly hugging him tightly. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” she cheered.

“Yeah, well… whatever,” Bahamut blushed slightly and tried pushing her off. “Anyone got a crowbar? I think she’s stuck.”

“I don’t…I don’t think we could ever thank you enough,” Firefly wiped her eyes. “Truly, thank you so very much.”

“Forget it,” Bahamut said and flicked Rainbow’s nose, making her sneeze and release him. “It was a good way to test my limits. Means to an end is all.”

“You helped my daughter, and we never even asked,” Blaze said. “Please, name your reward, anything at all. We don’t have much money, but you’re welcome to every bit we—”

“I don’t want your money,” Bahamut said as he felt his new power fade. Somehow, he knew that Twilight had helped him there. “But we have none of our own. So if you don’t mind us using some beds and food…”

“Everything for your stay is covered,” Blaze agreed with a firm nod. “We’d never dare charge you for what you’ve done for us, Noble Dragon.”

Okay, so that might have fed his ego just a bit. The dragon smiled and puffed out his chest, before Firefly and Rainbow Blaze hugged him as well.

“Gah! What is it with you ponies and hugging?’ he yelled, getting embraced despite the protest. “Come on, this is making me look uncool.”

“Totally,” Rainbow Dash nodded. “Hugging is for sissies and—” She was cut off as Firefly nuzzled her again. “Mooooom!”

Bahamut sniffed the air. “Hey… dinner?”

Firefly ‘eeped’ and flew into the kitchen, the sound of her trying to save dinner could be heard.

“Yo, Biggs,” Wedge nudged his buddy. “Was youse expectin’ dat?”

“Nope,” Biggs replied. “I was expecting him to cut her leg off or sumthin’.”

“Your faith in your new boss is outstanding,” Bahamut had apparently heard them and they flinched. “While I don’t mind smacking dunderheads like you two around, little ponies are another story.”

He watched Rainbow run around like a mad pony, giggling and laughing. “Oh wait!” she stopped and beamed. “I gotta go tell Flutters!!”

“It’s dark out,” Blaze said and shook his head. “You can see her tomorrow.”

“Aww, but—”

“Rainbow Darling Dash!” Blaze said sternly and Bahamut could literally see the repulsion to that name come off of her. “You will stay here tonight and I’ll take you to Fluttershy’s in the morning.”

“Urrgghh! Fiiiiiiiiine!” she grumbled and then her eyes widened. “Oh, can the dragon come with me as well? Flutter’s’ll love him.”

“This dragon is an important envoy to the Castle,” Blaze started, before realising that he didn’t even know the name of his daughter’s healer.

“My name is Bahamut,” he said as he climbed back up to the table. “And you’re dad’s right kid. I just healed you, so settle down in case all my hard work comes undone.”

Rainbow dropped to the ground like lead and sat there, though her wings and tail twitched up a storm.

“Doesn’t like being still huh?” Bahamut raised an eyebrow.

“You have no idea,” Blaze sighed as Firefly emerged from the kitchen. A hearty vegetable stew with some hotdogs made of tofu and a round of ciders for everyone.

Well, Dash got a mug of warm milk.

Bahamut had to admit, the dogs almost tasted like real meat, it was delicious.

“Beautiful, cooks like a pro and puts up with me?” Blaze chuckled and chugged back his cider. “She the perfect wife or what?”

“Cheers to that!” Biggs and Wedge nodded, chugging back their own ciders.

Bahamut.. had never had a cider before. He stared at the mug and then shrugged, gulping it down. Mmm, appley~

Moondancer sighed softly as she finished attending to the last of Twilight’s injuries. “There we go, feel better Twilight?” she asked.

Twilight turned, her face flushed red and she giggled. “You’re… shhoo nicchhe, MoonieMoonmoon~”

“Uh… Twilight?” Moondancer blinked. Had she messed up the spells? “Are you, feeling okay?”

“And sshhoo pretty~” Twilight giggled and tumbled sideways, hugging Moondancer.

“Heeeelllllp!!”

Bahamut shrugged, he wasn’t really feeling anything at all. Maybe dragons were immune to alcohol. If so… sweet!

He was about to take another bite of his food when the inn’s door flew open, letting in the chill of the night air.

“What in blazes?” Rainbow Blaze turned to see a slightly dishevelled pegasus mare. She was midnight blue armour and had a long spear that was coated in dried blood. Her eyes narrowed as she looked around the room and saw the dragon sitting there, eating his soup.

“Where. The fuck! Have you been!?” she roared, stepping closer to him. Blaze jumped up and put himself between them.

“Look Miss, we don’t want any trouble here…”

“Oh fuck off! I have been wandering around a fucking monster-infested forest all fucking night, looking for that scaley little prick over there!!”

“Nice to see you too candyflanks,” Bahamut gave a nonchalant wave. “Sit down and have a drink with me.”

“You’re goddamn right I’m gonna have a fucking drink after all that!” she yelled, tossing her spear as it embedded itself in the floor a few inches from Wedge. He yelped and scooted back as Cadenza pulled up a chair and took the closest mug of ale, chugging it back like it was water.

“Pwah!! That’s more like it!” she sighed and then looked to her left and spied a young Rainbow Dash staring up at her. “Huh? Ooohhh, cra- uh, heya kiddo?”

“She’s. So. AWESOME!!” Rainbow Dash said to her dad. “Also, what does ‘fuck’ mean?”

“Ookay, time for little fillies to go to bed,” he said hastily and shot Cadenza a dirty look as he carried a protesting Rainbow Dash upstairs.

“Eloquent as always,” Bahamut shook his head and finished his soup. “Still, wasn’t expecting you Cady. You actually came looking for me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Cadenza said in a more reserved tone. “Twilight’s been going through hell since you left. Or did you forget about that little ‘Soul-Bond’ you two have?”

“Nope,” Bahamut said. He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. “You can thank those two there for roughing me up.”

“Is. That. So?” Cadenza stood up and pulled her spear out of the floor. “I’ve killed so many monsters tonight. What’s two more~”

“Please don’t kill them, I still have a use for them,” Bahamut said.

“Fine,” Cadenza sighed and the two stallion breathed a sigh of relief. The smile on the mare’s face turned dark. “It’s amazing what you can live through after all~” For monks that practiced peace and all that bullshit. They also knew how to break ponies in the most delightful ways…

Biggs and Wedge held each other, praying to every deity they knew that she’d be merciful.

Bahamut wasn’t listening.

That night, the screams that came from the inn would earn them a reputation for being haunted…

The next day, Bahamut buried himself under the blankets, the pounding in his head felt like wardrums beating his demise. He hadn’t even gotten drunk last night, so why in the godsdid her have a hangover?

One made infinitely worse as his curtains were flung open, and Celestia’s infernal sun threatened to burn out his brain.

“Come one, come on!” Rainbow Dash bounced on his bed. “We’re gonna go see my pff now. get your scaley butt outta… bed…?” Rainbow pulled back the sheets as she came face-to-face with Bahamut.

And his bloodshot glare that threatened life and limb.

“I’ll… just put this back,” she said and placed the blanket slowly over him, before walking stiffly from the room.

‘It’s too early for this shit…’ he heard Cadenza groan from the other bed. Wait, Cadence was in the room as well? When did that happen?

“Mmm~” she rolled over and he heard her walking towards his bed. “Up and at ‘em lover dragon~” she purred and pulled back the sheets.

Okaywhatthefuckhappenedlastnight!?!?

She gave him a kiss on the forehead and walked from the room, a rather tempting sway in her hips.

“I need water,” he groaned and stumbled out of bed. Gods, he couldn’t even walk straight now. he almost fell down the damned stairs on his way to the bar.

Firefly was already up and wiping some glasses. “Oh, good morning Bahamut,” she smiled and winked at him. “I take it you had fun as well last night~?”

...wut?

“I must admit, you were so bold~” she giggled and blushed.

...WUT!?!?

Cadenza soon arrived as well, and stared at the broken dragon. He just stood there like a statue, his scales had paled significantly. Cadenza laughed at the sight and bumped hooves with Firefly.

“Hah! Told you it’d work,” she grinned.

“Mm, but I do feel a little bad, especially since he helped my little Dashie,” Firefly said.

“Ah, don’t worry. He’s usually an insufferable asshole, so it all balances out in the end.” Cadenza chuckled and looked at Bahamut. “And that’ll teach you to drink so much,” she laughed.

“I’m gonna set your ass on fire,” he muttered as he reached for the sink to pour some water. “Goddamn mares…”

“Aww, widdle Bahamut is all embarrassed,” Cadenza laughed again. “Maybe when you grow up a little more, we’ll put some truth to my teasing~”

Firefly blushed more and Bahamut was done. He was so done.

“Walk,” he muttered and downed his water before walking out of the door. Sunlight and loud noises be damned, he take them over the perverted pegasus any day.

Upstairs, two stallions lay in bed, more bandages wrapped around them than a mummified pony.

“I feel as though we have made some poor life choices,” Biggs said to his partner.

“Mrffpphh,” the bandaged up Wedge agreed.

“I think we need to prioritise our career choices,” Biggs said again.

“Mrfflle!” Wedge mumbled.

“But…” Biggs paused. “That pegasus mare was pretty hot right?”

“...Mmph,” Wedger nodded his head. Cadenza’s hooves felt so nice, even when they were breaking his legs.

Chapter Four

Meeting the pony named Fluttershy was an interesting experience. While a small part of him liked the fact that a pony screamed and ran at the mere sight of his fearsome might.

Given how utterly sweet and adorable the filly was, it was also a little heartbreaking.

“Aw come Flutters,” Rainbow Dash pouted from the doorway to her friends home. “He’s not that scary. He’s cool.”

It took about ten minutes for Rainbow to coax the other pegasus filly out of hiding. And eventually, she settled for sitting next to Rainbow, with Bahamut on an armchair nearby.

“S-So, you have a dragon friend?” Fluttershy asked. “I thought… you didn’t want-” That was all the filly could say before Rainbow hopped off of the couch and did a small twirl in front of her.

“Notice anything… different?” she asked coyly, her smirk and mischievous glint in her eyes threw Fluttershy off for a moment. Her teal gaze wandered over her friend, and then she gasped, putting her forehooves to her mouth.

“D-Dashie? Your scar! It’s…”

“Totally healed up and fixed?” the brash little filly concluded. “Yahuh! Baha here totally healed me up with some cool magic! I’m practically as good as new!”

“That’s-That’s wonderful!” Fluttershy cried and flew from her seat, hugging her friend tightly. Bahamut swore the filly was turning even bluer.

“Gak! F-Flutter… can’t… gaaaaah~” Rainbow's head tilted back as her tongue lolled out of her mouth. Fluttershy gasped again and held her at hooves length.

“Dashie? Dashie! Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy was shaking her friend as Bahamut rolled his eyes and waited out the drama. Turns out that Dash was just messing with her, but the shaking had her rose-coloured eyes spinning in circles for a moment or three.

Once they were done, the timid filly seemed to be a little more friendly around Bahamut. He also noticed how tall she was, easily a head taller than Dash, or his three fillies back at the castle.

“So your name is Bahamut?” she asked inquisitively. “That’s a very interesting name.”

“Yes, I doubt you’d find anyone else with it.” Bahamut chuckled to himself. Any other dragon dared call themselves that would be taught what a mistake that was. “I am the King of Dragons!”

“The King?” Fluttershy gasped. She didn’t know he was royalty.

“Yeah right,” Rainbow scoffed. “I mean, you’re cool and all Baha. But you don’t look very-” she rolled her hoof as she looked for the right word. “-kingly. You don’t even have a crown.”

Hmm, maybe he could get Twilight to make him one? Or Moondancer? She was pretty good with arts and crafts.

“Well, my true form is completely awesome!” Bahamut retorted. “I’d be bigger than this house. So it’d be hard to sit here and have tea.”

“Oh yeah?” Rainbow said with a challenging tone. “Prove it!”

“...I’m sorry, what?” Bahamut blinked.

“I said prove it,” Rainbow repeated. “Let’s go outside and we’ll see this true form of yours, unless you’re lying?”

Ah crap, he’d totally talked himself into this one.

“Uh… I can’t,” he replied, digging his hole deeper. “Princess Celestia said I shouldn’t.”

“You know Princess Celestia!?” Fluttershy exclaimed, suddenly staring the dragon directly in the face. “Ohmygoodness! She’s so kind, and pretty and caring, and-”

“Yeah, Flutters is a big Princess fan,” Dash rolled her eyes. “But we live all the way out here, so we’ve never actually seen the princess before.”

“She’s not that great,” Bahamut muttered, not really focused on who his audience was. “She’s short-sighted, impossibly naive and is as stubborn as an irate bull. And Luna’s even worse, but at least she’s cute.” Bahamut finished his mini rant and sighed. “Still, I’m sure she’s a great Princess to you ponies. Just… not to anyone else.”

“You’re wrong!” Fluttershy said with a surprising amount of force. “Princess Celestia tries hard to look after all of us!”

Well, Bahamut had to admit that he could be sealed away again should she decide it. “Okay, I think this is a topic we should steer around for now. Instead, I’ve told you about me. How about you Fluttershy? Parents, or perhaps what you want to do when you grow up?”

It was Rainbow Dash that stepped in, before the butter-yellow pegasus could get a word out.

“Aw man, Flutter’s mom is the coolest! She’s a member of the Wonderbolts! The aerial division of Princess Celestia’s guard!”

“Ah?” He hadn’t met any of them, truth be told. While he’d seen a few of the guards around the castle, he’d never actually met the Wonderbolts yet, though Twilight seemed to be a fan of them.

“Yes,” Fluttershy nodded. “Her name is Spitfire, and my dad is Butterscotch… but, he doesn’t live here anymore.”

“They broke up,” Rainbow said. “I dunno why though, they won’t talk about it.”

“Well, it’s their life to live,” Bahamut said with a small nod. “Still, that must be hard.”

“Mommy’s away a lot because of work,” Fluttershy said with a sad tone. It was clear she missed her. “Daddy comes by when she’s away to check on me, as well as his new marefriend.”

“Sweet Tooth right?” Rainbow asked. “Vanilla Bean’s mom?”

“Yes,” Fluttershy nodded. “She’s very nice, and Vanilla is nice as well. But most of the time, it’s just me and my pet, Angel.”

At the mention of his name, Angel wandered into the room. He stood about a foot tall, small bat-like wings adorned his back and a large red orb attached to his head.

“Kupo?” Angel inquired.

“Oh yes, Dashie’s here, and her new dragon friend,” Fluttershy smiled as she picked up the moogle. The mog looked at Bahamut and narrowed his eyes.

“Kupo!” he said in a low tone.

“Angel, be nice!” Fluttershy scolded him and placed him on the couch beside her. “Sorry, he’s not to good around strangers.”

“Eh, no big deal,” Bahamut said and returned the gaze.‘You’re just a snack to me.’

‘Just try it, you walking saddlebag.’ Angel ‘glared’ back.

Mm, he had guts. Bahamut respected that.

“So,” Fluttershy turned to Rainbow. “Are you going to try and get your Cutie Mark today?”

“Heck yeah!” Rainbow pumped the air with her hoof. “I’m feeling super great, so it’ll be a snap right?”

“I hope so,” Fluttershy gave a long-suffering sigh. Bahamut noticed she had hers already, a drawn bow with a butterfly perched on the uppermost tip. “So what will it be today?”

Rainbow tilted her head and closed her eyes. “Hmmm…” She tapped her head with a hoof. “How about… dragon catching!”

Bahamut had three seconds before he realised what she was getting at, and bolted, a cackling Rainbow Dash hot on his heels.

“This can’t end well,” Fluttershy sighed as she got to her hooves and put Angel on her back.

“Kupo…” the mog mimicked her sigh.

So far, Bahamut had done well in evading the filly. She still wasn’t used to not having a damaged leg and so she tended to trip and stumble a lot. He laughed when she went face first into a pile of hay as he rounded a corner…

And right into the armoured leg of Mi Amore Cadenza.

Bahamut tumbled back and rubbed his snout as he looked up. “Hey! What’s the big… idea…?”

He saw the face of Death.

And Death looked pissed.

“Nope!” Bahamut turned and ran back, only to be caught by Rainbow. The filly cried out in victory and turned to look at her flank, only to see it blank still.

“Aww,” Rainbow sighed. “Hey, stop squirming!”

“We’re gonna die,” Bahamut yelled as Rainbow looked up and saw Cadenza running towards them.

“Holy Tartarus!” she screamed and the two continued to run.

“Don’t run, it only makes it worse you little brats!” Cadenza screamed. She'd been looking for them all morning in this one-horse town. They weren't going to escape this time.

And then Fate lent a helping hoof in the form of Fluttershy. The second she stepped into view, puffing and panting, Cadenza’s expression changed instantly.

“Wait… up... you—” Fluttershy gasped before she was pulled into a strong embrace. The filly squeaked in surprise and looked at Dash and Bahamut.

“Um, why is there a strange mare hugging me?” she asked, so utterly surprise that she'd slipped right into deadpan snark.

“H’ooohhh my GOSH!” Cadenza squealed happily and nuzzled her. “You are just the cutest little filly ever!”

“Fluttershy, meet Cadenza,” Bahamut said and knew the exact words to turn the tables. “She’s also the adopted niece of Princess Celestia.”

Now it was Cadenza’s turn to be surprised as the filly somehow turned in her grasp and now bombarded the mare with enthusiastic questions about the solar alicorn.

The worst part? Cadenza couldn’t swear about Celestia. She remained so cordial and polite that it gave Bahamut the creeps.

“That mare has issues,” he muttered and looked at Dash. “Well, since Cadenza’s up and about, it’s likely that I have to be off. I have to go back to the Castle now.”

“Awwww…” Rainbow pouted and sat down. “I thought we could play more. I still hafta show you my special spot. And my favourite swing. And all the places I like to nap.”

“Hey, there’s no rule that says I can’t come back,” Bahamut said. Well, until Celestia decided to make one anyway. “And next time, I’ll bring Twilight with me. I bet you’d be friends.”

“Twilight?” Rainbow tilted her head.

“Mhmm, she’s kind of like my super-intelligent and impossibly cute little sister. And she can summon fire demons and Dragon Gods.” Yes he added capitals to his title. he deserved nothing less.

“Coooooooool~” Rainbow said in an awed whisper.

“Bahamut, I’m keeping this one!” Cadenza called out, now back to hugging Flutters. “She’s crazy adorable.”

“Moondancer might get jealous that you’re cutting into hug times,” Bahamut warned.

“I have love for everypony,” Cadenza shot back and snuggled Fluttershy again.

“Oh...kay,” Bahamut sighed and helped Rainbow extract her friend from Cadenza’s grasp. “Let’s get you home before this town turns you into a decent individual.”

Cadenza gasped and nodded. Celestia and Luna would never let her hear the end of it if that happened.

So after a final round of goodbyes, Rainbow and Fluttershy watched the pair head for the city gates.

“So, why were you running from that nice mare?” Fluttershy asked as she poked Angel in the belly. “Aside from the fact she liked hugs.”

“Ehh, no reason,” Rainbow said as Fluttershy shrugged and headed back into her house to get a drink of water.

“Come on you fuckin’ maggots!” Cadenza poked Biggs with her spear. “We’re going back to the castle and you better pray that Ol’ Fat Flanks doesn't flay you alive. And that’s if I don’t feed you little cocksuckers to a goddamn monster first!”

“Yes Ma’am!” they yelped as Cadenza poked them again.

“No reason at all…” Rainbow shuddered.

Celestia paced up and down the throne room. It had been three days since Cadenza left to find Bahamut, and the only word she’d gotten was that he’d been located in the Ponyville province. She’d offered to send an airship, but apparently Bahamut adamantly refused.

So they’d walk.

And three days later?

The throne room door swung open as Celestia paused in her pacing. Cadenza pushed two unknown stallions inside, both of which looked like they’d taken a return trip to Tartarus.

Hmm, three days with Cadenza was probably worse actually.

And Bahamut? Well, to say he was pissed would be a mild understatement. The glare the alicorn was getting from him was even greater than the one he wore when he was unsealed.

“Welcome back,” Celestia said calmly, trying to diffuse the situation. “Twilight should be—”

“Stuff it Celly!” Bahamut said, cutting the mare off. “This bullshit wouldn’t have happened if i’d had more of my power. You do realise this yes? The only reason I could even escape in the first place, is because those idiots didn’t know I could cast magic.”

“In our defence,” Biggs started.

“Da boss didn’t tell us nuthin’!” Wedge added.

Celestia raised an eye at the two stallions. “And, these two are…?”

“My new minions,” Bahamut nodded. “Also, you’re going to put them in the Royal Guard. Don’t be afraid to slap ‘em around a little either.”

“Dat’s harsh bossdragon.”

“Life is harsh, get used to it,” Bahamut retorted before turning back to Celestia. “Now look, we can place blame all day, but in the end, if I had my powers, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“You’re using this as a ploy to get more of your powers back?” Celestia surmised. “Denied.”

“Are… are you serious?” Bahamut’s eye twitched. “I had to burn down a fucking airship! And in case you haven’t noticed, I don’t have any bloody wings!!”

“Well, you should have considered that before resorting to fire,” Celestia said.

“I could have killed these morons!” he yelled, pointing at Biggs and Wedge. “Hell, I bet I could have razed a good section of Ponyville too, I even cured a little filly’s leg! Oh, by the way, I only had to, because apparently medical treatments cost out the fucking ass!”

“I’m sure you could have done that,” Celestia replied coolly. “But then, you’re chances at restoring your power would be off the table completely now, wouldn’t they?” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I am sorry Bahamut, the risk is too great.”

Bahamut’s eye twitched again, and Cadenza fully expected him to try and set Celestia on fire. But the dragon did something none of them expected.

He simply turned and walked away. Without sparing any of them so much as a second glance.

“Escort those two to confined quarters,” Celestia said to the guards holding Biggs and Wedge. “I trust Bahamut has some sort of idea regarding them.”

The armoured stallions nodded and shoved them out of the room. Once alone, Cadenza looked at Celestia and spit on the floor.

“You know, Bahamut can be kind of an asshole sometimes… but that was just fucking cold Celestia. I’ve seen him around Twilight and the others. And you should have looked at the filly he fixed up, she was so damned adorable and happy.”

“You think I am not aware of that?” Celestia said, returning to her throne.

“So then what?” Cadenza was not going to let this go. “What the fuck are you so afraid of? Even I don’t think he’s that big a threat.”

“I know that!!” Celestia’s voice reverberated around the chamber. “You assume that I’m not aware of that? I know what he’s like around those girls. I know he’d not hurt them, on purpose anyway.”

“So. Then. WHY?” Cadenza pressed.

“Think Cadence,” Celestia sighed wearily. “Bahamut was not the only monster Luna and I sealed that day. And if Bahamut is getting stronger… then what of him?”

Cadenza paused, before glancing in the direction of the castles other sealed chamber. The one housing the statue of a long-forgotten chimera.

“Discord.”

“It worries me,” Celestia said, looking far older than she let on. Cadenza could see the lines of stress and concern under her eyes, the weight of a nation that she carried on her shoulders. “Should he break free… there’d be no stopping him. Luna and I, we cannot use the Elements any more, not without putting the entire country at risk.”

Cadenza nodded, she was one of the few privy to the Elements current purpose. The center of the Canterlot Barrier System. The power that generated the magic for every Barrier in place.

“So then what?” Cadenza finally spoke again. “Is this how things are going to stay?”

“Even I cannot see the future,” Celestia said and sighed. “Tell… Tell Twilight, that a little should be fine. Luna and I will do what we can, make sure the seals around that chamber are in place and try to fortify them.” Still, as long as he remained in Canterlot. The Barrier here served a dual purpose. It kept thing in as well as out.

“Sure,” she replied and left the room. And once more, the solar alicorn was left alone.

Twilight raced through the halls, she’d heard that Bahamut had come back home from Cadence and once she’d finally escaped the mare’s hugs, she run off to find her dragon friend. When she finally found him, he was sitting in the courtyard that was given to them to train in.

The courtyard itself had seen better days. Twilight had tried summoning Ifrit for the first time and received mixed results. While she had been unable to manifest the summoned creature, she’d still be able to manifest the attack itself.

She was pretty certain those guards would get out of the hospital soon.

But now, she just saw the dragon sitting there. Staring up at the darkening sky as the stars slowly came out, one by one. But, something seemed off. He had an aura about him, one that made the unicorn’s approach hesitant.

“It’s fine,” Bahamut said without turning around. “I’m not angry at you Twilight. Just that stupid teacher of yours.”

Twilight looked a little crestfallen. “Are you and Princess Celestia fighting again?”

Bahamut actually snorted in amusement. “You make it sound like two parents fighting.”

“It kinda feels like that,” Twilight replied as she sat next to him. “You’re both my teachers. Wouldn’t it be better to get along?”

“I will, once she stops being a paranoid moron!” Bahamut said and clenched his claws. Twilight placed a hoof over the Garnet in her necklace and focused. Power started to flow through it and Bahamut gasped, his eyes went wide as his breathing hastened. After a few painfully short seconds, she stopped and looked… up at the now taller dragon. He now stood as tall as Cadenza, maybe an inch taller? While he still didn’t possess any wings, his form was now more muscular and lean. His claws were larger and his snout was a little more pronounced. His longer tail now ended in a barbed spike, which glinted in the pale moonlight.

He looked down at the unicorn and sighed. “Celestia’s gonna freak when she finds out you know.”

“She said I could release a little more,” Twilight informed him and then she got a mischievous smile. “She never did give me a precise amount of how much though~”

Bahamut blinked, before he threw his head back and laughed loudly for a good few minutes. He panted lightly once he was finished and rubbed her head. “I am proving to be a most wonderful influence on you.”

“Pretty sure Mommy and the Princesses would disagree.”

Bahamut nodded and shrugged. “Hmm, well I seem to have access to a lot more of my magic and… oh hey! I can use Float now. That would have been useful a few days ago.”

“So… are you okay?” Twilight asked. “You haven't teased me since you got back.”

Bahamut shrugged, then bopped the unicorn on the head with his fist.

“Owie!” Twilight held her head as her eyes watered. “What was that for?”

“Because you could have just summoned me back here, Stupid Starswirl. Actually, he was smarter than that. You're demoted to Chryssy. She's just as thick-headed as you.”

“Wha?” Twilight blinked. Who the heck was that? Well it was still better than-

“So Sparklefairy. Seems you've been practicing at least. Is this Ifrit’s work?”

Twilight glowered at the foalish name before sighing. “Yeah. Sunny and Moonie are doing well. I can't even summon him, just his fire.”

“Well that’s fine, unless you want him fighting in your stead. You'll need a soulbond for that.”

“Like us?” Twilight asked, surprised.

“Why do you think I'm not confined to my gem?” Bahamut pointed out. To be honest, he was guessing here. He still had no idea how half this crap worked. Hell, he’d been making this up as he went along.

“Bahamut?” Twilight’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Did you help her?”

“Huh?” Bahamut blinked and turned to face her. “Help who?”

“Whoever it was you were helping the other night,” Twilight replied. “It probably sounds silly. But it felt like you asked for help in helping her.”

She sensed that? How powerful was this filly?

“Yeah, I helped her out. You should meet her sometime. She says you sound pretty cool.”

“I dunno…” Twilight squirmed uncomfortably. Bahamut just rolled his eyes and got to his feet, picking the filly up.

“Come on, let’s go raid Celestia’s cake stores, find Sunbutt and Moonbutt Jr. And then have a party.”

“Yeah!” Twilight cheered.

“I'm so glad you were able to help that Rainbow Dash filly,” Moondancer smiled and rubbed Bahamut’s head.

“Moondancer… I'm not a dog,” Bahamut frowned.

“I can’t believe you blew up an airship,” Sunset grinned. “I'd have loved to see that sucker burn.”

“You have issues,” Bahamut deadpanned. He then smirked and nodded. “It was pretty fantastic.”

“I'm worried for our future,” Twilight said as she put a forkful of cake into her mouth. This was the best cake ever~

“With me and Bahamut around?” Cadence said innocently, resuming her snuggling of Moondancer. “You should be.”

Bahamut nodded and opened his mouth, swallowing some cake. Huh, no wonder Celestia kept this to herself. It was freaking delicious!

“So… where were you lot when I got kidnapped?” Bahamut asked. “I looked everywhere.”

“At Donut Joe's,” Sunset replied with a mouthful of cake. “Moondancer left you a note.”

Bahamut’s eye twitched.

“Those were some good donuts,” Cadenza sighed happily. “That was the worst thing about the temple. The food there was utter shiii—” Cadenza paused when she realised there were foals present.

“It's okay,” Moondancer said as she tilted her head back to look up at her. “We all know how uncouth you are— Cadence?”

The pink pegasus sat in the corner of the room, making small circles on the floor with her hoof. She pouted and one could almost see the aura of depression around her.

“Uncouth… she says I'm uncouth…” Cadenza mumbled.

“Riiiight, ignoring that,” Bahamut said and turned back to the fillies. “Starting tomorrow, we're gonna be training harder alright? Now that I have access to my tier two magicks, I can start instructing you properly.”

“Finally!” Sunset pumped her hoof in the air.

“Oh dear,” Moondancer looked worried. “I hope it won't be too dangerous.”

“Nah… unless Sparklefairy screws up a spell and kills us all with Ifrit or something,” Bahamut chuckled.

Three fillies just gulped as Cadenza continued to pout.

Later that night, Bahamut lay on a couch in one of the living rooms. He stared up at the ceiling as he flicked an odd gold coin between his claws rapidly.

“So what are you?” he asked it. “You're not an Eidolon, I'd be able to sense you. Plus we can only inhabit gems or living beings… No, you're… different.”

It annoyed him too. He felt as though he should know. But it was like an itch on his brain that he just couldn't scratch. Auric. Golden Sun. These words just didn't ring any bells. And he knew of no Eidolon with that name either.

The coin didn’t answer and Bahamut tossed it into the air before catching it. “Well, you're helpful aren't you.” He felt Celestia’s magic pass by the room, pausing just outside for a moment before continuing onwards.

“I bet you're living it up easier,” he muttered. “I bet you have all the answers. All I have is a thousand years of backseat visions and before that, a whole lot of nothing.” He tossed the coin again and wondered what'd happen if he focused some magic into it.

Well, there's only one way to find out.

He focused his new powers and held the coin. ‘Auric Fulcrum. The Dragon God-King Bahamut calls upon you. Answer my summons.’

There was a moment where nothing seemed to happen. Bahamut snorted and went to toss the coin away. “Figures…”

Then the coin caught the moonlight coming through the window, and started to glow golden as it landed.

“Interesting,” Bahamut mumbled, even as he prepared a charged Thundara spell… just in case.

The coin was no longer visible for the column of golden fire emanating from where it had landed. Bahamut shielded his eyes, surprised at the sheer amount of power that came from it. He had no doubts that this would challenge even his true form. Whatever this ‘Auric’ was, it was a force not to be trifled with.

Still, he was Bahamut. This whelp would learn his place if he stepped out of line.

Eventually, the fire died down, and once it did, there was a form visible over the coin. A human form, clad in golden and orange robes, with a cape and hood, done up in a checkered pattern. The symbol of an eclipsed sun was emblazoned on his chest, and his black hair was streaked with gold. Even his eyes had gold in them, instead of a usual blue or green.

“What in the world…?” Bahamut sat up and blinked. “A human? They exist here?” And dear gods that outfit… “You look like a Hearth's Warming decoration.”

“I’m actually rather fond of this outfit,” the human said as he stood up and looked around, before finally settling on the dragon. “A friend of mine from another world made it for me after I helped him through a quick bit of sticky business, just after I ascended.”

Another world? Ascended?

“Alright,” Bahamut got to his feet, standing a head shorter than the human. Dammit, he'd been feeling nice and tall up until now. “So what… who are you? I assume you are Auric Fulcrum?”

The boy nodded and found a nearby chair, sitting in it and waving a hand around casually as he introduced himself. “Knight of the Eclipse, wielder of Alchemy, and until recently, master of a very nasty blade. Sorta burned out all its energy, but hey! I can do this.” Then a metal staff flowed into existence in his other hand. One that reeked of power as well.

“Matter creation?” Hmm, alchemy… why did that sound familiar. “Do you know a short kid with a metal arm?” Where did that come from? Bahamut growled and rubbed his forehead.

“I’m vaguely aware of what you’re talking about, but no, that’s not the sort of power I wield. At least, I don’t think so, I would have to know more about that series. The sort of strength I have is more...elemental,” the human said. “Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter. Those names ring a bell?”

Bahamut paced and tapped his head. He knew this. He should know this…

“Why. Can't I. Remember!!” He roared and slammed the fireplace with a Fira spell, igniting the hearth and filling the room with light and heat.

“Eh, memories going a little weird isn’t anything new to those who’ve been Displaced,” the human said. “At least, I’m assuming that’s what you are. You had my coin and were able to call on me.”

“Displaced?” The dragon found an odd sense of familiarity to that word. Well, more like he felt that it suited him. “Sunbutt would certainly agree that I don't fit…” He sighed and looked at the human. “Well, you can call me Bahamut. Dragon God-King of the Eidolon race.”

“Out of the seven Final Fantasies I got to play, I’d have to say, getting to you in four was a bitch,” the human said. “Who lives on the moon?!”

“I'm sure Luna entertained the idea once or twice,” Bahamut mused. Hmm, a secret base on the moon sounded cool. “Wait, ‘Final Fantasy’?”

“Yeah, it was a game series back on earth,” Auric said. “Spoiler alert: as long as it kept pulling in money, there was never going to be a ‘final’ fantasy.”

“Tch! Square were such sellouts…” Bahamut gasped and stared at the human with an incredulous stare. “How do I know that?”

“Would you like to know a simple fact about the Displaced?” the human asked softly.

The drake nodded, and Auric sighed. “Each and every one of us...used to be a human from Earth. And then, more often than not, we dressed up as one of our favorite characters, and were missing just one part for our costumes. For me it was a sword. I bought it from a shop, attended a party, and made a stupid wish to ‘look this cool all the time.’ Next thing I know…”

“Poof, you’re dragged kicking and screaming into a world you don’t know, where a chimera twists your mind and makes you destroy an entire town. Then a pair of cute soon-to-be princesses seal in a fucking gem for a thousand fucking years!!” Bahamut panted after his little rant, his claws crackling with a Thundara spell.

“Actually,” Auric said. “In my world, Discord and I were friends. Right before my sword drove him around the bend.”

“I'd settle for driving my claws into his heart,” Bahamut muttered angrily. A lot of memories, long forgotten had resurfaced and he couldn't process this right now.

“We share a little something in common,” Auric said. “After all, I had to work damn hard to regain a human form. And the sisters celestial imprisoned me for fifteen-hundred years for things I think were damn well justified.”

“Well, admittedly… I might have very well burned the planet if I hadn't been stopped...” A thousand years was a long time to reach some perspective though. “Still, at least your power isn't sealed by a ten year old filly because Celestia is a paranoid bitch.”

“Try saving the world from an insane god while the sisters still watch everything that you do,” the human dryly replied. “If it weren’t for my ascension at that particular moment, I rather think my world would have been doomed.”

“You’ve mention this ‘ascension’ twice now. Explain.”

“All right, so,” the human said as the staff disappeared and he cupped his hands together. “From the moment I arrived in my world, it was changing in small, subtle ways. My powers come from the Golden Sun series, based on the land of Weyward. There, four elements rule over all.”

A ball of earth appeared, circling above his hands, swiftly followed by a ball of water, a ball of lightning, and a ball of fire. “Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus,” he said. “Four lighthouses, that when lit, produce a miracle. A Golden Sun, that empowers the one that stands beneath it. Their lifespan is extended, their powers become expanded, and most importantly, they become capable of Alchemy.”

The four orbs combined into a blazing golden sphere, that vanished. “I had the lighthouses of my world lit, and stood in the right place, at the right time. Just as I got my powers, I got to use them.”

“Sounds like I was mistaken then,” Bahamut sighed. “Guess I'm the one that has it pretty easy.” He sat down on the couch, pushing his memories away for now. “It's there… I used to be human. I know that now., probably have known for a while... Is… there any way to go back?”

“Finding your exact world in all the Multiverse is like looking for a single grain of sand amidst a sandstorm,” Auric said. “It might take you as long as you live or even longer. And I would say we both had it equally hard. Though, at least you had a body when you arrived.”

“Somehow, I don't know if I want the answer to that question,” Bahamut smirked. “Though given that I lived as a consciousness inside a gem for a millenia, I can sympathise I suppose…”

The door to the room slowly creaked open as Twilight poked her head in.

“Bahamut?” She asked sleepily. “I heard voices…”

“We'll get you a psychiatrist in the morning Starswirl.”

“So mean,” Twilight pouted as she walked in. The second she saw the human, she squeaked in surprise and hid behind the couch.

“Behold, my fearless Summoner,” Bahamut said with mock enthusiasm. “Starswirl Sparklefairy.”

“Argh! Stop calling me that!” Twilight growled.

“Well, this is turning out to be an interesting summon indeed,” the human mused. He was surprised even more, when a speartip came to rest over his shoulder.

“And who the hell is this shiny fucker?” Cadenza demanded.

“He's fine Candy,” Bahamut said with a wave of his claw. The pegasus withdrew her spear as Bahamut smiled. “And this is Mi Amore Cadenza. The pegasus with permanent pms.”

“And you're my soon to be saddlebags,” She shot back. “Fucking scaly little smartass.”

“Yup, this place is definitely interesting,” the human said. “I might even come back to visit.”

“So, who’are you?” Twilight was in front of him, her wide eyes staring up at the human. “I'm Twilight Sparkle, student of Princess Celestia and Bahamut.” She sounded so damned adorably proud saying it too.

“And I,” the human said as he summoned his staff once more and leaned on it. “Am Auric Fulcrum. Knight of the Eclipse. Bahamut called me, and we had a nice little chat about a few things.”

“Huh…” Twilight looked him over and nodded. “Okay.”

Then he got a faceful of pink as Cadenza straddled him and licked her lips. “Wanna be friends with me too~?”

“Sorry, I already have a wife,” the human said as he put one hand to her and gently pushed her back a little.

“Aw, she could watch,” Cadenza smiled, not budging.

“Stop being uncouth,” Twilight stated and before he could blink, the human saw the pegasus in the corner of the room, pouting in a depressed state.

“Well, it’s effective, I’ll give you that, but I don’t know if you should keep pushing that button,” Auric said.

“And that is our capable Dragoon,” Bahamut sighed.

“Moondancer and Sunset are asleep,” Twilight said and yawned. Bahamut smiled and rubbed her head.

“As should you be. Now off with you.”

“I wanna sleep with you,” Twilight pouted cutely.

“I can hang around for a while longer if you want answers,” the human said. “I’ve lately developed a bit of insomnia after getting the full measure of my powers back. I might just go out for a walk.”

“I'll go with you,” Bahamut said and got up. “Now go on Twilight. Off to bed.”

“But-” She never got to finish before Bahamut cast Sleep on her, catching her and putting the filly on the couch.

“Look out for her Cadenza. I'm going for a walk as well,” Bahamut said.

“Sure, whatever,” she replied as Bahamut went to follow the human. A human who was sure Cadenza groped his butt as she walked past him.

“Interesting world you have here,” the human said as they began walking the halls.

“That’s one way of putting it,” the drake replied. “Like you, I fear this world changed when I arrived. Ponies hide in protected cities while monsters crawl the world over. And only now, am I giving them the strength to fight back… As long as the Great and Omnipotent Flanklestia approves.”

“At least you’re trying,” the human said with a wave of one hand. “I can think of one way you might be able to influence the world at large, but I would need to look into it myself to see if it’s even viable in this world. I think I’m from about twenty years down the time-stream compared to you. And your river doesn’t even flow the same pathway anymore, so I don’t know if it’s a solution or just an idle curiosity.”

So, he was from another Equestria. And things had happened differently. “Like what?” Bahamut asked. “Well, aside from being buddy-buddy with Discord.”

“Like I said, he went round the bend, and it was my fault in my world,” the human sighed. “But here, there’s a solution, maybe. Depends on if an empire in the frozen north ever existed here.”

“Ah, those guys,” Bahamut nodded. “Not sure. I could only see as far as the castle walls during my imprisonment…”

“The Empire is gone,” A voice said as Luna stepped out of the shadows. “And perhaps try a more subtle entrance next time Mr. Fulcrum. You’re just lucky Tia is a heavy sleeper.”

“Oh, hey cute-flanks,” Bahamut winked and did a twirl. “Like the bigger, sexier me?”

Luna ignored Bahamut completely.

“Still, in my world,” the human replied to Luna, “It came back. Though, it was not alone when it did. However, once that minor obstacle was taken care of, I recalled something I heard from the one placed in charge of it. ‘If good feelings permeate the Crystal Empire, they will spread across all of Equestria.’ I would have looked into replicating whatever keeps the monsters at bay and spreading that instead.”

“I'll not divulge the secrets of our Barriers,” Luna stated. “Not to an unknown entity like yourself. Bahamut trusts you, so that raises my doubt.”

“Harsh…” Bahamut muttered.

“But the power I sense speaks for itself,” Luna continued. “Tis Harmony that keeps the beasts at bay. Though only Starswirl truly knew how it worked.”

“Dear Luna,” the human said with a twinkle in his eye, “You’ve all but told me how your barriers work, or at least, what they’re working off of. I’m not so young as to not know how to read between your words.”

“Is that so?” Luna mused.

“Oh get a room,” Bahamut groaned.

“Nah, I wouldn’t cut into your efforts,” the human said with a wave of his hand. “And like I already said, I have a wife back home. And rest assured, I would never sabotage your only means of keeping the monsters at bay. Then I’d be no better than them.”

“That and I'd eat you before you got the chance,” Bahamut mused. “Though, I doubt Twilight would let me.”

“You could try,” the human said with a small laugh. “But like I said, there are things I just won’t do. So you won’t get to know what that’s not a feasible plan.”

“The Elements of Harmony power the Barriers,” Bahamut said, much to Luna’s shock. “Don’t give me that look Luna. I've known him for about ten minutes, and he trusts me more than you and Fat Flanks combined.”

“Because I empathize with your situation,” the human said. “Ripped out of my own world and stuffed into a headless suit of armor, as its animating spirit. Then chained up in a basement for fifteen hundred years and forgotten about.”

“Wow… that sucks,” Bahamut said. “At least you were only headless, not heartless.”

“Yeah,” the human chuckled. “Still didn’t help my Celestia or Luna to see that I was only a threat when provoked. And even then, the worst I did was rebuke them for being such morons about me. Yeah, I was dangerous. So is anyone when you back them into a fucking corner. I will place ten bits that even if you back the scrawniest colt into a corner and advance on him menacingly, he will strike back.”

Luna stared at him, before deciding that this was a ‘Nope’ situation and turned away. Let Celestia deal with this crap. “There’s bucking two of them,” she muttered as she walked off.

“I yelled at them cause I got kidnapped and burned down an airship midflight,” Bahamut chuckled and patted Auric on the back. “I like you, even if I do have a massive headache from what you've told me.”

“You have a problem,” the human said. “Don’t you think you could have waited for the airship to not be something you were on before you started burning it? Could you have used anything but fire to fight with?”

“If you can't kill it with fire, you're not using enough fire,” Bahamut nodded. “Well, perhaps. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. Besides, I wound up in Ponyville and got to help Rainbow Dash and her messed up leg. And I scored some minions. It was a good day.”

“...I feel like I could hang around here for years and not understand how this world works,” the human sighed. “So, uh, sorry I had to remind you about your origins. Most of the people I meet are quite aware…”

“Nice to see I break the mould,” Bahamut smirked. He raised a hand and focused his power into a shining green gem. “Cure Materia. It'll produce Life and Esuna once it matures. Probably not much to someone of your power, but I bet you'd find a use for it.” He tossed the gem towards him.

“Not bad, I could definitely find a use for that,” Auric said. “Both at once is nice.” He put a hand to his chin and hummed for a moment, before snapping his fingers. “Got it.” With that, a golden mist flowed from one hand as he began constructing a black jet out of thin air.

“Now what are you making?” Bahamut asked. “This is Alchemy?”

“I’m using my Understanding of how things work to call together all the bits and pieces for this particular gem,” the human said. “Funny how knowing how everything works pairs so well with a power based on the manipulation of matter.” Soon enough, the gem was completed.

“You can’t possibly know everything,” Bahamut frowned. “The human brain couldn't comprehend it. You'd go insane… if you're lucky.”

“I did,” the man said softly. “That particular memory is still something I try to avoid fully recalling. Seeing it all at once...drove me mad.”

“Well… you’re looking great for a crazy guy,” Bahamut smirked.

“Yeah, I lost something when I lost my sword,” the human said. “Then again, it captured my moment of madness, so...and there we have it, done.” The jet was now sparking with a bit of power.

“Okay…” Bahamut looked at the gem and shrugged. “What is it?”

“Feed it a little power and see,” the human said as he passed the stone off to the dragon. “Explaining it would take the fun out of it.”

“I feel like this is accepting candy from a stranger,” Bahamut muttered and gave the human a smirk. “Do I need an adult?”

“I am an adult,” the man said with only a slightly creepy voice, before laughing it off. “No, but seriously, try it out. I promise you you’ll love it.”

Bahamut shrugged and made sure he had a Shell and Protect in place, before feeding the gem some magic...and then he turned invisible.

“So… nothing happen-Holy shit I'm invisible!”

“It only works when you’re in shadows, though,” the human said. “Direct light on you will break the illusion. It’s still useful.”

“Mental note, don't use it around Celestia. The sun literally shines out of her ass,” Bahamut said aloud. “Still, interesting. I can think of a few uses.”

“You gave me something, it’s only fair I return the favor,” the human said. “I might even stick around for breakfast, catch a few sights in Canterlot.”

“You're welcome to if you like,” Bahamut said with a small shrug. “Just avoid Celestia, she’s likely to grill you for questions, then likely grill you in the literal sense… Oh, and lock your door. Cadenza seems determined.”

“One of the benefits of being hit with the full power of the Golden Sun is immortality,” the human said. “Celestia could try whatever she wanted. I got to test out dying. It sucks, by the way.”

“Soulbonded to Twilight. If I die, so does she and vice versa.” Bahamut sighed and shook his head. “Come on, you can crash with me.”

“Sounds good to me,” the human said as he followed the dragon. He led him back to the living area to see Twilight sleeping peacefully on the couch, Cadenza standing watch, but left once Bahamut and Auric returned.

“I have a bad feeling…” Bahamut said to no-one in particular. He was right to feel that, before Sunset and Moondancer raced in, some bedding wrapped in their combined magic.

“Sleepover!” they cheered and then stopped dead when they saw Auric.

“Meet Moonbutt Jr, and Sunbutt Jr.” Bahamut made a sweeping motion with his free arm, the other cradling Twilight.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the human said as he walked over to one corner.

“So… who’s the Hearth’s Warming decoration?” Sunset asked.

“Hah! Called it!” Bahamut smirked. “His name is Auric and he’s a new friend of mine. Go easy on him though, I haven’t seen what his threshold for cuteness is.”

“I’ve seen cuter,” the human replied. “I teach cuter.”

“Then you know not the power of a filly named Fluttershy,” Bahamut nodded as he climbed onto the couch as Cadenza re-appeared and lay out a few futons. At the mention of that name, the pegasus let out a small ‘squee’.

“Okay, that one, I’ll admit, is plenty adorable,” the human said. “Still, I know cuter.”

“Me?” Cadenza blinked cutely. A pony with a mouth like hers had no right to be so adorable.

“Mmhmm,” the human said as he reclined in a chair, idly observing.

“Hah! he said I’m cute!” Cadenza smirked at Bahamut.

“Maybe the trip addled his brain,” the dragon shot back, which earned him a pillow to the face.

“I can just tell my time here is going to be interesting,” Auric chuckled.

A small pillow fight had broken out… until one hit Twilight…

She opened her eyes and everyone gazed into the bloodshot death they promised as her horn sparked.

There were no survivors. Auric was left alone on the field of battle as Twilight mercilessly shot down each and every pony into the realm of unconsciousness… and one dragon.

“Sleep in Tartarus,” the purple filly muttered before curling up on Bahamut’s chest and going back to sleep.

“On that note, I think I’ll get some sleep as well,” the human said, before focusing his power and walking up the wall, before coming to rest on the ceiling and laying himself down to rest up there.

Celestia’s reaction the next morning would be priceless...

Chapter Five

Bahamut yawned and opened his eyes. he could swear that Celestia’s goddamn sun always managed to find his eyes when he was trying to sleep. He yawned once more and opened his eyes slowly, smiling when he saw Twilight curled up next to him.

He had to admit, she was utterly adorable. Hell, most of the ponies he knew were. Even Celestia and Luna had their moments.

A glance around the room showed a few scattered piles of bedding, but nopony in them. Even the ceiling-bound human was missing.

Oooh, that couldn’t be good. Celestia would flip her freaking lid if she saw him running around. And he came across as the type that would rile her up for fun. He stretched his limbs and scooped up a sleeping Twilight as he got to his feet.

This time of morning, the other fillies would be in the breakfast hall.

Well, time to go and have the most interesting breakfast ever.

Celestia liked to think she was an adaptable mare. While the whole Bahamut being released had thrown her for a loop, she had actually started to get used to having the dragon around. And to his credit, he’d managed to tame Cadenza somewhat.

The pink pegasus still scowled at Celestia and Luna whenever they were in the same room together though.

Still, all that aside, it was hard to faze the celestial alicorn.

So when she entered the dining hall, ready to fill her belly for the coming day. The strangest sight awaited her.

Soma manner of biped, wearing a simply marvelous outfit. He was looking rather uncomfortable at the moment, mostly due to Cadenza licking syrup from her spoon in rather… uncouth manner. The alicorn entered the room and cleared her throat, garnering some attention.

“Well, I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said calmly as she took a seat.

“Ah,” the biped said with a nod. “My name is Auric Fulcrum. Also known as the Knight of the Eclipse.”

“A knight you say?” Celestia raised her teacup and sipped at it. “Well met then. I am Princess Celestia, diarch of Equestria. Might I ask… the reasons behind your visit? Though I can only assume a certain black dragon is behind this.”

“He called me,” the biped shrugged. “I make it a duty to answer those that call that are worth my time. He seemed to need answers, so I provided them. Perhaps with information, he can make informed decisions.”

“That would be a miracle in and of itself,” Celestia replied. Wow she was snarky in the morning. A maid brought her some breakfast and the mornings news. “So what kind of answers could he have possibly have needed?”

“For example, what he used to be before Discord pulled him into this reality,” Auric said. “Did you know he’s forgotten everything about his old world, his old life?”

Celestia paused. “Explain,” she said. “Bahamut is a dragon Discord summoned on us. One that claimed to be the King of all dragons from some ancient texts we discovered.”

“And I used to be a headless suit of armor, wielding a blade that drove others mad when they touched it,” Auric sniped back. “But before that, I was just an ordinary human in my world. Attending a costume party as my favorite villain. How was I to know the innocent blade I’d purchased had any measure of real power?”

Other worlds? She and Starswirl used to toy with a mirror portal that could look into other dimensions, even travel to them. And this being… this, Auric claimed that both he and Bahamut were from other worlds?

“Well, I’m not presumptuous enough to mark you a liar,” Celestia said as her gaze drifted over the news for a moment.

‘Rainbow Filly makes miraculous recovery. Read more on page 3’

“It seems I have done too much of that lately,” she murmured and sipped her tea again.

“I don’t even know how old he was before he was torn from his world,” Auric said. “The psychic abilities of the Jupiter school only allow me to read surface thoughts. He would have to know, and I would have to be using it on him while he was thinking it, in order for me to know. Imagine if he was only a child…”

“A child?” Celestia’s eyes widened slowly. That… that would explain the way he’d play with Twilight and the others. They way he got so defensive and vocal in an argument. Why he acted so proud and mighty.

“Oh… oh no…”

“I’ve seen that look before,” Auric said as he sat back, his own eyes downcast. “On my Celestia, when I defended her during one of her weakest moments. That perhaps, just perhaps, I wasn’t as bad as she thought I was.”

“But… I…” This couldn’t be so, he had no proof on what he was saying was true. But as the former Bearer of Honesty, Celestia knew he wasn’t lying.

The doors opened and Bahamut walked in, cradling Twilight in one arm as he looked around. “Ah, finally found you—”

Whhyyyy was Celestia hugging him!?

He looked at the crestfallen alicorn, then to Auric. “What the hell? You broke Celestia!”

“I did nothing of the sort,” Auric defended himself. “Let’s just say, she has had her opinion of you balanced with facts.”

“You… I can’t…” Bahamut sighed and pushed the alicorn away. “I seriously can’t deal with this. Would you yell at me or something?”

Celestia just stared at him with watery eyes and Bahamut groaned. “Oh!” he snapped his fingers. “What did you mean last night? About not getting in the way of my efforts? When we were talking to Luna?”

“You do realize you were hitting on her, right?” Auric said with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t know why you’re flirting with the immortal moon goddess that apparently could care less if you existed, but if that’s the game you play, dream big little buddy.”

“I… WHAT!?” Bahamut’s yell woke up Twilight, who yawned and stretched adorably.

“Hunh?” she blinked slowly and looked around. “Mornin’ everypony…”

“Well, this is interesting,” Sunset said as she snacked on a pancake.

“Is Bahamut really in love with Princess Luna?” Moondancer asked Auric. “A forbidden romance out of a fairy tale, so beautiful~”

“I am not in love with Princess Emo,” Bahamut yelled.

“Could have fooled me,” the human said as he resumed eating his breakfast. At that point, the doors flew open again as a guard came running in.

“WHAT!?” Celestia and Bahamut both turned to him.

“I… ah…” the poor guy shook in his armour. “O-Outside, Your Highness. Another monster has appeared inside the Barrier…”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “Form the vanguard, and our priority is to evacuate the citizens from the area.” She looked down at the guard. “Well, move!”

“Ma’am,” he saluted and bolted from the room.

“You know…” Bahamut said, but Celestia shook her head.

“No, we will have a long talk later, but right now you must keep those three fillies safe alright?” Celestia rubbed Twilight’s head and went to walk from the room.

“I have a better idea,” Auric said as he summoned his staff into his right hand. “I distract the beastie, and when you decide to let your little guard dog off his leash, perhaps we’ll be able to save more lives.” Before anyone could refute his statement or the bite he’d put into it, or even so much as tell him ‘no,’ the human had vanished in a cloud of golden fire.

Bahamut looked at Celestia and shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I have nothing to do with this.”

“Just…” Celestia sighed. “Can you promise they’ll be safe. Whatever happens after… we can cross that bridge as it comes I suppose.”

“With luck, my power won’t be needed,” Bahamut nodded as he grabbed something for Twilight to eat on the way out. “Let’s go girls! Consider this your first exam. I expect full marks from all of you.”

“Yes sir,” the three fillies cheered as Cadence just shrugged and went to fetch her gear.

Outside, one might have expected a monster, something big, ugly and hungry for ponies.

What Auric was greeted with was a rather voluptuous blonde woman wearing… well not much of anything really.

If it wasn’t for the fact that she was currently tearing apart a building with a tornado…

She saw Auric’s appearance and smiled, taking a small bow. “Ah, well now isn’t this interesting. I didn’t think two Fiends would be needed.”

“Oh, you gauged the power I posses quite well,” the human said with a smirk. “However, you’ve failed to place one simple thing.” His staff flashed green as he began conjuring up a technique from Venus.

“I, Barbariccia failed to do what exactly?” she said, holding a condensed ball of Aero magic in her hand.

“You failed to place what team I’m batting for!” Auric screamed as a ghostly sword roughly as large as one of them appeared over his head. “Ragnarok. Eat it!” And then the sword slammed into her.

She whipped her long, golden hair around as a wall of powerful winds surrounded her. While powerful, she managed to deflect some of the damage as she stumbled.

“You… little…” She raised her hands. “Rapid Thunder!”

The clouds darkened as bolts of lightning rained down towards Auric. He raised his staff as a violet energy surrounded him, dispersing the attacks before they could connect.

“Ward, bitch. Think twice if you want to hit me. In the meantime,” the staff turned red. “Dragon Fume!” A ribbon of red flames leaped up from him before diving at her.

Barbariccia rolled her eyes as she summoned her Tornado, the powerful winds scattering the flames. “Really? That’s all you’ve got? What a cute little puppy, all that bark and no bite.”

“Thundara!”

The wind Fiend screamed as the lightning bolt ripped through her, causing her to stumble back as Sunset’s form crackled with residual energy.

“Good form Sunny,” Bahamut nodded. “Nice aim as well.”

“That was… fun~” Sunset smiled, relishing her power.

“Are you alright? Do you need healing?” Moondancer asked Auric as she approached him.

“I’m good for now, though I might need some in a minute...that is, if my totally unfair idea doesn’t work.” The staff flashed violet again as Auric grinned. “Hey Bahamut, pop quiz. Would you say this long-haired harlot is using magic?”

“Of course she is,” Bahamut nodded as the Fiend righted herself and powered up another Tornado.

“Then she can suck on my Bind!” Auric said as an ornate symbol flashed into existence over her head, the energies of the spell making themselves known. The Fiend blinked as her winds vanished.

“W-What did you do to me!?” she screeched.

“Hmm, so a Silence spell?” Bahamut really needed to teach these girls some Status magic. “That’ll do it.” He suddenly blinked and sniffed the air. “I can feel you…” He looked at Twilight and grinned. “She has an Eidolon inside her. Now’s a good time to teach you how to Extract!”

“R-Right now?” Twilight asked and Moondancer cast a spell that would allow Auric to recover lost magic power.

“Yup!” Bahamut nodded. “Now, close your eyes. Feel for its essence. You have myself and you have Ifrit. You’re looking for something similar. Feel it?”

“Um…” Twilight frowned and then gasped. “I-I can!”

“Good,” the dragon nodded. “Now, focus on that. Call to it. You can do it Twilight.”

Twilight nodded as she concentrated. Auric noticed a green aura surrounded her, and a similar one around the Elemental Fiend. Then there was something, a flash of movement as something was pulled from the monster and absorbed into Twilight. The filly gasped and clutched her chest.

“Calm down,” Bahamut said, stroking her mane. “It’s inside you now. Just focus on it, seal it into a Magicite.”

Twilight nodded slowly, panting as her horn glowed. Then in front of her, an Emerald took form and the aura shifted to that, before disappearing entirely. The filly fell to the ground as Bahamut smiled.

“Well done,” he praised her.

The Fiend twitched, now that the sealed Eidolon fueling her magic was gone, she screamed with rage. “What. Have you. DONE!?!?” She glared at Auric and smiled. “If I can’t have that… then I’ll take yours~” She extended her hands as Auric started to feel his Jupiter Psynergy being syphoned off, flowing into her.

“And Sleep,” the human commanded her, a vague mist appearing over her head as he issued that magical order.

She gasped suddenly, pitching over and collapsing to the ground. It had looked like the Sleep took hold.

So why could he feel the Psynergy inside her start to rage out of control?

“Bahamut,” Auric said, gripping his staff tightly. “Something’s coming…”

“Yeah, I feel it,” he growled as the wind stopped and the silence was deafening.

The body of the Fiend started to warp and twist, the Psynergy roaring from release from the creature that had no right to command it. But her own innate magic had poisoned it, twisted it into something… more.

An ungodly roar came from her throat as a Pysnergy Fusion occurred, the human-shaped Fiend was torn apart from the inside as the power took shape…

And the massive golden dragon, Eclipse, stared down at them with rage-filled eyes.

“Uhh, can… we beat that?” Sunset managed to squeak out.

“It’s a summon from my universe,” the man growled out. “How in the hells did it get here?” He shook his head by way of reply. “The only thing that could best a summon is another, stronger summon. And I didn’t bring my Djinn with me.”

“Twilight, you’re up,” Bahamut said. “Give him everything you’ve got.”

“But… I can’t,” she said in fear, taking a step back. “I can’t even summon Ifrit properly. I can’t beat a dragon!”

Another Thundara spell shot from Sunset, bouncing harmlessly off of Eclipse’s scales. “Come on you ugly git!” she screamed. “We’ll kick your scaley ass!”

“That’s my girl,” Cadenza laughed as she flew over them, ready to drive her spear into the dragon’s chest. The beast looked up and opened its mouth, plasma starting to build up…

“Twilight Sparkle,” Auric said quietly. “If you are in fact a summoner, then you are the only thing that can stop this beast. I can’t. For all my fantastic powers, I doubt I’ll live through the blast its charging. It will kill us all. It will kill me, over and over again, until it sticks. But that won’t happen. Do you know why?”

Twilight shook her head, her entire body shook as Cadenza struck the dragon again and again. It had no effect and the beast wasn’t even paying her any attention.

“I have faith in you,” the human said simply. “If you put your heart and soul into stopping this creature, then I know you can.”

“You stole my line,” Bahamut chuckled and looked up. “Look Twi, he’s right. You have every right to be scared. And it’s my fault you’re in this position to begin with. But you can do this.”

Twilight stopped, words echoing in her head. “Alright…” she nodded and took a breath.

“I call upon your might. I release your power. BAHAMUT!”

Eclipse turned his gaze down, ready to annihilate everything with a strike of pure plasma. he never got that chance as Bahamut’s roar shook the city, tackling the golden dragon as the blast veered off course, firing harmlessly into the sky. Eclipse roared and bit down on Bahamut’s shoulder. Twilight screaming as she clutched her own shoulder as the pain shot through her.

Moondancer’s horn shone with a green glow as she starting healing Twilight, Sunset and Cadenza frowning, annoyed that they couldn’t do anything.

“Hey, chin up,” Auric said as he sat back to watch. “I couldn’t have done anything, and it resembles something from my universe. And even if I had come prepared to throw down with a literal summoned monster incarnate, the only thing I could have done would be destroy more things in the crossfire.”

“But… can Bahamut even beat that thing?” Sunset asked as the dragons traded blows, Bahamut’s Impulse attack slamming into it, while Eclipse cast Shine Plasma.

“Normally, I would say it’s just a construct made from the energies of three Jupiter Djinn and two Mercury ones. This one seems far more real. So I don’t know. It looks like it can use things from both schools that it's formed from. As long as it doesn’t get smart and try to heal with Ply…”

The dragon’s fin on the side of its head flicked as its wounds started to close with a soft glow.

“Oh that’s just fuckin’ great!” Bahamut roared. “Thanks Auric!!”

The human snapped his fingers a few times as he thought of what he was looking for. “Come on, what’s the phrase...aha! Twilight, you have to ask it for a Pact! That’s literally the only thing I can think of to get it to stop!”

“A...a Pact?” she asked. “Wait, is that thing an Eidolon as well?”

“Summoned monster from my world made real by yours. The point is, if it still obeys the same rules, it will listen to you! Call its name. It’s Eclipse, the one whose wings blot out the sun. Call for it!”

Twilight nodded. “Eclipse. I call upon you! Form a Pact with me- AH!” she tumbled back as Eclipse’s wings kicked up a Gale spell. Sunset and Moondancer rushed to her to help her up as Bahamut unleashed a Blizzaga spell on him, trying to freeze the dragon.

“It isn't working,” Twilight gasped. “There’s… so much hate… anger…”

Auric growled before bellowing to the skies. “ECLIPSE! LORD OF THE SKIES! CEASE THIS AT ONCE, LEST I GO FETCH JUDGEMENT UPON THEE!”

The dragon roared and Twilight clasped her head. “The… hate… consumes…” she uttered in a voice not quite her own. “Stop… the… anger...defeat…” Twilight’s eyes flew open and she gasped. “Bahamut. Defeat him! We have to beat him to save him!”

“That…” Bahamut uttered. “That I can do.” He gave another earth trembling roar as he opened his maw.

Auric could see the immense amount of power that was building up. Sunset gulped and Celestia, whom had just arrived shook her head.

“What… is he doing?” Cadenza asked, even she looked worried.

“You might want to cover your eyes,” Auric said. “This looks like it’s going to get bright. At the very least, look away until it's all over.”

“I give this to you. This gift of ultimate destruction!” Bahamut roared as Eclipse started his own attack.

“MEGA FLARE!!”

The massive blast of energy ripped through the sky, tearing through Eclipse’s attack and engulfing the golden dragon utterly. Everyone shielded their eyes away from the blast, the area darkening for a second as light rushed in to fill the darkness.

And when everything fell quiet. All that was left was Bahamut standing there, a small stone tablet clutched in his right claw. He leaned down and stroked the side of Twilight’s face with a single claw, before looking at the others.

“Good job,” he said softly before holding out the tablet for Auric. The human took it and looked at it, nodding once.

“The tablet for Eclipse,” he said. “I don’t know how this happened. Heck, this even looks like my engraving. I’m worried by these implications, Bahamut.”

“Well, you crossed the Void. It’d be no surprise if someone else could as well,” Bahamut said and closed his eyes. He sent a good portion of his power back into his Garnet, shrinking back down to his usual size.

“Huh? You returned your power?” Twilight blinked in surprise.

“Being that size is inconvenient,” Bahamut said with a wave of his hand. “Besides, I don’t need it all the time. Hang on to it for me okay?”

“Sure,” Twilight giggled.

“That. Was freaking. AWESOME!!” Sunset bounced. “Aww, I wanna learn Mega Flare. Can I?”

The thought of Sunset Shimmer casting Mega Flare unsettled the dragon greatly.

“Bahamut, I’m getting the disturbing sensation that if I went home, there might be another tablet for Eclipse there,” Auric said. “Or that it might be missing. I’m not sure which is worse, to be honest.”

“Nor do I,” Bahamut said and folded his arms. “Please tell me you don't have anything worse.”

The silence answered that question for him.

“Fuck…” Bahamut groaned. “Well, guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

“Bahamut,” Celestia said and stepped forward. “I think you and I should have a little talk. The rest of you as well. There are… things that I need to discuss with you.”

“Well, that sounds ominous,” Bahamut mused. He turned to his new friend. “What about you Auric? What will you do?”

He hummed, before floating the tablet over to Celestia. “I know that if I tell you this is a dangerous relic that I’m not sure I should take back with me just yet, you’ll lock it away until I have a definite answer. And you should definitely not let Twilight try to summon the creature it details until she thinks she actually can. It’s not like her summons at all.”

“I will see to it that this tablet is sealed away properly,” Celestia nodded.

“Yup, Tia’s paranoia will see to it just fine,” Bahamut chuckled.

“Oh shut it,” Celestia said. “Or I’ll have Twilight take your power away.”

“Ahh, that’s better,” Bahamut sighed wistfully. He looked back to Auric and shrugged. “So, just use that Coin if I need you again then?”

“I’ll probably check in myself once I check my cave of summons,” the human said. “You can call me and I’ll answer if I can, but that won’t stop me from popping back in on my own.”

Bahamut nodded and shook Auric’s hand. And that was when he had a lavender filly tug his cape.

“You have… a cave of summons?”

“I engraved the tablets myself, when I was not myself,” Auric replied cryptically. “They have far more than just Eclipse detailed on them. And I can count among their number one who is not destructive.”

“Fun,” Bahamut sighed. “Well, as long as we don’t get any more surprises like that. We have our own issues to deal with.”

“So… they beat it,” a young male sighed and looked at his partner. “All that effort to procure those copies wasted. All because of that little interloper.”

“And you are too weak and stupid to crush him yourself… Alex,” The armoured titan uttered.

“Like you’re any better, stupid tree,” The blue-haired Adept sighed. “Well, it was a fine experiment anyway. We lost Barbariccia, but we can always revive her later. We’ll let her stew in her failure for a while.”

“This world will be consumed by the Void. Tis only a matter of time…”

Their talk had to wait however, as Celestia had to work on calming the citizens over two dragons duelling inside the Barrier. She also had to check if Bahamut’s Mega Flare had damaged it in any way.

Twilight was getting acquainted with her newest partner, an Eidolon by the name of Valefor, a winged creature capable of generating sonic blasts from his wings and a devastating laser blast as her signature attack.

Bahamut was currently teaching her a Soul Tether. A kind of temporary link like the one he and the filly shared. It would allow her to call out a summon and keep it around for as long as she was able to.

He was also going to start the process of teaching Sunset and Moondancer second tier magic, as well as look for one that would make a suitable Red Mage. They needed somepony that could use buffing and debuffing spells.

Well, just another thing to add to his to-do list.

Auric would be off soon, but the dragon had one last question for him.

“So, when I got your Coin, my Garnet multiplied and flew off into the Rift that your coin came from. What the hell does that mean exactly?”

“Ah, usually it happens the other way around, but it means that you’ve crafted a Token and sent it into the Multiverse at large,” the human said. “Those that find it can call on you, and you can choose to answer the call. Welcome to the community, I’ll see about handing out badges when I have the time.”

“If I collect eight, can I fight the boss?” Bahamut asked and put a hand to his head. “That’s a reference to something… I know it is.”

“Perhaps your memory is not as gone as I thought it was,” Auric mused. “Making references implies some form of knowledge about things from earth, even if it is just a scrap.”

“Great, so not only will ponies not get them, neither will the one making them…” Bahamut groaned as his Garnet around Twilight’s neck flashed and Auric felt a sudden weight in one of his pockets.

“It did it again, didn’t it?” Bahamut asked.

“Most likely,” the human agreed. “Fortunately, I have an easy way to sort through them all already made up. It’s not like it’d be a hassle to me.”

“I imagine not, oh Great and Powerful Auric,” Bahamut chuckled and scratched his head. This Multiverse thing was going to be a hassle wasn’t it?

“Take care,” the human said, before looking over at Twilight. “And take care of her as well.”

“Of course,” Bahamut nodded and smiled at the filly, who was waving at them as she was nuzzled by Valefor. “I’ll never let anyone hurt her.”

“Good attitude to have,” the human agreed before vanishing in a column of golden fire. When it cleared away, he was gone.

“Well, he certainly knows how to make an exit,” Bahamut said to himself. He saw Luna out of the corner of his eyes and Auric’s teasing came to the forefront of his mind. “Dammit, now I can’t unhear that. Bloody smarmy git...”

He could have sworn that Auric was laughing at him from across the Rift.

“Well, Celestia’s still busy and… Twilight! Get down from there!” he yelled as the filly decided to go for a ride on Valefor. Sunset and Moondancer joined her and the magical trio were now soaring up into the clouds.

“That filly…” he muttered.

Celestia was exhausted. Trying to calm everypony down had been a trial and a half. And the scientists running the Central Generator had pitched a fit over the fluctuations caused by Bahamut’s fight.

She’d also checked on Discord’s seal, but luckily, nothing had seemed out of the ordinary there. Small miracles she guessed.

But the fact that not only had that monster appeared inside the Barrier again, it was also from another world?

That unsettled her greatly.

True to her word, she had placed the Tablet inside the chamber that Bahamut was onced housed in. Nopony should be able to get to it there.

News around Equestria hadn’t been so good however. Monster attacks had gone up, and more ponies were trying to play hero, going outside the barriers to hunt them down, only to wind up as a snack.

Strangely, the Everfree Forest had calmed down as of late. While smaller monsters prowled, the word was that a larger one had been killed, thus throwing out the ecosystem a bit.

“So that’s what Cadenza did,” Celestia murmured. These abilities that Bahamut was bestowing to them. They truly were effective. But as it stood, Twilight and the others were far too young to be sent outside. If it wasn’t for Bahamut and Auric’s words, she feared she would have lost a lot of her little ponies today.

“So what do I do?” she asked the empty room. “This problem is growing worse… and the cure still isn’t ready for what lies ahead.”

Empty rooms didn’t talk back. They gave lousy advice in that sense.

“Crow!” Celestia called, as the dark-coated unicorn appeared out of thin air next to her.

“Yes, Your Highness?” he bowed his head.

“Can you summon Bahamut and the others?” she asked. “I think it’s time we had our little talk.”

“As you wish,’ he nodded and his horn started to glow.

“Oh, and how’s your daughter doing?” Celestia asked, catching him by surprise for just a second.

“Little Raven is doing fine, thank you for asking,” Crow nodded and teleported from the room. A few minutes later, the main doors opened as the small group wandered in. Bahamut had Twilight and Moondancer under each arm, and Sunset coiled up in his tail.

“Dare I ask?” Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“So they don’t go flying off on Valefor again,” Bahamut sighed as he put them down. “Honestly, she doesn’t even have seatbelts.”

“What?” Twilight tilted her head.

“I honestly have no idea myself,” Bahamut sighed as Luna teleported in, the dragon quickly averting his gaze from hers.

“Alright,” Celestia clapped her hooves and some maids brought in a tray of cakes and drinks. “Let’s talk shall we.”

“So… Discord is the reason you don’t want me at my full power? Because you believe that it might break his seal?”

“Yes,” Celestia said. She’d decided to admit everything to them, from her concerns around Bahamut, and what Auric had suggested about the dragon.

“So, Bahamut’s only about as old as us?” Twilight asked and looked at the dragon. He just offered a clueless look and shrugged.

“Beats me, I don’t remember much of anything beyond a few random flashes every now and then,” Bahamut replied. “But, I was also awake for a thousand years and saw everything that happened in this castle. That does wonders for one's mental maturity I suppose.”

“Wait, you saw everything?” Celestia asked, really hoping that didn’t mean…

“Gleaming Shield and a few piping bags of cake frosting,” Bahamut said as flatly as he could muster. Celestia turned several shades of crimson and looked away.

“That sounds like a story you’re gonna tell me later,” Cadenza smiled at her adoptive mother.

“D-Disregarding that!” Celestia stammered, her regal composure in ruins. “I want, to apologise for how I’ve treated you Bahamut.”

“It’s fine,” he shrugged. “Well, no, it’s not fine. I’m still a little ticked at you. I understand why I was sealed in the first place. But you never tried to help me. You just sealed me away and forgot about me. Twilight here gave me a chance without even knowing me. So she’s already one-upped you there. The past cannot be changed…”

He stepped closer to Celestia and held out a claw. “So let’s start over then. Hello Princess Celestia. I am Bahamut.”

Celestia smiled and placed her hoof in his claw. “Well met Bahamut. I am Celestia. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Aww,” Twilight cooed and smiled happily. She was so glad her two teachers could get along.

“Bleh!” Sunset pretended to gag. “Sappy bunch of-”

“Group hug!” Twilight said as she piled on Moondancer and Sunset.

“Dammit,” the orange filly muttered as she was snuggled.

“Well, I’m still plenty pissed at you,” Cadenza said to the solar alicorn. “So don’t expect some touchy-feely crap from me.”

“I love you too Cadence,” Celestia smiled back sweetly, much to the pegasi’s annoyance.

The moment was soon interrupted as the doors flew open, an orange-coated pegasus flew in. She wore gleaming cobalt armour and had a faint scar across her right eye.

“Your Highness,” she saluted. “I bring news from Manehattan. The breach was only minor, so the Guard were able to repel the monsters. However, two were killed and several citizens also suffered some injuries and one fatality.”

“And this was such a nice day,” Celestia sighed. “Very well, thank you for the update Captain Spitfire. I’ll read the full report later.”

The mare saluted and left the room as Bahamut tilted his head. “Was that Spitfire from the Wonderbolts?”

The long ‘squee’ coming from Twilight was a good indicator.

“Right, be back in a moment,” Bahamut nodded and followed her out of the room. “Hey, Captain Spitfire. Hold up a moment.”

The mare paused and turned her head. That was… the Princess’s pet dragon? “What is it?” she asked.

The dragon stepped closer and looked the mare over. She was rather intimidating wasn’t she, quite opposite to the subject he was about to bring up.

“It’s regarding your daughter, Fluttershy.”

“What about her?” Spitfire said coldly. “Choose your next words very carefully monster.”

“Now now,” Bahamut held up his hands. “No need for that, I did no harm to her. If anything, that cuteness of hers is more dangerous than I could ever be. But… here’s the thing.” He let out a sigh and looked at her. “I got to speak with her a little, along with little Rainbow Dash. And, I found out about you and your, ex-husband?”

Spitfire’s eye twitched slightly, but she relaxed somewhat. “Yes… he became my ex when he decided to sleep wiith that whorse of his.” He couldn’t handle looking after the filly on his own, so he abandoned them both. “What does this have to do with Fluttershy?”

“She misses her mother,” he said softly. “I know that your ex still goes by to check on her, but I think she really misses you.”

Spitfire looked at him, “Yes… I know she does,” she said and took a deep breath. “But I have an important job here, one that doesn’t offer a lot of time off.”

“I understand that,” Bahamut nodded. “But if you ask Celestia, I’m sure she could give you a week or two. Equestria won’t fall apart without you.”

“Some days it feel like it might,” Spitfire chuckled dryly. “Still… I’ll take that under advice.” She turned and was about to walk away, before pausing.

“Is my little Flutters doing alright. Aside from that, is she happy?”

“Seems to be,” Bahamut nodded. “Rainbow’s a real hoof full, so I think Fluttershy keeps her from doing anything too foolish.”

“That’s my girl,” Spitfire nodded. “Thanks for the update dragon.” She turned and gave him a salute with her wing before walking off.

“And that’s my limit of good deeds for the week,” Bahamut said to himself. “I wonder if I should go and prank Luna…”

That talk again. Bahamut blushed and growled, throwing his hands up as he screamed at the heavens.

“Goddammit Auric!!”

Chapter Six

“Try it again…” Bahamut sighed and repeated for the, well, he lost count. Sunset frowned as she focused her power and cast Blizzard, trapping the dummy in a block of ice.

“A very nice Blizzard spell,” Bahamut nodded. “Too bad we want Blizzara…”

“AARRGHH!” her horn fired up and the dummy exploded with a Fira spell. Bahamut raised an eyebrow and looked at her. She glared back and blew some of her mane from her eyes. “What!?”

“Not bad,” he nodded and walked over to Moondancer. “And what about you? Figured out that Barrier spell yet?”

“I’m trying,” she grunted, her horn flickering as a sphere of light surrounded her, flickering along with her horn before it faded and she panted. “It’s… hah… harder than healing…”

“It’s a rather basic spell, but it’s fundamentally different to healing magic, so it’ll take some getting used to.” Bahamut rubbed her head with his hand. “Keep at it.”

“Why don’t I get any encouragement like that!?” Sunset shouted.

“Because Moondancer doesn’t try to test her Blizzard spells on me,” Bahamut shouted back. He looked over at Twilight, the filly was deep into a pile of books she’d borrowed from the Archives. The dragon considered offering her a subclass, something to practice aside from her summoning. While the thought of Eclipse still crossed his mind, Auric had yet to respond to him about it.

Maybe a time delay between dimensions? Who knows.

And the fact that Celestia was nice to him now, that still weirded the hell out of him. Luna more or less only spoke to him if she had to, and Cadenza was practising her own skills. She’d mastered Jump and was working on Rei’s Wind, a skill that provided a gradual heal to those it covered.

The question also remained. Why was he giving them these skills in the first place?

He couldn’t remember his original reasoning. Sure, that monster had attacked at the time and it would have been easy to dispose of it and just fly away. Leave the ponies to do whatever the hell they wanted.

‘Oh wow! You really got me the figure? But aren’t they really expensive?’

‘Don’t worry about it, seeing your smile is worth it. Happy Birthday -....-’

That memory again.

The last thing he remembered.

Before everything went to hell.

“Bahamut?” A sudden voice snapped him out of his thoughts, the dragon actually flinching as he looked down to see Twilight staring up at him. “Is everything okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Ghosts aren’t real!” Sunset said as she blasted the dummy with Thundara. “They’re just a collection of ectoplasma animated with naturally occurring passive magic.”

“I know that, I’m not stupid!” Twilight shot back. “And for your information, they can be animated with several Dark magicks as well!”

Bahamut chuckled and rubbed the unicorn’s head. “Yeah, I’m fine sis.”

Twilight nodded, then paused. “Wait… sis?”

The dragon froze, why the hell did he just say that? Come on, think think think! Aha!

“Well of course. I’m older and more responsible than you. So it’s only natural I fill the role of big brother, little Starswirl Jr.”

“Well then my, big brother is a butt!” Twilight pouted and went back to her books. Ahh, she was so easy to deflect.

“So… big brother huh?” Cadenza smiled from right behind him. Aaand here was someone who was not so easy to deflect.

“Cram it,” Bahamut sighed as Celestia walked out into the courtyard. Bahamut frowned, there was an odd scent with her. He turned and saw why.

There was a little purple dragon on her back. An Equestrian dragon.

“Hello my students, hello Bahamut,” she smiled softly. “Training hard I see.”

“Well of course they are,’ Bahamut defended them. “So, who’s the salamander?”

“I think Twilight might recognise him,” she smiled as the unicorn trotted over and gasped.

“Princess? Is that…?”

“The dragon you hatched from your entrance exam?” Celestia finished for her. “Yes it is. We’ve had him under observation up until now. The circumstances of his birth were… unusual. So every precaution had to be made.”

“Just admit you freaked out and got all paranoid again,” Bahamut smirked. “So, this is an Equestrian dragon huh? I’ve never seen one before.”

Celestia lifted the hatchling off of her back. He was rather small and pudgy and he was currently suckling on the tip of his own tail. “Yes, while he’s young now, he should grow to something around your size in about a decade. Then, it’ll all be about how much he hoards as to how he’ll grow.”

“Really!?” Twilight was already examining the baby dragon. “Aww, he’s so cute!”

“I’m cute too,” Bahamut frowned and looked away. Tch! What was so great about a weakling like that?

“He really is~” Moondancer and even Sunset cooed over the little drake. Bahamut’s frown deepened and he huffed to himself.

“I’m hungry,” he said rather loudly and walked off. “Class is dismissed for the day!”

“Okay!” the three fillies replied as turned back to the new dragon. Bahamut just growled and walked off.

Cadenza watched him with a small smile. Now that was interesting.

“Stupid baby dragon, I’m a hundred times better,” Bahamut muttered he stomped through the halls. “Ohh, look at me~ I’m a cute little attention-stealing dragon!”

“Green isn’t your colour,” Cadenza said from behind him, causing the dragon to yelp and jump.

“What the hell? Cadence!?”

“That’s Cadenza!” she said sternly and smacked him with a hoof. “Now, want to share whatever the fuck it is you’re whining about?”

“I am not whining!” Bahamut snapped back. “I just fail to see why they’re fawning all over that pile of scales and drool.”

“Oh wow, you are so pathetic,” Cadenza chuckled as she followed him to the kitchen. “You’re seriously getting jealous over a baby dragon?”

“Fuck off,” Bahamut muttered and that earned him another whack.

“Language, only I’m old enough to use it,” Cadenza said sharply. “And no, I don’t care how old you think you are.”

Bahamut could have fired a retort, he instead just growled again and flung the kitchen doors open. “Maybe I’ll go and visit Dash and Shy again, see how they like it.”

“Aw, now there’s the maturity of a thousand year old dragon,” Cadenza teased as she opened the fridge and took one of Celestia’s cupcakes. “You know you’re approaching this all wrong right?”

“What do you mean?” Bahamut asked, raiding another fridge. He’d found out that they had a store of pork and chicken for the Griffon representatives whenever they showed up. He now considered it his own stores of deliciousness.

“I could be like the Big Bitch, be all cryptic and shit,” Cadenza shrugged as she downed her third cupcake. “But screw that. She plans to have those three raise him, to help them learn a little responsibility. I dunno, her methods make sense somewhere I suppose. Dunno where though. But if I were you? I’d see an opportunity to gain a partner in crime…”

“Iiiiiinteresting,” Bahamut tapped his claws together as he put the chicken legs in the oven. “You know Cadenza? I like the way you think.”

“I like the the way I think too,” Cadenza nodded as she finished cleaning out Celestia’s stash before leaving a note that said.

‘Haha. Love Luna’

That’d teach the moon-flanked bitch to eat her cream tarts.

Bahamut then got an idea, a wonderful and possibly dangerous idea. He’d have to wait for the dragon to grow, but it might just work. “I look forward to the future more and more,” Bahamut smirked.

“Oh, and I should tell you,” Cadenza smiled. “Hearts and Hooves Day is coming up soon. I’d better get a card from you Bahamut. And those adorable fillies.”

“Weirdo,” Bahamut muttered and choked when Cadenza put him in a headlock. “Gak! I-I mean… of course, oh lovely Caden...za”

“Better,” Cadenza smiled and dropped him. But when that day would eventually arrive, Bahamut would bear witness to something far scarier…

After his kitchen raid, he decided to track down the fillies and their new pet dragon. Getting jealous like that was stupid. Bahamut was far superior and those fillies were just reacting to something they deemed cute.

Worse came to worse, he could call Auric for some intelligent conversation, though he’d likely just tease him about Luna again…

“ARGH! I do not have a bloody crush on Luna!” he yelled out loud, causing several nearby guards to exchange looks. It was common knowledge that almost everypony in this castle was crazy.

And now they owed the maids twenty bits…

Screw this, he needed to get out of the castle for a while. He didn’t have to worry about being kidnapped now that he was taller and stronger. Still, a certain amount of caution should be used.

He passed by a window that overlooked the courtyard, and when he looked outside, he saw two familiar stallions being put through the wringer by Drill Instructor. One of the harshest teachers to come out of Westhoof Academy in decades.

“Eh, they lived through worse,” Bahamut shrugged and continued his trek to the palace gates. He paused by Celestia’s chambers and then poked his head inside. Ahh, there were are! He grabbed a pouch of bits from her dresser and hummed to himself. Now he was fully armed for his adventure.

What could go wrong?

First thing was first. He’d have to hit up the candy store and pick up some supplies. Cadenza would likely skin him alive otherwise.

And an alchemy store… he had plans for Celestia and Luna. Yes, he was going to prank Luna as well. He didn’t have a crush and was going to bloody prove it!

And dear gods, was Canterlot always so… pink?

Seriously, it was like the entire city was decorated by little fillies, or at the very least, was marketed towards them.

Speaking of, he should probably get something for Sunny, Moonie and Twiley. Maybe a card or a book or something. He wondered if the three little eggheads even knew what Hearts and Hooves Day was.

Hell, he barely knew what it was beyond, ‘buy a gift for a mare’. Given the ridiculous amounts of hearts decorating the place, he could determine that you should get something for someone you like.

“Man, what a pain,” the dragon groaned as he passed by a donut shop. Oh hey, this was the one Twilight was talking about. He stepped inside and exited a few minutes later, now holding a bag of iced donuts.

“And they’re all mine,” he hummed. “They didn’t bring me any, so fair’s fair.” And gods, these donuts were delicious~ The once full bag was quickly emptied as he continued his trek, licking icing from his claws.

He noticed ponies were staring at him, and chuckled when some ran away when he flashed them a fang-filled grin. He eventually found a candy store and stepped inside, the bell above the door tinkling softly.

“Welcome to Toola-Roola’s Toffee’s~” a mare called out in a chipper tone. “I’m Toola-Roola, what can I get for you?” She paused when she saw her customer. Well, she’d never had a dragon visit her store before.

Did dragon’s even eat candy?

If so, what kind of candy did they like? Toffee, Boiled sweets, Licorice?

Bahamut stood in front of the mare, he’d asked a few times on what he could get a mare, but Toola seemed to be staring off into space. Bahamut just stood there, waiting for… whatever it was she was doing to finish.

“Candied apples? no…” Toola-Roola looked up and blinked as the dragon stared down at her. She yelped and ducked behind the counter before remembering he was a customer. She popped back up and smiled.

“Welcome to—”

“Yeah, we covered that part,” Bahamut sighed. “Do you… need a minute or something? You look distracted.”

“Huh? Ooh, sorry… I was wondering what kinda of candies dragons ate.”

Seriously?

“Whatever you ponies do I guess,” Bahamut shrugged. “I’m not a typical dragon though. And look, I just need something for a mare—”

“OOoh,” Toola-Roola wiggled her eyebrows. “For your Special Somepony?”

“Oh she’s special alright,” Bahamut said dryly. “Look, I just need something that might appease a pegasus mare.”

“I have just the thing,” Toola smiled and trotted over to a shelf, taking down a jar of candies. “These are Rainbow Candies and they’re only made in Cloudsdale.”

“What’s a Cloudsdale?” Bahamut asked.

“You… don’t know?” Toola did a cute head tilt. “Well, it’s the floating city of the Pegasi. They tend to be kind of secluded though, so not a whole lot of non-pegasi go there. Which is why these candies are so hard to get.”

“Well, I’ll just take your word for it,” Bahamut shrugged and looked at the tag. Holy crap they were expensive! That was nearly half the total bits on him. “So what makes these so special anyway? It can’t be that hard to make coloured candies can it?”

“No, even I could do that,” Toola-Roola said as she took some of his bits. “You’re my first dragon customer, so you get a discount. And yeah, that’s because these are candied rainbows.”

“Candied… rainbows?” Bahamut blinked slowly. Well, sure. Why not. He took the package and thanked the mare for her time. As he turned, he nearly stepped on a little filly walking in.

“Bonnie, watch out!” Toola said and scooped her up. “Sorry, I think I need to get her some glasses.”

“It’s fine,” Bahamut shrugged and ruffled the kid’s hair before walking out. Okay, so candy… check!

Now to find a bakery.

In a city this size, one would think that finding a bakery would be easy yes?

Well, it was. But finding one that wasn’t utterly sold out or expensive to the point of stupid? That was a little harder.

Then he found out why. It was no secret that Celestia and Luna loved their cake. So, what did the masses that vied for their attentions purchase on Hearts and Hooves?

“This, might be a little more difficult than I thought,” the dragon sighed. No wonder there was that massive line up at the throne room. Dammit!

“Well now what the hell do I do?” he muttered. He could always prank one of the cakes she already had…

“Eh, I’ll come back to it. Maybe find an alchemist first,” he said to himself. Okay, he really needed to stop talking to himself. Made him look like a crazy dragon.

Then he had an idea, a wonderful and slightly dangerous idea.

He couldn’t get a cake in Canterlot.

So he'd go somewhere else. Ponyville seemed like a good idea. He recalled that Rainbow's mom made some pretty nice food. He'd just swing by the castle to drop these candies off and steal… borrow some more funds for the trip.

Should be easy.

Getting in and out of the castle was easier than he thought. Just walk in, pilfer Luna’s room this time…

Okay, so apparently she slept with about a thousand stuffed animals. Picturing the mare curled up amongst them was almost cute.

Aha! Money secured. Really, these two needed to invest in a piggybank or something.

He slipped back outside and was in his way. The airship docks were close by, and it wasn't until he got there that he begun to feel somewhat uncomfortable.

“Come on, get it together!” he hissed at himself. “So you crashed the last airship. So you got kidnapped. It's not a big deal…”

So why wouldn’t his legs move?

He growled, both in frustration and annoyance at his sudden bout of cowardice.

So when a hoof touched his hip, he yelped and jumped back, his claws and fangs bared as a Fira spell started to charge. Well, until he realise he was about to roast Twilight Sparkle and sighed, lowering his defenses.

“What are you doing here Starswirl?” Bahamut sighed. He looked up and saw she wasn’t alone. Sunset, Moondancer, Cadenza and Luna were with her as well.

“Okay, so why are all of you here?”

“We have a tracking spell on our bits that you pilfered,” Luna stated. “And then we were curious as to what you were up to.”

“And imagine our surprise when we find you spacing out here,” Cadenza said. “Seriously, what’s the matter, scared of the big bad airships?”

Bahamut frowned and turned away, the pegasi’s eyes widening ever so slightly. “...oh.”

“Yeah, let’s all laugh, go on!” Bahamut almost yelled. “It’s why you came right? Laugh at the absolute joke of a dragon!!”

“I’d only laugh if you did something silly,” Twilight said, hugging his waist. “It’s okay to be scared sometimes right?”

“I’m not scared,” Bahamut frowned, though his hand drifted to pat her mane. “Just going to Ponyville for a bit. No big deal right…”

“Ah, then we shall accompany you!” Luna stated proudly. “It has been a long time since I left Canterlot for any reason. I can raise the moon from anywhere.”

“And we’ll tag along too,” Sunset said. “We’ve been working hard and could use a vacation. You can buy us presents.”

“Wow, tell us how you really feel,” Bahamut deadpanned, though he couldn’t help but smile somewhat. “Alright, fine. I guess I could foalsit you lot for a day.”

“Yay!” Twilight and Moondancer clapped their hooves together. “We get to go on a trip!”

“I feel like I’m going to regret this,” Bahamut walked up to the ticket counter, followed by Cadenza and Luna.

“Six tickets to Ponyville,” Bahamut said as the clerk looked at the pegasus and alicorn, the latter having put on a unicorn disguise.

“Will that be the family ticket?” she asked and looked at the fillies. “You two have such lovely children~”

“I...WHAT!?” Cadenza spluttered and glared at Luna. “With her!?”

“Yup, first family vacation in a long time,” Bahamut managed to say with a completely straight face. It took a lot of effort though. “I’m their butler.”

“Very well, so a single pass and a family pass to Ponyville? That will be 50 bits.”

Bahamut handed over the tickets as Luna and Cadenza continued to glare at each other. He smirked and bowed politely. “Come now, Lady Cadenza. Lady Moon. We have an airship to catch.” he winked at Sunset, the little filly catching on fast.

“Let’s go Mommy!” she called out and waved.

“So adorable~” the clerk cooed as the two mares just blushed and glared and spluttered.

“This day is turning out great,” Bahamut smirked as he led the fillies towards the ship.

Bahamut frowned as Cadenza skipped along beside him. “Well, at least that airship didn’t burn down,” she smirked. “First time for everything right?”

“One. Time.” Bahamut snarled. “You blow up one airship and no-one lets you forget it!”

“Wanna go back and blow it up?” Sunset asked, a small hint of hope in her voice.

“No blowing up the airships,” Luna scolded the filly.

“Aww, Bahamut got to,” Sunset frowned. “So not fair.”

“Thems the breaks kiddo,” Cadenza hummed and then turned her attention back to Bahamut. “So, should we celebrate your first airship that didn’t end in fireworks?”

“Fuck you Cadenza!” Bahamut retorted.

“Maybe when you’re older,” the mare smiled back, only half serious. That gave Bahamut pause for about a half-second before he decided he shouldn’t dwell on it. He just continued to walk down the trail that led from the airship field to Ponyville.

The trail passed by a large apple farm. Seriously, the thing was freaking huge. And… oh, there was that beast of a stallion that he met the last time he was here. What was his name again…?

Well the stallion seemed to recognise him and trotted closer. “Well howdy there,” he looked at Cadence and Luna and smiled politely. “Ladies.”

The two just stood there, blushing slightly and their mouths open. Holy crap! This stallion was… Gorgeous

“Hello Mister!” Twilight waved at him and smiled. “I’m Twilight Sparkle!”

“Well, howdy there Miss Twilight, the stallion tipped his hat. “I’m Big Red Apple, but y’all can just call me Red.”

“I know what you can do, and it’ll be in a place that rhymes with ‘Red’.” Cadenza panted slightly. She wondered if he was ‘Big’ in more than just name?

“Right, ignoring them,” Bahamut sighed. “We figured we’d come by for a visit. Still peaceful around here?”

“It’s been pretty quiet,” Red nodded. “The wife has gotten ansty, I reckon she likes a little excitement every now and then.”

At the mention of wife, Luna sighed and gave up. Cadenza merely saw a small hurdle. What, she could watch... or wait her turn~

“With what we’ve dealt with lately, quiet is good,” Bahamut nodded. “So, are the Rainbow’s still around?”

“Eeyup, little Dash raises all sorts of Tartarus now,” he chuckled. “Along with Fluttershy and my little AJ. The three are doing all sorts of crazy things to try and get their cutie marks. Well, to try and get Dashie’s anyway.”

“Sounds fun,” Bahamut replied. Honestly, what sort of trouble could three little fillies cause?

“I’m sure you’ll find out,” Red said and tipped his hat again. “Ladies.”

“Sexy~” Cadenza purred and licked her lips. But the stallion either didn’t notice or ignored him completely as he walked off towards a large homestead.

“Was he talking about that friend of yours?” Twilight asked Bahamut as they resumed their trek towards Ponyville.

“Rainbow Dash,” Bahamut nodded. “Yeah, she’s pretty wild. Seems she’s only getting worse too.”

“Seriously, two hot stallions in this town and they’re both married!” Cadenza pouted. “This so isn’t fair.”

“Honestly?” Bahamut said and turned around. “Can’t you keep it in your—” The rest of his words were cut off as he ate dirt. A small cyan missile smashed into him at insane speeds.

“Baha’s back!!” Rainbow Dash cheered from her landing pad, aka; Bahamut’s back. “Sweet! How ya been?”

“Dash…” Bahamut’s muffled voice came from the dirt. “Do you like your legs attached?” Rainbow yelped and jumped off as the dragon picked himself up and dusted his scales off. “Okay, so since when could you fly?”

“Since a few days ago,” she nodded proudly and puffed her chest out. “Come on. You can tell me how awesome I am.”

“Oh yes, so amazingly awesome Rainbow Crash,” he smirked and pointed at the trench she made him dig with his face.

“So my landings could use just a little work,” Rainbow shrugged, then noticed the three other fillies. “So, who’s the bookworm brigade?”

Hehe, Bahamut would have to remember that one. “The three founding members of the Egghead Empire. Twilight Sparkle. Moondancer and Sunset Shimmer.”

“If it wouldn’t hurt Twilight, I would so set you on fire,” Sunset growled at the nicknames.

“I’m thinking I could take one for the team,” Twilight said, rolling her neck until it cracked. Rainbow’s tackle had stung a bit.

“See what I have to deal with?” Moondancer sighed. “Hello, I’m Moondancer.”

“Rainbow Dash!” the pegasus filly proudly stated. “Bahamut here totally saved me a while back. Healed up my leg so I could walk again-Hey!?”

Moondancer had moved around her and was staring at the faint scar that his healing had left behind. “Bahamut? You did this?”

“Yeah,” the dragon nodded. Moondancer smiled and her horn glowed, the scar fading slightly.

“There, that’s about all I can do,” she smiled.

“Oh, cool!” Rainbow smiled. “Though, now I just look tough and awesome. Well, awesomer than I already was.”

“Awesomer is not a word,” Twilight’s eye twitched.

“It totally is, you just aren’t awesome enough to know it,” Rainbow nodded and yelped when Cadenza picked her up and snuggled her. “Aw dang it, you’re here too?”

“If it means seeing my little Dashie and Flutters, I shall traverse Tartarus itself,” Cadenza cooed and nuzzled her.

“Greeaaat,” Rainbow sighed. “You know, Flutters should be waiting by the big tree near the center of town…” She found herself dropped as the pegasus mare skipped off to find her adorable little filly.

“Wow, sacrificing Fluttershy like that. Harsh.” Bahamut snorted as he helped Rainbow up.

“Yeah well… I’m not the hugging type okay,” she suddenly had the sinking feeling she shouldn’t have said that. The second Bahamut set her down, three more fillies attacked, hugging the stuffing out of the protesting Rainbow.

Bahamut used the cute and sappy moment to bail on them. Luna blinked as she watched him escape. She went to follow him, but realised she would wind up leaving the fillies alone.

Damn you Bahamut!!

Wow, Ponyville was a lot smaller than he thought. And the bakery was easy enough to find. It was a massive building shaped like a gingerbread house.

Turns out that it was not edible. Well, he was certain that those teeth marks would come out. Like all the rest. Eventually.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to be greeted by a rather chipper young mare with a pink mane and tail.

“Hello there! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! I’m Sweet Cup, can I help you with anything?”

“Um, yes,” Bahamut nodded. “I’m looking for a cake actually. Maybe two? For some… friends for Hearts and Hooves Day.”

“Ahh~” Cup smiled and nodded. “A special day indeed. I think we have something you’d like.”

A gruff-looking stallion ambled out from the back room. “Cup? What are you… ah!” He saw Bahamut and nodded. It was a small town and word had gotten around about young Dash. “Well there, if it ain’t Mr. Hero. What can we do for ya?”

“He wants a cake for his Special Somepony~” Cup smiled and giggled.

“Well, don’t give him some off the shelf stuff, have Carrot Cake whip up something fresh,” the stallion said. “Unless Velvet’s here…”

“No, I think she went home,” Cup replied. “Something about not feeling well.”

“Again…” the stallion sighed and shook his head. “Alright, I think I might take off myself. Make sure you and Carrot behave yourselves.”

“Yes Mr Shortcake,” Cup nodded as the stallion bid the two goodbye.

“So…” Bahamut watched him go. “What’s up there?”

“Well,” Cup sighed as she moved behind the counter to find the catalogue of cakes they could make. “His wife, Velvet Cake, is really sick. Apparently it’s something she’s had since she was born, but it’s been getting worse recently. Sometimes she can’t even leave the house.” She gasped and looked at Bahamut. “You fixed Rainbow Dash. Maybe you could help Mrs. Velvet too?”

“Sounds like it’s a genetic thing, but Moondancer and I could take a look I suppose.” He wasn’t going to make promises. While Magic was powerful, it wasn’t all powerful.

Some things… just couldn’t be fixed.

“Well, here’s what we can make for you,” she said, pushing the catalogue forward. Bahamut looked over it and eventually pointed at one.

“Think you could do this one? With the Princesses cutie marks on top?” Bahamut asked, earning himself a confused expression from the mare.

“Well we could, but why the Princesses?” she asked.

“Cause that’s who this is for,” Bahamut said. “So yes, Celestia and Luna will be tasting this cake. But, no pressure right?”

Cup blinked slowly before turning towards the kitchen. “CARROT! We’re baking all goddamn night!!”

Bahamut whistled to himself and turned on his heels. That was a lot of fun~

Now to see if this hick town had an alchemist…

As it turns out, the town did have an alchemist. She had a shop right in the middle of the market and everything.

It was a nice wooden building set inside a tree. A small sign that had said something in a language that Bahamut could read hung over the door. Bahamut just loved the fact that it was a literal treehouse.

He knocked on the door and it swung open, revealing a darkened room that smelled of incense and tea. “Uh, hello?” he asked as he took a step inside and shuddered. There were some seriously powerful wards here. It was like the building itself had it’s own Barrier.

“A monster that graces my door… no, wait. You are something… more.” The mature, yet feminine tone echoed around him as a mare stepped out of the shadows. It was a zebra, Bahamut wondering how he even knew that, given that he’d never seen one before.

“You seem confused Dovahkin, you’re quieter than the drop of a pin.”

Okay, that rhyming was both neat and a little annoying.

“My name is Bahamut,” he finally said. That crushing pressure seemed to alleviate as the mare got closer. “You are…?”

“I am known to most as Zecora, master of Everfree’s fauna and flora.”

Once she stepped into the light… well, Bahamut had to admit she was kind of pretty. But that was a pretty impressive scar she bore over her left eye. “Well then Zecora. I take it you're the towns alchemist?”

“I thought at least that much was known. So, why have you come to see this old crone?”

“Old, you look pretty enough to me,” Bahamut said. “And, I’ve come for a potion actually. For… a small surprise for a friend.”

“I have many a range of poisons and brews… all will bring death to an enemy of you.”

“Whoawhoahoa,” Bahamut raised his claws. “I don’t wanna kill her. I just want to play a prank is all.”

“Ah, for my assumptions I am sorry, most come seeking for toxins to deal with their quarry.” Zecora blushed slightly with embarrassment. “So tell me what you like to do, I am sure I could make an adequate brew.”

Well now that was the question wasn’t it? He could have her visiting the ‘throne room’ every few minutes. That was a classic, but maybe a little predictable. He needed something… more.

He snapped his fingers and grinned madly. “A sudden thought that could make her holler. Think you have something that would change her colour?”

“Ah, I could arrange that quite so, I take it that you’d like it to go?”

“Wait, a better idea,” Bahamut chuckled darkly. “She has a sister, one that once earned my ire. Let’s include her in on this. Maybe something like…” he leaned in and whispered into the zebra’s ear.

Zecora chuckled and nodded. “Come back to see me in an hour. I will have your potion of power.”

“Most excellent,” Bahamut drummed his claws together. “You know Miss Zecora, I think this is the start of a most wonderful friendship.”

This day was going well. He’d secured both the cake and the prank. All that was left was to get some cards for his fillies, and he might as well get one for Dash and Fluttershy as well. He was here so he could knock off two birds with one stone.

Then a thought occurred. He’d traveled all the way here for an alchemist.

He had one on bloody call the whole time!

“Shoulda called Auric, though, he didn’t look like the potion-brewing type.” Bahamut sighed and looked around. Now, where could he get a card, maybe some flowers from?

He knew Twilight liked roses… had no idea what Sunny and Moondancer liked though. Maybe he could just ask about what was usually purchased for the day?

He found a flower shop only a few doors down. Ponyville might have been small, but it seemed to have everything he needed.

“I'm so retiring here,” the dragon sighed wistfully. “Well, whenever that is.” He imagined training those three would keep him occupied for quite a while.

He approached the stand, only to be greeted by a mare with fiery red hair and a piercing gaze.

“Well now,” she said and looked him over. “I’ve never had a dragon customer before.”

“I’ve been getting that a lot lately,” Bahamut replied with a polite nod. “Though I’m a little out of my element here. I’m hoping that you could help.”

“Of course,” the mare nodded as Bahamut spied a little filly hiding behind her leg. She had a creamy coloured coat and a two-tone red mane and tail.

“Ah, Roseluck,” the mare exclaimed, almost tripping over her. “Look out, Mommy’s trying to work.”

The filly took one look at the dragon and bolted for the nearby house.

“She’s cute,” Bahamut chuckled as the mare put together five assorted bouquets.

“She is,” the flower mare nodded. “A bit timid though. Just like her sisters really. They’ll make a mountain out of any anthill.”

“Sounds like Celestia,” Bahamut muttered to himself. “Well, foals know how to make your life interesting, that’s for sure.”

“That they do,” she smiled back. “You talk like you have some yourself.”

“Three actually,” Bahamut said. ‘And two mares who act like foals’.

“Well, as one parent to another, I wish you well.” She placed the bouquets aside for Bahamut to pick up before he left.

“You as well,” Bahamut nodded, before some movement out of the corner of his peripheral vision caught his attention. Some Town Guard were running towards Sweet Apple Acres, and they were all armed.

“Looks like trouble,” the mare sighed. “That’s the place closest to the Everfree, so we get a lot of monster attacks there.”

Bahamut nodded and started following them. Because if he knew his students and the lunar Princess… Then they’d probably be headed there as well.

Rainbow Dash watched the Guard running for the Acres and she frowned. Stupid monsters, why couldn’t they just leave the town alone?

Well then, she could fly now! So she’d just go and teach them a lesson! Fluttershy was busy with Angel and Applejack was regaling Cadenza with every apple fact she knew.

The poor pegasus looked bored out of her mind.

While they were all distracted, Rainbow slipped out of the room. Time to go and be awesome!

It hadn’t taken the filly long to reach the farm. And what she saw was enough to give her pause. There were… oh gross, what the heck were those things?

They looked like ponies… sort of. Their skin hung from their bones like tattered rags and some even had their rotted organs visible under their decayed flesh. Behind the mob was something even bigger. It was crazy tall, with glowing red eyes and wisps of green hair coming from its bony face. It arms ended in long fingers with yellowed claw-like nails and large tentacles protruded from its back and wrapped around its chest.

Worst of all… the Town Guard looked terrified. The very ground itself seemed to rot away as the horde pressed forward, and one of the guards that had attacked had paid the ultimate price, and now joined the ranks of the undead.

“Wha… what is that!?” Rainbow gasped, while a pony would not have been able to hear her… the Fiend did, its crimson gaze turning skyward and it smiled… The little ones always tasted so sweet~

Bahamut continued his trek to the farm, wondering what manner of creatures might have shown up when he paused as the stench of death pervaded his senses. It was so overpowering it made him retch.

Then a scream filled his ears, one that turned his blood to ice. He knew that scream.

“Rainbow…”

The dragon ran. He ran as fast as he could and prayed to whatever deity was listening that he wasn’t too late.

Chapter Seven

Bahamut ran, as fast as he could. If something happened to one of his friends…

Well, whoever hurt them would spend an eternity suffering for it!

He ran up the road to Sweet Apple Acres, his heart pounding as he finally saw the source of the commotion.

A field full of zombie creatures. Monsters and ponies alike with a massive beast at the rear.

And that monster had Rainbow Dash in its clutches!

“FIRAGA!” Bahamut roared and thrust his hands forward, the monster’s face exploding with fire and pain as he released his captive, the dragon running forward, barrelling through the zombie hoard like a tornado in a trailer park.

Rainbow remembered trying to fly away, only to be caught by one of the monsters tentacles. That was it. Fluttershy, her parents… Bahamut… she’d never see them again.

Then her world was fire and heat and she was falling. Then… warm? Something was holding her again, only this felt warm and safe. She dared to open her eyes, to see a familiar black dragon staring back with a panicked expression.

“Oh, sup?” she croaked out.

She nearly died and that was her way of saying hello? Bahamut shook his head and held her close. “Bloody idiot! Scaring me half to death. If you’d died, your mother would kill me!” It was also around then that he realised he was surrounded, both by the horde and the beast itself.

“Well… balls.”

“You will pay for that,” the monster growled. “No-one attacks Scarmiglione like that and gets away with it!”

“Urgh, dude… breath mint,” Rainbow scrunched up her muzzle. “And you realise you’re screwed right? This is freaking Bahamut! The Dragon King?”

“Uh, Rainbow?”

“You’re just a giant turd compared to him!”

“Seriously, Rainbow—”

“But maybe if you start begging and crying, we might let you off easy!” Rainbow taunted.

“I can’t transform without Twilight here!”

“Yeah, he can’t…” Rainbow paused and slowly turned her head towards him. “What?”

“We’re… pretty much screwed,” Bahamut nodded. “In this state, I can’t take all of them…”

“Oh bu—” Rainbow trailed off into a string of profanities that would have made Cadenza proud.

“Death is but the beginning, you shall serve my army for all time,” Scarmiglione gave a deep, disturbing-sounding chuckle. “But I shall eat the filly. They are most delicious~”

“FIRAGA!” His face exploded again as Bahamut growled. “I’m going to burn every one of you bastards.”

“How amusing,” Scar chuckled as he recovered rather quickly. “Your flames cannot harm me.”

“I fucking hate zombies,” Bahamut groaned.

And that was when everything exploded. Bahamut barely had time to cover Dash as a laser tore through the horde, the very earth exploding in its wake as he caught glimpse of Valefor hovering there.

“Bahamut!” Twilight called out. “Hurry, over here!”

He didn’t need to be told twice. The dragon stood up and ran for it, stepping over the regenerating corpses as he made a dash for Twilight and the others.

One zombie leapt at him, before a blast of flames saw it fall to the ground, looking like Celestia’s attempts at cooking. Maybe a little better.

“Boom, headshot!’ Sunset cackled before unleashing a barrage of Fira spells across the battlefield. “Diediediediedie!”

“I think they already are,” Moondancer said and started casting cure magicks on Rainbow the second Bahamut reached them. “That was incredibly reckless. What would have happened if Princess Luna didn’t teleport us here?”

“You’d likely be dealing with a zombied me,” Bahamut sighed. “Thanks for the save girls. Twilight!”

“IFRIT!” Twilight yelled as a red magic circle appeared beneath her before the hell demon erupted from it, Twilight landing gently on his shoulder before he landed. She smiled as he let her down and cracked his neck.

“Or that,” Bahamut shrugged. “That works too.”

“Go Ifrit, defeat them!” Twilight commanded. “Please?”

“In the name of my Mistress, you shall BURN!” Ifrit roared and slammed his massive clawed hands into the ground. An enormous gout of flame erupted from the earth under the zombies, incinerating several of them before the flames coalesced into a bright burning ball in the sky. Ifrit leapt up and spiked it, the flames returning to the ground with a catastrophic explosion than wiped out most of the horde in a single swoop,

“That. Was. AWESOME!” Rainbow cheered, then that cheer died as tendrils snaked forth from the smoke and speared Ifrit, the demon letting out a pained howl as his body was destroyed and his essence returned to Twilight’s gem, the filly letting out her own pained cry. It wasn’t as bad when Bahamut got hurt, but it was still a shock.

“I am the oarsman who will ferry you beyond the veil! The Blighted Despot, Scarmiglione!” the massive wraith roared as he emerged mostly unharmed.

“Dammit, Moondancer!” Bahamut turned to the filly. “Cast your healing magic on him!”

“WHY ARE YOU HELPING HIM!?!” Sunset roared as Luna threw up a barrier before Scar’s tendrils could hit them.

“Trust me!” Bahamut said. One more snaked forward as Cadenza pinned it with her spear. “Do it Moondancer!”

“O-Okay!” she squeaked and focused on the massive Fiend. She unleashed her Cura spell and he howled in agony as the green light washed over him.

“Healing artes damages the undead!” Bahamut instructed. “The rest of you focus on the regenerating Remnants. Moon and I will deal with Scarnoodleio!”

“I will pick my teeth with your bonessss!” he hissed as Moon and Bahamut started casting alternating Cura spells on him. Cadenza cackled madly as she leapt into the fray, swinging her spear to and fro as she mowed down the horde. Sunset wore a similar expression as she blasted away with her fire magic.

“They… they’re nuts,” Rainbow said to herself. “Absolutely insane!”

“You get used to it,” Twilight panted as she waited for the pain to fade. Rainbow chuckled before a new sound was heard. A sickening crack that echoed throughout the village.

“Oh no…” Rainbow whispered in hushed horror as the Barrier around the village begun to crack. The others were being pushed back as well, the zombie hoard was getting back up faster than they could kill them And if the Barrier shattered, then the town would be completly overrun.

“LUNA!” Bahamut roared. “Get to the Barrier tower. You know how to fix it right?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“We got this, but we’ll fail if that Barrier fades!” Bahamut yelled, just as the shield shattered like glass. “GO! GET IT BACK!”

“R-Right,” Luna nodded and took wing, flying for the tower inside Town Hall.

“This is bad, this is bad,” Twilight trotted in place. “Bahamut, I’m going to use your power! AHH!” She was struck by a zombie that came up behind them, before Rainbow bucked its head clean off.

“You okay Twi?” she asked and helped the filly up. She nodded and winced as she saw a gash along her side. She needed healing but Moondancer and Bahamut were still engaged with Scarmiglione.

“Ooh, that looks bad,” Rainbow winced. “I’ll go and get a doctor…”

“No… just, gotta get Moondancer free for a moment,” Twilight winced. “Sunset, switch with Moondancer for a moment.”

“Right!” the filly nodded and focused her spells on the Fiend, as Moondancer noticed Twilight and ran over to her, casting healing spells as the wound closed.

“Phew… thanks,” Twilight sighed. She held the Garnet and smiled. “This ends now. Bahamut!!”

His power grew as did his form as the dragon smiled wickedly. Rainbow gasped, he… really was telling the truth.

“Oh, now this is going to be most enjoyable!” He smirked as he slammed the Fiend with Curaga, followed by Full Life. Scarmiglione howled as he tried to back away from the dragon.

“IMPULSE!” Dark spheres of magic slammed the Fiend as Sunset’s relentless barrage continued as well. It wasn’t long before the monster was reduced to nothing but a pile of a few charred bones and ash.

“That… was pretty tough,” Sunset gasped and fell over, feeling drained from using so much magic.

“You all did quite well,” Bahamut smiled and then gasped. He could feel a rise in magic, similar to…

“No, not again!” he roared as a stone table rose from the ash, Psynergy flowing from it.

‘By my power, Justice will be done!’

The table took shape, a massive suite or blue armour with wings. One hand held a long sword, while the other ended in a massive lions head. ‘I am your JUDGEMENT!’

“Oh fuck me,” Bahamut groaned before the suit slammed him with the sword, sending the dragon crashing into the ground.

“W-What is that?” Twilight gasped, wincing from the blow. “Is that something from Mr. Auric’s world as well!?”

“Be great if he was here to tell us,” Bahamut said as he got up. His eyes widened as the armour powered up energy in its lion head and aimed at the group…

A pillar of golden fire erupted from behind Bahamut, and a familiar form stepped out of it. “One day,” he moaned. “I leave you alone for one day. And this is what I come back to.” He raised the staff he carried before focusing his power. “Let’s see if this works out. SEAL!”

The Jupiter energies coalesced into the hex that he was so fond of, attempting to stop the attack altogether. It succeeded in freezing Judgement for a moment, the attack cancelled out.

“It’s been over a week since you were here,” Bahamut mumbled as he got up. “So, what are we dealing with? Something of yours I assume?”

“Judgement, formed of four Venus djinn putting their energies together,” Auric said with a nod. “It’s not one I made a tablet for. It’s supposed to be all natural. And even worse, the Eclipse tablet I made is still sitting in the cave I made for it.”

“So someone copied them,” Bahamut frowned. “Whatever, talk later, killing it now!” he roared and flew up, but Judgement was faster, slamming him with his sword again. Bahamut did his best to block, wanting to avoid causing Twilight pain, but as long as he played so defensively, he couldn’t attack.

No one even noticed Rainbow soaring off into the sky.

“It is born of earth energies,” he said. “Those of an opposite alignment will harm it greatly. Lightning and wind. Do any of you know such techniques?”

Sunset’s fur stood on end and she smiled. “Thundara!” she yelled as a bolt of lightning came down, but it had no effect. Seems their magic worked a little differently. Or someone had altered Judgement somehow.

“Dammit!” Bahamut blocked another sword strike. Why was it going solely after him? “Impulse!”

Judgement took one blast as he slashed at the rest, but it was enough to make him stumble slightly.

“HEY! UGLY!”

Everyone looked up as Rainbow dove from up high, aiming at Judgement. The air itself seemed to ripple around her.

“Rainbow!” Bahamut roared. “Get back!”

“NO!” she screamed as the air started to bend. “I’m not gonna let this thing hurt my friends!!” The air crackled…

Then everything was rainbows.

There was a tremendous boom, one that shook the ground as a rainbow exploded in the sky and the little pegasus shot forward at impossible speeds. Before Judgement even had time to react, she slammed into it with such force that he was dropped from the sky, buried in a deep trench as rainbow light trailed after the filly.

As the dust settled, she wobbled from the trench and smiled lopsidedly. “Did… I win?” she murmured before falling over.

Auric warped over to the trench in a cloud of golden fire, looking into it to see if Judgement had been defeated or not.

The armour twitched slightly, before thrusting its lion head forward, the wide jaws aiming for the human.

“Stand down,” he told the armor. “I am the true master of the Golden Sun. I will deflect your attack before you even get it off.”

‘You are incorrect. My master is the true wielder of the Sun of Gold.’

And that was all he got before Bahamut’s Mega Flare vapourised him, reducing him back to tablet form once more.

“Asshole,” the dragon muttered as he sent his power back to Twilight’s Jewel, before the both of them collapsed, leaving three unconscious now.

“Well that wasn’t disconcerting at all,” Auric muttered before walking over to the tablet and lifting it with his magic. He then turned to the remaining conscious mare and fillies. “Is that barrier thing up yet? We need to get these three behind it while they recover.”

As his words finished, the Barrier poured from the Hall, surrounding the town once more in it’s protective glow. Sunset panted heavily. as did Moondancer. Only Cadenza seemed to be able to hold herself upright at the moment.

“Well… that fucking sucked,” she muttered. “It’s too early in the day to deal with this shit…” She picked up Twilight and Rainbow. “Hey handsome, you mind grabbing the lizard?”

Auric also noticed that Bahamu was as tall as him now. He rolled his eyes before picking the dragon up with his power as well, glad it wouldn’t be a long walk to safety. Hopefully Luna would be here to take some of this off his hands soon.

A short while later, the group rested in the inn run by Firefly. The farmland the battle had taken place in was barred off as Zecora went to work purifying the land with various potions. Luna had returned from Town Hall, after triple checking the Barrier was once again at full strength. She was rather surprised to see Auric again.

“Well, hello,” Luna said with a slight smirk. “Nice to see you’ve pervaded our world again.”

“You have a problem,” Auric said before holding the tablet closer to himself. “Whoever is doing this to you is copying my tablets. And binding creatures that don’t have tablets to one. Meaning they could attack you with any summoned creature from my world at any time.”

“Wonderful,” Luna sighed and shook her head. “As if the monsters of our own world aren’t enough of a problem.”

“So, what can we expect from yours then?” Cadenza asked. “Cause I’m so fuckin’ done with this already.”

“Well, you probably won’t get the one good and non-damaging summon being sent here,” Aspect said. “And if two of them show up, I’m just going to go ahead and call you all fucked right there. Judgement was Venus based and Eclipse was mostly Jupiter based. So probably something Mercury and definitely something Mars, if we’re rounding out the elements.” He suddenly snapped his fingers. “Nearly forgot to ask how you pulled this guy out into the open.”

“We defeated a giant zombie,” Cadenza answered. “Scar-something…”

“Not...Scarlimonge?” Auric asked. “And did you beat him only once?”

“Yeah, we kicked his ass then that armoured thing showed up,” Cadenza nodded.

“He said his name was Scarmiglione,” Moondancer said, having recovered somewhat. She was nursing a big glass of milk. “He was pretty scary.”

“That, is what we call a pattern,” Auric grumbled. “Babs was the Fiend of Air. He was the Fiend of Earth. There were two others, that I can recall, from where they came from. Cagnazzo, the fiend of Water. And Rubicante, the Fiend of Fire.”

“How do you know of this?” Luna asked. “You sound… awfully informed.”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said with a wave of one hand. “The Multiverse is involved, and I can barely look at it without going mad.”

“Wonderful,” Luna sighed again. So this was an issue from beyond the Veil? She would have to tell Celestia about this.

“Yeah well, this is still all conjecture,” Sunset spoke up. “We won’t know unless they actually show up.”

“True,” Moondancer nodded. “I just hope that Twilight and the—”

“I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!!!!” A voice hollered out, rattling the tables.

“That was… loud,” Luna rubbed her ears. “What in the world is going on up there?”

Bahamut groaned. He was having a nice dream too. Then some banshee howled in his ear and his world was pain and an incessant ringing in his ears.

“Rainbow. You’re my friend… but if you wake me up early one more time…” he growled as he turned around stared into her rose-coloured eyes.

“I got my cutie mark!!” she said only a little quieter, but still just as excited.

“Good for you,” Bahamut said and rolled back over to sleep. Then Rainbow bounced in his bed and laughed.

Then she was gone. With a flash of magenta light, the prismatic pegasus found herself in Auric’s lap as Twilight grumbled and snuggled closer to Bahamut, her head still pounding.

“What the…?” Rainbow looked around. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” the human said. “I was just about to say that I learned a new trick when suddenly there was a filly in my lap.”

“Huh… well at least you got an awesome one!” Rainbow beamed and then zoomed over to her mother. “Mom, MOM! I got my Cutie Mark!”

“So I heard,” Firefly giggled and rubbed her mane. “Such a wonderful cutie mark too. Very cool.”

“Well duh,” Rainbow beamed as she looked at the white wing with the lightning bolt coming from it. “It’s the best cutie mark in the world.”

“Better than mine?” Luna asked.

“Sorry Princess, it’s the curse of being this awesome. I hope you aren’t too jealous,” Rainbow nodded seriously.

“I’m sure I’ll get over it eventually,” Luna nodded back.

“All right, so,” Auric said. “I think I can pull off a trick, but I’m going to want to access the other tablet as well. If this works, I’ll be able to stick around and lend a greater hand than I ordinarily might otherwise.”

“Oh, so we’re not getting rid of you then?” Bahamut asked as he walked downstairs, a purple filly sleeping in his arms. “Just when I thought we’d get some peace and quiet.”

“You’ve encountered two fiends already, and both of them have exploded into summons from my world,” Auric said. “It’d be irresponsible of me to leave at this juncture.”

“You just want to stick around because you find this place interesting,” Bahamut translated.

“There is a saying from our old world,” Auric said softly. “All that is needed for the victory of evil is for good men to do nothing. I will not do nothing if I can help.”

“If you say so,” Bahamut shrugged. “I’d settle for some peace and quiet actually.” Then he recalled he still had Hearts and Hooves gifts to collect. Given that the store owners hadn’t bailed in the sight of that damned monster.

“Hopefully you won’t encounter another fiend for some time,” Auric said with a nod. “Cagnazzo is fond of imitating figures of authority, though. So if any of them start acting oddly,” the human said to Luna, “Then I’d suggest you make sure their Barrier really is working right.”

“...Do you have any good news?” Luna deadpanned.

“Rubicante is really fond of honorable duels?” Auric offered.

“We’re leaving for Canterlot in an hour,” Luna said and got up from the table. “Thank you for your hospitality miss Firefly.”

“Of course,” she nodded. “Say hello to that sister of yours dear.”

“I shall,” Luna nodded and took her leave to check on the airship.

“I should go and get my things,” Bahamut said and set Twilight down on the chair. “Sunbutt, Moondancer, take care of her for me alright?”

“Can do,” they nodded as the dragon left as well. He had a flower shop, a bakery and an alchemist to visit.

“I got my cutie mark!!” Rainbow cheered again.

Later that afternoon, the group was about to board the airship and Rainbow was pouting that her friends were leaving so soon.

Until Bahamut got an idea and whispered to Rainbow Blaze and Firefly. The two mulled it over and nodded, as Bahamut scooped up Rainbow under one arm and Fluttershy under the other.

“Huh? What’s going on?” Rainbow asked and Fluttershy just squeaked.

“Sleepover at the castle,” the dragon nodded and Rainbow’s confused frown turned into a blinding grin. “So we’ll go and get a few of your things and head off hm?”

“Awww yeah!” Rainbow pumped a hoof and Fluttershy squeaked again.

“Don’t worry Flutters, Angel Mog can come as well,” Bahamut smiled. “We might even see your Mom there too.” That seemed to cheer the filly right up and she smiled brightly.

A poor skinny colt had been lugging a crate onto the ship, one marked ‘Bahamut’s stuff. Touch and die!’

“So, what will you do handsome?” Cadenza said to Auric, moving up next to him. “Aside from me~”

“I have a thing I have to do,” Auric said simply. “It should help me be more effective.”

“Mm, I do like a productive stallion,” Cadenza smiled. “Don’t keep me waiting too long~” She chuckled as she walked off… after getting a hoofful of his butt.

“You have my utmost sympathies,” Luna said flatly as she watched her ‘niece’ head into the ship’s cabin rooms.

“Please tell me there’s a room that locks on this ship,” Auric sighed.

“Maybe the Captain’s quarters?” Luna shrugged and smiled mischievously. “Though… I have witnessed her dreams as of late. You ah… do you have medical coverage? Like hip replacements?”

“I’m married and perfectly capable of keeping myself stuck to a ceiling,” Auric deadpanned. “I’d like to see her try anything when I’m up there.”

“Tis your funeral,” Luna shrugged.

“I’ll put some sealing spells on her room tonight,” Twilight said as she passed him in the hall.

“Thank you!” the human said as he found a room of his own and walked in, the tablet they’d won following after him.

It took around a half hour for Bahamut to return, reduced to a pack mule for the two fillies as he groaned under the weight of the luggage. Eventually the airship set sail and they made way for Canterlot city.

The view from up high was… breathtaking to say the least. From the deck of the ship, one could see a few cities in the distance, easily identified by the blue bubble shields around them. That aside, it wasn’t so different from Auric’s Equestria. Well, that and the multitude of monsters that inhabited the world.

“So…” Sunset Shimmer stood beside him. “What’s your Equestria like Auron?”

“A lot more peaceful,” Auric said as he stared at the view. “Though thanks to my interference, there is one different sort of species out in it. Something I can’t bring with me. Oh, and I founded my own town. And built my own tower. But really, other than that, not that different.”

“Huh… sounds boring,” Sunset shrugged. “And, you acted like you know the Princesses, does your version have them too? What about me, or the others?”

“I don’t know much about you,” the human said with a shrug. “Though I will say that most of the things I’m seeing here are mirrored in my world.”

“What, how can there not be me? The most powerful unicorn EVER!” Sunset frowned and pouted her bottom lip. “Well, your world’s loss I guess.”

“I didn’t say that there wasn’t a you in my world, just that I don’t know much about it,” Auric clarified. “I don’t keep up to date on all the things that happen.”

“I wonder if I’m ruling some kingdom somewhere?” Sunset cackled and rubbed her hooves. “Empress Sunset Shimmer has a nice ring to it.”

“Yeah right, and Twilight’s an alicorn princess,” Bahamut replied as he walked up behind them and scooped her up, much to Sunset’s verbal protesting as he hugged the filly. “Keep dreaming you little pyro.”

“You suck,” Sunset pouted.

“All in all, I have to say I am enjoying my trips to your world,” Auric said. “I mean, despite the fact that so far I’ve only really showed up during a Fiend attack…”

“Yeah, you have the absolute worst timing,” Bahamut chuckled. “Well, it’s hearts and Hooves Day tomorrow…”

“Gross,” Sunset frowned.

“Tell me about it,” Bahamut agreed. “Why don't you bring that wife of yours and make it a date or something? Hopefully a giant monster won’t interrupt things.”

“I could, but I don’t think if I did that it would dissuade Cadence at all,” Auric said with a shrug. “Besides, I can keep myself safe through the trip between worlds. Others, not so much. I’ll not subject her to that.”

“Well that sucks,” Bahamut replied. “So if I may ask, what took you so long to get back to us about that tablet? I expected a day or two, not two weeks.”

“The difference between worlds,” Auric said with a wave of one hand. “Time doesn’t flow the same through all the realms. What was two weeks to you was two days to me. I learned quite a bit in those two days, and hopefully I should be able to put most of it to use.”

“Here’s hoping,” Bahamut nodded. While he had been training these fillies for this eventuality, he didn’t expect it so soon. “Oh, I have half a mind to throw you off this airship by the way.”

“I’d teleport back onto it,” Auric said with a smirk.

“Why would you throw him off the ship?” Sunset asked and Bahamut’s black scales flushed a slight crimson.

“Forget it,” he muttered and shook his head. He put the filly down and rubbed her head. “Try not to burn this ship down as well.”

“Aww, you got to burn one!” Sunset frowned, sounding genuinely disappointed as she walked off.

“That sounds like a story,” the human mused as he stared out into the distance.

“I got kidnapped a while back, before I met you,” Bahamut shrugged. “The idiots assumed I needed my mouth to use fire. I underestimated how flammable their ship was.” He sighed and stretched, his back giving a satisfying crack. “Turned out alright though. I got minions inside Tia’s guard and I met Rainbow and Flutters. All in all, it was a good day.”

“Yup, this world is definitely interesting,” Auric chuckled. “And hopefully it’ll get more interesting once we arrive at Canterlot.”

“Please don’t wish that,” Bahamut groaned and dragged his claw down his face. But it couldn’t hide the massive smirk he had. “Wait til tomorrow. That will be… fun~”

Oh dear, the grin he had could have chilled lava.

“I fully intend to not come off the ceiling at all for that,” Auric said seriously. “It’ll minimize the chance Cadence will be able to get me.”

“Apparently she’s getting these enchanted shoes that let her walk on walls,” Bahamut nodded. He also might have suggested those to her. “I wouldn’t worry too much. Worse comes to worse, just teleport her or something. Though I doubt Cadenza would actually force herself on you. She’s not that kind of mare.”

“Hopefully she’s not,” the human agreed. “Gah, now that I know what I need to do, I’m sort of anxious about actually doing it…”

“What do you mean?” Bahamut frowned. “Are you… actually considering Cadenza’s offer?”

“What?” Auric said before shaking his head. “Oh, no. It’s something completely different. Something actually that needs to be done.”

“Well, care to share with the rest of the class?” Bahamut deadpanned. “I may be a god, but I can’t read minds.”

“You’ll see when we get there,” Auric said with a bit of cheek. “I just hope it actually works. It should…”

“Auric…” Bahamut stared at him. “Do you plan on messing with Celestia?”

“It might end up doing that, yes,” Auric said with a smile.

“Excellent~” Bahamut smirked and drummed his claws together.

A few hours later, they were standing outside the castle as Rainbow and Fluttershy stared up at it with wide eyes.

“Whooaaa!” Rainbow said, her eyes scanning upwards. “This place is even bigger up close.”

“Will… we get to meet Princess Celestia?” Fluttershy asked timidly.

“More than likely,” Bahamut shrugged. “She’ll prolly want to yell at me for what happened in Ponyville.” He walked up to the massive front gates and they opened, revealing the white alicorn waiting on the other side.

“Called it,” Bahamut nodded and smiled at her. “Sup Tia? You miss me that much?”

“My day has never been more peaceful until you returned,” Celestia replied with a smile. She walked past him and knelt down to Twilight, Sunset and Moondancer. “Are you three alright? I was worried once I heard about what happened.”

“We’re okay,” Twilight nodded as the three nuzzled the princess. “Oh, um, we brought some friends over from Ponyville. Is it… okay if they stay over?”

Oh sweet her, this was absolutely precious. “Of course you can. Is that them over there?”

Fluttershy squeaked and ducked behind Rainbow, the little pegasus not doing much to hide the taller filly.

“Sup?” Rainbow waved a wing at her. “I’m Rainbow Dash, the best flyer in Ponyville and the most awesome pony in Equestria. And this…” She reached around and placed Fluttershy at Celestia's hooves. “Is my PFF Fluttershy. She’s a big fan.”

“Is that so?” Celestia chuckled at the pegasi’s words. “Hello there little one.”

“Eep!” Fluttershy vanished, ducking under Auric’s cape.

“Nice to see some things are the same between worlds,” the human chuckled. “Celestia, with your permission, I would like to take both the tablet we earned earlier and this one to a vacant courtyard. There is apparently something I can do with them that will help.”

“Oh, hello Auric,” she nodded. “I wasn’t expecting you. But, perhaps you could explain further?” she asked as the group was guided inside.

“From what I observed with the tablet we earned today,” Auric said. “Even in its inert state, there is a spell on it. I intend to break that spell.”

“What kind of spell?” Celestia prodded. “And if that’s the case, I think keeping them sealed away would be better.”

“A Binding spell,” Auric said. “They aren’t just formed of the energies that a Djinn would release. I think whoever has done this...has literally bound some Djinn together and forced the amalgamation to serve him.”

“So, you wish to undo this binding and release these Djinn?”

“If only so they aren’t forced into being one being,” Auric said with a nod. “They are more than just mere elemental spirits. They have lives of their own, and no life should be spent like this.”

“I see,” Celestia’s horn glowed and a guard appeared almost out of thin air. He had a chocolate brown coat and had a dark blue mane and tail. Most interesting were his draconian golden eyes and bat-like wings.

“Fetch the tablet from the Sealed Chamber,” she ordered him. “And bring it to the Courtyard post haste.”

He nodded and fell back into the shadows, vanishing from sight.

“Thank you,” Auric said. “I’ll be there, preparing. It’s going to take a lot of work to make this actually work. Both this and the thing I intend to do afterwards.”

“What thing?” Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. “You didn’t mention a second objective.”

“There’s a saying from my old world,” Auric said with a mischievous grin. “Beware of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger. I intend to be anything but subtle, and I’m already angry with whoever did this. If I’m going to be effective in this world, I’ll need to alter the terrain a bit to suit me more.”

“Specify,” Luna said, stepping forward. “What is it you wish to do exactly?”

“Simple,” Auric said. “Awaken the land’s spirits. See if it’s willing to aid me. Because if it is...there will be a lot more Djinn running around. And I will be ready to bring the pain the next time we run into a fiend.”

“That… sounds dangerous,” Luna said warily. “What spirits? And how will this effect Equestria as a whole?”

“The elemental spirits, the Djinn,” Auric said. “I don’t know how exactly it’ll effect Equestria, as every spirit is its own being, but those that can see them...well, it’ll help a bit. You’ll get a better idea once I release the binding on the tablets.”

“I’m still unsettled by the fact you wish to unleash unknown spirits into the world without considering how they’ll affect it,” Celestia said with a terse tone. “Though perhaps it would be best if these tablets are broken down anyway.” This was so far out of even her expertise it wasn’t funny.

“We can at least try something,” Bahamut said as they headed for the courtyard. “Worst that could happen is that we have to deal with Judgement and Eclipse at the same time.”

“...Joy,” Luna muttered.

“Eh, we beat ‘em once already,” Sunset shrugged. “We got this.”

“Yeah, I’ll totally Sonic Rainboom ‘em!” Rainbow laughed. Celestia giggled and shook her head.

“I appreciate the enthusiasm young Miss Dash. But a Sonic Rainboom is nothing more than a myth…”

“No, she did do one already,” Bahamut replied, enjoying the sight of absolute shock creeping across Celestia’s face when the trio of fillies backed him up as well. “It was pretty awesome.”

“It was awesomely awesome!” Rainbow corrected.

“Best thing I’ve seen in a while,” Auric agreed. “Completely knocked Judgement out.”

“So what we’re saying is, if a monster shows up, throw a filly at subsonic speeds at it,” Bahamut nodded and looked at Twilight. “Better get a crash helmet Starswirl.”

“What?” Twilight meeped and ducked behind Celestia, a rather impressive imitation of Fluttershy.

“Leave the tough stuff to the pros,” Rainbow nodded and puffed out her chest as they emerged into the courtyard. The thestral stallion was already waiting with Eclipse’s tablet.

“Thank you,” Auric said as he put the one in his magical grip, Judgement’s, down on the ground. “Just leave it nearby.” The stallion looked at Celestia and she nodded, before he placed the tablet down and stepped back, the hooks of his wings already resting on the sheathes of his wing blades… just in case.

“I really hope you know what you’re doing Auric,” Bahamut said.

“You and me both,” the human said, before his staff flowed into his right hand. “Okay, everybody stand back. This is gonna get intense.”

“Wonderful,” Celestia and Luna echoed, reinforcing a barrier around the ponies as they stood back.

Auric closed his eyes, and a magical circle sprang into being on the ground, encompassing both him and the tablets. He stood there for a time, while the feeling of...pressure, for lack of a better word, started to build. And as it did, chains started to become visible on the tablets.

‘Well now isn’t that interesting,’ Bahamut mused.

“You have been bound,” Auric said, in a voice that somehow reverberated. “Shackled to a form not your own. Forced into servitude. As the true wielder of the might of the Golden Sun, I release you from your bindings.” His staff flowed from what it was into a sword, and the human brought it down on both tablets, shattering the chains.

There was a moment where nothing happened, and then both tablets started to...dissolve, into glowing light. The Judgement one was brown-colored, while the Eclipse one became both blue and violet lights.

“Pretty,” Twilight whispered before her horn started to glow and Auric felt something resonate from the filly as the lights flashed in response. Four motes became brighter in the Judgement tablet, while Eclipse had two blue and three violet motes grow stronger.

‘We… are… not meant to be…’

“You are here now,” Auric said softly this time. “I cannot take you back with me through the Void Eternal, you would not survive the trip. You must make this world your home.”

“Are those Djinn?” Bahamut asked and the lights flashed.

‘Djinn...we are… not…We are... Homunculus. Born of… Psynergy… and Void Eternal.’

“Well that’s interesting,” Auric mused. “Are you recovered from what happened to you?”

‘Bound to… Masters. We are not… without a bond… we will die… Born of nothing… Return to nothing…’

“Fortunately, there is one here who can help you in that regard,” Auric said, indicating the young Twilight.

‘She possess… power… but yet… it is not enough…’

“What do you mean?” Bahamut asked. Twilight was one of the strongest fillies he knew of.

‘Bound to her form… unable to… live…’ The lights flashed, as if they were trying to find the words. ‘We would exist… yet not exist…’

“She doesn’t have Psynergy,” Auric interpreted. “You need someone with both.”

‘No… not…’ they paused again and flashed, as Twilight’s horn glowed again and gasped.

“They’re, saying that they can… but I can’t call upon them,” Twilight said, holding a hoof to her head. “I’m, not strong enough to manifest them.” Okay, having a group of voices in your head was really weird.

“I have faith that she’ll be able to call on you all one day, and it would keep you alive,” Auric pointed out. “As well, any other I free could join you.”

“The decision is your Twi,” Bahamut said. “I really don’t know how this will affect you though. This isn’t magic of this world.”

“I’ll do it,” Twilight said without hesitation. “Someone made them do bad things. It wasn’t their fault. If I can help them, I will.”

The lights flashed and then zipped towards Twilight’s body, passing through the alicorn barrier like it wasn’t even there. Twilight gasped and put a hoof to her chest before she tipped sideways and passed out.

“Aw fu—” Bahamut swore before his world became black as well.

The Auric had a spear aimed at his face as Cadenza glared at him. “You asshole! If you’ve hurt her I swear I’ll fucking—”

“I honestly don’t know what I just did,” Auric said with his hand raised. “It shouldn’t hurt her.”

“If she doesn’t wake up! I’m putting this spear in every hole you have, then I’ll fucking make some new ones!!”

“She’s still breathing,” Moondancer announced as she lifted her ear from Twilight’s chest. “But her magic power spiked tremendously. She likely just passed out from the shock.”

“...You got lucky,” Cadenza muttered and pulled her weapon back.

“What, no euphemism?” Bahamut asked, his eyes still closed. “That’s a first.”

“You’re awake?” Luna asked him, sounding rather concerned.

“I’m used to sudden spikes in power,” Bahamut said, still laying there. “Just caught me by surprise is all. Twilight should wake up soon enough.”

“Oh good,” Auric sighed. “Hopefully this won’t have turned out to be a massive mistake.”

“Oh, I am giving you a brutal right hook when I can move again,” Bahamut sighed, then he paused and frowned. “That’s… weird.” He wasn’t quite sure what to make on what he was feeling from Twilight. “Mm, I’ll look into it later. Now, can someone carry Twilight to her bed, and me to the dining hall. I’m hungry.”

Celestia lifted Twilight with her magic and trotted off towards the fillies room. Luna just left, she had a few important things to do.

“...That was cold,” Bahamut said.

“Oh be a stallion and quit whining,” Cadenza said and trotted off. A nice scented bath was calling to her.

“Sorry, you’re a bit heavy to carry,” Moondancer said. Bahamut gasped and clutched his chest.

“Gah! Shot down, even by the adorable Moondancer. Your words wound me.”

“I… don’t know if I can heal that,” Moondancer replied.

“Meanwhile, tomorrow I’ll set about starting up the whole awakening the land thing,” Auric said. “It’ll be an interesting ceremony, that’s for sure.”

“I have a thought about that actually,” Bahamut grunted as he sat up. He waved the other ponies off, the fillies heading for the dining hall as they left the dragon alone with the human. “You want to see if you can release them, so your Psynergy is more potent yeah?”

“It’d let me use summons at the very least,” Auric said. “Make a lot of my attacks more potent as well.”

“Well, I’m just guessing here,’ Bahamut said. “But whoever is duplicating these summons of yours must be able to use Psynergy as well. Wouldn’t that make him or her more powerful as well?”

“True,” Auric mused. “But we just removed a good few bits of power for them.”

“Plus my arrival is what seemed to make monsters appear in this land in the first place. What if this releases monsters from whatever you’re from as well? This could throw the entire planet into chaos.”

“Monsters never showed up from Weyward in my Equestria,” the human said.

“Wait… seriously?” Bahamut frowned. “Well didn’t I get the short end of the bloody stick.” He sighed again and got to his feet. “Well, we can worry about it later. At least leave it for a day or two, maybe even get those girls to help you research it. They’re pretty damned smart for kids.”

“Fair enough,” Auric chuckled. The next few days would be interesting…

“So…” Bahamut was walking the halls before a mare approached, Fluttershy attached to her back. “Apparently I have you to thank for this little gift.”

“Oh, hey Spitfire,” Bahamut smiled. “Yep, I wasn’t about to leave her behind when I was bringing Dashie.”

“I see, well some consultation would have been appreciated,” Spitfire said, a little surprised when Celestia suddenly gave her the night off, only to find her daughter in Canterlot. “And her father will freak out over an empty house tomorrow.” She smiled mischievously. “I wish I could see the look on his face~”

“I am not even touching that,” Bahamut shrugged and rubbed Fluttershy’s mane. “You being good for your mother kiddo?”

“Yes,” Fluttershy smiled. “But I can’t find Angel.”

“I’m sure he’s around here somewhere,” Bahamut nodded. “If I find him, I’ll tell him your looking.”

“Thank you,” Fluttershy smiled as he bid the parent and child good night. He continued his walk, wondering what everyone else was up to.

Oh that’s right, he still had his ‘gift’ to set up. Heheh! He couldn’t wait for tomorrow to come~

In Celestia’s chamber, two alicorns, a well-dressed human and a moogle sat around a card table.

“How?” Celestia groaned as she eyed the pile of loot the moogle had beside him and threw her cards down. “How does he keep winning?!”

“I stopped questioning it two hands ago,” Auric said.

“Is he some sort of deamon?” Luna questioned as she handed over her tiara. “What is this?”

Angel smiled and took a puff of the cigar in his mouth.

“Kupo.”

Author's Note

And thus we come to the end of my pre written chapters. It'll probably be a while until the next update. Sorry about that.

Chapter Eight

Bahamut awoke and stretched, his spine popping in several places as he sighed contently. The couch was uncomfortable to say the least, but Auric refused to sleep alone with Cadenza around, he was taking no chances.

Speaking of… he looked over and already saw Auric wide awake and sipping a mug of something, most likely coffee

“Damn, do you wake up before Celestia or something?” the dragon asked as he sat up. “And if that’s coffee, hand some over.”

“I’ve learned to not sleep in when there’s danger about,” Auric said as he slipped a second cup over. “And I think Cadence here is the very definition of danger.”

“You didn’t sleep?” Bahamut quirked an eyebrow as he took the mug and sipped from it. “Cadenza isn’t that bad… Stop looking at me like that.”

“I don’t need much sleep anyways,” Auric muttered. “I don’t even trust her sleeping state.”

That was when the door flung open and Cadenza walked in. Her mane was curled cutely and her eyes sparkled as she smiled sweetly.

“Oh, you two are awake already?’ she said in a giggly tone. “Are you looking forward to Hearts and Hooves Day today? I can’t wait, it’ll be so super fun~” She giggled again and did a little twirl before leaving.

Bahamut blinked, looked at his coffee mug, then at the retreating mare.

“…The fuck was that?”

“Whatever it was, I saw it too,” Auric muttered and stared at his mug. “I’m pretty sure this is just coffee.”

“It must be, because I can’t get drunk for some reason, yet I still wake up with a hangover…” Bahamut rubbed his head. “Well, might as well see what’s up. Let’s go Golden Boy, I might need a meat shield.”

“I get the feeling that today is going to be very, very confusing,” Auric muttered.

The day was only just getting started. At the breakfast table, everyone was staring at the surprisingly bubbly and polite Cadenza. Even Celestia looked weirded out, an expression that Auric was going to commit to memory for the giggles.

“Cadenza?” Luna finally spoke up. “Art thou addled in the head?”

“Don’t be silly Auntie Lulu,” Cadenza giggled and waved a hoof. “And please, call me Cadence okay?”

“Sister…” Luna said and scooted closer to Celestia. “I’m scared.”

“As am I,” Celestia replied and put a wing around her.

“So… where are the girls?” Bahamut asked as he looked around. Rainbow and Flutters were here, but his three fillies were absent.

“They said something about today being pointless and that they wanted to study,” Rainbow said and poked at her pancakes. “Man, and I wanted to play or something. Instead, they’re hiding in that ‘Bookfort’ of theirs.”

“We could send Cadence in to get them,” Auric suggested.

“I already tried, but those fillies are rather difficult to get through to when they’re like this,” Cadence said and moved next to Auric. “Also, I am terribly sorry for my behaviour. Can you forgive me?”

“As long as you don’t do it again, sure,” Auric said, edging away slightly.

“Of course,” Cadence smiled and nuzzled him.

“This is creepy as hell,” Bahamut shuddered at the pegasus that had somehow flipped a personality switch. “So… I guess I should hand these over.” He produced a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates for the mare. Cadence gasped and took them before kissing the dragon on the cheek.

“They’re wonderful, thank you Bahamut~”

“And for you two…” Bahamut said to Celestia and Luna. “I got these while I was in Ponyville.” He pushed two small boxes forward, each containing a large and very ornate cupcake decorated in their colours.

“These look delicious,” Celestia said, her mouth watering at the sight of the cake. “But… why?”

“I dunno, feeling generous I guess,” Bahamut said and shrugged. “Now I should go and get the girls. Auric, Flutters, Dash? Let’s go.”

“Yeah, sure,” the human said, polishing off his breakfast before following after the dragon. Bahamut scooped up the two fillies and seemed to be in quite a hurry to leave, practically shoving the human out of the door and walking, almost running down the hall.

“I want to stay, but we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy that later,” he chuckled darkly.

“Why do I get the feeling those treats will come back to bite us in the ass?” Auric asked flatly.

Bahamut just responded with a maniacal laughter that filled the halls.

When they reached Twilight’s room, the dragon opened the door to find… a surprisingly impressive fort actually made of books. It took up over half the room, and several guard towers and even an illusionary moat surrounding it.

“I… don’t know if I should feel proud or sad at this sight,” Bahamut said.

“Awesome, if a more than a little eggheady,” Rainbow commented.

“I like the pretty water,” Fluttershy smiled and nodded.

“I’m a little surprised that some of the books aren’t acting as guards,” Auric said.

“Don’t give them ideas,” Bahamut sighed as he walked through the moat and knocked on the door. “Girls, you in there?” He waited for a few moments, but got no response.

But he did get an idea.

Bahamut took a step back and then let out a loud roar. “I am a ferocious dragon, all your forts are belong to us!!”

And that was when he was struck by a Thundara spell, knocking him across the room.

“We’re trying to study in here!” Sunset yelled from within the fort. “Also, that grammar was physically painful.”

“You know that hurt right?” Twilight grumbled. “And sorry Bahamut, but we’re busy today.”

The dragon sat up and sighed. “Well, I guess I could give this candy I got you to Flutters and Dashie…” He counted backwards from three before the fillies were lined up in front of him, looking at him expectantly.

“Aww, I have you so well trained,” Bahamut smirked and rubbed Twilight’s head. “Good puppy.”

And with a glow of magic, Bahamut found himself reduced to the diminutive state of his 10% form. He looked down at his short, round form and sighed. “Seriously?”

“That’s what you get for teasing me you butt,” Twilight smirked back. Bahamut glowered and looked up at Auric.

“Not. A bloody. Word.”

“You could give the candies to me and I could tease them, she has no hold over me,” Auric pointed out.

Then Auric was exposed to The Cute in triplicate. Three adorable fillies staring up at him, eyes wide and their bottom lip pouting a little.

“Ack, too much cute!” the human grunted, holding a hand to his chest. “Too… much… I can’t… last!”

“No hold huh? ,” Bahamut chuckled. “Now come on girls, the study can wait a day. What do you say we catch a movie, then see Golden Boy here unleash some Djinn?”

The three huddled up and whispered amongst themselves, before turning back to the males.

“You have yourselves a deal,” they nodded.

“Oh great, well… just give me some time and I’ll see about it,” Auric sighed. “It won’t be the easiest thing.”

“I can imagine,” Bahamut nodded. “In any case, we have a mov—”

“BAHAMUT!!”

“Ohh,” Luna and Celestia did not sound amused. That yell rattled the whole castle. Bahamut guessed his joke cupcakes kicked in. “Fillies and human, time to escape the castle for a bit.”

“Maybe for you,” Auric said, before vanishing into thin air.

“That sonova—” Bahamut bit his lip and then jumped onto Twilight’s back. “Hihoh! Starswirl. Let's book it!” Given her choice between kicking Bahamut’s flank or facing whatever it was that made Celestia and Luna so mad, Twilight and her friends decided to run for it.

“What… did you do… this time?” she asked as they ran down the halls.

“Ohhhh…. Nothing much,” Bahamut chuckled. “Just gave them cupcakes that would swap their coat colours.”

“Hehehe, nice,” Sunset snickered. Ahhh Sunny. He could always count on her to appreciate a good prank.

Outside the castle, they'd somehow managed to lose both alicorns. The three fillies were exhausted from running though, evident by the way they lay on the ground, panting heavily.

“See, Hearts and Hooves Day will get your heart pounding… also, you girls need to exercise more,” Bahamut tactfully pointed out.

“Go suck a sock,” Twilight grumbled.

“He has a point,” Rainbow didn’t look fazed at all. “I mean, i didn’t even break a sweat.”

“You’re also part Earth Pony,” Fluttershy pointed out.

Bahamut chuckled. “So… milkshakes?” the dragon suggested and jingled the bag of bits he pilfered from Celestia.

“Milkshakes!” they cheered, recovering instantly and Moondancer looked around.

“Where did Mister Auric go? Did he get caught by the Princesses?”

There was no reply. Apparently he hadn’t come with them.

“Whelp, I'm gonna enjoy some peace from the Snark Lord of Shininess,” Bahamut said and looked around. “You know, I haven't actually been around Canterlot before. Where should we get milkshakes from?”

The three looked at one another and nodded.

“Donut Joe’s!!” They cheered in unison and dragged the dragon off.

As it turns out, it wasn’t quite as bad as Bahamut was expecting. And Twilight released more of his power so he could act as a proper chaperone that adult ponies could take seriously.

As in, other cafe goers sat as far away from the dragon as they could. The annoyed glares he was giving them probably didn't help either.

“Bahamut, at least try to be nice to them,” Twilight sighed as she sipped a massive chocolate milkshake.

“Why?” the dragon retorted. “They’re the ones that are trying their hardest to get away from me. All I’m doing is sitting here.”

“Well, maybe you look kinda scary to them?” Moondancer offered. “Oh! Um, not that I think you’re scary…”

“He’s not scary, Bahamut’s awesome!” Rainbow nodded and turned her head to poke her tongue out at the other adults.

“It’s fine,” Bahamut sighed. Who needed friends anyhow. He had a bunch of adorable fillies, any argument was thusly invalid. “Enjoying your milkshakes?”

“Mhm, thanks for bringing us,” Twilight smiled as she slurped up the last of her drink. Sunset did the same and let out a loud belch that had the dragon chuckling and high-hoofing her, followed by Dash.

“Charming,” Twilight rolled her eyes as Moondancer giggled. The purple unicorn turned in her seat to face Bahamut. “So, now that you’ve dragged us out here, what’s next on the agenda?”

“Hmm,” Bahamut tapped his chin. “Honestly, I have no idea. As I said. I’ve never explored the city before.”

“Library?” Sunset asked hopefully, Moondancer and Twilight’s expressions mirroring hers.

“No,” Bahamut facepalmed. “I just got you eggheads away from books. Let’s try something fun hm?”

“Awwww,” the three pouted.

“How about… a movie?” Sunset suggested. “Kinda like a book. Still has a story at least.”

“Urgh, but movies for kids are so… lame,” Twilight grumbled.

“What about the ‘King of Rings’?” Moondancer piped up. “The books were kinda good. Well, the lore was anyway. Too bad the writer was terrible.”

“Those movies are rated too high,” Sunset said. She made airquotes with her hooves. ‘Too violent’ for somepony our age. I mean, come on! We fought a bucking zombie horde!”

“Language,” Fluttershy and Moondancer scolded her, though Sunset didn’t listen.

“True…” Bahamut blinked and got an idea. “Hmm, what about an illusion spell? Make yourselves look older?”

“Only if security doesn’t catch us,” Sunset muttered. “I’ve tried that before.”

“Well, Plan C it is then,” Bahamut grinned. “I like Plan C~”

“What’s… Plan C?” Twilight asked.

Twilight’s expression killed many pans that day. A low, constant groan filled her throat as she followed Bahamut and the other fillies into the cinema.

“So that’s your big plan? Threaten ponies with fire?” Twilight said, more pans died in vain.

“I like that plan.” Sunset chuckled darkly.

“It worked didn’t it?” Bahamut shrugged.

“I’m with Twilight on this one,” Moondancer piped up. She hoped that poor cashier at the ticket counter would be okay.

“Bahamut, you are a terrible individual,” Twilight said. The pans were silent, none survived the brutal genocide.

“And yet, life moves on and we get to see a movie,” Bahamut replied with another shrug. “Come on Starswirl, live a little.”

“My. Name. Is. TWILIGHT!” she yelled, bouncing with each word.

“Ahahaha, I thought that guy was gonna pee himself,” Rainbow cackled from her perch on Bahamut’s shoulder. “I really liked the ‘chewing on his bone marrow’ line.”

“Well I’m very disappointed in you Bahamut,” Fluttershy scolded him. Ah crap, her angry face was equal parts scary and adorable.

“I’m sorry,” the dragon said. “I just wanted you girls to see the movie you wanted…”

“And I understand that and it’s very sweet, just… try not to be so…” she paused to find the right word. “Forceful.”

“Who cares…” Rainbow groaned. “Come oooon! We’re gonna miss the movie!”

“Calm down Zippy,” Bahamut mused as they stopped at the concession stand to load up on popcorn, drinks and sweets. Was it a good idea to load up young fillies on so much sugar? Eh, That was Future Bahamut’s problem.

Right now? Present Bahamut corralled five fillies into a movie cinema, ready for the widescreen experience…

“I don’t get it, why is Gondork afraid to use the ring?” Bahamut questioned. “Too much power? Um, isn’t that a good thing when you’re ridiculously outnumbered?”

Shhh!” Twilight whispered.

“Seriously? That’s it? It turns you invisible? I mean, where’s the city-destroying megaton blasts? How about mass mind-control? Hell, basic flight is more useful. Moondancer is a more credible threat than an invisible midget!”

“Shhhh!” Moondancer and Twilight hissed.

“A giant bird? Why don’t they just fly over the bloody volcano and drop the ring? Save us all hearing hours of you morons droning on and on on how impossible this all is…”

Rainbow shared a hoofbump with him as Sunset joined in on the shushing.

“Hey, you think that’s why Tia and Luna can’t get a boyfriend? Cause they’d have to sacrifice their immortality?” Bahamut suggested. Twilight actually paused to think about that for a moment before shushing him once more.

“Hah! And that girls, is why you don’t put a flipping mage in the front row,” Bahamut pointed out. “Then you get taken out like a pussy. Cadenza is a much more useful meatshield.”

“SHHH!” All five fillies hissed between their choked up tears of sadness.

“Wait, that’s it?” Bahamut blinked. “It’s not even the whole…” he paused and read the program. “There are three of these bloody movies? Who in their right mind would willingly sit through this more than once? I could think of much better ways to spend four hours. Like… beating my head against a wall, or throwing myself from the top of Mount Canterlot. Hell, even Starswirl’s lectures are more interesting.”

“SSHHHHH!” the entire cinema hissed at him in a single collective voice.

“Why? The movie is over, thank the gods for that,” Bahamut groaned as he stood up. “I think my tail is asleep…”

The dark cinema lit up from Sunset’s Thundara spell.

“Again. Ow.” Twilight resumed her single-hoofed annihilation of the pan race. She shook her head and perked up. “Well, that movie was amazing, Bahamut’s running commentary aside.”

“Mhm, the effects were great and those locations? Ahhh!” Moondancer giggled giddily.

“At least they’re somewhat close to the books,” Sunset nodded. “Unlike some movies…” She let out a few coughs, and said something that rhymed with caviar. “Which completely ignore an amazing story and produce something I wouldn’t use to wipe my a—”

“Eh, the fights were pretty cool,” Rainbow shrugged. “Still, it’s hard to be impressed when you’ve done it in real life though.”

“True that,” Bahamut nodded. “Seriously, if it was us handling that ring business. We’d have it done before lunch and be home in time for snacks.”

“It’d take that long?” Rainbow chuckled and she and Bahamut shared a hoofbump.

“You two are impossible,” Twilight sighed and shook her head. “Even so… thanks for bringing us Bahamut.”

“It’s cool,” the dragon shrugged. “Hmm, I wonder if it’s safe for us to return to the castle yet?”

“You seriously pranked the Princesses?” Rainbow chuckled. “That takes balls Baha.”

“Rainbow, language!” Fluttershy scolded her, the prismatic pegasus just smirked and poked out her tongue in response.

“Alright, alright. Let’s head back and see if Sunbutt and Moonbutt have calmed down, maybe…” Bahamut stretched and sighed.

Though upon reaching the exit of the cinema, the group came face-to-face… mostly. Bahamut was taller, with a dozen Royal Guard.

“Hmm, I guess they haven’t calmed down yet,” Bahamut concluded.

“And so, after the leniency we showed you, this is the thanks we…” Celestia frowned as her starry mane floated in front of her face. “Bahamut! Would you stop laughing!”

“Bwaaahahahahahahaa!” the dragon rolled around on the ground at the base of the raised throne. To picture it in his mind was one thing, but to see the palette swapped Princesses in the flesh, oh it was just too much.

Their Cutie Marks stood out even more, Celestia’s bright sun on her now midnight blue flank, while the dark splotches and moon against Luna’s whitish-pink coat.

“Beheading thy lizard seems like a good solution,” Luna muttered, though her pouting just spurred Bahamut’s mirth.

Celestia sighed and shook her head slowly. “How long is this going to last? We cannot hold court while looking like this.”

“Aahhaha… f-full dayyaaahhhahahah!” Bahamut continued.

“I hate you so much,” Luna grumbled, staring at her rainbow-hued mane.

“Love you too Lulu,” Bahamut snickered, Rainbow Dash also having caught a serious case of the giggles. Sunset just smirked, while Flutters, Twi and Moondancer looked horrified that someone would do this to the Princesses.

“It matters not,” Celestia suddenly said and Bahamut paused. “After all, while it’s an annoying prank, it’s still a harmless prank none the less…”

“Sister!” Luna started.

“One we shall return at our leisure,” Celestia ignore her and smirked. Luna blinked and then she slowly started to smile as well.

“Ahhh, crap,” Bahamut gulped, his good mood suddenly dashed by the prospect of princessey revenge. “Where’s Auric? I feel the need for a meat shield.”

“I do not know,” Celestia shrugged. “We have not seen him all day, that said, we haven’t gone anywhere in case somepony saw us like this.”

“He’s in the gardens~” Cadance sung as she skipped into the room. “I believe he is meditating, so I haven’t disturbed him.”

“That will never not be weird,” Bahamut shuddered at the sight of a ‘happy’ Cadenza. “Well, I guess I’ll go and see what he’s up to.” He turned and left, still wondering what kind of payback the alicorns would dish out.

Outside, several ponies working in the castle were watching Auric from a distance, none having seen anything quite like him before. Bahamut slowly approached, curious as to what he was doing.

Either meditating… or napping. And given he hadn’t slept out of fear of Cadenza…

Bahamut shrugged and moved a bit closer, sitting down and mimicking his posture. The castle workers treated to the odd sight of the human and the bipedal dragon sitting opposite one another, eyes closed.

“The land is very stubborn,” Auric said after a minute.

“Mm?” Bahamut groaned, having started to doze off. “Whazzat?”

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with the spirit of the world,” Auric replied. “Meditating and focusing my energies on finding the world’s consciousness. I have a question to ask of it before I take any action. It...has been evading me.”

“You, can do that?” Bahamut asked, opening his eyes. “Huh? What does the Spirit of the planet sound like?”

“Like an old, grumpy man trying to ask me to get off its lawn,” Auric quipped. “At least, that’s my impression from how it’s been evading my notice. It apparently doesn’t want to talk to me.”

“Huh…” Bahamut closed his eyes again, he wondered if the Spirit was a summonable creature. He knew of a few Earth elements, but not if they existed. The fact that he knew their names confused him as well, as he didn’t know how he knew.

“Then again, I might be being a little presumptuous in thinking that I am worth its notice,” Auric sighed. “At this rate it’ll be weeks before I can talk to your world.”

“So stubborn and egomaniacal,” Bahamut chuckled. “Sounds like you should be talking to Luna instead.”

“I might make more progress if the others asked, true,” Auric mused. “They’ve been here longer. I’m just a visitor.”

“Ah, I meant that Luna is just as stubborn… ah never mind, moments gone.” He stood up and stretched. “So, I assume this has to do with the Djinn thing?”

“Trying to ask if the world would mind if I introduced some Djinn, yes,” Auric replied. “I could awaken the potential of the land, but it would be a slow thing. And I don’t want to upset the land.”

“Yeah, this world is plenty pissed off enough as is,” Bahamut said. “But, I had a thought regarding that, correct me if I’m wrong though.” The dragon paused for a second to gather his thoughts and nodded. “So, we’ve established that something is copying summonable creatures from your world yes? And creating those artificial Djinn.”

“Something, someone, aye,” Auric replied as he continued to sit there.

“So, if you awaken these Djinn, to make yourself stronger. Would it not make this unknown enemy stronger as well?”

“I was more interested in awakening the potential of the land, the Djinn, so that the common pony could perhaps gain the power of an Adept and stand against the monsters of the world,” Auric returned. “To gift it with Psynergy, to give ponies the power to fight back.”

“I guess that wouldn’t be a bad thing… but how would it affect the monsters. You say that your… abilities came from a game yes? Did that game have monsters that could use Psynergy?”

“...Fair point,” Auric sighed. “It would just be heaping trouble atop trouble. Mayhap a mass release of power is not the way to go.”

“I’m just worried… monsters didn’t exist in this world until Discord summoned me. So either I somehow brought them along for the ride, or they were Discord’s final ‘Fuck you’ before he was sealed.” The dragon sighed and shook his head. “I dunno. Psynergy would be cool, but I worry if the monsters here would learn it too.”

“Eh, we could try the way my world learned, but that’s...highly abusable and would take forever,” Auric replied. “Not something I want to risk if I can avoid it.”

“Oh?” Bahamut asked. “Yeah, that’s probably asking for trouble. Plus… I don’t want to give Tia and Luna that kind of power just yet.”

“You know, your world probably would be better off if you did decide the alicorns were worth the time and trouble to grant Light Warrior privilege to,” Auric mentioned.

“But…” Bahamut groaned. “They locked me up for a thousand bloody years! And besides… I don’t like them.” He folded his arms and pouted. Actually pouted.

“So, how are you any different from Discord if you don’t act like it?” Auric questioned.

“I don’t warp the minds of others for amusement!” Bahamut yelled, flames licking at his lips before he caught himself and calmed. “Celestia and Luna keep me around because they can’t stop the monsters. If I give them the power to, what’s stopping them from sealing me away again?”

“Two ponies, versus an entire world of monsters? Coupled with their royal duties to see to Canterlot and raise and lower the sun and moon? Yeah...you’d need to give them an army before they could conceivably do anything about the monster population in the world,” Auric pointed out.

“…Stop using logic to beat me,” Bahamut frowned and sighed. “I’ll consider it okay?”

“‘S all I ask,” Auric replied as he finally stood up. “Well, your world isn’t talking, so I won’t do anything regarding Djinn and Psynergy yet. Meaning I get to be unique and weak in a world filled with things trying to kill me.”

“Eh… not everything. That said… Lulu and Tia are kiiinda pissed off at me. I dumped cute fillies at them for now. So I think we’re good.”

“As long as I don’t get hit by the crossfire,” Auric replied as he called his quarterstaff into his right hand and leaned on it. “It’s...frustrating, thinking of whoever it is behind this and not being able to do anything to stop them.”

“Eh, we’re winning pretty easily so far,” Bahamut shrugged as he stood up. “I mean, they’re picking a fight with the king of dragons, so it’s no wonder they’re going to lose as long as I’m around.”

“If you could see me at the height of my power, you wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss me,” Auric chuckled. “Well… at least Cadence didn’t hit on me today.”

“Yeah, she’s still being all freaky nice. I think it has something to do with the day,” Bahamut shrugged. “Maybe we can get Hearts and Hooves Day everyday if this is the result.”

“And that’s venturing into mind-control territory,” Auric tapped the dragon on the head with his staff. “Bad Bahamut. No warping other’s minds, remember?”

“Aww, but she’s actually tolerable this way, not to mention kind of cute,” Bahamut replied with a smirk. “Unless you liked the vulgar brat?”

“Bahamut!” a voice called out as Twilight ran towards them, Cadence and Celestia in tow, the latter still under the effect of the palette swap potion.

“This one’s all you,” Auric chuckled as he stepped well away from the dragon.

“He made me do it!” Bahamut pointed at Auric.

“And that’s a blatant lie,” Auric replied. “I’ve been here for the few times I’ve been here.”

Twilight giggled at the banter as Cadence shrugged.

“It’s not that,” Celestia said with a curt tone. “For a while now, I’ve been sensing an odd power, so I thought the pair of you might have been in some kind of trouble…”

“Eh, nothing’s been happening, much as I might have wished for some notice when I asked for your world to hear me when I talked,” Auric replied. “So...I have no clue what you could possibly be sensing.”

“Ah, that would be me,” a refined voice said as a tall, young-looking male with long blue hair appeared out of thin air. “Looks like this world’s Celestia is sharp as a tack. Kudos to you.”

Auric stiffened before looking at the others. “If I tell them to run, it’s going to be pointless, isn’t it?” he questioned aloud.

“Hmm, probably,” the man shrugged. “You don’t seem afraid, Auric of the Golden Flame. Even if you are weaker here.”

“To be fair, I’m not quite afraid of you,” Auric retorted. “I’m afraid for them, and what would happen if we tussled. I took out the freakin’ Wise One, I’m pretty sure I could handle you. The collateral, though, wouldn’t be acceptable.”

“Oh, is that all?” the human mused. “Adorable.” He held up a hand, a golden fireball igniting in his palm. “You think your world was the only one with a ‘Wise One’? Well, it might be now. I blew mine up. Whoops~”

“Yeah, see, the difference between you and me,” Auric replied with a smug smirk. “My Golden Sun wasn’t tampered with.”

“And yet, I can still do things you can’t,” the man replied. “Like all those toys of mine you keep breaking. They aren’t easy to make you know.”

“There’s a difference between can’t and won’t,” Auric retorted. “A thin little line called morals. Because who else will hold me accountable but me?”

“But where’s the fun in that?” he chuckled. He turned to the ponies and smiled. “Ah, where are my manners. I am called Alex. And I am the true wielder of the Golden Sun.”

“Spend a millennium trapped in a suit of armor as nothing more than a spirit,” Auric returned with a bite in his voice. “I earned every scrap of power I have, and used it for just ends, even if my world didn’t exactly see it as such at the time.”

“Ahh yes, you started out as Dullahan, how… quaint,” Alex mused. “Still, this Equestria is far more entertaining than most I’ve seen.”

“Just what do you want?” Celestia demanded, her horn firing up with a powerful golden glow.

“Me? Hmm, that’s a difficult question to answer,” Alex hummed and tapped his chin.

“He orchestrated the return of Alchemy to Weyward, just so he could acquire the power of the Golden Sun,” Auric replied so that the ponies would be informed. “The fact that it saved that world from being ground away into nothing was probably nothing more than a footnote to him.”

“Meh, that was a game, nothing more,” Alex shrugged. “I’m much more… successful than my digital counterpart. Didn’t even get sealed away like most of you other Displaced idiots. My ponies were oh so trusting… they didn’t even see it coming~”

“Okay, so, taking that into account, you have the powers of Alex at his height,” Auric replied. “You know, he still lost to the Wise One, right? He only got a flawed Sun. Transitive property says I can still beat you.”

“Mhm, only I beat mine,” Alex mused and folded his arms. “You more than anyone should know we don’t follow the rules of our fictional counterparts. Helps that the ponies softened him up for me. Sucks they all died doing so… they missed the big kaboom in the end though~”

“There’s still one edge I have on you, though,” the golden-clad boy observed.

“Oh, do tell,” Alex mused.

“I have the full knowledge as to how these fires can be used,” Auric replied. “Helps when you were the good kind of crazy before getting shoved across the Multiverse.”

“Hmm, I guess. However, I’m not here to fight you today. I’m the end boss after all.”

“So… why are you here?” Bahamut growled, a bit more information, then he could unleash on this guy.

“Me?” Alex’s smiled turned into a malicious one. “I’m just the distraction~”

And with a loud ‘thoom’ a tear in space/time opened up above Bahamut.

“It’s time you return to the Void!” a deep, hollow voice resounded as a second figure appeared. He was clad in spiked blue and silver armour, a long flowing cape and he held a golden sword in his left hand. “Exdeath will be your end.”

“Oh please,” Auric returned, brandishing his staff as he took up position next to Bahamut. “I might not have all of my power, but I know that you aren’t as tough as you make yourself out to be.”

“Perhaps…” the armoured villain chuckled. His hand glowed and Bahamut heard a scream… just in time to see Twilight get sucked into a void of empty space. “But you cannot save everyone.”

“TWILIGHT!” The dragon roared, leaping after her as the space sealed shut behind them. The pair cast off into the Infinite Void.

“NO!” Cadence screamed, racing towards the area, but it was too late, the pair were gone, banished from the world entirely.

Auric growled. If he was going to do anything… he couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t risk their world.

…Then again, Alex was risking it already. Decisions.

“Celestia, do I have your permission to waken the land?” Auric replied as he held his staff high.

“Do as you will,” Celestia said, firing a searing lance of solar energy at the pair, but Alex just backhanded the blast away, like one would a bug.

“Apapap! Not now. As I said, we’re the final boss. We’re just… tipping the odds in our favour. Tatah~” And with a flash of light, the pair vanished.

“Don’t worry,” Auric replied, pulling out a Garnet that looked very similar to Celestia’s eyes. “As long as I have this, I can eventually find him, and thus her, wherever they ended up.”

“How… how could I let this happen?’ Celestia sighed, her features wilting.

But she was nothing compared to Cadence. She just… stood there. Her wings hung loosely at her sides as her mane covered her eyes.

“You can’t hold yourself accountable for the actions of the wicked,” Auric told them. “They can can be predicted, sometimes, but never, ever hold yourself responsible for what they do. Vow to end them, yes, stop their evil ways, certainly. But don’t heap their misdeeds upon yourself. Because they’ll crush you with every act they take otherwise.”

“I should have stopped them…” Cadence trembled. “Twi-Twilight’s gone… and I-I couldn’t…” her body started to shake. For all her strength… she was useless.

“Hey, both of you, c’mere,” Auric said, putting his staff and the Garnet down, opening his arms up for hugging.

“No… you hate me,” Cadence said, taking a step back.

“Cadence, you need a hug right now, come over here,” Auric insisted. The pegasus took a step forward, before all but falling into him.

“Please…” she whispered. “If they’re alive. Please find them… I’ll do anything to—”

“Ap, I will get on it,” Auric replied, hugging the pegasus close. “It might take a while. But I won’t stop. Not until they’re both back.”

“…Thank you,” Cadence whispered.

“Not a problem,” Auric replied. “Now… Celestia, if they’re competent, they’ll probably try something while Bahamut is away,” the human said. “So… we’ll need to keep an eye out.”

“Of course,” Celestia nodded as she looked at the castle. “Gods, how could this happen…? And what are they going to do now?”

Inside, Luna frowned as she stared at the pony opposite her. She’d had annihilated it already, were it not for the bindings around her.

“So… this is your plan?” she said with a snarl. “It will fail. You will be defeated.”

“Perhaps,” the pony replied. “But perhaps not. The Master has ensured a little ‘insurance’ plan. As loathe as I am to follow it, I am bound to his will.”

“I’ll kill you myself!” Luna roared, wishing she could draw on her magic. But the powerful inhibitors she wore prevented as such.

“No… no you won’t,” the pony smirked as closed the door, sealing Luna in the room alone as her mirror image turned and smiled. “They’ll never see it coming~”

Chapter Nine

Author's Note

So I redid this chapter a little, changed the fight with Rubicante a tad to try and make him more in character. Hopefully I haven't screwed it up this time.

Chapter Nine

Celestia sat on her throne, looking over various reports. Ever since Twilight and Bahamut had vanished, the Princess had been extra cautious and her network of crown-funded Guilds were keeping eyes and ears on anything suspicious. If this Alex and Exdeath made any kind of move, she’d know about it.

Luna was assisting, though she’d been somewhat silent. Auric and the fillies were working to try and find Twilight and Bahamut as quickly as possible, but had no luck thus far.

“Would it truly be so terrible?” Luna suddenly spoke up, getting Celestia’s attention.

“What do you mean?” she said, a small frown creasing her brow.

“The missing ones,” the lunar alicorn stated. “Would it truly be so bad? Deep down we know Bahamut could become a nigh unstoppable threat. Discord proved that he can be controlled, and almost no force on Equus could stop him.”

“Well…” Celestia sighed. “It’s true, we can no longer use the Elements of Harmony as we once did. But…”

“But?” her sister raised an eyebrow.

“I… I think I actually believe Bahamut has changed.”

“Only because young Twilight sealed his power.”

“And she has shown she can release it. Several times he’s been unleashed has done nothing but defend ponykind.” Celestia set down her paperwork and sighed. “I… think I may have been a little hard on him. If he returns, I believe I shall, at the very least, offer an apology.”

Luna stared at her. “But do we truly need him? Auric has proven to be much more amicable and far superior in terms of intelligence and combat capability. You said that he didn’t seem perturbed by Exdeath and Alex in the slightest.”

“I will not sacrifice Twilight and Bahamut needlessly,” Celestia said. “I can understand your worries Luna…”

“Do you truly?” Luna said. “Discord’s seal is weakening as the world gets more dangerous. And if he breaks out, tis as you said. No-one could stop him.”

“Luna,” Celestia said. “It is imperative that Twilight be rescued.”

“Why?” Luna pressed. What was so special about that little unicorn?

“Her destiny is not to vanish into the Void… she is made for so much more…” Celestia’s mind drifted to the tree that they obtained the Elements from. And the mark that was emblazoned on its trunk. And when she saw Twilight’s cutie mark for the first time…

A guard suddenly burst into the room, startling both alicorns. “Your Highnesses!” he said. “I have an urgent message from Mister Fulcrum!”

“Speak,” Celestia said.

“He may found a lead to that special project…”

“Did he now?” Luna said as she stood up, her horn aglow. “Sister dear, I’m going to need you to do something for me.”

“Hm? What is it Lu—”

Cadenza stepped through the mirror portal, the surface rippling behind her. She looked at the human that had sent her and frowned. “Well, not only am I scarred by what I saw, they weren’t there… Thank our non-existent god.” Six failed attempts so far…

“Well, at this point we’re just crossing off possibilities,” Auric said, twirling his staff as he thought. “This would be so much easier if I practiced it more. I handed that off to my counterpart, though…Not really a fan of being summoned.”

“Thank you for helping us,” Moondancer said, the little filly staring up at him with big, bright eyes as she nudged her glasses up. “But, can we really save them Mister Auric?”

“At this point, I’m considering just going on a void-dive myself,” the human grumbled. “I’m sure they’re still out there, somewhere. Knowing Bahamut, he likely pulled Twilight and himself into the closest world once his head stopped spinning. The question is, where, in all of infinity, did he define the ‘closest’ world?”

“Maybe something he has an affinity to?” Sunset suggested as she read a book. “You said that you’re some character or some such from your world right? Does Bahamut have anything like that?”

“Remind me to tell you the full story later, but actually…” the human focused his golden magic, and a pair of gauntlets fell out of thin air. “I can think of one other person from the same line as him. We can try that world. Like might call to like.”

“For fucks sake…” Cadenza sighed. “You better get it right this time. I nearly died a few times there you know.”

“Trying to pinpoint a specific world in all the multiverse is like trying to pinpoint a single grain of sand in a sandstorm,” Auric countered as he channeled his magic, using the gauntlets as a focus. “Fortunately, some of us are around to act as anchors, to help everyone find their way.”

With a grunt and a splash of golden fire, another portal opened up, a hole in the middle of the air. “There,” the human panted. “Try that one.”

“So… what can I expect?” Cadenza sighed and hefted her spear. “I swear if it’s those Caribou again…”

“Should be a relatively peaceful world,” the human replied. “Though the guy I’m sending you to is a bit dramatic.”

“Wonderful,” the pegasus said as she stepped through…

“I hope they’re there,” Moondancer prayed. The door behind them creaked open and Luna stepped through.

“Any progress?” the dark alicorn said.

“We’ve crossed off six worlds in an infinite sea of them, so no, not really,” Auric replied. “Though we might have a lead with number seven. You’re not the only ones with such a character as Bahamut. So I’m sending Cadenza to scout out a friend’s world, see if they’ve acquired any dragons and petite purple ponies as of late.”

“I see…” Luna stared at the mirror. “A pity they won’t make it back.”

“I’ll keep trying, sending out the word through the trusted Displaced that I know of to be on the lookout,” the human waved a hand. “If we all look, I’m sure we’ll find them eventually.”

“No… you won’t,” Luna said as her horn lit up, a lance of energy striking the mirror as it crackled dangerously, the surface rippling and fading in and out.

And in front of the fillies, Auric changed. From someone who was kind and helping them look for their friends…

To an actual warrior. His clothes, the right half of them changed from mirroring the sun to having some of Luna’s colors on them. His staff melted and flowed into a sword with a dangerous edge, and he moved far too quickly for their eyes to track as he stood between Luna and the mirror.

“Give me a good reason,” he hissed, his voice having an echoing effect, “As to why I shouldn’t take your damn horn for that.”

“As if you could,” Luna chuckled and her horn shone before she vanished from sight. “I’ll be waiting in the throne room,” her voice lingered in the air.

“Girls, take note, Luna can’t be trusted,” Auric snarled as he stuck his sword in the stones of the room before walking to the mirror and laying his hands on it. “She did some work here,” he muttered, sending his own branch of magic into it. “I need high-density matter, preferably magical crystals, to fuel my magic to repair it. Otherwise I don’t know if they’ll make the trip back.”

“W-Why would Princess Luna do that?” Moondancer whimpered, hiding behind Sunset. “Why would she not want our friends back?”

“I’ll blast her,” Sunset growled. “You get the crystals, I’m goin’ to the throne room!”

“Tell Cel why before you just attack moonbutt,” the human told Sunset. “In any case, I’ll stabilize it as well as I can on my own. But my magic isn’t inexhaustible.”

“Okay,” the filly said and rubbed Moondancer’s head before galloping away.

He’d been working for an hour now, and the mirror flickered on and off. As he turned to try and see if there was anything in the room he could use…

*Thump*

A pegasus mare, a unicorn filly and an adolescent dragon tumbled from the mirror and onto the human, as Moondancer squeaked and hid behind a box.

“Get up, get away from the mirror!” Auric cried, muffled though it was. “It’s damaged! Get away! The strain—”

With a loud crackle, the mirror started to flash dangerously…

Before collapsing in on itself, Bahamut dragging Twilight away as Cadenza worked fast to pull Auric. And with a flash of light, the mirror just… ceased to be.

“The fuck was that!?” Cadenza said. “You nearly killed us!”

“No, moonbutt nearly killed you,” Auric growled as he examined the spot where the mirror had been. “I’ve spent the past hour making sure that when she damaged the mirror after hearing we had a lead, it didn’t just up and die on us. Apparently she really didn’t want you back, scale-butt.”

“What?” Bahamut rubbed his head, but Twilight was the first to answer.

“That prolly wasn’t Princess Luna!” she exclaimed. “Mister Buzzy, he’s a Changebug. And what did Mister Gilgy say?”

Bahamut groaned. “One of those Archfiend things is a formshifter. Mighta been one of those…”

And Sunset had gone to her… alone.

Auric gulped. “And Sunset went after her…by herself,” he illuminated. “You four. Go to the throne room, help her. I’ll see if there’s anything that can be done to salvage the mirror or its unique magics, they really help when making a portal between worlds. Give me ten minutes, and if I can’t find anything, I’ll just warp to you.”

Bahamut was already running from the room, as well as Cadenza. Twilight paused and hugged Auric’s leg. “Thank you for saving us,” she smiled and then followed after the others, Moondancer trailing behind them. Hopefully…. Hopefully they weren’t too late.

This was not a good situation.

A tall humanoid sat of Celestia’s throne, arms folded and legs crossed as he stared at the small group as they entered the throne room. He was clad in a red cloak covered in purple marks.

What was more worrying, were the five ponies chained up next to the throne. Celestia, Luna, Raven (Celestia’s assistant) and some guard stallion.

And lastly… little Sunset.

Bahamut’s upper lip drew back as he snarled. “Let them go and maybe I’ll make your death painless,” he said in a dangerously low tone.

“I didn’t want to, you know,” the man sighed and shook his head. “I wished for a fair and honorable fight. Unfortunately, I am bound by the contract of my master and cannot go against it.”

“Sunset is just a child,” Bahamut said, clenching his fists. “And the others have nothing to do with this fight. Let them go.”

Rubicante looked at the dragon, then snapped his fingers, releasing the bindings and letting the ponies go. “You are correct. They do have nothing to do with this. I wish for a fair fight after all. Me against your best warrior.” He looked the dragon up and down. “But without that little unicorn, you're not much of one, are you O’King of Dragons?”

“Tch!” Bahamut clicked his tongue in annoyance. Annoyed as he was, the Fiend was right. Without Twilight to release his seal, he was useless.

“Then I’ll fight you!” Sunset roared, only to be held back by Celestia as the royal sisters glared at Rubicante. “Hey! I can take him!”

“Quite the firecracker,” Rubi chuckled. “But not the challenger I am seeking.”

“Then maybe I’ll suffice,” Cadenza said as she stepped up, her spear tucked under her wing. She glanced at the dragon as she walked past them. “I’ll handle this. You stay put Twilight. Bahamut, watch them. I dunno what crap he’ll pull while I’m fighting.”

“You got this,” Bahamut growled as his mind raced to try and come up with something. “You’re one of the strongest mares I know. S’why I chose you after all.”

“We’ll talk about that later…” She looked at her aunts and nodded. “We’ll all sit down and talk. But right now, I have an asshole to stab.” She stepped up to the center area of the throne room, where the fiend had designated the combat area. She spared a brief glance as the captured ponies. She’d save them. All of them. She would NOT fail again.

“So, the little princess wants to play first hm?” Rubicane chuckled. “Very well, let us see if you possess a warrior’s spirit.”

Cadenza snarled as she rushed forward, thrusting her spear out in a flurry of attacks, each one clashing with the chime of ringing metal, as the Archfiend parried her blows almost effortlessly.

“Hah, that was almost childsplay,” the fiend mused as he gave a few lazy swings. “Really dear, you need to put more effort into it.” he stepped into an attack as Cadenza was forced the defend.

“Shut up!” Cadenza roared as she swung her spear in a circle, creating her Seven Dragon’s technique as the ethereal dragons rose up and shot towards Rubicante. This was her best attack, she’d wipe him off of the face of Equus…

If only Rubi hadn’t created a flame shield that blocked her attack effortlessly.

“Hmm, I actually had to block that one, not too shabby I suppose,” the fiend chuckled as he backhanded Cadenza, sending her flying.

As she landed, skidding across the floor, an inferno of golden flames appeared between Rubicante and the ponies, though, and it cleared to reveal Auric in his Eclipse form, glaring at the fiend of fire. “Oh, it’s you,” he blinked a few times, before looking around. “Where’s the imposter?”

“Oh, that would be me,” Rubicante said. “Please do not interfere. We are currently having an honorable duel.”

Auric raised his hand, he would erase this Fiend, only to have a wing block him.

“Hey…” Cadenza said as she got up, groaning slightly. “I said… I got this okay…” she took a step forward, a slight limp in her step. “I failed to protect Twilight and Bahamut back then.” She gripped her spear and narrowed her eyes. “I will not fail again… else, I don’t deserve to live.”

“Cadence, you don’t have to,” Auric told her. “I’ve been holding back myself, but if it means beating him, I’ll use my full strength—”

“I saidI’ve got this!” Cadenza snapped. “You don’t get it Auric. This, this isn’t about just beating him. Or.. even just about saving them.” Her pride was on the line here. This was something she felt she had to do.“Stay out of this Auric,” Cadenza warned. “I will be really pissed if you interfere.”

“How about this?” he said, his staff awash in power. “You do what should be a fatal blow to him, actually land it? The only interference I’ll offer is the spell to destroy his essence and make it stick with your blow.”

“Stay. Out of it,” she said, before rushing again. Rubi raised his swords, deflecting her incoming blow.

“You’re quite the angry mare aren’t you?” he observed. “Emotion is good, one can draw a great deal of power from them. But don’t let them cloud your better judgement, else a calm and collected foe can take advantage of that.”

Cadenza skidded back as he unleashed a burst of flames spells. Her hooves scratching the marble floor. “Maybe so,” she said, twirling her spear to deflect a fireball. “Maybe I am a slave to my emotions.” She flew a few feet off of the ground, kicking off of a pillar as she swung her spear. “It’s always been a flaw of mine. I’m always angry. I’ve always hated the destiny that’s been laid out for me since birth.” She flipped over him, kicking off of his back as the fiend stumbled, not having expected that as flames around him flared up, causing Cadenza to back off.

“That anger blinds you,” Rubicante said. “It clouds your mind and averts your eyes from the truth. In battle, that anger has and will keep costing you.”

“Maybe,” the pegasus mare said as she landed, using her wings like a rudder to bank to the right, avoiding a stream of flames. “But, it’s not just anger. Sometimes I feel happy. These fillies? I think they’re changing me for the better. Hell, I don’t hate my aunts quite as much anymore…” The ground sparked as her speartip struck it, dragging along as she brought it up in an upwards swing, parrying Rubi’s blade away. “And I’m determined. I’ll keep getting stronger. I’ll keep rising higher to protect them. Until they no longer need me to.”

“Admirable,” Rubi chuckled, casting aside his blade. He raised his hands as his form became wreathed in flames. “You are cut from a different cloth from the others. It’s almost a shame that I have to kill you. I’d like to fight you again.”

“Humph, I’d ask you to give up, and maybe we could,” Cadenza nodded. “But we both know you won’t.”

“No, I wouldn’t,” he agreed as he cast the most powerful Fire spell, the area around Cadenza erupting with an explosive Firaja spell. “I will at least remember you,” the Fiend said as he picked up his blade. “You deserve that much at least.”

Auric let out a growl as the Night half of his Eclipse form started to bleed over into the Day half. “You talk about emotions like you know them,” Auric snarled. “You’re nothing more than a magical construct. I could tell you the history of anger as humans know it, and it wouldn’t even begin to sink into your head. But rest assured…” his staff crackled with destructive light. “You’ve bucked up now.”

“Yeah he has,” Bahamut said, oddly calm for some reason. “He was fucked the moment this fight started. All cause of his Element.”

Wait… what?

The roaring flames that had engulfed Cadenza rippled before it… started to shrink?

No, it wasn’t shrinking, something was drawing the flames in like a vacuum. Rubi turned, ignoring the human as his eyes widened. “That… is not possible.”

Amidst the flames, Cadenza stood. Her tail was now more solid and longer, lashing back and forth as the flames her drawn to her open mouth, now longer and lined with sharp fangs. Two ebon black, curved horns protruded out of her head, curling around behind her ears. And when she opened her eyes, draconic slits had replaced her iris’ as she sucked down the flames.

“How…” Rubi took a step back, gawping at the mare. “Ponies cannot do that!”

“No they can’t,” Bahamut chuckled. He’d sensed it a while back, when he’d extracted Ifrit from her. The blood that coursed through her veins. Draconic blood.

“Whoever said she was entirely a pony?”

“Well, that… was not according to the plan,” Rubicante said as he beheld the dracony.

“Plans are for wimps,” Cadenza chuckled as she gripped her spear. “I just do it.”

And with that she charged again, only this time? She was so much faster. Rubicante skidded back as he tried to block, his flames now doing nothing to impede her as she unleashed another flurry of blows, these hits actually landing as he grunted in pain.

“I’ll admit, I did not expect this,” Rubi said as their weapons collided, creating a small explosion of force. “You’ve far exceeded my expectations. How wonderful!”

“You talk too much, you know that?” Cadenza said before a punch set her spiralling back. She skidded to a stop and grunted. Even now, this guy was pretty damned strong. Still… “Gotta admit, I’m having fun,” she chuckled. “Hey, you know why I chose the spear as a weapon?”

“Hmm, well if you use it right, it has excellent reach in combat,” he said as he lifted his sword.

“Nah,” Cadenza smiled as her spear igniting with a blinding flame. “Everyone forgets that it’s also long range.”

“Wha—” Rubi let out a gasp as she threw the spear, the force behind it lifted him off of the ground and pinned him to a nearby pillar, the weapon poking out of his chest. “Oh…”

“I’d like to let Auric finish you off, you wouldn’t come back after, that much I know,” Cadenza said as she cracked her neck. “But fuck that, this is my fight and… well you’re still good, you deserve that much at least.”

Rubi let out a choked chuckle as the mare shot forward like a bullet, kicking the end of the spear and pushing it all the way through, shattering the pillar he was pinned to as he fell to the ground, Rubicante’s body already disintegrating.

“T’was a good fight… I have no regrets,” he said in a quiet voice. “But fair warning Lady Cadenza… my creators, they are far far stronger than I. You would do best… to not fight them. Retreat…”

Cadenza looked at her friends and shook her head. “Fuck that. I’ll protect this world with them. And that’s a promise.”

“Heh… I… believe it…” Rubicante nodded as he faded away, leaving behind a stone tablet.

“Heads up,” Bahamut said as Cadenza fell sideways, returning to her pegasus form. “We might be fighting after all.”

The tablet glowed, four motes of red light shining, before firing out of a window and off into the sky. And… then nothing?

“Huh…” Bahamut looked around. “Think it was a dud?”

Auric?

Auric had paled.

“We need to evacuate the city,” he whispered. “Four fire...that translates to one thing.”

They heard screaming coming from outside as the group hurried to a window. Auric however, was looking up. Bahamut followed his gaze and his eyes widened.

“Please tell me that is not a giant meteor headed for Equestria,” he said to the human.

“I could tell you that, but it would be a lie,” Auric replied as he summoned all of his staff back to himself. “I’m going to need everything for this one,” he muttered. “I’m going to pull off something that will either get me killed, or go wonderfully.”

“Idea…” Bahamut looked at it. “You’re smarter than me, so tell me. That’s just a big ass rock falling from the sky right?”

“Along with whatever was left of Rubicante in it, I.E. those four red motes that barely have any awareness,” Auric replied. “We could smash it, but they’d be left behind.”

“Can you help them?” Twilight asked. “Like you did with the other Djinns’?”

“I can try,” Auric growled. “I need to be somewhere connected to the earth,” he muttered. “I need more power than I can bring to bear…”

“I have an idea,” Bahamut said and looked at Twilight. The filly blinked and then nodded, already focusing on her Garnet. The dragon turned as a magic circle appeared under him. “Hey Auric? Wanna go to space?”

“Um...while I’m functionally immortal, and should be able to keep myself breathing, I fail to see how this hel—” the human had time to say.

Before a large claw grabbed him, along with a certain white alicorn as the now full-sized dragon roared loudly, scaring anypony nearby even more.

“Bitchin’ Let’s go to space!” And with that, he flapped his wings and accelerated quickly, passing the clouds as he soared higher and higher. He also forgot to ask if Tia could breathe in space…

Ah well, she’ll be alright.

Auric felt a sense of weightlessness as Bahamut stopped finally, putting the human on his shoulder as he got a good look at him. He was covered in midnight blue scales, his wings were enormous, larger than his whole body. The insides were lined with crimson and the elbow joints were hooked with three, massive scythe-like claws. His torso, arms, legs and tail were all armor plated, leaving not much in the way of weak points on him. Two long horns protruded from his head as crimson eyes turned to look at the human. Auric found himself wondering what version of Bahamut he was…

the dragon said in his mind.

The human went to reply verbally, before figuring that that wouldn’t work. Sound doesn’t travel well in space. So he simply nodded and made to turn and look at the giant meteor. Well...now he didn’t know how he was going to fight it.

Bahamut said as he looked at his other hand and flicked the nose of the alicorn there, waking her up.

Celestia flinched and looked around, before she spotted the meteor. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out before she frowned and nodded.

Bahamut nodded and looked at Auric.

Auric thought back.

Bahamut said as he looked at Celestia.

the alicorn said with a shake of her head.

Well, alright then. He let go of the pair and had them float back a bit. Already, Auric could see a light welling up in the dragon’s chest.

Auric thought as he surrounded the pair of them in a golden bubble of force.

Bahamut built up his attack more. He needed to give this everything. Twilight had given him roughly 85% of his power, and he intended to use every last drop. His mouth opened, light building up within as he powered up his signature attack. His mind briefly flashed to what Gilgamesh had said, about tactics and whatnot. Bahamut didn’t have much of a mind for that. That fight had proven as such… (And that Gilgy was OP as hell) But he did know that he couldn’t stop this on his own.

What he could do was buy time and make a window for those that could. With a loud roar, he unleashed his Mega Flare attack, the massive, bright energy beam erupted from his mouth and soared across space, impacting the meteor with a massive explosion as the two powers faced off.

Celestia whispered, clearly meant to have thought that only to herself.

Auric thought back.

Celestia asked, a worried tone in her thoughts.

Auric chuckled. <Learned that one the hard way…>

Bahamut managed to get out, his beam starting to weaken a little.

Celestia looked to the right, as the sun peeked over the horizon line of the planet. She closed her eyes as her Cutie Mark started to glow, her mane rippling and glowing brighter as she started to funnel her might into Auric.

Goodness, that… that was some rush of power he was getting.

Auric grunted, his magical power reaching down and skimming some water from the atmosphere.

A massive human woman, easily matching Bahamut in size, garbed in a robe that shimmered and sparkled in all the colors of the rainbow, formed in front of the meteor. She smiled softly at it and laid one hand on the rock, letting her healing power wash over the poor, contained spirits.

Auric thought out as he channeled the power to sustain her existence on this plane through his body.

The meteor shuddered as Bahamut ceased his attack, staring at the summoned creature. So, this was what is was like to summon something like that huh. She was kinda pretty too.

The meteor stopped, floating listlessly in space before it started to dissolve, Isis’ healing calming the raging Djinn as their fusion broke apart, leaving the four little creatures to float there, unconscious from the power forced upon them.

Auric thought to Bahamut as Isis turned to the planet.

Bahamut nodded and extended his power. A few moments later, Auric could feel a weak source of Psynergy coming from somewhere below them.

he thought to Isis, and she extended her arms, making the planet below them, where he’d sensed the power, suddenly have a slight drizzling of rain. Rain infused with her healing energy.

And Celestia could see...the power wasn’t coming without a cost to Auric. He was bleeding from his nose.

She said worriedly, ceasing her funneling of her might into his body.

Auric muttered, Isis starting to become patchy in places.

he had an idea. A foolish one but. He turned and looked at Celestia and Auric. <This is going to sting a bit, sorry…> he held out his claws as he summoned forth his power. The power to grant might to those that could wield it. He drew some power from Auric, frowning a little at the… unusual energies. Before he looked at Celestia and nodded.

“Celestia, Daughter of the Sun. I grant you this strength, so that you may use it to better yourself, and others. Take this power, the Class of Adept!”

Celestia gasped as she felt something change deep with her. A power she’d never felt before rise to the surface as strange worlds filled her mind. What was more, she could feel something from the creature that Auric had summoned, as well as weaker lights from below.

And more… was the golden aura that surrounded the human boy, a light not too dissimilar to her own. She smiled as she put a wing around him, now feeding her newly bestowed Psynergy into him, taking some of his burden away.

Auric let out a soundless gasp as he felt that, Isis becoming a little more stable as the power to sustain her now came from multiple sources. <...You didn’t have to...I could have held it,> he muttered softly over the link.

Bahamut replied.

Celestia closed her eyes, letting the warm sun fuel her magic as she drew directly from it, her Cutie Mark glowing brightly as Auric’s hair shone gold, her power was… impressive for somepony only just learning to wield it.

<...Dammit I’m going to have to give lessons all over again, aren’t I?> Auric grumbled good-naturedly over the link.

the princess nodded as Bahamut closed his eyes. It took a few more minutes, but eventually…

he said.

Auric thought.

Celestia nodded as she shut off her power, feeling rather drained now as she slumped a little. Bahamut gathered them up as Auric worked on dispelling his summon. Isis broke up into sparkles and flashes of light as she rained down on the planet below, giving it one last gift of healing water. Shortly after that, Auric slumped and fell against Celestia.

he muttered over the mental link.

Bahamut chuckled as he started to descend. He used his magic to shield them from the heat of re-entry with Nul-fire, before the city of Canterlot came into view. A few more moments later, they were landing in the courtyard of the palace.

Once landed, Bahamut set Celestia and Auric down, before collapsing himself. That had taken a good deal out of him too. So the trio lay there, the cool rain washing down on them as they relished in the accomplishment of saving the world, at least for now.

Chapter Ten

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Prologue

Discord sipped his drink, looking over the chaos of his kingdom. He had idly wondered what had happened to those two alicorns that had sworn they’d defeat him… he’d laughed for nearly a week straight.

“I do hope they didn’t die,” he muttered. “I thought I’d get a chuckle out of them trying…” On the off chance they actually succeeded in finding a way, he still had a backup plan, a maddened beast he’d shackled a few months back. He’d actually been quite disappointed over how easily he’d twisted its mind, it had already been so broken he felt he’d done the beast a service.

“Discord!” a feminine voice called out and he turned his head to the source of the sound. It was those adorable ponies and… Oh my gosh! They had the most adorable little saddlebags and determined expressions on their faces!

“Aww, you look so determined and resolute~” Discord cooed and clapped his hands. “It just makes me want to pinch your little horsey cheeks.”

“Enough games Discord!” Sunbutt said. “Your reign of tyranny ends here!”

“Aww, is somepony jealous?” the chaos spirit hummed. “You wanna have a go? It’s really quite fun. The screams of the downtrodden, the wails of despair and the looks of those that have lost all hope. Being the villain is pretty fun. Oh! We could get married, our love would burn with the intensity of a urinary tract infection.”

Sunbutt gagged as Moonbutt glared at him like an angry kitten. “Our sister speaks true!” Moonbutt answered, stomping her hoof. “Prepare to meet thy end!”

“Ahh Lulu, I like you… even if your voice sounds like a griffon dry-heaving.” Discord reclined on his throne and waved a hand. “Well, you did get this far, so I suppose I could humor you for a bit.” His eyes widened and he leaned forward, a manic grin on his face. “Iiiiiiiif, you can pass one little, teensy test.”

“What kind of test?” She of the Hot Flanks asked and the spirit cackled and clapped his hands again.

“Say hello, to my little friend!” He raised his arms up as a dark shadow formed in the sky above him. The two mares took a step back as the darkness coalesced and took a solid form.

That of a massive black dragon. Three sharp, sickle-like claws protruded from the joint on its powerful-looking wings and most of his body looked like it was covered in plate armour. It gave a crack on its long tail, obliterating the house behind it as its hollow eyes turned onto the mares. The dragon opened it mouth and roared, the ground shaking under the ferocity of it, even Discord had to grip his throne so he wouldn’t fall out.

“Ooh, say it, don’t spray it!” he said, wiping dragon spit from his coat. “Now, be a good pet and snack on those mares for a bit would you?”

“W-What is that thing?” Luna stammered, taking another step back.

“Ah, where are my manners?” Discord hummed. “Oh, right, threw those away. Still, allow me to introduce my good friend. I call him Chompy McBitey! But you can call him Bahamut, the King of Dragons.”

“Bahamut?” Celestia repeated as she stared the great dragon down. He had an immense amount of magical power and it seemed his physical strength was not to be underestimated either. She knew that the dragons hadn’t been seen in Equestria since Discord took over… but they were a race that were highly resistant to magic. So how did Discord enslave the King of dragons?

“In case you’re wondering, our friend isn’t from around here… but— HEY!” Discord ducked as Bahamut’s tail swiped at him, shattering the top from the spirit’s throne. “And I liked that chair too, it has good back support.”

“Did... it just attack Discord?” Luna asked her sister.

“So it would seem, let us use the distraction to defeat him, then We can worry about Bahamut,” Celestia said. “Who knows, maybe We can take both of them out at the same time?”

Bahamut roared again as he sprayed a volley of fireballs, peppering the landscape with a barrage of explosions. Luna and Celestia stared at the display of power, as Discord decided that now was a good time to beat a hasty retreat. Seems that his chaos magic had driven the beast utterly mad, and he was now lashing out at anything and everything.

“Hmm, seems I don’t have enough badges,” Discord hummed. “Oh well... “ He held up a stone, a large, orange-sized garnet and gave of a powerful glow. Bahamut roared as the jewel started to bind him.

He. Would. Not. FALL!

With a mighty roar that shook the ground, causing Discord to stumble, he begun to build power in his jaws, bringing to bear, the entirety of his power.

“That… seems like it shan’t be good for us mine Sister!” Luna stated, preparing a teleport spell.

“We would have to agree,” Celestia replied, casting her own.

“Me three!” Discord added as he snapped his fingers and vanished. Luna and Celestia cast their spells, warping space and displacing themselves from the vicinity, landing a few miles away. Just as Bahamut unleashed his Mega Flare, and the town they were just in ceased to exist.

Even from the vast distance, the two mares shielded their eyes as the explosion shook the earth, the heat from the blast could be felt even from where they were. Once the light and sound begun to settle, the sisters opened their eyes and gasped. A crater nearly a half dozen miles wide was all that was left of the empty town…

“What unimaginable destructive power,” Celestia whispered. “What kind of monster has Discord summoned?”

“We don’t know,” Luna said, her horn lighting up. “But it is heading this way!”

Celestia looked up, seeing the great dragon diving from above, even the clouds in the sky had evaporated from his previous blast. And it looked like it was already powering another!

That was when a large jewel collided with its head, and with a brilliant flash of light, the beast disappeared, sealed within the gem.

“Boom! Headshot!” Discord cheered, holding the sphere. “Hah! Did you see that ladies? What perfect...form…?” He turned to look at the two mares, only to see six shining jewels floating before them, and a blast of rainbow light heading towards him.

“Oh poppycock!”

It had taken years of rebuilding, and Discord's magic had permeated the forest that the sisters castle had once stood. Foul creatures made of wood, stone and various chimeras now prowled the area. And no amount of efforts could remove the darkness.

“We hath finished sealing the forest,” Luna sighed as she rested on her bed, located in a new castle located on the side of Mount Canterlot.

“Thank you Sister,” Celestia said. She stared at the statue of the chaos spirit, bound forever in stone. The garnet that contained Bahamut had also been sealed away, in a chamber that not even the most powerful unicorns could hope to enter.

“Hast thou had any luck?” Luna asked. “On locating any knowledge on Bahamut?”

“No known records have knowledge of him,” Celestia sighed, dealing with the chaotic creatures of the Everfree, a rather ironic name for the forest now, would have been less of a hassle than dealing with the prissy princess.

“Odd,” Luna hummed. “And what of Young Starswirl? He is your prodigal student after all.”

“We refuse to let him near that stone,” Celestia snapped with a curt tone. “If Bahamut were to somehow escape… without the method Discord used to seal him away…”

“All of Equus would burn,” Luna finished. “Well, perhaps it is for the best. Should we banish the stone to Tartarus?”

“No, We want it where We can see it,” Celestia replied, sipping at her tea. Pah! It’d gone cold. Celestia hated cold tea. “Keep thine friends close…”

“And thy enemies closer,” Luna sighed. ‘Very well Sister. If thou thinkest it best…”

“We do,” Celestia nodded. “But your concern is noted dear Sister. We… would be quite lost without your wisdom to aid Us.”

“Naturally,” Luna said, puffing out her chest. “Now let us rest for a moment. Then we shall go and see how Our new castle is coming along.”

“SISTER!” Celestia ducked as a blast of scorching flames passed by her, the fierce dragon snarling as it’s prey escaped once more.

“Fear not, it may look like a dragon, but it’s just a beast,” Luna said, a flurry of slashes from the daggers she floated attacked the red-scaled dragon. It was a large four-legged beast, powerful wings and massive black horns.

It’s fire breath was hot enough to reduce the cobblestones to slag though. Three Guards had already fallen to it, one was at least lucky enough to leave a charred skeleton behind… they would at least have something to bury later.

A massive bolt of lightning tore through the sky, the ruby-scaled dragon roaring in pain as the magic seared it scales and burned a large hole in its wing. The unicorn that had unleashed the attack, a wizened old stallion with a long beard frowned.

“Tch! I thought that’d do it,” he muttered. “It’s rather powerful isn’t it?”

The dragon went to turn its rage upon Starswirl, but a slash from one of Luna’s guard caught it’s attention again.

“That’s it!” Celestia cried as she leapt into the air, her spear shining with solar light as she drove it into the creature's skull, the burning lance searing its way through until it exited through its bottom jaw and the bladed tip lodged in the ground. The dragon gave a pained gurgle and fell, it’s head propped up by Celestia’s weapon.

“Finally,” Luna panted, wiping her brow with a wing. “But… where did the foul thing come from?”

“We do not know,” one Solar Guard replied as he helped an injured comrade to his hooves. “It just… dropped down from the sky. Out aerial units had no chance to warn anypony...”

Celestia removed her spear, swinging it in a small arc as blood splashed onto the ground. “We can investigate it soon. Remove the body and clear the area. We have dead that must be attended to… families must be informed that they have lost loved ones this day.”

Her guard nodded and begun the grisly task as Celestia limped towards the castle. Luna could only watch her sister leave, she knew that the older alicorn would be plagued with nightmares for many nights to come.

“This is getting worse Luna,” Starswirl said as he looked at the fallen dragon. Like the previous monsters that had appeared, its body was already disintegrating. He would have no chance to study this one either.

“I know,” the lunar alicorn replied. Several citizens had emerged from their hiding places as the danger was now over. “But what can we do? These… random monster encounters are starting to get to our little ponies. They are afraid to even step out of their own homes now…”

“Hrrmm…” Starswirl stroked his long beard and nodded. “I’ve been working on something for a while now. Perhaps… we should put it into effect?”

“The barriers?” Luna asked and he nodded. “Well, it appears that we have little choice. But, what about the smaller towns?”

“We could produce enough barrier crystals within the next few years to protect most of them,” Starswirl nodded. “But the ones that don’t lay near a Wayline…”

“Would have to provide their own magic to power the barriers,” Luna concluded. “Still, we can protect ponies a lot better.” She nodded and saluted the Archmage. “Make it so. We shall contact the Crystal Empire and see if they can’t excavate quality crystals faster.” The alicorn saluted again and left, leaving Starswirl to stare up at the clouds.

“Things are only going to get worse from here…”

Close to nine hundred years have passed since then. Monsters continue to roam the world and remain a constant source of danger and unrest. Powerful barriers now protect most of the towns and cities that dot the landscape, and most ponies never set hoof outside.

Guilds have formed, and their purposes are as varied as the ponies who run them. Some hunt the monsters that prowl the untamed wilds. Others provide security for cargo transports or travellers.

And in the great mountainside city, the two alicorn sisters still rule to this day. When Starswirl passed, it had been centuries before Celestia took another personal student, and Luna had never taken one, claiming that sentimental attachment was a waste of time. She preferred to to train her guards, her batponies were some of the most skilled combatants in the world.

It was a proud day for students of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Today would be the day that the Princess herself would choose a student to take under her wing, and possible rise to the coveted title of Archmage.

Amongst the foals, three fillies in particular wanted this title more than anything.

Sunset Shimmer. A mare born in a small border village a few miles from Canterlot. The whole village had chipped in to send the young unicorn to Canterlot, her parents… long since gone to a monster attack.

Moondancer, the daughter of a rich and powerful socialite. She held the expectations of her family upon her small shoulders and would not fail to let them down.

And Twilight Sparkle. She was the perfect student. Perfect test scores. Perfect attendance and possessed powerful magic. But she was a social recluse, even her own family barely saw her without a textbook or scroll of some sort. She’d even managed to pass the impossible of hatching a dragon’s egg for the entrance exam.

Their teacher tried in vain to keep the rest of the students in line, but when Celestia entered the auditorium, every colt and filly fell into silence, bowing to the princess.

“Thank you young ones,” Celestia smiled. She looked at the teacher and nodded. “Quite the class we have here this year.”

“I could not be prouder,” the old unicorn replied. She looked at them and chuckled. “Well, for the most part.”

Celestia smiled as she looked at the gathering. She’d already researched them, and she probably knew them better than they knew themselves. And when her eyes fell on three fillies in particular…

She saw a future that may not have been possible until now. A chance to finally tip the scales…

“You all should be proud of yourselves,” she found herself saying. “Each and everyone of you has limitless potential…”

‘Can you do it?’

“A bright future awaits no, no matter the outcome of this decision.”

‘For most of you anyway. One of you will...’

“However… I cannot choose all of you…”

‘I wonder why… Imagine an army of Archmages...’

So… I have decided…”

‘No you haven’t. You couldn’t do it. Not again… not after the last time...’

Celestia paused, her voice hitching in her throat. It was so subtle, but it was so unlike her that it couldn’t be helped but be noticed by everypony.

And then that was when the screams came, followed by the terrible sound of a monster roaring.

Inside the shield!

“Everypony stay here!” Celestia ordered. She turned to the teacher, even as she summoned forth her armour and lance. “Gather all the teachers and students here, then proceed to the bunker. Hopefully we can end this without too much incident.”

The teacher nodded, and as the princess left for the battlefield, she started on her orders, the fillies and colts wondering what was going on.

The beast was massive, like a bee crossed with a hellspawn. It had long, spindly arms that ended in flesh-rending claws. It had a long, almost comical chin and rather than legs, it had a bulbous abdomen and a stinger long enough to run even the largest pony through.

“Gods above,” Celestia whispered as she beheld the monster. “How did that thing get inside the shield?” A quick glance showed that the barrier was still in place… so… how?

“Formation Delta!” the captain of her 51st Platoon ordered as they took their stances. The beats turned and… laughed? An ungodly high-pitched noise as it opened its maw and unleashed a powerful attack, a great whirling tornado that crackled with lightning. The squad stood no chance, scattered by the powerful winds.

The squad suffered no casualties, but as the main threat had been removed, the monster turned towards the city.

“You shall go no further!” Celestia roared as she fired a blast of solar magic. The monster raised an arm to block the spell, and while it was pushed back by the power of it, it didn’t appear to do any real damage.

“Tch! Just as resistant to spells as the rest of them,” Celestia spat. She sorely missed Starswirl, as he had developed spells that could hurt them, but that knowledge had been lost to time.

“The old fashioned way it is,” she sighed and raised her spear. “Have at thee!”

Once they had been gathered, the students of Celestia’s school were being lead to the castle and the safety of the bunker that lay within.

“Come on!” Sunset shouted. “We have to hurry!”

“Ahhh, I can’t run that fast!” Moondancer whined, and Twilight was trailing behind her as they ran after the rest of their class. At least, she was…

Sunset and Moon paused as they looked back to see Twilight staring down on of the hallways, her head tilting slightly.

“Come on!” Sunset yelled again. “Unless you want that monster to eat you!”

“I...can hear it,” Twilight said softly, her quiet voice almost drowned out by the sounds of battle coming from outside.

“The fight? No kidding!” Sunset said as she ran up to the filly. “Now get your flank moving!” She went to pull on her, but Twilight moved out of her grasp and headed down the new corridor.

“Um, you shouldn’t go that way,” Moondancer called out. She looked at Sunset, who growled.

“Forget her. If she wants to get eaten then so what. One less rival for us anyway!”

“You shouldn’t say things like that,” Moondancer gasped. “What if something happens to her… It’d be our fault. We’d get banished to outside the shield…”

Sunset pondered on that for a second. She knew that castle inside out, having memorised the map of it. “Arrrgh! Fine! let’s get the little nerd before we all die!”

Moondancer nodded and they chased after the little unicorn filly… to wherever it was she was going…

When they finally caught up, Twilight was standing in a darkened corridor. There were no windows, dust coated every surface and the only light was from some magical torches that continued to burn, despite the cold temperatures.

“Where… are we?” Sunset asked aloud. She didn’t know this place. It wasn’t on the map, that’s for sure. The entire way, she had a powerful need to turn around and run in the opposite direction.

“There is… a spell,” Twilight said. Even her speaking was precise and methodical, her voice was very quiet, but in this corridor, it sounded deafening. “Somepony… wants to keep us away… but, there is somepony here… that needs our help.”

“Our help?” Moondancer asked, shivering non-stop. Fear? The cold? It was hard to tell. The mare was so demure and always scared of something.

“Who cares, let’s go already!” Sunset snapped. She’d had enough of this crap already.

“I can sense it…”

“W-W-W-What was that?” Moondancer stammered. The deep voice rumbled and echoed within their minds. Even Sunset was feeling a little uneasy now. Twilight just continued to stare at the door.

“You have it…”

“H-Have what?” Sunset said, swallowing her fear. “We don’t have anything!”

“Power of the Four…”

“I think his math is a little off,” Moondancer found herself giggling.

“Open the door… set me free…”

“L-Like hell,” Sunset said. She was taught not to trust strangers, and she’d learned not to trust anypony really. “We should leave, now!”

“No… we have to help… it is the only way,” Twilight said as she placed a hoof against the door. “With this… we can…”

“Twilight!” Sunset moved to stop the insane filly. The room shook as a door, far beyond ancient, begun to groan as it released its seal. Sunset took a step back, as did Moondancer. Twilight just stood there, and as soon as the door was open enough, she stepped inside.

“Aw crap! Come on already!” Sunset cried and followed after her. She was going to drag Twilight back come hell or high water. Moondancer yelped at being left alone so suddenly and chased after the pair.

Inside… it was large stone chamber, countless rune etched into the walls and the in the centre, was a stone pedestal with a gleaming gemstone set on it. Despite the dust that coated the hall outside, not a single speck could be seen here.

“That… is a lot of sealing runes and glyphs,” Sunset said, staring at the walls. “I don’t think even the Princesses combined could use magic in here.” To test, she tried lighting her horn, but received nothing. The appendage might as well have not been there.

“W-Where are we?” Moondancer said as she cowered behind Sunset. “I want my Mommy…”

“Don’t we all,” Sunset replied as she looked around to see that purple idiot getting closer to the stone. Still, given the room, perhaps they might be safer here than the bunker? But then there was—

“Release me…”

“—That,” Sunset groaned. The voice was much louder in here.

“What do we do?” Moondancer asked, as Sunset tried to get her tail back.

Twilight stared up at the stone, her clouded mind was clearing and she looked around. She… knew this place. A book, that she had found explained what it was. It was a strange black book that told her many, many secrets.

“The God-King… Bahamut,” she said.

“You know me?”

“Yeah, you know that thing?” Sunset asked. She was kind of getting sick of this unicorn constantly one-upping her.

“A thousand years ago… maybe more,” Twilight explained. “He was bound by Discord… sealed away and forgotten. This was, before everything we know. Before the barriers, before the nation itself really.”

“How do you know all this?” Moondancer whispered.

“I can feel… the unbalance in this world. A path taken, not meant to take. And you will not survive…”

“Yeah, well screw you!” Sunset shouted. “We ponies have done pretty well so far. And when I’m Archmage, I’ll kick so much ass it’ll make your non-existant head spin!”

“You will not survive… but I can tip the scales. Release me, and in turn… I will release you.”

“Oh, because that doesn’t sound ominous,” Sunset replied as Twilight reached for the stone. “Twilight, I swear, if you reach for that rock I will beat you flank black and blue!”

“You are the Light. The power of Destiny shines brightly within you. But only through my power can it be released.” There was pause and the voice sounded… sad?

“I have had enough. You are the first the hear my calls. You are the first to bring the Light… Please, do not be the last…”

“We need to help,” Twilight said with a surprising amount of force. “I know, I feel that this is what we’re meant to do.”

Sunset looked at Twilight and Moondancer and groaned as she put her hoof to her head. “I swear to all the gods Sparkle. If we die, I am so haunting you!”

Soon, she crouched near the pedestal, Moondancer on her back and Twilight on hers. Sunset grunted as the pony-pile shifted.

“You need… to lay off the cake Sparkle.”

Twilight paused and looked down. “Are… you calling me fat?”

“Can we please hurry!” Moondancer wailed and Twilight shrugged before reaching for the stone again. Closer… Closer…

And when the tip of her hoof fell against the stone, a blinding flash filled the room and a deep chuckling could be heard.

Outside, Celestia grunted as the monster tossed her into a nearby building, the stone wall crumbling as the alicorn flew through it.
As she moved to try and stand, a dark blue hoof reached out and helped her up.

“What’s the matter Tia?” Luna chuckled as she assisted the white alicorn to her hooves. “Getting slow in your old age?”

“Luna, be a dear and go suck a cactus once this is done,” Celestia snarked as she grabbed her spear with her magic and twirled it. Still seemed to be useable.

“Having trouble?” the lunar alicorn giggled as she drew her twin swords. “Here I thought that one monster would prove to be little challenge for you.”

“It’s annoyingly resistant,” Celestia sighed as she brushed some dust from her wings. “If only our magic would work, and then this would be over in an instant.”

“Sounds like an excuse to me,” Luna giggled. “Now come, we shall make short work of this thing and then go home for some tea.”

Celestia nodded and they stepped outside of the ruined building, only to see the creature aiming its Storm Breath right at them.

“Oh ponyfeathers,” Celestia cursed and prepared to raise a shield. At least until a lightning bolt tore through the creatures left wing and it howled in pain, losing some stability in mid-air.

“What… who did that?” Celestia looked around and her eyes widened at the sight.

Three little fillies, and the orange one had lightning crackling around her horn.

She was going to say something, but Luna beat her to it.

“WHAT IN THE SEVEN HELLS ARE FILLIES DOING HERE!?” she roared, leaping forth as the beast turned it attention to the trio. And that was when Celestia recognised them… and the stone that young Twilight held in her magical grasp.

No, h-how was it possible! Nopony could reach that room. How did she?

“Oh. My. Celestia!” Sunset whispered, looking at the damage her spell had wrought. Her gaze drifted to her crackling horn and she chuckled. Oh, she liked this… she liked this a lot~

“Behold the power of the Black Mage, a master of offensive spells. The very elements themselves can be used to deliver destruction to your foes!”

Moondancer had moved when she saw a nearby guard with a rather nasty gash on her leg. Her horn suddenly shone as a green light enveloped the injured mare and the injury closed, not entirely healed, but enough to get her back on her hooves.

“The light of the White Mage can cure most maladies. From physical wounds, to poisons and curses. Your allies will live to fight another day as long as you are there.”

“What about me?” Twilight asked as Sunset cackled and shot another lightning bolt at the giant monster. “What… do I get to do?”

“You… I will bestow one of my greatest gifts. The power of—”

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” Luna’s voice boomed out, causing the three fillies to flinch and cower. They saw the lunar princess flying towards them and she looked very angry. “Foals should not be here!”

Sunset gulped, but frowned none-the-less. “Hey! We just hurt that thing more than all of your guards combined!” She suddenly withered as Luna turned her gaze solely on her. “Um, your highness…”

“Please Princess Luna, we can help,” Moondancer stated. “We have magic that could be useful.”

During that moment, Twilight had used the distraction to step forward as a massive magic circle appeared under her. The garnet she held begun to glow and pulsate as a deep, rumbling laugh could be heard.

“Behold the power of the Summoner! Release me so I may deliver ultimate destruction upon your foes!”

“NO! You must stop!!” Celestia called out, dashing towards the tiny filly. She seemed to have no idea what she was about to unleash.

But the alicorn of the sun was too late, a giant pillar of light erupted from where Twilight stood as a form took shape in the sky.

The Elvoret swung one of it’s massive arms at Twilight, but the strike never connected, blocked by a large midnight blue wing that shrouded the filly. Everypony took a few steps back, as the wing moved to reveal the terrible dragon.

“That was what was inside that gem!?” Sunset yelled.

“We’re doomed,” Luna muttered, her eyes wide. “He’ll destroy us all.”

Bahamut looked down at the purple filly. She looked so tiny now…

So adorable…

Then the monster struck again, raking its claws along Bahamut’s back. The dragon growled as Twilight shrieked in pain, her body flashing red for a moment.

‘She’s connected’ Bahamut realised as he looked at her and the garnet still clutched in her hooves. He faced the Elvoret and roared as dark energy built up in his claws.

“You insolent little insect!” the dragon yelled at it. “You dare to attack me? You. Are. Nothing!!”

“IMPULSE!”

He swung his claws, the two dark spheres collided with the monster and exploded, the dark magic tearing its body apart with no effort at all. With the annoyance slain, Bahamut turned his attention back to the pony that released him.

“We are… connected,” his voice resounded in her mind. “You are my summoner now. Our fates are tied.” He looked down at his body, which was starting to fade. “Wait, what?”

Celestia had taken the gem and was beginning to re-seal him. Hopefully she wouldn’t be too late. That was when a magenta aura mixed with her own and she gasped, staring at the little filly who was trying to wrest control of the gem.

“Please stop!” she cried. “Don’t take him away.”

“Little One, I must seal him!” Celestia argued as the filly yanked harder. Goddesses Above! Her magic was strong.

“Arrgh!” Bahamut growled. “Quit screwing with my body!” He opened his mouth as he started to cast Mega Flare. Twilight gasped, realising what he was going to do. She needed his power to stop before her new friend hurt somepony.

That was when a flash of brilliant light erupted from her, her eyes turning white as a column of magical power poured forth. Celestia cried out in surprise and shielded herself with a wing as Bahamut roared.

And as soon as it had started, it stopped. A large crater remained, with the filly in the centre of it.

And next to her…?

“Impossible…” Celestia whispered as she stepped closer. The figure reminded her of the baby dragon that this very same filly had hatched a few months ago. Though, this one looked a few years older.

“What… happened?” Celestia blinked as she stepped closer, but stopped as the figure coughed and slowly sat up, groaning and placing a claw against his head. He looked to be only a few feet tall, perhaps a tad taller than the filly next to him. He had a V-shaped crest on his forehead and large ruby-colored eyes. Most of his body was covered in blue-black scales, save for his tan belly.

Honestly? Celestia thought he was pretty danged adorable.

The petite dragon groaned and poked the unconscious Twilight. “Ey! Wake up! You got some explaining to do.” The filly murmured and batted his claw away with a hoof.

“Nnrg, five more minutes…”

The dracoling growled and poked her again. “I said get up!”

The filly sighed and rolled over, groaning when her head hit the dirt. She opened her eyes and sat up, looking around. “This… is not my bedroom.”

The dragon facepalmed and sighed. “No shit. Now, wanna tell me what the ever-loving hell you did to me!?”

Twilight turned and looked at the dragon. “...Bahamut?”

“No, I’m Barney... “ the dragon just growled again, feeling the aneurysm take hold. “Of course I’m Bahamut. Or at least I was until you turned me into this!!”

“Oh…” Twilight tilted her head. “Um… I do not know. Maybe… a mistake?”

“A mis—” Bahamut was encased in a bubble of silence as he let loose a string of expletives that were not meant for little filly ears.

Celestia couldn’t believe her eyes. This little filly, had just reduced the Dragon God-King… to something that could be mistaken for a plush toy.

Luna’s response was far less reserved as she fell to her back, kicking the air as she laughed her flank off.

Moondancer and Sunset drew closer as well, seeing the fuming dragon and a thoroughly confused Twilight.

Celestia sighed and shook her head. “Luna, when you’re done, please escort these young fillies to the castle. We have a lot to talk about…”

Beyond the Bounds of Equestria.

Bahamut slowly opened one eye. It was… oddly quiet. Almost deafeningly so. He could hear his own heart thud in his ears, and when he tried to draw breath, he found none.

Well, good thing he didn’t have to actually breathe in his full power form. But…

His eyes widened when he saw the little purple blob float a few feet away. She did need to breathe, and once he reached out for her, he could feel her heart rate slowing. This was bad, very bad.

Whatever that armoured freak had done, Bahamut and Twilight now found themselves in a place that he hadn’t seen before… and Twilight was suffocating. The dragon wasn’t sure if this would work but…

He cast a Shell around them, before mixing Aero, a small amount of Water and some Thunder… creating a contained artificial atmosphere. It… actually seemed to work, but the Shell wouldn’t last forever, he had to get himself, or at least Twilight, out of here.

‘But… how?’ The dragon pondered. ‘I don’t know X-Zone… so I can’t just pop back… can I?’

He knew Auric could cross worlds, maybe… he had the same power?

Bahamut closed his eyes and… reached out, much like he did when sensing a fellow summon. Perhaps… Yes! He could feel a similar aura. Now if only he could…

With a further exertion of his power, a bright light engulfed the pair…

Gilgamesh huffed as he paused from his work, taking another sip of his Zebafrican red tea, thoroughly enjoying how it felt as it went down his throat.

“Something wrong?” came the voice from the desk across from him. He looked to Luna who had stopped her own paperwork to check on him.

“It’s just… do you think I was too hard on the kid?” he asked.

“Comet? Hardly. We both agreed he needed a straightening out,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Jeez, that actually sounds pretty harsh coming out of your mouth,” he joked. “But seriously, what we basically did was send him off to military school. At five. This is the kind of thing that would start a ‘run away from home’ plot in a lot of movies.

“Perhaps. But I think we would either be too hard or too soft with him. Besides, it’s not acceptable nor healthy for him to go picking fights with everyone he meets, especially when he thinks he can get away with it.”

Gilgamesh sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sure we made the right choice making Old Dog the one to teach him some discipline.” He chuckled. “I wish I could be there to see the kid’s face. I’m sure it would be an eye-opener for him to realize that after being able to one-hit-KO adult minotaurs that a sixty year old diamond dog could smack him around.”

“Now now, don’t take too much pleasure it the idea,” she jokingly chided.

“Oh really? Who was it that was practically jumping with joy now that one of the guards didn’t have to report another assault or property damage claim due to his little ‘sessions’?” Gilgamesh smirked back.

“Hush, you.”

They both laughed before going back to their work. Gilgamesh looked over the documents he needed to write or sign to help things go in the way he wanted. He looked at one and groaned again.

“What now?” Luna asked.

“Another petition from the griffons to fund research into automatic firearms. Damn it, they just won’t stop.”

“You can hardly blame them. They are the ones who came up with firearms in the first place, and I’m sure they got ideas after they saw your own guns.”

“Damn it, why can’t they just be satisfied with the sniper rifle and semi-auto weapons I let them develop. Stick to weapons that take actual skill to use. How many times do I have to tell them-?”

“‘When ending a life becomes easy, life begins to lose it’s value’,” Luna finished. “Like I haven’t heard that one before. You know, it’s somewhat hypocritical of you to say that, what with the powers that magic tomes can grant them.”

“Those have a barrier to entry, only the intelligent and the diligent can master the more destructive spells. Guns can be picked up by any old schmuck and still be just as effective.” Gilgamesh groaned again. “Damn it, I want them to advance, but not like this. Ugh, is this what Celestia felt like in the past? Like every decision she made could have devastating effects on the entire world?”

“Of course not. Only the Equestrians looked up to her like she was flawless goddess. You on the other hoof, have the entire world looking at you with those same star-struck eyes,” she replied with a smug grin.

“Ugh,” he groaned again. “Well, at least in my case there are three other immortals who I can share some of the burden with. Five if we’re right about Cadance and Twilight.”

Luna set down her pen and organized her papers before getting up from her seat. “How about we take a break?”

Gilgamesh looked to the clock on his desk. “Well, it is almost lunch. I suppose we can, right after I finish a few-”

Gilgamesh stopped as his eyes went wide.

“Something wrong?” Luna asked.

“I feel… I feel something com-”

No sooner had he said that, Gilgamesh grabbed Luna and leapt out of the way, before some big crashed through the ceiling, shattering the roof like a stone through glass as it slammed into the table where the pair had sat only seconds prior. Luna magicked up a shield, protecting the pair from dust and debris. And when it all finally settled, the strangest sight awaited them.

A tiny, wingless dragon in a large crater. It must have been no older than Spike when Twilight had first moved to Ponyville all those years ago. The drake was covered in midnight blue, almost black scales and his soft underbelly was more of a tan colour. A V-crested pair of horns adorned the top of its head and it was covered in countless injuries.

And Gilgamesh could also feel a lot of Void magic coming from it.

“This dragon… no doubt about it, he’s a Displaced,” he said.

“Are you sure?” Luna asked.

“Positive. He’s got way too much void magic to be anything else, and-” Gilgamesh stopped as he looked at his and Luna’s desks and the papers scattered all over the room. “SUNOVABITCH!”

Twilight groaned as she rolled over, her head was pounding and it felt like she’d been sleeping under the covers and nearly suffocated. She rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up, blinking slowly.

She noticed a few things. One, she wasn’t in bed, but in the middle of a street.

Two. her body was covered in small cuts and bruises.

And three… She had no ideahow she got here. Looking around, she saw that wherever she was seemed… familiar.

Then upon seeing a gingerbread-like structure in the distance, it became obvious.

“I’m… in Ponyville?” she said aloud. “How did I get here?” And, why was she lying in a crater?

“Holy crap, is she alright?” she hear a voice ask.

Twilight looked up from her crate and was shocked to see a black creature that looked like a cross between a pony and a bug. It had two fangs, fly like wings, and eyes of turquoise with no pupils.

Twilight had never seen anything like it before. But, it wasn’t a pony, nor was it a gryphon or Diamond Dog… So, was it a—

“M-Monster!” Twilight yelped and scooted back, trying to draw on her summons, but her magic seemed to be nearly depleted. All she could manage was a few lazy sparks from her horn.

“Whoa, hey hold, on I’m not a… Wait, Twilight? Is that you?” the monster asked.

“H-How do you know my name? And… you can talk?” the tiny Twilight asked, fear washing off of her in waves.

The monster chuckled. “Well, I guess that settles it. No wings, filly, and never met a changeling before,” he said as he hovers into the crater, causing her to scoot back a bit more. “My name’s Buzz. And I know this might be a bit to take in, but you’re not in your Equestria anymore.”

“Not in my…” Twilight put her hooves to her head and groaned. “That… scary armored guy. He-he used a spell and…” She gasped and looked around. “Bahamut! My dragon friend! Where is he? Is he here!?”

“Sorry, but as far as I can tell, it’s just you here right now. But don’t worry, if he’s here, we’ll find him.”

“Buzz? What the hay is goin’ on there?” came a voice with a heavy southern drawl.

Twilight looked up and saw and orange earth pony mare with a blonde mane and tail, a stetson hat, and three red apple for a cutie mark.

“Wait a minute? Is that Twi?” she asked.

“Sort of. She’s not our Twilight,” Buzz replied.

“Well land sakes! You mean she’s-?”

“Yup. You know we gotta do, so could you get on that, Dear?”

“Not a problem, Darlin’. I’ll get there lickety split!” she said before galloping off.

“Huh?” Twilight listened to the weird exchange of words and blinked. “Why does everypony, and um, every… buggy? Know who I am?”

Buzz chuckled. “‘Everybuggy?’ That’s a new one. Anyway, I guess even if your timeline was similar you wouldn’t know at this point in your life.” He said before his horn glowed green. Twilight let out a yelp as she felt herself being levitated in the air before he let her down on his back. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. But I think it would be best if we got you out of this hole in the ground.”

Before she could respond he took flight and got them the short distance out of the crater before landing on the ground. Twilight was surprised at the residents who were looking at her. Most were ponies, and a few were mules, but there were a few griffons, minotaurs, horses, diamond dogs, and even dragons too. All of them looked to her in utter shock and began to mumble amongst themselves. As she scanned her surroundings she also notice a massive crystal tree with a palace resting in it’s branches.

“What? There wasn’t a tree-house-castle in the town before,” Twilight blinked and looked up. “And… And where’s your shield!? The monsters will get inside the town!”

“‘Shield’? Well that settles it, things are certainly different in your world,” Buzz quipped. “Anyway, let’s get going. I’ll go slow in case you’re hurt, okay?” he said before trotting at a relaxed pace towards the crystal tree-palace.

“Um…” Twilight didn’t move. “M-Mommy says I shouldn’t talk or go with strangers…”

Buzz stopped and rolled his eyes for moment then turned to face her. “Ok then. My name’s Buzz. I’m a changeling and formerly a Brigadier General of the Global Equus Military. I was born in the Hive in the Badlands but now I live here in Ponyville. The mare you saw earlier is Applejack, my wife. She and her family has been taking care of Sweet Apple Acres long before I ever got here. We live with her Granny Smith, her little sister Apple Bloom, and our daughter, Pollen. She’s one of the first Flutter ponies to be born in this world. Applejack’s older brother, Big Macintosh, still works on the farm but he moved to live with his wife, Fluttershy, near the cottage by the Everfree Forest. They have one daughter named Apple Blossom.” He then smiled. “So, am I still a stranger?”

Twilight tapped her chin, closing her eyes and tilting her head slightly in thought. Then she opened them and held out a hoof. “My name is Twilight Sparkle. I’m one of the students of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and apprentice Summoner. I’m not married yet, so I don’t have any kids. Nice to meet you Mister Buzzy!”

“Heh. Nice to meet you. And I’d be very surprised, and a little disturbed, if you were married and had kids at your age. So, are you willing to follow me, miss not-stranger Twilight Sparkle?”

“Are we going to that Castle?” Twilight pointed at the crystalline structure. “Is there a Princess there?”

“Indeed! Two of them, actually.”

“Two? Princess Celestia and Luna are here!?” with that in her mind, the filly started galloping towards the castle, eager to find her teachers.

“Whoa, slow down there, little filly!” Buzz said before grabbing Twilight in a levitation spell and placing her on his back again. “Sorry to dash your hopes, little Twilight, but it’s not either of them. Luna’s in Memorial and Celestia’s in Canterlot. We’ve got two other Princesses in the castle,” he explained before pausing in thought. “Although, I guess one of them is technically a Queen as well.”

“A Queen?” Twilight blinked. Celestia and Luna used to be Queens, but they found that the title of Princess was less intimidating in a world that was already intimidating enough. As such, the roles and King and Queen were abolished, leaving Prince and Princess as the highest point of authority. And good news, Canterlot was still here, maybe Bahamut was there too?

“Okay, let’s go to the castle then Mister Buzzy!”

“Alright then. Hang on tight!” he said before taking flight, hovering over Ponyville as they went.

Twilight gripped Buzz tightly, a little afraid but also exhilarated by getting to experience what was probably the closest she’d get to personal flight. Ponyville looked very much like how it was in her world, but aside from the diversity of creatures living in town she also noticed many more buildings, as well as some metal machines that seemed to be used for transportation, both of beings and items. Though a bit cured looking, they moved on their own, without any need for a pony to pull them, so they must be quite advanced.

Within a few minutes Twilight and Buzz landed in front of the crystal tree-palace. Not a moment later the door opened and three figures were in the doorway.

One was Buzz’s wife, Applejack. The next was another changeling, although this was was much taller, almost Luna’s height, and had a green mane and tail. In addition, her green eyes had slitted pupils.

But most surprising was a certain pony whose image made the filly’s eyes widen and her jaw drop. Standing in front of her was herself, a fully grown mare, a bit taller than the average pony, and most surprisingly an alicorn.

For a few moments, nothing was said. Then the tall changeling turned to the alicorn.

“Well, I never thought I’d get to see this. I thought I’d be limited to your baby pictures your mom showed me to get a look at you as an adorable little filly,” she teased with a smile.

“Shut up, you!” the alicorn Twilight shouted with blush and jabbed the taller being with her hoof.

“Huh?” Tiny Twilight climbed down from Buzz’s back and looked up at Princess Twilight. “‘Scuse me Mister Buzzy? How come she looks like me?”

Buzz smiled. “Remember how I said you weren’t our Twilight?” he asked. “Well, there you go.”

“Huh? But I’m Twilight Sparkle,” the little filly protested. She suddenly gasped and pointed at the alicorn. “She’s an imposter!”

Applejack giggled. “Ah’ll say, this is pretty entertainin’!”

“Not quite,” the alicorn replied. “I don’t suppose you know what multiverse theory is, do you?”

“Of course, Mister Auric is from another world,” Tiny Twi said and puffed out her furry chest. “But, you’re overlooking one thing that proves you’re an imposter!”

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“If you’re really me,” Ti-Twi pointed a hoof dramatically. “Then you wouldn’t have wings! Ergo, you’re a faker!”

“Hm, not bad, but it seems you’re a bit closed minded. But then again, I guess I was too. Nine years ago, I never thought I’d get wing either. Also, I never said I was you, specifically. Can you figure out what I mean?”

“Aw, Twilight, why don’t you just tell her?” the tall changeling asked.

“If she’s anything like the younger me, then she’ll be able to figure it out on her own.”

“So, you’re admitting you’re a fake?” Teeny Twi said smugly.

The older Twilight rolled her eyes. “Ok, let’s try this a different way. Do you know what this town is called?”

“Um, it looks like Ponyville,” Small Twi said and looked around. “But, Ponyville didn’t have a castle, or be without a Harmony Shield.”

“I see so then, can you think of any reason why this Ponyville doesn’t look like the one you remember?”

Filly Twilight gasped and put her hooves to her mouth. “You mean…?”

The princess nodded.

“That, this is a dream?”

The princess groaned while the others laughed.

“Just tell her Twi,” Applejack said.

“Only if she wants me to,” the Princess answered. “I think it’s better for her development if she learns for her-”

“You know she’s screwing with you, right?” Buzz interrupted.

“Huh?”

“Buzz and I can sense the mischievousness off of her,” the taller changeling said. “I think she put two and two together not long after she saw you.”

“What!? No way, that’s not-!” Princess Twilight began before she turned to see her younger counterpart giggling. “You were playing me!?”

“Aww, my first successful prank and Bahamut wasn’t here to see it,” Tiny Twi pouted once the giggles wore off. “And Mister Buzzy? You sure your name isn’t short for Buzzkill? I really had her going there.”

“Wow Twi, she got started on her snarky streak early,” Applejack quipped.

Princess Twilight groaned before smiling and shaking her head. “Well, that was fun I guess… Wait… Did you say Bahamut? As in ‘King of Dragons Bahamut’?” Twilight her younger counterpart, her expression turning serious.

“Mhm,” Tiny Twi nodded. “He’s my friend and teacher. We beat up bad monsters together, along with Sunset and Moondancer. But…” She put a hoof to her head a frowned. “A bad guy attacked, he was huuuuge and wore blue armor. And now…” She sniffed as her ears flattened against her head. “Now I don’t know where I am…”

Everyone else’s eyes widened.

“‘Blue armor’? Wait, did he also have a golden sword and incredible magical power?” Princess Twilight asked.

“I… think so?” Tiny Twi answered. “He showed up, saying… um, Void-something? Zone-something? There was a ‘whoosh’ like being sucked inside a giant vacuum cleaner… and then, I woke up here.”

“Did you get his name?” the tall changeling asked, concern in her voice.

Twilight nodded. “He said… his name was Exdeath.”

Everyone just stared still for a few moments, fear and utter shock on their faces.

“Is it… It couldn't be the same one, could it?” Buzz asked.

“Same, different, who cares? We gotta do something’!” Applejack declared.

“AJ, Spike and Rarity are still in town, right?” Princess Twilight asked.

“Yup, saw ‘em both a Carousel Boutique not twenty minutes ago.”

“Get him. I’ll write a letter to Princess Celestia. Nectar, you get one to Gilgamesh.”

“Right,” the tall changeling, Nectar, replied. “I’ll also send the message through the Hivemind about Bahamut. Mother can contact every changeling at once.”

“Good idea,” Princess Twilight then turned to Buzz. “Do mind taking care of her for a little while?”

“Not a problem,” Buzz replied.

“Thank you. Let’s go everyone!” she said before disappearing in a flash, teleporting away. Applejack galloped away and Nectar closed her eyes, seeming to focus on something. After about a few seconds she opened her eyes again before summoning a ring of green fire around herself that engulfed her form before dissipating, showing that she too had teleported away.

“Aww, I want to help,” Tiny Twi sighed. “If only my magic would recharge faster…”

“Just let us help with that. We’ve been preparing for this kind of thing for years now.”

“I guess, but Bahamut is my friend… even though he’s a massive butt that teases me all the time,” Twilight pouted, with looked insanely adorable. She dug deep into her well of magic as her horn came to life, a massive magic circle appearing under her.

“I summon you! Spirit of Wind. VALEFOR!”

From the magic circle, the winged beast appeared, hovering down to the ground to nuzzle Twilight gently.

“What. In. The. Hell.” Buzz asked, completely shocked.

“Valefor? Could you have a look around for Bahamut?” Twilight asked the massive monster, her whole body barely bigger than it’s head.

“Yes, my Mistress,” the bird-like creature nodded and took to the skies, soaring off into the distance.

“There, I can help too,” Tiny Twi nodded, looking very proud of herself.

“I’m uh… I’m gonna send a message through the hive mind. So everyone doesn’t panic when the see the giant bird monster flying around,” Buzz muttered.

Bahamut groaned as his head throbbed with pain. Whatever had just happened, he didn’t ever want to do that again. Pain sucks. Seriously, he felt like he’d just fallen from orbit and bounced a few times for good measure.

“Urrghhhh,” he groaned, putting claw to his head. “Fuck. My life. In the ass…”

“I’d rather not, thank you,” came a voice from next to him.

Bahamut opened his eyes slowly and turned towards the male voice, before unleashing a Firaga spell in it’s direction.

Which in his miniscule state, came out as a tiny firecracker and pinged harmlessly off of the target’s armour.

“Wow, really? You wake up in a nice soft bed instead of a prison cell and the first thing you do is attack the person who’s here to say hi?” the person asked in irritation.

“Urgh, where am I?” Bahamut groaned, rubbing his aching head. “And why do I feel I was just used as Cadenza’s punching bag for an hour?”

“You, my diminutive dragon, are currently residing in one of the guest rooms in Memorial Palace. If you don’t know where that is, I’m not surprised, as it probably doesn’t exist in your universe.”

“My…” Bahamut rubbed his eyes and sat up. “What do you mean diminutive?” he looked down to see himself in his measly 10% form. “Well… this is just bloody fantastic huh?”

“Maybe? Care to explain?”

Bahamut turned to the source of the voice… and that was not what he expected. A rather tall human in a suit of armour, and Bahamut could feel the power emanating from his. His instincts screamed at him that attacking this guy would be a very bad idea.

“A little filly… purple unicorn. You seen her?” Bahamut said when he saw that Twilight wasn’t here. “She’s likely unsure of where she is and is demanding books.”

“Oh, so your version of Twilight got brought along then? No big deal, we’ll probably find out where she is by the end of the day and get you two reunited within the week. Depending on where she is, of course.”

“He knows her name… wait, my version? Is this another world? Like the one Auric comes from?” Bahamut shook his head to clear the jumbled thoughts. “So, who might you be? Another Displaced?”

“Yup! If I may introduce myself, I am Gilgamesh, Prince of Equestria, Supreme Commander of the Global Equus Military, and High King of Equus. Also, sole member of the Interdimensional Awkward Tumbleweed Association. Who are you?”

Bahamut blinked slowly. Was… this guy for real?

“Well,” the dragon snorted as he rose to his full height, all two and a half feet of it. “I am Bahamut! King of ALL Dragons and the most powerful Eidolon in existence. You may be a king, but I am a GOD!” He puffed a little smoke from his nose for good measure.

“A God, huh? Been awhile since I’ve killed someone who claimed that title,” Gilgamesh said nonchalantly. “And you said Eidolon? Doesn’t that make you the Final Fantasy IX version?”

“The… what?” bahamut tilted his head. “Then hell is a ‘Final Fantasy’?”

Gilgamesh tilted his head in confusion. “How… How could you possibly know who Bahamut is and not know what Final Fantasy is?”

“I know Bahamut because I am Bahamut,” the tiny dragon snorted. “Look, I have… problems with my memory. A friend said I might be something collectively called a ‘Displaced’ but… I dunno. I can’t remember anything from before the alicorns sealed me away for a millennia and change.”

“Ah, memory loss. I’ve met a few Displaced that had that problem. So, I’m not your first Displaced meeting, huh? Who’ve you met?”

Bahamut wondered if he should mention it. Auric had said there were others that… weren’t so kind. Alex was proof of that. “A friend, we’ll leave it that that until I can trust you,” Bahamut replied truthfully.

“Fair enough. So, how’d you get here? Considering you came smashing through my office and almost crushing me and my wife and were separated from your friend, it sounds like you didn’t intend to come here.”

“Ahh, sorry… was anyone hurt?” Bahamut asked. So that explained the pain in his back. Falling on buildings hurt.

“Nope. Luna and I are fine.”

Bahamut paused. He said he and his wife… then said Luna was fine…

“You… You're married… To MOONBUTT!?”

“Hm… Judging from that nickname I’d guess you don’t have the best relationship with your Luna.”

“Ehhh, you know. I like to annoy her, she wants to execute me… You know, a nice healthy relationship,” Bahamut shrugged. He hoped they were okay though. “I need to get home though. Lest that Exdeath freak hurt anypony I actually care about.”

Gilgamesh’s eyes widened before his eyes turned to a piercing gaze. “Did you say Exdeath?” he asked in a terrifyingly serious tone.

“Yeah, that armoured freak hit me with X-Zone, it’s how Twi and I wound up here,” Bahamut replied with a frown. “Well, we landed in the Void, but I was able to drag us to the nearest world somehow. Don’t ask me how, i have no idea. I think I was running on pure instinct at the time.”

Gilgamesh just stared for minute before getting up. “Get out of bed, we’re going to find your friend,” he ordered before stomping out of the room.

“Who crapped in his cornflakes?” Bahamut asked no-one in particular as he got up and waddled after him. Being short sucked!

Gilgamesh was already way down the hall before he turned back to see Bahamut was struggling to catch up.

“Damn, you slow.”

“Go. To. Hell…” Bahamut gasped as he had to take six steps for a single of Gilgy’s. “Wait til I’m in my true form… I’ll kick your freaking ass.”

“Oh for the love of Faust,” Gilgamesh muttered before picking up Bahamut and setting him down on his shoulder. “There. For next twenty minutes, you’re a parrot.”

Bahamut deadpanned so hard, an entire world on pan exploded. The genocide would be remembered for generations to come.

“Alright Polly, tell me everything I need to know about your world and your version of Exdeath,” Gilgamesh ordered as he stomped down the hall.

“Well, I don’t know anything about Exdeath, aside from his name and the fact he can use spatial magicks,” Bahamut said from atop the warrior’s pauldron. “He has a partner, some long-winded pretty boy named Alex. Apparently he can use the power of Psynergy and has the strength of a Golden Sun. He even blew up the world he lived on...”

Gilgamesh stopped for moment before facepalming. “Oh fucking shit, you’re dealing with him too? Well, good thing you ended up on this universe,” he said before stomping back down the hall.

“Okay…” Bahamut blinked. Even people on other planets in another plane of freaking existence knew more than him about his own world. How the hell was this fair? “What do you mean by that?”

“Simple. I’m gonna grab who I can spare, we’re going to head into your universe. We’ll give the the two of them one chance to surrender, which I’m almost certain they’ll refuse, and then we’ll kill the sons of bitches.”

“That… might not be a good idea,” Bahamut said. “All that power in one place could awaken something I want to keep asleep for the time being. My girls aren’t ready to face him yet.”

Gilgamesh stopped again. “Okay… but I still don’t feel right about letting you both go back without offering some kind of help. Any ideas?”

“Just help me find Twilight, and a way back to my world,” Bahamut said.

“Seriously? Nothing else? No no new abilities? Weapons? Even some info?”

“Well, I’ll not say no to any of that,” Bahamut replied, almost falling off as Gilgamesh rounded a corner. “So, how do you know Exdeath and Alex?”

“I’ve played the games that both of them are from. But in the case of Exdeath specifically, this world has fought and killed him before. I kinda doubt yours is the same one, but that doesn’t mean I’m taking him any less seriously.”

“Great,” Bahamut groaned. “So, what kind of freaks am I up against?”

“Both of them near immortals. In his story, Alex manipulated both the heroes and villains so he could acquire the unlimited power of the Golden Sun, which which would grant him the ability to use all kinds of Psyenergy, give him infinite and unrivaled power, and make him completely and truly immortal. However, due to someone else taking some precautions, he ended up instead getting almost unlimited power and near immortality.”

“Yeah, I wonder about this guy,” Bahamut sighed. “He said he was different, that he did obtain the Sun. And then destroyed his world right after. I have no idea what Exdeath wants though.”

“If his motivation is the same, to rule the world with power and fear, annihilating all who would oppose him. Exdeath is extremely powerful and literally made of evil. As in he was created when a bunch of horrible beings who were sealed inside a tree over the centuries, and then eventually the tree itself became sentient.”

“Wait a minute… Are we seriously fighting a fucking tree?” Bahamut asked.

“Yeah, which is actually important. See, Exdeath is near immortal as well, but for a different reason. Namely that he can regenerate so long as he isn’t completely destroyed. Even if so much as a splinter of him is left he can come back.”

“Urrrgh, why do I get the pain in the ass villains?” Bahamut groaned. “And where are we going anyway?”

“Need to let someone know that Luna and I are heading out,” he answered before turning the down another hallway. “Ah, here we are,” he said before coming to a pair of wooden double doors before grabbing the handle and opening the door.

"Ultros Grand Bureaucrat's Offiiiiiiiiiiiice!"

Bahamut blinked, he could almost see the idiocy wafting out of here. And that song…

“What?” was all the dragon could say.

“FAUST DAMN IT, I TOLD YOU, NO UNSCHEDULED VISITS DURING MY LUNCH BREAK!” a voice boomed from adjoining room before the door burst open. “WHY CAN’T YOU SO-CALLED ‘NOBLES’ GET IT THROUGH YOUR DAMN-!? Oh, it’s you, Muscle-Head. What do you want?”

Bahamut stared at the creature in front of him. It was a giant purple octopus, about the size of chariot, with red eyes and sharp teeth. And that wasn’t strange enough… it was wearing a yellow tie and a pair of reading glasses.

And the sudden yell startled him into casting Fire again. And again, it was embarrassingly weak…

It did set the paperwork on his desk on fire though.

“GAAAAAH! PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!” the octopus screamed before his secretary, a lime green unicorn, casted a spell that caused water to appear in mid-air and douse the flames. As the steam dispersed, the papers were now shown to be burnt and soggy.

The octopus just stared like a deer in the headlights.

“No. No! NO! NOOOOOOOOOOOO! I WAS ALMOST DONE! I HAD MAYBE ONLY AN HOUR LEFT OF WORK!” he screamed and began to cry. He then turned to Bahamut, his eyes shooting daggers. “I’M GONNA KILL THAT SCALY PARROT!”

“Bring it on you over-sized appetiser!” Bahamut grinned, showing off his little fangs.

“Just so you know, the octopus can use magic,” Gilgamesh warned.

“Just so you know, I love calamari~” Bahamut retorted. “Also, he shouldn’t scream like a moron at someone walking into his clearly open office. You don’t want anyone? Lock the damned door.”

“Who is this disrespectful little shit!?” the Ultros shouted. “Let me tell you something, iguana, I run this damn city! If it wasn’t for me King Steroid over there wouldn’t get anything done! I’m not called the Grand Bureaucrat for nothing, gekko!”

“Gekko? I am BAHAMUT! The DRAGON GOD-KING OF EQUESTRIA!” the pint-sized drake yelled.

“Not here you’re not, runt! Right now you’re the God-King of only two things, Jack and Shit! And Jack left!”

“Oh, so you got time to watch Army of Darkness,” Gilgamesh commented.

“Yeah, but I like Evil Dead 2 better.”

“Everyone likes Evil Dead 2 better.”

“...What’s Evil Dead?” Bahamut blinked.

“Seriously?” the Ultros asked.

“He doesn’t remember anything from his past life,” Gilgamesh explained.

“Ah. So… can I beat him up?”

“No, but you can have the rest of the day off.”

“YES!”

“Just so long as you stick around long enough to let everyone know that Luna and I are going to be leaving for a bit. We need to go look for a certain pony who arrived at the same time as this guy.”

“Ugh… fine. Just make sure to get back before five, okay? I need time to get ready for my date tonight.”

“You have a date?” Bahamut asked with the most incredulous tone and looked at Gilgamesh. “He has a date!? Is she blind?”

“Nope. Just weird and kinky as hell,” Gilgamesh replied. “Actually, she’s his marefriend. They’ve been going steady for eight years now. They’re practically married.”

“Pinks loves the tentacles,” Ultros boasted with a grin, causing the secretary to force herself not to heave.

“...I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Bahamut’s face turned a little green. “Let’s… let’s just go.” He was so done with this universe.

“Alright, alright. Looks like you’ve had enough mind breaking for today,” Gilgamesh said. “See ya later, Slimeball.”

“Hurry back, Muscle-Head,” Ultros replied and went back to work.

“Okay, so just need to grab Luna and we’ll go,” Gilgamesh said as he walked down the hall. “What else can you tell me about your world?”

“Well, let’s see. A thousand years ago, I was summoned by Discord to fight the princesses. I um… well I wasn’t of my own mind and obliterated the town they were in. But, they used the Elements of Harmony to seal Discord, and by extension, me, away.”

“Ah, so the typical ‘sealed in stone for a thousand years’ scenario. Yeah, I went through that one, too. Well, 1,500 years, technically.”

“Ouch,” Bahamut winced. “Well in any case, after that happened, either through Discord or because of my arrival, monsters started plaguing Equestria. It got rough from what I can tell, as pony magic has very little effect on them. Then, some eight hundred years or so ago, Starswirl the Bearded got the idea to create massive barriers that cover the towns and cities. And they’re powered by the Elements of Harmony.”

“Wait… so basically, your world runs on the logic of ‘towns are havens and outside are random encounters’?”

“Kinda? Not really random since you know that death awaits you outside,” Bahamut sighed. “But for some reason, my brand of magic works especially well on them. So… after a thousand years, a trio of fillies released me from my bonds somehow. So, I granted them the power to fight. The power of the Warriors of Light.”

“Oh, so let me guess, they have eight levels of white and black magic to use?”

“Well, Sunset Shimmer’s the Black Mage, she’s currently learning level two artes,” bahamut replied. “Same for Moondancer’s White Magic. Twilight well… she’s a summoner. Aside from me, she also has Ifrit and Valefor to call upon.”

“Ah, so functioning something along the lines of FF III then. And did you say Sunset Shimmer and Moondancer? I’m surprised to see those three hanging together. I mean, at that young age. So, is it just those three?”

“Well there’s also Cadenza,” Bahamut mused and smirked. “She’s quite the adept Dragoon, for a pegasus anyway.”

“Okay, if we’ve got Dragoons, then we’re definitely in at least in the third game’s job system. And did you say ‘Cadenza’? Not ‘Cadance’? Or ‘Princess Cadance’?”

“Cadenza is no princess,’ Bahamut actually shuddered. “And do not call her Cadance to her face, that is just begging for an asskicking from her.”

“‘Ass kicking’? So your Cadance is a bit—?”

“Don’t!” Bahamut clapped a claw over his mouth. “She’ll hear you and then we’ll be dead.”

Gilgamesh moved his claw away. “We’re not even in the same universe, and you’re still afraid of her?” He smirked and then moved his hand in a whipping motion. “Whapish!”

“Go jump off a big bridge,” Bahamut muttered.

“Heh! Looks like those memories of your past life are in there somewhere, otherwise you would’ve never made that reference. So, if I’ve got this right, Twi, Sunset, and and Moony are fillies and Cadance is teen?”

“Young adult, I don’t know her exact age, old enough to be a colossal pervert,” Bahamut said, choosing to ignore the reference comment. “Also got a little fanfilly in Rainbow Dash, and her adorable friend Fluttershy…” The dragon sighed and looked down. “I… hope they’re okay…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get you back as soon as we can. And you’ll want to keep your eye on those two, they’re likely to become very important in the future. Perhaps very soon. Also, there should be an earth pony named Applejack in Ponyville you should give attention to, as well as a unicorn named Rarity, and another earth pony named Pinkie Pie. She probably not be living in Ponyville yet. She’s likely still on her family rock farm.”

“Ooohkay, why these fillies specifically?” Bahamut asked.

“Because in many timelines, they, along with Twilight, are the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony. And even if that doesn’t happen to be the case here, I’m wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up being the bearers of some other job classes. If I had to guess, Rainbow will likely be a Thief or a Ninja, Fluttershy a Beastmaster, a Bard, or a Geomancer, Applejack a Knight or a Viking, Rarity a… Dancer, maybe, and Pinkie Pie… shit, I dunno, a Blue Mage? Maybe? She’ll be pretty crazy.”

“Hmm, well I’ll keep it in mind,” Bahamut nodded. “The future is still unknown.”

“Indeed. From what you said, it sounds like your dimension never had a Nightmare Moon.”

“...What’s a Nightmare Moon?”

“Basically, one thousand years ago, Luna got jealous that the ponies wouldn’t appreciate the night she made and that Celestia got all the credit for it. That jealousy would eventually cause her to be overwhelmed with dark magic, transforming into Nightmare Moon, and using her power to make sure the sun didn’t rise. Celestia was forced to use the Elements of Harmony to banish her to the moon for one thousand years. When she came back to begin her reign again Twilight and her new friends used the Elements of Harmony to purify her back into Luna.”

Bahamut paused for a moment, organising his thoughts as Gilgamesh passed through a door. “So, let me get this straight. Luna gets all jealous and angsty, throws a hissy fit because daddy didn’t love her and Celestia, in all her great wisdom, gives her a thousand year time out in the naughty corner?”

“There was no ‘daddy’ to get attention from, and I fully realize how ridiculous it sounds. Nevertheless, if you wish to keep all your limbs, you will hold your tongue,” came a voice right next to him.

Bahamut yelped in surprise, but luckily he didn’t cast Fire this time.

Instead, Luna found her horn encased in ice.

“What is it with people and scaring me today!?” the tiny drake complained.

“Apparently you’re easily startled,” Gilgamesh answered. “Might want to work on that.”

Luna’s eye was twitching. “Dearest husband, could you please set the offending reptile on the ground so that I may repeatedly maim him?”

“Luna, you know what we said about releasing your rage in constructive ways.”

“Come now, I’ll make sure not to kill him… Just that he’ll wish I did.”

“Luna.”

“How about I take his tail? He doesn’t really need that, does he?”

“Bahamut, help me out here, I can only talk her down so far on my own.”

“Eh,” Bahamut shrugged. “I’m used to her threatening me with death. Oh, but bear in mind that I’m ‘Soul-Bonded’ with Twilight Sparkle. So if you kill me, she’ll die too.”

“... How much pain will she feel?” she asked.

“Luna!” Gilgamesh chided.

“As I said, I’m used to it,” Bahamut chuckled and looked at her ice-coated horn. “Well hey, at least you’re frosty on the outside now too.”

Luna just glared at him for a few moments… Then grabbed him with a levitation spell and hurled him into the wall with enough force to imbed his head in the marble.

“... You’re paying for that,” Gilgamesh quipped.

“Fine.”

In Ponyville, Twilight collapsed to the ground, clutching her head in pain. Wherever Bahamut was, he was in trouble. She had to find him!

Bahamut just dangled from the wall, clearly stuck.

“...ow.”

“Deserved it,” Luna insisted. “Now let’s-”

Just then an alarm bell rang out.

“Oh, what now!?” Gilgamesh groaned as he pulled Bahamut from the wall and sprinted towards the balcony, Luna hot on his heels. When they arrived they saw a giant bird-like creature with sharp talons approaching the city. “Wait a minute… isn’t that-?”

“Valefor?” Bahamut blinked. ‘Of course, we can sense each other, but my senses are dulled in this form, and all the ambient magic here masked it further.’

“Ahh, about time I found you Master Bahamut,” the bird said as she landed on the balcony, the railing bending under the weight. “Mistress Twilight is very worried about you.”

“Oh right, you said she was a summoner,” Gilgamesh muttered. “Well, this makes things easier. Where is exactly is the little filly?” he asked the Eidolon.

“A town called Ponyville, tis where we battled those undead back home,” she replied. Bahamut sighed in relief.

“Hmm, I wonder what’s faster, her coming here? Or us to her?”

“Depends. Are you willing to take a seconds long trip through the void to make it there, or would you rather ride on the back of an awesome bird spirit?” Gilgamesh asked.

“My time in this plane is nearly expired,” Valefor nodded. “Please return the master to Mistress Twilight.” And with that, the bird vanished in a trail of sparkling light.

“Huh. Well, decision was made for us. Luna, do you mind?”

“Just a moment,” she said before disappearing in a flash of magic. About twenty seconds later, she reappeared. “I’ve informed the guard. Information should spread through the whole city within the hour.”

“Perfect,” Gilgamesh replied before a naginata appeared in his hand. He then used it to cut a hole in reality itself. “In you go,” he said before casually tossing Bahamut in, not giving him a chance to process what was happening before Luna and Gilgamesh jumped in themselves.

Twilight felt Valefor return to her and smiled when she was informed that Bahamut was located.

“Mister Buzzy!” she exclaimed, the bug still worried about the sudden head pain she’d experienced a moment ago. “Bahamut was found. He’s coming here now.”

“Well that’s great-” Buzz began only to be cut off as a hole opened up in the air behind him. A certain dragon fell out, landing butt first on his horn.

There was a loud yell… and a certain bug that had a bolt of lightning hit his behind.

“Ohh, that… looked painful, you okay Mister Buzzy?” Ti-Twi called out.

“I’ve, unfortunately, suffered much worse,” he groaned as he stood back up. “Now, who’s flank did I end up stabbing?”

“That would be mine!” a dangerous growl from under him said. He glanced down to see a rather irate dragonling.

“Whups! Sorry!” Buzz apologized, quickly hopping off of the young drake.

“BAHAMUT!” Twilight yelled and tackle-hugged the dragon, who was already winded from the fall.

“Can’t… breathe…” Bahamut groaned. “Tell Luna… she’s… a butthead…”

“‘Butthead?’ Really? That’s the best you can come up with?” Buzz asked, unleashing his own destruction upon the planet of pans.

Twilight released him and Bahamut inhaled loudly and coughed. “You try being witty while Starswirl here strangles you to death.”

“My. Name. Is. TWILIGHT!” she yelled at him, before rubbing her head.

“Yeah yeah,” Bahamut smirked and pet her mane. “Glad you’re okay Twiley. I was worried about you.”

“Mmm, I’m fine, mostly thanks to Mister Buzzy here.”

“Mister Buzzy?” bahamut quirked an eyebrow.

“Hi there. Please don’t zap me again,” Buzz waved. Bahamut blinked and shrugged.

“Eh, sorry. You weren’t the first… everyone in the bloody plane is determined to jump scare or injure me at least once.”

“Does this scare you?” Gilgamesh asked, suddenly right next to him. He got a response in the form of a particular piece of his lower anatomy being encased in a block of ice. “R-R-R-Really?” Gilgamesh asked as his teeth chattered. Then his body was suddenly engulfed in flames for a moment before they dispersed, showing the ice had almost instantly melted. “Ah, mundane utility at it’s finest.”

Buzz immediately seized up, standing at attention before pressing his hoof to his chest in salute. “Supreme Commander, sir! Wh-What are you doing here?”

“Throwing me like a softball through time/space gates,” Bahamut replied, showing he was still the master of deadpan, single-handedly obliterating the pan world. The survivors would need seven artifacts to continue.

“Ignore the peanut gallery,” Luna said as she stepped out of the portal in the air, having already cated a barrier spell around her in case she accidentally startled Bahamut again. “We are looking for a filly Twilight Sparkle from another… Oh, well hello there,” she greeted, having noticed Ti-Twi.

Twilight looked up, tears brimming in her eyes before she hugged Luna’s leg. “Princess Luna!” she cried.

Luna couldn’t help but smile and patted her back with her other hoof. “Oh my. Seeing you like this, I can understand why my sister treated you like her own daughter. You are just so adorable!”

“Luna, please!” said Princess Twilight as she came down the stairs, a slight blush on her face.

“I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t help myself!” Luna replied before picking up the filly. “Oh, you are just so cute, yes you are!”

“Princess Luna, please, I’m ten!” the tiny filly complained, squirming in her strong grasp. This was so embarrassing. Bahamut just chuckled, watching the show.

“You could’ve fooled me! You’re just too adorable to be that old!”

“Ok, Luna, give it a rest. Imagine how jealous Comet and Nebula would be to see you fawning over another filly,” Gilgamesh chided.

“Comet has been a trouble-maker since he could speak, and Nebula is far too serious for her own good.” Luna sighed. “Honestly, I’m happy with her intelligence and responsibility, but her personality… it’s like I gave birth to a grad-school intellectual snob.”

“Wow, I had no idea you had such family woes, Lulu,” came a voice from above. Everyone looked up to see a mismatched creature lounging upside down on a replica of Rarity’s old drama couch as he ate marbles from a grape vine. “You should send her over to Canterlot. Flux and I will get her to loosen up and have some fun.”

“P-Princess?” Twilight hid behind Luna’s leg. “W-W-Who’s that!?”

Luna rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here, Discord? Abandoning the few duties my sister has seen fit to entrust you with?”

“Discord?” Twilight whispered. Wasn’t… wasn’t he the one that tried to take over Equestria a thousand years ago? The one that hurt Bahamut and the Princesses?

Oh no! What if he was here to hurt them again? No! Twilight Sparkle wasn’t going to let that happen!!

“I WON’T LET YOU HURT THEM AGAIN!” Twilight suddenly yelled, Luna moving back as a massive, crimson-hued magic circle appeared under the filly.

“What are you-!?” Princess Twilight began, panicked at her younger self’s change in behavior, only to realize why. Oh, that’s, right. This is before he’s had a chance at reformation. “Twilight, wait, he’s not-!”

“I summon you! IFRIT!” the filly called as the ground exploded, and she was tossed into the air, coming to rest on the shoulder of the massive hell demon. He set her down gently and she rubbed his head, before he turned to Discord and unleashed his signature attack, Hellfire.

The explosion annihilated the roof of the palace bursting open a hole in the ceiling and unleashing a shockwave through all of Ponyville.

“Well, that was rude,” Discord commented from behind Ifrit. The Eidolon prepared to attack again while Discord raised his paw. “Dude, chill,” he said before snapping it. In a flash Ifrit was now sitting on a couch, wearing sunglasses and listening to smooth jazz.

“I...WHAT!?” Twilight looked at the very strange position her summon spirit was in. “I… just… HUH!?”

“I’m sorry, Mistress… I… I’m… oh man, I am soooooooooooo chill right now,” Ifrit said, clearly becoming more relaxed by the second.

“Ifrit… just… just return,” Twilight sighed as the summon vanished in a shower of sparkles. “I don’t even…”

“Gilgamesh,” Bahamut said quietly. “That is your worlds Discord yes… else I might get a little violent.”

“DING DING DING!” Give the kid a prize!” Discord cheered before appearing next to Bahamut giving him a lollipop before pulling a party hat over his head.

“...Can I still kill him?” Bahamut replied, before eating the lollipop. What? It was good okay?

“Discord, what are you doing here?” Gilgamesh asked.

“Oh, I just felt an unusually high amount of chaos in the area, and I just had to check it out! And would you look at that, a little filly meeting a possible future self as well as another one of your superpowered cosplayers! It‘s been so long since one of them showed up here! In fact, why don’t we get everyone together and celebrate!” he exclaimed before raising his claw.

“Discord, wait!” Princess Twilight called out before he snapped. In a flash, eleven bodies of various sizes and shaped appeared and fell to the ground, all groaning.

“Ugh… What the hay happened?” Applejack asked.

“Discord, what is the meaning of this?” Celestia asked in a disappointed tone.

“Oh, just organizing a get-together in honor of our new guests!” he replied.

“Oh! I love new guests!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed before rushing over to Bahamut. “HiI’mPinkiePieandIwanttowelcomeyoutoourversionofEquusswhoareyouandwhatareyoudoinghereanddoyouwantacupcake!?”

“...wut?” Bahamut blinked and looked at Twilight. “Hey, can you do something about this? I’m sick of being short.”

“Huh, how did you…?” Twilight held the Garnet on her necklace and nodded. With a flash of light, the dragon grew taller, now able to look Luna in the eye. His tail was longer and though he lacked wings still, his musculature was more defined.

“Ahh, much better,” Bahamut stretched and looked down, before picking Pinkie up and put her under his arm. “To answer little mare. My name is Bahamut, I’m here by accident and I suppose a cupcake wouldn’t go amiss.”

“Here you go!” she said as she reached into her mane, pulled out a confection and stuffed it into his mouth. “Now hold me above your head so I can pretend to be an airplane!” Bahamut rolled his eyes, but did just that as Pinkie made airplane noises.

“Oh, look at the filly Twilight!” Cadance squeed as she hopped over and hugged the filly. “Oh, it’s been so long since I’ve seen her like this!”

“I’m right, here, thank you,” Princess Twilight called out in annoyance.

“Sunshine Sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake! Um, what’s wrong, Twilight?” Cadance asked, noticing the younger version of her sister in law wasn’t going through the motions.

“Bahamut…” Twilight took a step back, looking uneasy. “Cadenza’s freakin’ me the heck out. She’s being all nice and… unshouty. And she’s shaking her butt at me, is this stranger danger? Do I need an adult?”

“‘Cadenza’? I haven’t gone by that name since I got out of elementary school. Are you sure you’re ok, Twilight?”

“Yeah, are you alright Twily? Why didn’t you do the dance she taught you?” a white-coated and blue-maned unicorn stallion asked.

Twilight took a step back, who was this pony?

“She, didn’t teach me any dance,” Twilight said with a shake of her head. “She did mention one dance… but you need a pole for some reason. I dunno. Grownups are weird sometimes.”

Everyone in the room went quiet and stared. Even Discord looked shocked. Then everyone immediately turned to Bahamut for clarification.

“Our Cadenza is… not as cutesy as this one appears to be,” Bahamut said with a light chuckle. “In fact, she might just tear my head off for calling her cute.”

Everyone just continued to stare until another changeling spoke up, looking very similar to Nectar but obviously taller and older. “Jeez Shining Armor, you sure lucked out with this version of Cadance. So much for Princess of Love.”

“So… who are you?” Twilight asked, looking up at Shining Armor. “And how do you know my… oh right, cause I’m a Princess here for some reason. I guess everypony would know.”

Once again the room went silent. “Um… Wh-What do you mean?” Shining asked, sounding a bit shaken.

“Yeah,” Princess Twilight added. “You don’t recognize Shining Armor? Our big brother?”

Tiny Twi blinked and tilted her head. “Our what? I don’t have a brother, big or otherwise. Mommy and Daddy only ever had me.”

“Oh… So… I don’t… exist where you’re from?” Shining Armor asked, looking a bit deflated. “I… I guess I never considered that possibility.”

“W-Well, you’ve got me, right?” a purple and green dragon asked. “Gotta have someone take care of your checklists for you!”

“Huh? Who are…” Twilight looked closer, something about his colouration seemed… familiar. “Are you… Spike?”

“Yup! Surprised to see me so big?”

“Yeah,” Twilight nodded, still used to seeing a dragon that was only a few weeks old. “Checklists huh? Well, as long as you can handle Sunny and Moonie’s too.”

“Sunset Shimmer and Moondancer,” Bahamut clarified. “Those three are my students, and best friends.”

“Wait, Sunset? Really? I mean, I could guess someone as adorkable as Moondancer already being friends with her, but Sunset as well? Did you all bond in a study session or something?” Gilgamesh asked.

“Okay, I’m getting bored,” Discord butt in. “I brought you all in for chaos, not for comparing notes. Hey Bahamut? Twilight?” He then hovered over to Celestia and wrapped his tail around her midsection as his arm around her neck. “Celestia and I are married and already have a kid. Please give me the appropriate reaction to that.”

Bahamut stared at the pair… particularly Celestia.

“Eh… I didn’t like her anyway,” the dragon shrugged.

“YOU’RE MARRIED!? TO DISCORD!?!?!?” Twilight’s reaction was far more explosive. “The princess is married to a bad guy. Does that make her a villain too? Should I stop them before they take over Equestria? Wait, Celestia already rules Equestria? So, would I be committing treason? Was that his plan all along?” One could almost see the steam rise from her head as her brain burnt out.

“Well, at least I got one of them to react the way I wanted,” Discord commented, pouting slightly.

“Dissy, please,” Celestia chided.

“Luckily, I have a backup plan! Shiny, doing good in the relationship department, I see! Gonna have to get you an Emperor-sized bed so you can have both of them, am I right?”

“What? I-I have no idea what you’re-!” he began only only to be cut off by a loud clicking sound. He turned to see that one of his forelegs had been tied to Cadance with a fuzzy pink pair of handcuffs, and his other foreleg had the same tied to Chrysalis.

Everyone else just stared at the three of them, looking shocked.

“Oh… Oh my,” Fluttershy gasped.

“SHINING!?” Princess Twilight screeched.

“MOTHER!” Nectar shouted. “HOW DARE YOU TRY TO STEAL SHINING ARMOR AWAY FROM CADANCE!”

“Oh, how scandalous!” a white unicorn with a purple mane and tail exclaimed, looking positively ecstatic to have gotten some juicy gossip despite her supposed disapproval.

“Jeez, Shining Armor. Not enough for you to have one of the most attractive mares on the planet?” Rainbow Dash berated, but also looking rather impressed.

“I-I-I-I-It’s not what you think!” Chrysalis exclaimed, her face flushing green.

“WOO HOO! ‘CONGRATULATIONS ON MAKING A HAREM’ PARTY!” Pinkie shouted in joy.

“Wh-Why do all assume it was me!? M-Maybe it was one of their ideas!” Shining defended himself.

“Was it?” Gilgamesh asked.

“YES!... I mean… oops.”

Everyone stopped and then looked to Chrysalis.

“Why do you all look at me!?” she asked, clearly offended.

“Because the only other one it could be is—” Celestia began before stopping. She turned to face Cadance, who had an unexpectedly nervous look on her face. “—No. I don’t believe it.”

“Um… Surprise?” Cadance said sheepishly.

“…Maybe you aren’t too different from Cadenza,” Bahamut quipped and smirked.

“What’s a harem?” Twilight asked innocently. “And why do they have hoofcuffs on?” She gasped and looked at Luna, seemingly the only pony she trusted in the room. “Did they do something wrong? Is Cadenza in trouble for shaking her butt at me!?”

Bahamut wasn’t gonna touch that question.

“Well, you see, when a mare and stallion find out they have too much libido for a normal relationship-” Discord began.

“Stop right there, or I swear you’re going to the sun for a time out!” Celestia warned.

“I feel like an eighteenth wheel here,” Buzz muttered.

“Aww, I’m still your friend Mister Buzzy,” Tiny Twilight giggled. “You’re like… the only ‘not-weird’ grownup here.”

“Weird is relative, I can assure you on that,” he replied. “So… we’ve got both of the off-worlders together. Do we start making plans about what to do about their universes’ Exdeath?” he asked, catching everyone’s attention.

“Simple, get me back so I can Mega Flare his face,” Bahamut growled, slamming his fist into his palm. “Provided he hasn’t sent another Archfiend after us.”

“I didn’t like the zombie one,” Tiny Twi shivered. “That was scary…”

“‘Zombie one’? Was his name Scarmiglione?” Gilgamesh asked?

“Yeah, that’s the one,” Bahamut nodded. “Fighting him sucked, until a little rainbow filly punched him at mach ten.”

“Interesting. Who else have you fought?”

“Some wind user named…” Bahamut scratched his head.

“Barbariccia,” Twilight reminded him.

“Yeah, her,” Bahamut nodded. “According to Auric, there’s two more… ah crap,” he just realised he’d dropped Auric’s name. Ah well, they seemed mostly trustworthy.

“Oh shit, Auric!? As in ‘Auric Fulcrum!?’ Hot damn, it’s been… well, for me it’s been almost forty years since I last saw him!” Gilgamesh exclaimed. “Man, if you really couldn’t have asked for someone better to give you a hand.”

“Yeah? You know him?” Bahamut asked, folding his arms after finally putting Pinkie down. “Well, guess that makes this a lot easier then.”

“Are we going home?” Twilight asked.

“Looks like it,” Bahamut nodded and finally noticed Princess Twilight. “Oh hey, it’s grown up Starswirl. Well, at least you stayed cute…”

“‘Starswirl?’” Princess Twilight asked.

“GAH!” Tiny Twilight yelled. “He’s a butthead! He calls me that ALL. THE. TIME!!”

“Cause you remind me so much of him,” Bahamut chuckled and ruffled her mane. “Also, I’m trying not to notice that Cadenza is a freaking alicorn here. That… that just plain terrifies me.”

“Wait, I’m still a pegasus in your world?” Cadance asked, having finally gotten the hoofcuffs off of both her partners.

“And the differences keep piling up,” Gilgamesh quipped. “Anyway, some info for you. The last two Archfiends are Cagnazzo and Rubicante, water and fire, respectively. Cagnazzo has been known to magically disguise himself as other people, while Rubicante is actually an honorable warrior and prefers to fight fair. He is, however, the most powerful of the four.”

“Wonderful,” Bahamut sighed. “I hate shapeshifters, they’re a real pest…”

“Ahem!” Buzz, Nectar, and Chrysalis said at the same time.

“What?” Bahamut blinked and looked at the trio.

All three of them were engulfed in green flames for a moment. A moment later, Buzz looked like a red earth pony stallion with a blonde mane and tail, Nectar looked like Princess Cadance, and Chrysalis looked like Celestia. All three were glaring at him.

“Huh… shapeshifters… that are also bugs…” Bahamut smirked slightly. “My point still stands then~”

All three of them changed back. “Asshole,” the three changelings, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Princess Twilight, Shining Armor, and Cadance all said simultaneously.

“Poopy head,” Pinkie Pie added.

Bahamut just shrugged.

“Please forgive him… he’s a butthead,” Twilight said, bowing her head apologetically before looking up with those adorable round eyes.

All of them seized up except Discord, who put on a pair of shades, and Gilgamesh.

“Thank goodness I’ve built up an immunity,” Gilgamesh muttered. “Anyway, back to the Archfiends. Cagnazzo is weak to ice, but an attack where he gathers up water around him before unleashing the spell Tidal Wave. If you hit him a with a thunder spell when he’s charging up it’ll not only cause extra damage but cancel the spell, so keep an eye out. As for Rubicante, if he’s like his original counterpart he’ll fully heal all of his opponents before he starts the battle. Like I said, he’s an honorable warrior. However, although he’s weak to ice and water, his cloak actually absorbs those elements. It’s a bit counterintuitive, but attack him with fire spells when he’s cloaked, and use ice and water when he’s uncloaked. There’s some more nuance to the fights, but for the most part that’s the gist of how to beat them.”

“Alright, thanks for the heads up,” Bahamut said. “I suppose it’s better than just going out with pure power… though that’s worked so far.”

“Bahamut is super strong!” Tiny Twi agreed.

Gilgamesh chuckled. That soon lead into giggling, then outright boisterous laughter. Soon, everyone in the room aside from Bahamut and Ti Twi was laughing.

“W-What’s so funny?” Twilight sniffled and stomped a tiny indignant hoof. “Bahamut saved me and there others from a bunch of monsters. He helped Rainbow Dash recover from a terrible injury and… and… I won’t let you pick on him!!”

All the laughing stopped, some of them looking a bit ashamed.

“Sorry, Twilight. We didn’t mean it as an insult,” Fluttershy apologized.

“Yeah, all of those sound like pretty good things, especially coming from a meanie pants like him,” Pinkie added.

“It’s just that we’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, that anyone who thinks they’ll win because they’re the strongest is pretty much doomed if they go against a real warrior,” Rainbow Dash finished.

“So, what determines a real warrior then?” Bahamut questioned, also noting that a grown up Dashie was pretty cute. Damned ponies and their natural Adorableness stat. “Sometimes even the best of tactics are useless in the face of overwhelming power.”

“Is that what you think?” Gilgamesh asked. “Would you like to test that?” he said with a sinister grin.

Bahamut frowned. “You… want to fight me?”

“If you’re up to it. From what you’ve said it sounds like the only time you’ve ever been at full power was a thousand years ago. Considering their history with you, I wouldn’t be surprised if your Celestia and Luna made sure Twilight didn’t let you have your full power. Maybe you could both use the experience.”

“I’d…” Bahamut paused. Would it be possible? Could twilight’s body even handle summoning his full might?

“I… Princess Celestia said I shouldn’t…” Twilight stammered. “I… shouldn’t disobey her…”

“Hey Twi, she’s just like you back when we first met,” Applejack commented to the Princess.

“Yeah. I remember that whole ‘I must please the Princess at all times no matter what’ phase you went through,” Rainbow added.

“Well, little Twilight, let me ask you this: Why did Princess Celestia say you shouldn’t let Bahamut have his full power?” Gilgamesh asked.

“Because,” Bahamut interjected. “Releasing my full power might trigger Discord into escaping his stone seal. And we have enough trouble to deal with, without that lunatic running around… eh, no offense to this version.”

“Oh please, don’t mind me, do go on,” Discord replied, summoning himself a noblewoman’s dress, makeup, and an extravagant fan, blushing and batting his eyelashes. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” Celestia brought her hood to her mouth to suppress a giggle.

“Yeah… not touching that,” Bahamut commented and turned back to Gilgamesh. “I might pass. Not because of that, but because you look like the type that doesn’t hold back. And Twilight here gets hurt if I take too much damage.”

“No,” Twilight exclaimed, much to Bahamut’s surprise. “Let’s do it. They have a point, and that armoured guy seems dangerous. We… should accept their offer for some training.”

“You… sure?” Bahamut scratched his chin. “Hmm, any of you hornheads know healing magic?”

“Of course!” Princess Twilight replied.

“They’re not the only ones,” Fluttershy replied. “I’ve still got plenty of Cure tomes back at home.

“Good,” Bahamut nodded. “Then I’m leaving you in charge of looking after Twilight’s health.” He narrowed his eyes and sparks danced along his claws. “I’m trusting you with this. Don’t screw it up.”

“I promise she will not die nor sustain any permanent damage,” Gilgamesh vowed with a bow.

Bahamut snorted, but nodded none the less. “You’d better…” He looked around. “Shall we take this outside?”

“In a snap?” Discord answered, teleporting them all to an open plain. “But before this fight starts, I think we need to inform everyone else about what’s going on, right Tia?”

“My, actually being responsible for once? Are you sure you’re the same Draconequus I married?” she teased.

“I have my moments. Also, I think you all should make sure your family members and subjects know you’re ok.”

“Oh yeah, you did kind of foalnap us, didn’t you?” Chrysalis stated, unleashing her own reign of terror upon the many pans, causing mass destruction after their populations had finally begun to recover.

“Yeah, well teleport us quick! I want to be back to see Gilgamesh wipe the floor with him!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“Wow, my little fanfilly has soo much confidence in me,” Bahamut said flatly. The world of pans was silent. Not a single one remained after the absolute genocide.

“Hey, I’m not your Rainbow,” she said before she and everyone aside from Luna, both Twilights, Nectar, and Pinkie Pie disappeared in a flash.

“So, got a song request, or should I choose?” Gilgamesh asked.

“I… wat?” Bahamut blinked. “What, are you a bard class?”

“No no, I just a spell that lets me play music. It’s pretty nice for setting the tone or just if I want a jam. Observe,” he said before a guitar riff began to play, Gilgamesh playing air guitar along with the music.

“That… is a really weird spell,” Bahamut replied. “Maybe for a Bard, it’d be more useful, but why play music during battle? That sounds incredibly distracting.”

“If it distracts you, that just means it one more edge I have in battle.”

Bahamut clicked his tongue and tried casting Silence on him, curious to see if it would work.

“Oh, did you try to cast a spell on me? Sorry, but I’m completely immune to all ailments.”

“Tch! That’d be right,” Bahamut muttered. “Any other ridiculous advantages you have that you’d like to point out?”

Gilgamesh smirked. “Reveal my hand before the game even starts? What kind of fool do you take me for? Although, there is one power that I think I’ll show off before we start. Henshin.” A bright flash radiated from Gilgamesh. When it receded Gilgamesh was covered in a new set of armor, had four extra arms, and was almost twice as he was before. “I’m going to be using my final form against you. Don’t dissapoint me too much, God-King of Dragons.”

“You…” Bahamut stared up at the massive warrior. “Have got to be kidding me…”

At that moment everyone returned, with one extra in tow.

“Sup Gilgy? Discord said you needed someone to set the tone for an epic battle?” the white unicorn mare with a blue mane and pink sunglasses asked.

“Vinyl, great ta see ya! Yeah, that’d be great. Make sure to get some distance, ok?”

“No problem.” With a snap Discord teleported everyone except Tiny Twi, Gilgamesh and Bahamut away. In the distance, about twenty miles away was a row of bleachers and a two giant stereo sets.

“So then, whenever you’re ready, Twilight,” Gilgamesh said.

Twilight nodded and looked at Bahamut. The dragon couldn’t believe he was about to do this. He returned the nod and Twilight released the dragon’s power. A dark egg-shaped sphere surrounded him… before it started to crack and light spilled forth, then his true form was revealed. He let loose a mighty roar, one that sent shockwaves out from around him, they very ground trembling.

“...Five.”

Gilgamesh smiled. “What do you know? I might actually have to try to beat you. Now, first rule of any fight: Cover your weaknesses. If I’m not mistaken, I could beat you right now in one move.”

“Oh? Confident are we?” Bahamut snorted. “Let’s see how—”

“Indeed. Like this,” Gilgamesh said, summoning a machine gun. He then aimed and fired… At Twilight.

The filly screamed in terror at the bullets landed around her. Thankfully it was just a quick burst and it wasn’t intended to hit her.

“Understand now? The fastest way to beat you would just be to kill her. What use is all your power against that?”

The dragon clenched a fist. He was right… he knew he was right.

It didn’t stop the unfathomable rage inside of him though. How dare he attack Twilight!!

“HOW DARE YOU!! FIRAJA!” The dragon bellowed, the fourth level Fire spell detonated, the immense heat from the incinerating flames could be felt, even at the back of the stands.

“I’m impressed,” came a voice from within the flames, revealing an only slightly blackened Gilgamesh. “I actually felt that.”

“I…” Bahamut blinked. Okay, he knew it wasn’t going to be easy but… He roared as his wings flared and the scales inside started to glow. “Then, try my Impulse on for size!” Dozens of vector-changing lasers razed the battlefield.

“Not bad,” came a voice from behind. Bahamut turned to be struck in the face by three right hooks at once. The force actually snapped his head back and stumble back a few steps. He turned back and saw Gilgamesh flying via a pair of red dragon wings. “Let’s see what else you got.”

“Stopga!” The dragon growled, massive clocks appearing as he attempted to stop time itself for Gilgamesh.

“Oh, so sorry. I’m immune to that too. Now the real question is are you? TOKE WO TOMARE!”

The next thing Bahamut knew he was on his back, his head throbbing and a sharp pain along his chest. He looked down and saw two slash marks across his chest making an “X” shape. He looked up and saw Gilgamesh hold a blue lighting-shaped sword in one hand.

“I knew you were arrogant, but I didn’t realize how much. Is this all the great God-King of Dragons can do? Cast some debuff spells and some AOE magic attacks? I have soldiers in my own armies who can do the same and better, and they’re not even immortal.”

“Craaaap, this is gettin’ intense!” Vinyl cheered as she fixed up her sound system and started the new song she’d been working on.

“...Four…” the dragon rumbled as he got up. “You okay Twi?”

“I-I’m fine,” she panted, holding a hoof to her burning chest. “Give him what for!”

“As you wish,” the dragon smirked, before unleashing a punch, the force behind it equal to a few full-speed trains! Amazingly, Gilgamesh just stayed still and took the hit straight on. However, instead of sending him flying, Bahamut found himself picked up by his arm and slammed into the ground on his back.

“If you’re really familiar with all the classes you can give others, than you should know about the Monk and Master classes. Did you think that just because you were big you had no need of martial arts training?” Gilgamesh chided.

Bahamut grunted as he was slammed into the ground. “I lack human form, nor can I use skills of physical classes,” the dragon said as he rolled over. He swung out with his tail, catching Gilgamesh in the leg. However, the blow did nothing, catching against his body. “Wh-What!?”

“Oh it hurts so much to see your confidence shatter. You know what, I’m feeling generous so I’ll tell you what just happened. You see, I have the ability to absorb energy. All kinds of energy, magical, electrical, you name it. That’s why your Firaja spell barely did anything, I absorbed most of it.”

“What the hell does that have to do with this?” Bahamut asked as he backed up.

“Like I said, I can absorb all kinds of energy. Including kinetic energy.” He then appeared right in front of Bahamut’s chest in a burst of speed. “And more importantly, whatever I absorb, I can unleash.” Gilgamesh extended one hand and touched Bahamut’s chest. A moment later the dragon was hit with what felt like a freight train slamming into him, knocking the wind out of his lungs and sending him flying several yards. “Of course there’s a limit to how much I can absorb without release before I have negative effects. Would you like to test that? Or do you want a handicap?”

Twilight coughed as she felt that blow, doubling over as she fought the urge to vomit. Gilgamesh was… he was so powerful.

“T-Three…” the dragon groaned as he slowly got up.

“Bahamut!’ Twilight called, an idea forming. “He said he can absorb energy… he never said he could absorb different kind simultaneously.”

Bahamut grinned. “Triple!” he uttered, casting the spell that could let him Multicast. “Now! Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga!”

The three spells took shape, all aimed at the armoured warrior. They shot forwards and struck Gilgamesh at the same time. Unfortunately, it seemed Gilgamesh could absorb more than one kind of energy at once. However, doing so seemed to strain his concentration, and causing him some pain, leaving an opening.

“Two…”The dragon focused his mana, building it to powerful levels. “Let my power dance in light and sing in shadow…” he uttered as a sphere started to form above Gilgamesh’s head.

“ULTIMA!!”

The attack slammed into Gilgamesh, unleashing a giant explosion that was easily felt back by the stand, to the point that Shining Armor and Cadance had to put up barrier to protect them from the shockwave. As the smoke cleared Gilgames was standing in a crater, obviously damaged but still with plenty of energy to go.

He chuckled. “That the best you got?”

Bahamut smirked as he landed on all fours. His mouth opened as it vented excess energy and his smile widened.

“...One!”

Twilight yelped and turned to the others. Particularly the alicorns as she ran towards them. “Shield. Barrier. Use them. USE THEM ALL!!!”

“You say overwhelming power isn’t enough… well let’s see then,” Bahamut growled as a light built up in his chest and moved up his throat. “My ultimate skill,”

“MEGAFLARE!!!”

The resulting blast was one of the most powerful things that this world had ever felt. Miles of land was destroyed, and the heat glassed the ground it didn’t destroy. After about a minute a flash came and everyone returned, Discord having decided to teleport them all to the other side of the planet rather than risk a barrier breaking.

Bahamut looked at the mile long trench he’d blasted in the ground and winced. He’d.. not meant to put his full power into that. “Um… Gilgy… you dead?”

“Oh, don’t worry about me,” came a voice. As the smoke cleared Gilgamesh was standing there looking completely smug as a blue aura covered his body. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Bahamut couldn’t believe his eyes. He hadn’t suffered any additional damage. He looked no worse for wear than after taking the Ultima blast.

“Wha… How-!?”

“I should mentioned I know almost every spell from the Final Fantasy series. Including Perfect Defense. For about five minutes I’m completely Invulnerable to all kinds of damage.” He then raised a hand and Bahamut. “By the way, I know it won’t be as powerful as yours, but I’d like to thank you for letting me finally see Megaflare. Allow me to… return it.”

Bahamut’s eyes widened as he saw his ultimate attack coming right back at him. Sure it was maybe only half the power of what he unleashed, but it was still Megaflare.

The light washed over him, Bahamut focusing all his power left into defensive magicks. If he was lucky, Twilight wouldn’t feel too much of this if he soaked up the damage.

When the blast faded, the dragon fell to the ground. Power fled his body, reducing him to the adolescent form he took. He was breathing heavily, but still conscious at least.

“D-Dammit…” he muttered.

“Do you understand now?” Gilgamesh asked as he stepped in front him. “I didn’t use half of what I had available to beat you. I can make my skin harder than any metal. I can literally punch magic into oblivion. I can stop time, clone myself, control gravity, manipulate shadows, more things than you can possibly be prepared for. But all of it would be pointless without my most useful and dangerous weapon.” He then pointed to his head. “This right here. This is most useful tool of any real warrior. From the start I goaded you into unleashing the most powerful attacks you had. I made sure your anger clouded your judgment, that your frustration that your attacks weren’t working would make you want to use bigger and more destructive attacks. I let you know how one of my techniques worked, made you believe it was my trump card, and let you think you found a way to beat it. And then, when you gave it everything you could, I’d pull the rug right out from under you. Despite all your power, as far as being a strategist is concerned, you’re barely a rookie. And I played you like a fiddle every step of the way.”

Bahamut sat there, annoying with himself… annoyed with Gilgamesh… annoyed with his own damnable weakness.

“So…” the dragon said quietly. “How do I fix it…?”

“You’re strong, Bahamut, and so you’ve thought like a strong being. And that’s the problem. You need to think like a weakling. Stop trying to overpower your opponents, and instead cripple them. Take away every advantage they have, give yourself every advantage you can, make them feel trapped, and when they’re overcome with grief and doubt, go for the kill. There is no such thing as fighting dirty, there are no cheap shots, and there are no rules. The battle isn’t over until someone dies, so never be afraid to flee and try again later. Think like a weakling, Bahamut. That is how you’ll win.”

“I guess… I need to train myself… as well as those fillies,” the dragon admitted as Discord warped back and the ponies got to see the destruction that the battle had wrought. Tiny Twilight looked extremely weary, like she’d just run a marathon.

“You did good there Twilight,” Gilgamesh said. “Though it didn’t work it was good that you came up with an idea. I know a lot of summoners who just sit back and hope their summon spirit wins without any guidance. Keep that proactive approach, and compensate for this numbskull’s lack of forethought.”

“Will do Mister Gilgy Sir!” she said, saluting wearily.

Gilgamesh nodded and raised his hand at her before casting a Curaja spell. Twilight was feeling much better after that and Bahamut’s pain ebbed away a bit as well.

“Now, are you sure you don’t want any of us coming along to help you deal with Exdeath and Alex?” Gilgamesh asked the dragon.

“No, the risk of Discord breaking out before we’re ready is too great… besides,” the dragon stood up, casting healing magicks on himself as well. “If we start leaning on others when something gets tough, then we’ll get too dependant.”

“True enough. Still, allow us to send some tools to make things a bit easier for you.” He then turned to Luna. “Honey, could you get a set of elite armor for a pegasus?”

“Are you sure?” Luna asked. “I’m all for helping them as well, but we can’t just go hoofing those out to whomever.”

“We can spare one.”

“Alright then,” she replied before disappearing in a flash of teleportation.

“Fluttershy, did you bring the any Cure tomes?”

“Yes I did. I made sure to bring a few, just in case,” she replied, pulling a heavy tome with a white cover out of her saddle bag.

“Did you happen to bring a language tome as well?”

“Oh, no. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Twilight?”

Both Twilight’s turned and looked at him. “Yes?” they replied in unison.

Gilgamesh groaned. “Princess Twilight.”

“Daddy calls me his little Princess,” Tiny Twi said with a wide smile. Bahamut silently approved of her newfound trolling powers.

Gilgamesh rolled his eyes. “Twi, go get a language tome and all the support tomes.”

“Check,” she replied disappearing in her own teleportation flash just as Luna reappeared.

“Here we go. Anything else?” Luna asked.

“Nah, I can handle the rest myself,” he said pulling out a notepad and pen before he began scribbling in it. As he did Twilight returned with three tomes, one grey, one green, and one orange. Gilgamesh finished writing in the notepad before pulling out a letter. “Let’s see…” he pondered for a minute before writing down on the paper. After a few minutes he placed the letter in an envelope and sealed it with wax. He then pulled out two cassette tapes and a cassette player. Finally, he held both hands out in front of him and created six pink ribbons out of thin air.

“...What the heck is all this?” Bahamut blinked as Tiny Twilight’s eyes widened and she beamed brightly.

“BOOKS!” she cheered, gathering up all the tomes and went to open the first to start reading. “Books! Books! Books~”

…

…

“WHAT!?” Twi shrieked. “I… I can’t read…” She made a noise not unlike a pouting puppy. “Books?”

“Not yet you can’t,” he said before picking up the grey one. “These are all written in an ancient and powerful magic language, these words themselves having power. This tome here contains the information on how to read and write it. Once you study enough it will ‘click’ in your mind and you’ll be able to read and write these words as if you had been taught them all your life. Another Displaced we met long ago helped us by creating these tomes. Because of how it works, any creature can cast these spells no matter how much magic they have, so long as they have the knowledge and skill.” He picked up the white one. “This one will let you cast Cure, Revive, and Esuna spells.” He picked up the green one. “This will let you cast defensive spells like Protect, Shell, Wall, Reflect, and Regen.” He then grabbed the orange one. “And this will let you cast buffing spells like Saber and Haste. All very basic but very necessary spells that you and your friends will probably learn later, but can help you now. Also, since they run off their own magic, if a non-mage class can use them. However, since they use their own magic, you’ll need to write a new tome when it runs out.”

“Hmm, well Moondancer is our resident White Mage-in training,” Bahamut noted. “Still, they’ll be useful for non-magic users… Provided we can actually get home that is.”

“You will. The rest will be explained in the letter,” Gilgamesh replied.

“Oh! Can I add something?” Discord asked, then snapped and created a small box covered with polka-dots, not waiting for a response. “Here you go!” he said, giving it to Tiny Twilight.

“Um… Mommy says I shouldn’t accept presents from strange grownups,” Twilight pointed out.

Discord groaned while everyone else chuckled.

“You’re so innocent and naive it’s almost unbearable,” he complained. “Look, just take it. It’s something that you can use if you’re ever in a pinch,” he explained before handing it over to her.

“‘A pinch?’” she asked as she began to open it.

“Ah ah ah!” Discord warned before pressing his claw on it and keeping it closed. “Something to use in your darkest hour, when it looks like you’ve got no hope. Careful though, it only works once.”

“I’ll hang on to that,” Bahamut said, taking the strange package. “Sorry, but my current track record with you isn’t the greatest.”

“Fair enough. But just to let you know, I made so that only she can open it.”

“Aw, look at you being helpful for once,” Celestia teased.

“I have my moments,” he replied proudly.

“Also, it might be best let you know what you could be up against in the future,” Gilgamesh began. “Believe me, even without Exdeath, Alex, and those monsters in your world, Discord is far from the only thing you have to worry about.”

“Figures,” Bahamut sighed. “I know the princesses had to deal with some crap while i was sealed away. Well whatever, we’ll deal with those as they come.” He set the box down with the rest of the items. “Still… i wonder how we’re going to get…”

And as he said that, a rippling portal appeared.

“...home?” Bahamut blinked. “This uh… seems oddly convenient.”

“Of course it is, the writers decide it was time for this crossover to be over,” Gilgamesh said.

Bahamut and Twilight both blinked “... What?”

“Nothing. Anyway, anything the rest of you want to say?”

Chrysalis cleared her throat. “Um, I don’t know exactly how this might work considering the changes, but keep an eye out for your version of the changelings, will you? In some versions of Equestria we’re just starving and pushed into conflict, others we want revenge against the ponies, and some version of us are unfortunately outright evil. Also, we may or may not even exist in your universe so play it by ear, I believe is how the expression goes.”

“Noted,” Bahamut said, before the portal shimmered and somepony stepped out, a pink pegasus mare in blue and a silver, draconic-shaped armour.

“I FUCKING swear!” Cadenza yelled. “If this is the wrong SUNDAMNED world again, I will nail Celestia’s teats to the floor with her fucking teeth!!”

Everyone just stared at the new arrival for a few moments.

“Dear Faust, I’m a bitch!” Cadance commented.
`
Cadenza looked at her alicorn doppelganger and raised an eyebrow. “Dear fucking Faust. I’m a little filly’s toy…” Then she spied Tiny Twi, squeed, and scooped her up into a hug.

“Can’t… breathe… bleh!” Twilight groaned.

“Well, not a complete bitch,” Shining Armor added.

Cadenza looked up and her eyes widened. She set Twilight down and sauntered over to him. “Well now~” she purred, dragging her sweet-scented tail under his nose. “How about you and me spend some quality time later~ I’m very good with a spear~”

“Excuse me!?” Cadance and Chrysalis both asked, glaring at Cadenza with enough hatred that they hoped to melt her face off.

Cadenza eyed up Princess Cadance. “Well, I suppose you can play too. It’s not much different to masturbation I suppose…”

Both of their jaws dropped.

“This. Is. GOLD!” Discord squeed.

“I totally picked the right song for you,” Gilgamesh muttered.

“Sorry, you may be another version of my wife, but you are not my type,” Shining Armor replied, trying to look serious despite his beet-red face. “Now if you could take your Twilight back to her parents and let them know she’s ok, I would appreciate it.”

“Psht, you’re no fun at all,” Cadenza huffed and turned. “Bahamut! Where are you!”

The dragon was slowly creeping away with Twilight under his arm, and the items under the other. He flinched when he heard her voice.

“Crapcrapcrap!” he started to run, but Cadenza was faster. She glided over to him and landed in front of him, saying some things the others couldn’t quite hear. But… so far the drake seemed to be keeping his ability to live.

“Okay, this has become awkward enough. Say hi to Auric for me!” Gilgamesh called before summoning up a blast of wind that forced them into the portal which closed after them. “Jeez that was awkward.”

“Clones.”

Everyone turned to Shining Armor who seemed to be lost in thought.

“Magic clones,” he whispered.

Cadance’s face flushed with embarrassment and anger. “SHINING ARMOR! YOU CAN’T SERIOUSLY BE THINKING OF-!”

“I’m fine with it,” Chrysalis interrupted.

“Wh-What!?” Cadance asked.

“And I know you are too,” she added with a sultry gaze.

Cadance’s face flushed even redder before turning away. “Yeah, I guess…” she muttered.

“And speaking of embarrassing things in the bedroom, I’ve got a date! Later!” Pinkie exclaimed before dashing off.

“End of scene and fade to black,” Gilgamesh announced to you. Yes, you.

Author's Note

Yeah, so I guess this story is a thing again. I've been in a slump lately, just... unmotivated really. I'll admit, the negativity this fic received really got to me. I wanted to make something people enjoy and I know a TON of you did, which is super awesome and I love all of you. But, I also got some really hateful stuff. Some even sent me PM's...

But I've decided to say 'stuff it' This is my fic and I'm gonna gosh darned write it! I may update slowly, cause my drive for writing still isn't up there. It's not just MLP, my non-pony stuff has ground to a halt too.

So, I wanna thank you guys and girls for following me. I'm nearing a thousand now. Only a few more. And... I think I'll do something special. Something I've had on the backburner for a while now.

So until next I revive from my crypt. Peace, love and ponies!

P.S. Before I forget. I wanna thank Shinigamisparda for writing this with me. He's an awesome guy with awesome stories, so go check him out if you want more Gilgy shenanigans.