The Duality of Souls

The nine of them, being Celestia, Luna, Relyks, and the Bearers of Harmony, walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle. Relyks was astounded with the aesthetics and architecture around him. The castle was grand in size, and a very busy workplace. If one looked they would be able to see the different maids hired into the castle staff cleaning each room. Everything was spotless despite the impressive size. In short, the building was magnificent. From the glances he was able to collect from the windows let Relyks know that he was a decent ways into the castle when he came to.

They continued to walk for a few minutes before reaching a set of doors. Stopping there, Celestia lit her horn and her magic could be seen surrounding the doorway.

"Right through here all five of your friends are gathered. Once we are all prepared I would like to ask all of you some questions."

Nodding his head to the princess he waited for her to open the doors. He paused before taking a step, a question on his mind. "She said five friends? I only know of three. Who else could have come through?"

It looked like a normal room or office, he figured he was in the throne room when he woke up. Upon entering he immediately spotted his three missing friends and ran up to them.

"Walter, Richard, Peter, you are all okay!"

"Thank you, master of the obvious. Anything else that everyone can see that you wish to discuss?" Was the only response he received. Peter always had a twisted sense of humor, thinking that making fun of others, or someone else's pain was amusing.

"Ah yes good old Peter, still being sarcastic as hell. You can go and screw yourself." Sometimes Relyks didn't understand why he called these guys his friends. Biting back the rest of his irritation, Relyks moved on to address the other two next to Peter.

"Do you guys know what happened to you?"

Not wanting to have to listen to Relyks and Peter argue again, the man named Walter decided speak. "No. Last I knew I was on my computer playing games when this insectoid style of a horse, that honestly looked like something from that gay ass show of yours, appeared and spat something at me. Next thing I know is that I am waking up next to these two with a spear being pointed at me." Walter wasn't terrible to be around, he was however conceited and thought that everything revolved around him. He even went on at times that he wished his brothers weren't around so he could just have more stuff for himself. It went unnoticed that the lunar and solar diarchs were listening on their conversation.

"Right, and those two? Who are... is that Katherine?" Confused as to why she was brought he only had one choice if he wanted direct answers currently. "Why is she here? Nightmare, I know you can hear me. You responded to my thoughts before." Waiting for an answer the only thing he received was silence. "Of course, the one time I want you to talk you decide to hold your tongue."

"I choose to withhold the answer from you boy because I desire to see you squirm and writhe in anger. Why would I willingly help you? You must truly be a bigger fool than I originally took you for."

With that biting remark Relyks decided to try once more and continue to ignore anything Nightmare said.

"I am glad to see that you are finally reunited with your friends. Please all of you come gather around so we may talk. Now Relyks, I do believe you agreed to answer some questions for us, did you not?" He nodded back to her and waved his hand in a "continue" gesture.

"Now there must be a reason that all of you were gathered. Relyks, you seem to know these four, what about him?" Pointing to the final man in the room, Celestia stood waiting for a response. When one did not come quickly she looked questioningly at him, confused over the glare he was giving the other man. "Is there an issue Relyks?"

"No there is not. Just more questions instead of answers. Yes, I know him. That is Craig, Peter's older brother, and someone whom we never wished to see again." With the mentioning of the other man's name, Peter, Walter, and Richard, had sour looks upon their faces.

"Well if it makes you feel any better, we believe we know how you all came here. We believe that the remains of Nightmare Moon, which now rests inside of you, the changeling queen Chrysalis, and Discord are to blame since he broke free just a few months ago. It is with this information we also think we may know of a way to get you home. My student Twilight here has been tasked to find a way to send you home." Looking to see relief on their faces, and thinking they would not be around for too long, Celestia was confused that while she did see relief on most faces, it was the horrified expression on Relyks' face that concerned her.

"You don't look happy about this news, does something trouble you?" While she attempted to sound like her sister, she failed to hold the bite back from her voice.

After a few moments of thinking, and a few glances his way, Relyks was finally able to get his thoughts together. "You said that Discord broke out a few months ago?"

"Indeed this is correct. Twilight and her friends here were able to return him to stone. He once again sits within the castle gardens. Why do you ask?"

Relyks could only stare at Celestia as she said these words. Things just didn't make any sense for him. If this is just passed the season 2 finale, things didn't add up.

"Oi, Relyks. We are all now in this pretty little world that you oh so love to watch, don't you have anything useful for us to know, or are you just going to stand there like a moron with your mouth open?" Richard was not the kindest of people, even at the best of times, but Relyks still came around to his place once in a while. Once you have known a few guys for 10+ years, sometimes you tend to ignore the little things that bother you, even if you have already fought over them before.

"Richard, I know that you are just a little bundle of joy, but if you don't stop talking and being an ass, I may just have to do something about it. I will make this simple, I am not in the mood for your shit right now, so sit down and shut up." Wanting to always annoy the ever easily irritated Relyks, Peter was about to cut in and start arguing himself. Once he saw that Relyks' eye changed from brown, to cyan, back to brown within his statement, he decided that something was indeed wrong and that Relyks truly was not in the mood for it.

"Ugh, do all of you have to be so uncouth and constantly curse all the time? It is unnecessary and downright barbaric." All eyes locked onto Rarity as she spoke. With a new target located, Peter decided to do what he loved most. Annoying others.

"Oh that is nothing, I have plenty of other words I could use. After all there is hell, damn, ass, c-" A swift slap made its way across the back of his head. The source seemed to be coming from Relyks as both Walter, and Richard stared at him. All eyes were on Relyks as an ethereal wisp of hair was pulled back after hitting the other man.

With strained features, Relyks said he was unable to answer questions, asked to be left alone, and walked out of the room. "Did I just get slapped by glowing hair? What the fu-" With a slam of the doors, Peter's remark was cut short.

"I don't think being around your friends is such a good idea. Plus with all this stress you are gaining, and the recent bombshell that you got from dear old Celestia" She stated the name with much hatred you don't seem to be doing too good. I suggest letting go. You will never have to worry about them upsetting you again. You won't have to worry about anything."

The thought of not having to worry about anything sounded appealing to Relyks, more than he would like to admit. He decided to wander the halls and grounds of the castle, hoping that a walk will do him well to get things back in order and maintain some semblance of control.

~**~

He didn't know how long he was walking. It felt like minutes to his stressed mind, but he figured it was probably close to an hour. His irritation still grating on him he continued to try and think things through.

"I can't believe those guys! Peter is such a jackass, thinking he is so damn funny all the time. His brother Craig is here for some unknown reason as well. I don't want to deal with that betraying jerk. Richard is just being himself, which isn't really a good thing since he is a jerk all the time, and Walter just wants to go back I am sure so he can play on his stupid computer. I swear that guy is so... selfish... wait. Peter thinks he is funny when he is laughing at someone, Craig is a disloyal waste of space, Richard is just an ass all the time, and Walter is selfish. Laughter, loyalty, kindness, and generosity... oh shit."

"Aw, caught on did you? Never you mind anyhow, it is too late to stop anything. All of you are here and they won't be able to send you home. Better get used to this, because you boy, are in it for the long run." With a dark laugh, Nightmare left him alone with that thought, with him having figured out why they were there, but unable to do anything about it.

~**~

During the time that Relyks was wandering the castle, Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and her friends continued to converse with the other humans. While concerned that he was wandering on his own, Luna knew what the nightmare was doing to the man. Instead of confronting him and making things worse, she instead had one of her guard tail him.

"No, seriously, was I just hit by floating hair or is it just me?" Peter, still confused as to what happened continued to ask the same question as before with the same success for an answer, none.

"Well, while your friend is once again out, I would like to ask a different question to all of you, especially to you Richard." Twilight, tired of just standing around while her and her friends just watched, couldn't handle it anymore. "You mentioned something about a "pretty little world he likes to watch", could you clarify on this?"

"Oh I would love to, as long as you stay over there purple-corn." Twilight, wasn't terribly pleased with the name, however she decided it wasn't worth it if watching the altercation between both Richard and Relyks told her anything.

"He watches a TV show called "My Little Pony". A gay show meant for little girls and not grown men. In this show I can only guess that all of you are in it. Relyks probably knows more of what is going on that he is letting on. I would talk to him for more answers. I would be careful though, some of those "Bronies" like to think about sex with you little creatures. He might be one of them too since he watches the show." It was a good thing that Relyks was not here during this part of the conversation as he may have tried to kill the man for the insult.

Celestia and Luna had already questioned the 5 humans in front of them before Relyks woke up. Despite their attempt and the attempt made by Twilight and her friends to once again ask questions, they spent the better part of the hour going over information they already knew and before long they decided to call it a night.

"It is getting late and my sister and I have other duties to attend to. You are all welcome to spend the night at the castle. Tomorrow we will figure out where to go from there." As Celestia said this she had some of the castle staff show the 5 humans to their rooms. Rainbow Dash and Applejack decided to turn in for the night as well while pinkie made her way to the kitchens. Fluttershy left to walk the castle gardens and Rarity followed her leaving just Celestia, Luna, and Twilight in the room. Once the princesses had finished changing the day to night they decided to brainstorm a little.

"I am still concerned about the reaction we received from Relyks. The others looked to be happy while he looked mortified. I remember what it was like to house the nightmare well. It is trying to worsen things for him, of this I am sure." Luna had a sour look as she said this, the memory being unpleasant, while Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. "He asked something earlier that was odd. We mentioned Discord to him and he knew who that was. The odd part of his question wasn't the fact of who it was about, but more that he asked when it happened. Why would that be important to him as he only just arrived?"

"I am as unsure about that as you are my dear pupil. Do you have any thoughts as to why Luna?"

"I do not sister, however we could as him directly. He is standing outside, I can feel the nightmare within him."

As she said this a knock was heard on the door to the room. With a quick reply of "Enter" from Celestia, Relyks walked in. Looking much calmer than before he approached the three beings in this world he knew could either help "save" him, or condemn them all. Hoping for the former of the two possibilities he stopped in front of them.

"I believe I have an idea as to what Nightmare Moon's plan is, or at least part of it."

"Please, enlighten us what that beast has planned human." Once again, Luna was more vicious in her response than intended.

"I believe that the others and myself are supposed to represent some sort of opposite to Twilight and her friends, some sort of Bearers of Disharmony."

All three of the ponies in the room looked at him like he grew a second head. His statement being outrageous, but also possible.

"Is there anything else you know of?"

"No, I wouldn't even know for a certainty if Nightmare didn't let slip a confirmation of this. It was just an idea to begin with. Celestia, there is something I would like to ask."

"What is it?"

"Do you know of a way to travel through time?"