"What do you mean the portals are destabilizing! How is that possible!?" I shout at Twilight.

She must have been expecting the reaction because she didn't even blink at my raised voice. Her answer was calm in comparison to the news she was delivering, "Just like it sounds. The magical stability between the worlds is always changing, but over the past couple months there have been reports of increasingly unusual fluctuations. Looking at the data, we have a matter of weeks before the link between Equis and Earth could be lost forever."

"Forever? Why couldn't we just reopen them?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around this turn of events.

Twilight seemed to grow frustrated, "Because we don't know how they opened in the first place! I've been studying the portals and the random appearance of humans ever since they started, and I've gotten nowhere! The only thing I do know is why the portals are destabilizing."

When Twilight stop I waited for a moment before saying, "And that would be???" I prompt for her to continue.

"Ugg. It's Earth! You must be well aware that your home dimension literally sucks magic out of everything that steps onto it. Well, that same property is eating away at the portals. It's honestly amazing it's taken this long for signs of this to appear. The worst part is that their isn't a foreseeable solution. Unless there is a way for Earth's magic consuming ability to be turned off, the rate of decay indicates that we have at best a month and at worst a week until the portals fail. When that happens, whichever side of the portal you are on... is where you stay."

"Wouldn't that be a death sentence to any Equisi on Earth? I though you guys couldn't survive more than a few months over there." Mizuki asked as she walked up beside me.

Twilight grew somber, "Yes, that's right. That's part of why I came here. I needed to meet with the Princesses and we need to make an announcement. Purge's armies only make it harder, because it's something we have to mention now."

"What are their targets? Also how did three armies just appear. Doesn't seem like something they could hide that easily." I stated, crossing my arms in annoyance.

Luna actually took over before Twilight could reply, "We assume that the numbers seen aren't all real. Two of these armies could be completely comprised of illusions, but we can't rely on the chances of that being true. One is marching from the Badlands like we thought, another appeared in the West near the Galloping Gouge and is marching towards Canterlot, and the last one appeared in the East and is approaching Manehattan. The Badlands army is likely where most if not all of their forces are not aided by illusions , the others we just don't know."

"They must have had the information that we do about the portals. There's no way this is random chance." I say to them. "What about Dodge City? That's in direct line of the army from the Badlands"

"Evacuation had begun when we received the report about the army's appearance. Though I still anticipate heavy losses given the close proximity of the city to the Badlands." Luna said morbidly.

Celestia spoke before I could ask my next question, "The most important thing to address currently is informing the populace. Any humans on Equis have a choice to make, and they will have little time to decide."

"...this is your choice to make. We've given you all the information we have, so you can make the most informed decision. Myself and the other royals of Equestria guarantee that whatever dimension you choose to remain in we will respect and aid you in your choice. For those who decide to stay here on Equis I have a special word for you. We will try our upmost to insure your safety by the criminals who wish you gone, that is my, and the other Princesses, wish for you. Though if you have any doubt I'd encourage you to greatly consider the possibility that you may never be able to return to the Earth." Celestia stated.

She, Luna, and Twilight stood in front of the thrones while addressing a camera that was broadcasting across the planet. I stood with an arm each around Vinyl and Octavia, holding them close as the royals made the announcement. The girls had given me a slightly worried look during the speech but I had just smiled and shook my head, I wasn't leaving. I'd already stopped considering Earth my home long ago and this change of circumstances wouldn't change my mind.

I looked around the room at the different reactions. Nocturne had joined us and was currently standing by Mizuki against the back wall, the latter looking somewhere between bored and annoyed. The elements looked somber, Pinkie's hair even loosing some of its poof. Then the servants and guards around the room had looks of resolution, especially the human members among them. I had a feeling that there were likely be some who would decide to return to Earth, but most of the humans still on Equis had already made the decision to stay. There might even be some on Earth that will decide to try and make it over here to Equis before the portals close, I'm not going to discount the possibility.

The light on the camera blinked off, signaling it was no longer transmitting. The room seemed to release a collective breath no one knew they were holding. Soon the activity that had been there previously returned as messengers came and went with new reports or orders. I left with Vinyl and Octavia and we went to the guest room they were told to stay in for the time they were staying in Canterlot.

When we got settled in the room I ended up sitting on a couch in the room with Vinyl and Octavia on either side of me. The twins were put in a crib that a servant had placed in the room before we had arrived. Those two just giggled away as they played together, oblivious to the trouble assaulting the world around them.

"And here I thought Purge was trying to destroy the portals, only to find out Earth was doing the job for them." I intoned as I put an arm around each mare by my side, causing them to lean into me.

Vinyl hummed softly at being close to me, "It's still kinda hard to believe it's happening. After so many years it started to feel like Earth was just always going to be there."

"Indeed. I'm just glad it isn't going to change anything for us." Octavia added as laced her hand with mine as she leaned closer.

"I'm not going anywhere. You two should know that by now." I said giving them a slight squeeze.

Vinyl turned and kissed my cheek before replying with, "We do. It's just nice to hear it out loud occasionally." She said with a smile, before it faded and she added, "You're going to have to fight again aren't you?"

I leaned my head back and let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah. No getting around that I'm afraid. This is probably going to be the deciding battle. According to the reports we have about a week to prepare until the armies reach they're destinations. Apparently the army west of us will intersect Cloudsdale's projected path meaning they're progress will likely stop as those in Cloudsdale prevent their advance. Which leaves the true army from the Badlands to attack Canterlot. They'll be done pillaging Dodge City by tonight and be on track to get here in no more than two weeks. Manehattan will be fine I think for the most part, they have General Blizzard after all. That mare isn't going to budge that easily. Especially if the armies are not entirely real."

Silence swept over us for a few moments, there wasn't really anything else to say. The next thing I heard was a cry come from the crib, so I got up and walked over to check on them. Crimson had seemed to have bopped Silver on her horn which from what I knew was painful to unicorns, especially to foals. I was about to pick her up when Vinyl walked over and beat me to it. She shushed her and bounced her in her arms to calm her down, kissing her horn like any mother would kiss their child's injury.

I just gave a shrug and decided to pick up Crimson and told him in a soft voice, "That wasn't nice son. You've got to be careful with your sisters. You're going to need to be protecting them when I'm not around." I chuckled, knowing he wouldn't understand me. Though when I looked into his silver eyes, they were looking at me intensely.

Next I addressed one who I knew could still hear me, "Bael, Korvin, you're going to be protecting him. You better not let me down with that. I'm counting on you" I said looking into my son's eyes, there was a brief flash of blue and red that crossed his eyes, letting me know they had heard me.

Satisfied I passed him over to Octavia who had been waiting to hold him. I noticed her belly was starting to show signs of her own pregnancy, causing me to smile at the though I'd soon enough have a third to deal with.

*A couple days later, Luna's study*

"Excuse me, you want my team to do WHAT!?" I shouted at Luna, leaning forward in the chair I was in for emphasis.

"I want you to go back to the Badlands and find Purge's headquarters. What part of that was unclear?" Luna replied calmly.

"And how do you suppose we'd even get there? Not like we can take a train again." I sat back irritably.

"The approaching army does poss a concern yes, but you already have a way back don't you?" She said with a smirk.

"The rune circle in the barracks... Ok yeah we could still get back that way, I only made it so that teleporting it results in instant death. Though I'm fairly certain that if we did go back we'd probably fall right into a trap."

"And you haven't already been thinking about a solution to that I'm sure." Luna's smirk did not falter for a moment.

I grumbled with annoyance, "Yeah I have. It'd just involve a couple thousand foot skydive, but beyond that everything would be fine."

"Only a couple thousand? You'll be fine. The pegasi in your squad will be able to handle the non fliers, and I'm sure you and your Lieutenant could survive a fall like that just fine." Luna said with a wave of her hand.

I ignore that last comment, "Why do you even want us to go back? If they're making their final move, why wouldn't they have destroyed their base to make sure something like you're planning doesn't matter?" I ask.

Luna's expression became more serious with her answer, "Because I've learn something in the many years, and subsequent wars, I've lived through. When an enemy makes a move like this they always leave their base weakened. That, and I don't think their leader is among the armies."

"What the hell do you mean by that? Why would they not be there?" I said, suddenly very curious.

"Because we scryed them and received no resistance in our efforts to do so. There was no sign to indicate that Purge's master is among the troops, or even the other vessel you mentioned." Luna explained.

The news surprised me for sure. If that was the case, they were probably waiting back at their HQ until the portals actually closed. Which could mean we have a unique opportunity to make a killing blow without nearly as much risk as before.

"You realize this is still a huge risk for my team if they have any sizable force still left at their HQ, right?"

Luna stood up before walking pass me to look out the window of her study. "Do you truly believe I willingly wanted to put one of my dearest friends on what could surmount to a suicide mission? Of course not." She said before turning to look at me, tears threatening to fall as she continued, "But there is not other option left for us. You and your team are made up of the best soldiers we have. If anyone has a chance of completing this mission and coming back alive, it is you. That is the only reason why I was ever able to convince myself to assign you this operation."

I stood and walked over to Luna, giving her a hug as she tried to choke back her tears. It didn't work for long as she soon broke down into waterworks as she collapsed her weight into my arms. I slowly eased us to the floor onto our knees as she cried into my shoulder.

"I don't want you to go! I'm scared that you won't come back, and it will be all my fault!" She sobbed.

I just gently stroked her ethereal mane as I tried to calm her down, "Shh, it'll be ok. I'm not going to be dying anytime soon. I'm sorry for questioning you. I should have known this wasn't an easy decision to make."

We just stayed there on the floor for a while, until Luna's tears finally dried up. She didn't even move when she was done, just laid there as she asked me another question.

"Do you Pinkie Promise you'll make it back?"

I chuckled, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." I said doing the motions through Luna as I was currently restricted by a bear hug. "There, does that satisfy you?"

I could feel her smiling on my shoulder, "Yes, and it makes me feel better too."

"You better keep that promise!" I thought I heard a distant voice say, probably my imagination.

I was released from the hug and stood back up, before helping Luna off the floor. "I'll start making the preparations. My team will still need a day or two before we are ready." I explain.

"I thought as much. Do what you must Major. I'm expecting great things out of you." She replied, stepping back into her formal tone.

"Of course, Princess." I said with a salute.

I held it for a moment, just before we both broke down in laughter.

*Day of the opt*

Mizuki tapped her foot impatiently as she stood over me while I modified the rune circle, "Ok let me get this straight. We're using the same portal to return to an outed outpost, and you're modifying the destination coordinates to be a couple thousand feet in the air. Oh and lets not forget that you're wanting me to power this thing again. Maybe you remember what it did last time, but I'm going to be pretty much tapped from getting all of us there and protecting myself from the fall. I'm not going to be in any shape to fight a vessel, and you're not exactly a match either."

The others were doing final checks on their gear as Mizuki and I argued. They knew how dangerous this mission was, I had given them the option to pass on it if they so chose, but not a single one had. The Thestral mare Silver Fang had put it like this, 'We were placed on this team because we wish to see these bastards put down permanently. We aren't going anywhere but with you, sir.' Which got a smile out of me at the time. I was just thankful I had a team this committed.

Back to Mizuki though, "Twilight was able to help us out there. According to her, she'd been trying to find a way to store raw magic in a container to help me since she found out about my magic." I say while pointing to my pack.

She walked over to it and opened it to find large silver tube the length of her arm, "How much is in here?" She asked me.

"Enough to recharge this battery I'm wearing about a dozen times." I say tapping the wolf head pin I had on my uniform. "This thing has roughly about half my current strength, so that container is about the magic power of six of me. Probably enough to get you back up to maybe half strength, if you're tapped out that is." I explain.

She seemed curious as she flipped it a couple times, before getting bored and placing it back in my pack. "To bad we don't have a dozen of those things. It'd make fighting a vessel a breeze."

"Haha, yeah it would. Sadly even making that container was incredibly hard according to Twilight. I had to help Luna when she wanted to make me this pin. The rune work in this thing is honestly baffling, and it still holds so little magic. So I wouldn't hold my breath on getting another tube like that one, it'd take months to prepare, and we don't have that kind of time." I say before finally standing up from the rune circle, "There, all done. All that's left is to do final checks and load up. We leave in ten." I said the last part addressing my team.

"Sir, yes sir!" I heard back, which made me smirk before I shook it off and went to check my own gear.

If anyone had been at the Purge outpost and had looked up into the sky at the right moment, they would have gotten quite the shock.

The magic circle was inscribed in midair and gave off a bright light, but only for a moment. When the dozen soldiers popped into existence, they dropped like rocks. Some quickly spread their wings and shot down to help their flightless fellows, all but two. Two large impacts created craters that would be hard to miss, but it wouldn't matter. Their was no one but the soldiers to see who they were.

In one crater when looking into it they saw a young girl, one would guess was still in her late teens, as two wings of wind unfurled with one sparkling with blue magic and the other green. This was their vice commander, and they were starting to understand truly why she was considered so.

The other crater, when they looked down into it, was coated with random spots of glass. Created by the discharge of lightning that came from a sphere in the center. As the sphere died out, I walked out of the crater while brushing some sand off my shoulder.

After looking around to check that everyone was accounted for, I nodded to Mizuki... the mission had begun.

"Right. Sensing around, this place is abandoned. That's good for us at least." I said as I slung my pack of my back.

I pulled out the tube from it and the pin from my uniform. There was a small depression in the tube that my pin fit in perfectly, it was how I was to recharge it should the need arise. With a quick flash of light I removed the pin from the tube and tossed it to Mizuki. As I placed the pin back on my uniform I watched a Mizuki covered her hand in aura, causing a talon shape to appear. She simply squeezed down until her talons breached the tube's silver surface, another flash happened as we watched what happened. With the lack of the substance it was meant hold, the tube just imploded on itself as Mizuki drained it dry of raw magic. It was just a ball of silver metal when Mizuki finally removed her talon and let it drop to the ground.

"Ahh, that's actually refreshing. To bad it's can only give me that little." Mizuki commented as she kicked to silver ball lightly.

"Be glad you got it in the first place. Now we got a base to find. If I'm lucky Waterstrike might not have died in vain." I replied as I pulled a scroll from my pack.

Nocturne walked up beside me and asked, "What's that for sir? You didn't mention having a plan to find the Purge HQ."

"Because I'm fairly certain it won't work Sergeant. They'd have to be incompetent not to check for what I'm about to check for." I said.

"And that would be?" Nocturne insisted.

"A tracking rune." Mizuki answered for me. "It's in all of our uniforms, as a failsafe if someone gets captured or in this case killed."

"And hopefully it should, do this." I say, making a small cut to my finger.

I let a drop of blood hit for each member of my team, even the two deceased. Once I did I muttered some of the ancient words under my breath, activating my spell. The small pool of blood shot out into fourteen lines that began to cover the page. After a short moment the lines stopped moving and I looked at the result.

The page was meaningless if someone didn't know what they were looking at. It tracked the location of each member of my team while they were in uniform. I looked at the area where we should have split up to scourer the Badlands. At seeing the results I chuckled, the vessel in Purge must not be great with runes because I found what I was looking for.

"It should be around here." I say, pointing to a spot on the scroll.

Nocturne looked at the page in confusion, "Ok, and how would we know if it didn't work?"

"These lines track all our movement when we are in uniform. Stupid for them, they didn't destroy Waterstrikes uniform, probably just buried her in it." I explain. "If they had destroyed it, the scroll would have just burst into flames. Thankfully for us they didn't. Which that means I can see where she was when in the Badlands. Any deviation from where we met up here, should means that Purge's HQ is around that area."

With a location set, we headed out to find the Purge base.

It took us around two and a half hours, mostly because we couldn't risk using magic, but we were finally closing in on our destination.

I sent Silver Fang and Nocturne to scout up the next dune and I saw them have to quickly duck down before sliding back down to us.

"Well we got good news and bad news." Silver Fang started.

"The good would be is that I think we found the base." Nocturne commented.

Silver gave him a hard look, "Yeah. Then there's the bad. I think you'll want to take a look for yourself Major."

I raised an eyebrow before nodding and making my own way up, crawling to make sure I wouldn't be seen when I got to the top. I peeked over and nearly had my jaw drop.

"Damn, that's big." I heard beside me. I looked quickly to see Mizuki had joined me.

The complex was massive. It wasn't tall, but it was spread out over almost a good half mile square. The only reason I could think this could stay hidden would be is magic, and probably some runes to prevent scrying. I did a pulse and cursed under my breath. There were several hundred still present, though it was seemed like most of them were concentrated in one part of the complex. There were between two or three dozen presences roaming the halls, seemingly aimless. Changelings likely, so that it didn't matter if routes were exact. The 'oh shit' part was that I felt two large sources of magic in different parts of the complex. One was likely the vessel we knew about, the other could be the changeling queen, or something else entirely; it wasn't in our favor.

After sliding back down I addressed my team, "Ok we have a few problems. It looks like the patrols are changelings, so if we're seen we'll be as good as dead. Also, there is a large mass of soldiers condensed into what are likely their barracks. So we need to find a way to prevent them from being able to act as reinforcements when we inevitably are discovered. Finally, we have two targets of interest somewhere within. One is likely the vessel, the other is an unknown. Do not engage if you find a human down there, or another being that you don't know. They are both to be considered instant death if you fight them. That being said when we enter, do me and yourselves a favor and try not to get killed."

There was a low chuckle that rippled through the group, more as a way to avoid thinking about the fact we were not likely to all be getting out of here. It only took a few minutes to do final checks before I got nods all around and we made our way up the dune.

We slid down the other side until we reached the front of the complex. Fanning out we searched for a discreet way to enter and before long we got a signal. Converging on Mizuki, we found a large entrance that appeared to be similar to a loading dock. There were a pair of changelings conversing inside from what I pulsed out, then I turn to Mizuki and asked.

"Would you're mind manipulation work on mindlinked creatures like changelings? It might be helpful in getting us inside."

"I don't know, but we shouldn't kill them. The sudden lose of a mind from the hive will be an instant alarm." She replied.

"Hmm, can you suggest that they move to another part of the complex, or maybe tell them to go to sleep?" Nocturne spoke up.

Mizuki and I looked at each other, she gave a shrug, so I said, "Try the sleeping option first. Something like that shouldn't alert them if it doesn't work."

I got a nod in reply as Mizuki crept forward, she had told me they would have to hear her voice for the manipulation to work. It was a risk, but at this point we don't have much of a choice. She sneaked up to them and I saw her mouth moving as she attempted the spell. Moments later one of the changelings let out a yawn and say to its companion 'Let's go take a break.' to which the other nodded, and they started to walk away. Before collapsing to the ground, already fast asleep.

With a few pulses I guided us through the passages, avoiding the patrols as best we could. From what I saw when I did, one of the targets didn't move in the time we had arrived. Possibly sleeping, but that didn't make that individual any less of a threat.

I was actually guiding us toward the large mass of souls, wanting to discover what it was, and possibly enact a plan to prevent reinforcements.

We arrived at the door with no problems. It almost seemed from what I could tell, was that the sentries were actively trying to avoid getting too close to this room. Upon entering we froze in sudden understanding of why that would be.

It was their prison room. Thousands of creatures, from pony to dragon, were cocooned in pods of yellow slime. From what I could tell, being used as bionic batteries to power... something. I gently placed a hand on a nearby pod and did a quick pulse, the result sickened me.

All of these creatures trapped here, were already dead. Their bodies being kept alive by the slime to maintain the flow of magic, just to be siphoned off and used for something I doubt they consented in. That only left one option for what to do.

I raised my hand as I charged it with energy before I was about to unleash a chain of lightning to send this place up in flames, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

I asked without needing to turn to see who stopped me, "Mizuki? I assume you have a good reason for doing that."

"Just think for a moment. What use is there in destroying them? Why not use them instead?" She replied while stepping pass me and laying a hand on the pod.

I watched as it glowed brightly for a moment, before dimming and eventually turning into a clear liquid. I looked a her with a raised eyebrow as I scanned her. The magic she gained wasn't large by any means, but it could be noticed.

"Seems slightly unethical if you ask me." I replied as we walked over to another pod.

"Seriously? More unethical than using half dead bodies as magic batteries?" She said with amusement in her voice.

"Hmm, you make a good point. Though they'll easily know that we're here if we start absorbing all the magic in this room. Not to mention I don't know if I even can take in that much any more, can you?"

"I'm already running fairly high, even taking the majority will be a challenge. I can't hold that much for too long." She replied.

I looked around and back at my team, who were looking at us like two crazy people talking nonsense. However, they knew enough to know that they shouldn't doubt us. I turned back to the pods and gave a small nod, more for myself than Mizuki or the others. "Well, I guess we're about to find out if I can or not."

Just as I stepped forward in preparation I turned to my team and told them, "Make sure that door stays shut. As soon as we start draining these in mass, they'll know we're here and be on us in moments. I have no clue how long it will take or what will happen, but do your best to hold that door for as long as you can. Understood?"

I got a determined 'Sir, yes Sir!' in reply as Mizuki stepped up beside me. We gave each other a small nod before putting our hands on the central mass of pods. Lucky for us the pods were all connected together so we could focus on absorbing the magic.

It's hard to describe what I felt happen next. It started as a slight tingling running up my arms, but quickly shifted into what felt like a torrent of wind. Though that wasn't all, I felt energy coursing through me like I never had experienced. The rush shifted into a feeling like I was being slammed by a massive wall of unending water, just before I heard Mizuki cry out in pain. I glanced over to see her hair being blown by a gale of invisible wind as her eyes glowed blue and green. I witnessed in shock as her hair shifted from it's normal raven black into a bright glowing blue, just a shade darker than the color of her blue eye. That was the last thing I remember before I found out why Mizuki had cried out. My body erupted into agony as a feeling of fire blazed across my skin. I let out a howl that sounded very inhuman, similar to how Mizuki's cries now sounded like the shrieking of a bird. I felt my hair lengthen as it also was whipped around by an invisible gale. I caught only a glimpse of it, only enough to notice it's change in color. It was now a striking silver color, much like the color of fur of when I had shifted into my wolf form.

The pain was excruciating as I endured, I noticed my reflection in the slightly reflective surface of the pod. Just enough to see my eyes were like Mizuki's, in that fact that they glowed with my colors of silver and blue. I heard yells as a loud banging filled the room, I could only assume it came from the enemy attempting to break into the room and stop us. Though they were a little late in that attempt.

The pain stopped. The blazing feeling across my skin faded and was replaced by an unexpected one. Cold... that's what it felt like. A chill that pierced me to my core, as I looked around. Mizuki was in a similar state as she gave off a shiver as she took a step away from the now colorless pods. The cold didn't seem like just a feeling as I noticed wisps of fog roll off my skin. Likely it was simply magic we couldn't fully contain burning off, which resulted in our freezing states, though it mattered little at this point. The room was now dark, as the slight glow from the hundreds of pods had been extinguished, leaving only two bright light sources remaining, myself and Mizuki. We gave off a silver and greenish light respectively as we turned and drew our weapons.

I kept my blades in their tonfa form and applied what I thought was a small charge to the blades. I was shocked when energy expanded from my blades to double the length of my weapons. Mizuki drew her dagger and as she shifted it into the spear form with a similar effect when she charged it with magic. The blade was sheathed in bright green magic with wind visibly whipped around it, the blade itself growing and changing to look more like a glaive than a spear. The other were backing off the door as the few unicorns on the team struggled to keep it closed long enough for us to get in position.

"This will end tonight, one way or another." I spoke in a dark layered voice. Honestly surprising me, but now wasn't the time to care about a slight shift in my vocal cords.

"Indeed. Though lets attempt to make sure it ends in our favor." Mizuki replied in her own altered voice, hers sounding like a shrill layered sound compared to mine.

I just chuckled as I finally heard the solid stone door crack, indicating we were about to have company. A small pulse revealed quite the shock as several dozen soldiers were outside the door. An expanded pulse revealing more flooding towards the complex from outside, easily what had been outside mine and Mizuki's range to detect before our power surge. Of the two large sources of magic we detected earlier, only one was making it's way towards us, though it seemed slow in doing so.

The door gave way with an explosion as a flood of changelings rushed the chamber. It became a literal war zone as spells started shooting from both sides. I sent out arcs of lightning with each strike of my blades, chaining to two or three changelings per strike. Explosions of blue sparks showered me as I tore through the horde, attempting to not overuse my temporary power. I felt blasts of wind rip pass me as more changelings we ripped to pieces and exploded into green sparks as Mizuki covered me. Any stragglers I couldn't intercept were quickly dealt with by my team.

The ground quickly became slick with yellow blood as it oozed from the corpses that my team killed. Suddenly as I was about to dispatch another batch of suicidal changelings, they froze, staring at me with their unblinking blank yellow eyes. Though only for a moment before they quickly began to flee. I panted slightly as I waited to see what happened next. Though I didn't have to wait long.

The sea of fleeing changelings broke to reveal a dragon stalking towards us. He was bipedal, like Spike from Ponyville, though he was easily seven or eight feet tall. And from what I could tell, he was definitely one of those power sources I felt earlier. His coloration was very similar to the changelings with his scales an oily black and his spines and horns a dark yellow. The most striking feature though were his glowing green eyes, which gave me a very worrying feeling. I heard a dark laugh ring out as I notice him reach across his body and draw two longswords from his sides, and has he did they were encased in green flames.

"You've just caused a great inconvenience to me and my lord. I expect you've made peace with that fact you all are as good as dead from this point on, correct?" The drake spoke in a rasp as he did a few little flourishes with his swords, causing the flames to lash out like whips.

"And who is this lord you speak of?" I called back as I set myself into a stance to be ready to fight. I didn't receive an answer...

The drake lunged at me with amazing speed, thankfully lightning is faster. I dodged easily to the left and slashed at his side. I didn't anticipate however that those green flames would leap from his blades and shield him from my blow. I barely had enough time to pull my guard up as the drake used is incredible strength to swing his blades and the resulting clash to send me flying back several meters. I shook my head to clear it as I looked up and had to dive roll to avoid being turn to cinders by his green flames. Thankfully I wasn't fighting alone.

Mizuki rushed him from behind and attempted to stab him, but again our attack was stopped by a shield of green flames. She jumped back and slashed the air, causing a blade of wind to be shot in the drake's direction. He simply brushed it off as though the attack was a mere inconvenience.

Damn, this bastard is strong. He can't be a vessel, but somehow he's matching our strength when we've been supercharged. How!? I thought to myself.

I didn't get time to think on it as I was forced to return to the fight as another wave of flames were shot in my direction. I rushed with a burst of speed and again attempted to strike pass his guard, but again the flames prevented me from landing a blow. I was getting frustrated at this point, we had no way of breaking his guard and my magic would burn out if I wasn't careful. Ending this soon was imperative.

A way to land a blow dawned on me, and seeing no other ideas appear I went for it. Striking again I attacked with both blades attacking high and low on his right side. The flames blocked like I expected and I released my weapons. With charged speed I swiveled on my feet to spin so I could strike his other side. Reinforcing my leg with energy I kicked with a spin hook kick to his ribs. He was able to react some and tried to block with his left sword, but it only softened the blow to not cause injury. I still managed to send him crashing into the side of the passageway, the first successful strike yet.

I grabbed my blades in time to block a blast of flames. The drake push himself out of the indention in the wall as he held one sword in my direction, the source of the blast. Mizuki took the opportunity to unleash a hail of wind blades at him which occupied his flames. Seeing that she had caught onto my strategy I used the opening she gave me. Without the flames to protect him I lunged to try and end this. The slightly greater distance sadly gave him more time to react and he was able to stop my blades, though that didn't stop me this time. Again I let go and this time jumped and flipped to bring down a spinning axe kick to his head. I knew because of the slower speed of the move I wouldn't be able to strike his head, but I anticipated this.

Attempting to dive to the side, the kick did miss the drake's head but instead came crashing down on his left shoulder. I heard the cracking of scales and bone as the kick landed. The drakes movement did throw off the kick some, which caused me to land awkwardly. The drake stared at me with fury in his eyes while his left arm hung limply by his side, the sword it was gripping somehow not falling to the floor.

Mizuki joined me as I picked myself up off the ground and grabbed my blades once again, the fight finally in our favor. Though we found out shortly, we weren't the only ones to think that.

The green flames intensified around the swords which not only surprised us and made us step back, but the wielder as well. We could hear him begin to beg...

"Please, no. I-I-I can still fight. I won't let them past me. Master DON'T!" We heard him shriek. Before the battle was decided for us.

We watched as the flames began to pull the blades from the drake's grasp, him struggling heavily to prevent it, but it was for not. The blades slipped from his grasp causing him to fall to the ground. The blades hung in the air, held aloft by the green flames. Then, with a small burst in size, the flames flipped the blades towards the ground and impaled the drake. A roar of agony erupted from his mouth as he breathed green flames around the cavern, struggling violently all the while. Suddenly his struggling stopped as he looked us dead in the eyes and mouthed 'help me'.

We had no such chance as flames burst from every orifice, and sadly for us dragons are fire resistant to a point. We watched as his eyes slowly melt into puddles of white and red, with his scales resembling tar as they melded together and bubbled off his body. Which left his bones, and even they dissolved to ash and disappeared as the flames finished their task. I heard the others walk up behind us, not a word spoken as we all watched the results of failure to this 'Master'.

After they had done their work the flames exited the body and created a shape in front of us. It only to a moment to see a vague humanoid form, reminding me of a wraith, and it raised its arm to point at me. It gave a ungodly screech that had all but Mizuki and I fall to their knees and attempt to stave off the sound by covering their ears. However, it only lasted a moment before the wraith dissipated into oblivion.

"It appears as if I've been summoned." I mused out loud as I stared at the puddle of black ooze.

"This just turned into a legit suicide mission didn't it?" I heard Nocturne say behind me.

Before I even got a chance to reply, Silver Fang beat me to it, "This has always been a suicide mission. The only people that were expected to really have a chance are probably the two blocks of walking, talking, raw magic leading this team. Disregarding the Major's speech earlier, chances of us normals getting out were never high."

I turned slightly to see the team all looking to me, as if to confirm, "Sugar-coating things at this point won't do anyone any good. Silver Fang's description of the situation is accurate. If we all continue on to fight what I am assuming is the vessel responsible for all of this, the likelihood of any of you dying is quite high." I spoke before turning back to face down the hallway. "Which is why I'm going to do this."

Mizuki I'm going to need just a little help. I projected my thoughts.

Mizuki and I raise our left and right hands respectively before we snapped our fingers. There was a flash of bright light, and when it faded we were left along in the passageway.

Within the Canterlot throne room. Third-Person POV

A bright flash filled the throne room for a brief instant. Luna and Celestia stood quick from their thrones, the guards around the room pointing their spears towards the center. Everyone relaxed visibly when the saw it was just the Shadows that had returned, everyone but Luna and Celestia that is.

Luna picked a member at random to point at and demanded, "You! Where are your commanding officers!?"

It so happened she had picked Nocturne, who looked around the room as if still in a daze, "He really just did that..."

Luna walked over to Nocturne so that he could not ignore her again and asked, "Soldier! I demand to know why your commanding officers are not present!"

Nocturne, startled by the forceful demand, stuttered out, "S-S-Still in the B-badlands I-I-I think. T-they didn't give was any warning or choice. We're just as surprised to be here as you are my Princess."

"Why did they send you back!? What happened!?" Luna could be seen to be visibly shaking as she awaited the answer.

"We had just seen a drake that was with Purge murdered by his master, or his magic would be more accurate. The Major said if we continued to fight we'd likely die. The next thing I know he snapped his fingers and there was a flash and suddenly we're here."

"That stupid man. He better not be thinking of throwing his life away." Luna said under her breath as she turned around and walked back to her throne.

She sat down and Celestia calmly did the same, with a glance of concern in Luna's direction, before Luna said to the Shadow Stalkers, "Start from the beginning. Leave no detail out."

Purge Base, Badlands. First-Person POV

The tips of my lengthened hair had started to turn back to its dark blond color, while Mizuki had already about six inches of her three foot long hair already turning back to black. Much like a timer when the color was gone, or even before then, we would lose being able to use our full power that we had access to.

"Better not waste any time." Mizuki said as she started walking.

I nodded, more to myself than her, as I followed and walked by her side.

It only took a few minutes, we encountered zero resistance, any changelings we saw fled from us on sight. Finally we were standing before a large, ornate, obsidian door. We knew what had to be behind it, from the energy we felt alone.

We were only waiting a few seconds before the doors swung inwards of their own accord and we entered the room.

The space honestly reminded me of a knockoff of the Canterlot throne room, just made of obsidian and stone instead of marble. Even where Celestia and Luna's thrones would be stood an obsidian throne that almost looked like it was made of bones if it wasn't for the material. Though it really could be bone with just an enchantment on it. The sadistic bastard grinning on top of it certainly seemed the type.

His hair was an unnatural red, shaven on one side like a punkass. His eyes were pitch black, like a demon almost. He wore a heavy metal band shirt with the sleeves torn off with some ragged jean. A far cry from the armor Mizuki and I wore. On either side of him was a large pit filled with more green flames which he had a hand lazily waving in, not that it harmed him in any way. He smiled gleefully as we walked further into the room.

"Glad you could finally make it here, Fury, Indifference. Well, former Fury as it is." He spoke in a layered voice, not unlike our own currently.

I looked at Mizuki with a deadpan stare and asked, "What is with other vessels calling us by our Umbran sides? There some sort of reason to ignore the Solest side?"

The man swung his feet off the side of the throne and bend over so his elbows rested on his knees while he leveled us with a stare, still with his creepy smile never fading.

"Oh I just don't have any respect for that side of you. Why address it when it's not the side that's important to me or my plans?" He explained.

I sighed as I thought to myself, We don't have time for this...

In a flash I lunged across the room to strike at this vessel. When I thought my blade would hit true I was restrained by tendrils of green flame that extended from the pits beside the throne. I stared at the man in anger as he kept that same smirk on his face.

"Tsk Tsk, you didn't even ask who I am. Such manners, or lack there of." He said before kicking the tip of my weapon.

I was shocked by the sheer force put in such a small action as I was barely able to keep my grip as the momentum flung me back to skid to a stop back beside Mizuki, almost like he planned exactly that.

"Your the vessel who orchestrated all of this, for what is the only part I don't know. Though I really could care less at this point. Though I do wonder, where'd you get changelings?" I fired back as I dropped back into a fighting stance.

"Oh those little things, they're old leader was so weak I decided to put them to better use. Though I must say that you are so very closed minded Major Duron. You'll never beat your enemy without knowing why they're your enemy in the first place. Though maybe someone could enlighten you." He chuckled while shifting his stare.

Mizuki gripped her glaive tighter as she took a step forward, "You're a face I never wished to see again... Hunger."

"So you do remember me. Oh that means just so much coming from you Mizuki."

"Keep my name out of your mouth. You're not the near-feral ass I met those years ago, you must of eaten something with some intelligence finally." She smirked.

"Hmm, something of the sort."

I sent my thoughts to Mizuki, Ate? Like Full Metal Alchemist style?

In a way, his other side Patience never really contested him much. Just gave him the ability to think through his kills. He's survived off his feeding longer than he should, he was maybe three hundred when Indifference and Hope last crossed his path, about four decades back that is.

So he's old... and more experienced. That's not a good combo.

Though before he was more of a rabid animal. Seems like he probably ate someone smart enough to bring him out of his feral state, or a few someones.

"Oh, are you having a mind chat? That's not very nice." He said with a wave of his hand.

In a rush, the flames lept from their pits and blasted where we were, our enhanced speed being our savior. I lashed out with a few bolts of lightning but they were deflected by the flames each time. Mizuki rushed in but was batted to the side by a tendril of fire.

With a quick glance I noticed Mizuki's hair was about halfway back to her normal hair color, and knew that mine was likely similar. If we didn't find a way to beat this guy soon... well, it meant nothing good for us that's for sure.

To an onlooker it was probably a terrifying spectacle. Three super powerful, magic fueled humans clashing with massive bursts of magic. Lightning and hurricane winds carving out chunks of rock and obsidian while a mass of green fire whirled around a madman just laughing in the middle of this all.

We were expending power rapidly, and Hunger definitely noticed it. The tide quickly switched from him being barraged by us, to us having to dance around the room to avoid his flames.

Though as we fought a chunk of stone broke loose from the ceiling and was going to crash onto me. So I had the idea to launch it at Hunger, and for the first time, he was forced to dodge.

Mizuki noticed as well and began picking up chunks of rock in her wind and launching them like bullets.

The tide shifted back in our favor, and I even noticed his clothing become more shredded because of this, but strangely enough still not a scratch. Sadly rubble was a limited resource, and both sides knew this.

Suddenly the smile dropped from Hunger's face and he stopped dodging, his fires vaporizing any more rubble we shot.

"This has gotten boring. I think it's time to stop playing around." He calmly spoke before raising a hand.

The hair on my neck rising was the only warning I got. I dodged to the side just as a beam that resembled thermite blasted the spot I was before. The hole that resulted when so deep I could not see the bottom. I looked back in time to see his hand pointed at Mizuki.

I knew my speed would not be enough to move her so I did the only thing I could. With as little energy as I could that would get her out of the way I shot a bolt of lightning at her.

She barely noticed as she used her spear to brunt the blow which she used to kick back as another thermite beam ripped through the room. However the launch caused her to slam into the wall she was close to, hard.

Hunger tisked as he readjusted to the spot Mizuki was crumpled against the wall, struggling to get up. I wouldn't be able to help her dodge again.

"ENOUGH!" I roared as I threw one of my blades at Hunger.

With as much energy as my legs could handle I launched myself to the side and landed on the wall. Hunger used his spare hand to blast my blade I had thrown, the power of the blast mangling my weapon. I used the sacrifice to strike. I lept with all I could as I rocketed towards Hunger, or more precisely just behind him.

I crossed my arms across my body and used one hand to shoot a blast to stop my momentum. It was almost like I had teleported behind him in the time it took for this to happen. He looked surprised as I used another blast to cause me to spin as I used the momentum to strike as hard as I could with my remaining blade.

This spin gave him enough time to move but all he could do is pull his flame shield up as I slammed down on it with all the force I had. The magical energies clashing caused a shockwave explosion that rattled the room so strongly that more rubble started to rain down from the ceiling. If it kept up, we'd likely end up with all three of us buried alive.

"You should really realize that you can't beat me with your charge gone. Your end is inevitable." Hunger spoke calmly as he stared at me.

"You just made a huge mistake." I smirk at him.

He just chuckled, "And that would be?"

"You just challenged Murphy." I reply.

His smile dropped, "What?"

Suddenly his shield gave as he was slammed in the back with a large chunk of rubble. He barely deflected my blade and kicked me back across the room where Mizuki caught me. I spit the bit of blood in my mouth that had accumulated.

"Thanks for that." I say to Mizuki.

"For catching you or landing the first solid blow on this bastard?" She cheekily replies.

I give her a 'really?' look before looking back at our opponent, who was angry for the first time.

"Don't you get it yet!?" He screamed at us. "You can't beat me! You are only prolonging the inevitable, which for you is not in your favor."

I noticed Mizuki's roots were the only part with unnatural color left, meaning we only had moments until we were going to be without any way to continue to dodge.

That is until I saw Hunger raise his hands up and a ball thermite grew from it. Like a quickly growing spirit bomb of fire, one that we were not going to be able to dodge.

No... I paled as I saw it quickly become so large that it filled the room, the diameter easily ten meters wide.

The world slowed as I charged up all I could, hoping a final rush could do something at the very least.

However just as everything froze to a stand still, two wolves appeared before me. One of white energy, the other of black shadows.

"Bael, Korvin. How?"

"Well, not the real ones. More of a last impression we left for you." They completed each others thoughts.

"Any life saving advice then? Could use it about now." I replied

"No, no advice. Though how does revealing a little secret sound?"

"Sound like it's the best I'm going to get." I say, annoyed. Knowing I'm burning the last of my power having this chat.

"There was a reason we chose humans as the race to act as vessels. You weren't just our cells in a sense."

"Isn't that because of our characteristic that we could mentally fend you off from taking control?"

"Lord, no boy! HAHAHA, you overestimate your mental abilities. No, it was because our being in a weakened state you were stronger than us. You were our warden boy. Truthfully we could have broke your mind long ago. Though we were divided on what we wanted orginially. Then we began to respect you. Think of it as we were releasing your limiter. You were always using your own strength. So do with that knowledge what you will."

With that a third wolf appeared before me, this one looked down on me slightly as his size was much larger, a dire wolf in size. He resembled my old wolf form, though much larger. The greatest change besides size being the crackles of black lightning that discharged sporadically around his paws. He mirrored me as I tilted my head and smirked.

I looked down to see those same crackles of black lightning around my wrists and ankles, heh.

When I looked up Bael and Korvin were gone. The only one remaining being the dire wolf, or as I should say, my reflection as a dire wolf. I clinched my fist as I steeled myself, this was going to be one hell of a gamble.

I dashed forward, through the wolf. The image dissolving like smoke as I lunged. The smoke enveloped me and I felt it change me as my energy dropped to nothing.

Zair

With that singular word said in my mind, I felt my whole body explode with energy. The power flooded out of me almost uncontrollably. Though the lightning around my wrists and ankles seemed to act as chains to my energy and prevented it from escaping. The overflow feeling faded as my transformation completed. I was again in my wolf form.

The world returned to normal speed as Hunger stared with mouth agape at the silver dire wolf that now stood in his way.

"H-how? The magic needed for a transformation like that should be impossible for a vessel to sustain without their charge!" Hunger roared.

I just gave a full fanged smile as I prepared to pounce.

"DIE!!!" Hunger roared sending his solar bomb at me.

Shit! I gathered energy in my maw and howled. A blast of black lightning shot out and slowed the sphere just slightly, but I couldn't stop it.

Well I should have seen this coming. I lament, before I felt a hand on my side and a gale suddenly rips through the room.

Mizuki had joined me is a tornado spouting from her spear further slowing the bomb. She then added both hands and channeled her full power into the gale.

It became a stalemate as we pour energy into stopping our doom, though I knew Mizuki could only last a little more as her power was quickly draining, and even I could only hold this form for so long. So I did what I could.

I channeled a bit of power away which caused us to start loosing the stalemate as the bomb inched closer, and called for my remaining blade. It answered as it flew to me, and passed by as I aimed it towards the floor beneath the bomb. It ricocheted up into the bomb and the energy was released.

A giant pillar of flame tore through the thrown room. Though it subsided quickly and we could see the devastation that it left.

There was a hole straight through all three stories of magically strengthened obsidian, allowing us to see the moon hanging in the night sky. While the hole below ran so deep I saw waterfalls of magma falling further down into a lake of lava roughly about a thousand feet below us.

"Well, that trick is only working once." Mizuki commented.

"Indeed. So this time it will be your end!" Hunger shouted as the dust cleared. His appearance looking even more insane that before.

He brought his hands up for another bomb, but this time I wasn't going to allow it.

With a leap I shot across the room in an instant. His flames lept up to block me but my chains of lightning moved for me and held the flames back, giving me a straight shot.

Hunger saw this and was forced to drop his hands, causing the bomb to fade. However my claw was intercepted when Hunger drew an obsidian claymore from thin air. He shoved me back which cause me to fly back on the other side of the hole near Mizuki.

I reacted quickly and lept to the side of the hall to use the wall like a springboard and lunged forward again. He swung widely and caused a wave of flame to shoot from the tip of his blade. I dodged it just barely but it prevented me from landing a solid blow. Again I was pushed back, and so the pattern continued.

Mizuki joined in with shooting rubble at Hunger and he was quickly put on the defensive. After a bit more time all combatants paused as we were all left panting, Mizuki and I again across the pit from Hunger.

"This won't go anywhere. We're too even." Mizuki spits out through clinched teeth.

I nodded as I tried to figure out what to do.

However fate had other plans. A subconscious flick of my ear was all the warning I got.

A quake shook my whole being in just moments. I saw Mizuki and Hunger were barely standing upright themselves, as it felt reality itself was trying to shake apart.

"Ha, HAHA, HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Hunger laughed as he fell to his knees. " Finally! It finally happened! The portals are gone!"

I blanched at his words. I knew it was going to be unpredictable when they fell, but I never imagined anything like this.

I growled as I tried to move, but only ended up collapsing. These tremors felt like they were pulling the magic right out of me, and I could tell Mizuki wasn't fairing any better.

It felt like forever, but was likely only a minute at most, as we all were forced to just let this happen. I was so weak as I pushed myself up, holding his form was taxing and I was almost out of any will to continue.

Hunger looked at us with his black eyes as he propped himself up with his blade. "I think we're done here. I don't think anything will be decided at this rate anyhow. So with that adi-agggh!" Hunger screamed in pain.

Mizuki had used has much magic as she could muster to rocket a small pebble towards Hunger's face, which caught him square in his right eye.

He looked up at us in fury. Though what we saw was shocking enough.

His skin had cracked like porcelain and started to fall away from his right eye. Underneath was pitch black chitin, just like a changeling. His black eyes, green flames, and changeling minions, all started to make a lot more sense.

"Well that explains a lot." Mizuki continued to voice exactly what I was thinking.

With a snarl Hunger stood taller and allowed the rest of his guise fall away. In a flash of green flame Hunger stood before us completely changed.

His red hair was now matched with a sickly yellow mane on what used to be the shaven side of his head. His 'skin' was gone, replaced now by shiny black chitin. He looked much like the other changelings, though taller, except for one key difference... He still looked human in form.

He still had a horn and wings, but it looked strange on a human form. Along with the other difference from other changeling, his form lacked the holes his minions possessed.

He dusted himself off slightly before finally addressing us. "Are you proud of yourselves? You landed a blow, congratulations."

"Care to explain why you look like that?" Mizuki asked for me.

"Actually, yes I do. You've destroyed my home and ruined most of my plans, and you don't even have the courtesy to die when I want you to. So I feel leaving you with some questions is the least I can do. Though I do believe I'll leave you with a parting gift." He said before throwing his sword straight at Mizuki's chest, before disappearing in a flash of green flame.

I had no energy left to move, as I turned to see the blade as it seemed to move in slow motion towards Mizuki's heart. With the bit of my strength I let out a sonic bark to try and push Mizuki away.

I felt exhaustion flood me, which was the final straw for my current form. With a clap of thunder and a flash of light I was forced to revert to my human form, which I then fell to the ground barely able to move. The sound and light obscuring what happened to Mizuki

"M-m-mizuki!" I squeak out. Struggling to turn my head in her direction.

I cried as I finally turned my head. Mizuki was lying on the cold stone unconscious, with the claymore just next to her... or as I should say, between her and her left arm.

Blood flowed freely with nothing to stop it. I couldn't do anything but watch and cry as my friend was bleeding out in front of me.

However fate seemed to have a funny way of surprising me.

In a giant flash of multicolored light, a thunderous pop split the air. I blinked away the flash to see people I never expected.

All four Princesses, along with the elements, several powerful unicorns, and my whole team with a dozen other solar and lunar guards appeared in the entrance of the throne room. I see them all looking around wildly taking in their new surroundings.

It was Luna who first acted as she saw us.

"Oh please no, ANDREW, MIZUKI!" I heard her cry as she shot over to us with one flap of her wings.

"Help her." I croaked out, as Luna looked me over. Though she quickly recognized I was the better off of us.

"Medic!" She cried as the others rushed over.

Fluttershy and a couple guards came closest as attempted to help. Luna tried to use her magic, but the field kept sparking violently as it came in contact with the wound to stanch the bleeding.

Fluttershy applied pressure with multiple layers of gauze, but they were quickly soaked. "This won't be enough. We need magic to close the wound." She spoke firmly in her soft voice.

"There is some interference. Magic won't work on the wound." Luna replied, tears threatening to fall as she looked at me. "I-i'm sorry."

Celestia looked grave as she knelt down beside Fluttershy, "There seems to be only one option in that case." She spoke calmly.

A orb appeared in her hand, burning bright like her solar charge... and with just as much heat.

I saw the others blanch, besides Luna, as Celestia waved Fluttershy's hands away. I would have cringed if I could as I watched what happened next.

Celestia carefully brought the orb close before quickly using one hand to hold Mizuki's shoulder down as she pushed the burning orb onto the wound.

Mizuki's eyes flew open as she thrashed and screamed in pain. Gales of wind tore the air with as she uncontrollably acted on reflex. Luna quickly lept forward to help restrain her, along a few others, as Celestia cauterized the wound.

"What kind of hellish magic was used on her!?" Celestia grunted through clenched teeth as she tried to burn the wound shut.

Finally Mizuki went still again, passed out from the pain. With Celestia and the others letting go soon after.

"Finally. The wound just kept healing the burns. I had to put much more magic than I planned before it finally seemed to work." Celestia commented before her legs buckled and she collapsed. Thankfully Ryan was among the group, and was close enough to catch her.

"Thank you." I breathed as my tears started to flow again.

I felt myself get held up and pulled into an embrace by none other than Luna.

"You are a stupid fool, a reckless bastard, and an asshole for making me worry so much." She sobbed as she squeezed me, almost to the point I couldn't breath.

"Dont... tell... Vi and Tavi." I wheeze.

"Oh no, they are definitely getting told." She replied with a smile, that was filled with as much relief as it was with rage. I was very conflicted on how to feel about it.

I saw Nocturne walk up to me with a frown, "If this is what I would've gotten for staying, I'm a bit mad you sent us away."

"If I hadn't you'd probably look like the ceiling right now." I replied before I had a slight coughing spell.

Nocturne looked up and cringed, "Ok. Yeah, all feelings of jealousy gone now."

I chuckled lightly as I glanced at Mizuki, who had Fluttershy looking after her with the help of a couple medic ponies, "She's not going to be happy whenever she finally wakes up."

Celestia replies, "No. No I don't think she will. Though I am glad to say I do think she will wake up."

"And for that I'm forever grateful. She will probably be too. Well, either that or indifferent. Those aspects can influence our personalities pretty strongly." I comment. "Hey, what about the armies from Purge?"

"It was very strange. The one closest to Canterlot was finally within sight when the portals collapsed. It just vanished. Apparently it was almost completely made of illusions like we thought." Luna states.

"And the one from the Badlands?" I prompted.

"Interestingly enough, similar story. Except we received a report stating that the army disappeared before the portals collapsed. About a couple hours ago actually." Celestia answers.

"Hmm, sound like it must have been constructed near entirely of golems. I'm pretty sure Mizuki and I stole their power source, which I'm sure my team told you about, at least in some capacity."

At this point Twilight walked up to me, Luna helps me to my feet though I still have to lean on her for support. "I'm not sure how it felt out here, but the portals collapsed." Her face solemn about the news.

"Like the worst earthquake that I could possibly imagine, then crank that to eleven. Oh, and add to it magic draining effects that made me feel like I was going to pass out. That, that's how it felt." I tell her.

"Yeah, that sounds about right." She said, "I'm sorry you can't go home, Andrew."

I shook my head, "I stopped considering that place home a long time ago. Now Earth is just... where I came from."

I look between the princesses, Cadence looking over Mizuki with Fluttershy, and ask, "How the hell did you guys get here? Long range teleportation by just harmony magic would've drained you guys dry normally."

Luna just points up at the sky. I look to see the moon still shining directly overhead. "Not something that I use often, mostly because it is very taxing, but I used the moonlight to try a scry spell on you. Then when we finally got an exact location, Twilight arranged a spell using the elements and our Alicorn magic to fuel the spell to get us here, without being 'drained dry' as you put it." Luna explained.

"I'm glad you came when you did. Any earlier or later would have been very bad." I tell her.

"Be that as it may; we're here now, and we are going home, together." Luna replies... I just smile.

Author's Note

Well... I did it. It's complete...ish.

Ok, I still have an epilogue to do but that shouldn't take nearly as long to write. Considering I've had it in mind for around two years. So yeah hopefully that will be out it a timely manner.

That being the case, when it does come out Wolf Loves the Winter hiatus tag will be lifted. Though with how long it's been there might be some rewrites of chapters coming before any majorly new content.

Also new story will be in the works! The sequel to this story, and the prequel to Wolf Loves the Winter. A story that I can do at the same time as WLTW!

Thanks for sticking with me this long my awesome readers.

Stay awesome everyone, Lyruil out.