After spending about 10 minutes traversing a near endless maze of the garden and avoiding patrolling guards, I finally reached the Canterlot Royal Castle. “Finally.” I sighed. “For a moment there, I thought I’d never get out of that garden.”

Taking a step forward I felt I had stepped in something wet. Looking down, I see I stepped on a puddle on some brown liquid. I took a knee and dipped two fingers in the puddle. With the liquid dripping from my hand, I took a quick sniff and licked a little of the fluid. “Chocolate milk?”

Then a memory from my world had clicked in. So I look up to the sky and see one of the strangest things I ever seen. A pink cotton candy cloud raining down chocolate milk. “Looks like Discord didn’t waste any time to do his thing. Still, I don’t know how long I have so I should treat every second like it counts.”

Turning to face the castle again, I cross my arm and began to think of the situation. “Knowing the princesses, there’s no way they would just toss my book in a hole and bury it. Not when some idiot can just accidentally stubble upon it.” I thought. ”No, they, or at least Celestia if I remember the sequence of events from the show correctly, would keep it close. Someplace where they can have it checked daily to see if it was missing.” I look up at the castle with an intense stare. “Knowing Celestia is a pony of wisdom, no doubt this castle will have a library. And that’s where I’m heading.”

I then begin to survey the exterior of the castle to see anyway in. “When trying to sneak into anyplace never use the front door. The backdoor is so cliché and obvious too so that’s out. My only choice then is to go through a window.” The only problem with that however was the fact that none of the windows were ground level. All the ones I can see were a little high up and I couldn’t find any ledges to climb on. I look down at my right hand remembering a spell from the game. “Using a simple bronze level roar spell was enough to nearly completely exhaust me. It’ll probably be a while before I can fully recover my power and until then I’m going to have to use my magic conservatively. I just hope I don’t run into too much trouble.”

I walk front to the wall and position myself just underneath the side of a balcony. I gathered a bit of magic in my hand before slamming it down on the ground. Immediately the patch of ground I stood on started to rise up several feet as I was performing the Primordial Bedrock spell. Using the momentum of the rising pillar, I jumped up to grab the edge of the balcony and hopped over the railings.

But after that, I collapsed to my knees as I felt myself being drained again. I took a few moments to regain myself with heavy breaths. Once a minute or so passed, I was able to stand at full height. “Okay so I need to be more conservative than that.” I thought.

Opening the glass door of the balcony I entered what appeared to be a guest room. “I wonder if they’ve discovered tempur-pedic mattresses yet.” I whispered but then shake my head. “Come on man, focus. I need to find that library.”

I walked up to the front door and placed my ear against it trying to hear if anybody was on the other side. Satisfied to hear nothing, I carefully and slowly crack the door open to get a visual. Seeing nothing, I fully open the door, walk through and close the door behind. Best not let any passing guards know an intruder is about. Now in a marble hallway, I look left and right and see nothing but endless hallway. “Now which way do I go?”

“Enough stalling Discord!”

I flinch as I suddenly hear a new but familiar voice.

“What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?!”

“Princess Celestia?” I thought while I followed the sound to another door in the hallway. I quietly cracked the door open and peeked inside. “Well look who it is.”

The other side of the door was another hallway but this one had several stained glass windows. Each one with different pictures that represented a significant moment in Equestrian history. But what truly caught my attention were the 8 beings that were in it right now. Discord, Celestia and most importantly, the mane six. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

“Oh so boring, Celestia. Really?” Discord stated. “Fine, I’ll tell you, but I’ll only tell you my way.”

The draconequus then began to move from window to window. “To retrieve your missing Elements, just make sense of this change of events. Twists and turns are my master plan. Then find the Elements back where you began.” Discord then vanished leaving behind an echo of his last few words and a laugh.

“What do your reckon he meant?” The orange blonde pony named Applejack questioned. “Twists and turns and ending back where we started?”

The lavender unicorn named Twilight went deep into thought. “Twists and turns. Twists and turns.” She stopped in front of a window that revealed a maze made of hedges. “Twists and turns! That’s it! I bet Discord hid the Elements in the palace labyrinth.”

I closed my eyes and shook my head back and forth in disappointment.

“Good luck my little ponies.” Princess Celestia said. “The fate of Equestria is in your hooves.”

“Thanks, Princess.” Twilight replied. “We won’t let you down.”

With that, Twilight and her friends went off to find and reclaim the Elements of Harmony.

Too bad that they were going in the wrong direction.

Now that the moment was over, I closed the door and shook my head again. “Idiots.” I thought. “Still though, that’s clever. Giving a riddle where a majority of it is pointless. It’s only the last verse that truly gave the answer.” A slight grin then came upon my face. “Still I know Twilight will figure it out in the end.”

Getting away from the door, I begin my trek down the hall. “Just hopefully not before I find my book. Now, where’s that library?”

“OH MY GOD WHERE THE FUCK AM I?!!!”

At this point, I didn’t care if someone heard me. In fact, I wished someone would come just so I can get some directions! How anyone can make it through this maze is beyond me. This must be what it feels like to be Zoro from One Piece and that guy had a terrible sense of direction. I’m just glad I found the kitchen along the way because otherwise I would be starving right now.

After walking through endless hallways for God knows how long, I’ve noticed one distinct thing: a surprising lack of guards. When I started my search there were plenty of guards. All of which I avoided by keeping to the shadows, but as time went on the number of guards steadily decreased to the point of there being none. If I had to guess they were given new orders to help the citizens outside. Since from what I can tell through the windows it’s pretty much chaos city out there. Pink skies, stripe and checker patterned ground, floating buildings. Yep, this is definitely the highlight of Discord’s day. But that also meant I didn’t have a lot of time left.

“I have to hurry.” I said as I began to jog.

After a few minutes, I came across another turn in the hallway. As usual I placed my back against the wall and take a peek around the corner. To my delight, I find a lone pegasus guard standing on the left side of the hall facing to the right. However, unlike the other guards I’ve seen, this one seemed a bit nervous and a little younger than the others. This must have been a new recruit and due to inexperience was probably ordered to stay behind and guard the castle. And I immediately thought of how to use this to my advantage. Hopefully the poor kid won’t get too traumatized.

I look around to find something I can use as a distraction. That’s when I find an expensive looking vase on a pedestal. “That’ll do.” Grabbing the vase, I went back to the corner to check on the guard. He had still yet to move. Holding the vase in my left hand, I use a bit of magic to summon an Axe Edge into my right hand. “Sorry about this kid but I need some directions.”

Pulling my arm back, I gave the vase a good toss over the guards head and it broke upon impact on the ground a couple yards from the guard. The pegasus immediately turns his head to see the shattered vase thus opening a good blind spot for me. Which is all I needed. With the Axe Edge in hand, I ran up behind the guard as he was distracted. Once I was close enough I wrapped my left hand over his mouth and press my blade up against his throat while lifting him up. Immediately the guard began to struggle, flailing his hooves around and flapping his wings rapidly in a panic. But I had a firm hold on him, he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Unless you want me to repaint the floor in your own blood I suggest you calm down.” I whispered in his ear in a dark tone. I don’t like making threats, especially to someone who hasn’t done anything wrong. But like I said before, I’m on the clock and at this point I can barely afford subtlety.

After hearing my threat, the guard seemed to have calm down a bit but he was still scared. Hell I can feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest as if it was about to explode.

“Now I’m going to remove my hand. And when I do, do NOT scream. If you do well…” I press my blade a little further making a small cut with a small trickle of blood coming down his fur.”…you know what to expect. Do I make myself clear?”

With his eyes becoming pinpricks and sweat coming down his muzzle, the guard nodded in compliance. “Oh god, If I wasn’t going to Hell before I definitely am now.”

I slowly moved my hand away from his mouth and moved my arm around his torso. “Now what you are going to do is this: you’re going to guide me to this castle’s library. And no I don’t want you to simply tell me the directions, in fact I don’t want you to say anything at all. What I want is for you to guide me there by pointing your hooves. But if you lie and point me in the wrong direction even once, trust me I can tell, well that’ll be the end of your story. Got it?” On the inside I prayed to God this guy would fall for my bluff.

The scared guard nodded again saying yes.

“Good. Now then, point the way.”

Later…

After about half an hour, the pegasus in my arms finally managed to lead me to the royal castle library.

“Thank you.” I dismiss the Axe Edge as it disappears in a yellow light. I then place my hand on top of his head. “Your services are no longer required.” Next I charge a bit of volt magic in my hand and sent it through the guard’s head. Not enough to fry his brain or cause any kind of permanent damage but enough to knock him out. His eyes widen for a moment before closing and slumping front as he slipped in unconsciousness. “And I am sorry.”

With the knocked out pegasus still in my arms, I went over to a nearby supply closet used by the servants and gently stuff him in before closing the door.

I headed over back to the entrance of the library and began to slowly crack it open. Taking a peak through the small opening I see that no one was nearby. With no one around, I decided to get my whole body through the threshold before shutting it behind me.

Now inside, I trek forward while also listening carefully to my surroundings. Last thing I need is for someone to see and report me to the princesses. After about a minute of walking, I made it to a more open area of the library.

Once I got there I got a good look at my surroundings and I have to say…. THIS LIBRARY IS HUGE! It was only a few floors but I can still see nearly endless rows of books on each of them. If I had to guess, I’d say this place has a copy of every book ever published in Equestria. Putting my hands on my hips, I gave a whistle which echoed through the unintentional echo chamber. “Damn Celestia, you don’t pull any punches do you?”

However, my moment of admiration was cut short when I realized one thing: my book is somewhere in this mess. I begin to frantically look in random directions for any indication of where my book Librom could be.

“Damn it!” I thought. “Any minute now, Discord will be defeated by Twilight and her friends. And when that happens, everything will be restored back normal which means that the royal guard will return which will make my escape even harder. All it will take is for one of them to spot me and report to the Princesses, and that is a confrontation I’d rather avoid.” Sweat begins to form around my forehead as I ran past row after row of book shelves for any hints to help me.

“If I don’t find my book soon I am so f-“ I immediately came to a stop when I saw a sign that would probably be a good place to start. “Huh, just like Harry Potter. A restricted section.” Hell there was even thin chains hanging from the ceilings that came together for a metal curtain. “If I had to guess, this is where the Princesses would keep things like forbidden knowledge and spells. Even someone as good hearted as Celestia has her dark secrets.”

Without wasting time, I crossed through the curtain and entered the restricted section. The first thing I noticed was how these books weren’t as brightly colored as the other ones that were in plain sight. I mean there were some but they were also had a bit more complex design to them. I imagine the others were more for dark magic, dangerous artifacts or something. I also noticed that there was also a little bit of dust. Guess the princesses don’t want to take any chances with curious janitors or a thief coming in disguise as a janitor.

However the case, I was only focused on finding a book that looked like it was made of skin. Knowing time was short, I decided to go for a gamble and say that for a book as dangerous as Librom, Celestia would most likely put it in the back. With that in mind I quicken my pace and jogged for the furthest area in the restricted section.

After a minute or so, I reached a round room in the back of the section. All around the wall were pedestals holding various books and scrolls. But one in particular caught my eye. A cuboid shaped object wrapped in an old cloth. “Now why does this look familiar?” I sarcastically asked myself.

I walk up to the pedestal and was about to reach for the item but stopped when a thought occurred to me. “Wait….this is too easy. There’s no way Celestia would just leave all these dangerous things here for anyone to take without some kind of security.” That’s when I look down at the ground and noticed something. “Unless…” I kneel down to get a closely look. You can barely make it out but if you’re really paying attention you can make out some kind of outline of something around the foot of the pedestal. “I wonder…” I close my eyes and activate my Mind’s Eye.

My Mind’s Eye being a nifty little ability that allows me to see what most can’t or as the game says ‘allows perception of the usually invisible’. In the game, it allows you to see the health of your enemies and allies, see weak points or cursed parts, points of interest and items. But in real life, those limitations are somewhat expanded. Like being able to see things that have magic in it.

And right now I see glowing magical writings scribbled on the floor around the pedestal. Looking left and right, I can also see the same thing around the other pedestals. Turning my head back to the circle in front of me, I examine the writing of the enchantment. “Clever. Real clever Celestia. Setting up an invisible magic security system that triggers if anything or anyone crosses it. And when activated, sends a signal back to the one that casted it to let them know someone tripped the alarm.”

A smirk comes across my face as I raise my hand near the inscription. “But it won’t be enough.” The red Z on the palm of my hand begins to glow as the writing made itself visible with a yellow glow. Then the magic of the inscription started to flow into my hand as it was being absorbed. After a few seconds, the magic was completely taken and the writing on the floor disappears.

Now allow me to emphasize on something here. I can only absorb magic to a degree. Small things like an alarm are easy enough. Bigger things however put a lot more strain on me and take time so don’t expect me to suddenly absorb a magical blast aiming to hurt or kill me. Hell absorbing small amounts of magic hurts enough because thanks to the blight on my arm, it feels like it’s in a constant state of muscle cramps. I have grown accustom to it but the pain spike every now and then.

Anyway now back to the matter at hand. With the security alarm now gone, I grab the item off the pedestal. I then reach around with my right hand and unwrap the old cloth just like I did back at the convention all those years ago. My feeling of nostalgia increased when I finally managed to get the rag off and in my left hand, lo and behold, was my old book: Librom. Although this time the eyes of the grimoire were closed, almost as if it were asleep.

However the second I placed my right hand on the side, a light shined in the space between the book and my hand. A second later, glowing symbols in the same kind of writing you would see in the game began to reveal themselves all around the book itself like chains. “What the?” The next moment, the symbols started to peel themselves and float up off of Librom before fading away.

Not a moment later, the eyes of the book popped open.

“Well it’s about bloody time you showed up!” The book shouted as it shook in anger.

Oh, did I forget to mention? Librom is a sentient book therefore….it or he can talk.

“You go and get yourself sealed in stone by those sorry excuses for princesses and I have to put a seal on myself as well as go into a deep slumber! And now it’s only after 2,500 BLOODY YEARS that you finally show up you insufferable oaf!”

Yeah the thing about Librom is that at times….he’ll complain and insult you a lot.

“2,500 YEARS?!” I mentally screamed. “That’s how long I was sealed for?! Damn.”

“Wait, hang on.” I interrupted. “If you were asleep, how do you know that how much time has passed?” I questioned.

“I’m a book you imbecile.” Librom replied. “I keep track of these sort of things even in slumber.”

“Okay. But then what was that about a seal?” I asked. “Why did you put a seal on yourself?”

Librom answered with “Ah yes well, when you were hit by those elements, I was knocked off your person. Thus was spared the fate of being petrified with you. But when I fell and hit the ground, I was knocked unconscious. When I came to, the princesses had claimed me and-“

BOOOOOOOOMMM!!!!!

The whole castle shook as a loud explosion filled the air. I stumbled about trying to regain my balance and caught myself on the ledge of a nearby window. I look outside to find a giant dome of magic standing over a nearby village. But then that dome begins to expand outward in a rapid pace in a bright light.

Seeing the incoming blast, I quickly ducked the underneath the window before a bright white light shined through the opening over my head. I did not want to risk getting hit by that light. Once the light stopped, I got back up and saw the scenery that was filled with chaos a few moments ago was now gone and everything was restored to normal.

That can only mean one thing: Discord was defeated.

“What in the world was that?!” Librom shouted. “What happened?! What was that explosion?”

“That would be our que to leave.” I answered as I reach underneath my cape and grab my book satchel.

After a while when I first came to Equestria, I made a satchel to carry Librom since holding him in my arms all the time was too much of a drag. I even added magic sigils to it so it can protect Librom from harm from various elements of nature and magic. Considering how much magic I poured into making it, it was pretty much indestructible. At least that’s what I hope.

Anyway I opened up the bag and placed Librom inside. “Just hang tight buddy. I’ll get us out of here.”

Knowing the royal guards were no doubt returning, going back the way I came was out of the question. I look back out the window and saw a path I can use across rooftops of the castle structures. To help get across the roofs without breaking my legs, I cast the Falcon Feather offering over my legs.

At that moment I noticed something peculiar. I could have sworn I was going for the gold level of that spell but instead I felt I had casted the bronze level which had less duration time. Now that I thought about it when I got back Librom, I only felt some of my power return not all of it. This was something I’d have to look into but right now time was of the essence. I’ll just have to make do with what I got.

Seeing there was some distance between the window and the nearest rooftop, I went back a few feet for a good running start. I then sprinted as fast as I could towards the window and once close enough, jumped. With gravity taking its course, I saw I was going to miss the ledge of my target by a few feet. But I had expected this and which why I casted the previous spell. Activating it, I blinked into a flow of red energy before solidifying and reappearing half a second later a couple of yards forward which brought me just a above my intended target. Landing with a roll, I quickly got up to repeat the process across several more rooftops.

If I recalled correctly, the bronze level Falcon Feather spell only lasted for about 60 seconds before it wears off so I had to be quick.
I finally managed to reach the ground level just before the spell wore off. Looking forward I saw I made it to the edge of the castle. Which by the way was hanging off the edge of a mountain several hundred feet off the ground. Looking down I can actually feel myself beginning to develop a case of vertigo. Backing away quickly I tried to think of a way to get out of Canterlot. Unfortunately it would have to be fast because from around the corner I can hear the sound of approaching clopping hooves.

“Shit! Must be a patrolling guard.” I thought. “Think! Think! Think! What do I do? What do I do? What do I-“ That’s when an idea popped in my head. However…”Oh I’m not going to enjoy this.” I look over the edge again to judge the distance before looking down at my corrupted right arm. I took a deep breath before whispering “Please just don’t let me land on my head.”

Readying myself, I charge some magic into my right hand as I cast the bronze Boulderbug Shell offering. A morph spell. Many chucks of rocks then appeared in midair and swirled around me before attaching to my body. Once altogether, I was inside an 8 foot sphere boulder that I can move around at will.

“Okay here we go!” The boulder spins forward while staying in place for a second before shooting off over the edge like a cannon and heading straight down the mountain.

A few seconds later, had I stuck around, I would’ve seen that the pony coming was nothing more than an old stallion janitor doing his sweep. The old pony stopped when he saw the mess the spell left behind which was a small crater with a bunch of rocks scattered everywhere. “They don’t pay me enough for this hay.”

Meanwhile down at the bottom of the mountain was a nice, peaceful, grassy plain. Small critters were just going about their business. Birds were chirping, squirrels were jumping across trees, bunnies playing together on the ground. Everything was just peaceful.

That is until a huge round boulder fell out of the sky and crash landed in the middle of the field in an explosion of rocks thus causing all the animals in the area to run.

With chunks of the earth falling on the ground, in the middle of the crash was a dazed human sorcerer that was half buried in the ground. I gave my head a little shake then let out a breath. “Not bad.”

After regaining my senses, I spent a few minutes digging myself out of the land. Once out, I started dusting myself off. I made this outfit after all; I would like to keep it clean. But considering what I plan to do, I’m probably going to gain a few bloodstains.

I then felt my satchel shaking which usually meant Librom wanted to talk. I reach back, open the bag and pull Librom into my hand.

“Don’t you EVER do that again!” Librom screamed at me. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to be a book and to have your whole world spinning like crazy?! And then to be used as a cushion for your landing!”

“Oh quit complaining.” I replied. “You were safe in your little bag. Plus I was also in the rock so you’re not the only one with a headache.”

“Well it’s still bloody nauseating.” The grimoire retorted.

I roll my eyes and sigh. “Whatever. Anyway we have work to do so mind opening to the map?”

Librom huffed. “Fine.” It/he then opened up suddenly with several pages turning on their own. It stopped on a section that showed a map of Equestria. Unfortunately it was a pretty outdated map that showed the landscape of the country but none of the towns and cities. That was definitely something I was going to have to fix but later.

“Okay if I recall correctly this mountain in the middle here should be Canterlot. And it looks like we landed a bit west from there. If I remember right, the secret entry way into Tartarus is in the mountains to the east.” I said mostly to myself as I trace my finger along the page. “Crap, can’t stay near Canterlot so I have to go the long way around. Bit of a trek but it’s doable.”

I close the book and stretch a little. “Well at least I can get some good exercise for my legs.” I held Librom in front of me. “Ready for a road trip?”

“Just please don’t sing that obnoxious ‘railroad’ song like before.” It/He plead. “In fact, just don’t sing at all. You’re not Kalem.”

Unless you’ve played Soul Sacrifice Delta you wouldn’t get the reference.

Either way, I simply chuckled at his claim. “Whatever you say buddy.”

I placed him under my left arm and was about to start walking when something happened. From the bottom corner of my sight, I saw something glowing. I look down and found the light was coming from my right hand. And I can feel it was a spell charging up. An arboreal spell to be exact but none I was familiar with. “A soul magic spell activating on its own? That’s impossible.”

That’s when Librom decided to speak up. “Ah I see it’s now time.”

I held Librom out in front of me again. “Time for what?”

Instead of answering me, it/he just said “Well what are you waiting for? Use the spell.”

I knew Librom would never advise me to do something that would be bad for my health so I just went with it. I slammed my right hand down on the dirt and in an instant a small tree began to grow out of the ground. Once it was full grown with all of its branches out, a single fruit sprouted from one branch. A green apple.

I reached out and plucked the apple off the branch. The moment I did the tree receded back into the ground. I took second to examine the apple in my hand, casually rotating it back and forth wondering what it was for.

That was until an eyeball on the surface of the skin blinked open which nearly caused me to drop the apple.

“Ah! What the-?!” After being startled, I take another second to looker closer at the freaky apple. Mainly the eyeball. I mean a fruit with a functional blinking eye of the side is pretty disturbing.

But then I realized I had seen this apple before. “Wait a minute.” I held out Librom and said “Open up to the parts with Similia.” Librom did as requested and flipped through the pages for a person named Similia. It/He stopped at the first page that mentioned her. “Next page.” The page flipped on its own. “Next page. Next page. Next, next, next, next. There!”

There it was. The Apple Shade. The signature trademark of Similia, the third red hood. Not only can it be eaten like a regular fruit, which begs the question of how you get around the eyeball, but if sacrificed, it can cast a powerful illusion onto its victims without letting them know they’ve been knocked out.

Now remembering what it is, the only question I have is why is it here? The apple shade isn’t a usable item in the game. It only had few references in the story of Soul Sacrifice.

“Well are you going to say the words or not?” Librom spoke up.

I look back at the talking grimoire. “What? What words?”

“That’s your token you idiot.” The annoyed book explained. “Now just chose your words and say them.”

“Wha?” I honestly had no idea what Librom was talking.

I stared at the green apple in my hand and with its one little eye stared back at me. The way the eyeball was just wide open was a little unnerving. But then I started to feel strange, like I was half asleep. I couldn’t take my eyes off the apple. I was simply lost in the hypnotic gaze of its one eye.

Then as if someone else took control of my mouth, I spoke. “To whoever finds my token, the Apple Shade. Should you require aid or simply are in need of a friend, call upon me, wielder of the elements, monster hunter and soul sorcerer, Corro.”

The Apple Shade then began to grow green. Next a small portal opened up just above my hand and sucked the apple out of my palm before closing. From there the one-eyed apple was now in the space between universes, the void, where it multiplied a million times over and skyrocketed across the multiverse.

Getting out of my trance, I rapidly blink my eyes and shake my head. “Uh what just happened?”

“Nothing to worry about.” Librom answered. “When the time comes you’ll know.”

I almost forgot how Librom has this annoying habit of sometimes never giving a straight answer. I think he just gets a kick out of my surprised face when I learn the truth on my own.

Whatever the case, I simply took it as it is and placed talking book back in my satchel. I took a deep breath and stretched my legs a little. It was definitely going to take a while to get to Tartarus on foot but what other choice did I have. With my destination set, I started walking forward with one goal in mind: to correct my mis-.

“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!”

I practically jumped when a voice suddenly shouted some distance behind me. A somewhat familiar voice too and no it wasn’t the princesses. I slowly turn my head to see who it was. Unfortunately, within my sight were six very familiar technicolored mares who wore very familiar and dangerous gems around five of their necks and on top one of their head.

And all I can say was….

“Oh crap baskets.”

Author's Note

Finally! Next chapter done! Sorry it took so long but I've been both busy and lazy. Truth is I had this much done for awhile but seeing how long the chapter was getting I decided to split it. So expect another update soon.

Anyway my token is now out and I'm now available for crossovers. Feel free to contact me if you want to do one.

So enjoy reading, leave a comment and have a great day!