Ponyville was buzzing with energy, ponies from other cities, all the way from Manehatten to Appleloosa. Even other races came to see the spectacle, of an ambassador from a faraway land not known to anyone. Many of Ponyville’s residents were more surprised to know that one such figure had been in their small town for a few days already. Many of the shops in Ponyville opened immediately, selling their products on a rare occasion like this. Twilight who was readily making a long list of visitors and to see preparations are ready, went to Carousal Boutique to check Atlas. “Hello princess,” said a traveler. “It’s an honor meeting you.”

“Thank you for the pleasantries, but I must attend to the ‘ambassador’,” said Twilight.

“Of course, wouldn’t want him waiting,” said the traveler. As Twilight made her way there, many travelers from far and wide came to Ponyville. There were some gryphons, ponies from various towns and cities, and some dragons that made peace treaties with the princesses years ago. Reaching Carousal Boutique, her friend Rarity’s home and shop for clothing, the first thing Twilight heard when she entered was the least pleasant thing she wanted to hear. “I AM NOT WEARING THAT MONKEY SUIT!” shouted Atlas, running around the boutique.

“ATLAS! YOU WILL WEAR THIS MARVELOUS CREATION OF MINE, OR I WILL STRAP YOU DOWN!” shouted Rarity, chasing Atlas with a levitating suit behind her.

Atlas did go with the idea of being an ambassador but… Atlas himself had an honor system to follow, which strangely involved his headband. He has a strong connection with that headband. “Come on Atlas, if we don’t do this, a lot of ponies, and many travelers will be disappointed,” said Burnice.

“This headband is worth more than my life! You’ll never get me!” said Atlas, leaping off a table. Expecting to land on the floor, Atlas suddenly froze in midair, realizing he been caught by Twilight’s magic, he gave up. “Darn… so close.”

“How long has he been doing this?” asked Twilight.

“Oh Twilight, you should of knocked. I didn’t notice you even came in,” said Rarity. “And as how long… well, ever since I showed him the suit.”

“And that was when?” asked Twilight, again.

“...Around, ehhhh… an hour or two or three ago,” said Rarity, rubbing her hooves together.

Twilight who wanted to scream, simply sighed and let Atlas fall to the ground. Now Twilight has planned a lot of things in her life, but with the sheer number of travelers coming to Ponyville, and the small help she has… it was a lot for the small alicorn to handle. “Please Atlas… just wear the suit,” said Twilight, her hoof placed on her forehead.

“At least let me wear my headband, please,” said Atlas.

“ABSOLUTELY NOT! THAT HEADBAND CLASHES COMPLETELY WITH THIS SUIT, IT WILL RUIN EVERYTHING!” shouted Rarity.

“Actually, I think I know how to make it work,” said Burnice. Taking Atlas’s headband, she ties it around his neck, making it a nice addition with the suit. “There… how’s it look?”

“Well… it’s not bad I suppose,” said Rarity, agreeing. “Though I wished it were a different color...”

“Don’t you dare,” said Atlas, protecting his headband.

“There, problem solved,” said Burnice, happy with everyone’s reaction.

While everyone was happy with the choice, Spike came in with some rope. “Hey I got the rope… What I missed?” asked Spike.

“You can put away the rope Spike,” said Rarity.

“Why in the deities do you have a rope?” asked Atlas, a tad afraid and weirded out.

“I have my reasons,” said Rarity, poking the floor.

Deciding not wanting to know, Atlas made his way to their next destination. Elsewhere, at Ponyville Station was Princess Celestia, and Luna who arrived to the event. With them were some royal guards, and six notable individuals who followed Luna. “Luna, is it safe for you to bring… ‘them’?” asked Celestia, staring at the six individuals.

“You asked for me to handle with Atlas’s whereabouts, and that’s what I’m doing. My elite guard will handle that, we will simply be a political image for all of this,” said Luna. Looking toward one of the six, she nods signaling them all to move to positions.

Back at the stage, Applejack, Pinkie, and Rainbow prepare the decorations for Atlas’s quote on quote, speech. Whilst Fluttershy watched in the amazement of her friends doing all this amazing work, she brought Discord to see the spectacle. “I don’t know why you brought him Fluttershy, he’d probably do something to ruin everything,” said Rainbow. “And I’m security for Celestia’s sake!”

“Because your my friend, I trust that you go along with Discord. He may be troublesome sometimes, but his a good friend, so please let him stay,” said Fluttershy.

Not wanting to make her close friend upset, Rainbow allowed this to slide… for now. “Fine… but if he does anything suspicious, I’m allowed to tackle him, right?” said Rainbow. “I always wanted to tackle somepony.”

“I would never do anything to ruin this moment!” said Discord, trying to look innocent. “Popcorn?”

Rainbow stared at Discord, not excepting his gift. “Now behave… And Rainbow, if he does do anything… you do have my permission to tackle him,” said Fluttershy, grabbing some popcorn.

“Sweet,” said Rainbow, happy with Fluttershy’s decision.

“FLUTTERSHY!” said Discord, surprised.

“As I said… behave,” said Fluttershy, eating a bit of popcorn.

Slowly the area began flooding with ponies, gryphons, dragons, and more. Soon countless reporters from different branches of news groups arrived to see Atlas. Once everything was set, Applejack, Pinkie, and Rainbow stepped off stage. In the back, Atlas waited for him turn to move to the stage, while Twilight prepared his introduction. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” said Atlas.

“Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine,” said Rainbow.

“All your going to do is talk to a big stage of ponies and more from other lands, but you might cause an international war with your nation which isn’t even on this plane of existence, whilst being chased down by multitude of ponies,” said Pinkie, smiling.

“Pinkie… I think you should check if there are enough snacks,” said Applejack, pushing Pinkie away.

As Pinkie left, to check the snacks… the eleventh time, everyone began to move with the crowd to see his speech. “Good luck out there Atlas,” said Applejack, patting him on the back.

“Try to be honest, as best you can,” said Burnice.

Atlas was left alone in the back area until Twilight signaled for him to come to the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce, the ambassador from a faraway unknown land… Atlas,” said Twilight, stomping her hoof to the ground. As Twilight gotten off the stage, many ponies began to stomp their hooves to introduce Atlas… but as the seconds went by… Atlas never appeared. Everyone began to chatter and think something happened or that Atlas doesn’t even exist, but when a tall figure then appeared on stage, everyone’s focus was back to the stage. Atlas who was sweating profusely remembered he had to be careful with what he said, unless he wanted several empires after him.

“Hello, everyone… I… am Atlas,” said Atlas.

Twilight covered her eyes, from the embarrassment on how Atlas started his speech. Then one pony reporter began to speak today’s first question. “I’m with the Manehatten News. May I ask, but your name is different from anything known ever in history. What is your full name?” asked the newspony, curious.

Everyone was also curious on how the naming process on Atlas world worked out. At first, Atlas thought he would mess up, but breathed in and out slowly, and spoke clearly and more loudly. “My full name is, Atlas Gartahl Opus Viz’Nul Zon. And yes this is indeed my actual full name,” said Atlas.

Everyone was astounded from how long Atlas’s name was that more questions started to appear. Twilight began listening more to what Atlas had to say from that point on, that she pulled out a notepad to write what he said down. “Are these last names, the names of your parent’s families?” asked one reporter.

“Yes, the names Garthal and Opus are my adopted last names. The names Viz’Nul and Zon are the last names of my actual parents...” It was a long time since Atlas told anyone about his past… and it’s usually to a selected few. But now his telling his life’s story to a whole nation… this made things a bit awkward for him.

“What’s your world like?” asked another newspony.

That was the one question Atlas didn’t want to answer. Unsure how to answer it, Atlas could only say one thing that was partially true. “My world is both mysterious and massive. It has it’s differences, but all I can say… it’s somewhere that won’t run out of uniqueness,” said Atlas, with a grin.

Many ponies will quote Atlas for that. As time passed more questions were asked, until one in particular was truly surprising. “Excuse me Atlas, I’m from Canterlot Bureau, and it says you were in Canterlot before and went to see Celestia. Is this true?” asked the reporter.

“Uhm, yes, indeed it is,” said Atlas, a bit confused from the question.

“I see… then does that mean you and Celestia are in a relationship?” asked the reporter. The whole crowd went to chaos after hearing what the reporter asked, even the royal guards were shocked. No one was ready for such a question, but Atlas just calmly answered it like it was nothing.

“No, Princess Celestia simply called me to Canterlot. Simply so she could see me face to face, nothing more,” said Atlas. Realizing what kind of question he just answered, his face began to redden from the question the reporter just answered.

“Are you crazy! The princesses are here you idiot!” said one reporter, whispering.

“Well I saw him come to Canterlot, so I just put two together,” said the reporter who asked Atlas the question.

“Anyway… anymore questions?” asked Atlas, going back to answering more questions.

“I have one.” Amongst the crowd was a filly wearing a tiara, with her was a butler pony of some sort. “Many ponies say you were here for a few days, but nopony heard your arrival to our town, ever. Just how did you get here to Equestria?”

Atlas was now in dead end. He knew lying won’t work, especially to somepony like this. Unable to answer, Atlas instead answered with a question. “I think what you should be asking is, where am I staying,” said Atlas, acting confident.

Everyone was confused from what Atlas means, that it gotten everyones attention. Many ponies and others, made aws, and oos when Atlas suddenly sounded confident answering the filly’s question. “What do you mean!?” asked the filly, confused.

“Well, you see… I’m staying at Princess Twilight’s home,” said Atlas, grinning.

“You idiot,” whispered Twilight, face-hoofing herself.

Panic arose from hearing that Atlas was staying with Princess Twilight. Everyone completely forgotten about Atlas’s visit to Celestia, and focus around Atlas and Twilight and what could it all mean. But before anyone could react back, someone began running screaming toward the crowd. “HELP HELP SOMEONE HELP!” shouted the stallion.

“What’s going on?” asked Rainbow, acting as security.

“There… THERE’S A FIRE AT SWEET APPLE ACRES!” shouted the stallion.

“WHAT!?” screamed everyone.

“NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I SAW THREE FILLIES GO TO THE APPLE FOREST NEAR THE FARM, AND SUDDENLY THE WHOLE FOREST BEGAN TO GO ABLAZE!” shouted the stallion.

“This is better than some ambassador! Three fillies trapped in a forest by sudden fire!” said one newspony.

“QUICK TO THE FOREST!” shouted another newspony.

Everyone rushed to Sweet Apple Acres, leaving Atlas back on stage. “Well… Shit just got real,” said Atlas, grinning even more. Removing his suit, Atlas put his headband back on and put on his clothing and weaponry. “Time to save some lives!”

Whilst everyone was at the speech, a mysterious fire happened at Sweet Apple Acres. The fire has already spread across the nearby trees not part of Sweet Apple Acres and more. Many pegasi attempted using as much clouds that are full of water to douse the flames, but the flames were too hot and massive to douse at all. With everyone watching in horror, Celestia and Luna appear to the scene. “How did this fire happen?” asked Celestia, questioning a nearby guard.

“We’re not sure princess, but we found a trail of hooves leaving the scene. We’re not sure if it’s the fillies or not, but we’re unable to find out if their safe or not,” said a guard, reporting toward Celestia.

“Please Celestia! There’s got to be something you can do!” said Applejack, worried for her younger sibling. “Applebloom and her friends are in there, you got to do something!”

“Our sisters are in there,” said Rarity, tears beginning flowing out, begging for her sister’s lives to be saved.

“I can only control the sun… not fire,” said Celestia, staring at the large ever growing fire.

“Maybe there’s someone else who can,” said Spike. “Burnice!”

Everyone began to look at Burnice who was there, indeed she had some control over fire… but something this size… was impossible. Having no choice in saying no, Burnice stepped forward. Closing in near the flames, but far enough not to get burnt herself. She began focusing as much energy she can, Burnice attempted to douse or weaken the flames so the pegasi can douse what remaining flames there is. “Come on… please, work,” said Burnice, focusing.

Thinking the fire is weakening, Burnice doesn’t realize… that the flames have started to surround her. Unable to control the flames, Burnice finds herself surrounded in flames. At first everyone thinks the flames are the main threat, but actually the smoke itself is. Slowly finding it a hard time to breath, Burnice slowly begins to lose oxygen to breath… when a familiar voice is heard. “NO FIRE AIN’T GOING TO SCARE ME!” shouted Atlas.

“Atlas?” thought Burnice.

Atlas pulled Burnice out of the flames, unscathed. Once out Burnice began coughing and wheezing for oxygen. Opening her eyes, the first thing she saw was Twilight. “Oh thank Celestia your okay. We all thought you were… well...” said Twilight, going in to hug Burnice.

“You should of seen Atlas, he just went through those flames and just pulled you out! IT WAS AWESOME!” said Rainbow, making a whoosh noise and moving her hoof, mimicking Atlas pulling Burnice out of the flames.

“Where… where’s Atlas?” asked Burnice, weak from nearly suffocating.

Pointing where he was, he stood in front of the flames. Beside her was Celestia, the two talking about what Atlas was about to do. “How exactly are you going to get pass this massive firestorm?” asked Celestia, both curious and worried. “I know you saved Burnice, but how you going to save three fillies?”

“I lived in a village in the most dangerous climates known to any living being… this… this is a cakewalk,” said Atlas, smiling. Stepping into the flames, he was slowly engulfed by them. Everyone was awe-shocked from what Atlas had done, that more newsponies began writing it down in their notepads.

Inside the ever-burning forest, Atlas had no issue with the fire, but the smoke made it hard to breath and the low visibility was also hard. Trudging through the ash, and fallen trees, Atlas came across a treehouse. Heading up a ramp, Atlas broke through the door, inside he found three fillies unconscious. Picking each one up, Atlas headed out. Realizing that how his supposed to get these three fillies safely through the fire, without him going unconscious… Atlas entered a sort of zen like mode.

Atlas found himself waking up in an area, where nothing but small flames in sparse areas were seen, as a voice began to speak within Atlas.

Do you wish to save these three mortals?

Not questioning the fact that a random voice is speaking to him… Atlas feels as if his been hear before. “Wait… haven’t I been here before?” asked Atlas.

So you do remember? Then you must remember my name, correct.

“Yes, it’s uhm… Wrimhis or something,” said Atlas, trying to remember.

Wriachas.

“Yeah Wriachas. What you want?” asked Atlas.

Now, I know you can survive this simple fire… but not the attacks of this world. There are things that can kill you… and only I can save you. I will have help you save these creatures… if… you allow me to use your body.

“This wasn’t the first time something like this happened. Last time, I nearly blasted a whole civilization to extinction with your fiasco,” said Atlas.

Indeed… but this time won’t happen. Your emotions control my powers, if you focus then you can use them.

“Powers you say… what kind of powers?” asked Atlas, curious.

Hmmm… here’s a little… test sample.

Back with the crowd, everyone waited for Atlas to return. “Why can’t the dragons go in, and save the fillies instead,” said one bystander.

“Just because we’re resistant to fire, doesn’t mean we are with smoke,” said one dragon.

Everyone began arguing with one another, under the long wait for Atlas to come out of the flames. As the guards try to calm everyone down, Applejack and Rarity wait. “Do you think they’ll be fine Applejack… that Atlas can really save them?” said Rarity, her face wet with her own tears.

“Don’t think like that! Have faith… he has too… he just has too,” said Applejack, comforting Rarity.

“WAIT, WHAT’S THAT!” shouted Pinkie, pointing toward the flames.

In the distance, all the fire began to slowly stop, then it halts. Not continuing to burn any surrounding trees, the fire simply stopping before everyone. Watching in curiosity, a sudden wave of energy spreads throughout the whole forest, both extinguishing the fire, and causing all the smoke to vanish. As the smoke slowly began to disappear, three small figures began to come out. “APPLEJACK!” shouted Applebloom.

“RARITY!” shouted Sweetie.

Applejack and Rarity rushed to their younger sisters, as Scootaloo rushed to Rainbow Dash. “RAINBOW!” shouted Scootaloo, going in for a hug.

“You almost scared me half to death, Scoots,” said Rainbow, noogieing her head.

“Are you… crying, Dash?” asked Pinkie.

“Wha… NO! It’s the smoke, it's making my eyes all watery that’s all,” said Rainbow, wiping her eyes.

Once everyone celebrated the safety of the fillies, Burnice noticed a large figure coming out the smoke. It’s Atlas except… he looks different. “Atlas?” said Burnice. “Is that… you?”

Atlas was the same size he always was, but he was surrounded in an almost ethereal energy. His eyes looked the same way when Celestia saw him back at the castle. He stared at the surrounding ponies, and then suddenly the immense power suddenly disappeared from him. “Whoa… I, am not doing that anytime soon,” said Atlas, feeling woozy.

Everyone celebrated Atlas saving the CMC, were Pinkie leaped and tackled Atlas. Everyone was happy everyone was safe, but what caused the fire? That’s when one familiar figure began to come out of the smoke. “HEY! THAT’S THE STALLION THAT BUMPED INTO FLUTTERSHY BACK AT CANTERLOT!” shouted Rainbow. “HIS THE ONE WHO DID THIS!”

“Shit!” said the stallion, beginning to run.

Before he could get away, some random pony tackles him to the ground. The pony began to grab him and beat the senseless snot out of him. “Ah horsefeathers, I wanted to tackle somepony,” said Rainbow.

“WHY DID YOU BURN DOWN THIS FOREST!?” shouted the mare.

“I only did it because that behemoth of a thing, embarrassed me in Canterlot! Don’t you know who’s son I am, I can have you sued and mo...” said the stallion.

“You did this… for some petty revenge!” shouted the mare. “BLAN! CHOMP!”

Suddenly a large lizard-like dragon appeared behind the mare. At first everyone thought the dragon was an actual monster, because it’s sheer size was enormous. The dragon was so tall, he was nearly as tall as the apple trees in Sweet Apple Acres. The dragon grabbed the stallion by his leg, opening it’s large mouth, only to howl at the stallion.

“GRAHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!” screamed Blan, his teeth near the stallion’s head.

“PLEASE! DON’T EAT ME!” said the stallion, covering his face with his hooves.

“BLAN, DROP HIM!” shouted Luna.

Immediately Blan dropped the stallion, only to immediately act like a puppy in front of Luna. The stallion began to whimper, nearly peeing himself. “Lun, didn’t I say not to get involved if anything like this happened!” said Luna, staring at the mare.

“I know princess, but this… fiend, had audaciously gotten three fillies in danger. He deserves to be punished!” said the mare.

“Let my sister and I handle that,” said Luna.

“Uhm princess Luna? Who is this?” asked Twilight, interrupting the two.

“I suppose I should introduce them,” said Luna, sighing. “Twilight and company, I would like to introduce to you, the Dark Squadron. An elite force under my command. They are also, responsible… of watching Atlas until his stay in… Equestria.”

“WHAT!?” said everyone, shocked.

“Well ain’t this dandy,” said Atlas, who was okay with it.

The Dark Squadron are an elite force, usually handling situations that are beyond Equestria’s control. Political assassinations, world ending beings, and more. Each one of Dark Squadron’s members began to introduce themselves.

“Hello, my name is Lunar Shadow. Codename: Dark One, and leader of Dark Squadron,” said Lunar.

“H-hello, my name i-i-i-is Empty Glass. C-c-codename: Dark Two, I’m responsible with handling information and communications,” said Empty, stuttering.

“Name, Grais Caws! Codename: Dark Three! Responsible with airborne support and reconnaissance! You can call me Sharp!” said Sharp, saluting.

“The name’s Vern, Vern Lifal. Codename: Dark Four, I handle our medical equipment. If any one of us is hurt, I’ll do as best to help,” said Vern, winking toward all the mares. “Ladies.”

“Turos Avol. Codename: Dark Five. My specialty is weapons of any kind. I know every one of every generation,” said Turos, proud of his skills.

“And finally, we have Blan, our sixth member,” said Lunar. “He doesn’t talk much, but he can understand us. His this team’s muscle and pet… just try not to touch him.”

Blan grunts as his tongue slithers out his mouth like a snake’s. “His been raised by lizards, so he doesn’t properly understand society… well sort of, but his learning,” said Lunar. “Now… are you Atlas?”

“Yeah, why?” asked Atlas. Suddenly, Lunar rushed toward Atlas, ready to drop kick him. Dodging, Lunar hits a tree, falling to the ground… and rolling in pain, clutching at the hoof that hit the tree she made contact with.

“Owie...” said Lunar, whimpering.

“Great, now I have bloody security team up my case. Why wasn’t I told of this?” said Atlas, annoyed.

“This team was meant to be secret, but considering that the possibility of you being attacked now is possible, they will now not only monitor you but protect you as well,” said Luna, a bit upset with the protect part.

“Anything else I should know?” asked Atlas, still concerned.

“There is… but...” said Luna. “It’s best we talk somewhere private.” Being watched by everyone, the group headed to Sweet Apple Acres, while the royal guard blocked off the crowd. Now continuing with the conversation, everyone present in the room had a number of questions now.

“Celestia did you know of this?” asked Twilight. “I haven’t even heard the existence of this group in any history books at all!”

“I half knew. The part I didn’t know was that this group originated from a clan of monster hunters. They slowly joined Luna’s guard after sometime in the past. All I know is that they been kept hidden from society, and any past information of them has been long gone destroyed or hidden,” said Celestia.

Whilst everypony continued to ask more questions, Atlas noticed Lunar staring at him… angrily. “Uhm… do you need something” asked Atlas.

“I don’t trust you,” said Lunar, sneering at Atlas.

“Excuse me? But we haven’t met until now. How can you say you don’t trust me when your the one in a secret black ops group for deities sake,” said Atlas, pissed from hearing what Lunar had to say to him.

Lunar continued staring at him, while Atlas in returned stared back. The two continuing this until… they ended up fighting each other. “COME HERE YOU BRAT!” shouted Atlas.

“YOU WANT SOME, COME GET SOME!” said Lunar, going for a choke hold.

Luna sighed from seeing the spectacle of the leader of her elite commando squad… choke holding Atlas, for an immature reason. Signaling Blan to stop the two from fighting, the giant dragon picks up Lunar with ease. “Let me go Blan! Let me at him, let me at him!” said Lunar, swinging her hooves.

“You sure are the feisty one captain,” said Vern, chuckling.

“Shut it! And use codenames, damn it!” said Lunar.

“B-but Dark One, didn’t you just call Dark Six by name,” said Empty, stating the obvious.

Lunar slowly moved her gaze at Empty, then began to growl at her. “Dark Six… let-me-go,” said Lunar, her tone serious.

Blan dropped Lunar instantly, as she then proceeded to noogie Empty. “Don’t talk back to your commanding officer, recruit!” said Lunar.

“Please, not another noogie!” said Empty, trying her best to defend herself.

Watching the secret group fighting like a bunch of children, everyone thought “Where did Luna find these guys?” As Celestia moved up to Luna, she asked the same question that everyone was thinking. “Sister… where did you find these… soldiers?” asked Celestia.

“Sometimes in order to find the best… you need to look at the least expected places,” said Luna. “Now… DARK SQUADRON, TEN HUT!”

Immediately all six commandos lined up without a fuzz. But Atlas could feel Lunar’s gaze on him. “Since you’ll be staying here in Ponyville for the duration. You’ll now take orders from, princess Twilight Sparkle. However, you will still follow my original orders to keep an eye on Atlas,” said Luna. “Any questions?”

“One princess Luna. Princess Twilight has only been an alicorn for several months, she has no combat experience or has commanded any army of the sort. So I must decline from this decision,” said Turos, disagreeing with Luna.

“I know this, but Twilight is an exceptional leader, and you will follow her… do I make myself clear,” said Luna.

Dark Squadron as a whole nodded, and didn’t reject Luna’s command. As the day continued to pass, most of the crowd left, but soon today’s event will be news-wide. Luna and Celestia left, with many of Ponyville’s residents repairing today’s damages. Luckily most of Applejack’s family farm was repaired with a help of Celestia’s guards and Ponyville’s residents. As everyone regrouped in Fluttershy’s cottage to analyze today’s events, Atlas was left alone outside, when a familiar face appeared. “What do you want?” asked Atlas, annoyed seeing who it was.

It was Lunar, and she kept staring at Atlas with that hateful look. Atlas didn’t understand what was it with her but, she kept showing this hateful stare at Atlas… that it irritated him. “Look if you got nothing good to say, then bugger off,” said Atlas, looking back at staring at the night sky.

“You said you were from a faraway land… right?” asked Lunar.

The tone in her voice changed that Atlas decided to not do anything sudden toward her. Continuing to stare at the night sky, Atlas answered her question. “I think that’s obvious, nobody has seen my kind before,” said Atlas.

“Then you wouldn’t be from a world called… the Living World, wouldn’t you,” said Lunar.

Atlas sat still, how did she know about his home dimension, nevertheless to hear the name of it. Atlas slowly turned his head to look at her, looking at her eyes she genuinely wanted to know and was hiding no hidden intentions. Checking to see nopony was looking, Atlas grabbed Lunar and rushed to the edge of the forest. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” said Lunar, nearly shouting.

“Shut up if you want to learn the truth,” said Atlas, whispering.

Several minutes before, Twilight asked about why Luna chose such a strange arrangement of members in her elite guard. “Why did Luna picked you six in particular?” asked Twilight.

“She picked all of us because of our unique gifts, skills, and so on, princess Twilight,” said Sharp.

“Please, just call me Twilight,” said Twilight.

“The main reason Luna picked us was because, we all had a connection to her that is both different, and special,” said Vern, drinking something from a silver container.

“So explain where you found this behemoth,” said Spike, pointing at Blan. Blan was busy digging his head in a bag of squirrel food, chomping the food into mincemeat. “What kind of dragon eats squirrel food?”

“Blan was raised by a family lizards since an egg. We don’t know what happened to his family, but his a rare few who’s been given a massive growth spurt. In dragon years his four, but in pony years his considered sixteen,” said Empty.

“Weren’t you stuttering before,” said Rainbow, realizing that.

“That was because princess Luna was there before…” said Empty, blushing.

“You all really have a close relationship with Luna?” asked Rarity. “How did all of you meet her?”

“That’s secret information,” said Lunar, dodging Rarity’s question. “And besides, we came here to watch an eye on Atlas. Not to chitchat.”

Burnice had enough of this Lunar pony, to simply talk about her friend like this. Deciding to take action, Burnice stands up for Atlas. “What did Atlas ever do to you? It’s not his fault his so far away from his home!?” said Burnice.

“I don’t trust him that’s what… Wait, what you mean far away from home, his just an ambassador. It’s not like his not returning ba...” said Lunar, realizing what Burnice meant.

“Why did I mention that part,” thought Burnice.

Lunar immediately stepped outside, to where Atlas was. “Excuse me… I need to speak to, Atlas… alone,” said Lunar, leaving.

Everyone kept silent, not speaking… well until Pinkie spoke. “Anypony want to play poker?” asked Pinkie.

“Better than sitting doing nothing,” said Turos, joining in.

As everyone played cards, well except Blan who continued eating squirrel food. Burnice watched out the window, when she saw Atlas rush away with Lunar under her arm. “What are you doing Atlas?” said Burnice, whispering. “Uhm, I’m going to get some air. I’ll be outside.”

“Okay Burnice, but be careful,” said Twilight, putting a card down.

Meanwhile at the edge of the forest. Atlas finally dropped Lunar while also talking to her… right after he was hoof slapped. “What was that for!?” shouted Atlas.

“For picking me up like that all of a sudden! I’m only eighteen,” said Lunar.

“Anyway… wait, your eighteen,” said Atlas. “Wait don’t hit me!”

“Well you better continue talking or I will hit you,” said Lunar, suppressing a slap.

“As I was saying… who told about, the Living World?” asked Atlas, crouching until his eye-level was the same as Lunar’s.

“No one… I found out about that place on my father’s notes,” said Lunar. “Years ago when I was little, he was a researcher… the only one ever in my family. He was a disgrace to our family, but he was also the best father any daughter could ask for. He never made an excuse, and always came to my aid. All his experiments were fun to see, he was researching on the possibility of alternate realities. He created a machine that allowed him to look through other worlds, like a window. One day he found that the other side of one particular world was able to contact him… he was close to finding a way to make a portal, but my grandfather was about to rush his laboratory, with the whole family with him… when he suddenly vanished. Apparently he built a portal, but when he used it… it transported him to this world, with no way back. When I went to look through my father’s notes, he wrote that this other world was called, the Living World, but… there was a name written on my father’s notes… I didn’t understand what it was, but it was the same name of your last name.”

“...Which one?” asked Atlas, frozen in fear, and anticipation.

“I think it was called, Viz’Nul,” said Lunar, remembering.

Atlas immediately grabbed Lunar to a hug, and began turning in circles. Unsure what was happening, Lunar tried attempting to get out of Atlas’s hug. “Uh… you mind,” said Lunar, lightly blushing.

“Oh right,” said Atlas, putting Lunar back down. “But that last name, is my father’s name, my actual father. How did your dad ever made this portal machine?”

“I don’t know, my grandfather destroyed most of the laboratory. Anything that couldn’t be destroyed was kept in a hidden vault,” said Lunar. “The location has been hidden to me, so I don’t know myself.

Atlas was so happy knowing there was a way home, but also evidence that his people made contact to this world. In the distance, Burnice watches curiously what’s happening. “What is he doing?” thought Burnice.

Hello Burnice… daddy’s back.

Burnice shivered and made a one eighty turn, but saw nothing but the window of Fluttershy’s cottage. Shaking from hearing a voice in her head, the voice sounded… familiar. “Father?” thought Burnice.

Atlas returned with Lunar, the two not becoming friends, but neither enemies… more like… rivals, maybe. “Just because I can help you doesn’t mean I will, I still hate your guts,” said Lunar.

“Whatever you say, but when I’m done here, I’m going to find my way back to my world,” said Atlas. “Oh hey Burnice, you okay?”

“Huh, oh yeah… I… What were you doing?” asked Burnice, trying to remember what she was doing.

“Oh I was...” said Atlas. Lunar immediately hit him on the head. For her small size she could hit really hard, she then suddenly pulled Atlas to her face, her muzzle poking his nose.

“Now listen here, no one, I REPEAT, no one must know that I know about your world… You got it?” said Lunar, whispering.

Atlas nodded, only to drop to the ground. “WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?” said Burnice, rushing to help Atlas up. “You been nothing but rude to Atlas! Just what has he done to you!?”

“It’s fine Burnice,” said Atlas, wiping his pants. “After all… me and her are just associates.” Atlas grinned, a sort of challenge toward Lunar. In return Lunar does a raspberry and runs back inside.

“Okay… start talking,” said Burnice, getting suspicious.

“About what, I got noting to hide,” said Atlas, lying.

“Uh huh, right,” said Burnice, sarcastically.

Once the two got inside they find everyone on the ground. “The heck happened here?” said Atlas. “Did a storm come through here or what… or did Pinkie win another match of Poker again.”

“No… Blan did...” said Rainbow. “Seven times...”

“SEVEN TIME!” shouted Atlas.

“BLAN DID WHAT!” shouted Lunar, the same time as Atlas.

Blan turns his head at the two shocked faces, and simply smiles back at them. “Apparently for a dragon who doesn’t talk… he sure is lucky,” said Applejack.

“Fear the quiet ones...” said Pinkie, her face landing back to the table.

Burnice began to laugh seeing everyone on the floor, when slowly everyone joined in. Atlas and Lunar looked at one another, only for the two to sigh. “The day has been crazy, but at least everyone had a good time,” thought Atlas.

Far from Ponyville, ontop a mountain, a unicorn in a black cloak looks down at Ponyville. With a malicious grin he smells the air, and licks his lips. A dark aura surrounds the pony, intent on causing harm to not Ponyville… but the world. However, the being stares off toward the ever long forest called, the Everfree… sensing that his not the only ones that are intent of causing mayhem amongst the residents of Ponyville. Sniffing the air once more, the pony smells… a separate scent. “Hmmm… Strange… this energy, it’s more potent than magic… more potent… than fear. What I smell… are darkness… and insanity...” said the cloaked pony. “What… are you?”

Deep within the Everfree, beyond Zecora’s hut, beyond the castle of the two sisters… deep within is an ancient place. A field of flowers… the same field that Atlas had encountered when he first arrived to Equestria. A sudden noise can be heard… slowly growing, then silenced… and then a sudden bright light shone within the darkness. Swirl of colors, both bright and dull appear, bringing life to a portal. Stepping out the portal are two figures, one clad in black armor, helmeted. The other, in green clothing both damaged and worn, wearing a hat that has both seen history time and time again. The portal closes as the two figures are left in darkness… slowly the second figure begins to speak. “Why we here again? I was in the middle of a massacre and you pulled me out of it… I was about to cut out that damn bastard’s...” said the figure in green.

“One of our companions vanished… he has been missing for two weeks. We got that call from that friend of his,” said the figure in black.

“You mean Aaron? Meh, he was a wimp, however he did handle those gangsters, nicely,” said the figure in green, laughing hysterically.

Slowly from the forest, steps out a swarm of timberwolves, slowly approaching, but not advancing… watching the two figures. Slowly both figures pull out weapons both strange and unknown to this peaceful land. The one in black pulls out a blade, looking like half a katana… half a cleaver, and a gun both big and heavy in look and size. The one in green pulls out duel scimitars, ready to pounce any second for the kill. “It seems we have guests,” said the figure in black.

“I hate guests! They always eat my pizza!” shouted the figure in green. “Can I cut them up?

“You shall, you shall. Right now… we begin our mission,” said the figure in black. “Operation: Phoenix Search, commences now!”

“HELL YEAH! I DO LOVE ME A MASSACRE!” screamed the figure in green, laughing psychotically. “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAHHAHAHA!”

Charging forward, as the residents of Ponyville sleep, the two figures destroy every timberwolf in sight. Equestria will now encounter two of the most deadliest beings in the multiverse. As the Reaper of Shadows, and the Immortal of Insanity now step to the fray. Atlas stares into the starry lit sky, whilst Burnice asks him a very personal question about his life. “Atlas… do you have any friends? You know… in your world?” asked Burnice.

Atlas took a careful long time to think, and after done thinking he looked at Burnice then back at the sky. “Well… I be lying if I say I didn’t. I wouldn’t think of them as friends, more like companions, but I been with these crazies for so long… I guess their more than friends now,” said Atlas.

“Crazies?” asked Burnice. “What you mean by crazies?”

“Oh right… Remember I said I was a mercenary, well… I was part of a team. We were the most dangerous team in existence hunting down criminals, psychos, mob bosses, and more… but… half the time I wondered… if we were the real monsters,” said Atlas.

“Atlas, your not a monster,” said Burnice.

“I know, I know… but my allies… my friends… their more than monsters. Their the people you call to kill the boogeyman. Their the two most deadliest people… ‘things’ I met in this world...” said Atlas, continuing to speak.

Their names… are Drakos… and Locust.

As the light of the moon shines down across Equestria, the world will forever change. Stories are a thing of magic, mystery… filled with heroes, villains, and monsters. As our heroes sleep quietly… dark forces approach them intentions unknown… but objectives, sure to be achieved. For this story may end…

For now...

Author's Note

Who may these strange figures be? That will be told... in another story.

Now time to discuss something. The antagonists in this story (or in this case the sequel for this story), are the Dark Squadron and the three mysterious figures. Dark Squadron will act more of an nuisance for Atlas and his friends than actual villains, while the figures... will play that role.

Dark Squadron, and the black (Drakos) and green (Locust) figures belongs to me.

The mysterious unicorn belongs to Dark-Kisame, it'll be revealed who he is later.

Hope you wait for the sequel, because sure will have a blast writing it, heheheh.