Zeref busted through the large doors of the Shadowquine Industries building. He makes his way up to Luna’s office quickly and finds her pacing back and forth. Things were getting bad, really really fast.

“How long until he makes it out…?”

“Not very long. Things are going to get extremely bad if we cannot keep him contained within the simulation. How he was able to get his hands on the code, I am not sure. But soon, Ponyville will be shrouded in his death cloud, And the only one who will be able to do anything about it at all is you...our magic will have no effect…”

Zeref rubbed his chin in thought. He was thinking as hard as he could, trying to come up with something. Then the idea hit him like a huge sack of potatoes.

“Luna...I think I may know how my organization can help. But I will need you in the simulation with me.”

--Earlier That Day--

Azrael and twilight walked down the street of the simulation. Arms looped around one another as they were on their way to a teahouse that Azrael frequented back when the game was just a regular MMO. It was Seraph’s Teahouse. Not only was it one of the landmarks from the movie, but it was also a place where he had become quite fond of an NPC that treated him like her own son every time he came to visit. He was actually going there to meet up with his now fully populated organization. All three branches had their respected leaders, and the recruiting of players was going quite well. It was time for their fifth meeting.

“It’s amazing how far you have come to be a leader of not one, but three organizations brought together to be one. We share many differences, but we all believe in unity. As the princess of friendship..and your marefriend, I couldn’t be any prouder of you, Azrael. It may not be out in the real world. But what you have done is no small feat.”

Azrael smiled lightly and stopped in his footsteps. He turns Twilight to face him, lightly bringing his hands up to her cheeks and rubs them with his thumbs, his gaze meeting hers.

“And I couldn’t have done it if I wasn’t brought here...and if I didn’t have you at my side. Thank you so much, Twilight. So so very much.”

Twilight blushed heavily, both in and out of the game. Even so much as to reaching over and grabbing Zeref’s hand and squeezes it as they laid together, still completely submerged in the game.

“Zeref…”

She called out his real name, leaning in to kiss him, pressing her body against his in the process as she wraps her arms around his neck. After they had their little moment, they went inside. Once they came in, Lightning was the first to notice. She smiled widely and waved to them both.

“Looks like Twilight and the bossman made finally! What took you guys so long?! We were getting bored!”

Azrael was amazed at how full the establishment had gotten. This was his whole organization, and no table was left empty, not chair either. Azrael chuckled lightly as he made his way up to the slightly raised part of the teahouse as all the tables and such were on a lower part of the floor that had a square embedded that had four stairs.

“Sorry about that all. I got tied up with a few things. But I am glad to see that you have all made it. I even see some new faces in the crowd here today. And I want to welcome you into our organization not as your boss, but as a dear friend. As you know, I see all of you as very close friends because we all believe in the same idea, unity.”

Twilight went to go and sit with her friends. Not only did Rainbow, Fluttershy and Rarity play, but she could also see that Pinkie and even Applejack have gotten involved. Applejack was part of the Zion branch, and Pinkie was part of the Merovingian branch. Expected of those two really. Once the meeting was over. Azrael stepped down and left everyone to their own conversations. He was about to go sit next to Twilight to speak with his own branch. But then his phone went off. He reaches into his coat and pulls it out. It was Agent Gray’s number. He answers it.

“What’s up bossman?”

“Mr.-...need-...now. The Assassin-...breaking-... the-...simulator!”

The line cuts out, leaving the dial tone sounding off in Azrael’s ear. Things...have just got a lot more complicated. Azrael knew who he needed to go to for this, and he had to get there quickly before the Assassin made his way into the real world. Twilight was keeping an eye on Azrael.And when she saw the worry on his face when he placed his phone back into his coat. She knew something bad was going on. She quickly gets up and walks quickly over to Azrael.

“Azrael...what’s wrong…?”

He looks over to her slowly.

“We are about to have a big problem in The Real, Twilight. A very big problem. I need to go and see Luna. The Assassin is forcing his way through to our world. And she is the only one I know who can help with this. I need you to stay here for now. Make sure that things don’t get out of control. Tell them I shall return as soon as possible.”

“Let me go with you, Azrael! I don’t want you going off and doing this on your own!”

She said as she grabbed his hand lightly, trying to keep their conversation to a whisper. He squeezes her hand lightly.

“I won’t be doing this by myself, Twilight. I will come back soon. But I need you to trust me. I wouldn’t do anything as reckless as taking on the assassin on my own. I have a plan.”

He said before bringing a hand to her cheek and kisses her lovingly. He runs out the tea house and jacks out of the simulation.

“Be careful my love…”

She said still worried for his safety but knew that he knew what he was doing.

--Back In The Simulation--

Azrael and his organization stood in Mara Central, the usual hang out for the players to just chat and socialize. Azrael had a plan for the situation, and he was about to explain it.

--Earlier--

“You...can’t be serious, Zeref. Do you know what kind of trouble that would cause? We are talking a worldwide issue here...humans coming out of nowhere in Ponyville..not to mention the amount of magic it would take...I don’t know if I could even do that with so many ponies.”

Zeref turns to Luna and gently places a hand on her shoulder.

“Come on Luna. I know you can do this. You brought me here, didn’t you? Besides, it would only be a temporary measure. You and I both know that real magic won’t work on him. We need abilities brought through the simulator to be formed in the real world. That means my organization. Otherwise, you know I will be the only one to do any kind of damage to him. I know you can do this, Luna. I know I was angry at first for you bringing me here. But now. I couldn’t be any happier. Not only did I get a new life here that gave me purpose. But you also allowed me to be with Twilight. Who I am most grateful that she chose me above all else here to be her mate. And I don’t want to lose that because of an enemy of my past. Not when I know we can get rid of him for good.”

Luna was surprised at his words. Even more so knowing that they were genuine. She offers him a light smile and gives a firm nod, a determined look on her face showed she was indeed ready to give it all she got.

“Alright, I will give it a good. It shouldn’t be too hard since it will only be temporary. But I will need some time.”

“Not to worry, Luna. I will keep him busy long enough. After all, it’s hard to catch a ghost, remember?”

She chuckles softly and nods.

“Don’t do anything too reckless though, Zeref. Twilight will not be happy to find out her stud is unable to tend to her when she is….needy.”

Zeref laughs.

“Oh trust me. With her heat now over, that mare is still a nympho ever since she had me take her. Not that I am complaining.”

--In Ponyville Square--

Zeref stood there, waiting as the portal tore through the air and a foot stepped out, flies surrounding the form that now fully made its way into the real world, the portal closing up behind him. The Assassin gave a wicked chuckle as he gazed at Zeref with a wicked grin behind his mask.

“Even after all the work you put into keeping me from entering the world. It was all in vain. And the only obstacle in my way..is you.”

Zeref chuckled lightly and reached into his coat. He removes his glasses and tosses them to the side as he pulls out something that made the Assassin growl lowly in anger. It was the very same mask he had taken from him after defeating him back in the original game.

“Normally, I would be frightened to take you on all by myself. I can’t remember how many times you killed me until I finally landed the final blow on you. But now that I have this…”

He said as he slips the mask on his head and over his face. The item giving a massive boost to his abilities. This was something he had kept secret from everyone, including Twilight. The mask had made it to this world with him since the beginning. And now, he had his chance to use it. It didn’t give him a serious edge against the Assassin. But it gave him more than enough to just keep him busy. After all, he was just buying time for what was to come.

“What’s wrong bud? Does this bring back those unpleasant memories when I killed your beloved flies?”

The Assassin drew his gun and pointed it at Zeref, who quickly drew his own gun as well. Everything was dead silent for a moment as they stared one another down. The sky darkened, and rain began to fall quickly. And with quick footwork, they began to fire off rounds at each other while running in a circular pattern, trying to land at least one bullet on one another. When that failed, they tossed their guns away and when into close combat. Zeref had a clear advantage in this part. But he had to be careful of one attack that the Assassin used as his instant kill move, Swirling Ki. The fight went on for what felt like hours until the Assassin had worn down Zeref to the point where he collapsed on a knee. The Assassin chuckled darkly and approached Zeref with another gun he had kept hidden in his coat, he then aimed it at his forehead.

“Any last words, human?”

He asked before placing his finger on the trigger. Zeref looked up at him with his own wicked grin As he saw the sight behind the Assassin.

“Yeah...you are fucked now…”

With those words, he used his trump card. He ghosted into the ground and made his way to the large group of humans who had gun, hacking in process, and others in martial arts stances ready to go in on the attack with Twilight standing at the front.

“Leave our leader alone you bastard!”

Shouted nearly all the members of his organization. Zeref appeared next to Twilight and collapsed once more, she wraps him in his arms as the others waste no time in charging after the Assassin and throwing all they had at him.

I knew she could do it…

He thought to himself as he rested for a little bit. The tables had definitely turned on the Assassin now.

Author's Note

And we are down to the wire folks. One last chapter.

May the darkness grant you peace.