The Mind Makes It Real, As Does Magic

After making sure that all the girls made it home safely after the event that transpired with Twilight and Rarity, Zeref and Twilight began to make their way to the castle. It was about 2 AM in the morning, and Twilight was struggling to stay awake as they walked on. Zeref stopped and got on a knee, offering his back to Twilight.

“Come on, hop on.”

“Oh Zeref, that really isn’t necessary…”

She said before a big yawn came from her maw, she then blushed lightly after that.

“Come on Twi, I don’t mind. I will even carry you up to your bed. I will even tuck the little princess in.”

He said in a teasing tone on the last part. This made her blush even more, she gives him that cute annoyed buffy cheeks stare. This making him laugh lightly. But, she takes his offer, climbing onto his back, sliding her legs through the opening under his arms. He lifts her up and continues walking. Twilight wraps her arms around his shoulders and rests her head against her back. The rest of the way there was quiet. Either because Twilight was too embarrassed to say anything else, or she was starting to fall asleep. Zeref wasn’t thinking much on it anyways, he figured he’d just help her out. They walked on, seeing a few other adults out dressed up, either on their way home themselves or going for even more late night partying. Twilight was in thought as she held onto Zeref, if he hadn’t have been there for her when she was in trouble, she shudders to think of what her and her friend would have been subjected to.

“Zeref…?”

“Hm yeah Twi?”

“Thank you...for coming when you did. I know Rarity didn’t say it, but she also knows you were quite a hero tonight. I think the whole ‘rivalry’ you and her hold right now will blow over quickly. I mean...it’s just a game.”

“Honestly Twi, I hope that is all it is...just a game. Something has been nagging at me lately, that something big is going to happen. And that it will involve the game and this world. Like in the movies themselves. I just hope I am wrong.”

“How do you mean Zeref?”

“Well, first off, the AI in the game is more...sentient and autonomous. The game never had that much of an interaction with the NPCs, even the blue pills are aware and speak to you as if they are real people. And being a sci-fi fan, that usually leads to trouble sooner or later.”

Twilight nodded gently as she laid her head back onto his shoulders, nuzzling him gently.

“I wouldn’t worry about it too much, Zeref. But I will say this, I am...really happy that you are here now. I mean, I am sorry that you are stuck here and can’t return home, but also happy that somepony new is my friend. Not to mention someone as unique as you. I mean, you are a REAL human, one who can take the form of a ghost as well.”

Zeref laughed lightly.

“Twi, I wasn’t always like this. Before Luna brought me here, I was a shut in introvert who didn’t leave his home unless he needed something. I hated my world. And the people I grew up around looked down on me. Even my own...parents.”

He spits after he says that one word.

“They don’t even deserve to be called that.”

Twilight frowns at his words. What could make him loathe his own family with such disdain? Twilight was curious. Not just for curiosity itself, but worried for her new friend.

“Yeah, I was angry when I was forced here, no doubt about that. But at least you had the patience to deal with the way I acted and accepted me anyways. You, Dash and Shy. Even when I threatened your life.”

Twilight was upset with him for what happened, but also understood why he was so ruthless when he was scared.

“It is all in the past now Zeref. All is forgiven. I promise.”

“I know Twi...but I held a weapon of death to your head. I wasn’t thinking at all when I was doing so. And looking back on it, it still makes me feel like an awful being.”

“And the fact that it still makes you feel that way, means you are not a bad pony. A little scarey when you are mad yes, but that’s about it.”

The conversation continues until they get to her castle. He carries her in and up to her room, sets her down on her bed and makes his way to her door afterwards.

“Zeref, aren’t you going to tuck me in…?”

“Well, I figured you would want to get out of your outfit and get comfy. Just let me know when you are ready and I will come back in.”

He said as he walks out and closes the door. A few minutes roll by, she calls out to him.

“Okay, I am ready now.”

He nods and makes his way in. His eyebrows raising at what she was wearing. Another pair of black booty short and a black cut off tank top. Black certainly did look good on her, he was willing to admit that. Good thing he was wearing sunglasses. He walks over to her, getting ready to place the blanket over her, but she suddenly jumps up and wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly, pressing her body against his. This making him tense up a little and holding his arms out away from her a bit.

“Thank you again, Zeref. I really mean it.”

Zeref was a bit stunned by the hug more than anything. But she was so soft and warm. He wanted to hug her back so badly, but all he did was reach up and petted her on the head, lightly placing his hands on her sides and prying himself of her embrace.

“It was nothing Twi. I owed you big time is all. Anyways...I am gonna go now. See you in the morning.”

He said as he brought the blanket over her and quickly turns around and makes his way out. Closing the door behind him and making his way to his room. Leaving a slightly sad Twilight in the dark room, curled up under her blanket, eventually falling asleep. Once he gets to his room, he closes the door and removes all of his clothing. He sees himself in the mirror and looks at his new form. Definitely a bit more fit now. And he really did like his new dreads, even more so that he didn’t have to pay to get them. In nothing but his boxers, he walks over to the bed, but looks over at the VR gear that sat on his desk.

“I really do hope I am wrong about my theory. That is the last thing I need to add to my life.”

He said before faceplanting into the pillow and curling up under his own blanket, closing his eyes and drifting into sleep himself

--Canterlot Castle, Luna’s Chambers--

Princess Luna watches from her balcony through her telescope at what goes on within Twilight’s castle, mainly to watch how Zeref acts around the others. Things seemed to be going alright, He hasn’t tried to hurt anyone since his near suicide and things have settled down. What she did notice even more is that display of affection that Twilight had given him, but he did not respond in turn.

“Hmmm, he seems to be getting along with them fine. But doesn’t return the same affection that Twilight offers. Maybe in time though…”

A knock at her door was heard.

“Luna, I believe we have some business to discuss about what you have been doing on your ‘side project’.”

It was Celestia, and she sounded a bit irritated. Could she have found out what had happened?

“U-ummm….shouldn’t you be in bed Tia…?”

“Sleep can wait, you are going to explain why you have brought another being from another world here. And I want answers young lady.”

“Tia...it’s not what you think! He could be of great help to us! To Twilight!”

A bright light enters her room and out of it appears Celestia in her nightly lingerie. Her usual curvy self being shown off through the lacy skimpy clothing.

“And tell me dear sister. What exactly possessed you to bring this being here? And why would you of all things leave him with my favorite former pupil? What will you do if he harms her?”

Luna nearly falls off the balcony as her sister approaches her, her much taller elder sibling towering over her with her arms crossed under her large bust.

“Come on sis...he...he won’t hurt her...again at least.”

Celestia’s eyes widen.

“Again, what do you mean again?!”

“W-well, when I brought him here, it was kind of by force. And he got upset and-”

Celestia was to the point of anger now. Not only because of what her young sister has done, but what had happened between the new being and the young mare whom she almost considered a daughter.

“By the sun, Luna. If he hurts her again, there will be reprections. I will throw him into the cells and keep him there....for a VERY long time. Especially now that Twilight is a princess. He is lucky she is so forgiving.”

“Tia...please calm down. I know you are upset with me, but I promise, this will be good for her in the long run. And even good for ponyville. I have been watching his interactions with our kind. He even saved Twilight and one of her friends on this night.”

“I find that hard to believe, Luna. But I will be finding out EVERYTHING when I make my visit there first thing in the morning after I raise the sun. For his sake, I hope you are right about him.”

Celestia then teleports back to her room, leaving por Luna a little shaken from her sister’s words. She begins to worry about Zeref now. What will happen if Twilight does indeed try to get him on her sister’s bad side? No, Twilight would never do such a thing, she isn’t that kind of pony...right? All she could do is pray to Faust, that things tomorrow morning will go alright.

--Twilight’s Castle, Early Morning--

Zeref’s eyes shot open, he quickly sat up as he had a feeling that something big was coming. It’s funny, his paranoia saved him a lot of times, he wasn’t going to start doubting it now. He quickly hops out of the bed and slides his clothes and shoes on, grabbing his sunglasses off the nightstand and slides them on. He heard a commotion down the hall.

“Please Princess Celestia, can it wait till he wakes up?! It is because of me he hardly had any decent time to sleep!”

“I want to speak with him now, Twilight!”

“I wouldn’t have said anything in the letter I sent you if you were going to react like this! I don’t blame him for hurting me, he even apologized!”

“Let go of my wing Twilight!”

“Only if you promise not to hurt him!”

“Let go!”

Zeref takes this time to save both Twilight and himself some trouble.

“Time to ghost…”

He said as he goes into ghost mode and sinks into the floor, escaping the wrath of the sun princess...for now. And not a moment too soon. Celestia bursts through the door just as he vanishes from the room. Twilight lets out a sigh of relief to see he wasn’t there.

“Thank Faust...his paranoia never seems to let him down…”

“So, he thinks he can run can he? I will find him Twilight, he isn’t a ghost.”

If it was anyone else, Twilight would have bursted into a fit of laughter, it was hard to contain it with Celestia sure enough.

“I am afraid Celestia, that you are indeed dealing with a ghost. As he can take the form of one when he so wishes to do so.”

Celestia turns to look at her former student, glaring at her.

“Why do you even care to protect the brute? After what he did to you? Luna even made up some silly story that he saved you and one of your friends last night. I am a tolerant mare. But you lay a hand on one I care for so deeply…”

“But Celestia, he really did save me and Rarity last night! They bound my wings and put anti magic rings on our horns! They were...going to take us somewhere and have their way with us. If it wasn’t for Zeref...I’d be...I don’t want to think about it. He isn’t a bad pony Celestia...please don’t hold what happened against him. He was scared and in a place that wasn’t his home.”

Celestia sighs, shaking her head as she looks down at Twilight.

“If you really think that he even deserves your forgiveness, I won’t do anything to him…”

Twilight lets out a sigh of relief, which is short lived.

“BUT, I want to meet him still. I am sure you know where he is hiding. Please bring him to the study. I will be waiting there for you both.”

“Y-yes princess...thank you for understanding.”

Celestia walks out of the room, Twilight waits until the coast was clear and calls out to him.

“Zeref, she is gone now, but I am sure you heard what she said...and being the ruler of Equestria…”

He slowly rises out of the floor, still in his ghost mode. Thisform did put Twilight on edge, given that he had the face of a demon with sharp teeth and ever flowing dreadlocks

“I suppose I can’t stay in this form when I meet her huh? Just in case she goes back on her word?”

“I promise you Zeref,she won’t. You will be fine as long as I am with you and you are honest. I will vouch for you.”

“Thanks a lot Twi...you really are to good tome, saving my hide from the sun princess. Though, if I catch a whiff of hostility coming from her. I will be ghosting. Not ready to die just yet.”

“I understand. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that”

He takes his normal form and lands on the ground, walking next to Twilight as the leave the room.

“Meeting real royalty, kind of exciting in a way I suppose. Not only did I get to meet you and Luna, but now I get to meet her. Quite a privilege...though I am a little bit scared about this one.’

He said as he tried to be funny, he got a little giggle out of Twilight. Eventually they made it into the study, Celestia already glaring daggers at Zeref. This made him stop and nearly run back out the door, but Twilight calmed him and reassured him once more. Celestia began to speak.

“So then, you are the one my sister so foolishly brought into this world.”

Zeref bows his head to the alicorn.

“Your majesty.”

He said in a half smug tone, luckily she didn’t catch it.

“And yes, your little sister did drag me here by force. It was quite foolish of her. But you know what? I think I like it here. Twilight and her friends have forgiven me for the way I acted towards them. Definitely more accepting here than back in my real world, that is for sure.”

She stands up and approaches him, she reaches out and grabs him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him up slightly.

“And it is because of you that she was hurt, because you could not control your anger.”

“Princess you said you wouldn’t-!”

“It is alright Twi, I got this.”

He then turns his attention to the glaring sun goddess.

“Yes, I did lose control. Yes I did threaten Twilight’s life. How would you feel if you were in my situation though? Stolen from your home by a bunch of humans and not knowing what to do? Not to mention with someone like me who has something called a ‘hysteria mode’. When I go into fits of rage, It can start and I become a very precise and cocky person. Cold and calculating. Normally, I would blame your little sister for my predicament, but seeing as she has already started getting on my good side with the awesome rig she gave me, I can’t stay mad at Moony forever. Now would you please put me down?”

“Why? You are a big strong brute of a male. Why don’t you make me put you down?”

“Why are you wanting me to force you? I asked please.”

“Princess, just let him go-”

“Silence Twilight. Now go ahead, go into this ‘hysteria mode’ of yours. Show me what you can do...human.”

Without warning, Zeref quickly swings his legs up and around Celestia’s neck and begins squeezing them tightly around it, performing a flying triangle hold one her neck. This surprised the white alicorn as she could hardly even breathe now. She falls to her knee with him still in her grip, but struggling to not pass out from the lack of air.

“You let go, so will I, Princess. I asked you nicely”

No, this wasn’t his hysteria mode, he would have gone for more a killing blow than anything if he was in that. This was simply a move he perfected against bullies back in school, especially larger ones. Celestia didn’t know it, but Zeref has been studying her physique this whole time. She was tall and curvy, but had little muscle to hrr form. He was sure she relied on her magic more than anything. Just as she was about to pass out, she releases him, and in turn he releases her, rolling back and quickly horse kicking himself back onto his feet.

“I warned you Princess. I wanted to settle this without it coming to physical contact. But you were insistent.”

She catches her breath and looks up at him with anger.

“That was dirty…”

“When you are smaller than your opponent, you have to fight dirty. I guess you wouldn’t know that, being an immortal being who can’t die easily, and being an amazonian size mare.”

His paranoia kicks in again, he quickly takes his ghost mode and flies through the wall behind him, barely missing a magic beam that was aiming straight for his chest.

“Hmph...so he can become a ghost after all...cheap trick.”

Twilight was furious with Celestia, she had said she wouldn’t harm him in anyway.

“Princess Celestia, you promised!”

“He got away unharmed didn’t he?”

“That’s not the point! I know you care for my safety, but don’t you trust my judgment at all anymore?! I know I am not your pupil anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can go around making threats against my friends who I would happily couch for!”

Twilight’s eyes began to well up with tears.

“If he doesn’t come back...I swear…”

She quickly runs out of the room and away from her former mentor, slamming the door hard with her magic. It had dawned on Celestia with what she had done. She indeed did make a poor judgment call on Twilight’s judgment, and worse, made her cry. Something that Celestia never wanted to ever do to her star pupil.

“What have I done…?”