Author's Note

I feel like I need to apologize for the length of the previous chapter XD. Worry not, the only reason that one was so long is that I felt the need for each of the Mane 6 to be given proper introductions to the Nephalem, being that this is something of an official visit, and therefore would be treated as such. Also want to build up connections between the characters, to have any future drama feel impactful.

That said, the rest of these chapters will be SIGNIFICANTLY shorter. Like this one you are about to read! Enjoy :D

In Which Fear and Hate Begin to Manifest

The dinner was certainly a massive spread. Just for the main courses, there was a massive variety of different vegetable, fruit, and legume dishes. Max and Bozz had more food in that short moment than they did in the past few months, which the Wizard was more than delighted with. Now the deserts were being served by a phenomenally enthusiastic Pinkie Pie, with the main feature of the course being a light crusted pastry with a lime filling.

Max took a bite out of the pastry and carefully savored the flavor. He could immediately tell that she had decided to go for a more natural route with the filling, having it taste much more like the fruit it was based on rather than sugar with a light flavoring. Max appreciated this approach, and decided to call the chef over to congratulate her. "I must say, Miss Pie, these pastries of yours are positively divine. Akin to something I would have had from a master chef of Caldeum, once upon a time.", he said with a polite tone. After a giggle and thanks from the pink mistress of confectionery, he leaned in and said, "However, I have an idea that would make it even better."

Pinkie widened her eyes in excitement and leaned in as well, whispering, "Really?! Oh, pretty PLEASE tell me! I was happy with how I did the filling, letting the natural juices give it the flavoring when I got the preserves, but I felt like it didn't have a lotta 'OOMPH', y'know?" She was always excited to get new ideas for her work, be it from her own imagination or that of another.

Max chuckled and said in a whisper, "Well, back in Caldeum, in order for any chef to truly stand out, they need to do something innovative, unexpected, and in some cases borderline insane. Over the years, they've done this by mixing two flavors together." He then pointed to the pastry and said, "For this, imagine for a moment that the lime filling was mixed with just a hint of...chili pepper."

Pinkie stood there in stunned silence for a moment, and if one listened closely, they could hear the sound of a ticking clock emanating from...somewhere. When the bell to that invisible clock went off, Pinkie gave a wide grin and said, "OH MY GOSH! Sweet and spicy! Why didn't I think of that before? I mean I guess I've TRIED it before, but I never thought of SELLING something like that. What an amazing idea, thank you!" With that, she threw her arms around him in a big hug, with Max looking over at the princesses and Bozz, all of whom were eating this up.

With a giggle as Pinkie walked back to her seat, waving at Max, Celestia knocked on the table to get the attention of her guests. She then looked around and said in a kind, welcoming tone, "Thank you all for being here tonight. It is good to see this interaction between our two species go so amazingly well." After some sounds of agreement from around the table, she gave a deep breath. On the exhale, her expression went from matronly caring to monarchical seriousness, followed by a surprisingly dark statement. With a firm voice, she said, "As much as I wish it wasn't, however, this is a meeting caused by a great evil visiting our land." She then looked to both of the Nephalem and said, "So, if we may ask...what exactly are we going up against, here?"

Luna nodded with a similar look on her face, saying as she gave a slight sigh, "We attempted to get all of the information we could during our brief time in the High Heavens, though not surprisingly, the angels were very tight-lipped about how much of a threat the demons are, what they could do, and how their numbers stood after their failed attempt of the High Heavens."

Max gave a sigh and thought for a moment on how to proceed with this. The demons where something from the depths of evil and malice, destruction and damnation incarnate. After a moment, he looked across the table at Bozz, who slowly nodded his head. Max then gave a small nod himself and turned to look at the princesses. The room seemed to chill in that moment, deathly quiet as Max said, "Think about every single fear that you or your people have ever felt. Every nightmare you have ever had. Each and every deep, dark depravity that has ever been dreamed up in this world. Imagine, if you will, that every single one of them had a face...and an insatiable blood lust."

Everyone in the room, save for the two Nephalem, looked on with a mixture of emotions. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at their friends in concern. Twilight and Rarity both began whispering fervently. Fluttershy was shaking with fear at the description as Pinkie walked up to her and pat her back, looking genuinely scared.

Bozz walked around as well, patting Fluttershy as well as he passed her. He then said as he passed each one of them, "Yes. These creatures are ruthless, wanting to cause nothing but pain and calamity anywhere they go." He then looked each of the ponies in the eye before saying, "However, despite their abilities and their disregard for life...they can still be beaten. They can still bleed, they can still feel pain, and most importantly, they can still be destroyed."

Max nodded his head and said, "Other warriors before us have done so before. The demons always fall to their own folly, be it arrogance, pride, or a powerful tendency towards infighting." Max stood up and walked over to Bozz and said as he leaned on the table, "It was one of the reasons OUR campaign against the demons was so successful." Max looked around the table and said, "So to answer your question in summation, you are going to be in for a tough and brutal fight, one that may leave scars that won't heal...but I assure you, it is a fight you can win."

The ponies looked at the two Nephalem for a moment before looking at each other with determined expressions on their faces. If these demons were beaten back as often as their new allies said they were, they would definitely fight any that are here off.

Celestia gave a thankful expression as she stood from her chair at the head of the table. She then addressed the entire table with, "Let us take their words to heart. These beasts may be horrible, but they are nothing that our new allies have not faced before."

Luna nodded in agreement as she approached the two, placing a hand on both of their shoulders as she added, "With their assistance, we will surely be able to contend with this new threat." Luna then giggled and said, "To be honest, this only increases our excitement for the exhibition of your abilities."

Max looked at Bozz with a grin, knowing damn well just what they were both capable of. With a chuckle, he turned to Luna and said, "Well...we'll be sure to put on a good show when the time comes, yes?"

It was dark deep within the pits of Tartarus. Faint outlines of a barren, mountainous terrain were all that could be made out as far as the eye could see. These mountains were vastly different in size and shape, from many countless hillocks to a monumental central plateau. The only light that illuminated this land came from the deep, dark red sky, which gave the land an ethereal, nightmarish hue. Aside from that light, one could observe the plateau and notice a blue hue, indicating the highest, most isolated area in the realm.

It was hear that a spindly figure thrashed about among an intricate combination of various chains and bindings. His deep red skin tightened and pulled as he struggled, his yellow iris' darting around in rage. His four hooves pulled at the shackles that practically bolted him to the ground while his arms flexed and tried their hardest to pull from their restraints. He had been like this ever since those infernal princesses threw him into this realm for the second time, thanks to the Elements of Harmony. As he struggled, his ears picked up on something faint just outside of his field of vision. He could not quite place it, but he could swear he heard a...cackle.

As this grew louder and louder, the ghastly image of Mephisto slowly appeared at the edge of the area of visibility, a demented grin permanently fixated on his skeletal visage. He then said in his typical echoing whisper of a voice, "Hello...Lord Tirek."

Tirek, as soon as his eyes were laid upon this horrendous being, he was immediately filled with shock and terror. However, it was not because looking upon such a creature terrified him normally. No, THAT he was more than used to seeing. Rather, it was WHO this particular creature was.

"...Lord Mephisto?", he said in a slightly wavering tone.

The Lord of Hatred held up a finger slowly in response, as if telling Tirek to wait for a moment. After that, he put all four of his hands together and slowly pushed them forward. As he got close to the exact edge of the prison, a shimmering glow began to form, revealing the magical barrier that had been formed there by the princesses in order to prevent any sort of magical escape, be it internal or external. With that having been discovered, Mephisto channeled dark magic into his hands and quickly thrust them into the barrier, turning his hands as he did so and, before long, completely ripped the barrier open.

Mephisto then floated up to him and said, "It has been quite some time, has it not?" He then chuckled and floated around him like a predator circling its prey as he continued with, "Though that was by design, I'm sure. For if I remember correctly, you were one of those awaiting this new world as your exile." He then shook his head and said, "Misguided fool, always grasping for more power than he deserved. Lord of Conquest, indeed."

Tirek changed from slightly concerned to angry in an instant. His failure in the Hells was something that he pushed from his mind long ago. To be reminded of it now, of all times, the time he was disgraced for the third time in a damned row. It triggered the rage that he held since he first manifested those many centuries ago. "My Lord, you held me back from taking what was rightfully mine!", he growled out weakly. "Azmodan was making moves against you by that point. By right, I was meant to take the place of the Lord of Sin!"

Mephisto gave a growl in response and said, "Yes, you were meant to, after WE dealt with the matter! Your actions sent us into disarray, allowing the damned Angels to push us back from the Worldstone!" He then closed his eyes for a moment before placing a hand on his head, channeling his magic into him as he said, "Consider yourself grateful that we decided to do this for you."

As the magic was channeled, Tirek felt a surge of energy go through him as his body began to grow. His horns lengthened to a massive, vertically curved shape. His upper body muscles grew to the point where his arms were the size of most ponies. His lower body grew to send his body towering up 10 feet, completing his former, glorious form. He looked at Mephisto with surprise and confusion.

Mephisto gave him a look of satisfaction and said, "We are planning to expand our reach into this realm, that we may invade the realm above." He then looked to the horizon and said, "That will allow us to FINALLY obtain the foothold in the heavens my foolish brother lost us with his brainless scheme." With that, he swung his claws at the air, ripping open a portal back to the Burning Hells. "So, let us go make our plans for this realm. In the meantime, you can provide me with the information I will need, such as how we can enter the world above."

Tirek gave a smirk as he flexed every muscle in his body, breaking the chains that held him in the process. He then bowed before him as he approached the portal, saying in a deferring tone, "As you wish, my lord."

As Mephisto walked through the portal with Tirek, he asked the now reinstated Lord of Conquest, "Where is the other prisoner that was sent here with you? I remember there being two."

Tirek chuckled and said, "Oh, are you referring to Qandar? His tale since his escape is an...interesting one, to put it simply.

Mephisto gave an eerie cackle and said, "Is that so? Well, do tell! I would like to know what our fallen Lord of Discord has been doing with himself..."