Equestria; Ponyville, Ponyville Train Station; 10:30am

The train slowed down, stopping at the platform, Twilight and her friends exited out with their luggage with them. The past few days had been interesting for them, first they were kidnapped and replaced by changeling doubles of themselves, then Twilight’s student, Starlight and a few others saved them from Queen Chrysalis and they even gained an alliance with the changelings and their new ruler.

It was a bit much to process, but the biggest thing to happen was the sudden explosion of energy from the Badlands. First, Twilight was expecting to head straight for the cause of the explosion, but was sent back home alongside with her friends by Celestia. It made sense, they been through a lot and needed the rest… still… it left a troubling feeling for her.

I wasn’t the only one that felt it, Celestia, Luna, and even Cadance had to of felt it too. At first it was weak, but it grew until it bloomed, but it took me the entire evening to have noticed it, I’m certain they felt it sooner than I did. I guess there are some things I need to practice with my alicorn physiology.

“Hey Twi, you alright, you been mite quiet since we left Canterlot?” asked Applejack.

“Hmm? I’m fine… its just… do you have a feeling that something is going to happen?”

Applejack gave a thoughtful look before shrugging back. “Well, other than Pinkie’s foreboding warning, as long we’re together, we can face whatever comes our way.”

Twilight was glad that her friends were keeping a positive outlook to things, facing her other friends, they each chatted about yesterday’s celebration and some simple small talk. Maybe I’m worrying over nothing after all.

Gazing at the blue skies, she smiled, content that no matter how bad things get, she had her friends watching her back.

Equestria; Baltimare; 10:40am

The city of Baltimare was filled with creatures from parts far and wide due to it being a trading city, various ships importing their goods before returning back to their homelands. Standing in the middle of a marketplace was a tall slim unicorn, her mane and tail green, her fur a dark gray, and her eyes a light green. She glared at the surrounding crowds, but kept her gaze at the companion beside her; the being that stood taller than a minotaur, wore his usual outfit but had his gray and black hoodie on.

This caused his whole face and head to be shrouded in darkness, even though it shouldn’t had covered much. Those who gazed at him would only see two glowing eyes and the glint of his razor sharp teeth, but much of the crowd paid little attention.

“So this is a pony city ehhh… sure are a lot of different creatures though,” said Ouros.

“Well we’re in one of their coastal cities, these cities are known for trade with various races… at least those friendly to Equestria. I have a question though,” said Chrysalis.

“Yep?”

“What exactly is my name while I’m in this form, we’re in a pony settlement for a little while but I need to improve my disguise while we’re here?”

“...Huh, didn’t think that through enough… How about Iniquity,” said Ouros.

Chrysalis gave a blank look before sighing. Well I suppose it’s better than nothing, but I seriously doubt anyone is going to believe anyone has a name like that.

Strangely enough, nobody seemed to mind the tall unicorn or the ominous bipedal being that stood in the marketplace beside her. The two soon made their way through, until they came upon a giant fountain in the middle with several buildings around it. Ponies and other creatures made their way from different directions, but at the end of the road was a large building with a dome ceiling, being held by several thick pillars.

“Wooow now ain’t that a sight, things sure changed since I’ve been away,” said Ouros.

“You’ve never seen a city hall before… exactly how old are you?”

“Rude, you don’t ask somebody their age like that… and besides, I can’t remember… been awhile since I kept track.”

“Well, since we’re going to be here, how exactly are we going to the Everfree Forest, we don’t have any money to buy tickets for a train you know,” said Chrysalis.

“...In what reality is a bloody train!?”

Chrysalis facehoofed herself, not only was she dealing with an omnipotent being that can literally annihilate everything in a city this size, but one who has the knowledge of a brainless diamond dog. Thinking of a way to get some quick cash, she spotted something interesting, on a board was two wanted poster signs; the two posters was of herself in her changeling form and a black silhouette of a pony with a white question mark on them.

Wanted: Chrysalis – Ex-Queen of the Changelings; charged for destruction of property, tyranny, plotting of invasion, kidnapping, and being generally a baddie. 200,500 Bits; Captured Alive.

Well looks like news spread out quickly. Looking at the other wanted poster, both the charges and bits were exceedingly different than her own.

Wanted: The Badlands Demon – Defiler of Ponies; charged for murder, arson, psychological torment, cannibalism (rumored), armed assault, armed (literally, with a leg) assault, assisting a criminal, and possibly insane. 1,999,999.99 Bits; Dead or… well dead.

Sweat dripped down Chrysalis disguised neck as she glanced at her companion, who ripped the poster from the board and was examining the wanted poster, before looking at her whilst grinning. “Ohhh, look at all the things I’ve done… though that cannibal part doesn’t count, I mean I never ate anything that looks like me… though the ponies do look mighty delicious,” said Ouros.

Covering both her eyes and curling into a ball, Chrysalis was mentally and physically drained from all the craziness as of late. I just want to find a hole and bury myself in it.

“Oh don’t be down, I’m certain we can find a way out of this predicament of ours… Say, I got a grand idea, hold on one second, I’ll be right back.” Chrysalis was still curled up, but just waved Ouros off while she sat leaning against the board, contemplating her recent choices.

Now given permission – whether or not he would of needed it – Ouros wandered around the plaza, before encountering a pair of Royal Guards who were talking with one another. Approaching the two, one was a female unicorn, while the other was a male pegasus; seeing the bipedal being approaching them, they stopped their current conversation.

“Uh hello, how can we help you… mister?”

“Call me Ouroboros, I wanted to report a sighting of a criminal,” said Ouros, his voice smooth and reassuring.

The two guards looked at one another before back at the very mysterious being before them, both guards knew of the recent news of Chrysalis and a companion of hers that obliterated an entire outpost filled with a company of guards. “And… what kind of criminal did you saw?”

“Oh, just that I spotted a figure that looked similarly like that changeling queen fella over by the docks, not sure about her companion, but just wanted to tell you that.” With a smile, the two guards attention stirred but before they left, Ouros stopped them. “Before you leave, would it be nice if I ask for a small compensation for this generous information, as while I wouldn’t be getting the reward for their capture, I am certain you can be kindly enough to hoof some money for my help.”

The unicorn looked at Ouros, a bit unnerved by his smile but seeing that he did indeed give them some possible clue of the two criminals, she didn’t see anything wrong with repaying in kind. “Sure, here is five hundred bits… unless you want more?”

“No no no, I am not so greedy to be asking for more, besides five hundred is small compared to the amount you two will receive, especially the commendations from your superiors and royalty.” Like a spider spinning it’s web around a bug, Ouros had them under his finger as the two guards nodded vigorously and ran off to investigate.

Snatching the bag of bits and stuffing it under his jacket, he walked back to the still emotionally damaged Chrysalis, before tapping her on the head. Looking up she saw the now returned Ouros, his smile still as deranged as ever.

“So… what you been doing?” asked Chrysalis.

“Ohhh nothing much… just got some money and time before the guards figure out my ruse, now come along, we have a forest to go to and explore.” Chrysalis eyebrow raised, before seeing several guards heading toward the docks, putting two-and-two together, she realized what Ouros did and quickly but calmly made their way to the city’s train station and tickets to Ponyville.

He’s either a mad genius… or everyone else is a bunch of morons.

“Either way works my dear… either way works, ehhaahhaeheheh,” said Ouros, chuckling darkly.

Equestria; Baltimare, Baltimare Train Station; 11:00am

Arriving at the station, various ponies and other creatures were at the station either awaiting for their train or departing off. The two stood in line for train tickets, Ouros approaching the ticket vendor but before he spoke, Chrysalis stepped forward in front of him.

“Two tickets to Ponyville, please,” said Chrysalis in her sweetest voice.

“Two tickets for Ponyville, that’ll be twenty bits.”

“Twenty? Oh dear, would you mind lowering that price, my friend and I traveled far and it would be kind of you to give us a discount. Won’t you do that, for me please?” Blinking her disguised eyelashes, the ticket vendor blushed a deep red before coughing suddenly.

“W-Well mam… I suppose I can lower it to… ten bits?”

“Ten, I’m certain you can lower it moooore than that, would you.”

“F-F-Five bits then...”

“Ohhhh, thank yoouu, you are such a gentlecolt.” The pony in question was blushing deeply as he gave a dumb smile in return. After giving the bits, they both got their tickets and made their way to the train for Ponyville.

As they boarded the train, Ouros spotted some guards entering the station platform, but before they could find him and Chrysalis, the train began to leave. Grinning to himself Ouros chuckled as he spun the gold coin around his fingers.

“And that, my dear is how you misdirect your hunters, now once we arrive at this… Ponyville was it? Yes, Ponyville, you… are going to talk...”

Chrysalis earlier grin from bartering with the stallion vanished at Ouros comment, slowly Chrysalis was preparing a spell under her disguise. Ouros gaze was dark and empty but it switched to his jolly and manic look.

“Now now, no need to fret, I would just like to talk. I’ve been… away for so long that I notice things had changed since the last time I walked the surface.”

Here Chrysalis made sure they were alone, apparently not a lot of ponies entered the train for Ponyville, leaving them alone in the cart they were in. Quickly, Chrysalis cast a silent spell on the cart, making sure no sounds escape from within to the outside. The two looked at one another, one with eyes that make anyone shake in fear, the other that could make any go insane from gazing at them too long.

“Soooo… What do you want to know?”

“Well where to start – everything,” said Ouros.

Chrysalis sighed to herself, as she settled herself at her seat, she started off by explaining when her kind decided to reveal themselves to the outside world. This lead to mistrust between ponies and anything they don’t understand or fear what is unknown to them, leading to many of her children being hunted down; being cornered into near starvation, she led the kidnapping of Princess Cadance and the Canterlot Invasion.

She then told Ouros about what she knows about Equestria, what her spies had told her before being dethroned and everything else. She sat there looking at Ouros as he gazed at the ground before looking outside, gazing at the passing landscape.

“This… just became interesting, change of plans, we’re still going to the Everfree… but I want to meet one of these princesses first, they intrigue me. Where is the closest place we can meet one of these princesses?”

Chrysalis was shocked, out of all the things to do, meeting one of the princesses was insane… however. “Ponyville has the Princess of Friendship, not only is she the weakest of the four, we might be able to catch her by surprise… and I might possibly have my revenge against that Starlight Glimmer.”

“Then it is settled, let’s go to Ponyville and crash the place.”

Ouros gazed at the countryside, dark thoughts swirling within him like a vortex of madness. Ohhhh, things indeed have gotten interesting.

Equestria; Ponyville, Friendship Castle; 11:15am

Twilight was back at her home, cleaning up the mess that her and Spike’s changeling doubles may have done while they were kidnapped. Reorganizing all the books in the library – both to make certain they were in proper order and Twilight wanting to do something today – herself, Spike, and Starlight looked through which book goes where.

“Let’s see, non-fiction… fiction… adventure… biology… ohhhh, magic theory, I might read this later,” said Twilight, floating several books to their respective shelves.

“Didn’t you like read that book already Twilight?” asked Starlight.

“I did, but it was the day before I was replaced by a changeling and I was in the middle of some important research at the time… should probably make sure none of my experiments are currently active.”

“Don’t worry, I already checked around the castle, nothing explosive, dangerous, or both are active in the castle,” said Spike, lifting a pile of books.

Twilight nodded her thanks to Spike, going back to organizing, while they continued organizing they heard a knock from the library door, when a surprise guest entered inside. “Oh hey Pinkie,” said Starlight.

“Heya guys, you got a minute?”

While Starlight spoke to Pinkie, Twilight continued organizing until she paused her movements, after her attention changed to the conversation Pinkie was having with Starlight. “Sorry, what was that Pinkie, could you repeat that?” asked Twilight.

“I said, ‘My Pinkie Sense went off earlier and I think somepony new and somepony familiar is coming to town.’”

Twilight thought carefully what Pinkie said, thinking through a list of somepony she knew that would be with somepony new. There was a lot of ponies and other beings that would visit Ponyville for their own reasons. The likeliest candidates were Cadance, Thorax, Ember, or even Celestia herself; however, there was several problems with these possibilities.

Cadance can’t come because of the Empire and having to care for Flurry Heart. Thorax has to lead and govern the changelings, especially now of all times. Ember had to make sure all the dragons within the Dragon Lands wouldn’t cause an uproar with each other, or worse the neighboring lands. And I know for certain Princess Celestia wouldn’t come, ever since that strange phenomenon above the area at the Badlands, she must be getting dozens of questions from ponies looking for answers about that event.

“Then who else could be wanting to visit now of all times?”

“Well come on, let’s go and see who’s coming to Ponyville, I already set up a welcome banner and everypony else to help out!”

“Wait, already! You’re fast Pinkie,” said Starlight, surprised.

“That’s Pinkie for you, several steps ahead of everypony else,” said Spike.

Sighing to herself, Twilight decided to go along with her friend’s idea, the four left the castle and soon went to the town square where Sugarcube Corner is located. The rest of Twilight’s friends were helping setting up some banners to welcome whoever was coming, but because Pinkie wasn’t certain who was coming, all that was written was the usual ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ banner.

“Heya Twi, here to help Pinkie with welcoming this mysterious pony?”

“Yeah, I didn’t planned much and I can re-organize the books later, but why is everypony helping Pinkie out? I thought you had to work on applebucking for this week’s quota?”

“Nah, Granny told me the quota can be made without my help, besides I couldn’t say no to a friend.”

“The same can be said for the rest of us too, I was originally readying to make some orders from my client, but they had to cancel… something about their relatives,” said Rarity.

The rest of the girls had their reasons too, Rainbow wanted to see who this new visitor to Ponyville would be and Fluttershy was invited to help by Rainbow. The six friends, alongside Spike and Starlight helped with preparing some of the welcome decorations.

Even though everypony was helping with Pinkie, Twilight knew why they were doing this. I guess that explosion really freaked everypony out… just what caused it in the first place.

Elsewhere at the same time, Chrysalis in her disguised form and Ouroboros finally arrived at Ponyville, while they weren’t the only ones to arrive, there wasn’t a lot of ponies stepping out of the train to the platform.

During the trip, Chrysalis told Ouros about everything she knew about the world – from her birth, what she learned and was taught by her mother, her own experience and observations, and finally to the now. It was during this explanation that Chrysalis found a shocking and… interesting realization about Ouros.

He doesn’t know anything about the current world or the last thousands of years… just how old is he?

“Now now, all answers will come sooner or later, though your explanation has only answered twenty of my current questions,” said Ouros.

“Twenty? I literally told you centuries of knowledge and you’re telling me you still want to know more!?”

“Yes… and no, just the basics, from what you told me, I roughly know the exact time-frame it has been since the last time I’ve been awake. I also know two more things, one there are zero signs of any of the Ancients or that any knowledge about that has degraded or there is nobody alive to remember the past.”

Ancients?

“Oh and finally… one of the ‘Original Ten’ have drastically changed last I’ve seen of them. I mean, look at this marvelous creation!” Ouros turned around to spread both his arms toward the train he and Chrysalis just came from. “To imagine the pony race would of made such a wonderful contraption… wonder what other wonderful things they’d made?”

Chrysalis shook her head, from what she has gathered, she was dealing with some all-powerful being… that was very very behind the times. It’s like dealing with a really elderly pony or rather, a really elderly dragon, they’re the second closest race that have a long life-span.

Ouros smacked Chrysalis behind the back of the head for that comment – even though she only thought of it – Chrysalis snarling at the hit. “WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?”

“For being a snarky lass, now come along, we still need to reach this Everfree Forest place… there’s something there that I left behind for safe-keeping.”

Watching Ouros walk off to Ponyville, Chrysalis followed behind, grumbling to herself about the situation she was currently in. To imagine I be back here of all places… however…

Chrysalis stopped Ouros, before looking around to make certain they were alone. “Look here Ouros, this town holds several heroes of Equestria, whatever you are trying to find will be impossible with them nearby and even if we were to sneak by, they somehow – always – try to stop us-”

“Us?”

“I mean- What I’m trying to say is that we need to handle this first, before heading to the Everfree… and I know the exact way we can do this.”

Several minutes later – Equestria; Ponyville, Town Square; 11:25am

Twilight, her friends, and some of the townsfolk decided to begin this impromptu welcome party for who knows who. Everypony drank, ate, and conversed with one another, awaiting for this special guest to come.

It was during said celebrations that somepony was approaching the town square from the train station, Pinkie quickly told her friends and they soon prepared to greet this pony to their town. The pony who soon approached them was a tall, slim, dark gray unicorn, her mane and tail being green and her eyes a light green.

She was smiling pleasantly at the ponies, but for some reason, Applejack got some weird feelings about how she smiled… something felt off about this pony. The first to greet her was Pinkie obviously, with Twilight soon to follow after her.

“HI! I’M PINKIE PIE, WHO ARE YOU!?” shouted Pinkie.

“What my excitable friend here is saying is, welcome to Ponyville, by any chance did you come here with anypony else?” asked Twilight.

“Oh no, I came alone, as for my name, just call me Iniquity.”

That’s an interesting name… but where have I heard that word before?

Soon, Iniquity was introduced to everyone else, but before the party could continue, that feeling Applejack had earlier soon grew. Gazing at Iniquity, AJ soon saw a flash of green from her eyes and the glint of sharp teeth. It hit her immediately, but before she could react, Iniquity had her horn pointed at Twilight and soon fired a beam of green magic.

The beam didn’t do any damage, but rather the beam turned into a writhing rope of green magic that wrapped around her. This same magical rope soon spread to everyone else, Spike tried his best to escape but soon got himself caught, alongside Starlight and even her friend Trixie.

“What is the meaning of this, release the Great and Powerful Trixie, or so help Celestia I-”

“SILENCE!” Soon Trixie clamped her mouth shut, as Iniquity started to giggle manically, as her fit of giggles turned to manic laughter. “I DID IT! I MANAGED TO CATCH YOU ALL OFF GUARD!”

“Why are you doing this Iniquity?” asked Twilight, shocked.

“You really have no idea who I am, do you? Maybe this will ring a bell.” Suddenly a burst of green flames consumed her and the one left standing was Chrysalis herself, smirking triumphantly above everyone.

“CHRYSALIS!”

“That’s right, I’ve returned to enact my vengeance against you pathetic ponies, after I’ve dealt with you, soon I’m coming for that traitor, then your so called leaders, then, THE WORLD!” Chrysalis laughed victoriously to herself, but as this happened Twilight secretly tried to free herself. While Chrysalis sneered down at Trixie and Starlight, Twilight freed herself, readying a spell toward Chrysalis she fires a powerful stun spell.

Chrysalis turns around to see the spell coming, but instead of it hitting her, a shadowy figure jumps down from a nearby roof, pointing his right palm forward. The spell is absorbed by the figure, as he then nonchalantly stands there with both hands lazily behind his head.

“You should always watch your six my dear, never know what might come right behind you.”

Twilight stared at the sudden appearance of this strange being, standing taller than any being she’s ever seen before; the being gave her a cheshire grin, his eyes were a muddy brown, but for just a moment Twilight swore she saw a glint of red.

“I see you’ve met my companion, I’d like to introduce to you, Ouroboros.”

Ouros bowed with an elegant and flamboyant bow, lowering himself with one arm outstretched to point to the side, while the under was placed against his chest. Swiftly, he went back to his previous position, pacing around Twilight for a few seconds.

The pacing continued until Ouros examined Twilight with a critical eye, stopping to gaze her further. “...What in the heavens are you suppose to be?” asked Ouros, confused. “You’re definitely a pony… but with a horn and wings… odd.”

“Odd? What you mean odd?! I don’t know who this is Chrysalis, but I won’t let you harm anyone else!”

With a flash of her horn, Twilight managed to free her friends, as they started backing up Twilight immediately. Chrysalis was starting to regret her plan, but soon Ouros intervened with his hand patting her on the head.

“Let old Ouros handle this, you just watch… and learn,” said Ouros.

Approaching the group – who were all wary of Ouros – he waved at them with a surprisingly friendly smile. “Sorry about her, she’s just grumpy from the past few days, you’d be if you were usurped from your own kingdom too. Now I’d ask if you could kindly let us pass, I have somewhere important to go to and I’d rather not be late.”

Chrysalis was flabbergasted by all of this, to think Ouros, the same Ouros who slaughtered nearly an entire outpost of Equestrian soldiers, manipulated several ponies, and unleashed a ball of destructive power just a day ago, was cheerily asking permission from her most hated enemy. She wanted to scream, but the response from the ponies, outweighed her reaction to the whole situation.

“ARE YOU CRAZY! We are not letting you through, especially if you are friends with her!” shouted Rainbow.

“Oh why not, we haven’t done anything as of yet and she has been through enough as it is. Let’s pretend we never saw each other and move on with our lives, hmmm, how’s that sound?”

“I’m with my friend here and you just look and sound suspicious!” said Applejack. “So you either scram or prepare for a beating!”

“Now let’s be civil, we can be all fri-”

“How about you shut it, we’re going to defeat you and Chrysalis, and bring you two to Princess Celestia herself you freak!”

“Now now no need for strong language-”

“Yeah, what Dashie said, you and buggy should leave!”

The moment Pinkie called Chrysalis a bug, the atmosphere went to a chilling silence that even any nearby ponies who weren’t in the exact vicinity felt it. Twilight and her friends soon felt an intense feeling of fear and dread come upon them, they weren’t certain where it was coming from, but Twilight slowly looked toward the visage of Ouros.

His previous jolly expression became empty, cold, lifeless as his eyes warped into twin crimson slits, like a snake was gazing down upon its prey. His entire form was shrouded in darkness, even though he stood under the sun, his face was covered by this impenetrable darkness.

“You can insult, warn, threaten, deny, and be suspicious toward me all you like… but I will not tolerate any who mistreat those under my debt… I’ll ask one last time...”

Everyone was sweating bullets, they were frozen still with utter fear, they wouldn’t dare speak or move, even Rainbow was speechless, as her face became pale and her fur showed a white tinge to it. Twilight spoke, but barely kept the internal fear in her voice, realizing that the atmosphere around them seemed to darken suddenly.

“A-a-a-and wh-what would t-t-t-th-hat be?”

“...Will you impede our journey or do I need to do something...”

Not wanting to spark his ire even further, Twilight simply nodded vigorously, stepping back, pointing a hoof to the opposite of town. “N-n-no, of course n-not, if it would help I could lead you to-”

“Quiet.”

“Yes sir.” The simple word was enough to silence Twilight, the rest of her friends stepped back in a mix of fear, awe, and horror. Chrysalis herself was awestruck, but soon that shock ended with the simple gesture from Ouros.

“Come along my dear, we shan’t wait any longer, we have somewhere to get too,” said Ouros, back to his jolly self.

Once they gotten far enough, Chrysalis whispered up to him, though she didn’t care if anypony heard her or not as they walked through town, toward the Everfree Forest.

“What was that, did you use some sort of intimidation spell or something?” asked Chrysalis.

“Oh no, that’s just a passive thing of mine… though in all honesty, if they were too stubborn to keep insisting on stopping us… I’d paint that part of town with their innards… particularly that weird purple one. What is with those wings and horn, gave me deja vu for some reasons… reminded me of...”

Ouros began to ramble to himself, which Chrysalis blocked out as she followed behind him, looking back at the horrified ponies. I’m somewhat glad things didn’t escalate… I’d rather not go through another one of his ‘episodes’.

Twilight and her friends watched the duo leave, until they reached bridge that led to the Everfree Forest; making certain they were far enough to not hear them anymore – especially the being known as Ouros – Twilight quickly looked to Spike with a fearful expression.

“Spike, message to the princess! NOW!”

Equestria; Everfree Forest; 11:45am

Chrysalis and Ouros followed an undetermined path through the ancient forest, while Chrysalis hasn’t been here before, it seems Ouros knew exactly where to go from here. “It should be here further within, but I don’t remember a forest being here,” said Ouros.

“Okay, can you stop with this whole ‘I don’t remember this or that’ talk! I already know you’ve been around longer than any known living being before, but seriously… if this forest wasn’t here, what was?”

Ouros contemplated that question, before continuing to walk through more foliage and roots. “Instead of thick trees and wild foliage dotting this area, beautiful streams once flowed through here like cracks on ice. Flowers bloomed from all corners of the world here once, the light touched every inch of this land. The water flowed into a basin that held a tree made of a glowing crystal… beneath that crystal tree is what we’re trying to find.”

Crystal tree?

“The place had a name too, a place of serenity, untouched by any and meant for one, the Goddess’ Garden.”

Exiting from the trees, the two came upon a desecrated castle, but instead of heading to the castle, they circled the crevice that surrounded the castle. Circling it for awhile, they soon came upon a stone staircase that led deep below into the crevice. Going down, they were shrouded by darkness until a distant glow of radiant light was sighted, approaching the light they spotted their target.

“For five thousand years… you still stand, the Tree of Harmony,” said Ouros. Stood before them was the source of all harmony, the tree glowed and gleamed with the six elements implanted upon its branches.

Ouros approached while Chrysalis watched, standing before the magnificent tree, he placed his right palm onto the trunk of the tree. Closing his eye, he focused as the familiar red glow Chrysalis saw before shrouded his right arm, before trailing down into his palm as Ouros focused his power into the tree until he spoke.

“Drgsrm gsrh kozxv lu szinlmb, slowh wvvk yvmvzgs z nlhg ulivylwrmt zmw wzip gzov.”

With the distorted language that Chrysalis herself used to summon Ouros being spoken by him, suddenly several ancient clicks and noises were heard before a hidden staircase revealed itself below the Tree of Harmony. Stepping back for the staircase to fully reveal itself, Ouros began to head deeper below, however he turned to face Chrysalis with a grin.

“Sorry my dear, but you have to wait here… I have business down below and I need somebody to make certain I am undisturbed,” said Ouros.

“What!? You want me to wait up here, myself! Oh no, I didn’t get drag across this damn continent just so you could do whatever you want! You take me or we’ll have a problem here!”

“Trust me… what I need to do will be quite awhile to finish… besides we have guests.”

Confused what he meant, Chrysalis heard the telltale sounds of several wingbeats in the distance; the reason it was noticeable now was because the sheer noise and number of wingbeats heard, it was like a swarm of birds was flying nearby.

“...Fine, but you better hurry,” said Chrysalis, turning around to deal with the commotion.

Oh don’t worry… I’ll be quick.

Earlier – Equestria; Ponyville, Outside Twilight’s Castle; 11:30am

Twilight waited for the Princesses arrival, her friends waiting too, Spike, Starlight and Trixie decided to keep the townsfolk calm after what recently happened. Soon they spotted several flying carriages holding dozens of both Royal and Lunar Guard ponies, landing at the outskirts of town. With them was the carriage that held Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, but what was most shocking was that Princess Cadance was with them too.

“Cadance, what are you doing here!?” shouted Twilight, surprised.

“Well, after Celestia received your letter, she sent one to me, I immediately teleported to Canterlot and came along with them,” said Cadance.

“Well its good we got all princesses here, but we really need to deal with Chrysalis and that… strange cohort of hers,” said Rarity.

“This being… could you describe what was he like?” Twilight went into detail about Ouroboros, especially mentioning that strange feeling of dread that she and her friends felt. Celestia’s worried look turned to fear as she and Luna looked at one another.

“It’s as I feared… Twilight, there is something you have to know... Many centuries ago, before Luna’s banishment, when Equestria was beginning during its earlier years, Starswirl found some sort of ancient temple beneath the Tree of Harmony.”

Everypony was shocked, even Cadance never knew of this, Celestia told them about her, Luna, and Starswirl checking the hidden staircase beneath the tree, the ancient scriptures written there, the historical murals seen and… of the one it spoke of.

“So this ‘Father of Sin’ fella, is the source of all evil?”

“Indeed Miss Applejack, for years we’ve prepared for this… being’s return but, to think of all the beings he’d encounter it had to be Chrysalis… but why is he working for Chrysalis of all ponies,” said Luna.

“He mentioned that he was doing her a favor,” said Twilight. “I’m not certain what Chrysalis did to help him, but he’s in debt to her.”

“Either way, the only ones to stop him are you girls, the plan will work like this, our guards shall surround him and Chrysalis at the Castle of Two Sisters, then with the combined effort of our alicorn magic and the power of the elements from you six, we may be able to defeat him and Chrysalis at once.”

“ALRIGHT! Let’s kick this bad guy’s butt!” shouted Rainbow.

As they were all preparing to leave, Fluttershy and Pinkie weren’t as enthusiastic as the others, the two saw something in Ouros eyes that the others didn’t see… they saw something… ancient… more powerful than anything in this time of age.

Present time – Equestria; Everfree Forest, Castle of the Two Sisters; 11:55am

Chrysalis stood atop the remains of a destroyed tower, below and above her was dozens of Royal and Lunar Guards, aiming their weapons at her or the castle itself. Some distance from them was all four alicorn princesses and Twilight’s friends.

It appears Starlight and Twilight’s assistant didn’t come along, shame, would of enjoyed defeating them too.

“CHRYSALIS!” shouted Celestia, using a spell to enhance her voice to be heard. “SURRENDER NOW AND WE MAY HAVE SOME LEEWAY WITH PUNISHING YOU!”

“HA! You think I’ll be so quick to give up, with my new rejuvenated body and the power from my newfound comrade, I shall defeat you and rule as the Queen I am meant to be!”

“If that is so… THEN I HAVE NO CHOICE THEN!” Celestia turned to face one of her guards, the guard nodded in understanding, signaling the rest of the guards to commence their attack.

“FOR THE PRINCESSES! FOR EQUESTRIA!”

“COME AT ME, IF YOU DARE!”

The moment all the guards charged forth, Chrysalis levitated several chunks of debris from the castle and used it as ammunition to throw. The hail of rocks, rubble, and various other objects descended on the guards as some were struck, others dodged, and unicorns cast shield spells to block most of the blunt force of the objects.

Seeing this wasn’t working, she fired a beam of raw magic across the field, as a wall of flames burst upward. The wall of fire caused the charging guards to pause, with only the pegasi to fly over to strike.

Seeing them coming, Chrysalis fired blasts of magic at them, only managing to hit a few with some passing by. Flying upward, Chrysalis strike them down with her magic and hooves, the guards on the ground managed to go through the flames with the help of their fellow unicorn guards.

Some of the guards found the staircase that would lead to the Tree of Harmony, heading down to find Chrysalis’s ally.

Elsewhere at the same time, Ouros arrived at the bottom of the stairs into a pitch black room, with the only source of light coming from a hovering black sphere made by Ouros. Heading further into the room, he came upon a pedestal holding a basin full of a strange black substance.

Found it. Grinning to himself, Ouros let the black sphere float harmless away before approaching the basin. At the edge of it, he turned around, kept both his arms rigidly to his sides, making his posture that of a cross. Gazing at the darkened ceiling, Ouros closed his eyes and fell backwards into the pitch black fluid.

Several bubbling pops from the fluid surfaced from where Ouros fell until complete silence descended the room… then the black fluid became an intense fire. The fire swirled into a mix of purples, yellows, reds, until it grew bigger and hotter; a massive fireball burst forth from the flames and zoomed out and up the stairs back to the surface.

Chrysalis was in a pickle of her own as while she managed to take down a quarter of the guards, signs of her tiring was showing. Celestia spotted this and brought herself and everypony else to get ready.

“Its time, remember, we need to not only defeat Chrysalis, once she’s dealt with we must face the Father of Sin himself. Twilight, you, my stister, Cadance, and I will launch a spell to immobilize Chrysalis for awhile, then next with the help of your friends, we’ll defeat the Father of Sin.”

With that said, all four alicorns stepped forward and cast their magic together to unleash a powerful sealing spell. Chrysalis looked up as she saw all four alicorns hover in the air, all their eyes glowing white. Stumbling down, Chrysalis breathing harshly as she stared up defiantly, snarling back at those who brought her down to this state.

“I won’t… be beaten… LIKE THIS! I WILL HAVE MY VENGEANCE!” screamed Chrysalis.

Suddenly, bursting forth from the stairs that lead to the Tree of Harmony, a massive fireball flew up and launched itself toward Chrysalis. Just as the four alicorns unleashed their spell, the fireball consumed the spell with its intense flames.

“Is that all you got now? I expected more than that.”

Everypony was in shock as the one to step out from the flames was Ouroboros himself, nothing much has changed on him, but on his right hand was an ebony gauntlet with a crimson jewel placed where the back of his hand would be. Flames flowed along his right arm and up his face, the fire shaping to look like half his face has two horns curled behind his head.

His hair was blazing on the right side of him, as he smiled psychotically, revealing his sharp and pointed teeth. Cackling madly, a burst of flames sprouted around him with a snake-like movement.

“I AM THE FATHER OF SIN, ALL SHALL BE CONSUMED BY MY MADNESS! Now, face my judgment – SCARLET BLAZE!” With that yell, the fire around him swirled and blasted forth toward the princesses, Celestia quickly cast a shield spell, but the fire was stronger than she imagined as she was pushed back by the initial power behind the flames.

Several guards charged at Ouros from what they believed was a blind-spot, but Ouros swiftly turned around and pointed his gauntlet at them. Firing several small flames, they sped quickly like bullets, piercing through the guards. Two of the guards were killed from the shots piercing through their helmets, while the rest received holes through their body, the wounds sealed from the intense heat from the shots.

“Time for all of you, TO BURN!” Swiping his right hand in front of him, Ouros sent a swath of flames toward any it touched, leaving many guards burning in the flames. Since Chrysalis was behind Ouros, she was safe from the flames, watching the burning bodies of ponies before her with a mix of fascination and disgust.

“AHAHAHAHAHA! YES BURN LIKE THE WALKING FLESH YOU ARE! TONIGHT WE’RE HAVING BARBECUE!” Unleashing more torrents of relentless flames, many of the guards ran away and back over the suspension bridge. The bridge itself is soon consumed by the flames, as the guards and Twilight’s friends watch in horror. As the fires die down, surrounding Ouros and Chrysalis is the dead and dying charred bodies of ponies, none spared by the flames as their moans of agony and suffering can be heard by all.

“YOU MONSTER, HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO OUR GUARDS! YOU SHALL PAY FIEND!”

“Oh put a gag on ya twat! Now, want some more or do I need to fry me some chick-” Ouros paused as he gazed upon the four alicorns with confused eyes. “ens… Wait, there’s four of them? Yeesh they keep multiplying!”

“Now you shall face our fury, Father of Sin and your long line of suffering against the races shall end today!”

Here Ouros gave a perplexed look at the one speaking, then a strange feeling of deep familiarity was felt throughout his body when he gazed at Celestia. She… looks awfully familiar… where have I seen her before?

“Also, who told you that title… haven’t heard that in a long time… You wouldn’t happen to know the Ancients now would you?”

Ancients… He knows the old gods of the past from those murals in the hidden room below the Tree of Harmony.

“Oh no matter, I came what I got,” said Ouros, gazing at his gauntlet. “So I shall give all you my thanks for entertaining me this long, au revoir!” With a flamboyant bow, he snapped his left hand and soon was consumed in a tornado of fire as the tornado flew further north from their position. The fire became a distant flicker as it sped away before they could do anything.

Twilight looks at Celestia with a worried look, hoping for some sort of plan of action. “Princess, what should we do?!”

Celestia gazed with a calm gaze where Ouros was, but deep inside she was panicking, not only were her guards torched without a second thought, but he just nonchalantly absorbed their combined attack with ease and fought back with four times of their combined power. Deep in thought, Celestia gathered her forces as they headed back to Canterlot, seeing her sister not respond back to Twilight, she quickly ordered all unharmed guards to gather the injured and to have the deceased brought back quickly, sending one guard to gather more reinforcements.

“You get more guards from Canterlot, we’re going to need salves for burn injuries and as many medical supplies here now! Sister, where are you going, we need to regroup our troops and confirm our numbers if we hope to face off against that villain!”

“I shall let you handle that dear sister, but I must head back to Canterlot post-haste!” It is about time that the rest of the world learns what we had known for centuries… and that they know of the dark secret behind our ancient past.

Somewhere far away – Equestria; Galloping Gorge; 12:10pm

In just a short amount of time, Ouros brought himself and Chrysalis as far north as possible, soon the two landed in a ball of fire, crashing down on the ground, burning whatever nearby fauna there was. Chrysalis was unharmed but the sudden sensation of being condensed into a ball of fire was a bit… startling for her, taking several breaths to calm her beating heart.

“Never… do that… again,” said Chrysalis, panting.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be doing that in awhile,” said Ouros. He gazed at himself as he returned to his normal attire, his gauntlet reverted to a simple ebony bracelet around his right wrist, the bracelet having a red jewel embedded on it.

Chrysalis has been through so much with this strange being that she’s had enough, with a furious roar, she runs up to Ouros and pushes him – or attempts to – against a tree as she snarls at his face. “That’s it, no more secrets, no more trickery, and no more misdirection! You tell me who you really are or I swear I’ll-”

Ouros calmly reaches for her hooves and gently lowers them down, he doesn’t do it in a harsh way or using any force himself, as he gently brings her legs down and calmly smiles as he smooths out her slightly singed mane.

“Now now, no need for a hissy fit, I understand your… frustration, but all will be clear soon. We are just halfway to our destination, once we reach Mount Everhoof, all will be known… and I’ll be just one step closer to my goal. Besides… we are just beginning… what you started,” said Ouros, a devilish grin on his face.

Watching him leave, Chrysalis sighs as she follows what is possibly one of the most weirdest and deadliest beings in existence… and she’s the one who freed the bastard. I hope I didn’t end the world in some way, can’t exactly rule something when there’s nothing to rule.

Author's Note

Ouros has reclaimed a part of himself from long ago, now acquiring one more piece, he's only closer to his goals. With flair both grim and majestic, he's made himself known to the heroines of this world. Macabre in his actions, he'll stand before the world like a performer entertaining his audience... sadly he and his accomplice, Chrysalis soon left to move onto their next stage - far north beyond civilization and life itself.

What will Celestia and Luna do now that the threat that is Ouros is known to the public, panic will rise like a tidal wave, can they stop what's to come? Will Twilight and her friends be enough to stop this newest foe, or are they simply micro-organisms against an apex predator of ancient past.

Time is ticking, but will it lead to salvation or their doom?

Thoughts/Narration/Dialogue:
Twilight Sparkle
Chrysalis
Ouroboros
Celestia