Author's Note

Well... this took a while. I know you're all asking "Alpharius, WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?!" I got caught up in a lot of holiday stuff with the family, and now school is busier than ever, leaving me with almost no time to write. I'm trying to do everything I can in order to manage my time. I hope you all can understand.

A Temporary Peace

"So, basically, what you're saying is that Void has come back to wage war against Sheol, AGAIN, FROM THE DEAD, and that he's also the husband of PRINCESS LUNA?!" Twilight shouted. Twilight was sitting at a table with Sunburst and Starlight.

"I mean, you've already seen one of his children..." Starlight trailed off.

"ONE OF THEM?!"

"Yeah. They have two children together." Sunburst chimed in. "Ender and Star Rift."

"Well, this is one hell of a way to get an extended family." Twilight said sarcastically.

"Yeah, it seriously is." A voice said from behind. Twilight looked around, seeing no one other than Sunburst and Starlight.

"Down here!" The voice said. Twilight turned around and saw a small filly. "Hi! I'm Star Rift! You must be my new auntie Twilight! Nice to meet you!" Star Rift held out her hoof to Twilight.

"Nice to meet you too..." Twilight nervously grinned while shaking Star Rift's hoof. "I'm sorry if I seem rude. It... it's just that... all of this is just so confusing..."

"Pfft, don't sweat it. Besides, you'll get used to it. Say, how about I introduce you to a few of my uncles? I'm really sorry that they all seem a bit... violent, but they all have good sides. Especially uncle Vulkan. He gives great hugs." Twilight felt that Star Rift was being genuine, and she didn't want to hurt her feelings by saying no.

"Sure." Twilight said nervously. "Besides, it would make things a lot less... awkward."

Star Rift giggled. "Follow me!" She took off galloping. Twilight followed. Star Rift led Twilight towards the World Eaters. Many of them had their helmets off, their scars of war visible to Twilight. She shuddered at the sight of some of them. Still, she followed Star Rift despite her fears. Twilight wanted to be diplomatic. And she would get her chance.

"IT'S MY SKULL-TROPHY!"

"NO, IT'S MINE!"

"I KILLED THE DEMON! THEREFORE IT'S MY SKULL!"

"YOU DIDN'T DO JACK-SHIT! I WAS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT IT DOWN TO IT'S KNEES!"

Twilight rushed over to the commotion. Two of the World Eaters were fighting over the skull of a demon that had been slain in combat. They were wrestling on the ground, trying to pry the skull from each other's hands while a crowd surrounded them chanting, "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" She could tell that solving this problem wouldn't be easy. She needed a way to get their attention without sounding weak.

"HEY! STOP FIGHTING THIS INSTANT!" Twilight yelled. This got all of the World Eater's attention. The two who were fighting immediately ceased their squabble and stood up.

"He started it!"

"No, you did!"

"Enough! Both of you! It sounds like you both gave an equal amount of effort to bring down the demon. Can't you just share it?" Twilight said. The response she got was not what she expected.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! SHE WANTS US TO SHARE A SKULL?! AND SHE'S BEING SERIOUS?! BY THE BLOOD GOD! THAT'S HILARIOUS!" The World Eater fell over and rolled around on the ground laughing hysterically. The rest of them started laughing at Twilight as she blushed in embarrassment.

"Dammit Twilight! Why did you try and help the situation?! Now you've just made a fool of yourself in front of an entire legion!" She thought to herself.

Every World Eater ceased their laughter as Angron walked over to see what the commotion was all about. Star Rift was on his shoulder. Angron stopped at the two arguing World Eaters, giving them an angry glare before yanking the skull out of their hands and breaking it right down the middle, giving one half to each of them. He turned and walked back to his tent. Twilight followed him, not wanting to loose sight of Star Rift.

She entered the tent timidly. The skulls that adorned the inside did not help to calm her down. In the center of the tent was a brass throne, adorned with the skulls of Angron's greatest kills. (At least, the ones who's heads weren't completely smashed and mutilated by his chain-axes.) Leaning on each side of his throne were the two chain-axes that he had wielded for billions of years. Angron sat on his throne, meditating on past events. That was, until he was interrupted by Star Rift.

"Uncle Angron, I would like to introduce you to Twilight Sparkle! Twilight, this is uncle Angron."

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Angron..." Twilight was visibly sweating at this point. Nevertheless, she held out her hoof in a gesture of good will. Angron said nothing.

"Is he always like this?" Twilight whispered to Star Rift. "I thought he was a unstoppable killing machine from wherever you guys come from." Angron snickered at Twilight's remark, catching her completely off guard.

"I'm sorry!" Twilight squealed.

Angron sighed and walked over to the now terrified Twilight. He stood over her, chain-axes in hand.

"Twilight, I am sorry if I come off as intimidating, but I'll give you some advice." Angron held out his chain-axes out to her. "War allows you mind to accept certain things. Discipline, brotherhood, valor, glory, bloodshed, despair, and most of all, death on a massive scale. I know you are not accustomed to these things, but you grow to accept them. Like it or not. But know this: I was born in war. Born only to slay in the name of the Imperium and the Emperor. That is my purpose, and it has made me what I am."

"But you aren't all 'Kill! Maim! Burn!' uncle Angron. I've seen your kinder side before." Star Rift nudged his leg. "Besides, how are things with Lotara going?" She whispered.

"That's my business alone, and you know it!" Angron snarled.

"Star-Rift," Twilight said sternly, "I think we should leave your uncle alone now. We should take our leave."

"That would be most wise..." Angron growled. Twilight wasted no time grabbing Star-Rift and bolting straight out of the tent before Angron had the chance to rip their heads off.

"That was fun!" Star-Rift said with a mischievous grin.

"You could have gotten us killed!" Twilight retorted.

"Well, if you would like to talk to the opposite of uncle Angron, let's go see uncle Vulkan."

"Great, another nut job." Twilight said sarcastically.

Star-Rift took offense to this. "Hey! I'll have you know that uncle Vulkan gives the BEST hugs in this entire Universe and he is the nicest Azur you'll ever meet!" Star-Rift looked around. "Oh! It looks like he's talking to uncle Leman and uncle Magnus!"

"We shouldn't interrupt-"

"Even better!" Star-Rift shouted as she bolted over. Twlight sighed. She knew she couldn't keep with Star-Rift. Nevertheless, she made an effort to do so. By the time she had reached Star-Rift, she was out of breath.

"Uncle Vulkan!" Star Rift leaped into his arms.

"Star-Rift! My best niece-friend!" He embraced her with a massive bear hug.

"Hello, Star-Rift." Magnus and Leman said simultaneously. Vulkan released his embrace on Star-Rift.

"Uncles, I would like to introduce you to Twilight Sparkle! Twilight, this is uncle Vulkan, uncle Leman, and uncle Ma-"

"Oh! Hello Magnus!" Twilight said.

"Greetings Twilight!" Magnus replied.

Star-Rift was surprised. "Oh. You to already know each other?"

"We met on the battlefield." Twilight answered. "He saved my life. Twice." She shuddered thinking about Fulgrim. "I also saw Vulkan defending a group of young ponies. I can't say I've seen Leman though."

Leman frowned. "Well, I guess book worms hang out with book worms."

"Pardon my brother. He is not the most appreciative of knowledge." Magnus said. "Trust me, you get used to it."

"It's your thirst for knowledge that got us in trouble with the Crystal Empire, Magnus."

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what?"

"By the gods, Leman... Void told us to drop this subject."

"Oh, I know, I'm just annoying you. Also Princess Cadence is right behind you."

Cadence unleashed a flurry of magic at Magnus and Leman. Magnus was able to raise his shield in time before any of them were hurt.

“You’re seriously not going to let this go, are you?”

“You trespassed upon the territory of the Crystal Empire, and of you don’t explain what the hell you were doing in my daughter’s bedroom, I will assume you were trying to kidnap her. If that isn’t a worthy reason for a declaration of war, I don’t know what is.” Everyone could tell that Cadence was being dead serious. Twilight remembered when Sombra had tried to kidnap Flurry Heart, and the effects it had on Cadence’s parenting. Cadence didn’t allow Flurry Heart to go anywhere without supervision.

Flurry Heart shook off her swaddling clothes and flew into Leman’s arms at the sight of him. She was happy to see him. Cadence was shocked. Her horn lit up again, intending to blast Leman to smithereens.

“AHEM.” A voice came from behind. Void stepped forward, scowling at both Leman and Magnus. “Princess Cadenza mi Amore, forgive my brothers for their intrusion. The intent was to have them as a scouting party to map out the Crystal Empire. Unfortunately... Magnus had other ideas. My agents in your land had relayed the message of Flurry Heart’s birth, and that she was an Alacorn. Magnus wanted to see this sight for himself.”

Cadence nodded. Her horn starting to dim. For some reason, she found comfort and honesty in Void’s words.

“It appears that, during my brothers intrusion, Flurry Heart formed a bond with Leman. I don’t blame him. He is the fluffiest of all of us. She probably mistook him for a massive dog. In fact...”

Void fetched Flurry Heart from Leman’s arms and give her back to Cadence. He summoned a tennis ball out of thin air and yelled, “Fetch!” Leman ran after it, catching it mid air with his teeth. Cadence and Magnus laughed as Leman sprinted back to them with the ball in his mouth.

“Magnus, on the other hand, just wanted to know if the reports were true. He definitely found the answer.” Void explained. “There was no malicious intent behind their actions. And, if it makes you feel better, I have already disciplined both of them for it.”

Cadence's horn completely dimmed. Twilight was astonished at Void's incredible charisma and way with words.

"If you think that's impressive, know that he has convinced entire armies to lay down their weapons and make peace with each other using only haikus." Magnus whispered to Twilight.

"Divine charisma is a blessing from the Instrument of Desire, one of the four sons of Azur'rath." Lorgar spoke as he walked up to Twilight.

"Oh! Twilight!" Star jumped up and down in excitement. "This is uncle Lorgar. High-Priest of the Azur. It's his job to maintain religious stability within the Imperium."

Lorgar knelt before Twilight and placed a hand over his heart. "It is an honor to be in your presence, Goddess of Friendship."

"There is no need to bow to me. We're all friends here..." Twilight said uncomfortably.

"I must insist. You are a goddess, and it is my job as the High-Priest to honor the gods of the Azur and our allies."

Twilight sighed. "I guess it just comes with the job. Very well, you may rise, Lorgar."

"Thank you, Goddess of Friendship." Lorgar said as he got up. "There is one thing that bothers me though..."

"What is it?" Twilight asked.

"Since you are a goddess and all, shouldn't you be worshiped? In fact, the devotion and worship of the Equestrian pantheon seems to have dwindled into nothingness. Perhaps I should order my legion to build a temple to the Azur and Equestrian pantheons. It would be a symbol of unity between our two peoples and would bring back the worship that the gods deserve..."

"Lorgar," Twilight interrupted, "as much as it would be a symbol of unity, worship on Equus is not really a thing. When Celestia came to power, she specifically stated that she did not want to be worshiped, lest it cause her to go mad with power..." As she spoke, Magnus glanced at her. He knew exactly what she meant.

"Very well. I shall take my leave and tend to my legion. May your light spread to a thousand worlds, Goddess of Friendship." With that, Lorgar turned and walked away.

"So... my brother has granted you visions of the past..." Magnus muttered.

"Yes... he has. Suffice to say... they were... quite troubling..." Twilight muttered back.

"Sol! You old stallion!" Void shouted.

"Void! You son of a void-spawn!" Sol shouted back.

The two rulers happily embraced each other.

"It is so good to see you, old friend." Void said warmly. He released his embrace and turned towards Celestia, who was still quite shocked that Void was alive after all these years.

"Void... how?" Celestia couldn't even find the words to properly greet him. Her shock was overwhelming. Her right eye started to twitch rapidly as the crippling insanity of how Void was even alive started to creep into her mind. She saw him die all those years ago. She saw Sheol drive that scythe right through Void's chest. She saw them fall into the pits of Hell itself.

"Hello, mentor." Void said with a mischievous smile. He made a slight bow to her. "I believe you have a few apologies to make to a few Ponies... not to mention a few of my brothers..."

Celestia scowled in anger. "I am in no mood to discuss this with you, Void, even if you are who you say you are. How do I know my eyes are not deceiving me? How do I know it's not some sort of shape shifting demon?"

"You've already seen my scars while my armor had malfunctioned. You have seen the wound that was made by Sheol's scythe all those years ago. Do I need to explain any further?"

Celestia was silent. She knew it was Void himself, but she always had her... reservations about him. Especially after... the wedding.

Luna came up to Void and nuzzled against him. "Void, do not let my sister trouble you. I'm sure she'll come around in time."

Celestia was clearly offended by this display of affection.

"So... what's our first move?" Sol asked. They were all sitting together in the palace. The festival was over now so everyone had retired for the night.

"Well, you're definitely going to have to fortify Canterlot. If the demons can get here, as they have so displayed, they can get anywhere." Void responded. "We also must inform the rest of Equus of Sheol's presence. Everyone must be ready."

"And what do you suggest?" Celestia retorted. "Conscript the masses into fighting a power they barely understand anything about?"

"What? No. Absolutely not. Anyone who wants to help defend Equus will have to given the proper training anyways. Let those who want to fight, join the fight. We're going to need a LOT of weapons and armor. I expect that many will want to join in the fight."

"Leave that to us." Anvi said with a grin. She was the best at smithing armor, and Hammer was the best at smithing weapons.

"Divine weapons are extremely hard to forge and take a very long time to do so. Not to mention maintaining them is a massive pain in the ass." Celestia interjected.

"Then we will teach others how to make their own." Vulkan stepped forward. "The Salamanders are all trained in the art of forging and maintaining their own weapons. I can instruct some of the Forge-Fathers to give lessons to the populous. One Forge-Father has the equivalent of an entire life of smiting under their belt."

Void nodded in agreement. "Vulkan, see to it that it is so."

"Yes, my brother." Vulkan replied. He stepped out of the room to send the order to his legion.

"What about supplies? If we are at war there will be an increase in demand for food, not just for the people, but the soldiers as well. We might even have to militarize the economy. Something which would have severe effects upon the citizens." Celestia spoke with the attitude of a commander, something Void hadn't seen in a very long time.

"Rogal will see to the management of civilian resources. No one will go hungry in this war. He'll make sure of it." Void responded.

"Brother," Rogal interjected. "What of the defenses? The people of Equus are severely undefended. I haven't seen a single defensive wall. Choke points must be prepared and trade routes must have increased security lest they be attacked."

"I am also putting you in charge of that as well, along with Perturabo." Void turned to Perturabo. "You will be overseeing military resources. Guns, artillery, ammunition, and medical supplies. I am sure you will have no difficulty providing us with our war machines."

Perturabo smiled devilishly. He was looking forward to bringing in the big guns.

"That's the spirit." Void said while patting him on the back. "Other preparations have been made already with my brothers. And, Celestia, I guess we're giving a press conference tomorrow in the throne room?"

"You read my mind, Void. The public will have to be informed of the coming changes... especially those dealing with war..."

The throne room was absolutely filled with journalists of all creatures. On one side, were the creatures of Equus, and on the other, the Azur. Both were speculating and discussing, but it was clear that the creatures of Equus did not feel comfortable with the Azur around. The Griffons and Yaks especially did not trust the Azur. Ponies, Changelings, and Hippogriffs had a feeling of "the heebe-geebes" around the Azur, but they felt that they could be partially trusted. The Dragons, on the other hand, were absolutely ecstatic to see their "cousin-kin" again. The two races were united under the one banner of their ruler and the pact their gods had made with each other so long ago, and thus, there was along history of peace, prosperity, and friendship among them.

As the doors opened and the royals of Equestria entered the room, a flurry of questions began to arise. Celestia was obviously uncomfortable as most of the questions were aimed at her. The people questioned her honesty and her virtues, some even went as far as to compare her to Nightmare-Moon. Regardless, she held her chin up knowing her family was with her, as she would be the one who would do the talking.

And then Void entered the room. The Azur reporters stood up and bowed as he did. Even the Dragons were bowing! Twilight marveled at the sight of the Dragons actually being humbled before a ruler they accepted without any test of strength nor bloodshed. A few hours before, Void had debated with himself on which form he should take. He decided on his Pony form in order to promote a sense of unity between the people, and to symbolize his relationship with Luna. Rest assured, he still had his horns and wings to symbolize his authority. His tail hadn't changed at all as a matter of fact. He took a seat next to Luna, who smiled and blushed as he did.

"This meeting is now called to order. Questions will be taken one at a time, starting with the Azur since they are our guests." Sol's voice boomed through out the room. Everyone went quiet and the journalists raised their hands. Celestia pointed a hoof and the questions commenced.

"Celestia, before the incident at the last press conference you held to discuss the Sunburst situation, you denied the existence of the Azur. Tell us, how long have you actually known of their existence, and, if so, were they your friends?"

Celestia gulped a little. "It... was a very, very long time ago. Ten-billion years I think. One tends to loose count when they're immortal. I've known of the Azur since birth, as they were our most trusted ally in the war against the demons. A few days after Sheol's defeat, they disappeared entirely. I figured that they returned to the Void and had closed themselves off to the rest of the Universe... after a few hundred years... I... I assumed that they had died off entirely without a ruler to sustain them. Clearly I have been proven wrong. So... Void... may I ask you what was happening during all those years."

"Well, I'm not opposed to it. You know of how gods can regenerate their physical form if it is destroyed. Well, that's what happened. My physical from had been completely destroyed save for my own skeleton, which was fetched from the pits and placed upon the Obsidian Throne, where it would remain for billions of years. I sat dormant upon the throne for so long... truth be told, I was ready to return a-thousand years ago... but then... Nightmare Moon happened... and I lost all will to return." Void choked up and was silent for a little. "But then, the impossible happened. A young unicorn and her friends freed my wife from the Darkness that had consumed her. I decided to sit idly back just a little while longer and observe. In my absence, the Azur prepared themselves, for they knew that Sheol had not been truly vanquished and that war would come again. And then somehow a text-to-speech device implemented into the Obsidian Throne by the Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes, my own personal body guard. Once the so called 'Legion of Doom' had been defeated, I knew it was time to return."

One of the Custodes next to Void spoke. "The ten years in which he spoke to us through that text-to-speech device were... weird to say the least." He shifted his grey cape around a little. He wasn't like the rest of Custodes standing next to Void. Part of his armor was silver and he seemed in much more high esteem than his comrades. He even had a few feathers sticking out of his right pauldron... quite similar to Magnus's wings in fact...

"Yes, you in the middle." Celestia pointed her hoof at a Changeling.

"Lady Celestia, forgive my skepticism and worry, but, when we were still apart of Chrysalis's hive, she often muttered to herself about a... legendary menace to our race. One with four wings as black as night, four horns with the likeness of the purest of platinum. A great beast with an... appetite... for changeling flesh... one that slaughtered millions upon millions of us and nearly drove our species to extinction..."

The whole room was silent. All eyes were focused on Void. His expression was serious. After a moment of silence he spoke to the young Changeling.

"That... was a very long time ago... In recent years I have received word of the Changelings' reformation. I now consider your people as my friends. Not my enemies. And yes, while it is true I have a tendency of being brutal and violent towards the enemy to the point where the demons of Hell itself fear to even speak my name, your people are now redeemed in my eyes. The beast you speak of... I, shall trouble you and your people no longer."

The Changelings breathed a massive sigh of relief. It was obvious that they were extremely nervous about Void before he answered the question. Twilight was disturbed at the level of violence that she could only begin to imagine. Then again, she had seen the ferocity of the World Eaters and how they slaughtered the demons.

Void pointed to a dragon he was quite surprised to see raising her hand.

"Ember? I thought you wouldn't have any questions considering you're the Dragon-Lord. Tell me, what is it that you wish to ask?"

"Well... truth be told, I don't really know that much about the conflict that engulfed the galaxy. Granted, every dragon has heard about the legend of the long lost Dragon-King and how he would return to his people in their time of need." She gave Void a slight nod. "It's just that, dad never really told me much about you personally. I know dragons are immortal and all but I didn't think that dad was that old! Especially considering our... competitive nature."

Void chuckled. "Your father, Torch, was one of the greatest Dragon-Warriors of the time. He slew legions upon legions of demons and put himself in harms way on more than one occasion to save the lives of his troops. Perhaps I should invite him to dinner sometime so we can catch up on current events... Sorry! I trailed off there. So what are you asking exactly?" Void slightly blushed in embarrassment.

"I guess what I'm trying to ask you is, will the Azur and Dragons be under your direct rule once again as one united empire?" Ember asked.

"Yes." Void answered. He then pointed at one of the Azur reporters.

"My lord, is it your divine will to reinstate Princess Luna to the position of Queen of the Imperium, to serve alongside you as a caring and loving figure to our people and as a symbol of unity between Equus and the Void?"

The room went silent. Void blushed and stood up to answer. He smiled.

"Let it be known, that on this day, Princess Luna, my lovely and devoted wife, mother of Prince Ender and Princess Star-Rift, shall be reinstated as Queen of the Imperium by my will. So let it be written, so let it be done."

The Azur stood and applauded. Truly this was a joyous day for the Azur. They shouted "All hail Queen Luna, mother of heirs and lover of the God-Emperor!" Luna stood next to Void. She wiped tears of joy and happiness that formed in her eyes. After the applause died down, the two sat back down, Luna resting her head on Void's shoulder for the rest of the press conference.