Author's Note

Okay so this chapter is late and I do apologize for that. In wanting to ground the story until the ending I had to step back, see the problem and address it and the problem wasn't just pacing but activity so I'm chilling the pacing a bit and thinking out each chapter again. Let me know if this helped reading any and I'll see you guys next chapter.

unStable Changes

Allen woke up feeling refreshed as he looked to the sleeping form of Mikael, who just woke up with him and looked to his boyfriend. "Morning babe." The incubus' pleasant greeting was met with a tender kiss. "You are such a thief." He teased as Allen poked his nose, electing a giggle from the demon. "Hehe, cheater." The monk left his bed and head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast as Mikael stretched on the bed still in the nude.

Allen opened the doors to let the air circulate and Mikael put on some plain panties while Allen was in loose boxers and a white apron since he was working the stove. The saucy demon saunters up to the human from behind and kisses his neck. "So...?"

The human looked back to his incubus. 'My incubus. That feels... right.' He took the demons hand and kissed it. "We're a thing. You have over six months of time with me thanks to your sister and you know my good days and my bad days. So before you ask," he set down the skillet and turned around, sweeping the sweet incubus off his feet, "yes, you are mine."

"And you are mine." He caressed his human's face. "Also, don't let the food overcook." Allen straighten them both up much to Mikael's joy as he giggled before remembering the underworld incident. "So... how are you going to handle them?"

He looked back, now determined to end this threat more than before. "Their bodies can be hurt, by anything that has no definite material form, like a magic construct or barrier." Mikael had a thought regarding the keyblades he saw in Allen's memories. "Those are magical but that might also be too risky. My thoughts are just all over the place. Creatures that could hurt them, methods to protect ourselves and I don't know which will suit me better."

Mikael looked outside in melancholy and feared the worst before a though came to mind. "Why not arm the ponies with your ways?" Allen looked to Mikael, unsure but curious. "The unicorns are magic casting powerhouses with the right training, and by asking for blessings, Earth Ponies and Pegasai can receive otherworldly protection from the mutilated."

Allen looked down, afraid of one thing. "And Celestia?" He could trust Luna and Chrysalis as they stood up for him if only for Mikael's sake by a part of Alexie. "She hates me. I don't know why and I don't care why. Her subjects-no. All of Equus, Gaia-whatever they called it, this world's inhabitants need training in some art. The ponies will be too scared of me, and while I do have ways to get to each of the lands I would have to prove myself again. Maybe even use the same methods I'll need to-" Mikael smiled before grabbing Allen's face and kissing him, shutting his rant down before the kiss broke.

"You worry too much. How about you focus on how and what you are going to teach them and then worry about teaching them?" Allen just smiled with his cheeks dusted with pink as he nodded and focused on cooking. Mikael, in the meantime, went over what Allen had trained by memory and started thinking to himself.

'He was into the works of Lovecraft at one point, but all the training in the world couldn't make him a god. He'll gain some of the powers but not the volume of magic they can handle, not without using certain tricks, and it has a limit. Those keyblades can act as perfect conduits for greater reserves, but they are a material weapon and may become infected. If he does use them they will have to be a staff at all times.' Mikael sifted through memories looking for examples of controlled attacks. 'Naraku kept his yoki personal to his tentacles. Even if the volume of energy was immense, Inuyasha could not use the backlash wave since it wasn't a projectile. So let's go over our limitation. Allen is human and can absorb mana and has a good reserve but only if he has help. He can manipulate mana mid-flight and launch it back and enchant his weapons to hold more. The mutilated can twist any and all material forms and potentially the spirit. They can also incorporate weapons into their biology seamlessly.' Mikael looked through his notes and sighed. 'Unless I can turn Allen into a god or a Cyberdemon, fighting these things is going to be challenging for him by himself. Even he knows that there is no guarantee of victory once these things touch you.'

"Breakfast." Allen's cheery call got the incubus in a good mood as he sat down in the open living room and had breakfast on a biscuit with fluffy pancakes with syrup folded in. "Good?"

Mikael got his bites in a tried not to moan as he so wanted to lift his and his monk's spirits and mess with him a little. 'Maybe... if he took up the practice of a druid or warlock, I could give him my protection with the other demons or gods. And, nature permitting, I can teach him arts that could help boost his powers, if only for a bit.' With his thoughts settling on a more engaging and committed approach, Mikael seemed to radiate warmly as some light came from him. Allen just chuckled and feigned a moan as Mikael blushed and gave him a gentle push with his tail. "Nasty boy."

"Saucy demon."

"Tasty man."

"Sexy goat."

"I'm not Toriel."

"But you can be a mommy." The back and forth banter between them had eavesdroppers blushing at less than pure thoughts as they chose not to look in before a very familiar duchess stood behind them with a menacing air and they scurried off. Allen noticed the air and sat up. "Oh... hello teach. How long have you...?"

Markus just smirked and waved it off. "It's nothing I haven't seen before, but at least Mikael's eyes have their light back." The two smiled as Mikael and Allen nuzzled each other and wrapped each other in their wings. "That is wholesome, but Allen, I'm hear to tell you something you need to hear." The two nodded and sat next to each other as Markus sat across from them. "We were able to identify the race of the new source and where they are." Allen already knew there was more, since his teacher was one to start with obvious detail and work to finer details. "The issue is mainly what this source hopes to accomplish, not knowing what he's become or not caring."

"So any method of attack aside from magic?" Allen's answer was met with a sullen expression.

"I actually tried attacking with magic. Normal magic has little effect, but divine or otherworldly magic affects them like poison." She look serious and the couple felt a pang in their souls as a dark thought crept into Allen's mind. "But the source and by extension the mutilated become unstable, so massive chunks of this creature are to be killed and cauterized." She then looked at Allen. "And that's not the only unstable thing." The monk hung his head. "Your mind is going all over itself trying to settle on what practice you wish to keep. Make up your mind or stop training." Those words hit him as he enjoyed learning and theorizing about the spiritual world, but he couldn't deny she was right.

"What is he supposed to do then?" Markus shot a glare at Mikael as the demon silenced himself, knowing her answer and her statement would not change. She then bowed to him and left and Allen sat there in thought, unable to relax as all he could do now was wait. It was ironic as he was never trying to be the hero for anyone, it just happened. He looked back at his memories, back at his lessons then back at himself. "Do you need a moment honey?" Allen just nodded sadly and Mikael put on a long shirt like a sun dress. "I'll be in town okay?" Allen smiled with a nod and the two shared a kiss before Mikael left the house. Allen flopped back and start to theorize the best tools for a practice he can stay to.

Mikael soon just made his way to Sugar Cube Corner where Luna was outside enjoying a pastry before she say the incubus. "Good afternoon fair Mikael." She gestured to her plate of sweets which were mostly cupcakes. "Pastry?" He nodded and sat down, grabbing a strawberry cake when Luna say his melancholy. "What ales you Mikael. Has Allen commited something terrible?"

He shook his head. "No. His mind is a mess." He held his hand to his heart. "And his heart is overcome with grief. He wants to be a strong person that can conquer any hardship, but he found out that such power may not be within his reach." He took a bite and looked up. "What are we to do? I can rally the changelings should you need allies and the Griffons may come to our aid, but without Allen..." He hung his head, the melancholy now getting to him.

Luna tapped her chin as she thought of something. "Has he taken his final steps as a monk?" Mikael looked up, confused at her words. "Mikael, all monks wish to seek enlightenment. If he has yet to reach it, that may be the cause of his dismay. He may still be unsure of his path."

He chuckled to himself and spoke up again. "He always thought that a monk always learns from life, that by living life to their fullest they will find enlightenment." Tears suddenly dropped from his eyes onto the sugary treat, giving Luna pause. "He's afraid of losing everything again. I'm afraid of losing him. Again. I want to help him but I'm an entertainer. Not a fighter."

"And he is a monk." She spoke out immediately, taking his hand. "But that doesn't mean he's a pacifist. He's a protector. Right?" He nodded, drying his tears. "Now, enjoy your cupcake, okay?" He nodded and was able to smile and enjoy his sweets. Other ponies heard Mikael and they were hearing that the human was scared. A few saw this as their chance to get rid of the human and approached the house. When they entered the grounds they started seeing the human as ghosts around the house, practicing all manner of magic from the well known and accepted to the dark and dangerous.

They open the door and he was sleeping as a strange aura of his mana enveloped him and the unicorns that felt it also felt ill and overwhelmed as they ran off the grounds, gasping for untainted air. The pegasi felt weak in their wings and even felt heavy before they left the house then the grounds. Only a couple of Earth Ponies stayed and saw the human looked a bit pained. "We'll have our peace back once we remove this human. And Princess Celestia may reward us for our bravery."

"Or your stupidity." The earth ponies are knocked out and carried off to the front of the house as the ponies see a sight they hoped not to. Griffons armed with strange staves. They had on treated leather for their tops to their midriff where chain mail could be seen above a taught fabric. At their waist was a plating skirt above tassels and a pair of loose leather bottoms. Their shoulders, calves and forearms were plated simply and their helmets hid most of their face. On their waists was a buckler shield and short sword as they stood ready, their weapons in a relaxed grip.

The ponies turned back as Mikael ran down the street, followed by another griffon clad in similar attire. He cam in and saw Allen was in a state with an old griffon off to the side of the living room. He was dressed in a black duster coat trimmed with yellow at the cuffs and several medals on the left side of his coat. He had an eye patch over his left eye with a scar poking out, vaguely resembling a y or x. His feathers were a gun metal grey with off white fur of a lion type body. His bottoms were simple trousers that gave ample room for movement. He looked to Mikael and stood. "Are you Alexie, or associated?"

"My name is Mikael and I am Alexie. It's..."

"Confusing." The griffon finished. "Allow me, my name is Raymond Godfreed. I am general to the forces outside and have been told the situation by Chrysalis regarding the twisted." He bowed to Mikael and the incubus paid the gesture back. "Chrysalis and the demon Markus are going about to gather the other races that can participate in the upcoming battle. We have our forces battling any twisted with special bullets, recommended by Markus, though I know not how long we can last."

"How long do we have. How long does Allen have?" Mikael asked, worried their time is short.

"My forces can hold the lines for roughly two days. Any reinforcements we get adds time, depending on the help." He breathed in relief as he was confident they would have the time. "The best help would come from the Zebra shamans and the dragons, since these creatures can still be effected by magic and natural elements."

"It makes sense. They can imbue your bullets and weapons with magic and the results would be equal to a unicorns magic bolt if done correctly." The unicorns that heard this felt threatened and one went to Twilight to have a letter sent to Celestia. "But what about ammo? Once it's used at could be worthless."

"We have the craftsmanship to make ammo from virtually anything. All we need is time to make the ammo." Said Raymond with confidence which helped relax the anxious Mikael. "By the way, is he good with a rifle?" He gestured to Allen.

"I couldn't say. He likely prefers close range anyway." Raymond nodded with a smile, liking his honest answer before noticing the aura around Allen was settling down. "Seems he's finally relaxing." Mikael settled and Raymond knelt close. "Tell me, why was he so anxious."

Mikael sulked a little and answered. "His mind is a cluttered mess. He wants power to stop any conflict on his own and I understand why he wants to do that. Not everyone can be expected to pick up a sword and fight like their life is on the line. Such feelings have to be instilled by training or early conflict." Raymond nodded, knowing that such a desire can be taxing on ones mind without aid. "But he's been through so many methods of magic and training that with this actual threat on his mind, his thoughts are warring with each other. Thoughts, emotions and ideals are clashing, putting his mind under stress. Maybe this sleep was so he could better handle it for a bit."

Raymond looked in thought about something but chalked it up to a coincidence since the two were unrelated. 'To think such a thing. This child's thoughts are asunder from fear and grief with weight now hanging on his decisions while the vile mutilated act for a different reason. Those that are touched become twisted in every sense of the word by some vile thoughts as those that speak say disturbing things, if they can speak at all.' He saw Mikael set Allen's head on his lap as the two made eye contact and the human caressed his boyfriend's cheek. 'Besides, seeing this rests my fear. His touch is caring and with concern for his significant's safety. Those beasts on the other hand have a desire fueled by carnal want. The report was weird, but if left unexplored in one's imagination then Gaia could fall to ruin.'

"Did you sleep well?" Mikael asked in concern and Allen looked afriad. "Honey?"

Allen sat up and next to his boyfriend, resting his head on Mikael's shoulder. "I did sleep well... after a bit. I was being chased in the start of my dream, like a nightmare. It was unseen and kept out of sight. I heard voices from it, things that it wanted and ever on, knowing it was a dream, used that to try and escape, but it was fast. So I tried being more agile. Then it tried binding me, so I tried being more durable. In the end it caught and I saw.... me." Mikael was enraptured by Allen's story and shocked to hear that he was chasing and being chased. "It look like a version of me really. One wrapped with anger, grief, fear, loss and solitude. Regret. It lashed out at me, saying 'you let them die' and for a while... I didn't know what he meant. The scenery was my home so I had no idea what he meant. After some time I saw him cry. It was... cathartic? He was a ruthless hunter who then broke down and became the prey. But I couldn't strike him. He was me, so if I struck myself out of anger what do I achieve."

Mikael rubbed his back, draping the monk with a wing. "So you didn't strike yourself?" Allen shook his head, feeling it would have been wrong. "That's good. Hurting yourself does not bring a solution or solve you problems. It makes problems and causes more pain, to yourself and others."

"Instead of striking him," resumed Allen, "I embraced him. I feel overwhelmed by everything. What's happening now, what could happen, my fears and grief, knowing one wrong move could be mine or someone else's last. And he... he shook for a bit but he hugged back, as I had come to accept him, knowing he was me. After some time he appeared to shrink down and I hear a child call out. I turn around and it was my younger days, timidly coming from the hallway of a now familiar house. The two approached and embraced each other,crying in their arms. So, acting akin to a parent, I pick them up and they rest in my arms as I sit to the couch."

"That is when you started to relax." Mikael stated as dreams had varied time points with each cycle but the reaction matches up.

Allen nodded, resuming his story. "So we sat there, on a couch that changed with the houses we remember, recounting our good days and our bad days. Our best and worst. Our enjoyed highs and hated lows. There was a constant that we noticed. We attached ourselves to something as we grew up, for one reason or another and some were positive and stayed with us. Others were negative and discarded once we were over it. And that was it." The final statement sounded like a realization that drew their attention.

"What was it?" Asked Raymond as he was curious of the human's outcome of the dream.

"I got over it. Or over myself, rather." He then looked to Mikael. "I had been trying to attain a god's power, thinking if I became a god, then I could protect everyone that needed it. But no one can be come a god. That's why we still have our animal's urges. Humans are creatures of a living world, lesser beings who can never become god even if they say that god is in them. The universe is for all life but the center is reserved for those born as gods for they are gods and all other beings are bared from this realm. No matter the power we gain, the knowledge we learn or the faith we hold, we of the living even if we become demon or angel will never be a god. To be a god you must be born one."

Mikael and Raymond were stunned and it held for a few seconds before slow clapping startled them. At the door was Markus with Clevetius and something her height covered in thick rags and she looked very proud. "My student has reached enlightenment." She took the sword Clevetius and set it at the door of his room before joining them in the middle of the living room. "Do you know how many people in religion seek to be enlightened?" He simply nodded, knowing that every single person who seeks enlightenment does so to be blessed by or closer to god. "And what is the simpler version of your revelation?"

"There are many gods and the only reason they give us power is because they are curious about how we will use it. Spiritually, they are the center of the universe and we are barred from it." He then looked to Mikael and offered his hand with a smile. "But we can walk the universe with someone else, be they a friend, an ally or one's love." Mikael blushed with tear drops in his eyes as he took Allen's hand. "So let the gods keep their powers. I'll find something to end this threat without risking my soul."

"Admirable. Can you do it without risking my subjects?" They hear a voice and wings before looking outside to see Celestia make a landing and strutting to them to intimidate the monk. "Why must you be a problem." Markus glared at the alicorn but made no move toward her weapon. "My student sent me a letter explaining that you were aligning yourself with the griffons and helping them make weapons for them."

Raymond clicked his tongue, visibly offended. "Then you be a bit short on your glasses because the facts are the other way around Celestia." The princess looked appalled toward his attitude. "We aligned with Allen for a dept that he is owed for helping us in the past."

"A likely story." Celestia's opinion was cut short with Luna and Chrysalis making a land, the latter going to Raymond with Luna staying close to Celestia. "Sister? What is this about?"

"Just a progress report to Raymond. We were able to enlist the aid of the Zebras, but the dragons are being a bit difficult." Luna waved off her sister with a truthful response, not having any time for an argument. She spotted the covered item and called to Markus. "Fair duchess?" The demon looked to the night princess and bowed, Luna exchanging the greetings with her own. "Pray tell, what is in the wrappings?"

Markus smiled before she presented it to Allen. The human took it in his hands and unwrapped it before his eyes widened in joyful shock. In his hands was a staff modeled after the exorcism staves used in Hinduism, the basis for Druidism as both are centered around nature and spiritualism. It consisted of a dark wood staff that held a stubbed pommel that ended in a spike. Going up the staff, the wood appeared to spiral with thickening vines leading the popular and recognized chakram ring as the head. It had five rings on either side of a vajra that clung to the wood and speared past the ring, hold both firmly to each other and in place. The center of the vajra held a blue jewel the was translucent and foggy. Metal wire was wrapped around the base of the vajra and joined to the wood as it held small steel rings to the staff. "This is... I-I love it."

Markus smiled, expecting this reaction. "The pommel, vajra and rings were all made from a titanium and gold blend, so it's suitable for combat on top of exorcism."

Celestia started to tap her hoof and Markus brought Allen's attention to it. Figuring she wanted to be kept in the loop, he stood with his staff at his side. "Hinduism, and by extension Druidism, focus on the belief of the practitioner calling upon the collective powers of Heaven and Earth for their spells and ceremonies. The chakram at the top gathers the power of heaven while the pommel in the ground collects the energy of the earth and the staff joins the two in the middle to the user to imbue the user with magic power for their spells. And to pull an Axel since you seem to still hold a grudge, got it memorized?" He stated his practice factually before asking the princess annoyed if his answer satisfied her. The ponies looked shocked while Celestia started to flare up. Mikael sat up before Allen held his staff up, holding him back.

Celestia then started to charge her magic. "You need to remember you are a citizen of Equestria and therefor a subject of the crown."

Several things then happened at once. As Celestia reared back a bit to gather magic around her, Allen was already doing the same from three sources, the magic in Gaia, the magic from heaven and the ambient magic in the air as he brought it to his hand hold the staff as the three met for a simple but powerful force spell. Celestia brought horn horn down, aiming and firing her magic before Allen yelled a powerful command. "Be gone!" The collected magic gathered in front of the hand holding the staff and fired outward in a straight line, overpowering and dispersing the magic bold and knocking Celestia off his grounds before he followed her out to the street. Every pony though he was going to hurt of kill her but he just stood there, judgmental. "You don't like me because of the stories you made, heard or misunderstood. I'm a threat and you're the savior. Fine. You can banish me now if you wish, kill me where I stand or imprison me. It won't stop the mutilated or help your problems with them." He spoke like a teacher, berating a legitimately misconducting student. "So put me through me hell, ruin my name among your ponies, but don't you even attempt to tell others who they can and can't help. Friend help each other when they feel threatened over overwhelmed and you certainly are no friend of mine. So you can sit out participating in my campaign if you want, but don't tell others they can't just because your scared." The other ponies gasped audibly as Luna just smirked at his bravery.

"Don't you care at all what I could do to you?" Asked she as Celestia was at her wits end standing up.

"No. Because I have friends who are willing to help me, you, your subject and this world. All you're concerned about is keeping a peace that doesn't exist anymore. So I'll put this bluntly. Get on board or stay out of our way." Celestia was just stunned by his brazen attitude, not caring what would happen and when he looked to the individuals in his house, even her own sister took sides with the human, stepping in front of his house protectively. "So take your longevity flank and fly it back to your cushy castle. I have preperations to make." Her nostrils flared as she tried to keep a cool face and teleported instead to avoid making a fool of herself before proceeding to down a cake.

He walked back in and Raymond clapped before speaking up. "So what's the first order of business?"

He then looked to Luna, Chrysalis and Markus. "Are the Zebra on board?" They nodded simply and he thought carefully before looking to Mikael, who looked startled. "I have to be one the front lines with them. You let me be your knight and I'll guard you with my soul." His aura flashed and Mikael felt relaxed before thinking.

"Have two-thirds of the Zebra meet with the griffons on field to enchant their weapons. They'll need those new rounds asap." He directed to Luna, who nodded and flew out. "The dragons will be top priority since Allen has already dealt with them. Gaining their help is a must. After that we'll head to the minotaur for heavy weapons to push the mutilated back." Raymond smiled and nudged Allen, who smiled proudly with a blush. "Once the dragons are dealt with, whether they join or not, we'll head for the secluded village of the Kirin."

Allen's attention was piqued at the word. "Deities?"

Mikael chuckled, knowing his boyfriend's interest. "Not really. Half pony, half dragon. All fluff and fire." He then had to think a bit before he blushed. "I need a map." Raymond and Chrysalis both provided one and the two nearly started fighting before he took them both. "One will be used to track the spread of the mutilated. The other will be used to mark the other races where ever they are. We need the help. So are we clear?" The others nodded and Mikael after. "Then it's settled, we head for the dragons." Everyone save for Mikael and Allen left the house and the incubus rubbed the monk's cheek. "Are you sure your okay?"

He shook his head. "I'm okay but I am afraid. These changes that I've been going through, the mentality shifts? I'm afraid that it's not my body becoming unstable, but my mind." He cupped his left temple as Mikael gently took it. "We don't have to leave for the dragons right this minute, do we?" Mikael shook his head, pecking Allen's lips as he brought the monk into a hug. "Because right now I need my snuggle goat." Mikael just chuckled as they lay on the firm flooring and Allen set the staff to the side before cuddling up to his soft boy and passed out.

Mikael gently pet Allen's hair, letting him relax so he can calm himself with some better sleep.