Harmony of Heroes: Ultimate Multiverse Explorers

Sweetie Void and Cosmo appeared in Skyros’ Throne Room. Solis and Dream Warper were present, waiting for them.

Sweetie Void waved at them. “Hey!”

“How did it go?” Dream Warper asked.

Cosmo answered. She proved herself. She defeated me. I threw everything I had at her, and she came out on top.

Solis stared at Sweetie Void in awe while Dream Warper sighed in relief.

“So that means…”

Cosmo nodded. Indeed. The alicorns will join the war.

“I admit, she gave me some scares,” Sweetie Void said. “She is probably the most powerful being I ever fought. Even more powerful than Craakthulx. She really could have defeated me. I don’t know if you saw her final form…”

“Her final form?” Dream Warper asked.

“It was so big that it could certainly be seen from Equus.”

Solis shook her head. “We were probably in the Throne Room, so we couldn’t see it.”

“Did you remain in the Throne Room all this time?”

“No,” Dream Warper answered. “We used the occasion to solve a little Friendship Problem, but we returned to the Throne Room as soon as we were finished.

Sweetie Void raised an eyebrow. “Was it with that meanie, Opaline?”

“That’s right. She and Solis needed to have a talk.”

“I see.”

Cosmo became thoughtful. I guess that this is that future down the drain, not that it would have probably happened with all these changes.

…

“Opaline was supposed to have a major role in the future?” Solis asked.

Yes, but now that you had a talk with her, it has certainly become impossible.

Solis sighed. “Seeing what she became, I fear to know what this role would have been… And it is still not certain that it is gone. Luna still has to talk with her.”

Dream Warper put a reassuring hoof on her. “But your talk with her was the first step to a brighter future for both you and her. Hopefully, you three will be friends again before long.” She then looked at Cosmo. “So, what now?”

Now, you should rest. I’m sure that Gaia and Ouranos won’t mind having you for tonight. Tomorrow, I will announce to the alicorns about us joining your Alliance.

“Thank you, Queen Cosmo,” Solis said with a bow, followed by Dream Warper and Sweetie Void.

After that, the three left the Throne Room, and the castle, seeing that it was evening. Probably just in time for dinner. Solis guided them to the island with the farm.

“As the queen said, Mother and Father will welcome you with open forelegs. Mother loves having guests. And wait until you taste her cooking.”

“I can’t wait to taste it,” Sweetie Void said.

“I can’t believe I’m going to see your parents, Celestia,” Dream Warper said, nervous.

“Don’t be scared. They are very nice ponies,” Solis reassured. She then winced. “Just don’t talk about what happened between me and Luna one thousand years ago. It… wasn’t a pleasant day when they appeared before me and asked why Luna was trapped in the Moon.”

“Not that the day was pleasant for starting, with you having just banished your own sister,” Sweetie Void said.

Solis winced again.

They reached the island and flew to the house near its edge, not far from the jungle.

They landed just before the entrance, and before Solis could knock, the door opened, revealing a sky blue stallion with a cloud-like mane and gray eyes, a bit taller than her. He had for Cutie Mark the curve of the planet showing the atmosphere.

He smiled warmly at Solis. “We expected you sooner, Celly.”

“Sorry Father. There were other matters to settle first.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. You are just in time for dinner. We have food ready for you and your friends.”

“Thank you.”

The two then became silent as they stared at each other. Then, they hugged.

“I missed you,” Solis said.

“It’s nice to see you again, Celly, especially after last time.”

“And my plan worked. She is back. We are together again.”

“Glad to hear,” Ouranos said before he broke the hug and walked out of the way. “Enter.”

Solis, followed by Sweetie Void and Dream Warper, entered the house.

Dream Warper then bowed. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mister Ouranos. I’m Twilight Sparkle, but call me Dream Warper.”

“Please, no need to bow, I’m not royalty. And you can forget the ‘mister’, just call me Ouranos.”

Sweetie Void raised her hoof toward him. “Nice to meet you, Ouranos. I’m Sweetie Belle, but call me Sweetie Void.”

Ouranos hoofbumped her. “Hello, little one. Nice to meet you.”

Sweetie Void looked around at the house. It reminded her a lot of the Apples’ house, but with more plants decorating it, with some cloud decorations here and there.

They were in a hallway linking several rooms, with a staircase right before the entrance leading to a second floor.

Just to their right was the entrance to the Dinner Room where a brown mare with a green mane that looked like a bush and red eyes was present, placing plates full of food on the tables. She had for Cutie Mark Equus itself. She was the same size as Solis.

Veggie pot pie. It smelled divine.

Once she finished setting everything, Gaia looked at Celestia and said, “Welcome back, Celestia. Come, before it cools down.”

Solis nodded. “Yes, mother.”

She then entered the room, followed by Dream Warper, Sweetie Void, and Ouranos.

“Hello. Dream Warper and Sweetie Void, right? I’m Gaia. Celestia’s mother. Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you for hosting us,” Dream Warper said with a small bow.

“Yes, thank you,” Sweetie Void said.

With that, everypony sat around the table, the couple side by side with Solis beside her mother.

Without waiting, Sweetie Void tasted the pie and hummed. “Mmmm! It’s delicious! The Apples would be jealous.”

Dream Warper tasted the pie too, and got the same reaction. “Oh my gosh! This is the best pie I have ever eaten!”

“I’m happy to hear that you appreciate my cooking,” Gaia said with a giggle. She then looked at Solis. “I’m glad to see you are well. How is Luna?”

“Despite some difficulty, she perfectly adapted to the modern days, and the ponies love her. She is going very well,” Solis answered.

“Glad to see that everything ended well between you two.

“I’m glad too.”

Ouranos suddenly grinned. “So, still single?”

Solis swallowed the wrong way and coughed, making Ouranos laugh.

Once she stopped coughing, Solis glared at her father. “Yes, I’m still single. With my duties, I was never able to find a stallion or a mare.

“Now that Luna is back, you don’t have this excuse anymore,” Gaia said. “You share duties now, and she can take over for a few days while you search for your soulmate.”

Solis sighed. “It is difficult to find something when everypony, at best, sees me as a mother figure, at worst, worships me.”

“Dream Warper is getting better. She doesn’t call you ‘Princess’ half the time,” Sweetie Void said with a knowing grin.

It was Dream Warper’s turn to swallow the wrong way, making Ouranos laugh again.

“C-Celestia is like a second mother to me!” the lavender mare eventually said once the coughing stopped. “I could never…”

Sweetie Void’s grin widened. “Ask Cadance about the fanfiction she wrote a few weeks ago. You will be surprised.”

Both Dream Warper and Solis’ jaws dropped.

“How would you even know that she wrote something?!” Dream Warper almost yelled.

“She shared it with Rarity, and of course, I secretly read it. It is really passionate, if you see what I mean. There was a lot of tong-”

“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR THIS! LALALALALALA! Not hearing!” Dream Warper yelled while she plugged her ears with her hooves.

“Then you used a spell to turn yourself into a stallion and-”

The filly suddenly couldn’t talk anymore because of her mouth being kept closed by Solis’ magic.

“No need to say more, young filly.”

“But I want to hear more!” Gaia whined. “It was starting to reach the interesting part.”

Solis facehooved.

Sweetie Void gave her best trollface before a new mouth appeared on her left cheek. “You two fucked. Then Celestia got pregnant.”

“AAAAARGH!!!” Dream Warper yelled before she hit her head on the table while Solis put her hooves on her eyes.

Ouranos exploded into laughter to the point of hitting the table with his hoof. “This filly is a riot! I like her!”

Solis groaned. “I will have some words with Cadance…”

“Can you bring her story to us? I want to read it,” Gaia said.

Solis hit her head on the table. “Mooooom…”

Dream Warper glared at the filly. “Thank you, Sweetie Void.”

Sweetie Void smiled innocently. “I just shared a story that I found interesting. Nothing wrong with that.”

“You are a demon.”

“I know.”

Ouranos looked at his wife pleadingly. “Can we adopt her?”

Gaia looked up in thought. “I guess that Celestia and Luna won’t mind a little sister.”

“She has parents!” Solis exclaimed.

Sweetie Void laughed. “Not a problem. I can just make more of myself.”

At that, she made a double which spoke. “I can be your annoying and adorable little sister.”

The first Sweetie Void spoke in turn. “While I can continue to be Rarity’s annoying and adorable little sister. Everyone wins.”

Ouranos and Gaia both grinned.

Sweetie Void grinned back.

Solis hit her head on the table again.

The next day, Cosmo was on a balcony of the castle, facing all the alicorns of Skyros. Solis, Dream Warper, and Sweetie Void were at her side.

Most of the alicorns looked worried.

I know that this is scary. We never went to war before. We never even faced actual danger. But for the sake of our world, of our home, and of everypony we love, we must fight. So, are you with me?

Almost immediately, the noble alicorns, the ones who had dominion over the planets, all yelled their agreement. Bolstered by the nobles, the others joined one after another, even if some hesitated.

Cosmo smiled. Thank you. Then go and prepare yourselves, because soon, Skyros will be at war.

With those words, the alicorns saluted and went to their respective islands.

Soon, the sounds from the forges in Ferrous District flared to life once again, but instead of tools, armors and weapons were created with the alicorns’ might.

Battles sparked in the usual designated spots, but instead of light duels, entire groups went through drills and rigorous training.

…And the Alicorns of Fear and Anxiety in the Motus district made plans and handled logistics for every possible scenario… with Joy Alicorns filtering out the actual plausible plans from the rest.

All around Skyros, everyone did their part to prepare for what was coming.

Before long, the three returned to Equestria where Sweetie Void returned to Ponyville. She entered the Carousel Boutique, finding Rarity in the process of using the sewing machine.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back, Sweetie. What did you do this time?”

“I went with Dream Warper and Solis to a place called Skyros to convince the alicorns there to join us. I had to fight their queen, but we succeeded. Then I got myself adopted by the princesses’ parents.”

Rarity moved the dress she was sewing the wrong way, ruining it.

She didn’t mind it as she stared at her sister with an unamused expression. “Pardon?”

Sweetie Void, in return, gave her an innocent expression. “I’m now Celly and Lulu’s little sister.”

Rarity took a big breath, putting her fore hooves together before her face. “What about mom and dad?”

“They are still my parents.”

“You can’t have more than one set of parents. Unless they are divorced and they both marry again, which isn’t the case here.”

“I have mom and dad, but myself now has Gaia and Ouranos as parents.”

Rarity gave her sister a deadpan look. “Please, make sense, and DON’T quote Discord.”

Sweetie Void laughed. “I left a double at Skyros to be Gaia and Ouranos’ new daughter.”

Rarity silently stared at Sweetie Void.

The alicorn put a hoof under her chin as she muttered to herself, “Should I leave a double at daddydede’s castle?”

Rarity was feeling a migraine, and she rubbed her forehead with a hoof. “I… I can’t, Sweetie. I can’t.” She walked toward a cabinet and used her magic to open it and levitate out a bottle. “One day, you will be the death of me. I swear.”

“I love you too. Oh, also, Cadence will probably hate me.”

“...”

Meanwhile.

Cadance found herself face to face with Solis. Before she could ask what she was doing here, the oldest alicorn said, “Cadance. We must speak about this story you wrote about me and Twilight.”

Cadance immediately teleported out of here. A vacation to some random desert planet in Samus’ universe sounded good right now. Shiny could take care of little Flurry for a week or two, or forever.

Discord never felt so proud of somepony before.

“I think that I will adopt her too.”

The next instant, a rift opened next to him, and Sweetie Void dropped a double.

“Have fun with your new daughter!” she then said before she closed the rift.

Discord lifted the double and wrapped her in his arms. “You and I will have so much fun together.”

Sweetie Void grinned. “Wanna tell Celly and Lulu that you are now technically their stepfather?”

“You speak my language, my little bundle of chaos.”

“When will Fluttershy become my mommy?” Sweetie Void then asked innocently.

Discord spluttered.

Sweetie Void was sitting at a table at Apple Death’s Sugarcube Corner, with her fellow CMC, including Little Ghost who was pretty much an honorary CMC by now. The ones who were still alive were having a milkshake.

“So, how did it go? I had to beat Cosmo to prove to her that she could trust me with the fate of the universe,” the alicorn said.

“Was that giant thing in the sky her?” Black Apple asked.

“Yep. Literally threw galaxies at me, and even used a galaxy sword. That was crazy.” She looked at Apple Death and Phantom. “What about you?”

Phantom snorted. “You had it easy. For all I know it's a toss-up whether she will join or not.”

Apple Death sighed. ”Ah at least convinced her ta seriously consider it.”

Earlier, Apple Death's universe.

“Ah'm telling ya, Miss Queen! Yer help could help us prevent many deaths!” Apple Death said.

If we were to win, yes. But if not, it would spell the doom of us all. Even if we win now, the battle against these Gods you speak of would still be on the horizon.

“...Ah know. And believe me, Ah wouldn't want to put anypony at risk if we didn’t need to. Despite being still kinda new to the role, Ah do and wanna take mah job as the new Death seriously! Our universe deserves it after having to put up so long with Thanatos-a Reaper that actually looks out for the living too. If ya wouldn't trust me, at least trust that Ah also want the best fer us as a fellow keeper of the natural order.”

Cosmo looked at Apple Death for a moment, then closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

….I admit, it is actually pleasant having someone sensible as Death for once.

She opened her eyes. And I understand your plight, Apple Bloom. Mmm, you say something about a military expo?

“A-ah, yeah! And it’s happening quite soon actually.”

Then I shall see for myself the might of your army, and make a decision.

Apple Death quickly bowed. ”Thank you! And Ah promise, we actually have a chance here! Ah swear in the name of ma’ family as the Apple Ah am!”

At that, Cosmo couldn’t help the small smile that adorned her muzzle.

…Yes, this is so much better than dealing with Thanatos. Little snake thought I didn’t see his futile attempts at getting enough power to challenge me… Foolish. And for the record, I do lament I had to let him get his way that long so you could accomplish your destiny, Apple Bloom.

Apple Death simply shook her head. ”Eh, complaining or getting angry now ain't undoing anything he did. Besides, who knows what more misery he would have spread had he remained the Spirit of Death.”

…Well-

“No, please don't actually answer that.”

Sweetie Void nodded. ”I see. Seems like you replacing Thanatos as Spirit of Death earned you brownie points.”

Apple Death chuckled. ”Something like that. So, what about ya, Phantom?”

Phantom was spacing out, thinking of something when she heard her name. ”What?”

“How did it go convincing your Cosmo? Not that good, by what you said before,” Sweetie Void said.

“Right. Ugh, well for starters I'm not like either of you. Cosmo wasn't… interested in a fight with me-"

“Not that you would've won. If it was that hard for me, she would've mopped space with you.”

Phantom shot Sweetie Void a stink eye before continuing. ”and I wasn't some Spirit of Nature, so I had no specific to play at. ’sides, I may have been kind of… irritated at the time with some implications about her.”

Sweetie Void and Apple Death looked at each other, then back at Phantom.

“Then what did ya do?” Apple Death asked.

Phantom looked to the side.

“My best…”

Earlier, Phantom’s universe.

“...So, I want to know one thing: you see the future, right?”

Indeed, that was an ability I possessed before that variant of your friend Sweetie Belle brought with her that foreign influence that destroyed past and future as constructs of this universe.

“When Sweetie Void arrived… So that means you knew, didn't you? About Eggman? The war?”

I saw the horrors he would bring to this land, as I saw his downfall by your friends and your very own hooves. There was nothing I was needed for.

At that, Phantom, who was in her anthropomorphic form, tightened her hands into fists at her sides.

“Nothing? NOTHING!? You call a WAR nothing? All those deaths nothing!? If you would have done something, Eggman would have been dust the moment he stepped on Equestria! Yet you stayed here and let him do whatever he wanted! How can you call yourself the protector of our universe when you let something like that happen!?”

Beside her, Phantom Sparkle and Celestia were dead silent, too stunned by how Phantom just addressed Cosmo.

As for Cosmo herself?

…..

She just looked at Phantom, her stoic expression not betraying a single thought.

Then, she walked forward and disappeared. Not teleported, just faded into nothing and then reappeared behind everyone. Hearing the clop of her hooves behind them, everyone turned and saw Cosmo behind them, not facing them.

…So, you consider that I should have dealt with Eggman and his invasion personally, correct?

Phantom growled. ”Of course I-”

Then, would you say I also should have stopped the Changeling Invasion in Canterlot? Cosmo said, turning her head to look back at Phantom.

Discord's attempts at taking over Equestria? King Sombra's rule over the Crystal Empire? Nightmare Moon?The Sirens? Wendigos? Should I have stopped all those too?

Cosmo fully turned, and started to walk over to them slowly.

I could have. Quite easily to the point of triviality too. And why stop at that? Every day, ponies and other creatures abuse either their status, skills or power to do wrong. Not only in Equestria, but all over Equus too.

As she approached, an oppressive aura emanated from Cosmo. Celestia was already full-on trembling,with Phantom Sparkle hiding behind her.

If I had it my way, I can make the entire world be just like a Skyros. A perfect utopia… For my alicorns it is at least. However, powerful as it is, Friendship alone doesn’t have the power to change all hearts on Equus. If I'm in charge, there's gonna be rules. Rules I will not be lenient with…

Finally, Cosmo arrived in front of Phantom. Her giant figure casting an ominous shadow that covered her, helped by her pitch-black fur.

So, I guess it depends on if you consider the price to be worth it. So tell me…

She looked down at Phantom. Her galaxy-like mane expanded to cover the vision of the ceiling and her eyes turned completely white, glowing.

Would you trade your free will in exchange for a paradise?

Phantom held her ground for a while, but Cosmo saw the doubt creeping her eyes.

With that, her eyes and mane turned back to normal, the pressure she exuded relenting. Without a word she faded again and reappeared on her throne.

I decided. Equus and Equestria will not take part in this War.

Phantom didn’t say anything at first, but eventually found her voice again.

“...No, Skyros will not take part in this war.”

Pardon?

“You hear me. I don’t care what you do, not anymore, but us? It’s too late already: all of Equestria already declared they will take the Alliance’s side. The Subspace Army already sees us as another enemy, and we think the same. There's no way for us out of this. So how about this: you don't want to be on our side? Fine. Stay out of it. Not like we needed you anyway.

But you better not try to stop us. Because then you would be against us and believe me, you will not like it.”

After saying that, Phantom stormed out of the Throne Room, leaving a stunned Phantom Sparkle and Celestia.

Unknown to everyone, Cosmo only said something to herself in response to that.

“...Mmph, spunky brat…”

And despite the thought, she couldn’t help the tiniest marks of a smirk crossing her features for a second.

All the fillies stared at Phantom. Some of them facehooved. Others sighed. Phantom Bloom and Phantom Belle simply put a hoof on Phantom’s shoulders.

“Well, let’s just hope that she will give it some thought,” Sweetie Void said.

“Worst case scenario. You beat her up like you beat up our Cosmo,” Shadow Speedster said to Sweetie Void.

“I would rather try to convince her the nice diplomatic way before going the hard diplomatic way.”

“Maybe the other two Cosmos could talk to her?” Little Ghost proposed.

“Maybe,” Apple Death said. “Or maybe she’ll show up ta the expo like ours.”

“Wait and see,” Phantom said with a shrug.

“Well, with that done, I’m thinking of having one last adventure before the expo. Want to come with me, you two?” Sweetie Void asked Apple Death and Phantom. She then looked at the rest. “If the next universe isn’t dangerous and if it won’t cause problems, I could even bring all of you.”

“Yay!” all the fillies except Apple Death and Phantom said.

“Ah don’t mind coming with ya. Maybe we’ll meet another of Crazy Hand’s villains,” Apple Death said.

“Wanna bet on who we will meet?” Phantom asked.

“Ganondorf? He’s the only one we haven’t seen yet.”

“Sounds safe.”

The fillies then finished their milkshakes and left the bakery. Before it, Sweetie Void opened a rift.

Waving goodbye to the fillies who were remaining behind, Sweetie Void, Phantom, and Apple Death jumped into it.