Everywhere and Nowhere

It was a state of utter chaos.

Sirens blaring, medical help rushing to escort the wounded or dying to emergency facilities. Many held their loved ones or friends, praying for their wellness. And yet, none would know of the hooded figure walking through the debris and carnage.

Shadow Scythe continued to observe the horrific outcome of Manehatten. Hours had passed, the sun starting to set, and there was still detritus and ruined buildings left after the titan’s onslaught. No one knew why the giant came, many labeling it as ‘just another monster attack.’ Yet for the reaper, there was only one mare that should be held responsible for the calamity.

In the many months she spent trying to recollect the missing pieces of her memories, the pale unicorn silently observed Beatrix. At first, it was to convince herself that the witch wouldn’t abandon worlds in a bad state. That Beatrix had grown with experience to help others.

But it became abundantly clear that was never the case, the wandering mage too obsessed with finding her daughter to realize the destruction following her trails.

Icy blue eyes turned upward, the sky stained in rich colors, shadows all over the area growing prominent as the sun dipped into the horizon. In her right hand was a curved, rune-lined sickle, a mare’s skull brandished behind the blade, which glinted off the dying light’s rays. It was time to make her move.

Grimly, Shadow Scythe dove into the wreckage, looming over the mortally wounded, unable to receive immediate attention. Without any hesitation, she ended their suffering with a swoop of her blade, so swiftly, it looked like a blur. Fear and pain subsided as the warmth instantly left their eyes. This was her preferred method in delivering death, quick and gentle, without spilling more blood from their already mangled bodies. Shadow Scythe even hummed a gentle lullaby to comfort them on their path towards the afterlife.

This was what she was born to do, as emphasized by the equine skull over crossbones imprinted on her flanks. Yet strangely, Shadow recalled never taking to her tasks like this back when she served in her own version of Equestria. She had grown bored of her duties then, thus beginning her quest and ravenous thirst for power.

Yet here, a strange sense of contentment filled her lithe body as she sliced off another would-be corpse’s head with precision.

Perhaps the unicorn had been a broken spirit, and only now did she realize life’s beauty, despite its fragility.

Glowing orbs of energy escaped from the slain, toppled bodies. The higher they rose, the brighter these wisps glowed before disappearing into the ether, free from their mortal coils. A shimmer reflected off her hood, her eyes narrowed over the lifeless, colorless husk left behind.

Despite this new spiritual awakeness, Shadow Scythe despised how limited her physical form was. Vital sustenance, the need to excrete wastes, the demanded pleasure she denied it…. Sensations she craved, thanks to Beatrix and her friends, one of which forced the malicious reaper to feel empathy, to ‘purify’ her.

A dry chuckle left her throat. Ironic that the witch tried to ‘cure’ her wickedness, yet feared a similar fate by the Fallen One’s hands. “Hypocrite,” she muttered lowly to herself.

And yet, she couldn't deny the truth lingering in her immortal soul. Shadow Scythe cared about her. Despite the reckless actions and self-absorbed nature, the reaper felt sympathy for the witch and her friends.

What left the reaper distraught was whether she had genuinely felt this way, or merely because they implemented it when they stole her identity. She felt split between lingering loathing and dreadful loneliness, unable to help the way her heart ached.

Shadow wiped her face of the icy tears that threatened to stain her cheeks. Whatever the reason, she needed to stop Beatrix before more innocent blood was needlessly drawn. And to do that, the unicorn needed to learn arcane magic for herself.

While keeping an eye on Beatrix, Shadow Scythe bode her time to collect everything she could find on the source. Yet nothing told her what it was and how she could access it. And the reaper really didn’t like the idea of asking that false idol for help. Polite as he was, Zeloph was in a dangerous state of mind, burning vengeance clear in his many magenta eyes the last they spoke.

But what other options did she have left?

Winding her way through a maze of buildings, Shadow Scythe rose her snout towards the old library’s entrance, the one she saw Beatrix emerge from earlier today. She sighed, “...might as well give it a shot.”

She went inside and scanned through the dusty bookshelves and scattered tomes. Unlike Beatrix, however, she slipped into the archives housed below, forbidden to the public eye. Lighting a candle for its lumination, she delved deep into the first set of grimoires, hastily scanning through pages. When nothing related to archaic spells or the sort turned up, the pale unicorn continued through some old, tattered tomes, threatening to crumble into dust.

A musty stench filled her nostrils. Around her were old artifacts displayed in cases similar to a museum. The only exception being a mirror, lined in cobwebs where a bloated spider skittered by. Dust covered the shaded area, also lit by her flared unicorn horn.

“Useless,” Shadow muttered once she tossed books aside, depicting the most advanced spells that she had long since mastered. Another dead-end.

“What a waste of time!” She spat, tossing her current finding aside as it knocked over the pile. Just as she was about to leave, one book toppled over and caught her eye. “A… child’s book? What is that doing here?” she wondered.

The cover was old, yet the faded hue of bright colors made it stand out among the rest. Her curiosity growing, the reaper picked it up and opened it, finding pop-up pictures on each page. Surprisingly, the illustrations held up despite the faded paint.

It depicted a land, unlike Equestria, with many strange creatures roaming about. A castle stood tall, where many gathered to celebrate the arrival of lords and ladies, who had ventured to celebrate.

“Clearly, this had the female fantasy in mind…” Shadow Scythe commented before flipping the next page. What she read through next caused her brows to furrow. “... huh?”

One particular king was colored...or more accurately scribbled in red. The crowd looked frightened, many concerning expressions sketched. The next page showed the character grabbing another by the throat, many guests fleeing in terror. The page had a few spots drawn in charcoal, likely depicting fire.

With every page, the imagery grew more disturbing. Bodies charred, blood leaking over the floor, the red character sporting more deranged expressions until the next page showed the entire castle being burnt down. The book’s final pages no longer held pop-ups, just burnt paper displaying the character within flames, surrounded by monstrous faces. Shadow Scythe’s eyes narrowed over one sentence that deeply unnerved her.

“... And all who have sinned will join the Burning King in death. In his realm of eternal suffering, he and his Vice Lords await… The End...”

It took Shadow Scythe a moment before shutting the book and, gingerly, laying it over a table. “What ignorant trawl thought that would be appropriate for children!?” she growled. “Ugh! Why am I letting a pop-up book get the better of me? It’s just a stupid story…”

… Or was it?

In the back of her mind, she remembered Beatrix mistaking that annoying imp Moxxi as a ‘Vice Lord.’ At first, she didn’t think much of it, thinking the witch over exaggerated details about her foes. But until now, she hadn’t heard that term used again; in a child’s pop-up book of all things!

She cast a cautious glance to the storybook as if expecting it to come to life or unleash those ghastly images upon her. With a shudder, Shadow Scythe turned to make her exit. “Nothing left here that could teach me arcane magic, but what did I really expect? I suppose it was simply intuition that drew me here…”

“Or perhaps, it was fate~.”

Shadow Scythe tensed up, whipping back around, summoning her scythe back on hand. “Who’s there?!” she demanded.

No response. Hastily, the reaper looked all over the room, finding nothing different… minus that the mirror shimmered more brilliantly. Steadily, Shadow Scythe approached the ancient-looking artifact, noticing a shape within the glass.

As she drew closer, the figure did too. When Shadow was close enough, she could make out an unfamiliar mare inside, a feathered cloak hiding her face, except her smirking muzzle.

“Wait… I remember seeing you before. Back at the mansion!”

The hooded figure nodded, lifting her head up as amber eyes glowed through the shadowy veil. “Still struggling to find answers, I see. Che triste~! If only you’d allow someone to help you…”

“As if I’d trust anyone like you,” Shadow Scythe scoffed, her snout pointed to the air. “Who are you, and what do you want?”

“Madame Doppia,” she greeted, bowing her head. “I’ve come on the Fallen One’s behalf, figured I’d report back on all the wonderful ‘progress’ you’ve made~.”

The unicorn snarled, raising the end of her sickle to aim it at the reflective surface. “Give me one good reason not to shatter you into pieces!”

Her statemate made the mirror mare laugh. “The only thing you’ll be earning is seven years of bad luck, mio amica. But I see when I’m not wanted,” she pouted mockingly before turning her back to Shadow Scythe. “I wish you the best in your endeavours. I’m sure spying on Beatrix will eventually give you what you want. Ciao~!”

But before Doppia could fade further into the mirror, a reluctant voice made her pause.

“Wait…” Shadow Scythe said, teeth and hands clenched together tightly, struggling to let go of her bruised ego. “...how do you know I’ve been watching Beatrix?”

“Who hasn’t been watching her?” Doppia admitted with a giggle. “Gotta keep track of where she is while Zeloph heals from their last outing. It’s not hard to see why he’s infatuated with her. Eccentric personality, ample curves…. There’s a lot to be jealous of~.”

“What are you talking about?! I’m not jealous!”

“Oh, but you are!” Doppia insisted, her grin spreading. “Why else would you be stalking her like this? You don’t just want to put an end to her; you want to become her, in a way. Take all that she has, make it your own, so that you can finally fill that emptiness growing in your heart~.”

Her cheeks flushed, glaring death into the mirror mare, refusing to believe her. A sly chuckle left Doppia.

“You don’t have to admit it. Your secret’s safe with me,” Doppia whispered with a wink.

“Do not play with me, wretch!” The unicorn seethed, banging her fist against the mirror without cracking it. “The only reason you’re still in one piece is that you know how to reach Zeloph.”

“I do…and I can take you to him if that’s what you want~.”

Shadow Scythe backed away, weighing in her options. Despite her disdain for the bitch, Doppia had a point. On her own, the unicorn had no chance of learning the magic Beatrix found. And she refused to accept the idea of learning anything from her.

The only way she’d obtain more significant power than she had was through Zeloph. And with no recourse for consideration, she reluctantly sighed. “Take me to him…”

Doppia smiled triumphantly, beckoning her closer with a finger before disappearing into the darker edges of the mirror. Shadow Scythe hesitantly pushed her hand to find the glass rippling over like water. With a deep breath, she strode into the other side, reminded of the rifts Beatrix routinely used.

Inside this dimension were other mirrors and openings, faint light pouring in while Doppia walked along a path. With a heavy heart and begrudgement, Shadow quickly followed her.

Almost instantaneously, the pair arrived in another realm. And unlike the realm of mirrors, shadows, and small fragments, this world was bathed in illumination. An endless cloud-like terrain reached beyond the starry horizon, spiraling from a bright light in the sky. Many of the unimaginative would be right to assume this was heaven.

“What is this place?” Shadow Scythe asked, skeptical to believe this was actually the promised land foretold in many biblical stories.

“Zeloph's personal space,” Doppia answered. “Come, he shouldn’t be too far from here.”

Impassively, the reaper studied the place while she traveled alongside her mysterious tour guide. Strangely formed sculptures stood from out the ‘ground,’ a pair acting as a gateway of sorts. Through it, she found wispy abstracted figures, gathering around a small pool, crystal clear water shimmering under the rays of the sun-like rift.

And below the surface was a mound made up of several avian wings, a pale eerie glow emanating off the feathers. “Is that...him..?”

The hooded mare nodded. “Ever since his fight with Beatrix, Zeloph’s been sleeping here to recover. Although, not even feeding off the souls I’ve brought has healed him of his dwindling condition.”

“I see...” Shadow wondered if some of these souls were from the ones she freed from Manhattan. She did recall the prismatic scales growing from his face, the way his wings folded crookedly. It was like his body was on the verge of collapse. Shadow Scythe watched Doppia walk over to the other side, where a bell mount stood. Grabbing the rope, the mare proclaimed,

“Rise and shine, Zeloph. You have a guest~!”

She tugged at the rope, making the topaz bell chimed loudly, soundwaves rippling over the water’s edge. Clutching her head, Shadow Scythe looked down to see one wing unfolding. And then another. And another until all wings flexed out, the light glowing harshly. Slowly, the wing cocoon rose towards the surface before emerging out from the pool. A strong gale pushed against her robes, yet the reaper stood firm while gazing upon the hovering mound of plumage.

All at once, dozens of eyes opened along the marginal coverts, every wing unfurling as illumination blasted the souls gathered back. The unicorn mare shielded her eyes from the brightness until it dimmed down, peering over to gaze upon Zeloph’s magnificence. The Fallen One gently touched the water surface, his slender yet statuesque figure bare for all to see. He kept his pegasus shape, his long midnight mane flowing around his back behind his outstretched wings. Each magenta eye stared at Shadow Scythe until the central pair on his face opened, a gentle smile curled.

“Welcome, Shadow Scythe,” he greeted. “How nice it is to see you!”

Before she could retort, her eyes were naturally drawn towards the light coming from his crotch, outlining a phallic shape that hung between his legs limply. Once more, Shadow Scythe shielded her eyes, hiding the blush across her snout. “Grrgh! Would it kill you to put clothes on?!”

“O-oh, right. My apologies. I was not expecting company,” Zeloph chuckled, his wings folding over his body until they morphed into his robes, leaving the pair protruding from his shoulders and ears extended. Once it was safe to look again, Shadow noticed that the scales had not vanished, in fact only growing worse.

“Looks like your efforts are in vain, huh?”

Touching his scaly cheeks, the demi-human sighed. “It would appear so. I suspect it's related to my daughter’s fluctuating crisis. Seems purity is still beyond my reach… ņ͈̜̙̰̟̯̩̮o͠͏̻̩̣͇͕ͅ ̺̹̹̞̲͉̝̥ṭ̰̩̠̰̼̜͜͢h̷̰̞̲͕̜á̛͖̜͎̲ņ̺̝̼̩͟͟ķ͓̰̘͖̰̗͉̜s̢͙̼͟͠ ̸̟̳̺̫̲̀t͍̰̜͍͓͙ò̮̰̪͞ ͖͓̣B̰̖͘e̡͔͢ͅa̵͉̳͇̖̲̝̫͔͎t̴̞͍͎̪̘̺̮͞͝r̟̟̪͓i̧̼̪̯̠̩̯x̫̮̰͈̞̫̪̳ͅ.̴̸̼̞̳̯̀.̞͇͠.͏̨̹̖͇͔̫͕̬”

“Yeah, she tends to have that effect on people,” Shadow scoffed. “You get used to it after a while.”

“Hmmm. Do you like what I’ve done with the place?” Zeloph asked, arm motioning towards the heavenly realm, a pleased smile returning to his narrow muzzle. “I think I did a marvelous job creating my own slice of paradise~.”

She shrugged. “It’s…pretty. Passible, I guess.”

His eyes narrowed at her. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re quite the killjoy?”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re a self-righteous hypocrite?”

“Probably more times than you have victories over Belladonna~.”

“At least I didn’t catch some STD slowly turning himself into an iguana! Maybe that’s why you feel like shit, huh?”

“W̷̢̻̻̥͈͇͍̭͜ḩ̸͉͇͢y̨̥͇̙̝͇͠,̨̬́ ̩̻͇́ỳ̺o̵̬̤͔̻̬̘̗̤͞u̴̵̵̻͙̝͔̫͕̝ ͍̮̝̟̩̮̬͔ḿ̼̝̥͉͚i̪͉͇͝͝ͅs̴͠͏͎̬e̵̫̦̺̺̜͎͇̦̺ŕ̢̫̺͚͈͇͇̮a͏̦̻̝̖͉͚͈͠b̲̘͖̲̟́ͅl̶͖e̵͖͕͠-̸̷̟̯̕”

“Ladies, please!” Doppia cut between the brewing fight between the two immortals. “You’re both bellissimo, really~! But our struggle is not with each other. No, we've come together for the same thing.”

“Power,” Shadow Scythe nodded, arms folded.

“And the imminent demise of Belladonna,” Zeloph added.

“Exactly! So let us not waste time bickering like cagnes. Zeloph, dear Shadow Scythe is here to take up your offer of arcane magic.”

“Ooh?” He curled an eyebrow towards the pale unicorn, who begrudgingly turned away.

“As much as I loathe to admit it, there’s a limit to what I can achieve on my own,” she said, hood drawn over her head to hide her face, her snout drawn in a scowl. “So…are you still willing to teach me?”

“Of course,” he nodded, smiling slyly. “On the condition that you’ll help me locate and retrieve my daughter.”

“What’s so special about your daughter, anyway?” She asked, turning back to him. “From what I saw, she’s crippled with growths and can hardly keep a physical form. It is better to put the poor thing out of her misery.”

While she didn’t necessarily mean that, Shadow Scythe couldn’t help but grin over how Zeloph trembled, trying very hard to keep his composure.

Inhaling deeply, he responded, “Abadonna is the Child of Lightendark. She is destined to become extremely powerful at a certain age. Potentially, the ability to reshape fate itself if given the proper parenting. Tell me, is ṯ͖̦͕͓̜̫h̨͈͙̣ͅa͏̡̬̫͙͍̲̲ṱ̠͇̜̫̲̣̀̀ someone you want Beatrix responsible for?”

“W-what?! No, of course not! I’m still astonished that brimmed hat bimbo could even conceive a child, let alone raise one!”

“Well, it helps when you have Sacred Blessing to fully restore what was once lost to you,” Zeloph boasted, light glowing from his finger into a cross shape before dissolving. “But if finding my child isn’t exciting, there’s always omniscience.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been keeping tabs on the manor while Zeloph was asleep,” Doppia explained. “From there, I’ve learned that Abadonna is in an ancient library of sorts. Nothing on where it is or how to get there yet.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Tell me how to do arcane magic, and let’s go!”

Doppia shook her head. “It is not so simple. To obtain access to such phenomenal magic, having existed since the dawn of time, there are things you must be willing to let go.”

“I have nothing left to lose but my patience,” she sharply responded. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Zeloph chuckled, approaching her. “We’ll see about that. First, I require insight into your spirit.” He placed his hands on either side of her face and began to lean in.

Blushing, she pulled away, glaring. “Do you really need to do that by kissing me?!”

“I have other ways, but they’re a lot more painful. Now quit being a prude; it’s just a kiss!”

Sneering heavily at the Fallen One, Shadow relaxed her face before letting him touch her, feeling his lips touch her temple in a chaste kiss. A gentle warmth blossomed in her bosom, but she felt no other change. “W-well? What did you see?”

“Hmm…” He pulled away, contemplating his choice of words. “You’ve got a vital spirit, a ruthless edge. But if I am to be brutally honest, you have a stubbornness about you that dulls your sharp wit. If you want to access your archaic potential, you need to accept yourself wholly; flaws and everything. You might find that challenging, given your narcissism.”

“Pft! That shouldn’t be a problem,” Shadow Scythe scoffed, though a long momentary silence said otherwise. In truth, she was uncomfortable going into details about herself in front of strangers.

And having spent so much time focused on power and delivering death, she hadn’t realized how out of touch she was with her own body. So, with a long breath, she tried to explore the emotions swelling in her chest first.

“Ever since Sunny… ‘awakened’ me, I’ve felt nothing but guilt, shame, and self-loathing. Stuff I’d cast aside as to not get in my pursuit for power. But since then, I’ve come to realize how harshly I’ve neglected myself, whether it came to affection, love, or…. egh… a certain fulfillment…” She rubbed at her forearm awkwardly, feeling bitter and embarrassed in admitting this in front of Zeloph and Doppia, who remained neutral, much to her silent gratitude.

“I… I can’t even deny how much Beatrix and her friends altered me. I hate, and I mean absolute hate, that she forced me to feel these things. But, at the same time… part of me is grateful. Things don’t feel as cold before; the world… actually looks beautiful for a few moments…. And the fact that she does things without considering the consequences pisses me off. Look at how many died because she couldn’t handle that monster!”

Her eyes fell to Doppia, fingers digging into her cloak sleeve while recalling her words.

“And... maybe you’re right. I am jealous. I threw out friendship and love because I found it weak. Yet, here comes Beatrix, boasting new abilities and friends, while I’m left with nothing but my sickle and bitterness…. I think it hit me during that wedding. She kept trying to shun me away… because she was so afraid of me, something I thought made me feel strong. But instead, I’m just…. Alone…”

Shadow Scythe couldn’t even hide the tears, even if she wanted to. So instead, she let them roll, sobbing quietly. Yet a vast, unbearable weight felt lifted from her shoulders.

And then suddenly, wisps of smoky aura flowed off her body. Her cold blue eyes widened, gazing over her hand at the raw magic flowing through her fingers.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Zeloph said, eyes wide with astonishment, a pleased smile brought to his face. “There is a heart within that ice queen exterior. And with it, a t̨̠͔ŕ̰͎̝̳͖e͉͎̠̣m̡̘̞͢͡e̴̝͓̫̥̪̺̠̼͘ͅn̢͟҉̯̦̙̖d̵̟̕͜o̙͉̥̼̟u̵͉͇̬̠s̥͕̘͍̩ͅ amount of untapped power.”

His hands reached to hold hers, fingers tenderly stroking her knuckles. “Well done, Shadow Scythe. This is a great start! I reckon you’ll learn the nature of your Onoma in no time!”

The pale unicorn felt her cheeks flourish before she yanked her hands away from the false messiah. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere with me, Zeloph…. Just so long as the power I covet will triumph over Beatrix and her entourage of weaklings.”

“Oh, trust me, my dear,” Zeloph assured, sporting a vicious grin. “T͕̥̠̗̼h̲͍̫̖͞ḙ̟̖̰̬y̸̰̫̠̰’҉̮̗̜̦͇͔̲͎l̸͙̺̹͞ļ̤̖̗͎͓͔͖ ̱b̶̧̯͖̗̻̣̫̰e̼̦̞̙̬̰̞̦͢͡ ̜̻͎̭̗͉b̢҉̼̪̖͇̣e͏̲̙̘̥͎g̖̻̼̘͙̭̱ͅͅg̸̡̝̣̞͇͔͓̞̀i͕͝n҉̦͇̀͝g͡͏͎͔̱͖̥͇͙͓ ͏͓f̧͇͍̝̳ờ̢̹̺͓̩ͅŕ̛̺̜̳̹̦̦ ͍̤̥̀t̹͚̟̩͇̤͎̟̩h͕̣e̴̟̝̤̝͖̝͚̝͟i̝̜͜r̡͏͉͔̠̗̞̩̯͙ͅ ͙̳͓̖̣̤l̶̡̪͍͈̳͙̤͞ͅi̡̩͍ͅv̨̬͖̹͚ͅe̵͎̬͈̲̥s͇͘ ̷͇͉̮̥̫̫͓̰͠ͅo̶̞̲̺̟̦ṇ̶̛̰̥̮̳͇͕̕c̱͇̲͈͕̞̪͕e͏̹̞͇̣̪́ͅͅͅ ̷̴͈̙͎̝̪y̦͇̜̝͓̞͠o̢̦͔̭̺̘̫͍u̻̺̯͇’̛̳̲͓̜r̀͏͓̘͚̦͚̲̲̩e̢̢̤͔̝̥͙̩͈̕ͅ ̲̞̞͟͡t͉̺͓̙͇͜͜h̝͉̦̟̘r͏̟̰̥̪͇o̲u̷͚̗̩͝ǵ̨̹͙̭̲̺h̩̩̞̞ ̛̼̙͇͙̺͉̙̀w̵̰͙ͅi̧̩̼̖̦̕t̤͈̟̫̗͕̬̖̠h̴̖̥̕ ̙̫̙̲͚͘t̙̙͓͖͠h̢̹̞͚̲̼̙̩͕e̠̻̩͘͢͢m̵̡͉̹͍͕̯~̵̢̘̖̺̳̥̱.̩̦̞͈̱̩͇̮͜”

The idea did excite her, and despite herself, Shadow allowed a satisfied smile to replace her usually perpetual frown. “So then…what’s our next move?”

“Now we see where our little harlot has wandered off too. And plan accordingly.”

Zeloph took a couple of steps away from both mares once he drew out a runic symbol in the air, in a manner similar to his former lover. Upon completing it, the sigil glowed brightly, a low humming resounded.

“E̴y̧̧é̴ ̵̨of̸ ̶҉p̵̨͜r͘͝o͘m̨in̕e̷͠n̢c̷e͘…̴̢͠ ̶͟R̡͘͢ev̶͘eą͘ĺ͘ ͢t̴͟o ͡m̴͡e ͟al̀l̡͢͠ ţ̸͡há͜t ̷̴I̷ ̵̴͞s͢͠e҉́e̡̨k҉̵!̧” he chanted as the center split open, revealing a small window into the manor. Doppia and Shadow Scythe leaned closer to look inside, portraying Beatrix, two sheep people, and Moxxi talking with each other. The trio watched as the witch opened a portal and the imp disappeared.

“So it seems my sister will stay true to her word after all…. Heh, I’m almost impressed,” Zeloph scoffed.

“‘Sister?’ You and that cockney-lipped hoe are related?!” Shadow exclaimed.

“We’re two halves, yes. The similarities end there, I assure you…”

Keeping quiet, they listened to Beatrix converse with Oona and Dion, the former having discovered something within their homeland. The witch suddenly jumped in excitement before drawing out another portal for all three to slip through.

“H-hey! They’re on the move. Follow them!”

Zeloph conducted his hands to do exactly that, but the image was met with static distortions disrupting the sigil that pushed the winged immortal back before it dissolved. Zeloph sneered with clenched fists. “B͇̜͠l̪̫̗a̴͎͔̝̺̜̙̬̘s̛̥̭̘͉̹t̵͏̜͔̙̙̠͎͈̗s̡͉̩!̸̝̗̟ͅͅ!̼̩͜͡”

“What happened?” Doppia asked.

“They must have gone to a world where my magic cannot flow properly. And if I had to guess, it’s the Equestria I was banished from. Clever girl…”

“So what now?” Shadow Scythe asked with crossed arms. “This ‘Lady Ewe’ found something in the…Lost World, was it? If we’re to find this legendary library that conceals your daughter, why don’t we start there?”

Zeloph stared dryly at the reaper. “Because. It’s. Ĺ̸͜͝o̶̶̵͡͏s̶ţ̕!̸̛̛͠ Traveling to that realm is a hassle for anyone who doesn’t live there. I’m not a natural inhabitant, therefore I cannot locate the portal to that dimension!”

“Oh, great! So Belladonna’s already ahead of us, and we have no way to follow them. Fucking perfect!”

The sound of giggle cut through the growing frustration, both turning to Doppia, who sported a chilling grin.

“Friends…the answer is much easier than it seems~!”

“Oh please, do share,” Shadow Scythe snarked. With a sway to her hips, the hooded mare walked up to Zeloph, who noticeably ruffled his wings uncomfortably.

“You weren’t the only one who couldn’t achieve what they wanted, Shadow Scythe. Isn’t that right, Zeloph~?”

The demi turned away but nonetheless nodded.

“It’s been six months, and the only thing you’ve gotten from spying is just a location. Most of it while sleeping off your ailment! We are now without time and options, Amico. You know what we must do now, yes~?”

And for once, in the short time of knowing him, Shadow Scythe witnessed Zeloph visibly go pale, a look of dread in his wide magenta eyes. Yet despite his shuddering, he gave another nod in response. The unicorn stared at him, puzzled before Doppia summoned another mirror from the clouds.

But within the glass reflection was a portal not leading to the realm she saw before. Instead, it was a barren landscape, crusted earth with little to no natural light outside of small pyres hanging on burnt trees. Doppia stood before the mirror, motioning for Shadow Scythe and Zeloph to follow.

“Come, miei amici. We must meet with the Burning King~!”