(Canterlot)

Standing in the shade Salem cautiously lifted his leg up before stepping into the sunlight, pushing off with his other foot and standing completely in the light. Almost right away he felt the urge to go back into the shade but was held by Rainbow Dash as she wrapped her arm around his neck, pulling him in while smiling.

"See? You're fine. The sun wouldn't be melting anypony anytime soon," Rainbow Dash grinned as the survivor lightly pushed her arm off of him.

"Rainbow... Look, it's going to be a while till I get used to this okay? I spent close to a year in an underground bunker terrified of sunlight. I'm not going to just drop that fear overnight," Salem grimaced before walking forward.

Luna watched as the former human walked towards her, exchanging a glance from his red helmeted eyes as he looked up. Taking his discomfort into consideration, the night princess lifted out one of her wings to cast a shadow to cover Salem, causing the terran to rub the back of his neck out of slight embarrassment.

"Thanks, princess," he sighed.

"Not a problem Mr. Grey," said Luna with a warm smile while walking forward with the others following behind.

Salem grunted a chuckle, "That makes me sound old."

"So just Salem?"

"Please."

(Meanwhile)

Celestia held her chin while inspecting the remains of the mirror. When she was told that the object shattered she was expecting broken pieces of mirrored glass. What was in front of her wasn’t what she had in mind. The mirror wasn't shattered, it was completely obliterated into gray sand with its frame completely turned into slag. Whatever caused such a powerful relic to be reduced to dust while returning four residents of Equis back here had to be just as powerful if not more than the mirror itself.

Only a few powerful magical beings could do such a thing.

Of course, Luna and herself being one of them who can match that level if they combined their magics together; Twilight and her friends maybe; The Pillars definitely could; Discord of course, since he is a literal god of chaos; and finally Tirek but he is in Tartarus. The list was a short one but none on the list would have done this to the mirror.

-

• She could rule out her sister and the elements since they were with her the entire time in the defense of the crystal empire.
• The pillars were in different parts of the country at the time besides Magnus, who was currently overseeing guard training and Starswirl, where that old mage was currently mentoring Sunburst.
• Discord was known for giving her a headache but nothing as extreme as this. Most of his pranks were completely harmless like changing the flavor of her cakes.
• Tirek of course if he wasn't in the most unbreakable prison would have drained the magic from the mirror rather than destroy it.

This whole thing was starting to give her a royal migraine in the past twenty-four hours; from planning to announce Twilight's coronation to the sudden invasion of the crystal empire, to the appearance of Salem and finally the mirror exploding like this. The throbbing headache slowly increased, causing the immortal princess to give a low groan from the pain before dropping the sand.

'I'll have to put this aside for now. I've been neglecting my duties. Hopefully, I get Luna's council on this when she arrives,'

A knocking on the door to the mirror chamber drew her attention before putting down the handful of mirror sand in her palm.

"Enter," Celestia answered.

A guard enters the chamber before bowing his head. "Your Highness. Princess Luna and the elements have arrived."

Celestia blinked before looking up at the clock. She had been in here for two hours.

Guess that old saying is true, time does fly when you’re busy.

(Back with the group)

Salem almost stumbled backward from the sight of the throne room. He had been briefly in the Crystal Castle's throne room but it was in shambles after Sombra's attack. Although the former human was kinda in awe of this place, during his time on the site he would try to find ways to keep his sanity when not working on one of his projects. Entirely watching some movies or playing video games in the site's recreation room, making and painting models for Titus, recording his thoughts in his personal logs, or reading a good book.

He loved sci-fi but with him literally living in a place that is ripped right out from a sci-fi novel it kinda got a little boring so he had taken a liking to fantasy books. Those books made him hope that one day he would see a castle, guess you can say he finally got his chance.

Malo was right next to him, also taking in the entire sight of this place before tugging his shoulder and pointing to the amazingly designed stained glass windows. This entire place was a complete piece of art rather than a fortress but Salem didn't mind that; it was a beautiful place to live in.

"Oh my. What is that thing," Salem broke from his trance before turning to two ponies standing on the other side of the throne room.

Both wore fancy dresses that looked like they cost A LOT of money.

"It's looking at us!"

"Stay away from us! I'm going to call for the guards!"

Before they could Salem felt the presence of Luna walk up next to him.

"Don't worry about them Salem. It's with great shame in my heart that this is what has become of the Equestrian nobility," Luna's voice caused the nobles to back away before turning in a huff while the two unusual beings turned to the princess. "Believe it or not, their ancestors were fair, more respectful and honorable. Sadly, years of comfort have turned their decedents into *Clears her throat* frustrating distractions."

"So they all have a stick up their ass?"

Luna smiled before nodding at the familiar human term. "Not the words I would have said but yes you can say that."

Salem gave a chuckle before Malo held out her hands. "Ah yeah... what did you do with Sombra?"

"Oh, hi-her?" Luna smiled, "She has a ceil waiting for her in Tartarus,"

"Tartarus? Wait. To be clear you're not talking about the Tartarus, as in the underworld right?"

Luna looked up trying to remember the old Greek legends back when she first visited Earth through the mirror.

"It is a prison but we do have a three-headed guard dog named Cerberus."

"Huh, that's cool."

"Well if you stay hopefully you and your companion will find that many things in Equestria are 'cool' as you would say," Luna responded.

Salem looked at her before turning to Malo who shrugged.

They didn't really have to be anywhere or bound to anything in this world, this was a completely blank slate for the two of them even though they didn't really have anything back on Earth. Well, Salem didn't really know about his past even when he tried to figure out who he was back at the site. Either way, the princess was handing them a chance for something close to normal life here, sure magic existed but hey it can't be all so bad.

"Hold on, let me ask Malo."

Turning to Malo who was looking at him with her glowing white eyes, Salem raised up his hands.

"/Do you want to stay?/" Salem asked in sign language.

"/I think we can trust them. They haven't tried anything so far. I'm down to stay/" Malo answered back.

Luna at this time wasn't using the spell to see Malo, only seeing Salem move his hands in a strange manner, but when he nodded she smiled.

"If you would have us, we will gladly stay."

"Excellent how about I show you to one of the guest rooms for you to stay temporary while you're figuring out what to d-"

"AUNNNNNNNNTIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEE LUUUUUNNNNAAAAAA!" A very loud voice echoed through the throne room causing the smile on Luna's face to melt away in annoyance.

"By mother's mane."

Salem and Malo leaned over to look behind Luna at the source of the voice.

"Who is that?"

Luna gave a groan before looking down at Salem.

"Somepony that I hope to avoid your meeting," Luna grunted, "My Nephew."

Salem blinked before a pony in a very expressive-looking outfit matched forward, Salem moved back to a normal stance while Luna turned to the pony.

"Auntie Luna, why did you and Auntie Celestia leave in the middle of my question?!" Blueblood shouted, causing the two behind Luna to look at one another, wordlessly saying, 'Is this guy for real?'

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Luna turned to Blueblood and calmly replied, "Sorry nephew but the Crystal Empire was under attack by Sombra. We had to leave on short notice."

Caught off guard by her answer, Blueblood regained his composure with a grunt, "I see. Well, now that you’re here can you perhaps tell why you and Auntie Celestia decided to choose Twilight Sparkle as next in line to the throne?"

"That decision was made weeks ago. Both the Equestrian Solar and Lunar Councils have already agreed with us on this matter," Luna sighed, crossing her arms.

"I have not!" Blueblood pouted childishly, "And neither have the rest of the nobles! I have every right to the throne, not Twilight Sparkle! I have a stronger claim to the throne, I am of Royal blood!"

Luna furrowed her brow at her nephew for saying something that Salem quickly concluded wasn't public knowledge.

"Prince Blueblood Starstone, I will have you not speak in such a manner, especially in public. Furthermore, this should not be something to discuss out in the open."

"Perhaps, but that doesn’t excuse you and the Council from not notifying us before making the decision!" Blueblood retorted.

"We have in fact notified you. You and your entourage," Luna raised her voice, slowly losing her patience, “But as always, you failed to answer the summons like the last few times!”

"That may be so, but to choose that mare from the lower nobility as heir apparent is absurd! It was bad enough Auntie Celestia ascended her into alicornhood and-," Blueblood stopped to look up, noticing Salem behind his aunt. "Who and what is this creature?"

"This is Salem, the creature who single handedly defeated King Sombra by figuratively and literally castrating him from his power and our guest, which I expect you to show a modicum of respect!" Luna all but snarled at her nephew for his treatment of the guest in question before recomposing herself, “This conversation is over, nephew. We will speak no more on the matter.”

Silently fuming and gritting his teeth, Blueblood stormed out of the hall but not before giving Salem the meanest glare he could conjure.

'What the fuck did I do to him?'

Luna gave a sigh before turning to Salem.

"Sorry about that it's just-"

Raising his hands Salem smiled under his faceplate.

"It's fine and whatever he was talking I wouldn't say a single word," Salem answered, causing Luna to give a sigh of relief.

"You have a good heart Salem," Lifting her hand to guide him, the night princess's smile returned. "Come now, how about I show you to your room?"

(Sometime later)

The first thing Malo did when they entered the guest room was rush to the giant vegas size bed and plop down on top of it before burying her skeletal face in one of the pillows. Salem on the other hand took off his helmet before resting it on the table next to a small controlled fireplace in the middle of the room.

"Talk about the royal treatment," Salem smiled while looking at the 'guest room' which in all honestly looked a lot bigger and nicer than he expected.

Still, he kinda missed the laboratory that doubled as a place to rest along with the key that led to his grand escape from Earth. Speaking of which, he removed a part of his backpack before shifting the seal locks, opening it and reached in, pulling out items that couldn't fit in the device he held.

Placing a college text-book sized black box onto the table he reached back into the device and pulled out a small glass tube with a small blue and gold figurine within it.

"Hey there Titus,"

Placing the tube onto the black box the whole thing opened up before glowing green lines appeared over the entire device and a rough voice spoke through the box.

"Inquisitor it's good to see you alive and well. Did the device work? Are we away from the fallen remains of Holy Terra?" The machine spoke in an AI-driven voice that was programmed to sound like a space marine from Warhammer 40,000.

"Yep that's right bud we're finally free,"

"And what of Lady Malo?" The little figurine asked.

"She is fine my friend. Sorry, it took so long for me to get around and pull you back out,"

"There is no need to worry, Inquisitor. I have spent a long time within the darkness of the void. A little time longer wouldn't break my iron will," The figure stated proudly before speaking again through the black box. "Where are we, Lord Salem?"

"Currently in a kingdom known as Equestria on another world,"

"Interesting. What kind of Xenos are upon this world? Wait. Have we been taken, prisoner?"

"Quite the opposite, Titus. Were guests among the rulers of this kingdom,"

"Guests? Hmmmmm. And do you trust these Xenos Inquisitor?"

"They give me no reason not to trust them but I'm keeping my plasma thrower close just in case," Salem commented while the living plastic model gave an approving grunt.

"Good thinking Inquisitor. Will you 'get me up to speed' on these Xenos?" Salem nodded.

"In a while, I need to make sure the rest are okay,"

"Affirmative, I will stand by. But if you will, Inquisitor, I-"

"Don't worry I got you covered," Salem attached a cord to the black box as it began to shift and holographic images began to appear of other models from the tabletop series. Titus laughed while the black box began to open wide before the object morphed into a display case holding a replica of the 'battle of Macragge' while the windows tinted themselves and making it sound proof to let Titus give out orders to his 'battle brothers' defending the Ultramarine homeworld.

As he sat on the bed, Salem looked down at the device he pulled from his pack before a holographic display showed a few of the objects within its pocket dimension. Slowly, Malo crept up from behind before wrapping her arms around Salem and resting her head on his shoulder to watch him work. Smiling at his companion's affection he reached out a gloved hand before scratching behind Malo's right ear causing the SCP to 'smile' at his touch.

"Wanna finish watching Underworld later?"

Rubbing her head into his cheek he smiled.

"Glad we're on the same page."

Author's Note

If you haven't noticed this story takes place shortly before the villainous three attack but due to Salem's involvement, a new chain of events will occur. Sombra is now in custody similar to how Maul was in the familiar season of clone wars going to a prison cell in Tartarus where they will find Cozy Glow and Tirek's prison cells empty. Along with the fact, the three Sirens are now back in Equestria, but are they a threat who knows? (But me)

Upon the arrival of Salem at the crystal empire, the mirror is completely ruined and Celestia is trying to figure out what caused it to self-destruct. Next to Blueblood going on a childish rant about the whole 'next in line' while Celestia hasn't broken the fact he isn't going to be king.

What I loved writing about is the part with SCP-3973, if you don't know is a living Warhammer ultramarine model. Along with the little cute moment with Malo which okay I might add a picture of her later on but I have to find one that fits this SCP-1471-A and is SFW.

In my head, I imagine Malo's sign language to sound like one of those text-to-speech generators. Only because she's mute so when I read her lines it's something like that so let you guys think about it too.

Besides that, I hope you enjoyed this chapter after the short break I had from it.

(01/13/2022)

Other special thanks to Joe Toon for the edit and for helping out with the dialogue between Luna and Blueblood. I think that I could be losing touch with Blueblood personality (that or it's the fact I'm currently moving out of this cramped apartment), and he did a great job.

Thanks, Joe!