“DAMNIT!!!” Rift shouts as he falls

“I won’t go like this! Gods above! please! Don’t let me die! Life is a game that the universe plays by itself! I don’t want to go-“ rift is cut off by a thud and sharp pain in his arms and legs.

“Wha-What?” Rift says as he looks to find his arms and legs impaled by some stalagmites. He tries to move but can’t.

“This isn’t possible. I… I wanted revenge… I quit.” Rift says as he falls unconscious.

Hours go by as Rift sits there slowing dying as he falls in and out of consciousness. Rift hears a cracking and hears things crumbling above him. As he opens his eyes he sees a huge boulder falling towards him and he tries to wriggle his way out and he manages to get his legs and right arm out but he has trouble with his left arm. Right before the boulder lands it explodes in the air.

“W-What?” Rift says as he looks up and sees a light hazel pony before they sprint off. “Hey! Come back!” Rift shouts before falling over.
“Agh… if only I knew a regeneration spell.” Rift says to himself before he starts crawling away from where he was until he starts to feel something covering his arms and legs.

“W-What the?! No no no! This isn’t happening! This can’t be happening!” Rift screams out while he starts clawing at his body. But no matter what he does the thing that covered his hands is spreading all over his body and eventually covers the exposed half of his face. Rift unsheathes his sword and the blade is no longer a fire but it’s a black substance and there are eyes that are looking around on the hilt of the sword. “Hehehe” Rift chuckles to himself as he starts climbing up the cliff.

Little did Rift know was when Chrysalis gave him the mask it would slowly corrupt his mind and eat away at it and make him a mindless husk for the being in the mask… and killing him.

Meanwhile at Canterlot castle
“Princess Luna are you sure it’s him?” Twilight asks.

“I’m sure of it Twilight. I’ve spent months trying to figure out when he would come back but I didn’t think it would be tomorrow. He must have found a strong creatures magic to absorb.” Luna says.

“He can absorb magic?!” Twilight says frantically.

“Yes. Unfortunately so. His goal is to absorb all magic in equestria and rule over it.” Luna says.

“Why would he?” Rainbow Dash asks

“I do not know. It’s something me and Celestia have never figured out and possibly will never know.” Luna responds as she begins to tell the original story of her and Celestia’s battle with Tirek.

(Back to Rift)
Rift or whoever is walking the wrong way. Thinking that they are walking to Canterlot but when they walked the wrong way and entered the Crystal Empire but as they trek through the snow the goo or being or whatever it is retreats into the mask because of the cold and Rift regains his body and consciousness.

“What…? What the hell? Where am I? Wait… this looks familiar… isn’t this the… Crystal Empire? Well duh. The buildings look crystallized.” Rift says to himself as he walks closer to it and eventually into the empire.

As he enters the empire the ponies pass by him and exchange greetings with him and continue on with their day.

“Wow. They aren’t afraid. Cool. Now I need to ask the highest one in power here a question and it should be easy enough.” Rift says to himself as he begins to walk to the castle?

As he approaches the… castle? Two guards cross their weapons to stop him and they don’t say a word and they both look at each other and nod before opening the door and motioning Rift inside and Rift starts to walk inside the castle with the Guards behind him watching him closely before approaching a large set of doors before banging on the door.

A few moments of silence go by and a female voice answers on the other side. “You may enter.” The voice says passionately.

The Guards open the doors and push Rift in before slamming the doors shut and returning to their posts. As Rift he is met with the gaze of a White stallion with a blue man and a lighter blue stripe in it and a light pink alicorn mare.

“How may we help you?” The Stallion asks.

“I’m trying to figure out of to get to Canterlot. I don’t have any bits or anything since they were lost or stolen. However you want to put it as.” Rift responds with.

“Well there is a train station that is a viable option but it will cost you. You can either find a job as income or you may do small tasks around the empire.” The stallion says

The mare smacks him on the back of the head lightly.

“What have I told you about being rude Shining? You always take this to serious. You have to ask for their name and everything. Like why are they asking for this?” The mare says

Shining rubs the back of his head “Ow. I’m sorry Cadance.” He says

“Here. You’re lucky since we’re married that I’ll show you how to properly do it.” Cadance says with a smug look.

Rift stands there giggling his ass off.

“Hey. What’s so funny?” Cadance asks.

Rift hears her stops suddenly and says “Nothing.” but chuckles a couple times.

“Good. Now if you don’t mind me asking you a few questions. What’s your name and what’s that mask on your face?” Cadance asks.

“My name is Rift and this mask… I don’t remember much about this mask. All I remember is waking up with it on my face and I haven’t been able to take it o-“ Rift introduces himself but is interrupted by a tug at his pants and a small voice.

“Wift.” The small voice says while giggling energetically.

“What?” Rift says as he looks down and sees a little alicorn Filly.

“Flurry Heart! You’re supposed to be in bed!” Cadance says as she starts to trot off her throne and over to Flurry Heart.

Cadance gets close but Rift stops her as the sound of cracking can be heard from above.

As Rift looks up he sees a chandelier start to fall so out of instinct he reaches down and grabs Flurry Heart and shoves Cadance out of the way but Rift can’t move in time so he gets to the ground and puts Flurry under him and he covers her as the chandelier comes crashing down on top of Rift.

Shining jumps off of his chair and uses his magic to lift the chandelier but when it’s raised Rift and Flurry aren’t there.

“Ahem” Rift clears his throat as Cadance and Shining turn around they notice that Rift and Flurry Heart are unharmed.

“But… how did you?” Cadance asks in a confused tone.

“It’s a technique that I learned back home.” Rift replied.

“Thank you for protecting our daughter.” Shining says.

“It’s was nothing. And plus I had to. She’s just too adorable.” Rift says while scratching Flurry chin as she giggles and hugs him.

“She usually isn’t this social. Usually she’s shy and hides behind Cadance.” Shining says

“That is true. She is never this social. But she does seem to take a liking to you. A big one at that.” Cadance says as she chuckles softly.

“Well I guess I’m just charismatic then.” Rift says

“I guess so. Well it’s getting late. You may stay in the palace if you’d like. Come on Flurry.” Cadance says as she goes to grab Flurry but Flurry climbs into Rifts jacket.

“Fine then. Have it your way.” Cadance says while Flurry looks up towards Rift with a smug look on her face and Rift starts to laugh.

“Follow us.” Shining says with a chuckle as he and Cadance begins walking down the palace hallway and the walk towards a pair of doors before stopping.

“Here’s your room. If you need us we’ll be down the hall on the left.” Cadance says as she says good night and starts walking down the hall. Shining does the same and follows her shortly after.

Rift opens the doors to reveal a room with a king sized bed and a crib.

“What?! A crib?!” Rift shouts as he hears snickering down the hall. “Whatever.” Rift says as he pulls Flurry Heart out of his jacket and puts her in the crib and tucks her in and she falls asleep almost immediately. Rift climbs into the bed and falls asleep.

Author's Note

I had to retype this chapter four times since I forgot to save it. And I prematurely published this chapter twice.