Chapters A portal appears in the sky, right above a map made of crystal as an alicorn and dragon fall from it.
"Whoa, what happened this time?" the dragon asked his companion.
"I don't know Spike, without the rainboom ever happening, the present can always get worse" the alicorn answered with concern in her voice.
The surrounding had been full of chaos, flowing lava and magma dominated the lands, burning everything it touched.
A forest, full of dangerous animals had overgrown, yet no signs of life could be seen, apart from the plant life.
Ice mixed with dark crystals had spread across the lands, destroying whatever had stood in its path.
Both the sun and the moon were out at the same time, both seemingly closer than it should've been.
"Come on Spike, we must stop Starlight and fix the past"
The dragon nodded in response as another portal opened in the sky and pulled them both away.
As the portal closed and the chaotic landscape was once again engulfed in silence.
Until.
*BOOMM*
Two figures came crashing down from the sky, one on top of the other.
On top, an alicorn with a blood red coat and fiery orange mane, wielding a long, black rock in his hoof, caked with mud and blood, not much of his finer details could be made out.
On the bottom, with the rock on his neck, was a mix between various creatures and a smile of victory on his face.
"You've actually found some of that rock? I'm surprised" the mix of creatures said. "Do it then, finish me off, you're the saviour right? The hero" he said with a mocking voice.
The alicorn simply looked at him with an empty gaze.
"Heh, you're savoring the talk this time? Couldn't you have done that with Tirek?" he continued his questions whilst mocking, yet the alicorn only responded in silence.
"Well whatever, I've lost, I'll admit, I'm not stupid after all, but have you actually won? Because let's be honest, you're only listening to me because once I'm gone, you'll be alone in this world and that leads to your demise, doesn't it?" His grin grew wicked. "So how about you just let me go, and we can be friends again, what do you say? You can even tell me your name, which you haven't told anyone for some reason"
The alicorn stood in his position, not moving an inch, not even blinking.
The suddenly.
He chuckled.
The discorded beast joined in with slight confusion and hesitance.
Then the alicorn full on laughed, almost freeing his prisoner from his grasp.
He suddenly lifted the black rock and snapped it in half, only to trap the draconequus from his neck by implanting the two broken pieces of the rock into the ground.
He proceeded to laugh as if he's turned crazy.
This had continued, that even the draconequus had stopped and only stared in confusion as fear started to spread his face.
The alicorn suddenly stopped laughing, his face turned from crazed to furious in a moment, he planted his hooves on the ground, right next to his prisoners' head as he looked into his eyes.
"You've truly been my hardest hurdle Discord" the alicorn spoke for the first time with a dry voice as if he hadn't drank a drop of water in weeks.
"Well, I AM the god of chaos" Discord replied with a prideful voice.
"Truly, I didn't have to prepare this much, even for The Nightmare"
"She was strong, she was an alicorn after all" he spoke as his voice regained his confidence.
"Yet, you'll die the same"
"What? No no, you don't understand friend, if you kill me, you'll be alone, forever" his face now filled with fear and concern.
"Will I? We both felt that didn't we? So I don't think I'll be alone for much longer"
"Won't you take me with you then? I promise I'll behave" he said with a nervous smile.
"You don't deserve that"
Discord now shuddered under the crazed yet furious gaze from the alicorn.
"Oh fine, at least fulfill my request no?"
The alicorn's gaze softened as he chuckled a bit.
"My name is Calming Blaze, ironic isn't it?" he finished as he raised his right hoof, preparing for a blow.
"Truly" Discord said helplessly as he stared at the hoof.
A gruesome crack was heard as the alicorn approached the crystal map.
His wings stretched out, a few bones cracked as he lighted up his horn.
Disappear as a rebellion commander fixed the past or try and move to a different timeline?
Dying had never been a choice for Blaze, but would it be different if it was disappearance due to a fixed timeline?
Softly closing his eyes, he concentrated his magic on the map.
The answer was obvious.
Magic filled the area growing in size and potency.
Five gems were pulled from various places around Equestria.
Some even destroying mountains, others burrowing entire lands.
When the pieces gathered, the final piece appeared.
With a burst of power, freed from Discord's chaotic magic, the artifacts had chosen the only being left in Equestria to make the final choice for this universe.
The magical power of the artifacts had made a field of intense magic, bringing a sign of life inside it, if only for a minute as the grass had returned to being wilted as the magic power of the area started concentrating on the map.
The alicorn was lifted off the ground as he opened his eyes which glowed with pure magic power.
With a soft sigh, the burst of magic disappears.
The alicorn drops to the ground, filled with exhaustion as he flips himself over to look at the sky.
Only the sun and moon were in the sky, giving a sense of dread and calm at the same time.
In the middle of the sight which gave a morbid feeling, a small crack appeared.
The crack quickly grew large, spreading out throughout the entirety of the universe, forming a bubble of sorts.
A feeling of disconnection filled the universe as the cracks grew dim for a slight second, only to grow brighter than ever.
As the cracks grew bigger and brighter, it spread throughout Equestria, covering everything, the corpses of dead enemies and allied, the erupting volcanoes and the very ground beneath.
Yet it still missed the only pony alive, instead the cracks grew around him, only to drop into the very fabric of the universe.
A shield of the highest degree protected him as the very universe began to disappear.
His eyes were blinded by the ever growing brightness as he shielded his eyes.
Then it stopped.
He opened his eyes to see two worlds connected with a string before him, as well as the six artifacts.
Countless worlds spread around as far as his eyes could see as he floated about in a void with stars.
Yet only the two worlds in front of him had his attention.
One of them had been dying, slowly disappearing as the very essence of it disappeared to nothing.
He knew what he had to do.
His horn glowed brightly as the string between the two worlds strained.
With a whip of his head, he slashed the string causing the worlds to be disconnected, obliterating the dying world as the six artifacts broke down, having used the final of their magical might.
The bubble then broke with a shattering noise as the alicorn calmly touched his right hoof on the single world.
It grew bright, blinding him and the countless worlds around him.
"Finally" the alicorn spoke as the light disappeared.
Only the infinite worlds were left as silence rang throughout the area.
With a gasp, a colt awakes in his bed at the dead of night.
Quickly sitting up, the colt looks around his room, noticing the familiar surrounding.
"It worked" he said in a high pitched male voice.
With a startle he looks towards a calendar.
Year 1000 of the Sun calendar, May 5th.
Approaching a drawer, the colt takes out a hoof held mirror and looks at himself.
A red coat, much lighter than blood.
A fiery orange mane, much closer to yellow than red.
The orange colored eyes that no longer had the innocent look it once did.
And the little stub of a horn.
A broken bone, as it has always been.
With a weary sigh, the colt sits down on the ground, remembering what his life once was before Equestria was taken over by the villains.
"The thousandth Summer Sun celebration, the beginning of it all"
A bright smile comes to his face.
"The problem is fixed then, I can live a peaceful life"
Tears stream down his face as his body relaxes and the tears of joy and relief lasts until he falls asleep.
[The next morning]
Calming Blaze awakens with an unnaturally speed for him.
With a drowsy mind he gets up slowly and calmly, something he hadn't done in nearly a decade.
Multiple cracks were heard as he stretched his body to the limit and he felt the stiffness of his body melt away.
With a contended sigh and a clear smile, he stands to leave the room.
Leaving the room, he looks around as the familiar hallway fills his vision, bringing back countless memories.
At the end of the hallway, he travels down some stairs, reaching the first floor and reaching the kitchen.
"Good morning honey, what got you up so early?" A pleasant voice asks.
"Good morning mom, and I guess I was a bit excited for the trip" he responded back calmly on the outside whilst crying on the inside.
A decade of preservation and self control wasn't for naught.
The mare standing before him was a yellow coated unicorn with an orange mane and eyes with a kitchen knife on her flank.
"Of course, and you better be excited because we'll be taking a chariot for our destination" she exclaimed with excitement.
"Yeah, Mom, I was thinking last night, what if we move to the other place instead?" he said with hope.
"Oh, what made you change your mind?" she asked with concern on her face.
"Well, Manehattan sounds good and all but, don't you think we would prefer someplace more quiet?"
The mom stares with concern for a few seconds.
And with a sigh, "Well, if you want to dear, we'll be going by chariot anyway" she added with a calm smile.
"Thanks mom" he says as he takes a seat at the table.
"It's no problem hun, everything for my little colt" she said as she hugged him.
He simply hugged back, but tightly, as if he would never feel her hug ever again.
They stayed in comfortable silence for a few seconds before a burning smell came.
"THE EGGS!" she yelled before running to the stove.
Blaze only stared for a seconds before bursting to laughter.
He had missed this feeling.
"A chariot for Ms. Delicate Cuisines? " a gruff voice asked before looking up from his clipboard.
"That is correct sir" the mom responded.
"Ah, please climb aboard then, make yourselves comfortable and my stallions will pack your stuff for you" he said with a business smile.
"Thank you then, come on Blaze, let's go in" she said as she climbed on the chariot.
"Coming mom" Calming Blaze responded as he sat next to Delicate.
He sat there for a moment before faking sleep.
He had a lot to think about now that he had some down time from emotions.
The most obvious issue, the time difference.
It simply didn't make sense.
He was not a magic specialist like Twilight, nor was he knowledge on the subject.
He only knew spells that could be used in battle, not much else.
The spell structure made no sense to him whatsoever, so he could not engineer it, only cast it.
So he couldn't figure out just why the spell had sent him back in time.
If this is the past, then what would happen to the future? Would it be as terrible as it was? Somehow worse? What would change? What would happen?
"Calm yourself" he commanded in his mind.
With a deep breath, he gets his mind in order.
Going by current clues, the time the unicorn named 'Starlight' that Twilight was chasing had caused the change in the past not too far from his return.
The change in the past was something significant enough that it caused a peaceful Equestria to go into ruin as multiple horrors descended Equestria.
The largest and strongest nation, the only nation with four alicorns on their side had fallen in just 3 years.
What was it that was so important that it could prevent the beings which would bring untold disasters upon Equestria.
Then it dawned on him.
The artifacts.
The sixth artifact was a star, it couldn't be a coincidence could it?
If Twilight is involved in this mess, then it could mean that the change had significant effect on Twilights' life.
She could be connected to the artifacts.
The artifacts had god like power, their presence itself filled the area with magic power.
If she was connected, then it could mean she solved the problems in the original timeline.
He finally opened his eyes as he reached the best conclusion he could for the time being.
"Good timing, we're about to land" the gentle voice of his mother rang.
Faking a yawn, he looks out the side to see a fairly large village.
A river ran through the town, a few bridges built over them.
An impressive orchard of apple trees along a farm house and barn.
At the center, a large building he guessed as the town hall.
A building that looked like a giant gingerbread house.
"Plenty of landmarks I suppose" he thinks to himself.
"Looks pretty peaceful" he commented.
"Yes, it's said to be the one of the most friendly and calm town in Equestria with barely an incident in the last decade"
"Sounds nice"
"It does sound nice doesn't it? There's also a pretty famous spa in here apparently" she commented with glee.
"What's this place called again?"
"Ponyville"
"It looks like a good place to live" he said with a soft smile as Delicate looked at him with a playful smirk.
"Since when did you get so apathetic?" she asked while rubbing his head.
He replied with a shrug.
"Since always, I suppose"
*Calming Blaze POV*
"Where are we gonna live again?" I ask my mother.
"We'll have to talk to the mayor of this place, then after paying they'll have a place built for us, until then, we'll stay inside a hotel or somepony else's home" she responded cheerily.
"Makes sense"
As we come to a stop, I remember how our lives ended up in Manehattan.
Too chaotic.
"Don't worry Blaze, we have more than enough bits to last" mothers' cheerful voice sounds out.
"I know, I'm not worried" I give a small smile.
"We're here!" the gruff voice of the driver comes in.
Coming out of the chariot, the sight was quite pleasant.
The calmness of the town and the friendly atmosphere.
"The town hall should be over there, let's go honey"
"OK mom"
"Thanks to our specialist, your home should be built in four weeks at the latest, welcome to Ponyville" the gray maned mayor said to us after signing a few documents.
"Thank you Ms. Mayor" mother thanked her.
I was in a chair outside their office, the employees were a bit chaotic though.
Papers about the summer sun celebration were strewn about everywhere.
Then again, it will be on June 1st and it'll be held right here in Ponyville.
*Click*
"Come on Blaze, we got our documents, we'll be living in the library until our home gets built. We'll also have two housemates from Canterlot during our residence. That sounds nice doesn't it?" she finished with a nervous smile as she came out of the office.
I gave a bright smile in response. "Sounds nice"
She let out a relieved sigh as she led the way.
I chuckled quietly at the sight as I followed her.
A library sounds nice.
"HellohowareyouI'mPinkiePiewelcometoPonyvillewhat'reyournames" a pink blur suddenly stops us in our tracks.
As my mother stared in shock, I step forward.
"Hello Pinkie Pie, I'm Calming Blaze and that's my mother, Delicate Cuisines"
"Well it's great to meet you two, be prepared for a surprise, but don't, because that'll ruin the surprise" she said before speeding away, leaving a cloud of dust shaped like her.
"You actually understood her?" my mother's voice asked me.
"I heard 'Pinkie Pie' and 'your names'" I answered with a shrug.
"Huh, that makes sense"
I notice the cloud of dust still there and approach it.
It boops my muzzle and runs away.
"Weird" I commented with a daze.
"I guess you can expect anything from a small place like Ponyville"
"I guess so"
Right, the younger one of the pie sisters.
Pinkemena Diane Pie.
Ruthless efficiency with enough strength to turn a large boulder into dust with seconds.
Guess that's what she was like before the fall.
We once again start walking towards our destination.
"I'll be honest, I really didn't expect a literal tree" I state as we walk into the library inside a tree.
"It is quite surprising" she agreed as she walked towards the stairs.
The library was quite large with plenty enough space to house over fifteen ponies.
"We'll have to share our bedrooms, is that fine?" mother's concerned voice asks from the stairs that led up to the second floor.
Right, none of us will be sleeping on the stairs and such.
"That's fine"
With a relieved smile she approaches me.
"I'm gonna go to the market to buy some groceries, do you want to come with?"
"I think I'll stay, I'm a bit tired from the trip here"
She hastily puts a hoof to my temple.
Releasing a relieved sigh, she nods and takes her hoof away.
"Make sure to check the bed for any bugs before sleeping, ok?"
"Ok mom"
"Good, I should be back in an hour or two"
With that, she left the library with her saddlebags on her.
After the door closes, I start with some stretches.
Old habits die hard after all.
With a sigh, I let the dumbbells fall down to the ground.
The foals' body is much weaker than my old one.
Luckily I asked for weights and such from mother before this.
She supported my talent to become a fighter.
Covered in sweat, I decide to take a shower.
I was going to take a cold shower out of habit but decided that a warm one was welcome.
Very relaxing.
As I step out of the bathroom after drying myself, the door opens to reveal mom coming in with full bags.
"I thought you were just buying light groceries?" I ask playfully.
"Well I found some amazing products in this town, especially the desserts" she claimed before bringing out a box of cupcakes.
"Don't mind if I do then" I say as I pick up a cupcake with magic.
The cupcake was delicious.
I haven't tasted anything like it in such a long time.
As I revel in the taste, I open my eyes which I had closed at some point to see my mother staring at me with shock.
"Blaze, why didn't you tell me you got so good with magic" she squealed with glee as she wrapped me in a tight hug.
"I've been practicing"
"Good, soon enough you'll be able to use your magic in your day to day life" she yelled with a proud voice.
Hearing it made me happy.
"Why don't you get comfortable in your room while I make some lunch for us?" she said after putting me down.
"Sure mom"
She heads to the kitchen while I go over my stuff in the living room.
Getting what I can from my personal stuff, I head to the second floor.
Surprisingly, it's just one room.
Technically two rooms, connected by a stair going to a higher floor.
The walls were flooded with books.
"Personal space would be pretty low I guess" I mutter to myself.
I head upstairs to find a bed.
I prefer my own bed.
Settling into comfortable position on he stairs, I pick out a random book to pass the time.
History of Equis.
Goes back to the start of Equestria.
Could be useful.
As I sit there, reading through events that were both familiar or was widely known, one event catches my attention.
The Rainboom.
[The Rainboom was the only one recorded in the entirety of Equestrian history. Not much is known about the event, except the fact that it was giant shockwave that was most likely produced by the breaking of the sound barrier. The reason why it was rainbow colored is still unknown but rumors said that a talented pegasus known as 'Rainbow Dash' accomplished this as a filly. The event was recorded in 990 of the Sun Calendar]
This was new.
The first Rainboom hadn't happened until year 1009.
Aerial commander Rainbow Dash made a legendary charge against the changeling army alone as a last resort, her Rainboom took out the front of the army and gave a clear way towards the changeling queen, breaking her throne while sustaining heavy injuries.
She was hailed as a legendary hero after that sacrifice.
"Lunch is ready!"
"Coming mom!" I yelled back before closing the book and leaving.
This would mean that the timeline is completely different than last time.
This will prove to be both assuring and dangerous.
After a hearty lunch of hay patties and potato salads, we decided to take a stroll around town.
The afternoon breeze was quite calming as we sat outside the Ponyville café.
Interestingly enough, the café didn't actually have a name.
I sat there, looking towards the setting sun as mother talks to a cyan coated mare about something.
Slurping on a straw with chocolate shake, calmness and peace is all that surrounds me.
It's like a- no
It IS a dream come true.
Though, the longer it went on, a growing doubt appeared.
Telling me that this peace wouldn't last.
Not for long.
Seems I'll still have stuff to do after all.
In the meantime, I'll enjoy myself.
As I was having that thought, mother called me.
"Yes mom?"
"We should head back before it gets cold"
"Ok"
Finishing the last of my shake, we head back home for a quite a big surprise.
*Creak*
"This place has windows, why is it so dark?" mother asks the obvious question as I peer into the darkness of the library.
Grabbing a random rock from the ground, I head inside first.
Mother quickly follows with an amused gaze.
*Click*
"SURPRISE!"
*BAM*
Every pony in ponyville had gathered inside the library, and were all staring at the wall that was cracked from the stone I threw.
Thankfully, my aim was always terrible.
"Wow, you have a strong throw" Pinkie said from right next to me.
How she came to my side?
I don't know.
"Sorry everypony" I said with a sheepish smile.
"It's awful fine, anypony would have ta be alarmed at a surprise this big" an orange earth pony with a blonde mane and wearing a stetson hat spoke as she stared at Pinkie Pie with a small frown.
"Ay'm AppleJack" she said after lifting her hoof.
"Calming Blaze" I shook her hoof in return.
"Sorry" her mane somehow deflated a bit before inflating once again. "Now, how about I introduce you to the ponies of Ponyville, then we can play games all night, eat a bunch of treats and play games. You have to try the games!"
I look at my mom and see that she's doing just fine.
She always was quite sociable.
"Sounds good"
The night was quite enjoyable with plenty of delicious sweets and fun games to play.
The ponies were friendly too.
Though it seems I'll have to watch out for Rainbow Dash since she became a prankster in this timeline.
I never knew I was so defenseless against spice.
Maybe it's just because the hot sauce was stronger than normal.
Met some other foals too.
Most of them were in their little group, but I got to meet Applebloom, Button Mash and Diamond Tiara along her follower.
Applebloom seemed to be slightly insecure about her cutie mark, or rather, a lack of one, other than that she's pretty enjoyable to be around.
Button Mash was a cryfoal, to say the least, he's mostly chill though. He also keeps talking about a thing called a 'video game'. No idea what that is.
Diamond Tiara was quite annoying to talk to.
She kept bragging about her cutie mark and her father being some rich pony.
I couldn't get mad at a filly though.
The rest of the party was pretty simple.
Play games, take a break, eat something, repeat.
*Yawn*
Mother yawned as the last of the guests left the library.
"I'll clean up this mess tomorrow" she frowned a bit as she looked at the mess the party left.
"Almost forgot" Pinkie suddenly appeared out of a book as she turned off the light.
The lights turned back on a second later and the mess was all gone.
"What the?"
"Welcome to Ponyville you two, see you around!" she yelled as she disappeared somewhere.
The door was never opened.
"I think we just don't care about how she does her things" mother put her hoof on my head as I was contemplating the stability of reality.
"Yeah, that makes sense, I think" I answer tiredly as I get up to go upstairs.
"Brush your teeth!" she yelled before I reach the stairs.
I forgot that that was a thing.
"Yes"
*Calming Blaze POV*
The day of the Summer Sun Celebration is here.
The while town was excited as everypony had almost finished preparations.
All the ponies had their own jobs decorating the town, composing the music and such.
I hadn't met the one who was making the music, which turned out to be Fluttershy of the beasts.
Well, just 'Fluttershy'.
She doesn't have her army of beasts yet.
The difference in personalities is still quite jarring.
One surprising revelation, though, is that there's an extra member in the apple family.
They still had their monopoly over apples in Equestria, even more now since Applejack seems to be quite capable of being in her job.
She has seemingly endless stamina alongside incredible physical prowess.
Strange how I've never heard of her before.
Button Mash has introduced me to 'video games'.
It was very entertaining to enact in lethal combat without truly risking your life.
Although it proved to be vastly different than real combat, it was exciting enough.
This new life of mine grants every wish of mine.
It changes tonight, though.
When Nightmare Moon comes down from the moon, I'll have to follow and make sure she is dealt with.
The disasters must never repeat themselves in this word.
I will not allow it.
Even if I must pay the ultimate price for it.
"You good dude?"
"Yeah, I'm good,"
I was currently sitting on a bench in the middle of the town with Button Mash, drinking a chocolate shake.
"Seriously, you seem more distracted than usual,"
"When am I ever distracted?"
"Well, sometimes you just go quiet and start brooding or something while looking like you are about to go to war."
Oh.
*Sigh* "I'm fine, what would I have to worry about?"
"I guess that's true."
With my friends' worry relieved, I start to think about my plan.
Nightmare Moon is powerful, extremely, even.
I have prepared the most I could.
I trained my body to its limits by infusing magic through it to strengthen the bones and muscles whilst healing it to achieve the best results.
The only thing it tested was my ability to hold on and my ability to hide from my mother whilst training, which was more than easy considering the fact that she had a job now.
She seems to work in postal service, along a mare named Derpy.
I'd imagine it must be a nickname of sorts, but I haven't bothered to investigate.
Whilst going through my plans against Nightmare Moon, Button complained about someponys mental health and started dragging me.
"What the? Where are we going?" I ask as I let myself get pulled through the dirt.
"Dude, the ceremony is almost starting, and you've been staring at the sky for almost 4 hours now," he said with an irritated voice.
"Oh. Sorry, " was all I could say at that.
Properly walking now, we hurried on our way towards the town hall as ponies were gathering.
"Blaze, Button, there you two are, you almost missed the starting ceremony," Mother said as she was standing next to a cream colored mare, Buttons' mom.
"Hey, at least we made it,"
That got a giggle out of them.
"Well, why don't you two boys enjoy yourselves until the ceremony starts?" Button's mom suggested.
"Sure thing, mom," Button replied as he ,once again, dragged me, this time towards the food stand.
"Noooooooooo, the apple stuff is goooooone" he started crying with actual tears, though nopony cared much since it was a common thing.
Sitting on a nearby chair, I survey the crowd to notice two new ponies.
Well, a pony and a dragon, more specifically.
A purple unicorn with a navy blue mane with two stripes of pink and purple.
Alongside the purple and green baby dragon.
It's a rare sight at this time.
The unicorn seems slightly annoyed by the ramblings of Pinkie Pie.
Suddenly, the whistling music from a row of small birds silenced the crowd.
The mayor stepped onto the elevated platform to give her opening speech.
As the ponies cheered, my instincts screamed at me that something was wrong.
The speech continues on, and with every word, my body tells me that it is very close.
Following my gut, I take a peek at the purple unicorn.
She was staring at the moon with a fearful and anxious expression.
Following her sight, there it was.
The moon, now without its signature look of the pony shaped markings on it.
"Princess Celestia!" The speech ended, and the curtains were pulled alongside a bird song to reveal nothing.
Rarity goes backstage, presumably to check, only to come back out shortly.
"She's gone!" She announced to the anxious crowd.
"Blaze? What's going on?" Button asked me with a scared look.
"Whatever it is, we gotta get to our moms and get out of here," I tell him before dragging him with me.
I spot our mothers as I use a spell to clone myself, letting the clone guide Button as I secretly go into the backstage.
I should be back before the spell runs out.
A loud gasp from Pinkie and the crowd goes silent.
A dark blue mist gathers at the stage, only to disperse and reveal the alicorn inside.
"Oh my beloved little subjects, it has been so long since I have seen your precious, little, sun-loving faces" Nightmare Moon spoke with a regal yet malicious voice.
"What did you do with our princess!" Rainbow yells as she's about to rush her, only to get stopped by Applejack at the last second.
As for me, I had reached the top floor without anypony noticing.
A spell to dusguise myself, appearing as a generic pony.
Regular ponies shouldn't notice much, even while inspecting closely.
Just in case it doesn't work out.
After the spell was applied, I stumble slightly before recovering.
My magic reserves are far too low in this body.
"SEIZE HER! ONLY SHE KNOWS WHERE THE PRINCESS IS!" Mayor Mares' voice rings out loudly as I focus back on the scene.
"STAND BACK YOU FOALS!" Nightmare Moon shoits as thunder rains down from the ceiling, knocking out the guards who tried to approach.
Sprinting out from my hiding spot, I run towards the alicorn as she hears my steps.
She turns around with haste, only to be met with a hoof.
*Bang*
As the hoof connects, her head turns, only to turn back and glare at me as I notice her horn glowing.
Fuck.
*Boom*
I grit my teeth and look around myself, noticing the orange barrier I made in a hurry had almost been shattered, which was also layered by a purple barrier that was also almost broken.
The alicorn scowls in anger as she flares at me for a few seconds, only to turn into mist and glide away.
I shouldn't be surprised at my loss considering my young body, but it still stings that I lost to that disaster.
"Are you alright?" The purple unicorn ran to me as the barriers fell.
"I'm fine"
She was surprised at my young voice.
Unfortunately, I didn't have enough magic for a voice changer after the clone and disguise spell.
The clone spell will hold with ambient magic, but the disguise spell continously drains magic from the caster until they run out, which was what was happeing right now.
"A colt?" Her mind seemed to break at the new info.
"Don't you have something important to find, since you seem to know about her"
With a loud gasp, she runs out of the town hall while lifting the dragon on her back, followed by Rainbow, which prompts four others to follow too.
With an annoyed groan, I stand to my hooves.
That blast dealt more damage to me than I thought.
Alas, alicorns gain ridiculois strength after all.
"*Sigh* This might prove to be harder than I would like"
With that, I run to try and catch up with the six ponies and one dragon.
"I'll stop here" Blaze said.
"Are you sure? Can you even walk right now?" Luna said as she craned her neck sideways to look at her back.
"I'm fine, just need to rest my veins for a bit" he answered as he stepped down from Lunas back.
"Make sure not to use your magic much, else it'll only take longer and be more painful to heal" Celestia said with her motherly tone.
"I know, you've reminded me 3 times now, I don't have short term memory loss or something" he gave an annoyed face.
"Just making sure, damaging ones veins by infusing magic in them is very risky, and takes time to heal since you can't use magic to heal it"
Blaze rolled his eyes at the explanation he's heard the fifth time now.
He was really annoyed with having to deal with it whilst mentally tired from the earlier events.
The trio of ponies were outside of the large tree shaped library.
"I'll see you two at the party then" Blaze ended calmly as he jumped from various parts of the building and got in through one of the higher windows.
The two alicorn sisters only watched with confusion as they left to join the ongoing party.
Blaze jumps in through the window, landing without a single sound and seeing Button Mash still sleeping in his bed.
There were two extra beds there as well
A small one on the side and a normal sized one on the opposite of his bed.
His clone had just started to disappear as some of his features began fading.
With a simple lighting of his horn, Blaze makes the clone disappear, leaving traces of magic in the room as he goes to wake up Button.
"Button, wake up" he said with a quiet voice.
"Well, I tried to be gentle" he smirked as his friend didn't move.
Grabbing the sheets, he prepared himself and pulls it to the sky, along with the blanket and pillows and most importantly, a sleeping colt.
"WAKE UP!" with his shout, the items plus one pony fall to the ground.
"What the hay? What's going on?" Button asks with a slurred voice as he frantically looks around.
He soon finds his red coated friend, laughing and wheezing on the ground.
"That's meeaaaaan" Blaze stops as he hears his friend crying.
Getting up, he hooks his right hoof around his friends' neck with a cheeky smile on his face.
"Look, I'm sorry, but I couldn't let you miss out on one of the biggest events in Equestria right now" he persuaded.
"What do you mean?" he said as he instantly stopped crying.
"You wouldn't believe it without seeing, now come on" with that the colt dragged his sleepy friend through the door and stopped at the sight.
The main area of the library was littered with all kinds of piles of canned and non-canned food, water bottles, stuff for hygiene and boxes of medical supplies.
Two mares were sitting at the only table in the middle with a bottle of some kind of wine and two glasses.
They looked as if they've made their biggest mistake in life as both had facehooved.
"Uuuuuh" Button was confused as he took a water bottle from one of the piles and drank it with confusion.
"Why is the library filled with supplies for an apocalypse?" Blaze asked with confusion.
"We" Delicate Cuisines started, "might have overreacted with the appearance of Nightmare Moon"
"In our defense we really did think we needed to survive an apocalyptic Equestria" Cream Heart said with a tired face.
"No kidding, look at this stuff" Button said as he held a can of dried corn.
"Most of these non-canned foods are going to expire in three weeks" Blaze commented with a slightly amused face.
"It was all they had" the two mares complained with embarrassed faces.
"I'll give a lesson on imperishable foods later, right now, we should head out for a bit" Blaze finished as he went to the front door after dropping the cans.
"Why? Is the celebration happening that quickly?" Delicate asked as she left her chair to approach the door, followed by Cream Heart.
"Yes, in fact" he said as pulled the door open, "It's happening right now"
The four ponies looked out of the building as banners congratulating Luna for coming back were strewn about everywhere with plenty of decorations to go along with it.
All kinds of fresh food were being given out for the occasion as ponies ran from place to place, dancing, singing and just enjoying the party.
In the midst of it all, was Luna, happily munching on a cupcake with a flower wreath around her neck.
"Imma eat some snacks" he said as he headed to the confectionery tables.
The ponies decide to all do their own things and congratulating Luna at some point.
Five hours pass as Blaze was sat right next to Button Mash in front of an arcade machine, looking on intently as Button Mash, true to his name, mash the buttons on the machine.
Button Mash was panting and was drowned in sweat as Blaze assisted him from the side by wiping his sweat with a cloth and bringing up a box of apple juice when he requested it.
The brown furred colts' eyes bloodshot, barely blinking as the pony character on the screen flew around the screen at impeccable speed, dodging attacks from a large octopus being, its attacks covering about ninety percent of the screen, only staying for about one second before instantly changing positions, forcing the character to use perfectly timed teleports to evade it.
The red furred colt watched on intently, assisting his friend with trained perfection.
"ONE MORE HIT!" Button said as his hooves moved around with blurring speed, pressing the six different buttons in a second, moving with great skill.
"Good afternoon Calming Blaze" an excited voice said from behind them.
"Huh" Blaze turned around to see who spoke.
This action however, allowed a single drop of sweat to travel down from Buttons' forehead and into his eye, causing him to close both his eyes naturally.
"Ow, my eyes"
"Defeat, Equestria has fallen" an autonomous voice announces.
"What! Equestria has fallen?!" Luna hurriedly asked with an anxious voice as she stepped closer to the machine.
Button Mash just looked on with complete shock as tears begin forming.
"NOoooOOooo, five HOURS, Wasted!" he cried as he banged his hooves on the machine.
"That" Blaze pointed at the machine, "Is called an arcade machine"
"I am not familiar with this piece" she asked with a worried expression.
"It's just a game, all fiction" Blaze explained while steeping down from the stool he was sat on.
"Oh, thank Faust it was just my mistake" Luna said whilst releasing a relieved sigh.
"Yep, and my friend over here spent the last five hours trying to finish it" he finished while stretching his body, causing several pops to be heard.
"I apologize for your loss then"
"It's fine" he said before turning to Button Mash.
"Buttons, Imma go for a while"
"Ok, I think I'm heading back now anyway" he said as he also stepped down.
"So, what'd you wanna talk about princess?" he asked as they walked down the street.
"Please, do call me Luna, I believe you more than qualify to speak to me casually"
"Alright Luna" he spoke, causing Luna to grow a happy smile. "What did you wanna talk to me about?"
"I, would like to apologize, for your injuries during the battle"
Luna stared forward as they walked, hiding her face from his sight.
"It's fine, your body took some heavy hits as well"
"But it's not the same, I don't feel any after effects or the injuries after being cured, only tiredness from low magic"
"The after effects are from myself, nopony else"
"I-" a slight quiver in her voice. "You gained those injuries because of me, so it's still my fault and I-I"
"And nothing" he said he took a step in front of Luna.
"Luna" he said as he jumped and lowered her head to look into her tearful eyes.
"You, are now your own pony, this is your chance to redeem yourself, so don't waste it by only thinking of the past, you're supposed to remember your mistakes, but you're also supposed to move on from it, learn from it. So if you're going to make me forgive you, forgive yourself first, got it?" he released her head from his hooves with a calm smile.
"Alright" she sniffed as she nodded and raised herself. "Thank you"
"No problem" he gave a small smile.
He looked around the area a bit before looking at Luna.
"Good thing this spot is away from the party, saves you the embarrassment"
"Yes, it is a good thing nopony saw me cry" she blushed a small bit before coughing to clear the awkwardness.
"Well, the party will probably go on for the whole day, so why don't we enjoy ourselves?"
"Yes, let's"
With that, the two spent the rest of the day, blossoming their newfound friendship.
*Twilight POV*
"Thank you kindly Twilight, for helping out" Applejack said as Spike kept saying different variations of 'no' while on my back.
Me and Spike, just me actually, were helping Applejack this morning.
"I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these golden delicious in the barn by lunchtime" she continued with a jump, "if I will, he's gonna walk down stir up street in one of granny's girdles" she finished as with an excited tone, like a filly knowing that she has absolutely won her bet.
"No problem at all Applejack, I'm glad the goal is lunchtime, all this hard work is making me hungry"
"I know right" Spike said as an apple fell on my head.
He gave me a sheepish smile as an apology.
"Puh-lease Spike, you've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked" I retorted.
"Exactly, you two are taking so long, I missed snack time" he said
My stomach rumbled, earning myself a nervous giggle.
"I guess we better get some food then" I said as I continue on forward.
"Nope, worm" small thuds told me that Spike was throwing away apples.
"A-HA!" he suddenly exclaimed, prompting me to check what it was about.
"Oh Spike, that looks delicious" I say as I gaze upon the brightest apple I've seen in my life, which was promptly devoured by Spike, splattering some apple juice on me.
"Spike!" I say with an annoyed tone.
"What?" he asks innocently.
Then he burped.
A trail of green smoke comes out, exciting me slightly, before turning into a scroll.
"It's a scroll from Princess Celestia!"
Spike grabbed the levitating scroll, clearing his throat before opening it.
"Hear ye, hear ye, Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala, to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot on the twenty-first day of yadda, yadda, yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle, plus one guest"
I let out a gasp, shocked at the scroll, Applejack was equally surprised, shock evident on her face too.
"The Grand Galloping Gala!" we both yell excitedly as Spike fake vomits.
Then he belches, letting out another trail of green smoke, which turned into two golden tickets.
"Look" he held up the tickets, "Two tickets!"
I was about to ask if Spike ever went to the Gala before, which I know he hadn't, only asking out of excitement, before he belched once more, another scroll with the royal seal on it.
"Another letter?" Spike asks as he picks it up to read the contents.
"Hear ye, Hear ye, Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Luna of Equestria, courteously sends an invitation to Calming Blaze"
He finishes as he pulls out a note attached to the letter.
"Dear, Twilight Sparkle,
please send this letter to Calming Blaze,
-Princess Luna "
Spike belches on last time as another golden ticket land on his claws.
"Well, that's a mighty surprise, would he be fine going alone though" Applejack said with her heavy accent.
"I hope" I shrug.
"Where is he though? I didn't see him this morning" Spike interjected.
"Now that you mention it, I don't think I've seen him in the morning at all" I reply nervously.
"That's worrying" Applejack added as we continued talking.
*No one POV*
A red coated colt held dumbbells of 100kg in his front hooves as he lifted them systematically while sitting on a log.
Sweat poured down his body as his muscles bulged out with every movement.
Rhythmic grunting could be heard before the colt suddenly released the equipment.
Gasping for air, he stands up and reaches for one end of the log where a bag and a jug of water sat.
Grabbing the jug of water, he takes large gulps of water as he steadies his breathing for a minute before grabbing the equipment and starting once more.
The area around him was blocked by dense growth, hiding the area from almost everything.
Almost, being the keyword as a long black figure slithers on the ground, reaching 4 meters easily, raises its head, revealing its white scutes.
It slowly approaches the exercising colt from behind, traveling so silently, almost as if it didn't exist.
Preparing itself for an attack, the snake readied its body.
Just as it was about to spring, the colt spoke up.
"If you try to bite me you're not getting any dessert" he commented without looking back.
This stops the serpent almost instantly.
It approached the colt quickly, making much more noise than before as it climbs onto the log and looks at the colt for a few seconds before bringing its tail up.
An apple presented itself, wrapped up by the snakes tail.
"Thank you Drega" the colt said as he dropped the dumbbells and took the apple with his hooves.
Taking a bite, he stops to look around his area.
All kinds of weights and machineries were spread around the clearing, making small dents into the ground from constantly dropping them.
His snake friend, now curled into a pile, slept next to him on the bench.
"Everything feels so much friendlier in this world" he thought to himself.
Compared to his old world, every being was non-hostile most if not all the time.
Only starved beasts would attack.
Even then, nothing a simple meal wouldn't fix.
It worked the same way with all sentient beings too.
Barely a single pony looked the same from his old world.
"Especially the commander" he said to himself.
Twilights' image overlapped with another unicorn, one much fearsome looking.
With a white mask, fully hiding her face and a much deeper shade of purple, closer to dark coat.
A body filled with scars from countless experiments.
It perplexed Calming Blaze as he thought about how a single event could dictate whether the world dies or not.
"Well, we take what get" he muttered to himself.
After finishing the apple, he threw away the core, leaving it for nature to consume it as he continues his workout.
"I'm ba~ck" Delicate Cuisines said merrily as she trotted in through the front door of the library with saddlebags.
Much to her confusion, the library had been empty.
"Weird, Blaze and Twilight are usually home when I'm back" she muttered to herself as she set her saddlebags down on the table in the middle of the room.
"Well, I did get off work early today, so they must be out, maybe buying groceries, or desserts" she chuckled to herself at the last part.
"Twilight probably got that trait from Princess Celestia" she thought to herself as she headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
"Should be fine" she told nopony in particular as she waved her hoof.
"Should be" she says as she starts to sweat.
"WHERE'S MY BABY!" she yelled as she ran to pick up medical supplies.
"Oooh, he's alone, hungry, tired, what if he's injured" she mutters to herself as she stuffs her bag with food, water and a first aid kit as she ran through the front door.
Straight into a yellow mare with a pink mane.
"Eep"
"Oof"
They exclaimed as they both felt the force of the impact, sending them to the ground.
"Sorry, OH! Fluttershy! Have you seen my son?" Delicate said rapidly as she stared at Fluttershys' eyes, ignoring a small army of animals around them.
"Um, I did hear a rumor about a red colt staying inside the Everfree" she stuttered as she explained.
"Yesthankyoudearbye" with that rapid reply, she ran straight to the forest.
"But, I didn't tell you where in the Everfree though" she muttered weakly as she stared at the disappearing visage of the mare.
"Fluttershy? What're you doing here? Wait, you're not here to do me a favor so you could get the ticket right?" Twilight asked with an irritated voice.
"Surprise!" a crowd of ponies yelled, making both ponies and the animals jump.
As Twilight took a look around, most of Ponyville had gathered and somehow managed to sneak up on them.
"Hello my bestest estest friend in the whole wide Equestria!" Pinkie exclaimed as she grabbed Twilight and started singing a song.
"Aaah, this is something I'll never get tired of, you agree yeah?" Blaze lazily said with a sigh as he sat in a steaming pond.
Drega was in the water too with only his head exposed as he laid back on the edge of the pond.
Different kinds of food stuff were placed within hooves reach.
They stayed in peaceful silence as they enjoyed themselves.
The silence was soon interrupted by heavy stomping and shouting.
"BLAZE! WHERE ARE YOU HONEY!" his mothers' voice rang out.
"MOM?! I'M OVER HERE!" he said as he got up.
"MY BABY!" she burst through a tree as she leapt to hug her son.
"Oof" Blaze released air from his lungs as his mother hugged with speed close to sound.
"There you are! Are you alright? Are you injured? Do you need food? Come on, I'm taking you to the doctor for an examination!" she rapidly fired her lines as Blaze was starting to see dark spots in his vision.
"Strength to fight the gods and I still can't beat mother" he thought to himself as he accepted death.
*Hiss*
Drega leapt up to show his presence, causing Delicate to release her grip slightly.
*GASP*
Breathing in fresh air, Blaze starts to cough as he sees Death wave him goodbye.
"Mom? What're you doing in the Everfree?"
"What am I doing here? What're YOU doing here mister?" she said sternly as she held him up high.
"What am I- wait, no, release the snake first, he's my friend" he said as he looked down to see Drega under Delicates' left hind leg.
"What!? No, it's a snake, what if it bites you?" she said worriedly before gasping. "Did it bite you? Where's the wound? We'll get a poison test!"
"Mom!" he said as he grabbed her face in his hooves. "Calm down, I'm not injured, nor am I lacking in any physical or mental needs, ok?"
"Ok" she says as her voice gets muffled by the hooves.
"Good, now release Drega, that's the snake, and put me down"
She follows the instructions as Blaze notices something.
"Is that a Timberwolf skull?"
"Oh this thing, holding it made the others stay away, so I held it" she said with a small shrug.
Blaze only stared blankly as his mind shut down, tried to load and shut down once more before forcefully deleting the memory.
"Well, why don't you take a dip in the pond, the water is pretty relaxing" he said as smile appeared on his face.
"Oh, that sounds nice"
"Yeah, eat some snacks while you're at it too" he said as he handed over a cupcake with his hooves.
"Thank you" she replied as she stared at him. "Uh, why aren't you using your magic?"
"Uuh, I'm just, depleted, yeah that's it, I was practicing" he finished with a nervous smile.
She nods in response.
"I trust you" she said with a small smile on her face.
A stunned expression grows on Blazes' face as he looks at her with a bit of shock.
A smile, one of genuine happiness makes its way onto his face as he gives a bright smile.
"I trust you too"
They both share a chuckle.
"So, tell me how you found this little place" Delicate asks as she takes another bite of her cupcake.
"Well, first I gotta tell you how I met Drega" he replied as he too sat in the pond.
The black serpent took the opportunity to throw a cupcake to the sky and eat it in one bite, wrappers and all.
Author's Note
Just a normal chapter with no extra drama or anything. I'm putting in Drega cuz I thought about how the Mane 6 have pets so why not Blaze?
*Calming Blaze POV*
"Seriously? You're telling me that NOTHING is wrong right now?" I ask as I stare annoyedly at Ponyvilles' only fashion designer, Rarity.
"Yes dear, I don't really notice anything out of the ordinary" she replied with a nervous look.
"You, *cough, cough*" I was rudely interrupted by smoke entering my lungs as I look at the sky.
Filled to the brim with smoke coming from two mountains that Rarity, much to my annoyance, doesn't seem to notice.
"Rarity! Twilight called you and the girls to gather at the library, it's urgent!" Spike yelled while wheezing as he came running towards us.
I was getting increasingly annoyed that Rarity had left before I could win my argument and at the fact that something disastrous just HAS to happen every week.
Which also caused me and mothers' new house to be delayed by another four weeks because an ursa minor and destroyed it last week.
Honestly, that brochure from when we first arrived must have been made years ago because incidents like a stampede, just aren't normal.
Anyways, I grab a bag next to me as I trotted off towards the library, after closing the door to the boutique that Rarity ran, because I have a feeling I'll need to solve one of the dragons.
Life here has been, a mixed bag to say the least.
Almost killed a griffon two weeks ago, a stampede of cows three weeks ago and an invitation.
The Gala doesn't sound exactly appealing since it's just a social gathering for nobles.
Then again, Luna will be there, so maybe it'll be a fun time.
I asked mother about it just in case.
She, apart from being slightly jealous about the invitation, wholeheartedly approved of me going.
As long as I take Drega with me, for protection she says.
So I took a visit to Rarity for a formal outfit.
Well, as formal as I can get with a tiny body that is.
Walking through the town, it was surprisingly calm with no riots or panic whatsoever.
The close knit community helps with that I guess.
Arriving at the library, the Mane 6, as ponies call them now for some reason, are leaving hastily whilst cheering.
Damn it.
I missed their planning period, now I'll have to wait to see which mountain they'll go to.
Annoying as it is, I did have to come up with an excuse to tell mother so I can leave for the mountain.
What should I tell her?
...
"So I'm going to make sure nothing happens to them" I calmly explain to mother as she listens with great concern.
"Are you sure? Is there anypony else going with you?" she asked as her face held a worried expression.
"Yeah, there'll be somepony, he's capable, he's done it before" I lied with great difficulty.
I was never a great liar, even worse against mother.
Thankfully, she was too worried to notice.
"*Sigh*, Alright, you can go if you have a professional with you, but please stay safe, can you do that for mommy?" she asked as she hugged me.
"Yes, I'll be safe mom"
"Good"
With that, I left the building, which was the café we visited before that also doubled as a restaurant.
Releasing a tired sigh, I ask around ponies to know which direction the Mane 6 left to as I missed their departure due to me spending about half an hour bullshitting about snake mating and how it needs to be researched.
If Drega does get a girlfriend by tonight though, I'll have an easier time.
"They headed towards that direction after talking about the mountain for a bit"
"Thank you Carrot Top"
"No problem sweetie"
So they went to the east mountain.
I guess I'll head south then.
The journey was simple to say the least.
Most beasts ran away, following their instincts and those that didn't, learned what a broken neck feels like.
Arriving at the base of the mountain, I sigh at the journey ahead.
"Seems I've gotten lazier during this life" I comment to nopony in particular as I resume my journey up ahead.
Climbing the steep walls and jumping the valleys would have been difficult.
Had I not just went around the mountain to discover a way up that looked like somepony built it.
"That's convenient"
The trek upwards took close to 20 minutes and it was pleasant.
The smell of fresh air, the calming breeze combined with the beautiful sight gave off a calm feeling.
It was broken however, by a voice that shocked me to my core.
"FASTER YOU USELESS REPTILE!" he yelled.
That voice.
Why the fuck?
I run towards the top of the mountain and see where the smoke came from.
Approaching the inside of the cave, there was no treasure horde a dragon would have, not even a single coin.
Instead, there was the dragon, red scaled and roaring out fire and smoke with a blackened eye.
And a pony, one too familiar.
"Who the fuck are you?" I calmly ask, masking my anger as I look at the alicorn in front of me.
"We're both smart enough to realize the answer no?" he said as turned slightly to look at me.
A familiar fiery orange eye stared at me.
Fully turning, his battle worn armor pressing against his blood red coat as he did so.
The blood stained mane swaying freely in the air, resembling a roaring fire from the overload of magic.
A difference at the very least, was his right eye.
A light blue sclera with a teal iris and a draconic pupil.
"Alright, I'm not stupid, so why the tartarus are you making problems?" I ask my old body.
"Let's just say, I had a different idea" he smiled sinisterly as his horn glowed an intense light.
Shit, I can't fight him now, me veins still haven't fully healed, but I'm too weak without it.
Staring intensely, I ready myself to at least try.
His orange glow however, soon released and turned into a deep blue colored mist, before rapidly entering the dragons' head.
"I'll let you be for now" he said before leaving with a flash of light.
"What the FUCK was THAT!" I yell in frustration at the turn of events as I pound the ground with anger.
Who the tartarus was that bitch and what the fuck does he want.
There can't be two of the exact same souls in one universe.
If it does happen, the universe itself should fix that shit according to EVERYTHING ponies know about magic properties.
*ROAR!*
The dragon, now with cloudy eyes releases a loud roar, breaking me out of my contemplation.
"Tch, I'll have to deal with you first"
By the time I return to the library, things have calmed down without any more smoke in the sky.
The pegasi probably took care of it.
Having calmed down from the frustrating event, I try to take my time walking back to sort things through.
Why is there another me and what does he want?
How did he even get here?
Better yet, how does he even exist?
I didn't notice anything about my soul getting split or something during the spell.
Ugh.
So frustrating.
Barely even a month after coming to a more peaceful timeline, some bullshit comes in my way and is most likely trying to ruin it for me.
Worst of all, that prick STAYED an alicorn.
With how weak I am right now, I'll need at the very least ten years of my current training to give him a decent fight.
And since I'm already doing the absolute most without anypony noticing my odd behavior, I can't increase my training.
Oh.
I must have let my thoughts show on my face since ponies are running away in fear.
Huh, haven't seen that one before.
"Hmm" I let out as I think about an idea that could work, and I'll be getting payed for it.
"Wait,*Sigh*, I'm still a kid, so that won't work, damn it"
With that, I enter the library, fortunately empty as I walk to the table in the middle to put my loot on it.
The dragon wouldn't come to his senses, so I had to get a bit rough.
The large bone with a sharp end and a broken end fell on the table with a thud.
Actually, maybe it was the dragon tooth that scared the ponies away.
"Welp, a shower sounds pretty good right now" I say after taking a sniff of myself, causing me to gag.
*Calming Blaze POV*
*Thud*
*Sigh*
Releasing a tired sigh, I look up to the orange sky.
Time to head back.
"Wake up dude" I say as I push some greenery out of the way, along with some leftover snow.
Which was strange since Ponyville had their whole 'Winter Wrap Up' ceremony almost a month ago.
Then again, it's the Everfree.
With a yawn, Drega comes out of a burrow in the ground.
Extending a hoof, he climbs sticks to it, climbing on my body to curl up on my back.
The trip back was calming, to say the least.
Other me hasn't tried anything in the last few weeks, fortunately.
Which brings us to today.
Walking back home, I see the ruins of our newly built house that we've waited for a month and a half before finally being stopped.
Once again, it was destroyed right before being finished, this time by a swarm of something called a 'parasprite'.
No idea what that is since I missed it by working out.
They also apparently caused half of the construction crew to get injured, not too badly, but enough to stop them from working.
Which was annoying since now we'll have to wait at least 2 more months before construction even begins.
The trees, not counting the Everfree, were all yellow and orange, finally giving that calm Autumn feeling.
And I have to participate in a race because apparently I was supposed to help in Winter Wrap Up, and I also didn't go to the biggest party for fouls since coming here.
At the very least, mother says so.
I think she's noticed my absence these last two months.
I can tell, she's not asking about it, but she knows something is up.
I love her for that.
The ponies were setting up stands and seats around the entrance of a different forest, this one without a name.
Remembering something, I take a sniff of myself.
"Eugh, I forgot to take a bath"
Now, with a clean body this time, I'm sitting at milkshake stand with Button as our mothers have a delightful conversation about the easiest way to incapacitate any kind of beast.
Mothers are a bit scary, aren't they?
Button, however, is talking to a new filly on town, almost completely ignoring the other new filly in town.
Sweetie Belle, the one that Button is talking to, is a unicorn with a white coat and a light pink and light purple mane that moved from Manehattan to her sister, Rarity, unsurprisingly.
The other filly is named Scootaloo, with an orange coat and mix between pink and purple as a mane color.
She's a pegasus that moved in form Cloudsdale to Ponyville, though with whom she's moving in with, she didn't tell.
Applebloom was also here, talking to Scootaloo about some harvest that Applejack was too stubborn to get help for or something.
I wasn't paying too much attention as I sipped my milkshake and they didn't seem to really notice my presence, which was good since I was too busy thinking about what I should do.
Getting a forge might be a good idea.
I can't always depend on that magma hammer from before.
Heh, that makes me wonder.
Can I become an alicorn the normal way this time, or will I have to force it again?
Either way, I need to make an actual weapon first.
For that, I'll need materials, expensive materials, AND I'll need help with the enchantments.
I should be able to ask Luna for that.
Don't know if she'll agree though.
"Racers, please take your positions!" Pinkie Pie announced as she stood on a hot air balloon.
"I'll be back" I tell the others before I leave as they give me their words of encouragement.
Standing at the starting line, I look around as I crack my neck and check if my number paper is still on my flank.
Should I win? Or should I just take my time and have fun?
Rainbow Dash seems to be having fun already, teasing Twilight in light banter.
Twilight does seem the type to never run or exercise, only reading books and all.
Then again, most of these ponies aren't athletes, but they still participate anyway.
Anypony can run I guess.
Though, the prospect of learning how to race from a book does seem kind of counter-intuitive.
"Alright ponies, are you ready!" Pinkie announced in her showpony accent.
"Get set!" Spike announced as all ponies, including me, prepare to take off.
With the ring of the bell, I take off, ignoring the ponies around me.
Spike and Pinkie seem to be doing their job as announcer/narrator, but I can hardly hear them as I try to dodge the random hooves of ponies that are racing.
The horde of ponies ran as fast as they could with Rainbow Dash and Applejack at the front.
Opting to save my energy instead, I go down to a slow but winnable speed.
Though with my enhanced body, that seems to be slightly below the speed of the sprinting ponies.
My concentration, however, was ruined as I felt a slight magic disturbance from the trees.
This brought me to a stop as I turned to look at the disturbance.
Luckily, I'm already pretty far away from the starting line and away from any other ponies.
Deciding that checking this out is more important than winning some race, I head into the woods.
Walking in further, the feeling in my gut tells me that something is insanely wrong.
Passing through the woods, I see a worrying sight.
The woods, it was blurry.
A camouflage barrier.
Anypony without experience would barely even notice it.
Entering the barrier, I'm now more than just slightly concerned about the situation as I peer at the pony in the middle, looking away from me.
The mane flowing with pure dark magic.
The ashen grey coat, pressed down by the silver armor.
The red cape that was lined with real white fur.
The curved horn, that started as grey, which quickly turned to blood red, is all I needed to see to figure out who it was.
"Sombra" I say with thinly veiled anger.
Although quiet, my voice rings loudly in the silence of the forest.
He turns to face me as the purple flames around his eyes burst to life.
His mouth widened to reveal the teeth of a predator, almost completing his villainous look.
After he fully turns to me, I notice that his crown is missing.
What the?
That guy is too self obsessed too just leave his crown somewhere.
After he opened his eyes though, I got all the answers I needed.
His signature blood red eyes with a thin pupil, now surrounded by a light blue sclera, and the cloudy look he gave me.
He's being controlled.
Without a single word, he pounces at me with impressive speed.
Putting up both my hooves as my guard, I block the heavy attack, the knockback alone pushing me back along with the dirt, leaving a trail in the ground.
Then he jumps away, landing near a heart shaped crystal that boasted its pure dark appearance, fully corrupted under Sombras' influence.
What the fuck?
What's that doing here?
The Crystal Empire isn't even back yet.
I look at Sombra, trying to figure out what I can do about him.
The dragon was easy, just punch his jaw a few times and wake him up.
But Sombra?
He's not one to be underestimated.
That smile that used to seem taunting more than anything now just seems creepy with his unmoving jaws and his cloudy eyes.
*Sigh*
With a sigh, I think about which one to use.
"The sun didn't work out against you last time, didn't it?" I ask Sombra as I take in the magic around me, the same way I took it in last time.
The difference this time, the memories.
Remembering the feeling of fighting and knowing exactly what she felt as she fought against me.
This time, not Daybreaker, but Nightmare Moon.
The magic comes in through my veins once more.
The icy feeling now surrounds me, freezing whatever I come in contact with.
The very ground turns to ice as dark clouds manifest in the barrier.
No need to check, I can't leave without using force.
My body felt cold, the feeling of blood moving whilst frozen felt like countless needles stabbing into my veins as my nervous system was being forcefully worked through magic whilst frozen.
Covered in numbing ice, but being forced to work through magic was an intense pain I've never felt before.
Gritting my teeth, almost cracking them, I turn to look at Sombra who's surrounded by the aura of his intense dark magic.
My body grows to the average height of an adult pony.
My horn grew to a great length, now showcasing a sharp end.
My coat turned slightly blue from being frozen.
My mane, now much longer and filled with stars and cosmos, fluttered slowly in the wind from an impossible breeze.
"Thanks for waiting" I speak as I flew at top speed, practically teleporting.
A war hammer, the same size as the last one, now made out of ice and bound together by darkness, in my hooves.
He responded in kind as his signature scythe manifested into his magic, handling it much better than Nightmare Moon.
*CLANG, BOOM*
The aftermath blew away the leaves inside the barrier, spikes made from ice and crystals grew from our perspective sides, coming into existence from our corresponding sides.
Just after our contact, Sombra leaps back as a lightning bolt strikes down from the thundercloud, striking the spot Sombra was in as cloud of dust arose.
Sensing his position through magic, I charge up a spell as I leap forward for a surprise attack.
Just as I suspected, exiting out of the smoke, Sombra was in the air, swiping his scythe at my neck.
*Crack*
The scythe digs deep into the neck, washing away the outside of the clone to reveal an ice sculpture as I jump in from the side to initiate an attack of my own.
Hammer in hoof, I strike with a fearsome side attack, going for the head as a crystal wall came in the way.
*Bang*
The wall stops my hammer as cracks go over it, allowing Sombra to strike with his scythe with an upward swing.
Guiding with both magic and hoof, the shaft of my hammer comes in the way as an icicle with a sharp end grow from right underneath me to pierce his neck.
Another crystal for a block.
With a swift wave of my horn from top to bottom, another lightning strike comes down, blowing us both away.
*Thud*
Landing with a thud, I stand low as I look at the spot he was in as shards of ice manifest around me.
He stands up with a swing of his scythe, blowing away the dust.
His overbearing figure was riddled with burns from the lightning, before quickly being healed by his blackened aura that resembled a living being more than anything.
His overall strength however, gets significantly weaker.
What?
That never happened before.
The startling part of it was that, the crystal heart let out a burst of magic, mimicking a shrill scream of agony.
The magic quickly gets absorbed into Sombra as his strength is back to full.
I internally kick myself for not doing anything when he was vulnerable.
Preparing for another rush, this time however, towards the crystal heart.
The shards of ice gets launched towards Sombra at high speeds, causing him to erect another crystal spike.
The ice shards all break at contact, but it bought enough time for me to reach the crystal heart.
Rearing up my hammer to the skies, I slam down once with might.
A bang, quickly followed by a shockwave emerges from the strike.
Another burst of magic from the crystal heart pushed me back, like it was defending itself.
Before I could recover, the blade of an awfully familiar scythe stands in my vision as it appeared right in front of me.
Turning to mist, I dash backwards to dodge the attack at the last second, quickly followed by lightning coiling around my hooves as my body becomes a blur and my hoof punches Sombra away.
Turning it off, I direct magic to heal my hooves as the smell of burning flesh fill the area.
Never using that trick again.
With that, I rush for the crystal heart, only for a blob of shadow to grow into a sharp strike, forcing me to stop and block the attack with my hammer.
The blob grows and takes shape as Sombra emerge and follow it up with a scythe attack from my right.
With a swipe of my hammer, I parry the attack, only for the scythe to spin around him and come from the other side.
Raising my hoof whilst covering it in ice, I successfully stop the attack as the scythe tip gets embedded into my hoof.
Quickly dropping the hammer, I manifest an ice dagger the same I did with the hammer.
Lunging forward, I stab the dagger into the direction of his neck, forcing him to turn to shadows and take a step back which freed my left hoof from his scythe.
I let out a sigh as the dagger gained more mass to turn into a longsword.
"If a hammer is too slow, then I guess I could use a change of pace" I mutter as the longsword made of ice turns sharp with the aid of darkness.
Rushing in, I make a wide swing with my magic, which he dodge by tilting his head back.
Not even a second after, I jump as my snout almost touches his as my hoof reached the handle of my sword, dragging it back with extreme speed, finally landing a hit on the bastard.
A half arch of ice grows right on top of me and block his overhead strike, encasing the end of his scythe.
Going for a stab, a crystal spike grew to encase my sword which I quickly let go of and sprinted around the structure as I face Sombras' face once more.
A quick jab from my right hoof to buy time, dazing him.
Raising my left hoof, small blade made from ice with barely a handle manifests on it, swiping it down swiftly, another large gash on his chest.
With that, my right hoof comes in with a haymaker, fully coming in contact, forcing myself to follow along with it, I push further with my connected hoof, throwing him on the ground head first.
The dirt around him cracked at the force.
I raise my horn as ice grows from beneath him, fully encasing his body in ice.
The crystal heart lets out another burst of magic.
With a large jump into the sky, the hammer I dropped flies into my hooves with magic as lightning gather on the surface of the hammer head, turning it into a conductor.
As I drop from the sky, I concentrate most of the magic in my veins towards my front hooves, ice fully encasing them, yet they remain fully functional.
A second passes.
The lightning inside the thundercloud gather into one.
Another second passes.
The hammer came down, powered by the power of a thousand lightning strikes, the barrier is filled with intense light, reaching a decibel I couldn't hear as a single sound was the sign of victory.
*Crack*
The light faded away, giving me a sight to behold.
The crystal heart was filled with a million cracks, but it stood its ground.
With one final burst of magic, it shattered into uncountable pieces.
The dark aura of Sombras' magic vanished into the air.
The crystal shards floated in the air as they came back together to form a cube of crystal that was tightly packed.
Even though it was compressed, I could tell, the crystal lost over at least half of its mass.
As I raise my hoof to grab it, I notice a peculiar sight.
In a puddle of water, most likely from melted ice.
The sight shocked me to my core.
It was something that I thought wasn't possible.
No, that can't be.
Quickly raising an icicle, clear enough to see reflections, I tilt my body slightly to look at my flank.
My cutie mark, or rather, my lack of one was disturbing.
"Where the tartarus is it?" I ask myself whilst breathing heavily to calm myself.
This is bullshit.
A cutie mark is the personification of a ponies' destiny, their role in the universe.
And to lose it means that you have failed your destiny.
I was quickly taken out of my stupor by a sharp pain inside of me.
With a sigh, I release my overload of magic, quickly unfreezing my veins and blood.
My mane returns to its former bright orange, covered in ice at different parts as it grew back to its original length.
My body shrank back to my normal height.
My horn that had a sharp end, turned back to normal.
With a sigh, I shudder as my nerves now fully feel the cold.
"Screw it, take it like an alicorn Blaze" I say to encourage myself as I lift my hoof to grab the crystal cube.
"This, will prove to be useful" I mutter to nopony as I hold the crystal cube.
The sheer power floating out of it surprised me to say the least.
It was good material.
As I held the crystal, the barrier came down as the outside breeze warmed the cold air in the area.
Holding the cube in the air, I approach a piece of paper on the ground.
Thankfully, my veins only throbbed in pain this time, nothing too bad.
The paper was drenched in water and the ink was washed off, meaning I was disqualified from the race.
*Thud*
With a sound so small that it was almost non-existent, somepony lands right behind me.
"Good afternoon princess, what can I do for you?" I ask as I turn around to see Celestia standing there with a worried expression.
"Would you tell me why, I felt such a worrisome magical aura from this place" she said as she donned her professional ruler mask.
I take a peek at the spot Sombra should've been, only to see the ice coffin still there.
It was slightly melted, but still enough to hold Sombra in.
It means he died.
"It's pretty personal to me, so no, I don't think I would tell you" I ask as I put out a large smile.
"Personal, you say?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Her eyes, now indicating that she understands that I don't really like her, gazed at me with an icy glare.
Couldn't blame her.
This matter is one of great importance to her.
Then again, that's not my problem, now is it?
"If it eases you, the problem has been solved for now" I tell her the truth.
Lying by omission.
Such a great tool.
"For now?" she asked calmly.
"Yes, for now"
If she was frustrated, she was great at hiding it because the only thing I can see, is the cold glare of a ruler who's passing judgement.
Mine shouldn't be too different.
Fully extending her wings, she stands over me, showing off her alicorn might before me.
"YOU WILL TELL ME, WHY I COULD FEEL THE PRESENCE OF SOMBRA FROM THIS FOREST!"
"Aren't you being a bit too overbearing?" I ask as I get myself higher by raising a pillar beneath me.
Putting on a strained smile, I face Celestias' domineering magic.
The coward would never fully use it though, I've seen plenty of proof to realize that.
As our eyes are locked together, the aura surrounding her increases to a dangeroud degree and it stayed there as the air increased in temperature.
After a few seconds of the ridiculous condition, she finally gives a weary sigh as her magic goes back inside of her.
"Fine, since you don't want to tell me, I can't force you to"
"Good, I can at least assure you that Sombra, will not be a problem as of now"
She gave me a glare of suspicion, her time ruling wasn't completely useless you know?
"Why don't we head back, the race will end soon" She suggested as she turned to walk away.
I chuckle at the slight irony.
The pony of the sun can be so cold to those she doesn't trust.
We parted ways after I reached the tracks, opting to rather sprint the whole way to take my mind off of the situation.
That was definitely dangerous.
Luckily, I was correct about her not using violence, but the reason for it was different.
I guess having her sister back led her down to a completely different path.
I've forgotten to stay calm.
That, could be fatal.
Breathing in a steady pattern, I force a bit of magic into hooves to increase my speed.
The winds brushed against my face with the fresh air calming my nerves.
The leaves fell as I stomped hard on the ground, creating strong vibrations.
As I ran, I noticed a sign that had an arrow that pointed to the left.
"I already memorized the path, so I know this is the correct way" I mutter to myself as I ran to the right side.
Sprinting at my fastest speed, I start to overtake ponies who were tired and one Twilight Sparkle, who said hi to me, which I responded with a hi and left behind.
Leaving behind ponies in the dust, I started to cut off from them, once again leaving me alone with nature and the dirt track.
Soon enough, the finish line is in sight.
Oddly enough, the ribbon was there.
Did neither Rainbow Dash or Applejack make it yet?
Jumping the last step, I take the ribbon with stride.
Landing on the ground as my hooves leave multiple trails in the dirt, kicking up a slight dust as the sounds of cheering fill my ears.
"And we have our WINNER!" The combined voices Spike and Pinkie Pie announces loudly.
Seriously?
I thought I'd be dead last since I got delayed.
About 10 minutes, but still delayed nonetheless.
"Oh Blaze, I'm so PROUD of you!" Mother exclaimed as she brought me to a hug.
Right as she was about to explode out of happiness, I did something I haven't done in the last 130 years.
I sneezed.
"Ah, Blaze, honey, why is your body so cold?" she said with worry as she looked me in my eyes.
I only sneezed once more as a response.
"Oh dear, I think you caught the flu" she said as she let go of me, but wrapped a scarf around me.
Why was she carrying a scarf in this weather though.
"Congratulations for taking 1st place Calming Blaze, and I'll hope for your safe recovery" Celestia said with her kind voice look as she adopted her signature motherly face.
Masked bitch.
"I am grateful for the opportunity your highness and thank you for your concern, but you need not worry, it is only a cold" I say with a small bow as I adopt my kindest face that I only give to assholes.
"Hello Princess Celestia" a voice exclaimed with a happy voice as she came over.
Taking the chance Twilight had given, both me and Celestia unanimously decide to end the argument with our eyes as she starts talking to her student and I, to my mother.
"Let's go home mom, I'm kind of tired after the race" I say as I give her a genuine smile this time.
"Alright honey, but you're going to take a shower first, you reek of sweat" she jokingly says as we walk our way back home.
"Yeah, that sounds pretty nice actually"
With that, we head home as the cube of crystal floats after me.
Weird how mother never asked me about it.
Whatever, it works in my favor and I know she's on my side anyway.
Step By Step Guide To Avoiding The Gala
*Calming Blaze POV*
As I sit inside my bed, I contemplate whether I should throw away this medal or not.
The 1st place medal, throwing it away would make ME happy, but it would make mother upset.
At first, I acted like I just forgot so I could get away from the masked sun.
And, I don't exactly like the royal ass enough to want a reward from her.
Then Buttons came to the library with the medal in hoof.
Well, I can't blame him for being a good friend.
With a sigh, I drop it back on the shelf as I move to get off the bed.
Taking a look at myself in the mirror, I stare at my cutie mark.
I was too distracted to check it again because of Celestia, then I pretty much forgot about it.
In my previous life, it was a sign of calm for me, telling me that I have both the strength and the talent to live another day.
Now however, it just feels wrong.
Letting out a sigh, I try to distract myself with other things.
Like the important event today.
Tonight's the night of the Grand Galloping Gala.
The last month and a half have been peaceful.
As peaceful as it can be with 3 overhyped fillies causing some kind of accident every 2 days.
The CMC as they called it.
Huh.
Now that I think about it, something only happens around the Mane 6 and ponies they're involved with.
Maybe I should stay away from them every now and then, just so I can have a calm day.
Eh, Pinkie would still find me in the pit of tartarus if she wanted to.
Other me hasn't tried anything during the time, which is both good and worrying.
I also missed a bunch of things, like a foalnapping and a talent show or something.
Mother luckily hasn't forced me into anything after the race.
Bit worried she's blaming herself for me getting sick, even though I only needed a day to recover.
Well, not like she could have controlled whether I froze my body or not.
A small burst of magic redirects my attention towards it.
The crystal cube.
Twilight asked to test on it, but I told her I was going to use it at some point.
She relented, but only after a presentation that lasted almost 3 hours about how much good it could do to scientific development.
As much as it could be, advancing science isn't exactly what I'm looking for.
Anyway, the cube has been getting stronger since the day I got it.
It seems to be recovering.
It's an interesting technique.
It pushes its magic outwards, creating an entrance of sorts, before pulling it back along with the ambient magic in the area, filling it more.
"Blaze!" the voice broke my concentration.
"Yeah mom!?" I ask back.
"You should get ready, the carriage will arrive soon"
"OK"
With that, I put on the suit Rarity made me, and make my way down.
I'll be riding with those 6.
The ride was, surprisingly not boring.
Than again, what would you expect from Pinkie Pie of all ponies.
The carriage was actually bigger on the inside, space expansion enchantments were put on everything.
Although, the longer the ride went on, the more I realized that these ponies were going to have a terrible time at the Gala.
With completely different expectations of the Gala, they will be disappointed to learn that it's just an event for nobles to make connections with each other.
It's supposed to be a charity event, but according to memory, Fancy Pants is the only one that donates regularly during the event.
The others are just ponies looking to get on the good side of others.
At least Fancy Pants is ridiculously rich, allowing him to single hoofedly donate enough to reach the needed amount, and then some.
Looking at their reasons for visiting the Gala, the only one with a realistic thought process seems to be Twilight, who wants to spend the night with her teacher.
The others' expectations are, how to put it nicely, not exactly realistic.
If they think the event will be ANYTHING like in Ponyville, they'll be sorely disappointed.
Anyway, whilst they're making sure they didn't mess anything up with their dresses, I decide to at least warn them.
"Girls?" I speak with a slightly loud voice to get their attention.
With all eyes on me, they look at me while barely containing their excitement.
"I'll be blunt, your expectations of the Gala seem, unrealistic, to say the least" I carefully announce to make sure I don't kill their spirits too badly.
They confusedly stare at me.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked as the natural leader of the group.
"I'm saying, try to lower your expectations a bit, because at this rate, you guys will be terribly disappointed" I announce as we come to a stop.
They don't seem to understand the implication.
"Just, know that not everything is going to go the way you expect it to" I say as I turn to leave through the door, which Spike graciously opened. "Thank you Spike"
Entering the Gala wasn't too much trouble, seems Luna told the guards about me since they let me in without checking my ticket.
A few, if not all the nobles were giving me glares throughout my short journey into the castle.
Luckily, I don't care as my only purpose today is to hang out with Luna.
Asking a guard about Luna, he led me towards her room.
I easily complied, happy about the fact that nothing is either going wrong or being extremely annoying, whilst also completely ignoring the white alicorn and the line in front of her.
I'm happy for her that SO MANY ponies would want to greet her, so much so that she doesn't get even a single chance to annoy me tonight.
I do feel slightly bad for Twilight though, since she won't be able to find the chance to talk to Celestia.
Eh, I already gave my warning so, it's no longer my problem.
"This is her room sir" the guard stopped in front of a large double door adorned with stars and a moon.
Looked a bit foalish, but it's fine.
"Thank you sir" I tell the guard and knock on the door.
The guards on either side of the door didn't do anything, so she must've have told them about me.
A few seconds of silence ensues, then a thud.
Then the sound of something shattering.
"Horseapples" a muffled voice comes through the door.
"Are you alright in there Luna?" I ask, just to make sure.
A few seconds pass as I'm only met with silence.
I just look at the three guards with a questioning look, to which they stare right back at me with the same confused stare.
I nod my head towards the door, to which they, thankfully, get my signal and draw their spears towards it.
Pushing the one at the front to the side, I take my position as the spearhead.
He seemed shocked at my strength but focused back on entering the room.
I lift my right hoof to start a countdown.
Once, we all get tense.
Twice, we prepare to rush in.
Thrice, my hoof slams on the ground, along with all my limbs, launching me inside the room with the guards quickly following me inside.
Once inside, I gather my magic, preparing to cast any magic that's needed as I narrow my eyes to search the surroundings.
What stops me however, is the sight of Luna with a face red as tomato as her backside is sticking through behind a couch.
It should be noted that her face was in front of the couch.
"Hi" she said in an embarrassed voice.
"ARE YOU ALRIGHT PRINCESS!?" one the guards loudly ask, letting his voice reverberate throughout the hallway.
This resulted in hundreds of hooves rushing throughout the castle, making the floor shake.
"Great job dude, you just called the entirety of your guards" I punch him lightly in the shoulder as I move to break the couch.
"Stay still Luna" I tell her as I put my hooves in the couch around her neck.
Pulling it apart, I tear the couch in half, freeing the princess and saving her from the embarrassment she would have gotten from being seen like that by at least fifty ponies.
"Thank you, Blaze" she said as she coughed away the embarrassment.
"YOUR HIGHNESS, ARE YOU INJURED?" a guard with a full white coat and three types of cerulean colored mane comes in at the front of the guards.
"At ease captain, as you can see, I am unharmed" Luna said as she levitated a few broken items into the hallway.
Shards of broken glass, the two halves of the couch, a box looking thing and two halves of a game console.
"Please inform the staff to throw away the broken items" she said as she used her magic to remove the guards from her room.
Silence descends into the room after she closed the door.
Slowly I look around the room and the immediate thing I recognize is the flat object in the wall with its screen being covered in particles of white and black as the object gave off an annoying sound.
"I, apologize for the display Blaze" she said with a sheepish smile.
"It's fine, though I AM curious about how you managed to pierce the couch" I ask as I take a seat on the large blue carpet on the floor.
"Whilst waiting for your arrival, I decided to try a new game I had bought prior, one where I am tasked to solve puzzles with a device that creates portals" she finished with a simple smile, informing me that she's not going to tell me the rest of that story.
With a chuckle, I take another look around the room, noting that every object had a moon and star style.
"So, what should we do first Ms.Host?" I ask as I make myself a bit more comfortable.
"Um, I-I don't, actually know, this is the first time I've hung out with anypony, other than my sister of course" she explained as she brought over a pitcher full of candies before putting one in her mouth with magic.
"Seems you've recovered enough to use your magic freely" I say whilst taking my own piece of candy, a hard one.
Huh, bitter candy.
Haven't had that one before.
"Yes, soon enough, I'll be able to traverse the dream realm once more" she excitedly exclaimed as she trotted over to a rather big closet.
"Dream magic huh?"
I smash the candy to pieces inside my mouth and start chewing it.
"Correct, oh I wish you could witness it, the magical world of dreams is simply wonderful. With every dream representing its own star, it makes for a truly beautiful sight" she explained as she took out a console.
The dream world.
Sounds nice.
"What's that console by the way? Don't think I've seen that one" I ask to try to keep the conversation going.
"This, according to my sources, is the latest model of the Playbox" she said while hooking up some wires from the device on the wall to the console.
Wait, that thing is a TV.
"Cool, you're already abusing your princess authority" I laugh teasingly as I loosen my suit a bit.
"Oh please, I haven't even scratched the surface" she responded with a cheeky grin as two controllers floated over.
I let out a chuckle at the joke as I loosen my suit a bit more.
This thing is getting more annoying by the second.
"Why don't you just take the suit off, you feel uncomfortable in it don't you?" she asked as she brought out a box of discs.
"Yeah, you're right" ignoring the obvious set up of an inappropriate joke, I take the suit off with a slight struggle from how tight it was.
"Wow, am I hallucinating or are you way taller than before, and muscular" Luna said with surprise as I fold the suit into a nice square.
"I am, been training for the last 4 months"
*Knock, Knock*
"We've brought your new couch your highness" a servant announces respectfully after a few quiet knocks.
"Bring it in" Luna says with a calm voice as the servants come in to put the new couch in front of the TV, one that looks exactly like the previous one.
"Please bring over snacks and drinks" Luna tells the retreating crew as they close the door.
"Should I spend the night here?" I ask Luna, who seems to think about the question with great intensity.
After she thought for a few seconds, seemingly weighing every possible outcome if we decide to do a sleepover.
"Have you asked your mother about it?" she finally asked.
"We can ask right now no? Do you have a mirror?" I say as I look around the room for a reflective surface.
"Yes? What kind of mare wouldn't keep a mirror in her room?" a mirror floated over to me as her face took an expression of bewilderment.
"One that doesn't care about their appearance I guess" I answer with a shrug as I lay on my stomach on the couch.
Gathering magic the tip of my horn, the spell envelopes the small mirror.
A few seconds of silence follows as nothing happens.
"What did you do?" Luna asks from the side as she propped her head right next to me, the rather large couch and my rather small body easily allowing such action.
"Sent a signal to form a connection" as I finish, the mirror is now filled with the sight of a familiar bathroom.
A mare walks in, yawning as she rubbed her eye.
"Hey mom!" I yell.
With a startled jump, she whips her head around as she lets out incomprehensible threats.
"Did she just say that she'll stick my hooves inside peanut butter?" Luna asks with a conused look as mother finally saw the mirror.
"Blaze, honey, is that you? How'd you get inside the mirror" mother asks after getting close to the mirror, completely ignoring the presence of Luna.
"Yeah, I learned a new spell, neat right?"
"Yeah, it is pretty neat" she said as the vision turned to the side.
"No, mom, we're not INSIDE the mirror, we just connected a mirror with the bathroom mirror" I explain as Luna softly mutters 'we' with a questioning tone.
"Oh, that's much less worrying" she says after letting out a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, mom, I wanted to ask, can I stay the night here? I'm pretty safe. Safe as a princess in fact" I say with a smug grin at the small joke.
"Safe as a princess huh?" she softly said to herself as she held her hoof to her chin.
After a minute that felt like an hour, she finally nods as she looks at my eyes once again.
"If you're absolutely sure, then you can stay there for the night, are you staying with a friend though?"
"Yeah mom, she's a pretty great friend"
I could Luna literally brighten up at the statement and so could I see mother brighten up too.
"No mom, we're not like that" I say plainly as I could.
With a slightly amused look, she rolls her eyes.
"Just make sure not to sleep too late alright?"
"Yes mom, I won't sleep too late"
With that the connection cut off.
"Well that's a first, being ignored like that" Luna said while laughing as she started sorting through her discs.
"That's parental love for you" I reply as I check out what games she has.
She makes a small nod of acknowledgement at the joke.
Another topic in the 'not to talk about' pile.
"So, what should we play?" I ask to change the topic.
"You decide, you're the guest" she tells me as she stared at me.
"No, you decide, you're the host" I tell her as we stare straight at each other.
"Well, you're the guest"
"Well, you're the host"
As we continue to stay at a srandstill, a maid walks in with a trolley full of snack and drinks after knocking.
"Ok, we can't decide this alone" I say to break the argument.
"Agreed, maid, do you happen to have a coin on hoof?" Luna agreed.
The mare that was halfway through the door stopped and turned around, with a flip a coin falls onto her raised hoof without any indication as to where the coin came from.
"I'll take tails, now flip it" I nod at her declaration and watch as the coin is flipped in the air and land on the ground with a loud thud.
Bouncing multiple times, the coin swirls around on its side, causing complete unnecessary suspense.
As I looked on with bated breath, the coin seems to just keep spinning.
It spins for a ridiculously long amount of time.
As it finally slowed down, it still stayed on its side.
Finding it annoying, I give a small blow of air, resulting in heads.
"So, what do you wanna do?" Luna asked with a small smile as the maid left with the coin.
As I think about it, a thought came to me.
"I haven't actually ate dinner yet, so I'll use this chance to show you something you've never had before" I say as she follows me out the door with a curious expression.
"So, where's your personal kitchen?"
"This way"
The ponies who have led the rebellion for the last decade have gathered inside a broken house.
Or at least, what's left of us.
We first formed the rebellion with Twilight Sparkle, a well known mad scientist, as the head of it all with her superior intelligence to all topics of importance.
Several ponies of high standing and greater knowledge in warfare were the leaders.
Now there were only four of us.
Leaning against a wall, I let out a tired sigh as I throw away the helmet made of crap silver.
Our equipment has been terrible since we lost our blacksmiths after Tirek's bullshit.
I let my head fall down to rest my eyes.
It's been an awful month.
A non-stop fight against an army of controlled beasts with shadow magic.
"Look alive soldier, we mustn't lose hope before it's over" I hear a rough voice say to me.
"Shut up Ruther, I'm only resting my eyes" I say as I turn my head to look at the yak prince.
"Good, we must rest when we can, we must be on high alert if we wish to continue this rebellion" he finished as he took a seat next to me.
"Don't tell me you've already lost hope" her condemning voice came in.
As tired as I was, this only served to annoy me as I jumped to her full white mask before I could think.
"I HAVEN'T LOST SHIT EXCEPT SOLDIERS OUT THERE, 'MY' SOLDIERS!"
"Good then, hold onto that hope and take a rest for now" she said with her usual psychotic tone as she sat down, pulling her signature device from that coat that somehow always stayed white and put it in her mouth by hoof.
I ignored the loud snoring from the side as I waved the smoke off with a hoof.
Didn't do much but I had to conserve my magic reserves.
"Do you really have to smoke that shit here?"
"My body physically can't handle magic without the infuser, you know that"
Ugh, how does that mask not cover her face when she wants it not to.
That smile always creeped me out.
"I mean, did you have to smoke it inside"
"No, but I shouldn't risk being spotted for your convenience now, should I?"
"No, you shouldn't" a new voice came in as the kitchen door opened.
He came in with a round object in his magic as his armor clanked against the wooden floor.
"Whatcha got there Blueblood?" I ask as the smell comes in, almost breaking my decade old soldier training.
"You've somehow made actual food?" the commander asked with genuine surprise.
"Food? Did somepony say food?" Rutherford asked as he woke up from his slumber.
"I wanted something that didn't taste like salted dirt for once and your house had some useful ingredients" he said as he levitated over a table and took the dust away with magic.
"You sure ANY of it was usable? Those stuff are almost a decade old" I say as I pull a chair to the table by hoof.
Too bad forcing an alicorn ascension stops me from being able to gather ambient magic.
"The flour was a bit questionable but the cheese and canned tomato sauce were fine" he said as he set the circular dish on the table. "I still used magic to make it fresh, took a bit of my magic reserve but it should be fine, besides, none of us will refuse this"
"Yes, only an idiot would refuse such a wonderful treat during this time" Rutherford said with enthusiasm as he took a seat on my left.
"This dish seems to be quite unhealthy, but Ford is right, only a moron wouldn't want to taste this" Twilight said as her mask's lower half opened up to reveal her mouth.
The nasty scars revealed themselves as the mask closed back after she took a bite.
I followed suit and took a bite of my own slice
I however, stare at her after I noticed something by the third bite.
"Do you have a problem with how I eat soldier?" she asked with a monotone voice.
"Lift your coat" I simply say as the other two stared at us.
"I know I'm one of the only mares left in Equestria, but I thought you'd have better class than that"
"Stop fucking around, how much do you have left?"
With a sigh, she pulls a small string out of her coat with magic, causing it to fall off entirely.
The sight makes us lose more hope.
Starting from her heart, a black substance traveled through her bloodstream, causing her to have dark colored marks spread towards the rest of her body.
Countless needle scars were shown through out her heart area.
The marks reached her neck, continuing to her jaw.
"I'm out, this'll be my last meal" she said as her coat was levitated back on.
Using her magic, eight screws from around the edges of her mask fell off, freeing her face from her mask.
With black lines almost reaching her horn and scars of varying sizes, her eyes were almost filled with the black substance, leaving only the slightest bit of white without her pupil and iris.
She herself however, looked like she couldn't care the least bit about it.
"Well, this is the best time for THIS I suppose" Rutherford said as he put his hoof inside his traditional cloak from his royalty days.
With a bang, he places a small wooden barrel on the table.
Well, small for his size I suppose.
How the tartarus did he fit it inside that?
"You're kidding" Blueblood started as he put his half slice down. "You had that the entire time and you didn't share?"
"I was waiting for right time" he said as he put both his hooves on the top and started twisting it.
"This whiskey is one of the oldest things from Yakyakistan, father said that ancestor wished it to be opened in only a truly improtant moment, which I judge as now" he said as he finally took the top off.
Pulling away several layers of cloth, he finally took away one last piece of wood, revealing the extremely aged whiskey.
"And I doubt I can find good snacks after this, uhh, what is name of food, friend Blueblood?"
"It's called 'Pizza', a friend of mine called Dough Riser invented it" Blueblood said as I brought over 4 cups.
"Have you cooked before this then?" I ask as the whiskey gets poured equally inside the cups.
"No, I was a prince, in name only, but still"
"Mmhm?" I smugly look at him.
"Alright, I need to know, what do you think of it?"
With a chuckle I sit back down and take my half finished pizza and take a bite.
"The dough is dry as fuck" I said plainly as we all look at each other.
Laughing as we enjoy our meal and drinks, we forgot, for just a night, how war had teared us all apart.
"Are you alright Blaze?" Luna asked me from the side, distracting me from my memory.
"Yeah, just watching to make sure I don't burn anything"
We had finished preparing the ingredients from scratch.
Now it was just waiting for it to cook inside the oven.
"I must say, this dish seems most interesting, however did you think of it?"
"Just came to mind"
"I never would've expected a dish like this from a pony like you" she said after a small laugh.
"Don't expect it, I AM a fighter after all"
"That you are"
Sharing a chuckle, I look around the pantry for some kind of snack or drink to have while waiting.
"You know I can not allow you to drink alcohol right?" Luna said after looking at my actions.
"Why nooooot, I can handle whiskey just fine, so I doubt any one of your bourbon can do much" I say with a teasing voice.
Then I immediately realize my mistake.
I got too caught up in memory.
Crap crap.
Hope she doesn't tell mother or something.
She however, just stares at me with her jaw dropped.
"You're allowed to drink whiskey?" she asked in a hushed voice.
Hmm.
Now there's two choices.
Either tell a lie and tell her that it was just a bad joke.
OR
I could tell the truth and try out some expensive bourbon.
"Well, I can handle my alcohol pretty well" I say smugly to try to tell her that I am allowed without really saying it.
"I can't believe you're allowed to drink but not me" Luna complained with a pout.
What?
I chuckle as I ask her. "Can you not handle your alcohol?"
"I CAN!" she protested with a red face.
Barely holding back a laugh, I cough to try to talk better.
"Then why aren't you allowed to drink?"
"It's because" she pauses for a few seconds to think of the right words.
"It's because I'm an alicorn, so my age is counted in alicorn years, therefore, technically I'm underaged"
"Wait really?"
I never actually knew that.
She nodded in response.
"Then why do you have so much bourbon here?" I ask as I open the extremely large cabinet behind me to reveal about 200 bottles of bourbon with writings so fancy that I couldn't actually read it.
"I, have heard that alcohol tends to taste better after ageing"
"You'd be right about that" I say as I levitate a bottle over.
"Are you going to drink that right now?"
"Yeah, the pizza is almost ready and I can make some ice"
With that, I try to find a bottle opener as she brought down two glasses.
"Not those ones, bring down the ones on the right" I tell her after I spotted her bringing down shot glasses.
"I don't think I'd be able handle it with these big glasses"
"Don't worry, it's only big because we're gonna put ice in it"
"Oh, that makes sense, I think"
*Ding*
"Pizza's ready"
With that, I bring out the hot dish and present it on the table.
This one, now with plenty of useful ingredients, had been topped with hay and carrots.
A great combination if I say so myself.
"That smalls incredible" Luna quietly says as she propped her head on the counter.
Why is she oddly adorable.
"It should taste better" I say as I grab a knife with magic to cut the pizza.
Dividing it into 12 separate slices, I place it all onto a giant plate.
Luckily, royals have everything they could need in their kitchens.
"Why so many?"
"You gotta savor good things you know?"
"I see"
Levitating over two balls of water, I turn it to clear ice and drop it into the glasses.
"Try not to drink too fast, alcohol comes at you at once"
"Is that so? Your knowledge on alcohol amazes me" Luna complies as she takes only a small sip from the glass.
"Mmhm, it is sweeter than I had thought"
"Yeah, bourbon is pretty sweet" I smile at my small pun as I finish the glass in one gulp.
"Gah"
Haven't tasted good, well, ANY alcohol in a looooong while.
"Wow, how can you handle the taste"
"A bit of experience"
"Is that so?" A new voice says from behind us.
"GAH!" Luna screamed in surprise.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" I also yell at the sudden intruder.
With a jump, we both turn around to note the ridiculously tall alicorn with a big butt.
"TIA! What is thy problem?" Luna accidentally slips into old equiestrian.
"Yeah, what the tartarus were you thinking, sneaking up on us like that" I say as I pour myself another drink.
Gulping it down, I grab a slice of pizza.
Why is she even here?
"I just came over to bid goodnight to Luna before going to my chambers, but I never expected to catch you making her drink" she said with a strained smile.
"It's a friendly drink between friends, one that you shouldn't exactly stick your nose in" I reply with my own strained smile.
She may be all powerful, but I'm not about to let her assert her dominance over me.
Luna just seems confused about the situation.
Wait.
"Luna, how much did you just drink?" I turn to ask her with concern.
"It tastes sweet" she said with a flat voice before she passed out.
First, I checked her vital signs, relieved to know that she was just asleep, I turn towards the bottle.
"It's half empty" I spoke with confusion and a hint of pride before taking a sip myself.
"Straight from the bottle?" Celestia said with her slightly judgemental voice.
"Sunbutt, I am NOT about to argue with you about drinking" I say as I use magic to make the bottle colder.
She stares for a few seconds, before finally taking a seat at the counter and speaking up.
"Why do you hate me?"
"What?" I ask incredulously at the question.
"I'm asking, why do you hate me? I don't mind that you don't like me, but I do want to know what made you HATE me" she said as she poured herself a drink in Luna's glass.
The question stopped me.
Why did I hate her?
A few seconds of silence, giving me peace to think of my next words.
"It's because, you're a coward" I spoke as I sipped my drink.
She stares at me, telling me to continue my part.
"You are by far, the most powerful pony in the history of Equestria, yet you refuse to deal with villains, letting them hurt ponies and such"
"When have I-"
"When's the last time you used your full power?"
She was about to answer, but stopped.
"I know you didn't use it against Nightmare Moon, I know you didn't use it against Discord, and i know for sure that you didn't use it against Sombra, so tell me, when have you truly used your strength to the fullest, other than the time you first raised the sun?"
Taking her silence as an answer, I continued.
"I can, and do, respect fear, it tells me that the pony knows what they're getting into, it tells me that that pony is seeing and is aware of what is happening, and that's good"
I finish my drink with another sip.
"Cowardice however, is unacceptable" I slam the glass down out of anger.
"Cowardice gets you killed, cowardice gets the ponies around you killed, and cowardice leads to the worst results, this trait is simply one that a ruler, such as you, must NEVER have, else you will only lead your country to ruin"
She seemed greatly concerned about the idea.
"What! But Equestria has thrived under my rule, not to be narcissistic, but I have led the act of unification among ponies AND have undone over a centamillenium of conflict"
"Then what about the enemies you've made, all that hard work will be in vain if they were the slightest bit patient"
The bottle was almost empty by now.
"You're so scared of ponies fearing your power, you'd rather have your hoofpicked team deal with centuries old villains rather than yourself, nor have you properly trained your guards to do it" fully finishing the bottle, I take Luna in my magic as I take the leftover pizza towards her room, leaving two slices.
Leaving Celestia alone with her thoughts, my vision was slightly blurry from the alcohol.
Fucking tartarus.
The alcohol made me spill more than necessary.
Hmm.
Actually, maybe that was what I needed to do.
Eh, I'll see the effects tomorrow.
With that thought, I enter Luna's room, tucking her in before collapsing on the couch myself, a slice of pizza in my mouth.
*Sigh*
"I definitely can't sleep after that" I mutter to myself as I pick up the player 1 controller in front the still lit TV.
Guess I'll try out some games before sleeping.
Hmm.
Only Higher 2.
Must be pretty good if they made a second one.
Yeah, I'll try this one.
Author's Note
As much as it looks like there might be a romantic relationship, there isn't.
I just wanted to make that clear.
The MC is like 7 physically right now.
It's been about a week since the Gala and today, after another CMC misadventure, I am somehow on their school trip, led by one Ms.Cheerilee.
How they managed to convince her to bring me on this trip, for free nonetheless, is out of my knowledge.
Buttons also decided to come with, 'just because' he says, but he's been following Sweetie during the entire trip.
Thankfully, she seems to reciprocate his feelings too, since she's been talking to him non-stop.
Though, that changed when the class reached a statue of a familiar figure.
So this is where he was.
As I looked at the statue, the teacher starts speaking.
"Alright my little ponies! This one represents victory!" she said cheerily.
Heh, cheerily.
"How cool would it be to have THAT for a cutie mark?" Scootaloo said as the trio of girls walked together.
"Cool" Applebloom said sarcastically, "if you were actually victoryfull of something"
"That's not a word!" Sweetie Belle interrupted.
"What are you? A dictionary or something?" Scootaloo said in a fighting tone.
I stopped paying them any attention as I headed towards the rest of the class in front of the statue I was previously staring at.
Buttons seems to have gone to the girls.
I'd say simp, but it looks like he's going to succeed.
"Girls!" Ms.Cheerilee yelled to get their attention. "And Button?" She ended with a slightly confused tone.
Coughing to change the topic, she points at the statue.
"Now THIS, is a really interesting statue, what do you notice about it?"
As the girls take turns to describe Discord and Ms.Cheerilee asking what the statue represents.
The girls go into another argument as Buttons was about to join in.
I simply hold him back with a hoof, receiving a confused 'what' as he couldn't move my hoof the slightest bit.
The girls then start a brawl as the class just stare and Ms.Cheerilee giving an annoyed eye roll.
I, om the other hoof, turn my head towards the statue as I notice a faint familiar trace.
Ooooh.
God of chaos, thriving off of chaos, yeah I should have seen that coming.
"Actually, in a way you’re all right. This statue represents discord, which
"Help her with that" I nudge Buttons as his face takes on a red hue.
As the trip continued on, I only thought about how to go against Discord.
Last time was because Chrysalis brought her throne towards the battlefield for an advantage, which was quite dramatic.
I can't find even a shard of that black rock in anywhere except Equestria.
*Sigh*
I try to keep up with the class as I release a sigh at a strange thought.
"I really have no choice except hoping for those 6 to deal with Discord" I mutter to myself as I continue to try and think of an emergency plan.
And I'll have to be alert for whatever the other me sends my way.
I knew exactly how it would've happened, but I'm still annoyed.
As I eat ice cream from a bucket by spoon, Buttons comes in the library, shortly followed by his mother.
I was stationed at the window, looking outside at my, now ruined house.
I watched, with morbid curiosity, as squrrels and rabbits eith extremely long and thin legs frightened the construction crew, which caused them to slip on chocolate milk rain, which evidently, caused the almost finished base of the house to collapse because one of the crew members broke a support pillar.
I really hope those guys still want to build the house after all this.
I'm honestly surprised they haven't quit yet.
Buttons props himself right next to me at the window and looks at me with expectation.
Putting a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth, I think of where I should even go if I want to help.
"So, any idea what's going on?" Buttons asked.
"It's Discord" I say as I take another spoonful.
"Who?"
"The dude with body parts from different animals"
"Huh, what does he do then?"
"He's called the god of chaos, so he's here to cause chaos"
"I guess that makes sense"
"It's probably the only thing about him that makes sense"
I threw away the now empty ice cream bucket.
"Hey, watch it" Twilight said as she held the bucket in her magic.
"Sorry, but uh, have you figured out a way to fix this?" I ask as I look at her spell book.
A tier 7 spell book.
It won't do anything against Discords' magic.
"This fail-safe spell should do the trick" she said as she headed out the door with Spike quickly following behind.
With a large stretch, I get off the table we've been standing on.
"Where are you going?" Buttons asked.
"I'm gonna follow those two to their friends, they're the ones that are going to be in the middle of it all anyway"
"Wait, I'm coming too"
"No" I hold a hoof to stop him, "You need to head to our friends and make sure they're alright, can I trust you with that?" I ask him with a firm grip.
After a few seconds of hesitation, he finally nods with a sigh and books it out the door.
"Well, he's definitely grown since I first met him"
Putting a note saying that we're out with the CMC on the door, I head out towards the direction Twilight went.
After a wave of magic and about 10 minutes, I reach the Apple family orchard.
Just as I thought, her spell didn't work and they've also already made a temporary fix.
Trust Twilight Sparkle to always have a plan.
"So, you guys get your letter yet?" I ask as I approach their small circle, minus Pinkie, who's looking at a cotton candy cloud filled to the brim with chocolate milk.
Before they were about to speak, Spike barfs out a letter.
"Ah, there it is" I say as Twilight takes the letter.
"Come on girls, Princess Celestia wants to see us all in Canterlot immediately" she announces with a gasp.
Annoying.
Why couldn't she come here herself.
Should I try teleporting, or should I just ride the train with the girls?
Eh, I'm saving up bits for Heart's Warming anyway.
The girls all rush to the train station, leaving me, and also Spike surprisingly.
Seriously, I get loyalty and all, but did they really need to leave us?
"We should head back to the library" Spike said as he nervously looked around.
Can't blame him for being scared of this.
Let's just hope he moves when Death looks at him.
"You head back, I'm going to meet Celestia, don't tell mom" I say as I gather magic to initiate a long range teleport.
Spike seemed surprised at my serious attitude, but only nods as he started running.
Let's see, I trained ridiculously hard for the entire time I was here.
With the amount of weight increasing spells I cast while working out, I should have enough magic.
A flash of light, and I was gone.
"Oh, to what do I owe the pleasure, Blaze" her annoyingly regal voice came in before the light faded completely.
"Don't bullshit me, have you sensed anything other than Discord?" I say as I look around the familiar throne room.
I guess Luna is still recovering.
"I have not, is this related to Sombra?" she asked seriously as she rose from her throne.
"Sombra is dead, at least that one is" she raised an eyebrow at the statement.
"I'm more worried about the one that BROUGHT Sombra back to life. For all I know, The Crystal Empire isn't back yet, therefore, Sombra shouldn't be back yet" she genuinely seemed surprised at my knowledge about the Empire, but she focused on the part about bringing ponies back to life.
"I will, look into it" she said with slight sadness in her voice.
I sit down a sigh.
"I won't blame you for not being able to fight Discord, he's not one of the beings you can just choose to beat"
She still seemed bitter about her uselessness in this situation.
"I have, thought about your words, since the last time we've spoken" she started as she took a seat beside me.
"That so?"
"Yes, so I will, try, to be less cowardly and I will make sure that our guards are properly trained"
"It's a start, I appreciate that that you listened to what I said" as I hid a small smile by turning my head.
"I'm glad" she finished with a relieved smile.
Good.
Hopefully, this world will meet a much happier end.
As a comfortable silence descends, my ears twitch at six pairs of hooves, falling on the ground repeatedly.
"Welp, I'll let you do your thing, I'll be in Ponyville if you need me" I say as I walk out the door with Celestia.
The six who came in were surprised at my appearance as I walked down the stairs.
"How did you-" Twilight was about to ask, but I just raised my hoof once, and left.
The royal hoof raise is pretty useful if you know how to use it.
Anypony can use it if they know how.
Wait.
Damn it.
I should have asked Celestia for the train fee.
I shouldn't use magic right about now.
Walking it is.
Should take about 4 hours at worst.
But before I leave, I head to Luna's room for a small visit.
The palace was, surprisingly empty with only a few servants running around.
"Well, Discord must have done something" I think to myself as I walk through the halls.
"That I did" his sinister voice whispered in my ear.
Stopping dead in my tracks, I look around the area to find him.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?"
"Oh please, I still have plenty of time before Tia finishes her little speech"
"Alright, why don't you show yourself then?"
"Should I?" his voice no longer appears from anywhere, instead from right behind me.
Turning back in an iota of a second, I hurl a punch, only to implant my hand into a giant marshmellow., which exploded from the amount of power I put into it.
"Watch it" he said as the sound of a finger snap sounded through the hall.
I brave myself for the attack, only to feel nothing.
"You know, I don't usually care about the unimportant ponies like you, but I got a small tip about you"
He suddenly appeared right in front of me.
"So I'll just make sure you won't get in my way for now, you should head back home before anything can happen to your dear mother" he said as his finger was on my forehead before I could even react.
*No one POV*
In the town of Ponyville, weird events were occuring.
Chocolate milk rained down from cotton candy skies.
The grounds were littered with soap and water that was too slippery to be real.
The sky was a strange assortment of colors and weather was a game of guessing the next 5 seconds of torment.
The gravity was shifted in various directions at random locations.
More importantly however, was the swarm of wolf like creatures made of wood invading the small town.
More specifically, they were targeting the yellow colored unicorn placed right in the middle of the town and bound by black colored vines.
Three walls stood proudly, reaching high into the sky, arranged into a triangle with a single opening for the wolves to reach the mare.
Fortunately, a dull colored colt stood in the way, stopping them right in their tracks.
Unfortunately however, was the fact that the colt was practically out of his mind.
He stood his ground, laughing maniacally as he did so.
Endless wolves rushed in, trying to tear the colt to bits.
Alas, none of them could even damage the colt.
Fangs were broken, claws were dulled and the colt looked as if he had fully embraced the symbol on his flank, breaking the bodies of any who dared to approach.
Gone was the pony who had made his vow to the safety of Equestria.
Only a beast remained.
That is, until a blast of magic hit him, causing him to stumble for a few seconds.
As a wolf was about to slash him, a rainbow colored streak smashed it away, replacing it with a light blue coated pegasus.
"You good Blaze?" she asked worriedly as the colt was stunned for a few seconds.
After shaking his head swiftly, his face takes on one of extreme anger, so much so that it makes the pegasus slightly scared.
A wolf tries to attack them, only for it to be stopped in a bright orange aura.
"Discord did all of this right?" He asked with an extremely strained smile as his veins could be seen bulging from anger.
"Y-yeah, what about it?" The pegasus said as she took a step back.
"Alright" he simply said as the wolf started getting compressed.
"Blaze! Are you alri-" a purple unicorn mare stopped in her tracks as she saw the colt doing something she's never seen before.
His body had started morphing.
A black spot began forming on his chest, quickly invading the rest of him.
His mane and tail became a grey colored mist.
His eyes were glowing a bright white.
His horn curved at the middle, creating a unique shape.
A vest made of shadows appear on his chest.
As his transformation was completed, four other ponies came running over.
"We couldn't hold on" Applejack said as she rubbed a sore foreleg.
"They ruined my hair!" Rarity whined as she stood next to Twilight.
"Um, who are they?" Applejack asked.
"A NEW PONY IN TOWN?! Wait, my Pinkie senses didn't tell me there was a new pony"
"You girls go and deal with Discord, I'll clean up house here" the colt, now made of shadows, said with such a deep voice that the yellow pegasus almost fainted on the spot.
"But-" Twilight started.
"GO!" he yelled with a serious voice, prompting the six ponies to start running.
As he surveyed the area, the wolves were behind a purple barrier.
Shortly after, the barrier fell, letting the horde of wolves rush forward, much to the bound up mare's dismay.
As the wolves rushed ever closer, the shadows around the pony began shifting.
Raising both hooves, the pony slammed down, creating spikes of shadows that pierced thr first wave of ponies.
*Sigh*
As he released a sigh, he had a simple thought.
"Shadow magic truly is the best way to deal with a weak army"
Author's Note
I was originally going to make him mimic Sombras' magic, but then I thought about how I could make Twilight, and therefore Celestia, forgive or pardon Blaze's use of dark magic.
Just thought you should know
In the peaceful town of Ponyville, or, as peaceful as it can get with the god of chaos in charge, currently stood a black dome in the middle.
If you walk past it, you can hear the whimpers of timberwolves and the occasional booms created by a powerful attack.
When you look to the right a bit, you can see Discord as he's blasted by a ray of rainbow, turning him to stone.
And with it, it created a wave of magic that swept through everything in the area.
The sky boasted its beautiful blue color with the clouds to create a calming atmosphere.
The ground regained its life, showing its natural green color throughout the fields of grass.
The river regained its color, bursting full of life.
The black dome followed soon after, shattering into a million pieces.
Revealing a small mountain made of wood with a colt sat on top.
His darker features faded away as his mane and tail turned from a shadowy mist to a fiery orange.
The colt sat still for a few seconds as he breathed heavily.
Soon enough, he coughs up blood as he collapses.
"Shit, I went too far with that one" he said as slammed his hoof down, breaking a few logs as he did so, and stood up with shaky legs.
Turning back, he slowly made his way towards the middle of the area.
His mother watched with concerned eyes as her son, painfully made his way towards her.
When he reached her, he stood up on his hind legs as he moved his front hooves to untangle the vines.
After struggling for a bit, the colt just decides to pull it all of then try untie everything.
It worked, even though it pulled the mother along with it, it still worked.
"Son!" Delicate Cuisines yelled in concern as she instantly pulled him into a hug.
He only coughed up more blood in response as he passed out.
"Blaze? Blaze!" he could only hear his mother's concerned being muffled by the darkness as his vision blacked out.
*Celestia POV*
"WHAT!"
I calmly sipped my tea as Luna yelled in surprise at the newspaper.
I should really start telling her things since she doesn't seem to go outside that much.
"DISCORD HATH BEEN FREED? AND THIS INFORMATION HATH BEEN FORGOTTEN BY THINE MIND?!"
"Well it's hardly my fault, I got turned into a weeping angel and I could barely move because the guards ended up finding me and had me paralyzed until Twilight and her friends defeated Discord"
"Hmph"
Aww, her little pout is always so adorable.
"Wait, it says that Twilight and her friends defeated Discord at Ponyville"
Oh dear Faust.
"If it was in Ponyville"
Oh no, how do I explain this.
"Where was Blaze during all of this?"
Oh Faust oh fuck.
"Lu, I'm going to need you to prepare yourself for the answer" I try say as calmly as I could.
Oh this could very well break her.
"Just tell me dear sister, where is Blaze? Is this related to why he hasn't sent me his weekly letter?"
They write to each other?
*Sigh*
"Although I don't know what, Discord seems to have had some sort of vendetta against Blaze, before when he was even released from his stone imprisonment"
Luna seemed very worried, but she calmly listened.
"In Twilight's report about the event, it was briefly mentioned that Blaze had stood his ground against an endless horde of timberwolves"
This seemed to confuse Luna more than anything.
"Timberwolves? That shouldn't have been much of a problem for him. If anything, I'd be surprised if a timberwolf could even damage him at this point"
What?
That's new info.
"Why do you think so?"
"Why? Have you SEEN his training?"
"No, I don't beloeve I have"
"Well you must, it's just ridiculous, one can actually die from how difficult it is"
I guess that makes sense.
"Well it doesn't matter, he fought against timberwolves made by Discord, and they were proven to be much more powerful since the lumber they've left behind after dying proved to be much stronger than normal ones"
"Wait, then is he alright?"
I release a weary sigh, already seeing how it would end.
"No"
Ohhh.
Faust damn it.
I hate it when she has that face.
Always makes me sad for her.
"It was reported that at some point, the amount timberwolf corpses piled up to such a degree that when a fusion happened, the resulting beast was bigger than the town itself, so Blaze was forced to deal with it"
She intently listened with her teeth clenched and jaw shut.
"It seems he mimicked the Pony of Shadows this time and went too far"
"H-how bad is the damage" she asked in an almost silent and trembling voice.
"He'll live, but he's currently bedridden, the doctor said it'll take 3 weeks to walk again and 2 full months to walk without pain"
I move from my seat to comfort her.
Placing both my wings around her, I try to comfort her inside a hug.
I had known that Blaze was quite close with Luna, but I didn't realize the damage the news could do to her.
I can only hope, that she doesn't blame herself too much for this.
Blaze on the other hoof, I've seen his mentality first hoof.
He'll get over it just fine.
I hope.
Author's Note
Sorry for the short chapter guys.
As one of the only people who can cook in my family, I've been preparing most of the dishes this evening.
With that,
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!!
*Calming Blaze POV*
So much anger.
So much sadness.
So much despair.
That was the best way I could describe my surroundings currently.
The full wrath from the leftover rage.
The feeling of despair and sadness coming together to make the intense emotion of hopelessness.
Ah.
I recognize this place.
It's a bit sad that I remember something like this isn't it?
Well.
I should wake up.
Eventually, the world slowly disappears as a single line of a bright light appears in the distance, devouring everything as my eyes open.
A white ceiling and smell of antiseptics and a very strong flowery scent in the air.
A very annoying beeping sound that rings through the room.
Instantly rising, I spread my magic to gather a sense of the surrounding area.
That was interrupted however, by a rush of blood coming through my throat and stinging pain coursing through every inch of my body, forcing me to back down.
Shit.
My veins took much more damage than I thought.
I still managed it though.
There's a single pony sitting in a room and two other ponies in another room.
A doctor, a nurse and most likely a patient.
Not much going on.
That's good.
It means Discord was defeated.
Though, for how long, I can't say.
Looking out the window on the right, I see the peaceful view of Ponyville.
I think I missed the weekly incident.
Good.
I'm too mentally drained for that.
Looking around the room, I spot some essentials for a hospital.
A bathroom, a wide drawer, some machinery and the bed I'm currently on.
There were over fifty different bundles of all kinds of flowers on the drawers.
Figured out where the flowery scent was coming from.
Some of the flowers repeated and others didn't.
There was even a blue lunar moon flower that was said to only bloom in the highest mountain of Equestria at its peak during a full moon by taking in the energy of the moon around the area.
Who put it here?
Oh right, Luna.
She controls the moon.
With that dilemma out of the way, I try to get up, but my body barely moves.
Fuck.
My nervous systems are pretty numb.
Damn it.
How long was I out for.
Thankfully, I can still move my head.
Spotting the door to leave the room, I squint my eyes, trying to see if I can look outside.
As stupid as the action was, it worked, looking through a small crack, I spot a wall.
Well, how about an A for effort yeah?
As I lie there, about an hour ot two pass and I spend it trying to move my body and distracting myself.
This is such a waste of time.
Isn't there a way I could go and work out or something?
I'm still too weak and I can't spend my time in a hospital bed while who knows what is going out there.
But I can't. Fucking. MOVE.
*Sigh*
"Ok, calm yourself idiot, you getting mad will only end in you being in a shit mood. There. Much better" I tell myself as I lie in the bed comfortably.
Oh who am I kidding, I need to move.
Wait.
"I can talk?"
With that realization, I start to mentally make a list of all the feeling I have right now.
Every inch of my body hurts like tartarus.
My eyes are definitely a bit blurry.
My horn seems to be mostly fine somehow.
Must be because shadow magic isn't really used from the horn a lot.
My teeth feel a bit weird.
Other than those, I don't feel any different.
Wait, is it just me or does the room look a bit dark.
Now that I think about it, everything looks slightly dimmer.
Huh, well, I'll think about that later.
For now, I need to get out.
"NURSE! NURSE REDHEART!"
Seems my voice is still loud and clear.
I hear myself as my yell echoes throughout the hallways.
After about half a minute, the white nurse with a pink mane rushes in through the door.
"Oh, you're awake!" She said in a relieved tone.
"How long was I out for?"
"Oh don't worry about that, you should go back to sleep, you're still injured after all" she said in a very nervous tone.
"Screw that, how long was I out" my crude language came out from the annoyance of pain and it seemed to shock her.
"H-hey! That is no way to talk young stallion, you should watch your language" she finished in a stern voice, like she's berating a child.
Well, she is, but still.
"Will you answer my damn question or not!" I yell in an increasingly louder voice.
She paused for a few seconds, contemplating something, then let out a sigh.
"Fine, if you really want to know, you've been asleep for almost 4 weeks" she said in a tone that expected me to freak out.
Which I did.
"WHAT!"
Faust damn it, that's so much time wasted, and the strength I lost just from lying here through all that time.
"D-don't worry about it hun, it may feel like a lot, but you should focus on the bright side, you're still alive after your injury, and 4 weeks isn't really all that bad in a peaceful town like Ponyville, so why don't you just take a rest?" she said in a reassuring tone.
As much as I wanted to argue, I couldn't.
"Where's my mother?"
"Delicate Cuisines?"
"Yes, how do you know her?"
"Oh I know her since she told me about her injury at her workplace because of that one stallion, funny how that same stallion came in the hospital with suspicious injuries just a day after though"
"Must be karma, now where is my mother?"
"She spent about 3 weeks waiting for you, then her friend came and took her away because she was pushing herself to stay here"
My jaw tightened a bit at that.
For fucks sake.
I came here with the objective to stop the villains, protect mother and live a peaceful life.
And so far, I've failed all three of them.
"Just go back to sleep dear, how about this? I'll wake you up when you mommy visits ok?"
"Yeah, sure"
I reluctantly give in since I can't move right now.
Besides, I need some time to plan out the foreseeable future.
First things first, I need to get a shard from Chrysalis's throne.
Then find a way to create mithril.
I'll also need something close to ironwood in durability for the handle of the hammer.
Then, I'll need to acquire a forge.
One that can handle the heat from Lord Torch's fire.
After that, I'll have to enchant it somehow, but that can wait a bit more.
*Sigh*
For now, I should rest and heal up as fast as I can.
With that thought, the world slowly gets disconnected as I head into a deep sleep.
The slightest trace of magic being used came from the room, waking me up completely.
Staying still, I try to feel for anything through the room, and when I don't, I open my eyes.
As I thought, there was somepony.
"So, you going to kill me?" I ask myself.
"I would, but no" he said as he took a seat on the air.
He's not here physically.
"Then what're you doing here?"
"For Celestia's sake, will you let your guard down already? You know I'm not here for real"
"The last time I did, I found a mind controlled tyrant next to one of the strongest artifacts in Equestria"
"I guess you're right, I can't get you to lower your guard" he finished with a relaxed tone.
"Stop fucking around and tell me your objective"
"Woah, profanity, I guess I should've expected that from seeing your world"
My world?
Wait.
If he's seen that destroyed world, and I travelled back in time, then wouldn't that mean, he lived my life?
"Ah, there it is, we're both impulsive, but realistic, so I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it out. Seems living in my world made you a bit delusional huh?" he asked with a sneer.
Holy shit.
I didn't just go back in time.
I didn't just follow Twilight or something.
I replaced myself with this dude.
Then.
This is my fault isn't it?
"I-"
"Don't even fucking start with that crap other me, I don't need your freaking pity or your stupid apology"
"No, I didn't-"
"I DON'T CARE! YOU MESSED UP MY LIFE, SO I'M GONNA DO THE SAME WITH YOURS!" he kept going as he approached me.
"SO PREPARE YOURSELF, I'M WINNING THIS FREAKING WAR, JUST LIKE I WON ALL OF YOURS, AND MAKE YOU PAY FOR IT!"
With that, his connection was cut off, leaving only the smallest trace of magic being used and me.
Fuck.
I need to apologize.
And I need a drink.
Priorities ponies, priorities.
As I sit deep in thought, the heavy falls of hooves alert me towards the door as it was bent in half when it was opened.
"Blaze!" mother rushes towards me with relief washing over her.
"Mom! You're alright!" I yell as she grabs me into a tight hug, one I feel slightly guilty to indulge in.
Only slightly.
Its hard to give up something like this.
"I'm fine son, what about you? Do you feel any pain right now? Can you move?" she asked with a worried voice as I tried to act tough.
But I still couldn't move.
"I'm fine mom, no need to worry"
"Don't lie to your mother, where does it hurt?"
Damn, I still can't lie to mother without getting caught.
*Sigh*
"Pretty much everywhere" I say with a sigh, earning a small gasp from her.
"That's it, I'm taking days off from work to take care of you, I'll quit if I have to" she said with a resolute tone.
"H-hey, don't worry mom, I'll be fine, I promise, you know I don't break promises" I try to reassure her as she stares at me with a pout.
"Fine, but you better not let this one be the first to break" she said after a sigh.
"I won't, I'll make sure of it" I say with a reassuring smile.
"I still took the day off though" she said with a playful smile as she brought out a tall glass of chocolate milkshake from her, actually, where did she get that from?
"Wait, how did you get permission to take the glass?"
She just stares at me with a blank smile for a few seconds.
"Mom?" I ask with a nervous tone.
"Its your favorite flavor, so enjoy it" she just casually said as she diverted her eyes as far as she could.
After mother's visit, I'm filled with a bit more strength as I stare at the small garden on the drawer.
Before I could go into my thoughts a bit more, Luna barges in.
Well, more specifically, teleports in.
"Hey Lu" I greet her casually as she just stares at me with a pout.
"You almost get yourself killed and that's all you got to say?" she said with slight anger as she manifested a chair and sat on it right next to me.
"Well, I don't really like to get too dramatic"
"I know that much"
She sits there with a masked face I know too well.
"Drop it, tell me what's wrong" I simply say as her mask slowly breaks.
Tears start to stream as her choked sobs fill the room.
"I should've helped you" she states through her cries.
"Lu, there was no way you could've known, you're not omniscient"
"I'm an alicorn goddess, and I just slept as my friend was fighting for his life"
Oh for fucks sake.
Forcing magic through my body, I move as I swallow a rush of blood.
That's probably really unhealthy.
"Wha? Blaze, you should-"
I cut her off as I bring her head into my chest, giving her a comforting hug.
Good thing I'm much bigger than I should be because of my magic enhancements.
"Stop that Lu, try to be logical, that always calmed me down" I say as I brush her mane.
She muffles something in response, but she calmed down at least.
A single chuckle escapes her, grabbing my attention.
"Is that how you ended up breaking a controller during the Gala night?" she asked with a small smile as she looked up at my face.
"That game was absolute bull and you know it" I say with an annoyed smile at the memory.
She only laughs at my response.
"You can let go now, this is actually pretty uncomfortable for my neck" she said as I release her.
She stretched her neck to the sides, giving out an audible crack at the movements before reaching into her mane.
"Anyways, I still have to rest since I work the night shift, so to speak" she said with a cough as she pulled out a bottle of bourbon that I recognized.
"You really brought bourbon as a gift for a patient?" I ask her with a teasing voice.
"Should I take it back" she said with a plain voice.
"No, it's perfect, it's mine now" I say as I grab it and put inside the sheets as I lie back down finally.
With a short chuckle, she gave me tight hug before leaving.
"No"
"I can't allow you to drink whilst recovering Blaze"
"Fuck you, I don't take your permission for shit Sunbutt"
I'm currently in a power struggle with the bottle of bourbon in the middle of me and Celestia.
"You can, have it back, when you recover" she said as she pulled harder.
"Well YOU, can have it, from my cold, dead, hooves" I say through gritted teeth as my body is suffering through the pain.
With a final tug, she takes the bottle from me and puts it in her sub space or something.
Giving a weary sigh, she puts down a bag of fruits next to the flowers.
"Why do you even drink anyway? You're much too young for alcohol"
"I don't need to give you a reason" I say with an irritated voice as I lie back down.
Asshole.
I was gonna use that to numb the pain.
"I suppose you don't" she gives another sigh, "But your body is still developing and drinking alcohol could really mess with that. If anything, alcohol is bad for the body at ANY age"
Tch.
I can't argue against a healthy logic like that.
I try to say something, but even I didn't know what it was and all that came out was mumbling.
"Well, I must leave now, I still have duties to tend to" as she was about to teleport away, I asked something.
"Why do you have so much shit to do anyway?" I ask her.
It was a genuine question from somepony who's never been a high authority figure before.
"Ruling a country is a much more demanding job than you think"
"It's hard to say since what I think is quite literally, I have no clue how running a country works"
She just raises an eyebrow at this.
"What?" I ask her.
"Nothing, it's just, you always seem so knowledgeable with everything, so it's a bit surprising" she finished with a chuckle and went away with a flash of light.
Huh.
Am I acting too brazenly?
Twilight came by, then left pretty quickly because of a 'cutie pox', don't know what it is, but I'm pretty sure it's related to the troublemakers in town.
I wanna say Applebloom since this sounds like Zebra magic, and she's taken interest in that lately.
"Hey dude" the brown colt walks in with a smile and a saddlebag.
"Did you bring me ice cream?" I ask Buttons as he sat next to me on the bed.
"Heck yeah" he said with a smile as he brings out two buckets of chocolate ice cream.
He gives me one and puts the other on the rather cramped drawer.
"So, can you move?" he asked as he opened the ice cream.
"Nope, I'll need another week or so"
"Finally, I'm better than you physically" he stated with a teasing voice
"Oh shut it" I say as we share a laugh.
He took the plastic spoon out of the bag and moved to take the first bite.
"Hey, manners dude, give me the first bite" I tell him as he stops in his tracks.
"Fine, only because you're injured" he says as he scoops up some and puts it in my mouth.
Ah.
Ice cream, eases the pain.
"Where were you Buttons, I needed this, this morning"
"School, and the town went into a brief lockdown because of Applebloom" he said as he took his own spoonful.
"Called it, anything interesting in class then?" I ask as he puts more ice cream into my mouth.
"Eh, just algebra today"
"Sounds boring"
"It is"
After a hefty meal of eggs, yogurt, cheese, soybeans and fish, which I didn't expect.
Apparently its good for building muscle.
Night had come, and I couldn't sleep.
Turns out, not moving much all day tends to leave you with a lot of energy.
So now I'm here, the moon is high up in the sky as the lights around town are dimming out.
My room, only brightened by the shine of the moon, felt slightly lonely.
After trying for about thirty minutes, I finally convinced mother to go back home.
She shouldn't sleep in a hospital.
Though, I do slightly regret that now.
After extensive use of my still injured body, I can now somehow use it without much difficulty.
The pain however, is still there, and it stings whenever I move.
I just lie in my bed as I wait for the sensation of sleep to takeover.
I'm really missing that bottle of bourbon right about now.
*Thud, thud*
I perked up, looking towards the tapping on the window.
I see a friendly face at the window.
Throwing the empty ice cream bucket, I hit the handle, opening the window enough for him to slither through.
"Hey Drega" I greet him casually as he fully comes in and pulls his tail up, revealing a pretty big basket.
With a hiss, he presents me the basket and curls up on the bed.
"Holy shit, Drega, how'd you get these?" I say as I life up a bottle of bourbon, but the label was pretty damn old, it was almost gone entirely.
Looking closely at it, I spotted a small section that read "rewed at Sun calendar, 3"
A thousand year bourbon?
"Dude, thanks, how did you even manage this? I don't think even Sunbutt has stuff this aged"
He gives me proud smile as he wraps himself loosely around my neck.
With a small chuckle, I give him a pat and open the bottle.
"Finally, I needed a drink all day"
Author's Note
I saw Tempest_Flare's comment and decided why not?
If you guys wanna see a specific scene or something that isn't too demanding or doesn't derail the story, I can try to make it.
So, comment if you have any suggestions
*Calming Blaze POV*
I stood outside the Ponyville hospital with my mother as I stare at Sweet Apple Acres.
Pinkie Pie is camping there for some reason.
The last few weeks have been, boring to say the least.
Very few things happened and I wasn't allowed to leave without being fully healed.
The nurse and the doctor, luckily, didn't have any problems with Drega, who's currently wrapped around me like a scarf, after the first day.
Suffice to say, nurse Red Heart fainted.
Can't blame her, Drega is actually almost three times my size.
Body mass, that is.
Staying in the hospital all day for a few weeks must've made me crazy with the way I'm talking to myself.
Or was I always like this?
Another small thing, it was mentioned in the newspaper about 3 weeks ago that, a robbery had happened in a famous brewery that's been around before the Sun calendar had been implemented.
It was also under Sunbutt's name, so I'll keep my mouth shut about this.
As we're walking, I see more and more ponies lining up at Sweet Apple Acres.
Wait, isn't it cider season right now?
I guess that makes sense then.
Eh.
I didn't really like the taste.
Oh, the timberwolf corpses haven't been cleared yet.
Standing much less taller than before, was the large pile of wood from before.
A faint trace of magic could be felt from it.
Wait, this is unfamiliar.
It's not from Discord.
I stop in my tracks and mother takes notice.
"Blaze? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, just noticed something. TWILIGHT!"
"WHAT!" She yelled back from the line.
"CAN YOU COME OVER HERE!?"
"I'M STANDING IN LINE THOUGH"
"JUST HAVE SPIKE SAVE YOU A SPOT"
She paused for a second, said something and came over.
"Honey, what is it?" Mother asked from behind me.
"Just wait and see, I found something pretty interesting"
"What can I help you with Blaze?" Twilight asked as she stood in front of me.
"I want you to help me reach the middle of this wooden mountain"
"Uh, why?"
"I'm also concerned for your reasoning" mother said from the side.
"It'll be fine, just getting something"
"Alright then" Twilight said as her horn lit up, lifting half of the wood to the side.
Right in the middle of it, stood a heart shaped log, a real heart, that pulsed and was lined with green engravings.
"What the?" Twilight marveled at the object whilst mother just looked at me with a concerned look.
Looking at it, I placed my hooves and got a firm grip on it before tugging it lightly to get the approximate strength I needed.
It moved slightly.
After letting out a sigh, I pull it hard, breaking away plenty of branches in the process.
It pulsed with life.
The engravings shone with its brilliant green color.
"This'll do nicely" I say as I store it in mother's saddlebag.
"Hey, Blaze? Could I ask you a favor?" Twilight got in my face with a nervous smile.
"No, I'm going to use the heart wood to make something"
"But you already have the Crystal Cube, why can't you give me this one?"
"Because I'm going to use it to make something that'll help me in the present, rather than a research paper that'll help a student write a report on magic theory"
"But that research can help advance all things on magic AND everything we know about timberwolf fusions"
"Twilight" I say as I grab her face. "It can wait for just one more year okay?"
"Fine, but I still want you to attend my lecture about exactly how much this could help"
I chuckle at the statement.
"No"
"So, Blaze, I thought I should ask" mother said as we ate at the table.
Twilight and Spike both stare at us in expectation.
Mainly Twilight.
"Yeah?" I ask back.
"How about you finally go to school here?" she asked with a nervous smile.
Ah, I already finished school though.
"If I take a test to prove that I already know everything they'll teach, can I not go?"
"It's not just about the education, I'm more worried about your social life"
"I have friends" I instantly realize the problem.
"Hun, you have 4 friends your age and you only hang out with one of them, a colt your age should be having more than that"
"She's right you know" Twilight interjected.
"You were pretty much friendless before coming here, so your argument isn't valid"
She froze up at that statement.
"Blaze!" Mother scolded me.
"Sorry" I weakly apologized.
"But seriously mom, I don't need to go to school, I even know more about certain subjects in magic more than Twilight"
Spike coughed up his drink.
"What!" Twilight yelled in, anger?
"Yes? Do you know how to do that mimicry spell I did?" They flinched a bit at the memory.
"Well, no"
"We're getting off track here, hun, could you at least TRY going to Ponyville school before declining, I'm sure it'll be different than last time" mother said in a kind tone.
"No" I simply state as she releases a sigh of defeat.
As much as I love her, I don't have the time to learn things I already know.
"Fine, you can skip school, but I want you at least let Twilight homeschool you ok?" she said in a hopeful tone.
*Sigh*
"Fine"
I regretted that.
After that small talk about school, it's been about 2 months since then.
I'm currently packing my suitcase as I read a letter.
Apparently, Lu and Sunbutt's niece is having a wedding with one 'Shining Armor'.
So me and my mother are staying in the palace for a week.
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.
She has only recently ascended to alicornhood, and with a vague power as love in her hooves, she was left pretty defenseless against Nightmare Moon.
Well, she has a pretty good life here.
During my time off, I've been eating food that specifically builds muscle and have increased my training time in exchange for hanging out with friends.
Mother seemed worried, but she left me alone thankfully.
Now fully recovered, I recount the events for the past 2 months.
Especially the annoyance of having to tell almost the entire town to leave my spot in the woods.
I was originally going to deal with whoever leaked it, but I left it alone since the culprits were the CMC.
I know I'm biased.
That's it, there's no upside to that.
There was also some meeting between all the pegasi in Ponyville about a hurricane or something.
I slept through most of it.
"Are you done honey?" mother asked as she came through the door.
"Yeah, I'll just take this with me" I say as I put the crystal cube in my suitcase.
"Why that one?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know, just, felt like I should"
With that, we leave the library as I gaze at my, once again, broken down house.
This time, the workers fought about something because the Gaby Gam or something, revealed that one of them was eating the others' lunch, then it became a full on brawl and it resulted in them hitting the support beams.
"You know, at this point, I think we should just stay in the library permanently" I say as my face takes a pout.
"What makes you say that?" mother asked innocently.
"Mom, that house isn't going to get built, we both know that"
*Sigh*
"Yeah, I guess you're right, it's a good thing I didn't pay for the house yet"
I nod in reply as we continue our walk towards the train station.
Oh, the Mane 6 and Applejacks' brother are, holding a cake?, along with the Cakes, the owners of Sugarcube Corner.
"Oh, Blaze, Delicate could you two help us with this?" Pinkie Pie asked as she quite literally broke reality itself to appear right in front of me.
"Sure" mother said casually as she added her magic with Twilights' to a bubble around the four layered cake with tubes in between layers.
Oh, I didn't know mother was good enough to mix her magic with others' like that.
I was about to help, but I realized that it was now fine.
They really struggled with this huh?
The Cakes look like they're about to pass out from nervousness.
We slowly, but surely approach the train station as I swat away anything that could've gotten in the way.
A fly.
A pebble.
A, scaly rope?
"Drega?" I ask as I life the familiar being.
He suddenly wakes up as he looks at me.
"What're you doing in the middle of town?"
He simply hisses something in response as he wraps himself fully around my neck like last time, but he put his head on top of mine and slept.
Not really minding it, I continue towards the train station.
I can see Canterlot in the distance.
As I keep looking though, intuition tells me that something is wrong.
This is bad.
As I was too focused, I almost bump into Twilight.
We seem to have stopped because they couldn't get the cake, the flying pegasi and the magic bubble in at the same time.
"Move" I say as I take the cake on my back and enter.
Spotting a table with 'The Cakes' written on a card, I place it there and move towards my room, suitcase following behind me.
The Friendship Express, weird ass name, is pretty deluxe with its own rooms for sleeping.
Sitting on my own bed, I look out the window towards Canterlot as mother walks in the room.
Drega and mother both seem slightly concerned at my expression.
There was something wrong in Canterlot, but I don't know what.
"Are you alright son?" mother asked as she put her hoof on my shoulder.
Drega also looked at me with worry.
"I'm fine, it's just, something feels slightly wrong whenever I look at Canterlot"
"It'll be fine hun, but if you really don't want to, we can skip out on the wedding?" she asked in a reassuring tone.
"It's fine, I promise, I'll just, keep it in mind until it ends"
She nods in response as I decide to head towards the door.
"I'm going to see what this weeks' event is" I tell mother as she chuckles, knowing exactly what I'm talking about as Drega decides to stay in the room.
Opening the door, I enter as Donut Joe, a griffon and Mathilda all come in with their own desserts and introductions.
A little pre-competition banter later, everypony- everybody? goes towards their rooms.
Except for Pinkie Pie, who's sure that the other bakers will ruin the Cake.
It's a good thing she's aware, but can she really stay up all night?
Eh, nothing much right now.
I head back into my room to find mother and Drega intensely looking at each other, two cards in each of their hooves, bits between them and 3 cards were shown.
I was out for literally a minute.
It was night time.
I headed to bed and couldn't sleep, but Drega, who was curled on top of me, seemed to have no trouble.
Even with the amount of noises coming from outside our room.
Those six were doing something stupid again, making all sorts of ruckus which triggered my already sensitive senses from my bad feeling towards Canterlot.
The third pony goes back in towards their room as Pinkie shouted something about a thief.
The second pony hadn't gone back though, that's a bit weird.
The first pony was Rainbow Dash, only she can outspeed the train enough to go outside.
The smell of smoke is a bit more intense than normal.
I found where the second pony went then.
Pinkie said something about Sunbutt, then fell asleep shortly after with a snore.
About 20 seconds later, the second pony went back in their room.
Finally, quiet.
As I was about to go back to sleep, the smallest of sounds came from the rooftop.
20 hooves landed, so 5 ponies.
A few clicking sounds, like a conversation.
Changelings?
"Fucking tartarus" I cuss to myself as I get up from my bed, leaving Drega who's somehow snoring.
Didn't I learn in biology somewhere that snakes don't snore or close their eyes?
As I look at the window, I decide to cast a few spells on it.
After about 57, that should do it, I step outside of the room.
Enchanting the door with more protection and detection spells, I gaze into the main area of the compartment.
Pinkie was sleeping while holding on to the table with the cake while standing.
The bottom three layers of the cake had bites taken from it.
Who eats in huge bites like that?
I walk past her and to the next compartment, which wasn't too different.
The problem was the fact that it had 3 tables.
Tables that had no business being here.
I walk past the first two, then keep walking until I reach the third one.
Just as I was about to the third one, I turn around and punch it with a heavy right.
Green flames burst as the changeling was knocked out with a bruise on his head.
Right as the hoof connected, the two other tables charged at me while shedding their disguise as another one drops down from right above me while pointing his hooves at me.
As the two are about to reach me, I jump into the air and grab the hooves and swing it down.
As they all slam together, the last one rushes in through the window and tries to push me down.
Only to slam into me and fall down.
"By the hive! What are you made of? Diamond?" it asked with a male voice.
Oh, they were sentient.
"Just muscles and magic" I say as I slam down into his chest with one hoof, successfully knocking him out.
I grab a small piece of wood from the broken window as one of the changelings start rising up.
Right as he tried to rush me, I threw the piece of wood, hitting their horn.
"GAH!" she yelled as she held her horn. "YOU BASTARD! DON'T YOU KNOW NOPONY HITS THE HORN!"
"I really don't give a shit about the rules of a duel" I simply say as I rush towards her with high speeds.
Before she could even react, I was right in front of her as she held her hooves up to form a defense.
Not feeling it coming, she opens her eyes to see me undoing their silence spell.
"What the?"
"I could not give a lesser crap about you guys other than Chrysalis, so get the fuck outta here" I say as I approach her. "But do know this, if any of you become a threat, I'll end your life without a second thought"
She shudders a bit as she seemed to think about it.
"Thank you" she said silently as she transformed into a dragon and took her sibling with her through the window.
I sigh wearily as I rub my face.
Other me definitely tipped off Chrysalis.
With that annoying fact, I reach back to my room and head off to sleep.
That wedding is definitely going to be ruined.
I might've felt bad for the groom and the bride if I wasn't so annoyed by the oncoming threat, plus sleep deprivation.
I wake up suddenly as a sharp scream rang through the train.
I shoulder check the door with Drega tightly hanging onto me.
"WHAT? WHAT HAPPENED?" I yell as I come into the main area where the desserts were.
It was dark for only a second before brightening up again.
We went through a tunnel.
"What the?" I say as everybody gasps at the scene.
The cake was the same as last night, but the other desserts were ruined.
"Now I have no idea who do-doned it!" Pinkie said with a defeated tone as the bakers went to check on all of their desserts.
"Blaze? I thought you were sleeping?" mother asked as she lifts me up easily.
"Uh, I heard a scream and came to check it out" I just say as Drega hissed angrily and went back to sleep, this time around my neck.
"Oh, well it's nothing for you to worry about, why didn't you wake up at the first scream by the way?"
I blankly stare at her. "There was another one?"
She just chuckled at that and hugged me before setting me on the floor.
I didn't hear the first scream?
"Mom, how loud was the first one?"
"Pretty much the same as the last one, is something the matter?"
"No, nothing much, I guess I'm a bit tired"
"Well, how about you head back to sleep then, it's still a long way before Canterlot"
"Yeah, I'll do that"
Am I overworking myself?
Fuck.
I'm still too weak though.
*Sigh*
How I hate this dilemma.
Well, a rest seems to be the best choice.
I should prepare myself accordingly for the wedding disaster.
With that thought, I head back to my slumber.
Which was immediately interrupted by Pinkie Pie and Twilight.
"So, Blaze, have YOU seen the culprit?" Pinkie asked as she pushed her face towards mine.
"No" I lie by omision.
"Then are YOU the-" she was cut off by Twilight dragging her back as Twilight herself came towards me.
"No Twi, I did not see anything" I lightly smirk at her.
She seemed to pick up on the small clue.
"Alright then, what did you hear?" she asked as Pinkie brought out a notebook.
"Let's see, two ponies running, then running again, then the sound of the train becoming slightly faster, Pinkie yelling about a thief and one final thud that sounded a bit too loud to be a hoofstep"
"I see, thank you" she says as she heads out with Pinkie in tow.
I just lie back down and drift off to sleep.
The screeching of the train wheels woke me up.
As I groggily sit up, mother comes into the train compartment and pulls out her suitcase from under her bed.
"We're here honey, time to get off"
I just nod as the suitcase follows me with my magic dragging it.
The bakers and the Mane 6 took their half eaten desserts with them towards the palace as we follow them.
"So, who was the culprit?" I ask mother as I finally wake up fully.
"It was Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity" she said with a slightly shocked voice. "I'm still surprised that it turned out to be those three"
I guess that was why Rarity had a different mane style all of a sudden.
"Welcome sir, ma'am" the guards said with respect, slightly shocking the nine ponies, one donkey and one griffon.
"Thank you sirs" mother said gently as we all entered through the main gates.
The bakers and the Mane 6 all separated from us at some point and we were led to the guest rooms.
It was a very large room with a bed big enough for both of us.
"So, wanna look around?" mother asked with an excited smile.
I give my own smile. "Sure, why not?"
*Calming Blaze POV*
As I look at the sky, I know exactly what I'm looking at.
An impressive barrier for sure, but it won't hold if only one pony is holding it.
I was planning to tell Celestia about the changelings on the first day, but I guess I was late since the barrier around the capital formed before I could speak to her.
So, we've spent almost a week in the capital.
I visited Lu a few times, turns out she's not getting as much guests as she would like in her night court.
So, now I'm in Celestia's room, drinking tea that I made sure wasn't laced with something.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about Blaze?" she said in that calm and serene voice.
"I want you to protect my mother" I simply state as I take a cupcake and munch on it.
She seemed a bit confused at that.
"The Royal guards protect every guest in the castle"
"No, I want YOU, specifically, to protect my mother"
At this point, I put my cup and half a cupcake down for a serious conversation.
"I don't understand, wh-"
"I know changelings are already here Sunbutt" I decide to cut her off.
She's keeping it under wraps to keep the city calm, but I can't let that hurt mother.
"So, I want you to make sure my mother is safe, whilst I help take care of the changelings, that's my proposal"
She stops for a few seconds, seemingly calculating the risks and advantages of the idea.
"Alright, I'll make sure to protect you mother with my full power, should I fall in battle, I will only ask for your forgiveness"
"Yeah, that works" I say as I down my cup of tea and leave with the cupcake.
"So, what's your plan?" I ask while standing in front a changeling stuck in the wall.
"Buzz off, I ain't telling you anything" he said with failed malice
"You know, hurting and injuring are two different things sometimes, and I can give you tartarus if I needed to" I state as I move around the house I was in.
It's a cozy place, with the scent of old wood in the air and is also trashed from our short fight.
Well, I just knocked and used a spell to check him, to which he freaked out and after a comedic scene that ended because he slipped on some jam that got knocked over.
"Well do it then, I won't tell you anything, because with what we're planning, we'll be able to keep feeding ourselves for the next TEN generations at least"
Ten huh, that's a pretty big number.
"Oh, so Chrysalis is disguising as Cadence" I take a wild guess.
Pfft.
The face he's making right now looks ridiculous.
"H-How did you?"
"I didn't, just a random guess from given hints" I tell him as I knock him out with a punch.
Well that was easy.
Just as I was having that thought, a shocking sensation came to me.
An extremely strong burst of magic came from the palace, one I didn't recognize.
As dread starts to take over me, loud banging starts sounding from outside.
Shoulder checking the front door, I rush towards the castle.
The barrier breaks.
Fuck.
I leap back, narrowly avoiding a strike from a blade as the changeling crashes into the ground.
Lean towards the left to avoid another strike.
Duck to dodge the third, spin to look up and smash their face in.
Teleport to the side, dodging a wolf attack.
Turn back to push away a bear.
Rush towards the bear shaped changeling while its stunned, pulling my hoof back, I push forwards, breaking several bones.
Before I can check, the four others try to charge in.
I stomp the ground with both front hooves, breaking it.
Grabbing the closest one by the horn, I pull it towards me as my right hoof comes down with ferocious power, smashing its head while breaking the horn away.
Holding the severed horn, I dig the sharp side into another one's neck, before pulling and twisting the neck of the third one with a backhoof.
The last one simply stared at me warily as it seemed to be observing me.
I rush forward, pull my right hoof back while my left also lowered a bit.
As it transformed back and changed its hooves into iron, I smashed its gut with an upward swing of my left hoof, completely breaking his defense.
As his hooves lowered slightly, I took the chance and gave a haymaker with my right, caving its face in.
With that, I ignored the ponies and changeling around me as I rushed towards the castle.
Ugh.
"These ones are stronger" I mutter to myself as I ignored the pain coming from my right hoof.
As I've only made 10 percent of the way there, I'm stopped by 5 other changelings.
"For fucks sake" I complain as they charge at me while transforming into various animals.
*No One POV*
Queen Chrysalis had been enjoying her sweet victory as she indulged in the radiating love from Shining Armor.
The Mane 6 could only look on as she boasted about her victory as Celestia helplessly watched from a cocoon.
"Now, it's about time I end you" Chrysalis suddenly said as she approached the trapped Mi Amore Cadenza.
The 6 tried to move in to stop her, but a brightly glowing red colored blur crashed into her.
The sight surprised everypony in the room, except for the groom who was brainwashed.
As the shards of the broken window rained down, a sudden gust came in, blowing away the dust cloud created from the crash as a pony was on top of Chrysalis.
The one on top of Chrysalis was a pony of large size, almost competing with Celestia.
A fully blowing red mane that reached the skies.
A horn much longer than normal, ended with a tip sharp enough to impale beings.
His veins glowed a brilliant orange, tracing his every single nerve and bloodstream.
Most noticeably however, were the large visage of wings.
Made of seemingly pure light, it shone brilliantly with an orange hue
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER!" Blaze yelled with pure anger as his voice was amplified by magic without him knowing it.
The Royal Canterlot Voice, as Celestia and Luna called it, rang throughout the room, bouncing off the walls and repeating itself.
The grimacing changeling queen however, now had a smirk on her face at the question.
"What makes you think I know who you're talking about?" she asked with a sneer.
"SINCE YOU WILL NOT SPEAK, I HAVE NO NEED FOR YOU THEN" he said in anger as he raised his right hoof high.
Right as he was about to drop it, a small memory played.
He remembered a small moment, one that looked exactly like his situation.
The time he had actually won, but only at the cost of somepony else losing.
Thay slight hesitation was all Chrysalis needed as she blasted him off with magic.
As he took the full brunt of the attack, he gritted his teeth as he endured the pain of his insides being introduced to fresh air again.
With practiced ease, he swerves and loops around the air, doding blasts of magic as his previous one healed.
"How much love did she get to get that strong" he thought to himself as he noticed that the next blast didn't come.
"GAH!" Chrysalis cried in pain as she held her horn.
"Now!" Twilight yelled as she and her friends tried to charge Chrysalis.
Seeing the outcome, Blaze rushes towards the girls, hoping to make it before something wrong happened.
Chrysalis recovers from the attack, just as the girls are about to reach her, prompting her to blast her magic in their direction.
Twilight held a barrier, which quickly broke and Rarity tried to hold her own too, only for the blast to melt through her diamond shield.
Just as the blast was about to hit them, the alicorn flew down and held them in his wings as an orange barrier appeared around them.
The blast broke upon impacting with the barrier, causing a surge of magic to destroy the wall behind the huddled up ponies.
The barrier held for as long as it could before shattering into a million pieces.
The alicorn coughed, a wave of blood rushed from his mouth and disintegrated before reaching the floor.
The girls felt a calming effect on them as the alicorns' body was set a blaze.
As he burned with a fierce fire, it only felt warm to the touch, like a small fireplace under the chimney on a cold night.
"Let me deal with Chrysalis, you girls do your friendship fuckery, you understand? Good" he said without getting a response as he turned back towards a panting Chrysalis.
"Alright, I'm over your bullshit, what the tartarus did he give you?" he said as his horn glowed with a bright orange.
"HAH! she let out a loud chuckle and smiled silly at the question. "You really think, you get to tell ME what to do? What makes you think you can do that?" Her amused grin suddenly turned malicious as she opened her mouth. "Besides, you're almost out of time with that spell aren't you?"
He coughs up more blood at the question, giving her the answer she needed.
"You're right, but I've got enough time for my loot" he said as he shot a large blast of magic.
Chrysalis battled against it, only to realize a second later that it wasn't a power struggle.
With a flash of light, Blaze appeared right behind her, hoof outstretched.
And a second later, blood splatters as an amulet was removed from under the chitin of Chrysalis.
"As I thought, it's purified" Blaze says as he holds up the amulet with an alicorn at the front, glowing with a green hue, rather than the red Blaze remembered.
Chrysalis breathed heavily as she almost collapsed from the sudden weakness.
She looked around and told every single changeling to come towards the wedding area.
As changeling rush in from almost every single crevice, the Mane 6 six and now freed Cadence prepare for battle.
But an orange barrier forms around them just after the alicorn lands in their midst.
He coughs up more blood, this time, the heat was not enough to burn it all before it splattered on the floor.
Whatever injury they had was now gone.
"Any ideas? I'll be out after this barrier goes down" he says as countless thuds and bangs from hooves slamming into the barrier come in.
Almost covered in the dark, a bright pink glow catches the attention of the others as Cadence approached her groom.
As the others watch curiously, Blaze blinks a bit as blood starts flowing from his eyes, causing him to collapse.
"A little faster would be nice" he said in an irritated voice.
"Sorry" Cadence said without much acknowledgement as she hugged Shining Armor around the neck.
She held for a few seconds as her horn gave out a few sparks.
Outside the barrier, Chrysalis fed on love stored from her drones as she looked at the number of changelings around the barrier with concern.
Almost half the swarm was missing.
Using the love, she transformed it into magic and started to heal herself.
What concerned her even more now, was the small spark she felt, notifying her that her mind control spell had been broken.
As she prepared for whatever might come, she had forgotten just why you could never really expect anything normal from alicorns.
She was reminded of that lesson, when a gigantic wave made out of the very emotion she fed on, pushed every changeling back and out of the palace.
The orange barrier fell, revealing the relieved faces of ponies and one frown.
"You're telling me you two assholes could've dealt with the changelings ALONE?" Blaze shouted in annoyance as he lifted his head to point his horn at Celestia, stuck on the ceiling.
Glowing a bit weakly, the cocoon breaks as Celestia plops down to the ground, covered in the green mucus.
"Thabk you" she weakly says as she stands up on shaky hooves while Twilight runs up to her.
As his body goes back to normal, Blaze notices that the pain is much greater this time.
Now the size of the average adult pony, his bones creak and gruesome cracks could be heard from his back.
"Jeez, don't you stretch Blaze?" Celestia asked with a small trasing smile as the colt glared at her.
"Fuck you" he simply stated as he turned his head to look at his back.
The others get slackjawed at the blatant disrespect and at the scene as Blazes' eyes widen at what he's seen.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" he suddenly yelled and, weirdly enough, he easily accessed the Royal Canterlot Voice.
As the others slightly winced at the shout, Celestia and Cadence looked with awe as wings were sprouting from Blazes' back.
A few drops of blood fell to the ground as the wings were controlled with efficiency.
"Just what in Equestria?" he says to himself as he inspected his wings.
Thw wings were massive compared to the normal size, but it still wouldn't allow for flight according to physics.
At full length, it was at about 70% of Blazes' own height.
As he looked closer, he noticed something weird.
Magic didn't pass through it.
Slightly worried, he fought through the pain and let magic run through his body, and was relieved to find it working.
It was just the wings that magic rejected.
As he tried to push it, his magic acted as if it wasn't even there.
As weird as it was, he let out a sigh and went on his way to find his mother.
"Twilight, can we do this later please? I think we all have more important stuff to do" he said in an irritated voice as Twilight puts her notebook back down.
Leaving the others, he pushed the door open to reveal his mother.
"MOM" he said in worry as a changeling was right behind her.
But before he could punch it, the changeling fell to the ground while foaming at the mouth.
Forgetting about the changeling, he hugs his mother as a snake wrapped himself around Blazes' neck 8 times.
He stayed like that for a few seconds, but got the feeling that something was wrong when he didn't feel the hug back.
Stepping back a few steps, he takes a clear look at his mother as she just stares back with an emotionless gaze.
"N-No, Drega, what state was she in when you found her?" he nervously asks the snake around his neck as Drega tries to comfort him.
*Hiss*
Fluttershy gasps in horror after Drega hissed as Blaze gets a grimace on his face.
"Fuck" he said with gritted teeth as a few drops of tears fell to the floor.
*Calming Blaze POV*
I'm currently in out guest room, looking over my mother as she calmly slumbers in the soft bed.
"This is my fault" I mutter to myself as I remember the moment I enacted the spell that brought me here.
"I should've realized, that it wasn't going to be as simple as I thought"
*Creak*
"What do you want Celestia?" I ask weakly at the newcomer.
"Have you rested?" she calmly asked.
"I had plenty, now what do you want?" I ask while suppressing a yawn.
"I want you to take a proper rest Blaze, you're still injured"
"I'm fine"
"Blaze, you haven't even been working out lately, you're going to break yourself over this"
"Bullshit, don't give me that fucking crap from one of those drama movies in the theatres"
*Sigh*
She let out a weary sigh as she sat on the floor next to me.
Fucking tall.
She was as tall as me even though I was on a chair.
She was about to say something, but my suitcase started glowing.
The suitcase was floated over in a golden light.
Opening it, the Crystal Cube was erratically sending out waves of magic.
Looking closely, it was all directed towards one direction.
The north.
"The Crystal Empire is back" I lightly say as I move towards the front door.
"What did you? No stop, I can't allow you to just go towards the frozen North" Celestia suddenly said.
"I don't give a shit about whether you allow me or not, I have to go. Drega!"
The King Cobra slithers out from under the bed.
"Look over mom for me, I'll bring you a souvenir or something" I say as I was about to leave.
But Celestia stood in front of me.
"Blaze, I really can't let you go when you're as injured as you are"
"Too bad, I need to head there and stop whatever world ending fuckery is going on while the girls take care of Sombra or something"
"Sombra? I thought you already killed Sombra?"
"I did, just a different one"
She seemed confused at the statement, while I used it to leave through the door under her.
"Eep!" She slightly jumped as her face turned slightly red.
She shook her head to clear her flush and held me in her magic.
"Celestia, let me go" I calmly demanded as I dangled in the air.
We were now in the castle halls as a few guards were doing their patrols and two more were standing by.
"No, you're going to explain to me EXACTLY what is it you know that I don't"
"Fuck no, you're not my mother" the guards all freeze at the statement but Celestia tells them to go back to their jobs.
With another heavy sigh, she drags me through the air into her own room.
"I'm not fucking you" I dryly tell her as she levitated two tea and a mettle over.
She seemed to ignore my little remark as she brewed some tea and placed me into a chair next to a table.
She sat across from me and started to pour some tea for both of us.
I only rolled my eyes at her antics.
"Just what do you want?"
"I want to discuss your next course of action over a cup of tea" her eyes were now slightly downcast. "And to apologize for my lack of strength"
"Alright, it's simple, I'm heading towards the Crystal Empire and dealing with whatever extra bullshit another me sends that could destroy the world if I don't deal with it" I nearly facehoof as I just realize my mistake.
"Excuse me" she failed to fully comprehend my rather abrupt revelation.
"You know what? This actually saves a lot of trouble for me in the future, so I'll just say it, I don't have a LOT of secrets, just a really big one" I say as she gets a slight frown on her face from the implications.
"So, what is it?"
"I hopped worlds to get here"
She froze for a few seconds at that.
"Come again"
"I, magically sent myself through the barrier between worlds using the leftover traces of time magic, that enough?" I silently sip my tea.
Ugh, too bitter.
As I add some sugar cubes into my tea, she finally understands the situation.
First, she seemed pissed at it, then she got a thoughtful look on her face, then she looked at me with pitiful eyes, then finally released a sigh.
"Alright, then what exactly is the problem?"
"Basically, other me is pissed at me and is declaring war, are we done yet? I feel like you're stalling"
*Sigh*
"I'm not. But if what you say is true, then at the very least send somepony else, you can not fight in your condition"
"Screw that, even if I'm injured I can still take on at least ten of your best guards"
"No, why can't you just listen, you are in no condition to engage ANYPONY in combat, so no matter what you say, I can't let you leave"
I grimace at that attitude.
"Why the fuck, can't you just mind your own shit?"
"Because you told me to not be a coward, so I'm making sure you're not going to hurt yourself"
"Alright Miss Divine, tell me this, if I'M not fighting an alicorn level threat, WHO will make sure that the biannual villain has another disaster with him"
She seemed to think about it.
"Seriously" I continue. "Twilight and the girls aren't nearly strong enough to go into combat, Lu still hasn't fully recovered and Cadence can't fight, at all. Anypony other than those are just going to be sent to their deaths, so tell me"
"I can go, Luna may be recovering, but she can still rule the kingdom alone for a week or two"
"Heh"
I don't know why I laughed, yet I understood it.
I chuckle for a few seconds as she stares at me like I'm crazy.
Then the funny part suddenly didn't feel as funny anymore.
As I grimaced hard, I stood with my front hooves banging on the table.
"Celestia, I don't even know if I can trust you enough to know if you're telling the truth right now"
Her eyebrows shot up in shock as she looked at me.
"You've failed my trust twice already Celestia, and the costs have been much bigger than I would have liked, I'm afraid of what the third would take from me"
Her jaw tightened a tiny bit.
"Don't you get it? I don't trust you to not trick me. When you gave me that promise to protect my mother, you said you would protect her with your full power. I didn't realize that you don't count the sun, the fucking SUN, THE VERY ONE THAT YOU CONTROL, AS PART OF YOUR POWER, SO NO, I WON'T TRUST YOU TO TAKE CARE OF IT, BECAUSE IF YOU FUCK THIS ONE UP, OUR VERY UNIVERSE AS WE KNOW IT, COULD END IN THE HOOVES OF AN OVERPOWERED ALICORN WITH THE MINDSET OF A COLT" the windows and the tea set shattered from the use of the Royal Voice as my wings were unfurled to their full length without me realizing it.
I left without saying more as guards came in the room and drew their spears.
Though they pulled back when they saw me just leaving.
Annoying.
It was the best word to describe my current situation as I headed towards the train station that goes north.
*Calming Blaze POV*
I'm currently seated on a normal train going towards the north whilst answering random questions from Twilight.
I'm only ten minutes in but she's already asked me over fifty questions.
"How can one do that?" she mutters to herself while writing on a whiteboard she got from, well, somewhere I guess.
"So, how fast can you fly?" Rainbow Dash suddenly asked after getting in my face.
"I can't fly, magic rejects these wings" I say as stretch my wings a bit and furl them back in.
"Uh, what?" she just confusedly asks.
"Yeah, I'm with Dash on this one" Applejack said from her seat.
I look around to spot the girls, minus Twilight and plus one Spike looking at me with a confused gaze.
"Haven't you guys learned this in school?" I ask them.
"No, but did YOU learn this from school? Also your voice is really deep now" Pinkie said while bouncing around my vision.
"Well, no" I simply answer as I take one of the chalkboards Twilight had set up, earning the sound of a confused mare only seconds later.
"So, let's start our little lesson" I say as I draw a crude anatomy of a pony from above.
Adding in a bunch of lines to represent the veins, then finally, a heart, the family friendly one.
"First things first, what do we know about magic?"
"Ooh ooh, pick me, pick me" Pinkie said while bouncing in her seat.
"It was metaphorical" I blankly say as I continue the lesson. "Magic in its most basic form, is a type of energy, and that energy, flows through the bloodstream and nerve system of everypony, except a few. The reason why the veins is quite simple" I point my hoof at the crude heart. "All that magic energy, is collected inside the heart"
"So, what does this have to do with your wings?" Rarity asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.
"It's simple, magic, although classified as energy, is pretty much sentient. It's like a hivemind, always connected to each other, and its pretty much treated as one entity rather than separate ones"
"Again, what's that got to do with anything?" Rainbow asked impatiently.
"It rejects my wings" I state.
"But why?" Rainbow asked once again.
"Because, I got it through unconventional means" I reply as I remember some stuff I packed.
Taking my distraction as the end of the conversation, the girls get back to their stuff as Spike goes to try to calm down Twilight, who's almost broken down because she lost some things apparently.
Opening my suitcase, I check the Crystal Cube for any cracks or something, it hasn't emitted or sucked in any magic ever since The Crystal Empire is back.
Next, a bottle of bourbon Lu gave me before the train left, surprising the girls and Spike because she just gave a foal alcohol as a goodbye gift.
Then a bag of cookies and muffins which Lu also gave me, saying she was sorry for being absent during the invasion.
I don't know what she's talking about, but there were plenty enough talk about how 79 changeling corpses were outside her chambers to tell me that she did do something.
Well, she also mumbled something about it being a dream or something.
Eh, she still did something.
Putting a cookie in my mouth, mmhm chocolate, I bring out a few items.
Dragonfire flower, the stalk of a moondrop, a few shards of amethyst and a poison berry to mix it all together.
I'll need to use these for a proper barrier while resting.
The train ride should be fine though.
With a silent sigh, I pull out a neck pillow and put the rest of the items back in and under the seat.
Releasing a yawn, I close my eyes and feel sleep coming over me.
As I sit on a hilltop, I look across the horizon, seeing nothing but flames everywhere.
I feel a slight weight on my neck, prompting me to look down and spot a familiar necklace.
Or, an amulet, giving off a green glow.
Oh, this old thing.
Slowly turning my head, I gaze over the countless corpses of ponies, and only ponies.
Some wore armor, some wore leather and many, many had been scorched to death.
Gazing forwards once again, a mirror stands in front of me, showing the extremely tired alicorn.
With bags that looked darker than make up and eyes so lifeless you could believe that Chrysalis herself sucked his emotions dry.
"Blaze" a small voice called from behind.
I turn around fully, the immediately regret it as I stared at the scene.
"Blaze" the corpse whispered as she came closer and closer.
She lost more and more of her features as she walked.
First, the yellow coat slowly disappeared.
The smell of burning flesh came into my nose.
Second, her orange mane slowly burnt up.
The screams of panicked ponies came from somewhere.
"Blaze" she whispered once again as she was almost right in front of me.
Third, her orange eyes melted away.
My eyes became blurry as she fell but grabbed onto my hooves.
Fully shutting my eyes, I try to rub the tears away, but I found my hooves to be ridiculously heavy.
Looking down, I spot countless corpses, all whispering my name as they held onto my hooves.
"Blaze" they whispered as one.
"Blaze" I shut my eyes.
"Blaze" it's getting hard to breathe.
"Blaze" the world is shaking around.
"Blaze!" I open my eyes and breath heavily as I looked up to see the concerned eyes of the girls and Spike, whilst Twilight is holding me in her hooves.
"What?" I ask.
"You were crying" Twilight simply said as she signaled the others to give me space.
I put my right hoof to my eyes and feel the damp surface.
"Blaze, do you want to talk about it?"
"No, no I'm, fine, I'll be fine" I say as I look out the window.
The ridiculous snow storm of the frozen north.
"I'm fine"
Author's Note
Originally, I wasn't going to write this chapter and just have Blaze complain about not having a good sleep on the train ride, but I thought that this would be more enjoyable.
*Calming Blaze POV*
"I'm telling you, it was just a shit dream, nothing else"
"Blaze, language" Twilight scolded me.
"Equish" I simply answered as I stepped outside.
An old train station and snow.
Lots of snow.
*Sigh*
"Let's get moving ponies, we should get to the city before the storm worsens" I tell them as I look back.
Why is Spike carrying crap thrice his size?
Also, aren't they cold?
Rarity is the only one with a scarf.
I'm slightly worried about their self preservation skills as I rub the orange scarf around my neck.
Good thing mother is overprotective.
"Twilight!" A male voice called out.
Shining Armor came out of the storm with a dark mask and scarf.
"Shining Armor?" Twilight asked.
"Twily! You made it!" He said as the two ran to hug each other.
"We better get moving, there are things out here that we really don't want to run into after dark" he said as he turned around.
"What kind of things?" Fluttershy asked, surprisingly.
"Let's just say, the Empire isn't the only thing that's returned" he dramatically said.
"Great, let's get moving then, I'm freezing over here" I complain as I put my suitcase on my back to get moving.
Walking through the freezing cold, I can hear the siblings talk about Sombra.
As informative as their talk is, I'm more focused on the ambient magic, trying to see if I can detect anything abnormal.
Then suddenly, a loud howling came from the area.
"We have to get to the Crystal Empire, Now!" Shining Armor announced as dark magic came flooding in behind us.
We start running as soon as the black fog starts rising behind us.
It's close, I can see it.
"Just a bit more! We're close!" I yell as we ran.
Getting closer to the barrier, I do a head count.
Wait, we're one short.
Looking back, I notice Shining Armor standing in front of Sombra.
What the fuck is this guy doing?
As I run to get him, he misses a shot.
Unfortunately, the snow and the lack of magic is making me much slower.
He gets attacked as black crystals grow on the tip of his horn.
Before he can get attacked once again, I pull him back by his scruff, letting Sombra plunge into his previous spot, leaving a small crater.
Seeing him weakened, I drag him as I dodge pillars of sharp crystals that rose from the ground.
Right as I reach the barrier, I throw him inside and look back out of instinct.
What the?
I saw Sombra in his misty form, and another Sombra behind him, looking at me with neutral eyes.
I continued staring at the second Sombra until the first one dived at me, prompting me to jump in.
Landing inside soft grass, I look at the fallen Shining Armor and the girls and Spike approaching.
I grab Shining and give him a good slap as he wakes up.
"What the tartarus were you thinking? You're in a position of high importance, master yourself" I tell him as I held him before moving on.
"Shining Armor, your horn" Twilight said with concern.
He tried to use his horn but the crystals negated it.
He shook his head and turned to me.
"Thank you for saving me there" he said with a nod.
"It was no problem" I returned the nod.
We got up to move towards the city.
"Sparkleriffic!" Pinkie yelled another made up word as we stood at a gate.
As we walked forward, I thought back to the time I killed Sombra.
I should've known.
His body was too corrupted with dark magic to stay corporeal after dying, so I had thought that he was dead.
Annoying.
"It's gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous!" Rarity yelled with excitement as we walked under the castle made of crystal that had a large empty spot under it for some reason.
True to its name, the entire city was made of crystals and shined at every opportunity.
I tune out the antics of the girls as I feel the cube start emitting magic again.
Putting my suitcase down, I open it and bring out the cube as it started glowing with a bright light.
It shook erratically as I held it in my hooves, then it died down after a while.
Did it realize that it wasn't the same one it had protected?
"Are you coming Blaze?" Rainbow yelled from a door.
"You guys go ahead, I'll stay here a bit" I shout back as I focus on the outside of the barrier.
In my current state, I'll have a hard time against Sombra since my veins still haven't fully healed.
I'm definitely pushing myself lately.
I need to get stronger, fast.
If I keep straining my body like this, soon enough it'll break down at even the slightest touch.
As I think, I bring out the items for the spell.
The barrier flickered.
I grimace a bit as I bring out a stone bowl and a wooden spoon.
Putting the items in, I mash and mix it until it becomes a slime like substance, which I rubbed on the castle walls in a formation.
Putting the last bit of it, a green colored barrier rises from the ground before turning invisible.
The girls came back suddenly.
"Where are you girls going?" I ask calmly as I bring out a muffin to eat.
"We're going to ask the civilians if they know anything about protecting the Empire" Twilight explained as the rest came down.
"Good luck then, something tells me that I should stay here" I say as I bite the muffin.
"Uh huh" she sarcastically said with a raised eyebrow, then left with the others.
I watched as they slowly left my vision.
One by one, they disappeared into the city.
"So, what can I do for you?" I say as I finish my muffin.
"I want you to listen to me" his gruff voice said from behind me.
"That doesn't exactly work, why would I listen to my enemy?" I turn around to look at Sombra who's behind the green barrier.
"I don't need you to follow my orders, I need you to listen to what I'm going to tell you" he said with a grimace as his entire body slightly flickered.
I look at him for a moment, inspecting his movements.
He's using a spell to talk to me right now.
"You, the other you, is planning to invade, I don't know when, or how, but if he succeeds, the entire multiverse would lose against him" he said with a serious voice.
"The ENTIRE multiverse you say?" I ask him, slightly intrigued.
"Yes, if he wins this war, his resources and control over artifacts would make him twice as strong as any universe out there"
"Alright, why are you telling me this?"
"Because that psycho, is planning to put every single being under his control, then destroy every but one universe, and I don't know about you but, even if I'm not ruling over it, I'd at least like to have a universe to live in"
"Okay, that's understandable, how do I know I can trust you?"
"You can't"
I just look at him incredulously.
"Look, I don't have much time before I wake up from a coma, thanks for that by the way, but I want you to at least start gathering your forces, lest you let your universe fall under his hooves" he finished as his body flickered away.
"Well, shit"
I thought that this was some revenge plot, not an interdimensional warlock plot.
Well, I'll have to worry about that later.
"Would this work?" I mutter to myself as I bring out the crystal cube.
As I was about to use it, I realized.
"Where does this even go?" I facehoof with my wing at my mistake.
Facewing?
Doesn't matter, I need to find either Cadence or Shining Armor.
Fucking finally, I found the throne room.
I swear this place looked smaller on the outside.
"Blaze?" both Shining and Cadence speak as they see me.
"Yeah, it's me, I got something to ask you" I say as I walk towards them.
"The bathroom is 9 doors on the right" Shining Armor said with conviction like he knew exactly what I was going to ask.
Cadence was pretty much knocked out.
"That's good to know, but I was going to ask about the Crystal Heart" I state as he looked at with confusion.
"Crystal Heart?"
"Yes, a heart made out of crystal that emits and absorbs magic"
He just looks at me with a blank stare.
"OH Come on!" I yell which woke up Cadence. "A CRYSTAL heart, doesn't have anything to do with a CRYSTAL Empire?"
"Sorry, I've never heard of this before"
"What are we talking about?" Cadence confusedly asks as she whips her head around.
"Do you know anything about a crystal heart?"
She shakes her head at my question.
"It's fine then, I guess I thought wrong" I leave with a sigh.
If nopony knows what to do with it, I guess I'll just keep it with me.
Wonder what the girls found out.
"Are you serious?" I mutter as I look at the 'Crystal Heart' as they called it.
Well, it's a heart made out of crystal alright.
Just, no magic.
Basically, their plan was reenact a 'crystal faire', which was a yearly festival or something that protected the empire by the love of the kingdom.
The only problem, is the fact that they mistook the crystal heart as a decorative piece rather than an actual relic.
*Sigh*
"Fuck" I say to myself as I look at the cube in my hooves.
I tried to put it on the pillar when Twilight brought it, but after flickering slightly, it stopped and fell off.
"Ok, this doesn't change too much. If the girls fail to stop Sombra, I'll just do it myself AND deal with the other threat, if it exists that is"
Alright, I already have a crude plan thought out, so no need to freak out about it.
"This is annoying" I complain as I eat another cookie.
"Sorry Sugarcube, we didn't notice, also will you please stop cursing?" Applejack said as she stood next to the fake crystal heart that had a flag draped over it to hide it.
"No can do, I'm going to find out Twilight is up to" I say as I run inside the castle without listening to AJ's response.
As I move around the castle, I finally reach the throne room, seeing a wildly different scene than before.
Sensing around the area, I can feel a sinister aura.
"Dark magic, but who casted it?"
The large crystal that was in the middle of the throne was darkened and casted a shadow.
The shadow revealed stairs going through the floor.
As I approached the stairs slowly, crystals shot out of the shadows, almost impaling me.
Standing in the middle of crystal spikes, I walked forward as my horn glowed with the signature aura of dark magic.
I calmly let it go as I jump inside, ignoring the stairs.
"Tch, just had to make me use it"
*Thud*
Landing with a loud bang ringing throughout the area, I look forward to see a door with a crystal on top.
Shooting another beam of dark magic at it, I narrow my eyes at the light coming from it.
With cautious steps, I enter through the door, leading me into field.
"What?" I ask loudly.
What the?
Why is my voice so deep?
I look at my hoof that I put on my mouth out of reflex.
Red.
Much, much deeper than my natural color.
As I look down, a part of my mane falls down in front of me.
Wasn't it short this morning?
Why is it red?
Why?
My breathing becomes labored as I looked around the field.
The nice, grassy field became corrupted.
All life wilted away.
Magma rose from the ground at random intervals, burning away any chance of it being a habitable place.
The heat that came from the sun felt too hot.
The field felt like it was too bright all of a sudden.
Gravity felt weirder.
It was both weaker and stronger.
Pushing and pulling at the same time.
Soon enough, I can't hear sounds anymore as I look straight down.
The ashen dirt is all that remains.
I look up again to spot anypony.
None, not even a single being.
"No no no no no no, not this again, not like this" I mutter to myself as I try to calm my breathing.
The ground is getting wet.
The sky is clear.
"It doesn't make sense" a voice whispers.
"Look for what doesn't make sense" the same male voice whispers once again.
"Sombra?"
Looking around, I start to calm my breathing.
With a calm mind, my vision becomes clear as I look around the field.
I turn around and spot the same scene.
"Yeah, this isn't real, facts don't match"
The place felt slightly weirder, but I felt stronger.
"The magic doesn't feel right, that's all I need to know"
I focus my magic, gritting through the pain.
Good memories.
Happy times.
Yeah, it's those ones.
If dark magic doesn't work, then I try the opposite.
I open my eyes as my spell ended, to see the door opened.
Stepping out, I rub my eyes to get rid of the wetness.
*Sigh*
"Annoying" I mutter and look to my left and see stairs.
Looking up, I spot almost an endless amount of stairs.
"Fine" I mutter with an irritated voice as I stretched my muscles.
Ending with a crack of my neck, I prepare to jump.
Letting out a long breath, I jump.
*Bang*
With a wave of wind, I go higher than 8 fleets of stairs.
Grabbing the edge of the 9th, I climb and look up.
"Alright, let's get to it"
With a thud, I jump up at the top of the stairs and landing at the top of the castle.
"Ok, I didn't expect it to lead me here" I say as I look to the cage made of dark crystals.
"Blaze? What're you doing here? How did you even get here?" Twilight asked from inside the cage.
"No time" I say as I look for a way out.
The entire room was blocked off from the world by walls of crystal spikes.
I punch the most nearby wall and bust it open.
Looking outside, I notice that Spike has the heart.
And Sombra quickly closing in.
Spike is gonna fall.
I quickly leap and go after Spike, racing with Sombra as he starts rising from the ground.
I release my magic to propel me forwards as I flew through the air.
Falling from a ridiculous height, I use the weight increasing spell I've used so many times on myself.
My eyes water a bit from the winds.
The air currents let out a sharp noise at my speed.
Just as Sombra was about to reach Spike, a pink blur takes him away.
"Huh?" he lets out a confused noise as I collide with him.
Smashing through the crystals he was standing on, I plunge his body to the ground with me on him, producing a crater.
"NO!" he shouted from underneath me.
"Stay down asshole" I state as I hold his head down with a hoof.
The residents of the town started glowing, gaining a crystal coat as the roads all shine with magic.
Then, all the magic gets collected at the center of the town.
The Crystal Heart.
The real one.
As it dramatically stops for just a second, then, a wave of magic that burst through everything.
Healing those injured.
Freeing those trapped.
And knocking me back.
Annoyingly.
"UUUUAAAAAAAAAH!" I hear Sombra's guttural scream as his body gets disintegrated.
Reaching my hooves up, I let them stay in the way of Sombra's horn as it was about to be blown away.
"Not this time" I say to his horn as I put it on the ground.
Raising a hoof, I stomp down, crushing the horn as the concentrated dark magic inside of it sizzled away.
Looking at the hoof, then the rest of my body, I can see that I crystalized.
Eh.
Doesn't feel too different.
Just, slightly harder than normal.
Though I AM fully healed somehow.
I guess love magic is different.
As I look up to the castle, I can see the gathered magic shoot up.
And with an earthshaking boom, it spreads through the skies, chasing away the storm clouds.
Only waves of aurora were left as I looked to the sky.
"Well damn, I should come to the next one, with, with" my excitement goes down slightly as I think about her condition.
She'll be fine after 2 weeks.
But it's painful.
Slapping myself, I let out a short breath as I teleport to the Crystal Heart, and my suitcase that's right beside it.
"Time to leave" I say to myself as I start moving after putting my suitcase on my back.
On my way there, my cargo felt slightly weird as I decided to open it.
Taking out the crystal cube, I saw that it was shining brilliantly.
That's good, I suppose.
I pack it back in and move towards the train station.
As I move, the crystals ponies all seem to be having a grand time with their celebrations as music was heard throughout the city.
The train station, was empty, as expected.
But the train itself was here.
Going inside, I take a random seat as I lean on the backrest.
"Annoying" I mutter as my body starts to weaken.
My eyes get drowsy as my vision slowly darkens.
Cold.
A faint trace of magic appears around me.
Ah, comfy.
That was my last thought as I drifted away to sleep.
*Calming Blaze POV*
I was sleeping peacefully.
Hmm.
There's somepony saying something.
Eh, I'm sure it'll be fine.
There's a feeling of being lifted.
Is it mother?
Did I fall sleep on the couch or something?
"OH!" I wake up startled as snow falls from on top of my head.
"Blaze!" Twilight screams at me with concern.
"What! Did Sombra come back? What happened?" I ask as I frantically look around.
I was on the ground, sitting right outside the train station.
"Blaze, are you not hurt right now?" she asked with confusion.
"No, that shockwave of magic healed me, wait, did you just throw me outside?"
"Uh dude?" Rainbow Dash said as she floated slightly above Twilight.
"Yea?"
"You're on fire right now, literally" she says as I stare at her blankly.
A few seconds of silence as my brain processes the information.
Lifting up my hoof, I look at it.
She's right.
There's a thin layer of fire on my coat.
"What the fu-"
"No cursing!" Twilight suddenly shouted.
I stare at her with annoyance for a second, wondering if I should snap back.
"Fine, I'm too tired for this anyway" I say as I stand up.
Looking down, the snow under me was dry, no water, no snow.
But the fire wasn't hot, it also hasn't burned the train.
Carefully, I put a hoof on the wooden floor of the train station, exhaling a relieved sigh at the fact that it didn't burn.
"How does that work?" Twilight looked closely as I walked back inside the train.
"This is actually new, so I don't know anything about it, though, if my name is anything to go by, it just means I hadn't unlocked it before"
"I guess that makes sense"
I was slumbering peacefully as I rode on the train to Ponyville from Canterlot.
It's been 2 months since the Empire came back and mother still hasn't woken up.
Worrying.
Right now, I was heading to Ponyville to retrieve some personal items and such from the tree library.
*Screech*
With the sound of the wheels coming from the outside, I stretch a bit as I get up from my train.
Currently, I'm wearing a disguise spell to hide my current alicorn like form as I travel.
I look like a colt again, well, slightly shorter than an adult.
Don't want ponies worshipping me again.
With that thought, I step off the train, expecting the familiar creaking platform of the train station at Ponyville.
But I'm in a field.
Going back in, I go to the front of the train and meet the conductor.
"Uh, sir? Why did we stop?"
"I dunno how to tell you this kid, but there's a giant dome around Ponyville"
"Excuse me?" I ask as I look out the window.
What the fuck?
"Yeah, the train can't make it there"
"I can see that"
Ending our conversation, I step out again as he decides to take a break.
Not that I blame him.
I approach the dome and see that it's made out of glass and a bunch of tier 9 spells.
Was there a new alicorn while I was training or something because I'm pretty sure unicorn magic alone isn't sufficient enough for this.
Well, as impressive as it is, it's not connected to the ground.
Digging into the ground slightly, I pit a hoof under the edge of the dome and lift it up.
I went inside under it and let it go, which caused a giant boom.
Now, some asshole with some magic artifact or whatever will come to me, but I'll just ignore them and take my stuff, then I'll leave.
I am way too mentally drained to deal with a Ponyville incident right now.
Oh, the dome is gone now.
With a red aura, it disappeared slowly, causing me to look up and notice the storm clouds gathered on top of Ponyville.
Yeah, definitely not dealing with this one.
With that thought, I retrieve the timberwolf heart, some pictures and go back to Canterlot on hoof
*No One POV*
In the training grounds of the Royal Castle, guards that were off duty were lifting weights, practising moves and looking at the weirdly tall unicorn colt lifting weights.
"So, who is he again?" a pegasus asked his friend.
"Dunno, all I know is that he was pretty damn helpful during the changeling invasion, so nopony really tried to kick him out or something"
"I'd call you a liar if he wasn't bench pressing 800 right now"
"That's not the craziest part, it's the fact that he's using some gravity magic or something right now"
"What? That doesn't even make sense"
"Just look at the ground under him, it's only standing because it's like 2 stories worth of concrete under it, still, it's cracked"
"Ok I wanna call bullshit, how can you prove it's gravity magic"
"Cuz Steel Breaker almost got crushed to death when he walked by"
"Is that why I saw him in the infirmary?"
"Probably"
"Blaze?" A regal voice suddenly called out from the entrance.
All the guards stop what they're doing to greet the princess, but Celestia seemed to solely focus on the only pony still working out.
"What do you want Celestia?" He calmly asked as he set the pole back in it's place.
The guards were shocked at the audacity of the colt, but even more so at the somber look of their princess.
"I, wanted to speak to you"
"Cool, I don't want to" he simply answered as he went towards the entrance.
"Blaze, please"
He simply ignored her as he left the training grounds.
Celestia herself only let out a weary sigh.
"Please, don't let me distract you from whatever you've been doing" she said as she herself exited, leaving the stunned guards to process what they've just seen.
*Calming Blaze POV*
Stupid.
Annoyingly stupid.
The only thought was there as I stared at the statue that's going to be delivered to Ponyville.
I was currently standing with Celestia at the front gates of the castle.
My anger must've showed on my face because Celestia suddenly turned to me.
"Blaze, please, it'll be alright, the girls can handle Discord on their own just fine" she said.
I only rolled my eyes at the thought.
As much as I wanted to go, I'm still not strong enough to do anything against Discord, so leaving mother exposed to danger would simply be foolish.
Speaking of mother, she still hasn't shown signs of waking up.
It's been exactly 83 days since the invasion and the doctor said that it's only guess at this point.
"Whatever" I give out a response before heading back to the training grounds.
It's been, a full 100 days since the invasion.
Mother is currently placed in the bed of the guestroom.
Said that the bed is more comfortable for her body or something.
She's hooked up to a drip or whatever that's called.
A heart monitor, I know that one.
As I'm currently seated beside her bed, I carefully watch to see if there's even the slightest of movement.
It's hard.
My eyes keep getting heavier, day by day.
Lu talked to me about worrying for my lack of dreams recently.
Said something about sleeping at night.
Lately my mind keeps wandering off, thinking of the most random things.
I also keep forgetting a lot of things.
Some words here and there, some important, some not.
The sound of the door opening catches my attention.
Walking in was Celestia.
Lu's probably asleep right about now.
I've been seeing bags under her eyes lately.
"Blaze" she said as she stared right at me.
I return her gaze as she narrowed her eyes.
"When's the last time you've slept?" she asked with a serious voice.
"About 5 hours ago" I answered without thinking.
"You were working out 5 hours ago"
"Must've been 6 then"
"You started 17 hours ago and only stopped an hour ago"
"I stopped in the middle"
"A meal doesn't count, when did you last sleep, for an actually healthy amount?"
Hmm.
I guess I've been cutting on sleep.
It was pretty normal in my other life though.
I was only sleeping for an hour every 2 days since stopping for too long tended to get me spotted.
Or was it the other way around?
Is that a crack in the wall?
I should ask somepony to fix that.
Wait, it's Celestia's place, so I should tell her about it then.
"Blaze!" her voice suddenly pulled me back to reality again.
Right, I was in a conversation.
"Blaze, go to sleep, and I mean real sleep, not an hour power nap. You're pushing yourself too hard"
"Bullshit"
"Don't fucking dismiss it like you've done to my other words, you need to rest"
Wow.
She actually cussed?
Wait, did she ever cuss before this?
She probably has right?
I mean, she's older than known history right now so, she has to have said something before right?
Not that I think about it, how old is she?
Hmm.
I can't say.
Oh, my vision is dark right now.
Did somepony close the curtains?
Eh, I'll figure it out later.
Author's Note
Sorry this chapter is kinds short, I just took an IELTS tests and that pretty much took the whole day to take care of.
Other than that, let me know what you think of this chapter I wrote on the go.
*Calming Blaze POV*
"Much troubles you have found for your mind, so it is me that you have come to find"
"Yes, I was hoping you knew how to deal with comas caused by changelings"
I was currently inside the Everfree, talking to Zecora the zebra
"Let us move somewhere more homely, to discuss this over some tea"
"Fine"
With that, we went towards her home.
It's been barely a day after the last incident.
Since Celestia and Lu were back, I decided to pay the zebra a visit.
Though, I didn't find much luck.
"With this tea to create pleasantry, please tell me what your issue may be"
"My mother, she was drained of her emotions by changelings and has fallen into a coma, she hasn't woken up after a hundred days and the doc said he can't do anything, so I came to ask if you can help"
She nodded with a sagely look as she sipped her tea.
"Changelings are quite notorious, for their magic is quite insidious. It is a difficult task you have brought, for everything I do will be for naught" she said in an apologetic tone.
"It's fine, thanks for hearing me out at least" I say with a sigh as I turn to leave after finishing my tea.
Well, I lost nothing but a bit more hope.
After the meeting with Zecora, I decided to finally have a meeting with the alicorns about the other world.
I've held it for enough time yeah?
"So, what is this meeting about Blaze?" Twilight asked as I came into Celestia's room.
I gave her a blank look as I stared at her.
How the fuck did I miss this.
"Was I sleeping during this?" I ask all three of them with slight shock.
Twilight, was a fucking alicorn now.
Wings and all.
"Yes, you were in deep slumber whilst she was ascending" Celestia said with a slightly amused tone.
"Can we hurry this up? I've just finished my shift, so I would like to get some rest" Lu stated while drinking a pot of coffee.
"Right, uh, where's Cadence?" I ask.
"She couldn't make it all the way from the Crystal Empire" Celestia explained.
"Alright, doesn't matter, you can tell her later, for now, I need you three to listen carefully alright?"
"Is this related to why you're always injured somehow?" Twilight asked.
"No, well, yes, but that's beside the point"
"Whatever do you mean? This is a matter of the highest importance" Lu interrupted.
"Look, girls, can you stop interrupting me?" I ask with an annoyed face.
Getting the affirmative nods, I finally got to tell them about the other world.
"So, there's another world, and their me is some sort of tyrannical conqueror that's trying to engage our world in war"
The three stare at me for quite a while.
First, Lu just nods with a calm expression whilst drinking her coffee, pretty sure she didn't even bother to understand since she's too tired.
Second, Celestia finally got a thoughtful look on her face as she fully processed the information.
Third, Twilight fully processed the information, then she started murmuring, then started pacing and the finally, started hyperventilating.
Well, good thing they don't think I've gone mad.
"Then, we must start preparations as soon as possible" Celestia said seriously while trying to calm down Twilight.
"First, I'll need you three to meet another pony, try not to freak out" I say as I teleport to a guest room.
"Didn't you learn any manners?" Chrysalis asked as she was laying on the bed.
"No time, I need you to meet and explain a few things with Celestia, Luna and Twilight"
"Who's Twilight?"
"A new alicorn, now come on" I say as I float her to me and teleport back, but outside the door this time.
The guards were shocked to say the least, but let me in nonetheless.
Opening the door slightly, I clear my throat to get their attention.
Their ears perk up as they turn to look at me.
"Alright you three, I'm going to need you to fully prepare yourselves first, I don't want you attacking an ally because of a misunderstanding" I calmly explain.
"Understandable" Celestia said.
Twilight also eased down whilst Lu just fell asleep.
Celestia gave me a nod, telling me to act.
I nod back and fully push the door open, revealing Chrysalis, much to their surprise.
"Good afternoon" Chrysalis greeted calmly.
Twilight stared in complete shock as Celestia had a full scowl on her face.
Then, with a look of enlightenment, Celestia carefully opened her mouth.
"You're from the other world, aren't you?" she asked.
Twilight just stared as she contemplated something.
"Yes" she answered with a dry voice.
"Then, are you a traitor?"
"Nopony, and I do mean, nopony, from that side could be called a traitor, that psychopath is a tyrant who's controlling every being"
"I see"
"Wait" Twilight interjected, "You said that the other Blaze is controlling everypo-uh, every being, do you know how?"
"He's using Nightmare Moon" she dropped that fact.
We all grimaced at the thought.
"Are you sure he's not under her influence?" I ask.
"Positive, Nightmare Moon's consciousness is trapped inside Tartarus, I don't know how, but he stripped her of her powers and is now using it for himself"
Damn it.
I had hoped, that I could just free him.
Nothing's ever that easy huh?
"Any other information we could use?" Twilight asked with hope.
She thought for a few seconds.
"He corrupted some gems of extreme power and uses it as a power source, he'll also have changelings in his army, both from my hive, and from your Chrysalis"
Annoying.
"Alright ponies, an interdimensional war is upon us, I hope you can see the severity of the situation" I announce as stand up.
"What's our first course of action?" Celestia asked.
"We'll need to gather troops and prepare them for combat. We'll send troops to cities like Manehattan and Los Pegasus to recruit. Twilight, I'll need you and the elements to be ready at all times, so head to Ponyville and hold fort" she leaves with a nod and a flash of light. "Chrysalis, can you beat your double?" She nods with a furious expression. "Good, head to the Badlands and take over, we'll need all the power we can get. Celestia, you'll head to the Dragon Lands to negotiate with King Torch for an allegiance, he'll bend if you tell him the full truth, send a message to The Crystal Empire before you go"
"Yes" she says as she pulls out a scroll and feather.
"Lu, I'll need you to head to Griffonstone for a call to arms" she nods after downing her coffee.
"And what will you be doing?" Celestia asked as her letter turned to smoke and went away.
"I'll take care of training the troops and protecting the Capital" I say as I turn to them all.
"Stay safe, we don't know what may happen"
With that, they all go their own ways as I walk out the door.
Whipping ponies to shape is pretty easy.
As long as you have experience that is.
Author's Note
I just made this chapter while in class.
Although short, I hope you guys like the fast uploads.
*Calming Blaze POV*
I'm currently sat at the top of the mountain Canterlot hangs off of with rings of fire around me.
I close my eyes concentrating, letting my magic guide the flames.
Interestingly enough, these flames can't do harm, even if I tried to.
Expanding the flames, I diversify it, creating more and more rings floating in the area around me.
Shape it, control it and make it do whatever benefits me the most.
For now, it's opening small tunnels for breathable air.
A trace of magic however, interrupts my training as I go up to the surface to check.
Walking out of the pond, I peer down at Canterlot as I feel the magic signatures of every single pony.
Nothing different.
Broadening my senses, I look towards the sky.
The smallest of small portals.
It, however, was not small anymore as it sucked in more and more magic.
Gulping, I take a deep breath as I stare at the scene.
"CITIZENS! EVACUATE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! EVACUATE THE CAPITAL! GUARDS! PRIORITIZE CIVILIAN SAFETY!" I yell with the Royal Canterlot Voice as I prepare a teleport spell.
But it didn't work.
I tried to teleport inside the castle, but there was an interference with my imagery.
I'm blocked from going inside the castle?
The one where mother is?
Before I even recovered from that thought, I was already in the air, falling down towards Canterlot at great speed.
Landing, I broke the floor under me as I stared straight at the castle.
Leaving a shockwave, I rush towards the castle as fast as I can, knocking down a building or two on the way.
All around me, ponies were running around, trying to leave as fast as they could.
That portal kept growing.
It was already as big as the castle, soon enough, it'll be bigger than the mountain.
I reached the doors of the castle, crashing it open on the way.
Where are the guards?
I was out for only 10 minutes and the castle is empty.
I stopped as I was right under mother's room.
Jumping up, I break the floor as I scan the area.
As the dust from the broken floor settles, I glare intensely at my double.
"You're much lowlier than I had thought" I comment as I stare at him.
"Can you blame me?" he turned around as he grinned with monstrously sharp teeth.
His mane had changed to a dark violet as it flew in the air.
The countless stars inside practically boasted of another universe.
His tail had the same pattern as it flowed from magic, freely showing a normal golden crown next a purple moon on light blue blob as a cutie mark.
Most importantly, was a floating longsword that stayed sideways, a breath away from mother's neck.
"You know that's your mother right?" I try to reason.
"Nah, what mother wouldn't recognize their child?" he said with an insane smile.
Why did he turn out like this?
What was the difference between us?
"Alright, she's in a coma right now, so what good is this going to do?" I try again.
Even if we fight, I need to take it away from here.
"Oh, you know, just take away your chances of ever seeing her again" he said as his blade lowered, just slightly.
The action earned a flinch from me as I stared at the line of blood going down mother's neck.
He laughed silently at my display.
"You have so much to learn you know? You can't fight wars with a weak mentality like that" he said as if he's departing me divine knowledge.
I stayed silent, trying not to aggravate the guy.
"Hmm?" he let out a sound as he tilted his head.
The sword dropped the slightest bit as he smiled creepily at me.
"You should talk when a pony speaks to you, you know?" he asked with that psychotic look again.
"I guess I should" I gulped dry air. "What do you want? I thought you were going for revenge, but your actions tell me something different"
He squealed at my question.
"Oh, I'm sorry, it's just that, it's been SO long since I had a stand off like this you know? It's so boring with nothing but puppets around me" he said in a woeful tone as he put his right hoof on his head dramatically.
"Sorry, but I haven't been in that situation before" I answer carefully.
"Say, how did you become an alicorn? I mean, it's only right that me, even if from another world, just HAS to be an alicorn, or at least SOME kind of god, and don't lie or you know what'll happen" his tone shifted from amused to flat in an instant.
"I, forced it, I overloaded myself with magic and lived"
Tch, I'm giving away too much info, but he has mother by the throat.
"Interesting, just by yourself? No artifacts? No help from outside sources?"
"None" I answer whilst looking around the room.
Anything that can help the situation.
He suddenly lifted his right hoof, and put it on the sword.
His expression turned from interested to angry.
"Is this distracting you from our conversation? Should we have a chat later?" he said as he glared at me.
"No, it's fine, I thought I heard a sound" I lie to play along with him.
His glare faded instantly as that creepy grin donned his face again.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah"
He stared for a few seconds.
"Alright" he cheerfully accepted, "Now, back to what we were talking about, my reason for visiting is quite simple, I'm the most powerful being in two universes, so why not start conquering others as well? That's where you come in, we'll make an interdimensional empire, with me at the top because this is my idea, but you can be my right hoof pony" he presented to me as he put his hoof around my neck.
"Makes sense I suppose, though, I have to ask, why? And didn't you tell me that you were going to win a war against me or something inside the hospital?"
"Oh that's water under the bridge" he playfully said as he took a few steps away from me.
He turned to me with his hoof raised.
"Now, do you accept?"
I gulped dry air for the nth time as I processed everything he said to me.
"Yes" I answer with conviction as I shake his hoof.
His face now held a genuine smile of happiness as we shake hooves.
I fake a smile as I wait for it to end.
His sword disappears into thin air as he prepares a portal.
Great, he could have killed mother from any range at any time.
With a hop, he suddenly turned to me.
That psychotic smile on his face.
"You know, I've been thinking, for this long minute while we were talking, 'what would happen if this guy actually accepted the deal?'" his speech turned a tone crazier.
"Yeah, what about it?" I ask with my fake smile.
His eyes narrowed further, turning into the tiniest slits while his two different eyes glowed with magic.
"You'd be lying" with that, he jumped through the portal as it closed right after him.
I nervously looked around as I spread my senses, trying to see if there's a bomb or something.
Then I notice, I couldn't sense outside of the room.
With a punch, I break open a wall as my senses suddenly turn chaotic.
My entire body screamed at me to run as I looked up towards the source.
Right through the portal, was a device as large as Mount Everhoof, hooked up to 5 familiar gems as a truly ridiculous amount of magic gathered at the tip of it.
I grabbed mother and tried to teleport, but that was nullified, making me spit out a mouthful of blood.
Unhooking her from everything, I held her as I tried to jump out through the wall I made, but a light blue barrier surrounded the entire room.
I couldn't unlock it.
I couldn't break it open.
I nervously glance at the device now aimed at the room I was in.
There was a cone of sorts, making sure that the blast would come down to me with its full concentrated power.
Weighing my options, I put mother under me as I put a barrier above us, as strong as I possibly can.
Pouring in more magic, my veins suffer some damage from the amount of ambient magic I'm pulling to finish the barrier.
The barrier was solid, enough power to hold its own against multiple tier 10 spells.
Then, the blast came.
*BOOM*
Even from the far lands of Griffonstone, one could see and feel the giant beam coming down from the sky.
My eyes get blinded from the sheer amount of magic being used.
The barrier isn't going to hold.
I breathe heavily as I looked at my unconscious mother.
It was taking a ridiculous amount of effort to keep the barrier going.
But it's not enough.
Barely even 10 seconds later, the first cracks were showing.
My horn was starting to burn out from the overuse of magic.
My veins were hurting again.
Then, as time seemed to slow down for just a second, I felt the barrier shatter as the sound of glass breaking was heard.
Soon enough, searing pain started from my back as it travelled down.
I screamed.
Nopony could hear it, not even me, but I screamed at the top of my lungs as the pain enveloped me entirely.
My entire body felt like it was burning whilst being pierced by millions of needles, but death never seemed to come as I stayed awake with sheer willpower.
Don't close your eyes.
Don't stop breathing.
Then you'll make it, somehow.
As that old mantra was read inside my head, I could feel my skin being scorched off.
My muscles were being shredded to pieces.
My bones were being grinded.
My organs were being burnt away.
Yet I lived.
I felt the same sensations over and over again.
The same muscles burned.
The same bones rattled.
The same organs crushed.
Again, then again.
I lived.
At some point, the attack stopped.
I couldn't hear anything.
I couldn't see anything.
I could only feel.
And all I felt was pain for a while.
I couldn't feel parts of my body.
Then, slowly, very slowly, those senses returned.
First, my hooves.
Then, my ears.
Finally, my eyes.
It felt weird.
Everything sounded a bit muffled.
My vision was orange and red
Still, I turned my head to check my body.
It was on fire, the parts that were injured and the parts that were gone.
As I looked at my right front hoof, I saw that the end was on fire as it slowly grew.
The flames, they're not your enemy.
As my vision slowly returned to its normal state, I looked down.
Dirt.
I tried to take a deep breath as I looked around.
I was in a crater with nothing but burnt dirt.
My breath shortened, I couldn't take in air.
My head hurts, I hold it with my still burning hooves.
I'm slightly shaking.
I close my eyes as a stinging pain comes from nowhere.
I can't see anything.
I can't feel anything.
I can only hear my breathing and my heart beat rising to a stupidly high degree.
My eyes feel wet.
I failed.
What happened.
Why am I alive?
Random thoughts ran through my head as I tried to think of everything logically.
But my mind was too scrambled to focus.
I can't put these thoughts into order.
Soon enough, my senses start to get numb.
I can't breathe.
I need to breathe.
WHY CAN'T I BREATHE?!
With that last thought, everything blacked out.
*Calming Blaze POV*
I keep running.
All around me, nothing but darkness.
Yet I could feel exactly what's inside of it.
Even in the darkness, I could still see my body.
I only know, that I must get away from it.
I run, and run, towards nothing.
It seemed hopeless, but I kept running.
And running.
And running.
I ran for a long time.
Then I ran.
My lungs hurt from exertion.
Yet I ran.
Then my hooves hurt.
But I kept running.
I ran, and run, until I finally saw light.
I used strength I didn't know I had.
Running faster, and faster than I had ever found myself to be moving.
Eventually, I saw the source.
The yellow mare with an orange mane.
The kitchen knife cutie mark was proudly displayed as she looked away from me.
I ran, and ran faster.
She felt like she always moved farther than me.
Yet I kept running, and running.
After a long, long time.
My body was reaching its limits, but I pushed myself.
And finally reached her.
With a leap, I hugged her, but I couldn't feel it.
Realizing something was wrong, I opened my closed eyes and stared.
Nothing.
My breathing quickened.
Looking down at my hooves, I could see the bright red hooves, coated with dust and ashes.
Memories resurfaced.
Feelings remembered.
Despair.
That was all I felt as I kept staring at the ashes on my hooves.
My face blank as the darkness grew on my body.
"Who even cares?" I mutter as I sit inside the dark, wallowing in my own sadness.
"That would be me" I hear a familiar voice sound out as the darkness around me disappear.
I raise my head to look at the blue alicorn invading my dreams.
"Do you have to?" I simple ask with a monotone voice as my face falls into a comfortable blank.
She had a sad look on her face as she kept staring at me.
"Blaze" she said with a somber tone.
"Yeah?"
She stayed silent for a few seconds as she kept staring at me.
She opened and closed her mouth several times as my face stayed impassive.
With a sigh, she sat next to me as she pulled me in with her wings.
I would've normally done something, but I don't really care right now.
The world around us changed as I just stayed in her embrace.
The ground changed to soft grass as the sound of a calm sea surrounds us.
Weird flowers grew from the ground, acting as a shield of sorts from a bright moon in the sky.
"Thanks" I silently mutter as my body grew heavier.
"It's what friends are for" her muffled reply came in as my eyes fully closed.
Yeah.
I guess so.
She's pretty fluffy.
As random thoughts swirl around my head, my senses eventually turn dull.
My eyes slowly open as a full white ceiling comes into my vision.
An annoying beeping sound is present.
My body was full of bandages.
I'm not even in any pain though.
Useless.
It's scratchy.
I tear it all off as I keep staring at the ceiling.
I turn to the side as I now face a window.
A constant breeze is coming from the opened part.
There was the sun in the sky, so peaceful.
The rays were annoying though, shining into my eyes.
I block it with my wing as I feel slight hunger.
Eh, don't feel like eating.
I should turn around to face away from the sun.
I'll do it later.
As I contemplated whether moving my body would be worth it or not, the door opens to reveal a very tired Celestia.
"Blaze, thank Faust you're awake" she said with relief.
"I guess" I simply answered.
I finally turn to her as my wing falls down weakly.
I must look weird, having one wing folded in while the other is limp.
She seemed slightly shocked as she stared at me with bewildered eyes.
After a few seconds, she moved to stand right before me as something followed behind her.
Oh, her horn is lit.
A cardboard box, half my size, floated from behind her and onto my hooves which I reached out with.
"Given your tastes, from a few examples" she muttered that last part, "I thought this will be your liking, I made it myself" she finished as she had a nervous smile on her face.
The top part of the box floated off with a golden aura.
Inside the box, a triple layered cake stood proudly as a large bottle was placed in an angle in the middle.
I look at her with a raised eyebrow as sweat starts forming on her forehead.
"I thought it would make for a good gift" she said as her shoulders sagged and her smile dropped.
"It's thoughtful, thanks" I say as I cut into the cake.
She lets out a breath of relief, thinking I didn't realize that she ate half the cake with that excuse.
Or maybe it's something else.
Biting into a slice, I feel my stomach growl a bit at food.
"It's pretty good" I compliment calmly as I eat at a normal pace.
Holding my slice with magic, I float over a slice to her as I clean off the bottle.
It was old enough not to have any indication of its origins as the brown liquid was fermented inside.
An ancient looking design.
As the taste of vanilla dominates my mouth, I stare out the window, noticing a pretty peculiar sight.
Going into the lower layer, I take a bigger slice as Celestia helps some for herself.
Chocolate.
A choice as old as time but is always the gold winning choice.
Although the window isn't that high, it still prevented me from seeing the ground.
What's there that's glowing brighter than the Sun right now?
Ignoring the rest of the second layer, which was gone not that long after, I dig into the bottom layer.
With the chocolate coating out of the way, I stared at the red colored cake with white cream fillings.
"What's this flavor?" I asked nonchalantly.
She swallows what was in her mouth as she drinks a cup of tea.
Where the fuck?
"That is called 'Red Velvet' cake, it's quite popular for its mild cocoa flavor with a slightly tart edge" she answered with slight pride.
Taking a bite, I reveled in the taste as my mood was lifted up by several levels.
I just found my new favorite cake flavor.
It seems my sudden lift in mood was noticed by Celestia as she stared at me with a slightly relieved gaze.
Anyways, after a few minutes of calm eating and a conversation here and there, I speak up.
"You might wanna check up on Ponyville, something tells me it's not something they'll solve on their own" I say as I go to open the bottle of bourbon that sounded amazing right now.
"What?" she tilts her head slightly in confusion as she moves towards the window.
Her face gets blank as she stares in shock for about half a minute.
More than enough time for me to take a deep gulp of sweet bourbon.
"What in Faust's name?" she mutters to herself which finally caught my interest.
"What is it?" I say as I stand next to Celestia.
I too, get a blank face as I stare at Ponyville.
"Did a very gaudy and rich pony get control of Ponyville?" I ask as I look at the utter disaster that is Ponyville.
It was made out of different kinds of precious materials as the road shined a full gold.
"So, you gonna ask anypony to mine out some of the gold?" I ask Celestia as I take another gulp of the bourbon.
She, very calmly, facehooves, with both hooves, creating a small shockwave, whilst the rest of her body didn't move, at all.
After staying like that for a few seconds, grabs the bottle from my magic and takes a large gulp before galloping out of the room with a goodbye.
Wait.
"The Bourbon!" I shout after her.
As only silence returned, I was about to give chase, but the half empty bottle appeared in front of me with a flash of light.
As I grab the bottle, I look towards the window again.
"Eh, I'm sure somepony will handle it" I say as I take another gulp and go back to bed.
As I stay in bed, I aimlessly stare at the ceiling as I wait for the feeling of sleep to take me.
Ugh, the discomfort.
Suddenly, the bed didn't feel as good as it was when I woke up.
"Whatever, I needed to piss anyway" I silently complain as I get off the bed, after turning off the annoying machine.
Opening an extra door in the room, I enter the bathroom as I head to the toilet.
Hmm.
When's the last time I brushed my teeth?
Actually, what is today's date even?
I'm getting knocked out too much lately.
Should I take a shower?
Eh, who cares.
I wash my hooves and step out of the bathroom as Lu walks in.
"Blaze! How are you feeling?" she asked with a worried expression.
"Dandy, a little numb from drinking, but I'm fine"
"Is that so?" She said in a somber tone.
"Pretty much" I say as I crack my neck. "We should get ready to leave"
She tilted her head at that.
"You already know about that?"
"Yeah, that much dirt magic is gonna be hard to undo, so Celestia will probably ask us while she takes care of paperwork"
"What do you mean?"
"Was, there something else I should know about?"
"Well, a few"
We state at each other for a few seconds as she contemplated her next words.
"So?" I ask after the silence.
"So you know how after you sent us to gather allies, there was the giant laser coming from the sky?" She asked with a nervous smile.
"Yeah?" I just raised my eyebrow at that.
"Well, we had to try and keep moral Higher, so eventually, it was decided that we reveal you to be an alicorn" she finished as she kept diverting her eyes.
"But I'm not one" I simply state.
It was true, I only have the appearance of one.
"Well, you don't have to prove it, just do a little magic and it'll be fine" she said as her shoulders sagged a bit. "Sorry"
"It's fine" I say as I give her a head pat and move towards the half empty bottle, leaving behind a flushed princess.
"I'm not a filly!" she complained after waking up as her front hooves flailed in the air.
I simply stay quiet as I stare at her pout.
No matter what she says, she's pretty adorable.
With a slam, the door opens as Celestia walks in, somehow looking like she aged 50 more years.
"Good afternoon Tia" Lu gave a greeting.
"Yes, good afternoon Luna" she gave her own greeting as she stared at me with a slightly uncomfortable look.
"Blaze, how okay are you right now?" She asked.
"I should be able to help with the golden dirt" I state as Lu just has a confused look.
"Golden dirt? Why have I not heard about this?" She asked after a few seconds.
"Ponyville" me and Celestia say at the same time.
"Oh" she had an understanding expression.
"Well, if you're confident, I want you and Luna to go and reverse the spells cast in Ponyville, I would've asked Cadence, but she's also busy putting out a evacuation plan in case of an attack"
"Sure, it'll also help with that alicorn thing anyway"
"Ah, yes, the alicorn thing, I apologize for that, and also for not holding a coronation before an incident like this" she finished with an apologetic tone as I simply shrugged.
"It's fine" I simply state as I take another gulp of bourbon.
Huh.
I'm really not feeling the effects.
Well that's a bit sad.
If I can't get drunk, what's the point of drinking.
"Alright, let's leave" I announce as I put down the empty bottle on the stand and move towards the window.
"Take a shower first" Celestia calmly says as she leaves the room.
"Is it that bad?" I ask Lu after Celestia left.
She took a step closer and took a sniff, then immediately back peddled.
"I'd say it's a maybe, but you should, just to be safe yeah?" She nervously says as I already start moving towards the bathroom.
*Calming Blaze POV*
I sit up with a jump as I'm instantly woken from my slumber.
Tossing away basic decency, I teleport to Celestia's room just as she wakes up with a gasp.
Lu throws the doors open as she walks in.
"Are you two alright?" she asked.
"I'm fine, I just had a terrible nightmare"
"Same here, but I think we all know what it is" I say.
"Yes, we must hurry, the longer we wait, the stronger he gets" Celestia said.
I simply nod as I head back to my room.
*Sigh*
What extra thing will I have to deal with when Tirek comes?
CAN I even deal with it?
Releasing a short breath, I slap myself, getting a weird look from a nearby guard.
"I'll win, a single loss means nothing" I encourage myself as I head to bed.
"FUCK!" I yell in frustration as I punch a boulder, which turns to thousands of shards.
Currently, I'm outside the town of Appleloose, looking over the fallen residents.
After helping and questioning the civilians, I've gotten a few interesting facts.
"THAT ANNOYING PRICK, I SHOULD'VE PUT HIS ASS IN TARTARUS THE MOMENT I SAW HIM!" I shout as I use the Royal Voice without realizing it.
Discord, has betrayed Equestria, and is currently helping the escapee Tirek.
"AND I CAN'T FIND THOSE ASSHOLES, BECAUSE DISCORD, IS DISCORD"
Annoying.
I've wasted a full day, chasing trace after trace, and all I find are ponies who have had their magic stolen.
At this point, I've visited most populations in Equestria, INCLUDING, the Crystal Empire.
Annoying, doesn't even BEGIN to explain my frustration right now.
A few more hours, and Tirek will be close to unstoppable.
And having an alicorn fight him, would be incredibly stupid, knowing EXACTLY what he can do.
That's why, I was sent out to deal with him before he got strong enough, but FUCKING DISCORD.
For now, there's only Ponyville and Canterlot left.
As I look to the sky, I get slightly worried.
"What is she doing?" I say as I observe the sun, which was being shakily raised after the moon, which was also lowered in the same way.
I try to teleport to Canterlot, but failed.
"What?" I say in confusion as I look at the falling confetti around me.
With my hoof raised, I turn and throw a punch, which was stopped by barrier made of pure chaos magic.
I frown as the barrier turned to a slime like substance and started climbing my hoof.
Using a bit of magic, I cast a tier 10 dispel, exploding the magic.
A claw reached out from thin air and grabbed my neck from front.
I break it with a hoof raise, turning it to stone as my body told me to duck.
Almost flattening my body, I dodge a giant cupcake as I finally turn around to stare at the attacker.
"There you are, abomination of nature" I spat with venom as I glared at him.
"Now that's not very nice, is it?" he said with a nonchalant attitude as a small frown came on his face.
"It wasn't supposed to be" I say as I fully prepare to kill him.
"Well, that's not why I'm here-" interrupting him, I leap at him with enough speed to meet the sound barrier, destroying the ground beneath me.
He turns into bubbles at the last second.
A snapping sound was heard, and I found myself stuck in a goo of multiple colors.
Raising my front hooves, I break through and slam at the ground, exploding the goo away.
He opened his mouth to say something, but I shot a burst of magic at him.
His head split to dodge it, before combining back.
Tch.
I can't beat him.
I couldn't, even if I was the old me.
Even if I could dispel his magic, I'd need to be about twice as fast as sound just to even touch him.
We stand still as we glare at each other.
"This isn't personal" he says as he snaps his fingers as chains burst from the ground, holding onto me.
Grunting, I try to break it, or at least loosen the chains, but I find myself to be slowly losing strength.
Right before blacking out, I saw him snap his fingers once more, transporting me into an unfamiliar place.
I awake with a startle, looking around the area I was in.
I try to stand up, but get reminded of my bindings.
Crashing into the ground for umpteenth time, I finally give up with a sigh and look around the area I was in.
I was trapped on top of a pillar made from ice cream.
I took a bit out of it, finding out that it just regrows in half a second, also it's mint chocolate.
The cold doesn't bother me, but rather the bindings.
With chains wrapping almost every corner of my body, I'm only left with being able to move my head 90 degrees.
I try to use my magic, but the small weight on my horn tells me that I can't.
I stare off into the vast world of Discord's whims, finding it to ignore literally every single law of science.
The only thing that followed even the slightest bit of logic were my bindings.
Guess he couldn't think of anything chaotic that would hold me for long.
Then, it breaks.
"What?" I mutter as I stand up.
The chains that held me were broken, turned to dust.
The chaotic world turned static, like its owner was disconnected.
"Oh" I let out a sound as I look around.
Without a waypoint, I can't teleport out.
I have no idea, where in the universe this is.
Though, looking around, I can sense something that might give me an idea.
As a grin grows on my face, I open my veins once again, taking in the ambient magic.
Overloading.
A simple, but dangerous technique created by the late commander Twilight Sparkle to fight against the Nightmare army.
Magic flows from the heart and through ones bloodstream and nervous system as it reaches every part of their body.
To perform this technique, one would draw in as magic as possible from the area, then forcefully run it around with your own magic, strengthening your body by an astounding amount.
But what would happen if the ambient magic was, chaotic?
As the chaotic world loses its color, one pony floats up as his body bursts in fire.
With a maniacal laugh, he opens his eyes to reveal swirls of flames.
His mane and tail, burns with a righteous fury.
His grin turned beastly.
His body glowed as one could see the fire burning inside him.
His wings were lined with golden fire.
His horn turned sharp and long, fully adorned with markings that resembled flames.
His body grew to a great height, fully surpassing the Canterlot castle.
His cutie disappeared, leaving a blank space.
He stared at his hooves as he scanned every inch of the world, the chaotic magic obeying his every order.
It feels, different, it's happy following me, unlike normal magic, when it gets irritated, destroying the body trying to escape.
As my grin slowly becomes bigger, I lift my right hoof in front of me.
With a swipe, I open a portal as I see the red centaur.
He turns towards me with an irritated expression as I slowly emerge from the portal.
"What is this, I thought Discord dealt with you already?" he angrily said.
He's so tall.
"And why do you look like that?" he continued as I stared at him.
He's powerful, but weaker than me.
But how did he get so powerful?
'Alicorn magic' the chaotic magic swirling around told me.
Anger fills me as I glare at the centaur.
"I WILL TEAR YOU, LIMB FROM LIMB AND HANG YOU IN THE DEEPEST PARTS OF TARTARUS, MYSELF" I loudly announce as I lunge at him.
Moving while meeting the sound barrier, I jump and prepare my hoof for a punch.
He moves quickly, blasting magic at me.
I was already behind him as his magic hit a scone of ice cream.
Loading the magic into my right hoof, I punch.
A giant shockwave emerges as Tirek is launched far away.
As a manic smile climbs my face, I swipe my hoof down from above me, grabbing a zipper.
Pulling it down, I enter the crack in space to appear in the path of the flying centaur.
With a wave of my horn, I bring up a giant wall made out of diamond.
As he crashed through it, the wall turned into thousands of shards.
I took a bite of a diamond shard, smiling gleefully at the taste of red velvet.
"You know, I was worried about you for NO reason at all" I tease as I knock on his forehead.
He tries to swat me, only hitting a pile of glue that stuck his hand to his forehead.
"AGH" he screams in anger as I block my ears with cotton candy.
He suddenly lunges at me.
I take a moment to stuff the cotton candy back into my ears before a small sign that spelled 'stop' manifested in between us.
He crashed into the sign, breaking one of his horns.
"Jeez, don't you know how to read?" I ask him with a grin as I start drinking a water of glass.
He tried to rush me again, shooting a blast of magic at me on the way.
I just split my body in half to dodge the blast and the milk at him, causing an explosion of ice cream that stopped him in his tracks.
I lift both my hooves as I squinted my eyes, staring at my hooves holding the horizon.
With a turn, the world turns upside down, before I turn it back right up, leaving Tirek to crash into the ground from quite a large height.
Staring at the downed Tirek, a crazy thought occurs to me.
If Tirek is holding the magic of everypony in Equestria, and I beat Tirek this easily, doesn't that mean that I'm pretty strong?
So strong that in fact, I could do anything I want.
YES, I AM A GOD.
I COULD DO ANYTHING I WANT, AND NOPONY CAN STOP ME.
With a wave of my hoof, I turn the skies to my orange, the rivers turn to milkshakes, the ground to jelly.
As I was making changes to this boring world, a ridiculous amount of magic emerges behind me.
I turn around, expecting to see the other me, but it wasn't.
The Mane 6?
Why are they here?
And why are they staring at me?
"Why do you guys look so different?" I ask curiously.
The girls however, just look at me with angry looks.
Wait.
Why would they?
But I didn't do anything wrong.
Did I?
Then, am I?
Am I a villain?
As thoughts flooded my mind, Tirek suddenly grabs me with his hands.
Without being able to resist, I get my magic taken away as I slowly black out.
Before I'm out, I see Tirek blasting a huge amount of magic, but that was measly compared to the power of the girls.
A relieved smile appears on my face as I free fall towards the ground.
I guess it ended with no problems.
Though, what was the other me doing?
Eh, I'll deal with him later.
*Calming Blaze POV*
Ugh.
As soon as I regain consciousness, I stand up before my eyes could even open, prompting me to almost fall down again.
Looking around, it seemed, normal.
Green grass.
Blue sky.
A gorge.
Right.
The girls did their thing.
I guess, I came here for no reason huh?
Shaking my head, I turn to check on my body.
"Good" I mutter.
The condition of my body was good, exceptional, even.
No pain.
No missing body parts.
No cutie mark.
...
I froze for a few seconds as I fully processed the information my eyes told me.
Turning my head back, I check my flank once again.
"It's gone"
It disappeared whenever I used overloading, but it always returned after.
Strangely enough, I don't feel much about it.
A little relieved, not angry, nor panic.
Just relieved.
"Strange" I mutter as I cast a simple disguise spell to make the appearance of having it, and look like a unicorn.
I wouldn't have it, just looked like I did.
Not entirely understanding the reason for my internal feelings, I decide to head down the gorge to see what happened.
Casting a teleport, I affirmed a feeling from earlier.
A normal teleport feels like your body is forcibly removed from the world, then brought back in your desired location.
But right then, it felt like I was gently carried.
The normal nauseating feeling was gone and I used less amounts of magic for it.
"It feels different" I say to myself as I appear from the ground and in front of a crystal tree.
The magic felt, easier.
It listened to me, but it was different than chaos magic.
Chaos magic listened to anypony, so that it could corrupt them, a guess.
But I'm pulling Equestrian magic, just magic itself.
It follows me, not from obedience, not from fear, but something else.
I could feel the very emotions of it.
As I looked around the area, my vision was filled with particles of magic as it all vibrated slightly.
Most flocked around the crystal tree, but also around me.
Looking at the way they acted, it felt, familiar.
Respect?
I silently approached the tree, but was blocked by the particles of magic.
As if reading my mind, the particles moved away, giving me a clear line of sight at the tree.
Six cutie marks made out of crystals stuck out in the branches with Twilight's one being in the middle.
Looking at its trunk, it had a sun and a moon engraved into it.
Then finally, slightly below the moon, was a fire.
Not a great fire, just a simple light.
A shape you would find on top of a campfire.
"Weird" I mutter as I finally decide to leave.
*No One POV*
As 3 of the 4 princesses of Equestria, one draconequus and one dragon approach a castle made of crystal and the six mares in front of it, something stops them.
In the ground, a circle of fire appeared, then very quickly rose to a small pillar before disappearing, leaving an alicorn in its place.
"Good afternoon ponies" he calmly said.
"Wow" Spike exclaimed while staring with awe.
"Good afternoon" Celestia said with a slightly stunned expression.
"When did you learn to do that?" Luna simply asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Does that hurt?" Cadence asked with a slightly worried expression.
"Oh, Blaze!" Discord nervously chuckled.
"I just learned it, pretty fun, and much easier than normal" he responded with a relaxed attitude.
Then he suddenly looked at Discord, who almost took a step back from guilt.
After a few intense seconds, the others were thinking of interrupting, until Blaze suddenly nodded.
"I used chaos magic, so I'll give you my respect for being able to stay, somewhat sane, while dealing with it" he said before grinning with a chuckle and walking towards the crystal castle.
Discord put his claws on his chest with a flattered expression before following with the others.
"So, are we going to question him about that?" Cadence asked the sisters.
"Nope" they answered together, already used to it.
"Ok then" she said with a blank face.
*Calming Blaze POV*
After a little reunion and questioning of my safety from the girls, we ventured into the castle.
As we walked, Celestia gave a little lecture to Twilight about her role as a princess.
Hmm.
Am I a prince?
Technically, no, since I'm not a real alicorn, but what purpose do I have in life?
I'm, kind of useless.
My knowledge doesn't really help anypony.
The strength I've built over the course of the year isn't nearly enough to stop the villains.
I don't know enough about magic to deal with spells.
I can't even come close to beating the other me.
I don't even have my special talent anymore.
"Blaze? Are you alright?" Lu asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, I'm good, why you ask?" I say calmly.
"Well, it's just that, your eyes looked, kind of hollow" she said with a concerned expression.
Did it?
"I'm fine, I'm just a bit tired is all"
She nods, but she doesn't take her eyes off me.
Looking around, the others seem to have not heard our little discussion.
Good.
I'd rather be useless than drag them down with my little problems.
As we walk further, I try not to think about, stuff, instead focusing on the castle itself.
There's so many rooms.
As we pass by doors upon doors, I notice that we've walked for quite a while with Celestia at the lead.
Hmm.
I open one of the doors slightly, getting a confused look from Lu as I give her a small grin.
After about 10 minutes, we pass by a door that is slightly open and the area looked pretty damn familiar.
She doesn't actually know the way.
With that little victory in my head, I started tuning out everything as I blindly followed the others.
What should I have for dinner today?
Maybe some type of soup?
But what kind?
I could try potato and leek.
What about mushrooms, or broccoli?
Should I have some noodles too?
Hmm.
Can't decide.
Or maybe I should eat out?
Maybe I should make pizza again.
It HAS been a while.
Waking me up, Lu stopped me with a hoof as the sound of impressed gasps ring out.
A big room with a huge door and a bunch of windows.
Six thrones, all adorned with the cutie marks of the girls, and a smaller throne next to Twilight's one.
Most likely for Spike.
The Elements of Harmony.
Is your magic that much more special than normal?
"Pretty good strategy room" I comment as the girls and Spike go to their seats. "A table, preferably with a map, would be perfect right here" I say as I point at the middle.
"The Crown can provide a suitable map should you need it" Lu commented from the side.
"Yeah, that would help a lot actually, I'll write a letter when we get a proper table set up" Twilight told Lu.
Anything after that, was kind of a blur as the girls sang a song about being together.
Frankly, it was quite nice.
As much as I felt like joining in, I held myself back to let the girls have their moment.
With a groan and a stretch, I walk into my room inside the castle.
The moon was high in the sky and Lu has started her job as the dream guardian.
Pinkie Pie threw a pretty big party, resulting in me eating way too much cake.
Curse my sweet tooth.
Finally dropping my disguise, I fully stretch my wings, earning a few popping sounds.
I look at my blank flank, not feeling particularly nervous about it.
Who would've thought that, losing your cutie mark didn't feel that bad.
Letting out a large yawn, I move towards the bed.
Why am I so tired lately?
The particles in the air slowly moved away from me as I lay in my bed.
The window curtain closed without me even using magic.
Closing my eyes, I went into deep slumber.
I open my eyes slowly as I look around the Everfree.
Right, I camped here.
I drop down from a makeshift hammock, landing on the blade like grass.
Not minding the tickling feeling, I nonchalantly move forward.
Passing through some bushes, I grab my bounty.
A rabbit with a sharp stick stuck in its neck.
Loading the trap again, I go back to my encampment.
Grabbing a piece of flint, I strike it with my steel cladded hoof, lighting the wood on fire.
Piercing the rabbit with a long stick, I put it on top of the fire.
I sit in front of the campfire and my soon to be breakfast.
*Clink*
A starving snake pounced at me.
Acting like I didn't notice it, I grab it after he hits my armor.
Stabbing its head with a knife, I pierce it with another stick and put it over the fire.
I calmly sit next to the fire as I slowly watch the oil from the meat drip into the fire.
The flames, its nice.
Fire gives warmth.
Fire lets me eat.
Fire calms me.
As my droopy eyes start to fall down, I can't help but notice a peculiar sight.
The snake, it's alive.
It suddenly looked at me.
I stare back, not really caring about whatever extraordinary phenomenon that's happening.
It suddenly lunges at me.
Feeling threatened, I try to block with my armor, but my body didn't listen.
Time seemed to slow down as I looked at the snake.
Isn't he, awfully familiar?
But where have I?
Ah.
It's Drega.
But, what's he doing here?
Oh, he must be angry at me.
I guess he's right, it was my fault, that he died.
Wasn't it?
The familiar feeling of darkness slowly grew on me as I watched the fangs close in on me.
I could dodge it.
I should, in fact.
"But, what's the point?" I ask myself as I just stare at the fangs.
Then, something interesting happens.
The snake goes through me as particles of fire fill the edge of my vision.
"So I'm not allowed to die?" I ask, slightly angry.
The flames on the campfire grew, swallowing the rabbit, the wood, and the surrounding grass as it approached me.
Not entirely caring, I watch as the fire grows further on my body.
The fire had heat, but not nearly enough to burn.
Interesting.
I chuckle, finding the fact that I find myself burning to be interesting.
I must have gone mad.
I sat down, the warm ground was comfortable.
As I burned, I watched the campfire.
Calming.
It was like it was consoling me.
As much as I wanted to push it away, tell it to stop bothering me, I couldn't.
Slowly, memories began surfacing as I kept watching the campfire.
Mostly bad ones.
Some of me and my soldiers drinking.
Those same men dying.
My enemies becoming paste as I smash them into the ground.
Those same enemies attacking me.
Blood flew.
Dust rose.
Creatures fell.
It was a gruesome sight.
Tears came out as I slowly watched every last being I knew dying.
Even seeing my enemies dying only gave me a sense of emptiness.
Lonely.
Is the word I would use to describe it.
Then came the strong feeling of something else.
Something suffocating.
Other memories were shown.
Memories of ponies, warriors or not.
They all worshipped me as I stood at the frontline of the massive army.
Every single creature of Equestria, gathered together to stop the villains.
And they were all counting on me to stop the bigger ones.
Different images of me killing gods themselves.
And those very gods killing those that worshipped me.
Guilt.
Suffocating, soul crushing guilt.
Then they went back in time.
I watched my life as a foal.
Placed in a camp, fillies and colts were training.
Under the gaze of the guides, we grew up to be soldiers.
Innocence was no longer a thing in Equestria as every creature was raised for war.
In battalions, friendships grew as we each went through life and death together.
Then those friendships collapsed as those needed for friendships died off.
Soon enough, overloading was taught to soldiers.
Most succeeded.
But partially.
Those who didn't, were never seen again.
Then, the moment I became fully detached.
A single vision stopped in front of me.
I sit there, shaking, as I held the ashes.
The very ground burned my body.
The fire scorched my skin.
But I didn't, couldn't move.
Screams of terror around me.
Then it switched.
Yet, the sight was the same.
I didn't want to watch this anymore.
I tried to look away, or close my eyes.
But I couldn't.
A part of my body told me, screamed at me to stop looking, telling me that it was alright to stop.
It told me that it was fine to let go.
But the other part, it asked me why I was fighting in the first place.
I tried to give the same answer I had given myself plenty of times before.
But it never left me.
It was wrong.
I tried searching, but I couldn't bring it out.
Then it told me, that I knew the answer.
The flames around me brightened.
The heat was increased, almost burning, but never hurting.
As the tears on my face shriveled up, evaporated, more memories surfaced.
The parties that were filled with cheers and laughter.
The gazes filled with care from the ponies I knew.
The friends I knew.
A family.
Of course, how could I forget those that remained.
That's the point.
"Those that have passed on, I will never forget, but I will fight for those that live, THAT'S WHY I CAME HERE, THAT'S WHY I HAVE STRUGGLED, THAT'S MY REASON FOR FIGHTING, FOR LIVING!" I scream at the top of my lungs, telling both myself, and the parts of myself that doubted me.
The fire agrees, gradually increasing in intensity as I stare at the memories fading back in.
Then it all moves, the flames gather on top of the campfire, burning with great intensity, yet I felt no fear from being so close.
The area around me was set ablaze, yet nothing burned, creating a truly magical scene.
The gathered fire opened up, revealing, me.
The true me.
The present me.
The me that is living right now.
He gives me a smile, a smile that said that I was right.
An assuring smile.
A calming smile.
He slowly lifted his right hoof and held it, offering it to me.
I slowly lift my right hoof, letting the fire that burned me, truly scorch away what remained.
The skin was turned to ash, floating away into the fire.
The mane grew out, cutting the red away to burn, replacing it with a righteous orange that burned with hope.
By the time I had lifted my hoof enough to accept it, I had become just like him.
I had become, just me.
Holding each other's hooves with a firm grip, we both gave a wide smile, knowing exactly what was going to happen.
As he fully turned to flames, the fire that invaded the area fully gathered.
The flames climbed to me, fully integrating itself with me.
I revel in the new feeling as it travels through my body, reaching the very depths and the very tips of my body.
I could feel it in my heart, as it all gathered inside.
With a burst of magic, the flames disperse, fully containing itself inside me.
Fully opening my eyes, I see the area around me.
My room.
With a stretch, I get up after hearing a few satisfying pops.
The window opens with a colorless magic, letting in both the fresh air of the morning and a nice ray of sunshine.
With a deep breath, I release it as I stare at the horizon.
The peaceful capital looked nice.
The market was bustling with merchants.
The restaurants were opening for business.
Should I cook some breakfast then?
As I stare at the table filled with food, I smile in satisfaction at my work
A nice brew of Darjeeling tea for Tia.
A cup of vanilla latte coffee, topped with chocolate sprinkles for Lu.
A peanut butter and banana smoothie for myself.
A fat stack of pancakes, topped off with delicious homemade whipped cream, beautifully decorated with delicious strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
A plate of nine grilled cheeses, cooked to perfection, with such beautiful crispy toasts that it almost made me shed a tear.
Combining with the grilled cheeses, are soups of gourmet tomato soup, made with plenty of vegetables for a healthy meal such as potatoes and bell peppers, than basil and a hint of garlic for flavor.
"It's been a while" I say to nopony in particular as the pots and such floated over to the sink. "Thanks"
As I take off an apron, Tia comes inside the kitchen.
"Good morning Sunbutt" I greet with a smile, shocking her a bit.
She stares at me for a few seconds, then gives a relieved smile.
"I see you've made breakfast" she calmly said while keeping her smile as I heard her stomach growl at the sight of the food.
"I'll say, this is my best work yet"
"I can't say for sure, but I can say that this looks amazing" I can see her mouth and hooves twitching a slight bit as she takes a seat.
I take my own seat as the cup of tea goes to her before both of us can move it.
Her jaw drops a bit as she just stares blankly at the cup of tea.
Then slowly, very slowly, she turns to look at me.
She takes a deep breath, then slowly lets it out.
"Thank you" she said with a bright smile as she takes the cup in her magic and sipped it.
Looks like she's too tired to deal with any bullshit surrounding me.
As I take a small sip of the smoothie, Lu walks in the room with an exhausted expression.
"Good morning Lu" I greet her with a smile as she smiles at me after staring for a few seconds.
"Good morning to you too Blaze, I see you're feeling better" she says as she takes her seat on the table. "And good morning sister" she quickly added.
Celestia playfully rolled her eyes at that. "Good morning to you too Luna"
"What makes you say that?" I ask her as I move the bowls of soup towards each of us.
"Your smile, it seems, happier somehow" she said as she took a sip of the coffee, not noticing that none of us moved it.
"I guess it is" I reply with a small smile as I float over a grilled cheese and dip it in the soup.
As I was about to take a bite, I notice that Tia was staring at me in the corner of my eye.
"What is it?" I ask, turning to her, pancake floating in the air.
I notice that she was looking a bit lower than my eyesight, more specifically, at my flank.
Lu suddenly spits out coffee as she wildly turns to me.
"Blaze! Your cutie mark!" she yells, prompting me to look down.
Ah.
My mind goes blank as I look at the simple shaped fire on my flank.
How did I forget to check that?
Author's Note
Phew, finally got it out.
Turns out, writing what one would feel when they lose everything they care for, and the trauma that could follow, is very hard when you don't know the feeling yourself.
I had to take a bunch of breaks while writing because it even started to affect my mood a bit, making me more irritated at stuff.
Well, atleast it's over right?
*Celestia POV*
As I calmly eat lunch, I worriedly stare at Blaze, who is currently banging his head on the table.
After the unexpected revelation this morning, we eventually started eating breakfast.
Mmhm, the grilled cheeses were really good.
After the hearty meal and a little banter, I asked him when he would like to start training the guards.
He wanted to start today, so I let him.
Luna went to sleep and I went back to paperwork and dealing with the needs of the day court.
Most requests were, less than satisfactory, to say the least.
Though, I have accepted a few proposals of decorating and preparing the food for Blaze's coronation.
I still need to find him a proper crown.
Anyways, since he spends most of his time in the training grounds, I thought it would be fine to let him work out and guide at the same time.
It was fine, just, not the guards themselves.
It was expected though, nowadays, the royal guard is nothing but a title, not an actual representation of strength nor skill.
Barely two hours in, a few guards rushed into the throne room to complain.
Said something about abuse, but they didn't even have a scratch on them.
Seems Blaze won't be respected until he's officially a prince of Equestria.
After about six hours, I came in for lunch, hoping to see Blaze with a satisfied expression, or at least one of determination.
He was banging his head on the table.
I requested salad and sandwich for lunch after seeing him like that.
"So, how did it go?" I nervously ask as his head turns to me slightly.
Oh my, that glare looks dangerous.
"Celestia, tell your recruiters to recruit ponies who ACTUALLY want the job, not just the prestige, because your current guards aren't guards at all" he calmly said as suddenly got up from his seat and went towards the fridge.
"It can't be THAT bad can it?"
"They couldn't even do pushups, which is ridiculous because it's the easiest exercise considering our anatomy, none of those ponies have ANY kind of intention to actually train and do their jobs, only benefit from the position" He said with a serious expression. "Well, except for one, that one is pretty determined" he added calmly.
"Hmm" I ponder a bit as I put my hoof to my chin. "I'll inform the recruiters to change their requirements"
"Yes, tell Raven about it, she'll know what to tell them, and tell her to inform them this" he suddenly looked at me. "I'll only train those who actually want to improve themselves, not some city slicker, I need guards, not business ponies"
I nod as he goes back to whatever he's doing.
Going back into my job, I get a slight headache from remembering a noble who came in.
The worst part about his complaint, was that is was actually reasonable.
The laser that came down on Canterlot, although only affected, two ponies and one snake, it was still a concern for others as it left behind a scorched crater in its place.
I can't blame Blaze for it, but since everypony believes that it was caused by his ascension, they're worried.
For now, there are no petitions or disagreement with Blaze's innocence apart from a few since he was seen fighting the changelings by the public.
And the support from Ponyville helps quite a bit too.
A chuckle almost escapes me as I remembered the reports.
"He's scary, that's for sure, but he's never done anything bad" a response from Dr.Hooves.
"Uh, he's a bit weird, always acts like a grown up, then he's suddenly more foalish than me" a colt said.
"He seemed to be pretty mature, I'm still a bit surprised he never attended the school" the local teacher said.
I was suddenly woken from my thoughts as I stared at the burst of fire coming from the large frying pan.
What was it called again?
I remember that it was from a foreign country.
Blaze has handling it with his hooves as the contents flipped around several times.
Is that, green onions?
And why is it only the white parts?
He suddenly cracked in 5 eggs, stirring it with a metal spoon as the contents started to mix together.
Although I was slightly worried about fire burning something, it was as if it was magical as the contents remained perfectly normal.
After stirring while handling the pan with care, he suddenly put in several vegetables that got chopped up in the air.
As the delicious smell started to waft through the kitchen, he opened the fridge and brought out some already cooked rice.
Did he leave that this morning?
He put the rice in as the sizzling sound rang throughout the room.
He sprinkled in some seasoning, then plated it equally in 3 large plates.
"Here you go" he says as the plates are placed on the table.
"Smells amazing" I comment as he tops it off with the leftover green parts of the spring onions.
"Did Blaze make something?" Luna barges in with a slightly frazzled mane.
"Whoa, Lu, you good?" Blaze asked as he took his seat.
"Blaze is right sister, what happened to your mane?" I playfully ask as she looks up at her mane.
With a sheepish grin, she casts a spell to make it normal and took her own seat.
As we calmly eat lunch while a delightful conversation is had, a small smile comes to me.
It's a good day today.
*Luna POV*
As I sip a cup of a nice latte, I play a normal fighting game.
Worldly Konflict 1.
After about two minutes, I, very calmly put the controller down as I lay down on the couch.
It wasn't normal at all.
As I silently cry with a frozen smile, Blaze comes into the room with a knock.
"Hey you-oh, uh, are you alright?" he asked while holding a disc.
"I will be if you give me some pizza" I quickly say as my mood turned a 180.
He chuckles and floats it over in front of me, which I quickly proceeded to take a bite of.
"So, what're you playing?" he asked as he took his own slice while looking at the TV.
"It's called Worldly Konflict, with a k"
"Oh, that game? It was pretty violent for something that came out of Equestria" he commented calmly.
"You've played it?" I ask as he changes the game.
"Yeah, I played it with Buttons once, a friend from Ponyville, he was traumatized for a whole week" he said with a laugh.
"I can imagine why" I sarcastically add as I go for another slice.
Hay bacon and potatoes, how does he make it combine so well?
He laughs at my joke as the TV screen changes.
"Which one did you put it?"
"It requires two"
"Oh yeah, I didn't get the chance to play that one"
"Well, let's do it now then"
"Yes, let us"
With that, we spent nearly the rest of the day playing around.
It's always relaxing in his presence.
Author's Note
A simple chapter after the whole depression thing.
I thought it would be needed, and it also serves as something like a break for me
*Calming Blaze POV*
I take a stretch as I arrive in Ponyville with a train.
Currently, I've taken on a disguise of a pony that doesn't exist to make sure I can get what I came here for.
I saw that the tree library was burnt to a crisp, but a few items should still be there.
If lucky, at least a normal picture of mother.
For now though, I came here for the Timberwolf heart.
Chrysalis sent a letter, said she successfully took control of the hive.
I'll request shards of the black stone later, then I'll finally make mithril.
With those, I can ask the old craftspony to make my weapon.
He'll accept since I'm practically royalty right now right?
Hopefully.
He was said to be pretty stubborn about making gear for violence.
Last time, he, along with 8 different craftsponies from even outside Equestria, supplied the entire revolutionary army with equipment.
As I walk inside Ponyville, it reminded me of my first week back.
The peaceful town full of weird and unique folk.
A truly thriving community built on friendships and trust.
A serene smile finds its way on my face as I walk towards the leftover remains of the burnt library.
Or, where it was supposed to be.
I slightly scratch my head as I look at the dug up ground of where the library used to be.
They filled the ground back, but the traces of digging it up remained.
I ponder a bit as I looked at a few hoofprints.
A trace that tells of strong hooves.
A timid trail of weak steps.
A trail of four hooves at a time.
Finally, a trail of calm and practiced steps.
"And Rainbow would be flying" I flatly say as I start heading towards Twilight's castle.
Whilst walking, I look up to the sky as the pinkish orange take over the sky, proudly displaying the beauty of nature.
With a deep breath, I let out a satisfied sigh as I walk.
"Twilight, Spike, how are you two doing?" I ask, a bit surprised at finding the two one the way.
Spike was holding a stack of pillows for some reason.
"Uh, hello?" Twilight confusedly greets me.
I get a slight smirk as I observe the two looking at each other with a puzzled look.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" Twilight asked with a nervous smile.
I give a chuckle as I raise my white hoof.
I put it slightly above my face as I drag it down halfway, revealing the top half of my face, lined with fire.
Taking my hoof away, I stare at their shocked reactions.
"Blaze! It's good to see you, you should've written a letter so we could pick you up when you came" Twilight cheerfully said.
"It's fine, I just came for a slight visit, I'll probably head back to Canterlot tomorrow" I say as we start heading to the castle.
"Really? You never really do that though, in fact, I don't think I've seen you just, go somewhere, without a big purpose or because somepony told you to" Spike added with a raised eyebrow.
Did I always act like that?
"Huh, never knew that about myself" I mutter as we enter the castle.
"Well, it's usually hard to notice small habits like that" Twilight said.
"Yeah, I guess so" I calmly reply as we keep walking.
"So, did you have a purpose for the visit?" Spike asked.
"Oh right, I came here, mainly because I wanted to get the Timberwolf heart, and I thought I should visit since it's been a while"
"Well I'm grateful that you did, the castle would feel a bit more homely with you around" Twilight said.
"Oh, I can't sympathize, but I understand your point, big castle with empty hallways, it's bound to start feeling like it's not your home"
"Yeah, and with you around, it's kinda like old times, right when I first came to Ponyville" she finished with a slightly somber tone.
I give a small smile at her.
"Yeah, I guess I've been away for quite some time by now huh?"
She chuckles at my response.
"Come on, let's get to the map room" Spike suddenly piped up as he sat on Twilight's back.
She gave a slight frown before I asked her a question.
"Uh, you mean the room with six thrones?"
"Yeah, when me and the girls sat on our designated seats, a table grew from the ground and it started projecting a map of the entirety of Equestria" she said with a slightly excited tone.
"The ENTIRETY of Equestria you say?" I ask as I start feeling a bit nervous.
"Yeah, that's what I said"
I gulp dry air as the next words leave my mouth.
"Does it happen to be made out of crystals?" I ask, hoping for a different answer despite knowing.
"Yeah, how'd you guess?" Spike asked.
Twilight just pointed at the entirety of the castle as Spike gave a sheepish chuckle.
I, on the other hoof, got even more nervous.
If this is the map that I used before coming here, then it means something truly unexpected is going to happen soon.
"Hey, why do you still have the disguise by the way?" Spike asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Hmm, oh, I guess I just forgot" I reply as I drop my disguise.
Flames cover me from top to bottom, almost like how a changeling uses their magic, except the flame is orange and is stuck to the body.
"Wow" the two stare with slight awe at my ability.
"Why does yours look like that?" Twilight asked, ready to learn about something new regarding magic.
"Well, I guess you can say I've fully stepped into alicornhood" I calmly comment as we approach the 'map room'.
"Is that why your cutie mark changed?" Spike asked, grabbing Twilight's full attention instantly.
"WHAT?!" she yelled out as she checked it herself, unable to believe it.
I give out a nervous chuckle, knowing I'll have to spend an hour or so answering questions.
"You can give me an interrogation later, for now, let's get inside"
"No!" she suddenly pouted.
It was oddly adorable.
"Why?" I ask with a raised eyebrow and an easy smile.
"Because I never get the chance, you STILL haven't told me how that mimicking of yours works!" she complained.
Ah.
I guess I never actually got the chance to do it.
"Okay okay, how about this, I'm most likely gonna spend the night here, so how about I answer all of your questions tomorrow morning? I promise I won't run" I say, protecting myself with my hooves in front of me.
She stared right at my eyes for a few seconds with a frown as I got slightly nervous.
Even if she never exercises, she's still an alicorn, so her attacks would be pretty powerful, especially her magic.
In the end, she sighed.
"Fine, but I'm going to make sure you don't run" she said as she put a tracer spell on me.
My face blanked as I watched her cutie mark blinking right on top of my chest.
"First of all, I'm pretty sure this spell was made illegal at some point" I calmly point out as she stared at me with a determined look.
"Secondly, did you just mark me as yours?" I ask with a smirk as her eyes widened to an almost unreal degree, fully realizing the implications of what she just did.
Spike was laughing his ass off, holding onto his stomach area, though I could tell, what he was thinking about was much more innocent than what me and Twilight were thinking about.
No matter how innocent she may be, she's still an adult mare after all.
With a face as red as a tomato, she silently removed her spell and just put an alarm spell on me.
"As nice as you are, I'm still underaged, so it wouldn't be appropriate" I tease a bit as she tried to silence me with her hooves.
I just stood to my full height whilst trying to hold back my laughter, rising higher than her hooves could reach as she kept jumping to shut my mouth, seemingly forgetting her wings.
"And I never knew you were so ki-" I get cut off whilst I was laughing as my mouth suddenly gets clamped up by magic.
Before I could even react, I'm already forcefully lowered to Twilight's height as she grabs both sides of my head.
"SHUT UP!" she yells, accidentally unlocking her Royal Canterlot Voice.
I nod rapidly as she finally releases me.
Ow.
I guess, even if magic respects me the most, she has full control as the element of magic.
My ears were slightly ringing.
She was about to open the next door to our destination as I took a second to ponder about the worth of my next words.
"Seriously, are you that mad about being single?" I ask with a teasing voice and a held back laughter as she turns to me.
Ah.
I almost immediately realize this as my mistake as I stare at her.
Her face was blank, but her eyes were glowing with intense anger.
I should run.
After a chase scene that lasted about twenty minutes as Spike was lost somewhere in the middle, prompting him to just go to the map room by himself, me and Twilight enter as a burst of fire is alight on my head, easing the pain by a slight bit.
She reads books all day, even if she's an alicorn, how could that hurt so much.
Still worth it though.
"We're home" Twilight cheerfully said as we opened another door, revealing the rest of the girls.
"Welcome home!" they gathered with that shout.
"I'm also here" I add as I step out from behind the door.
"Blaze!" They shout in unison.
I swear, they act like a class of foals sometimes.
"Uh, you alright hun?" Applejack said as I slightly wince at the word.
"I'm alright now" I enthusiastically answer as the fire on my head disappears.
"If you say so" she said after sharing a glance with the others except Twilight and Spike.
With a nod, we move deeper into the castle.
Seriously, this place is huge.
I swear it wasn't big enough for this long hallway from the outside.
About 5 minutes into the trip, I had to start answering questions about my stay in Canterlot, my new fire ability and my cutie mark.
"So, uh, we heard a shout about half an hour ago, what was that about?" Rarity asked after a slight silence.
"Yeah, it was all quite, and then suddenly, we all heard Twilight shouting 'shut up' in that really loud voice that Princess Luna did during Nightmare Night and how Princess Celestia talks during important celebrations and stuff" Pinkie said in a pretty calm tone for her.
"Well it-" I was about to try to tease her again but my mouth got clamped shut by her magic.
The others just looked as they tried to figure out why.
I tried to open my mouth with magic, didn't work.
Tried it with physical force, it somehow felt stronger than diamond.
"It's nothing to worry about" Twilight calmly explained to her friends.
"You know, putting a muzzle on me just reinforces my previous point right?" I write in the air using fire magic and tap her on the shoulder.
With that, I take off as she takes a few seconds to read and process it.
I heard an 'oh my' from Rarity and a few snickers before I heard Twilight yell my name in anger.
Anyways, I woke up the next day in one of the guest rooms with a sore eye.
Author's Note
Since the first episode of Season 5 got skipped, ya'll can probably guess where the climax is going to happen right?
*Calming Blaze POV*
Right now, I'm riding a train back to Canterlot, two days after the visit to Ponyville.
I caught up with the CMC and Buttons.
They were surprised, thankfully not scared, just shocked at my ascension.
After hanging out with them for a few hours, I could already tell, Buttons is completely infatuated with Sweetie.
Though, everypony except the two in question seemed to notice it.
Seemingly.
I have a suspicion that Sweetie is just waiting for a confession.
They might be together the next time I visit.
As I think about the small visit, I look down at the Timberwolf heart inside a paper bag that Twilight lent me.
My eye twitches a slight bit in pain that wasn't inflicted.
Eh, it was still worth it.
Regarding overloading and mimicking others with it, I didn't spend nearly as much time explaining as I had feared.
Just half an hour to explain all the basics of it and the feeling, then another half an hour explaining to her EXACTLY why she shouldn't try it out herself.
With her control over magic, she can absolutely do overloading, but her emotions would become unstable, and by extension, mimicking is completely out of the question.
With that little summary out of the way, it's finally time to continue my preparations.
It's been quite a while since other me has attacked.
And a little over 2 years have passed since I came here.
As I calmly sit, I take a look outside.
Looking at the horizon, I get my thoughts and lists in order.
The Yaks have agreed on helping with the battle, and so has the dragons.
They have pride, but they'll help without hesitation if their own home is in danger.
The griffons, although begrudgingly, accepted the terms for a call to arms.
Bat ponies, which I've learned from a book in Ponyville, were an actual subspecies of ponies and not just Nightmare Moon's creations and they gave their full loyalty to the Crown, therefore will also participate.
With the younger Chrysalis dethroned, the changelings will also be participating.
Though, they will first have to be integrated into society, which will only be made harder by the wedding incident.
We could use the other world as an excuse.
After all, hiding it from public won't last much longer.
War.
I knew it would come, but I had hoped that it would be solved.
With the crystal map, which was named 'The Friendship Map' for some reason, now existing, the event of time travel will soon come.
Though, I can tell, this will not go the way it had went before.
Ugh.
Time paradoxes.
Always so annoying.
According to what I know, Twilight and Spike were most likely present during a time spell that one 'Starlight' had cast.
With that spell, she messed up something in the past which stopped the Mane 6 from becoming the owner of the elements, by extension, allowed every villain in Equestria to run amok.
And with every villain being some kind of tyrant for some reason, they started a territorial war that devastated the entirety of Equestria, leaving only a fraction of ponies to start a revolution.
Shaking my head to clear my head of those memories, I concentrate on the future plans.
The only races that aren't participating are the races outside Equestria, such as those who live in the city of Klugetown and the missing race of hippogriffs.
They never appeared, or were simply extinguished, in the other world.
I'll have to try to locate them at some point, but leaving Equestria would give a chance for other me to attack, and I'd like to be there when it happens.
Annoying.
Somepony else will have to do it, at worst, we'll fight the war without them.
*Sigh*
Letting out a weary sigh, I look inside of the train compartment, intending to distract myself a bit.
Or maybe I should just teleport away.
Though, my teleport would catch the attention of everypony inside.
As I slowly look around, I notice that one passenger keeps looking at me.
She was a green coated unicorn with black colored eyes and a cloud for a cutie mark.
Heh.
Would you look at that.
Lowering my raised guard, I allow a smirk on my face as I stare at the terrified passenger.
Considering my, less than good proficiency at miscellaneous magic, she probably saw right through my disguise.
Seeing as she fears me, there were deserters.
Ignoring the disguised changeling, I continue to stare outside, feeling more and more relaxed.
Hmm, maybe I'll take a nap.
As I drift off to sleep, the surroundings soon become muffled as silence slowly takes over.
With the roar of the train, I grab my belongings as I slowly walk towards the castle.
Thing is, the passenger is also walking towards the castle.
"Your brother's quite a good guard, he's weak right now, but he's determined" I comment as she just shakily keeps accompanying me.
I do wonder, why is she walking while matching my pace if she's that terrified?
"T-that's go-od, p-please look a-after him" she responded.
Reminds me of Fluttershy, of she was terrified of losing her life every single second.
Though, from her perspective, that's practically what's happening right now.
Also, does she realize that she hasn't actually mentioned her brother.
Well, fear often overrides logic, which also explains why she's terrified despite the fact that I made it clear that I have nothing against changelings.
I also mentioned Chrysalis a few times too.
"He'll be fine, he's the leader of his squad right now"
She visibly brightened up at that.
Sibling bonds.
Never fully knew what that was like.
As we walked, we eventually reached the castle, where I had to drop my disguise.
The guards at the gates were a bit surprised, but we were let in just fine.
I guess they didn't feel like questioning me for the guest.
Navigating through the hallways, at some point we parted ways, leaving me alone for the rest of the journey.
In the end, I reached my room with no problems.
The door opened without a noise as the lit room greeted me.
A single room with a bathroom on the side.
Hmm.
I should really buy a house at some point, since I am getting paid.
I put down my luggage on the bed and take out the Timberwolf heart.
Looking at it, I try to get a sense of what it is.
An elaborate mix of magical traces that are barely similar enough to be tied together.
Plenty of chaos magic.
Connected by nothing but illogical strands.
Throwing it on the bed, I give out a yawn and go for a nap.
Two days.
I'll be having my coronation.
And that guy will be there, definitely.
Author's Note
Sorry for the slow update guys
I was busy preparing for tests and a few competitions I'm going to be participating in.
*Calming Blaze POV*
I stand in one of the richer parts of town as I stare at the rather rundown building.
A few knocks.
After not getting an answer for 5 seconds, I push open the door.
The house was, pretty clean.
Not perfect, but there wasn't much dust around.
Suffice to say, it looked like an actual home a normal pony lived in, just a bit fancy.
As I walk through hallways of the house, I come to a stop as an axe digs itself into the wall right in front of me.
"You know, that could've killed if it wasn't me" I state as the stallion comes out from a door behind me while holding another axe.
He was an earth pony with an ash grey coat and a full black mane and tail with green eyes.
A hammer and anvil for a cutie mark.
A classic blacksmith.
"I don't remember inviting anypony" he said while brandishing the axe.
"Sorry sir, but I don't really have time to waste" with that, I turn to look at him whilst putting the disguise down.
He seemed slightly surprised, but was more than ready to kill.
I wonder what kind of life he led to be like this?
"What's an alicorn doing here?"
"Getting a weapon"
"Tch, forget it kid, you ain't getting a weapon from me" he seemed more annoyed than angry now as he put away the axe and entered, presumably a kitchen.
"Sir, you can't really argue with this one"
"Oh yeah, why's that? I already told Celestia that she can't get one, why's it different with you?"
"A war"
He stayed silent at that as I could only hear silence from the kitchen.
He suddenly came out while finishing a bottle of, something.
"Alright kid, tell me your name first"
"Calming Blaze" I say with a small smile.
As I stand in the training grounds, overlooking the guards training, I feel the space expansion spell around me.
It allowed the simple room to be as big as a city.
In the end, I decide to finish it early as I glanced at the ponies all doing their own specialized training.
The armies are currently stationed at their own countries.
That way, we have protection at any place that the war would take place in.
"Stand at attention!" I yell not too loudly as they all scramble to stand in line.
After the last one, who was using the leg press, arrived to stand, I cleared my throat as I looked at them.
About 1300 troops.
Lower than I would've liked, but more than I've ever worked with.
I've worked them out as best as I can while not forgetting about their proficiencies over their preferred weapons.
They won't get better than this before tomorrow.
"For today, I'll be ending practice early" I announce as they just look at me with concealed confusion.
Good discipline.
"At ease guards, today will be a day off, a hearty feast, that includes drinks, has been prepared in the cafeteria" they visibly get excited at the announcement, except for one.
"After the feast, I want you all to rest, and I mean rest, no late night poker" a squad of 10 earth ponies slightly flinch at the mention.
"If you have any families or friends, I suggest you write a letter to them before tomorrow starts, it may be your last chance. Dismissed!" with that, I leave the training grounds.
"Sir!" a unicorn runs up to me.
He had a black coat with blue eyes and a light blue mane.
"Yes, Aeron?" I turn around.
"I, want to ask, what did you mean by that last statement?" he asked with worry.
I continue to walk while he matched my pace.
"There will most likely be a war" he flinched at my declaration.
"Wha-Are you sure?"
"It's not guaranteed, but it's likely"
"Oh, wow, that's, pretty big"
"It is, that's why you changelings will be joining us"
He freezes at the statement before quickly shouting at me.
"You knew?!"
"Of course I did, you even used your real name!" I shout back as he just stands there in disbelief.
Heh, funny guy.
As I walk away, a strange feeling starts to invade me.
The feeling of unease, that something was wrong.
Shit.
I try to teleport into the throne room, but was blocked once again.
Breaking into a sprint, I quickly approach the throne room as several manticores were placed in my way.
They were quickly embedded into the walls before I could even touch them as I break open the gates, entering the throne room.
I put up my left hoof as the shattered pieces of the gates form a gauntlet on my hoof, acting as armor against the blade that made a shrieking noise.
"Hello" he greeted with a cheery voice and manic grin.
"Where is Celestia?" I ask him after giving a quick glance towards the throne.
"Oh her? She's just outside, blocking the laser cannon, but hey, I wanna ask, how are you alive?"
I push him back as I start to gather ambient magic.
"Oh?" he tilts his head slightly, that smile still on his face.
"We can't have that can we?" he says with a wave of his horn as the room suddenly becomes much less concentrated.
No, it's something else.
"Didn't you learn your lesson from last time? You have to answer when somepony asks you a question" he said before rushing at me with insane speed, sword in hoof.
As the blade almost reaches my neck, I put up a small barrier at the neck area, blocking the strike before giving him a punch.
He just tilted his head and dodged before spinning and running the sword through the floor while doing an upward slice, lightning shooting out of the blade.
Stepping back at the last second, I put my right hoof on the floor before rotating, successfully giving him a buck.
He's pushed back.
I rush after him while getting a speed boost by shooting intense fire from behind my back.
Assuming the position of a pegasus fighter, I put both my front hooves in front of me, fully pointed at him.
He recovers mid air before swiping his sword sideways, aiming at my head.
I unfurl my wings, giving a quick flap that elevated me enough to dodge the attack.
My body flips forward from the inertia, which I used to grab him by the horn before slamming him on the ground with all my strength.
The ground caves from the pressure, causing a small crater to appear.
I raise my hoof before swiftly bringing it down.
It goes through his body as he turns into a bluish mist that quickly hardened into a pillar that launched me back.
I flap my wings, suspending me in the air as I stared at my opponent.
With a grunt he gets up a scowl fully adorns his face.
He looks at his sword for a few seconds before breaking it in half and tossing away the handle.
As he stared at me, he regained his psychotic grin.
"Hey, wanna know something?" he asked.
I scowled in return.
"We were never meant to exist" he said.
What?
I didn't get time to think as he was suddenly in my face, hoof coming towards me.
I raise my left hoof to block as I prepared a counter attack.
An impact, my left hoof had a burn as my hoof was fully connected with a barrier.
I swing my head downwards as my horn launches a blast of magic, blasting him down.
As he travels down, he unfurls his wings, fully gaining control, launches lightning at me while rushing.
After several aerial movements, I enter a power struggle with him as I can feel my hooves burning.
"I went through, EVERY, SINGLE, UNIVERSE!" he yelled as he looked at me eyes, electricity running through every corner of the room.
"What the tartarus are you even talking about?" I calmly reply as I concentrate on conserving as much magic as possible.
"There's a universe, at which every other universe originates from, and we simply don't exist there"
"Alright, who the fuck cares, are you having an existential crisis?"
I can't overpower him.
How do I get out of this.
And what did he use to lower the magic in the room.
"I destroyed it" he whispered to me.
Huh?
"The multiverse, you know what that is right? I destroyed the very point where it was created, so this one should be gone too, but it's still alive isn't it?"
What the fuck?
"What are you talking about?"
"Join me, then we can be the original as the STRONGEST being" he said in excitement as his grin grew bigger.
"You've gotten crazier, and turned stupid" I answer as his grin suddenly drops, and turns into a blank face.
"Ok then"
He smirks at me as he slowly lifted his right hoof, a solid mass made of electricity remaining in its position, as he prepared for a punch.
I direct magic into my wings, giving up on the power struggle before flying higher to dodge.
He started shooting bolts of lightning at me as the previously scattered electricity all turn into attacks, blasting me from all sides.
I dodge as much as I can, blocking the ones I couldn't with my fire.
After about 10 seconds of dodging, I throw a punch at his direction as his hoof meets mine, creating a shockwave that cracked the windows.
With the wind, the electricity gets blown away, giving me some time off.
Electricity crackled where our hooves met, scorching my skin as it was healed up by my fire.
He suddenly grimaced as he pulled his hoof back.
I used the chance to give a quick punch coated in my flames, successfully scorching him.
I followed it up with two more punches before he put his guard up to protect his face, which I responded by giving an uppercut to his torso.
He heaved air as he was launched upwards.
I knew it, he barely has any fighting experience, only domination.
As he was knocked upwards, I spun as fire gathered around me.
After a single second, I point my right hoof upward as I looked at him recovering.
Right as he woke up, all he could've seen was a column made of flames quickly approaching.
I heard lightning crackling as I fueled the column of fire with as much magic as I can, intensifying the heat of the flames to a ridiculous degree.
After giving up most of my magic, I stop it as I stare upwards at the fully opened ceiling and the charred pony.
With the spell gone, the fluctuations of magic burst into the room, drowning almost everything in its incredible pressure.
With the familiar feeling practically breathing down my neck, I can feel another powerful pressure fighting against it.
Tia.
She won't make it.
With that thought, I tried to leave through the roof, but was suddenly grabbed from my back leg.
I looked back, staring at the burnt pony, healing himself with magic as he stares at me with a crazed look.
I materialized fire as lightning crackled around his body.
We both launched it at each other as both our bodies got scorched.
With a massive shockwave of fire and lightning, we were both launched back as the throne room was fully destroyed.
As pieces were blown off, the intense light of the sun shines down on us.
I quickly stood up as he rushed at me, covered in lightning.
I raise both my hooves to block the attack as I was pushed back.
The muscles in my hooves felt strained as I felt the skin being burned off.
I couldn't see it, but I felt only a single hoof pushing against me.
Then another one came, breaking my guard completely.
With a bang, I was flung away, blacking out in the process.
With a slightly groggy mind, I awoke as the picture of a mountain flew further and further away.
A sudden projectile covered in lightning was flying at me at high speeds.
Completely sobering up, I flap my wings and suspend in the air as I prepare a barrier.
In a seconds, he reaches me with pointed hooves.
After releasing a short breath, I mentally prepare myself for the impact.
*BOOM*
With the giant sound of the impact, I drop the barrier and instantly go for a heavy punch.
He dodged to the right and gives a counter attack.
I dodge his hoof, but still get hit by a hoof made from electricity.
With flames healing my scorched face, I fly a bit further to catch my breath.
With every punch, he sends another one made of lightning.
He quickly catches up with a blank look as he keeps attacking.
I dodge the hoof, I get punched by electricity.
I dodge the electric hoof, I still get punched.
I block the real hoof and dodge the lightning one, I get burned by the excess electricity.
I block the lightning hoof and dodge the other one, my guard gets burned.
Annoying.
Blocking it all with a barrier only depletes my magic.
Think.
How can I go on the offensive?
Then an idea strikes me.
I drop my guard, but position my body to get punched in the chest area, which surprised him greatly.
Bearing through both punches, I reach out with my left hoof, grabbing his hoof before he can react.
Electricity dances through my left hoof as he keeps punching it, whilst flames both heal my hoof and burn his horn.
Then, with a grunt, I pull my right hoof back, and send it forward for a haymaker.
A wall of lightning appears in my way, but I punch through, connecting it with his jaw and sending him back.
I look at my left hoof, now completely healed and holding a broken horn.
With a grunt, I hold the horn between my hooves before crushing it to bits.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" he screamed as he teleported away.
I almost relaxed, but the very magic itself told me to move.
I moved to the left without hesitation as he suddenly appeared once again.
Right where I was, stood a double edged blade.
He's gotten desperate.
He rotated his body, trying to hit me as lightning danced around his sword.
He gives out grunts and keeps yelling at me as his sword danced erratically through the air, hitting nothing but the remnants of my flames.
Soon enough, after his sporadic movements, he finally tires himself as his movements become slower.
In the end, using the chance, I slam into his stomach, followed by a three alternating heavy swings and finally swing down with both hooves as fire coated them.
He falls down as I decide to give chase.
Tucking both wings in, I fall down sharply as he slowly wakes up.
He slowly stares at me as chills started going down my back.
Then, with a scowl, he suddenly releases a large burst of magic.
Lightning fills the area as a giant cage made from electricity is made in the air.
He turns to lightning and disappears into the cage itself.
The cage then shrinks, with barely enough room to fit five ponies.
With the walls of the cage practically touching me, I form a barrier, waiting for the bastard to attack.
Then, tendrils of lightning rain down on the barrier as I can feel my reserves going down.
I tried to teleport away, but his magic stopped anything from going out.
Fuck.
I'm like a trapped mouse right now.
Screw it.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
With that, I almost empty my reserves as I prepare an attack.
A small ball of fire glowed intensely in my hooves as the barrier starts cracking.
Feeding more of my magic into the ball of fire, I let it grow as he pounded on my barrier with all his strength.
Just as I fed almost all of my magic into it, the barrier breaks, causing my insides to receive injury.
With a trail of blood going down my chin, I release the ball of fire.
The flames slowly burn away the lightning, creating a surreal image as he solidified back to his normal image.
Except that he was burnt in several places.
He's almost out of magic.
It seems he didn't even hesitate as a big amount of magic was gathered into his right hoof as it glowed with lightning.
I replied in kind as I pulled the rest of my magic into my right hoof, coating it with fire.
As we stared at each other for a few seconds, we both rushed at the same time.
Him, leaving a trace of electricity in the air as it bounced on magic particles.
I left a similar trace, as flames burned on those same particles.
It left an illogical scene as lightning and fire danced in the air around two ponies.
Half a second later, our hooves connected.
With a shockwave, much bigger than last time, we were both pushed back as I was knocked out from the drainage of magic.
Darkness enveloped me as my sense of time became disoriented.
Then, with a grunt, I wake up as my body burned with fire.
My reserves were empty, yet the flames burned on.
The mystery didn't last longer as my veins were throbbing in pain as ambient magic was pulled in to keep the fire going.
Calming myself down, I stood up.
Looking up, I notice that both the sun and the moon appeared much closer.
The sky was filled with changelings, pegasi, dragons and griffons, fighting familiar versions of themselves with the only distinctions being the armor they wore.
Only the pegasi were on our side.
Most importantly, the giant portal that had opened up from the sky, fully allowing the giant creation to shoot the laser beam at the ground.
Standing right under the laser, was Tia as she released the very power of the sun against it.
With the very ground she stood on turned magma, every building that might've been close to her disappearing into the ground.
Any enemy that approached her turned to nothing but part of the ground for her.
Her face contorted in pain as waves upon waves of magic was released from her, going into the giant beam that stood against the laser from the portal.
Her mane, visibly losing the signature magical rainbow color to a more normal pink.
I looked around, trying to spot him.
All around me, all kinds of creatures fought against each other.
Only half of the ponies were on our side.
A dragon dropped from the air as they approached me.
Staring elsewhere for a moment, I quickly turn around and give a downward swing that buried the dragon into the ground.
A changeling suddenly charges at me after the dragon.
As I prepare to put them down, a thunder strike from the sky turns him to a scorched corpse.
"Blaze!" Lu lands right next to me whilst panting as she was covered in dust and blood.
"Yeah, I'm alive, have you seen other me?" I ask before punching a pony into the ground.
"No, but we need you here, the army is quickly falling from the difference in numbers"
"Damn it" I curse silently as I block a changeling.
Their fangs closed down onto my front leg as fire burst out from the wound.
They suddenly cry out in pain as they start gripping their head before passing out.
Lu and I just look at each other after staring for a few seconds.
She nods at me, which I return with my own and start collecting magic.
I sit on the ground, with both hooves on my sides as I gather as much as I could.
Closing my eyes, my senses start to numb.
I can hear constant lightning and the vibrations from the ground tell me that Lu is currently protecting me.
Soon enough, that starts to drown out, giving way to nothing but silence as my body is almost bursting from magic.
More.
I need more.
Right now, I am completely cut off from the outside world as I focus entirely on gathering as magic as I possibly could, much more than overloading has ever done.
Even more.
Enough to cover the entirety of Equestria.
In the end, I open my eyes.
My face was blank as I concentrated on not exploding.
I was seemingly glowing, or was on fire as my surroundings lightened up to a considerable degree.
The guards and creatures all stared at me as I was suspended in the air through magic.
Crackles of magic, sounding much like electricity, danced through my body as I felt my being scorched from overconcentration.
A few bursts of magic from the left told me that Lu was currently stopping the other me in the air.
It's close.
It's enough.
With that last thought, I let my fire eat away at the insane amounts of magic inside my body as I look upwards to help me bear through the pain.
My mane had been glowing a full white, now rapidly turned orange as it took the properties of my fire.
Getting higher and higher, I was in view of every single being in Equestria.
They could see and witness, a bright light in the sky.
I slowly looked around.
I could see every other town and country.
They were all under attack as smoke rose from every battlefield.
I felt inside my body, searching for any traces of magic.
Once I could feel nothing but flames, I let it out before blacking out.
*No One POV*
Every creature in Equestria saw the rising star as it shone its' light, reaching high into the sky.
As it rose further and further, those who fought stopped.
Those who were dying lived.
And those who had given up, regained hope.
Princess Celestia stood proudly as she pushed against the world shaking power of the laser that came through the portal in the sky.
Princess Luna struggled in her fight against the darker side of her friend, sustaining several injuries trying to hold him back.
In the end, the star blew up.
It glowed more brilliantly than any other stars.
It shone with a light brighter than the very sun.
With it, a wave of magic was released.
Princess Luna, who had been knocked into the ground looked up as the rush of fire approached.
She put up her hooves and wings in front of her as she felt the heat go over her.
Closing her eyes to bear through the pain.
She tried to hear her surrounding for a few seconds as she felt nothing but a warm embrace on her.
Opening her eyes, she let down her guard as she noticed that her body was on fire.
More specifically, her injuries.
She observed her hooves as the fire slowly burned.
As she stared in awe for a few seconds, the flames extinguished to reveal a perfectly healthy skin and coat.
"Wow" was all she could utter as she looked around.
She gave a small laugh as she stared at the now peaceful battlefield.
Any enemies she had were on the ground, a misty blue essence flowing out of their unconscious bodies.
The ponies on her side were all confused, but relieved at the situation.
After enough amazement, she looked towards her sister.
Princess Celestia, who had been struggling against the laser, finally got a break as the last of it finally came and shriveled away.
She panted as Luna quickly approached to grab as she fell down, dirtying her now bright pink hair.
Luna quickly teleported away with her sister as the ground still burned hot.
"Sister, are you alright?" she asked Celestia.
"I'm not injured, just out of magic right now" she chuckled a bit after that. "I haven't done this in ages"
Luna also laughed in response.
"I'd imagine so, there hasn't a war for nearly a thousand years"
The sisters shared a small round of laughter as silence paraded the world.
With that, they looked up, as every other creature that was awake had done.
A swirling ball of bright orange flames as an alicorn floated in the middle of it.
His mane shined like a starry sky, yet it was dyed orange as fire swirled through it as it swayed through the air.
His body now glowed orange as his coat was entirely made out of flames.
His eyes glowed a full orange as it looked as if it was filled with hope.
He silently stood on nothing as he looked upwards at the giant portal.
Releasing a long breath, he floated up to it before entering.
The two Royal Sisters could only watch with bated breaths as their friend disappeared from sight, fully realizing that he has to do it.
Through the portal, the alicorn walked on an invisible force as he looked at the mechanical contraption.
It was about four times larger than the biggest mountain he knew of.
Lined with infinite intricacies and mechanical engineering that he never even thought of.
At the very heart of it, visible through a window as a familiar looking crystal tree was powering the whole thing.
The tree itself looked drained as it shone a weak light.
He looked a bit in front of the tree, noticing five chambers with empty mechanical claws in them.
After observing the machine, he looked around the space he was in.
A familiar, yet new sight.
A full black void with nothing but the machine.
"I don't get it, what makes you so different from me?" he hears as another alicorn appears behind him.
"What made you think we were the same?" he replied with his own question.
"What the-OF COURSE I THOUGHT WE WERE THE SAME, WE'RE LITERALLY THE EXACT SAME PONY" the alicorn yelled in anger as he held five gems in the air with magic.
"Are we really?" he asks with a nonchalant attitude, even as the other launched magic at him.
The pure blasts of magic, now powered by the five gems he carried, simply fizzled away before reaching its intended target.
"How the fuck are we not then!" he shouted as he blasted more and more magic.
"I can show you" he replied with an easy voice as the blasts all of them simply disappeared before reaching him.
Calming Blaze, the alicorn coated in fire, simply raised his right hoof.
The gems that powered the other all flew away.
The gems traveled to the raised hoof, twirling around it as if expressing happiness.
As the gems all danced around his hoof, he raised a bit more, making the motion of grabbing something as another gem was produced from the middle of the five gems.
The other watched in awe as the gem produced magic, much stronger than the other five.
The gem was star shaped as the other games spun around it.
The alicorn let out a long breath, then he swung his right hoof sideways.
The gems followed it before starting to quickly spin around him, creating a ridiculous concentration of magic.
The star shaped gem however, stood right in the middle as it was pointed forwards.
"Just this, is more than enough to prove we're different" he calmly said as he started levitating from the magic around him.
The other tried to flee, but in the infinite void, running away is never an option.
The alicorn gathered his magic in his horn as it was all pushed into the star shaped gem.
In the end, the gathered magic flew upwards, turning into a rainbow colored beam as it crashed down to the only other pony, fully disintegrating him.
The light fills the void, but only temporarily as the alicorn stands next to the machinery.
With a swish of his head, he takes the tree out of it before putting it on the ground next to him.
The tree, now free, shone a bright light as a pony shaped figure stepped out from inside of it.
At first, it looked like Celestia.
Then it switched to Luna.
For the third time, the shape looked like Twilight.
Then finally, it stopped on the shape of Calming Blaze as the light lowered in intensity.
But it was different.
"Hello" Calming Blaze greeted with a gentle smile.
"Hi" the tree, now projecting the small colt version of him, greeted back with a small smile.
Blaze turned to look at the machinery as the tree simply waved his hoof, making the cannon turn to air.
"Thanks" Blaze said.
"I should be saying that" he answered with a laugh.
"So, you want these guys back?" Blaze asked as the six gems slowly swirled around him.
The tree answered with a chuckle. "No, they're quite fond of you you know"
"Are they now?"
"Yes"
With that short conversation, the two sat down, looking around an almost empty void.
A single tree, two ponies, six gems and one portal.
"So, what's your decision this time?" the colt asked.
The alicorn remained silent, contemplating his words.
"What could I do?" he finally asked.
"What can't you do right now?" the cold asked back.
The alicorn looked at the colt, receiving the meaningful look he was giving him.
The alicorn let out a burst of laughter.
"No fucking way, you're crazy" he said.
"Hey, I got that part from you"
"Fine, fine, I'll try it" the alicorn said as he stood up.
"You've done something like this before haven't you?" the colt asked.
"Yeah, I remember" the alicorn replied as the colt disappeared into the tree.
"It's hard to forget"
With that, Blaze spread his magic around, fully enveloping the portal.
Closing his eyes, he concentrated on letting his influence grow as much as possible.
His senses numbed.
His reach grew bigger.
And he opened his eyes.
Right before him, was the truly familiar sight.
Inside nothing but a full black void, he stared at the singular world in the sea of darkness.
He gathered his magic, focusing it all on the world, hoping to see its very origins.
To see exactly what makes it a world.
Nothing philosophical.
Nothing scientific
Only magical.
He tugged at the ends of it, not affecting the world itself, but enough to see how it's made.
After what felt like an eon of constant prodding and research, he successfully created a string, coated with his signature fire.
Holding the string connected to the world in his hooves, he searched the void, looking for even just a remnant of a world.
He looked around, stretching his senses to the very limits before finding something.
A single piece of rock, the size of a world in the infinite void.
He held both the rock and string as he connected them.
The edge of the string, suddenly became stiff as it approached the rock.
Then, it entered without a problem, with no friction whatsoever.
The rock now glowed as it was slowly transformed.
The world changed, becoming its own thing.
Then finally, it spread.
Countless strings floated from it, forming a web of stars.
Now, instead of resembling a starry void, it was different.
Every single world glowed its own colors, but the void itself looked different.
It was orange.
As he looked around, he started to feel weaker.
"I guess it's time to go back" he said before touching the world before him.
*Calming Blaze POV*
With a gasp, I opened my eyes as I stared at the portal.
The Elements hovered around me, as if they're concerned for me.
I wouldn't blame them.
I felt weak.
But, I didn't have time to worry about that.
I tried to grab the tree with magic, but it wouldn't budge.
What?
Then I tried it with physical strength.
It worked, somewhat.
I can only carry it because of my muscles, but the magic enhancing my body feels gone.
While staggering, I slowly approach the portal.
The tree manifested as me again, cheering me on.
He was the same height as me for some reason.
The Elements rotated around me, trying to push in magic into my body.
I gratefully took it, but my body still felt weak, like I was out of magic completely.
I'll think about it later.
Slowly, very slowly, I reached the portal.
Finally, I stood at the edge.
First, I threw the tree in, earning a scream from tree me as he and tree fell.
Second, the Elements disappeared somewhere, but my body felt slightly stronger.
Thirdly, I was way too drained to stay awake.
With that last thought, I passed out.
Author's Note
Finally, the climax.
It's definitely rushed, or at least I say it is.
And it really is, but I can't think of more to put it in.
I'm definitely going to put one or two chapters, as a kind of celebratory thing obviously, then I'll take a break.
Maybe a month or so, then I'll try to start another story.
Assuming I get the idea for it obviously.
*Celestia POV*
As I lean on my sister, I stare at the sky, waiting for Blaze to come out of the portal.
I don't fully understand what this was all about, but I do know that Blaze is on our side, so I hope for his safe return.
As we all stare at the portal, something comes out first.
Is that, the tree of harmony?
"Sister, is that the tree of harmony?" Luna asked me.
"I, believe so"
As the crystal tree fell from the sky, we soon hear the screams of a colt.
Squinting my eyes, I see the flailing colt as his screams almost become shrieking.
"You take the tree" I tell Luna as I light up the leftovers of my magic to catch the colt.
"Fine" I heard Luna answer.
I slowly lower the colt into my arms as the tree gets planted into ground.
"Oh my Faust, Luna come here" I tell her as I stare at the colt.
"Sister? What is it?" she asked before gasping. "Colt Blaze" she whispered and put her hooves to het cheeks while staring.
Although, he was acting quite strangely.
He had a frozen smile on his face as tears streamed down as he hugged me tightly.
Trauma?
"I-I'm not Blaze" he said with a quivering voice and pointed upwards.
Before I asked what he meant, I looked up and saw a falling alicorn colt.
Oh, that's Blaze.
Wait, then who is this?
I take a peek at the tree.
Huh, I don't think I've seen that before.
As I look at Blaze, I keep wondering to myself.
I wonder if he would survive that fall?
It's a genuine thought as I think about the things he's done.
But, before I can do something, his descend slows down as six familiar gems follow him down.
Isn't that, the Elements of Harmony?
Why do they look like the ones before the bearers got to them.
Blaze, the real one, finally touches the ground as he suddenly opens his eyes, releasing a burst of magic that ascended to the sky.
It rose for about ten seconds, then, with a boom, it spread throughout the world as the aftereffects of the war almost disappeared.
Almost.
I think, as I look at where my castle used to be.
We'll have to crash with Twilight for a bit.
"Uh, Princess?" I turn around to look at the pony who spoke to me.
Ah.
This could be an issue.
Ugh, I'm so tired.
"What should I, uh, we?, do?" the pony who asked me was a unicorn with light green mane and a white coat.
The problem was that there was another pony identical to him standing right next to him.
Giving a calming smile, I speak to him.
"Please solve it on your own for now"
*Calming Blaze POV*
After waking up from the short nap, I almost screamed out as every part of my body felt like it was being boiled while shredded at the same time, yet it was still freezing somehow.
Suffice to say, I am very hurt.
What could you expect from literally jump starting the creation of the multiverse.
Also, I'm practically a colt again.
At the moment, I am pretty much empty of magic, therefore, my enhanced body turned back to normal and my hair is also its normal orange.
We were currently sat inside a tent, a temporary meeting place for the leaders of nations that participated in the attack.
King Torch, was participating through a mirror though.
Twilight, having decided not to participate for some reason, just requested building materials then left.
The smell of alcohol filled the air as cheers came from outside the tent.
Plenty of exotic foods and drinks were shared between troops of different races, celebrating their victory and their newfound freedom.
Even the changelings successfully integrated into it, without disguises of course.
Then there was me, currently drinking as much as I could.
"Yak not sure red Alicorn should drink that much"
"Shut up Rutherford, every inch of my body hurts like tartarus right now" I respond as I down another bottle of, something.
I forgot what I was drinking.
"Let him be, he was the star player" Shining Armor, or at least I think it was him, spoke up.
The general consensus was that they agreed, which is good because I'm trying to be drunk right now.
For some reason, my fire completely disintegrates alcohol, stopping me from becoming intoxicated.
So right now, I'm currently focusing on making sure my fire doesn't do that.
I can feel it, the flames just really hate alcohol for some reason.
"So, what do you all need?" Tia asked the others.
"Hmm, Yaks need wood for broken home, Yak will pay in Yak specialty alcohol and bits"
"That's acceptable, we will send workers specializing in construction along with as much wood as you need"
"Grateful, I, Rutherford, will make sure ponies have good stay, we will also be sending gift wagon for hero"
"Thank you" Tia said as I heard a confirmation noise from the other.
Hmm, I'm starting to feel it now.
"Do any of you else need anything?"
"The Crystal Empire is in need of extra food for the year as our farms were harmed during the fight" Cadence started.
"Alright, please send a list of the needed items to Princess Twilight Sparkle. Me, my sister and Prince Calming Blaze will most likely be staying at her residence for the time"
Sounds of agreement.
Hmm, is the room spinning?
Ah, I think I'm finally drunk.
I'm a bit tired, I think I'll head to sleep.
Ugh.
My head.
How much did I drink?
Well, my body feels much better at least.
Grunting as I rose, I pulled off the cover off of me as I barely opened my eyes.
Holding my head in my hoof, I swipe away the crust gathered in my eyes.
With a yawn, I stretch, several pops and cracks sounding out.
Ahh.
Satisfying.
With that, I finally open my eyes to check my surroundings.
As an easy smile grows on my face, it freezes as I notice a few things.
Firstly, the room was made of crystal, most likely Twilights castle.
Secondly, either I'm on the ceiling or the room itself flipped.
What?
I grabbed the bed and let it drop.
Ok, the bed is acting on the same gravity as me, but the rest of the furniture isn't.
Eh, I'll deal with it later.
With that, I head towards the upside down door as somepony opens it.
"Go-AHHH" Pinkie Pie screamed as she, fell?
Is it fell or rose?
"I fell upwards" she answered my question as a giant cake appeared in front of me.
"Thank you" I give my gratitude as I grab the cake and leave the room with Pinkie following me.
"You missed the party yesterday, and I thought I should save you some cake"
"Yeah, some, still thanks though"
Yesterday?
How long did I sleep for?
"Also, did you get a new tattoo? What does it mean?" she asked, which stopped me in my tracks.
"Tattoo?"
"Yeah, this one on your back" she said as she pulled out two mirrors, which I used to check my back.
There it was, a single star, half surrounded by long 5 hexagons in a half circle shape.
"Oh" I give out a small smile as I continue walking. "It means, I'm not alone I guess"
"That's good, it's not a good idea to be alone" she happily said as she jumped along.
In the end, I reach the kitchen, having little to no issue.
"SURPRISE!"
I jump slightly in place as a barrier forms in front of me.
After about a second of observing, I let down my guard.
They all give a chuckle at my expense.
There were the girls, Lu and Tia, the CMC, Buttons and his mom were all wearing party hats.
"Aw, you guys shouldn't have" I calmly say as I hope for them to forget what just happened.
Shit, was today Hearth's Warming?
No, it's not Winter yet, I know that much.
"Of course we should have, it's such an important day for you" Tia spoke up.
"Yes, how could we not celebrate this day?" Lu interrupted while throwing her front hooves up.
"Yeah, uh, exactly what, are we celebrating?" I nervously ask.
They give a gasp, especially Pinkie Pie as her mouth somehow stretched bigger than the rest of her head.
"Uh, your birthday?" Twilight cautiously said as a giant cake behind tilted a bit, showing the frosting that spelled 'Happy Birthday Blaze' before putting it back.
"Blaze" Tia said as she grabbed me from the shoulders, which looked comical with my current small stature. "Tell me the date" she finished as she looked at me with slight concern.
"It's, Uhh-"
Uh.
Crap.
"I, uh, with everything that's been going on, I don't, actually know today's date"
"What about your birthday then, don't you at least know that?" Lu interjected as she smiled nervously.
"Uhhhhh" their looks were starting to turn to concern. "Yeah, it's, uh, June? -ish?" I reply as their faces turned more and more concerned.
"Blaze, it's April"
Oh, wow.
"Yeah, I passed out way too much to keep track of the date"
"Well, that's obvious, but to forget the date of your BIRTHDAY?" Pinkie interjected.
"It's not that big of a deal guys, I just never really celebrated my birthday that much" I try to calmly explain as I move towards the food table.
"Well, you are still a foal at age" Celestia said with that graceful tone.
Wait.
How old am I now?
Wow, I have completely forgotten both my physical age, and mental age.
"I guess so" I simply answer as I take a seat. "Well, aren't we celebrating my birthday then?"
After my question, they get broken out of their stupor as Lu put a party hat on my hat.
"Make a wish" Twilight said as Tia lit 8 candles on the cake with magic.
Ah, I'm 8 years old.
"Don't say it loud~" Pinkie said in a singing tone.
I give a slight chuckle as I think about it.
How about, a peaceful life from now on?
Doesn't sound too bad does it?
With one breath, I turn off the candles and the 8 layered cake slices itself into equal slices.
"Thanks for the party guys" I say as a large smile grows on my face.
Heh.
Life, should be good like this.
Author's Note
Alright, one more chapter and I'm going to fully close out this story, and as I've mentioned in a comment reply, I will most likely put out a mini story thing where Blaze would be dealing with some other stuff.
It'll probably lean into the slice of life genre more than the others.
I don't even know what kind of story I would put out yet, so, stay tuned I guess
*Calming Blaze POV*
Mhmm.
Something is poking me.
Annoying.
I'll ignore it.
Ok now there's 6 of them.
Ow.
Ow OW!
OW!
"FUCK WHAT IS IT?" I yell as I wake up.
My face blanks a bit as I stare at the six games digging their sharp points into my skin.
"Ugh" I groan and put my hooves on my face while lying back down.
My blanket suddenly gets yanked from me.
I retaliate by lighting myself on fire.
That's more than enough to keep me warm.
Sunlight shines directly onto my face as the sound of the curtains moving ring out.
Fuck.
"So, what you looking at?" I ask Tia as I drink a cup of apple juice.
We're standing at the balcony in Twilight's castle.
It's been about 2 months since the war and everything has pretty much turned back to normal.
A lot has happened during that time, but I missed most of it.
Wasn't really in my interest at the time.
First of all, I'm now back to alicorn height as I stand about half a hoof taller than Tia.
I made fun of her for that, then got punched by her, then Twilight, then the tree of Harmony, who prefers to be called Lady Harmony now, punched me for giving her acrophobia.
Eh, it didn't hurt that much.
Not at all.
Canterlot is still under repair, though it's mostly finished.
Tia cried about having to enter the Royal funds or something like that.
Eh, I recommended just asking Discord, but she refused.
Probably a wise decision.
Speaking of Discord, the guy apparently did quite a bit during the war.
Though it was also reported that he mostly did it for Fluttershy.
Funny guy.
For now, I sip my juice as I lean on the edge, overlooking Ponyville.
What the?
Is that a bugbear?
"Good morning Blaze" she greeted with a tired voice.
Her mane was mostly back to normal, but I could still see hints of pink.
I mumbled a good morning in return as she continued.
"I'm currently overlooking Ponyville, more specifically the bugbear attack"
"What about it? Also why didn't you tell me?"
"Twilight and her friends said that they could handle it" she said as she turned to me. "You look miserable right now"
"Speak for yourself" I reply as I sip the glass a bit more.
"I spent the most of last night dealing with paperwork for the Canterlot repairs"
"For fuck's sake, it's been two months and there's still paperwork?"
"Unfortunately, what about you?"
"I had to demonstrate my fire for Twilight's research"
"Oh, that explains it"
"Tia, Blaze, why aren't you getting ready?" Lu asked as she opened the door to the balcony.
"Ready for what?" I ask.
"Was there something important today?" Tia said.
"The wedding?" Lu answered with a confused voice.
"But that's tomorrow isn't it?" Tia said.
"Yeah, I spoke to Matilda about a week ago, she said it's tomorrow" I added.
"Uh, I have the invitation right here, it says today" she stated.
The piece of paper floated over to me with colorless magic as I read over it.
I looked at Tia as she looked at me.
"You take the second floor bathroom" I state and teleport towards the 3rd floor one.
Either Matilda misremembered or somepony made a mistake in the invitation.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
I keep cussing in my mind as I continuously knock on the door of a pretty new wooden house.
"Celestia damn it kid, what do you want so early in the morning?" Steel Forge spoke roughly as he slammed the door open with an absolutely pissed expression.
"The gift! Do you have it Ready?!" I practically yell as I stare at the sun, trying to tell what the time is.
I don't know how to do that, what the fuck am I doing.
"What? The wedding is tomorrow isn't it?" He said with a confused voice.
"Nope, it's today" I say as I show him the invitation.
His eyes bulge open as he runs back inside the house.
A few crashed, a lion roar, the sound of a mountain collapsing and he comes back out, surprisingly clean and holding an anvil as well as a forging hammer.
"Alright kid, I'm gonna need you to keep a steady fire as we move if we want to make it, got that?"
"Understood" I say as we start moving.
I give out a relieved sigh as I stand outside the town hall, which is currently modified to be a wedding venue.
"Good thing we made it" I comment as I hold up the packaged gift.
I managed to find the gift box in a random store and took out the contents after buying it.
"Yeah, we almost missed it" he said as he held up his own wrapped gift.
With a shared chuckle, I opened the door and went in.
Oh.
"Are we early?" I ask Steel as we look around the almost empty venue.
Lyra was sitting in a chair with a grumpy expression.
"Not by that much" he replied as he held up the invitation.
I felt a sudden vibration as the sound of music came into my ears.
Dubstep, mixed with cello?
I turn around and look as a mountain of ponies are flying through the air, as well as a DJ station.
Oh, there's also a cake, and a barrel of fruit juice.
I spread my magic around, catching everything, almost everything as a changeling falls right on top of me.
"Sorry" he said as he helped me up and took a seat.
"It's good" I reply and put everypony and everything down properly.
"Good save kid" Steel stated before moving to the gift table.
After a round of thanks from the ponies, I move towards the gift table to put my own gift.
Good thing my weapon never actually got made.
"Phew, we made it" Tia said as she and Lu teleported inside the building.
"Girls, you made it" I comment.
Steel gave a greeting and moved towards a confectionary table.
"Yeah, I didn't have to wear a dress, I think that helped a lot" Tia said.
"Luckily, our crown and necklaces serve as formal clothing" Lu added with a relieved chuckle.
"Good thing, well put your gifts here then" I tell them as their faces took a look of realization.
No.
"Don't tell me, you forgot the gifts?" I yell whisper as they nervously look around.
"Oh no, I left it on the counter" Lu confessed.
"What do you mean you left it on the counter?" Tia whispered angrily.
We give a normal smile as a group of ponies pass by us.
"I thought you were bringing it" Lu angrily whispered back.
"Girls" I shout whisper to get their attention. "You're two of the strongest ponies in existence, just go to the bathroom or something, then teleport to get your gifts, then come back"
"Great idea" they agreed as they headed towards the bathroom.
I give out a relieved sigh.
Seriously, they can be so chaotic at times.
Distracting me however, was the sound of crying from the captain of the Crystal Empire's Royal Guard Captain, aka Shining Armor.
This guy.
My face blanks as I stare at the grown ass stallion fully crying his heart out, before the wedding has even started.
Then the doors slam open, revealing Bon Bon.
"Attention everypony, our friends have done it, the bugbear has been defeated" she announced and threw away a pair of glasses for some reason.
A round of cheers as I go back to my own business, which is taking a seat.
Lu and Tia came back at some point and sat on either side of me.
Wait, that looks a bit suspicious.
I switch places with Lu without anypony noticing, not even herself as Spike starts a simple conversation about a roleplaying game.
Sounds interesting, I could give it a go.
Plenty of guests came in at some point.
Wow, I knew Cranky traveled a lot, but the variety is ridiculous.
As I'm having that thought, a sea monster comes in through the window, a rather good looking one actually, as well as Cranky himself.
Doesn't he usually wear a wig?
I move my attention back to Spike as he mentioned something about Discord altering the game.
Playing like it's real life huh?
"Well, is everypony here?" Mayor Mare asked the guests.
"All set mayor" Derpy said as she stood next to the door after closing it.
Me and Spike stop or conversation as I focus on the upcoming speech.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two in mare-trimony. As I look around this room, I can only imagine how uncomfortable Cranky must be" Mayor started her speech, getting a laugh out of everypony.
"But I also see so many ponies from all trots of life, brought together by love. Cranky searched all across this great land of ours to find Matilda, and no matter what obstacles kept them apart, love would finally bring them together, just as it has brought all of us together now. It's remarkable to me how a story like Cranky's search for Matilda could fill this room with such a unique collection of ponies! It makes you realize that everypony is the star of their own story. And it's not just the main characters in our stories that make life so rich! It's everypony – those who play big parts and those who play small. If it weren't for everypony in this room and many more who couldn't be here today, Cranky and Matilda's lives wouldn't be as full and vibrant as they are"
I grew a smile as her speech continued.
There was also crying coming from somewhere.
"And so, in front of all these loved ones" she took a dramatic pause. "Cranky, do you take this donkey to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"You bet I do" Cranky replied happily.
"And do you, Matilda, take this donkey to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do!" she replied happily while tearing up.
"Then I'm proud to say, I now pronounce you jack and jenny!" Mayor Mare finally announced as the two donkeys kissed.
I gave applause as the sounds of cheering and clapping hooves came from the surroundings.
The flowers suddenly started flying and turned into fireworks, making quite a beautiful scene.
"Of COURSE, they needed LOVE to ignite it, how could I have missed it?!" a stallion yelled from the crowd.
Slowly, the cheers died down as well as the last of the fireworks.
Wait a minute.
Where are those 6?
They're not ones to miss a wedding.
Eh, maybe something important came up.
The party has now officially started as ponies congratulated the two for getting married, as well as wishing them a happy marriage.
At some point, I gave my blessings for their wedding and started mingling.
Mingling, as in I pretty much talked to Spike about his game for the entire party.
Lu and Tia were too busy being popular to hang out with.
Thankfully, nopony bothered me with religious flair or something, though I think that's because I lived in Ponyville long enough for them to be comfortable with me.
The rest of the party was quite normal.
Well, as normal as it can get with the various guests Cranky met on his journey.
Steven Magnet, a sea serpent, was a pretty interesting character with lots of stories to tell.
The changeling that came in was named Kevin, and came to the wedding since plenty of excess love is generated during most weddings.
Most, she said.
All in all, the wedding went fantastically.
I'd say it's looking good for my peaceful life right now.
Pretty damn good.
*BOOM*
"THERE'S A FIRE" I heard the CMC yell from outside.
Yes, pretty damn peaceful.
Author's Note
The story is now officially over.
I have plenty of ideas on how Blaze could interact with characters and much more scenarios where the problem would've been solved with more ease.
I like to think he would get along with the Chrysalis of this story.
But, the official story ends here, everything else would be in a different one.
I'm thinking of naming it, something like "Calming Blaze: Afterstories" or something like that.
Before I get to that, I'll have to take a break, and I'll probably write something else first.
Thank you guys for reading this story, knowing that people are enjoying something I made really makes you more determined to finish it, and it also makes me happy, as sappy as that is.
With that, bye for now, and thank you for reading.
*Ding*
Hearing the small alarm inside my head, I quickly concentrate my magic and close my eyes to use a small connection.
Reopening my eyes, I now see the inside of the library, alongside Button who's asleep, no moms in sight though.
Gaining control of the clone, I leave the room as the purple unicorn bursts through the front door alongside the dragon.
Hiding in the shadows, I simply observe what she'll do.
She seemed to be the scholarly type.
The unicorn comes up to the second floor to put the dragon to a small bed I hadn't noticed.
Spike, I learned, is out like a light while the unicorn rambles to herself while looking through the books in the library.
Rainbow had made it in without much noise, though the stairs are quite a high vantage point.
"How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?" The purple mare keeps talking to herself.
Elements of Harmony?
Haven't heard of it.
Thought I wouldn't be surprised if that white peacock decided that she would hide it because nopony was 'worthy enough'.
"And just what ARE the Elements of Harmony? And how did you know about Nightmare Moon huh? Are you a Spy?" Rainbow suddenly got up in the unicorns' face as she interrogated her.
Before promptly being pulled back by Applejack from her tail.
"Simmer down Sally, she ain't no spy, but you sure know what's going on, don't you Twilight?" she asked with her accent.
Twilight.
That name sounds familiar.
Can't quite place it though.
The three other mares also made it to the party.
I was about to listen to Twilight talk about these artifacts, but I suddenly felt a magic source.
Focusing on the feeling, the magical signature is fairly familiar.
It suddenly flew away, prompting me to quickly trace its direction before cutting my connection with the clone.
Opening my eyes once more, I wake up at the town hall as the guards from before were stirring up.
Marking my destination, I quickly leave the scene.
I don't know what changed that caused Nightmare Moon to be free, but I will make sure she does not gain that freedom this time.
That disaster must not be repeated.
Stopping me on my hooves however, was the woods.
The Everfree forest.
An annoying, but otherwise safe-ish place.
As long as you know what to look out for.
Gaining momentum once again, I run straight into the forest, following the small trace of dark magic.
*Growl*
A pack of Timberwolves.
*Whimper*
A quick glare from an apex drove them away.
The weak should fear the strong, that was the quote right?
A small stop to catch my breath as I take in the sight in front of me.
A lone bridge that carried to a land isolated by a gorge surrounding it.
On the land is an abandoned castle.
Checking my magic reserves, which was filled rather quickly thanks to the magical body training.
Casting a light step spell, I quickly make my way across the bridge and into the castle.
The battle awaits.
*Nightmare Moon POV*
I darkly chuckle at my newfound freedom.
The shadows have been sent to deal with the six fillies after me and those miserable rocks.
The thought of a colt however, swiftly sends her into a fit of anger.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
With a yell, I destroy a few furniture to alleviate my anger.
Oh that damned colt.
How DARE he punch me.
And he thinks he can hide himself with that pitiful disguise spell.
I'll make sure he suffers thoroughly for this.
As the thoughts on how to make the colt suffer as he begs me for mercy, I smile at my imagination and the fact that Luna is no longer here to fight me.
Her struggle was annoying as she fought for control every time I thought of revenge.
Well, she no longer matters, not in her state anyway.
I'm overjoyed with this occasion.
A thousand years alone with that miserable mare can truly test ones patience.
*Bang!*
The doors to the throne room burst open as a familiar colt walks in.
The brat has come here?
By himself no less?
"You've made quite the mistake coming here alone, you naughty child"
"Is fine, you're much weaker that I planned for" he stared at me with eyes of a veteran fighter.
That calm and piercing gaze.
How could it belong to such a young foal?
*3rd POV*
The foal stands there with as much grace as his young body would allow whilst the mare stared right back with equal ferocity.
"I'll admit that you have courage, but it's only your death that it leads you to" the mare spoke as she observed the foal.
Something told her that she shouldn't charge in recklessly.
"You're stronger, I know that" he answered before doing something ridiculous.
A vortex of magic appeared, concentrating all of it towards the young colt.
The foal took it with stride as his eyes shone bright with pure magic flowing out.
As the magic finally stops being sucked in, the foals body had changed.
His mane now flew from a non-existent breeze due to the overabundant magic flowing around his body, looking unrealistic as if a real flame had been lit.
His horn had increased in size, an ethereal casing surrounding it which ended in a sharp tip.
His body grew to the size of an adult pony.
His veins could be traced as the orange colored magic ran through it.
Nightmare Moon stood there, staring as the foal in front of her had solved the problem of being weaker simply by becoming stronger.
And it worked.
The magical fluctuations around the colt felt dangerous.
It was as strong as an alicorns if not stronger.
What the tartarus was wrong with this colt, thought Nightmare.
The foal released a weary sigh as he spat blood on the floor.
"10 minutes" the colt spoke.
Nightmare Moon raised an eyebrow.
"I'll end it by then"
With that declaration, the colt lowered his head, aiming his horn at the alicorn.
The alicorn took her own fighting stance, lowering her horn to meet the colt.
The colt raised his right hoof before dropping it slightly in front of him, dragging it back to its place, leaving a trail of broken tiles in the floor
The alicorn had a serious expression as she responded in kind.
This was a duel of both life and honor.
She mustn't lose this.
With a silent bang, moving faster than sound itself, the two met in the middle as both their foreheads press together, trying to push the other back.
As the sound caught up, blowing the opponents back, both of their horns glowed with intense magic.
Soon enough, blasts of pure magic were thrown as the two danced through the air, one with wings whilst the other with magic.
With a burst of speed, the colt went on the offensive as he closed the distance and threw a punch.
A shield formed and took the punch, almost breaking it as a hoof from the alicorn came in.
Blocking with his left front leg, the colt drew the other back in for another punch.
The alicorn teleported away with a flash, escaping an unblockable hit.
Not even a second later, she formed an emergency shield which, unfortunately for her, broke.
With a burnt left front hoof, the alicorn fell from the air for a slight bit before spreading her wings once again, gaining altitude for another exchange.
"That damned horn is glowing too bright and too concentrated with magic to detect anything" she complained to herself as she cast a healing spell on her hoof.
"Alright" she said with contempt as her magic concentrated.
Her horn glowed as ethereal swords came into existence, a crystalline scythe formed from the shadows and onto her hooves.
The colt took a deep breath as he closed his eyes and concentrated as he raised his hoof to catch a ball of fire.
Taking shape on its own, it suddenly vanished, leaving a war hammer made out of magma and lava in its place.
The alicorn, with the black crystal scythe.
The glowing colt, with a hammer thrice his previous size.
The ethereal swords flew in with impressive speed as the colt rushed back in, hammer in his magic grip.
With a flick of his head from down to top, he raises the ground, blocking the swords as he jumped in the air and came down whilst his hammer followed his command, shattering the ground and forming a crater.
Nightmare Moon, having teleported away last second, created and launched several more groups of ethereal blades at the resulting dust cloud.
Only for the blades to hit nothing.
She formed a barrier as fast as she could, pouring in large amounts of magic onto it as she turned around with widening eyes.
The colt was in the air, only a step away from her as his eyes glowed with bright magic.
Hammer in the air, coming in sideways.
The hooves holding it glowing with a beaming intensity.
The magic gathered in such a short amount of time had such intensity that even the most magically inept ponies could feel it in such close proximity.
The hammer hits the barrier, completely shattering it within seconds, sending the alicorn flying with her back towards the throne.
Her body limp, yet her eyes clear.
Using more magic, she charges a barrier, changing its structure for a soft landing.
Placing it behind her, she bounces off of it, falling to the floor with a thud.
Alas, she fell to her hooves and stood tall.
The scythe, shattered before even a single use laid in front of her.
Her magic flowing as fast as possible to heal her chest.
A profusely bleeding hole, organs now visible along with shattered bones.
She coughed up blood as her spell disintegrated the burnt parts of her skin and inner flesh.
With plenty of adrenaline to withstand the pain, she stares straight at the colt with a fearsome glare.
She had not been imprisoned to lose.
She had not spent a thousand years, on that miserable rock, just to die here.
She had not starved and been mentally tortured for a thousand years, just to lose to a foal.
The colt stood there, panting as he held his head down, his body glow dimmed down by a noticeable degree.
Resting his front hooves on the hammer handle whilst standing on the hammer head, he raised his head and looked at the alicorn with the gaze he never seemed to lose.
However, with less magic concentrating the area around his body, Nightmare Moon could now detect the fluctuations in his magic.
Even with this small victory, she looked inside herself, frowning at the meager amount of magic left, which although more than the average unicorn, not nearly enough to use in this fight.
Ambient magic is out of the question with its ridiculously low concentration.
The improved concentration in the room could only serve as a higher quality training room.
As her wounds healed, she looked at the colt, who had finished used healing magic.
"Likely to heal broken bones from that ridiculous attack" she thought to herself.
"Who the tartarus even are you? Why the FUCK are you in my way?" she yelled with frustration at the annoying situation.
Close combat isn't an option, seeing as she's more of a caster than a fighter.
That monstrous foal has immense strength, too much for her to handle in melee.
"Somepony to make sure you don't cause more pain to others" he stepped down from his hammer, flipping it with his hind legs, landing the handle in the grip of his right hoof.
With a click of her tongue, she summoned one more ethereal sword, looking much more solid.
Grabbing with her hoof, she prepares herself for the upcoming exchange.
Keeping herself higher, she charges in with intense speed in the air.
The colt responds with a swing of his hammer from the side.
The alicorn quickly ducks the attack, swings her sword sideways for the colt to let go of the hammer and duck under it.
The colt spun on his front hooves, delivering a buck.
The alicorn dodges to the side and bring her sword in the air to chop his legs off.
He rotates on his one hoof in an instant, dodging the attack, jumping from his lowered hooves, he punches the alicorn with magic concentrating on his hoof, albeit much weaker than before, resulting in his body glowing dimmer once more.
Whilst she's recovering from the strike, the colt rushes to his hammer.
Grabbing it, he rushes back to the mare to deliver the final hit.
Raising it high, he stands on his back hooves, brings it down with both his front hooves, ready to end her life.
Alas, with a stroke of bad luck.
The floor broke from the previous exchanges.
His attack slowed ever so slightly.
It was all the mare needed to recover and squeezing out more magic, she delivered a simple yet effective attack.
Launching herself towards the colts side, she swings her sword sideways.
The colt barely moves out of the way, causing him to get sliced open, rather than dissecting him halfway.
The mare stood behind him, flicking her sword to clean the blood before releasing a relieved sigh.
However, when she heard nothing for just one second, she used what pitiful amount of magic she had to form a barrier.
A loud thud, caused her much fear as she anxiously glanced back.
Blood red eyes, glaring with great intensity and bloodlust.
His wound spilling out large amounts of orange blood onto the floor, melting it before cooling.
A sharp shard of the broken tile in his tightly clenched jaw.
She gulped as she took a step back, a fearful response.
Holding a fighting stance, she stood there, waiting for his next move.
But nothing.
Nightmare Moon finally realized.
The colt was knocked out.
Releasing her barrier, the body fell to the floor limply with a thud.
His magical glow had disappeared.
"heh" she giggled.
With each second, her giggling increased, turning into chuckles.
Those chuckles finally turned to a bellowing laughter, fully declaring her the winner.
She fell to the floor with a resounding thud, finally calming down.
First, she calmly collected the ambience magic, turning it into her own.
Without it, she could barely sense even the simplest of spells.
Then her calm was interrupted as she saw lights flashing through a window.
"Those wretched sun lovers found the Elements" she grumbled to herself.
Releasing her wings, she flew towards the window towards the tower next to the throne room.
She flew into the window, but it didn't shatter.
It held strong with a glow.
A magical glow.
She looked at the colt with a deep scowl.
He still angered her, even after his defeat.
Focusing her magic, she quickly broke the spell surrounding the throne room before rushing towards the tower.
The colts horn however, lit up with his orange glow.
His wound, healed up as his body shrank back to its original size.
Using the remaining refined magic in his body, his wound healed up quickly.
His veins however, would need rest to heal.
"Damn it, taking in that much magic was too much on this body" he spoke with gritted teeth.
With a scowl, he endured the pain as he stood up to leave.
"Ten more seconds and I would've died"
He limped as he tried to move.
His entire body screamed in pain as his blood had been burning while travelling throughout his veins, mimicking the feeling of hot lava going through his body.
"Fuck" he silently cursed.
"Grit through it like a stallion asshole" he reprimanded himself as he pushed his body to go faster.
Falling in through the roof in favor of saving her magic reservoir, Nightmare Moon lands right in front of Twilight.
She takes a defensive stance as soon as she lands.
Just in case this one was feisty as well.
Blaze, against the searing pain, finally reached the other tower.
The stairs were the most annoying.
Pushing one of the doors open slightly, he takes in a sight he deemed as utter bullshit.
Six ponies were giving off ridiculous amounts of energy as they were being floated by pure magic itself.
He watched with a slack jaw as Twilight preached about some kind of friendship, ultimately launching a rainbow colored beam which completely eradicated Nightmare Moon.
"What the fuck did I work so hard for?" he asked himself as he fell to the floor in exhaustion.
There was a blinding light which caused Blaze to close his eyes.
When he opened them once again, he found the six mares on the ground.
A blue alicorn with a lighter shade of blue mane with the moon as her cutie mark, was in the spot where Nightmare Moon was.
"What the fuck kind of foal tale am I in?" he asked himself with annoyance as he tried to slowly take in magic as to not interrupt the healing process of his veins.
Leaning on the now closed doors, he silently rested as he watched the events unfold in front of his eyes.
Pinkie Pie had given me a cupcake from somewhere as she stood with the rest, completely failing to mention my existence.
Celestia came in at some point.
"I swear, she used some zebra magic or something because you don't just come in from the fucking sun without activating any kind of magic around you" he grumbled to himself as he munched on the cupcake.
The six ponies also had trinkets for some reason.
Twilight is silently decided as the leader because she has a crown rather than a necklace.
Blaze didn't seem to care much about Twilight being Celestia's student, but he did call bullshit when Celestia said that she knew Twilight would defeat Nightmare Moon.
With a weary sigh, he reprimands himself.
"Okay, I'm still ticked off from the fight, just gotta calm down" he whispered to himself.
"It has been a thousand years since I've last seen you like this" Celestia said as she laid on her hooves in front of the blue alicorn, who was shaking with fear.
"It's her sister" Blaze thought to himself.
"Time to put our differences behind us, we were meant to rule together, little sister" she finished with a somber tone.
"Sister?" the six mares said in shock.
"Called it" Blaze smirked slightly.
"Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia asked as she raised herself.
The others were staring with hopeful eyes, with Pinkie almost ruining the mood by falling.
The blue alicorn cried as she leapt up and hugged Celestia whilst asking for forgiveness.
Blaze would've smiled at the wholesome scene, had he not been suffering ridiculous pain throughout it.
With a horrified gasp, the blue alicorn suddenly released the hug.
"THE COLT!" she screamed.
"What colt, sister?" Celestia asked with confusion.
"This colt" Blaze said lazily as he just laid there.
"Hi Blaze!" Pinkie greeted with a cheerie tone.
All eyes were now on Calming Blaze as he met them with an annoyed look.
"I bought some time" he said with a shrug.
"You are, uninjured" the blue alicorn said with slight confusion and relief.
"Pretty much, just melted veins is all" he said with a joking tone.
"Blaze? What're you doing here?" Rainbow asked as she flew towards him.
"I would like to know the answer to this as well, what is a little colt like you doing here?" Celestia asked with a gentle smile and that regal aura that smoehow intimidates and calms you down.
"Stop that, that royal thing you do just annoys me" Blaze said as he just stared at Celestia with an unimpressed stare.
She blushed a bit in response and cleared her throat first.
"Apologies, I have not realized I do that"
"Is fine"
An awkward silence descends as Blaze internally kicks himself for ending the conversation like that.
"So, Moon Princess, what's your name" he asked, trying to break through the awkwardness.
"I am Luna and" she stood with a shamed look. "I apologize for the injuries I have caused you"
"I'm fine" he answered with a wave of his hoof. "I would've won that fight if the floor didn't collapse though"
Celestia stood there with a proud smile for some reason.
"Truly" she admitted with a nod. "Are you truly alright though, you had suffered extensive injuries" she asked with a concerned look.
Blaze contemplated for a few seconds before saying the truth.
"My veins are burned from boiling my blood" he said with a calm smile.
"Oh dear" the yellow pegasus adopted a concerned face.
The white unicorn dramatically collapsed onto a fancy couch that came from nowhere.
"Bit of rest and I'll be fine" Blaze said in a reassuring tone.
Luna nodded, but was still concerned.
"Hey, you know what this calls for?" Pinkie suddenly said. "A PARTY!"
"Can anypony carry me?" Blaze asked with a resigned tone.
Dealing With a Few Problems
*Calming Blaze POV*
Mhmm.
Soft.
Warm.
Panicked voices.
Nice smell of flowers.
Wait.
Panicked voices?
Quickly sitting up, I look around the room.
I'm currently inside another guest room, on a bed, and also on fire again.
Last time, it went away after on its own after a short while.
Sending out my magic, I sense around the castle to see if anything is different.
Okay.
There's a significantly less number of guards and most importantly, two ponies are missing.
"Where the fuck are Lu and Celestia?" I say to myself as I get and walk out of the room.
First, I check up on mother.
Same as last time.
Actually, when WAS last time?
Nevermind that.
I run to the throne room.
There's probably some kind of assistant or somepony with that kind of job right?
Guards were hastily running around, some carrying orders and others just trying to help.
With a push, I enter the throne room to see a very stressed light gray unicorn mare shouting orders at ponies.
"Hello, Miss Raven Inkwell? Might I ask what's going on right now?" I ask as I approach her.
"Ah, yes, hello, you're Princess Celestia's guest right?"
"Yes, but that doesn't matter, what I want to know is, what's going on right now?"
"It's a mess, both princesses are gone, Prince Blueblood is away to Griffonstone for discussions about our alliance, Princess Cadence is already too busy with controlling her kingdom, so right now, I'm just giving away orders to find the two princesses as discreetly as possible right now"
No driver in the leader seat huh.
"Well, you're doing good then, I suggest going to Ponyville, stuff like this always happens there"
"Right, of course, the weekly incidents" she mutters and nods at me with a firm expression and calls for more guards.
Wait.
"Have you checked for the artifacts in the Royal vault?"
She froze for a few seconds.
"Fuck!" I shout as I run towards the vault.
Passing through several hallways, I call the free guards to come with me towards the vault.
Stopping with a skid, I break the door open with a punch as the guards rush inside.
"Check EVERY container and drawer, not a SINGLE item must be missing" I shout as I spread my magic around.
I guess the guards would follow my orders in an emergency like this.
Standing at the entrance, I scan the vault, checking if there's even the slightest oddities.
A piece of glass, a hoofprint on a container, anything that could tell me that there's an intruder.
In Celestia's vault/armory, any one object could bring disaster upon this world, not just Equestria.
As I stare over the guards checking every corner of the vault, I put my hoof on the head of the invisible pony who was about to leave.
"You might want to give up, I don't really like to cause unnecessary bloodshed" I say as the gravity around me increase by twofold.
"Gah" she yells in pain as she struggles to stay awake.
"Stop bullshitting me Chrysalis, the tartarus are you doing here?" I simply state, prompting her to drop her disguise spell with a burst of green fire to stand at her full height.
The guards point their spears at Chrysalis, preparing for an attack.
Don't they have anything other than spears?
"Tch, I guess I'm rusty since I got found out" she said with a neutral tone.
Her crown like antenna was missing.
A long scar running through her abdomen.
"You're from the other world" I state, surprising a few of the guards who were listeneing.
"IF YOU'RE DONE, GO TO RAVEN INKWELL FOR YOUR NEXT ORDERS!" I yell in the Royal voice, causing a few to wince at the volume, but still follow through nonetheless.
"So, why don't you give me what you stole?" I say as I drop my disguise, raising me to my full height.
She narrows her eyes at me , seemingly readying herself for an attack.
Then she stopped.
With a sigh, she used her hooves to bring out a bright pink potion.
"Of all things, you stole a love potion?"
"I needed food, even it was fake, it'll still feed me, much less efficient, but something is more than nothing right?" she said as she gave me the potion and sat down.
"How long have you gone without food?" I ask as I put the potion into a random drawer.
"Why are you asking me that? I can sense your distrust" she said as she gazed at me with her neutral expression.
It's not a mask.
"Can you blame me? It's hard to trust my enemy" I said as I closed the vault.
Well, as much as I can with a pieces of steel.
"Fine, I can accept that answer"
Giving a nod, I sit down in front of her with a slight distance.
"So, is your Sombra alive?" she suddenly asked me.
"Why you wanna know?"
"Because ours died after waking up from a coma. Other you said that he was a bad apple"
"His horn?"
"Shattered"
"Hmm, then Sombra has well and truly died"
We sit in silence as we gaze at each other.
"So, what's your objective then?" I decide to ask the important question.
"Survive"
"Not live?" I smirk as I ask her.
"Don't get philosophical with me, I only needed that potion because I needed easy food"
"Well, I could let you go, but you're still you, so I don't think I can"
"Well you might think that, but I've" she stopped for a seconds before gulping. "I've fallen, I am no longer a Queen"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm alone now, I can't connect to the hivemind anymore, I can't even lay eggs anymore"
"How did that?"
"YOU, no, the OTHER you! He cut my antenna off because there can't be two rulers, then he tried to kill me because, he had found a better me, so I'm going to survive, and I'm going to get, my, revenge, even if it costs me my life!" her voice kept rising as her anger fully showed on her face.
"I see"
"Don't, you, DARE, think of me like that, I don't NEED your pity, Blaze of this world" she suddenly said with anger as she pointed at me with her hoof.
"Woah, what, did I do?" I ask while standing to act, just in case.
She stared at me with a scowl for a few seconds while panting from her little rant.
Then her gaze softened as she sat back down.
"Nothing" she simply said as she looked down.
Seconds later, a few tear drops landed on the floor as her sniffled rang through the hallway.
I stare, a bit in shock.
Until I let out a silent sigh and move to comfort her.
With a wing draped over her, she cries her suffering.
I sympathized.
I knew the feeling of needing to cry too.
Placing the sleeping Chrysalis in the bed of the guest room I stayed in, I put an alarm spell on the door, just to make sure nothing happens because of a misunderstanding.
I'll ask questions when she wakes up, the connection to the hivemind is so important to a changeling that most would rather just die than to lose it, so it must've been quite difficult for her.
I spread my magic, just to check the castle again.
This time, I'll check every nook and cranny.
I gave my utmost concentration, draining a significant amount of magic from me, to find out, everything was pretty much the exact same as last time, just one changeling more than before.
*Sigh*
"Waste of effort"
For now, I'll head to the throne room to think of the next course of action with Raven.
Reapplying my disguise, I go my way, greeting the guards during their patrol.
At least the guards aren't panicking too much.
While on my way, a very strong feeling told me to look out a window.
Looking out the nearest window, I saw Ponyville infested by countless black roots.
"What the fuck?" I absentmindedly say, earning a flinch from the nearest guard.
"You're a guard, don't fucking flinch at a cuss" I state as I walk away towards the throne room.
Opening the door, I'm faced with a very angry looking unicorn in some fancy clothing yelling at Raven.
"SO IF YOU DON'T-"
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!" I yell with the Royal Voice, letting my shout reverberate throughout the room.
"How dare-" I interrupt with a slap as I approach the annoyed Raven.
"Give me a report" I tell her.
"The guards I've sent have yet to return with good news, but most suspect Ponyville due to Discord"
"Have you sent guards there?"
"I have, they haven't returned yet"
"Excuse me! I DEMAND to speak with the Princess!" I forgot about this guy.
"GUARDS! Take this moron away!" I yell, prompting two of the assembly of guards to carry him out of the castle.
It's good to have power like this I suppose.
"Wow, you can just do that?" Raven asked incredulously.
"Raven, there's a national crisis right now, we can't afford the time to hear out his ideas for a new shopping mall" I state as I move towards the secret door behind the thrones, surprising Raven.
"Where are you going?"
"Just following my gut" I move through the tunnel behind it, leading me to split path.
I pick right and move a bit faster, Raven quickly following behind me.
I push and open a hatch on the ceiling, leading me to Celestia's room.
While Raven was distracted with the security of this issue, I head to the balcony.
Staring off towards Ponyville, I notice a very familiar magical aura seeping off of the Everfree.
"What're those 6 doing there?" I mutter to myself as the aura starts magnifying.
As I contemplate whether I should head there or not, a wave of magic clears away all the black roots.
"Eh, I guess I'm not needed right now"
As I continue to observe, I practically watch a light show with Raven, who's now standing next to me.
"What're THOSE 2 doing there?" I say out loud after feeling two familiar magic signatures.
"You mean the Princesses?" Raven asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, I can feel their ridiculous amounts of magic from here" I simply answer as I walk back in.
"You mean, they're back?"
"Yeah, you can call the guards back too"
"Alright" she answered as we left through the front door, confusing the two guards who were at the door.
"Actually" I say as I go back in.
Looking around, I move away a blue banner with stars on it to reveal a secret compartment.
Sliding open the glass, I pull out a very familiar looking bottle of bourbon.
"Are you stealing alcohol from her?" Raven asked with confusion.
"Is it stealing if I'm only taking back what she stole from me?" I ask her playfully
"It is if she had a proper reason, like you being too young for it" she frowned as she answered.
"Well, I'm going to share it, so bye" I tell her as I leave towards my room.
Raven was contemplating something, but sighed and seemingly let me slide.
As I head back to my room, I contemplate about what I should do.
Maybe Zecora if I can find her, she was known to be quite good with zebra magic.
*Sigh*
It'll work out.
It has to.
Else, I won't know what'll happen with me.
