(Perspective of view: Third Person)

“Living in a library huh? Doesn’t fit the whole slightly advanced town aspect.” Ryan thought aloud.

It was very early in the afternoon when Princess Celestia and Ryan left the hospital after the latter was discharged. Wearing a normal non-description blue jacket and black jeans, which Ryan was surprised they existed here, and the same boots he was wearing before despite the warm weather, they were still comfortable.

Celestia was right by his side standing in front of a literal tree house, acting as his motherly figure which was no different to normal behavior for the thousand year old mare. The alicorn achieved the effect of calming everyone down before riots started happening and declared that Ryan’s sister and all her friends were something called the Elements of Harmony which were the objects used against Luna’s curse.

Princess Celestia nodded. “Indeed, it takes unique accommodation to an entirely new level. It’s where the previous librarian stayed.”

“So a fire breathing dragon, an obsessive mad scientist, and one sane human all living in a tree house. This seems like the start of a mob forming.” Ryan snidely commented, the sun’s rays were getting into his eyes at this point which was quite annoying for him. “I can’t believe I never asked but how’s the No Regrets guild doing? They were all knocked completely unconscious when I stepped in.”

The mare glanced out of the corner of her eye in Ryan’s direction. “They were hospitalized, the injuries proved to range from severe to minor bruising. I called in some of the best doctors from Canterlot to save them though, it was the least I could do for some of the saviors of Equestria.”

Ryan Steele forced a smirk and patted his friend on the back. Feeling a bit of disgust leaking through his very being; perhaps some of it was bled in from Alter as well. “Right, then is this where we part ways Princess Celestia?”

“Hm, I’d suppose so. But remember to keep the details under wraps until I make a more public statement. A letter will be sent through your little brother, be ready for it” The alicorn chastity reminded him.

They share one more stare of mutual understanding between one another. Ryan waves to the Alicorn who walks off to two guards that were standing post near the edge of a chariot from the road.

The newly made immortal man shakes his head and enters his new humble abode. After all his very existence was anything but.

(Perspective of view: Ryan Steele)

“Okay Spike, I’m ready, shoot that shit inside!” I’m inside the library, holding a black burnt pan in a tennis player’s stance with soot and small burns covering my body. Spike is standing on the other edge of the kitchen as I slowly back away into the living room, his hoodie is up, covering his eyes. Between those scales I can see some anime characteristical smile threatening to appear. I taught him well in the art of taunting for him to be going to that level.

Spike holds his head down, putting both his claws into those jacket pockets of his. “If you think you can handle the heat, but you’re already outta the kitchen. Take this bro, fore!” Nice verbal comeback if I must admit. A speeding jade colored fireball exits from my little brother’s mouth and crashes towards me at a near blinding speed.

“Nice try but I’ve got your timing down to a T now, FULL COUNTER!” I take the imagery of the fireball in my mind and swing right into where I predicted it to land, resulting in a loud ‘Clank!’ which partially made use of the (Counter) skill, deflecting the fireball back to sender.

The green fireball washes over the unimpressed dragon. He inspects the tips of his claws and indeed smiles this time around. “Good job little one, you have much to learn from the way of the dragon. One baby step after another is fine enough, twenty more times and training is done.”

“A cheeky sonuvabitch eh? All this taunting really is getting to me then.” I give a salute and get back into my stance, watching Spike wipe away a small cinder on his clothing. “You got it teach, I’m gonna leave you in the dust!”

“Noponies gonna be leaving anypony in the dust!” Both of us turn towards the sound of the noise, a very angry sister is on the steps leading up stairs. “I leave you two alone for two hours and this is what you guys get up to?” Twilight’s holding a book in her left arm with a symbol on it, also carrying a small crystal light source inside her other hand.

The frying pan I was holding goes slack in my hand and falls to the floor. Spike sees this as a prime opportunity to point his claw at me. “He’s the oldest, I’m only going along because he’s basically making me.” Oh you slick piece of- okay fine, two can play at that game.

“Hey, I asked. Key word, I asked you if you wanted to Spike. If ya didn’t then you should’ve said something. Something tells me that after you kept nicking me with fireballs though I doubt you actually wanted to stop.” I defensively mentioned.

Twilight stomps her hooves down the steps and uses her magic to pinch my ear and to pinch one of Spike’s spines. “It doesn’t matter who did what at this point.” She snapped. “I’m ending it, Ryan I can’t believe you have this much energy after what happened because I sure don’t. The two of you are going to behave after this, or else you are both going to be going missing.”

The entirety of my body’s reflexes made me involuntarily gulp in fear despite my biology’s predatory nature. I rapidly nod up and down.

My scaly brother gave a shaky thumbs up. “R-right, we’ll keep it down Twi, promise.” Spike verbally answered, much to my thanks.

Our fierce Twiggles calmly sighs and stops pinching our respective body parts. “Good riddens, sometimes it feels like I’m the eldest sibling.” She makes her way back upstairs without another noise.

Spike and I look at each other, confused on what to do. “I think we should take Twi seriously this time Ryan. We were both glad to see you awake at the hospital, let's tone it down a notch since the time calls for it. Twilight is really tired because of all the new changes that’ve been made in our life.”

I raise an eyebrow, Spike’s being unusually mature for how he usually acts. “What’s gotten into you Spike? I ain’t saying you’re wrong, in most cases though you tend to take things at a carefree angle. A nature as old as time for my little bro.”

He shrugged in response, I’m praying he leaves me behind here. Being left alone with goodies galore makes for anyone to know they’re achieved. “I don’t-” He yawns mid sentence and rapidly blinks. “-really think of it like that. I pick up a thing or two from smarter people in the room. Using all that Ether and constantly pulling outside Mana in without having any Reservoir in storage to use for fireballs is a full workout by itself.”

A small frown finds its way on my face as I say nothing and watch Spike bring his hoodie down that was obscuring his features. “No need to get so sad, I saw you messing with Princess Celestia from outside, it’ll be as if nothing changed.” Spike turned around, went to the living room/library portion and pressed against the front door. “I think I’ll head out for the afternoon, there’s probably a good donut shop around here like Donut Joe’s. Hopefully make some friends or see Applejack, she was uh, nice.”

I only nodded, easily holding back a smile that could replace my false sadness. “We’ll catch up later then little bro, go out and enjoy yourself. Don’t let me hold you back, chain and ball style. Go spit your game little man.” I watch the not so little scamp go through the entrance of the library, a small bell jingles as he does.

Watching the door close behind him I stretch my limbs and pick up the pot I dropped earlier and hang it back up in the kitchen. “Time to weigh my options…” I cover my mouth after chuckling as to not alert my younger sister. “Who am I kidding? I’m obviously checking my spoils of war.”

Waving a hand in the air and searching through the list of items I have, I idly talk to myself. “I need a real agenda, also checking up on my friends is a number one priority. Or at least it would be if I knew my way around this damn place. My sense of direction is worse than someone who can’t even see.”

I pause for a moment and reach in the air, pulling out a black sludge with blue eyes covering the substance. It’s cold to the touch. As if it came out of liquid nitrogen. Weird considering the items I retrieve from the inventory are as warm as they came in, then again I did get this by defeating a boss. “I have no clue where Sweet Apple Acres is at, nor do I even know where the rest of those girls were. Building relations with locals is a necessity and I can’t appear like a shut in.” Geography classes couldn’t help me, why did I expect a sense of direction to ever come to me?

“Probably because of all the negative karma you have.” Being sassed by consciousness aside I thoughtfully hummed at what my next action would be.

“Should I-” Stopping for a moment I consider whether or not I should do this in a more secretive manner, this is the first time I’ve gotten decent loot from the system. “-yeah I should, to the basement it is.” I carefully hold the solid gelatinous black sludge in my hands and take a few steps in a random direction until I realize something.

“Crap, I’m not even sure if there is one. There’s only one thing this calls for, exploration time!” I hold the shifting black mass close to me and systematically explore the lower level, not that there’s much to it. All I can find are books, more books, a living area, the kitchen, and did I mention books? I’m in the middle of pulling books as if they’d lead to a secret area until I see a door in the stairs.

That definitely should’ve been obvious for me. “Ah, well I’m stupid now, aren’t I?” Not bothering to answer my own question, I jiggle its doorknob and it comes right open, allowing me to descend downstairs.

It reeks of mildew, you’d think the other owners would’ve taken better care of this place, the looks tell otherwise. “It’s just you and me. Nightmare essence, one of the drops from Nightmare Moon or er… Alter.” I inspect the sludge close to my eyes, holding no precautions for safety. “Tell thy secrets!”

Nothing, it was worth a shot mimicking the bosses’ speech patterns. “I wonder if you’re edible, hm. Eh, I’m done guessing, Item Description!” I use something I haven’t done in a considerable amount of time. In front of me a blue screen detailing the item’s description (self explanatory if you ask me) makes itself known.

‘Item: Nightmare Essence, requires power 10, (Rarity: Artifact)’

‘Description; A part of the parasite acknowledged as “The Nightmare” that has been removed from its main core. Non-sapient in nature, its slight telepathic nature through emotions has proven to be fairly useful in battle. Other than warding off good, its main use lies in being applied to weaponry, most Nightmare Essence has a weapon in preference to being grafted to, do so carefully!’

“Wait, is this a coincidence between the deal Alter and I made or was this a premeditated effort on Gaia and Yaldabaoth’s end? Either way this is something worth celebrating! A way to create my very own Excalibur so to speak!”

Both my hands rocket up to the ceiling with the intent to praise the partially intact parasite part, accidently hitting my knuckle on the ceiling.

Doing what any normal functioning adult would do, I make my feelings known to any unfortunate soul around to hear this shout. “SONUVA DIAMOND DOG!” I watched my total health pool go down by a mere 0.2% even if it felt like I lost that hand entirely.

“Did I really say “sonuva diamond dog?” I really do need to hang out with non-ponies.”

Between making a bunch of hissing noises from the pain, I managed to recover, even when I thought my fighting career was permanently over with. “Good thing I didn’t drop you. I theorize that I’m merely supposed to...” I found the smallest consultation in that fact, whipping out the bronze spear that failed to break during my confrontation with Nightmare Moon through the inventory. And with the grace of an elephant, smash it into the Nightmare Essence, holding zero hesitation.

A small screeching noise comes from the black gooey substance covered in eyes, said substance had a spear that penetrated straight through one of its eyes. Also managing to have all of its innumerable blue eyes dart to look at me.

“NOPE! I don’t do this demonic shit, you got it nightmare fuel.” I dropped the spear, I didn’t want to risk anything the system wasn’t gracious enough to give me. Yet something miraculous happened, the Nightmare Essence had covered that basic spear like a uh, symbiote would be the best example. And mutated the item into some giant lance instead of a spear, fully covered in a hardened black substance that I can only assume comes from the Nightmare Essence and decked out in those cat-like piercing blue eyes that are still staring at me.

“I know by all means I shouldn’t pick it up, being a literal grade A object but I can feel it calling me. True power that I could hold in an instant! Ah screw it, I’ve got nine lives, nine regenerating lives at that… Right, a boon and a curse. If I die I’ll come back good as new.” Deciding to choose mind over matter, my response to the bizarre act is to grab hold of the sizable lance.

As I do, my senses open up like nothing I’ve ever felt before. There’s a small trilling in the background, the piercing eyes finally relax and go back to staring at different parts of the basement.

“Fucking score! HA, TAKE THAT WORLD, I’M NOT CURSED AND STILL STANDING!” I jump in the air, no short amount due to the joy that courses through me.

I internally cringe, a mixture of what I could only assume was Alter’s disapproval of my childishness and the prospect of disturbing my sister. I think Twi hadn’t noticed though. She’s a tolerant gal for the most part. “Declarations against this twisted world aside, what can you do?” My brow slightly crinkles as I try waving it in the air. All the eyes swirl in place, mimicking a cartoonish dizzying effect.

One moment, I’m acting like a stupid douche, the next moment, several black tendrils are buried into my right arm from the lance’s pommel. A huge shock of knowledge transmutes throughout my entire body, as if it were burning my body from the inside. All I knew at the moment was pain, a black flash crossed my eyesight, and I was temporarily blinded by the damn thing. Everyone knows better than to jinx things like this.

Minutes later I cradle my head, attempting to go through all the knowledge I gained about the object’s functions. But twice today, fucking twice! I had bombshells of knowledge skull fucked in my head! I had to recover from the mental strain. At least I can summarize what it does though, something about shadow magic constructs. That and now it’s soul bound to me.

“Hurray, and what’s your name exactly? Item description.” The sarcasm I exuded couldn’t have been any more noticeable. No one needs a weapon bound to their very essence that can’t be disarmed from you. The crazy world I live in eh?

‘Item: Calamity Cinnabar, requires power 15, (Rarity: Artifact)’

‘Description; The results of a unholy matrimony that functions as a container for legends which is heavily repurposed due to Player: (Ryan Steele)’s Origin of Chimera, currently it holds the one of ‘Imitation Arondight’ a legendary knockoff from Lancelet’s signature lance degraded by one grade. Calamity Cinnabar’s base usage is on the principles that it steals mana upon each swing while creating pools of shadow at will that chain its target.’

“What the fuuuuuuuck?!”

My mouth gaped open. The only thing in my eyes is the all-seeing eyes that occupy the lance; all of this for one artifact leveled item. Everything I worked towards alone could be summed up to this! I don’t even need to look at the others if I’ll get these kinds of toys!

And so I went through three of the items. Surprisingly enough I did this only because of the fact that I got a gut feeling. Alter must already be putting in work for that contract, that or I feel the need to let my guard down this low. So despite my paranoia I trust her on this. By the time I did there was sweat pouring from my forehead. Each had their own effects I’d never heard of before. Meaning they didn’t originate by the source material they appeared in, just my luck.

I kept all items that’d raise questions, back to my inventory. So no Ring of Nightmare for casting fear spells on people or the newly made Calamity Cinnabar lance. Lilith’s Scaled Skin doesn’t even let me look at its description which is another bug my benefactors need to patch! Last but not least for evil items there’s the Devil’s Coin. I silently whisper ‘Item Description’ and peek at it.

‘Item: Devil’s Coin, requires power 100 0, (Rarity: Artifact)’

‘Description; Just for you Jack, your own little regret to use at your own disposal; a wonderful idea right? I gave you purpose only to take it away; so call for me at your lowest point, it couldn’t possibly get any lower could it?’

The item goes back into my inventory faster than I meant to do so. “Something tells me that ominous message correlates with the fact that the requirements on this thing were completely removed. Probably best to never use it in the first place, anyone with a sixth grade reading level would be able to tell that.”

Imagine getting some of the best loot while having the most boring mid-game progression and you aren’t allowed to use it because it looks more possessed than a haunted house. Ponies, I swear. You’d think that with the introduction of all this technology, new races, and monsters, that they’d toughen up, but suppose not.

I snap my fingers and point towards the empty space in front of me. “Status!” Who cares if I don’t need to say it aloud. It’s not a cringey anime move so that’s all I need.

The same blue themed screen pops in front of my face, showing a whopping two hours had passed in my wake.

“I really need an active watch to keep track of time.” I proposed something new to get when I go shopping.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

I briefly flinch, even from down here I heard someone knocking at the front door. Might as well save my little sis from the trouble of getting up herself. I went up the steps and through the door inside the stairs, giving me fresh air that’s not poisoned by the scent of mildew, thank the heavens.

Opening the door without question I see three familiar faces.

A pegasus with pink hair meekly waves her hand. “Hello Ryan, we wanted to check on you and your family after all of the… Scary stuff that happened.” Fluttershy gently rubbed the side of her green sweater, that girl definitely fidgets a lot then.

Rainbow Dash held a comforting gaze for both me and her yellow friend. “I had to drag her out personally y’know? Flutters was scared. Afraid that you wouldn’t be the same when you got hurt like that.”

“I still owe ya a drink or two, right after you tell me how you got hit like that and kept going like a pro!” She added onto her previous statement.

The last one to speak was Rarity, I could tell that she had been crying when there hadn’t been a need to, always depending on who you ask though, they might say otherwise.

Rarity, the pampered unicorn, smiled. It wasn’t one of those fake ones that you could spot a mile away, instead it was a genuine one. “Fireworks Darling, that bright integration of dark and light, oh how elegant that was in comparison to your regular aura. On behalf of everypony you helped save, I thank you. And know, you are welcome to Carousel Boutique at any time.”

“Oh-ho, and here I thought that the ladies hated me, especially the one with the stick up her ass. Time to go casual and put on a show.” Playful jabs I make come to my head, insults I never mean.

Lightly smiling, I hold a hand up to gesture for them to stop. “No need ladies. I know how awesome I am, I did it for my fans that I’ve acclaimed worldwide. I can go grab my sis, Spike’s out exploring somewhere else though, a good chance he’s at Applejack’s farm at this very moment.”

Their rainbow haired companion smirks and holds out a fist. “A fellow awesome enthusiast? This has got to be fate working its magic to bring the two of us to meet.” I promptly matched her fist bump like a true bro.

“Joy… There are two airheads amongst us now.” Rarity looks between the two of us, a tired expression on her face. “Generosity is practically my middle name, thus I will provide ample patience, Celestia knows I’ll need it.” And lord knows I’m glad to see that I’m not the only type of troublemaker here.

Rainbow Dash shrugs, my guess is that she’s too used to hearing stuff like that. “Anywho, we came here to treat you. It’s ‘too early to drink’ according to Rarity and Shy, so I thought we could go to this really nice place that has a good view of the murdery death forest that tried to take us out last night.”

“It’s near my cottage so we s-should be fine. Everypony is still at work or in school, because of how early it is, it’ll be perfect to relax at.” The shy one was really proud of saying that, possibly the most umpf I heard her use but then she hung her head down, holding onto the sleeve of her sweater. “But I get it if it sounds boring.” Fluttershy said at the last second. Ah, that’s what it was, I knew someone like her, always ready to say sorry for the smallest things.

I nodded my head, making it clear that I felt no qualms against it. Knowing these three for the short amount of time that I have, that might not have the same meaning for them.

“Nah it’s fine, I could use some time to relax. I rarely got downtime in Canterlot anyways, I’d even take care of someone else’s kid if it gave me a chance to slack off and get in a quick nap. I’ll fetch Twi for you all.”

Rarity softly sighs and bows her head. “Thank you darling, we will be waiting for the two of you outside.” Manners, I never really liked em but they did help me score that part time job I got. Doubling back, I retreat back into my home and upstairs for Twiggles’ room.

The thoughts of how these new magical objects I’ve achieved surface through my mind once again. Being a quote on quote ‘champion’ for them doesn’t sit right with me.

“This one in a billion chance feels as though it could just as easily be a curse rather than a blessing. I’m the only one this has happened to, the one left alone in a world that no one else could possibly understand.” The grip I held on the wooden railing became rigid, unmoving.

But on the other hand, this is heaven sent. “There’s finally real magic at my disposal, maybe, just maybe I could break through those barriers and see Earth again. It’d be nice to show off what eight years here brought me.” I loosen my grip and keep going up the stairs, being careful not to show my worrying nature of those thoughts.

I’m greeted with an oak door. There’s no more time to waste on bad thoughts that aren’t healthy. I move my knuckles to make a speedy knock on Twilight’s room when it swings open without prompt.

Twilight is standing right in front of my knuckle. She takes a step back with those readers covering her eyes. “Woah! Ryan, what are you doing so close to my door?” She asks in a semi-high pitch tone.

This would have been a great opportunity to play a prank but I choose not to and instead get straight into it. “Our friends wanted to celebrate what happened over our victory and I wanted to oblige. That also includes you Ms. Studies a Lot.”

A red hue appears on both sides of her face. “I do not study that much.” She dutifully sighs and smiles. In the process, my unicorn sister levitates her pair of reading glasses and puts them on a desk that has four different books stacked up in a corner with one already opened in the middle of it. “A break is definitely in order. I have no idea what you were doing in the basement but it sounded strenuous the few times I came downstairs to fetch something.”

Awwww, she does think of things other than her books. “After you then dear sister.” My little purple sis snorts and travels downstairs, actively greeting our friends with zero hostility, and I make no comment on it. The five of us trek through Ponyville, spent by the three experienced ponies who’ve lived here for quite a few years pointing us to multiple land marks, nearly all of which I’ve seen before, except for the local communal laboratories (that definitely shouldn’t be a thing), and the museum that I’ll never go to. I said nothing the entire time, only making a few passing jokes that got varying reactions until we arrived at this secluded place inside the forest that was brightly shone by the sun.

Fluttershy gingerly laid a large cloth that was patterned white and red, a classic choice on her end. Rarity sets down five glass cups, an extra one being set aside, and their fast friend brings a large bottle of some bubbling liquid. One that I hope isn’t champagne, wouldn’t ever be my first pick of a beverage.

My younger sister has already sat down in a comfortable position facing the sun, her rapidly blinking eyes and comfortable smile both immensely contrast each other. Her friends and I all got comfortable on the picnic cloth next to her.

“Thank you three for doing something so welcoming for us.” Twilight’s gratitude expressed through her smile becoming a dark magenta.

They really did a good thing here, maybe this is one of the pros of living in such a closed community. “You guys have no idea how much Sparks and I are smiling inside. Back in Canterlot folks never did this type of thing.” Twilight shakes her head and rubs her temple, getting annoyed at my antics if I had to guess. “Though, I chalk it up to the fact that the industry is running rampant over there, a shame Spike isn’t here though.” I added.

Rarity waves me off and pours some of that bubbling liquid in the glass cup they’re holding and passes it to me. “It’s nothing dear, excuse me for saying this-” She stiffles back a snicker. “-but Sparks? Is that a nickname for Twilight that you have?”

Ah I was wondering when one of them would pick up on that. Rainbow Dash seems rather chill over it. Rather unbecoming of someone of our ilk.

“Yep, she’s still under my care. Her ultimate trump card, so I mess around a bit, like usual.”

Twilight rolled her eyes at me. “Ryan I’m twenty three, I could legally move to a different country if I wanted to and nopony would be able to stop me.”

“Sounds like you have got a good head on your shoulders. Like an entirely different Element of Loyalty.” Rainbow Dash complimented as I went to sip on the drink Rarity offered me. One gulp is all I need to contort my face. And worse yet Fluttershy notices, even after all the prevention on swearing and threats so far I’ll still be perceived as rude.

The pink haired pegasus tilts her head. “Ryan, do you not like it?” I hastily shake my head. Fluttershy seems to understand this. “Apple cider tends to be an acquired taste, so that’s fine, we won’t take offense to it, and I’m sure Applejack wouldn’t either.” Phew, I really thought I screwed up there for a second.

“Thank God- er do I thank Yaldabaoth and Gaia now or…?” Yet another confusion to add to the tally of weirdness in this world.

“Wait, he doesn't like apple cider? Ah c’mon can this day do anything worse to top that off?” I give Rainbow Dash a weird look after that display. Her blue finger wags back and forth from the ground. “Gotta say I am disappointed. Cider is the ichor of gods, to deny it is to deny life.” Never thought anyone could be so passionate about apple cider.

Twilight had a thoughtful look. “Ah so Applejack’s family really does supply all the apple related products in this town.” I should’ve seen that coming, Apple jack, apples, Applejack, it was right in front of my face.

Rarity sits up as she takes a sip from her own glass. “So darling while we’re here do you mind showing us how you did that little magic trick. I spent the time that passed us by asking that to myself on repeat.”

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both share an acknowledgement of agreement. “I never saw a bag of holding from where you were picking these things from, it was like you were Pink-” Swiftly but gently I covered Fluttershy’s muzzle in order to stop her huge mistake in the making, superstition be damned!

“Do not say that name. Names give them power, I am not strong enough, not yet.” I warned her, the only other adversary I see as a threat to my well being. Even with nine total lives my legs quake at the mere thought of here.

A purple aura swats my hand away from Fluttershy’s mouth, slightly stinging as well. “Ryan I completely understand where you are going but there are less physical ways of preventing the invocation of an anomalies name.”

I snapped my fingers. “Right, no getting handsy with people, so the complete opposite of in Canterlot.” I playfully joked, this time getting a more positive snort from my little sister..

Rarity took another sip, this time it was slow and calculated. “Dear, you still never answered my original question, could you show us that neat little trick you had done earlier?”

“Or! Show us that aura you had, it made you go twice as fast, like boom, bam, bash!” Rainbow Dash counter-suggested.

I extend my hands out to stop them. “Ladies ladies, one at a time please! I can do the thing with the inventory right now but using (Ira) out here without a purpose? That sounds like something I would suggest, which means you and I are more alike than we realized.” Cheaty hammer-spaces be damned, people wish they could have something like this. I’m probably one of the very few people who have this in the multiverse so suck it everyone else! Of course I’ll show it off.

Without further need, I pull out my less extravagant items, all excluding the seemingly cursed as all Tartarus items I got from Nightmare Moon.

“And this is the new tool I got from some mare named Luna.” I pull out my Morningstar from thin air to show it off.

Fluttershy smiled and took a sip of her apple cider as well. “You met Princess Luna? Is she not still at Canterlot?”

My little sister sighed in contempt. “Ryan, you never told me that. And you still refuse to let me study how you do that.” Twilight said.

I shrugged. “That's on a need to know basis, and that skill right there isn’t needed to be studied.” Doubly so when it applies to this world literally being puppeteered by gods and goddesses. “Anyways, are any of you interested in a story? I got this book from somewhere that’s not really important and would appreciate it if you’d take some time to read it with me.”

“I did not know that our guild base was considered to be unimportant in this circumstance.” The spontaneous voice that came from in the tree line startled us until William fucking Cobert walked out without a bruise on him.

Rainbow Dash flaps her wings up, getting into the air and in front of William, hugging him. “William, dude you recovered that fast? Actually I shouldn’t be that impressed by the leader of somepony who rivals in awesomeness.”

William’s looks were a bit scruffy yet still appeared presentable. “I was the first to recover but I was told Marax and Vanishing would follow soon after. Until then I tried to find where Ryan Steele and Twilight Sparkle were located and told you two were here.”

“It’s so great to see you William! After that display that you and your guild had showcased during the fight with Nightmare Moon you all really shined with your teamwork.” My little sister kept her happiness that she previously had.

The Adret shook his head. “We were merely doing as we are paid to do, so if that is an excusable reason enough, I heard something about a book. I would not mind taking a gander at it.”

Ponyville’s prestige fashionista gestures for William to sit next to herself who obliged. “A noble bunch as I have said so many times previously. I think it would be the least we could do to read a boring ole book.” The white unicorn said.

“Books aren’t boring!” William, Twilight, and myself all said in unison. While those were garnered reactions from the two of them, everyone instead starred in my direction.

“Dude, did you just say books aren’t boring? No offense butttttt you talk like you are straight up allergic to reading.” Okay, Rainbow Dash should’ve been the last person alive to say such a thing. Doesn’t mean she’s wrong.

Fluttershy briefly flapped her wings. Considering what her friend said I’m sure. “That’s not very nice Rainbow. I’m sure that Ryan is an avid reader.”

I shrug my shoulders after hearing her defense. “Nah she’s right, I am, I figured that I’d tell a story from this thing though if anyone were interested.”

My guild leader put a hand on his chest as he spoke. “I for one would be pleased to listen to a story told by No Regret’s newest member.”

“If the story’s interesting enough then I’m game.” Rainbow Dash indifferently admitted.

Twiggle Spiggle raised an eyebrow and floated her respective glass of apple cider to her mouth and sip it. “I haven’t gotten around to reading all the books in the library. I’d love to spend time with my big brother, no matter how obnoxious he is.”

“Romance always sweetens the deal darling, here’s to hoping this book of yours includes that as well.” Rarity added.

Smiling, I reach from thin air and retrieve the Legends of The Four Worlds and open its first page.

“All of you prepare for a story that belonged to those who acquired world-class fame and those who are only loosely remembered. Remember folks, I never was a good storyteller but when something catches my eye, I tend to do it justice.” I squint down at the pages before sitting up in a criss-crossed position, prompting everyone to adjust themselves so they’re in front of me.

“This tale is of when Gaia was an entirely separate plane of existence from the world we know now. There was someone who was very special, even more of an oddity than the mad researcher who cracked the code to magic, even stronger than the famed ‘Prince’ who controls his legion of spearmen, no, this man’s name was Yreol and he would go on to become the Mad King of Sentinel.”

Author's Note

'Weapon description: Imitation Arondight'

'A weapon meant for someone who knew no true struggles in life, another gift from the lady in the lake, one that has weakened due to its owner's lack of recognition. In its current 'form' that is held inside the container of the Calamity Cinnabar it may produce a maximum of four threads of magic as a C ranked anti-unit noble phantasm that bypasses any C-ranked magical defense in order to hold the opponent down for the perfect "fanatical" shot, though if one's Luck, strength, or agility stat is high enough the threads may be brute forced or dodged with relative ease. This is truly the "runner up's" gift compared to a true hero.'

All credit for this weapon goes to Create-A-Servant's very own BnEI15