Look Inside Your Heart Part Two.

Chapter 5: The World Parallel. (P.O.V. Switch, Hermes.)

I stare off into the expanse of sky around Olympus, clouds drifting upon the breeze. I step to an outcropping and dangle my feet over the edge, and begin playing my reeds. The beautiful music echoed throughout Olympus, as the hawks flew above. This music was one of the few joys of being a god I had. Too much work and no play makes Hermes bored. I stop playing and put the reeds back into my pouch, and stand to find someone I knew quite well, Ares. "Good morning, Hermes." The armor clad war god said shaking my hand.

"As with you, Ares how goes the the war effort?"

"It's difficult to say, humans are quite resilient,"

"Wouldn't want this to be too easy would we?" I pat his back and we shared a laugh. "Now I gotta get back to work," I smile and send him on his way, minus a little gold from his money pouch. "Still got it," I dive off the outcropping and feel the wind through my hair, the fifty-thousand foot drop always made my blood boil and my adrenaline rush. As I fly closer to the mountain I flip to skate down the side, these humans really know how to live. In seconds I skidded to a halt at the foot of Olympus, changing my appearance only slightly to blend in with the crowd. "This place sure has changed since I was here last, Greece isn't so ancient anymore." A city full of humans lay at the mountain foot. I walked through the city taking some money here some fruit there, while leaving none the wiser. I chomp on an apple watching for any signs of the kid, none. "He did like Manehaten, so the human equivalent Manhaten, that's totally original." I

I walk to the docks and skim over the ocean. Hours later I made it to Manhatten, and swipe a local paper, and read the headline. Local teenager brings home the championship title for America,
Techno Bassboost returned yesterday from Tokyo, Japan with the Chapionship for the international martial arts tournament and is proud of his accomplishment. "I never dreamed of getting past state, but then nationals, and internationals, I never knew I was that good." The truth is he was phenominal, if you ask this reporter he's the best fighter in the world, but that's just my opinion, Techno has promised to give thanks for the support to each and every one of his family and friends.

I folded the paper and tossed it into a trashcan, and walked toward a small shop. I pushed open the door as a large man stood up from the desk in the corner. "Hello, how may I help you, today?"

"Formal as always, Aaron." I remove my fedora and smile at him."

"Hello Hermes, what brings you from Olympus?"

"The kid, it's time."

"So soon,"

"You have two weeks to say goodbye, if you wish I can shepherd your entire family over, for a price."

"It's always business, Hermes we accept your offer, on one condition,"

"And that would be, what exactly."

"Teach him,"

"What would you give me in return?"

"I will give you something more valuable than ambrosia."

"You have my attention," I smiled wryly and shook his hand. "It's a deal." I turn and walk toward the door, wondering what gift a mortal can bestow to a god.

(P.O.V. Switch, Monarch.)

Present

"Did you have to be so rough?"

"Why of course darling, you have to be quite thorough when dealing with clients such as yourselves." Rarity flipped through a book of fabric swatches. "Ah that's perfect, now run along it's almost time for you to be in Canterlot, I will send the suits to the castle as soon as they are finished, expect them this evening." As she pushes me out the door I feel her hand drift lower and pinch me.

"Au Revoir, Rarity." I turn and bow as Luna walks through the door with Nebula. "We must be going, we wouldn't want the guests arriving before the hosts now would we." I place my hands on their shoulders and grant them the speed of Hermes for a short time.

"Everything's so slow,"

"Since when can you use the speed of Hermes?" Luna was impressed I had learned such a high level spell. "And use it on others?"

"A little side effect from being inside Cress' head for fifteen years."

"What does that mean?" Nebula was confused.

"I'll explain later, just focus on the castle,"

"Okay Father," He closed his eyes and disappeared, Luna and I held hands and did the same. In seconds we arrived in the throne room, Luna took her seat next to Celes, and I took mine next to hers. Nebula sat next to me. "That was awesome,"

"I know just wait till I show all the other shit I can do." A loud knocking fell upon the doors as they creaked open, The Elements with the exception of Rarity came through first, followed by Cress and Soren, and finally the demigods. Celes was shocked to see the demigods, and was a little angry.

"Good afternoon Princesses," Twilight clearred her throat. "And Prince."

"Pinkemina Diane Pie, Explain your reason." Celes seemed a bit peeved.

"I'm sorry it's just I had a feeling," I could see Pinkie was hesitant.

"You know very well that it is dangerous to have them here."

"I know but,"

"While I do not condone the use of your 'special' talents in such a manner you must have a good reason."

"Yes a very good reason." I crossed my legs and waited in an attempt to egg her on.

"Well it's kinda complicated," Pinkie was desperately searching for the right words to explain their current situation. "You see uh well," For the first time she was speechless.

"I think I may be able to shed some light on the situation," A male voice echoed through the room. I heard a rustling in the rafters and stood. "But you'll have to catch me first." The voice taunted as I turned my gaze upward. I concentrate on the voice and draw my sword.

(P.O.V. Switch, Rainbow.)

That voice it sounded so familiar but where have I heard it before? I keep my guard up scanning the rafters for signs of movement. Monarch, sword in hand flew up and started swinging. The shadow threw him down to the ground. He landed as I heard a loud snap, I bolted over to find his face, was cracked. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine, nothing a little lotion won't cure." He struggled to move his arm, but nothing.

"That's it no more miss nice mare." I bolted straight up, landing on a support beam the shadow appeared. "You'll regret touching my friend."

"Would you look at that little Rainbow thinks she can take me,"

"How do you know my name?"

"Well I know quite a lot about each one of you, your hopes, your dreams, your nightmares." I lunge for him and swing my fist. "Can't touch me," He laughed.

"Quit it, stand still so I can kick your ass!" This guy was pissing me off.

"My, My you're a fiesty one aren't you, you're every bit your father."

"Shut up I'm nothing like my father." His words cut deep too deep. "My father left me out to dry like his dirty laundry!" Tears rolled down my face as I lunged again, this time my fist connected, with his hand. He raised me up and threw me across the room through one of the stained glass windows.

"Is that all you got?" The shadow stepped into the light revealing a human. "I've fought butterflies stronger than you."

"You," I sit up my body impaled with shards of glass. "Take it back."

"You need to hear the truth, young one." His hand grasped my chin and he pulled me up out of the rubble. "You are useless, if you truly wish to defeat me you must accept your role in all of this."

"That's enough!" Cress shouted from the gaping hole.

"Now you're gonna get it." I spit in his face before he throws me back through another window.

(P.O.V. Switch, Cress.)

"You have no place here," I fly out and land in front of the creature.

"And who's gonna kick me out, you don't make me laugh."

"You will leave you have hurt too many." I reach for my knife and lunged.

"Too slow," He slipped past me with such ease, as I felt a blade plunge into my back piercing a lung. I fell to my knees as the air rushed out the hole and blood flowed out my mouth. "Look at that, all dressed up and nowhere to go." He laughed.

"Not, dead yet." My eyes flamed over white and my wound healed instantly. I slowly stood to my hooves and slashed at his face drawing blood. "But you will be soon." I plunge my knife into his stomach and he falls over my shoulder. "You will not die today, you will live as punishment." I throw him to the ground and his smile disturbed me.

"You have no idea who you're dealling with, mortal."

"Cocky prick, tell Zeus what transpired here today,"

"How,"

"I am no mere mortal, you shall regret trying to kill the Gifted."

"Oh Shit," He backs away slowly. "Don't kill me."

"Why should I spare you?"

"I'll tell you everything, just don't kill me."

"Well," I ponder a moment as Hermes is electrocuted, wounds healing. "You have a deal."

"You really are the Gifted."

"And this is for Rainbow Dash." I grab his neck, slam him on the ground, and throw him through the castle wall. I quickly fly to Rainbow and her life was fading. I place my hand over her heart and focused sending the storm of Zeus through her body. It began to convulse under the intense voltage. Her eyes shot open and she gasped for air. "Thank Hephaestus."

"Did I win?" She seemed normal but her mind was elsewhere.

"Yes you did." I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed tight.

"How did you do that?" Twilight's eyes were wide open.

"The Storm Of Zeus." Luna said kneeling over Monarch's body.

"Hey buddy," I kneel beside Monarch. "How're you feeling?"

"Hollow,"

"Let's see if we can fix that," I cracked my knuckles and focused on both the Flame, and the Storm. His body was struck with lightning and was set ablaze. His fragile body melted, as it took a skeletal form, I raised my hand slightly and used tapestry as a medium for muscle tissue stitching his muscles back together strand by strand. I lower my hand as the large curtain starts to unravel and wrap around his body, his flesh and black fur materialized as his eyes opened. With the one ounce of strength I had left I pulled a suit of armor from the wall and placed him inside. My vision grew dark and my hearing lost.