Gregory flew closer to the school gates after a few tense hours of fighting the fire. As he got closer his fear was then realized as he landed in front of the smoky ruins of a wall. The Seeds of Yggdrasil school was half destroyed. All over he saw emergency crews scrambling all over the place trying to either shift through the wreckage or put out what was left of the flames.

“Daddy?”

Gregory turned and saw Cozy Glow, Spike, and Raven standing nearby. The three immediately ran up and hugged him. He then saw Stacy, Andrew, Starlight, and Robbie approaching them. “Please,” he begged. “Tell me they didn’t find any corpses yet.”

“So far no apparent casualties,” Andrew replied.

“Except for those reports I graded last night,” Stacy complained.

“No, there was a casualty, but not from this,” Gregory replied.

Andrew and Stacy looked at him confused but just as they were about to ask Starlight Glimmer approached and cleared her throat.

“We were lucky,” Starlight began. “Robbie somehow sensed the bomb and managed to teleport everyone out right before the blast.”

Gregory stared at the draconequus in surprise. “Wait you…”

“Pleasure to be of service,” he said. “It appears everyone survived the blast at least.” He then frowned. “But I’m afraid I must inform you that Ember and Twilight have gone missing. I couldn’t sense their presence when I evacuated everyone.”

Gregory snarled and raised his hand to the sky. A massive bolt of blue electricity shot out of his hand as for ten long seconds, the lightning arced across the now cloudy skies. He shouted in fury before he lowered his hand. “That was their goal…” he growled angrily.

“It’s like they made multiple diversions to distract all of us, even you,” Andrew stated.

“And you wonder why I’m paranoid,” Gregory sighed. The events of yesterday began catching up to him, especially how he had shot Benson. He collapsed to his knees. “We were blind. We should have searched for them and not just ignored everything…”

Stacy went up and patted his shoulder. “Gregory, you can’t blame yourself given the circumstances.”

He stood and looked over at her. “No, but what I can do is take action. The enemy has struck and they have my wife and marefriend. They want me, so I doubt they’re gonna keep on hiding for long. They’re gonna want me to come to them. And yes, it’s obviously a trap, but what did Obi Wan say about traps?”

“Spring them,” Starlight said.

Gregory grinned, the grin of a predator on the prowl for his prey. “Lucky for us, we have three prisoners to interrogate.”

Stacy then paled and looked away nervously. “Uh…about that…”

“Hmm, of course they escaped,” Gregory frowned.

“Yes when I heard the explosion both me and the sheriff left the office to assist the fire department and paramedics. I’m so sorry.”

“Wait, three? There were four, right?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“There were,” Gregory said in a hollow tone.

Andrew thought for a moment before his eyes widened. “You didn’t…”

“I did,” Gregory said as he turned away. “And now, I’m hunting the others down.”

“Are you mad? You just gave Howard a reason to kill you worse than Jason!”

“I gave Benson plenty of warning to surrender, but he jumped at me and I defended myself,” Gregory snapped back.

“And a kill was just as good as a knockout?” Andrew asked.

“Are we really going to discuss this now?” Gregory asked. “We have work to do. You can yell at me for your moral superiority later!”

“Right…the only thing we should focus on now is making double sure everyone is okay and finding out where they are.”

Before anyone could say anything else, Gregory’s ring connection with Ember glowed. He immediately touched the gem, but instead of Ember, he saw the last creature he expected to see. Howard’s form glared at him with pure hatred. Gregory gave him a smirk. “Welcome to Seeds of Yggdrasil Burgers, how are we doing today? Can I take your order?”

“Honestly, you’re an utter enigma,” Howard said. “What you did last night was not what I expected you to do. Everyone says you're like the pacifist Frisk but I guess all that magic is making you a Chara.”

“Blah, blah, blah,” Gregory said in a mocking tone, moving his hand like a mouth. “Just give us your demands like a good little minion.”

“My demands were originally gonna be a little merciful but last night was your final mistake. If you want to see your mare and dragoness again, you will meet me at a small and recently abandoned railroad construction camp. You were wise to tell Luna to pull those track layers out of our mountain territory.”

Gregory’s smirk widened. “Good to know,” he said. “And don’t worry, I’ll be there. Oh, should I bring flowers for your little friend’s memorial?” He leaned forward and winked.

“Oh, there will be a memorial. Just not for him yet.”

“I’ll be there to give my condolences,” he said before he cut the connection. He turned to the others. “Alright, time to see what their demands are.”

“Gregory, think about this,” Andrew began. “Are you willing to spring this trap? Don’t tell us you’re planning to go alone.”

“Well, they didn’t say I couldn’t go alone,” Gregory said. “They were not too clear on that, were they?”

“And what if they are ready for an army?” Stacy asked. “For all we know they might have more deadlier weapons and relics at their disposal.”

“Then perhaps an aerial recon should investigate,” Starlight suggested.

Gregory nodded. “Good call,” he said. “Now then, do changelings have the ability to cloak themselves?”

“They can become clouds but to turn invisible is another story,” Starlight explained. “Although now that I think about it, they might try and attack them like an AA gun.”

“If you’re going by rail, should I tell Connie?” Raven asked.

“I don’t want to put any living engines in harm's way,” Andrew said, “but maybe I can arrange for the former Friendship Express engine to take Gregory. It was going to be retired and sent to a museum but I suppose we can use it to get you to that camp.”

“That could work,” Gregory agreed.

“Great, should I send a letter to Chrysalis and Jason requesting aid?” Spike asked.

“I’ll write one myself, because I don’t want either of them coming,” Gregory said.

“What should we do in the meantime?” Raven asked.

“Prepare for an invasion,” Gregory said darkly. “Get the elderly, sick, and the children somewhere safe. The Crystal Empire, perhaps. That place is well defended.”

Soon word spread fast and the once busy station of Haven City became a scene of almost desperation as many civilians tried to board whatever train came to the platform.

Gregory stood next to the now engine Raven who was being hitched to a large number of coach cars. “When you get to the Empire, take Spike and Cozy and protect them,” he said to her. “Keep them safe.”

“Okay, but are you sure you can handle this without me or Connie? I know Andrew said he wants to protect us but-”

“They’re targeting me the most,” Gregory interrupted, “so I can’t have either of you in danger.”

Then another whistle sounded as a pink 4-4-0 tank engine chuffed onto the platform next to Raven’s. Andrew got out and approached Gregory. “Here she is, the engine that was seen more in the show than any others. The original number one.”

Gregory chuckled and looked at the single caboose behind it. “Alright, time to saddle up. Lock and load.”

Just then Stacy came up on the platform. She was wearing a rather familiar suit of armor. “What’s that? A Master Chief cosplay?” Andrew asked.

“No you dolt, this is my other project I was telling you about,” Stacy said annoyed.

“I want one,” Gregory said. “Can you do Darth Vader too?”

“If I had the right metal. So are we going or not?” Stacy asked.

Gregory responded by making a loud whistle as he said, “All aboard.”

Half a day had gone by, and the old engine was running at pretty much a hundred percent capacity as it flew along the tracks through Equestria, heading down south through the Badlands and towards the south pole. Everyone was sitting in the caboose, sitting and waiting. Gregory would have flown but he was saving his power for when they confronted the enemy. He hadn’t moved since sitting down, and had a look of contemplative fury plastered on his face that hadn’t changed for hours.

Suddenly he felt a slight jerk as the train started to slow down and come to a stop. A few seconds later. Andrew entered the caboose. “We may have a problem,” he simply said.

Outside was a platoon of changeling drones. All of them were in various states of injury. One had his wing bent in an unnatural angle. Stacy was attempting to treat one of them. “What happened?” she asked.

“We were so close we only saw one strange anomaly but it somehow sniffed out our cloud disguises. Next thing we knew it screamed and multiple projectiles came firing out of the trees,” the drone explained.

“Using thick forestry as a cover,” Andrew said. “Classic and clever. How far is that railroad camp?”

“Three hours as the crow flies,” one changeling said.

“Should we walk the rest of the way?” Stacy asked.

“We could get closer, but this engine might make too much noise if we get too close to their range,” Andrew explained.

“True,” Gregory said as he watched the changelings clamber into the caboose. “Have someone take over running the train and get it running back. We’re walking.” A few minutes later, the Friendship Express began moving backwards. Gregory turned to the others. “Let’s go.”

The three continued their trek up the tracks. At some point Stacy would spawn a few tanks they rode like surfboards. They finally reached the edge of a dark and dismal looking forest. Gregory whistled and said, “Who ordered Mirkwood?”

No one replied and the entire entrance to the forest looked ominously empty and quiet. “Okay just relax, maybe they're sleeping?” Andrew thought.

Suddenly some footsteps were heard coming from the dark forest and all three of them hid behind a massive rock. They peeked out only to see a demon of a feminine physique strolling out of the forest with a sad face and a bouquet of flowers.

Gregory moved out, staff in hand as he looked at the demon, sensing her emotions but not trusting that they were genuine as he now knew his ability to be compromised. Still, he treated it as if it was genuine. “Wait, don't do anything yet,” Andrew whispered.

Gregory ignored him as he spoke up. “Is everything alright?” he asked the demoness.

The demoness snapped her back in shock and dropped her flowers. She then raised a longsword that immediately ignited into flames. “Who's there?!” she growled.

“Easy there,” Gregory said, “I’m just a traveler passing through. And it’s such a shame about those flowers. They’re quite lovely, as are you.”

Andrew watched the interaction until he noticed something familiar about her eyes. “Oh shit! Gregory, it’s Jamie!”

Jamie then waved her sword and a chain made of fire shot out of the blade and flew towards Gregory. Gregory, however, blocked the chain with a shield of glowing ice. “Jamie, before we get dancing in a song of ice and fire,” he began, “I believe that Grogar is expecting us. He has my wife and marefriend and wants me to meet him. That's all I came here for.”

“I know, and you’re coming either peacefully or in my chains,” she growled.

“I didn’t attack you, did I? I’m coming peacefully,” he said.

“You expect me to believe that?! After what you did to Benny?!” she asked.

“He attacked me first,” Gregory explained patiently. “I defended, and he paid the ultimate price.”

“Fine, but assurances have to be made, hold still.” she said as she raised her hand to snap her fingers.

However, Gregory raised another shield, this one made of pure lightning which deflected anything she aimed at him. “I go unchained, but with my word that I will not attack any of you. I will also go alone.” He turned to Andrew and Stacy. “Get out of here now.”

“What?! No way!” Stacy said.

“We didn’t come all this way just to watch you become jailbait!” Andrew exclaimed.

“My family is in danger,” Gregory explained as he raised one hand towards them. “I will do what I must to protect them. Go. Equestria’s fate is in your hands now.”

The two humans did nothing but watch the two slowly depart into the forest. Stacy however spawned a small tank. “Follow them and report their destination to me,” she ordered.

As the human mage and demoness walked through the forest, Gregory spoke up. “You will probably never forgive me for what happened to your friend, but I am sorry that I had to kill him.”

“You knocked out Howard when he was trying to escape and you thought a gun death was better than a taser stun?” she asked.

“A gun from Earth is a better defense against your magic than a taser,” he said. “I was hoping to injure him only. I never meant to kill him.”

“Save it,” she snapped. “If there's one thing I know about you justice seekers, you’re looking for a shortcut. I guess you and Howard aren’t that different.”

“No, there’s one big difference between us,” Gregory said. “A difference that makes one of us a monster.”

“And what’s that?” Jamie asked with a snarl.

“I don’t seek to end life,” Gregory explained. “Howard does.”

“We’ll see about that,” she said as they walked on. Nevertheless, she fell into silence as she pondered this.

As the two walked they soon approached a cave. Gregory could hear sounds. It sounded like a horde of zombies. They entered only for the place to be illuminated by torches. Gregory looked and saw a rather familiar face on a rock. It was a pony but had sharp teeth, and had what looked like spikes piercing out of its hoof. The only thing that made it familiar were the colors and the wings. “Flitter…” he muttered

The mare hissed and retreated further into the cave. Soon they entered a large cavernous area where he saw a large number of zombie looking ponies and a couple other demons stood. There in the center by a large fire were two figures. One was Howard, and the other a familiar ram.

“Howie and Grogie, sitting in a tree,” Gregory began to throw them off, “K-I-L-L-I-N-G.”

Howard growled but felt a hoof touch his shoulder. “I would think twice about the humor cards you pull, Graystone,” Grogar began, “because the wrong move proves a bad gamble.”

Gregory’s smile faded instantly. “Before you say another damned word, you will bring my wife and marefriend out so I can be assured they’re okay,” he said.

“Of course,” the ram said. “I’m a ram of my word.”

Gregory saw the two of them being pulled out rather forcefully. They were bound and gagged. He snarled and turned to Grogar. “Take those fucking gags off. I want to hear their own words.”

“I will soon, but right now we have business to discuss,” he said.

“Oh no you don’t,” Gregory interrupted. “Gags off, and you will also release them from their bonds so I can be absolutely sure they’re okay.”

Grogar sighed. “Oh, very well.” He raised his horn and released the two who stumbled forward.

“Gregory, please don’t make him mad,” Twilight begged. “You don’t know the power he now has!”

“Flutternutter,” Gregory said quietly to the two of them.

Ember quickly replied, “Nasty.”

Twilight added, “Mid.”

Gregory sighed in relief before he checked them over and then turned to Grogar. “My demands first. These two, once our business is concluded, will be released and will not be harmed by you or your little playthings here,” he said, gesturing to Howard. “Same with the rest of my family.”

“Of course, no harm will come after our little discussion,” Grogar said, gesturing to the fire. “Pull up a stone and take a load off.”

Gregory walked over, but instead of pulling a stone, he formed a chair of ice and sat in it, putting one leg over the other as he stared at the ancient ram. “Speak,” he demanded.

Grogar cleared his throat and his horns glowed and fired a beam at the fire which then started showing strange images in the flames. “Long ago, I was many things. One of them being a believer that only the gifted ones can harness and properly control the power of gods,” began Grogar as an image of a slightly younger version of himself was seen levitating many books in a small room. “Of course I achieved them. I learned what truly made gods and the consequences of having so much power. You sir have been a witness to the negative effects.”

“No control, you mean,” Gregory replied.

“Yes, and I saw only the first of many effects that one time,” Grogar said as an image of Gregory throwing up on New Year's was shown. “You seem to be fit as a fiddle for the moment. Let me guess: you found one of the time crawl caves haven’t you?”

“None of your business,” he said. “Suffice to say, you’re right about me being stable.”

“Oh, but for how long? “ he asked. “There's something about the windigo magic you never truly learned or probably never even accepted.”

“What, are you offering for me to become your apprentice or something?” Gregory asked with a scowl.

“No, the magic of the windigos was once harnessed by me before Gusty stole it. I want it back along with my bell. Or you could at least give me just one of those.” Grogar sighed. “Unfortunately, since the magic is so deeply ingrained inside you now, I can’t retrieve it. So instead, this is what I will do. You are a threat to me, so I will cast you into another realm where you can’t use your magic against me. But before I can do that. You will tell me the location of the bell. I know you were amongst the last to have it.”

“I was the last to have it,” Gregory said, “but I currently don’t know where it is. Its current keeper is beyond my reach.”

“Oh, but you might reach him,” Howard said as he presented a communicator crystal. “Give him a ring.”

He slowly took the crystal, but didn’t make a move before he spoke. “First, teleport Ember and Twilight away from here safely.”

“I’m sorry, but assurances have to be made,” Grogar said as he waved and a few zombies grabbed Ember.

“That goes for my side too,” Gregory replied darkly. “I will call him, but only if these two are back in Equestria safe and sound. Canterlot sounds good.”

“Oh so you can spring a trap on us?!” Howard said. “Fat chance!”

“Shhh,” Gregory said to the fuming Howard. “The grown ups are talking.”

Grogar actually laughed hard at that, then turned to Howard. “Leave us.”

“But sir, this man is too clever and you promised-”

“I said leave us,” Grogar repeated. As Howard stormed out of the room, Grogar turned back to Gregory. “Very well, I will teleport them back to Canterlot, but not before you remove that ring you use to communicate with your blue bride.”

Gregory took off the ring and tossed it to Ember, who caught it. He then turned back, and before either Twilight or Ember could say anything, he said, “Do it.”

Grogar raised his horns and a portal appeared which led directly to the Canterlot throne room. He then pushed the two through the portal quickly. Princess Luna was on the throne, and she stood in alarm as she saw what was happening, but before she could speak, the portal closed. “Is that to your liking?”

“I suppose that’s all I can really expect from you,” Gregory replied.

“Now for your end of the bargain,” Grogar replied.

Without saying a word, Gregory touched the crystal and made the call.

“Yo, Robbie here. Wassup?” came a voice.

“Project Gusty is compromised,” he said. “I am with the enemy. He demands his bell back.”

There was a brief silence until Robbie spoke up. “Nope-” then the call disconnected.

Gregory put the communication crystal down and turned to a now fuming Grogar. He shrugged as he said, “Hey, I tried. He’s the one you need to capture, not me.”

“Very well, but there's one thing you forgot to do,” Grogar said darkly.

“I’m sure there is,” Gregory said. “And what’s that?”

“Make sure your bargaining chip doesn't come with a tracker.” he said as his horns glowed, However, only two small crystals appeared and clattered to the floor. “What?!”

Gregory laughed. “Princess Luna’s no fool.”

Grogar rose higher, his red eyes glowing angrily. Before Gregory could react, he was surrounded by a magical aura and lifted into the air. Two plain golden rings appeared from nowhere and moved towards his middle fingers. They were forced onto his hands and immediately Gregory felt the magic connection severing. “Have a good journey in your new world, fool,” he snarled.

Gregory could only laugh as he quickly lost consciousness.

On the magical projection that Stacy and Andrew were watching, they saw a laughing Gregory vanish in a flash of light. “We can’t go back or it’ll be too late,” Andrew said.

“We’re going in there!” Stacy shouted as she summoned a bunch of tanks into existence while Andrew took a nearby branch and turned it into a gun. “CHARGE!”

They all charged in and blasted whatever moved but the moment they all charged into the Gregory’s last location the two humans and the army of tanks found themselves floating in midair. All the tanks suddenly disappeared in a flash. “Pathetic,” Howard said. “You two were unfortunate pawns in my scheme but because we helped each other to come here I’ll spare you death and send you to some place where you won’t bother us.” He then snapped his fingers which summoned a portal underneath them. “Thanks for dropping by,” he sneered as he let them go.

Both Andrew and Stacy screamed as they both fell into the portal and disappeared.

Author's Note

Don’t worry they’re fine…ish.