An Alternate Track

[Crystal Empire Roundhouse - The Next Morning]

Gregory entered the roundhouse surprised that it only had two engines inside. The Crystal Express Engine and a six wheeled tank engine, the latter of which Gregory soon found out was named Georgie. Next to Georgie was a familiar pony he recognized as Bon Bon. Gregory knew, in that suit, it would best to refer to her as Agent Sweetie Drops. He approached them. “Agent Sweetie Drops, I take it you have something for me?”

“Before we get to that there is something important you must know,” Sweetie Drops said.

“You should’ve come back sooner,” began Georgie. “Grogar and his crew have cracked down hard since you left. It's an ever growing nightmare out there with those monsters running amok with more appearing out of nowhere.”

“Hey, we took out one of those monsters and we dealt with a huge terrorist once,” Gregory said.

“You got lucky once,” Georgie said. “Want my advice? Keep your heads low, you'll survive.”

“Yeah but for how long?” Gregory asked the engine.

“Throughout the time of my existence. I have seen what these things are capable of. I’m not an engine of the EGR, I'm a lease contract engine.”

“This one has been doing top secret work for our group,” Sweetie Drops said.

“And what group is that? Area 51? SCP Foundation?” Gregory asked.

“We’re called the Gaia Anomaly Foundation, GAF for easy reference,” Sweetie Drops explained. “We’ve been trapping the most dangerous, uncontrollable beasts and plagues this world has spawned. But thanks to Grogar and his crew they are all running loose and Grogar has been continuing his experiments.” She then approached the large nearby window. “There's only three ways out of this fight. It’s either going AWOL, becoming Grogar’s next test subject, or in that box.”

Gregory walked towards the window and saw what she was referring to. There outside was a group of minotaurs in armor, each placing a hand on a coffin with bull horns at one end. All of them carried a look of sorrow. “Poor fella,” Georgie said. “Reaper train comes tomorrow at dawn then it's off to their respective homelands.”

Gregory sighed and looked at the two. “Look, I appreciate the concern, but I can’t just back down and lay low, not with my family in danger. Now we’re ending this and if you two can help me know more I’ll be grateful.”

Sweetie Drops looked at the engine as if they were communicating telepathically. Eventually the secret agent sighed. ”Well,” she began, “if we’re gonna take back Haven City, the first thing we need to get through is the surrounding mist. We believe Howard supplied Grogar knowledge of a human movie about using a deadly mist to have monsters patrol and attack anyone that enters.”

Gregory nodded. “Of course he used The Mist. Okay, got it, what else?”

“The inside of the city is being patrolled by the far more stronger and more aggressive beasts. Especially around the old school where Grogar made some improvements,” Georgie explained.

“Like a new wall?” Gregory asked.

“A hundred feet high with barbed wire and turrets. No way through it. You can use the heavily guarded gate, dig under, or fly over at extreme heights.”

“That's it?” Gregory raised an eyebrow. “That sounds…a bit too easy.”

“It's not,” Sweetie Drops said. “Your real problem is Howard. He has balloons that look like eyes that function like security cameras that can see through the mist.”

“You can sneak through the place or even climb the wall after taking out the turrets,” Georgie added, “but if you don’t take out the security you’ll be having real problems.”

Gregory pondered this for a bit. “We have a lot of planning to do.”

“Which is why you'll need this,” Sweetie Drops said as she pulled out a briefcase. She opened it and it was packed with papers. “These are just the vast majority of what has broken loose. I wasn’t able to recover all the files from the facility, but this should have plenty of information.”

“Then let's get reading,” Gregory said as he pulled a slip of paper that was titled Stonewolfs.

[Seeds of Yggdrasil - Later]

Jason just dangled in his chains. His thoughts filled with so many emotions. He would occasionally look around the room and just see the same brick walls, the door and the demonic creature with a feminine physique who was currently sharpening her claws with a nail file. Jamie hardly paid much attention but could easily sense when the chain was either jingling or being tugged.

Jason just stared at her and was now trying to think of what he could do or even say to her to convince her to either leave or get him out. He decided to go to his default snarky setting. “You do realize that your fearless leader isn’t just an idiot, but he’s an even bigger asshole than Hitler, right? And I’m not talking about Grogar, although he’s worse.”

“Oh? And you consider yourself a true American?” she asked.

“Bitch, please, I stopped being an American the moment I set foot on this world,” he retorted.

“I guess that’s why you threw out the whole no cruel and unusual punishment thing,” she sneered.

“And what the fuck did I do to deserve what I got from the ponies?” he asked. “Tell me, since you’re so fucking smart.”

“Nothing, but you could’ve been a bit more clever with your choice of punishment. After all, we all agreed you should’ve stopped at just Discord,” she said.

“Shut the fuck up and listen to yourself,” Jason replied. “If I had gone above and beyond what was just, I would have been punished. That’s how the damned horn works. And besides, Rainbow Dash punished herself. I didn’t even have to lift a finger. Also, THEY ACCEPTED THEIR PUNISHMENTS LIKE REAL PEOPLE! You may have gotten sexier, but you seriously got stupider.”

“Flattery will only get you nowhere, but have you forgotten what I told you back in that warehouse in Fillydelphia?” she asked, growing angry. “And don’t you dare say you had no control. My sister may have pulled her own trigger but your trial put her emotions in the crosshairs!” She shouted as tears started forming.

“Hey, it’s the truth that I had no control over the situation on your Earth,” he said. “I’m sorry your sister died, but you have to face the damned facts of life. If that broadcast didn’t happen, it’s likely something else would have triggered her.”

“No! She and I were perfectly fine! She was my Luna and I was her Celestia! Then you came along and all that went to hell!”

“Do you have any idea how depression works?” Jason asked. “People with depression often hide their feelings because they put their loved ones first. She was likely hurting long before what happened and was just very, very good at hiding it. You seriously can’t blame me for her death. It’s not even your fault. She was probably lost and spiraling and couldn’t bring herself to talk to anyone because she didn’t want to be a bother.”

“Don’t act like you know her better than me!” She shouted as she raised her claw to his face.

“You’re right,” he said a bit quieter now, “I don’t know her, but I do know depression. Do you have any idea how many nights I sat up and contemplated taking my own damn life? Even if I’d had any friends in that godforsaken forest, I think I would have hidden my feelings away. Stop trying to find someone to blame for her death. It wasn’t my fault, and it wasn’t yours. Tell me, on her last day, did she seem happier? Like she’d made some kind of decision?”

She paused and considered. “Yes…yes she did.”

“That’s a common sign that they’ve made that deadly decision,” Jason said. “I bet you felt relieved to see her so happy, didn’t you?”

Jamie was silent for a moment. Slowly tears formed in her eyes. “I thought she agree to see a therapist. It was only a few minutes later I saw that my daddy’s special box was empty…a few seconds later…I heard it.”

Jason sighed softly. “Your sister had demons long before that broadcast. Again, I am sorry for what happened to her, but it is not my fault or yours or anyone’s. You’re looking for a villain where there is none. Depression is the sneakiest of killers.”

Jamie was silent for another long moment. “Even if I broke you out now, what's to stop them from ending me like your friend did to Benson?”

“That was self-defense and you know it,” Jason said. “Seriously, you all threatened to kill innocent children, and you’re butthurt about one of your own being killed?”

“I actually wasn't much of a fan of that idea.”

“And yet, your silence is practically the same as endorsing it,” Jason replied. “Since you didn’t speak up, you became complicit to it. Would your sister be proud of the person you’ve become today?”

Jamie was silent once again before speaking up. “Even if I give up willingly, your friend has shown some extreme distaste for the sinful and not just with me or my colleagues.”

“Your fearless leader mind-raped Twilight Sparkle, one of his first friends in this world,” Jason retorted, “and he planned to actually rape her. And you all stood by and did nothing to stop it. Would you feel charitable after that?”

“I wasn't talking about him, I was talking about the pillars that recently resurfaced,” she said as she summoned an orb that showed Gregory practically berating the Pillars in a cave while one of the mares cried in a corner.

Jason smirked. “At least they seem to have learned their lesson, or are trying to make things right.”

“And he's still giving them bullshit from what I've seen and heard.”

“He won’t be the only one,” Jason snapped. “That bearded asshole tormented and killed my wife’s mother. The moment I see him, I’m going to kick that bastard in the dick.”

“Just answer me this one question…if you had known a whole world was watching your Trial, would you have done something to comfort the fans and even the children who saw it all?”

“‘Dear Princess Celestia’,” Jason began, “‘Today I learned that actions I take have consequences. Hurting others because I’m afraid of them is never a good thing. Nopony is above the law, and I will have to live with what I’ve done for the rest of my life. Your former student, Twilight Sparkle.’”

Jamie stood there her mind in a deep thought. After what felt like a few minutes, she raised her claw in an offensive position. Jason just shut his eyes in anticipation. Next thing he knew heard a clang and felt his knees hit the ground. “I’ll help you under two small conditions,” she said.

“If it’s in my power to grant, sure,” he said as he tested to see if his magic was working now, and it was.

“Put in a good word for me with Gregory and well…honor the memory of my sister and for the fans who died after the broadcast.”

“I can do the first easily enough,” Jason said, “and as for the second…you can do that much better than I can. Honor your sister’s memory by doing the actual right thing.”

She nodded and started leading him out of the dungeon. Jason looked around and couldn’t believe it. The inside of the school felt less like a school and more like an evil fortress. “Yeah, both Grogar and Howard have a thing for decorating.”

“Starlight is gonna be so pissed when she sees how you fucked up her school…” Jason said as he concentrated his magic. A red flame surrounded him, and in an instant he transformed into a small bat which then landed on Jamie’s shoulder. “Okay,” he said, “let’s move.”

“That won’t fool anyone for long,” she said as she began sneaking through the halls.

“It doesn’t have to,” Jason said.

As they passed a hallway intersection they saw another demon to their left. Clark stopped walking as he sniffed the air. “Jamie what are you…wait…” his eyes then widened. “THE PRISONER IS ESCAPING!”

Jason flew up and transformed again, but this time into a massive demonic looking dragon and swiped at Clark, catching the man in the chest and sending him sprawling. “Starlight can bill me later,” Jason said in a demonic growl.

“We need to go now!” she said as an air raid siren sounded.

“Cover your ears!” Jason said, and moments later he lifted his head and emitted an ear piercing roar which shook the very building. Stones began to fall from the ceiling, and soon they could see the sky. Spreading his wings, Jason shouted, “FLY!”

“WAIT DON’T FLY UP OR-”

But the moment Jason flew out the hole a huge appendage swatted at him. Jason ducked, retreating back to the ground. “Okay, scratch that idea,” he said.

“There's a way out without much attention but we need to be sneaky. Follow me.”

Jason transformed back into his human form and followed close behind Jamie.They soon managed to sneak outside and already Jason could see the horrors that was once Haven City. Giant monsters wandering around, the sky being red, and even the air was alive with flying abominations.

“Jesus, what is wrong with your leader?” Jason asked. “Did his time in Tartarus make him want to be the stereotypical villain?”

“Whatcha expect? He was left to rot alone.”

“That’s his own damn fault, but whatever,” Jason said. “Let’s move before someone decides to be a genius and think of this route.”

They managed to sneak through the town. Through alleyways and nearly destroyed buildings. They soon reached the train station. There, down the tracks, was what looked like a wall of mist. “There’s not much through there. In fact there should be a small guard outpost that is trying to keep anything from entering or exiting by rail.”

“Then we have the element of surprise,” Jason said. “We aren’t a train, are we? Lead on.”

“Oh no you don’t!” came a voice from the sky as Clark came crashing down and landing right in front of them. “You won’t get away this time! And I’m fully prepared,” he added as he flexed his armor and Scorponok suddenly sprang up from the ground beside him.

“It’s like you all graduated from the stereotypical villain academy,” Jason mocked.

“Don’t mock me like that again!” Clark said.

“Well, then, how would you like me to mock you?” Jason snarked, “I take requests.”

“Enough! Scorponok, attack!” and just like that the robot scorpion leapt in the air with his sharp claws open. Jason leaped back, a pair of changeling wings sprouting from his back after a minor transformation.

Just as Scorpnok was ready to jump he was suddenly stomped by a giant shoe that came out of nowhere. Jason turned to see Jamie with her hands in a snapping position. “I always hated scorpions,” she said.

“Time to run,” Jason urged.

“No!” Clark shouted as he tried to grab Jason but was stopped as Jamie collided with him. The two started fighting with their arms taking on different forms.

Jamie then looked back. “Run! There is a reason why I asked you to honor my sister’s memory for me.”

Jason was confused for a bit, then a look of realization formed on his face. “No! Come with me!”

Suddenly one arm became a rope and tied Clark while another arm reached into a kangaroo pouch on her and pulled out a few TNT sticks. “No! Listen to me! We both can agree lots of mistakes were made! Give me one reason why I shouldn’t give my life to help you escape!” Jamie said as Clark struggled in her lasso grip.

“Gah! Damn it!” Jason knew she was right. “You won’t be forgotten!” he promised as he turned and began flying away, staying low to the ground.

“What are you doing, you traitor?! You’ll kill us both!”

Jamie just smiled as she lit the dynamite with her magic and said her last words. “Don’t worry my Luna, your Celestia is joining you.”

Gregory walked up to where Chrysalis was sitting on the grass near the edge of the shield, looking south towards the direction where Jason was now being held, the former Haven City. He looked down at her, then slowly sat down beside her. In his hands were two mugs of Pinkie Pie’s signature hot chocolate, one of which he handed to the changeling queen. “Here you go,” he said.

Chrysalis perked up and levitated the mug with her magic. “Oh, thanks,” she said as she took a cautious sip. “How are your ladies holding up?” she asked.

“They’re better now, especially after last night,” Gregory said. “How about you? You holding up?”

“I still feel his soul is still alive. But it’s weak.”

“Jason’s a strong dude,” Gregory said. “He’ll pull out of this.”

“May I ask something? Have you checked on Rainbow and that pegasus guard whats his name? I know they both got separated from their mates.”

“Flash Sentry,” Gregory said, “and I have. Rainbow is more emotional than normal because of her pregnancy, but she’s hanging in there. Flash is itching to fight and make the people who took his wife pay.”

Chrysalis smiled for a brief moment before frowning again. “It’s difficult for me knowing what's happening. It's funny how I never gave a care about other nations, but now I’m more concerned with how the other nations like Zebrica are holding up and even that micro donkey nation no one really asked about.”

Gregory chuckled. “You’re a political leader. Things like that are normal. Me? I’m a husband, boyfriend, father, and a teacher. And a mage. I have less to worry about, but I am still after the same enemy.”

“Of course you are, but it's even harder to hide my worry even from my own daughter. Sometimes I have to rely on Fluttershy or even that bulky human Bubba to watch over her as I vent out my feelings.”

Gregory nodded in understanding. “As someone who can sense emotions, I feel you. I know what that’s like to be on the receiving end.” He paused and swiftly stood. “Hold up…I sense something coming.”

In the distance a train whistle sounded. Even inside a dome the sounds of the outside could be heard. “Military outpost train. Most likely here for either a dead soldier drop off or to pick up and drop off relief guards.”

“No, that’s not it,” Gregory said. “Stay here.” He spread his magic wings and shot up into the air, heading south at speed. He flew towards the train that was incoming and landed in between the coaches. Opening the coach door, he rushed in and saw a man sitting in one of the chairs, eyes closed, filthy, skinny, and a bit pale from lack of sunlight. “Holy shit…Jason!”

Indeed it was Jason who was with a zebra medic who was applying some gel to a wound on his arms. “This will help you heal but whatever you do don’t peel,” she said as she got up and allowed Gregory to sit beside him.

“Heh…was hoping to surprise you and the others at the station,” Jason said weakly.

“You can’t surprise my finely honed senses now,” Gregory said. “Gotta say, you’ve looked better.”

“Don’t remind me,” he said before looking down. “Can we talk later? I don’t want to repeat what I’m about to say to the others.”

“Sure thing, dude,” Gregory said. “You just rest.”

After a bit the train pulled in and soon a small crowd of friends and family surrounded Jason on the platform. “How is it you’re here?” Twilight asked. “How did you get away?”

“I didn’t get away,” Jason said. “Jamie let me go.”

Everyone looked with either wide eyes or raised brows. “What?” Ember said. “One of the monsters? I highly doubt that-”

“She’s better than you think!” Jason snapped. “Than all of you think! I’m not saying she didn’t just hate me but for a moment I hated her too.” He then looked down with a sorrowful look on his face. “But I can't hate her now…not after she gave her life to save me.”

Everyone stood there in disbelief. “Jamie is…dead?” Gregory asked.

“She had dynamite, lit the fuse, and I heard the explosion,” Jason said.

There was silence for a long while as everyone processed the news. However, it was Gregory who spoke first. “Well…shit.” The air around him began to swirl once more and the sky began darkening. “I will kill them all,” he said without a hint of emotion. He then felt a hoof on his shoulder and looked to see Twilight giving him a pleading look to calm down. The wind calmed down, but not before he raised a hand. A massive number of lightning bolts struck all around the barrier before stopping.

Fluttershy spoke up next. “Jason, did Jamie say anything before she…”

“Only for a promise to be kept,” he said as Chrysalis walked up to him holding her daughter in her arms. The royal changeling family held each other close.

Twilight then looked up to Jason. “I know you’re tired but we need all the information we can get. We’re planning a major assault and anything you saw over there could be helpful.”

“She’s right,” Gregory nodded. “Two government agents only gave me enough to figure out the basics of our plan. But first, here. Something new I learned recently.” He held out his hand, which began to glow a misty white. All of Jason’s injuries began to quickly fade away.

Everyone looked at Gregory in shock. “How?” Twilight asked.

“One of the windigos I absorbed was one that was reformed,” Gregory explained, “but she entered willingly. I just never had the strength to find her. Now, let’s get to planning.”

A while later, the Mane Six, Ember, Chrysalis, the two humans and many other friends were in a large room within the Crystal palace. Maps and papers were spread everywhere but the one paper everyone was looking at was the map of Haven City and the surrounding area. “Okay, so if what both of you said is true about the mist then it's best to approach the city with the utmost silence,” Twilight said. “Jason, is it true you barely encountered any monsters in the mist near the tracks?”

“I heard a few growls and whatever was louder was further away from me,” Jason replied, “I think they weren’t expecting us to come back by rail.”

“Then how about we enter the same way the Russians entered Berlin?” Rainbow suggested as she suddenly got a round of odd looks. “Charge in with a train of soldiers while using the mist and whatever else as cover.”

“When the hell did you learn about Earth history?” Gregory asked. “I certainly didn’t teach anything like that in our class yet.”

“Take a guess. A certain someone showed me a documentary about war trains,” she said.

“That train otaku,” Gregory sighed. He liked Andrew, but his obsession with trains was a bit off-putting sometimes in his opinion. “Anyway, a direct approach? I don’t know…”

“It may sound like a good idea,” Twilight agreed, “but then again we can use that plan to get some of us into the city. What we’re gonna need is a huge distraction from Howard’s security balloons.”

Ember grinned. “An all out assault in the mist,” she suggested while punching her palm.

“No,” Gregory said. “I’m the distraction. I’m a big target for those asswipes.”

“Whoa laddie,” said Rockhoof, “you may be the biggest target but do you have any idea how many eyes will be on you the moment you are seen.”

“At least two pairs, but most likely all of them,” Gregory said. “Howard and Grogar have been trying to take me out of the fight. They’ll want to deal with me sooner rather than later. They think I’ve only been gone for a few weeks. In the past few weeks I’ve gotten a year’s worth of experience.”

“And they now know you’re back and are angry,” Jason said. “No doubt he’s rushing the defenses.”

“You’re. Not. Listening,” Gregory said. “He thinks I only have a few weeks of extra training under my belt. I have more magic now, including healing magic.”

“Alright, but if you’re the distraction, what does that leave us?” Applejack asked.

“Stealth infiltration, you silly pony,” Gregory said.

“He’s right,” Jason said. “While me and Jamie were escaping I saw some strange looking pillars that I don’t remember seeing. They must be what's controlling the mist and probably the monsters as well. I saw a zombie pony walk up and hug and lick the pillar like it was a giant lollipop.”

“Eew, brotha, eew,” Gregory said with a disgusted look.

“Then that’s what we’re doing,” Twilight said. “We’re taking out those pillars.”

“Destroy those pillars, but only when the signal is given,” Gregory said.

“Now we just need an engine, maybe two in case of a breakdown. Connie already volunteered.”

“Or we could just, you know, not use trains,” Gregory said. “We rely on them too much. And they’re too loud.”

“According to my fiance, some steam trains can be quiet with the right valve tightened,” Rainbow explained. “Besides, it'll be too dangerous to walk or even fly.”

“Again, we shouldn’t rely on trains, since the enemy will likely suspect that we’ll use them,” Gregory said in exasperation.

“And they can easily attack us on the ground or in the air. The trains can serve as mobile fortresses.”

“And in a train it’s so much easier since trains can only go where the tracks go!” Gregory snapped. “Jesus, the fascination with trains lately is just weird.”

“Like you once said, Andrew started an industrial revolution,” Rainbow said.

“No, he just focused on his obsession with trains,” Gregory said with frustration. “You know what? Fine. Use trains. It’s a big enough ‘Hey, come fire on us’ sign!”

“Oh you haven’t heard? The railways now use special cars that are practically indestructible if anything, not even lightning can scorch it.”

“And have they been tested against insanely powerful beings who can create eldritch horrors?!” Gregory said.

“Yes and Connie was unfortunate to not have those kinds of cars on the train you were on,” Twilight explained.

Just outside of the room, there was a flash and then a massive clap of thunder. Gregory’s eyes flashed winter blue before he sighed. “Fine, you’ve all gone train crazy. Use the damned trains.” He turned and moved to leave, muttering to himself.

“We still need another engine other than Connie, Gregory I know it's too much to ask but according to the paperwork Raven is practically under your ownership. So could we-”

He slammed the door to the meeting place, still fuming with frustration, leaving everyone else alone.

Many hours later he was laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Ember and Twilight soon joined him in the bed. “Raven overheard our meeting. She actually wants to come,” Twilight whispered.

“Nothing is indestructible,” Gregory muttered. “Grogar is extremely powerful. We shouldn’t rely so heavily on trains, but on our wits and strategy.”

“Hey, our determination is indestructible,” Ember grinned. “What do you think we’ve all been doing for these past few weeks?”

“Determination is one thing,” Gregory sighed, “but you’ve all gone gaga for trains. It’s a bit odd.”

“They’ve helped us. In fact it was much similar to a book Andrew introduced me to. The Railway Series by Wilbert Awdry,” Twilight said.

“God, that guy never shuts up about trains, but I guess that’s just how he and everyone else who came with him is like,” Gregory said. “I feel like Jason and I are the only people who don’t obsess over them. I get that they’re helpful and have done good. Eh, maybe I’m just tired.”

“Well there's another reason we heavily rely on them more,” Twilight said, frowning a bit. “Remember that pirate crew from Kludgetown?”

“Captain Caelano, that attractive anthro bird girl?” Gregory asked.

“She’s gone and so is her ship.”

Gregory raised an eyebrow. “No air power, then?”

“No Naval Air Force of any kind,” Ember said.

“Damn, and I was hoping to meet her at some point,” Gregory said. “Fine, fine, go gaga for fucking trains.”

“Lets just sleep and be ready to fight. I’ve been itching for some asskicking lately,” Ember said.

He sighed, then closed his eyes.

He woke to the familiar yellow walls of the first level of the Backrooms, along with the sound of the fluorescent lights overhead. The damp smell of mold assaulted his nostrils. This dream, unlike the others, he realized, felt more like a dream than the other ones he’d had. He sat up, noticing he had an old camcorder in his hand unlike last time. “Well, great,” he grumbled as he tossed the camcorder aside. Looking around, he saw a door behind him. Standing up, he walked over and flung the door open.

When he went through the door he found himself in Haven City but it looked alright. No damaged buildings, no fire, no mist, not even the monsters. “This is new,” he muttered as he stepped through, looking around curiously.

He then saw two creatures run by him. A donkey and an earth pony. “Is this really happening?!” The donkey shouted.

“Yeah, I saw it!” yelled the earth pony.

Gregory then followed them but as they got closer to the center of the city he saw a crowd forming around something. He attempted to get through but much to his surprise he found himself going through the crowd like it was made of air. “That’s also new,” he muttered.

“Please! He’s suffered enough!” came the voice of Twilight. Gregory made it through the last layer of the crowd only to see himself standing over a battered and bruised Star Swirl the bearded.

“P-please…” the old stallion wheezed.

“Please please, Jesus the wind is sounding strange today,” Fauxgory said as he raised his foot ready to stomp on him.

Gregory instantly knew this was not the same entity he had faced. This was his dream, damn it! He waved his hand and the scene vanished, leaving him and his duplicate back in the Backrooms. “The hell are you supposed to be?”

The entity turned to him. One eye was glowing blue, the other red. “Let’s just say I’m a better version of what that idiot tried to be.”

“So a better version of that moron torments and tortures people for fun?” Gregory asked, crossing his arms.

“Yes, but I wouldn’t say for fun, I am the reflection of your desires and your inner emotions. What you saw was one of your desires, don't deny it.”

“Listen to him, but also don’t listen to him, if you can't understand me,” an unfamiliar female voice said. Both turned to see a dark pink equine creature, one that looked like a windigo. However, this one looked a lot calmer. The misty horse stood near each of them, creating a triangle. She turned to Gregory and smiled warmly. “Greetings, Master. You may not know me, but I am-”

“The part of me that knows healing magic now,” Gregory said with a gasp.

The pink windigo-like creature smiled wider. “Correct, Master. I was the one windigo who was reformed.”

“This matter doesn’t concern you, sister,” the new Gregory responded. “I am only showing him his desires.”

“On the contrary, False One,” the pink windigo said with a stern countenance, “I am as much a part of Master as you are.” She turned back to Gregory. “He is right that you have hidden dark desires. Everyone does. It’s what you do with them that defines you. Lately, you have let these desires rule you. You feel helpless and want nothing more than to retake control, but in the process you have started becoming more dangerous than the enemies you now face.”

The Fauxgory grinned. “Well, then I guess that makes us your shoulder angel and devil.”

Gregory clenched his teeth. “My family tried to betray me. They didn’t trust me…and they don’t even seem to acknowledge it despite having told them.”

“Well duh,” Fauxgory said. “Your mind was going off the rails with paranoia. Oh God, we've been hearing too many train jokes from Andrew.”

“That’s more frustrating than anything,” Gregory said.

“Master, it’s clear that your family is not perfect,” the Windigo said, “but nobody is. You are hurt because of the actions of many against you. Perhaps you could relate to another. The human you know as Jason Wright endured much worse, but the betrayal there could build up the same resentment Jason had.”

“Yeah, many, including your family, are and have been against you. Why not release your anger by destroying the source like the old fart whose execution you interrupted. Admit it, you want him dead just as much as Grogar and Howard.”

“Grogar and Howard are irredeemable so far as I know,” Gregory said, “but Star Swirl seems to be actually repentant. He doesn’t need to apologize to me, but to everyone else he’s fucked over with his cruelty. His past cruelty.”

“Oh yeah and your BS attitude is real friendship support,” Faux sneered as he clapped his hands slowly.

“I have had NO time to rest!” The Backrooms began to crack around him.

“Uh oh looks like someone is having a breakdown,” Fauxgory grinned.

The Windigo looked at Gregory with sorrow. “You should talk to them.”

“They barely talk to me much about this,” he sighed. The temperature began to drop.

“Well whatever you do buddy we’ll be here to give you your choices,” Faux said. “Either be civil like that Pinkie Pie wanna be or take my advice and release your anger on anything in your way.”

“Okay, Palpatine,” Gregory sighed. “You go away for now.”

“If you insist,” he said as he walked away.

He looked over at the Windigo. “And what do you think, huh?”

“You remember what the Pillars have told you about your heart?” she asked.

“What?” His mind was swimming so much that he was having a hard time thinking.

“As long as you keep the darkness out of it you will be free with control and you will still have the desire to protect all you hold dear,” she said smiling. “Remember that and you’ll shine like the stars at night.”

Gregory looked on ahead from the car he was riding in. The train was being pushed by two engines behind three open wagons made of steel. “How close are we?” he asked Flash Sentry as he looked down at a map.

“Not too far away, just a few more miles and we should see the mist wall any minute now.”

Gregory went silent, stood, and walked to a spot on the train where he was as far away from everyone else as possible. Even after the night’s dream, he still could feel the betrayal of his family in the past and it hurt him. He knew the others couldn’t focus on his personal problems, but it still hurt.

“Are you alright?” Raven asked. Gregory was sitting in the last car before the two engines.

“No,” he admitted, “but we can’t focus on anything like that right now.”

“Well, if this becomes dangerous I want you to know something important,” she said with a hint of nervousness.

“What is it?” he asked with trepidation.

“I appreciate you taking me in. If this ends with everyone walking away, can I refer to you as-well I know I may appear as a young adult in human form but can I be your daughter too?”

He smiled, reached out, and put a hand on her running board. “As long as you don’t be coming around home with no babies,” he joked. How long had it been since he’d made a joke that wasn’t tinged with anger or dripping with sarcasm.

“Whoa! Stop! STOP!” someone shouted. The two engines slammed on their brakes.

“I didn’t think my joke was that bad,” Gregory muttered as he stood in the empty car.

“Gregory, you may want to see this,” Jason said.

Sliding open the window, he peered out of the window. In front of them was a huge wall of mist. “This can’t be right,” Jason said. “It wasn’t up to here, it was further away. Hell… it’s grown more since I left.”

Gregory started to lean out when he saw something. A massive shadow in the mist. The shadow of a ram with glowing red eyes. It was there one moment then gone the next. “Time to go,” he muttered as he leaped out of the coach. He was wearing the mage outfit that Grogar had ironically sent him. An outfit that he, Mistmane, Star Swirl, Stygian, Styx, and Twilight Sparkle had purified of all hidden curses. He summoned his staff and began walking towards the mist.

“Wait! You hear that?” Flash asked.

Gregory stopped and listened. At first it sounded like a helicopter, the sound got louder as he felt it growing near. Holding up his staff, he grinned. “A forest of lighting shall be their tomb.” He spun his staff and a dark swirling cloud began forming in the sky, blocking out the sun. “Borne through the skies on a fog of doom!” He moved the staff forward and black swirling clouds burst forth. “Now go with a curse, and serve me well! Round our enemy cast my spell!”

Instantly, bolts of lightning began flashing around, multiple a second at first, but the intensity increased. He had just cast his first curse. From out the mist came a huge swarm of what looked like giant winged spiders. They flew around and attempted to attack the train but Connie and Raven puffed out steam making the air too humid for the creatures to fly and get near them.

Lightning struck the spiders, frying them as Gregory resumed his walk, ignoring the squeals of the massive creatures while they died. He lifted his hood, grinning as he began to disappear into the mist. “I’m heeeere,” he said.

The mist cleared some only for a giant monster to appear out of it. It resembled a cyclops. He held what looked like a giant club.

Gregory looked at the monster and tilted his head. Once more, the lighting that was striking several times a second struck it, causing it to fall down, its head fried and steaming. He resumed walking, watching as other creatures, each created presumably by Grogar, approached only to be fried and turned to ash by the massive lightning storm that wasn’t striking anywhere but the enemy. Many monsters perished without him needing to do anything more and soon the air was full of the stench of rotting corpses.

However as he got closer to the city he heard something behind him and turned only to see something that actually made him raise an eyebrow. “Didn’t I just burn you guys?”

“You didn’t think I came here without backup, did you?” Grogar’s voice said. “I must say, you’ve culled more of my children than I anticipated.”

Gregory turned to the source of the voice. “Hello, Groggy,” he said as he stood tall and proud.

“Hello Greggy, Don’t get too cocky about what you’ve done.”

Gregory raised his staff and slammed it down. Another barrage of lightning struck the monsters and they all fell, irrevocably dead. “How about we skip the formalities, sheep,” he said.

Grogar actually laughed. “You honestly think I never anticipated that too? Do you honestly think you're the only one here who knows extraordinary healing powers?”

“You don’t know healing powers,” he replied evenly, “you know necromancy. Heretic.”

“Yes, and it’s proved wonders if you look behind again.”

“It is heresy of the highest order,” Gregory said. “Today, here and now, you will be judged, but I seriously believe you will be found lacking.”

“On the contrary, I'm not lacking much but you seem to lack the one advantage against my strongest beast,” he said as more monsters suddenly started to slowly appear from the mist.

“Bring it on,” but just as he raised his weapon he soon heard what sounded like the whizzing of a rocket followed by an explosion. He quickly turned to see a bipedal monster made of rock half destroyed and fell to the ground in a heap.

Grogar was actually mortified. “How could you still have access to your planet's artillery?!” he exclaimed as he teleported out of sight. Many monsters either fleed or tried to fight only for more exploding rockets to come out of nowhere. Gregory looked around and saw something big emerging from the mist. His eyes widened at the sight of a giant pony the size of a small house trotting out. The huge mare was brown with bits of white. It was wearing armor that looked like parts of a truck.

“Because humans kick stupid sheep ass, that’s why!” Gregory shouted back with a smirk on his face as he launched himself up to fly towards the iron pony.

He then saw what looked like a human riding on its back. The figure removed its helmet to reveal a familiar face. “We will end this nightmare,” Andrew said.

Suddenly from the mist some military vehicles emerged and then much to Gregory’s relief and amusement they sprouted pony legs, a tail and a head. “Soldiers, kill him!” one of them shouted as they grabbed a giant Flyder by its legs. “This is going to hurt! A LOT!” one shouted as they tore its legs off.

“Bring the pain to them,” Gregory said darkly as he shot a bolt of fire from his hands towards a flyder. “I like my bugs extra crispy!”

“Speaking of crispy, I bought a little something,” Andrew said as he tossed a bag towards him. A bag with a familiar yellow M.

Gregory caught the bag. “You found the time for a drive through visit? You shouldn’t have,” he said as he opened it and inhaled the familiar scent of a Big Mac, several cheeseburgers, and fries. “Still warm, too.”

“Well Stacy and I had some driving to do. Where did you think Grogar or Howard sent us to? Cybertron?”

“Certainly not back to Earth,” he said. “Where’d you get your new shiny toys?”

“We did go back to Earth,” Andrew said. “Our Earth.”

“At least their McDonald’s are the same,” he said as he slipped the bag into the same portal where he stored his staff which would keep it warm until he wanted it.

“Yeah, that's where we also found these sleeping veterans thanks to that journal you hit me with. Thanks for that by the way,” he said sarcastically.

“You know what? Right now I don’t care. Kick ass now, backstory later.” He pulled out both of his pistols. “I don’t suppose you brought some ammo for these puppies?”

“We have plenty,” said the giant pony Andrew was on. “Not sure if you know me yet but I’m Sergeant Reckless, United States Marine.”

“Ah, you’re Stygian and Styx’s friend,” Gregory said. “Look, introductions can wait. We need to kick some serious ass.”

Andrew nodded and placed his helmet back on. “Let's roll. Nice mage outfit by the way.”

“Grogar gave it to me,” Gregory chuckled. “Time to take out the trash.” And with that, they charged.