A Soldier's March (Abandoned)by Diokno44Chapters5. ......And a New Foe6. Aetherium7. A Shadow In The Light8. The Shadows That Never Fade9. Visions5. ......And a New Foe4. An Old Friend..... As Micheal entered the spacious conference room, he found Celestia, Luna, the Elements of Harmomy (whom he had been introduced to) Captain Shining Armor Solaria (Cadence's last name) and Princess Cadence standing around a large meeting table. Celestia had a bemused smile on her face, Micheal asked what was going on, as Celestia turned to him, the smile on her face. "Well, It seems two more humans have been recovered. One speaks very little Equestrian, or as your world knows, English, and is wearing a strange uniform,its covered in blood,he's currently unconscious in a holding cell, protected by two of my best Royal Guards, Storm Shadow and Fleet Wing. The other one, appears to know you," Celestia said, before moving aside to reveal.... ....Brian, his upper torso covered in fresh gauze, much like Micheal's. Tears streaming down their faces, both brothers ran to embrace each other, Neither said anything, before Brian said, sobbing somewhat, "I though I was a goner. Bu-but it seems Twilight was casting an advanced teleoportation spell the instant the bullet hit my forehead. The impact of the bullet and Twilight's magic must have opened a dimensional gate or something. I've been here for weeks!" as he hugged Micheal tighter, tears staining both their newly washed jackets. "I thought I lost you, but, we're back together B" Micheal said, using one of his nicknames for Brian. Brian chuckled a bit at one of his brother's less than stellar nicknames, punching him in the shoulder. "Now, how bout we show my baby brother the sights,eh?" Brian said, to which everypony agreed to. Brian and the others led Micheal around the castle and a portion of Canterlot. Micheal, and avid animal lover, was instantly liked by the animals in the Royal Gardens, who looked slightly apprehensive at Fluttershy (After the events of the Gala, and some apologies from Fluttershy and Princess Celestia, the animals had begrudgingly allowed Fluttershy to make friends and play with them, much to said mare's joy) alongside a few other areas such as the Royal Archives, the statue of Celestia's ex and Spirit of Chaos Discord, and Philomena, Princess Celestia's pet phoenix with whom Micheal had a fascination with her as she had with him. "Thanks for the tour Brian,and everypony" Micheal said, a tiny amused smile on his lips, as he got to using the slang in this universe. Celestia had a smile on her face as well, before turning and noticed that Luna, aswell as Twilight had disappeared. Turning to Rarity, she asked if she knew where they skedaddled off to. Rarity nodded. Rubbing with a hoof for a few seconds, wracking her memory, Rarity put her hoof down, before saying, "If I remember, correctly, as Mr. Greene here was petting your gorgeous pet Philomena, Princess Luna whispered something in Twilight's ear. Twilight's face broke out in a small grin, as they started off somewhere, if my memory serves me correctly, I heard Twilight say something about "Having fun in your sister's royal bedchambers." Rarity finished, giggling slightly as a small blush came to her cheeks. "Hmm, and I thought it was my week with her.Well, let's go see if they're finished by now." Celestia said, leading the group to her sister's royal bedchambers. Celestia and the others listened outside the door, hearing giggling and groans from inside. A blush came to everyone's, except Brian who had been married for four and a half-years with two wonderful children, faces. Brian had met his wife back when he was just a Sergeant Major (He had been promoted along the line, especially after stopping that Polish Nazi spy ring, where he was promoted to Colonel,and was currently very, until he had arrived here, to becoming a Brigadier General) he had been injured in combat, an Italian soldier had managed to cut his arm several times with a kitchen knife, and his future wife had been his nurse. On shore leave he had taken her on dates to fancy restaurants, moonlit picnics under the stars, until one night,while watching Haley's Comet soar through the night sky, he had proposed to her, and the rest is history. "Hey,is there any place a fella can get a drink around here?" Micheal asked, the part of the area he grew up in had no limit to drinking as long as you were over 16. Micheal rarely drank, but now called for one. He never smoked, though there was no age limit for that in any part of the US. Brian, who also only drank when needed, like at a party, pointed him to the Royal Bar, a part of the castle that had been converted into a bar/eatery for guests, though there were a few times,like whenever they answered a summons from a snotty, uptight noble (or their nephew Blueblood)., when the Princesses or Royal/Night Guards would down a few glasses, one, two....maybe fourteen. Micheal walked over, the bar being a few feet, or in this case,hooves away from Luna's bedchambers. The bartender was a dark brown, with a dusty grey maned Earth Pony, with a small goatee. His Cutie Mark was that of a shot glass being filled by what appeared to be a bottle of Sherry or beer. Micheal ordered a glass of whiskey.The bartender, a grizzled, retired Royal Guard, who introduced himself as Foaming Mug, was not surprised at Micheal being a human. With a wistful smirk, Foaming said to Micheal "You may be young, but I'm guessing you know a thing or two about the life of a soldier. Well son, I've seem weirder things then you. I also know a glass of spirits clears the ol' head and warms the heart. Here's one on the house, from one soldier to another." he finished. Foaming Mug winked as he slid a cold, foaming mug of Stalliongrad Fire Whiskey, made from the heart of Stalliongrad herself. Micheal chugged down the whiskey, and,after a bit of calming down later, he found the others in Luna's room. Finding the two playing with an odd device. Brian (who had been informed of modern technology in Equestria and the future Earth) and the gathered ponies told Micheal about video games, 6. Aetherium5. ......And a New Foe "You!" Micheal yelled, staring at the man in front of him. The bodies of Royal Guards lay at his feet, a layer of dust and ash covered his charcoal grey-almost black uniform. The skull belt buckle looked worn. "Yez, it is I, herr Greene. How vice to zee you again." The German accent stated. The man was Commandant Johan Heinzburg, one of the most evil men to walk the Earth, only a few years older than Micheal. He had served as a guard in Aushwitz, torturing his prisoners every chance he got, and for a time worked with Dr. Mengele, the Butcher of Aushwitz, who performed horrific experiments and surgeries on the Jewish prisoners. One of Micheal's friends, a boy named Andrew Hakovich had been one such victim, having chloroform injected into his eye sockets, as Mengele had hoped to change Andrew's chocolate brown eyes into azure blue, he failed, and Andrew was unceremoniously hurled into an oven to burn, like so many others. Johan was the sniper who had shot Brian, and the very man who begged mercy of Micheal. "How are you here? I thought demons couldn't enter a paradise like this!" Micheal mocked Johan. The only thing the Waffen SS officer did was straighten out his cap over his straw-yellow hair, smirk in a cruel fashion, and pull out an ebony-plated polished silver Luger from a pocket in his somewhat rumpled jacket. "Demon? Me? Oh come now Greene, zurely you of all people would know that you are not a Saint Peter either, don't you remember the Privateer's Brigade, that gang you ran with a few years back, with my, urgh, "noble" cousin Markus?" Johan said, reloading his Luger with some bullets from a pouch at his waist, a faint smirk gracing his lightly-tanned face. Micheal flinched at this reminder. He had palled around with a man named Markus Hanston, a German-Dutch boy.The gang didn't do anything particularly bad, some minor thefts, some jewelry or a pocket watch, some late night muggings on the southern end of downtown San Francisco, maybe a beating of witness, but nothing like murder or torture, nothing like what the Nazis had done. "So what, you'll never get out of here, not with the palace crawling with Royal and Night Guards. Looks like your roulette's ended up on black, buddy blank." Micheal said, a small grin appearing on his face, a faint stubble rubbing against his lips. By now, Celestia and the others had caught up with Micheal and Brian, with Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Rarity, Shining Armor, and Cadence pointing their horns at Johan, each glowing with a sparking version of their natural auras. Johan started laughing a hollow, almost demonic laugh as he stared at the five unicorns aiming their horns at him, ready to fire at will. "Do you really think you vere the only ones with magic around here?" Johan said, raising the tossing the pistol in his left hand, raising it, while his right gloved hand glowed with an obsidian black aura. "Well,ladies, I vust take mine leave of you, ta ta." Before firing the pistol, the bullet hitting the ground near Twilight, causing her to fall back a bit, as his hand pulsed, and Johan disappeared in black smoke, blowing out the barred window of the cell he had been kept captive in for the last few days since his arrival. Everyone coughed at the trail he left behind. "How in Heaven was he able to do that?" Brian asked loudly, after coughing into the sleeve of his army coat. Celestia and Luna puzzled over this, before gasping and using telekinesis to grab a dusty tome the size of Luna's XBUCK 360, and placing it upon the conference table, flipping open to a page somewhere in the middle. "We know where we have seen such a force before. It is the power of Hel, ruler of Hel, the land of the damned near Asgard. This "Johan" must have made a deal with her somehow." Luna said, placing a hoof at the picture of Hel. Everyone looked at the picture of Hel. The picture, who appeared to be female, had a masculine looking face. The being, apparently Hel, was holding a dull golden spear, with a large dog-like creature at her feet, prowling the ground. A huge tree was behind the being, looking both beautiful and foreboding at the same time, a sense of dread hung in the air. "So, what yer sayin is, this Johan fellar made a deal with this here Hel lady, and now can use magic?" Applejack asked, fixing her stetson which had tipped to the left somewhat in the wind created by Heinzburg's escape. Celestia and Luna simultaneously nodded, a grim look on their faces. "Hel is a very powerful being, one of the few ponies, or beings who managed to beat her were our parents, Queen Solaria and King Terran." Celestia said, a smile coming to her face as she remembered fond memories of their parents. "Well, why don't we call them up and go whoop Hel's flank?!" Rainbow Dash stated, slapping a hoof to another, floating a few feet off the ground, a smug smirk on her snout. "Mommy and Daddy have bee busy running Aetherium, a land in another plane of reality. It would take quite large amount of power to breach the gaps between the worlds of Equestria and Aetherium, and open the portal. If we want to get there, we have to start at once, Luna, can you please get the supplies?" Celestia asked, trying to remember how to open the portal. It had been centuries since they had last visited, a few months before Luna's transformation into Nightmare Moon. Luna came back a few minutes later, carrying a large satchel with her magic, placing it onto the table, glowing, magic-infused chalk sticks stuck out of the satchel as it was placed down. "Now, we can begin the ritual." Celestia said, grabbing a piece of glowing emerald green chalk, and began drawing a circle in the center of the room. Micheal and the others picked up a piece of chalk, with either hand, hoof, wing, mouth, or magic, and began aiding Celestia in creating the Circle. But, unbeknownst to the group, a dark presence watched them from the safety of the shadows outside the window. Chuckling softly, the feminine voice said, in a calm tone, "You will not stop my plans, my little ponies, and human outsiders." before fading in a puff of dark grey smoke, disappearing into the calm and the hush of the night time sky. 7. A Shadow In The Light6. Aetherium It had been over three hours since Johan's magic-fueled escape, and the group was almost done with the Summoning Circle. Micheal had just finished one of the curves on the circle. After ten minutes, the Circle was complete, and Luna had lowered the moon, turning th night into midnight, they were ready to begin. Celestia had given Micheal and Brian golden bracers, each with a different gemstone in the center. Micheal's had a fire ruby in his right bracer, in the other was an azure amthyst. Brian had an emerald in his left. and a flawless diamond in his right bracer. Micheal wolf-whistled at the bracers adorning his wrists, before raising his head, staring at Celestia, and asking, "What are these for, aside from looks?" Celestia giggled a bit, before replying, a warm, almost motherly smile on her face, "These are Magic-Echo Bracers, it allows non-unicorn beings, such as Applejack and Fluttershy over here" Micheal looked over at the mentioned two, who were sporting the same bracers they did, except with differenct gemstones, as Celestia continued, "The ability to either harness the magic within them, such as an Earth Pony's vitality and way with the earth, or a Pegasi's ability to walk on clouds and fly, or, in your case, gain the ability to wield magic, so long as those are on you. They were invented a few years ago by a Magiscientist named Atom Glow, though he originally wanted to make a mane regrower for the balding.pony" Celestia finished, chuckling into her right gilded hoof. "Is everyp-oops, I mean everyone ready?" Celestia asked, looking at the assembled group before her. Everyone nodded their heads. Micheal and Brian raised their hands pointing in front of them, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash did the same thing with their hooves, which began to glow in a misty azure blue light. Celestia and the other Alicorns/Unicorns powered up theor horns. The Circle began to glow in a pure, almost blinding golden light. It bathed the alabaster walls, the stained glass windows and tapestries of the Conference Room, and the pattern on the circle shot upward toward the royal purple ceiling. There was a pulse, which should pushed the group back, but they held their ground. A loud, chant-like noise reverbarated around them, echoing off the widely spaced walls. WOM-WOM-WOM A crack of thunder arose from the center, as a large, glowing portal appeared from the Summoning Circle. A tall, Alicorn-sized being appeared from with, ghost-like, with a golden aura surronding it. The figure turned toward Celestia and Luna, a warm smile on his face. "Celestia, Luna, it's been quite awhile since we last met, a thousand years or so?" Celestia and Luna smiled back, Luna saying, "Yes, and you'd be glad to know we've (Luna) been cured of our curse, Talos, or should we call you Tiber Septim?" Talos had been a being from another world entirely, who had met their parents after he had ascended to become a Divine, and agreed to be the one to allow entrance to their children, and any they wished, entrance to Aetherium. Celestia and Luna told them the group would be coming with them, the only thing Talos did was nod, before walking back into the portal "Well, let's go." Celestia said, as she lead the group into the portal. Everyone's (except Celestia and Luna) stomach churned, as the portal's path hurled them towards their destination. They appeared through the portal's exit, each falling on their face, or, in Celestia and Luna's case, on their rump. Twilight looked at the strange, alien world around them, the only thing she said was, "Whoa." Celestia and Luna turned to the assembled group, who were getting up off the ground, and giggled slightly. Celestia smiled at them, looking them straight in the eye, pointing a hoof behing her, and saying, "Everyone, I welcome you to Aetherium." A large, cobalt, crystal castle lay in the distance, a shining gem in the world. Their appeared to be a city connected to the castle. The scent of vanilla floated through the air. "Well, what are you lazy-flanks waiting for, Hearth's Warming Eve? I wanna find out what smells yummy!" Pinkie Pie stated, pulling a magic drawn carriage (Think of it like a van) out of her mane, and placed it on the ground, the doors opening upon contace, she grinned at them. Luna and Micheal were about to say something, before the group replied, "Don't quetion it, its Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie." The two locked their jaws, as they clambered aboard the carriage, which began pulling them towards the large city. Celestia and Luna pulled out their Mintendo DS, and began to wittle the long drive their by gaming. Celestia as playing Ponymon Dawn while Luna was playing Ponymon Dusk. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had fallen asleep, cuddling, Rainbow's right wing was wrapped around Fluttershy. The two had been dating for awhile, starting a few days before Twilight had arrived in Ponyville. The rest of their friends had only found out after Rainbow saved Fluttershy from the Changelings, pecking her on the cheek. Micheal had begun reading the short novel, I have No Mouth and I Must Scream, while Brian had dozed off at some point, pulling his army cap over his face, shading it. Rarity had begun a conversation with Twilight, about the new H.P. Love Croft novel, The Dunwich Horror, which had just been released. A look came over Twilight's face then, turning to Celestia. "Princess, how long will we be gone? Because I'm worried about-" Twilght was cut off as Celestia shushed her with a hoof. "Twilight, we've been dating for months now, and we are not in my Day Court, so you can call me Celestia. Also, do'nt worry about Spike, Owlicious, or your daughter. Time moves differently here in Aetherium, what may be days here, is only minutes in Equestria." Celestia smiled, going back to her game, giggling slightly. Soon, they were approaching the large, gilded gates of the vast city. 8. The Shadows That Never Fade7. A Shadow In The Light The carriage moved through the vast city. Thick stone, brick, among other materials made up the homes. Various species made up the population of the citizens. Minotaurs, Griffons, ponies, zombies, Orcs, among other races, what surprised Micheal and Brian the most were humans, both from their Earth, and, apprently others. The humans wore clothing from different eras. One was a Roman Praetorian guard, another as dressed in the garb of a Renassaince nobelady. More were dressed in clothing that neither Micheal nor Brian recognized, shirts with images on them, one had a date printed out on the tag, reading 1992. "Brian, I think some of these guys are from the future." Brian only nodded, gazing at the sights. Soon, they made it up the slope, and onto the golden brick path that led up to the crystal palace. The door flung open as everyone disembarked their hooves or feet hitting the ground. "We must walk the rest of the way, as vehicles of any sort are not let in." Luna said, as Pinkie Pie placed the carriage back into the infinite black hole that was her mane. Rainbow and Fluttershy streched their hooves and wings, laundering out the aches in their joints and muscles. The group walked at a brisk pace, enjoying the scenary around them. Blue and grey bird-like creatures flitted around them. Giant mushrooms grew from the ground, blocking the sky at points. Their appeared to be no visible sun, just a large.etheral tear in the sky, glowing a faint pink. Clouds formed around the tear, as if it was drawing them in. The crystal castle grew closer to them, a tall, sturdy, marble wall ran around the perimeter of the castle, a gilded gate, golden, adorned with precious jewels, ranging from pearls, to sapphires, to diamonds, alongside others. Squirrels and other critters moved from purple tree to yellow tree. Two lone centurions stood guard at the gate. As they got near, Celestia turned to them, stating, "Everyone, fix yourselves up, as you'll soon meet our parents." Everyone did this, fixing a stray lock of hair, or a piece of clothing that was rumpled, or a feather bent, before nodding at Celestia. "Very well, let's get going then." as the group started up the stone path towards the guarded gate. Elsewhere, in the realm of Lady Hel, near Asgard... "So, Celestia and her gang of fools has gone to Aethrium to find dear Celly and Luna's mummy and daddy. Gag me with a silver spoon." Hel stated, a look of contempt on her face, as she stared into the murky yellow and green waters of her scrying pool, her back to Johan. "Yes, mine Lady Hel. I was able to fool that trottel (idiot) Greene with my "mercy" performance, thinking like I as begging for mine life, long enough for my "nocturnal" comrade Alucard Brenskon to use that blood-magic infused mortar of is. Thankfully, the bludgrass (bloodgrass) potion you gave me restored my, new-found abilities and allowed me to restore me to my full strength faster, enough to eliminate those incompetent mules they call for "Royal Guards." Johan stated, sharping an ebony dagger with a dragonbone hilt in the corner of the room. A long, jet black, hooded cloak lay draped on the back of the chair, hanging loosely, swaying in the chilly airs of the realm. "Shall I go after them, mine Lady of Shadows?" Johan asked, carefully resheathing the dagger in a holder on his chest, before cleaning his Luger with a worn, formerly snow white, cloth. Hel shushed him with a hand-turned-hoof waved in his direction. Lookingonce more at her scrying pool, seeing Rainbo Dash hit a tree, before speaking, a manaical, plotting smirk appeared on her ash grey face, "No, not yet my dear Johan. I have another agent waiting for them there." Back in Aetherium.... Rainbow had rubbed her head with a hoof, before they continued on. As they approached the two gates, the guards came into view. One was a fit, well-toned, armored Pegasus stallion. This stallion was wearing armor resembling a Roman Centurion with a Spartan Greek helmet, the set was silver with gold accents. While he wore no greaves, he wore boots and gauntlets. He had a grey coat with a aqua blue mane and tail, with khaki eyes and a spear over a buckler or tower shield as his Cutie Mark. The guard had a stoic look on his face, a shining gold javalin was held in his left hoof. The left was also fit, yet they were lithe in their frontlegs and forelegs, and as slightly taller, was a Unicorn mare. She had a light, sandy coat, with a chestnut brown mane and tail. Her armor looked like a newer version of Micheal's combat gear. A dark grey harness over a forest green and black shirt and pants, though their was a see through patch for her Cutie Mark to show, revealing a golden eagle, wings spread, over two X crossed swords. The helmet was rounded, googles raised, a rumpled forest green cloth lay bundled around the mare's neck. Black, polished combat boots covered her hooves. In her right hoof was an old fashioned, bayonet. While her companion wore a stoic, blank expression, the mare had a tiny grin on her face, as the group walked closer. The two guards moved their weapons to their opposite hooves, upon seeing Celestia and Luna, and, having been informed by Talos about the entourage accompanying them, they would let them pass. The group smiled at the guards, causing the mare, Light Shine, to giggle slight, before waving a them and giving each member a warm hello. Her comrade nodded professionaly at them, though they all could a faint, warm smile flicker on his face as the group passed, and entered through the large golden doors leading into the palace proper. The foyer was packed. Ponies and other species were chatting together, eating the fine food at the numerous tables around the large reception hall, or drinking the various beverages offered by the invisible servers. Micheal scanned the vast room. He saw numerous beings in different assortments of clothes. He saw an Orc dressed in a dark green, jagged looking plate armor, a large, steel battleaxe slung over her shoulders, chatting to a Unicorn dressed in what resembled Victorian era clothing. He watched as a human, who he recognized Colonel Jacob Anders, who had fallen during Transom, his plane shot down by enemy fire, his aviator outfit looked almost brand new, except a couple worn patches or stitches here or there. A tall, lithe stallion trotted over to them. He was a Pegasi, with an amber coat and a fine, cerulean mane and tail. He wore a charcoal grey, long coat, reaching a little over his tail base. The slight solar winds revealed his Cutie Mark through the loose midnight blue pants, his Cutie Mark consisted of twin, gold, jewel-encrusted hoof-and-a-half swords over an azure shield. The stallion had a sheathed broadsword on his back. He had misty grey irises. Upon reaching Celestia and Luna, he bowed, smiled, and, with a soft, velvety voice, said, "Ah, to what honor was I given to meet the beautiful daughters of our just King Terran and our fair Queen Solaria? I am Lord Gold Blade the Fourth, son of Hidden Beam, Lord-Regent of the Kingdom of Aurora, member of the House of Malkaria." The House of Malkaria was one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Aetherium, composed of Pegasi and Unicorn nobles. They were composed of wealthy bankers, soldiers, politicians, and many other professions. "It is of no honor that you met us here, Lord Blade, we are here on business and we are here to see our parents." Luna stated, a small smile on her face. The stallion nodded in return. :Of course, I saw your darling mother and father conversing with your cousin, Lady Faust, not an hour ago. If memory serves. they were in the North Tower Orrery, observing the Kalriss Nebula. Well, I must be off, good day." The stallion bowed once more, before slowly trotting off into the crowd. Celestia motioned for the group of follow her, as they went up the right staircase, the sound of chatter droning out their upward progress. As Gold Blade rounded the corner, he pressed a hoof to his gold and emerald forearm band, which let out a soft hum, emitting a faint royal purple light. Looking arounf to make sure he was alone, and no one was in ear shot, he placed his lips to it, before whispering into it, "Lady Hel, Celestia, Luna, and her fellowship are on their way to the Orrery as we speak." There was a soft buzz, as Hel's voice spoke from the jewel, "Excellent, proceed with Phase Beta." before the glow faded, and Gold Blade raised his head. "Niflheim shall rise, as The Light falls...." (Next chapter is up! Whoo!) 9. Visions8. The Shadows That Never Fade Celestia and the others had walked for over an hour now, and still could not find King Terran or Queen Solaria. The walls around them were covered in beautiful tapestries, featuring a golden plaque detailing the event taking place. Micheal observed these images, as he had an admiration of artwork, his mother having been a small-time artist. One that interested him the most was titled, "The Eternal Guardian" it featured a tall, muscular Alicorn, with a fine bronze coat and a golden mane and tail. The Alicorn stallion was clad in shining silver armor with golden accents, a ruby red cape billowing in the winds. A heap of slain Manticores, Behemoths, Basilisks, and many ferocious monsters lay at his hooves as he stood atop them all, a hoof holding aloft a gleaming broadsword to the sun, the glare reflecting off the blade. The picture reminded Micheal of a small incident he and a group of recruits had during a training exercise, the POW Game as it was called. They were being hunted down by "enemy soldiers", which were either U.S. troops using live rounds, or dummies dressed as German, Italian, or Japanese soldiers, with replica weapons. The scenario was that they had been captured by a group of Nazi soldiers, a scouting party, and had been held in a well-guarded prison camp. They were to knock out the "gate guard" played by Captain Denvers, and escape. David Sanders, a member of their group, had led them into a group of training dummies. Due to the harsh punishment given by Major General Jacob "Barrage" Carson, was as sadistic as could be. He physically, mentally, and emotionally berated the men, always telling them he was "conditioning" them, if they ever were captured. Sanders had found out Carson had slept with his sister, and started yelling at him. Carson only chuckled at him, before ordering his men to open fire. It was a furious firefight, men being shot left and right. It was going poorly for Micheal and his group, until Carson yelled this out to Sanders, "Your sister gave me a REAL good time, Sandy-boy! If you live through this, I might just let you watch, or better yet, you might be able to join in!" and that was when Sanders when nuts like a bat outta hell. David grabbed a "Grease Gun" from a dead soldiers, and began firing at will. bullets spraying into the rest of Carson's remaining squad. Men fell like dominoes. A stray bullet hit Carson in the shoulder, knocking him to the ground, beating his face in with the rifle. David stood over Carson's still form, rifle raised, not soon after. It had been several hours since their initial search, ad they had found hide nor hair of King Terran, Queen Solaria, or Lady Faust. Upon reaching a guest room, they decided to rest for the night. As Luna raised the ethereal "moon" into the aurora sky, the darkness of sleep overtook Micheal, and he entered the warm embrace of Morpheus. Micheal's eyes snapped open. He stood up, and looked at his surroundings. He was dressed in his uniform, save the combat harness. He was standing on a worn asphalt road, a vast forest was off to his right, and to his left. Feeling a chill in the air, he saw a dense fog that covered the ground and obscured the way ahead, so much that he could barely make out the road. Every breath he took released white smoke. "Hello? Is anyone out there?" Micheal called out into the fog, hearing only the resounding echoes of his voice. Feeling a compulsion to do so, Micheal started walking briskly into the thick fog, keeping one hand on his combat knife. Micheal emerged from the fog, after an unknown amount of time wandering in it. He came out to a large sign. It featured a smiling sun over a city, with bright reddish-orange letter saying; WELCOME TO HOPE, PARADISE MADE REAL. A few miles from the sign lay what Micheal assumed must be Hope, yet it to was obscured by the thick fog. A few minutes later, Micheal made it onto Glenview Way, the first street in or out of the city. Upon stopping by a sporting good store, a friendly voice called out to him, "Hey there stranger, whattacha doing standing by a window?" which caused Micheal to turn around in surprise. The person who spoke was a man, who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, he had auburn brown, though graying hair, emerald eyes, and a square goatee from chin to nose. He was dressed in a dusty grey business suit, with what appeared to be soot on parts of it, brown dress shoes, and a gray fedora with a slightly off white trim, a small smile on his face., a cane tipped with golden eagle handle lay in his hands. Micheal recoiled slightly before asking, "Nothing, you just startled me is all. where is everyone?" as the man held out his hand, which Micheal hesitantly shook, causing the man to chuckle heartily. "Its fog season 'round here. People always stay indoors durin' fog season, only go out if 'ey need to." The man said, a Cockney accent in his speech. "My name's Jacob, Jacob Hood. I'm an accountant and lawyer from Whitechapel, England. I started a firm here in Hope a few years ago. You?" Jacob said, placing both hands on his cane. Micheal told his story to Hood, causing him to grin, before turning around, walking away, he placed his cane on his shoulders, and saying, "Well, seeya aroun' Micheal. I got things to do." before he vanished into the chilly fog and the cool night air. Micheal took a breath then, the chill causing his breath to appear. "Odd old timer, but polite." He muttered to himself, as he started through the street. His jacket did little to protect him from the frosty winds. Soon, he came upon a small, one story house, inspecting it, the place looked recently vacated, the previous owners (if any) had left the place unlocked. "Well, I DO need shelter." Micheal stated, as he gently opened the oak door, and stepped inside. Looking around, Micheal made himself a quick dinner on sourdough bread, some beef, and a glass of cold soda. Going into the largest room, he checked his Browning pistol to see if it was loaded, tucked it into his jacket holster, and rested his head.
5. ......And a New Foe4. An Old Friend..... As Micheal entered the spacious conference room, he found Celestia, Luna, the Elements of Harmomy (whom he had been introduced to) Captain Shining Armor Solaria (Cadence's last name) and Princess Cadence standing around a large meeting table. Celestia had a bemused smile on her face, Micheal asked what was going on, as Celestia turned to him, the smile on her face. "Well, It seems two more humans have been recovered. One speaks very little Equestrian, or as your world knows, English, and is wearing a strange uniform,its covered in blood,he's currently unconscious in a holding cell, protected by two of my best Royal Guards, Storm Shadow and Fleet Wing. The other one, appears to know you," Celestia said, before moving aside to reveal.... ....Brian, his upper torso covered in fresh gauze, much like Micheal's. Tears streaming down their faces, both brothers ran to embrace each other, Neither said anything, before Brian said, sobbing somewhat, "I though I was a goner. Bu-but it seems Twilight was casting an advanced teleoportation spell the instant the bullet hit my forehead. The impact of the bullet and Twilight's magic must have opened a dimensional gate or something. I've been here for weeks!" as he hugged Micheal tighter, tears staining both their newly washed jackets. "I thought I lost you, but, we're back together B" Micheal said, using one of his nicknames for Brian. Brian chuckled a bit at one of his brother's less than stellar nicknames, punching him in the shoulder. "Now, how bout we show my baby brother the sights,eh?" Brian said, to which everypony agreed to. Brian and the others led Micheal around the castle and a portion of Canterlot. Micheal, and avid animal lover, was instantly liked by the animals in the Royal Gardens, who looked slightly apprehensive at Fluttershy (After the events of the Gala, and some apologies from Fluttershy and Princess Celestia, the animals had begrudgingly allowed Fluttershy to make friends and play with them, much to said mare's joy) alongside a few other areas such as the Royal Archives, the statue of Celestia's ex and Spirit of Chaos Discord, and Philomena, Princess Celestia's pet phoenix with whom Micheal had a fascination with her as she had with him. "Thanks for the tour Brian,and everypony" Micheal said, a tiny amused smile on his lips, as he got to using the slang in this universe. Celestia had a smile on her face as well, before turning and noticed that Luna, aswell as Twilight had disappeared. Turning to Rarity, she asked if she knew where they skedaddled off to. Rarity nodded. Rubbing with a hoof for a few seconds, wracking her memory, Rarity put her hoof down, before saying, "If I remember, correctly, as Mr. Greene here was petting your gorgeous pet Philomena, Princess Luna whispered something in Twilight's ear. Twilight's face broke out in a small grin, as they started off somewhere, if my memory serves me correctly, I heard Twilight say something about "Having fun in your sister's royal bedchambers." Rarity finished, giggling slightly as a small blush came to her cheeks. "Hmm, and I thought it was my week with her.Well, let's go see if they're finished by now." Celestia said, leading the group to her sister's royal bedchambers. Celestia and the others listened outside the door, hearing giggling and groans from inside. A blush came to everyone's, except Brian who had been married for four and a half-years with two wonderful children, faces. Brian had met his wife back when he was just a Sergeant Major (He had been promoted along the line, especially after stopping that Polish Nazi spy ring, where he was promoted to Colonel,and was currently very, until he had arrived here, to becoming a Brigadier General) he had been injured in combat, an Italian soldier had managed to cut his arm several times with a kitchen knife, and his future wife had been his nurse. On shore leave he had taken her on dates to fancy restaurants, moonlit picnics under the stars, until one night,while watching Haley's Comet soar through the night sky, he had proposed to her, and the rest is history. "Hey,is there any place a fella can get a drink around here?" Micheal asked, the part of the area he grew up in had no limit to drinking as long as you were over 16. Micheal rarely drank, but now called for one. He never smoked, though there was no age limit for that in any part of the US. Brian, who also only drank when needed, like at a party, pointed him to the Royal Bar, a part of the castle that had been converted into a bar/eatery for guests, though there were a few times,like whenever they answered a summons from a snotty, uptight noble (or their nephew Blueblood)., when the Princesses or Royal/Night Guards would down a few glasses, one, two....maybe fourteen. Micheal walked over, the bar being a few feet, or in this case,hooves away from Luna's bedchambers. The bartender was a dark brown, with a dusty grey maned Earth Pony, with a small goatee. His Cutie Mark was that of a shot glass being filled by what appeared to be a bottle of Sherry or beer. Micheal ordered a glass of whiskey.The bartender, a grizzled, retired Royal Guard, who introduced himself as Foaming Mug, was not surprised at Micheal being a human. With a wistful smirk, Foaming said to Micheal "You may be young, but I'm guessing you know a thing or two about the life of a soldier. Well son, I've seem weirder things then you. I also know a glass of spirits clears the ol' head and warms the heart. Here's one on the house, from one soldier to another." he finished. Foaming Mug winked as he slid a cold, foaming mug of Stalliongrad Fire Whiskey, made from the heart of Stalliongrad herself. Micheal chugged down the whiskey, and,after a bit of calming down later, he found the others in Luna's room. Finding the two playing with an odd device. Brian (who had been informed of modern technology in Equestria and the future Earth) and the gathered ponies told Micheal about video games,
6. Aetherium5. ......And a New Foe "You!" Micheal yelled, staring at the man in front of him. The bodies of Royal Guards lay at his feet, a layer of dust and ash covered his charcoal grey-almost black uniform. The skull belt buckle looked worn. "Yez, it is I, herr Greene. How vice to zee you again." The German accent stated. The man was Commandant Johan Heinzburg, one of the most evil men to walk the Earth, only a few years older than Micheal. He had served as a guard in Aushwitz, torturing his prisoners every chance he got, and for a time worked with Dr. Mengele, the Butcher of Aushwitz, who performed horrific experiments and surgeries on the Jewish prisoners. One of Micheal's friends, a boy named Andrew Hakovich had been one such victim, having chloroform injected into his eye sockets, as Mengele had hoped to change Andrew's chocolate brown eyes into azure blue, he failed, and Andrew was unceremoniously hurled into an oven to burn, like so many others. Johan was the sniper who had shot Brian, and the very man who begged mercy of Micheal. "How are you here? I thought demons couldn't enter a paradise like this!" Micheal mocked Johan. The only thing the Waffen SS officer did was straighten out his cap over his straw-yellow hair, smirk in a cruel fashion, and pull out an ebony-plated polished silver Luger from a pocket in his somewhat rumpled jacket. "Demon? Me? Oh come now Greene, zurely you of all people would know that you are not a Saint Peter either, don't you remember the Privateer's Brigade, that gang you ran with a few years back, with my, urgh, "noble" cousin Markus?" Johan said, reloading his Luger with some bullets from a pouch at his waist, a faint smirk gracing his lightly-tanned face. Micheal flinched at this reminder. He had palled around with a man named Markus Hanston, a German-Dutch boy.The gang didn't do anything particularly bad, some minor thefts, some jewelry or a pocket watch, some late night muggings on the southern end of downtown San Francisco, maybe a beating of witness, but nothing like murder or torture, nothing like what the Nazis had done. "So what, you'll never get out of here, not with the palace crawling with Royal and Night Guards. Looks like your roulette's ended up on black, buddy blank." Micheal said, a small grin appearing on his face, a faint stubble rubbing against his lips. By now, Celestia and the others had caught up with Micheal and Brian, with Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Rarity, Shining Armor, and Cadence pointing their horns at Johan, each glowing with a sparking version of their natural auras. Johan started laughing a hollow, almost demonic laugh as he stared at the five unicorns aiming their horns at him, ready to fire at will. "Do you really think you vere the only ones with magic around here?" Johan said, raising the tossing the pistol in his left hand, raising it, while his right gloved hand glowed with an obsidian black aura. "Well,ladies, I vust take mine leave of you, ta ta." Before firing the pistol, the bullet hitting the ground near Twilight, causing her to fall back a bit, as his hand pulsed, and Johan disappeared in black smoke, blowing out the barred window of the cell he had been kept captive in for the last few days since his arrival. Everyone coughed at the trail he left behind. "How in Heaven was he able to do that?" Brian asked loudly, after coughing into the sleeve of his army coat. Celestia and Luna puzzled over this, before gasping and using telekinesis to grab a dusty tome the size of Luna's XBUCK 360, and placing it upon the conference table, flipping open to a page somewhere in the middle. "We know where we have seen such a force before. It is the power of Hel, ruler of Hel, the land of the damned near Asgard. This "Johan" must have made a deal with her somehow." Luna said, placing a hoof at the picture of Hel. Everyone looked at the picture of Hel. The picture, who appeared to be female, had a masculine looking face. The being, apparently Hel, was holding a dull golden spear, with a large dog-like creature at her feet, prowling the ground. A huge tree was behind the being, looking both beautiful and foreboding at the same time, a sense of dread hung in the air. "So, what yer sayin is, this Johan fellar made a deal with this here Hel lady, and now can use magic?" Applejack asked, fixing her stetson which had tipped to the left somewhat in the wind created by Heinzburg's escape. Celestia and Luna simultaneously nodded, a grim look on their faces. "Hel is a very powerful being, one of the few ponies, or beings who managed to beat her were our parents, Queen Solaria and King Terran." Celestia said, a smile coming to her face as she remembered fond memories of their parents. "Well, why don't we call them up and go whoop Hel's flank?!" Rainbow Dash stated, slapping a hoof to another, floating a few feet off the ground, a smug smirk on her snout. "Mommy and Daddy have bee busy running Aetherium, a land in another plane of reality. It would take quite large amount of power to breach the gaps between the worlds of Equestria and Aetherium, and open the portal. If we want to get there, we have to start at once, Luna, can you please get the supplies?" Celestia asked, trying to remember how to open the portal. It had been centuries since they had last visited, a few months before Luna's transformation into Nightmare Moon. Luna came back a few minutes later, carrying a large satchel with her magic, placing it onto the table, glowing, magic-infused chalk sticks stuck out of the satchel as it was placed down. "Now, we can begin the ritual." Celestia said, grabbing a piece of glowing emerald green chalk, and began drawing a circle in the center of the room. Micheal and the others picked up a piece of chalk, with either hand, hoof, wing, mouth, or magic, and began aiding Celestia in creating the Circle. But, unbeknownst to the group, a dark presence watched them from the safety of the shadows outside the window. Chuckling softly, the feminine voice said, in a calm tone, "You will not stop my plans, my little ponies, and human outsiders." before fading in a puff of dark grey smoke, disappearing into the calm and the hush of the night time sky.
7. A Shadow In The Light6. Aetherium It had been over three hours since Johan's magic-fueled escape, and the group was almost done with the Summoning Circle. Micheal had just finished one of the curves on the circle. After ten minutes, the Circle was complete, and Luna had lowered the moon, turning th night into midnight, they were ready to begin. Celestia had given Micheal and Brian golden bracers, each with a different gemstone in the center. Micheal's had a fire ruby in his right bracer, in the other was an azure amthyst. Brian had an emerald in his left. and a flawless diamond in his right bracer. Micheal wolf-whistled at the bracers adorning his wrists, before raising his head, staring at Celestia, and asking, "What are these for, aside from looks?" Celestia giggled a bit, before replying, a warm, almost motherly smile on her face, "These are Magic-Echo Bracers, it allows non-unicorn beings, such as Applejack and Fluttershy over here" Micheal looked over at the mentioned two, who were sporting the same bracers they did, except with differenct gemstones, as Celestia continued, "The ability to either harness the magic within them, such as an Earth Pony's vitality and way with the earth, or a Pegasi's ability to walk on clouds and fly, or, in your case, gain the ability to wield magic, so long as those are on you. They were invented a few years ago by a Magiscientist named Atom Glow, though he originally wanted to make a mane regrower for the balding.pony" Celestia finished, chuckling into her right gilded hoof. "Is everyp-oops, I mean everyone ready?" Celestia asked, looking at the assembled group before her. Everyone nodded their heads. Micheal and Brian raised their hands pointing in front of them, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash did the same thing with their hooves, which began to glow in a misty azure blue light. Celestia and the other Alicorns/Unicorns powered up theor horns. The Circle began to glow in a pure, almost blinding golden light. It bathed the alabaster walls, the stained glass windows and tapestries of the Conference Room, and the pattern on the circle shot upward toward the royal purple ceiling. There was a pulse, which should pushed the group back, but they held their ground. A loud, chant-like noise reverbarated around them, echoing off the widely spaced walls. WOM-WOM-WOM A crack of thunder arose from the center, as a large, glowing portal appeared from the Summoning Circle. A tall, Alicorn-sized being appeared from with, ghost-like, with a golden aura surronding it. The figure turned toward Celestia and Luna, a warm smile on his face. "Celestia, Luna, it's been quite awhile since we last met, a thousand years or so?" Celestia and Luna smiled back, Luna saying, "Yes, and you'd be glad to know we've (Luna) been cured of our curse, Talos, or should we call you Tiber Septim?" Talos had been a being from another world entirely, who had met their parents after he had ascended to become a Divine, and agreed to be the one to allow entrance to their children, and any they wished, entrance to Aetherium. Celestia and Luna told them the group would be coming with them, the only thing Talos did was nod, before walking back into the portal "Well, let's go." Celestia said, as she lead the group into the portal. Everyone's (except Celestia and Luna) stomach churned, as the portal's path hurled them towards their destination. They appeared through the portal's exit, each falling on their face, or, in Celestia and Luna's case, on their rump. Twilight looked at the strange, alien world around them, the only thing she said was, "Whoa." Celestia and Luna turned to the assembled group, who were getting up off the ground, and giggled slightly. Celestia smiled at them, looking them straight in the eye, pointing a hoof behing her, and saying, "Everyone, I welcome you to Aetherium." A large, cobalt, crystal castle lay in the distance, a shining gem in the world. Their appeared to be a city connected to the castle. The scent of vanilla floated through the air. "Well, what are you lazy-flanks waiting for, Hearth's Warming Eve? I wanna find out what smells yummy!" Pinkie Pie stated, pulling a magic drawn carriage (Think of it like a van) out of her mane, and placed it on the ground, the doors opening upon contace, she grinned at them. Luna and Micheal were about to say something, before the group replied, "Don't quetion it, its Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie." The two locked their jaws, as they clambered aboard the carriage, which began pulling them towards the large city. Celestia and Luna pulled out their Mintendo DS, and began to wittle the long drive their by gaming. Celestia as playing Ponymon Dawn while Luna was playing Ponymon Dusk. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had fallen asleep, cuddling, Rainbow's right wing was wrapped around Fluttershy. The two had been dating for awhile, starting a few days before Twilight had arrived in Ponyville. The rest of their friends had only found out after Rainbow saved Fluttershy from the Changelings, pecking her on the cheek. Micheal had begun reading the short novel, I have No Mouth and I Must Scream, while Brian had dozed off at some point, pulling his army cap over his face, shading it. Rarity had begun a conversation with Twilight, about the new H.P. Love Croft novel, The Dunwich Horror, which had just been released. A look came over Twilight's face then, turning to Celestia. "Princess, how long will we be gone? Because I'm worried about-" Twilght was cut off as Celestia shushed her with a hoof. "Twilight, we've been dating for months now, and we are not in my Day Court, so you can call me Celestia. Also, do'nt worry about Spike, Owlicious, or your daughter. Time moves differently here in Aetherium, what may be days here, is only minutes in Equestria." Celestia smiled, going back to her game, giggling slightly. Soon, they were approaching the large, gilded gates of the vast city.
8. The Shadows That Never Fade7. A Shadow In The Light The carriage moved through the vast city. Thick stone, brick, among other materials made up the homes. Various species made up the population of the citizens. Minotaurs, Griffons, ponies, zombies, Orcs, among other races, what surprised Micheal and Brian the most were humans, both from their Earth, and, apprently others. The humans wore clothing from different eras. One was a Roman Praetorian guard, another as dressed in the garb of a Renassaince nobelady. More were dressed in clothing that neither Micheal nor Brian recognized, shirts with images on them, one had a date printed out on the tag, reading 1992. "Brian, I think some of these guys are from the future." Brian only nodded, gazing at the sights. Soon, they made it up the slope, and onto the golden brick path that led up to the crystal palace. The door flung open as everyone disembarked their hooves or feet hitting the ground. "We must walk the rest of the way, as vehicles of any sort are not let in." Luna said, as Pinkie Pie placed the carriage back into the infinite black hole that was her mane. Rainbow and Fluttershy streched their hooves and wings, laundering out the aches in their joints and muscles. The group walked at a brisk pace, enjoying the scenary around them. Blue and grey bird-like creatures flitted around them. Giant mushrooms grew from the ground, blocking the sky at points. Their appeared to be no visible sun, just a large.etheral tear in the sky, glowing a faint pink. Clouds formed around the tear, as if it was drawing them in. The crystal castle grew closer to them, a tall, sturdy, marble wall ran around the perimeter of the castle, a gilded gate, golden, adorned with precious jewels, ranging from pearls, to sapphires, to diamonds, alongside others. Squirrels and other critters moved from purple tree to yellow tree. Two lone centurions stood guard at the gate. As they got near, Celestia turned to them, stating, "Everyone, fix yourselves up, as you'll soon meet our parents." Everyone did this, fixing a stray lock of hair, or a piece of clothing that was rumpled, or a feather bent, before nodding at Celestia. "Very well, let's get going then." as the group started up the stone path towards the guarded gate. Elsewhere, in the realm of Lady Hel, near Asgard... "So, Celestia and her gang of fools has gone to Aethrium to find dear Celly and Luna's mummy and daddy. Gag me with a silver spoon." Hel stated, a look of contempt on her face, as she stared into the murky yellow and green waters of her scrying pool, her back to Johan. "Yes, mine Lady Hel. I was able to fool that trottel (idiot) Greene with my "mercy" performance, thinking like I as begging for mine life, long enough for my "nocturnal" comrade Alucard Brenskon to use that blood-magic infused mortar of is. Thankfully, the bludgrass (bloodgrass) potion you gave me restored my, new-found abilities and allowed me to restore me to my full strength faster, enough to eliminate those incompetent mules they call for "Royal Guards." Johan stated, sharping an ebony dagger with a dragonbone hilt in the corner of the room. A long, jet black, hooded cloak lay draped on the back of the chair, hanging loosely, swaying in the chilly airs of the realm. "Shall I go after them, mine Lady of Shadows?" Johan asked, carefully resheathing the dagger in a holder on his chest, before cleaning his Luger with a worn, formerly snow white, cloth. Hel shushed him with a hand-turned-hoof waved in his direction. Lookingonce more at her scrying pool, seeing Rainbo Dash hit a tree, before speaking, a manaical, plotting smirk appeared on her ash grey face, "No, not yet my dear Johan. I have another agent waiting for them there." Back in Aetherium.... Rainbow had rubbed her head with a hoof, before they continued on. As they approached the two gates, the guards came into view. One was a fit, well-toned, armored Pegasus stallion. This stallion was wearing armor resembling a Roman Centurion with a Spartan Greek helmet, the set was silver with gold accents. While he wore no greaves, he wore boots and gauntlets. He had a grey coat with a aqua blue mane and tail, with khaki eyes and a spear over a buckler or tower shield as his Cutie Mark. The guard had a stoic look on his face, a shining gold javalin was held in his left hoof. The left was also fit, yet they were lithe in their frontlegs and forelegs, and as slightly taller, was a Unicorn mare. She had a light, sandy coat, with a chestnut brown mane and tail. Her armor looked like a newer version of Micheal's combat gear. A dark grey harness over a forest green and black shirt and pants, though their was a see through patch for her Cutie Mark to show, revealing a golden eagle, wings spread, over two X crossed swords. The helmet was rounded, googles raised, a rumpled forest green cloth lay bundled around the mare's neck. Black, polished combat boots covered her hooves. In her right hoof was an old fashioned, bayonet. While her companion wore a stoic, blank expression, the mare had a tiny grin on her face, as the group walked closer. The two guards moved their weapons to their opposite hooves, upon seeing Celestia and Luna, and, having been informed by Talos about the entourage accompanying them, they would let them pass. The group smiled at the guards, causing the mare, Light Shine, to giggle slight, before waving a them and giving each member a warm hello. Her comrade nodded professionaly at them, though they all could a faint, warm smile flicker on his face as the group passed, and entered through the large golden doors leading into the palace proper. The foyer was packed. Ponies and other species were chatting together, eating the fine food at the numerous tables around the large reception hall, or drinking the various beverages offered by the invisible servers. Micheal scanned the vast room. He saw numerous beings in different assortments of clothes. He saw an Orc dressed in a dark green, jagged looking plate armor, a large, steel battleaxe slung over her shoulders, chatting to a Unicorn dressed in what resembled Victorian era clothing. He watched as a human, who he recognized Colonel Jacob Anders, who had fallen during Transom, his plane shot down by enemy fire, his aviator outfit looked almost brand new, except a couple worn patches or stitches here or there. A tall, lithe stallion trotted over to them. He was a Pegasi, with an amber coat and a fine, cerulean mane and tail. He wore a charcoal grey, long coat, reaching a little over his tail base. The slight solar winds revealed his Cutie Mark through the loose midnight blue pants, his Cutie Mark consisted of twin, gold, jewel-encrusted hoof-and-a-half swords over an azure shield. The stallion had a sheathed broadsword on his back. He had misty grey irises. Upon reaching Celestia and Luna, he bowed, smiled, and, with a soft, velvety voice, said, "Ah, to what honor was I given to meet the beautiful daughters of our just King Terran and our fair Queen Solaria? I am Lord Gold Blade the Fourth, son of Hidden Beam, Lord-Regent of the Kingdom of Aurora, member of the House of Malkaria." The House of Malkaria was one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Aetherium, composed of Pegasi and Unicorn nobles. They were composed of wealthy bankers, soldiers, politicians, and many other professions. "It is of no honor that you met us here, Lord Blade, we are here on business and we are here to see our parents." Luna stated, a small smile on her face. The stallion nodded in return. :Of course, I saw your darling mother and father conversing with your cousin, Lady Faust, not an hour ago. If memory serves. they were in the North Tower Orrery, observing the Kalriss Nebula. Well, I must be off, good day." The stallion bowed once more, before slowly trotting off into the crowd. Celestia motioned for the group of follow her, as they went up the right staircase, the sound of chatter droning out their upward progress. As Gold Blade rounded the corner, he pressed a hoof to his gold and emerald forearm band, which let out a soft hum, emitting a faint royal purple light. Looking arounf to make sure he was alone, and no one was in ear shot, he placed his lips to it, before whispering into it, "Lady Hel, Celestia, Luna, and her fellowship are on their way to the Orrery as we speak." There was a soft buzz, as Hel's voice spoke from the jewel, "Excellent, proceed with Phase Beta." before the glow faded, and Gold Blade raised his head. "Niflheim shall rise, as The Light falls...." (Next chapter is up! Whoo!)
9. Visions8. The Shadows That Never Fade Celestia and the others had walked for over an hour now, and still could not find King Terran or Queen Solaria. The walls around them were covered in beautiful tapestries, featuring a golden plaque detailing the event taking place. Micheal observed these images, as he had an admiration of artwork, his mother having been a small-time artist. One that interested him the most was titled, "The Eternal Guardian" it featured a tall, muscular Alicorn, with a fine bronze coat and a golden mane and tail. The Alicorn stallion was clad in shining silver armor with golden accents, a ruby red cape billowing in the winds. A heap of slain Manticores, Behemoths, Basilisks, and many ferocious monsters lay at his hooves as he stood atop them all, a hoof holding aloft a gleaming broadsword to the sun, the glare reflecting off the blade. The picture reminded Micheal of a small incident he and a group of recruits had during a training exercise, the POW Game as it was called. They were being hunted down by "enemy soldiers", which were either U.S. troops using live rounds, or dummies dressed as German, Italian, or Japanese soldiers, with replica weapons. The scenario was that they had been captured by a group of Nazi soldiers, a scouting party, and had been held in a well-guarded prison camp. They were to knock out the "gate guard" played by Captain Denvers, and escape. David Sanders, a member of their group, had led them into a group of training dummies. Due to the harsh punishment given by Major General Jacob "Barrage" Carson, was as sadistic as could be. He physically, mentally, and emotionally berated the men, always telling them he was "conditioning" them, if they ever were captured. Sanders had found out Carson had slept with his sister, and started yelling at him. Carson only chuckled at him, before ordering his men to open fire. It was a furious firefight, men being shot left and right. It was going poorly for Micheal and his group, until Carson yelled this out to Sanders, "Your sister gave me a REAL good time, Sandy-boy! If you live through this, I might just let you watch, or better yet, you might be able to join in!" and that was when Sanders when nuts like a bat outta hell. David grabbed a "Grease Gun" from a dead soldiers, and began firing at will. bullets spraying into the rest of Carson's remaining squad. Men fell like dominoes. A stray bullet hit Carson in the shoulder, knocking him to the ground, beating his face in with the rifle. David stood over Carson's still form, rifle raised, not soon after. It had been several hours since their initial search, ad they had found hide nor hair of King Terran, Queen Solaria, or Lady Faust. Upon reaching a guest room, they decided to rest for the night. As Luna raised the ethereal "moon" into the aurora sky, the darkness of sleep overtook Micheal, and he entered the warm embrace of Morpheus. Micheal's eyes snapped open. He stood up, and looked at his surroundings. He was dressed in his uniform, save the combat harness. He was standing on a worn asphalt road, a vast forest was off to his right, and to his left. Feeling a chill in the air, he saw a dense fog that covered the ground and obscured the way ahead, so much that he could barely make out the road. Every breath he took released white smoke. "Hello? Is anyone out there?" Micheal called out into the fog, hearing only the resounding echoes of his voice. Feeling a compulsion to do so, Micheal started walking briskly into the thick fog, keeping one hand on his combat knife. Micheal emerged from the fog, after an unknown amount of time wandering in it. He came out to a large sign. It featured a smiling sun over a city, with bright reddish-orange letter saying; WELCOME TO HOPE, PARADISE MADE REAL. A few miles from the sign lay what Micheal assumed must be Hope, yet it to was obscured by the thick fog. A few minutes later, Micheal made it onto Glenview Way, the first street in or out of the city. Upon stopping by a sporting good store, a friendly voice called out to him, "Hey there stranger, whattacha doing standing by a window?" which caused Micheal to turn around in surprise. The person who spoke was a man, who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, he had auburn brown, though graying hair, emerald eyes, and a square goatee from chin to nose. He was dressed in a dusty grey business suit, with what appeared to be soot on parts of it, brown dress shoes, and a gray fedora with a slightly off white trim, a small smile on his face., a cane tipped with golden eagle handle lay in his hands. Micheal recoiled slightly before asking, "Nothing, you just startled me is all. where is everyone?" as the man held out his hand, which Micheal hesitantly shook, causing the man to chuckle heartily. "Its fog season 'round here. People always stay indoors durin' fog season, only go out if 'ey need to." The man said, a Cockney accent in his speech. "My name's Jacob, Jacob Hood. I'm an accountant and lawyer from Whitechapel, England. I started a firm here in Hope a few years ago. You?" Jacob said, placing both hands on his cane. Micheal told his story to Hood, causing him to grin, before turning around, walking away, he placed his cane on his shoulders, and saying, "Well, seeya aroun' Micheal. I got things to do." before he vanished into the chilly fog and the cool night air. Micheal took a breath then, the chill causing his breath to appear. "Odd old timer, but polite." He muttered to himself, as he started through the street. His jacket did little to protect him from the frosty winds. Soon, he came upon a small, one story house, inspecting it, the place looked recently vacated, the previous owners (if any) had left the place unlocked. "Well, I DO need shelter." Micheal stated, as he gently opened the oak door, and stepped inside. Looking around, Micheal made himself a quick dinner on sourdough bread, some beef, and a glass of cold soda. Going into the largest room, he checked his Browning pistol to see if it was loaded, tucked it into his jacket holster, and rested his head.
