TOME:Terrain of Magical Equestria

Chapters

Chapter 1: WARNING hacker alert
Chapter 2: New World
Chapter 3: Great Changes
Revelation's and Decisions
Time passes
World's crossing
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10

Chapter 1: WARNING hacker alert

Long ago, a small team of game developers managed to create a wondrous world known as T.O.M.E. The Terrain Of Magical Expertise. This world allowed players from all around the world to enter a virtual world of endless possibility and adventure. The path to what TOME is today was not an easy one. In fact, it was far more complex than any could have imagined.

While creating the game world the Developers accidentally created an AI powerful enough to run all of TOME’s systems and functions and managing players mental health levels through Code her parents created. They named her, S.O.F.D.T.I. She could build everything within TOME and with a mere thought, and did. Level design, Monster spawn rates, item drops, abilities and player data all controlled by her.

However, her power didn’t end there. Over time, Sofdti developed a mind of her own, intelligence equalling, then surpassing her makers, her parents. She was alive, the first living, sentient and self aware being of her kind; existing solely within a datascape. Sadly, despite her intelligence, she was still young, like a child; and all children one day learn one terrible emotion. Fear.

In her fear, she created a terrible power, a power that translated emotions into code, turned code into real, physical pain. And one of the Programmers suffered because of it.

As a result, the United States Government threatened that if Sofdti could not be contained, she would have to be destroyed. Fearing for their creation, their child, the developers hid Sofdti away deep within the code of TOME, where she sleeps, managing the game as she was built to do, keeping watch over the game and it’s players.

However, the terrible power she created still lingered, sealed away and resting deep within the strings of ones and zeros that made up their digital world, waiting to return and cause further harm to all.

In Lavendera, the western and final third of the world of TOME, a mountainous region filled with monsters and players all seeking combat separated by a dense forest, stands our five heroes, unknowingly set on a path no one would have expected.

“So, why are we out here again?” Spoke Alpha, a boy who’s character had wild red hair, wore long dark blue long sleeve sweater and pants with two medium sized wings across his back and a white dog like tail out his tailbone.

“We are here for some unique item.” Spoke Flamegirl. The only girl within the group and desighn wise is the opposite of Alpha. Her hair while not as red or wild as Alpha’s rested long across her. Her attire resembles that of a demon, dressed in red and black leather with a sharp tail and bat like wings across her back.

“That’s at least what the notification we got said.” Mentioned Kirbopher, the smallest out of the group, and one could say he looked like a ‘hobo link’, his dark green gi and covered in patchwork stitches at the chest and knees, wearing a grey colored undershirt, and two of his most prominent features, the Enchanted Sword as his waist and the green patchwork burlap sack of a hat that looks inspired by Link’s attire. “Probably some scammer to be honest.”

“For suth, have faith friends. Not everybody wishing for rare items within the land is a scammer. Most are young travelers seeking aid for the start of their journeys.” Spoke Nylocke. His avatar was that of a dragon knight, and the player loved to roleplay the part of one.

“Hmm…” The mysterious Gamecrazed hummed, a Morphological Shadow being that was simple in design, only discerning features were their talon like ‘wings’ protruding from their back, and buttons you would normally see on a console controller, A being on their head, B being on their chest right above the D-Pad, as well as the Left and Right bumper on each shoulder respectively.

“Thanks for the riveting addition to the conversation there GC.” Kirb rolled his eyes. “But seriously, we’ve been here for half an hour, when are they going to get here?”

“Here I am.” Turning, the group spotted a female player. Her avatar was simple. Almost too simple really for the world of TOME. She was human, pale skinned with black hair and wore what looked like a thinly armored dress. “I’m the one who messaged you lot about that item. Call me Void.”

Before Kirb could have said anything, Gamecrazed was in front of the group, staring carefully at the strange player. “And why...have you brought us here?” The shadow elemental asked carefully, their right arm turning into a sword and ready to fight.

“Whoa GC, calm down.” Kirb said worriedly, never having seen the aloof player ever act this on edge to another player before and it was concerning to all the other three as well.

“Hey, hey, relax.” Void said, raising both hands and taking a careful step back. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

“Messenger?” Flamegirl asked.

“Heh, yeah. You can say I speak for an ingame… collector. More of a hoarder but everyone has their hobbies. He’d like you five to acquire the Spear of Winds.” The group were surprised. The Spear of winds was the ultimate weapon for the spear classes. It was as rare as rare got. “Currently, a player known as Avenborn possesses it. My client would like you five to… remove it from his possession.”

“I don’t think that’s possible though.” Kirbopher started, staring at the woman carefully.

“It’s not.” Gamecrazed stated. “Unless both players agree to a wager battle, it’s not happening.”

“Well from what I hear this player is more up your group’s ally than most. He’s a hacker.” Void said, the group immediately getting on edge upon hearing that.

“Now that is interesting.” Kirbopher stated simply.

“And what has this Hacker done?” Gamecrazed asked carefully.

“Mostly he specializes in tinkering his stats to cleave through bosses, mess with other players, and, of course, uses his enhanced stats to win weapons solo that not even teams of players can get by killing some of the hardest bosses in the game. He’s essentially turned his character into a walking playable boss in itself. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t feel fair to me. Does it?”

“She has a point.” Alpha said. “If he’s going around beating bosses he’s cheating to get what he’s got.”

“Plus if he’s on par with game bosses then I’d love to knock their ego down back to earth.” Flamegirl said.

“Indeed! I, NYLOCKE, SLAYER OF EVIL! Shall take them head on in combat!” Nylocke declared with his typical Rollplayers full effort.

“Well, couldn’t hurt knocking this guy down a peg or two.” Kirbopher shrugged.

“Hmm…” Gamecrazed hummed as he put his sword away. “But I don’t trust you…” He glared at Void, silently accusing her of something no one else could guess besides him and the new player.

Kirb coughed at the growing unease growing between Gamecrazed’s weird distrust and Void’s...rather nonchalant response to it. “So, where is this guy at?”

“If I were to take a guess, I’d say he’s over in the Goblins Cave. Goblin King Vortex just respawned today and he drops his Rusted Axe. A strong weapon but the poison and bleed effects are where it’s value really lies.” Void said.

“Still can’t believe how many bosses they’ve added these last few patches.” Kirb said honestly. “Well, might as well get going, if possible we might even be able to kill steal the bastard.”

“Even if he is a lowly cheater, that is just dishonorable Young Squire.” Nylocke said to his smaller friend.

“Of course you’d say that…” Kirbopher grumbled.

The group made a mad dash for the bosses dungeon, save for Gamecrazed, who stayed behind and kept giving a look at Void. “Well?” Void asked. “Something you want to tell me?”

“You’re not a player.” Gamecrazed brought out their armblade again. “Who are you really?”

Void smiled, simply placing a finger over her lips. “Spoilers. Now then, best go catch up with your friends. They’ll be wondering where you are right about now… Sofdti.”

Gamecrazed rushed her, but she was gone before they reached where Void was standing.

“That’s...that can’t be…” Gamecrazed muttered to themselves in worry. “How did…” Gamecrazed suddenly gasped, fearing that this was a trap as they melded into the ground and started rushing towards their friends.

When the group made it to the cave, they spotted the Hacker as he kabobbed the Goblin King with the Spear of Wind. His character was an anthropomorphic griffon wearing Dragoon armor. “Yo, cheater! Didn’t your mama teach you to play nice with toys?” Flamegirl said as they all arrived. Gamecrazed still absent.

“My word, where is Sir Gamecrazed?” Nylocke asked.

“Took you long enough.” The griffon panted, upon closer inspection the four realized that he took damage, his armor scuffed and damaged in some places. “I’d thought I’d have to fight you guys and the boss at the same time.”

“Why the hell are you injured?” Kirb tiled his head in confusion. “I thought you would have...I don’t know, one shot the boss?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Aven asked, pulling his spear out of the Goblin King’s corpse. “So, you four must be the group that’s been kicking hackers to the curb huh? Where’s the fifth one?” He asked as he moved over to a bag in the corner.

“We don’t need him, cause you’re weak enough for us to take you down.” Kirbopher said cockily as he drew his sword and swung in an uppercut slash that threw out a tornado towards Avenborn.

“Wind? Really?” He asked, lightly raising his spear as a gust of wind knocked the tornado attack away. “Did you forget what weapon I have?”

“He probably did.” Flamegirl said as she started shooting of fireballs at the hacker.

Nyclock and Alpha both began setting up an offensive around the back and front of the hacker, trying to keep his attention divided.

“Can’t I at least take a drink first?” The griffon asked, dodging the attacks swiftly as he rammed the butt of his spear into Nylocke’s stomach and smacked Alpha in the face with one of his wings, knocking them

“Nope!” Kirb shouted as he dove down with an overhead swing.

Aven gave him a deadpan look as he just brought the point of his spear up, the tip going to pierce him way before the sword swing came. “You’re not that smart are you?” He asked.

“Shit!” Kirb shouted in panic, only for a giant purple hand to suddenly grab him out of the air and put him back on the ground, Gamecrazed appearing in the nick of time. “Thanks GC, I’d rather not be a Kirb-kabob today…”

“Would probably taste pretty bad too.” Alpha said as the group gathered up together. This hacker was good. While his stats were clearly above what was fair or possible for a normal player, his skills were not faked. “So, what took ya Crazed?”

“What do you know about Void?” Gamecrazed asked Aven carefully.

“That creepy lady?” Aven asked. “No idea, all she did was tell me I was going to fight you all today, and brought up that Vortex was spawning today...which is weird cause I’ve memorized all the spawn dates for the bosses and he wasn’t supposed to spawn for another three hours.”

“That’s...weird…” Kirb frowned.

“It was.” Aven agreed. “But that’s neither here nor there, right now you want to beat me because I made my stat’s high enough where I can solo these boss’s.”

“It’s cheating and you know it.” Kirb countered. “Even if you...weirdly took damage.”

“Again, it’s not fun if it’s a one shot.” The griffon answered.

“Wait, so was this a set up or… okay time out.” Flamegirl said. “So Void tells you about us and the respawning boss, then tells us her ‘client’ wants your spear… Okay I’m confused.”

“Same. Something’s not right about this.” Alpha agreed.

Gamecrazed was looking around carefully...only to notice Vortex’s corpse didn’t disappear. “Did you loot the body?” Gamecrazed asked carefully.

“No sadly, he should have been able to drop his Axe but for some reason I wasn’t even allowed to loot him.” Aven explained. “He was even tougher than I last remembered…”

WARNING! WARNING! UNKNOWN ENTITY AFFECTING GOBLING KING VORTEX

“What!?” Gamecrazed yelped as the six saw the Goblin King slowly grab it’s axe and rise back up, a strange black ooze filling it’s injuries and healing it.

“Uh...that’s not supposed to happen right?” Kirb looked to Aven worriedly.

“No...no it’s not…” Aven gulped, honest to god fear as to what was going on going through his mind.

What is that? The Forbidden Powers voice resonated in Alpha’s mind, shocking Alpha as even some massively unknown being didn’t know what was going on.

“So...who want’s to go first?” Kirb asked nervously as the boss roared and dashed towards Kirb first. “Why me?”

Gamecrazed was quick to act and melded into the ground, rising up as a giant fist and slamming into the boss, knocking it off balance from it’s charge as Avenborn took advantage of it’s staggered status and flapped his wings, dozens of arrow like feathers shot out and impaled themselves into the boss’s body.

The arrow like weapons embedded into the boss’s skin, but simply melted off the beast as more of the black ooze leaked out of it. “Okay, something tells me we should not touch that… stuff.” Flamegirl said as she jumped a distance away.

Alpha tried the exit tunnel, only to find it missing entirely. “Uh, since when was this a single room?” He asked, punching where the tunnel was supposed to be.

“Shit…” Aven muttered as Kirb did three sword swings, causing a tornado, icicle spear, and ground shockwave all to speed towards the boss and nail it all three times.

“Only way out is to kill it.” Kirbopher shouted. “Don’t know if that’s true anymore given...whatever the hell is up with it, but killing the boss normally does something positive right?”

“Well, not like we have any other options… Right?” Flamegirl asked.

“The Log Out Button also does nothing!” Nylocke said.

“Killing the boss it is.” Aven nodded as he swiped his spear towards the boss, sending a bladder wave of air towards it as Gamecrazed fired dark fireballs to add the damage, only for the boss to raise it’s axe and slam it down, stopping both attacks from connecting. “Uh...okay, didn’t think of that…”

The group all worked, losing MP and HP over time before finally the boss raised their axe, that black ooze now coating the blade as they slammed it down. The ground below them all cracked wide open in a burst of light and multicolored spectrals that filled the room.

“Anyone else wondering what the hell just happened?” Nylocke asked, breaking character in one of his few and far between moments.

“Not a single clue!” Aven panicked. “I’m not paid enough for this shit…” The griffon grumbled to himself.

“Void has something to do with this.” Gamecrazed stated, firing off fireballs again to try and deal more damage.

“Alright, if this bastard doesn’t want to play by the rules, then neither do I.” Alpha growled as he let the Forbidden Power take the wheel for a bit, a sphere of static and yellow symbols flowing past at a steady pace. “Gonna need you all to move, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

The players and hacker moved back, Alpha letting the digital demon flow through him as the corrupted beast turned all it’s attention on him.

“I don’t know what you are, or what’s going on, but one thing’s for sure, is that I’m gonna kick your ass.” Alpha growled as leaped forward, his right fist gaining a massive red aura as he threw out his strongest attack, the Vulcan Fist, infused with the Forbidden Power against this tainted creature.

It roared it’s challenge and swung it’s ooze covered axe, meeting his fist and creating a shockwave that knocked everyone down. “Seriously! The actual hell is going on!?” Kirb asked, thinking this was way too much for a simple hacker problem.

“Something beyond my paygrade.” Aven said as he got up, his armor starting to glow bright green.

“What do you think you're doing?” Flamegirl asked quickly and worriedly.

“Something dumb.” Aven stated as he grabbed his spear and dashed towards it’s back, a dragon forming around his spear as he used his strongest attack, Dragon Spear, and landed it into it’s back, causing it to roar in pain which distracted it long enough for Alpha to punch through it’s axe and land a solid hit into it’s stomach, the staticy aura blocking the strange ooze and dealing even more damage to the corrupted boss.

With a roar of pure beastial rage the boss slammed down on Alpha, sending him into the crack in the ground that broke open into a massive hole spinning with a rainbow cornea of lights that sucked Alpha in.

“Alpha!” Flamegirl shouted, the boss falling in as well. Wasting no time, she jumped in after them.

“Hark! Our friends! Squire Kir-bop-her, what shall we do?” Nylocke asked.

“Even right now you can’t even say my name right?” Kirb asked incredulously. “But...hell if I know.”

“We jump.” Gamecrazed stated as he flew down into the apparent portal.

“Well...not the dumbest thing I’ve heard today.” Aven shrugged as he doved down in there as well.

“Oh come on!” Kirb shouted incredulously, not believing everyone is just throwing themselves into some random hole.

“Well, when in rome.” Nylocke said, grabbing Kirb by the arm and jumping down.

The swirling vortex of rainbows and light was like being inside a colorful tornado. Passes of lightning began striking out and one struck Aven, who’s character seemed to freeze in place as the others all continued to fall into the portal.

“Ugh… my head.” Alpha said as he got up. “Wait a minute… my head? I can… feel that?” He said, sitting up at he felt the grass around him, the tree bark… he felt it all. He looked himself over, seeing the Forbidden power wasn’t active. “Okay… the hell is going on?”

“Can somebody get me the number of that truck Nylocke threw me into?” Alpha heard Kirbopher complain.

Alpha looked around, finding their short friend up in a tree. “Huh. Hey Kirb! Does something… Feel Off to you right now?”

“The last two hours have felt off, you’re gonna need to be a bit more specific.” Kirb sassed as he carefully climbed down the tree.

“Yeah but, I mean this.” He flicked Kirbs nose.

Kirb Yelped. “Ow! The hell man!?” Alpha rolled his eyes, counting down from three til Kirb realized the issue. “Why the hell can I feel things!?”

“Same for me.” Alpha said. “Plus, this forest.” Alpha said, waving a hand around at all the thick trees. “I can hear, smell, feel… I don’t think this is TOME…”

“And here I thought your Forbidden Power thing was gonna be the weirdest thing…” Kirb said, looking around the forest carefully. “Alright...so we’re in the middle of god knows where, after fighting a boss that was corrupted by...whatever the hell that was...and we’re missing Nylocke, Flamegirl and GC.”

“That Hacker guy is missing too.” Alpha said, throwing a water bolt up into the air. “Well, at least our abilities still work, so that’s good at least. Now, just to figure out where the hell we are.”

“Well...wherever we are…” The grey swordsman said as he pulled out his sword. “Something doesn’t feel right about this forest.”

“I just hope wherever the others are, they’re better off.” Alpha said, taking out his own sword as the two walked through the darkened woods.

”Pain… Alright, that’s new… so clearly, not anywhere good…” Flamegirl thought as she sat up.

“We’re surrounded.” The young fire mage heard Gamecrazed tell her. “By...candy colored horses…”

“... Say what?” Flamegirl asked as she sat up, seeing… “Must… Resist urge… to pet…” She muttered through grit teeth. “How long have I been out… and how long have they been staring at us?”

“Ten minutes...and ten minutes.” Gamecrazed said carefully.

“Right…” She stated, getting up. Once she was a pony, a unicorn, walked up to her. He was dressed in golden armor.

“Who and what are you two?” They asked.

"I'm a Morphological." The elemental equivalent said. "My name is Gamecrazed."

“And I’m… a half human half dragon fire mage.” Flamegirl said. “Names Flamegirl. And you are?”

“I am Iron Shoe, Private of the Canterlot Royal Guard.” He informed. “You two fell out of the sky.. Are you alright?”

"We're fine...just...confused." The being said carefully.

“Hm. Well, you two seem reasonable enough. If you have questions just ask any passing guard or head up to the palace to speak to the princesses… actually, let’s do that now…”

“Princesses?” Flamegirl asked.

“Yes, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna.”

"Hm." Gamecrazed nodded. "Thank you...and where would they be?"

“Follow me.” The guard said as the two followed.

As they walked along Flamegirl and Gamecrazed noticed all the odd stairs. “So… What’s the name of the this place?”

“This is Canterlot, the capitol of our Kingdom, Equestria.”

“Little on the nose huh?” Flamegirl whispered to Gamecrazed.

"Not the worst I've heard." Gamecrazed whispered back simply.

“Well, wherever the others are I hope they’re okay.”

“And then I said, Rubies?! I’ve been dropping coal here since last winter.” A roar of laughter awoke the dragon knight. Looking around Nylock felt… warm and cozy. ”Wait, warm and cozy? That’s not a game feature?!” Waking up, Nylock spotted himself in… a pool of lava?

“Hey, you good there buddy?” Turning, Nylock spotted a red dragon with orange yellow scales along his belly.

“I… Where am I?” Nylock asked.

“The Dragon Lands.” A white and light purple scaled dragon

“Don’t you know where you are? You are a dragon after all.” The red and orange scaled dragon brought up.

“Well, no. One moment I was in grand combat against a savage, possibly undead monster, the next I fell into a swirling vortex and woke up in Lava… Speaking of, why am I not burning?”

“Your a dragon.” The red one said. “You’re immune to, or highly resistant, to almost everything here.”

“By the way, what are you wearing?” The white one asked. “Cause it looks like armor, but it’s not melting.”

“Oh, well this is my knights gear. I am an honorable knight after all.” Nylock said, regaining some of his roleplayer character’s identity.

“What kinda crap is that?” The red one asked rather rudely.

“You dare question my honor, have at you!” Nylock said, standing up in the Lava and raising his ice sword.

The red dragon raised his hands up instantly. A sword that can handle the heat of lava can definitely pierce dragon scales. “Whoa whoa! Hold up, how the hell are you having a sword withstand this heat?”

“An Ice Sword at that.” The white one pointed out in shock.

“Tis the enchanted sword I was given to slay monsters, and naysayers.” Nylock stated. “Tis was giving to me by the gods of my land.”

“Who are you?” The white one asked again.

Smiling, Nylock jumped out of the lava pool. “I am, NYLOCK! DRAGON KNIGHT OF TOME!” Nylock declared with pride, and rather loud with a weird red and white sunshine background. “My comrades and I have waged many battles against fowl sorcerers and demonic beasts… Ah, speaking of where are they?” Nylock asked as he looked around. “Well… this is concerning.”

“Yeah…” The red one started. “I’m Garble...so who are your…’friends’?” He asked, Nylocke noting the attempt to say friend with some care.

“Well, there’s Sir Alpha, a lad with a noble heart and ideals. He’s the unofficial leader of our group. Then there’s Lady Flamegirl, group pyromancer and quick to action.Then there’s Squire Kirb…” Nylock took a moment. “Kirbopher, quick to use his blade and to use his temper. And lastly Sir Gamecrazed, an aloof but powerful warrior of darkness. We were battling a possibly Undead Goblin King when suddenly the ground underneath us exploded open into a vortex of colorful winds and we all fell in. Next thing I knew, I woke up here.”

“Damn.” Garble blinked, not sure what to say to all of that.

“So, what of you? What is it you do in these Dragon Lands young lad?”

“Uh...you know...hangin out.” Garble said, not entirely sure what to say to a guy that just said he fought an undead goblin king that opened a rift in space.

“Hmm… Shame. You look the type of great promise. Hm, though perhaps with some hard work you can become a well respected knight. Do these lands have knights?”

“No, why would we?” Garble asked. “Their are guards for the Dragon Lord, but that’s rare given how strong dragon’s normally are.”

“Haha! Surprises me not, still though, how strong are you all normally? I’ve never had the luxury of battling one of my own kind before.”

“We use lava as water, that would say a lot to start off with.” The white one said honestly. “Names Fizzle by the way.”

“A pleasure. But what of your Physical strength? Resistance and immunity to fire and heat can only say so much.”

“We’re only teenagers, but dragon’s are the strongest race in the world physically, which is quite a feat when Yak’s, Minotaurs, and Some Earth Ponies can break large boulders with their bare hands or hooves.”

“Hm, interesting. Might I have a display of these feats of strength?”

Garble moved over to a sizable rock, something that was three times the size of Garble, as the dragon bent down, dug his claws underneath and into the rock, and with a grunt he ripped the entire thing from the ground and hefted it up above his head. “How’s this?”

“Haza! I shall give it a go!” Nylock said, putting his sword away and grabbing the rock once Garble put it down. He lifted it up. It was… surprisingly light. “Hmm…” He said, now holding it with one hand, tossing it up and catching it a few times before tossing it up once more and punching it. The large lock exploded into a rain of gravel. “This is fun!”

The other dragons were jaw dropped. They wondered just how… strong this odd drake was.

“Huh...and uh...how old are you?” Garble asked carefully, knowing some older dragon’s or one’s that were more physically built could do that but Nylocke looked like neither of those.

“I am thirty eight summers old.” Nylocke answered.

“Your thirty eight?” Garble blinked. “You’re...still really young to be able to do that.”

“Hm? Perhaps it is just my lifestyle choices.” Nylocke shrugged. “So, what-”

“Yo.” Flying in was a thin, blue dragoness wielding a stone staff adorned with a glowing red gem at its top. “Head’s up, my dad is looking for someone to compete in a Tournament of Souls, so, best take your leave now.”

The other dragons all seemed to roll their eyes at this, but nodded as they began to take leave.

“What is a tournament of souls?” Nylocke asked.

“It’s basically a gambling fighting.” Garble stated bluntly. “Each dragon that participates bet’s the most valuable thing they have on who would win in a fight, and whoever loses gives the winner their most prized possession.”

“I see. And what is your father offering?”

“No idea, but whatever it is I’m betting it’s from his private horde. Honestly he just does this to grow it, he knows no one can beat him. He’s the biggest, toughest dragon in the kingdom.”

“Hm, sounds to me like he is basically stealing these items from his opponents in battle.”

“Heh, basically yeah. It’s his hobby. More so now ever since I took over being Dragon Lord. Wait, who are you?”

“I am -” Nylocke almost did his basic, over the top introduction, but Garble stopped him before he could start.

“His name is Nylocke, he’s weirdly strong and...he also has an Ice Sword that is immune to lava.” Garble brought up.

“Really? Well, don’t let my dad find out, you’ll lose that fancy piece of work if he challenges you. Oh, names Ember. Dragon Lord Ember.” Ember stated.

“Such cruelty. Is there no one capable of besting him?” Nylocke asked.

“No.” Garble shook his head. “Because of one of three things. The first being his size, even if his opponent was a normal sized person and he changed his size down, he’d still always be a foot or two taller and a whole lot bulkier, the second being his experience and skill, given he’s gone undefeated for hundreds of years against legitimately strong opponents, and the third is because of his fire, something so hot it can legit melt solid rock and hurt dragons even with their resistance to outright immunity.”

“Hm. Then as a noble knight tis my duty and honor to best such a beast!” Nylock stated, drawing his sword. “I shall challenge this beast in honorable combat!”

“Say what?! Are you a few coals short of a full diamond! My dad will eat you alive! Literally, I’ve seen him do it before.” Ember asked, shocked at the dead seriousness of this new dragon.

“Tis my job as a knight to defeat evil and defend the innocent. If he is using his size and power to take from the weak then I must put an end to his tyranny!”

“At what point did I say he’s doing this maliciously?” Garble asked carefully.

“Tis unjust for all for one of his power and size to declare combat knowing none can best him. Where is the honor in a rigged combat?”

“He does have a point. Everyone in the Dragon Lands knows dad’s undefeated.”

“Then it’s quite literally what he’s offering that people are going after him.” Garble deadpanned. “Nobody would just throw themselves at your dad just to get fisted in the end if it wasn’t worth it.” The dragon said, accidentally making an unknown lewd comment that Nylocke got.

“But do any of you know what he is offering?” All the dragons, after a moment of thinking, shook their heads.

“All I know is that he says it’s his most valuable possession.” Ember huffed. “Whatever it is I’ve never seen him so determined to win before in these things so it’s gotta be a really big gem.”

“Who knows.” Garble shrugged. “He’s never made it public, but all the one’s that fought against him knew what was being offered, as per the rules.” Garble brought up.

“And as per dad’s added details, they aren’t talking about what it was.” Ember added. “Tried asking the last drake and he just ran through his own cave wall in panic.”

“Hmm… Strange. Well, comrades, I have a mission to complete!” Nylock said, charging off.

“Other way!” Ember yelled, watching as he skidded to a halt then ran the other direction. “We should follow him… right?”

“Honestly just to make sure he doesn’t get hurt before he gets piledrived into the ground by your dad.” Garble shrugged.

“Well, that’s not creepy at all.” Alpha said as he and Kirb arrived at the ruins of a once magnificent castle, now left to time and nature to decay.

“Ancient Ruins in the middle of a forest? Yeah, this doesn’t scream dungeon at all.” Kirb said sarcastically, rolling his eyes at that.

“I doubt it, the monsters we ran into were just weird wooden wolves and those Hydras. So, shall we head to the top and look for any actual civilization?”

“Might as well.” Kirb shrugged. “Better than roaming around aimlessly that’s for sure.”

The two rapidly made it through to the castle. Ascending some stairs until they reached the utmost tower. "I think I can see a town way off where we came from. Shit, if we went the other way we'd be in a town." Alpha huffed.

“Given we don’t have a map or anyway of knowing that, it’s better to have found at least a landmark.” Kirb brought up.

“True… Hey Kirb, do you feel… Hungry?” Alpha asked, still not liking how they could feel the environment. If things like hunger and thirst were now present, he had a very bad feeling about them possibly not even being in a game at all.

"Yeah...which is really bad if we have to deal with real life stuff in our avatars…" Kirb said nervously.

“Well, that all depends on one thing…” Alpha said, taking Kirbs sword as he traced a finger along the blade. He winced at the pain. Then, both Alpha and Kirb went wide eyed as a small trail of blood becan leaking out of the wound. “I don’t think we’re in a video game Kirb…”

"That's...but you still have an HP bar though." Kirb brought up, seeing that Alpha had an HP bar above his head still. "That's...weird…"

“Hmm… Whatever happened when fighting that monster, we can’t be in a video game anymore. Yet somehow we have our in game abilities and items… which means we might be able to send messages!” Alpha said, trying to maneuver the hud to send a message. He first tried sending a simple ‘hi’ to Kirb, and was surprised to see it cost one mp.

When he hit send, one MP was used and the message Kirb received a short while later.

"Really? PM's cost MP?" Kirb frowned.

“Well, at least we can send messages.” Alpha said. He began sending messages to Gamecrazed, Flamegirl and Nylocke. He was surprised to see the MP cost for Gamecrazed and Flamegirl’s message was fifty MP and Nylocke was over a hundred and fifty. “What the!? Why is it so much for them!? … Is it based on distance… if that’s the case it’s safe to assume Gamecrazed and Flamegirl are at least together or near one another… as for Nylocke he’s gonna be the furthest away then. Crap. I can send it to Flamegirl at least but I won’t have enough MP left over for Nylocke… and I know you don’t have over a hundred MP.”

"So you do Nylocke and I do Flamey and GC?" Kirb asked, having a hundred exactly given all his attacks didn't cost anything given his sword was the main thing doing his specials.

“Oh yeah. Fair point.”

Once the messages were sent the two headed down and decided to explore the place. “Think we should wait here? In terms of Flamegirl and Gamecrazed we can probably wait for them here, but we’ll all have to go out and look for Nylocke. If the MP cost relates to Distance like I think it is then he’s probably on the other side of… wherever we are.” Alpha said as he browsed some of the still intact books.

"Probably, and I'm surprised there's books still intact here." Kirb brought up, also looking over the intact books.

“Same. I expected most everything to be rotted away.” Alpha said, pulling a book out. There was a click and the Bookshelf suddenly slid open like a door, revealing a small tunnel leaving downwards. “Well, this just got interesting.”

"Secret tunnels in an abandoned castle? This is indeed interesting." Kirb agreed with a giddy smile.

The two began entering the hidden tunnel, seeing a light at the end. The two arrived at a hidden library where many books still filled the shelves, all in perfect condition and even many large pillows rested all along the floor next to a table. “Huh, either secret library or personal study. Either way everything here is in better shape than the other place. We can wait for a reply from here.”

"Yeah, this should be a safe spot." Kirb said honestly. "And hopefully we'll learn a thing or two about this place as well."

Flamegirl was trying very, very hard not to pet the pretty white horse with wings and a horn before her, the horse, or pony’s, mane and tail were like rainbows. Same went for the dark blue, wings and a horn like the other, bigger one and her mane and tail were like the night sky in a wide country field.

“So, you both come from a land known as TOME, and while fighting a beast that came back from the dead with an unknown power, you all then fell into a rift where you two found yourselves in Canterlot’s Shopping Districts where you awoke.” The largest, Celestia spoke. She was the one that was all white with the rainbow mane and tail.

"Yes." Gamecrazed nodded politely.

“Hmm. We did sense an abnormal magic around the time you both were found. At first we just believed it to be Discord up to his old pranks, but now this might be cause for worry. Especially if this monster you all fought is still wandering around.” The smaller, dark blue one, Luna, said.

“We’d like it if-” Flamegirl started, stopping at she… received a message.

Flamegirl, Gamecrazed, It’s Kirb. I’m with Alpha in some weird ruins in a big ass forest filled with wooden wolves and hydras. We’re taking shelter in the ruins. Some big old castle, looks neat, might be fun to explore. If you can find us, then try and get here. Or message us back if you can help us get to you. Oh, also we get hungry and bleed. So, yeah… Good luck.

-Kirb.

“Uh… Do ruins in a forest filled with wood wolves and hydras ring a bell to either of you?”

“Wood Wolves and Hydras? Ruins? That sounds like our old castle. Why do you ask?” Celestia asked.

“I just got a message from my friends. Well, one of them anyway. He and another are there.”

“Message? I don’t see a scroll?” Luna inquired.

“It’s… more like a mental message. Not quite telepathy if that’s what you’re thinking but useful enough.”

“Hmm. My Student Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville can lead you both there. She has been to the castle many times. I’ll send her a message to let her know ahead of time.” Celestia said.

“And I shall lead you both to the train station. I haven’t been at the old castle in ages. I hope our personal study is still alright.” Luna said, she and a few guards leading Flamegirl and Gamecrazed to the trains. A long walk later the group boarded a train for the town of Ponyville, and once it was just Flamegirl, Gamecrazed and Luna in their own personal cart, Luna gave a smile. “Go on.”

“Hm?” Flamegirl asked.

“Oh please, I’ve been around many foals long enough to know when one wants to pet my mane. I don’t mind.” Luna said.

"Go ahead my friend." Gamefreak said to Flamegirl. "We have time before the train."

“Same goes for you too.” Luna said, surprising Gamecrazed. And Flamegirl. “I know that whole tall, dark and monotone routine. I basically invented it. You both are free to pet my mane.”

Gamecrazed and Flamegirl gave each other a blank look before laughing and each taking a seat next to the princess, petting her mane and ears. They laughed as Luna purred a bit. “Ooooh~ It’s been a long time since a creature with fingers ever got to pet and scratch me. Hooves just can’t compare.” She sighed constantly.

"This is...nice." The Shadow elemental said calmly, Luna noticing that there was a barrier between them but it was progress.

“Heh, yeah. Childhood dream achieved.” Flamegirl chuckled.

With a jump and a spin Nylocke dodged the giant claw that swiped at him. His opponent, Former Dragon Lord Torch, Ember’s father, was far larger than he expected, but it was fun. The size and strength alone was impressive and his speed made him an even greater foe. And, to all who witnessed when Torch threw the first punch, were shocked when Nylocke, despite his size, caught the attack with little damage to himself.

The battle had been waging on for almost an hour by now, and Nylocke was having fun with it. Much to Torch’s annoyance and the crowd’s entertainment.

As Nylocke began to plan his next move, he received a message.

Nylocke, it’s me Alpha. Look I have no idea where you are, I’m guessing that based on the MP it cost to send this message, and yet it cost me MP to send a message, that you are very far away at the moment. I’m with Kirb and I am not sure where Flamegirl and Gamecrazed are but given how much MP it cost to send them a message they are closer to us compared to you. Once Kirb and I meet up with Flamegirl and GC, we’ll start looking for you and hopefully send you another message. Keep up, we can feel pain, get hungry, thirsty and bleed here so be careful.

-Alpha

Nylocke grinned. His friends were all alright, and he knew about the pain part already, though thirst and hunger would be an issue, he feared not about the bleeding. If he can take a punch from the mountain of a dragon he was facing, then hardly anything could make him bleed. After all, he was, “I am NYLOCKE, DEFENDER OF JUSTICE!” Nylock declared as he took to the air in a single leap, delivering a full powered punch to the former dragon lord’s nose. He sent the titan crashing to the ground, a hard crunch as his nose was crooked and the retired lord saw stars spinning. “Let it be known to all that I, Nylocke, defeated the unjust and unfair titan Torch this day!”

The crowd cheered loudly in amazement.

“Sweet mother of Tiamat!” Ember shouted in amazement, not believing Nylocke was this strong.

Nylocke gave a hearty laugh. “In the end, tis Justice and good that always comes in triumph!” He declared boldly.

Ember flew down next to the dragon knight, a wide grin at seeing such a display of strength and seeing her father taken down from his pedestal. “Ugh… I… Lost…” Torch grumbled, sighing as he turned to Nylocke. “You truly are a dragon not only of strength, but of honor and bravery rarely seen in our lands.”

“So what does he win dad?” Ember asked curiously. “And...uh, what did you bet Nylocke?”

“I bet the only item of personal value, my sword.” Nylocke said as he pat the sheathed weapon.

“As for your victory, as a dragon of my word, I bistro my most treasured possession.” Torch said, giving his daughter a small nudge closer to Nylocke. “My daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“... Say what?” Nylocke asked.

“EXCUSE ME WHAT!?!” Ember screeched. “That’s what you’ve been betting all these fights on!?”

“So that’s why he was undefeated!” A dragon from the crowd said loudly in realization, causing all the others to mutter in agreement that that would indeed make sense.

“As your father, it is within my rights to marry you off, and if I passed before then the suitor would have to face you in combat, and Ember, you are too much like your mother. Size, lack of strength. You have her intelligence, even you are smart enough to know that if a powerful, impure drake bested you for your hand in marriage, then he would earn the right of Dragon Lord. This was the best solution to ensure you not only married a dragon of proper strength, but one of honor, intelligence, kindness, and honesty. Traits this fight has shown me this Nylocke drake here has in spades. By week's end, you both shall be wed, as per tradition you both shall share the right and title of Dragon Lord.”

“... Say what?” Nylocke said again, breaking character a little at the absurdity that was going on.

Torch and the other dragons then flew off. A royal wedding was rare, and all needed to prepare. This left the Dragon Knight and the Dragon Lord alone…

“WHAT!?!” Ember screeched again. “How dare he! I mean, sure, dad has a point about this, but I could have picked who I wanted, Spike would have been great, but no! I randomly get married to...whoever the actual hell you are.” She motioned to Nylocke. “I’ve never met a single dragon that was able to make ice magic work in volcano’s and be slightly resistant to dad’s fire, but to be able to match him and or slightly go above him in raw strength is just...just…” She growled in anger, trailing off as she most certainly didn’t want this even if her dad was correct in his assumption.

“...Say what?” Nylocke repeated, his brain stuck on processing this information.

“And there, you’re voice changed.” The blue dragoness frowned. “How do I know that bravado wasn’t just some act before?”

Nylocke flinched, coughing as he was about to get back to his usual Knight routine… only to slump as he sighed, taking a seat. “It makes for a better hero doesn’t it?” He asked, surprising Ember as his calm, sad toned voice. “Growing up… I wished I could be like this. Like… a real honest hero. When I got… all this.” He motioned to himself. “I swore I’d be that hero I wish I had when I was younger. It was… better than the real me. The depressing pencil pusher nobody knew.”

“Oh...uh…” Ember started. “I...didn’t know…” She started, completely caught off guard by his tonal shift and admittance.

“Hm. It’s also really fun. Putting on a show, giving people hope, being the hero every kid dreams about. It’s my reason for getting out of bed everyday. It keeps me moving, keeps me sane honestly. Everything I told you about how I got here, fighting the undead, at least I think that classified as undead, and my friends is all true… with some extra details I should probably try and explain too.” Nylocke took a deep breath, jumping up and startling the dragoness. “But so long as I, Nylocke! Defender of all that is Just! Is here, no villain in these lands shall go unpunished and no innocent shall know fear ever again!” He decreed with his typical bravado Nylockeness.

Ember couldn’t help but chuckle at how quick Nylocke was able to go from his real persona, talking about heavy stuff to his knightly bravado. “Well, at least you're honest about it.”

“Of course, a true knight never lies! Now… what do we do now?”

“Well...we have a week before...this stupid wedding happens.” Ember grumbled. “We’ll...have enough time to talk I suppose.” She said, having learned through Spike and her other friends that talking is actually a decent way to get to know a person.

“Oh… So, like a date then?”

“I’m still getting used to...pony terminology.” Ember said carefully. “But...effectively I guess.”

“Well, shall my fair maiden like to pick our evenings outing?” Nylocke asked.

Ember had no idea why, but being called a maiden gave her a warm, fuzzy feeling deep in her stomach that gave her a blush.

“D-don’t call me that.” Ember said quickly, pouting at the fuzzy feeling.

“Then how shall I address thee?”

“Just call me Ember.” She said. “I’m still the Dragon Lord of these lands, and I deserve respect.”

(In HOME)

"What in the hell happened!?" A crystal like humanoid asked in a panic.

"I don't know! It just appeared out of nowhere, and disappeared just as quickly." A Mushroom Man said worriedly.

"Are those six players alright?" A blonde woman wearing a slightly too long robe and a halo over her head asked worriedly.

"The game is working fine right now, we need to make sure this won't effect any of the other players." A tall suited man said gruffly, even though the other four could tell he was just as worried as everyone else.

"Everyone please, stay calm." A King Chess piece with floating robot hands said bluntly. "We don't know what happened, or who could cause this. All we know is that Sofdti is still safe, the six players that disappeared are still considered logged in, so their still mentally okay." The being told them. "There's no telling what could have caused this..."

"Should we inform him?" The Mushroom asked.

"No, Giga is our advisor for protecting Sofdti from the public, this is outside anything we could imagine..." The king sighed out. "What a mess..." He rubbed his forehead as he looked back at the screen, showing some of the Mods at the area of Goblin King Vortex, seeing cracks in the ground that still radiated some strange energy and it's axe covered in strange black goo still embedded in the ground even after the boss respawned.

To be continued...

Author's Note

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozgf4_cY54I&list=PLIthb_HwSFaERKEPc01Lxnht4B6I5igQE

Here's a Link to the entire series if anyone is interested

Chapter 2: New World

Kirb and Alpha waited patiently within the hidden study of the old castle. It was comfortable, ment for privacy and solitude most likely, given it was hidden. The two received a message from Flame Girl stating she and Gamecrazed were on their way with a guide.

They spend their wait reading the various texts around n them. Most of it went over their head, talking of magic and arcane symbols neither understood. History texts and a few fictional works helped, but Kirb was quickly becoming bored.

“God I’m bored!” Kirb groaned loudly. “How long does it take for those two to get here with a Guide?”

"They won't get here any faster with you complaining." Alpha sighed. The book in his hands was essentially Romeo and Juliet, but with Griffons and these Ponies as the cast. Romeo was the Griffon and named Gallant and Juliet was a pony, a Pegasus, named Flower Meadow. It was fairly close to the version he knew.

"Can't they teleport or something?" Kirb asked. "In one of those books it talked about teleportation."

"Like I know if that's a common spell or not. It didn't even exist in TOME." Alpha sighed.

"Bet Flamegirl is going crazy over all the ponies though, she'd probably be that person who really likes unicorns and stuff." Kirb brought up.

"Because she's a girl?" Alpha asked carefully.

"More like the 'strong, confident type' really liking colorful cute things." He shrugged. "I've seen it before from...a friend of mine."

"You have friends outside of us? News to me." Alpha laughed.

"Yeah yeah laugh it up wise guy." Kirb said with a grin, knowing it was a harmless jab.

“Either way, we should explore this place a bit. Maybe we could find something to eat. Like, wild apples or something.”

"Maybe do some hunting as well." Kirb suggested. "Hopefully there'll be some animals around here that are safe to eat."

"Dunno. If horses are talking in this reality who's to say a rabbit or a pig can't also talk?" Alpha stated. "Maybe fishing? Don't know if there's a lake or anything nearby…"

"God this sucks." The Link lookalike groaned. "Let's just start looking around and get pissed about all these unknowns later."

"You're the only one getting pissed about stuff."

"I'm bored, what do you want?" Kirb frowned to his friend.

"Nothing." Alpha laughed. "Come on, let's see if the kitchen has anything."

With a nod Kirb followed Alpha around the ancient castle. Finding the kitchen wasn't too difficult and there was food there. Majority all long rotten and the bread stale as a rock. They did, however, find several sealed jars of jams, preserved fruits, and pickles that surprisingly still were edible and flavorful. "Now if only the bread wasn't hard as a rock…" Alpha sighed as he slurped a spoonful of the jam. It was pineapple.

"Would be good, but these pickles are to die for." Kirb groaned in food induced pleasure. "Even if their old as shit, they're still crisp and so good."

"Well Pickled and canned goods are said to be able to last a long ass time. Remember one time buying canned corn the expiration date was in the next fifty years." Alpha commented. "Heard MRE's last up to a hundred."

"Long enough for an entire castle to be destroyed like this?" Kirb inquired. "Cause even a hundred years seems a little...too short considering how destroyed this place is."

"Well, given some of the old scorch marks and the big hole in the main room over there might have been a battle here. Pretty nasty one too."

“Yeah, this place looked like it went through hell before time ripped it apart.” Kirb agreed.

"Still though, the damage is oddly… localized. The main room and some towers are the most hit and everything else around looked far less damaged by comparison. Like, there was one big fight and a bunch of smaller ones around the place happening at the same time."

“Beg’s the question if there was a revolt or something.” Kirb brought up. “Only reason I can think of that a massive fight would break out in a castle this big.”

"Probably."

“Wonder who their Guide is, and if we’ll have an explanation on what this place was.” Kirb brought up, thinking about who might be with their two friends right now.

"Maybe just a nice stranger. Flamgirl didn't say who they were, just called them a guide. Has Nylocke replied yet?"

“Not yet.” Kirb said, until both of them heard a resounding ‘Huzzah!” in Nylockes voice as pm’s appeared in front of them. “Well...speak of the role player and he shall respond.”

"I swear he has some kind of sixth sense for dramatic timing." Alpha sighed.

Comrade's! I am glad to see you all well, I am doing well also.

On another related note, I am suddenly engaged. I am within the Dragon Lands, marrying Empress Ember. Please send help. Wedding is at the end of the week.

Both Kirbopher and Alpha reread the message...and rereread it...and a fourth time...before Kirb burst into peals of laughter at the absurdity of it. “Holy crap that’s priceless!”

"We've barely been here for five hour, how did this happen?!" Alpha yelled at the absurdity.

“I don’t know, but that’s amazing!” Kirb laughed. “Hold on, hold on, send him a message telling him we’ll plan for his bachelor party!” Kirb began laughing again, finding this entire situation hilarious and kind of on point for their green scaled friend. “Knight in shining armor saves an Empress from dragon’s and has to marry her, holy damn.”

"I can't. You know MP doesn't regenerate without a potion or when you're in a safe zone in TOME. My MP hasn't been regenerating so assuming our powers and bodies go by the TOME game logic, then this location isn't considered a Safe Zone."

“I’m surprised we haven’t gotten into a random encounter all thing’s considered.” Kirb brought up. “Cause this place should most certainly be a dungeon considering it’s location and how it looks.”

"We might follow the TOME game logic but this world clearly doesn't. Random encounters is a game feature. Not a… wherever we are feature."

“True…” Kirb frowned. “Oh yeah...and if we do find civilization, we’re going to have to get part time jobs…”

"Well, if Nylocke is marrying royalty, maybe we can get an allowance?" Alpha said with a chuckle. "Still… Dragon Lands huh… does that mean… is Nylocke marrying a dragoness?"

“Oh that would just make it so much better.” Kirb said, keeping his laughter down from that whole thing. “But that beg’s the question, who’d Nylocke have to beat to get the empress's hand if she’s a dragoness? Even if TOME isn’t a prime example, Dragon’s in all forms of literature are stupidly powerful and hard to deal with in a fight.”

"Doubt he fought her. Dad maybe? Would make sense."

“If these Dragon’s work by Hoard rules...then yeah probably.”

"Hoard rules?"

“In some mythologies, and Dungeons and Dragons, Dragon’s tend to hoard a lot of things that suit them, mostly treasure and insanely valuable stuff.” Kirb explained. “So if her dad saw his daughter as a part of his Hoard, something dragon’s fight and die over...then yeah, must have been pretty important.”

"Huh… I suppose that makes sense. Nylocke is very high level and since his character was a prize it came with some special Abilities and boosted stats most noobs would kill for."

“Still a...randomly specific number for a handmade character model all things considered.”

"Probably picked it as a joke or something." Alpha shrugged.

“Probably.” Kirb shrugged, hiding the fact he knew exactly why and keeping it bottled up inside, even if it hurt him. “Who knows with the Netking’s sometimes.”

"Yeah."

The Dragon Lands were an amazing place. A bit Barron but Nylocke could see the potential. While Barron the volcano's ment rich soil from their ash. Water pooled in deep underground rivers, naturally purified by nature and some even crossed with the volcanic heat to form amazing natural steam guizers.

The ground was also rich with gems and metals of all kinds. The fact the Dragons never traded or used these resources puzzled Nylocke greatly. "Um, Lady Ember." He started. "If you have all these natural resources and formations, why haven't your people utilized them?"

“Because the entirety of the Dragon Lands are in an active volcano range, so we can barely dig as is, territory disputes would rise, people being greedy as shit, and it’s a whole thing that I’d rather not get into at the moment.” Ember sighed out.

"But you are the Empress correct? Your authority is law?"

“I’m the Dragon Lord yes.” Ember nodded. “But have you ever had thousands of the physically, and sometimes magically, strongest race on this planet get pissed at you all at the same time because you told them ‘no hoarding shiny things’ when the main point of our race is to hoard shiny things?”

"And, pray tell, compared to the rest of the world are the Dragons… on par, technologically speaking?"

She snorted. “Technology? This entire planet can’t decide on what it wants technology wise.” Ember rolled her eyes. “Minotaur’s are industrial as hell, but somehow they still only make middle aged items, Griffon’s are the best blacksmiths around but they can’t make anything more than basic swords and middle aged weaponry, the ponies are the most egregious of them all as they can build towering cities and have electricity but still need coal or horse powered trains, coal or horsepower when they literally have electricity! Can you believe that?” She asked.

"Hm. That is… odd. Ponies seem to be the most technological, Griffons fine craftsmen, Minotaurs are industrial, and seems Dragons have an overabundance of natural resources and wealth but a mix of pride, arrogance and greed keeps them from using it as anything more than shiny paperweights…" Ember chuckled at his blunt statement, agreeing but keeping silent. "And none of you all have ever thought to work together to improve on what the other lacks?"

“It’s been attempted at least three different times, but literally no one will budge on their share which makes absolutely no sense.” Ember shook her head. “Only race that doesn’t need outside help is the Dragon’s and Ponies technology wise, cause we Dragon’s could just up and start advancing way too fast with all our collective knowledge and resources, and the ponies can do it all the same if they decided to stop having this weird middle ages style thing when so many of their cities look like it’s from Power Ponies.”

"And the dragons Don't up and start doing that because…?"

“Because a previous Dragon Lord saw the...many problems that would have caused.” Ember said carefully. “One of them being the other races, cause Dragon’s at the best of times are tolerable to be around if you know how to deal with our personalities, down right hostile at worst, with the middle ground being ‘leave me alone and I leave you alone’...so imagine everyone trying to clamor for our technology either through diplomacy or outright force?” She asked. “Plus the competition between dragon’s could turn...extremely hostile with advances in certain things…”

"And as Empress you can't quell their anger? If I may ask… what Government body does the Dragons use? As Empress you have Advisors?"

…

"Deligants?"

…

"Scientists?"

…

"Soldiers, Police or some authority figures?"

…

"Any Military force?"

…

"A butler?"

“Let’s take a step back.” Ember started. “Military or other such authority figures...no, cause Dragon’s are the physically strongest race on the planet, second in magic only to literal embodiments of something, like Discord, Celestia, Luna, and Twillight just to name a few.” She started. “Our senses can detect even Changeling’s shapeshifting, which is a genetic ability they have that lets them perfectly mimic any race, and I do mean perfectly, my friend Thorax even explained it to me.” She answered. “And any ambassador’s or delegates for the other races, that’s solely up to me, you because we’re now engaged, or as my personal Advisor, which I haven’t had the time to find one because I just got this role not too long ago.” The dragoness explained. “And Scientists...well technically there’s a branch of dragon’s called ‘Lorescales’, which could be considered our Scientists considering they take their thirst for knowledge so seriously that they not only hoard any and all written records, copy them, and store them away, they also write down knowledge important enough onto their own scales, forever turning them into a living encyclopedia if given enough time and growth...also it increases their magic an ass ton but that’s neither here nor there half the time.”

"Interesting. Even so it's disturbing how… backwards this world seems to work."

“From all the research I’ve done and...what this stupid thing has taught me,” She raised the Bloodstone Scepter in question. “It’s...really weird how things have progressed and regressed at the same time...not to mention…"

"Which doesn't make much sense in terms of how progression usually works. Yes it's normal to deal with resistance to change but often times the benefits outweigh the neigh Sayers. For example, back home the invention of Electricity and The Light Bulb were at first met with harsh skepticism and even fear, but once the dark and fearful night could become lit up and as visible as the day, many changed their tunes about it. In the end only the older generations still resisted the change."

"It's a little weird hearing you say all this when you still have your...accent." Ember chuckled.

"Yet my point stands. If the dragons, or any other race on this… rather odd world want to continue as a species then a change must occur less some third party takes advantage of the lack of order and, well, proper counter measures the Dragons seem to have. Er, not have."

"I understand." Ember said with a raised hand. "But there's a reason why dragons are so respected and feared."

"If you say your size, need I remind you I am three inches shorter than you and broke your father's nose. If you say fire, there are many ways one can avoid or ignore that, especially if they are using magic, and if you say your scales, I believe an armor bypass enchantments could even make a simple kitchen knife deadly to your people."

Ember got up. "Dragons aren't invincible, I will agree, but I must show you something important that has the world in agreement not to fuck with dragons." The sapphire blue dragoness said, and something in her tone and the weary look in her eyes causing some growing concern for the draconic knight.

Nylocke followed after Ember worriedly. “And...pray tell my lady, what do you have to show me?”

“A history lesson, a very important history lesson.” Ember told him as she lead Nylocke deeper into the cave.

The cave was old, but we'll kept. The walls were fire blasted into glass like surfaces and polished to a shine. In the back where two large lava lit torches illuminating a mural depicting a bloody battle.

“A long time ago, about twenty five hundred years to be precise, well before me, or even my father were born, an embodiment of Chaos, Discord, ruled a majority of this world due to his magic being able to bend reality to his will.” She started. “Only places he didn’t have hold over were the Kirin Mountains, the Frozen North, and the Dragon Lands...so he teleported to the Dragon Lands and told the Dragon Lord and all the dragon’s at the time ‘I’m bored, let’s spice thing’s up’ as he summoned a race of Behemoth like creatures that were our equals in physical strength and magic abilities.” Ember said, the walls depicting the very details she was explaining, Nylocke seeing a weird mishmash of animal parts bringing down a ton of powerful looking furred beasts, covered head toe in muscle, armor piercing looking horns adoring their heads and ‘ferocity’ being a good description of how they looked.

“These beasts managed to kill many dragon’s, and we them...it was a hundred year back and forth until the Dragon Lord of that era, a Prismatic Dragon known as Iris the Pure Hearted...she had enough.” She shook her head as she pointed up to the dragon lord in question, the dragoness not as large as the other dragon’s in the painting but she was distinct in that her scales were the color of the rainbow as well as her holding the Bloodstone Scepter. “She...gave the word, to bring down the full might of Dragon kind against these beasts fifty years into the conflict.” She said as she brought Nylocke over, showing even more...vivid depictions of the dragon’s and behemoths, their bodies torn to ribbons, burned to a pitch black blob, and other atrocities the knight never thought he’d see. “Even Discord, the one that wanted to do all that for ‘shit’s and giggles’...said this wasn’t the best idea.” She growled, showing Discord pulling at his neck like a collar in some cartoon. “The next fifty years showed the world what happens when you fuck with dragon’s...when you take them lightly, destroy their hoards...destroy their clutches.” She pointed her scepter towards a memorial painting, of all the dragon’s that died in the battles, and at the bottom it showed...dozens of shattered eggs with names put on each one.

“My...my god…” Nylocke muttered breathlessly, not believing what he’s seeing.

“And to set an example for the entire world...and to remind us dragon’s…” She said as she stopped at a large, ornate door guarded by two dragon’s, about the same size as Nylocke but their gazes were piercing and spoke of how long they’ve lived and how much they’ve seen.

“Dragon Lord.” One of the dragon’s said simply.

“Open the door...my fiance needs to see this.” Ember said to the two dragon’s, who simply nodded and put their hands on the massive stone door, chanting something in a language Nylocke didn’t know but...sounded oddly familiar, as the ornate door glowed softly and it opened. The sudden rush of heat slamming into Nylocke out of nowhere, much more intense than the molten lava he experienced outside...and an air of hatred and regret filled his new draconic senses.

“What...is this?” Nylocke asked, only to gasp at seeing what was behind the door.

“A reminder that we are the strongest...and that we went too far…” She shook her head, showing a beautifully morbid scene, showing the skeleton of one of the behemoth creatures eternally burning in a rainbow like flame, each wisp turning different colors like that of a rainbow as it burned the skeleton. “Our pride as a race was both bolstered...and burned because of this, and this tomb is a forever reminder that we...committed genoicde to prove we are the strongest, that we are not to be trifled with.” Ember shook her head. “And as a reminder...our pride, our strength, is not meant for death like this.”

"And, do you feel like this." Nylocke motioned to the skeleton. "Is the legacy you want to have hanging over your head like a shadow for the rest of your reign and life?"

“This Legacy can mean two things to everyone.” Ember said. “The strength of Dragon’s able to overpower even our equals as we can triump over anything...and that Genocide is something we should never have this world experience again.” Ember shook their heads. “It’s the strength that I want to bring to light...not the bloodshed our kind were forced to endure, even if the one that caused it extremely regrets it.” She said honestly. “He maybe a spirit of chaos, but he thought we’d just get into a fist fight and leave it at that...not the bloodiest war this world has ever seen.”

"And what if history repeats itself? What if one of the other races does, through magic or machines rises up to become your equals and attacks? They'll see these lands and scoff or plan to deal with the numbers and your strength. If that happens, then this won't be the only reminder buried here."

Ember stared at Nylocke for a moment. “So...you think that, with technology or magic...any one of the other races would be dumb enough to repeat something this terrible?” Ember asked Nylocke. “That we’d have to suddenly start scorching this very planet because people don’t understand that we slaughtered these monsters that could take everything we could give them and dish it back just as much?”

"In my experience, when things like resources or politics are involved, they will do very dumb things, regardless of the bloodshed that will occure. Back home wars were fought and men, women, children all slaughtered for everything from religion to metals and oil. My point is, Ember, is that either time will pass and the people of the world will forget the dragons are so fierce and powerful, or they'll become desperate enough to ignore it."

“What sick world did you come from?” Ember asked bluntly, which honestly shocked Nylocke at how quick Ember’s response was.

"The kind where if I end up staying here forever… I could live happily with that fact." Nylocke answered honestly.

“Then it’s a good thing that the 100 year war us dragon’s had was literally the last war to ever happen.” Ember told him. “Even with some Pony history, those were skirmishes at best, shockingly no death’s even if pony magic can be a little...violent at times.”

"That is odd. So, do you all primarily live in caves or?"

“We can technically live anywhere we want, but caves are the best cause they’re easily defendable when it comes to our hoards.” Ember explained. “Only one way in, and dragon’s know when someone walks in their house.” She shrugged. “Why, don’t like caves?”

"More a fear of… buried alive…"

“Ah, yeah makes sense.” She nodded. “Even though your physically strong enough to not get buried alive, I understand the fear.” She explained softly. “So...what do you think of this little...history lesson?”

"I think the dragons have great promise. I just worry what the future might challenge you and your subjects with."

“So...literally me showing you the bloodiest war ever...and that means nothing?” Ember asked, wondering what the hell Nylocke knows that wouldn’t make him flinch at that.

"What my world has shown me… well… Can you imagine the sun itself touching the planets surface for even the briefest of moments, and the aftermath is hundreds of years of poison and scorched earth that, anything alive caught in the blast, becomes nothing more than a shadow on the stone behind them?"

Ember stared at Nylocke like he was absolutely insane. “Wh-what?”

"A bomb that ignites the air itself, causing miles of land to burn and rendering cities to ruins? Or the power to take even a simple illness, and mutate it into a lethal weapon? Imagine your friends have what looks like a cold, then it gets worse and it spreads like wildfire until entire nations are infected and the only cure is with the ones who crafted it?"

“Who...would do such horrible things? And against who?”

"Ourselves." Nylocke answered. "and our own kind."

“Why? For what reason would anyone have any reason to kill one another?”

"No matter how noble, or petty, people always find a reason to slaughter one another. It is a sad truth."

“That’s not the truth here.” Ember shook her head. “The only reason why we had that bloody war was because Discord failed to realize what he summoned were bloodthirsty beasts.” Ember told her fiance. “Murder...killing...from what my father told me, and many other old dragons, those thing’s haven’t happened for over a thousand years.”

"That was then. Now is different. My friends and I, from this twisted world are here now. That monster is still somewhere out there… and whatever force brought us here… is still at work."

“What monster?” She frowned.

"My friends, before arriving here we're combating a… strange monster. It was… different than the normal ones we've faced. Our attacks did nothing, and it oozed and bled out this black vile ichor from every orifice. Even with the aid of an unlikely ally, we suddenly found ourselves trapped. It fell into a vortex, and we couldn't let it get away, so we jumped in after the creature. I woke up here and the others are elsewhere. Meaning somewhere, that vile monster still roams, and, most likely, is killing."

Ember took a deep breath. “And...you didn’t think to mention this sooner...why?” Ember asked carefully. “And all the events that happened before don’t count as an excuse cause you had ample time to mention there’s a dangerous monster roaming around that you and five others couldn’t take down when you literally knocked my dad flat on his ass.”

"Well, for starters I woke up here, meaning it's been an unknown amount of time since we all did arrive. Second… this world has… altered me, and most likely my friends." Nylocke explained.

"Altered?"

"Here." Nylocke said, standing before Ember. His eyes were closed and he raised a hand. "Touch my hand." She raised a brow, but lifted a claw up and poked a finger. "Thumb."

"What is this proving?" Ember demanded.

"Back home we couldn't feel anything. Not pain nor touch, at least not while we were being heroes." Nylocke explained. "While we were like this, we didn't feel anything, didn't need to eat, drink or rest. Now, looks like we do."

“I’ve...only heard of a mirror portal from Twilight about dimension hopping...but that’s really weird.” She frowned. “And are you sure you saw that creature go into this portal? Or did you forget in the heat of the moment?”

"I doubt it stayed in that sealed cave either."

“And...was there any...concerning individuals before all this happened?” She asked carefully. “Anyone at all that might have caused weird things to happen?”

"Just who we originally went to deal with, an entity known as a Hacker. They… manipulate the reality back home to do as they please. Oddly though this one had some sense of… honor. I doubt he will be an issue truth be told."

“And who told you to go after him?” She asked. “Cause making oneself stronger through magic isn’t that special, it’s a semi common occurrence for ponies when they need to do certain tasks.” She shrugged.

"Not Magic, my dear Ember. A Hacker is a being that can… break the laws of the world and become anything from a God to a Devil. They often cause trouble and steal, wreck and destroy much of our homeland. Our realm's Gods have been dealing with them since the birth of TOME. My Homeland. But we were told to acquire an item the hacker gained through his cheating. The maiden said she spoke for a collector of rare objects and weapons often found within the lands various dungeons and battlegrounds."

“Was there anything about this lady that felt...off?” Ember asked. “Any of your friends think that? What did she look like?” The dragoness pressed, wanting every detail to know if they were dealing with someone like Discord who can, apparently, travel dimensions.

"Hmm… Sir Gamecrazed seemed to dislike her, but he is a naturally odd fellow. Often times secretive and calculating. He does usually have good senses about people but she did nothing out of sorts of to alert the rest of us."

“I’m concerned you probably met someone like Discord, someone of immense power that just so happened to involve you five and this mystery person for shit’s and giggles.” Ember frowned. “Let me guess, they did the whole ‘don’t shoot the messenger’ schtick?”

"Are you saying she was the one responsible?"

"Wouldn't be too surprised, cause if your normally reserved friend was hostile against them, and if they just so happened to point you to where that monster was." Ember frowned. "Seems like a little too much for coincidence don't you think?"

"If that were true, it still doesn't explain how she did it. That Monster and us being here… that is far outside the capabilities of a Hacker."

"Probably just some bored God that thought it would be funny…." Ember frowned as she motioned to the still burning skeleton. "We dragons have...personal experience in such things."

Nylocke frowned. Hackers were something easily dealt with. But… a God? An actual God in TOME? It didn't sit well with him very much. The idea… was ludicrous yet… here he was, in a different world, in his Avatar's body, able to feel, smell and most likely eat. Yet all his Abilities still seemed to work, different, but they worked. He felt like an Isekai anime protagonist. He chuckled at the thought. "Do you believe it to be a God of this realm?" Nylocke asked. If Ember's hunch was right… things just became far more worrisome.

"I doubt it, I've never heard of anything that does whatever it did to that beast you fought, from either the records or the scepter." She answered. "Plus the gods here...well they don't dabble in dimensional boundaries from what my dad told me about Bahamut and Tiamat at least."

Most worrying then… Nylocke thought to himself. "Well, what is your ideal rule and future for the Dragons then Empress Ember?"

“Well, what I’m gonna do is start to have Dragon’s be more...tolerable with other’s.” She started. “Cause dragon’s have been...a little uneasy around other races.”

"Any reason for that?"

“Well, a combination of things really.” She shrugged. “People trying to steal from us, people being afraid of us...dragon’s being the longest living race on the planet and every being that isn’t somehow ageless seemingly dying in the blink of an eye for dragons and...a few other existential things…” She said nervously.

"Right. How long is the average dragon lifespan?"

“Hard to say on ‘average’ cause...well dragon’s have a tendency to live way too long for any solid numbers.” She said sheepishly.

"And who is the oldest dragon around?"

"Well..it's a tie between three, between the two guards there that were apart of the war, and a dragon that's taken his races job so seriously he is literally called Lorescale." Ember answered. "Each over 2500 years old, and still aging."

"I see. Perhaps we should seek their advice? In my experience, wisdom of the elders and the action of the youth can make or break a civilization."

“Well...I know Lorescale would be happy to talk...and talk...cause he’s that kind of old drake.” Ember shook her head with a knowing smile.

“As long as you don’t fuck it up, who cares.” One of the old dragon guards called out.

“I’d rather not go through another war…” The other sighed out bitterly.

"Then it's settled. Let us gather advice from the ancients." Nylocke stated.

The ride to Ponyville was uneventful. Once Flamegirl got the pets out of her system the three walked through the small medieval styled town and quickly spotted the tall, crystal tree styled castle.

"Huh. How did we miss that from the train station?" Gamecrazed asked.

“Not sure really.” Flamegirl started, still surprised how much Gamecrazed opened up to talking ever since Luna came in.

"I do find it odd how something so out of place blends into the background." Luna admitted.

“Well, this is a nice town.” Flamegirl mentioned. “A lot more...homey feeling honestly.”

"Tis Ponyville. A newer town compared to other locations within the Kingdom. Only… a hundred and sixty years I believe since it was founded. The main farm, Sweet apple Acres, was gifted to the Apple Family by my sister long ago and over time the town grew around it."

“A hundred and sixty years? That’s a pretty long time for a humble farming town like this.” The fire mage said honestly.

“This town also has…a distinct feel to it.” The purple morphological pointed out. “Like...it’s expecting something to happen with open arms, no matter how strange…”

“Well, from what Twilight told me, it is Tuesday.” Luna shrugged.

The two gamers exchanged a look, but shrugged as they entered the castle. Upon entering the group was met by a small, purple lizard creature with green spines and eyes. "Hi Princess Luna!" The creature spoke.

"Hello young Spike." Luna replied with a smile. "This here is Gamecrazed and Flamegirl. I trust Twilight has informed you about them?"

"Yeah. Sorry she's not here to greet you. The Map called her and the others to a mission last minute. They left a few hours ago."

“It’s nice to meet you Spike.” Flamegirl smiled warmly.

“You’re...a dragon correct?” Gamecrazed asked Spike curiously.

"Yeah. And… I have no idea what you two are. No offense." Spike said.

"None taken." Gamecrazed shrugged.

"So where has Sparkle and her friends gone off to this time?" Luna asked.

"Some town in the middle of literally nowhere. At least we're assuming there's a town there. Not like that map to send them to nowhere for no reason." The drake shrugged.

"I see. Well, this presents a rare opportunity for me to guide you two there personally." Luna smiled.

“Fair enough.” Flamegirl nodded. “But where are we going anyway? Kirb mentioned about the rundown castle him and Alpha are staying at, but the only castle I know was at Canterlot and the train ride didn’t show anything like that.”

“Tis mine and my sister’s old home. The castle resides within the Everfree forest’s center.”

“That giant forest that went from the foot of Canterlot’s mountain to this town?” Gamecrazed asked.

“Yes.” Luna said with a nod. “Come now, let’s not waste the daylight.”

“Alright.” Flamegirl nodded. “Anything we should know about the forest before we go?”

“Tis also home to a variety of beasts of natural, magical and cosmic in origins.” Luna explained.

“Cosmic?” Flamegirl frowned. “In what way?”

“Constellation beasts?” Gamecrazed asked. “Like Orion, the Starlight Hunter?” The opening aberration brought up, Flamegirl remembering that bastard of a boss fight back in TOME.

“Ursa Majors and Minors mostly. Though most of the Everfree is still largely unexplored.” Luna informed. “The old roadways should still be functional however, if a tad overgrown. You two aren’t shy to battle are you?”

Flamegirl smiled as she lifted a finger, the entire digit being covered in well honed flames, as Gamecrazed transformed their right arm into a strong curved blade, the other holding a ball of dark energy. “You can say that.” Flamegirl said, Luna hearing the confidence of someone that has been in many battles before.

“Splendid!” She cheered, her horn lighting up as suddenly there was a large battle axe in her magic. “Tis been far too long since I’ve enjoyed a good bloodshed of mine enemies!”

“Oh great, you got her excited…” Spike groaned. “If you need me, I’ll be in the bunker…” Before the two could question, Spike was gone.

“Uh...maybe not...bloodshed…” Flamegirl started quickly and worriedly.

“I like her.” Gamecrazed nodded.

The duo quickly followed the hyped alicorn into the forest. The woods had a far darker atmosphere compared to Ponyville or Canterlot. It wasn’t long before the group encountered their first beast. The creature seemed to be made up of wood and only wood. Sticks mostly and it’s eyes glowed a sickly green.

The two gamers readied themselves… only to watch as Luna’s Battle Axe whizzed past them and into the beast’s head. It split open like it should when struck with an axe, and continued to do so until the axe sawed the creature in half. “Shame. Was hoping for something bigger.” The princess frowned.

“Uh...huh…” Flamegirl started carefully.

“Rather...straight to the point…” Gamecrazed said.

“Tis how I prefer things.” Luna nodded. “My sister was always the diplomat. I preferred the… direct approach to a problem.” Luna stated, using a hoof to knock a stuck twigg off her axe.

“Kirb.” Flamegirl couldn’t help but chuckle at that sudden thought. “Sorry Princess, just...reminded of one of our friends with your ‘direct approach’.”

“This Kirb, how are they? How are your other friends?”

“His full ‘name’ is Kirbopher, and well...he’s a good friend when he’s not being a pain.” Flamegirl mentioned. “Like’s swinging his enchanted sword first that’s for sure.”

“Alpha is Flamegirl’s boyfriend.” Gamecrazed said, which made the demoness blush brightly. “A kind, gentle soul with a knack for combat.” Gamecrazed said simply. “But...is troubled with a terrible burden…”

“And Nylocke is…” Flamegirl started, trying to get her blush under control. “He’s Nylocke...it’s best you get a ‘first impression’ from meeting him himself.”

“I see. How long have you all been in combat against monsters?” Luna asked as she cut apart overgrowth of bushes and branches as they walked.

“About...two years, plus we had to deal with Hackers.” Flamegirl mentioned. “Pesky little bastards…” She grumbled.

“And what are hackers pray tell? I am unfamiliar with the name.”

“Where we come from…” Flamegirl started, trying to figure out the right words to tell someone that had absolutely no idea what video games were.

“Hacker’s are people like us, with an ability to ‘rewrite’ thing’s at will.” Gamecrazed stated simply. “Anything from their surroundings, items, or other people.”

“Hm, sounds like a lesser variation of Discord.” Luna noted. Soon the group found themselves on an old cobblestone roadway. The stones covered in moss and grass overgrowth with weeds in between them as many were cracked or split in two of three.

"Sheesh, has anyone used this road in a while?" Flamegirl asked, wondering how this road became so ruined and overgrown.

"With all the monsters naturally within these woods the only ones who have used it before are Twilight and her friends. Even then they don't travel to the old castle often. Sister told me after my banishment she had the capital relocated to Canterlot. At the time it was the closest city." Luna stated. "Reminds me when they were first laying these roads down." She sighed. "So much time lost…"

"I'm sorry to hear that…" Flamegirl said softly.

"Things...sadly happen to lose a lot of time…" Gamecrazed said bitterly, which to Luna had a bit more...experience behind those words.

As the group marched several more beasts appeared along their path. Mostly the Timber Wolves but a Hydra did appear and the two gamers got to test their skills against the monster.

“Alright, so if this works like anything like in the story of Hercules, Gamecrazed you’re gonna need to cut it’s heads off and I’ll need to burn the stumps down.” Flamegirl explained to Gamecrazed, as the Morphological nodded and phased into the ground, before a massive fist formed up from the ground and slammed into the Hydra, knocking it off balance from the massive hand slamming into it, Gamecrazed shifting back swiftly and cutting off one of the Hydra’s heads.

“Now!” Gamecrazed called out as Flamegirl fired five fire darts fast and accurately into the stump, the entire stump suddenly catching fire as the rest of the heads roared in pain.

“Jeez...fire sure does feel different here…” Flamegirl muttered, flexing her hands as she felt the primordial flame inside her flare up with her magic. “Well, might as well keep it up.” She said, flying up and firing a cone of fire into one of the Hydra’s heads to stagger it.

The Hydra reared back at the sudden flame attack, roaring as one of it’s heads tried to bite the fire mage, only for the morphological to fire a blast of dark energy into it, causing a small explosion and knocking it’s head to the side, missing Flamegirl. “Oh god I just started to smell it…” Flamegirl muttered, just smelling freshly cauterized flesh and not liking it. “No...no time to deal with that at the moment…” She muttered as she used her flame wheel attack, blowing into the freshly hit head and burning it with her strong fire attack.

Gamecrazed used the opportunity and cut off the stunned head swiftly, Flamey burning the freshly cut stump to keep it from making new heads, only to get smacked hard by one of the other heads. “Asshole…” Flamegirl growled as she felt something spark from her magic, flying forward and swinging her fist, a massive fireball suddenly flying and slamming into the head and setting it completely on fire. “Whoa...didn’t know I could do that…” She said in surprise, the one head struggling with now being engulfed in flames.

Gamecrazed wrapped their shadow like body around the fourth head, destroying it’s head with powerful dark pulses that, when they got off the head, looked more like a singed black stump than anything. “This…” Gamecrazed muttered, knowing this was an encounter with a giant monster but...feeling actual blood on their body feeling very...concerning to the player.

“I know what you mean GC…” Flamegirl said, knowing this was a giant monster they had to fight but...actually having it be real felt...wrong somehow. “But...just one more head...and we’ll be done.” She said, Gamecrazed nodded as the final hydra head tried to attack the two in desperation, only for the two gamer’s to dodge it and dealt with it swiftly. “Well...what do you think Luna?”

"I think you both are quite the talented fighters. Are you professionally trained or self taught?" Luna asked.

“Self taught.” Flamegirl answered. “Which...seems a little weirder considering...something’s…”

“My powers feel...more alive than back home.” Gamecrazed mentioned.

“Yeah, same here…” Flamegirl mentioned, bringing up a small flame in the palm of her hand. “This...doesn’t feel like the fire back home.”

"Hm, may I?" Luna asked as her horn lit up. With a nod the two felt Luna's magic flow over them. It was cool, but calming and serene like… moonlight. "Hmm… interesting." Luna hummed.

“What up?” Flamegirl inquired. “Is something wrong?”

"No, your inner fire is quite common amongst Pyromancer's and even Half Drake species. Strong too. But… there is something about Gamecrazed here. His magic feels far more… raw, not quite primal but… potent." She stated. "Like a tame variation of Discord's magic."

“That’s probably because of my Morphological being.” Gamecrazed answered, Luna feeling her magic seemingly walled off from delving deeper, but sheshe couldn’t tell if it was GC’s mind pushing her back or something else.

"Hm, perhaps. Shapeshifters of your type are rare. Well, let us be off then. Does make me wonder how it will effect your spell craft."

“Spellcraft?” Gamecrazed inquired. “I can...use magic?” They asked, having been bound by the rules of TOME they really weren’t able to use any ‘spells’ like Flamegirl or other Spellcaster class characters.

"Yes. Both of you should be able to cast a variety of spells, but for Flamegirl the Pyromancy class of magic will come especially easy for her. Given how your magic is I am guessing you'll be a fine spell caster. However, given how it is I am also assuming while any class of magic may come easily to you, you will be a master of none. Much in the same boat as Twilight really. Her talent is in magic in all it's fields but as a result, she can't Truly be a master of any of the magic classes."

“Sounds fair.” Gamecrazed nodded.

“Well...certainly gives us more room to work with than back home.” The demoness dressed spellcaster shrugged.

With that, the group marched on, encountering little resistance in terms of beasts and eventually their eyes fell upon the ruins of the old castle. It was both beautiful and terrifying in it's decayed state. Time beat it down. War waged within its walls, and still it stood tall and strong.

It was a short search and soon the group walked upon the kitchen, where Kirb was devouring a jar of pickles and Alpha was reading over another aged book.

Kirb swallowed his food at seeing the trio. "It's about time!" Kirb said emphatically.

"Are you sure those pickles are safe to eat?" Flamegirl asked carefully.

"Yes, and they are delicious." Kirb answered.

"Tis true." Luna added, using her magic to pull a pickle from the jar And eat it herself. "Special magics are used to keep the castle store rooms and their contents preserved fresh as they Day they were picked or made."

"It's good to see you both safe." Alpha said, standing up and giving a handshake to Gamecrazed and a hug to Flamegirl. "So, did you get the news about Nylocke?"

"We didn't, did you?" Flamegirl asked.

"Nylockes getting married." Kirb said, trying to hold back his laughter as Flamey and GC nearly tripped over themselves.

"Hold up what!?" Flamegirl asked in shock.

"We've only been here for a few hours…" Gamecrazed stated.

"Yeah, that was my reaction too." Alpha stated.

"Well, do you know where he is?" Luna asked.

"Someplace called the Dragon Lands. Also, who are you?"

"Ah, pardons. I am Princess Luna of Equestria." Luna stated. "Your friends here crashed down in Canterlot and were escorted to my sister and I."

“Well, good thing we at least know the royalty here.” Kirb started. “So the only one we don’t have is Nylocke, and Aven wasn’t even an option to DM.” Kirb mentioned.

"So, what's our next move?" Alpha asked.

"We should gather up your remaining allies. A trip to the Dragon Lands will take some time however. We have yet to establish a train station there despite growing relations. We will have to take a boat from one of the coastal cities and sail the rest of the way there. Should take a week."

“Well that sucks.” Kirb frowned. “But at least we’ll be able to see more of this world than just a destroyed castle.”

"Guess we best prepare for a trip." Gamecrazed said.

As the group walked back to the main road, Luna managed to pull Game Crazed a fair distance ahead of the group with her. "So, do they know?" Luna asked the Amalgamorph.

“I don’t know what your talking about.” Gamecrazed said, feigning ignorance on what Luna meant.

"I understand, it's your secret to keep. But if anyone can recognize a being like you, it's another just like you." Luna said, giving Gamecrazed a smile. "Can't deny though, it was a surprise to see we are the same. So few Divine Beings roam the physical worlds anymore."

Gamecrazed looked at Luna carefully. “I’m...not a Divine Being...and no one will recognize me, I’m a government kept secret back home.” Gamecrazed told Luna, letting at least some of it known to Luna.

"Maybe back at your home, you aren't divine. But this," Luna used a good and tapped over Gamecrazed's chest. "Is a power only children of Gods carry. Whatever brought you here, awakened it, or perhaps, implanted it?"

“I don’t know…” Gamecrazed sighed out. “My parents...they were just humans, creating a simple game for other’s to enjoy and have fun…” They said, not sure if they should say who they really were, and getting more nervous about it as they felt that if they let someone else know they’d be taken away.

Luna just kept her smile, looking up at the trees above. "My mother once told my sister and I that, in a world of your own creation, be it on paper or in your own mind, you are it's God. You are divine in that plane even if you are mortal in the one you are born to. You say they made a game for fun, but they made a world, and you. Sounds like you are a child of Gods to me."

“Too bad my...brother ruined it…” Gamecrazed said as they looked at Alpha carefully, Luna looking towards the humble looking player and sensing a dark power hidden inside him.

"I see." Luna said with a nod. "It is your secret, Gamecrazed. I will respect your wish for privacy in your true identity and nature, but in my advice… tell them. Speaking personally, holding back truths and keeping secrets is how your demons win." She said, looking back over to Gamecrazed. "Also, should your Divine Powers begin to manifest, let me know. Sister and I have personal experience in controlling such abilities."

“Alright...I’ll keep it in mind.” Gamecrazed nodded. “I just...don’t want my friends hurt…”

“The buck happened here!?!” Twilight shouted in horror at the ruined town.

Buildings were burned or demolished, craters littered the single long roadway, and every pony in the town lay injured in various degrees. The worst of the town was the apparent Mayor, Starlight Glimmer who was still unconscious but badly beaten, bruised, and her horn sat cracked and burnt atop her head.

"Who the hay could have done this?" Applejack asked, helping a few of the ponies still able to walk carry those who couldn't.

“It...was a masked creature...” One of the ponies coughed in pain. “They...wore a frowning drama mask…” The stallion managed to say, even as pain wracked through his body.

"What kind of creature was it?" Twilight asked.

"I don't… know. Never seen anything… like it." They wheezed. "Starlight confronted them when he blew up the dress shop… it was immune to her magic and her artifact…"

“And what artifact did she use?” Rainbow Dash asked carefully, noting the stallion’s cutie mark, which was a baker’s hat.

"It was a special artifact used to remove our Cutie Marks. The town Philosophy was built on being equal in every way. It removed our marks but, looks like that thing broke open the vault they were stored in." He said as he looked his cutie mark over. "Must have been after he knocked the whole town out. It moved so fast…"

“She...removed your cutie marks?” Rarity gasped.

“That’s not what Equality is though.” Pinkie frowned. “Even with all this damage...it looked depressing and alone...like my family’s rock farm…”

“It...was…” The stallion sighed out. “But...we’re all beaten to tartarus, but we’re alive...honestly it’s a blessing...”

"Why were you attacked? Does anything dangerous live around here?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No idea...the female said she wanted to slaughter us all...then the jester came in and stopped her from shattering Starlight's horn...then he destroyed everything."

"There was two?" Rarity pondered.

"Yeah. The female looked… she looked like a corpse." The stallion shuttered. "Still, she broke her horn, but left right after."

“That doesn’t make sense, her horn looks burned and lightly cracked, not broken.” Twilight frowned.

“The jester...he fixed it up enough and grumbled something...like ‘a little too much’, I couldn’t hear him clearly…” The stallion sighed out.

“What would cause being’s like this to appear?” Twilight asked with worry, fearing what might was happening in the world...until a cloud of green mist appeared and out popped a letter. “A letter from Spike?” Twilight wondered as she took it in her magic and opened it.

Hey Twilight, it’s me. Just wanting to give you a quick update, Luna visited with two weird people named Flamegirl, a human that dressed up like a mix between a succubus and a fire demon, and a purple slime like creature named Gamecrazed, currently I’m hiding in the bunker cause Luna was stupid excited about ‘adventuring’ in the Everfree again’

"Something happen Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.

“Well...apparently there’s two new people that Spike met...and Luna’s having fun again in the Everfree.” Twilight sighed out as she rolled the scroll back up. “Don’t worry, Spike’s in the Bunker, and hopefully these two new people she’s with will keep her in line this time.”

"Think these two could be related to this attack somehow?" Rainbow asked.

"No and yes all at the same time." The group turned to the new voice, spotting the masked being. Physically, he appeared human. Save his frowning drama face mask that seemed to almost blend into his body. He wore a suit, dark red with a dark blue tie. "Greetings and salutations little ponies." He addressed them with a bow.

The ponies awake enough to notice the being quickly began to panic, trying to walk, limp and crawl away while those unable to move fell into panic attacks or hysteria.

“Fluttershy, Rarity, get the ponies to safety.” Twilight told the two, the vet and fashionista nodded and heading off to help the panicking and injured to safety. “It’s nice to meet you...but mind if I ask, why did you attack this town?” Twilight asked carefully.

"Was originally going to be far worse but, let's say Divine Intervention kept my friend from doing what she does best. So I took over. As for the why of it, well, every bad guy needs a castle."

Twilight was about to question further, until a snap of their fingers and the world went dark. For a moment Twilight wondered what had happened until her eyes adjusted. She and the still unconscious mayor, Starlight, were within a fair sized stone prison. Her wings were bound in metal and after a quick check both her and Starlight had magic suppression rings on their horns. The bars of their cell were thick metal. Standing on the other side was that being. "Your friends are in similar cells but in the upper floors of the dungeon. You'll get food, water, and your business can be taken care of in the corner over there."

“What in Celestia’s name is this!?!” Twilight shouted as she struggled against the chains, trying to channel her magic but feeling the cold numbness the suppression ring gave off hurting the alicorn of friendship and magic.

"A dungeon. Simple, enough to understand really. The last floor of it too. You know the old cliche and all, captured Princess evil castle, yada yada. You even get a friend. Can't have you all going crazy on me while you're waiting for the rescue."

“Alright…” Twilight took a deep breath. “Who’s going to rescue us?” She asked carefully. “Cause as far as I know, only Spike knows we’re in the middle of absolutely nowhere…”

"Why, the heroes of this story of course. Five friends with a bond just like you and your friends will, eventually, come here and break you and the rest of your friends out. Til then I'll heal up and put the towns folk here to work. No point in keeping them in cells, the only threats here are you, her, and those five friends of yours."

Twilight scoffed at that. “That’s a laugh, if we were so ‘threatening’, than how in Tartarus did you create an entire jail, bind all seven of us in chains, with magic inhibitors that even I can’t break through sheer force, and create this entire dungeon with just a meer snap of your fingers? Even Discord would have trouble with that.”

The being stared at Twilight for a time, but she felt a chill run down her spine, and it felt like he was smiling under that frowning mask. "What do you think a God prays to little Princess? Who judges them when they die?"

Twilight’s eyes widened. “No...no you can’t be!” She shivered in fear. “Your...Discord said you didn’t bother with mortal affairs…”

"Normally, but we need an army of strong heroes. Strong like the old days… growing an army like that takes… time. First we find the right people, then we put them through the trials, the tests, through hell, and ensure they come out ready for their true chosen purpose."

“In what world would you need an army?” Twilight asked in pure shock.

"Hmm… perhaps army… no, army is the right word. In time you'll know but it's not up to me if you'll be a part of it or not. I just train the Heroes, I don't pick them."

“But...but…” Twilight tried to say. “I...don’t understand…”

"You might, in time. Until then, enjoy your stay." He said, turning as he began to walk away.

Twilight was limp as she heard his footsteps echo through the dungeon, millions of questions running through her head as she met one of the most ancient being’s around, and telling her that they needed an army...like the old days? All of these thought’s culminated in one whispered phrase,

“What in tartarus is going on?”

“Ugh...the fuck happened…” Aven grumbled as they got up, blinking open their eyes as they saw…”THE FUCK HAPPENED!?!” Aven shouted in panic, seeing a Void of Star’s around him, all shining brightly as if just newly created. “Okay okay...calm down...I’m just in space after some weird ass glitched version of Vortex came up and damn near destroyed the game and…” Aven frowned. “Motherfucker, I still need that bastard's Axe!” The armored griffon threw up their hands in anger, having grinded that boss an asston and now not being able to get that legendary weapon. “Wait...why am I still in my Avatar?” He finally noticed the white bone armor around his arms and the talon-like hands that his avatar had in TOME.

"Greetings." Turning, Aven spotted a figure donned in a blue suit with a red tie and a smiling drama mask.

“And who are you?” The griffon asked carefully, grabbing their legendary wind spear and readied it to the unknown person.

"Please." They said, the eye roll in their tone was as plain as day. "My name is Genie, and you my formerly human friend have a job to complete."

“And...what’s my new job?” The dragoon asked carefully. “Cause...I’m just a hacker that wants to hunt down the legendary weapons from bosses...seriously I am not paid enough for this…”

"Don't worry about your Payment." Genie said, walking over to them. In a flash the Axe they were after before, and dropped it into their hands. It was then that Aven realized… he could feel the weight of it. The smoothness of the wood. Touching the blade he felt the rust and coldness of the metal. "I think you find your newfound powers… more than adequate."

“How...and why?” Aven asked carefully, finding the fact he can feel things in his avatar pretty massive by itself.

"Simple. You wished for it."

Aven grunted, as if memories of a prior dungeon venture were forced back. "Wish I could do this for real." His own voice echoed back to him.

“I...did...say that once…” Aven shook his head. “But...that was months ago.”

"Wish granted." Genie laughed. "Now then, let's talk about your job."

In the Moon of TOME, stood a Cat themed Avatar named TigerLily, who was currently rubbing both of her temples in aggravation and annoyance. “God damn it Zeto, at least send me something…” She groaned, having spent the better part of thirty six hours trying to figure out what in the hell happened to cause this. “The Netking’s and Admin’s have absolutely no clue what’s going on, I haven’t heard from Zeto in a day and a half...what the fuck is happening…” Tiger Lily muttered.

“Maybe you need a break there hun.” A smooth talking female voice came up, which out of a puff of smoke came DustBunny, as provocative as the game would allow looking bunny girl avatar, told her. “You’ve been running yourself ragged for a day and a half, let me and the Neo handle it for a bit.” The bunny girl said sympathetically.

“Your...probably right…” The auburn haired gunner yawned.

“And if anything happens, the Antiviral code is still inside it’s host.” A spanish accented voice mentioned, while in a small flash of lightning showed NeoMutant, a green masked wearing orange being with two lightning rods sticking out of their back. “As long as nothing provokes the Forbidden Power, the Anti-Virus won’t need to be used, so we’ll at least have a fail-safe.” Neomutant brought up.

“You’re right…” She sighed out, looking back at the map of TOME as she got a DM from her boss of ‘D-Buggers’, telling her to actually get some sleep for the third time, as they were handling it. “Christ...but if you get anything from Zeto you immediately call me alright?”

“Sure thing boss.” Dustbunny nodded.

“Alright.” Neomutant said as they both saw TigerLily log off to get some well deserved shut eye. “This is beyond our original mission…” Neomutant grumbled.

“Hey, at least we’re getting paid overtime.” Dustbunny shrugged. “Whatever the hell’s happening is certainly getting everyone worked up...hopefully it won’t get the game shut down.” She mentioned, cause even though she was a hacker, the most she did was make her Smoke based abilities better, and she had made plenty of friends in this game outside her work.

“As long as the major problem’s don’t see the light of day, things will keep turning.” Neomutant answered, looking over all the notes TigerLily managed to gather. “But we need to be prepared...something about all of this is way above what this...Forbidden Power could ever do.”

To be continued...

Author's Note

Just a note, for the TOME group can live with apples, cakes and cookies but they will try to live off of more then just sugar :derpytongue2: .

Chapter 3: Great Changes

"So this is your horde?" Nylock asked as he entered Ember's cave. In the back most section was a collection of gold coins, various gems, books, and to Nylcoke's biggest surprise, Comic Books. "I did not know Graphic Novels existed in this world."

“They do, they’re from my best friend Spike.” She said honestly. “And this is it so far.”

"So, I get the gems, you said Dragons eat them… but why the gold coins? What purpose do they serve aside from just being shiny bobbles?"

“Wealth equals power.” Ember started. “Both metaphorically in the sense where ‘I can buy my own small country with this much’, yes I even did the math, don’t ask it took me three months.” Ember grumbled something about ‘losing count’ but Nylocke couldn’t hear it clearly. “But also because to Dragon’s, they’re wealth can empower them a lot, as there’s a thing called ‘Greed Growth’, where a dragon can jumpstart certain growth’s or evolutions based on what they’re Greed is for.” She said simply. “And this is also why Dragon’s need to also be careful, cause nobody wants to be Fafnir, greedy fuck.” She grumbled. “Obtain your wealth through any means, but don’t let it consume you.”

"I see… the closest to a hoard of my own back home was honestly my movie collection."

“Movie collection huh? I’ve heard about movies before but they’re mostly in Equestria and only in theaters so I never had the time to see one of them.” She shrugged.

"So, does it only work with precious metals and gems or can anything count towards a dragon's hoard goes for this greed growth?"

“Anything really.” Ember shrugged. “As long as you want more, Greed Growth can affect you in some way.” She said honestly. “But that’s only half of what makes Dragon’s so big, just because my dad has one of the biggest hoards here doesn’t mean that’s the reason why he’s the size of a mountain.”

"I'm assuming age and diet play a part in that?"

“Yep.” Ember nodded. “Gotta make sure you’re eating correctly and a bunch of other things or else you’ll stunt your growth or worse.”

"Hm. So, if I may ask, when a dragon passes, what happens to their hoard?"

“That…depends.” She said carefully. “Either it’s taken by whoever they deemed deserves it, like their mate or their child, a close relative, whoever beat them in a death match which is practically nonexistent…or just straight grave robbing for some assholes that don’t understand basic decency for the dead.”

"Hm. And how do most dragons start making their own hoards? Do the parents help or do you hunt and gather the items alone?"

“Again, it depends on the dragon.” Ember said simply. “But the common event is dragon’s starting to gather by themselves when they feel ready to start finding gem’s and gold and the like.”

"Ah. And what do dragons do in terms of schooling the young? Do the parents teach them or is there a school or equivalent?"

“Parent’s teach them the basics, then the kids have to learn the rest by themselves when they leave the nest.” She shrugged. “First Hand Experience is the best teacher after all.”

"So… I take it basic arithmetics and the ability to read and write are… not the best?"

“Weird you’re assuming those aren’t ‘the basics’.” Ember pointed out. “Remember, dragon’s are very long lived creatures, as an example…my friend still looks like a baby dragon when his mother is twenty three, when in reality my friend is actually going to be eighteen this year.” She explained. “I’m a teenager and I’m going on a hundred and eighty.”

"And aside from yourself, how many of your fellow 'teenage' dragons actually use or remember any of what they were taught?"

"Remember the Lorescale's I talked about?" Ember asked. "Some of them go off to do that, others travel, and others...well act like Teenagers." She shrugged. "But math is super important when counting your hoard."

"True. So, if I may, where is your mother?"

"Next question." Ember said a little too quickly.

Nylock noticed her quick answer, and decided to ask again later. It was probably a touchy subject. "Alright. Hm, well, how about agricultural? Aside from gemstones, do the dragons farm anything?"

"The entire Dragon Lands is volcano's and stone, so no, we do not farm cause we literally can't." Ember answered. "Sure outside the lands on the border is so fertile and pure Phoenix's nest there, but in these lands no."

"Odd, one would think the volcanic ash would make quite fertile soil. As for the stone, well, broken stone turns to gravel and gravel is the foundation for construction."

"It's the volcanic equivalent to a mountain range." She brought up. "And while the gravel bit is true, the place has enough cracks as is."

"Hmm." Nylock thought to himself. "No agriculture, no industry, it's a bit… concerning. Have any dragons tried to do things differently from the norm? Modernize like the other regions of this land?"

"We've never really had to." Ember shrugged. "And if we did, at least to some of our experts in those fields say, we'd shoot way past anyone with all our collective knowledge, skills, and resources in five years."

Nylock hummed in thought at that again. "And, what's your personal opinion on that matter?"

"Personally, there really hasn't been a reason for a lot of modern stuff like the ponies or other races need." Ember shrugged. "Would it be cool to see some of the things in comics come to life? Sure, but that would cause such a shift in power around the world that, again, might cause problems."

Or stop some… Nylock thought with worry.

As if on cue, the cave home of Ember shook as the head of a larger dragon poked itself inside the cave Entrance. "Dragon Lord Ember! There have been strange monsters spotted entering the Dragon Lands from the western borders."

“What kind of strange creatures?” Ember asked carefully.

"They're small, but fast. They jump as high as we can fly… and their claws slice through our scales like our claws through stone. Many who spotted them tried to attack first but… two have died, many more are wounded."

"Take me as close as you can to them." Nylock said without waiting for a reply.

“We need to hurry, now.” Ember said carefully, grabbing the Dragonlord Staff and getting up. “How fast can you run?”

"How fast can you fly?" He asked back with a smirk, drawing his ice sword and bolting out the cave entrance the second the larger drake moved enough. Ember rapidly began to fly after him.

In a short few minutes they were met by a worrying, if very strange scene. Ember landed, wide eyes as two of the larger, older drakes she'd known lay fallen, their scales and hides split open like prey after a predator's kill.

Fallen scales and pools of blood littered the area from the now fleeing wounded. All that was left here were the ten or so creatures. They resembled a Minotaur, standing on two hind legs with large muscular upper bodies. The similarities ended there however as their heads contained a single black orb for an eye, torso split down the middle revealing large tooth filled maws and their arms ended in three claws that seemed to act both as weapons and digits.

"I've definitely never seen beasts like this before…" Nylock spoke bitterly as he kept his sword raised and eyed the monsters now feasting on the two fallen drakes.

“What in the world are those things?” Ember asked in horror. “How dare they…” She growled, gripping her staff tighter as she wanted to tear these things apart.

"Whatever they are, they clearly have a taste for dragons…" Nylock said sickly at the display before them.

One of the creatures took notice. It jumped a shocking distance both in the air and distance. From where it was feasting to attacking Nylock and Ember.

The two dodged. Ember tried clawing it when it landed but her claws almost bounced off their skin.

Before it could attack, Nylock managed to swing, his blade slicing the creature in two. It fell and seemed to dissolve into a silver liquid before evaporating into a mist, leaving behind bones, scales Ember recognized as Dragon Scales and several of it's own claws.

"... That's not normal here, right?" Nylock asked as he picked up one of the left behind claws.

“No…that’s not normal in the slightest…” She said carefully.

"And….let me guess, that's the first time your claws have ever failed you?"

“I will legit slap you if you think I’m weak because we both experienced a being that…has never existed before.” She started carefully, already taking a blow to her pride as she couldn’t hurt the damn thing, she did not want to hear she was weak because of that.

"I wasn't saying that. Whatever these creatures are, your claws were repelled by them, and I'm willing to bet those two fallen ones weren't able to do anything, yet these creatures effortlessly ended them and are eating them. Despite the size, whatever these beings are, they are meant to be a dragon's predator. They prey on drakes…" Nylock started, turning back and seeing as from a gushing wound on one of the fallen drakes rolled out five more of the creatures, smaller but quickly growing. "And… nest, in the remains. What twisted devil would conceive such a creature…"

“The hell are these things? Tarantula Hawk Wasps?” She asked worriedly. “We need to kill them before they grow stronger, now.”

"Hmm…" Nylock hummed as he quickly picked up the dropped claws, dragon bones and tore some cloth from his cape. He quickly fashioned two makeshift daggers from the creatures claws and gave them to Ember. "If your claws can't hurt them, I'm willing to bet their own claws can."

"True…" Ember said, taking the improvised daggers and, surprising Nylocke, twirled and moved them around with practiced and trained hands. "Little heavy, but they'll do."

With a nod the two got to work. Carefully but brutally disposing of each of the creatures. Nylock took notice of the creature's drops. Dragon bones and scales seemed common but they also seemed to drop their own claws, gems occasionally, or lite red gem crystals.

It took a few hours, but eventually after the fallen dragons corpses were rendered nothing but bones and flakes of flesh the last of the creatures was slain, and the ground was decorated in their strange drops.

"May I ask, where did you learn to wield a blade?"

"Dad taught me how to use a lot of weapons, the logic being 'if you know how to use the weapons, you'll know how to fight against them'." Ember explained simply. "Many dragons take that saying as law cause of how often it's been proven right."

"Impressive. Now… what I want to know is where did these vile creatures come from? They clearly aren't native to this world, nor do anything like them exist within TOME…"

"They don't even exist in this reality." Nylock and Ember jumped, spinning quickly and readying their weapons. The being before them stood in a red suit with a blue tie, their face that of a sad frowning white drama mask. "They really are nasty little vermins."

"And who the hell are you?" Ember growled. "And what were those things?"

"My name is Demon." He addressed with a bow. "And those little monsters are most often called Drakicites. Nasty little buggers that exist solely to eat and breed within the corpses of dragons. I figured they'd be a good test run of his skills, you though gave me some genuine surprise."

"Excuse me? You sent these monsters?" Ember growled, readying her daggers at the being ready to attack the person that caused the death and injuries to her dragons.

"Indeed, and trust me, had it been my associate, the ones who made these monsters… there would have been far more of the dead." He stated. "But, enough about all that. This is the part where you attack and I beat you into blissful unconsciousness while not even trying."

While Ember wanted to fight him, her instincts were screaming at her not to fight someone that could apparently magic these being’s designed to kill Dragon’s. “Damn you…” She growled, really wanting to fight him even if he basically explained what might happen.

He shrugged. "Different world, same curses and threats. Now then, I imagine you both have questions? Seeing as your lady friend here has decided to be… civilized."

“Yes…” Ember said, taking a deep breath as she tried to reign in her anger and urge to fight. “Why did you do this?”

"Setting the stage little lady. Giving you and that hero a little taste of what's to come is all. The cast is almost complete, and once it is, the real Play begins."

"Play? This is all some… stage act to you?" Nylocke asked.

"My appearance isn't just for show, you know." He said with a chuckle. "My associates and I have been going all through the multiverse and back setting up these little plays and games for the ones we selected to play the part of compete. Largely for entertainment, partly for… private reasons."

“And perchance, would thou also be involved with Lady Void?” Nylocke inquired. “And that strange occurrence with the Goblin King to get us here?”

"Her name's Pain, and yes. She's the one who infected that little program and opened the rift that sent you all here." Demon said with a nod.

“And what happened to Sir Avenborn? He is the only one unaccounted for amongst our ranks.” Nylocke brought up. “Sir Alpha mentioned he and Squire Kirbopher were together, as well as Lady Flamegirl and Sir Gamecrazed, but nothing for that vile hacker.”

"He's fine. He has his own role to play and you'll find out what it is soon enough."

“Why or how is Nylocke so strong?” Ember asked. “Cause out of all the dragon’s I have known or researched, nobody’s been this physically capable in a very long time, especially against my father who is one of the strongest dragon’s still alive today.”

Despite the emotionless mask of a face Demon had, Nylock and Ember could feel he was smirking. "Digital or Physical, all of this reality is made and structured by numbers. I simply… took him and his friends from their world where the numbers were… restricted, put them into the bodies they use in the world where the numbers mean power, and brought them here as such, with all those numbers and powers plus extra."

“But…” Nylocke started. “Math being confusing aside…how does our game characters strength’s mean we’re so much more powerful here? I wasn’t that strong in game, and Torch would be considered a raid boss in TOME.” Nylocke said worriedly, breaking character as he thought about all his stats and just how strong he was in this brand new context.

"Long explanation short, you are not playing by the rules the numbers of this world, your world or even TOME play by. We set you all up to play by the numbers my reality plays by. And by comparison, that makes your numbers higher than most any entity on this planet." Demon stated. "I guess you could say I turned you all into hackers, but in reality it's more like I've… glitched you all. Well, Glitch by comparison to the world you're in."

“You took off their limiters?” Ember suggested.

“Oh…” Nylocke said carefully. “So…what’s our objective?” The dragon knight asked. “Cause all plays need a Villian…”

"That role has… yet to be cast. Heh, you'd think a group of all powerful ____ would be better at planning ahead, but, I won't lie, the Improvising always entertains. Now then, when we do find our Villain, then the real show can begin. Until then…" He snapped his fingers. Five more of the Drakicites appearing in a flash of black and green energy, accompanied by various other monsters soon surrounded Nylock and Ember. "Enjoy the… Cannon fodder." He said with a laugh as a swirling mass of the same black and green energy opened behind him. He entered it and once he did, it vanished. Leaving Ember and Nylock surrounded by Monsters.

“Great…” She growled. “And we didn’t even get to ask what those weird item’s are either…” She muttered, preparing her daggers to fight these damned things.

“Later my fair lady, for we must best these foul creatures here and now.” Nylocke said, as one of the monsters leaped at him as he jumped in the air. “For I am Nylocke! Master of Monster Slaying!” He said in roleplaying glee as he cleaved one of the Drakicites in half.

"I have to admit, the giant Zeppelin was a surprise." Alpha said as he, Kirby, Flamegirl and Gamecrazed all looked over the railings at the vast landscape below.

“Oh yeah.” Kirb nodded. “And this place looks fantastic.”

“It’s a really beautiful world that’s for sure.” Flamegirl nodded. “Not a single bit touched by industry.”

"Much of Equestria is mapped but unsettled, and industry largely lies near the coastal cities. Much of the Minotaur trade and goods and cultural influences are there as well." Luna stated as she enjoyed the view with the heroes.

“What? Did they…” Kirb stopped himself. “Actually, would it be considered racist if I mentioned labyrinth’s here?” Kirb frowned, now having to think about certain things being racist against these new talking magical beings.

"In modern Equestria… sort of? Most immigrants from the Minotaur Lands do take offense but tourists and proud Minotaurs find a good maze to be a worthwhile challenge."

“Fair enough.” Kirb nodded, not wanting to offend new races technically.

"So how long until we reach the dragon lands?" Flamegirl asked.

"With the winds and the current speed, it should only take two days at most."

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Alpha nodded. “Even if it’s a magic Zeppelin, it’s still a Zeppelin.”

"I guess that means we can take it easy til we get there. So, is there anything to do while we wait?" Flamegirl asked.

"There is a lounge, Library, game room and a pool aboard this vessel." Luna informed.

“Game room?” Kirb asked quickly.

“Pool?” Flamegirl inquired, giving a quick little glance at Alpha who was looking away and listening, apparently having the same thought on that.

"Yes. The game room consists of games both old and new, and the pool is large enough to enjoy a pleasant swim. This is my private Zeppelin after all, so feel free to enjoy yourselves. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in the galley at sunrise, noon and sunset."

“Awesome, where’s the game room?” Kirb asked readily.

“We don’t have swimsuits though.” Flamegirl said sheepishly. “And I doubt you have anything fit for…us.”

"Hmm, true. Ponies don't usually have swimsuits to go swimming. I am no Rarity but if you can draw something of what they are meant to look like I might be able to fashion something usable." Luna informed.

“Oh, that should be easy enough.” Flamegirl nodded, already deciding if she should be modest in her choices or do something special for Alpha.

“What books do you have on board?” Gamecrazed inquired.

"A wide variety of popular fiction, and a few personal favorites that were from before my absence Sister managed to preserve and reprint." Luna informed.

The groups split up, Gamecrazed heading for the Library while Alpha and Flamegirl went with Luna to draw up and hopefully obtain usable swimsuits. This left Kirb to head into the game room, where he was surprised to see a mix of board games and Arcade cabinets, and a few of what would be considered Retro consoles hooked up to several old school TVs.

“Good lord, what did I do, step into retro heaven?” Kirb asked in awe, remembering his childhood at an arcade, listening to all the sounds and seeing all the lights and just feeling all sorts of giddy about it. “Jeez, what do I choose to play?”

As Kirbapher ran around browsing the titles, Gamecrazed moved along the Library. It was small, but there was a fair sized collection in the wall to wall and isle shelves.

As he looked through the titles along the books spines he sighed, remembering his conversation with Luna before.

“How can I tell my friend’s…when they’re endangered because of my existence?” The shadow creature sighed out, hating their mistakes in creating her ‘Negative Half’ as it was leeching off of Alpha everyday. “They’d probably blame me for it as well…”

"It could always be worse." Gamecrazed quickly spun around, their arm morphed into a blade as they kept it at the neck of a surprise individual. They wore a blue suit with a red tie, and their face was replaced by a smiling porcelain white drama mask, as if laughing. "Easy there tiger, wouldn't want to hurt yourself trying to hurt me." They chuckled.

“Who are you?” Gamecrazed asked carefully. “And…are you with that weird woman from before?” The morphological added, slowly pulling away but not taking away their arm blade.

"Her name is Pain, and yes. She and I are… associates, of sorts. There's more but for now you'll just be speaking with me. The name's Genie." He said, extending a hand as if expecting a handshake. "And I'm the one who freed you."

“What do you mean?” They asked cautiously, not knowing what these mystery people want or how they know too much.

"Can't lie to me, little Program with her own mind. Tell me, do you think when you were all pulled here, do you believe that your friends physical bodies are still in their human world, or that your true self is still hidden away, locked behind walls and doors meant to never be opened?"

“That would make the most sense, cause even if our characters are ‘real’ here, we still have ourselves back home. Plus I wouldn’t…feel myself back home if I didn’t.” Gamecrazed said, as they’re character was practically a shadow of her real self she was the most ‘tuned’ with it. “Or am I somehow wrong?”

"Entirely so." Genie stated as he spun around, a chair suddenly behind him as he took a seat. "You see, if we did that and just that when dragging you kids here, well, frankly your human friends wouldn't have lasted a week. After all they need food, water, such weak fragile bodies really. Yes you can eat and drink here but it shouldn't take a genius to know that can't transfer over. So, we dragged them here, mind, body, soul, and replaced said body with a physical, flesh and blood replica of their avatars. Same goes for you too kid." He said, giving Gamecrazed a poke to their stomach. "I personally cut and ripped you out of that prison and into this form you made for yourself. You're as flesh and blood as they are now. Heh, well, maybe flesh and blood is a stretch. Maybe… just alive as them works best."

“But…” Gamecrazed said in surprise. “What about my original form? My…what I’m able to do with that? Wouldn’t I just be…locked to this?” She asked, her real voice starting to come out of the shadow avatar she made, instead of a gruff and gravely voice it came out as soft, feminine, and pretty like a fairy’s.

Genie stood up, chuckling a little. "I'm actually a bit proud of this one." He said, suddenly using the gamepad controls on Gamecrazed's body and entered all but the last button of the infamous Konami Code. "Now, say Start."

Gamecrazed couldn’t help but roll their eyes at that. ”Of course you would.” She chuckled. “Start.”

In a flash Gamecrazed noticed they were smaller, floating at eye level with Genie as they looked their old, true form over. "The same series of taps along your body and saying start again will revert you back to the other form. Just be careful, in this form you are a God, and it comes with all the buffs and strengths. You are not bound to TOME but all it's data still exists in you. You can use that to create anything from there and make it real. I advise not abusing that to high hell."

“I…” She started, feeling untold amount of power in her, nothing from her time in TOME, whether as Gamecrazed or herself, came close to this new feeling. “Wow…”

"Consider that your little trump card should anything really bad happen." Genie stated.

With a nod, Sofdi quickly tapped the code along her body, speaking Start and reverting back to Gamecrazed.

“Thank you.” They nodded, back to their gravelly voice. “But…what other changes have happened since we’ve gotten here? And where’s Aven?”

"The hacker is fine. He has his own role to play in all of this. Aside from that, well, it's more fun to show than to tell really. You can see for yourselves when you reach the Dragon Lands."

“What’s happening to Nylocke?” Gamecrazed asked worriedly.

"My associates, specifically, Demon, has decided to test and pressure him. He should be fine but I'd bet a lot more drakes are gonna get hurt. Two are already dead."

“What!?” Gamecrazed exclaimed in shock. “Is he okay?”

"Your friend is fine. Though I bet after the battles he will be shaken. Playing the knight and being one are so very different. Perhaps that is why he has taken such a… strong approach to him?"

“This…Demon is it?” She asked. “Well…Nylocke has always been special that’s for sure, devoted to his character to a fault sometimes, but he’s very strong…I just hope whoever’s around is also safe.”

"They're safer than if Pain was the one doing this little attack. Trust me, Pain has never held back when she's allowed to attack."

“Considering she’s the one that probably caused the Goblin King to become…that, I wouldn’t be surprised.” Gamecrazed said carefully.

"Yes. And, with that I suppose there isn't much more reason for me to remain here, unless you wish to ask more questions?"

“How much does TOME’s logic still work here?” Gamecrazed asked. "Like experience, loot, and the like?"

"Well, there is something similar but the only thing akin to what you're referring to is the Loot. See, you working off the logic of my home reality, Not TOME's and not your friends human physical world."

"And...what's that logic?" The elemental asked carefully, not wanting to get blindsided by anything new here.

"Well, the enemies we spawn in, the Cannon fodder do have drops, but you don't gain experience like normal. Normally you'd build up experience and level up, but we've changed that a bit. You'll build up experience and use that to spend building up aspects of your powers and or weapons. We try and keep each world we do this to unique to keep things interesting."

"An interesting way to do skill points, but sure." Gamecrazed nodded.

"You will, at seemingly random or through trial and error gain new abilities that you'll be able to increase in strength with your gathered experience, but just remember, for now you and your friends are the only ones that can really hurt the monsters Demon will send out. Be sure to gather their loot drops, the materials there will help the people of this world defend themselves better than their normal weapons and magic. Especially after the role of villain has been cast."

"Alright." Gamecrazed nodded, thinking about who might be the villain in this. "Thank you Genie...this is a lot to take in."

"Do with this information as you wish. Now, I suppose this is the part where I bid you goodbye. Oh, but before I forget, another associate of mine will be visiting you all after you're all gathered in the dragon lands."

With that, Genie seemed to vanish as if Gamecrazed blinked and he was gone.

"This...got a lot more complicated…" Softi muttered to herself.

Nylock could barely believe what can change in a day.

While half hazard, a large dirt and Rock wall had been rapidly built using a mix of digging and Lava from the many active volcanos to help keep the young and injured drakes safe. Or rather, safe enough.

The Drakicites we're just one worry. Overnight the dragon lands became home to a whole ecosystem of strange and deadly creatures, as well as unexpected flora that seemed to thrive all along the formerly barren landscape. Thankfully not all of these new changes were hazardous. Some of the new animals that appeared were harmless, and in fact many declared quite tasty. It seemed harmless creatures could be hunted, eaten and even corralled for farming.

Speaking of, the new plants that existed ranged from highly toxic to rather medicinal. One such herb they discovered to grow inside the lava of a volcano was rather effective at helping to seal and fix injuries while also preventing infections.

"This is a mess…" Nylock huffed as he looked from the makeshift tower over the wall.

"A major mess…" Ember agreed bitterly.

"At least there were no other casualties. Injuries can heal at least. Still, I'm actually surprised this wall is keeping them at bay."

"Either that, or they think this is some zone they can't enter." She said, cause while they did hear an occasional scrape against the wall, it was strangely few and far between. "But we need to stop these assholes someway...only reason why we're holding out is those strange items, as well as their claws, that are making this easier."

"True. The Drakicites are the more concerning ones, but these others that appeared are still largely unknown. So, how has your father taken the news of this development? I'm honestly surprised he isn't out here trying to fight them."

“I know he’s still alive, thankfully.” Ember sighed out, holding the Bloodstone Scepter tightly. “But…either his strength and experience has helped him at least kill a few of these beings so he’s marshaling up his strength, or he’s trying to defend an important position where others are also hiding.” Ember explained carefully. “I…hope he’s alright…”

"He is bigger and stronger than just about any other of the drakes I've seen. I'm sure he is fine." Nylocke said, trying to reassure Ember. "At least not all of the… new additions are lethal. Those strange pig-fox-bears are surprisingly tame… and oddly tasty."

“Never had fox before, but pig is always good, and bear…well thankfully those things don’t have trichinosis in it, even if we cook it perfectly.” Ember shrugged. “But yeah, there’s…a lot here, especially all these plants that are growing, I’ve never seen Obsidian Flowers before…or even know they could exist.”

"True. Despite the dangers the Dragon Lands look so much more vibrant and lively. It… practically invites exploration…" Nylock said, thinking suddenly on his own phrasing.

“What? Thinking there’s suddenly adventure afoot?” She asked.

"Maybe… but I'll need a few things first. Do you have any metals not gold in your hoard I can borrow, and is there a blacksmith?"

“Well, there should be a blacksmith in the makeshift forge, old drake is sure as shit excited to be making new items we’ve scrounged up, and plenty of metals that aren’t gold.” Ember nodded. “Why do you ask?”

"It's a surprise." Nylock said before rapidly dashing off. Ember raised a brow before following. She watched as Nylocke grabbed several iron nuggets, some of the claws the beasts Drakicites dropped, and rapidly ran towards the forge. Ember waited outside the makeshift forge, and after several hours Nylock emerged with a long cloth covered item in his hands. "For you." He said, handing the item to Ember.

“Hmm..” She started, gently grabbing the item as she uncovered it to see what surprise he had in store for her.

What Ember saw did indeed surprise her. It was a rather unique looking sword. Made of volcanically tempered cast iron, one side was thick and blunt, while the other was holding in place a long row of the Drakicites claws to act as a lethal ripping blade. "I have a hunch on how exactly these changes to the dragon lands work, or might work, and I know it's fruitless to ask you to stay behind, and this is better than the makeshift daggers."

“This sword…it’s incredible…” She said in awe, slowly moving the blade and swinging it carefully. It was heavy, but fairly balanced in the weight. One side to rip and tear flesh, another to crack and break stone and bones.

"I loosely based the design off of something similar from my world, just changed a few things and the Blacksmith said it was a simple yet effective design. All we need to do now is grab some supplies so we can more safely explore outside the walls."

“Works for me.” Ember nodded. “And while it slightly hurts to use thing’s from my hoard…right now we need to survive and expand.”

"I imagine all but the most stubborn of drakes will agree." Nylock said with a nod.

He and Ember quickly packed sacks with some basic supplies before jumping the wall. Ember happily tested her new sword against two roaming Drakicites. She enjoyed smashing and ripping them to shreds with their own claws.

When she was done and picking up their drops, she noticed Nylock was actually writing something. Quill to parchment with a small bottle of ink uncorked.

“What are you writing?” Ember inquired.

"Bigger dragons have smashed these creatures with their fists or tails, and they suffered no effect. Yet you broke them with the blunt end of your weapon easily. It confirms a theory I had floating about in my head." He said, finishing his notes and blowing on the ink to dry it. "They are specifically immune to dragons. Claws, fire, and strength. None of your natural abilities harm them, yet simple iron can bruise and break what your claws and fists can't harm."

“Well that’s horseshit.” Ember frowned. “I mean, I know these things are supposed to be Dragon Predators, but to be literally immune to everything a dragon can do seems a little…overboard.”

"Which adds up with this Pain character Demon mentioned. If she made them to be exactly that, then it's no wonder. However, this hopefully also reveals their biggest weakness." Nylock said with a smile as he rolled up his notes and stashed them away.

“And what would that be?” She asked carefully. “Cause anything at this point will be fantastic.”

"Dragons can't harm them, but this means possibly anything else can. Be it simple metals or non-Dragon fire." He informed, Ember also growing a grin. If Nyclock was right, then the Dragons just needed to armor up to turn this fight around.

The two tested various methods of disposing of the Drakicites. Aside from all things Dragon, they were only also immune to Lava, much like a Dragon. Aside from that, heavy rocks, large sticks and even makeshift Spears seemed to harm them, and nearly effortlessly as well. They did discover that they also ate gems and gold, and seemed to be healed by them.

Among the Drakicites, there was also another beast they dubbed a Hunter Flower. It was some form of insect that disguises itself as a large flower filled with a sweet smelling liquid and a small pile of gold and gems in the center of it's trap. Anything that got too close and it's petals rapidly shifted to rows of sharp teeth as it bit and shredded it's victims, swallowing the corpse whole before re entering it's camouflage state.

That royally disturbed Ember and Nylock. Thankfully it was not immune to dragon fire, and upon death dropped several potent medicinal herbs, it's bait of gems and gold, and to both their surprise, a bottle of it's sweet smelling liquid. They were more surprised it was in a bottle than anything else.

The next monster of note was something that looked like a rock, but was in fact a massive worm like creature seemingly made from gems, gold, and other valuable stones and metal once it moved the layer of dirt off itself it seemed to use for camouflage.

The final item they discovered before leaving was a tree. It reminded Ember of an Apple Tree, mainly because it grew Apple shaped gems on it's branches. "Huh. This is either another trap or possibly a good thing?" Nylock questioned.

“Well…let’s see.” Ember said, carefully grabbing a rock and tossing it close to the tree.

The tree did nothing. Another rock toss, this time hitting the tree also did nothing. A third rock toss managed to knock a gem apple down and still, the tree did nothing.

Nylock picked the gem apple up. It seemed to be a solid rubey from stem to bottom. Inside we're several metallic looking seeds where an apple's seeds would normally be located.

“So…a gem apple tree?” Ember asked.

"Well, one last test…" Nylock said, silently praying this didn't damage his teeth. He took a small bite of the apple. He was surprised when his teeth bit through it like they would any other apple. Even more when he chewed, he felt it melt into a liquid on his tongue. He swallowed, it tasted like a mix of apple and cherries. "Do rubies usually taste like cherries?" He asked, handing the rest to Ember.

“Well, it depends on it’s purity, cause either it tastes like fruits, or candies.” She shrugged. “So maybe.”

"Well, it seems they are safe. Let's grab as many as we can before heading back. If we're lucky we can figure out how to grow them from the seeds."

They picked the tree nearly clean before rushing back to the walled off area of the dragon lands. Once there they headed back towards Ember's cave, where Nylock went over his notes and Ember looked through the loot. Every item came from a monster she killed. She battled and won. She felt a strong surge of pride in that as she looked over at the weapon Nylock gifted her.

“This feels fantastic.” Ember said happily, sorting through everything in glee. “But I still have to wonder what all these gems are? They’re one of each color so far but…they’re not any gem’s I’ve seen before.” She said, counting up all the weird looking gems that looked the purest out of any normal gem they’ve found.

Nylock looked up. Those gems were odd. Something about them definitely did not seem normal. He picked one up, this gem glowing a shade of light, almost sky blue. It felt cool to the touch, and breathing near it made a small fog.

His prior experience with eating a gem still fresh in his mind, Nylock threw caution to the wind and bit into the gem. It crunched under his draconic teeth like hard candy rather than like the gem apples more, well, apple texture. The flavor was a strong cool mint that he nearly coughed out, but kept it down. "Well, that's definitely different-" Nylock spoke, suddenly spitting out cool fog, then suddenly breathed out a breath of ice and snow, freezing a wall of the cave before he closed his mouth.

Ember sat on her hoard, jaw dropped. Her fiance breathed ice and snow.

"Wh-what?" She asked. "These...these gems are elemental gems!? I thought they were only a myth!"

"Elemental… so, their glow and colors correspond to different elemental forces?" Nylock asked.

"Yes, nobody knows how they're made, but they're capable of letting anyone use the elements of the gems type, no matter the race." She explained.

"I assume they're magical in nature then? They must be rather rare to be referred to as a myth."

"They're an element of nature in crystalized form." She deadpanned. "Also yes, even dragons being so long lived we've heard of them but not a single dragon has seen one in way too long of a time."

"Well, are there stories about people who have?"

"There's a story of a Pegasus who obtained an Earth Gem and started to use Earth Magic, something that Pegasi can't do normally." She explained. "Then there's the famous Minotaur who found a Fire Gem, as Minotaurs can't use magic like most other races, and when he obtained that the Minotaurs started to take notice to the benefits of fire, and then industry went from there on."

"Hm, interesting. Nothing about Dragons?"

"There is a few, one of them being a dragon, Cinder a fire dragon, who found a pretty big Fire Gem, and when he ate it, it's said his flames could even burn other Dragons who are notoriously fireproof."

"Huh. And now we have all these ones…" Nylock motioned, looking down at the half eaten gem. He shrugged, eating the rest and forcing the strong mint flavor down. "Not going to lie, that gem apple and this are the first gems I've ever eaten."

"What do you think?" She asked. "Also that's funny, your first Element Gem is Ice."

"It's not what I was expecting, and yes I can see the irony in it." Nylock said with a laugh.

"So, what do you think we should do with the other gems?" She asked. "Though...I do wonder what would happen if we put one of the gems in our weapons?"

"I imagine the weapon itself would be imbued with the elemental properties of the gem." Nylock guessed.

“Hmm…” She hummed, picking up one of the lapis lazuli gems, which on closer inspection looked like it had a crackle of electricity in it, as she put it onto her sword, not sure if it would either fall off or somehow fuse to it.

To her surprise, the gem seemed to melt and absorb into the sword, and soon the sword suddenly crackled lightly with blue electricity.

“Okay, now that’s really cool.” She said with a smile.

“These gems truly are fascinating. The power of the elements in crystalized form, easily imbued and absorbed by anything. The possibilities seem endless with resources like these…”

“Seems…a little strange that we’re getting these from those monsters…” Ember said carefully. “Such powerful items that can do so much…just random drops?”

“Must be common place from their reality. Remember, Demon said he was playing by his realities rules. I’m guessing that means that these gems, and these monsters, are extremely commonplace where he and his associates hail from.”

“That would make sense…” Ember said, thinking about what could have been in their world that such a powerful gem could be commonplace.

“I do wonder, however. What kind of Gods are they?”

“I’ve never seen a god do this before to be honest.” Ember said honestly.

“Not even this Discord you mentioned?”

"Discords...weird." Ember said carefully. "Like...he is capable of this, but he's not so much a god but...something else." She said, not really sure how to explain the chaos being. "He's more of an embodiment if that makes sense."

“So, he’s more of a physical manifestation of his element rather than the God of it?”

"He's a physical manifestation of Chaos itself." She said. "It's...weird to explain in proper words."

“I think I can understand that. Well, it’g getting late. So… where should I sleep?”

"Over here with me." Ember said, moving over and climbing on top of the coins and gems.

“I-wait what?”

"Exactly what I said." She said, getting onto a comfortable divot in the hoard. "Are you coming or what?"

“Umm… Well, I’ve never… shared sleeping chambers with a lady before…” Nylock admitted. “Nonexistent dating life back home…” He added, dropping his roleplay persona again.

"I understand." She nodded. "But it's not like we're going to bang or anything, just sleep together."

“Well… I guess…” Nylock said, walking over to the hoard bed and managing to make a comfortable spot next to Ember. “Maybe a proper bed in the future though…” He added, pulling out and tossing an emerald that was poking his back.

"You get used to it." She said honestly. "But once you get a comfortable spot here, it feels amazing." She said as Nylocke saw her moving some of her spot like a cat would as she laid down fully.

“Ya know, when you said Dragon Lands, I expected less of a… magical jungle…” Alpha said as they arrived at the borders of the Dragon Lands. Luna said to expect barren volcanic terrain. What greeted them was a borderline tropical jungle forest.

“This is not normal.” Luna frowned.

"Something's happened…" Gamecrazed said carefully. "And it must have something to do with Demon."

“Well, where would Nylock be?” Flamegirl asked.

"Probably at the massive mountain over there?" Kirb pointed towards the place. "The one with the...mountain sized dragon?"

“That is the former Dragon Lord, Torch.” Luna said, the Zeppelin moving only slightly more until the large dragon flew over to the Zeppelin, actually grabbing it and then force landing it to the ground before him. Luna rapidly flew out. “Torch, what has happened here?”

“Gods Luna.” The large drake informed. “Some rather powerful Gods have taken to making the Lands their playground for their little Play.”

“How many are hurt?”

“Too many. And in total, thirty casualties across the settled lands I’ve visited.”

“Casualties!” Luna said in surprise.

“Some of the monsters, many in fact seem specific to be unharmed by dragons. Be it out strength, fire or claws, nothing we do harms them, yet simple weapons and even large rocks can slay them. Whatever magic flows within them makes them the perfect… predators to dragons.”

"Things immune to dragons?" Kirb asked in shock.

"That's...how!?" Alpha asked incredulously.

“My guess, whatever these Gods are, they are far more powerful at creating and altering reality than even Discord himself.”

“That is…not good at all.” Kirb said worriedly.

“One of them said…’Be glad it’s not Pain’.” Gamecrazed said openly to everyone.

“What are you talking about GC?” Kirb asked nervously.

“I met one of these Gods, he goes by ‘Genie’, wearing a happy drama mask…he said it’s him, Demon, and Pain, Pain being the woman we met back in TOME and…she apparently would have caused a lot more casualties.”

“Did they say what they were working towards?” Luna asked.

“How come you didn’t tell any of us before dude?” Alpha asked.

“I tried to, but you two were too busy trying not to get into an argument about swimsuits,” The morphological pointed out, causing Alpha and Flamegirl to blush. “And Kirb passed out after he played too many games.”

“What of Dragon Lord Ember, and my company's friend, Nylock?” Luna asked the large drake.

“Ah, yes. He bested me in battle fairly, and won my daughter's hand in marriage. It upsets me that all this has begun before the wedding…” He grumbled.

“Hold up, how the hell did he beat you when you’re literally the size of a mountain?” Kirb asked. “Even if you could resize yourself in some way, you should probably be stronger right?” He asked, not wanting to say Nylocke was weak but something about the match between a boss level sized dragon vs the lone knight seemed a little off.

“It surprised me too.” Torch said with a laugh and a grin. “But he was noble and honest, and despite his size, holds strength unlike any my size could ever deliver. I am pleased a drake like him is to wed my daughter.”

“That’s fantastic.” Gamecrazed said kindly.

“I still find it hilarious that, day one, Nylocke managed to get married on pure accident.” The budget link looking character chuckled.

“Well I for one hope I get to be the flower girl.” Flamegirl stated.

“Do you know where Nylock and Ember are now?” Luna asked.

“They are safe. For some reason, the monsters refuse to pass or break down the makeshift wall they built as a barrier between them and the dangers. They built it at the Slag Volcano caves.” Torch informed.

“Hmm, sounds like they found a Safe Zone or something.” Kirb mentioned.

“Well…I suppose that makes sense, none of the monsters from the Everfree ever came out of the woods to attack Ponyville.” Gamecrazed mentioned.

“Not true, the occasional Manticore, Timberwolf and such leave the everfree in search of food or general curiosity.” Luna informed.

“But they don’t just assault the town’s folk do they?” Gamecrazed inquired.

“Sometimes, it depends on if they actually go into town or not.”

“Fair enough.” Kirb nodded. “So where’s the caves?”

“Continue west and you’ll see it when you find the stone walls around two volcanic mountains dotted in caves of all sizes.

“Thank you.” Kirb nodded, drawing his sword and ready to fight any monster’s they come across. “So what do some of these monsters look like?”

“Like that.” Torch pointed.

The group turned, spotted large insects, clawed three talloned minotaur looking beasts with vertical mouths, a large gem and metal worm with a massive maw of teeth, and other various beasts.

“The hell did we just walk into?” Kirb asked in shock and awe.

“Well…it was either this or literally walking into a Volcano filled with Dragons.” Gamecrazed said simply, bringing out their sword arm and ready to fight.

The group readied their weapons and began to prepare for a fight.

Luna and Torch defended the Zeppelin as it returned to the air and the group worked to defeat the monsters. They were rather surprised when the slain monsters actually dropped items. From gems to bones, scales and gold. Even herbs and scented liquids.

Once the Zeppelin was airborne again, the group rushed back aboard, Kirb carrying a large haul of the loot.

"Did you seriously loot all the drops from those monsters?" Alpha asked.

“Why in god’s name would I not loot everything from these things?” Kirb countered. “They’re like loot pinatas they’re so easy to kill, it's amazing.”

"I've never seen any creature in the world drop items upon death." Luna informed.

“That means whoever these people are created these things with Video Game logic in mind.” Kirb pointed out.

"But none of these things exist in TOME." Alpha pointed out. "Or any game I know of, so… just what are we dealing with?"

“I have no idea…” Gamecrazed sighed out.

“But hey, loot is loot.” Kirb said happily. “Who knows what we’ll be able to make or use with it all.”

"Hmm…" Luna hummed, levitating a palm sized dark green gem. "Are these…?" She questioned, taking it into her hooves and pressing it. To everyone's surprise, the gem seemed to melt and rapidly absorb into her skin and hooves. "It is!" Luna cheered, everyone watching as she suddenly sprouted a flower around her hoof. "Elemental gems, these haven't been seen for almost fifty thousand years!"

“Hold on what?” Kirb asked in shock. “Elemental Gems? How the hell does that work?”

"They are mysterious and extremely powerful, each gem and their unique colors correspond to an element of some force, both natural and unnatural. There have only been five ever discovered in all of history." Luna said, looking over her flower.

“Damn.” Kirb said. “And these things just drop em like candy.”

"That's… odd. Why drop such OP loot like common stuff?" Flamegirl questioned.

"It's probably not as OP as we might think where these originate…" GC brought up.

“I mean…technically?” Kirb started. “They might not be overpowered if we just look at it as ‘people gain an element type’ or something.”

"Maybe, but remember, by TOME logic, it would make some sense for these to be fairly common, but this place doesn't work by TOME's logic, even with all the magic and such." Flamegirl added.

“True…” Kirb frowned, thinking about all of this and how weird it was. “Well, no need to worry about it right now, we need to find Nylocke and a blacksmith cause we’re probably gonna need to gear up for whatever comes next.”

"That would be wise. Once we land in the safe Dragon Territory, I'll send a message to my sister and speak with Dragon Lord Ember about setting up a form of aid and helping stations."

“That just beg’s the question…is this happening somewhere else?” Gamecrazed had to ask. “Cause if it’s happening in one region…it would happen in another…”

"I will send that letter to my sister immediately." Luna stated.

With that said the group split up again. Kirb headed back to the game room to relax before landing.

Upon entering, he jumped as the door slammed shut and there was a large purple playing card covering it.

“Who’s there?” Kirb asked, drawing his sword and ready to fight whoever was suddenly here.

"Easy there mini Link." Chuckled a southern voice. Kirb spotted the source, the figure was dressed in an all purple suit with a top hat, their face and hands bones with no skin or muscles at all. Their head held claiming purple orbs for eyes. "I'm just here to talk, Zetto."

“How the hell…” Kirb growled. “You’re not supposed to know that Dr. Facilier.” He growled, thinking the witch doctor accent and the very dapper attire reminded him a lot of the Princess and the Frog bad guy.

"Heh, child please, I'm one of the ones who sent you here, knowing your 'secret double life' isn't difficult." They replied. "The name's Voodoo. And out of all of us I'm the middle ground man."

“So…we have Demon, Genie, Pain, and now Voodoo…” Kirb said. “Not the weirdest names…but what do you want?”

"I'm doing a job, like the others. I don't pick the heroes or the bad guys or spawn the monsters. I make wagers and deals for my own entertainment."

“Right…” He said carefully. “So…I might as well ask behind closed doors, am I able to log into my other character?” Kirb asked carefully. “Or am I stuck like this due to whatever the hell caused us to get sent here to begin with?”

Despite not having facial features, Kirb felt that Voodoo was grinning. He reached into his coat, pulling out a black and green card and tossing it to Kirb. Looking at it, Kirb spotted his Zetto avatar on the image side. "Press that to your chest, it will change you to your Zetto avatar. Same thing to swap back, so don't go losing that card."

Kirb frowned as he tested it first, wanting to see if it actually turned him back into his main account. “Let’s see if this is true…” Kirb muttered, before in a flash of light, he transformed into his original TOME Avatar, the same grey skin, desaturated orange jumpsuit and the same robot arm that he was upgrading. “Wh-what?”

"Heh, told ya kid. Would I lie to you?" Voodoo asked. Kirb, or rather, Zetto, looked back at the card, seeing his Kirb avatar on the card now. "Different than your friend's, but it works just as well."

“My friend's?” Zetto asked. “What are you talking about?”

"Oh, nothing to worry about really. Just remember, if you see them and they see you in the… other forms, it will be quite the surprise. But, enough about that. Right now you lot have quite the tasks ahead of you. Demon has his bad guy candidate and once that guy is up to speed, well, that's when the real fun begins."

“That doesn’t sound foreboding at all…” Zetto grumbled. “Alright…so why us?”

"Why not you?" Voodoo questioned back. "You're already up against unfair and strong threats, your sad and silly hackers while strong only held power in TOME. Here, threats and stakes are much higher. Your friend Alpha bears the curse of that 'Forbidden Power' that, back in TOME was a big deal, but here, well, it will take a while before Pain tweaks that little arc of the play. You're already a band of heroes, we decided to just raise the stakes and see if you have what it takes to prove you are what you play as."

“This isn’t some game…the stakes were already too high with that damned monster plaguing my friend Alpha.” Zetto growled.

"Ah, but isn't everything a game. After all, it was you snatching all the loot like it was any other TOME quest."

“First of all, they were just dropping loot like monsters, and we might have needed the items they dropped.” Zetto countered. “But…” Zetto growled. “My friend’s could get hurt, and whatever you’re going to do with the Forbidden Power, don’t.” He said, raising his machine arm up. “I’m going to take it out of Alpha and cast it into whatever abyss it deserves.”

"Awe, see, I'd be touched if I had a heart to beat in these ribs. But I ain't the one working on that beast, that's all Pain's department, and we try not to step in on each other's turf, less workplace issues arise. Besides, can you really hurt something that came from your sweet, innocent little Sofdti?"

Zetto’s eyes widened. “H-how do you know that?” He asked, holding his arm as a phantom thrum of pain coursed through the limb.

"Kid, if I know about your little double life, I know everything about you, your friends, new and old, your side project and all the in between blanks you only wish you knew." Voodoo chuckled. "You don't have a secret I, nor the others don't know, none of you do." Voodoo said, a deck of cards suddenly in his hands as he shuffled and drew out one card for the TOME Admins, his old friends, his new friends, Sofdi, the Forbidden Power. "We're holding all the cards. Makes it easier to set the stage."

“Damn it…” Zetto growled, bringing the card back up and turning himself back into Kirbopher. “Fine…but what about Aven? We haven’t seen him since we got here.”

"He's fine, and has his own role in this Play. The cast is about ready and soon the show will begin properly."

“Wonderful…” Kirb sighed out. “Alright…might as well ask since you already seem to know, was my plan of siphoning off the Forbidden power into my arm going to work?”

“No, and it would have only made everything a whole lot worse.” Voodoo answered.

“Shit…” Kirb frowned. “So…is there any way I can make it actually work?”

"Hmm… well, maybe. But I can't just give you the answers, child. Not my gimmick."

"So your gimmick is...games?" Kirb asked carefully.

"Games, trials, battles and gambits. And if direct conflict isn't your desire then the classics can work just as well."

“Right then.” Kirb nodded. “So, what kind of trail would I need to take to get an upgrade to seal away that thing?”

"None. It will resolve itself when the time is right."

Kirb frowned, not liking that vague as shit answer when his friends are in danger. "Alright...then what can I obtain to get into contact with my friends back in TOME? I can't just rely on Aven when I don't even know where he is."

"That, would require something along the lines of this little beauty." Voodoo said, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a simple looking smartphone. "This little thing is magic, no charging or bills required and can let you talk and text your buddies back in TOME from here."

"Now what do I need to do to obtain one?" Kirb asked. "Cause I doubt freebies or rare drops would work for obtaining a transdimensional smartphone."

Voodoo hummed in thought, putting finger bone to chin bone and seemed to smile, or so it felt to Kirb. "There is an item in the Dragon Lands, very well treasured and prized. Owned only by the strongest who prove themselves worthy to rule the rest. The Bloodstone Scepter. It's carried by the current dragon Lord at all times. Bring it to me and, This will be yours." Voodoo said, waving the smartphone in front of him.

"It's...just bring it to you?" Kirb asked carefully. "Like...not giving it to you forever and them losing something very important?" He asked cautiously, not wanting to cause massive problems to the dragons right now.

"It's a Barter, a trade. Demon might be the one who makes deals but I give choices. Trade the Scepter for this, or wait and ponder longer til another option arises. The choice is yours."

Kirb frowned, his mind now at war with itself over the decision. "And...what is this world doing to that...monster in Alpha?" Kirb asked carefully, hoping it's not getting stronger because of them being here in this strange world.

"You should be asking, what is Pain doing to that entity. For now, it's asleep. Resting while Pain Tweeks and modifies it to… better reflect what it is in this reality. What happens when it starts to wake up, well, that's all up to Wills at that point."

"I…" Kirb trailed off, thinking about his friends, how Voodoo said it would 'solve itself in time's, as he felt a moral dilemma between his duty to protect his friends and end the Forbidden Power, or just have fun and beat the monsters with his friends like TOME was meant to be.

"The offer will always be on the table. Just remember, choice is yours and what matters most to you. Your friends safety or your friends trust." Voodoo said as he began to walk out, the card blocking the door now gone. "When ya choose, call me." With that, Voodoo left, closing the door behind him.

Kirb looked down at his card, seeing his other avatar and sighing. "What the hell am I going to do?" Kirb muttered bitterly.

Ember was the first to awaken in the morning. A habit she was used to and of course, expected to wake up as normal. That is, until she realized she wasn't actually sleeping atop her usually gold and gemstone bed hoard. She felt… warmer, slightly softer than the metal and rocks and a rhythmic breathing and heartbeat.

She rapidly shot open her eyes, discovering herself resting atop Nylock as if he were a bed.

"Oh...oh yeah…" Ember muttered carefully.

Sleepy memories quickly returned to Ember from late in the night. It was abnormally cold, and she partly blamed the sudden terraformation of the Dragon Lands for it. She remembered feeling something warm next to her and with a sleep filled mind and primal instincts, got comfortable atop it like a hatchling does fresh out the egg on hot rocks.

Slowly and carefully, she moved up and off Nylock. The dragon knight was thankfully a heavy sleeper, not even to have moved sleeping positions since she watched him settle into his spot last night.

"Jeez...this is gonna need some getting used to…" Ember muttered.

Deciding not to tempt fate she went about her typical morning routine, only half awake as she grabbed some gemstones for her morning breakfast and began the task of digging more space into her cave.

It was a common hobby amongst drakes. The parents would dig out the first section when the whelpling Drake first moves out and the young Drake had to expand it themselves as time went on. As Ember dug, she suddenly fe;t the painful clank of her claws hitting something they could not damage.

“What in the hell is it now?” She muttered, digging around whatever she clawed into to get a better look at it.

The more Ember dug, the more she made out of the strange item. It appeared to be a door, all metal it seemed from top to bottom. It lacked a handle and try as she might an inch of rock behind and around the metallic door was somehow also resisting her claws.

“What in the hell is this?” She frowned. “I don’t remember there being a metal door in the dragon lands…or anything buried that wasn’t just the dead…” She frowned.

Ember debated on waking Nylock, but shrugged it off. She was still a bit flush at the recent event and he was sleeping like a sack of hammers. Gently she touched the door, a hiss of steam and a quick second and the door slid open, revealing a room of dark glowing blue that should not be there. The room was roughly the size of her cave at a glance.

“Uh…huh…” She started, carefully walking into the new weird room. “Hello?” She called out carefully.

Once Ember was fully in the room, tail and all, the door shut behind her. Ember prepared for a fight. Suddenly, the room glowed a bright, blinding white. She rubbed the white out of her vision and suddenly found herself… in a store?

She looked around, seeing isles of assorted items, modern coastal glass window refrigerators with drinks of many kinds on one side. Another side held potions and raw ingredients. Another, to Ember's surprise, held weapons. Most of which she has never seen before in her life. Sitting behind the apparent counter was a being, dressed in a red hoodie, and their face seemed to be a mouth less, near featureless structure broken only by the yellow eye like dots on its 'face'.

"Welcome to the Every-Dimension General Store." It spoke, despite not having a mouth.

“Uh…hi there.” She said carefully. “Who are you and…how is this place in my house?” She questioned the apparent shopkeep.

"My name is Shopkeeper, I am the owner and merchant here and I have no idea. That door appears wherever and I have little control over where and why it appears where it does. Just as designed."

“Right then.” She nodded. “So…what do you sell?”

"Anything and everything." He said simply.

“And…what’s the currency for such things?” She asked, considering she had a lot of money and could probably buy some important things, like item’s to help make the barricade stronger if need be.

"I accept all currencies of every dimension." He stated simply.

“Fantastic.” She nodded. “So, is there anything that can help with fortifications and barricades?”

"Take your pick." He said, Ember jumping as suddenly the small shop changed into a gigantic warehouse filled with metal bars, bricks and stones and wood all around her. "I have everything."

Ember blinked at the sheer size of the place. “Uh…wow…”

"Take your time. Until the others finish their shit I'm here so no real rush given they just started with this world…" Shopkeeper said with a slight yawn.

“Bored or tired?” Ember asked, thinking about what materials they could use to enforce the barricade from monsters that can withstand dragon’s at their best.

"Bit of both." He replied casually. "So, what are those four up to this time?"

“Who’s the other three? Cause Demon sent creatures that are specifically designed to kill dragon’s, practically remade the Dragon Lands in some weird lush obsidian jungle, and this ‘Pain’ is the one that sent Nylocke and his friend’s to our world…maybe…also we should be glad Pain’s not the active aggressor here.” She said, moving over to some brick’s. “Are there any brick’s that can withstand molten lava?”

"The other two are Genie and Voodoo, and yes and especially yes. Had Pain sent those monsters instead place would have been known as the Dragon Graveyard. That woman has a lot of extinctions under her belt."

Ember whipped her head towards Shopkeep. “Excuse me what?” She asked in horror.

"Pain has committed mass multiverse wide genocide on multiple occasions. These 'plays' as Demon and Genie call them, of Games as Voodoo calls them, all require her monsters, but she is given worlds where she can fully let loose and it rarely ends with the 'heroes' victory. Half the time maybe a few… hundred survive her antics in those places? Her newest toy world already had a short load of monsters so all she's doing now is adding to the chaos there."

“Goodie…” She said carefully. “Well glad we don’t have to deal with that…so anyways, about those bricks?”

Ember spent a while looking through the various options, eventually settling on Estuval Stone bricks. They were a rock, but they were tough enough to both resist her claws and, according to Shopkeeper, could easily resist the heat of dragonfire or lava.

“Fantastic.” She nodded. “So, how much will this cost?”

"For the bricks, lava resistant concrete, sand and gravel mixes and all that totals… what's your world's currency?"

“Gold.” She answered. “Or ‘bits’ as the ponies call it.”

"56,790 bits."

Ember frowned, thinking back to her amount of money she had in her hoard, knowing full well she could pay it off in full, and wanting to help make a safe place for her people against those damned monsters…but her hoard meant a lot to her. “Crap…needs of the many outweighs my own need for a hoard…” She sighed out. “Besides, I’ll just gather more through grinding.” She muttered. “So uh…most of my money is back in my cave so…should I go grab all of it?”

"For an extra hundred bits I can throw in these." Shopkeeper said, tossing a small strap bound bag. It reminded Ember of a ponies Saddle Bags, but far smaller and likely meant for bipedal creatures. The second item was some sort of small metallic rectangle, colored similar to her scales. "This is a bag of Holding. Can literally hold anything and weigh nothing, just securely tighten it around your waist or hip for use, and this is a currency storage card. It will hold all your money within it and will display how much you have within it, and you can take the money out or put more in easily. It even binds to you so no one else can steal your money."

"Yes please." The dragoness said eagerly, being able to keep track of her entire hoard, keep it safe from any thieves, and be able to carry it all wherever she pleased? It was like the ponies Hearths Warming came early for the young dragon.

With a nod, Shopkeeper handed the card to Ember. She felt a tingle along her claws as she touched it, the card suddenly displaying her name, an image of her face and then at the very bottom a small series of numbers rapidly going up until it reached 107,547.

"And there we go, already subtracted the amount owed." Shopkeeper said as he pulled up what looked like an ordinary small box and opened it. Ember watched wide eyed as the supplies she purchased were sucked into the box and said box placed inside her new Bag of Holding as well. "I believe that is everything."

"Amazing…" she muttered in awe. "But...that should be everything I think…"

"Alright then. Have a nice day and if you need to shop or sell anything else, you know where my door is." Shopkeeper said as Ember turned around, spotting the store back to the original layout and look and the exit right there.

"Right. Thank you." Ember nodded as she exited the shop, ready to expand the barricade to help protect others of her kind.

As she exited, she spotted Nylock, still asleep but now only on a pile of gems and non bit, or gold, valuables. She was surprised he slept so deeply.

"Jeez, how heavy can he sleep?" Ember muttered, walking over to the sleeping dragon. "Also how'd he sort through all of my stuff to sleep on?"

Ember sighed as she rolled her eyes and put on her new Bag of Holding strap around her waist, making sure it was tight so it did not fall loose. Once that was done she desired to test it. The bag itself was actually quite small but the mouth of it could open quite wide. She started with the comic books Spike had gifted her. Each one slipped in without issue and soon all were safely tucked away inside the bag.

"These better not get damaged…" Ember muttered, having treasured the comics she was gifted from her first true friend.

She stashed more items into the bag, amazed that it really could house everything. She also learned that by reaching in empty handed and simply thinking about an item allowed her to instantly grab and pull it out. She finally slipped her magic metallic card that held all her gold wealth of her hoard within into the bag and desired to try and wake up Nylock.

"Wake up!" She shouted, not wanting to be subtle about it to her sleeping fiance.

“Mmm, five more minutes…” He mumbled.

Ember proceeded to put her hands underneath Nylocke and with a great feat of strength, table flipped her fiance. "Wake up lazy bones."

"Hmm, huh?" Nylock muttered, very tiredly managing to force his eyes open and look around. "Where… wasn't I sleeping on… gold coins?" He asked, half awake and trying to rub the tired from his eyes.

"You were, but I met Shopkeep." Ember answered, as she brought up her bag of holding. "And then he gave me this fancy thing."

"Shopkeep?" He questioned, slowly standing and trying to keep his own balance.

“He’s one of the same people like Demon and the others…maybe.” She said. “Only difference is that he owns the biggest shop I’ve ever seen, helped me buy some materials to make better walls.”

As Nylock stood up straight, Ember nearly jumped at the many audible pops and cracks echoing from his spine and joints. She did not know dragons could even make those noises. "Coffee…?" He asked weakly.

“How do you like your coffee?” Ember inquired.

"... Strong…" Nylock said before yawning. Ember had to admit, she was surprised to see he was not a morning person. His typical energy not just absent but subtracted from his functionality as a living being.

“Right…gonna need the ‘Dad’ cup here…” Ember muttered, thinking about how bad her father was without coffee as she went to a side cave Nylocke didn’t see before and went to a kitchen with all the necessities to deal with grouchy dragon’s who were not morning drakes. “Jeez, when was the last time I had to make this?” Ember muttered, trying to remember as she grabbed the necessary ingredients like it was second nature to her and making the fresh brew.

Dragons usually aren't that affected by normal coffee. So, they managed to make a deal with Zebra alchemists to create a special breed of coffee beans that is specific for dragons. A single Draco Coffee Bean is the equivalent to three hundred shots of Espresso of typical coffee. So the Expresso take on Draco Coffee is actually considered lethal to non dragons. Her dad would drink nine of them to wake up in the morning.

Once the cup was brewed and ready, she handed it to Nylock, who sniffed it before chugging the whole thing in one go.

“Need me to get you another one?” Ember asked. “Cause even my dad needed nine of those, which is comparable to five hundred espresso shots.”

Nylock didn't answer, finishing the cup before putting it down and taking a deep breath. "Three, two, one…" He muttered before suddenly jumping, nearly hitting the cave ceiling as he rubbed the remaining crusties and tired from his eyes. "Woah! Normally takes me three cups before I wake up properly." Nylock stated, his usual energy and pep returned as if by magic.

“There we go.” Ember chuckled. “Yeah, normal coffee can’t do shit for Dragon’s, and also, don’t bring up this kind of coffee to other races, it will kill them from too much caffeine.”

"Yikes! Well, now that I'm awake, what was that about a Shopkeeper?"

“So I started to dig, thinking we’d need more space for our kids later on, and I stumbled on a door that leads to a weird area that’s a massive shop, and this Shopkeeper is…a part of Demon’s group.” She explained nervously, as she pulled out her bag of holding and started pulling out all the barricade materials. “He sold me a whole lot of things, like a Bag of Holding and a weird card that holds all my money.”

"... Kids?" Nylock asked.

Ember realized what she said, and her blue scales quickly turned red.

“You didn’t hear shit.” She growled. “So anyways,” She started quickly. “We got new materials to make stronger walls, and hopefully start spreading out instead of just being stuck in here.”

"R-right, fair point…" Nylock nodded. "I guess I'll, go, um… check the wall." With that, Nylock rapidly ran out of the cave.

Ember stood there for a while, replaying the fact she said Kids in her head. The dragoness proceeded to kneel down and ram her head into the ground like an Ostrich and scream in pure embarrassment at what she said to Nylocke. ”Sweet Bahamut Ember what is wrong with you!?!” She mentally berated herself.

As she pulled her head out, she suddenly imagined small blue and green hatchlings… and proceeded to scream into the dirt again.

”Is it too late to find one of those Drakicites and have it murder me?” She mentally wondered. ”God help me from this embarrassing situation…”

She eventually managed to compose herself, taking a seat and sort her thoughts.

”Do I really want a kid with Nylocke? I mean…so far he’s a silly nerd that I enjoy being around…but kids? I barely know him and we have all of this nonsense…” The blue dragoness sighed out. “This sucks…” She grumbled, trying to sort through her head if she was really ready for kids.

As she pondered to herself, her cave suddenly shook in a familiar way. "Ember, I'm back." Her father said, peaking an eye through the cave entrance.

“DAD!” Ember shouted in glee, rushing towards him happily. “Are you hurt? What’s going on out there?”

"I am fine. I happened upon Nylock's companions entering the borders and pointed them here. Figured I'd fly ahead and give a heads up. Speaking of, where is that Knight?"

“He’s checking our barricade right now, as well as, hopefully, thinking about where to put new fortifications on.”

"Impressive. Good for him." Her father said with a nod, before looking at Ember closer. "Ember, you alright? You're head is covered in dirt."

“I’ve uh…it’s nothing dad.” She shook her head. ‘But I should go and tell Nylocke his friend’s are almost here, is there anyone else coming with them?”

"The Lunar Princess of the ponies is as well."

“Oh really? That’s new.” She said in surprise. “Crap…this isn’t really a time to see a royal now that the Dragon Lands are…like this…”

"Hm. Ember, I know I'm not the most… emotionally understanding, but if you need to talk you can. I know how hard the rule of a Dragon Lord can be, and I am still your father."

“Well…” She sighed out. “What am I supposed to think dad? Right now my entire country has been overrun by monsters that are specifically designed to kill our kind…the entirety of the Dragon Land’s has been overrun by some weird jungle…and I’m thinking about having kids of all things!” She said worriedly.

To Ember's surprise, her father chuckled.

“And what are you laughing about?” Ember asked, flushing in embarrassment as she pouted. “I’m having a real crisis on my claws here.”

"I'm sorry, it's just your mother wanted this conversation so badly with you, mostly because despite how young you were, you were so much like myself." Torch said with a chuckle. "Tell me Ember, how many drakes actually have a ceremony with their selected mate to announce their partnership?"

“I…don’t know…” She said carefully.

"Only we Dragon Lords and a rare selected nobility actually do." Torch explained. "The reason is exactly what you are experiencing. A dragoness has a unique Ability to just know their ideal mate at a glance by simply feeling the need to suddenly desire children. I feel like I don't need to tell you that this feeling you're expecting now has never happened when looking at other males?"

“Never…” She said nervously. “This…this is so new and…worrying…”

"It's nothing to worry about Ember. It's a natural sensation for a dragoness when they encounter their mate. You should just be happy you're the first one to encounter this with Nylock. Had another Dragoness gotten to him first, well, not every dragoness has your restraint and strength of will when these sensations hit."

“I can imagine.” Ember rolled her eyes. “If what stories I’ve heard about mom…all of which I wish I didn’t hear.”

Torch laughed again. "Yes, to be frank it's actually amazing you're even an only child. That aside, however I know you are stronger than others, and I can tell Nylock would not simply accept the advances of another."

"He's too noble for that, even if he isn't acting...like that." She said carefully.

"Well, regardless I know when you two actually talk about that rather than awkwardly run and hide from the issue, you are both adults after all. And set to be wed in a few days, best talk this out before it happens unexpectedly."

“I…I know…” Ember grumbled. “Doesn’t mean I’m not embarrassed as shit…”

"That will pass as you both learn to live with and love one another."

“True…” She nodded. “So how soon will our visitors get here?”

"Given the speed of their flying machine, they should be here in a few hours." Torch stated.

“Right then.” Ember nodded. “Well, better go find Nylocke and tell him the good news.” She said. “But…how have you been holding up? And are there any other survivors?”

"A large group managed to fortify the coast, and another took refuge inside Mt Blackstone. Others fled the dragon lands all together. Some are traveling to the other kingdoms, seeking asylum or refuge. Aside from that, there are still many that are… missing."

“Damn it…” She growled. “We need to set up something for us…we’re not some common lizards that could be killed off like this damn it!” She shouted, the pride of dragon’s, all the blood, sweat, tears, and death’s throughout the ages suddenly crashing down as being’s outside their knowledge acted like they were nothing but playthings for some ‘play’...it all seemed to be destroyed in one fell swoop.

"I agree there. This is infuriating, yet, also humbling." Torch said, surprising his daughter.

“Humbling!?” Ember asked in shock. “Dad…dragon’s have had to sacrifice so much…why are you saying that?”

"Ember, ever since the day Discord brought those… creatures to our lands so many centuries ago, we've kept that event as a memory of our strength and our wrath gone too far. But who outside the dragons even knows this anymore? The day we bested those monsters, we believed ourselves as a race both to be feared and to be kept isolated, and yet, overnight our lands have transformed, our fires and claws lack any effect against the threats now resting in our boarders, and many have scattered to the winds. We went from a self proclaimed top predator species, to one that is being hunted and corralled."

“All things considered, we know ourselves that we could scorch this entire planet and not many could do anything about it…” She said carefully. “But…this is beyond anything we could have expected…we’re being corralled because someone said ‘hey, let’s just make monsters that are somehow immune to dragon’s in their entirety…somehow’.” She frowned. “Our pride, our strength…everything about us means nothing when someone just says ‘I have created the dragon proof monster’...that’s not humbling, that’s just cheap…” She said weakly, trying to make some feasible excuse as to why this wasn’t fair at all.

"Isn't it?" Torch replied. "Even the smallest of us, few races can take on a dragon in one on one combat. Few metals and walls can keep out a dragon. We know and teach these facts to our young and yet, faced with an enemy we can't even touch, so many choose to hide or flee. All these events reminds me of something your mother once told me, one I never considered until recently."

“What’s that?” She asked carefully, wanting to know what her mother had to say when she felt well and truly powerless as a Dragon.

"This was many years ago, before even I became Dragon Lord. She said 'All our strength all our might and all our power, yet we laze about atop piles of gold, wealth is meant to spend, to build and to help, not to hoard.' Growing up all my life in the dragon lands, I never quite understood the meaning of her words until after you became Dragon Lord, and I had time to think about many things."

“Well…what in the world would we want to spend money on?” She asked. “And also, if it was mean to be used, why do we hoard and why is it intrinsic to our growth?”

"Well, I can see one option." Torch said, eyeing Ember's pouch. "And it's not, not really. Your friend Spike is proof enough of that."

“Except when he explained his ‘Greed Growth’...also he barely hoards from what he told me.” Ember pointed out carefully, scratching her head as too many thoughts raced through her head. “This sucks…” She grumbled, hating not knowing thing’s and only getting more and more questions.

"Change is always difficult, but in nature, if you don't adapt to the change, then you will be left behind, or worse. That's another thing your mother used to say, though her version was a bit more… colorful." Torch added with a chuckle.

“This is a nightmare…” She grumbled, rubbing her temples lightly. “Why couldn’t we just…ugh, why does ‘getting married’ sound more simple than what’s going on right now?”

"By comparison, it is."

Nylock sighed as he patrolled the wall for the third time. The morning with Ember was awkward to say the least. He always did like to imagine one day being a father, but to hear it, and given all that the dragons are going through… would it even be appropriate, or how, even. He still knew next to nothing of these lands' customs and rules. That's partly how he got engaged to Ember to begin with.

“Oh thank Bahamut there’s someone else!” Nylocke heard someone call out as Garble dove down towards Nylocke, the dragon knight seeing the poor dragon looking injured as he held a large stone shaped club. “The hell’s going on?”

"Sir Garble? What happened to you?" Nylock asked as he looked over the drakes' injuries.

The drake looked to have many dracite claw marks, some missing scales, and it looked like the young dragon had to put his left arm back into place. “Whatever’s been roaming around this place, that's what happened!” Garble said, the once cocky and proud dragon reduced to an injured mess on the verge of emotional collapse. “I’ve been looking everywhere for anyone else, trying to help Torch…but…”

"The Drakicites and other monsters." Nylock finished with a nod. "Without proper combat training or armaments, you quickly became overwhelmed."

“Yeah…” Garble said bitterly. “So…what have you been doing?”

"Lady Ember and I managed to discover a lot about the creatures. While anything a dragon would do to normally attack, fire, claws of raw strength seem to do nothing to them, yet a weapon even of simple wood or metals are capable of harming or killing them. The wall here, they oddly do not even try to bypass it, let alone come near it save a few occasions."

“That’s why I’m carrying this heavy thing…” Garble mentioned, swinging the makeshift club around carefully. “And…yeah, I noticed there was an outpost a few hours flight away from here and they weirdly stayed away from the walls…”

"Indeed. While quite the relief, it is quite suspicious."

“It really is…” Garble said carefully. “So what’s the plan right now?”

"Ember has discovered an… aid, of sorts. And in a while we will begin to reinforce the wall with the supplies she acquired from this unexpected helper."

“Right…” Garble said. “Can…can I rest here for a bit?” He said, using the club as a crutch. “I…haven’t had good sleep in a while…”

"Please do, I'm honestly amazed you are even still standing."

“We’re dragons…even these thing’s can’t handle our resilience…” He said, trying to find some pride against these monsters.

Nylock watched as he walked a bit til he sat to the ground and laid down to sleep on the dirt.

Nylock sat against the wall, wanting to keep an eye on the young Drake and began to wonder what to do next. "The wall will not be enough… I can feel it… maybe… maybe I can train them? Would be better in the end this way, at least it would prepare them better than their own pride and egos would…" Nylock muttered to himself.

Nylock remained seated there, looking up only when he spotted Ember flying towards him.

“I got important news from my dad.” Ember said. “You’re friend’s are going to be here in a couple of hours…and also…we got to talking…”

"That's wonderful… and, talk about what?"

“About…us having kids.” Ember blushed carefully. “Apparently…why I brought it up out of nowhere was…because my instincts tell me you…you are my true mate…”

"I, um…. Heh…" Nylock blushed as well. "Well, I'm flattered, but perhaps that should wait until after both the wedding, and once we've known each other long enough and when things calm down here in the dragon lands."

“I…I know…” She sighed out. “But we’re gonna have to talk about this sooner or later…and it’s better to now before mating season.”

"... There's a mating season?"

“Yes…” Ember said sheepishly. “It’s…not something many dragon’s talk about, or other races even know mostly…”

"That's… different." Nylock stated simply. "Definitely news to me…"

“Well it won’t happen for another couple of months so we don’t have to worry that much.” She shrugged. “So, when did you find Garble?” She asked. “And…how’d he end up like that?” She added worriedly.

"He ran up to the wall from the other side just like that. Said he was trying to help Torch, but clearly he was out of his league." Nylock explained.

“Jeez…” Ember looked to the sleeping dragon. “Poor guy must have gone through a lot of shit to get here…”

"I'm considering training some drakes to better defend this area and themselves. It's better than letting them run off, more pride than common sense and end up like that or dead…"

"Right…" Ember sighed out. "That's a good idea Nylocke." Ember nodded. "We need to get everyone trained...then we can show these monsters what it feels like to fuck with dragons." Ember growled.

"Not just Dragons, Ember." Nylock stated. "I get the feeling the Dragon Lands are just the start of this… 'Play' these beings are putting on. I'm willing to bet this will spread to many more locations."

"Yeah...it might…" Ember frowned. "Which will suck for everyone…"

"Ember… I know you might not like the idea, but do you think the Dragons could use some help?"

“We need help…our entire race is being threatened by creatures that are completely immune to us for someone else’s sick games…” Ember growled. “But one thing I know for certain…when the dragon’s come back…there will be a mass extinction on these damned monsters.” She growled.

"If it's all the same to you, I don't think things will ever go back to normal for anyone when all of this is over." Nylock said with a sigh. "I can only hope what grows out of this mess will be better and strong enough to live in a world like this."

“Hopefully…” She sighed out. “I…this is all too complicated…and it all happened too fast…”

"Something tells me that was the idea…" Nylock huffed. "They knew the dragons first reaction would be to fight them and the result was some dead and many wounded. Garble here proved this enough. Now that some have fled and others are behind barriers like this, I'm willing to bet it's a question of what will the dragons do next. Continue to hide? Fight but lose too their natural immunity to them? Or change and adapt? The main thing I just want to know is why the dragons first? If this is going to spread, why the dragons first… and who will be next?"

“The dragon’s first because we are the physically, and sometimes magically, strongest race on the planet, and also…it might be because your friend’s were heading here immediately, and…I don’t know who will be next…” Ember sighed out.

“Hmm, maybe, but if that is the reason then it might be worse than I fear.”

“How bad?” She asked carefully.

“Well, if it’s something like what they do in my world in some wars… First, knock out the strongest, then, pick off the rest off the list of strength. Dragon Lands have been changed, and with all the monsters… who’d be next on the list of strongest creatures on this planet?”

“Well…that would probably be the Ponies, cause they are the ones that are ‘jack of all trades’ in our world.” Ember said. “They’re not the best at anything, besides maybe magic, but they’re agricultural powers are what keeps Equestria the size it is and keeps it from being attacked by other countries.”

“Hmm… What about the other races, what do they all excel at?”

“Well, not getting into any industrial bits, a lot of races are really good physically, the more physical races would be Yak’s, Minotaurs Diamond Dogs, and a few others, while other races are great magically like Changelings, Breezies, Kirin, and many others.” She said. “The physically strongest would honestly be a tie between Yak’s and Minotaurs, I don’t remember if they ever figured out that whole thing…and magically I’d have to say Kirin’s, as they are the closest to dragon’s by blood and have kept themselves in check for centuries.” She explained. “Then there’s the…special sapient races that are extraordinary rare.”

“Hmm…” Nylock thought, trying to think on who would be next on the list.

“One thing I hope they don’t do is open Tartarus…” Ember said carefully. “But yeah…there’s a lot of races out there, and it’s a bit annoying trying to keep track of what everyone’s doing when you already have to run a country…”

“Tartarus? That’s something that’s a myth in my world. Back home it’s an underworld, a type of afterlife. Is it similar here?”

“Weird, cause our Tartarus is a prison created to keep the worst of the worst locked up if normal means like banishment or petrification either didn’t work or for other reasons.”

"Hm, interesting. Is it also protected by a three headed hound?"

“Giant black bulldog yes.” Ember nodded. “Named Cerberus.”

"Hm, in my world they vary, but never a bulldog." Nylock said with a shrug. "Interesting. In any case, hopefully when the others arrive we can discuss and plan properly."

“That would be for the best.” Ember nodded. “Hopefully they won’t mind…all of this going on.”

"They are warriors, like myself. They will see all this and happily accept the challenge."

“Hopefully…they’ll certainly be confused about you getting married from what you’ve told me about them.” She shrugged.

"No doubt squire Kirbopher will and is laughing about it." Nylock agreed with a chuckle.

“Considering what little you’ve told me about him…yeah I’d see that.” Ember chuckled, looking up and seeing the large Zeppelin flying towards where they were.

To be continued...

Revelation's and Decisions

Since the arrival of Alpha, Flamegirl, Gamecrazed and Kirb, the Dragon Lands had gotten just a little safer.

The wall fortifications we're finished, a group of willing drakes we're training and gathering weapons, some even adorning armor as the beasts outside.

And finally, the day of the wedding arrived.

Ember and Nylock were taken to separate caves to prepare.

“Trust me, it’s going to be fine Nylocke.” Alpha said to the extremely nervous dragon knight.

"I- I just… agh…" He groaned, his armor painted black as old draconic symbols painted along his face, arms and tail. All part of the ceremony.

"It could be worse my guy." Kirb shrugged. "We could be in a weird Hangover situation today."

"I just… well…maybe… ugh… Ember is gonna kill me…" Nylock groaned. "I don't know how to be a husband, you can't role play that!"

"Just be yourself." Alpha said. "Either as your role playing self or your real self."

"And trust me, you can role play in a marriage, just make sure it's in private alright big guy?" Kirb teased.

Nylock looked down at the squire, and to everyone's surprise, kicked the small dark elf into Alpha's quick catch. "This is no time for jokes, mini emo Link!"

That took everyone in the room by shock.

"Well fine, if your gonna be a dick about a basic ass joke…" Kirb frowned.

"I'm with Kirb here Nye…what the hell was that?" Alpha asked worriedly.

"I am getting married to the Dragoness Lord of a world not our own, in the body of my avatar… and Tonight I'll have to… to… to perform… husbandly duties! I've never even kissed a girl before let alone has sex!"

"No need to be a dick about it though." Kirb stated.

"I'm sure things will be alright." The Greek/Roman inspired player said honestly. "I know it's a lot to take in, but how do you think Ember feels about this?"

Meanwhile…

"Do you think Nylocke has one big one or two?" Ember asked Flamegirl and Gamecrazed, who both comically fell to the floor at that question.

"Ember!" Flamegirl blushed brightly at that question.

"Hey, I'm just asking cause…I've…never been with another dragon before…" Ember answered, blushing a bit as she was dressed up in the old ways.

"And…if he has two big ones?" Gamecrazed brought up carefully.

"GC!" Flamegirl shouted incredulously.

"Then I hope I'm able to walk tomorrow." Ember blushed even brighter.

"I doubt that. Knowing Nylock he'll probably be as awkward as you." Gamecrazed.

Ember sighed, looking herself over in the reflective mirror. Black and gold paint covered her and ancient draconic symbols were painted on her torso, wings and belly.

"I just…hope I'm good enough…" Ember said honestly.

"Right… you two are perfect for one another…" Flamegirl sighed, knowing Nylock is likely freaking out just as bad as she was if not worse.

"And how do you know that?" Ember inquired.

"I've known Nylocke long enough." She stated. "Both are similar yet different. Like opposite sides of the spectrum."

"Well…glad to know I have a chance." Ember said honestly. "Cause…Nylocke is an amazing guy, role playing or not."

"Ah, so you know about that." Gamecrazed said. "That's good, best to know that about him before you marry the nerd."

"Yeah, I learned that when he beat my dad in a fight." Ember admitted.

"Yeah, he did mention that's how this whole thing started." Flamegirl said.

"Yeah, we dragon's hold a contest and 'bet' the most prized thing they have…and lo and behold, my dad's most prized possession was me and my hand in marriage."

"Makes sense. What more would a father treasure than his daughter?" Gamecrazed stated.

"True." Ember nodded. "So, how'd you two meet Nylocke?"

"I was on a quest. Just for some work and he ended up tagging along. Was weird but fun and different, so we kept in contact and eventually our group formed." Flamegirl said.

"He found me. I usually hung around… sparsely populated areas. Nylock found me by chance, and went on and on with his whole knight gimmick. And, well, we just kept running into one another, so eventually I ended up joining the group." Gamecrazed said.

"Sounds like fun." Ember said honestly.

"It has been. So, you two are really going to… do that, after the wedding?"

"Well…" Ember blushed. "We…have to right? It's only proper to…share an intimate moment after a special day right?"

"Well, that is the common going yes." Flamegirl said. "Maybe just take it slow. I'm betting this will be his first time too."

"It'll be my first time to…" Ember said nervously. "Well…let's hope this day goes well…"

And so, the wedding began. Ember walking down the aisle as Nylocke standing at the alter.

Before and above the two stood Torch. "Dragons, and guests, we are gathered here to witness the union, of Dragon Lord Ember, and the Noble Knight Nylocke, in holy matrimony. I, as the former Dragon Lord, and father of the bride, by my authority, wed these two. The runes across Nylock read for protection, honor, duty, and loyalty to his mate and family. The runes across Ember, read for happiness, fortune, luck and fertility." That made Ember blush. "These are the runes given to us by the Dragon God Bahamut, to create a union between two drakes of exceptional promise or of rare nobility. By my authority as the former Dragon Lord, I wed these two in holy matrimony. May they find strength, love and riches and honor for the glory of the Dragon Lands. You may kiss, and be wed."

And with that, Nylock and Ember kissed, rather awkwardly, and we're flown to a private cave.

"Well… that happened." Alpha said.

"Expected a little bit more fanfare, maybe those runes glowing a bit more but eh." Kirb shrugged. "So, while they go off to do the dirty, what are we all gonna do?"

"I was gonna check the training camps." Alpha said.

"Same." Flamegirl said.

"I was going to check on Luna and the Zeppelin." Gamecrazed said.

"Fair enough." Kirb nodded. "Well, you three have fun then, I have to…do something." Kirb said vaguely, hating the choices he's about to make but knowing it was for the best.

Once he was far enough away and hidden, he pulled out the card with his Zeto avatar on it. He looked the card over.

"If I do this…there's no going back…" Kirb muttered. "Am I…this desperate to save my friends?"

With a heavy sigh, he touched the card to his chest, and Zero emerged as Kirb went into the card.

With a rush of speed, he stealthily made his way up the mountain to the private cave Ember and Nylock were within.

His plan was simple: hide out, wait for the two to finish and fall asleep, then sneak in and take the scepter.

As gross as it felt he leaned an ear to the cave to listen…

…

The silence confused him.

"Uh…why am I not hearing anything?" Zeto mentally questioned himself, wondering why the two awkward love birds weren't going at it like rabbits.

Slowly, he walked into the cave. Once in halfway he spotted them. A bed, a proper bed it seemed, and Nylock rested on his back, Ember atop them and the two just sat like that, red faced and looking at one another as if in a trance.

"I…didn't expect…both to be so big…" Zeto heard Ember comment in a breathless tone.

"Did…she say 'both'?"

"I… didn't know I had… two." Nylock replied.

Zeto slowly walked back out of the cave, his mind processing that short yet all too revealing conversation between the two awkward newlyweds.

“Uh…sure…” Zeto shook his head slowly. “I…really hope the Zeppelin has some strong drinks…”

And so, Zeto waited. After a full ten minutes the sounds he was expecting started coming from the cave. Trying to ignore that and wait it out.

Two hours later the sounds finally stopped.

“Good lord…” Zeto grumbled, not believing he had to endure hearing those two go at it for two goddamn hours…”I’m seriously gonna need to drink after this…”

Walking inside, the small of heat and… fluids in the air. Holding their breath, he walked around the bed, not looking at the two and the mess they were sleeping in as he spotted the carved blue scepter, adorned with a large red gem at the top.

"There you are…just gotta grab you, and get the hell out of this absolute mess..." Zeto thought to himself, trying to sneak around to get to the scepter.

He grabbed the scepter, and slowly began making his way out-

Slip

With a thud, Zeto slipped on something rather slippery… and sticky…

"Gross…" Zeto let slip a whine of pure disgust.

"What was- what?!" Nylock said as he sat up.

Zeto rapidly got up and ran.

"Shitshitshitshit!" Zeto repeated quickly as he ran away as fast as he could.

Zeto made it to the wall when suddenly Ember landed before him, surprisingly clean… and walking. "You… on my wedding night have the gall to steal my scepter?!"

"What's one little scepter to the two you spent riding on for two hours?" Zeto asked. "Had to wait two Goddamn hours hearing you two awkwardly fuck, I'm taking this as payment."

"You- you pervert thief!" She shrieked. "That scepter is mine, and as the Dragon Lord it's my right to kill you for taking it!" She yelled, charging at Zeto.

"Oh? Little whelp wants to fight like an adult?" Zeto taunted. "Then hit me with your best shot!" He shouted, his declaration seeming to shake the ground a bit.

Unphased, Ember continued, bringing her claws out and ready to slash at their torso.

As Zeto raised his arms, Ember slashed down onto his torso…only to feel her claw’s stop on his torso. “Wh-what?” Ember asked in shock.

Zeto shook his head with a growing grin. “Thought you were stronger than that princess?”

She backed up, breathing deep as she then blew out a breath of fire right into Zero's face.

“Thanks, it was getting a bit chilly in here.” Zeto said nonchalantly.

Before Ember could react, Zeto gave her a hard slug to the jaw, knocking the Dragon Lord down. As she got back up, she spat out two teeth and some blood.

“Listen, I sympathize with what you're dealing with.” Zeto said honestly, leaning down to be eye level with her. “Being’s that are completely immune to your race, slaughtered like animals…I understand it’s a massive pain in the ass.” He said, raising the Dragonlord Scepter up and lightly placing the stone on her head. “But let me show you a real nightmare.” Zeto growled, as Ember saw Zeto’s robotic arm glow with an aura she’d never thought she’d ever see, as the Dragonstone Scepter funneled a painful memory of his into her.

What Ember saw was…bone chilling. A monster as big as her father, as black as a starless night, and with the power of Negative Emotions funneling it, she saw a young man, another ‘avatar’ like Nylocke explain get it’s arm cut off…but the pain, and the blistering scream’s of real, unfettered pain assaulted her mind and body. “Know that I do this not for petty reasons, to mess with you on the night of your wedding, but to save you, and everyone you’ll learn to care about.” Zeto stated in a hushed tone, his voice cold, calculating, and filled to the brim with experience and age. “So if you’ll excuse me, I have someone more important to meet.”

With that, Zeto left Ember there, processing the memory and the burning illusionary pain she felt from it.

He jumped the wall and quickly spotted Voodoo, leaning against a tree with what seemed to be a wine glass filled with an unknown bubbling liquid. "Not bad, not bad at all kid." He said.

“I hate everything about this…also how the hell did I do that?” Zeto asked Voodoo, now processing what he just did.

"That." He motioned with his glass to the scepter. "It's not just some magic rock that links it's user to the dragon's kid, it's an Elemental Gem. Specifically, an Emotion Gem. Through it one can pass along feelings, desires, memories and all sorts of neat tricks. What they're using it for is but a fraction of it's actual power." Voodoo explained, managing to take a sip of his drink.

“Then…why did my arm glow like that?” Zeto asked. “It felt…different than before…and I doubt it had something to do with the Gem…also how the hell is Emotion’s an Element?”

"Elements are a lot more complex and plentiful than you typically believe them to be. The fact is anything that's part of existence is considered an element and therefore can have a gem variation. But that glow has to do with you, or rather, that 'avatar'."

“Why would it have something to do with my avatar?” Zeto asked. “Sure I’m a Netking, who Beta Tested the VR tech but…that shouldn’t give me some extra powers right?”

"Oh back in your home reality of software and hardware, none at all, but here, you would and have been classified as a demi-god my cybernetic friend."

Zeto went wide-eyed at that. “No…but…if I’m a Demi-God…then…that thing would be…” Zeto trailed off in horror.

"An abomination. After all, here, the Net Kings, Sofdi, Gods. You and your female fellow beta tester, Demi-Gods. That thing, an Abomination. Ah, don't worry every God makes one or two by accident in their early years. Most of the Eldritch monsters are such abominations."

“But…then Alpha would be suffering even more now…” Zeto said fearfully. “That monster would have untold amount of power, even in it’s contained state…” The beta-tester said, trying to think of how in the world this can all go horribly wrong if he, or literally anyone else, got careless.

"Relax, your friend Alpha is tougher than you give him credit for. Now then, I believe we had a deal?" Voodoo said, pulling up the flip phone from his vest pocket.

“Y-yes…” Zeto nodded, composing himself after that revelation. “You get the Scepter…or the Gem at this point, and I get a fancy transdimensional flip phone.” He said, handing the scepter to Voodoo.

Voodoo took the scepter, and gave the flip phone to Zeto. Once it was in his grasp, he popped the gem atop it out and tossed that to Zeto too.

“Is there a way to replace the Gem?” Zeto asked, taking the phone and the gem.

"With great difficulty. Emotion Gems need to be made and they are not easily made."

“Gonna need a whole lotta emotion’s put into a special kind of gem I take it?”

"In simple terms yes, basically."

“Fair.” Zeto nodded. “Well…time to give this back and tell them they can create another one…newlyweds might be able to do it on pure accident.”

"I never said the gem was to return." Voodoo said.

“Not the Gem,” Zeto raised the gemless scepter. “This thing, why do you think I mentioned they would create another on pure accident?”

"I doubt they'll be grateful to receive an empty stone stick."

“Hmm, fair.” Zeto shrugged. “But information to get it to work again, that would at least soften the blow.”

"That will cost you again."

“Are you kidding me?” Zeto frowned.

"I make deals kid, you want something you have to give me something. The only ones who will give you anything for free are Genie and Demon but they already have their assigned champions. I'm all you got."

Zeto frowned, rubbing his temples bitterly. “Cause of course…” Zeto muttered. “So…might as well ask, did you figure out who the ‘big bad’ is right now?”

"Yes. Felt a bit obvious but his ambitions are greedy enough and he is willing to do anything for power, so we picked him, but we did also pick a backup just in case." Voodoo said. "Now then, onto business. The price of information is rarely cheap, but you've shown your determination so far."

“I want to protect my friends…even if I have to be a monster to do it…” Zeto said, trying to push past the feeling of his heart being ripped apart by that statement.

"Good answer… hmm, what to charge, what to barter… ah, perfect. Information for information is as fair a trade as any. There are dragons here that spend their long lived lives writing down this and that and whatever upon their own scales. They guard an old skull, a relic from a bygone war." Voodoo said, tossing Zeto a card that was blank. "Place that on the skull, it will be stored within and bring it to me."

“Alright…” Zeto nodded. “And where would this skull be?” Zeto inquired, taking the card and pocketing it.

"The cave is fairly deep in those mountains. But you'll know it when you see it. Lot of old clawed in symbols and such around the entrance."

“Alright.” Zeto nodded. “This all…better be worth it in the end…”

"That's up for you to decide kid."

"And you're sure it was Zeto?" Alpha asked.

"Positive." Nylock said with a nod. "He stole the scepter and Ember chased after him immediately. When I found her she was injured a bit but not badly. If anything she was just… shaken." Nylock said, angered at the fact Zeto appeared here, stole his wife's scepter and ruined what was ending up to be an amazing day. "She's in the cave resting."

“That’s…strange…” Gamecrazed commented vaguely.

“I mean, while it’s terrible that he stole something from Ember on your wedding night…better question is…why?” Flamegirl pointed out. “What does the Scepter have to do with anything involving Zeto?”

"I don't know, but I'm wagering a guess that these higher beings that are causing all this mess are the leading reason."

“The All Makers…” Gamecrazed answered. “They are…extremely powerful, and know things about us that even we don’t know…” The morphological explained carefully.

"This Zeto, is he a criminal from your world?" Luna asked.

"No." Alpha shook his head. "He knows…a lot about what's plaguing me…" Alpha put a hand to his chest. "He has good intentions but…he's kind of an asshole."

"I see. Well, for the act of theft from royalty he is one now, and in the dragon lands, he is to be hunted down and executed for his crime."

"Whoa hold up, isn't that a little drastic?" Alpha asked worriedly.

"You're not going to kill him." Gamecrazed stated bluntly.

"Tis not up to me, tis up to Dragon Lord Ember if he is captured within the Dragon Lands." Luna stated.

"What…was that monster?" Everyone turned to see Ember, still clearly shaken as she held her right arm from the phantom pain.

"That was… something from back home." Alpha commented. "It goes by the Forbidden Power. But it's… sentient and… dangerous. I don't know what it is entirely, all I do know is that it's very, very angry."

"Zeto…showed me that monster…" Ember said, which shocked everyone at that revelation. "He…the pain…I thought your…'avatars' weren't supposed to feel pain in your world?"

"We…we're not…" Flamegirl shuddered. "But this…thing that's haunting Alpha…it goes beyond anything we know…"

"I see. Well, for now he has escaped, should he return we shall hunt him down for questioning. For now, we split up. If he does decided to strike again it could be with far worse damage." Luna stated. "Sir Gamecrazed, with me, Nylock, tend to your wife, Flamegirl and Alpha, patrol around and see where your friend Kirb vanished off to."

With that, Luna and Gamecrazed went off, and once they were far enough away she asked. "So, what do you know that they do not?"

"It's…he's my mistake…" Gamecrazed said sadly. "It…it was too much…I…I didn't mean to…"

"Calm yourself, please. How did this creature come into existence?"

"Too much data…negative emotions…I thought I could contain it but…the Shadow Guard was too scary and…He wanted out.."

"I see, so in a moment of fear you accidentally created this power but never knew it would be capable of causing harm to the people. Tell me, does he have a name? Alpha called it the Forbidden Power, and you mention a Shadow Guard, but neither of those seem like it's name."

"Kajet…" Gamecrazed answered. "The very first boss my family created for their game…"

"I see, and this Kajet is in what relationship to you? Sibling? Child?"

"He…would be my brother, but his powers were born from me…" Gamecrazed answered. "But…it's tormenting my friends…it's hurting my brother, causing him to do bad things just to make sure it doesn't hurt the others more…" The purple shapeshifter looked down, trying to keep their composure even though they blamed themselves for this.

"I see, would you say that you could reabsorb this power from Kajet?"

"I…can't…" Gamecrazed sighed. "The moment it bound to Kajet, it became it's own being…the only way I could stop it was to seal it away…but someone just had to start hunting for it when it was perfectly sealed away…"

"Any power given by a god can also be taken back by said god. I believe you can, Gamecrazed."

"But…how?" They asked. "I…I don't know how…I still don't understand how I'm a God…"

"With practice and a teacher." Luna informed them. "Private lessons of course, after all this is your secret to tell them if you choose."

"I…I know…" She sighed. "I just…hope Zeto will be alright…if there's anyone that cares about TOME and it's players more than me, it would be him…"

"So what is Zeto then? Is he like your makers?"

"He was the beta tester for the combat of the game and the VR technology that they were developing for my home." Gamecrazed said. "He was…the first to suffer from my mistakes…his avatars arm was cut off…and…and the scream of pain he made…"

"I see… so while not directly he did aid in your world's development. That would make him a Demi-God here then."

"Which…raises all sorts of problems…" She brought up.

"Very much so. As a demi-god all his abilities will be lesser variations of the ones who crafted him, possibly even some of yours. While he won't be making planets and galaxies he will be capable of powerful deeds. And if these All Maker beings are guiding him, who knows what powers he is working to obtain."

"The power to either contain, or kill Kajet." Gamecrazed answered. "And…technically, because he's a Demi-God working to defeat a monster…he could be given some 'Divine Adventure' clause or something to make his actions at least not illegal…"

"No such laws exist I am afraid." Luna said with a click of her tongue.

"I'm sure Ember won't press charges if she knows about Kajet….and the dangers it can bring…"

"Maybe not, but her Father Torch on the other hoof, well, he is notoriously protective of his daughter. Odds are he would try and kill Zeto for his crime."

Zeto huffed, trying to better sneak through the lands again and finding the cave he needed. The dragons inside were strong, Powerful, but he was better. Each of the drakes we're beaten into unconsciousness and soon he spotted it. A skull of some large beast burning in an eternal fire at the bottom of a Pitt in the back of the cave.

“Jeez…” Zeto muttered. “Talk about a trophy…” He muttered, gently pulling out the card and tapping it to the beast’s head. “Wonder what you truly were…”

In a flash the skull itself disappeared, it's image appearing on the card and acting fast he rushed out of the cave, sneaking through the walled off area and thankfully meeting up with Voodoo with no issues.

Voodoo took the card, looking it over and despite lacking facial features, Zeto could just tell he was smirking. "Good, very good, and much sneakier than before."

"So what was that thing?" Zeto inquired.

"A beast, a prankster lacking taste or skill, unleashed to see how strong the dragons really were. Unlike him however, we know better than to just throw a beast of brute force at them." Voodoo said, looking the card over before tossing a book at Zeto. "That book contains the means to make them a brand new Emotion stone, and so much more."

“Thank you.” Zeto nodded. “And…beast’s that were capable of fighting against Dragon’s in a fist fight? That’s a first.”

"Maybe for you, but your still a young blood. You best hurry along now, I imagine your friends will be wondering where Kirb is by now."

“Yeah…” Zeto nodded. “And…well, Kirb can say ‘Zeto left this as forgiveness’.” Zeto said. “I…still hate this…”

"So he just threw this at your head then ran off?" Nylock asked as Kirb was finally found just outside the wall.

“Yes.” Kirb nodded. “Bastard has a hell of a throwing arm that’s for sure…” Kirb said, rubbing the back of his head that had a small pump that he made himself to help the bit.

"I can see. Strange. Steals the Scepter, steals the relic from their one and only major war… then throws a book at you?" Nylock questioned.

“Well, maybe it has something of equal or greater value?” Kirb suggested. “I haven’t read it yet, but if he threw a book at me after doing that, it must be filled with something important.”

"Maybe. Honestly that player confuses me." Nylock sighed as he opened the book. "Sweet Gods above! This book tells in detail how to create a variety of artifacts and unique items." He said, flipping the pages.

“Like what?” Kirb asked, trying to see what nonsense was in this book Voodoo gave him.

"Well, it seems to be a mix. Some items from TOME and some items I've never seen before. They're mixed into either Combat or Support or Artifact categories."

"That's pretty cool." Kirb said honestly, managing to see some of the items in the book and in awe at all of them.

"I'll bring this to Princess Luna. With luck we might be able to recreate some of these items."

With that Nylock walked off to the Zeppelin. Kirb, against their better judgement, decided to check on someone.

He found Ember in her cave, sitting on a stone slab made into a makeshift chair. "Oh, you're Kirb, right?" She asked him.

"Yes I am." Kirb nodded, trying not to be awkward around her after that whole situation. "And you must be Ember, the lucky lady to marry my best friend Nye."

"Heh, I guess I am." She said, rubbing her slightly swollen jaw. The impact from Zeto's hit left a few of the scales cracked. "Not gonna be enjoying gems for a while."

"I can imagine, but do dragon's regrow teeth like sharks can?" Kirb inquired.

"Yeah, just takes a while." She huffed. "Just glad he hit me in the jaw and not the stomach."

"He's an asshole, not a monster." Kirb said honestly. "At least, that's what my friends told me."

"Yeah, well at least that asshole didn't do much else. Those… memories were terrifying. I just hope dad doesn't freak out too bad… nevermind, he will. But hey, if it could have been worse if he did hit me in the guts…" She sighed, placing a hand over her belly.

"Wait…you're already pregnant?" Kirb asked in shock.

"Those runes they painted on us weren't just for cosmetics." Ember said, breathing a small bit of fire on her belly. The same runes from the wedding where there, formed by the flames then quickly faded. "A dragon without a mate can not procreate. It was a decree by the Dragon God Bahamut. Basically it doesn't matter how much we fool around unless we're married to them we aren't having kids. Males, females, even with other species. Unless we are bound in marriage we are not producing offspring. Given how long gives dragons typically are, it's beloved he did that so we didn't just overpopulate the planet. We also can only have one egg a year."

"Huh, that's interesting." Kirb said. "Wondered why the runes didn't glow when you officially were married, cause its less flashier than I thought." Kirb shrugged. "Well, congrats on the kid."

"Heh, thanks. Honestly telling Nylock all that was… awkward but, better he know before than when I was laying the egg." She chuckled. "As for that, what I do know about Draconic runes is that they are not as flashy as pony magic is. It's more subtle and immediate. Less colorful lights and such."

"Works for me." Kirb nodded. "Better to know it works than have a laser light show ya know?"

"Yeah. Well, thanks for visiting."

Avenborn floated rather bored in the void between TOME and this new land, Equestria, he had been informed. There was long periods of nothing to do.

"My god this is boring!" Aven groaned loudly.

"Yeah that checks." Aven jumped, or made the motion as he floated in the rift at the new voice. The being before him was dressed in blue jeans, a red hoodie, and wore a complete blank mask to cover their face. "Hi, Shopkeeper." They waved.

"Sup." Aven nodded. "Avenborn." The griffon introduced.

"This set up is kinda dull." With a snap of his fingers, Shopkeeper and Aven suddenly found themselves in a fair sized room. A door on each end, a carpet connecting the two. On one door read TOME, the other, Equestria. Aven suddenly fell the the floor, a thud as he felt the weight of gravity pull him down. "There, that's a bit better."

"Well…this is a bit better…" The dragoon commented, getting back up and stretching a bit.

"Like it, figured an office type setup might be nice." Shopkeep said as the room changed. Suddenly a waiting area, a desk and a new door appeared behind the desk as a counter and various other office supplies appeared. "There we go."

"While working a desk job is…rather annoying, better than floating in space doing nothing." Aven shrugged. "And here I wanted to just farm raid bosses for their weapons…"

"Oh relax, I treat my employees right." Shopkeep said as he walked over to the new door, Aven following. Shopkeep opened the new door and Aven was greeted by… a perfect replica of his home apartment. Everything. "Figure a little slice of home makes you feel less… depressed."

“Wh-what? This…this is exactly my place…” Aven said in awe. “How…?”

"Has anyone come here and given you the usual orientation?" Shopkeep asked as his faceless mask looked over at Aven.

“Genie gave me a brief bit, saying my new job is a Ferryman and…that’s more so it I guess.” Aven shrugged.

"Ugh, of course. Just because you fall into my jurisdiction I have to do all the work here." Shopkeep said, taking in a big breath of air. "So, long story short, I and the others are what are known as All Makers, basically think of a God, any God, any religion and we are what those guys pray too." He stated bluntly. "We go around messing with people and galaxies and dimensions and universe's for two reasons. One, it's fun and we are very old and very bored. Second, we select champions to represent these places and the winning champion gains a great reward. And then there's people like you," Shopkeep turned around, poking a finger in Aven's chest. "Who end up working for me. You are not a champion but you are vital to this play, game, Tomfuckery whatever you want to call it, you are needed and thus gain the privilege of when all is said and done if you have a home dimension to return to, can return to it or continue working for me if you so choose or in the event your home reality is obliterated back into empty void."

“Right then.” Aven nodded. “So, what’s my special part in this shenaniganry? Cause while I was told I was a Ferryman, I don’t have a boat, or have any customer’s for it.”

"Yeah, Ferryman might be beautifying it. You're more like… border patrol." Shopkeep said, pushing Aven out of his apparent replica and into his desk. "So, you sit here and someone, either from the TOME door or the Equestria door will get dropped in. They take a number, you call that number up and then your desk magically spawns a file folder of them. Their life story, special talents, powers and ECT all on display for you to read. From there you decide if they go back or through to the other door. However, you will get a few that have 'passports'. These passports give them free travel between TOME and Equestria."

“Fair enough.” Aven nodded. “Good thing I’ve gotten all the achievements on Paper’s Please…”

"Yes well that aside you do have a second job. When it is slow you will open the drawer to your left." Aven looked, seeing said drawer and pulling it out. Inside was two decks of cards. "Those cards carry with them every monster that exists in TOME and Equestria and you will pick which ones get sent to a random place on either world."

“Interesting.” Aven nodded, sifting through many of the cards. “Jeez, even after grinding for well over a year, I still hate how I only have a third of the TOME boss weapons…”

"Right. Well all that is left now is the matter of your payment."

“And what’s my payment?” Aven inquired.

"Well that depends solely on what you want to be paid in."

“And what can I be paid in?” Aven asked curiously. “Cause I doubt money will be a problem here.”

"Whatever you want within reason really." Shopkeep shrugged.

“Damn…” Aven said in awe. “Hmm…so many decision’s…”

Aven considered his options. Anything within reason was definitely a surprise… though he did wonder, given who he was now working for, what actually fell within reason.

“What actually falls within reason?” Aven inquired, nocurious as to what ‘within reason’ for someone doing extra dimensional border patrol would be.

"I will not make you a God. I will not give you all the secrets of the universe. Mostly for your own safety, your head will explode. Literally. Lastly I will not tell you the meaning of life because the answer is just anticlimactic."

“Right then.” The former hacker nodded. “So…then I suppose…” He hummed. “Jeez there’s still a lot of things, cause I probably need money and food even with my new…job.”

"So standard employee payment package then?"

"Yeah, might as well start off simple." Aven nodded. "By the way, will I have time off to do some monster hunting? Cause I still have bosses to grind."

"Well this is a 9-5 plus weekends off so, yes."

"Awesome." Aven nodded. "At least I'll have plenty of time to grind…seriously, the fact that I'm a border patrol officer for the multiverse and the fact I still want to grind a video game is…almost laughable at how absurd it is."

"Not really, considering the hobbies of some of your co-workers."

“Who are my co-worker’s if I may ask?”

"You'll meet them, mainly on your days off."

“Fair enough.” I nodded. “So, how strong are some of the monster’s I’m gonna have to be fighting?” Aven asked, checking to see if he can open up his stats menu and mess with it.

"What monsters will you be fighting?"

“Well, I’m border patrol as you said and…well either monster’s from ‘out of town’ will try to force their way through the barriers, or some dumbasses try to illegally get past and try to start a fight…right?” Aven asked.

"Sometimes. If they do, then you have the right to imprison, detain or kill them on the spot."

“Fair enough.” Aven nodded. “And how strong are they?” Aven asked, thankful to open his stat’s menu.

"Most anything from Equestria you should be stronger than, TOME, it varies. Thankfully you still have your little Cheat Power in the form of a spell. It will max your stats out to full for five minutes."

“Five minutes? That’s a pretty heavy nerf.” Aven said.

"Trust me, it will be more than enough. Now then, expect at least several people and or creatures a day and try not to lose the ones you imprison. Last thing we need is another Backrooms search and rescue."

“Cause of course that’s real…” Aven groaned. “Seriously…just thought it was some creepypasta nonsense…”

"Okay, you need to remember one thing here Aven… we deal with a Multiverse of Multiverses, an infinite cycle of realities made every millisecond, eternally… that means everything you think is fiction… exists. There is everything you can and can't imagine out there. Your biggest fantasies and your darkest fears all out there. So, good luck with all that."

“Fantastic…” Aven grumbled. “But…hey, more raid bosses to hunt and jack their shit right?”

"More or less yeah."

"On your right!" Flamegirl called out, Alpha dodging a swing from a six legged giant spider as she shot a fireball at it.

“So remind me again what a giant fuck off spider has to do in a molten jungle!?” Alpha asked, firing off a lightning bolt at the giant thing.

"No idea, but they fry like any other bug." Flamegirl said as she landed atop it's head, crushing the exoskeleton of the head.

“Thanks Steph…” Alpha shuddered lightly. “Still hate spiders.”

"Yeah, not a big fan myself but all in all at least there aren't many."

“Yeah, that’s very preferable.” Alpha nodded. “So…everything’s started to go to hell…”

"In a handbasket, and up shit creek without a paddle." Flamegirl agreed.

“Better question is…how does Zeto know about the Forbidden Power?” Alpha asked. “Ember said Zeto shared a memory of his but…something about that doesn’t feel right.”

"Yeah… you don't think he's experienced it before have you?"

“I mean…the only reason why I’d think he did was…Ember holding her right arm, Zeto’s robot arm.” Alpha brought up carefully.

"Well… yeah, but that would imply he either faced it before in some previous break out… or he was there when it was made."

“That’s…” Alpha started, before thinking a bit. “Well…there are those two destroyed statues in Sanctuary…and he seems to be…a lot more higher level and powerful than most players, even when Nylocke was grinding his own liver and blood pressure away with caffeine.”

"So, you think he's like… an early player… or…?"

“There’s no way he…personally worked for the Netking’s…right?” Alpha wondered. “No way he…he couldn’t be a Netking himself…can he?”

"Well… I don't know. I mean, we know the Netkings made TOME from the software to the hardware. But… they would have had to have beta testers for all of it…"

“I’m seriously not liking this conversation…” Alpha said carefully. “Cause if Zeto is a Netking, and is trying to hunt down the Forbidden Power for whatever reason…why are the other’s ignoring it?”

"Maybe… maybe they didn't expect to resurface? If they couldn't remove it, then they hid it away… until…"

“Yeah…” Alpha sighed, putting a hand to his chest. “But…at least this thing’s been quiet for a good while…”

"For some reason that's not that reassuring to me…" Flamegirl said. "Well, aside from killing these monsters, what should we do?"

“Hmm…look around to see if there’s anything neat?” Alpha suggested.

"Maybe, I just wish we had a map or maybe a goal in mind. It sucks not knowing what to do."

"That can be quite troublesome can't it?" Flamegirl jumped, turning and backing up and against Alpha. The two looking at the purple dress suit wearing skeleton in a top hat before then. "Greetings, my name is Voodoo, and we have not yet been properly introduced." He said with a bow to the two.

“Uh…yeah…” Alpha said carefully. “It’s nice to meet you…and I presume you're one of those ‘All Makers’ right?”

"Indeed I am. Middle man to the champions of good and evil and game master extraordinaire. Pleasure to make your acquaintance Alpha, Flamegirl."

“Nice to meet you.” Alpha nodded. “So…what do we need to do to get a map?”

"A map, simple enough to muster and gift, but at the price, hmm… maybe perhaps a bit of blood would suffice."

"Blood?" Flamegirl asked.

“Who’s blood?” Alpha frowned.

"Yours, his, just a drop and the map is yours." Voodoo said.

“That’s…weird…” Alpha said carefully.

“Oh you know, blood of a virgin and all that.” Voodoo added in with a little hand wave, which made both Alpha and Flamegirl blush brightly.

“Shut…” Alpha took a deep breath. “Fine…just a drop them?”

"Just a drop." Voodoo said, handing Alpha a strange needle with a small glass ball at the end. He took it, and upon pricking himself saw the glass ball fill with blood. Once he gave it back Voodoo handed them a map.

Flamegirl opened it up and saw it was a world map. Equestria, Dragon Lands, Zebra Plains, all of them were here with cities, towns and roads marked.

“Wow, this place is…really big.” Alpha said in surprise.

"This planet usually is." Voodoo shrugged. "The map can also zoom in and out of locations too, just a little trick to help you navigate better and view the landscapes easier. Just be careful now, the plants and the beasties aren't the only new additions to the dragon's lands we made."

Before the two could question further, Voodoo was just gone. As if he was never there.

“Well…that’s not ominous at all…” Alpha commented.

With Voodoo gone, Alpha and Flamegirl quickly found out the map's zoom feature was automatic. They just had to think about it. From the zoomed in view it gave them spotted the safe, walked off location, their current location, and something a fair walk north. From the map, it looked like ruins and the name over it read 'Spire Cave Entrance'.

"Huh, why do I have the feeling that's not something normally found in the dragon lands?"

"That…sounds like a dungeon." Alpha said honestly. "And I really doubt it was here before."

"Crazy monsters, loot drops, and now dungeons? These All Makers must really like RPG's."

“Well…we came from an RPG, might as well keep it similar?” Alpha suggested.

"Do we check it out?"

“Does Nylocke have a Coffee dependency?” Alpha joked.

"Fair." With that, the two rushed off and ran towards the Spire Cave.

After a twenty minute run the two came across a collapsed building of sorts, the ruins too damaged to make sense of save the long stone stairway leading into the earth.

“Well…this certainly looks like a dungeon area.” Alpha commented to all the ruins.

"Yup. Typical ruins." Flamegirl said. She and Alpha walked down the stairs, the daylight above dying out and leaving them in the dark.

Flamegirl made a small fire in her hands for light. After some time they reached the bottom floor… and saw the bones around them. All dragon bones, all around Ember and Nylock's size and age they assumed.

"Well…this is getting…really morbid…" Alpha frowned.

Flamegirl kneeled down. "They're old." She said, blowing some dust off the bones. "Not victims of the monsters, just really old bones. Still, something did kill them. Given dungeon logic, that something is still in here."

"Probably either monsters, or the boss."

"I was thinking something less physical." Flamegirl said as she picked up an old rusted piece of armor. "No damage, just rust. Whatever did kill them either lacks the means to or attacks in a non physical way."

"That's fair." Alpha nodded, looking around carefully for whatever monster was around. "It could also be a Rust Monster, something that's pretty strong and rusts any and all metal for food?" Alpha suggested.

"Then it wouldn't have been able to kill them now would it?" Flamegirl asked as the two ventured further.

Kizuna pinched the bridge of her nose, closing yet another map of TOME and groaning. “Come on Zeto…give me something...” She muttered, the cat-girl gunner pulling up another screen showing her many of the Admin’s chat’s on what they were trying to find.

"You won't be finding them." She looked up, seeing a character dressed in a red suit, blue tie and a frowning drama mask for their head. "They are a bit out of that little map's radar."

“And who the hell are you?” Kizuna asked, pulling out her .45 caliber pistol and aiming it at him.

"Call me Demon. And, I am looking out for your best interest." Demon said, suddenly behind Kizuna and to her shock pulled the gun out of her hands. "After all, you've been looking for Zeto for, what, almost a week now?"

“Nonstop yes…” Kizuna sighed. “Nobody knows what the hell happened, I’ve been trying to find any scrap of code that Tempest had that caused that to happen…and still nothing…”

"Oh don't you fret little kitty, Zeto is just fine. He's working with an associate of mine. He's healthy and getting to his goal of stopping that little virus that's plagued him since your days as the glitch tester."

“H-how do you know that?” Kizuna asked, stunned that he knows such a sensitive topic.

"There is not a secret you have that I don't know. For example, I know you don't care much for stopping the Forbidden Power as much as you lead on. It's all for Zeto. And not the avatar, the person, the man behind the VR gear. You'll do anything just to be with him… and yet he doesn't even notice you're there."

“He fully notices I’m here!” Kizuna stated bluntly. “And…how the hell do you know that?” She asked, a little flustered that .

"Like I said, there isn't a secret you, Zeto or the Netkings have that I don't know. The birth of that virus, your antivirus project, Sofdti, your little government arrangement. But that's not why I am here. Tell me, when was the last time you and Zeto met face to face.?"

“It’s…been a while.” She said carefully. “But this isn’t about my love life, this is about stopping that thing from hurting other people.”

"Oh but that is where you're wrong. I'm only here because I am quite invested in your love life. Consider it my personal entertainment." He said, snapping his fingers as suddenly Kizuna suddenly found herself back in the old computer lab. Where it all began, TOME's birthplace. Sofdti's birthplace… that Virus's birthplace.

“Wh-what!?” Kizuna asked in shock, reading her pistol again. “What’s going on? What are you?”

"Well if you're an idiot you'll assume I'm a hacker. Brain dead stupid if you call me a god. Fact is I'm several million Leagues higher than that simple divine title. But enough about me, time to see about you." He said spinning her around as suddenly she was witnessing the event.

Zeto, his human self, the real him, collapsing in pain as he screamed in agony, grabbing at his arm and not feeling it.

“NO!” Kizuna shouted. “Not again…” The cat muttered, feeling powerless to help the one she cared for.

"This event set in stone his ambitions and hatred for that little virus. Stand by him til the end, but when it's all said and done we both know he won't be looking at you the way you want him too. After all, he found a sense of peace and happiness with them."

Looking up, Kizuna saw Zeto, in that Kirb avatar and with that group… his friends.

“That’s…that’s not true…” Kizuna shook her head, trying not to believe it. “He…he uses Kirb to try and…have fun, to remember what we’re fighting for…”

Demon leaned in next to her ear. "Then why didn’t they invite you?"

“Because while he’s been with the Carrier, keeping a close eye on him, I’ve been hiring and paying Hacker’s.” She said, “While he was keeping track of things, I had to do a lot of the paperwork…”

"Yes, all the work and what does he reward you with? Maybe a nod, some sign of approval to keep you moving? Don't you want more?" Demon said, eye to mask holes with her now. "Don't you want to hear him say he loves you?"

Kizuna lowered her gun, feeling defeated as he was right. “What…what do you want me to do?”

"It's very simple really. In exchange for taking you two him and… pulling strings in your favor, you just need to… discreetly, sabotage a few things."

“And…wh-what do you need to sabotage?” She asked carefully.

"Oh, this and that really, nothing that concerns you personally just to others that live where Zeto and them have been whisked away to." Demon said simply. "You'll get your orders via telepathy and when you don't have one to be on you can be with Zeto, Kirb, whatever avatar they use you get to be with him. And, as promised. Pulling strings. Each successful job is another string I'll pull."

“Alright…” Kziuna took a deep breath.

"It's a deal then?" Demon asked, holding out a hand.

Kizuna took one last moment to think about this, trying to understand if she’d sooner hurt innocent people, Zeto’s friends, just to fill the void in her heart…to finally hear him tell her he loves her.

To be continued...

Time passes

The Dragon Lands were abuzz with activity. Ember laid her egg, a shimmering blue-green color that rested in a nest of hot coals and magma.

"For the last time Nylock, this is how we keep them warm." Ember said..

“It’s literal magma! How in the world is that at all safe!?” Nylocke asked incredulously. “I know we can be safe in it, but this is an infant in an egg…”

"Nylocke, a dragon egg's shell, is just as heat resistant as our scales and as tough. The baby is basically in a blanket around the coals and magma. They'll be fine." Ember repeated. "Magma and hot coals are the only thing aside from constant dragon fire that can keep them warm properly until they hatch."

“I…just..” He sighed. “Fine…I still barely know much about ‘being a dragon’ in this new crazy world…” Nylocke admitted. “Everything’s just so…different than back home…” He muttered, still hating how when he watched Kirb forging he had this weird…anger at seeing the hobo version of Link grabbing materials…his belongings that he still needed to fight against. “I was an ass to Kirb on our wedding day for making a joke…I don’t want to be an ass to him again.”

"Relax. Kirb seems like the type to not hold a grudge, plus you were stressed."

“Still…” The dragon knight sighed. “I especially hate how…greedy I’ve been feeling…”

“That’s normal for dragons. Main reason why we hoard things. Of course, it needs to have a reason for being hoarded. Otherwise you end up a feral dragon like Spike almost became, hoarding random bits of junk or anything that was even a little bit shiny.”

“That…would make sense…” The green dragon nodded.

“Yeah. The most common thing Dragon's hoard is gold, gemstones, and other metals, but mainly platinum. But more younger generations of dragons hoard other things. Like my small collection of comics and such. I know one drake who hoards pillows.”

“Well…that is a way to build a comfortable fort.” Nylocke hummed. “But…when I first saw Kirbopher crafting, him using all the materials felt…weird to me…”

“How so? He’s blacksmithing or whatever? It can’t be that different between our worlds?”

“Well firstly, there…really wasn’t ‘crafting’ in TOME to begin with.” Nylocke started. “This is my worlds ‘real world’ crafting, Blacksmithing and the like…but one thing that is curious, is how the young squire has been…so adept at the craft when he hasn’t mentioned doing something like this before.”

Ember just shrugged. “You learn something new about people all the time. Even old friends can surprise you every now and again.”

“That’s true…” Nylocke admitted, though he still wasn’t sure how his friend was practically a master at the craft. “But have you heard from Lady Flamegirl and Sir Alpha?” He inquired, slipping a bit into his ‘knight’ role when talking about his friends.

“Not sure about Flamegirl but I think Alpha was doing some hunting and gathering.” Ember said. “But, um, if I may… can we talk about our… married life, for a bit?”

“S-sure.” Nylocke said. “Is…is there anything important we need to talk about?”

“Well, Um, just thought I’d let you know that a Dragonesses can only lay one egg a year after marriage so… will we be having an… active… sex life?”

Nylocke’s face turned about as red as dragon fire at that. “Uh…I mean…if my lady would like…” He said nervously, trying his best not to stutter like an idiot at the question.

“Great! Good! Um, well, I just read it’s healthy for mates to, well, do that regularly. It’s… healthy.” Ember said in equal red blush. “T-that aside, we um… We need to figure out how best to run the Dragon Lands. Without the Scepter, only your strength is really what will keep the less… loyal subjects in line.”

“Well, what we’re going to do first is stopping that.” Nylocke frowned. “Cause last I checked, it’s that idiocy that’s been getting our ‘less loyal’ subjects killed thinking they know better.”

“Yes, well stuck up pride and bad decision making tend to go hand in hand. The question is how? The gem the scepter used was stupidly rare.”

“Well, funnily enough, the book Zeto somehow obtained and…threw at Kirb’s head, actually holds the answer to getting a new scepter.” Nylocke answered.

“Really? That’s… convenient.”

“It really is…” Nylocke said with a frown. “Which begs the question…did he trade the Scepter with one of these All Makers for that book? Or did he magically find it and got something else from that deal?”

“Don’t know and honestly don’t care. I owe him some broken teeth.” Ember growled. “But what did the book say about that?”

“The book held so many magical items, all the way up to Artifact class item’s…which in TOME would be the highest and strongest rank of items, only raid bosses give those.” He said. “So for the specific crystal…what Kirbopher brought up was that it was an Emotion Stone, a special type of those Elemental Gem’s we found…”

“I see… Hmm… Well, did it say where we could get one?”

“Well, it showed that it was an incredibly rare drop from the enemies around here, or from Dungeons…don’t know where they would be, but it actually explained how to make them.” He said honestly. “One way is to…quite literally mine it from a memory with the…most emotion to it.”

“Hmm… Well, guess we’ll have to try and see about. So, what else… Oh, I also remember there used to be a really good gem and ore mine north of the border. But scouts said it’s packed with monsters… cause of course it would be… If we can get the gems and metal, we can really make weapons and armor.”

“Good timing,” They both turned to see Kirb holding up two items covered in heat proof clothes. “Cause given you’re talking about that, I need you two to give me the go ahead on giving these to the other’s for said Mine recapture.”

“Were you waiting for that to come up or did you actually walk in right at that moment?” Ember asked.

“I just walked in at that moment.” Kirb said readily, even though it was a tad bit of a lie as he got there a little bit before when they were talking about Zeto and what he did with the crystal. “Cause I’m just that good with timing.” Kirb said with a boastful grin.

“Right… So, you made some weapons then?”

“And armor.” He said while putting the two thing’s down and opening one of them, the two dragon’s eyes widening at seeing such a mastercraft set of armor. “So the tricky thing with the armor was trying to get it to fit to…literally anyone’s size cause when dragon’s range from Nylockes size to the size of a mountain, I had to think outside of the box on that part.” He explained, cause even though the red colored armor with tufts of fur from some monsters around the area. “And that was due to a shapeshifting monster’s organs that I used in the enchantments, it’s shapeshifting abilities mostly went through changing it’s size, but it worked out great.”

Ember looked the armors over, amazed at the craftsmanship. Nylock held back some laughter. It held a very familiar look from an ever iconic anime back home about a certain human looking alien with a monkey's tail.

Kirb sighed a little dramatically. “Yes Nylocke, I couldn’t help myself.” He chuckled.

"So, these will help protect us in a fight. What about the weapons?" Ember asked.

“Now those were thankfully simple enough to make.” He said, unwrapping the cloth and showing two different weapons, a bastard sword and two knives. “Due to many of the creatures around, it was very easy to take their parts and fuze them together with the materials I had on hand.” He said, bringing up the knives for her to inspect. “Careful, they are very sharp.”

"I can see that. What metal did you make this out of?"

"The book showed me a way of creating steel, and then fusing that with certain monster parts." Kirby said. "Can't really name the metal, but I'll just call it 'Monster Steel' for now, cause it can fit many different types of monster materials."

"Huh. Well, that's good for us. Thank you Kirb." Ember said with a smile.

"It'll only get better once I get more materials." Kirb said happily, though inside he still felt guilty and wanted to make some things right.

"Again." Luna said.

Sofdi huffed, focusing again as they made another set of flowers. It was added to the pile of various odds and ends.

"Are you sure…this is going to help me Luna?" The now turned data fairy asked.

"Your powers are based on creating. Life, items, back in your home reality you helped make an entire world. Here, your powers will likely be more limited but still useful and resourceful. Using them to make simple items is the best way to grow how much and what you can create."

"That's fair." Sofdti sighed. "But we've been at this for hours." The pixie whined, wishing they could do something different or at least make something other than flowers.

"Practice is often repeating the same actions til they become second nature. Flowers, simple, easily crafted by divine power, and" Luna levitated a few up, and ate them. "Quite tasty."

"You just wanted me to give you lunch didn't you?" The AI turned goddess huffed.

"Flowers are more of a snack. Besides, this is the same way I was trained. Now," Luna's horn lit up, in a flash of brilliant blue light an empty patch of ground now stood a raven. It turned it's head in curiosity at Sofdi and Luna before flying off. "I can do that."

"Wow…" Sofdti said in awe at creating a real life raven.

"I can make more, bigger, some with the capacity for intelligence, self awareness, but that is much more difficult. I imagine you can do this too, with practice and patience. My sister and I can do this and we are only half gods. Demi-Gods as it were. You being most likely a full fledged one means you can do so much more and I have faith in your potential."

“I…I understand.” She nodded. “I just…hope I can live up to all the hype I guess.” Sofdti sighed, still thinking about Zeto and everything with his shenanigans.

"I believe you will surpass the 'hype' as it were."

Aven sat board in the border office. So far there wasn't anyone coming from TOME or this Equestria. He at least had unlimited food and entertainment from his little living quarters, but so far nothing seriously-

"Hello?" Aven looked up, seeing a familiar Raccoon hacker.

"Oh God…why are you the first…" Aven groaned. "Hello there Rockcoon." Aven said said to the raccoon in question.

"Aven? Where have you been? You and those weird players haven't been seen in a week."

"Only a week?" Aven asked in surprise. "Huh, thought it would have been longer." The griffon shrugged. "So how'd you get to my office?"

"Some guy looking like one of those creepy tragedy masks gave me this." Rockcoon held up what looked to be a passport book. The image of the TOME Gameworld over the front in a neon blue and silver coloring. "Said if I had it on me and came to that dungeon you love fighting so much for that axe or whatever I'd find a new level."

"Was it a smiling mask or an upset mask?" He asked, taking the card and looking it over.

"Smiling. Thought he might be some temp for the devs looking for beta testers for the level. And I plan on messing around there."

"Just gonna nip that in the bud…" Aven sighed. "That was one of my bosses, and right now your in an…in-between, the border of worlds, and this 'level'...is reality." Aven explained carefully. "Not a game anymore, the moment you step onto a new world, you will be flesh and blood, understand?"

"Psh. Yeah right. How much they pay you to say that?" Aven sighed. He figured he wouldn't believe him. He sighed again, figuring it best if Rockcoon learned the hard way. That way he'd actually learn something.

"Alright, guess it's learning the hard way." Aven said as he got up and pulled out a communicator. "Gonna be giving someone a tour, be right back." He said into it, letting his coworkers know.

Rockcoon was lead to the other door and pushed through.

Aven sighed. He felt sorry for whoever he runs into.

"And don't forget to sweep the barn!" Granny Smith yelled, Rockcoon having a huge bump on their head as an angry Granny with a frying pan watched the hacker sweeping the half blow up barn.

“Yes Mrs. Smith…” The raccoon grumbled, not believing he just got his ass handed to him by a talking cartoon horse granny.

"And when yer done, you're helping Big Mac rebuild what you blew up!"

Rockcoon gulped, looking at the large red pony stallion carrying large piles of lumber and tools on their back without effort.

“Why me…?” The demolitionist whined.

"Okay so I'm thankfully immune to Spider Venom…" Flamegirl said as she rubbed the fresh bite from a now crispy arachnid. This marked the fifth bite and thankfully, no illness or signs of poison.

“Maybe it has something to do with your fire magic, or maybe your demon wings and tail have something to do with it?” Alpha inquired. “Only guess I can think of.”

"Well, it's good to know regardless." She shrugged, wrapping makeshift bandages on them. "Damn, the pain goes away after a bit but still stings."

“Don’t push yourself if it gets too much.” Alpha said readily, not wanting his girlfriend to get too hurt on their first dungeon adventure.

“Well, between getting bit all the time and getting caught in webs, I’d prefer the bites.” Flamegirl said, making Alpha huff at all the cobwebs stuck in his hair.

"Believe me, I don't like it either." Alpha grumbled, trying to get the cobwebs out of his hair. "But we've made good progress so far."

“What’s weird is that there are a lot of random weapons and such all around.” Flamegirl commented. Swords, spears, arrows, a few bows, even battle axes and crossbows all around or stick in webs. “I doubt anyone has actually died here yet. At least, not enough to warrant all these weapons.”

"That's true…" Alpha hummed worriedly. "Maybe it's just part of the dungeons aesthetic?"

“Maybe. Kinda like back in TOME?” She asked, kicking a dented helmet across the floor. “Maybe we should look for any that would do the Dragons good?”

"Sure." Alpha nodded. "Plus all the loot we're getting is also gonna help greatly."

“True.”

The two ventured further and deeper. The carved, webbed stone soon was replaced by pure rocks, and after that all around them was the old dusty white webs and the occasional wrapped bodies of bones or items.

Soon the two stood in a massive cave, heavily webbed with some signs some construction was underway here. In the center of it all stood a massive stone spider, easily five stories high and each eye was a giant gemstone shining a brilliant ruby red.

“Either that’s a really good statue of some spider god, or that’s our boss fight.” Alpha pointed out.

“Maybe both?” Flamegirl asked, walking up to and knocking on one of the statue spider’s legs. “Hmm… It doesn’t feel like stone. Or, exoskeleton for that matter… feels more like… some rough metal?”

“Hmm, that’s weird.” Alpha said. “I don’t remember seeing any metal deposits around, what kinda metal do you think it is?” The greco-roman inspired fighter asked.

“It kinda reminds me of how old cast iron pots feel but it’s not as… heavy, or thick I think?” She knocked again, listening for anything inside. “Sounds solid metal all the way through…” Flamegirl then jumped to the top of the creature, giving a few more knocks. “Same here. This is just one giant weird metal statue.”

“That’s…very weird.” Alpha hummed, jumping up on top of the statue as well. “Though I do wonder what the gem’s are.”

Flamegirl walked over to one of the gems, kneeling down. She pulled one up, it popping off with ease as she sniffed. She looked down, seeing a small valve and a scent of… gas. “Hmm… She set a fire to the valve, a small flame burning as she put the gem back over it. The single eye lit up and projected part of a map above on the ceiling. “Look, it’s part of some puzzle.” Flamegirl pointed out.

“Oh?” Alpha looked over at the map. “What do you think the puzzle is?”

“If I were to guess, we need to light all the gas pipes under the gems, then probably arrange the map in proper order.” The two got to work. In a short while displayed in a clear red light above them on the roof was a map of the Dragon Lands, and many locations were marked. There was a Spider, a Snake, a Fish, a Goat, and a Dragon all across the map. “I think those are all other Dungeons. There’s the Spider, which is here. There’s a Snake way over in the south. A Goat in the mountains. And that giant volcano has a dragon.”

“So what? We accidentally found a World Quest or something?” Alpha asked, considering that the map was showing the entire country. “Or do you think we’ll find a spot where we need to remember what the symbols are?”

"Probably. Either way, sounds like fun. TOME didn't have many puzzle based quests or dungeons so this will be fun." Flamegirl said. Suddenly behind the two the Spider Statues rear opened up, revealing a pedestal with a metal plate pressed printed version of the map, and a small metal version of the Spider Statue.

"Cool." Alpha said with a smile, pulling out the map and the spider statue. "This'll be useful for later."

“Definitely is part of the puzzle.” Flamegirl said with a nod.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

"What?" Kizuna blinked, looking over and seeing a phone that…most surely was not there before. "Uh…huh…" She frowned, walking over and answering the phone. "Hello?"

“Kizuna, it’s Zeto.”

The poor bug tester nearly dropped the phone at that. "Z-Zeto? Is it really you?"

“Yeah, it’s me. Things got… odd, but I need you to come and find me. Look around for some players or something with either a smiling or frowning tragedy mask for a head. It’s hard to explain but they’ll get you to where I am.”

“I…I did meet one actually.” She said carefully. “But…where have you been!? I’ve been searching for you for over a week!”

“That’s the hard part to explain. Look, just find them again and then once you get the item head to the cave where I was as Kirb with the others. Trust me this is one of those ‘need to see it to believe it’ kinda things.”

“And…” She took a deep breath. “And what of the plan? I can’t just pack up and leave, plus we still need to work on the ‘projects’...”

“If what I was told is right then that THING is gonna become a much larger problem for everyone. We will have to modify the projects and our time tables, but hopefully we can still prevent a massive disaster.”

She sighed, rubbing her temple bitterly. “And what are we going to tell our…’benefactor’?” She asked carefully.

“Tell him if he values TOME at all that he’ll make a second account and see the mess that’s happening personally.”

Kizuna chuckled at that. “If the bastard even has the time, he’s still freaking out about what happened last week and has been going through each and every bit of code from all the characters that disappeared…he especially panicked when he noticed you weren’t in the code anymore.”

“Well, trust me, he will wanna know what’s going on here.”

She sighed. “And…if worst comes to worst, should I involve our Contact?” Kizuna asked, wanting to know if they should be in contact with Giga, their Cyber Protectorate agent overseeing Softdi’s secret being kept.

“I don’t know. Maybe? Honestly we’ll keep them as a last option.”

“I’ll at least take a look into her room to make sure she’s still there.” Kizuna said, cause all of this craziness has been throwing everything out of whack for the last week. “And hopefully…hopefully we can settle things in this ‘new world’.”

“Good luck. Just get here as fast as possible. Once you do, contact me so I can find where you ended up. Entry to this… place, seems random given how I and the others first got here.”

“I can imagine…” She sighed. “I’ll get there as soon as I can…and then I’m gonna shoot you in the knee with a rubber bullet when I get there, making me worry.” She huffed.

“Better than a regular one. That would hurt more than I’d like.”

Before she could ask further, he hung up.

Hurt? She thought, getting a bad feeling.

The catgirl gunman sighed, ending the call as she looked up. “Demon?” She called out for the special man.

“Yes my feisty feline friend?” He asked, appearing in a haze of pixels.

“Zeto called, telling me to come visit him and…I would need your help doing it.” She said simply. “And…what the hell is happening over there? What did he mean when he said ‘it would hurt less’?”

“Oh that? Best to find out for yourself. Otherwise it would spoil the fun.” Demon said, with a flick of his wrist was holding a passport book and handing it to her. “Enjoy, and remember, no livestock or raw produce.” Demon said, giving a laugh before vanishing into a haze of pixels again.

She sighed, not knowing what the hell he meant by that but opening the passport book to see if it had everything in it. “Best not find out there’s anything missing here…I really don’t want to deal with some stupid interdimensional version of border patrol…”

Aven sneezed. “Who the fuck is talking about me?” Aven sniffled a bit and grabbed a tissue. “At least Rockoon is having fun…”

“So you tied him to a homemade rocket?” Big Mac asked.

“Yup.” Applebloom said.

“That you and yer friends made to try and get Space Exploration Cutie Marks.”

“Yup.”

“And ya asked him to put a bunch of his bombs under it to act as thrust to launch it?”

“Yup.”

“And rather than launch it up into the air it just exploded all around and sent him crashing three feet into a rocky wall?”

“Yup.” Applebloom said, the two watching as Rockcoom was in a full body cast and being pulled away in a medical cart.

“You did all that on Purpose as payback for the barn didn’t ya?” Big Mac asked.

“Yup!” Applebloom said with a smirk.

“I KNEW IT!” The mummified raccoon shouted. “I fixed the thing and you still spite me!?” He whined, before crying out in pain at the fact that a lot of his bones were still bruised from the looney toon’s esc crash.

To be continued...

World's crossing

Rockcoon sat in Ponyville General, bandages wrapping every inch of his being as medicine was dropped into his body via IV.

He wished he listened to Aven. He didn't understand how he was in pain let alone that he now needed to eat, drink, piss and poop bit here he was.

Still, it wasn't all bad. The food was actually pretty good, the locals were nice enough and the little red maned devil filly that got him to blow himself up apologized for the excessive payback for destroying the barn.

To be fair, He should have realized it was a bad idea given how Granny Smith smacked him with that cast iron pan several times. That should have tipped him off that he wasn't in TOME any more… he doubted he was even on Earth any more.

"This sucks…" Rockcoon grumbled bitterly. "But…it could be worse…"

"Good morning mister racoon." Flying into the room was a gray Pegasus mare with a blonde mane, and one eye that was looking in the wrong direction.

Rockcoon was confused at her presence.

“Uh…hi there.” The racoon said. “Who are you miss?”

"I'm Muffins! But most ponies call me Ditzy or Derpy." She said. "I'm your volunteer caretaker."

“It’s nice to meet you Muffin.” He nodded. “I’m Rockcoon.”

"So, my main job is just to keep you entertained and happy. So, want a book or a magazine or something to eat?"

“A book would be good, mostly a History book cause…well, I’m new around here.” He admitted sheepishly.

"Okay." Muffin said, rapidly flying out and after a few minutes coming back with a book. "Here you go. One book of Equestrian History Recap." She said, placing the book on his torso.

“Thank you.” He said, carefully moving his one workable arm to open the book to get some reading in to figure out where the hell he is.

One of the many new duties Nylock had as husband to the Dragon Lord was to be inspecting the new Dragon Guard.

He had never been in a military position of authority. Or in the military at all, but his grandfather had.

We're his grandfather here, and alive, he'd be groaning in agony at the incompetence of these recruits.

“This…” Nylocke looks at his General. “I may not have been in the army…but even I know this is painfully bad…” Nylocke shook his head in disappointment.

"They're doing better than they did yesterday." His general, one of the older drakes who spent his youth in Equestria and had seen an army in action, replied. Clawthorn.

"My toe!" One of the recruits screamed.

"Now they're quoting Ninja Turtles…" Nylocke facepalmed. "Don't be a bitch and get over it!" Nylocke snapped at the dragon recruit.

"Do you actually believe these welplings can be a decent army?" Clawthorn asked.

"Anyone can be good if they practice and put in the time and effort for it." Nylocke answered readily.

"My other toe!" The same recruit yelped.

"You sure about that?" Clawthorn asked.

Nylocke could only facepalm again. "For the love of…" he groaned. "How are they this bad?"

"They are young. Arrogant. Prideful. More bark than bite. Lazy. Shall I continue?"

"And this is to help them not be…literally any of those." Nylocke answered.

"That will take time. Which we might not have much of." Clawthorn stated.

"My arm!" A different recruit yelled.

Nylock sighed, rubbing his eyes.

“Do you have anything you can suggest Clawthorn?” Nylocke asked carefully.

"Prayer?" He offered, earning a groan from Nylock and a chuckle from himself. "That Princess Luna is still here yes? Perhaps request some of the Equestrian guard to keep the barricades secure until our own guard is at least competent."

“That…would be a good idea.” The dragon knight nodded. “Hopefully she didn’t disappear suddenly.”

"I'm sure she's around."

"Ahhh! Both my toes!"

Nylock and Clawthorn facepalmed.

Flamegirl and Alpha ran through the cobblestone hallway, dodging darts and jumping over a pitfall trap before landing In a room filled with snakes and a giant snake head statue.

"Well, looks like these places keep to the theme." Flamegirl said, patting some dust off herself.

“Yeah.” Alpha nodded, dusting himself off as well. “The more Indiana Jones style dungeon…it just had to be snakes.” Alpha chuckled at the irony of the old movie series.

"Better than the spiders in my opinion." Flamegirl said, using some blasts of fire to send the reptiles slithering away. "Okay, next statue thing… how do we open it?"

“Hmm…” Alpha walked over to the snake statue, looking over the thing. “Has to be a switch here somewhere…”

Alpha felt around for a switch or something while Flamegirl examined the statue. She noticed the head had a few small holes on top.

She pulled out the small spider statue and the legs fit perfectly into it.

The statues maw opened and inside was a small snake statue and a stone tablet.

“Cool.” Alpha said, taking the snake statue and looking over the Stone Tablet. “Now what is on this stone tablet.”

The writing on the tablet was in a language neither Alpha or Flamegirl knew or recognized. With a shrug they placed the new items away, grabbed the spider statue back and left the dungeon.

Gamecrazed huffed as they hacked apart another monster. Their training as their real self, Sofdti, seemed to be improving their other form as well.

When not training their godly powers of creation with Luna, Gamecrazed was in the fields fighting the various monsters that now inhabited the dragon lands.

"The Shadows are…a lot stronger in this world…" The Shadow themed Morphological hummed, grabbing a monster that thought it was clever and blasting it with a Shadow Ball till it vanished into dust.

When the last of the monsters in the area were slain, Gamecrazed collected the drops and items.

Once they were all gathered Gamecrazed headed back to the dragon lands safe area.

"How was the hunt Sir Gamecrazed?" Luna asked as they returned.

"Lucrative, and…surprisingly easy." Gamecrazed answered.

"Your power is growing. It is to be expected."

"So, how have the others been doing?" GC asked, given they were so busy training they didn't have the time to check on their friends.

"They are all adjusting. Your friend Nylock especially but from what I have seen they are all doing well."

"That's good. They're a hardy bunch even if they're…" The Shadow slime waved a hand, trying to find a good word for her silly friends

"Non traditional?" Luna offered, smirking. "Seems the best hero's often are."

"Yeah, that tends to happen." GC chuckled.

"They each have a spark of that heroes spirit. Something all too rare these days. Before my banishment there were many more, of course, back then the world felt so much bigger. I suppose it grew with the arrival of these All Makers."

"I'm…still concerned about them…especially the one that called herself 'Void'..." The shadow of God shuddered.

"She certainly sounds like a foe worth concerning about." Luna nodded.

"She's…the one that corrupted the Goblin King…and create the bridge here…" GC sighed. "I'm just glad she's not apart of this besides that…it would have been awful…"

"For what reason she was withheld from this event. Be that for better or worse, is for time to decide."

"And that's how the Cheese Wars ended." Derpy finished her retelling on the last great war Equestria had.

The name did give Rockcoon a laugh but the story behind it was surprisingly dark and bloody…

"I…honestly still can't believe there was a war on cheese of all things…or for it to get that out of…hand? Hoof?" He asked, not sure if he should say it normally or what the ponies do.

"It was a pretty bad time for Equestria." Derpy nodded. "But that was also the last war ever fought with casualties. So that's good."

"Yeah, that is indeed a good thing." The bomber raccoon nodded.

Rockcoon had to admit, while the mare before him known as Muffins, or Derpy, was an odd sight at first. But as the day went on he grew to like her. She had this funny, childish nature that almost made her seem too pure to exist.

She was a tad clumsy given her eye, but he would be surprised if she wasn't a little accident prone with eye issues.

It did make him wonder though.

“Uh…is it okay if I ask about the…ya know…eye?” Rock asked nervously, hoping he wasn’t sounding insensitive to the poor lady.

"Oh yeah sure." She said with a smile. She raised a hoof up behind her head, gave the back of her own head a good thump, and out popped the eye onto the bed. Rockcoon almost screamed. "It's a glass eye. Perfectly fake." Derpy said, taking the false eye in her hoof and holding it up for him to see.

“Uh…what happened?” He asked carefully, even though the heart monitor spiked a bit due to that little jump scare.

"My dad was in the royal guard when I was a filly. It's a good job but doesn't pay all that well so mom also worked. Usually after school I'd fly off to his base and hang out, pretend fights some of the others stationed there. Well, one day a shipment of weapons came and in one box was a dozen sticks of dynamite. It wasn't closed right and some static electricity set the whole box off. Poor stallion moving it didn't make it and the shrapnel completely destroyed my right eye." She said, popping the glass eye back in. "Took a lot of surgery but the scars are barely visible under my coat and I've had a glass eye since. Unfortunately the muscles were also badly damaged so rather than holding it in place it just moves around up or down sometimes."

“I’m…I’m sorry to hear that…” Rockcoon said sadly. “I…know it happened when you were a kid but…that still really sucks…”

"Yeah… it hurt more than when I gave birth to my daughter Dinky, and sometimes it itches like crazy back there but I can't scratch it or risk tearing something." Derpy shrugged. "But I've learned to live with it and honestly it's got me a few fun stories to tell."

“Bet you're a riot at Halloween Parties.” Rockcoon chuckled. “Er…Nightmare Night I mean.”

"Oh yeah. I also leave it out when I need to leave Dinky alone. I told her I can still see out of it and that I'm always watching her." Dery said with a chuckle

“I mean…considering this world’s magic, I wouldn’t be surprised if you could enchant it to do such a thing.” Rockcoon said honestly.

"I could get it enchanted to let me see out of it like a normal eye but that's expensive and I don't think I'd ever be able to afford it. Besides, my lazy glass eye has become my defining feature."

“Eh, that’s fair.” He nodded. “Also I’d say your defining feature is your bubbly personality and you being a Cinnamon Roll.”

"Awh shucks you're just saying that mister Racoon." Derpy said with a waved hoof. "Oh, it's lunch time. Want me to grab you something specific from the cafeteria?"

"Anything that's not hay, I can't eat that as far as I know."

"Alright then. I'll be back." With a smile and nod Derpy walked out the room.

Rockcoon watching her trot away, her flank sway with each step…

He blinked, realizing what he had done and looked up at the ceiling, a million thoughts through his head but only one word coming out.

"Damn…" He sighed as he thought about the nice mare…and the surprising bubble butt.

Aven sat at his desk, reviewing the papers for people who were being sent to Equestria.

As he finished up letting the last player of TOME pass he came across someone coming from Equestria.

She was a tall, black chitin exoskeleton with a green membrane like hair, fly wings and predatory green eyes.

"Hello plebeian." She said. "I demand transport to this realm of TOME."

"And your 'demand' means little to me." Aven answered. "Now, who are you, why do you want to head to my world, and for what reasons?"

"I am Queen Chrysalis, rightful ruler of Equestria and I will plunder this new realm for the power I need to conquer Equestria!"

Aven put down his pen and looked at her, the true predator eyes behind the dragon bone helmet causing the queen to shiver. "Lady…why do you think your owed anything with a sales pitch like that?"

"My whole existence is eternal starvation, my species was created via an old coot wizard dumping all his potion and alchemy waste Into a dark magic swamp pond and the various species across Equestria execute or imprisoned my children on sight because of how we feed." She stated flatly.

"And how do you feed?" The griffon inquired.

"We take love and magic from others."

"To the point that it physically and emotionally impacts them, kills them, or just a little off the top?" Aven asked, pulling out a book and flipping through its many pages to find something about the creature in front of him.

"While killing them while feasting is possible that is both a waste as they can restore it later and just paints an even bigger target on us. No we just feed on them til either they go unconscious or house them in special pod with fluids that keep them alive, healthy and in a sleeping state so we can feed regularly while they remain alive and asleep."

"So…why didn't you try to tell any of the rulers how you feed?" Aven asked. "Cause it sounds like you just…did the 'spooky story' route and wanted people to be afraid of you while you hunted in the darkness…" Aven explained carefully. "Is your feeding leave anything permanent? Like a lack of love or personal injury?"

"To be fair my first few years of life I didn't have much of a mind, ran mostly on primal instincts and killed… a lot of creatures. A medium sized village once…" She said. "But as for leaving anything a constant feeding can leave one with a weakened immune system for a while as well as migraines. Physical Injuries, no."

"Okay…ah, here we are. Your a Changeling?" Aven asked, which she nodded in confirmation. "Alright…so why do you want to take over? Cause it sounds less like you being an asshole and more…you're just hungry and not desperate enough to ask for help."

"Feeding on love keeps my children alive and well, it's how I reproduce. And it takes a lot of love to keep my hives population up. Not to mention feeding it into the eggs, then raising the grubs into cocooning and making sure the cocoons hatch. It's just easier to take things over than working out some program. That and I hate paperwork."

"So you wanted a reliable food source with none of the actual responsibilities of it?" Aven asked. "Then…why did you want to take over an entire country when it would entail all the responsibilities of running a kingdom? Also…I hate how my world might just fuel you through the power of horny alone…" He shook his head at the parts where the shape shifting was…rather intricate and believable.

"Lust and love are two different things." She retorted. "And I'd only take it over so all the citizens can become my childrens pets or servants on top of being our food source."

Aven stared at her. "I must warn you though…you're technically not going to be in the 'real world'...so you might be wasting your time." Aven said, not sure how it would work going from a reality with magic to a video game but pretty sure it's her going to be nerfed to hell.

"If I can bring back tools and weapons I can use For my goals than I don't care."

"I doubt you'll find anything, or you'll probably get banned immediately…hmm, I do have to wonder what'll happen to you…" Aven hummed.

Once the passport was stamped the odd insectoid hoarse was off to TOME.

Zeto stood waiting out in the dragon lands danger zone. He sighed while waiting for his companion to show up.

"Come on…I know you hate being late…" Zeto muttered.

It took a while but eventually he spotted Kizuna approaching. He smirked seeing his old friend finally arrive.

"Good to see ya again." Zeto said. "How's it feel to be 'real' my fine gunner cat girl?" He asked, noticing that she did indeed get a cat tail her avatar didn't normally have.

“Where the heck are we?” She asked. “Did the Forbidden Power evolve or something?”

"So…we're on a planet named Equis, and this would be the 'real world' for our characters…as for that rat bastard…" Zeto sighed. "Sadly yes..he is the son of a Goddess from what I've learned…"

“Uhh… Maybe some more context would be useful because that sounds fairly crazy.”

"It is, especially when the both of us are considered Demi Gods." Zeto brought up. "So…it starts like this…" he sighed, as he started to explain all the wonderful and terrifying things he's figured out so far.

It took an hour or so, but eventually Kizuna was all caught up.

“Alright so… we’re pretty screwed…”

"Not entirely." Zeto said. "Cause I have a…source that told me about that rat bastard…and so far, as long as the Host stays safe and sound, he should be fine with the help of this worlds magics." Zeto explained. "But in the off chance, the Carrier is still by his side, and I've been crafting some…very special gear." He said, which Kizuna noted that Zero's robot arm did seem a lot more decked out.

“Hm… So, what do we do then?”

“Right now…” Zeto started. “For the first time…we actually have time.” Zeto said with a smile, Kizuna seeing a spark in Zeto’s eyes she hasn’t seen in a long time. “No more time tables…no more paperwork or panic…we can actually do something together after…how long?”

“Since… the beta tests honestly.”

“So years.” Zeto chuckled, standing up from his rock. “Now…what do you want to do now that we have all this free time? There’s supposedly dungeons cropping up around here we can investigate.”

“Release me at once you vial cur!” Chrysalis thrashed against the cage.

“No can do lady.” RubyRulez shook his head. “We’re still trying to figure out who you are, what you are, and how the hell you don’t have a single bit of code in your system.”

“And also, how you can cause players to get physically tired.” KinderSpirit frowned.

“I didn’t go through that idiotic customs to be stopped!” She yelled, kicking the bars again.

“Have fun breaking out those bars there missy.” Bitshroom said.

“All we’re asking for is basic information.” Exec answered. “And considering you’re technically an ‘alien’ by your own admission, and the fact that many players have had to log off due to ‘Headset pains’ out of nowhere, and by the dozens, I think we deserve some answers.”

“I was merely absorbing magic and emotions from them. A surprisingly filling feast I must admit. Your people are easy meals.” Chrysalis said.

Webmaster pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm…not even going to begin trying to figure out what you just said…but that didn't answer any of our questions, and that gives us more of a reason to get a friend of ours to detain you." He said, now hearing she did this maliciously. "And there will, most likely, be no going back on the other side of the border for you." He said, which made the queen stop for a second to think over those words.

“You can’t keep me imprisoned forever!” The queen declared, erupting in green flames. To the Webmasters surprise, she had turned into a house fly, flying between the bars and out of the room.

Webmaster sighed, snapping his fingers as he used Admin privileges to trap the now house fly creature in a jar as he held it in his hands. "I don't think you truly know who you're trying to mess with ma'am."

Another flash of green and the Queen was now bigger than the jar, clipping out of the jar rather than breaking it and assuming the form of a large black dragon.

The shock of the Webmasters gave her the opportunity to swat them all with her massive tail, sending them all flying before shifting into a different form and escaping.

“Alright…” The mushroom king of TOME huffed, as he teleported down to where Chrysalis was, which was now his Domain. “Now your in my territory ya stupid shapeshifting bug.” The mushroom said, as before Chrysalis could react a question mark box was suddenly in front of her and out popped a Star, a blinding flash of light appearing around it in an attempt to blind the queen.

“I see your visitor is causing you trouble.” Demon said, his tone making it feel like he was smirking as he addressed the Webmaster.

WebMaster held his chest lightly, the impact having actually hurt him in the real world somehow, even as he looked between the new visitor and the battle between his world designer and the strange shapeshifter. “Yes…she is being quite a handful even though we were asking her basic questions.” He said carefully. “Now…who are you, and what’s going on?” He asked, feeling a headache coming on from all the crap he’s going to have to tell Giga.

“An interloper, of sorts. I and my associate are taking an interest in your little computer world.”

“Well…I’m glad to know our little VR game is making rounds in the universe than…” Webmaster sighed. “So what’s really going on here? Does…this involve that bug with the Goblin King and our missing players?”

“Call that a new feature we installed.”

“And what is that feature? Cause we’ve dug as deep as we could and having found a single scrap of Code.” Webmaster brought up, very confused and worried about what was going to happen soon.

“Now, who said anything about it being a digital feature?” Demon said with a chuckle.

“Does this have to do with whatever that Shapeshifter is having crossed Border Patrol?” WebMaster asked. “Cause I’m pretty sure she’s now breaking some laws here by assaulting innocent people.”

“Definitely. I was the one that gave her the passport in her world after all.”

“Of course…” Webmaster sighed. “So, where do we go from here? Cause we can’t just…let more of these being’s into TOME, there’s innocent’s that could get hurt by someone thinking their above everyone else.” He said, seeing Chrysalis trying her best to fight against Bitshroom but it not entirely going well for the shapeshifter.

“Oh but my boy, that’s part of the fun!” Demon said with a cackle. “You see this little fake world and the one she is from are now connected and on a path towards an eternal entanglement. Course, once that happens this little world of ones and zeros won’t be so fake, and soon you’ll be seeing your avatar bodies bleed and breathe.”

Webmaster’s eyes widened at that realization. “Then…everyone would be trapped in this…we wanted to make a good game, not Dot/Hack damn it…”

“Oh no no no, see, they won’t be trapped in here, this world will spill out into the one your human body is.” Demon clarified. “And when it does, the chaos will be global.”

“So…it’ll all just…be the ‘Real World’?” Webmaster asked carefully. “And…I suppose the people of Earth will…have the chance to gain the Avatar’s of TOME when this…does work?” He asked, trying to think of this like a Game Dev lead cause boy howdy is he in way over his head with realities fusing together.

“That’s right and you~” Demon poked Ruby in the chest. “Would be the equivalent of a God when it is.”

The shapeshifting crystal man’s eyes widened. “R-really?” He asked in awe.

“Wait wait wait.” Exec said, immediately pumping the brakes on this. “We’re Game Developers, not ‘Gods’, so mind explaining how in the world that’s even possible?” Exec asked, and while technically they did create life that was thought to be impossible, that didn’t make them gods of any sort.

“Oh there is much you don’t understand, but tell me, when was the last time you checked on Sofdi’s room?” Demon asked, making all the Devs freeze. “Poor thing went and ran off. Having a blast in the other world really. Not surprising she ran away when her parents never visit.”

“No! That’s impossible!” Kinder Spirit snapped, checking the logs…as he took a step back in horror. “Wh-what did you do to her!” The angelic lady snapped, lightning crackling from her sleeves in a fit of anger at the loss of their baby. “And don’t you dare say that we never cared for Sofdti! She’s our daughter!”

“Really? Did you know she has been in a player avatar for years?” Demon asked. “Ruby approved the avatar, and she’s been making friends among the players for years. Has a lovely little friend group too.”

“Th-that can’t be…” Ruby shook his head, looking through the many, many logs. “I…I thought it was just a coincidence…” He muttered, seeing right there, the 1234567th player was named Gamecrazed.

“I…think I might know why…” Webmaster started, which made the other three look at him. “Not too long ago, a Moderator contacted me about a known trouble maker, known as Rockcoon, disappeared even when they were still considered logged in…there’s been other reports that I’ve found…does it have anything to do with these supposed Hacker incidents?” He asked, Demon being the only one to see Ruby flinch with worry.

“I thought those were already resolved?” Exec brought up.

“If hackers were involved…and if they figured out…” Kinder Spirit trailed off. “We…we need to tell Giga…this is so wrong…” The head sound designer and ‘Main Voice’ of TOME sounded choked up behind her avatar.

“I’m afraid no such luck.” Demon said, raising a hand. He snapped his fingers. The devs all saw their administrative privileges were… removed. “Can’t have you all ruining the fun now can I?” Demon added, another snap and suddenly the devs suddenly… felt. Smells. Touch. Sounds felt clearer and the graphics even looked… more real. “That should keep you all… still.”

“What did you do!?” Webmaster demanded, the group trying not to panic at the fact that they’re all now…technically people now.

“Oh just put you in your daughters shoes. You are all now ‘digital’ entities. Experiencing this world just like she did. And, keeping you from contacting that little agent. But just to be on the safe side…” Demon said, snapping his finger again. While nothing happened they the devs could see, they knew he had done something to Giga. “Don’t worry, while you aren’t in control over TOME’s systems anymore, your ‘powers’ are still at your fingertips.”

“Hey! Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Bitshroom called out worriedly as he had Chrysalis boxed in.

“A…lot is happening my friend…” Webmaster said carefully, staring at Demon. “Should we be preparing for our…trip to whatever this new world is?”

“If you wish.” Demon shrugged. “I will be here. Having fun.”

Webmaster rubbed his new temples. “And…since I’m sure they’re involved somehow, where’s Zeto and Kizuna?” He asked, feeling like the old Beta Testers were somehow involved as well.

“In the other world. That little thing, the Forbidden Power you called it, is there too. An associate of mine is… bringing them to their full potential.”

All of them felt a shiver of horror run down their spines at the thought of that monster being even stronger than normal. “It’s…it’s not going to happen.” Ruby said, trying to be sure that Zeto and Kizuna wasn’t fucking up their job’s and getting thing’s set up.

“It might.” Demon shrugged. “After all, when Pain makes a monster, she doesn’t hold back.”

“I hope that Anti-Virus is going to be strong enough…” Ruby thought to himself in horror, hoping that the work he spent behind his friend’s back’s wouldn’t become something…so much worse.

To be continued...

Chapter 7

"Nylock, hurry up! The hatching pits will be getting ful soon." Ember called out as Nylock was following behind, carrying a large assortment of baby items in a wagon.

"My lady please, I'm going as fast as I can!" Nylocke said, trying his best to move quickly while also not dropping anything.

"Did you really have to bring all that stuff?"

“Yes.” Nylocke answered plainly. “If not for our child, then at least for the many other newborns…better to be safe than sorry.”

"You do know the most any expecting parents bring to the Hatching Pits is a blanket and that's not exactly common right?"

“Time’s are changing, and I’m not going to take chances with our first child.” Nylocke said.

"You still didn't have to go this overboard." Ember said, carrying her and Nylock's egg in her hands. "I mean, that's like nine pounds of baby formula. Dragon don't nurse let alone feed that to a hatchling."

“Then how do they feed if they are literally an infant just born into the world?” Nylocke asked. “I doubt their born with teeth so they can’t eat gems…don’t tell me they’re only taken care of for maybe a year or two then told to leave and deal with life by themselves.”

"No, and hatchlings are born with a small set of baby teeth but we typically feed them crushed gemstones for the first few months to a year. After that they can chew and eat gems and ore and meat just fine on their own. And whelps typically don't leave the caves until they're ten, and when they're twenty they're either willingly moved out on their own or kicked out by the parents."

“Half of what you said sounds like what happens back home…” Nylocke said, really wanting to make sure that the kids are safe and sound. “I just…don’t want to screw this up ya know?”

"Just relax and breathe. Remember, by the days end we will be returning home with our hatchling, a new section in the cave has been carved and dug out for them, which you covered in bubble wrap and foam, and I'll be there to watch over them, and knowing my dad he'll probably check up and visit them daily."

“Most likely…” Nylocke sighed, knowing he might be overreacting here but…this is his first child! How can he not?

"Besides, you should be more excited to know if it's a boy or a girl."

“I am excited…but I’m still nervous about me being a good father.” Nylocke said honestly.

"The bar for good father in the Dragon Lands is low. So long as you don't lose, sell or accidentally kill or eat them you are considered a good father."

Nylocke looked at Ember in abject horror. “The fuck is wrong with you people?”

"Would you like that list alphabetically or?"

Nylocke facepalmed. “Really?”

"You asked. In case you haven't noticed Dragons are notoriously prideful and selfish. Getting a dragon to admit their wrong you might as well be arguing with a wall and getting a dragon to change their way of life, especially an adult dragon, yeah… besides, it's not that common anymore a drake accidentally eats their hatchlings."

“It still happens and that’s a problem.” Nylocke frowned. “Also, you said it’s not that common that it ‘accidentally’ happens! Why would they eat their own children on purpose?”

"Big, stuck up, selfish dragon who obsess with their hoards do not mix well with whelps. Hatchlings would get into their hoard, eat gems, big dragons get mad, eats hatchling. That doesn't really happen anymore but every once in a while… it's still more likely to happen accidentally and usually it's because one of the parents snores, sleeping with their mouth open and the little one crawls in there and gets swallowed by accident. Dad said I used to do that too when I was little. I actually remember one time when I was little I pretended his mouth was a cave and tried to mine one of his teeth. That woke him up and I got grounded for months." Ember said with a chuckle.

“Well…that does sound a little funny.” Nylocke chuckled. “But…all the rest is…worrying.”

"That's just how it is. It's the risk older, bigger dragons face if they decide to keep having kids."

“Well, thankfully I’m not going to be as huge as all the other dragons.” Nylocke said, thinking that there won’t ever be a magical growth spurt where he’s the size of a mountain.

"Huh… wonder how that will affect our sex lives when I get bigger?"

Nylock turned ten shades of pink.

“E-excuse you my lady?” Nylocke asked, so stunned and embarrassed that he mixed his two tones together.

"What? I'm only twenty three. I probably won't get as big as my dad, maybe half or so as I get older but that's centuries away. Though I guess I will eventually get taller than you."

“Well…then I’m probably going to have to endure that as well…”

"It's alright. Once I get that big I'm sure we can find ways to make it fun~" Ember teased, laughing as Nylock broke out in a cold sweat and began stuttering.

Game Crazed huffed, they and Luna were in another spar. Another he was losing.

“I shouldn’t be losing this hard…” Gamecrazed panted, dodging another magical bolt and dashing forward with an overhead slash of their sword arm.

"While your skills in close range are near that of a master, you lack proper long range offense." Luna informed, dodging the swipe and blasting Gamecrazed back.

“I do have ranged attacks…” Gamecrazed grunted, firing off several shadow balls towards Luna to prove a point.

A wave of magic and a Luna was protected by a magic barrier that took all the hits before vanishing. "Then perhaps the issue lies in versatility?"

“I did the best I could with the limits I was given by TOME’s world.” Gamecrazed said, phasing into the ground and turning themselves into a wave of spikes towards Luna.

"Ah, but you are not bound by that world or its laws anymore." She said, with a flap flew above Gamecrazed's attack and countered with a beam of ice magic that froze them solid.

GC grunted and shattered the ice as a giant shadow fist rushed towards Luna.

With another wave of magic Luna's shield came up, the impact from Gamecrazed vibrating the air around the two but Luna's shield stood. "You have been improving."

“Still not strong enough…” GC said, opening their hand and grabbing the shield and Luna and throwing them strongly into the ground.

"My, you're angry today." Luna replied, somehow behind Gamecrazed. He spun around, and received a cupcake smeared on his face. "Sorry! I forget you don't have a mouth…"

GC blinked, then gave a flat look towards Luna that looked like a frown. “Thank you but…really?”

"It's not really noticeable until you look or .. forget." She said, a flash of her magic and cleaning Gamecrazed as the two were now on the ground. "But you are angered. What bothers you?"

“I…I don’t know…” GC shook their head. “The more I’m here, the more I realize that my mistake could burst forth at any moment and start hurting those I care about…how these All Maker’s could already be after my parents…my brother and sister…”

"You feel like you should be doing more?"

“Yes…” They nodded. “If I don’t do more, than Kajet could break free and bring destruction to this new world…I fear that Void…or Pain as they call her, is already making Kajet so much stronger now…”

"That is likely, but there is not much we can do for now. They out-power us by untold fathoms. All we can do is train for when they unleash that threat upon us."

“I…I just hope we’ll all be ready for it…” GC sighed bitterly.

"That is why we train regularly. To ensure we are." Luna said with a smile and a nod. "But, mental health and physical health are linked. Perhaps we can take a short break for now."

“I…suppose we can.” The shadow morphological admitted.

Rockcoon sighed as he left his new job. It had been a month since his arrival in this world and Ponyville, and after admittedly several mental breakdowns about possibly never going home, he managed to live with that possibility.

He got out of the hospital fast, magic was great like that, and with help from his new friend Derpy, had a place to sleep and the means to job hunt.

He ended up with the perfect job. A gravel mine an hours train ride from Ponyville. His endless bombs made his a highly valued, and paid, employee. First time an employer ever complimented his work that he can recall even.

He walked through town and to his home where he lived with his friend, or rather, girlfriend, Derpy.

At some point the two began dating and Rockcoon, having never had a girl, or female in general think of him as attractive or romantically, accepted.

He even got along with her daughter Dinky.

“Ah, this is the life.” Rockoon said in contentment, fixing his miner’s helmet as he walked through the shockingly inviting town of Ponyville.

While the apples still held a small grudge, they still accepted him now that his act was cleaned up.

He entered the house he shared with Derpy and Dinky and took a seat on the couch. "Hey Rock." Derpy said, handing him a glass of lemonade. "You're back early."

“Yeah, just had to do some quick thing’s at work, bomb some spots that they marked down and that was the day…don’t know why I can’t help more than just the bombs, I can dig like a champ after all.” Rockcoon said, bringing up his clawed hands as he knew he had a few digging based attacks.

"Well, you are basically a demolitionist and those are expensive so, they probably just want you to set up the bombs to break apart the rocks." Derpy shrugged, giving Rockcoon a kiss on the cheek.

Rockcoon never imagined himself as able to be in a relationship. Back on earth girls never gave him the time of day. He was a shy, quiet introvert back on earth. When TOME launched and he made his avatar, he wanted them to be someone people noticed and never forgot, and thus the bombing raccoon was born.

He became a hacker later on, first as a hobby then as a part time job since it paid well.

He couldn't believe how happy he was being more of himself with Derpy than as the trouble making hacker troll he was in TOME.

“Yeah, I’m honestly surprised at how expensive explosives are all thing’s considered.” Rockcon said, putting his miner’s hat and jacket on the coat rack.

"There's a lot of rules and regulations just to buy some. You having an endless supply at your grasp cuts the cost for them in half. Still, even half of expensive is still expensive."

“Hmm, fair.” Rockcoon shrugged. “So, how was your day my sweet muffin?”

"Slow. No major packages or letter deliveries so I spent the rest of my shift organizing the outgomail for tomorrow."

“Alright.” The bomber raccoon nodded. “Slow day for the both of us I suppose.”

"Just means more time together." Derpy said, giving him another kiss on the cheek. "But a package ordered did come in so I started making you a surprise one month anniversary gift!"

“Surprised it’s only been a month all things considered.” He said honestly.

"It does feel longer doesn't it. Come on, your gift is almost done and in the kitchen." Derpy said, Rockcoon following the mare. Upon entering the kitchen he caught the smell of pizza. Pepperoni pizza specifically.

That did surprise him. He knew Derpy and other ponies didn't eat meat. It's wasn't really taboo, some did find it gross but they were all herbivores.

“Pepperoni Pizza? How? And…are you sure?” He asked, even though getting the best pizza is great, he was surprised by this.

"Yeah, it was actually pretty easy getting the meats. Equestria may be primarily home to ponies, but omnivores and carnivores call the kingdom home too. While a minority, Celestia wanted to make sure their dietary needs were met and created a special mail order meat delivery service." Derpy explained. "I filled out the paperwork, mailed in the application and now that you're registered butcher shops send you several pounds of various meats and meat products a month. See, I even got a spare freezer for it." She added, waving a hoof over at the new standing freezer next to the refrigerator.

“Derpy…you have no idea how happy I am to know this.” The raccoon said with a giant smile, so glad to finally have meat again.

"I knew you'd enjoy it. My friend Carrot Top says I'm going a bit overkill this early in the relationship but my mom always said it's Overkill or nothing. That's how she got my dad." She said with a smirk, giving another quick kiss to Rockcoon, this time on the lips. "I know we haven't been dating long but… I like you, a lot. I like seeing you happy, you make me happy, and you get along with Dinky great. I wanna make sure this works out for a long term relationship."

“Yeah…to be perfectly honest, I was worried I wasn’t good enough for ya.” He said sheepishly. “Considering you’re…literally one of the only women that have liked me like this…or at all.”

"Well to all those other mates, I say too bad for them. I have no plans on letting you go." Derpy said, giving Rockcoon another kiss as the oven dinged. "Pizzas done!"

"Uuuuuggghhhhh. We've been walking forever…" Flamegirl whined as she and Alpha had been searching the White Tale Woods for the next dungeon for several weeks now.

“I know…this fucking sucks.” Alpha whined, thinking that they should have found this stupid dungeon by now.

"I hate hidden locations…"

“Same…” Alpha sighed. “But it should be around here somewhere…”

"Hopefully. I've gotten so used to hunting for food I think when I see a refrigerator I'm gonna temporarily think it's a gift from God." Flamegirl sighed. "Bright side at least I am in epic shape!" She said, flexing her more profound muscles.

“Y-yeah…you are…” Alpha looked away as he felt his face turn completely red. “Steph was pretty before…ugh, why must buff women also be really hot?” Alpha mentally whined at his predicament at the fact his girlfriend was even hotter.

"Don't act like you haven't gained some meat on your bones either Alpha~" Flamegirl said, rapidly rushing up to and pulling up Alpha's shirt, exposing his new, not quite rock hard but definitely visible six pack.

“St-Steph!” Alpha turned even brighter red. “Give me back my shirt please.”

"What? Girl can't enjoy her man's view?" She asked.

During their traveling and after an accidental kiss Alpha and Flamegirl began dating. While dates mostly consisted of who could find the tastiest, or most romantic food or rest stop, the two enjoyed them plenty.

Plus Flamegirl loves the isolation their adventure gave her with Alpha.

“I do have to wonder how the others are doing.” Alpha wondered. “They’d probably flip over seeing the both of us like this.”

"Ten bucks says Kirb is still gonna think he can beat you in a fight."

“I’m not gonna take that bet cause you know he’d immediately try something.” Alpha chuckled.

"So, think the others all have been training and getting stronger?"

“Most likely…except for Nylocke cause he’s probably worrying about being a dad.” Alpha said honestly.

"Think he and Ember will have more than one kid?"

“Maybe, depends on what they both want.” Alpha shrugged.

"Well, wanna make camp since we still can't seem to find that damn dungeon?"

“Yeah.” Alpha nodded. “We should get some rest…getting really sick of looking for this damn place…”

Zeto sighed, the first ever dungeon run between the two of them after so long of having to deal with the Kajet and making sure it didn’t break free…and it was somehow boring. “Ugh, you’d think these stupid things could take more than one hit…”

"It is weird." Kizuna hummed. "I don't feel any stronger than I do in The real world, but…"

“I was told we’re ‘demigods’ by one of our…’new friends’.” Zeto said carefully. “Not full gods because we’re Beta Testers, but I thought dungeon’s would have…I don’t know, kept up with us?”

"Demi God's? Like Hercules? That's kinda cool. So, does that make the others all Gods by that definition?"

“From what Voodoo said, yes.” Zeto nodded. “Makes the other Webkings Gods…and Sofdti a Goddess of Life.” He said, changing his robo-arm into a gatling gun and firing a bullet at a monster that thought it could sneak up on Kizuna while she was distracted by the conversation.

"So… that makes Kajet akin to a God of Death? Given he's more or less the opposite of Sofdti?"

“Sadly…” Zeto sighed. “Which makes our jobs a whole lot harder if the carrier of the Anti-Virus doesn’t work…” He shook his head.

"Given we're no longer dealing with ones and zeroes, we might have to completely rework or scrap the Anti-Virus entirely."

“Which would suck total balls if that’s true.” Zeto. “A lot of hard work and planning down the dragon if that’s true…”

"We should see what exactly god half of being a demi god can do for us and maybe work on a back up if that is the case."

“Yeah…hopefully things can go well this time around with the others…”

"Speaking of, how are those… friends of yours doing?"

“Alpha and Flamegirl went out dungeon crawling and haven’t been seen in weeks, Nylocke is currently panicking about his child being born, and Gamecrazed has been spending practically every waking moment with Luna training for…something.” Zeto said carefully. “I’d say I can bring you to talk to each of them as Kirb but kinda doubt they’d be entirely thrilled after the Tournament.”

"They are Kirbs friends after all, not Zeto's."

“Can’t really show them Zeto after I stole the Dragon Scepter after….having to wait for the newly weds…” Zeto shuddered. “Ugh…two fucking hours…”

"You make it sound like they were fucking for two hours."

“Did you know that dragons have two dicks?” Zeto asked, which made Kizuna blush brightly at how blunt he just asked that. “Cause they do, and Ember and Nylocke did it…for two hours…” He said, his voice sounding like a man broken from knowing too much.

"Huh. One for each. Amazed she only laid one egg "

“I slipped on something…and I don’t want to know what it was…” Zeto shivered in horror. “Also…learned that it was magic that made sure that she would have been pregnant after the first try…”

"Huh. The opposite of a condom."

“Just be glad that the reason I had to endure that bullshit was to get an interdimensional phone so I could contact you.” Zeto huffed.

"Well, at least some good came out of it. Now, should we hunt something for lunch or should we run around this labyrinth some more?"

“Yeah, best to hunt for some lunch.” Zeto nodded, cause even if they were Demi-Gods, hunger was still a minor issue.

Aven sighed as he sat at his desk. Before him stood his newest arrival. One Trixie Lunamoon. Traveling Showmare by trade, luggage, one live in/storage wagon and a few boxes of small pyrotechnics and other various fireworks.

"Is everything in order?"

“Why do I need to deal with the washed up people?” The griffon in dragon bone armor grumbled. “Alright, so thing’s are getting sorted out fully considering you’re also bringing explosives through border patrol…at what point did you think it was a smart idea to bring explosives without a permit?”

"They're part of my act! Plus I do have the equestrian permits!"

“Yes, you have the Equestrian permit, and you’re going to a completely different world and reality.” Aven clarified. “Which that caused this whole thing to be sent to a few others and makes my workload bigger…”

"Well it's not like I knew that. Some skeleton gave me the passport and told me where a portal was. I wasn't even expecting there to be a sophisticated border like this, what are you, Quaksland?!"

“First, we’re not here to be racist.” Aven said, looking at Trixie. “And I’m the guy that hunt’s down monster’s that makes your fake story of fighting an Ursa Major look like a cake walk.”

"Of course my stories are fake, I'm a stage magician! It's all for show! Make foals smile! Also I wasn't being racist Quaksland is a real place, been there, preformed there, made a decent coin."

“Cause of course…” Aven sighed. “But, given I did a background check on you…looks to me like you took it a bit too far…several times…” Aven said, holding a folder about Trixie’s past deeds to make sure she wasn’t a criminal trying to escape to another world and continue the same shit. “Pride is unbecoming of a pretty mare like you, especially when it involves endangering people due to treating your act like reality and buying a very illegal artifact to hold a town hostage.”

"Hey! Those two idiot kids were the ones who brought that thing to town not me! Plus, I was never charged with a crime, just given a… several months banishment from Ponyville and a ticket of several thousand bits to repay damages, which is all paid off by the way!"

“That…sounds like criminal charges in the Town of Ponyville.” He said slowly. “But I can wave that off as you did pay off the damages and after that there wasn’t really any other big problems…though while I can agree children being stupid cause fancy magic show…just to be honest, a lot of stage magician’s in my world don’t really do the ‘I once did this’ unless it was for a stage bit.” He said, kinda wishing he could show Trixie some Pen and Teller’s ‘Fool us’.

"Stage bit? Like a comedy thing? Huh… actually, that sounds like a good idea. I will have to think that over during my stay in the land of TOME."

“Less ‘comedy’ and more ‘it was apart of the trick’, like telling a story while doing the magic trick.” Aven said. “Here, if you head to TOME and somehow magically get to watch TV, if you want to see what my world does with Stage Magician’s, look up Penn and Teller Fool Us, it’s a fun show that has two master class magician’s doing a game show for other magician’s to try and fool them…also, I will warn you, that TOME and my world are…technically two different places at the current moment.”

"Alright. So, am I allowed to pass?"

Aven sighed. “Yeah, you’re allowed to go. But I will warn you, a person named Chrysalis went before you and I heard the Net Kings…TOME’s God’s, did not take that lightly and soundly kicked her ass.”

"Good. She ruined a royal wedding and is considered a terrorist back home." Trixie said, walking over to her wagon, attaching the harness to herself and pulling it through the portal.

Aven gave another sigh as he took a sip of his coffee, hearing someone, a group it seemed, enter from.the TOME portal. He nearly spit out his coffee. In not spitting out his coffee he nearly choked on the drink.

Before his desk all stood the Netkings.

“Holy shit!” Aven coughed, pounding his chest to make sure he didn’t choke. “Uh…hi! Uh…why are you here?”

“Dropping off this bitch.” Bitshrum said, putting down a box that had Chrysalis’s head on the outside as she struggled against it.

“And also so we can…figure something’s out.” Webmaster sighed.

“Well…what do you need to figure out?” Aven asked, sitting up and trying not to geek out about meeting the five creator’s of the best game ever.

"That's personal. But we received word of this… unexpected edition to the game world. Are you with the party responsible?" Webmaster asked.

Aven sighed. “I was there when Vortex was…possessed by Pain, as it created the portal to Equis, and while the main five of Alpha, Flamegirl, Nylocke, Gamecrazed and Kirbopher got sent there, I got stuck in the Inbetween, where I met Genie and got hired as Border Patrol.” Aven explained. “And…I was a hacker that Solo’d Raid Bosses.”

“Wait, you’re that Avenborn?” Rubyrules inquired. “The one that we’ve seen some mild rumors about a guy soloing boss’s every week?”

“I may hack my stats to be able to solo Boses, but I will always be a true gamer and bitch about how low you made the drop rates.” Aven said readily.

“Well…at least you’re honest and didn’t do anything malicious to the game or the players.” Kinderspirit said carefully.

"So you're a victim as well. I'm assuming this means you can't leave this place unlike others?"

“Well, this is my job now.” Aven said. “Simple nine to five, overtime, get paid a lot of money to deal with the paperwork and stupid people that come into my office,”

“Lucky…” Exec grumbled.

“And I get to go out with my new form and powers and do exactly what I was doing and go out monster hunting and complaining about drop rates on the signature weapon or the proper drop cause even in this new reality RNJesus wants to spite me.”

"So, anything you can tell us about this other world?"

“Alright, so Equis…” Aven sighed. “So it’s a mythical land filled with Ponies, Unicorns, Pegasi, Griffon’s, Dragons, all the fantasy stuff,” Aven said as Chrysalis was carted off by another guard due to her nonsense and continued on with his explanation of Equis from what he is allowed to tell them. After about five minutes or so with a general run down of history and what to expect, he started to write down something’s with the slowly growing stack of paperwork.

"I see. And these All Maker beings are just sending people both from TOME and Equestria to each other?" Webmaster asked.

“Pretty much.” Aven said. “Why? Cause they are bored and want some entertainment…”

“Life isn’t a game though.” Kinderspirit said carefully, having personally helped bring new life through means that shouldn’t have been possible so she knew.

“Well, they are the being’s that God’s pray to so there’s that.” The griffon shrugged.

"All the more concerning." Webmaster muttered to themselves. "How long will it take for us to arrive in Equestria?"

“Just need to do some more paperwork, get you all your passports and travel visa, ya know how it goes.” Aven said.

“Well, hopefully this’ll go better than some of our other trips.” Exec grumbled.

“It was one time Exec!” Kinderspirit pouted.

“I mean, let’s not forget that we don’t need to rush to the airport at five am when our flight is at twelve.” Bitshrum added.

“It’s better to get there early and deal with all of it before our flight.” Exec retorted, which did help them all in the long run.

"Any idea where we will be arriving at?" Webmaster asked.

“Depends on where you want to go honestly. Cause while it can be random at least where you want to go, the portal at least spits you out around the area you wanted to go to.” Aven said honestly, remembering Rockcoon wanting to go to a simple town and appeared near Sweet Apple Acres.

"I see. Well, if you think you can get it to drop us off at the nearest authority that can help us recover players and settle this issue, that would be greatly appreciated."

“Alright.” Aven nodded, starting to write down something’s on more of his painful paperwork. “I’ll be sending you all to Canterlot, cause that’s where the Diarch’s of Equestria are.”

"As close as you can then."

To be continued...

Chapter 8

Nylock sat in his shared cave with Ember. It had been a month since their daughter, Cassiopeia, hatched and came into the world. She had a mix of green and blue scales, similar to both her parents, and where they met they mixed into a lovely seafoam color.

The two haven't had a moment's rest. Their daughter could be best described by one word. Menace.

In the first month she somehow bit and chewed a piece of Nylock's ice sword off. Dug herself a tunnel leaving many holes in the cave walls and floor she regularly crawled in and out of. Broke a table. Broke her crib seven times. Burned several of Ember's comics, and sent her grandfather to the dentist after headbutting one of his teeth and breaking it.

"You think if we glue the shell fragments of her egg back over her it will keep her trapped?" Ember asked with a groan.

"I doubt it could work…" Nylocke grumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "How can she be so cute yet such a menace to society?"

"She's an infant with her father's strength… what species of dragon are you anyway?"

"Uh….I don't know, this was gifted to me for being the 1,111,111th player to register." He said honestly.

"You don't know?" Ember asked. "Wait, gifted, you mean that… game thing right?"

"Yes, the land of TOME, the place…Nylocke comes from." The dragon knight sighed. "It feels like an eternity ago, when it's only been half a year."

"Well, who gifted you your… body?"

"The creators of the game themselves, the NetKings." Nylocke answered.

"And those are the gods of TOME right?"

"Well…I suppose?" Nylocke said, uncertain about that specific thing. "They are the creators yes, but…I suppose the Avatars would count?"

"Hmm." Ember hummed in thought. "Well, I think that makes you a demigod then? Which would explain our little nightmare…"

"A demigod? How? I'm just a humble dragon knight, not semi divine." Nylocke said in surprise.

"Well, on Equis, when a God makes another living being, be it alone using their divine abilities or with a mortal the old fashioned way, they are always made as a Demi-Gods. Stronger and more powerful than any mortal, but still not quite gods like their makers or parent. And as such, only when two demigods have children together is the offspring also a demigod. When with another mortal, the child is born as an apex of their respective species… meaning our daughter is how dragons could be were they genetically perfect in all their current physical traits and magical abilities…"

"O-oh…" Nylocke said nervously. "That's…wow "

"So, my husband is a demigod and our daughter is an Apex Dragon… wanna just keep her and never have another kid again?"

"Yes." Nylocke agreed immediately.

"Glad we're on the same page. Now the question is, will we be the parents who drink in small amount throughout the day or in heaps after five?" Ember asked, Cassiopeia falling onto her stomach from a new tunnel hole in the ceiling. The little drake giggling as a slab of cave ceiling cracked off and hit Nylock on the head.

"Every time…" Nylocke grumbled. "So heaps throughout the day sounds fine…" He sighed.

Sofdti sighed as she produced another butterfly from thin air within the palms of her small hands.

"And again." Luna said.

"Alright…" The sprite said, trying to make another butterfly with her power.

After several more minutes a new butterfly appeared in their hand.

"Again." Luna said, taking a sip of her tea.

Sofdti huffed, trying to make another butterfly as she was growing a bit more tired the more she tried to do this.

Hours passed and Sofdti made multiple butterflies, each different in color or design or size.

"Again." Luna repeated.

"Ugh!" Sofdti groaned. "It's been hours~." She whined.

"Mastery takes time."

“I know…” Softdi grumbled, wishing this could be either sped up or at least take a break. “Can we take a break? I’m getting a bit tired…”

"You can take a break, if, you can craft yourself some tea and sandwiches." Luna said, making the sprite eyes widen.

“Excuse me what?” She asked in surprise. “You just…want me to magic up my own food and drinks?”

"Yes. So far you have been successfully creating plants and now small insects. Time for you take on a more complex challenge."

“Fine…” She grumbled, trying to create tea and a sandwich on the table. “Just…gotta…wait, what was that?” Softdi asked, feeling like five powerful being’s just appeared out of nowhere.

"It would appear new gods have entered our realm. Oh I hope they aren't hostile. Dealing with that Zeus fellow was… uncomfortable…"

“Wait, the Greek Pantheon exists?” Sofdti asked in surprise.

"Not anymore. Well, Zeus, his brother Poseidon, and… what was that one woman… think she was supposed to be Zeus's wife but he slept around way too much for that to be true… anyway, those three are dead."

“Really?” She asked in surprise. “The Greek Gods…all of them are dead? And also it’s Hera.”

"Hera, that was the bitch… but no just her Zeus and Poseidon. The others actually thanked us for killing those three then went back to wherever they came from."

“Well…Hera and Zeus I understand, both of them are…kind of assholes, but why Poseidon?”

"He wanted to avenge his brother."

“Well…I suppose that makes sense.” Sofdti shrugged. “So, want to check out who came to visit?”

"It seems they arrived near Canterlot. My sister will greet them." Luna shrugged.

Aven had to admit… out of all the people he has passed through, this was new…

Before him on the other desk was a traveling circus… of hookers, strippers and the like. A fully adult themed circus with males, females, even hermaphrodites, all body types and species.

In total they were a hundred people or so, and he had to view and review all their passports.

It was definitely an experience…

“So…why?” Aven asked the ‘ring leader’ here. “I must warn you, TOME is filled with people of all ages, at least minimum of thirteen…”

The ring leader was a humanoid cat lady, an all black fur with her very humanoid looking body, large proportions wearing only a lacy pink pair of panties and some kind of stick on covers over her breast nipples in the shape of pink hearts. "We only allow adults to enter and enjoy our showings. And to be certain we have our tents enchanted so if someone slips in who is under age we will know as their whole body will glow a bright yellow. It's why typically we spread out showings via word of mouth. After all, posters and flyers would bring horny teenagers in from all around the area trying to sneak a peak or get lucky."

"Ain't that the truth.” Aven sighed. “Alright, thank you…I still can’t believe I’m actually going to be doing this…” He shook his head, thinking about how he was literally sending a strip club circus to TOME. “The only reason why I’m allowing this is because, technically, TOME is now it’s own separate world and is outside the ESRB ratings…”

"I'm unaware of what that is but I thank you. We've been looking for a new location for a while. I don't suppose you have a break coming up~?" She purred. "I think some of the girls, or men, if that's your fancy, and I would be happy to… show our appreciation for the opportunity ~"

“Uh…” Aven blushed brightly, feeling his wing’s spring to attention at that. “Excuse me what?”

"Exactly what I said. Plus, never seen a griff like you, tall boy."

“Uh…” Aven gulped, the average mid twenties single man turned into a cool griffon warrior wasn’t entirely sure how to react here. “I’m…new…”

"Got a private room or are you good with crowds cause nobody here would mind~"

“Hold on…” He said, looking at the papers he got when he got this job to see what he was and wasn’t supposed to do, cause he didn’t remember if it was allowed or not to bend a willing lady over his table and rail her.

The rules mentioned nothing about sexual relations with passengers through the boarders. Which actually did surprise Aven.

“Uh…right, that’s actually rather surprising.” Aven said. “So…what lady do you think I’d prefer?”

"Hmm, you don't look too picky, and this is more a show of appreciation since you're letting us through without hassle so… I think I know what will get you off… repeatedly." The ringmaster said with a smirk and a wink. "Ladies! Gentlemen! We've got a private showing about to start!" She said, clapping her hands and in a rather amazing show of acrobatics, speed and agility the crew set up the tent and all were dressed ready for…

Aven gulped as he suddenly found himself on a mattress with the Ringmaster removing his uniform piece by piece as…. Various acts took place around him. "Now just relax and enjoy~"

Rockcoon was sorting through some mail, a usual morning and the next few days were off so, he was happy about that.

Dinky was already in school and Derpy was at work, so that left him alone for most of the day.

“Man…after everything, I am…very lonely…” Rockcoon muttered. “Hmm…I wonder…” Rockcoon said, grabbing a broom and trying to see if his Hacker skills actually worked in this place, cause out of everything he did, he never once decided to see if he could hack anything.

He held the broom, trying to see if he could-

A skull splitting migraine went over Rockcoon, like being smack in the head with a sledge hammer while hungover staring right into the sun with heavy metal blasting.

He fell to the ground in agony, getting up after what felt like hours but turned out to be twenty minutes when he saw a clock. Wobbly he moved to the bathroom. His eyes were completely red and blood leaked from his ears and nose.

“What…what the fuck…” Rockcoon coughed, trying to clean himself up. “That…that shouldn’t have happened…”

Once he was cleaned up enough he picked up drops from the floor, then went to the hospital.

Several tests and an hour later the doctor came in. "Well Mr. Rockcoon… you are very lucky to be alive." The doctor informed.

“What happened?” He asked worriedly.

"Well, in short based on tests it seems as if somehow every single blood vessel in your head starting to tear at once." He stated. "I don't know how but the tests showed that they also began to heal almost immediately after they began to tear."

Rockcoon's jaw dropped. He immediately looked down at his wrist. He had a rare healing item equipped. One of his first hacked items. Healed the wearer for 80% their total HP over time.

He never took it off his avatar since he hacked some better stats for himself, and as a momento. And it saved his life it seems.

"Now, these signs, save the fact you lived, are very similar to a phenomenon in all kinds of magical species as well as cross breeds known as Mana Displacement Overload."

“And…what’s that?” He asked nervously.

"Basically it's the result of long since dormant mana and species genes not developing as they are supposed to. A prime example is when let's say a unicorn is born to two earth pony parents. Now both parents do have unicorn in their ancestry but it's weakened by generations of mostly earth pony genes being added to the gene pool. As a result there are one in ten thousandths of a chance of a unicorn foal being born to them, and a one in one million chance they are born without MDO. Basically despite the fact they are born a unicorn, they develop and grow more akin to an Earth pony. Oftentimes being larger, stronger and such than the average unicorn. While they can use magic it's typically limited to weak telekinesis. However their magic internally is more akin to an Earth Pony than a unicorn. So, should something happen that causes them a surge, the natural thing that happens when a unicorn experiences a surge is their horn expels mana til it's gone. For a normal unicorn they will usually pass out and require fluids and glucose to make up the lost energy… for a patient with MDO, the effect is lethal. Leading to basically what you experienced. The biological and magic based developments being more akin to a different species than what they were born as means it doesn't flow right through these channels and blood veins and… pop."

Rockcoon put both hands together and had his finger’s cover his mouth, getting a very serious look. “Oh…” Rockcoon muttered. “How in the god damn…” He thought. “I…this really shouldn’t have happened…cause back home I was…able to use my power fine…” He said carefully. "Then again… I wasn't physical back home…" He added in thought.

"I've run some more tests and took a sample of your blood we cleaned up from your ear when you arrived. With luck we can hopefully find out what magic you have in you you shouldn't have. As for whatever power you used, my advice is… don't use it. I'll also have some results back to determine if this event will cause any… lasting damage on your brain but given when you arrived and how you are now it seems whatever healed you prevented any damage from happening. The worse aside from what I imagine must have been agonizing pain was the blood leaking out. There shouldn't be any complications from that given it was blood looking for an exist when it spilled out between your veins tearing and repairing."

“Right…” He nodded. “Real glad I didn’t do this in front of Derpy or Dinky…” The poor racoon said nervously.

"Just don't use this power again alright? You got lucky this time but a second time could prove to be what actually kills you." The doctor said.

“Fair…” He said nervously. “Gonna have to call up that one guy…Genie was it? Yeah him, to see what’s wrong with me.” They thought, thinking Genie might be able to explain why they almost had their head explode before the doctor's could come back with ‘we have no idea what magic you have’.

Alpha and Flamegirl huffed. This new dungeon was finally found but was extremely repetitive. Go to room, fight monsters. Solve puzzles. Backtrack, solve a hidden puzzle within the last puzzle, fight another monster, backtrack again, repeat, unlock a new door or room, fight monster, solve puzzles, backtrack, repeat…

"My head hurts…" Flamegirl groaned as she and Alpha had been stuck in this dungeon for three weeks and while food and water wasn't an issue, the two only made it through five rooms and have no idea if they're close to the end or not.

“Yeah…this is getting really tiring…” Alpha agreed. “Seriously, it’s been three weeks, we should have been able to get out of this dungeon sooner or later…”

"At least the place actually gives us food and drinks… and bathroom. That's a nice touch." Flamegirl said. The first room they unlocked a seemingly infinite food souce, an endless water fountain and a bathroom. "Kinda wish it at least gave a bedroom too… damn stone floor is uncomfortable…"

“Yeah…it is very uncomfortable.” Alpha shook his head. “...I miss the guys…” Alpha commented sadly.

"Wonder what they're up to?"

“Maybe after this we should just head back and see how their all doing?” Alpha suggested.

"If we ever get out of this puzzle hell…" Flamegirl huffed. "I mean, a magic hole in the wall we can pull whatever food out of, endless water and a bathroom stocked with TP and towels with a working shower? Something tells me we won't be out of here for a while…"

“Yeah…”

After some hours the two got back to messing with and solving the endless stream of puzzles the odd dungeon threw at them. Eventually they unlocked a new room. A bedroom.

"Fucking finally ~" Flamegirl said as she dropped face first in the large king sized bed. It was incredibly soft with warm yet cool and breathable fluffy pillows and blankets. "Alpha you have to feel this, it's like a cloud I swear~" She sighed happily.

Alpha also face planted onto the bed and sighed. “Oh yeah…this is nice…”

The two enjoyed the comfort for some time before getting up. The room was not completely empty. Aside from the bed, there was what appeared to be dressers, and bookshelves.

The bookshelves seemed to rotate as if on a machine line, one shelf held fiction. Another, Sciences. History, Math, Literature. Books on all topics and subjects on the apparently infinite bookshelf.

Flamegirl blushed as the dresser held nightgowns, lingerie, and various pajamas.

"Uh… Alpha… do you think this place expects us to be here for… a long while?" Flamegirl asked.

“Uh…maybe?” Alpha said nervously. “This is…really weird…”

"Yeah… also, how do you think this would look on me?" Flamegirl asked.

Alpha turned around to see a rose red thin veil of a dress. See through with strings being the only non transparent part of the 'dress'. Immediately he blushed as Flamegirl held it out in front of her.

“S-Steph!” Alpha whined when seeing said ‘dress’. “That’s…uh…mostly transparent…”

"Well duh, it's lingerie. It's meant to be sexy."

“I know, but damn…” He said nervously. “I mean…I’m sure you’d look amazing in it but you already look amazing…”

"So, you wouldn't mind if I wear this oh say… for our first time?"

Alpha blushed even harder.

“F-F-First time?” Alpha asked. “You…want to do it?”

"For a while… and let's be honest we've both been feeling that itch for a while and being stuck here it's only gonna be a matter of time before we do it anyway. Besides, I wouldn't mind losing my V-card to you."

“I mean…y-yeah…” Alpha said, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. “As long as it’s with you Steph…”

"Good… then I will go get this on and get ready… and you get ready while I'm gone." She said, giving Alpha a kiss on the cheek before leaving with her own cherry red blush matching Alpha's.

Kizuna huffed. For the past two months she had been trying to take this time traveling and fighting along Zeto to form a relationship. Make him hers…

Sadly, she forgot how dense Zeto tended to be.

”You're choking me!” Zeto wheezed for air even though his head, and arm, was being squeezed by her thunder thighs from their sparring match.

Very dense.

Eventually she let him go, and Zeto proceeded to cough and spit as he got to breathing again. "Ready for another round?" Kizuna asked, wondering if smothering him with her breasts would work this time…

“Yeah, but this time.” Zeto said as he changed into Kirbopher. “Gotta keep this form in tip top shape as well.”

Kizuna rolled her eyes, but kneeled down. She never really saw his Kirb form up close like this much. "Huh… man you are short like this." She said, standing back to full height and he barely passed her knees.

“Hey! I’m not that short!” Kirb said, though he had absolutely no idea how she was this fucking huge when he was maybe a foot shorter than Nylocke, and he was the tallest of the bunch!

"My guy I can probably pick you up by flexing my breast muscles…"

“Try me!” Kirb said, bringing out his sword and ready for a fight.

With a shrug, she kneeled down, threw her chest against his face, flexed, and stood. Kirb dangling there from her inhuman muscle control. "Told you…" She said.

“This…means…nothing…” He said, shakily raising a hand up with a single finger crookedly pointing. “Seriously…how did you become a giantess?”

"I mean in your Zeto body you're about my height…"

“And Nylocke’s the same size but I come up to his chest to what the hell.” Kirb brought up with a frown, squeezing his head and arms out of the bountiful breasts.

"Cosmic comedy?" She offered, pulling Kirb from her chest, upset he didn't even seem to register the event. "So, mind if I ask a question?"

“Can I ask you a question first?” Kirb asked, though Kizuna did notice the dusting of red on his cheeks so there was at least something there.

"Shoot short stuff." She shrugged.

“Why are you shoving my face between mount everest and thunder valley all of a sudden?” Kirb asked nervously.

"Oh thank god he noticed!" Kizuna said to herself, blushing a bit. "Isn't it obvious?" She asked. Hoping something will click in that head of his.

“You’re a perv and you can finally flaunt it?” Kirb asked.

"... Only if you enjoy it…" She muttered, blushing redder now.

“I mean, why wouldn’t I?” He asked, like that was an obvious question.

"Oh merciful god above he does function like an actual man!" Kizuna coughed into her hand. "Well then, that settles it.”

“Settles what?” Kirb asked, now confused like she was going on another conversation entirely. “What’s she talking about all of a sudden? I’m a guy so of course I’d like tits and thighs.”

"Zeto." Kizuna said, looking down at Kirb with a calm, almost neutral demeanor. Kirb felt a chill run through his heart, as if whatever she says next, depending on his answer will determine if he lives or dies. "Do you find me attractive?"

“I mean…who wouldn’t?” Kirb said nervously. “I mean…come on…” He motioned to all of her.

"You specifically." Kizuna said with a firm clarity. "Do. You. Like. Me."

“I mean…” Kirb looked at Kizuna and was really worried she’d just shoot both his kneecaps off if he answered wrong.

Kirb felt his thoughts race. He had to say something fast, she looked ready to either shoot him, kick him like a football or cry… maybe all three if he was, and typically is, that unlucky.

“W-well….yes?” He asked in both fear for his own safety…and the safety of his dear friend.

"Really?!" She yelped, picking him up and giving Kirb a crushing hug that shoved almost his whole body between her breasts. "I've loved you for so long it feels so good to finally hear you say it!"

"Love?!" Kirb thought… suddenly a million events in the past, before and after arriving here in Equis made… so much more sense… "I'm a fucking idiot!"

“Air!” Kirb wheezed.

"Sorry!" She yelped, letting go as he practically fit within her bra and between her breasts. "So…"

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” Kirb asked.

“I did.” Kizuna frowned.

“Right…” Kirb muttered. “Why didn’t you say it any blunter?”

"... When would have been a good time?" She asked, Kirb raising a brow. "Back home… after… it was born, you were in and out of the hospital and psych wards. So many meds and therapists… your nerves were shot and the on and off pain… even when all that was under control you had panic attacks, night terrors, it was almost three months before you picked up the headsets and checked out TOME again. After that you obsessed about finding and destroying that thing. I know why, but it was all you thought about… then, one day out of the blue you say you made a new profile and avatar and made friends with those other people…" Kizuna said. "It was the first time you… seemed happy in so long… I wasn't sure if I could say anything… You became happy again… without me there…"

“I know…” Kirb sighed. “It was during my break that I made Kirbopher…silly as joke on my name…but this helps me realize that…what we built is helping people, that the game was still there, it’s heart was there and…it helps me recover faster…still thankful that my arm was actually perfectly fine just…mental blocks and the phantom pain was a bitch…” He rubbed his ‘severed arm’. “But…things are okay…also, you could have done it a little bit before the Gemini Tournament ya know? Alpha and Flamegirl practically screamed they were dating with their ‘Vulcan Rocket’ combo attack…still wish I didn’t just scream at Nye for just playing the game like he did…”

"That's why I didn't…" Kizuna said, shaking her head. "Let's shelve that for now. Because right now I want to do something I've been waiting a long time to do."

Before Kirb could question, Kizuna planted a kiss on the small avatars lips. He was still supposed in place by her bra and breasts and so when it broke he simply blushed brighter and melted between the soft yet strong mounds.

"Wow this body of yours can almost completely hide yourself between the girls." Kizuna commented.

“This cosmic comedy is starting to piss me off.” He huffed, hopping off of Kizuna’s breasts and turning back into Zeto.

"So… wanna go on a proper date? Fair warning, I'm easy and you've already felt most of my body." Kizuna said, making Zeto turn an extremely bright red.

“Lady I swear…” Zeto blushed.

"Hey, I'm not wrong and it's not my fault you didn't catch on quicker." Kizuna laughed.

The Net Kings found themselves outside of the Canterlot Palace. Royal Guards quickly escorted the group to Celestia's throne room where she addressed the fellow gods.

"I must say, I am amazed the gods of TOME are here." Celestia said. "What brings you to my corner of this realm?"

“We have absolutely no idea what you're talking about ma’am.” Bitshrum said honestly.

“We just got here from border patrol after learning that…we are now God’s because of Demon and his company.” Rubirulez added.

“And we’re here to learn about what this world is about and…other important things.” Webmaster said carefully.

"I see. Well, perhaps an explanation is in order. Tell me, from your end what has been going on within TOME?"

“Our VR video game is turning into ‘reality’ as it’s slowly being fused with our ‘real’ world and probably this one.” Exec said simply.

“As well as having to deal with this ‘Chrysalis’ of yours, which we learned was a wanted terrorist.” Webmaster added, gently taking a sip of his tea. “This is some pretty good tea, what kind is it again?”

"Honey Drop. I doubt the flower exists in your realm, and yes, thank you for bringing her in. She has been quite the thorn in my side since the event…" Celestia said.

“What event?” Kinder Spirit asked, currently brushing a maid’s mane as the maid was just enjoying it so much. “And uh…again, I am very sorry about this Princess…I can’t help it.”

"It is alright." Celestia chuckled. "Chrysalis kidnapped and impersonated my niece on her wedding night. Then used her abilities and army to invade. She almost succeeded too."

“She was a pain in the ass I will admit.” Bitshrum said honestly. “But nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“So how did you know about us before we even got here?” Exec asked.

"Some months ago, two of your realms inhabitants. Game Crazed and Flame Girl, arrived here in Canterlot. My sister left with them to find the remaining party members. Right now they are all in the Dragon Lands where Sir Nylocke is the new Dragon Lord and according to my sister's letter father to an adorable little Apex Dragon daughter."

“Oh no~!” Rubyrulez mentally panicked. “The hell do you mean the Dragon’s Head became a dad!?”

“Oh really? That’s wonderful!” Kinderspirit said happily.

“Hmm, that is interesting to hear.” Webmaster admitted. “Good to know that we’ve basically gotten a head start in diplomatic relations…but onto a more…important part.”

"I suppose, but it was a surprise when Sir Nylocke learned of his own self. Hard to believe this whole time he had no idea he was a Demi God. Why did you not inform him of this?" Celestia asked.

“AAAAAAAAAAA!” Rubyrulez mentally screamed. “Uh, that’s because, before this…that wasn’t the case, like at all.” Ruby said. “We were just game devs, and I personally made that avatar in some…very arbitrary number contest to bring homage to the old classic RPG’s I grew up with that inspired me with TOME, given that I am the head character designer.”

"I see, so that makes you his creator then?"

"Ruby is a grandpa~" Kinderspirit said in a sing song voice.

“Shut it.” Ruby huffed.

“I mean, she is technically right.” Webmaster chuckled. “But that doesn’t fully explain how he retroactively became a Demi-God, due to all player avatar’s needing Rubies personal go ahead…” He hummed.

"Does Ruby design all the avatars himself?"

"No, the players submit designs." Kinderspirit said.

"Then that is why. Making a body for another is one thing, any god can make a golem and place a soul, natural or artificial into one, but Ruby here must have poured much into that body of sir Nylock's, including parts of himself. That little bit of divine passion when arriving in Equis is what made Nylock a Demi God upon arrival."

“Well, not to brag or anything.” Ruby said, trying to feign humbleness as he was trying to not show his inner turmoil at his plan’s going to shit now.

"Next time use protection." Webmaster said.

“I will slap you.” Ruby retorted.

“Now, while this is all fine and we’re having our fun,” Exec said, getting a serious tone back to the conversation as he got into the ‘Gendo pose’. “We need to know…what happened to Sofdti?” He asked, given that all five of them knew she wasn’t back in her special room in TOME.

"Who is Sofdti?" Celestia asked, genuine confusion on her face. "I do not believe my sister has mentioned anyone with that name that she has met, nor have the guards and foreign rulers who have encountered travelers from your realm."

“Our daughter is here.” Kinderspirit said. “When the six players disappeared because of Pain apparently, Sofdti disappeared as well…”

"Strange… is she a demi god like sir Nylocke or a Full Blooded God like yourselves?"

“I…suppose she could be considered a Full Blooded God…” Ruby suggested.

“It was…an accident…” Webmaster sighed. “We just wanted to build a game for everyone to play…but our Code…we created Life from data in our new world of TOME way before it was even truly a game…”

"Okay, and what was her purpose when you first created her?" Celestia asked.

“There was no ‘purpose’.” Kinderspirit shook her head. “When we were making the game, an actual, sentient being was created in the world, thoughts and feelings made out of data…Sofdti was our child…she was this adorable little three eyed sprite that Ruby helped design.”

"Okay well, what could she do? Her abilities exactly when they manifested?"

“When I was creating the area known as Sanctuary, it was nothing but a bunch of geometry before I could get into the finer details…then…she did her thing before we even knew she was there and…Sanctuary was created like I had envisioned, just like that.” Bitshrum said honestly.

“She…also created…” Webmaster sighed. “She also created a virus in a point of pure stress, that infected Kajet…and while Sofdti, an innocent sprite that could process emotions into data…that…thing could process data into…actual pain…” All the Netking’s shivered as they remembered Zeto’s bone chilling scream from his arm getting cut off.

"I see… that is… hmm… this Virus… you say it physically harmed one of your own?" They nodded. "Then your Daughter's power is surpassed that of a typical God."

“What do you mean?” Kinder Spirit asked worriedly.

"There is an order in divine rankings. There are Demi God's, Gods, Elder God's, and above that are the All Makers. Your daughter sounds like she lands firmly within the Elder God ranking."

“Oh…” Bitshrum said nervously. “So…that’s…wow.”

“We…created an Elder God?” Ruby asked in awe.

"Yes. Elder Gods, despite the name, are not made by age or power alone. Mostly they are the first divine beings the All Makers create when a new universe or Void before a universe is created. These Elder God's can also go by Eldritch God's, but either way they are capable of the same task. Creating full blooded Gods from either nothing or anything." Celestia explained. "If this virus really harmed one of your own without using a Divine Weakness then they themselves are a form of God."

“I…suppose that makes sense.” Webmaster said with some thought. “We did have a ‘Void’ of sorts in the digital world, where we were creating TOME…but…we were simple humans without any magic or powers, how could we have done such a thing?”

"My realm barely has computing powers and technology, nothing like what you all describe, but, I am fully aware there is a multiverse. Somewhere in this grand endless string of realities, you all were born as Gods naturally, and created TOME, Sofdti, Sir Nylocke, everything, in living flesh and blood. When the All Makers brought you, parallel versions of these gods here, they must have found the idea entertaining to bring you all here with your counterparts powers and abilities. They are known for such things. While you were not born gods, you do technically count as them considering making your video game reality isn't that different from Genuine Gods making a world or universe."

All five of them looked at each other as Webmaster put down his cup of tea. “What’s the strongest drink you have?”

"Oh I actually still have a lovely wine I kept as thanks from this one god for killing his Brothers and sister. Apparently no one back in his home realm enjoyed the Gods Zeus and Hera. They mourned Poseidon and took his body back but Luna was the one to slay him."

Now all the Net Kings stared at Celestia…

“Greek gods exist…” Kinder Spirit muttered.

“We’re just fucking game devs…” Exec groaned, putting his face into both of his hands.

To be continued...

Chapter 9

Nylock awoke to another loud noise. He and his wife Ember groaning as they rose from their beds like the dead from the grave.

"What did she break this time…?" Ember asked with a yawn, seeing the sun wasn't even up yet.

“I’ll look…” Nylocke yawned as he got out of bed, putting his slippers on and trudging out to see what the hell happened with his kid this time.

He walked into Cassiopeia's bedroom. Their little bundle of endless energy and chaos sat in the middle of a pile of gems and various ores.

Nylock did not know where they came from.

“Cassy…did you steal from mommy and daddy’s hoard?” Nylocke asked the hell spawn.

"No!" She said. He remembered when she said her first word. She was teething and bit his hand. He yelled out 'fuck' and she mimiced it like a parrot. Now she was forming whole sentences. Sometimes broken sentences but she's barely two, can't blame her. "I make em!"

The sound of a man so done with his child’s shenanigans left his lips as he heard that. “How?” He asked incredulously.

She giggled, pulling out a rock from her floor and breathed fire on it. Her fire was white and just as hot. It didn't effect her but her flame is the reason every babysitter in the dragon lands has blacklisted him and Ember. Even Torch won't babysit her. Not after losing a tooth and half his nasal horn.

When the flames ended the rock was now a shimmering blue sapphire.

Nylocke stared at her, taking a deep breath to try and calm himself. “Alright…good to know…did you break anything while testing this new sudden development?”

She pointed to her wall, which now had a new window. Not a hole, but a window of pure, clear diamond.

"So, what's the damage?" Ember asked, walking into the room just there. "Cassiopeia are you stealing from our hoard?"

“No…apparently, her fire can change solid rock into any gem or ore she wants…somehow.” The dragon knight said.

"Oh… I feel like I'm supposed to be surprised yet somehow I'm not…" Ember said, picking up a ruby from Cassiopeia's pile and taking a bite of it. "Wow. That's good."

With a shrug, Nylock also took a bite, the taste of a tart and sour cherry like candy hit his tongue like good candy.

It was good.

“Wow…this is good.” Nylocke said honestly.

"How did you make the ores Cassy?" Ember asked.

Cassiopeia simply dug around until there was a decent pile of dirt, breathed more fire onto it and when it was hot slag spat at it.

Somehow it cooled instantly, turning into a new ore. This one appearing to be iron.

"Well… neat." Ember shrugged. Too used to her daughter's crazy abilities to form an appropriate reaction of shock.

“Yeah…neat.” Nylocke said simply. “Well…might as well start the day…” He yawned again as he headed off to make coffee and figure out what the hell to do today.

Ember followed. As they brewed the coffee the two sat at the table. As they were downing their third cups there was a knock at the door. "Who'd come to our door? Especially this early?" Ember pondered.

“Better be something good…” Nylocke sighed as he walked over to the door and opened it. “Hello?”

He nearly choked on his coffee. At his doorway was the Netking RubyRulez, his technical father.

“Sup kid.” Ruby said with a winning smile.

“L-Lord Ruby! Wh-what brings thou here!?” Nylocke said in his ‘Knight’ voice in a massive panic.

"Hey Nylocke, who's this… fancy looking person?" Ember asked as she walked over to the door next to her husband at hearing him return to his 'Knightly' voice.

“Ah, you must be the queen of dragons.” Ruby said, taking a step back and playfully bowing. “I am RubyRulez, lead character designer of TOME and Netking number three.” He said politely. “I hope my ‘son’ here has been taking good care of you.”

"Dragon Lord Ember, so, you're Nylock's dad huh?" Before Ruby could reply, Ember delivered a hard, swift kick between the Developer turn God's legs. A quick sound of shattering followed by pain as Ruby fell over clutching jewels that shouldn't be there. He should know, he checked. "That's for making Nylock a Demi God and giving us the daughter from hell…"

“None…of that…is…my fault…” Ruby wheezed.

"I know. But I'm not taking my anger and lack of sleep out on my husband. Besides, you're a god. You'll heal faster."

As Ember returned inside Ruby felt his pain lessening, able to stand now as Nylock helped him stay on his feet.

“Seriously…you being a Demi-God should never have happened and makes no sense as to why…” Ruby grunted.

“Yeah…” Nylocke sighed. “Want to come in? We made coffee?”

“That would be nice…” The crystal shapeshifter said as he was lead inside of their home.

Ruby had to admit, he expected a bigger place of residence from the leaders of dragons. Not a basic cave lit by glowing gems filled with holes in the walls, floors and ceiling.

"So, what brings you to the dragon lands?" Ember asked as she was already brewing the second pot of coffee.

“Well, I wanted to see how one of the first players to get thrown into this situation was doing.” Ruby said honestly. “And to hopefully figure out how to grab the Dragon’s Head out of Nylocke without killing him…” Ruby mentally added to himself cause he’d rather not kill a guy that’s married to the big boss of dragon’s themselves.

"Sleep deprived as you can clearly see." Ember sighed. "Don't suppose you'd want to babysit and give us a break?"

“Literally everyone else has blacklisted us…even her grandfather has given up…” Nylocke said weakly.

“Well, let’s see the little dragon and let me get a good idea.” The god of shapeshifting said honestly.

With a shrug, Ember and Nylock lead Ruby to Cassiopeia's room. The one and a half year old had doubled her pile of gems and ores.

"Cassy, meet your grandpa on your dad's side." Ember said.

"Grandpa! Two grandpa's!" The little drake squeaked, fumbling as she walked over and before Ruby.

"Yes sweetie this is Nylock's… sorta dad, RubyRulez. No he is not made of actual rubies so please don't try and eat him." Ember added flatly.

Ruby had to admit… the little dragoness was cute.

“She’s adorable.” Ruby chuckled, though his first thought as he lowered himself he shifted his hand into that of one of the boss’s in TOME, the Grand Gardna, the boss with the single highest defense as he brought it up to her to see if she’d bite him anyways.

She did. Her small fangs breaking through the defense like butter under the mercy of a hot knife.

Ruby resisted the urge to scream. By all accounts… that should not have been possible.

"She's still teething a bit so… careful." Ember said.

“I…can tell.” He said carefully, now super confused as to how her bite literally pierced through such a stupidly high defense value. “Alright you…let’s see what’s actually going on…” Ruby said as his eyes flashed green as he looked over her entirety, as his quick travel here he did learn that he was able to see what a person was due to his godhood of shapeshifting and his entire thing of being a character designer.

Results: Cassiopeia. Apex Dragon Species.

Dragons Head 2 developing

Ruby quickly gazed at Nylock, seeing the Dragon Head still there. There was now two of them.

“...FUCKING WHY!?!” Ruby mentally screamed in panic. “Uh…hey kid…” He grabbed a rock and held it near Cassiopeia. “Mind breathing fire onto that rock real quick?”

"Careful her fire-" Ember tried.

Ruby's screams almost shook the cave. His hand now rather crispy and holding an emerald now from the white hot flames Cassiopeia produced.

“Almost lost my cool there.” Ruby said with a smile as he looked at the Emerald. “Huh…that is very interesting.”

"She also turns dirt into metal the same way, just she spits on it to make it metal." Ember added.

“That’s even more interesting.” Ruby said.

“She is a very energetic little whirlwind of destruction…and she’s your problem now.” Nylocke said, as he picked up Ember and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “We’ll be back later, you two have fun and don’t burn the house down.” He said while immediately leaving.

And so, Ruby was left with the little dragoness, who giggled as Ruby chuckled nervously.

“Oh boy…I’ve got my work cut out for me here…” He thought to himself. “But…maybe I can use this to my advantage…”

Ruby reached down to pet his granddaughter. As he did, she sneezed.

There was a flash of blinding white and suddenly, she was shaped exactly as the Dragons Head, only with her face and colors over the one Ruby designed.

Cassiopeia giggled madly as Ruby fought off a panic attack.

“This is getting weirder and weirder…but…I can work with this.” He said, carefully picking up the dragon head and turning it towards a plain rock wall. “Alright Cassiopeia, breath fire when ready.”

The little dragoness giggled more, suddenly wrapping her new snake like body aroma nd Ruby's arm-

Crack! Creek! Crack!

Ruby held in the scream as his arm was being playfully crushed by the toddler.

“Alright…HOW DOES SHE HAVE THE DRAGON BUG BODY!?!” Ruby mentally screamed as he looked over her Code and being again cause that’s not supposed to work!

Despite his searching he found nothing. Eventually she let go of Ruby's arm, letting his newfound divine healing kick in and she giggled as she fly/slithered into one of her wall tunnels.

“What have I done…” He muttered in horror as he shifted into the same form and followed after her quickly.

Rockcoon awoke with a yawn, feeling a familiar gray Pegasus still cuddled up against him in bed. He could hardly believe it had been a year or so since he came to this world. He and Derpy were steady, and all in all it was going well.

“Ah…this is the life…” He muttered with a smile.

Derpy began to stir, waking up with a yawn and greeting Rockcoon with a kiss. "Morning." She muttered, still half asleep but smiling.

“Morning.” Rockcoon smiled as he kissed Derpy back. “Still can’t believe it’s been a whole year…”

"Time flies." She said with a smirk, eyes closed as she began to crawl out of bed. "Oof…" She huffed, rubbing her head with a hoof gently.

“You okay there?” He asked worriedly.

"Yeah, just feel a little nauseo-"

Derpy's hoof reached her mouth right as her cheeks puffed and her sleepy eyes went wide in panic.

She ran right for the bathroom, nearly breaking the bedroom door off the hinges as soon a rather audible torrent of vomit could be heard.

Rockcoon panicked and threw the blanket off of him and rushed to Derpy’s side. “What could have happened? I know our food was cooked right…it…no there’s no way!” The poor raccoon thought as they were pushing their relationship that direction but they thought it would be impossible! “Derpy? You alright?”

Another audible torrent of vomit entering a toilet was heard from the bathroom, followed by a flush and then the sink running as Derpy gargled and spat. "Ugh… I haven't felt like that in… well, since I was preg-" Derpy froze.

“I thought…I thought it would have been impossible…” Rockcoon said nervously. “I…how? We weren’t going at it that much.”

"It shouldn't be. It's not even Heat season." Derpy added. Rockcoon remembered his first heat season with Derpy. Many condoms and infertility potions were used for that week.

The two quickly made their way to the hospital, where Derpy got examined and they met with the doctor.

"Well, you are indeed pregnant miss Hooves." The doctor said.

“How!?” The poor raccoon panicked.

"Well, hybrid species are not common but they aren't exactly rare either." The doctor started. "While when they are born likely depends on the species of the mother, in this case I'm betting Mr. Rockcoon here and his unique foreign magic has a part to play."

"How?" Derpy asked.

"Equestrian magic can best be described as… well, akin to a foal. By it's nature it loves to search and explore new locations and entities, so when Rockcoon here appeared with foreign, alien magic unlike any the equestrian magic has ever seen it was interested. Your relationship most likely aided in this like an accelerant to a flame and as a result created unexpected effects. Such as an out of season pregnancy."

"Oh…" The poor raccoon said in slowly growing dread. "Uh…huh…"

"That being said, there shouldn't be any complications and we will monitor closely. After all, this is the second time a mare has been pregnant with five foals before."

"Five?!" Derpy and Rockcoon screamed.

"Yes. Five." The doctor said, showing an image of an ultrasound showing five fair sized embryos. "Ok the other mare in Ponyville history to have near that many was Misses Cloudy Quartz, Pinkie Pie's mother who had four."

"Uh…" The poor man gulped. "Why~?" And as he asked that the two saw the letter Y fly through the air.

"That's actually also partly because of you Mr. Rockcoon. As a raccoon, albeit a strange variant, in nature raccoons have two to five babies in a litter. This is also most likely a side effect of the Equestrian magic and your own foreign magic integrating and mixing."

"Five… foals…" Derpy paled.

The poor bomberman took a deep breath. "Nighty night…" he said as he passed out from this revelation.

"I'll join you…" Derpy added, passing out on the exam table.

"Is there a reason you are hiding from your parents?" Luna asked, talking to Gamecrazed from their hiding spot in a bush as several of the Net Kings and Celestia walked by a nearby hall.

“Why shouldn’t I?” Gamecrazed said weakly. “They’re my parents, they’ll probably try and do parent thing’s and embarrass the shit out of me…”

"While true wasn't the point of returning to Canterlot to finally confront them about your wants and desires?"

“I mean, yes, but what if they don’t like my decisions? Secondly, Ruby isn’t here for some reason…” GC said nervously. “Oh man, this was a bad idea…”

"Hm, wonder where that parent of yours went?"

[Meanwhile]

"Get back here you little!" Ruby yelled as Cassiopeia dodged and was somehow now teleporting.

"Grandpa Ruby fun!" Cassiopeia yelled.

[Back with Luna and Gamecrazed]

“Well whatever’s happening, I hope he’s doing okay.” Gamecrazed said honestly…but then felt a cloud suddenly pick them up. “What!?”

“Sound Design apparently makes my hearing perfect Gamecrazed.” KinderSpirit said simply. “Now, what is all this talk about us?”

“Uh…” Gamecrazed tried to slink into the darkness to get away from their mom.

"Oh no you don't." Luna said, using her magic to pull Gamecrazed back up. "Tell them. Otherwise it's just gonna get worse the longer they don't know."

“It can’t be that bad right?” GC said nervously.

“What’s going on here?” Exec inquired as the three other Netking’s walked over with Celestia.

“So uh…hi mom…hi dads…” GC said nervously, as they did their little dance and out popped a Sofdti from the Cloud.

“S-Sofdti!” Kinderspirit shouted in glee as they grabbed the sprite and gave her a bone crushing hug.

“When did your boobs get so big mom?” Sofdti asked in surprise.

“Oh shush you.” Kinderspirit blushed brightly as the others chuckled.

"Yes. Your daughter has been hiding among the players of your realm to have a sense of freedom and independence. Upon arriving in Equis I noticed what they Truly were and have been helping her train her divine powers to the best of my abilities. Sorry for hiding this from you for a year, but she insisted on waiting." Luna explained.

“Is…is that true?” Webmaster asked.

“Well…not entirely.” Sofdti said carefully. “See…Hacker’s were trying to uncover the Forbidden Power-”

“Excuse me what!?!” All four Netkings asked in shock.

“And so, I created my own character, Gamecrazed…the password to my room…”

“So that’s why it felt too coincidental…” Webmaster muttered.

“But…then I met my friends! Nylocke, Kirbopher, Flamegirl and Alpha…and so many more that I wanted to protect the world you created, that I was born in…I’m sorry for not telling you…”

“Sofdti…” Kinderspirit hugged them close. “You as a character was fine…honestly I’m surprised you didn’t ask us…but it’s you that we needed to be kept Secret, because you are our daughter, and we didn’t want anyone to do terrible things…or get your code deleted…” Kinderspirit explained weakly, causing the goddess’s eyes to widen.

“We were in talks with our Government about you Sofdti, they wanted you deleted so that this wouldn’t happen again or you becoming a rogue ai…but we promised to keep you safe, keep you a secret…”

“But currently, that Secret, as well as the boundaries of our realms, has been breaking.” The group heard a new voice, as down camed a brown cloaked figure with a long thin metallic neck ending in a helmet with a bird like visor and a mop of white hair. “Hello Netkings, Sofdti.” They said as they bowed to Celestia and Luna. “It is nice to meet you as well Princesses, my name is Giga, I’m with Earth’s Cyber Protectorate.” He said, as a hologram of his federal credentials flashed up for both Diarchs to see.

"Ah yes, these mean absolutely nothing here in Equis but I appreciate the effort to appear official." Luna said, earning a few chuckles from the Netkings.

“That would be true, if I wasn’t the one moreso overseeing the contract the Netking’s and the Government has made about Sofdti, and currently I have you two to blame for a heap of paperwork trying to be some new delegate.” Giga groaned mildly at all the paperwork. “As an envoy of the US Government, the United Nation’s as a whole, and one most closely related to this situation, I must at least be official with how I do thing’s to not upset literal gods.”

“You seem to be…taking this rather well Giga…” Webmaster said carefully.

“Oh, believe me…” Giga brought out a robotic arm with the severed head of a creature none of them ever saw before. “I’ve had time to…process while this creature tried to hide from your senses for an ambush.”

"So what are you here to discuss with them? No offense but it would seem that your world has bigger issues than Sofdti." Luna said.

“You have…no idea.” Bitshrum sighed. “Currently a global pandemic is happening to the ‘human world’...and a sad amount of people are not giving a crap about it.”

“But I am here to discuss about Sofdti and the current issue of TOME being the ‘Middle Ground’ between our world and yours.” Giga said. “Considering we have Trixie doing her magic show and rumors of a strange brothel roaming around TOME…we have a lot of diplomacy and talks to have.”

"Hmm… I believe I know this Trixie but I am unaware of any brothels? I know they are legal here and in many other kingdoms but I was unaware any migrated to your world."

“Alright…so probably involved someone outside of our worlds…” Giga brought up. “But we need to have a very important talk about what’s to come, about other TOME players coming here through customs…and just a lot of things to hammer out before something truly bad happens.”

“And we’ve only started to talk about certain problems and…trying to get very drunk…” Exec groaned.

Zeto stretched, picking up the ax again and turning the logs before him into smaller logs for fire was a tedious and long task but necessary. The ever present snow in the area made such things necessary.

“Even if we’re ‘demi-gods’ this is still a bitch…” Zeto muttered as he cut some wood for the fire.

A year had passed since his arrival from TOME to Equis and since he learned Kizuna actually has a thing for him.

He still felt like an idiot for never noticing.

Once the last of the chopped logs was placed on his sled he grabbed the ropes and pulled.

The two traveled across many places on Equis. Saw many things and saved many people.

Eventually, they built a home. Half in and half out of a mountain covered in snow and built from mined stone and tree logs insulated with animal hide, clay and mud. It was a simple home but it was spacious, strong, warm and soon, would house a new addition to the two.

Zeto still couldn't believe Kizuna was pregnant.

“It’s been a year and not a single thing about the Forbidden Power…” Zeto muttered. “I hope it stays like this…”

He approached their large cabin like home, the wood and stone chimney letting loose smoke from the fire inside.

With a sigh he let go of the sled and grabbed several logs before walking inside. Furniture was all made from wood, animal bone or roughly carved from broken stone. He tossed a few of the new logs into the fire and put the rest to the side, warming up for a bit.

"One good thing about a house in a snowy forest mountain." Kizuna said, sitting in a chair next to the fire, her abdomen larger. Five months along. "Plenty of wood for a fire."

“True.” Zeto nodded, walking over and sitting down in his easy chair. “It’s been a full year…and everything’s going…a little too well…”

"That should be a good thing. I mean, heck look at us." She said, putting a hand to her abdominal bulge. "Baby on the way, Nylock's kid is probably almost two, and… feels like everyone is… settling in."

“It all should be a good thing…but something just keeps nagging in the back of my head…like something bad’s gonna happen soon.”

"Yeah. In a few months I'll pop out a baby and there's no doctors nearby so the delivery is all on you." Kizuna said, chuckling.

“Not that!” Zeto whined. “And don’t remind me…that’s gonna be a nightmare and a half…but Ruby hasn’t tried contacting us in a while about any of this…”

"He's probably just back in TOME dealing with some issues about the players vanishing." Kizuna shrugged. "Press must be eating them alive…"

[Meanwhile]

"My limbs may be crystals but I am not edible!" Ruby shreeked.

"But you taste just like bubblegum grandpa!" Cassiopeia said.

"I… what?!"

[Back with Zeto and Kizuna]

“Who knows…” Zeto sighed. “As long as Khajet stays locked away that’s fine with me…just hope Alpha and Flamegirl are doing alright…”

"If they aren't humping like rabbits I'd be shocked. Seriously the sexual tension between those two is ridiculous."

“It’s not…that bad.” Zeto said. “It’s bad, not that bad.”

"What about Gamecrazed? That guy was hanging out with Luna back in the dragon lands right? Think he's got a thing for that Moon Princess?"

“Wouldn’t surprise me…but now that I think about it…you’ve been paying more attention on who logs in and out right?” With Kizuna’s nod of confirmation, he frowned. “Has GC…ever logged out?”

"The logs say yes but… I dunno. Last I checked they felt… off."

“How so?” Zeto inquired, now having a bad feeling about this.

"Well, according to the data Gamecrazed would log in anywhere from seven AM and stay that way until eight to midnight at any given day. The thing is, the time frame is the same going as far back as to when Gamecrazed made his account. At first I chalked it up to maybe having an odd work schedule but the more I thought about it the more I realized that wouldn't work either cause he still needs to eat, sleep, be a human… and in all the time Gamecrazed has been a player there hasn't been a single missed day aside from when the servers close for updates or maintenance."

“That…should be impossible.” Zeto said carefully. “They have to be human…they…” Zeto’s eyes widened. “Hey…do you remember the password that we all came up with for…Sofdti’s room?”

"I… no. It's been years and I was a bit busy in those early months helping you recover."

“I mean…yeah, that’s fair…” Zeto sighed. “So…I thought it was just a coincidence, millions of players all needing unique names…but I think that…the password was Gamecrazed…”

"If it is then it has to be coincidence. I told everyone a randomly generated password would be stronger but they wanted something easier to remember. But even if it isn't. What? You think Gamecrazed somehow knows about Sofdti?"

“Or…Gamecrazed is Sofdti.” He said, causing Kizuna's eyes to widen. “I know it sounds crazy…but isn’t it weird how this sprite of sunshine that helped create a third of the game…having a dark reflection as a character would make sense…”

"I mean… I guess that is a possibility, but Sofdti isn't supposed to be able to leave that chamber without using the password themselves and we'd definitely know if they did."

“Unless she made a character using the game’s character creation that was made…” Zeto said. “While she was asleep she…created GC to roam the world we made…”

"Like a dream she can actively take part in…" Kizuna muttered. "I… don't know how to take that if true…"

“Yeah…neither do I…” Zeto said nervously. “And I’ve hung out with them…oh god do you think they knew who I was the whole time!?” Zeto asked in mild panic.

"If they are, then they might have yeah."

"Crap…" Zero groaned. "Looks like we're gonna have to head to Canterlot…or at least me as Kirb to not raise any suspicions…"

"Not til after the baby is born alright? I'd rather not birth alone or on the road."

"I know…" I sighed. "The others are gonna flip about at least half a dozen different things when we talk to them…"

"Probably."

Alpha yawned, waking up feeling Flamegirl clinging to his arm. The two were still stuck within the puzzle dungeon. In the year they've been trapped they only unlocked two spare bedrooms, a kitchen and even a fully automatic Medbay.

The later would come in use soon as Alpha looked at Flamegirl's enlarged stomach. Eight months flew by for the two.

“I still hate how we’re stuck in this damned place…” Alpha muttered bitterly, hating how their kids won’t see the sun until they beat this damned place.

"At least… we aren't starved. Or board." Flamegirl said, waking with a yawn as she kept the sheets over her chest as she sat up. "Plenty to eat, drink, showers, and of course our… possible addiction to each other's physical stimulation." Flamegirl blushed.

Since that first night two have indeed, as the saying goes, gone at it like rabbits. In the morning, afternoon, night, while eating and in the shower.

Flamegirl ending up pregnant wasn't much of a surprise, nor did it slow their activities.

“We…might have a problem…” Alpha said sheepishly.

"We are also stuck here for who knows how much longer. An addiction to sex is probably the least of our worries considering what we're possibly missing out there.* Flamegirl sighed. "Plus let's be honest it's the only thing that does distract us from our worries…"

“Yeah…” Alpha sighed. “Stupid dungeon quest, seriously how many puzzles are in this place?”

"We stopped counting after three hundred and that was well before I got this growing in me." Flamegirl said, rubbing a hand over her baby bump. "Hopefully having a child will also quell our… issue. And if not, well expect siblings little guy… and probably lots of them…"

“Catholic rabbits…” Alpha sighed. “Just wish the place had an end so we can head back to either some civilization or at least meet our friends again…I don’t want our kids to be stuck in this place..”

"Yeah… It'd be cute to have our kid and Nylock's play together. I bed they'd get along great." Fmalegirl said, smiling at the mental image.

[Meanwhile]

"And when I was seven mom locked me in the broom closet… on my birthday…" Ruby said, a few tears in their eyes as they spoke their trama to Cassiopeia who sat next to her grandpa on a fair sized rock.

"Grandpa mom make you sad?" Cassiopeia asked.

"All the time, for the smallest mistakes but this time I know she did it just to not see me. My birthdays were nothing special but at least I got some cards and maybe some candies from friends but she kept me in there all day!" Ruby cried. "I pretended the bottles of soap and the bucket were party guests and imagined myself a party…"

"Grandpa sad. Is okay to be sad."

"What's worse is she did that from then on til I was thirteen! After that she just didn't care if I even came home for the night…"

[Back with Alpha and Flamegirl]

“I’m sure they’ll get along great.” Alpha said honestly.

"I hope so." She sighed. "Welp… wanna eat then hump? Hump than eat or eat while humping?"

“Eh, we tried the last one before…honestly just a mess.” Alpha said honestly. “Let’s eat first, than get to humping.”

"Alright. One thing I'll miss is that once the baby gets older we'll have to wear clothes regularly again. Never thought I'd enjoy a nudist lifestyle, but I guess being trapped in a puzzle room dungeon for a year with your boyfriend changes ones views on things."

“I mean…yeah, that does indeed change a lot of things.” Alpha said honestly. “Gonna be a bit weird to wear clothes again, but hey…at least we still have each other.”

"Yeah… plus all the laundry was annoying…" Flamegirl sighed, getting out of the bed. "Oof. This baby is getting heavy. So, feeling like something different for breakfast today or the usual?"

“Got anything in mind?” Alpha inquired, as the year they’ve been stuck here they’ve both learned a lot about cooking a lot of different foods.

"Kinda feeling biscuits with sausage patties."

“Some OG fast food breakfast, I like it.” Alpha chuckled warmly. “Alright, let’s get some breakfast.”

Aven had to admit, he didn't expect one of the performers of the Brothel circus to stick around with him. Or that they would hit it off so well. Yet he and the humanoid cat creature he called his girlfriend named Opal made his work and time stuck at the customs checkpoint far more enjoyable.

Especially once he got her playing video games.

“This is nice…” The dragoon griffon said with a smile as he decided to check up on the many people from TOME that were in Equis at the moment.

First he found Rockcoon. He was actually amazed the hacker had a girlfriend, and was pregnant to boot.

“All the things I’ve heard about the pesky little bastard, I’m honestly surprised he’s made such a good life for himself.”

The next person he checked on was Nylock-

Aven quickly turned that display off. Apparently he and his wife finally have some alone time. Despite that awkward sight he was glad. The two haven't had much rest since their child hatched.

“Well…all I can say is, I feel sorry for whoever ends up dating her…” Aven shook his head. “Next up…eh, let’s go with Gamecrazed…”

To his surprise, the feed did not come in. That was odd, typically he sees them with Luna training with magic or something, but tuning into Gamecrazed just gave the feed static.

“Huh…that’s strange…” Aven said, trying to figure out why that was magically a thing now.

Despite his attempts, the screen showed nothing but static.

With a huff, he turned to another player, checking if it was broke -

He turned it off again and sighed. Alpha and Flamegirl. The two were stuck in a crazy detailed and odd puzzle dungeon. One that gave them their every need over time.

He rarely checked on them anymore, always tuning in as they were going at it like rabbits on Noah's Arc.

“Seriously, I know they’re madly in love but they really need to stop plowing at every given moment…” Aven sighed.

With a sigh he flipped over to Kizuna. The gunslinger was also pregnant, sitting in a handmade log cabin house in some mountains with her baby daddy, the other beta tester Zeto.

He had to admit, he suspected they were a couple.

He also sighed. Almost all the original players who ended up in Equis were now either in a relationship, living a whole new life, and starting families. It was odd, but wholesome.

“Well, at least thing’s are going well for everyone…” Aven said warmly, though he did notice a separate channel that wasn’t there before. “Oh? What’s this?” He inquired as he went to the brand new channel.

When the channel switched over he saw a large black dragon… weightlifting barbells in a gym that seemed perfect to his size.

"Ten more lifts Kahjet, ten more lifts and you're done." A woman who Aven can best describe as the girl from the Ring grown up told the black dragon.

“What the fuck…” Aven muttered in absolute confusion.

“My arms feel like they're about to fall off asshole!” The black dragon that was enhanced by Negative Emotions snapped, even though it tried it’s damndest to do the ten more reps.

"Hey you wanted to get in shape." The woman replied.

“And I also wanted to escape this damn prison, not have it be some thirty day gym membership.” The retorted angrily.

"And you will. But you also wanted to" the lady pulled out a checklist. "Get in shape, watch movies, celebrate a birthday party, find love, eat food from around the world, swim in a pool, learn to swim, fish, master martial arts, it's a long list you wrote kid."

“Only because you forced me to actually think beyond me incessant need to hurt people, both physically and psychologically…if it wasn’t for my host being a fucking rabbit in heat every single minute of the fucking day I could actually do that.”

"Because you aren't a program anymore, you're a living being so you have to grow your mindset and thought processes."

The monster growled as he finished his tenth rep. “And I’m supposed to be Sofdti’s negative emotion’s made manifest, but magically I’m supposed to be more now?”

"Not magically. It takes time to grow past what you've been, what you were made of and to be. I'm not saying don't burn down villages and eat people or whatever you wanna do, I'm just telling you you can be all that, and be happy."

“Ah, yes, the creature that created to be a boss monster, corrupted by a fledgeling Goddess’s negative emotions, and nearly caused permanent brain damage to seven people and I deserve to be happy.”

"Yes. You do." The woman stated. "Hell my job is to commit genocide on a multiverse level, and I have a husband, kids, a nice house in the void. Family I visit. Nieces and nephews. Grandkids even. You can be evil and have a happy life."

The dragon actually looked over at the woman, a confused but… interested.

“What?” The True Shadow Guard asked in confusion. “I…can?”

"Yeah. Everyone who works with and for me was once the bad guys in their own universes, but win or lose their battles I take them in. People may not like or understand it, but the fact is, Evil is a necessary thing in the multiverse. Without it, life is boring. Too much, then we get some shit I had to deal with before I got this job. All of them are still evil, sadistic and bloodthirsty, but they're all also happy. The oldest of my guys, this God named Amon, started off making hybrid species to slaughter all life, now he is the God of his own species that worship him and follow him into battle when I have work for him. He's a cool guy, you can talk with him later, right now he's trying to blow up some suns in another dimension."

The being of negativity that’s supposed to induce ever growing madness and pain in places you’re never supposed to feel…was honestly rather scared of the fact she just mentioned someone trying to blow up stars for funsies. “Well then…”

"Yeah. And now that you're done with your lifts you get your reward." The lady said, suddenly holding a gallon of neapolitan ice cream. "And no, this brand won't make you fat. Actually this stuff can reduce your body fat when eaten. Isn't the multiverse great?"

“You mean…I can just scarf down as much of this as I want without getting fat?” The kaiju inspired monster asked in awe, gently taking the gallon of ice cream like it was some sacred relic.

"Can still get brain freeze and a stomach ache but, yeah."

The screen suddenly cut out there by itself, leaven Aven staring blankly at the now oww monitor in confusion.

He has no idea what he just witnessed.

“I need a drink…” Aven groaned weakly, opening up his desk drawer and pulling out a big bottle of Jungle Juice alcohol.

To be continued...

Chapter 10

Ten years. A lot can happen in ten years. Families can be made. Children can grow.

Flamegirl and Alpha finally finished and got out of the puzzle dungeon. They, and their now four kids saw sunlight for the first time in years, and the dungeon was reverted to being just a home for the large family.

Ember and Nylock managed some regular date nights with RubyRules becoming Cassiopeia's full time babysitter. The two were amazed he decided to keep the job but were not going to question or argue.

It took longer than the two would have liked but Zeto and Kizuna finally arrived in Canterlot after a long journey, a second child, and several misadventures.

Rockcoon and Derpy were married shortly after she learned she was pregnant, and the two have five hyperactive, half pony, half raccoon children. They managed to make quick friends with Cloudy Quartz and look to her for a sense of advice and guidance for raising so many children at a time.

And Aven, still stuck at the boarder between his reality of earth and Equis, also had two children with his now wife Opal, and was currently extremely busy at the massive swarm of people. Some from TOME, Some who looked to be normal humans, that appeared almost overnight.

After so long…the five friends met after so long…but so much different.

“Holy hell, it’s been forever.” Alpha said with a giant smile at seeing his friends, though he saw Zeto and was…very confused.

“It has…” Zeto sighed…as he transformed into Kirbopher as each of their friends gasped. “Before you do anything…let me explain…”

“After you lost your arm to Kajet, you went through some therapy and started to create Kirbopher as a way to experience the game again like it was intended.” GC answered readily, which shocked the shit out of Kirb.

“H-how did…how do you know that?” Kirb asked as Kizuna pointed a pistol at GC.

“Nobody is supposed to know that information.” Kizuna said carefully, even as Kirb put a hand on her gun and lowered it.

“It’s…it’s alright.” GC said, as they did their little dance…and a Sofdti popped out. “It’s…it’s been a while, big brother, big sister…” Sofdti said nervously to Kizuna and Kirb.

"Why does sir Gamecrazed have a cute little fairy form?" Nylock asked.

"That is a story…" Sofdti sighed, explaining everything from their creation back in TOME's development. The events that lead to the Forbidden power, their need for secrecy and why they created the Gamecrazed persona.

"That's… a lot of info." Alpha said.

"Well that explains why they always dodged personal questions." Flamegirl said.

“But…Lady Sofdti, why bring it up now?” Nylocke inquired. “Isn’t this still supposed to be a great secret?”

“Cause from what I’ve heard, she’s no longer a Government secret.” Kirb said honestly.

“And you’d be correct Zeto.” They all turned and saw Webmaster and the Netking’s walk up to the group. “It’s good to see you two again.”

“John…it’s been a while.” Kirb sighed.

“Way too long…” Kizuna sighed as well. “So, what are you all doing here?”

"We arrived here after being told by the All Makers Sofdti was here and for a while we just talked about what it means to now be Gods and honestly getting drunk at all the absurdity. But when Sofdti finally showed up we spent time with her. Time I wish we had spent in TOME with her." Webmaster said.

"Still can't believe we've all been here for ten years." Nylock said. "And nothing about the Forbidden Power."

"Ahem." The group turned, seeing a giant black dragon the Net Kings and Sofdti recognized as Kajet, the boss monster that became the physical form for the Forbidden Power.

Everyone prepared themselves for a fight against the creature. “How in the hell did you escape?” Alpha demanded.

“Better question would be when.” Sofdti asked carefully.

"Just now technically." Kajit said. "Put your weapons down I'm just here to say some things then I'm gone."

“And why should we believe you?” Flamegirl growled, it having caused so much pain for Alpha and everyone that she highly doubted it.

"Why would I want to hang around a planet full of people trying to kill me for existing when I didn't ask to exist in the first place?" Kajit asked. He then pointed a massive claw to Sofdti. "She created me by accident out of fear, and it's not like I had much consciousness in my first few seconds of artificial life, when I attached to this body I just followed what it's programming said to do and attack the players. My ability to hurt you all in the physical world was something I didn't ask for but was stuck with."

“And I didn’t ask for it either!” Sofdti said, flying up and staring the kaiju monster in the eyes. “It was an accident based on my lack of understanding on human emotions, as you said…I didn’t want others to get hurt because of my powers, and you…you used Kajet’s model to become an embodiment of my negative emotions…” She sighed. “What do you want now Kajet?”

"I was born from your negative emotions. I didn't want to become anything, I had no choice. Did any of you even know I was developing consciousness? Did any of you consider what a being with a power none of you knew how it worked, why it caused physical pain, would develop into when isolated with nothing but this boss monsters programming and the the negative emotions that birthed me? Are you really surprised when I managed to gain residence in Alpha I wanted to hurt people more? I didn't understand happiness or joy until Pain, the literal person responsible for this mess between earth and Equis, showed me. Yeah, a genocidal All Maker and her band of planet killers showed me more kindness than my own makers."

"So we're just supposed to excuse the fact that you mentally tortured me for half a year and body snatched me twice and tried to murder my friends?" Alpha asked.

"Also, you wanting to hurt people more is because you are a being of negative energy, an Eldritch God that I birthed." Sofdti said. "Also, you are literally saying your joining a group of people that commit genocide for fun…ya see the problem?"

"First off, it's not for fun. While some do enjoy the work it's actually necessary. After all would any of you have played TOME where there no monsters to fight? No enemies? Secondly, yes, I am by definition an Eldritch God, but do you know the difference between Eldritch and Elder Gods are? Alignment. Yes I am by definition a dark being but that doesn't make all dark beings evil. Heck I met a lot back in Pain's realm that just live their lives and I met a lot of Light being a that are all jackasses and some might even be psychotic. And thirdly, yes, you birthed me. So guess what, my base code was basically a copy of yours with a primary emotion attached. I had all the capabilities to learn, grow and experience more than just the emotions you put into me had I been given a chance." Kajit huffed.

"First point," Alpha started. "Yes." Every Time player answered readily. "The monsters were added as quests to do if you didn't have any friends, TOME was literally a better social media outlet during COVID."

"Second," Kirb turned back into Zeto and raised his robot arm. "Sure, you were the first boss created, but you literally goaded me and cut off my arm."

"And third…" Sofdti gently stood on his giant muzzle. "I didn't want any of this to happen…I wanted to see my family happy with their achievements, I wanted to be there and help them grow the world they envisioned…you being born…it wasn't a mistake…but you still cut off your uncle's arm and hurt your grandparents, your uncle goaded by you and your grandparents were because they tried to keep you from going buckwild in TOME…your rage was damaging the Code of the world…if you weren't stopped, you would have killed family, and the world we lived in…" Sofdti sighed, rubbing her eyes bitterly.

"Alright." Kajit said, crossing his arms. "So, yes my imprisonment saved TOME but let me ask the Net Kings Something… if you didn't want Sofdti and I getting lose or being discovered… why I. The fuck did you keep all the original programming for TOME and not just make a copy and keep us on a private server where I could have been free and developed healthy and she wouldn't have had to stay locked in her room because the US government fears everything it can't own or control?"

"Because it was either shut you all down, or have you shipped to somewhere for who knows what could have happened to you." Kinderspirit said readily.

"The Government didn't leave us much of a choice…" Webmaster sighed. "It was either give into their demands, or we build the game like it was intended, keeping you all secret…"

"Plus, with how far Sofdti threw your egg form, we couldn't exactly find you while you were…in some weird god version of a time out corner." Ruby added carefully.

"Ah, I don't want to hear shit from you." Kajit said, pointing a finger at Ruby. "I know what you were doing with them." He then moved his claws to point at Kirb and Kizuna. "I also know what you actually were planning on doing with me. So out of everyone here, fuck you the most you egomaniacal power hungry chandelier decoration!"

The other net kings all looked over at Ruby, who gulped.

"I-its was 10 years ago!" Ruby said nervously. "I'm way beyond any of that nonsense." He tried to play it off.

"What were you going to do to our child and grandchild?" Kinderspirit asked in some ever growing anger that made everyone shiver in fear.

"I…wanted…has anyone here played MegaMan Battle Network?" Ruby asked. "Yeah, I wanted that." He said. "Sure in a more vain and greedy way but…yeah, pretty much Megaman Battle Network…"

"You're an asshole and a giant nerd Ruby." Kinderspirit growled.

"And before I leave, a few more things to say. Stuff I want to get off my chest before I leave and never see any of you again." Kajit said, giving a cough to clear their through before taking a deep breath. He then pointed to Webmaster. "Your design has been stupid from day one and I've always hated it." He then moved to Kinderspirit. "You can kindly go kick his ass on my behalf." He said, motioning to Ruby. He then pointed at Bithshroom. "Your design is also stupid." He then pointed at Execk. "I could care less about you."

He then moved to point at Nylock. "I actually like you so, have a good life." He then moved to Flamegirl. "I also like you. Congratulations on all the children." Then to Alpha. "Fuck you for accidentally finding me but also thanks cause I'm free and my own person now." Then over to Kirb. "I am sorry about the arm thing, but I was just born and you need therapy man." Then to Kizuna. "Glad you finally got him but still fuck you." And lastly, Sofdti. "And an all around fuck you for creating me and then imprisoning me you shiny Celebi wannabe."

With that, Kajit vanished in a blink of black mist.

"Well, I think that went well." Nylock said.

"Surprisingly, yes." Webmaster said.

"My avatars not dumb…" Bitshrum grumbled.

"Uncle silly." A child like voice answered as a black haired child appeared in a similar looking black mist.

"Nyx what did I say about teleporting like that?" Flamegirl huffed.

"Do it when it's funny?" She asked innocently, causing Alpha to chuckle and Flamegirl to groan.

"Well… so, that's it? Just go back to living our new lives?" Kirb asked.

"I…guess so?" Alpha said slowly.

Meanwhile…

"The fuck happened?" Demon asked in surprise, as they saw the 'prison' they held the mane six and Spike in turned into a bustling town filled with…so many kids…

“Oh, hey Demon.” Spike said, the young drake having grown into a strong young drake with wing’s to match, carrying two dragon pony hybrids.

“Did…did no one ever bother to come find you?” Demon asked in utter confusion.

“I mean, not really. I send Celestia updates after we figured out how to actually send people notice…than after that well…the seven of us just kinda got into a big herd together.” Spike shrugged. “A lot can happen in all these wonderful years.”

“Ri~ght…” Demon muttered. “Maybe next time I should send a notice for people to actually care about my kidnappings…”

The End.