(Canterlot Castle, One week after Soul Cairn trip, Serana’s P.O.V)
“I still can’t believe that this place is going to end up merging with Nirn.” I thought to myself as I walked through one of the castle’s hallways. “Something wrong Lady Volkihar?” Blueblood asked as he walked up to me. “No, I’m just amazed that this world will soon be introduced to so many races like the elves, men, Khajiit, and Argonians.” I replied with a sigh. “I know, for Aunty Celestia it’s a lot to take in, but it’ll be fine.” Blueblood said reassuringly. “How can you be sure?” I asked. “Simple, I just accepted the reality that there will be struggles, but I know there’s always another way to solve problems instead of bloodshed.” The unicorn said with a smile as he gave me wine bottle filled with blood. I graciously accepted the bottle as he went back to his study. “I guess I’m so used to having the world hate me to see that there are people who can look past my nature and accept me for who I am, not what I am.” I thought as I uncorked the bottle and began drinking the contents within. “Hmm, not bad.” I said after I finished my “breakfast” and gave one of the maids the empty bottle to dispose of.
After the maid left with the bottle, I went to find either Celestia, or Luna to just have somebody to talk to. As I was heading towards Celestia’s study, I bumped into a pink mare that I’ve never seen before. She was beautiful, but I could tell that she was a married mare, but then again I could use more female friends. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” I said as the mare lied on her hooves. “It’s fine. I’m Cadence.” Cadence said as she bowed. “Serana.” I replied, bowing in return. “Thank you.” Cadence said as I helped her up to her hooves. I giggled before responding. “No problem.”
“So what are you doing?” Cadence asked me with a smile. “Looking for somepony to talk to.” I responded with a bored tone. “Well I’m here, perhaps I could provide some company?” Cadence asked smiling. “Sure. I just hope that you don’t mind my diet. I am a Vampire after all.” I said as I let Cadence know a little bit about me. “As long as you don’t bite me, I’m fine with it.” Cadence said jokingly. I laugh in response as we headed down the hall back to my room to get out of the sun.
(Meanwhile, Twilight’s Castle, Starlight’s P.O.V)
“She beat me, I can’t believe she beat me! Even after all of my planning, I still lost!” I thought to myself as Twilight and her friends were discussing my fate. “I wonder what they’re going to do with me.” I muttered to myself as there was nothing but silence in the room. Then Twilight’s assistant, Spike, gestured for me to come in. I swallowed nervously as I went in to face Twilight and her friends. “Starlight Glimmer, after the things you’ve done, normally you’d be banished from Equestria.” Twilight said with regality. I lowered my head in shame. “However, the girls and I talked it over, and we know that you’re not evil, just misunderstood, and none of us got to know you, so we’ve decided that your punishment is to be my student.” Twilight said as she got off of her throne and walked towards me. I was in complete shock! She was forgiving me after everything that I did, not only that, she was going to teach me about the magic of friendship, and let me live here in Ponyville!
I had no idea what to say, much less react, but as long as it didn’t include my life or imprisonment to the highest authority, I suppose I may as well make due with it. “I-I really don’t know what to say!” I said with tears stinging my eyes. “You’re welcome, and welcome to your new home.” Twilight said as she placed a hoof on my shoulder. Then the light slightly faded from the room and above the map table a mass of tentacles and eyes appeared. I was now terrified of whatever this creature was, more so than what Twilight had planned for me. “Ah, young Sparkle, it is so good to see you and your friends.” a strangely calming voice said. “Oh, hello Lord Hermaeus, I wasn’t expecting you to visit.” Twilight said as she smiled towards the creature. “Hmm. I see you have a new friend, and from what I can see, she seems very intelligent. I would like to speak to her if you wouldn’t mind.” The creature requested. “Sure. Come over here Starlight, and don’t be afraid Hermaeus Mora won’t harm you. He just wants to talk to you.” Twilight said reassuringly. I swallowed hard and walked towards the mass of tentacles and eyes.
“Greetings mortal.” He said in a pleasant tone. “Hi. My name’s Starlight Glimmer. Who are you?” I said curiously. “I am Hermaeus Mora, the Daedric Prince of Knowledge, and Fate.” Hermaeus replied. “What do you want with me?” I asked. “I merely wish for you to be my new emissary, that is all.” Hermaeus said. “Emissary? What do I get out of being your emissary?” I asked. “As my emissary, you will have unrestricted access to my realm of Oblivion, Apocrypha, home to all sources of knowledge. What say you?” Hermaeus replied. “An entire alternate reality that has nothing but knowledge, and I get to go there whenever I want?! I’d be brain-dead to refuse!” I thought to myself as I made perhaps the best decision of my life. “I’ll do it!” I shouted in excitement. “Excellent. I give you my artifact, my Oghma Infinium, as well as the Black Books. With these tomes, you’re now my emissary, use this privilege wisely.” Hermaeus said as he conjured several books out of thin air and placed them on the table and disappeared from sight.
“Huh, never thought we’d be visited by him.” Applejack said flatly. “What do you mean?” I asked. “He was the only Prince without a champion, ‘cause his sphere of influence can make most ponies go nuts from all of the forbidden stuff he knows.” She replied. “So he chose me because I have a strong mind, is that it?” I asked a little scared from the new information. “That, and he’s a huge egghead, and he saw the stuff you did, and he knows that it takes a lot of concentration to have a level head when dealing with somethin’ like magic.” Rainbow said as she hovered next to me. I couldn’t help but feel a little proud of myself for being this good at magic, enough to catch the attention of an extradimensional deity.
(Canterlot Carousel, Sassy’s P.O.V)
I was waking up from a peaceful slumber, but I saw that Garrin wasn’t there. I looked outside of my window on the balcony to see him staring over the horizon as if he was in deep thought. “Are you alright?” I ask snapping him out of his trance. “I’m actually quite unsure how to feel. I mean if we lose, we lose everything, if we win, the future seems promising, but I just don’t know.” Garrin said with a slight sob in his voice. “Oh come now, are you telling me that you’re scared of what’s to come?” I asked with a small smile. “When you get down to it, yes I am afraid. I can’t lose you! I can’t.” He said with tears now freely flowing down his cheeks. “If all goes well, you won’t.” I said placing a hoof on his shoulder. “I don’t know what will happen.” He replied. “Hey we have friends, love, and an entire army of undead on our side.” I replied. “How did you find out about that?” He asked. “A woman named Serana came over to stay out of the sun, and we became fast friends.” I replied.
Garrin shook his head and chuckled. “I never knew that Lady Serana would come here just get out of the sun, but then again she is a vampire after all.” I simply nodded in response. “I suppose you have to leave for the briefing?” I asked. “I do, but I promise to come back to you.” He said we kissed one last time before he left for the castle.
(Canterlot Castle, 3rd P.O.V)
The castle was packed with the Aedra, Daedra, Equestrians all awaiting for the most important pre-battle briefing in their lives. Celestia and Sheogorath were sitting next to Luna, Trixie, Cheerilee, Garrin, and Kai. The other Daedric Princes sat next to their champions on one side of the table, the Aedra sat on the opposite side of the Daedra, and the remaining Equestrians sat at the end of the table. Seeing that everyone was in attendance, Kai decided to begin the briefing by standing up and making a small speech. “I would like to thank each and every one of you for attending. I realize that I have inadvertently caused the situation we’re currently facing, and I am truly sorry. For those of you who wonder what eternal life is like, I can tell you that after being immortal for over six and a half centuries, it’s extremely boring. That was until I came here and met Luna and my new set of friends.” Kai said as the room started to talk quietly amongst themselves until Kai raised his hand to silence them. “However, that still doesn’t excuse my lack of foresight about Jyggalag’s power being similar to mine. So I am truly sorry for all of this, and I hope you all can forgive me.” Kai said as he sat back down in his seat.
Silence overtook the room as everyone processed the information they were just told. Molag Bal decided to stand up and speak. “Out of the lot of us here, I can understand what you mean. At first I thought that love was for the weak, but as it turns out, I myself fell in love with my Champion, and I’ve never been happier. I forgive you.” Molag said as he sat back down. Akatosh, Mara, Dibella, and Arkay nodded in agreement. “With all of this done, let’s prepare for the fight of our lives.” Talos said as he slapped the table, riling up everyone. “Alright, Now since we have the support of the Ideal Masters, we have an advantage over Jyggalag. Most likely his defense is expecting us to commit to an all or nothing siege.” Kai said as he made a model of Nirn with Jyggalag’s army in organized formations, and their army in diverse groups. “While that is the concept, it’s far from the true plan. The real plan is to draw his army out, divide it in groups, and surround them. As for Jyggalag himself, I will take him on personally.” Kai said making the room erupt in cheers and war cries. “Seeing this as we’re in agreement, let’s move out!” Luna shouted in the Royal Canterlot Voice.
(Hour and a half later, Everfree Forest Temple 3rd P.O.V)
Every single able bodied warrior in Equestria was ready for perhaps the most dangerous conflict they’ve ever fought since the War in the North. Kai stood before his allies in his full Dovah-mail battle ensemble. Luna was wearing a modified Dark Brotherhood set that had darkly colored steel plates on her shoulders legs, and a helmet. Celestia wore her old armor from the siege on the Crystal Empire. Everyone else wore the distinct armor of their cultures. “Alright everyone, as soon as we walk through that gateway behind my throne, there’s no going back.” Kai said as nobody even flinched at this and everyone started to move into the temple towards the Oblivion Gate behind the throne.
Kai walked through first, followed by Luna and the Dark Brotherhood, then Celestia, until everyone was through the gateway to Nirn.
Nirn, Skyrim, Throat of the World Summit, Jyggalag’s P.O.V
I sat upon my throne on the summit of the highest peak in all of Tamriel in preparation for Kai to return and confront me. I felt a tremor in the fabric of the universe signaling his return, but he wasn’t alone as I assumed. “No matter, I still have greater numbers than him, so I don’t need to worry.” I said as I continued to just watch the inevitable battle about to begin. “So it begins.” I said as I rose from my throne and picking up my sword.