//------------------------------// // 46. Death Comes to Town // Story: Hero Souls: Awakening // by SvenFoxx //------------------------------// Luna spotted a large domed barrier on her approach and noticed a small gaggle of familiar and not-so-familiar ponies. She closed in for a landing, and smirked when it was her direct subordinate Mitternacht that noticed her first. He walked up to the edge of the barrier and bowed. “My liege. We have come to ensure your safe return to the waking world.” He motioned towards the large portal behind the group, a literal tear between worlds. The Royal Guard pony stepped forward, and Luna noticed a conjured shield that seemed to be the source of the barrier. “Now that we’ve found you, our job is to either successfully extract you from the Dream Realms, or aid you in doing what you must to return.” Luna peered at the barrier curiously. “This is a fascinating barrier. My awareness cannot pierce it, meaning it is meant to block mental influence?” The Guard bowed. “It’s an Empathy Ward, your Highness. It prevents emotions from leaking through the barrier. Princess Celestia informed us that this place will be influenced by our emotions and told us to guard them as such.” Luna nodded. “Celestia is correct. Though, I am unsure what the rules are in regards to physically entering this realm, so remain aware.” She looked around. “Very well. My mission is to locate Twilight Sparkle and return her dream avatar to her dream. If this mission fails, Twilight Sparkle will never awaken again. I refuse to leave without first ensuring her safety.” She looked at the Guard. “Can you generate more than one of those shields?” she asked. The Guard shook her head. “No ma’am. I have to continually power this one, and any real distance between the shield and me will break the ward.” Luna frowned. She had been hoping the answer was yes. “Twilight Sparkle is capable of speeds I can not keep up with. Unless you are capable of following me somehow, you will not be of much use.” This began a discussion between the ponies regarding the ability to help Luna. However, roughly ten minutes into the discussion, Luna’s ears perked straight up and her head turned to gaze into the distance. “Was that…?” she murmured to herself. “But why? Is me being trapped here involved?” “My Liege?” Mitternacht asked curiously. Luna turned to him. “It is nothing, my friend. I simply thought I sensed something.” Mitternacht tensed slightly. “Dangerous?” he asked quietly. Luna shook her head. “No. Well…” She paused, reconsidering. “Not malicious at any rate, though possibly the most dangerous entity you will ever meet.” That did not ease Mitternacht. “We should get you back to Equestria, My Liege. I am not comfortable with exposing you to such a thing.” Luna waved a hoof dismissively. “He wouldn’t harm me without due cause, and in any case he seems to be focused on another section of the Realms.” Luna paused again as she felt the Dream Realms begin to calm. “I see. He was actually here to speak with young Twilight. I am grateful. He has saved me much time.” She nodded. “Yes, I can feel Twilight’s presence diminishing. She is once more safely in her own dreams.” “Will you be leaving as well now?” Moondancer asked, having overheard the conversation. Luna nodded. “Yes. I will ensure the Realms are once more calm, and then return to my own dreams.” She glanced at the portal the group of ponies had used to enter the realm. “Be sure to seal this breach when you return. We cannot chance the two dimensions interacting with each other.” Mitternacht nodded and saluted. “It will be as you have ordered,” he said. Luna gave a please nod, lifting off the ground with a flap of her wings. “Inform my sister I will be along shortly, and to expect company. If he is here, then things are about to become complicated.” With that, Luna took off with an ear-splitting bang. Rosy started moving. “Alright ponies, pack it in. Let’s go home.” --- Luna came aware to the feeling of someone slapping her cheek. “Wakey wakey!” came an all too cheerful voice. A familiar voice. “Lord Death,” she greeted, rising and looking over towards her ultimate master. Celestia was giggling to herself, knowing full well most any other person would have been fried on the spot for such an act. Lord Death, better known to the vast multiverse as Harry Potter, moved away from Luna as she got up off the bed. He was a white caucasian male human with messy black hair, emerald colored eyes, a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead, and wearing what appeared to be a doctor’s uniform. “How many times do I have to tell you that it’s just Harry?” he sighed. “Save the pompous bullshit for the pompous assholes.” Luna smirked. “But there is an asshole in the room.” Harry gaped, and Celestia lost it, falling to floor as she laughed. After a moment he point a finger at her accusingly. “When the heck did you get a sense of humor!?” he demanded. Luna was now almost grinning. “Being locked within your own mind for the better part of a thousand years tends to change a pony,” she said. Harry paused at that admittance, processing the statement, but before he could respond the large portal in the room flared, depositing the ponies that had invaded the Dream Realm. Luna bowed to Harry. “Lord Death, may I prevail upon you to close this breach upon my domain? I am afraid I do not know how to do so safely.” Harry shrugged. “Sure,” he said, waving a hand. The portal closed with a snap. “Princess?” Hazy Glow asked slowly, staring at Harry. “Who… What is that?” he asked, clearly afraid. “And why do you call him Lord Death?” It was quite clear he was terrified that he was about to die. Celestia, having finally gained control of herself at this point, stepped forward. “Gentlestallions, mares, this young man is Harry Potter.” She motioned towards the grinning human, who waved cheekily. “As for his title, disregard it. Consider him nothing more than a visiting dignitary with Diplomatic Immunity. In fact, unless we directly state otherwise, his authority is equal to our own. Is that clear?” Most of the ponies saluted. Mitternacht looked to Luna. She nodded, and he also saluted. Luna turned to Harry. “Lord Death, may I ask why you have come to visit?” Harry sighed. “Seriously Luna, call my Harry.” It was a half-hearted reprisal though, he knew full well Luna was too respectful of his position to call him anything else. “And I came to visit because Fawkes told me I might be needed here.” Celestia smiled. “Ah, Fawkes. How has Philomena’s father been?” Harry shrugged. “Same old grumpy old man as always. He’s been particularly irritable lately, but we think that may have more to do with his impending Burning Day than anything.” He clapped his hands together. “So! Before we get into a Q&A session, I have a question.” “Yes?” Celestia and Luna both asked at the same time. “Who’s the Avatar of Magic I sensed when I entered your universe?”