//------------------------------//
// True Kind of Love PT1 
// Story: My Little Universe II 
// by EquestrianKirin 
//------------------------------//


"That was exhilarating ... now who should I kill first?"


.......

"GAH!"

Starswirl was horrified. Jolted awake by what he had witnessed, it was just strong enough to snap him out of an otherwise impossible-to-break meditation. He was short of breath, heavy too, and looked around the room he had been meditating in. It seemed to be normal enough: an empty room with a blanket on the floor and a few candles for scent, with an open window to a walk-out balcony but that was about it. That did not make Starswirl the Bearded anymore uncomfortable, and the vision that flashed in his mind was just enough to make him go back up onto his hooves. Just outside his door, a set of royal guards were stationed and went right in on hearing the sound.

"Master Starswirl! What's the trouble? We heard you gasp," one of the guards asked. Starswirl took a second to calm his nerves.

"No. No, something terrible is about to happen. One of you warn the princesses at once, line Canterlot with as many guards as possible. Now!" Starswirl said urgently, startling the pair of guards.

"Ok, ok, I'm going," one of them replied, galloping off as fast as he possibly could. The other one was about to rush off too, but Starswirl stopped him by blocking his way with his horn.

"Not you. Send out pegesi troops, send out scrolls, whatever you need to do: spread the word. Make sure any other kingdoms know the danger."

"Absolutely, sir ... but ... what's the danger?" the guard asked. Starswirl shuttered, and he was just about to speak when -

*boom* ... *BOOM*

"No. How could it so soon?" wondered Starswirl. Meditation would have to wait on the old Unicorn. Something didn't sit right in the Unicorn's stomach as he trotted on towards the window of the tower to see what was even going on. Starswirl only got out a hoof or two outside onto the balcony before his eyes bestowed upon him the danger looming towards Canterlot.
Off in the distance of the mountainside city was brewing a large set of clouds. At least it appeared like a set of clouds starting to close in from the valleys, but the closer Starswirl looked into it, he slowly started to see that this was no ordinary phenomenon or even a Pegasi-caused one. The looming shadow crept across the sky, ominous thundering and lightning striking the ground far below, Starswirl noting that ponies specifically were being targeted by these lightning bolts, as if something was directly aiming them right at the poor creatures. Starswirl instinctively took action, and actually jumped right out of the balcony window, using a magic aura around himself to keep from falling right onto the ground, flying through the air as fast as levitated flight could allow him, before bringing himself down onto the edge of the city's borders.
His arrival wasn't strictly alone though, as by the time he arrived numerous guards and even princess Luna were stationed there, alongside Shining Armor and Cadance as well.

"Starswirl, thank Celestia," said Shining, "That's starting to come close. Do you know what it's about? None of the guards can use their magic to get rid of it that storm cloud."

"That's not a storm cloud," Starswirl immediately informed.

And no doubt he was right. The cloud was coming in dangerous close to Canterlot now, moving ever closer like a great dragon. But for Starswirl, the cloud was not the focus of the danger, but more rather who was actually controlling it. All of those on guard focused their attention towards the top of the cloud. There was something riding on top of this cloud towards them all, and when they figured out who this was, none of them were ready for any warm welcome.

"Grogar," Starswirl said in disbelief. The now godly-charged Grogar was more pleased to see them all in one place. The cloud itself stopped at just about the borderline of the city, close enough for the ram to make a easy leap off of his cloud platform right down onto the grounds of Canterlot. The guards tried to block his landing, but Grogar just needed one landing to send most of them flying away. Unfazed by the literal wipeout of the guard, Grogar raised his golden horns good and high, looking down at all he could see.

"Did you miss me?"

"G-Grogar. You're -"

"The one that's going to STAIN YOU ON THE WALL!" Grogar bellowed. Not even time for a villain's speech, Grogar charged up the power inside those horns and started blasting away in all directions. The guards were scattered, shot at and panicked in seconds. Immediately Luna and Cadance took action and started shooting at him with all their strength, but their magic blasts almost seemed to bounce off him. All it took for the Ram to knock them away was just a swing of his tail, knocking them into the nearest Canterlot tower.
Grogar quickly aimed for Starswirl next, Starswirl summoning a shield almost immediately to counter Grogar's charge. Hyped up on the most powerful magic in both worlds made smashing his forcefield a synch for the giant ram, but Starswirl still made a clean shot right at the Ram's face, briefly making him stop as the Unicorn raced for Luna and Cadance as they were pulling themselves out from the tower.

"You two alright?" Starswirl asked.

"We're alright. Is THAT Grogar you kept talking about?" Cadance asked, pointing to the giant Ram.

"No ... not anymore. Hurry! We must stop his assault," Starswirl instructed. But by the time the three brought themselves around to face Grogar again, the Ram had already fought and defeated the entire royal guard of Canterlot, several guards laying unconscious all over the ground. Numerous buildings were left wrecked and destroyed in his wake. The citizens were trying their best to find cover, but Grogar simply had to make one blast their way to create his own walls, trapping numerous groups of Unicorns in cages just like that so they wouldn't get away.

"A little late, are you?"

"That's far enough!" Starswirl charged up his horn and rushed Grogar, the two meeting head on. Despite his god-like advantage, Starswirl actually proved to be a decent fight compared to everyone else, his aura around his hooves to deliver stronger hits with them in between blasts from his horn. Grogar's new magic verses Starswirl's magical ability, and surprisingly after a few kicks and a strong magic blast, it was enough to make Grogar skid back.

"Showoff."

"THAT'S my final warning. Stand down or we WILL stop you for good. You're NO MATCH for our magic, Grogar, we both know that. Or did you forget last time?" Starswirl warned. Grogar actually sat down and scratched his chin.

"Well unlike you, I've been upgraded. Want me to demonstrate?"

Grogar's horns began to glow strong all over again, this time the ominous green for his bomb magic. Rather than just a simple bomb, it turned into a flurry tornado, sending numerous bombs all over Canterlot. Whenever any bomb landed left a crater and tons of green smoke. Starswirl kept a magic shield up to protect himself and the alicorns, but the bombs did far more than just leave craters in their wake. As the green smoke spread around, any pony not in a cage found themselves wrapped in spontaneously appearing vines! Starswirl was startled and immediately tried using his own magic to stop the sudden vine growth, blasting away any vines that appeared and freeing anypony that got caught in the brambles. Starswirl's magic might've been a strong attack against the vines, but dozens more were sprouting up all over the place far faster than he could keep up with.

"Step down from my teacher!" Luna shouted, blasting numerous vines that blasted it to smithereens right behind Starswirl. Cadance and Shining also tried their absolute hardest to fight off the numerous vines, but so many were spreading and sprouting all at once it was quickly overwhelming even them: for every two they shoot, four more sprout back. Grogar simply watched with a sinister and satisfying smile as the rulers started to get wrapped up in the vines, to the point when only their heads were exposed. All they could hear was Grogar laughing as he walked towards them. Rather than talking to them right away, he eyed a Pegasus guard and got him levitated to him, snapping him out of unconsciousness. The guard only needed to see the mighty trapped to make her blood churn.

"Don't give me that look, sweetie. I got a little message for you."

"I'm not doing anything for you. You can forget it," the guard warned. But Grogar sliced opened a portal right then and there.

"You wanna tell your Twilight what happened here? Go on, I want you to tell her. And this ..." Grogar then whispered his remaining message to the guard pony, and while she might not get the true extent of the details, the news still made her irises shrink and a cold sweat rush by her. Before she could even process it, Grogar threw her right into the portal and closed it tight behind her.

Then he looked to Starswirl.

"Don't get used to this, Grogar. You will NOT take over Equestria, I swear on it," Starswirl said. Grogar then had one more surprise.

"Oh no. Whatever shall I do?" Grogar "asked". His jaws curved into a sinister grimace, his horns glowing a sun-hot aura around his teeth, before bringing them down for a bite.

.......

"WHAT?!?! Grogar's turned God mode now?! But how'd that happen?" exclaimed Lars.

"Does it matter HOW it happened, what matters is that now we got a psychotic god running around the worlds and we have to stop him!" said  Yellow diamond, which basically summed up the doomsday-potential scenario best. The Harmony Gems and Diamond Authority all knew how bad this was going to get if they didn't get themselves prepared, and their first order of business was straight back to the barn to get everyone else on the level. They can't waste anymore time.

"He had no problem defeating the Diamond Authority when we first met him. But with Discord and White Diamond's powers ... who knows what he's capable of doing now," Blue Diamond said worriedly.

"You mean besides turning every world into his toybox? I got nothin," Emerald said.

"Discord, White? You two had those same powers, is there any limits to them we should know about? Anything will help at this point," inquired Flint. Discord and White Diamond however were left more or less shivering if anything.

"Don't any of you look at me, I'm still left at him actually using it right! You'd think that using magic that can spawn talking pineapples alongside party nukes would be a little bit difficult to do!" Discord said almost in panic.

"You make it look easy, though," said Rhodonite.

"I'm the spirit of chaos. Controlling chaos magic's part of the package ... until someone steals it from me at the last minute!"

"And me! With your chaos, and my control, he's got the combination to literally be a god! I-I should've just left it alone and not complain, I should've just stayed like this and accepted my fate like a good Gem," White Diamond said, slowly going into a panic at the thought of what Grogar could even do to any of them, AND the world with their combined powers. Flashes of an entire universe under the tyrannical hoof of Grogar left White Diamond terrified beyond belief (which to some was weird to see). White Diamond then felt a hand touch her shoulder, just to see Garnet.

"My Diamond? Let's calm down," Garnet simply said.

"... Alright. You make it sound so easy," White Diamond said.

"We've had practice. Besides this hasn't stopped us before: we fought against you twice now, and the Elements of Harmony stopped Discord at full power. Grogar's powerful, but we have our own army with us right here."

"W-Well ... yes, but he's destroying everything!"

"Then we can't waste any time," Twilight said. "Equestria, Earth, and Homeworld are in danger, and we need all the help we can get. What we need is everyone in the world armed and ready for wherever Grogar will strike next. Knowing him he will not leave any town untouched if it means to get his own kingdom."

"That's thinking. Just tell us where to go," said Applejack.

Nothing too hard after some decent thinking on where to go, and Twilight quickly began to make arrangements immediately.

"Ok, right. Lars, you and the Off-Colors go to Nanefua and get Beach City on lockdown, and make sure there're isn't any problems in case of evacuation. We also need Little Homeworld, Ponyville, anywhere else nearby on guard, Grogar will most likely go there first if he's coming this way."

"We got that covered," said Fulgurite, saluting the Alicorn.

"We'll get Homeworld on lockdown as well. I do NOT want Homeworld to be turned into Tambalon, ever again," Yellow Diamond added.

"Excellent. We're about to be given the greatest fight we've ever had to face, but as long as we're all together, there is nothing we can't do!"

"PRINCESS TWILIGHT!"

Timing, once again, seemed to be picky on when to show because seconds after Twilight finished her instructions and mini-speech, the voice of an unknown pony started ringing through the air. They hardly needed that much time to look around, the diamonds seeing who was coming first in form of a Pegasus royal guard. She was lucky to even find them in the cold weather, the Pegasus flying through the cold brisk air as fast as she could right towards them. She was so frantic reaching them, she practically crashed into the snow, skidding to a stop like a scared pilot landing a plane.

"You're one of the Canterlot's royal guard ponies?" asked Spinel.

"Yes. OH thank Luna you're still safe. Princess. Canterlot: it's been overrun! The tyrant Grogar has taken over Canterlot. You got to do something!" the guard informed, almost pleading for some help from any of them even if she tried to be professional about it.

"What? But how?! We were only gone for like, half an hour! How'd he get that done so fast?" asked Bismuth in disbelief.

"Where're the princesses? Princess Luna? Princess Cadance?! They're still alright, aren't they?" asked Twilight.

"All captured. them, the captain of the royal guard, E-Even Starswirl the Bearded got captured by him. I've never seen anyone take over that fast before," the guard informed. Twilight felt pale. It also didn't help when Star started talking.

"I thought you said he'll attack Little Homeworld first. Didn't you?" Star Quartz asked.

"He ... he attacked Canterlot first?" Fluttershy asked nervously.

"To get rid of our strongest support, no doubt. Did he say where he'll attack next, or was he smart enough not to tell you?" Jasper asked, clenching her fists to bash a ram's head in. The guard felt a shutter run through her before she answered.

"There is something else he wanted me to tell you. He -"

"Hold on, pause: Grogar wanted you to tell us what he did? Is he TRYING to make us mad over here?" Amethyst asked.

"This is Grogar," sighed Flint, "Now, you were saying?"

The guard was a bit troubled in saying it, but she had to tell them anyway. "Ok, I don't know how important this is, but he wanted me to tell you what happened to ... Ramicorn?"

"What did he do?" was the immediate question coming out from Twilight. So he not only got to Canterlot, but Ramicorn too? The guard took a deep breath, but took off her helmet and brought it to her chest.

"It's all gone. He told me he went to Ramicorn and destroyed what he wanted. Just because they told you more about him."

"HE ATTACKED THEM FOR THAT REASON?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"That's what he told me before he threw me over here. If Canterlot's anything to go off, he's going after everywhere. Princess, you and your friends do have a plan, right?" the guard asked. The whole group paused in wondering what was going to happen now. Not only did Grogar take over Canterlot, but also had the time to wreck Ramicorn in just half an hour. Just the concept of that kind of speed was giving them chills, especially since they weren't sure where he was gonna go now. Not after this information was given however, there's one more problem they got on their hands and hooves when they checked the group ...

Steven was gone.

"What the? Steven? Where's Steven?"

"He must've gone to get the word out. Now come on, we gotta stay ahead of that ram!" Rainbow Dash said, the first to bolt off to get her respected task done. Some of the Harmony Gems began to split up to get their towns nearby the area all on lockdown and ready, but the thought on where Steven went still was lingering on whoever remained. Soon, the only ones left were Garnet, Spinel, Twilight and Connie.

In truth, it didn't take too long until they found where he disappeared to. Right inside the barn. Looking in, all Steven did was sit down on one of the hay bales inside, back against one of the support beams and basically contemplating his own decisions at this point. Two big places already destroyed so quickly, and they didn't stop it.

"Steven? You okay bro?" Spinel asked, cautiously walking in.

"No. I'm not. Everyone's so ready to fight but ... UGH, this is all my fault!"

"How's it all your fault? You didn't make any of this happen," Connie retorted. But Steven was already feeling harsh about it.

"It doesn't matter what I do anymore! I was expected to kill the Ram, and I never did, and NOW look what happens. I left it alone for too long A-And now I know for a fact that we can't even beat him, because he's got White Diamond and Discord's powers!"

"Steven calm down," Twilight said urgently, but Steven wasn't listening.

"Red Diamond's expecting me to destroy him, and I got too scared and too stubborn to do it! And even if I did, HOW CAN I DO THAT NOW?! Now he's the most powerful king ever and we can't even touch him without getting slaughtered! ... Grogar knew all along this was gonna happen ..."

Steven fell back down to his knees. Honestly, all Twilight could think to do is bring a wing around him. What can she even say to him though, given the situation he was in?

"Steven, listen to me. I've been with you all for years, watching you all do so many amazing things ever since we first met, and if there's one thing that I've learned from it, is that even when things are impossible, there's never a time when we all gave up, and even the few times you did, there's always someone behind to get you back up to your feet."

Twilight helped get Steven back to to his feet as she continued explaining.

"You seem to know a lot about it," Steven said.

"I learned how bad it can be without your friends after Grogar tricked me into overwork and captured me for it. I was so caught up in being a princess that I almost forgot my friends, but it was your rescue that helped me remember how important friendship is."

"Twilight that wasn't even my plan. In fact, I nearly wrecked the plan."

"To save me, Steven," said Connie, "You were scared of what'll happen just like everyone else was. Your heart was still in the right place, and always has been. You even tried giving Grogar a second chance, even when no one else wanted you to -"

"And look what happened. He's NOT changed and he's turning every single world into his toybox. If I'd just swallow my pride and finish him when I could this wouldn't even be happening!" Steven exclaimed, his fist banging against the post before he collapsed again, this time sitting down with his head to his knees.

"....... I'm so scared. ... What do I even do?" Steven was so close to be on the verge of tears at this point. Connie, Spinel, Twilight, and Garnet looked to one another before an answer finally came up.

"You want to know something Steven? There's a lot of times when I don't really know what to do either. And when I don't know what to do, I stop using just up here for a minute -" Garnet pointed to her head, "And started using in here." she then pointed to where her heart would be. "Even if it didn't turn out like you wanted, you still made the right choice in trying to give Grogar a second chance. You're always good at making others happy, Steven, even if you don't know it."

"... You still think I'm doing okay? Even if what I did made things worse?"

"The only one making things worse right now is Grogar, not you. And let's be honest, Grogar's probably going to tell you that when we run into him again, and when he does. Don't listen to him. The only thing he's doing is trying to knock you down. We all love you Steven, even if you don't think you deserve it. Nothing's going to change that and we're not going anywhere," Connie promised.

"You really mean that?" Steven asked in disbelief. Rather than go into another speech, Connie just summed it up with a kiss on the cheek, which summed it up pretty well.

"It's not like you did ALL bad. I mean, look at me," Spinel said, "I was coming down to Earth and ready to kill all of you after getting messed up and thinking you're all with the Diamonds, but now thanks to you I'm all cool with it. That and you did save me from being stuck alone again so ... eh, here."
Spinel wasn't as good with thoughts as the others so she summed it up with a hug to Steven. Connie, Twilight, and Garnet were happy to join in, leaving Steven quiet at first but his tears coming out felt warm instead of cold, the tears of doubt being replaced by tears of joy.

"Thanks guys. I love you guys too," Steven said.

"There's the Steven we know," Garnet said smiling. The group gave Steven some space so he can get up and start heading out of the barn.

"Okay, so everyone already getting everyone ready for Grogar, but he's still going to try and get all of us whenever he can. He's already got Sumu AND the Spirit with him so my guess is he probably already knows wherever we go in any world we jump into. We need SOMEWHERE we can go that Grogar doesn't know about. Somewhere only we know."
The group tried thinking on where something like that would be, but slowly their thoughts were shifting to Sumu more. Despite all of her knowledge about them from plant talk, Sumu was in essence still a plant. So if they were to go anywhere, it can't be anywhere organic or have plant life on it, or at the least not suitable for Sumu to stray in for long. They all were thinking hard on it, but as if by some miracle, Twilight got an idea that simply HAD to work.

"I got it! I gotta go real quick, you three get whoever you can right back here as soon as everywhere's ready to go," Twilight said.

"But wait, where's the place?"

"Somewhere we've never been to before, but somewhere my friend knows about. Be right back," Twilight replied. A bit cryptic but enough for them to be convinced. However she skidded to a stop once she got outside of the barn before looking back and saying "Garnet, find a moon base somewhere for a backup," before getting out her portal key and getting a portal open for use. Without a moment's hesitation she jumped her way through to her destination.


~~~~~~


Determination doesn't even describe how much both sides were trying to make their goal work. The Harmony Gems with their respected tasks went right to work in spreading the word on Grogar's invasion plan to wherever they could. Each place they've spoke to got them all on edge but prepared themselves for whatever Grogar might have for them: some places such as Ponyville chose to just hide and wait for it to blow over, while other places like Diamond City were quick to set up what defenses they could against this approaching enemy. Whichever the case may be for the Harmony Gems' side they were getting things done, and in fact as they were doing this they were actually getting some decent help in the fight as well on the front lines.
By the time they all got back together at the barn, their original number just above twenty had easily ranked up much higher at this point: The Diamond Authority, the Off-Colors, the Pillars of Equestria, and many others from wherever they could. Their fleet had turned into a rightful army to face against Grogar's army whatever it may be. Twilight and Starlight stood in front of the crowd, with some big box with them too.

"All of Homeworld's on high alert now, and now with more knowledge about him they should hold him off for a while," Yellow Diamond informed.

"And we got Ponyville and Beach City evacuated and safely out of the way too," added Rarity.

"There's no doubt that Grogar's going to come our way, so if we're gonna face him we need somewhere we can set up basecamp at. And we know exactly where to go," Starlight said confidently.

"And that would be where? Sumu's been everywhere we have," pointed out Rhodonite.

"And what's that box gotta do with it?" asked Tiger's Eye, pointing to the crate behind them.

"That's not entirely true. We're gonna need a guide first. someone who knows this place inside and out long before anyone else, and he should be ready right now," Starlight said.

"He? Starlight?" asked Spike.
Starlight and Twilight nodded to one another and brought their attention to the crate. Starlight and Twilight both turned the box and Starlight seemed to give a signal to it by knocking onto the box. Starlight and Twilight both moved back and sat down waiting for their special guest to come up. Many of them were thinking that this box would have the guest inside there, but there was more to this than any of them thought. For a short moment, one of the corners of the box began to distort and blur a little bit, as if something was manifesting in view of it. It was at this point their special guest started phasing through the corner of the box, and out into the late winter weather of their world.

Sniper the Tindalos.

"Hi Starlight. You knocked for me, did you?" Sniper asked, happy to see her.

"Yeah, we might need a bit of help," Starlight replied. Sniper was about to ask for what, but the Tindalos immediately began seeing the sheer high amount of Gems and Ponies all present there, enough to make the creature start moving back a bit, ears folded back in worry and growling a little, especially when seeing the towering Diamonds there.

"Wait, wait, relax, they're not going to hurt you," Starlight made clear to help calm him down. Sniper looked to her and took a breath, ears back up again.

"Oh, sorry. It's a natural habit," Sniper replied after calming down.

"So THIS is your main plan Twilight? I'm sorry but I don't know. Us and his pack never really got along," Lapis pointed out, not sure about the idea. Sniper decided to speak for his pack.

"Oh, no trouble. My father might've held a grudge but the rest of the pack doesn't hold anything against you, they know you're just trying to survive. Simple as that. Anyway, we do have several other dens to use, so you're free to use this one if you all have to," Sniper explained. So that's one hurdle they don't have to deal with, which was more than good given the trouble already.

"Wait wait. Den? As in ... a animal hole underground?" questioned Hessonite.

"It's fairly clean, and plenty of space even for your giant friends over there. As long as navigation inside the den isn't gonna be a problem, then it should be good for you," Sniper explained. With the little timeframe they didn't have time to work out anything else so they had to basically roll with it. Sniper turned back to the crate to enter it, but he quickly stopped himself on the ... obvious problem.

"N-Not to worry, portals back to my realm can accommodate all sizes. ... But for safety's sake, we'll enter from over here," Sniper said.

"Thank you," Twilight and Starlight said. Sniper trotted over not to the box but towards the large barn. It's still slightly small compared to the Diamonds, but it's still plenty of room for them to enter. The entire corner of it started to warp and blur away, telling them the portal was more than ready for them. To make sure the portal remained open for them Sniper kept himself in position right between the realm, in a way like how the portal doors can prop open.

"After you," Sniper said, offering to let them go by him inside.

"Thank you, Sniper, that's very polite," Steven said.
There was honestly some caution around the whole group, as none of them actually knew where Sniper was even from. Their past experience with the Tindalos beforehand, and what sort of clues Sniper left for them over the years about his home world did at least tell them his realm wasn't as friendly as the others they were familiar with. Still they were more focused on getting a base together instead of that. Steven and Connie both took the lead in and they began to phase through the Tindalos portal. What did they find on the other side? ...
Space. LOTS AND LOTS OF SPACE. The main chamber of this den, as they all began to look around, was simply colossal, about the same size as the Diamond Authority's main chamber in the Diamond Palace, light being very limited at best. The entire walls were left dark gray to black, made up almost entirely of smooth stone and a hint of dust. They could see other tunnels around the area, but they all didn't look dug out but rather jagged with octagon entrances and cornerways everywhere.

"My goodness," gasped Blue Diamond, peering in.

"I think we won't have a problem," Steven decided, looking back to the others. Cleanliness wasn't a problem either, since they hardly found any actual dirt that settled in the den.

"So this is your den, eh Sniper. It's actually not that - AAHH!"

One little issue that Sniper forgot to mention: Tindalos alter their forms between realms. And now that they were in his Home world, his body had already altered itself into what they could only assume to be his original form. They knew he was Sniper thanks to his blue eyes, but his entire body that made him a wolf had been altered a lot. Still having four legs, sure, but his body no longer looked all crooked and jagged all over, his limbs not even ending in paws but more like three triangular toes, with various spikes running down his back, and ears and muzzle sharpened like blades. There was NOT a single curve on his entire body like any of them, the only actual curve being his ribbon-like tail.

"No no no, it's only me! ... Well, the real me. It happens when we Tindalos return to our realm."

"... Right. I'll remember that for next time," Starlight said. Something for later.

"You're so ... sharp," Spinel said, poking one of his corners on his back.

"All in the family," Sniper replied. "So, will this all work for you all?"

"Oh definitely, thank you and your family. You all can have it back when we're done," Blue Diamond said. Sniper nodded and began to move back to the portal, trying to keep it open as everyone began to move their way in. It took a bit of time for everyone to go through the portal back into the den, but slowly and surely everyone began to disappear from one realm to another. There was a very few left though when suddenly Sniper's ears began to perk up. He started sniffing the air back in Earth for a short bit.

"Sniper, what's the matter?" asked Starlight.

"How many did you say were coming in with you?" Sniper asked.

"That should be everyone. ... What is it you're smelling?" Starlight asked cautiously. Sniper sniffed a bit more again. He and Starlight looked over towards beyond the hills a ways from there, and almost seemed to get the same idea.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Suppose so. Starlight, you get in there, I'll be right back."

Starlight went into the den, and Sniper bolted off.


~~~~~~


As they were making a lot of progress, so too was Grogar and his advancing troops. Me may have won over Canterlot by himself but that didn't mean he had an army to back him up like he would like, so getting some troops together for the overall invasion was a must. With time to spend he went around wherever the Harmony Gems hadn't shown up already and began gathering up what monsters he can, even making some completely on his own thanks to his magical prowess. With god powers, some creatures created from thin air never hurt. Even with all this power, his loyalist of subjects were slowly starting to become a bit more concerned, especially given the kinds of monsters he was creating. In the heat of his creation stream, he just got himself finished creating a whole troops of flying Gargoyles to help him out, all of them dangerous and action-hungry much to Grogar's glee, and the fear of his subjects.

"Won't you just look at all of that? Gargoyles, Hook Horrors, Gremlins, Even the Leviathan ALL together in one place. doesn't it just bring a tear to your eyes, lads?" Grogar said, enjoying the sight of this advance of an army. Grogar went over towards one of the Hook Horrors - it was like a upright turtle with extremely sharp mantis arms - giving it a nudge. The creature, even with it being in his army, screeched and slashed its claw at him, actually getting some fur off of Grogar's mane. Grogar moved back, but then he laughed.

"You flatterer! The world will never know what's coming!" Grogar laughed. At least he was happy, but Bray and Budgerite nearby were just left shivering in place.

"B-Bray? ... I'm scared."

"How do you think I feel? You can pop back I can't," Bray said shivering, talking about Gem reformation there. The two quickly moved back when one of the monsters created roared their way, and actually began to hone in on the two. Luckily for their necks the creature was pulled back by Grogar by its tail, putting it back in line.

"Easy big fella, you'll get your taste soon enough. Leave the pests alone for now," Grogar said.

"Thank you my - ... wait, pests? You mean friends?" Budgerite asked humbly. Grogar looked down to them both, towering over them like any diamond would which REALLY didn't sit well for the hybrid Gem.

"I can call you whatever I want. You're not dumb enough to defy me now are you?" Grogar inquired.

"NO NO, NOT AT ALL!" both donkey and gem said quickly, scared he was going to crush them under hoof. Grogar just laughed at them, his tail still knocking them away despite not using his own hooves. Grogar had been a cruel Ram, but now he was just not considerate to them at all. Grogar just ignored those two, and brought his attention off nearby to another "special guest" nearby in form of the Spirit.
The Spirit couldn't believe a mere mortal was doing this to her: to take her horn away, and left in chains on a wagon of Grogar's own imagination to keep the Spirit from flying away. All she did was simply sit there and watch as all this was going on. It didn't help that she was without her cloak either, exposed to the cold. Not that Grogar cared.

"Alright you. Get my future told right now. Where're the Harmony Gems going to now that I'm free?"

"Up your flank," the Spirit growled. Grogar didn't even hesitate and slammed his hoof on top of her head, shoving her snout into the ground.

"Do i need to remind you that YOUR foresight's the only reason your alive right now? Now try again: Where're they going?" Grogar asked, his snout hovering right by her ear so she wouldn't miss anything. The Spirit was still ticked off Grogar got this strong in the first place.

"My foresight does not work that way. I see to ending outcomes, and try to prevent them so your universes don't -" *WHACK* right across the face.

"I don't want excuses, I want answers! Now be a good horse and whinny for me or I'll melt off more than just your horn," Grogar warned. The Spirit was left staring at Grogar's red eyes, and looking around she just groaned. Without her horn this process was a little harder, but she did close her eyes and tried her magic aura anyway. A few sparks got out, sure, but the aura still worked thank goodness.

"You'll find them in a new realm, they're all there to prepare for you further, for some will leave and some will fight. That's as far as I am truly aware," the Spirit answered. Grogar smirked and stepped off of her.

"There you go, that wasn't so hard. SUMU!" Grogar said. Sumu popped up right in front of the Spirit, a bit cold but a bit quicker this time. The Spirit stared at the small little Plunder Vine as Sumu looked right up to the god.

"Yes sir? ... Say did you get taller?"

"Later. Sumu, Stay put here and keep yourself hidden in the ground. You'll be needed later, understand? Bray, get to Nichrome and check the Homeworld artilleries. We're ALL about to go to war," Grogar instructed. Sumu nodded yes and burrowed back down into the ground to do just that. Grogar was looking forward to this for a LONG TIME.

Sniper had to bolt back immediately.

.......

"Grogar plans to come in here and destroy us," stated Twilight to everyone within the den, "He's going to give us everything he's got, so anyone who doesn't want to fight should stay in here."

"And for anyone who does want to fight. Get in line behind Me," said a confident and battle-ready Bismuth. It was a bit hard to say if anyone didn't want to at least try and fight them off for the sake of the world, but given what they were putting themselves up against it was by far from a quick victory.

"Twilight, think for a minute here, you all sure you want to do this?" asked Rhodonite one final time, "There's a god running around for us, with an entire army armed with who-knows-what on their way right now here! We REALLY need a different spot. ... Maybe he'll make it quicker of we -" 

"Oh, run away? That's a splendid idea, let's run away - A-And what happens when they chase you down?" Hessonite cut in, "And even if you can stay ahead of them, where exactly do you plan to go?"

Rhodonite was shut up right then and there, along with whoever else wanted to just take off and go. There were quite a few that were wondering if they should stay or not, but after a good three seconds of silence a voice spoke up again, belonging to the fusion Garnet.

"We're not going to make any of you stay here if you don't want to," Garnet continued, "But Earth. Equus. Homeworld. They're our home. And I WILL fight to keep it."

... No one decided to go. As scared as some were to face against Grogar now, it's even scarier to let him take over the world if Homeworld was any indication on what that would mean. They were scared, but they were ready to at least try and keep what they had from this invader, no matter which world they were from.

"Just so you all know, there's no going back if you stay. We're all staying to fight until the very end," warned Flash Magnus one more time. Just to be sure that everyone was absolutely sure they wanted to stay. Once again, none of them moved.

"If you think I'm going to get my Gem marked by some mutant pig cutter, then you're out of your mind. I'm staying!" announced Amethyst, hand raised good and high to be sure they knew she was there and ready. Little by little, the others started to raise their own hands. Some more reluctant, some more confident, but either way they all were raising their hands up high for the battle ahead.

It's decided.

"Alright. Let's do it," Garnet decided. Upon that notion, she brought out their literal key for this mission to work, and with Portal Key in hand, threw it over to the nearest wall to get their path opened up for them. Before any of them could go, Garnet looked to Hessonite first.

"Hessonite, set things up here. Don't give into them whatever you do, at least for the first twenty two minutes and thirty seconds," Garnet instructed. Hessonite smiled confidently, sword already drawn out and at the ready.

"When have perfect Garnets like us ever backed from a challenge?" Hessonite said. Garnet knew that answer was coming from a mile away. Steven also spoke when he saw Spinel.

"Spinel, I'm going to need you to stay here and help everyone else. They're going to need all the help they can get, and you can give them a lot of it. I promise I'll come back," Steven instructed.

"Okie dokie Steven. I'm gonna send them all packing their bags in no time, just you wait and watch me! I promise, I'll be a strong Gem for ya, bro. In the real way," Spinel said with a salute. Steven smiled to his little sister as they both saluted eachother.

"Good luck out there."

"You too."

"Gems! Ponies! Let's go!" announced Garnet. With the exchanges finally met, it's time to have the teams split up. The Elements of Harmony and the Crystal Gems began to take their leave, heading through the portal with no time to lose. The sooner they get to Homeworld from here, the better their chances to stop Grogar once and for all. They needed every second they could get. In a quick dash through the portal, the Elements of Harmony and the Crystal Gems were gone and on their way. They got their half of the plan to work out, now everyone else had to give them the time they needed.

"Alright everyone, you heard the heroes! Off-Colors, your team will take the north, and the Pillars you can -" before Hessonite could continue on with her instructions, Sniper nudged her side.

"Hessonite, is it? If this is gonna be an all-out scrap, maybe we'd better show you all where to go. After all, we got more experience in this world than any of you ever could," Sniper said, as the rest of his pack started to come up behind him.

"Come now, Garnet put me in charge of this heroic mission -"

*AHEM* said her own Diamond. There was no time for any of her bravado.

"... I-I mean ... yes. I'm open for suggestions," Hessonite said.

The biggest main entrance is just beyond the front tree roots. I say get the largest fighters set up there and the other front entrances for the larger ones out there.

A fairly easy decision to make for that one, and the strongest of their group began to line themselves up along the front entrance. Fluorite, Bismuth, Rockhoof, and a few others lined up at the ready for the fight ahead of them, looking out to the barren plains just beyond the den entrance they could see the rows of monsters Grogar managed to bring up in his short time out, gathering up large Pony Golems and Leviathan and her pod along the front lines for the bigger assault. Leviathan herself hauled up into view, bellowing out a guttural roar.

"There so many of them," Fluorite said.

"Don't worry bout a thing, lass. Just let em try to get in here," Rockhoof said, hooves scraping the ground like a bull ready to charge. Bismuth smirked as she got out her hammer arms.

"I'd love to see that," Bismuth said smugly.

Far off into the soon-to-be battlefield, Leviathan actually started to make her way towards them, some of her pod moving out of her way as she forcefully whacked any slow ones aside. Nevermind what Grogar told her to do - this big girl was taking over NOW.

There're a few smaller tunnels going just underneath the field. Some of the more magical ones should probably go there if you want to set up a few traps.

The tunnels themselves were a bit smaller compared to the main tunnels, so fitting through them was a bit harder for the average animals. But it was a good size for those such as Aquamarine, Emerald, Spike, Hoppy and Hopper to get themselves inside.

"We should be directly underneath the field. They won't know what hop'd them," Hoppy said, her sword at the ready.

"I'm going to get shattered, that's what's going to happen to me," Aquamarine said, "But you'll survive and probably be a legendary captain somewhere. But deep down they love me, I know they do. ... So they'll make a statue of me in my honor, praising and a reminder every day of what could've been -"

"Oh Red Diamond take me - I'll kill you myself if you DON'T SHUT UP," Emerald cut in, grabbing Aquamarine by the collar and looking ready to slap her.

"That's nice, that's so reassuring from someone you're about to go into battle with," Aquamarine said. Emerald will just had to deal with it until this is all over ... or until one of them gets killed, whichever comes first.

There are several other openings all around the den, seven last i checked. Try and spread yourselves out in each, keep none of them open.

Numerous amounts of this army were scattered about every which way, Grogar's Army moving along and making sure every single entrance was blocked off for the upcoming battle ahead. Numerous animals, some old and some new, were seen off at least a good thirty feet from each entrance into the Tindalos den. Gems, Ponies, and whatever else kept each entrance guarded. This included even the Diamond Authority. And both White and Blue took their own guard at one of the entrances together.

Despite everything, this moment gave them one final moment to talk.

"Blue? ... In case something were to uhh ... happen. I just want to say I'm so sorry for everything I've done to all of you."

"Oh White. We've already forgiven you," Blue said.

"I know but ... I promised I'd help Homeworld be better. To make everyone happy ... I make you happy. But now I ... don't know if I'm going to see it," White said, a bit worried about the outcome of this whole endeavor of theirs. Blue Diamond looked over to White briefly before she looked onward to the army. They may be Diamonds, but experience already told Blue that they were not indestructible by any means. Hard to break at the least.

"Well ... how was that going to go?" Blue asked. White could feel a fluster come up ever so briefly, but this time the blush didn't last all too long. Did she mean Homeworld or just her?

"W-Well ... I'd start by letting the Gems be themselves, umm ... not be so harsh on any Off-Color Gems back home. As for you uhh ... I'd start by telling you how wise and caring you've become. And how you've become a great Diamond, you and Yellow both. ... But ... in the end ... I'll just end up telling you ..."

White Diamond leaned against Blue Diamond, holding onto her robe.

"... How beautiful I think you are. ..."

And in that moment, White Diamond looked back to Blue and what did she find? ... Blue Diamond smiling. It might be the start of a fierce battle, but Blue still gently placed a caring hand on White Diamond one more time. White Diamond saw it happen after all.

Nothing left unsaid. They were ready.


~~~~~~


Meanwhile, just outside of the den, the army was slowly beginning to take up shape. Grogar got them all surrounding the entire den and what entrances they could find. They themselves were just like the pack of wild wolves that were helping the Harmony Gems too, waiting for the word to rush in and raise Tartarus on the Tindalos Den.

"Alright, that's every entrance armed up from what we can find, sir," informed one of the soldiers ready to go.

"Excellent work. They got nowhere to run now," Grogar said sinisterly, licking his razor sharp teeth. There was no way ever are they going to get their way out of this one, regardless of the issue. As he looked on towards the so-called stronghold of the Harmony Gems, Tempest Shadow moved in over towards him.

"You have them all at your mercy, my lord. Our prison hold will suit them rather well," Tempest Shadow said.

"What prisoners?" Grogar asked. At first Tempest was just going to explain to him the prison hold they've had in mind, but one look on his face told her that he knew exactly what he was talking about.

"You ... are taking prisoners. Right?"

"Absolutely not," Grogar replied. "I want them all to scream by the time I'm done with them."

"Sir? You're the leader of your kingdom, showing some mercy would better suit -" Tempest was harshly cut short when Grogar turned and suddenly Tempest shadow was off of her hooves and onto the ground, whacked away by a hit of Grogar's sideways kick. He barely used any muscle to do that thank the stars, otherwise Tempest would be in even worse trouble.

"Listen closely, if you're going to sit there and think about everything I do, I will kill you. You will do as I say and you will like it. GOT IT?" Grogar snarled.

"... S-Sir," Tempest managed to say. Budgerite helped Tempest back up onto her hooves as Grogar moved over towards the front of his line. If he was going to watch them all suffer he wanted a front row seat for it.

"Now everyone line up. We're going in."

The invasion began with Grogar's Earth-shaking roar. The entire realm could possibly hear it, and everyone inside of that den knew what will be coming their way. The first signs were distant roars and screeches from creatures they've never heard of before, echoing through the air just before the ground began to rumble from an army's footsteps coming right towards the den. As many of them were running at them at full speed, Grogar they saw simply took his time in a casual stroll to them instead.

"Here they come. GIVE EM ALL YOU GOT!" Bismuth ordered, being the first of the Harmony Gems' side to actually rush out right towards the army. With hammer arms ready, she made the first attack on them and leaped for the invading creatures, her mighty swing slamming into the ground with all her strength at once. This attack was followed by combined attacks of Rockhoof and Fluorite charging in like freight trains, numerous soldiers from Grogar's side getting brutally slammed and forced back. 
This was just the first area of the overall assault onto the Tindalos den, as every entrance that could enter the den was being invaded by the army. The Harmony Gems wherever they were, found themselves facing this fight no matter what the case may be. Most of the fighting was done at each of the entrances into the den, with any and all guards at each putting in some effort to keep them back, but those still inside had their own problems as the army was taking them in from above too, digging into the den from wherever they wanted to.

"Off the roof!" Spinel shouted, her fist suddenly smashing through the hole they just finished, sending three of the troops flying off of the den rooftop.  That same hand grabbed at least two more and swung them around to knock ten back like a spinning fan before throwing them aside.

"Good work, Spinel! keep it up, they can't know what's going on yet," said Starlight. Spinel was feeling pretty good, but that was very short-lived before they heard a crack above the tunnel, and another monster suddenly jumping down inside! Starlight got this one though and as soon as it got in, she levitated right out, knocking back five more. She made sure they stood back with a magic blast skyward too.

Cutting back to outside the den however, it was going through a lot more trouble than inside: dealing with the front lines, Leviathan was plowing through the way to reach the creatures standing in her way. Yellow Diamond naturally was the one who stood face-to-face with that beast, and unlike before Leviathan wasn't near any water for any surprises.

"PUny PiBble!" Leviathan bellowed, charging blindly at her while almost trampling her own subjects. Yellow Diamond braced herself and felt tons of blubber and muscle slam into her like a landslide, making her skid back hard on the ground before stopping a good ten feet.

"You're NOT beating me this time. I know how to deal with you," Yellow Diamond groaned, before gathering her own strength and began to push Leviathan back. As much as the beast tried to fight back, even biting hard into Yellow's shoulder, Yellow Diamond got a good grip on Leviathan's body and swung her over her head, giving the beast a Curplex into the ground.

"Everyone move aside!" ordered Yellow Diamond, grabbing Leviathan by the tail. her allies ducked just quick enough to avoid the oncoming swing, and Leviathan was thrown right into the army, sending her and dozens of others flying and tumbling onto the ground in a huge crash. Yellow Diamond just smirked smugly before getting back into the fight with the rest as Leviathan sloppily got back to her bearings and forced herself back into the fray. She even grabbed some of the soldiers Grogar had and threw them back at her! Yellow Diamond blocked most of them, but one large Storm Creature got her right in the head and leaving her distracted. Leviathan found her chance.

*bang*

Until just before she could land on top of Yellow. Out of nowhere, a shot from Flint's pistol.

"Fortunately, I know how to deal with those too," Flint joked with a wink.

With them going back into the fight, more waves of enemy troops were coming in closer to the den, finding an opening as everyone else was distracted up front. The weight of their feet onto the ground below them shook up the underground tunnels, roaring and shouting their warrior cries as they made their way closer to their target.

"Another wave's coming. Time to show them our own riddle," decided Somnambula, giving the signal for Spinel to bring out the warhorn. Only instead of blasting it in the air, she stuck it down into the ground and blew good and strong. Moments later ...

"EAT FIRE!" shouted Emerald from underground, just before green flames suddenly shot out from the ground below like a fire geyser, catching a large goblin off guard and suddenly on fire. This did stop a few other soldiers in their run, but this only left them expose to Spike's fiery blasts from below, different fire geysers blasting off from all over the place to catch the soldiers by surprise. However this didn't stop all of them, as Grogar had himself a couple of Pony Iron Golems as well, which galloped right through the flames without even hesitating.

"Jade, honey?" said Aquamarine. Jade nodded and focused her own energy. Small fire geysers were fine and all but they needed A LOT more power to keep this wave back. Fortunately for them, Jade had the exact thing as a jaded serpentine Dragon blasted out of the ground, seemingly out of nowhere to confront the army. The Dragon bolted right at them, spiraling and spinning rapidly, using the momentum to whack away any Iron Golems and other creatures in the group. They weren't getting passed this beast without clearance. At first this draconic appearance gave them all a good start, but as some of the soldiers stepped back, one of them accidentally broke through one of the smaller tunnels underfoot, stumbling back and unwittingly exposing those hiding underneath them.

"They're under here!" one of the soldiers shouted.

"HIYAAAA!" Hoppy shouted. They HAD to go and fight now, and they rushed out from their hiding place to fight off the larger creatures. Hoppy was quick to start fighting with her sword as Hopper and Spike joined her soon after. Emerald and Aquamarine more or less had to get out of there to avoid getting stomped on, but Emerald did fight back later as Aquamarine kept her distance up in the air. Not to say they left her alone, as many of them tried to jump at her from the ground below.

"Watch where you're striking, you disgusting creature," Aquamarine said in disgust, quick to use her wand to levitate and launch back any that got close to her. Although she had good aim with her wand, she couldn't get all of them at one time (or had the time to do that), since she felt herself get struck down by a quick attack from a leaping Hook Horror. The strike from behind knocked her down to the ground, her wand flying in the air and out of reach. She tried getting it, but one of the monsters stomped right on it.

"Careful! I don't have that many left you know!" Aquamarine snapped, before a large minion of Leviathan grabbed her by the back and lifted her up to crush her. It roared at her, saliva splattering all over her as it readied to swallow her whole. This did not go unnoticed for long, and guess who happened to see her?

"Aquamarine!" said Emerald. The hexagons he had got right to work, and with a mighty swing struck the seal-beast right in the gut, with a second one slamming the head moments later. Emerald got right by Aquamarine and got out several more hexagons, making them fly every which way to keep the army back. Aquamarine was ... admittedly impressed.

"My Emerald. I didn't know you cared about me," Aquamarine said, only partially teasing him.

"I don't, baby, but not enough for you to die. Here you go," Emerald said, picking up the wand and tossing it over to her so she can be armed. Aquamarine decided to take it and run with it, but stayed close to his side as they went back into the fight.
Then slowly came the king. During all of this fighting, strangely enough, Grogar was actually the last to walk into the fray, his casual strolling not fazed by the brutality going on all around him. Hearing the war cries and seeing his own troops fly by him didn't bother him anymore in his walk towards this onslaught around him. The only time he briefly stopped was an explosion going on right next to him, released part by some magical Unicorn energy, but that was hardly any.

"What kept you?" called Tiger's Eye mockingly. "You're getting lazy?!"

"I just have a specific group in mind for my hooves. But I don't mind the extra company!" Grogar said, before starting to make his presence known with a barrage of bombs being released from his horns like a fountain.

"SCATTER!" shouted Rockhoof. The Harmony Gems raced away wherever they could, explosions from these bombs blasting off every which way like an aerial attack. The stronger fighters actually had the strength to knock them back towards Grogar, the god ram only getting hit once in the chest and briefly stopping from the hit.

"Stay behind me, White," Blue said, stepping in front of her. Grogar's casual walk didn't stop until he was twenty feet away from a army in front, and an army behind him.

"Well isn't this such a noble picture? If you're so willing to fight together, how about you all die together and make it a fitting ending?"

"In your dreams! We're never giving up and we're never going to bow down before you, no matter WHAT you do! Turn around now, and you might learn from it!" Yellow Diamond warned.

"We all know who you're after, but newsflash: you're not getting them! Better listen and might as well pack and go home while you got something to pack up!" shouted Fulgurite.

"You're forgetting who you're talking to. You never stood a chance against me, NONE OF YOU! Surrender and I'll kill you quicker! Or are you all a fan of slow pain?" Grogar them laughed manically.

"We're NOT surrendering Grogar," Blue Diamond said.

"DIE THEN!" Grogar roared. His horns charged up in a bright hue of green before launching a huge barrage of lightning their way. Starlight jumped in and she, combined with Mistmane, had just enough power in their shield to block of many of the lightning attacks. It was only a matter of time before they all had to face Grogar, and they didn't take any chances.
The first to go in after the shield went down were the Pillars of Equestria, charging in right for the God Ram without thinking twice. Flash Magnus and Somnambula rushed around his horns as Rockhoof took the hooves head on with his shovel and pure strength alone. At first it was a distraction, but the ram only needed a quick flash of his horns to send the group back away from him.

"His magic's too powerful head on," called Flash Magnus. "We got to weaken him!"

"Leave it to me!" Yellow Diamond said, charging up for one of her own lightning attacks. Grogar was hardly spooked and turned his head and golden horns her way, charging his own lightning towards her. Soon both lightning struck head on, leaving both of them in a magic blast stalemate, lightning flying everywhere! A strong hit, but Yellow was quickly losing.

"Not this time!" Blue said. As Grogar was busy with her, he saw Blue seem to work in something from her own hands: a very bright blue aura coming from nowhere, and it wasn't her emotional aura either. In a wave of her hand, a large blue orb appeared and floated up right above Yellow Diamond's head, and suddenly it began firing blue aura beams right at him! Grogar briefly stopped attacking with lightning and quickly made a magic shield just in time to avoid the blasts from Blue Diamond, each shot landing in a miniature explosion of light.

"You can't defeat me! I'M A GOD NOW!"

"You're a crazy goat, Grogar! and if you want the Harmony Gems, you'll have to get through ALL of us first!" called Starlight Glimmer.

Grogar gave another mighty roar and advanced towards them again, a shield formed in front of him so any attack would be rendered useless. As well as it was to block off the projectiles in front of him, Fulgurite and Hessonite both quickly bolted passed that and struck the Ram in the back legs: slice for one side and shock for the others. Grogar skidded and turned around quick to see the two, and attempted a blast at them but they just moved far too quick for him to make a proper hit. As his back was turned, he then felt a HUGE sets of fists slam him on top of the head, along with Spinel's laughing as she avoided his sharp teeth.

"Hess, aim for those horns. If he's like any Unicorn, he can't use his magic without those," Fulgurite said.

"Say no more," Hess replied. Hessonite went for broke in her attack, and with blinding fast speed raced right for the Ram with her sword at the ready. Spinel kept him distracted just long enough for Hessonite to make her hit, her sword making direct contact with that horn.

One hit, and it snapped.

"What? ..." Hess thought in shock. Grogar saw her in the air, and in a quick grab he caught her in his mouth. He had to focus though so instead of even killing her, he shook her up and threw her back towards the others, though he made sure to crack her gemstone good and harsh before letting her go. Hessonite got to her feet, but fell to her knees from the weakening blow on her. He bucked away Fulgurite and Spinel for a moment and without any more hesitation, he charged up a powerful beam from his own horns.

"Brace yourselves!" called Flash Magnus. Grogar charged as much power as his horns could possibly muster, created what can be described as a thunderstorm inside each horn before making his attack. Accompanied by a shattering roar, a beam of pure white and chaos magic spiraling at them in all their strength. The two titan Diamonds were unable to dodge this hit.

*POOF* went their forms, leaving only two Gemstones to fly through the air ...

*SMASH* went Grogar stomping on them both.

Everything was quiet immediately after that hit, Grogar moving back off of both Diamonds, just for them all to find nothing left but shards in his wake. White Diamond was left completely shell-shocked, blindly leaving the entire group and racing towards the two Gems. There was no scream, there wasn't even a yell coming from her. 

"Yellow ... Blue ..."

"You all are so gullible. Get in that den!" ordered Grogar, all behind him running in towards the den to get at the Harmony Gems remaining inside. The others tried their best to fight them off, but White Diamond didn't even hear him, staring down at the remains of her fellow Diamonds as the army went right by her. White Diamond collapsed to her knees ... and she started to cry. ... Quiet, whimpering crying. ...

Only one group from Grogar's side didn't move, which Grogar quickly noticed.

"Tempest, take your group and come on already. This is ending now," Grogar ordered, starting to close in on the remaining gap between him and the Harmony Gems.

"... NO."

Grogar stopped.

"... What did you say to me? ..." Grogar asked, his voice in a low growl. Tempest did move, but instead of marching into the den, she went in between him and White Diamond.

"No. I'm NOT going in there with you," Tempest stated again. Neither she nor her troop moved any further in from where they were. Grogar snarled at her.

"You. My own captain, who I wasted my magic returning her horn, and THIS is how you thank me? You'd be dead if I never found you, Tempest!" Grogar reminded harshly, his head down to her level with his golden horns and helmet shining. Normally Tempest Shadow would consider it, but while that was more than true, everything Grogar had done started to play out in her head. All the creatures he fought, all the pain he caused, the torment he enjoyed doing. Tempest took one final breath for what she was about to do next.

She reared back. Lowered her head. And smashed her horn onto his. All that was left on her head now was the same cracked horn she started with, sparks flying out of it as she stared Grogar dead in the face.

"I'd rather lose my horn. Than lose my mind. Sir," Tempest Shadow stated. 

"....... So be it."

Grogar couldn't believe it, just staring at the Unicorn in front of him. Grogar raised his head, towering over both broken Unicorn and Diamonds below her, and without saying another word to her, he reared back on his hind legs, his hooves sparked with dark energy. Tempest got herself battle-ready to face him, her own horn sparking. White Diamond was terrified, covering what shards remained with her own body as Grogar brought his giant hooves down.

"GROGAR!"

*BAM!* narrowly missed them both.

"WHAT?! Go in that den and get them!" Grogar roared angrily. However, Stubby bolted out from the den's many entranceways, racing right over to him as fast as the little fella can go.

"That's just it: they're not in there! The den only had a few tunnels into a BIG room, and no one's inside!" Stubby reported. Grogar looked on towards the hulking den they were trying to bust into. All of his soldiers out-numbering these Gems and Ponies and whatever else all over the place, all to get into a den that had nothing for them. Standing there, Grogar remembered suddenly what The Spirit had said.

"Some will leave, and some will fight. ... Stubby, get them captured. I'll be right back after a little pitstop."

Grogar suddenly brought his hoof up and sliced open a portal for him and Bray to enter.

"No!" White yelped, but Tempest blocked her way, not because she was against her but because he would crush her too if she didn't. Grogar glanced back to Tempest Shadow and White Diamond.

"You can rot with the rest of them Tempest," Grogar decided, before jumping through the portal and leaving them in Sniper's realm. He had no time to deal with any of them right now.


~~~~~~


Homeworld was up in arms, but oddly quiet as the Crystal Gems and Mane Six made their way in Homeworld's main city. Many guards were set up all over the place, telling them no actual attack was created on the planet yet, but Grogar's slip of "Homeworld artilleries" said that he was getting ready for them, and they had to get to it before he could get the chance.

"No one's attacked Homeworld! They've taken the bait!" Lapis said as they were rushing through the area.

"Then high-tail it before they figure it out," said Amethyst.

"Right, now Twilight, can you tell us what Grogar meant by that? Just calling it "artilleries" isn't that much to go on," asked Steven.

"That's all he said, but whatever it is we have to find them and destroy it before he can use them on Homeworld and everywhere else!" Twilight replied, answering for her. That was enough information for them to go with. Their running through some of Homeworld's elaborate buildings, lead by Garnet's future vision, brought the group high above the ground level, with one long connecting bridge from one tower to the other main one, leading close to the Diamond Palace itself.

"The artillery's in there," Garnet said.

"Good enough for me. Let's go!" said Pinkie Pie. The whole group began making their run across the bridge. The sooner they can make it over there, the sooner -

"Stop!" Garnet shouted, skidding to a grinding halt. Everyone else was just at the middle of the bridge when Garnet did this, the whole group turning back to the fusion.

"What's wrong Garnet? The tower's right there!" said Pearl.

"Yeah, come on let's go before Grogar gets smart!" Amethyst added. Garnet however wasn't moving, hands on the side of her head as she tried to focus enough ahead of time. Garnet suddenly snapped back to her senses.

"We have to fall back. We need a new plan!"

"WHAT?! WHY?!" exclaimed Connie.

"Because I already know your trick!"

There he stood. The voice shook up the ground, and everyone looked right up towards the tower they were trying to get to. They could tell that demonic Ram from anywhere, and even if a good mile away his golden attire still shined enough for them to see him. The distant chime of his bell made them know this is real. His horns were glowing bright as if he were a part of the sun, and they saw him slice the air in front of him only for a portal to pop up right in front of them. Grogar wasn't gonna keep them waiting.

"I was wondering when you all were going to show up. I was starting to get bored," Grogar mocked, walking casually through the make-shift portal he made, his horns sparking and swirling in magical aura. The rest of them armed up, Twilight bringing out a forcefield in case of an attack.

"So, let me get this right before we finish this. You're trying to take over all of our worlds because Celestia didn't help your family?" Twilight asked. Grogar slammed his hooves onto the shield, immediately smashing it to pieces and leaving them exposed before another forcefield was brought up again.

"NO, you pathetic equine! I'm taking over to prove that creatures, like myself, are the strongest and most powerful beings that has ever lived! Is there any doubt?" Grogar replied, taking a moment to eye the group's own brand of hybrids and fusions in the group. They knew he was targeting a few of them.

"In a way. We're hybrids, but we've done far more than you have WITHOUT beating up everyone," Steven said, just for Grogar to snort at them, the scent of hot embers emitting from his nostrils.

"Then ask yourselves this one: if the great, almighty Diamond Authority AND the perfect, loving Alicorn princesses are the strongest figures in Homeworld and Equestria history, and I just plowed through ALL OF THEM ... what does that make me?"

"A COMPLETE MORON!" Twilight exclaimed. "Grogar, you could've had it all: your own Kingdom, your own place to rule and call your own to do with as you wanted, Steven offered to give you that! We wanted to give you a second chance, but instead you threw that all away because you can't accept the fact that you got help from us."

"Firstly, no you didn't, and second, I never wanted any of your help! WHY would I need it now anyway, when I can topple ANY PROBLEM THAT STANDS IN MY WAY?!" Another blast from his horns shattered the secondary shield, this one stronger and throwing some back a ways.

"It doesn't matter how much power you have, that doesn't prove you're strong! Trust me, anger is NOT strength, it's weakness. Restraint takes strength, PATIENCE takes strength! And let's face it, you don't have ANY of that!" Steven said.

"Enjoy your words. Because that's the last thing you're gonna be grateful for." 

They don't really have a choice here.

"Then let us entertain you for a bit," Pearl said, summoning her spear.

"And I think you're gonna have a tough time enjoying it," added Applejack. The others begin to summon their weaponry and armor. Grogar had to give them credit for standing up against impossible odds at the very best, the God Ram cracking his neck and gave a Lion's roar before making his way towards them. Simply running to them was enough to crack the ground under him, the magic aura covering his hooves and his teeth for the ultimate physical assault. It took the combined effort of Twilight, Rarity and Lapis to create a strong enough shield to withstand Grogar's charge, and even then it shattered after contact.
Anyone that could fly got themselves up and into the air and started making their own assaults from the air: Twilight blasting him with magical beams as Lapis assaulted him with hits from her water wings alongside Rainbow Dash's hoof strikes. Grogar summoned up a stone wall to block off some of the attacks from the air before focusing on the ground fighters. It hardly took them much time before they were jumping at him from all over the place: a whip in the face by Amethyst one second, pulled by chains from Lapis and Twilight another second, getting slammed by Garnet and Jasper for another, even a buck to the face by Applejack at a point before projectiles from Pearl and Twilight rained down on him. The Harmony Gems weren't giving this Ram time to breathe, let alone counterattack them. Grogar made numerous attacks on them, but with his abilities so many of them were out of nowhere: summoning a ring of lava around the sky to hit the fliers as he blasted a "barbed wire snake" to constrict the fighters on the ground, adding an oil slick to slip up Steven and Connie for good measure. Grogar lunged for the Humans just for them to be grabbed last second by swift Rainbow Dash, narrowly being missed herself by a few strands of her rainbow tail. He tried a second lunge, but this time he got Peridot underneath his hooves.

"No!" gulped Peridot.

"HI!" Pinkie suddenly replied, party cannon FROM NOWHERE and blasting him square in the face full of streamers and balloons. As a response, Grogar summoned an actual cannon to blast them out of the way just for a chain to yank him back by the horns again, just enough for the two to gain distance (and use the same cannon to shoot at him). Grogar kept a good front, but so much was being thrown at him at once it was getting overwhelming. He started thrashing his head, each swing shooting a random spell at them whatever it may be to get rid of them.

"You know what your problem is? You fighting types are so stubborn you don't know when you're outmatched!" Grogar said.

"Keep telling yourself that. NOW!" Twilight shouted. Grogar quickly armed up for whatever attack would come his way, summoning a forcefield around himself. The forcefield itself even looked intimidating with a reddish hue of electricity surrounding him. But as he waited for the next attack, it didn't come at him right away.
Instead, Lapis Lazuli stepped up next and brought her hands right to the god Ram, water shooting out of her wings not to attack him, but to encase him in his own shield! Grogar readied to blast it away but they weren't done yet, as Rainbow Dash rushed right around him and began flying in circles as fast as she could possibly go. The Pegasus never stopped for a moment until the winds around her wake began to pick up in its own spiral, just powerful enough to start lifting Grogar off of the ground. Grogar tried to keep footing, even summoning chains to tether him to the ground, but that only left him in the air.

"Amethyst?" offered Jasper.

"Right behind you," Amethyst replied. Joined together, both Quartzes started spinning in place, rapid-spinning and charging into a pair of energy-filled fireballs before rapid-spinning directly towards. With a warrior cry, both Gems charged right towards the Ram and, with him distracted by Lapis and Rainbow Dash, Grogar was exposed to a barrage of their strike, breaking both his shield AND actually hitting him hard enough to break his chains to send him flying up into the air. Jasper and Amethyst rushed out of the tornado in their blast but Grogar found himself spiraling in the air for a bit, before a single magical aura wave wiped out their tornado.

Grogar was starting to get annoyed now, especially since someone was right behind him. Grogar could only get a glance as Twilight appeared, wings spread and blasted the strongest spell she can right at Grogar's back. With his guard down it was just enough to bring him down to the floor, and onto his stomach.

"Alright everybody, group up!" called Applejack, ready for what they're gonna do next. As Grogar was getting himself back up and shaking off his hits, he turned to them to find that they were all up in the air already, magic users already summoning their powers as Gems brought out their weapons in arms. They ALL got their armor and weapons charged for him.
And then came the big strike: all weapons blasting directly at him all at once: magic blasts from the Unicorn and Alicorn, Gem projectiles from Lapis, Pearl, and Garnet magically enhanced for some extra power to them. Explosions and magic energy trampled down onto Grogar in a barrage of explosion, Grogar roaring throughout the entire time in their combined onslaught. And then everything was still. The shooting stopped, and everyone waited for the outcome of the blast, but all they could see was a cloud of smoke ...

"Is that it? ..." asked Connie.

The smoke slowly lifted around the target ... Grogar was frazzled, but the worst damage done to him was a very slight bruise in between his horns. Everything else? Nothing. Grogar simply shook it off.

"All of that, and NOTHING?!" exclaimed Peridot.

"My turn."

Now it was time for Grogar to show off his potential. The first move was to make sure they had nowhere to go, and Grogar made short work of that by lining their escape route behind them with a huge wall of obsidian crystal, spiking out from the bridge and growing like devilish trees. Of course they tried breaking it, but just touching it made whoever hit it jump back after being shocked. Twilight tried teleportation, but this was an eerily familiar crystal because the moment she tried, all that did was make her teleport back to Grogar's view. They were NOT going anywhere. They all saw that his horns were starting to glow again, this time the horrid mix of pure white and the chaotic mixture of rainbow, all coming together for one final killer attack, the wind picking up from the sheer force of energy he was making and blowing them all towards the crystalline wall. Any moment and they all were going to be part of the god's line of fire.
Garnet looked ahead, and saw Steven standing in front of them, trying his absolute best to hold his ground. Garnet knew what would happen now ...

She grabbed him.

"Garnet?"

"... We all love you Steven."

She threw him aside.

.......

One single second. That was the only time Steven had to contemplate what even happened next, it all happened so fast. For one single moment, Steven saw all of his friends: Human, Gem, and Pony alike standing together with their backs to the wall. And for the very next moment, nothing. Nothing but the white noise from an explosion so loud and so sudden, he couldn't even see anything. The knockback shook the world so much, Steven thought the planet had gone off from under his own feet. Everything was so quiet.
... He then saw what remained. Steven felt his heart stop. The next moment he could see, he could only see what remained of all of his friends. Just a few seconds ago they were all standing, and now they were all left laying on the floor. Lifeless in some, shards in the rest.

Grogar just killed them all.

"NOOOOO!" Steven shrieked, just finding his feet and trying to run towards them. But Grogar remembered he was left alive, and Steven felt his coat get grabbed by his magic, pulling him harshly back off his feet. Grogar may found it grateful they were gone, and now he had only one person left to handle, as he levitated him right over the edge of the bridge. A drop thousands of feet down to absolutely nothing beyond Homeworld's city.

"You all can't leave well enough alone. How does it feel to have everything taken away from you?" Grogar asked, Steven trying not to fall from Grogar's levitation, which was only holding onto him by the sleeve of his goat.

"Grogar I know you're mad at the world, but all this ... you gave us no choice! Please. The Dragon's gone, you don't have to be afraid anymore," Steven begged.

"THE WORLD GAVE ME NONE!"

Steven struggled and struggled, feeling the tight grip of Grogar's revived magic now holding him right above Homeworld's deepest pit. None of his powers were working still, and all of his closest friends were just slaughtered right in front of him. The gemstones left in their wake, scattered all over the floor by Grogar's hooves, and the Elements of Harmony laying down dead. And all this time, he can't heal them, he can't protect them, he couldn't even fight properly. He tried one final time to summon a shield, or SOMETHING ... but nothing happened.
Something in him broke.

"I DON'T GET IT!" Steven finally shouted, "Why aren't my powers back?! Even after everything that's happened to me, and they're still not coming back! WHY?! Someone from another world is trying to kill me, I'm suffering for crimes and plans that have NOTHING to do with me, people are suffering because of things I keep doing, I'm struggling to try and help when the world's about to end! What piece am I missing?! THIS IS THE STORY OF MY LIFE!! Grrr WHY IS THIS SO HARD?!"

...

"....... This."

Steven looked to the only figure left standing, the ram looking to him with not anger, not glee ... but disappointment. But there was something else in those eyes that only Steven could see.

"Life's always had it out for creatures like us, Steven. You're a hybrid between a Gem and a Human. I'm a hybrid between a Ram and a Lion. Through all of my years, ever since I was forced to leave me home, I've seen how much harsher life was to all creatures life does NOT consider normal. You've been corrupted, captured, and nearly killed many times but not for the reasons you might think. It's because nature hates creatures like you and me, and will do anything and everything to make sure we're dead. ... We're not apart of life's master plan, Steven, whether you know it or not." Grogar's tone was stern, strict, and right to the point of summing up the so-called biggest moments in the Harmony Gems lives ... and how little Steven actually did for each of them. Steven could feel tears coming down his face more now.

"... You were right about one thing: My life has been awful. My family's dead, my home completely destroyed, and NO ONE was willing to help after that. Not even Celestia herself. And while I was locked up inside that Tartarus prison for lashing out, I vowed that I will make the world pay for not just me, but for every being crushed down by the common races. The world failed me Steven, and Face it. The world failed you too."
Garnet warned him he'd do this. She warned him that Grogar would manipulate him one more time, and as much as he wanted not to believe him ...

"....... They didn't fail me. ....... I failed everyone. ....... You're right. For how wrong you were ... you've always been right. I can't even protect my friends from a simple fight without their help. ......."

Steven finally said it. He didn't want to believe it, but ... how much more proof did he need? Everyone was gone and Grogar learned everything about them because HE thought he could help him. He made them hold back and what did he get? Homeworld under Grogar's control again, a high-ranking dead Diamond, and WORSE, the death of the Harmony Gems! ... What was he thinking?
Grogar himself was gleeful in his defeat.

"So sad. I would've made it easier if you'd join me, but if you want to be with the common folk so bad ... then here. Take em!"

With one swing of his hoof, he did it. Each shard, each bit of stone at his hooves was knocked clean off the ledge. Steven tried in vain to catch them, but Grogar kept him up just out of reach as he watched them all fall below him. This also included the ponies that remained, Grogar bucking them off down the ledge with them too. Soon, it was only Steven left.

"Let me ask you one thing, and I want a straight answer. For how little you've done, what made you think you could change anything, hmm?"

... Change ....... Change ...

It all came at him at once. All Grogar had pointed out was how little he'd done in the fighting world. And while that is true, the moments that went through his mind weren't him just fighting. It showed him caring, being with his friends, old and new. Time when he helped others find their own way ...

"....... Change. ... wait a minute. That's it. All this stuff I went through, I've learned from them, a-and I grew. I help my friends grow and - ... Ohmygosh. That's the missing piece! All this "happily ever after" stuff. I isn't just my powers I forgot, I forgot the first power I've ever had!"

Grogar knew what was coming. He had to end it NOW!

"You're too late anyway. See you in the afterlife!"

Steven fell. One slip away of magic, and Steven was dropped. No magic to keep him alive, no floating powers to keep him from falling like a rock, no bubble or shield to cushion his fall. Grogar had to be sure he didn't have time to work it out, so even after letting him go, Grogar jumped out towards him, and swung his hooves down right on top of him to send him flying down.

Steven was gone. And Grogar was still there, landing back on the arena. He took a quick breath to how close this could've gone bad for him, before he walked to the edge. He did not see anyone, or anything. He just stood there for a minute or so, as Bray finally came walking out to see if there were any survivors.

"I-Is he dead now?" Bray meekly asked.

"... Nothing could survive a fall like that. He's dead alright. ... Bray?"

"Yes my lord?"

"Tell the troops that I want those ships running by the time I get back. We're setting sail tonight, and going to finish this. Once and for all," Grogar ordered. Bray saluted him and Grogar took his leave, leaving the carnage behind him. Bray himself could only glance back one more time, his ears drooping at what he had just laid witness to, before he too started to go. What could a Donkey do about the dead anyway?