//------------------------------// // Chapter 21: The Hint // Story: The V-Team // by Reizthefakebrony //------------------------------// "The Nexus is the knot where the essence of every single dimension converges as one." Virum explained. "Deofordred only proclaimed to be it's overlord, but, like he said, he hasn't full control of it. In fact, this very interdimensional epicenter is also a source of an limitless energy, which is too difficult to master. In order for him to gain control over it, he need a world with a special energy that act as a beacon and sacrifice." "You mean our world?" Twilight demanded alarmed. "Of course." Virum confirmed. "If I'm not mistaken, he exploited the Twilegion's Inquisition Incident to spread Twilegion's corrupted energy of Harmony in the whole Equestria and amplify it's density. He used Julius' plan and the Mirari influence without him having realized." "No joking. The abuse of Twilegion's magical powers altered the ecosystem of this world," Kamahl added. "Tainted with unstable energy since it took influence by the Mirari." "Wow..." Jace said stupefied. "That shit just got real... And I don't like it." "Ditto." Sera replied. "Not just the ecosystem," Celestia said. "My 'purified' subject were imbued with that as well. We... did that to them." "As that isn't enough, Deofordred is actually in search for an artifact called Caledum," Virum stated. "It has the power to transform a entire dimension into a beacon of energy. If it came into his possession, he will take control of the Nexus, resulting also having the whole Equestria being destroyed." Everyone gasped upon hearing that declaration. More like a explanation, it sounded like an ultimatum. Zade and his companion in particular were staring at Virum in awe, but only for a moment. Zade's anger didn't took long to build up. "And you are going to use us to resolve your problems, right?" Zade asked harshly. "I don't think you have a choice anymore," Virum said. "I can't defeat Deofordred alone, so I gave you not just your ponified form of videogame villains, if you will call that. I also gave you the same thing that allowed you to defeat Twilegion. You saw Zade put it into practice." Zade's eyes widened. "You mean that time?" "The time Zade was engulfed in that violet aura and was owning Twilegion?" Jace demanded. "It's seems more like that. I remember that." Luna said. "Seriously. What was that?" Chris demanded. "It's Aether, a power who was called forth by his determination," Virum said. "It is a source of seemingly limitless energy. It was invoked because you really needed. But don't rely too much of that. It will be invoked only when it's really necessary, kids." "You mean that even I, Chris and Sera can do that?" Jace demanded. "I have told you too much," Virum said before he grinned and began to walk away. "Well, the only thing you can start doing is rescuing the innocents and put a hold to Deofordred forces. Just so you can gain some experience from that. Oh, as for the Caledum, you should ask a colleague of mine. He actually resides in the most hidden part of Equestria." "Wait!" Celestia ordered. "You are not going anywhere, you bastard!" Zade exclaimed as he rushes toward him, but it was too late. Before he could be reached, Virum disappeared into a white mist while saying. "Adios, kid." At that point, Zade's group and the other ponies doesn't know how to feel. The idea of dealing with a interdimensional overlord doesn't happen everyday. The Mane Six and the three Princesses were left speechless for that and the demonic party was only pissed that they leaved them in charge to fix this problem. "Great. Now we are at the starting point." Zade muttered. "I'm sorry that you won't be able to go back home." Starlight said apologetically. "No, it's not your fault." Zade replied. "To his credit, it wasn't Virum's fault either," Chris said. "Deofordred and that Timborn guy were responsible for this mess." "As for us, we have to find this Caledum thing before Deofordred... I guess." Zade said. "Hold the phone," Applejack butted in. "And our relatives? We have to do something for them." "And Spike!" Twilight said. "Calm down," Zade said calmly. "He said that we also have to rescue them." "Yes! The V-Team is officially active!" Jace said optimistic. "Shut up, Jace," Sera said menacingly. "Why this hostility toward this idea?" Jace said. "Jace... This whole ordeal almost killed us," Sera stated crudely. "It's the same as the incident of nine days ago, during at the other school. I don't want have to repeat this experience ever again." "But we have no choice," Zade retorted. "You heard Virum? We are seriously recruited. I told you before and I am saying that even now. In order to get through the story-" "Is to do that, right?" Sera asked. "Well, keep in mind. If the fail, we won't be so lucky." "But we won't fail," Jace assured. "I hate to agree with that asshole but we are a team. As long as we are together, we won't fail." "He called us the V-Team like it stands for Villains when we are not," Chris stated. "So of course it make sense." At that point, Zade and his companions put one hoof upon another in sign of agreement. "Well... Is going to be a long journey." Zade said with smile. "Hey, don't forget about us." Twilight said, indicating the rest of the Mane Six. "And our blessing," Celestia said with Luna and Cadence nodding in agreement. "And our support," Starlight along with Thorax. "And our weapons," Kamahl and Jeska said at unison. Zade and his party were surprised to see such collaboration and trust in them, although Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash doesn't seemed to be ok with that, judging by their faces. Zade noticed that and decided to make his move. "Thank you, but we can't act together," Zade said, much to the other's confusion. "What about this? We, Kamahl, Jeska and Starlight will look for the Deplacer Virum talked about, alone." "What?" Celestia said dumbfounded. "Twilight," Zade continued. "You should go with the Princesses, Thorax and the other Elements to rescue your relatives and friends. How sounds like?" "Wait, Twilight," Rainbow Dash butted in. "We are going to let those guys taking all the risks." "They are more stronger of than you can think," Celestia said. "And very trustworthy. I saw what they really are in their memories, so of course I trust them." "And you need Celestia to be reminded of that?" Jace asked incredulous. "No. It's just..." Rainbow stuttered. "It's ok. They saved us after all," Twilight said. "We have no time to waste. Let's go to save our friends." "Oki doki," Pinkie commented. "I'm sure that this is going to be another funny adventure." "I don't think so..." Fluttershy said. "Ok, girls. Gather around." Celestia ordered. The Mane Six, Thorax and the Princesses gathered around the still imprisoned Chrysalis, who was wriggling helplessly to release herself from the cage of bones, but without any result since she was exhausted by the past encounter with the possessed Julius. "We are going to have a talk later," Celestia said to her, glaring at her. "Whatever... Just give me a break." Chrysalis said weakly. With that, Celestia, Luna and Cadence glowed their horn and unleashed multiple flashes of light before disappearing along with the Mane Six, Thorax and the helpless Chrysalis. Zade's group, Starlight, Kamahl and Jeska were alone with their doubts. "Now..." Zade sighed. "Where do we begin?" "We have to look after a Deplacer who knows anything about the Caledum whereabouts, right?" Chris asked. "Indeed." Kamahl replied. "As that wasn't enough, there's more of this altered world that you don't know yet." "He said he resides in the most hidden part of Equestria... But where?" Sera asked. "Damn it, we don't have even a hint to begin with!" Jace muttered. "Actually, there's someone who knows anything about his whereabouts.., In Ponyville." Jeska said. "Seriously?" Starlight said surprised. "There's a pony who had actually saw that guy?" Jace demanded. "Strangely enough, he only saw him in his dreams," Kamahl said calmly. "We need to interrogate him." Zade grinned. "Fair enough." "Alright, dudes," Jace said exalted. "Let's get to the action." That being said, Jace engulfed his body in flames and wrapped the whole group with that, a second before being engulfed in the pillar of the black flames of the Hell Gate. As the fiery column shrunk into nothingness, they had disappeared. Another chapter of this ordeal has just started.