I watched as the clones moved the lab equipment into the new lab space then I turned to Ed and asked. “So where do we set up the Stargate maker?”
“No all that hard really." Ed waved me over to the side of the Stargate. “The first thing I need to note is they’re not Stargates but Warp Gates. They can’t take you to other worlds just across the planet. As for the machine, it works similarly to how Blaze and my other Chibis do in gathering material from the air. Hit this button." he pushed a blue button and the machine, which looked similar to a soda vending machine, dropped a pineapple or grenade-looking object. “And voilà ya have an easy-to-carry portal. The downside is you can only carry three in inventory, don’t know why it's just the way these things work, and that also goes for anyone else. Next, we need to go outside for the next part.”
I looked at it and nodded. “So I am guessing you pull the pin, place it where you want the gate, and back up.” I put a hand on Ed’s shoulder and used my tail to poke Celestia as I raised two fingers to my forehead.
“Almost." Ed said as he motioned to a red button. “Also, I warn you can’t use instant transmission to get in here at all.” He said as we teleported out to the throne room. “Getting out yes, but getting in is a no.”
“I'm guessing without the stone there is no way to get into that space without getting squished.” I said and let go of them.
“Exactly.” Ed confirmed.
“Ok, I am thinking we put the warp gate in that building over there.” I pointed at a building a bit away from the castle.
“Okay, so here’s what we do." Ed explained. “Press the button and set it on the ground then run like hell, just kidding.” He smirked. “But seriously, we’re gonna need to back up a bit.” Ed pressed the button and set the grenade on the floor. “About twelve feet should do." He estimated and Blinked us back.
I saw the grenade then unfold into a platform and bolt itself into the ground. The platform then had a set of arms come out on opposing sides and extend upwards. The arms started curving as they extended out. Eventually, the arms meet at the top to form a hoop before locking together. Suddenly the circle hummed and sprang to life with an outward rush of energy that then suddenly rushed back into the circle and formed a swirling blue vortex that looked like Dr. Who’s title sequence.
I walked up to the warp gate and crossed my arms. “What is it connecting to? There shouldn't be another gate on this planet yet.” I asked Ed.
“It’s connected to the maser gate in your lab." Ed deadpanned. “I know you remember me setting it up. You were literally standing behind me when I did it.”
I groaned and facepalmed. “Right, I guess I thought that was just used to copy the others and wouldn’t be connected to the others.” I shook my head and shrugged. “Alright so want to spook the nobles by showing up with this whole island?”
“Do you really think that’s the best idea right now Deltorix?” Celestia asked me. “You Celestia is very emotionally unstable at the moment. She already holds hate for you being a former human. The fact that you now have a place of your own, an ISLAND no less, she might take it as you’re trying to set up a new haven for the humans.”
I rubbed my chin and sighed. “Damn your right, I'll just have to find another way to mess with the nobles later.” I rolled my neck. “Ok let's go find Luna so we can set up the warp gate in Canterlot.”
Ed and Celestia both don their pony forms again and Ed Batmaned us behind a jewelry shop across the street from Joe’s Donuts. “Don’t want to show up coming from the same place twice. Let’s find Luna.” We headed to the castle again.
As we walked down the street I got a bad feeling and used seismic sense to feel around us and I noticed two ponies trailing us. “Hey Ed, have you ever seen that old movie about those cops who were followed by someone for most of the movie?”
“Does Harrison Ford know how to use a bullwhip and drive a giant spaceship with hidden cargo holds?” Ed remarked as we walked along. “What ya wanna do about those two non-discrete chaps?” He whispered to me.
I thought for a moment then whispered back. “You two go ahead, I will see what they want but if you hear a fight start get Celestia out of here then come back, and only interfere if it looks like I'm losing.”
“Be careful.” Celestia told me.
I nodded and gave her a thumbs up, stopped walking, and let them walk ahead of me before crossing my arms and looked over my shoulder. “You can come out.”
After waiting a few minutes a blue earth pony with a sash holding a spear on his back and a grayish purple pegasus wearing a Japanese-styled shirt come out from around the corner. “Hey check it out the drake thinks he can take us both on.” The earth pony said.
Red River
Level: ???
Storm Front
level:???
“Make that both of us.” Ed commented as he popped up behind me. “I brought Sunny to the castle. She’s with Princess Luna at the moment.”
I nodded and frowned. “Thanks for being here Ed.” I said then step forward. “Why are you following us?”
The Earth pony, Red River, chuckled and said. “We aren’t following you. We are tracking you, you see someone hired us to take care of a small problem, a certain drake has been putting his nose where it doesn't belong.”
“Oh, so you’re hitmen.” Ed rolled his eyes. “Tell you two what." Ed said as he appeared next to Red River. “Tell us all about the ones who hired you and I can make you both very rich or writhing in pain. Your choice.”
They both jump back and take fighting stances. “Whoa holy Celestia I didn't even sense his movements!” Red River said.
Storm Front took to the air and started swinging a steel ball on a rope all over his body. “It doesn't matter, we were hired and we have to see this through but he isn't our target, the drake is.” He said calmly while keeping his eyes on Ed.
“Yes, but Del is my friend.” Ed remarked as he was now in front of me. “And as well as somewhat of a disciple. I would be very remissed if I let you hurt him. I offer again, back away or you will both be extremely hurt.”
“Sorry dude we live by a code, we got paid to do a job and that's what we're gonna do.” Red River said as he got his spear ready.
Storm Front threw his metal ball at me and I sidestepped it but he flicked it and it slammed into the back of my head. “Ugh!”
-200
“I did try and be nice.” Ed remarked as he clopped his front hooves together and slammed them on the ground, sending out red sparks. Suddenly a pair of large hands formed from the walls on either side of the stallions and grabbed them. They struggled but couldn’t break free. “You can give up on your struggle. My constructs are strong enough to hold even the strongest of dragons. I ask again, who sent you? And don’t make me ask again cause then I won’t be nice. You okay?” He looked at me.
I nodded my head. “Yeah, I am fine that was just an annoyance.” I told him then I looked back as Storm Front’s wing was flapping like mad but I noticed a faint shimmer around his feathers before I felt a familiar buzzing in my head. I duck just as the metal ball comes flying past.
"I'm fed up with this now." Ed deadpanned as he grabbed hold of the chain in his magic and sent a shock through the chain to Storm Front.
“Thanks Ed.” I said then went up to Red River. “OK here's what's going to happen we're going to find out who hired you and then I am going to kick their ass myself.” I picked up his spear and used analyze on it. “So how about you tell me what I want to know or you get to feel my first attempt at digging through someone's memory.” I activate my sharingan.
"And trust me." Ed looked them both in the eyes and activated his own eyes. "It's a lot more painful and will take a lot longer if he does as it's his first time. You two seem like honorable ponies and skilled warriors. I do respect your code and you sticking to your morals but for the sake of yourselves and any family you have, please tell us who sent you."
They look at each other before they shake their heads. “Sorry can’t do it, if we talk then we are as good as dead.”
Ed and I looked at each other then at the warrior. "Does it have to do with this?" Ed reached into his coat and pulled out the medallion.
They look at it and seem to recognize it. “Now how do you have one of those?” Red River asked.
"Thought so," Ed placed the medallion between the two and they slightly backed their heads back. "We saw it in a very important memory and I made a copy. We have very viable reasons they have taken somepony very important to the Princess and are using them for less than honorable reasons for over a thousand years. Help them please."
They shook their heads. “No can do, no way we are getting involved with them. They are everywhere.” Red said. I opened my store and started looking for a spell.
"You know my friend here is quite skilled." Ed pointed a hoof at me. "And if I consider him somewhat of a student what does that say about me." They looked at each other. "I'll let you two stew in misery for a bit." Ed trotted over to me. "What are you looking for?"
I whispered back to him. “A spell I saw once that turns a memory into an orb.” I keep scrolling through the store while I make a clone to keep bugging them.
"Memory Sphere?" Ed asked, "If that's it I can do it."
“I think so, just get them to think of the memory you want and zap you got what we want.” I whispered then find the spell and buy it.
"Alright fellas." Ed turned around and trotted over to the duo. "Tell me, what do you know about this cult?"
They look at Ed. “They are powerful.” Red said.
“They are everywhere.” Storm said.
“They are insane.” They said together.
Ed snickered as his bangs hid his eyes. "My dear boys." He walked and tilted his head to the left to reveal a single rippled golden eye as the top of his face was still dark. "What do you know of insane?" He corrected himself as the stallions were shaking from his display. "Now talk what are they about?!" He stomped his hoof causing a few cracks to form under it.
They flinched back and Red yelled. “That's all we know! We do our best to stay out of their way because those who do get in their way tend to disappear.”
"They're all yours." Ed motioned to me.
I shook my head. “No point they are telling the truth.” I said and sighed. “Their heartbeats didn’t change.” I patted Ed’s shoulder. “I say we let them go.” Then I smirk and in a flash, I have my golden tiger claws and open a portal and snow comes blowing out of it. “We’ll let them go through the portal.”
"I have a better idea." Ed said with a smirk. "Come and work for him." He pointed at me.
They blinked in surprise. “You want us to work for a dragon that we were hired to kill?” Red asked looking at Ed.
I looked at Ed, surprised as well. “Um, Ed are you sure?”
"You could use an extra set of hooves on the island. Ones that won't go poof." Ed pointed out. "Not like we can leave them to die. You'd have trouble fighting them both but you'd still kill them and if the cult knows they're still alive and couldn't do the job they'll kill them anyways. The safest place on the planet is the place they can't get to and don't know about. You could really use some more experienced fighters outside your guard friends."
“Whoa! That crazy cult didn't hire us!” Red said.
I scratched my cheek. “Yeah, they aren't guarding me anymore, Luna said I don't need to be watched and I haven't seen them since.” I told him but scratched my chin. “But I guess I can hire them for a while.”
"If the cult didn't hire you two then who did?" Ed squinted. "And know that if you don't talk, I play”
Red sighed and groaned. “Prince Blueblood, he is the one that hired us to kill him.”
Ed gritted his teeth and pressure was exerted over the whole area. I found myself leaning on the wall doing my best to stay up while the other two were knocked out. Ed clopped his hooves together and two clones appeared.
"Take them to the island and hold them there till Del decides what to do with them." He ordered and the clones nodded. "Come on. I have a bone to pick with a homunculus." He stormed off to the castle.
I nodded and followed Ed. “Honestly I'm surprised it took Blueblood this long to pull this shit.” I said not surprised and put the spell book into my inventory.
We walked up and saw the guards, they saw Ed and both dive into the mote without saying a word. "I dropped Tia off in Luna's room. Let's see what she has to say about the assassins and what liberties she gives me this time." He sneered.
I chuckled and left some cupcakes for the guards before catching up with Ed. “Well, I would like at least one good punch before you have your fun.”
"Granted as long as Luna approves it first." He agreed.
“Good, I really should practice using the ultimate shield so I can level it up more so I can have more than just one second of it.” I said as we walked through the hallways and I crossed my arms.
Soon we made it up to Luna's room and Ed knocked and we got the clear to come in. Luna is lying on her bed talking with Ed's Celestia. She seemed quite comfortable without her regalia on, except for the piece with her Lunar Sage Stone in it on her chest.
"Telling embarrassing stories?" Ed chide.
"We are." Celestia giggled.
He turned to Luna. "We have beef with a certain pony named Greed."
Luna sighed and rubbed her head with a hoof. “What did he do?”
"He hired assassins to go after Del." Ed said bluntly while pointing a hoof at me.
I waved and shrugged. “They are taken care of for now so um…” I tapped my chin. “Can we go pay Greed a um what is it called?”
“A visit?” Celestia asked.
“A beating, that's it, we're going to pay him a beating.” I smirked.
"You can beat him." Ed told me. "I'm going to fricassee an asshole." He said bluntly.
"He really is mad now." Celestia mumbled to Luna, who then had flashbacks to the last time Ed was pissed off at Blueballs.
Luna sighed and nodded. “You have my permission to do whatever you want as long as he lives.”
"Oh, he won't die." Ed smirked. "The curses make sure of that. They heal him before his stone can. Only if he has a full body regeneration does he use that stone." He turned to me. "So go nuts." He turned back to the princesses. "I hate to impede on you Luna but we need you to come with us. After his punishment, we need to speak with you about the cult and a few other things."
I fist-pumped and Luna nodded. “Very well I shall come with.”
"Please tell me you know where he is?" Ed asked.
Luna shook her head but I spoke up. “He is down in the dungeons at the lowest level. Being able to sense ki comes in handy.”
"Why would he be in the dungeon?" Ed rubbed his chin. "I didn't think Celestia would have kept him down there for this long, or was it your doing Luna?"
“I did not put him down there, last I heard he has his own room still in the castle.” Luna said, looking confused.
“He is with someone down there.” I added as I looked down at the ground where he was. “I'll bet it is one of his contacts.”
"Then I'm not waiting." Ed glared as we appeared in the dungeon and Greed was standing in front of us talking away to a cloaked pony who had froze. "Hello, Greed. Who's your friend?" Ed said coldly as Greed whirled his head around and the other pony tried to flee but found that neither could move. "Give it up boys. Shadow capture means you're not going anywhere."
I walked up to Greed and then punched his face using my ultimate shield at the last moment and I broke his jaw as well as knocked a few teeth out. “That's for sending two ponies to their deaths trying to kill me.”
As the curse painfully activated and repaired the damage done Ed walked up. “I am getting quite fed up with you and your antics.” Ed glared at Greed. “You know who hired master warriors to kill someone. Yes, they would’ve put up a decent fight against Del but they still would’ve lost. The fact I am here didn’t occur to you either. I am more than capable of handling a fully grown natural-born alicorn you idiot." Ed back and front hoof slapped his face, knocking out all of Greed’s teeth.
‘Ooo, backhanded and bitch slip. That’s an insult of the highest degree to any noble.’ I thought with a smirk then while Ed dealt with Greed I walked over to the hooded pony.
Sunny Skies
Level: 13
“Let us see what's behind door number two.” I reached for their hood but just before my hand touched it my danger sense skill went off like crazy and I jumped back a few feet.
“Best leave them to me." Ed said as he threw Greed to the floor black, blue, and bloody. “You must be incredibly strong to make Del back off like that.”
The hooded pony struggles to move and manages to take a step backward. “Strength is one thing we all possess, but I refuse to be seen.” They said but their voice sounded like it was going through filters till nothing remained of their natural sound.
“Yes, the fact that I used only my physical shadow to hold makes sense as to why you were able to break free." Ed remarked from behind the pony. “I smell a very nasty enchantment on you, one that would kill you instantly should that hood come off. Tell me, are you doing things because you want to or are you being forced to?”
The pony gasped when Ed appeared behind them and turned their head. “You move fast, but you do not have the sun's blessing, I will not tell you anything.”
“Oh for fucks sake, I think I know what's going on here.” I said and held my hand up to them and used the force to pull anything loose from them to me. I get a bit or two then a necklace lifted up around their neck, an image of a golden sun. The same sun that is on Celestia’s flanks.
"Not really surprising she has one." Ed sighed. "As for the blessing of the sun." He smirked at the hooded pony. "I already have it, just not in the way you religious nuts do." Celestia rolled her eyes with a smirk.
I also rolled my eyes and made gagging sounds playfully before I walked up to the hooded pony and kneeled in front of them. “Alright here is what is going to happen, first you are going to tell me what Greed wanted from you, second you are going to tell me what you know about this group.” I showed them the cult symbol. “And lastly you will tell your religious friends to leave me alone.”
"And if you don't do it willingly." Ed added. "We can force it out. But first." He placed a hoof on the pony's hood and they lit up for a second and then Ed pulled back tossing a ball of magic in the air. "Now that I've removed the enchantments on you, there's no need to worry about any boom boom goes our info."
They gasped and started to shake. “I will not help those who wish harm upon our goddess.” They said with a now feminine voice.
I groaned and facepalm. “I don't want to hurt Celestia! She is just being a bitch to me because of something out of my control.” I said then grabbed her hood and ripped it off showing a mare that had white fur and a pink mane.
"Oooh, she's adorable." Ed's Celestia cooed.
"Look Miss." Ed said as he nonchalantly ate the enchantments he pulled off the mare. "We don't want to hurt anypony unnecessarily, except the foal killer over there in the corner." He pointed a hoof at Greed. “I don't know what Greed has been telling you and your group and you shouldn't believe a word that comes from his lying mouth. Del hasn't done anything to Celestia except pull some pranks."
"What Sir Edward says is all true my little pony." Luna Confirmed. "My former nephew is the true criminal in all this and has been stripped of most of his power and title, though Celestia does not wish to fully acknowledge his crimes." She glared at the homunculus.
"If anything we're trying to help her get back something very precious to her she lost nearly a thousand years ago." Ed explained as he pulled out the war cult medallion. "The ones who follow this insignia have caused your mistress much suffering since the loss of her sister before the loss of the other they stole. Do you know them?"
She looked around and then put a hoof on her necklace. “I know of them but that's all, I don't know where they are based or how many are in the group.” Then she looked at me and frowned. “But the dragon will face his crimes of not showing the goddess any respect.”
"You are young and you worship your goddess as you wish but I do not want needless deaths for the lies of a horrible pony." Ed shook his head. "May we have your name Miss, please?"
She sighed and closed her eyes and lifted her head. “My name is Sunny Skies.” I chuckled and looked over to Ed’s Celestia.
Ed's Celestia came over and sat in front of Sunny Skies. "Hello. My name is Sunny Day and I am sorry if my husband." She motioned to Ed. "Caused you any fright Ms. Skies but he is only looking out for Del as he is our friend and doesn't your mistress say to look out for your friends?" She warmly smiled.
Skies nodded her head. “She does, she is a kind motherly goddess, I pray one day I can meet her.” She then frowned and looked at me. “But we do not take kindly to those who disrespect our goddess, know this drake, though we won't listen to the demigod Prince anymore, you will still pay for your crimes against our lady.”
I groaned and rolled my eyes. “Whatever, I can handle a few religious ponies coming to yell at me.”
"If all you do is yell that is fine." Sunny/Celestia stood up. "But do not waste lives for petty jokes." She sternly looked at the mare. "Creatures are free to worship and follow whoever they wish but just because they are gods and goddesses does not mean that they are not without foibles little one. I know this all too well for I have been around for a very very long time and my husband has been around nearly twice that. I don't dismiss your worship but don't let it blind you either is all I will say." She stood up and then took her spot next to Luna again.
The mare looked down and frowned while I walked over to Greed and grinned before using the ultimate shield while stabbing his side with my tail. “One more thing, he isn't a demigod, he is just an asshole.”
"The only reason he seems like a demigod is due to his punishments." Ed interjected. "Which I see I need to tweak quite a lot." He looked over his shoulder then back to Sunny. "I heard you wish to speak with your mistress. Well now is your chance. You will be coming with us to see her and tell her what Greed has done."
Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “I am not worthy to meet my goddess!”
I rolled my eyes, held up a hand, and made a red bubble shield around her. “Doesn't matter what you think about yourself, Your goddess needs to know what he is up to.” I looked to Ed. “Alright, let's go so we can finish this up, Oh and Luna I know this is out of nowhere but can I set up a warp gate in Canterlot?”
"We'll set it up only for you right now." Ed said after he picked up Greed and slung him over his shoulder but not before making sure he and the mare couldn't hear us. "Here we go." Ed huffed as we were now outside the throne room looking at a thoroughly shocked taller grey unicorn stallion with a blonde mane and tail wearing a fancy white dress shirt and purple vest and clipboard in his magic. His name was Starched Collar. "Oh great, this guy…" Ed mumbled as he rolled his eyes.
I waved at him and asked. “Can we go see Princess Celestia?”
"Do you have an appointment?" He asked stuffily as he readjusted himself.
"Eeeeenope." Ed said with a blank stare.
"Then no you can no-" Was all he said as a dark blue magic aura enveloped him and shut his mouth.
"They are with me." Luna said annoyed. She then summoned a trash can stuffed the stallion in said can, and slammed the lid on it with his tail sticking out causing him to yell in muffled pain.
Luna set the can in front of the doors to the outside and bucked it, sending it rolling and bouncing with the screams of Starched Collar ringing throughout the city till it landed in what appeared to be a manure cart. It then promptly exploded and the pony inside it let out a cough with a puff of smoke before collapsing.
Luna snorted with a bit of steam coming from her nose. "Serves you right, you pain the flank." She turned and looked at us. "What? He was in the way and being rude to my friends. Not to mention he deserves it for the bull crap he puts ponies through. Let us now see my sister." She said as she slammed open the doors.
Ed murmured to me. "Ya see why I love mine. Straight forward and no takes no crap from anyone." He trotted in while his wife rolled her eyes.
I chuckled and smirked as I followed and whispered to Celestia. “Same reason her TV counterpart was my favorite character.” Then we stopped in front of my Celestia who after seeing us started to rub her head.
"Hello." Ed said as he gave a warm smile before turning around, throwing Greed off his back to land on the floor. "Guess who's been taking advantage of your little ponies again?" He remarked with a bit of venom. "And before you rebuke us we have a very devout follower of yours who can back us up." Ed pointed to the pony in my bubble.
“Followers? What are you on about this time.” She demanded as I moved the bubble closer.
"We're goddesses Tia." Luna deadpanned. "You have enough common sense to know that we have worshippers and cults."
"I really hate some of mine." Sunny Day grumbled.
"At least none of you are seen as the buggy monster to keep minotaur calves in bed at night, yeesh." Ed sat on his rump and crossed his foreleg while he hugged in comfort.
Celestia shook her head. “But Luna, I made it illegal for them to worship us after...you left.” She looked down. “I knew my followers back then made you out as a monster and I did nothing till it was too late. So I stopped them from doing it again to anypony else.”
"Then what do you call what's going on in the bubble?" Sunny/Celestia pointed a hoof at Sunny Skies who was currently praising and bowing to my Celestia. I took that time to pop the bubble but it didn't stop her. "You really are that stupid to think that just because you say to stop they'll listen. How naive and thick-headed are you?! Are you so full of yourself that you believe they'll just listen, cake flank?!"
Ed and I started with our mouths on the floor as our gazes went from either Celestia. I leaned over and whispered. “Seeing as you are the only immortal one here, if this turns into a fight I am leaving you here.”
Celestia looked at the pony and flinched back a bit then sighed. “I thought I had destroyed all traces of the religion and stopped looking for the followers.”
"'Destroyed' As in you took action in wiping them out along with their tomes or just their literature." Ed squinted at my Celestia with scrutiny.
“I had any bibles destroyed and their churches destroyed.” Celestia said to Ed with a frown.
Ed leered at the princess in front of him with an unquestioning gaze of disgust. I think I saw her starting to sweat a little and would have laughed if I didn't know how she handled things.
"You might want to check again." Ed remarked while pointing. "Cause I really hate to be the one to burst the bubble in this case but this here." He motioned to the mare we brought again. "Is an issue with what you claim."
Celestia sighed and looked away. “I guess I have missed some.” She came off her throne and stepped in front of sunny skies. “Rise my little pony, you do not need to do this.”
“Some, some she says." Ed gave a mocked shock. “According to this one here, there are quite a few of them, enough to know about this cult." He tossed out the war cult’s medallion. “They are more than willing to blindly follow in your name to the point they targeted Del, and with Greed’s help because you once again REFUSE to accept he is a bad pony and can do no wrong cause he was raised as a pompous ass by you to try and usurp your Rule. So tell me, princess, what are you going to do with them and Greed this time? So help me if you refuse to dish out the correct punishment.” His voice cut through the air like a hot wind.
Celestia frowned and glared at Ed. “How I dish out punishment in my kingdom is no concern of yours.”
I tapped my chin and asked out loud. “Why is it called a Kingdom if there are no kings, just princesses?” But I am completely ignored by everyone.
“Fine." Ed said as he turned back into his human form.
Sunny Skies looked over and screamed when she saw Ed’s true form and ran behind the throne. “AHHH a human!” She yelled in fear. “Please my goddess protect me from the demon!”
“Yes, dear princess what will you do with this demon before you?” Ed glared at the princess. “Or can you?”
I put a hand on Ed’s shoulder. “Ed I think we are done here, we can speak with just Luna about what we found.”
Celestia frowned at me and Ed. “Yes please leave.”
“No, I want to say my piece." Ed knocked my hand away and looked back at the princess. “You have no right to lead this country. I have no say so in this world even though I do have the power to do something. You have no idea what a real sacrifice is." He glared as tears ran down his face.
“I have given so much since my life started in my world and yet I had to sully my hand with one of the most disgusting things someone a parent can ever do.” He pointed at her. “I truly pray you never have to commit such an act of evil even if it is for the greater good of the world you live in let alone for the ones you love.” He turned away and resumed his pony form.
“For if you ever do … there is no hell that will hold a candle to those nights you stay awake.” He walked out.
“You truly are the most horrible creature I have ever met in all my years." The other Celestia shook her head. “He had to kill a pony he considered his son with his own hand and he still can’t speak with that pony’s mother about it even though she is one of the mares that holds his heart. I hope you choke on that next slice of cake.” She walked off.
I sighed and pat Ed’s shoulder. “Go cool off and be with your wife, I can handle Celestia and Luna.”
Celestia looked disturbed and then she looked away as her ears folded back. Luna walked up to me and Ed. “I agree with Deltorix, go be with your wife sir Edward, I can keep Deltorix safe from my sister.”
“Very well.'' Ed stood up and turned to Luna. “I have something for you that may come in handy when the time is right. I will give it to you so neither you nor your sister will suffer with one another for another thousand years. I hope you get her to see her follies princess, I truly do." The couple walked off.
I watched Ed leave and sighed before glaring at Celestia. “You want to know something Celestia? When I first came here I showed you respect, I asked for permission, and I followed your conditions for me living here. But you still thought of me as a possible threat, then when you found out what I used to be you accused me of legitimately being a threat.”
I shook my head and growled softly. “Believe it or not I actually like most parallel versions of you, because they know when to show respect to another living being and when to be suspicious of that being. But you have lost all my respect, yes you have been tricked in the past but you refuse to see the truth even with it literally right in front of you. So you know what...I am done with you, IF I find your son I will save him, not for you but for him and for Luna. As far as I am concerned you and I have nothing to say to each other anymore, anything I find out about the cult I will discuss with Princess Luna and she can inform you of what I have found but from now on I refuse to speak with you."
I turned to leave but before I did I held up a hand and used illusion magic on the windows to change them to show Celestia destroying the human island. “You have until the rise of the alicorn of friendship to reveal to the country what you have done.” I turned my head to look back at her with a glare. “Or I will.”
“I hope you're proud of what you’ve created sister." Luna scoffed and troted out.
I found Ed staring at the city. “So much like my own and yet so very different.” He looked at me. “I am… sorry for my outburst Del. I couldn’t take the blatant blind eye she turns because she says so, so it must be bullshit anymore.” He sighed.
I nodded and leaned on the windowsill next to him. “From what I heard you needed to vent, I am sorry for what you had to do Ed.” I sighed and closed my eyes. “I kinda blew up too, but that's behind us, just know if you need an ear I am always here, even Semi-immortal homunculi need to vent now and then.”
“I do appreciate it my friend more than you know." He sighed as Luna joined us and sat down next to me.
I sighed and looked out at the city. “Well, today has been a rollercoaster.” I then looked over at Luna feeling her staring at me.
“I am afraid I do not know what that is.” Luna said looking puzzled.
“It's a form of ride that has many twists, turns, up, and down." Celestia explained. “It's just a way of saying that things have gone very unexpectedly and that were very taxing for them.”
“I see, then yes today indeed has been a rollercoaster.” Luna said nodding.
“Well, if Ed is up to explaining the technical stuff, we can go over getting the warp gate set up, then show Luna my new place.” I said with a shrug.
“It’s not really hard but for now it depends on where you want the gate placed." Ed looked at Luna. “I would prefer somewhere that your sister won’t be able to find at all.”
Luna tapped her chin thinking for a moment then said. “How about the lunar lounge? It is a large club for the night guard.”
“As long as you approve of it and they stay loyal to you and only you.” Ed said sternly. “I am very far from admitting it but these cults are an issue. The Solar cult could prove useful in helping locate your nephew but they will only answer to your sister. The Children of the Night, do they exist here?”
Luna blushed lightly and nodded. “Yes, they existed long ago and still exist to this day, in fact, most of my night guards are members of my religion.”
I chuckled and smirked. “Please tell me your religion started when you flew through the city and sang a certain song, adopting a whole bunch of orphaned foals.”
“Don’t mock the song!” Ed and Luna said at the same time.
I chuckled and smiled. “Relax I'm not mocking it in fact it was one of my favorite fan-made songs.” I told them while holding up my hands.
“Take us to Lunar Lounge please.” Ed looked at Luna. “I’ll set up the gate where only you and those who have set parameters can use it. Aka...” He looked between me and Luna. “Only those you truly trust.”
I tapped my chin. “Maybe some gates could have a genetic lock on the dining pad that way if they're not programmed to accept the user the wormhole or whatever won't connect.” I said as Luna turned to lead us to the lounge.
“That's a sound idea actually." Ed agreed. “I even set the gates to lock back into pineapple maze so it can’t be tampered with and if none does try, given the circumstances it will defend itself with minor annoyance until it finally disintegrates into dust.”
“Nice, hmmm what symbols are on the gates? I didn't look that close yet.” I asked as we traveled down the hall and pulled out my Orange lantern ring and burst into orange fire.
“Careful with that thing." Ed cautioned. “The symbols are actually a set of coordinates to get from one spot to another. The ones on your are radically different from a normal Stargate as yours are Warp gates set up for travel across this planet on its planetary network. Basically, you punch in where ya want to go on the pad here."
A holo appeared from some of Ed’s nanites that appeared from his shoulder and turned into a display sphere. He pointed at the panel. “The data ‘tis then processed and the gates read the coordinates carved on the ring via a spinning dial. Really simple stuff actually.”
I nodded and held out the lantern ring. “You can go ahead and study this, and the battery, if you can look into making a gold set for me and I'll let you keep it.”
“I’ll see what I can do." Ed took the lantern and placed it safely in his vault. “It’ll stay safe and out of the way where any creature won’t be influenced by it in there. I might have to speak with my master on this though. Light-based constructs aren’t my forte. Looks like we’re here.”
I blinked in surprise and turned to him. “YOU have a master? Holy crap they must either be super old or mega strong or even both.” At Ed’s look, I wave a hand. “I don't mean any disrespect or anything, but in most animes, old guys tend to be the most badass.”
“None taken.” He shrugged. “Technically you are a newborn and Luna here is barely a child to me when here.”
“Pyro is quite the charming fellow.” Celestia added. “Though he didn’t become Ed’s master until the cybertronian wars with Optimus.”
“The guy is hella old compared to me." Ed looked at me. “By over hundreds of millions of years.”
I let out a whistle then someone threw a glass at me but I dodged it. “Watch the loud sounds around us bats drake!” An old guard yelled before he noticed Luna and bows. “Your Highness.”
Ed stepped up in front of the reverse theatre and night guard in the room, they were actually much more of a diversity than I'd thought there’d be. I saw a few earth ponies, and some pegasi, but for the most part, it was unicorns and thestrals that made up the bulk of the group.
“I’m guessing the capital was still mainly unicorn dominated back in the day.” Ed looked at Luna who gave a bit of a shamed nod. “It’s hard to change things princess but you should be proud of what you did. Especially for the foals you took in at that time. I bet many of these guards are their descendants.” He looked to the old thestral. “Or am I wrong?”
He looked surprised but nodded at Ed and showed a moon necklace. “Yes, most of us are the descendants of those that Princess Luna took in long ago.”
“Do not look so surprised.” Celestia chucked. “My husband and his first wife, my younger sister, did the same with many of the orphans from a war many many years ago. He has since become a grandfather to their descendants many times over.”
He looked at Ed then nodded. “I see, well I am sure they make you proud much like how we do our best for our princess.”
“Hey guard dude, how are Crimson Moon and Night Lily?" I ask him.
“Oh, those two are off duty back at Shady Hollow.” He said with a smile. “You must be Deltorix. We have heard about you.”
“Then you should know he’s a good guy.” Ed sat. “Anyways. I am here to set up a sort of… secret tunnel of sorts for Princess Luna so she can meet with Deltorix where her sister can’t listen in or know his location. He’s on Celestia’s shit list and will look for any excuse to target the big fellow. Due to recent events, we’ve found out that a lot of the past she has covered up. It wasn’t just her fault but at the time, but she didn’t try either. So we want to set up a transport for Luna to meet with Del outside of prying ears and eyes. Is there somewhere we can set up the transport in here where it won’t easily be found?”
The old guard rubbed his chin then smiled. “It is a bit dirty but there is the secret room hidden in the back, there is a whole false wall to hide a whole nother room.” He then coughed into a hoof. “Though the younger guards tend to use it for um.. activities that are less than regulation.”
“Nothing that I haven’t seen or heard of before. As long as there’s no pony in it now." Ed said rolling his eyes. “What are the thoughts on humans here?” He sternly asked the million-dollar question.
The guard shrugged. “The books said they were evil war-mongering monsters, but they also said us bats sucked blood and only came out at night.” He turned to lead us to the room. “Until I meet a human I am not judging.”
Ed and Celestia both looked at one another and then to Luna. “It’s your call princess.”
“I trust my guards with my life.” Luna said with a smile.
“Then we shall too.” Celestia smiled as the couple regained their human forms.
“Sorry for dissipation but one does not walk around in daylight here while portrayed as monsters as you are aware.” Ed said. “My name is Edward Elric and this is my Wife Celestia. Nice to formally meet you.”
He looked at them and his eyes widened. “Holy moon, you are human, that is surprising.”
“Technically I’m formally human.” Ed chuckled. “This isn’t my original form or even body but still yes, I do technically classify as human at this present moment.”
“I am not human however." Celestia added. “I am technically a pony, though that is on our world.”
“Your world? Wait he said your name is Celestia, are you Princess Luna’s sister?” He asked.
“Yes she is but not from our world, she and Ed are from another universe, I called them here for some help.” I said.
“Instead of one universe, there are in fact many that exist out in the expanse that is known to many as the void." Ed explained. “These alternate worlds are usually some form of Equestria. On these alternate Equestria, there exist beings like Deltorix and myself that are former normal humans that are sent there by beings known to us as Displacers. We are called distanced and can call others of our kind when we find specific items with phrases attached to them. Those like myself who have had time to grow in strength don’t necessarily need to be summoned but can come willingly. So in short I am human and I am in fact married to both Celestia and Luna respectively." He said with a smirk while Luna blushed a little, showing the guard his lockets. “Those children are ours too and Celestia and I are expecting as well.”
I looked at them as well and smiled. “Cute, bet they will be a handful one day.” I said with a chuckle.
“Wow, more than one Luna.” The guard has a starry-eyed look before he shakes his head and points. “Let's get going.”
“Yes." Ed nodded. “Though I must insist that the information you’ve heard here not leave this lounge. It could cause a panic as will as other repercussions that no one could foretell. Do you understand?”
“I understand sir, do not worry I am very professional, Prince Consort Ed.” He said and I covered my mouth with a snicker.
“Please show us the back room then, and if I may have your name as well." Ed acknowledged and flicked a piece of stone at my forehead too fast for the others to see.
-10
I frowned at Ed and rubbed my head. “My name is Silent Knife, sir.” He said as we went into a back room with lots of drinks and looked like a wine cellar. He then leads us to a large box and slips his wing into the box and wiggles it around before there is a click and it opens up like a door and on the other side is a large room and two ponies are making out on an old table.
“Do you not have dwellings for this!” Ed said in a fatherly tone as he crossed his arms.
I chuckled as the two hopped off the table blushing and tried to hide their shame and I saw they were both stallions. “Just head to your rooms to do that.” I waved it off.
The couple left with heavy blushes. “Cadence must have quite the workload here?” Celestia commented with a snicker.
“Maybe, though that seemed more like lust than love.” I said as I looked around and moved some boxes around and added. “I think this should work, just make sure when the ring starts to spin to keep everyone away from it.”
“There is a difference but back home she usually had to oversee both until Chrissy moved into the castle." Ed added. “Ya never know when it turns into more.”
“I know who Princess Cadence is but who is Chrissy?” Silent Knight asked.
“Sorry Silent, that is something we can't tell you yet.” I said as I finished clearing a spot for the warp gate.
“Chrissy is my adoptive daughter if it helps." Celestia whispered to Silent.
“Make sure no pony uses this room for other reasons than what it’s meant for Silent." Ed said as he pulled a metal pineapple from his coat and hit the bottom. Then tossed it in the open space. Once more the machine came to life and the gate activated with a hum and inside was a vortex. “You personal gate princess.” He looked around. “I’ll leave a few nanos behind to keep up maintenance on it and… clean this place up.”
I looked at the gate and walked up to it. “Am I correct in assuming each portal is a one-way portal like in the show?”
“To and from yes but they can be programmed to link to another spot.” Ed explained. “Why? You have something ya want to add?”
“Maybe for safety reasons add a force shield around it that can detect when it's an incoming wormhole or an outgoing wormhole so if the portal is coming this way the shield stops someone from going back through the portal and dying.” I said and used illusion magic to show my idea with a pony walking to the ring and then bumping into an invisible wall.
“The nanos can handle the alterations.” Ed said as a few silver clouds came from his arm. “They’re programmed to act as sentries and are scheduled to put in the genetic lock and the fields now. Any new gates will come with their own nanos and add-ins as you make them.”
“Alright, now that this is set up, let's show Luna my new home.” I said with a smirk and walked over to the dialing device. “I don't care what anyone else says, I'm going to call these DHDs.”
“Call them as you may.” Luna remarked with a wide smile. “I am most anxious to try this gate.”
“We’ll see you up there then." Ed said as he and Celestia vanished.
“Alright, then let’s dial my home.” I looked at the DHD, I pushed the button for Gate One and the gate started to spin and each of the lights on it started to light up.
Soon the vortex was spinning and I looked at Luna and then motioned to the gate. She gave a small gulp and then stepped on the platform.
"Let us do this as they say." Luna said as she steeled her resolve. "Geronimo!" She screamed as she jumped in and there was a sound of a slight *Plumep!*. It sounded similar to when you drop a decent-sized smooth stone in completely calm water.
"My turn now." I said, a bit nervous. I stepped into the portal and all was calm for a second then it felt like I was being pulled along a high-speed log floom ride until I found myself standing next to a shaking Luna, her eyes the size of pinpricks. I looked around to see we were on my island.
"How was the ride?" Ed asked as he served tea and cake to his wife.
I shivered and brushed some ice off my shoulder. “It was interesting, now I know how SG-1 felt every time they went through their gates.” I look down at Luna. “You ok?”
"Cold." She whimpered out.
"Have some tea and warm up." Celedtis gestured.
"You'll get used to it." Ed said as two chairs appeared. "It's not nearly as bad as the Stargates though."
“I bet, this wasn't that far compared to light years of travel.” I said then levitated some hot tea to Luna.
"Yes, in fact, the temperatures are much warmer in these." Ed points at the gate. "The only reason you don't freeze solid is because you're moving too fast for it to happen in the originals. I slowed it down considerably so as to not kill any creature if they are shot or shoved through."
“That's good to know, so Luna, welcome to my island, feel free to explore, and if you are lucky I may bring it over to Canterlot someday.” I said with a chuckle.
"Once Sunbutt comes to her senses anyway." Celestia of all present said with a scoff. "I am sorry Luna but your sister is the worst version of myself I have ever heard of and now had the displeasure of meeting."
"How about we skip this topic and move on to the newly rebuilt castle." Ed motioned, and I agreed. "I did my best though my knowledge was taken from more of the equine-based worlds I visited. After a tour, we can go see the dungeon I made for ya Del."
“Sounds good to me.” I started walking to my castle.