Arc turns to the king as they leave the palace.
“Thank you for extending mercy to those stallions.”
Auriel nods. “Yes, father. While they certainly deserved to feel your wrath I do believe being betrayed by their employer and left without pay in the middle of the jungle was punishment enough.”
The king motions to Arc. “As Arc said back then, he could have forced me to let them go.”
“Sorry for coming across like that. Kinda went a bit far there.”
Twilight sighs. “Well, that’s water under the bridge now.”
Arc turns to her. “I’ll try to leave matters like this to you from now on, Twilight.”
“No, no. I do appreciate you stepping in when needed.”
Auriel smiles. “So am I.”
Malevolence chuckles. “And I am thankful to you for your wise decision, Princess Twilight.”
“I was only doing as Princess Celestia ordained. Resettlement after reform.”
Rainbow Dash looks around. “Not much here to resettle to though.”
Auriel grins as she turns to her father. “Something we’ll have to remedy.”
“That we will. But there will be time for such things later, my dear.”
Arc points to a patch of dirt at the base of the palace steps as he looks to the king. “Would it be okay if I made a sigil here?”
“A what?”
Auriel motions to Arc’s gauntlet. “It’s the seal on the ground that he uses to move around the land quickly, father.”
Ember grins. “They’re really handy for getting from A to B fast.”
Hammer shrugs. “He’s got em all over the place.”
“I suppose that would be fine.”
Arc walks over to the tree line and kneels down as the king turns to Twilight.
“Now then… what is the next step?”
“We should probably bring you back to Tartarus for now.”
Auriel raises an eyebrow. “Twilight, I thought…!”
Pinkie giggles. “Somepony needs to tell the demons the good news!”
Applejack nods. “Right. That and either way they need their king.”
Rainbow Dash gasps. “What about Aurora?”
Fluttershy appears confused. “I didn’t know she was in charge.”
Malevolence chuckles. “Not officially, no. However her orders are followed as if they came from me.”
Rarity raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Ember shrugs. “He probably told them to do that before leaving.”
Hammer folds her arms over her chest. “Well, someone has to be at the helm.”
Malevolence shakes his head. “I didn’t have to. The demons now view her as some kind of deity.”
Twilight smiles nervously. “Is that… good?”
“Well, it doesn’t appear to be hurting anyone. That and with her powers over nature the respect is well founded.”
Hammer clenches a fist. “You don’t think she’ll try to take over or anything though, do you?!”
“Not likely. She seems more interested in flowers and fruits than followers and fanfare.”
Scootaloo looks to Arc. “What about that village just outside Tartarus, Big Brother? They might freak out if a bunch of demons start marching out of there.”
Arc nods as he walk over to them. “You have a point there, Scarlet Filly. We need to have a talk with Mythic Honor when we head back to Redemption Village.”
Sereb motions to the airship. “Another flight?”
Arc shakes his head. “We should probably just send the ship home and take a sigil back. It’ll save time.”
Applejack chuckles. “You in a hurry, Arc?”
“Kinda. After all, if I had spent years in Tartarus I’d be chomping at the bit to get out too.”
Rainbow Dash shrugs. “Makes sense.”
They nod together as Arc touches his earring.
“Arc to Lemon Hearts.”
“Lemon Hearts here, sir.”
“I’m going to take a sigil back to Equestria. Have the ship flown back to Canterlot Castle and await further orders.”
“Yes sir. Um… is everything okay?”
“Just fine. But we need to keep this ball rolling. Notify Canterlot that Princess Twilight will be with me a bit longer.”
“I’ll take care of it, sir. Is there anything else I should tell them about her majesty’s exploits?”
“Just that’s she’s fine and will be in no danger.”
Lemon Hearts sounds relieved. “That’s good, sir.”
“We’ve got to get moving down here. Have the ship get underway as soon as it’s ready to take off. Things might be getting busy here pretty soon. Arc out.”
He touches his earring, severing the connection before turning back to the others and calling forth his gauntlet.
“Everyone ready?”
They nod as Arc opens a portal. Stepping through they appear on the sigil just outside Redemption Village. Arc leads the procession into town. The townsponies hurry to let them pass on their way to the Town Hall. Arriving, Arc looks around and calls out.
“Mythic Honor!”
A pile of books falls over nearby as the elderly stallion crawls out from under them. Twilight gasps.
“Sir, are you alright?!”
“Just fine, miss…!”
He stops talking and looks her over for a time before turning to Arc and loudly ‘whispering’.
“Hey…! Is this a long lost cousin of Princess Celestia, or something?!”
Arc shakes his head. “No, Twilight isn’t related to Celestia.”
“Oh good! For a moment there I thought she was an alicorn!”
Applejack raises an eyebrow. “But she is.”
Mythic Honor laughs. “Right! And next you’ll be telling me that’s King Malevolence!”
Ember groans. “It is!”
Sereb shakes his head. “Strange as it may seem.”
Mythic Honor gasps. “Outside of Tartarus?!”
Scootaloo shrugs. “It’s kind of a long story.”
Auriel steps forward. “Do you remember me, sir?”
Mythic Honor nods. “That I do, Auriel! What brings you here?!”
“My father and I have just returned from petitioning Princess Twilight for the release of the rest of our citizens.”
“I see! And how did that work out?!”
Pinkie hops up and down happily. “Twilight says they can go home now!”
“She did?!”
Arc nods. “Yes. Well, any of them whom can successfully pass through the Gates of Tartarus, that is.”
Mythic Honor gasps. “Is that even POSSIBLE?!”
“My father did it.”
“And there’s MORE?!”
Applejack shrugs. “Potentially, yes.”
Rarity smiles warmly. “Auriel and her father believe quite a few of the demons are ready to come out.”
Mythic Honor raises an eyebrow. “And… this is okay with you, Princess Twilight?!”
Twilight nods. “It is in accordance with the laws of Equestria. Anypony whom is reformed will no longer be held by the Gates of Tartarus and may return to our land.”
Rainbow Dash lands next to Twilight. “Or in this case, their land.”
Fluttershy points a hoof. “Far to the south, we mean.”
Ember sighs as she looks to the elderly stallion. “We just didn’t want all of this happening without you and the rest of your tribe knowing about it.”
“I’ll… pass this on to the rest of the tribe, of course! But don’t expect them to throw any demons whom come out a party, or share their pancakes with them!”
Pinkie salivates slightly. “Pancakes…”
Sereb raises an eyebrow. “But you ate a hearty breakfast.”
“What can I say?! I have a fast metabolism!”
Twilight appears relieved. “I would appreciate that, sir. They don’t want any trouble.”
Malevolence nods. “Right. All we want is to travel from here back to our land.”
Hammer frowns. “But how can they do that?”
Ember rolls her eyes. “Other than walking, that is.”
Arc turns to Mythic Honor. “Is there any chance we could make a sigil on this side of the Gates of Tartarus?”
“I don’t see why not! But there would have to be a focus of some kind there to activate it!”
Rarity points a hoof. “Well, Arc does it with his gauntlet.”
Scootaloo groans. “But we can’t just leave a gauntlet here.”
Auriel puts a claw to her chin thoughtfully. “What about something a bit more permanent then?”
Twilight looks over her shoulder. “Auriel?”
“Could an enchantment be cast on a large rock in there? Something that was so big that it couldn’t be brought through the portal, that is.”
The king turns to his daughter. “Why don’t we head over to the cave and see if inspiration hits us?”
Fluttershy shrinks back nervously. “That… might not be the best idea right now.”
Applejack sighs. “Isn’t the cave still full of soldiers?”
Arc nods. “They should still be there, yes.”
Hammer chuckles. “Want me to head over there and dismiss them, or something?”
Twilight shakes her head. “I should be the one to do that. After all, I’m the one whom sent them there in the first place.”
Rarity moves to stand with Twilight. “Then we’ll all come with you.”
Applejack chuckles. “The more the merrier, right?”
Pinkie giggles. “Let’s make it a PARTY!!!”
Rainbow Dash groans. “Saw that one coming.”
Ember heads for the door. “Let’s get this over with.”
Heading to the cave together they enter with Arc and Twilight in the lead. The soldiers instinctively take up a battle ready stance at the sight of King Malevolence. Twilight steps forward and motions for them to lower their weapons.
“Stand down, everypony!”
Flash Sentry hurries forward. “Your highness! What… what is going one?!”
“We’ve just returned from the demon’s homeland. I’ve decided to allow anypony whom is able to pass though the Gates a chance to return to their ancestral lands.”
“B-but they’re…!”
Arc interrupts him. “…finished with their sentence.”
“Sir?”
Hammer shrugs. “Anyone whom passes through the gates, yada-yada, repentant of their crimes etcetera.”
Ember sighs. “An abridged version, but yes.”
Mythic Honor sighs. “The princess’ decision is final. We’ll comply with it on this end.”
Twilight looks to Flash Sentry before speaking again. “Thank you for holding this position. Please return to Canterlot and await further instruction, Colonel.”
Flash Sentry salutes. “Y-yes, your highness.”
Turning to his troops he motions for them to line up before turning to Twilight again.
“Shall we escort you back to Canterlot, your highness?”
Twilight shakes her head. “I still have business to attend to here.”
“But your highness…!
“Arc and my friends will be with me the entire time.”
Arc nods. “She’s in good hands. Now then let me give all of you a portal back to the capital.”
Opening a portal, Arc gestures for them to enter. Nodding, Flash Sentry motions for his troops and the begin advancing. He waits until the last soldier enters before turning back to Arc.
“Please look after her royal highness for us, sir.”
“I will.”
Sighing, Flash Sentry enters the portal and vanishes. Arc turns to the others as it closes behind them.
“Now then… let’s see about finding a rock or something to…”
Rainbow Dash points a hoof. “What about that one over there?”
They look to a large boulder nearby. Mythic Honor studies it for a time as he rubs his chin thoughtfully. Eventually he turns to Arc.
“Uh… what was I supposed to do again?”
Everyone facepalms as Arc sighs and responds.
“A sigil to the far Southern Jungle that could connect to the one I already have there.”
“Oh yeah! Sure! Just one second!”
His horn aglow, the elderly stallion surrounds the boulder with a magical aura. A few moments later a sigil forms nearby.
“There you go! One blinky-blinky one way trip all set up!”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “One way only?”
Mythic Honor nods. “Of course!”
Applejack frowns. “Uh… why though?”
“Because nopony in their right mind would EVER want to come back here! Trust me, missy, I was in there for YEARS!”
Pinkie shrugs. “He raises a good point.”
Auriel looks the sigil over nervously. “Um… are you sure this will work?”
“Pretty sure!”
Ember frowns. “How sure is that?!”
Mythic Honor puts a hoof to his chin. “Um… somepony should probably test it first!”
Arc groans. “Fine. How does it work?”
Mythic Honor points. “First, put your hoof on the stone!”
Arc does so as Mythic Honor continues.
“Next, focus on the sigil like you normally do to open a portal.”
“Easy enough.”
A portal opens in short order. Arc looks it over carefully.
“Seems to be stable.”
Fluttershy grimaces. “Are… are you sure?!”
Rarity shudders. “Yes, this is quite dangerous as it stands.”
Applejack groans. “But it has to be done.”
Arc takes a deep breath. “Right. Okay… here goes nothing.”
King Malevolence shouts. “Wait!”
Arc turns to him. “What is it?”
“I am the king of the demons and this portal is for us. Therefore I should be the one to test it.”
“Well, it’s currently on Equestrian soil, so I should go.”
“That may be, but if you were to be lost in such an endeavor it would cause an international incident between our two countries.”
“But your nation needs to be kept in check by your leadership. Without you who knows what they’d do?”
The king opens his mouth to respond, but stops and sighs.
“That… is true.”
Auriel nods soberly. “They might even blame Equestria, father.”
“Yes I suppose so.”
Arc turns back toward the swirling energies. “Now that we have that settled, here I go.”
As Arc takes a step toward the portal, he suddenly finds himself pushed violently away. Looking up from the ground he catches a glimpse of Auriel as she dives headfirst into the swirling energies. Everyone gasps as she vanishes from sight. Twilight and King Malevolence are the first to call out (in tandem).
“AURIEL!”
Rainbow Dash runs toward the portal. “We have to go after her!”
Applejack plows into her friend, knocking her to the ground. “No way, Rainbow Dash!”
Rarity nods fervently. “If she didn’t make it you won’t either!”
Fluttershy grimaces. “But we can’t just sit here and do nothing.”
“Big Brother?!”
Arc grits his teeth and calls forth his gauntlet. “I’ll go check on her.”
Placing a hand on the ground, he makes his own sigil. Powering it up he vanishes from sight. Reappearing near the palace he looks around. Spotting Auriel sitting a few feet away next to the sigil he hurries over to her.
“Are you okay?!”
Auriel nods. “I think I’m fine.”
“What were you THINKING?!”
Auriel bows her head. “That I didn’t want to see you or my father get hurt.”
“So you decided to risk your own neck?!”
Auriel nods. “Yes. If something happened to me it wouldn’t cause any problems for either country and would ensure that both you and my father remained in power.”
Arc sighs and extends a hand to her. Helping the demon up, he looks her over.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“I am. But we should probably get back to the others. They’re probably worried about both of us.”
“Yeah.”
Arc looks away momentarily. Auriel turns to him, clearly nervous.
“Arc? Are you… upset?”
“…kinda.”
Auriel sighs and looks at the ground. “I’m sorry. But I couldn’t let you risk your life for the demon race.”
Arc shakes his head. “That’s not the problem.”
“Then what…?”
“I… was really worried about you when you vanished.”
“You were?”
Arc nods as she turns to face her. “Yes. You see… I… um…”
He pauses as if looking for the right words.
“…I just didn’t know what I would do if something had happened to you.”
“Arc, what are you saying?”
“That and I care about you, Auriel. And that I don’t know what I’d do if you got hurt, or worse.”
“You… care that much about me?”
Arc smiles at her. “Of course I do. I wouldn’t have agreed to let you join my theoretical herd if I didn’t. Or let you shower and sleep with me either.”
Ariel steps forward and wraps her arms around Arc’s midsection as she presses her body against his. They embrace for a few moments before Arc leans down, sweeps the young demon off her feet, and plants a kiss squarely on her lips. Putting her arms around his neck, Auriel leans into the kiss and moans contentedly. Eventually they pull back and look into each other’s eyes happily.
“Thanks, Auriel.”
“What for?”
“Risking your life for me.”
Auriel smiles. “I would gladly die for you.”
“And I for you, my dear.”
She leans forward and plants another tender kiss on his lips before sighing and looking back toward the sigil.
“We should probably get back now, Arc.”
“Yeah. The others are definitely worried about us.”
Setting Auriel down, he takes her hand as the pair step onto the sigil. Powering it up, Arc teleports them back into the cave. Everyone looks to them as King Malevolence hurries toward his daughter.
“Auriel! Are you alright?!”
“Yes, father.”
Arc nods. “She was sitting on the ground waiting for me to come get her.”
Twilight gasps. “But you knew this portal would be one way only, Auriel!”
“That I did.”
Sereb frowns. “Then why did you…?!”
“Because I knew Arc would come for me. That I wouldn’t be left behind.”
Arc chuckles. “Right.”
“I do have good news though.”
Hammer raises an eyebrow. “What is it?”
“The portal works.”
Ember rolls her eyes. “Whoopie.”
Scootaloo turns to the Gates of Tartarus. “So… everything’s ready?”
Applejack groans. “Not quite.”
Rainbow Dash appears confused. “What else needs to be done?”
Fluttershy sighs. “Let’s say that the demons come here to use the portal. What then?”
Pinkie giggles. “They’d be back in their homeland lickety-split!”
Rarity nods soberly. “Yes they would. But with no homes, food, shops, or infrastructure of any kind.”
Malevolence grins. “We could knock together some basic structures in a week.”
Sereb narrows his eyes. “Where would you stay in the meantime?”
“The old palace would keep us safe at night. We’d work on fixing that up a bit first though to be secure.”
Applejack frowns. “With what tools?”
Auriel shrugs. “We made all our own in the past, I’m told.”
Malevolence folds his arms over his chest. “But it’s not likely that anyone remembers how to do that. At least not with the materials available out there.”
Twilight steps forward. “Equestria will help you get started then.”
Auriel appears confused. “How?”
“We’ll send over some tents, blankets, medical supplies, food, and tools to get everypony started.”
Ember motions to the sigil. “What about sending some stallions to help get some basic buildings up quick?”
Malevolence shakes his head. “No. That we must do ourselves. It is the demon way.”
Arc shrugs. “Very well. We’ll just send over some basic supplies along with providing this sigil to your land.”
Hammer sighs. “It really doesn’t seem like much though.”
Auriel smiles warmly. “But it is.”
Rarity appears confused. “Oh?”
“Our citizens have been given a new chance at a future. One that doesn’t have endless stone walls around it.”
Malevolence puts a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “It will be hard. But I’m sure The Great Demon Kingdom with rise and be prosperous again.”
He turns to Twilight before continuing.
“How much longer before we can start bringing demons through this sigil?”
“Anytime you’re ready. But I should caution you against a single mass exodus from your current city.”
Rainbow Dash frowns. “Why’s that, Twilight?”
Pinkie grins. “Yeah! I’d be chomping at the bit to get out of there!”
Applejack sighs. “I suppose that’s true. But get out to go where? To an ancient palace without anywhere else to stay?”
Rarity nods. “Yes, it would be best to bring through only a small number of demons as colonists. See how they handle it as you build.”
Fluttershy smiles. “As more housing and other necessities become available allow more demons to return to you lands.”
Ember grins. “That’s a sound plan.”
Hammer shudders. “Right. If everyone came through all at once, and it didn’t work out, there’d be riots and stuff.”
Malevolence puts a hand to his forehead. “Very good ideas, yes. But what do I tell the public? That they have to wait their turn?”
Sereb growls. “Something like that.”
Scootaloo looks to the king. “You’re forgetting one thing. Some of them might not want to leave.”
Rainbow Dash gasps. “Not want to leave Tartarus?!”
“Yes. With the installation of the artificial sun, some demons may be so happy there that they wish to remain.”
Auriel looks to Arc. “What should be done about them?”
“I don’t see why they couldn’t stay if they really wanted to. Twilight?”
“Agreed. If they’re truly happy where they are then I see no reason to force them to relocate to the south.”
Malevolence appears hopeful. “And Aurora?”
Auriel puts a claw to her chin. “Considering all the work she’s done to make Tartarus green I doubt she’d just want to up and leave.”
Ember motions to the bright light shining inside the Gates. “To say nothing for the artificial sun.”
Hammer raises an eyebrow. “The what?”
Arc chuckles. “I’ll explain that one to you later, Hammer.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Auriel sighs. “That sun couldn’t really be easily relocated anyways.”
Twilight nods. “Agreed. And even if it could be, our real sun would render it redundant.”
Malevolence looks to the Gates. “I believe that I will return to Vengeance and select a handful of colonists to start the process to the south.”
Arc nods soberly. “And the rest of the citizens?”
“They would be told, of course.”
Rainbow Dash appears uneasy. “How would they take that news?”
“As something to look forward to, I would imagine.”
Rarity looks toward the capital city in the distance. “And whom would be in charge over there?”
“I would leave Aurora to oversee Vengeance while I led the colonists. Assuming she agrees, that is.”
Auriel giggles. “It’s likely that she would. However you do need to have some serious talks with her and our citizens before anything can happen here, father.”
“Don’t you mean ‘we’, my dear?”
Auriel shakes her head. “It is not likely that they will accept my presence in either Vengeance or the homeland at this point. That and I’m pledged to Arc if you recall.”
Arc smiles at her. “You can go home if you need to, Auriel.”
Rarity giggles. “Yes, you’re not a prisoner.”
“I would like to, of course. But I still need to help make ready that Magic Dispersion Unit for you, Arc.”
Twilight shakes her head. “That’s something Sunburst and I could handle.”
Auriel appears confused. “You’re planning to lead the nation AND a massive research project, Twilight?”
Twilight is silent for a time as she considers this. Eventually she sighs and bows her head.
“No… I really don’t have time for both. But I need to…!”
Arc interrupts her. “Twilight, listen.”
“Arc?”
“As a leader you need to be able to delegate.”
Ember raises an eyebrow. “Really, Arc?”
“Yes, I know that it was something I really struggled with personally. But taking on everything will only serve to wear you down. And fast.”
Rarity steps forward. “He’s right, Twilight. Things became much simpler for me after I took on Sassy Saddles.”
Pinkie grins. “I couldn’t run Sugarcube Corner alone! It takes me and both of the Cakes to make it work!”
Applejack pats her hat. “Sweet Apple Acres isn’t a one pony job. We need our whole family to keep things running.”
Fluttershy smiles shyly. “My critters help me care for them. Even I don’t do everything alone.”
Rainbow Dash takes flight and hovers as she speaks. “You may think that the weather is all me. But in reality it’s due to support from Cloudsdale’s Rainbow Factory and the ponies that work there. I’m just the hooves on the ground.”
Ember puts her claws on her hips. “Being the Dragon Lord isn’t just all shouting and fire breathing. It’s very similar to ruling any other country. You have to put the right individuals in the right positions to make any headway.”
Hammer sighs. “My sisters and I accomplished so much together in the past. There’s no way any of us could have done that without the others.”
Sereb grins. “Arc and I have done much since meeting. While he is a capable human, even he would not have gotten this far without my aid.”
Scootaloo sighs. “I did a lot of things as the Scarlet Filly. Helped a lot of ponies and even got an award for it. At one time I thought it was just Big Brother doing it all. But when I mentioned that to him some time ago he told me that I was playing a vital role too. He couldn’t have done what he did while being invisible. Ponies would have started asking questions. He needed an avatar to act in his stead.”
Arc nods as he gestures with a wave of his hand. “There’s no way I would have made it this far without everyone’s help, Twilight. As one former ruler to another I have to say that you’ll just drive yourself crazy trying to do it without help.”
Twilight nods soberly as she speaks. “Alright. Auriel, you along with Sunburst and anypony else you need will be tasked with making a working device capable of taking down the barrier around Light’s Hope. I’ll keep the nation running while that’s done with the help of the others as we’ve done in the past.”
Arc smiles at her. “Good. Just remember that there’s a lot more work to be done than just that.”
“I’ll appraise the situation and organize others to complete the tasks in my stead then.”
Rarity appears confused. “What will you be doing then?”
“A job I’ve never really tried before. Managing.”
Rainbow Dash grins. “You can do it, Twilight.”
Applejack nods. “Darn right!”
Pinkie does a backflip. “All right!”
Fluttershy smiles shyly. “Yay.”
Rarity puts a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Princess Celestia chose wisely when she made you her equal, Twilight.”
Twilight nods. “I sure hope she did. But there’s a lot of work to do, so we’d better get started.”