//------------------------------//
// Unexpected Visitors 
// Story: Diamond Heart 
// by Wayofthepen 
//------------------------------//



We appeared more quickly than with my spell, but then again, he's had years of practice. We were back in the field from which my fight with Dash had taken place, but only two of the four were standing upright. Sofia and Jake were lying on the ground, propped on their hands and knees while trying to not lose their lunch like a drunk.
They wouldn’t be able to get up on their own, so I decided to be the kind one again. After a few attempts at them falling over after getting up, I managed to steady them.
I turned my attention back to Spade, “How long do you plan on them staying?”
"That, is a question that will be decided by the princesses. They will trust in my judgement in bringing them here; how long they stay will however be up to them." He said, stretching out his wings and other appendages. "Now I think it will be best if we walk; teleporting in isn't an option and I don't think I'll be able to ferry all of you over."
“Lead the way. No doubt the first stop for them is Celestia herself, or am I wrong?” I asked, crossing my arms while I could hear a small squeal from Sofia. Now she decides to be a girl?
"Aye, that was the plan; although I don't know how well this will all go over if your friends aren't able to control themselves." He said, looking past me at Jake and Sofia, who were conversing about what they would do once at the mercy of Celestia.
I sighed, “Control is not in their vocabulary, apparently. I’ll do my best to keep them in line. God knows how much trouble they can get into ‘round here.”
"Well, you had better start with that. It won't take us long to get back. Speaking of which..." He started, still looking towards my friends, "Enough chit-chat you two, times a wastin’."
I turned backwards to face them, “You heard the alicorn. And if you don’t behave, I will introduce you to someone you really don’t want to meet.”
I could hear a light chuckle from Spade as he turned around and began his trot back to Ponyville. I followed in suit, trying my best to ignore the empty threats being shot my way. It’s going to be good watching them screw up in front of Tia.
Tia looked less than pleased as Spade called her for a private discussion. Can’t say I’m surprised. Having two other-worldly creatures appearing out of nowhere and standing next to your most trusted agent can be a little unnerving, but she hastily donned her facade once again.
"I shall assume that you have a reason for bringing these humans here Spade?" She said, voice mimicking her bare facial expression.
Spade gave a nod, "Of course Princess. I had figured that the best way to learn more about them was to bring at least one back. Seeing as these two are friends of Zin's, I thought them perfect." He said, adopting a formal tone.
She gave him a warm smile and a nod. "Of course. I trust your judgement in this as I always have. We will see how useful they prove to be; if Zin is any indication though then we might be in more trouble then you thought." She said with an intention of humor. "Now excuse me for being so rude; it's not everyday that one sees a relatively new species."
Both Sofia and Jake bowed to Celestia, “My name is Sofia, and this is Jake. It is an honor to meet you in person.”
"It is an honor to meet you, Sofia and Jake. I hope you find your stay in Ponyville to your liking, despite what's going on."
Jake rose from his bow, “Yes, we’ve heard that things here are not as pleasant as usual. But we’re certain that you can overcome the issue, as always.”
It was visible that she liked the praise. "Thank you. Your confidence is very much appreciated and it's good to know that there is still faith." She said, "Now, if you two are up to it, I'd like to be able to talk to you in private."
Sofia and Jake looked over to me, to which I laughed. “Relax, she doesn’t bite. At least, not to anyone but me.” After this, the three of them walked off to what I assumed was her private chambers. Really hope Molestia is fake...
"If you need me, I'll be back at the command post resting." Spade called, his tiredness beaming.
“I’ll be on the balcony, if you haven’t turned it into a sniper post... You haven’t, have you?” I said as I turned to him.
He chuckled, "Naw kid, the clock-tower is much higher than the balcony in Twi's library." Ooo, so that’s where the fun is held..."Don't get any ideas though, nothing is actually set up there aside from some spotting equipment and ammo." Buzzkill...
I shrugged, “Just lookin’ for a place to clear my head and play my guitar. It’s quite relaxing.”
He shook his head at me and turned away, finally giving into his tiredness. He left me standing there, but I removed myself from the room in search of my guitar.

- - - - Sometime later - - - -

I sat on the railing, my legs dangling out and the guitar in my lap. A gentle breeze, cloudy day, and silence. Just how I liked it.
I started my song off with the correct notes, as well as a hum.

I set my sail
fly the wind it will take me
back to my home, sweet home

Lie on my back
clouds are making way for me
I'm coming home, sweet home

I see your star your left it burning for me
Mother, I'm here

Eyes open wide
feel your heart and it's glowing
I'm welcome home, sweet home

I take your hand
now you'll never be lonely
not when I'm home, sweet home

I see your star, you left it burning for me
Mother, I'm here

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath at the end of the song. “Poor, poor Zulf...”
A cough from behind startled me, turning to find it Spade. "That was nice kid. What is it about?" He asked, tone speaking that he was actually interested.
“It’s a song that plays when you decide to save Zulf, the villain from a game called Bastion. Mid-way through the game, he turns on you, but in the end, his own people turned on him. As you walk towards the exit with him over your shoulders, getting shot at by arrows, bullets, and more, that song plays.” I smiled, “There is another version of it that plays at the end of the game, which I prefer, but I require another to sing it with me, sadly.”
"Well I wish I could help you with that, but as far as I know nopony in Equestria would know that song." He shifted his eyes towards my newest edition of guitars, "I see you've picked up another one."
I looked down at it in admiration, “Yeah, Lisp thought I was still at the castle with this new project of his. He hasn’t told me what it’s fully capable of, but it sure has a lot of tech put into it.”
"I'm sure it has all types of gizmos and gadgets. Wait, you didn't take it from him again did you?" He asked semi-accusingly.
“Nah. We’ve become good friends since my arrival. What interested him more was half of the tech we have in my world. So he and Vinyl Scratch have been working on this prototype, and so far, it runs nicely. Haven’t tried its electric setting, or any of its other little gadgets.”
"Well, when you do decide to try it out, be sure to let me know so I have enough time to dive in a foxhole." He said as he came up next to me, "So have you seen your two friends since they've gotten here?"
“Eenope. Celestia’s taken the chance to learn as much from them. Lucky for her, the three of us spend so much time on the internet. Unlucky for us, we spend too much time on there.” 
"Well, whatever that is I'm sure it's a bundle of joy. So do you have some way of keeping yourself occupied for a day?" He asks.
I look over the town, watching as the ponies gallop around to do their duties. Each one of them having a set objective, while I have nothing but time to kill. “Nothing but music from my world. Hell, some of it is about this place.”
He sighed and shook his head, "Oh I'm sure there is kid, I'm sure there is; I'd rather not talk about that now though, as I'm in a pretty good mood.”
I chuckled, “Ever heard of a pony named ‘Heartpony’?”
He tilted his head in confusion, "Not that I reckon. Why? Is she somepony I should know?
“Ask Celestia and or Luna. Just want to see if my assumptions are correct.”
"Yeah, whatever you say kid. I honestly don't know where you get ideas like these." He sighed, leaning further onto the railing.
“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” I said in a cold tone.
He chuckled, "Haven't we already gone through this kid? Your threats hold little meaning to me; like leaves in the wind."
I smirked, “Oh I know, you just don’t know when I’m kidding. Sides, I couldn’t even beat you at the castle, what chance would I have? That, and I don’t think I’m faster than a bullet.” 
"It's hard to tell; I'm not all that used to reading human features and inflections. I don't need a bullet either." He finished with a smile.
I rubbed my still aching neck, “Yeah, the pain never went away from that drop. Guess listening to that little demon inside didn’t exactly make for the best idea...” 
He gave a low chuckle, "Not at all. It got you killed... literally. That's beside the point though; right now, are you ready to face them?" He adopted a more serious tone, staring straight into my eyes.
I sighed, “I don’t know, to be honest. In the cave it was easy enough, but I didn’t have a constant wave. That, and if I know my friends... I’ll have some babysitting to do.”
He gave my shoulder a gentle push, "Nonsense. You can leave them to me. Just stay focused and you'll last kid, trust me." He gave me a reassuring smile.
“Then keep a sharp eye on them. Jake isn’t too hard to keep track of, but Sofia is. I’m afraid she might do something stupid and end up on the field, and not in a good way either.”
"Don't you worry kid, I'll sit on em' if I have to." He said, with yet another smile.
“Your funeral.”
He shook his head and moved away, "And you say I can't tell humor." He turned to the staircase with a sigh, "I'll see y'all later. I have some... work that I need to get back to."
I re-adjusted my guitar’s position in my lap, “Yes, preparations to make. I’ll be here if you need me.”
He gave me a brief nod before he continued on his path back to the workplace below. I waited a few more minutes, just staring at the ponies below. After having enough of the busy guards, I returned to playing my guitar.
Only played for a few minutes before another being decided to interrupt my relaxation. This being was Silver.
“Your friends are... Strange, Zin.” She said plainly, making her way next to me.
I smiled, “Oh you haven’t the smallest clue, my dear.”
She smiled, “Just like you, huh?”
I shrugged, “Well, we all grew up together. Jake is like a brother to me, and only because he actually persuaded his parents to take me in.”
She took a seat on the railing, mimicking how I sat. “Yes, but he’s three years older. That doesn’t mean he is any smarter, and I should know. I was in his head.” She gained a evil grin.
I gave her a playful punch, “Do you ever not go in a person’s head?”
She nodded, “I stopped going into yours after I saw some of your... Incidents.”
I stopped strumming all together and looked into her glowing purple eyes. “After all the death, theft, or other crimes that are bound to me?”
She looked saddened, “After seeing them all. I’m so sorry for you...”
I sighed, sorrow beaming from it, “You and me both. Most would say I have yet to pay for my sins, whereas I can openly say I already am.”
“How is that?”
“It is because they never leave you. The faces, the voices... It sticks with you, even to the afterlife.” I set my guitar down next to me, losing all interesting in playing. “I’m a monster.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.” Silver and I both jerked our heads around to find the she-wolf standing there, a smile on her muzzle.
“What do you want?” I said, glaring daggers at her.
“A proposition to you, and Silver should she accept it.” Her smile never faded.
I turned myself around and stood, making my way over to her. I finally met her at eye level. “If you’re going to say something, say it before anyone notices you. You’re not exactly a welcomed guest here.”
“With good reason. Moving on, the deal is rather simple. You fight for me.”
“And why in God’s name would I do that?”
“We both know the populace doesn’t care for you. You are but a pawn to be played with, but you can be much more. Oh so much more...” Her eyes shifted to Silver. “Of course the same goes to you.”
Silver got from her seat on the rail and moved to my side, “Even if we are...”
“...At least we’re on the right side.” I finished for her.
The she-wolf’s smile finally faded into a look of sadness, “I was hoping you’d see things my way. I won’t be taking pleasure in killing my own daughter...”
At this, I was taken aback. This being of almost pure evil, willing to throw away the lives of any pony to stand against her, could be Silver’s mother?
Silver glared at her, “You are not my mother. My mother would never have done what you do now.”
“But this is all for you, my dear. All of Equestria can be yours...”
I took a step towards her, “We said no. Leave while you have the chance.”
She sighed and let her head hang low, “I will leave. But a word of warning for you, Zin.” She brought her head back up and looked at me with her empty black eyes. “You should watch your back, and not only from my troops. You will find out soon enough, and it will be up to you. The offer will stay standing until the moment of the battle. If you have not made up your mind before we charge, you will be laid to rest, and won’t have a third chance.”
I crossed my arms, “My loyalty lies with my friends. And right now, they are sided with Celestia.”
She nodded and turned around. I at first assumed that she was going to simply go invisible and walk out, but instead she exploded in a plume of black smoke.
I walked back to my guitar and sat next to it, paws placed on my head. “So apparently there is something going on and I don’t know about it. Just great.”
Silver made her way over to me and sat down, placing an arm around me with a smile on her face. “I’m certain it is nothing bad.”
I shook my head, “With my luck... It never is.”
For a while, we sat in silence. Her with her arm around me, trying to be as comforting as she could, but the feeling of something going wrong was still in the air. I didn’t have long to wait for the silence to be broken. Jake came up and stared straight at me, hiding behind a wall of emotions he’s spent years trying to perfect.
“Hey Jake, what’s up?” I tried to say as calmly as I can.
He shook his head at me, which made my previous expression regrow. “Scott... I got some bad news...”
I looked to Silver, who still held her smile, even though I could tell she was faking it. “Spill it, Jake.”
He looked down at his feet, his wall breaking down. “Sofia and I told Celestia everything, including the other ways to get here.”
“You told her everything about me?” He nodded. “Well, I knew she’d find out eventually. It’s not she’s going to do anything drastic. I’ve already proven that I am not of what I once was.”
“About that... She either wants you banished...” He seemed to be choking on the next part, and I wish he had kept it from me until the right time, “...Or executed...” I stared at him, letting his words sink in before I got up and started for the stairs. After I descended into the main room, I heard him call after me, but I wanted nothing to do with him right now. It might be wrong of me, but had they kept some of my past hidden, I wouldn’t be at the mercy of the princesses.
“Scott!” I hadn’t noticed I had been running until after he called me from the library’s entrance. I needed to get away from the town. Away from my ‘friends’. There was one place I knew I could go, and it was deep enough in the Everfree to keep anyone from wandering too far. I teleported myself to the old castle of the twin sisters, being sure to take the guitar with me, even if it was a distance away.

- - - - Everfree Castle - - - -

I had been sitting here for about an hour or two, reflecting on all that I had done. Murder. Arson. Theft. The names of all those I killed flowed through my mind, as well as their faces. It took coming here to realize the fact that had stared me down for so long. I am a monster. Nothing I can do will change that. Celestia’s choice against me has proven this.
Instead of feeling my normal heat, creating my white fire, everything felt cold. Like I was severed from around me. Like Jake and his emotions, only amplified a thousand times. It didn’t matter to me.
I heard a shift in the air behind me, but I didn’t care. “Zin.”
“You were right. They only care for what I had done in my world...”
She walked over and put a paw on my shoulder, “She betrayed me, too. There is a reason I started the first war, and that was because she had seen us as a threat, for following Discord.”
I felt the air around me grow colder, but I didn’t care. “And he wasn’t evil. He was just a misguided spirit who was never given a chance.”
“Just like you.”
I chuckled, “Yeah, just like me...” There was a long silence where mental words bounced around in our heads. We both knew what the other was thinking without telepathy. Though she was the first to speak it.
“My offer still stands.”
I let the words that Jake told me flow all around my mind. The faces of past crimes soon joined. Celestia followed after. The air was now cold enough that my breath was showing, but neither of us paid any attention.
I could feel my fists clench,  "All that I have done for her... A waste. All the friends I had come to make... Pointless. In the end, after serving her, she turns on me like this? All because of my past? If she wants to see a monster, she'll get one..."
She kept her paw on me as I got up, and she opened a black portal behind us. As we were about to turn to it, the doors to my large inner sanctum flew open with a very familiar face, with a very shocked expression. Likely here to tell me to either leave, or that it’s time to pay my real parents a visit.
The cold around me was practically visible at this point, “Why am I not surprised you’d be the one to find me?”