Thanatos dug his hooves into the ground in an attempt to slow the drag. Golden light fizzed and popped, magic blazed and eventually the light threatened to overwhelm him. "Damnit Gaia!"
The light receded, revealing a slender bipedal figure. The creature had the hind legs of a pony and two massive dragon wings. A thin flexible tail snapped out behind it as its mane ignited into red flames. "What a rush!!! I think I got chills from that menacing glare you gave Connie, Omaigosh I had no idea that I could take the form of a Hellspawn, thinking back on it, it actually makes sense now that I have a new Aspect. Oh I hope that Bluebutt hasn't found my body yet, I was thinking of taking a break and reconnecting with Prosper, if you know what I mean."
"I went through a lot of trouble to keep that curse from hitting you, so I expect something in return." Thanatos said calmly.
Gaia scoffed. "You Lawful types, always making deals."
Thanatos shook his head. "I'm Neutral now."
Gaia's ear twitched and she eyed him. "Really?" She floated up and over to him, her wings spear out behind her like sails. She lifted his chin and looked him in the eye. "Let me be the judge of that, Cher."
His wings tensed and he scowled at her. "I thought you had a new aspect."
"I do, but I still have enough of a connection that I can still access my old one. Now hold still and stop avoiding my eyes." Thanatos huffed and looked into her eyes. Golden magic flashed in her eyes and she grinned. "Ohoho! There's a mare! I knew it! Hah!" She giggled like a maniac and zipped around. "Goodness, Cher, I haven't seen someone in so deep since Kindness started noticing boys! Who is she? Is it a she? Is she nice? Who am I kidding? Of course she's nice! Oh I better not be the last to know about this, Cher. Oh my gosh I need to meet her."
"And you will!" Thanatos exclaimed, interrupting her tangent. "She's the favor." Gaia squeed but otherwise didn't interrupt. "I think she may be in danger, but I can't protect her where she is right now. That's where you come in."
"Say no more, petit ange. I will protect your chosen mate with my life, I swear upon the Universal Elements and Love itself!!" Gaia grinned, "Just point me at the realm she's in and I'll take care of her."
He nodded and lowered his horn. "You may experience some discomfort."
"Believe me, Ange, I've felt worse." She flipped her 'mane' and admired her claws which ended in sharp shards of green crystal. "Making a body from dirt and fire isn't exactly rainbows and butterflies."
"Just giving you a heads up." His horn began to glow. The pair were gripped in his aura and pulled off the physical plane.
Gaia flexed her arms and pouted. "Really, Cher, you really couldn't make me bigger. I feel all tiny... And helpless. I prefer sexy Amazon."
Thanatos towered over her, a scowl across his face. "I have no effect over how you manifest in this realm, 'Cher'. If you still have a connection to Love, then why not use it to manipulate your form?"
"Because I'd rather save it for emergencies, or snooping on your love life." Gaia looked around and her eyes fell on a large rock. "Perfect!" She waved a hand at the rock and it dissolved into a fine dust. Her eyes flashed gold and the dust floated towards her. "I think no one will miss this too much." the dust vanished as it touched her skin and she began to grow in size.
"Once you're done satisfying your vanity, know that what I've told you must remain between us." Thanatos held out some keys which Gaia snatched up.
"Yes, of course, Cheri! Now go! Your duties demand you return to Equus! I will hold up my end of the deal until War rises." She bowed to Thanatos. "For on that day, we will need all the power we can get."
Thanatos returned the gesture. "Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me."
"And for l'amour de l'harmonie, get a new name! Thanatos is so old fashioned and a mouthful!" She huffed, blowing golden hair out of her eyes.
He smirked and vanished, leaving Gaia alone. She glanced around and gasped, "Sombra!"
Sombra stared at the pegasus mare before him, a pitch black coat and gold mane. Her cutie mark was of a heart shaped cloud with lightning streaking from it. She smiled, the pearly white teeth sticking out against the glistening black coat. "Up or down?"
"Onyx? What are you..?" He began,
A hoof met his muzzle, silencing him. "Up or down?"
"I- down, maybe?" He watched her approach a button that had appeared out of nowhere. "What is this place?"
"The inbetween, some call it the dreamscape but it is so much more than that. It connects all realms and touches all minds. Few can master travel through this realm, Only Spirits and Gods can get this deep." She smirked at him. "Are you sure you want to go down?"
He shook his head, memories bubbling up to the surface. "But you're dead!"
She shrugged. "I got better." Her hoof hovered over the button. "Are you sure you'd like to go down?"
Sombra looked between her and the button. "Yes." She's just playing with me, she always does that.
Onyx's grin widened even more. "Down the rabbit hole we go!" She released a mad squeal and slammed her hoof on the button. "Madness keeps the shadows away! It lives so deep inside, don't be afraid to sway. There's nowhere we can hide, from the madness that lives inside!"
Sombra screamed in fear as the ground beneath him fell away. Onyx's mad laughter echoed all around him. "Don't be afraid to give him a swift kick in the nuts for me!" She called down from above. "He deserves it for making you kill me!"