//------------------------------// // Chapter 23. Upping the Ante // Story: Resuscitatio Artium Magicarum // by Xomniac //------------------------------// Scholar, Seath and Chrysalis stared down at the results of Cerberus’s delivery. “Remind me...” Scholar started slowly. “That order I sent out to Cerberus... I imbued it with Shining Armor’s image, did I not?” “That you did, Scholar, that you did.” Seath nodded slowly in agreement. “And, to be fair, he did complete the task you set out for him.” Chrysalis noted, nudging said white stallion’s prone form. “Yeeeesss...” Scholar droned. “Yes he did. Now... second question...” His eye twitched as he took in the two dozen other armored ponies that the obsidian hound had spit up. “WHERE THE HELL DID HE PULL THE REST OF THEM FROM!?” He bellowed. Cerberus snuffled and woofed, bringing up a mass of darkness that looked like a paw to scratch behind what could have been an ear. Scholar’s eye twitched again as he slowly turned to look up at a very nervous Seath. “What does he mean ‘they were in the ice dome with him’!?” He ground out. “Er...” The dragon hastily snapped up an array and started fidgeting with it. “Where was it... where was-! Ah...” “‘Ah’? What ‘AH’?” The human demanded. “You’re... going to laugh...” Seath chuckled nervously. “No, I’m not.” “Right... anyways... upon reviewing the recorded data from the area where he and his platoon were when you cleared out the main body of the city... I’ve come across a... spike of foreign magic that lasted through the first few seconds of the windigoes’ assault?” The duke grinned nervously. Scholar and Chrysalis gaped up at his compatriot for a second before slowly turning their heads to stare at the unconscious Captain. “You mean to tell me...” Chrysalis breathed. “That that unicorn managed to erect a barrier and withstand the full wrath of those creatures long enough for a dome of ice to form around him and his soldiers, protecting them from the brunt of those demons’ wrath?!” Seath nodded slowly in agreement. “Apparently. It would appear that we somewhat underestimated his capabilities.” Scholar was silent in thought for a moment before slowly raising a hand. “No, this does not count as ‘bonus points’ on our bet.” Chrysalis deadpanned without looking at him. Scholar was silent as he slowly lowered his hand. Nevertheless, he narrowed his eyes at Shining Armor as he re-evaluated the variable before him. “Scholar!” Twilight pressed herself against the wall of her cage, her gaze filled with worry. “What’s wrong with my brother!?” “Hmm...” Fran knelt down next to the white unicorn, noting his shivering and the death-grip he had on the dragon-headed spear he was holding before speaking. “Considering how he and his men have apparently been in a cage of ice for at least ten minutes, I would have to diagnose him with an early case of hypothermia and some minor asphyxiation. They should be fine.” “They ain’t gonna be once I get through with them!” Gavrill growled as she cracked her knuckles and took a menacing step towards the unconscious ponies. “I still owe him for his buddy’s flashbangs!” “PUT ONE MANGY CLAW ON MY HUSBAND AND I’LL CLEAN OUT YOUR INTESTINAL TRACT WITH THAT DEMENTED TENTACLE YOU CALL A TONGUE!” Everyone jumped in shock at the furious roar that erupted from Cadance, her cage half-buckling from the wave of magic that rammed into it. Chrysalis’ eyes flashed emerald as she glared at the Alicorn princess, and Seath and Scholar snapped up a pair of large arrays. Despite the fact that her body was shivering uncontrollably and that her container had all but doubled in size, Cadance continued to level an apoplectic glare at the carnivorous construct, a look that Gavrill was all too eager to return. “Awwww, what’s wrong?” Gavrill chuckled grimly. “Does the traitorous fuckface not want me touching her pwecious little boy-toy? What, you actually attracted to him or somethin’, despite the fact that he’s gonna kick the fucking bucket?!” Cadance huffed venomously for a second before glancing to the side and looking back at Gavrill with a solemn nod. “I do.” She answered sincerely. “I love him, more than I’ve ever loved anyone before. I would do anything for him, and him for me.” Gavrill rolled her eyes and gagged in exasperation. “Eurgh, puh-lease, you know how I hate that sappy shit. Save the mush for-GRK!” Gavrill cut herself off as her train of thought caught up to her. Slowly, eyes wide with fear, she turned her head in the same direction Cadance had glanced. Veronica, Nix, and Null slowly turned and followed her gaze with equal amounts of trepidation. Fran was still in her position crouching over her patient, only now her body was visibly shaking with an emotion made unidentifiable by the curtain of hair that obscured her facial expressions. The quartet of constructs began to sidle away from the medical aficionado, intent on putting as much distance between them and her as possible... “She... loves... him...” When she suddenly spoke, snapping her head around to pin her siblings in place with a single, irate look. “Oh dear heaven and hell...” Veronica whimpered. “She... loves him...” She bit out furiously. “And you tried to grievously injure him!?” “Fun fact: Fran’s a grade-A romantic, and a sucker for sob stories.” Rotfang chuckled to Iron Will. “Iron Will would never have guessed.” The minotaur deadpanned. “Gentlemen, it was an honor serving with you.” Null saluted solemnly. “You’re lying through your teeth, aren’t you?” His twin asked seriously. “Oh you have no  idea.” “You tried to grievously injure him and have me clean up the mess?!” Fran hissed venomously as she suddenly stood up and whipped around, glaring at her siblings with untold fury. “I believe that once again, I must... educate you in your mistakes.” Gavrill fell into a ready stance as she bared her fangs and flexed her clawed fingers. “Looks like we’ve got no choice! Ready, fuckers?!” Nix and Null pumped their fists. “Yeah!” Veronica grit her teeth and slid a foot back as she squared her soldiers. “Yes.” Silence reigned over the plaza as the music ground to a halt, party-goers and original onlookers alike holding their breath as tension started to ramp up. Finally... they made their moves. “EVERY FUCKER FOR THEMSELVES!” Gavrill screeched, literally spinning her torso around as she barreled towards one of the massive stairwells that were the exits to the plaza, shoving aside anyone in her path. Veronica bolted for another staircase, while Nix and Null moved for a third. Sighing wearily, Fran drew a hand from her labcoat and held it before her face. “They never learn...” And with that, she simply snapped her fingers, unleashing a flurry of runes. Without further ado, all four promptly collapsed like they were made of jelly, mouths open in silent screams as they scratched and clawed at their skulls. “Wh-what did you do to them?” Fluttershy squeaked. “Oh, nothing, nothing...” Fran sighed as she idly spun a finger along the rim of one of her bolts. “I just activated the re-education implants I installed in them is all. I do so wish that I didn’t have to use them so often, but ah well...” She shrugged her middle arms. “Someone has to keep my siblings in line...” “NghgahgRAAAAAGH!” Gavrill screeched, having finally recovered her voice. “FUUUUUUCK! DAMN IT ALL, FRAN, HOW THE FUCKING FUCK DO YOU KEEP FUCKING TATTOOING THIS FUCKING ARRAY INSIDE MY FUCKING SKULL!?” “Owowowow!” Veronica rolled around on the ground as she pulled her hat down on her head. “I’msorryI’msorryI’msorry, I’ve-learned-my-lesson-I-won’t-do-it-again makeitstooooop!” “HOW THE HELL DOES SHE GET THESE THINGS IN US!?” Nix screeched. “WHO CARES!?” Null demanded. “JUST MAKE THE PAIN STOP!” Iron Will raised an eyebrow at the display before casting a sidelong glance at Gilda. “Is it a bad sign that Iron Will is almost completely unfazed by this?” The griffon snorted in response. “You’re a bit late on the uptake, buddy. But still... HEY BOSS!” She piped up. “Think they’ve had enough yet?” “Nah, let’s give them a minute.” Scholar shrugged indifferently. “A little sibling rivalry never killed anyone... and even if it did, Fran’d be able to fix it.” “It’s true, I could...” The mad doctor mused for a moment before sighing. “But still, I do suppose that enough is enough...” She snapped her fingers again, allowing her siblings to collapse to the ground with relief. “Now, do you all understand what you did wrong, and do you promise to not do it again?” “Yes, Fran...” Three tired and out of breath voices moaned. “Yeah, next time we kill both of ‘em before you find out about their fucking star-crossed whatever.” A fourth snarled. SNAP! “YEARGH! I MEAN FINE, FUCK, FUCK!” “I’m so glad you understand.” “WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!” Cerberus let out a string of barks and woofs as he collapsed forwards, his tar-black, indiscernible body shaking with laughter as he repeatedly slammed his paw into the ground. “Fuck you too, ‘dearest’ brother...” Gavrill snarled. “Brother!?” The ponies chorused in disbelief. “Yup!” Nix suddenly snapped up, her previous agony forgotten entirely. “See, Scholar made three series of sentient beings: Gavrill, Fran and Veronica were the third, made from organic matter, Null and I were the second, made from non-organic matter, and Cerberus was the first, forged from the primordial energies of the void from which all worlds are born!” “To put things simply!” Null floated up and started to scratch the nose-ish area of the hound’s muzzle. “He’s out dearest eldest brother! Aren’t you boy, aren’t-?” Suddenly, the muzzle split open and engulfed Null's hand, leaving him to stare at the slowly chewing mouth in shock. He was silent for a moment before lowering his eyes to half-mast. “Spit it out before I figure out how to neuter you.” The head made a snorting motion before spitting out a mangled collection of stone that might have once been a hand. Null’s eye twitched as he picked the limb up. “Scho-lar!” He whined as he waved the wreck miserably. “Null, stop antagonizing Cerberus.” Scholar deadpanned without turning around. Null’s eye twitched violently as he vibrated faster and faster. “Er...” Nix raised a finger slowly. “Don’t you have like... twenty spares or-?” “IT’S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE MATTER!” “‘An Ah thought our siblings were a hoof-full...” “I’m not quite sure what’s more abhorrent, this family’s fashion sense or the way they display their... ‘love’ for one another!” “Er... excuse me... Cerberus?” The dog-thing’s eyes blinked before rotating on its mass to face Fluttershy’s cage, the blackness splitting into three distinct head-like protuberances as they leaned over and examined the pink-maned pony within. “Er...” Fluttershy smiled nervously at the beast. “D-do you remember me? I-I was the mare who played w-with you when you came to Ponyville! I-I realize that you looked a lot different then, b-but we had a lot of fun, right?” Cerberus was silent for a moment... before slumping down onto its stomach, each of its pairs of eyes morphed into upside down Us and their maws split open to allow shadowy tongues to pant happily at the air. Fluttershy perked up noticeably at the positive reaction. “Oh good, I was afraid you’d forgotten about me! I’m so happy!” Meanwhile, Trixie moaned and whined as she slowly raised her hoof to her skull and shook her head as she leaned up. “Gah... oooh... what the heck happened to the Mighty and Infalliable-?” “Cerberus?” Gavrill piped up as she inspected her her claws indifferently. “Sic her.” In an instant, Cerberus was on its paws, his eyes narrowed in vicious slits as his jaws morphed into wide, tooth-filled maws. “ROOOOAAAARRR!” “EEP!” Fluttershy squeaked as her mane was blown back by the force of the blood-thirsty howl. Trixie’s body was stock still for a moment until her eyes slowly rolled up into her head and she slipped back into unconsciousness. “Now then, fuckface... mind if I call you fuckface?” Gavrill leered as she strolled up to Fluttershy’s cage. “Er, a-actually I would rather-!” Fluttershy stuttered, clutching her head as she kept watch of the ever-snarling heads mere feet from her. “Fuckface it is!” Gavrill nodded as she leant against the cage, interposing herself between the pony and hound. “Now fuckface, let’s get one thing straight: this rabies-ridden sack of pus?” She jerked her head back at Cerberus. “He’s with us. And I mean, totally with us. Anything we tell him to do? He. Fucking. Does it. We tell him to fetch someone, he fetches them. Shred someone, he shreds ‘em. Heck, it was a goddamn miracle that your Bleach-Butt’s collars worked for as long as they did in my opinion. But at the end of the day? No matter how much of a fucking friend you think you are or how much you think you matter, one fact will always be a fucking fact.” The Wolf jerked her thumb at herself. “He’s loyal to us, and only to us!” “BARK!” Cerberus’s maws let out simultaneous woofs of agreement. His middle head then leaned down and snapped down on Gavrill’s head and shoulders, nipping off her thumb in the process. The plaza froze again as everyone stared at the scene in shock. Gavrill herself was perfectly still. Slowly, she brought her hands up and felt the mouth that was holding her. Then, both her arms lashed out to her sides, lengthening and inflating as they grasped Cerberus’s side-heads by their muzzles and rammed them into the skull that was holding her captive, forcing it to open its jaws and drop her. Gavrill snarled furiously at the hound, her bitemarks stitching themselves shut in seconds. “You realize that that this means all-natural doggy kibble, right?” Cerberus’s jaws twisted into malefic leers that promised nothing but pain. Without warning, the sibling predators lunged at one-another... BAM! “GAH!” “WOOF!” And were halted by an explosion of light inches from their eyes. “Alright, you two, that’s enough of that.” Scholar chuckled as he dismissed the runes he’d been holding up. “You can get right back to shredding one another after we’re done. But for now!” He clapped his hands together definitively. “We have some work to do! Seath, we’ve had enough death for one day. Slap these soldiers in a regen cell and lock ‘em up tight. We’ll deal with them at a later date. And put Shining Armor’s spear in a secure location; I want to take a look at it later.” “Understood.” The dragon nodded as he waved his hands, causing the crystal beneath the comatose soldiers to light up in an arcane glow. The soldiers slowly sank through the light and out of sight. Twilight cast a nervous glance at Cadance, but refrained from saying anything when she saw the reassuring, if weary smile her foalsitter was giving her. “And what of those who have... records...” The word dripped from Seath’s tongue like an oil-soaked death sentence. Scholar chuckled morbidly in response, wringing his hands eagerly. “Oh hoh, I assure you, a fate worse than death awaits them!” “You make one improvement without supervision one time and no one ever lets you hear the end of it...” Fran pouted, puffing her cheeks out petulantly. Those older than a century winced and shuddered simultaneously as they fought to keep their bile down in response to the... disturbing images that were associated with that particular memory. “A-anyways...” Scholar gulped as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder at Cadance. “Her too. Max security. We pass judgement on her tomorrow for crimes against sapience.” As expected, cries of protest rang out from the Equestrians. What wasn’t expected were the numerous similar protests that erupted from varying members of the onlooking crowd. There was no coherence to the protests, every crystal pony saying something different. The important part was that it formed a solid wall of sound that said one thing. No. “... Uuuh... Iron Will... doesn’t...” Iron Will blinked numbly at the display, unable to conjure an appropriate response. “Oh, allow me!” Gilda offered politely before sucking in a deep breath. “WHAT THE FUCK!?” She screeched. Scholar groaned and slipped his fingers beneath his glasses as he kneaded the bridge of his nose. “Oh for the love of-!” He slipped his fingers down to his throat. “ALRI-!” “Ahem, Scholar?” The human ceased his proclamation upon Priscilla’s polite request. “What? What is it?” The towering humanoid gestured at her draconic progenitor. “I believe that my father can handle his citizens well enough.” Seath’s head was bowed, showing no sign of emotion as he listened to the complaints of those under his jurisdiction, his tentacles and tail tapping against the ground thoughtfully. Finally, without forewarning, he whipped his limbs up and rammed them down with an earth-shattering CRASH!, reared his head back, and ROARED! “SIIIIIIILEEEEEEEENCE!” All noise in the plaza came to a screeching halt. Again. “Hey, big, albino and ugly!” Vinyl called out from the stage, where Octavia was vigorously motioning at her roommate to, as they said in Detrot, shut the buck up. “We’re trying to play here! Think you guys could pick up and move it somewhere else if you’re not going to party!?” “My apologies, good performer,” Seath swept his arm and bowed his neck in apology. “We shall just be a moment more. Now then...” He drew himself upright and crossed his arms imperiously as he observed the assembled ponies. “Citizens of Vitrum!” He rumbled, his voice echoing throughout the city. “We have heard your opinion upon the matter of the judgment of Mi Amore Cadenza, and I assure you, it shall be taken into consideration. We will show her the leniency she is due for her actions...”  He slowly turned his head to glare down at the Alicorn, despite his lack of eyes. “But no more.” He finished quietly. Cadance flinched, but merely nodded in acknowledgment. With that, Seath waved his hand, prompting an arch of crystal to rise up before Cadance in her cage. The innards of the arch were immediately illuminated with a flash of magic and runes. Cadance sighed heavily as she stared into the light before taking a tentative step forwards. “Cadance!” She flinched and halted, glancing at Twilight through the runes of her cage. Twilight stared at her foalsitter, her mouth open but no words emerging. She tried to find something to say, anything, but... no matter how many books and how much of her acquired knowledge she poured over, but there was just... nothing. Cadance bit her lip for a second... before smiling. A single, simple, sorrowful smile. “Goodbye, Twilight.” And with that, she stepped through, the light died, and she was gone. The purple unicorn worked her jaw helplessly for a second before snapping an absolutely caustic glare at Scholar. “Do your worst.” Scholar droned as he inspected his fingernails. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” Twilight grit her teeth furiously before lowering her gaze. “So... what are you going to do to us now?” She asked in a dead manner. “You?” Scholar glanced at her out of the corner of his glasses. “Simple.” He snapped his fingers, prompting the ponies and dragon to flinch... As their cages dissolved around them. “Now, you go forth and party.” The Elements plus one blinked in shock. “Er... begging your pardon?” Rarity asked dumbly. “You heard the man!” Chrysalis rolled her eyes, grinning impishly. “It’s a party, so go ahead and party! After all, it’s not like you can do any real damage, especially with everyone around, and you can’t leave the city either, so there’s no real reason for us to hold you anymore! So go ahead!” She waved an armored hoof airily. “Enjoy yourselves! Have fun!” She raised her head and addressed the crowd. “My colleagues and I have some business to attend to before we can properly enjoy ourselves! We shall join you all shortly! Until then, have fun!” She looked up at Seath. “If you would?” Seath rumbled in agreement, bringing up an Array with a wave of his hand and causing light to appear under Scholar, his creations, Chrysalis and her inner circle, Priscilla, the trio of Academics and himself. Light erupted from below them and they were gone. Applejack stared at the empty space for a moment before turning to her friends. “So... whadda we do n... where’s Pinkie?” Suddenly, the sound of a needle scratching rang out as the music and lights became active in the plaza once anew. “LET’S PARTY!” Pinkie cried out enthusiastically as she slung her hoof over Vinyl’s shoulder. Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I can’t believe it... or rather, I believe it all too easily. Anyways, Spike, do me a favor and stay c- Spike? Spike!?” “Mmm!” The dragon moaned from the buffet table where he was gorging herself. “I dunno what that chaos stuff did to Pinky, but she definitely baked some good crystal cupcakes!” “Ergh, fine... Rarity, would you-?” “Excuse me, darling!” Rarity’s eyes glimmered as she sidled up next to a dancing Crystal Pony who had an amethyst belt around her waist. “I’m terribly sorry for intruding, but I couldn’t help but notice that admirable accessory you’re sporting! Would you mind telling me where you procured it?” “I... I... I’m afraid to even look, but... Applejack?” “AN’ TEN! YEEHAW!” Applejack hollered as she released the hoof of the struggling changeling she’d been holding down. “An’ that makes two in a row! Anyone else think they can take on an Apple? ‘Cause Ah’m warnin’ ya, I don’t know what mah family’s reputation was back in ya’lls time, but in this day an’ age, we’re known fer havin’ bark fer skin and sap in our veins! So come on! Who’s next?” “... Rainbow Dash? Fluttershy?” “THISH ISH THE BESHT SCHIDER AH’VE HAD IN... IN... IN THE LASHT TIME I’VE HAD SCHIDER!” Rainbow Dash crowed from the table where she was balancing on her rear hooves, mugs clutched in her forehooves and hanging off the ends of her wings. “WOOHOO! THISH ISH THE BESHT PARTY EVER!” Fluttershy glanced around the corner of the buffet table she was hiding behind before smiling at the mug she was clutching. “This is really good cider.” She whispered to herself before draining it in one go. “... ahhh fuck it! Spike! Pass me a mug!” -o- The second the light from the transportation array died down, Scholar pinned Nix and Null with a frigid glare. “Where is it?” Nix and Null were equally somber as they returned the look. “I’ve got it,” The green golem answered, her hands lighting up with green energy as she started to trace her fingers through the air before her. The energy trailed behind her digits, warping and melding the space it touched. “I have it locked up in a pocket. Give me a second, I- .” “How bad is it?” Seath growled darkly. “Bad.” Null growled, cracking his knuckles agitatedly. “‘Total wipe and use a back-up’ bad.” “He’s not fucking around there...” Gavrill snarled murderously. “This... we’re in deep shit here... real deep shit here.” Veronica nodded her head definitively in agreement. “Oh my...” Fran moaned, wringing two sets of hands, cranking a bolt with one of her free ones and biting the thumb of the other. “Damn it, one thing after another...” Chrysalis moaned as she ground her hoof into her forehead, the other changelings, even Chitter showing equal signs of agitation. Gilda glanced back and forth between the Oligarchs in confusion. “Alright, either I took a blow to the head I didn’t notice, or you guys are talking about something that’s way over my head. Care to let us in on the loop?” “Agreed.” Iron Will nodded flatly. Trixie let out a gargled moan. “Cerberus.” Scholar ordered firmly. “WOOF!” The canine mass of darkness drifted or padded or somehow made its way towards the blue mare, knelt over her... SLURP! “GAH!”  And proceeded to literally lick her from head to toe. “Gugh! Ack! Phbt!” Trixie sputtered as she wiped her hooves over her face in an effort to dislodge the pungent slime that had coated her body. “This is positively revolting! Who on Mundus-!” She promptly froze when she felt a breath of hot air wash over her. Slowly, she tilted her head up and stared at the canine that was towering above her. Trixie grinned nervously as she fought to keep from fainting again. “G-g-good Cerberus... N-no hard f-feelings about Tartarus... r-right? Heh... heheh... heeeh...” Cerberus let out a low rumbling growl... before panting happily and lapping at her vigorously. Trixie froze as the slobber dripped off her form, her eye twitching sporadically. “Trixie... has conflicted feelings about this... She also might require a new... everything from the hips down.” “Ahem!” Scholar coughed heavily into his fist, leveling a flat glare at the Magisters. “Are you all done fooling around yet, or is there more to your routine?” Gilda’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Yeesh, what got stuck in your robes?” “Gilda, Trixie, Iron Will, answer me honestly...” Null brought his hands together and closed his eyes for a moment before looking at them flatly. “How stupid do you think I am?” “Er...” “Ah...” “We don’t...” “Now.” “You’re a spastic dumbass.” “You and your sister follow every whim you can if it means you get a hoot out of it.” “The two of you are absolutely deranged.” “All true.” Null nodded in agreement. “Now... do those still apply in a fight?” The griffon, minotaur and unicorn glanced at one another before shaking their heads. “No.” Iron Will grunted. “When it comes to combat, you’re pragmatic, clinical, efficient...” “That pocketwatch didn’t actually possess you, did it?” Gilda stated more than asked. “You wouldn’t have made as stupid a mistake as grabbing it by accident, not if you were in the middle of a fight.” “So what could have been the purpose of that charade?” Trixie bit her lip in thought. “A signal? A message?” “A warning.” Nix stated darkly, jerking her hand a final time and coalescing her energies into a solid green disc before her. “That one of Null’s artifacts is acting up, becoming an immediate threat. It’s covert, so that no one who doesn’t know about it knows what’s going on. It’s to be used for emergencies only. And this!” She jerked her hand, causing the disc to split open into four separate pieces. She then drew her hands backwards, prompting a glowing orb of runes containing an object to drift through the opening and into view. “This goes far beyond the word ‘emergency.” The Oligarchs and Duke recoiled in horror as they stared at the object, while the Magisters choked in visceral, instinctual disgust. “Oh no...” Scholar breathed, his knuckles turning white as he redoubled his grip on his book. “This can’t be happening.” Chrysalis shook her head in denial. “Not kosher!” Chitter squeaked. “What...” Gilda gagged as she tried to keep her bile down. “What in all the nine circles of hell is that thing!?” Bound within the runes and energy was a... it could be loosely defined as a book. Very, very loosely. If books struggled. And pulsed. And bled. And felt totally, utterly wrong on a basic, animal level. “Is that thing’s cover made of skin!?” Iron Will asked weakly. “Does that thing have a face!?” Trixie whimpered. “Better question than all of them combined!” Scholar spoke up, hastily regaining his wits and replacing his trepidation with anger. “Why. Is it. Alive!?” The room shook with the amount of magic packed into his voice. Nix and Null barely reacted as they glanced at one another before addressing their creator solemnly. “You know why, Scholar.” Nix whispered. “Scholar...” Null shook his head and clutched at his globular head wearily. “It... it made me praise Cthulhu. And he wasn’t even one of them. There’s only one reason why it’d be reacting like this. I know it, Nix knows  it... and you know it.” “Well we don’t!” Gilda squawked. “In case you’ve forgotten, we’re out of the loop here! Could someone tell us what that is!” She jabbed a talon at the struggling tome. “And why in the name of Hades, Pluto, and every other dark and deadly god in existence is it screaming!?” “That...” Priscilla fingered her scythe uneasily. “Is the Necronomicon.” “Or at least...” Seath rumbled. “It is our world’s variation of it. It is an Eldritch tool, and one of the few constants of the multiverse. In every world where there is life, the Necronomicon will find a way to worm itself into existence. From there... it serves as a gateway for its progenitors, opening doorways into unwitting minds, and allowing the creatures who spawned it to manipulate and interact with mortals at will.” “Before today, this thing was inactive.” Null glared at the book. “Dead as a doornail with enough left over energies for a good laugh. Now... now it’s back at full, mind-rending power, plus change. And there’s only one reason it’d come back to life.” “The Eldritch Court is returning.” “GAH!” “SONNUVA!” The Magisters jumped when the until-now silent bandaged woman who had been shadowing Fran spoke up, reminding everyone of her presence. “The Eldritch Court is returning from its exile.” She whispered in a raspy voice. Two of Cerberus’s heads let out vicious growls as they bore their fangs. The third whimpered pitifully and bowed low. Scholar nodded slowly in agreement. “Adorea is right. The only way that the Necronomicon could regain its powers... would be if its masters were becoming active once anew. I am afraid... that the Eldritch Court is indeed returning to Mundus.” “Iron Will is going to go out on a limb and say that’s a bad thing,” the minotaur said. “Apoplectic.” Adorea whispered in reply. Scholar let out a morbid chuckle as he leaned against a wall, pressing his palm against his forehead. “To comprehend the sheer scale of what we’re dealing with here, you must first understand what we define as ‘Eldritch’. And to be honest... no one can. That’s...” His chuckle took on a slightly manic tone. “That’s how we define them: the undefinable. These are... things! Not even monsters, monsters can be killed, have been killed! Things! Things that... that... that warp everything around them. Merely by existing.” “We feared them.” Chrysalis stated factually, her voice devoid of all emotion. “Every one of us to the last. What other reaction is there to something like that? To something whose sole discernible emotions are anger and hatred?” “The last time we fought them...” Scholar shut his eyes and shook his head slowly. “When we expelled them from Mundus. It... it was the founding of Concordia. I mean, we- the rest of the Oligarchs and I- had been forming Concordia for years before that. Struggling to pull everything together. We were close. But that... that war... it was the keystone of our empire. Because when you go into a fight like that...” He slowly turned his head to stare sadly at his subordinates. “You either leave it together... or you don’t leave it. At all.” Trixie, taking in that information, swayed on her hooves, barely staying upright. Beside her, Iron Will had fallen back on his haunches, while Gilda had simply frozen in an expression of stunned horror. “I-it took all of the Oligarchs…?” Trixie breathed. Seath bowed his head, almost leveling his head with his waist. “More than all of them. I might not have participated at the time, but I certainly observed and read the reports. It took armies to expunge them from our realm. The odds were... insurmountable. The victory we won, and the life we live today... a miracle. Each and every second of it.” “That conflict... it was years in the making.” Scholar started flipping through his book. “I... me and so many other intellectuals and strategists, we spent close to a decade writing out the strategy, plotting out every instance we could foresee. It doesn’t matter how many times parts of it failed or blew up, without that time to prepare...” Chrysalis slowly shook her head. “I don’t even want to consider what would have happened in that madness.” Gilda finally unclenched her beak and started to speak. “And... they’re coming back.” Veronica tilted her fedora down over her eyes. “It’s the only explanation for the Necronomicon.” “No hope of negotiating... anything?” Chitter swallowed heavily. “Only ones who’d communicate either left peacefully or are still here, somewhere, left alone. The Court is nothing but bad juju.” Iron Will slowly brought his hand up to his muzzle and rubbed it heavily. “How... long do we have?” “Judging by the book?” Priscilla glared at the howling tome. “Distinctly less than a decade.” Silence reigned for a moment. “So...” Trixie started slowly. “We’re fucked?” Scholar thought for a moment before speaking. “No. No, we aren’t. This time, we’re fighting a defensive battle, plus they’ve spent a long time locked between worlds. Very little comes out of that looking pretty. I think that if we meet them with everything we have, then we stand a decent chance.” Gilda and Iron Will let out sighs of relief. Trixie’s pupils dilated in horror. “Everything?” She squeaked. Iron Will and Gilda looked at her in confusion before paling in realization. “Everything.” Scholar confirmed grimly. “And everyone. Or at least something equivalent.” Gilda worked her beak for a second before sputtering. “I- that’s- why the hell haven’t they attacked before!? Equestria could never match them in any number of millenia!” “They wouldn’t have to.” Seath huffed. “As insurmountable as the Court might be, credit to the alicorns, harmony is a hell of a thing. They couldn’t have come near Mundus if they tried. But now... now the harmony has been disrupted by magic. The world is shattered. It must be reforged to withstand the coming storm... one way or another.” “...What are you saying?” Iron Will asked slowly. “He’s saying that we’re over a barrel.” Gavrill growled, pacing agitatedly like a caged animal. “We can’t negotiate with Celestia and Luna because they have all the cards. They don’t need to ally with us. They know that harmony can protect the world, and so do we. If we want this world to survive, we have two options: we win this war, fast, free everyone and get ready for the fight of our lives... or we surrender to Equestria, full-stop. Harmony coats the world, protecting it from harm.” She suddenly lashed out with her fist, burying it wrist-deep in the crystalline wall. "Forever.” The room fell silent as everyone processed the ultimatum before them, Nix taking the opportunity to shove the Necronomicon back in the hole in reality she’d pulled it from before it could rile anyone up further. Finally, Null broke the silence. “Well... come on!” He spread his hands wide. “W-we can do this! I mean, you said it yourself, they’re not strong enough to face the Court, surely we can take them! Just, come on!” He gestured at the Magisters. “How strong are they? Really?” The trio looked at one another slowly before Iron Will groaned and hauled himself to his feet. “Iron Will will explain.” He cleared his throat and crossed his arms. “As it stands, the current pony population across the globe, counting provinces of Equestria and entirely separate nations, is approximately two billion individuals.” “Two billion!?” Veronica choked. “What happened to the hardy eighty million of old!?” Rotfang demanded. “Two thousand years of population growth is what happened,” Iron Will replied. “Plus earth ponies are really good at sowing their seed.” Gilda quipped. “Moving on,” Iron Will growled, glaring at the interruption. “From what demographic records survived, population growth before Princess Luna’s corruption into Nightmare Moon was close to two percent every year.” All three Oligarchs, as well as Fran, froze in stunned amazement. Chitter’s scrunched an eye shut and stuck his tongue out the side of his mouth for a moment before freezing in horror. “Wuh-oh.” “Ha! Only two percent? That’s, like, nothing!” Null laughed. Scholar and Nix’s reactions were to simply slap their hands to their faces. “Cousin...” Priscilla stated in exasperation. “You have a calculator in your head. I’d suggest you take the time to use it!” Null paused as if in deep thought, before a look of dawning horror spread over his face. “Iron Will sees you grasp the implications. The Equestrian population was doubling every thirty-five years. The one silver lining is that after Luna’s fall from grace, the pony population’s growth came to a screeching halt, presumably because there simply wasn’t any more space without driving out another race or going where they really didn’t want to go.” “You mean the Realms?” Seath asked. “Indeed.” Trixie nodded. “They have all been sealed, and we have had little luck breaching them. But that is neither here nor there.” “Indeed.” Iron Will nodded. “That is merely their population. What matters here is their military. As it stands, including all nations, Equestrian and otherwise, an average of one percent of the global population takes up a military career of some form or another. Of that percentage, about one half of them are merely glory-seekers who wish to join the guard for the image it projects. The rest are from military families or are truly determined. And of that number, only about half of them have the necessary experience and skill to be a tangible threat to a well-trained member of the Academia. These are the ponies who count as actual soldiers.” It wasn’t merely silent in the room. It was... noiseless. Not a single sound. All anyone could or would dare to do was stare at the minotaur in sheer, unrestrained horror. “To elaborate...” Iron Will rumbled darkly. “The Alicorns have almost five million soldiers who are more than capable of fighting us. In addition to fifteen million other loyal soldiers who, while distinctly weaker, must be factored in. In all? A military of twenty million. Give or take a few hundred thousand.” Veronica was the first to find her voice. “That’s not a military,” she squeaked. “THAT’S A MEDIUM-SIZED FUCKING COUNTRY!” Gavrill roared. “W-what about us?” Fran stammered. “How many do we have on our side!?” “Counting the disciples and students of the Academia, as well as the descendants of non-Academia individuals, factoring in the changelings and citizens of Vitrum that were liberated...” Gilda counted on her talons before sighing. “Close to six hundred thousand... rounding up.” Null scratched the side of his head nervously for a second before slowly raising a finger. “The... Spartan Three Hundred faced worse odds?” Nix shot an acrid glare at her twin. “The Three Hundred were eventually slaughtered like dogs.” Null flinched but remained silent. Trixie placed her head between her hooves and shook it slowly. “What do we do?” She asked quietly. Scholar perked up at the question. “Now? Right now? At this instance? That’s the easy question.” He clapped his hands together definitively. “Absolutely jack shit.” The Magisters stared at him in shock. “Ex-cuse Trixie!?” The unicorn sputtered. “Well, come on!” Scholar spread his arms helplessly. “What did you expect we were going to do? Jump straight into it? Hell no!” He snorted derisively. “I don’t know if you noticed, but we kind of just liberated an entire city. The city! We have given ourselves a foothold, a starting point! The war hasn’t started in earnest yet, no, but we have just scored ourselves an unequivocal, resounding victory! This is far from the time to be moody and depressed, to worry about the future! This is the time to celebrate! So go on!” He marched over to the door to the room and flung it wide, gesturing towards the hallway. “Go, all of you! Leave, celebrate! We have the information we need, it’s as simple as that! We’ll deal with everything at a later date, when we’ve had a chance to unwind and relax! But for now, we revel in our victory, and we dream of all the better tomorrows to come. So go ahead, all of you! Have fun! And if you need someone to worry, leave that to me. Alright? Actually, on second thought, forget that. It’s an order, a direct one. All of you out, gogogo!” The assembled soldiers and leaders looked at one another bemusedly before Rotfang finally stepped forwards. “I have decided!” He declared. “To get larva-fucking drunk! Who the hell is with me!” “Aye-aye, brother!” Lacewing crowed. “Me three, me three!”  Chitter whooped. “The hive has spoken.” Chrysalis chuckled. “Hey, kibble-breath!” Gavrill growled through her massive grin. “You, me, and a few thousand fans screaming for us to shred each other in the Colosseum. You in?” “WOOF!” Cerberus barked eagerly. “To the nearest source of booze!” Gilda proclaimed. “The Magnificent and Majestic TRIXIE longs to entertain the masses once more!” The unicorn swept her cape back dramatically. “And Iron Will will need to keep the two of you out of jail.” Iron Will groaned good-naturedly. “Shall we, daughter?” Seath gestured. “After you, father.” The demi-humanoid curtsied politely. “HI HO, LET’S GO!” The Golem Twins whooped ecstatically. And with that, the assorted individuals began to make their way out of the room, splitting off into their own directions to reach their own destinations. Scholar left the door and wandered back into the room itself, deep in thought as he flicked through his Lexicon and muttered to himself. The sound of the door clicking shut prompted him to glance over his shoulder at the exit... and then to snap his head around entirely when he saw who was in front of it. “Fran?” He asked in confusion. “Why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be getting back to your manor to direct triage or-?” “What is it?” The artificial woman asked firmly. Scholar’s eye twitched minutely as he smiled a wide, honest smile. “Wrong? Nothing’s wrong. I mean, come on, have you seen me today? I’m in-!” BA-BUMP! He hissed in a minute breath through his slightly strained grin. “Peak condition, physically and magically speaking!” Fran’s flat glare and trio of crossed arms spoke volumes of how unimpressed she was with his performance. “Scholar, I will kindly ask you to respect me as an equal in the field of general intellect, and as your superior in medical knowledge. I can read your micro-expressions like a roadmap, and for a second, just like before, you were in intense pain, this time without performing a feat of magic. What. Is. Wrong.” Scholar’s right hand clenched unconsciously, but he hastily moved it behind his back as his smile became all too strained. “Fran, please. I swear to you, I’m fine. It’s really none of your business, just-” “FATHER!” Fran barked fiercely, causing Scholar to flinch back as she marched up to him in a storm of indignant fury. “I am the Surgeon General of Concordia! I am in charge of all health-related matters within this city, and the wellbeing of every living creature within these borders is exactly my business! You will tell me what’s wrong with you, or so help me I will tranquilize you, haul you back to my manor and vivisect you to find the problem!” She huffed furiously for a second before allowing the tension to flow out of her face, replacing her frustration with intense concern. “Father... ” She begged, bringing one hand up to his shoulder, and another to his face. “Please...” Scholar let himself relax at her touch for a moment before sighing heavily and stepping back, raising his hands to brush her off. “Fran... I’m sorry... but... I just can’t alright. You wouldn’t even begin to understand in the first place.” Fran grit her teeth in frustration made to respond... then suddenly let her expression go slack as she focused on his right hand. “Does it have anything with the dilapidated array on your body that looks like it’s about to disintegrate?” She squeaked. Scholar’s eyes shot wide in panic as he whipped his hand around, staring in horror at the cracked, chipped and worn lines of white energy that had appeared on his skin, running into and from an inhumanely intricate design in the center of his palm. He unconsciously snapped his book open with his free hand, intent on doing something, anything... And could do naught but watched as the light in the array died, the runes and designs fading to a stony gray before crumbling, falling off his hand and down his arm, the devastation disappearing into his sleeves. Scholar’s breathing hitched momentarily. “Oh. Shi-!” eeeeeEEEEEEEEEE-WHI-CRACK! Pain. That... that was the only word. The only single word physically capable of even beginning to grasp Scholar’s world in that instance. No light. No dark. No sight, sound, touch, taste or smell. No memory. No past, present or future. No war. No peace. Just pain. Enough pain to overwrite any thought or memory. Enough pain to define his world in its entirety. When he finally, regained some modicum of thought, his vision was filled with Fran’s terrified face, lightly shaking his shoulders and saying something. But whatever it was, he didn’t hear it and he didn’t have the time to read her lips. Instead, he grasped her shoulder and spoke. “D-doctor...” He slurred. “D-doctor-p-patient conf-fidentiality...” Fran blinked in confusion, her lips asking some form of question. He was able to make out a protest of some form. In an instant, Scholar’s mind was flooded with enough magic to banish any and all pain from his body. Quick as a whip, he snapped his hand out, grabbed Fran by the collar of her labcoat and jerked her forwards so that they were face to face. “DOCTOR-PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY!” He roared. Fran gaped at him in abject terror, barely breathing as she stared at him. Scholar had to fight to keep himself from apologizing when he noticed the moisture in the corner of his eyes. He wanted to, god knows he did... but the gravity of the situation meant he couldn’t afford it. She needed to understand how critical the crisis was. It killed him, stabbed at his core... but he couldn’t let anyone else know. Fran was bad enough. No one else. No one... Vworrrp... Vworrrrp... He stood corrected. Almost no one. Scholar hauled himself and Fran to their feet, whipping around to face the tall blue box that was slowly materializing in the room. “I will explain...” He hissed under his breath. “Later. But for now... business as usual.” Fran’s hands clenched into fists, but she hardened her expression and nodded slowly. “Business as usual.” She parroted in a dead tone. Finally, the box materialized in full, and the door swung open with an ancient, ancient creak. From between the doors trotted a stallion. He was a simple, average stallion in most all respects. Light brown fur, messy dark brown mane and tail, wide blue eyes... in fact, the only outstanding aspect of him was his Cutie Mark. A golden hourglass, with sand flowing from the top half down to the bottom. Scholar and the stallion stared at one another impassively for what seemed to be an eternity. Neither moved, neither breathed, neither spoke. They just... looked at one another. Both seemingly in their primes, and yet... at their cores, unspeakably ancient. Titans come face to face. Finally, Scholar’s composure broke, a light smile playing across his lips. “It’s been far too long, Doctor.” The stallion grinned in turn. “Too long indeed, Scholar. Far, far too long.” And with that, the tension broke. Both laughed enthusiastically as they lunged forwards, Scholar kneeling down to accept the Doctor’s hug. “Ah, come on, you old fart! It must have passed by in the blink of an eye for someone like you!” “Pshaw!” The Doctor threw his head back and snorted dismissively. “Now why would I do something like that? Skipping about all willy nilly? That’s just downright improper! Naw, I felt it best to take the scenic route!” “A scenic route that took you straight through a certain princess’s wedding, eh?” Scholar released the Doctor and stood up, shooting a cheeky grin at the time traveler. “Ah, you noticed me?” The Doctor chuckled. “Who else would have responded to Null’s banana joke?” Scholar rolled his eyes. He then frowned and crossed his arms as he looked down at the Doctor. “So...” The Doctor’s expression fell and he looked down and away. “I... I did try. But sometimes...” He sighed heavily and ran a hoof through his mane. “Neither omniscient nor omnipotent, simply the best. The words you used to describe us, Oligarchs and equals alike. But... I suppose that my best just wasn’t enough. Believe me, it hasn’t been more times than I care to count.” Scholar was solemn as he observed his age-old friend. “You have a debt to pay, Doctor. And it must be paid in full.” The Doctor sighed heavily and nodded. “Very well then...” The human grinned cheekily. “A quarter of a million standard credits.” “WHAT!?” The Doctor squawked indignantly. “Th- b- that’s highway robbery!” He shook his hoof at the human indignantly. “I owed you ten credits, at most!” “Two thousand years of interest is a bi-atch!” Scholar crowed. “That’s twelve-thousand and fifty percent interest per year!” “Phbt!” Scholar blew a raspberry at the Time Lord. “I- you-! Gagh!” The Doctor threw his hooves up in disbelief. “You are just as insufferable as you were all those years ago! Simply... unbelievable!” “Heheheh...” Scholar chuckled before gazing curiously at the blue box. “Anyways... you have someone in there, right? Because I’ll find someone for you if you don’t, and it will be someone I made from the ground up.” “Oh, no no no!” The Doctor shook his head vigorously as he turned around and stepped up to the box’s doors. “I’ve got companions, I swear! Four, in fact! One moment, I’ll go and get them. I told them to remain inside until I, ah...” “Ensured I hadn’t become the kind person who would blast them without remorse?” Scholar asked, a glimmer of humor in his glasses. “Hmmm...” The Doctor tapped his chin before grinning and nodding. “Yes, that’s about right.” And with that, he pushed the door open. “It’s alright you lot! Come on out, meet a good friend of mine!” Out of the box came four female ponies. They consisted of a light gray pegasus with a blonde mane , misaligned eyes and a bubble Cutie Mark, a light purple unicorn filly with a blonde mane, a light pink juvenile unicorn with a purple mane and three diamonds for a Cutie Mark, and a yellow earth pony with a curly orange mane and a bushel of carrots for a Cutie Mark. “Wooow...” The pegasus breathed as she took in the crystalline composure of the room. “This is a really nifty place, Doctor!” “Yeah! It’s really pretty!” The filly piped up, eagerly looking about. She suddenly focused on Fran and smiled eagerly. “Oh! And she’s really pretty!” The filly made to gallop towards Fran, but was stopped when she was picked up by an amethyst aura. “How about we not do that, alright Lil ’sis?” The slightly older unicorn suggested nervously. “Awww, Big ‘sis!” Meanwhile, the earth pony was shaking violently as she stared at Scholar in horror. “D-D-Doctor!” She half stammered, half squawked. “T-this is the ‘friend’ you wanted us to meet!? Are you cra-!” She facehoofed and tried again. “Are you trying to get us all killed!?” “Bah, there there, Carrot Top!” The Doctor reassured her as he patted her on the back. “I assure you, Scholar is a dear friend of mine, and he’d never hurt any of you!” The last part was accompanied by a swift, literally momentary murderous glare at the human in question before the smile returned. “But anyways! Scholar, allow me to introduce you to Derpy ‘Ditzy’ Hooves,” “Hello!” The wall-eyed pegasus waved happily. “Dinky,” “Hi!” The filly waved with equal energy. “Sparkler,” “Er... hey...” The teenager waved half-heartedly. “And Carrot Top!” The earth pony chose to swallow heavily. Scholar smiled and waved in turn. “Greetings to you all! I’m Scholar, and this is my daughter Fran Madaraki!” He gestured at the medical professional, who smiled and bowed politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” Fran smiled pleasantly before addressing Derpy. “Ah, Miss Hooves, about your eyes...” “It’s fine, I’m used to it by now,” The pegasus waved her hoof indifferently, her smile never leaving her face. “Ah, it’s not that. I’m a doctor, a medical one you see, and-!” “Fran...” The Doctor spoke up warningly. Fran puffed out her cheeks in response. “I’d be supervised! Honestly, one time...” “There’s no need, Miss Madaraki, really!” Derpy shook her head. “I’m happy with my eyes, thank you very much, but thanks for offering.” “Ah well...” Scholar chuckled at the interaction before noticing a slight tugging sensation on his robes. “Um, excuse me? Mister Scholar?” Looking down, he caught sight of Dinky trying to get his attention. “Dinky!” Sparkler yelped upon noticing she’d let the filly go. “Don’t-!” “It’s fine, it’s fine!” Scholar smiled kindly as he knelt down and ruffled the filly’s hair. “Is there something you wanted to say to me, Dinky?” The little unicorn chuckled at the nice feeling then nodded. “Yeah, I do! I’ve got a question for you!” “Well go ahead and ask it!” “Well...” Dinky frowned and tilted her head to the side. “Are you going to destroy the world?” The room froze as all attention snapped to the filly and mage. Scholar frowned and crossed his arms. “What makes you ask that?” “The stuff that big version of you said.” Dinky replied honestly. “I didn’t know what a lot of it meant, but some ponies were saying before we left that you were gonna end the world and stuff. Carrot Top was really scared of you.” “Was she now?” Scholar mused as he shot an amused look at the named pony. A slight gurgling sound came out of the earth pony’s throat as a result. “And, well... you can’t really destroy the world, you know!” “Oh?” Scholar raised his eyebrow at the filly. “And why is that?” “‘Cause the Doctor would stop you, duh!” Dinky smiled as she stated the simple, truthful fact. “He’s done it lotsa times before, and he’ll always be there to do it again!” The air became tense in the silence that followed the statement... until Scholar laughed and ruffled Dinky’s mane again. “You’re right!” He concurred. “The Doctor has saved the world lots and lots and lots of times in the past! And he’s going to do it lots and lots and lots of times in the future too! But luckily, I don’t want to destroy the world!” “You don’t?” The ponies asked. Well, Dinky and Derpy asked happily, Sparkler stuttered and Carrot Top squawked in disbelief. “Nope!” Scholar shook his head definitively. “I just... want to change it, that’s all. The world will be different as a result, but I promise you, it won’t be destroyed!” Dinkie put on a pair of massive puppydog eyes and pouted as cutely as she could. Which was to say, very much so. “Pinkie Promise?” Scholar chuckled and went through the motions. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” “Yay!” The filly bounced happily. “Now then!” Scholar stood to his full height and stuck his finger high into the air. “This city is in the midst of the grandest Pinkie Party of all time! How about you all go and enjoy it? Me and the Doctor have some unfinished business to discuss, alright?” “Oh, can we mommy? Can we? Can we?” Dinky squealed eagerly. “Of course we can, my little muffin!” Derpy smiled happily as she scooped her daughter up in a hug. Sparkler tried to find something to say for a moment before sighing and shrugging. “Bah, what the heck. Sounds like fun!” Carrot Top looked at the other ponies like they were all mad before sighing and hanging her head. “Why me...” “Fantastic!” Scholar clapped his hands together as he smiled at Fran. “Fran, would you mind guiding these good souls to the festivities?” The ponies all gave the Doctor inquiring looks with varying amounts of skepticism, which he responded to with a reassuring nod and smile. Fran momentarily shot him an indignant look before sighing heavily and accepting defeat. “Very well, Scholar. I’ll show them the way out. But I am coming right back, understand?” The last part carried no small amount of threat. Scholar allowed a minute amount of regret to enter his stance. “Completely.” He breathed. Fran pursed her lips before wheeling around and striding out of the room. Dinky, Sparkler, and Carrot Top followed her with varying amounts of reluctance, though Derpy halted, hovering near his shoulder as she gave him a concerned look. “Child troubles?” She asked gently. Scholar flinched and glanced over his shoulder at Fran, who was happily demonstrating her numerous limbs to a mesmerized Dinky. “I... betrayed her trust... and hurt her...” Derpy’s eyes momentarily came into focus as she stared at the human. “Do you care for her?” Scholar met her eyes with determination. “More than anything.” Derpy’s smile came back in an instant. “Then it’ll all work out!” And with that, she flew off to join the rest. Scholar smiled after as she went, even as the Doctor stepped up next to him wearing a similar expression. “She’s a wonderful mare.” The Doctor beamed and nodded in agreement as his companions stepped out the door. “That she is. That she is.” The second the door to the room closed, Scholar and the Doctor’s expressions became deathly grave. “How bad is it?” The Doctor stated more than asked in a stony voice. “It’s only just started...” Scholar growled as he clutched his right hand. “But I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop it.” He scowled and shook his head. “I... two thousand years, Doctor. I had time. So much time, and now... now it’s all gone. In the blink of an eye. Although...” Scholar let out a grim chuckle. “I suppose you wouldn’t know what that’s like, would you?” The Doctor looked up his old friend with ancient, sorrowful eyes. “I wish I didn’t. I truly, truly wish I didn’t.” Scholar tried to find a response, but merely resorted to shaking his head again. “I don’t want to go...” He stated numbly. “For once in my life, I really, really don’t want to go. I just... I...” The Doctor placed his hoof on his friend’s leg, this time smiling sadly. “I know what that feels like too.” Scholar looked down at his friend for a second before sighing, expelling all his misery and grievances in a single breath. Without flair or panache, the human waved a hand through the air, conjuring up a trail of runes that followed his fingers and illuminated the air. In response, a section of the wall glowed and shrank away, opening a hole to the outside and allowing a wall of noise and light to enter. Slowly, without so much as a care in the world, the mismatched duo stepped through the opening and onto the newly formed balcony, staring out over the wide, wide crystalline metropolis. Scholar and the Doctor wordlessly watched as the festivities took place, soaking in the sheer amount of life below them. Finally, the Doctor spoke. “Was it worth it?” Scholar was silent for a full minute before finally reacting. “Hm?” “This.” The Doctor jerked his head, indicating the festivities. “All of it. Was it worth all the death and bloodshed that’s occurred today? Is this the Vitrum you dreamed of returning to? In your honest opinion I mean.” Scholar chewed the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. “Well... without my friends... the Oligarchs... and all the other species and beautiful, beautiful beings that populated it... it’s not whole. It’s not... complete. It’s Vitrum, but it’s... hollow. Ever so slightly empty...” Suddenly, the sound of whooshing and whizzing drew the attention of the two ancients, and they watched as numerous streaks of light shot up into the sky. All grew dark for a moment. Then... BOOM! The night lit up in a dizzying array of patterns, designs, colors... Scholar allowed a smile to slide onto his face. “Yeah... yeah, it was worth it. It all will be.” The Doctor smiled and nodded in agreement. And with that, Scholar and the Doctor stood there, and for the first time in a long time... They knew peace.