Release

Beel's POV Present Day

"Dude, I really don't understand why I'm dressed like this?" I asked weary from the thought of soon being exposed to a hall full of people in a silly costume.

"I can... emon." I only heard a muffled response coming from the other side of the bathroom stall. "What?!"

"Uff, I said that I cannot be Gallantmon without a Beelzemon"

As I opened the bathroom door I give him my best deadpan stare, "Really you can't be a weird knight without a three-eyed guy wrapped in black leather?"

"Of course not, every hero needs a villain."

"Beel its your turn"

"Beel its your turn"
"Beel its your turn"

"BEEL ITS YOUR DAMN TURN"

"Shit!" I nearly forgot how eardrum-smashing was Tirek's shout.

Doing my best to not fall of my chair and remember what I was doing before I took my little stroll down memory lane, I start to check my surroundings; charred floors, multiple hallways filled with demons from different species, a wide area replete with worn down tables in the center of a towering prison complex. 'Yep, still in Tartarus'. A final glance down the table is all that it's needed to confirm my worst nightmares.

"Poker, again. Don't you ever get tired of playing the same game every single time."

"It sure beats your favorite hobby, spacing out like a moron mid-game." Of course this is enough for Tirek and the other meat-sack at the table to laugh like the retards they are, "Now will you raise or do you bail-out like the deadbeat you undoubtedly are?"

"Is there even a point you're going to cheat, AGAIN!"

"Oh don't be a foal, maybe this time I didn't."

'Yea right', "Fine, I raise."

"Lay them down, boys!"

"Three of a kind," Tirek's groupie cautiously exclaims.

"Full-House," as I'm laying down the cards everyone around us stops dead in their tracks to possibly witness the first time Tirek has ever lost in poker.

'As if', "Royal flush," now keener eyes than mine will notice that his hand is comprised of cards of different sets of decks.

"Was there even any doubt, that playing with you is an exercise in pointlessness ."

"HAHAHA, no not even one, as king of this land losing for me is impossible!"

"You little piece o-" Before I could finish to lose my temper and get my ass handed to me by the strongest guy in this entire place, we begin to hear loud shouting from the cell blocks that only seem to get louder by the second until it turned into a full stampede.

Not wasting any time I focus my hearing to make sense of the shouting to hear the words, "Cerberus gone .... NOW is our chance!" Standing up from my chair like the place is set on fire, technically it is, I run to my cell for the only thing that really matters to me in this twisted world of insane horses, my blacklist.
After tackling a demon or two who happened to be in my way, I arrived at my cell and start searching bellow my make shift bed to find my only treasure just where I left it. Taking a small peak to confirm it hasn't damaged, "Good, only some scratches," I stuck it away in my left pocket and ran towards the gates of the building as I shouted, "Finally all those idiots will regret not finishing me of when they had the chance." 'Weird', it seems being trapped an eternity with a bunch of self-obsessed demons started to rub on me, huh.

Beel's POV 1432 years ago

"Me the villain? I'm sure that I would make a sad excuse for one," I asked David while strapping my boots,"besides aren't you the one with a dragon's head for a hat."

"That is more like it, I was afraid your stage-fright would reduce you to only whining every five minutes for the whole Con." David answered while grabbing his makeshift shield.

"When did I ever start whining?" I asked as he was playing with his cape.

"More like when did you stop; Why do you need me for a cosplay contest? Why do we need a ton black leather? Who is my character? Why does it look like a reject from The Crow?" he turns back at me, "It really got annoying."

"Well what did you expect, you know I'm no good with large crowds," I shrugged back while looking at my massive gun-props, "Anyway, I still don't know who I'm supposed to be playing."

"Relax, I already told you," David says while bumping my shoulder, "if anyone asks who are you? You strike a pose and tell them I'm The Great Beelzemon."

'The Great Beelzemon, really, it seriously can't get any worse', "Let's get this over with."

"Now that you are in nicer mood, how about we check the booths," David said while leaving the restroom. "Who knows maybe you find something you like?"

Beel's POV Present Day

The battle at prison grounds was for the lack of a better word "METAL as HELL"
Epics will be told of the bravery of a legion of pegasi and unicorn guards taking head on the worst of Tartarus and it's surely a day that will live on my memories to the end of my days. After all I had the best view of the raging conflict, nearly atop the cliff beneath the gates of Tartarus.

"You better hurry up you buffoon, my kingdom awaits!" Tirek screamed a few meters bellow me.

Unfortunately I wasn't the only one with the idea of skipping the battle and make a dash towards the exit. Turns out Tirek had most of his minions creating a meat-shield around him to ensure at least he got out. This also meant having the undivided attention of the best sharpshooters trying to zap me like a fly. A hail of lazers was just above us.

"Those imbeciles can't even shoot straight"

"Wait, they are not shooting at us," I looked up and saw the cliff-side began to crumble, "Rockslide!"

I put all my strength into one final push to reach freedom and jump. My heart skipped a beat as I stretched my arms towards salvation. Barely making it, I hastily get back in my feet imagining that if there were some crows tuck away in Tartarus, they would be flying around me. But before I can continue my euphoria induced fantasies a well familiar shout brings me back to reality.

"Beelzemon, Help me!" I looked down to see Tirek barely hanging at the edge of the cliff. At this point I cannot help to flash the biggest smug grin in my life. "I swear if you betray me now, I'll skin you alive and throw you in the deepest pit in Tartarus!"

I merely crouch in front of him and calmly say, "Tirek, SHUUUT UUP!" and give him a well deserved punch across the face. I couldn't even hear his curses and insults as he fell due to the sound of my own laughter.

As I turned around and opened the massive black doors there was just one thought on my mind.

'Totally worth it'

Revelations

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Very few people can appreciate something as simple as the wind in your face, but after a long time in that hole, well I count myself in that select list. Especially that in Tartarus the common breeze is the daily volcanic fumes, and Tirek's need for mouth wash.

I allow myself to drift in my stupor of finally seeing the surface to wake up, and realize there is no Cerberus and no guards, but a lonely black tower to my left. Deciding that if I wanted to get some supplies for my long trip back to civilization, or what counts as "civilization" in this pastel madness, that was my best bet. 'After all there was some assholes I was eager to make up the lost time with'.

The tower itself on the outside perspective was uninteresting, standard black granite-like stone and circular structure, but in the inside was another story. Instant coffee; refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers. I was pretty sure the last time I was in a pony's house half of this was at least five-hundred years beyond their time. Almost immediately after processing what I just saw, I panic and search for a calendar.

"Come on, come on there has to be one around somewhere!" I start to tear down the walls and then the tables, until I found one attached to the refrigerator. "Finally. Now what was the date last time I checked one..." For the life of me I couldn't remember what was the date of the last day I was in Equestria, but I recalled that the equestrian year was in three digits. Now there was four.

If someone were to ask me, how do you briefly describe yourself ? Chances are before this day I would tell them, " I'm a pretty chilled guy."

"FUUUUUUUUUUU..."

~#~

"Come on, boy. We're nearly there," Twilight told Cerberus who was more interested in the ball than the lavender unicorn.

"...UUUUUUUUUUU..."

"What is that?" said Twilight slowly stopping in her tracks. The only answered she got was Cerberus doing an almost indifferent whine.

~#~

"I can't believe it! She said Yes, this the happiest day in my life! I need to tell everyone; my parents, my friends and my little si-."

"...uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..."

An enthusiastic captain of the royal guard stood in the royal gardens trying to make sense of what he just heard and doing his best to getting back to his train of thought. "Strange... well better tell them the good news!"

~#~

'Why did we had to rise so early? No matter. In the very least we claimed the last piece of the kitchen's pastries.'

"...uuuuuuuucccckkkk"

'It was Tia's.' "Guards, please inform my sister that I will not be able to attend the Night Court for a few days. Since..," Luna paused his eyes moving from side to side, "Since there is a situation that demands my full attention!" To the surprise of the lunar guards, the princess escaped from the castle by the nearest open window.

Beel's POV Present Day

I walked until my legs couldn't hold me any longer and my face met the ground. 'Everybody who meant something to me was six feet under; my family, my only friend and the garbage who put me in Tartarus'. Thinking on the latter only fueled my rage, especially now that I couldn't get even with those two.

I did my best effort to sit in order to get a good look of my surroundings; the dry and cracked earth, the lack of humidity in the air and the lack of vegetation; meant that I was near a desert and still not too far from Tartarus.
With no means of survival I was about to give up and let the merciless climate claim me, but I spotted a nearby forest to my right just as I was laying down. 'Damn world, you can't even let me die in peace'. Using all my remaining strength I began to walk once more towards the sea of trees ahead of me.

It wasn't long until I found a pond of water, it was clear enough that I could see the full moon in the sky. Quite frankly I was beyond the point of caring what could happen if I drank unclean water; I drank until almost chocking from desperation.
After my near death experience with a small pond; I caught a glimpse of something I haven't watch in a long time, my reflection.

I unbuckled the strap of my mask and removed it while staring into the water. 'Just like the last time.' My face was unrecognizable to anyone who knew me; purple skin, sharp teeth and a third eye in the middle of my forehead; a fire began to rise in my empty stomach.

"I can't beileve this! All of this mess just for a lousy ring."

Beel's POV 1432 years ago

"David, are you sure that we aren't in a medieval black market?" I asked concerned for the sheer amount of weapons in display at the booth. "Half of this stuff looks like real metal."

"For the last time, No this isn't a black market!" David said while turning around from the table filled with swords. "Look, why don't you go take a look at the jewelry prop booth? I'm busy bartering for a cheap price for this sweeet replica of Gallantmon's Lance."

"Fine," I reluctantly make way towards said booth hoping to kill enough time until Ana arrived with the last prop before the contest.

"Wow. Nice costume!" said the lady behind the jewelry booth with a smile. "Did you make it yourself?"

"No. My friend's girlfriend made it for the contest," I answered while browsing through the various necklaces and rings, "she likes to make costumes for cosplayers."

The booth was a far cry from the illegal weapon shop from across the hallway, but nothing held my interest until I saw it or it saw me? A silver colored ring with an eye of red iris, held by four small claws.

"How much for the ring?" I asked while picking it up from the table.

"Hmm, I don't remembered from what series it is," she opened her catalog to look for reference of the weird ring, "but if it was in the left pile is twenty dollars."

I gave her the money before she could scam me another dollar and went to find David.

David and I went to to the parking lot inside the convention center. Along the way i wondered, what exactly was the thing Ana was supposed to bring here?

"Just how much are you investing in this whole contest?"

"You wouldn't know since it's your first time going with us," by now I already noticed his new lance in his arm, "but Ana and I planned every year we entered the contest."

"You really take this seriously don't you?"

There was a long pause until he half-heartedly said "Maybe."

Nice job, your only friend in the world and you're being a dick to him. Trying to change the mood of the conversation I asked about the lance. "It looks like you ended up buying the lance."

"Yeah, and dirt cheap to boot." David stopped, and looked at his recent purchase.

"About time you idiots showed up!" Ana screamed at the other side of the parking lot.

I couldn't focus my attention on Ana for long when I noticed the badass street bike besides her. "Is that thing real!"

"Hello to you too," Ana frowned, "and to answer your question, yes, my brother did some changes to a busted bike in the garage."

"Sweet, let me see it," I run towards it to take a closer look. It was the perfect combination of red and gray, the only weird thing about it was the exhaust. Not that it mattered I was going to ride it, even with the silly costume on. So I sat down, put my foot in the pedal and left my ring in the dash board. That's the moment my life went down the gutter.

" At least he's having fun," David said to Ana just before the bike sent out red sparks through the place.

I at glanced the ring melting and combining with bike until only the eye remain. "What the-" without warning the machine came to life, and drove me out of the convention center "-Hell."

In an instant my world turned white.

Celestia's POV 1432 years ago

"Mares and gentlecolts, today we are reunited to acknowledge the heroines that vanquish the terrible beast Disc..."

'Again with the speeches, I'm certain pony-kind could accomplish more if they left the celebrations after rebuilding what remains of the kingdom. I vow that I will never have the patience to hear one to the end, much less deliver one.'

"...uniting all races in one invincible power forevermore as our forefathers did when-"

'I no longer care if Discord breaks free from the stone, somepony end this torture.'

".......IIIIIIIIIIIITTTTT!" Everypony tensed as the foul sound got closer up till it smashed the roof of the castle all the way to the throne room landing on the now permanently silenced speaker.

'Finally, thank you sweet angel of mercy.' "I mean, HALT! Identify yourself," I screamed at the soon bearer of my frustrations, behind the curtain of dust. Only to gaze into a black nightmarish creature on top of a menacing contraption. "Who are you?"

"Im the Great Beelzemon!"

Relocation

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Beel's POV Present Day

I was never good at feeling sorry for myself, but last night I sure tried. Apparently I passed out after cutting down a couple of trees and wrecking the entire clearing. Feeling ashamed for my outburst I washed my face and strapped on my mask to search for something to eat.

Wandering in the forest I could hear the growls of viscous predators stalking my every move in my search for nourishment. However none of them got too close for me to see if they had some meat in their bones, but something was definitely at miss. 'Am I in Equestria? I don't remember monsters leaving far from their caves. Just what forest is this?'

Almost like an answer from the forest itself, a familiar structure came into view.

"No way," the years weren't kind with it and the land besides it looked like a battlefield. Which only fostered my curiosity to take a closer look, "is this the Everfree Forest?"

~#~

I got lucky, a few fruit trees endured where the once enormous town used to be. With a more calmed stomach I strolled through the worn hallways of the old palace. I arrived at the palace's library, worse for wear filled with spiders and broken statues. I almost ignore the room until my eyes catch a familiar sight in the central table, a cutiemark I know very well.

"Star Swirl," I said venomously looking at the brown book, "no doubt about it, its his."

Readying my claws to rip it to shreds a thought invades my mind, 'This may hold the only clue to what happened.'
Fighting the desire to be done with it I slam the book at the table with a dismissive grunt 'I'll come back later, first there is something I have too see.'

The place was far more decorated, but surprisingly it hadn't change much down right to a similar hole in the roof. The place where my leaving nightmare began.

"Celestia's throne room."

Beel's POV 1432 years ago

There were only two things in my head at the time; white noise and a terrible headache. I couldn't even see beyond my nose aside from some colorful shades in the background. 'I'm still at the Con? Did I just imagined everything?'

"Who are you?" a white figured asked in front of me. 'Is that David? Is he checking on me? Does he wants me to do the thing?'

"I'm the Great Beelzemon!" I do my best attempt to sound intimidating while getting the gun from my back and aiming at my interrogator. Unfortunately It wasn't David, but a strange white horse. Who only seems to look at me with wide eyes and a face between surprise and disgust. "Wha-" I never finished what I was about to say as bolt of light almost takes my head off. 'Did that horse shot a lazer from his horn.' The cocktail of terror and bewilderment is something you don't want to have when there are firearms within the reach of your finger.

Any chance of civil discussion left with the bullet towards the now, furious, horse. However, the bullet never met its mark and instead erased the back-wall along with a newly-built, golden throne.

"Shit, I'm so-"

"TO ARMS, TO ARMS! The now air-bone pegasus-corn? Screamed enough to simultaneously return the whole court to their respective plane of existence and get them ready for battle.

In a heart-beat I found myself surrounded by a band of small, armored horses with spears and swords. Doing the sensible thing I started the engine and speed-up facing the mob behind me. They never had a chance a against a eight-hundred pound demon bike; a handful of guards found themselves knocked out into the air.

"Hahahaha! Shit I mean, sooorrrry," It may look bad that after endangering the lives of several guards I burst into laughter, but then again I just rolled over a bunch of small horse guards. Not laughing would have been the true crime.

With two mad pegasus-corns breathing down my neck I accelerate and burst through the main gate into a field full of tents and awestruck horses in rags.

'Where the hell am I?'

~#~

"Don't you ever give up!" I found myself tired from a whole afternoon of motorcycle chase with two murderous pegasus-corns shooting plasma every ten seconds.

"Not until we see you in chains, beast!" by now I was well on my way to become deaf from all the shouting they did.

"Look, can we just start over?" I said while drifting to face my pursuers.

"Start over? After you nearly killed my sister and destroyed half of the palace?!"

'I didn't destroyed half of that palace. I only broke the ceiling, the main foyer, the throne room and the front... gates. Oops.'
"... Yes," They didn't even let me blink before resuming the assault.

Several of their shots found their target and I was barely conscious at the moment. "Now beast, know the name of those who bested you. Monarchs of Equestria, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna," both declared as they lowered their horns humming with light.

'That's it!' I wasn't going to be done in by a pair of magical horses. I felt a jolt of electricity ran through my body and in a instinctive way, I reached for both of my guns as a urge compelled me to speak.

"Double Impact!"

The shot fired was completely different from the last one, it felt powerful beyond anything I have ever felt before. Only a crater remained in the wake of the collision between the shot and the plasma beam from the princesses. Inside lay two battered monarchs struggling to stay awake.

I really wanted to make sure they were okay. 'They maybe homicidal magical horses, but I wasn't a killer.' Alas the explosion began to drew every guard to the epicenter. Not fairing better myself after taking head-on a lot of punishment I retreated from the area with the shouts from the princesses behind me, "This hasn't finish, Beelzemon!"

'She was right.'

Celestia's POV Present Day

Listening to Twilight's tale from her last week ordeal was both humorous and frankly concerning, however it was a welcomed distraction from the daily routine. Besides there are very few things better than having morning tea with a friend.

'Twilight, you sometimes make me worry for the future of Equestria.' "It appears you learned a valuable lesson, dear Twilight."

"Yes, I'll try not to worry or overreact on things that haven't happened yet.."

We were fortunate to have the tea in the table at the moment since a pink blur appearing from bellow would most likely have forced us to send the cups into the air. "Tell me about it, the most exciting thing to happened last week was Cerberus showing in the middle of Ponyville."

"Pinkie!" I was just as surprised as Twilight, none the less a thousand years of facing apocalyptic events and crisis rendered me difficult to impress.

"That town has the most uncanny luck. I hope nopony was hurt." I said in the middle of preparing a cup for the new guest at the table.

"No, Fluttershy calmed him before he could do any real damage. Afterwards I returned it to the gates."

"Good, I hope the front guards weren't rude. They have a very taxing duty."

"Guards? There were no guards at the doors. Although the gates were sealed."

'Glad to he-.... No guards at the door!' "What!" My trained calm demeanor shattered like glass the moment the realization dawn on me.

"Is everything okay, princess?" Both of my guests and bystander guards asked with clear concern in their voices.

'No! Of course not' "Yes," a clear lie, "but I fear I must cut short our time together. You're invited to stay as long as you want, however I must tend to some unfinished business."

"Take care, princess," Twilight says with a hint of sadness, " if you need us we'll be ready!"

'Then again, there are times I can't wait to see your future, dear student." Thanks Twilight. If the need arise I'll inform you."

Leaving the courtyard I spot my personal hoofservant holding a long scroll detailing my duty for today, and a golden watch he keeps in his possession at all times.

"Sun Scribe," the serious tone of my voice disturbs him for a second before realizing that it's going to be a long day, "cancel The Day Court for today and summon Lieutenant Silver Hoof."

~#~

'Who could have escaped? Tirek? No, by now there would be non-stop shouting and black clouds. The Wendigo King? No, the reports of rouge snow storms would have already arrived. Perhaps...'

"Say goodbye!" Those piercing red eyes shine with a fury not even Discord would be capable. But the true terror is the deadly black weapon aiming at my head."

BANG! The doors from the throne room shut open ending my memories.

"Him," I say under my breath as I watch the cyan unicorn guard in golden approaching the throne.

"You requested my presence your majesty?"

"Yes, and I'll appreciate if you enter the court like a decent pony," I say losing my patience.

"M-My deepest apologizes, your majesty."

'Probably Star Scribe spook him.' "Lieutenant, I'll be brief, due to recent events I need you to take a squad of guards from Canterlot and go to the Gates of Tartarus. Contact the gatekeepers and report to me if all prisoners are secured inside."

His face quickly changes to a look of determination, "Do we ask for somedemon in special?"

I stand up from my throne and walk towards the window in front of the royal gardens. Watching the eerie statue behind the imprisoned Discord a thought crosses my mind, 'If he's out, he'll definitely come for it.'

"Yes, there is one."

Resolve

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Silver Hoof's POV Present Day

The march to Tartarus was a long and difficult journey. I lost my nerve several times and considered the possibility of forsaking my duty, and returning to Canterlot in absolute shame.

"Twenty-four cups of cider on the wall, twenty-four cups of cider. Take one down and pass it around, twenty-three cups-" finally snapping after nearly two days of ear-butchering singing, I pulled the wailing corporal within striking distance.

"Corporal Sentry, I swear if you so much as speak another world I'll make sure to leave somepony in Tartarus!"

"Sir, why would you leave somepony behind? Did you forgot to bring enough water for the trip back?" he asks me with a honestly confused face.

"No, you motherless son of -"

"Lieutenant, the gates are within view," one of the vanguard stopped me before I could choke the young corporal to death.

'Thank Celestia' I returned the corporal to his place with the care he deserved. "Okay gentlecolts, we must report to her majesty before the sun sets. Double time!"

"Yes, sir!"

No matter how much of an experienced warrior you are the black gates of Tartarus is an unnerving sight, but this time the tension didn't come from the doors themselves. No, it was the lack of the red armored guards besides said doors that unnerved us enough to draw our weapons.

Fortunately the outpost was still standing and restored my hope of delivering a satisfactory report to the princess, only to step inside and watch my hopes getting squished right in front of me. In a word, the place was a mess; flipped tables, broken glass and tear down walls greeted us.

"Perhaps there's nopony home?" 'I swear, when this is over I'll recommend Corporal Sentry to the Frozen North Watch.'

"Okay...," I say tired from resisting my murderous impulses, "let's secure the tower."

"Is *cough* somepony in there?" we heard a weak voice coming from upstairs.

There we found an injured gatekeeper sitting in the corner, holding a lance pointing at us.

"Where those the light born?" he managed to say between gasps.

I recognized this as the code for guards to identify one another, but just in case the corporal said something stupid I put my hoof in his mouth and say the password, "beyond the darkness in pony's hearts."

"Thank the sisters, you sure took your time," he lowers his weapon in the middle of doing his best effort to stand on all fours.

"What happened gatekeeper?" I say helping him in his endeavor. "Corporal bring the first aid-kit!"

"The black swarm happened. Changelings, they drew Cerberus off the gate and engaged us from above...," he starts to faint right as the corporal arrives with the first-aid.

'Changelings? This is getting way above our heads.' "We have to send word to Canterlot immediately! Swift Spell, prepare to send the full report to her majesty!"

"Wait," the gatekeeper struggles to stay awake as he deliver the only news I didn't want to hear, "I don't know how long I was out, but when I woke up because I heard screaming from bellow. I barely dragged down the stairs, th-then I saw him tearing down the kitchen."

'Him? Please don't be him, please don't be him.' "Who did you saw?"

" It was-...

Beel's POV Present Day

The following days went by like a dream, albeit a weird dream.

I made myself a home in the ruins of Celestia's palace. At first I found it uncomfortable with the bad memories the place brought me, however the roof over my head and the amount of fruit near it, quickly won me over. But without a doubt, the best thing about it was the silence, the sweet silence. 'No shouting ponies nor giant centaurs. Beautiful.'

I seriously found myself living there till the end of my days, that's until I read Star Swirl's diary.

"What?! They're immortal?!" the one responsible for all my woes still lived, but could they be killed? 'They feared death, of that much I'm sure.'

Even for my dislike of reading I used all of my daylight hours to finish the diary. Most of it was ramblings; harmony, trees, weaken states and balance, filled the pages of the old book. Nonetheless there was some useful information in there. Turns out Celestia was planing to build a new castle in the mountains of the north. Further reading of the castle archives revealed a map to said castle and a name.

"Canterlot," 'a lame horse pun. Of course.'

I didn't know what to do at this point. Challenging them again seemed to be the only thing in my mind all those years in Tartarus, however now that I had a makeshift home and a little bit of peace and quiet, I didn't want to leave. 'But how long can it last? How long can I last without my weapons... My weapons!' It finally hit me, 'where were my things?'

~#~

I always thought that Celestia was the kind of prick that liked to see their trophies everyday, all the time. So, when your trophies are massive statues there is only one place they could be.

"The royal gardens."

Much like the rest of this place the gardens were a mess. It had an air of isolation, but it wasn't as savage as the rest of the forest. Despite that, finding proof that the place was once the garden of royalty was hard to do. It took some time but after what felt like hours, I found a base in the center of the would-be garden.

'It's too small,' in the front there was a small word engraved. "Discord."

'They probably broke it the moment they tossed me into Tartarus,' in my frustration I kicked the nearby bushes with all my strength. Using violence to deal with frustration was a bad habit of mine, one that from time to time came in handy. Instead of overgrown plantlife my feet met solid stone.

It was a massive base, big enough for it. I looked for a inscription just like the last one. It was in the left side.

"Rage," I almost snort reading it. 'Fitting. Considering the last time I saw them.'

'The last time I saw them...,' memories from that day invaded me along with the promise I made to one of the few ponies I called 'friend'.

I felt a deep regret remembering all this time I've been slacking in the forest, forsaking my oath to the only one who gave a shit about me. Not wasting anymore time, I went to the tower I made my room to gather what few supplies I collected during my stay, and the map to Canterlot. Setting out once more into the forest with my memories of the last day fresh in my mind.

Beel's POV 1428 years ago

I knew it was trap; the sudden rain, the lack of people in the streets, no guards at the door, and a lonely Celestia in the empty throne room. What was left of my common sense screamed to turn back at full speed.

It didn't mattered anymore.

I don't know what Celestia was thinking by preparing this whole scenario, but I didn't came here to talk. The moment I had her in range I started shooting. Her surprise was short lived, before I realized Celestia was in the air answering in kind. I understood the gravity of my mistake after trying in vain to dodge the incoming barrage.

The wet tires made it impossible to control the bike in the already narrow area. Her shots were precise, the only reason I was still conscious was for the deep fire boiling within my stomach. Pressing her advantage, she forced me off the bike with a well placed shot to my left side.

'Big mistake.'

Through the years I learned that the bike and I shared a link. It took a lot of time and practice, but if I focus I can call it to my side. With that in mind, I allowed myself to retreat to the nearby corner. It gave Celestia confidence enough to land in front of me.

'Perfect.'

Celestia was telling me something I didn't hear over the strain of the mind link. I barely looked at her face I was concentrating on the incoming bike behind her. My plan worked, she was so busy declaring my defeat that by the time she saw the bike it was too late. She was on the floor, most likely with a few broken ribs. I drew my gun and aimed it directly to her head.

"Say goodbye," I say with a conviction that I lacked in reality.

In my mind I couldn't help to have doubts; 'Was I ready to prove all those ponies they were right calling me a monster? Was I ready to take a life? Was I ready to be just like her?'

'Yes.'

I fired too late, a bright light moved Celestia from the ground to the other side of the room. It was Luna with six gems in tow.

"Just like I told you sister, a heartless monster who pays no heed to reason!"

"... Yes, you were right," by now I was fuming at the mention of being a monster, "you leave us no choice, Beelzemon!"

I was about to lash out, when the six gems began to spin followed by a blinding light. Seconds after a rainbow shot from the gems.

'A rainbow? Do you think I fear a damn rainbow?' "Double Impact"

This time there was no collision instead the rainbow merely passed through the bullets leaving only stone in its wake.

In the last possible second I managed to jump out of the way, but not without a price. A quick glance back confirmed my curiosity, both of my guns and my bike had become garden accessories. I was so taken back by the sight that only the sound of the sisters falling of exhaustion managed to break my astonishment.

"Celestia!" I was back on my feet and approaching the downed alicorns. I was ready, no more doubts, I pulled my arm back and... the hit never came. A golden chain held my arm. 'It was him.'

"I will never forgive you, Beelzemon! You stole the life of my only friend, and I will see that you rot in Tartarus for it!

"Star Swirl!" I couldn't say anything else before more chains appeared from thin air pulling me to the floor. A sense of dread came over me. I felt my own end near, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of showing fear, "I'll get out, it doesn't matter the time it takes, I'll get out and you'll regret not killing me like yo-"

I never finished my warning. A final chain went for my head and the next time I opened my eyes, I was in Hell.

Readaptation

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Celestia's POV Present Day

'Wednesday morning...,' it's been almost a hundred years since this morning felt like an omen of looming danger. It was always Saturdays or Mondays when calamities announce themselves, never Wednesdays. Just looking at the first rays of light left me with a bad taste of mouth .

"Excuse me, your excellence," I don't know how long Sun Scribe was behind me, but failing to notice his presence meant I was far more tired that I realized, "Princess Cadance requests an audience, should I tell her you're indisposed?"

'You know me to well, old friend.' "No, please let her in," 'Cadance, just what I needed. I can finally take a break of this Tartarus businesses and discuss more pleasant topics.'

"Princess Celestia," since the last two weeks I've felt weird the way Cadance addresses me, I was always; Auntie, Tia or Auntie Tia, never Princess Celestia. 'Is she angry or is it the pressure for the big day?' "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

'Or maybe Sun Scribe yet again scared somepony for my sake. We'll speak about this over-protectiveness later.' "Cadance, you know I always have time to spare for my favorite niece."

"That would be me, right?" 'on second thought, maybe she is angry.'

"Of course! Now what can I do for you?" I do my best attempt to not sound irritated.

"Ah well, it's just that Shining told me, that the guards you sent to check on Tartarus haven't sent a report yet. And well, I just wondered if there's something I can help you with?"

'Wonderful. More talk about Tartarus.' "No, don't worry about it. I'm sure they'll report anytime now," 'I hope.'

"B-but Celestia, I mean Princess Celestia aren't you worried about your guards or whatever demon may be roaming around in Equestria!"

I was honestly worried, but that didn't mean I could just charge straight to Beelzemon or whatever demon escaped from Tartarus. I'm not the warrior I was a thousand years ago, "I have faith in Canterlot finest, I'm sure the reason for the delay is just magic interference. Besides I can't leave Canterlot undefended." 'Not with Luna hiding from her righteous punishment, and all.'

"If Canterlot is the problem, I'll gladly take care of it while you go to Tartarus!" She says awfully enthusiastic.

'Okay, what's going on? Cadance never cared about ruling affairs. She rather spend her time with kids and matters that concerned the heart.' "Is everything okay, Cadance?" I couldn't stop my tone from sounding accusatory.

"Oh, it's just that I saw you so concerned with the ongoing situation, I couldn't help myself to offer some assistance, Aunt-tie?" She takes a step back clearly hurt from the implications of my question.

'Gee, then I wonder why nopony ever offers a hoof, Celestia.' I move from the window to hug my niece, "Forgive me, dear niece. It's just that this whole Tartarus situation is yet another unwanted burden on top of a long pile. Don't worry, it won't get in the way of your big day."

"I'm glad, but if you need to leave, I'll take care of Canterlot!" with that said Cadance breaks free from my hug and leaves the room.

'Maybe I should take Cadance's offer. After all the silence, from the guards I sent, is getting unnerving.'

"Princess," Sun Scribe renters the room with the daily schedule in hand, "I'll remind you that the trap you set for Princess Luna is later today."

"The National Dessert Competition, yes," 'maybe I should stay after all', "and speaking of traps, remind me later to speak with the captain to set one in Canterlot."

Beel's POV Present Day

Huh, who new I couldn't read maps to save my life.

Either that or the forest was a living labyrinth. Anyway, I spent the better part of last night, running in circles. Since for the third time in a row I found myself in front of the place I just left with determination in my eyes, and useless map in hand.

"Fantastic. How am I supposed to get back my things, if I can't even leave this damn forest!"

Unfortunately the sunrise and my screaming called all the predators in the area for some early breakfast. From every corner of my eyes the forest itself appeared to come to life, in the shape of grotesque, wood wolfs.

'Well, those are new."

Calling them a 'pack' would be a bad joke, something along the lines of 'army' would be more fitting. I instinctively reached for my guns... only to be reminded the reason I started this lovely stroll through the woods.

"Well then..." I say with a smirk on my face. By now every wolf was visibly tense, ready to counterattack my next move. All except of turning back and running, of course.

The hunt was on. It seamed the more I ran, the more wolves joined the chase. I had them well outrun, but the home advantage quickly made itself known at every twist and turn. All was going well and looked like I'll leave them behind, until I foolishly cornered myself, right in front of a massive cave.

I faced my persecutors like I have done so many times in the past. Without my weapons meant that I had to rely on my claws, an option I wasn't particularly fond of. They made me feel like the beast they always told me I was. Nonetheless it was that or becoming wood chow.

"Darkness Claw" I charged at the incoming wolves.

Before they could open their mouths, six of them were already splinters. Losing their bravado, the remaining wolves took distance and circled around me. I was readying my claws to the next attack, when the biggest wolf did a noise between a growl and a whimper. In a heart-beat I was once again alone. 'Just the way I liked it.'

"Ahh, now I better get the hell out of this da-"

A menacing growl cut short what little rest I got. 'This day just keeps on giving.' Behind me stood a towering bear, made from the very fabric of the night sky, with his eyes firmly lock on me.

'Ursas, at least they're still around.'

The imposing creature raised his gigantic paw before dishing out a swipe that dispatched most of the adjacent trees. He must have taken my dodge of his devastating attack pretty personal, because as soon he caught a glimpse of me rising from the wreckage, he let a deafening growl fill the air. I took that as my cue to resumed my running aimlessly across a forest out to get me.

~#~

"What the hell is his problem," I said between gasps of air.

Darkness reigned supreme in the woodlands, not even moonlight broke through the canopy of leaves. I was lying down behind a large tree, exhausted from non-stop running. I barely stand with my back against the tree with the hope that the bear got fed up with the merry chase just as me. A frustrated roar crossed the nearby tress, followed by heavy stomps.

A sigh of relived escaped my mouth. I threw a quick glance behind me, with no rampaging bear in sight, I stepped outside from my cover. Only to look to my right, a pair of golden eyes.

"Clever gir-"

This time he didn't waste time and delivered a powerful blow that sent me across, at least, four tress. My foreign body saved me, any normal human would have been dead on the spot. Me on the other hand, I had the dubious honor to be conscious to see the next and surely fatal blow. A blow that didn't come, I slowly got up to see the reason for the uncharacteristically show of mercy. I wasn't in the forest anymore and my aggressor simply refused to leave the safety of the wide tree wall.

I should have been concerned with just what scared the Ursa enough to prevent it to leave the green barrier, but I was too busy blowing some steam after probably the third hardest day of my life.

"Serves you right, asshole! What's the matter, too scared to leave that god-forsaken forest!" by now he had a tired face and left to the thick of the woods, "yeah, you better run. Not that it matters, when I'll come back I'll burn that entire forest! You hear me? I'll burn it!"

What kept me from passing out in the middle of the road was a mix of knowing that doing so will invite the possibility of waking up in Tartarus, and the promise of a save haven inside the red barn ahead.

Apple Bloom's POV Present Day

"But, I'm telling the truth!"

"Well, I don't see any monsters on our barn."

"I saw him entering the barn, just after screaming at an Ursa minor," 'wait that doesn't sound very believable,' "I know how it sounds, but it's the truth!"

'Great, now he's giving me the 'oh Apple Bloom' stare,' "C'mon little apple, you can hunt everfree monsters with your friends later," he stops as he's leaving the barn, "inside Ponyville, of course."

It's not like we were going to hunt monsters in the Everfree, not after Cutie Mark Crusaders: Relic Hunters. 'Never again.' I'll come back after breakfast, maybe I'll bring some for the monster, so it doesn't eat me on reflex.

"I know you have a very active imagination, but you shouldn't be joking with things like that, Apple Bloom."

"It isn't a joke, I really saw a two-legged monster going into the barn," I don't get it, I remembered waking up in the middle of the night, and seeing him struggling to open the barn's door.

I was in a bad mood. I didn't like to be called a liar. I might have caused some of the town's problems, but that didn't mean I went around telling lies. Well except that whole issue with the weird plant, but I didn't mean anypony harm with that. Luckily we were having hotcakes with apple sauce, my favorite. I wonder if monsters eat hotcakes?

"You better dig in, Apple Bloom. Today we have to work extra hard to pick your sister's share."

"No fair, Big Mac. Why does Applejack get to go to a desert contest, and we don't?"

"She deserves a little rest from time to time. Besides it's only until the afternoon."

~#~

"Thanks for the meal," I left a hotcake aside, and brought my dishes to the sink.

After cleaning my dishes, I left with the hotcake in mouth towards the barn till Big Mac stopped me, "Apple Bloom where do you think you're going with that in your mouth?"

"Insurance," I said through my teeth.

The barn was just as we left it in the morning, with no monster inside. I checked everywhere; behind the fences, behind the tools, well everywhere, everywhere except the inside haystacks. I cautiously neared the haystack, and in one swift move, I pounce on top of it. "Aha!" Empty. 'I guess, I really imagined that.'

I almost didn't notice the black creature emerging from the haystack across the barn. Lazily opening his three, red eyes. With claws as big as my eyes. Looking in my direction before opening his razor-filled mouth.

"Wha-"

"Ahhhhhhh...-"

Reintroduction

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Beel's POV 1432 years ago

"Holy shit, what a weird dream!" I always had weird dreams, but this one took the prize.

I don't know what part of my subconscious came up with lazer-spewing horses and demon bikes, but it clearly had issues.

My head didn't stop ringing since I opened my eyes and my whole body felt like someone tried to turn me into hamburger meat. Despite that I concentrated enough to realize I was in a huge park, and worst of all I still had the silly costume on.

A deep sigh escaped my mouth, "at least we're even now, David."

My first and final convention apparently ended with me getting drunk, and wandering to the local park. Although, I didn't smell like alcohol, 'not yet,' maybe drugs, 'shit if I got high, my dad is going to kill me for sure.' With my mind going berserk in the implications of waking up surrounded by trees, I failed to notice the familiar grey bike behind me. That is until, almost stumbling upon it on my way up from the ground.

"The fuck?" My already fragile state of mind collapsed in on itself with the first sight of my new reality, 'no no no no no no, No! This can't be happening!' "What is that doing here? It was just a dream, there is no way that all that bullshit was real! I'm going to close my eyes and count to three, and that thing will be gone" - without yet knowing, I closed my three eyes - "one, two, three!" Obviously it was still there.

"Damn it! Wake up, wake up wake up" - I bashed my head to the nearest tree - " wake up, wake up!" I was expecting by now that my head to be busted open, however it wasn't my head that ended up cracked. The loud noise of the fallen tree surprised me enough to stop me from screaming.

It was high time to discern between the difference from my new found body and my old one. I was definitely taller; even though I was in pain, my whole body felt like a rock. What were once disguised air shooting props, now felt like real guns and if my dream was real, they were. The plastic tale, now seemed alive and able to move wherever I wanted it to. Removing my gauntlets revealed a light lavender hand with large claws. What really worried me was the face; if the skin in my hand was this colorful tone, it stand to reason the rest of my skin followed suit, and most important of all, the fake plastic eye on the mask.

"Well, here goes nothing" - I raised my hand to the probable position of my new eye, and I touched it with my sharp claw - "shhhhhiiiiitttt!"

I couldn't possibly be in this much pain and not have woken up, especially if the pain came from what was supposed to be a plastic eyeball. I sat on my bike, for what felt like hours, as I slowly coped with my recent memories; 'the explosion, the princesses, the con. The ring!' I immediately turned to where the dash board once was. There was nothing. Not even a single trace of it ever existing.

"No! But I saw it!" The ring merging with the dashboard, and the eye lodge itself onto it! I was at a loss. With no trace of the enigmatic eye there was little I can do to make sense of my situation or even explain it to those princesses, 'if they stopped trying to kill me for five seconds, that is.'

It was then when the full meaning of their words caught up with me, "Monarchs of Equestria... Equestria?" 'Wait that couldn't possibly mean that there are only these weird horses in wherever I am, right?' There was only one way to find out. I started the engine, faced forward in the bike, and head out towards the nearest dirt road.

~#~

It was clear by now wherever I ended up, it wasn't Earth. For an entire day I drove non-stop on that road, and in all that way I didn't glimpse upon a single evidence of civilization, just trees and green plains.

I was at my limit. I could now add sore throat and an empty stomach to my long list of pains, fortunately up a head there was a wooden wagon with two pegasi beside it. I stopped the bike in front of them and I watched as their gazes fixed on me. It wasn't long before they slowly paced back, fear clearly plastered on there faces.

"Please,- I reached my hand out - "I need something to eat," unfortunately my weak plea was drowned by the scream of the green pegasus.

"Ahhhhh! The monster from the capital, run Surprise!" He screamed at his white partner beside him as he, at least it sounded like a him, flared his wings and took off.

"But the pies for the town's inauguration," said the white pegasus looking at the covered wagon behind her.

"Forget the bloody pies! That monster nearly killed the princesses," 'that's a lie, last time I saw them they still had plenty of fight within them, particularly the white one.' At that last remark the white pegasus reluctantly flew into the sky with her friend further down the road.

"No wait, please," too late as I was once again alone, well almost alone. 'Did she say pie?'

I approached the abandoned wagon, lifting the mantle on top of it unleashing an aroma of fresh baked goods that sent me unto a wild rampage, devouring every pastry with extreme impunity. I don't know what came over me, if it was the stress of being trapped in a world full of horses or the relief of finding food for the fist time in over a day and a half, but I was sure that at some point I laughed like a maniac. When I calmed down I discovered that I had an audience; a large, terrified and armed audience.

"Um, hi..."

Apple Bloom's POV Present Day

"Ahhhhhhh!" I ran as fast as I could for the exit.

Yet the monster was faster and cut me off before I could even put a hoof outside. He caught me by the rear right leg, he easily lifted me up with his enormous claws. It was then when I got a good look to his face. It had three really small eyes and wore a strange purple mask. It also had a short yellow mane, but the scariest part of him was his fangs and angry looking face. They sent a shiver down my spine each time I looked at it.

"Okay look, I wo-" before he could continue I noticed the pancake glued to my rear left hoof, I grabbed it and tossed it to his face. It released my leg, sending me crashing into the floor. I got up and this time I reached outside where Big Mac was already running to meet me.

"Apple Bloom are you okay? I heard you screaming," I was on the ground doing my hardest to breath.

"Mon-monster in the barn," I could barely speak, but I hoped Big Mac believed me now.

He looked into my eyes with a serious look, after a moment he raced towards the barn with me behind him. He bucked the front door open, and... there was nothing. 'Not this time, monster,'

"He was in the haystacks before!" immediately Big Mac grabbed the pitch fork to move the haystacks around. Both of them were empty. Big Mac turned to me with a mild look of annoyance on his face. "Maybe he escaped by the back door?" He only pointed at the wooden plank holding shut the back doors.

"Apple Bloom, if this 'monster' is just a way to skip your chores, I suggest you drop it."

"B-but it's real, I swear! It was this black demon with three, red ey-"

He only sighed, "eeyup you're grounded."

"But; but, but-"

"It's not okay for you to go telling lies to skip your chores. Three days without playing with your friends, little missy," he left without saying another word.

Tears swelled under my eyes until a loud crash cut my sadness short, he was behind me. 'He was on the ceiling the whole time, not that it matter now that Big Mac thought I was a big fat liar,' instead of lifting me like last time, he crouched to look at my face.

"If you're here to eat me, you might as well get this over! It can't be worst than being grounded!" his face twisted and changed suddenly to a more tired expression.

"This again, I'm not going to eat anyone, just because I look like a demon doesn't mean I eat ponies. Besides very few demons eat ponies."

"Wait do you know a lot of demons... Demons do eat ponies!" I pouted.

"Ugh," he put his claw over his face, "let's try this again, what's your name?"

"I'm not supposed to give my name to strangers, but if you tell me your name, I'll tell you mine." He froze like I asked him what was his favorite color or ice-cream flavor was.

"B... is my name," his eyes moved to his right as he delivered the worst told lie I ever heard.

"B, aha, okay if you don't want to tell me your name this is as far as our conversation goes," I said while turning my back to 'B', leaving the barn by the front gate.

"Fine!" he grumbled something I didn't quite catch, but looking at his face told me I was lucky for not doing so, "it's Beelzemon."

~#~

I expected being friends with some demon would be more fun than a history class. Apparently it was one the same.

"Let me get this straight, Celestia sent, her only sister, to the moon for a thousand years! Wow, that's cold even for someone like her."

"Well, she tried to take over Equestria."

"Still, I knew it was only a matter of time before she went insane from all that power." I didn't like one bit how he referred to the princess every time I spoke about her nor that grin he had.

"Princess Celestia isn't a bad pony," I huffed annoyed, "anyway it doesn't matter since my sister and her friends saved her."

"Really, your sister defeated Princess Luna, and I thought my lies were obvious." I was really mad, not once, but twice now I've been called a liar today, and the morning wasn't even over.

"It's true she and her friends used something called the 'Elements of Harmony'!"

"Elements of what-now?"

"Harmony, well I don't really know much about them, only that it shoots rainbows." his face got serious all of a sudden, even losing that grin that bothered me so much.

"It didn't happen to be six colored gems, and turned things to stone?" he said crouching down to get a better look at my face. I did my best to remember since he looked nervous, maybe he wasn't such a bad pony... or demon. "What happened minutes ago you didn't stop talking," my patience was already over.

"I don't now what your problem is, but you've been nothing more than a mean pony/demon. Getting me grounded and calling me a liar! I don't want to have anything to do with you!" I was on my way to the exit when a familiar claw stopped me.

"Look kid, It's been a tough week or two," his face certainly look tired, "let me try it again, could you please tell me what you know about those element things?"

"You're only trying this hard because you want to know about the Elements of Harmony," I turned to face him while raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. I mean n- damn it!" 'I knew it,' "Fine, let's cut the crap," 'what does 'crap' means? I'll ask Big Mac later,' "what do you want?"

"What do I want? Are you a genie?!" 'Sweet I know, first I´ll ask for three more wishes, then-'

"No! You mor.. child I mean if there's someone you hate or bothers you, and you wanted for them to disappear," 'I only imagined Beelzemon devouring Diamond Tara and Silver Spoon,' "maybe a favor?"

"Apple Bloom, where are you it's time to start the daily chores!" the voice from my big brother came from the outside.

Now it was my turn to grin. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Beelzemon said already knowing the meaning behind my smile.

Beel's POV Present Day

'Why did it have to be a kid. If it was any other adult pony, I'd have all the information I wanted by now, nonetheless I don't have it in me to hurt children.' "Beel hurry up with those apples, my brother is going to return any moment now!" 'Perhaps it was time to find out if I really had it in me.'

Dropping the apples basket in the ground I decided I had enough of playing games. I closed the distance between the kid and I, cautiously approached my hand towards her little neck, "here he comes!" she flung a basket full of apples at me sending me over the fence. For being a kid she was remarkably strong, that trow left me dizzy for a couple of seconds.

"Okay he already left, you can stop hiding now."

I struggled to get up without tumbling from the dizziness, once that I was on my two feet and the earth stopped moving I was ready to end this bullshit. "Alright you're going to tell me what I want right now!" I said flaring my claws for good measure.

"Tell you about what?" I couldn't take it anymore I was about to scream at the top of my lungs, I no longer cared if Celestia and her whole guard could pinpoint my location by my screaming, this was too much.

"The Elements of Harmony the things that shoot rainbows! Do they turn things to stone, yes or no?!" So much for staying under the radar, still it was worth it.

"Ahh, right, now that I think about it I remember that there was this statue in the Canterlot Gardens that I had to make a report about it, and next week it attacked Ponyville. I don't recall very well what happened next, only watching a rainbow and then some guards left with the statue, but then it was in a different pose. I think it's name was Discord."

'Discord, Canterlot Gardens? It's probably where my bike and guns are.' "In those Canterlot Gardens you didn't happen to see a statue called 'Rage'?"

"Yes, it looked like half a cart, but with a wheel in front." 'Excellent it still exists.'

"Where is this Canterlot? I need to get there as fast as I can!" Finally after all this wandering I at last had a clear goal, and I was one step closer to my revenge.

"Over there," she merely lifted her hoof pointing to the mountain in the distance, the mountain with the hanging city.

"How the hell am I supposed to get over there!" the kid only looked at me with a confused face.

"If you're asking how to get there, my sister uses the train like most ponies." 'They have trains now, that´ll make things interesting later.' "I totally forgot my sister's train will be here any minute now, come on Beel!" After saying that she pulled me by the hand to the outside of the farm.

"Stop calling me that, at least call me Beelzemon!" Beelzemon wasn't a name I was fond of, but it sure beat; demon, monster, beast or Beel.

There was a flash of light behind me, at first I thought it was a unicorn teleporting, but my fears were put to rest when a strange white device emerged. "Hey wait up," unfortunately for me and my curiosity, the life of a farmer apparently left her with an extremely sturdy grip, enough to leave the strange object laying in the grass, under the apple tree.

Rider from Tartarus: Retribution

by Wild Riot

Release

Revelations

Relocation

Resolve

Readaptation

Reintroduction