Chapter 1 - Dealing with Tirek

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The lonesome tower sits on a planet where the dominate life is not even more advanced than plants. Yet. Give it a few million years, that could change.

The eternal young adult lies atop the tower, sighing as he observes the constellations from his new home. "Some days I wonder."

"Oh?" A new voice speaks up from apparently nowhere. "What do you wonder?"

The boy turns to see his unicorn wife walking up to him. He smiles and gestures for her to be closer, and she complies. He rewards her with a scratch behind the ears as he continues his statement. "Sometimes I wonder what being immortal means if we're to be constantly alone, save for the others. How are they, by the way?"

The mare hums. "Celestia and Luna are doing well on Pivot, they've basically remade Equestria on it, but they hope that this time, they can avert some of the problems it once had. They're in charge of the rotation of night and day still, and they took your suggestion: without them, the planet would be tidally locked, and when they do rotate it, it's not even half as draining as moving a star around."

The boy nods and switches out the scratching for petting. "Twilight?"

The mare chuckles. "Cataloging everything about Pivot, naturally. And once she's done there, she's made several not-so-subtle threats that she's coming here next, mostly to observe the plants, but also to ask you why you're doing things this way."

The boy shrugs. "Worked out for my world. Cadence?"

"Several nations are being founded on Pivot right now," the mare dryly responds. "She's kinda got her hooves full trying to manage their emotions so that Pivot's history doesn't start with all-out wars or diplomatic incidents of unprecedented scale."

The boy nods again. "And Dissy? Assuming you saw him."

The mare shakes her head. "I saw him once, and he gave me a very cryptic saying. 'When Twilight comes, on the third day, look to the east, Auric Fulcrum. I might be there, I might not.'"

The boy pauses in his lavishing of affection on his mare and lets out a loud, barking laugh. He wipes a few tears from his eyes and smiles. "Ah, Discord. Ever making references that only I will get. Nice to see that even for an agent of chaos, he hasn't changed."

The night wore on, and eventually the boy and mare returned to their room. Before he turned in, the boy picked up a journal and began to read, before pausing and frowning.

This journal. It was a most amusing one, yes. It chronicled his life in Ponyville while he was, briefly, a pony. A unicorn. But it also detailed a few...other events.

Like when a prisoner escaped from Tartarus. Of course, that day was memorable for...other reasons, as well...

-----
(A long, long time ago...)

"Open these doors and let me in, pony!"

Measured and I stood atop the walls and glared at the centaur that stood outside. He'd been running around, draining magic for quite some time now. Earth ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns alike had fallen to his strength. And now he wanted mine.

Fortunately, I'd warned Newvale, and they'd put up a strong enough barrier to repulse him, for a time. And then Dullahan had managed to figure out how to Cloak the whole town.

Apparently, if you feed the power of a large Psynergy Stone into a Power Stone, it would create a much larger and wider version of it, centered on the stone. Which gave me some idea as to how the Anemos had vanished, back in Weyard...

But I digress. The centaur had been beating his head against the wards on the tower for half an hour now. He'd done it every time he'd absorbed the power from one particular race, to no avail. Granted, he made the most impressive dents on this go around, when he'd taken the power of all three tribes for his own, but no real progress.

"Dear, do you hear something?" I cupped a hoof to an ear and leaned towards Tirek, pausing for a few seconds. "Oh wait, that's just the sound of an impotent villain."

At this, Measured snickered and Tirek roared. "Fine! I will take power from the last tribe, then, and your tower will NOT stand before me!"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Dude, this thing stood up to an angry Twilight. If need be, it could stand up to the end of the world, if it had to. Probably. Haven't tested that, and with good reason. Point is, you're not getting in, and you're not getting my powers. Face it, you lost the moment you decided to come here."

The centaur roared and galloped off, cursing and swearing and vowing all the while. Measured paled and shook me slightly. "The last tribe? But he took the power of the earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. What could be left, save..."

My eyes widened as I ran over the possibilities. "While there are so many other races, only two options come to mind. I doubt he'd go all the way north to the empire to power himself up on love and emotion, that just doesn't scream 'villain' to me. Which leaves..."

Measured and I shared a Look. "The Alicorns."

-----

We'd quickly sent a letter off, of course. And Celestia's last act before she enacted her plan was to reply to me.

To Auric Fulcrum, my ally and friend,
I know of what you speak. We have been monitoring the situation, and thank you for telling us he is coming. It has given us the time we needed to prepare.
In truth, this is something that neither I nor Luna, and not even Cadence, could best. We must place our hopes in Twilight Sparkle.
Tirek will likely attempt to drain our magic, so we will give it to Twilight, that she may safeguard it. And knowing Tirek, he will present Twilight with a terrible choice, one that I hoped she would never have to make, once he realizes she holds the sum of all Alicorn magic.
One that I hope she succeeds at. All our hopes rest on her, now.
But should she require time afterwards, then I pray you do one thing, Auric.
Do not fall to him, do not believe him, and make him regret ever trying to drain your magic.
Your friend,
Celestia

I sighed and looked to Measured. "If he comes after us, we're the distraction. Cel has every faith in Twi, even in the face of a demonic centaur that drains magic."

Measured frowned. "Were I him, I would..." And then she gasped as the plan formed in her head. My mind started to race as well, but I decided asking would be the faster way to find out. "What?"

"I would ponynap her friends and force her to choose. Them, or her magic."

My coat flared and changed colors as my anger grew to proportions not quite believable. "Oh, he would. And if you and I were to leave, he'd take you, hold you hostage, and make the same offer to me. Someone so...low, so despicable, that even the slime on rocks wouldn't waste the effort to spit on him..."

And then I sighed and fell to my stomach on the wall. "'s no use, though. We're safe as long as we're in here, and if he ever gets at us, then we're not a distraction anymore, we're just a casualty. The only safe haven is the tower right now. And I don't know how well it'll hold against him when and if he gains the power of the Alicorns."

I looked Measured in the eyes. "Just promise me one thing. If he gets me, don't try to save me. Run. I'd make the choice to save you in a heartbeat, but I've done that too many times already. And you wouldn't forgive yourself."

She hesitated for a good while, but eventually nodded, and we held each other close. It could be the last time we would do so freely, after all.

-----

Turns out, our concern, while warranted, ultimately proved unnecessary.

The wards held against the power of Tirek for about half an hour. They didn't need to hold longer, because that was when Twilight and the other former Bearers became empowered by something from the Tree of Harmony. It was full of rainbows, magic, friendship, and screaming centaurs.

No, wait, that last one was the result. My mistake. The sheer power of the blast forced Tirek's stolen magic back where he'd taken it from, right before it erased him from existence.

Seriously, I saw and felt it happen. I thought only I could do shit like that!

Twilight's new library-palace was impressive, though. I made a note to visit one day. My mind was a little occupied with other matters, though.

Such as my Mirror informing me it'd picked up a new Token. Once the hullabaloo had died down, I'd sent a missive to Dully, to tell him that Tirek had been dealt with, in a permanent fashion. He took the news rather well, and the town became visible once more.

And then I checked my Mirror, and everything went to hell in a handbasket.

It wasn't that the Token had come from a dark world. I'd been seeing quite a few of those lately, and begrudgingly admitted that into every universe a little rain must fall. While I was on occasion upset that the rain took the form of a human who was dead-set on bringing their world crashing down around them, I shrugged and smiled. There are other things that lurk in Equestria and the Multiverse as a whole that 'take care of' meddlesome pests.

D'you think the Fausticorn image on the 'net came from nowhere? There certainly is a Guardian for the Equestria branch of the Multiverse. What She looks like exactly, I can't say. I've only caught brief glimpses of Her while scanning, which is why I know She's an Alicorn. Beyond that, nothing. Guess the Mirror can't process what She looks like. Understandable, really. I'd hate to have to describe color to a blind guy.

I didn't even mind that the Token had come from a former human intent on tearing his world down around him. After I'd met Kat and checked up on her again...I'd kinda lost hope that I'd be able to steer anyone, much less everyone, onto a path they didn't want. I could hang up all the lanterns and party streamers and put out all the sweets I wanted around the path, but if they didn't want to stay, then I couldn't...I just couldn't make people behave. I wasn't their parents. Ultimately, their decision to fall was theirs. I just hoped they lived to see what they were doing wrong and understand why.

No, what disturbed me about the Token was twofold. First, when I scryed the world it had came from, I saw a ten-foot tall robot in front of a shrine to me. And seeing as how I'd never seen him before, this level of obsession was creepy.

Second was Eureka reacting. I probed the connection and paled.

Who or whatever this was, he understood.

I could only hope his powers were not like mine; ones that were stronger or weaker depending on how well you understood what they were doing.

I quickly drew up a short plan in my head.

Were I to confront this robot about...anything, I would need my immortality back.

Chapter 2 - Sending messages

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The boy looks at the mirror out of the corner of his eyes and sighs before joining his wife in bed. The unicorn notices his discomfort and shifts around to look him in the eyes. "What's wrong?"

The boy's eyes flick to the mirror, then his sword, before returning to her eyes again. He gives an obviously fake smile. "Nothing."

She waits for a beat before replying. "You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"

The boy looks to the ceiling and nods once. "I...I can't help it. He came closer than anyone else, before or after, to actually doing permanent harm to me. Or you."

The unicorn puts a hoof on his shoulder and forces him to look in her eyes again. "We pulled through. Eventually. And now we're elsewhere, elsewhen. He's a memory, let him stay in the past."

The boy blinks once before nodding and holding his wife closer. "I still don't like those memories, but I'll try to not let them get at me as badly."

His eyes flick over to his mirror again, and he drifts off, remembering...

-----
(In a Multiverse a long, long ways from there...)

Auric sighed and motioned to the blackboard he'd asked Twilight to conjure up. He had to explain himself to the ponies. They didn't take it too well when he said 'I need to drain power into myself to make myself immortal again as soon as possible.' Especially not so soon after Tirek was a Thing that Happened.

"Alright, let's take it from the top. When I started life, I was an ordinary human. No magical reserves whatsoever."

The other ponies (and drake and draconequus) gathered in the main council room of Twilight's new Palace/Library nodded. Auric pointed at the next series of pictures. One of him clutching his head, one of him picking up a sword, one of him wearing a suit of armor.

"I Answered the Question, picked up Eureka, and was wearing my Dullahan outfit to a party."

Pinkie brightened up a bit at the last one, and the ponies nodded to confirm their understanding again. Auric pointed at the next image, which was just an explosion with the word 'MAGIC' over it.

"Then someone or something drags me to Equestria..."

Auric pointed to the next image, which was everyone's favorite suit of headless armor. There was also a gauge that looked remarkably like a thermometer next to it.

"And turned me into the costume I'd been wearing. It also gave me a form of magic, otherwise I'd not have been able to move at all. The sword was the reason that I had any inflow of magic when I was naught more than a spirit, and a good portion of my outflow was concentrated on making the armor move to my whims. In fact, without the sword, my armor became my prison."

The ponies winced at that, but Auric moved on to the next image. One of a huge light shining on the armor, and splitting a human form from it. Both of them were crouching and slightly faded.

"Then the Golden Sun happened. It tore apart the magics that bound me to the armor, but that's not all it did."

The next image was of the armor and the human standing up again. The armor had a normal gauge next to it, while the human...

Well, the human's was ridiculously large.

"Dully was finally accepted by Equus as a whole, so he got his own inflow. He didn't need the sword anymore, which is why I took it. I, on the other hand, got an insane amount of power."

The final image was a more detailed look at the human's gauge. Certain levels were marked off on it.

"However, I can't use it all at once. Here," the unicorn tapped the halfway marker, "Is how much I kept on me, subconsciously, so that I remained immortal. And when I saved Measured from certain death, I broke down that barrier. Amongst other things."

A quiet chuckled echoed around the table. Auric pointed at the next marker, the one between halfway and zero.

"This is my estimate on how much power I'll need to have to fight off Equus' natural Harmony field and return to human form. I also estimate that at that point I'll gain a minor healing factor. It won't be anything like when I was immortal, but it should keep me from bleeding out to normally debilitating wounds."

Auric tapped the top portion of the gauge again. "And once I do recover, I'll start stockpiling power so that I can do great feats of Transmutation and Alchemy again."

The unicorn held up a crystal-blue hoof for the gathered masses to see. "I naturally drain excess magic and psynergy into my personal stores, and any overflow from that goes to that huge empty gauge that follows me around. The sword helps by acting as a natural drain on Equus' magical field, but it won't be enough to get me to twenty-five percent, let alone fifty, before I think I'll have to confront the...person I saw. So I need options."

Twilight spoke up then. "So how much do you have right now?"

Auric hummed and tapped near the lowest end of the gauge. "About...eight? Maybe nine. High single digits."

Jaws hit the floor across the room. Measured Thought spoke up first, sadness tinting her voice. "That little?"

Auric pulled her close and whispered comforting words in her ears. "Shh. It's okay. I chose this. I'd do it again. You know this."

Auric then looked to the other ponies and smiled a sad smile. "Though it may be less than I 'should' have, so long as I have some power in there, then I'm ageless. Time'll not take me. So while I literally have forever to work on this, I don't think that...person, will be as accommodating."

Twilight nodded. "Do you have any ideas on what you could use to get yourself back up to at least some semblance of strength?"

Auric hummed. "Perhaps. I would need either a source of great magical strength that wouldn't be missed, or some large Psynergy Stones. And, not gonna lie, for a little bit, that second one won't be an option I'll take."

"What? Why would you not use one of your options?"

Auric shot a small glare at the interrupting Dash. "Because, for every city that can have one, I'm going to give them a Psynergy Stone, molded to whatever they desire, so as not to leave any wandering Adepts hanging should they need to replenish their powers. If I touch any Stone, I'd begin to drain it, even the large ones that are supposedly undrainable."

The ponies realized then the magnitude of the task Auric was facing. He hummed again and turned to Twilight. "That Alicorn Amulet. If I could, I'd drain it. It'd get rid of a dangerous, corruptive artifact. I might need to take care to ensure its curse doesn't pass on to me, but it wouldn't be any worse than having Dully in my head telling me to not show mercy."

Twilight nodded once, slowly. "I'll go talk to Zecora and ask Princess Celestia if there are any old and powerful artifacts she would like to see destroyed that she has or knows of that you can...'eat'. But she's going to want to know why."

Auric sighed and ran a hoof through his mane. "The world I saw, the one I saw...it was dark because he was making it that way. And he's doing it for a reason. A purpose. I don't know why, but what little I saw unnerved me to no end. And he knows of me as well. I couldn't get much more than that before he obscured the connection. I'd like to be as powerful and prepared as possible as soon as possible."

Twilight nodded again, this time quickly. "I can understand that. If she asks, I'll tell the Princess that you're worried about something you saw. I'm sure she'll understand then."

Auric nodded and waved a hoof around. "Don't just ask Cel. Ask Luna, Cadence, Shining, Chryssy..."

The ponies blanched at the last name. "WHAT?!"

Auric shrugged. "Well, Luna might know of artifacts from a thousand years ago or even older that Cel forgot about. Cadence and Shining have access to an empire that was literally temporally displaced, who knows what could be up there, and Chrysalis is from outside Equestria's borders. She or her Hive could know about things out there I could use. Frankly, I need all their help, but you're the one with the connections."

At that, Twilight blushed a bit and waved a wing dismissively. "I'll...I'll see what I can do."

Auric nodded, stood, and motioned for Measured to join him. "Good. In the meantime, I'll be studying in my tower."

-----

Auric yelped and dropped his coffee tin, causing Measured to come over and look at the commotion.

Inscribed on the inside of the lid was a simple phrase. One that he'd not put there. One that hadn't existed before yesterday.

White moves first.

Auric held a hoof to his chest and breathed deeply, in and out, until he was under control again. He looked to Measured and gulped once. "I...I'm scared."

Measured held her beloved close. "Why?"

"He was here. The wards mean nothing to him. I'm scared for you. If he's after me, you've got a target painted on your back, and I can't let anything happen to you. But something will happen, and I'm afraid."

Measured held Auric closer and sighed. "I'm scared too, but I know something you seem to have forgotten."

Auric sniffed once. "What?"

"You're Auric Fulcrum. Properly restored, there's not a thing you can't do. And even now, you're thinking of something, I'm sure. Just calm down and reason this out. What do you need? What can we do?"

Auric breathed deeply. "Specialized wards. Here, the Sanctum, the Black Lab. We move the Mirror to the Black Lab, just in case he used it to get in. We set up monitoring spells around here and the sanctum to detect and block any non-carbon-based life-forms. We work on figuring out if he's vulnerable to anything, from electromagnetism to heat to cold. And we double the wards on the Black Lab."

The Black Lab was the only laboratory that wasn't on the first floor. It was a peculiar lab that Auric had built into the basement of the tower. It had no door, no visible way of entering it. Only if you knew the combination, and knew where to enter every part of it, could you enter. And those entering and leaving the lab were subject to the protective spells laced into the tower's walls.

It was a good, solid plan. It had yet to be seen if it would work or not, because the moment the Mirror had been moved to its new home, Auric was struck with an idea. He placed his hooves on the frame of the Mirror and concentrated.

"To those of sound mind, sound heart. To they that would stand against evil, in the face of Armageddon. To the warriors and heroes, both celebrated and unsung. To my fellow Displaced, I call on you. I am Auric Fulcrum, Knight of the Eclipse, wielder of Alchemy's might. All I hold dear is being threatened by another Displaced. I know not why he seeks to fight me, but as I am, I cannot fight him and win. I require allies while I repair my self. I call on you to aid me, and promise you this: should the side of Light prevail, then I will grant they that aid me whatever boons I can as rewards, within reason. I hope that is not the only reason you choose to fight for me, but in my experience, you motivate more people with a pile of treasure and a kind plea than a kind plea alone."

Auric stepped back from the mirror and nodded once as his call echoed throughout the Multiverse. Hopefully, it would be soon that he got an answer.

Chapter 3 - The needs of the one outweigh - that is not how that saying goes.

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It's the next morning. The eternal youth wakes up and kisses his wife good morning, which she returns sleepily, and then enthusiastically once she realizes what's going on. "Mmmmm. Good morning, Frank."

The boy smiles and runs his fingers through her mane. "Morning, Measured. How about breakfast?"

The mare hums for a moment. "I could eat, yeah. Pancakes?"

The boy smiles. "Nobody can resist pancakes. Juice?"

"Orange. Ever since you introduced me, I was hooked."

The boy chuckles and smiles before going through the door, ending up in the kitchen. The mare eventually wakes up and makes her way to the door as well, ending up in the bathroom.

A quick breakfast later, it's his turn in the shower. She comes out of the door and starts in on her plate, whereas he's just finished his. "I think I'm going to experiment again today, love. Probably with crystals, psynergy, and magic. Maybe a bit of Alchemy for fun. What about you?"

She sighs and shakes her head. "I should look in on the other life-capable worlds and see how they're getting along, along with the ones I'm trying to terraform. It's been long enough for problems to sprout, though naturally, hope springs eternal."

The youth smiles and scratches her behind the ears. "Don't take too long getting back, okay?"

The mare flicks her ears. "Why? The only upcoming thing is my sea-" Her eyes pop and her mouth drops, before the boy reaches out and closes it with one hand.

"You'll catch flies, dear. And yes. I said 'no' then and there because I knew that this was our destiny. But here, I'm willing to try for you. And who knows? Maybe our kids will share our weirdness."

The mare works her mouth a few times before what can only be described as a lusty smile spreads across her face. "You'd best look into stamina potions, love~" she sing-songs as she skips out the door. The boy smiles and shakes his head before going to the Black Lab.

He frowns as he picks up a crystal and looks at some of the decor. So many memories in a place like this...so many...

-----
(We have to go back to the past, Marty!)

I frowned as I stared at the Alicorn Amulet on the table before me. It had been far too easy to get a hold of. Something like this deserved to be under the magical equivalent of bulletproof glass. Magic-proof glass? An interesting idea. Note to self: look into magic-repellant glass.

"Auric? You've just been staring at it for a few minutes now."

I jerked my head up and looked at the gathered trio of Alicorns before me. Luna, Cel, and Twi had agreed to my plan, but only as long as they supervised. If this test went well, then the sisters Celestial had more than a few artifacts in their blackest of vaults that they could stand to see drained and destroyed.

I was still cautious, though. If it didn't go well...I didn't want to think about it. I sighed and responded to the lavender alicorn anyways. "It's...It's not an easy thing to think about, Twi. The power and curse this thing holds. Both are great, and I fear for my self. What if-"

That was when Measured grabbed a hold of my right foreleg and slammed my hoof down on the amulet. "Then don't think about it," she succinctly stated.

Power instantly started to flood into my being. I could feel the drain going into effect from the second my hoof made contact.

And then I heard the damn whisper.

All things could be yours...you need not drain it to restore yourself...merely wear it, and you will be yourself again. Whole. Complete. Perfect. Able to protect everything you hold close to you.

I recognized the voice as 'not something I would say' and mentally snarled back at it. At what cost? For any would be far too high. Better to drain it and see it wither and die than fall to the trap it proffers like so many before me!

There was a silent scream, and the crystal in the amulet cracked and turned to dust as the last of its power drained into me. I blinked, rapidly feeling out the power I'd just regained, and smiled widely. "Hot damn! From high single digits to high teens! An Alicorn Amulet is worth ten percent! Still not anything worthwhile, compared to the bare minimum of what I really need, but damn if it wasn't effective!"

I cast a glance at the sisters, who were sharing a small laugh at my outburst. "Please tell me the artifacts you've picked out are at least as strong as that."

They sighed and Luna replied. "Nay, what trinkets we have are far less potent than that accursed amulet. But thank you for destroying it, finally. And what they lack for in quality..."

Celestia finished with a grin. "They do not lack for in quantity."

I blinked and turned to Measured, talking as though in a daze. "I...might be busy for the next bit. Would you please stay with Twilight at nearly all times while I take a quick jaunt up to Canterlot? I would hate to pass this opportunity up, put you in danger, or leave you alone in a tower that we aren't sure is safe or not anymore."

All three alicorns blinked at that. They'd apparently grown used to the idea that my tower was absolutely, completely impervious to all influences. Frankly, so had I. Measured slowly nodded as I finished my statement, and pitched in an idea of her own.

"What about if I were to look in here for more warding and prevention spells, specifically designed ones, while you were away?"

I hummed a bit at that and nodded. "It's a good plan, I fully approve. Just...please? Stick within yelling distance of Twilight?"

Measured nodded, and we shared a hug. I pulled away and made my way to the train station for an overnight train to Canterlot.

...Had I known, I would've asked the sisters to teleport me. I shouldn't have fallen asleep that night.

-----

I was standing outside my tow- no, wait. This wasn't right. I had just been on the trai- I was dreaming. This was a dream. Which meant that now that I knew, I was in control, right?

I experimented and successfully assumed my human form. Yeah, in some form of control. I looked to my tower and noticed that its proportions seemed a bit off. And then I heard a noise from behind me.

"It took a lot of work to get here, Frank DeFontaine. Jumping realities. Making a deal with the robot devil to get your Luna distracted. Forcing my way into your dream, which is ridiculously reinforced, by the way. Had to drop my damn disguise to just get in."

I turned to see what would have any normal human shitting their pants in fear. A man in a striped sweater with claws for hands and a very familiar hat on his head. Freddy Kreuger. Even though his form started to blur and be replaced with that of the robot I'd seen, a quick squint and some reflexive dream-magic (Reveal, I love you) showed me the truth of the matter. Normal humans wouldn't even try to stand and fight this monster.

...Then again, I wasn't normal. Oh, yeah, I'd had a fear of Freddy when I was younger. And then I went 'round the bend when I Understood everything. After that, I'd had a dream where Freddy begged me to let him out, and I just couldn't be afraid of him anymore.

Dream-walkers rarely deal well with the insane. As Pyramid Head had helped prove.

"But it'll all be worth it. Y'know, he doesn't want me to hurt you too badly. Just a scar or two, to mar your pretty little face."

Freddy clashed his claws together, producing an unholy shrieking noise of metal on metal and sending sparks to the ground.

"I think I'll see how far too far is myself. Now let's have fun with your sleeping mind, Frank."

He took one step towards me, and I snapped my fingers, a dream-representation of Eureka in my hands in an instant. Freddy froze, instantly wary. Apparently, I shouldn't have been able to do that. At least, according to him. But since when did I play by rules, let alone anyone else's?

"Look. I don't care who you were. I don't care who you are. But know you this: this is MY MIND. MY DREAM. I ALONE determine what happens here. You could be allied with God Himself, and I would still call you out on it. But if you really are as aligned to Fear as the one you portray, then this is your only warning."

He snarled at me. Actually snarled! "Or what, pretty boy? Gonna stab me?"

I laughed at that, which seemed to confuse him. "Nope. This is a mind realm. Mine was broken long ago. You either leave now, or you get to see what drove me insane. Heads up, if you're working for the robot, we carry the same burden: Ultimate Understanding. It's not pretty. It breaks minds quite quickly. You have to the count of one."

Freddy paused for a moment, seemingly going over his options, then raised his claws and took a step forward, apparently calling my bluff. "I'm not one to leave a job half-do-"

That was as far as he got. Above us, a hole appeared, and it shone with the radiance of the heavens. It froze with the deep vastness of space. It burned with all the fury of the stars.

It was my memory. And Understanding always, always, dispels Fear. No matter what form it may take.

Freddy screamed a satisfying, bloodcurdling scream, and vanished from the dream. I dismissed the memory, but not before a song wafted through my mind. One that I recalled from long ago.

~One, two, Freddie's coming for you~

-----

I jolted awake in a cold sweat before realizing that I'd fended off the invader and sighed. Great, just great. Now I have to worry about Freddy? What other allies has that damn robot recruited on his crusade against me?

Cel and Luna greeted me at the platform, and when I informed them of the need for haste, they agreed that teleportation would be our modus operandi that day. Which is why in the next second, I found myself in front of a table stacked high with artifacts that just oozed dark magic.

After taking a moment to get my stomach settled, I looked to the sheer size of the collection and raised an eyebrow at the sisters. Cel shook her head and pointed to Luna, who sighed. "Tis something of a hobby of mine, these days. I seek out dangerous relics from before mine time as the Nightmare and gather them to be held or destroyed, as the case may be. But if you can drain them of their power safely, then we need not worry about proper storage procedures. Or destruction procedures. Investigation procedures."

"Um," I tried to interrupt.

"Case studies, peer reviews, applicants to the School for Gifted Unicorns attempting to discover something new about the artifacts, letters to the student's next of kin,"

"Um," I attempted to interject again.

"But most importantly," and here Luna's eyes gained a glint to them that would send lesser men looking for an exit. "We will not have to worry about that thrice-cursed Tartarus-damned paperwork!"

I blinked. Cel blinked. We looked at each other and shared a blink. We looked at Luna, blinked, and then we couldn't hold it in any more.

We proceeded to laugh our flanks off. After a moment of her huffing at our antics, Luna joined in softly. It took a good five minutes for us to calm down, and afterwards I was smiling widely.

"Well then, noble lady moon, permit me to slay the dreaded duo known as Bureaucracy and Paperwork in the name of my own Immortality!"

Another shared laugh, and I stuck my hooves right into the pile.

Instantly, I was struck with whispers. This was actually the best plan I had come up with.

See, while one voice can dominate your ears, walk into a crowded room with about ten different conversations going on at once, and you'll never be able to follow them all! Just as one finishes, another starts, and another is right in the middle.

Similarly, the whispers all competed for my attention, but not hearing any of them clearly meant that their offers were unintelligible and therefor quite easy to resist.

I was done in ten minutes after making sure all the artifacts I had been presented with were drained. I proceeded to check my levels and let out a low whisper.

"High teens to low twenties. Those things weren't your run-of-the-mill things. They were no Alicorn Amulet by a long shot, but they were all strong in their own right."

The sisters nodded sadly, and I trotted a bit closer to them. "Hey, even this much is a help. I'm actually considering quite a few things now that I'm close to human form again. I'll let you know which one I decide on, and you can tell me if its doable or not."

The sisters shared a Look, smiled, and turned back to me before nodding again.

"Do return some time in the future, Auric," Cel said while her horn glowed.

"Indeed," Luna said, firing up her own horn. "Just...not while the fate of the world hangs in the balance."

"Yeah, I've had enough of that as well," I snarked. The three of us shared a laugh, and then I was in front of the new library crystal tree palace thing. The moment my eyes adjusted, Measured practically flung herself at me and hugged me close.

"I missed you," she said. I ran a hoof through her mane to comfort her.

"I missed you," I rejoined. "Find anything of worth?"

She nodded and a few books floated out from her saddlebags. "I should be able to institute those specialty wards when we get back. Strengthening them will take a bit of work, though."

I shrugged my shoulders. "'ey, as long as there isn't a robot in my house when I'm not there anymore...or when I am there, come to think of it..."

Twilight let out a giggle, and I deadpanned at her, which caused her to get her giggles under control very quickly. I sighed and pulled Measured along. "Come along, dear. We've a home to protect again."

-----

Adding a new spell to the wards on the walls: Theoretically easy.

Was it easy in practice? No, no it was not.

Under the advice of Xante, we'd finally altered a few patterns to make more efficient use of the power, but tying a new spell in was proving...bothersome.

Apparently it was having trouble reconciling 'nothing gets in without permission' with 'no robots get in ever'. I finally found a way to word it, though.

'Illusions shall be dispelled within ten feet of this wall, shapechangers shall assume their natural form, and robots must be invited in three times, lest their power become drained from them and added to these wards.'

Of course, just because we knew how to do it, didn't mean we could. Measured and I took a look at the three parameters we wanted to tie in and decided the last one was the most important for now. Combining our power left the walls, tower, and Black Lab theoretically robot-proof. We would have to test it. Hopefully, not soon.

The Black Lab had been emptied of everything but the Mirror, and when I saw the words it was displaying, well...

Your move.

...Yeah, I replayed the last few hours of relative time and found that Teridax had called for allies as well. Which not only explained the how and why of Freddy finding me (I'd had my suspicions before, now they were confirmed), but it spoke of things to come that would be equally if not moreso unpleasant.

And then words displayed on the glass.

Umbra Shadow-Walker seeks permission to enter. Confirm/Deny.

I slowly inched a hoof forward to the Mirror and thought one word. One word I hoped I would not come to regret thinking.

Confirm.

The sound that happened next can only be described as a VWORPLE...

Chapter 4 - Well that was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Even with my lifetime.

View Online

The boy looks at the mirror and sighs. It's inert, merely a reminder. He'd toyed with making a new looking-glass, but given it up. And then he sees the photo attached to it, of himself and his wife.

Most notably, he remembers when it was taken, which was just after their latest ceremony on Pivot. Cadence had officiated that wedding. But it was not the first time they'd been married...

-----

“Auric Fulcrum, I presume? I heard your message while riding the Void currents. Teridax sounds–and looks–like an asshole and I’d like to help in any way I can. Apologies, I haven’t introduced myself properly have I? I’m Umbra Shadow-Walker, nice to meet you.”

I turned around to take in the one who I'd invited in. Measured had gone to check on the wards, as they'd picked something up not too long ago. And right now, I have to say that seeing something that is literally made of shadows with lights for eyes and a mouth? Preeeety creepy. If it wasn't for the lights, I wouldn't have noticed him against the obsidian that coats every wall in the Black Lab.

I shook myself from my daze and responded to him. “Didn’t expect you to literally be made of shadows...Then again, the Multiverse is vast, I’m sure there’s a version of everyone as everything out there somewhere.”

I managed to draw myself up from in front of my mirror, and he noticed my hooves, or rather, I noticed him looking at my hooves.

“Y’know, when I first scanned your Universe, I did notice you had a crystal-blue sword; any relation to the color of your hooves?...Wait a minute. I think we came from the same Universe...or the Merchant visited you after he visited me. I distinctly recall your sword hanging on the wall of the Merchant’s stand at Comic-con. Say what you will, but I’m honestly thankful for that asshole giving me my mask...even if it did cost about a hundred dollars...asshole.”

I smiled as I recalled the tale, even though it still did sting a bit. “It’s a long story involving a Halloween party, a Dullahan costume, and a foolish wish, along with a Golden Sun and me breaking my Immortality. Apparently, if you can’t fend off Equus’ natural Harmony field, it makes you more Harmonious, so this is what I get. I’ll get better. Eventually.”

“Man, sucks for you. Sucks worse for me, since if I lose all my magic, I dissipate and won’t reform until I can get at least ten percent of my magic back. Thankfully, it hasn’t happened yet.”

I shrugged. “Could be worse. It could always be worse. Anyways, I saw you wanted in, mind telling me any ideas you had to help? Frankly, I’m just now finding out how...powerful this guy is.”

“Well, to be honest, if, and I do mean IF, I shelved my morals I could just...erase his Universe with him in it. I’ve coded Universes into being before and I can damn well code them out of existence. But, I’m pretty sure you don’t want me to do that. Aside from my OP coding abilities, have you ever heard of a series called Fate Stay/Night?”

I shook my head as I responded to his query. “Sorry, not much for manga or anime when I was on Earth. And yeah, I really wouldn’t want you to for various reasons. Mostly because that’s not how I would do things. Ever. But also because you’d attract the attention of Equestria’s Guardian. True, you could probably justify it, but She’d still not likely take it well that you’d wiped an Equestria out of existence, even if it was to kill Teridax.”

“Equestria’s Guardian? Oh yeah, Fausticorn! We’re pretty cool, she’s my...advice pony/mentor. And yeah, she’d kill me if I destroyed another Universe. Anyways-”

“Wait. Another. You mean you’ve done it before. And you’re still breathing. How?!” How are you this powerful and inept and still ALIVE?!

“Long story short: Conversion Bureau and frank inexperience. She sees me as a child, and we all know how destructive children can be. Anyways, in Fate Stay/Night, two of the characters can produce nigh endless amounts of magical swords. Gilgamesh, not the one you’ve met, though, has a literal endless armory full of ‘his’ treasures and Archer can copy any weapon he sees instantly. I can reproduce just about anything with a shadow–in varying degrees of difficulty–and so I can make anything they can. Gilgamesh has a sword called Ea, Sword of Rupture. On a scale of one to ten, Ea’s attack, Enuma Elish, is about maybe a thirty. I can replicate it at about a level of twenty, though I’m useless for the next three hours. Think that’ll do anything?”

I looked to the side and sighed, the abilities he'd mentioned sounded like blatant cheating to me. “I’m not normally helpless, y’know. And while I would appreciate some grand power to instantly win a battle...it’d cheapen it somehow, you get what I’m saying? Like starting a game and instantly becoming max-statted. I mean, I know I face something terrible. But if we were to use your strength to its fullest capacity...then what room would there be for anyone else to try?”

I hummed and put a hoof to my chin, various plans playing across my brain. “Though, I can think of a few things, right now, that I could ask of you to do. Can you replicate any item, or do you have restrictions on that based on what you’ve just said to me?”

“Well, one: I know how you feel, I try not to use any of my OP attacks unless I’m in very real danger. Two: Anything that gives off an intensely magical light is going to shred me to pieces, so I can’t replicate just anything. Three: I’m more of a support type guy anyways. If you guys need help, hey, that’s what I’m here for.”

I nodded as a plan solidified in my mind. “D’you know of Psynergy Stones? Don’t answer. I need to find enough large ones, the ones that never run dry, for all the towns. After that, I’m free to drain whatever I find, to fuel my own re-ascension to Immortality. What you choose to do with that information is up to you. And then there’s thing two.”

I paused for a minute before smiling cheekily. “D’you think you could pass a request on to Fausticorn for me?”

He nodded a bit, “Yeah, I can help with both. I got a few artifacts that you could drain, and Fausticorn usually likes to help me, since I’m really the only one she’s spoken to for a while...as far as I know at least.”

“There people go, making assumptions that Time is a thing that matters in the Void Eternal,” I quipped. “Anyways. I have a message, c’mere…”

He shifted a bit closer and leaned in, “What is it?”

The request would have made his face go pale. If he still had a face. Or blood.

I requested that the Lady Faust officiate a wedding between myself and Measured Thought.

-----

The venue was simple: a field under the night sky, which had been cleared to show the stars and moon above. Terribly romantic.

The guest list was even simpler: Umbra, myself, Measured, the Lady Faust...and once Celestia and Luna had noticed, they naturally joined in as well. Something about honoring their creator or some such.

“So...I guess we don’t exactly need a best man for this, now do we?” Umbra was out of sorts or something if that's the best his brain can come up with.

I snorted and rolled my eyes before turning on the sarcasm. “Sorry, Richard’s in another dimension, Dullahan’s guarding the only weakness in the World-Barrier, and Newvale’s probably asleep.”

Measured Thought pitched in then. “Mom and Dad are also probably asleep. And in Canterlot. And recovering from having so many of their colleagues found out to be a part of Omega’s conspiracy. I think they were getting better when I last checked.”

“Ask a stupid question, I suppose. Anyways, you two lovebirds get on with it, I’m sure Lady Fausticorn’s getting impatient just standing around doing nothing. Hey...are Celestia and Luna bowing? What am I saying, of course they are, not everyday that your goddess shows up to officiate a wedding, after all. Am I right?”

I rolled my eyes again, but focused on Measured Thought. “Measured, when I first saw you, there was only one thing running through my mind: Why is that crazy unicorn doing that?” She laughed softly. “But then I freed you from the control of Omega, and as I spent more time around you, I went from wanting to get you help for your attachment complex...to actually caring about you. And then that bastard Omega sent a final command before I Banished him.”

I held one of her hooves in both of mine. “I broke my immortality, just for you. I saw...things, from beyond all realities, that told me of possible futures. And now, I wish to make sure that whatever the future holds, whatever this foe does to us, we face it together. It would be an honor if you agreed to marry me.”

Measured Thought smiled and softly complained. “How am I supposed to best that?” Still, she cleared her throat and tried.

“Auric Fulcrum, you’ve saved me time and again. From Omega, from myself, and from certain death. And while I did look up to you, as I spent more time around you, I became more and more irritated that you became unpredictable in nearly every circumstance. Save one. Whenever I’m in danger, you run to my side to save me. And then I noticed...you do it for everyone. Your spirit, your nobility, that’s what drew me in, and while the road ahead may be bumpy...I promise to be there with you for it, no matter what. It would be my honor if you agreed to marry me.”

We nodded and looked to the Lady Faust, who also nodded. “Do you have the rings?”

Oh crap, the rings! I lifted a hoof and stomped the earth, sending my magic, my Alchemy, searching for the base materials. I then quickly formed them into the requisite rings, both bearing matching diamonds. The drain hit me hard, and I leaned on Measured Thought more than a bit as she levitated one to both our horns. “Transmutation...why you so difficult now?” I managed to wheeze out.

Lady Fausticorn watched on for a moment, then continued. “Then by the Authority vested in me as Guardian of this Realm, I, Lady Fausticorn, Pronounce thee, Auric Fulcrum and Measured Thought, husband and wife! As the saying goes, you may now kiss the bride.”

I could feel the authority in her statement, as though it reverberated across and Beyond all realities. Suck it, Teridax. Measured Thought capitalized on my distraction and basically force fed me her tongue. She eventually came up for air, though, and the first words I could come up with were “Somepony’s enthusiastic. Wonder why.”

The moment was nearly perfect, and then Umbra spoke up.

“Hey Auric, I’m really happy for you, and I’mma let you finish, but when you said something about draining things, what did you mean?”

I looked over to him with a deadpan expression. Which is worse, that I recognize that as a meme, or that I can't name it anymore? “Remember the Alicorn Amulet? Well, my hooves act as natural magic syphons. Once my ‘normal’ tank for a unicorn is full, the overflow goes to my nigh-empty one that’s supposed to contain the power the Golden Sun gave me. I ate it’s power, in other words, and got a good ten percent in that loading bar back.”

He radiated smugness then. “I’ve got some stuff in my subspace pocket that might interest you then. At one point I stumbled upon a Universe with an albino changeling named Abel. Well, we struck a deal, and I got a few vats of gelatinous magic out of it. Since I haven’t used any of it, it’s worth maybe, I dunno, some few hundred thousand arbitrary mana units or so. Think you could use it?”

I thought for a moment before shaking my head again. “Nah...but thanks for the lead and reminder to talk to the changelings. If they can do that sorta thing in this dimension, then we might be able to strike a deal of our own.” Seriously, note to self, TALK TO CHRYSSY.

I eventually disentangled himself from my new bride and walked towards Umbra. “And seriously, Umbra? Even if you decide to do nothing with my other request? Thank you. I will admit that there was...an ulterior motive to me asking Faust to marry us, but being married to her? Thank you for asking Faust for me. I’d be honored to count you among my friends in the Displaced.”

“‘S all good. But remember, if you need anything, anything at all, and I’m talking everything from kittens to reality bombs here, I can probably provide for you. I guess you could call me a more friendly, less creepy Merchant...without the whole “Send you to another Universe for the hell of it” thing. Just… give me a call, alright?”

I smirked as I looked at him. “Personally, I was going to go with a Matrix reference...Morpheus. But alright. Take care now, y’hear?” After all, if I need guns, lots of guns, I'll come to you.

I then turned to Lady Faust and bowed deeply. “And thank you, Milady, for agreeing to this. It truly means the world to me.”

Lady Fausticorn smiled down at me. “T’was my pleasure, Auric Fulcrum. And also thank you for the opportunity to visit one of the Realms I so lovingly created.”

Umbra sighed and looked up at the night sky. “Well, I guess that’s my part played, I’ll be back if you need me, maybe I’ll be back even if you don’t need me. It was fun.”

The next thing I know, Measured Thought has a firm hold on me and is sorta-whispering into my ears. “Time to go consummate our marriage, love…”

That night promised to be interesting...

Chapter 5 - A crushing blow to friend...or was she foe?

View Online

The boy turns to one of the diamonds on his workbench and holds it up to the light. It shimmers and shines beautifully. He pours a bit of his power into it, and it changes color, taking on a violet hue. More...more...the color grows darker...just a wee bit further...

And then it explodes into pieces and lightning. Miraculously, none of them cause him serious damage, though they do sting a bit. He coughs and waves the smoke aside. "Well, I'm closing in on how much of a charge this world's diamonds can handle..."

He sighs as he looks at one particular shard that's larger than the rest, and can't quite help recalling the one that used a diamond as her Token...

-----
(Wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff...)

It started out like a normal day for me and the wife, you know, good a cup of coffee, some waffles, the usual. It seemed as if everything was normal, for once, that is until I heard a voice call out to me, one I had not heard in quite some time and had almost hoped I wouldn’t hear again. It was the voice of Kat Shifter, the gravity manipulator who I had tried to convince not to follow a path of vengeance only for her to not only lie to me, but completely blow me off after I left. This time, however, it didn’t seem she was calling for me, specifically, but was simply calling out. Her voice was ragged and almost desperate. Her words were simple, but the emotions behind them were strong, stronger than I had felt in a long time.

I don’t want to be alone.

Those six words were surprising to say the least. I wondered, briefly, what she meant by that, but figured it meant that her plans for revenge had fallen through. So, I ignored her, or tried to at least, but Measured noticed my discomfort.

“Is everything alright?”

“It’s nothing, just a certain Displaced calling out,” I replied.

“Which one?” she asked, sounding curious.

“Remember the gravity shifter I told you about?” She nodded and comprehension came upon her. “It seems something has happened to her.”

“Shouldn’t you help her?”

“I tried that once, only for her to ignore me entirely.”

“Still, Auric, what if she’s in danger? Can you really just sit back and let something terrible happen when you know you can make a difference?”

I thought on those words for a moment, running through all different situations that could possibly happen. In the end, I knew that Measured was right. “You could be right, maybe I’ll just check on her.”

“May I join you?”

“I don’t see why not, but be careful,” I say before looking around, knowing I wouldn’t see anything, or anyone, “you never know who might be watching.”

“Stop being so paranoid, come on!”

The two of us made our way to the Black Lab and towards the Mirror. I placed my hoof on the mirror and thought in the direction of Kat. As the mirror changed, it showed… Kat in a prison cell sobbing intensely?! Now, I was slightly intrigued.

“Oh, wow,” Measured said looking at the same thing I was. “What all lead to this?”

“Why don’t we take a look?” I commanded the Mirror as such: Show me Kat’s experiences since we last met. What the Mirror showed me was simply amazing. It seems that after I had left, Kat discovered an enemy in these strange, ink-like monsters called nevi, and used them as an excuse to become Equestria’s most wanted. And it seems I was right about her not killing off every last changeling, though she seemed to have rectified that at the wedding of Cadence and Shining Armor. That seemed to have been the final straw for the Sisters, as it was there that they called Kat out and she supplied it… immensely. The way she handled their fight was rough and powerful, almost surprising me at how powerful she could be.

Oh wow… okay, did not see that ending coming. That last blow was beyond what I thought even she was capable of. Harsh girl, harsh. Fast forward to a giant monster attacking Canterlot and Kat defending the Princesses? Wait, is that Gilgamesh helping her?! Wow, even I’m starting to get confused here. And now there are two gravity shifters? What the? Okay, the other one seems to have it out for Kat and… I have no words for what I just saw. That was utterly beyond anything I would have expected and now I know Kat needs my help!

“Dear Celestia,” I heard Measured whisper as she held back her tears. The very sight of that pony being killed in such a cruel manner is just unbelievable. “Auric, you have to help her.”

I nodded. “I know. I just hope she listens this time.” I gave Measured a quick kiss and flung myself through the mirror. I appeared instantly behind Kat who was muttering to herself about being alone and being and terrible person. “Maybe you just made some bad choices.” Kat wheeled around in an instant, her eyes were red and her face was stained with tears. Her voice was shaky and pained, saying one word only.

“Auric?!”

“The one and only. Why, do you know of another unicorn like me? Cause if so, I’ll have a copyright infringement case to get started on.” Snark and sarcasm to break the ice, and hopefully bring her mood up a tick. It’s easier if they laugh with you.

She stared at me for a good few seconds before flinging herself at me. I was prepared for something, but not this. She was hugging me! Embracing me as if I were an old childhood friend come back to life. “I’m so sorry, Auric,” she sobbed into my neck. “I should have listened to you. I should have just given up revenge when I had the chance.” She couldn’t continue as her sobs picked up.

Warily I picked up a hoof and started to rub her back. Normally, I enjoy people saying that I was right, but considering the circumstances… “What brought this on? Last I checked up on you, you were laughing my ideals off. And I checked up again when I left. How did you go from confident to...this?”

She sniffled as she pulled back slightly. “I made friends,” she whispered mournfully. “They were the greatest I had had in a long time, a very long time. They stood by me even when I told them the truth. I couldn’t have asked for better. I even found out why Fluttershy was so familiar to me. Auric, she’s my granddaughter.” She hesitated, before turning away slightly. “Was my granddaughter.”

I blinked at that as the meaning behind the past tense kicked in. “No. No, no no no. That...what monster would do that?!”

“A monster of my own unintentional and intentional making. Do you remember me speaking of a girl named Rita?”

I shook my head, still shell-shocked by the very idea that I’d been forced to contemplate. “It doesn’t ring a bell. Should it?”

“I suppose not, or it didn’t then. Rita was my very best friend back on Earth. We had been friends since we were three, both of our fathers were in the military together in Vietnam and the Gulf War. My father stayed in the military, while hers pursued a psychology degree. Her father was my therapist for a long time and we became exceptionally close after my parents were killed. We were like sisters. She was also the only one with me when I was sent here. I thought I would never see her again, until now.”

I breathed deeply. In, out. “When did this happen, Kat? When, precisely?”

“Only a little before you came did I finally learn the truth. Rita has been behind everything. Ten years after I left Earth, she fell victim to the Merchant and came to Equestria as Raven, Kat’s rival in the game. If she hadn’t done what she did, I would feel sorry for her. It had been a busy ten years for me, already ending the century long dragon war, and there were many who were displeased at that. Selfish creatures. When Raven came here, they thought she was me and attacked her. She was forced to hide and hone her abilities with only that bird by her side. It was during this that she learned how to summon the nevi. That was after two hundred years and after all the tormenting and shunning, she had come to hate me. She attacked those towns with the nevi and I got blamed for it. That’s how I got sealed in stone, if you remember. When I was freed and she found out, she had had a thousand years to hone her powers fully and use them, while I was forced to only learn of them. She wanted revenge on me and now she has it.”

I shook my head. “A thrilling tale for the ages, but not what I meant. When did they take Fluttershy’s…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. To be fair, find someone that could even talk about cruelty and Fluttershy in the same sentence, and I’ll show you an irredeemable monster.

Her sobs began anew and she placed her head in her hands. “This morning,” she cried. “She killed her and made me watch! Her last words were: I will always love you grandmother! How could you, Rita?” she started talking to herself again. “How could you Extinguish such an innocent soul?”

“We have one shot.”

That got her attention. She snapped her eyes to me as I continued. “In the Starswirl the Bearded Wing, there’s a scroll on Time Travel. Got it from my Twilight. Lets you travel one week back into the past. And as I’m currently a unicorn…”

She shook her head. “It won’t help. It may bring back us back in time, but how can I help? Auric, I’m powerless.”

I smiled at her. “Compared to her, yeah. Compared to me? Dear, my tank’s running on empty. I need magic, energy, chakra, ki, power, call it what you will. I broke my immortality to save a pony close to me, and it takes a lot to recover that. You might as well be a damn star next to me!”

“No, you don’t understand. I’m not a shifter anymore. Raven took my powers. She said if I gave them to her she wouldn’t harm my friends. I never should have taken her word.”

I snorted at that. “Kat, you were an inanimate statue in a magic laden world for a millennium. Trust me, there’s power in you yet. You just can’t use it. Give it to me, I’ll recover at least a noticeable portion, and try to find the damn scroll. It’ll take careful maneuvering to create a new, stable time loop. But I’ll try. For you and her, I’ll try.”

“Thank you for that Auric, but I don’t have anything. I’m just a human now, Raven is much more powerful. She has Equestria now, Celestia made the deal. If she made Raven the ruler, the other Elements would be allowed to live, but not me. My execution is tomorrow. I can’t beat her, she has all of my powers and I have nothing. I was locked away while she ran free. She’s taken everything from me, not that I had left myself much to lose.”

I rolled my eyes and turned to the door. “This little thing?” I focused my mind on it, seeking the pins holding the hinges together, and neatly dissolving just a tiny portion of them.

Of course, said tiny portion ended up with the door creaking, falling down an inch, and then falling into the hallway. I quirked an eyebrow at Kat then. “Cause that’s not an issue. And the Kat I knew fought for what she wanted with all her heart. She certainly didn’t let a ponified Alchemist tell her what she had to do. She did what she wanted, how she wanted, and took no guff from nobody. Are you sure you’re Kat? I can almost see hooves if I look hard enough.”

Much to my annoyance, Kat simply stayed in the corner of her cell. “You’re right. I’m not good for anything, all I do is make things worse. I forced Celestia into this because I messed up.”

I snorted, reared back, and placed my front hooves on her shoulders, locking eyes with her. “Exactly! It’s your fuck-up! Are you just gonna let it fester? Or do you intend to clean it up? Because the way I would do it would be highly messy, involve quite a few Banishments to the Void Eternal, and I’m not sure even that would be enough! I might just go hunt her down afterwards and see to it she’s present for the birth of a new star! So man up or wuss out! Because if you don’t, I will. And when I’m done with her, because you caused this situation, I’ll come back for you afterwards.”

“Fine, do it then!” she roared at me. “Just end me now so I can be with my granddaughter and her ancestor! What do I have left to live for?! I bucked up! Okay? If I hadn’t lost my cool on Celestia after seeing that the adoption form was real and broken her horn, then she never would have been forced to rely on Raven for anything! What good am I to this world?! Huh, how can I, a pitiful human with nothing, stand up against the most powerful being on this damn planet?!”

I slowly blinked. “You don’t get it. They didn’t like you for your powers. They liked you for you. You made friends, not just because you could compress coal to diamonds, but because you were human. You made Flutters proud she was your granddaughter, enough that she died with that on her lips. You ask how can you? I ask, how come you can’t? It doesn’t matter if you fail. What matters is, you fucking try!”

“But how?” she asked me in a desperate whisper. “I want to do something, but how? I don’t have any powers.”

“That is not entirely true,” said a voice from the shadows. It walked slowly into the light revealing a pitch black cat with a starry coat and nearly glowing white eyes. “There may still be hope,” it said.

“...Gonna guess that you’re not only important and you know Kat here, but also Dusty, wherever he may be, and agree with my sentiments, if not my wording. I assume you also know our names, so care to give us yours?”

He chuckled, which was a little creepy. “I know my Mistress’ name, yes, but not yours. Based on your speech, however, I assume that you and she are alike. And I don’t just know Dusty, for I am him.”

“...Well this makes me feel all sorts of awkward. Apologies, but I never ran into you. Merely heard of you. And yeah, we’re kinda sorta alike, except I’m not the one acting like all is lost and giving up. I assume from your earlier introduction, you have a plan? Care to inform us?”

“I apologize as well, I was quite dead until about two months ago. I assume Kat informed you of that much prior to this encounter. And I do indeed have a plan. Though, I feel I must also apologize for my mistress’ behavior. She doesn’t take loss very well as I assume you have seen.”

I sighed and looked to the ground, thinking of all I had lost, all I had almost lost, and all that I would...one day lose. Potential immortality sucks sometimes. “Guess we’ll see how well I deal with it when my turn comes.” I looked the cat in the eyes. Have I mentioned how freaky it is to see a cat that’s only slightly smaller than you? Damn pony form. “So. What’s the plan, and do you need me to deconstruct slash banish anyone? Cause I’ll do it.”

“I think we are all misunderstanding the situation we are in. As I have told Kat, we need to find the truth hidden within the truth. We know that Rita, a.k.a. Raven, has created the nevi to attack Kat, but she also has taken control of all Equestria. But why? What is her motivation for this? All I have determined is that something is wrong with her, there is something... else. What I do not know, but I fear that we will need to. What we need to do is get Kat powered up, for the lack of a better term.”

“You can handle that. I think I have a shortcut for figuring out ‘what’s going on’ with me.” I held up a hoof that glinted in the little light there was in the cell. “But get her at least somewhat strong again. I’m not about to inflict this without her consent and her being able to withstand it, even if I can direct it.”

Kat blinked. “Oh no, you are not touching me with those screwed up hooves of yours. I am insane enough and mourning will only make it worse.”

“I am not quite sure what you speak of, Mister Fulcrum, but it seems to be quite upsetting. May I inquire as to what you mean?”

I smiled evilly, or as evilly as a pony can. “It’s quite simple. Eureka, blade of Understanding. Touching it is highly inadvisable, because it can and tended to show the unwary...how everything works. These days, I’ve formed a bond with it, and can direct its powers somewhat. It’s still a damn mischievous blade, and in this form, it takes the place of what would be my hooves.” I stepped one step closer to Kat and didn’t drop the smile. “And dear, insanity? Is mandatory for this knowledge.”

“No! I don’t want that kind of knowledge. I will leave that to you and Teridax!”

I growled at his name, but quickly plastered my smile on again. “I fully intended to direct it, dear. Just to make you remember everything about your life and hers that you could recall. To make you truly understand yourself and what you can remember of her, and compare it to the her of today. It’d probably sting a bit, but look on the bright side. You wouldn’t be forced to see...what I’ve seen and can’t unsee.”

Dusty put a paw on her knee. “I will be right here, Mistress. This may be our chance to understand what has happened and how we can fix it.”

Kat sighed. “Alright, but I want to know how I’m supposed to power up first. Just in case.”

“Wise and good. You go over that with her, Dusty, I have to wrangle a mischievous sword.”

“Very well. You see Mistress, when you relinquished your powers to Raven, I simply couldn’t let you. Since the beginning I was the source of your abilities until you developed your own, from whence I became more of a surge protector. As such, I still have a connection to your original abilities and I decided to take them back, just for this moment. I can give you all my powers, Kat, and then you can take yours back.”

Kat blinked and her eyes widened as she realized something. “You learned Extinguish, didn’t you?” I remember her mentioning that the first time, though I still wasn’t quite certain about what it meant.

“I did indeed,” Dusty replied sadly. “I wish I never had, that is until now. With it you can take back your power and end Raven’s threat all at once. It will be the only way since you will only have your three original powers to back it up, along with the first basics.”

“Nice to see I count for so much,” I snarked. Yeah, emotional conversation, Dusty likely to sacrifice himself so that Kat can fix this. I know the score. Damn TVTropes. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I can still feel! It was just...somewhat predictable when he said he could give her her powers back and that he’d taken them.

Dusty raised an eyebrow at me (still creepy). “I believe you misunderstand, Mister Fulcrum. Gravity shifters have the ability to pass their powers between each other, given that both are willing. It is relatively painless and as her familiar, I can do the same. As if I would miss out on a chance to see that evil witch writhe in pain for the pain she has put my Mistress through.”

“Ah,” I replied intelligently. Hey, shut up, mind being force to rearrange what it thinks is predictable over here, thank you very much. “So, question. Will you actually kill her, or will you not have the heart at the time? Cause if you don’t intend to have her die, I have a very fitting punishment all lined up. Just wanna know ahead of time, it takes a minute to charge.”

Kat blinked. “That’s right, I never did fully tell you about Extinguish, did I?”

I shook my head. “Nah, but feel free. Nearly done here. It’s not being quite as belligerent today.”

“Extinguish is the only move I have ever forbidden myself from using and have only ever used it once on accident. Extinguish rips away my enemy’s gravity field, painfully, and I absorb it, gaining their strengths in the process. This results in the target having no gravity at all and their particles are drawn to the nearest source, usually the planet below. What makes it so deadly, is that it can only be used on actual living creatures. I used it once on an Ursa Major and it turned to dust while I gained its immense strength. Wish that hadn’t been taken with when I gave up my powers. It was also that incident that got me kicked out of Gilgamesh’s training camp.”

My mind was abuzz, instantly. “That’s how it works? But then, if she Extinguished...and you did it to her...would you still have any chance?!”

“What do you mean? If Dusty can give me back that power, I can end this. It may not bring back my granddaughter, but at least I can say she didn’t die in vain. All I have to do, is to make sure she doesn’t use it on me, as well as try not to get killed by every other power she has and… I am not helping myself by talking about this, am I?”

I shook my head and rapidly made hoof movements while I talked. “She Extinguished Flutters. So she absorbed what used to be Flutters. If you were to use it on her, then you would absorb everything about her...including the things she took. Would you or her have any hope, then?”

“There is a way that could be beneficial, but it would need something,” Dusty said. Kat looked confused, but didn’t say anything.

I nodded once, satisfied that one of them got what I was saying. “Dusty, the cat with a plan. Okay, so. My part. I can help you figure out just where the hell things went wrong. Maybe. And gravity may be your domain, but with my Understanding, don’t undercut me. I’m willing to try as well. The important part isn’t the impossible odds or the certainty of dying. It’s that we need this to work, and I would be a right ass if I didn’t pitch in. Dusty, do your thing, then I’ll do mine.”

“One problem with your statement, Auric.”

I quirked an eyebrow as I finally reached an accord with my sword. “And that is?”

Dusty smiled. “The transfer is already complete. I have been giving Kat my powers as we spoke. Simple as that. And they say dogs are a human’s best friend; I’d like to see one of those mongrels do that!”

I blinked a few times at his efficiency and smiled. “Actually, dogs are loyal and dumb, cats are clever and independent, and my personal favorite has always been vulpines. Dogs live with you, cats live in your house and consider themselves your superiors, and foxes are just awesome.”

Dusty deadpanned at me and then looked to Kat. “Should we tell him exactly what we ate during that first year and a half of your training?” Then he turned to me. “I take affront to your words, Mr. Fulcrum. I am nothing if not loyal! Do you know how many times I have been blasted, burned, crushed, squashed, and trampled? And each time I returned for more to keep my Mistress safe. Hell, I came back from the dead just to be with her!”

Kat smiled for the first time since I arrived. “Don’t dis the cat, or you get the smack.”

I shook my head at Dusty. “Those are just my views. You’ll never be able to top a vulpine in my mind. ‘specially fennecs. Sorry. If it helps, have Kat tell you what position cats held in Egypt, if she hadn’t already. But hey, if I had to choose between cat and dog, I’d go feline every time. You just failed to take into account that I might like another kind of animal more than your binary choices.”

“Ah, yes,” he said with a dreamy expression. “I remember the last time we had fennecs. They were quite delicious. Those dragons certainly knew how to cook. Though, I thank you for the compliment, Mr. Fulcrum, I do believe there is a task that needs to be completed. Morning is only a few hours away, leaving Kat’s execution only an hour after.”

I walked up to Kat and held up a hoof that was brimming with light and power. “Last chance. Once I touch you and speak the words, there’s no going back. You’ll see everything that’s true, everything that should hopefully help, and you won’t be able to forget it. Tell me right now otherwise, or we go ahead with this.”

Kat hesitated for a moment, but nodded. “This may give us the lead we need. I’ll do it, for my little Flutters.”

I smiled sadly at her. “That’s the kind of resolve I was looking for.” My grin faded. “This...will hurt. I’m sorry.”

I brought the hoof to rest on her hand and breathed deeply once. “Kat, you need to focus, to know, to Understand your friend Rita, or as she’s now known, Raven.”

And with that sentence, the cascade triggered. Her screams and the open cell door, however, also brought down some...attention from the guards, what few there were, in the area. I looked to Dusty and laughed slightly. “Eheh. My fault?”

“Ya think? Just be lucky the only guards down here are Minions. If it were a Hulk then we would be dead.”

The nevi, as Kat had called them, gathered at the open door and looked from the screaming Kat, to me, to Dusty, back to Kat, and then apparently decided ‘eh, screw it,’ and walked in. My eyes narrowed and I spat something to Dusty, something that probably sounded like ‘you take the ones on the left.’

The next thing I can recall, I was standing near the door and panting heavily. I...don’t remember the intervening moments. At all. I’ve tried before, but all I get is this...ball of rage and anger. I might have...gone off a bit.

“Oh,” said Dusty, who was wide eyed. “Now I ‘understand’, you’re just as, if not more, crazy than Kat. Are all humans as unstable as you three?”

I snarled at him slightly. “These buckers serve an insane murderess who tore apart the kindest pony in any existence on the atomic scale. Not only is that a crime against all Equestrias, that’s also my shtick! You better believe I’ll go a little crazy against such monsters! It’s no less than they deserve!”

Just then, I noticed my coat had shifted from Day to Night. Definitely was recently angry, then. Should probably look into that.

“Well, at least nevi are unintelligent beasts with no soul or anything. Just simple constructs that do as told. No harm, no foul.”

I looked back to Kat, who’d stopped screaming and fallen against the stones. “Ah, good. The flood has stopped. Integration should soon begin. That takes a minute or two. Then she’ll probably jump up and say my blade’s name or something similar.” And just like that, back to Day again. I should get a handle on my emotions.

Another minute passed in silence, but then Kat’s head slowly rose up, revealing an expression of pain. “The bird,” she whispered, just loud enough to be heard.

Didn’t she say that Raven’s familiar was a bir- wait. I glared at Dusty. “Something you’re not telling us, Dusty? It seems odd that she would name the familiar to her rival, don’t you think? Almost as though her actions weren’t her own. I’m not doubting your loyalty, but is there something about familiars you’ve neglected to mention, ever?”

Dusty shook his head. “I know very little about my kind, unfortunately. Only small bits that I learned of from the Void as I put myself back together over the millennia. I know not much else save that we can communicate telepathically with our respective persons. Though, I don’t quite think that matters here. Now, Kat, what did you learn?”

“The bird. It’s the source. We don’t have to destroy, Rita. She never relinquished her bond like we did. The bird is still the source of her power! We just have to kill it! I can still keep my sister!”

I blinked a few times. “Okay, new question. What’s to stop the bird from crushing you? If she’s the source, then she knows Extinguish, right? Or is it a totally different dynamic than the one you and Dusty share?”

Kat blinked, then looked at Dusty, who was looking back at her. “Though I am able to learn gravity techniques, Mr. Fulcrum, I am unable to use them. Familiars do not posses such an ability, as far as I know. Otherwise do you really think I would have let Kat fight on her own for so long? I would have been out there protecting her if I could.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Fair point. New question. Why would the bird ever be apart from Raven? If it leaves her, it’s defenseless. It’d be the opportune moment, true, but if the bird is as half as smart as you, Dusty, then it’s got a goddamn roost set up on her back.”

Kat then took on a hard expression, one of pure determination. “We don’t have to wait. It’s time this ends. Rita, NO! Raven said that it was unfortunate that I gave up so easily. Well, now, she’s gonna get her fight. I may not have the power to rival hers, but I won’t give up!” She looked at me and smiled. “I have friends I need to save and that alone will give me the strength to win. I will tear that damn bird to shreds and everything will end. There has been enough pain and suffering in this world because of her, now it’s time to end it.”

I walked over to the cell wall with a window in it and put a hoof to it. “The only question now, dear, is do you want to tear this complex apart on your way out, or will you let me make for you an explosive exit?”

I could feel Kat smile behind me. “If you would be such a gentleman, Mr. Fulcrum, or do you prefer gentlecolt?”

I focused on the stones in the wall and carefully selected a few, enough to blast a hole through the entire thing, and replied absentmindedly. “Actually dear, those that I trust enough? I prefer they call me by my birth name. Frank DeFontaine. And get ready. This is gonna be fun.”

And with that, I ‘flipped’ some of the atoms in a wall for those with their exact counterparts. Or to put it another way, I turned four atoms into antimatter. More than enough to blast the damn wall open. One would have done the job. And instantly, I was drained. It would take a good ten minutes to recover from this. Damn my showman’s nature.

Kat whistled appreciatively at my handiwork. “Damn, you sure know how to show a girl a good time. Also, I would say that it’s alright to call me by my real name, but I can only remember my first name. It’s Allison, by the way, or Ally for short.”

I wheezed as I held a hoof to my chest. “Well Ally, go get ‘er. I’ll just stay here and recover from turning matter to antimatter if you don’t mind. Though if you scream enough, I might could intervene in your fight if you need me.”

“No, this is my fight Auric. You have been help enough, but I need to do this.” She leaned down and kissed my cheek, surprising me. “Thank you for giving me another chance, Frank. I hope I can repay you for it some time.”

I would have blushed, but Measured’s done a good job insulating me to the embarrassing effect of kisses. I did cough, which can still be attributed to needing to recover from the whole ‘let’s make antimatter’ shtick I just pulled off. “Just...one spoiler for you, then. If all goes well and you succeed, not only in this, but in bringing back your granddaughter? Ask Cel who was contained in the world’s oldest prison, and ask her to check if He’s still in there. Cause I think I’m still ahead of you by a year or so.”

Kat sighed. “Tirek’s free, isn’t he? I knew I felt his presence a while back. It doesn’t matter, at least not right now. That is something they will have to deal with when the time comes. Because after all this, I don’t think this world can take any more gravity shifts. Besides, I fear Teridax is up to something. I felt his spy for a long time, but simply ignored it. I noticed that grimace of yours earlier, Auric. I have met Teridax, live and in person. He is a dangerous one.”

I snarled again. “Yeah, he’s up to something. Me. Because we both Understand, he’s declared me his polar opposite, his perfect foe. I’m trying to refill my immortality gas tank before he truly fights me, and so far, all I’ve done is drain it.” I looked to the ‘courtyard’ below and grimaced. “If you live through this, come find me. I have at least one guest room at my tower. I could use all the help I can get. If you’re willing to give it, that is.”

She nodded. “I think I will take you up on that, that is if you can put up with someone like me.” She smiled at me. “I’ll probably be there in about a month. Hopefully by then, the last thing this world will need, is me.”

I shook my head and began to pull on the connection to my homeworld, but not before leaving her with one final saying. “If you can truly look into the eyes of your granddaughter and say that without either one of you objecting, then it’ll be a cold day in hell, m’dear.”

And with that, I vanished back home, stumbling quite a bit. I’d not gained any power from my jaunt, but thankfully what I used wasn’t too excessive. I nearly tripped over my own hooves, but Measured was there to catch me and pull me into a hug. “I saw and heard it all,” she whispered into my ear.

I hugged her close as well. “And He’ll only be worse,” I replied. I was met with a soft sob, but then she replied.

“And I know you’ll do your damndest to keep me safe. You wouldn’t be Auric otherwise.”

Chapter 6 - Nosce te ipsum

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The boy writes out a formula, stares at it for a moment, sighs, and pulls the ink off the page with a slightly-glowing hand. He writes it out again, but doesn't even get halfway before he shakes his head and pulls the ink off again.

He casts a gaze to the sword leaning up against a wall of the Black Lab and quirks a smile at it. "We did have the best of times, didn't we? Even when..."

The boy purses his lips, recalling when he had the brilliant, or as some would say, completely moronic, idea...

-----
(Years ago, ~~but not many~~)

Auric stared at the painting that had been dropped off outside his tower. "He...he just doesn't stop. Why. Why does he do this."

Measured Thought came up and gently stroked his mane with a hoof. "Dear, just because he's disturbing, doesn't mean you have to give in to his attempts to upset you."

Auric sighed and breathed deeply a few times, his right eye only twitching occasionally. "I...I need to know. To figure this out. There has to be a thing I can do..."

He mulls the question over in his head, then gasps. "I...Oh Sol, I think I have an answer. Measured, come with. We're going to see Twilight."

As the two run into town, Measured can only question her new husband's sanity.

...Moreso than usual.

-----

"You want me to do what."

Auric smiled and nodded like a madman. In the last ten minutes, he'd raced into Twilight's new home, bolted up the stairs, and when Measured Thought had finally shown up, she caught the tail end of the conversation, and sadly, only the tail end. Fortunately, Twilight was good at recapping.

"Auric, while I can understand you wanting to gain more power for your inevitable fight. And I can also certainly comprehend trying to get a better grip on your strength. Doesn't that seem like a potentially excessively harmful shortcut?"

Auric shook his head, still smiling. "It makes perfect sense to me! It's been done before, numerous times...granted, in fiction. But! If I can figure out the true extent of what I can and can't do with a little soul-searching, then I'll know just how much help I'll need in the future."

Twilight sighed. "Measured, back me up here. Doesn't the very thought of it send at least some portion of your mind into panic-mode?"

Measured held a hoof up to her chin and pondered, then shook her head. "If there's anyone who can pull it off, it's Auric. Either because he's too crazy to have this change him, or because it'll work just like he thinks it will."

Twilight shook her head again. "You two...are perfect for each other."

It was then she caught sight of the diamond rings on their horns and gasped. Auric smiled and threw a hoof over Measured's withers, drawing her closer. "Yep, just the other night. It wasn't because we were thinking 'this could be our only chance', it was more of a...'this feels right, why haven't we done it yet?'"

Twilight let out a little giggle. "I assume you at least put some thought into it...and held it away from Ponyville, seeing as how Pinkie didn't send out invites for a new party."

Auric winced at that. "Weeeeee'll have another ceremony later. Probably let Celestia...or maybe Luna officiate it. That way, everyone's happy."

Twilight let out a small smile, and Auric put a wicked one on. "Nice try, though. Will you or won't you?"

At this, the lavender alicorn sighed. "Yes, fine. For you."

Auric nodded and held himself still. Twilight's horn lit up, but with a quick shake of his head, she let the glow die and came closer.

"Eheh, right. Actual contact. Forgot."

Carefully, she lifted up one of Auric's forelegs with a hoof. Licking her lips nervously, she inquired, "Just...how close do I have to be to the hoof, do you think?"

Auric hummed a bit at that. "Don't actually touch the hoof at all, that's a given. As close as you feel comfortable getting."

Slowly, the foreleg is moved around so the hoof is touching Auric's chest. His horn lights up and ink and quill go to work on parchment, writing a quick phrase. It's levitated over once finished, and Auric gives Twilight a few more verbal instructions.

"Start with this phrase, then talk about everything I told you about, and make sure the key word is in there."

Twilight eyes the scrap of paper once, nods, takes a deep breath, and says the phrase.

"Nosce te ipsum, Auric Fulcrum. Think about your powers, your Alchemy, your Psynergy, your magic. Recall the time you went mad and rework what you saw to take magic into account. Think deep, Auric Fulcrum, and Understand yourself and the world in doing so."

The hoof flashed once, Auric's eyes lit up like high-beam lights, his mouth dropped in a scream that never came. His joints locked up, but his mind...

Ah, that's another matter entire.

-----

"You came."

I looked around to see a representation of my tower. In front of it was another version of myself, but this pony...

He'd been badly wounded. There was a scar over his barrel that seemed quite fresh. He caught me looking and snorted. "Yeah, I have you to blame for that."

I blinked and looked at him a little more intently. "Just...what part of me are you?"

He snorted again. "I'm your subconscious, naturally. The voice on your shoulder, no matter the situation."

I nodded slowly. "That makes sense." I then looked to the tower behind him. "So..."

Sub rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's a representation of your power." And here he narrowed his eyes at me. "DON'T get any funny ideas. Your little stunt in breaking our Immortality cost me, y'know. I'd been holding on to that power so we'd never die, and you go and knock me out in desperation to save that mare. Next thing I know, I'M injured, the level of power in here is so low as to require CONSTANT maintenance, and there's an influx of memories from outside of reality!"

I snarled at Sub then. "Oh really? And you would have done anything else to save her? Because Psynergy was doing SO MUCH! Even letting her slip away once and trying Revive would have been unconscionable if it hadn't worked!"

Sub blinked and looked askance for a moment. "O-okay, yeah. Got me there. I was just thinking that with your Immortality, you wouldn't have to worry about that robot...but there are some things worth the price."

I nodded as I made my way to the door. "And Measured's one of them and always will be." I snarled as I made my way to the front door. "Stopping...or if need be, killing Teridax, is a close second."

The ground floor was as I remembered it. I looked from Lab door to Lab door and sighed. "Gonna guess my knowledge of any particular element's powers are contained within."

Sub nodded and moved to stand next to the unmarked door. "Yup. You can look, but I'll only allow one door open at a time. Too much and you go blind, as you well know."

The mention of 'too much and you go blind' brought a niggling concern to the forefront of my...heh, mind. I looked to the door, then the insignia under me. "Would I be correct in assuming that under me, in the Black Lab, is...?"

Sub nodded. "That's the only place I can contain it safely."

I looked from door to door. Only one at a time? But I needed them all open. I needed to know everything I could do. If only there were some comm-

I looked carefully over to the door that Sub was standing next to and lit up my horn. Making sure to finish both motions at the same time, I stamped my hoof three times while inputting the code for the Black Lab by simulating knocking on the door with slight telekinetic bursts.

All four doors opened, and beneath me, my memory surged. Sub called out in an attempt to stop me, but it was too late.

I was washed up in the rivers, oceans, geysers of knowledge and power and wisdom and Understanding. It was nearly too much for me to handle, but I persevered through sheer stubbornness, even though it felt like I was about to be worn away, washed up, torn apart, at any given second.

The worst part was, it wasn't just my mind I was drawing this Understanding from. I could feel them. There, on the fringes of my fraying sanity. A million, billion, no, infinite amount of alternate versions of me. Each one slightly different. Some small, some large. Each one tossing in a bit of knowledge, some secret about the powers we all contained that the others hadn't thought of. I could feel my own contribution leak out, the idea of combining two Psynergies at once. This impromptu council hurt, but I couldn't deny it would help as well.

Finally, the lights dimmed, the flows ceased, and I breathed deeply. I could feel it, each and every version of me had been...refined. Distilled. Made better at our powers. It was...indescribable. All the knowledge. All the secrets. Alchemy, Psynergy, what I could do with my magic. All of it laid bare, and yet, something was missing.

Something important, that remained the same in every reality. A hole in my heart I'd unwittingly formed.

I opened my eyes and looked at Sub, who had dropped his jaw and nearly popped his eyes out staring at me. "You'll catch flies," I told him.

He put himself back together and managed to ask a question. "Why did I never think of that?"

I shrugged. "I only just now thought of it. But even now, I'm noticing an important fact."

He nodded. "And this is another reason it's good to stay in human form. We need to get it back."

I sighed and shook my head. "He's not gonna go for that..."

And then the vision ended...

-----

Auric came to, gasping and sputtering. "Easy now," he heard, "You've been out for a good two hours. Take a breather first."

He focused his eyes and noticed Measured sitting next to him. Close by was Twilight, taking notes on a clipboard. Auric shook his head a bit and focused his gaze on Twilight. "I need to gain that last four percent that's stopping me from being human ASAP. Think you can help?"

Twilight jolted a bit, but nodded. Her horn lit up and she took careful aim. "The hooves, right?"

Auric nodded as well. "I'll keep an eye on the levels and tell you how close I am."

A beam of pink energy shot from the tip of her horn and impacted his right forehoof. He half-closes his eyes, tracking the prowess of the power he's been gathering. "21.5...21.8...22.1...22.4..."

Twilight's forehead starts to sweat a bit at this, but she keeps going. "22.7...23...23.3...23.6..."

She's clearly straining, but doesn't let up. If Auric needs this, and she can provide...then she will. It's not like she won't recover eventually. "23.9...24.2...24.5...24.8..."

And then the room was bathed in a brief flash of light as the requisite power was achieved. Once the light faded, Auric in his human form was found lying on the bed in a highly uncomfortable position. He got up, stretched, wiggled his fingers, made sure to check that Eureka was still on his belt, and walked over to Twilight before encompassing her in a hug.

"25.1. Thank you."

He then went over to Measured Thought and picked her up. "You," he said, holding her up to face-height, "Are going back to the tower while I do this next bit."

She blushed a bit at being picked up so suddenly. "What's the next bit?"

His eyes dimmed a bit. "Newvale. I need to talk to someone there."

Chapter 7 - Even a poisoned blade is good for scrap...

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The boy runs a finger over a replica shield. It resembles a roaring lion, and he can only shed a single tear.

The time he'd spent with his other self was educational to a fault. Especially under that most trying of circumstance...

-----
(If I could save Time in a bottle...)

Auric crossed his arms and stared at Dullahan within the Penumbra Sanctum. The armor had been sitting in the impromptu throne, but raised himself quickly to his feet when he'd heard what the boy had proposed.

Absolutely not. You would leave this town defenseless! Should we carry out your plan, what is to stop this Teridax from striking here?

Auric sighed. "If it goes well, we won't be leaving them defenseless. Just because you'll be traveling abroad doesn't mean you'll lose your link to this place."

That gave the armor pause. I beg your pardon?

Auric nodded. "You were accepted by Equus as a whole because of the link you share with this place. Granted, a link I started, but you chose to continue it. So your title, Defender of Newvale, is more than symbolic or descriptive."

It is literal. I have a connection with this town, no matter where I go?

Auric nodded. "Should they need you and call out, no matter where you may be, no matter what form you may be in, you will hear it. And it's not like I'm asking for it forever. I only want to try this until the crisis is past."

The armor shifts around, but eventually nods, sheathes the blade it had unknowingly drawn, lowers its shield, and steps forward. I have faith in you, boy, like you have faith in me. What do you require for me to do in this?

Auric smiled and held out his right hand, and the possessed armor did the same. "Sort of like when we focus on making a Hole, except this time, you need to focus more on what you were, what we were, rather than our shared memories."

The armor nodded and the bipeds clasped hands. After a second, a light began to shine from between the two of them, and with a flash that would have blinded any onlookers...

Dullahan vanished.

-----

One of these days, I'm going to stop going into my own mind. That, or teach psychologists back on Earth this trick. It'd cut out all the bullshit and let them get to the real heart of the issue.

I must say, boy, your mind resembles your home a bit more than I thought it would.

I turned to see the headless armor standing at the gates. I smiled at him and waved him in. "No need to stand on ceremony, Dully. We're friends here. At least, I think we are."

Just beyond the door was my subconscious, still in pony-form. He looked from the armor to me, then back to the armor. "Oh, so you've decided to do it, then."

The armor nodded. Indeed. What now?

I motioned towards Sub, who'd taken up residence atop the emblem in the middle. "Now we all gather there and I activate the memory. It should let us figure out what happened, where we went wrong."

The other two gulped at the thought, but complied. I looked to Sub and cleared my throat. "A little help?"

He actually blushed in embarrassment before lighting his horn up and proceeding to nearly fulfill the secret knock. At the last one he paused and looked back to us. Both me and Dully nodded, and the last portion was entered.

The memory activated, and suddenly, I could see.

Where once I had retained control over my emotions, either through fear or diligence in being raised in a 'polite' society, now, I saw that my control had been eroded...no. Taken. By accident, but by the one I had split from. And he, too, had changed. He now required a trigger for his emotions, which had been awoken, yet severely tamped down...which is why he had been capable of being accepted as Newvale's Guardian. If he lacked that control, he would have been seen as the monster he was.

The both of us had gained and lost something. We were incomplete without the other now.

Which is why we were doing this. The memory faded, and the three of us stared at each other.

To think, the armor started, I thought our emotions and lines of thought were our own. I suppose that our exposure and split thanks to the Golden Sun would not have been without consequences, and thinking otherwise was foolhardy.

"Indeed," Sub said, "We noticed a hole in our heart, something missing, something off. From time to time it was hard to control our rage."

"But now," I finished as I stuck my hand out between us all, "We can rectify that. Once we were two, separated by dimensions. Design brought us together as one, and then we split again, changed for it. Now the time has come for two to be one again."

Sub placed his hoof on my hand and we looked to Dullahan, who only waited a second before adding his hand.

Promise me this: he who started this will not succeed. That we shall emerge victorious, and that Newvale shall not fall while I am merged.

I nodded at all three. "So long as we are one, we shall hear the call should it be issued. Newvale shall ne'er fall."

Sub vanished, becoming a representation of Eureka. Dullahan too vanished, and suddenly I was wearing his armor over my clothes. I hefted the blade and moved in the armor, feeling like myself for the first time in a long time.

"Now...we are one."

-----

ShiverSpine paused, momentarily struck speechless by the fact that here was Auric Fulcrum, human again. Moreso was he speechless because here was not Dullahan, the one he'd been coming to see. And as he watched, Auric...shifted.

First, his clothes shifted from Day to Night, but it didn't stop there. Bits of armor appeared at the shoulders, knees, and elbows. The coloration shifted back to Day, but the armor remained, even though its coloration shifted as well. And only when he paused halfway through the shift, the left half Day, the right half Night, did he finally place why the armor looked so familiar.

It looked just like the armor of Dullahan. And that was when he noticed the eyes had snapped open and were looking at him. "Auric?" he ventured.

The boy laughed. "Close, but not quite."

The slight duality of the voice and armor clued Shiver in to what had most likely happened. The flaming blue eyes were a big giveaway as well. "Did you two...merge, or something?"

And then the boy laughed louder. "Indeed we did. Auric claimed to be the Knight of the Eclipse, yet for all his boasting, he aligned himself more with the ideals of the Light than the Dark. On those rare occasions he slipped into the Dark, his actions then were not an equal counterpart to his actions under the influence of his own Light. Dullahan could have been his counter in this...had he not become fond of Newvale. His viciousness had been bled out of him by the influence of Auric."

The boy hefted his blade and looked at it, smiling. "We are more together than we could ever be apart."

And then the Night side of him faded to Day, taking the glowing eyes with it, and the boy let the smile drop slowly. "But then again, that's true of all living beings, isn't it?" He then blinked and recalled he hadn't sent for anyone, and looked to the dragon. "Something you'd like to share?"

The dragon nodded once as he recalled why he'd come here. "Something showed up in Canterlot. Something big."

Auric frowned and focused his energies - it was easier now - before vanishing in a cloud of golden fire.

-----

It was approximately two meters wide, by two meters tall, by half a meter thick. It glowed a faint blue, and I felt the Void-touch on it.

It'd come from another world, and I knew what that meant. I was idly tempted to blast it into atoms, consequences be damned. Either from expending that much power, or from the researchers who were attempting to indirectly scan it.

Apparently rule one of investigating any new item, especially one that's landed in Canterlot, is no direct magic. Seeing as how it's a city of primarily Unicorns, all it would take is a clever enchantment set to go off when the item is levitated, and suddenly you have one less unicorn.

At least.

I'd mentioned this in passing to Cel and Luna, and they'd blanched at the thought and immediately instituted new safety procedures.

So naturally, I decide to break them and walk right up to the damn slab. I carefully placed a hand on it and sent a trickle of my power into it, frowning...

And then smiling. Raw, unfettered, powerful, primordial. It felt like the foundation of foundations, incredibly malleable. I could work with this. I turned to the head researcher and smiled. "Get a message to the Princesses, both of them. Tell them they're going to want to hear the words I have to say."

Ten minutes later, Cel and Luna appeared in a flash of light outside the perimeter formed by the guards and researchers. They sedately walked up to me and looked at the object. "Auric, good to see you human again. What is this object?"

I sighed and groaned. "Another 'gift' from one I wish would take a damn hint. He probably sent it here as a distraction, but I have a plan. Can you send a letter to the other two Princesses? What I'm planning goes beyond what he'd think I'd do, and I'm going to need your help. I only just have enough power to get away with doing this and remain human."

Celestia's horn lit up and she nodded a few times before letting the glow die. "They will be here within a few moments. What have you discovered about the slab, Auric?"

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "It's incredibly dense, one might say nigh-indestructible, and responsive to elemental energy and possibly magic. Problem is, even a slab like this is heavy. Incredibly heavy."

They raised an eyebrow each at that, and I smiled. "Put it this way, were it a little larger and in your castle, I'd be afraid of it sliding off the damn mountain."

The two shared a Look at that, and right about then, Twilight, followed by Cadence, teleported in. I nodded in greeting to the two, and then walked over to the slab and began carefully carving it with Eureka.

The alicorns were stunned that I'd deface this new discovery, but I shushed them. "Cadence, Twilight, take up opposing sides, will you? Same for you two, Cel and Luna."

They blinked, but slowly nodded and complied with my request. My carving didn't stop until I was satisfied with my runework, which I inspected thrice before smiling. I took up a place behind Cadence and began my intonation.

"Earth, stoic, slow to act, dislikes to move, but when it does, ye'd best be gone. Keeper of the dead, cradle of life, foundation of the world. That which claims and restores all, for only through the earth can unjustly taken life be returned. This is Earth, Venus."

A small light flickered into life on the slab, and the alicorns started, but I continued, this time behind Luna. "Water, ever flowing, ever shifting, master of forms, healer, killer. It perpetuates an endless cycle of life and death. It can soothe the greatest of wounds, or cause them. This is ice, Water, Mercury."

Another flash of light, and now I was behind Twilight. "Air, ever moving, that which desires constantly to be free. Bridge between the heavens and below for pure energy now and again. Associated with knowledge, for information desires to be as free as the breeze. This is the mind, electricity, Air, Jupiter."

And now it was time for the final alicorn. I stood behind Celestia, and I could swear I saw a smirk. "Fire, destroyer, protector, blight, nurturer. Without it, it would be a cold world indeed, and with too much, all the world would be ablaze. Careful moderation turns it from a thing to be feared to a useful tool. It hungers, devours, changes all things in its path. Whether it be from far above, in the stars, to the core of the planet below, and all that lies between. This is Fire, Mars."

I finished my circuit as the runes I'd inscribed lit up. One to an element, which glowed brightly. One to an alicorn, which I was about to take care of. One for Alchemy itself, which I would also fill at the same time as another, namely one for my blood.

And then, finally, the greatest rune of all. A blank square, which would be used to bind the name and ideals I would give it to its form. I nodded as the pattern caught. "If you would, M'ladies. Feed a bit of your power as Alicorns into the spellform."

Four horns ignited, and four distinct colors appeared over the runes in front of them. The runes caught on to the power, and even once they'd cut the link, the spellform still fed the power around and through itself, mixing it into what was already there. I raised my right hand and fed a bit of my power over Alchemy as the golden flames into one rune, just enough to make the spellform recognize it. Then I cut myself and fed my blood into the next-to-last rune, and it, too, was funneled into the spell.

I then stepped onto the slab and stood over the square in the middle that had been surrounded by ten runes and a circle, composed my thoughts, and began to speak.

"Harmony, true Harmony, isn't about what a lot of people think its about. Not just Order, because then none would be allowed to dissent. Not just Light, for without Darkness, how would you know what Light truly was? Not just Creation, for without Destruction, what is its value? No, Harmony is about mixing opposites...and taking the best results from the resulting fallout, and incorporating them back into the world, and repeating it ad infinitum.

"Harmony is something all mortal beings strive for. It is a state of perfection that only mortals can help bring about. It is taking your opposition's point of view and going 'you might be right' with it. It is about creating a think tank and accepting even the most ludicrous ideas, and asking yourself 'why don't we at least try' with them.

"In essence," I began to wrap up, "Harmony is all around us. It is a million voices singing in unison, the song of Life Itself as it marches ever forwards. Order and Chaos, Creation and Destruction, all that is Good and Evil working in tandem. The World Itself is Harmony, and it gets better all the time. And thus, I name this creation of mine."

I jumped off the block, which had begun to glow brightly during my speech, and held my right hand over it. "Arise, Concordia!"

The top layer of the slab peeled itself off, curling up as it did so until it was cylindrical. Then it rapidly made itself narrower and narrower, until it was staff-like in nature. A flash from within changed it from the blue it had been to a steely grey, and upon it I could still read the various runes on the exterior, save for the...security measures I had placed on it via the Alchemy and blood ones, which had ended up inside. Even as I watched, the runes glowed with their otherworldly light, and I smiled.

I held the staff up slightly and concentrated. In a quick flash of motion, it was no longer a mere staff, but a halberd. I brought it close to the block and carefully sliced a small corner piece off. Smiling, I returned the staff to its original form, then flexed my right palm. Instantly, the staff...flowed. Into me.

Oh yeah, it hurt like a bitch, but that was the price you paid for working with something not of your dimension. On the upside, far less likely for this to end up stolen if it couldn't be separated from me. Experimentally, I caused it to appear in my left hand and probed the connection. Linked to me, attuned to my power and blood. It would serve as a focus, though it would take time for me to grow used to using it. I turned to Twilight and the researchers, then motioned back to the slightly-less-intact slab.

"Go nuts."

-----

I stared at my Mirror and recalled a promise I had once made. It'd taken me a while to fulfill it, but if I could secure an ally, it would be worth it.

Essentially, I'd gone down to Ponyville Hospital, went to their Pharmacy, and asked them what they would give a typical pony who was plagued with even the worst sort of psychotic episodes. I then asked them to adjust their dosages for me, and they did so. And then I asked them to adjust it again, and make it so powerful it wouldn't impair me from doing anything, but only just.

I hoped it would be strong enough. I had a King of Terror to aid.

I slowly brought to mind the symbol of the Halo of the Sun that had been imprinted on me and laid a hand on the Mirror. It rippled and showed that familiar scenery, of a land locked in an eternal fog and nightmare.

I carefully chucked the bottle into the Mirror, and watched it and the note attached to it appear in the street of Silent Hill. Instantly, the sirens went off, and I smiled. It appeared that it was not always silent there. I wished I could see the King's reaction to the note.

Scott Visk,
This is the strongest stuff I could legally get my hands on. I'm not sure if it'll help with the voices, or with being chained to Alessa. All I know is, it should help you somewhat in reclaiming your mind. I wish you luck and pray you take care. I am no longer the only one who Understands.
~~Auric Fulcrum~~
Frank Defontaine

Chapter 8 - All of life's a stage...

View Online

The boy is in the space between tower and wall, testing the latest effects of one of his combination spells. "Whirlwind and Growth make...huh. Flying plants. I have...the odd compulsion to name you. Instead, methinks I'll set you free."

As the plants float out over the walls to the vast world beyond, a tinny chime can be heard from the doors. "Hello, and welcome to the tower of Auric Fulcrum. If you are a friend, please say one now. If you are a native life-form, please say two. If you are hostile, Auric will be out to deal with you shortly."

Following the recording and the increasing screams of the word 'one' is a proclamation. "These...these recorded messages aren't even connected to the door! AURIC! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?!"

The boy laughs off the screaming of the lavender alicorn on the other side, and his mind flinches back, to the last time he used such crystals...

-----
(Let's do the time warp again!)

Auric looks at two crystals, extracted from under Canterlot, that sit on his desk. Beautiful things, really. Shame he was about to mar that a bit.

Putting his hand on one, he weaves a recording spell into it, that will take in his appearance and voice. Then, with a flicker of power, he turns it on.

"Teridax," he begins. "I send this to you for one reason. To tell you I will not fight you." He deliberately pauses for five seconds there. "At least, not in your world. Nor, I think, will I permit you to fight me in mine. In the first case, t'would be folly for me to come to your world to fight you. It'd be like setting foot into the lair of a lich and expecting no traps to spring. And in the second, there is too much here that I hold dear that could suffer...collateral damage.

"No, instead, by the time you receive this, I will have worked out the details of a staging ground with Umbra Shadow-Walker. If you truly wish to fight me, he can lead you there. Fail to arrive...and I may have to alert your world's alicorns to your potential plans.

"Oh yes," and here he grinned a grin that would be more at home on the one he was addressing, "I know all about that. Not only have I gone through similar here, but my Mirror forecasts potential futures. Yours seem to revolve around a point where all magic is lynch-pinned to one...lavender...mare. Like I said, fail to come, and I will just have to...warn them."

Here Auric briefly activated his new glowing eyes and glared at the crystal. "Your move."

A burst of energy turns the crystal off. Auric weaves a spell into the crystal so it will activate only in the presence of Teridax or one of his minions, before turning to the second. A much less elegant spell is crafted here, one that will only record sound. But it is necessary.

"Princess Celestia, raiser of the sun, I bid you greetings and give you warning. There will come a time in the near future, the very near future, when one you thought sealed away will walk amongst you again. He will drain magic freely from the land. He is known only as Tirek. And I know your plans for when he comes for Alicorn magic. I implore you, Princess, do not do it.

"Tirek was not the only one to escape from Tartarus. Should you put all Alicorn magic into Twilight Sparkle, you will play into Teridax's plans. The magic of the world must not fall, true. But you should not place all magic into one vessel." Here he paused. "Let your student be the sun. Let your niece be the moon. Let them flee, keep the world turning, and try to find a way to reverse whatever it is Tirek does. Your student is good at that, I'm told. If all else fails, at least the Empire should keep them safe. While Tirek must be stopped...So must Teridax. Do not let him win at whatever game he plays. Take precautions besides the one you intend, Celestia. Thank you for listening to the ramblings of an Alchemist."

The glow fades, the spell is complete. Another one is layered in, to make sure it can activate when needed, and Auric smiles, happy that he recorded at least one positive message for that Universe. And then he turned to his Mirror and sighed, setting it to wander the Void Eternal. No sense looking for a shadow, he’d be slippery. One could, however, attempt to gain his attention. Thus was the reason behind suddenly rapping on the glass in a ‘shave and a haircut’ pattern. Every so often, he’d also call out to Umbra. Of course, said methods of calling out were extraordinarily rude. There might have been a few ‘yo momma’ jokes in there as well.

“Y’know, normally I’d be a little pissed about the insults, but I’ve been really goddamn bored since the last time we met, so I’ll let it slide...this time. Do it again and I might retroactively reprogram you as a...hmm, I don’t know...slug maybe?”

Despite the threat, Auric smiled upon seeing a shadowy figure appear in his mirror. “Umbra, good to see you. No, really, it is. And do you have any idea how hard it is to find you in the Void Eternal? Seriously. I’d have better luck looking for a hay-colored needle in a haystack. While on fire.”

The shadow seemed like it would have blushed a little if it had a face. “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. Look, I’ll find something that’ll help you find me if need be. Ah… just let me look through one of my subspace pockets for a sec...no, not this one...nope...ah! Here, it’s dangerous to be alone now, take this.”

The object in question was a slim, rectangular device. Less than six buttons scattered across it’s surface, with a strange logo on the back. “Okay, I know, it looks like a shitty knock-off iPhone, but it’ll bounce a signal across three hundred thousand different Universes. Really, it only connects to the Internet and the other few of these I have. Now you can give me a call whenever you need help.”

Of course, the moment the shadow made a ‘tossing’ motion and the ‘phone’ impacted the glass, there was a ripple effect as it was absorbed. Token accepted, Umbra Shadow-Walker added to your list. Auric smiled as the shadow read the words in reverse.

“Forgot to mention that little effect of my mirror. Whoops. Hope it wasn’t too expensive. But look on the bright side, at least now I can find you. Whenever.”

“...Well, from what I can tell, your mirror now functions as the phone itself, so that’s good. Also, really, it cost...a lot less than you might expect. All I really needed to do was program it into existence...Jeez, I can see why so many people call SysAdmin powers cheating.”

Auric held up two extended fingers. “That’s half the reason I was looking for you, but we’ll get into that later.” Extending his other hand, he revealed two crystals, charged with magic and a message each. “I need you to deliver something to, ugh, Teridax’s Universe.”

Umbra swore under his breath. “Goddamn it! This is gonna be a lot more difficult than it would have been five hours-by your standards-ago. Teridax decided to try to work his way into SysAdmin coding, almost locked me out before I disengaged my Local Timeline Sync. Thank the gods that Time doesn’t exist in the Void. Managed to work in a lot of hidden backdoors retroactively, asshole won’t know he didn’t succeed until it’s too late. Try as he might, he’s still only a 3D existence, compared to a 5.5D me.”

Auric nodded a bit. “Well, keep your spoilers. This one,” he held up the one that glowed golden, “Is set to go off when it detects moving metal, and should be dropped off in Teridax’s chambers, or however close you feel comfortable getting.” Thus saying, it was tossed into the mirror. The second was rapidly held up. “And this one is set to go off when it hits the ground, it has a message to his Cel. A warning. About what is likely to come, if I know my Multiverse. And Teridax. Try to get it in her chambers when she’s alone.” And with that, the second was tossed into the mirror as well.

Catching both of the crystals, Umbra smirked, a lightly glowing slash of white appearing below his eyes. “Can do, boss man. Teridax is gonna shit himself when he realizes that he failed at keeping out...anyone, really. Of course, if I get my superiors to come down on his Universe, we could encode his soul as a virus and end the war in, like, three seconds. But, you probably don’t want that.”

Auric frowned and crossed his arms while shaking his head. “Nope. He’s gone through all this effort, I think it only fair he see me when I’ve nothing to lose. If it wouldn’t tax you too greatly, could you, perhaps, make a staging ground for this fight betwixt him and I? One where we won’t have to worry about either of our worlds?”

Umbra looked pensive for a moment, before replying. “As a matter of fact, a few months, by my Local standards, ago, I actually rewrote a forming Universe as a training ground. Long story short, the core of the Universe, as in, what the Universe considers its ‘main subject’, is a gigantic earth-like Planet, tropical, mostly; with, unfortunately, gigantic laser death-wasps the size of minivans. Not really a problem, just something to watch out for. Rather fragile, really. Barely qualifies as a predator, and only because of their laser beams. What was I saying again? Oh yeah, I already have a Universe set up, no sentient beings or anything. Yeah.”

Auric blinked at that. “Huh. Convenient. I think. Well then. Oh, by the way, should Teridax actually receive my first message, he’ll likely call on you to guide him to the ‘staging ground’, which, if you don’t mind, I’d like to use that planet for it. As long as you can also link this Mirror to it somehow. So that, y’know, when I’m ready, I can just walk through and get there.”

“...Aaanndd...okay! Link is set up and ready to go, crystals should drop in on Teridax and his Celestia in...three...two..one...Package dropped. Well, that’s done. Anything else?”

Auric merely smiled. “Add one parameter to this world of yours? Make Immortality count for nothing. That way, one of us dies there.”

“I dunno, man. I may be an asexual, oblivious fool in terms of relationships, but I’d rather not, if only for Measured’s sake… speaking of her, she doing okay?”

Auric briefly nods. “You don’t quite get it, though. I’m making sure that we’re fighting on equal ground, first off, which is something he’ll enjoy. And probably the biggest piece of bait. But secondly, if he succeeds at...whatever his plan is? I managed to catch brief, possible glimpses of his possible futures.” Auric’s right side shifted to its Night coloration and his eyes started to burn blue. “You don’t want him as a co-worker. I’m making sure you can kill him and make it stick, or my allies can, if I fail.”

“One: you won’t fail, a SysAdmin is helping you. We can do literally anything if we know the correct coding. Two: Che! Teridax wouldn’t be able to make it as a SysAdmin, he’s too focused on his agenda, not the Multiverses. Which, if you must know, is: Grow, Spread, Add; Total Freedom, Infinite Realms. Shitty motto, but it sums up pretty well. SysAdmins are there to help, not conquer. Should Teridax reach the 5.5D level, the Void itself would rewrite him to match us. Three: I could just turn off his Immortality and not tell him. No risk to you, deadly for him.”

Auric shook his head again. “I don’t cheat, I have honor. Both of us or neither, and sealing him away worked so well last time. My morals are what separate me from him, at least I’d like to think so. And sealing is all you can do to true Immortals, which when I have my strength returned enough, I am. So like I said, same situation for the both of us, and I’ll even tell him myself during the fight.”

Umbra distinctly began to look annoyed, more features appearing on his normally inexpressive head. “Fine. I’ll do it. And you misunderstand: Rewriting is literally turning him from Teridax...to… whatever his Admin name is, he won’t be Teridax anymore. Also, again, SysAdmins are beyond True Immortals. I can still kill him...unless he decides to try and absorb me, in which case he just gets Rewritten and then I can’t kill him.”

Auric let out a sad smile. “Thank you, and I’m sorry for putting you through any trouble. I just...I want this to end.” Auric’s right hand lit up...with a blaze of cobalt flames. “One way or another, I want this to end.”

Umbra actually flinched away, his features smoothing back out into naught but a pair of glowing eyes. “I-it’s no problem, really. S-SysAdmins are also technically part of Tech Support. We l-live to se-serve. H-hey, could you t-turn that off? It actually really hurts being in that light’s presence.”

Auric blinked, turning his eyes to his hand. “Oh. This? This is just a bit of Dullahan leaking through. One moment.” The flames died slowly as the Night coloration faded. “There. Better? Sorry about that as well. E’er since we merged...my emotions are all over the place. Along with my powers.”

“It’s fine. Most Admins are vulnerable to something or another, keeps us from being too… I guess distant? Whatever. Can you imagine over a hundred shadows, each capable of warping reality to the point where fact and fiction merge, all invulnerable to everything but the death of the Void? Not pretty. My weakness just so happens to be intensely magical Light. And really, that’s not the worst of it. My subordinate, Kage, is weak against gamma radiation. Sure, it doesn’t seem bad, but most stars give it off, which means he’s useless inside a Universe. Gods, what is wrong with me today? All this exposition and diverging from topics…”

Auric merely chuckled and waved at the shadow. “I know, I know. Sometimes I’m giving a lecture to Measured as to what a particular element does, then somehow it segues from there to the game to...home. Or what used to be home.” He sighs. “Okay, I’ma let you go, but one last favor afore I do? Check in on my buddy Richard for me? I sent him a care package a while back, I’d like to know that he got it and that he’s...mostly okay. Take care, you crazy shade.”

Umbra gave off the impression of a smile. “Yeah, sure. Take care too, you crazy alchemist… oh, before I go, you and Teridax aren’t the only ones who Understand. If you need to vent about it, call for a SysAdmin, we know your pain.”

And with that, and an odd wail of static, the connection cut. Auric shook his head again. “So, another has our...curse, our burden. Hopefully of his own will, or if not, only after he became what he is, for mortals were not meant to know…”

-----

My next caller was...

Well it was highly reminiscent of the Zerg. I looked the form up and down in my mirror, quirked an eyebrow at the coin it was holding in one...appendage, and asked, "Can I help you?"

The damn thing smiled at that. "No, see, that's the question I was going to ask you..."

Chapter 9 - ...and all the men and women are merely players...

View Online

I blinked at the comment the zerg had made and looked at the coin, then back at...him? I think it's a him. “Ah. Interesting. Another worthy holder...well, introduce yourself.”

“I am Dahaka, leader of the Zerg, I heard your call recently, and well, let’s just say that I’m not the typical ‘assimilate everything’ leader.”

I raised my other eyebrow at that one. Not easy to overcome...oh yeah! The Hive Mind, right? “And if I recall what little Starcraft I played so long ago correctly...there’s another side of you I should be talking to. Hive Mind or somesuch. What does it have to say?”

“Its name is Prime Directive, and if it were in charge, I would be trying to side with Teridax instead.”

I sighed and nodded at that news. “Yeah, figured as such. But there’s one thing your little hive mind doesn’t quite understand. Care to take a guess what it is?”

“Hm, I don’t have any guesses that are probable.”

Here, I gained a shark-like grin. “There are...let’s call them Administrators of the Multiverse. They that are meant to keep it in line and such. And he’s been pissing one of them off. Whereas I’ve been making friends with ‘im.”

“That’s very interesting, but why isn’t Teridax dead, then?”

I blinked at that before gesturing to my clothes. “Um, hello? Slightly more noble than him? I mean, yeah, Umbra’s offered, multiple times, to reclassify Teridax as a blight on the Multiverse and just wipe him out, but if he’s gonna die, then since he’s put so much effort into antagonizing me, the least I can do is give him a clean, fair fight.”

“Heh, I may not have the normal zerg ideals, but I would not be too noble to not take such an easy way out. You have gained my respect.”

I smiled at that, nice to see others share my values. “Not sure if compliment...anyways. And since Umbra’s an Admin, he’s providing me and him with a staging ground for our little bout to come.”

“What are you implying?”

Here my smile turned downright mischievous. “Well, while Teridax and I will have to go to this neutral ground, this new planet, along with all our allies...nobody said they all had to come back…” He stared at me for a moment, then a broad grin split his face.

“So, if I ally myself with you, I get a whole planet to infest?”

Here my grin dropped and my face turned serious as I laid out the ‘guidelines.’ “I’d wait to do any serious infesting until after the fight is over, and at least make a show of pulling out when the others do. There are indigenous life-forms on it, but nothing with any true sapience...as far as I know, anyways. Plus, if you piss off Umbra, that’s on you. I’d suggest that if he catches you and makes a big deal out of it, you should just ask rather than cling to his world.” His smile evaporated as well.

“Fine, could I ask Umbra ahead of time if I can have the leftovers? Because that solves a lot of problems beforehand.”

I smiled again, at least he thought to ask. “At least you’re understanding enough to not rail against what I’ve said. And hey, if he says that you can’t have his planet, it ought to be not a total loss: he’s an Admin, I heard it from him that he found a dead Universe and reprogrammed it to be alive again. He could probably code up a new one for you. And if he refuses, I’ll try to bribe him. Somehow.” My smile, while not as big as before, returned.

“As long as I can get something that big for something as small as some military support, I will be very happy.”

My smile faded slightly, but I nodded again. Maybe Umbra is right and nodding is a thing I need to stop doing? “And even, on the slight chance that he says no, I have a back-up plan. Tell me, what do you remember of the Golden Sun games?”

“I actually never played them. They were one of the games that I couldn’t fit into my schedule.”

My smile vanished completely. “Do you know what I mean by the words Elemental Stars, at least?”

“Not a clue, sorry.”

I sighed and closed my eyes as I began to list the elements of Psynergy. “Venus, earth. Mars, fire. Mercury, water. Jupiter, wind. These four elements are the building blocks of Weyard.” My eyes snapped open. “I brought them with me to my Equestria, and after...extensive study, I’ve found the way to fabricate Elemental Stars, objects of great energy that can...influence beings into being able to wield such power. I recently made a set and can’t do so again for about...a hundred years, but time is subjective between worlds. If I end up owing you a set, I’ll make sure it’s sent to you in time. Fair?”

“One question, how will I be able to use this magic? I mean, even when we assimilated unicorns, we could barely make a pebble float.”

I waved a hand at that; Measured and I hadn't finished our studies, but we had our theories. “It’s a study I’ll probably get into at some point in time, but my theory is that exposure to the energy of the Stars over time influences the brains or capabilities of organic beings nearby. In the last century, a whole lot of ponies in Canterlot could use it. And I don’t know when it started, but the upper limit is somewhere around...no, wait...huh. Maybe it could happen in a human lifetime. It’ll just be real weak as compared to born and bred Adepts.”

“Hm, a long term investment. I accept this offer, this back-up plan, as well. I just hope it can be mass produced in time.”

I smiled at that before deciding to clue him in to something that could vastly help. Not all the way, but just enough. “Try finding areas that the Stars respond to, areas of great elemental energy, and you’ll cause a Light to occur. Almost all beings born around or near a light end up being Adepts of that particular element. Y’know, if you need immediate results.”

“I like the sound of that, all I will need to do is make some hatcheries at those areas. Thanks for the tip.”

I nodded a final time, I was starting to feel like a damn bobblehead. “Well, if we’ve established our relations, then I should bid the Zerg farewell. I have...training to do. And allies to contact. I’ll make sure that when the time comes, Umbra’ll not forget you.” I nodded back.

“Well, goodbye now, Auric. Contact me with a item from the place that the battle will take place, when you need me.”

With that, I cut the connection, then formed Concordia in my left hand. I had training to do.

-----

Are you certain about this?

Indeed I am. Since we are bonded, my power should be accessible to you. It should be like...what is that metaphor you used?...ah yes, like an extra gas tank being bolted on to your own existing frame. Of course, if you use up all my power, it'd be slightly worse than normal.

...How bad?...

...Let's just say I'm glad my intake still functions and leave it at that. Now go on, use that fancy new staff of yours.

I raised the thing, cast a skeptical glance around, and slammed it into the ground while barely thinking of the Quake spell.

The ground around me in a five foot radius rumbled. I was startled, until I saw the rune for Venus on the staff glowing, before diminishing.

This...this thing is a damn good focus!

Indeed, and the drain was no more than normal. Also, I feel as though I should confess to something.

...Whaaaaaat?

I may have...studied the summoning tablets...in exquisite detail...to the point where we could possibly use them.

...Including-

INCLUDING HERS, yes. But it'd cost me, GREATLY, if any are used. Save it for a last-ditch effort, if you'd be so kind.

...I'll at least try.

-----

I had only just gotten comfortable in my lab again when my mirror...rippled. It seemed like someone was trying to contact me, but nothing came through. Curious, I put a hand on the mirror, and felt the feeble beginning of a connection. When it happened again, I caught snippets of someone talking.

“Hey...you there? Can...this working?”

I frowned and put a bit more power on my end into maintaining the connection.

“A connection, but it's difficult. Perhaps if I boost the energy input...no, that world's idea of Time is all messed up. In order to properly establish a link, contact is required...”

My expression did a rapid one-eighty when the mirror settled to show me a man in a very fine outfit, with a version of Luna behind him, holding my coin up to the mirror. “Oh, there you are! Do you have any idea how hard it was to find you? Your world’s version of Time is...well, let’s just leave it as ‘a bitch to understand and navigate.’ Messes up contact something fierce.”

He was stunned for a moment, but rapidly composed himself and replied to me in a 'proper' tone of voice.

“Well, hello, dear friend. I apologise for any issues you may have had in attempting to secure my precise location. My name is Michael Faraday. Who may I have the pleasure of speaking to?”

I blinked at that, it was rather rare someone didn't know my name. “Oh, you didn’t hear? Hmm. It’s rare that I have to introduce myself.” I held a hand to my chin, shrugged, let it fall again, and let loose a wry grin. If he's from Earth, chances are, he might know of the world my powers are from. “First I have to ask you a thing, so that you can be impressed with my titles properly. Ever hear of Weyard, land where the Golden Sun franchise takes place?”

His face contorted into one of deep thought before he sighed and relaxed. “I apologise once again, but I do not believe I have heard such a name.”

I shrugged. No big deal, I had plenty of fallbacks. “Eh. Just means those titles are out. I have others.” I reached inside of me and merged some of Dully's energies with my own. When I opened my eyes, I could tell we spoke as one and that my eyes were aflame.

“I am Auric Fulcrum, Knight of the Eclipse. Wielder of Eureka, blade of Understanding. Slayer of the Wise One, supposed lesser deity.” I nodded then, satisfied, and let the fire in my eyes die.

“I am the Temporal Guardian, Protector of Freedom, and former Champion of Discord; I have achieved interdimensional travel and…” Here he seemed to spasm slightly, “The killer of the Elements of Harmony.” Another spasm showed me a shocked expression. “I am the Lord of Time,” he finished with a friendly smile.

I wasn’t buying it, though. I'd been stabbed by Pyramid in my dreams before, and he, too, had two halves. I frowned at him and my right hand grasped the hilt of Eureka. “And why does one who slays Harmony seek an audience with one who serves Balance in all things?”

“I apologise for the third time, my mental stability is not the best, these days. That little outburst was simply a slip on my part; I assure you, it won’t happen again.” Just as I made to reply, another spasm occurred, and he blurted the most inane thing.

“BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!” His other half shouted from his mouth.

“You don’t even worship a blood god!” he whisper-screamed back. I actually chuckled for a moment as memories surfaced, so I decided to test them and see which reference, if any, the other half had intended.

“We talkin’ Armok, or do you also require skulls for the skull throne?” Dwarf Fortress or Warhammer. Place yer bets...

“SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRO-” He was cut off this time.

“Shut up!”

My mirth vanished after a moment. “No, but seriously. Should I believe that voice at all...or should I merely cut this connection?”

“I would like to inform you that I have full control of my body physically. He may scream obscenities at others he does not like, but he will not be able to attack anyone. Recently I have been doing mental exercises with a certain zebra in the Everfree to control his verbal catcalls.” He bowed his head in apparent sorrow and shame.

I narrowed my eyes, recalling the times when Dully hadn't been...subtle. “And has that always been the case? And did what he introduce himself with ring with any truth? Be Honest with me now.” There we go, invoke an Element, see how he responds.

Huh, he just seemed to...clench for a moment. “The Elements of Harmony, Twilight Sparkle and her friends, are perfectly safe in this universe, I assure you. My worse half believes he killed them, but those are just fabrications I implanted in his memories.” Oh, I get it. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand's up to. He looked to Luna and asked her, “Could you go get Twilight? Knock twice when you return.”

As the lunar mare nodded and left, my rage simmered down completely. “Ah. Interesting. Hmm. So. My question now is thus: why did you call? What do you seek of me?”

“Ah, my dear alchemist, the question is not what you can do for me, but what I can do for you!” Oh, I have a competitor in the art of grandstanding? “I hear that you are in need of assistance and are looking for power, I am here to supply what I can and help with any battles you may begin.”

Ah, so he doesn't know. Well then, time to tell him. “One known as Teridax believes himself and myself to be perfect polar opposites. This is compounded by the fact that we are both Displaced, and we both Understand. He has harassed me for far too long and threatened all I hold dear. Why, I know not beyond his insane quest to do battle with me. Any who are willing to help me fight an overpowered ten foot robot, I welcome.”

“I know not of this Teridax, but if he has threatened you and your loved ones, then I will offer any service I can provide; namely, time manipulation. I have the power to stop, slow, or speed up time. This is also effective on anyone or anything I choose.” His description of his own powers was interrupted by the return of Luna, at least, that's what the knocks say. “It seems our guests have arrived.”

In stepped Luna and Sol be praised, Twilight! Or at least his version of Twilight. Play it cool. “Ah. Twilight, I presume.” Suave. Casual.

“Um, yes, sir…” She said with wonder. “Who are you?”

I chuckled and waved the question off before proceeding to ask my own. “Oh, I’m much like Mister Faraday, someone Displaced from his home, but I made do. I have a simple question to ask of you, m’dear. I’m trying to trust him, really I am. But I need to know one thing: are you and all your friends safe?”

Her eyes lit up in fear at the name “Faraday”, but when her head whipped around to face the man his eyes lit up as well before he explained.

“I do apologise, Mr. Fulcrum. I believe I’ve introduced myself incorrectly. I have gone by the name ‘Michael Faraday’ for the past millenium, you see, and it’s quite imprinted on my mind. My real name is Nicholas, but you may call me Nick. Sadly I have forgotten my last name, but I have left my old world behind, and that means my family name, too.”

I nodded at that; I could understand more than he knew. “At least I have the good grace to remember mine, even if I can’t return. So I ask again, dear Sparkle,” and here she looked back at the mirror, “Should I trust Mister Nicholas? Can I?”

Twilight’s fear visibly drained from her face. “Yes, Mr. Fulcrum. If he calls himself Nicholas, you can trust him with your life,” she looked back to him, “I know I do.”

I smiled then. One question down, one to go. “Oh, that’s excellent. And I’m making leaps here, but your friends as well are secure? Even the one who’s known you all his life?”

Her eyes lit up at the mention of her friends. “Oh, yes. The other Elements are safe and sound, but…” She looked up to Nick with a hurt expression.

“The… Element of Kindness received a small… accidental Impact.” he finished for her.

My eyes went from Twilight, who is obviously safe, to Nick, she trusts him despite something he did, if her eyes say anything, to Luna, who can clearly help contain his other half, and back to Twilight, so she and her friends could not be safer. “Well. That’s a bump in the road to be sure, but you ponies are made of stern stuff. I should know.”

Nick seemed to clench, or spasm, or something.. “Thank you, Twilight. That will be all.” he said in fairly rushed manner.

Twilight understood immediately and left the room, closing the door behind her. And then Nick looked sorry before his voice...changed.

“So, you’re the guy Nick’s trying to team up with? What a pansy. I bet your girlfriend could fight better than you!” he was making motions with his hands that suggested ignoring his 'self,' but it was far too late.

I could feel Dullahan responding to the challenge, and I decided to give him a bit of 'fresh air.' I saw the colors bleed over even as he took control of my mouth and other functions. “Watch your words, worm. I have brought to heel Timberwolf pups that were more frightening than you.”

“Really?” He asked, as if he’d been issued a challenge. “Can Timberwolf pups control time, stop you in your tracks, and rip out your uvula through your ass without any resistance?” The smirk grew to something akin to a victorious visage. Dullahan merely scoffed mentally.

“Can a ‘pansy’ control the forces of the Universe with a thought? Can a ‘pansy’ call to heel the elemental forces of magic with no effort save a raised hand? Could a ‘pansy’ claim himself to have once been Dullahan, he who walks the night, the elemental wraith? Because I was. The summons of my world are at my fingertips...Including Charon, he who escorts the dead. Piss me off, runt, and I’ll show you how bad a worse half can get.”

It seemed that this duel of alternate selves would continue for a while if not for a blue hoof to a head. Specifically, Nick's. No, not the hoof, the head.

“Nick, get a hold of yourself!” Luna yelled just off-mirror.

“Ok! I’m back. Sorry. You know how it is.” He said as he stood up, dusting off his pants. “When I strain myself too much mentally he tends to get a bit more control than he should have. I’ll say it again, he’s never moved my body, only my mouth.” He rubbed his cheek, looking down at Luna and mumbling “You didn’t have to hit me so hard, you know.”

I felt my control return as Dully had apparently been sated now that Nick's other half was gone. “Yes, yes she did,” I replied. “I have...several ideas as to what you’re doing, but that hoof to the face pretty much confirmed it. And I have to say, I do not envy your task in the least.” I looked to Luna then and smiled a wan smile. “When I had to get Dully under control, and sometimes still do, I find hanging out with your niece helps. Little tip.”

“Oh, I’ll have to introduce you to her.” She said to Nick. “She really is a lovely girl, no pun intended.” He looked at her in confusion, and I groaned mentally at the unintended pun. Really, Luna? Really?

“I believe that we have gotten off track. You made a call for help, I am willing to provide. I just ask you to explain what it is you are in need of.”

I frowned, turning over in my head what I could use. “Aid, really, is the broadest term available. I have grown...weary of putting up with Teridax. Not to mention, I have scried his world. His is darker than most because he is making it that way, and I have looked into probable futures. He intends to rule, dominate, and attempt to take as much energy as necessary to Ascend. Should he succeed, I fear for not only my self, but the Multiverse as a whole. So I have issued a challenge to him. An ally is providing a staging ground, and he and I will settle this on a neutral world, where none of what I hold dear...or any traps he might have...can come into play.”

“Well, if aid is the only thing you require, I may be able to help you in battle by slowing time--essentially speeding your reaction time up to an infinite level. other than that, I don’t believe I’d be much help… unless you would allow me to interfere directly.”

I slowly shook my head. Faraday would be too much of an unknown factor...“Not until you get your other half under...a bit better control than that. So that you don’t have to strain to contain. None should be slaves in their own minds. Once that has been accomplished on your end, I will welcome whatever aid you choose to give me, whatever form it may take. Either via that reaction time thing, or directly in the battle to come. I would welcome the merest scrap of aid.”

“As I have said before, I am in the middle of training with Zecora. A few more days, she says, and I will be as normal as you or her.” Hah! Me, normal! That's a laugh!

Still, I merely shook my head again. “Time doesn’t have to be a constant between Universes. That would require it be a thing that exists in the Void Eternal. Attempt to contact me again when you’re in control, and I’ll still hear you. And more likely than not, it’ll not be too late.”

“As you wish, I will train hard. Thank you for your time.” he said as he took a step back, showing his farewell. I quirked an eyebrow, curious as to where and when they were in the ol' Timeline.

“Out of curiosity...Where does ol’ Dissy fall in Equestrian Relations?”

His face fell grim at the mention of Discord. After a moment of contemplation, he responded with, “I don’t know what the sisters think of him, but in my eyes, he is the worst of the worst.” His face was as stoic as they come, to which I could only smirk. Time for spoilers!

“He’s a spoiled child acting out because he thinks he has everything he wants. I should know, mine was similar before I befriended him. Give him something truly irreplaceable...and take it away when he acts like his old self. You’ll see a change, overnight.”

I cut the connection then, and once the mirror was out, I re-summoned Concordia. "Well...I know how you react to elemental powers. Time to see what I can do with your more...abstract concepts."

Tomorrow promised to be interesting...

Chapter 10 - ...they have their entrances, and their exits...

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Trying to get used to using Concordia was a bit like...

Hold on, lemme find an analogy...

Ah! It was a bit like getting used to having a third arm. No, wait, not quite true. I can 'dismiss' Concordia and send it back into myself. Which still stings, by the way. Hmm...

Oh! Better: It was a bit like getting used to my unicorn horn when I was a unicorn. That's more like it! Previously I would just think about things happening and instinctively channel my power through my hands. You should have seen me glare at some of the magic exercises that Measured set out for me in the rehab clinic after my unwanted transformation. I'd just stare at a stone, or worse, point at it with a hoof.

Eventually I got used to my new bone growing out of my head and channeled my magic through it. All I would have to do to get used to my new staff is channel magic only through one hand...at least, to start.

Invoking the more abstract concepts would take a while of practice, though. And it would appear that I'd missed one, as Discord informed me while I was playing with a bit of Mercury's power.

"My boy, I do hope you intend to dispose of that...thing, when all is said and done."

I turned around to see the Draconequus lazing about in midair. As his statement sunk in, I rose an eyebrow at him. "Really? I would think you'd enjoy the idea of more artifacts of power lounging about."

Discord actually shuddered at that. "True, but that one's just so...ordered! So structured! And that's with your blood and a bit of your power in it. It's like you didn't even leave room for anything fun or chaotic in it!"

I turned the notion over in my head and realized that no, there was no Chaos in the staff. Probably for a good reason...

...But damned if I could remember what it was at the time. I slowly leveled it out between us and raised my other eyebrow. "Y'wanna add your sigil then, Dissy?"

He blinked at that for a few seconds. And then he grinned...and then grimaced. "While I would love nothing more, I'm afraid I can't. That thing is nearly saturated with magic as-is. Plus it would upset your delicate system."

I shook my head at that. "The system isn't that delicate. And I think I can come up with something..."

Focusing on the staff, I lit up the elemental runes, all of them, at the same time. Multiple swirls of energy surrounded it, going from bottom to top to inside at the top to out at the bottom and the cycle continues again. Discord extended a paw to the staff and nodded once. "Yes, that'll work. Now all I need to do is..."

He extended a single digit on his paw and engraved a symbol on the staff that was too fast for me to see. He then placed his paw on it and closed his eyes in concentration. With a snap from his eagle claw, the deed was done, and he withdrew. I let the power die as I look at the new symbol and nod approvingly.

Interestingly enough, the feel of the staff had changed, but in a positive way. It took me a moment to realize why.

There can be no harmony without chaos to offset the established systems. Now the staff is more complete. I bowed to Discord in thanks. "Much obliged, Dissy."

He grinned and returns the bow. "Oh no, the honor is mine."

I turned and began activating one of the more obscure runes when I got the distinct impression that someone was calling for me.

This was followed by the sensation of a telephone ringing in my head, and it was then that I realized that someone was calling for me, or more precisely, something.

Apparently, my Mirror had a paging function.

-----

I appeared in my Black Lab, slightly irked. I'd been doing important training! Whoever this was had better have a damn good rea- Oh. That Lord of Time character? What was his name...“Oh, Fara-" No wait, Nicolas! I remember now! "I mean, Nicolas. How are you?”

He responded with a simple smile. “I believe that I am better than ever before. I also believe you know Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic. Say ‘hi’ Twilight.”

“Hello.” She smiled, too, as she looked into the mirror at me.

I blinked in shock. If they're together, then... I let out a wide grin as I realized he'd gotten his other 'half' under control. “Well, this is fantastic! I’m glad you’ve got your ‘self’ under control. Whereas I…” my grin dropped a bit as I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. “Well, I maaaaay be doing the opposite. Just a tad. A little bit.”

“Why, what happened?” he asked, sounding more than a bit concerned. I sighed, beginning to recall my tale.

“Well, I was transported to Equestria as...well, a possessed suit of armor, to be frank. Problem was, it had its own spirit as well. I was...the filling, the conscious desire, whereas the armor itself had a separate spirit in control of the more...brutal instincts. There came a time when we split from each other, but the split wasn’t exactly...a clean break. I came away with a good bit of his rage, and he came away with a good bit of my control over my emotions. Recently, we’ve merged into what you see before you in an attempt to gain more power for the upcoming fight, but also fix this issue.”

“I know how you feel when you say you were two souls in one body. I still have Michael in the back of my mind, he just seems happy staying there.” he said with more than a little understanding. “If there’s anything I could do to maybe relieve the stress, just tell me.”

Wait, does he think that we had no choice? “Oh, no, we did this willingly. And we can also undo it when the time comes. But…” I sighed as I turned to look in the approximate direction of Canterlot. “It’ll take Cadence, possibly this world’s Twilight as well, to help untangle the mess that is both our minds, and make sure we both come out whole this time.”

“Okay. Well, no reason to cry over something I can’t change. I do hope that I haven’t missed the battle, did I?”

Sarcasm-nade, away! “Nope, I decided to go around with a dark spirit in me afterwards for kicks.”

“I didn’t know if you were stuck like that because of the ‘we can’t untangle ourselves without help’ or whatnot, but there’s no reason to be sarcastic.” ...Oh, believe me, there's a need...

“Sarcasm and jokes are one of the way I keep myself sane right now. So forgive me if I crack a few. Ever since I ran off a version of Kruger, my sleep, when I take it, hasn’t been exactly peaceful.”

“Kruger? As in, Freddy Kruger?” he asked with more than a slight tremble to his voice. I merely nodded as my expression fell further.

“Yeah. Bastard made the mistake of tearing into my mind and trying to give me a nightmare. What he didn’t quite get is that Fear always loses to Understanding. I could hear him scream as I pulled out that memory.”

“Remind me never to piss you off.”

“Who’s Freddy Kruger?” Twilight asked with obvious confusion. I shared a look with Nicolas as he asked me the question.

“You want to take this one? I’m having trouble keeping my cool as it is.”

I held a hand up to my chin and hummed. “Okay, so, the way I can describe what he does is simple. I’ll not share the legend of how he became what he is, it’s...rather dark. Even by human standards. That okay with you, Twi?”

“I… guess that I could deal with it. Me and Nick will talk about it later.” She looked up at Nick with an expression that promised not only a talk, but a Talk. I let the hand drop as my expression became rather grim, even by my standards.

“Okay, Twi, picture Princess Luna, and her abilities to dream-walk.” She nodded, that was simple enough. “Now, turn her back into Nightmare Moon, and let her keep those abilities.”

Twilight's eyes shrunk as she gasped deeply, as though trying to inhale all the air in the room. I wasn’t done yet though. “And worst of all, give her a new one. One that transferred any damage done to the dreamer to reality.”

The gasp repeated itself, and I shuddered at the thought of Luna going 'round the bend again that I'd just painted in our minds. I finished with a simple sentence. “Now, if it were a male human with those abilities and personality, I would say, ‘That is Freddy Kruger.’”

“Um… Nick, have fun with your friend. I’ll be downstairs.” Her face was a mask of disgust and horror as she slowly walked out of the room and, presumably, downstairs. Damnit, the first thing I do to his Twilight is scar the poor girl.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. I’ll go and get her something from Sugarcube Corner when we’re finished; y’know, try to cheer her up.” He did his best at a comforting smile. It didn't work.

“Yeah...just...tell her it’s all a story? Tell her that he’s not real? Or if she insists that he is because I ran off a version of him, tell her he has his own world, and that if he was going to target anyone in yours, it’d be you? Just...tell her that he’ll not come for her, that the circumstances I outlined won’t happen? I...I hate exposing ponies to our home’s culture. It ends up like this half the time.”

“I’ll be sure to do that. But,” he clapped his hands, making his voice a little more upbeat, “We have much to talk about! I am still willing to help you in your endeavours, just ask and I will attempt to provide.” he finished with a broad smile.

I looked at what I could see of him in my Mirror and frowned. He must be using...like, a bathroom mirror. Not nearly big enough. “Okay...but you’re going to need to procure a mirror that...like, the Princesses could use. When the time comes, I...might? Be able to pull you to the staging ground through such links. It’ll take effort, time, and power on my part, and if you can easily walk through the ‘door’ that I make, it’ll make my job so much easier. Plus, and this is a big one, you need to have some sort of Anchor in your world. Be it a personal attachment to someone there, or just...an object that is uniquely, definitively yours. It’ll make putting you back possible with almost no margin for error.”

“Well, if you do mess up, I know how to reach you.” He held the coin up again, which had been sitting on the sink. I chuckled slightly at that.

“True, but if I mess up and put you in the past, that could create a paradox. Or, if I put you in the future, you might miss something important, and then it’d very tricky to put you where you’d like to be without making one. Anchors are quite important to Multiversal travel. Most don’t realize they have one.” At least, not until the time comes when someone mentions such things to them.

“I’ll be sure to come up with something.” He smiled. “But is there anything I could do in the meantime?” I opened my mouth to deny the thought when something struck me. He'd gotten his other half under control. Maybe such exercises would help me keep Dully and my self separate as well?

“Actually...could you give me the first quick lesson Zecora gave you? I’d like to try and keep Dully and I separate as much as possible even when merged, mainly to make the final separation far less painful. We’re...blending together at an increasing rate, and it should sorta stop before it gets too far.”

“Well, the first lesson was how to keep your emotions under control. Don’t get out of check, and if you do, take a deep breath and count back from ten… or one hundred, depending on how angry you are.”

I pulled out a scroll and wrote the information down. “Thank you kindly, this’ll help greatly. I...have been getting angrier easier. Especially when that Sol-cursed robot keeps dropping things into Canterlot to get a rise out of me and…”

I did a quick double-take as I realized my emotions had indeed gotten out of control. After breathing deeply and counting to ten, I sighed and cracked a smile towards the Mirror.. “Yeah...so, thanks for that. I think I need to see my Zecora as well, when the time comes...that I have time, anyways.”

“You do that. It’ll do a world of help… trust me, I’d know.” He smiled, probably remembering something pleasant. “Anyway, if that’s all I can do for you, I’ll be on my way. It’s been way too long since I saw the other Elements.” His smile grew a little at the mention of the Elements.

I nodded and summoned Concordia to my left hand. “When the time comes, I will call for you. Feel free to answer that call at your leisure, but sooner would be better should you choose to aid me directly in combat. Fare you well, Lord of Time, and take care of your world. Someone has to besides the Sisters.”

“And goodbye to you, too. May time treat you well.”

I cut the connection again and sighed. "Soon. Soon this ends."

Chapter 11 - ...and one man, in his time, may play many parts.

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"Fraaaank! You're out of cereal again!"

I sighed and made my way to the door, which opened up into the kitchen on my first try. Kat Shifter, or Allison, was there. She'd requested...I think asylum is the only word that can fit. See, she'd seriously fucked up in her home reality...or rather, the Equestria she'd made into her home, and she figured the next, best thing she could do, would be to aid me in the coming conflict. However, she also didn't want to put a burden on her 'home' any longer, so she did the next best thing:

Shack up with me until the time came. Which it rapidly was.

Nine times out of ten, I had no problem with my gravity-shifting guest. She'd...recovered, eventually, from the circumstances I found her in, and taken to training with her powers at around the same time I trained with Concordia. Sometimes we even sparred so that I could get used to the staff.

The Everfree would recover. Eventually.

The odd occasion that she was a problem was when the kitchen ran out of human-friendly food. Measured Thought had gotten used to the idea of humans needing a larger supply of protein, specifically animal protein, and Kat tended to handle hunting on her own pretty well. But I...well, when we ran out of human-friendly food, I tended to shift into pony form for breakfast, then go grab groceries.

Kat couldn't do that. So she complained. Right up until I made her coffee. She shut up then and just nursed what she called 'the elixir of the gods.' My coffee tended to have that effect. Especially when it was well-made.

I groaned at her complaint. "Then go into town and get some!"

"And have the townsfolk ask if I'm your sister again? No thank you!"

I rolled my eyes at that, and let out a mischevious smirk. "Oh, it's not that bad, you know."

She turned to me and raised her eyebrows. "Oh? How is it not that bad?"

I merely smiled at her. "Twilight's wondering if I kidnapped a human female from Earth to be a-"

She waved her hands at me before I could finish my statement. "Ah! No! No, no NO. SO much NO."

I couldn't help myself and doubled over laughing. Kat just scowled at me. "And now you wonder why I don't go into town. This world doesn't know me, you're further along in time than I was when I left my world, and...and I can't run into your Fluttershy."

I sobered up at that and nodded once. "So. Any preferred brands?"

She hummed a bit. "Anything that isn't made of grasses."

I nodded and went to leave. She finished her thought. "I'll let it slide if you make coffee."

I waved a hand in her vague direction. "Pot's still got some in it, help yourself. Just leave a cuppa for me."

The last thing I heard before I left was the sound of a cabinet being opened while the shifter looked for a mug...

-----

I sighed as I examined my Mirror. So large a conflict...so soon a conflict. So many would fight, from everywhere...And then a figure obscured my scrying. A shadowy little thing at first… and then he came into focus, albeit much closer than originally expected. I looked on for a moment before realizing I could see the back of my head… where did he-

I turned around quickly to see a human figure glaring at me impatiently, tapping his black leather shoes incessantly in a way that reminded me of a child waiting in line. He appeared to be an old, wrinkled man, worn ragged in both figure and in stride. And while he may have looked old, but I felt that his skin masked a being more ancient. He wore a suit that fit tightly, as if the tailor had been equipped with a vacuum cleaner, and while it was faded a pinstriped blue, it had not a speck of tarnish on it. He peered expectantly at me, waiting for some unknown initiation.

“Um. Hi?”

He looks off into the distance and gestures to me, as if trying to get his point across, “See!” he exclaimed “Ha! A much better welcoming than the last buffoon.” He thinks for a second, before adding, “Comparatively.”

I blink before looking back into the Mirror. “Are you...talking to the Multiverse at large? Or merely someone in it?”

He put a finger to his chin for a moment before deciding to say “More like something. And besides, that was more for my own benefit, what little ‘benefit’ I have anyways.”

I started at that, trying to process the meaning behind the words. Something? Little benefit? This...is getting all sorts of strange...

He paused again before changing the subject. “Regardless, I’m here for you and an agreement affecting all of the pieces on the board, not just you.”

I scowled and made a face. “You should know then that I despise the way Teridax refers to us all. But out with it. Why are you here, whoever you are?”

“Because I can’t be much of anywhere else at the moment, although...” He opens up his suit to reveal a pocket watch, gracefully checks the time, and notes, “I may have to be somewhere else in a moment. So I have a favor to ask of you.”

I couldn’t resist. “Or somewhen else. Fine. Ask your favor of me, and I will at least consider it.”

“I would like to request a lack of interference between our parties. I would like to dispose of any corpses that this dimension accrues by the time Teridax’s little ‘game’ runs it’s course.”

“...Why?”

“Because,” he responds, as though answering the question of a child, “it’s my job. I’ve been employed to get rid of any of the void material before it becomes… destabilized.”

“And as those that once crossed...or were dragged through the Void Eternal, we’d have a good bit accumulated on or in us. Huh. Didn’t think about that…”

I mused over the revelation. Void-stuff was useful, and I’d forgotten just how useful after that banishment I’d done. It only stands to reason there would be Something that would want to make sure the mortals didn’t play with the fire of the gods…

“And no one has had a chance to play, that’s because I’ve been doing my job. You see, there are beings about the place that like universes like this intact, my employers, and well… Gaping holes in the universe don’t do the void very good. Makes it a much worse place to be in. It’s like a gas put in a vacuum, It tends to expand.” he said, putting a major emphasis on the final word.

“Did...Did you respond to my thoughts?!” Creepy. As. Hell. This is why I don’t work with psychics.

“More like why they don’t work with you. Dear.” he said, tacking on the last word with a sarcastic emphasis.

I clutched my head and quickly got my breathing under control. “Just...just please don’t. The mind is the last sanctum sanctorum of any normal man, and I’ve grown used to having it.”

I immediately felt a force receding, before I even spoke the words.

“Apologies, thoughts are often faster than words and my occupation requires me to work… expediently,” He paused before attempting to continue, but I cut him off, asking the disturbing question that had plagued my mind for a minute now.

“What would you do with the bodies? I want a clear answer.”

“I would like to host a funeral,” he stated ‘matter-of-factly’ and then added, “-and then cast them off into the void before they catalyze.”

“I’m assuming that means something to do with the Void-energy they’ve unwittingly absorbed. Fair enough. But make it happen all at once. And send invitations to the survivors of...whichever side. I’ll not send off allies’ corpses without all who wish to say a few words first getting a chance to.”

“Thank you, I assumed you would not do the same for the opposition, but then again, the hero usually has a different take on the subject. That’s what makes them the hero. No?”

I sighed and looked at the mirror. “Truthfully, I try not to kill at all. But sometimes it’s just unavoidable. However, if our coming deaths are your job, then who am I to stand in your way?” A thought tugged at my mind. “Do your bosses have any take on what I did a few months ago? With Omega and my Banishing him to the Void Eternal?”

This question he answered with ease. “His being there makes as little difference as your travels there or your eventual arrival there,” he stopped himself for a second, “But he is noisy, I’ll give him that.”

“Very well...you know, I just now realized that I never got your name.”

“Few do, this is one of only a few linked universes that I have spoken to one of you alive. My name is mine and mine alone, but if you wish truly for my name, you may only have my occupation: The Undertaker.” He said, grinning as he finished with a small bow.

I smiled and extended my hand. “I assume you already know all my names, then, but seeing as you will be doing a great service to the Multiverse, no matter which side wins, I tell you now...refer to me by my first set of names. I trust you.”

At this point he lost some of his professional composure. “All of your names?... Wait a sec! You’re the one who got all the Displaced to spam every universal inbox!? Do you know how much that clutters up the place!?”

I blinked at that. “What? I was referring to the fact that I’ve changed my name so many times and accrued so many titles that using my birth name is a sign of trust between me and another. What the bloody hell are you talking about?!”

“You reminded me of one of the first few notes that came flying in. So many titles. Not nearly as much as that Xante fellow, but still, everyone who found that sent out their own. The first multiverse chain letter.” He pulled back his emotion, but it was too late.

I blinked at that. “Hum. Interesting. Didn’t expect so large a response. I mostly sent it out because...I knew they’d need it. Because someone, somewhere, needed to do something about The Merchant.”

He couldn’t quite respond to this. “Well…” He withdrew his golden-chained watch again and quickly flipped it open, “It appears this may have to be the end of our meeting. But, fair warning, we may meet again somewhere down the road, and I may be the only one left to attend the service.”

“Just...is anyone going for him? He shouldn’t be allowed to continue his deeds. That’s all I want to know: that even amongst those that Dwell Without, that someone...somewhere, takes him to court for what he’s done.”

He responded to me, but not really to the question itself, “I’ve been hired, not for fame, not for money, not for anything of physical value. There’s a difference between good and self benefit. I work for those hold the latter with high regard.”

“I have ‘whens’ to be and ‘wheres’ to go. I think our time together is at an end.” he finished.

“Y’know, my Mirror slash Looking Glass is right here, you could use it…”

“Why thank you.” He nodded, took a few short steps to his left, and bid himself adieu. Masking his presence quickly was the feeling it left, a physical emptiness, kith and kin to the feeling I’d felt when I’d Banished Omega. Apparently, he’s worked with the Void for so long, he’s started to emanate something that mimics it.

-----

Kat and I were in my lab, and I was in my human form again. In one hand, I held Eureka, in the other, Concordia. My clothes were in their combination coloration, and, funnily enough, on my way back to the tower, I'd found a large Psynergy stone. Well, more accurately, I'd caught the glint of one from the border of the Everfree, and went to touch it, then ended up draining it before I could stop myself. I'd thought it would just be a small one, but apparently not.

My reserves by this point were somewhere around 40%. Not enough for Immortality, but if Umbra had done as I asked...where I was going, it wouldn't matter.

I put a hand to my mirror and focused. The glass rippled quite a bit before it showed us a serene-enough looking planet...with, thankfully, none of the natives Umbra had described. A clear-looking plains. I nodded and gestured at the Mirror. "After you, Kat."

She gulped and walked forward before casting a skeptical eyebrow at me. I merely smiled, and she breathed deeply before walking into, and through, the Mirror. She stumbled a bit on the plains, but soon began to look around her with wonder at the new, somewhat peaceful planet. I followed through a second later.

Looking around showed me that we were, in fact, in the clear. I hummed a bit and suddenly, a bit of prose struck me from my old life.

"'The time has come, the Walrus said, to speak of many things.'"

Kat looked at me like I was crazy, which, in all honesty, who's to say I wasn't? This didn't stop me, though. "'Of shoes, and ships, and sealing-wax, of cabbages, and Kings.'"

She seemed to catch on, and smiled as I finished my rhyme. "'And why the Sea is boiling hot, and whether pigs have wings...'"

I looked to the sky then, and my expression turned grim. "The time has come."

I raised Concordia and bellowed it this time. "THE TIME HAS COME!"

I gathered what power I though I needed, and issued my Call and Challenge.

"I call now to those who have allied themselves to me! To all who have replied to me, to those I call friend! To my fellow Displaced who fight on the side of the light, I CALL TO YE! The time has come! To those that hold my Token, find a reflective surface which ye could walk through, and I shall guide thee!"

I then turned around and shot a blast of raw power at the ground a good ten feet behind me and Kat. I felt around and found enough gems and crystals, merged them into a solid sheet of reflective material, gave it a solid backing of stone so it would function exactly like a mirror, and raised it out of the ground. A good rumble later, the massive thing was as tall as a house, and nearly as wide. I quickly linked it to my Mirror back home, which was a bit tricky, but eventually manageable.

"And to Teridax, I tell ye this. Come to me. Fight me. The time has come for us to settle this. But know you this: The Golden Dawn shall ne'er fall before your League of Shadows! I have faith in those that ally themselves with me! I have faith in my friends, their power, and faith in the power I wield! Even a drop would be more than enough to send you into the Void Eternal for all eternity!"

A golden shockwave rippled out from me as I finished my speech, carrying my words across the boundaries...

Chapter 12 - The fall of a robot

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Before the boy went anywhere on this day, he looked over his mantle at the crossed sword and staff, then a little higher, to the mask that hung over them. He recalled...how they'd gotten there.

The battlefield smoked. Strewn around what was once a verdant green field were the corpses of the Zerg and Rahkshi who had fallen in battle. There had once been many combatants here, but they had either been forced to leave or had left of their own volition. Now only the two of us remained.

I stood, watching Teridax intently. The massive Makuta held his bident in front of him and flaming sword at his side, armour scratched from the various combatants who had tried to slow him down. To be honest, I wasn’t much better.

What power I once had had been all but expended in seeing my allies safely off, hopefully to their own worlds. I couldn't be sure. But I wouldn't permit them to remain when I saw the depths to which he would willingly sink to in an attempt to get at me. The least I could do was see them away from him... What few remained alive, anyway.

The damnable robot looked smug, or as smug as a hunk of animate metal could. He could probably sense it, the lack of power I had. And he would have been right in any other circumstance. I would normally not stand a chance if we were relying on magic alone.

But there was one last thing I had to fall back on. I didn't just take lessons in how to wear the armor properly back on Earth. I got a few sword lessons as well. Mostly so I could know what not to do, but my time in Equestria had only showed me new techniques. And as Mr. Dresden would say, 'You're just as dead from a bullet as you are from a fireball.'

"Bet you think you've won," I commented as I reached for Eureka.

Teridax swung his bident up. “You know, I rather liked that your allies have the guts to attack me directly. Bravery is to be admired, but sometimes, it is foolhardy to continue.” He paused, before extending a hand, staying just out of sword range. “My allies were… interesting momentary diversions. You are the most important being to me. We should be allies, Auric.”

“As if I ever would ally with you.” I smiled then, pulling the staff form of Concordia out and adding it to my arsenal. More things to block with, the better. “We’re not just opposite sides of the coin, we’re more like Matter and Antimatter. We shouldn’t be anywhere near each other for the sake of everything around us.”

“You know, together we could rule everything. With your alchemy and my viruses, we could rewrite reality so that it conforms to our beliefs. We could make everything about the multiverse better.” Teridax offered, still standing far away. And to be honest, for all of one second, the offer was tempting.

And then reality crashed back down around me. The only way that sort of power share would end would be when we stood together over a dead, metal world, and he convinced me it was a good idea. “I think not,” I said before dropping into a combat stance. “There’s a reason we’re told the story of Icarus in school. Fly too high, you end up falling.”

Teridax shrugged. “If that’s how you feel about it, then I suppose I can’t convince you.” He paused. “I wasn’t lying when I said I loved you, but unfortunately, my plan will work regardless.” He pulled out a tiny, glowing heart. “This is comprised of fragments of the Tree of Harmony. With a little bit of work, I could use it to terraform the multiverse, establish myself as its ruler. Clean and simple.”

“Ah, one of those,” I mused. “I banished the last one to think like that to the Void, you know.”

“Really? I’m impressed by the mortal who could make something like that.” Teridax shrugged. “Regardless, I really should be pragmatic.” His hand glowed with orange energy. “You have no magic left. By all rights, I should just blast your head off your shoulders.”

“You’d be well within your rights to,” I pointed out. “But something tells me someone like you wouldn’t be satisfied with such a quick, clean death like that. You need to be better than me.”

Teridax paused. “...I know you’re playing me. But, you’re right.” The energy disappeared, and he raised his staff. “If I can’t destroy you in melee combat, then I don’t deserve to call myself the best.”

“I believe the term I’m looking for is ‘En guard,’” I rejoined before drawing my blade, the crystal of it shining in the daylight. Teridax brought his staff down overhead, and I quickly blocked with the staff he’d been so kind as to supply the metal for.

Teridax paused. “I love the work you’ve done with my gift. Incredible work. I don’t think I could do better.” He then responded by lashing out with a kick. My clothes/armor absorbed most of the damage behind it, but the force still knocked me back. I turned the fall into a roll and sent a command to Concordia, the metal shifting around to form a mirror of Eureka.

“There’s more than one trick left in my hat,” I replied as I crouched, low to the ground. “Overspecialize and you breed in weakness and all that.”

“Very true.” Teridax replied, pulling out the sword I’d seen him using. He cracked his neck, and another arm appeared to help hold his staff. He smirked. “Just because I want to beat you, doesn’t mean that I’m completely honourable. This is just a minor advantage.”

“I would say something about that, but you’d just turn it against me,” I replied before drawing myself up. “Though...who said this little duel of ours had anything to do with honor in the first place? I’m willing to take whatever I can get myself, I don’t see why you’d be any different.” A plan started to crystalize in my mind…

“Exactly. We’re more alike than you think. We would do anything to win. Those around us regard us as gods, or something worth dying for.” He swung his staff at me with the sword stabbing forwards. Something that Eureka blocked, barely. I could see the sparks fly!

“Admit it, those who followed you didn’t just do it out of gratitude. They saw you as something worth dying for. They fought me with the intention of fighting and probably dying for you. Isn’t that a mark of the divine, Auric? People throwing themselves to certain death for one person or an ideal?” Teridax taunted.

“And how the hell did that work out for Earth?” I snarked back before making to attack with Concordia. My working theory was that this was probably one of a few things that could scratch him.

Teridax blocked, definitely taken off-balance for a moment. He recovered, though, and raised his staff again. “Amazing attack!”

“I never truly sought to become that which I now am,” I replied as I took the chance to fall back a step and observe him for a moment. Better to go in with knowledge than without. “I had every faith that when I went to stop the Wise One, I would die. I live every day like it was a gift because I returned.”

Teridax actually seemed distracted. “You never asked… I never asked either.” Something about Teridax seemed off. Then he seemed to compose himself. “I don’t care. All I care about is ruling everything. I have to rule everything. Nobody else is competent enough.”

“Nobody is competent enough to rule everything!” I shot back. “Do you even know the enormity of that task?! There’s a reason there are multiple deities!” I took the chance in his slight hesitation to test Eureka against his metal: this would all go downhill if the crystal wasn’t strong enough to do what it needed to.

“You’re thinking like an organic. It’s flawed; marred by emotion and drive. And yes, I do know that it’s impossible. But I have to try. If one pushes hard enough, it will happen. It has to happen!” Teridax retorted, actually sounding angry for the first time we’d been fighting. He brought up his staff quickly, prepared for an attack. The blade glanced off the staff, but the sparks returned. So maybe?...I would need to score a hit on his body to be sure.

“Just because one can does not mean one should! Just because it is possible to create water that would render someone immortal, does not mean I should go into the business of producing it!” I brought both blades into the fray now, trying to distract him from my true aim as the dual threats were brought to bear.

“We are gods, Auric. Could and should are not questions that we should be asking. Whoever wins is the most worthy. And I am determined that it will be me. I refuse to leave the multiverse in the hands of somebody with such flawed organic thinking!” Teridax brought up his staff and sword to counter, the flaming blade meeting with Concordia. “Emotion and short-term goals are what are going to bring this multiverse down, Auric! That’s what I learned in Tartarus. Emotions cloud judgement. Short-term goals cloud perspective. That is reality, Auric.”

“I pity you for losing sight of the real foe, then,” I replied, drawing back to analyze what I’d seen of his blocking. Thanks to that whole extra arm thing, it was flawless. Maybe it’d be better to let him press an attack, if only to slip a hit in? I’d have to be sure of my guard, though. Concordia shifted back into the staff form as I thought about it, needing the extra reach the pole version would provide. “Emotions are the very base of what makes me human. The very thing that separates you from me. Without them, I might as well be you. And the real foe would still remain.”

Teridax simply glared. “Oh, and what foe is this? People not liking me? The multiverse ending? I don’t fear that. It is inevitable, and I might as well accept it.”

“You actually had it right there,” I commented. “Entropy is the real foe, the flaw the Multiverse was born with. All things will end. Everything will end. And it’s the one thing I would rather spend my time fighting. I’d rather spend time devising a way for life to continue after the death of the Multiverse, but you didn’t take the fucking hint!”

“So we both have impossible dreams then.” Teridax commented. I merely nodded once.

“But somebody kept coming for me, coming after me. So my research has been put off thanks to this whole bloody mess! If you would have only left me be…” That’s it, goad the giant robot, why don’t you.

Teridax glared at me. “You would have come after me eventually. Our goals are too different. As soon as you got wind you would have come after me eventually. Besides, I believe that destruction will allow something new to grow in the multiverses’ place.”

“I would have been content where I was, learning and researching. I would have been content leaving you where you were. The Multiverse has ways of dealing with those that get too big, too noisy. But you just kept coming for me.”

Teridax geared up for an attack. “We are UNIQUE, Auric. The unique get drawn to one another. Sooner or later, you would have sought me out.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” I snarked at him. “Whatever helps you go to sleep at night.”

“I don’t sleep. Sleeping is an organic flaw that I have excised from my being.” Teridax lunged forwards with his sword, and I brought Concordia around to block. Now if only he would use his staff as well, I could get a hit in and test my theory!

“You still act like an organic, even when you are a god. It’s unbecoming.” Teridax raised his staff up, and brought it down on my head. The world spun, but he’d left me an opening. One I exploited as well as I could with Eureka. Now we would see how metal would fare against whatever the hell crystal made up my sword.

Teridax grunted as the sword actually penetrated his armour. He looked down, and immediately backed up. “No. No, no, no, no, NO!” Green mist seemed to seep out of the cut. Teridax seemed off-balance, almost scared. “I can’t adapt to this. Why can’t I adapt to this?” He kept grasping at the cut, motions becoming more frantic as whatever he was trying just didn’t work.

“That would require you knowing the properties of my sword, something not even I really know,” I replied, the plan now ready. But I would be kind to him. I’d put on a show and let him think he was winning up until the end.

Teridad seemed to gather his composure. “I need a patch… need a patch… patch.” An idea struck him, and he tore off the bottom of his staff. Orange energy gathered, and he applied it crudely over the wound. That done, he turned to me. “Impressive. Very impressive.” He then attacked again, frantically swinging his staff and sword together, trying to overwhelm me. Teridax was scared, terrified even. This was when my plan came into play, though I didn’t even need to put on a show as it turned out. Eventually his sheer speed and frequency of his attacks tore Concordia from my grasp and sent it rolling away. Reduced to naught but my sword, I kept blocking and hoping that sooner rather than later, it wouldn’t be needed anymore…

Teridax seemed to be slowly calming down, but eventually, he made a mistake. He made the mistake of thinking that just because I wasn’t holding Concordia it was removed from play. The metal still listened to me, and I had given it a simple command.

Hold. And it listened with aplomb as it turned on the one to supply me with its metal. Teridax was charging forwards, sword raised above his head, when the metal that had once been the staff rose up around his legs and held them still.

“What the…” He stared at the metal holding him down, confused. Then, he seemed to realise. “More tricks, Auric? I suppose I should have-”

That was about when I shoved my sword past his guards and into his chest. His moment had been long enough, he had been close enough. I panted and fell back all the same afterwards. I didn’t need to give him more chances to swing at me. I doubted even having that huge chunk of crystal in his chest would really slow him down.

Teridax glanced down, then slowly pulled Eureka free. His staff dropped to the ground with his sword, as the green mist flowed freely. And that was when I spoke a simple phrase. One that had proved effective in healing a mare. And one that I would now weaponize.

“Intelligre te ipsum!” Or translated. ‘Understand thyself.’ And my sword flashed as it sought to obey its trigger word with the one now holding it.

Teridax shuddered. He then dropped Eureka and seemed to collapse. I knew better than to get anywhere near those under the effects of one of Eureka’s spells, though. They didn’t tend to react...gently, when all was said and done.

In the end, Teridax leant back. “I’ve lost. For the first time since I’ve gained Understanding, I have lost.” The rainbow-coloured heart he held in his hand was slowly crushed into pieces, whatever magic present in it disappearing.

“Losing is a part of life. I’ve had my losses as well. And I know that as I continue to live, I will continue to lose things close to me, dear to me.” I picked the sword up, seeing that it was now...dull, somehow. Lifeless. As though it had been a catalyst all this time, waiting for the moment it was needed. And that the moment had passed. “And it looks like I just suffered another one.”

Teridax actually laughed. “To win, one must Understand themselves, right? I have to admit, this feels… much calmer now.” Green mist floated out of the gap in his armour. He tapped the gap with a finger. “I can’t regenerate, magnetize, weld or adapt to this wound. My antidermis is just going to leak out and my consciousness will disperse. I’m going to die slowly, but at least it’s painless.”

“You brought this on yourself,” I said before putting the sword on the ground and kicking it over to him. “I would have left you be had you let me be. I would have never needed to do this. But you just couldn’t let me go.”

Teridax picked Eureka up, examining it intently. “I couldn’t. For four thousand years, I was imprisoned with the likes of Tirek. It was boring. Then, I saw you. A being who shared my unique perspective.” He glanced at me, with an impression of embarassment. “I fell in love with you. Odd. I discarded all organic problems, but I couldn’t get rid of love.”

“‘Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind,’” I quoted at him. “The eternal bard seems to have gotten it right.”

Teridax seemed to smirk. “Ah well. I’ve lost, and I feel at peace with myself. So, I never did give your wife a gift.” He pulled off his mask and tossed it to me. Even that little action caused more green mist to seep out of him. I picked the thing up carefully, ready to toss it aside at the first indication of foul play.

“And this is supposed to be?”

Teridax’s face underneath the mask didn’t even look humanoid. It was insectile, and smooth, curving metal. “My artifact of Understanding, the Kanohi Kraahkan. It grants the wearer control over shadows, fear and anger. And like your sword, it is virtually indestructible.”

“Mine probably was before it did...whatever it just did to you,” I gestured to the sword. “It’s...lost something now. I doubt it’d ever be the same again. And I suppose I owe you that much, to take something as a reminder.” I held the mask in one hand, still ready to toss it away should I feel as much as a tingle.

Teridax glared at the mask. “Kraahkan, this is your new master. You defend him. He’s stronger than you. Only attack those who threaten him.” That said, he seemed to relax. He weakly pointed a finger at the sword and staff. “Take them as well. You might like the sword. Obsidian, sharpened down to an atom. And if you want it, my lab and notes on forging protodermis are in my own dimension.”

“I know a guy, he’ll probably do it for the asking,” I quipped before gently placing the mask with the staff and sword. “I’ll probably be stuck here until my magic recovers enough for me to breach the walls and find my way home...if you want me to make it faster, I...probably could.” Memories of the NAT came to the surface, the four who’d begged to die.

Teridax shook his head. “I am patient. It will come. I am expiring, and my death will create something new.” He looked at me, eyes flickering. “Besides, a god chooses how he dies.” With the last of his strength, he gripped the wound, and pulled it apart. More green mist poured out of him. I didn’t even move to stop him. Everyone had that right.

“Farewell then, Teridax...but before you go? Auric is what those that don’t know me call me. I figure you should know my real name before you go to whatever waits for you.” I paused for a moment before filling in the blank. “Frank DeFontaine was what I used to be called.”

“... Matthew… Bates…” he supplied, before the light in his eyes winked out. The green mist- antidermis- remained for a while before the wind blew it away. I sighed softly, relieved that finally…

It was over.

The Lost Chronicles of Auric Fulcrum

by Thadius0

Chapter 1 - Dealing with Tirek

Chapter 2 - Sending messages

Chapter 3 - The needs of the one outweigh - that is not how that saying goes.

Chapter 4 - Well that was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Even with my lifetime.

Chapter 5 - A crushing blow to friend...or was she foe?

Chapter 6 - Nosce te ipsum

Chapter 7 - Even a poisoned blade is good for scrap...

Chapter 8 - All of life's a stage...

Chapter 9 - ...and all the men and women are merely players...

Chapter 10 - ...they have their entrances, and their exits...

Chapter 11 - ...and one man, in his time, may play many parts.

Chapter 12 - The fall of a robot