> Rise of the Angel of Death
>  by thunderclap
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Enter Malthael
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Discord sighed at the situation he was roped into. Celestia and Luna had invited Twilight to tea and her friends tagged along. And of course they had decided to bring Discord as well, considering his recent reformation. All in all it seemed like a normal day in the city of Canterlot. Birds were singing, Celestia’s sun was shining, and the nobles were looking for the best way to squeeze whatever money they could from the common-folk. As they walked through the castle Discord’s mind began to wander. 'Will something happen?' He asked. As they entered a more shadowed part of the castle Discord paused. He felt something. He was sensing powerful magic. He paused and turned to the closed doors. Fluttershy saw this. "Discord what’s wrong?" The others saw Discord as he looked at the door.

"We should all run." He said. Suddenly, the candles in the shadowy halls went out all at once, and what looked like fog was creeping in. The guards moved in front of their princesses. "It can't be." He said. Out of the darkness a hooded figure walked up. The being was dressed all in black including its armor and held two sickles in his hands. Standing upright, the being remained motionless. The guards charged him "Stop!" He tried to warn them. Suddenly wings appeared from the figure’s back.

The beings crossed arms spread as the fog/cloud moved out; Discord summoned a barrier around himself and everyone else. The cloud/fog attacked the barrier, locked out a guard closest turned to them with a look of fear on his face, as it suddenly started to fall off as it decayed and soon his body was dust and bones while a blue glow splashed around. Discord’s eyes widened as the soul was consumed, and with that the fog was gone. Discord brought the shield down. Luna shot out after her horrified shock was gone.  Luna summoned a sword and held it in a telekinetic grip. "Foul beast." Discord wanted to close his eyes, but couldn’t. "I will stop thee." Her sword was knocked away easily. One of the sickles pierced her and gripped her ribs hoisting her up. The other sickle moved to the side of her face a thin blue line shooting out the tip.

"None can stop.... Death!" The being boomed in a deep, ominous voice. Luna cried out as her soul was being very slowly ripped from her body. In an attempt to save her sister, Celestia fired a beam of magic at the being as it tossed Luna into Celestia, still alive but unconscious.

Twilight looked on, horrified of what she was seeing. Her mind was racing with thousands of questions. What was this creature? Why was it attacking the princesses? And why did Discord seem to know it? Rainbow Dash called out to Twilight and brought her out of her stupor. "Come on Twilight, snap out of it! We gotta help the princesses!"

"Dash no!" Twilight shrieked stopping Rainbow Dash with her magic. "There's no telling what that thing could do to us. We need to get the Elements of Harmony if we want to be of any help to the Princesses."

Discord looked on, his mind recalling events from long ago. They say Equestrian history was next to impossible to get before the sisters reign. Discord himself had a hand to play in that. However he had reasons for ruling them. This being landed on the ground, "Your debt will be paid." He said. He started to channel magic. It was exotic, different, ancient yet new. The magic formed into lighting as Celestia threw up a barrier. Twilight herself couldn't make it out. The magic was way too different for her to even understand it. Celestia was knocked back.

"Get the Elements." She cast a spell giving Twilight access to the vault they were kept in. "Go now." Discord was in his vision.

"Discord what are you doing, help us." Fluttershy begged. Discord was debating with himself. He could just as easily toss her into the blade’s path and get it over with.

He sighed, deciding to help them... only this once. "Fine," He huffed as he snapped his fingers and the chest holding the Elements appeared. 'Debt repaid Fluttershy.' He thought. The Elements flew out, as the being clashed with the barrier again. Discord closed his eyes. He had a feeling as to what was going to happen. The light from the Elements surrounded the girls as the being turned.

"What in the name of hell?" Celestia moved herself and Luna to safety. The rainbow beam hit him. The light dying down after what seemed like an eternity.

"We got him!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"None...." Everyone’s hearts stopped. "Can." Twilight moved back. "Stop."

"No" the others moved back, seeing the being standing there, unfazed with glowing eyes for a moment. 

"DEATH!"

Everyone in the room was shocked by what they saw. Even Discord was surprised by this turn of events. They had never heard of a being that was able to shrug off the Elements. Discord debated with himself over what he should do. He knew Malthael had no quarrel with him. But if he just stood by and did nothing then there was no telling what could happen. In the end he cursed himself. He stepped between Malthael and everypony else. "The things I do." He muttered to himself.
The being stood there almost confused. Discord raised his eyes a bit. This wasn't much like him. 'Being asleep for so long he’s probably forgotten.' He thought. 

"They’re not them." He said pointing at the princesses." Everyone suddenly felt like the world had ended. One, a being immune to harmony was attacking them, and two, Discord was trying reason with it. "They’re gone, ok? These aren’t them, they’re both mares, see?" He pointed out, playing with their faces and wings. The being’s wings shot out, and he flew out through the window. "Thank chaos." He sighed. Everyone just looked at him. "What?" Discord asked.

"What’s going on?" Twilight asked. Discord sighed.

"Oh yeah, that being mistook the princesses for their parents, strange seeing as how they died fighting him." Discord started.

Celestia simply shouted. "What? And you just let it go?" She screamed. Discord glared at her causing her to flinch a bit.

"I was there, he had no control over his powers, he saved a village only to be called a monster due to your ponies blatant racism that still exists to this day, you know most folks say everybody when speaking, but you’re still using everypony!" He walked away a bit. "Your parents just up and chased him down when he wanted to be left alone, I saw the fight, for during that time I myself lived out in the wilds with the animals who I saw as family, I saw the fight."

He turned to them. "It was in self-defense your parents forced him to unleash his powers, they died and as their bodies decayed they cast a powerful sleep spell on him, and finally, they sent him, wrapped in chains into Tartarus." He then turned again. "A few weeks later the ponies from the surrounding villages decided to destroy my forest to 'purge the monster’s taint from their land' let’s just say that I decided to make them pay."

Celestia had no idea what to say at this development, her expression constantly changing. Luna however had no such problem. "Thou Speakest Lies!" Luna screamed using the Royal Canterlot Voice. She grabbed Discord with her magic and threw him into the closest wall. "Our parents were just and noble rulers! They would never attack without purpose! They helped unite the three pony tribes and brought harmony to Equestria! Why should we believe a word from thy mouth? That beast tried to end our life! Why should we believe thy wild claims?"

Discord's glare softened and he practically whispered to Luna, "If my claims are so wild, then why am I the only Draconequus?” Discord turned away. "The whole forest was our home, my kinda were long lived beings and our magic rarely learned, the burning forest left me the last of my race, my whole kinds' powers were brought into me." He gave a smile. "My race was of chaos yet we lived away from everyone, my rebirth made me the avatar of my race, a literal god of chaos, the thing with this kinda mass fusion though, is that it changes someone." Luna suddenly felt dread in her heart. The only other time she felt this was when she and her sister first challenged Discord. "I was driven mad." He then grabbed Luna’s head. "Oh, a quick warning, last time I checked I recall me holding both you and Celestia’s broken bodies in my hands when you challenged me without the elements what did I tell you?" He started.

"You were ready for the warm up." Luna finished for him, and with that Luna put her down.

"I'm out of here." Discord said, walking away. "Don't come looking for me, any of you." He said, disappearing in a flash of light.

Everyone was silent for the longest time, just letting the gravity of the news they were given sink in. Luna was trying and failing to keep herself from crying. Celestia had wrapped a wing around Luna and was offering what comfort she could. The first to break the silence was Rainbow Dash.

"Can you believe that load of horse apples Discord tried to throw on us?” She said with a dismissive wave of the hoof.

"What if it's true, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Come on Rarity, none of us are racist! We're all friends with at least one person that's not a pony! I bet Twilight here can prove that all of this is bogus. So, what do you think egghead?"

Twilight shook her head before speaking, "I don't know Dash, there are no real records of events before the defeat of Discord. Princess Celestia, do you know anything about what Discord was saying?"

Celestia herself sighed. "Twilight..... I only have tales from when I was growing up. I can say that Discord is most likely telling the truth, the tale of Discord’s appearance was when our parents died in a forest that was burned down before he appeared." Celestia shock her head. "Luna and I did attempt to fight him it was the reason we got the elements. He boasted like he did because he had already defeated us." Celestia stated.

Twilight walked up. "So are we actually racist?'

Celestia sighed. "I don't know Discord is right every other races is speaking like he says, and the nobles have caused so many troubles, even almost caused a war." Celestia held her head down. "If I had to guess Discord’s reign was somewhat justified."

"So, um what do you think Discord is doing?" Fluttershy asked, barely audible.

"If I had to guess then he's probably looking for the creature." Celestia stated her regal tone slowly returning to her.

"And what do ya think he's going to do once he finds it?"

"I have no idea Applejack. This is in Discord's claws now. We can only hope and pray for the safety of Equestria."
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--------	Malthael shook his head. He had started to regain his sanity. He had slept for a long time. He knew that. "Why did I go to blizzard con?" He asked himself. He was now, Malthael the Angel of Death. He even forgot his own name it was so long ago. He recalled he had awoken with chains around him. He was lucky they had aged and his powers helped him. He then fought his way through the prison he was in, killing everything around him. He smashed out the gates and walked out. His mind still clouded wandering around until he heard of the rulers of Equestria. He shook his head. He formed his wings as he took off. 
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--------------------Far out of Equestria Discord appeared looking out to his surroundings. "It’s time I leave to my roots." He whispered walking into the forest.
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------------------Malthael flew up north looking around. He landed on the ground "So what I'm I to do now?" He asked himself. He sighed and decided to keep moving north. After a week of flying he set foot in the cold north. He walked a bit as he saw something a cave with a fire in it. Inside the cave a person sighed. Sunset shimmer was extremely confused. She was still human even after passing though the portal.

Malthael slowly made his way toward the strange human. It had been over a thousand years since he had last seen one, so he barely remembered what they looked like, although, he did remember them being a little less... colorful then the woman in front of him. She had a large blanket wrapped around her so he couldn't see what she was wearing. The woman had light yellow skin, light blue eyes, and long red and yellow hair.

For some reason, Malthael felt drawn to this woman, and slowly made his way into the cave where the woman was shivering and probably close to death. The last bit of the haze in his mind cleared as he approached the woman. 'I feel like there's a joke to be made about yellow skin, but I can't remember what it is.' He thought.

As soon as he made it to the mouth of the cave the woman whipped her head towards him. The look on her face screamed pure terror. "What the hell are you supposed to be?!"

"Honestly, I have no real idea anymore." Malthael said with a deep sigh.

Sunset did not feel relieved. "That doesn't make sense." Sunset said. Malthael sighed.

"Just call me Malthael." He said. He looked around. "May I ask you a question?" He started. Sunset shook her head.

"No I don't mind, as long you answer one of mine." Sunset said.

"Fair enough," Malthael said sitting down. He looked around. "May I ask why you look like that?" He started. Sunset rolled her eyes. "I wasn't supposed to look like this. I was actually a pony once." She said. Malthael had a raised eyebrow under his hood.

"You’re kidding? You don't look like one." It did make sense given the technicolored nature of the ponies.

"Somehow, I actually did ascend into an Alicorn, unfortunately it was in the humanized word I went to and I was locked as a human." Malthael was a bit shocked hearing about a human word.

'I get it, it wasn't my world.' Malthael thought. It was a thousand years he guessed so his family and friends where most likely dead.

"So what are you?" Sunset asked. Malthael stood up as his wings came out.

"I'm... an Archangel.”

"Wait you're an angel? You don't look like any angel I've ever heard of." She said pointing a finger at the armored figure before her.

"Well, I should say I was an Archangel, but I left my throne and became Death itself. It's all a little convoluted and hard to explain." Malthael said waving a hand in the air, ruining his dramatic pose.

"You're death! Does this mean... does this mean that I'm...? Oh dear sweet Celestia no." Sunset stammered out, letting her blanket drop so she could clutch herself tightly. Malthael slowly walked toward Sunset, folding his wings to his back and carefully placed a hand on the trembling woman's shoulder.

"It's not your time yet, but if we don't get you warm then that might change." Malthael whispered to Sunset, hoping to ease her nerves.

Malthael looked around, a few rocks could be used to block the entrance a bit to help them. He used his magic to help against the winds. Sunset looked on. Death was actually right there helping her live! The heat rose as the cold was blocked a bit. He also rearranged the rocks near her to give her a place to break the wind. "Why are you helping me? You’re death!"

Malthael dropped his hood down, revealing his face. He was paled skin, a bit moreso given his time out of the sun. He saw his hair was platinum blond instead of his dirty blonde, and his eyes were grey. "To tell you the truth I'm not totally death, I myself ended up in this world with little control over my powers, met these two monarchs, Gaia and something was put to sleep in chains in some place called Tartarus, and then I broke out."Malthael sat down. "All this because I saved a village of colorful ponies, I had to literally fight my way out of the place killing everything since everything there was trying to kill me." He finished.

Sunset looked away from the man in front of her. Or at least she thought he was a man. The pale skin made him look so old. "My story's not as tragic as yours. I used to be a normal pony. Of course, I didn't think so at the time. I was Princess Celestia's personal student. I thought I was better than everypony. The Princess would always tell me that she was grooming me to become a princess, but I'd have to be patient for that day to come. I was arrogant. I thought that Celestia didn't want to share her power with me, and was dangling a carrot in front of my face to keep me obedient. I ran away, and found another world that I thought I would control. Eventually, I stole the Element of Magic and took it back into the other world."

“Because the Element was confused and trying to adapt to the magic free environment of the mirror world, I was able to force it into ascending me into an Alicorn. I only found out about the corrupted nature of the transformation once I tried to return to Equestria to make amends. But, I don't think that's possible. I acted like a foal. I ran away and threw a tantrum because I didn't get what I wanted. And because of that I took control of others minds in attempt to overthrow my old mentor and show her I was better than her new student could ever hope to be. I deserve being stuck in this body. I deserve having a face that not even my parents will recognize, and most of all I deserve to die." Sunset finished tears streaming down her face.

Malthael sighed. He wondered how to make her feel better. He then had an idea. "Let me tell you something, you where impatient, yes, but you do not deserve to die." He said. "People think forgiveness is easy, it’s harder than one thinks, trust me I myself knew before all of this of great villains becoming the best of heroes, being good is easy, true strength takes falling and rising again." He stood up. "The way I see it the element knew you needed a new start so it gave it to you." He finished. He held her head up. "Sometimes we must see our own darkness to understand our light." He finished. Sunset let a tear fall.

"Thanks, you’re right." She said. The two sat beside the camp fire.

"So, back on the elements what do they look like?"

Sunset started off about them being necklaces and a crown. Malthael tapped his head. "I think I remember them, a rainbow blast hit me and nothing happened to me."

Sunset was wide eyed. “How is that possible.... wait death, could it be you’re naturally immune to them?” She thought aloud.

"What does me being Death have to do with that rainbow beam having no effect on me?" Malthael asked, arching an eyebrow at the woman.

"They're called the Elements of Harmony for a reason. They don't actually damage anything they're used against. They simply purify and bring their target into harmony with the rest of the world. But, you're already in harmony with the world. Death works in tandem with life and is all a part of keeping the world in balance."

'Damn it, I know there's a joke I should be making here! These last thousand years really have fucked with my memory.' Malthael thought. He kept those thoughts to himself and instead said, "That actually makes a lot of sense, Sunset. You're really smart."

Sunset blushed at this. Outside, it started to get darker. "Well night’s coming, we best get some sleep." Malthael said there before casting a bit of magic into the fire.

"Thanks." Sunset said. Unknown to them a bond was forged that night.

(Meanwhile)

In another part of the land near the edge of Equestria Discord looked out at the moon. He sat on a tree. He took something form his pocket dimension. It was in a small safe. Opening it he pulled out a key. This was no ordinary key. 'I'm surprised they didn't check me.' He thought. This key was sacred to his race a deal with harmony for chaos was needed to bring change to a world. "The key to the Element’s true power is within my hand." He looked it out. "The key to rainbowfied power." Discord placed it back in its safe and in his pocket dimension.

In her study Twilight nothing was coming up on the being. She pulled out a book of legends. After a while she found him on an image. "Malthael, the Angel of Death.” She read out.There was hardly anything in the book. Everything that was written was pretty much what Discord had told her. Although the book left out the part about saving a village and claimed that Malthael had instead attacked the village. The book went on to glorify King Chronos and Queen Gaia, and claimed that they sacrificed themselves to seal away the greatest evil that Equestria had known. The book then claimed that Malthael had corrupted the home of the Draconequui and that the three unified tribes had to destroy their forest and wipe out the Draconequui to prevent the corruption from spreading.  Twilight closed the book and started to massage her temples. "For the first time in my life, I don't think I can trust one of my books." She muttered.

The book was pure lies. It was nothing but bias and racism. They just wrote down genocide against the race who’s last surviving member would basically torment them and make life hell. It was racist and the words everypony was mixed with even everynotpony! It was like they weren’t even trying! "Maybe Discord’s right." Twilight felt a chill go up her spine. Discord right about something, that was a scary thought. Times may have changed but it seems that perhaps for the ponies not as much as others. Even Discord wasn't what she originally thought if anything he could have been friendlier if his home and race hadn't been destroyed. "Perhaps it's for the best he destroyed the past, if the tale was anything to go by nothing would be worth much."

Twilight now had to find Discord, who most likely up and left them. With no reports of strange chaos it was safe to assume he went out into the wilds. Twilight almost wanted to bang her head against something. A lot of Equestria was wilds with a guard that she lamented was incompetent he could be anywhere as could Malthael. Twilight wondered how he was able to shrug of the elements powers. It was by all rights impossible.
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-------Out in the cold the sun finally came up as the two travelers walked out. "How'd you sleep Sunset?" Malthael asked, almost pulling his hood over his face again, but he changed his mind when he caught her shivering again. Without thinking, he pulled his cloak off and handed it to the young woman.

"Aren't you going to be cold without that?" Sunset asked, hesitantly taking the offered clothing.

"I'm Death; I'm supposed to be cold." He said with a chuckle.

"Well, okay," Sunset said while finally getting a good look at the supposed Angel of Death. He seemed to be very thin, although with the armor covering him it was hard to tell how much muscle he had. His platinum blonde hair reached the nape of his neck, and looked oddly clean for a being that most likely hadn't washed in over a millennia. It took a while for Sunset to notice but Malthael was slightly handsome. Once you got past the extremely pale skin, his angular features were pleasing to the eye. His face was thin almost to the point of being gaunt, but it matched his character.

However, she saw on his sides were two one handed scythes. They were like long daggers, only curved. In the human world they had a belief that the grim reaper wielded a long scythe. It seems death favored light weight and speed over force. The two moved though the cold. Sunset stepped onto the ice. She paused, as did Malthael, and cracks were being seen. The ice suddenly gave out.

Malthael’s instincts activated as the wings of dark light came out. "Sunset!" He screamed. Sunset closed her eyes. She at first thought about her life as images flashed ending on Malthael’s words. She opened them. Suddenly long feathered wings shot out and flapped as she shot up beside Malthael. "Well I'll be." Malthael said.
Sunset looked behind her. Her wings were feathered with the tips being black. "So I'm not a demon." She started. The angel of death moved up to her.

"No like I said you’ve seen your own darkness."

"Yeah, you did." Sunset replied looking up at Malthael with a smile. The moment was short lived when Sunset lost control of her wings for a second and threatened to fall back into the ice. Malthael reacted quickly and pulled Sunset into his arms, carrying her bridal style. Sunset took a few moments to collect herself, but immediately started blushing when she realized the position she was in.

"Sorry, I was a unicorn when I was a pony so I don't really know how to use these wings too well."

"Don't worry about it." Malthael chuckled, unaffected by the position they were in. "Let's find a stable piece of ice and maybe we can let you practice with them."

Sunset herself was starting to get used to her wings. While she practiced, Malthael himself was debating where next to go. "Say, do you know of the nearest place of civilization is?" He asked Sunset.

Sunset landed having gotten better with her wings. "The Crystal Empire is a bit north of here; I ended up here when they transferred the mirror." Sunset pointed the way. Malthael stood up.

"Well if you think you’re up for it, we could fly there." He offered. Sunset looked at her wings so was getting use to them, it seemed reasonable.

"Sure, beats walking." She said with a smile. The two took off to the crystal empire.

The flight didn't take that long, a little over an hour. Sunset's wings faltered a few times but she stayed in the air this time. The two of them stopped at the barrier that separated the Empire from the tundra outside. "Are you sure about this? We don't know how they'll react to us?" Sunset asked worried about what Malthael might do if he felt threatened.

"Yeah I'm sure, I need to get used to this world eventually." Malthael replied obviously nervous. "Besides, you said this place is run by the Princess of Love so she might be a little more tolerant of me than some other ponies might be. Still, you might want to pull up your hood and claim to be something else so you don't get caught up in whatever craziness I might cause."

The two walked into the bubble noticing the immediate change in temperature. 'So far so good,' Malthael thought. The two of them started to come up on the city. A sparkly pony stood to greet them. 

"Hello, we don't usually get visitors." The pony said. The two looked up at the mare who seemed a bit overjoyed. She looked at Malthael. "I’ve never seen something like you before." The mare shrugged. "Who cares at least it beats the yeti and polar griffins coming for trade." The crystal pony jumped up and left.

The two looked at each other. The ponies seemed mostly friendly. The two moved into town. Malthael looked over his bag; he had money form the blizzard con thing, mostly gold and silver pieces. "Sunset wait here I'll have to get some stuff ok." Malthael started. Sunset gave a nod. Malthael entered into a store. Sunset waited for a moment when a familiar voice was heard. 

"Stop right there Malthael." She turned to see Twilight Sparkle. Twilight immediately recognized she was wrong. "Oh sorry I got you confused for someone else." Twilight said. A piece of Sunsets hair came out when she turned. Twilight blinked a few times trying to place it. Her eyes were wide. "Sunset Shimmer?"

Sunset wanted to panic. But realized that would be stupid. Twilight was the first one to tell her that she deserved a second chance. She took a deep breath and knew exactly what she had to do. Sunset dropped down to one knee so she would be at eye level with the pony. "Shh. Twilight, can you be quiet. I don't want to cause a scene."

Twilight nodded and whispered back, "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to try and make friends in the mirror world."

"I was, but I felt like I needed to make amends with Celestia, and you. I'm sorry Twilight. My arrogance nearly caused a disaster for two worlds. Nothing I say or do can make up for what I did, but I hope that this is at least a start."

"Of course it is, Sunset." Twilight replied wrapping her fore-hooves around the woman for a quick hug. "But, why are you still human? If you came through the mirror shouldn't you be a pony?"

"Because I used the Element in a corrupted state, my form is stuck like this."

Inside the shop Malthael had his own problems, or problem rather. He gave the unicorn a glare. "You’re trying to swindle me aren't you?" He asked.

The unicorn was amazingly calm. "No I'm not these are some of the finest magical items in the land."

Malthael’s eyes twitched. He could tell this guy was a greedy shop keeper. He could literally feel the soul of his being. "One I'm sure I saw this same thing in a nearby store for half two this one is just enchanted wood painted gold." He held up another charm.

The unicorn’s eye twitched. "I will not be lied to by you." This soon snowballed.

"So you’re stuck as a human?" Twilight wanted to write this down but thought against it. Before either could answer a being flew through the window. Malthael stood up. He was now pissed.

"You’re not welcome here! My merchandise is top of the line!" The unicorn screamed. Malthael held the gold object then snapped it.

"This is wood, I don't know how many people ponies whatever you scammed but now you officially crossed the line." He brought out his sickles. The unicorn suddenly had the feeling he just through his life away.

"I suddenly regret some of my life choices." The unicorn said surprised.

"Yeah death can do that to people." Malthael replied, channeling the power of death.

Twilight gasped as she saw the familiar sickles and felt a deep dread as Malthael's magic permeated through the air. Before Twilight could fire a spell at the Archangel Sunset ran up to Malthael and wrapped her arms around him in desperation.

"Mal! Please, don't do it!" She pleaded, burying her now exposed face into his back. "I know he's a greedy bastard, but he doesn't deserve whatever it is you're thinking of doing to him. Let's just get a guard and let them deal with this swindler."

Malthael shifted his focus from the scum he was set on reaping and to the sobbing woman that had latched herself onto his back. One look at her face was enough to lift the haze that had claimed him enough to think straight. Malthael lowered his arms and released a deep exhale. "You're right, Sunset. I almost became the monster they thought I was a milennia ago." He said with a dry chuckle. Malthael turned back to the shopkeeper and some of his anger returned. "This young lady just saved your wretched soul. I'd thank her if I were you." He snarled.

However a voice suddenly rang out. "Wait this is fake!" An earth pony said. In his hooves was a gold rod it broke apart it was wood. Several other Pegasus unicorns even a frozen griffin broke theirs. They turn toward the scared out of his mind unicorn. "Get him!" One yelled. With that a mob ran at him Twilight was unfortunately in the way.

"Wait, stop, ahhh!." The princess tried as the unicorn ran for his life. Twilight moaned as she was on the ground. The poor unicorn was now being chased by almost everyone in the market. 

A crystal Pegasus came up to them. "Thanks we wanted him to get run out of town for a long time." The pegasus said. No one seemed to care that Twilight was unconscious. "If you need anything just ask it’s on the house." The two travelers looked each other with a smile.

"There are a few things." 
Twilight finally awoke. A filly looked at her. "You ok?" It asked. Twilight looked around; Sunset and Malthael were not there.

Twilight looked around the market, rubbing her head and hoping that she'd be able to spot Sunset and Malthael. She saw nothing and the only noise she heard was the distant echo of the mob that had trampled her. 'Seriously, I know I said I don't want to be treated like I'm special just because I'm a princess now. But could I at least not get a concussion from angry mobs!' Twilight sighed and told the filly that she'd be fine and made her way toward the Crystal Palace. She thought it would be helpful to tell Cadence and her BBBFF what Malthael looked like without his cloak, and about his strange traveling companion.Twilight couldn't help but wonder how the two of them had met. And that Sunset seemed oddly close to the Angel of Death. Still, that could wait for later. Right now she needed to pass on this important news to Cadence and the other princesses.
> Trix, Cults, and Chaos
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Out in the cold north the two travelers moved through a cave. Malthael looked at himself through a chunk of ice. He had to get disguised if he and Sunset wanted to go somewhere. He waved his hand in front of his face a few times until finally his hair changed to red and his face tanned a bit, looking livelier, and his eyes became green. Sunset herself looked wide eyed at this. "Seems like I can alter my appearance a bit," he said with a bit of a laugh. He pulled an oversized cloak on to help hide him.  The two hid themselves in their cloaks and set off again.

The two managed to make it to the forest by nightfall letting them camp out. With the fire crackling between them the two swapped a few stories. Later, their tent was kinda small for them. Sunset shivered a bit and cuddled up to him and Malthael’s sleepy arm wrapped around her, causing her to blush. She found it warmer however as she snuggled up with death. 'This is getting weird I'm not falling for him..... I'm... I... no don't think those thoughts Sunset!' She screamed inside her head. There was something about Mal. She had given up on life itself and he had told her to embrace her second chance. He Helped her when she knew he  should have ended her as death.

The morning sun rose over the forest, and a yawning sound could be heard throughout it. In a hammock Discord awoke. He jumped off the branch and with a grace few could believe he moved from tree to tree. Getting ready, as he slid down, he saw a camp fire and a tent.

Discord figured that Malthael would come around here eventually. This was where it all started, and where it all ended the first time. Discord waited patiently for Malthael to get out of the tent. However, he was surprised when Malthael wasn't alone. "Well, well, well, you seem to have quite a bit of game for someone who hasn't had any practice in centuries." Discord said with a smirk.

Sunset let out a loud ‘Eep’ and fell back into the tent. Malthael wasn't bothered by the appearance of the draconequus and returned his smirk. "I was wondering when your mismatched ass was going to show up. You and I have a lot of catching up to do, old friend."

"We barely know each other you know." Discord asked. Malthael sighed.

"Yes but I thought it sound right for the moment you know." Sunset shook her head at this. It was Discord. She once snuck into Celestia's private library and read a bit about him. Discord was extremely powerful, being strong enough to defeat both celestial princesses with little effort. He was most likely the most powerful being on the planet. "So what are you doing here?" Malthael asked. He was really bad at having a conversation with Discord. Mostly do to the  fact he only met him once when he ended up in the forest a day before he faced the monarchs.

"Oh nothing much, you know this forest was once burned down right, a few trees stood and it came back." Discord looked around it. "If you go down that way you’ll see a fading crater as well as the remains of a little village form a thousand years ago." Discord finished.

"Wait so is this the place where that happened?" Malthael asked.

"You mean when you were put to sleep while the two monarchs' bodies decayed then died, where those ponies burned my kind’s home to the ground and where I was reborn the God of chaos? Yeah, pretty much."

Malthael's face contorted into a mixture of despair and rage. He had to stop himself from letting his Death Fog roll out of him. "I thought I felt a large amount of death early on in my imprisonment. For years I could hear the echoes of their screams in my dreams. Every time that happened my hatred for those two monarchs grew. I swore that I would make them feel every bit of suffering that they had caused. I don't know how I forgot what they looked like but I knew they were the only alicorns, they had told me that themselves."

Sunset had worked herself out of her stupor and placed a hand on Malthael's shoulder. "Mal," she whispered.

"Don't worry Sunset, I'll be fine." He replied, placing his hand over hers. giving her a small smile. "So tell me Discord," Malthael started, returning his attention to the god of chaos, "Why did you protect those ponies back at the castle? You have more of a reason to hate these ponies than I do. Didn't you say that you had kids when we met?"

"No I didn't." Discord stated, he almost laughed at how poor his memory was.

"Damn being asleep messed with my memory a lot more than I thought." He said. Discord rolled his eyes.

"At least you weren’t imprisoned in stone, I was forced to stay awake, no one even bothered to clean the bird poop off me until I started to stink, then I had several birds’ nests in my mouth." He finished rambling. "Anyway, the reason I stopped you was because while it would seem fun I had to act all "reformed"." He said with air quotes. "They had the Elements with them and I can't counter them unless I'm totally prepared beforehand, I didn’t want to turn around and get hit again, twice I let them do that to me." He said as he sat on a log. "Anyway, after that I had to fill them in, involving their history of racism, they really needed the wake-up call, so now I'm living out here in my kind’s regrown forest." Discord finish. Sunset gave him a look of surprise and yet bewilderment.

"So what if they come looking for you?" She asked. Discord had a bit of a smile.

"Well I wouldn't worry." He said with a smile. "The moment they enter here a few special wards will pick them up allowing me to detect them.".

"Hey, I know that tone. You've got a plan, don't you Discord?" Malthael asked with a smirk.

"Oh, I don't think you'd be interested in any of that." Discord replied with a smirk of his own.

"Humor me," Malthael said.

"Well okay, since you asked so nicely. Before Celestia and Luna defeated me, I planted a few plunder seeds that should sprout up any day now. The plunder seeds should try to choke out the Tree of Harmony, the place that the Elements originated from. I have no doubt that Twilight and her little friends will stop them.... but they are a bit overdue." Discord said in a thinking pose. "After they lose the elements I wonder if they would finally have to pay their dues." Discord said and was gone in a flash.

"Well that was strange." Sunset said.

"What he is, is chaos lets not try to understand him." Malthael said as he got up. Lets get going."

The two travelers landed a bit off of nowhere on a trail. "So if you were a unicorn once, you think you still have magic?" Malthael asked.

"I don't know, I haven't tried doing any magic yet." Sunset answered, considering the possibility.

"Why don't you give it a shot? Here, why don't you start by trying to move my sickle?" Malthael held up one of his sickles so Sunset could get a good look at it. She took a deep breath and reached out towards the item without trying to grab it. Sunset strained for a few minutes but nothing happened, not even a spark of magic was created.

"It's no use. I can feel the energy inside of me, but I can't properly channel it."

Malthael scratched his chin for a few moments before he snapped his fingers as he came up with an idea. "You know how your wings grew in when you almost fell into the ice?" Sunset nodded and let him continue. "Well maybe you need to be in a situation like that so you can use your magic?"

Sunset's eye's widened in surprise. "That makes a lot of sense. Since humans in the mirror world don't have magic or wings my body might have placed a physical or psychological block that prevents me from using my magic. If I were placed in a stressful enough situation, my instincts might take over and remove the block." Sunset theorized a smile spreading across her face.

"Well, just promise me you won't put yourself in danger on purpose. I don't want to see you get hurt over a guess."

"Don't worry, I won't." Sunset reassured Malthael. "Besides, if I keep traveling with you I'm sure danger will find me." She finished with a knowing smirk.

Speak of the devil. "Somebody help Trixie!" A voice rang out.

The two looked at each other. "Looks like something just happened." He said. The two ran out to see a blue unicorn staring down a big angry bear thing, an Ursa Major. The bear thing heard a voice. "Leave." A single word with an echoing voice. Sunset looked as Malthael stood there, sickles at the ready. A few more roars were heard as two other ursas walked in. Sunset flew to the mare. Sunset believe it or not could tell who she was despite the fact that it she was a pony. After all it didn't take long to realize that most ponies had a counterpart in that other world. "Trixie Lulamoon?" She asked. Trixie shot up.

"How do you know Trixie’s name?" She asked.

"There's no time to explain that right now. Let's just get you out of here." Sunset said picking up Trixie and lifting off with a single flap of her wings.

"What about your friend? There's no way he can deal with those beasts."

"I wouldn't worry about him." Sunset laughed as the two of them looked down at Malthael.

The three bear creatures lunged at him. Only for him to cut the claw with his blades taking flight, he readied a basic fireball spell and channeled death magic into it, firing it at a bear causing it to feel pain. He dodged another attack to using a bit of his fog, infusing it into his target causing prolonged pain. He finally turned to the other bear it swung a claw and missed. He pierced the bear’s rib cage latching on to it he held is sickle in his hands and the bear’s soul fled into the blade. The bear being screamed in horror as it felt like it was being ripped apart. Malthael gave it a drop kick. The bear falling down, fear in all three’s eyes. "Leave!" He commanded. The ursa ran the fear of death right inside them.

Trixie couldn't believe what she was seeing. She couldn't imagine anything other than the Princesses being able to do something like that. And the magic that it was using, she had never felt anything like that. Malthael scanned the skies and quickly found Sunset and Trixie. The feeling around him had changed. They could still feel the soul he had absorbed, but other than that he seemed as normal as an angel could. "Hey Sunset, I've got good news. I'm pretty sure that bear should be able to feed us for like a year." Malthael called out, getting close to her.

"There is no way that I'm going to eat that thing. I'm a vegetarian."

Malthael sighed. "Yeah, I thought so." He held his sickles out and the soul passed back into the bear. It stood back up, and then puked. "Sorry, having one’s soul ripped out then returned is very dizzying, it should be fine in a few hours if it gets some sleep." The bear fell unconscious. "See?" He pointed. Trixie looked between them.

"Can someone explain to Trixie what’s going on?" Trixie asked.

"Oh yeah introductions, this is Sunset Shimmer." He waved to the girl holding her. "I'm Malthael, Angel of Death." Trixie suddenly paled.

"Angel of Death. No! I won't let you take me I'm not ready to die!" Trixie screeched, flailing around in Sunset's grip.

"Sunset would you be a dear and put a hand over her mouth?" Sunset did just that and the two of them allowed Trixie to tire herself out. "Okay now that you're done freaking out let me explain. Yes, I really am the Angel of Death, but I'm not here to kill you. If I really did want you to die then I would've let those bears tear you apart."

"Then what do you want with Trixie?"

"I may not be the biggest fan of ponies, but even I would've felt bad if I had just let those things eat you." Malthael explained with a small grin. "Also I figured that Sunset would appreciate a proper meal considering we've been living off of light provisions for the last few days. But she had to be difficult and not eat meat." Malthael chuckled at the attempt at humor.

Sunset rolled her eyes and the two set themselves down. "Ok then Trixie wishes to know how you know me?" Trixie asked Sunset. Sunset Shimmer had little idea how to tell her.

"Look there’s a mirror that leads to another world, one where everyone here has a counterpart there, I know your counterpart in that world." Sunset finished.

"So it’s a parallel dimension? Trixie used to read novels about them."

"Well that went better than I thought it would, what about you Sunset?" Malthael said with a shrug.

"I have to agree, I thought she would've freaked out more." Sunset replied, putting Trixie down and returning the shrug.

"Don't talk about Trixie as if she isn't here!" Trixie growled.

"Sorry Trixie, we were thinking out loud. So, it was nice meeting you, I guess, but we've got to get going, things to do, people to see and all that." Malthael explained waving a hand lazily in the air.

Just as they were about to take off Trixie called out to them, "Wait! You're just going to leave Trixie in this dangerous place?!"

Malthael sighed and looked over to Sunset, "What do you think Sunset, should we help her out?"

Sunset sighed. "Sure why not." Trixie jumped up.

"Thank you both." Trixie shook Sunset’s hand with her hoof. Sunset suddenly felt some uncontrollable feeling in her.

"Sunset are you ok?" Malthael asked.

"No I think its. Ahhh!" A wave of magic shot out of her. Trixie moaned as she suddenly stood up. The dust cleared only for Trixie to feel taller. And her frontal hooves were gone replaced with weird hands. Standing there was a blue skinned human girl dressed like Trixie was as Sunset remembered. "I think I had a magical backlash." Sunset said a bit dizzy. Trixie looked herself over.

"I somehow find this more natural." Trixie said surprised.

"Okay Sunset, either you stop shaking ponies’ hooves or wear gloves or something because I don't think people will appreciate you spontaneously changing their species." Malthael said, still shocked from what he was seeing. "Okay now Trixie, since you were a unicorn you might want to check to check if you can still use your magic."

"What spell should Trixie use?"

"It doesn't matter just try something simple so you don't hurt yourself if anything goes wrong." Trixie nodded and shortly after a light pink glow surrounded her hands and a small orb of light sprang up from one of them. "Okay, so Trixie seems to be fine. Now Sunset, I want you to do the same thing maybe that magic backlash unlocked your abilities."
Sunset nodded and tried one more time to use her magic one more time but once again nothing happened. Sunset continued to try until it looked like she was going to pop a blood vessel.

"Oh come on! You've got to be freaking kidding me! I can change someone's species but I can't even pick up something!" Sunset cried, folding her arms over her chest and pouting.

Malthael had to admit, he thought she looked cute when she pouted. "So before we go any farther mind telling us why you’re here in the woods?" Malthael asked. Trixie held her hat over her eyes.

"Oh Trixie caused some trouble and she ended up like this." Malthael gave her a look.

"Let me guess your own kind did this?" He asked. Trixie gave a nod.

"Kinda it was also partly Trixie’s fault, how about both of you?" She asked. Sunset looked down.

"I was once Celestia’s student, went to the other world, I kinda ascended into an Alicorn and got locked in human form." Malthael held his sickles out.

"I kinda faced the princesses’ parents and killed them, all that mess because I saved a pony village, I was deemed a monster, was imprisoned in Tartarus, and if you go there now don’t expect much of anything to be alive." Malthael finished.

Trixie audibly gulped, thinking she might have picked the wrong traveling companions. But, the logical part of her brain reminded her that Malthael had just saved her, so it wouldn't make sense for him to kill her now. "Hey Trixie, do you have any supplies nearby?" Malthael asked. "You're not carrying anything and you look like you've eaten recently."

"Yes, Trixie has her caravan parked close by. Trixie was just out foraging for food before those Ursa Majors attacked her."

"Do you think there's any room in your caravan for the two of us Trixie?" Malthael asked, trying and failing to give Trixie the puppy dog eyes.

"Trixie believes that she may be able to squeeze you two in considering you saved her precious life."

"Yes!" Malthael cheered before turning to Sunset. "Did you hear that? No more sleeping on the cold, hard ground for us Sunset!"

(A bit away)

Discord himself was resting in a hot-spring. This spring was special. Only once had he ever been here. It was during his childhood with his parents. He shed a tear. The water contained special healing properties as well as being able to reenergize beings with chaotic magic. His mind wandered to the beings that would visit from far and wide to come here. The sibling races of chaos, beings who changed the world. As he sank into the water he heard voices.

"Cutie mark crusaders forest explorers!" He heard.

Discord almost groaned. 'Great them.'

"Hey Apple Bloom, look, a hot-spring." The voice of Sweetie Belle was heard.

Discord stayed still. Sweetie belle touched the water and gave a gasp in pain. "It’s hot!"

'A hot spring that's hot, who's ever heard of something so preposterous?!' Discord snarked in his mind. 'How did these three brats hear about this place anyway?' Discord racked his brain before the answer became obvious. 'It must've been that zebra Zecora. Her coming here I'll let slide she was probably doing some traditional healing or cleansing rituals. But these three are just going to desecrate this sacred place whether they mean to or not. Huh... no Discord you're supposed to be "reformed", just listen to them prattle on for a little longer and then see if you're going to make them cry home to their mommies.'

The three fillies looked at a statue. "Oh what’s this do?" They knocked it over, breaking it. "Oops." Discord’s blood boiled. 

"Hey is the hot spring boiling?" One of the fillies asked.

The water gave way as Discord rose up. He however took the form of a dragon. "How dare you destroy that object!" The 'dragon' demanded. The CMC looked on in fear. "This is my home!" The dragon screamed. "Do I go to your home and destroy your things?" Discord in dragon form glared at them.

The three fillies held onto each other and screamed at the top of their lungs. However, none of them moved. Dragon Discord gave them a few more moments before his patience ran thin. "Leave now and never return or I swear that I will devour you as slowly as I can manage." Dragon Discord boomed, blowing smoke onto the fillies. The Cutie Mark Crusaders listened to his warning and ran as fast as their little legs would carry them.

Once Discord was unable to see the fillies he undid his transformation and picked up the broken statue with a tear in his eye. "Don't worry old friends. I will never allow anything like this to happen again." Discord whispered before he repaired the statue with his magic.

At the edge of the forest Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack were at the edge of the forest they were with the CMC helping them go out the forest for something. "We're a long way from Ponyville what if something happens?" Rainbow Dash asked. Suddenly, three screaming fillies came running at them. 

"What’s wrong?" Applejack asked.

Apple Bloom jumped up. "Dragon, a scary dragon!" The younger sibling screamed.

"How the hay did tha three of ya manage t'run into a dragon?" Applejack asked, half concerned, half angry.

"We were exploring the forest thinking we could earn our cutie marks by being awesome adventurers like Daring Do. Sweetie Belle found a hot spring and tried to dip a hoof into it. Apple Bloom and I saw these weird statues close to the spring and we knocked one over." Scootaloo explained. "As soon as it broke a huge dragon came out of the water. It said that we had broken a part of its home and threatened to eat us if we ever came back." Scootaloo finished, on the verge of tears.

"That thing did what?!" Rainbow Dash boomed. "Come on girls. Let's go teach that dragon a lesson in manners." She was about to fly into the forest but Applejack stepped on her tail and stopped her.

"Now hold on there pardner. Ah don't think that's such a good idea." Applejack said, hoping to calm her friend down.

"I have to agree with Applejack, darling." Rarity added. "The girls trespassed in another's home and most likely destroyed something of sentimental value to that dragon. Normally I'd recommend apologizing but the dragon has made it clear that they didn't want to see them again. We should just be thankful that nothing untoward happened to the dears." Rarity reasoned.

Rainbow dash groaned a bit at this. "I still say we should show him a thing or two." A flash of lighting was seen coming form a nearby cloud.

"I see I got your attention." Flying there was a Pegasus with multicolored wings, and his eyes where slightly off, being different colors the right being green the left red and the right one's pupil was a slit. His cutie mark was three twisters twisted around themselves. "Is it me or are you thinking of attacking a dragon who’s home was damaged? What kinda pony would do that?" His face fell. "I'll tell you the kind, the kind that has a griffin friend but doesn't even bother to learn a thing about their culture, tell me, did you know that they rarely form bonds with other races? And when they do they basically see you as their family? The griffin’s unique outlook made her see your friends as a threat, and instead of showing concern or understanding, you just kicked her out of your town.." the pegasus looked her in the eyes. "What you did is treason in their eyes, be careful when you enter the griffin lands for your life becomes forfeit if you do." In a flash he was gone. Everyone’s eyes were wide.

"You don't think." Rarity asked.

"Discord." AJ said.

"You don't think what he said was true, do you girls? Rainbow Dash asked crestfallen. She didn't bother to let them answer and kept going. "Did I really betray Gilda by not knowing about what griffin's are like? I... when I met her as a filly I didn't see her as a griffin. She was just Gilda to me. And after Flight Camp and I grew up I wasn't going to study, that stuff's for eggheads like Twilight. I mean I always just thought that griffins couldn't be that different from ponies since Gilda and I got along so well. But even then, when Gilda blew up at her party I didn't try to talk to her I just told her to get out. I basically told my oldest friend that I hated her guts. Some Element of Loyalty I turned out to be, huh?" Rainbow Dash finished trying and failing to hold back tears.

"That was mean of him." Scoot said.

"Actually it’s not." Rarity said. The three fillies had looks of confusion. "Until a few weeks ago we didn't know Discord’s past, his race was killed when their forest burned down turning him into the god of chaos." Rarity finished. The three fillies suddenly felt bad.

"We're sorry we didn't know." Apple Bloom said.

"Who could have done something like that?" Sweetie Belle asked. Rarity didn't want to answer that at all.

"It's not for ya'll to know." Rainbow Dash herself felt rotten.

In his forest Discord appeared lounging in his hammock. He had to change their outlook. Most ponies saw chaos as evil, it wasn't naturally like this. In fact, chaos also meant freedom and change. He lived by it and could use it in any way he wished. For too long the ponies refused to change in the slightest. Hell, most of the stuff here wasn't even different; those guards were still wearing the same crap from a thousand years ago! Last time he checked every other race had begun to change their armor, but no, not the ponies. 'One day they’re going to wake up to their neighbors being advanced enough to simply run them over.' He thought. He stood up using his talons he created an image on a viewing screen.

In her library Twilight was looking over the books as Spike put the ones she’d read back. On a book an image popped up. It was discords face. "Hello." He said twilight jumped back and the image came out and standing there was an alicorn version of Discord, with a cutie mark of three circles inside a twister.

"Ahh! What the hay Discord?! Can't you use the door just once!?"

"I can't do that Twilight, I have an image to maintain." Twilight sighed and took a few painkillers to preempt the headache that came with every conversation she had with Discord.

"Alright Discord, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Oh Twilight, this isn't about what I want, it's about what you want." Discord stated while spreading his alicorn wings.

"Okay, I'm listening."

"I happen to know what Malthael's plan is." Discord said in a sing-songy voice.

"What?!" Twilight screeched, pressing her muzzle against the image of alicorn Discord. "What is it? Is it something bad?"

"Oh no, he's just going to travel around Equestria and beyond for a while." Discord replied with a chuckle.

"That's it? If his intentions are so basic then why'd you bother telling me?"

"Because if I didn't then you would've poured over every book in Equestria in hopes of finding Mal's weakness, and with the things to come you really need to keep your focus."

"What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked, concerned.

"Oh I don't know how about the fact that you're a princess now." Discord said rolling his eyes. And with that the image of Discord started to fade.

"Wait!" Twilight cried, still having one question on her mind.

"What is it now Twilight? I already told you I can't talk about your future."

"It's not that. It's just, when I ran into Malthael in the Crystal Empire he looked like he was going to attack somepony, but Sunset Shimmer was able to stop him. Why was that?"

"Oh that would be due to the most wonderful kind of chaos there is."

"And that would be?"

"You'll find out someday Twilight." Discord said finally disappearing.

"What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked, concerned.

"Oh, I couldn't tell you that, even I don't know all the details." Discord finished, starting to disappear.


At the small caravan the three beings looked it over. "You were right about it being small." Sunset said. Malthael himself sat down looking over his stuff in his bag. A few things were way down in there.

"Hold on what's this?" He asked himself. He reached in and pulled out a small charm. With it was a letter written with something that he had no idea. It seemed to have a button. "Let's see." He pressed it. In a flash the caravan disappeared and all three of them saw a different looking thing made a bit of metal. Malthael looked at it.

"What happened to Trixie’s caravan?" Malthael opened its door and walked in. He walked out and looked it over.

"Ok you won’t believe me but come inside." The two of them were wide eyed, as it seemed to be bigger on the inside! Malthael walked down the railings. Malthael’s memories start to return a bit. Before blizzard con his best friend got an idea watching Doctor Who, he created this kinda house van thing in a picture ANC gave one to him. "I know right." He sat down. "I little parting gift form a friend, it seems to have our stuff in here, a home we can pocket." He said.

"How in the... Trixie can't believe what she is seeing. This place is as big as a house for a family of five! What manner of sorcerer was your friend to make something like this?"

"A huge nerd with way more free time than anybody should have." Malthael simply said.

"A nerd, that's it. I'm having a hard time believing that." Sunset said taking a seat on the large couch in the middle of the room.

"Honestly, I don't really know how my friend did it. When he told me he was going to try and do something like this I thought he was screwing with me." Malthael said, running a hand through his hair.

"Trixie thinks we should worry about such petty details later. For now we should decide where we're going next." The two couldn't argue with Trixie's logic and Malthael found a map of the continent so the three of them could decide what they'd be doing.

"Okay, do you know where we are on this map Trixie?" Malthael asked.

Trixie looked it over. She pointed near a forested area. "We’re here, the nearest town is Duskwood." Trixie said, pointing at a town near the border. Sunset’s eyes were wide.

"Duskwood isn't that supposedly the place where dark things happen?" Sunset asked.

"It is, it was mostly abandoned but now, word says a cult lives there." Trixie started. Malthael had a frown. He vaguely remembered some kinda silly fight over beliefs. Honestly he found that stupid and childish, fighting over which was  the right belief or that there was no belief. Now he was in a world with a God of chaos, alicorns who could be near divine and him an angel.

"A cult of what exactly?" He asked.

"Nightmare Shard was its name, so I'm guessing Nightmare Moon." Trixe said recalling what she last heard.

Malthael raised an eyebrow. "Nightmare moon? That sounds like she’s some kinda evil princess Luna."

"Are you being serious?" Trixie asked. "Princess Luna was Nightmare Moon. She had allowed herself to be corrupted by jealousy and tried to throw the world into an endless night. This is something everypony knows."

"I was locked away in Tartarus when Luna was still a filly, so I'm a little out of the loop Trixie." Malthael explained.

"I'm sorry, I forgot about that." Trixie said dropping her normal speaking pattern for a moment.

"Don't worry about it Trixie. I'm just trying to put that part of my life behind me. Now back to this cult. I think we should check them out and see if they're a threat or not."

"What if they are dangerous?" Sunset asked, though she already knew the answer.

"Then we give them a different kind of Nightmare." Malthael stated, pulling out his sickles for emphasis.

The group headed off, Malthael pocketed the house in his bag. They came into a foggy forest as they moved. Night started to form as they walked into the town. The placed seemed deserted. Malthael got a strange feeling. Holding up a sickle, and a bit of a glow was seen. He suddenly recalled his fight with Luna, he didn't rip out her soul but he got something. "Follow me." The group did.

They moved into the forest voices were heard. The three of them found a grove. "Our mistress is not gone, Celestia pawns attempted to destroy her. Bat winged ponies were seen with others. "However behold, a feather of Nightmare Moon, a gem holding a piece of her blood, and finally a sacred object of hers, the Sword of Nightmares." The cult started to chant in an ancient dialect. Malthael held his sickles up. A blue glow was seen in them. 'I wonder.' He held it out, the soul raced to the objects in an instant the moon flashed the Mare on the Moon symbol. The cult moved back. A dark shadow came from the feather and the gem. Finally, standing there was Nightmare Moon. Their eyes widened.
"I did take something form Luna, the Nightmare Moon side of her soul." Malthael said. Nightmare Moon collapsed, tired. The cult turned to see Malthael, Sunset and Trixie.

"Get them!" the cult leader shrieked.
> Nightmare Moon's Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
"Stop!" They all looked, Nightmare Moon barely managing to stand up.

"Don't, they helped my return." Nightmare Moon stated.

The cult put their weapons down. "Sorry." The cultists muttered.

In the palace Luna suddenly collapsed Celestia rushed to her. "Lulu what’s wrong?' She asked.

"Nightmare Moon." she started, then her mind went blank as she collapsed.

Back In Duskwood:

"Mal, what the hell did you just do?" Sunset hissed into Malthael's ear.

"Apparently those objects the cult collected had enough physical/magical presence to react with Nightmare Moon's soul. Somehow they created a new body for her."

"Malthael, you just revived Nightmare Moon. Please tell Trixie that you have a plan." Trixie whispered into his other ear.

"Umm, sort of. I can sense her soul and it's not overtly wicked. So maybe we can convince her to give up that whole eternal night plan of hers." He told the two of them.

"And what if you can't?" Sunset asked.

"Eh.. om nom nom tasty soul." Malthael replied with a weak grin.

"This is how Trixie is going to die, following an idiot who claims to be the Angel of Death." Trixie muttered, paling.

"Hey I was once the Angel of Wisdom, I know what I'm doing." Malthael said. Nightmare Moon could barely stand up. "Need help?" He asked. The Alicorn had a blush creep onto her dark cheeks.

"Thank you for helping me, kind, noble... sexy being." She said. Sunset’s eye suddenly twitched. Malthael rubbed the back of his head. "What’s your name?" Nightmare Moon asked.

"I'm Malthael, Angel of Death." Malthael said. Nightmare Moon's blush was darker now.

"I find death to be the greatest joy." She purred, batting her eyes at Malthael. Sunset just walked up to her, fists clenched at her sides.

"Why are you being so direct with him?" She asked. Nightmare Moon’s hoof poked her in the chest.

"Oh and you are?" Sunset grabbed it. And suddenly her magic flared up. One mini explosion later, Sunset was caught by Trixie. The cult was thrown back. In the cloud they saw Nightmare Moon in human form.  She was more matured and developed looking, despite looking Sunset’s age. Her breasts jiggled a bit. 'Oh you have got to be kidding me!' Sunset screamed in her head.

'Damn it Sunset what did I say about gloves!?' Malthael screamed in his head. He eyed Nightmare Moon warily who still didn't seem to know what had happened to her. "Moon, are you okay?" He asked carefully.

"I feel fine this wench's magic seems to have done nothing to me." Nightmare Moon replied rubbing the back of her head with one of her new hands. Finally, she realized what Sunset had done to her. Malthael was ready for the inevitable freak-out, but it never came. Instead, Nightmare Moon looked upon her new body with a smirk. "Well, it seems I owe you a thank you wench. You have made my future plans with Malthael here easier with a form similar to his."

Sunset’s eyes twitched. "My name is Sunset Shimmer." Sunset growled. Nightmare Moon glared at her. Sunset glared back. Nightmare Moon looked at her. "I'm an Alicorn you know." Nightmare Moon said, her wings forming. Sunset gave a smile, her own wings forming.

"So am I." Sunset replied. Trixie just looked at them both.

'Trixie wishes she could be an Alicorn,' she thought.

Nightmare Moon gave her a glare as they both looked at each other. Nightmare moon suddenly surprised Malthael and Sunset. She suddenly kissed Sunset Shimmer, her tongue entering right into Sunset’s mouth. She ended the kiss. "I must say I didn't expect to find two lovers in one night." She whispered into Sunset’s ear.

Both Malthael and Sunset had the exact same look on their face. Both of them staring into the distance with vacant eyes and open mouths. "Hmm. it seems I may have went too far." Nightmare Moon stated, rubbing her chin, seemingly lost in thought. "Oh, well. This is an amusing enough outcome." Nightmare giggled before turning her attention towards Trixie. "You there, blue one, your rightful ruler demands you entertain her while she waits for her two mates to calm down." Trixie let out an eep and covered her mouth with both her hands in an attempt to keep Nightmare's tongue from entering it. "Don't worry, I don't plan on doing anything like that with you." Trixie carefully removed her hands and let out a sigh. "Unless of course you want me to." She continued, chuckling as Trixie's hands went right back over her mouth.

Malthael shock his head. "Well there’s something you don't see every day." A bit later Nightmare Moon looked around the weird object that was their new house.

"Amazing not even Star Swirl had understanding of magic like this, your friend must have been gifted by magic itself to pull it off." Nightmare looked around.

"I wouldn't go with talented more like too much free time."

The house was a bit bigger then they initially thought, It actually had a greenhouse but with no plants. As they walked, Nightmare Moon opened a door and saw a hot tub. 'I'll make a note of that later.' A library was there with some stuff already in it. Finally, it seemed to have three levels the top being the bed rooms and other living space the next two being the library, desks, greenhouse and storage, finally the bottom which housed the doors opening and what looked like a few empty rooms. Trixie opened a door to find her stuff in a nice bedroom. Sunset found a room for her, Nightmare her own and finally one for Malthael.

Malthael decided to check up on Sunset. He was embarrassed that he had froze up on her like that. 'That was seriously lame of me.' He thought darkly. 'I should've kept a cool head, I should've told Moon that...'  Malthael's thoughts came to a screeching halt at that moment. 'What should I have said to her?'
Before he could think on that for too long Malthael made it to her room where Sunset was sitting on the bed. She was still staring into the distance, but her eyes weren't vacant anymore. 

"Hey Sunset, How are you feeling?" Mal asked placing a hand on her shoulder.

"To be completely honest, really confused." Sunset answered, rubbing the side of her face. "I never expected that the being mothers tell their foals about to keep them out of trouble would kiss me. Not to mention angry because she... because she well... you know." Sunset offered with a blush hoping Malthael would get the picture. Unfortunately for her he was dense in the ways of the fairer sex even before his millennia long coma.

"No, I don't know, could you tell me?"

She rolled her eyes. "You idiot, she was trying to seduce you." She said. Malthael was wide eyed.

“Why would she..." He put two and two together. "Wait she developed feelings for me and then you..." He looked her in the eyes. "Sunset Shimmer do you love me?" He asked. Sunset eyes were wide. Her mind had little to think about as she suddenly kissed him on the lips. Amazingly Malthael just returned the kiss as the two of them fell over into the bed. Sunset’s mind was not there for a time. The two ended it. "I’ll take that as a yes?" He smiled. Sunset blushed.

"Yes I do." She admitted, to herself as much as to him. She finally saw he wasn't wearing his armor or his usual clothes instead, it was a plain shirt and shorts. She could feel his chest. "You look better without your armor on, you know." She said.

"Well, I'd return the compliment but I've never seen you with armor, so." Malthael said, not knowing how to deal with this turn of events, so he went to his default of make a joke out of it. Sunset frowned for a moment before flicking Malthael on the forehead.

"You idiot, just shut up and hold me for a while. Sunset said, her smile quickly returning. Malthael did as he was told and sensed her soul. At that moment his entire being was filled with a warmth he had never felt before. Malthael started have a smile that Sunset mirrored as he settled in for the night. 

"Good night Sunset. And for what it's worth, death loves you too."

"Didn't I tell you to shut up?" Sunset barked. The only other noise exchanged between the two that night was the occasional content sigh.

The mane six came running into the royal hospital. There was Princess Luna in a bed with Celestia right next to her. "We got here as fast as we could, what happened?" Twilight asked. Celestia looked at her sister.

"She suddenly collapsed saying one thing before she fell unconscious." Celestia turned to them. "Nightmare Moon." The whole group tensed. Luna suddenly moaned as she slowly awoke.

"What just happened?" She asked, everyone looked at her.

"Sister, you fell unconscious, you said Nightmare Moon, and then I brought you here." Luna eyes were wide her mind returned to the day that Malthael returned. Her soul was being ripped form her body and then he let her go.

"Malthael, when he attacked me he managed to rip a part from my soul, the part containing Nightmare Moon."

Everyone had mixed expressions on their face. "But that's impossible I thought we got rid of it with the Elements of Harmony." Rainbow Dash said. Luna just shook her head.

"No Nightmare Moon been a part of me since I was born no matter what, the Elements can't touch a beings soul, it’s not in their power. She would have arisen eventually, I see that now." Luna head held low. "Malthael however removed her from me when he was removing my soul, now I fear she somehow escaped death itself."

"So what are you saying, Princess?" Twilight asked.

"We art saying that Malthael may have saved us from becoming Nightmare Moon once more."

"Sister, seeing as this matter affects you the most I will allow you to decide what our course of action should be." Celestia said.

"For now we should do nothing. I can still faintly feel Nightmare Moon, and she does not seem to be doing anything malicious. If we receive any news to the contrary then we should mobilize and eliminate her; and Malthael if he proves to be aiding her crimes."

"What!?" Rainbow Dash boomed. "Princess, not to be disrespectful or anything, but this is Nightmare Moon we're talking about! We should be out there looking for her and stop her before she does something!"

"No Rainbow, the Princess is right." Twilight said. "We all have our own responsibilities, and we can't just drop them for a wild goose chase. Besides, we can't punish a pony when they haven't done anything wrong yet. Even if that pony is Nightmare Moon."

"Well said, Twilight." Luna said with a smile. "We could not have put it any better ourselves."

Celestia herself stood there in thought. "I do not understand how Nightmare Moon could escape death." Celestia said out loud.

"It's simple." A voice was heard, walking in was a unicorn mare. "You see Luna not dead so technically neither is nightmare moon, despite holding souls Malthael can in theory give them back, but only if he willingly wishes to do so. Now the fact that no one’s reported anything about him means he's near the border areas." The unicorn started. Twilight eyes widened. Her mind stopped because the sight made her faint standing up.

"Now then I'm sure you figured it out that Nightmare Moon actually had followers? Well, over time it stands to reason a cult would form who would treasure objects of hers and if enough DNA and presence of hers was in one place, her soul could escape Malthael’s capture and create her own body. Only this time with beings who actually love her night.... Oh and they most likely hate Luna." The unicorn mare walked out of the room then disappeared without anyone noticing.

"Twilight, are you ok?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"That mare.... I think, no I'm sure it was Discord." At that everyone minds stopped. Mentally, a few screamed in horror.

"Ah think Ah'm gonna need to scrub mah brain fer a few days. Do they do somethin' like that at that spa of yours, Rarity?" Applejack asked.

"No, but if they did I would schedule an appointment for it immediately."

"Um... not to bother anypony," Fluttershy started, trying to make herself as small as possible, "but why would Discord come and tell us this?"

"Yeah," Pinkie said, "ever since this Malthael guy showed up he's been acting funny. And not haha funny, more like, I have a plan and it involves all of you, kind of funny." She finished rubbing her chin in thought.

"You might be onto something Pinkie." Twilight said. "Discord has been rather different lately, but he actually seems like he wants to help. In his own Discordy way of course, but still it's something."

The next day the group of four had awoken and were getting ready for the day. The town of Duskwood helped with some supplies including some seeds for the greenhouse. Nightmare Moon had on a dark dress and was having herself some tea. Sunset, having a mostly plain blue outfit had walked in. Nightmare Moon got a look at her backside as she moved to get something form the weird, magical fridge, bending down to get it. Nightmare licked her lips. "My this is a surprising view." Sunset shot up almost hitting her head.

"Nightmare, do you have to keep doing that? Look, I'm not into girls, so could you please stop hitting on me?"

"First, call me Moon that is what my new mate Malthael has been calling me. Second, what happened to all that aggression from last night? I kind of miss it, it made you adorable."

"Fine, Moon, I'm in a really good mood right now and I don't want to ruin it by arguing with you early in the morning."

"Oh, and what caused you to be in such a good mood?" Moon asked with a knowing smirk.

Sunset blushed a bit. "What do you think happened?" She started. Moon got close to her.

"Oh Malthael happened. I'm guessing that you got him all to yourself last night." She gave a sniff. "Oh poo you didn't sleep with him." Sunset was now uncomfortable.

"Look Moon I..." She didn't get to finish as Moon was on top of her. Her dress did show  her cleavage. "Just relax." She said. Sunset felt another kiss form her, while Moon wrapped her arms around her. Before Sunset’s mind went blank she suddenly found herself kissing back and had her arms wrapped around Moon. It did last long until she regained thought, she jerked back a bit.

"Looks like you like both mares and stallions." Moon gave a smile. Sunset shook her head. Trying to force the thoughts form her mind.

"Okay, maybe I do, but for now I just want to be with Mal. I might be willing to share him with you later, but he has to be okay with it too."

"Hmm, I cannot fault you for that. I suppose I can agree with this proposal." Moon answered, crossing her arms under her chest and nodding in thought.

"I'm not done. If you really do want to be with Mal, then you need to stop throwing yourself at him. I'm pretty sure the only thing you're doing is making him uncomfortable. You'd probably be better off just being yourself, and getting to know the guy. There's a lot more to him than his power."

Moon let out a deep sigh when Sunset finished. "Fine I will try to curb my enthusiasm for Malthael's form. Who knows, this might make the inevitable outcome all the more satisfying." Moon said with a predatory smirk.

Malthael himself was looking over the map of the land. Another map showed nightmare moons cult holdings. It was small with only a few villages on the boarders. This was not the only thing however, the nearest town was marked with a star on it with on the Duskwood map. Supposedly, there was another cult group there. Malthael himself was ready to pack up to head there. The doors opened to reveal Moon who sat on the table.

"Good morning Mal. I hope you slept well." She said with a wink.

"Somewhat but to tell you the truth I’m not much for sleeping. After all, being asleep for a thousand plus years does that to someone." He finished. Moon took note of that. 

"So the blue one, Trixie said that you were imprisoned in Tartarus what was that about?" Malthael gave a sigh.

"Well I saved a village, only for its inhabitants to go all ‘kill the monster’, not caring that I saved them, then the rulers got involved and fought me, the surprise was that my powers were not under my control, so I unleashed them and caused the rulers to decay right as they placed a sleep spell on me, I woke up with full control of my powers in the prison and basically killed everything in there." He stated, no tone in his voice.

"So you killed my parents?" Moon asked no tone present in her voice either.

"Yeah, I did. I tried and I tried to tell them to leave me alone, but they just wouldn't stop attacking me. Something snapped in my head and I just fought back with everything I had. I don't know if I'd do things differently, but I know I still hate them, and I don't really regret killing them." Malthael concluded, gripping the table hard enough to dig into the wood.

"I understand, thank you for telling me the truth." Moon answered, tears appearing in her eyes for the first time ever.

"Moon, are you going to be okay?" Malthael asked, hesitantly reaching out towards Moon.

"I'll be fine." Moon replied, spurning Malthael's touch. "I just need some time to sort out my feelings. So what's your plan?" She asked returning to some form of normalcy.

"I was just going to find the other members of your cult and with your help, prevent them from causing any trouble, and once we're done with that, I was thinking of travelling the world and getting a look at the other species of this world."

The group of four were ready to leave. Malthael packed everything up and was ready to set off. The house returned to its charm state. "Come on guys let’s get moving." He started. Nightmare Moon looked as he walked.

"Can't we just fly?" She asked. Trixie looked at her.

"Trixie can't fly she has no wings." Trixie said. Moon rolled her eyes.

"Here Trixie." He said tossing her a winged amulet. "One of those bat ponys gave me this it’s charmed to give you the power of self-levitation his words being that their goddess needed to move fast and that a unicorn could slow her down." Malthael said. He said looked her in the eyes. "However, after he gave it to me I put the fear of death into him for saying something like that."

Trixie smiled at Malthael for what he did. "Trixie thanks you for dealing with that riff-raff. Though you should've told Trixie, she would've loved putting the fear of death into that rogue herself," Malthael returned her smile and chuckled.

"I'll tell you what. I'll let you deal with the next idiot who spews stupid shit about you." Trixie nodded at him, still smiling.

"Trixie would appreciate that."

Sunset and Moon rolled their eyes at the two of them, and Sunset interrupted whatever moment the two of them were having. "Alright you two, wrap it up, we've got cultists to set straight and I want to get to them this century." Trixie smiled sheepishly at the woman, while Malthael looked at her with an expression of pure enthusiasm.

"You got it!" He bellowed. "Come on girls, there's a great big world out there and I wanna see it all!"

> Chaos, Cults, and Pinkie's Secrets (Warning: contains clop.) 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	He took off into the air as did the other three. In flight the two alicorn/humans looked at the unicorn/human, each one having very different thoughts about her. Moon giggled at the unicorn. 'Well we could always have a concubine who knows if she plays her cards right I may give her an alicorn’s immortality.' Sunset however had conflicting feelings.

'She’s a cutie witch girl, I'm jealous, and yet I'm not.' Sunset sighed. Trixie however was starting to develop feelings for Mal.

'He saved me, and he stood up for me. No one’s ever done anything like that for me before, ' she thought. Moon gave Sunset a smile as she moved toward trixie. "You know I was just wondering if your pony form was as cute as you are now." Trixie blushed.

"What are you trying to do Nigh..."

"It's just Moon now, that is what Mal calls me so that is how I'd like to be addressed." Moon interrupted.

"Fine, Moon, why are you asking Trixie such a question?" Trixie asked, on edge.

"What, can't a mare ask a simple question without it turning into an interrogation?" Moon returned with an innocent smile.

Trixie was a bit afraid. Moon flew right next to her. "Trixie, I have a question, are you attracted to Mal?" Trixie felt a strange feeling, Moon was leaning into her, allowing her breasts to hang close to her own. Trixie looked at them and blushed. She hadn't spent much time looking at others. In fact, she had assumed she only liked males.

"You know Trixie, I know everything Luna knows, and she was taught by Star Swirl, maybe I could use an apprentice?" She got in the unicorn/human's face. "Perhaps you could become an alicorn like me and Sunset." She was attempting to seduce her. She honestly didn't want any fighting for the Angel of Death. 'Besides I’m more exotic in my ideals of a marriage.' Trixie could feel Moon’s breath as she flew behind her.

"Wait a second; are you trying to stop Trixie from liking Malthael?" Trixie asked, turning her head towards Moon. "You do realize he pretty much only looks at Sunset, don't you?" Trixie stated much to the delight and irritation of the two alicorns. 

'Ha! Maybe Trixie isn't so bad after all.' Sunset thought, while Moon growled.

Malthael himself however paused for a moment. He could actually hear the girls. 'So let's see Sunset in love with, Trixie might be developing feelings for me, and Moon wanting me and maybe the other two girls.' He continued to listen, in fact, he cast an enhanced hearing spell. Moon looked at Trixie. She decided to whisper in her ear.

"Sunset was actively kissing me, you know."

Trixie shot back, "You’re lying." Moon flew over to Sunset. She brought her close. Sunset eyes widened as Moon gave her a deep kiss. Sunset wanted to push her away but Nightmare Moon kept her from doing so with earth pony strength. Sunset sighed and just let her hormones kick in and kissed her back. After the passionate kiss, Sunset gave her a glare.

"I hate you." Moon smiled back at her

"You hate me yet you’re affectionate towards me?" Sunset sighed, defeated.

"You know I can hear you all, right?" Malthael chimed in. The three girls looked at each other. "So let me get this this straight, Moon and Sunset and maybe Trixie like me, both Moon and Sunset are bi and maybe Trixie and we’re basically all entangled together?" He summed up. The three girls stopped. Malthael sighed. "Sunset I want you to tell me then moon and Trixie your feelings about all this, and what you think should be done?" Malthael asked. Sunset closed her eyes. 

"I honestly don't know. Up till now I had never had much of an idea for how to go about romance before." Sunset looked around. "I honestly don't mind sharing if you’re okay with the idea."

"I don't know. Where I'm from Polygamy was a big no-no." Malthael started, causing Moon and Trixie to wither in disappointment. "I'm not saying that it'll never happen, but for now, I'd be more comfortable if I was just with Sunset for the time being." Malthael looked back at the girls and groaned when he saw the look on Moon's and Trixie's face. "Ugh... come on you two don't look at me like that. Just give me some time and then I'll give you a definite answer. Now, please smile again. I don't want things to be weird between the four of us." Malthael concluded, shockingly serious for a moment.

"Oh, and Moon." Malthael started getting the alicorn's attention. "Please stop making out with my girlfriend so much, even I've only done that once." He joked, going back to his goofy self. Trixie, amazingly, giggled, as did Moon. The group moved out. As they did the other two girls looked at Sunset, slightly jealous of her. Moon herself was hoping that he'd accept the idea.

The next few weeks the group moved to a few nearby villages. The cultists there praised Nightmare Moon’s revival; a few even found her form better. For Moon the thought that they loved her was enough for her to smile. It took a little doing, but they managed to get the cultists to calm down and made them semi-productive members of society. However, they were nearing another town close to the border.

Meanwhile:

Rarity found herself with her friends hoping to get some new material she had heard rumors about at this town’s store. No one they knew had actually visited this town, so they didn’t know what to expect. As they got there they saw the sign was not normal, like any other towns. As they walked in, the ponies gave them weird looks and evil eyes. "They don't seem all that friendly like I pictured it." Twilight stated. The mane six were suddenly knocked unconscious by a well-placed spell. They awoke, chained and bound.

"Wake up demons!" The unicorn mayor screamed. Twilight attempted to use her magic only for it to fire back into her body, causing her pain. "Don't even try to escape, we made those special just for you, your magic will feed back into you, anything you have is going to be used against yourselves." The mayor explained with a wicked smile.

"What's going on!" Twilight asked. The unicorn laughed.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Logic End, I'm the leader of the cult of Discord." The unicorn had a smile. "You’ve lied, trying to trick our god into serving your whims, and now you will pay up demons." The chains shocked them as their own magic burned them.

The town took the mares and placed them into their jail. Before he left, Logic End made sure to taunt them. "Don't you go anywhere now. We still have to prepare a very special ritual for you demons. I won't spoil anything but it will involve a lot of agony and screaming on your part. So until then, tata for now." He finished with a sing-songy voice. The mares immediately started struggling against their bonds once Logic End exited the room.

"Hey Twilight," Rainbow Dash started, "you've got a plan to get us out of this, don't you?"

"I'm working on it  Dash, but these chains are drastically, limiting my options. What about you Pinkie, are you able to do anything?"

"Nope," Pinkie said, without any of the usual energy in her voice. "These things are keeping me from doing my Pinkie thing."

“Twilight, what do you think is going to happen to us?" Fluttershy asked, openly weeping.

"Nothing If I have anything to say about it. We've all gone through too much together to let it end like this." Twilight exclaimed, hoping to boost morale.

The jail opened up and a weird device was brought up. "This device took a thousand years to finish so feel grateful it’s going to be used on you six." Logic end said with a smile. The mane six felt something creep up their spines.

"What does it do?" Twilight asked. The cult leader gave her a smile.

"Oh nothing much it’s just going to remove the Elements' connection from you, killing you and causing the Elements to explode in massive, destructive, detonations." Everyone paled. "Oh did I forget to mention that the pain will be so much that, in theory, if you somehow survive it, you would be brain dead beings or have your sentience removed." The device powered up. "Though this is going to take hours it will be fun watching harmony’s reign end, those usurpers die and Discord ruling us in a glorious golden age."

Twilight looked at him. "You’re insane!" Logic End turned to her. She finally realized he didn't have a cutie mark.

"Oh so it’s insane to want freedom,” he growled I’ll have you know your princess attempted to destroy us because we couldn't get cutie marks, we are free from harmony, able to move ahead, we’ve spent years working toward our goal, but finally we found a way to destroy the Elements once and for all!" He flipped the switched. A  dark, red beam hit them and pain unlike anything before became their only thoughts and feeling. The unicorn let out a long, maniacal laugh.

---------------------------------------------------------------
------------	An hour later and Mal, and the girls made it to the edge of the border town. Mal, who still had his hearing spell active, instantly heard the sounds of screaming. His eyes dilated and the familiar haze started to fill his mind. "Come on girls, we have to hurry! Someone's in trouble!" He shouted before rushing ahead of them.

Malthael was able to quickly make it to the prison where the mane six were being held. He burst through the door, sending splinters flying everywhere with his sickles at the ready. Malthael's vision locked onto the cackling mayor and the strange device that was the source of the mares' agony. Malthael effortlessly picked up the device and started to ruthlessly beat Logic end with it. "No, stop! You don't realize what you're doing!" Logic End screamed, earning him a respite from his punishment.

"I know exactly what I'm doing!" Malthael snarled in his booming voice. “I am going to stop you from doing this! No one deserves the kind of suffering you’re putting these six through! Now, shut up and die!” About to start beating the unicorn again, but the device started to go unstable before he could. 

"Malthael?" A weakened Twilight asked. The device didn't look good.

"You fool, that thing uses unstable magics, it’s going to take this whole town and the nearby village with it." Logic End managed to croak out.

Malthael looked at him, dumbfounded, "You mean you put a nuclear reactor inside this thing!?" Malthael screamed. The device was officially going to go nuclear, and Malthael couldn't think of a way to deal with it. Twilight and her friends were still chained up so they were out of commission. A flash of light suddenly appeared, encompassing the device. Malthael and the unicorn turned their head; the flash of light was suddenly gone.

"Really guys I admire the thought but this is a bit reckless." A voice was heard, it was Discord, literally holding a nuclear explosion in his hands.

"Praise chaos!" The unicorn beamed. Discord rolled his eyes at him.

"You know I'm divided on whether to give you a medal or send you to Tartarus, seeing as how the latter’s now filled with decaying corpses."

Malthael looked at Discord, his eye twitching. "What the hell Discord? Did you know your followers were messing with shit like this?"

"Of course I did, I wouldn't be a very good deity if I wasn't aware of what my people were doing."

"And the fact that they were going to use this thing to kill these six just slipped your mind?" Malthael hissed.

"Why do you care? I thought you said you hated ponies?"

"I do, but not enough to randomly kill some of them! You said that you wanted these ponies to change. Someone from my world once said, ‘Be the change you want to bring,’ or something like that." Malthael said, calming down. "Stiil, thanks for helping Discord, things could've turned out badly if you hadn't shown up."

"It's nice to see some appreciation for my work." Discord chuckled. "Well, it's been nice, but I've got a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it, "I'll let you decide what to do with Logic End there. Tata." And with that Discord popped out of existence. Malthael looked toward the cell and noticed that the mane six had passed out from exhaustion.

"Oh sure Discord, leave me to deal with the unconscious ponies, love you too, bitch."

“What the hell did you just call me!?" Malthael turned around and saw an angry Sunset standing in the broken doorway. He drug a hand across his face before saying,
"Ugh, this is gonna be my whole day, isn't it?"

One explanation between Sunset and Mal later, Logic End was held in the same chains as the mane six who were still unconscious. Mal however took the time to look over each of them. As he moved he accidentally kicked Pinkie Pie in the stomach one cough later she spat out a strange object. On it was the symbol of Discord. "Weird." He said picking it up, and pocketing it.

A few moments later Twilight awoke as she stood up she found herself looking Moon in the eyes. "Hello." 

Twilight's mind took a few moments to register what she was seeing. "Do I know you?" She asked. Moon rolled her eyes.

"Hello, I'm Nightmare Moon."

Twilight's eyes widened in shock. She tried to think of something to say, but all that came out were sputtering noises. Eventually, Twilight was able to collect herself enough to speak. "Nightmare Moon, but that's... what happened to you?"

"Why don't you ask my new friend here?" Moon answered waving a hand toward Sunset.

"I've been having these weird magic backlashes that turns someone I touch into a human. Though they still have access to their wings and magic, so I guess it's more like a hybrid." Sunset explained with a nervous smile.

"Wait a minute, Sunset, you're here too, does that mean?" 

"Yup, I'm right here, Sparky." Mal called out, trying to attach Logic End to a nearby ceiling fan via some of the magic negating chains. However the unicorn kept struggling. Logic End then bit Mal’s hand. "Ouch... Ok mister." He pulled out his sickle. "Does anyone here care if I remove his soul?" He asked. The mane six who were only half conscious simply said. "No/na." He pointed it right next to Logic End.

"I do not fear death! Strike me down!" He screamed. Before he knew what was happening blue tendrils came from him and wrapped around the blade. What came next was a lot of screaming which awoke the others. Everyone saw the unicorn’s body thrash as his soul was being forced out of his body slowly and painfully. Amazingly he was shouting praising for Discord the entire time.

On the moon, Discord walked with the explosion in hand. "Here we go." He said despite there being no breathable air. He placed the explosion on the ground timing it to go off after he leaves. "Time to head back," he stated. He popped away letting a magical, nuke explosion go off on the surface of the moon. He popped back into existence next to Sunset. "What’d I miss?" He asked.

Everyone except Mal jumped back due to Discord's sudden appearance. Mal just shrugged and continued attaching Logic End's body to the fan, careful of the soul in his sickle. "Nothing much, I just had to pull out the soul of Jackass here so I could finish my little project." He explained. "Oh and Sparky and her friends woke up. I think it might've had something to do with all the screaming." He joked with a shrug.

"How, can you joke about this? You just killed a pony!" Twilight yelled.

"One, he was going to kill all of you so he had it coming. And two he's not completely dead, I just pulled his soul out of him for a second because his flailing and screaming was annoying. Once I'm done here he'll be relatively fine." Mal explained, "And done, alright now he can have his soul back." He said, setting down on the ground. Once the soul flew back into Logic he sputtered a few times before vomiting. "Perfect, now Trixie, hit the switch!"

The humanized version of Trixie hit the switch and the unicorn was then sent flying around. "There we go no body get him down for a few hours, let him learn that religion shouldn’t be used to justify murder." Malthael said, laughing as he turned to Discord, noticing he didn't have the explosion in his hands. "I'm sorry, where did you get rid of the explosion?" Malthael asked. Discord looked at his talons. 

"Oh I dumped it on the moon, letting it go off there."

Malthael had a nagging feeling. Discord held an explosion in his hands, basically suspending it. "Ok question how powerful are you?" Mal asked. Discord sat in the air thinking it over.

"Let's see I can warp reality, shrug off most attacks heal almost instantly with my powers, teleport across vast distances, time travel, rip holes in dimensions to travel to them, sometimes travel to other universes, I can move faster than light in space, I can create things with a whim, I defeated two alicorns with little effort, shape shift into any form or gender, phase though solid matter, and alter planetary events." Malthael eyes were wide. As was everyone’s there.

"Question, if you can do all this how did Luna and Celestia imprisoned you in stone as did them?" Moon asked, pointing at the mane six.

"They took me by surprise, one I had already fought the princesses and won so I simply didn't take their threat to heart as for those six I thought I had already won, if I had taken the threat seriously I could have tied the elements in power maybe even won."

"Seriously, you're that powerful, and you succumbed to ‘Cliche Villain Syndrome’? Man I'm really disappointed in you.” Mal said, gripping the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. “If it were me I would've just turned them into gnats or something and hit'em with a comedically large fly swatter." Malthael finished, slumping his shoulders.

All of a sudden Discord had a pencil and a pad of paper in his hand. "Comedically large fly swatter." He chuckled, writing on the pad. "I'll have to save that for a rainy day. Sunset shot Mal a glare, walked over to him and swatted him upside the head.

"Mal! Stop giving the god of chaos ideas!"

"Sorry, I can't help myself sometimes." Malthael replied, giving her a weak grin. The mane six were confused by this exchange but had no idea how to broach the topic. Twilight couldn't believe how lucky they were.Discord himself looked at the town. 

"By the way I accidently kicked the pink one and this popped out." Mal tossed Discord an object. 

"Strange...." Discord looked at it. "Hey Pinkie, are your parents still alive?" Discord asked. 

"Yes? Why?" Pinkie asked. Discord coin tossed the object at him. 

"Ask them about this, Twilight, you may finally get to find out about her strange powers after all." With that he popped out of existence.

"Looks like we're all going on a road trip." Mal said. "Come on girls, we're all gonna have to hurry if we want to make it to the train station before the last train leaves."

"Wait, why are you going to do that?" Twilight asked.

"Because Sparky, not all of us can fly, and Sunset can't carry anyone without the risk of changing their species."

"Not that, I mean why are you coming with us?" 

"Hey, I'm curious what Discord has to do with Pinkie too." 

"And what if we don't want you to come with us?" Rainbow Dash snarled.

Mal started laughing at the prismatic mare's display, "Aww, it's cute that you think you can threaten me." Mal said with a smirk. "Now let's go, and if you six are really good, I'll let you stay in some of the spare bedrooms we have at our place while we’re on this little trip."

The walk to the train station was a bit long at about thirty minutes. Mal himself was debating there overall technology level at seeing it. 'They can make trains yet still use medieval arms and armor?' He thought. He decided to blame magic on it. The train was mostly deserted, thankfully. "So how long is this going to take?" Mal asked.

"Well the rock farm's closer than Ponyville, so maybe sunset at least." Pinkie Mal sat down. This was slower or maybe faster than he thought.

"Let's see if I can't kill Time...." He had to laugh a bit at that. Finally they came to a rock farm, right as the sun was starting to set. "Ok this makes no sense a rock farm? It would be easier to call it a quarry." He said, voicing the thought that had been on his mind the entire ride. Sunset had to agree with him there.

"Hey, if my parents want to call this a rock farm then they can mister!" Pinkie barked, defending her parents.

"I'm just saying it's weird to call it a rock farm when there's already a word to describe it. It'd be like if I decided to call my cloak a snurdburgler."

"Look, her parents call it a rock farm, why do you have to be a jerk about it?" Dash asked.

"I just said it was weird. How is that being a jerk?"

Before the fight could break out between the Element of Loyalty and the Angel of Death a voice interrupted. "Pinkie Pie." It was one of Pinkie's sisters. "It’s a real surprise you’re here… what are those things?" She pointed at them. "They’re weird looking." She finished.

"Hello I'm Malthael," he formed his wings, "Angel of Death." The sister fainted. Malthael looked at the fainted mare. "Why does this always happen to me? Every time I tell someone my name and what I am they just faint or scream or look horrified."

"I didn't scream Mal." Moon offered.

"No one likes a kiss-ass Moon." Mal said, rolling his eyes,

"Maybe they react that way because they assume you're there to take them to the afterlife?" Twilight suggested.

"Sure, it has nothing to do with the fact you were just alive and now the Angel of Death comes to you?" Trixie said.

“It was a rhetorical question girls. But thanks for that, you really made my day.” Mal deadpanned.

"What’s going on?" A mare said she looked a bit older than the others present. "Pinkie Pie is that you?" Ms. Pie asked. 

"Hey mommy I'm back." Pinkie Pie jumped up a bit. "Oh yeah, do you know about this?" She asked holding up the coin thing. The mare’s face fell down a bit. 

"Pinkie we need to talk." She looked at the group. "Your friends can come as well." The mare said. She saw her unconscious daughter. "What happened to her?" Malthael raised his hand.

"My fault," he admitted.

"Who are you?" The mare asked.

"Malthael the Angel of death." The older mare fainted on the spot.  "Oh come on! I swear to God, the next pony who faints just from me saying my name gets a sickle up the ass." Malthael mumbled as he picked the older mare up.

"Mal, be good." Sunset chastised.

"Fine, let's just figure out what's going on with Pinkie and get back to globetrotting." He retorted, walking into the living room and plopping both of the mares on a nearby couch. After a few moments they came too. 

"I had the strangest dream; the Angel of Death came to the farm." Ms. Pie said with a smile, it soon fell when she saw Mal leaning on the wall.

"Sup." An ear splitting scream was heard from both mares. After about a minute the two mares stopped. "Done?" Malthael asked, looking at them, his pale face and white hair on display. The two mares took deep breaths after and a few moments. "Ok I'm not here to take your souls we are here about Pinkie and her strange powers." Malthael said pointing to Pinkie Pie. Ms. Pie sighed.

"Ok, before Pinkie was born her father and I got roped into a cult, one that worshipped the god of chaos."

"Wait, you and Daddy were part of Discord's cult? They just tried to kill me and my friends!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"There's a reason we left, Pinkie." Her mother continued. "They were too extreme for our tastes. We left before we did anything we'd regret. But, before we did I was talked into taking part of a ritual. They told me it would infuse my child with essence of chaos. That was when I was pregnant with you Pinkie. It's why you've always been... a little different." Pinkie's mother finished explaining, tears forming in her eyes.

Everyone’s mind was now wrecked. The one who spoke first was Pinkie. "So what does this mean?" she asked. Malthael moved to the pink pony and looked her over, using his sickles to scan her soul.

"Half of your soul is chaotic like Discord’s, your soul is literally at war with itself and your randomness is a side effect." The Angel of Death finished. Pinkie pie looked at herself for a moment.

"So Pinkie’s powers are basically chaos magic?" Twilight asked.

"Partly the backslashes from her soul have caused this." A flash of light was seen.

"It does more than that. Technically this makes Pinkie my half daughter." There was Discord, a greeting card in his paw. "Hello Emily." He said to Ms. Pie.

"My name's not Emily." Discord looked over his card.

"Oh that's a shame."

"Wow Discord, do you just live for dramatic reveals like this?" Mal said with a roll of his eyes.

"No, but I do love them so." Discord chuckled.

"I'm Discord's daughter?" Pinkie said falling onto her haunches, a glaze forming over her eyes. "Does this mean that everything about me is a lie? Am I really Pinkie?" She continued, her mane flattening with every word. Mal was at Pinkie's side in an instant and started stroking her mane.

"Hey, don't go having an existential crisis on us. You'll always be you. The Chaos in you was just reacting to your personality. Don't let this get you down. No matter who or what you are I'm sure your friends and family here will always be there for you." Mal stated, doing his best to cheer Pinkie up.

It worked very easily. Her hair shot right back up. "You’re right." She enthused. Discord then decided to add in his two cents.

"You know you should have a party about this." Discord added. Pinkie Pie jumped up.

"Oh yeah, you’re right." She said with a smile. Discord looked at everyone and outside.

"It's a long way home. However, I can easily send you all home if you want." Discord offered. The mane six looked at each other. Their trust of him was shaky.
"Ok then, but nothing funny." Twilight said with a snap of his talons everyone disappeared except the two mares on the couch. In a flash the group of Nightmare Moon, Sunset Shimmer, Trixie Lulamoon and Malthael Death found themselves in a cold forest.

"Where are we?" Trixie asked.

"I think we got caught in Discord’s magic." Moon said.

"Of course we did." Malthael muttered. "Excuse me girls, I need to have a moment." He finished walking deeper into the forest until he was out of sight. "DISCORD YOU BAG OF DICKS, DON'T JUST TOSS US AROUND LIKE TOYS! NOW WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE WE ARE AND WHO KNOWS HOW LONG BEFORE WE GET BACK ON TRACK!" Malthael screamed, his voice echoing through the forest.

"He sounds mad." Trixie stated.

"Should we do something?" Moon asked.

"No," Sunset answered, "Like he said, he just needs a moment."

After he returned with the group in his hand was their home charm. "Ok now that that's over with, I can see you’re all cold." The girls blushed covering their chests, and he activated it. The group headed into the home. As soon as he closed the door it locked itself. The three of them climbed the stairs entering the next floor after opening the doors to the top floor. A bit later sunset was in a nightgown with a sweet treat. She was sitting on a couch. She closed her eyes for a moment, as she recalled all the events in her life; she opened her eyes and found her face in something soft. "Oh my." She realized it was Moon’s breasts. She blushed at this, and Moon then sat in her lap. Her night gown was see-through, showing her bra and thong. Sunset felt a tingle in her body. "Oh my, are you happy to see me?" Moon asked her voice husky.

"Moon, what did I say about you and Sunset?" Malthael said from the kitchen.

"You told me not to make out with her, and I'm not. She and I are just having a friendly conversation." Moon said, pinching Sunset's cheek.

"Just make sure it doesn't get too friendly."

"Of course, I always respect your wishes." Moon giggled.

"Yuh huh. Well, as soon as I finish my sandwich, I'm going to bed. You coming with, Sunset?"

"Of course, Mal." Sunset replied, pushing Moon off her lap and following Mal to their room.

Malthael sighed to himself. "Sunset I've almost made my decision on this but first I want to ask you something." Sunset paused. "Are you actually attracted to Moon or Trixie? Could you see sharing with them?" He asked. After the few weeks spent with them, Sunset thought it over. She took a deep breath. 

"I believe so." She said. She wrapped her arms around him, and Mal gave her a smile. 

"Well then I just decided to go with it." He said and the two shared a kiss. Sunset’s eyes flashed a bit as a bit of her magic came though. Her kissing started to get more hungry, more wild.

Eventually, the two pulled away from the kiss, panting from lack of oxygen. Malthael looked deep into Sunset's eyes and couldn't resist saying, "I love you, Sunset."

"I love you too, Mal." Sunset replied with a warm smile. "You know, there's something I've been wanting to do with you. If you're ready for it."

"What is it?" Mal asked, as clueless as ever. Sunset rolled her eyes and whispered something into his ear. Mal's pale face turned red and smiled sheepishly. "Well, I did say I would just go with it. I'm ready whenever you are Sunset." Mal was nervous, but he didn't want Sunset to know. He placed one of his hands behind her head and pulled her in for another long kiss. While his other went underneath her nightgown, gently rubbing her body before removing any clothes.

Warning: This is where the clop scene begins. If you do not want to read it, then go to the next marked position.... heh, position giggity.

Soon the two of them had moved to the bed their clothes finally off. The two of them finished their kiss looking at each other with love. Sunset felt something poke her down below. Despite everything she was still a virgin. She blushed at this. However Mal started to trail kisses across her body, next his hands drifted to her butt and he gave it a bit of a squeeze. Sunset gasped a bit at this his hands moved around her body feeling her form. As he moved he rubbed right where her shoulder blades were. She moaned as suddenly her whole body trembled. The area was where her wings would be. Her wetness and lust built up, her eyes glowing. "Give it to me, please stop teasing me." Sunset whispered in his ear. He moved back and positioned himself, lining his length with her folds, he slowly entered pausing at her hymen. "Do it." She begged. With one swift motion he entered her. Breaking her hymen. Sunset eyes flashed as the slight pain of being deflowered shot through her.

"Are you okay?" Malthael asked gently, halting his entry.

"Hah, yes, just be gentle, okay?" Sunset groaned in pain tinted pleasure, one of her hands cupping his cheek. Mal took the hand on his cheek and lightly kissed it.

"Of course, anything for you." He told her with a smile.

"Just get on with it already. I want to feel all of you." Sunset playfully barked, shifting so that a liitle more of Mal's length worked into her depths.

Mal shuddered in pleasure, and got into a comfortable position before slowly pushing into Sunset. Mal closed his eyes and fought back a moan of pleasure as Sunset's insides massaged every bit of his member. With agonizing slowness Mal hilted himself within Sunset, the two of them connected at the hip. Mal's and Sunset's eyes met at that moment, the love they shared conveyed clearer than words could ever hope to. The two moved together and slowly started going faster and harder. Their moans were soon infused with passion and lust. As they moved faster they got closer and closer to the end. "Sunset I'm close." Sunset wrapped her legs around his waist. 

"Come in me, I wanna come together." Sunset said as she moaned. The two of them felt it. With one final thrust they came together. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh" They screamed, Sunset’s eyes glowed as her wings shot out. The magical flash was over Malthael collapsed to her side. When they were done they laid there, slightly winded. 

This marks the end of the clop scene. We hope to have preserved whatever innocence the rest of the internet hasn't already killed. Have a nice day.

Sunset saw a glass of water right next to the bed she held her hand out, it was too far her to reach. Suddenly, her hands glowed as the glass levitated to her hand. Her eyes widened in shock. "Mal! Look, I've got my magic back!" Sunset squealed, a look of pure delight etched onto her face. 

"That's great Sunset." Mal replied, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her into a reverse hug and kissed the crook of her neck. Sunset took a long gulp of the water and the two fell into a content silence for a while. 

After a minute or two Mal started to chuckle. "What's so funny?" Sunset asked, annoyed.

"I was just thinking about how we thought you'd need a stressful situation to let your magic out. So, was what we just did stressful, Sunset?" Sunset blushed a little before a smirk worked its way across her face.

"Yes it was, it was so stressful that I'll never do that with you again." She stated turning around in Mal's grip.

At Sunset's words Mal paled, an impressive feat given his complexion. Seeing his reaction, Sunset started to giggle uncontrollably. "You are too cute sometimes." She said, pushing Mal down so that she was lying down on top of him. "I love you, you goofy idiot." She said, kissing his cheek.

Mal gave her a kiss as well. "I love you too, my princess." The two got under their covers and soon fell asleep in that position.

------------------------------------------------------------	
-------------	In a flash of light the mane six where returned to Ponyville, not one of them harmed. Discord however was nowhere to be seen. 'So then I can finally put to rest that old attempt at understanding Pinkie Pie, though it does raise the question of how she became the Element of laughter." Twilight thought to herself. She ran back to her library.
As the moon rose up however, she paused, a newly form crater could be seen. Twilight got to her telescope. She looked at it close up. The crater was shaped like the face of Discord. She wasn't the only one to notice, Luna saw the image as well.

Though they were miles apart Luna's eye twitched simultaneously with Twilight's. Although, that's where their synchrocity ended, Twilight merely muttered something distasteful about the god of chaos, while Luna had a few more choice words for the Draconequus. "That, spawn of a whore!" Luna boomed in the Royal Canterlot Voice. "That low birthed cur of no virtue! How dare he defile our moon with such a distasteful image! Discord, you have done many a dirty deed, but this shall not be forgiven!" This continued well into the night, and was heard nearly halfway across Equestria. Many foals learned a lot of new bad words that would get their mouths' washed out with soap that night

> Prelude to Invasion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	After Luna finished her hours long yelling binge an obnoxiously loud sip was heard. Discord was right behind her drinking a soda and munching on popcorn. "Sorry I wanted to see your reaction so badly."

Luna charged up a beam and blasted Discord into the wall. Luna walked up to the rubble that was where she blasted Discord. "Serves you right for defacing our moon with your image you foul… ack." Discords hand shot out and grabbed her throat. Discord appeared without a single injury however his eyes had one difference, they were on fire.

"Ok one, if you do that again i will destroy you, I am powerful enough to bend reality, travel through time and outright defeat you and your sister with little effort. Two, that crater was from me saving Equestria from having its border turned into a crater with war form the nearby nation not to mention the Elements of Harmony themselves from a cult that worships me way too much so excuse me for  being a hero for once."

"We art sorry Discord, we did not know the scope of your actions. We simply assumed that thee had pulled one of your ill begotten pranks."

"Hmm, yes well, I suppose I'll forgive you just this once." Discord said turning around, and waving a claw lazily in the air. "Next time, ask a few questions before you start blasting someone through walls. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble that way, especially from me." He finished with a wry chuckle before poofing out of existence.

Luna herself gave a huge sigh. She had, amazingly been picking fights a lot lately. 'First Malthael who could remove my soul and is somehow immune to the elements, then Discord who I know could kill me... I'm stressed out.' Luna thought. She was going to need a bit of a break soon. 'Maybe a trip to the spa would do me good.' Luna thought to herself. She chose to let her sister deal with the mess in the morning she needed to take a nap.

In the house, Moon herself was not so much sleeping as dream walking. Strangely she usually ended up dream walking while she slept. Suddenly she felt a strong pull in the dream world’s currents. She found herself standing in a moonlit field she could immediately tell it was a dream. "Thou has got to be kidding me." She heard behind her. Amazingly she was in her old pony form as she turned around to see Luna.

"Oh come on, is that really any way to react to seeing your better half?" Moon said with a smirk.

"Thou caused us nothing but trouble. Thou caused us to be banished inside our moon." Luna said, fighting the urge to grit her teeth.

"Ah, ah. ah. That wasn't me, Luna my dear. I was merely all the jealousy and bile that you had let build up over the years, among other things. Tell me, are you still hiding the fact that you're attracted to mares and stallions?" Moon asked, causing Luna to blush. "Our punishment was just as much your fault as it was mine." Moon explained.

"But I'm not here to blame you. I've turned over a new leaf. I'm travelling with Malthael, turning my followers into productive members of society, and hopefully I'll be moaning out a few names in the thralls of passion very soon." Moon finished with a chuckle.

"Have you no shame?" Luna growled still blushing.

"I'm just a mare who knows what she wants, you should try it sometime."  Moon gave her a look. "Besides who are you to judge, you fantasized about your sister, Twilight and your niece that one time." Luna blushed. "Yes I know your dreams we were basically the same person back then." Moon said with a smile. Luna simply looked at her.

"I hate you.”

Moon giggled. "Perhaps but that means you once hated yourself
--------------------------------------------------------------
---------------The next morning, Sunset woke up first, still lying on top of Mal. She looked down at Mal's sleeping face and smiled, though it felt like it had been permanently plastered to her face. She thought about leaving him like that, but decided against it. She gently shook Mal's shoulder and whispered, "Come on Mal, it's time to get up."

Mal sleepily mumbled for a few moments before his eyes fluttered open and had a smile that matched Sunset's. "Morning beautiful, get a good night's sleep?"

"The best," Sunset answered, kissing the tip of Mal's nose. "Last night was wonderful by the way."

"Thanks," Mal returned, sitting up, "I didn't know how I'd do, that was sort of the first time I've done something like that." Mal admitted nervously, rubbing the back of his head. 

"Mine too, if you didn't notice." Sunset replied, giggling. Mal's smile widened at hearing her words, worries that she'd think he was pathetic instantly alleviated.
"Now come on, as much as I'd love to stay in bed with you all day, we've got things to do." Sunset said getting up out of bed and stretching, hearing a satisfying popping of joints.

Sunset and Mal got ready for the day and headed down to the kitchen for breakfast. Both of them decided to have cereal, but the two of them chose very different kinds. Sunset picked a healthy multigrain kind, while Mal picked a sugary, fruit flavored one. Sunset regarded Mal's choice of breakfast with a slightly disapproving frown. "Seriously Mal, that cereal's for kids."

"Hey, this is a breakfast that can be happily enjoyed by all ages." He said with an indignant huff.

"Is that why it comes with a toy inside?" Sunset retorted with a smirk.

“Madam, I fail to see how bringing up their marketing technique proves anything.” Mal said, his arms crossing over his chest. Sunset groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose with her eyes closed.

“Ugh, I can’t believe I just gave my virginity to a goofy idiot.”

Mal looked hurt for a second. Sure she had called him a goofy idiot the night before, but there had been a playfulness and love attached to it, definitely not with any hint of regret. Suddenly, a wicked grin worked its way on his face. Mal then picked up his chair, sat it down next to Sunset's, and pulled her into his lap so that she was straddling his waist. "A goofy idiot who would do anything for you, and loves you with all his heart." Mal said, running his hands up and down Sunset's sides, his confidence skyrocketing after the previous night. "And the only thing he asks of you," He continued his breath washing over her neck, "Is that you love him back.”

Warning: The following contains heavy sexual situations, move to the next marked location if you do not wish to see such things.

And with that, Mal pressed his lips against her neck, biting and sucking on it softly, while his hands slid onto various parts of her body. His left hand worked underneath her pajama top and lightly kneaded her breast, while his right snaked into her pajama bottoms and slowly teased the lips of her now dripping sex. Sunset moaned and squirmed under Mal's ministrations, not sure if she wanted him to stop or go further.

Eventually, Mal's left hand pulled up her pajama top, revealing her perky, hand-filling breasts. Mal gave her another wicked grin and wrapped his lips around one of her nipples, teasing it with his tongue and occasionally grazing it with his teeth. Somehow, Sunset found her voice and pushed Mal off of her. "Wait, what if those two see us like this?" Sunset asked, panting.

"Well, Moon would probably ask to join us or stay and watch; and Trixie would probably run back to her room." Mal answered, his right hand gripping Sunset's pajama bottoms to pull it down.
The sexual scene is now over... I couldn't think of jokes for these this time around.

Before the two of them could continue a loud voice called out, "Someone help Trixie!" Mal and Sunset instantly sprang up and headed towards the source of the disturbance.

‘She had better be dying.’ Mal grumbled in his thoughts

"Trixie what’s the matter?" Sunset asked. The magician girl was acting hysterical. 

"Trixie’s bleeding, that's what's the matter!" Another scream was heard.

"Impossible, something happened to me!" Moon screamed. Malthael was many things. He was the Angel of death, former Archangel of Wisdom, an immortal godlike being like the rulers of many nations of this world (except Discord, who was firmly a god in this universe) a human turned Malthael, but he was still a man. He also somehow remembered his little sister was like with this. 

"Sunset..... You think?" He started, and Sunset nodded.

"Yes I'm sure."

"What is it? Stop talking like Trixie isn't here you buckers!" Trixie yelled, stomping with one of her feet. Mal sighed and looked back at Trixie.

"We'll tell you once we get Moon." The three made their way to Moon's room and slowly opened her door. "Hey, Moon, Sunset and I need to have a talk with you and Trixie. We think we know what's going on with you." Mal said, trying to be soothing.

"Oh I know exactly what happened!" Moon growled. "I teased Luna last night and now that bitch has placed a curse on me! Once this bucking pain dies down a bit you and I are going to beat her within an inch of her life!" Moon boomed, her eyes burning with rage while her face contorted in pain.

"Oh boy, this is gonna take a while." Mal said, shaking his head.

So Sunset and Mal, mostly Sunset, had to tell Trixie and Moon about their new bodies. It was a very hard thing for them to do because they both asked a lot of questions. After about an hour the two ponies turned humans finally got the gist of it. "So basically this is normal, I don't have to rip Luna apart?" Moon asked. Trixie was horrified. Heat seemed a bit better than this.

"What kinda creature goes through this kinda thing?" She asked.

"A mammal." Sunset answered while she rolled her eyes.

"What kind of mammal then, Trixie’s afraid to ask." Trixie screamed.

"Well humans I remembered were the spawn of demons and angels, but I'm guessing an ape." Mal said after a fake thought. The three girls glared at Mal, not in the mood for one of his jokes. "Sorry, um... Wait a second, Sunset, shouldn't you be going through this too?" Sunset's glare softened, and shook her head.

"I had mine right before we met, so I won't have it for another week or two. Still, you should go out and find a town. These two are gonna be out of commission for a few days and I don't want to run out of supplies."

"Okay, are you coming with me?"

"No, I'm going to stay here, and help these two as much as I can. The first one is always the worst."

"Alright, I'll try not to take too long." Mal said giving Sunset a quick kiss on the lips. "Moon, be good for Sunset, and try not to get too handsy." He playfully chastised before walking out of their home.

Mal flew in the air looking for some kinda outpost or anything. As he moved a few arrows suddenly were launched at him. "What in the…" He dodged them and landed on the ground. His hood up as he heard voices.

"I heard it over here." He heard a voice say. It was a kinda mixed accent, one he recalled form dwarves from Warcraft. He turned to see beings In Viking like armor with axes they were kinda human looking but had more blueish skin. "Bloody hell, what in the names of the ancestors is that thing?" One dwarf said. Malthael pulled out his sickles.

"No one moves and no one gets their soul ripped out." He said.

The dwarves didn't falter and instead laughed at the Angel of Death. "And what, you're going to do that with those puny farming tools?" The leader joked, pointing at Malthael's weapons.

"Oh you did not just make fun of my sickles." Malthael growled. He used his wings to propel himself across the ground, reaching the two closest Dwarves in an instant. Before they could even react Malthael placed his sickles on their chests and the familiar blue light surrounded them.

He tossed them away and a fight soon broke out. Back in the home the three girls suddenly got a strange feeling. "Do any of you think that Mal’s doing something stupid right now?" Sunset asked. The other two raised an eyebrow at her. "Forget what I said.” She sighed.

Malthael soon returned the souls of the dwarf like beings after the fight was over. "Bloody hell, you sure showed us." The dwarf being said walking up from the forests. "Name’s Ottio Brozenbread I'm the local Earthern leader I must say I never seen one of you before in the isles, only foreigners I've seen are the ponies."

"The name's Malthael, Angel of Death, and why the hell did you attack me?" Ottio chuckled for a few moments. 

"Angel of Death huh, you sure do live up to that name. And as for why we attacked you, Ponies from some place called Prance have been trying to invade for the last few nights. We didn't get a good look at you and assumed you were one of them."

"Look, I'm not here to invade, I'm just here to get some supplies for my... friends and I’ll be on my way." Mal paused, not sure what to consider Moon and Trixie yet, the little incident that morning interrupting the important talk he and Sunset were going to have with them.

"Well the town's not too far from here." Ottio said as the other earthern got up. "Come on men, we best get back to town" With that Mal followed the earthern to their town which wasn't all that far. The town had a simple wooden wall around it with a stone and wood fort.

"Here we are, this is the town where I'm chief, or lord as the ponies call it." The earthern town was mostly one with farmers and a few local jobs. It was almost like Feudalism in Medieval Europe. Mal turned to the chief. "So who rules this nation or kingdom?" Mal asked. The earthern gave him a look.

"Well sure, we kinda are a very local ruled lands best we do is a loose groupings so we honestly can't form what these prance invaders call a nation." The earthern leader said. Shortly after a scout came running in.

"Sir we have a problem, I've spotted a small band of armed Prancers with some mercenary creatures called Diamond Dogs, they’re most likely coming to lay siege to us."

"Shite, we're not ready for another attack. Tell all able bodied men to suit up and fall into formation. We have to defend our home!" Ottio called out motioning with his arms.
"Hold on there Ottio, I think I might be able to help here." Mal interrupted before looking to the scout. "How many of them are there?"

The scout looked confused and scared as he stammered out a response. "A...about 20-30 of them. They're mostly Earth ponies and pegasi, with one spellcaster Unicorn, and a few of those Diamond Dogs." "Malthael laughed at the scout's response.

"Oh man, this is gonna be way too easy. Point me in the direction you found them, give me about an hour, and you won't have to worry about these guys anymore." Ottio looked at Mal in disbelief, and allowed the scout to lead him out of the village.

"Sir, what do you make of this Malthael?" One of Ottio's men asked.

"I don't know, he might just be a fool to think he can take on a force like that with only a scout as backup. Still, he might be able to buy enough time to form up defensive positions around the town. Gather the town, and if we survive this battle then we shall hold a feast in honor of the great fool, Malthael."

Malthael followed the scouts there they found the Prench ponies. They amazingly had a bit different armor on, it at least was magically enchanted and made out of iron rather than Equestria's gold or silver or even bronze armor. Another thing they seemed more battle hardened most likely due to them being a separate nation from Equestria or at the very least very independent. "So what’s your plan?" The scout asked. Malthael simply held his blades up.

"I'm simply going to walk right up to them." He said. The scout gave him a look of insanity. Malthael walked up causing the Unicorn commander to look at the being.

"Halt strange being you are in the way of Prance’s finest, you will drop your weapons and surrender now!"

Malthael’s face was gone in his hood’s darkness. "None can stop death!" He said with the echoey voice. The Unicorn commander glared at him.

"Suit yourself, guards charge!”

'Idiot.' The scout and Malthael thought to different people. Malthael wings shot up as his cloud of death whipped out. The unicorn put of a barrier around him. When it was over the commander and the scouts eyes widened, a force of 50 was now down to but five!

The commander's eyes widened in horror, he was used to death, it came with being in the military. But this, nothing could prepare him for what he was seeing. Nearly all his men, and all of the Diamond Dog mercenaries that he had painstakingly bought, were decaying before his very eyes. Large chunks of their flesh fell away, revealing the muscle and bone beneath, as they screamed in unfathomable agony. The Commander looked over his remaining forces. Including himself there were three earth ponies and one young pegasus mare. Their only hope was for her to rush back to the camp they had come from and send orders for reinforcements. The Commander couldn't do it, his talents lied in offensive and defensive magics, not teleportation.

"Go, tell the others about this new ally the beasts here have found." The commander told the mare. She hesitantly nodded as the Commander dropped the barrier to their rear. The mare didn't make it very far before Malthael was on top of her, touching her with his sickle. With her soul sucked out, the mare fell to the ground in a crumpled heap.
The unicorn looked on in fear. "What are you?" He asked in fear. Malthael walked up to him. 

"I am Malthael, the end of all things, I am the Angel of death." With that the earth pony fainted. The unicorn’s sanity was soon being thrown out the window.

"No I refuse to Die!" He screamed. The scout soon watched as Malthael cut into the pony, stabbing him though the heart. 

Back at the town a gate keeper turned to the Chief. "Sir the scout has returned..." Ottio gave a sigh. "Malthael is with him as well." The chief stood up.

"Well this is unexpected. The scout ran up to the chief as he looked at Mal.

"Sir you won't believe It he took them all on and won, it wasn't a battle but a slaughter." the scout said.
Ottio's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible! Even when we were at our strongest we'd have a hard time defeating a force like that." Mal in response, made a dismissive noise with his lips and waved a hand at the shorter man.

"Oh please, those guys were nothing. You should've heard their leader, ‘No, I refuse to die! Please don't kill me Malthael. Even though I'll never be as handsome as you, I have so much to live for!’" Malthael stated, imitating the unicorn commander in an exaggerated French accent.

Ottio didn't know what to make of Malthael. By all accounts he should be a fool, yet he was capable of so much. Maybe he was what the dwarves so desperately needed, a figure to rally behind and give their resolve strength. "Malthael, I cannot thank you enough, you have saved my home, and my people. Tonight, we should hold a great feast in your honor. You of course are more than welcome to join us." Ottio said, with all the gratitude he could manage.

"No thanks Ottio, I really just need some supplies so I can get back to my friends. If I don't get back soon, Sunset is going to kill me." Ottio's eye's widened.

"One of your friends is mightier than you?"

"You know what they say about a woman scorned, don't you Ottio?" Ottio smiled in recognition and laughed at Malthael's joke.

"Of course I do. However, you should bring your friends with you. Any friends of yours deserve our respect as well."

"Yeah, you might want to hold off on that, Ottio. My other two friends are going through, ‘feminine troubles’ and won't be in the best of moods for the next couple of days." Ottio nodded in understanding.

"I understand, our people know of the troubles that maiden's blood can bring to a woman. You will have what little provisions we can spare, and once your friends return to normal, we will hold you your proper feast."

"I'll hold you to that Ottio. It was nice meeting you and good luck in your fight against your invaders."
------------------------------------------------------ 
---------------In Canterlot however, Celestia was receiving some news from the kingdom. One thing she received was from Prance, however. 'What is it this time?' She thought. It was a letter from a guardsman about Prench forces with mercenaries moving with airships. Celestia herself put it down when the guard post demanded to check it out. The ruler of Prance was both independent and subservient to her. A part of their holdings were in Equestria and the rest were independent. Now instead of a war  to claim the land they wanted she signed an agreement. To the other kingdoms nearby like the griffins, the zebras and minotaurs, Prance was under equestrian leadership.

Unfortunately it wasn’t completely under her dominion, she was mostly a ceremonial figurehead and Prance paid a special fee to the taxes but almost always acted as its own nation. The deal made it very much like the Crystal Empire as it was now. However, the Prench guard was vastly different from hers, and she suspected the rulers to be into shady business. However, any attack would basically turn her into a tyrant which is not good. 'Perhaps it’s time Twilight gets to do some diplomatic duties for once.' Celestia thought. In the newly crowned alicorn's home, Spike coughed up a scroll.

Twilight was in her library, she had been doing research on the nature of souls ever since she had learned about Pinkie's secret. Most of the material was speculative or religious in nature, but another part was tackled with at least a little scientific decorum. Twilight was just about to open another book on the subject when Spike ran into her study, a letter in his claw.

"Twilight, Celestia just sent you this. It's marked as urgent!" Spike yelled.

Twilight audibly gulped as she took the letter with her magic, and slowly started to read it. Once she was finished, Twilight had a shell-shocked expression on her face, and looked ready to panic. Spike rushed out of the room to get something to help with her panic attack while Twilight talked to herself. "Oh no! Celestia wants me to perform diplomatic talks with the Prench King? How am I supposed to do that?! I've never done anything like this before! What if I fail? Will all of Equestria be plunged into war? Or what if I cause a famine? There's no way that I can do this! I know, I'll just reply to Celestia and tell her that I need more time before I can handle delicate political situations."

"Wait, what if this is some sort of test?" If I don't take it would she turn me back into a unicorn? Or worse. what if she turns me back into a unicorn and sends me back to... Magic Kindergarten?!"

"Twilight, snap out of it!" Spike called out, handing her a paper bag to hyperventilate into. She took the bag and a few minutes later she had at least some semblance of wits.

"Thank you Spike, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Don't mention it Twilight, it's what I'm here for. And as for the letter, Celestia chose you to do this because she trusts you. Besides you've fought giant monsters and ancient evils, there's no way the Prench king could be scarier than all that." Twilight giggled and rubbed her hoof on the spines on top of his head.

"You're right Spike, if Princess Celestia trusts me, then I can do it! Come on, let's go get the girls and get ready for the trip. We've got negotiations to perform!" Twilight exclaimed with new vigor.

The trains moved them to an outpost town with Royal guards form Equestria and a few wearing the iron of Prance. Once Twilight got off she was greeted by the guard’s commander. "Princess Sparkle what can I do for you?" He asked.

Twilight turned to the guard. "First, just call me Twilight, second I was sent by Celestia to visit Prance’s king." The Prench guard gave her a chuckle.

"Ok First, Prance is not ruled by a monarch, at least not in your sense, we have ruling families who meet in the council, second you are in prance right now." the guard said. 

Rainbow moved to the Equestrian guard. "Then why are they here?" She pointed a hoof at the closest Equestrian guard.

"Because while Prance is its own nation its rulings include part of Equestria border regions, we don't have a monarchy in your sense because of a deal with Celestia and the ruling houses Prance is equal and subservient to Equestria, but Celestia’s rule and law is nothing in the independent Prance, and she’s only ceremonial." the Prench guard finished.
"That is really weird." Rainbow Dash said. The Prench guards glared at the mare for a few moments.

"Rainbow Dash, their political structure is not weird!" Twilight admonished. "Prance has a strong economy and their leaders have always been quick to help settle disagreements in Canterlot's court." She lectured before turning to the guards. "Please excuse my friend here she didn't mean anything by that, she's just a little blunt."

"Don't worry Princess, no offense was taken. Just please let your friend know to be careful. Many Prench ponies are very prideful by nature, and can be quick to slight as a result. One of the guards explained. The group nodded and the guards led them to the turnover before they were on their way to the capital where their meeting would be held.

The mares gawked at the city as they made their way through the busy streets. Rarity in particular was extremely energetic. "Ooh, I've always wanted to come to Prance! The whole country is just chock full of culture and romantic atmosphere. Not to mention all the fashion! If I had some time to really explore here I could think of several new lines!" She squealed.

"I'm sure you'll have time between talks." One of the guards said with a chuckle. "The thing with having so many voices that need to be heard is that it can cause debates to be rather long. And with how important this matter is, there will be many differing opinions."

A group of Airships moved out of port. The mares looked on. "Where are they headed?" Twilight asked.

The guard looked on as the airships moved. "I'm not allowed to speak on the matters, the houses could however." They came up on a building. "This is where the houses meet and this is where the council rules." The guard finished. The mares walked in There was the council several  crests were seen on the ruling houses, four of the normal and one of the guard finally was the crest of Prance where the current leader sat. 

"This is a surprise." One of the house leaders stated. 

"Quite, we’ll discuss this later." The military leadership said.

The Unicorn behind the crests rose. "I am Sambri The current Lord General of Prance."

"Hello, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, and these are the other Elements of Harmony. It's an honor to meet you, sir." Twilight said with a slight bow. Sambri chuckled at Twilight's behavior.

"You do me too much honor Princess Sparkle. I am merely a general while you are a princess. Still it is an honor to meet you as well. I merely wish it was under better circumstances. And I see the stories about your beauty did not do you enough justice." The general said, kissing one of Twilight's hooves.

A blush spread across Twilight's face from the compliment. She collected herself and cleared her throat. "Yes, well... um Celestia gave me reports saying that your airship activity has increased rather noticeably recently. And it is believed that they were moving with military intent. Princess Celestia and I merely wanted to know what Prance is doing that would require so much military might." Twilight declared, unfurling her wings to seem a little more authoritative.

Unfortunately, the General did a complete 180. "I'm afraid that Equestria should not concern itself with Prance’s foreign policy or its military." The Lord General said. "I would be more concerned with the changelings to your south and the Zebra Empire. I heard reports form the griffins about them moving out of the badlands, the Zebras are starting to become angry with the pioneering in the buffalo lands, and no one knows about the Griffins, who have kept to themselves." He finished. "Doesn't help that we live close enough to the griffons you know." He finished.

"Sir, it is our concern when the image of Equestria is in jeopardy. We pride ourselves on being a country that promotes peace and acceptance. And I don't think we have to worry about the Griffons. Their king and Princess Celestia have been maintaining healthy trade agreements with each other for close to eight-hundred years. Now, Celestia and I can't tell you what to do, but if you plunge Equestria into war because of your actions, then that will change." Twilight replied fighting back her bile from the General's blatant racism.

The lord general let out a long, ringing laugh. "You passed my little test." He said. Twilight looked confused. The lord general waited for her to calm down. "Few from Celestia have the kind of resistance you do with these matters." One of the civilian council members shook his head.

"That Blueblood guy was the worst." Twilight was now more confused than before.

"Prance is much more open minded to the races around us; unfortunately most in Equestria are not like us so we test them about their world views." The lord general finished. "As for the reasons if you must know we have an ancient business from the time of Celestia’s early reign, mercenary guilds come and go from here, it’s not pretty but it amazingly helps the people be more tolerant plus it helps us keep taxes low, like I said it’s not pretty but it helps." The general got up. "Recently, guild rivalries have started to increase. We would prefer they stay peaceful so we don't have our ancient pacts broken and be forced to pick sides, many of our retired and dismissed guards have taken up work in the guilds."

"Well, that test was interesting to say the least." Twilight said not entirely convinced, but not letting the general know that. "Still, I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to stay in Prance for a few days and look at the ledgers for your airships. Princess Celestia wouldn't be happy with me if I just left it at this." She explained, managing to smile.

"Of course, Princess. I am very much aware of how thorough Princess Celestia can be. You will have full access to whatever you require. Please, make yourself at home in my country." The Lord General said with his own smile. I will have the guards that brought you here show you to where you will be staying. Go, get a good night's sleep and we can continue our talks tomorrow if you wish."

The Lord General looked to the council, regarding all of the members. "I've had it with Celestia." One of the house leaders said. The Lord General gave them a smile.

"Don't worry, I have a plan." He said with a smile, behind him were dark, glowing eyes. 

-------------------------------------------------------
-------------Mal had finally returned. "Sunset, Moon, Trixie, I'm back!” He called out.

"Mal! Thank goodness you're back!" Sunset cried, rushing down the stairs to where Mal was and wrapping her arms around him. Mal stroked Sunset's hair and smiled softly at her. He would never tell her, but she looked a little rough. He hated that he had worried her like this. But for now, he would be all smiles for her.

"Sorry, I was gone so long. I ran into a bit of a snag getting those supplies you wanted."

Sunset looked up at him and smiled, but was obviously still worried. "What kind of snag?" She asked.

"Don't worry about that for now, it was nothing I couldn't handle. Even if it was difficult, like I told you this morning, I would do anything for you Sunset."

"Yeah, you did." She said, blushing a little and her smile widening, probably remembering what he did right after telling her that.

"So, how was your day Sunset?"

Sunset's smile dropped and groaned in frustration. "Ugh, those two had me running around all day and doing everything for them today. And if I didn't do something fast enough Moon would snap at me! I think I like her better when she’s making passes at me. I was so fed up with them that I cast a sleep spell on them about an hour ago. I'm so glad I have my magic back."

"At least this might be good practice if we ever have kids." Mal offered. Sunset blushed and was about to say something but he interrupted her. "Still, for a rough day like today, there's only one surefire cure." He said, scooping her up in his arms, intending on finally breaking in the hot tub. Mal carried Sunset to the room containing the hot tub and let her down while he stripped down to his underwear and helped Sunset down to hers too. 

“Mal, what are you doing?” She asked, attempting to cover herself up. Mal laughed a little at her actions considering what had happened last night, and what he had started to do that morning.

“Relax Sunset, this isn’t about that. I figured with how hectic your day has been some time in the hot tub together would be just the thing you need.” Mal replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek before turning on the tub and adjusting the settings. He held out a hand which Sunset hesitantly took and helped her into the tub before climbing in himself. Mal situated himself behind Sunset and affectionately wrapped his arms around her stomach, just letting the bubbling water try to relax them.

“Do you mind telling me why you had us get down to our underwear to do this?” Sunset asked, slightly annoyed.

“Well, I figured doing this without any clothes would send the wrong message, like I said this isn’t about ‘that’.” Mal explained. “Also, I don’t think there are any bathing suits around here, and looking for them might’ve killed the mood I was going for.”

“You mean one of your crazy schemes you’re always cooking up?” Sunset asked, starting to warm up to the idea.

“I prefer to think of this as a spontaneous act of romance.” Mal replied, a goofy grin on his face. “Plus, think of this as my way of apologizing for being gone so long.” He finished giving her a soft kiss on the back of the head. The two were quite for some time, just enjoying each other’s company for a time. That quickly ended when Mal decided to whisper, “I love you,” to Sunset.

“Why?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Mal asked, confused.

“Why do you love me? I… I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and it doesn’t make sense to me. I mean you know about what I did and who I was. So why do you love me?”

“Well, why do you love me?” Mal asked, trying to laugh the topic off. “That’s something that really doesn’t make any sense.”

“I asked you first.” Sunset stated firmly, looking up at Mal so their eyes could meet. One look into those cyan orbs was all it took for Mal to know that he couldn’t avoid this topic. He let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes at her.

“Fine, I’ll tell you.” Mal said an oddly serious look on his face. “When I first woke up in Tartarus I was really messed up. It was like there was some sort of fog hanging over my mind that wanted me to take the lives of those that had wronged me. So I found my way out of Tartarus, killing anything that tried to stop me, and headed out to find the alicorns that had imprisoned me. When I heard that they were already dead part of my self-control returned, but part of that fog still remained. I flew north for days my mind clearing slightly. My thoughts were all over the place though. I kept thinking about what had happened to me, asking why so many of my memories seemed to be lost. Asking myself what my real name was. It never came to me, so I really was Malthael now. Then I found you. As soon as I saw you the last of the fog hanging over my mind faded away.”

“I just felt drawn to you. You reminded me of everything I used to be. You made me think of the family that I had left behind. To put it simply, you gave me my humanity back. I still can’t remember anything really, but I have more of an idea than I did before. On top of all that, you’re a strong, smart, and beautiful woman who never fails to call me out on the stupid things that I do. So, that’s why I love you, Sunset Shimmer.” Mal finished his goofy grin returning. Sunset was quiet for a few moments before turning herself around in his grasp and pressed her lips against his. The two stayed like that for several moments before Sunset reluctantly pulled away.

“I… thank you Mal. I don’t know if I deserve all of that, but… it feels really good to hear you say those things.”

“Trust me, Sunset; you deserve all of that and so much more.” Mal said, stroking Sunset’s cheek. “So, now that I’ve lain bare my heart and soul, it’s your turn.” He finished with a goofy grin again.

“Fine, fair’s fair after all.” Sunset replied, sighing. “You know I was in a bad place when you found me. You heard what I said about deserving to die. But, you didn’t let me wallow in my despair. I’ll never forget what you told me that night. You were right; I had slipped into my own darkness, and was stumbling to find the light. And then you just did everything you could to save my life that night. It was hard to believe, there you were, claiming to be the Angel of Death, and yet you helped me so much. I think that’s when I started to like you, though I wouldn’t admit it to myself.”

“And after that I just couldn’t help but admire you.” Sunset admitted. “After all the things you’ve been through, between getting imprisoned for no reason, and never being able to see your family again, you just wore that goofy grin on your face and tackled the next day. I’m sure you’re holding a lot of pain inside you, but the fact that you don’t seem to let that define you just amazes me. I wish I could be more like you Mal.” Sunset finished.

“You’re pretty amazing the way you are, Sunset.” Mal said. The two shared another kiss, much deeper than the one before.
> The Fallen Queen and Rainbow's Dues
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	After the fun in the hot tub the two girls finally awoke. "Mal where were you?" Moon asked the Angel of Death.

"Well now that you and Trixie are awake I'll tell you all." So, he went into how he met up with the earthern and the small fight with them. He then added on about the Prench ponies and mercs. "So that’s basically it"

Sunset, Moon, and Trixie all looked at Mal, not sure what to make of his story. "So you took out a group belonging to the Prench army? Mal, if they find out about this they could spin it so that all of Equestria could come after us." Sunset warned.

"I wouldn't worry about that, I made sure none of them survived. Besides, they were most likely going to kill civilians. I couldn't let that happen."

"It amazes me how much you care about things like this sometimes." Moon said with a chuckle.  She then started to have a serious look. "Still I think Prance may not be letting Equestria know about this." She said. The group looked at her. "I was ripped from Luna and she has access to the same documents as Celestia, Prance while both a part of and independent from Equestria. They have a military alliance with them, most likely this invasion is without them knowing and any attempted Imperialism will hurt Equestria more than help them with the nearby states natural distrust for the two royal sisters."

"Alright, that's good the last thing, we need is the Equestrian and Prench army along with the two sisters gunning for our heads." Sunset said with a sigh of relief.

"Come on Sunset I can handle anything this world can throw at me, especially when I have the three of you as my back up." The three smiled at his response. After about a few moments he had to ask. "So how good is the Equestrian guard? You know if they’re not facing beings like me, Discord, Moon etc." Moon thought for a moment.

"Well Equestria likes to think their guard is the best, but it’s unfortunately incompetent. I’d say, that in a real fight they’d either get slaughtered or run away, a few of the higher ups usually get there from some form of nobility." Mal had to laugh it was so funny.

"What’s so funny?" Trixie asked.

"Sorry, but Equestria doesn't sound like it should still exist." He finished.

Moon shrugged. "You’re kinda right."

"Oh well, I guess Celestia and Luna are probably too distracted by throwing tea parties and singing songs rather than making sure their guard is competent."

"I wouldn't underestimate Celestia and Luna, you may have had the upperhand before, but I'm sure they've been finding out anything they can about your powers in case you prove to be a threat to them." Moon warned.

"Don't worry Moon, I don't plan on doing anything to put us in direct confrontation with those two."

"Good, I, may not be the biggest fans of those two, but they are still technically my sisters." She added.

A little chiming signal was heard. "What was that?" Mal asked. A while later the moved to the second floor. There in the map room was a new map. It showed the basics of the land. It was kinda three islands with a few small ones. On there was the earthern village and where they were. Another map showed Equestria with Prance added to it. Finally a little something on the islands map was an outpost of prance. "Well this is amazing." Mal said. He looked around the home. "I thought as much, I had a strange feeling about this place, while not alive it has some kinda of magic to help map the world, it updates itself every few hours."

"How in the world did your friend do all of this?" Sunset asked.

"I have no idea. I'm starting to get the feeling he knew more than he was letting on. Hell, he may even have something to do with how I got here." Mal answered. "Still, these islands look fairly large. Huh, the map seems to have four different symbols on it. Maybe this place has four different factions. I think this would be the Earthern that I met." He continued pointing at a location close to the forest they were in. "I think we should take out that Prench outpost and then see about meeting these other factions." Mal finished.

"Why would we do that?" Trixie asked.

"Because taking out some of these invading forces could make us popular here, and it might be nice to have an entire group of islands that actually likes us." Mal answered.
The three girls gave each other a look. 

"We're with you." Moon said. The group of four headed off for the outpost. The outpost in question was lightly fortified having a wall of wood with tents and a few wooden buildings. 

"Ok then here's the plan, Moon you and Trixie try to keep the pegasi from leaving. Sunset will attack from above with me on ground, once the pegasi are taken care of, Trixie and Moon will flank the remaining forces." Mal said, drawing the plan in the dirt. Moon looked it over a bit.

"This is amazingly sound, how did you ever think of this plan?" She asked. Mal looked at them all.

"When you work as death you just know."

"Alright, let's get into position. I'll go in first and draw most of the fire. You three pick off any that try to run or, try to get me from behind." Mal said, face disappearing behind his hood again.

The three girls hovered in the air for a moment. "How are you going to get their attention?" Trixie asked.

"I have my ways.” Mal strode to the edge of the compound his hands holding his sickles. He stopped at the gate a moment before summoning a large gout of fire to consume it. The dry, wooden gate went up almost instantly. Ignoring the flames, Mal pushed open the gates and called out, "Death has come for you all!"

To say Chaos began was an understatement. The ponies along with a few mercenaries got up as a few earth ponies were cut down by Malthael. The pegasi flew up only for a few to fall as Sunset took them down. The unicorn leader turned to a pegasus. "Send word to one of our other outposts immediately!" He commanded.

The pegasus didn't make it very far. Moon used a lightning spell on him leaving him a charred mess. On the ground, Malthael summoned a large cloud of Death Fog and sent it throughout the entire compound. Most of the unicorns and a few others were safely behind barriers. Many others were not as lucky and began to decay immediately. The commander of the compound tried to keep order but that itself was an uphill battle.

Moon moved down as did Sunset to outflank them. Trixie moved in as well. After a while the compound was mostly taken. The Unicorn commander looked at the four beings. He wasn't commander of anyone seeing as how the death toll was massive. "Told you death had come." Mal said to him. Moon looked the unicorn in the eyes. 

"Alright you, I'm guessing your compound has a few things in here, am I right? Who sent you?" She finished, magic at the ready.

"I won't tell you monsters anything." The commander told them defiantly. Moon looked like she was about to blast the unicorn but Malthael stopped her.

"Hold on there, Moon, let me handle this." Malthael stepped up to the commander and placed a sickle against his throat.

"Go ahead, Id sooner die than tell you anything."

"Foolish mortal." Malthael said with a dark chuckle. "There are worse things than death in this world." He finished before slowly pulling out the commander's soul. The commander was more than willing to share all the information he had after his soul removed and returned a few times.

The compound had rations, as well as a few things from Prance, like outfits. Finally they found some money and loot form earthern villages. "Well this is a bit more than I thought we would find." Mal said looking everything over. "Prance must really have a lot invested into this invasion." Mal finished looking over the resources.

"What do you think we should do with all of this?" Trixie asked. 

"I think we should keep most of the stuff from Prance, and redistribute the stolen items to the Earthern tribes. And we should give them the armor and weapons. They might be able to reappropriate them into new equipment." 

"That's a good idea, this should definitely earn us some goodwill." Moon said, nodding.

As the group did so with the house they placed the Prench items with them, rations, money, items like books and some personal objects. The other stuff was kept in Malthael’s magical bag. As they headed for Ottio's village. However, they paused. A sound of pain was heard. "I think it came from over there." Mal said they moved into the bushes.

Chrysalis couldn't believe it. Slowly, her hive had started to die out. Even she was about to starve. Her ascension was only half way as a changeling. She could match a low powered alicorn. Yet she was still vulnerable to starvation. She had a lot of holes a sign of malnutrition. She had been drifting aimlessly ever since her failed invasion of Canterlot. Failed. That word echoed in Chrysalis' mind as she drifted in and out of consciousness. She had stumbled upon the island by chance and thought that she may have found a new source of food. But the long flight took more out of her than she believed it would, and now it seemed that her life was going to end. The last thought that crossed her mind was the image of her last remaining changeling, and the hopeful look in her eyes as she gave the last bit of her energy to Chrysalis. 

Mal and Sunset parted the nearby bushes and looked at the black, pony-like being."Whoa, whoever this is they don't look so good." Mal said, reaching over to the dying changeling.

"Mal, what are you doing. That's a changeling. They tried to take over Equestria. They kidnap ponies, replace them, and feed off the love of their loved ones." Trixie warned him.

"Trixie, everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, this changeling is on the brink of death, I can feel it in their soul." He explained kneeling before the changeling and placed a sickle on her barrel.

A blue glow surrounded his sickle and went into the dying changeling queen. Her eyes started to flutter open for a while, before she slowly came to. "Wha... am I still... alive?" She got up to study the strange being looking at her. "Who are you?" Chryaslis asked. Was this the being that saved her?

“I'm Malthael, I am the Angel of death." Chrysalis eyes widened in horror.

"Am I dead?" She asked herself.

"No, you’re, not I actually transferred some of the energy that your race feeds on to you to let you live." Malthael said standing up. Chrysalis almost couldn't believe it, was death actually doing this?

"Wh... why would you do this? What do you want from me?" Chrysalis asked, unsure of the situation she was in. 

"Nothing, you were dying, I saved you, it's as simple as that." Mal explained with a shrug. Chrysalis used her ability to sense emotions to see if Malthael was lying to her. Her eyes widened in shock. She could tell he was being genuine with her. Chrysalis couldn't control herself and threw her forehooves around the angel.

"Thank you so much!"

Chrysalis had known those who did something for nothing. However this was basically death letting her live, and he wanted nothing in return. Sunset moved to break it up. She reached over to Chrysalis and attempted to pry her off by the hooves. Her magic backlashed once again. The blast sent the small band a bit back. For Chrysalis she felt slightly off. She put a hand to her face. She froze at this. While she was human, her body still retained some of her changeling attributes. Her hair was silk and her skin a carapace that acted like skin. Her body was slender, and her bust rivaled Moon’s. Finally, she had cute little fangs and slit pupils. Her outfit was very tight on her body with a bit of cleavage freed.

"Sunset, from now on, no more shaking hooves or any other species’ appendages, this is the third time you've done this, and I don't think it's going to stop."

"I'm sorry, I thought that since my magic is under my control now that this wouldn't happen anymore!" Sunset blurted out.  "Are you okay?" Sunset asked Chrysalis.

"I'm not sure," Chrysalis replied, looking herself over and touching her new body parts. "I always wondered how you mammals handled having these teats. They're so unwieldy." Chrysalis started cupping her breasts for emphasis.

Mal turned away. "Well that's awkward." He said. Moon however walked up to Chrysalis. The two looked each other in the eyes. 

"You're Nightmare Moon, aren't you?" Chrysalis asked. Amazingly she wasn't completely surprised. She knew of the cults of nightmare and if she was traveling with the angel of death. 

"Yes I am." Moon looked her over. "And I like what I'm seeing." She gave a kinda predatory grin. Chrysalis had a feeling of both fear and excitement.

-------------------------------------
----------	Twilight and her friends had returned from Prance. The events there were more tense than she thought. As they stepped back to the town, they found the CMC acting like guards. "What are you doing?" Twilight asked.

"We’re seein' if we can get our cutie marks for bein' in the military." Apple Bloom said. The mane six looked at each other.

"I'm afraid to ask but why are you lined up like that?" She asked.

"Because I'm here." Walking up dressed like a general was Discord.

"Discord, what are you doin' with mah sister?" Applejack asked her eyes narrowing at him.

"I'm just trying to make amends for scaring them with that whole "dragon" nonsense a while ago. Besides, I already owe them for all the chaos they spread." Discord said with a chuckle. "Recruits, at ease." Discord told the fillies in his best general voice. The three fillies complied and turned back to their sisters and sister figure. 

"So how was your trip to Prance, Rarity?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"It was fun actually, I may try to open a shop there." Rarity started. Applejack turned to Discord.

"Wait a minute, ya'll were that dragon?" She asked. Discord gave a kinda smile that was goofy yet serious.

"Well yes, you see that hot spring they found was actually an important place for my race one of the few places still in existence mind you and I can't have it ruined it would be like me up and destroying every piece of history your race has." Discord finished. The CMC decided to remove some of the armor. Like always they didn't get their cutie mark.

"Again this is almost ridiculous." Scootaloo said. "I think we may never get cutie marks." Scoot said with a depressed tone. 

"Don't worry about it, you just haven't found your special talent." Rainbow Dash said. However, Discord reappeared right next to her, wearing a lab coat. 

"Actually this is suspicious if you ask me." He grabbed Scootaloo in his hands. "Let’s see?" He looked her over, then Sweetie belle, and Apple Bloom. He even gave Sweetie Belle a lick with a snake tongue. He finally got up. "Yeah, you three are incapable of getting cutie marks, and it’s not me being mean or evil, It’s a fact, you three are genetically nigh immune to harmony kinda like my cultists, only this is natural."

"Wha... you mean... we're gonna be blank flanks forever?" Scootaloo asked. The three fillies exchanged a look before bursting out into tears. The mane six all glared at Discord.

"What the hay did you say that for?!" Rainbow Dash growled.

"I suppose I could've been more tactful, but I'm the lord of chaos, subtlety isn't exactly my strong suit." Discord answered.

"Still, what do you mean they're immune to harmony?" Twilight asked. "That doesn't make sense."

"Allow me to explain," Discord started. "Equestria is naturally saturated with harmony magic. It's what allows you ponies to manipulate the weather and the land. It's also what gives you ponies your cutie marks. Now, through some delicate breeding and time, these three have a natural near immunity to harmony magic. It's also why most of their endeavors end up in glorious messes. These three don't have one singular talent. They could tackle just about anything if they didn't have their child-like attention span."

While Twilight had to agree with some points, in others she was still confused. "So is it just these three or what’s going on?" Discord sat down in a fancy chair wearing a professor robes and a pipe.

"Well if you must know this happens given enough time, sometimes a random mutation will spring up to either aid or harm a species, now there are races immune or resistant to harmony magic or like mine the natural opposite, During my time ruling you ponies about 10% of the earth ponies 5% of pegasi and around 8% of unicorns had a gene to help resist harmony. Amazingly, I must add that this gene has become more common than ever and these three are the logical end of it and most likely your species’ future being immune or highly resistant to harmony."

"But, how is that a good thing? Isn't working together the entire reason we've gotten through all of our trials?" Fluttershy asked.

"True, but you are forgetting the biggest drawback to harmony, stagnation. You all need chaos more than you think. Chaos can be as damaging as all out anarchy, but it can also be that creative little spark that leads to the creation of the greatest of inventions. Rarity here uses chaos whenever she thinks of new fashions. A little chaos is what makes life as interesting as it is."

Discord was now back to his normal self. "My kind despite being total opposed to harmony magic amazingly did not act without thinking, we chose to live with nature itself, so even races totally opposed to harmony magic can form bonds." He finished up. "Well I'll let this sink in I'm late to go surfing." He held a solar surface proof surfboard and a lot of sunscreen. "Cya." In a flash he was gone.

Rainbow Dash scratched her head with a hoof for a moment before saying, "I don't know if I liked the old Discord better than the new reformed Discord."

"Me too!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I mean I know he turned us against each other but chocolate rain was amazing! Oh, and he didn't claim to be my daddy. That still gives me nightmares." Pinkie finished with a shudder before returning to her usual self.

"I don't know girls, he has been oddly helpful lately. He's still a jerk, but he's really illuminated a few dark spots in our knowledge." Twilight offered.

"Well he seems to be planning something too." Rainbow pointed out. "Then there’s also Malthael and his group, Nightmare Moon’s with him, so is Trixie and that Sunset girl, then there’s Prance." Rainbow finished. Twilight thought for a moment. Things seem to be starting to become complicated very fast. 

"It almost seems like Discord is actually planning ahead, yet it’s impossible to say what he will do." Twilight said.

On the sun Discord was surfing the solar storms looking out at the star system almost laughing as he fell into a sunspot. He put his claws into the air, in Equestria Celestia saw what looked like the sun color shift. She chose to ignore it. Elsewhere Malthael's group saw the light of the sun flicker. They shrugged it off. In Prance however the council looked at it for a moment and took it as a sign of good luck.

On her way to the spa however the mane six saw Luna. "Princess what are you doing here?" Rarity asked. The princess of the night turned to the unicorn.

"I need to let off my stress, I almost started a fight with Discord."

Twilight interrupted, "The whole, his face on the moon thing?" she asked.

"Yes and Malthael’s removal of Nightmare Moon isn't as complete as I’d like to believe, I share my dreams with her now."

"You share your dreams with her? What's that like?"

"I'd rather not talk about it." Luna said shuddering.

"Is something wrong? Is she threatening you?"

"No, nothing like that. Like I said, I'd rather not talk about it."

"Well, uh, I hope you have a good spa visit." Twilight said.

"Oh, I intend to. This is over a thousand years overdue." Luna answered with a chuckle.
----------------------------------------
-------------The group led Chrysalis back to their home and let her get settled into a room, Chrysalis sat across from the other three while Sunset sat between Moon and Trixie. Mal went back to the map room alone to figure out where he wanted to go next, while the girls stayed with Chrysalis. She looked along the rather strange group of girls and had to ask. "How did all of you meet Malthael?"

Sunset was the first one up. "Well I was once Celestia’s student, I kinda had a falling out with her, ended up in another world... Anyway, I found him in a frozen cave in the north." Sunset finished. Trixie was next.

"Trixie was being attacked by ursas when Malthael and Sunset saved her, after Trixie touched Sunset’s hands she became this."

Then came Moon, "Technically I met him when he walked in and ripped me from Luna’s soul, however I was revived by my cultists and like this little cutie." She gave a wink to Trixie who blushed. "Sunset here turned me into this.... I must say it’s an improvement." She gave Sunset a kiss on the neck causing her to shudder from it, a hard blush on her cheeks.

"Malthael seems to have a thing for saving lives doesn't he?"

"Yeah, he kinda does." Sunset said with a giggle.

"He calls himself the Angel of Death yet he saves ponies left and right. Trixie must admit it is one of his more admirable qualities." Trixie added.

"I agree, he's quite powerful, and yet he never lords it over others. If I had his power then I don't know what I'd do with it." Moon said.

"I know if I had his power then I would've been able to save my hive." Chrysalis added. "Instead, I watched them all slowly starve, giving me what little energy they had left in some vain hope that I'd be able to start over. If I had his power then I would've never had to invade Canterlot. My hive… my poor children... they would've never had to suffer for my incompetence."

Moon was touched by the poor dear. She had Luna’s memories and knew that the Changelings lived in the bad lands. She walked to the Changeling/human and gave her a hug. "It's ok you’re with us now... You can start a new family with us if you would like." Chrysalis herself returned the hug to moon. She didn't know why but she felt happiness with them.

"Thank you." She said. Sunset gave a sigh.

"Ok I have something to tell you, Moon Trixie." The two looked at her. "Mal agreed to being with you... And Moon...." She sighed again. "That includes me as well." Moon pulled her to her with a bit of magic. She gave her a kiss right there.

Sunset pulled away before the kiss could progress too far. "I really should've expected that reaction." Sunset said with a slight grin.

"It's because you don't that makes it so satisfying." Moon returned with a mischievous smirk. 

"Still, we should continue this conversation later." Sunset said, backing away from Moon. "Chrysalis you're welcome to stay as long as you like. Is there anything else you'd like to know since you'll be living with us?"

Chrysalis herself had just seen the two kiss and could feel lust and even love in there. It was tasty and yet addictive, she blushed. "Well do you think that maybe I could... ummm." Moon giggled a bit at this. It seemed like Malthael may have unknowingly snagged another girl in his little harem.

"Oh I'm sure of it." She said getting right up into Chrysalis’ face. She then moved to whisper in her ear. "Maybe we could have some private time as well? Or maybe the two of us should have all the fun?" Chrysalis felt herself heat up. This was unlike anything she felt before. Sunset watched as Moon was seducing Chrysalis, and succeeding. Sunset’s mind flashed an image of those two together. She blushed immediately.

"Sunset, is it just Trixie or does Mal have a way to collect girls." Trixie whispered to Sunset. 

"Yeah, looks like I've got another person who's going to share his bed besides me."

"Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous, but Mal and I agreed we'd give it a shot."

"Okay, so, would it be fine if Trixie spent time with him?"

Sunset gave a Trixie a smile. "Well you better hurry before Moon gets to him." Trixie moved out of the room to get to him. Sunset turned back to see Moon giving Chrysalis a surprise kiss. The Changeling/human was shocked at first but slowly she gave in and kissed Moon back. Sunset herself watched on as the two groped each other. Moon gave Chrysalis a squeeze on her breast. Chrysalis moaned at this. Sunset blushed. Moon finished the kiss and turned to her.

"You know you can join in if you wish?"

"Yeah, I'm actually gonna go study. Now that my magic's back I need to see how much I've forgotten. You two have fun though." Sunset said, blushing and walking out of the room.

"Don't worry, we will." Moon called back to her.

Trixie walked into the map room and saw that Mal was still in there, a serious expression on his face. "Hi Mal," She said pulling his attention away from the map.

"Hey Trixie, how's tricks?" Mal asked, his normal grin returning.

"Trixie was wondering how your planning is going?"

"It's going alright. I was thinking of going to this area here." He replied, pointing to the northern island which looked like it had a volcano near the marked settlement, while Trixie moved in next to him.

"Sounds good, so Sunset told us something interesting," Trixie started placing a hand on Mal's chest.

"And what would that be?" Mal asked, looking a little flush.

"That you two are willing to share." Trixie finished before planting a kiss on Mal's lips.
---------------------------------------------------
--------------------Rainbow Dash was on a cloud. She really needed this time to chill to relax. The last few days were hectic to say the least. As she opened her eyes she saw armored griffins with swords and spears at hand or talon rather.

"What's going on?" She asked, getting up and saw a griffin male. A scar came across where his left eye was he had other scars along his face his claws sharpened with feathers in a weird position and signs of massive scars on his body. Not only that but he had the kind of build that basically screamed fighting him was suicide.

"I am Gurfon, I am Gilda’s father." Suddenly, Rainbow Dash felt the kind of dread you get when you know you’re going to die. He held his claw out with lightning literally channeling in his talons.

'He can use magic! Come on!' Rainbow thought.

"I am here to kill you for what you did to my daughter." Somehow, Rainbow blamed Discord, it didn't matter if he did this or the fact that he warned her this may happen. 

"Yeah I'm out of here." Rainbow took off going as hard as she could. The griffins amazingly followed closely behind her. Finally, she sonic rainboomed away. "Yes." A roar of thunder was heard as a bolt of lightning slammed into her. Well more of a body sized blast. Rainbow fell on the ground and felt a foot of her chest. 

"I must commend you on your speed if I hadn't acted fast enough I might not have reached you in time." He said picking her up by the neck.

The rainboom was seen away in Ponyville. "What do you think rainbow needed to do in a hurry?" Pinkie asked.  

Rainbow herself hit her hooves on the griffin’s face. His grip never lessened and he turned back to her. 'Sweet Celestia.'

The fact that the griffin looked amused said it all. "Good I’ll find this more amusing if you can actually fight back." He said. By the time the others got there, they saw Rainbow slam into a nearby rock and a bolt of lightning in the air as Gilda’s father’s talons charged up more lighting.

He fired it at her  and Rainbow somehow got out of the way in time, the attack crashing into the bolder, well it was now pebbles. A gust of wind slammed into her causing Rainbow to smash into the nearby tree. Twilight attempted to use her magic only for it to somehow not work. The necklace around the griffin’s neck glowed signaling an attempted magic attack. Right as he had his talons on Rainbow. "Who dares to interrupt her execution?

"I do, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Who do you think you are to attack one of the Elements of Harmony?" Gilda's father let out an amused chuckle before turning towards Twilight.

"It seems Celestia has neglected teaching you a few things if you cannot recognize me. I am Gurfon, king of Griffonia and Gilda's father."

> The Rainbow Crisis
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight paled, she had no idea how to deal with this situation. If this were any other griffon she could use her title to put an end to this. Now she'd have to tread carefully. "I'm sorry sir, you are correct. I should've recognized an ally of Equestria. But I must insist that you not execute Rainbow Dash, despite the crimes she's committed in your culture."

"It’s more than that actually." Gurfon said. Twilight paused, for a moment things could not get any worse. He tossed her a piece of paper. "By decree of Princess Gilda of the Griffin Empire, the pegasus Rainbow Dash is granted the title as honorary griffin and a citizen of the griffin Empire." Twilight saw something else a seal.... Celestia approved this.

Twilight blinked at this for a few moments. 'Crap.' She thought.

"Wait a minute Gilda looked like a normal griffin?" Pinkie asked.

"She wanted to go to your flight school as a normal griffin seeing how you ponies act around immortal royalty she thought it was for the best." He said. Rainbow Dash was just barely awake enough to hear this. "By that document she has committed treason as a citizen as well." The king said.

"Oh horse apples." Twilight muttered. "King Gurfon, please, as I said Rainbow Dash is an Element of Harmony. If she were to die then there's no telling what could happen. I don't know if there are exceptions to these sorts of things, but please make one this time." Twiight was hoping this wouldn't happen, she was begging at this point. 

"I'm afraid there are no exceptions, our laws are very clear." The king said his pension for the law was strong. 

"Then would you please allow Rainbow Dash and Gilda make up, she didn't understand Griffon culture." Twilight asked well begged 

"Is that so, I might be able to arrange this, but if she doesn't want to, your friend will die." Gurfon said with an icy tone.
He let go of Rainbow, and turned to his soldiers. "I want you two send word to the capital see if my daughter is willing to do this." He said to the two guards who gave off a chest salute. The other griffins stood at attention. "You three will stay with me it will be good for you new recruits to get experience in case things get ugly." He said. After they managed to get Rainbow dash back up 
Twilight herself had to send word to the princesses, and fast. At her palace Celestia suddenly got an emergency letter.
Celestia read the letter and her eyes widened at what she read.

Dear Princess Celestia, We are experiencing a very huge problem. King Gurfon is demanding the execution of Rainbow Dash. This wouldn't be so much of an issue if she wasn't an honorary citizen of Griffonia. Not to be disrespectful but, WHAT THE HAY WERE YOU THINKING! You approved of this? Because of this and Rainbow Dash's ignorance we have to be careful or Rainbow Dash will die. Please, I don't know how to deal with this, and I need your help.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle

'Oh, I never expected any of this to happen. I just wanted to improve Equestria's relations with foreign countries. Still, Gurfon may be stubborn, but he's not unreasonable.' "Guards, prepare my carriage I have matters that I must attend to." Celestia herself however thanked her lucky stars. If the Griffin Queen had found Rainbow, she shuddered and thanked anyone who watched over this.

Queen Griffa looked at Discord in confusion. The god appeared right in front of her and did not let her leave.  "I must find that rainbow pegasus." Discord looked at her with him were living puppets.

"Really? I hadn’t noticed." Griffa glared at him. Her eyes twitching at the god of chaos.

"If you weren't vastly more powerful than me I would have killed you and continued on my quest." She growled. Discord paused for a moment. Then smiled.

"Sure why not." He said. With a snap of his talons, he disappeared.

In Celestia’s carriage a card with elegant, cursive writing appeared right in front of her. "You owe me." It simply said. Celestia had a feeling she would regret this.

With the mane six Rainbow was being looked at by the guards. Gurfon stood there, patiently. "Why do you look like that?" Pinkie asked.

The God-like king of the Griffins looked at her. "If you must know I'm active on the battle field, I also have faced beings like your Princess and myself before." Gurfon simply said. a Griffin landed with a letter. Gurfon picked it up. "It seems that my daughter is coming to see you pegasus." He gave her a look.

"Good, I need to talk to her. Whatever happens, I need to settle things between us."

"Rainbow, ya do know that if things go wrong yer gonna die?"

"I was thrown through a boulder Applejack, I think I know the consequences. I deserve anything that happens. I didn't bother to learn anything about where Gilda came from. I was a terrible friend, and I need to face the consequences." All of a sudden Gilda landed in regal gold armor. 
"Well, hey there Dash, You look like you've seen better days." Gilda said pointing a claw at Rainbow's injuries, her face unreadable.

"Yeah, well I brought it on myself." Rainbow Dash replied. "Gilda, I'm sorry. I should've bothered to learn something about you and where you're from. Hay, I didn't even know your dad was a king. And even if I didn't learn anything about you, I should've talked to you when you blew up at that party. Instead, I blew up right back and threw you out, I was, and probably still am, an awful friend and I don't deserve to be an honorary citizen of your country." Rainbow Dash said, tears streaming down her face.
Gilda had lighting appear in her hand. Everypony looked away as did rainbow dash. The bolt was fired......... The chains on Rainbow’s wings fell off. "I'm not dead?" Rainbow asked.

"You’re not the only one who was a bad friend, I should have told you more about my kind long ago, and I should have been more understanding about the fact you had other friends." Gilda said. Her helmet was removed, showing the feathers on her head were in a crown like form.

The carriage with Celestia finally came. She walked out. "King Gurfon, Princess Gilda." She said. At seeing Dash was not a fried slab of meat she breathed a sigh of relief. "I take it things have worked out." Gurfon looked her in the eyes.

"I've known you for a thousand years Celestia you can't hide the fact that you are stressed out about this from me." Celestia nodded.

"It had more to do with the thought of your wife finding her." Celestia shuddered a moment.

"Yes she can be very vengeful." Gurfon said.

"Oh really?" Behind them came a female griffin who looked a lot like Gilda landed. "Well this pegasus is just lucky my daughter chose to forgive her when I came."

"You didn't have to come, mom. I could've handled things no matter how things went down." Gilda said with a sigh at her mother's appearance.

"I just wanted to make sure that the other five didn't try to interrupt any proper punishment." "Yeah, like me and dad couldn't take'em. You know you should be back home, monitoring the borders. Those non-Equestrian ponies have been a real pain lately."

"I don't need to be lectured by my own daughter, and I think the generals can handle things for a little while."

"Non-Equestrian ponies? Do you mean Prance?" Celestia asked. The griffin queen gave her a look.

"Yes their airships have been moving close to our borders routinely. I usually don't mind it but it’s starting to go on a lot more than usual, the nearby fortified city has become an actual fortress because of this and is waiting for an attack." The griffin queen finished. 

"We went there, they’ve been having trouble with mercenary guilds and a few pirates." Twilight said. The queen looked at the alicorn. 

"Question, who are you?" She asked. Twilight was about to tell her when Gurfon whispered into her ear. "Really? I wonder why you’ve never attempted to make an alicorn stallion? I thought your sister wanted to get married, you know before the whole Nightmare Moon thing?" She asked. 

"Well the alicorn ascension is complex,” Celestia started

“I could do that spell if you asked me." A voice was heard. On a cloud made of chocolate was Discord. In one hand a tea cup which he was eating. "Oh yes, before I forget, happy Draconequus Day, Pinkie Pie." He tossed his half daughter a cup with chocolate in it. "Place any drink in it, and it becomes something sweet."

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Why would you do that? You never give something out the kindness of your heart." Discord gave her a smile.

"Oh come on Celestia, I'm reformed now. That means I'm trying to reform my personality. So let me just gather a little energy and..." Discord said with a crack of his talons and paw and pointed a talon directly at Twilight. All of a sudden she was bathed in a white glow and she... make that he fell to the ground as the dust settled.

"Ow what the hay just happened?" Twilight asked as (s)he rubbed a hoof against his/her head. Everyone present minus Discord stood agape at the new alicorn prince.
"What? What are you all looking at?"

"Umm... Twilight, there's no easy way to say this, but you're a stallion now." Rarity said. Twilight looked himself/herself over and his/her eyes widened. (S)he looked like (s)he wanted to scream but nothing came out. "If it makes you feel any better you're very handsome." Rarity offered with a weak smile. Twilight glared at Discord. That set Twilight off, (s)he screamed his/her lungs out for several long moments until (s)he finally shot Discord an icy stare.

"Discord, change me back right now." (S)he growled.

Discord frowned at this. "Fine." With a snap of his fingers Twilight was returned to normal. He turned to Celestia. "Oh before I go Celestia, you should ask how Pinkie Pie does what she does." He snapped his fingers and a chew toy was given to Pinkie. "This is for your pet." He popped out of existence. Celestia turned to Twilight.

"Before I ask, Twilight, I personally get the feeling this is how he acted before the whole burn the forest mess." Celestia said.

"So did we reform him or not?"

Celestia ignored it. "Just tell me about, Pinkie. We can debate whether we did anything about him or not later." Pinkie pie bounced up.

"My mommy got roped into his cult and they did a weird ritual, basically he claims to be my daddy." Celestia reaction was almost pure instinct, her brain had fried, and she hit Pinkie Pie in the face.

Almost everyone was shocked by what they had just seen, all except Gilda who was rolling on the ground laughing. "Oh Damn, I didn't know that you had that in you Celestia. Just, Wham, right in the face!"

"I'm sorry Pinkie Pie, I have no idea what just came over me." Celestia said, pulling Pinkie up. 

"Don't worry about it, Princess, that piece of news hit me in the face when I heard it. If it hadn't been for Mal and the rest of my friends I might still be sad."

"Mal?" Celestia asked looking confused.

"That's what Sunset and the others who travel with Malthael call him." Twilight answered. 

"And he helped Pinkie deal with this news?" She asked.

"Yes though he seemed to be more concerned with the whole he says his name and everypony oh sorry everyone faints." Gilda was a bit confused by this.

"Really? What’s so wrong with his name?" the griffin princess asked.

"His name is Malthael, The Angel of Death." The three griffins paused.

"With a name like that, of course, anything else?" Twilight turned to add.

"He’s traveling with Nightmare Moon."

"Wait, this guy is so tough that he can have Nightmare Moon follow him? I kinda want to meet this Mal."

"I agree, he sounds like a proud warrior." Gurfon added.

"Honestly, he's more like a goofy jerk." Rainbow Dash said. "Though when he tied that cult leader to a ceiling fan, that was pretty funny." She admitted with a chuckle.

"So do you guys know where this Mal guy is?" Gilda asked.

"Oh I think I may have accidentally sent him to some islands off the coast of Prance. I'm sure he's been busy making all sorts of friends." Discord said nonchalantly.

Everyone jumped a bit at that. "How’d you do that?" Gilda asked. Discord looked his talons over.

"Do what?" He asked.

Everyone decide to stop trying to figure it out. "What islands?" Twilight asked. Discord himself looked her right in the face.

"Oh it doesn't matter, the islands are unexplored by you ponies and Mal’s having a blast, why I think those three, Sunset Shimmer, Trixie Lulamoon and Nightmare Moon have fallen in love with him. Honestly, I thought about giving him my card, I'm a certified wedding planner." He pulled up a certificate from the minotaur nation. "I'm also a fog specialist, a teacher, oh and I'm a scientist." Each one of them was certified form a non-pony source. "Oh and as the object of worship, an Avatar of chaos, and a former ruler I can legally marry people."

"Wha... what do you mean they've fallen in love with him?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, what could they possibly see in that guy?" Rainbow Dash added.

"Well he did save all of their lives, or in Moon's case, gave her a life. That might be an attractive quality to most girls." Discord said with a shrug.

"Damn, this Mal got Nightmare Moon to follow him and to fall for him. Are you sure he's just a goofy jerk, Dash."

"Wait a second, Discord when you said the most wonderful form of chaos there is... did you mean love?" Twilight asked.

"Very good Twilight!" Discord said with an explosion of confetti. "I was wondering if you'd ever figure that out."

"How is love chaos?" Rarity asked. Discord gave a smile.

"Tell me, have you ever seen or known of someone who does something so stupid, or something he knows will either kill him or her or maybe them because of love? Love can make people do the most irrational things and a few times a problem will arise, all emotions have the chance of getting people to do something irrational and chaotic."
He pulled up a picture. "It showed Nightmare Moon kissing Sunset in Duskwood. "And sometimes it can change your perception of reality, like this, Nightmare Moon kissing Sunset and in love with both Mal and Sunset while Sunset loves Mal." He also smiled. "I get the feeling that Luna must be bi."

"Luna has never told me anything like that." Celestia said, mostly to herself.
> Relationships and Talks With a God
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The kiss of the magician was a surprise to Mal, however he adapted fast and returned her kiss. He honestly thought Moon would be the first to take advantage of his ok with polygamy. He managed to lift her up so she was on the table. As soon as they ended it he smiled. "Well I can now say I was kissed by a cute witch." He said. Trixie blushed.

"You think I'm cute?" She asked. Mal gave her another smile.

"Yes I do." Trixie gave him a kiss as the two of them had their tongues in each other’s mouths, the kiss getting deeper and deeper, before reluctantly pulling away from each other.

"So, I gotta say, I'm impressed you got to me before Moon did." Trixie giggled and Mal smiled at the pleasant sound of it.

"It wasn't that hard. She's a little distracted by the newest member of our group."

Mal chuckled at this piece of information. "Yeah, that does sound like Moon. That girl is flirty as hell. So, is there anything you wanted other than that kiss?" Mal asked, not realizing the implications of the question.

"Slow down there boy. Trixie isn't as easy as that." Trixie said patting Mal's cheek. "Even for a man such as yourself. But if you're good Trixie might let you cuddle with her."

"I think I could live with that. I have been curious if you sleep in the hat and cape." Mal replied with a smirk.

Trixie blushed. "Sometimes Trixie does." She said. The two stayed like that for a few moments with Trixie burying her head in Mal’s chest with his arms around her. "Trixie wishes she could be in your arms forever." She said. A sudden stab of sadness shot though her. Mal looked at the girl in his arms.

"Trixie, what do you mean?" He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like this.

"Trixie was a unicorn, she can't live forever like Moon or Sunset can with you. Eventually, Trixie will get old and die, while the rest of you will hardly change." Trixie had a tear roll down her cheek.

Mal felt extremely bad, there had to be a way to give her what she wanted. 'I really wish I knew a way to let her be with me forever.' He thought. He came across several ways looking through his mind. He was goofy but for good reason, he was smart and Malthael still held wisdom  like from the games. "Don't worry Trixie I'll find a way, I'm death and I will not see you die." He promised. Trixie looked at him.

"Thank you." She gave him a kiss. A few moments later Trixie had left, leaving Mal alone. 

Suddenly a flash of light was seen, he was staring at Discord, who was somewhat confused. "Discord!" Mal screamed. Discord  turned to him.

"Mal... What is this place?" He asked. Honestly Discord was heading to do something funny when he was suddenly thrown into a pocket dimension within two pocket dimensions.

"This is my home." Mal said. Discord tapped the walls.

"Most amazing this room’s a pocket dimension within a bigger pocket dimension within a bigger pocket dimension all within an object smaller than the compared size of the object, no wonder why I smashed into this, my teleportation was pretty general in location." He did a few more tests.

'Pocket dimension with a pocket dimension? Damn it there's another joke I could make here!' "So Discord, did you want to stay for a while? Since you're here already you might as well stay for a visit."

"Why thank you Mal, I suppose I could stay for a nightcap." Discord said stroking his beard. 

"Good," Mal said, leading Discord out of the map room, "but first." He finished before punching Discord in the face, Discord's face collapsed in on itself in a cartoonish way. "That's for teleporting the girls and me without our consent." Discord pulled out his face and crossed his arms and shot him a cross look.

"Don't you think that was an overreaction?"

"No," Mal stated flatly. "An overreaction would be me attempting to pull out your soul and see what I could do with it. You earned that punch.”

"Fine, let's just go get that drink." Mal led Discord into the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine that some of Moon's cultists had given them and two glasses.

"Hey Discord, I know there's a whole process if we wanna be proper about this. Would you use your magic and speed that up?"

"Oh just open the bottle I'm not one for proper procedure." Mal shrugged and poured the two of them their glasses.

"By the way, drink the wine and not the glass." Mal said.

"What makes you think I'd do that?"

"You're the god of chaos, unorthodox behavior is a given."

"Touché." Discord answered, taking a sip. "So, how are you and Sunset doing?" Mal smiled a little before replying.

"We're doing great. I don't know what I'd do without that girl."

Mal then looked at Discord. "What about you? What have you done?" Discord thought for a moment.

"Well I gave a cup that turns any drink into something sweet to Pinkie Pie, honestly I'm a bit shocked I helped give rise to the Element of Laughter, no wonder why she seemed to like my rain she had a piece of me in her." Mal laughed at this. "Honestly the irony seemed almost lost on me." They took another sip of their drink. "Anyway, turns out Dashie got caught by her old friend’s father, the king of the griffins and co-ruler of Griffonia." Mal paused.

"I'm guessing they’re like alicorns for griffins?" Discord nodded.

"You’d be correct, though it’s more of a king and queen sort of deal rather than two princesses. They’re daughter became friends with Rainbow when she took a more normal Griffin form, certainly shocked them all anyway. I suspect they’ll reconcile their differences soon enough."

He gave a laugh of his own. "Oh and Tia’s going to talk to Luna about her sexual orientation, as you can guess Nightmare Moon and Luna were the same being." He finished, he gave Mal laugh. "You know as an avatar of chaos, a former ruler and a being of worship I'm basically able to conduct a marriage. I'm also certified to plan a wedding." He said holding his minotaur certification that he got while disguised as one.

"And you're telling me this because?" Mal asked, Discord handed him his card and shrugged. "I'm just saying, You, Sunset, Trixie, and Moon might want to tie the knot someday."

"Thanks I guess, but Sunset and I just agreed to give the whole polygamy thing a shot. Besides, it's not just those three anymore. We found a changeling called Chrysalis and judging by Moon's reaction to her, she might be joining this whole crazy relationship." Mal said with a smirk. Discord spat out his sip of wine all over Mal before laughing uproariously.

"You certainly are full of surprises, Mal." Mal got up and wiped the wine from his face.

"I guess you're right, but you do realize that your actions have started a war?" Mal asked before spitting wine on Discord. And thus, this started an epic wine fight that would be told for future generations.

After the whole wine fight they had a mess. Discord himself looked at the mess. "Well seeing as how I'm a guest." He snapped his talons. 

The mess was gone though it had the new car smell. "Thanks I guess." Discord looked at Mal.

"Before I entered here I thought I may have heard a conversation ending, can you tell me what it was about?" Discord asked. Mal rolled his eyes.

"Question do you have some kinda awareness?" He asked, Discord thought for a moment. 

"Maybe." Mal rubbed his hands though his hair.

"Ok, it’s Trixie, she’s upset because she doesn't have the eternal life thing the others have." Discord raised an eyebrow. Elsewhere a magic spell’s notes disappeared. Discord held out his hands. 

"Here, these are from an old enemy Star Swirl, these may help you with that." Discord suddenly started to ring, he pulled out a clock form his mouth. "Seems I must be off." He said, he touched the air to create a portal seeing as how it was far easier.

"I owe that guy another drink." Mal said, a wild grin spreading on his face. “Now, I gotta put these notes in a safe place, tell Trixie the good news, and tomorrow the two of us can work on giving her eternal life." Mal said, walking into the study of his pocket dimension home and placing the notes Discord gave him in a folder, and walked upstairs to put on his sleepwear. He walked up to the door to Trixie's room and knocked.

"Come in," Trixie called out from the other side. Mal strode in and looked at Trixie in her purple pajamas. 

"How's my lovely little witch doing?" Mal asked. 

Trixie giggled and replied,"Trixie is good. So, what brings you to Trixie's room at this hour?"

"Well, I had some good news for you, and I wanted to see if the offer for cuddles was still available?" Trixie arched an eyebrow at Mal.

"What's this good news you have for Trixie?"

"Discord just stopped by and he gave me notes that may help you become immortal like me. I was thinking we could work on it. I want to keep you around for a long time Trixie." Tears welled up in Trixie's eyes and she rushed over to Mal and threw her arms around him and showered him in a flurry of kisses before planting a long, passionate one on his lips.

"Thank you so much Mal! Trixie... I love you so much." She said, nuzzling into Mal's chest. Mal ran a hand through her long, silver hair and smiled at her.

"I love you too Trixie. Does this mean I can have that cuddle?"

Trixie gave him a smile. "Trixie doesn't see why not." The blue skinned girl had a blush and with that the two cuddled and soon fell asleep. 

On the sofa Chrysalis and Moon lied together, having fallen asleep. Well Chrysalis fell asleep because of over eating. The Changeling couldn't believe how good love tasted and made one feel when it came from someone who willingly gave it to her. She slightly recalled a rumor of one such changeling who found a pony who fell in love with them. However, while this had happened she soon fell asleep from it. Moon fell asleep as well, mostly in response to Chrysalis who fell asleep first. Her dreams were first, with her simply moving about the dream world. She spied Sunset’s dream. Looking into it, she saw Sunset with a baby and Mal. The next dream was Trixie’s. She had herself with alicorn wings. Finally she came across Chrysalis who was with Mal and Moon herself. Suddenly she was pulled by the current. She landed in her pony form to see Luna.

"Hello sister." Nightmare Moon started.

"Huh, hello, Moon. I have heard some rather interesting news regarding you and Malthael." Luna sighed.

"Ooh, and what kind of news would that be?"

"Discord seems to believe that you've fallen in love with him and young Sunset Shimmer." Moon let out a throaty chuckle before replying. "Oh he would be correct about that. Those two are simply intoxicating."

"Did you know that he murdered our mother and father?" Moon's air of superiority fell and all that was left was a simple mare.

"I do know that. It was hard to believe at first, and I really did want to kill him for it at first. I'm ashamed to admit that I had the odd fantasy of killing him. But, I'm over that. I never really knew our parents, but I do know Mal. Despite all the power he has, and all the suffering he's been through he's so gentle."

"When he looks at me he doesn't see Nightmare Moon the mare who almost ended Equestria with eternal night. He sees Moon, his headstrong and forward friend, and possibly lover. Mal is one of the sweetest and kindest people that I have ever known, and I love him, completely and truly. Even if he never really loves me the way I know he does Sunset, I'd follow him anywhere. Sunset was right about him. He is more than his power and title. He is a caring and selfless man, and I'd do anything for him." Moon finished tears of joy welling up in her eyes.

Luna almost had to ask herself if this was really Nightmare Moon. She recalled her not being like this. 'Her love for him changed her.' Luna thought. Now she had to talk with her about. "I have something I wish to discuss, Tia said Discord had with him a picture of you kissing Sunset, and that’s how she found out my sexual orientation." Luna said with a bit of a glare.

“How did it go?" Moon asked. Luna's eyes twitched.

"Oh she asked me which mares I found attractive." Moon gave her a look. 

"You mean Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack?" She asked. Luna eye twitched again. "Well at least you didn't tell her about your little love shine to Discord." Moon finished. Luna’s eyes widened in shock.

"How do you know about that?" She demanded.

"Do we really have to go over this again?" Moon said with a roll of her eyes. "I was a part of you Luna. And apparently you fell into one of the most cliché categories of mares the, ‘I know he's bad, but if I give him love then he can change!’ crowd. I'm really glad I didn't inherit that from you. Though I guess I did a little considering how cute I find it when Sunset is difficult." Moon finished with a giggle. "Still, I'm guessing Celestia was supportive. She never was one for sexual discrimination."

"She was too supportive!" Luna boomed. "She pulled out a book detailing the more ‘intimate’ nature of mare on mare relationships and then tried to set me up on a blind date with a stallion and a mare!"

"Did you at least try to stop her?" Moon asked. Luna gave her a look.

"They only way to stop her was to fight her or look threatening, I can never do that." Luna started trying to sound regal.

"Because she sees you as a cute little sister? The only time she ever did see you as threatening was when I was in control?" Luna's bravado fell at this. "You know, you should ask Celestia about you going out with Discord, maybe that will shut her up?" Moon smiled.

Luna actually laughed for a while at this. "I'm pretty sure that would send Tia to an asylum, or she might send me to the moon again. She did hit Pinkie Pie in the face when she revealed when she was Discord's half-daughter." Moon returned the laughter at hearing this piece of news.

"I would pay to see our normally composed sister just break like that. That poor dear Pinkie probably had no idea what hit her."

"True, maybe I should try to court Discord just to see the look on Tia's face." Luna said, still smiling.

Moon smiled as well. Luna herself gave Moon a hug. "I guess you accept me as a sister?" Moon asked. Luna thought it over for a moment.

"Sure why not, I honestly think you’re kind of like my twin sibling." Luna said. The two shared a long hug before going their separate ways.

The next day Luna headed to the garden. "Now where would Discord be?" She asked.

> Breaking Celestia
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"And then I said to the yeti, tan up, and I sent him to the tropics, long story short he found a girl and I became his best man." Discord was seen with a solar guard who was tied up by his own spear.

"Please, I'm sorry about trying to attack you.... Just make it stop." The guard cried.


Luna walked up to Discord with a sly smile on her face. "Hello Discord, how are you this morning?" Discord turned back to Luna with an arched eyebrow.

"I'm fine Luna, how are you today?"

"I'm well, I have a proposition for you."

"Wait what about me?" The guard pony asked. Discord looked at the guard for a moment.

"If you be quiet, I'll let you out." Discord said. He looked at the princess. "So what you want to talk about?" He asked.

Celestia was holding court the door finally opened. "Hello sister." Luna said walking in.

"Luna your up early what do you wish to talk about?" She asked. The princess of the moon had the kind of look where you’re about to tell someone you’re in a relationship.

"I found someone I love, sister." Celestia was overjoyed at this news.

"Oh so who is the lucky mare or stallion?" She asked.

"It’s kind of not a pony, actually." Celestia thought for a moment.

"Who? a Dragon, a griffin? Oh please don't tell me it’s Malthael?" she asked.

"No sister it’s not. I've been in love with him for a long time, centuries even."

That narrowed it down to only a handful. "Who is it?" Celestia asked with barely contained anticipation. Behind Luna a head and body popped out.

"It’s me." It was.... Discord.

At seeing this, Celestia’s sanity went bye-bye. "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" she screamed her mouth foaming at the seams and her body thrashing about until finally she was on the ground kicking about. Finally, her brain shattered. She twitched a bit while she had a blank expression. Discord recorded it all on a small video camera before putting it away.

Luna snickered at her sister's reaction. "She took that better than I thought she would." She said.

"I agree, dating you might be worth it just to get reactions like that out of Celestia." Discord added. 

"For once we are in complete agreement Discord. Now go put Tia to bed, I have to take over day court until she can process this."

Discord snapped his fingers sending Celestia to her bed. After about an hour her brain finally rebooted. She moaned as she barely stood up. Her head hurt. "What happened?" She tried to remember but her brain refused to. Each time she did her head hurt. Finally she gave up. Afterwards Luna came walking up to her.

"Sister, are you alright?" Luna asked.

"No I have a block, did something happen?"

Discord appeared right next to Luna. "So you forgot that me and Lulu are together?" Celestia’s mind broke slightly.

"Very funny."

"What makes you think I'm joking?" Discord asked. Celestia shot him an unamused look.

"Okay, I suppose I had that coming. Lulu, would you tell her?"

"He's not playing a prank sister. I really am going to court Discord." Celestia's eye twitched and she took a deep breath.

"Okay, I'm not going to freak out. Would you tell me why you are going to date Discord?" Celestia asked with some semblance of her composed demeanor.

"I happen to enjoy a challenge, and some of Discord's jokes can be funny."

"Only some, Lulu?"

"A lot of your jokes had me at the butt of them." Luna replied shooting Discord a stern look.

Discord sighed. "Ok my bad."

Celestia almost wanted to scream. Her mind suddenly had a vivid hallucination. She saw her sister. "Good to see you sister."

"Momma, momma," a cross between an alicorn and what Discord was came running to them. "I did it, my first chaos!" The little filly said.

"Where’s your father?" Luna asked, smiling warmly at her child. 

A pop into reality later Discord appeared. "You have no idea how fast that snowballed." The vision was gone as quickly as it had come.

"Ahhhh!" Celestia screamed, and with that unconsciousness. The two looked at Celestia.

"I wonder what all that was about?" Discord asked.

"I don't know, but we could always enter her dreams and find out."

"Ooh that sounds like a lot of fun. Lead the way, Lulu." Luna smiled up at the Draconequus and gathered the energy she needed to enter the dream realm. The two of them soon felt themselves drift away into the realm. Discord and Luna reappeared in a misty area filled with doors. "So, this is the dream realm." Discord said. "I must say whoever decorated this place needs to be fired."

Luna rolled his eyes at him, "This is the collective consciousness of all dreamers, it doesn't have an interior decorator."

"It was a jo…never mind let's just find out where Celestia's dream is." They suddenly got slammed by a current. "What was that?" He asked. Luna moaned.

"I rarely enter during the day because I somehow get slammed into other parts of the dream realm." Luna said. Discord stood up.

"Hey that’s not funny." No sound was heard. "Don't make me come up there." The dream realm became floating bubbles with land masses.

"Who were you taking to?" She asked. Discord looked at her a bit.

"Oh it was nothing I kinda have a certain awareness." He finished. They were suddenly grabbed into a bubble. They found Celestia looking at the three terrors of her mind.

"It’s raining chocolate at night, and we are very happy." Luna Discord and a filly hybrid said. 

"Enough, enough, this is not happening." Suddenly Celestia changed into something like Nightmare Moon. "At last, Solar flare!" They were suddenly pushed out.

"Oh my Chaos." They were thrown back into the real world. "Celestia has her own version of Nightmare Moon inside her soul." Discord said.

Discord and Luna rubbed their heads and both had a look of panic on their faces. "Discord, what the hay just happened?!" Luna cried.

"I don't entirely know. We may have caused Celestia enough stress to allow the darkness in her soul to take over. Or it may have just been part of the dream. I can't be completely sure, dreams are your expertise not mine."

"I haven't seen anything like this either. I've never been forced out of the dream realm before." Discord took a deep breath and steadied his nerves.

"Okay, we can't panic. This might be nothing. We should just have some guards monitor her and make sure there are no changes with her. I'll place a barrier that should keep her in her room, so even if she has given into darkness then she won't go anywhere. Now, let's go deal with day court and pray for the best."

"That sounds good." Luna agreed with a nod. The two exited the room and Discord placed his barrier around Celestia's bedchambers. The two started down the hallway and Discord chuckled.

"On a completely unrelated but hopefully calming note, that filly Celestia imagined us having, was adorable." Luna giggled and looked back to the lord of chaos.

"She was, in her own little chaotic way of course."
> Goblins, Daring Do, and Gargoyles, Oh My!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Back with Mal and his group, he and Trixie were pouring over the notes that Discord had given them. They had pulled out every book on magic and magic theory that was in the house and were using them to finish the equations that they had. Mal always considered himself to be pretty decent at math and physics, but this was literally an entirely different school of thought he was dealing with. Luckily, Trixie was with him every step of the way. She helped him fill in whatever blanks Mal may have had. He put his everything into learning the ins and outs of this world’s magic, determined to make Trixie’s dream a reality. Their work lasted over several days, neither of them getting more than a few minutes of sleep at a time. But all their work paid off in the end. Mal went over their research one last time and determined that they finally had what they were looking for. Trixie would gain immortality. He suggested that they wait to try it until they reached the next settlement. With nothing left to do, the two of them practically collapsed from exhaustion and mental fatigue.

Mal, Sunset Shimmer, Trixie Lulamoon, Nightmare Moon and finally Chrysalis were at the edge of the volcanic lands, despite it being. A bit colder the steam was a small amount of warm water was felt. "Let's stop here." He said. The charm flashed and the house was formed and the group walked into it. Chrysalis still couldn't believe it. Sunset headed for the new practice area it seemed to always change. Trixie herself looked over her notes. "So are you going to go use the spell?" Moon asked Trixie, her arms wrapping around Trixie from behind. Trixie blushed at this. "You know, perhaps we could have some time, Trixie?" She asked, "After your ascension."

"Sorry, but Trixie is still spending time with Mal. And she plans on celebrating the success of this spell with him." Trixie said with a smirk. "If it does work," Trixie muttered under her breath.

"Don't worry, it will work Trixie." Mal said placing a hand on her shoulder. Trixie placed one of her own hands over Mal's and smiled at the angel. "You will gain immortality, we checked those notes and restudied everything we could about magic theory. You're a talented woman Trixie, you can do it." Mal reassured. Trixie wiggled out of Moon's hug and wrapped her arms around Mal.

"Thank you, Trixie is looking forward to eternity with you." Trixie stated her confidence returning.

Mal and the others stepped away from Trixie to give her the necessary space to do the spell. Chrysalis, Moon, and Sunset threw up a barrier around Trixie in case anything went wrong. Trixie took several deep breaths and channeled magic into her hands. Arcs of electricity flew around Trixie and she could taste the energy in the air.
The flash was seen, and Trixie screamed for a moment. After the shock wave had cleared, Trixie was revealed, her magic increased, and in her right hand was a broom. "What in the world?" Trixie asked. The broom floated a little above the ground.

Mal looked over the theory. "Strange must be your mind altered it." He said. Sunset took it from his hands.

"You forgot to add the three. While Trixie did get immortality, she's unique now." Sunset explained.

Mal took the notes from Sunset and scanned the pages until he found the offending number. "Damn it! I always do this." Mal took his attention away from the pages and walked over to Trixie. "So how do you feel, Trixie?"

"Trixie doesn't feel too different. Are we sure that the spell worked?"

Sunset nodded at the new immortal and explained, "Yes, normally this spell grants the user the body of an alicorn. However Mal screwed up the spell so that you would craft a medium for your immortality."

"You can tell all of that because I forgot to carry a three?" Mal asked.

"Well yeah." Sunset said. Trixie looked at her broom.

"What happens if it’s destroyed?" Trixie asked. Mal held his sickles up to scan it. 

"Amazingly, nothing this thing’s basically an extension of you. If it’s destroyed it can reform itself." He held his hand out a glowing thing was in it. "It's kinda like a soul, no matter what you do to it you cannot outright destroy it or even erase it." He said. The soul then disappeared. "So no matter what you’re immortal."

"Trixie must admit that she was looking forward to having wings of her own. But, that's not what's important." Trixie said, smiling at Mal.

"And what would be important?" He asked. Trixie rolled her eyes and pulled Mal's face down to deliver a long kiss on his lips. "Silly boy, Trixie thinks you already know."

"I guess I do." Mal replied with a dopey grin. "Still we should get going if we want to meet with whoever lives in the area by the end of the day." The girls all nodded and followed Mal out the door.

The group didn't have to go far, they soon found a mine. They went inside and found a town literally inside the mountain. The green beings were a bit smaller than a human. The beings paused as they saw them. "Strange, I almost mistook you for dwarfs." The being walking up was a bit bigger than Sunset. "You aren't from around here, are ya?" His accent was similar to someone from Brooklyn.

Mal nodded and extended his hand to the green being before him. "Nope, we're a group of travelers and we've got something important to discuss with whoever's in charge around here." 

"You wanna talk to the chief?" The being asked while chuckling as if he was hiding something. "Alright, just head to the back of the mine, it'll be the largest structure you can find." Mal thanked his would-be guide and he and the girls walked toward their intended destination. Before they got too far the being called out to them, "Good luck stranger, you're gonna need it."

"Trixie doesn't like the sound of that." Trixie said, gripping her broom a little tighter.

"Yeah, I don't think this is gonna be as simple as pop in and introduce ourselves." Mal replied. "Then again, we never do things the easy way."

The group found the goblin chief building inside the mountain. With him were a few other goblin chiefs. "We have managed to push them back but if what we believe is true." The chiefs looked as the group came walking in. "Who do we have here?" The chief asked.

"Hello there I'm Malthael, Angel of Death." A few servants fainted on the spot. A chief held his sword out.

"I'm too pretty to die!" He said another looked at him.

"No you’re too ugly to die!"

Mal did his best not to laugh at their display, and just threw up his hands to show he meant no harm. "Whoa there, I'm not here to kill any of you. I just wanted to talk. I have some news that all of you might want to hear." The chiefs visibly relaxed but didn't lower their swords.

"What news could an outsider such as yourself have for us?" the chief in the center asked.

"I'm guessing you all have been having some problems with invaders lately?"

"How could you possibly know that?" The chief on the right edge spat.

"Because I helped a tribe of Earthern with their problem, and my associates and I took out one of their outposts."

The chiefs looked at each other. "Prove it." With a snap about 30 warriors held their weapons at him. "Attack." Malthael sighed. 

5 minutes later. The last guard hit the ground. "Ok, so we done?” Malthael said with an unconscious bunch right under him. The chiefs were wide eyed.

"Are you a god?' One of them asked.

"Really a person takes down your men and you call them a god? Well never mind, I'm friends with the God of Chaos and went toe to toe with two local symbols of worship.... I should stop talking now."

"We are sorry that we doubted you. Please don't be angry with us." The central chief said getting on his knees with the others following suit.

"Hold on there, I'm really not a god. I'm just a guy that stumbled into some power. So get up, you don't have to be afraid of me." 

"I don't know Mal, I kind of like the idea of you with a legion of worshipers."

"You're not helping Moon." Mal snapped, shooting her a cross look. The chiefs hesitantly got up before Mal continued. "Look, we're getting off track. I wanna help you guys out with your invader problem." Mal said while rubbing the back of his head.

A map showed the outpost and the goblins locations. "What we know is that they are using the natural region to help them fortify the outpost." One chief said. "They also are using a bit of the natural caves to help them fortify their positions we don't know how deep they placed themselves." Finally a few towers at the edges. "They have look outs as well as the high ground make it difficult to sneak up." They finished. Mal looked it over.

"It almost look like a fort were there other outposts?" Mal asked. 

"Yes, a few around the area. A goblin showed.

"So it was the fort they made for a siege by your forces." Mal finished.

"Again, correct." The chief said. Mal studied the map for a while.

"Do you have a rough estimate on what their numbers are?"

"No, we've never been able to guess at that. We know that they have a mixture of all three types of ponies and that they have Diamond Dog mercenaries primarily in the caves. Does that tell you anything?"

"A little bit thank you." Mal said. A goblin spoke up.

"Sirs," they turned to the goblin. "I used to play around those caves." He pointed to a place away from the fort. "There is a way into the main tunnel system we can use this to attack from behind and into their camp." Malthael looked over the map. "It’s a far more perfect idea than attempting to attack the front." He pointed out.

"What about the ones trying to leave?" One chief pointed out.

Mal had a smile. "Ok it seems a few choke points exist, we should put a few goblins there and, Trixie, Sunset can chase those who attempt to escape." He looked at Moon and Chrysalis. "I'll go with Moon, Chrysalis, a few goblins and that guy." He pointed to the servant. "He will lead us though the caves, we attack at night fall." He finished.

Mal and the chiefs ironed out their plan and went to prepare for the battle that night. Mal found a relatively empty section of the cave community and set up his charm home. The girls followed him inside and made sure all of their battle attire was in order. A few hours before the fight Mal gathered the girls so they could run down their assignments together.

Mal looked over the group and noticed that Chrysalis was missing. "Girls, do you know where Chrissy is?" The girls all told him that they hadn't seen her since they had come home. "Alright, you all stay here and run over the plan, I'm gonna find Chrissy." 

Mal started with Chrysalis' room but didn't find her in there. He then checked less obvious places like the bathroom or the greenhouse. In the end he checked the storage room, and after minutes of frantic searching in there he finally found her. She was sitting, cradling her knees in her arms in a shadowy corner. He had almost missed her due to her dark coloration but the occasional shudder gave her away. "Chrissy, what are you doing down here? Everyone's waiting for you." Chrysalis shot up, Mal had taken her completely by surprise.

"Oh, Mal, it's uh nothing. I was just making sure we hadn't forgotten anything important in here." Mal could tell she was lying. He walked up to the changeling/human hybrid and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Chrissy, is something bothering you? Does it involve the fight?"

"No, there's nothing wrong. I'm fine, really." 

"Chrissy, please, I wanna help you, but I need to know what's wrong to do that." Mal said, gripping her shoulder a little tighter. Chrysalis looked like she wasn't going to say anything for a while but she eventually relented.

"Okay, I... may be a little scared to go and fight." Chrysalis admitted with a sigh. Mal raised an eyebrow. "The last time I fought ponies my Changelings, my hive, my children were forced to starve." She had a bit of tears in her eyes. "The other queens were right I was too young, I advanced too fast, I thought my ascension would help me invade, but I failed." She cried. Mal held the broken queen in his arms. He let her cry into his shoulder.

"Chrissy, it’s ok, it’s ok. Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again, the other girls and I will make sure of it" The hybrid girl looked at him.

"Thank you." She said. Slowly, the two moved in close to each other and closed their eyes. The two pressed their lips together. Reluctantly, Mal pulled away from the kiss after a while and put a stray strand of Chrysalis' hair back into place. 

"Chrissy, you don't have to fight if you don't want to. I will never force any of you girls to do anything." Mal said, running a hand along her cheek.

"No!" Chrysalis cried out burying her face into his chest. "I want to help you. I...I want to be useful to you. I'll fight. I promise I can do it."

"Okay, I trust you Chrissy. Just try to stay close to me. If you start to feel overwhelmed I wanna make sure you stay safe." Mal told her with a determined look in his eyes.

"I will," Chrysalis said with a slight nod. "Mal, thank you so much for everything. I'm glad I met you." Chrysalis finished one of the tears falling from her eyes.

"I’m glad I met you too," Mal replied before titling her chin up and planting another kiss on her lips.

As they started to get ready Trixie looked at her broom. She kept it in her room. Her room was filled with her old life. She had come a long way from the  showpony she used to be. She recalled the alicorn amulet fiasco. Say what they will she managed to keep some knowledge form that. She picked up her weird broom. Mal had said that no matter what happened she could remain immortal and this thing could reform. 'What do I do with you?' She thought. She swung it a few times. She lost control of it for a moment, and it fell from her hand. It didn't land on the ground it floated. 

Trixie looked at it she started to look around and suddenly place her weight on it. It didn't fall. She was soon sitting side ways on it. It floated up a bit more. It glowed a bit and Trixie was off. At first it was frightening but soon it became fun. Sunset walked out to see Trixie on her floating broom. "Trixie likes this." She passed her. Mal walked out with Chrysalis to see Trixie coming there. "Mal look what Trixie can do."

"Okay, that is one of the most adorable things I have ever seen." Mal said with a huge grin on his face.

"Now Trixie doesn't need the levitation amulet anymore!" She said circling around Mal.

"Alright Trixie, calm down. I'm starting to get dizzy watching you."

"Alright Mal," Trixie replied putting her feet on the ground. Chrysalis giggled for a moment and gave Trixie a grateful look.

"Thank you, Trixie. I needed something like this to ease my nerves."

"Trixie is always willing to help." Trixie answered puffing out her chest. Mal rolled his eyes at the witch girl's little display.

"Alright everyone, we still have a little time before the fight let's just relax us much as we can." Mal said.

Trixie herself wanted to get the hang of her new method of travel. Flying on the broom was way nicer then the amulet. It also didn't drain her as much. In fact she felt barely anything. As she got down, her broom floated with her. Trixie looked at it. It almost seemed a bit alive. 'Must be because it’s a part of Trixie,' she thought. Sunset herself had finished up relearning her magic. She actually wasn't as prepared as she was with her magic. Seeing Trixie fly around on her broom was something she didn't want to unsee, it was funny.

Trixie extended her broom and tried to channel a little magic through it. It worked almost immediately and Trixie fired a large beam of magic. The beam slammed against the wall and left a smoldering hole that revealed the insulation. 'Note to self, never practice magic in Trixie's room again.' Trixie left her room and moved to the storage area to minimize damage.

Finally, the night had fallen. Trixie and Sunset flew into place. The goblin chiefs and guards were at the choke points. Inside the caves Malthael, Moon, Chrysalis, and few goblins elites readied themselves as they went in servant led them though the caves. In the pony encampment the Commander there was sound asleep as were the forces. Slowly Malthael and his team walked out of the cave behind the HQ with the commander. A goblin assassin walked into the structure. The commander’s eyes opened right as the goblin pounced. The commander didn't scream. "Ok Commander’s out, let’s find anymore leaders and get them gone then we awake the ponies." Malthael turned to the goblin Assassins. After about a few minutes, with most of the command gone a watchmen finally spotted them.

A flare shot up awaking everypony there. However command was not going to form for them that night. Malthael had the elites fan out to help prevent the pony soldiers from running and had the assassins stick to the shadows and pick off anyone they could. While he was doing this the ponies and mercenaries came rushing out. They appeared to be half dressed in their armor and their movements were off. Malthael almost thought it was going to be too easy, but squashed that thought, he couldn't get too confident. That kind of thinking could spread to the goblins and could have them make stupid mistakes. Malthael slowly, calmly walked towards the approaching soldiers, trying to be as intimidating as possible.

Malthael started the fight blades at the ready. Up above a few pegasi attempted to leave, but Sunset and Trixie blasted them down. A few running earth ponies and Diamond Dogs stopped when they found goblins ready for them. Malthael clashed his blades against a watchpony. He spread his wings to help him get leverage over the battle he was having. Most of them thought ganging up on him was the best idea. It mostly was the best for them. Moon and Chrysalis were just mostly fighting pegasi and earth ponies using their magic to their advantage. The elites clashed a bit with the guards. Up in the air Sunset and Trixie were having their own battle. The pegasi had brought Equestrian clouds with them something to help them with their powers.

At the gates of the fort fighting between ponies and Goblins had picked up as well. Malthael just kept slashing with his sickles with so many of his own forces close by that was his only option. He couldn't use the Death Fog because it killed indiscriminately, and he couldn't use fire because it would have a chance to spread, and if the flames themselves wouldn't kill his forces then the smoke would. So for now he was just slicing into any soldiers that were foolish enough to get into his way and monitored the rest of the battle as much as he could. He took a small bit of pride in seeing that the number of pony bodies far outnumbered those of goblins. Mal thought the battle wouldn't last too much longer and hoped he could force the ponies to surrender. Mal motioned for the forces around him to circle up, in hopes of corraling the remaining ground forces.
The ponies where amazingly not giving up. The diamond dogs tried to surrender but where being sent anyway into battle. Malthael cut into the forces. Above in the air trixie and Sunset had finally stopped the pegasus. They circled around. seeing that the ponies were basically trapped. Sunset lit up a red flare with her magic. With that the goblins moved in to flank the ponies The sudden attacks form above and behind spelled the end for the ponies. Malthael finished as the chiefs entered the conflicted as soon as it happened victory was assured. The sun rose over the fort. A new flag few in the sky, the flag of the Goblin Cheifdoms.

The chiefs all strode up to Malthael with ear splitting grins. They all stopped before him and knelt down. "We cannot thank you enough, Malthael." The central chief told him. "Because of you we no longer have anything to fear from those pony invaders. We will use their very fort against them, and drive them back to their homelands permanently. I and the other chiefs have discussed this and we would like to make you our king. We will still handle the ins and outs of our settlements and offer what guidance we can. It is the least we can do for all you've done" The other chiefs cheered to affirm this. Mal just rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed by the display.

"You don't have to do all that you guys. I was just giving you a helping hand. Really, you should be honoring that goblin that brought up the rear entrance. It's thanks to him that our attack was so successful." The chiefs rose and nodded at Malthael.

"We shall do this, but we would still like you to lead our people." One of the chiefs told him. 

"Sorry, but I don't think I'm cut out for all that. You guys enjoy your victory, you earned it." Mal told them and walked away, looking for a certain Changeling queen.
He found Chrysalis sitting on a makeshift chair. Mal sat right next to her. "So...." Mal started. Chrysalis looked at him. "So how are you feeling?" He asked. Chrysalis gave a sigh.

"Is it so wrong to take enjoyment in their defeat? At these ponies’ loss?" She motioned. Mal shrugged.

"That’s not my place to say." He finished. Chrysalis leaned on him.

"I'm glad I met you." The two watched the sun rise.

---------------------------------------------------------
-------------A week later, in Ponyville. The griffin crisis had finally been over. Princess Gilda, who refused to be called that by Rainbow had finally burned the bridge with Rainbow and her friends. She left three days before, taking the guards with her. Twilight had not received word from Celestia, she assumed she was looking into Prance. There was a lot of legal stuff between Prance and Equestria was so complex that for more practical purposes it was better to call them two separate but interdependent countries, as well as the griffins whose empire was more of a federation (not like Twilight and most ponies understood that) of there colonies under a mighty king who the others swore loyalty to. A banging was heard on her window. 

"Twilight, Twilight." It was Rainbow Dash. 

"What is it?" Twilight asked, wondering why Rainbow was so excited.

"A new find by Daring Do is being sent to the museum in Fillydelphia, she said she found it in a ancient tomb dating back to before the royal sisters rule." That could be anything from Discord's reign, which twilight herself believed could have been avoided if the ponies didn't burn his race's home down and left him the last of his kind, to even before the unification of the tribes, when barely any of the world was known.

"I thought museums were for eggheads?" Twilight said, giving Rainbow Dash a playful look. 

"Normally they are, but this is Daring Do we're talking about! Anything involving her is guaranteed to be at least a little awesome!" Dash cheered, performing a tight loop. "So do ya wanna see it or not?"

"Alright Dash, just let me get ready and we'll see if the others are interested too." 

"Sounds like a plan! I'll go get my stuff and meet at the train station!" Dash squealed before rushing out the window again.

A few hours later and the mane six plus Spike were in the Canterlot museum, standing behind a massive crowd at the entrance to the new exhibit. Rainbow Dash was getting impatient. "Ugh, why did everyone in Equestria and beyond have to choose today to see this." She groaned. 

"Because you ain't the only fan of Darin' Do sugarcube. Everyone wants to see what she found." Applejack told her with a roll of her eyes.

"Not to mention all the members of the academic community." Twilight continued. "Knowledge of the time before Celestia and Luna's reign is nearly nonexistent. There's no telling what we could learn.

"I know it's a big deal, but do we have to wait so long?" Dash complained. After what felt like an eternity to Dash they made it into the exhibit. They saw a bunch of simple tools and documents written in a strange language. But what drew their attention the most was the display at the back of the exhibit.

A stone statue of a batlike being. Its arms crossed and its eyes closed. "This statue appears to be of the race whose artifacts were found, no one knows why it was in the tomb or even if they are still alive." The curator said. "Well if you ask me I don’t think so." Walking out was Daring Do. Rainbow Dash and a lot of her fans were star struck. However another being was not so thrilled. 

'What's going on? These voices....' Rainbow was pushing though the group.

"Out of my way!" She screamed. Suddenly the statue’s eye area glowed green. In a moment the stone gave way.

"Waaaagh!" Came a scream as the statue turned into a living breathing entity. 

"Oh sweet Celestia/Dear Luna/My Nightmare Moon/holy Discord!" At this point, no one realized the two cultist groups with them because the sudden sight of stone becoming flesh broke the more rational minds. The being turned to Daring Do.

"You dare take me from mine home?" His accent was a mix of German and something that couldn’t be identified. He pointed a claw at her. "Suffer thine consequences." A glow covered her as a small triangle in a circle appeared on her. It disappeared soon later. He turned to his stuff. His wings shot out in a burst of wind he raided the exhibits and leaved though a window. Everyone’s shock finally came to an end when a flash of light showed Discord with a camera. 

"Yes Fillydelphia, I'm here.... What’s with all of you?"

Daring Do shock her head only for her hat to fly off hit the wall and caused a vase to fall on her. Discord suddenly appeared right in front of her. He picked her up and looked her over. "Well I’ll be you seemed to have been cursed by a zebra... No wait." He gave a lick. "Holy chaos, you’ve been hit by a gargoyle’s curse."
He put her down... By that he dropped her. 

"Discord was going on what’s a gargoyle!" Rainbow Dash asked. 

"Why another chaos race silly."

“You mean, that was one of the races you talked about? Twilight asked. 

"Why of course." Discord said, his tourist outfit vanishing with a pop. “I’m just surprised that you all ran into one in a place like this. If I had to guess you all just ran into a gargoyle. They focus on luck. They're pretty easy to get along with. Unless you do something that angers them, then they'll most likely curse you with bad luck."

"That still doesn't explain anything. That gargoyle was a statue, how could it be alive?" Twilight asked, confused.

"Gargoyles are a little odd. They enjoy hibernating in a stone state for periods of time." Discord explained. "As someone who has spent time as a statue, I can honestly say I don't know what they see in it. I'm still finding pebbles inside my ears." Discord said, removing his head and shaking out a few small stones for emphasis.

A few ponies moved back at his head removal. A few however looked in awe. "So what I'm now cursed with bad luck my whole life?" Daring do asked. Discord placed his head back on his body.

"Oh don't worry it’s rare for someone cursed to live five years under a gargoyle's curse eventually the bad luck will kill you." Discord said was a casual wave of his hand. Daring Do paled. Her line of work was hazardous as it is with bad luck form a gargoyle's curse she'll be dead within a week, at least.

"Discord fix it!" Rainbow yelled in his have with her hooves holding him. Discord pushed her off. 

"Look the only way to remove it is for a gargoyle to remove it, and given I have no idea where they currently live she need the one who cursed her to left it." He finished. He walked a bit off. "Oh yes she must do it before a full moon rises or it will be permanent." Daring Do paled again. 

"But tonight’s a full moon!" She screamed.

"Boy you are unlucky." With that he disappeared, by walking right though the wall.

Discord get back here and help us!" Rainbow Dash boomed, pounding her hooves against the wall he walked through. Twilight pulled her down with her magic and held her back.

"Calm Down Rainbow. Discord has already helped us by telling us what we need to do."

"What do you mean us?" Daring Do asked, giving Twilight a stern look. "I work alone." She finished, grabbing her hat and walking out of the room. Twilight erected a barrier in front of the explorer, which she smashed her face into.

"And where do you think you're going?" Twilight asked.

"Back to where I found the damn gargoyle in the first place. Now, let me go, I have to hurry if I want to make it by nightfall."

"We're coming with you," Twilight stated, and before Daring could protest, "I don't care if you work alone the gargoyle might be more inclined to listen to you if there's a neutral third party present."

"I don't have much of a choice here, do I?" Daring asked, her shoulders slumped.

"Nope, now lead the way." Twilight answered with a grin.

"So where did you find his tomb?" Twilight asked.

"The badlands." Daring Do said. She suddenly looked down. As did everyone. The badlands were days away and were more likely to get themselves killed.

"Ok then so we know it will take a few days for us to get there so it must mean the gargoyle will have to rest." Twilight said. As they ran to find it a few running ponies however helped them find something.

-------------------------------------------------
----------------------On a tower the batlike gargoyle looked them over. "I know you’re there." Discord appeared right next to the gargoyle.

"Strange I thought you would be running home." The gargoyle gave him a glare.

"I am waiting for nightfall to get my bearings before mine leave. Why aren't you with your kind in your forest?" It asked. Discord depression almost broke though.

"I'm actually the last of my kind." He then shot up. "But I do hold my whole races combined magical might." He snapped his fingers and produced a glass of water for himself.

"My condolences the loss of a chaos race is a hard hit on the world."

"You know the little thing had no idea you were alive perhaps you should remove the curse seeing as how she knows where your tomb was."
The gargoyle thought about it. "I will but first she must learn humility she seems to prideful."

"Hmm, I suppose that's fair. You gargoyles always did love your little life lessons." Discord said with a chuckle.

"It is one's duty to spread wisdom where they go. Otherwise the world is doomed to keep repeating mistakes." The gargoyle said, bristling at Discord's tone.

"I suppose I've been doing a bit of that lately." Discord admitted, chuckling dryly. "Anyway, when this whole life lesson thing is over I should introduce you to my friend Malthael. He enjoys helping others in odd ways too. What's your name by the way?"

"Prince Victor." The gargoyle said. Discord almost spat out his glass, literally.

"The ruler of the gargoyles? Oh boy this will give Twilight a heart attack." Discord had the evil smile at the thought.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------After running around in circles the mane six, Spike and Daring Do couldn't find anyone to give them an answer. "This is hopeless you seven are going to cost me my career and possibly my life." She was covered in a lot of bruises even flour and something else. The bad luck was not helping her at all.

"Hey, we're only trying to help!" Rainbow Dash growled. "It's not our fault that you have a curse." 

"Well, you all aren't helping. I'd be better off just doing this myself." Applejack stepped between the two pegasi before Rainbow Dash could get into a fight with her idol.

"Calm down ya two. Gettin' in a fight ain't gonna help nuthin'. Darin' you aren't gonna get very far on yer own. This curse o'yers is gettin' worse by the minute. And Dash, we gotta keep a level head, we're here to help Darin' no matter how pigheaded she's actin'." The two pegasi each grumbled something that wouldn't make it into polite conversation and distanced themselves from each other.

The day dragged onward and the sun itself was starting to set a bit. Daring Do had enough of this. "I can't take it..." She started. "I should have gone it alone." Daring do said.

"Wait." Twilight started. "You can't leave now there's no telling what could happen."

"I'll tell you what'll happen." Daring shot back. "I'll get away from you and actually get this done!" she shouted before flying off from the group.

"Come on, we have to make sure that she's safe." Twilight told the others. "There's no telling what the curse could do to her!" The group fanned out and looked for the cursed explorer.

No one was having any luck until, "Ahhh!" a voice screamed out. The entire group heard it and rushed to its source. They all made it to the source of the scream and were horrified by what they saw.

Daring Do was in a deadly situation. If she moved her front hooves she would let a rope trigger that would release a barrel of stones which would crush her. Moving backwards meant getting pieced by spears, and even if she did a rope was around her neck with a weight, causing her neck to either snap or she choke. Daring do was noticeably afraid. To make matters worse her right wing was caught and if anything moved it would snap it or it would be broken. "Help me." She begged, afraid for her life.

"Why should we help you? You've been mean to us!" Pinkie pie said.

"You're right, I'm sorry." Daring started, her voice getting more and more strained by the second. "I should've realized I was in over my head the instant I got this curse. I let my pride get the better of me. I promise it won't happen again." Daring got out, barely losing her footing. The group shared a look and nodded before Twilight teleported Daring to where they were standing. "Thank you!" Daring cried out. "I should've trusted you guys from the start."

"Don't mention it, it's what we do." Rainbow Dash neutrally stated.

"I'm impressed." A voice was heard right above them. Landing was the gargoyle. "Your pride almost was your undoing." The gargoyle said. Behind him was Discord. 

"Twilight, you’re not going to believe this, this gargoyle is Prince Victor, leader of the gargoyles." Discord said giving a bow. The gargoyle held his clawed hand out. 

"You have learned your lesson." She glowed and the curse mark was erased. "There we are, back to your normal luck now." the prince finished.

"Thank you, Prince Victor. I'm sorry I took your things from your home! I thought you were just a statue, and I was only trying to preserve what I thought were artifacts so that others could study them." Daring said, bowing before the gargoyle.

"It is fine young one, you've learned your lesson. And it seems that my people have been too removed from interactions with others if we have been forgotten like this. If they are still around." Victor stated, his face falling. Discord placed his lion's paw on Victor's shoulder.

"Don't worry my friend; I'm sure they're somewhere. I've never heard anything about the demise of the gargoyles."

"Discord, if you were able to find Victor, why didn't you just take us to him?" Twilight hissed at him.

Discord rolled his eyes at the young princess and crossed his arms over his chest. "Twilight, if I had solved this problem with a snap of my claws then what would stop me from solving all of your problems that way?" Discord asked, earning confused looks from the ponies and dragon. "And if I did that what would you ever learn?" Again, he was answered by silence, "So, Twilight, instead I will point you in the right direction and let you solve your own problems. And if that doesn't work I may step in and save you." Discord finished.

Victor gave him a look. 'You’re lying.' Victor thought.

'Well half lying, I still do not trust them and never will, not completely anyway. After all, you try being turned to stone, twice.' Discord replied via telepathy.

'That's creepy, and you know my race turns into stone to sleep.' Discord rolled his eyes. He walked up to Daring Do and placed his paw on her head. For a moment things flashed through his mind.

"What did you just do?" Daring Do asked.

"I just read your mind to find out where Victor tomb was." Everyone save Victor looked surprised.

"Wait you can read minds as well?" Twilight asked. Discord gave a smile.

"Twilight I seem to recall me brainwashing Fluttershy, of course I can read minds besides why do you think Celestia has so many mental wards? To keep her mind from being read, unfortunately they only slow me down not stop me from mind reading her."

"Twilight, not to be rude darling, but out of all of Discord's abilities, reading minds is the most tame and least outlandish." Rarity offered.

"That's..." Twilight started before her mind came to a screeching halt, "... you make a good point. Still, why did you want to know where Victor's tomb was?"

"So, I could send him home of course." Discord said matter of factly.

"I thought you said you wouldn't just snap your talons and solve problems?" Rainbow Dash shot back.

"I'm not, besides I sent you all back home after Pinkie learned I was her half-father." No one argued with that and Discord turned to the gargoyle and grinned. "I'll see you soon my friend. We should get together with Malthael and have lunch." 

"I'm looking forward to it." Victor said with a grin before Discord teleported him.

Discord looked around. "You know what this planet's a little boring.... I know." He looked up. "I'm off to outer space." He turned to the ponies. "Anyone wish to come with me?" He asked, "You're going to meet other races new cultures and new ideas and wonders." Twilight was tempted, oh so tempted. She always wondered what was out there. However she unfortunately was needed here. "Sorry Discord we'll have to decline..."

"I'll go." Spike jumped up. Everyone looked at him confused.

"Very well little buddy." Discord said with a snap of his talons spike was in a floating ball. "We are off." He teleported out of the planet's atmosphere and spreading his body, Spike was between his horns his ball of something became a captain’s chair. 

"Where are we going?" Spike asked.

"Space the final frontier, these are the voyages of the Starship Discord, to seek new life forms new civilizations, new cultures, to boldly go where no dragon has ever gone before." Discord then shot out at FTL, leaving the ponies to stare at the sky.

Twilight gaped at what had just happened before her face contorted into pure rage and her mane erupted into flames. "Discord! you better make sure nothing bad happens to Spike or I swear I'll have you turned back to stone so fast that your head will spin!" Twilight boomed, somehow knowing that Discord would be able to hear her despite being separated by a vacuum. In fact she swore she could hear Discord laugh as a response. Twilight continued to shout threats for a long time constantly using words that most present didn't understand, but knew it couldn't be flattering. Eventually, Twilight calmed down, though her hair was still smoldering. 

"Don't worry Twilight, I'm sure Spike will be fine." Fluttershy softly offered.

"Yeah, he could have all sorts of super fun space adventures!" Pinkie exclaimed. "He could defend a planet from evil robots, ooh or maybe he'll meet an alien princess and they'll fall in love!" She continued listing off several ideas before she concluded, "Besides, if Discord does let something happen to him then I won't get him a Father's Day present."

"Does that mean you're planning on giving him one, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Well yeah, he is my daddy, technically."

Twilight simply facehoofed and stated, "Let's just go home, I'm exhausted."

> Malthael vs. Star Swirl
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	In the governing building of Prance the lord general was looking through everything, coming upon a trade agreement from the Crystal Empire. Both Prance and the empire had control over their trade. Prance more so than the Crystal Empire,  both powers being both sovereign and apart. He signed over the agreement with changes to it. He knew the Crystal Empire was more dependent on Equestria than Prance. He sent it out. After a while a messenger came in. "Lord General, news from the Prance expeditions, they says scouts have found outpost in the Earthern’s lands destroyed and the fort in the goblin’s territory has fallen." The Lord General was starting to get angry. "Sir the nobles in Equestria we have under our dominion and the scribe have confirmed it to be an upright being, we have little to work on but he seems to be helping them destroy our forces."

"Thank you, I must consider this news. Leave me now." The general told the messenger barely containing his anger. The messenger bowed and quickly left the room. Once the messenger was gone the general cast a spell that sound proofed his room. He didn't want anypony to hear what was about to be said in the room. Damn it all to Tartarus!" he roared throwing the lamp on his desk across the room shattering it. "This was supposed to be a simple matter of going in and taking those savages' land! How in Equestria could lesser beings wipe out my elite forces?!" The Lord General continued to rant and destroy his office. When everything was in shambles he regained some level of decorum. "No, it does nothing to get worked up over a minor setback."

He smiled darkly and pulled out the cord of a necklace. Attached to the cord was a small bit of red horn. "I have everything I need right here." The general could still remember when he had found it. It had been during a diplomatic excursion to the Crystal Empire. It had almost seemed to call out to him. Otherwise he never would've found it beneath all the snow, and ever since he had everything had fallen into place. He had always believed that ponies were superior, but with his new charm he had the courage to act on those feelings. With it he felt powerful, like everything should conform to his vision of perfection. His eyes flashed green for a moment before returning to normal. "This being will be dealt with in time. As will Celestia and those other pathetic princesses."

In the isles a group moved with a new container. This object was forwarded form Prance. In it was an important object. Prance's noble house managed to get it from a questionable deal over 750 years ago. The Lord General got it as a gift from them for his 'special missions' the ones moving it where taking it to the second isle. They hoped to find this being and unleash the hidden power of the object on him. Malthael walked out. It was only last night when they made it to the isle. At the closet they had to island hop on the smaller islands, finding goblins and even Earthern villages on there, even an island where both shared the island and had some form of union. Finally they came to this island. They walked a bit through the marshes of the nearby coast. He soon spotted the caravan of ponies. He flew there and jumped out at them. "Well what do we have here?" he asked. The leader of the group eyed him.

"So you’re the being who attacked the fort I presume?" The leader asked.

"Well I was the leader of it." Malthael said. The earth ponies dropped the chest.

"Good saves us the trouble." The Pegasus shattered it reviling a glowing blue stone. The commander cast a spell, letting it float freely. In a flash a powerful magic was felt. The stone soon morphed back into a flash, slowly forming the shape of a unicorn body. Eventually, the light died down, and standing there was what looked like the Merlin of ponies.

Malthael recognized the gem instantly despite having only seen it for a moment. That was a soul gem, a dangerous magical artifact. In the wrong hands (or hooves in this case) one could perform all forms of dark magic with the gem. He gritted his teeth and drew his sickles at the floating, bearded unicorn in front of him. "Who the hell are you, and how did you get a hold of that gem?" Malthael growled.

"I am Star Swirl the Bearded, and I was, or should I say am the greatest mage in Equestrian history! And I will protect all of pony-kind from an abomination like you." The unicorn proclaimed confidently.

Malthael laughed at the unicorn before him. "Seriously, you were such a great mage and the only title you could manage to get was ‘Bearded’? What, was ‘Douchebag With Stupid Clothes’ taken?" He finished pointing at the unicorn’s bell riddled clothes.

"How dare you disrespect me?!" Starswirl screamed, his face flushed.

“The same way you called me an abomination even though you know nothing about me.” Malthael growled.  "Now stand down, there's no way you could take on someone like me."

"There is no way that I'll surrender. You are a threat to ponies everywhere!"

"You know, a part of me was kind of hoping you'd say that." Malthael said with a manic grin on his face.

The guards moved back at this, as the two titans readied for battle. The Unicorn commander did a scan of powers. They were both in the Alicorn leagues of powers. the maximum a unicorn could sense. Malthael spread his wings out to help him fly, their unflagging nature helping him. "I must say I encounter a lot of monsters and beasts before in my time who  and what are you?" The merlin like pony asked.

Malthael wanted to go usual route but decided against it. This time, he decided to make this a real spectacle. "Who am I? I am the reaper of souls, the being who broke out of Tartarus and killed it as well, I am the one who faced the Princesses parents and killed them!" Malthael said. Star Swirl moved back a bit. "Is that fear I see?" Star swirl strengthened his resolve.

"Of Course not! I am not intimidated by the likes of you! I have saved my pony brethren before and I will do so now!"
Malthael chuckled at the unicorn's bravado. 

"Nice show of backbone, too bad it won't help you here." Malthael said before rocketing towards Star Swirl. Star Swirl didn't have a chance to react as Malthael placed one of his sickles on the unicorn's chest. The sickle glowed its normal blue, but Malthael was having a hard time removing the soul of Star Swirl. Star Swirl himself screamed like all the others Malthael had done this to, but he wasn't making any progress.

Finally, the impossible had happened Star Swirl’s soul was returning to him. Malthael was shocked especially when he was forced back and the wound healed on the pony’s chest. 'This is the first time that ever happened.' Malthael was surprised Star Swirl himself finally saw how much of a threat he was.

"You attempted to take my soul!" Star swirl screamed at him. Magic channeled through the Unicorn. "All bets are off you monster!" Star Swirl unleashed a powerful light blast form his horn into Malthael’s chest. Malthael used his blades to block it but the energy moved into his body. Star Swirl’s eyes glowed as the spell had another beam added to it. The beams crossed until they slammed into Malthael's chest and stomach sending him into a boulder. Smoke came off him a bit. He grabbed his sickles and stood up. 

'Looks like I can't remove his soul that way time for another try." As the unicorn raced at him The death fog was unleashed hitting star swirl right in the face. Suddenly Star Swirl’s horn glowed with dark magic. The cloud didn't affect him. Malthael sent another such attack. It too failed to affect him. 'You have got to be kidding me.'

"It looks like your powers are failing you, beast!" Star Swirl gloated, wisps of dark energy still coming off his eyes.

"Looks like it." Malthael said nonchalantly. Star Swirl was confused by how calm Malthael seemed.

"You don't seem too bothered by this." He said to the angel.

"That's because those were the nice ways I had of ending your life. Now," Malthael said, running the blades of his sickles together. "Now, I'm going to cut you into so many pieces that there won't be enough of you left to fit into a match box."

Malthael charged as Star Swirl put up a barrier. It was the same as the princess one that Malthael encountered back then. He charged both blades with magic and swung them together using his wings to add some extra force he slammed them on the shield cracked and with another forceful push shattered it, sending the backlash to Star Swirl who was launched back a bit. The mage summoned a magic wall as Malthael slammed once again his blades.

"Is that all you got Star Swirl! These barriers are pathetic!" Malthael boomed before destroying the wall. Star Swirl didn't say anything, instead he launched another beam of magic at Malthael. Malthael dodged the beam and Star Swirl kept firing beam after beam at the angel. Malthael noted that the beams were getting dangerously close to hitting him. He felt the heat of one pass by his face and came up with an idea. Mal flew up higher and placed himself in front of the sun. Just as he had thought. Star Swirl was paying attention to Malthael himself, not where he was. Malthael's move temporarily blinded him.

Malthael cast a fire ball using the sun to help mask it, Star Swirl was hit by the fire ball his outfit burning. He quickly dispelled the fire only to get drop kicked by Malthael racing down from the sky. He tumbled down as the Angel of Death readied another attack to cut off his head. In a flash, Star Swirl was away from the attack. 'Great.' Malthael turned as Star Swirl got up as he readied three spells a binding spell a light and a shield spell at once. The bindings shot out and wrapped around Malthael, who made no move to avoid them.

Star Swirl glared down at Malthael, still smoldering, and tightened the binds on Malthael. Malthael grunted softly from the constriction but still shot Star Swirl a cocky grin. Star Swirl's eye twitched and his anger rose at the angel. "Stop looking at me like that! I am going to make sure you give me the respect I deserve!"

"Go choke on your own beard ya prick." Malthael told the unicorn. His wings disappeared then reappeared, free form the bonds he shot up taking Star Swirl with him before diving down he turned again, hoping to smash the mage against the huge rock. Star Swirl was forced to let the bindings go, only for Malthael to kick him in the air sending him into the nearby marsh water. The mage crashed. He was starting to get mad.

Malthael rushed at the mage again and cast another fire spell at Star Swirl. The flames crashed against Star Swirl's shield, followed closely by the angel himself. The shield shattered, and Malthael swung his sickle in a vicious arc aiming for the mage's neck. Again, Star Swirl teleported away, leaving Malthael swinging at empty air. Malthael was starting to get annoyed at the unicorn, but he wasn't going to let it show. "Is this all you can do? Throw up shields and teleport away?" Malthael asked, turning towards Star Swirl's new position.

"Do you ever stop talking?!"

"Nope," Malthael replied making sure to get in the last word.

Star Swirl’s eyes narrowed and his horn glowed and became covered in flames, his eyes crackling with magical energy. With that multiple Star Swirls appeared in a teleport they were all scattered. One ran up to Malthael he swung a sickle toward it only to attack air the others soon after charged him from the all sides he swung at them, those he did where fake. In a scream of pain a gash was opened on his side. It wasn't fatal given his nature as an angel but it burned a bit. Star swirl did the same thing over again with his multiples and doubles.

Malthael continued to grin cracking a few of his joints. He brought up his two sickles. They started to be surrounded by a large, blue glow, and blue orbs started to fill the area. "Perhaps I hit you a little too hard. If this little light show is how retaliate." Star Swirl said his cockiness returning. Star Swirl approached one of the orbs and touched it with a hoof.

The orb moved against him as his body started to hurt from the cold it unleashed. Star Swirl realized being wet did not help him at all in this situation. Malthael walked up. "Have enough?" Malthael asked. Star swirl horn glowed and a blast of ice slammed into Malthael. Malthael was sent back, his legs frozen and Star Swirl was better but still not completely healed.

Malthael used the handle of one of his sickles to shatter the ice on his legs, and chuckled. "Seriously, you thought that would work? What's next, are ya gonna tickle me with your tail?"

Star Swirl felt his whole body tremble, "Shut up! For the love of Celestia just shut up!"

"Do you give up then?" Star Swirl screamed in inarticulate rage and fired another beam of ice at Malthael.

Star swirl snapped, he was through low balling it. Massive amounts of magic were being channeled through him. Malthael stepped back a bit things were going to go down soon. The ponies ran as the land exploded above them the two forces face off Star Swirl and Malthael in the air. Star Swirl landed and waited. A spell attacked Malthael's mind. It was a sleep spell. 'No...' Malthael started to fall asleep. Star Swirl then casted a mind reading spell. Inside his slowly drifting mind Malthael could feel his mind being read. He started to feel the chains on him. "No..." He realized Star Swirl was now attempting to cast a forbidden magic. The bearded himself had enough it was time to put an end to his enemy. The chains finally wrapped around Malthael. Star Swirl himself appeared. 

"So you really are the Angel of Death? Malthael?" His memories came up. "I'm going to banish you back to Tartarus and end these abominations lives soon." The images of Moon, Trixie, chrysalis, and Sunset flashed before him..... Star Swirl moved away however at that moment the chains started to whine under maximum stress. Malthael’s hood slowly reforming. Star Swirl turned around as the clouds of death gathered and his wings spread. 

"No one can stop...." With that the chains broke. "DEATH!"

Star Swirl was suddenly reeling from a mental backlash. He didn't have much time as he was slammed right into the rocks. He coughed as all the air left him and a few ribs broken. Suddenly he coughed up blood as Malthael’s blades wedged themselves in his chest. "Your soul is mine!" The familiar blue glow of Star Swirl’s soul was seen as was Malthael’s Death Fog, slowly the blades moved away as Star Swirl found his eyes and mouth glowing at the final moment. Malthael removed his blades the soul of Star Swirl coming out attached to the blades. The body turned to decaying ruins. Star swirls soul slowly was gone inside. The hooded figure emerged looking at the guards. The winds started to pick up.

Ten minutes later Sunset found Malthael. Her eyes widened. The very ground he was on had died the remains of all the ponies were now dust.
"Mal! What happened?" She asked rushing over to the hooded angel. Malthael turned to her his gaze cold for a moment. "Mal, please say something to me!" She begged. Malthael reached out towards Sunset, and wrapped his arms around her, still remaining silent. "Mal, what happened here?" Sunset repeated.

"It was those Prench bastards. They had a soul gem that contained someone called Star Swirl. That prick tried to put me back to sleep, then he threatened you and the others."

"So all this dust is?" Sunset asked already knowing the answer.

"Yeah, I lost control again... I almost..."

"What you did was protect us, like you always do." Sunset told him, preventing him from finishing his thought. Mal actually managed to smile at the woman in his arms.

"What did I do to deserve you?" He asked her.

Sunset smiled back at him. "A lot of things." She said before the two shared a passionate kiss. The scenery around them wasn't necessarily romantic, but the two didn't care.
 

> The Fighting Continues
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sunset the paused and looked at him, realizing what he had said earlier. "Wait, Star Swirl, as in Star Swirl the Bearded?" She asked.
Mal nodded. 

"Yeah it was him, not a good name if you ask me, he did however show a way to resist my soul removal."

"But, everything I've ever read says that Star Swirl was a good pony. He helped Equestria several times and revolutionized magic."

"Exactly, he only helped ponies. As soon as he saw I wasn't a pony he was ready to label me as evil."

"Wow, I can't believe someone as revolutionary as Star Swirl was racist. Are you sure it was him?"

"Oh, he made sure to tell me several times. But that's not important. He was able to resist my soul removal."

"Right, sorry." Sunset said, clearly embarrassed. "Star Swirl was a bit of an idol for me so that was a little hard to process. Well, Star Swirl was known for studying unorthodox schools of magic, he may have found one that actually strengthened his soul, or gave him some control over it."

Mal thought it over. "Perhaps... Then again he could’ve had an extremely strong will. I don’t know myself no one has been able to fight it off before." He finished.
The two headed back to the house. There, Trixie, Moon and Chrysalis saw that Sunset had found him. 

"What happened?" Moon asked.

Mal said casually, "I fought Star Swirl the Bearded and claimed his soul."

Everyone was wide eyed. "What, how? I thought he had died." Moon asked. 

Mal shrugged. "I guess he found a way to be of service for centuries later."

"That certainly sounds like something Star Swirl would do." Moon replied.

"So what was he like?" Trixie asked.

"He was an egotistical prick who was an utter racist." Mal stated.

"That's, disappointing." Trixie replied.

"Oh, and he was able to resist my soul removal. The girls' eyes widened at him saying this. 

"How'd he manage to do that?" Chrysalis asked.

"I don't really know, and right now I don't care. I'm gonna go crash on the couch for a while." Mal said.

------------------------------------------------------
----------------	Twilight was once again in her library. She sighed at having to do Spike’s job. 'Spike are you alright?' She asked herself in her mind.

"Twilight Ya'll all right in there." It was Applejack with Pinkie pie and Rarity. She opened the door to see them.

"Oh I'm fine why wouldn't I be? It’s not like Discord just took Spike with him into outer space." Twilight said sarcastically. Suddenly an object fell from the sky in a glow. Right in front of Twilight was a letter.

Dear Twilight Sparkle, on star date.... You know what, let me tell you how Spike’s doing? Well he had accidentally became a God to a bunch of stone age squids.... Oh and I think we just caused a civil war, and a planetary invasion, oh and he got to destroy a planet! You should have seen his face, it was like lighting fireworks. Well we are heading to the next galactic arm cya.
Signed, the Starship Discord.

"What's the letter say Twilight?" Pinkie asked. Twilight could almost feel her mind melt from the contents of the letter in front of her. After a minute or so she was able to compose herself enough to respond to Pinkie.

"Enough to know that a certain dragon is going to get a long talking to when he gets home."

"What did Discord rope 'im into?" Applejack asked with a sigh.

"Apparently, Discord let Spike destroy a planet, and they caused a civil war, and who knows what else they did that he isn't telling me."

"Well on the bright side, at least Spike is safe, darling." Rarity offered.

"Yeah but who knows what they are doing now?" Twilight said. 

In the void of space Spike and Discord were caught in a space fight.

"Time to go." Discord said as they FTL jumped phasing through the planet.

"So did anything positive happen at all?" Pinkie Pie asked Twilight.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Would you call becoming a god to a bunch of stone age squids good."

Hmm, I don't know. That depends, were they good squids or bad squids?" Pinkie asked.

"What the hay is the difference between a good squid and a bad squid?" 

"You don't want to know.” Pinkie said cryptically, shuddering for a moment.

"Let's just move away from squids." Twilight said, not wanting to know what Pinkie was talking about this time. "It seems like Discord is going to be keeping Spike in space for a while."

"Yeah, but Ah guess he'll be safe. Discord is a reality warpin' god after all." Applejack said. 

"Yeah, shifting to another topic, I still haven't heard anything from Celestia." Twilight said, not wanting to think about her baby dragon anymore for the rest of the day.
She was right she had not received word from Celestia. Even when she had sent a letter about Prince Victor of the gargoyles, and Discord taking Spike.

"Oh Mr. Cake had a relative go to court and instead of Celestia it was Luna who was holding it." Pinkie pie Started. Landing right next to them was Rainbow Dash.

"Hey I'm back from Griffonia." She said. "So what did I miss?"

"We were talking about the fact that we haven't heard anything from Celestia in over a week. And Pinkie why didn't you tell us that Luna was holding court for Celestia?" 

"Nobody asked me." Pinkie said with a shrug. "I didn't think it was a big deal, I just thought she might have a cold." 

"Can Celestia even get colds?" Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight paused, she actually didn't know if Celestia could get a cold or not. She had never heard of it happening.

"I think we should go to Canterlot and check to see if she's okay." Twilight stated.

At Canterlot Princess Luna had finally finished court. The more interesting thing was a group of nobles hoping to do business with prance. Luna herself allowed it against her better judgment to allow it. Just as she was about to leave the door opened up showing Twilight Sparkle and her friends minus Fluttershy. "Twilight what can I do for you?" Luna said with a smile.

"Hello. Princess Luna. I was just wondering something, is everything okay with Princess Celestia?" Luna paled at the question. She had known that Twilight would wonder about this sooner or later. She had just hoped for later. Still, Twilight deserved to know the truth, if the worst came to pass then she would most likely need to call on them for help. 

"Follow me Twilight, you need to see something."

They stopped right next to Celestia’s room. "This all started the day I brought my new 'stallion'friend to meet her." Luna started. Everyone paused at this.
"A stallionfriend you must tell us darling who is it?" Rarity asked.

"Well not to go over it into too much detail, it’s Discord." The ponies’ expressions ranged from confusion to shock to Pinkie's which seemed to be both and happiness, and excitement. Twilight was the first to ask.

"Discord?!" She half asked half screamed.

"Yes, I may find his sense of humor endearing every now and then." Luna admitted sheepishly. The others looks remained unchanged. "Look, my taste in suitors isn't important right now. What is important that my sister passed out and when Discord and I went into her dream to check on her she went into her own nightmare form that she called Solar Flare. And ever since then she has been unconscious. We have a barrier erected around her room to prevent her escape if she has succumbed to darkness, and she's under constant guard supervision to monitor her."

Everyone was shaken by this, Twilight more so. Celestia was her mentor and even almost a second mother to her. The fact that she had an inner evil side scared her.
"So you told Celestia you were with Discord and she's going to freak out and go all eternal sun and burn us all to death?" Pinkie Pie summed it up.

"What are we going to do hit her with the Elements?" Rainbow dash asked. Luna shook her head.

"No, like Nightmare Moon that will only postpone Solar Flare, the only way is to remove the Solar Flare part of her soul, and as we all know, there's only one being who can do that." Luna finished. Everyone minds returned to the angel who removes souls.

"So if Celestia goes evil we will have the Angel of death fight her? Are you sure that's a good idea?" Twilight asked.

"Actually, I do." Luna answered.

Twilight who was on the border of hysterics after all the stress she had been under cried, "How? How can you trust him so readily? He nearly killed you and Celestia the last time you met." 

"Because I have been in contact with Nightmare Moon, and she is actually reformed now. Malthael actually took the darkness in my soul and turned her into a normal mare... for the most part, she does enjoy teasing me mercilessly. I'd be willing to bet that Malthael would be willing to help us with this problem, if it is in fact a problem. Celestia could overcome this on her own. We must all be patient." Luna finished.

-----------------------------------
---------------	Mal’s group finally came to the next town. The townspeople however were a bit of a surprise. The inhabitants looked like humanoid dragons many of them had spears, or pikes as Malthael realized. Next was a big building in the center which was made with some stone as was the towns wooden walls seemed a bit more advance being bigger and having towers.

"I'm betting Prance must either be sending elites troops against them, or they’ve heard about the attacks on the other islands." Malthael said. He and his group walked up. The guards’ pikes blocked them.

"Halt what be yea business here." The dragons had a kinda Irish and Scottish mix accent.

"I am Malthael, my group and I are travelers. I hear you may have seen four legged invaders." The guards looked at each other.

"Yes the invaders, our lord was in a meeting about them."

"Well then, would you be so kind as to let us in and allow us to meet with your lord? We have been helping around the islands with the invaders and would like to offer our services." The guards exchanged a look and seemed to have a telepathic conversation.

"Alright, we'll let ya see 'im, but ya better not try anything outsider, we may not be as big as our dragon cousins, but we'll still charbroil you faster than ya can blink." Mal nearly rolled his eyes at their threat, but didn't feel like antagonizing them. The guards led them to a long hallway where a large dragonoid was sitting on a throne.

In his hall the local lord looked over the maps showing his holdings and a few nearby holdings from other lords. Finally, it showed the invaders and the few lords who allied with the invaders. One of the guards came up. "Sir, we have travelers who have claimed to have dealings with these invaders before, they appear foreign, that’s for sure."

The lord's eyes rose. "Send them in I wish to meet them." Mal and his group walked in and each gave a small gesture of respect to the lord. "Greetings travelers, I am the lord of this settlement. I have been told that you have experience dealing with these Prench invaders."

"That's correct," Mal told the lord. "We've already taken out their forces that were attacking the Earthen and Goblins. Now, we're here to help your people."

"Those certainly are grand claims, how do I know you're telling us the truth?" Mal held his hand out a glowing object appeared. The orb was unlike anything the Lord had ever seen. He suddenly felt something creep up him, a feeling of primal fear. "What is that?" The lord asked. 

"Oh, one of those Prench pony’s souls." Mal said. Suddenly the object started to say.

"What’s happening, where am I?" The soul said. The lord almost felt a need to beg for his life.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Malthael, The Angel of Death, reaper of souls." He said adding a little something else. The guards bowed a bit in fear and respect.

"You’re death?" The lord asked.

"Well technically yes, I'm an aspect of death."

"If you're death then why are you helping us?" The lord asked. "Because I want to help defend your home, these ponies are extremely racist and see you as nothing more than beasts. I'm here to help you prove them wrong."

"What do you want in return?" The lord asked disbelieving that something like this was happening to him.

"We'll just take a few basic supplies when we're done." Mal said.

"Do you really expect me to believe this?" 

"You can believe whatever you want. Right now, we should focus on driving out these ponies." Mal said with a shrug. The lord showed Mal and his group the map and explained their situation.

To say Malthael was a bit surprised was a understatement. "So they actually have a few lords under their thrall? How did that happen?" 

The lord sighed. "They were vassals to bigger lords when the invaders came a few helped them in exchange for their higher deaths. The ponies use a fort as the base for them." The base was opened but bigger then th goblin fort. "With them is the bulk of their forces a few dozen mercs, and even members of my kind form the rebels, they even have a dragon, one of our cousins with them."

"Wow, this is going to be a bit of a challenge. Maybe we should try focusing on going after the smaller strongholds and getting these vassals back on our side. Unfortunately there will be casualties among your people. But hopefully we can prevent any deaths among the civilians."

"It doesn't matter, they betrayed our people, but I must agree about the civilians, the serfs have little choice in the matters of politics." 

"Glad to see we're on the same page. Now our biggest problem is the dragon." Mal said picking up the piece representing the dragon. "I'm thinking that I should take it out on my own. That way, we can devote more of our forces to the other battles.”

“Do you really believe you can do this?” One of the council members asked. “Dragons are among the most powerful beings in the world.”

“That’s good because I am too.” Mal said with a chuckle.

The dragon ambush was about to happen. Malthael Trixie, Moon, and Chrysalis had looked up at the camp where the dragon was being kept. 5 unicorns and 5 pegasi were there with the dragon. Moon looked with surprise. "That’s an above average size dragon, an adult, and I'm thinking it has plenty of combat experience." Moon said looking though the telescope. Malthael took it. Indeed it had the scars of a beast who had years of fighting experience. It also had on some light armor on its neck and head with some of its chest also guarded.

"Well, that armor is gonna make things a little difficult. Still, as long as I find a way to pierce that hide, I should be able to remove its soul."

"Are you sure you can remove souls?" Chrysalis asked. "What if what happened with Star Swirl happens here?"

"If it does then I still have my Death Fog, not to mention a whole slew of other abilities that I haven't tried yet."

"You have more abilities?" Moon asked.

"What did you think I was a one trick pony?" Mal asked with a cheeky grin on his face. 

"Trixie would be disappointed in you for making that joke, but she's just surprised that you didn't make it earlier." Trixie replied, facepalming.

"Alright, now we've got the pre-battle jokes out of the way, you girls take out the ponies while I go slay a dragon… and I love that I can say that without any form of metaphor or irony."

The small group nodded. With that, Trixie took to the sky on her broom and Chrysalis and Moon stayed on the ground. Malthael also moved around into the air as well. At the camp a unicorn require looked as he saw two beings walking up. Moon and chrysalis unleashed their magic sparking the fight. Up above Trixie unleashed her newest spell. Several false doubles appeared and the battle began in the sky. The dragon got up to see the battle, he turned to see Malthael who jumped up and attempted to remove the dragon’s soul via his blades shot into the shoulder. As the glow came up it appeared he was winning until the backlash happened that the soul returned, healing the dragon.

"I will not die!" The dragon screamed.

'I'm guessing willpower let him resist me.'

"Hey scales, your mother was a salamander and your father smelled of brimstone!" Malthael screamed, darting around the dragon. The dragon growled and let out a gout of flame at the angel. Malthael dodged the flames and rushed toward the dragon. Malthael stabbed one of his sickles into the dragon's eyes, causing blood and other fluids to gush from the wound. The dragon roared in pain and slammed one of his claws into Malthael. Malthael crashed and bounced off the ground. He picked himself up and took off, narrowly avoiding being stepped on by the dragon.

Malthael looked at the being he soon channeled energy into his blades. He was soon joined by the dragon in air. The beast fired flames at him, which malthael countered by flying away from it. Fire was soon unleashed from Malthael, the soul sweep soon covered the dragon. The beast gave a laugh at the attempt. "Fool I don't feel a thing." However his boasting was ended when the leather and rope bindings of his armor started to give. A few on his chest fell on the ground falling on top a unicorn. The leather mostly gave out losing his armor. Malthael then flew in. Using his blades he latched on the chest armor and cut the side off. The dragon threw him off but the armor soon gave out and flew again this time crushing an injured pegasus.

Malthael laughed at the dragon in return. "You really have to take better care of your equipment."

"You worthless, little maggot! I will have your charred bones between my teeth!"

"I doubt that." Malthael shot back at the dragon, blades at the ready. Malthael flew at the dragon and headed towards its underbelly. The dragon belched out more flames at Malthael. He dodged the flames and stabbed both of his sickles into the dragon's underbelly, attempting to steal the dragon's soul again.

The same light shined as the dragon cried out slowly it seemed Malthael was just about to win when the soul returned into the dragon he threw him off. "I have had enough of you!" The beast let out fires at point blank for a moment only fire was seen as Moon and Trixie looked on with fear. Until a fog of death started to push the flames was seen all around it the fires died in intensity until they were gone. A cloud of death formed around Malthael and the dragon. From the sky the bones of the dragon fell with Malthael in the middle, his sickles glowing. He saw the bones and was slowly debating. The other three saw as the fog started up. Moon, Chrysalis, and Trixie got out of the way, the glowing sickles started to be cover in his death fog. 'Here goes nothing.' He slammed into the ground. He pulled up his sickles and spread them, two streams of fog was formed which he waved around. Those not guarded were not killed but slowly decaying he finally waited until barriers were down and unleashed it a 360 death fog. Their souls soon added to those he already held.

Malthael panted slightly, he had never used his fog like that before. He looked over at Chrysalis, Trixie and Moon, with a slight small on his face. "Well, I got rid of our dragon problem, how'd you girls do?" The girls snapped out of their stupor and rushed over to Mal.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" Moon cried, throwing her arms around Mal. Mal was shocked, he had never seen Moon act like this. Mal returned the hug that Moon had him locked in, and stroked the back of her head.

"Hey, there's nothing to worry about. It'll take a little more than some fire to take me out." Mal told her.

"I know, it just looked like..." Mal cut her off the best way he knew how. He tilted her head up and planted a surprise kiss on her lips.

"Sorry Moon, but you're gonna be stuck with me for a long time."

The group returned to the nobles’ town. The noble himself saw the group return. "So is the dragon gone?" The Lord asked. Mal held his hand out showing the glowing ball.

"This soul says everything, the dragon didn't want to die so he fought me each time I attempted to remove but as they say, you can only fight death for so long." Malthael finished. He also reached into his magical bag. "Also here's a dragon’s tooth and a little something for you." He pulled out an Equestrian sword used by one of the unicorns.

"These should help a great deal. I may be able to turn this tooth into a dagger." 

"Glad you'll be able to get some use out of these. Now, let's go plan our attack on the other settlements." 

"Very well, let's go study the map."

The lord took Mal and the girls to the map room, where Sunset was waiting for them. "Mal, I'm glad you're okay!" She said rushing to his side. Mal rolled his eyes and put an arm around Sunset.

"Come on Sunset, I already told you that there's nothing in this world I can't handle."

"I know, but I still worry about you."

"I hate to interrupt but we really should work on our battle plans." The lord told them.

The map was a bit updated. It showed allied lords getting ready to attack the rebels. It also showed a sign where the dragon was gone. "Our scouts are reporting raiders Near the outer villages, the allies are reading their forces to invade a few rebels and the invaders lines are being raided by the local outlaws turns out they hate them more than us."

"I guess there is honor amongst thieves after all." Mal said.

"Perhaps, but we are keeping an eye on them. The last thing we need is for them to betray us." 

"Good idea, now remember, we are to avoid civilian casualties at all costs." Mal stated.

"We know, we wish not to bring harm to the serfs either, they will be kept safe." The lord proclaimed.
> Two Islands Down, Relaxation Time (Warning: Clop)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The next few days a battle raged between the invading Prench forces and the rogue vassals, with the lords and Malthael's group. At long last the forces where ready with a siege of the fort. In the camp the lords meet with their forces. Malthael’s group was there as well. "It seems they have watchers at all times and those Equestrian clouds have pegasus guards. We could be in for a lengthy siege or a costly assault." One lord said. A guard came in to meet them.

"Sir, a few of the local outlaws have come they surrendered their weapons and claim they can help us." The guard said. The lord nodded. Walking in was the heavy wearer outlaw. 

"I see you’re attempting to siege the Prench outpost." The outlaws came in.

"Cut to the chase, what is it that you want?" Said another lord. 

"Very well, my men and I can help with the siege, we can get past the guards and open the gated allowing you to walk right into the fort, all we ask in return is for this," He had a bow, "Is for us to be free of our crimes."

Mal looked at the lords. "I don't know what do you guys think?" 

"We are rather desperate, and most of their crimes are petty theft." One of the younger lords said.

"Yes but they have committed others that are quite serious." An older lord said.

"Guys, we could be looking at a long siege that could result in a lot of deaths without their help. Maybe we could pardon their old crimes, but any new crimes will result in immediate punishment. How does that sound?" Mal asked, tuning towards the outlaw. The outlaw thought it over for a moment before nodding. 

"That sounds fair, what do you say my lords?"

With that the outlaws headed off with some weapons. They managed to fake being the rebel forces coming to reinforce the Prench forces. As nightfall came the gates started to open as the watchers were asleep. The oldest lord stood up and waved his sword up. The army moved into position. Malthael and his group flew through the air with a few other flyers. A unicorn awoke to see the army invading before he could speak he was assassinated. However, another unicorn managed to see the army a bit later. He fired a flare but by then it was too late. "To battle!"

The Dragkin rushed into the fort taking out any that got in their way. Malthael and his group collided with the pegasi. Malthael dug his sickle into the closest pegasus, knocking them out of the air with a spout of blood. The girls took out their own pegasi with a flurry of spells. Down on the ground the Dragkin were pushing back the Prench forces with minimal casualties.

Then, some of the rebels did something amazing. They started to burn and kill the Prench forces. The battle was soon aided by a revolt. The outlaws helped take down the ponies and mercenaries. However coming out was a small team of elite unicorns. They unleashed cold spells and levitated several spears. Which they used to attack and cut through the charging forces. The ground gave out as diamond dogs came through with swords and heavy armor. A few unicorns came out forming barriers to help them fight. The lord form the town Malthael’s group came too was tripped by an elite unicorn. Who was about to attack again when Malthael dropped down on him smashing into the ground he pieced the unicorn and removed its soul. "You alright?" Malthael asked. He turned around right when a diamond dog attempted to attack but yelled. Malthael was quick and dug his blades into the Diamond Dog’s neck in and took his soul.

"I'll be fine, thank you for helping me." The lord replied. Malthael nodded and made his way toward the elite unicorns. Malthael reached the closest barrier and slammed his sickles into it. The barrier fell and Malthael instantly let his Death Fog roll out. The Prench forces started to decay, their bodies crumbling to dust. The Dragkin saw this and charged at the other barriers. While it took them longer, they still caused the barriers to fall. The unicorns recovered quickly and fired into the charging Dragkin. The Dragkin ignored their injured and continued on to slice into the elite spellcasters.

The revolting forces helped take out the diamond dogs. Malthael turned to attack a unicorn however while his back was turned a blade cut into his side it was a graze and he would survive. However with his back turned a spear hit his arm while missing his bones the pain left it useless. He flew away as the same spear hit his thigh. He landed and in some pain turned to them. Flames burst from him burning them he then added his death fog and blue glow and took their souls. As soon as he had finished the last few Prench forces were defeat. "Victory!"

Malthael panted and put his hand over one of his deeper wounds. 'Damn, I've gotta be more careful.' The lords approached Mal with the rebels in tow.

"Malthael, these are the rebels that sided with the Prench originally. What do you think you we should do with them?"

"Why are you asking me?" Mal asked, arching an eyebrow.

"You helped us make a decision regarding the outlaws, we thought you'd have a fair solution for these defectors as well."

"I guess I could help you with that, but first I need to deal with these wounds. Just keep an eye on these guys until the morning. I should be feeling better then. Girls, I'm gonna need some help with these." Mal called out to the girls. The lords watched Mal leave, finally noticing his wounds.

The girls had helped somewhat but they were mostly shocked by the wounds. However after the panic was over, the girls helped heal him. Basic healing spells helped well with his healing factor as well and closing the wound. He would be ready in a bit. He was there to look at the revoltees. Most of them were forced into the battle by their lords. The others hated the ponies of Prance. This was enough for Malthael to get their charges waived but they had to remain in their home villages and towns with some keeping their weapons. The stone fort however was a place where the lords decided to refortify the place as a kind of neutral ground and even a castle. "So then what will you be doing, Angel of death?" The youngest lord asked.

"There's one more major settlement that we have to get to. Hopefully the invaders there haven't gotten as far there as they did here. And I really hope they don't have something like a dragon there."

"We understand," one of the older lords said. "Thank you for helping our people. You will always be welcome here." The other lords nodded and Mal simply smiled at them.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just doing what I can to help. Alright girls, we should get going." Mal finished, turning to leave with the girls.

"Mal, I think we need to have a talk." Sunset said when they had left the settlement.

"What about, Sunset?" Mal asked, knowing nothing good came from a girlfriend saying those words.

"The girls and I were thinking that after we help the next settlement that we should stop fighting for a while. You got a lot of injuries this time and we don't want anything to happen to you.” Mal looked at the others who all just gave him a nod.

"Alright, I was a little careless back there." He admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "After this next settlement we can just take it easy, maybe find a tropical island and lounge there for a while. How does that sound?" Mal asked giving them all a grin. Sunset returned the grin and put a hand on his shoulder.

"That sounds good, and thank you for understanding."

"Hey, you know I can't stand to make you girls worry. Besides, I've always wanted to try drinking out of a coconut." Sunset rolled her eyes at Mal and continued on to their destination

At the next minor settlement however, it seemed word had finally reached the Prench ponies there. It was hard to say what happened but a revolt happened and all the Prench ponies where killed. The local leader thanked them for helping them with their planned revolt. After that however they were ready to set off again.

A map was given to them that helped in moving across the island. Another smaller island was chosen for them to rest. "Well this was a surprise, we actually freed an Island from the Prench, and unlike the others they were weakened. Mal pointed out. The group finally came to the island it was nice and uninhabited. "Here we are,” Mal said as they landed on the ground.

"This should be fun." Moon said.

"Yeah, but Trixie was hoping for a more tropical island."

"Me too, I don't think there's a single coconut on this island." "Mal said. "Still, I'm sure we'll be able to have some fun here."

"I can think of a few ways to have some fun." Moon said sliding up to Mal. He rolled his eyes and let her stay close to him. He knew that she needed to relax in her own way.
He set the charm off and the home was set. As they walked into the home, Moon however stopped to whisper into Chrysalis’ ear something. The hybrid girl blush. 

Warning: This next passage contains heavy sexual situations. If you do not  wish to see such things move to the next marked passage. But you'll be missing out.

After Mal got into something more comfortable he looked at his wounds. The basic healing spells from the girls and his healing had helped him heal fully as he headed off out of his room. He saw Moon’s door was slightly open and heard sounds of moaning coming from within. He walked in and saw Moon on top of Chrysalis. Moon was barely clothed. Chrysalis was topless showing her breasts which Moon was busy licking and playing with. Moon gave a smile.

“Hello Mal we were in the middle of something..." she purred reaching down at her bra, "But you can join us." She removed it letting her bust come free the two girls’ breasts pressed against each other.

Mal turned a deep shade of red as he looked at the girls. "Well umm... I..."

"Ooh, look at him Chrissy. I told you we could leave Mal speechless if we did something like this." Moon said with a giggle.

"You're right, he looks so cute tripping over his words like that." Chrysalis said, returning the giggle. Mal shot both of them an annoyed look, but Moon just got up from where she was and gave him a hug, making sure to press her breasts tightly against his chest.

"I'm sorry Mal. I didn't mean to make you angry. Come on, Chrissy and I were just talking about how much fun something like this would be. So how's about it?" Moon asked already having a hand underneath Mal's clothes. Mal's look softened and pulled Moon into a long, tongue-filled kiss.

The two of them had their passionate kiss joined by Chrysalis who came behind Moon and cupped her breasts while she gave Moon’s neck a lick causing her to moan. Malthael ended the kiss with Moon to get to Chrysalis’ lips. Moon started to help remove his clothes. The three moved in a mess before finally landing on the bed finally fully nude. Chrysalis and Moon kissed while Mal got to suck and play with their breasts. The two girls then shared a three way kiss with him. The two girls started a little fight over who got him in them first.

Mal grinned at their display as much as he could with his lips pressed against the two girls. Mal decided to entertain Moon first and pushed her down. He gestured for Chrysalis to get on top of Moon while he lined himself up with Moon's lower lips. He heard Chrysalis let out a long moan as it seemed Moon understood what he had in mind. He smirked and grabbed Chryalis' breasts and toyed with her nipples as she leaned forward and trapped him in a kiss. Finally, Mal drove himself forward and into Moon.
Moon gave a cry in pain and pleasure as her hymen broke. Chrysalis moved around, pressing her lower lips into Malthael's face. She gave Moon a kiss to take  her mind off the pain. Mal gave Chrysalis’ nethers a long, slow lick. Mal then started to thrust his hips down and down inside Moon. She countered his thrusts with her hips.

Mal placed Chrysalis' legs around his head so that he could focus on gripping Moon's hips. Mal continued to lick Chrysalis, occasionally flicking her clit with his tongue while he slowly pulled out of Moon. Moon let out a soft moan into Chrysalis' mouth and moved her hips in a futile attempt to keep Mal inside. Mal let out his own moan, partly from the way Moon's inner walls gripped him, and in part to the taste of Chrysalis' feminine juices. Mal pulled out until only the head of his member was inside of Moon. He gave her a reassuring pat on the hip and drove back into her, a little quicker than before.

Mal and Moon slowly started to pick up speed in their thrusts, the two of them working in tandem to drive each other to a euphoric climax. At the same time, Chrysalis’ nethers were getting assaulted by Mal, who was starting to suck, kiss and ruthlessly lick her. He gave her clit a few nibbles and a small bite with his teeth. The two girls were wrapped close together as all three slowly started to feel their orgasms approaching. With one last thrust the three finally came. Mal came right into Moon with her fem-cum dribbling out of her and Chrysalis’ juices shot down Mal’s throat. After a few moments Chrysalis fell on Moon as the two girls laid still for a moment. Chrysalis moved down to Moon's nethers licking her up. 

From behind, Mal came up and thrust himself into Chrysalis who gave the same cries of pain as Moon and Sunset. Her  hymen had been broken. Chrysalis cried out, both in pain and surprise. Mal winced as her insides clenched around his girth tightly. He rubbed and kneaded the cheeks of her ass hoping to calm her down. Eventually, Chrysalis let out a soft moan and busied herself with Moon's folds again. Chrysalis' insides unclenched, but still gripped him snugly. Mal leaned over Chrysalis' back and pressed his lips against her neck, while his hands snuck their way onto her chest. Mal pulled back out of her, and stayed like that for a brief moment, before driving himself back in. Chrysalis stifled a moan by driving her face into Moon's crotch, her nose bumping into her clit. Chrysalis started to thrust back against Mal. getting impatient with the slow pace he had taken.

Mal decided to give her what she wanted he started to pick up his thrusts into her. Moon herself managed to lock her legs around them both letting them move as one. Mal grabbed Moon’s hips and Chrysalis by her waist. Moon moved her hips in thrusts against Chrysalis’ face slowly. Soon Mal’s thrusts got faster, harder, wilder. Chrysalis got more aggressive in Moon’s nethers and the girls playing with their busts got wilder as well. Finally, Mal, Chrysalis and Moon all came as one again, the three laid there as they were. Moon and Chrysalis clawed up to him each giving him a kiss.

This is where the clop ends. We hope that you did not have to hear any naught words like 'boobies'... drat

Mal collapsed onto the bed and put an arm around both of the girls. "Damn, that was intense you two." Mal said with a tired smile. Chrysalis and Moon cuddled up to him.

"I'm glad you decided to join us." Chrysalis said.

"Me too, I love you both." Mal replied. Moon got a wild grin on her face, squeezed Mal tightly, and buried her face into his side.

"I love you too, Mal." Mal smiled down at her and stroked the back of her head. Chrysalis put on an exaggerated pout and poked Mal to get his attention.

"Hey! Pay attention to me too!" Mal apologized and used his other arm to stroke her shoulder. The three fell into a comfortable silence and eventually fell asleep like that.

-----------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------Back in Prance, the lord general was looking over everything about his realm. Equestrian nobles had been coming hoping for new business opportunities. A few were there just for business, some were coming to live there and work. However, a few of them were helping him topple Celestia and Luna. These few had relatives in the noble houses who were allied with him. A few members of Discord’s cult themselves came to help as well. The Lord General’s feelings on them were mixed but decided to let them help build him special objects. A messenger came up to him. "Lord General, our forces have been destroyed the second island invasion is over." The lord general wanted to snap. "However sir a long ranged trade fleet is returning to Manehatten, several of our ships have confirmed to be there, Princess Luna has requested you would be there along with the griffin rulers."

"Very well, I will be there. Make sure to ready my carriage for the voyage." The Lord General said, turning his attention back to his paperwork. The messenger left and the general started to change his course of thinking. 'I may have lost those islands, but a new opportunity may have just been dropped in my lap. It seems Luna really has taken over Celestia's duties for some reason. While I'm in Manehattan with her I may just have to send somepony to sneak into her chambers. If this is what I believe it is, then I can use it. If all goes well then Equestria will lose faith in their perfect little princess and I will be able to step in and get the public on my side. Then I can take out those filthy Griffins! But for now, I will put on my best suit and smile, and stomach their company.'

---------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------	Mal's group was now moving to the last major island. After they returned to the station island the locals pointed out the last island. A few remaining crossings and they came to the last island. The group stepped out at the coast where they found a large town bigger than the dragkin town they visited with a coast and docks. The guards however were a bit different than what they expected. They were a bigger than them by a bit and they had green skin. Yet held elven features and yet were a bit between the slender elves and bulky humans. "Stop right there." Their hair was seen to be almost vine like and had longer canines. Their eyes where a bit slit. "We have never seen you before, who and what are you?"

Mal walked up to the guards. "I am Malthael, and these are my friends and as for me." His wings formed. "I’ve come to speak to your leaders." One guard looked at the other.
> He Who Beats the Drums of War
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"He looks almost like him, you know?" The other nodded.

"Yes can't believe it was real." The two nodded. "The council is meeting we will lead you to them."

Sunset walked beside Mal and whispered into his ear. "What do you think they meant by 'He looks like him'?"

"I don't know, but I have a feeling that we'll find out pretty soon. My guess, it’s some sort of ancient prophecy, which means, I could be taken for some sort of great hero, or some sort of destroyer." Sunset frowned before whispering back.

"Mal now's not the time for one of your jokes."

"I wasn't joking. Sunset, after everything we've been through, is an ancient prophecy really that far-fetched?" Sunset thought about it for a moment before looking at the group of girls they had been travelling with. She did have to admit that their lives were rather weird.

Inside the castle things seemed more advance yet simpler than the dragkin's in some ways and like the earthern in others. For instance the castle had wooden walls with stone inside to help fortify it. The fire that lit up showed nine council members they looked at the beings being let in by the guards. "What is this." One of the council members, an older one said. One of the guards walked up and whispered into the council member's ear.

"He looks like him sirs." The guard whispered into one member’s ear.

"Who are you?" The member asked.

"Malthael." His wings then formed. "I am the Angel of Death." The council stood up looked at him with wide eyes. They moved to the corner and whispered with each other. Finally one turned to him.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

"Well I'm guessing you have an invader problem? I've been helping the others across the isles with their troubles already my group and I have crippled their operations in the biggest island, destroyed them in the middle sized one and are now here to help destroy or cripple them here."

The council after a bit more discussion finished. "So you say you are death itself?" One asked 

`"Kinda I'm actually an aspect of death." A few whispered.

"Well then Great One, we do have a problem." The council member showed him a map of the island they were on and a few of the smaller ones. "True these invaders are a problem but they haven't invaded the island itself, instead they have fortified an isle around here and have their fleets stationed there before they move troops into the other. Several villages are sometimes raided by one or two ships, we were debating whether to attack them now that we found their fortress isle but our fleet is small and our ships weaker than theirs."

"Whoa, what's with all this 'Great One' talk?" Mal asked, already having an idea of the answer. 

"You do not know?" One of the councilors asked.

"No, I don't, would mind filling me in?"

"Very well, for many generations we have passed down tales of one with wings of lightened darkness who would unite all of the northern isles under one banner. You seem to match the description, especially since you have been helping the other islands with their invaders." Sunset pinched the bridge of her nose. She couldn't believe Mal had been right about the prophecy. Mal just let out a sigh.

"Look, I don't think I'm the guy you're looking for. I'm just some guy that stumbled into power a very long time ago. And now I'm using it to help those that need it. Now, let's plan our attack."

The council members had a basic map of the fortress.

"Well the docks hold their water born fleet but they also have a sky docks with airships coming along. However no new airships have been coming since our scouts found them which we have no idea what's going on, our ships are weaker and our fleet lesser then theirs, finally their thick walls and air superiority is something we cannot get around." The youngest one also added his two cents.

"There are guards everywhere, elite ones as well and mercenaries and even a few pirates, if that wasn’t enough there are pegasi and clouds that can strike us down finally we believe them to also have some of these." An image of a ballista was seen. Even Mal started to feel like this wasn't going to end well. Suddenly a messenger came running up.

"Council members we have more visitors, you will not believe this." Coming in were Ottio with a few earthern, the goblin chief from before as well as the dragkin lord.
"Malthael looks like your here as well laddie." Ottio said with a grin.

Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Why are you all here?" She asked almost knowing the answer.

"We are here to drive off the invaders form our lands once and for all." The goblin said.

"We all had a meeting before we came to give the vyrkul help, and we find you Angel of death." The dragkin said. They each had their swords, or in the case of Ottio battle ax.

"We have brought forces and even ships to help with the invasion, and lad, we each don't need to argue about who will lead us." The each gave a bow with their weapons in front of Mal. Slowly even the council did so.

'Stupid prophecy, making me some stupid hero-king," Mal thought. "Rise, all of you. There is no need to bow before me." Mal said with as much authority as he could muster. "As far as I am concerned we are all equals here. Now, I will lead us in this battle against your invaders. But, I don't think I'm someone you'd want running your nations. Now, we're going to need a lot of work to prepare our forces, and I don't know how long we have to do it. I want to have the navies and ground forces to train together for a while, so we don't have any confusion on the battlefield. And did any of you bring carpenters and smiths?" The assembled leaders nodded earning a grin from the angel. "Good, I have a few ideas that might make our ships more than a match for our invaders."

The ships were being remade and fixed up, with upgrades to their hulls and sizes. Mal also helped the blacksmiths developed something new. Steel something that was a bit better than the iron armor. Another thing was an alteration to the bow. The crossbow as he called it was far better at armor piecing. Using such things as sulfur and tar he created for them a kind of hand held fire explosive. The armor was upgraded with steel mail and a few plated armor sets. Finally, a new weapon was created, a long pole with a ball of metal at the end, the mace. The shields were changed into steel as well. With his help the carpenters managed to create larger objects. One was the catapult and finally a mini ballista. The ships where loaded up as the training was under way. Turned out some earthen and some goblins and a few vyrkuls had magical ability. Sunset, Moon and Trixie helped them with that, giving them basic magical training with a few getting some more advance styles. Finally by the month's end the sun was setting. A whole month spent and now the fleet was ready, the armies ready, and the forces outfitted.

"So our plan is this, we need to eliminate the fleet first, we are attacking at night so we can get the fleet into three parts. One part with the catapults’ job is to smash the towers to take out the ballista, the dragkin with Trixie will take out the pegasi, a part of the fleet will take on the ships, Moon and Sunset with elite dragkin will attempt to remove the airships while I lead an assault after smashing the walls down with the catapult afterwards everyone will focus on defeating the troops inside the fortress."
"Are there any questions or concerns?" Mal asked, looking up from the map. No one said anything and Mal continued. "Alright, if anyone wants to back out, now would be the time. This will be a tough battle, even with all the progress we've made we're sure to suffer a lot of casualties. If you want to leave and focus on protecting your own lands I won't think anything less of you."

"My people have no intentions of leaving." Ottio said. "You came to my people when we thought all hope was lost. You gave us the means to ensure our survival and asked for next to nothing in return. I speak for the rest of my kind when I say that we would follow you into the maw of a beast if you asked us." The other leaders cheered in affirmation and Mal grinned at them.

"If that's how you all feel then let's head out. We'll show those Prench bastards what happens when you try to take the Northern Isles!" Mal cried, earning another round of cheers from the assembled leaders.

The ships moved into position and the island the fortress was seen over the horizon. The ships started to get into formation. On one ship, Trixie got out her broom and was ready to fly with it and crossbow wielding dragkin. Moon and Chrysalis were reading for their movement. Finally, the catapults readied and fire. The sleepy guards in the towers where awoke by the attack the tower was starting to frame and slowly brake. The wall nearby as well was under attack. In the air the pegasi readied there clouds. One had an arrow shot through their eye as the crossbows rained down bolts. Moon grabbed a cloud to help as the airships started to take off and the ships moved to attack the other ships, the small ballista firing at the ships. A few mini trebuchets fired barrel set with a fire the tar in the barrels were set alight and a few holding  explosives boomed on ships.
Malthael stood at the bow of the lead ship. He called out directions to the catapult and ballista operators, and reveled in each hit that his forces landed. Malthael scanned the waters and made sure that the enemy fleet didn't box them in. He constantly called for the movement of the ships so they could box in enemy ships and keep them in the shallower water near the fortress. Malthael stole a quick glance at the battle in the air. The airborne forces were making great progress, and would most likely be the first to enter the fortress. Still, his heart sank with each Dragkin that he saw fall. Malthael shook his head, he needed to focus if he was going to lead the isles to victory. He returned to directing the ships and called out for the catapults to bring out the heavy explosives.

The barrels of explosive cocktail were launched by the catapults. The hit helped weaken the walls which soon started to come down after the creamed and weakened walls the stones were launched and the walls started to finally give way. He made sure to get the walls to fall form near the ground as there rubble started to form the base where they would invade. The ballista and mini trebuchets fired into the forces attempting to stop the invaders inside. Above them an explosion could be seen as the airships started to fall. A ship started to sink from the Northern Isles fleets while several other ships were in the middle of boarding ships from the Prench fleet. A lightning bolt hit an airship as it slowly fell into the water taking down an enemy ship. Finally, the ships landed on the rubble and Malthael with his weapons at the ready had only one thing to say. "Charge!" With that goblin dragkin, vyrkul, and earthern followed him into battle.

Malthael led the charge, using his wings to propel himself along the ground. The Prench forces had bows at the ready and fired at the assaulting forces. "Shields up!" Malthael cried, and in response his forces formed a shield wall like he had taught them. The arrows sunk harmlessly into his army's shields and kept them up as they slowly marched through the hole in the fortress. Malthael smiled as he saw the looks on the ponies' faces. He held his sickles out to the sides and slowly led his shield wall to meet the enemy. Once they were within a few feet of the ponies Mal raced forward and slashed at the nearest pony's head. He then lifted up off the ground to avoid a spear that had been aimed for his chest. The rest of his forces met the enemy and the real fighting began.

The battle was joined as the steel weapons started the turn the fight in the northern isle favor. A few northern ships got into docks, firing crossbows, ballista and even a catapult. Above the fight, arrows from the sky struck them as the dragkin fired from above with Trixie, who helped confuse the enemy with her illusions. Lightning struck the ground. Moon stomped on the clouds she had taken from the pegasi letting their lightning loose, as elite dragkin forces attacked the enemy. Finally, the elite unicorns and the mercenaries came out with a little something extra, man bull things wielding massive swords and axes cut into his men. Malthael dodged one of them and went for the closest being, his blade plunged into his neck and he removed the soul as fast as he could before moving around him and unleashing a soul sweep on the guard behind him.

Malthael kept fighting the bullmen, using his flight to give him the advantage over them. Even as he fought he kept an eye on the rest of the battle so he wouldn't be caught off guard like he was last time. Malthael caught a bullman's axe between his sickles and wrenched it from his grasp. Then, Malthael swung both of his sickles, tearing open the bullman's throat.

The fighting was starting to go in the Northern's favor on the land. At sea some of the northern ships were starting to fall and a few boarded. But those being boarded were pushing back the boarder and boarded the others’ ships. Several ships were on fire. However, with the dragkin jumping form ship to ship, raiding the enemy with crossbows, and a few with blades, the battle at sea was turning in favor of the isles as well. Malthael landed to be rushed at by ponies and diamond dogs. He let loose his death fog. Form the skies tar let loose and a few explosion form around them as the bombs dropped. The ships were set alight by boiling tar and explosives. The unicorns attempted to guard but were being cut down. Malthael slashed and unleashed a soul sweep on those to his side their burning bodies soon pierced and souls removed from some.

The fighting soon started to die down as the ponies kept fighting. Malthael himself started to slow his attacks and consumed less souls as the fighting soon ceased as the last Prench ship went up in flames and those captured were soon killed. The day broke over the horizon. The bodies of the dead being loaded up. Malthael saw that those injured were being healed while others were dying. He walked and found Ottio resting on the wall blood coming out of him at an alarming rate.
"Well laddie, yea did it." He said with deep breaths. With him was the goblin chief also bleeding the dragkin lord barely conscious and the oldest Vyrkul council member half dead. Malthael got down to them all.

"I'm so sorry." Malthael started. The earthern had a bit of a laugh.

"Don't be laddie you did something no one has ever done." He said pointing to the other three races. "You united the isles, you pushed these invaders back, in the short time I’ve known these three I can honestly call them brothers and you a friend." He coughed a bit. "Maybe can you do us one last favor, we wanted to come with you to either see the world or kill the scumbag who started this, and seeing how we are dying there’s only one way." Malthael looked at his sickles. He nodded standing up his glow and the fog washed over them, slowly their bodies turned to dust and decay and their souls were absorbed.

The girls ran up. "Trixie found a map, we can head back to Equestria and even Prance." Trixie started. Malthael turned to them. His face that of sheer determination.

"Then let's go.” With that the isles’ people watched as a small airship set off, and with it their greatest heroes Trixie Lulamoon, Nightmare Moon, Chrysalis Changeling, Sunset Shimmer and Malthael, the Angel of Death, now Malthael the hero.

------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------Back at Prance the lord general looked at everything. He had gotten word that the fortress was most likely destroyed but it didn't matter now. He held a smile on his face through the dark rain lightning showed his shadow with alicorn wings and the glowing horns shadow faced north a bit.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
---------Luna walked by her sister’s room. "Luna what's going on why am I in my room and can't get out?" Celestia voice said. Form inside the room. Luna breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sister you... Ahh." As she opened the door she was blasted back, in the door way was Princess Celestia, no Solar Flare. Her fur had taken on a pale, slightly golden hue. Her eyes were now red with serpent-like slits for pupils. Her mane now looked like a raging inferno and instead of her normal raiment’s she was now wearing crimson and golden armor.

"I must thank you, as a reward, you die last sister." With that Solar Flare burst through the castle. 

At the Equestria Prance shared zone the guard post was suddenly a light as Prance's guard started an attack. The commander there turned to two pegasi. "Send word to the other princesses, send word to the Elements now!"

---------------------------------------------
-----------------------Twilight and her friends were coming back from a picnic when they saw that ponies from Ponyville were running. By the time they got there. The tree house wall exploded. With fire dancing by her hooves, walking out was Solar Flare with the Elements' box. "It's so good to be queen!" She laughed. Her wings spread and she took off the flames increasing like a fan.

-----------------------------------------------
---------------On the other side of the galaxy, dashing through a star system Discord suddenly felt a huge disturbance in the chaos force. "Spike looks like we have to head back. The dragon was wearing an outfit of Discord’s design, (Trek captain) and looked at him.

"Is something wrong?"

"Yes, enough cruising, time to go maximum!" With that Discord raced to Equestria.
> Solar Flare vs. the Angel of Death
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Discord popped into existence next to Luna, having sent Spike back to Twilight already. He helped her off the floor and used his magic to wake her up. "Lulu, what happened here?" He asked, already knowing, but hoping that he was somehow wrong.

"It's Tia she has become Solar Flare, just as we feared she would."

"Did she do this to you?"

"Yes, she feigned recovery and blasted me as soon as I opened the door." Luna admitted sullenly. "I was a fool, I should've known better. I should've sent for you as soon as she woke up just to be safe." Luna finished, tears welling up in her eyes. Discord gave Luna a small hug and stroked her mane.

"Now's not the time for that. You just wanted your sister to be healthy. No one will fault you for that. Now, I'm gonna go grab Mal, he'll be able to fix this."

Discord pulled away from Luna and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, before he pinched it. "You be a good princess and keep the country from panicking, I'll be back with Mal before you can say chaos." He said going back to his cheerful demeanor. With that, he walked away from Luna, snapped his talons, and popped out of existence again. Discord instantly popped into Mal's airship while Mal was steering it. The girls noticed Discord before he did.

"Mal," Sunset called out, "Discord's here." Mal turned his head but kept his hands firmly on the wheel. 

"Hey Discord, how are you?"

"Now's not the time for pleasantries I'm afraid. Celestia has fallen into her own nightmare form and is running around Equestria calling herself Solar Flare. We need you to remove the Solar Flare part of her soul like you did with Luna." Discord explained, calmer than one would expect given the dire situation. Mal became attentive and gave Discord a nod.

"Alright, I'll see what I can do." Mal said turning to the girls. "Girls, we gotta put our plans on hold. Right now, we gotta save Equestria." The girls all nodded quickly, Moon looking more serious than the rest. "Okay Discord, take us to Celestia!" Mal boomed.

----------------------------------------
---------------Luna herself was still recovering from the event. She stood up as a letter was appearing in front of her.

Dear princess Luna,
Celestia... I mean Solar Flare has just attacked Ponyville and destroyed my home! She has taken the Elements of Harmony with her we are going to try to get to her and the Elements. I know Malthael is going to remove Solar Flare but we just have to help her. I'm sorry.
Signed,
possibly soon to be former Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Luna read it, she inwardly cursed and headed off.

-----------------------------------------
-------------In the forest Solar Flare turned to see the mane six. "So little Twilight, think you can defeat me?" She said as the box suddenly locked itself with a special spell placed on it. "Now that I've locked the Elements no one can stop me!" She boasted.

"Want to bet?" A voice was heard, Solar Flare looked up and behind as Malthael jumped on her his sickles pressed into the sides of her face as he started to remove Solar Flare from Celestia. The main six saw her slowly return to normal.

'Yes.' Twilight thought.

"I... Will.... Not.... Ahhhh." A backlash was seen, as solar Flare’s side of the soul regained control. Solar Flare glared as Malthael stood back up. Moon, Sunset and Trixie came up to him with a fourth girl. 

Twilights eyes widened. 'Queen Chrysalis.'

"You will not kill me!" Solar Flare boomed. "I'm in charge now! Celestia's time is through, now I will rule all of the world!"

'Oh god, Solar Flare is so generic I'm surprised that her declaration wasn't punctuated with lightning.' Malthael thought. "I'm not going to kill you Solar." Malthael calmly said. "But I am going to stop you from taking over the world." Solar Flare sneered at the angel.

"I'd like to see you stop me, I've already resisted your soul removal. Now, I must ask, can Death die?"

"Looks like you're not gonna listen to reason." Malthael said with a sigh. "Girls, set up a barrier, I don't want her to get away. And no matter what happens in here, I don't want you girls to take it down."

"Mal, what if..." Sunset started but Malthael cut her off.

"I don't want to hear any arguments, do it now." He stated firmly. The girls complied and placed a large barrier around Malthael, its color shifting constantly due to the mixed energies. Solar Flare's horn lit up with the colors of an inferno.

"You're either very brave or stupid to face me alone. Oh who am I kidding we both know it's the latter." Malthael didn't rise to the insult and instead charged at Solar Flare, his sickles aimed for her chest.

-----------------------------------------------
--------------Luna flew looking for her sister. She hoped she was not too late. 

------------------------------------------
-----------	The fight between Solar Flare and Malthael was heating up. He had hoped to overpower and knock her out. The two clashed again blades versus horn of flames. Solar flare used both earth pony strength and pegasus wings to help her get a foot hold adding more magic as she pushed Malthael back and into a tree. Solar’s magic lit the tree and ground on fire. "Is that all you have?" Solar Flare asked walking up, only for a vortex of flames to almost hit her.

Walking out of the vortex was Malthael. "Not even close." In a flash two soul like beings appeared besides him. "Attack." He commanded.

The two soul beings flanked Solar Flare's sides while Malthael flew up into the air. Solar Flare caught the two soul beings' attacks with her horn. She had almost pushed them back when Malthael crashed into her back with a drop kick. Solar Flare collapsed onto the ground and Malthael straddled her back and sank both of his sickles into her sides. "Restrain her!" Malthael commanded. The beings did as they were told, one grabbing Solar Flare's horn while the other held her wings. While this was happening Malthael's sickles started to glow and he tried to remove Solar Flare from Celestia once more.

"No! I can resist you... Ahhhhhh!" Solar Flare screamed. Again, it appeared that Celestia would return to normal, but Solar Flare lit up her horn, causing one of the soul beings to recoil from the heat. Solar Flare caught Malthael in her magic and picked him up, his sickles still in her sides. She picked up the two soul beings in her magic as well and lit them on fire. She tossed the soul beings away and looked at Malthael with a manic look on her face. "I would've thought you'd learn your lesson." She said slamming Malthael into the ground, keeping him in her magic. "Your soul removal doesn't work on me." She continued, slamming him into the ground again. "All it does is annoy me. Now, surrender and I will end your life quickly." Malthael didn't answer, instead trying to break out of Solar Flare's magical hold. "Oh, I was hoping you'd do this." Solar Flare said, lighting Malthael on fire.

Malthael felt the flames on him as he channeled his magic within him. He suddenly glowed blue in the flames. A blast of his magic exploded and Solar Flare cried out, as her hold on him broke. A blast hit her from Malthael’s shockwave. He stood up with a glow of cold. Solar flare attempted to burn him yet he cut it off as she kept shooting and Malthael kept blocking it.

"Come!" He screamed. The beings came again this time they smashed into her sides and threw her. "It seems I'm going to have to beat you into submission!" Malthael started; his burnt outfit and slightly burnt skin still having wisps of smoke curl up into the air. Solar Flare started to stand up only to cry a bit as her wing was broken. Malthael appeared in front of her, Solar Flare managed to dodge only to get her side cut by Malthael who jumped and kicked her in the face, soon after the two beings followed up by tossing her through a tree.

Luna had finally sensed the trail from Ponyville and landed to see the fight. Luna walked up to Twilight and let out a sigh of relief when she saw the barrier housing Malthael and Solar Flare. "Thank goodness, Malthael made it here before you could do anything foolish." 

"I'm sorry Princess, but I had to do something to help." Twilight admitted.

"I understand, I would do the same." Luna told her with a warm smile. "So, how fares Malthael against Solar Flare?"

"Honestly, it's really hard to tell. They're constantly trading blows. Malthael has tried to remove Solar Flare from Celestia twice now. What if he can't do it? Will he have to..." Twilight started, but Luna cut her off.

"We cannot think like that Twilight. What we need to do is have faith in Malthael's abilities." Twilight nodded and they returned their attention to the fight.

Inside the barrier Malthael slowly approached Solar Flare. She was shakily trying to return to her hooves, her body covered in splinters. Malthael simply swept her legs out from under her and stepped on her broken wing. Solar Flare screamed in pain and Malthael simply waited for it to die down. "I don't want to fight you Solar." Malthael stated. "Please, just give up. I promise that I can give you your own body and life once you're separated from Celestia." Solar Flare shot Malthael a pained glare.

"Rot in Tartarus you bucker." She spat at him. Malthael dug his heel into the broken appendage, causing Solar Flare to cry out again.

"Have it your way then." He said, stabbing her with his sickles. "By the way I recall I went to Tartarus once, and I killed it."

Once again he attempted to force out her soul. Solar Flare was once again becoming Celestia but Malthael removed his blade returning Solar Flare’s soul back before hitting her over the head with all his might. She was knocked unconscious or so it would seem. As he walked up to remove her soul her eyes opened. "Got you!" Flames lit up as everyone watched in stunned silence as the darkened sun alicorn was attempting to burn Malthael who powered through it and latched his sickle to her, trying to remove her soul. Sunset had had enough, she lowered the barrier for a moment and grabbed Solar Flare in an attempt to stop her. She grabbed hold of her horn with magic. Solar Flare struggled as her soul was slowly being removed, she attempted to toss Sunset but she grabbed onto one of her hooves. A mighty magical backlash was unleashed with a blue glow and flames, smoke and light. Finally they saw four beings, Sunset, who was slowly getting up, Malthael who could be better his outfit almost completely burned to ash with light burns and his hair singed a bit. They saw an injured Princess Celestia still a pony. And finally an unconscious girl who was as busty was Nightmare Moon and yet was a bit taller and had a bigger butt and wider hips. It was Solar Flare. Celestia started to wake up.

"What just happened?" She said in pain.

"You gave into the darkness in your soul, but Sunset and I were able to remove it." Malthael said motioning toward the woman.

"Sunset?" Celestia questioned, getting up onto shaky hooves. Her eyes widened in recognition. "Sunset Shimmer it really is you." Celestia whispered managing to walk over to the woman and wrapping her good wing and hooves around her. Sunset returned the embrace with tears in her eyes.

"Hi Princess. I'm so sorry I was so arrogant." Sunset said, fighting back the tears.

"No, I was your teacher. I'm the one who's responsible for what happened. Still, it looks like things worked out on their own. It appears you've become an even greater person than I could've imagined."

While Celestia and Sunset were having their little reunion Mal walked over to Solar Flare and checked on her. She was unconscious, but alive. Mal nodded at this and took out his charm home, and placed Solar on the couch for the time being. At that moment he needed to have a talk with Sunset. He walked out of the home with a blank expression on his face. He saw that Celestia and Sunset had just ended their embrace and he approached them. 

"Sunset, what the hell were you thinking?! He boomed. "I told you to keep the barrier up at all costs!"

"I was helping you, you ass!" Sunset shot back.

"I don't care! You had no idea what your magical backlash would do while I was using my soul removal! Not to mention all the fire, or any one of a million things that could’ve happened!"

"I just didn't want her to resist the soul removal. Everything worked out fine, so what's the big deal?!"

Malthael shook with anger at this. "The big deal is that I could've very easily killed you Sunset!" Mal cried, getting the attention of everyone. Mal's demeanor suddenly changed, now he wasn’t shaking from anger, but from sobbing. "Damn it Sunset, I don't know what I'd do if I caused you to die." Sunset's anger died, she walked up to Mal and wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm sorry I made you worry like that. I was just so scared for you too. I don't know what I'd do without you." Mal returned the embrace until he managed to steady himself.
"Me too, Sunset I love you."

The display was seen by everyone. Ones like Rarity, Fluttershy, and even Pinkie Pie were starry eyed at this. Even Celestia had to admit that Malthael, despite being death itself seemed to breathe life into the world. 'What is death without life?' She thought barely realizing that she just thought of the oldest force ever. Nothing seemed like it could break the happy day. Well almost nothing. The Element’s case was suddenly encased by magic.

"Well, well, well." Everyone turned to see the lord general of Prance. "What a disgusting display." Malthael had his blades out. "Oh so you’re the being who stopped my invasion plans?" The LG stated.

"What invasion?" Celestia screamed.

"The invasion of the northern isles I spent a lot of time there stopping your forces." Malthael said.
The lord general started, "Perhaps, but today things change.... Today..." His cape gave way to reveal the feathered wings of an alicorn and above them an air fleet moved into position.

"Impossible, you were never an Alicorn." Luna and Twilight said.

"Please there is more than one way to become an alicorn, more dark ways."

Celestia got ready for a fight."What do you want?" She demanded.

"Your throne, your lives and the ponies who live here, all to rule this world." Suddenly a red object moved out from behind him. Twilight, Celestia, and the main six the all remembered it. "Sombra’s horn." Malthael held his blades up.

"It's not a horn  anymore it’s a soul gem now holding a fall being." The horn merged with the lord general horn. A dark forced covered him as a second shadow was seen, Sombra with one difference. He had bat wings.

"Yes you see my anger, my hate for you all even trapped in the horn allowed me to become an alicorn. With a little help from my dark magic of course." The lord general said in Sombra’s voice.

"With him I learned how to ascend." The LG’s voice broke out. 

"Together we will rule this ball of rock." The two voices said together. The darkness soon gave out. Standing there was a fusion of the two beings, King Sombra and the lord general of Prance. Two alicorns as one. The horn of Sombra, the head and body of the lord general, Sombra’s bat wings. Finally his eyes opened revealing Sombra’s eyes. "I am Demise, I invite you to Prance to try and stop me." The being started to become darkness, as did the suitcase with the elements. With that they were gone.

> Battle With Demise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Malthael let go of Sunset and drew his sickles once more. "Looks like we're gonna have to hold off on the celebration girls. Get in the airship, we're headed to Prance to shove that asshole's head up his own asshole." Malthael said, and the girls fell in behind him. Malthael went into the charm home and grabbed Solar before returning the charm to his bag. Just as Malthael and the girls were about to take off someone called out to them.

"Where do you think you're going?" Rainbow Dash asked, getting up in Malthael's face.

He arched an eyebrow at the mare in front of him before saying, "Like I said, the girls and I are going to Prance to take care of the Lord General and this Sombra."

"Not without us you aren't." Rainbow Dash declared, with the mane six and the princesses falling in behind her.

"Are you sure you want to do this? Celestia looks like she's about to collapse, and I can't promise that I'll be able to protect all of you."

"I'll be fine, Malthael." Celestia answered, standing a little taller than before. "The Lord General has used dark magics and has threatened my country as well as my life. I will do my best to help you stop him."

"Yeah, and he has our Elements, there's no way we can just do nothing." Pinkie added. "Also he's a big meanie." She concluded. Malthael let out a sigh but had a smile on his face.

"Looks like I can't argue with any of you. Fine, you all can come too, but I'm driving." Malthael finished, turning and leading everyone to his airship.

The airship being a captured Prench airship was able to about. They decided to leave Solar Flare in the Crystal Empire with Cadence and Shining Armor, all of them hoping that between the two of them they’d be able to put up a barrier that would keep her from getting out if she decided to wake up. All around, they saw Prench forces march in the shared lands and partly beyond. The airship managed to trick its way into Prance by blending in as one of their ships. 

"Look." Moon pointed out. The capital of Prance was now a citadel filled to the brim with unknown things. Suddenly, rising up was an unknown object. A long rope shot them down.

"We're going down everyone!" Malthael screamed. He managed to steer them into the wall. Everyone jump off as the guards ran at them. Malthael readied his blade cutting into the ponies’ necks and stabbing them through their hearts. The next three were given a soul sweep for their stupidity, burning them as Malthael rushed in to end their lives. The mane six were horrified at this but Celestia and Luna merely flinched at it. They were more acclimated than most to this sort of thing.

“Why are you standing there?" Malthael asked/demanded.

"Sorry, we just weren't expecting there to be so much killing." Twilight admitted, getting out of her stupor. 

Malthael rolled his eyes and continued on. Malthael continued down the streets and slashed, burned, and used his Death Fog on anything that approached him. Twilight and the others focused on everything that was behind them. Twilight, Rarity, Luna and Celestia fired beams of magic, Rainbow Dash flew at high speeds and slammed into the Prench forces, Applejack used her lasso, and brought soldiers in for a buck to the face, Pinkie Pie used her party cannon on anyone that got too close, and Fluttershy stuck close to Twilight and avoided getting in anyone's way. Sunset, Moon, and Chrysalis helped out in the air along with Trixie, who confused everyone with various illusions. Suddenly, the ground started to shake as something walked towards them, metal monsters. Inside them however, they could feel  Discord’s magic powering them, and giving them life. 

"I'm guessing he got a few cultists of discord to help him." Celestia said. Malthael flew at them but was grabbed and tossed against the wall. The things pulled out swords form nowhere. It gave a roar soulless and powered by magic. Malthael in his weakened state looked at the three beings before getting up.

'Ok then they need to be distracted the more time we waste the more time Demise has to get ready." He held up his blades as the fog circled it. "Arise!" He commanded and the dead bodies around started to get up. The two soul beings from before were also summoned. "Attack!" With that the risen dead and the beings attacked and slowly overwhelmed the golems of metal and magic.

"Wait, you can use necromancy?" Twilight screamed.

"Angel of Death, remember?"

Twilight stole a glance at Malthael before continuing to fire her magic at the Prench forces, relieved that the angel was on their side. Meanwhile, the soul beings and risen dead took an interesting approach fighting the metallic golems. They focused their attention on one, surrounding it and employing hit and run tactics on the behemoth. Their ploy worked and eventually they were able to cut a vital part of the being's legs and caused the metallic body to collapse. Unfortunately, the other two metal golems learned from their comrade's failure and split their forces apart and kept them from falling into formation.The group moved past them while they were preoccupied. Slowly the group fought there way to the newly formed and fortified castle. They blasted their way through to see Demise looking at them all with no one else. "Well you’re late." he said blankly. and yawned as if he were bored. Malthael launched himself at Demise, digging his sickles into his sides.

"Any last words before I remove your soul?" Malthael asked. At this point he was starting to act a bit rash. The started the glow only for it to suddenly blast him back.

"Hahahahahaha, you think we wouldn't have protected ourselves against that?" Sombra had control over his soul, and the Lord General Sambri had strong will power." Malthael cursed. The others rushed him. "Now!" the Alicorn Princesses, Sunset, Nightmare Moon, Chrysalis, and Trixie felt pain shoot through them; they suddenly felt drained.
"What just happened?" Sunset asked. Demise’s horn lit up with magic glowing in his eyes.

"It worked, I actually did it! I now have the princess’ powers, and Malthael’s little group as well, my spell worked." He let his glow expand as the ground shook, and the building rose. Malthael jumped up in an attempt to cut down Demise, only to be stopped by a magic field. "Good bye." With that he slammed against the walls without Demise even moving. Finally Malthael cried out as Demise let crystals slowly cover him. "Amazing with this kind of power, I can rule the world." He said to himself. The Angel of Death’s head was the only thing not covered in crystal.

The newly empowered being waved his head as storm clouds gathered across Equestria, the griffin’s lands, the Zebra Empire, and the minotaur homes. He let loose a teleportation spell appearing by Cadence and Solar Flare’s unconscious form. "Sombra is that you.... ahhhhh!" She barely got to speak as she and Solar Flare, who was still unconscious, were shocked. The crystal heart turned black as the Crystal Empire ponies cried out as their emotions, mostly fear empowered him.

"At last! I. Am. A. God!" Demise said. He crystalized everyone there up to their heads. In another teleport he looked over the castle as it started to morph to his whims. "No one can stop me now!" He gave a cry.

"Want to bet?” Came a voice behind him. Demise saw Discord the God of Chaos. "You know Demise, I feel like I live in a world made out of cardboard, every time I use my powers I force myself to hold back not to hurt something, someone." He looked at Demise. "However after your little stunt you can now take it. Discord took a step, the crystals started to break and the floating buildings started to fall back into place. "What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to really cut loose and show everyone just how powerful I... Truly... Am!" Demise fired a blast which Discord dodged but moving his body in a near impossible way. He blasted Demise who slammed into a tower, the energy shattering the crystal. Demise shot up flying. At moment Discord appeared right in the air.

Discord brought both of his forelimbs down on Demise, causing the alicorn to crash into the ground in a large explosion of soil and crystal. Demise stood himself up at the bottom of the crater and glared at Discord. Discord simply had a grin on his face as he floated down to the alicorn and lounged on his stomach in the air. "You really should give up you know. There's no way you can win." Demise's glare intensified as he sparked his dark magic.

"I will never give up! I'm more of a god than Malthael and even you, Discord! Demise fired a concentrated beam at the draconequus. Discord held out his lion's paw and caught the attack. He then collected it into an orb, and with a flash of light changed it into rose petals that he blew in Demise's face. Demise roared in anger at Discord. Discord reappeared in the air his arms cross behind him the air basically was rippling like the air. a lot of rubble. Suddenly, from behind him asteroids literally moved through space itself and flew at Demise. The Alicorn attempted to shield himself but the massive barrage of them shattered the barrier and soon crashed into him with impressive explosions on impact. Malthael stood close by with the others with pain in his ribs.

"Whoa, I'm pretty sure Discord moved those asteroids through space itself." He said to no one in particular. 

Discord landed on the ground as Demise reformed with Luna and Nightmare’s swords at hand he attempted to slash at Discord. As Discord simply phased into the earth as soon as he passed by, and Discord returned from the ground. He held his hand out. Demise couldn't move. He was being slammed against the walls and towers pinball noises were heard as he was doing this. A buzzer was heard as Demise was sent into the ground.

"Oh a tilt, really?" Discord asked. Demise got up with blades at the ready. Time seemed to slow for Discord who smiled. Time was literally being slowed per Discords. He slammed his leg into his chest and slammed his tail into his head. Time returned to normal for him. Everyone else simply saw Discord move as a blur.

"Was that Super speed?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No I think he sped up time around him." Malthael said.

"How can you tell?" Dash asked.

"It's what I'd do if I wanted to show off and was a god of chaos." Malthael answered with a shrug.

Back at the fight Discord whistled a tune as he picked up Demise by the scruff of his neck. Discord then removed one of Demise's forelegs and started hitting him in the face with it constantly repeating "Why are you hitting yourself?" Eventually, Demise had enough of this and gathered energy into his horn.

"Enough!" he boomed, firing a powerful beam of dark energy into Discord's chest and sending the Draconequus flying back several feet. Demise then used his magic to reattach his foreleg. Discord placed his paw over his chest and rubbed the singed fur.

He let out a chuckle and said, "You know something? That actually kinda hurt."

Discord stood up. "You’re laughing because I hurt you!" Demise screamed. Discord had a smile. 

"Well yes that’s the trouble when you can heal yourself near instantly and can resist a lot of magical attacks."

Demise screamed, "Enough of this." In a flash of darkness, tentacles of shadow started lashing out at everyone and everything. Discord was amazingly dodging everything, the buildings were starting to fall and lightning struck across the land. After the whole episode of anger ooze was thick in the air. Discord floated there he had a few cut across his body. They rapidly healed. The shadows gave way to show Demise with the suitcase holding the elements. "I have had enough of you." The magic seal was lifted, the Elements flew and headed for Demise, four attached themselves onto his legs, one on his neck and the crown on his head. He felt their powers rage into him. He managed to connect them with him. "Now then with the connection I borrowed form princess Twilight.... I have only one thing to say." The Elements started to power up. Discord stood his ground, hands in front of him. 

"Discord, get out of the way!" Luna screamed.

"Turn to stone." Demise finished. Everyone looked away as the rainbow beam was fired. Discord disappeared from everyone's view behind the blast of the Elements. "Yes yes yes yes.... hahahahahahahahahaahahaahha!" Demise laughed like a madman at his supposed victory.

"Look!" Malthael said. Everyone watching even Demise eyes were wide. Another blast was holding back the rainbow of the Elements, coming straight from Discord himself.

"Impossible! You were defeated twice by these, they are more powerful than you!" Demise bellowed. Discord gave a chuckle.

"Actually no we are the same level of power, Celestia, and Twilight and her friends took me by surprise so I was unable to gather the energy I needed, you on the other hand just stood there and literally showed me what you were doing no surprises." The point where the two blasts met was starting to form a ball of energy. It started to give off arcs of lighting and was very quickly destabilizing.

Finally, the ball exploded causing everyone there even the group to be sent back. Where the two powers met was a crater with an unknown energy arcing through it.
Discord picked himself up, his entire body covered in black ash. He shook off the offending matter and looked over at Demise who was picking himself up as well. 

"You know, I actually thought that you stealing all the alicorn magic in the world would make for a better fight, but you're really starting to bore me." Discord stated with a yawn.

"I will not be insulted by an abomination like you!" Demise roared. "If the Elements themselves are not enough then I will simply add their power to mine! Then I will mount your head above my throne!" Demise boomed, having the Elements orbit around him.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Discord simply said. Demise ignored him and in an instant the Elements were gone, replaced with multicolored orbs of light.
As the orbs entered into him his appearance changed, he was now rainbow maned and fur though it was darker. Discord raised an eyebrow. "I see, now you wish to impose a darker version of harmony on the world, good old tyranny, the old fashioned way to rule." Demise was gathering energy however he failed to see something in the ground move. "Too bad, I had a feeling you would do this." Vines launched onto Demise. 

"What’s going on?' He was started to feel weak.

"Oh these? Well back when I was insane from my rebirth I planted these vines to take out the Elements' source of power, however it seems that the soil was kinda damaged where i planted them a bit dead." The vines made him immoblie. Tiny portals opened up as five keys came through.

"Also, before I fought you i sent word to five ponies asking a little favor, what you see before you are five keys to a special kind of power." The keys floated up to him. "The rainbowfied power, an ancient but somewhat uncontrollable force of harmony imprisoned long ago because of its nature. Six keys form its seal." Demise started to laugh after a few moments. 

"There are only five keys, you can't count?" He laughed. 

"You honestly don't get it do you?" Discord said rolling his keys. He reached inside his stomach and pulled out.... the sixth key. Demise eyes widened. "I had the key all along, my race kept the last key because of how dangerous the power was." The key flew to Demise as the six keys touched him. Demise fanilly realized his mistake.

"No." The keys hit him. Suddenly a massive explosion of rainbows was seen spreading out from him across the land, undoing his magic. Everyone felt their power returning. 

Finally, it was done reviling the stone statue of demise. The black horn of Sombra fell off as the statue became dust. Discord levitated the horn to him. "I win!" He looked at everyone. "Who’s the hero!" he asked being silly.

"Yeah good for you, Discord." Mal said pouting a little. “

What's wrong with you Mal, I thought you'd be happy about Demise being defeated and your girlfriends' powers returning." Discord said putting an arm around Mal's shoulder.

"I wanted to kill him."
> Aftermath, Sunset's Parents and Mal 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Discord chuckled at Mal's response and shook his head at him."Well I couldn't let you do that. If you had fought him you'd lose your self control and there's no telling what would be left of Equestria if that happened." Mal had to admit that Discord had a point. "Still, how about I let you deal with the next megalomaniac that steals alicorn magic and wants to take over the world?" Discord asked with a grin.

"Alright Discord, but I think I should deal with that soul gem. Otherwise Sombra could corrupt someone else."

"Knock yourself out." Discord said, dropping Sombra's horn into Mal's hand.

Mal channeled his powers into it trying to remove the soul but he soon was covering it with his magic as it floated a blue crystal formed. "There we go I couldn't take his soul but now his influence can't get out." Mal turned to Discord. "You once said you could open gateways to dimensions, do you know of one where we could drop him?." Discord thought for a moment.

"Oh yes, there is one, it’s barely inhabited and it's not like those that live there can leave or are intelligent enough to be any trouble, even under Sombra's influence." Discord grabbed nothing and ripped a portal and Mal dropped Sombra’s crystal covered soul gem into it.

"There we go, Sombra should hopefully remain there until time comes to an end." Mal finished.

Discord looked at the ruins. "Well then, time fora little fix up." He snapped his talons. The buildings were fixed as was the city it wasn't like before but it wasn't outlandish, surprisingly.

"Discord could you maybe fix my home?" Twilight asked. Discord gave her an odd look.

"I can't do that." Twilight motioned to the city.

"What, You just fixed a city, stalemated the Elements and can warp reality, how can you not fix my home?" Discord sighed, and teleported everyone to Ponyville.

"Look behind you." He pointed. where her library was...... was a new castle/palace.

"The blast did more than defeat Demise, it gave you a palace and it also had a bizarre effect of the Northern Isles, Mal." The angel raised an eyeborw. 

"What happened?" Mal asked.

Discord suddenly had a strange outfit on with a bowtie. “I can’t tell you that, spoilers.”

Mal sighed and gave Discord an exasperated look. "You know what, I'll find out when I go back. They'll want to know what happened to the general. Though, I may not be back there for a while."

"Why do you say that?" Celestia asked.

"For a few reasons," Mal started. "One, Solar Flare is still recovering from being separated from you, and I figured since she's technically your and Luna's sister you'd want to help me rehabilitate and reform her." Celestia gave Mal a warm smile.

"I suppose it is only fair, I am responsible for her creation."

"Also, seeing your reunion with Sunset made me think we should go and see her parents."

"Mal, what are you thinking?" Sunset asked, running over to him. "How, am I supposed to explain all this to my parents?" Sunset said indicating her human form.

"I don't know," Mal started. "But I do know that we have to do this." He continued grabbing her shoulders. "They're your parents Sunset, and no matter what happens, no matter what they say about everything you've done and what's happened to you they deserve to know. I never got to say goodbye to my family and I'll always regret that. I don't want you to have those same regrets." Sunset had tears well up in her eyes.

"But what if..." Mal cut her off by hugging her tightly against his chest.

"Don't worry, I'll be right by your side the entire time. If things look like their getting out of hand I'll take you out of there instantly." Sunset had a weak smile spread across her face and nuzzled into Mal's chest.

"You're right Mal, I do need to see them again, at least once. But I have no idea what we'll say to them." She finished.

Mal just gave her a goofy grin while stroking the back of her head. "Eh, we'll play it by ear like we always do." He told her. Malthael turned to Celestia. "So do you know  where her parents currently are?" Celestia gave a thought. One of the problems with immortality was one gets a mess of memories.

"Last time I heard they were on the other side of Equestria." Mal sighed.

"Great more flying.... Wait a minute Discord can you." Everyone realized Discord was nowhere to be seen. "Oh you’ve got to be kidding me, how could we miss him teleport?" The angel asked.

"I'm right here, you know." They saw Discord walking out of the castle. "Had to get something.” His hand was closed and he opened it to show his key to the rainbowfied power. "After seeing it in action I still don't trust all of you with it.... Well maybe Mal, Fluttershy and Luna to a degree, but that power is too dangerous to be used willy nilly." He swallowed the key.

"And now I never want to use that power once you retrieve that key, Discord." Mal deadpanned.

"All a part of the plan." Discord replied with a smile.

"Okay, I guess we should head out to find Sunset's parents. Any of you want to come along? There's plenty of room in the teleportation field." Mal asked. The mane six and princesses shrugged.

"I suppose I could come along." Celestia said. "It might help them take the news."

"Count me in!" Discord cheered. "I always love a chance to see some good melodrama."

"Well, that's two of you, what about the rest of you?" Mal asked. The mane six all shrugged at the angel and gave weak refusals.

"I'll go if Discord is." Luna said. "I haven't seen my stallionfriend in ages." Mal went wide eyed at Luna's statement.

"Whoa, Discord you're dating, Luna? Does that mean if you marry her and I marry Moon we'll technically be brothers?" Mal asked, still a little confused. Moon blushed and smiled at Mal's statement while Discord beamed and threw his paw across his shoulders.

"Ooh, that's a good point!" Discord exclaimed. "I have to say I like that idea quite a bit. If it happens I might even teach you everything I know about chaos!"

Discord snapped his talons and Malthael, Moon, Luna, Celestia, him and Sunset were gone. Leaving everyone else right there. Twilight looked at her new palace. "Well I'm going to go check it out you five with me?" She asked her friends. "Well Trixie and I have to keep watch in case Solar Flare wakes up and goes all genocidal." Chrysalis said putting heavy emphasis on the genocidal part.

Twilight had a bit of a feeling like somehow the failure of the invasion may have caused a lot of trouble.

The flash was done and the group attacked in a town overlooking the sea. "Here we are as close as I could get." Discord leaned against a tree. "I'm bit tired, clashing with the Elements took a lot out of me." He said with a yawn.

"Don't worry about it Discord, this is actually better." Mal said. "Having a god of chaos, Angel of Death, and two celestial princesses suddenly popping into your living room probably isn't the best first impression we could make." Mal looked over to Sunset and saw her gazing at the town below with a faraway look in her eyes. "You can do this, Sunset." Malthael told her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "They're your parents and I'm sure they'll love you no matter what."

"I know, it's just... it's been years since I last saw them. I never thought that I'd be doing this. Chalk that up to my arrogance." Sunset said, putting herself down again.

"We've been over this Sunset, that's not you anymore. You're one of the strongest and sweetest girls I've ever known."

"Thank you, Mal." Sunset said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before taking a deep breath. "Let's do this, I don't think I can be any readier than I am right now." Mal nodded and let Sunset lead the way into the town.

They soon found the home of Sunset's parents. "So this may seem stupid to ask now of all times, but what are your parents' names?" Mal asked his girlfriend. 

"Starlight Dazzle, and Nova Lost." Sunset said. A knock was heard as a unicorn with a white coat and yellow mane came out. The mare was a bit surprised to see Princess Celestia, Luna, the God of Chaos and two strange beings.

"Can I help you all?" She asked.

Sunset took another deep breath and approached the mare. "I know this may sound crazy, but it's me. I'm Sunset." Sunset explained, the fear plain on her face. The mare at the door had a shell-shocked look on her face and sputtered gibberish for a few moments before speaking. 

"That can't be true. My daughter disappeared years ago! And most of all she was a unicorn, not whatever the hay you are!" The mare screamed, obviously angry with being supposedly toyed with about her daughter. Mal noticed that Sunset looked like she was on the verge of tears and stepped between her and her mother.

"Miss Dazzle, please just let us in and we'll explain this to you and your husband. We have a bit of a long story for the two of you." Mal said softly, trying his best to diffuse the situation.

"And why should I listen to anything you two have to say?" She practically spat at Mal.

"Because I would greatly appreciate it." Celestia said stepping forward. Sunset's mother had an internal debate for a while but eventually decided that it would be best to comply with the princess.

"Fine, you all can come in. But this had better be a very good explanation." She said, leading Mal, Sunset, and the others inside.

There, Sunset’s father, a unicorn stallion with a red mane and orange coat looked up. "Who was that dear?" Nova Lost asked. Starlight Dazzle motioned to the visitors. Nova Lost almost fell over at the sight of the princesses and the God of Chaos. "Princesses... to what do we owe this visit?"

"This... person here claims that she's Sunset." His wife answered waving a hoof in Sunset's direction. Sunset's father didn't bother to look confused like his wife had and instantly glared at the group. "Impossible, Princess, you told us that our daughter ran off to another world ages ago!" He boomed at Celestia. The princess nodded and approached the unicorn couple.

"I did, but she has returned, and due to some extraneous circumstances she is as you see her now." Celestia explained, keeping her calm, regal tone.

"And what would those circumstances be?" Sunset's father asked.

"Perhaps we should all sit down and let Sunset explain it herself." Celestia proposed, indicating the sitting area with her good wing.

Everyone took a seat. Mal and Moon sat on either side of Sunset on a sofa. Discord and Luna took a love seat perpendicular to Sunset, Celestia took a large chair to the other side of Sunset, and Sunset's parents sat on the couch across from Sunset. Sunset went on to explain how she discovered that the mirror connected to a world similar yet vastly different than theirs populated by humans. She then explained what she had done with the Element of Magic, leaving nothing out. "Once I had been cleansed by the Elements I decided that I wanted to make amends with everyone that I had wronged. So I went through the portal thinking I'd just be a unicorn again."

"Once I was back in Equestria though, I quickly learned that using the corrupted element and then being cleansed by it left me with a strange alicorn/human hybrid body. When I thought I would never be normal again I just kind of shut down. I thought that I was being told that I would never be able to make up for what I had done. That I was beyond redemption." Sunset said, tears trickling down her cheek. Mal quickly took one of her hands and gave it a comforting squeeze. She gave him a grateful smile before continuing. This action did not go unnoticed by her parents. "And that's when Mal here found me. He saved me, in more ways than one. I decided that I'd travel with him and see if I could find a way to rise above my fate." Sunset finished.

The two unicorns felt extremely bad at this. "Sunset it really is you." Her mother said tears flowing freely from her eyes.

"Yeah, I made a lot of mistakes. If you don't want anything to do with me I'm ok with that." Sunset said looking down.

"We will never do that, just because you’re different you’re still our daughter." Nova said. Sunset had a few tears of joy. While this was going on Discord himself was in deep thought.

"Discord, what’s on your mind?" Luna asked.

"Oh well it’s just her tale to use the Elements for power....... you would not believe how many times they’ve been used for that reason." He leaned in. "Harmony and Chaos are forces that are opposite and interdependent one cannot exist without the other, and harmony isn't completely benevolent just as chaos is not completely malevolent." The god finished. "It’s also very dangerous to miss use them it never ends well."

"So do you mind us asking who this male is, Mal right?" Nova asked. 

"It’s actually Malthael. I’m an angel, the Angel of death to be precise." Starlight fainted and Nova almost did. 

"Whoa, I almost fell unconscious there." he said. "You’re joking right?" Malthael gave him a glare. "Oh my sweet Celestia deaths in love with my daughter." he screamed.

"Dad, calm down. Mal is a great guy. Just because he's an aspect of death doesn't mean he's evil. He saved my life remember?" Nova calmed down remembering that she had said that. 

"Alright honey, if you trust him then I suppose I can too." Nova stated, a thin smile on his muzzle. "So how long have you two been seeing each other?" Mal and Sunset looked at each other and had a quick mental conversation to confirm just how long it had been. 

"I guess it's been a little over two months now." Mal started. "Man, after everything we've been through together it feels a lot longer, huh, Sunset?" Mal finished, chuckling.
Sunset giggled a little and looked at the angel. 

"I know, it really has, hasn’t it?"

"Two months huh?" Nova said with a thoughtful expression on his face. "And how far have you gone with my daughter exactly?" He asked.

Mal paused and was now kind of nervous. 'What the hell is wrong with you, Malthael? You’re the Angel of Death, you can kill gods, fight armies and even showed that racist Star Swirl who was the better magician. How can you be floored by a question like that?' He thought, giving himself a pep talk.

"Dad don't worry about that, Mal won't do anything I don't want."

'Or, you could let Sunset answer for you, that works too.' Mal thought.

Nova sighed. "Ok then, last question who is she?" He said pointing to Moon.

"That’s Nightmare Moon actually." Luna finished.

At that point Nova did faint. Mal looked at the unconscious pony and then back to Moon. "Wow, he's actually more scared of you than he is of me." Mal plainly stated.

"I know, I wonder what he'd do if we told him that the three of us are in a relationship." Moon said with a chuckle.

"Can we please not give my parents a heart attack?" Sunset told the two of them and Luna with a sigh. "I was just reunited with them today, I don't want you two to accidentally kill them.

"You two, what did I do?" Mal asked indignantly. "You made my mother faint when you introduced yourself as the Angel of Death. You think you'd learn to omit that, you know people will just freak out when you call yourself that."

"Sorry, it's just kind of a reflex, ya know?" Sunset rubbed Mal's shoulder.

"Okay, but on the bright side, my dad seems to approve of us dating." Sunset offered with a warm grin.

"Yeah, but how do you think your mom will take it.?" Mal asked.

"I don't really know, she never really seemed to have any problems with me dating." Sunset said. Mal looked over at her still unconscious parents.

"I think we're gonna have to wait a while to continue our talk with them. Does anybody want anything to drink?" Mal asked.

"Tea for me and Luna, please." Celestia said. Everyone already knew Discord was going to drink the glass. Mal looked though his bag he touched the charm which showed  a handy second bag. He found the tea quickly after that. 

"Here we go I think some Moonlite tea form Moons cultists." He handed them the tea. "Let’s see I also have some Earthern wine." He said pulling it out.

Starlight started to wake up. She nervously turned her head towards Mal. "You’re death?" she asked.

"An aspect of death, yes." Malthael said.

"And you’re in love with my daughter, right?"

"To put it simply, yes." Mal answered.

"And Sunset," Starlight said, turning to her daughter, "do you love him too?"

Sunset looked at Mal before turning back to her mother. "Yeah Mom, I do." Starlight remained silent for a while, deep in thought.

Finally she said, "That's all I needed to hear."

"You're not freaked out by all this?" Sunset asked.

"I'll admit that it's a little strange, but you're old enough to make your own decisions when it comes these things. Besides, a part of me always knew you wouldn't go for an average stallion." "Thanks Mom. I'm glad you approve." Sunset said.

"We'll see about that. You take care of my daughter, got it?" Starlight said, shooting Mal a hard look.

"You don't have to worry about that." Mal told her.

"And I want the two of you to visit as often as you can." Starlight continued.

"That seems reasonable too." Mal replied. "

"And maybe during one of these future visits you could bring along a grandchild for me." Starlight finished with a devious smirk.

The two almost fell over from that. Discord had a chuckle. "You have no idea." The god of Chaos said. He then looked at his wrist. "Well look at the time we should really get going it was fun meeting you both. Oh before we go." He created a cake made of chocolate. "For you and your husband.” With that they were gone. The cake despite being chocolate tasted like it was vanilla. The group popped back at Twilight's Castle. "So what’d we miss?" Discord asked.

"Well Solar Flare woke up and she hasn't done anything." Trixie said pointing to Chrysalis who was looking at the awakened Solar Flare. "Oh and those other two left." finished the witch girl.

"That's good to hear." Mal said. "Maybe I could talk to her." Mal suggested.

"Knock yourself out." Trixie said with a shrug. "She hasn't said anything since she woke up." 

"That's okay I was gonna do most of the talking anyway."

"So business as usual?" Trixie said with a good-natured smirk.

Mal rolled his eyes at the witch girl and sat in front of Solar Flare. "Hey Solar, how are you feeling?" Solar just stared at him with an empty look in her red eyes. "Not good, huh? I'm sorry that Sunset changed your body like this. She jumped the gun and now you've got a lot to deal with." He told her, his tone full of sympathy. "I know you probably hate me right now, but I really do want to help you. Like I said when we were fighting, you're gonna have a new life."

"When the princesses and I think you're reformed you can do whatever you want, ya know other than try another hostile takeover, go anywhere you want. But don't try to pull a fast one on us. Between my soul scanning and Chrysalis' ability to sense emotions we'll be able to tell if you're lying." Mal explained.

"One thousand years ago Nightmare Moon awoke and so did I." Solar Flare finally spoke, glaring at Mal. "Celestia tried to reason with Nightmare but she wasn't her true sister, I was, I attempted to stop her from sealing Nightmare away, but the Elements locked me in a state that I can only describe as a fate worse than death." Solar Flare finished. Walking up behind her a hand was placed on her shoulder. It was Nightmare Moon.

"I'm pretty sure that there are a lot of us who were unfairly treated." Mal looked around. "Well then I guess it’s a good thing that I still do not trust those princesses completely." Mal said with a smile.

"Can I just be with my little sister now?!" Solar Flare screamed.

Moon gave her a hug. One that Solar Flare happily returned. Malthael just walked away. Solar flare watched as the angel left. "Sister, would it be weird if I told you I may now feel attracted to that man? I mean, just a little because he’s powerful. It’s not like there’s anything endearing about that goofball otherwise." She asked. Moon had a smile.

"Oh no, it isn't weird at all sister."

As Mal walked away, Discord appeared behind him. "So Malthael, you’re the Angel of Death, with his own harem, oh and a hero to the Northern Isles...." Discord was up to something. 

"What are you up to?" Mal asked.

"Well the blast did something strange to the isles." In a snap they were in a city with members of the four races of the isles. Many turned to see him. 

"What's going on here?" Discord turned to show him a statue of him with a crown.

“It's kinda been two hundred years for them you’re kinda now a hero, a legend, a God, and their king, after all, you’re the reason they are united." Discord finished.

"Discord," Mal started.

"Yes Mal?" Discord asked already knowing what was about to happen.

"Why the hell didn't you just tell me about this from the start!?" Mal growled at him. Discord just chuckled at the angel.

"I already told you... spoilers." Discord said with a shit eating grin. Mal just shook with anger for a while, refusing to say anything to avoid angering the god of chaos. Mal finally was able to collect himself.

"You know, it's hard to be your friend sometimes."

"I know, but I just can't help myself sometimes."

"I can only imagine what you put Luna through."

"I could always show you." Discord replied creating dolls of himself and Luna and placing the doll of himself behind Luna.

"Dear god no!" Mal cried, slapping the dolls out of Discord's grip. "Discord, please never let me picture you're sex life ever again." Discord was rolling around in the air laughing at Mal's reaction. He managed to pick himself up and wiped a tear out of his eye.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself."

"Whatever, so why did all this time pass here?"

"I'm not exactly sure, the power I used can have adverse effects on the harmony magic latent in the atmosphere, and can cause all sorts of things to happen, there's a reason why I keep a close guard on it."

"Yes but the isles have natural weather." Mal pointed out. 

"Yes but the Prench left a few Equestrian clouds and the shock waves managed to reach the isles combined with my teleportation incident and the fact of the weird regional effects and the fact I unleashed the rainbowfied powers at all....." Discord had a chalkboard filled with the factors he was listing. In the end it simply equaled. "Magic." Mal face palmed.

"Ok then so what or who leads them in my absences?" Mal asked. Discord had stars in his eyes.
"A new system of government called a parliament." Discord said. Behind the statue was a building that had a mix of gothic and Victorian architecture. "There is the parliament where the Crown, the nobles and the common folk are all equals."

"So it’s like the United Kingdom?" Mal asked.

"The United Kingdom what’s that?" Discord asked. Mal paused.

"I honestly don't know."

"Looks like one of your memories from your old world just came out for a second." Discord said. 

"Yeah, my memories from then are all a little hazy, I've just accepted it at this point. So, should we take a look in the parliament building? If I'm king then I guess I have a responsibility to check how my people are doing."

"Oh look at you, talking about your responsibilities. It seems like only yesterday you were a scared, little boy that ran into my forest. They grow up so fast." Discord exclaimed, faking tears and blowing his nose into a handkerchief that he had created. "Let's just get a move on, you jerk." Mal said. Mal and Discord walked down the city street, Mal took in how much things had changed.

When he had left there had only been fairly simple villages. The city he was in now though looked like something out of the Renaissance. Mal noticed that everyone he and Discord passed bowed at him, not out of fear, but in respectful admiration. He actually smiled and waved at all of them when he saw the ecstatic looks on all their faces. He caught little pieces of what the crowd was whispering. None of it was negative. Some of it was hopeful that he had come to stay permanently. 

"Looks like you're warming up to the idea of being a king." Discord said with a playful nudge of the elbow.

"Honestly, it's still really weird to me." Mal explained. "I was just some average guy before I came to Equestria, and I thought I'd have an average life to match. But now, I'm making these people's days just by walking down the same street as them. It's a really weird, but also really good feeling." Mal finished.

At the building, the parliament meeting was taking place. The current Prime Minister was holding house. "Now then our first item of business is…” The doors opened up as everyone there saw walking up was Mal. Whispers erupted throughout the parliament members .

"So.... awkward." Mal said.
> Teaser of What's to Come
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Malthael in, Equestria Girls Rainbow Rocks.

A trip to the Zebra continent.

Discord and Luna's relationship.

A new Alicorn.

And a shocking revelation for Sunset Shimmer.

Rise of the Angel of Death








Coming soon trailer...

The planet Gaia the home of Equestria, Discord, the mane six, princesses and many other fine characters.

(Scene pans to a white room)

A gold object spins around in the air. Grabbed. The gold ring is held in a white gloved hand. The ring was tossed up again.

(A dark room in an old building.)

The shadows conceal a being. They arms move to reveal guns as the shadow's whited fanged smile was seen as the guns fired.

(The snowy north in a dark blizzard.)

Walking was a cloaked being who pulled out a cylinder shaped object. In a flash it sent out a red laser blade. Holding out its arm a blast of lightning was sent out.

(A dark night in a city.)

As banks were robbed the robbers turned into a dark alley. However two glowing geen eyes along with glowing fists. Above on a billboard was a partly washed off D.

(A table in a dark room)

A falling golden ring landed on the table with a lightsaber, the handguns and an emblem with a P inside of a D.


Tales of Gaia

> Rainbow Rocks Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A whole week had passed. Mal and his group with the newest addition of Solar Flare left Equestria. As for Twilight Sparkle her "Kingdom of Friendship" was just starting off as kind of like the Crystal Empire. The forest where Discord grew up, no one knew about its current relationship (then again it was secret). Prance went through some unrest, but in the end it better entwined itself with Equestria on foreign policy. Twilight herself was playing host to the princess meeting of Equestria. Discord who’d chosen to simply leave on something personal. Something about a sacred act to his race. No one wanted to argue about that. As this happened a pegasus messenger walked in.

"Sorry princesses, but we seemed to have made contact with a new nation, The Union of Kingdoms, I believe. Their ruling monarch has requested a visit or something..." Before he even got to finish the doors opened. And darkness yet again enveloped the hall. Walking up was Malthael with his hood drawn up.

"The time has come, I must fulfill my duties." He said in the voice of death. Removing his hood, they saw a crown on his head. "As a king baby!" He said with the kinda smile you know that was a mix of amused, happy, and a little bit of pimp, just for good measure.

Twilight nearly fell off her new throne. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she looked at the amused angel. "Malthael!" Twilight boomed.

"Sparky! Why are we yelling!?" Mal said, feigning ignorance.

"You nearly gave us a heart attack! We thought you were going to kill us."

"I'm sorry Sparky I couldn't help myself, but I'm here for more important things than seeing how far I can get that vein in your forehead to bulge out." He apologized, snickering.

"Yes, you said something about duties as a king, what do you mean by that?"

"Oh well, I'm now the permanent king of the Union of Kingdoms." Twilight had to ask herself what kind of rational minded people would make him a king.

"So Why are you here?" Twilight asked.

"Well I was actually going to ask you about that magic mirror thing, the one that you and Sunset used to travel to and from that human version of Equestria." Mal said.

Twilight gave him a confused look. "Why would that matter?" Twilight asked.

"Because of someone called Flash Sentry. Sunset told me about her adventures there I kinda wanted to play a prank on him and laugh at him a little, heh, dumbass, broke up with Sunset....." He suddenly paused. "I also have this weird feeling that something else may be banished there." He said.

"What makes you think that?" Twilight suddenly would regret this question for the rest of her life. 

"Its 4th dimensional soulfuckery even I don't completely understand it, basically the souls I took seemed to hold memories which I sometimes dream about."

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "That makes very little sense."

"Try living it, I have quite a few female and mysterious, unidentifiable gendered souls swirling around here too. And while I'm dreaming I'm essentially them." Twilight shuddered, recalling when Discord had swapped her gender.

"And what do you plan on doing to whatever might be sealed there?" She asked, she didn't think Mal had any malicious intentions but she wanted to be sure.

"I'm not sure yet. If they're a threat to that world then I'll take them out, but if they were simply misunderstood then I'll help them out. If they're still alive, I'm fairly certain all this happened hundreds of years ago, so they could be dead."

"Alright, I guess I can let you use the portal. Just try to keep a low profile, most humans aren't used to magic." Twilight warned.

"Oh come on Sparky, when have I ever had a hard time keeping a low profile?" Mal said with a dismissive wave.

“Every time you meet someone you reveal you’re the Angel of Death, causing them to either faint or go into a panic.". Twilight responded.

"She’s got you there, Mal." A voice behind him said. It was Sunset Shimmer. She too had a small crown on her head. "I seem to recall your plan of attack on an outpost was to simply walk up and burn the gate down." Mal’s eye twitched.

"I agree." Moon said who was ironically wearing what looked like a powder blue sundress with her soon came Solar Flare with a kind of indifferent and goth girl appearance. Trixie came in in her usual attire, shocking no one. Finally, Chrysalis walked in, she was in an outfit similar to Moon’s only hers was a deep green that matched her eyes.

"If you ask me a dragon attacking in broad daylight is more stealthy than you." Solar said.

“Wow, way to be the supportive girlfriends." Mal deadpanned. "And I did attack a dragon in broad daylight once." Everyone in the room facepalmed/hooved at that.

"And you wonder why we say things like this." Solar shot at him.

"Whatever, stealth is for suckers." Mal shot back. "Last time I checked my methods earned me this crown on my head." Mal finished his arms folding over his chest. The girls did have to give him that.

"Mal, can you just promise to try and behave yourself while we're in the mirror world?" Sunset asked.

"Alright, you know I could never say no to you." Mal answered with a sigh.

Twilight led them to where the mirror was currently kept. "Here we are." Twilight said. Mal looked it over. "So we just walk right through it, and go to another dimension?" He asked. Twilight nodded.

"Yes that’s basically it." She said.

Mal shrugged. "Ok then. Trixie, you’re going to have to stay here. We don’t want you to run into your counterpart. If science-fiction is right then we could cause a universe to collapse if you came into contact with her."

“Alright Mal, just try to be careful, Trixie worries about you.”

“Don’t you worry you’re pretty little head about a thing.” Mal replied giving the witch girl a quick hug and kiss. “We’ll be done with this before you know it.”

He walked right into the mirror. Following him was Moon, Solar, Chrysalis and Sunset. Twilight moved back to the door. "At least I won't have to…" She was interrupted as a cannon fired her into the mirror.

"Whoopsie." Pinkie Pie said with Discord at her side.

"Yeah, not our best idea," He admitted. The mirror gave way as Mal, Sunset Shimmer, Nightmare Moon, Solar flare, and Chrysalis walked out. Mal’s outfit becoming that of a kind of mix of rocker, a punk, and a bit of hipster as well with a kind of rebel flair. On his jacket were his sickles crossed with bony wings. The others in their outfits they gained from Sunset when they had first been turned human, save Solar Flare who remained kind of a goth. Finally another person landed, Twilight Sparkle. The portal closed right behind her. She banged on the surface of the statue a bit.

"Discord!" She screamed.

"Hey Sparky, did you decide to come with us?" He then looked down at himself and a smile worked its way on his face. "Hey these are some cool clothes. Not something I'd normally wear, but as a king I think I can show a little more flair. Solar looked gave Mal's outfit an approving nod too.

"I like it; the wings are a nice touch."

Twilight eventually stopped banging her fists against the base of the statue and slumped over. "Ugh, it looks like we're stuck here until the portal reopens." She groaned. Mal rolled his eyes at the princess' reaction.

"Oh no, we're stuck in a place with internet, whatever will we do?"

"Mal be nice, she wasn't expecting to come with us." Sunset chastised.

"You’re right, as usual. Let's just get into this school and figure out what's going on. Ugh, I already had to go to High School once." Mal groaned.

Twilight got up. "You actually went to High School? Do Angels even have that?" Twilight asked. Mal rolled his eyes.

"Sure being born into a war with seven personifications of evil is high school for angels." He said with enough sarcasm that even a two year old could understand. As they walked a voice rang out. 

"Sunset, Twilight is that you?" It was the mane five of this dimension.

"Oh look five friends in another dimension, there’s a reference somewhere in my mind." Mal said. The five looked at the four totally unknowns.

"Whoa are they from your world." The human Rainbow Dash asked.

"Moon, Chrissy and Solar, yes." Sunset said.

"Malthael well actually he’s from another world who then came to ours." Twilight said.

"So is he like a dragon or something?" Mal rolled his eyes.

"No I'm an Angel, and an aspect of death."

The five girls all had a panicked expression on their face, but quickly lost it when they saw Sunset swat the angel upside the head. "Mal, what did I tell you about introducing yourself like that?"

"What? They asked me what I was." Mal said with a weak grin.

"Then just say you're an angel, or even an archangel. The death part always gives people the wrong idea."

"Alright, I get it." Mal sighed. "Sorry if I freaked you out girls. I was just messing with you." He said to the main five.

"Apology accepted darling. Though, what are you all doing here?"

"I got a feeling that a pony named Star Swirl sealed something or someone away in your world. I came to deal with the potential threat."

"And what can you do about it?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Silly girl, I'm a badass, immortal king, there's nothing I can't do." Mal replied with a wicked grin.

"Except stealth." Solar Flare said with a smirk.

"Shut up." Mal said with little emotion. At the high school the whole return of two students and the arrival of four new ones did not go unnoticed.

"Sunset." She turned to see Flash Sentry.

"Oh it’s you." Sunset said with a low face. Mal did the only logical thing that a goofy person would do when placed in this kind of situation.

"Oh yes the ex, good to see you." Somehow, he created an unknown accent that sounded vaguely European.

"Who are you?" Flash asked.

"Prince Malthael, Sunset here is my fiancé."

"Wha..." Flash said, utterly confused.

"Well that's one way to react. Not the intelligent way, mind you but still a way." Mal said, keeping up his accent. Flash's face hardened and glared at Mal.

"Well, how am I supposed to react to hearing my ex has a fiancé?"

"Most would say congratulations." Mal answered. "Barring that they would ask how the couple met, pretty much anything but gaping like a fish." Mal finished. Flash's glare intensified and Sunset intervened.

"Mal, could you please stop antagonizing him? We don't need you getting in a fight within five minutes of you walking in the door."

"Fine," Mal said, dropping the accent. He turned to Flash with a mischievous grin on his face. “Sorry for messing with you dude.” Mal said extending his hand to the young man.

“Uh, no problem,” Flash replied, hesitantly shaking Mal’s hand.

“Actually, I should be thanking you Flash, I owe a lot to you.”

“Huh, what do you mean?”

“Well, if you hadn’t broken up with Sunset, she and I might not be together now. So thanks, you’re stupidity really helped me out.” Mal said, laughing and walking away from the now furious teen. Sunset just let out a long groan.

"Seriously, how did you meet him?" Flash asked. Sunset rolled her eyes.

"If only you knew."

Walking down the halls Solar Flare looked to find her class. 'Why do I even have to go to school?' She asked herself, irritated. She turned the corner and bumped into someone. "Watch where you’re going." She growled. The girl she bumped into had a massive amount of orange, and blonde, curly hair. Plus this weird jewelry but Solar Flare barely gave it a thought.

"Didn't you bump into me?" The girl asked.

Before Solar Flare could say or do anything Moon grabbed her shoulder. "Excuse us for a moment." Moon said. "Solar why do you always want to start a fight?" Moon asked her.

"I never start a fight." Solar countered.

"That time at the shop?" Moon countered back.

"He was asking for it." Solar retorted.

"He was a blind old man who had a heart condition." Moon finished. Solar Flare still glared.

"I still say he was asking for it, Moon." She finished and walked away. Moon sighed and followed her sister.

> Rainbow Rocks Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Mal walked to his first class with a sigh. He really hoped that whatever was sealed in this world was still alive. Otherwise, he would be going back to High School for nothing. He also hoped that Moon would be able to keep an eye on Solar. It was still a bit debatable if she was evil or not,  but she did have an extremely short fuse. He still remembered that blind shopkeeper that she threatened to incinerate. Mal thought about it for a moment and decided to have a talk with her later. For now, he would just go to his classes and not try to cause any trouble. Something that was easier said than done for him. He almost started to wonder how many times he had been called to the office back when he was a normal human going to school. He stopped that train of thought before it could really begin by reminding himself that, that part of his life was over. He was perfectly happy with how things had turned out in his new life, who he had ended up with. Mal opened the door to find a woman with light pink skin and long purple hair dressed in the stereotypical clothing for a teacher. She turned at the noise and greeted Mal with a smile.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm a new student," Mal answered.

"Well then, why don't you come up and introduce yourself to the class, and tell us all a little about yourself?" Mal shrugged and walked over to the teacher and turned to face the only slightly interested students.

"Hi, my name's Malthael, but you can call me Mal." He started. 'And I'm an Angel of Death and king to a common wealth in another dimension.' He thought with an internal chuckle. "Other than that, I guess I really like to travel and see new things." He said aloud.

"That's good, why don't you take the empty seat over by Trixie." The teacher said.

Mal almost laughed at this. There was the Trixie of this world who looked just like his little witch. He sat down only to have Trixie turn to him. "Why does Trixie feel like she knows you?" She asked.

"I don't know." Mal said. 'How about the fact that we are together in another dimension and whatnot.' he thought.

As lunch started the roll in nothing eventful had happened. Well, save Solar threatening a school photographer for taking questionable photos of her. After that everyone was afraid of the goth girl, and how she used a pen to destroy a camera was anyone’s guess.

Mal met up with his group, the main five, and Twilight at a table and sat with them, with a plate of tacos. "Ok Solar I heard what you did to the kid from the school newspaper, not cool."

"The little punk was asking for it. He shoved that camera of his right in my face."

"There are better ways of dealing with people like that than getting creative with a pen." 

"Whatever." Solar said indignantly. Mal let out a sigh, he supposed that would have to do for the moment.

"Well how was your day?" Sunset asked Mal.

"Boring,” he said with a deep sigh, “though I did meet this world's Trixie. Did our Trixie used to have a massive ego or something? This one kept calling herself the 'Great and Powerful' Trixie." Mal said.

"Yeah, she did." Twilight answered.

Before the group could continue their conversation the doors to the cafeteria opened and a mysterious singing was heard. The group turned and saw three girls with matching ruby necklaces were the ones doing the singing. They then went on to sing a song about having a battle of the bands. They moved along from student to student, giving them fleeting touches and trying to incite them to want to compete. Everyone other than their group in the cafeteria seemed to be getting riled up from their song, ready to tear each other's throats out. Once the song was over the three girls had a devious smile on their faces.

"Welp, looks like we're dealing with sirens." Mal plainly said.

"What makes you say that?" Twilight asked.

"Singing that manipulates the hearts and minds of those that hear it, the only way it could be more obvious was if sailors were involved." Mal replied.

Twilight decided then and there that Malthael’s references were lost to her. 

"Hey that’s the girl who bumped into me!" Solar screamed and held a carrot up, possibly as some sort of weapon. And given what she could do with a pen, no one wanted to know what she planned to do with the root vegetable. Before she could do anything though, Chrysalis, and Moon held her back.

"Damn it Solar you have anger issues." Chrysalis said. The sirens somehow chose to ignore Solar. Which wasn't good in and of itself.

"Don't ignore me!" Solar screamed.

"Ok that's enough!" Malthael said in his death voice. All the fighting ceased. Even Solar Flare’s anger was curbed. The Dazzlings just looked on in shock.

"Solar I need you to at least try to keep your anger under control." Mal said, returning to normal. Solar didn't even try to argue and let out a sigh.

"Alright, I'll try."

"Good, I'd hate to see you get in trouble because of it." Mal said with a smile. Everyone else in the cafeteria continued to stare at him for a while, but he and the group just ignored them. 

"Damn dude, that was intense." Rainbow Dash told him.

"Yeah, I might've went a little too far,” Mal replied, rubbing the back of his head. “But I had to get her attention somehow. And sometimes it feels like getting angrier than her is the only way to do it."

"Still, I don't like what these supposed sirens are doing." Twilight said. "We should talk to the principals about this battle of the bands."

Mal waved his hand dismissively at the idea. "Yeah, you do that." He simply said.

Twilight looked at him giving him a bit of a glare. "Malthael you were the one who warned me about a threat, do you even care?" She asked.

"Well yes, but I figured since Discord and I took care of the last two threats you would want to show them your magic or something. Come on Sparky, tag in." With that he got up, strode to her seat, slapped her hand lightly with his own, and walked out of the room, while the sirens however were staring at Mal the entire time.

"Did anyone else feel aroused by him?" The blue haired one asked. The other two were a bit embarrassed by that question, partly because they were.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves girls. He seems to have a magic completely different than the Equestrian magic that drew us here." The orange haired one said, composing herself.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" The purple haired one asked.

"Easy, we introduce ourselves to him and see what he's up to. We may even find a way to manipulate him." The lead siren replied with a grin.

"Can we ask him if he's single?" The blue haired one asked.

Mal walked down the hall of the school, feeling good about himself, even if he was probably going to get in trouble with Sunset later. 'I wonder where the library is. There's probably a computer or two there. I'm also curious what the video games here are like. Maybe I can buy a tv and game system and find a way to hook it all up in the house? Hope I'm not too rusty after all this time.' Mal thought.

"Where do you think you're going?" A voice called out to him. Mal turned and saw familiar faces.

"Oh hey, you're the sirens from earlier." Mal said, not bothered by them approaching.

While the three paused at this, however the sirens recovered from their shock rather quickly. "Let’s start with introductions then." Mal started.

The orange haired one went first. "I'm Adagio Dazzle, this is Sonata Dusk," The blue haired one. "And this is Aria Blaze." the punk like one.

‘And the award for the coolest name ever goes to*Insert drumroll here*… and it’s a tie between Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk. Also, wasn’t Sunset’s mom’s last name Dazzle, maybe there’s some sort of relation… Nah, I’m probably just overthinking things… Wait a second…’ Mal felt like he knew them. Then, he realized something. These three were the ones banished by Star Swirl. 'Well Star Swirl, you just lost all credibility of them being a threat.' Mal thought.

"I am Malthael," He held his hand out and with his mind a small glowing ball was in his hand. "I'm the Angel of Death, isn't that right Star Swirl?" He asked the ball of light.

"What’s going on? Oh my.... you are literally standing next to the sirens kill them you idiot!" Star Swirl’s soul cried out.

"Shut up before I decide to place you into a statue." Malthael boomed at the soul.

"Please don't." The soul whimpered

> Rainbow Rocks Pt. 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The three sirens gaped at the angel in front of them. "You killed Star Swirl." Adagio said pointing at the soul in his hand.

"Sort of, Star Swirl here put his being inside a soul gem so he could help ponies of future generations." Mal said making sure to emphasize ponies.

"Still, I suppose we should thank you for what you did. We've been stuck here for quite some time because of him.” Adagio replied with a smirk directed towards the soul.

"Malthael, you really should do something about them now." Star Swirl's soul whispered. "The more strife and conflict these three create, the more powerful they become. If you let them go on for too long they could even outmatch Celestia.” Mal rolled his eyes and winked the soul out of existence. He had already figured out that much and was letting Twilight deal with that.

Besides he too had his own plans, actually. He figured Twilight would try to do something so he had a backup plan to her plan.

"So I take it you’re from another world then?" Adagio asked.

"Sure, if you call a world where angels and demons wage war and yet I somehow stumble on the powers of death another world, then yes." He said. "Honestly all I did was save a village over a thousand years ago then had those two rulers come after me."

Sonata Dusk asked, "Celestia and Luna?" Mal chuckled a bit. He started to remember how he did almost kill them too.

"No, their parents, they kinda put me to sleep and then I was sent to Tartarus, they kinda were decaying in our fight so they died, I broke out of that prison while I killed everyone and everything in it."

The three sirens backed away slightly from the angel, completely unnerved. If he was powerful enough to kill two alicorns then they didn't stand a chance against him now. Not to mention how casually he had said it. "Well what are you doing here?" Aria asked. Mal just shrugged at them.

"I was just wondering what this world was like." He lied. "Right now, I'm going to play around on the internet." That part was true. "So, I'm guessing there was more to the three of you coming to see me than all this small talk." Mal finished with a smirk.

Sonata Dusk gathered what courage she could. "Well I actually wanted to know, are you single?" The siren asked. The other two just looked at her. Mal moved close to her as she blushed. He placed his hand on her face doing a basic soul scan. He then did so to the other Dazzlings. While it was shallow he could tell a few things.

"Well if you want to go out.... I see no harm in it. See you tonight, Sonata" He said with a smile. As he walked away he summoned Star Swirl’s soul again.

"What just happened?" The old mage asked.

"You’re right, they can cause strife, but I'm afraid your idea is not one I care for. So, I have an alternative. And guess what buddy, it involves you." Mal said with a smirk.

"You’re a monster letting them...." He unsummoned Star Swirl’s soul. He started to wonder if he could find a way to muzzle souls before shrugging and continuing on his way.

The other two sirens turned to the last one.

"Did you really just ask him out?" Aria asked Sonata.

"Yup and he said yes!" She cheered.

"Still, I think there was something more to him touching us like he did. I felt a faint magic coming from him. There's something odd about Malthael. We'll have to be careful with our plans." Adagio warned.

"Fine, but I'm still totally excited for my date with him." Sonata beamed. Adagio and Aria rolled their eyes as they watched the angel walk away.

Mal finally found the library and walked inside, he didn't have to look very long to find what he was looking for. Right in the center of the room was the computer stations. Mal took a seat at the closest one and cracked his knuckles out in front of him. "Alright, let's see what the internet in this world is like." Mal said before opening up the browser.

Back with the others in Mal’s group and the humain five, they went to see the principals who were this world’s Celestia and Luna. Needless to say, Solar Flare had passed on meeting them, as had Nightmare Moon. Chrysalis sighed and followed her lover and her lover’s sister. After they had spoken to the principals, which had done nothing except reveal that they had been manipulated by the sirens, Sunset went to find Mal, which she did in the library. 

"So what have you been doing?" She asked.

"I've been looking up the internet.... it’s not what I thought it was actually. It’s different yet oddly similar than the internet from my old world… I think." He said.

"Ok then what about the sirens? I saw them follow you." Sunset said.

"Oh that? Turns out they figured out what I was, sort of, and that blue one asked me out on a date." Mal said. Sunset rolled her eyes.

"What is it with you and bad girls? They seem drawn to you like lost puppies." Sunset said with a smile.

"Coming from the ex-bad girl who constantly tries to redeem herself," Mal replied with his own smile.

"You're such a jerk sometimes." Sunset said with a playful punch to his shoulder.

"And yet you love me." He shot back.

"Yeah because when you want to be you can be one of the kindest souls I've ever met. So, why aren't you really doing anything about the sirens?" Sunset asked.

"Like I said, I figured I'd give Sparky a chance to solve the problem this time."

"Mal, I know you better than that. You're planning something, I can tell." Mal sighed.

"I can't hide anything from you, can I?"

"No you can't. So, what are you up to?"

Mal looked at his girlfriend/lover. "Well I kinda have my own plans. If I told you it then it would be a huge mess, not for me and Sparky, but one of them." Sunset sighed at his answer, but decided to accept it... for now. "So what is the alicorn princess going to do?" Mal asked Sunset.

“She’s probably planning on just trying to use the Elements of Harmony on them now that her and her friends’ counterparts are together. Kind of like what they did with me… you know when I was kind of a megalomaniacal bitch.” She admitted sheepishly.

“Oh, that sounds like a great plan.” Mal said, laughing as if he knew something that no one else did. Sunset arched an eyebrow at Mal’s actions, but didn’t question it. She figured this was part of what he wouldn’t tell her.

Meanwhile, Sonata was having an episode of happiness. While this was done the other two sirens spoke to each other. 

"Ok so we know Malthael’s an angel, the Angel of Death, he holds Star Swirl’s soul, meaning he most likely can control that, and he killed the princesses’ parents and the way he spoke about it was very casually, as if he either found it easy or that wasn't his best."

"Yeah, or he could be lying through his teeth about killing Celestia's parents." Aria offered.

"True but he was still able to kill Star Swirl, who was able to take us out when we were at our strongest."

"Okay, if he's as strong as all that then why hasn't he made a move to stop us?" Aria asked.

"I don't know." Adagio conceded. "I can't get a good read on Malthael's personality. In general he seems to act like a fool, but then there was that moment in the cafeteria. Like I said we should be careful around him."

"You'd better tell that to Sonata, he did agree to go out with her." Aria said pointing at the ecstatic siren.

` Adagio looked at Sonata and then at Aria. "Well Sonata could help us understand Malthael more." Adagio pointed out. Aria nodded at this.

> Rainbow Rocks Pt.4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight’s group with the human main five saw as Sunset returned. "So what is Malthael doing?" Twilight asked.

"To tell you the truth, I have no idea." Sunset finished.

"Well how can you not?" Rainbow asked.

"Well he may act like a goof… and he is, but he’s also very great at planning honestly." Sunset finished.

"So what are we going to do about the Sirens? Because, at this point we should worry about them more than Malthael." Rarity reasoned

"Well, you girls are connected to the Elements of Harmony so in theory we should be able to use them on these sirens." Twilight explained.

‘Can someone pick up that phone… because I just called it,’ Sunset thought. ‘Oh man, I’m starting to sound like Mal. At least it’s only in my thoughts.’

"Aww yeah, let's magic up and take these sirens out!" Rainbow Dash boomed.

"Ooh, I know the perfect place to do it!" Pinkie Pie cheered. "They're having a pre-battle of the bands party in the gym tomorrow. Everyone who's competing is gonna be there, so they'll show up for sure." She finished.

"Alright so we have a plan." Twilight said with a nod. "We'll harness the Elements and stop those sirens at the party, and then we can worry about whatever it is that Malthael's doing." She finished with a wave of her hand.

That night, Sonata got the text to meet Malthael soon. The siren was so excited. As she walked up to the street where they were supposed to meet at, she saw Malthael leaning against a light post. He looked at the siren. In his hand was a bouquet of flowers. "Hello Sonata good to see you." He handed her the flowers, Sonata was amazed, they were the flowers she loved.

"Wow, I love these! How did you know?" Mal shrugged and gave her a smile.

"I didn't, they just reminded me of you." Sonata's grin widened at the cheesy line.

“That's so sweet, thank you. So, what are we going to do for our date?" Sonata asked.

"I was thinking of breaking out an oldie but a goodie, dinner and a movie." Mal said offering her an arm Sonata took the arm and nodded at him.

"Sounds fun, let's go. Ooh, where are we gonna eat?"

"Well, considering most of my money is made of gold and silver, how about we go somewhere where I should wear a tie, but won't." Sonata giggled at his response and nodded again. The two walked arm in arm so they could find the fanciest restaurant they could.

The restaurant was very good for them some nice Italian place. Mal and Sonata walked in and the server behind the podium gave them an odd look, the kind that tries to tell someone that you’re beneath them with just their eyes. Mal just ignored it and walked up to the podium and leaned his back on it.

“How can I help you, sir?” The server asked with obvious disdain.

Mal smirked at that and reached into his coin purse and brought out a pure gold coin. He started to flip it and answered the server, “We’d like a table for two please. And if you could make it the best table in the place, that’d be great.”

The server regarded the gold with shock. All of a sudden his entire demeanor changed. He swallowed nervously and broke out into a cold sweat. “Umm… that table is currently occupied, sir, I’m sorry.”

Sonata was a little disappointed by that, but Mal’s smirk just got wider as he pulled out a few more coins and leaned in closer to the server. 

“Aww, that’s too bad.” He whispered. “See, I’m on an important date here, and I won’t accept anything but the best. If you could help me accomplish that, I’d be willing to pay you handsomely.” He concluded, dropping one of the coins in the server’s hands. The server looked Mal in the eyes before responding.

“I’ll see what I can do.” The server walked away and got a few other members of the staff to help him. A minute or so later they saw a confused couple being led to another part of the restaurant. The server came back and grabbed two menus. “Your table is ready now sir.”

Sonata grinned as the server led them to a secluded table for two, complete with a candle in the center. Mal pulled one of the seats out and motioned for Sonata  to take it. She sat down and Mal pushed the seat back in, as he took his own seat. 

“Thank you very much.” Mal told the server.

“Your welcome. Your waiter will be with you shortly. Can I get you anything in the meantime?”

“Just some water for now.” Mal replied. The server nodded and walked away.

As soon as he was out of earshot Sonata started to giggle. “That was really cool.”

“It wasn’t anything special.” Mal dismissed with a shrug. “So, what can you tell me about the beautiful girl sitting in front of me?” He asked.

Sonata smiled and started tugging at her ponytail. “Well, I’ve been around Adagio and Aria for about as long as I can remember. They’re great and everything, but sometimes I feel like that they baby me just because I’m the youngest.”

“That could just show that they care about you. From what I remember, I babied my little sister a bit.” Mal said with a wistful smile at the scraps of memory that he had.

“What do you mean by that? How could you not remember your own sister?”

Mal’s smile drooped a bit at that and sighed a little. “Remember how I said that Celestia’s parents came after me.” Sonata nodded at that. “Well, right when I was killing them they bound me up in anti-magic chains, put me to sleep, and sent me to Tartarus for over a thousand years. Because of that a lot of my memories are messed up beyond belief.”

Sonata didn’t know what to say at that. Her smile fell, and she reached across the table and grabbed Mal’s hands. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve gotten used to it. Besides, a lot of good has come from it. It led me here after all.” Mal said with a grin, one that Sonata readily returned. “So, what was up with that singing back in the cafeteria?” He asked already having a general idea.

“Well, we’re sirens, so we used a bit of our magic to draw out conflict to feed on it. The more we get the more we can make others adore us.” Sonata answered casually.

Mal arched an eyebrow at that. ‘So Chrissy and her changelings aren’t the only ones who feed on emotions. I wonder if there’s a species for every emotion. That’s something to make a note of for later.’

“You’re using magic to make others adore you?” Mal asked.

“Well yeah, what other way is there to do it?” Sonata answered innocently as if it were obvious.

Mal blinked a few times, not sure how to tackle the issue at the moment. If the other two sirens had similar mindsets then he would have his work cut out for him. Mal decided to open that can of worms later and decided to ask his other question now.

“So you actually feed on conflict? Can you eat other things too?”

“Yeah, we do, and we can eat other things too, but it’s mostly for taste.” Sonata said, picking up some of the complimentary bread and taking a bite in demonstration. “In the end, if we don’t feed on conflict, we get really sick, and then we’d…” Sonata stopped, not wanting to finish that thought. It was Mal’s turn to hold Sonata’s hand.

“Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I was just curious about that that’s all.” Mal said, trying to show sympathy.

“It’s fine, you didn’t know either.” Sonata said. “I’m just surprised you haven’t called me a monster after hearing that.” She finished, downcast, having gone through it before.

“I’ve seen a lot of things during my time in Equestria. Someone that feeds on an emotion isn’t anything new.” Mal said evenly before breaking out into a small grin. “Besides, I don’t think I could call someone as cute as you a monster.”

After that, Sonata and Mal swapped a few stories. Despite what most people believed, Sonata wasn't as bad as they thought. Actually the Dazzlings seemed to have had a hard life both in Equestria and outside it. During a hand holding at the candle lit dinner he did a much deeper soul scan.

As the movie came about, it was about two people who seemed to be born to feuding families and started a forbidden love and after everything they get together.  

‘Ugh, this movie is so dull.’ Mal thought, desperately trying to stay awake for the sake of his date. ‘Why couldn’t we have gone to a comedy or something that doesn’t make me want to claw my eyes out and take power drills to my ears? Oh, would you look at that? They just had a misunderstanding that’s causing them to break up for a while. I’m a borderline amnesiac and even I know that’s one of the biggest clichés ever,’ he snarked in his head. He turned his head and saw Sonata smiling at him. ‘Ah crap, Sonata’s looking at me, quick, smile back and pretend you like this.’ He did just that and gave the hand he was holding a little squeeze just for good measure.

‘There ya go Mal. Now, just keep looking at her and go to your happy place so you don’t have to think about this dull, dull movie. Actually, this looks like a good part of the movie to initiate the old arm sneak around the girl maneuver.’ Mal started to utilize one of the oldest tricks in the book. He pretended to stretch, but his real target was the adorable siren sitting next to him. Mal successfully put his arm around Sonata’s shoulders. Mal’s move did not go unnoticed, as soon as he did it Sonata quietly laughed for a moment and moved closer to Mal, and allowing his grip on her to tighten. She then went back to enjoying the movie while Mal congratulated himself for his expert timing.

As they got out from the movie Mal walked Sonata home. "I had a great time." Sonata said, as they held their hands together.

"Me too," The two of them slowly close the distance and kissed, with their eyes closed as they slowly ended it. Sonata slowly reentered her home to see the other two sirens looking at her.

"So how was it?"

"Best. Date. Ever." Sonata said with a dopey smile.

"Could you be a little more specific?" Adagio said.

"Right, well, he got me my favorite flowers, and said they reminded him of me."

"Euch, that's so sappy I might just puke." Aria said making a gagging motion and noise.

"Well I thought it was nice." Sonata replied, sticking her tongue out at the other siren. "After that we went to a really nice restaurant. I know we don't really eat like normal people but it was still nice that he paid. Ooh, you should've seen all the looks we got because we weren't wearing fancy clothes." Sonata giggled remembering it. "And then we saw one of those romance movies, I don't think Mal liked it much, but I thought it was really good. And then he walked me home and... we kissed." Sonata finished, bouncing on her feet and making a squealing sound.

"That's not what I meant Sonata. What did you learn about him?" Adagio asked slightly irritated.

Sonata paused. "Well he did come to Equestria long ago and had little control over his powers he has also fought the princesses and removed the darker sides of their souls. I think the girl who he yelled at was Celestia’s dark side who he removed in a fight with her, he also became a hero king, his best friend is Discord..." The two had to stop her there.

"Wait Discord, as in the mad god who ruled Equestria and made reality into his plaything?" Aria asked.

"Yeah, they met like a thousand years ago and are now friends, somewhat." That did not bode well. Discord was the most powerful being on Equestria.

"The only time he did not win a fight was when some being called Demise absorbed all the alicorns magic which was around nine or ten plus his two alicorn magics that Demise held." What she just described was basically another thing that crashed their hopes of revenge.

"Okay, why hasn't he just taken us out yet?" Aria asked, unnerved.

"I don't know, if he can do everything Sonata just described then he could squash us underfoot any time he wants. I think he's toying with us." Adagio thought aloud.

"I don't think Mal would do that." Sonata said, defending the angel. "He's really nice. Maybe he's just giving us a chance to change."

"Sonata, I know you have a little crush on Malthael right now, but you barely know him." Adagio chided. "And we can't change. We feed on the conflict we create in others, and no magic in Equestria or beyond can change that." Adagio finished.

Sonata had a bit of sadness at this. "I guess you’re right..." She looked down. "I just thought we could finally be loved." The Dazzlings looked down as well.

"Sonata I thought we got past this." Adagio said. The three of them had a hug. Out in the shadows, Mal sighed as he saw this.

‘Looks like I’m going to have to hit the books on magic theory again.’ Mal thought. ‘It’s time to get started on my plan.’

At the pre battle of the bands the Rainbooms had met up with everyone. The Dazzlings were there as well. "Ok girls this is our chance." Twilight started.

"Well I see you got a band." Twilight turned to see Mal leaning on a wall with a sickle shaped guitar.

"Malthael, why do you have a guitar?" She asked.

"I'm not in the battle of the band's if you must know." Mal said as he turned to walk out the door, before he did though he craned his neck toward Twilight. “Oh, you do realize that The Elements of Harmony were destroyed after Demise absorbed them, don’t you? So, if you were planning on using them then you’d probably end up looking like an idiot after making some big declaration about the magic of friendship or something.” He explained walking out of the room. The Dazzlings noticed this and followed after him. Twilight face palmed, she had completely forgotten about all that.

"Wait Mal can play guitar?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Did you know that, Sunset?" Sunset just shook her head.

"No I didn't, then again there's actually a lot I don't know about him. Like what his life was like before he was in Equestria, mostly because he doesn't know a lot about it. He says that his sleep in Tartarus screwed up his memories."  Sunset stated while Twilight was slowly starting to unravel.

"How could I forget that?" Twilight said, starting to panic. "Now what are we supposed to do? If the Elements are gone then so is our connection to them and without the Elements we can't cleanse the sirens. And if we can't cleanse the sirens then their magic will grow!" All of a sudden a paper airplane flew into her face. Twilight unfolded it revealing a note.

Calm down Sparky. Just try music

Signed... oh you know.

PS, also, I don't think now’s a good time to try any magic, this world and Equestria are too far apart. PPS my magic is perfectly fine by the way. I can do whatever I want.

Next to this was a little drawing of a Mal-style troll face. And with that the message ended.
> Rainbow Rocks Pt. 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Meanwhile, in Equestria, Discord waited for the six friends of Twilight along with Celestia, Trixie, and Luna to finish talking, or yelling would probably describe it better. "You say you can open portals to dimensions yet you can't just retrieve them? How is that possible?" Celestia finished and asked. Discord created two balls.

"Ok, say that these two balls are the two dimensions in the universe one ours the other is where they are." The two balls glow differently. "Now one is more rich in magic than the other, while I can bypass this, the effect will cause these two to unbalance and sever their connection which will cause me to weaken greatly and may just destroy both worlds and me in the process in the worst case scenario, best case the two could fuse which is also a terrible idea." The two balls moved away. "Now they are too far away for them to transfer matter and energy so until they get closer they are stuck there with their magics weakened by the dimension’s low, almost non-existent magic."

"Well how long until the two worlds are close enough to retrieve them?" Trixie asked, concerned for Mal and the others.

"I'd say it'll be a few days, a week at the most. I wouldn't worry about Mal and his group though." Discord said, knowing what was on Trixie's mind. "While Mal's powers now technically fall into our world's vision of harmony, they come from an outside source. If I had to guess I'd say that he still has all his magic. Unless there's something as strong as I am in the mirror world then there's nothing he can't handle."

"Is he really that strong?" Celestia asked. "Demise was able to stop him."

“Like I said before, if Mal lost his self control there's no telling how much of Equestria would be left. Of course, Sunset and the rest of his lovers keep his control in check."

"So we have nothing to fear?" Luna asked. Discord gave a bit of a laugh.

"Well I guess so, but I kinda wouldn't say no to that, after all the universe is a big place, I did take Spike around the galaxy you know." He unsummoned them both. "Besides, Mal’s powers seem to also be a part of chaos. As I once said the two are interdependent but are by no means the only two forces." He popped out of existence only to pop right back in. "Crap I forgot I had a book I was going to publish that talked about things like this. Here, give this to Sparkle it’s my first copy." His book appeared. Higher Magics and Secrets by Discord Disarray." with that he was gone.

Back in the Human Equestria world, Mal was sitting on a park bench. 'I wish I could just help the Dazzlings right now. But, that's not something my magic can do. At least not right now it can't.' Mal let out a sigh. ‘Come on man… angel… angel-man, now is not the time to get negative. I just wished my plan didn’t hinge on someone else. I should just clear my head, no sense in worrying too much, that won’t help at all.’

Mal put his hands into position on his guitar, and started strumming something that sounded like it belonged in a hard rock song. Mal's head and body started to sway with his music, and his foot tapped out the beat. But before he could totally lose himself to his music he was interrupted by a voice.

"So you're going to be facing us in the battle of the bands?" Adagio called out to him.

"Heh, no, I just saw this little beauty and I couldn't resist getting it." Mal answered with a grin as he held up the sickle guitar. "While my talents seem to lie in fighting and war, I have always loved music." He finished.

"Do you really expect us to believe that?" Aria asked getting in his face.

"What do you mean?" Mal asked. The two girls gave him a bit of a glare.

"You know well enough, you have Star Swirl’s soul and the only time you couldn't win a fight was against a being who had all the Alicorn magic of Equestria." Aria reminded him.

"So, what’s that got to do with it?" He asked.

"You know exactly what it has to do with it." Aria growled. "You know that we're not nearly as strong as all that, and you know we're trying to cause as much conflict as we can to control everyone in this little school. You could stop us any time you want, but you're not." She pressed on. "Do you like watching us squirm, do you just want us to constantly watch over our shoulders and wonder when you're gonna do to us what you did to Star Swirl? You might act like some little fool and nice guy, like when you took Sonata on a date, but you're a heartless bastard. So if you wanna take us out just do it already."

Mal sighed and got up from the bench. "You're right I could easily kill the three of you." He simply said.  "You've been malnourished for centuries and even now you're nowhere near your best. If I wanted to I could just remove your souls and be done with all this." Mal stated, placing the blade on his guitar on Aria's chest and kept it there for a minute.

"But, I don't want to do that." He finally said, putting the guitar down. "Believe it or not, death is my least favorite way of getting things done. I've also used my powers to save Sunset and Trixie. I've even given Nightmare Moon, Queen Chrysalis, and Solar Flare new chances at life. I don't expect you to believe me, but I want to do the same with you girls." Mal said before walking up to Sonata and caressing her cheek. "I really did have a good time last night. I hope that wasn't the last time we do something like it." And with that Mal left.

Sonata blinked a few times. She was then happy. "See I told you he wanted to help us." Sonata said with a smile. The other two sighed.

"I still don't trust him." Adagio said. Sonata was saddened by this.

"Well maybe he can find a way to help us?" Sonata stated. Aria rolled her eyes.

"How is he going to do that?" She asked. Sonata thought for a moment.

"Oh, he has Star Swirl’s soul and maybe other smart guys’ souls as well, he could get them to help him." The two stared at her. That honestly was so far-fetched.

"Sonata stop getting your hopes up, this is what we have to do. It's how we'll survive." Adagio said, sounding crestfallen.

"But, it sounded like he had a plan."

"I still think he's talking out his ass." Aria stated.

"Aria has a point," Adagio agreed. "Even if Malthael does have a plan, there's no way it'll work. We just have to stick to our plan, and get this school under our control. Once Malthael's plan undoubtedly fails we can hopefully use the students and our restored power to make sure he doesn't kill us." Adagio finished. Sonata shook with anger.

"Why can't you just have a little faith!? Mal has done amazing things before! I know he can do something now!"

"Just stick to the plan Sonata." Adagio chided.

"I hate the plan!" Sonata screamed. "And right now, I hate the two of you!" She stormed off in the direction Mal went. Aria made a move to follow her but Adagio stopped her with a hand on the shoulder.

"Let her go. Sonata has always been the most naive of us. She'll calm down and be back on board with what we have to do. Actually, I kind of wish I had the faith she does." Adagio finished with a dry chuckle.

Mal himself turned to see Sonata, he had a feeling someone was following him. "Sonata what's wrong?" He asked her. The blue member of the sirens gave him a look of anger and sadness. "It's Aria and Adagio, they say you don't know a way to help us but I think you can." She said with eyes filled with hope. He decided something with a mental sigh. Sonata gasped as he gave her a kiss with a faint glow the siren felt a surge of what she usually fed on go through her. It caused her a bit of a shock.

"I’m hoping I can, if not... Well at least the souls I absorbed are in a constant vortex of strife so you could have more normal lives." Sonata looked at him with a blush.

"You know I kinda.....uhh what's the word?" She felt kinda happy down there when he kissed her. She shook her head getting rid of those thoughts. "Thank you Mal, but isn't it bad that you have those souls in strife?"

"Sort of, but most of these souls belonged to mostly wicked people. So they would've been punished in the afterlife anyway. I don't know exactly what goes on after death, but I think what I'm doing is tame compared to what they could be going through."

"Okay." Sonata said, not completely understanding his explanation. "But I don't want to feed on conflict anymore. And I believe in you Mal, if you did all the things you said then I think you can do anything." Sonata said, wrapping him in a hug.

"Thanks Sonata, I'll do whatever I can to help you and the other Dazzlings." Mal confidently stated, returning the hug. Sonata was the first one to pull away from the hug, but still had her arms around Mal. "Sonata can you do me a favor, I need you to not fight with the other two what I have planned, if it works, needs you three to not have this kinda strife within your own group, ok?" He asked with a smile.

"But, they want to take control of this whole school, and then they want to try and kill you once our powers are restored." Mal smiled and caressed her cheek again.

"I know, but I need you to trust me on this." Sonata paused for a while before clutching the hand on her cheek.

"I do trust you, Mal." 

Mal's smile widened at her and he leaned in and gave her another kiss. He could tell that she had wanted to say something about it earlier. This time though, Mal flicked his tongue at Sonata's teeth, silently asking permission to enter. Sonata opened her mouth and their tongues glided against each other until they needed to stop for air. Mal stroked her cheek again the smile still present on his face.

"Now, go back to the other Dazzlings. Tell them whatever you have to about me."

"I wish I didn't have to, but if this is what you think I have to do." Sonata said.

"It is. I'll be watching your performances in the battle of the bands, and considering your singing is literally magical I'm sure you'll make it to the finale." Sonata giggled at this and finally let go of Mal.

"I need to head back now, but maybe we could go on another date tonight?"

"Sounds fun, but try to keep it secret from the others if you can. Sonata nodded and walked back to the park where she had left the other Dazzlings, looking dejected.

"So, have you had time to calm down?" Adagio asked, arms folded underneath her cleavage.

"Yes." She said, "You were right, he has no idea how to help us." Sonata said. With that the other two moved to comfort her.

"See we tried to warn you." Adagio Dazzle said. Sonata gave her a hug.

Mal was walking to find Sunset. "Ok then one two three," Rainbow Dash started. He saw the Rainbooms trying to get the hang of everything. One of them was failing with the guitar. As soon as they were done he pulled out his guitar. The Rainbooms heard a hard, rapid, guitar sound. They turned to see Mal with his sickle shaped guitar plugged into one of their unused amps. 

"What are you doing?!" Sunset screamed. Mal stopped.

"Sorry, just thought I'd drop by." He said with a smile.

"Could you try not scaring us to death the next time you do it then?" Sunset asked. Mal just had a goofy smile on his face and Sunset facepalmed when she realized the pun she had just made. "You know I didn't mean it like that." Mal just walked up to her and kissed her forehead.

"I know, and that's why I thought it was funny." Sunset just shook her head at the angel's antics. 

"So, what made you think of using music against the sirens?" Twilight asked.

"Haven't you ever heard of fighting fire with fire? If their song based magic is working then I figured if you made a counterspell in the form of a song, you might be able to use some magic."

"That makes sense." Twilight said, her hand on her chin in thought. "So, we saw the Dazzlings follow you again, how did that go?"

Mal put his guitar behind him. "Well not too bad, they wondered why I haven't ended them like I did their jailer Star Swirl." He finished.

At that Twilight Sparkle’s whole outlook and emotions changed. "What, Star Swirl, as In Star Swirl the Bearded?!" She asked. With a sigh Mal let a ball of glowing light appear in his hand.

"I hate you." The ball simply said, "I was once Equestria’s greatest mage. I had the powers of an alicorn yet was a unicorn! Then I fought you and...." Mal squeezed the soul.

"Just because a soul cannot be destroyed or erased doesn't mean I cannot rip you apart!" he warned the soul.

"Malthael, why do you have the soul of one of the most important historical figures of all time?!" Twilight boomed.

"Ow Sparky! I was using those ears." Mal complained.

"Just answer the question!" She seethed.

"Yeesh okay, just stop yelling at me." Twilight remained quiet but kept seething at Mal. "Apparently Star Swirl here put his spirit into a soul gem when he was close to dying. The Prench got their hands on it and got Star Swirl to fight me. He made the mistake of insulting and threatening Sunset and my girls and now his soul has to do whatever I say. Isn't that right, Star Swirl?" Mal asked the soul in his hand.

The soul took time to answer. "I hate you," Was all he said.

"Yeah I'm guessing every single soul he has hates him." Sunset replied as she rolled her eyes.

"No four souls Like him actually, this guy’s basically his own afterlife within himself. Those four however, seem to govern us." Star Swirl said. Twilight was now intrigued.

"Wait so he’s a walking afterlife, with its own rulers?" Twilight asked.

Star swirl paused. "Actually yes and no.... it’s better to call him an aspect of death rather than a living afterlife."

“That right there is one of the most confusin' things I've heard in mah life." Applejack said, scratching her head at the angel in front of her.

"I know, and I don't know if I'd be able to give a very good explanation of it all." Mal said. "Now say goodbye to Star Swirl everybody." Mal finished, winking the soul out of existence.

"Malthael, I know you and Star Swirl don't like each other but do you think I could talk with him some time?" Twilight asked sheepishly. "I've always been curious about a few of his theories." Mal wanted to say no to her but he just couldn't bring himself to do it, not with the look she was giving him. 

Mal sighed and said, "I'll think about it, Sparky. But, right now you should focus on your counterspell." He pointed out. Twilight let out a nervous chuckle.

The next few days where spent with the Rainbooms practicing trying to get it just right. Mal’s and Sonata’s dates, as well as the Sirens practicing. Mal doing what he always did, and Moon and Chrysalis trying to keep Solar form hurting people. Finally it was the battle of the bands night. At the battle Malthael, Solar, Moon and Chrysalis came to watch the whole thing. "Mal," The Rainbooms walked up.

"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked. "Why do you have your guitar?" she finished.

"These clothes make me look like some kind of rocker anyway, so I might as well have the guitar to finish the look."

"That sounds reasonable to me darling." Rarity said with a nod.

"You really expect me to believe that you've gotten into accessorizing?"

"Oh come on Sparky, don't you trust me?" Mal asked with a cheesy grin.

"Sometimes, but right now, no." Twilight deadpanned.

> Rainbow Rocks Finale
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	
Mal placed a hand over his chest, acting as if Twilight's words were arrows that had pierced him."I'm hurt Sparky, I'm just gonna leave now. Come on Solar, Moon, Chrissy, we don't have to stay where we're not wanted." Mal stated, feigning hurt in an overdramatic fashion. 

Once they were out of earshot Solar asked, "Why don't you just tell them your plan?" 

"Oh come on, where's the fun in that?" Mal replied. Solar rolled her eyes at the angel. 

"You've been hanging out with Discord too much."

Mal gave a laugh. "You’re right actually. Man, I must be bad at picking friends, or very good at it. I don't know sometimes." 

Soon the battle of the bands was on as the Rainbooms and the Dazzlings started to climb up the ranks until the finals between both of them. Sonata was a bit afraid as the two groups had begun the final battle. A paper airplane flew by. 

Don't worry, 

Signed, Mal 

The letter read. 

The Rainbooms and Sirens fight had started to pick up as their more pony-like features were starting to show. The sirens were going through their own changes. Their eyes were glowing red and strange, fin-like wings appeared on their backs. 

In Equestria Discord felt the shift in magical energy. "Oh they are getting closer." He said as he snapped his fingers and left in a flash. 

At the battle the Rainbooms spell was just about to be launched. Suddenly the lights flickered off and on, until they were out, surprising everyone. A hard beat was starting to be heard. Then a bass.

A guitar sound was heard as was the fall. A new light glowed as chains wrapped around a burning metal object in the blue with Star Swirl's chains connected to the two wings of Malthael slowly his fog of death rolled in. On drums was Solar Flare beside him were Moon and Chrysalis. Twilight felt a change. Her eyes widened Malthael just high jacked their spell!

Chrysalis’ insect wings shot out as Solar Flare’s hair became flames like and Moon’s eye glowed purple. The hooded Malthael’s face glowed white showing nothing.

The music continued to rise and swell, building up to something. Malthael started to sing, his voice a bestial growl. If one paid close attention they would know that Malthael was singing about the sirens themselves, and their plight of feeding off of conflict. Every now and then the girls would provide back-up vocals, their voices sounding like an angelic choir that provided a harsh contrast to Malthael's singing. The fog seemed to move according to the song, giving the thrill of death to the whole performance. As the song built up to a climax the fog seemed to converge at one point, hanging above the Dazzlings. Once the song came to an end the fog slammed into the Dazzlings, obscuring them from view.

Twilight and Sunset looked at him wide eyed. "Did you just kill them?" Twilight asked she had seen the cloud be used before. It always ended in death. The cloud gave way revealing the sirens unharmed but strangely at peace. 

"I'm not some kinda monster you know, I actually figured out that their magic can cause more than suffering, their lives have been filled with that so their power evolved into what we saw, I simply fixed the problems and gave them the one thing they never had, someone who cared enough to help them." He had a smile. The chained Star Swirl glared at him. 

"You... Undid my spell! You.... Ahhhhh!" He screamed as Malthael glared at him. 

"I thought you learned your lesson when you threatened my friends and me...." His eyes glowed, a vortex of souls inside them. "None can stop death!" His voice caused everyone to move back a bit. The soul projection of Star Swirl started to cry. With that Malthael had crushed Star Swirl’s will.

"Malthael, what is wrong with you?!" Twilight shrieked.

"What did I do this time Sparky?' Mal asked, pulling his hood down. 

"You just all but destroyed one of the greatest minds in Equestrian history!" She hissed. 

"Damn Sparky, you just have it out for my ears.” He replied with a finger in one ear. “And what I did was teach a racist prick a lesson that he hopefully won't forget this time. So, what have you learned Star Swirl?" 

"No biscuits for me thanks, the tea is divine." The projection answered. 

"Oh, uh, that'll go away... in a few years." Mal muttered the last part under his breath. The crowd gaped at the angel on stage. 

One person in the crowd shouted, "Why does all the weird stuff happen at this school?!"

The Dazzlings looked at themselves. "What just happened?" Adagio asked. She strangely felt better. 

"Well if you must know I used the spell to fix you up in a way, your powers were unstable so I fixed it. You can, not only cause strife and conflict but also undo it, I also gave you a quantum, magical semi transdimesional connection loop to the strife of the souls in me to feed you seeing as how you either need conflict you cause or undo to feed on." He finished. 

"Quantum magical semi transdimesional connection loop? You made that up!" Twilight said. 

"Well it’s a lot simpler than me trying to explain it." Mal offered. "Basically the long and short of it is, that as long as the three of them stay within a certain distance of me they won't have to do anything to feed." Mal finished explaining. 

"If this was your plan all along then why didn't you just enter the battle of the bands yourself?" Rainbow Dash asked. 

"I'm glad you asked." Mal said. "You see Sparky here blasted me with the Elements of Harmony. At first I thought it did nothing to me, but in reality it gave me a connection to them. But, my connection is weaker than yours. I needed you all to harness the Elements so I could use their energy to form my spell." Mal explained.

"Really?" Twilight asked. Mal gave her a serious look. 

"No, you six have limited control over your magic in this world I have full control of my magic it was very easy to take the equestrian magic I needed form you." He rolled his eyes. "I used Star Swirl as a lightning rod to collect it, then my death fog to transfer it."

Twilight's eye twitched. "Why didn't you just tell us all this from the start?" 

"You needed complete concentration to use your magic. If I had told you, you probably would've worried about all the different ways my plan could've backfired." 

"And is that why you didn't tell me?" Sunset asked, an annoyed look on her face. Mal took in a sharp inhale of air when he saw the look on Sunset's face. 

"Yeah, sorry about that Sunset. I would've told you, but you decided to help on their end. Please don't be angry with me." Mal pleaded trying to look as sympathetic as possible. 

"You and I are going to have a very long talk about this later." Everyone winced at that, knowing the implications of that famous line. 

Sonata was the first of the sirens to recover from the news. She broke out in a wild grin, rushed over to Mal, and wrapped him in a near bone-crushing hug. The siren’s hug was a surprise, not only to the other sirens, but also to the human six and Malthael’s girlfriends.

"Sonata is there something you haven't told us?" Adagio asked. Sonata had a blush. 

"I've kinda been dating him in secret." Sonata revealed. The sirens, six and sunset all had the same thought. 'You have got to be kidding me.' Solar Flare and Chrysalis raised an eyebrow at this. As for Moon, she had a smile.

"You really do seem to have a way of collecting them. Though, this one is pretty cute." 

"Sister, can you please just reign in your libido just this once?" Solar asked, pointer finger and thumb on her temples. 

"Like you're one to talk, what with all the things you told me you want Mal to do to you." Moon countered, sticking her tongue out at her sister. 

"I told you all those things in confidence!" Solar shrieked, her cheeks bright red. 

Mal took one of his hands and drug it across his face. "Girls, you do realize that all of this has been said in front of an entire school, right?"

Before anyone could act a vortex of energy suddenly opened up it expanded and after about ten seconds Twilight, Mal and his group and the sirens popped out of existence. On the other side Discord was pulling a chain of magic. 

"Ok, I got them!" With one final pull out first came Twilight in her pony form. Next were Mal and his group. Finally came the sirens, who remained in their human form. "That’s strange three more girls." Discord said. Adagio looked wide eyed. He looked shocked. "Sirens? I thought your kind were gone."

"No, Star Swirl sealed us away in that world long ago due to what we eat. After the rest of us were wiped out. We're the last three sirens." Adagio explained somehow keeping her composure. 

"Oh yes I'd heard that, nasty business feeding off of conflict and misery. I'm guessing Mal here found a way around that?" 

"Yeah, I did. By the way… ow Discord, couldn't you give us a little warning before pulling us through dimensions?" Mal said picking himself up. 

"And what did you expect me to do?" Discord asked. 

"Really, did you just say that?" Mal replied. "You could've sent a projection or something of yourself to tell us that you'd be bringing us back, and then do it." 

"We just wanted to get you back as quickly as possible. By the way, there's someone who's been missing you." Discord said pointing out Trixie. 

Trixie came up to Mal and buried her head in his chest. "Trixie is glad you're back." 

"We were only gone a few days Trixie. Oh I met your counterpart in that world.” 

"You did?" 

"Yeah, does the name, 'Great and Powerful' Trixie ring any bells?" Mal asked with a goofy grin. 

Trixie turned beet red, "Trixie may have referred to herself in that manner at one point." 

Sonata stood up.  "Um Mal..." The angel sighed. This was going to be a long day.

A day passed since then Malthael was looking though his bag. "Weird." Malthael said. It looked like a smaller sickle. "I wonder...." He held it up. "I am Malthael , call on me when whenever." He tossed it only for it to do nothing but shatter on the wall. Discord appeared behind him. 

"What were you doing?" Discord asked. 

"I have no clue, multiverse traveling by a token?" Malthael asked Discord blinked. 

"That's not how the multiverse works..... beside a bunch of tokens so summon people? Who would think of something like that? That's just lazy." Discord said. Mal shrugged.

> You're Invited
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A week had passed since the trip to the other world. The sirens sat in the charm home. It updated itself after a while for them. Right across the hall was Moon and Chrysalis’ room. The two had started to share a room for over a month at that point. Given every room was its own pocket dimension when the door was closed no one knew what they were doing. Sonata found out about the whole sharing thing, and she was very open minded about the whole thing. The other two stayed inside all the time.

Because of this Mal once forgot they were even in there. The strange thing was even as a charm the home was still in its own dimension. There was a knock on the door. 

"Come in." Aria said. Walking in was Mal himself. He had just finished his shower. It was a large bathroom with places to sit. Moon and Chrysalis had walked in with him and Sunset. After spending some time with all of them and getting some casual clothes he had decided to check up on the recluse sirens.

"Hey, I just wanted to see how you two are doing."

"We're fine." Adagio quickly replied.

"Really, is that why you two haven't left this room at all?"

"Last time I checked we don't need to leave. That connection thing you pulled on us works anywhere in this place." Aria replied.

"You're right, you technically don't have to leave the room. But, it still worries me that you aren't." Mal said.

"You don't need to worry about us." Adagio spat, her indifferent mask falling.

"I'm worrying about you because I want to, just like I want to help you. But I can only do that if you tell me what's wrong." Mal pressed, slowly approaching the sirens.

They did nothing but continue to be indifferent. Mal sighed. "Sonata was made a countess today she wanted to share it with you two as well." The other two sirens sighed.

They turned to the angel. "We had been banished long ago. We then meet you and you helped us, now Sonata’s happily in love with a king who has other lovers and is so cheery." Adagio Dazzle started moving closer to him. Mal looked at her in the eyes as did she.

"You think that you cannot find love, right?" Mal asked. The siren had a bit of a blush at this.

"Not like anyone would care enough about us to do so." Their two faces were inching closer and closer, subconsciously the two acted on an impulse. Mal kissed Adagio on the lips, an action she was quick to reciprocate.

Mal reluctantly pulled away from Adagio and stroked the back of her head. "You're wrong, I saw into your souls back in the mirror world. You may have done a lot of bad things, but you never enjoyed it. You did it because you wanted to survive. You wanted to keep your race alive. You're very strong Adagio, to put yourself through that for the sake of your people."

"But... we didn't just do it for survival. We wanted revenge. We wanted to make others pay for what happened to us!" Adagio blurted out.

"After centuries of banishment and being on the brink of starvation, I can't possibly blame you for wanting revenge. Also, I love Solar, and she literally tried to kill me." Mal answered, smiling at the siren. Adagio actually giggled at Mal.

"You're either very kind or very stupid."

Mal had a smile. "I think I'm a bit of both honestly"

Adagio giggled a bit at this. "You’re probably right." The siren said, still giggling. Aria looked at Mal in the eyes, then Adagio before she whispered into her ear.

"Are you actually falling for him?" She whispered in her ear. The yellow siren sighed.

"A little, I mean he has helped us, and he's sweet."

"I still don't see the big deal with him." Aria replied. Mal pretended that he couldn't hear what the two were saying. Instead he did what he always did.

"What were you asking her Aria? Did you want a kiss of your own?" Mal asked with a goofy grin and wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Aria gave him a bit of a glare. She got right in front of his face with her glare. "What makes you think…" Mal shut her up with a kiss. After that Aria blinked, kissed him then slapped him.

"Ouch, fine I'm leaving." He said. Adagio looked at her.

"What was that about?" Aria blinked.

"The kiss was because I liked it, the slap was because he did it." Adagio let out a long sigh at Aria’s actions.

Mal had decided to leave the home to go to his office in the parliament building. For the most part his powers as king were ceremonial, but he still oversaw the ins and outs of the day to day government dealings and approved laws and economic reforms, and even kept an eye on larger businesses. He wanted to let his newfound people know that he took their trust seriously and that their belief in him wasn’t unfounded, so he did everything he could to make sure that the Union of Kingdoms was ran as best as he could make it. Of course, Parliament members and a few of The nobles that proposed laws didn’t usually try to get anything too crazy and outlandish passed, but there was always the chance. Mal walked down the grand building’s hallways, noting that black and white seemed to prevail as dominant colors throughout it.

It made sense he thought. Given their love for him and what he normally wore. Mal continued to look around the hallways and saw paintings that depicted the war that had taken place two-hundred years ago for them. He had to laugh inwardly at the way he was shown: a tall, gallant, figure that led those around him with the kind of face you always saw in paintings of knights and kings on the battlefield. He figured most of the citizens would be disappointed to find out just how goofy he really was.

He passed a few employees of the building, all of them greeting him as he passed, and he returned their greetings whenever he could. He eventually made it to his office and left the door open as he walked inside. He regarded the room with a warm smile. It wasn’t very large or extravagant, he had insisted upon that. It was sparsely decorated with a bookshelf that contained books on laws of the country that he could consult while he did paperwork. The colors of the room were again black and white. In the back of the room was a window that overlooked the capital with a rather impressive view. His desk was a moderate size that had a lamp, a photo or two of him and his lover’s, a cup of pens, and last but unfortunately not least, the stacks of papers containing the things he had to go over. He really did hate the paperwork, but he did it because he felt that he had the responsibility. The people of his country regarded him as a great king, and he wanted to live up to that image. The only thing that could be considered extravagant in the room was his desk chair. Mal had wanted something comfy to sit in to make the tedious and boring work at least a little more bearable. He sat down in the yielding cushions and grabbed the closest paper that he hadn’t looked over yet.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------- 	At her new castle, Twilight was looking over Discord’s book. Fun fact, it seemed Discord had actually written it. The other strange thing, his writing was well done. The part she had read was on dark magic. It had nothing on the spells but actually a warning that dark magic slowly corrupts and is highly addictive because of this effect. He then warned that only a few races were naturally able to use dark magic with no side effects. There was a part on chaos magic, but it made so little sense that the only thing he could think of was that if a race wasn't chaos leaning or special individuals, then the magic would eventually destroy them. There was a part on the interdependence of Harmony and Chaos shared but she got confused by it. A letter finally appeared, well more like popped into existence. She picked it up and read it.

You are invited to Discord’s birthday celebration.

Signed, Discord Disarray Chaotic.

--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------Hours had most likely passed as Mal looked over another potential tax reform. He poured over every detail of it with one of his Economics books and made sure that there wasn’t some hidden way to make things unfair for the common people. Satisfied that the request was in fact a good one, he signed off on it. Mal took a moment to take a breath, and rubbed his tired eyes. He was just about to reach for another paper when he heard a knocking sound. He looked up and saw Sunset leaning on the doorframe. 

“Hey there, Sunset, what are you doing here?” Mal asked.

“I was coming to make sure you got some sleep. You might be an immortal king, but you still need to rest.” Sunset pressed.

“Alright Sunset, I guess I can come back. I wasn’t in the middle of anything anyway.” Mal replied, stretching out his arms above his head.

“Also, I happened to notice that two certain sirens came out of their room. How’d you do that?”

“I may have gone and talked to them to convince them to come out and interact with the others.”

“Is talking all you did?” Sunset asked with a knowing smirk.

"Well there may have been some kissing too."

Sunset sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "So now we're up to nine in our little group, including the two of us."

"Sunset, if this is all starting to make you uncomfortable..."

"No, I didn't mean it like that.” Sunset interrupted. “I just never thought that us doing a shared relationship would turn into all this."

"Me either, I thought it would be just the two of us, but then Moon and Trixie came into our lives and it kind of just snowballed from there."

"Well, we are alone right now." Sunset said closing and locking the door with her magic. She then slipped into Mal’s lap, hooked her arms around his neck and looked down at him with an amorous smirk. Mal grinned, but before the two could really do anything a letter popped into existence between the two of them.

The letter was opened and read by Mal. "Well we’ve just been invited to Discord’s birthday party." He said in a slightly annoyed tone.

Sunset raised an eyebrow at this. "He actually remembers his birthday?" She asked.

"Well I guess even with his insanity, then a thousand years in stone he must have recalled the day of his birth." Mal said with a shrug.

"I wonder who else he invited?"

In a tomb in the badlands, a letter popped into existence. In the griffin royal palace Princess Gilda room had a letter appear. In the crystal palace another appeared. In Canterlot palace a final appeared in Luna’s room.

"I know he invited Luna, still can't wrap my head around those two dating."

"I don't know, I think it's kind of sweet that they're dating." Mal rolled his eyes at Sunset's response. "So what are you thinking of getting him?" She asked.

"I don't know, what are you supposed to get a god of chaos for his birthday?” Mal asked. “Maybe I could find a painting of dogs playing poker, something tells me he might like that."

"Please don't, that would be so tacky."

"But, do you think he'd like it?"

Sunset thought for a moment and shrugged. "Most likely, I guess." 

> Discord's Party: and Beginning of Crisis
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight walked out of the palace she had to find Pinkie Pie, who was jumping around doing weirder stuff than normal. "Twilight, Discord’s birthday is coming up did you get your invitation?" Pinkie Pie said with cheer.

"Yeah, I did. Though, I don't know what in the world I'm supposed to get him."

"Just don't get him a gift certificate that's always lazy." Pinkie pointed out.

"I won't, Pinkie." 'Well that rules out that option.' She thought. "So what are you going to get Discord?"

"Ooh, I was going to bake him a super duper layer cake that has a layer of almost every flavor! It's gonna be sooo good!" Pinkie cheered, drooling slightly.

"Ok then so where is Discord holding his party at?" Twilight asked. Pinkie thought for a moment. 

"I don't know actually he did say when he last saw me that he found a nice little place to live so possibly there." Pinkie Pie said with a smile.

"Like the forest that went missing?" Twilight asked. There was the piece of a forest that went missing in the northern part of Equestria. Not very much of it was gone but it was where the CMC saw Discord in dragon form.

"Oh remember those other dimensions you went to through the mirror and where Mal and Discord placed Sombra’s soul thing. Maybe Discord found an empty one to live in." Pinkie Pie said with a smile.

Twilight however started to imagine a whole dimension with nothing but Discord’s chaos.

She started to shake, disturbed by the images she had conjured up. "Twilight, are you okay? You look a little pale."

"Sorry, I just had a disturbing thought for a second. So who else do you think was invited?" 

"Well, I know Luna and Mal were invited. One's his marefriend and the other's his best friend." "Oh great, Mal." Twilight said.

"Oh come on Twilight, Mal's not that bad."

"He constantly calls me Sparky and always tries to get a rise out of me. How is he not that bad?

Pinkie thought for a moment. "Well he hasn't ripped your soul out... Plus he helped a group of islands force away an invasion, help free Luna from Nightmare Moon then saved Celestia from Solar Flare, oh and helped us with Demise." Pinkie did have a point.

Twilight had to let out a sigh. "I guess you're right. I just wish he'd act a little differently. Did I tell you what he did in the mirror world?"

"Yes Twilight, you told us all about how he hijacked your spell and didn't tell you about his plans." Pinkie said with a giggle. "Listen Twilight, I've gotta go. I need a lot of time and ingredients if I wanna get this cake right." Pinkie finished, hopping off to some other part of town.

"Alright Pinkie, I'll go see if any of our other friends got invitations. Maybe they'll give me an idea on what to give Discord for his birthday."

Turns out they did but they were clueless or not very good at picking a gift. When the day came for the party Twilight had finally finished finding the best gift she could think of. "Ok, how do I find Discord’s party?" She asked. In a flash she was gone as the letter burned up.

-------------------------------------------------------------
------------	Back with Mal’s group, including the three sirens amazingly, and the Current PM of his nation, a Goblin, looked as he showed them the painting with dogs playing poker, or what he thought looked like dogs. 

"Yeah I can't paint." Mal said looking at it. In a flash they too were gone. Twilight and friends appeared in a place with pink air with floating land masses and what looked like a… eyeball? Another flash was heard under them, then another above them. Looking up they saw Mal’s group standing upside down. Gravity was somehow not working right.

"Hi Sparky, good to see you again. Why are you upside down?" Mal asked.

"We're not, you are." Rainbow Dash said.

"Or maybe we're all upside down." Mal started.

"Maybe we've always been upside down, and we're just now realizing it." Pinkie continued.

"Maybe everything we know is upside down and the only way it can be right side up is to learn the truth about ourselves and the universe." Mal finished.

"Or maybe Discord is just playin' one of his pranks on us." Applejack deadpanned.

"Way to be a party pooper, Applejack, and the party hasn't even started yet." Mal replied.

"Can we just forget about who is and isn't upside down, and focus on finding Discord so we can go to his party?" Twilight asked. Everyone nodded and set off to find out where Discord was.

Mal’s group summoned their wings, with Trixie on her broom and the sirens spreading their odd, finlike wings. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Twilight started to fly too. The other three were stranded until Pinkie jumped and landed on the next land mass. Mal looked at this. Landing on the land mass he jumped to the next one without his wings. "Hey you can jump to the other landmasses, gravity seems off here." He tossed a rock only for it to keep zooming by.

'There's another reference to be made here but I can't remember it... again. I think it involved a plumber or something… weird.' Mal jumped from mass to mass until they all reached the edge of a forest. Mal, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash were the first to make it, followed closely by the others. "Of course this is where Discord would hold his party." Mal said to no one. "This was the forest he lived in when I met him the first time."

"Really, because this is the forest that went missing a few weeks ago." Twilight replied.

"Still, I have to say I'm a little disappointed in his aesthetic choices. I mean sure, the gravity thing was cool, but not nearly as chaotic as I thought it'd be. Where's the random animals dancing in tutus, dogs and cats living together, or weather patterns made of candy." Mal lamented.

Almost everyone sighed at Mal's concerns. Everyone that is except Pinkie, who shared in some of them. "I know right. I was hoping for at least a little chocolate rain, but there hasn't been a single drop so far. Ooh, maybe he's waiting for the party for all the cool chaosy stuff!" She cheered.

The group walked through the forest. They found nothing different. Finally, they were at the edge of the landmass as they approached Mal paused a bit. "I wonder, maybe he’s having it below us?" Mal reasoned. He walked and fell over! He summoned his wings and flew up. "Ok this landmass seems to be normal."

He however let the rush die down. "I saw a bunch of clouds below us I figured that’s where Discord’s at." Mal pointed down. They landed on the clouds that slowly consumed them until they found themselves coming out into the middle of Discord’s party inside the cloud

Mal looked around the room and was disappointed to see that it was by all accounts a normal party.

Discord noticed this and walked over to Mal. "Oh, what's wrong Mal?"

"Nothing, I was just hoping for more chaosy stuff considering it was your party."

"I would've, but Luna advised that most of Twilight and her crew wouldn't appreciate some of my tastes." Discord said with a sigh. Mal actually laughed at this.

"Dude, you're whipped, and by a pony too, never thought I'd see the day."

"I find it hard to believe myself." The Gargoyle Prince said walking over to Discord and Mal.

"Oh, hey, I've never seen you before. My name's Malthael, but most just call me Mal." Mal said extending his hand toward the gargoyle.

"I am Victor, prince of the gargoyles. Discord has told me a lot about you."

"Really like what?" Mal asked. The gargoyle’s prince had a smile.

"You’re an aspect of death, king of the Northern Isles, and his best friend." Victor said. Mal had a chuckle.

"Yeah I'm still debating if that's a good or bad thing." Mal chuckled before turning back to Discord. “By the way Discord, your invitation interrupted something very important between Sunset and I.” Mal stated, frowning and folding his arms.

“What did I interrupt?”

“Something very important,” Mal stressed.

The gifts were there as were the other Equestrian princesses. Pinkie Pie herself found a fountain of chocolate that never ended, she pretty much feel unconscious from well, over eating. Victor himself was talking about what he learned his race had entered a deep hibernation they're awake when they feel needed. The fact that they sleep in stone helped them remain immortal in the sleep. Twilight looked a bit outside she saw the eyeball looking at her.

"Discord, mind me asking where are we?" The god appeared right next to her.

"Well I found this empty dimension right next to Equestria, it was formless so I gave it form." Discord finished. The eyeball blinked.

"And the eyeball?" Twilight asked.

"That's the way into the dimension, in truth you passed right through it." Discord had a small. "It can turn into a mouth too."

Twilight shuddered at the thought. "Discord, that's disgusting."

"What, it's not a real mouth. Even I wouldn't like that."

"Whatever, so how many empty dimensions are there?"

"Well, just as many as there are inhabited ones."

"That's incredible!" Twilight said.

"Not really, you seem to forget just how astronomical the odds are of life forming in a dimension."

"I guess you're right. I never really thought about it like that."

"Few ever do." Discord said with a shrug.

"Discord!" Mal called out. "You're half-daughter passed out in the chocolate fountain! Do you think you could do something about that?" Discord looked over to Mal and did notice that Pinkie was in fact covered in chocolate.

"Looks like we'll have to table this discussion for later Twilight." The pink pony was dragged out of the fountain. "How much did she have?" Discord asked.

"I think enough to give everyone here diabetes, twice." Mal answered. Pinkie coughed up a bit of chocolate.

"I'm sure she'll be ok." Discord answered. The pink pony’s eyes slowly opened.

"I was in chocolate heaven." She said with happiness. The dimension started to shake. Mal had a calm expression and pointed up.

"What was that?" He asked.

"Oh yeah, this dimension is still a bit unstable, plus the gravity of the other dimensions still effect it." Discord finished. As the shocking intensified Discord had a look of fear. "Everyone, brace yourselves." Everyone did so as a wave of energy shot though the dimension as its outer walls had electric storms. Finally it ceased. "Sorry everyone a power surge happens every now and again." Mal slowly got up.

"Good to.... Ahhh" he felt something coming up until two orbs of light escaped him.

"What the what?" Twilight asked.

"Run." One orb said.

Mal’s wings shot up as he chased them. "Stop them, the surge let two souls escape!"

The souls passed through the clouds and Mal soon followed. Sunset summoned her wings to chase after him. The souls passed into the eyeball as did Mal. The souls hit the sides as Malthael slashed at them. The eyeball glowed as another surge started, the three were soon tossed into a vortex as energy almost hit Sunset who landed on a landmass.

"Mal!" Sunset screamed. In a flash Discord looked around the area. The others soon came as well.

"What just happened?!" Twilight screamed.

"Mal just traveled to another universe," Discord said. Everyone turned to him. "The eyeball is like a tunnel, a wormhole. The barriers of the dimensions are weaker there when the surge passes through it. Mal must have hit the energy that made up the wormhole allowing the surge to expand it and forge another wormhole to another universe." He managed to gather energy from the air around the wormhole. "This energy is acting differently than that of this dimension, it’s from another universe not another dimension, unfortunately its mixed with a bunch of junk energy from other dimensions at each universe's and a bit from other universes." He said.

"Can you find and bring him back?" Sunset asked.

"Possibly if I find a weak enough place in space time I can focus my magic on it and open a tear to the next universe, I however have to find the right universe’s energy first."
> Crisis on Two Equestrias Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	In a familiar yet different forest a vortex of light space time energy and magic opened up as Mal fell on the ground. His head was hurting as he stumbled around. The two orbs however entered in a familiar castle from their own vortexes.

'Oh man, I really hope that wasn't Star Swirl or someone like that. That would be just my luck.' Mal thought. 'And I have no idea where I am right now.' He continued with a sigh. 'I'd better fly up and see if I can find a nearby settlement.' Mal summoned his wings and flew high above the forest canopy. He scanned the area for a few moments until he spotted a familiar landmark. 'Hey, it's Sparky's castle. Someone in her town should be able to help me,' Mal flew to the edge of Ponyville and landed, retracting his wings. Mal slowly walked through town, but noted something was off. It almost looked like something big had happened in the town rather recently, if the swatches of upended earth were anything to go by. No one seemed to be around. 'That's odd, it's the middle of the day.' 

"Hello!" Mal called out.

He found nothing. Naturally, he sighed. "Well this sucks." He sighed.

"It’s about to suck even more for you!" He turned to see the mane six.

"Finally, I thought I was being ignored." Mal said.

"Your evil of taking souls stops here!" Twilight decreed.

'What is Sparky saying.... oh I must be in another universe.' Mal thought. He saw a flash as their manes rainbowfied. 'Oh it’s that rainbowfied power...... ' He then blinked for a moment as realization hit him, 'oh crap.' He braced himself as a beam and an explosion of rainbow power hit him.

"Yes take that!" Rainbow Dash cheered. At the epicenter of the explosion stood Malthael, his blades at the ready. He was out of it, still somewhat reeling from the whole universal travel. The hood in place as his aspect started to control him. His wings formed again. The mane six moved back.

"But, but Tirek, the power of friendship..." The being’s dark hood had glowing eyes within it.

"None." The fog started up. "Can stop." With that his spread his arms and wings. "DEATH!" a wave of the fog rolled in Twilight created a barrier to stop it from spreading to them. When it was over anything alive was now dead and some of the buildings’ wood started to show signs of decay and falling apart.

“Dear sweet Celestia what is this thing?!" Twilight yelled.

"Should we try using that rainbow power again?" Pinkie asked.

"I don't know if we can use it again right after firing it once."

"So what does that mean, darling?"

"Umm..." Twilight said, shaking a little. Malthael slowly approached the barrier, raising his sickles. Once he was directly in front of it Twilight cast a teleportation spell right as he shattered it. In this universes palace the two royal sisters looked on with Discord as the six returned via teleportation. "Well how did it go?" Celestia asked.

"What is that thing?! It took the rainbowfied power and shrugged it off!" Twilight screamed.

Malthael looked on at the place where those ponies had been. All of a sudden his mind returned to him. Mal pulled his hood down and looked at the area. 'Oh no,' he thought noticing all the decay. 'This can't be good. The last thing I remember is Sparky and the others saying something about me stealing souls. Please don't tell me...' Mal took a deep breath and summoned a familiar soul.

"Ottio, I need you to tell me something."

"What is it laddie?"

"I didn't take any souls recently, did I?"

"No laddie, but there is something I should tell you. Those two souls that got out, they were those alicorns that imprisoned you all those years ago."

Mal paused at this. "You mean I actually captured their souls? How did they escape?" He asked.

"Well they were loosely captured, something about your powers not being completely under your control at the time. They used the surge to escape." Mal sighed. He was going to need to find this universe’s Discord.

--------------------------------------------------
--------------------Back at the palace Celestia and Luna gave Twilight a look of utter confusion. "What do you mean?" Celestia asked.

"I mean exactly what I said. We used the power we used on Tirek on him and it did nothing! What are we going to do now? How are we going to save Equestria?" Twilight asked.

"I suppose we have one last option. Discord would you please stop this creature?"

"Well, I suppose I could. I'm a little intrigued what could shrug off a power like this." Discord said with a grin. "Well, I better get going before too much damage is done. I should be back by tea time, Fluttershy." He finished, summoning a door and walking through it.

Mal paused he was slightly confused he should be where a village was but found only woods. "Stop right there.” Mal turned to see Discord in a cop outfit.

"Discord there you are.... wait..... question, are you in a relationship with Luna?" He asked. This Discord gave him a confused look.

"What are you talking about?"

Mal sighed. "Who is your best friend?"

"Fluttershy, why?" Mal face palmed.

"Ok you’re this universe’s Discord."

This Discord looked at him for a few moments. "I'm guessing that you come from a reality where I'm in a relationship with Princess Luna and you’re my best friend."

"Yes and yes. Okay, I need you to listen to me."

"Why should I, you tried to kill Fluttershy." Discord asked, getting out a pair of handcuffs.

"I didn't mean to do that. As soon as they saw me they fired that rainbowfied power at me and I lost control of my powers. Look, I need your help. Two souls I had in my possession got loose, and now I think they're trying to imprison me in Tarturas... again."

"You were imprisoned in Tartarus? You're really not helping your case for me helping you." Discord stated.

Mal laughed a bit at that. "Yeah right as I said that I realized it.... ok I was imprisoned in Tartarus because the universe I was in was racist." Discord nodded, some ponies were racist he could believe that. "I had no control over my powers, was put to sleep, then woke up and killed everything in Tartarus." Discord raised an eyebrow.

"Everything, even Tirek?" Mal thought for a moment.

"Monkey centaur thing, was trying to steal magic?" Discord nodded. He summoned an orb of light.

"I will claim your magic..... wait what’s going on? Why do I not feel my body?" the orb asked. Discord was wide eyed. He unsummoned it.

"Yeah I'm guessing he stole your magic?" Mal thought for a moment. "Wait a minute, how powerful are you?" Discord raised an eyebrow.

"Shouldn't you know if your best friend is the Spirit of Chaos?" Mal rolled his eyes.

"One my friend is the God of Chaos, two I've seen him man handle a being with 12 alicorns worth of magic and stalemate the Elements of Harmony in power." This Discord felt a bit jealous.

"Hmmph, well I don't really know how strong I am. I know I'm stronger than both Celestia and Luna, but the Elements have always been a little stronger than me."

"Can you still access other dimensions and universes?" Mal asked.

"Hmm, I've never really tried all that. I've always been happy causing my chaos here."

"Can you try? I'm sure the Discord in my universe is already trying on his end, but I need to get into contact with my friends as soon as possible."

"I don't know, aren't you worried about what could happen if two Discords came into contact with each other?"

"Look, I just need some help getting these souls back. If we're not careful they could cause a lot of problems."

"Who are these souls exactly?"

"Uh... Celestia and Luna's parents." Mal reluctantly admitted. This Discord blinked for a bit. "Before you do anything these two are so pro pony that their citizens ruined my Discord’s life were willing to commit genocide for the hell of it, and kinda attacked me after I saved a village from a monster attack." Mal sighed. "Yeah you just decided to fight." This Discord summoned rubber chickens. In Malthael’s universe the (G) Discord finally shot up.

"I found the reality... Now time to see if I can give him something." Discord appeared in the wormhole. Touching it he suddenly was dragged though. At the ground a vortex opened up. (S) Discord and Malthael saw (G) Discord. He stood up. "Mal I found you... Now I can stop those eights’ worrying.... Oh wait." He saw (S) discord. "Oh great Luna’s going to kill me." Malthael’s eyes twitched.

"Really, you're worried about Luna right now?" Malthael asked, holding off (S) Discord's rubber chicken with his sickles.

"Well she did warn me about potentially destroying reality by running into alternate versions of myself." (G) Discord said.

"Look, can you just do something about him?" Mal asked, indicating (S) Discord.

"How am I going to do that? He's me so he has to be as..."

"He's only a spirit of chaos."

"Oh, well. Then I'm sure I can think of something."

(G) Discord gathered the energy he needed it was much easier without any distractions. "Now." He said, Malthael jumped up. As (S) Discord looked up his counterpart unleashed a blast that was just as powerful as the Elements themselves.

"Oh Crap....." (S) Discord was hit by it and there was a stone statue of him.

"Wow he really isn't as powerful as me." (G) Discord said. Mal walked up to him.

"Ok so what do we do with him?" Mal asked. (G) Discord got an Idea.

"I know." In a snap they were gone. 

> Crisis on Two Equestrias Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	In a snap Mal and Discord were gone. At Canterlot palace the throne room had a flash as Mal (G) Discord, and stoned (S) Discord appeared in the empty room. "We can get these Princesses’ help." (G) Discord said. Mal finally snapped.

"You Idiot!" Mal screamed at him.

"What’s going on....."

This Twilight and Celestia and Luna saw two Discords one stoned with rubber chickens and another Discord with Malthael who was yelling at him.

"It's the being that tried to kill us! And he has two Discords with him." Twilight yelled.

"Oh calm down Twilight. I've got this under control." (G) Discord said.

"Then who are you? Are you the Discord of our world?" Celestia asked.

"Of course I am." (G) Discord said, a large grin on his face.

"Then surely you can answer our questions." Luna declared.

"Of course I can. But so could the other Discord. We can read minds. How else do you think I could play on Twilight and her friends' insecurities when I first woke up?" (G) Discord explained with a chuckle.

"Then how are we supposed to trust you?" Twilight asked with a glare.

"Because I have the creature here and he hasn't tried to attack anyone yet."

Two floating orbs could finally be seen. "What’s going on?" One asked.

(G) Discord had a smile. 'Listen I'm going to do something and you grab them.' (G) Discord said with telepathy. Before they could however, another rip opened up.

"What could this be now?" Twilight asked. Falling through was the sirens. They picked themselves up from the floor.

"Mal! I told you I could find him!" Sonata said. Coming out next was Solar Flare and the tear finally closed.

"Discord you left a rip in the wormhole....." She looked at Celestia, and glared at her. "Die!" She screamed as she fired Celestia’s own powers at her.

"Damn it Solar, why did you do that!?" Mal boomed.

"Can't talk, about to kill Celestia." Solar growled.

"Oh no you don't, Discord freeze everyone but the two of us in the room."

"Got it!" (G) Discord replied, snapping his talons and freezing time for everyone but the two of them and the two souls floating in the room.

"Alright, now let's go get those..." The two souls rushed out of the room. "Aggh, you've got to be kidding me! Discord I thought told you to freeze everyone but us?" Mal groaned.

"Sorry, but souls don't experience time like normal people." (G) Discord explained.

"Fine, let's just unfreeze the girls and try to find those two again." Mal then stopped to think for a moment. "Actually, do you have a marker?"

"Of course." (G) Discord said making a marker pop into reality.

The girls were unfrozen as for Celestia, Twilight, and Luna; they had drawings across their face. Mal even let Solar draw a few things on Celestia’s face to make up for the fact that he wouldn’t let her kill her. And Solar had drawn a few choice things on Celestia’s face.  Oh and (S) Discord had a lot on him as well. By the time it was done, and they were all far gone, Twilight, Celestia and Luna blinked awake. 

"What just happened.... Wait it’s night, who lowered the sun and raised the moon?" Twilight asked. Celestia moaned with a bit of pain. Twilight’s eyes widened, in sudden realization. "Wait a minute, were those the sirens?"

"The who?" Celestia asked. Twilight turned to Celestia, and both their eyes widened in shock. "What happened to your face!?" They cried at the same time.

"What are the two of you talking..." Luna started to say before laughing uncontrollably. "It appears somepony found a marker and drew genitals upon you."

"They got you too, Luna." Celestia deadpanned.

"Those no good buckers!" Luna cried. "They shall experience all of my wrath for desecrating my visage!"

"Look this isn't important right now." Twilight said, making a washcloth appear with her magic. "That creature of death, his/their version of Discord, the sirens, and some unknown entity are all on the loose now."

"You mentioned these sirens earlier, who are they?"

"They are three beings who cause strife and conflict, Star Swirl himself imprisoned them." Twilight started. The statue of Discord was seen by them. "We should free him." Twilight pointed out. After a few hours (S) Discord’s head was free, his body still stone.

"Finally I can breathe." (S) Discord said. He then blinked and looked down at his trapped body. "I'm covered in markings, aren't I?" He asked. The alicorns nodded.

"Ok Discord how did this happen?" (S) Discord’s eyes rolled.

"Oh my counterpart’s the God of chaos that’s how. He’s more powerful than me and maybe more creative as well." (S) Discord said.

"How powerful?" (S) Discord gave Celestia a serious look.

"The blast he hit me with was as strong as the Elements of Harmony’s powers, he may be even more powerful than them!"

"Oh and the girl that attacked you.... That was Solar Flare she was to Celestia as Nightmare was to Luna." He added.

"What?" Celestia screeched.

"Well it does explain why she attacked you the instant she saw you." Twilight offered.

"So, it seems the creature of death has allied himself with our enemies." Luna stated.

"That's not all; apparently in his universe the one in the cloak killed your parents." (S) Discord said. Both Celestia and Luna had a hard look come over their faces.

"This creature needs to be stopped." Celestia declared. "We will send all of our scouts to try and find all of them. They will be told not to engage them at all costs. We should send a letter to Cadance up at the Crystal Empire. We may need to pool all of our strength in order to deal with all of them."

Discord was about to mention what Malthael told him about his counterpart taking on a being with the powers of 10-12 alicorns but decided against it. "That sounds good, but can you please get me out. I have an itch that I can't reach and its driving me crazy." (S) Discord said.

> Crisis on Two Equestrias Pt. 3 Two Pinkies and Two Twilights
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	After Mal, Discord and the others finally got out Twilight found Pinkie Pie running around.

"Pinkie what is it?" Twilight asked.

"I'm looking for Discord." She said. A pop came as (S) Discord popped into reality.

"What do you need?" He asked.

"Twilight have you found the..." Another Pinkie Pie was seen coming down the hall. The (D) Pinkie looked at the other.

"Oh, I messed up." This Pinkie Pie said.

"Wait, are you from the other universe?" Twilight asked.

"Yes I am, I'm looking for my Discord." Twilight shot up.

"Well he just left with the creature of death."

"Oh Mal, you found him? That's not important I need to find my Luna’s stallionfriend and my half daddy." This Pinkie summoned a hat from nowhere. "Discord I'm coming." She then jumped out a window and somehow landed unfazed on the ground.

"Wait, did she just say half daddy?" Twilight, said, her eye twitching.

"Did she say Luna's stallionfriend?" Celestia asked, her own eye twitching.

"Oh yeah, the creature did mention something about that before." (S) Discord answered snapping his talons in remembrance.

"Hey Twilight, didn't that Pinkie seem awfully calm about that death thing running around?" The other Pinkie asked. Twilight snapped out of her confusion and thought for a moment.

"You're right Pinkie, she did. And she called him by a nickname. Something about this doesn't seem right. What do you think Princess Celestia?" Celestia didn't answer, instead she mumbled something about chocolate rain and chaotic fillies. "Umm, what do you think, Princess Luna?" Twilight asked.

Luna was just as confused as everyone. "Honestly I think we do not know enough about this other universe. In fact, it’s possible we could be on the wrong side, or that concepts like good and evil may not even exist for them." Luna finished. Hoping that sounded reasonable.

"Okay, so what do you think we should do?" Twilight asked.

"For right now, we should help my sister calm down. I think hearing that there's a version of me out there that is courting Discord was a little too much for her to process. After that, like my sister said, we should have our scouts find this Mal and the others with him, and from there. We should monitor them and see what they do. If they are the threat we think they are then we shall pool our strength and eliminate them. If not, then I'm sure we'll think of something."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------The group ran to find the souls which had somehow escaped from them. 

"Ok so let's recap, we go to Discord’s party, a power surge let two souls go, another surge sends me to another universe, I met this dimension’s Sparky and friends who were hostile to me, then I met this reality’s Discord and during a fight my Discord came falling though, then came you four." Mal said before another voice was heard.

"Don't forget me!" (D) Pinkie Pie said.

"And now Pinkie's here." Mal said with a sigh. "Does anyone else want to randomly show up?" Mal shouted at the sky. "How about Sunset and the others? Or how about our Celestia and Luna? Solar could always try to kill her too." Mal finally finished, slumping over.

"What's wrong with Mal?" Pinkie whispered to (G) Discord.

"I think it's been a long day for Mal. He should be fine once we find those two souls."

"Which two souls escaped anyway?" Aria asked.

"I don't know. I didn't get a chance to ask him yet." (G) Discord pondered. "Mal, which two souls escaped?" Discord asked, walking up to Mal.

"The two souls that I honestly wished I'd never met. The two souls I hate the most, Celestia and Luna's parents." Mal groaned.

Solar’s eyes twitched. "We have to find them." Solar said. Everyone turned to her. Solar sighed. "There’s a mental block on Celestia’s mind, she was old enough to form memories..... My parents are monsters, they had already planned to kill all non-ponies alive then wipe away the lesser beings who they ruled. Not to say they were good parents either, they were monsters at that as well, they hit Celestia and neglected Luna as well as executed anyone that failed them losing about what happened and I'm thinking they may have done even more horrible things."

"And now I wish they had physical bodies so I could rip off their limbs and shove them in every orifice I can find!" Mal growled, pulling out his sickles. The others nodded at Mal's statement. "Okay, Discord, do have any way that you could track them down?"

"I'm not sure, tracking down free floating souls is not something I normally do. But I can try." 

"Good," Mal said with a nod. "I'll see if I can try to find them on my end. We need to hurry, if those two possess a body there's no telling what kind of havoc they could cause. Since those two are racist I'm guessing they'll only want alicorn bodies. That narrows our search down. Since they've left Celestia, Luna, and Sparky alone so far, that leaves us with Princess Cadance. Discord, would you please teleport us to the Crystal Empire?"

Discord nodded with a snap they were gone.

-------------------------------------------------
-----------Twilight was heading back to Ponyville to help with the reconstruction. Once again the same rip opened up. "Oh what is it this time?" She asked. Coming out was herself. The Twilight from the rip looked at the other Twilight. They both blinked and mirrored each other’s movements.

"So you’re from another universe?" They both asked each other.

"Fascinating," They said in unison again. "Maybe only one of us should ask questions to avoid confusion." They said, again in unison.

"I'll let you go first, you are the visitor here." The Twilight of this universe said.

"Thank you. I was wondering if you've seen an odd group in this universe recently? One's a large, cloak wearing being, four are odd females, one's my version of Pinkie, and the last is my version of Discord."

"Yes, I have seen them recently. They disappeared after drawing all over my face with a marker." The first Twilight grumbled. The other placed a hoof over her face and shook her head. "Yeah, that sounds like something Malthael and Discord would do. So do you know where they went?"

"Before I do I have two questions, one how are you all coming here?" (R) Twilight asked. (M) Twilight sighed.

"Everyone’s stuck in Discord’s dimension with the only way out being through this giant eyeball and the wormhole has this fissure from when Discord tried to send Malthael a message.... After he traveled across universes." (M) Twilight spoke under her breath about how Sunset was starting to get too worried.

"A giant eyeball? Discord’s own dimension?" (R) Twilight asked.

"Oh yeah, Discord took his people's homeland with him into an uninhabited dimension to help preserve his people's culture, or because he's Discord. It's really hard to tell with him sometimes.”

"His people? I've never heard anything about that before." (R) Twilight stated.

"Unfortunately it's not a happy story, and is a dark part of pony history. A part I have no intentions of repeating. So, what's your other question?" (M) Twilight asked.

"Yeah, Malthael the death creature.... I'm at a loss, what's going on? Is he good, bad or… other?" (R) Twilight asked. (M) Twilight had a look of confusion of her own.

"Well honestly I have to say he’s mostly good but how he does things and some of the things he does is questionable but I'm starting to think the world’s a lot more complex than the whole good, evil thing. So far, he has stopped the invasion of a group of islands, removed Nightmare Moon from Luna and somehow changed her, removed Solar Flare from Celestia… and I'm guessing you met her? Trust me if you don't get her angry she’s ok..... Sadly she has a temper so short that it’s almost impossible not to upset her, he did hijack my spell and never told me his plans to help the sirens, actually I'm starting to think he’s a near genius but you wouldn't know it.... Oh finally, when Demise took 12 alicorn level magic he was the only one to rush at him.... Granted he failed at really doing anything, but everyone else was willing to give up.... Until Discord tricked Demise into absorbing the Elements and caused him to explode with the rainbow power.... Oh and he finally hopefully got rid of Sombra’s soul stone, and is now a king."

"Wait a minute, I have a lot of questions about that, so I'm going to take it one at a time." (R) Twilight said. "How did he help the sirens?"

"Apparently he made it so they could feed on conflicts they resolve now."

"That's clever. Also, who's Demise?"

"A fusion of Sombra and the Lord General from Prance, he absorbed all of the alicorn magic in Equestria. Giving him the strength of around 10-12 alicorns."

"But, there aren't that many alicorns in Equestria."

"Well there is in my version. Remember, Malthael did remove the dark parts of Celestia and Luna. Not to mention the others in his group."

"I don't think I want to know. Now, what did you mean by Discord using rainbow power?"

(M) Twilight blinked. "Demise attempted to use the Elements on Discord.... Before you ask his cult pretty much stole my connection to them to help with that, anyway after my Discord countered the Elements’ powers with his own, Demise thought to turn the conflict in his favor by absorbing the Elements’ so that with the magic he had and there he could surpass him in power, these weird vines entangled him, he also after Demise’s defeat told me he had them attached to the Tree of Harmony..... Honestly I saw him take Spike into space and dragged space rocks though wormholes so I didn't care he did, asked five ponies a favor got their keys and took his out somehow he knew a way to unleash the rainbow power and let it explode within demise destroying him..... Save Sombra’s horn which held his soul something that Malthael couldn't take so they both simply dropped him into an uninhabited dimension till the end of time."

"That doesn't make sense. In this world the girls and I have access to the rainbowfied power. We used it to stop Tirek."

"Who's Tirek?" (M) Twilight asked.

"He was an ancient evil that was imprisoned in Tartarus. He escaped and nearly stole all pony magic in Equestria."

"That's probably why I haven't heard of him. Malthael was imprisoned in Tartarus and apparently he killed everything that was in it."

"He was imprisoned in Tartarus? Are you sure he's good?"

"He says that he was falsely imprisoned by ponies that hated him because of how different he was."

"That brings me to my next point. If he's good, then why did he try to kill me and my friends?" 

"Well, what happened when he first got here?"

(R) Twilight started to remember. Ponyville was evacuated and he honestly looked confused. "We attacked him with the rainbow power." (R). Twilight said feeling kinda dumb. (M) Twilight sighed.

"To tell you the truth, I'm still have a buzzing in my ear and a bit of a head ache form the travel, that was not during a surge, he traveled during a surge, most likely his head was hurting from the event and you fired bright lights at him, he most likely let his instincts take control or like he was when he woke up in Tartarus after sleeping for over a thousand years, he was not fully there." (M) Twilight finished.

"Wait he was asleep for over a thousand years?" (R) Twilight asked.

"He was actually unable to dream at all so that was basically a thousand years of nothing."

"Okay, so we may have jumped to conclusions. If we find him I may have to apologize."

"Don't worry about it too much. Malthael can be intimidating before you get to know him. And once you get to know him he's about as confounding as Pinkie Pie." (M) Twilight said with a chuckle.

"That bad huh?" (R) Twilight asked.

"There's a reason why he's Discord's best friend. Listen, I'd love to be able to stay and talk some more but I need to find Malthael, Pinkie Pie, and Discord before the three of them do anything too crazy. Do you know where they went off to?" (M) Twilight asked.

(R) Twilight tried to come up with an answer as she shook her head. "One moment it’s high noon for us then it’s suddenly night, and everyone there had marker marks on them." (R) Twilight said.

(M) Twilight sighed. "Discord must have stopped time on everyone there, so it’s safe to assume that."

(R) Twilight said, "As for your Pinkie Pie after she revealed that your Discord was her half father and your Luna’s stallion friend we had to help her then she just disappeared.... Tell me, is she really his half-daughter?"

"Apparently, in our world Pinkie's parents used to be involved in Discord's cult and Pinkie's mother took part in a ritual that infused unborn Pinkie with some of Discord's essence. So, technically Discord is her half-father." (M) Twilight explained. "That's actually how she's able to do half the things she does."

"I wonder, if our Pinkie is Discord's half-daughter." (R) Twilight wondered.

"Maybe, but a lot of things are different so the reason behind Pinkie's abilities might be different too." (M) Twilight considered.

"Heh, yeah, it was just nice to finally have an explanation for Pinkie Pie.” (R) Twilight said with a chuckle.

"Alright, I really need to go find those three before they do something crazy. Solar and the Sirens may not be enough to keep them in check."

> Crisis on Two Equestrias Pt. 4: Crisis Ends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	In a flash, the group appeared outside the Crystal Empire. Malthael looked up. "I sense them, they’re here somewhere." He said. The others looked up as well suddenly two glowing orbs moved around. "It’s them!" He screamed The two souls looked and disappeared. Mal paused. "They found something....." He said. In the deep north slowly a black sludge gave way as two alicorns slowly formed.

"Oh come on!" Mal boomed. "Come on everyone, we've gotta make sure that those two don't find a body." Mal and the others flew up and tried to track the souls again. They continued to fly until they made it to the deep north, where the two alicorns were finally fully formed.

"Well hello there creature. It has been a long time."  The male alicorn stated.

"Yes and this time, we won't just imprison you, this time you'll suffer as we have." The female alicorn declared.

(G) Discord appeared in front of them. "Mal I'll handle this." He said the two alicorns looked at him. They felt his power and flinched. They were more powerful than their daughters but Discord was still more powerful than them.

"What are you?" The male one asked.

"The last draconequus.... God of Chaos, I am Discord Disarray Chaotic!" He then glared at both of them. "Oh hell no you were planning to kill Luna!" He screamed his eyes becoming fire. Suddenly, Mal understood the implications. Luna dying meant Moon would’ve never come to be. His blades were brought up with some fire.

"Discord, save me some!" The two alicorns then teleported away from the whole suicidal situation.

"Son of a bitch!" Mal roared.

"I have to agree." (G) Discord said. "Those two could be anywhere."

"Well, what are we supposed to do now?" Aria asked.

"I don't know." Mal sighed. "Now that they have new bodies I don't know if I'll be able to track them down."

"Mal we can't just stop looking for them. They're a menace. There's no telling what they'll do." Solar said.

"I never said we'd stop looking for them." Mal corrected. "We just need to rethink how we're going to look for them. We'll need to lay low and keep an eye out. Sparky and her friends from this world are probably out for our heads."

"You probably didn't help, when you drew all over their faces." Adagio pointed out.

"We could've gone without pointing fingers, but you're right. Now, we need to get a move on." Mal said.

In a flash the two alicorns appeared in the Everfree Forest. The two waited for a moment. "We do not have the strength to take those two on." The female one pointed out.

"Then we will get the power." The male said simply, his eyes glowing with dark magic. "I know a way to syphon that tree’s power to slowly build us up enough power to end this world."

"Excellent idea, my dear." The female alicorn said with a dark grin.

"That Malthael beast and that Discord shall tremble once we've gained our strength."

"I know, though we really should've done something about those draconequui a long time ago. I seem to remember something about a forest full of them while we were ruling." The male one stated.

"Oh well dear, we shall not make the same mistake again. This world and soon all others will be ours to do with as we wish." The female said with a grim chuckle." And with that the two alicorns delved into the forest, searching for the tree.

The sun rose on the Kingdom of Friendship. (R) Twilight had been helping as reconstruction finally began for the town of Ponyville. The rainbow chest however was starting to glow with a strange light. "What’s going on?" Twilight asked. In the cave the Tree of Harmony started to get darker and darker as in the center two beings slowly consumed power from it. While they couldn't absorb it all they gained enough to exceed the Draconequui from their universe in power.

"Yes, I can feel it, now we are unstoppable!" The female said.

"Well then dear, shall we go show the public their new rulers?" The male asked

"That sounds lovely." The female replied. "I believe there was a village not too far from this forest. That should be the perfect place to proclaim our rule."

"And hopefully our actions will draw out that bothersome Malthael and Discord. Once we kill them that should secure our rule here." The male stated. The two alicorns flew out of the forest until they reached the edge of Ponyville. The crowd was confused by the arrival of the new alicorns. Most bowed just to be safe, while others just stared. Once the two were in the center of town, their wings shot up. "Attention citizens! I am Queen Gaia, and this is my husband King Chronos!" Gaia proclaimed with the Royal Canterlot voice.

The group of Mal, the sirens, Pinkie Pie, Solar Flare and Discord walked through a forest. "There you are." They saw a Twilight running at them. "I was looking everywhere for you three, I almost thought you three did something." This Twilight was their Twilight, causing them to pause.

"Twilight you would not believe who the souls are? They are Celestia and Luna’s parents." Pinkie Pie said.

"Not only that, but they are omnicidial monsters." Mal added.

"They were planning to kill Luna Twilight, a filly they were planning to kill a filly." Discord said. "Their own child." He added.

"They are past redemption." Solar Flare finished.

"That, that's awful." Twilight said.

"Yup and now they have bodies again, so we have no idea where to find them." All of a sudden Pinkie started to shudder violently. "What's wrong with her?" Mal asked.

"It looks like her Pinkie sense is acting up." Twilight explained.

"So Pinkie Pie gets psychic warnings that take the forms of various physical ticks?" Mal asked. "Yup, and I'm getting one heck of a doozy. I think it's coming from Ponyville." Pinkie stated.

"Oh great, that's where the other Sparky and girls are waiting to blast me with rainbow magic." Mal groaned.

"Actually, I ran into myself when I first came here. I told her all about you Malthael. I think the other me is willing to give you the benefit of the doubt." Twilight explained.

"Alright, then let's head out to Ponyville." Mal said

In a flash they headed out. Queen Gaia and king Chronos looked over the ponies. "Take us to your leader!" Chronos said. (R) Twilight walked out to see two alicorns. Twilight herself was a bit confused. Gaia and Chronos almost laughed at the alicorn in front of them. They glared at her. Before anyone could speak (G) Discord, Malthael, (D) Pinkie Pie, the sirens and Solar Flare appeared they were not the only ones. (S) Discord appeared with the princesses.

"I knew I felt a disruption in the magic of the planet." The two groups looked at the alicorns who glared at Malthael.

"Alright you two, this ends now." Malthael growled, pulling out his two sickles.

"Oh, and what do you think you're going to do to us?" Chronos sneered.

"The same thing I did all those years ago." Malthael replied.

"Do you hear that dear Celestia, sweet Luna?" Gaia cooed at the two celestial princesses. "This beast wishes to kill us again. Us, your dear parents." Celestia and Luna were taken aback by the alicorn's claim.

"Don't believe anything they say!" (G) Discord yelled. "They're nothing but monsters!" He continued.

"And why should we believe you?" (S) Discord retorted. "You imprisoned me in stone!"

(M) Twilight spoke up in (G) Discord's defense. "Please you have to believe us. These two alicorns are nothing but trouble."

(G) Discord sighed at his counterpart. 'Read their minds.' He sent via telepathy. (S) Discord did for a bit. He looked horrified.

"Celestia Luna, don't believe anything they say." He said pointing to the two older alicorns. "I read their minds..... There's a line a limited to where you can be redeemed.... They passed it." (S) Discord said. Luna looked at him to elaborate on his meaning. "Oh they were planning to kill every non alicorn on the planet and even their own Luna because they didn't like her." Everyone form this universe looked at them.

"You... you monsters." Celestia spat, glaring at the other two alicorns.

"Ok, now that we're all on the same page does anyone object to me ripping off their limbs and shoving them in creative places?" Malthael growled. Nobody said anything and Malthael took that as a good sign. "Alright, Discord, let's kill these assholes slowly."

"You don't have to tell me twice." (G) Discord said, cracking his talons against his paw. The two alicorns chuckled at the declarations and their horns lit up.

"I don't think it'll be as easy as last time." Chronos said. The two alicorns blasted (G) Discord and Malthael, sending them through the wall of a nearby home.

The two slowly got up. "That’s impossible you two were never that strong." Malthael said. G) Discord gasped.

"You absorbed power straight form the Tree of Harmony using dark magic....." (G) Discord said.

"Yes we did... now we are more powerful than you, abomination!" Gaia said to Discord. (G) Discord looked at (S) Discord.

'I have an idea.' (G) Discord told him telepathically. Before Gaia could attack (S) Discord turned into energy and (G) Discord ate him. His power shot up "One good thing about Chaos magic..... it’s almost always the same no matter which universe." Before Gaia could react the air rippled and out came flaming asteroids!

The asteroids slammed into the two alicorns, causing them to collapse. Malthael barely reacted to what he was seeing and formed his hood. Malthael spread his wings and launched himself at the two prone alicorns. Just as he was on top of them, the two alicorns teleported away. Malthael and Discord looked up and saw that the two alicorns were now in the air above the town. "You two beasts will not get the best of us no matter what powers you give yourselves!" Gaia screamed. Chronos and Gaia touched their horns pooling their energies together. Their horns shone with dark magic, and corrupted energy from the Tree of Harmony.

"Now you and this paltry village shall burn!" Chronos thundered. The two launched a massive beam of energy at the collected crowd.

Before even Discord could react, Malthael shot up and caught the magic with his sickles. Malthael tried to throw the magic back, straining with all his might, but it was too much for him. Malthael was pushed back, and crashed into the ground with a massive explosion.

Everyone looked to see Malthael in the middle of a crater. His outfit ruined. His wings down. He started to get up slowly, a bit of blood falling from his cut face. A tiny bird flew by, the poor thing collapsed and was dying. Malthael grabbed it in his hands.

"What’s the matter, Death? Not living up to your name?!" Gaia said. Malthael placed one of his hands on the bird. A glow later the bird got right back up at full heath.

"I am not just death...." He stood up as the bird flew. He glared right at them. "I am Malthael! I am both the aspect of Death and the aspect of Wisdom!" His wings of bone like light gave way to a wave of light. "And you’re going down!" In his hand an orb formed into a soul. "Because I just found a way to end you." He slammed the orb into his chest as the energy gave way.

The astral image of Tirek was seen. His eyes glowed as did his aura as it lit up with new powers.

Malthael flew up to Gaia but was stopped by a barrier. Malthael continuously slashed at the barrier, causing cracks to form. Before Malthael could destroy the barrier Gaia and Chronos teleported right behind him, their horns lit up and just as they were about to fire at the angel a voice called out.

"I hope you haven't forgotten about me." Discord said summoning more meteors to crash into the two alicorns. Gaia and Chronos slammed into the ground, their bodies slightly battered. Just as they were about to pick themselves up Malthael flew right into them, stabbing them with his sickles. The two alicorns groaned in pain as a blue glow surrounded the sickles.

They both managed to power it back with their magic, however Malthael had a dark smile. Before anyone could act, he opened his mouth and his eyes glowed, in that simple moment of weakness the two alicorn started to have energy beams from their horns drained as Malthael absorbed their magic like Tirek could! Soon the transfer was finally complete. As the two Alicorn fell down, powerless.

"What just happened? Gaia asked.

"I used Tirek’s soul to access his powers, you were right, we couldn't defeat you, not while you held the tree’s magic." His eyes glowed and in a flash the magic he stole was returned to the tree itself. With no glow he gave them each a smile. Before they could do anything he slashed at their horns the feedback from an attempted spell exploding in their faces.

"Well now nowhere to run." He said glaring at them. They attempted to take flight only to slam into the ground. Discord looked at them they were tossed into the air hitting each other, then slamming into the ground buildings and finally each other again.

"It's over you two. You're monsters who deserve to be punished. Not just for what you've done to me, but to your own children, and your people. You're actions and beliefs spread hatred among your subjects and caused the near extinction of many races." Malthael declared, approaching the two alicorns. "On the behalf of all those you've wronged, I will take your lives. This is the end for you. Do you have any last words?"

"Die!" The two alicorns cried, uselessly charging at the approaching angel. Malthael easily dodged their attack and hit the back of their necks with the hilts of his sickles, causing them to collapse on the ground.

"Very well, it's time you two returned to your proper resting place." Malthael said, stabbing their necks with his sickles again.

They bled for a bit as Malthael removed their souls fully absorbing them. Discord then vomited out his counterpart. "Sorry I think this is yours." (S) Discord handed him the rainbow power key. "Thanks." (G) Discord swallowed it. The bodies of the alicorns soon became goo.

After that bit was over, Malthael sighed. "That was awesome, do it again!" (D) Pinkie said. Malthael shock his head.

"Can't, I used up Tirek’s soul’s energy, it’s going to take it time to recharge.... possibly weeks or maybe even years." He finished. (G) Discord did nothing until the rip opened up and a rock hit him in the head. He grabbed it.

"Oh yeah the rip.... Well, we got to run everyone." He held his hand out and from a single point a portal opened up.

"Wait, before you go I wanted to say I'm sorry for attacking you when I saw you." (R) Twilight said.

"Don't worry about it, other Sparky. Sparky here said hello to me by blasting me with the Elements of Harmony." Mal said with a chuckle.

"Okay," (R) Twilight said.

"Malthael and Discord, thank you for saving Equestria. Everypony of this world is in your debt." Celestia said with a nod.

"Don't mention it." Mal shrugged. "I was just cleaning up my mess. Well, I gotta get going. Come on girls, Discord, Sparky, and Pinkie, we better leave before we cause any universal mumbo-jumbo. But before I go," Mal said turning to the crowd. "Please stop saying things like 'everypony' you sound ridiculous." Mal shouted before stepping through the portal.

The others followed suit as (G) Discord closed the portal. In the dimension the eyeball cried out the travelers. Discord shook his head. "What a rush." He said soon coming down was Victor the princesses, Twilight’s friends and the others.

"So you got them?" Celestia asked.

"Yeah you’re not going to believe who they were." Mal started.

"They were our parents." Solar Flare said. Causing the other sisters to go wide eyed. "Before you get all sentimental know this, they are monsters." Solar Flare said.

"I read their minds and they are evil... And omnicidal, they were planning mass genocide of everything, even their ponies and.... They were willing to kill Luna for no reason other than they didn't like her." Discord finished.

Luna's and Celestia's faces fell, trying to comprehend what they had heard. "I know you told us they were racists, but this... it's all so hard to believe." Celestia faltered.

"Really, you of all people should understand." Solar spat out. "You should know just how awful our parents were!" Celestia was confused by this.

"What do you mean? I was too young to really remember them." Solar snorted derisively at the princess.

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Princess. Mal, I'm tired, can you throw down the house? I need to get some sleep." Solar finished crossing her arms. Mal complied with Solar's wishes and she stomped into the home, slamming the door behind her.

"What just happened?" Applejack asked.

"This is a sore spot for her." Mal stated, "I'll tell you all what happened later. Right now, I need to have a talk with Solar." Mal finished, following her into the home.

Everyone turned to the travelers. "Yeah it’s something about Celestia’s memories being blocked because of abuse and neglect from her parents." Adagio said summing it up to everyone present.

"That wasn't all, they managed to remove some of the Tree of Harmony’s powers you should have seen what happened Discord absorbed his other and Mal seemed down for the count, but he used a new power and absorbed the powers of a soul and then he removed their magic and took them back into him." Pinkie Pie said trying to relieve the sadness.

Mal walked up to Solar's room and knocked on the door. "What?" She barked from within the room.

"Solar, it's Mal. I want to talk with you. Can I come in?" Solar was quiet for a long time and Mal just stood outside, waiting. Eventually the door opened and Mal found Solar sitting on her bed, her knees pressed against her chest, and her arms around her knees.

"What do you want to talk about?" Solar asked.

"I think you know." Mal replied taking a seat on the bed. "I think I understand why you hate Celestia so much, at least a little."

"Really, why don't you enlighten me?" Solar spat.

"You hate that she forgot everything your parents did to you and made you remember. You hate that she could just forget what they were and leave you to remember everything about them. And you hate she forgot what they wanted to do to Luna. You care about her just like you do Moon, don't you?" Mal finished, tilting Solar's head up to look her in her eyes.

A few tears could be seen in her eyes. "Mal can you promise me something?" She asked. Mal had a smile and nodded.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Never let them get out again." She said as she hugged him he returned the hug.

“Solar, I promise that I’ll never let them out again. Though, I hate them too, so you didn’t really have to make me promise that.” Mal said with a grin.

Solar managed to smile too. “It never hurts to ask.”

“You look really good when you smile.” Mal told her.

“Shut up.” Solar playfully snapped. Then the two closed the short distance between them and they shared a tender kiss.

Outside everything had been finished up about the trip to the other universe. "So I know this may sound a bit stupid but are there other universes? Like how many are we talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked. Discord had to laugh at this.

"Sorry it’s just it’s a multiverse last I even attempted to count was 23 million and that was but a grain of sand, a drop of water in a world-wide desert or a planet of water when compared to the whole of the multiverse.... and If Mal’s anything to go by it’s possible there are even more Multiverses each just as big maybe even bigger than our own." Discord finished.

Just as Discord said this Mal and Solar walked out of the home, holding hands. "Hey everybody, sorry we took so long so, what'd we miss?"

"Discord was just explaining the concept of the multiverse to all of us." Luna said. "And Pinkie explained that you removed our parent’s magic from them. How did you accomplish this?" She asked.

"I realized partway through the fight that I could utilize the energy from the souls within me to gain their abilities. So, I used Tirek's to use his magic absorption, they didn't last much longer after that. Now, they're back with the rest of the souls, and if I have anything to say about it, they're never getting out again." Mal stated, squeezing Solar’s hand as he said that just for good measure.

"You all should've been there!" Sonata exclaimed. "He was so cool."

"So you can use the souls’ powers whenever you want?" Luna asked. Mal shook his head.

"No, not really, the soul energy can be lost the more I use it if it’s drained like Tirek’s soul then I'll have to wait for it to recharge itself, souls are completely indestructible but even they have limits." Mal finished. Pinkie pie shot up a hoof.

"Ooooh you should use those two’s powers to help others, it would be a fitting punishment." Mal had a smile.

"Good Idea let’s put it to a vote." He summoned the two parents’ souls in his hands. "All those in favor Of me using their powers to help others say I." He said.

No one hesitated to say I and Mal pushed the two souls into his chest. Just like before an astral projection of the two alicorns appeared and his eyes and aura glowed with the energy from his new powers. Mal shuddered for a second before speaking. "Uhh, that feels really weird."

"Did it work?" Celestia asked.

"Yup, as long as I don't do anything too strenuous with their powers, or abuse them, I should be able to use their magic for a while." Mal stated. "Does anyone have a suggestion for what they want me to do first?" He asked, looking around the assembled group.

A day of using the evil former rulers’ powers for good soon took a lot out of Mal. However, it took the most out of their souls, using up the energy by the end. With them all returning to their kingdoms and homes, minus Discord who was fixing up his dimension, things seemed almost peaceful. However, few knew that peace is fragile peace is also not to last. 

> Starlight Who? Mal vs. Malthael
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A pegasus flew at its fastest speeds. This pegasus had a message it had to deliver. Discord was taking the clouds causing them to be altered. He was going to find a way to make water taste like chocolate soon. A pegasus slammed into the cloud causing a lightning bolt to shoot out. The pegasus pulled himself out. He was a full grown blank flank which Discord knew meant he was a member of his worshippers. The pegasus bowed. 

"Hail to Chaos my lord I bring troubling news." He said. With him was a note. Discord’s magic elevated it to him. He read it and looked at him. With his eyes closed an astral projection of him was sent out to confirm this. He opened his eyes. 

"Send word to Twilight immediately; tell her to meet me at her castle I need to get someone first.

Mal was walking down the halls of government when a flash appeared behind him. Discord placed a claw on him and they disappeared with Mal asking. "What’s..." Before he could say anything else they were gone. Discord placed him down. "Going on Discord?"

The deity turned to the angel. "We must wait for the others."

"What do you mean the others?" Mal asked as he looked around where he had been taken this time. 

"I mean Twilight and the others of course." Discord answered with a certain amount of worry in his voice. "Oh, but first we should get you a change in attire first." Discord then snapped his talons and Mal was overcome by a flash of light. When the light dimmed Mal dropped down in  pony form. He looked down at himself and shot Discord a little glare. 

"Why did you put me in a pony body?" "We're going to a pony settlement and I thought it would be best if you blended in." 

"And why is that?"

Before Discord could answer a voice called out, "Discord, why did you call us out here?" Judging from the voice, it was Twilight. And her friends were close behind. 

"Good you're all here." Pinkie Pie raised her hoof. "Yes?" He asked. 

"Who is that?" Pinkie pie said pointing to Malthael in Alicorn form. "That’s Malthael, you know the Angel of Death Archangel of wisdom?" Mal rolled his eyes. 

"Discord what is this about?" Discord formed a map of Equestria with a display of the cutie marks of them all, even Mal’s mark based on his status as the angel of death floated around. They came to the border lands of Equestria. 

"One of my more sane cultists has informed me of something unnatural in the borders of Equestria." Twilight looked at the map. "But the only things near the borders are insane cultists, bandits and monsters." Twilight finished.

"Yes I know and there is something unsettling there is a place where everyone has the same cutie mark!" Discord

Discord’s magic showed the town. "This is unnatural because?" Mal asked. 

"A cutie mark is actually more than a sign of harmony it’s also a sign of individuality despite its nature any pony has free will they can even go against their very nature but this is not nature because of the magic involved." Discord turned away. "In a flash a robe appeared on Mal to block out his wings.  "Go find out why this has happened." The group nodded.

"Alright," Mal said with a bit of a nod. "But why did you grab me for this?"

"Just a precaution just in case the girls run into any resistance." 

"I guess that makes sense, though I wish I could keep my hands."

"I'm sure, now here's hoping you figure this all out soon." Discord said as he snapped his talons and causing Mal, Twilight and the others to disappear in a flash of light. When the light subsided the group was standing on a ridge that overlooked a uniform looking village. 

"Well, this must be the place Discord was talking about." Mal said as he scratched at his chin with a hoof. 

"You're right. And if what Discord said is true we should keep an eye out for whatever is causing the cutie marks to be the same. Fluttershy was shaking slightly as they looked at the town.

Pinkie Pie glared. "I don't like it." She wasn't the only one. Mal sensed something was messed up. These ponies souls were in a word yelling at something. 

"This is wrong." he said as they walked in. Using Star Swirl’s soul he scanned the magic. He was going to find what happened and hopefully put an end to it. 

'Tirek’s soul is just about regenerated. I might use it if I need to remove the magic here hopefully that would work if not.' He looked down. However he stopped as he felt it, the evil that is hidden inside a facade of righteousness. 

'No one is righteous only the Insane would believe otherwise.' Mal heard a voice in his head say.

Mal stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the voice in his head. 'That... that couldn't be what I thought it was, could it?' He thought as he tried to reach out to the voice that had just spoken to him. In the end nothing happened and he decided to just ignore it, hoping it was nothing. Mal continued to look around the town and finally saw some of the locals. Discord had been right, each of them had the same equal sign cutie mark, and smiles that just seemed too big. Fluttershy smiled a little as she calmed down. 

"This place doesn't seem too bad actually." 

"I wouldn't be so sure, Fluttershy," Pinkie said with a wary look. "I know smiles, and these ponies' smiles don't seem right." 

"Pinkie's right," Twilight agreed. "We need to be careful. What does your soul scanning say, Malthael?"

"This is wrong." He said. The souls screamed at him over and over again. They appeared happy on the outside. However they screamed in anger and rage on the inside. This was a sign of a dystopia that was painted as a utopia. 

‘Something is wrong here no wonder why that Discordic cult member came running." However coming next was a unicorn. The unicorn Mal knew caused this. This unicorn almost could have been Aria as a unicorn, but Aria was well a siren.

‘Remove her soul let evil ones break her.’ He heard a voice in his head, the voice sounded familiar. 

Mal shook his head again as he tried to clear it of the strange thoughts that he just had. 'What is causing this?' 

"Welcome all of you. What brings you to our happy little village?" The mare asked with a bright smile that made Mal uncomfortable. "And one of you is an alicorn no less. This certainly is an honor for us." 

"Hi there, my name is Hades, and these are my friends. I happen to be a traveler of sorts and I make a habit of going places where no one else does." Mal said as he tried to put his goofy smile back onto his face. The mare seemed to perk up when she heard that.

"A traveller you say, you must be looking for some sort of meaning in your life. Well don't you worry, you'll find plenty of that in this village. My name is Starlight Glimmer, and it's a pleasure to meet all of you."

Mal had to laugh at the irony. What was his meaning in his life? Simple he was death incarnate literally his meaning in life was death. Well he was also wisdom but honestly he rarely used it.

"Yeah something is definitely wrong here." Mal said under his breath. Twilight decided to ask about this place leading to a song and dance thing making Hades’ eyes twitched. Their souls were literally screaming. Also he hated spontaneous song and dance. It was so tacky. "Ok are you done?" He deadpanned the song and dance was that annoying.

"Oh come on M... I mean Hades," Fluttershy said with a warm grin. "They're just trying to be nice." 

'Really, she calls a boring song and dance number about uniformity, nice? I think we need to get Fluttershy some help when we're done here.' He thought.

Out loud he just chuckled, smiled at her, and said, "You're right, that was thoughtless of me. This place seems really great." 

"Umm, excuse me Starlight," Twilight interrupted. "I was wondering why you all have the same cutie mark?" She asked. 

"Well that's simple. All of us have given up our cutie marks. We prefer to abandon those pesky talents and embrace uniformity. All of this has let us achieve true friendship. Now that we're all the same, there are no disagreements and we've achieved perfect harmony." Starlight said smiling.

'I believe I’ve heard of this somewhere before.' Mal thought. Honestly he wondered why Discord didn't just come here himself. If anything he could read everyone’s minds then unleash the power of Chaos to… ‘Yeah it’s best I’m here.’ 

"Yeah how did you do something like that?" He was grateful for Chrysalis showing him how to hide his emotions because honestly if he had his hands things were going to get messy. Starlight motioned for them to follow her.

"Right this way." 

------------------------------------
-------------Back in Ponyville Discord was deep in thought and stopped as the doors opened up.  Walking in was Nightmare Moon, Trixie and Sunset. 

"Discord, do you know where Mal is?" Moon asked. Discord turned to them. 

"Well I asked a favor I'm sure nothing wrong is going to happen to him." 

------------------------------------
-------------Back in the village Mal was using his magic to try to stop whatever it was that was happening to him. 'Why did I walk into this?' He asked. Starlight had never seen anyone be able to fight their cutie mark removal before. 

Of course Mal didn't have one what was really happening to him? His mark finally left as he used too much of his magic, collapsing unconscious.. As the mark was stored a voice was unfortunately heard coming from it. "Let me out!" Of course it was barely a whisper. However  now that Mal was not  in control of his body another personality was freed.

Mal's body twitched and spasmed on the cave floor and his body was going through more changes. Finally his body stopped convulsing and he laid motionless. 

"What did you do to our friend!" Twilight called out as her mark turned to an equal sign. Starlight regarded Mal coldly as she put down the staff that she had used to remove their marks. 

"I'm not sure, nopony has had that reaction before. Though that's what he gets for resisting our wonderful process. Double Diamond, carry him to where we'll lock the others. Don't worry, you'll all come to love your newfound equality." Starlight said as she led them out of the cave." 

Mal, or his spirit watched them leave from his new prison and tried to reach them. "No! Don't leave me here! Stop! LET ME OUT!" He cried. 
Mal tried to break free with his magic, but felt nothing. He was utterly powerless. Mal felt a shudder run through as his spirit as his mind started to drift back to his last imprisonment. 'Calm down, Mal," he told himself. "Even if Twilight and the others can't get you out of here, Discord won't let you down. You just have to be patient until someone lets you out. Still, I can't believe I just walked right into a trap. I was stupid and careless. When I get out of here, I'm not letting something like this happen again."

Mal's body and the other six were placed in what would best be known as a conditioning chamber. However what no one noticed as the mark on him constantly pulsing. Finally it was gone another replaced it, his sickle with two souls circling it. His right eye opened up. What you could tell was Mal was not there.  What was there you may ask? The eyes of an ancient being who seen enough war to know his enemy. Standing up a tendril of fog appeared around him. Before the six knew it he slammed his hoof against the wall blasting it apart with his hood raised. 

"None can stop....." He was gone moving with the fog. "Death!"

The mane six gaped as they watched Malthael slowly move through the village. 

"What the hay just happened!?" Rainbow Dash cried. 

"I don't know," Twilight admitted. "I thought Malthael's powers over death would've been taken with his cutie mark." 

"Well obviously that aint happenin' so what's goin' on with him?" Applejack asked. 

"I don't know, but we have to stop him." Twilight admitted. 

"How are we supposed to do that darling?" Rarity asked. "None of us have our talents. And even if we did I don't think we'd be able to stop him." Twilight had to admit she was right. She bit her lip as she tried to think of something. 

"I think our best course of option is to evacuate everyone and hope Discord notices this large magical disturbance." 

"Twilight," Pinkie said softly, "is Mal gonna be okay?" 

Outside the village Malthael  changed back into his human form. 

Back in the vault Mal was still waiting. What he learned was that cutie marks were more than basic talents, they also were formed by the pony themselves. In a way it wasn't the cutie mark that defined the pony it was the pony who defined their cutie mark. They even had an imprint of their personality which was the reason why they acted like they did. That was why he was captured in this he didn't have a cutie mark but he did have a personality. A familiar flash appeared with Discord, Trixie, Sunset and Moon. 

"Mal should be here I know his mind anywhere." Discord reached out with his mind. 

"Discord over here!" Discord and the others turned to see the vault.  Discord blinked.

"This is even worse than I thought." Discord walked up and placed his claw hands on the mark of Malthael. "Hey can you get me out of here?" It asked being able to be heard by everyone. 

Starlight looked out as the sky started to darken "None. Can. Stop...." The clouds gave out as Malthael was seen with his blades at the ready the clouds where his death fog. With a landing the fog gave out the land around the village died. Starlight looked up to see the village sounded by a waste lands. "DEATH!" With a sickle raised the wood in the buildings started to decay and ponies near him collapsed as their souls left them. 

Starlight cowered as she saw Malthael approach her. "What in the hay is that thing!" She cried.

"Your time has come." Malthael called out. Starlight paled as she heard that. She then turned and started to run as fast as she could. Malthael just continued to slowly approach her. He knew that he would catch her soon enough. 

Back at the vault, Sunset, Trixie, and Moon pressed themselves against the glass to look at Mal's mark. "Mal, what happened to you?" Sunset asked. 

"I got careless and walked right into a trap," he admitted. 

"Oh Mal," Moon said. "Discord, could you get me out of here?" 

"That’s easy." Discord trapped the glass it formed cracks then shattered. The cutie marks, Mal included flew out. Discord saw the magical stick with a thought he set it of fire as it was no more. The marks flew out into the fleeing ponies returning who they were the mark of hades hit right into Malthael However original Malthael didn't stop moving the mark flew off as it landed it formed into another Malthael. 

"Stop right there!" He demanded. Malthael simply refused. Mal summoned the fogs but got nothing. He didn't have death. He had wisdom.

'Ok, how do I even begin to do this?' Mal thought as he squared off against Malthael. 

"You cannot stop me." Malthael coldly stated. 

"We'll see about that." Mal said. Mal rushed at Malthael hoping to catch him off guard. The two clashed and sparks flew off of their weapons. "I won't let you have your way," Mal growled, "that's my body you're running around in." 

"No, it is mine," Malthael replied. 

Sunset, Trixie, and Moon were confused at what they were seeing. "Discord, what is going on?" Moon asked. "Why are there two Mals?" 

"From what I can gather, Mal has another personality buried deep inside of him. It seems when I changed him into a pony his personality formed his cutie mark, and when that was removed his other personality came out." "

Do you think you should help him?" Trixie asked.

Discord however turned to Starlight. "Perhaps but I need to have a chat with the pony who’s bright idea was this." He turned to her. Discord used his powers to remove her horn effectively making her powerless. 

The two angels clashed again. Malthael had a neutral smile a blast of death fog covered him in hopes that Mal was dead but Mal appeared unfazed and gave a slash to his counterpart. "You seem to have developed an immunity to my powers." Malthael said. With that a wave a wave of flames came to Mal. 

Discord stood over the unicorn with his arms raised the powers of Chaos arched though his hands. "What should I do with you? Banish you to the sun? Imprison you in stone? Or just outright rip your atoms apart?"

"Please don't hurt me." Starlight whimpered. Discord glared at her. 

"You know I really should hurt you after everything you've done. But I suppose I should just make you watch what your actions have caused." 

Back at the fight, Mal and Malthael were circling each other again. Mal was the first one to act again. He channeled magic through his sickles and lashed out in a fit of blinding speed. Malthael caught all of Mal's attacks and attempted to counter. Malthael swung his sickle toward Mal's neck. Mal dodged and attempted to counter in return. The two of them pulled apart once more. "Why won't you just die?!" Malthael boomed. 

"I could say the same to you." Mal snapped back.

Mal and Malthael clashed once again. Malthael raised his blades. "I am Death incarnate." With his sickle raised the whole village collapsed. "I am the only truth in life I am the only equal thing existence for everything dies the mortals, the gods and even the universes!"." He rose up into the air. Mal followed suit. "And what are you?" Malthael asked.

"Simple, I am life your opposite in every way." Mal taunted him. The fogs formed. 

"All will Die!" 

Mal gathered his magic at that moment they clash as a shock wave was felt. The wind picked up some more.

Mal just smirked as his and Malthael's blades pressed together. "Why are you smiling?" Malthael asked. 

"Simple, it's because you're right." 

"What?" Malthael said not expecting to hear that. 

"You're right, everything does die. But death isn't just an ending. It's also the beginning. Things are born, they live, and they die. And then that cycle continues. That, is the ultimate truth." Malthael flinched at Mal's words. "Now let's finish this!" Mal cried. Mal seemed to get the upper hand on Malthael and knocked one of his sickles to his side. Mal then slashed Malthael across the chest. The wound wasn't very deep, but it was enough to enrage Malthael. 

"That's enough!" He thundered as his wound started to heal. "I will not be bested by a fool like you!"

A flash happened as images of the Princesses’ parents, Star swirl, Unicorns, Earth ponies Pegasus, dragon and others flashed. With a teleport Malthael appeared behind mal piercing him through the back he tossed them into the ground with a bounce Malthael grabbed his leg and slammed him into the ground again before he could react he was tossed into the air. With the gathering of Magic he unleashed a Blast of Magic. Mal Attempted to defend and the sky lit up as an explosion let loose the ground broke under him. Mal landed on the ground beaten and bloodied He struggled to get up. Malthael stood over him and grabbed Mal by the neck.

"Any last words?" He asked. Mal had a smile. 

"Yeah." Malthael felt something pierce through his heart. Mal impale him with his own sickle. "I win." With that Malthael broke apart.
A vortex surrounded Malthael Souls and dark fog from the vortex revealed those ponies who had died by Malthael were revived as their souls returned. The souls moved back into Mal and then the fog of death. When it was over he was perfectly healed and his outfit back to normal.

"Looks like I stopped death." He said with a goofy smile.

"Mal!" Sunset, Trixie and Moon cried as they rushed towards him and embraced him. Mal's smile widened as he returned the embrace as best as he could. 

"Hey girls, am I ever glad to see you."

"I'm just glad that you're safe," Sunset told him.

"Same here, and as a plus all the ponies from this town are safe. Oh and Discord, the next time you want me to take part in some crazy adventure, ask me before teleporting me to the other side of the world."

Discord chuckled as he heard that. "I’ll try to keep that in mind." He answered. 

"Yeah, sure you will," Mal grumbled. 

"Anyway, this is the pony that caused your other side to go rampant, what do you want to do with her?" Discord asked as he held up Starlight with his magic. Mal scratched his chin in thought as he tried to think of something to do.

Mal summoned a soul and hit it into his chest. The unicorn then glowed in orange. With pain she felt her magic ripped from her as Mal held it in her hands. "I have taken your magic I can leave you powerless for the rest your life and in a world of magic this is a death sentence however." He placed a magic spell on the magic and gave it back to her. With that the knowledge of the cutie mark spells was gone forever gone. 

"I have erased your memory and ability to ever cast that spell, trust me you're getting off light." Mal said.

> Battle of the North: Return of Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The Crystal Empire had started its celebration of Sombra’s demise this day. As this happened, no one felt like noticing the small portal or the dark shadow that came out of it. It soon formed eyes which it looked around with, heading for its target. In their throne room Cadance and Shining Armor were about ready to greet the festival. That was until the doors were flung open with a crystal unicorn with his horn shattered, bruised and slightly bleeding he soon fell unconscious as the being behind him moved up.

"So the two upstarts and the traitors thought I would not return. This is my Kingdom!" The two rulers looked as King Sombra walked in with his wings and body.

"Impossible Malthael and Discord sent you to another dimension.... you were only a horn!" Cadance said. Sombra gave her a smile.

"Foolish little being." His body started to alter itself he then stood upright with a long tail and wings of darkness his hands had long boney fingers with claws and his head having lost the horn had a predator’s look to them. "I am no longer a pony, I am more than I was as Sombra, call me..." He paused with a smile. "Sombron." 

With that he moved fast and unleashed his magic. Outside the ponies saw the palace wall explode as a beaten Shining Armor was thrown out. Next came his wife who was bleeding, burned, with her wings broken and her horn cracked. The ponies saw as a shadow appeared below the Crystal Heart as an unknown being held it. 

"Citizens of the Crystal Empire I am Sombra reborn, I Sombron am your ruler now," The heart was slowly turning black and vile, "and always." He finished darkly



The dark crystal shot up as the ponies’ fears, hatred and other negative emotions took form. The new Sombron looked down at both former rulers as Shining readied a teleportation spell. "If I see both of you here again." He held the heart, and with a horrific screech cracks started to form on its surface. "I will destroy this forever!"

Shining Armor and Cadance reappeared in a cave miles away from the Empire. Shining used his magic gather what materials he could and started a fire and placed his battered wife close to it. He then set about making splints to help steady Cadance's broken wings. 

"Shining, are you okay?" She croaked out. If this were any other situation he would laugh, but one look at her beaten form caused that action to die. Instead he just gave her a warm smile and bit back the tears that were forming in his eyes.

"Yeah honey, I'm fine. I'm gonna get us to Canterlot as soon as I can. I just need to fix you up a little, that's all."

"How bad is it?" She asked.

"It's not that bad" Shining lied. "Just rest up a little, we'll be in Canterlot soon."

---------------------------------------------
--------Celestia was in the middle of her court when a messenger rushed to her throne, a panicked expression on her face. "Your highness! Your niece Princess Cadance has just been taken to the infirmary! Her condition is nearly critical!"

"What?" Celestia cried, jumping off her throne. "Why isn't she being cared for in the Crystal Empire! I will send a message to Prince Shining Armor about this!"

"The Prince is there too. His injuries are not extensive as Princess Cadance's but he still needs plenty of attention. He says that he has troubling news about the Empire."

"I will see them immediately." Celestia stated, teleporting outside of the infirmary.

As she walked in she found Cadance’s condition and was horrified by it. "What happened?" she asked.

"Sombra’s back." She turned to see Shining Armor.

"That’s impossible Malthael placed a barrier around his horn and Discord found an uninhabited dimension to place him in." Celestia said trying and somehow hoping this wasn't the case.

"It was him alright, he changed into something more… a demon would be best to describe him, he attacked us on the day of his defeat, defeated us and even claimed the Crystal Heart. He corrupted it and threatened to destroy it if we return." Shining Armor finished. Celestia’s heart sank at this. Sombra just couldn't seem to stay down. already he was locked the Crystal Empire for a thousand years then even after another defeat helped create Demise and now had returned once more.

"I must send word to Twilight, to Luna....." She remembered Luna and Discord were going to another dimension for something and she couldn't reach them. "Can't get Luna or Discord, I'll have to get Malthael." Celestia hoped he wasn't unreachable. As she sent the letters the one for Malthael appeared on his desk. However his office had an out to vacation sign on it.

------------------------------------------------------------
-----------	Twilight and her friends where trying to hold a kind of council when Spike ran into the room.

"Twilight!" Spike yelled, moving as fast as his short legs would allow him.

"What is it Spike?" Twilight asked, knowing the news wouldn't be good.

"We just got a letter from Celestia. It's labeled as urgent." He said giving her the letter.

Twilight opened the letter with her magic and instantly blanched. She couldn't believe what she was reading.

"Girls we need to get to Canterlot immediately."

"Alright darling, let's get on the next train and..."

"No time," Twilight interrupted before teleporting them all out of the room and into Canterlot Castle. Everyone was disoriented from the sudden teleportation. Rainbow Dash was the first to recover.

"What the hay's going on Twilight?!"

"Sombra's back and he's taken over the Crystal Empire!" Twilight quickly explained.

Everyone paused and it was as if shattered glass could be heard. Everyone there had a look of fear. 

"Sombra? As in the former King of the Crystal Empire the guy who helped make Demise? The one who Malthael and Discord both sealed away? That Sombra?" Rainbow Dash asked. That was impossible and almost totally unbelievable. The door opened to see Celestia.

"I assure you it is Sombra." Celestia said.

"Princess, how is Cadance doing?" Twilight asked. Celestia had a feeling of needles in her heart.

"Sombra has broken her wings to a great degree she has a 40% chance of not being able to fly, and that's not the worst part, her horn has been cracked to the base and she has a real risk of losing her ability to use magic and even if it heals she has a 30% chance of having trouble using magic." The news caused Twilight to almost faint.

"What of the Crystal Empire?" Celestia had a look of sadness.

"I sent some of the guard there... Most are dead and a few did come back alive with injuries all over them what ever happened to Sombra has made him more dangerous than Demise, even though he doesn't have the same power that Demise held."

"What about Discord, Malthael and Luna? Discord and Malthael could stop him, right?" Twilight asked.

"Discord and Luna are on an interdimensional trip and I have no knowledge of how to send a message to them, and Malthael hasn't replied but I pray he gets it." Celestia said.

"What do you think we should do until Malthael gets here?" Fluttershy asked.

"Until we know the extent of Sombra's new powers we should simply monitor the Empire and prevent him from spreading his influence if we can."

"I have a rather morbid question." Rarity stated. "What do we do if Malthael can't, won't, or arrives too late to help us?"

"I hope that it will not come to that." Celestia replied. "But, if Malthael does ignore our plea for help, then I will have to try and deal with Sombra myself." She finished.

---------------------------------------------
--------------------Sombron sat on his throne. In his hand was the Crystal Heart. The negative emotions of the ponies’ was food for him. He looked as a unicorn was dragged to him. "Well now what do we have here?" He asked. The dark emotion construct looked at its master.

"This Unicorn was with a group that we found from the Equestrian guard, master, we have three others with his group." Sombron stood up at the unicorn.

"The princesses will stop you, their divine might will destroy you!" Sombron almost laughed at the idiot’s idea.

"The princesses? You still cling to the belief that they are gods? I seem to recall a unicorn fighting them and holding them back." He moved a glowing finger to his horn.

"But what am I to say about divinity? I am after all…" He touched the horn. At that moment the unicorn cried out, "A Demon!"

-----------------------------------
-----------------At Canterlot a pegasus, injured and bleeding landed into the room Celestia had for a study through the window. "What in the world?" Celestia asked as the pegasus got up.

"Princess I've managed to escape.... Sombra is doing horrifying things.... the guardsponies… Sombra’s planning to attack soon." He said before he finally succumbed to his injuries and died.

In his castle Sombron smiled. "The trap is set."



Celestia approached the body and said a silent prayer. "It seems waiting for Malthael's help is no longer an option. I wish Luna was here, but it seems I have to call on Twilight to help me." She walked back to the desk of her study and rang a small bell that had been sitting on it. In a moment a maid walked in.

"What is it your majesty?"

"I need you to gather the guard. I need them ready to move out to help me take back the Crystal Empire." The maid nodded and rushed out to perform her given duty. 'This might be a trap, but I can't take that risk.' Celestia thought. 'I can only hope that we can catch him off-guard.' Celestia then went about sending Twilight another letter telling her to come to Canterlot alone.

The guard was soon mobilized with some of the night guard at the ready. Twilight met with Celestia. "Celestia what’s going on?" She knew it sounded dumb but Celestia had said they were hoping for Malthael’s help.

"We can't wait Twilight, a pegasus managed to escape his capture and he died from injuries. Sombra is readying an attack on us and Malthael seems to be busy." Celestia said. "We have to siege the empire ourselves." She finished. 

As they came up to the city the black crystals could be seen as the city itself had been transformed into a citadel. There was no appearance of a city anymore but a dark lord’s lair. Coming on the walls where being made of negative emotions and a few other things golems of crystals, Windigos which had become corrupted by Sombra’s hate. (Twilight actually felt sorry for them about that) Diamond Dog mercs.... and what looked like Dragons in the air, undead dragons.

Twilight was terrified of the situation she found herself in. She tried to tell herself that she had done something like this before when Queen Chrysalis had assaulted Canterlot. But this was nothing like that. The forces here seemed much better trained, not to mention larger. As much as Malthael could drive her crazy he was good at dealing with things like this. ‘He'd probably make some joke about all this and then come up with a plan, with him being a big part of that plan.’ Twilight turned to Celestia and felt some relief in her calm demeanor.

"Twilight, I'm going to deal with those dragons. I need you to use purifying magic on the Windigos. Once you're done with that I want you to help the guards with the ground forces."

"I understand, Princess." Twilight replied.

Celestia flared her wings and called out in the Royal Canterlot voice, "For Equestria!"

Battle had begun. Of course the one to suffer the most losses was the Equestrian guards. Celestia unleashed her magic in an attempt to down the dragons, however the crystals that helped them stay alive helped them resist magic. The windigos were running around their ice burning then freezing. Despite them being beings of hatred Twilight herself knew that Sombra corrupting them was wrong on so many levels. Twilight managed to cast a spell to help fix them. A few windigos were suddenly freed form the corruption. Behind her a undead pony launched itself to attack only for a recently freed Wendigo to attack it. The freed Wendigo turned on their former allies. "Well I guess all it takes is a big threat to bring enemies together." Twilight said at this.

Several towers let loose their powers at the equestrian guard. The Windigos moved and slowly froze it as they ran around and froze the towers they soon started to leave with the towers and undead out it was far more easier.

Celestia threw up a barrier around herself as one of the undead dragons let loose a torrent of flames. Through the fire Celestia saw a crystal glow in the center of the dragon. At that moment an odd idea entered her mind. She nearly threw it out when a part of her chided, 'Malthael would do it.' At that moment Celestia dropped all sense of self preservation and pushed through the flames while keeping her barrier up. Celestia flew straight into the dragon's mouth and kept moving until she found the crystal in its center. She dropped the barrier to channel her magic into her hind-legs, adding to her natural strength. Celestia delivered a mighty buck to the crystal, causing it to shatter. The dragon started to plummet, its artificial life source gone.

Outside the battle had finally ended. Around them, guards lay dead. The gates finally opened. A demonic voice of Sombra was heard.

"I welcome you... if you can survive the horrors of my home." Celestia the few guards and twilight walked in as they did the guards and the princesses where forcefully separated by crystals. "No need for the cannon folder I'm sure they will meet their end soon enough, my slaves have been... happy to form my crystal army." Sombron said from everywhere.

The princesses moved though the walls. Their thoughts about what was happening racing. The guards were most likely dead or worse. Finally, they were right under where the palace would be. The open area suddenly became dark as the crystals shined with a green glow. On a pedestal was the almost completely darkened crystal heart.

"The Crystal Heart!" Twilight said looking at the darkened object, a tiny bit of it still normal. She raced to get it only to be blown back. The heart was in a bipedal monster’s hands.

"I welcome you both to my kingdom.... I honestly can't believe you fell into my trap." The voice was a bit twisted and deeper, but it was Sombron.

"Sombra.... What happened to you?" Celestia asked. This was beyond dark magic’s doing. The reborn king smiled.

"Like it? I'm more deadly, stronger." He easily crushed a crystal in his hand. "Faster." He gave a smile. "More powerful than you and the Element of Magic combined." His magic aura shot out. He had at least two and a half alicorns level of power. "I also developed." He summoned a small rabbit. "A taste for flesh." He simply placed the poor creature in his mouth took a bite and ate him in front of the two princesses.
> Battle of the North: Return of Darkness Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight and Celestia were sickened by what they had just witnessed. Only a monster would eat something while it still drew breath. 

"Even if you kill us, Sombra, Malthael and Discord will stop you!" Twilight declared. Sombron simply laughed, almost sounding like a blade drawing across a whetstone.

"Oh, I never planned on killing you little princess." Sombron clarified, approaching Twilight. "I'm going to have you both enter my thrall, and feed off your hate to further increase my strength." He continued inches away from her face. "And if the two of you behave I may take you as my concubines. I can smell that you've never felt the touch of a stallion. Don't worry, I'll show you the joys of more carnal pleasures." He finished, placing a clawed hand under her chin.

"You monster, we'll never submit to you!" Celestia cried, her horn glowing gold. Before she could cast whatever spell she wanted to, Sombron threw up his other hand and slammed her into the closest wall. He let go of Twilight and started to laugh again.

"Who said that you had a choice in the matter? Oh, you'll resist to be sure, but you'll give in to the darkness in time." He stated, a dark grin spreading across his face. "And yes that Malthael, I remember him. I defeated him easily when I was Demise. I'm sure that he has his own fears that I can exploit. I'll leave him a whimpering babe, facing his worst nightmares for all of eternity. And as for Discord, well, I have my own plans for him. Once the two of you have been broken I'll move on to the other element bearers. Then, all of Equstria will be mine." Sombron declared.

Suddenly the wall broke open. There was Malthael himself who was glowing with soul energy. "Oh yeah! Someone order death?!" He said with a smile. Landing next to him was Sunset herself. Sombron dropped Celestia. Malthael looked at Sombron. "Boy Sombra, did someone hit you with the ugly stick then set your face on fire?" Malthael said with a laugh. Sombron glared at him. "Well, time to remove your soul" He finished. He readied to change souls with Pegasi. Pulling blades out, he rushed Sombron, slamming him against the wall and put his blades in Sombron. The glow did not happen. Sombron fired a blast at him and Malthael recovered.

"Fool I have no soul!" Sombron boasted. As he ran Malthael unleashed his death cloud. Sombra’s power coursed through him, his body healing with darkness as he grabbed the Angel of Death’s neck. "Let's see what you fear."

Inside Malthael’s head Sombra saw many images... A huge demon murdering beings. Malthael using said demon’s soul stone for something. He saw several souls including the former rulers'. Several being from Tartarus. One of them almost terrified Sombron.... The eyes. He finally found Malthael’s fears.... It was one of his girlfriends burning. 

"Well that was interesting... Your mind’s a mess. I almost felt my mind consumed by your will." Sombron said shaking his head. He pointed a hand at Sunset. "Burn." A vortex of fire covered her. Sombron threw the Angel into the wall and walked up.

"No!" Malthael’s hood started to form up as he picked himself up. Sombron looked into the flames.

"You are nothing...." Suddenly a red hand shot out and grabbed him by the neck. Burning, it was burning. Two demonic eyes could be seen. The flames gave way to reveal demon Sunset. "Die!" She screamed as she tossed him against a blade, Malthael’s blade. The Angel tossed him with all his strength into the wall.

Malthael rushed Sombron again, his sickles moving in a flurry of motion. Malthael put every bit of his anger into his blows. On one swing, Sombron caught Malthael's sickles and looked at him with pure rage. "None may strike me!" Sombron boomed, blasting Malthael into the nearest wall with a beam of dark magic and then attempting to trap him in crystal like he had done when he was Demise. Demonic Sunset growled, seeing her "mate" attacked awoke her primal urges and her entire body glowed with her magic. She rushed Sombron and delivered a powerful blow into his sternum. She then proceeded to claw at Sombron, aiming for any part of him that looked sensitive. Sombron retaliated by grabbing Sunset's throat, trying to choke the life out of her.

However, behind him a shadow was seen. Before he could do anything the arm around Sunset’s throat was cut clean off! The pain was massive. Sunset unleashed more flames right into his chest, sending him into a wall. As he got up a hook in his side moved him up as Malthael cut right into his neck and tossed him. The "Blood" came out. Suddenly he started to realize something. Sunset smashed his head into the ground she kept at it as the crystals creaked and cracked and slowly Sombron’s broken face was shown. Two blades were behind him. Sombron managed to throw them both off of him. As he finally got his sight back, he cried out as his arm was cut off. The king cried as Sunset drop kicked him in the face he felt his skull almost break. As he got up a blade pierced right through his face!

"Die!" They both boomed as Sombron’s body suddenly fell limp. His body slowly became shadows as the crystals started to give way. In the end a single black crystal was all that was left of Sombron. Malthael picked it up his hood finally falling.

Mal glared at the crystal in his hand. "If you can hear me in there you bastard then know this: if you ever lay a hand on one of the girls I love again then I won't just kill you, I'll make you suffer for all of time." Twilight and Celestia shuddered from the threat, even though it wasn't directed at them. Mal's demeanor changed, and a wicked grin spread across his face. "Then again, I don't think I have to worry about you trying anything again. Once Discord shows up we'll find a more permanent place for you to call home." Mal closed his eyes and formed the seal around Sombra's crystal, just as he had done before. This time though, he tried to make it stronger, to avoid another incident like this. Just as he was about to check on Twilight and Celestia, a voice called out to him.

"Mal! What's wrong with me?!" Sunset cried, her mind back to normal, but still looked like a demon.

Everyone turned to her. Twilight was finally able to get a good look at her. She looked just like she did when she had put on the Element crown. Finally her form returned to normal as she sat crying. Mal dropped his blades and hugged her as she cried. In a flash of light Discord popped into existence. 

"Sorry I'm late, heard about Sombra..." He looked to see a crying Sunset and the crystal rubble. "What just happened?" He asked. Twilight turned to face Discord.

"Sunset turned into her demon form. I thought that was only because of the Element of Magic?" Twilight said. The God of Chaos flashed and appeared next to her in a small form. He looked over her. He then popped away. After a few seconds he popped back into existence.

"Well I've just confirmed it." He said. He had a kind of low head as he knew it would crush her. "Sunset Shimmer... You are of demonic descent through your mother." The girl paused as did Celestia.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"You have a recent family member who was a demon in disguise, it’s remained dormant inside you, fuelling your ambition, the Element of Magic caused you to unlock it when it rose you into alicornhood the magic’s been dormant because you didn't wish to unleash it, didn’t even realize it was there." Discord finished.

"No, that can't be right. I can't be like that thing.” Sunset said, clearly not taking the news well. 

"Sunset," Mal started, tightening his grip on her.

"No! Let go of me!" She cried, pushing Mal off of her. "Don't touch me. You shouldn't be anywhere near me. I'm a monster. I've always been a monster. It's only a matter of time before I end up just like Sombra." Sunset concluded, breaking down sobbing. Mal's heart nearly broke at the sight in front of him. But one emotion thrust its way to the forefront, anger.

"Sunset you idiot! You're nothing like Sombra!" He thundered. Sunset stopped sobbing, but didn't look up at him.

"You heard Discord, I'm a demon. It's only a matter of time before I show my true colors again. Just forget about me Mal. You shouldn't be around something like me."

"Do you really think I care if you're a demon or not?!" Mal continued, grabbing her shoulders, and forced her to look him in the eyes. "Sunset, you could be anything and I'd still love you, a pony, griffin, or anything in between! And you will never end up like Sombra." Mal said, his voice finally softening. "I won't let you become anything like him. Anytime you think you're going to give into the darkness inside you, I'll be right there to bring you back. Just like you've always done for me. This changes nothing about how I feel for you. I plan on seeing the end of time with you." Mal finished, wrapping his arms around Sunset again. Sunset weakly returned the hug, and cried softly into his chest.

Discord wiped a tear form his eyes. Said tear ended up sprouting flowers. "That was beautiful, the only other time I saw love that strong was long before I became the God of Chaos." He came up to Mal and Sunset. "You do know what the type of demon Sunset is, don’t you? Well let's just say that Sombra was facing a mad female and her mate." He said. Sunset was a bit confused. "Basically on an instinctive level you’re married to Mal here." He said. Sunset blushed at this. "Besides, despite the who law or whatever it’s known as says, being part demon doesn't make you evil... Actually a few demons are 'good', of course their version of good is more like a light grey, but still." Discord looked at Sombra’s crystal. Well Sombra, seeing as how you have no soul.... I now know the perfect place to send you." In a snap Discord entered space. And hit the FTL button. After about a few minutes he returned. He was a bit winded. "Well that's over with." He finished. "I had to time travel a bit to get it done." He finished.

"Where did you send him?" Mal asked.

"A black hole the only thing I could think of, the crystal’s been well destroyed, Sombra is gone forever now." Discord finished.

"Yeah, you said that last time and look what happened." Mal shot back at him. "Also, I'm pretty sure that there are theories stating that black holes could lead to alternate universes." He finished. Discord just chuckled at Mal's response.

"Oh Mal, I think you've been reading too much science-fiction. I'm an immortal god of chaos, I think I know what I'm talking about."

"Uh huh, and you weren't a god when you made this exact claim before?" Discord shot Mal an irritated look.

"Touché."

"Still, the next time you and Luna go on an interdimensional road-trip, leave a way for us to contact you. That way these threats can be dealt with quicker."

"And what about you, Malthael?" Celestia asked. "I sent you that letter days ago. Why did it take you so long to respond?"

"We were on vacation to this tropical island." Mal said blankly. Discord rolled his eyes. 

"Hypocrite," Discord retorted.

Twilight herself looked around.

"We all have a few things to do now, free the slaves and give the ponies who lost their lives to their family members." Twilight said. Discord however had a fun thought.

"Actually Twilight you know there's more to me being a reality warping god than making the laws of physics into my play things." He gathered what magic he needed. He was happy he was an avatar of chaotic force because he regenerated his magic faster. With a snap of his figures the dead ponies arose. Alive, and not undead alive, normal alive. Celestia and Twilight didn't notice it until A few of the dead guardponies came up to them totally confused. "I actually can truly bring the dead back to life." He had a bit if a smile.

"Ya know, as an aspect of death I should either be jealous or offended by this blatant disregard to natural laws, but I'm not, weird." Mal said with a shrug.

"Oh this wasn't so hard, now if you had brought me some of the dead that you'd used your death fog on, then I'd have a little trouble bringing them back. Also, I can't just go doing this all willy-nilly. The more I bend the laws of a reality the greater the chance I have of causing it to collapse."

"What would that be like?" Twilight asked.

"Imagine every molecule in your body simultaneously exploding at the speed of light." Discord deadpanned.

"Yeah, that's bad, never let that happen." Mal replied.

"Well it’s a good thing reality can heal itself then." Discord said.

The guards not knowing much after their deaths were highly confused. In a flash Discord Celestia and Twilight popped into the hospital treating Cadance. Discord was now wearing a doctor’s get up. “Paging Doctor Discord.” He said, snapping latex gloves into place.

"Discord what are you doing?" Twilight asked. He showed her his card. Somehow he was a doctor.

"Well as you can see I'm a doctor." He said with a smile hidden over his mask.

"Discord you know you could easily have just created this right?" Twilight responded. Discord rolled his eyes.

"So let’s see here, fractured wings, a few cracked ribs, some minor head trauma, some muscle damage and a cracked horn that won't heal properly." He looked at the nurses there and Celestia. "Honestly you have to learn not to use magic for medicine every time, you down played how serious this was, the damage to her is way more severe than you originally thought." He finished. He gathered his magic pointed it at her in a flash of light she was good as new. "There we go all better, well except for emotional trauma.... and she may have a few shadow pains from what her body was originally like." He concluded.

Shining Armor was a bit awed by that. "I didn't know Discord could do that." Shining said. "Isn't it amazing?" he asked. Twilight rolled her eyes.

"We just saw Discord refuse death, Shining."

"Seriously? So, the ponies in the Crystal Empire are better now. Thank you, Discord, for everything." Shining Armor said, feeling odd saying it.

"Oh, it was no trouble really. Honestly, I'd never hear the end of it from Luna if I avoided doing anything for her precious niece, and said neice's dominion." Discord said with a chuckle. Everyone in the room a little surprised by his admission, but before they could say anything, Cadance started to wake up. 

"What happened? Where am I?"

"We're in Canterlot, honey." Shining answered, placing a comforting hoof on her carefully. Cadence suddenly remembered what had happened and shot upright.

"And what about the Crystal Empire? Sombra was stronger than ever, and he..."

"Don't worry Cadance." Twilight said. "Malthael and Sunset Shimmer took care of him

Cadance let out a sigh of relief.

"So was he destroyed or imprisoned?" Shining Armor asked. "Or did Malthael reap his soul?" He continued Discord rolled his eyes.

"I threw him into a black hole." Discord simply said. "He’s gone forever." Discord finished with a smile.

Sombra paused for a moment. He woke inside nothing but darkness and felt pain. So much pain. And he was spinning. Sombra tried to heal himself, do anything, something. He was trapped. Trapped at the heart of a black hole. Then he finally screamed!
> Science! And Nightmare Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

		 In her castle Twilight was working on her experiment. A bit after the universe travel she went through she decided to find a way to understand the Multiverse. So far she wasn't having much if not any success. in a flash Discord appeared and had on a funny hat.

"Happy birthday." Discord produced a cake. Twilight blinked a bit.

"Discord it’s not my birthday." He reminded him. Discord was a bit confused.

"Oh, then no cake for you." The cake grew wings and flew out of the room.

Twilight watched the flying cake go out the window. 

In her throne room Celestia felt something in her stomach.

Discord walked past Twilight and looked at her notes. "Trying to understand the Multiverse?"

"Yes, ever since our little trip to that other universe I've been curious about its nature."

"Oh, I can help with your research!" Discord exclaimed, dressing in a lab coat and goggles in a flash.

"Really, you can help me with this?" Twilight asked.

"Oh Twilight, I'm a wedding planner, doctor, florist, and god of chaos. Is it really that surprising that I have a working knowledge of Theoretical Physics?" Discord asked with a knowing smirk. Twilight did have to admit that it was a rather dumb asking someone who could toy with reality had a working knowledge on it. Plus, Discord seemed to have many different areas of expertise. 

"Okay Discord, but I have to know, why do you want to help me?"

"Well, even I don't know everything about the multiverse. So I want to learn more." He finished.

The two got started with their little experiments. Discord form a microscope to see the basic structure of the multiverse. Of course what they were finding was nothing but tiny objects which Discord realized were acting differently until they attempted a kind of vibration scan. 

"Here we go, We’ve got it." Discords machine which he didn't steal from something and was totally going to return. "Seems we have a vibration of our reality and I managed to pull something from another reality.... different vibrations...." The machine showed a kind of red light. Strange..... there appears to be a shadow vibration." Discord said.

"Shadow vibration is that even a thing?" Twilight asked.

"No, but it’s a lot better than saying an anomaly." Discord managed to get the match to show it.

"I wonder Twilight perhaps its memories some kinda remnant from the dawn of time?" He asked. Twilight saw Discord smile. "Let’s see what secrets this has." With that he snapped his talons. The two beings were suddenly looking as a glass like viewing screen could be seen. 

"Where are we?" Twilight asked. The glass started to show ponies.... but they looked weird. Twilight looked at one glass touching it she suddenly blinked. 

"That’s me." she said pointing at it. Discord touched each glass. 

"That’s not all each of your friends and you, Scootaloo, the princess.... even the changelings....." Discord was wide eyed. "Twilight these are three other multiverses..... Our multiverse is built on their corpses." Discord said wide eyed.

"But, how does that work?" Twilight asked. "I mean, aren't universes separate?" Discord tapped his chin in thought and tried to come up with an explanation.

"Well, from what I've been able to gather, universes behave a lot like celestial objects." He said creating a view of it in his mismatched hands. "They rotate and orbit a central point and will be at varying distances from each other. However," He continued, two of the objects in his hands coming dangerously close to one another, "other times an anomaly can throw off their orbits and can result in them colliding." The two objects then collided in demonstration. "While the two universes will be destroyed, a new one will form, built upon the various attributes of the ones that made it."

Twilight looked around that the glasses. "So each one of these were once separate?" She asked. Discord looked at them.

“Yes, from what I gathered from the changes." Discord looked around. "Scootaloo was a unicorn, Cheerilee was her sister with there being a different Ponyville along in this one." They saw another Rainbow Dash. "This one had you Twilight with other friends..... the biggest change was another race of ponies, the flutterponies who were kind and neutral becoming the Changelings." Discord looked and saw another pony with that Twilight. "I think that’s Applejack." Discord finished the next one Discord looked at a pony. He pressed on each of them. "So it seems the merge altered out history outcomes and even some cases who and what we were." They suddenly were returned to Twilight's palace.
"This was an interesting little trip." Discord said.

"Yeah, I can't believe that our universe was created from three others. But there's one thing that doesn't make sense." Twilight started.
"Oh really, what's that?" Discord asked. "If universes are formed by the collisions of others, how did it all start?"

"That's actually rather simple to explain given the nature of time." Discord replied. "See, people generally like to think of time as this neat little line of, past, present, and future because that's how they perceive it. In reality time doesn't really have a set structure. Time can be altered, looped in the most extreme cases it can branch off from our reality becoming its own universe in the end it’s very much a big mess of timey wimey strange stuff." Discord explained, pantomiming a shifting sphere.

"Really, timey wimey stuff?" Twilight deadpanned.

"I said, put simply, if I really wanted to go into detail about time, there wouldn't be enough chalkboards in the universe to quantify the equations needed to define it and its relations to the multiverse.... Even I don't understand it!" Discord retorted.

------------------------------------------------
-----------	 The next month Discord was meeting with Mal. The angel landed next to the God of Chaos. "So what's going on?" He asked. Discord turned to him and in a flash became an Alicorn.

"Nightmare Night’s coming up, I wanted to you to come." Mal’s memory kicked something up.

"You mean Halloween? The night of ghosts, ghouls, and the day of saints?" Mal asked.
Discord had a smile. "Sure, you can go as yourself, you’re death!" He said.

"Dude, going as myself would just be lazy." Mal replied with a chuckle. "Also, I'm pretty sure just using your transforming magic is cheating."

"There are no rules to Nightmare Night." Discord replied, sticking his tongue out at Mal. 

"Whatever, I'm still not letting Chrissy use her shape-shifting." Mal stated. "Wait a minute." He said, realization dawning on his face. "You said this holiday is called Nightmare Night, right?"

"I did." Discord answered with a smile, knowing where Mal's train of thought was going without mind reading. 

"It wouldn't happen to be named after my girlfriend Moon, would it?" Mal pressed.

"Oh it is. The tradition is that ponies dress up to avoid being eaten by her, and leaving her offerings of sweets to appease her unholy hunger." All of a sudden a wicked grin worked its way across Mal's face. "Oh, I know that look. You're cooking up some little scheme aren't you?" Discord asked.

"Why I'm not cooking up anything Discord." Mal clarified, putting on a faux innocent tone. "If Nightmare Moon and her lover happen to go into Sparky's little town and demand some form of tribute, why, that'll just be a coincidence." Mal finished causing him and Discord to burst into hysterics.

-------------------------------------------
------------Back in the charm home the Dazzlings had been a bit more social after the alternative universe visit. Right now Sonata got them to share a game with Trixie. Sonata found what she needed for her favorite food, tacos. She had a few with her to go with the game. Trixie being vegetarian because of her past as a pony got veggie tacos. 

"So let me get this straight, Chrysalis is, or was a Changeling Queen who fed on love and still does?" Sonata asked. Trixie nodded.

"Yes she still feeds on love like you still do strife." Trixie said to her new friend.

"So why does Moon share a room with her?" Sonata asked. Trixie blushed at this. The former unicorn knew the exact reason why they shared a room. Trixie’s mind wandered to the times they ambushed her. She was always flushed afterwards and she had to change panties more than once.

"Well Moon and Chrissy are more than just friends and roommates, you’ve seen them enter the shower together and lay close to each other at times, right?" Trixie said trying to get her to understand. Adagio was shocked. 

"They’re a couple? Yet they both also love Mal." She summed it up.

"So they’re bi, is anyone else bi?" Aria asked. Trixie blushed.

"Sunset..... And Trixie are as well."

"So, if Chrysalis and Moon are uh 'intimate' with each other, but still love Mal... does that mean that they've ever... at the same time." Sonata asked, blushing a deep crimson. 

"Umm, Trixie thinks so." Trixie answered, blushing as well.

"So if you, Sunset, Moon and Chrysalis are all bi, what about Solar?" Aria asked, changing the topic for everyone's benefit.

"Actually, Trixie is not sure. Given how aggressive and standoffish she usually is it's hard to tell. The only one Trixie has seen calm her down other than her sister is Mal."

"Mal does have that sort of effect on people." Adagio stated. "Though it's still a little odd that a good chunk of the group is bi." She continued.

Trixie thought it over for a moment. "You’re right, it almost seems like...." Trixie’s thought was ended when Moon’s voice was heard.

"WHAT!?" In the other room Mal had asked Moon if she wanted to go to Ponyville for Nightmare night.

"I asked if you wanted to go to Nightmare Night in Sparky’s town. You know, use their fear for profit?" He asked. "It’s also a date." He finished trying to sweeten the deal. Moon thought for a moment.

"Why not." She had a smile and gave him a kiss.

"Awesome!" Mal said pumping his fist. "Hmm, oh, maybe you should go in your pony form?" Moon considered it and nodded.

"That is how they'd expect to see me. Maybe you should come as an alicorn pony too? You will be claiming to be my mate, it makes sense."

"I don't know, Discord is going as an alicorn, I don't want to be seen as copying him." Mal thought aloud.

"You're worrying too much. I'm sure between the two of us we can think of an absolutely terrifying alicorn form for you." Moon pressed a wide grin on her face.

"You just want to see what I look like as a pony, don't you?"

"Maybe," she answered her grin widening.

Nightmare Night had come to pass. Twilight and her friends were nowhere to be seen and Princess Luna and Discord had yet to come to the celebration. The mayor of Ponyville now mostly seen as a figurehead was reading for the event. Above them however the clouds rolled in.

"Tremble mortals." Came a voice coming down was Nightmare Moon in her pony form. The ponies looked on in shock even more when a grey, tall, slim stallion alicorn came down. His cutie mark was a skull, two sickles and blue skeleton wings. "Tremble mortals for I am Hades, Alicorn of Death!" “Hades” said with the voice of death.

Mayor Mare and a majority of the crowd did just that. They had never heard of Hades before, but his title and voice filled them with dread. Some of the crowd was trembling for show. They remembered that Princess Luna had pretended to be Nightmare Moon the year before. Perhaps this was something new she had cooked up?

"My mate, Nightmare Moon and I have come to see this little holiday that is dedicated to her." Hades continued, still using his death voice. "We have heard that it is tradition to give her offerings of sweets. Does this seem acceptable to you, my beloved?" Hades asked, somehow sounding romantic and intimidating all at once.

Nightmare Moon smiled at this. "Yes, I do enjoy sweets, but not too much."

The ponies gave them their sweets and after the two stopped them they teleported off. A sound of a chariot could be heard in the distance. Some time later came Luna and Discord in Alicorn form. Every single pony looked on in shock at this.

"Greetings subjects." Luna exclaimed, enthusiastic for the celebration. The crowd continued to stare slack jawed at their princess. Once realization dawned on them, they only had one response.

"Ahhhhh!" the entire crowd cried, panicking in random directions.

"By the stars, what is going on here?" Luna asked, turning to Discord.

"I think I have an idea." He replied.

"Nightmare Moon is really back!" One member of the crowd yelled.

"And the alicorn of Death is her mate!" Another member continued.

"Quick, grab every piece of candy you can! Maybe if we appease them they won't do anything to our town!" A third member suggested.

Discord and Luna shared a look and came to the exact same conclusion. "Malthael," They said together.

--------------------------- 
---------As the Mal and Moon returned they turned back to their humanoid forms. Moon took a bite of one the chocolates. She moaned at its taste. Malthael walked back in and saw Moon’s loose outfit. It was almost falling off her shoulders. The moon light glowed off her. Mal smiled as he continued to just watch his beautiful lover.

‘Moments like this, is what makes it all worthwhile.’ Mal thought. ‘No wars, no big baddy that has crawled out of some primordial hole in the ground to try and take over the world for the umpteenth time. It’s just me, and one of the women I love most in this world having a good time together. I really wish moments like these would last forever. And actually, I do have forever to enjoy them.’  

Moon moaned as she ate her sweets. "You know look..." She said, noticing Mal stare at her.

"So, you don't enjoy sweets too much?" Mal questioned a smirk across his face. Moon actually blushed at this, and tried to quiet her reactions to the treat.

"Well. I may enjoy chocolate quite a bit. But I try to limit myself." She explained.

"Oh, and why's that?"

"I want to maintain this figure that I know you and Chrissy enjoy so much." Moon answered, her hands travelling down her curves. "I don't want to turn into a balloon and turn you off."

"I don't think you could do that." Mal said, walking up to her and putting his arms around her waist. "With the way you carry yourself, you could always find a way to uh 'entice' me, no matter what your figure was." He explained giving her a short kiss on the lips. "By the way, you look really good tonight."

"Thank you, Mal." Moon whispered.

"Come on, I think we can get some more treats out of that town, and when we get back, we can eat until we go into a sugar coma. We can worry about our figures later." Mal said with a grin. Moon giggled and looked over their haul as it was.

“Actually, I was thinking we have enough sweets to put ourselves into that coma right now. Besides, Nightmare Night is primarily meant to be enjoyed by foals; we should let the poor dears have some candy of their own.” Moon turned to Mal, and he raised an eyebrow at her.

“When did you start caring about things like that?”

“Well, I’ve been looking into the dreams of all the members of our little group and a good few of them have dreamt of having children with you at some point. So, I’m going to have to practice being nice to children if they get their way.” Moon chuckled.

“I’m guessing Chrissy was one of them, losing her old hive really hurt her.”

“True, Moon moaned a bit as she ate another chocolate, though it was quieter than the others.

“So, how did you want to spend the rest of our date?” Mal asked, changing the topic. “You have me all to yourself for the rest of the night. After all, I do have to appease you on Nightmare Night so I don’t get eaten, Nightmare Moon.” Mal teased, and punctuated the statement by nibbling on her earlobe lightly.

Moon blushed, and giggled a little as she knew exactly what she wanted. "You know, I know you and Sunset used the hot tub for a little fun." She said as her dress came off her shoulder. She got on him and the two slowly kissed. Mal pulled away from Moon and pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and gazed deep into her eyes.

“I love you, Moon.” Mal said with as much feeling as he could muster.

“I love you too, always.” Moon returned a smile gracing her face.

That night would be one of the best of her life for Moon.

> Road Trip to Zebra Land
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Mal looked bored at the situation he found himself in. The parliament was opened by him. The members were approving trade agreement plans with the griffins. The deep rooted pain from the ponies didn't seem to go away so there were no plans to trade with them in the upcoming future. The fact that there beloved king had been imprisoned by ponies really didn’t help with their distrust. Mal still kicked himself for letting that little tidbit out. He finally sighed as he got up. Being a king was a lot of work. Though he had parliament do their job he made sure things were good, appeared in events even knighted heroes and allies. As he sat down he remembered his desire to explore the world. He looked up the map of the known world. He looked at the part that said Zebra Empire.... It was mostly unknown and their continent was totally unknown. He had a smile.

In a flash Discord appeared in the Northern Isles. He always liked the place. As he walked he found Mal. "So you called." He asked. Mal turned to Discord.

"Yeah, you know of any zebras?" The angel asked the god.

"Well, no not personally, but I do know of one." Discord replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I noticed that their continent is mostly unknown, but the most prominent thing on it is their kingdom. As king, I would like to set up a possible trade agreement, and other things."

"And what's your reason for all this?"

"I'm still having a hard time adapting to this king thing. Before I came to the Northern Isles my only plan was to explore the world and see what was out here. But then all that stuff with Prance happened and I've had to stay here. I mean, I don't regret coming here. I would've never met Chrissy otherwise. Not to mention all the good I've done for these people. But, I still want to travel and explore. So, I figured going from country to country and forming alliances and agreements would let me do that." Mal explained with a sigh.

Discord thought for a moment at this. "Well I remember there being a Zebra in Everfree forest the forest right next to Ponyville where Twilight’s little kingdom exists." Discord said. Mal raised an eyebrow at this.

"Ok two questions, one why is a zebra there, two Prance, the Crystal Empire and now Sparky’s got a kingdom?" Mal asked. Discord had a laugh.

"Yeah I once pointed it out.... They’ve gone with the Equestrian Alliance." Mal rolled his eyes.

--------------------------------------------------------
-------------In Ponyville things were just getting normal again. For Twilight however she shortly learned that she should never tempt fate. As she walked out on a stroll near the Everfree a flash was seen and Discord appeared with Mal. 

"Look, there’s Sparky."  Mal said. 

Twilight’s eyes twitched. She wanted to yell at whoever controlled fate, and curse every single god, primarily Discord.

"What insane thing are you two planning this time?" Twilight asked with a huff.

"Well, I think we talked about building a crossbow that fires sharks." Mal stated. Twilight smacked a hoof against her face.

"Really?" She asked.

"Look that's not why we're here." Mal said, getting back on track. "We were just looking for the zebra that lives in the Everfree forest."

"Zecora, why would you be looking for her?" Twilight asked, starting to panic a little. Mal rolled his eyes at Twilight. She always assumed he was out to do something stupid. He usually was, but after saving her life several times, he felt he'd earned the benefit of the doubt.

"I wanted to go and set up an alliance with the zebra continent, and I figured having a zebra intermediary would help my chances." Mal explained.

"That's it?" Twilight asked.

"Come on Sparky, I'm a king now. I have to be responsible every now and then." He said with a grin.

Twilight suddenly shuddered. "I just felt terror shoot through me when you said that." Twilight said. Discord got right next to her.

"Come on you have to see the Zebra Empire." In a flash he had two toys, one a Zebra the other a pony. "The Zebra Empire has had a long relationship with ponies one of indifference to almost war to just tolerating each other, Celestia herself isn't trusted by them. You owe the Equestrian Alliance to be a new face of friendship." He finished.

"I guess you have a point." Twilight replied, rubbing her chin in thought. "Alright, I'll see if we can convince Zecora to act as a sort of intermediary for us."

"Awesome, looks like the both of us are going on a diplomatic trip for our countries, Sparky." Mal said with a grin. "Ok I need to go get something." Mal said. In a flash Discord took him, and they were gone. Twilight herself sighed, wondering what she was getting herself into.

------------------------------
-----------Rainbow Dash was chilling out. Suddenly the sun was blocked out. "Sup, Rainbow." It was Gilda, princess of the Griffin Empire. Rainbow shot up. Right next to her was an older griffin.

"So this is your pony friend, sister?" The griffin prince asked.

"Rainbow, this is my older brother.... By two centuries, Caesar."

"Two centuries that's... pretty crazy." Rainbow said, not sure how to process that piece of information.

"Yes, well part of being in the prime of your life for all eternity is of course that certain... urges never quite go away."

"Bro, couldn't you have phrased that better?" Gilda asked, not wanting to think about their parents like that.

"I phrased it better than you would have." Caesar shot back.

"So, uh what brings you two to Ponyville?" Rainbow Dash asked, before the siblings could get in a fight.

"Oh, well my parents want me to start 'exercising my royal duties'." Gilda said with air quotes. "So they sent Caesar and me to attend diplomatic talks with Griffonia's allies. Ugh, I hate all this stuff though. I think I'd rather have all my feathers plucked out." Gilda groaned.

Caesar rolled his eyes. "You’re a princess you know." He said. He then turned to Rainbow Dash. "Guessing that you’re her friend that kicked her out of Ponyville? You know, I had to listen to her rant until I shut her up... I'm guessing you didn't have an understanding of griffin society like she did pony?" He asked. Rainbow Dash blushed in embarrassment. The griffin had a smile, one of understanding. "Don't worry, being over two hundred years old I've learned to understand others cultures I did serve as the ambassador for my nation to Equestria for over fifty years." The griffin prince said.

"Really, you spent that long, why?" Rainbow dash asked.

"I befriended a pegasus called Shadow Wind." Rainbow’s eyes widened, Shadow Wind was one of the best Wonderbolts in his time. A pegasus born in poverty who went on to rise up into the group.

"That's. So. Awesome!" Rainbow Dash squeed.

"I'm guessing that she's a fan of the Wonderbolts?" Caesar asked Gilda.

"More like borderline obsessed. She was like this back at Flight Camp, looks like it hasn't changed. Rainbow Dash got over her little moment and rubbed the back of her head.

"Sorry, so if you guys are in Equestria for diplomatic talks, why are you here?"

"Well, we were here to talk with Princess Twilight Sparkle, but she wasn't at her castle. Gilda suggested that you may know where she is."

"Uh, yeah I think I might know where she is. I'll take you two to her." Shortly after that the three found Twilight standing in the middle of the market. "Hey Twilight, why are you just standing there?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I agree, shouldn't she be doing her royal duties?" Caesar asked.

The princess turned to see Rainbow Dash with Gilda and prince Caesar. "Rainbow, Princess Gilda.... Who’s your friend?" She asked Gilda’s eyes rolled.

"I am Prince Caesar, Gilda’s older brother by two centuries." The Griffin said having a smile. Twilight blushed embarrassed.

"I'm sorry I didn't know." Twilight said. Gilda looked around.

"So why are you just standing here?" Gilda asked.

"I'm waiting for Zecora she’s in the market getting stuff then we are going to meet Malthael." Twilight finished.

"Who is Malthael?" Caesar asked.

"The Angel of Death, king of the Northern Isles, and Discord the God of Chaos is his best friend." Twilight answered

"Yeah, and get this, he apparently revived Nightmare Moon, reformed her, and now they're dating." Gilda continued.

"He also did the same to Celestia's dark half." Twilight explained. "She goes by Solar Flare, or just Solar. I'd be careful around her if you ever meet her. She has a bit of a short fuse, but if Malthael's with her he can usually calm her down."

"Wait, Mal's coming here, what for?" Rainbow asked.

"Apparently, he plans on setting up some sort of alliance with the Zebra kingdom, and Zecora's agreed to act as our intermediary."

"Sounds cool, I've been wanting to meet this Malthael guy, he sounds pretty cool. I think I might join you guys on your trip." Gilda stated.

"Sister, remember what our parents said." Caesar chastised.

"They said I had to start doing royal duties, going on a trip to the Zebra kingdom with another king sounds like that if you ask me." Gilda replied with a smirk on her beak.

"I'm right here." They turned to see Mal floating on his wings. "My new airship landed a while ago." He landed. "So Sparky, you got the zebra?" He asked her. Twilight’s eyes twitched.

"Are you always going to call me Sparky, even in front of foreign dignitaries?" She asked. Mal had a look of deep thought.

"You know you’re right." He said, Twilight suddenly had a bit of happiness at this. "I will always call you Sparky, no matter what." He said with a smile.

"Why?! Why do you do this to me?" Twilight screeched.

"Well, at first it was because I thought it would drive you crazy. But after a while it was because you are my friend, Sparky." Mal replied.

"Hey, if you were with Discord, why didn't you just have him teleport you to the Zebra kingdom?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Good question," Mal replied pointing a finger at the prismatic pegasus. "There's a few reasons really. One, given the distance we're travelling, and now the size of our group, teleporting can be extremely disorienting, especially if our zebra friend doesn't get teleported very often. Second, if I want to set up a trade agreement I have to show off some of my country's products. My airship is top of the line and was made by all four peoples of the UK working together." Mal explained.

Twilight gave him a confused look. "So is anyone else coming along? Like you Sparky and your Equestrian Alliance?" He asked. Gilda shot up.

"I'm coming."

Mal blinked. "Ok, and you are?"

Gilda rolled her eyes. "Princess Gilda of Griffonia." She said.

As they spoke, the door to a shop opened to see the Zebra that Discord told Mal about. "Hello there I'm Malthael you know the guy that wants to visit the Zebra Empire."

Zecora was shocked by what she was seeing. She had heard rumors about Malthael, but this was her first time seeing him. She managed to collect herself. "I must admit you're quite the sight. Your sudden appearance gave me quite the fright." Zecora said in rhyme like she usually did.

'I wonder if all zebra's do this, or if this is just a game to her,' Mal thought.

"Sorry, I tend to forget how different I look to folks around here. So, has Sparky asked you to be our guide to the Zebra kingdom, to assist us in case of any language and cultural barriers? I'd really appreciate the help."

"I have heard your tale, this is true. I will gladly show my homeland to you." Zecora replied with a nod and grin.