> If Wishes Were Portals
>  by ColtKit Productions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: 2020s
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------




The Official Sequel is up!!!
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/484183/if-wishes-were-ponies-book-ii

Please go support the original Author.




###

● Year 2020s

Harry yelped as sparks flew out of the console as he attached some wires... best not to tell the girls about that. Next Harry groaned, as he banged his head on the panel above him. On accident of course, as he had grown clumsy with his human form, but he needed the use of fingers. The instinctual precision of such appendages couldn't be beat. Not for delicate work, anyhow. 

He was currently covered in grease and some specks of his own blood... he had accidentally cut himself a few times, nothing major, as the wounds healed instantly (as they always did).

Regardless, Sweetie Belle was sure to give him a tongue lashing if she caught him in such a state... then Applebloom would force feed him when she heard he hadn't eaten for the past three weeks. Then Ginny and Hermione would fight for the honor of who got to hex him. While Parvati, Lavender, and Daphne would chain him to his bed, and force him to rest. 

Elly would just look at him, like he was an idiot, and make a point of not interfering with the others punishments.

The only one of his wives that would actually be on his side would be Scootaloo. As She seemed to understand that "Master of Death", included starvation as one of the many things that couldn't kill him. 

Harry didn't even feel uncomfortable, let alone hungry.

Harry had gone through a lot in his 42 years of life... though he still appeared to be 17. Stopped an evil Dark Lord from conquering two dimensions, and (apparently) he was chosen as some kind of Champion to a death god. Her "Avatar", as it were... Harry still hadn't come to terms with that.

###

Once he was done with the wiring, he turned back into a red and gold unicorn. With how small the tunnel was, he still had to crawl out of the duck... before remembering he could teleport, and doing so.

Harry immediately found himself in the main chamber of the circular room he was building... with Celestia waiting for him, an unreadable expression on her face. No doubt finding his shabby appearance... concerning.

Celestia had retired from the throne over a decade ago. She spent some time traveling, but then devoted herself to her school.

Harry had come to this school for university, but later became a professor. He started teaching Mastery level students Defense Against The Dark Arts. Though later, he found he preferred teaching secondary school children in the same field of magic.

As a professor, he was encouraged to assist with matters of scientific and magical advancement. He had worked on many such projects, over the years, though this was the first one he was leading, himself.

Wands had revolutionized Equus. Even caused a minor school reform... while that, and Princess Twilight's open boarders policy. It wasn't uncommon for races from all over the Equus to come to Equestria's schools.

The new system started with Primary School, where children of all races learned the basic academics together. Then secondary school focused on teaching wand based spell casting, magical theory, and classes were the students were separated by species (but only for the one class, to better teach their unique racial magics). Followed by University, which operated more like a muggle trade school, but with greater detail of study into a specific field. Creatures just didn't have any useless classes that wouldn't effect their desired job... unless they wanted to take an unrelated class as a minor.

Regardless of any of that, Celestia continued to look on with distaste at Harry's appearance, both the sudden flash of light in front of her... and the sheer dishevelment of his person.

"Harry..." She tried to find the words to express her concern. But Potter merely waved his horn and he was perfectly in order again. All clean and even the tears of his Professor robes fixed. Still, that would not deter her, "I realize, ever since you became aware of your immortality, that you have been trying to prove us wrong."

Harry rolled his eyes, "You think my wives would let me get away with killing myself." he joked.

Celestia smiled, "I imagine they would raid the underworld just for the chance to knock you over your head."

Harry shuddered, showing that he believed it. 

"If not to prove us wrong, why have you been so reckless with your health?" Celestia pressed.

Harry sighed, "Blame my mom. I tend to be just as focused as she is when I get my mind set on a new project. And since I know I can't die... I might willingly overwork myself, knowing I'll be okay." though it had been a bit more extreme then usual, with how much pressure he was under to get this done on time.

"Perhaps I should summon your wives to aid you." Celestia smiled helpfully, but Harry saw it for the threat it was.

"YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THAT!!!" Harry near panicked at the idea of how his wives would react if they learned he was being careless with his health.

Celestia lost her motherly smile and poked the young Stallion in the chest with her hoof, "Then I trust you won't be so neglectful, or reckless, with your person again." she scolded.

"Yes Ma'am," Harry quickly nodded.

Like any good Stallion of Equestria. Harry knew who was in charge of the herd. The colt might have the power of Luna at his hoof tips, but no stallion was willing to anger their wives. The only thing Mares took more seriously then a Stallion neglecting themselves... was when they were needlessly endangering themselves.

Regardless of how wild the Crusaders could be, they had always been overprotective of Harry...

Ever since he was a foal, and they found him half dead in the Everfree forest... part of the reason Harry was more comfortable around the gods of Equus... was because he learned it had been Discord that opened the portal to send Harry to Equestria in the first place. Discord had saved his life, and given him a family. As the old Chaos god said, "There was some wiggle room" when it came to Harry's destiny.

"How is your portal coming along?" Celestia moved on, now that the colt was sufficiently repentant.

It was strange to hear, the boy who had been impossible to discipline, simply because he was used to far worse then a grounding at the hands of his human relatives, feared nothing more then a dressing down from his wives. Celestia would be worried of Stallion abuse, if she didn't know those mares since they were fillies... 

No, it was quite simple. Harry feared disappointing his family, because he still had lingering doubts he was unworthy of their love... those Tartarus damned Dursleys.

Harry gave a sigh of relief at the change of topic, then looked around the lab. "I just finished wiring the screens, that will allow us to observe dimensions before we beam down to them." He integrated muggle theories of an 'Einstein-rosen Bridge' with the ponies portal enchantments, to create a single device. It could, theoretically, punch a temporary hole anywhere on any world. Just long enough to let some creature through. Then that creature could be tracked through the screens and brought home at any time. "We should be ready for next week's test." Harry assured. 

There was a live action test scheduled soon. Nothing was being sent through, but there new form of Portal would open up on an agreed upon testing grounds of Earth... they used to test nukes in the area, but the ponies had gotten rid of all the left over radiation.

"I'll be sure to tell Caster you're on schedule," Celestia returned to her smile. "However, I'm sure every creature will understand, if you fall behind. You don't have to try to push your immortality to it's limits. Scientific projects, such as this, experience delays all the time. No pony will hold it against you, if you decide to take off the occasional hour, for a meal."

Harry hung his head, "Yes Ma'am."

"And remember, you have some of the greatest minds, from both Equus and Earth, working with you to accomplish this task. I realize this is the first project you are acting as lead enchanter, but this is hardly the first one you have worked on. That experience should have taught you how important it is for everypony to play their part. I've received complaints that you haven't let anyone do anything, for near 2 weeks. This might be your idea, and your project, but you aren't the sole one excited about working on this."

Harry wished the ground would swallow him. Only Celestia could make an Avatar of a Death god, feel like an errant foal.

"I'll find something for them to do." He promised, "Is just that these last steps are delicate work and they don't understand the theories as well as-"

"Then teach them," was Celestia's answer.

Harry frown, "But if I paused everything just to work in the proper lessons, we won't be able to go through with the test on time-"

"Harry," Celestia smiled patiently, "What did I say about delays?"

Harry sighed.

"These things happen." Celestia assured, "It doesn't matter how fast you get it done. What matters is you do it right. It took Starswirl decades to build his first portal. You needed worry yourself so much over the bureaucracy."
> Chapter 2: The Dark Ling
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Castor Searle, Human liaison to Equestria for the "Muggle World", was currently over seeing the transfer of aluminum bars for magical Crystals and gems. Which, in these past couple of decades, the "Muggles" had fully adapted into a form of clean energy.

After much debate, Lin Yueshi, a human Solicitor the Ponies found to help them adapt to Earth, came up with a solution to the issues of trading Aluminum to Equestria. 

The ponies had near no aluminum, they didn't even have the right minerals on their world to make much of any. It's sheer value, meant trading gold for it would topple their economy. But ponies had an abundance of magical gems, which were apparently on Earth, but so rare they were hoarded by the magicals. 

The Solicitor suggested passing laws in both lands, so it was now illegal to trade gold for either Aluminum or Crystals. Instead, it was decided that the material would purely be traded for each other. While the gems were originally useless for the muggles. The ponies taught them how to use them as a power source for technology.

Cars, airplanes, and vehicles of all kinds were adapted to run on Crystals. All forms of "Muggle" technology was adapted to run on them as well. The world's energy crisis had been solved. Even third world countries were better off due to the affordability of the Crystals. They cost no more then a can of aluminum, and a single Crystal could power a house for 3 months.

Houses were even re-designed by the ponies to be completely self contained. No more need for sewers, as the foundation of the building completely sterilized the water, and vanished the waste. This meant they were no longer dumping polluted water into the oceans. Which meant the ice caps, after the ponies repaired the damage (to the oceans, air, and ozone layer), were no longer in danger of melting.

And, due to the Crystals powering each individual house, there was no longer a need to hookup buildings to miles of wires and cords. They were now running on their own, due to the Crystals. All houses were self contained. This might be of great convenience to the big cities in first world countries... but it was a bloody godsend to the third world nations.

Of course, not everything ran so smoothly.

There had been... a bit of an incident... with the magical humans... another Dark Lord popped up, and conquered all of Australia... however... this one wasn't so bad... 

She held no desire for genocide. She merely wanted a place for magicals to call their own... this was almost a necessity, given how panicked muggles were, after the third world war. When they saw, first hand, what one deranged magical could do.

The Wizards had fled, in fear of the Witch hunts starting all over again. Caster doubted that would have happened, but both groups were scared, and needed some time to cool off.

The magical's bloody buying Australia, gave them that chance. There had been no further war, nor epic conflicts. 

This knew Dark Lord convinced most of the wealthiest pure blood families, and even all the wealthiest beings of the other races (including the Goblins), to pool their resources to BUY a continent. 

She started by slowly buying up property, with a few million pounds bonus for each individual if they left the country. Then, when the country's powerful begun to panic, they gave the government's leaders several trillion, each, if they signed over the country to them.

Once all the muggles were gone, the wizards moved all magical life INTO the continent. Dividing up the land to give to each species. Not all left their homes, but most did. 

The magical world now owned a continent, and the former Australians had been accepted into luxurious living all over the world. After all. Each former resident of Australia was a millionaire now... unfortunately, this near bankrupted the wizarding world, but that didn't effect their country too much... it just meant their money wasn't worth the cost of an aluminum can to the rest of the world. But of course, that meant nothing to the magicals, as unlike the ponies, they had no desire to trade goods with the "Muggles". 

The UN didn't force the issue, deciding to respect that the races wanted to be an isolationist government. Satellites kept an eye on Australia, to make sure the various races stayed peaceful, but didn't interfere with them.

It helped that the creatures had spent countless trillions on acquiring the land, and the magicals managed to convince the UN they had nothing else to offer but the entirety of their joint treasury. Which they claimed to have already given to the former residents of Australia.

Now the Wizards had a place of their own, bringing all recorded muggleborn family lines, that were willing, into their territory... then They just stayed there, expanding their understanding of science and magic, and receiving much aid from the ponies in rebuilding their society. The centuries in hiding had stagnated them, and giving up their countries treasures had them rethink their economy.

The witch responsible for this? A young changeling Queen, by the name of Elly.

###

● In Australia, country of The Hive Alliance.

Elly smiled as she walked through her hive, occasionally stopping to nuzzle one of her drones. The drone nearly always blushed. Some even exclaiming "QUEEN MAMA!!!" with the most scandalized voice.

Her little drones, her children, were far more spoiled then what Chrysalis had put Elly through. Yes all still worked for the good of the hive, but their ability to share love had resulted in them becoming more self efficient.

Although, due to Earth not being as heavily saturated by Magic, her transformation hadn't been as complete as Thorax, or the other changeling hives of Equus. Other changelings had mutated into various kinds of bug ponies, depending on the environment surrounding their hive. There were now several races of changeling, with each of the original queens now spawning the occasional Queens of their own race.

Hives such as the Forest-Lings, with wood branches and moss growing out of them. The Moth-Lings, who were very Fluffy and cute... with an obsession with lamps. With even more lings based on Crickets, Bees, Wasps, Spiders, Butterflies, and of course Thorax's hive of Fae Beetles. 

In their Ling state, Elly and her grubs, still looked very similar to the "unreformed changelings". Their holes had been filled, as well as their exoskeleton having become more colorful (although still darker colors), and they all grew manes of colorful spider web like hair. Even the male Drones.

Each race of lings, still had Workers, Drones, and Warrior lings. With each breed having different characteristics, unique to both their station and species. However, no Queen had any use of infiltrators anymore. Those had been reassigned as "Cuddle Bugs". In order to spread love around to those who needed it.

All Lings maintained their shapeshifting, though that was mostly used for playing games and defense now. They could change into near anything. From people, to inanimate objects, and even creatures that only existed in their imagination. With each race having their own quirks, with the occasional unique abilities beyond transformation magics. Elly's hive's own quirk, was that they actually had 2 default forms. Which made it harder to detect.

In their "natural" Earth forms, they were a rare type of humanoid sub species... that had gone extinct a few thousand years ago. They could look human, but they also had their original "Changeling" form. 

Wizards were shocked to learn, not only did they misunderstand Equus, a legitimate Alternate world, in another dimension... but they got their own personal history wrong as well. Of course when you have a ghost teaching the subject for a hundred years... such issues should be expected. 

Changelings weren't actually "Human" on this side of the portal. They might look it, but they weren't. They were a race of Fae,  a "Sub species" of human. Fae weren't just a clan of powerful wizards, that lived a long time ago. They were the real deal.

Given their nature, the portal had affected the Changelings a tad differently. This wasn't figured out until years later, but Changelings appeared to be based on an extinct race, on this side of the portal. They looked human, but their biology was different. 

They still function like a bee hive. While there were a lot of females, as workers, most of them were barren. The few Queens lay eggs, instead of live births. Then those eggs hatch into large larva. However, once they molt, they appear as human children. These were called "Fae", by muggles... and had been hunted to extinction by the none magicals of ancient Greece and Rome. Changeling Queens, like Fae Queens, only need to breed once, and then they can lay millions of eggs over the course of hundreds of years.

Once Elly learned what the Philosopher Stone, she had acquired in her first year of Hogwarts, could do... she studied all she could of Alchemy. The Stone was most famous for creating gold and the elixir of life, but truthfully it could do so much more. Near any level of permanent transmutation could be achieved. The only limit was the user's imagination... Elly was very imaginative. 

Later, but still in her Hogwarts years... she used the stone to turn a tree into a new species. It was still a tree, but now it bared berries made out of Love Honey... She had made hundreds of those trees around her original property, feeding them to her first grubs. Her hive had never known hunger. 

Then when Elly made the discovery that she could share her own love, with her grubs, without costing her reserves... Love was not, as Chrysalis claimed, a finite resource. Though Changelings needed to absorb it to live, and spend it to use magic, they could generate it for others... indefinitely... Yet Chrysalis never told her Hive that. She had even gone so far as to purposefully misdirect them.

Elly had denied it for the longest time. After all, it was possible Chrysalis just didn't know. She was the first Changeling Queen, she was bound to make mistakes through trial and error... but it became far too Obvious when Chrysalis revealed herself... when she attempted to destroy Elly's trees, and kill the newly ascended Changeling Queen... even kill her "Defective" grubs.

Chrysalis outright admitted that Elly's trees were a threat to her power. After all, how could she control a hive that didn't fear her. That didn't rely on her. She KNEW Changelings could feed off each other, safely, through the sheer act of sharing love... but she hid that knowledge, just to retain her power... Chrysalis... had never had the hive's best interest at heart. She wanted to maintain her power, above the needs of the hive... Elly... would never make that mistake...

They dueled for hours. Chrysalis was more powerful, but Elly knew more versatile magic, and could draw on the power of the Philosopher's Stone.

In the end, when it looked like Elly was going to die... Dumbledore arrived... and drove the injured Chrysalis off... 

Dumbledore had done so much for Elly... so-so much. During her second year, he discovered she was a changeling... and still allowed her to go to his school... even taught her Alchemy, personally, when she showed an interest in it... and he hid Elly's true nature for as long as he could... 

Dumbledore... had been a good Wizard. Elly had always felt indebted to him. Without him, her hive never would have become self sufficient. So she returned the favor. When she bought all of Australia.

It helped that she could use the Philosopher's Stone to make near anything. Gold was nice but she couldn't afford to saturate the Market. As such she begun trading other rare metals and magical gems, through the use of the stone. She would often turn any common rock, or entire tree, to something worth selling to the muggles... and sometimes the Wizards. With such funds, and the help of the other magical races of Earth, she bought an entire continent.

She divided it up into separate countries, among the magicals of Earth, then reorganized the various Wizarding governments. Each city in Wizard country, was more of a city state. Self ruling and largely independent, with no power over each other or the other races. 

The muggleborns and squibs, of each nation, even settled their own city states. Making fair laws between themselves and pure bloods, within their borders. Though the Wizards maintained a confederation of all their city states, the states themselves held more individual power. Some even having Kings, while others were democracies, and then a few were a mix of the two.

The other species each got their own country, as well. Elly had cast weather manipulation spells, with the aid of the stone, to make it so each country had a different type of environment. Some even had an eternal winter, for the creatures used to the cold. She even created a country with such thick clouds, no light could get through (For the Vampires). While other races had their countries several miles, either above or below, another species country. Such as the goblins, living deep under the ground. 

There were even wild life reservations, in between each magical country, for magical beast. Elly had even been able to draw on the power of the stone, to teleport entire magical forests to these reservations.

After Elly helped every creature settle in their territories, and delivering a few universal laws the various Kingdoms had to agree to before getting the land, Elly let them do their own thing. She even managed to convince the Wizards to give up their control over most races, as it was no longer needed. With each race having a voice on a Senate of Magic, which mostly handle disputes between nations and foriegn affairs. They couldn't actually pass any laws or budgets, but their joint military was expected to uphold the original Doctrine all races agreed to.

The Kobolds were especially thrilled with the agreement, as it meant they could go back to tending to the none Sapient Dragons. After hundreds of years of being kept apart by Wizards. 

Wizards viewed the Kobolds ability to easily tame beast dragons as a danger to them... but it was later revealed that there WERE Sapient dragons on this side of the portal (which is why Spike didn't transform but the ponies had, despite there being beast unicorns and Pegasi on Earth). 

The Kobolds had merely been hiding them, due to fear that the Wizards would hurt them... but the Sapient Dragons had revealed themselves to Elly.

Meanwhile, Elly stayed out of all the other races affairs, as best she could. She focused on tending to the needs of her hive, and the Hives of the other queens that had popped up.

While all worker drones were female, few could ascend into Queens. However, Elly realized that, through great magical power and sufficient overdosing on love. Any Worker could ascend into a Queen. The magical power needed, was about equal to a pony with a cutie mark in magic, and just as rare. But definitely more common then Chrysalis had the workers believe. 

There were now a few dozen hives in the Changeling Alliance, though all the queens still had to obey Elly. She wasn't about to let one of her daughters, turn into another Chrysalis.

Regardless, Elly had managed to convince the ponies, with the help of the Muggle humans, to allow the rest of her scattered hive to rejoin her in this new world. The ponies were against it, but the humans were adamant they give the changelings sanctuary.

Elly was thankful to both the magical and muggle tribes of humans. She owed them a debt. One she intended to repay. Coming to Earth really had been the best decision she ever made.
> Flashback 1: Master of Death
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

● Year 2000.

Harry was shaking, staring at all three Deathly Hallows. And fighting a strong urge to pull out his hair.

"I don't get it!" Harry suddenly exclaimed. "I've snapped them in half, bloody burned them to nothing. Tartarus, I even just locked them in my vault. But somehow, in some way, they always find their way back to me. Doesn't matter what I do to them, or where I put them. They are bloody stalking me!!!"

Ollivander, the famous wand maker, looked over at the most powerful instruments ever known to wizarding kind. The Cloak of invisibility, capable of hiding from death herself. The Stone of Resurrection, allowing for communication with any spirit. Even the ones trapped in the land of the dead. Then there was the Elder Wand. Wands being Ollivander's speciality. With this one being quite literally the most powerful in the world.

Ollivander picked up the wand and held it to his ear, knowing how to listen to it's desires. The wand chooses the wizard. Well not self aware, there was an echo of intelligence to them, and Ollivander was shocked to hear what this wand had to say.

Putting it down, Ollivander looked at the young man before him. Still looking very much a boy, and decided to take it on himself to educate the lad.

"Do you know the Origins of wizarding kind?" Ollivander asked. Finding himself almost laughing as the child's shoulders slumped. Although he was too polite to tell the old man he just wanted to know why these things were stalking him. "Don't worry, it's relevant."

Harry sighed, "No Sir. They hadn't covered that at Hogwarts."

Ollivander sighed back. 200 years ago, when he was in school, it was a matter of pride that young wizards and witches were taught their legends.

"It's an ancient myth. Going back further then recorded history." Ollivander explained. "It's said wizarding kind came into existence, as a result of gods taking human lovers. Now we are by no means demigods. Our blood is far too diluted for that, but it does explain why some families hold certain talents others don't... Such as the ability to command serpents,"

Harry frowned. Dumbledore had thought it was Voldemort's influence that gave him that power... but Harry had never lost it. It stayed long after the connection was severed.

"Or how the Ollivanders have always had a feel for magic. Like how I was able to recognize your elders as muses and gods, in their own right. 

"It's said that sometimes gods still reach out to us. Sending out powerful artifacts to test potential Champions. Who are then chosen as muses, or rather 'Avatars', of their god. 

"I now understand the 'mane 6'," the old man smiled, amused by the nickname of the pony sages. "Proved themselves worthy of such objects. With their 'Rainbow Forms' being the ultimate expression of such power."

Harry gulped, not liking were this was going.

"The Deathly Hallows are said to be similar objects. Created by a much more picky god. Designed to find her champion" Ollivander watched the boy shake his head. Clearly not wanting to hear it, but the old man knew he had to. "It seems, they found their muse."

###

● 2007

As the years went by, Harry slowly learned more and more about his new powers as an "Avatar of Death" particularly on the day he died. Which turned out to be a minor inconvenience for him. That was the day, he met his god.

Harry groaned, more on reflex then pain. Waking up in a familiar place. It was king's cross... only cleaner, brighter, and A LOT emptier. In fact, there was only one other person here.

Harry frowned, seeing the old bat. "You're not Dumbledore," the boy stated, standing up from his spot on the floor.

The-old-sage-impostor raised an eyebrow, "Am I not, how strange." His eyes certainly twinkled like Dumbledore's... but something about the man felt... comforting. Comforting in a true way, not like Dumbledore's manipulations.

Looking around, this whole place felt comforting... like he was returning home. "Where am I?"

"I was about to ask you that," Said the impostor. "This is, as they say, your party."

Harry suddenly came to a terrible realization... although it wasn't quite as terrible as he would have expected. "I'm dead... tough luck." He shrugged. Looking at the fake Dumbledore. "You're Death," he acknowledge more then asked.

"Aren't you a quick one," Death smiled kindly.

Harry sighed, "Sorry I wasn't much of a champion."

Death continued to smile. "You still can be, if that's what you desire."

"Like in some undead army, you mean?" Harry frowned. "I've been a Soldier for far too long, from far too young, to want to continue."

Death shook her head. Something told him, despite being in the form of Dumbledore, she was actually a her.

"Nothing so cliche," She looked at the train tracks. "If you want, you can board a train."

Harry tilted his head, "And where would it take me?"

Death continued to smile, "On."

Harry sighed, "So much for not being cliche."

"As I said, this is your party," Death chuckled. "Not my fault you're unimaginative."

Harry's sneer was worthy of Snape. Death full out laughed at his expression. Although it was a short lived laugh, it made Harry feel warm. Like spending time with his herd.

A thought just occurred to him, "What about my herd?"

"If you're so concerned," smiled Death. "You can always go back to them."

Harry gaped, "You mean, I can just go back to my body, good as new? I did just get caught in a magical explosion." He had been helping his fellow professors, work on some new project they were working on. It had been rather unexpected.

"Being my Muse comes with certain benefits," Death shrugged.

Harry frowned. "I... haven't really been aging..." he acknowledged. He still looked 17. Ever since he first discarded the Hallows.

"One of the perks is getting to choose when you enter my domain." Death smiled.

Harry continued to frown, "So I can just... go home. No harm, no foul... and no permanent injury or coma."

Death just gave a single firm nod. That's when Harry realized, he was no longer talking to Dumbledore. When did THAT happen? Standing in front of him was a tall woman, dressed in green and black armor. With flowing strips of cloth on her back, like a cape. Along with a greenish black crown, decorated in several metal antlers.

"I... don't think I'm ready to come with you," Harry acknowledged.

Death just smiled, "Unfortunate, but I will be here when you're ready."

Harry gave a hesitant nod, "But before I go... I have some questions."

Death shrugged, "Ask away."

Harry suddenly forgot all his questions. Shaking his head, he forced himself to ask something. "What's your name?" then blushed... for some reason.

However, that seemed to be the right question. Death's face brightened happily. "Hela Odindottir," She informed.

Harry hesitantly nodded, "I'm Harry Sparkle."

Her smile grew even more pleased, "I'm aware."

Harry squirmed. "Why Me? Why did you choose me?"

Hela shrugged, "I don't cause death, rather I fulfill a role in the cosmos. Otherwise, the mortal lands would get overwhelmed by the dead.

"You aren't the only champion I've called to help me with this. I have others, scattered across the multiverse. But what sets each of you apart from the masses, is your lack of fear, of me. You don't want to die, but nor are you scared when your time comes. You are given the option to wield the power of gods, and reject it. And lastly, you see a glimpse into my afterlife... and it does not drive you mad. 

"You proved you could not only handle the role as my champion, but that you would never think to abuse that privilege."

Harry's frown now felt permanent. That was basically confirming what Ollivander said.

"Why don't I volunteer some information," Hela smiled at her muse. The boy was too nervous to think straight. Not out of fear, but rather it came from awkwardness.

"I am a god of death. Or rather a 'Shinigami'. I was born as a Sapient dimension, although there are other types of those. I grow more powerful through the more souls I collect. Usually, the souls that don't come with me, get reincarnated, or become ghost. Depending on how attached they are to their past life.

"As Shinigami are rare. We tend to hold jurisdiction over several thousand universes, and their pocket dimensions. 

"I have quite the collection of Reapers working for me. Think of them as Cosmic House Elves. Creatures that feed off my magic, through a Psychic link, in exchange for gathering souls to me. The more souls I gain, the more Reapers I can support.

"That's what you will do, after you choose to come to me. Not all the time, obviously. Just think of it as your 9 to 5 job, in the afterlife. In between 'working hours' you can enjoy my various heavens, where time has no meaning."

Harry blinked. He supposed having a job, in death, wouldn't be that bad... he couldn't imagine lazing about, doing nothing all day... still, "So this 'Master of Death' thing doesn't really kick in until I die?"

"Not exactly," Hela shrugged. "Until then, you will be acting as my will in the mortal verse. Mostly vanquishing the more dangerous undead, such as Tom Riddle."

Harry waved off, "I do that anyway."

"I'm aware," Hela smiled. "Most of my Avatars don't start hunting liches until after they die, the first time."

Harry shrugged. 

"Or they get overzealous, and kill any form of undead they come across." Hela frowned. "Then are shocked when I tell them I don't approve. Some people achieve immortality, through my will. As they are other types of champions. Not quite muses, but they fall within my domain. I only want you lot to destroy evil undead. Which I'm pleased you seem to understand the difference, without needing to be told."

Harry shifted uncomfortably, "I've met a few Vampires, ghost, and even ghouls. Not even most of them are evil."

"To which I'm eternally thankful you realize that."
> Chapter 3: Home Sweet Hive
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry coughed, as he walked out of the floo. A quick wave of his wand, and all the ash that covered him was gone. He still hated wizard transport. Hated it even more that he had to be in his human form, to avoid getting a muzzle filled with fireplace ash. Even though he had been using the floo for years, he still found it a nightmare.

Australia had a portal placed in the communal capital of the magical union. This allowed for travel between Canterlot and the magical continent on Earth. From there, Harry had to go to the international floo port... and that's forgetting the journey from Celestia's school to the portal (all the way across town). That required hopping into the Floo as well.

The ponies had opened up a few more portals across the planet... and it required a bit of hopping between the portals and the Floo, for Harry's daily commute. Still... it was faster then the train, and took less energy then teleporting.

He took a few stumbling steps, before regaining his balance. He was standing in a large gazebo, surrounded by Fireplaces, built into the Pillars. Green flames turned off and on, as various creatures stepped out of the chimney like arches, as Harry had.

There were stations like this set up all over every city (to small town), in every country. 

There were also international Floo Ports, necessary to get to the different countries. With only one being found in each country. With a nearby Floo Port, leading to every city in that country. One of those City Floo Ports existed in every... well city, or small town.

However, the most common ports, with them being as common as New York's Subway Entrances, were scattered throughout each settlement. These allowed for internal travel, within each city. This Floo Network was named after the City they were in.

All these different networks meant Harry had to go through SEVERAL different Floos, every day. Combine that with how he had been using them for decades. He should be used to them. Yet he still couldn't seem to manage walking through with the slightest grace.

This particular gazebo was surrounded by an impressive orchard. Though Harry could make out manors in the distance. They were hard to spot through the trees, and spaced out a good 300 Acres apart from each other.

The trees were all growing Love Honey Barries.... an orchard, spanning the entirety of the country, all growing these berries. There were a few, smaller, gardens, closer to the houses, growing various other foods... for the few non-Lings that lived here, again, like Harry.

That's right, Harry was in ling country. Looking at the various manors, towering over the trees. However the real kicker was the tunnels, miles under his feet. Each of the manors had a hive, built 200 Acres long and expanding miles beneath the ground.

They were all heavily enchanted with magical doors, and moving staircases, and countless secret passages. Each hive even had a self contained network of portraits, allowing for quicker movement through them, with the aid of a spell. The network didn't connect to other hives, however. 

Regardless, Elly had thoroughly enjoyed making her hive a fun house. While the other queens, having grown up in that chaotic mess, had turned it into a tradition. Not only were the enchantments fun, but they were good for security.

However, the various hives weren't connected at all, not by Tunnels or Portraits. Elly said she wanted to give the other queens a bit of independence. Though they might have to listen to her, and she did watch them closely, she didn't interfere unless she felt the other Queens were endangering their own hive... or perhaps mistreating their own children. Which, thankfully, hadn't actually happen yet, as Elly raised them to be kind mothers and just rulers as soon, as she realized one of her workers could ascend into a Queen.

Each time a new brood was laid, The Queens had another Hogwarts style common room dug out. Each brood would sleep and eat together for their entire lives. Though they did interact with other broods and had jobs outside of it. The Queens even organized various sports and games for the broods to compete in, as teams. Elly wanted broods, eggs that where laid together, to be tight net families.

When a new queen ascended, they would be given their broodmates to help them build a new hive. Them the brood would stay with their new Queen as the "royal family" (as close to a term as that can get) for that hive.

Though they were a bit like Succubus in one way (and only one way, Harry was adamant). No matter what species the Queens took as mates, their children were always born as Fae.

Even with all that, Elly's original hive was still here, still growing with new Tunnels. She had used the philosopher's stone as a focus to teleport all magical lands and buildings. Even underground civilizations, like her hive and the goblins. 

The spell caused the magical area to Switch mass with the non magical environment... meaning their were bits of Australia all over the world, now. And bits of the world in Australia. 

They had, of course, evacuated the animals and bugs, before doing this. Then moved them into the appropriate wild life preserves. Then Elly had cast spells, based on Pegasus magic, to preserve the weather patterns of the magical areas. That way the environments couldn't suffer due to being moved.

There were lings everywhere at the moment, as it was nearing dinner time and the workers were picking Love berries.

While there were a few changelings in their Fae form, most were happily working as lings. They were tending their chores, of all kinds. Many were picking the barries. While others were looking out for predators. Then a small few were acting as guards, patrolling the area and taking note of who came through the floo.

At seeing Harry, one ling in particular trotted over to him. No doubt his escort for the day. He had blue eyes, a green body, and an orange shell like cover over his sparkly wings and ribs. Along with a blue main, looking much like a thick cluster of Spider webs.

This ling was barely an adult, though only a few months shy of 13. Lings just mature faster then humans, or even ponies. A 5 year old was legitimately mature enough to be assigned duties around the hive. And this guy was nearly 13. That made him 19, by human standards. He might be aging faster, currently, but his aging would slow to a crawl, once he hit his prime. He would even live longer then wizards, by a few hundred years.... Where Changeling Queens had longevity (though not immortality. They could still be killed but couldn't die of old age).

Harry often heard the expression "they grow up so fast" but no parent understood that like the consort of a Changeling Queen... and Harry had over a thousand children from Elly alone... 3744 children so far... and he knew all their names and tried to bond with every one of them. Unfortunately, he didn't really get to interact with his grandchildren, and not at all with his great grandchildren.

"Queen Mama is expecting you," The drone gave a quick bow, "King Papa." before directing Harry further into the orchard.

The moment the grub's back was turned, Harry picked him up.

"King Papa!!!" The ling yelped, completely scandalized.

"Just feeding you." Harry smiled as he hugged his changeling son.

"I'm on duty!!!" The drone blushed, but Harry ignored him, and continued walking through the trees. Petting the ling, gently.

Yeah... Harry sorta... "Mated" with Elly. After Harry found out she was a changeling, but before he told Twilight that fact, the fillies thought they should include the grub into their herd... Elly learning she was pregnant was what led to his mother discovering she was a changeling... as she kinda gave birth to a dozen small eggs. 

Harry, his herd, and the headmaster had been hiding her true nature for a few years... but Elly getting pregnant, then laying a bunch of eggs a month later... kinda ruined that.

Twilight nearly had Elly imprisoned for "Manipulating a Prince of Ponyville"... that had all been very messy. Mom was certain Elly had used Harry, tricked him, to spawn more changelings.

It wasn't exactly Elly's fault. She didn't even know she could get pregnant... Workers typically can't, and she hadn't realized she had ascended into a Queen. None of her herd mates knew either.

Eventually Mom calmed down, and remembered Elly was the same girl that saved Harry's life, on multiple occasions. Yeah, at first she thought Elly had been replaced by a changeling... but it became clear Elly was ALWAYS a changeling... and she still risked exposure to save Harry. Though Twilight still wasn't happy about Harry being a dad while still in school.

Not too long after that, Spike met Thorax, and it became apparent that Chrysalis was the problem. Changelings weren't naturally an "evil" race... though Elly denied their was anything nefarious about "Queen Mother" for years... until Chrysalis appeared and tried to kill Harry's children. But that's another story.

Anyway, Harry had a lot of kids on this side of the Portal. It was becoming tradition for Changeling Queens to go to Hogwarts, for the major purpose of finding a mate. Then that mate being brought back to the hive to help co-rule over their children... 

This was a result of Harry taking such an active role in his children's lives. he sorta... kinda... lived here, with his herd of course. Elly was safer on Earth... so the rest of the herd stayed... for her.

"Antony?" Elly smiled as Harry walked into the main sitting room of his house. She gently nuzzled the drone in Harry's arms.

She was in her Changeling form as well. Though no bigger then Harry's Human form, she still towered over her lings.... and even stood a good few feat over Harry's pony form (not that Harry had shifted back yet, as it was easier to hug a ling, and walk, as a human).

She had a similar body to Chrysalis, with long thin legs and a slender figure. Though Her appearance had slightly changed, after sharing love with her grubs.

She now had much softer features, reddish brown hair, a similarly colored wing cover, with a dark orange exoskeleton, and purple eyes. 

However, beyond her colors, and the fact her holes had filled, she looked very much like an unreformed changeling. As when changelings ascend into their final form, they absorb much of the magic around them.

"Does no ling understand what 'ON DUTY' means!?" The grub, Antony, blushed as he squirmed at both his parents affections.

Elly smiled, then looked up at Harry, "Maybe it is best to let Antony return to his duties. Teenagers tend to take those things very seriously. He is contributing to the Hive, after all."

Antony nodded adamantly.

Harry could only sigh, "Why are Thorax's kids so much more willing to cuddle with their Queen papa?"

Elly smiled at that, knowing how much Harry loved to tease Thorax about ascending into a female Queen. Especially since Thorax still insisted on calling himself a "King", even though he liked having so many grubs of his own.

"Thorax doesn't have any Love Honey trees," Elly explained, not commenting that Harry was still holding Antony. The little grub was doubling up his squirms. "He doesn't see the point of them. His hive is more dependent on sharing love, and survive quite comfortably like that. Our children grew up on love honey  berries, and while more affectionate then my original hive, they don't need it so much as their only source of food. We have more... human appropriate levels of intimacy. 

"While our hive can afford to rely purely on the direct Cuddle Bugs of their brood, and the love honey berries. However, Thorax's grubs actively snuggle in piles together, and are often nuzzling each other in the halls. They are far more open about their affections because it is necessary."

Harry sighed, "Maybe we should burn all the love trees and make the kids lay on snuggles for their love."

"NO KING PAPA!!!" Antony wailed, while Elly smirked.

She was perfectly aware Harry was only half serious. He wouldn't completely uproot the culture their hives had developed, just for a few extra Snuggles. Still she looked thoughtful, even projecting emotions of thoughtfulness through the link of the Hive. To keep the grub guessing. It felt so unbelievably right to feel such a link again. However, Harry seemed to take delight in the fact the other lings couldn't pick up his surface thoughts and memories... at least, based on how much he enjoyed teasing his children.

"Perhaps if the grubs became more affectionate, with their King Papa, that wouldn't be necessary."

Antony was blushing, but quickly nodded, immediately cuddling into his father's embrace.

Harry just laughed, finally putting the grub down. Despite the grub being the human equivalent of 19, he still very much acted like a teenager. One that realized how "uncool" it was to accept hugs from his dad.

Harry walked over to Elly, and gently kissed her. It was a tender kiss, one of acknowledgement and greeting... but she could still taste the love in that kiss as if it had been one of burning passion.

Elly then dismissed the grub, letting him finally return to his duties. Whom was all to happy to leave the side of his embarrassing parents.

Changeling males might have a few of the more simple jobs around the hive, but they took their duties seriously. It was instinctual for all lings, to want to contribute to the hive. Which is why, unlike other species, Changelings didn't need money to promote such activities. They all had chores they were assigned, shortly after exiting the larva phase, and did them happily... they were a bit like house elves in their cultural norms... though not as extreme... and being sure to serve family, not a "Master"... they just had an immediate family of several thousand.

"Let's go tell the fillies your back." Elly smiled at her husband.

Harry turned back into his pony form, standing tall as a gold and red Stallion... and now being dwarfed by his changeling wife. Of course, he was used to that. 

He grinned shyly as The Changeling Queen bent down and nuzzled him. Then gave him a little bop with her head, directing him to the fake wall that led them deeper into the Tunnels under the manor.
> Flashback 2: Magic Blesser
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

● 10 years ago

The Prime Minister, John Major, motioned for his visitors to take a seat in his office. 

There were a few magicals that still desired to trade with the "Muggles". After Magic was exposed, back in 1992, things had looked so prosperous. With many muggles, and magical lifeforms of all kinds, interacting. Trying to build a brighter future together.

However, later into the 90s, with World War 3 being fought against powerful magicals, that wanted nothing more then the extermination of all muggles. Well even if most of the magicals were helping the muggles, the fact such entities existed had created tension. An uneasiness that lasted long after the war ended.

Out of fear, the wizards had cut all ties with the muggle world. Gathering the vast majority of magical life, and forsaking those that chose to stay behind. Queen Elly had done this to save the magicals from the re-emergence of the witch hunts. Which Major was sad to say... could have started up again at any moment. 

At least they left peacefully, and even uplifted the Aborigines from a place of poverty. Not all muggles had taken their offer to leave Australia, just as not all magical individuals (of any species), had gone with the wizards. There were a few magicals that chose to stay were they were, and had taken to trading with the muggles, but they were far too few. 

Thankfully, the ponies were able to ease the non-magical population. Through continued trading and relief campaigns to all of Earth. The various creatures of Equus, often acting as a go between for Earth's magic trade. Until the Earth magicals were once again comfortable doing it themselves.

Magic was everywhere now... although the Earth based magicals were still slow to trust the "Muggles" and largely stayed in Australia. 

Thankfully, these young people were still open to trading with them. Well Major said "Young" but, truth be told, they were in their 40s... although still looked in their 20s... Magicals might mature at the same rate as muggles, but their bodies don't start "going down hill" until they turn 100... as that marked the first third of their lifespan.

Major was man enough to admit, he was jealous.

Major turned his full attention at the young adults. The Weasley twin smiled ecstatically, while their business partner did even more so. As they sat in front of his desk, Sweetie Belle put a vial on the counter.

Major smiled in return, "What do you kids have for me today? Sergeant Caster mentioned you were worried about the implications your newest discovery may have on our world."

Caster usually brought whatever these kids invented, to the team of squib scientists. The Squibs might not be able to cast spells, but they had the necessary extra sensory perceptions to allow them to make magical crafts. Such as Potions.

These three only spoke with the Prime minister directly, if they created something truly ground breaking. Which happened fairly regularly.

Sweetie Belle was smiling, and the twins nodded at her to go first. "You know that Potion I made, a few decades ago, to unblock a squib's magic?" 

Major nodded, many of his own staff had been treated with that. The treatment was a single potion, taken regularly, over the period of a month. At the end of which the Squib could tap into their magic, with no apparent issues. 

Unfortunately, the potion was fairly expensive to make, so was expensive to buy.

"Well," Sweetie frowned. "I've been trying to make it cheaper, and while experimenting with that-" she looked at the twins, who encouraged her with a nod. "I may have accidentally created a potion. While it has no affect on Squibs..." she took a breath. 

"Well..." Sweetie tried to find the words to not send the man into a fit of shock. She then shrugged, and decided on the bandaid approach. "basically it can give muggles magic."

Major couldn't help it, he jumped out of his chair. He could only gape down at them.

"Nothing as extreme as wizards." Said one of the twins. Though which Major wasn't sure... then again it was near impossible to tell which twin was which.

"But in some ways, it's more advanced," Explained the other twin.

Then the Twins started going back in forth, like a tennis match. "We've tested it extensively- all basic lab stuff- but we're ready to move to animal testing.- Caster said we would need- your direct approval- for this."

Major tried to process this. This.... would change... everything...

First, they needed to test it.

###

● 1 Month Later.

"So far there are no side effects." Said the lead squib scientist, as Major looked over the progress of the experiments. "Though that is too be expected of potions," 

The Scientist shrugged. "Unlike with muggle medicine, if no side effects appear within the first month of testing, it means none will. We are ready for human trials. Though, because of the nature of potions. There is literally no reason it would react any different to a human. Just more of your muggle bureaucracy, that is getting in the way of real work." 

Could you tell this guy grew up in the Wizarding World? Though honestly, he had a point. Potions interact with magic, not biology. For non-magical lifeforms, the potions were powered by powdered crystals, ingested with the potion. It really was just bureaucracy getting in the way.

"There is... one, unexpected development from the potion. Though I hardly count it as a bad thing," The Squib smiled. "Magic manifest differently in every species. The various races of the Equus dimension, only confirm this hypothesis. As Wizards have evolved into a subspecies of humans, and squibs are a result of the two species Interbreeding, it is possible, as in 'highly likely', muggles will develop some kind of unique magical ability."

Major blinked, "I don't follow, isn't that the goal?"

"No," The squib shook his head, "It will be like how the unicorns can bend reality, Earth ponies have super strength and an influence over nature, or how Pegasus can fly (despite having such small wings) and can control the weather. 

"It is possible... Muggles may develop abilities unknown to Wizards. Each of the animal species we tested, manifested, for lack of a better word, some kind of magical 'Superpower'. One that rooted itself in their DNA. And may be passed down to their offspring."

"Put the human trials on hold," Major ordered. "We need to confirm these powers manifest the same way, for each species, and thet that can indeed be passed on."

###

● 3 Years Later.

After much testing, all hypothesis were confirmed, much to the lead Squib's annoyance, that it took them so long. Instead of just taking his word. He did have a Doctorate from Celestia's university, in magical theory. He kept insisting, his hypothetical calculations were more accurate then a thousand years of practical test.

Major was almost wishing he would be proven wrong, just to knock that annoying man down a peg. Still he really was the best for a reason.

Human trials had begun last year... and the squib scientist proved himself an insufferable genius. As his calculations perfectly predicted how the potion would effect each individual volunteer... even what powers they would manifest. 

Obviously, they could cast spells with wands. But the spells weren't as effective as Wizards, requiring a lot more power... with a lot less control. That could just be experience, but the other Squib scientists were saying it was a result of Muggle's artificial magic being more chaotic in nature. A type of wild magic that would be passed to their children.

It appears, what the potion actually did, was graph a third chromosome chain onto the muggle DNA. Granting a number of magical abilities, based on their genetic make up. This new chain acted as a type of catalist, balancing all the other abilities, and keeping them in check with one another.

However, this also meant muggles did not have a magical core. Which is part in why wand based casting was so difficult, although still possible. There whole body acted as their own magical focus. 

Meaning, the soldiers, that Volunteered for this experiment, had their magic taking a toll on their bodies. To counteract that required the consumption of a few thousand more calories, just to function regularly, and even more after exercising. With exercising becoming an even greater necessity. With even that having side effects.

Their magicks was directly multiplied by their physical strength. With their muscles becoming magically enhanced. As in they were becoming denser, and lighter, but not bulky. With seemingly no limit to how physically powerful they could become. Magic had fused into their bodies, making them tougher, stronger, and faster. So long as they kept up with their exercise, their magic couldn't do more then tire them.

As for the powers themselves... the former "muggles" could... fly... They had developed an advanced form of Telekinesis. Which could be used in any way imaginable. From lifting objects... to themselves. 

They could even create telekinetic barriers around themselves, and others... Even unleash some kind of telekinetic blast through their kicks and punches. 

They also had some "Elemental Bending" powers. Different elements resulted in a different manifestation of powers. With those powers being similar to the children's shows "Avatar the Last Airbender" and "Naruto"... you know what, after the massacres of the evil possessed doll, Major didn't know why he was surprised.

The Elements came in a few varieties. Such as Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Electricity, Ki, Light, and Darkness. With individuals being able to harness 2 of these elements. Depending on what they got, they could combine them in interesting ways. 

Such as Wind and Water granting additional ice powers. Where Water and Earth allowed for plant manipulation. 

Of course, the powers could be devastating on their own. Such as, Individuals with light based powers, being able to create Illusions. Even solid ones.

Where as "Electricity" gave control of technology.

Then "Ki" allowed for directly tapping into the most raw form of magic. Not the most elegant, but definitely the most destructive. It could be used to duplicate attacks from "Dragon Ball Z".

Next, Darkness powers allowed for manipulation of shadows. Such as stretching them, moving through them, even turning them solid and attacking with them. Even controlling people's body's through their shadow.

Combining Ki and Darkness allowed the individual to create gravity wells. Either to hold your opponent in a swirling vortex. Or pulling them into a void, magically connected to the casters body. Meaning, if something poisonous got thrown in, the user would become poisoned.

Where as combining Electricity and Light, allowed the individual to shoot out bloody lightning.

In ADDITION to all that, Squibs, who hadn't had their pathways unblocked, developed all that, plus some kind of wild magic ability. Many of which were exact copies of the "Bloodline traits" from "Naruto". These powers were directly connected to a specific organ, or body part. This was theorized to have happened, because squibs might not be able to access it, but they still had a magical core.

Squibs who had their magic unblocked, appeared to have no affect from the potion. Nor did it affect pure blood Wizards. Nor anything in between.

Unlike with wizards, we needed incantations, these powers were used by moving the body well channeling the three different types of magic through it. As in the telekinetic magicks, and the 2 elements, each had to be consciously channelled separately. Except when trying to combine the powers.

Watching the soldiers... was making Major nervous. He could see things going very wrong, very fast, if they tried introducing this potion to the general population. However, Sweetie promised she had a way of leveling out the playing field, immediately.

###

Once the potion was approved... Sweetie Belle didn't even try selling it. Instead, she got Twilight's help using a ritual. It duplicated the power inside the potion, to cast it's effects on the entire human population of Earth. 

The reason they didn't do this with the potion to unblock the squibs' magical pathways? Well it was because the ponies couldn't get the various governments to agree to it.

This ritual was originally created to cure plagues, but it could work with any type of potion. 

Although it required the power of all 4 Alicorns. Who were here now. Along with press from across both planes of existence. News stations, from all over both worlds, were parked around them. Watching as the runes were laid, the potion placed in the center, and then the Princesses lighting up their horns.

###

● Present Day.

Truthfully... not much had changed for the Muggles of Earth. Beyond them starting to like calling themselves "Muggles".

They were still exploring their abilities, with most finding mundane uses for them. A few attended magic school... but in all honesty, beyond transfiguration and hexes, their Telekinesis, alone, could duplicate most everyday spells.

The biggest boom was to martial arts. 

However, it was too early for these new abilities to really impact muggle lives beyond a few added conveniences. Schools hadn't even started incorporating magic, outside PE class teaching basic control.

Most people, interested in exploring their new talents, joined Dojos. With most tournaments starting to incorporate a telekinetic skill set. Some sports were redesigned to include, or even exclude, the ability. Though most chose to allow it, given how much their ratings were boosted...

It was all very mundane. After all, when everyone had the potential of a superhero, no one really did. At least... that's what they thought...
> Chapter 4: In Trouble
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neville sighed... he hadn't meant to, his herdmate needed him to be supportive... but it was difficult to not give an exacerbated sigh. Dean and Seamus looked at each other, before both taking the time to whack Harry upside his head. To which the Avatar of Death blushed like an errand foal.

The other boys of the herd were more like brothers, then anything romantic with each other... Though, embarrassingly, sometimes the CMC had them do stuff to each other, as they watched. They were brought into the herd, because Twilight had expressed concern Harry couldn't handle having so many wives.

After all, 3 girls would have been a lot for one guy. But Harry had a bloody army for a Heram. In addition to the Crusaders, Harry had Hermione, Ginny, Lavander, Parvati, Luna Lovegood, "Queen Mama" Elly, and Daphne.

Although Elly didn't really count, at least in this regard. Her biology wasn't exactly designed to lay with a partner more then once every few hundred years... the boys would be dead by the time she was "in the mood" again. 

Not that that really mattered, she was part of the herd, and the boys made sure to share their love with her in other ways. After all, they had a large number of wives to share a bed with. It wasn't all that big a deal one of them wasn't interested. A herd is about emotional connection more then physical... even though it's major purpose is to give a greater number of mares babies, but Elly already had a lot of babies and was happy just sitting and talking with the boys.

It's not like this was even thought of as an issue, when Neville had first been accepted into the Herd. As he was 12, and not really interested in anything beyond a quick peck on the cheek, and holding hands... it was weird that they had to get used to sharing a bunch of girlfriends, with a bunch of other guys, but it wasn't long before it felt normal... 

Twilight had told the Crusaders, if they didn't find more colts to join their herd, they would have to kick out the humans from their herd agreement. As she, as a concerned mother, was worried so many girls would be too much for one "colt" to handle... 

Twilight later expressed that she didn't think the girls would actually be able to do it, although she was glad they didn't have to break up the herd.

The CMC had asked Neville, but they did so over breakfast, in front of all their year mates... who immediately asked if they could join to. This got Scootaloo drooling, and Sweetie Belle going into a fit, but Applebloom managed to give the boys the herd agreement, to sign.

As well as having the other second year girls signing, as they realized they needed more girls to make it legal now. 

"Is it really that bad?" Harry hesitantly asked.

"Celestia sending you on a mandatory week's vacation, because you've been neglecting your health." Ron rolled his eyes. "Blimey mate, the girls are going to freak!"

Harry hung his head, "Maybe if I just pretend to go into work?"

Dean whacked him again, followed quickly by Seamus.

###

● At Dinner.

Every creature, in their pony or ling form, sat in the great hall, ready to break bread. The hall was modeled much after Hogwarts' own. What with the tall ceiling, charmed to look like the sky, and the floating candles. Only here, there were hundreds of round tables, each for a different grouping of brood-mates. That way they could eat together. Then a long table, at the back of the hall, let all the changelings see the royal family as a United front.

"CELESTIA DID WHAT!?" Sweetie gaped.

Harry could only flinch at her tone. A reaction all the boys shared... clearly thinking they shouldn't have convinced Harry to come forward with what happened. Meanwhile. The oldest Brood of the royal family, stealthily picked up their plates and slinked away to one of the round tables. No doubt getting a mental order from Elly to give the "grownups" some "privacy".

Usually, the royal family sat wherever they pleased at there table... but today, all the Stallions chose to sit at one side of the table. No doubt to give Harry support... but it had an unintended side effect. As now, all the Stallions were sitting opposite the fillies... it was clearly cults versus fillies, and that just wasn't a good way to run the herd.

Applebloom decided to nip that in the bud. She got up, and walked around the table, nudging Neville to slide down the bench. The colt was hesitant, but obeyed. He was-was a good colt, after all. Then she sat herself right next to Harry. So now he wouldn't feel like all the mares were against him. 

Taking his hoof in her own, she asked, "Mind explaining why ya was hidin' this from us?"

"I... didn't want you to worry..." that was a Harry euphemism for: "I didn't want to get in trouble." Regardless AB didn't point that out right away.

Scootaloo deadpanned, "Well that plan didn't exactly work out, did it?" so Applebloom shot her a glare. Which instantly silenced the orange pegasus.

"Harry," Applebloom gave the colt's hoof a squeeze. "When you do stuff like this, it just makes us worry more."

"You really shouldn't." Harry eyed, "I'm pretty much immortal."

"True, but we don't like the idea of ya needlessly sufferin'," She reminded, "We love you, Harry... we ain't going to hurt you."

"Ya ain't got to prove nothin' to nopony," Applebloom assured, "Especially not to ya-self."

Harry flinched again... kinda wishing Applebloom didn't know him so well.

She continued, "Cuz you're one of da strongest, smartest colts there is... ya ain't got to prove that with these wild stunts. We ain't foals no more."

"Speak for yourself!" Scootaloo grinned, "I'll be young forever!!!"

The group rolled their eyes.

Parvati suddenly spoke, "Get up." as she walked over to the unofficial boys' side.

Applebloom glared at her, but before she could protest, Luna spoke up. The Crystal Bat Pony, courtesy of Discord, reminded. "If any of the rest of us neglected ourselves for so long, you'd be the first to tug on our ears... and maybe even our tails."

Apple Bloom glared at them, "I'll once again remind ya, I'm the Alpha Mare. I decide who gets punished and how."

Elly raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. That was just how pony herds worked. Applebloom was in charge of family matters, inside the herd. However, they maintained their own titles and lordships, outside of it. 

Apple Bloom made sure to respect the mares' decisions, in regards to their direct children, as well as Elly's rights as Queen... and Elly tried to respect AB's own right to act as Alpha Mare over the herd... including in regards to Elly. 

Elly was ruler of the Doppelganger hives. Where as Apple Bloom was in charge of Domestic family matters. Harry's role, as "King Papa", was mostly as a figurehead, and not co-ruler.

Regardless, Elly was always iffy whenever Harry was punished. She could feel he was on the Edge of a panic attack, whenever it was brought up. Even though most punishments were things like writing lines, extra chores, or some kind of embarrassment. With rarely involving the pulling of tails or ears. Nothing like the Dursley's ever inflicted... 

One thing that Elly insisted Apple Bloom couldn't do, was spank anyone in the herd... which thankfully, Apple Bloom thought it was weird to bring up. Pulling tails was as close as adult ponies come to physical chastisement. At least, for most herds.

Which is why Elly was particularly shocked when Harry said.

"I know that, but it help if you didn't treat me like this fragile thing! I get I can be kinda self conscious and timid, but I'm on par with Alicorns in magical power!..." he just wished he stopped feeling like spent glass... like he could break at any moment... that after all these years, he was still a victim!

Scootaloo chuckled, looking at Apple Bloom, "You heard him! Break out the Switch." the other mares looked at her in shock.

However, Harry just rolled his eyes, not believing his filly friends would hit him... maybe send a stinging hex his way, but not a Dursley level beating... though he was grateful one of his wives joked about it. It was weird, but at least one of them understood he was tough enough to take a joke like that.

Daphne spoke up. "Did Celestia give you anything to work on, during your forced vacation? We know it can drive you crazy when you have nothing to do."

Harry was, after all, used to doing a lot of work... then being stuffed in his cupboard for hours, after it was finished.

Twilight never truly had him doing nothing, even when he was grounded. He still went to school, and could dedicate himself to his work. 

"I'm supposed to copy my knowledge of my theories, and the mechanics of the Portal, into a book," Harry confessed. "That way the others I'm working with can use the book manifestation spell to better understand what I'm trying to do."

Ron blinked, "You haven't done that yet?"

Dean nodded, "You would think that is the first thing you would do?"

Harry went back to blushing. "I gave them copies of my notes, and the paper I published.... but it became kinda obvious it wasn't enough for them to fully understand my theory."

Neville raised an eyebrow, "That paper of your's was pretty detailed."

"You read it!?" Harry gaped.

Neville rolled his eyes, "Of course I read it. What kind of herdmate wouldn't read something you spent years on." All their other herdmates blushed. "SERIOUSLY!!!"
> Interlude 1: gods plan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

● Asgard

Elder gods, were not simply old... though they often were, at that. You had to be around for trillions of years, for the sheer level of power required to shape the cosmos. Elder gods recieved such a title, if they successfully crafted a dimension to call their own, and bound themselves to their realm. All the people, that inhabited it, fueling their power. While their prayers sustained them, as food (which was a good reason to answer such prayers). Then the number of lifeforms, living inside their dimension, greatly increased the Divines power, and increased the size of that universe.

This is why such gods made their own universes. It was a grab for more power. Others were simply hungry. Some even just wanted the "Bragging Rights" of creating such a place... very few wanted genuine companionship.

Odin... had forgotten his initial motivation at crafting his realm. It was far too long ago. Though he had crafted a race of Celestial entities, within his borders... Celestials were much like angels, they could build themselves new bodies if they ever died. However, they were hardly the only category in the animal kingdom that could do that:

Daedra, Elementals, Dragons, Elves, even Demons, could all survive as wisp if they died... though they required a physical form to interact with the world. That required skill, and learning. Most first time Wisp settled for inhabiting corpses, as they couldn't build a new physical form.  

Outside Odin's own realm, but within territories that he conquered, were the Valkyries. Another race of Celestials. Though these ones were all Asexual Women. They were mighty warriors, greater even then Asgardians. But thankfully they were few in number, and easy to force into line. After the defeat of the Elder God of that realm, Odin took it for his own. 

It was not always a necessity, to kill Elder Gods, but some refused to acknowledge Odin's guidance. So the Realms were forced to see reason.

All Odin wanted to do was keep the power of the Bifrost out of villainous hands.

The realm of Asgard still remained the most powerful of all the 9 realms. Even ruling over many of the 9. Though some would want to plunge the cosmos back into chaos. They resented the level of order and civilization Asgard attempted to give them.

So here Odin sat, listening to the reports of the day. Though truthfully, he was already aware of most of it... but the finer details of the on goings of his realm were lost from his sight.

Heimdall stepped before the throne of the All-Father. Quickly getting down on one knee, and bowing his head before the elder god.

Odin eyed his most powerful seer, and guardian of the inter dimensional Gateway... the Bifrost. There were only 9 realms, in all of the cosmos, which had developed such a masterful blending of magic and science. Oh there were plenty of dimensions with portals... but few with the needed understanding of interdimensional physics necessary to create a Bifrost... but it seems another such realm would be joining them soon.

"My King," Heimdall looked grave, "I regret to say, the Realm of Equus, has announced a delay in the creation of their Bifrost." 

Odin frowned at that. He could only see beyond his realm, if he actively focused on it. Which is why he made seers. They could look beyond his dimension, and observe most possible threats... even looking into the future, if properly trained. Though Loki had learned forbidden magics to hide himself from them. 

Gesturing with his hand, Odin permitted the Seer to explain. "Hela's Avatar has been given a forced leave of absence, due to neglecting his health during the project."

Odin sighed. Hela... she had been born a threat. Gifted with cosmic powers over death. A living dimension, in her own right.

Such Shinigami, gods of death, could easily, and quickly, expand beyond even the power of an Elder God. Without need of anchoring their body to a physical dimension. Simply by existing, and pulling the souls of the dead inside themselves.

When Odin learned Hela was cursed as such, he feared she would attempt to subvert him. In fact, that is exactly what the Seers warned him would happen. 

So he cast her into the void between universes... only for her to grow powerful enough to reach beyond it. She created her own Bifrost, and organized the other Shinigami. 

Now, she is perhaps the largest threat in the multiverse. Sitting on a council of the most powerful gods of death, and directing the others to harvest souls all over the multiverse. 

Odin should have killed her at birth, but mercy was always one of his largest failings.

Maybe Odin was expecting too much from this emerging realm. Twas only a minor Pocket Universe, though favored by many fledgling gods, and even a few elder gods. Regardless, it had been so many millions of years, since any new realm had even speculated on the theories of the Bifrost. Most failed to create such a thing, some at the cost of their dimension... if these... Ponies, succeeded... they would be the equivalent of another "National Super Power" arising, only on a Cosmic Level. 

The Bifrost was more then a common Gateway. The same theories could be applied to create a weapon powerful enough to destroy an entire universe.

As the first of 9 realms, it was Asgard's duty to guide such civilizations. To maintain order. The other realms might not react well to a new super power on the Cosmic field. Odin would have to react quickly to get them to acknowledge his authority. It was the only way to protect them from the others of the 9 realms... A new player could disrupt the delicate balance of power... but Odin would be lying if he said he wasn't looking forward to it.

The 9 realms had stagnated, they NEEDED something to shake up the status quo. The appearance of a 10th realm would spark innovation. Possibly even a new golden age... if the initial distress the other realms would feel was dealt with quickly. Here's hoping their introduction to the Cosmos playing field, doesn't go as poorly as with the Frost Giants.

###

● Jotunheim, Realm of the Frost Giants

Loki sat in his ridiculously high throne. Not that the back was tall, rather the seat itself... that way he could look into the faces of the creatures that normally stood 30 feet tall... he felt like he was in a high chair.

Loki was the son of the fallen Elder God, King Laufey. A glorious man, assassinated by Odin. Who then stole Loki as a babe... raised him as his own. Solely for the purpose of turning him into a puppet king. So that Asgard could finally rule over Jotunheim.

Once Loki discovered his origins, and Odin's plans, he fled to the realm of his birth... and had been waging war with Asgard ever since. For over 3 centuries.

Though not all his people were particularly thrilled with the knowledge that their new king was a "Demi Giant" boy, of a measly 13 centuries... that was barely old enough to be the equivalent of a Midgardian Teenager... and he had actually been prepubescent when he took the throne. It was his birthright, and Frost Giants were even more devoted to their traditions then the Asgardians.

Demi giants suffered a rare affliction, which burned in their very Magic. Such giants never grew any bigger then 8 foot tall... and Loki was small for his age, even by those standards.

Regardless to how much value Frost Giants, or really any type of giant, put into their height... Loki eventually won the masses over, by bringing Jotunheim into a golden age it had not known since Laufey was alive. Loki may never have met his birth father, but his court saw much of their great King in the boy.

Loki frowned, hearing the report from his own seer.

"Now, now, now," Loki shook his head. "That won't do at all... perhaps it be in our best interest to... oversee the construction of this Bifrost."

The Seer stiffened, "Sire, The 9 realms long since agreed to not interfere with the development of Bifrost magics, on other realms."

"A rule forced on us by Odin," Loki sneered. "Why would I wish to honor any agreement between ourselves and Asgard."

"It's not just Asgard," A new voice spoke, as a shade faded into existence.

"Sister," Loki raised an eyebrow as Odin's oldest Daughter arrived. she was the only one of Odin's family tree that he actually liked... unless you count his adoptive mother.

Regardless, Loki wasn't particularly shocked to see her materialize before him, as a death god, she held greater power then most. Not even Heimdall could see everything she saw throughout the cosmos. 

All the same, Loki sneered, "Don't tell me you came all the way up here, just to speak on behalf of Asgard supremacy?"

The darkly dressed woman showed no emotion on her face, "You know I have no love for Asgard, dear brother." no... she wouldn't. 

Odin had banished her to the space between dimensions. For the crime of being born different. Though she was able to conquer that hellish realm, and build a Bifrost of her own. Getting acknowledged as one of the first of the 9 realms... even though what she ruled over was really more of a purgatory, then a proper universe.

It was unlikely she would speak on behalf of Asgard.

"This particular law," Hela explained, "Is one all the 9 agree with. They fear other universes gaining such knowledge, and will not react kindly to others teaching such skills. You may desire to gain an advantage, in your war with Asgard, but in this instance, other realms will join them. This may very well cause the majority of the 9 realms to unite... against you."

Loki smiled, looking at his sister's impassive face, "Is that concern I detect in your voice. What have I warned you about sentiment? Concern yourself with the duties of your own realm. Do not trouble yourself with my own."

Hela's face remained blank, "I merely worry for the work load I would have to deal with. The genocide of the Frost Giants would take up quite a lot of my resources." Informed the goddess of death.

The Seer, still here, paled at that.

Loki sighed, "You've made your point, daughter of Odin." Acknowledging her lineage to annoy her. As Acknowledging his own impotence against all the Cosmo's super powers annoyed him. "I will play the waiting game to make contact with the ponies."

Hela, finally, gave an expression. Though it was not one of annoyance... it was... a smile? "I never said you couldn't contact them, just that you can't give them knowledge on the Bifrost. Though it may be beneficial to introduce yourself before Odin, and explain, from the Frost Giants point of view, the nature of Asgard."

Loki smiled, "I knew there was a reason I liked you, sister dearest."
> Chapter 5: Herds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

● Starlight Glimmer's Herd:

"The Pony-Up Amulet," Sunburst nervously smiled, looking over at the Television audience. Eagerly listening to his every word. He just imagined he was in a lecture hall, instead of an interdimensional television studio. "Is actually based on a Ritual, invented by Princess Twilight Sparkle. Who reverse-engineered the magics Discord used, to alter a wizard's animagus form.

"Unfortunately, the Ritual hurt quite a bit. So I simplified it, and used my knowledge of magical artifacts to create a new type of enchantment. As using a focus greatly relieved the stress on the body.

"Unlike the ritual, you can't choose what you become, as the amulet feeds off your own magic. It, for lack of a better word, feels the personality traits of your very soul, and expresses that as a type of pony.

"This means you can appear as any of the main three tribes, or one of the lesser known tribes: Kirin, Zebra, Lunar Ponies, Changelings, Nightmares. Or even a new species. Such as: a race of pony foxes we've come to call 'Vulponies', the glow in the dark ponies called 'Neon Ponies', Robot golem ponies called 'Clockworks', Dragon Ponies called 'Drakehooves', Skeleton ponies (which previously only existed in mythology and games), then there are the flying foxes (a new breed of bat pony) called Lunar Vulpony. 

"It was all very exciting. With humans turning into the various races of reformed changelings, before they reformed. Wrap your head around THAT Paradox.

"Doppelgangers, like Queen Elly. Fae Beetles like King Thorax. Forest-Lings, with moss and branches growing out of them. Moth-Lings, complete with their obsession with lamps. Crickets, and Bees, and Spiders, just all the Lings!!!

"I never could have predicted the sheer variety my amulet could produce.

"A lot of people have told me that they love trying on my Necklace, just to see what they would get.

"It's more then that though. Any creature that uses the amulet unlocks a Human form, a pony form, AND a magical being. This allows for other species to better understand each other, and promotes cooperation.

"Of course, my real pride is that the amulets are more training tools. They get your magic and body used to turning into your other forms. And once your body has gotten used to it, you no longer need the amulet."

The Anchor woman chose that time to interrupt. "How do you feel about humans, once they've learned to shift, sharing that amulet with someone else? I imagine that effects your pocket book quite a bit."

"You're joking right?" Sunburst grinned. Getting so into his explanation, that he managed to ignore all the creatures staring at him. "I'm the Head Wizard of the Crystal Empire. My goal isn't to make money for myself. It's to advance the quality of life. I encourage creatures to share their amulets. Spread them around. Give them as gifts. Then when you don't need it anymore, give it to the next individual! 

"My goal is to get the amulets out there, passing through as many hooves as possible. Errrr or hands, claws, talons, whatever you have. I want to make things a better place."

"What about the side effects?" asked the Talk Show Host.

"Side Effects?" Sunburst blinked.

"The fact, whatever form the parents are in, when they conceive a child, is the race the child will be born with." The woman pressed.

"Errrrr... is that a bad thing?" Sunburst blinked more. All kinds of puzzled. "I know the Thestrals are excited to have such a larger gene pool. The Amulet does install safeties, so that the child will be born as either the mother's or the father's species. One or the Other, instead of a hybrid of both."

"You mean you saw this coming, and took steps to promote it?"

Sunburst raised an eyebrow, "I took steps to insure the child would remain healthy. Most Hybrids have terrible deformities, if they survive. So instead, I directed the genes that would be taken. I couldn't manipulate it perfectly, so there is a 50/50 chance which parent the child will take after. But then it will gain some magical traits from the other parent. 

"Like an Earth ponies super strength, in addition to a Thestral's shadow bending and echo location powers. That is if one parent was an Earth Pony, and the one the child took after was a Thestral."

"That's not..." The Anchor woman took a breath. "The number of necessary C sections have drastically increased. Due to humans being physically unable to give birth to some of these creatures."

"True, but the number of miscarriages, or even the mother's own death during child birth, have drastically decreased. Due to those potions, Lady Sweetie Belle, invented."

"Some people don't want a freak of nature for a child." The woman hissed.

Sunburst glared, "Then those people don't need to use my amulet. No one is forcing them to put it on, let alone breed in that form. If they have issue with raising a child of another species, then those bigots don't DESERVE consideration."

###

"Way to go Sunburst!!!" Starlight grinned, as her herd left the Studio. "You showed that horse!"

"We need to have words with your manager," Trixie insisted. "We should have gotten a heads up that woman was hostile."

"I don't have a manager," Sunburst sighed, feeling drained. He had spent the last half hour defending his stance, that raising other species was a good thing. "The Castle secretary arranged the meeting."

Maud spoke up, in her usual deadpan voice. "She still should have warned us. 

"I know, right!?" Trixie exclaimed. "That came right out of the blue!"

"What came out of you?" Maud monotoned. Trixie, the blue Unicorn, glared at the grey Earth Pony. Who definitely wasn't as funny as she thought she was.

###

● Dull Roar's Herd.


"For the last time!" Fred glared, with George finishing his sentence. "We aren't doing THAT!!!"

Open Secret whined. "What's the point of having two sexy Stallions if you can't-"

"NO!!!" Both Twins snapped.

"It's just a bow," Icy Hot rolled her eyes.

"We don't WANT- Bows in our hair!!!" The twins insisted.

Dull Roar sighed, "Honestly fillies, quit trying to play dress up with the colts. You know they don't like it." 

The ladies groaned, but obeyed their alpha mare.

The large herd was made up of several mares. The Earth ponies being: Dull Roar, Open Secret, and Soft Rock. Followed by the Unicorns: Minor Miracle, and Random Order. A Kirin named, Icy Hot. A Pegasus named, Sad Smile. Then finally the human mare Myrtle... who strangely gained the body of a walking Skeleton pony, after wearing the "Pony-Up Amulet"... with her magical being form as a Lich.

Myrtle had been worried that meant she wasn't really alive again, after being a ghost for so long. Thankfully Sunburst had explained that the forms were just a reflection of how comfortable she was with death. That she was a little "Goth" girl at heart, and her forms showed that. They had nothing to do with her formerly dead status.

### 

● Diamond Tiara's Herd.


Draco blushed, as he was sitting on his, currently Veela, Wive's lap. Getting his mane brushed. Diamond was already beautiful beyond belief... but as a Veela, there was no comparison. Just being near her was pure ecstasy.

That's how he found himself in this situation. In his pony form, getting his mane brushed. He had, originally, refused, but then she shifted, and all thought of resisting went away.

His other wife, Silver Spoon, was currently looking through outfits, and he couldn't even register it as the threat it was.

"MOOOOOOM!!!!" A voice called from downstairs. "Scorpius' hogging the Nintendo!!!"

The Mares sighed, as Draco was saved.

###

● Thorax' Herd.


Spike gently held the hoof of his husband. Regardless what Harry thought, if Thorax still considered himself a boy, then that was what he was.

Meanwhile, Gabby was on the other side of the bed. Holding Thorax' other hoof.

"Ow Ow Ow," Thorax clenched his teeth, as another egg left his body.

"That's the last one," The Changeling nurse informed. Gently cleaning the small transparent egg. Before putting it with the other 14 on a cart.

"You mean until next month..." Thorax whimpered. Turning tear stained eyes on his eggs... and immediately thinking how it's worth it.
> Interlude 2: Sleipnir
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Igneous Pie felt something. Something he hadn't felt in seven thousand years. In a Flash of white light, he vanished from his rock farm, and appeared at the edge of his boarders. Though not the boarders of his farm, rather the boarders of his very reality. 

Abandoning his dull brown coat, he was now a pure white. 8 strong legs trotted on the astral ground, helping him stand a good 4 feet taller. A beautiful silver mane waved in the air. His mutton chops still present, as was his pilgrim hat... he was rather taken with them.

Already there, were his children. Not born of his flesh, but rather, his soul. He had crafted them, as gods of his realm. To watch over it, and protect it... although Discord had gone through a rebellious phase, but he grew out of that.

There were 42 entities, each representing a different aspect of his reality. They rarely appeared before the mortals. Usually playing their role as disembodied forces of nature. Although they each tended to go through phases, appearing in a physical body, to their favorite race. Usually only when they were suffering some kind of hardship, and guiding the race through it.

These "Hardships" tended to be the kind that could end a species, and not simply a rough patch. Ponykind had finally become stable enough to stand on their own.

Though Igneous was a little annoyed at the spirit of the day, for taking over a thousand years to get them to that point... and she decided to take the easy way out, by guiding the ascension of not one but two fledgling gods.

It was better then Discord, who thought he could "help" his sister by terrorizing her charges.

Igneous sighed. He loved his children... but gods were troublesome things when bored.

His adopted children were here as well, the various gods of Earth-Plane. He had taken them in after their own Elder God had discarded them... ironically because they rebelled against that entity's "Non interference" policies with mortals.


Then finally, there was Fenris and Jorgumand. His brothers, that helped him trigger the big bang that created this dimension. As a result, the three of them were bound to it, infused to it. They were the three elder gods of this small pocket universe... it really shouldn't be so exciting here.

"Hello Mother," Igneous spoke gruffly to the captured demigod.

Loki had birthed him, not of flesh, but as Igneous had done for his own children. By giving an aspect of nature form. Truthfully, Igneous' had done it more accidentally. His children were born with the big bang he caused to create this minor pocket dimension... an unexpected, but wholly grateful for, accident. Due to his lack of experience creating realities.

"My my my," The demigod child spoke with a mocking tone, looking around at all the gods. "Haven't you been busy."

Igneous rolled his eyes, "Is there something you wanted?"

"Only to speak to the god in charge... wasn't expecting that to be you."

"I allow my mortal children to grow naturally," Igneous sent a pointed look at Celestia. Who had the good grace to blush.

Gods were forces of nature, given conciousness. And the thousands of gods of Earth plane had a similar "non interference" policy to Igneous... only they took it a good deal more seriously.

It used to be, the gods of Earth, would meddle far too much... and they learned the hard way, through the deaths of their demigod children, just why that was a bad thing...

When the Elder God, of that universe... lost their Son... he made ALOT of new laws in regards to non interference, with mortals... and the gods devolved into myth and Legends. Still handling their duties, but not interacting directly with mortals.

Igneous wasn't THAT bad, as he still allowed his children to interact with the mortals. He just had rules about how far they could go... and even then, they were pretty loose rules, AKA Celestia and Discord.

"I see," Loki played with his golden bracelet. "So it's this... Princess Twilight Sparkle, I should be speaking with."

"You shall not be interacting with any creature of my domain." Igneous glared.

Loki gave a gasp of mock hurt. "You wound me, my child."

Igneous snorted, "You created me, purely to play a prank on your adoptive brother. Acknowledging you as my 'Mother', is the end of the respect you are due."

"And what do you think Odin will do, when he learns you are behind the emerging 10th Realm. You know how paranoid that man is." Loki smiled fondly at his creation. "He will assume I already have your allegiance... and act accordingly."

Igneous grunted, not wanting to admit the demigod had a point.

"Need I remind you?" Loki smiled, "My children are prophesized to help me destroy Asgard. Odin's cruelty, after receiving such happy news, is the very reason I fled. Odin started this war, and he is too arrogant and stupid, to comprehend the definition of a self fulfilling prophecy.

"He won't care you hate me. All he'll see is my spawn, destined to kill him. He will force you into the role of his enemy... and I am the only person who can save your precious mortals."

"I'd rather bargain with Hela," Igneous glared. "At least I can trust her to keep her word."

"You are a god of creation," Loki shrugged. "You embody chaos and change. You really think Odin will tolerate your nature. Have you forgotten how he stuck a bridal in your mouth, and road you like a common beast? How he chained Fenris in a dark cave... how he attempted to drown young Jorgumand, in Midgard's oceans."

"I remember you standing there, doing NOTHING!!!" Igneous snapped.

Loki clenched his fist. "What was I supposed to do!"

Igneous scoffed, "You are no more welcome, in my realm, then Odin. I want nothing to do with either of you."

"You honestly think Odin will allow that?" Loki repeated himself.

Igneous just turned, and began to walk away.

"Sleipnir!" 

The Elder God gave pause. If only out of token respect for his mother.

The boy sighed, "You need to stop your mortals from finishing their Bifrost... it will do nothing but flock the other realms to you. All will be attempting to gain your allegiance... you might have grown powerful. I can feel your power, due to all the souls that inhabit your reality... but you are alone, against realms far older, and far larger... I'm... I'm sorry I couldn't help you before, please, let me make up for that now."

"Hela sent you, didn't she?" Igneous turned his head to the demigod, infused with the power of the only realm to rival Odin.

Loki smiled, "She didn't tell me it was you. But she did suggest I visit before Odin could get to this plane. I imagine that's your aunt's way of showing concern."

Igneous sighed, "I am not like you, nor Odin, I do not interfere with the affairs of the life inside me... although my children have different opinions." He looked over at a whistling Discord.

"Hela has been interfering with my dimension, for quite some time... getting my own children to accept her Avatar, into my realm... I know she has a plan for me... and I'm equally sure she is actually acting from the role of a concerned aunt... unlike other familial relations..." 

Hela had been the one to save Igneous and his siblings from Odin's chains.

"You may hate me," Loki sighed, "but who do you think released the bind of Hela, in the first place?"

Igneous looked fully at his mother. The boy was the god of lies. He would say anything to get what he wanted.

"And my only condition, was she free you ungrateful brats."

Igneous eyed him closely, before turning to one of his children... The Eagle, simply known as Noble, god of honesty. Not even Loki could lie to such an entity.

Noble gave a simple nod... so... it was true...

Igneous sighed. "You may speak with Twilight, but I will not influence her choice."

A serpent, the spirit of Free Will, snickered. Before winking at his grandmother. He was always eager to tempt those away from Fate's tapestry.

The mighty dragon, Bahamut, god of fate... could only sigh. Interdimensional destinies were hard for him to plan for. He, in all honesty, hadn't been of much use since Discord brought in Hela's chosen. He had no power over entities of other dimensions, and tens of thousands had emigrated after Hela's Avatar, in both directions.

It was good for him to expand his domain. To practice with other gods interfering with his tapestry. Still, such gods of fate had to work together. When interdimensional games were played... and the various gods of choice always cheated.
> Chapter 6: Blue Blood's Thoughts on Humans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blue Blood calmly sipped his tea, as he sat, in his pony form, with the former prime minister. 

Blue Blood never particularly liked taking human form. And found it more comfortable, to walk around as a pony. Well, now that humans were used to other races, and no longer trying to randomly pet him. There was no longer a reason to be humanoid. 

He hated being touched, and humans assumed, because he had fur, that it was their place to cuddle him. They didn't even ask! Thankfully, things had calmed down, and now he just had to be wary around young children.

Although, that was unrelated to his tea, with the former Prime Minister. The human had managed to stay in office, much longer then expected, if only for ushering in this golden age... however, time eventually got to him. He had gotten old, and chose to retire.

Humans really did have far too short of lifespans. Even with the Magic Blesser, that unlocked their full potential... humans were still only projected to have a maximum life expectancy, of 157 years old. Near a hundred years, fewer then a wizards lifespan. And over 300 year shorter then a pony's. 

Which, if Blue Blood was honest with himself, was perhaps the source of their greatest strength. They were inventors, and scholars. Their limited time on this plane, is what caused them to create such amazing things.

"It's unlike you to pay me a social visit." Major smiled, as his assistant poured them some tea.

Blue Blood gave the woman a significant look. Who took the hint. She hurried up in completing her duties, before exiting the lounge. She was a credit to her trade. Not letting the noble intimidate her, while still respecting Blue Blood's wishes... good help really was too hard to find, but it seems Major found a competent staff.

Once the woman was gone, Major continued his line of questioning. "If I recall, despite being the pony Ambassador, there are few humans you choose to directly socialize with."

Blue Blood sighed. "Which is a failing on my part. I apologize. I would hope you aren't under the impression that I only consider you a working colleague. I do count you within my circle of friends."

Major smiled, "I'm relieved to hear that. Though your timing, to make such a confession, is, perhaps, a bit late." the old man looked down at his literal death bed. 

The magic blesser, only extended the lifespans, of the children of those who had taken the potion. Major was approaching 90... and not much longer for this world. Even with pony medicines.

He sighed, seeing the pony's ears pin back. Major had more intended that as a joke....perhaps a little morbid, but he found it comforting, in some strange way. Even if ponies did have scientific proof of the soul... but he still didn't want to die.

"Did you know," Blue Blood began, breaking the awkward silence. "I was raised along side Princess Twilight? Back before I knew of my Aunt's plans for her. Mind you, I was about a decade older, but my familial bond with Princess Cadence, resulted in me getting to know the filly she foal-sat.

"I used to wonder why Auntie assigned a princess to look after a commoner. I understood, that her parents may be commoners, but they were important to the crown, for their service. They were archaeologist. A field of study, in Equestria, far different then your own." 

Major smiled, sure this was going somewhere, and so humoring the stallion. "As I understand it, they are basically Indiana Jones. Gathering, and studying, ancient, and powerful, artifacts."

Blue Blood sipped at his tea, "Indiana Jones is a good comparison. Particularly as the relics they uncover can often be world ending. The Special Technology," still not out of the habit of calling magic that. Even though it had been exposed over 20 years ago. "Used during the Alicorn dynasty, tended to be rather destructive... The Alicorns were often warring with each other, and required weapons powerful enough to kill their fellow entities. But that is neither here nor there.

"You see, due to Cadence interaction with the Sparkle family. I got to know them quite well. In a way, I think of both Twilight, Shining, and Spike... as my own family... a Family that now includes Harry Potter...

"I got to know Harry, long before we rediscovered his portal... and I can tell you, Auntie wasn't the only one horrified by what we learned from him.

"We ponies had never heard, even through Legends, of foals being treated so. Not even from the predator races, of our world. We had no concept of child abuse. Shamefully, Stallion abuse has occurred, but never harm to a child, by any species. That is purely a human failing."

Major suddenly found his tea less appealing. The idea that humans were the only creatures, in the entire multiverse, capable of harming their children...

"I will admit," Blue Blood sighed. "The fact your race is capable of such cruelty... I did not see the value in opening diplomatic relations with you. I did so reluctantly. Though regardless, I performed my duty to the best of my ability. I try to be a good colt, after all.

"But I think I understand you better. Yes, humans are undoubtedly the most cruel lifeforms ever known to ponykind... but you are also one of the most versatile. Just because you have a hoof-ful of irredeemable monsters, doesn't mean your race is made up of that.

"All races, even among ponykind, are capable of evil. Maybe not to your extent, with serial killers and the like. However, we have had our share of Villains. That doesn't mean every Centaur is a monster... nor is every human. That is a very small minority... I have come to understand that.

"The universe greatly depends on cosmic balances. Just as humans are capable of the greatest evils... there are those of you who are capable of such good, it could only be refered to as Divine. Things not even ponies would dare do. Little sacrifices, in the smallest ways, from the most insignificant of people, and over things ponies would find trivial...

"You're creatures... are a truly remarkable species. I'm sorry it took me so long to recognize that."

Major reached out, and scratched Blue Blood behind his ear. Who, out of respect, chose to keep his offense from the action to himself.