> KONO DIO DA: Wrath of Sombra
>  by DIO Brando
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been ten years since DIO returned to his world, into a well-deserved afterlife. DIO presumed that Equestria would be fine, holding itself together with the same cartoonishly-perfect harmony as when he first arrived. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

With the eventual and total withdrawal of Celestia's stand, as well as Luna's, their behaviors as princesses became subject to flaw—moreso than before. The stress was overwhelming, and the use of force to contain a new criminal underworld had divided the nation. It's citizens suffered from this as well, causing unrest across the country as unwanted diversity coated the once-perfect land. The paradise that once was, had been no more, as, in the absence of Friendship and Solitudes abilities, the laws of nature ensued, creating chaos. 

The mane six, formerly holding the Elements of Harmony, no longer spoke to one another. Rarity moved to Manehattan to expand her business in fashion design, having grown tired of the low standards of Ponyville. Applejack, and her immediate family, relocated to Appleloosa, where they could be united with the rest of their loved ones. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy remained in contact, having shared in common an admiration of the lessons they learned from DIO's behaviors, as they were the only two to pay attention to his nature apart from their own world. Twilight moved back to Canterlot to study magic, quickly forgetting the thoughts of friendship and returning to her former solitude. Pinkie returned to her family, as without friends, she felt there was nothing left for her in Ponyville. 

With the separation of the mane six, and the stress of the princesses, the Elements of Harmony lost their power, and Equestria became like any other nation, and like any other world. Ponies began to act like people, and from that they were incapable of behaving in perfect unity as before. The world was plunged into the darkness of reality. The last thousand years was just a long dream, and they had finally woken up.

Equestria, the land of harmony, was now a land normalcy, and suffering.





A unicorn, dressed in a cloak, ran by some unsuspecting citizens of the Crystal Empire. She was in a hurry, bumping into a few equines as she continued through the primary city and past it's boundary. After passing through the populated area, she finally found a moment to rest by herself. The equine removed her hood, panting. Her coat was white like snow, her mane long and black. She had shimmering blue eyes, that were piercingly beautiful. Upon her face, however, was an expression that was unmistakably broken.

"This is it," she said to herself, turning to face a large mountainous region, "I can't turn back now, if they were to find me. . ."

She lit her horn, levitating an object from inside of her cloak. It glistened brightly in the sun, the head of a stand arrow.

". . .they would take everything."

The equine put the arrow back, beginning to travel towards a valley. As she approached, the atmosphere became darker, and a sense of pure evil shrouded her mind. She knew she was getting close to her destination: a special prison under the icy coat of the Crystal Empire's foundation, containing a formidable equine. It seemed too easy, she thought, until she noticed two sentinels that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Upon seeing her, they readied their weapons.

"HALT!" A thunderous voice shouted from the two of them. Their armor was black, some kind of special material that was magic-resistant. The weapons they had were like spears, made from the same material with blades held upon magically-infused staffs. Their size was unspeakably monstrous, and their very presence was fear-inducing to the point that the equine, for a moment, considered giving up. However, when she remembered what she was there for, what she believed the world needed, her fear vanished. 

She darted towards them, firing a blast of magic energy that she knew would have no effect. The sentinel she fired at didn't do so much as flinch from the hit, not even attempting to dodge it as it threw it's spear forward with a lunge. Anticipating this, she teleported away, putting herself in proximity of the other as it swung towards her. With a quick jump, and another teleportation, she blasted the ground from the air, causing them to lose their balance for just a moment before landing in between the two of them. As quickly as they regained their balance, they threw the spears forward again.

She smirked, using her magic to flare up the tail of the cloak while taking the arrowhead, causing the guards to miss her and instead stab one another. As she had thought from the beginning, no manufactured weapon in Equestria would be able to penetrate that armor, even if she had known to bring it—with the exception of the very weapons they held. As a strange substance leaked from the newly-incurred wounds, the guards fell over with a thud, allowing her access to the prison.

She recited a spell, lighting her horn and opening the ground to reveal the equine she sought. A chained and sleeping King Sombra arose from a platform of ice. As the ice coating his body melted away, he slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the guards slowly, then at her. Before having an opportunity to speak, she levitated the arrowhead once again, guiding it directly into his heart at a phenomenal speed. 

Sombra's eyes widened as he snarled, before coughing and falling to the ground. He looked up at her with a wrathful expression, before weakly chuckling.

"So. . .you came here to release me so that you could kill me, is that it?" he asked, coughing as a bit of blood trickled from his mouth. She knelt down to him.

"No, my King," she whispered quietly, "I came here to give you the authority you deserve."

Sombra noticed that his wound had began to heal, and that a strange sense of strength encompassed his body. Some power that was different from magic. He stood up slowly, the arrowhead now having fallen to the ground once more. The equine levitated it towards her, placing it in a small saddlebag that was upon her back. With a simple spell, she broke his chains and bowed down.

"Forgive me for being abrupt," she said softly, "my name is Aurora Nightsky, I have made myself a war criminal in order to provide for you this gift, let alone to free you. Allow me to serve you, my King."

The fallen king was admittedly impressed, looking down at her and thinking as she stayed in a position of reverence. 

"I accept your proposition, in gratitude for your servitude and sacrifice," he said warmly, "arise, for your name is no longer Aurora Nightsky. You, as my servant, will now be called Phoenix Shadow."

"A beautiful name, my King," she said, rising up with an expression of gratitude, "I apologize deeply for this final request, but it is only your blood that will give me the power to serve you to my fullest extent."

She levitated a stone mask from her saddleback, placing it over her face.

"With a droplet of blood upon this mask, I will have no choice but to rely solely upon you, for with the spell I have placed upon it, I shall die only if you do."

Sombra was hesitant, but as he looked over the mask and saw it's power, he smiled.

"Consider this request. . .granted."





Frantic knocking rung throughout the royal hall from the great doors that protected the princesses' inner room. Celestia looked up, using her magic to open them with a sigh. A guard rushed in with an expression of panic.

"What is it, Stormlight?" Celestia asked with a tone of concern. The guard panted for a moment, before looking up at her.

"Sombra has been released."
> Help From Heaven
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What." Celestia said. Luna stepped out of a room from the back with an expression of shock as the guard hastily trotted forward to them, levitating a paper to them with his horn.

"These reports just came in today," the guard explained, catching his breath still, "the guards were killed with their own spears, and the containment spells were broken."

"How is this possible?!" Luna exclaimed, stepping forward to look at the report, "those spells were considered unbreakable by an elder mage, let alone a common unicorn!"

Celestia broke a sweat as she observed the paper, reading through the report as the guard continued to explain.

"Investigation showed that the spells were broken by an equine who studied Star Swirl's work, but we don't know much," the guard continued, "their magic left a trace on one of the guards' armor, as well as on the ground and chains used to bind Sombra. It's possible the equine might have been the same one who stole Artifact 56."

A silence befell the room as the princesses knew exactly what that artifact was, and what it could do. The sense of fear they felt, knowing that there was no chance of them fighting what power Sombra might then have possessed, was indescribable. Sombra was a fearsome entity without a stand power. However, for a creature like Sombra to have not only stand power, but a companion capable of casting spells superior to that which was used to bind him was unfathomably terrifying.

"Stormlight. . ." Celestia said slowly, "bring the Ambassador to us, we need to relay a message to the council of magic."

"I will at once, Princess," Stormlight replied, bowing briefly before trotting out of the door. Celestia turned to Luna after he had left.

"We have to bring him back," Celestia said, "it is our only option for surviving such a threat."

The two were silent for a while. They new it was wrong, unethical, maybe even evil to withdraw a creature from a heavenly afterlife, especially one that they had an eternal gratitude towards. However, when it came to their nation, they knew they had failed enough already and it was time to fix things before they got any worse. The cost of losing their people to Sombra was far more than the cost of moral guilt. Luna looked up at her sister with sorrowful eyes.

"There is no need to cause yourself additional pain, sister," she said softly, laying a wing over Celestia, "it is all that we can do to fight a threat like this."

"I know that is true," Celestia said, shaking her head, "but will DIO turn against us for this?"

"No," Luna replied, chuckling a bit, "in fact, he might be a bit bored in the afterlife."

Celestia shared a soft laugh for a moment, as with what she knew of their vampiric friend, he surely wasn't the type to enjoy a world of no conflict. Perhaps there was a lesson to learn from it, but before she could ponder such, the doors opened.

In stepped a large draconic creature, purple and green in it's appearance and about eight feet tall. Without context, it would have seemed fearsome, but an all-too-familiar voice sounded from it's lips, albeit deeper in tone.

"Let me guess, you're calling upon the Counsel of Magic to bring back DIO, right?" he said with a grin, "I was hoping you would, I never had the opportunity to meet him. Twilight told me a lot about him, though."

"You are very attentive," Celestia said with a smile, "I'm always appreciative of your service."

"And I appreciate the opportunity, Princess," he said as he briefly bowed. Celestia sighed gently.

"You don't need to bow, you know that," she said softly, "after all, we've been acquainted for a long time now, Spike."





Fluttershy sat quietly in her cottage, with Rainbow Dash across the room reading a book. The two were silent, and had been for a while. The cottage was clean, the animals were fed, and there wasn't much else to do. Fluttershy looked up to her friend, staring for a moment before speaking.

"I miss Lord DIO," she said quietly. Dash's ear perked up, as she turned to face Fluttershy, "If he didn't have to leave, he would still be here with us as our friend, he wouldn't go like the others did, he wouldn't. . ."

Dash closed her book as Fluttershy began to quietly cry. This was the third time today. After the Mane Six had split, it seemed to be all she could do if Dash wasn't actively preoccupying her. For the last couple of years, Dash had been virtually living in the cottage to keep her from being dangerously overwhelmed. After having known those friends for so long, to suddenly lose them all was so unfamiliar to the poor mare.

Dash walked up to her friend, laying a wing over her. Fluttershy simply buried her face into Dash's neck. Her crying was quiet, but the weeping was deafening, and it took every ounce of strength Dash had to keep a straight face. She was upset, too, but she knew Fluttershy needed somebody.

"What did we do wrong?" Fluttershy asked quietly between sniffles as she tried to calm down, "why did everyone have to leave?"

Dash didn't know what to say, she simply shook her head and whispered.

"No, no one did anything wrong," she said, thinking for a moment before she spoke again, "this is how things always have been, and I think we just have to adjust to it."

"H-how can we adjust to this. . ?" Fluttershy said, her voice breaking as she began to cry again. Dash began to feel worried, as she really had nothing positive to say. She opened her mouth to speak, until a loud thud sounded outside of the cottage, with a knock.

"Hey, it's Spike," a voice said, "Celestia wants the two of you to come to Canterlot, are you busy?"

Fluttershy wiped her face, looking up.

"Spike?" she said quietly, looking at Rainbow Dash, who had an expression of surprise.

"I haven't seen him in ages," Dash said, "but his voice sounds deeper. Hey, you can come in, the door's unlocked!"

The door opened, revealing the now-massive dragon. The two mares were speechless, given they had not spoken to him since the split. Spike chuckled to himself.

"You're going to ask me if I hit the gym, aren't you?" he asked. After a moment of looking him over, Rainbow Dash finally spoke.

"Well I was, but. . ." she said slowly, before looking up at him, "shit, Spike, I'm actually curious. . .are you like. . .working for Celestia or something?"

"Yep, but we can talk about that later," Spike said, "Celestia said you would need to be there when they bring him back."

Fluttershy suddenly turned her head to them with glistening hope in her eyes.

"Him? Do you mean Lord DIO?" she asked with a desperate excitement. Spike simply smiled.

"Let's hurry up and get to the capitol."





"Everything is prepared, Princess," a tall stallion said, cloaked with a mage's hood embroidered with complex magical sigils and runes. His voice was old, and wise-sounding, as would be expected from a longtime counsel used to replace the protection of the now-decommissioned Elements of Harmony. Celestia nodded, standing aside her sister as the door opened to reveal Spike and the two mares.

As they walked in, they observed the hooded figure, as well as eleven others standing in spots around a large and intricate sigil upon the floor. The room itself was without windows, lit by violet flames of ethereal chandeliers. It was surely intended for the use of complex magic spells involving alicorn magic. Fluttershy looked around frantically, wondering to herself if DIO was already there. Seeing this, Luna approached her with a warm smile.

"Do not worry," she said softly, "the preparation is nearly complete, have patience and you will see your friend again."

Fluttershy smiled, crying again as she rushed to hug Luna. Though taken aback, Luna returned the hug with a bright smile. Spike gave a small chuckle at the endearing scene, before turning around to exit the room. Dash, on the other hand, was silent, pondering the things she might say to DIO after ten years of him being gone.

"We are ready, now," Celestia said. The mages nodded, all lighting their horns as the circle began to glow along with the markings on all of the mages' cloaks. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash stood back, as Celestia and Luna approached opposite ends of the circle, lighting their horns as well.





"Did they change the wifi password again?" DIO asked, sitting in literal heaven trying to get a Mahjong game to work on a touchscreen phone, "For here's sake, I'm not even playing online and it still needs me to "sign in"; what kind of nonsense is this?"

Jonathan laughed, glancing at the phone.

"It's in airplane mode, DIO," he said.

"Airplane. . ?" DIO said with almost a tone of frustration, "there aren't even airplanes here! Why would I need a mode for it, and what preposterous developer imagined it was in any way a good idea to make it remove the Wifi?"

"Ten years and you're still getting used to Heaven," Jonathan pointed out, "it almost seems like you don't enjoy it here."

DIO pondered for a moment. It was rather boring, and even though he enjoyed every second spent with the brother he once hated, the environment itself was just so. . .bland. There was nothing going on, everything was perfect and okay. Nothing could go wrong, actually. That alone was enough to solidify the fact that he'd rather be fighting something somewhere instead of his greatest conflict being a decision between minesweeper and solitaire.

"If only something interesting would happen here, then maybe I'd be more content," DIO muttered, before suddenly a large portal opened in front of the both of them. He raised his eyebrows in amusement, "Well, speak of the de—wait, I can't say that here."

Jonathan chuckled a bit, but a tone of caution was in his voice as he looked at the portal. Honestly, he'd been there much longer and he was beginning to find it dull as well. His only entertainment was to watch the world below, observing his family in their struggles and victories. He turned to DIO, nodding his head towards the portal.

"I suppose you have your wish, DIO, let's go and take a look," Jonathan said, beginning to step towards it. DIO held his hand out, holding Jonathan back.

"Wait, how do you know it is safe?" DIO asked, "you can't just go in there, what if you die?"

"We're both dead, DIO," he pointed out, "and I agree with you, we could at least do something to keep us entertained. Bare in mind, I've been here far longer than you have."

DIO sighed.

"Fine, but I'm going first," DIO said. Before he could finish speaking, Jonathan had already stepped in. DIO paused for a moment, before letting out a loud growly groan of frustration.

"Damn you, Jonathan!" DIO exclaimed, following after.





"It's only a matter of time," Sombra said to his servant. After being freed, he and his saving grace were held up somewhere in the Crystal Mountains, planning their return to Equestria, "according to what you said, the Princesses had a power similar to mine, and that is what brought harmony to the land. Now that it has been withdrawn and weakened, the Elements of Harmony are no longer in my way, and nor those six scoundrels who defeated me prior. We will be undefeatable."

"My King, there is one possible threat that I have heard about on my journey here," Phoenix said. Sombra quirked a brow as she continued, "a human known as DIO. As far as I understand, he has been returned to the afterlife of his world of origin, but if they see that you have escaped, they may attempt to retrieve him using the Counsel of Magic."

"If they have not already," he said, thinking for a moment, "but that will be no matter. After all, my ability is undefeatable, even if he could stop time it would not phase us."

Phoenix smiled.

"I know, my King."
> Here We Go Again
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Halt! Stay where you are!" a guard shouted, as many had ran in to point their spears at the elder Hamon user. Jonathan, in an honorable panic, held his hands up with a confused smile.

"Whoa! I'm not an enemy, we just saw this portal and—" before Jonathan could finish his sentence, DIO barreled out onto his face. The guards turned back to Celestia, who sighed and ordered them to stand down.

"I apologize," Celestia said, "I did not expect another to come from the portal."

"Well, here I am," DIO muttered, knowing it wasn't him she was referring to. As he got up, a squee of excitement came from Fluttershy, who had flown to him at such a force that it knocked him down again. Aside uttering a few "I'm so glad you're back" 's and some other almost-words, she was unable to vocalize much of anything comprehensible between happy sobbing and having her face tucked into DIO's chest like a mother holding her lost child, except her lost child was a behemoth of a creature with very sharp teeth and the ability to stop time. And the mother was an equine with no actual relation by blood. Is there really a point to using similes?

"You are all dismissed," Celestia said to the Counsel, who all nodded, leaving along with the guards. As DIO was being coated with Fluttershy's purely platonic love, Rainbow Dash decided to step up to Jonathan.

"So, who are you?" she asked. Jonathan turned to her, shaking his head briefly, replying with an apologetic tone.

"Oh! Uh, my name is Jonathan Joestar," he said with a smile, "I'm DIO's adopted brother, or he's my adopted brother. We didn't get along well in the past."

"Try not to taint my image any further," DIO muttered slowly getting up as Fluttershy kept clung to his chest. As she lost her grip, he caught her, holding her like a newborn puppy, "I think they're content with the present."

"Ah, yes," Luna said with a chuckle, before gradually turning serious, "we are rather content with the present version of you, which is why we need your help. An equine of unknown origin had stolen the Stand Arrow used by Lyra and used it on an old enemy imprisoned centuries ago."

DIO pondered for a moment.

"You know, there are ways to solve issues without stopping time, right?" he asked, "but I suppose I was hoping for some entertainment after ten years of Go Fish, mobile games, and watching Jotaro fight a priest."

"I told you," Luna said to Celestia, who grunted in response. DIO stepped to the wall, as if looking out of a window. He was going to, but seeing there was actually no window there, he figured he would pretend to look at the design instead to add to the dramatic effect.

"So, tell me," he started, "who is this enemy you speak of? I have read about many, none that really struck me as dangerous except—"

"King Sombra." Celestia interrupted. DIO fell silent, turning around with almost an expression of concern. "He was given Stand Power by this equine, who was capable of fighting off our most powerful guards and revoking our most powerful spells. Both of them are incredibly dangerous, and we haven't the military or even societal strength to fight them off."

"What of the Elements of Harmony?" DIO asked. As he spoke, he felt Fluttershy's grip tighten as she had quickly stopped smiling. There wasn't an immediate response either, as the princesses fell silent.

"Decommissioned," Dash said with a blatant tone, "Me and Flutters are the only ones who stuck around Ponyville. The rest left, even Twilight."

. . .

"Dio. . .are you. . .okay?" Jonathan asked cautiously. It seemed even he was speechless, but just for the reason that it was a saddening fact to hear, but that he was wondering,

'Was that my fault? Was I too hopeful?'

"It's not your fault, Lord DIO," Fluttershy said quietly in the silence, "It's just reality, and even the Princesses aren't used to it. We need your help, you've experienced that harshness all of your life, and you experienced our hope, so you could teach us to compromise and live with it in a better way."

DIO thought about this for a moment. He knew, deep down, that there was no way to alleviate reality, but he didn't want to take their hope away. He cleared his throat.

"Then you have made the right choice," he said, convincing himself that it was a necessary lie, "we will deal with this threat directly, and I will make sure that, before I leave again, this world will be safe and happy."

His words brought joy to everyone.

Everyone but himself.





"This will be the perfect target," Phoenix said, putting her hoof down on a map of one of the Great Equestrian Cities.

"Why not Canterlot, or the Crystal Empire?" Sombra asked with genuine curiosity, passed off with a 'testing his servant' expression. Phoenix looked up, and with a nervous smile she thought for a moment, before beginning to speak as quickly as possible.

"This city here has a population more willing to accept your rule, and, being one of the great cities, still provides military strength for the products coming in and going out of the city," she explained, "We have the advantage of scouting the region, nightfall superiority, perfect positioning in the mountains, and cultural deloyalization."

"Is 'deloyalization' a word?" Sombra asked, before Phoenix popped back quickly with a response.

"No," she said, "I just made it up and it sounds good. Now if we come in from the North East, the possibility of a QRF from a Cloudsdale Royal Division is reduced by several hours of flight-arrival time. We can begin there, making our path to the city hall, you can announce yourself with local media, then rumors will spread."

"Why not announce myself upfront?" Sombra asked again, this time not hiding his curiosity for why that was a better idea.

"Rumors create thought, not fear," Phoenix explained, "which means, rather than having the fear of knowing your coming, they will simply ponder it. While it may not seem a significant difference, it will be monumental in it's results. Citizens will be able to more objectively envision the benefit of your power over the Sister's. You will be accepted with minimum fatality."

"I never thought of it like that," he said, stroking his chin, "you are far more intelligent than the equines I have come to know over my years."

"The withdrawal allows us to think as individuals," she said, "it allows us to behave for ourselves to our discretion, rather than the princesses'. Our freedom is a threat to them, but with you there will be no threat, as they have freedom to do something that they never had before, the only thing that barred your success."

"And that is?" Sombra said, quirking his eyebrow with a stabbing skepticism.

"The freedom to follow a new leader," she said with a grin, revealing the new and sharp fangs. Sombra couldn't help but to grin as well, knowing that he had the power now to fight the only thing that had stopped him before. This servant was truly the greatest gift from fate.





It was dark, now. The time it took them to get there was a bit longer than they had anticipated, and as they walked no words were spoken. When they arrived at the cottage, they all took a seat somewhere and rested themselves, still remaining silent as no one really knew what to say.

Fluttershy was curled up beside DIO on a sofa while Dash was sitting back in a chair, looking down to think of something to break the silence. She didn't think of herself as close to DIO as Fluttershy was, but she was really fond of him. Out of the equines she knew her entire life, he was the only creature she'd ever gotten along with. In a strange way, she felt like he was a closer friend than any. Even though she was wrong before, she hoped she was right this time, with the knowledge of Celestia's stand being removed, she felt it was genuine anyway.

"Dash." DIO said. Rainbow looked up suddenly.

"Oh, uh. . .yeah? What's up?" she asked nervously, trying her best to keep cool about it.

"You're thinking, a lot," DIO pointed out, "why is that?"

"It's just uh. . ." Dash thought for a moment, before sighing, "we missed you, a lot. Especially when our friends broke away from us, we really needed you. It's not your fault that you weren't there, but maybe it was our fault for being unprepared."

"No, not at all," DIO quickly corrected, leaning forward, "your faults lie in what you can improve and choose not to, not in your inabilities to prepare for a large-scale change of environment that you have no foreknowledge of. It was something you could not help, so while you must deal with it, that doesn't require you to apply fault to yourself."

"Hard to believe you were heartless at one time, DIO," Dash said with a chuckle. DIO smiled.

"Well. . .what are we going to do about this "Sombra"?" Jonathan asked. DIO turned to him, before he could speak, Dash suddenly spoke over him.

"Oh, I just remembered to ask you, who is that guy? I didn't get to talk to him much at the little ritual thingy," Dash said suddenly, pointing at Jonathan who felt as if he were suddenly being accused of something.

"My brother by adoption," DIO said, "we quarreled in the past, but after stealing his body I grew to respect him more."

"A very. . .heartwarming way to. . .put it?" Jonathan said, scratching his head with an uncomfortable smile. After a hundred years or so, he never really thought about the awkwardness of that fact. However, since he's thinking about it, we don't have to.

"Ohh, so the one that you said keeps getting stronger?" Fluttershy pointed out. DIO sighed.

"Yes."

There was a sudden knocking on the door. Rainbow Dash flew towards it to open it, revealing a patiently-waiting Spike. Though he wasn't out of breath, or panicking, his expression showed that he had a serious message.

"Come in, Spike," Rainbow Dash said, cautiously, "you don't look so happy."

"I'm not," he said blatantly, walking in and greeting DIO with a gesture, "Fillydelphia was just attacked, and there were only 120 casualties out of the entire population."

"Why is that bad?" Jonathan asked with confusion, "Doesn't that mean there were more survivors?"

"No," Spike answered quickly, "the only casualties were those who did not decide to join under Sombra's rule after local messages were broadcast. Not only that, but out of the times Sombra has attacked Equestria, they have never been done like this."

"What do you mean?" DIO asked, stroking his chin.

"Sombra is a brute-force kind of guy," Spike replied, "according to record, he has never used much strategy due to his warmongering nature, he just relied on his substantial power. This time, he's using propaganda and positioning his attacks and timing well to perfectly-evade Royal Guard Reaction Forces. I mean, learning to strategize is one thing, but he's deviating from the use of mind-control into actually changing the hearts of Equestrians."

"Because he never could before," DIO said coldly, "Friendship kept it from happening."

"Damn," Spike shook his head, "it's never going to be simple again, is it?"

"Well, that doesn't matter!" Rainbow Dash said suddenly, noticing that Fluttershy was beginning to think too much again. Everyone directed their attention to her as she continued, "If we can defeat Sombra, it'll be the perfect way to show everypony that we're still able to win! Friendship can still prevail without the elements! That's what we were always taught, right Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy thought for a moment, before smiling and nodding. DIO looked at Jonathan with a smirk.

"Then lets go to Fillydelphia and take a look at it. . .from a distance" Spike said, walking out as the rest followed.





"Dear Celestia," Spike muttered, looking out with a pair of binoculars, "they're already taking down Equestrian Banners."

DIO squinted a bit, having better eyesight he was able to make everything out without the binoculars, following another group of equines who were standing out in a street. They were normal, but wearing armor with some kind of magical weapons. Restrained on the ground, and at the edge of a spear, were Royal Guard members.

"It looks like they're taking prisoners," he pointed out, "Royal Guard members, probably, and. . .wait. . ."

". . .They're not taking prisoners," Spike said slowly, "they're executing them."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Fluttershy asked softly, before catching a glimpse of a nearer group stabbing down a few guards just barely out of detailed view. She winced, turning away with a suppressed gasp. Rainbow Dash quickly turned to her and gave her a hug.

"This is what lied in the hearts of ponies for so long," Spike said, "the need to follow the strongest one, even if they're evil."

"It was my fault, wasn't it?" DIO said quietly to Spike, who looked over with an amused grunt.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't consider it bad," he said, turning back to look down at the city, "it revealed the truth of heart, it was bound to happen anyway when Celestia died."

DIO thought about this, but not for long as Rainbow had shouted from behind them.

"Watch out!" 

A large blast of magical energy was directly in front of DIO's face before time had stopped. Having only thirty seconds of time given ten years of not using his ability, he acted quickly to use The World to punch away the blast, before looking for where it might have come from. Within the last ten seconds, he spotted small distortions in the air as the sun had only then begun to rise. The World hovered forward, grabbing pieces of the magic and throwing them in a scattered blast of bolts towards the flying creatures.

"Time resumes," he said quietly as the magic was suddenly blasted away, and a few explosions in the distance indicated that his aim was correct, "we need to get out of here. They might have anticipated us."

The group began to run, being chased by more of the creatures who were no longer invisible. Pegasi with staffs, and equipped with something similar to the mind-control helmets. After the timestop had recharged, DIO grabbed all of them, stopping time again and escaping the creatures quickly.





"So they did bring him back. . ." Sombra mused, as the remaining of the group that chased down their perpetrators stayed in front of their leader, bowing.

"The human you call DIO was capable of some kind of instant teleportation, but it left behind no residue. They were able to leave our sight completely without leaving a trace," one of the guards said. Sombra simply chuckled.

"That is good, you are dismissed," Sombra replied, readjusting himself as they left. It seemed DIO was able to provide a bit of a challenge. He looked forward to fighting with DIO and winning, but he still had a rational concern for ignorance of DIO's exact capabilities. Sombra turned to his loyal servant, "I would like to see their capabilities before we engage them, what do you think of that?"

"I think that is a wonderful idea, my King," Phoenix replied with a smile, "we can advance a small military group into Manehattan, rules of engagement will be to kill only immediate threats until DIO arrives."

"What of that other human that was with him?" Sombra asked, "do we know of any special abilities he might have?"

"We don't but it'll be good to find out what he can do here," Phoenix replied, "shall I order the troops?"

"No, I will do that," Sombra said, "you have yourself a cup of coffee and some dessert, you should have rest from your fervent work."

Phoenix smiled. The appreciation from her highest and most idolized figure, Sombra, gave her a joy she had never felt in her life. It was as if God came down to her, and gave her his personal thanks. No princess could top that feeling, and at that point she was well convinced that she had done the morally-right thing. She felt that she had saved Equestria from poor leaders, and given them a strong and ruthless one. She believed, firmly, that Sombra was the key to the world without Friendship, and through him they would reach a great new age.

She was probably crazy, too, but the rest of Equestria was too divided to know that.
> A Fight in Manehattan Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIO arrived at the cottage with the rest of them, panting as he had moved as quickly as possible in stopped time—with all four of them and himself in tow, nonetheless. Even for a vampire as strong as he, to stop time and carry that many creatures at once was very draining. 

"Time. . .resumes. . ." he panted, as the passage of time continued, allowing the others to safely resume movement. After realizing they were no longer in danger, they relaxed themselves and rested.

"That was a helluva distance to travel in stopped time," Dash commented, "you look like you just ran a 10k."

"Thanks, Dio," Jonathan said with a smile, "you saved everybody."

DIO waved his hand dismissively, still catching his breath. He cleared his throat before sitting down in a chair and taking a final, deep breath to return to normal. One issue, however, was that DIO was now thirsty. He hadn't thought much about it, having not had the Thirst for ten years with his so-called "immaculate and heavenly" body. It was a rather inconvenient time for such a thing, and he wasn't sure what to do about it.

"I thirst," DIO said quietly. Fluttershy got up to fix him some tea before realizing what he meant. Yet, knowing his kindness, she instead stepped up to him.

"I can help you. . .a bit but. . .not much," she said shyly, "it's not all that painful."

"No!" DIO quickly said with a stern voice, causing Fluttershy to momentarily step back in a bit of a shock, "I will not put anyone here in harm's way for my sake, I'd rather pick someone from the street!"

As he spoke, he felt a bit of weakness. Pushing his timestop to a full two minutes so suddenly while using so much strength was far too much for even him to handle. He needed rejuvenation, he knew, but he absolutely refused to do so with Fluttershy, or any of them for that matter.

"Dio. . ." his brother said quietly, in a sorrowful admiration of DIO's newfound compassion. It was good to see him care so much, but to see him suffer as well was painful enough. After pondering, he came up with a plan.

"Yes, Jonathan?" DIO said, looking up at his brother. Jonathan sighed. 

"You can drink my blood," Jonathan said, "the Hamon will keep you from drinking too much by accident, and I can keep it from killing you."

'From killing you.'

Those words rung in DIO's head as he remembered, suddenly, all of his efforts to kill the Joestar bloodline. For a second, as well, a thought entered his mind. A cruel, harsh thought—almost heartbreaking. Simply, DIO wondered, just for a moment, if Jonathan would take this opportunity to kill him. DIO knew that, if he were his old self, he surely would have, but while he knew Jonathan would not behave in such a matter, DIO was still uneasy in thinking about it. That's when it hit him—this was a test of companionship he never had the opportunity to experience. Knowing Jonathan could still be holding a raging grudge for all the treacherous things DIO did—as he had the right to; knowing that, as a mortal, Jonathan was capable of killing DIO right there; knowing the unpredictability of any human, no matter how honorable. . .

"I trust you," DIO said. Jonathan was taken aback by the words, but stepped forward anyway. DIO drove his hand into Jonathan's shoulder, draining the blood from him as Jonathan didn't do so much as wince from pain. DIO knew his brother was strong, and he realized what he had missed out on so long ago.

A good brother.





Manehattan, even in the state Equestria was in now, was still a booming and beautiful place. The large city was incomparable to Appleloosa or Ponyville with their small produce and family-owned businesses. Even the majestic appearance of Canterlot and the Crystal Empire paled in comparison to the economic state of Manehattan with it's great businesses and infrastructure. While there was still crime, many of Manehattan's citizens lived peacefully with a willful ignorance to the state of the nation. Phoenix knew that, in order to subjugate it, a more complex scenario would have to be devised than brute force. However, they were not subjugating it—not yet. They wanted to see what DIO could do, what Jonathan could do, what all of them could do. 

Of course, Phoenix was laying upon a bed, comfortable, having a soothing tea with a nice dessert. Sombra had ordered her to rest, and while she wished to continue working, she knew not only that she needed the leisure, but that she wouldn't disobey Sombra—even if she was ordered to rest. On her journey to Sombra's prison, she had many doubts that tore away at her head. Doubts that, if unchecked, would have kept all of this from happening. "Are you sure this is going to work?", "Why not use the arrow on yourself?", "He might kill you too!".

Now, all of that was gone. She knew one thing for certain, and that was the fact that Sombra appreciated her. Whether it was genuine, or just from a point of strategy and usefulness, it was all she wanted. She laid back, taking another sip of tea and placing it onto the bedside table. In her mind, there was no more doubt. Only opportunity.

In the meantime, Sombra had already gathered a small task force. While he wasn't going for an invasion, he did want to have enough force to challenge his oppressors so that he might be able to properly gauge their threat level. While he felt confident, he still approached with caution as, so far, it had worked out much better than last time thanks to Phoenix's meticulous planning and absolute servitude. It would have been unwise to take any other approach. 

"Stalker 54, your task is to invade the Manehattan stock exchange," Sombra spoke sternly to the five creatures he had assembled, "Terminate their records and crash their localized economy. While we are not yet prepared to conquer this sub-national region, we can weaken them with minimum required force. I'd recommend harming no citizens in the process, unless they are of immediate lethal threat."

"We have rules of engagement, huh?" one asked. His voice was raspy and a bit higher in pitch, but he looked proper crazy. A changeling recruited from the ranks of Chrysalis' hive after her defeat at the Canterlot wedding. Just so happened to be waltzing around Fillydelphia when Sombra arrived, and was among the first three to help subjugate the region. A self-prescribed specialist in infiltration, he went by the alias Cicada. "Very interesting. . ."

"Very hopeful, actually," a dragon said. Red scales with a yellow belly, and female. Breathes fire, really strong, all the typical dragon stuff. Though, for her immense capability for brute force, she was surely articulate, and her name was Fury. "King, if I may ask, what has caused you to alter your strategy from the last time?"

"Your commander, the mare that released me from my imprisonment," Sombra replied, "she is quite a remarkable strategist, very skilled and well-studied."

"There are many equines like that," a unicorn said. With a grey coat, and a black mane, he wasn't so open about his real name and simply went by the name "Clarity". Skilled in numbers and in executing a plan, while adapting to the circumstance, Clarity was the leader of the group. "The Great Withdrawal allowed the true nature of equines to come forth, and thus they have greater potential."

"That I have noticed," Sombra replied once more, "There is much potential for this nation under a proper leadership."

"Which would be you, King Sombra~" a pegasus said, placing herself into the conversation with a naturally-seductive tone. Her name was Nightlight, and her mane was a vibrant crimson color with a gentle pink coat. Among the most beautiful of Equestria's citizens, she was just visiting Fillydelphia, as the other four were, but to seek out some new use of her manipulative skill apart from being a model in Manehattan. Sombra simply scoffed at her remark, earning from her a pouting face before the four of the task force looked back at the final member.

"Hey, this guy doesn't talk much, does he?" Cicada said with a grunt, "don't tell me we're gonna have one of those guys, they always end up being the big plot twist!"

"Stop being silly," Clarity said with a stern tone, causing Cicada to hold his tongue, "I found that equine trapped in some terrible magic curse that was driving him into the ground and fixed it. He explained to me that we should come here, and it's because of him that we all are here."

"Is that so?" Fury asked with skepticism. Sombra nodded, as they all looked forward to him with the exception of the fifth.

"Yes, I can confirm that," Sombra said, "he calls himself 'Saint'. He knows a bit more about our enemies, as he has explained to me. He has a similar power."

"Well lets see it!" Cicada said, before Saint turned to him.

"No." He said, calmly. Cicada felt a sense of fear when the pony spoke. Just an earth pony, but if he had a "similar power" to DIO and Sombra, then he was surely a force to be reckoned with. Saint didn't say another word after that, but it was worthy to note that a strand of oddly-curled blonde mane was poking out from a hood. The rest of him was concealed for some reason, as if he did not wish to be recognized. 

"I believe you have your full briefing, take this portal into the heart of Manehattan and begin your task," Sombra said, "and expect bizarre company."





DIO sat quietly, thinking to himself after hours had passed. He was much stronger now, with Joestar blood he felt completely reinvigorated. Though the Hamon energy was like a fully-body heartburn, it was merely an annoyance rather than an apprehension, just as Jonathan had reassured. Before he could ponder it too much, Spike hit his chest a bit before a blaze of fire came from his mouth, revealing a letter marked with the Manehattan Royal Sector's wax seal. 

"Well, that doesn't look good," Dash pointed out as Spike opened the letter. After reading it for a moment, he looked up at DIO.

"A team of five creatures are currently attacking the. . .stock exchange in Manehattan?" Spike seemed confused, "What's that supposed to do?"

"They're targeting the economy," DIO said, "a way to kill two birds with one stone. Not only do they weaken one of Equestria's strongest cities, they also draw our attention so that they might gauge our strength."

"So if we go help, we're playing into their hands," Jonathan pointed out, "but if we don't help, then. . ."

". . .then we're sitting ducks," Spike said, bringing his fists together, "and I don't see anyone here who looks all that much like a duck so we'll just have to show them what strength we have instead."

"Hold on," DIO said, placing a hand on Spike's shoulder, "we have to be calculated about it, but we will make them know we are not to be toyed with."

"What are we going to do?" Dash asked. DIO pondered for a moment. Without the elements, the equines would be unable to defend themselves, let alone the fact that both Dash and Fluttershy were Pegasi and had no ability to use or counter magic. On the other hand, DIO knew for a fact that the two would go with them regardless of whether or not the two pegasi were able to fight. He sighed.

"We will discuss that upon our arrival," DIO said, "for now, we should arrive by portal if possible, that way we can avert detection and keep from leading the enemy back here."

"That would be bad. . ." Fluttershy said quietly, before DIO petted her mane gently.

"If necessary, not a single one of them will remain standing," he said in a grim tone, looking at Jonathan, who nodded back, "let's go and see what they're doing, and let's stop it."
> A Fight in Manehattan Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"No one get's hurt as long as no one tries to!" Cicada barked, "unfortunately. . ."

While he and Saint kept up with crowd control, the other three were still hacking into the mainframe of Manehattan's stock exchange record system. It was taking a bit longer than they thought, given they were not really ones to do things "technically". Clarity, however, was well on his way to figuring it out.

"Geez, how long does it take to get into the M-SERS?" Nightlight whined. Fury scoffed in response.

"I could have just broken it," she muttered.

"It's imperative that we reach all of the backups," Clarity pointed out, "their systems are more advanced in electronic technology than the rest of Equestria, it's like figuring out a different kind of magic but. . ."

All of the screens in the building went to blue, white text spouting out diagnostics on a system failure before powering down.

". . .just as simple to figure out if you put your mind to it," Clarity finished, smiling, "Fury, Saint, and Cicada, take a hostage. Nightlight, you keep watch on the cameras and I will speak to the ponies."

The team nodded in agreement, doing as Clarity said. While they all shared in common the attribute of having a very difficult time obeying authority, the latter four showed a great respect for Clarity. He was never too harsh, and never too easy, he knew what the plan was and knew how to complete the task at hoof. If he didn't, he figured it out. For them, he might have had the work ethic of a good guy, but he was far from it.

"Equines of Manehattan, if you will allot me your attention for just a moment," Clarity said, a few despaired shouts and fearful whimpers sounding as hostages were taken, "what we do today, we do for your sake! This is why not one of you have been harmed, nor killed. We, Stalker 54, under the authority of King Sombra, have crashed an economy built on lies and for the rich and royal! That wealth shall be delivered back to you, soon, with the leadership of a new King! The age of princesses has fallen, their dynasty has broken apart, and we are here to usher in the next great age of Equestria! So, do not fear! Be thankful! For the graciousness of your King has given you hope!"

The equines looked around, confused at first but beginning to accept his message. Others still vehemently disagreed, yet remained silent. Nightlight leaned into Clarity's ear with a whisper.

"Did you actually mean any of that?" she asked. Clarity chuckled.

"No, not a bit," he said quietly, "I'm just getting paid to say it."

"Mmm, I like a focused stallion~" Nightlight said.

"And I liked a focused mare," Clarity replied, "speaking of, weren't you supposed to be focused on the door in which there are two large humans and a dragon?"

"Fuck."

Sure enough, DIO, Jonathan, and Spike stood at the entrance, all ready to fight. The equines stood back in awe at the return of the 'Vampire of the Summer's Sun'. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash stayed atop the roof, as they were looking down the entire time and keeping communication with the other three. Thanks to Spike's new position as an Ambassador, they were allowed particular Royal Guard technologies to communicate effectively over such a distance.

"That's enough!" Jonathan spoke up, "There will be no tyranny in this land so long as we are here."

"There already was, shithead!" Cicada shouted with a howling laughter, before his head was suddenly cut clean off. There was a gasp among the crowd, as the other members with the exception of Saint looking in despair to their now-certainly-deceased team member. The hostage ran away while the other two were released as the team realized that hostages weren't going to help them at all.

"C-cicada?" Clarity mumbled, his voice breaking at the sudden attack.

"I hated him. . .I didn't hate him that much though. . ." Nightlight said quietly. Fury only stared back at DIO with a rage-filled expression.

"Allow me to reiterate," DIO said, stepping forward as The World manifested clearly behind him, "you are not welcome, and I have no reason to keep you alive. It is better that you leave now, and never come back."

Fury let out a shout of rage as she darted forward, being met with The World's fist knocking her through the machines they were hacking into prior. Clarity and Nightlight jumped out of the way, before turning to make sure that she was still alive. Her breathing was shallow, and her ribcage was more than likely shattered from the sternum, but she was going to make it. Clarity wasn't going to accept another death on his team.

"Damnit, fall back! I'll deal with this myself," Clarity shouted as the other two stayed behind. Saint slowly made his way to the two, as if he felt no sense of threat. Turning towards his enemies, Clarity lit his horn as a large circle appeared on the ground below him. "Your existence is nigh, your hearts have died, your shadow is great, your feeling is hate! Rise and heed my call, shadows! Destroy my enemies!"

From the circle appeared several creatures that resembled equines who were long dead and forgotten. They smelled of waste, appearing to be rotted yet filled with a supernatural strength. Clarity showed no sign of weakness, and until those creatures were gone and out of the way, DIO did not want to risk using his timestop like last time and running out of energy. He also knew quite well that drinking from these creatures would do nothing for him, as they were already dead.

The shadows turned towards DIO, all running forward at him with sharp, rotted teeth exposed and snarling. Jonathan tapped DIO on the shoulder, giving a polite smile. DIO smirked, nodding to him in response as he stepped back and allowed Jonathan to have the spotlight. DIO was sure that he wanted to get in on the fighting as well after so many decades of nothingness. As the creatures made their way closer, an aura of energy surrounded Jonathan. DIO expected him to solely use Hamon, but much to his surprise, something else appeared to be suddenly wrapped around him.

"Hermit Purple," Jonathan said quietly, before raising his voice, "And Hamon!" 

DIO watched in awe, like a proud brother, as the all-too-familiar Stand was almost perfectly awakened by Jonathan, wrapping around the shadows and taking them out by the dozens. While it held them off, it still wasn't enough to push forward. DIO shook himself out of the daze and turned to Spike.

"You need to go around, deal with their lackeys. I will take on the leader myself," he said. Spike gave a quick salute before spreading his wings and cutting a sharp turn around the building to circumvent the shadows. Taking out a sword given to him by the Royal Guard, he swung in the direction of the three members still alive.

"It's too early," Saint said quietly. Nightlight looked over in confusion.

"Too early? We're about to die!" she screamed, before the clashing of a sword was heard, loudly ringing across the building's large interior.

Spike looked to see that his blade struck the sturdy scales of a dragon, the same one that DIO had punched earlier. Her wounds, however, seemed to have healed. Spike chuckled nervously.

"Bad first impression, right?" he said with a cautious smile. Fury only huffed, sending a punch back to Spike's chest.

"I'll take the dragon, you guys go after the vampire," Fury said, crackling her knuckles. One benefit to being knocked down so fast was having enough energy to heal herself. Old arcane magic, now considered primarily illegal in Equestria, gave Fury an edge in battle.

Spike got up, coughing a bit as he drew his sword once more. It had been a long time since he had such a potentially invigorating fight. Before he could fully recollect, Fury was already dashing towards him at full force. Spike quickly moved out of the way, while Fury's fist instead broke through the cement wall of the building. Spike observed the twisted reinforcing bars of metal, realizing that this might not be all that easy. He darted back again, feeling a current of wind from another punch, before swinging his sword at her face.

She bit the blade, breaking it in her mouth and spitting it out. Spike admittedly found this attractive in a very strange way, dropping his sword and holding out his fists. Fury threw a punch, Spike caught it, feeling his feet burrow into the ground from the sheer force. In return, Spike also threw a punch, Fury caught it, feeling her feet burrow into the ground from the sheer force. At that moment, they knew they were at a match, staring at each other for just a moment.

"Wow, destiny's a bitch, huh?" Spike said with a laugh, Fury smiled.

"So is nature," she said, throwing her knee into his groin.





DIO began to approach Clarity from the side, before Saint landed in the way. DIO threw a punch in his direction, before stopping and withdrawing very suddenly.

"You're a Stand User," DIO observed, taking a moment to study the equine, "yet you've done the least in this battle. Why is that?"

"It's too early." Saint repeated. DIO quirked a brow in confusion.

"Well, I suppose I will have to make you use your stand," DIO said, before throwing The World at Saint. Saint simply jumped out of the way, though DIO could catch a glimpse of the stand assisting him. It wasn't enough to identify anything, but DIO continued, throwing punch after punch as they were all dodged. He paused, noting that no offensive measures were being taken by Saint. "If you will not fight now, I will have no choice but to kill you all in stopped time."

Saint looked up for the first time, revealing a single blue eye. Something about it made DIO uncomfortable.

"Then I suppose I have no choice, either." Saint looked back at Clarity.

"I can't hold him much longer, Saint, we need to go!" Clarity shouted, his nose beginning to bleed. Saint looked back.

"Blind them!"

Before DIO could stop time, and before any of them could respond, a bright light blinded every other creature in the room. With ringing ears, and nothing but white in their eyesight, there was no telling of their whereabouts. Yet, instead of killing anyone, they had simply. . .vanished. 

As the effect wore off, DIO walked up to where Clarity was standing, seeing nothing but a large banner of Sombra, with no trace of the others. Jonathan stepped up to DIO, a bit exhausted, while Spike slowly crawled forward.

"Spike, are you alright?" DIO asked. Spike only whimpered in response, before slowly replying.

"She. . .hit. . .my. . ." 

"Understood," DIO said, speaking quickly before Spike could finish the sentence as he saw Dash and Fluttershy flying through the entrance and up to them. 

"What happened? Everything in there went white!" Dash exclaimed, before looking at Spike, "Oh, but I saw that part. Euhh." 

"T h a n k s . . ." Spike whispered, having just enough strength to make it sound sarcastic.

"A blinding spell, and then they vanished," DIO said, "it was before I could use my timestop."

"What do we do with the. . .bug. . .thing?" Jonathan asked, pointing to the now-deceased Cicada. He seemed to be wearing a thick vest, filled with loads of demolition equipment. As they all turned, they heard a faint sound.

Beep.

"Is that. . .a beeping noise?" Dash asked. Upon further investigation, not only was there a plethora of explosives, but some of them had blinking lights as well. DIO turned to Dash with widened eyes.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

"RUN!" DIO shouted.

Beepbeepbeepbeepbee---

"THE WORLD!"

BWOWOWOWOWTiktiktiktik. . .tik. . .

DIO picked up the body, using The World, to throw it out of the entrance and into a nearby pond. As time resumed, the body exploded into a million pieces, being mostly consumed by fire and wholly submerged underwater. With a sigh, he turned back to the group.

"So they're the type that need to have the last word," DIO surmised, "that makes sense."

DIO looked around at the large crowd of equines, who were now silent. It seemed that none of them knew what to think, still pondering what Clarity had said. One thing seemed to stick out like a sore thumb, though. The 'bad-guys' kept their promise, and nobody was killed. DIO on the other hand, was the only one to kill. After some thought, DIO himself had realized this, and urged the others to leave as there was nothing else they could do. The records were crashed, the exchanges were stopped, and Manehattan had already began to succumb to the soothing words of Clarity.

DIO was beginning to wonder if they were fighting a losing battle.
> Something Funny to Mention
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"A vampire?" Phoenix questioned. While she perhaps should have been concerned, she was moreso intrigued. The remnant of Stalker-54 were bowed before Phoenix, as ordered by Sombra at an earlier time, giving a report of the operation.

"Yes, it seems the human with him invigorated some mix of power within himself," Clarity said, "I noted a particular response from the vampire, they seem to be closely related. Yet, he also backed up in response to the ability, as if keeping a distance."

"Noted," Phoenix said, "And you say Cicada was KIA?"

Clarity was silent for a moment.

"Yes."

"A shame," Phoenix said, though it was clear she had no sorrow for them whatsoever. Clarity knew this, yet he still felt conflicted with the behavior. To him, though he knew he was doing evil by others for the sake of a proper living, the lack of compassion for ones own team seemed sorely out of place. His sense of morality was ambiguous, to say the least, but he held one ultimatum close to his heart: a team functions not for an individual, but for one another. To lose even one was a significant loss, even if it did not affect the mission.

"The Royal Ambassador was involved," Fury explained, "he meets my capability in strength, as foul as it is to admit."

"Bare in mind that he does not meet your capability in training," Phoenix said, "do not allow yourself to be emotionally-involved, whether that be anger or even romanticism. Think with meticulosity, not with feeling."

Fury hid her gritted teeth in response to the very notion of romance, yet also pondered whether or not "meticulosity" was a word. She was quite certain that it wasn't, but said nothing for obvious reason. Something was strange about this mare that Sombra had employed, and Fury was certain she wasn't the only one questioning Phoenix's authority. Fury's job was founded on her strength, yet it was only physical strength that she had mastered. The strength to hold her tongue was going to need more work, but she managed for the sake of her team.

"The market has collapsed," Nightlight said, "when we were coming back, I had Clarity use an information spell to view the status of the economy and it seems prices have already began to climb higher than my own ratings."

"Quite a height," Phoenix said, earning a gratuitous chuckle from Nightlight, "it will not be long before they become unstable and yearn for our rule to save them."

"It may be sooner than you think," Saint said calmly. The equines and dragon turned to face him in response; given, of course, that his nature was so mysterious to even Phoenix, she dismissed the fact that the other four had not remained bowed.

"How do you mean, Saint?" Phoenix asked. Saint rose his head to face her directly, the one piercingly-blue eye staring directly into Phoenix's. She was secretly taken aback by the sheer fearlessness on him—unsure whether or not to feel insulted by his tendency to present himself as equal, or perhaps even greater than she.

"Thanks to the clever words of Clarity, the city had already began to change their hearts towards your cause," Saint replied, "I had left for a moment upon our return before arriving to this room to see from a distance how the city was responding. The equines have risen against their leaders, chanting the name of their 'New King'. Banners have been torn down, buildings destroyed, and the riots are raging across the city. The Royal Guard is not able nor equipped to properly handle civil unrest, and have been unable to fight against the citizens due to outdated rules of engagement. They cities are being taken by local groups, and I heard rumors of militias forming in favor of Sombra's rule. They are surely turning to him."

"As they should," Sombra said, walking in. All but Saint bowed to him. Phoenix, who herself was also in a reverent position after having vacated the throne for her king, glared at Saint was if she were about to speak before Sombra's hoof rose to her in a gesture of silence. Phoenix immediately closed her eyes, looking back down to keep her rage from getting to her. Sombra simply chuckled, "Saint, you are a very interesting creature. I assume you wouldn't behave like this if you did not find yourself to be. . .how should I say. . .better than we?"

Saint was silent.

"A wise choice of words; it seems your actions speak loudly for you," Sombra noted, sitting upon his throne, "as I might have wished to kill you as my younger self, I now find it rather admirable that you have such confidence. I believe you will be remarkable against the Vampire."

"The Vampire does not teleport," he said suddenly. Sombra had a gesture of confusion, as did the rest of them.

"How do you know this?" Sombra asked, repositioning comfortably into his throne as he looked on with curiosity. Saint turned to look him in the eye.

"I've seen that stand before."





There was a painful silence back at the cottage. Only minutes had passed, but the stillness made it feel like hours. No one knew what to do. Everyone knew that no one knew what to do, but no one wanted to say that. No one wanted to point it out, as if something were stopping them from doing so. A sense of dread shrouded them, as there was more information to take in than they were capable of interpreting. For the equines, it was the political status. For Jonathan, it was a new and unfamiliar world. For Spike, it was the first use of force. For DIO, it was simply the truth.

After just a few moments longer, DIO stood up. 

"I'm going to go on a walk and calm down," he said softly, "I haven't had time to myself for thinking about everything, yet."

Before anyone could respond, he had already vanished from the house presumably using his timestop. Spike got up for a moment to head out the door before Jonathan's hand was laid over Spike's shoulder, stopping him.

"It's alright, he'll be back," he said with a reassuring smile. Spike sighed as he sat back down, deciding to break the ice by finally stating the blatantly obvious.

"This is going to be different from anything the Princesses or the Elements ever dealt with," he pointed out, "it's not just lasers and magic anymore, it's. . .politics. . .and war crimes."

"I don't think any of us but DIO are really equipped for this shit," Rainbow Dash said, trying to keep her confident tone but failing greatly, "maybe Jonathan too, but not us."

"It's so terrible," Fluttershy whispered, closing her eyes and curling into a ball, hiding her face from the light. Jonathan looked around at them, then back at the door before standing up.

"No," he said firmly, "that is not the thinking we should have!"

Fluttershy opened one eye to peak out while the other two turned suddenly to Jonathan. 

"Then what do you suggest?" Rainbow Dash asked, seeming almost hostile in her tone. Jonathan took not even a second to fire back with a passionate reply.

"No world can be held together with lies of peace," he said to them, "only the truths of it! Because of that, it's not up to a leader, government, or even a Stand Power to make and keep the world a better place—it's up to the individuals."

Before Jonathan could continue, Dash offered a rebuttal as she was feeling angrier by the moment by the situation itself, not knowing that she was beginning to take it out on DIO's brother.

"Enough with the individuals crap!" she shouted, and without notice causing Fluttershy to retreat once more to the safety of her foreleg, "We were told that shit when Friendship was in control, and now that it's not, the real world is just staring us in the face and waiting on us to give up! The individual can't do anything!"

"Do you remember what you told Dio?" Jonathan asked. Dash paused, seeming confused as she didn't know that Jonathan was watching DIO from the other world, and though he still knew little of the equine-inhabited land, he was sure to keep an eye on his brother whether it was to keep him from killing everyone in the past, or to keep him from being killed now, "You told him about the stars. That's something that's true even in our cruel world—but it's only as cruel as we make it. Humans aren't the greatest of creatures, and vampires surely are not, but you changed DIO, in a way that even I thought impossible. That wasn't a Stand power, that was you."

Dash was silent now, thinking about what she said.

"One hundred years ago, even more," Jonathan continued, "Dio would have never allowed a pastel-colored pony that loves animals to tackle him with a hug. He wouldn't have even allowed me to breathe. When we were young, Dio made it his mission to make my life as miserable as possible, and when he discovered the stone mask, he sought to rule over our world. He killed many of my friends to try and kill me, and I thought I had defeated him. If there's one thing, however, that I respected Dio for then and still do now, it was his determination. Yet, that determination can translate to stubbornness. You changed a vampire from that. . .that absolute hatred for living creatures, with the determination to steal my body as a decapitated head to a self-sacrificing and compassionate almost-human person, and you wish to convince me that it was not by your own kindness?"

"I. . .I guess you're right. . ." Dash said quietly, "I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize," DIO said, having suddenly appeared in the room, "Jonathan didn't tell the whole story."

Fluttershy smiled, getting up to hug DIO before being warded off by a halting gesture from him. In confusion, she sat down. Jonathan turned back, stepping away in almost a sense of fear for what DIO may have had intentions on revealing about himself.

"Jonathan left out some crucial details," DIO admitted, "my cruelty was boundless. Whether human or animal, whether male or female, whether grown-up or child, I killed, fused, and consumed thousands of humans if not more. I am not a good person, nor will I ever be. You have not made me good—but that is not what your goal should be."

"Then. . .what is it?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Good is. . .well. . .good. . .right?"

"Good and evil are not absolutes, nor are they standardized," DIO explained, "you should seek what is effective for you, for those you love, and then for the world. What you taught me was not that I could be good, but that the world could be better. That it wasn't something to hate for what it is, but to admire for what it could be. You should keep that goal in mind."

"In doing so," Jonathan continued, "you realize that you can't make the world a perfect place, but maybe you could make it a better one, as life will always have conflict."

". . .and in those conflicts, you build friendships with unlikely people," Spike said with a chuckle, "I remember Twilight mentioning something about that."

Dash, Fluttershy, and even DIO smiled briefly at the memory of Twilight. It was saddening, however, as the former two remembered once more the rest of their friends—but when those memories flooded back, they remembered what they fought for. They remembered why Sombra's reign was a threat. Not economic attacks, propaganda, or even domination. It was trading the conflicts of a free life, with friends to help. . .for a life under tyranny, where everything was dystopian, and friendship was no longer required. Where everyone was a cog in the machine—something that would destroy any world faster than an army ever could.

"Then let's take the fight directly to Sombra," Spike suggested, "we know how they operate now, but they think they've got the upperhoof."

"Let's teach 'em a lesson," Dash said with a grin.





"How can you have seen that stand before? The Summer Sun Celebration?" Phoenix asked suddenly, seeming a bit anxious for some reason. Something about this stallion didn't set right with her, she had to know now who she was. Sombra, as well, was rather curious, as he knew little of the identity of the equine, only baring knowledge of his ability.

"A man I once knew," he said, "with a stand that could stop time."

The remainder of Stalker-54 was shocked, as was Phoenix. Sombra quirked a brow, finding it to be significant but surmountable challenge.

"What is your real name, Saint?" Phoenix asked suddenly. Sombra began to interject, but Saint quickly answered.

"I suppose it is time," he said, removing his hood slowly. His coat was pink, but his mane was a bright and illustrious blonde color, curled magnificently in one of the most peculiar styles of mane. He looked up at Phoenix directly, without hesitation, "I am the president of the United States of America, and I have a score to settle with one of the Joestars. This vampire you've been fighting is an alternative version of one I knew with the same ability. I believe he may have insight to a way to defeat them, and restore power to my own world. I have helped you because I expect, in return, a way back."

"That will be given as soon as the task is completed," Sombra said, "but I don't believe you answered Phoenix's question."

"Ah, yes," Saint said with a chuckle, before suddenly shifting back to the grim tone, "My name is. . ."



"Funny Valentine."
> Love and Cruelty
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"DIO," Spike said, walking into the room. DIO looked up, as after a long few days of preparing them all for battle and organizing a plan of approach, he was rather exhausted. Of course, with a Fluttershy cuddled beside him, platonically, he was petting her mane, platonically, as he was listening to Spike continue, "The Royal Guard identified a location stupidly close to the Crystal Mountains that Sombra may be hiding in."

"What evidence is there to suggest such?" DIO inquired, still petting Fluttershy in such a platonic manner that you wouldn't question it.

"Well, for one," Spike showed him a picture of a large black castle built into one of the Crystal Mountains, "he might as well have painted his face all over it."

DIO squinted his eyes with a disgruntled expression. It was way too obvious, Sombra had to be considering their arrival already. Still, it was going to take a while for them to get there anyway. He was certain he could defeat Sombra, especially with Jonathan by his side. The only problem was risking more lives than necessary, being already uncertain of Sombra's stand ability. Of course, there was that other equine that seemed off to him. Sometime told him things were going to be more complicated than anyone else was anticipating. However, he was sure they would encounter Stalker-54 somewhere along the way as their movement would surely not go undetected.

"Then we disembark today," DIO said, "but if Sombra is being this obvious with his recent behaviors, it is fair to say he might be expecting our arrival."

"That's true," Spike replied, "we'll have to be on our toes."

DIO looked at Fluttershy, who returned an uncharacteristically-stern expression.

"I'm going," she said.

DIO sighed, knowing he would not be able to convince her to stay as kind as she was. At the very least, it was a reason to take things more seriously, but he was surely uncomfortable with the thought in general of her presence near Sombra with what might have to be done. He wasn't precisely sure how violent he would have to be to solve the situation, but he knew for certain it was not something for equine eyes to see to brazenly-displayed. Yet, it seemed another harsh truth of their new world's fruits, and one that perhaps could not be avoided for long. He nodded, content with the risks and determined to make them negligible.

"You're going," he said to Fluttershy, who smiled in response. 





"I sense they will be attempting to come to us soon," Sombra said to Phoenix, the both of them laying upon a great bed. Phoenix was nearly entangled with him, a show of compassion she thought to be impossible, noticing but willfully ignoring the lack of return on the part of Sombra.

"And what will we do?" Phoenix asked.

"What do you think we should do?" Sombra replied. Phoenix thought for a moment.

"I have a plan, we should—" Phoenix said before Sombra's hoof fell gently upon her muzzle.

"Good, then let us rest," he said softly. Phoenix blushed lightly, but looked confused.

"Do you not want to hear my plan?" She asked, but seemed a bit sorrowful in her tone which Sombra noted quickly.

"I have faith that whatever plan you have come up with is good," he replied, "you haven't come up with a bad plan yet. Your mind is brilliant, and your tactics are nothing short of genius."

Phoenix blushed, hugging him tightly. Something he wasn't sure how to particularly respond to, and simply remained still. However, it was increasingly uncomfortable for him as she nuzzled his neck, causing an unconscious response against his own will.

"Thank you, my king," she said softly, her eyes closed as she immersed herself in the sweet aroma of the king she might as well have been worshipping, "you're everything to me."

". . .Everything?" he questioned cautiously. She nodded into his neck, a drop of water brushing across it. Sombra noticed now she was crying.

"Everything." she said again, her voice loose as she held back what seemed to Sombra to be an unwarranted response, before she spoke again, "I-I'm sorry, I just—"

"Shh," Sombra said, rolling over to face her, "Do not apologize, I understand. You have fought well for me, and I should provide you that which you desire in return, it is only reasonable, no?"

"I. . .desire. . ." she said softly, with a shaky voice. After a long pause, Sombra quirked a brow.

"You desire. . ?" he said, hiding his impatience well. Phoenix looked into his eyes, and he nearly looked away but managed to stay there despite how uncomfortable it was.

"A kiss."

Sombra was taken aback, and unsure of how to handle such a situation. He didn't want to kiss her. Goodness. She was an asset, a viable strategic piece to conquering Equestria, but that was all. While she was indispensable, she was not irreplaceable. He found no need to cater towards her romantic interests, but what if that was the only thing keeping her loyal? On one hoof, he wished to test her loyalty, on the other, it seemed far too early to risk losing such an important piece of his plan. Of course, how foolish he was to already have promised to fulfill her desires. All-in-all, he would have to keep that promise in order to keep his leadership in the long run, as much as it pained him to admit that.

Knowing that the length of his thought might raise suspicion, he decided not to allow her the kiss, but instead to initiate it himself. Leaning forward suddenly and kissing her with the passion of the lovers on the moon. Experience is often misconstrued with passion, he knew, and thus it was once more as the mare fell under his influence in totality, and without even a second thought, progressing to a bond he knew would keep her much closer to him. Something that would convince her, in her blind compassion, to stay by his side no matter what he did. A perfect way to tamper with the design of intimate connection in such a way that it would result in a benefit for only himself in the end. Something only a heart as black and wicked as his could manage. 

Phoenix had no idea. Just thinking to herself how wonderful it was that the one she cherished so dearly as first deity but now lover would share such a moment with her. She thought of nothing but the moment, and to draw it out as long as possible. For as truly sickening as his intentions were, she, in her ignorant adoration, knew no better. On that night, she gave up her will for his, no longer an individual, but a piece of Sombra.





After a while, Rainbow Dash and Jonathan had woken up to join the three at the living room of the cottage, preparing to leave. There were mixed feelings for all of them, but the most dominant was hope. Despite the spread of Sombrian Propaganda from Manehattan, and newly-designated local rulers under the New Sombrian Creed operating a militarized force that made a joke of Equestrian Royal Guards with the embracing of dark magic, the group knew that if they could show the weakness of Sombra, that support for him would fall quickly. 

At least, that was the plan. DIO knew it wouldn't be that easy, and deep down the others knew as well. What they knew first and foremost, however, was that Sombra could not be allowed freedom any longer than necessary. He was the priority, and it was up to the Princesses to manage the growing unrest and militarization of their former citizens while the group dealt with Sombra himself. Hope was all they had left in these days, and they knew, deep down, that letting go of that would be an admission of defeat.

So they refused.

Hours passed, a long journey was still ahead of them as they continued closer to the Crystal Mountains. It would take them a very long time to get there, but they knew they would have each other no matter what. What they had not considered, however, was the tactful Phoenix working against them. After a couple of days passed, nights of staying in hotels and ad hoc campsites, they eventually arrived to Neighagra Falls. However, upon their arrival, something seemed so suddenly serendipitous but surely sullied with some sort of struggle sewing a stopover. They were not alone, here, as the equine called Saint appeared before them. 

Spike, without a thought, charged at him, before vanishing underneath a recognizably-American flag. DIO and Jonathan turned to each other, having seen the arm of a stand retract to Saint. Fluttershy was speechless, while Rainbow Dash went to speak up before being interrupted suddenly.

"DIO Brando," Saint said loudly, "I see that you haven't instructed your posse well! Now, allow me to make an "executive order", if you will. If you wish to fight Sombra, then you shall prove yourselves separately against us, and if you can do so divided, then you will surely do so united."

"I'll kill you," DIO shouted, beginning to approach Saint before stopping as the Stand appeared above the equine's hood-obscured body.

"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap may not be able to stop time," he said, "but I would advise you be careful about doing so now. After all, only I know where your beloved friend is now. Your best hope is to allow my Stand to do what is necessary by the order of King Sombra, or else your friends will be lost forever and Sombra will rule over this pathetic and colorful world."

DIO gritted his teeth. He cared more about the ones remaining than he did Spike, but he was not prepared to sacrifice Spike for the greater good. Jonathan turned to him.

"DIO, they will survive," Jonathan said, "we will reunite, I'll make sure of it. No one has to die."

DIO wanted to tear the jaw off of Saint's grin, but refrained from doing so as he knew Saint could not have been the only one present. Reluctantly, he stood back, turning to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. They nodded in response with looks of determination which gave DIO assurance.

"Fine, then," he said, "do as you wish. I will still kill you."

"I am sure you will have the opportunity to try," Saint said, "but for now."

A flag unfurled over Saint, allowing him to appear directly in front of them. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were taken away by one flag, and Jonathan by another. Saint looked up at DIO, who was the last one remaining.

"We'll be meeting again soon, DIO," he said, vanishing underneath the flag once more.

"Damn it." DIO said.
> War and Honor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Damn, where am I now?"

Spike looked around, noticing a sudden increase in heat as he observed what looked like the inside of a volcano. Before he could ponder further, a voice rung out from across a pit of lava.

"A colosseum," it spoke, Spike instantly recognizing it as Fury. Drawing his sword, he turned to face his oppressor, standing upon a lifted area of the volcano's interior. It was no standard colosseum, something constructed long ago by the elder dragons. Not many knew of their history, but being one himself, he felt obliged in his time with Twilight to read about them when he wasn't doing chores.

"This is. . ." Spike said, before Fury completed his sentence.

"The same place our forefathers fought," she said, "to decide who was worthy to rule the isles. Filled with enchanted magma, the kind that can kill even a dragon. That's why it was so important to our species, we thrived on leaders who took a risk to carry their brethren. Yet, since Celestia withdrew her powers from the world, our civilization was among the many ancient species' to collapse in the midst of the chaos. There's fewer of us now. . .but you didn't know that, did you? Serving equinity as if they were your own race, denying our dying people in favor of the equines who revealed with no more than a decade that they were just as rotten as they accused the rest of the world to be. Just as rotten as they accused Sombra to be."

"I was given a loving mother, and a nation to put my pride in," Spike retorted with a stern tone, "what were you given, something to sulk about?!"

Fury let out a roar, lunging for Spike and knocking him to the ground. His sword fell from his hand as he quickly kicked her off. After getting on his feet, he looked towards it, then back at fury.

"If you want to decide worthiness," Spike said with a crackling of his knuckles, "then I guess I should play fair."

"Fair?" Fury said with a chuckle, "as if feeble equine-manufactured sword would be enough for a naturally-raised dragon."

Spike wasn't sure if it was wrong of him to be admirable of her resolve, yet he found himself having to consciously recall that she was an enemy, and not a friend. He wasn't sure why, but the more the thought about it, the more he realized that it had been a very long time since he last saw a dragon. While he was quiet about it, he felt lonely at times in even the presence of so many equines. Was it true that he had neglected his own species in favor of another? Was it friendship that caused it? In the heat of the moment, there was something he was forgetting. Some reason why he didn't give it his all the first time they fought.

"Now isn't the time for me to question my life or decisions," Spike said aloud, "but I don't fight for equinity, I fight for friendship's perseverance."

"Then let's see where that will get you when you're alone," Fury said with a snarl, before lunging forward once more.





Jonathan shook his head, in a bit of a daze after D4C's affects sent him to a strange forest. It was more disorienting than he had imagined, but then again, he wasn't sure he would be teleported by the means of an American flag. He wasn't caught up with American politics in his time of life, but he was certain that whoever that pony was had to be from another time, if not another dimension entirely. Such an appearance was far too bizarre for a president of any country, at least in his world.

Taking a deep breath to make sure his Hamon was well-prepared, he continued forward, attempting to find an egress from the forest. Though he traveled not long, a voice called out to him. Soothing, feminine. . .manipulative. 

"Jonathan, why do you fight for evil?"

"Hey! Show yourself!" Jonathan shouted, turning around to see only shade and shrouded forest around him.

"You cannot deny the things that DIO has done, why do you protect him?"

"Dio is my brother! Nothing will change that!" Jonathan said proudly, "he's a better man now!"

"What can change the heart of a man? What but the sweet kiss of the one he loves?"

Jonathan thought back to Erina, foul memories of DIO coming back to him. He shook his head, knowing that whoever was speaking to him was trying to shake his resolve, and he wasn't going to allow that. He knew DIO had changed; the DIO back then would have never done the things that—

"Don't you know that all it takes to convince someone, is just a bit of false kindness? A vampyre like DIO, cruel and manipulative, do you not think it was at least possible for him to pretend?"

"Wh-what do you mean?!" Jonathan asked, beginning to become irritated but with painful curiosity wondering what she was trying to say.

"Come now, Jonathan, you are a man of honor! You killed him yourself, a righteous act of vengeance and protection for the human race. Death is permanent, no? Yet he lives! How evil is the one that outsmarts God?"

"Show yourself!" Jonathan shouted. He heard a rustling in the leaves, summoning a protective barrier of Hermit Purple around him as he saw an equine walking from the obscurity of the woods. Her mane was beautiful, her coat perfectly kept. Something about her was attractive beyond measure, yet to a man as honorable as Jonathan, unnervingly unsightly. She was the one from the Manehattan stock exchange, Nightlight.

"You remember me, don't you?" she said, "my name is Nightlight, I work with King Sombra."

"You serve a wicked king!" Jonathan said, "Why do you expect me to believe anything you're saying?"

"Because, Jonathan," Nightlight said, "King Sombra has showed me your past with his great and powerful magic, and I know everything about you."

"You lie!" He retorted, but Nightlight simply chuckled, walking circles around him as she continued.

"Jonathan Joestar, a young and smart boy who lived with his father in a beautiful mansion. Your life was peaceful, rich, mighty, until a boy named DIO Brando came in to your life. He was stronger, smarter, and after convincing your own father to betray you, he was even richer. Taking your joy, your sweet Erina's first kiss, even the life of your beloved pet. Burning him alive. Don't you remember?"

"That was. . .that was well over a century ago!" Jonathan exclaimed, visibly distressed by the memories now being forced into his mind. He wanted to punch her, to silence her in some way, but he knew it was dishonorable. Evil or not, she was a woman, and he dare not do such a thing. He had only fought and killed men, zombies, vampyres, never women nor children—nor even animals. Thought it was confusing to say whether or not she was woman or animal, he was certain she fell within the category of maiden, albeit seemingly by a stretch. He refused to fall to such a level regardless, yet the torment she gave to him was nearly unbearable.

"For a vampyre, no time at all. Besides, he was asleep after stealing your body for. . .what was it. . .oh yes! A century. How much change can happen in just a couple of days? Are you sure he was changed?"

"I-I saw him. . .in heaven. . ." he said slowly.

"In Heaven? As in. . .the stand power he wishes to achieve? Who's to say he hasn't already, and simply needs Sombra's more powerful stand out of his way? Who's to say he is not using all of you to come to power first in this world, then in the next, and every one thereafter? Who's to say your memories were not fabricated by him?"

"Stop!" Jonathan shouted.

"I'm trying to get you to see the truth, Jonathan! To see justice! You killed him, yet he returned—your great, great grandson killed him. . .yet he returned here! Slaughtering a plethora of equines before he pretended to see the light. He still possesses the World, with the ability to stop time at the very least, and you trust someone with such power? DIO with such power?"

Jonathan wasn't sure what to think, he began to doubt. He just wasn't sure what to say, or what to think.





CRASH

Loud echoes of clashing, scaled fists echoed throughout the ancient intramountainous structure. The boiling of molten rock seeming to grow faster as the intense fight on solid ground continued between the two dragons. Their impacts shook the structure, but just under the threshold of force required to cause it to collapse. With fierce roars, and gritted teeth, the two fought as if it would be their last battle, each giving it everything they had. One for his friends, the other for her species. With such resolve, it was impossible to know who would win in the end, or if there would be a winner before the both of them would collapse.

"Why do you fight so hard for the ones who abandoned you?!" Fury shouted, throwing a punch towards Spike's chest.

"Why do you fight so hard for the ones who will?!" Spike retorted, taking the punch and returning an equivalent blow to his opponent. The two jumped back, panting as they had been fighting for nearly fifteen minutes straight now.

"Answer my question!" Fury shouted.

"I already told you, I fight for friendship!" Spike said, "Leaders will come and go, but if I can stop tyrants then I will! No one can prosper under an evil like Sombra's! Now you answer me!"

"Damnit, I already told you!" Fury replied, "This isn't about Sombra or his Celestia-damned rule, this is about preserving the dragons!"

"Yet you fight one in his name?" Spike asked, more calmly but still with a raised voice. Fury stopped for a moment.

"There must be others," Fury said with a growl, "more than just a equine sellout!"

She threw another punch, Spike returning one as well as their fists clashed with remarkable force. A shockwave shaking the room tremendously as a few rocks broke off and fell into the lava. The popping of lava became more prominent as it began to grow more violent, going first unnoticed as the two warriors continued to fight. Another clash, another shockwave, and more of the structure began to deteriorate as their force grew even stronger. It was only when the ground beneath them began to split that they noticed what was happening. The area, standing for thousands of years and enduring many battles, had gotten close to drawing it's final breath. In that moment, Spike had realized what it was that stopped him from fighting the last time—what was stopping him now.

"We have to get out of here!" Spike said suddenly, still holding his own against Fury, but blocking more of her punches than returning them. Fury let out a cry of rage.

"NEVER!" she shouted, "either one of us comes out, or NEITHER OF US!"

As she said that, the ground beneath her snapped, causing her to lose her balance. Before she knew it, it had violently split open, causing her to fall. She accepted death as she felt the heat of lava grow closer. A sudden pain struck her arm as something grabbed her wrist.

"Fight me later if you want," Spike said, "but no one deserves to die with hatred."

Fury was confused, going to speak before a deafening explosion hit their ears. She closed her eyes in response, feeling a sudden rush of adrenaline as Spike took flight with her in tow. She had just fought him, tried to kill him, defeated by luck itself, yet he saved her. She wanted to kill him more just for denying her what she thought to be an honorable death, but the more she pondered it, the more she began to question exactly what would lead him to do such a thing.

"Why?" she finally asked, as the volcanic eruption grew more and more distant, blasting bits and pieces of flaming rock into the sky. Spike sighed, flying still to a safe spot out of range.

"Because you're right," Spike said, "I neglected my species. I ignored the Equestrian archives I found when trying to establish contact with them five years ago as Ambassador of Equestria."

"I knew it," she muttered, "you're a traitor."

"You don't understand, Fury," Spike said in a more sorrowful tone. He let her down softly on the ledge of a mountain, landing himself and turning to look at the eruption.

"I don't understand?" Fury said, raising her voice a bit as she stood up and attempted to get into his face, but he stayed facing the eruption with what looked like a tear in his eye, ". . .why are you crying? Guilt? Shame? What?"

"I couldn't fight you to the best of my ability," he said, maintaining his composure well, "because I was too overjoyed to know that the archives were wrong."

"W-wrong? About what?" Fury said more softly, unsure of what to make of what he was saying. He turned to look her in the eyes.

"About me being the last of my species."

"Wh-what?"

"The Equestrian Royal Guard's Reconnaissance Unit, under my command, led an investigation spanning a year into discovering remaining draconic races after the withdrawal of friendship. After I found those archives of what was at the time current Equestrian knowledge, I knew there had to be a dragon out there somewhere. That's when my team found the last ones. Hidden within a detached region. Dead. We searched for survivors, but they had all starved."

Fury didn't know what to say. She lost the ability to keep an expression other than shock. She simply sat down, staring at what used to be ancient history, before it finally let loose a violent eruption. Spike sat down beside her, staying silent as she processed the thoughts.

"So there really are no more. . ." she whispered, too shocked to weep. Spike shook his head.

"No, there's two more," he said quietly. He looked at her, "two left."

She looked up, before shaking her head. A strange aura left her body, and flew towards the distant Crystal mountains. She gasped.

"Wh. . .what is. . ?" she said, before falling unconscious. Spike was confused, but picked her up, thinking little of it at the moment as he flew towards Canterlot to put her in a medical ward before regrouping with DIO.





"Tell me Jonathan," Nightlight said once more, "who can say that DIO doesn't have you in the palm of his hand already?"

Jonathan took a moment to think, recounting the times spent with DIO in Heaven, seeing such a genuine change in his nature. He remembered that evil intent that had the force of a hurricane before, and remembered that it was gone. Replaced with an aura of love and kindness that was beyond inconceivable. No amount of mind control or deception could change that. Jonathan strengthened his resolve as his Hermit Purple unraveled from around him.

"I know for sure it would not be a manipulative beast such as yourself!" he said. Nightlight retorted with an offended look.

"H-How dare you!" she shouted, "I'm not a beast, I'm not manipulative, I'm pretty!"

She flared up her wings, but before she could attack, Jonathan's Hermit Purple restrained her.

"H-hey! Let go of me! Pervert!" she shouted once more, squirming about in the thorny embrace of the Hamon-filled Stand.

"Please don't call me that," Jonathan said calmly, almost offended by the thoughtless remark before taking a deep breath. Using his Hermit Purple, he noticed that there was something off about her mind, "there is evil within you, evil that isn't from your own heart. This might sting."

A charge of Hamon energy shot through the Stand, giving a mildly painful but mostly uncomfortable sting to Nightlight. As it did, something came out, something Hermit Purple wrapped itself around. It was some kind of energy, but Jonathan wasn't sure of what it was as it suddenly escaped his grasp before he could charge it with a lethal amount of Hamon. 

"I. . .This isn't Manehattan. . .uughh. . ." Nightlight muttered as she collapsed on the ground. Jonathan looked around, and, seeing that there were no other enemies took her out of the forest before waving down some passerby's to take care of her while he went to find DIO and the others. He knew something was off about the energy, but he didn't have time to ponder it now. He saw the direction it flew, and followed in it's path.
> Loyalty and Kindness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The two pegasi sat quietly where they had been suddenly taken. While they felt determination with DIO, it seemed to quickly fade away in his absence as they realized they would be fighting with another pony with no special power or ability. Needless to say, they had not been trained in combat, and surely not as much as any of the ones they were against. At that, who would it be? The warmongering dragon? The seductive equine? The stand user? 

. . .Sombra. . ?

Fluttershy couldn't help but to start quietly crying. She wanted to be strong for her friends, and she knew how to be assertive, but these were ponies trained to kill and enslave. DIO could take life, and while it was fearsome to see, it was something he did only as necessary. Could Rainbow Dash do the same? Could she?

Too many questions, but not enough time as Clarity emerged from atop a small hill. While consoling Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash began to take in the surroundings while keeping her eye on Clarity. A few trees here and there, Canterlot visible in the vast distance and well beyond the scope of shouting for help. She turned to Clarity, standing atop the one hill in an almost empty field of short grass. In the distance was a forest, but it was quite far away, though it did seem familiar. It seemed strange to be at that location, as what she had gathered from Clarity was that he was the strategist of Stalker-54. There wasn't much here to make use of, and he himself didn't seem a blatant fighter.

She started to look at him more closely, noticing an unmistakable expression of sorrow on him as he looked down. That expression struck Rainbow Dash as enraging. How dare he mock empathy being allied with Sombra? She gritted her teeth.

"What are you waiting for?!" Rainbow Dash shouted. Clarity dropped his expression, before looking at her with determination.

"Your first move," he said calmly. Dash felt insulted that he would so blatantly reveal what he was doing, letting go of Fluttershy and darting forward at perhaps the fastest she had ever flown in her life—aside the sonic rainbooms. Fluttershy only looked on in terror to see her friend risking her life so quickly.

Clarity, anticipating such a move, fired a bolt of magic energy at Rainbow Dash, who swirled around and continued towards him. Not having time to attack once more, he jumped off of the cliff and cushioned his blow with magic before using the same energy to launch towards Dash as a projectile. 

'What kind of magic is this?' She questioned in her mind, dodging the attack with a singe on her feathers. Her rage nullified the sting as she flew directly towards him again. Clarity lit his horn, causing earth to burst forth from itself in Dash's direction. It made contact, but not enough to turn her off course too much. Clarity darted back at an uncanny speed as Dash landed her forehooves into the ground with a brute force causing the ground to crack beneath them. This hurt her of course, but she didn't mind, galloping towards him still before jumping forward with her wings to propel her movement.

Clarity responded with another direct attack, but this time the bolt split off into three, seeming to surround Dash. She began to think to herself again as she darted upwards to dodge it once more.

'Is this. . .combat magic?'

The ensuing explosion from the colliding bolts made an unanticipated contact with her, singeing her tail a bit as it threw her off balance in the air. She quickly gained her bearings, darting towards again. This time, she was able to land a blow onto Clarity, who seemed to not move. Before she could think about it, a shield of magic thinly coating his body gave her a shock, blasting her back.

"You're a pegasis, you cannot fight me fairly," Clarity said calmly, "please, surrender."

'This guy pisses me off,' Dash thought to herself, 'but he has a point, I've got to do something different. If I keep at it like this, I'm going to be beaten out of my stamina.'

She darted her eyes around, before dashing forward again. Clarity launched another projectile, which Dash quickly avoided before changing course, making a sharp 180 and flying towards him again. Clarity, once again fired another projectile which Dash once again avoided, but this time cutting a sharp turn as the magic struck a tree. Clarity turned to face the tree, charging up a spell to change it's path before Dash threw both of her hindlegs into his face.

"I've had a lot of time to think about outsmarting unicorns," Dash said, "I never deny an opportunity to teach an asshole like you a lesson."

Clarity grunted, kicking his hindlegs off the ground they were so close to and unexpectedly changing Dash's trajectory, before using her own momentum to throw her into the ground. Dash coughed, before looking up to Clarity once more who was now standing on his hindlegs with his hooves guarding his face. 

'You've got to be kidding me,' Dash thought to herself with irritation, 'Martial arts?'

She hovered over ground with her wings, holding a stance of her own off the top of her head. Clarity shook his head.

"You'll lose stamina flying like that," he said, "it is best to assume a stance on the ground."

"Why would you tell me that if it were true?" Dash asked.

"Because I want a fair fight."

"Didn't you just brag about being a unicorn and being better?"

"You proved me wrong. Now let's see if you hold up."

Dash flew forward with a punch, which was quickly turned into leverage as Clarity threw her back once more with her own momentum. Before she could collect herself, he threw a kick into her side causing her to fall to the ground.

"You also become an easier target for kicks," Clarity lectured, "pegasi have a disadvantage in close-quarters combat because it is difficult to protect the wings in addition to other vulnerable areas."

Dash grunted, getting up off the ground and standing on her hindlegs before folding her wings. She held her hooves up similar to Clarity, who smiled. She jumped forward, throwing a punch before it was blocked again. She took another direct hit to the chest from Clarity's forehoof, but was able to step back and prevent a full contact.

"Good, good," Clarity said, "you're getting used to it much quicker than I did."

Dash smirked.

"I guess it's natural talent, then," she said, before swinging a hoof at Clarity. While it was blocked, Clarity attempted again to strike her chest, but was met with a kick to his hindleg, causing him to trip. He quickly used his open foreleg to push off the ground and send another hindleg flying at Dash. She caught it, throwing him. Before touching the ground, Clarity made contact with his foreleg and landed on all fours.

"Yes, you would make a fantastic fighter," Clarity said with a smile, before twitching his head. Dash tilted her head in confusion as Clarity so suddenly developed a fearful expression upon his face before falling to the ground and covering his head with his forelegs. 

"Uh. . .hey dude. . ." Dash said, slowly approaching him, "are you alright?"

His head lifted with haste, his eyes were bloodshot and the amount of distress in his face alone was enough to make Dash's stomach curl.

"DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS!" he shouted, before lunging forward and throwing a hoof into Dash's ribcage hard enough to cause a loud snap.

Dash fell back, coughing roughly as she struggled to catch her breath. She touched her lip, seeing a streak of red on her hoof.

"Ah. . .d-damn. . .you got me good. . ." she said, coughing again before stepping up. As she did, a sharp pain hit her side as more crackling was heard. She shook her head, getting back into the stance. Clarity was breathing heavily, getting back into stance as well. At this point, Dash knew something was wrong, but at least she had a good reason to beat the shit out of somepony. After all, regardless of what was happening to him, she had to protect Fluttershy. "Come to think of it, you weren't talking to me, were you?"

"What does it matter," Clarity said in a strange voice, "you will be incapable of such a postulation in death."

"Well then," Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth, "looks like I finally get to have a REAL fight."

Fluttershy watched on in horror as the two went from what seemed like a rough but friendly spar to a savage beatdown of one another. Within moments, the blows they both gave to one another resulted in swollen bruises, busted skin, and bleeding faces. Rainbow Dash, with several now-broken ribs, a busted lip, black eye, and several lacerations and bruises across her body, was beginning to get weak. Clarity, having a similar amount of injuries, was still ferocious. Had the equines known more of the world DIO came from, they'd have figured he was on some kind of hard drug. Yet, water seemed to pour from his eyes.

"Wait!" Fluttershy called out, causing Dash to turn before taking a final blow to the face, breaking her jaw. She fell to the ground unconscious, while Clarity charged his horn to deal a final, lethal blow. Fluttershy screamed, instinctively jumping forward and tackling Clarity. He quickly threw her off, causing her to hit the ground with a searing pain.

"One, two. One, two. One, two." Clarity whispered aloud, as he picked up a rock, approaching Fluttershy. He looked into her eyes, striking fear into her as he spoke louder, "Two."

Fluttershy turned away from him, attempting to avoid the horrific sight only to see Rainbow Dash lying nearly motionless on the ground as the old blood began to dry. New blood still calmly flowed from her injuries. Fluttershy took a deep breath, turning to Clarity. He held the rock up, preparing to throw it down onto her head.

Were these her final moments? She thought back, all the time she had spent with her friends before they left. All the time spent with DIO. All the time spent with Rainbow Dash, the only friend to remain. She had given up her home to essentially live with Fluttershy, to make sure she was safe. To make sure she was okay. To make sure that four of her friends leaving wouldn't destroy her. Now, in her moment to pay Dash back for all of the hard work and effort she put forth, Fluttershy was helpless.

"Your time has come, Bearer of Kindness," Clarity said in that odd voice that wasn't his own, "wherever you are going, I am sure you will see your friends there soon as I have sentenced them all to death."

He raised his hooves with the rock held tightly between them.

"By my holy decree, I sentence you as well!" He swung the rock towards Fluttershy's face. 

She thought once more of the past, remembering the times she had stood up for others. She remembered Iron Will, she remembered Discord, she remembered the Cutiemark Crusaders in the Everfree.

'The Everfree Forest,' she thought, 'The cockatrice. . .'

As the rock approached her face, she suddenly locked eyes with Clarity.

"No." Fluttershy said. He stopped.

"What?"

"No."

Fluttershy got up, keeping her eyes locked onto his. Something about her stare was off-putting. Clarity dropped the rock, as shadowy figure quickly tore itself away from him, but with a screech this time. He fell onto the ground.

"What. . .power. . ?" he said quietly, drifting off to sleep before he could complete his sentence. Fluttershy looked at the two of them. 

"I neglected something, Clarity," she said quietly, "thanks for reminding me."

After a moment of silence, she sighed before producing a loud whistle. There was a howl in response, and from that familiar forest, the Everfree, came a Timberwolf. When it spotted her, it broke into a full sprint towards her, snarling before stopping suddenly as it looked into her eyes.

"Sit." Fluttershy said with a stern face, to which the wolf did so. She turned to Clarity, and her friend, "I'm tired of being a side character, Mr. Timberwolf. You're going to help me get these two to safety, then we're going to the Crystal Mountains. YOU GOT IT?"

The wolf cringed with a bit of fear, before nodding it's head gently. Fluttershy smiled.

"Good."
> The Focused, the Dead-set, and the Hell-bent
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It felt like hours, but it was only minutes. DIO had been walking towards the Crystal Mountains, worried as to how the others were faring. He figured Jonathan would make it; Spike was a 50/50; but Rainbow Dash—especially Fluttershy—he had a significant concern for. He feared greatly for what would come, but he kept himself determined. If they died, then he would avenge them. Brutally.

A few moments more came to pass before DIO happened upon a man dressed in pink, blonde hair with exaggerated curls at the base. DIO didn't recognize him, but he had a feeling that it was Saint.

"DIO Brando," he said, "I don't believe we have properly met."

"Quiet, Saint," he muttered as he continued to approach. Saint turned his face slightly, glaring over his shoulder.

"That is not my name," he said calmly, "I am Funny Valentine, President of the United States."

"Then I am sure Cerberus will be glad to have such an esteemed guest," DIO retorted, summoning The World in front of him. Valentine simply grunted, summoning D4C.

"Why fight for equines, do you not have the most powerful stand?" Valentine asked. DIO frowned, now in range to punch Valentine.

"Explain what you mean," DIO said. Valentine smirked.

"See, we are truly in a similar predicament, in fact—"

"MUDA!"

Valentine flew backwards as The World's fist punched him directly. With D4C only able to block it by a fraction of a second, he still took enough force to cause a snap in his jaw.

"You took too long to hook me in," DIO said, withdrawing The World, "but that kind of speed from your Stand is surely something to pay mind to."

"Ghck," Valentine muttered, spitting out a tooth as he got up, "I should have not expected anymore from one of Diego's variants."

"Can it with your idle chit-chat," DIO said sternly, "where have the others gone?"

Valentine turned around, seeing an angry DIO in his face before being picked up by the vampire. DIO held Valentine's collar tightly, tearing his coat.

"As I expected. . ." Valentine said, trying to keep his breath from the strain on his neck, ". . .they are all alive."

"Then I have no need to worry," DIO said, before throwing Valentine down. Valentine shook his head.

"Ha, you haven't even met Sombra," Valentine replied with a cough, "nor his false bride Phoenix."

DIO raised a brow, looking down at Valentine as he began to get up. Valentine brushed himself off, allowing D4C to vanish behind him.

"I'm fairly certain we've established the winner here," Valentine continued, "and insofar as I am concerned, I have no need to prove myself in battle in this realm. I am only here to search for a way back to America, as it appears my Stand's abilities were altered by Clarity's magic. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap now works like a teleporter, rather than a method of dimensional travel, and Love Train was somehow removed from my stand."

"Now that I think of it," DIO pondered aloud, "Lyra mentioned something about Kira's Bites the Dust. I never observed him using it. My awakened The World also was absent upon my appearance."

"Perhaps it is because of death," Valentine said, "or similar circumstances. For you, however, it was certainly death."

"I suppose you had traveled to my world at some point yourself," DIO mused, to which Valentine chuckled.

"Only for a short while," he said, turning around and facing the Crystal Mountains. He lifted a finger to point, "that is where you will be heading. I cannot tell you the secret of Sombra's stand, but I can tell you that, if you are not careful, it can overwhelm your timestop."

"Over Heaven? Requiem?" DIO asked. Valentine shook his head with a laugh.

"God in Heaven forbid a creature like Sombra evolve his stand to such a point," Valentine said, "but perhaps he will if you do not stop him in time. Yet, as it was your fall, Sombra is greatly egotistical. I believe you will perform well against him."

"You have no sense of loyalty, do you?" DIO asked straightfowardly. Valentine turned back to DIO.

"I have loyalty to my country, that is all," Valentine said sternly, "and when I return, I will kill the Joestar responsible for—"

SPLAACK

Valentine looked down with an expression of shock, a large fist from The World now piercing his stomach entirely. He couldn't feel any pain, just emptiness where his entrails were supposed to be.

"Wh-what?" he coughed violently, spewing blood from his mouth, "why have you. . .done this?!"

DIO leaned into Valentine's ear as his fist took place of The World's. Valentine had no train of thought, just fear of certain death.

"Redemption will not be afforded to you for what you have done," DIO said grimly, "you are dead."

"NO—"

SHRRRIP

DIO tore through Valentine's body like paper. No long monologues, no villainous speeches, DIO simply continued walking as the two halves of Valentine plopped lifelessly onto the ground, the shocked expression now divided about twice of Valentine's height apart.





Sombra looked down in anger at a spell cast by Phoenix, revealing what had happened with all of them. Like a hologram, it displayed from a bird's-eye view the events that unfolded. He let out a fearsome roar, slamming a hoof onto the table and nearly breaking it. Phoenix cowered in fear, as Sombra's loss of composure was frankly terrifying.

"FINE!" he shouted, "then let them take the battle to me!"

"But, my King, what if—" Phoenix said quietly, before being interrupted by Sombra's continued outburst.

"What if what?!" he shouted, getting into Phoenix's face, "Do you doubt me? Do YOU want to fight them yourself?!"

At this moment, Phoenix began to fear the worst of him. Unfortunately, she would be correct.





With about an hour's passing, Jonathan and Spike had met halfway and were on their way to Canterlot castle. It was quite a walk, but they had no choice but to return the wounded before meeting with DIO again. It was just the right thing to do, they believed. Just as the journey had become a bit too strenuous, a rumbling emerged from behind them.

"Maaaake waaaaay!" Fluttershy shouted, riding atop a Timberwolf, to which Jonathan and Spike quickly jumped back as the wolf came to a ground-scraping halt before laying down. Fluttershy stepped down from the Timberwolf, approaching the two warriors who looked beyond confused to begin with. Glancing at Jonathan, then back at Fluttershy, Spike gave a bit of a squeak in response before speaking.

"Fluttershy. . .Did you just. . ?"

"Yes, Spike, I did just ride on the back of Mr. Timberwolf," she said, "predators are meant to be tamed, so it shouldn't be surprising. Now get the unconscious on board and let's walk; he can't carry all of our weight."

The two were speechless as they did as she ordered, almost afraid of what would happen if they didn't. Fluttershy nodded as they finished, before leading the Timberwolf as the other two followed from behind.

"Uh, that's not normal," Spike said, before looking at Rainbow Dash, "Oh, Dear Celestia, she's nearly been butchered—so has Clarity."

"Did you notice something strange about her eyes?" Jonathan asked quietly, "Something seemed off to me. Some familiar energy."

"No clue what you're talkin' about there," Spike admitted, "but you're right about the idea that something is strange about her. By the gods, you don't think that seeing whatever happened to Rainbow Dash must have traumatized her or something, do you?"

"No, I think she's developed more strength," Jonathan replied, "but she has changed from it."

"Sometimes we have to wake up and see," Fluttershy said, "I just helped Clarity and Mr. Timberwolf see, that's all. As a favor."

"Ah I. . .uh. . .I see. . ." Spike said cautiously, as he was suddenly aware that she could hear them from such distance. Fluttershy looked back with a glare, despite the fact that such a stupid pun was unintentional. Only an idiot would write something so silly, let alone come up with it. It was a really low bar, she thought. Yet, she knew it was not Spike's intention to say something so absolutely dumb, and figured it was just his total unawareness of the fact that he made a pun. 

The three continued for a while longer, mostly silent aside a bit of idle chat between Jonathan and Spike. The dark of night was nearly over, as the moon faded from view above them. The atmosphere slowly began to light up, the city of Canterlot in the distance, close enough to reach by noon. They had all succeeded; all that was left was getting back to the Crystal Mountains, now.

Fluttershy wasn't thinking too much about what she had seen, what they had gone through, or even how the other fights went. She simply closed her eyes, feeling a rocky path turn into a pavement like Marble, opening her eyes to the royal city. The illustrious capital of Equestria, which she had been only few times, but only now had she noticed the glory of it's brilliant architecture. The many equines walking around cheerfully, so long as they didn't see the Timberwolf.

As the sun had begun to rise, illuminating the heavenly streets and golden architecture, Fluttershy thought of DIO. 





DIO had felt no sun because it was far too snowy. Though the cold felt fine to him, it was difficult to see much farther ahead from the snowstorm raging across the mountainous landscape. DIO stopped himself just in time to notice a cliff in front of him. Unfortunately, he was not on the top of that cliff. He sighed gently, stepping his foot into the wall with such strength it tore a hole into the rocks just wide enough for him to balance himself in from the ankle. Continuing with that force, he began to walk up the cliff.

"I haven't done this since ascending Jonathan's mansion," he pondered aloud to himself, "I wonder why."

As he reached the top, the snow had died down a bit. It was perhaps 60 feet tall, so it was quite a walk, but at least the snow clouds were down there. He continued as he saw among small whirlwinds of dry snow the entrance to Sombra's prison-made-castle. He grunted, flying upward and heading towards the entrance. He hoped the best for his friends, he hoped the best for Equestria, he hoped the best for his brother. However, hope was not enough to relieve him of the simple fact that he had no clue what he was going up against.

It was time to confront the bastard behind it all.
> Sombra's Majesty Pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A fist from The World tore down the towering doors of Sombra's little hideout. DIO was angry. It was only a matter of time, he knew, before he would reunite with the ones he had spent so much time with. Only a matter of time before he could give Sombra a fate worse than Funny Valentine's. As he traveled through the dark halls of the mountain-embedded structure, he happened across an empty room, bar one. A single equine, laying down on the ground. She was bruised, but breathing.

"So, you're the one who threatens the everlasting reign of our magnificent king," she said quietly, "the vampire with the ability to stop time."

DIO smirked.

"You know the power of The World, but what will it benefit you?" he said pridefully, "I can dispose of you in seconds. Tell me where Sombra is."

"Gone," she said, turning around to reveal her fangs, "he anticipated your arrival and is heading for Canterlot at this very moment to use his stand to subjugate the living!"

DIO frowned. It was rather inconvenient for Sombra to have done that, after all the effort DIO went through to track Sombra and kill him. Though, noticing Phoenix's fangs, he was confused as to how a vampire would come to exist in Equestria. Was there a stone mask lying around somewhere? 

"How did you become a vampire?" he asked. Phoenix laughed.

"The same way you did," she said, "the stone mask that came from your world, but King Sombra allowed me to use his blood to do it, and his magic flows through me!"

DIO began to wonder if his followers sounded this much like lunatics as well, but rather than consider the shame of his low standards, he decided instead to  walk towards Phoenix with The World revealed. He intended to kill her, and refused to stop time in order to do so. Her horn began to light, but DIO simply chuckled.

"What can magic do in stopped time?" he asked with pride. DIO felt an odd sensation as her horn flashed quickly with a bright light.

"Nothing," she said, before she began to stand up, wounds healing, and with a smile, "but you have to be able to stop time first."

"Za Warudo!" DIO said. He looked around, his Stand was nowhere to be seen. DIO shot a glare towards Phoenix, "what have you done?!"

"You're so obsessed with stand power, with stopping time, with pretty clothes and silly words," Phoenix said, as her eyes began to glow, "have you forgotten what beauty lies within being a vampire?!"

Two beams of vampiric essence erupted from her eyes with a force even DIO hadn't seen before from such an ability. He moved quickly out of the way, but not before a hole was blasted into his shoulder. With a grunt of pain, he snarled, staring down Phoenix who was now standing on her hind legs with her mane flowing freely as if it were in water. In the back of his mind, however, DIO shared the sentiment of what she was saying. He had long forgotten what it meant to be a vampire, as his Stand Ability was far stronger than his vampirism alone. He knew regardless that even without a stand, his opponent would be a guaranteed victory—but not a simple one.

Something stuck out to DIO, however, something that almost gave him a sense of disgust. A sense of disgust not from her, but from her condition. She was powerful, but after that eruption of essence which pierced his skin and ripped through a wall behind him, she seemed to be shaking as if she were weakened. She kept up the flowing mane for a moment, but it began to fall slowly as she lost strength. She had just healed from visible hoof-shaped bruises. DIO began to realize something was wrong.

"You haven't drank, have you?" DIO asked, noting the look of her face as he now noticed being subtly but prematurely wrinkled around the eyes and mouth. Her coat was thinner than usual, but only thin enough for a vampire like himself to notice, and through the coat he could see tight and leathery skin resulting from her lack of drinking, "I assume Sombra must have imposed some kind of rules on you to prevent or limit your drinking."

"What is it to you?" she asked, dropping her confident tone for a moment. DIO shook his head.

"What it is to me doesn't matter," he replied, "but what it isn't is a fair fight. Here."

DIO walked up to Phoenix, causing her to wince back for a moment in confusion at DIO's absolute fearlessness before confusedly looking at his wrist that was being held out to her.

"I don't. . .think I understand. . ." she muttered.

"Drink," DIO said, "my blood will allow you your maximum strength, then we can have a fair fight."

This idea was foreign to her, was DIO not her enemy? If he noted her weakness, why wouldn't he exploit it? Was he not angry at what they did to the ones he loved? She had too many questions to answer, so instead she bit down onto his wrist and drank. The taste of it was greater to her than what she could have ever imagined, sweet like wine, intoxicating, like molten pleasure. Though she hadn't had much, if any, she knew somehow that no blood would ever taste like this. As she lifted up her head and stepped back, she felt her complexion return to normal, and continue further into perhaps the closest to a perfect appearance she would ever be. She faced DIO.

"Why did you do that?" she asked suddenly with great confusion, "why not exploit your enemy's weakness?"

"You're not my enemy," DIO said, "merely a pawn of my enemy. You are a vampire—the only one I have met from this world, in honesty. We may be on opposing sides, but I can't help but to determine you are still one of my kind above that. If I must kill you, then at least I will do so with some dignity."

"If. . ?" Phoenix questioned further, "what do you mean, if?"

"We have no master but ourselves," DIO said, "no mortal has the right to tell a vampire what to do. Does the lamb instruct the lion? Or does the mouse tell the viper where it must slither?"

He knelt down to Phoenix, looking her in the eyes as he continued.

"We are not prey, we are predators. In a world where our prey thinks and feels for itself, there are ways we can manage the natural order without trespassing natural morality. So why fight for a creature like Sombra?"

Phoenix thought for a moment, sitting on her hinds and looking down.

"But. . .why would I betray King Sombra. . ?" she said quietly, "he gave me everything!"

"Including those bruises?" DIO said softly. Phoenix held her foreleg for a moment, closing her eyes as she turned her head.

"That. . .that was just. . .stress. . ." she said, "he loves me. . ."

"He needs you. So he can be successful," DIO pointed out, "but you don't need him. Look at what you were able to accomplish, the strategy, the planning, the intelligence. You took down a massive piece of the equestrian economy, managed to turn the hearts of thousands without taking a single life. Do you think Sombra did that? No, it was you. Once everything has been taken over, though, what will he think he needs you for?"

"I. . .I don't. . .know. . ."

"There is nothing to know, because he will throw you away as a liability," DIO said roughly, "do not fall for it. You might have saved him, you might have done bad things for him, but it will mean nothing to him."

Phoenix's eyes began to water. She closed them tightly, clenching her teeth with a mix of confusion, sadness, and rage.

"Wh-what have I—" she stopped as she felt arms wrapped around her. Her first response was fear, but these arms were warmer than the cold embrace of the King she followed. She couldn't help but to weep into DIO's shoulder; he was the first ever to show compassion to her. Something she didn't have to rationalize or compromise with to interpret it as kindness, just raw empathy.

"What is your real name?" DIO asked quietly. Phoenix sniffled a bit, regaining her composure.

"Aurora Nightsky."

"What a lovely name," DIO said with a smile, "I can return you to a safe place in Canterlot. I will assure you are not prosecuted."

A dark feeling suddenly shrouded the two of them as a chuckle echoed through the walls of the structure, along with loud, slow hoofsteps.

"You will have to get there first," the voice rang out. Aurora winced from the sound, covering her face as the black equine they heard walked into the large room.

DIO turned back to him. There was no mistaking it, that was King Sombra. DIO stood up, and in the spirit of an old foe turned friend, he spoke four simple words.

"You've pissed me off."





"We're nearly there," Fluttershy said as the Canterlot gates came into view. Spike and Jonathan had been relatively silent the way there, especially Spike, who was wondering why or even how Fluttershy had undergone such a drastic change in behavior. Guards lined up at the gate and prepared their weapons before seeing that the Timberwolf was being led by none other than the Element of Kindness. As they approached, a guard trotted up to her.

"Fluttershy, is everything alright?" he asked. Fluttershy simply looked at him with half-lidded and unamused eyes.

"You're a soldier, make an assessment," she said. The soldier was taken aback by the comment, but shook his head regardless and took a look.

"Stalker-54's remnants, and Rainbow Dash, they need medical," he said, "and you've tamed a Timberwolf."

Fluttershy smiled.

"What is your name, soldier?" she asked. The stallion turned back to the other guards who simply shrugged.

"Uh, Lieutenant Faithful Shield, ma'am," he said. Fluttershy turned towards the gate.

"Okay then, Mr. Shield, if you would kindly escort us to the palace and have your friends ensure the little ponies of their safety," she kindly requested, Faith, seeing that she was with the Ambassador and had tamed a timberwolf figured it was in his best interest to follow her orders. As they walked through the gates, a few equines got out of the way but with more confusion than fear. Faith turned to Fluttershy.

"I've heard remarkable stories about the elements," he started, before Fluttershy quickly responded.

"I've read them," she said, "they're a bit exaggerated, all things considered."

"How do you mean?" he asked. She shook her head.

"It doesn't matter," she assured him, though he detected something odd about her dismissal, "everything has it's time. Speaking of time, I'd like to know how much time it would take to get some backup for my dear friend DIO. He's probably facing Sombra alone right now."

"Ah—uh. . ." he paused for a moment to think, being one among many who feared Sombra, "well it would take around thirteen hours to assemble a battalion and—"

"Too long," Fluttershy interrupted, "I'll just go there myself."

"But, you can't just go there alone, you'll—"

Fluttershy suddenly turned to him, their muzzles nearly touching as a frightening stare came from her eyes.

"I'll what?" she said quietly, but sternly, "go on, tell me what I'll do. Mis-ter Shield. Give an assessment."

"I'm sorry! Uh, ma'am. . ." he said quickly, "I made an assumption based on the stories which were clearly exaggerated."

"You're not entirely wrong, things just change over time," she said, turning forward again, "you're a good soldier, Mr. Shield, but when things get tough, don't forget to be a good person, too."

"I'll hold onto that, ma'am. Thank you," Faith replied, Fluttershy glanced towards him.

"You can call me Fluttershy, I'm no superior," she said with a smile. He chuckled nervously.

"You sure know how to act like one," he said, warranting a bit of a smirk from Flutters.

"Probably Iron Will's fault."

Meanwhile, Spike and Jonathan were absolutely silent up to this point before exchanging looks. Spike let out a sigh, continuing to walk as they arrived closer to the Princesses' keep.
> Sombra's Majesty Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I see, even vampires are subject to this kind of weakness," Sombra said with a frown, "even one as yourself, DIO."

DIO didn't respond, knowing anything he believed now ran counter to many things he did in the past. He wasn't going to let that stop him, though, he turned back to Aurora.

"Aurora, my Stand," he said calmly. She nodded, lighting her horn. Before she could do anything, however, a dark mist flew into her body and caused her to fall down. DIO snapped his head towards Sombra with an expression of rage.

"What did you do?"

Sombra laughed as Phoenix returned to her hooves with the eyes of hate, staring at DIO.

"My master's will is the will of the world," she said with a snarl, "and his will is the death of opposition!"

DIO looked back at Sombra, who began to laugh maniacally as Phoenix lunged herself towards DIO, who quickly sidestepped to avoid her thirsting fangs. Whatever Sombra had just done, it drove the mare to absolute loyalty. No, no this wasn't loyalty, this was control. DIO remembered the things he read of Sombra, and it started to make sense. As he turned to face Sombra with Phoenix still getting up from missing her target, there was a large shadowy figure hovering behind him. Two chains wrapped across it's chest from either side, an equine head with a stapled mouth and what looked like burnt skin where it's eyes were. The ears were mechanical but looked a bit larger than usual, though atop it's head was a jeweled band of gold from which a very faint shadow branched out from leading to Phoenix. It was hard to see, even to the vampires eye. DIO realized.

"Your stand's ability is to control minds, how predictable," DIO muttered, "but I presume you can't use the full capacity of one's mind with it, only an extension of your own."

"Oh?" Sombra questioned, hiding a concerned tone but not very well, "and how did you come to that conclusion?"

Phoenix got back up, preparing to lunge towards DIO again, but stopped as Sombra raised a hoof towards her, maintaining eye contact with DIO. DIO gave a small grin.

"I would guess that you used your ability on Stalker-54, causing them to think like you once you encountered them," DIO said, "but you didn't use this ability on Aurora until now, because she was the one who planned your little assault on Equestria. I assumed she was because she was the only one capable of doing so, even Clarity couldn't think that big, but she was the one who freed you in the first place. Being that you aren't capable of strategy whatsoever, you needed someone to be loyal to you more naturally, so you provided her free will."

"And in her freedom, she chose to follow me," Sombra countered, "yet you wished to change that because you felt bad."

". . .which leads me to the understanding that no person is loyal after such a beating, unless something has been done to cement that loyalty on an unconscious level," DIO continued through gritted teeth, "which makes you fouler than even you should take pride in. A king so apparently powerful, yet stooping to such a low level in hopes of achieving the impossible, and simultaneously ruining your chance for redemption."

"I see," Sombra mused, "you're quite talented at figuring out the mind behind a pony, but I don't believe that's going to help you. After all, your mind is just as vulnerable!"

Sombra pushed his hoof forward, causing a mist to shoot towards and through DIO, laughing as DIO's expression turned to shock watching it course through his own body.





The trip to Canterlot was made considerably faster by the Timberwolf, but it wasn't going to be fast enough to get back to DIO in time. Fluttershy knew this, and sent the Timberwolf back to Everfree after Rainbow Dash and the remnants of Stalker-54 had been escorted to a medical bay. She, Spike, and Jonathan were greeted by a very worried Luna.

"How are things going, where is DIO?" she asked.

"Something was controlling their minds," Fluttershy said, "I'm certain they'll be different people when they've woken up, but I'll be sure to deal with it quickly. In the meantime, prepare a portal for the three of us to get back to the Crystal Mountains. DIO should have gotten there by now, and there's no telling what's going on with him."

Fluttershy walked towards the medical area, leaving a now confused Luna with Spike and Jonathan.

"What happened with—" Luna started, before Spike held up a hand.

"No idea, we'll just call it character development for sake of brevity," he said with a sigh, "more importantly, how are things holding up here?"

"We haven't received any reports of further attack," Luna said, "a few issues with militia groups in Manehattan trying to branch outwards, but they haven't gotten far."

"It seems their leader is too busy with DIO to keep fueling them," Jonathan suggested, "which means his focus right now may be entirely on DIO."

"Then we need to hurry; go check up on Fluttershy and I'll have a guard let the three of you know when we've prepared the portal. It's going to have to be subtle, and we'll need a bit of time to make sure there's no detection magic employed by Sombra," Luna said, before the other two nodded and left for the bay.





Sombra continued laughing as the mist stopped, before looking at DIO and issuing a command.

"Now, servant of mine, walk forward," he said with a smile. 

DIO stood still. Sombra frowned, more sternly commanding him.

"Walk forward!" he shouted. DIO looked up at him, grinning widely.

"So that's your stand's weakness, how pitiful," he said, shaking his head. Sombra gave an expression of fear, before moving his hoof to order Phoenix to attack. DIO avoided her again.

"How?!" Sombra shouted, "how did you do that?"

DIO looked at Phoenix, staring into her eyes sternly. Sombra quickly commanded her to attack, but DIO's eyes were far more captivating. Phoenix couldn't move, Aurora couldn't speak. Trapped between DIO's gaze and Sombra's ability.

"Sombra's stand might seem like it is able to control minds, but it's far weaker than that," DIO said to Aurora as he stared through the eyes of Phoenix, "Sombra can control loyalty, but why? Why look towards only the broken to assist his cause? Does it not make you think? It's really quite simple: the broken have no sense of loyalty. So the weakness of Sombra's stand is that it cannot control those who are loyal to someone else. Did you not say so yourself, Aurora, that there is beauty in the vampire? Did you hear me when I said that a vampire has no master? Your loyalty is to who?"

"My loyalty. . .is to. . ." Aurora said, struggling to speak as she felt the grip of Sombra's stand grasp tighter.

"Break free, Aurora," DIO continued, "who are you loyal to? Who is your master?"

Aurora couldn't explain it herself, but she felt an invigorating spirit thinking back on DIO's words. She had a master, she had loyalty to someone, but it wasn't to Sombra, not anymore. DIO helped her realize there was only one person worthy of her complete and devout loyalty. Only one person that had been through everything with her, faced every issue with her, and made every decision with her. One person who's life strictly determined her life entirely. She looked to the ground, closing her eyes tightly before realizing finally who that person was.

"I am my master. . ." she said quietly, before looking up to DIO with a smile, "I am loyal to myself!"

As she spoke, the grip of Sombra's stand withdrew from her. DIO and Aurora both turned to face Sombra, who's expression was caught between fury and disbelief. Even with the power of his stand, he still could not truly turn a heart naturally towards his regime. His power was undeserved. He knew that for an undeniable fact, and it enraged him.

"How. . ." Sombra said, gritting his teeth, "how DARE you question my authority?!"

He jumped towards DIO, his stand rushing forward and throwing a fist towards him. If he couldn't change their hearts, he was sure he could tear them out. Before the fist of his stand could make contact, however, the pain of several thorns wrapped around the arm of his stand before slinging him face-first into the ground. DIO looked up to see Fluttershy, Jonathan, and Spike all standing at the entrance. He smiled brightly, but before he could greet them, Sombra had already managed to get back onto his hooves.

"Fine, with all of you together, I can kill you much quicker!" Sombra shouted, but a flash from Aurora's horn interrupted his thoughts. He looked towards her, about to ask what she had done before a shadow much larger than he fell over him. With fear like he had never known, he turned towards the source of the shadow to see The World looming over him with an expression more enraged than he could even manage. Without a moment wasted, The World grabbed him by his horn, throwing him into the ground and snapping the horn in the process. Sombra let out a roar of pain, falling to his side panting.

"You're a bit late," DIO said, turning to the other three as he withdrew The World.

"Well at least Jonathan got to catch a punch," Spike said with a laugh, "we figured you might need help, but it seems like Sombra's majesty was. . ."

". . .greatly exaggerated," Fluttershy finished, trotting to Sombra and looking at his face, "just mind games with you, no strength whatsoever. You're the worst kind of predator."

"Wh-what. . .Insolence. . ." Sombra said, coughing violently. Fluttershy leaned her head towards him, staring directly into his eyes.

"Insolence is better than ignorance," she said softly, before stepping over him to approach DIO.

"Your tone sounds different," DIO said.

"The times are different," Fluttershy replied, "Where is Valentine?"

"I killed him."

"I didn't think he was being controlled by Sombra's stand, it was probably for the better."

"It was. What should we do with Sombra?"

"I don't know. You broke his horn, so maybe it's best to have him imprisoned awake this time. That's up to the princesses, though."

"You're right about that. How did things go with the rest of the Stalker Unit?"

"They went well, Rainbow Dash was injured but I know how strong she is. She'll recover like nothing happened, probably become really good friends with Clarity, too."

"That's good to know. Spike, can you get into contact with Canterlot?"

Spike nodded, stepping out with Fluttershy following him. Jonathan walked up to DIO, looking down at Sombra, then towards Aurora.

"You're really becoming a hero to this world, DIO," he said, putting a hand on DIO's shoulder, "I sense an evil from Sombra even now that makes me think of the evil that once came from you. Just a reminder of how far you've come since then."

DIO nodded with a grunt. To be fairly honest with himself, he still wasn't sure whether or not he wanted to keep Sombra alive, but he figured that as long as Sombra wasn't moving, he wasn't threatening either, though his stand would be able to manifest soon if he regained his strength. As he thought that, Aurora stepped up and walked towards him.

"Phoenix. . ." Sombra muttered softly, "you can—"

"I can end you," she said harshly, "but I won't because you really did teach me a valuable lesson. Problems can be fixed without tyrants, love can be found with enough time. I'm almost sorry that you'll never be able to understand that, and now I have to make sure you live with it."

Her horn flashed again, and what bit of stand power that Sombra had left was gone, never to be awakened again. She turned to face DIO and his brother.

"He's right, DIO," she said, "you are a hero to us. You might just be the only one truly holding Equestria together, whether by your action or by your memory. You're the reason we triumph in the face of evil. Thank you."

She walked towards the exit, and with a pat on DIO's back, Jonathan left as well, leaving only he and Sombra. DIO sighed, walking around to admire the architecture of the building before another cough sounded from behind him. He turned his head slightly, darting his eyes back towards Sombra who was still incapacitated on the ground.

"You must not realize. . .how much power you have. . .over this nation," Sombra said between breaths, "or else. . .you'd have killed me. . .long ago. . .and taken what was yours. . ."

DIO turned around, walking towards him and kneeling on the ground to look at him.

"I know exactly how much power I have over this nation," DIO said softly, "and I've already taken what I deserve."

"You have no rule when you could. . .why be so. . .weak. . ."

"If you haven't noticed, King Sombra, you're on the ground barely managing to speak," DIO reminded him, "meanwhile I stand above you, and I am truly at capability to determine whether or not today is the day you die. It isn't weakness I have, it's restraint, and that restraint is why I won."

DIO stood up, walking towards the exit as the hoofsteps of guards could be heard approaching to seize Sombra.

"The other reason I won is because you pissed me off."

He chuckled, walking outside as several guards passed him.
> Aftermath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIO sat quietly in the Canterlot hall while the others celebrated. No big speech this time, no great triumph. It almost felt. . .underwhelming. So much time and effort for an enemy that was just throwing a tantrum. There was much to think about now that everything was, for now, safe. The state of Equestria, was it really his fault? The things he said, were they even true? Many powerful words were spoken, but in honesty, what would they mean after time passed? Words lose meaning, phrases become less than talking points, and thrown around idly. Morals become stories, stories become myth, myth becomes pretentious. In the end, it trails back to what it is at heart: chaos. But was the world so chaotic by default? Surely it didn't have to happen in the span of time it did. DIO's head began to hurt at the existential thoughts of Equestria, and decided to attempt answering another question.

Aurora had pointed out to him something he hadn't really thought about. Vampirism is something he had cast aside for a while, given he only ever used his vampiric abilities when he was in a difficult fight—which there were not many of. Aside from regeneration, he relied wholly upon The World to suit his combative needs. . .yet he started to think that there was more to it than just the fighting. There was more to being a vampire than just power, and while it was artificial in it's nature—he wasn't born that way—he still knew it was something to take more seriously than what he did. That would take time to process and understand completely, though his life now was essentially borrowed time. Jonathan's as well.

Jonathan, of course, was the greatest source of a newfound guilt. How much time had he wasted trying to kill the man who could have been his greatest companion? The way they fought together was different from his former servants. Most of them were crazy anyway, but he knew of three that were truly devoted to him. N'Doul, Vanilla Ice, and Enrico Pucci. They truly believed in DIO, and even at the moment of Jonathan's death, he believed in DIO, too, in some strange way he still couldn't understand. So many companions cast away, so much friendship. He could have ruled the world if he was just a little more kind and a little less prideful. The humanity he rejected could have been better in his world if he had just given them a chance. He realized that for all of his intelligence and all of his mental prowess, he was still the most short-sighted person he knew.

And what of his offspring? The sons he had? He could have been a father. He could have been king of the world, with a royal family like no other. Why did he not think of that? Why could he not cast away his pride for just a moment to really understand the potential he had?

There was one more thing bugging him, however, and that was Fluttershy. Her tenderness was gone, or so it seemed. It was like she underwent a drastic change in her core nature, something more than just a learned fact of life changing someone's behavior. She was a completely different creature. Had she turned bitter? Was she on a dangerous path? What happened to her? He couldn't tell. As he lost himself to headache-inducing thoughts once more, he heard the door to the dark room he was in open quietly to reveal the loud noise of a party behind it, before closing as quickly as it was opened. The soft clopping of hoofsteps approaching him.

"Having one of those moments again?" Fluttershy said softly, taking a seat beside him on the floor. DIO gave a disgruntled sigh, massaging his temples lightly with his hand as he closed his eyes.

"So much has changed," DIO said quietly, "I'm not sure if it was for the better. Moreover, I don't know if it was my fault. I've had doubts from the very beginning, and I said nothing because everyone was so faithful in my words that I believed that even if it were a lie, it might lead to victory. It did, of course, but to what cost? How will that fare for me in the future?"

DIO turned to Fluttershy, confused, as he heard a soft chuckle coming from her. She smiled, glancing towards him.

"For better, for worse," Fluttershy said, "what does it matter? It's a change, and we've adapted. We're making it work our way, and the quality of life may just be greater for it. Perfection is. . .greatly exaggerated. It's really paradoxical, I think. Everything being perfect is nothing having meaning. What is great about a life that has no struggles? What could somepony say about their own life, if it was only good because it was made that way? Pride can be awful, but just a little bit is good for a pony, and a person. Pride in yourself for being better than yesterday, pride in your friends for making a sacrifice for you or others, pride in strangers for being kind when they don't have to be. These things can't naturally happen unless there's conflict, and sometimes it takes a greater conflict to get ponies to realize that. Wouldn't you agree?"

"You're right," DIO replied, looking up to the ceiling, "I must be silly to worry myself so much over this world, as if it could not take care of itself."

"You're still used to believing everyone is beneath you," Fluttershy said with a chuckle, "and because of friendship, that translates into a worry for them. The magic of friendship still exists, even without stand power, but it takes understanding and personal development to change those thoughts inside. Don't worry, DIO. You saved the world for the second time, and that's what ponies will remember and tell to their fillies and foals when they're scared of a monster in the closet, or having a hard time at school, or dealing with the cruelty of chaos. They'll hear stories of the mythological creature that came from another world, saving us from a powerful monster. They'll hear stories of the man who defeated Sombra with his intellect alone. 'The monster in the closet may be there, but he is afraid to come out, because DIO might catch him', they'll say. 'Keep trying, better yourself, it's what DIO would do,' they'll say. 'The world can be harsh, but we can learn from it and make it better, make it work for us, just like DIO', they'll say. You might have been evil when you died in your world, and evil when you came here, but because of what you've done now, Equestria sees you as a walking miracle. That's what I think you are, at least."

Fluttershy leaned her head on his shoulder, nuzzling him. DIO smiled, it seems she was just as tender as ever. She had just learned balance. Before too much longer, the door opened again this time with Spike hanging his head through it.

"Hey DIO, you still thinkin' about how the world is gonna end or are you gonna join the party?" Spike asked with a smirk, "everyone is waiting on the Equestrian hero to make his appearance."

Fluttershy gave DIO a nudge as he sighed loudly.

"Alright," he said with a chuckle, "if I absolutely must."

"That's the spirit!" Spike said, turning around, "everypony if I may have your attention, please welcome the ever-deep-in-thought-but-just-as-much-a-baddass-hero-of-Equestria, DIO!"

DIO stepped out of the dark room with Fluttershy behind him to a roaring applause from almost all of Canterlot's royal guard, several of Canterlot's richest citizens, and the three Alicorns who were smiling brightly at the sight of him. Jonathan was sitting back beside a bandaged-but-doing-well Rainbow Dash, who was beside Clarity and Aurora. Nightlight was mingling indiscriminately with the male guests. As they all calmed down and returned to what they were doing, DIO began to wonder where Fury was before he heard a loud shout.

"DAMN this ale is so good I could PUNCH somebody!" a voice shouted, "Hey Spike, c'mere!" 

"Oh no—"

Spike couldn't finish his sentence before Fury jumped towards him and threw a punch into his gut, knocking him to the floor before laughing maniacally. Spike groaned before Fury helped him up.

"You should really try this stuff Spike," Fury said, chugging the rest of her mug, "it really get's the blood pumpin'!"

"I would, but you just put my small intestine where my lungs should be," Spike said with a chuckle. Fury elbowed him.

"You're fine though, you can take a small hit."

They walked away, carrying on as DIO walked up to a table. Fluttershy turned to see right beside the door a certain Faithful Shield standing guard. She could have sworn he had darted his eyes away from her as she looked at him. She turned to DIO.

"You know, Rainbow Dash shouldn't have to worry about me, she hasn't lived in her own house for so long now, I think I should give her some time to rest," she said, before walking off towards Faith. DIO laughed quietly.

"About time, Fluttershy," he said to himself, pouring a glass of wine and taking a sip. As he put the bottle down, he spotted Luna approaching him from his right, turning to her with a smile as he held up his glass, "this décor is remarkable, reminds me of the night sky. It was your doing, wasn't it?"

"Well, I had some help, but. . ." Luna blushed with a childish giggle, "yes it was my work."

DIO laughed, turning to observe the crowd.

"Come with me, DIO," Luna continued, gesturing towards the thrones, "we've prepared a seat for you."

It was at this moment that DIO realized there was a fourth seat. Not a throne particularly, but a very decorated chair beside the three rulers. DIO shook his head and sighed, approaching the seat and sitting in it. Mi Amore Cadenza, Celestia, Luna, and DIO in order. DIO took another sip of his wine as Celestia leaned forward, turning to him.

"We've managed to have our most esteemed mages speak with the authorities in your aether realm," Celestia said, "heaven, you may call it. They've assured us that you're welcome to stay here for as long as you like."

"Well, I probably shouldn't stay for too long, I—" DIO started before Celestia politely interrupted him.

"Jonathan as well."

DIO paused for a moment, before grinning.

"I suppose I'll be here for a while then," he said. He noticed some oohs and aahs coming from a portion of the crowd, observing to see that Jonathan was using his Hamon for some party tricks.

"Is it magic? How are you able to do that without a horn?" a unicorn asked in astonishment. Jonathan smiled, holding up his hand.

"Hamon energy," he explained, "with proper breathing techniques, it can be channeled as a powerful healing energy, and a powerful combat energy. It's capable of a lot of things, and really depends on the user as to how it is applied."

Some more astonished wows came from the crowd as he continued doing little tricks with it. DIO turned to see that Fluttershy was laughing and talking with Faithful Shield more. He said something that DIO couldn't hear, but he could see Fluttershy's face flush lightly as she gave him a soft punch. DIO smiled brightly.

"I would have never known this side of sapient creatures had I never come here," DIO admitted, sitting back as he took another sip of his wine.

"Call it a miracle if you like," Luna said, "but I believe it was destiny for you to come here. This world needed you, and you needed it."

DIO turned to see Rainbow Dash approaching as well.

"Well, I got roughed up a bit," she said with a laugh, "I hate I missed the big battle, but from what I heard it was really more of a 'don't mess with DIO' moment."

"Roughed up is putting it mildly," DIO said, "but you fought well."

"Yeah, and Clarity said he was down to teach me more of that hoof-to-hoof martial arts stuff," she continued, "aside from working with Sombra against his will, we actually have a lot in common."

"Well, it's good to see everyone getting along," DIO said, taking the last sip of his wine.

After many hours of celebration, many hours of laughs, many hours of memories shared and made, many hours of new friendships and new relationships, the party finally came to a close. With a final toast proposed by DIO himself, to a newer, greater Equestria. With a final roar of applause, the equines were dismissed and the moon began to fall. DIO knew that there would be another conflict soon, but he didn't worry. It would be cruel to the moment to let go of such happiness for sorrow that hasn't yet the right to come. He savored every moment, until the very end, and returned to a new home constructed in Ponyville. A great mansion that would soon bring booming business to Ponyville, the epicenter of friendship.





"Wh-where am I?" a man said, nearly a year later. He was dressed rather oddly, but that was the furthest thing from his mind. What he was really wondering was how it would happen this time. He walked around cautiously, expecting something absolutely stupid to occur and take his life once more. Yet, nothing happened. He wasn't sure precisely what was going on, but fortunately a phone call reassured him that things would be alright, that they had changed.

"TO-LO-LO-LO-LO," the man said loudly, leaning down and picking up a twig before holding it to his hear.

"Doppio, listen closely, I have something important to tell you."

"Yes boss? Yes. Of course. I'll go there," Doppio said, before dropping the twig and looking at an illuminated Ponyville, "a way back home, a way to defeat this Giorno, a way to get the arrow back! I won't let you down, boss."

To be continued.