Sorry for the delay! Now back to our abnormally scheduled story.
"...so I'm standing there, dressed in an apron and chef's hat, there's a demon eating the pancake batter, and all I have is a wooden spoon." Magnus said.
Trixie laughed, "So what did you do?"
"I did what any powerful mage would do—I threw the spoon."
Trixie's jaw dropped, "So what happened then?"
"The demon screamed in rage and ran right back through the portal, cursing mortal's and there infernal cooking utensils."
Trixie laughed even harder, "I have to admit, I was expecting something more profound like you having to fight off a demon."
"I've come to realize that the most interesting stories are the ones with something of an anticlimactic ending. Needless to say I was stunned the spoon worked."
Trixie shook her head, "Magnus, you're unbelievable."
"If you thought that was unbelievable then remind me to tell you about the time I released a chaos elemental in the alchemy lab while trying to make a simple medical potion."
Trixie chuckled and looked ahead. They were getting close to the first section of the Empire they were supposed to be talking to. It was a daunting task to think of. Several things hung in the balance on this initial contact.
"So, what's your plan on getting them to agree to this?" Trixie said.
Magnus smiled slyly, "We're going to put on a little display."
Trixie looked at him curiously, "What kind of display?"
"One that will leave them wanting for more. Just follow my lead."
They reached the center of the area and looked around. Magnus spied a restaurant with a large porch on the front. Magnus motioned for Trixie to follow him.
Trixie stooped down to be at eye level with Trixie, "Listen, I need you to get their attention."
She seemed a little shocked at this development, "What? Why me?"
"Because, unlike you I'm not a pony. I can tell by several of the glances I'm getting that none of them trust me. They might listen to you, but you'll have to say everything I tell you to. For that, I need to create a mental link."
"A…mental link?"
"Simple telepathic communication between you and me. It's not like mind reading. I only hear what you want me to."
Trixie nodded, though a little nervous about the link. Magnus placed to fingers on her forehead, just below her horn, and two on his forehead. He mumbled something Trixie couldn't quite catch.
"Can you hear me?" Magnus's voice rang in her mind.
Trixie nodded.
"Ok, good. I decided to make the connection one way so your thoughts wouldn't accidently lapse over mine. Now let's get started."
Magnus stood back up and Trixie walked to the edge of the porch.
"May I have everypony's attention?" Trixie said, projecting her voice. She was used to dealing with large crowds and knew how to make her voice carry. She waited till she was certain that almost every eye was turned towards her before continuing.
"Thank you. My name is Trixie Lulamoon, and I've come here on behalf of Princess Cadance to tell you all that the Crystal Fair will begin a little ahead of schedule this year."
This seemed to throw several of the ponies off a bit. Magnus could tell that they thought this was a message about a coming war. Instead he saw some ponies eyes light up a little, though there were still others who seemed unsure.
"The reason for this is that the festivities have been expanded to include a few new additions, including a magic show! Now I'm certain that many of you have noticed my friend behind me. His name is Magnus. An odd force brought him here for an unknown purpose, but rest assured, he means nopony here any harm. It will be he who helps put on the show, alongside myself. There will also be a special guest here this year: Princess Twilight Sparkle!"
That last part caught the attention of everypony there. The newly crowned Princess had come to the Crystal Empire for the fair? It simply seemed to good to be true. Most of the ponies were familiar with the name of course, given that she had helped during Sombra's last attempt at reclaiming his dark throne. The fact that she had returned seemed to relight something in them they couldn't name.
But there was always that one seed of doubt.
"Why bother with the fair?" One stallion shouted. "If those creatures show up then they're going to just destroy everything!" Several other ponies mumbled there agreement.
Magnus stepped forward, "So you would just give up then? You would let your home be overrun by whatever these things are? You would allow yourself and your family and friends to be rebound into servitude to a tyrant king?"
All eyes were on Magnus at this point. Magnus looked at the crowd that had formed, "I promise you this: While I still draw breath, no harm shall come to any of you here. Though I'm putting on a show during the fair, my magic has far more powerful uses, including barriers. This Empire will be protected, this I swear on my own life."
The crowd was silent. Then one pony, an older mare with a salt and pepper mane stepped up onto the stairs. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I for one say we give him a chance." Everypony listened to her, "I mean think about it—here this individual stands, torn from his world and brought here. Even after seeing what he's up against, he is still willing to help us. I heard rumors about Sombra attacking some village quite some distance south of here. Rumor has it a strange creature held him off, as well as a Changeling and a dark Alicorn. If this is that creature, I honestly want him on our side."
"I still want proof of his power before I trust him," the stallion from earlier called out.
Magnus nodded for the mare to get back down before taking the stage again, "If that's what you want, then proof you shall have." With that Magnus stepped back a little and closed his eyes. When they reopened, they were glowing brightly. Magnus held out both hands, palms up. Flames sprouted in both. He gripped them both and they formed into whip-like shapes. His eyes locked onto something just behind the crowd and he lashed his whip. The flame extended out over the crowd and lit the shadows in the alley behind them. Standing there was a unicorn-shaped creature made of black crystals.
Trixie let out a gasp as did the frightened crowd. Magnus charged forward, releasing the whips and drawing Excaliver. There was a blinding flash as the blade left its scabbard. The creature materialized a crystal sword from the ground and barely had time to block the strike Magnus delivered. Magnus swung at the creature again, aiming for its horn. The creature parried the blow and pushed Magnus back.
The creature's horn flashed and a barrage of black crystalline shards shot towards Magnus. Magnus held up his hand and created a barrier of light. The shards shattered against the shield. Magnus then summoned an Arcane Seal in the air.
"Light shall forever purge the Shadow: Arcane Seal 89: Sun's Glory!" The blast that proceeded out of the circle raced towards the creature faster than it could react. The light obliterated it from existence.
Magnus walked back to the crowd, sheathing his sword. He walked past one stallion and looked right at him. "That proof enough?"
The stallion just nodded.
Magnus walked back up onto the porch and faced the crowd, "What you saw is exactly what I will do to protect this Empire."
"Well played out Magnus, though I should have expected no less."
Magnus's blood ran cold, "Impossible." Magnus whirled around, blade coming unsheathed in the same flash of light.
Trixie also turned to look and couldn't believe her eyes. Standing not five feet away was another human. His hair was blonde in color and his eyes a brilliant sapphire-blue. He was dressed similarly to Magnus except his clothing was black with silver lining.
"Aldrinos," Magnus spat. Trixie was shocked by the venom in his voice. Whoever this human was, Trixie figured he was no friend.
"So you haven't forgotten about me," Aldrinos said.
"No, I haven't," Magnus said as he spun the blade in his hand. "How did you get here?"
Aldrinos sighed, "Straight to the point, as always. Very well then I shall humor you. I opened the Nexus."
Magnus's eyes went wide, "You…" His eyes narrowed to slits, "Do you understand what it is you've done?"
Aldrinos crossed his arms and rolled his eyes, "Spare me the details of the balance of the Universe and how I've upset it. There was a way to open the Nexus without tearing a hole in space and time. What good would it have done to destroy the universe I seek to rule?"
"You plan on obtaining godhood then?"
"But of course! How else can one rule all of reality?"
Magnus eyed the other human and sheathed his blade. "I see you're still a coward, hiding behind a projection like that."
Aldrinos chuckled, "So you saw through my little trick."
"I did. So if you're not here to fight, then what do you want?"
"Three days, Magnus. That's how long this Empire has to surrender."
Magnus glared, "So now you serve…no it's the other way around isn't it?"
Aldrinos bowed, "That's correct. I am the one who brought them back. Except the Changeling, she was still alive when I found her."
"Necromancy is a dangerous path, Aldrinos. Be careful where you tread."
Aldrinos laughed, "Necromancy had nothing to do with this. Neither Sombra nor Nightmare Moon was ever truly dead. I simply remanafested them."
"So, Dark Magic then."
"Precisely. Now farewell Magnus. I'll be back in three days." With those words, Aldrinos vanished.
Trixie looked up to Magnus, "Um…"
"We need to go," he turned to face the crowd. "I suggest that those of you able to fight prepare to do so. The Crystal Fair will go on. But first we must defeat whatever it is that comes our way."
The stallion from earlier stepped forward, "Can you beat him?"
Magnus looked the stallion dead in the eyes, "Yes. It'll be a tough fight, but I will win."
The stallion nodded, "I believe in you. I don't know what it is, but having you on our side gives me hope."
"It gives us all hope," the older mare said. Magus looked out and saw a bright light shining in the eyes of everypony there.
Magnus nodded, "That's all I want to hear." He looked down to the stallion. He finally took him in. He was a unicorn with a silver coat and golden mane. "What's your name?"
"Imperious."
"Well then, Imperious, I will leave preparations here to you. I'll have guards bring spare armor and weapons." Magnus looked to Trixie, "Let's go. We need to see about creating a barrier."
Trixie followed after Magnus as he made his way towards the palace, "What's going on?"
"In exactly three days, the Crystal Empire is going to war."
And the plot thickens...
