Starswirl sat in his study, going over his notes. He had committed himself to looking at any reports on the Night Order and, even more so anything that could relate to Zenith. The sooner that The Chains Of Paradox can be protected, the better it would be for the entire world. Naofumi and his party certainly seemed more than ready to help out Princess Celestia. So far, nothing.

''Hopefully Naofumi and his party will not run into any trouble as they set off in their quest,'' Starswirl walked over to his balcony from his tower in Canterlot. The light of the night always was a comfort for the wizard. In the distance, Ponyville could be seen; almost like a small blip of light from the light of the town being a dim yellow. ''I hope things will not be catastrophic.''

''You would know about catastrophic things, don't you?'' a voice sounded out before Starswirl, causing him to sigh and turn around. ''I heard that you found another one to follow in your impossible task.''

The voice, quick and piercing reverberated in the room. If there could be a force that held more anger than this individual, Starswirl would eat his hat. She came rather early; he figured he would have a few more days before word reached her.

[i]

''Always so quick, even about things that had the slightest to with you,''[/i] Starswirl thought.[i] ''But, that's what I admire the most about you above all else.''[/i]

He had to say something; if only to get her to leave. It would be the hardest thing for him to do, but it was something that would definitely be needed. He. . .owed her that much.

''And a good evening to you, too, Mon Partenaire,'' Starswirl mumbled under his breath. Should have said it louder. ''Is there something that I can assist you with?''

''Spare me your feelings. Not that you had any to begin with. I am only here to confirm if you truly sent another one to their death.''

No. . .that was an accident. How could she know? It was never. . .

''If you are asking if I have sent a hero who is capable of saving those world, then you are indeed-''

''-Do not lie to me! I know you better than that, you murderer!''

She wouldn't understand; she may never understand for that matter.

''Stormy, please listen to reason. I had no idea that the Iron Division would be there,'' Starswirl threw a hoof in the air, intent on not losing his cool. He promised he would stop falling into that routine. Not after it almost cost him. ''I received information from a reliable source that-''

''My name is Storm Song, you pompus bag of bones! And you knew exactly what you sent those stallions into; what you cost their families, and what you cost our son!'' Storm Song stomped up behind the wizard who turned around and forced him to stare into her fiery red eyes full of pure rage and pain. ''Do you even know what's going to be happening in two days, you ungrateful-''

''-His anniversary! I at least know that!'' Starswirl yelled back at the Pegasus as he spied her curly mane. ''You dyed your hair again. And his favorite color, no less.''

''Of course, Starswirl; it's called paying tribute to your loved ones. When was the last time that you did anything remotely close for him?''

How dare she. . .she accused him of not caring. In his own study at this hour; the nerve. The last thing he needed was to be berated on what he knew was right at the time. For doing what nopony else would do; for being the hero when there were none.

And he would do it gladly again.

''I will not stand here and be the subject of your scrutiny. I will not be the butt of any joke, and I especially will not be questioned about my love for our son,'' Starswirl poked his hoof into Storm's chest, the pegasus taking a step back and growling. ''I know exactly what is going to occur, I do not need to be reminded of that, and I would appreciate you not insulting my intelligence on the matter.''

Storm Song clicked her tongue and moved out onto the balcony with the wizard. It were the moments like this where Starswirl always admired his wife's beauty. Rather, ex-wife in this case. The cool night air blew through her coat, tickling her feathers and blowing her cloak a bit. Her dark blue coat and armor pads on her hooves, shoulders, and wings shone brightly. ''Help me understand something; why is it after three different occasions you still fail to understand that nothing can be done to stop what is coming?''

''That's just it, Storm Song. In our darkest moments is where we shine our brightest and overcome any adversity in any way. Nothing is impossible to do; the impossibility is when you give up and refuse the circumstances. That is why I keep going in spite of it all; because it is nothing better than to lead the charge against what may threaten our world.'' Starswirl said, Storm not wanting to listen anymore.

''I just came here to make sure that the 'heroes' you summoned know exactly what they're in for. That's the least that you can do, and you know it,'' Storm walked back inside, brushing off his attempt to lay a hoof on her shoulder. ''I may hate you like it's nopony's business, but I do still hold a semblance of care about you. But only just. . .Princess Celestia is a fool for allowing you to remain alive after what you did. But I guess, anything to make sure her family stays in line is worth overlooking the death and destruction of another.'' Storm Song said, casting a look back to Starswirl as he held his head down.

''I never meant for any of this to happen, you know,'' Starswirl resigned to what he knew in his years of experience; just stop talking.

''I don't care what you meant; what's done is done, and there's nothing any of us can do to fix it.''

Then why come here to berate him?

''Then why come? I know I don't need reminding of what I did.''

Storm Song stopped short of the door, sighing as she turned around and looked him in the eyes, and even from here he could tell that what she was about to say came from a place of care.

''Just. . .don't be so quick expect much out of this batch, is all. And communicate what we both know to be true. Do it just so they have the choice of backing down.'' Storm Song left without another word, silently cursing to herself as the wizard resigned to looking over the documents that he was reviewing. ''Or I will.''

''Huuwah. Where did things go so wrong,'' Starswirl said, sitting down and rubbing a hoof idly on the wood of the desk. Before he could allow himself to be refocused, he thought about what she said, and how. . .flawed she was in her thinking. But not entirely wrong. ''I only hope that Naofumi is indeed the one to save our world, possibly give some salvation to my own.''

[hr]

Naofumi ventured forth in the tall grass, minding his footing as he shuffled over to a long, thin plant with green and blue leaves adorned with pods with white splotches. This time he would not be as foolish as to actually touch this one as the last one ended up blowing the seeds that he actually needed from them up. Holding his shield over the plant, the light on his weapon glowed projected a beam of light that slowly consumed the plant until it was sucked into the weapon a moment later, the heads up display showing the item as Dim Milkweed in the crafting menu.

[center][u]UNLOCKED:[/u] [b]Dim Milkweed.

Mild Hallencugentic.

New Shield Unlocked: Poison Breath Shield.[/b][/center]

''At least the menu is the same here,'' Naofumi cheered, doing his best together up enough of the herbs and plants that Valiant marked off as helpful or able to be refined. ''I wonder if there's anything like those Lucol berries, those would be good in a pie,'' the thought of one made his taste buds flare, well he was in a world where he was sure they could at least do something like that, so he marked it off in his mind to do some cooking when he had spare time to enjoy the process and reward.

''Ok, I think that's enough for now. We should be heading out.'' Valiant said, walking over and giving the otaku another Dim Milkweed that he easily absorbed into his shield. ''We just need to stop out by Ponyville to pick up our carriage and we can set out to the first chain,'' Valiant tossed on his saddlebags filled with some light medicine and parchment and quills so they could document anything important on their journey.

''Where's Ponyville?'' Filo asked, walking over in her Filolial form. ''Is that town over there?'' Valiant pointed a wing in the distance where the few slivers of houses and gardens could be seen from their position from just outside the entrance of The Everfree Forest.

''Yep, Starswirl and Princess Celestia already had the forethought to have a carriage set up for us with all of the essential things we may need. We just need to pick it up and just attach Filo. You sure that won't be a problem for you?'' Naofumi laughed a bit at what he asked. Filo was a big girl, and a small carriage would be the least tiring thing.

Not to mention Filolials loved to haul stuff, so it was perfect.

''How long will it take us to get to the first one?'' Melty asked, sniffing a few of the flowers that Valiant assured her that was safe to smell. Mmm, they had a lemony scent to them. ''And what can we expect when we get there?''

That was something that the guard did not know. This whole talk of The Chains Of Paradox was indeed new to him, but the information he was briefed on gave him a vague idea of hypothetical situations and to what extent they may or may not expect resistance. They all knew from Celestia telling them that would need to do at least 3 things.

''Well, one; establish contact with the powers that govern each chain, help with any fortification effort and ensure Night Order is not there in any way, and should they be; get rid of them and defend the Chain, no matter what. If we do those things before Zenith gets a chance to get his grubby hooves on any of the Chains, we may have a fighting chance until we can deal a blow big enough to force them away for good,'' Valiant chewed the inside of his mouth, going through possible simulations of what could happen. Being in the Vanguard had its ups, as well as downs.

''Depending all on Filo and the terrain, a few days, possibly shorter time, but it would end up putting more obstacles in our way if we unboarded there versus an almost straight shot with minimal issues.'' Naofumi weighed his options, and it made sense, but he'd want to have safety versus convenience when it came to something to this significance. ''But it's up to you, Naofumi. What's your call?''

It was simple.

''We'll take the carriage. It's better because we can be more mobile and if we encounter any trouble, we can use whatever we have around us to our advantage, I say go with being safe than sorry,'' Naofumi summoned his new shield, the shape resembling that of a leaf-shaped purple shield adorned with vines and Dim Milkweed pods.

''Then that's it, but I do have to ask something; what do you make of all this so far?'' Valiant asked, looking to see the look of thinking that was on the otaku's face as he stared out in the distance. He wasn't sure what was on his mind, but it seemed like it would be something that he may want to talk about.

''Just. . .seems a little like the world I was in before I was before coming here; it's basically the same set of issues, just a different execution of them. We've been told about how important it really is to make sure none of the Chains end up broken, so we'll do our best to make sure that that won't happen while here.'' Naofumi said, Valiant nodding his head and continuing with the hero as they began to do any last-minute searching for anything they may find useful. ''But where are we heading first?''

The question lingered since they first set out from Canterlot. And. . .when it came to Naofumi he only had one thought when it came to the prospect of saving this world versus Melomarc, the choice was very simple. Valiant told them they would heading to Yak-Yakistan, Home of the Yaks where the Paradox Chain of Ice resided. According to the dossier, Prince Rutherford would be awaiting their arrival, and from the sounds of it, Night Order may have already begun to infiltrate the land and sent the kingdom into a downward spiral.

''I only hope the Queen and everyone who doesn't have their heads up their asses will be ok. Who knows, maybe with me being gone, they'll learn not to be spoiled brats; they may even be able to summon another hero since I technically died,'' Naofumi told Raphtalia who agreed but worried more on what currently was going on with the Yak-Yakistan.

[hr]

[center]Melromarc.[/center]

The Sword, Spear, and Bow heroes stood(were pushed to their knees in shame and defeat) before Queen Mirellia. After being completely trounced by Fitoria, they were sent back to the kindgom to account for their actions in driving the only hope that the world had at a chance of survival.

''Help me understand one thing,'' Queen Mirellia sat on her seat, drumming her delicate fingers alongside the armrest, her eyes slowly twitching with each passing second. If she could crush this seat into dust, she would. But alone. The guards did not need to see their sovereign act so sloppy. She had to handle this with every fiber of her being and every ounce of her experience ruling for the years that she has.

Tact, Melty called it to her some years ago.

"Why is it that the three of you, along with my mentally challenged daughter and overcompensating husband have driven out the only hope that this world had for salvation?" Queen Mireilla glared and stomped her foot, the sound seeming to echo in the throne room.

"But, your Majesty," Itsuki tried to plead with the Queen but failed as he clenched his sides and whimpered into the carpet as his cuts from Fitoria's talons were sure to leave an ugly scar."W-We-"

"SILENCE!" everyone in the room tensed and stared on with the blind curiosity of a lost animal. They dared to not even breathe unless she commanded it. "I have heard you beg and cry long enough, and none of you refuse to acknowledge the truth, not even Sword Hero Ren," Ren looked away and swallowed the blood that was in his mouth from his tongue being almost torn to shreds. "The only punishment fit enough can only be one thing."

"A-And what's that?" Trash also asked from his position on the floor, stripped of all his regalia and covered with small bleeding red spots from leeches latching onto his body in the lake.

Queen Mireilla simply chuckled and sashayed over to her less of a man husband, cupping his chin and smiling. Would it be the dungeon? Or public humiliation? Or-

"-The guillotine," Mireilla closed her eyes, seemingly hurt by her own words. But she resolved herself. This needed to be done. "And this time, Naofumi will not be here to save you."

[hr]