My Little Pony: Equestria's Warriors Returns

by Spirit Of Fantasy

After many wars, heavy losses, and violence with enemies. The eldest brother of the royal sisters makes his return, and discovers the student of the sister he blames for their youngest sister's banishment. Now along side this young and talented unicorn, ready to battle evil. He will discover the new world of friendship and love that replaced his world of pain and hateful battles.

46. Chapter 46: It's About Time

Chapter 46: It's About Time

Another night had come to the town of Ponyville, every pony was going to sleep and preparing for a new day. That was the case for many ponies, except the night owls and of course. And Shadow Swirl happened to be one of those night owls, doing her daily guard over most hours of the night.

But now it was striking three in the morning and her time for sleep was now. So she was quiet to enter the library after her search around town was over. She herself was a shadow as she moved through the darkness of the building, hoping not to wake any pony up. As she snuck in for a bite to eat, some old salad and grilled cheese hit the spot and filled her cheeks. And a nice cup of warm milk washed it all down, before she quietly exited the kitchen and readied to discard her robe.

Only for lights to suddenly flash on and the sound of clopping paces went off in her ear. Shadow was surprised by this, until she saw it was Twilight Sparkle up and in a panic. Not an ounce of weariness in her, just panic and the indication that something was definitely wrong.

"Twilight? This is awfully late, even for you…! What's going on?"Shadow asked the frantic young unicorn.

"Something awful! I can't believe this happened! This is a disaster!"Twilight paced and panicked about the struggles she was facing.

"What is?!"Shadow grew concerned by this immense fear and panic.

"Huh? Twilight?"Spike suddenly called out from the top of the steps.

Before he came down the steps with his blanket dragging behind him on the stairs. Orion was right behind the dragon in nothing but his black shorts and a pillow in his hand. Both Alicorn and dragon looked less than happy to witness Twilight making so much noise and panic at this time of the night.

"Oh! Hi, Spike, Orion!"Twilight quickly greeted and skimmed through several calendars.

"It's the middle of the night! Why are you pacing like this?"Spike questioned her late night activity.

"And keeping every pony else up?"Orion also questioned in a grouchy tone.

"Frankly, I don't know how any of you can sleep at a time like this!"Twilight exclaimed and flipped through her current calendar.

"You mean at three A.M?"Both Spike and Orion questioned.

"Aw...it's awful, it's horrible, it's tragic!"She yelled and almost tossed her calendar into the air.

"What is, Twilight?! We can't help if you don't explain it!"Shadow remarked while holding Twilight's shoulders to steady her.

It was then that Twilight brought the calendar to Shadow first, and then swerved it around the room. Allowing Spike and Orion to see, hoping they would understand what only she understood.

"Here! Now do you see what's wrong?!"Twilight questioned, and got only confused looks.

"We...forgot to celebrate Arbor day?"Spike took a shot in the dark question.

"No, the problem is I just finished planning my schedule for the month, but I forgot to leave time to plan for next month! Don't you see?"Twilight finally revealed what was troubling her.

And like that, every pony's concern looks dropped to completely annoyed. All this panic and all this worry over a mere schedule mix up for next month, this was outrageous.

"Are you kidding me…?"Orion quietly responded to this obvious overreaction.

"There's no time in my schedule to put together another schedule! I could move my meeting with the Ponyville Hay Board to the following Tuesday, but then I'd have to reschedule my lunch with Pinkie Pie,"Twilight continued explaining her dilemma while every pony else just stared her down with annoyance,"And you all know what a nightmare she is with scheduling.! This is an absolute disaster! My whole year c-"

Finally, a strong pillow whacking her in the side of the face finally shut the unicorn up. That pillow belonged to the tired and fed up Orion who was now tapping his foot. She read the silence and the looks on every pony's faces and realized both the time and the lack of amusement for the rude awakening.

"Oh…! Uh...well… I guess maybe there's always tomorrow to work on the scheduling…! Maybe…"She chuckled awkwardly and offered an innocent smile.

"No...you think…?!"He grumbled before both Orion and Spike decided to depart for bed.

"And I woke up from an ice cream dream for this…"Spike grumbled as well.

Shadow was at least courteous enough to wait till the boys went back to their beds. Before looking back to Twilight and giving a sigh of disappointment and grabbing her shoulders again.

"Please go to bed… It's late, and this situation is nowhere near as serious as you think,"Shadow explained and stopped Twilight right in her tracks before she could say anything,"Just...go to bed. I'm sure we can fix this issue sometime in the morning…"

She chose the soft and gentle approach this time, using what patience she could muster. Before Shadow finally decided it was time for her to go to bed on her couch at last. That left Twilight to let out a sigh and finally turn out the lights, taking the much needed advice from Shadow.

This allowed every pony to finally sleep and let the night pass as it always would. Allowing a new day to finally come forth over from the east to bring another fresh start for all. That became much easier for every pony that finally got to sleep in the library. While Orion and Shadow were currently wrestling for the shower, Spike was able to start cooking in the kitchen. While Twilight was in fact, trying to work on her scheduling issue, and this time in a more subtle way.

Then finally, it was Shadow who lost the battle for the first come first go in the shower. So she needed to come downstairs and wait for the prince to clean his flank and come out. At the very least, this gave Shadow a chance to speak with Twilight about last night.

"Oh my gosh…! I think I did it! If I can figure out a way to read, "The Art Of Invisibility Spells" and "Thornhoof's Brief History Of Canterlot,"Twilight was currently discovering a way to work on her scheduling issue from last night,"That could leave me a half hour scheduling window!"

"Twilight…! We've been over this whole thing with punctuality and high standards,"Shadow chimed in to interrupt this obsession with schedules,"Celestia herself was here when we talked… You don't need everything mapped out into a schedule."

"Of course I do! I need to make sure I have everything down and ready for each day,"Twilight insisted that she had to go by a complete schedule,"Schedules keep me punctual and exceeded the expectations of every pony, especially princess Celestia."

"But you have nothing to prove to any pony, you don't need to push it so hard."Shadow insisted that Twilight took a deep breath and looked around herself for once.

"I appreciate your concern, but that's just the way I have always been. And it's how I stayed on top of everything!"Twilight levitated two books to her side for some reading.

"Life can't be bound to a schedule, Twilight. Life is an inevitable world of chaos and the unexpected,"Shadow offered a little bit more advice to the overly structured mare,"It's full of good things and bad things you can't control. Even with a schedule… You need to-"

Suddenly, their conversation was stopped by a surge of lightning surrounded the room. This lightning was clearly made by a strong focused use of magic. And that became more apparent when a large bubble of pure magic and lightning formed in the middle of the room.

This gave Shadow the sense of a teleportation spell, but teleportation didn't need this much magic. Then the bubble dispersed and in a final flash of magic, a pony appeared. A pony worn and torn by battle and chaos, the very thing Shadow had warned Twilight about.

Then the blinding magical light dissipated, and before they knew it. They were witnessing a sudden second Twilight Sparkle, but she was different, changed by a mysterious chaos.

She was tattered and scratched up, as well as the black skin tight jumpsuit she wore. She even had a slightly old cut on her cheek that complimented a right eye patch and head bandage. Her mane was blasted up and all over the place, as if she had barely survived an explosion. It was like she had barely survived a vicious war, and the burn marks made the cause seem clear.

"Twilight, you got to listen to me!"The new Twilight rushed to them with urgency.

"What...is this? Who are you? I mean...you're me, but I'm me too! How can there be two mes,"Twilight questioned the logic of the second Twilight,"It's not scientifically possible. You are not scientifically possible!"

"Not scientifically, but magically, it is. You used a time traveling spell, didn't you?"Shadow questioned the new Twilight.

"Yes, and I'm aware they're illegal without a permit from a member of royalty,"the new Twilight replied to Shadow's question,"But that doesn't matter. Please, I have a very important message from the future!"

"Did the Cinders have something to do with all this?"Shadow asked with worry.

"You're from the future?!"Twilight put both Shadow's and the new Twilight's word together to realize what this was.

"No and yes. now listen-"the future Twilight tried to speak.

"But you look awful. You're telling us Cinders didn't cause any of this?"Shadow questioned, a bit shocked by the answers.

"Or maybe… is there some sort of epic pony war in the distant future?"Twilight added to the list of questions.

"No, and actually, I'm from next Tuesday morning. But that's not important now!"Future Twilight proclaimed, trying to push out her information.

"I know time travel is immensely difficult to do with mere unicorn magic, but how did you...or I...figure it out?"Twilight wondered.

"The time spells are in the Canterlot archives, but that's not-"

"Really? Where? I've never seen them?"Twilight interrupted the future Twilight.

"Twilight, maybe we should stop talking and listen…"Shadow tried to suggest as he saw future Twilight flickering like a light.

"They're in the Star Swirl The Bearded Wing. Now you have to listen to me-"Future Twilight begged.

"Is time traveling fun, or does it hurt? I have so many more questions-"Twilight was finally shut up by the stiff hoof of Shadow Swirl going against her mouth.

"Thank you, now listen. I have something extremely important to tell you about the future,"Future Twilight insisted as static and magic began to surround her,"I only have a few seconds so you have to listen. Whatever you do, don't-"

Just as she was about to relay the message, the time spell had ran out. And as quickly as she came, the orb of magic and magical lighting surrounded her. And a flash of pure magic and light finally wisp the Future Twilight back to her own time, leaving only confusion in her wake.

"None of this could possibly be good…"Shadow admitted her own concerns for this appending and unknown danger.

"No… No, no it's not! What was she trying to warn me about?"Twilight thought as she began to pace around the room again.

"Maybe if we had both stopped asking questions, she would have told us."Shadow admitted her own fault as well as Twilight's.

"I mean… Her clothes, her mane, that scar…! Oh what a mess she is, or...I am…! Or...WILL be…!"Twilight gasped and went into full panic.

"She must need us to prevent whatever disaster may be coming our way,"Shadow admitted and her mind went into deep thought as a warrior,"But we don't know what it is… So telling the town will only cause panic and chaos. A potential chemistry for this potential disaster."

"Then… Then...what do we do?!"Twilight panicked, the mystery of the problem was driving her mad.

"What's going on?"Orion rushed out after hearing Shadow's voice raise with worry.

The mares looked to Orion, and Shadow hoof palmed her face while Twilight looked away with a flush face.

"A little late, aren't we?"Shadow questioned.

"Hey at this point I can't come bursting out every time she freaks out about something,"Orion gestured to Twilight and walked back up the steps to get dressed,"You on the other hoof, I can!"

"Right… We must find your friends and inform them. No pony else, understand,"Shadow instructed and got a nod from Twilight,"Then let's go…!"

---

They did so, not bothering to wait for Orion to get ready and join them. So they ran for the middle of town, where Shadow could feel the shadows of all five Elements. Sure enough, the spotted Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy carrying party favors and presents. Pinkie even creatively tied balloons to herself and was air walking as the balloons carried her slow and steady.

"Come on, Fluttershy! The party can't start until the party supplies get there!"Pinkie called to Fluttershy as she air walked slow.

"Happy to... help... but... can I carry... the balloons next time?"Fluttershy grunted out before giving out and letting the party supplies crush her.

"You two! We need you both to come with us…!"Shadow discreetly informed and snagged their own shadows in her shadow's grasp.

Pinkie was easy enough to pull since all her balloons made her as light as the balloons themselves. But Fluttershy went through a tight squeeze before she was pulled out of the supplies. She gave her light and quiet scream as they were dragged off by their shadows.

As they neared the bridge, Shadow spotted Applejack carrying her sack of today's earnings on her back. While Rainbow was above them in the sky, turning a clear day into a partly cloudy sky. These were also put on hold as their shadows were grabbed by their legs and dragged away. Leaving two clouds to clash and cause some rain, and some coins to fly to the ground for others to collect.

Now there were four screaming mares being dragged all the way to a bridge. Before Shadow finally released the four mares and stood next to Twilight.

"You could have warned us before ya did that?"Applejack groaned while dusting herself off.

"We needed to collect you all and meet somewhere private to not cause a scene."Shadow explained as the mares finally got to their hooves.

"Wait! We forgot, Rarity!"Twilight exclaimed for the missing pony in their party.

Shadow did the honors of using her purple magic to make Rarity appear. Along with her fainting couch, a romance novel and a tub of ice cream, she screamed in response of the sudden teleportation. Her couch crashed to the ground first, just in time for Rarity to bounce on her couch. Once she stopped, her book slapped down on her lap, and the ice cream sadly fell on her head. Coating her face and hair in vanilla chocolate swirl, her groans started out deep, and dropped to a whine.

"I've gone from...a beautiful Saturday morning read…! To a ruined mane and makeup all caked in ice cream,"She growled with dramatic tone,"This...better be good…!"

"Twilight…"Shadow casually gestured to the leader of the Elements.

"Listen, every pony. I have just been visited by myself from the future,"Twilight announced and started to explain the situation, her genuine tone causing her friends to focus and believe,"My future self tried to warn me about a horrible disaster that's going to happen next Tuesday."

They all looked at each other, any other random pony would not believe such a thing. But this was her friends, and a warrior had witnessed this news herself. With such bonds and witness on the event, there was no denying or disbelieving the story.

"What kind of disaster?"Applejack was brave enough to ask.

"I don't know. I...or...she or...whatever. She was pulled back into the future before she say."Twilight explained a bit of her fault in not knowing the disaster.

"Ruuuuun for your liiiiife!"Pinkie went into a panic, and wanted to run.

Only to turn and bump her muzzle right into the chest of Orion. Thankfully the balloons kept her from slamming hard from the lack of momentum and weight.

"Now is not the time for panic. Panic brings chaos, and that could easily become the disaster that was spoken of."Orion explained to shut down the potential panic.

"Then...how do we stop this disaster if we don't even know what it is?"Rarity asked both Twilight and the warriors.

"We'll just have to work together to make sure we're safe,"Twilight decided on what the next case of action they needed to take,"Rainbow Dash, you and the other Pegasi spread out over Equestria, and look for any kind of problem that could lead to a disaster, and I mean ANYTHING."

"You got it!"Rainbow agreed and was going to leave if Orion had not grabbed her by the tail.

"The rest of you will do the same alongside the ponies, but here's a condition,"Orion explained the more detailed and important piece of the situation,"We can't say why we're doing this work. All you can say is that we're doing some work for the sake of Ponyville's safety and future."

"But...wouldn't we be lying to the towns ponies?"The Element of Honesty was not a fan of potentially telling a lie.

"No… What we're doing is in fact for Ponyville's safety and future. We're just leaving out the disaster part,"Shadow explained the fine print in the information they would be sharing with others,"There's a difference between lying and telling some pony only what they NEED to know."

"It'll prevent panic and the good deeds you will do shall inspire others to work together,"Orion added to the details and extra gains from these actions,"A good way to bring the entire town together after the tragic struggles with the Cinder pony attacks."

Twilight smiled at this compassionate wish to heal and mend the bonds among Ponyville's citizens. And after seeing the faces of her friends smiling the same way, there was no further objections.

"So… Unless any pony else has an objection. Let's disaster proof Equestria!"Twilight made the final verdict that every pony could agree on.

They wasted no time, they gathered the warriors they could and got to work. Orion assisted Applejack and Rarity with the local dam, fortifying it's foundation. The mare's filled in the cracks, and his crystals were brought forth into pillars for propping up and stabilizing the dam further. It was hard work, with both magic and muscle working at the stone foundation. By the end, Applejack was getting towels thrown her way to wipe the sweat away, while Orion splashed some water on his face.

Twilight soon arrived to check off their work before moving on to the next disaster proofing job.

That was simply her checking on Mrs Cake filling up the town's water tower with fresh clean water. Just in case there was potential old water full of bacteria or plagues, a paranoid assumption from Twilight herself.

As that finished, the Ponyville main bridge was getting some maintenance. Big Mac held Pinkie Pie by a rope as she tightened some bolts around the bridge's foundation. While Typhoon gladly replaced the old wood boards with stronger and newer oak wood boards, long lasting, and solid. Twilight was soon able to arrive and verify their work before checking it off the list. Only for Typhoon to accidentally back his flank into Mac just hard enough to knock him over the bridge.

He dropped his final board for the bridge to look around, but Pinkie and Mac were already in the water. So he shrugged their disappearance off to finish his work, while Twilight hoof palmed her face.

She got a break from the smaller disaster to check on the crusaders cleanup of the town streets. And it appeared that they were doing a good job, wiping up every bit of muk, scum and trash from the streets. Shadow was able to help in her own way, by simply pointing to buildings. And Apple Bloom complying by lifting every building Shadow pointed to so the warrior could use the building's shadow to swallow up the trash that laid beneath. Twilight applauded the clever trick to cleaning the town from top to bottom.

And with that, she returned home to see Spike repairing some small damages to their own home. And thanks to Typhoon having some leftover wood from the bridge, it was all an easy repair. Sealing up cracks and replacing old and decrepit furniture with strong wood and wood glue. Yet another thing Twilight could check off the list, and so that left something smaller but equally important for the sake of her friends. They all needed a nice mane cut.

And so both the Elements and the warriors that dared to stay for a mane cut did so. Getting their hair cut back a bit, though Twilight never even bothered telling them why this was disaster proofing Equestria. But this was Twilight, and it had become hopeless to argue with her. So once Pinkie Pie finally got her mane cut and manage to still maintain the same exact mane style. That was when Twilight felt confident enough to check it off the list.

And by the end of the morning and part of the afternoon, everything was finished. They began to regroup to report and sound off on everything else that required to be disaster proofed.

"Done, done, and done! Applejack, what about the Everfree forest?"Twilight questioned the more vital issues that posed a threat.

"The perimeter is clear!"Applejack gave the all clear.

"Great!"Twilight was pleased to hear this.

"And my team gave the all clear, from Fillydelphia to Las Pegasus!"Rainbow added from the cleared up skies.

"Canterlot is in order. Everything is secured, crime ratings have even been down quite a bit."Shadow admitted after a quick trip and investigation around Canterlot city.

"Excellent. Well, we've done everything on the list, but still... Future Twilight looked like she'd been through a horrible ordeal…!"Twilight established, yet worry still had a hold on her.

"Twilight, I was in the forest helping Applejack, and from what we saw, even the Cinders appeared to have gone quiet,"Orion tried to explain the lack of dangers currently about the land,"Face it… There's no danger approaching."

"I know, but… I just have this nagging feeling we should be looking for something bigger than loose bolts and leaky pipes."Twilight truly felt there was a danger lingering.

"Really? Like what? We got nothing, no crimes, no natural disasters, no-"Thunder was about to explain with Typhoon by his side.

Only for the roars of a great and important beast to sound off through the town. Before the great pitch black beast with three heads lunged over the heads of the two warriors. The great black three headed beast and guardian of the realm of Tartarus was among them. Cerberus, the three headed Hound of the underworld, landed in the center of town with a roar. His fur as black as his shadow, and his body and heads bulk and broad with immeasurable muscle.

His gray and bulk muzzle narrowed down to the group on the ground. Releasing a demonic like growl that sent terror through the elements of harmony.

"Okay, everypony. Just follow my lead!"Pinkie Pie stated before suddenly screaming in a panic.

This spun the towns ponies around them into a big panic as well, riling the beast up. Orion palmed his face, completely mused. As Cerberus roared and lunged for the ponies, only to be drop kicked in the side by Thunder. It slammed back to the ground on it's side, crashing against a building wall.

"No pony panic! We got this!"Orion announced as he looked to Shadow.

The mare quickly nodded, dispersing her shadow to connect to the shadows of the civilians. Her shadow then yanked the ponies out of the cross fire, pulling them around corners, alleyways and benches.

"I can't connect to his shadow. He's made of Tartarian shadows. Not Erzibit herself."Shadow warned of Cerberus's resistance to dark magic.

"What is that thing?!"Spike exclaimed with fear.

"That's Cerberus! He's supposed to be guarding the gates to Tartarus!"Twilight answered the question.

"Exactly…! But he's not. And that's a big problem. The gates are unprotected!"Orion added as Cerberus approached the group.

"Which means all the evil creatures imprisoned in Tartarus could easily escape and destroy Equestria!"Twilight explained further and suddenly smiled.

"Destroy Equestria?!"Spike feared at the idea of the world's destruction.

"Yeah! Isn't it great?"Twilight questioned, and all went silent.

All but Fluttershy and Typhoon were looking at her, unamused and some were even shaking their heads. She nervously chuckled, none of them noticing the quick talk Typhoon was having with Fluttershy. She needed to break the awkward silence before they started thinking of worrisome thoughts.

"I mean… We have to stop him! Or else the disaster will be upon us!"Twilight broke the awkward silence, allowing the others to face the hound.

Only for them to look on in surprise, for the crisis was immediately averted. Thanks to the efforts of Fluttershy and Typhoon, for the three headed beast of Tartarus was on his back. Not dead or injured, but smiling, panting, and full of happiness. For the nature lovers were now scratching his ears and rubbing his belly, encouraging peaceful and happy thoughts to the hound.

"Who's a cute widdle three headed dog?"Fluttershy cooed and rubbed the dog's belly.

"Cerberus is…! He's just lost is all. Must have tried to entertain himself and got out of the fence!"Typhoon added and looked to his comrades.

"Sheesh… Then we better get him back to Tartarus before long."Orion palmed his face again, before a thought went off in his head.

"Sounds like a plan! Pinkie Pie?"Twilight looked for Pinkie's help, as the screaming earth pony ran by them again.

Shadow Swirl obliged by grabbing her by the shadow's leg and pulling her back to Twilight.

"Pinkie!"Twilight yelled to get the pink earth pony to stop screaming.

"Yes, Twilight?"Pinkie stopped screaming and was happy to assist now that the danger had passed.

"Do you have a ball I can borrow?"Twilight asked quickly.

"Of course! I have balls stashed all over Ponyville, in case of a ball emergency."Pinkie pulled out a ball and gave it to Twilight.

"Excellent! Hey, Cerberus! Look at what I got."Twilight called the guard of Tartarus to the ball.

Cerberus did so and ran to the ball that Twilight levitated to the hound's view. This drew Cerberus away from his attention givers and the warriors, bringing him to her.

"I'll be back as soon as I return Cerberus to the gates of Tartarus,"Twilight announced and was ready to take the giant dog on a long walk,"Once he's back at home, there'll be no disaster!"

"Right… I'll even go with you in case you run into demonic struggles."Orion volunteered to go with Twilight.

"Great! A little muscle would be nice. Let's go!"Twilight agreed and took off, and Cerberus followed.

Orion was about to follow, and Shadow grasped his shoulder to stop the prince for a moment.

"You're going to check on that sorry sack of wasted life, aren't you?"Orion didn't answer, he just yanked himself free of her.

He then took off, his speed assured that he would reach Twilight in no time. Leaving Shadow with a solemn blank look on her face, for she knew exactly why he was going with Twilight.

"Of course you're going to see Tirek,"Shadow said quietly to herself before turning to the others,"Alright, chop chop every pony! We need to clean up this mess!"

---

Shadow took control, and the small mess Cerberus made would be clean before sunset. And by that time, Twilight and Orion were traversing through the darkest woodlands, partially caged by jagged mountains. One of which once belonged to Necrid Ghoul himself, and became his destroyer. He dare not look to the old Mt Ghoul, he kept his eyes forward and on Cerberus.

For they were nearing the dark platform at the bottom of the woods, just as night had fallen. His eyes then narrowed, the thought of his reason for going with Twilight came to mind. Discord was an infuriating piece of work in his own right, but the monster on his mind was much worse. A criminal, imprisoned for betrayal, thievery of all magic, and causing the deaths of hundreds of ponies. His lust for power was unquenchable, and he was willing to harm any pony to get it, even his own brother.

The fiend's very dark eyes and red face boiled the prince's blood, it even distracted him a bit. Until he was awoken by a sudden wall of purple magic that stopped him in his tracks. His face slamming against the barrier to stop him from running ahead, while Twilight yelled to him.

"Orion! We're here! The only thing any further from here is old ruins!"Twilight yelled before Orion finally stopped.

"Oh...right…! Sorry."He apologized, allowing Twilight to lower the barrier.

"Here Cerberus, go get the ball!"Twilight encouraged the dog's playful nature.

She did so by throwing the ball at the gate to watch Cerberus chase and catch the ball. With that, Orion tossed her a thick rod of crystal and Twilight paired it with an old chain. And with a few spins of her magic around Cerberus's collar. She ground chained Cerberus right next to the giant dark gate to the underworld, rumbling with dark energy. It gave her a small chill, but the warm mission accomplishment feeling swathed and swept away her chills.

"There we have it! Mission complete, and the great disaster has been averted!"Twilight felt that all danger had at long last came to pass without harm.

"Right, so maybe tomorrow night we can get some much needed sleep,"Orion hoped for the best, before both their eyes gazed to the deep obsidian doors,"You mind waiting outside? There's something...I need to check in there."

"Uh...sure. But...what could you possibly need to check on in...Tartarus of all things?"Twilight immediately felt a bit curious about his need to enter the underworld.

"Just another old headache on my crap list,"He almost growled before approaching the giant gates,"Stay out here. It shouldn't take too long…!"

"Ok, just hurry up…! This place is already starting to give me the...creeps..."Twilight felt the chills returning from the dark woodlands.

He did not respond, he merely looked to the ancient carved obsidian gates. As he pulled out a small piece of crystal and stuck it between the doorway edges. He turned the crystal like a key, and red magic whined and circulated like blood through the tiniest cracks in the door like veins. Several grinding clicks were heard within the gates, before the magic began to slowly open the doors. Immediately the cold stench of the darkest shadows and pure evils leaked out through the widening crack.

The doors creaked so sharply, it could have easily rip and tear apart the drums of Twilight's ears. Thankfully, the doors finally opened, Twilight backed away, while Orion grumbled and walked forth. His eyes scrolled to the side, watching Cerberus lay down and watch him enter. They exchanged the same looks of fire and desire to do what they needed to do. Cerberus allowed him to enter, and immediately he was greeted by cages and prisons on both sides.

The most vicious and darkest of creatures were in these prisons. From the ravenous hellfire horses that caused the fall of the Ancient Pegasi Kingdom in the mountains. To the demon worshiping dragon lord from the king and queen's age. They were all here, and they suddenly went from roaring and fighting with each other to complete dead silence. Their eyes froze and rolled right towards the prince, and their eyes turned to burning glares of dark hatred.

They followed Orion as he passed each and every creature he personally put away. Growls and snarls soon followed as he then passed through the gateway into the underworld itself. An unholy black realm full of skinny obsidian bridges hot to the touch from the fiery pits and chasms below. Thousands of feet below were rivers and pools of magma that could melt a body, bone and all. It was glaring and bright with heat, much like the dark lightning within the storm like sky of Tartarus.

The sharp lightning nearly roused demons from the bug like colonies in the distance. But thankfully, Orion's stop was just a left close to the exit from Tartarus and up some steps. Even against the demonic screaming thunder, he could hear the taps of the steps he walked on. His eyes gazing at the top where the fiend of the hour awaited his presence. His eyes sharpened, as the very face of this old enemy already made his blood boiling, preparing him for the reunion.

And the moment he took the final step onto the stone platform, the red and black face greeted him. His horns slightly grey and short compared to other forms that he bared. His twig like arms, demonic red, but weak and helpless, devoid of all muscles. His own pony like lower body sickly and frail, everything seemed small and frail about this infamous being. Traitor to his brother Scorpman, devourer of magic and life, and tyrant centaur of Equestria, there stood… Lord Tirek, caged like an animal.

"Tirek…!"Orion's disgruntled growl allowed the centaur's eyes to slowly open.

"I know that voice… It is old, and it has fueled my rage for many centuries,"Tirek slowly looked to the stairs to see his oldest enemy,"Orion... ! It's been a very… Very… Long time…!"

"Not long enough obviously… You're still alive,"Orion retorted and made a slow approach to the cage,"Had to make sure you were still here when Cerberus decided to get off his leash…"

"Is that what all that barking and cracking stone was? Hard to tell these days,"Tirek sneered quietly, his stare sharpening as Orion got closer,"Especially when one is locked up like a screaming ape…!"

Orion approached and began to circle around the cage with a glare of deep hatred.

"This was paradise compared to what I wanted to do… Your brother is the reason you're still alive."Orion felt the dark and horrid memories of Tirek's crimes returning.

"My brother was manipulated by those fork tongued filthy sisters of yours,"Tirek suddenly yelled and grabbed at the cage bars,"You and those...princesses turned him against me! It was all because of you and those filthy whorse sisters of-"

Orion silenced him with a fast grab of Tirek's beard, yanking it hard. Letting his face fly forward and crack against the metal cage bars, gashing his forehead before Orion released him. Allowing the centaur to fall to his side and grasp his bleeding skull. Orion's piercing red crystal eyes stared down in spite, as he slowly walked around towards the cage door.

"I have nothing… Nothing but this cursed cell that I'm stuck in… Thanks to you…"Tirek lifted his head and let the blood ooz between his fingers.

"Thousands of innocent ponies took their own lives after what you stole from them,"Orion growled while unlocking the door,"And you had the Gaul to defend these crimes, and plot to steal my sisters magic…"

"It was ours… All of ours… It was fate that brought me and Scorpman to your home,"Tirek quietly sneered and darted his deep scowl at Orion,"I know of your people's history with the world's magic… We were meant to take your magic away from you… Before you killed it with your own magic…"

Tirek looked up to the tall prince, before a brave chuckle left his mouth. As he wiped the blood off his forehead and showed a small daring smile.

"As for those victims… They should be happy they played a part in my plan,"His always infuriating and unsympathetic entitlement showed in his words,"They manage to start helping me take away a power none of you deserved…! Before they died like cowards…!"

Orion could listen no more, he tackled the centaur and slammed him against the bars. With both hands he grabbed Tirek's head and started slamming it nonstop against the bars. Then he threw Tirek to the metallic floor, and repeated the action on a flat and smoother surface. Tirek desperately growled and struggled, grabbing and clawing at the prince's back. But Orion was far stronger, and continued bashing his face against the floor, causing blood and spit to fly.

He finally released Tirek, and then kicked him against the cage bars once more. Metal rang in their ears as Tirek crashed to the floor, coughing and struggling to breathe. Orion began walking over, his wrath was clear as Tirek tried to chuckle through the pain.

"A little off your game… Thousands of years of absence has made you sloppy…"Tirek chuckled weakly, before being snatched up again.

"Don't worry… I just might start getting back into the habit...of bucking you up…every time I think of you...!"Orion responded while throwing the Centaur again.

This time he slammed shoulder first against the cage gate, causing a bolt to fly off from the lock. Tirek slid to the floor, groaning and grunting in a whimper like fashion, for his shoulder had cracked on the impact. The blood from his head drip on the floor, almost causing his hands to slip. Thankfully, Orion snagged him up again, deciding that he was done with pitiful centaur. With a sharp low jab to the frail gut of his old enemy, he released Tirek the moment he heard the wind leave Tirek's body.

He let the centaur drop to the floor, coughing and wheezing, trying to gasp for air. Orion just shook his head and walked to the door, cracking his warmed up knuckles.

"I'm out of practice… But I'll be back. And you better be semi healed before I come back,"He warned as he opened the gate and slammed it behind him,"At least I know you aren't going anywhere…"

Orion departed for the exit, wiping his hands and dying to leave Tartarus. Leaving the bloodied old enemy on the cage floor, coughing and barely able to see out his left eye. He grabbed his partially caved in eye, finally able to catch his breath as his back laid against the cage door.

I'll kill you… You just wait… You'll be the one on the ground...clawing and pleading for your life,"Tirek watched Orion disappear beyond the prison and through the doors,"What you did to my brother… You will pay dearly for...Orion…!"

His frail arm was barely able to lift up, but manage to bash a fist against the cage doors. Suddenly causing yet another bolt to fly out from the door, he heard the tiny ring of metal against obsidian. This caused Tirek to almost fall back as the door suddenly opened with a slow grind of old metal. He backed away from the door at first, but then his eyes lit up. As the lock to the door finally fell to the ground with a loud clang, the golden opportunity now presented itself.

"And it will be sooner than you know…!"

Orion exited the gates of Tartartus, where Twilight awaited his return. With some of his frustration vented out, it was time to go home and get some sleep. Twilight did not ask what had transpired in Tartarus, the light red worn out knuckles told her plenty. Allowing them to venture through the woods and put their struggles behind them.

---

Meanwhile, the very morning of their return came, and everything started out nice and peaceful. At least it did for Spike and Shadow, who had freshly awakened from their slumber. They were refreshed from the long and uninterrupted sleep, Shadow even volunteered to make breakfast. While Spike gladly volunteered to collect the mail and paper. He stretched out and gave a yawn to warm up his body for the day.

"Boy… This feels like a good day. Twilight and Orion should go on epic adventures more often,"Spike called out to Shadow as he reached out a window to grab the mail, thanks to Derpy Hooves,"Best sleep I've gotten in weeks…!"

"Believe me, I know. Have you ever tried sleeping through Orion's snoring? It's a pain,"Shadow called back before she heard the front door swing open,"Speaking of which, welcome back you two!"

"Yup…! I'm going to bed…! Have a nice day!"Orion was quick to brush off the greeting out of sheer weariness.

"Ok, sleep tight,"Shadow rolled her eyes as she finished the eggs for breakfast,"Probably didn't beat up on Tirek enough…"

"Hey, Shadow…!"Twilight entered the kitchen a mess with mud and scratches all over her.

"Hey! You hungry, Twilight,"Shadow turned to see the messy Twilight,"You look like you were caught in the middle of a war…!"

"It wasn't easy getting Cerberus to his spot at the gate, plus Orion needed to check something inside Tartarus."Twilight explained their journey nice and simple for the audience.

"I see… Oh! Uh...you kind of got…"As she sat down a plate of breakfast, that was when Shadow spotted it.

"I...got a what…?"Twilight feared what Shadow noticed on her face.

"Oh! Hey Twilight! Welcome back."Spike greeted Twilight before noticing the mess she made of herself.

"You have a bit of a...mark on your cheek…"She tried to smile and break it to Twilight gently.

Twilight feared the tone of Shadow, and levitated the kitchen toaster to her view. Her fears were realized as she saw the familiar cut across her cheek, the very cut from her future self.

"This cut! It's the exact same cut that was on future Twilight's cheek,"Twilight feared and threw the toaster away,"We haven't changed the future at all! The disaster is still coming!"

The unicorn was worried and ran to the living room to vent and figure out the problem. She began pacing with fear and confusion, Spike and Shadow sighed. Taking their food into the living room to listen to her rants and confusion for the failed attempt at preventing the disaster.

"If the disaster wasn't caused by Cerberus getting loose, what could it be?"Twilight kept on wondering as she circled around the living room.

"I dunno, but maybe you oughta give the pacing a rest. You wore a groove into the floor."Spike laughed, pointing out the circular rut She made with her pacing.

"This is no time for one of your lectures, Spike!"Twilight exclaimed.

"My lectures?"Spike took offense.

"Maybe you shouldn't be worrying so much. So far going down the path to avoid this disaster seems to only bring you closer to it."Shadow offered wisdom on trying to fight against fate.

"I don't need wisdom either…! I need to figure this out, trying to change the future didn't seem to work,"Twilight blew off Shadow's advice, and continued pondering,"So...maybe it's not what I do… Maybe it's something I don't do!"

"Huh?"Spike and Shadow responded to this sudden thought.

"If I stand right here and don't move a muscle till next tuesday, I can't possibly do what future Twilight warned me not to do!"Twilight explained her new plan.

"You're going to stand still and do absolutely nothing…?"Shadow was dumbfounded, but Twilight was already frozen in place.

"So… No matter what happens or what any pony does, you're not going to move a muscle, huh?"Spike saw a glorious opportunity given to him.

"Spike…?"Shadow was ready to intervene as the baby dragon walked to the kitchen.

"Oh, I won't do anything to her. I just figured if she's not going to move,"Spike started before exiting the kitchen with a gallon of ice cream,"Then she won't mind me eating this whole tub of ice cream!"

"Uh...I mind!"Shadow exclaimed for his gluttonous behavior.

"Aww, come on. You're really gonna deprive me of this,"Spike whined and took a scoop of ice cream,"Mmm so good…!"

"Spike, stop! Think of the stomach ache!"Twilight muffled through her teeth.

"Stomach ache, huh? That's future Spike's problem!"Spike boldly stated, before Shadow stood up.

"Not on my watch. Give me the ice cream, Spike…!"Shadow demanded.

"No."

"Now…!"

"No."

"Spike…!"

"No!"Spike decided to make a run for it.

"Spike…!"Shadow warned, and took off after him.

Twilight did not move, wouldn't budge, wouldn't twitch, and she would not move her lips. She was a statue, determined to prevent the disaster in any way she could. Though such an action was foolhardy with friends like the ones she had, two of which had just arrived. In a blast of pure lightning, Thunder was the first to arrive and immediately steal the couch. Rainbow Dash was next to arrive, and she came in slow and majestic like, after witnessing more of Thunder's speed.

"Made it! You get to tell her!"Thunder mentioned a possible bet that may have happened between them.

"Ugh.. Twilight,another mare just got back from Baltimare and gave the all clear and-"Confusion stopped Rainbow, and the mission was forgotten among immediate snickers.

As Spike exited the kitchen in a jog with his ice cream in tow. Thunder opened one eye to watch with curiosity, and the immediate need for ice cream on his mind.

"What's going on? Aren't you gonna stop him?"Rainbow pointed out the ice cream fiend.

"She sure isn't. And get this, she's not going to move till next Tuesday,"Spike stopped in his tracks to explain,"She thinks it'll prevent the disaster from coming!"

"Gotcha!"Shadow suddenly yelled.

Spike yelped as she scooped him up in her forearms while two pieces of her shadow yanked the ice scream and spoon from his claws. She immediately gave them to Thunder since he seemed to be lazing around. Allowing her and Spike to exchange unamused stares at each other.

"Eating too much ice cream is bad for you. Don't do that…!"Shadow scolded lightly.

"Yeah, don't do that…!"Thunder mocked, his lips smacking with ice cream and hypocrisy.

Their stares looked to Thunder as he now started eating the ice cream. Happy at his luck for getting ice cream right when he really needed it, but he easily noticed the stares.

"What…? I'm grown up already, he's not. He's the one that should watch what he eats,"His words met deaf ears, and so the subject needed to change,"So...Twilight isn't gonna move around till next Tuesday, huh?"

"Wow...This is too rich…!"Rainbow saw an opportunity here, as did Thunder.

"That's good to know… That means…"Thunder elbowed Rainbow before flying behind Twilight.

She was warned of Thunder's mischievous nature for such opportunities. And it didn't help that Rainbow was making faces at her, and then she felt it. The cold wet hoof of Thunder slapping her on the flank, a hoof made wet by him simply licking his entire hoof slow and thoroughly.

Her spine and body trembled at the cold slap, and she wanted to buck him. But that would go against her vow to not move, and it was making her sweat and strain to resist. Then he plucked a feather from his wing as Rainbow and Spike began to laugh. Promoting him more to tickle her muzzle with his feather that smelled like rain water and furry body odor.

"Ok, knock it off! You're not helping the situation here!"Shadow snapped and kicked Thunder in the back.

He stumbled forward and accidentally hugged her from behind in a mounting position. This got Rainbow to stop laughing, while Twilight blushed and panicked. Desperate to get Thunder off her before something else came of this, she broke her vow and turned her neck. Shooting a stream of purple magic that blasted him off her, and right into Shadow and Spike. They rolled and slammed against a wall, their bodies squishing Spike just enough to make him belch up a flash of green fire.

The fire soared and blasted a wide eyed Twilight in the face, the fire died fast after a small burst. Leaving Twilight with a couple small burns on her cheeks, along with yet another familiar feature.

"Oh no…!"Rainbow feared the smoking sight.

"Oops…!"The two warriors responded for their blunder.

"What happened?"Twilight questioned, concern growing as she saw their worried faces.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to."Spike squirmed free to profusely apologize.

"Show me…!"Twilight demanded the reason behind their concerns.

Shadow did the honors of bringing back the toaster and showing Twilight her reflection. Revealing the blast out apocalyptic mane style her future self had. This threw Twilight into a greater amount of fear for the future to come.

"Oh no! It's the same mane cut as future Twilight…!"Twilight realized this immediately.

"Ya know… It doesn't look...too bad…"Rainbow tried to cool down the situation.

"I don't care how it looks! It's just another sign that the future hasn't changed! Not doing anything didn't work either,"Twilight panicked and started to pace around the room again,"Oh, I wish there was a way to know what was going to happen so I could stop it!"

"Uh...if I may suggest…! If you wanna see the future, I know some pony who might be able to help."Spike suggested, slyly retrieving his ice cream.

"Who?"Every pony asked.

Hours later, they were standing just outside a tent near Sugar Cube Corner. The sign said, Madam Pinkie Pie's Fortune Tellings, so it would seem Pinkie had more than one hobby. And after a quick thought, it made sense why Spike suggested her. The future telling Pinkie sense inherited through the Pie family was the help in question. But it seemed rather daring to trust a pony with a naive careless nature with predicting a future disaster.

But Spike insisted that she could help, so they at least needed to trust him on the idea.

"You mind staying out here and keeping a lookout for anything...disaster looking…?"Twilight requested, and Shadow reluctantly agreed with a sigh.

So she took position at the side of the entrance like a royal guard to give Twilight the sense of security. Once the unicorn had ventured inside, she could already hear them talking.

"So far your face has been the only disaster through all this paranoia…"She mumbled and sighed again.

"Enter the chamber of Madam Pinkie Pie…! For the answers you seek, gaze into the mystic orb of fate's destiny,"Shadow could hear Pinkie putting on a classical mystic act,"Do you like my mystical orb of fate's destiny? I just got it! Cool, huh?"

"Yeah...uh...best one I've seen…!"Twilight replied with encouragement.

Shadow decided to sit down for this one, it felt a bit like one of those waiting games. So she took in the fresh air and tranquility that came with the air. Her body felt relaxed, so why was Twilight so certain there would be a disaster? Sure the future Twilight seems to speak of a threat, but was she talking about Equestria, or was it something else? The future was involved, but Future Twilight never actually mentioned Equestria or it's fate, just something happening in the future.

"Hmmm… Maybe the issue or disaster isn't a disaster or threat to Equestria,"Shadow thought and looked to the smiling ponies around her,"Perhaps...this really is a smaller issue than she thinks it is… Maybe…"

"Pinkie! I needed your Pinkie sense to foretell the disaster Future Twilight warned about,"Twilight walked out on what sounded like another failure,"I didn't come here to learn about a birthday present!"

"Twilight…! Perhaps maybe you should not be pursuing this fear of a disaster."Shadow tried to ease Twilight's worry.

"I'm sorry, Twilight! But my fortune telling has nothing to do with my Pinkie sense,"Pinkie tried to explain the proper functions of the Pie sense,"It's only good for vague and immediate events!"

Ironically, as her tail gave a Pinkie sense twitch, right above them an argument was commencing. Rainbow Dash was fluster, her cheeks red and her face filled with envy. While Thunder attempted to talk to her and figure out the root of her envious anger.

"Seriously, who whizzed in your oat cereal. We just had a riot at Twilight's place!"Thunder yelled and finally got Rainbow to stop.

"More like YOU were having a riot on top of Twilight. You...rogue!"Rainbow spat in pure jealousy.

"The hay is your issue? For starters, that wasn't anything, just an unfortunate accident,"Thunder ranted and then asked a more vital question,"And why the hay do YOU care? We're just friends and all that jazz…!"

Rainbow growled and found a flower pot to snatch up and throw at him. He ducked to avoid the projectile, but they were oblivious to the moment Twilight would intercept that flower pot. The interception was well timed as the tingling in Pinkie's tail went off. And in that moment, the flower pot cracked Twilight in the head, before the tail tingle finally stopped.

"Like that, see? Where did that even come from?"Pinkie asked the big question, while Shadow spotted the answer.

"Ok, you wanna be like that? I don't need objects just to throw down ya know!"Thunder yelled back before tackling Rainbow into a cloud.

"Mare troubles again…"Shadow sighed.

---

From that day on, Twilight went mad with trying to prevent the impending disaster she was certain of. It was even growing unhealthy, but at this point it seemed like a textbook Twilight behavior. And for four straight days, she did not sleep, she barely ate, and she did not stop watching EVERYTHING. She had mathematics, almanacs, and a telescope in her study room. Her eyes and mind watching every corner of the world while the books were helping her to predict potential threats.

The warriors wanted nothing to do with this paranoia, but they needed an answer to this as well. Perhaps if they just thought about the mystery enough, their experienced minds could find an answer. In hopes of preventing another disaster like the one revolving Twilight's mandatory friendship lessons to Celestia. So they sat downstairs on the couch, trying to speculate the mystery.

"She's gonna be like this until next Tuesday comes, along with this disaster,"Orion reflected the past four days plain and simple,"And it seems like the more she fights destiny, the closer she gets to it."

"Sounds like a saying you'd hear those Saddle Arabian fortune tellers talk about…"Shadow thought, trying to keep things light hearted.

"That could be the case, but what is the cause of this? What is meant to happen next Tuesday…?"Orion tried to contemplate the question.

"Well...let's look at it this way. So far a bunch of the things that happened with future Twilight have already happened,"Shadow retraced the events that lead to the here and now,"This begs a question. If a disaster is what's supposed to cause the appearance Twilight had, why were they already happening as the days went on towards this Tuesday?"

"Right, a disaster was thought to be the cause of Future Twilight's appearance. Yet our Twilight is already starting to appear the same as the Future Twilight,"Orion repeated in his own words,"So perhaps it is what she is doing that causes this, but…"

"Hello!"Pinkie Pie burst into the door with a hearty greeting.

"Geez, Pinkie! A little softer on the greeting would be nice…!"Orion and Shadow were startled by the bouncy greeting.

"Sorry, ever since the flower pot incident, no pony has ever seen Twilight! So I thought I'd come over to check on her!"Pinkie admitted her cordial visit to check on a friend.

"She's upstairs, trying to monitor the world and search for the disaster,"Shadow was kind enough to point out where Twilight was,"Maybe you can talk some sense while we figure out what's really going on?"

"Okie dokie lokely!"Pinkie saluted and bounced to the stairs.

Once she had walked upstairs, she was already surprised by Twilight's behavior. Twilight looked tired, but she behaved as if she was wide awake and even a little crazy.

"Off by point zero two from yesterday. Carry the fifteen… Negative azimuth on the fourteenth moon."Twilight ranted and rambled about supernatural predictions.

"Twilight's really serious about finding out about that cool birthday present, isn't she?"Pinkie wondered about the meaning behind Twilight's constant activity.

"Who cares? As long as I can keep eating ice cream and hiding it from Shadow. Sorry, future Spike."Spike continued eating ice cream as he went down stairs.

"Are...you ok?"Pinkie bravely asked the frantic unicorn.

"Ah, Pinkie, I'm glad you're here! Can you help me recalibrate the apertures on the nine and quarter catadioptric telescope?"Twilight immediately greeted and requested help with monitoring.

"Sure!"Pinkie's fun loving nature allowed her to be a part of the plan.

"So I was thinking, after I went to see madame Pinkie Pie, and the flower pot landed on my head,"Twilight assessed the growth of her unfortunate accidents,"See the bandage? It's just like the bandage from the future!"

"Nice!"Pinkie simply replied.

"I had an epiphany after that flower pot. Doing things didn't work, not doing things didn't work, and I couldn't predict the future either,"Twilight rambled and Pinkie maintained a smile of encouragement,"So I had only one other choice…! Monitor everything!"

"Makes sense to me!"Pinkie carelessly agreed to the idea.

"That way no matter what happens in the future, I'll be ready. I thought I saw something last night in the horsehead nebula,"Twilight was twitchy as she explained her events last night,"But after staring at it for three hours straight, I was wrong!"

"Three hours? But when did you sleep?"Pinkie began registering the obsessive behavior from her friend.

"Oh, I didn't sleep. I haven't slept since future Twilight was here. There are only three days before the disaster arrives,"Twilight did some reading on the stars as she explained,"I can sleep all I want after that!"

"You've been awake too long, Twilight Spike pointed out,stuffing himself with ice cream.

"Yeah, Tuesday's not three days from now. Tuesday is tomorrow!"Pinkie revealed what the warriors failed to tell Twilight.

Twilight let out a gasp, her mind going miles a second as she rushed to the telescope.

"Pinkie, did you finish recalibrating the apertures on the nine and quarter inch catadioptric telescopes?"She questioned while scoping through the sky.

"I have no idea!"Pinkie simply responded.

Twilight was looking around with fear and precision, apparently a bit too much precision. For she had then turned her scope to the sun, and broke one of the simplest rules you learn when growing up. She foolishly looked directly at the sun, and the rays punished her. The light burned and blinded her eye to the moment she yelled and stumbled back in pain.

"Ah! My eye!"Twilight yelled, and suddenly lost her balance at the steps.

She screamed all the way down as she rolled and bumped on the steps like a carriage over large stones. The warriors were slightly spooked by the purple mare. Until she finally slammed into a bookshelf, forcing a whole shelf of books to tumble on her. Shadow winced at the hard landing, and Orion shook his head while Twilight rubbed her own. She groaned and stood out of the books, before showing her red watering eye that the sun took a slug at.

"I..stared at the sun too long…"Twilight admitted the cause of her accident.

"It's becoming evident that intelligence and common sense are not the same thing…"Orion mocked and decided to start reading a book.

"Twilight, we realized what's happening here. And you really shouldn't worry so much about this disaster…!"Shadow tried to reason with the clearly stressed out Twilight.

"Why?! We don't know what the disaster is, and now I find out Tuesday is tomorrow!"Twilight exclaimed with fear.

"Hey Twilight! I realized you hurt your eye looking at the sun, So I got you an eye patch,"Pinkie came down the steps holding a familiar looking black eye patch,"I have eye patches stashed all over Ponyville In case of an eye patch emergency!"

Pinkie was even kind enough to fit the patch on Twilight and complete the future appearance of Twilight. Even the two warriors cringed, seeing her mirror the very unicorn she was meant to be.

"Oh no…! I look like her, don't I?"Twilight was even more panicked.

"It's fine, you just need to stop trying to change and control things. Let time and fate unfold as it's meant to,"Twilight backed away from the thought of abandoning the mission,"I know it sounds terrible, but we've realized that this is all happening when you try to prevent what you think is a disaster…!"

"Then..what is going on! Cause all I see is the disaster preparing to unfold!"Twilight yelled and ran back upstairs to contemplate her own thoughts.

"That mare has lost it… I think what she needs is a serious reality check."Shadow decided to use a bit of forceful reality, just as she did with Applejack.

"It isn't that simple. She needs to see something with her eyes to realize what is true and what is not,"Orion spoke from experience with Twilight's young, ambitious, yet ignorant personality,"My advice, let her find out on her own. We both know what's happening, and that's all we need."

Suddenly, as Twilight vanished upstairs, a belch was heard before Spike was rushing down. He seemed worried, almost scared as he held a message from Celestia, but it appeared to not be for Twilight.

"Hey Orion! Shadow! The princess sent a summons for you and Shadow!"Spike announced, and curiosity filled the air.

"Really? Did it seem urgent?"Shadow questioned, though Spike's worried face seemed to suggest so.

"Yeah, and well… She didn't exactly request for Orion to be there,"They cocked their heads at the sudden detail,"She wants...Crystar."

"Oh… Wait, why would she want him instead of me?"Orion was suddenly enthralled with curiosity since it sounded like a secret he was not allowed to hear.

"Well 'Crystar' you might find out if you throw your disguise on and we take a trip to Canterlot."Shadow suggested, before the smirk she sported began to fade from an ominous feeling.

"Fine… Can you keep an eye on Ms Crazy up there until we return?"He referred to the moping and whining unicorn upstairs.

"Can do…! And be ready, because princess Celestia sounded like this was serious."Spike warned and their mood's sharpened.

They gave him a wave, and Orion was quick to suit up and get out the door with Shadow. The silence took over as they made their way to the train station and took the first train to Canterlot. There the silence could end after thoughts were mounting, the request was off. Perhaps there was a thought of an invasion of Cinders or Changelings, but that's a job for all warriors or available warriors. But she specifically requested Shadow and Orion's incognito cover, while Orion was meant to be left in the dark.

"You never went on any lasting escapades or sloppy missions with Crystar before, right?"Orion broke the silence with mere speculation questions.

"No. He was merely our trainer… Think of it this way. She doesn't want you to know,"She responded and had a cold heart sinking suspicion,"So what do you think you and I have done together that may have been left unfinished."

"Stop…"Orion's heart jolt, and a touchy expectation made him defensive as he turned away.

"Think about it. You were a mess to the point that you trusted your sisters with his incarceration,"Shadow explained the details of his most saddening failure,"You loved him and they chose to seal him away instead of putting him down… Celestia wouldn't want you to go through that again."

"That's not possible and you know it… He's gone...and so is the empire."Orion stubbornly refused to accept this potential mission.

"Sealed...not gone. And seals can never last forever…!"Shadow made her stance on the old mistake they both made.

"We'll see when we get there…! Now drop this thought of yours."He crossed his arms and looked down.

Suddenly a trolley was rolling up in front of them with hot brews of coffee available.

"Would either of you like some coffee for your impending late night?"A service mare of mid age asked.

"Ooh, we'll take two. Pumpkin spice, for the love of the cosmos, no black coffee."Shadow indulged while Orion looked out the window.

The sun was starting to set, and by the time they would arrive, the night would arrive. Celestia was willing to have this meeting late at night, this meant no pony else was meant to know of this meeting. This mounted his suspicion even further as they enjoyed their coffee all the way to the end.

They finished a third round of coffee before they were ready to leave the train. The night sky that arrived was an obvious greeting when they exited the train, but there was much more greeting them. Orion quickly used the spell to alter himself into the ancient warrior, Crystar. Right in time to see the station lined up with royal guards and even fully armored soldiers. They were surprised, but one good look on their serious faces warned of potential trouble on the rise.

"Soldiers? At least fifty strong at that."Orion observed the serious up in security.

"What is the meaning of this? Why so many soldiers and royal guard?"Shadow questioned the first soldier her eyes met with.

"The warriors are here! Let them through and alarm the princess of their arrival!"The soldier commanded and the iron bar doors opened.

A messenger ran out and for the palace before the armored defenders bowed to the warriors. Clearing a path for them to slowly walk forth and out of the train station. This was all too strange but respective, and it didn't take long before a previous thought became more apparent.

"When mother and father did such measures. It was due to threats or potential invasions."Orion incited and Shadow slowly nodded.

"I admire the caution and horse power they brought to beef up security. I worried they had soften up."Shadow smirked and gave a chuckle.

"War Fire would have to see for himself before giving final judgments."They shared a laugh at War Fire's attention to combative detail.

They continued on, and verified that a curfew was in place for the city. The night was growing late, and all doors and windows were closed and locked around the city. There was a sense of unrest with the ponies they could sense and feel, especially the guards patrolling the streets.

"Unrest and paranoia would mean rumors are spreading about the threat."Orion and Shadow spoke of experience with civilian behavior.

"Worse yet, this kind of fear may suggest that one rumor may be that a threat is already here,"Shadow admitted and scoped through the alleyways of each building they passed,"Hiding out or even hiding in plain sight, hence the paranoia."

"Yes… There is a foreboding presence in the city, but it's alone,"Orion's eyes glowed and showed him everything he could sense or see,"This coming Tuesday is certainly not the big doomsday, but there's something going on in here."

"You think there's a proxy in the city?"Shadow asked as they spotted the castle in the distance.

"It's possible… Think you can scrounge up a favor for your old group?"Orion asked, and Shadow snickered.

"Relying on the scoundrels to confirm what you can not, huh,"Shadow questioned royalty for relying on the organization,"That's not very princelike of you. But...I suppose I can see what they can offer."

"Right…"He huffed and gave half a smile.

"There you are…! You've come at last…!"Suddenly, the voice of Celestia carried surprising elation.

They jumped back from the sudden fright, as the princess herself swerved out from behind a building. She did not wear her crown, and even she chose to sport a brown cloak. But her face and eyes were a dead give away, Orion immediately got into character with a throat clear.

"Yes… We are here. Myself and Shadow, as you requested."Orion played out the emotionless quiet machinelike personality of Crystar.

"And Orion… He has no knowledge of this meeting?"She was quick to question sensitive details.

"No… He's in the dark while helping Twilight with...a future project."Orion slowly looked over to Shadow to give her a wide eyed gawk.

"Excellent, I'm glad to hear Twilight is safe as well. Please, I don't trust us to speak in the castle,"Celestia started to explain the need for secrecy,"I'd feel comfortable if we spoke in the canterlot library. Away from peering eyes."

"You want to speak...in a library…?"Orion questioned the odd choice for a secret meeting.

"Well combative and basic thinking foes never seem to bother with places of knowledge."Celestia unknowingly mocked the mentality of the warriors.

They looked at each other unamused and looked back to Celestia. Only when she saw the looks did she realized what she said and innocently smiled, and gave a small chuckle.

"We're just going to pretend you didn't say that…"Shadow responded.

"Please, lead the way, Celestia…"Orion suggested, and she did so.

Before too long, Celestia had guided them under the radar through the city. And they were starting to approach the library which was heavily guarded by her royal guards. The security was certainly looking more and more apparent as they explored Canterlot. The guards stared them down at first, but it was only when they saw Celestia did they ease themselves. They stopped at the library, and Celestia turned to share some words.

"I'm glad you could make it. I take it you already know of the unrest plaguing Canterlot?"Celestia asked as she disrobed her cloak.

"We were getting some notion with the up in security. Is there any reason for this?"Shadow asked as Celestia redressed in her royal attire.

"There's been threats against the city. We believe it to be the Cinders and Changelings,"Celestia explained before swinging the library doors open,"We don't know for sure, so we left the threat source ambiguous."

They slowly entered the library and the guards shut the doors behind them. Leaving them in the darkness to the building, the silence only broken by distant hoof steps.

"You have guards walking about the castle?"Shadow asked.

"Yes, security is to be tight and our location hidden by suspicious characters."Celestia answered just as they saw two guards cross the main hall.

"You've taken your time to set up more proper security protocols. Impressive…!"He encouraged Celestia's careful planning.

"I had to… I think there's a spy somewhere among the city."Celestia warned as they turned to the first door on the right.

"We had a feeling about that ourselves, hence the unrest among the civilians."Shadow admitted.

As they entered a restricted section of the library, they were warmly greeted by saluting guards. They were also greeted by cups of hot tea at a table that were waiting patiently for them. They looked at each other and smirked out of respect for Celestia's generous offer.

"It's always hot tea… And she always wondered why she had to pee through the night."Orion joked as they sat down.

They had then begun to engage in a long bit of small talk regarding the safety of the town. It brought both unrest but some relief to know Ponyville withstanding the attacks of their fiery enemies. She at least made it clear that she knew the Cinders and Changelings joined forces. So they were able to move on to the fact that War Fire was among them again. This gave her mixed feelings, his return was relieving news for Equestria, but his insanity was still questionable.

This was an age long after an age that could tolerate his stone cold view of justice. But now they were in an age where friendship and love were the new future for the world. There was no way the sensitive and fragile minds of the ponies could ever handle his cruel and stern sense of right and wrong.

"I see, and he's playing nice with the others?"Celestia asked, concerning War Fire's behavior history.

"More or less, does seem to sprinkle in his experience back in the day,"Shadow replied and ughed at her own experience with him,"surprisingly… The towns ponies seem fascinated by him."

"Goodness… I hope Orion will keep him in check. The times are changing, he needs to as well…"Celestia admitted, which soured the conversation a bit.

"Well now… I doubt that will happen any time soon. Seeing as another war seems to be imminent,"Orion spoke as Crystar and mentioned the issue they currently had on their hooves,"You said you had spies here, and threats have been sent. We have to assume it's from the Cinders and their new friends."

"Yes… But I still don't know how or when they might carry out a possible attack."Celestia admitted and orion snickered with a cross of his arms.

""When" is actually more obvious than you think. Orion made me aware of the wedding for princess Mi Amore Cadenza,"He admitted and immediately struck the thought to Celestia,"A royal wedding would be the likely time to attack when many have their guards down."

"And if a spy is here, he or she has already made the enemy aware of the event."Shadow added, and Celestia wrapped her hooves against her heart.

"How did I not think of this…? I need all Equestrian warriors for this. War Fire's return is a sign,"Celestia decided upon a serious security detail for the made out attack date,"The second comers must all meet together at Canterlot on the day of and before the wedding. Can you two find and unite all the warriors?"

"It can be done. Frosty Apples will be the only issue due to his isolating lifestyle,"Orion admitted, but they were certain they could find him and bring him forth,"That and chances are we will have members of the Apple family there, so expect a fight."

"He still never forgave his family, did he?"Celestia lowered her head with the question.

"No… But if he saw how much the Apples have changed, I'm sure he'd open to them,"Shadow insisted with a chuckle, before a thought came to her,"Apple Bloom… I'm certain she could grow on him, as we have learned. They have much more in common than we thought."

"Yes… Apple Bloom. I recall her being mentioned in messages from Twilight,"Celestia admitted and felt a shift in the air,"You say she has common ground with a warrior? How so?"

With a chuckle, Orion was more than willing to subtly boast of his newest student.

"She's special, just like him. Just like us."Celestia gave a nervous chuckle at the notion.

"It's true. She carries immeasurable strength that could rival the strength of Tremoring,"Shadow added, seeing as Apple Bloom was a student to both of them,"So me and your brother have taken her under our wings to help her control this gift of strength…!"

"You've...taken in a student…? You and Orion…?"Celestia stood up and swallowed to hold in her shock.

"Yes, Orion and Shadow have decided to make Apple Bloom their student,"Orion stood up to answer after noticing the shock and fear in Celestia's voice,"This troubles you, I take it?"

Celestia swallowed again, and her face dropped as her thoughts dared to grow cloudy with memories. The screams, the anguish, the defeat her brother accepted before her and Luna did what he couldn't. And it led to the tragic fall of Orion's greatest creation, her heart grew heavy.

So she quietly walked to the window, carrying a new cup a guard went to present to her. She sipped it and stared out the window, watching as the moon began to set in the west. A sigh left the princess, and she offered a solemn smile, knowing a new day was approaching.

"Goodness… We got so lost in conversation, it's nearing early morning,"Celestia admitted and turned away to miss Twilight sneaking through bushes,"The sun will soon need to rise… And a new day will begin…"

"Tia...this isn't just about the potential attack on Canterlot is it?"Shadow pointed out, and Celestia let out a deeper sigh.

She knew what she needed to say, but Celestia struggled to say it. It felt just as hard saying it now as it could have been saying it to her brother, and she did not know why.

"He's going to return… There are signs and a prophecy surrounding Sombra's return,"Celestia said, and both warrior's eyes widened,"The day Cadence earned her cutie mark her new found magic portrayed that she would find true love. And together, their love would revive the Crystal Empire…!"

"And...you're saying if the empire returns…?"Shadow feared.

"King Sombra would return as well. Fueled by all the corrupting darkness that he lingered in for over a thousand years,"Celestia explained with a foreboding tone of voice,"Even with love and friendship, I fear it may not be enough to defeat the fallen king. That is why I asked for you…"

Celestia looked to her brother in disguise as his hand twitched with panic. It all came together, and he now realized the position he was just placed in.

"I called you forth in my brother's place Crystar. Because once Sombra returns… I need you to slay him,"Celestia's response was suddenly fierce and serious,"My brother is never to know of his former student's return or his demise. I will not allow my brother to fall into grief and be forced to kill his student."

Shadow looked to Orion, and even through the disguise, she could tell he was popping his knuckles as they clenched into fists. He even started to sweat, as did Shadow, they had prayed that it was mere speculation. But now they never wanted to be more wrong in their life.

"You were my brother's teacher, certainly you can defeat Sombra, can't you Crystar?"Celestia asked, the pleading was strong in her voice.

He gulped quietly, and he registered how trapped he was in this sudden second mission.

"Y-yes…! I can defeat him… Your brother...will never know what became of his student,"He was quick to respond and close his eyes to think of a plan,"If it is what you wish, then if Sombra does in fact return. I will eliminate him myself, though I can't promise it won't get messy…!"

"I understand, it's a battle between two warriors. Collateral damage is inevitable,"Celestia admitted and agreed to the minor term,"Thank you! Thank you, Crystar. You made this so much more easy…!"

Celestia went as far as to hug the stallion, so blissfully unaware of who she truly spoke to. Both Shadow and Orion were wide eyed and twitching with this wash of shock and panic. Shadow even stared him down, outraged that the disguise had finally gone too far.

"I'm so glad you, of all warriors, returned, Crystar. Only you or my brother could pull this mission off,"Celestia innocently hugged and praised his skill,"With your help we will be one step closer to a brighter future."

"Yes… Indeed…"Orion gave a fake chuckle and looked out the window at the worse position he got himself into.

"Now then… We've clearly gotten lost with all the conversations, it's time for day break,"Celestia released him and rushed to the window to begin raising the sun,"I shall also call upon the guards for some doughnuts…! The breakfast of all cakes…!"

"That sounds nice…"He simply responded.

Suddenly he guarded as he took several punches to the arm and a couple childlike kicks to the leg. As Shadow Swirl wailed on him in silent anger, outraged at not just him. But also the thought that Sombra was in fact returning, and they would have to fight him.

"You need to tell her the truth you big crystal headed idiot!"She smacked him across the cheek to snap him out of him.

"I can't do that now… Not when she's already told me this prediction…"He explained and saw the next swing coming.

He immediately managed to grab her hoof tight to stop her blind angry assault.

"I need some time to think about this… But I'll figure something out…! I always do…"He insisted and took a deep breath to collect himself.

"How…? How are we going to fix this mess?!"Shadow questioned his attempt for a cool headed response.

"I'll start studying and putting a plan together. We know it's coming, so we have time to find an alternative route,"Orion explained while slowly letting her go,"He was never stricken by the black death curse. So his corruption is potentially curable…"

Shadow gasped, this felt like hope, or possibly false hope, but it was a sort of hope. She swallowed and made sure to get sharp and firm in her mood again.

"It better be… We can't lose him again…!"Shadow pleaded for this wishful thinking.

"I know… I'll figure something out...I pro-"

"Come on! It's almost Tuesday morning! The disaster could happen any minute!"Twilight's sudden panicky voice echoed through the library.

"Oh no…!"Shadow and Orion heard it loud and clear.

They immediately took off, hoping to find the unicorn before she did something drastic. She must have lost it if she actually arrived at the restricted section of the library. This also meant she must have resorted to looking for a drastic means of stopping what simply wasn't coming.

"Twilight!"Orion called out to her.

"Twilight!"Shadow called with him.

"Twilight, it's over! It's officially Tuesday morning!"Spike yelled, just in time to see the warriors turn the corner.

"Nnngh, no! Tuesday morning, the disaster! Incoming!"Twilight shouted and ducked for cover.

Silence took over for a moment, the warriors looked to Spike, Twilight, and a surprisingly embarrassed Pinkie Pie. Their eyes got weary and unamused as the sun slowly rose. Allowing the new day to begin, and with it, the ultimate truth of Twilight's fears were realized. It was as Shadow deduced since Twilight's head injury, and now they all realized it for themselves. Once the sun had risen, and nothing had happened, it was clear.

"Twilight! You can get up now! Tuesday is here, and there's no disaster."Shadow called to Twilight and got her to look up and around.

"What…?"The unicorn searched around and found that nothing had happened.

"There doesn't seem to be a disaster, Twilight. It looks like a pretty nice day."Spike pointed out the blissfully calm morning.

Twilight looked around, and she still saw the library standing clean and strong. The morning even brought in a glittering sunrise that filled the building with glowing warmth. Her mind had suddenly settled, the fuzzy panic growing dull and fading away.

"Oh hell, Twilight! Love the new mane style. Any pony up for Doughnuts?"Celestia appeared and offered pastries for all.

Shadow kindly took one, desiring something sweet to fight the bitterness she was feeling.

"I...don't get it… There's no disaster…!"Twilight realized and looked at herself.

"No… This whole time the only disaster was the one you kept bringing on yourself,"Orion finally got his chance to explain,"The disaster was you constantly worrying about something that wasn't there or happening quite yet. In return, you went through a self physical and mental war zone."

"I...don't understand what's going on here…?"Celestia was confused by this unknown problem.

"Twilight's future self came to her with a warning and she had a repeat of the mental breakdown over friendship lessons,"Shadow muffled the words as she ate her pastry viciously,"Turns out the warning was for her to simply not stress the little things and worry too much about the future."

"Yeah… Turns out there really wasn't a disaster. I've been making myself frantic over nothing…!"Twilight rubbed her head and looked at herself in a window.

"All this...over a lesson about...not worrying too much?"Spike Was realizing such an easy lesson he himself knew of.

"Yeah, that whole disastrous week for a lesson, and I must say… I look ridiculous!"Twilight giggled at her reflection and hoof palmed her face.

"Yeah, you do!"Spike laughed with her as Orion palmed his face as well.

"All this because I couldn't stop worrying and let the future handle itself. Well not anymore,"Twilight understood the lesson at last and recited,"From now on, I'm gonna solve problems as they come, and stop worrying about every little thing!"

"It sounds like yet another lesson has been learned this day, and I was even here to witness it for myself,"Celestia showed pride for her student while giving the box of doughnuts to Shadow,"I will take my leave and copy this lesson down personally, I… Also have other things that need to be done."

"Yes… It is best to do that. Safety precautions and all that…"Orion grew uncomfortable now that he was reminded of his own situation.

"Indeed, I look forward to the next lesson of friendship, my faithful student,"Celestia started to depart from the library to make for the castle,"Keep up the good work, and be ready for the true disaster…"

Celestia frowned with fear after keeping the knowledge she shared with the warriors a secret from Twilight. Leaving the rest of the group to finish resolving their own troubles. Once she had left the room, tension threatened to grow between the two warriors, if not for Pinkie's well timed interference.

"Twilight, Twilight, I found something! It doesn't stop time, but it lets you go back in time,"Pinkie bounced back in and presented a scroll on time travel,"It says you can go back once, and it only lasts for a few moments. Does that help?"

"Pinkie, you're a genius!"Twilight blew up with glee at the opportunity.

"Huh, wait a minute…? Travel back in time?"Orion and Shadow were struck with a connection of fate.

"Only lasts a few minutes?"Shadow added as pieces of the puzzle were coming together.

"Now I can go back and tell past Twilight that she doesn't need to go berserk with worry about a disaster that's never going to come!"Twilight excitedly planned and the warriors finally solved this strike of fate.

But they chose not to speak, they simply allowed Twilight to use the incantations and her magic. Forming the familiar ball of blue electricity and magical power around herself. Before she disappeared in a strike of lightning, and a fast bright flash of light.

"And so the plan of fate and time comes full circle…"Orion spoke out and confused Spike and Pinkie.

"Uh...what are you talking about…?"Spike asked and suddenly opened a new tub of ice cream.

"Remember when future Twilight traveled back a week ago to warn past Twilight of the…"Disaster"..?"Shadow asked, and then it struck him.

"Oh...oh! No way! She's...officially future Twilight!"Spike realized and dropped his ice cream.

"Yes… So you already know how this trip to the past is going to end."Shadow pointed out as the wind picked up.

The ball of lightning and magic reappeared in a strike of lightning before bursting open like an egg. Lightning shot in all directions before Twilight had returned from her adventure. She struggled to stand and shake off the light motion sickness. Before she was wearing a worried face, sweat grew on her face as the magic dissipated.

"I can't believe I just did that…! Ugh!"Twilight ughed at the predicted failure.

"Did you tell her about the cool birthday present?"Pinkie asked.

"You weren't able to tell her because both her and myself kept talking and going on a joy ride about time travel, right?"Shadow asked, even when she knew the answer.

"Yes, and now she- Wait...how do you know that?"Twilight was suddenly stumped by what they already knew.

"Because I was there, when you did the same exact thing last week…!"Shadow answered and a single moment of silence took over.

Twilight slowly realized it as well, the answer that Spike himself realized. And this revealed an interesting close to a circle, designed by fate and executed by time. Twilight slowly smiled and laughed and covered her face, embarrassed but also mesmerized by what she wasn't truly a believer of.

"So this was all meant to happen, just like this. This was fate, wasn't it?"Twilight asked and sat down and gave another chuckle.

"Yes, and you may have failed to warn her, but you already know how the story will play out,"Shadow explained while Orion nodded and slowly backed away,"Sure she's going to go through all that mayhem, but she'll understand and learn the lesson all the same as you have. So try not to feel bad…!"

"Yeah… Heh… Fate's design is a really weird thing. Not gonna lie…!"Twilight admitted, and Shadow shared a laugh with her after placing a hoof to Twilight's shoulder.

"Ohhh... my stomach... I think it's all that ice cream I ate,"Spike fell over holding his gut as it growled with upsetted pain,"I thought the stomach ache would be future Spike's problem... but now I AM future Spike. Ohh…"

"Well that's what you get for eating so much ice cream…! I tried to warn you!"Shadow spoke like a disappointed mother.

"Hehe, come on, Future Spike,"Twilight and Pinkie giggled as she lifted him onto her back,"Let's get you home…!"

"Agree. Orion! It's time to depart, we can speak more about our own predicament later!"Shadow turned, but saw that he was gone.

"Where did he go?"Pinkie was willing to ask the obvious question.

"I knew he'd leave… Probably went out to clear his head after the discussion we had with Tia."Shadow explained as they got walking and started looking for Orion.

"What happened with you guys and the princess?"Twilight asked and Shadow cleared her throat.

"I'll explain later, but let's just say there is a disaster coming… Just not the kind you were thinking of…"Shadow answered as they searched for the prince.

While the prince himself was hiding in a corner of the restriction section looking out the window. He shuddered, his thoughts rattling his nerves after what he heard. The Hard compromising position he was now in threatened to destroy the closing thing he had to a son. His mind raced with thoughts and plans he hoped would formulate so he could prevent this disaster. Regardless if he was breaking the lesson that was recently learned, his heart was guiding him.

"Sombra… I won't allow this to happen… I will free you upon return,"He promised and placed a hand to the window,"I won't abandon you again… As your mentor I'll do everything I can to fix what was broken…"

He vowed, and for a moment he felt eyes leering at him through the window. The sign he was looking for, that Sombra's return is possible, and his presence is slowly returning to the world.

"I have some studying to do… My faithful student…"Orion concluded and turned away to leave with his friends.

I know… It's been almost a year. Where to start, can I start somewhere. The pandemic, the ending of the show that I don't completely agree with, yes I will openly admit that. The consistent chaos and work in my life. But these don't excuse the neglect I brought upon my stories, and I apologize for being gone so long. The struggles are real, the lack of inspiration is rough, and It pains me to see just how slow I've gotten. I am hoping to return to writing however, it won't be easy, but I'm gonna try to come back, I promise. I hope you will not give up on me or these stories, and I hope you will stay pony every one.