“Hey Twilight, what’s that you’re reading?” I smiled as she allowed me entrance to the library

“It’s a book I fund in the archives, Jigsaw’s helping me solve the code on the cover!” she nodded to the unicorn with a light silver coat and a golden mane and tail with three separate jigsaw pieces as a cutie mark, one piece was green, the second was yellow, and the third was red, who waved toward me as I entered with Blaze and the others

“It’s just a sun, even though the rays from said sun are irregular” I shrugged at the image on the front of the book they were inspecting

“But they’re not irregular, they’re deliberate, it’s a code, she levitated a notepad toward me, showing the phrase ‘Elemental Lord’

“If that’s a code, then it’s encrypted for a reason, you’re out of your league, Lady of Magic” I scoffed

“Why?” she frowned

“An elemental lord is on level with a demi-god, each one with a separate, unique element

“How do you know that?” Jigsaw blurted out

“I won’t elaborate, not because I’m stingy, but because I don’t want my friends risking their lives over this ordeal,” I glanced toward Spike, who was now starting to grow wings “Can you write a lesson to the Celestia?” Spike nodded, saluting me, rushing over to the dresser, writing a quick letter, then burning it, watching as its ashes soared through the window

“I hear that you require my assistance, Sir Rick?” Celestia smiled as she appeared via teleportation

“Twilight and Jigsaw have decrypted a message from one of the books in the archives,” Celestia’s expression turned almost grim as she turned to face the two ponies

“Is this true, Twilight?” Celestia raised an eyebrow, Twilight handed her the notepad; she quickly read it, passing it to Jigsaw, who took it with a crestfallen look upon her face

“Whilst I’m not angry with you for finding this out I’m both disappointed and impressed that you managed to translate the code” Celestia glanced toward me, I shrugged “Rick, do you know anything of the elemental lords?”

“A little,” I tilted a hand “whilst they’re mostly solitary deities, they only come together to either wage battle or to meet in conference, at least to my knowledge, each section of a world that I visited had tribes led by a lord of a respective element, Vulcanus had the lord of fire, Iconox, the lord of ice, Tajun, the lord of water, and so on,” I explained “though to go in search of one is suicide, without a good enough reason, they’ll either toy with you until you plead for mercy, send you on a quest to get something they want in trade for your life, or they’ll just kill you, but if they were to wage war on one another, this world would be torn apart from the core itself, and as such, it would be ill advised to venture out to wherever they are, unless you had at least a dragon slayer or two to go with you”

“You’re not actually considering upon going there, are you?” Celestia blinked

“You know what this means?” Twilight cast a nervous glance toward Jigsaw

“You mean after we get all this information about those two words, you still want more?” Jigsaw stared at the lavender mare

“It’s not the words; it's my addiction to knowing all the answers,” Twilight frowned means we’re going to have to find out what the suns reveal. It means—“

“Oh, please take me with you!” Jigsaw pleased “please, please, please!” she went on “I know all about the Badlands! I mean, I've read all about them. I've been on two student digs and not to mention that I’ve studied-!”

Twilight held a hoof to the unicorn’s mouth, I could easily tell that she was trying to work out how to say it best without causing too much of a letdown

“I think it’d be best -and this is assuming we’re allowed to take the trip, that we take a few wizards from the guild with us” Blaze hummed

“It’s your call Princess,” I gave a faint smile toward the solar alicorn

“Alright, but I’m going with you” Celestia sighed “But if we so much as see one of those beings, and we’re coming straight back, Ok?” Twilight nodded, as did Jigsaw, the silver mare was giddily leaping from hoof to hoof

“Should we send for the others?” I tilted my head

“No, it’ll just be us, the wizards who wish to go with us, and you,” Celestia shook her head

~=~=~

In the end, I only managed to get Erza, Wendy Natsu and Grey to tag along for the adventure, and when Celestia had teleported us to the wastelands, I blinked,

“This is where we were meant to be going?” Natsu blinked

“Looks like someone really trashed the place Grey deadpanned

“All the more reason to be on the lookout for what we’re here for” I hummed

“And what is it we’re here for?” Erza glanced toward me

“An Elemental Lord, something that’s on level with Cellsy here, they keep the world in check without anyone realising it”

“And we’re looking for them because why?” Natsu grumbled

“Sparky over there decrypted a code from an ancient tome of sorts,” I shrugged

“So, where’re these ruins again?” Blaze turned toward the lavender mare in question

“They should be somewhere a couple of days south of here” Twilight glanced toward each of us in turn, contrary to Celestia’s words, the rest of twilight my friends had joined us along with Shining Armour, and of course, a caravan of guards with a months-worth of supplies for at least twice the amount of people present

“Might as well get going then” Natsu sighed, walking into the desert, we quickly followed

-=-

So what were you doing for the past two years?” Natsu glanced toward me as we trudged through the soft, warm golden desert sands of the wastelands

“Playing dead” I laughed

“Really, how so?” he blinked

“You’d be surprised what being told that someone’s insides could fall apart at any moment will do for a person” I smirked

“Holy shit” he stared at me

“I know,” I sighed “technically speaking I shouldn’t be alive”

“And the surgery’s the reason why you’re shirt’s been cut down the middle?” he raised an eyebrow, I looked down

“First time I’ve noticed that, aren’t I a moron?” I grinned

“Aren’t we all at some point?” Blaze laughed

“Touché” I rolled my eyes, raising a hand above my eyes, staring into the distance “either I’m going nuts, or I’m seeing water”

“Then water, we waiting for?” Snowdrop giggled

“That was both awful and somewhat awesome simultaneously, well played Snowy” I smiled

“Thanks Daddy” she nickered

“But in all seriousness, water attracts wildlife, and they attract predators, we’d best tread lightly” I frowned

“When did you become the survival expert?” Natsu laughed

“It’s not just survival; it’s common sense; it’s nature” I blinked “Damnit”

“Element of nature pun,” Blaze grinned

“Quite so” I mumbled

“So, what happened between you and the brown unicorn yesterday?” the flame dragon slayer gave me a rather sly grin

“Her name, is Autumn Heart, I suggest you remember that” I growled

“Alright,” he held up his hands somewhat defensively “aren’t you a little touchy?”

“No, I just care about my friends family and loved ones” I rolled my eyes

“Same difference really,” he shrugged

“Whatev’s” I shook my head as we continued to make our way toward the oasis, any mirage would’ve normally faded at this distance

“We’ll set up camp here” Twilight smiled

“And what makes you the leader?” Natsu grinned

“She decrypted the code, and she also found out about the elemental lords, that makes her the leader on this expedition” I flashed sly smirk

])()(]

As we set up camp, there was a low, rumbling that occurred, the earth shuddered as the sands shifted somewhat

Suddenly just at that moment, a massive pitch-black scorpion exploded into view underground shining armour and the rest of the guards leapt into battle positions between us and it

“Well ain’t that original?” I stopped eating the meat I’d saved for the trip

“I wonder what it tastes like” Grey smirked as he ‘activated’ his ice-make magic

“How can you think about food when we’re under attack?” Twilight awed at him

“I have to admit, I am kinda hungry” Natsu’s fists became ignited with twin, deep, crimson flames, the scorpion gave off what sounded like sniffing noises, lowering itself down to me as I stepped forward, throwing out the meat, which it instantly devoured

“So, definitely carnivorous then” I hummed, bringing out another piece of the meat from the ‘icebox,’ throwing it, the scorpion wolfed it down within around half a minute, lowering its claws and stinger

Carefully, I climbed onto its back, patting its tough, chitinous skin

“This is, by far, the strangest thing you’ve ever done” Blaze laughed, the scorpion in question gave off a series of clicking noises

“It seems that the arthropod in question would agree with you, sister” I chuckled

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of or seen this type of scorpion before” Twilight edged toward the beast, the scorpion, now apparently an ally, gave off another series of clicks

“It would seem that she’s not surprised that a pony hasn’t heard of her kind before,” another ‘pattern’ of clicks “as they are solitary hunters who only live in the deserts of the wastelands” I translated

“Ceres” I smiled, gently patting the scorpion’s back “named after the roman goddess of earth and plants” Ceres gave a short-yet-happy quartet of clicks

“Wolves and bears are one thing, but a giant scorpion?” Twilight giggled

“It’s in my nature, pun not intended” I smirked

“So what do we do with her?” Celestia tilted her head

“Ceres might be able to guide us to where we’re going,” Twilight smiled “with luck she might even be able to fend off attackers” Ceres clicked

“She says she’s only in her teenage years, and as such, won’t be able to do much” I translated, glancing down toward the arthropod “that’s where we come in, Ceres, you take us where we need to go, and we defend you from anything that might mean you harm, Ok?” Ceres clicked her mandibles again “you’re welcome”

“Ever the generous one, aren’t we brother?” Blaze tutted

“I do believe you and your guards may stand down, Shiny” I smiled, Shining Armour grumbled incoherently, nodding toward his subordinates, who gradually lowered their weapons

-=-=-

The next day, we headed out, venturing further into the desert, and closer toward the ruins that were said to be out here, according to the book, anyway

“So, how is it that you’re able to understand what it says” Shining Armour glanced up to me as I sat on Ceres’s back, nodding toward the scorpion herself

“I’m an element of nature, it’s in my being to understand and translate animals, apparently” I shrugged

“What else can you do?” he smiled

“Quite a lot” I grinned as we came across a large gorge, that of which prevented us from going any further

“Well isn’t this another cliché?” Blaze sighed, glancing to our right “and there’s the figurative bridge”

Just a little to our right was a narrow stone archway, I wondered if Ceres could make it across without falling to her death

“Fuck that” I laughed, sending my arms out to my sides, causing them to stretch, bringing them down and wrapping them around the scorpion, taking to the sky, gradually making my way across the chasm

“How in Equestria did you do that?” Twilight blared once my arms were back to their normal length, and Celestia had teleported her and the others across

“Autumn Heart said that they infused my physiology with that of a rubber tree” I grinned “long story”

“I’m not even going to ask” she went a pale shade of green

“I wouldn’t advise it anyway” I smirked as Ceres started to shiver “don’t worry, that won’t happen again, Ok Ceres?” the scorpion gave a frightened click, gradually beginning to start making her way alongside the others as we continued our journey, it was then that I heard a low, metallic growl

We stopped in our tracks as a half-metal, half organic wolf leapt from under the sands, followed by another, then another, then another

Eventually, we were surrounded by the beasts

“Down”

It was a simple word, but spoken with a tone of mixed wisdom, disappointment, and curiosity, and when spoken, the biomechanical wolves lowered themselves into lying positions, glaring icy daggers at us as a new being, that the size of a pony, with a mild-ish grey coloured coat and a set of topaz-coloured eyes with a long beard, wearing a uniquely patterned, multi-toned blue wizards hat and cape, wielding a crooked, aged walking stick, he looked as if he needed it to stay upright

“Starswirl, but you’re…?” Twilight gasped

“Dead,” the pony hissed “close to it perhaps, but I have learnt the ways of the desert’s hunters, and as such, they listen to me

“But you’re thousands of years old!” she gawked at the elderly equine

“Am I, or is it you who are simply too young to understand the riddle of the great beings?” he snapped “So lost in the chaos of war was I, and left behind, bent and broken, when the fighting moved on, and here I have been ever since,” he ended with a shrug

Needless to say, it was too much for Twilight to take in

“You've been living in these mountains with these... these... things?” I gestured to one of the wolves

Starswirl gave me an icy glare “You are of mankind, so you wouldn’t know of the exsidian wolves, one of the Great Being’s more… efficient, creations…”

“Great beings, like Angonce?” I blinked

“So you do know, a little” he scoffed “I trust that you would not come all the way out here without good reason, human, state your business”

“We’re looking for a set of ruins, with information on the Elemental lords” the wolves shared a rather hostile growl

“You would be wise to turn back, but I can see the fire in your friends eyes, so I know you will pay no heed to my warnings, little one” the olden pony sighed “I have seen countless adventurers that seek the same treasure, the same knowledge that you all do, none come back alive”

“That’s why we’re going to be the first!” Blaze declared

“I do not know who, or what, you are” Starswirl eyed Blaze up and down “ but I shall give you the same advice, turn back now, or risk destruction at the hands of the gods”

“Kind of ironic considering Celestia’s with us, pony” I tutted

“You would be wise to keep your wit as sharp as your tongue, whelp” he snarled

“Wait, gods, wh9ich ones do you mean?” Blaze tilted her head

“You wouldn’t know of Ares and Kratos, neither Athena nor Zeus?” he huffed “I’m not surprised”

“Those are Greek gods, are you suggesting that they exist?” she stared at him, he gave a slow nod

“I have witnessed them shape this world into what it is now, and I have seen their capacity for destruction, which is why I ask you to turn back now, you’ve still a full life to live, don’t waste it on a few legends”

“Legends would imply that they’re a myth, you know otherwise, do you not?” I raised an eyebrow, there was silence as the sands shifted a little with the wind

“It was ages long past when I discovered Equestria,” he began “I came in search of aid, and the princesses gave it, and, in trade for their hospitality, I gave them knowledge, I cast spells, wrote new magicka the likes of which they’d never heard of or seen before, and in doing so, I made a name for myself, as a few notable unicorns can tell you, no doubt” he sighed “when I found out about the elemental lords, I was both shocked and overcome with curiosity, as to what power and wisdom the deities withheld, and so, I sought them out, just as you’re doing now,” he frowned

“Only, I’ve seen what they can do, and in trade for my life, they gave me my objective, protect their sanctuary however I deem necessary, and so, I cannot allow you to progress”

“But what do the gods have to do with it?” Blaze momentarily raised a paw, lowering it again

“They created the Elemental Lords, moulded their being and power into tangible forms, gave them their own objectives, as they later gave me mine,” he grumbled “if you seek the ruins, then I will accompany you, but if you seek the Elemental lords, I’m afraid I cannot allow you to go any further”

“We’re on a quest for knowledge, not an audience with the almighty ones” I smiled, he hummed, gave a short, sharp click with his tongue -the wolves instantly stood back up, their gunmetal steelworks and tan fur clashing like fire and ice

“Then I shall accompany you, too long has it been since I last saw those ruins” he gave a weary smile

-=-

As we continued our trek through the desert, I noticed twilight glancing suspiciously between Blaze and I

“Is there a problem, Twilight?” Blaze smirked

“You know something, don’t you?” Twilight frowned

“If we tell you anything it might risk you and Jigsaw becoming somewhat more curious, and that would lead to another expedition, one that we cannot take” I shrugged, Starswirl, nod sat behind me on Ceres’ back gave a curt nod

“So, how long have you been out here Starswirl?” Celestia gave the old unicorn a stern glance

“I’ve been out here for around an eon now,” Starswirl grunted “as I said, in trade of my life, and immortality, the Elemental Lords had me become their ‘herald,’ so to speak” the wolves glanced toward one another as they formed a convoy around us, as if curious about their apparent ‘master’

“I wonder what the school for gifted unicorns will think now that they know you’re alive” I hummed

“Think what they will, I am simply required to guard the Elemental lords, nothing more, and nothing less” he snapped, his frown gradually relented “I see you managed to tame a Desert Empress Scorpion, young human?”

“Is that what Ceres is?” I patted the arthropods back, Ceres gave a series of clicks

“I see; it’s what they called your kind when they first encountered one of you” I slowly nodded “how old are you anyways?” another series of clicks “so, you’re as old as me then, that’s interesting”

“That’s impossible” Starswirl scoffed a human can’t live to be as old as one of these scorpions, its common knowledge!”

“Unless that human so happens to be an eon” I changed to eon form, quickly changing back

“I had heard of your kind, and the war you waged, fortunately for me, I was safe within the countless sands of the desert you see before you”

“A coward may run and live to see another, but a true hero will live on in the memories and hearts of those who he saves, eternally” I sighed

“You are wise,” he mumbled “Arrogant, but wise, somewhat”

“I get that a lot” I smirked “So, you know the Elemental Lords, what about the Toa?””

“The great beings were generous enough to lend us a few, yes” he nodded “it’d appear you know of their work, tell me, what, do you know of the Glatorian?”

“They’re sub-par level Toa without the mask abilities or elemental powers,” I shrugged

“Quite right,” he nodded if we’re lucky we might see one or two where we’re going”

-=-=-

The next day, we made it to the ruins, surprisingly enough, a few mechanical beings were examining the entrance, which was pulsating with a faint cyan glow

“We’re here” Starswirl patted Ceres’ back, steadily making his way to the ground as the scorpion lowered herself onto the warm sands

“What on Bara Magna?” one of the beings stared at me and then at the others as I glided down in front of Ceres landing before the group of mechanical entities

“This is Equis,” Twilight blinked “What’s Bara magna?”

“It’s the name of the planet!” the metallic being burst into laughter he had a long dark green claw-like helmet, with arms and legs of th same colour, with light green armour and claws “I’m Tarduk, but you can just call me TK, everyone else does” , everyone present, minus the newcomer, stared at me

“Call me Rick” I held out a hand, he -fragilely enough, shook it “it’d appear that we’ve stumbled through a rift that takes whoever walks through it, and sends them through an interplanetary portal of sorts”

“Correct” Starswirl nodded “I see you’re a fast learner, young Rick”

“So, what’re you here for?” Tarduk chuckled, nervously eyeing Ceres’ who gave a series of clicks

“We’re here in search of knowledge to do with the elemental lords, or at least, we were” I tilted my head

“What are you?” Tarduk blinked “you don’t look like any Agori or Glatorian that I’ve ever seen, you’re completely…”

“Organic?” I suggested

“Yeah, that” he laughed

“I’m a human, an eon, and a dragon slayer, you?” I smiled

“I’m an Agori villager, I’m here with my friends, or in this case, companions, seeking this,” he held out a piece of metal, pointing to what looked like a red star

I took the metallic shard, looked at both sides, then handed it back to him

“You seek the star?” Starswirl raised an eyebrow

“If that’s what it is,” Tarduk nodded “we were brought here by curiosity, at least, I was, Crotesious and Kirbold were just curious enough to join, I suppose”

“And your reason for being out here?” I smiled

“This piece of metal is the reason we’re here another being, this one armoured in a crimson, metallic substance walked over to us “Crotesious”

“Rick” I smiled, shaking his hand as he held it out

“And the door?” I nodded toward the large doorway that gleamed with a bright blue ‘aura’ of sorts that looked to be a compound of wrought iron and stone

“We don’t know, it’s not of any material we’ve heard of before” he shrugged

I walked over to the door, closely examining the circular patterns that were etched into its surface, that of which were o the end of what looked like stems, or branches maybe even, more symbols appeared in what appeared to be the backbone of the ‘structure,’ each pattern had words etched into it in what appeared to be Latin and a larger circle appeared at the top of the structure

“This isn’t exactly your average gateway,” I turned to face Tarduk, Crotesious and the others

“What is it?” Tarduk blinked

“It’s an alchemy gate, this should be on the inside of someone’s mind, but instead, it’s here out in the middle of nowhere”

“So, you are familiar with the art of Alchemy,” Starswirl hummed “go ahead, see what it does”

“Alrighty then” I grinned, clapping my hands together, slamming them against the gate, which practically disintegrated; slowly fading from view, revealing a large mechanical being with indescribable looks and form, his neon green almost eyes glaring at me, he stood at least twice my height, maybe more, the intricately crafted staff he held resonated authority and power

“You are not as you appear to be, little one” the being gave a smile

“And you’re a sub-par level deity” I smiled, changing to eon form, my family quickly leaping atop my back, Snowdrop once again laying atop my head

“State your name,” he declared “or at least your title”

“Rick, Dragon slayer” he stared at me, then burst out laughing

“I’m Artahka, but it’d appear that you already know that, Rick” he smirked

“Who’s Artahka?” Blaze blinked

“Have you not read, sister?” I blinked “he’s the being who’s able to create basically anything he wants, where and when he wants it”

“He’s like Faust then?” Celestia raised an eyebrow at the large being

“Basically” I shrugged

“Rick, I trust that an eon of your calibre shouldn’t have to travel with a large convoy such as this to discover the ruins of Old Equis?” Artahka grinned

“It was Twilight who found knowledge of the elemental lords, she’s the one who dragged us out here” Blaze laughed, Twilight edged forward, bowing once she was at the front of the crowd

“Indeed, I have managed to convince Faust to hide the knowledge well,” the lesser being smiled “she has many forms, as does Lulania, both are considered great beings, but by different names then the ones you might know of, little ones”

“So, we came all this way, just to find out we didn’t have to come out all this way?” Blaze snapped rather impatiently

“I don’t think that’s what he means; Blaze,” I cast a moment’s glance toward her, the n faced back toward Artahka “is there any further knowledge of either the lords or the great beings here?”

“There is quite a surmountable wealth of knowledge here; but it depends on if you’re worthy or not” Artahka sat cross-legged before us, placing the staff across his lap

“You wanna fight?” Natsu steppe beside me, fists blazing, I raised an arm to his chest area, stopping him

“You can’t fight the Lord of creation, and all that exists here; he’d kill you in an instant,” I frowned, turning my gaze from the being before me, to Natsu, and then back “True courage isn’t knowing when to take a life, but when to spare one”

“You pass” he smiled, raising an arm, allowing me to fly through the gap, Celestia teleported herself, Twilight, her and my own friends beside us alongside Jigsaw and Blaze

“Why would Faust hide all this from us?” Twilight frowned as we made our way through what seemed to be the castle

“To stop you; or anyone else, from risking their lives for something that might not be considered worth it” I sighed

“Well,” Applejack grumbled “Had didn’t expect to be drawn this far out of Equestria”

“This isn’t even Equis anymore” I chuckled

“Where are we then?” Celestia glanced toward me as a large set of double doors came into view

“I’ve no idea” I sighed, pushing the double doors open once we were close enough

“Well, this is quite the surprise” a rather amused metallic being with quite the obvious breastplate stood before us, sanding at around nine-and-a-half feet tall, the doors slammed shut behind us as a swarm of large mechanical spider-like beings crawled along webbing that hung across the walls and ceilings

“And this is why they kept it a secret” I mumbled

“Indeed it is, Rick” the tall slender female being spoke

“How do you know me, and what’re you doing here?” I snarled

“You are our king, are you not?” her form flashed a sickly green colour before revealing itself to be that of a familiar changeling, the mechanical, spider-like beings that surrounded us did the same, revealing themselves to be changelings

“Holy shit” I whistled as the changelings bowed before me, as did Metamorphia

“I take it that you’re surprised to see us here?” Metamorphia smirked

“Just a tad bit, yes” I grinned

“Well then, welcome to our hive” she nickered somewhat eerily

“Ok, you turning out to be a mechanical being, like that of your subjects, I can handle, what I don’t get is that Starswirl mentioned gods, Athena Ares and Kratos, what have they to do with this world, or Equis?”

“They are the great beings, and the many sons and daughters of Lulania, any god you have on Earth, chances are they’re the descendants of the creator of the Universe, Artahka out there’s her son” The changeling queen grinned

“And since that Faust’s the offspring of you and Lulania…” Blaze turned to face me “you’re the father of a series of gods”

“I can’t catch a break can I?” I grunted “

“Looks like you are a god after all, Daddy” Snowdrop giggled

“So it would appear,” I grumbled “glancing toward Metamorphia “have you any records of the beings that existed here?”

“I’ve got tonnes, my hive and I never need them, we’ve always wondered when a unique scholar would come along and take them of our hooves”

“Twilight’s no scholar, but she’s one of the best ponies I know for the job” I gleamed

“Really,” Twilight glanced toward me, her face a deep maroon colour from the way she was blushing

“The only other people I can think to hand it to are the princesses, Faust and Lulania themselves, or Starswirl” I shrugged

-=-=-

When we got back outside -the records of who, and what exactly lived in the area now in my inventory, we began to head back

“Are we heading back now?” Natsu blinked, I nodded “All this way, just for that?”  I didn’t think I could explain to him what’d happened to us in the past few years and who I’d done lord-knows-what with without his brain becoming mush, so I merely shrugged

-=-=-=-=-

Once we got back to ponyville, via teleportation, Ceres now living in the deserts near ‘Dodge Junction,’ I set the age-old records down on the table in the lounge of the library, Starswirl had insisted on staying behind, as had Tarduk, Kirbold, and Crotesious

Blowing the dust from one of the books, i quickly noticed that the title wasn’t written in English, but matoran

“It’s a mix and match load of symbols” Twilight blinked

“Is it though?” I raised an eyebrow “to you it’s a mesh of symbols, to me it says ‘Riddle of the Great Beings; Volume-I”

“You can read that?” she stared at me

“Internet” I smirked

“That’d mean that you’re the only one who can translate it” Celestia raised an eyebrow

“Or I could give you this,” I unslung my rucksack, pulling out a small, worn book, handing it To Twilight “that should help, Sparkles”

“This looks like a series of research notes” she smiled as she opened the book

“There’s a translator in the back, somewhere” I winked

“How long have you had that?” Celestia frowned

“A few decades” I bit my lip

“And you never bothered to tell us?”

“You never asked,” I raised an eyebrow “had you have done so, I would’ve gladly provided what was necessary, I think- no, I know you’ve got a lot of questions, and also know that I cannot answer them all, you’re probably better off asking who we now know as Great Beings”

“What exactly is a ‘Great Being’?” her eyes narrowed slightly

“Basically, it’s their worlds version of a god, or god, they helped shape their universe,” I explained “that so-called ‘portal’ we went through, it wasn’t just between planets, it was an inter-dimensional masterpiece, if we had a few expert scientists sent there do discover what exactly caused it, we may find out a bit more about what went on all those ages ago,” I gave a faint smile

“Whilst I am curious as to take a chance to see what lies beyond, I shan’t take the risk of having my subjects murdered by the desert beasts” she sighed “if we had another like you, we may be able to send a few groups out there, but no farther than the portal, wherever it may be”

“By your word, Lady of the Sun” I nodded, quickly bowing

“You do realise she’s your granddaughter right?” Blaze smirked

“I’d like to think otherwise, though she’s still family” I grinned “I wish I could beat my younger self with a lead pipe, I really do, but then, if I hadn’t of met ‘Lulania,’ I wouldn’t have met you, which means that Equestria would be either non-existent, or leaderless” I tilted my head

“A dilemma of the gods, if ever there was one” she gave me a smug grin

“I’m not a god, Blaze” I snapped

“How do we know that the crystalline heart you have isn’t going to keep you alive for all of time,” she frowned “how do we know that you’re powers aren’t going to become omnipotent to the pointy where you ascend and become a god, or that you’re a young one, if one at all?”

“And…” I began with a snarl, trailing of, my glare turning to a look of worriment “I suppose there’s nothing I can do if I already am one, is there?”

“Nay, but you can mature and become greater than even I” Celestia draped her wings around me

-=-=-

As I walked home Blaze, Scootaloo, Snowdrop, Winter Bell, and Gracy Gloom walking beside me, Autumn Heart lunged at me, knocking me on my backside

“Where were you?” Autumn Heart’s eyes were clouded by tears yet unshed

“I’ll explain once we’re inside” I winked, she nodded with a light giggle walking with me and the others into the house, I locked the front door once we were in

Once we were situated in the lounge, I explained everything that’d happened

“You met Starswirl!?” she gaped at me, I placed a finger over my lips

“Not so loud, none of this is to be told to anypony, understand?” she nodded

“I’ll not tell a soul, your majesty,” she pecked my cheek “now; I believe it’s time you got some well-earned rest after that trip?”

(>>><<<)

The next day, with my family on my back, I flew to Canterlot, finding a familiar being stood in the castle’s gardens

“Hello, your majesty” Chrysalis smiled as I landed, my family landing on the ground as I reverted to human form

“You wouldn’t happen to know about any ruins in the wastelands, would you?” I raised an eyebrow

“You found my sister’s hive then?” she gave a sweet smile (for a changeling anyway), I nodded

“What I am about to say, is not to be repeated to a soul, clear?” she frowned, my family and I shared a simultaneous nod “good,” she simpered “now let me tell you, how I came to be

Chrysalis walked over to the bas relief of Celestia and gazed at it for a moment. "I remember seeing this when I was little. The ponies here were afraid of her then."

I bit my lip to hold in the flood of questions that immediately leaped into my mind. I had the distinct feeling that Chrysalis wasn't one to be pushed into anything. If she had been here when the city was inhabited, that meant she was old; and that meant she was experienced and dangerous

“Twilight’s dear mentor,” Chrysalis looked back over her shoulder at me, “was feared and hated like the beast she was, I was as beautiful as her, once, would you believe it?” I blinked

“At that time, the city was one of the jewels of the world, the unicorns created such grand artwork, sculpture, poetry, and music that they were renowned for it,” she sighed “however, what made them rich was the trade, magic-made material and items flowed out, and food and gold flowed in, caravans came with treasures from beyond the seas to trade, a guild master could command a cart full of emeralds for a single, perfect amulet!” she was almost in hysterics

“It was-” there was a sudden hitch in her voice, “-paradise…”

“I was born to a noble family, Rick; I was born as a pony, if you were to believe such a thing”

“You were born from two other ponies?” I tilted my head, she gave a curt nod

“Yes, perfectly normal, but not average; for you see, I was exceptional; gifted, as it were, even among the most powerful magicians of the city, I suppose you might understand what that was like?" I gave a cautious nod

“But I was also a great beauty. I was athletic, poised, graceful -admired and desired by the ponies around me, though I suppose you already know what that’s like” she gave a warm smile, if only for a moment

“I began to create my own unique spells when I was still quite young;” she explained art and adornment was my specialty, I made living jewelry, makeup, and clothing, amulets that created illusory costumes for masked balls, and ones that hid flaws for the vain and less perfect than I was”

“And then, I created my masterpiece!” she gave a wild grin “a spell that would change not just a pony's appearance, but their very substance itself, there would be no more ugliness, no flaws, the richest city in the world would have citizens to match its beauty!” she went on to explain

"Can you guess what happened then your majesty?” she frowned

“I'll give you hint: A young, magical prodigy creates an amazing new spell for the benefit of all the ponies around her—and perhaps a bit of fame; and then she directly touches the great source of magic that flows through the universe -its very life blood even-, and molds it in a new way, never before known to pony kind!” she gave a wicked leer “take a guess she’s your princess after all!”

"Yes, yes! Late to the party, Twilight Sparkle, but at least you've finally arrived!"

"What—how..."

“Ah, very good questions, indeed,” Chrysalis smiled at me again and her gaze held a hint of madness, “But first, I'd like to ask one of my own”

“Go ahead” I bit my lip

"What did the ponies of this place hate above all else?"

“Non-unicorns,” I hadn't put much thought into my answer

“Mudstompers and featherbrains?” she blinked “Oh, no, the unicorns just despised them as lesser beings—felt pity for them, even!" Chrysalis backed away toward the statue of Celestia and continued “No, what they hated more than anything else; was her!” She whirled and slammed a hoof into the neck of the stone image of Celestia

“She dared to preach equality of the tribes, and even worse, she was the very living symbol of that equality! In her own body, she polluted and debased the superior blood of the unicorns with that of earth pony and Pegasus; she was an abomination!"

I could see the chain of events running forward; I understood what Chrysalis had gone through upon her ascension, Instead of being welcomed and guided by a beloved mentor, and celebrated by her friends and family...

“Oh, no…” Autumn Heart gasped

“Oh, yes! When I was transported to that place—that celestial realm—she was there to greet me; the great enemy of my tribe!” Chrysalis snarled with a great loathing in her voice “I had no idea what was happening to me and, of course I wouldn't listen to her, but that didn't stop my ascension”

“When I reappeared in the city I was the living image of the thing most feared and hated by everypony I'd ever known, if they hadn't been so stunned by shock and horror, they might have killed me before I got away” she gave a weak sigh “fortunately, my own great spell came to my aid and I hid among them until—until..." She trailed off and her neck bent. Her lank mane slid down across her face and she stood silently

“You may not believe this, but I'm sorry, That shouldn't have happened to anyone, especially you of all beings!”

She lifted her head to look at me, and there was quite a bit more than a hint of madness in her gaze;

“Oh, but the best is yet to come!" She slowly walked forward as she spoke,

“Such a being as yourself may not understand, but I had my choice of the stallions of the city, and the one I claimed was magnificent!” she chimed “He was the first son of the highest of families, and we were to be married but we couldn't wait, you see?” she stared at me dreamily “he was so handsome and I was so beautiful, and we were so perfect together!”

“I… I don't understand…” I stammered

“We didn't wait; we shared our love—and on the day I ascended, I was already with foal."

I didn't know what was coming next, but I knew it wasn't going to be good.

“I went to him. I knew he would understand. He loved me”

“His hatred was as great as his love; he could have fled, he could have shouted for help, but he was a brave fool, he tried to hold me tried to pin me with his magic, even though he knew how strong I was—or had been," Chrysalis turned her steps back toward the statue of Celestia and glared at it as if were her long-ago lover, “as an alicorn, I was even stronger, he fought but I broke free; He tried to—to—and I—“ She lunged forward and slammed her horn into the carving, just behind Celestia's shoulder, where her heart would be

Then her head fell away, her horn scraping out of the divot she'd made in the stone. She stood silently, swaying slightly and making an eerie keening noise that I desperately hoped I would never hear again

“How did you…?” Autumn =Heart shuddered; Chrysalis shook herself like and old, sick mule, trying to shrug off a biting fly

“How did I… what, Survive, Oh no, that was simple!” the changeling queen laughed like a mad-mare “I fled the city and took refuge in the abandoned gem mines to the West, with my magic, it was easy, I planned to stay there, stealing what I needed until my foal was born and old enough to travel, and then I would go north to where the other alicorns lived—Celestia and Luna—they must be the true superior race, if that was what I had become!” she tamped her hoof into the earth “If I was evil, I would revel in it!” She began to chuckle

“A few months later, something began to… affect me; I didn't know what it was at the time, I thought that it might be some of the natural effects of pregnancy; my joints ached and my skin burned; I was so sleepy, nearly all of the time,” she growled “then one day I fell unconscious and didn't awake for a long, long time”

“I didn't figure out what had changed me for a long while after that. All I knew was that, when I awoke, I was the amazing creature that you see standing in front of you now!”

“But you did find out why it happened, didn't you?” I asked, trying to ignore the acidic tone of her words

“Oh yes, I did." Chrysalis smiled “You see, the great magicians of the city had perfected a spell, or perhaps it was a device—I never knew exactly what it was—something, at any rate, that made trading and most labor unnecessary. It could be operated by anypony, simply by wishing. Anything they wanted, delivered in an instant”

"But;" she continued; “there was one little trick that they needed to operate the spell; any pony who wanted to partake of the wondrous cornucopia, had to be very good at visualizing what they wanted—believing in it. Making it live in their minds was a necessity, and so all the citizens were trained in that skill; making thoughts into reality, what a wonder!”

“There was just one little problem,” Chrysalis continued. “Whoever built the thing was sloppy; it didn't just take in a pony's thoughts when they wished for something—it did it all the time! And it leaked. Do you see now?” I merely shook my head

“No; of course not; let me spell it out for you," she said, condescendingly. "Just before this amazing device began to operate, the city was shocked by my ascension. They were horrified by the murder of one of their most honored citizens by the monster that I had become;” she spat “an alicorn? An abomination, rather; a monster, a parasite, an impostor among them! That is what they all thought of me, Rick; that is what they all believed!" I stared at her with a looked of unadulterated horror

"Oh, my," Chrysalis glimmered, "I do believe you're beginning to get the picture, your majesty they did this to m;. I became what I am because of them; when I awoke and crawled out of the chrysalis I had been wrapped in, I nearly went mad”

“But I was left with three things from my past life," she went on. "The magic of my greatest spell was now innate in me. I could change my form with only a thought. And my only regret—that became part of me, too. My lost love -the desire for that love-, it had become a hunger; the one that I have never been able to satisfy”

“That's only two…” I stammered

“Oh, yes—mustn't forget the most important thing!" She leaned in close and gave me an vicious grin "The over-joyous occasion of birth!"

“Birth,” I bit my lip until I tasted iron “your foal…?”

“Foal?” she snarled Nay; my spawn—hundreds and hundreds of them! All like me—all with my power and my hunger!”

“You're the reason they died out, aren't you, you and your descendants infiltrated, invadedm devoured them even!”

Chrysalis laughed musically, “"Oh, no, no! Well, not exactly, anyway; no, we just took their love, we took every last drop; and when it was gone, what do you suppose happened to a town full of powerful, arrogant unicorns that hadn’t a single whit of love left in their souls?”

"Without love, there can be no friendship, no compassion, and no mercy…" Autumn Heart mumbled

“Indeed, it only took them a few days to destroy each other; I didn't kill them, my little pony; they did it to themselves!”

-=-=-

As my family and I marched into the throne room, Faust was stood by the thrones, casting a moment’s glance toward me -and giving me a light nod as she continued to converse with Celestia

“I understand, what you think you saw,” Faust frowned toward her daughter “but I cannot allow such ideas to exist, Celestia

“Think?” Celestia barked “we travelled through a portal, Rick was there with us, as where three of the wizards from the guild!”

“So that may be the case, I just can’t allow this to be spread into the public

“Wouldn’t dream of it” I scoffed “after all, Artahka spoke as if he knew me, or at least, a bit about me, you wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you, Faust, if that is your name?”

The burgundy-haired stared at the two of us for a short while before sighing;

“Very well, Rick, if you truly wish to know, we created you, Artahka created you, for you see, it was from our ideas that you were born, Artahka, alongside myself and a few others, created you as you were all those ages ago, though were different, you behaved differently to what we anticipated, you adapted a little better than what we’d planned for, you evolved faster than we’d imagined, you became who you are now, though somewhat less selfless and caring,” she went on “if you were to try, you’d probably be able to see yourself as you were back then, the prototype for all sentient beings”

“Then came Takua, the first matoran, though neither one of you would remember it, the two of you made history across the matoran universe and Equis alike, forever friends, even if not even in memory” Faust sighed “and then Celestia had to go and fall in love with you; I believe that she can tell you the rest”

“And what, of my element of nature?” I glowered at her

“All a part of your old self I’m afraid,” she shrugged “as is your nickname ‘Tesla,’ I believe”

“So all this time, you all knew?” I glanced toward Celestia, who avoided my gaze

“I’m sorry to say,” She bit her lip “though your parents, on Equis, they’re names have been etched into a scarce number of history books, one of which exists in the ponyville library, you’ll know which one it is when you find it, Young eon”

“How will I become what I was when I was created, or was I born human, or an eon?” I frowned

“You were born like any being in the matoran universe, Teslakana” she slowly shook her head “if all you want to do is change between the two forms, all you need do is believe” I stormed out of the room

-=-=-

When we got back to ponyville, I stood on the front lawn, closing my eyes, concentrating, whilst also thinking about what my actual form may be, I felt somewhat nauseous as a wave of energy overtook me momentarily

“Daddy,” Snowdrop gasped, I opened my eyes

Looking down at myself, I gasped, I was around more or less the same height as I was as a human, only biomechanical with crimson armour with black trimming replacing where my legs and torso would be, looking at either I noticed the same colour armour with a similar trimming, also the same colour

“What am I?” my voice was almost ‘kiddish’ sounding like that of a teenager

“Rick?” I faced forward; Twilight was stood there, staring at me

“I’m afraid so, Twilight” I blinked, not yet used to the new voice

“What happened to you?” she edged toward me, I crouched down to her level, bowing on one knee, almost

“I’ve just found out from Faust, our resident Canterlot Great Being, that I was created, not born; Lady of Magic” if I had a lip I would’ve started chewing it

“But how,” she blinked “you can’t just create life out of nothing, even in organic life!”

“She, Artahka, and a few others actions’ state otherwise” I frowned “Even Celestia knows about it, apparently”

“But that’s preposterous!” she blared

“It’s what’s happened I placed a fragile hand on her head, gently stroking her mane

“I’ll get the others, we can get passed this!” she cried out, teleporting away

-=-=-

“Howdy Twi,” Applejack smiled as she and the others -Autumn Heart included, entered the library “Who’s the robot?”

“I prefer the term ‘biomechanical entity, if you please” I raised an eyebrow

“Rick?” she all-but screamed

“Yep” I gave a slight nod “or as Faust calls me, prototype, or Teslakana”

“What happened?” Rarity awed at me, I quickly explained the events of the past two-five hours

“That’s horrendous!” she gasped

“It’s apparently who I am” I sat on the sofa, which creaked under my weight, Autumn Heart charged at me, clinging onto me

“How can they do this to you?” the earthy-brown unicorn sobbed “how can they do this to somepony, and then expect everything to be Ok!?” she continued with a wail “I love you Rick, I don’t care who you might be, or what you might do, or what you might be called or look like on the outside, it doesn’t change the pony I fell in love with on the inside!” I concentrated, barely managing to revert to my human form, panting for breath when it finally happened

“I wasn’t made an eon, as the other humans of the ‘ye-olde’ Equis were, or so it’d seem,” I gave a short hum “but I’m glad to be a part of their kind, through-and-through, maybe I’ll go back and meet Artahka again someday”

“Ya’ll get cheesier by the day, dontcha pardner?” Applejack laughed

“I am what I am, though I think that’s a bit out of context” I smirked, glancing toward my back, my wings were still there, fortunately

“What are ya, is the question that Ah think should be asked, no offense” she gave a light frown

“Human, Eon, dragon slayer, biomechanical entity, what else is there?” Blaze gave a smug grin

“Quite so”

-=-=-

“Come one, come all!” a feminine voice called out from inside a circus wagon as a stage unfolded from its sides, and the same pale-blue unicorn with the same wizard’s hat and cape marched out onto the stage

“Again? Really, Trixie?” Twilight groaned

“Let the show-mare have her fun,” I grinned “because compared to a Fairy Tail Wizard, she’s nothing!”

“I doubt your puny group of friends could comprehend what I’m capable of” Trixie spat, her eyes shone a deep crimson as I noticed a brooch that had the head of a unicorn with the wings of a Pegasus

“So, you’ve a few new spells,” I scoffed “it’s not the spells that make the wizard, it’s the spellcasters themselves, and besides, even if I were wrong, each of the Fairy Tail wizards have and/or has at least ten unique spells, each”

“And what of you?” she snapped “Other than your so-called -Dragon-Slayer’ magic, you’ve nothing more to show us”

“Said the pony to the prototype,” I smirked, stretching my wings and concentrating as a great aura of almost-mystical light overwhelmed my being, blinding me

When I could see again, i was hovering above the ground

“How, when, what…?” Trixie gasped, looking down at myself, I stared in awe at my new form, that of which belonged to ‘Stardust Dragon’

“I trust you think you can mimic my ability?” I smirked

“Stardust Dragon,” Blaze whistled “so, out there in the universe, they exist, somewhere” she eyed me up and down, Trixie ran away as fast as she could, the brooch that hung around her neck fell to the ground

“Rick…?” Twilight stammered, I turned to face her and the others, landing on the ground

“I’m still me, on the inside, remember?” I placed a claw to where my heart would be

“How did you…?” she stared at me

“I’d had the DNA of almost every sentient creature in the universe implanted in me upon creation, it’s just a part of who I am, I’m afraid”

“You…!” she awed at me, I clenched my fists, focusing on changing back, but try as I might, it didn’t seem to be possible

“And now I can’t change back, ever the clichéd one, aren’t I?” I gave a weak smile; she glared at me “Sorry…”

“Well, I’m guess that changing like that takes up magic energy, and thus, it needs to be restored” Blaze stated, matter-of-factly

=-=-=

After raiding the nearby fields opposite part of the Everfree forest of gems, I returned to Ponyville, now reverted to my regular human form, changing to eon form, my daughter and Blaze leaping upon my =back/neck/head, albeit, reluctantly before I took off for Canterlot

“So, you’re like a demigod then?” Blaze smirked as we entered the throne room, Twilight walking alongside us

“Basically,” my ears perked up “wonder if that means I have the same abilities as ‘you-know-who’” I gave a smug grin

“Do you want Equis to come to its knees, or flat on its face for that matter?” she smirked

“Touché” I slowly nodded

“Speaking of your being,” she blinked, glancing toward Celestia, who had a worried plastered upon her features as she stood beside Faust “how strong is he compared to you lot anyway?”

“Tesla was made- no,” she sighed shaking her head “Rick was born to be stronger than most alicorns, but not as powerful as an actual god”

“So, you’re not gods?” Snowdrop blinked

“That is correct, little pony” Celestia gave a slight nod as Snowdrop and the others landed on the floor

“Brother, if I may inquire, why‘re there now blackish markings on your neck?” Blaze stifled a laugh

“What?” I blinked, lightly examining around my neck, not feeling anything different “I don’t feel anything different…”

“And yet there’re twin markings running down your neck” she observed, I looked down my form, pulling the collar of my shirt, quickly letting it go “Just like Asura, might I add?”

“Do you retain your knighthood, Daddy?” Gracy Gloom landed atop my head

“Why be, a knight when you can be a demigod?” Blaze laughed

“Although I will agree with you on one point, sister, I don’t think you meant to sound so arrogant” I chuckled

“Indeed,” she gave a curt nod “one mustn’t let their arrogance get the best of them, lest they be bested in other ways, such as combat in the centre of war”

“Quite so, but there’s still a question I’ve yet to ask, Cellsy” I glanced toward the solar alicorn, who blinked “do my travelling capabilities expand to all of reality or just to planets or time periods that have magic?”

“It’s a bit of both, whilst it’s inter-dimensional, it’s limited to magic” Celestia smiled “where do you plan on going?”

“You needn’t worry, I shan’t be travelling anywhere for quite a while, Lady of the Sun” I winked as the doors opened behind us, revealing a rather flustered alicorn of love alongside Twilight her friends, Erza, Natsu, Wendy, and Crystal

“Rick!” Cadance gasped upon seeing me “are you alright?”

“I’m fine, for now anyways” I gave a weak smile

“Your emotions say otherwise,” she raised an eyebrow

“Yeah well, having your organs turned to liquid shit by an alicorn; and then finding out you were born in an eon-old test tube will do that for a guy” Blaze snapped

“You what,” Twilight exclaimed rather loudly her friends, sans Fluttershy, who fainted, whereas Wendy stared at me in quite apparent horror

“Surprise,” I mumbled “you defend your family from one potential threat, and look what happens”

“Who could do such a thing?” Wendy was on the verge of tears

“I thought you were forced down from your title, princess” Blaze frowned toward Celestia

“Thankfully, and rather fortunately, I have managed to persuade Faust to let me rule as I once did” Celestia smiled

“If that involves the same tyranny, then I’ll have no other choice but to ask otherwise of Faust” I frowned also

“I thought you could say she could drop the sun on you?” Natsu tilted his head

“That’s the point,” I smiled, he blinked “let’s pretend, if only for a moment, that my crystalline heart acts the same way as a mantra  reactor, which would mean it’d change any energy attack directed toward me into energy for me to use, assuming the sun here has as much magic stored into it as Equis itself

“You’d be invincible!” Snowdrop chimed

“Almost,” I gave a sideways nod

“So you’re a living weapon then” Erza stared at me

“I refuse to believe that!” Crystal snarled “I refuse, point-blank to refuse to believe that my beloved was created by the so-called ‘gods’ to be a means to an endgame!”

“Rick’s not a weapon,” Celestia began “he was a project to see how a compound of all sentience in the universe would work if it were put into a single being, he’s the first actual life-form to exist on either Artahka’s world, or ours, a forerunner, so to speak, if you will”

“So I’m just some pet project?” I growled “I’m just some little experiment you and your companions thought of an eon ago, out of either spite or fun, is that how it is?”

“I don’t know how else to say it” she bit her lip

“Looks like I owe Luna quite the ironic apology” I laughed

“You’re taking this better than we expected you to” Faust raised an eyebrow

“I may be an animal in part, but I do not have the personality of one” I spat, her horn glowed a mild magenta colour as my wings began to fade away

“A true demigod needn’t have wings to fly” she smiled as the last parts of my wings vanished, only to return mere moments later

“Looks like they’ll not go so easily,” I grinned “after all, they’ve become a part of who I am”

“Even so, are you not curious as to your sister’s origins?” she smirked

“What,” I snapped

“Your sister says that her parents were killed by poachers, when in fact, that was another member of her species that suffered that fate,” Faust deadpanned “we created her, just like we did with you, that is why she is able to use magic, or so I’ve been told”

“How old am I then?” Blaze looked gobsmacked

“You are just as old as Rick, only you were frozen in time by a freezing spell, and sent to where rick was at the time of thawing,” she spoke haughtily “I remember the figurative ‘blueprints’ for your being rather well, Blaze”

“I…” Blaze mumbled, collapsing onto her front

“Blaze,” I rushed over to the fallen family member, turning her onto her back “Are you Ok?” I placed a gentle hand upon her head, her body shone with a bright white light as it shrank down to a familiar form

“Blaze,” Snowdrop stepped forward to the Typhlosion-turned-Quilava, who clung onto me with all her might

“I’m alright” Blaze stammered as I held her in my arms, sitting cross-legged as she stared up at me with clouded eyes “I’ve got my big brother to take care of me, after all” she gave me the weakest of smiles

“Well this is a shocker,” I draped my wings around my shrunken sister “though it does explain your immortality, sister”

“You still consider her family, even after what the two of you’ve been through?” Cadance all-but gasped

“We’re family, through-and-through, no amount of bullshit science experiments is gonna change that” Blaze grinned, clambering unto my head, pecking one of my horns, I smiled, steadily getting to my feet

“You two truly are amazing” Celestia smiled

“We’re Nakama” Blaze and I gleamed in unison “everyone knows that Tesla’s the mage and/or knight as well as hero, and I’m the joker”

“Sounds about right” I rolled my eyes, the doors to the throne room once again burst open, revealing a deep/rich blue dragon with white underbelly scales, wings and horns

Said dragon collapsed to its knees

“Help us…”

Next Chapter: Chapter XX; Royalty Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 20 Minutes