“So, what happened?” Natsu grinned alongside Grey and Erza as a new, winged Quilava stood atop my head, Blaze standing beside me alongside my friends and family, who stood opposite Celestia, the princesses, Faust and Lulania as well as Twilight, her friends, minus Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, and Spike also…

“Well, I released Rick from all obligations he had to me as a relative, the rest is fairly obvious,” Blaze gestured to the being currently lying on her front between my horns, “Say hello Ember.”

Hiya..!” Ember landed on my shoulder, holding out a paw, Natsu lightly bumped a clenched hand against it.

“So, Ember,” Cellsy smiled, “how’re your parents treating you?”

“Well Dad’s always telling me to stay safe whenever I venture out with Mom, and Mom always tell me to have fun when I go out with Dad, so I’m a little confused as to what to do,” Ember tilted her head.

“You can have fun, I just don’t want you getting hurt, or ending up in trouble, Ember,” I smiled.

“Okie Dokie,” she saluted me with a faint grin and a giggle, nuzzling into me.

“I see that you’ve quite the herd, Rick,” Celestia smirked.

“I’m a knight to Cellsy and a select few others, no one else,” I rebuked.

“What about you supposedly being the Mayonaka Ryū Kishi?” Blaze blinked  

“That was a one-time thing,” I frowned.

“So, no ‘Magic of Friendship’ from you then?” she laughed.

“A little magic’s is fine, too much of it and you lose your sense of reality, be honest and loyal to everyone, and you’ll end up either lying to yourself or stabbing yourself in the back, be that little too kind or generous and you’ll end up with nothing but bittersweet memories, apply to much laughter to a single subject and you yourself become the joke, and so on,” I explained somewhat long-windedly.

“That’s rather cryptic, if not philosophical,” Celestia nickered.

“In the words of Itcahi Uchiha, and I quote; ‘each of us lives bound by our individual knowledge and our awareness all that, is what we call ‘Reality.’ However both knowledge and awareness are equivocal one’s reality might be another’s illusion we all live inside our own fantasies…’” I grinned.

“Wise-arse,” Blaze lightly punched my shoulder.

“I’ll have to think about that, Rick,” Cellsy simpered, “you’ve given me quite the ‘train of thought,’ so to speak.”

“You got his eyes, didn’t you?” Blaze grinned.

“Nope,” I beamed, “don’t need ‘em, don’t want ‘em.”

“Even though he could manipulate time in an illusion upon placing someone into said illusion,” she raised an eyebrow as Ember landed unto her back, “you’re strange, Rick, you know that?”

“I think we established that upon first contact, Blaze,” I laughed.

“Like the fact that most of what you have in your rucksack isn’t even legal?” she chortled.

“Touché,” I nodded, Snowdrop quickly landed on my shoulder whereas Winter Bell landed on my head, and Honey Heart perched herself on the other shoulder.

“You never told me how you got half of it anyways,” she raised an expectant eyebrow.

“And I don’t think I ever will,” I smirked, she shot me an icy glare, “Riften, and that’s all I’m telling you, Blaze.”

“So, what can Ember do, magic wise?” Grey glanced toward the small, winged Quilava.

“Well, I can use Dad’s ‘Dragon Aura’ and Teleportation, and both Mom and Dad’s Dragon-Slayer Magic…” Ember mumbled.

“What’s ‘Dragon Aura’?” Erza blinked alongside her comrade/fellow Guild-members.

“Can I?”  Ember glanced toward me, I nodded; she burst into flames; that of which morphed into an exquisitely detailed Whitish-Golden/yellow aura with razor-sharp claws extending from where its feet and hands were.

“That’s incredible!” Cadance gasped, suddenly glancing toward me; “how old did you say she was?”

“I’m only twelve, but I’ve already learnt so much from Mom and Dad!” Ember chimed, nuzzling into me, “But I’ve still a lot to learn from Dad, after all, he’s a Demigod!”

“Only by title and longevity, nothing more,” I laughed, “Ember, if you ever need to learn, just ask, Ok?”

“Ok Dad,” she smirked, the Aura around her suddenly vanishing with a burst of sparks, replaced with scales on her arms, paws and face.

“Ya’ll mean ta’ tell me that Ember here’s a Dragon Slayer?” Applejack gaped, staring at Ember with a look of nothing short of pure, unadulterated horror, “that’s impossible!”

“I don’t see Ilona or Winter Bell complaining,” Blaze growled.

“But they’re a pony an’ eon, respectively…!” she retorted angrily, “Ah guess Ah’m not used tah anything different using magic like that…”

“So be it then,” I nodded, turning to Ember, “Ember, from here on, I will continue to teach you all I know about Dragon Slayer magic, and I mean everything.”

“You will!?” she awed at me, wide-eyed in mild surprise,

I nodded, again, “just so long as you promise not to use it unless absolutely necessary, I’ll show you what I can.”

“Thank you!” she cheered, leaping at me, clinging onto my front as I draped a wing around her…

---

Two weeks passed, and Ember began to quickly grow as a Dragon Slayer, not in mere power, but also in skill and knowledge also;

“Ursa attack,” Roseluck, Lily and Daisy shrieked as they galloped passed as Twilight, her friends, the alicorns of Equis, Celestia, Firefly, my friends, family and I marched toward the beast;

“So, whose turn is it this time to take out the trash?” Blaze glanced toward me with a sly grin, I shook my head.

“May I?” Ember raised a paw, standing upon my shoulder.

“If you think you can, go right ahead,” I bit my lip, “just be careful.

“Okie Dokie Dad,” she laughed, climbing down my back, charging toward the large Bear-like creature, inhaling copious amounts of air as she went, suddenly stopping as she exhaled a gigantic stream of emerald flames that enveloped the beast,

“Fourth-Generation Dragon-Slayers huh,” Blaze smirked, arms folded as she grinned at me with a sly smirk.

“Same as Amber Note no doubt,” I nodded as the Ursa practically melted from view, receding into the earth as Ember clambered up onto my head, nuzzling into me

“I see,” she smiled, “so, how goes the training?”

“Bad timing, much..?” I chortled, just then noticing the scales in Ember’s being.

“So it is,” she rolled her eyes in a somewhat-amused manner.

“How in tarnation did she just do that?” Applejack Bellowed.

“I don’t see anyone else complaining?” Blaze snapped.

“Ah’m not complaining,” the farmpony frowned, “Ah’m just surprised that she did that so easily!”

“Rick, be a dear and have all of your magic ripped from Equis would you?” Blaze snarled toward the orange pony, “I find it a fatal offense that such magic should be treated so lowly as that, even barbaric as it may be!”

“No can do I’m afraid,” I sighed, “I can either tear my heart from my being and create a new one, or I can stop using it, either one is only temporary.”

“What’s yer problem?” Applejack glared icily toward Blaze.

“What’s your problem with my daughter?” Blaze barked, “I could end your life in an instant if I so wished, so I’d think twice before insulting her abilities and our way of life, equine.”

“And you ain’t gonna stop her?” she turned toward me.

“I won’t and besides, chivalry.” I shrugged.

“You stopped Nightmare Moon, didn’t ya?” she scoffed.

“Tell me when a shadow-based demon from the eleventh layer of hell counts as a god, let alone a lady, Applejack,” I folded my arms with a wide grin.

“And Nyx…?” she stepped backward.

“Nyx has heart, you clearly don’t,” I raised an eyebrow, my grin quickly fading from view.

“Ah’ve got a family!” she rebuked with an almost-rabid snarl.

“So have I, and I always will, be it dead or alive,” I tutted.

“…At least you’ve got parents…” she mumbled, giving me a frigid, dagger-like glare.

“And that’s meant to insult me?” I laughed. “Try again later.”

“I meant to say that you’re lucky!” she boomed.

“So are you, at least you have memories of being born into a paradise such as Equestria.” I smiled, faintly.

“No, no Ah don’t…” she muttered.

“Any reason for it?” I blinked.

She shrugged “the Hay if Ah know, but Ah’m gonna find out! If you help me with that, I might just forgive ya.”

“There’s no need for that, Honesty,” Faust declared, beaming.

“Why..?” Was all Applejack replied with…

“Applejack,” Firefly began, “I don’t know how best to tell you this, so I’ll say it like this; you weren’t born a few decades, nor a few years ago like the other citizens of Equestria, you were created like Rick was, just opposite side of the corridor in the science labs also, you were made as a pony, but with the powers of an eon, and the ability to change your form,  those twin abilities would eventually be passed on to all Equestrians, pony and Human alike, but you were the forerunner for it all, haven’t you ever wondered how you managed the things you’ve done with Rick here, awkward as they may be?”

“Indeed,” Faust added grimly, “it is from all those years ago and the great war against darkness incarnate itself that you’re here today, having been encased in a magical barrier that ceased your aging for a whole eon, you were reborn, so to speak, with no memories, so we gave you new ones, and a new family, we gave you all that you could’ve asked for, and so we left you be, erasing both ourselves and your memory of our being from your mind, leaving you to live, love and work under Celestia’s sacred sun, and such brings us to now,” she nodded toward me

“Ya’ll mean ta’ tell me that, Ah don’t have any actual family?” Applejack collapsed to her haunches, tears welling in their ducts at the corners of her eyes

“And people in Skyrim had the nerve to label me a monster…” I spat, irately.

“Need we mention that thy cutie mark is also manufactured?” Luna gazed upon the orange pony, who shook her head

“They know don’t they, Big mac and Applebloom an’ Granny?” Applejack blared, tears finally beginning to stream down her muzzle.

“They do, but fret not,” Iris smiled almost-graciously, “yours is a special element, Applejack, for should you search within yourself far enough you’ll find more than you could ever hope for…”

“So, even Mah names fake?” she snarled.

“That it is,” Faust nodded, “though your name won’t appear as it is now in any history books, no matter how far you might look, your old one will definitely resonate through the ears, minds and hearts of almost every librarian in Equestria, Terra.”

“So, what do Ah do now?” Applejack shuddered, turning toward me, draping her arms around me as I crouched down to her level, crying into my shoulder, Ember moving to Blaze’s back as the Typhlosion stood on all-fours.

“Well, running away won’t help,” I began, draping a half-folded wing around her back, “So the only thing you have to do is stand up against it, and once it’s over with, you can live as you see fit, it’s your life after all, Applejack, and besides, you’re one of the strongest people I know on Equis.”

“Thanks Sugarcube,” she gave a light giggle, sitting beside me, changing to her anthro form, glancing down at herself, blinking as she glanced back toward me, leaning into me, “Ya’ll are alright, for an eon born in a test tube or somethin’…” she laughed, “no offense o’ course.”

“Meh, I’ve heard worse,” I shrugged, again.

“So ya have, Rick, so ya have,” she pecked my cheek, “Ya can call me Terra if ya wan, by the way, Ah feel as though Ah can get used to it…”

“If you say so, Jackie,” I smiled.

“Ya’ll remember then?” she laughed.

“You’re Nakama, of course I’m going to remember,” I smirked.

---

“This is the one known as ‘Rick’?” a large, (and by ‘large’ I mean around eight-foot-high,) pitch-black minotaur raised an unamused eyebrow upon noticing me in the throne room alongside the deer, Gryphon and Zebra from before, my family, friends and I standing as a small crowd at the centre of the room as the others stood in a circle around me, with Twilight, her friends, Spike, and Celestia stood by Cellsy, Grey Erza and Natsu stood beside Blaze, Ember and I.

“Is there a problem?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Not at all, human,” he laughed, “it’s just that when I heard of a ‘Demigod’ who’d apparently; ‘Saved Equestria as we know it,’ I’d imagined them to be something… well more,” he gestured toward me with a sly grin, “Surely you understand..?”

“But of course,” I smirked “Though I wouldn’t expect too much from what we hear vy means of rumours and hear-say.”

“You dare insult me!?” he boomed at the top of his lungs, drawing his weapon from his back, the weapon being a large two-sided battle-axe, readying it.

“I’m just saying that I would rather find out for myself what the rumours say, rather than relying on them as an opinion, rather than making my own,” I sighed, agitatedly,” you wish to bring about a fight, or even war from such a thought, so be it, I won’t step you.”

“You’re stubborn,” he chortled, standing his weapon against one of the nearby pillars, “brave, but stubborn, as for war, I wouldn’t dream of angering the dragon’s greatest ally, Human, to do such a thing would mean extinction for my species as a whole, and I currently wish for no such thing.”

He roared with laughter, stepping forward, holding out a clenched fist, “so be it, I shall allow the Grand-City know to you Equestrians as ‘Minos,’ to be an ally to Equestria alongside the Dragon Empire.”

“So be it,” I nodded, lightly tapping my fist against his, turning to face the Gryphon and Zebra

“We also wish to join as allies,” the Gryphon gagged at the term “seeing as war, violence and the like aren’t going to solve anything, we shall allow our population’s remains to be integrated into that of Equestria, Human. But we shan’t be as kind as the Dragons or the others, but we shall still respect the laws, rules, terms and conditions nonetheless.”

“So, that’s how many titles that you have now?” Blaze grinned.

“How about immortal,” Blackjack laughed, “I haven’t seen an injury that’s actually kept him down for more that long, chronologically speaking,”

“Yeah well, I’ve the Daedra to thank for that one,” I grinned.

“Azura, Boethiah, Meridia, Nocturnal, Hircine, Hermaeus Mora, Clavicus Vile, Malacath, Mehrunes Dagon, Molag Bal, Namira, Peryite, Sanguine, Vaermina, Mephala, and Sheogorath, to be precise,”

“The Daedric princes and princesses, sometimes referred to as ‘Daedric Lords’, or ‘The Old God’s by the Reachmen,” I shrugged.

“So, what do they do? Who are they?” Cadance blinked.

“They’re the semi-dark gods of Nirn, each with their own realm in Oblivion,” I began, “they mostly deal with mortals for their own gain, save for Azura, Meridia.”

“Why those two?” she tilted her head.

“Because they’re the only two out of the lot that won’t outright have you murdered, or at least try to, even indirectly,” I laughed, “Azura’s the princess of Dusk and Dawn, often referred to by many as the ‘Mother of The Rose,’ and ‘Queen of the Night Sky,’ mostly by elven kind, and Meridia’s the Princess of life and infinite energies, and also has a fiery passionate hatred for all things both dark and undead.”

“So, what do they do?” Celestia smiled.

“Offer rewards in return for the tasks they hand out to those lucky enough to be offered I suppose, I’ve not really thought to invade on their business, what with them being gods and all,” I hummed.

“And just what are these rewards?” Cellsy smirked.

“The Dawnbreaker for one, and The Star for another,” I glanced toward Twilight who levitated the artefact from her saddlebags within a magenta-ish glow.

“That’s… that’s beautiful,” Cadance stepped forward, taking the star in a cornflower-blue aura, her horn now ablaze with an identical aura as she studied it, ”what is it exactly?”

“A Soul Gem,” I beamed, the star was quickly levitated over to me, dropped into my hands as Cadance went a pale green colour.

“What’s a soul gem?” Grey blinked

“Basically, when I defeat an opponent, their soul gets contained within the star, which is then used in enchantments.”

“That’s sickening!” Twilight snapped.

“Such is the way of things in Skyrim, and all of Tamriel, I’m afraid,” I gave a forlorn sigh, “besides, who are we to question a god?”

“And that’s not mentioning that Azura and Meridia are basically the only Daedra who care about their followers’ wellbeing,” Blaze smiled.

“Followers’…?” Luna blinked also.

“Every god has at least one follower, wherever that person or entity might be in the universe,” I gleamed, “Azura’s only one in all of Skyrim, and as for Meridia, well, I do not know the number of her audience, let alone where they are.”

“And what of your status with the supposed ‘Gods,’ Rick..? Where do you stand on their little chessboard, as it were?” Faust nickered.

“He is my champion,” The Sacred star of cyan and silver rose from my hands, emanating with a vibrant golden glow on one half, and a silvery/pearly-whit on the other, speaking with a feminine, echo-y voice “And you, Faust would do well to remember not to meddle with his affairs, you are but a mere pony in comparison to my power, mortal, see to it that you anger me no further!”

“And as for you,” Azura once again began to speak through the her Sacred star, “You, Rick, shall be offered a chance at taking a place of your own in my realm; Moonshadow, will you accept, and be carried through to my home with those of whom you cherish, or will you stay, and sacrifice more to these mere equines? Know that I shall be watching over you, no matter your decision here.”

“You’re her champion?” Cadance gasped, Celestia and the others stared at me, gaping as I laughed.

“You have a problem with that?” Azura growled, “it is my choice for Rick to be my champion, he has served me well, and I’ve no doubt that he will continue to do so, ell into the future, little pony!”

“Serve her?” Cellsy scowled, “Rick is my knight and mine alone, other than that of the gods of Equis, Azura!”

“Is that what you want? Or is it what has actually happened out of the kindness of his heart?” she barked.

Suddenly, there was a blinding eruption of light, when it faded, rather than the star; there stood a large winged unicorn with a blue-ish/silver coat with a cobalt mane and tail with suns and moons held within, with the Sacred Star for a cutie mark, and brilliant golden-yellow/topaz eyes

“Must I use the form of one of your kind to properly communicate with you equines?” Azura frowned, “Honestly, you’re worse than the Dremora.”

“And who might you be; little one?” Azura cooed, as she turned her head to gaze upon Ember, who’d since leapt onto her back.

“I’m Ember,” Ember beamed, “Will you be my friend?”

“I can be your guardian, if you so wish, Little Ember,” Azura chimed with a slight amount of tranquillity present in her voice.

“Okie Dokie Azura,” Ember laughed, leaping from the Twilight goddesses back to my shoulder and then clambering unto my head.

“Newpony..!” Pinkie Pie merrily bellowed with a grin, bursting through the double doors with a row of laughter, racing in a pink blur, fast as lightning.

“Is she always so jovial, no matter the situation?” Azura stared at me, eyebrow raised.

“Just wait until your birthday party,” I rolled my eyes, “I’m assuming that’s an absolute ball of a time!”

“Rick, you’ve never attended one of Pinkie Pie’s parties on your birthday,” Twilight frowned.

“And I don’t intend to anytime soon,” I winked.

“Why?” she scowled.

“How old do I look? And how old do you think I am?” I rolled my eyes

“You look to be around thirty, and you said that you’re three-hundred, why?” she shot me an icy glare.

I snapped my fingers, spontaneously creating a small fireball above my index finger; that of which was orbited by nine, smaller crystals, each one a carrying shade of colour, and it was at that point that the zebra, Gryphon and Minotaur exited the castle;

“It’s a ‘Mimi-me’ Solar-System,” Blaze laughed.

“So it is,” I smiled.

“At least you don’t bugger around whilst you’re in the UNSC,” she gave a light, somewhat-curt nod.

“That’s another of our differences Blaze, I do what’s right and what’s necessary, rather than just muck around in filth,” I snorted “you give me a reason enough, and point me in the right way, and you’ll have entire armies levelled and deep-sixed within a matter of hours. Besides; someone needs to take out the trash.”

“My Brother doesn’t ‘muck around,’” Twilight exclaimed in an irate manner.

“I’m sure…” I slowly nodded.

“He doesn’t!” she bellowed.

“That’s not what I’ve seen,” I shrugged, “we humans may be arrogant by nature, but when it comes down to it, we don’t let anything such as ‘Pride’ get in our way, or at least, the UNSC doesn’t. We do what’s necessary, and what we feel is right, trey to keep up, won’t you?”

“Anything you can do Shining Armour’s already gone and done it!” she rebuked.

“What have I said before about humans and forerunners being the only ones able to use such technology in order to save the galaxy?” I laughed.

“I do believe this is either the third or fourth time I’ve heard you initiate this argument, my Dear Champion,” Azura hummed, “why do you persist, knowing full-well that she’s not going to give so easily, if at all?”

“Heck if I know, why does she persist on insisting that her brother is better than all of what humanity has achieved in its lifespan as a species?” I grinned.

“Touché,” she smiled.

“Even so, where my brother may fall, Celestia shall surely prevail!” Twilight growled.

“You’re a princess, right? Why don’t you start acting like one and stand up for yourself rather than needing to hide behind others for support?” I folded my arms

“And you do?” she spat.

“I do indeed,” I nodded “you harm one of my family or friends, or threaten them; and I’ll gladly gut you like a fish and have your entrails paraded through Canterlot, little pony…”

“You wouldn’t dare!” she barked.

“I’m a General, there’s not a lot I can’t do,” I raised an eyebrow, “I said to Littlepip that I failed once, and that it wouldn’t happen again, and what d’ya know, it bloody well happened again, twice!”

“But I’m… we’re…!” she bit her lip.

“You’re nothing,” I turned and left, my friends and family quickly following me as I vacated the throne room, Azura also following me as I exited the great chamber.

“So, that happened,” Blaze frowned, “I don’t blame you for saying what you did, but couldn’t you show a little restraint when around Ember?”

“I’ll do better next time, Blaze, trust me on that.” I nodded.

“So you will, Rick, so you will,” she beamed.

-=-

“So, how’s Amber Note?” I glanced toward the fire Dragon Slayer with a grin;

“She’s alright, how’s Honey Heart?” he smirked.

“She’s as good as gold, if not better,” I glimmered.

“So, what was that with the lavender horsey back there then?” he laughed.

“I wouldn’t pay attention to her, she’s just going to be crying herself to sleep for days on-end as-is,” I sighed.

“But still, dontcha think that was kind of harsh?” he tilted his head.

“Imagine how you felt when you were split from Lisanna, and imagine going through it three times at once, that’s what it feels like,” I scowled.

“…We don’t talk about that,” he frowned.

“Just trying to get something to compare it to,” I held my hands defensively, “besides, she’s back, isn’t she?”

“Still, I don’t think it’s the best topic for conversation,” he smirked.

“Yeah well, I’m not exactly feeling too talkative either,” I pouted, the two of us quickly bursting into fits of laughter.

“So,” I began, having finally calmed down, “how many times have you been dragged off to we-know-where in Canterlot with Lyra?”

“How many times have you been?” he grinned.

“Once, and that was to make sure you weren’t tearing the place apart,” I rebuked.

“Touché,” he chortled, “so, how’s Autumn Heart?”

“She’s as she’s always been, god-damn-perfect,” I whistled. “What about Lyra?”

“She’s alright, couldn’t really ask for a better girlfriend,” he shrugged.

“I could argue, but I don’t want to risk you tearing the whole town to shreds in anger,” I laughed.

“I’m not that sensitive,” he frowned with a gleam.

“So, what’s it like, having a foal?” I folded my arms, again…

“Don’t you already know?” he beamed with a smug grin.

“I’m asking for your perspective and opinion, so long as you don’t mind of course,” I simpered.

“It’s not bad actually; I mean… Sure I have to walk her to-and-from school every day, but that’s when I truly get to bond with her as a parent I suppose. And besides, someone’s got to go to the parent meetings every other week… and that being said, I still love her as I feel I should, what about you?” he blinked.

“Never thought you for the fatherly type, Natsu,” I chuckled, “but, I suppose I should at least give a guy a chance, so to speak, and you’ve done more than that, so congrats on that I s‘pose.”

“Thanks, I guess,” he smiled.

“Welcome,” I nodded behind us, where the others were stood; smug grins aplenty.

“How long have they been standing there?” Natsu glanced toward me after taking a quick peek at each of our figurative ’audience.’

“Long enough,” I smirked.

“You set this up, didn’t you?” he frowned.

“Not really,” I shook my head, “you said it, we just so happened to all be here.”

“So, I’m perfect am I?” Autumn Heart stood beside me, nuzzling into my side, “I might have to reward for that silver tongue of yours later~” she sat beside me as I sat cross-legged, Ember leaping onto my head, Snowdrop and Winter Bell both sitting in my lap, Scootaloo, Gracy Gloom and Honey Heart leaning into me at odd angles as I draped my wings around each of them.

“Element of Sacrifice, much..?” Blaze laughed,

“I know, right?”

“So, who’s the little one?” Crystal and Angel smiled.

“I’m Ember,” Ember held out a paw, which the twin eons gently shook.

“And this makes seven?” Crystal and Angel shared a light giggle.

“Eight, technically,” I bit my lip.

“Ooh-Ah,” Crystal chortled, “Who’s the lucky one this time?”

“That’d be Dinky, or Derpy, depending on your context-of-speech.” I winked.

“Trying to impress, or are you going for a new World-Record?” she laughed.

“If I was trying to impress I’d do that but since I haven’t done so in around a century or two, I see no need for such actions,” I smirked.

“No…” Blaze gasped, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, “sure you don’t mean…!”

“Yes, Blaze, yes I do,” I grinned, “But more on that later, with any luck.”

“So, Dinky…” Angel beamed.

“What about it?” I hummed.

“Shouldn’t you be taking care of her?” she frowned, lightly.

“I trust Silver enough to take care of Dinks. Besides, I’m not needed around there anytime soon, unless there’s another gala happening soon.”

“Why, what’d you do?” Crystal smirked.

“Nothing I’m telling you, my little Gem.”

“Rick offered to foal-sit Dinky whilst Derpy went to the gala,” Blaze simpered with a sly smile.

“Aww, that’s sweet of you,” she cooed, pecking my cheek as she hovered beside me.

“It’s what I do,” I winked.

---

“Remind me why we’re up here again?” Blaze frowned as we (‘We,’ being myself, my friends, family, the princesses, Celestia, Twilight, her friends and Spike), stood atop the great mountain on which Canterlot rested.

“Just testing a theory,” I winked, turning toward the sky, inhaling as I did so;

“O-Dah-Viing!” I bellowed, as a rift in the fabric of reality torte open above us, and a great crimson dragons burst forth from its depths, circling the peak of the mountain a few times before landing before us with a slight ‘crash’ so to speak…

“Greetings Dovahkiin,” The almighty wyvern beamed as he glanced to the others, “And I see you have an audience with you, no doubt to bear witness to your Thu’um, no?”

“Not exactly,” I laughed.

“What…” Twilight was almost speechless, almost, “who are you?”

“Ah, Krosis, I beg your pardon for not Gristal, introducing myself,” Odahviing huffed, “I am Odahviing; Former Right-hand and lieutenant to Alduin, the Duaan, the World-Eater, now, however, I align my services and life to the Dovahkiin, for he has proven his mastery twice-over to me, and the Dovah.”

“Forgive me for being blunt, but in what language are you speaking?” Celestia blinked.

“Ah, Krosis, forgive me for not explaining the language of the Dovah, the dragons, to you, Malkey.” Odahviing hummed with a slight grunt, “it has been centuries since I last spoke to a Joor, a mortal, what do you wish to ask of me?”

“And what, of this ‘Dovahkiin’?” Cellsy frowned, nodding toward me.

“Ah, the Dragonborn,” the crimson drake gave a sagely nod, “what of him?”

“Dragonborn..?” Luna blinked

“It’s to do with my ‘Dragon Soul,’” I beamed, “when I had it planted in my being, I became a somewhat, ‘false’ Dovahkiin, but a Dragonborn nonetheless, so I got quite the amount of attention when I went to Skyrim.”

“Speaking of which,” Odahviing raised an eye-ridge, “where are we, if you do not mind my asking?”

“Equis,” I smiled;

“Ah yes, home-realm to the Malkey, Amokriin, and the weaker Dovah that were made by Akatosh,” he laughed “I’ve been meaning to come here, if only by asking the ones you mortals call, ‘The Divines.’”

“So, how old are you?” Celestia cocked an eyebrow

“I am countless millennia in age, third-born from Akatosh,” Odahviing seemed to be pondering in thought mid-reply, “it has been too long, and I have lost track of my age, little Malkey, but, I ponder not on things such as time, or chronology, that is for Akatosh to rule over, not a mere Dovah such as me.”

“So, who is Akatosh exactly?” Twilight sat on her haunches alongside the others in an arc behind me.

“He is the deity and ruler of time, and took the form of an almost-inconceivable dragon during the ‘Oblivion Crisis*,’” Odahviing began, “it is from he who we Dovah, we dragons, originate, or at least, those from Tamriel.” The dragon grumbled, “he is one of the nine so-called ‘Divines*’ as they are referred to by the Joor, the mortals of Skyrim.”

“So, what other divines are there?” Cadance raised a reluctant hoof.

“I truly know only one other of the ‘Divines,’ a being named Kynareth,” Odahviing gave a slight grin, “it was with her permission that Paarthurnax was allowed to teach the Thu’um to the Joor, to the mortals of Tamriel, and in doing so, allowed for the defeat of my former leader, Alduin the Duaan, the ‘World-Eater.”

“Who’s Alduin?” Rainbow Dash frowned.

“An Apt question to come from a Malkey, a pony,” the dragon laughed, “Alduin the Duaan, or in your tongue, the World-Eater, my former ruler and leader of all Dovah, all Dragons of Tamriel, he always was the arrogant with his power, as was the way of the First-Born of Akatosh,” he smiled, “but there was a , shall I say, opposition, to his will? There were Nord heroes who used a Kel, and Elder Scroll, to banish him through time itself.”

“They sent him into the future?” Luna blinked.

“Not intentionally,” Odahviing sighed with a slight ‘rasp,’ “it was due to the efforts of those heroes that Skyrim and all of Tamriel was, for a time, saved, but eventually, Alduin  returned, and so to, did his destiny as the Duaan.”

“But he was stopped, right?” Twilight gave a nervous giggle.

“Eventually, yes, once upon Paarthurnax’s Strunmah, his mountain, as it were, and again in the land of the dead, in Sovngarde,” he grumbled, again.

“You want to the land of the dead?” Cellsy gasped.

“Not by choice,” I shrugged, “someone had to do it, so why not me, he who was destined to defeat Alduin?”

“But, how did you get there?” Twilight stared at me, gaping.

“Magic, both figuratively and literally,” I beamed.

“I guess you had no other choice, huh?” she smiled with a sly wink, Odahviing glanced toward me eye-ride raised, I shook my head at him.

“So who created us then if Akatosh created you?” the lavender mare gave a forlorn glanced toward me, then turned to face the dragon in question;

“My guess would lead toward Kynareth,” Odahviing smirked, “she is the strongest of the ‘Sky Spirits*’ and the goddess of the air, heavens and sky, it is from her doing that you ponies were brought into being, as was the same for all peaceful beings of nature.”

“But what about Lulania…?” Cadance tilted her head;

“Ah, you know of the ‘All-Maker,’ as the Skaal refer to her as?” Odahviing hummed “she is mostly null in form, but she has been known to take the form of either a Malkey, a pony, or a Jul, a human. It was she who bought life to both ‘The Divines,’ and ‘The Aedra,’ and, in turn, the Daedra,’ and, eventually, all Gods and Demigods alike”

“But that would mean that Rick’s the co-creator of the universe!” Twilight shrieked “if it weren’t for their meeting, we wouldn’t be here!”

“So you wouldn’t little pony,” Lulania appeared via telepor5taion in a small eruption of light, standing beside Twilight; “It was when I created a lifeless universe, free of all planets, with only stars, constellations and nebulae as its population, that I fell impregnated, and yet, that same impregnation lacked a ‘Spark,’ or ‘Essence’ so to speak, I created Earth, and with it, all species that came to live upon its surface, in its skies, and under its oceans, it was then that I duplicated myself, constantly changing form with the passing ages  and era’s alike that I met Rick, and thus, I found the spark, and the essence along with it, and so, when the clone re-fused with me, that was when I gave birth to the gods of the universe, who then made their own planets, galaxies and the like, complete with their own population and species of both flora and fauna, the rest is history as clear as Crystal.”

“And nobody on Earth suspects a damn thing!” Blaze burst into a fit of laughter.

“Quite so,” Lulania giggled.

“And that’s why I’m the reason for my own existence,” I laughed. “It’s an alternate ‘Bootstrap Paradox.’”

“That means you’re technically related to everyone and everything that exists, will exist, or has done so before passing on, Rick,” Blaze stifled a row of laughter, biting her lip as she did so.

“Well, there go my morals involving anything to do with coitus,” I shuddered.

“Dad, what’re morals?” Ember tilted her head, having since perched herself upon my shoulder.

“They’re basically a person’s sense of right and wrong, my little Ember,” I smiled.

“Oh, Ok then,” she giggled, climbing upon my head.

“You seem to be taking this all-too rather well, Sir Rick.” Lulania smiled, pecking my cheek with a faint grin.

“It’ll kick in eventually,” I beamed, “if I gave you the ‘Spark,’ does that make me… Y’know?”

“You and you alone, are the co-creator of the universe,” she nodded.

“And yet I lack the ability to hold such a title,” I chortled.

“Do you?” she raised an eyebrow, beaming, “before we were separated, I placed a fraction of my power –a fifth at most, into your core, as it were, all you’ve to do is wish for it to surface, my little eon. I should warn you, however, that it is a deterrent force that should only be used sparingly, and therefor shouldn’t be wasted on common foot-soldier-level opponents.”

“Well that explains a lot,” Blaze guffawed, “no offense, Rick…”

“None taken, Blaze,” I smiled, “Besides, it had to be explained eventually as to where most of my power comes from, right?”

“Indeed,” Lulania nickered, “I’ll see you later,” and with that, she vanished, teleporting elsewhere.

“Well, this has been quite the revelation,” Cellsy and the others stared at me, “what?”

“You’re the co-creator of the universe…” Twilight mumbled.

“So I am…” I hummed, glancing toward the sky, where Odahviing now circled the heavens above the mountaintop, eventually flying into the distance.

“So, you’re a demigod, and yet you’re the forerunner for all gods, and therefore, all beings in existence,” Blaze smirked, “do I count as a being created by Kynareth?”

“I suppose there’s only one way to find out,” I clicked my shoulders, “and she just left, so it means we’re going to have to wait,” I added, changing to eon form, Ember moving to my back as Snowdrop, Scootaloo, Gracy Gloom, Winter Bell and Honey Heart hovered beside me.

“Are we ready?” I glanced toward Snowdrop

Snowdrop and the others nodded; “Ready when you are Daddy,” they chorused, soaring down the mountain, Snowdrop flying above me with Winter Bell and Scootaloo on my left side, and Gracy Gloom and Honey Heart opposite them, Winter Bell and Honey Heart breaking formation, performing corkscrews as they glided with me toward Ponyville, Scootaloo and Gracy Gloom doing the same as Snowdrop accelerated somewhat as I sped up, the five of them flying close as they could to me without actually making contact.

A barrier-like ‘shield’ began to form before us as we gradually changed direction back toward the heavens, breaking as we rocketed through the sky, the five fillies breaking off and soaring across in front of me, landing on my back as I headed back toward Canterlot, forming a rainbow trail behind me that, instead of the usual prismatic design, was a mix of icy-blue, snow-white, Whitish-Golden-Yellow, Pitch/Matte-black, Vivid-crimson, and pale/rust orange mixed with a vibrant-Magenta shade of colour, all fused into a single, multi-layered rainbow design behind us…

“That was…” Rainbow Dash stared at me, quite visibly awestruck as we landed in the gardens, “How…?”

“Magic,” I laughed, glancing back toward Ember, “are you alright, Ember?”

“That was awesome!” Ember cheered with a sense of pride in her voice “can we do it again Dad?”

“Maybe another time, perhaps,” I chuckled, “

“It appears that you’ve attained another level of the ‘Sonic-Rainboom,’” Celestia smiled.

“Perhaps, perhaps not,” I shrugged as my family landed beside me, safely landing with all four paws/hooves on the ground, reverting to human form with a grin.

“But that can’t be possible! I invented it!” Rainbow Dash growled.

“Or maybe it’s us eons that invented it, and just wished for it to be erased from history?” I shrugged.

“Correct,” Faust smiled, “it is you who made the spell, and it is you who shall continue to do so until the end of your species.

“I wonder where the changelings come from,” Autumn Heart hummed.

“My guess would be the humans who stayed on Equis, which were then morphed into the Flutter-ponies, and then mutated by one of the elements of creation into what they are now,” I hummed.

“How did you..?” Faust gaped, awing at me with a somewhat mortified expression, standing beside her elemental comrades; I raised an eyebrow, “they were corrupt, they had to be dealt with; surely you understand?”

“So, rather than trying to give them a chance to change their ways through your little ‘Harmony Squad,’ as Midnight Rose called it, you just alter them to your whim? And you said that they were corrupt yes? Well, I’ve a question for you, what makes you so much better?” glancing behind me, I saw Natsu, Grey, Erza and Wendy, staring at me in apparent awe

“And who are you to oppose me, should we choose to remove your titles here on Equis, you are but nought to us, a pest that is about ready to be disposed of!” she snarled.

“I have decency, I have a heart, mind and soul, I have a family to look after and care for,” I snapped, “and at least I know how and when to give people a second chance, Element of Life. That being said, someone has to take out the prideful, arrogant trash, don’t they?”

“You’ve got nothing!” she boomed.

“I’ve got the balls to stand up for what I think is right, rather than to take that of which is most important away from someone because I feel like it, Faust, if that is your name.” I smirked.

“You are but a flaw in the universe, Rick, you always were the one to change things for the worse,” she snorted derisively.

“This coming from a shit-streak of a pony who mutated an entire species for her own gain?” I laughed, “Besides, if you’ve a problem with me, instead of whining for days on end, how about you actually get off your arse and do something about it? That is, if you feel like you’ve got the balls.”

“Are you questioning my power?” she growled.

“So, Power-Hungry, corrupt and arrogant and prideful?” I beamed, turning and walking away, my family quickly following me alongside Autumn Heart, Blaze, Blackjack, Littlepip and Velvet Remedy, “It’s like my actual Nakama are the only ones I don’t have any problem with…”

---

When I’d ‘calmed down,’ I headed with my friends family and the four Fairy Tail Wizards into the throne room alongside Twilight, her friends, Crystal and Angel.

“A moment please,” Celestia raised a hand, both her and Luna standing opposite one another in their anthro forms, horns ablaze with golden-primrose and cobalt-blue aura’s respectively; I’m playing ball with my sister…”

“But… Where’s the ball..?” Natsu, Wendy, and Twilight blinked;

All of a sudden, the earth shook as the sky seeming roared with a definite shaking

“You aren’t….” Blaze mumbled, glancing toward me, I shrugged.

“It appears that the ‘ball’ would seem to be a series of nearby planets,” I hummed, “I’m just wondering if said planets have any sentient life on them…”

“I wonder if you could do that, Daddy,” Snowdrop lay atop my head, comfortably perched between my horns.

“Highly unlikely, unless of course all of said power is in that Soul dew I have locked away in the lounge.” I raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the icy-blue filly with a curious expression, “what d‘ya reckon we should do with it?”

“Try consuming it,” she giggled.

“Now isn’t that a risky option?” I smiled as the earth rumbled again.

“I was just trying to suggest something that might help you get your old powers back,” she gave a faint smile.

“And I thank you for it, my little Snowflake,” I beamed, changing to eon form as the other of my ‘Next-of-Kin’ leapt onto my neck and back respectively.

“We love you Daddy,” the six of them chimed,

“And I love you, my little family,” I glimmered.

“So, about that Soul Dew…” Blaze grinned, I winked, retrieving said Gemstone from my inventory, said gemstone then hovered in place before me, pulsating with crimson light.

“So,” the Soul Dew began, “you wish to absorb my power, and rightfully take back what is yours? Then come and get it!” and with that, the pulsating erupted into a blinding beam of energy that struck me straight in the chest-symbol,. My family quickly landing on the floor as I reverted to human form, Triggering both ‘Dragon Force’ and ‘Lightning-Flame Dragon Mode,’ devouring the magic energy as it came from the shining orb.

“So, you’ve done it,” the Soul Dew laughed as I collapsed to my knees in agony, “you’ve gone and absorbed all my power- no, all of your power, use it well, will you, Rick?” I collapsed to my front, grimacing with pain racking throughout my body in a series of excruciating waves as ‘Dragon Force’ was torn away from me.

“Let the pain run its work, for you are stronger than you’ve ever been before,” the orb floated down to my side, “you always were a reckless being, Y’know that? Always willing to take risks and make the ultimate sacrifice what you felt was right, and I’m glad to see that that part of you hasn’t been altered any during your warping to Earth, and you’re reverting to an infantile state, Rick.”

“Is that it?” I mumbled in varying degrees of pain, barely managing to stagger to my feet, ‘restarting’ ‘Dragon Force,’ bursting into Whitish Golden Flames, the Whitish-Golden-Yellow aura overwhelming me completely, “Hardly felt a thing,” I laughed, my attire changing with the aura to that of an open-fronted waistcoat which had black trimmings, with black-ringed ‘False-Clockwise’ trousers/bottoms with heavy-duty boots a dozen blood/dark-crimson dragon-head-shaped entities appeared in a ring behind me, hovering in place.

“The third Stage of Dragon Slayer magic, disregarding basic-level magic…!” Blaze stared at me in horror alongside Twilight and her friends, Spike included; “How d‘ya feel?”

“Like I can change everything,” I beamed, bursting into flames that enveloped my already-present aura; that of which erupted into a great pillar of fire that burst through the many layers of the castle above me.

“So, you’ve awakened it then, Lulania appeared besides Faust, Firefly, Iris, Galaxia an Celestia in a grand burst of light, standing beside Luna and Cellsy, “you’re ‘Dragon Soul’ has finally emerged in its grandest state, Rick, use it wisely.”

“I say it’s about time,” Firefly laughed, now I can fight him seriously!”

“Me, fight you?” I chortled, “Unless I’ve a good reason for it, I remain chivalrous, or I’d like to think as much anyways.”

“And thus you remain weak, even in that state,” she snorted with a smug grin.

“So long as I can protect those of whom I care about, I don’t care how weak or strong I am, Firefly,” I grinned.

“And so you do,” Iris smiled, “congratulations on retrieving your previous being’s powers, Rick.”

“I too, wish to congratulate you on your attainment of your old ‘prowess,’ so to speak,” Galaxia nickered, “Can you change back?”

---

It took a while, but I eventually grasped the ability to change between forms, “That took long enough,” Blaze smirked.

“So it did, Blaze,” I smirked.

“Uh, Rick,” Autumn Heart nodded upward, gesturing toward the ceiling.

Looking toward the now-present/large hole in the ceiling, I saw a rather frightened pony staring right at me;

“Coco..?” I blinked

“Didn’t know she was still here,” Blaze hummed, glancing toward me “she here for you or her own business?”

“Rick?” Coco Pommel blinked, leaping from the hole, and into my arms.

“How cliché, the damsel falling into the hero’s arms,” Blaze laughed, I shot her an icy glare.

“I didn’t know you were visiting, Rick,” Coco nuzzled into me as I set her down, sitting beside me.

“Yeah, we were hoping to get the ‘drop’ on you, but it appears that you got us instead,” Blaze cackled somewhat insanely.

“So it does,” she giggled, climbing up my back and pecking my cheek, “my little eon…”

“Look out below!” a familiar, snow-white pony with a burgundy mane and tail yelled, prompting me to dive forward, catching her.

“Palette Swap,” I blinked, “what’re you doing here?”

“I was with Coco helping her design a new set of clothing when that hole suddenly appeared,” Palette Swap pointed toward the hole in the ceiling.

“Fair Do’s,” I smiled, setting her down on the floor, albeit, carefully.

“Also, I’ve something I’d like to say to you, if you don’t mind,” she winked a little slyly, “I’ve heard Coco Pommel sing your praises for the past week, and I have to admit, I envy you, not for any of your abilities or the like, but because of who you are, and… well… I love you…”

“Well,” I blinked “that’s a new one…”

“How is it new?” Blaze grinned “there was one point that I heard about where you had the whole of Ponyville chasing after you at one point, wasn’t there?”

“One time Blaze, and one time only,” I frowned.

“Oh… I’m sorry for my intrusion then…” Palette Swap muttered, beginning to walk past me, only for me to stop her with a gentle hand on her shoulder as I crouched down to her level, placing my lips against hers as she turned, she quickly wrapped her arms around my neck, forcing me onto my rear as she parted.

“Well, what happens now, my little eon?” Palette Swap grinned, quickly placing a hoof over my mouth as I began to speak, “never you mind anything, I just figured it out…!”

-=-=-=-

“Are you serious?” Blaze and Natsu shared a laugh.

“Really, Rick, you do let the strangest things happen” Autumn Heart giggled, pecking my cheek, “even if one of those things is letting basically every mare in the room have their way with you,”

“I don’t see anyone else complaining,” Blaze smirked.

“I wasn’t complaining,” Autumn Heart climbed onto my back, loosely hanging her arms around my neck as she began to nibble on my ear.

“I probably don’t want to know…” I mumbled.

“Basic pony-based foreplay,” Cellsy smirked, the dominant ones often begin by nibbling or gently biting on the other one’s ear.”

“Is it awkward enough that I don’t care?” I gleamed.

“You’re letting her do that, to ‘dominate’ you, so to speak?” Firefly laughed.

“She’s my wife, I’ve a right to care for her don’t I?” I felt a sudden thud as Autumn Heart landed on the floor, her hoof twitching every now and then.

“She just fainted,” Blaze grinned, “now what do you plan to do?”

“I’m your wife am I?” Autumn Heart’s face suddenly appeared right before me “Well, in that case, I do,”

“What?” I blinked

“‘I do,’ meaning; ‘I will marry you,’” she beamed,” is that alright, my darling Rick?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” I smiled, pecking the tip of her horn with a smile.

“I now declare you to be colt and mares,” Cellsy smiled, “you may kiss the bride.”

Autumn Heart glanced toward Celestia, beaming; then turned back to me, draping her arms around my neck, Palette Swap and Coco Pommel leant into me, pecking either cheek as I draped a wing around either of them.

“So, where do we live then?” Palette Swap winked,

“I shall fund for any changes that may be necessary to your home, Rick,” Cellsy winked.

“Thank you, Princess,” Coco Pommel bowed alongside Palette Swap.

“There is no need to be so formal, I am merely doing what I feel is right for you four,” the solar goddess beamed.

=-=-=-=

After the house had been extended further, and the additions to each of the rooms having been dealt with, Palette Swap and Coco Pommel quickly grew accustomed to their new rooms, and to the rather cavernous art room that’d been merged with the previous one.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Coco Pommel cooed as she stood beside Palette Swap and Autumn Heart, nuzzling into me.

“Much like Autumn Heart and Palette Swap,” I grinned.

“What about me?” she blinked.

“You’re adorable, there’s not much more that needs to be said,” I shrugged.

“Thank you, Rick,” she climbed upon my back, pecking my cheek as she loosely wrapped her arms around my neck.

“-=-”

“So, have fun?” Crystal smirked.

“Somewhat,” I gleamed. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m just curious as to how you ended up with the whole town chasing you, my little eon,” she winked as we stood/hovered in the throne room once again.

“I’m guessing it had something to do with a local Heat-Wave,’” Celestia giggled, “they always happen this time of year, especially to Earth-Ponies.”

“Because they’re more connected to the earth and therefore, nature, right?” Snowdrop chimed.

“That is correct,” Faust smiled, “speaking of nature, I’ve something to say to you, Rick;” she added, beaming, “every time you use your new power, and your new form, you ascend unto god-like levels of power, and thus, become an ‘Element of Creation.’”

“So, he’s a ‘Demi-Demigod,’ where the demi is both in on itself, and the ‘God’ part,” Blaze chortled.

“Quite so,” Firefly gleamed. “His power ascended far enough to be called as such, but is therefore a deterrent force, as Fust and Lulania may or may not have stated before.”

“I bet Makarov’s gonna go mental upon hearing that,” she laughed.

“Most likely,” I nodded slightly, Honey Heart having perched herself safely between my horns with a wide grin.

“So, what’s that you keep saying about not being a god?” she smirked.

“So what if I am? It’s only temporary, Blaze,” I simpered.

“Try using it now then,” she folded her arms, I did, initiating the god-like abilities via use of ‘Dragon Soul’ and ‘Dragon Force,’” Not bad…”

“I don’t see what’s so great about me, I mean; Natsu beat a God-Slayer, Laxus beat one of the Ten Wizard-Saints, Wendy can use ‘Dragon Force,’ Ember can use ‘Dragon Soul,’ and Erza beat one hundred demonic entities, at least thirty of which were S-class,” I explained in a somewhat-indifferent manner.

“That little girl,” Cellsy pointed a hoof toward the Sky Dragon-Slayer, “can use Dragon Force?”

“Basically,” I smiled.

“Please tell me you’re joking…” she mumbled.

“Nope,” I beamed.

“But don’t you have Lightning-Flame Dragon Mode’?” Cadance blinked.

“As does Natsu,” I raised an eyebrow.

“But thou hath magmatic abilities, dost thou not/” Luna stepped forward

“And in an alternate universe, so does someone else,” I rolled my eyes, “not to be rude or anything, but whatever I’ve done, someone else in the universe has probably already done it. That being said, I doubt it’d be a pony, no offense.”

“Explain,” Celestia frowned.

“I can’t imagine a pony with Magma-based abilities, fire, maybe, but not magma.” I bit my lip.

“So be it,” she nickered.

“So, you’re a god?” Blaze patted my back with a wide grin.

“Apparently so…” I mumbled.

“So, what happens now?” Blackjack placed a fragile hoof on my side.

“That is indeed the question, Blackie,” I smiled.

“So, do we keep quiet about this or reveal it to all?” Littlepip giggled, standing beside me, leaning into my side.

“Keep it quiet,” I winked, “there’s few outside of Equestria who’d believe it anyways, my Littlepip.”

“So they wouldn’t, my little Eon,” she smiled.

“We could keep a secret, my little Ricky-o,” Crystal and Angel shared a light giggle.

“Of course, you can,” I rolled my eyes.

“So enters the Fourth-Generation of Dragon-Slayers,” Velvet Remedy smiled as Ilona and Winter Bell hovered on either side of me, surrounded by Snowdrop and the others.

“Indeed it does, my little Remedy,” I grinned.

“‘Fourth Generation’..?”  Celestia blinked.

“First-generation are those who are taught magic by a dragon; Second-Generation are those who have it implanted via Dragon-Lacrima, Third-Generation who have it both taught and implanted into them, and Fourth-Generation are those who gain it through genetics and/or inherit it from their parents.” I explained, beaming.

“You mean to say that Snowdrop and the others with you are…?”  Celestia gaped, glancing toward each of my family in turn…

“We’re all Dragon-Slayers!” Honey Heart chimed alongside Snowdrop and the others as I ‘disengaged’ ‘Dragon-Soul.’

“So, who else can use ‘Dragon Force?” Celestia shuddered a little.

“There’s me, Blaze, Wendy, Natsu, Rogue, Sting, and I think that’s it, for now…” I smirked.

“I wouldn’t say that Wendy needs ‘Dragon Force’ though,” Blaze grinned, “if she uses ‘Vernier,’ Arms;’ and ‘Armor,’ her breath attack is just as strong as your ‘Lightning-Flame Dragon’s Roar’!”

“You’re joking…!” Natsu, Grey and Celestia gawked toward the Sky-Dragon-Slayer.

“Yeah, when they were going to activate the mechanism which would’ve eradicated all of Fiore’s magic,” I frowned, “yet, somehow, she and Carla managed to do the impossible…”

“And you also did the impossible by saving them from the subsequent explosion;” she gleamed, “your ability to fly through reality and then back again saved their lives.”

“I just so happened to be there, nothing more, nothing less,” I barked, changing to eon form,

“So you say, but we both know that you went with her to make sure she ‘pulled through,’ so to speak” Blaze grinned.

“Eh, think what you will..!” I was silenced as the Sky Dragon-Slayer walked toward me, pecked my cheek, and climbed onto my back, beginning to gently scratch behind my ears, which I leant into, unfortunately.

“You have that form only for entertainment purposes, dontcha Rick?” she beamed. “Getting beaten by a little girl again?”

“This ‘Little Girl’ just so happened to have defeated one of the nine demons of Tartaros from the Book of Zeref,” I glimmered.

“So she did,” the Typhlosion laughed.

“She did WHAT!?” Twilight bellowed; I shot her an icy glare as Wendy clung onto me.

“I think the phrase I should be saying to you is, ‘You’re outclassed here,’” I chortled.

“But she’s…” she rapidly shook her head “she’s just a little girl!”

“Even her size hasn’t changed due to everyone in Equestria having the same longevity and near-immortality, she’s around thirty,” I raised an eyebrow.

“You do realize she’s riding you like an equine, right?” Natsu grinned.

“Like you’re one to talk, remember that time with Asuka?” I laughed.

“That’s different…” he mumbled.

“Really? How so..?” I folded my arms as Wendy released her iron, vice-like grip on me, lightly pinching the corner of my ear, ‘tweaking’ it slightly.

“Well, that was part of a challenge, besides, it was only for a day,” he grinned from ear to ear.

“As you say, Salamander,” I beamed, Wendy having chosen now-of-all-times to lie along my neck, placing the side of her head atop mine, using me as a bed-and-pillow.

“So, how long do you plan on keeping her up there?” Grey grinned.

“As long as she wants to,” I shrugged, “So long as she’s safe, I see no problem in her actions.”

“So, you do care?” Blaze smirked.

“Of course I do, she’s one of my Nakama, why wouldn’t I?” I growled.

“Nakama..?” Wendy bolted upright, staring down at me, eyes like pinpricks, “I’m you’re..?”

Without warning, she leapt from my back to the floor, spun on her heel/toes so she stood before me; and then placed her lips upon my own, giving my chin area a light scratch afterward, I promptly collapsed to the floor.

“I didn’t think she had it in her…” Natsu burst into a fit of laughter, Wendy, playfully, poked her tongue at him, taking me by the claw and dragging me from the room.

“Help me…!” I groaned.

“Why’re you complaining?” Blaze beamed.

“I Dunno, why am I complaining?” I laughed, quickly being dragged through the castle’s front gates to the gardens, specifically, in a small clearing behind a tree and a few large bushes, rolling me onto my back, sitting upon my stomach as I lay against the tree-trunk…

-=-

“So, how’d ya take it?” Blaze grinned.

“I hope that’s rhetorical, Blaze,” I frowned.

“And why should it be?” she beamed, Snowdrop having perched herself atop my head, whereas Gracy Gloom lay along my neck, and the others were positioned on my back.

“Because I have foals on board,” I glanced toward my ‘Next-of-Kin,’” one shouldn’t need to hear things at such an age. That being said… How strange can things get?”

“Rick, you woke Cellsy with a love song; Twice,” Crystal laughed.

“I was bored, a’right?” I scowled.

“So, anyways, on a completely different topic…” she beamed. “Is there a reason as to why there’s enough bottle caps in you inventory to make a series of sleigh bells?”

“You have sleigh bells?” Angel grinned.

“Don’t get any funny ideas…” I grumbled.

“Why not, we’re red and white, you have makeshift ‘sleigh-bells,’ and I’m sure Cellsy has a chariot large enough to serve as a sleigh!” she chimed.

“It’s not even winter…” I muttered, “Besides, who’s going to paint the chariot in the first place, and this is assuming I’m even up for the idea.” She grinned, raising an eyebrow at me “I’m not pulling that thing Y’know!?”

“Why not..? You’d make an excellent reindeer!” Crystal grinned from ear-to-ear, “Besides, someone has to do it.”

“You’re serious?” I blinked, she smirked. “So you are…”

“So, are we going to do it then?” Angel giggled

“You’re not getting me to pull that chariot, sleigh/thing, whatever you call it,” I growled.

“Aww, don’t be such a kill-joy!”  she laughed.

“And don’t forget, you already wore reigns once, didn’t you?” Blaze smirked, beaming from ear-to-ear; “Thanks to Littlepip anyways.”

“Oh?” Crystal gave a wide, smug, grin, “Where are they now?”

“Destroyed,” I snorted, “you didn’t really think I’d keep them, right?”

“You’ve proved yourself stranger in the past, so I wouldn’t really be surprised,” she raised an eyebrow.

“So I have,” I nodded as Wendy clambered safely to the ground.

I reverted to human form, beginning to focus my magical energy into my now-clenched fists, grinning as twin spheres of pure, un-diluted darkness appeared around them

“So, the same power from three centuries ago as unearthed, itself; hmm?” Blaze raised an eyebrow.

“But I thought you had all of the Dark magic extracted from your very being!? What are you up to?” Celestia scowled.

“Dark by nature, not by element, Celestia,” I quickly bowed.

“I wonder, j7ust how many elements do you have?” Crystal smiled.

=-=

“Once I was back in the new form, with the now-prismatic/rainbow-coloured spherical dragon heads floating behind me

“Fire,” I began as the middle-left head opened its maw, charging up a large fireball, “Ice, Wind, Water, Thunder, Light, and Shadow, Rise…!” as I spoke, the other orbs opened, creating multi-coloured fireballs respectively as I inhaled, exhaling alongside the ‘Dragon-Orbs,’; creating a devastation/titanic breath attack that annihilated the crowds areas of the arena, travelling at supersonic speeds toward the East “Endymion Dragon’s Roar..!”

“Is this…! The power of a god…!?” Blaze echoed standing beside me with a somewhat disturbed expression.

“And that was without ‘Second Origin,’” I laughed, reverting to normal.

“And that was also with most of your Dragon-Slayer magic sealed away…!” Blaze awed, gaping at me as the others made their approach, Grey Natsu and Erza having left for the guild.

“So it was,” Celestia, Luna and Cellsy shared a nervous glance, “Perhaps you should have it sealed?”

“If it’s what’s necessary, so be it,” I nodded, with a flash of light their horns tapped upon my chest and head.

“’tis done, Rick.” Luna smiled, “thou should rest a moment, as the slight amount of weariness should be taking effect at any moment.”

“That’s certainly not a joke,” I collapsed onto my arse as I staggered, Snowdrop and the others leaping toward me, colliding with me at great speed, knocking me to the ground.

“You’re brilliant Daddy!” Honey Heart gleamed, “I hope to be as strong as you someday!”

“And so do I!” Snowdrop chimed.

“Me too!” Winter Bell chorused.

“I’d also like to be like you someday,” Scootaloo almost cheered, nuzzling into me alongside the others.

“You’ve a fan-base,” Blaze grinned.

“So I do, Blaze, so I do,” I laughed.

“Just like the question ‘Knowledge, speed, or power?’ eh Rick?” Blaze winked.

“I choose knowledge or speed, power is nothing, if you don’t have the knowledge of how to control it, let alone actually use it*,” I smirked, “besides, hit fast and punch hard, it actually gets things done; or at least, it can do.”

“You’ve got the form of a pony, haven’t you?” she beamed.

“Probably, I mean, even if I have, I’ve certainly never used it,” I shrugged.

“Do it,” she chortled.

“Nope,” I smirked.

“Why not,” she blinked.

“One word, Blaze, Arvak,” I grinned.

“You’re not going to…” she gaped.

“No, not now, maybe on Nightmare Night,” I winked.

“So, there’s no chance of showing your pony form?” she gave me her best ‘puppy-dog’ eyes.

“Alright, but just this once, and that’s even assuming I have one,” I grumbled, my form changing with a small eruption of light to that of a large Matte/Pitch-black stallion with a crystalline horn and solid and/or holographic wings with a dark, blackish-grey and poison green mane and tail with glowing neon green highlights running through both.

“So, that’s your new form,” Blaze smiled, “I must ask, are you an alicorn, a Pegasus or a unicorn?”

“Both a Pegasus and unicorn, but at the same time, neither, for both wings and horn are, or at least, seem to be, artificial, so technically, I’m just a deformed earth pony,” I laughed, Wendy choosing now of all times to climb onto my back, patting the back of my head with a gentle hand.

“Where do you wish to go?” I glanced toward the young Dragon-Slayer.

“Home, back to the guild,” Wendy smiled, and so, I took off, with the ‘Lady of Sky’ clinging onto me as I glided toward Ponyville

--=--

When I landed back onto solid ground with a light tap, I trotted into the guild hall.

“Thank you,” Wendy smiled again, giving a light giggle as she clambered safely to the floor, pecking my cheek, by now, all eyes were on me, even that of Makarov himself.

“Just be careful, and stay safe, Ok?” I chuckled.

“I will,” she giggled, (again?)

“So, who’s the new guy?” A certain sniper-wizard beamed.

“Why don’t we ask?” the woman next to him smirked.

“Alzack and Bisca, was it?” I grinned,

“How do you…?” Alzack gasped, my reverting to normal shut him up.

“So, why were you in that form?” Bisca laughed.

“I was just being considerate is all,” I chortled, “There’s nothing to it really.”

“So you say,” she grinned from ear-to-ear as Natsu Erza and Grey walked into the hall.

“Did anybody catch the pony that’s just walked in here?” Grey smirked, everyone minus Makarov pointed toward me as I changed to eon form, Wendy climbing back onto my being

“So, you give rides now?” Alzack glimmered.

“To friends and family, maybe,” I winked.

“Well, it’s only logical that Wendy’s with you now,” he smiled, “she hasn’t stopped talking about you since you left, Singing your praises every now and then, just what did you two get up to during your various missions?”

“Doing what we’re supposed to do,” I shrugged, “with both speed and efficiency, might I add?”

“So you say,” Bisca beamed, “I reckon there’s something going on that we’ve yet to find out, isn’t there?”

“What makes you say that?” I laughed; she pointed toward my head, where Wendy wa lying along my neck, resting her head side-on to the top of mine, “Fair play…”

-=-=-

“So, what other items do you have in your inventory?” Celestia smiled.

“Well, there’s always this,” I ‘retrieved’ a certain ancient, legendary bow from my inventory

“Ah yes, Auriel’s Bow,” Blaze began, beaming, “A legendary artefact of Tamriel, Crafted by the Anui-EL and then wielded by Auri-EL in an equally legendary battle during the Dawn-Era.”

“I’d never of thought such an item to have existed,” Cellsy glimmered, perhaps I should get out more, explore the universe every now and again.”

“And you’d probably be surprised as to where the bow gets its mythic power form, Princess,” I gleamed.

“Where?” she giggled, I simply pointed upward, having returned to the castle nce Wendy and I had parted ways, returning with my family, Blackjack and the others separating ways also, if only temporarily.

“The sky,” Rainbow Dash grinned

“Higher?” I smirked.

“Is it the moon?” Twilight nickered.

“Similar distance, now think oppositely,” I winked.

“It gets its power from the sun?” Celestia stared at me as if I’d grown an extra head.

“Well, yes, and no,” I laughed, “It gains its power from Aetherius itself, using the sun itself as a ‘solar-gateway,’ so to speak.”

“How is such a thing possible?” she blinked.

“Well, the one who wielded it in the war was said to be a demigod, and the ones who created it were, in turn, gods or could be considered such.” I explained, smiling.

“And what may be the reason for its oh-so faint, yet oh-so dazzling glow?” Luna awed at the artefact, eyeing it from end-to-end.

“It’s enchanted to do triple damage toward undead, whatever that might be, skeletons, Draugr, zombies, ghouls, all dead, be it peacefully or otherwise…”

“Draugr..?” Twilight shuddered.

“Zombies, basically, only Nordic,” I scoffed, “they inhabit most of Skyrim’s dungeons, which are otherwise inhabited by bandits, Frostbite Spiders, Skeevers other forms of the undead, necromancers, fiendish-spellcasters , and the like.”

“Such an amazing thing of beauty…” Rarity gawked at the ancient weapon, “Where did you say it’s from?”

“Part of my adventures with the Dawnguard,” I simpered.

“I just thought of something,” Blaze glanced toward me with a malevolent grin. “Celestia Dawnbreaker, how’s that sound?”

“You’re naming a solar goddess after a light-based weapon?” I raised an eyebrow, she shrugged, “What do you think, Princess?”

“I’d be honoured,” Celestia giggled, “But I must ask, what is this ‘Dawnbreaker’ you speak of?”

“Oh this..?” I unsheathed the Daedric blade, which shone with the light of one-thousand suns from hilt to the tip of the blade, “it’s just another Daedric artefact,” I laughed, “I had two, but I changed the other one to the Duskfall.”

“Why does it shine like that?” she gaped, gawking toward the ebony blade with shock-and-awe.

“Magic,” I replied with a faint grin, “it’s enchantments to do extra damage to undead, and then trap their souls into soul gems, which are then, in turn, used in enchantments, or it recharge its own enchantment

“Like necromancy?” she frowned.

“I don’t think Meridia would approve of such a thing,” I laughed, again.

“Ah yes, the Daedra you mentioned before,” she smiled, “how did you get into contact with such a being?”

“I found her beacon, that of which I used to eradicate the shades from her monastery.”

“I’ll bet you did,” Blaze chortled.

“Blaze, she’s a demigod, and secondly, I don’t she’d go for someone like me,” I blinked, “Damnit…”

“So, what do you plan to do with the crown?” she grinned.

“What crown?” I blinked.

“The Aetherium Crown of course!” she cheered, patting my back with a somewhat-affectionate paw.

“Oh, that thing,” I rolled my eyes, bringing a mild-golden crown with cyan-coloured gemstones embedded into it from my inventory.

“What other artefacts do you have?” Autumn Heart laughed softly.

“A few important ones, and a few, not-so important ones,” I smiled, bringing out a large crate from my inventory, placing it on the floor beside two others.

“‘A few’…?” she smirked.

“I was in Tamriel for a while, let’s leave it at that,” I winked.

“That’s a lot of gems,” she whistled upon opening the first crate; that of which was brimmed with crystals of varying types and sizes.

“Yeah well, I had a lot of work in a certain guild that needed to be done,” I chuckled.

“And what’s with these masks?” Rainbow Dash lifted an intricately carved mask from the second crate, glancing down at the others.

“Ancient Dragon Priests wore those masks; that of which are said to bend the laws of time itself,” I smirked.

“How…?” she blinked, I shrugged.

“Hell if I know, I just thought they’d sell for a good price in Tamriel, never did get to sell them though, oh well…” I exhaled sharply.

“And what’s with these?” She opened the third crate, glancing between several-dozen small/medium glass boxes, each filled with a different alchemical ingredient.

“Rick had quite the name for himself as n alchemist in Skyrim and Raven Rock.” Blaze smiled.

“Fake magic?” Twilight frowned.

“The only such things as fake magic is that of which has no heart, Sparky,” I grinned.

“Hexes, curses and the like are all fake, my magic, real magic, comes from within,” she placed a light hoof over where her heart was. “if you want to believe otherwise, I won’t stop you, Rick.”

“Be it faith fortune or prayer, all are a form of magic, so why should alchemy be any different? Is it because it comes from an outside source? Or because of the atrocities people have done using said magic? Either way, it’s magic, and all magic comes from a heart that believes, Sparky.” I chuckled.

“You had to paraphrase Makarov Dreyar?” Blaze chortled almost irately.

“I thought it’d help, if only a little,” I shrugged.

“Who’s Makarov?” Celestia blinked.

“The Fairy Tail Guildmaster,” I beamed.

“What’s he like?” she smiled.

“Strong, Smart, knows what he’s doing, also knows what to do and when and how to do it, perfect for the job,” I nodded.

“Speaking of ‘Fake-Magic,’ Blaze flashed a grin toward Twilight “does that mean your Thu’um is also a ‘Fake’ magicka, seeing as it originated from an outside source?”

“I daren’t question Paarthurnax’s wisdom, and let’s leave it at that,” I laughed.

“Fair do’s,” she smirked.

“Thu’um?” Celestia giggled.

“How do you think I summoned Odahviing?” I raised an eyebrow.

“You got that magic, from where exactly?” she gaped.

“It originated from the dragons, one of which, Paarthurnax, bequeathed it to the denizens of Tamriel, with the permission of Kynareth, of course.”

“What happened then?” she stepped forward, forming a crowd before me as I closed each of the crates, placing them back into my inventory, alongside the bow, standing alongside the others.

“The humans, three Nords in particular, used their newfound power against Alduin, defeating him, albeit, with the use of an ancient artefact, but that’s a story for another time.”

“Aww,” glancing around my feet, I saw Snowdrop and the others crowded around me, staring at me with ‘puppy-dog’ eyes, playfully pouting.

“Maybe later, Ok?”

“Ok Daddy, we love you,” the five of them chimed in unison, almost chorusing as they did so.

“And I you, my dear little family,” I smiled, “and I always will…” Snowdrop squee’d, hovering unto my head as Winter Bell and Gracy Gloom sat on either shoulder.

“Never thought you to be a storyteller, Rick.” Cellsy nickered, “Why the change?”

“Why would I change?” I simpered, “I’m just passing-on what I know, that’s all.”

“So you are,” she smiled with a nod, “Safe travels, my little Shmoopie.”

“Shmoopie,” Crystal frowned, “Rick’s my little eon, and that’s the end of it!”

“I’m different, so there’s always that,” she shot me an icy glare, cold as the core of the arctic circle during mid-winter, “Sorry…”

“I suppose you have a point, you are unique, there’s not a being like you in the universe, I reckon,” she smiled, pecking my cheek.

“Not true, per se,” Lulania cleared her throat with a slight wince, “there is another being, just as different from his kind as Rick is to yours, Crystal, he is a being that goes by the name of Takua, have you heard of him?”

“The Chronicler? Who hasn’t?” Crystal blinked, “last I heard, he was morphed into a toa, and then to a Titan-sized being, why?”

“Curiosity,” the all-maker smirked, “I see that you’re memory far surpasses my own, congratulations, Crystal.”

“Do not think of me as some animal that needs to be disposed of, pony, creator or not, you touch my little eon, and I will end you!” Crystal scolded the ancient goddess.

“And I don’t doubt that, which is why I severed our relationship short long ago, two-millennia ago, in fact.” Lulania snorted derisively.

“I’m all-too aware of your and Cellsy’s actions, pony,” she snapped, “can’t say I’m impressed with your childish actions, rather, quite the opposite.”

“A God falls for a human, or vice-versa, said god then leaves for elsewhere, creating other gods, demigods and the like as she goes, and then the god councils with her greatest, the rulers of sun and moon, who betray the human, causing him to fall into discord, eventually bringing us to where we are, no?” Blaze scowled.

“It’s almost mythic,” I shook my head, “And thus, I have another question…”

“What is it that plagues your thoughts, Sir Rick?”

“Do you, perhaps, know of a wise one known as ‘Holo’…?”