Author's Notes:

Apologies for taking too long to the... I don't know, seven people who like this story. Doing tons of things now a days. Fear of appendix bursting, moving to a new city, fighting KGB agents with a T-rex. You know, normal stuff. Anyway, you guys enjoy.

"Okay, let me get this straight. You want to help me, the wife of the dictator of the land, over throw your husband!?" Aaron said in utter disbelief. Nightmare merely returned his question with a nod of her head, her hooves touching the ground to be at almost eye level with him. She must have been seven feet tall, not counting her large mane. "Sooo... what do you want from me then? I'm more than positive that a deal like this is not free."

Nightmare chuckled to herself, circling Aaron like a predator. "I have my own reasons for what I do now. When I found your consciousness wandering the dream scape, it had peaked my interests. And imagine my surprise when I discovered that you were cavorting with that pesky princess to try and over throw him, I just knew I had to act."

"H-How did you know that? How do you know any of that?" Nightmare let out a second chuckle, this one with a little more volume.

"I know this, because I've walked through your mind. I've seen your memories, your thoughts, your fears, and your secrets." Aaron began to blush lightly at her statement. She knew things Aaron would not mention to anyone. But she was not here to embarrass him with his deepest secrets. If her words were true, she was here to assist him with Tirek.

"Alright then your highness. How do you plan on assisting me with this? Do you have a weapon of ultimate power, a magical McGuffin of sorts... maybe some super powers?" He was hoping for the last one. Aaron has always wanted super powers, ever since he discovered comic books.

Nightmare shook her head. "No. That would be foolish. Supernatural abilities bestowed upon you would not work. Tirek feeds on magic and gets stronger from such. Your task must be done without magic, unfortunately. However, a weapon could be useful but I know not of where to find one of such power to match a god king." Aaron was starting to feel like he joined a lost cause. "But there was something. Something long ago that could have stopped all of this, but something happened. Something that should not have."

"What do you mean? What is this thing? A mirror, a cage? Come on, don't leave me hanging?" Aaron said with much eagerness.

"A chest, if I'm not mistaken. Back before Tirek, Twilight and her friends discovered a chest when they relinquished the elements of harmony. Once they did, they were presented with a chest with six key holes. Five of the keys were found, but the sixth was not. I believe whatever happened long ago, did not come into being. So, whatever it was, that would be a good place to start on taking down Tirek. But not before you rescue the rest of Twilight's friends."

"Well, that's not so bad. Twilight and I have already found Applejack. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to assist us on some rescue missions. Twilight and I were on our way to rescue one called Rainbow Dash." Nightmare stopped her circling of Aaron and looked at him with a satisfied smile.

"That is most excellent news. Little more than a few hours in, with only your nude form and you have already found one of the missing elements of harmony. I can tell you're going to be a valuable investment." She snaps her fingers, the sound of the crack echoes through the forest and makes the tries begin to sway for a few seconds. Behind her, a small wooden table with two chairs appeared right out of nowhere, sitting at the base of the mirror like pond. "Please, let us discuss this over some tea. I'd like things to be a bit more... comfortable."

Aaron nodded in agreement, following her over to the table. Like a gentleman, he pulled her seat out for her, wanting to show his new ally respect. "Why thank you. A gentle stallion and a savior. I think I'm starting to like you more and more." Aaron took his seat and awaited for Nightmare to speak once more. "Now, who else do you have the whereabouts of?"

"Well, other than this Rainbow character, we have Fluttershy's location. That's... about it." Nightmare flicked her finger as a small tea cup formed before him. She motioned him to take a sip.

"Not all that bad for Miss Sparkle. I suppose that leaves Laughter and Generosity left. Well, I am happy to tell you I know of one of their locations."

"That's fantastic. The faster we can find them, the sooner we can get started on the take down."

"Quite so." Nightmare took a sip from her own glass. Aaron had no idea why she wanted to do this, the tea was blander than air. even water had more flavor than this stuff. "Anyway, the element of Laughter is located in Vanhoover, our industrial capital. It's where all of our synthetic magic production factories. Its not all that important to Tirek, but that doesn't mean that its not unguarded." Nightmare snapped her fingers once more to show a detailed drawing of a factory. It was much like the ones found on earth and in front of it had two stallions with wide smiles on the front. Most likely an homage to their egos.

"The factory is headed by two stallions dubbed Flim and Flam. They love making money more than anything else. I'm sure if you can find a way to appeal to their interests, they'd be more than happy to help. But they are no fools, they won't be handing over Laughter too willingly."

"What are they using her for anyway?"

Nightmare waved her hand over the image as it began to shift and change. This time, oddly enough, to a giant suped up hamster wheel. "Flim and Flam have found a way to use her massive amounts of energy as a power source for their productivity. Its quite remarkable to be honest. Flim and Flam do whatever they can to make sure she keeps running."

"Wait, so she's doing this willingly?"

"Indeed. She's more or less in the dark about the bigger picture. So willing is a stretch."

"Well, I'm sure I, or at least Twilight, can think of something that can get her out of their. Now, what about this Generosity character?" Aaron asked, wanting to get to the more valuable questions.

"Generosity, also known as Rarity, is in a location I know not where. I am sorry to inform you of such." Aaron shrugged. He was disappointed he couldn't learn the where about of Twilight's last friend, but he had at least one and that was something rather than nothing.

"Well, I thank you for what you have told me." Nightmare gave him her creepy smile and raised a tea cup to him and taking a sip."Now, as for what we do when we have all of Twilight's friends, what is the next plan of action?"

"A box." She stated that phrase as if he immediately knew what he was talking about. Aaron began to look around confused and shrugged to her, his eye's looking for any sign of a snicker or a fault in her composure to see if she was joking. "I know that look, and no. I am not joking. Out there is a box that contains powers from the source of the elements, bestowed upon Twilight and her friends, locked with six keys. Only five keys were found. Thus, this magic could not be used."

"Okay, so where is this McGuffin box of the gods? Some high tech safe maybe?"

"Neigh. Last I know of this box was still with the Tree of Harmony below the castle in the Everfree. Though, I wouldn't go looking for it at the moment. The Everfree has grown and expanded in the past three years and I don't know if the caste has been moved or blocked off entirely... or destroyed. Such a shame, it was being renovated as a tourist attraction. Though, the tree should be still in the same location. Immovable by powerful magics. Celestia and I, back when I was called Luna, tried to relocate it to our new home in Canterlot. But even with our combined strength it was a force not even we could move."

"Okay, I just hope it can be reachable as well as this box. If it is still there that is."Nightmare nodded in agreement. "So we have Twilight's friends and a weapon for the end game. This is good, this is very good." The gears in Aaron's head began to turn to think of anything else they could use for assistance in his and Twilight's journey. "Alright then. I think this can work, that is if he suddenly develped the ability to see everything and everywhere."

"Don't be ridiculous." Nightmare scoffed a bit, sipping the last of her tea. "No pony can see everything at all times. it has been tried and... let's just say side effects include blindness and constant fits of insanity." Aaron understood the not too subtle message. "Besides, it's not as if he cares. He just wants the seat of power. He knows there are resistance members out in the world and he knows they cannot harm him directly."

"Understood. At least, not at the moment." Aaron gave her his own devilish smile, raising his barely touched tea glass to her. The action made her laugh, showing him her sharpened teeth. It was like a mouth filled with long filed needles and he was starting to understand why she was called Nightmare Moon.

"Well, then. I think this little meeting of ours is concluded for now." Nightmare gave a wave of her hands as the whole table and tea vanished from existence. Nightmare caught herself and stood up onto her hooves and removed any stray hair from her face. Aaron was not as graceful and fell on his ass. "If ever you need me, think of me before you sleep. The remaining thoughts will help locate you easier. I can sense when stallions are thinking of me. Helps me avoid certain stallions that have an attraction to me and I don't wish to walk into certain private matters."

"Well, how will you know it is me and not one of these stallions?"

"I've visited your mind already and have memorized your special brain waves. You are not a stallion, or of this world. Finding your dreams and you thinking of me will help me find you almost immediately." Aaron understood and got to his feet. The background began to slowly fade to black. Signaling that one or both of them were waking up. "I will return you to your dreams Aaron. sleep well tonight. Hard times come for us all."

The whole area seemed to fade into nothingness as well as Nightmare Moon did. He had a new ally in this alien world and he knew that he would need all he could get. But for now, it was time for Aaron to indulge in a little fantasy.

~~~~~

Sitting at a table taking inventory of her supplies was a deep in thought Twilight Sparkle. The glow of the house helped and was much better than sorting through her things in darkness. She didn't really have much to take stock of, as it was just a little mental exercise to keep her mind busy since she could not sleep. She was plagued by the thought of what fate had occurred to the Apple family, her friends. It had unnerved her greatly to think that such a cruel fate could happen to the nicest ponies she knew. Twilight at least wanted to believe some got away, that Applejack was truly not the last Apple in Equestria, that some had escaped and joined Dash's resistance fighters.

But that was not something she wanted to think about at the moment. Twilight was going through
what little supplies she had. The half a towel for the torch, four bottles of synthetic magic, the dagger she thought she left at the bakery, a photo of her family, and a few books for entertainment purposes. Counting her brother's cloak, she had everything. But that was not enough, at least that's what she told herself. She put everything back and took inventory again and would do so until somepony awoke from sleeping. Luckily she wouldn't have to wait long.

Hearing a moan from another corner, her friend Applejack began to awaken. She was wearing one of the shirts she gave to Aaron to cover himself, something she was grateful for. She was getting tired of staring at the human's genitals.
Applejack let out a long yawn and got to her hooves, scratching her back to satisfy an itch from sleeping on the ground. She turned her attention to Twilight and smiled at the sudden remembrance that her friend was with her. "Hey Twi, sleep well?"

"As well as can be in these crazy times. Four hours seems to be common thing for me nowadays." She smiled at Applejack and set her things aside on the table. Applejack saw the four bottles of glowing green ooze and grabbed one out of curiosity. "What's this stuff?" Twilight looked confused, but soon realized that she had been living in the Everfree for three years and wouldn't know what synthetic magic was.

"Well, its synthetic magic."

"No way! Twi, I knew a smart pony like yourself would find a way to get your mojo back!" Applejack was ecstatic by the thought.
"Well, it wasn't me. It was Tirek's doing. He made it so ponies would be dependent on him and at half strength so nopony can use it against him. I've been stealing it from his supply caravans for a while now. Oh, and it's not just for unicorns. It works on earth ponies and pegasi as well."

Twilight could see a small glint in her friend’s eye as she took a bottle to observe it.

"Ya mean I can drink this gunk an' get my earth pony strength back?" Applejack had a bit of excitement in her voice, eager to get back what was taken from her so long ago.

"Well yes, but only for an hour if you drink the whole thing." Twilight took back the bottle and sat it in her bag. "Sorry, I only have four and use it on special occasions. Plus, only at half strength."

The glint in Applejack's eye seemed to have vanished for the moment. "Well, it can still be used to fight back."

"We, or rather they, already are. Dash has suppliers all over the country who steal from Tirek's supplies and give to the guerrilla forces; the ponies who need them most." Applejack chuckled as she took a seat so she could sit with Twilight at the table. "Heh, how is Dash anyway? Never suspected her for the leadin' type."

"She was captured a while back." Twilight was a little hesitant of telling of Dash's fate, knowing that without her sacrifice, Twilight wouldn't be sitting with her friend. "She gave herself up, allowing me to escape. Though, not all of me." She chuckled a bit as he put her prosthetic leg onto the table, making Applejack wince a bit at the sight of the metal parts.

"Hoo wee. That's gotta smart a bit."

Twilight chuckled at the statement. "Like a bitch actually. Still, I get around pretty well. Plus, getting bucked in the face would smart even more than losing the leg, I bet."

Applejack broke into a bit of laughter at the thought. "Ah, my little Twi has turned into quite a fighter." She seemed to fain a sobbing motion. "My little princess is all grown up." The two shared a bit of laughter together. It felt normal for them, like the good old days from before. Twilight put her leg back onto the table and enjoyed her friend’s company. After a minute or so of laughter, Twilight looked up at Applejack. "That was nice. It's so long since I laughed like that."

"Heh, same here. Hell, I'm just glad to have friendly company that doesn't want to eat me for breakfast or has a rotting chitin on them."

Twilight sighed happily as she leaned back in her chair, careful not to break the delicate wood. After a bit of silence, Applejack broke the silence. "So, where are y'all headin'? I'd be more than happy to join ya. Beats stickin' around this hole, waiting to be eaten."

Twilight looked up at her in surprise. "Well, Aaron and I were on our way to Appleoosa. It's a prison for all the military prisoners and where Dash is being held. We were heading there to rescue her."

"Shoot, that sounds like mighty right fun. I'd love to see Dash again. Heck, I'd like to find everypony else again as a matter of fact. Plus you look like you could use a little more muscle. No offense Twi, but your companion isn't exactly a fighter by the looks of him."

Twilight let out a sigh as she remembered her disappointment in Aaron's summon. "I know. But he's here and he has helped me regardless of my mistake. Plus, he's saved my life."

"He got lucky is all. It will run out as it always does and he won't be much help in a fight. I ain't saying he has to go, by all means he can tag along. I just want you to know he's not something to be relied upon." Twilight looked over to her new friend as he slept on the floor, twitching a bit in his sleep. Most likely dreaming about the changelings in the forest. She knew that the sight was nothing to take lightly. Her eyes traveled down to his leg. It was purple around the bite marks but it was healing at an astonishing rate. Aaron seemed to be a faster healer than her kind, or the bite marks were not bad as she suspected.

"Yeah... I guess you're right." Twilight let out a sigh as she began to think. She wanted to confront her on what she told Aaron last night about her family but would let Applejack come out with that on her own. She smiled weakly and looked to Applejack. "I'm glad you're back, Applejack. It's good to know you're alright."

"Likewise sugar cube." The two's attention were soon brought to Aaron as he slowly began to rise from his sleep. Stretching his muscles with a bit of a wince when he moved his leg, Aaron sat up and looked about the room and saw his new friends sitting at a table. His memory was coming back to him and realized that he wasn't in his home anymore, but in a world of pony people that stand on two legs and that he was not dreaming. Applejack was the one to greet him first with a friendly wave. "Hey there. Have a good sleep?"

"Well... my leg stings like never before, I'm in a hostile world with a princess and a zombie slaying hermit trying to save a nation. Strangely enough, I had the best sleep of my life. Go figure." Aaron tried to get to his feet but the pain easily saw to it that he stay sitting down with a small yelp. The attempt gained a small chuckle from Applejack while gaining a look of worry from Twilight. "Aaron, you need to rest and heal. You may heal faster than a normal pony does, but you can't heal instantly without magic."

"Well, can you use magic on me then? Use your magic mumbo jumbo and heal my leg. I want to get out of this forest as fast as possible." Twilight looked a little annoyed by Aaron referring her magic, and talent, as "mumbo jumbo.” She sighed and grabbed one of the green bottles and immediately drank the entire container. She let out a gasp and began to walk over to where Aaron was sitting.

"Well, I was considering on taking a swig of some of my synth and using the magic to heal your leg. But since it's just mumbo jumbo, I guess you can limp your way out of the forest." Aaron looked about, debating the options. He may be skeptical of magic, even if he was summoned from such a thing. Sighing with defeat, Aaron made his decision.

"Okay, I'm sorry Twilight. If you can heal my leg, I would be most grateful. I sort of miss walking and while purple is my third favorite color, I'd prefer my leg not to be that particular color around the bite marks." Twilight smiled and took out one of the spherical bottles containing the green ooze. She took a small swig of the substance and began to feel the aetherical feeling flow through her body immediately.

Moving over to Aaron, she gently placed both hands on the ends of his lower leg with the wound between her hands. "Now, you're going to feel a pinch... followed by an extremely painful pinch." Twilight gave her warning to Aaron and her hands began to glow. Applejack just watched from afar in case she was needed. Aaron watched with intrigue as her hands glowed and soon, his lower leg. It felt tingly, as if his leg had fallen asleep but the tingling was increasing as well as his sensitivity.

Finally the pinch could be felt as Twilight pressed down on his leg. Aaron responded with a wince of pain and could feel something happening to the bites. The purple discoloration was starting to return to his Caucasian skin tone. Shortly after, the wounds turned back to the correct color, and the much sharper pain began to commence. Aaron began to writhe in pain as the wounds began to seal up and eliminate any toxins still lingering in his leg. Aaron tried his best to stay still but feeling a wound heal itself, even one so small, was something he had never felt before. Aaron's breathing had become quick and heavy from the pain and Twilight tried her best to keep him still.

"Aaron! If you don't stop wiggling, I will not be held responsible for whatever will happen." Twilight made her warning known and Aaron took heed of it. He was already starting to miss anesthetics but the end result will be all the more worth it.

After what seemed like an eternity, the deed was done. Aaron's leg was healed and the tingling was starting to fade. Twilight stood up and took a few steps back. "Go on, try it out." Still feeling lingering pain, Aaron looked at Twilight skeptically. But if she was suggesting that he stand, he might as well try it before saying he couldn't.
Pushing himself up, Aaron could feel his leg shake under his weight. Twilight was there to catch him if he fell, but she stood back to let him stand on his own. It was painful, that went without saying. But it wasn't numb any longer and the pain was a sign of such. Once he was back at his feet, Aaron's legs began to wobble but soon stabilized.

The three began to smile at the sight of Aaron standing on both legs once more. Aaron began to take baby steps around the small tree house. Soon after he was taking bigger steps. Finally he broke into a small jog. There was little room in the house and two ponies occupying some of the space so testing the limits was out of the question. That and he was afraid the motion of his body in such a motion would cause the small tree house to come plummeting down.

Aaron came to a full stop and soon began to catch his breath. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Aaron turned to find Applejack at his side. "Heh, glad to see ya prancing in your under garments. Now that you can walk and prance, feel free to get dressed. We'll be leavin' as soon as soon as we're ready and packed."

"Oh? So you're coming with us then? Cool, glad we have someone who can defend us." Aaron grabbed one of his shirts and began to dress himself, glad to be clothed and no longer nude in this strange world.

Twilight and Applejack began to pack while Aaron got dressed. The two mares made sure to pack only the essentials and one or two personal trinkets. Soon enough, they were all ready to leave. Aaron wearing his new jeans, red shirt, and underwear stood at the door waiting for his new friends. Although he couldn't get new shoes, he would be happy with what he got rather than what he couldn't.

Soon enough, it was time to leave. Twilight, wearing her usual cloak and fresh clothes, and Applejack, in a fresh pair of short shorts and red checkered tank top, joined Aaron at the door with packs of new supplies on their backs. Applejack seemed to also be carrying her staff weapon on her back with her supplies. "You guys ready to get going? I've been quite anxious to see this new world."

"Hold your horses there partner." Aaron had no idea if that was a pun in disguise but he didn't want to make a joke and offend his new friends. "This is going to be a long trip so don't go rushing out there and gettin' yourself into a scrap. Twi and I can defend ourselves but you... eh, you're a bit scrappy."

"That and you're not the best in shape. We're not telling you this to put you down, we're just a little concerned is all." Aaron understood quite well of what they were saying.

"It is all right. I know what you are saying, and it’s all right. I know I'm not the best in a fist fight, and I know better to just rush into one. But I just simply wish to see this new world." Applejack looked to Twilight with a worried look in her eye, sending her a silent message to her friend. Twilight understood her concerns, more than AJ could know.

Twilight sighed and opened the door to depart. "Alright then. Just be careful Aaron. This is not your world and you've witnessed this firsthand." The memories of the changeling horde had returned to their thoughts. Aaron had remembered the decimated town in which he was brought to and the
blood soaked child's room. One could only imagine what horrors had gone through Twilight's mind.

Applejack was the one to break the silence. "So what are we waitin' for? A written invitation? Let’s go rescue Dash and everypony else." They all agreed. Stepping out of the tree house, they all stood on a thick branch of a large tree. The darkness of the forest was still present throughout. No sunlight or moonlight could be seen through the thick foliage, just as the time in which Twilight and Aaron had first entered. "All right y'all, listen carefully. Just follow my lead and step where I step. Ya can't find north by normal means, but I've found a few subtle ways of how."

Applejack reached up into one of her lamps filled with the glowing blood of the changeling and rubbed the substance on her upper arms, giving it a faint glow in the dark. "Just a little something to help you two see me. I'll be sure to go slow as to help let you follow me. Just let me know if I'm going too fast and please watch your steps." Twilight and Aaron understood. "Alright then. Let’s get goin'." Applejack started leading the two through the tree branches. Aaron and Twilight joined her and began to follow the glow on Applejack's arms. They didn't know how long it would take before they reached the rim of the forest, something Aaron wanted desperately.

~~~~~

"Where is my husband?" In what was once a seat of power, now the stronghold of the mad god-king, walked the queen of the land. Seeking her keeper/husband, Nightmare Moon interrogated one of the minotaur guards. The giant muscular being clad in steel armor, stood before the approaching queen of the night, shaking in uncontrollable fear. "I will not ask again, guard. Where is my husband?" Her voice contained a more threatening presence.

"H-His highness is currently addressing the general of what to do with resistance. Shall I escort you there, my queen?" Nightmare waved him off as she passed the minotaur, heading to the meeting of the king and general. Walking through the hallways, Nightmare Moon opened the doors and made her presence known. Before her was the general of the armies, High General Sombra. Joining him were the rulers of the Griffon Empire, Emperor Baahl, and the leader of the Minotaur tribes, Chief Moric. Baahl was a griffon with a large white mane of feathers against a golden coat. He wore a ceremonial gown much like Nightmare's, say for the white cloth with silver trim.

Moric was a little more feral in nature, not caring for the formalities of the other races and stood before his allies in his ceremonial leather armor. It was the best they would get from him. He was just as muscular as all minotaurs, except for more scars decorated across his dark blue coat and a broken horn. Sombra stood in his usual decorated armor, functioning as his new body and protection after he was killed in the Crystal Empire so long ago. How he had returned was kept from all but he and Tirek, not even Nightmare Moon knew how.

The three, as well as Tirek sitting upon his throne, drew their attention to the queen. Sombra was a little too eager to see Nightmare but held himself back in the presence of Tirek, who was now leaning forward in his throne. "Ah, my queen. So glad of you to join me... us." Tirek's greeted his prize and patted the smaller throne beside him. Nightmare took his greeting with a fake smile and sat down, looking upon the general and the two leaders/allies to his Highness. "Now, Sombra. What do you plan on doing to flush out these... pests that think they can oppose us?" Sombra stepped forward and prepared himself to speak. "I have troops patrolling various major cities. We are also trying to interrogate the prisoners."

"And, what of the element?"

"Ms. Rainbow Dash has proven to be quite uncooperative. But it is no matter. We have her working in the diamond mines near Appleoosa." Tirek went silent and turned his attention to Baahl, the griffon emperor looking away in fear of his gaze.

"Baahl, my dear friend... how goes the resistance movement in your home country?" Baahl regained his composure and began to speak.

"The resistance movement has been stomped out. Whatever is left is merely a nuisance, much like the ones you face now. I only hope that your general's incompetence can be dea-" Baahl froze in place, feeling his neck muscles starting to close. He began to gasp for air and fall to his knees, clawing at his neck and his wings trying to extend out but were halted by the robe in which he wore. Tirek merely watched as he sat in comfort, watching Baahl squirm on the floor. "P-...Please..." He couldn't get much more out after that.

"Well... so be it then." The sound of a snap was heard as Emperor Baahl fell lifeless to the floor. Moric and Sombra began to step away from the body. The group heard a blood-curdling chuckle escape from where Tirek sat. "Let it be known... my general was hand-picked by myself. And when you insult my general, you insult me. And when you insult me... well, I believe you are smart enough to know what happens." Moric and Sombra nodded in understanding while Nightmare sat in her throne looking absolutely bored. She never cared for Baahl and his arrogance. She was not moved either way at seeing him die.

"Moric, I trust you are doing well with your enemies?" Tirek moved the conversation on as if nothing had happened. Moric stood and looked up to Tirek to address him. "We are handling the situation. We let them attack us as they please. I love a good fight and these resistance soldiers are the best fun I've had in a very long time."

"Hm. An odd approach. But it is your land and I will not question your methods. Now that we are down one Emperor," Tirek clapped his hands twice as two soldiers came in. "Send word to the Griffon Empire and send word that Baahl has fallen. Tell them I send my condolences." The two nodded and left his presence, not wanting to stay long.

"Now that we have that order of business taken care of. My love, take Sombra and Moric to the banquet hall for nourishment. I shall join you shortly my queen." Nightmare turned her attention to Sombra who looked back with a look of sheer lust for her. A look in which made Nightmare sick to her stomach."Yes husband." She stood up and began to take the chief and general out of the room, leaving Tirek to himself. After hearing the door close and waiting for a few moments, Tirek stood up and began to walk about the room, the sun shining through the red curtains and giving little light to the room. He stood as a giant among his subjects.

"I know you are there." Tirek spoke softly as to not let anything that could possibly listen hear him speak to nothing. Turning around and looking at his throne stood a small hooded figure. He was hunched over supported by a crooked cane. "I saw it as well. The tower of light." The small figure stood there, staring Tirek down from within his hood. "It is of no concern to us. Whatever it is, I can deal with it." The figure said nothing once again. "I may not know what it is exactly, but whatever it was, it will surely fall just as-" The figure silenced Tirek with a hand and slowly edged forward to him.

He slowly began to circle Tirek, dragging two bony grey fingers along his equine like lower body, sending a chill through Tirek's spine. Finally he spoke with a tired and strained voice of a decrepit old man. "Your over confidence... will be your weakness... and eventually your downfall. Just as it was mine so long ago." Tirek objected to that.

"No. I will not. I have taken your teachings and have done as you have said." The old figure stopped walking and stood at his side. "Oh, Have you now?" he continued to walk back to the throne and stopping just a few inches from it. "Do not... make any mistakes... There is always room for failure... and just as the enemy finds it... they will exploit it." The man walked behind the throne and vanished without a single trace, though his voice lingered. "Take heed Tirek... a change is in the wind... make sure it is in your favor." Tirek began to walk to the banquet hall and turned to his throne, his hand raising to his crown and feeling the white horn on it as a decoration and sign of his victory.

"Yes master." Tirek left the room and began to go and find his queen and Chief Moric where he would soon feast with his remaining allies.