“Bardac! Have you lost your damn mind?!” shouted Light Flight, her forelegs wrapped tightly around the Nord's right arm. “Let go of him already!”

“Don't you dare hurt him you great big brute!” hissed Rarity, her horn glowing brightly as her magic clung to Bardac's left wrist and hand, trying to force apart his fingers that were wrapped tightly around Discord's throat.

“N... now. Bardac was it?” gulped Discord, his voice strangled and a large, black bruise was starting to form over his right eye. “Listen to the nice ponies.”

“Please! Let him go!” pleaded Fluttershy, she had her front hooves against Bardac's waist, trying her best to push the Nord away.

However, as hard as the three ponies pulled and pushed, they couldn't move Bardac. In fact, he seemed fairly oblivious to the fact they were there. “You got away from me once before, Discord,” growled Bardac. “I am not going to let you escape me a second time.” The fingers in Bardac's right hand started to crackle violently.

“What in Tartarus are you talking about? I've never met you in my life!” gasped Discord, his lion like paw clawing for grip on Bardac's armoured arm. “Some pony get this crazy thing away from me!”

Glancing over at his sword which lay several feet away, Bardac let out a low, dark chuckle before looking back at Discord. “If Light Flight had not knocked my sword out my hand... you would be dea-”

“You'd do well not to finish that sentence,” called out Celestia slowly walking through the doorway of the restaurant. Her horn glowing brightly and within her magical grasp and pressed firmly against Bardac's neck, was Dawnbreaker. “Step away from the Draconequus.”

A few seconds later, Twilight appeared in the doorway, her mane covered in dust from the mess Bardac had caused inside. “Bardac, think about what you're doing!” she pleaded. “I don't know what you have against Discord but surely it's not worth this trouble!” At least the ponies inside had calmed down. Last thing she needed was them to panic again, they'd been informed not to come out until Celestia gives them the all clear.

“This is not over... Hin klov fen kos dii,” hissed Bardac, glaring into Discord's eyes before finally releasing his neck. Bardac knew he needed to bide his time and as he stepped backwards away from Discord and the others, he kept one eye on Celestia and the other on the coughing Draconequus.

Fluttershy and Rarity immediately started to tend to Discord's wounds. “Are you alright?” asked Fluttershy quietly, brushing his black eye with her hoof. “Oh goodness... I'm so sorry.”

“I didn't know it was even possible to hurt you Discord, physically anyway,” murmured Rarity, glancing over to Bardac who was still a little too close for comfort. “Just what kind of creature is he?”

“That creature... would be Bardac,” muttered Light Flight, still on edge as she landed next to Fluttershy to give Discord the once over while keeping a firm lock on Bardac's position. “It's just a black eye, it'll heal. Your throat might need some attention though.”

With Discord being taken care of, Celestia turned her full attention to Bardac. Her horn pulsed brightly, drawing Dawnbreaker slowly across the Nord's throat until the tip was right against his carotid artery. “Since your outburst when I first met you in Canterlot Castle, I've been dreading the day that you finally encountered Discord,” she said, “Now, calmly explain to me why you desire his head.”

“It is not just his head I desire,” said Bardac, “I will personally see to it that the full wraith of the nine fall upon his bloody corpse for the murder of my kin. That tooth, those eyes and that... cackling laugh as he told me his name, sounding almost... proud of what he had done.”

“But...” said Twilight hesitantly, “Not even Discord has the power to go through dimensions... let alone create the rifts in the first place.”

“Discord wouldn't do anything so evil, I just know it,” said Fluttershy. As quiet as her voice was, it was filled with confidence. “He's our friend. There's just no way.”

“But... if it wasn't Discord,” murmured Rarity, biting her lip with worry, “Who was it that... well, killed all of Bardac's friends?” While she wasn't quick to change her views, Rarity couldn't help but feel just a little bit sorry for Bardac. Such a great loss must of left some scars.

Celestia, after a moment of thought slowly pulled Dawnbreaker away from Bardac's throat. “How many did you lose?” she asked.

Slowly rubbing his neck where Dawnbreaker had been pressing into it, Bardac replied, “Eighteen... including several new students.”

“That's insane...” muttered Light Flight, fidgeting a little. Murder on that scale was simply unheard of in Equestria.

“Gutted and left, if they were lucky they would of died from shock. Otherwise... a slow, painful death from bleeding out,” said Bardac. With a flick of his wrist and a pulse of bright orange from his hand, Bardac took back Dawnbreaker from Celestia's slackened grip. “Not even the most powerful of restoration magic can save you when your guts are hanging out of your stomach.”

Celestia wasn't sure what to say. All she could do was watch as Bardac sheathed his sword. “While no amount of apologizing can make up for the loss that you've suffered at the hands of the one who called themselves Discord,” Celestia finally said, walking slowly over to the Nord. “However. Our Discord, the one you see in front of you and the one we know. Is not responsible for that pain.”

“And besides,” said Twilight, trying to shake off the shivers from what Bardac had told them. “Celestia and Luna imprisoned Discord in stone over two thousand years ago. It's only been in the last few years that he's been released and reformed. With great effect I might add.”

“Since his release, Discord's even assisted in saving Equestria,” chimed in Rarity, giving the Draconequus a small pat on the leg. “As difficult as it was to start with, he's proven to be a trusted friend and ally to Equestria.”

Light Flight huffed loudly, shaking her head. “As much as he torments my guards and I. I have to agree with the others. Discord overcame his nature through tremendous effort. Though, it still surprised me that he managed it.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” muttered Discord, wincing as Fluttershy rubbed his throat.

“Sorry,” squeaked Fluttershy, rubbing a little more softly.

“Through tremendous effort?” asked Bardac, his hand slowly sliding down Dawnbreaker's hilt to rest on the scabbard. “Well well... looks like you were right all along... Paarthurnax.”

“Paarthurnax?” asked Celestia, while Bardac seemed to relax, she couldn't. After all, she knew his mood could change quicker than a hummingbird's heartbeat.

Bardac ignored Celestia, once again focusing his attention on Discord. “While you have done a piss poor job convincing me not to kill you... consider yourself lucky that your friends have done otherwise.” Turning to Celestia, he delivered a stern warning through clenched teeth. “I hope, for your sake, that you are telling the truth.”

“On my word as Princess of Equestria,” replied Celestia, watching as Bardac turned and left.

“Hey! Where do you think you're going?” shouted Light Flight, chasing after him, though only to be stopped by Celestia's magic. “Princess! You can't just let him walk away!”

“Leave him be, Light Flight,” said Celestia, releasing Light Flight from her magic. “You wouldn't want to ruin the first time he's actually listened to you, would you? Besides, I have a fairly good idea where he's going. I think.”

Twilight, Fluttershy and Rarity, who all had been holding their breath for the last minute or so exhaled loudly. “Are you alright, Princess?” asked Rarity, “I've never heard any creature speak to you in such a way.”

“Do not worry about me, Rarity,” said Celestia. “It's not often I have to put my hoof down like that, but Discord is a friend. I couldn't sit by and let him be treated like that.”

“That damn Nord is going to be the death of me,” muttered Light Flight, giving the band on her hoof a small shake before saying into it. “Stand down.”

“Can I get up now?” asked Discord, his right eye now an interesting shade of purple. As he stood, Discord found his legs shook violently under his own weight. If it wasn't for Fluttershy, he would of fallen back down. “What's wrong with my legs? What'd he do to my legs!”

“Nothing magical, he didn't cast a single spell except to get his sword back and... what ever he did to his fingers,” answered Twilight, “You could be experiencing a mild form of shock. But, as far I'm aware, brute force has never been overly effective on you. Considering what else you can do with your body.”

“Why did you let him have his sword back?” asked Light Flight, perhaps a little too accusingly. “He's dangerous enough without it.”

Celestia smiled wearily, “Exactly... compared to his other powers, that sword may as well be a tooth pick. But, Bardac seems to feel more at ease when he's holding it.”

Fluttershy, shifting a little to help Discord remain standing, looked up at Celestia, “Princess. Is it true what he told us? About his friends and what happened to them?” she asked quietly.

“While I find it... difficult to believe. I find little reason to doubt him,” answered Celestia, “We all know how powerful our friend Discord is, the level of provocation needed for Bardac to attack him on sight doesn't bear thinking about.”

“Come to think of it...” muttered Twilight, tapping her chin with her hoof. “Bardac did mention something about fighting two 'otherworldly' beings, as he put it, shortly after we found him in Ponyville.”

Light Flight slowly rubbed her brow with the tip of her wing. “In Sugar Cube Corner, I remember,” she said, glancing over at Discord. “You don't suppose one of these creatures he mentioned was this other Discord? If so, why'd he not say so?”

“Put yourself in his hooves,” said Twilight, tilting her head in thought. “Talking to creatures he's never met before, in a world he's never been to before. As far as he was concerned, the Discord he met and our Discord were one in the same. It probably slipped his mind.”

“Well, while I cannot condone his actions,” said Rarity, slowly brushing out shards of glass from Discord's mane. “I can understand how terrified he must have been.”

Light Flight snorted loudly, “Terrified? Him? I doubt he even knows what fear is.”

“That's impossible,” said Fluttershy. “Even Discord feels fear and he's one of the most powerful beings in Equestria.”

“Equus,” coughed Discord, “Don't sell me short dear Fluttershy.” Having regained some strength in his legs, Discord stood up a little straighter, rubbing the rawness around his neck. “So, what you're trying to say is, I'm lucky to still have my head.”

“I believe so,” said Celestia, “For that, you can thank Fluttershy and Rarity. If they were not here, you would of suffered injuries far worse than a black eye and a bruised throat.”

Discord huffed and crossed his arms, “Well he won't be getting the better of me twice. I'll have to have eyes in the back of my head,” he said, plucking out his left eyeball and sticking it inside his mane.

“I really wish you wouldn't do that,” said Rarity, shivering slightly, “You do realise body parts are not designed to do that.”

Scuffing her hoof along the ground, Fluttershy cleared her throat quietly and asked, “Does... any pony know what we should do now?”

“Well, I can't really say I'm in much of a mood to continue shopping after that,” scoffed Discord, sticking his eye back inside its socket.

Rarity nodded slowly in agreement, “I quite agree,” she said, looking over to Fluttershy, “What about you my dear? I dare say this has been enough for one day.”

Fluttershy thought for a minute before finally asking, “Is... anypony going to go see if Bardac is okay? I mean... after what he told us and... what we told him. ”

“My dear,” said Celestia, “You are sometimes too kind for your own good. But, I believe you're right. One of us should check on Bardac, just to see how he is. Even the most stoic of ponies have a breaking point on just how much bad news they can take in a day. We wouldn't want him doing anything rash now.”

“Not it,” said Light Flight, “I vote Princess Twilight.”

“Seconded,” added Discord, “You'll have to excuse me if I'm not in the mood to speak to somepony who just tried to take my head as a trophy.”

“Third,” said Rarity, raising her hoof in the air, closely followed by Fluttershy.

Twilight shook her head slowly. “Fine, fine,” she muttered, “I guess out of all of us, I get on with him the best.”

“Excellent,” said Celestia, glancing over at the wrecked front of what once was a beautiful restaurant. “I need to stay behind and speak to the owner. He'll surely want compensation for what happened.”

Meanwhile, in an empty tavern not too far from the restaurant, Bardac was already making himself at home while the concerned bartender looked on as the Nord drained his tenth mug of mead. “Tryin' to forget something?” asked the bartender, raising his eyebrow slightly as he washed a glass mug with a cloth in his hoof.

“Something like that,” muttered Bardac, staring down into the bottom of the glass, “There are many things I would like to forget.”

The bartender snorted as he checked the mug for any water spots. “We all got things we like to forget. I've heard the expression, tryin' to drown your sorrows many times in the past. Though you're the only fellow who I've seen try and take it seriously,” he said with a small chuckle.

“Just keep pouring,” said Bardac dryly, holding out his glass to accept his eleventh helping of mead. “Tastes like watered down piss anyway... how do you expect me to get drunk on this?”

Raising his eyebrow, the bartender shook his head. “Mead ain't too popular with ponies. So nopony bothered to learn how to brew it. Properly anyway,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “We got somethin' stronger, if you fancy.”

Bardac thought for a moment before draining his mug, muttering, “I like mead...”

“Suit yourself,” said the Bartender, “But it's there if you change your mind.”

“Bardac? Bardac you in here?”

“Great...” sighed Bardac, looking over his shoulder to see Twilight peering in through the door, “What now Twilight? Can I not enjoy a drink... or ten in peace?”

Twilight smiled nervously as she entered, hopping onto the stool next to him. “Well... after what just happened. I just wanted to make sure you were alright, you've been through a lot since you came here,” she said, looking up at the Nord.

“I am far too old for you to be worrying about in such a way,” said Bardac, glancing down at Twilight, “But... I appreciate the concern.”

Looking down, Twilight's ears drooped. “I'm sorry, for what happened,” she said quietly, “I don't think any of us will truly understand how you're feeling after what you saw, even if you did describe it so vividly.”

“I have lost many kin, in many ways, but this...” muttered Bardac, gripping his mug hard enough that it shattered into pieces, “...Ruth nii.”

“It's okay,” soothed Twilight, repairing the glass with a small pulse of purple light from her horn, “Bardac... when was the last time you relaxed? And I don't mean getting drunk in a tavern. I mean actually relaxed, a vacation from saving the world. Even since you came here, you've barely stopped.”

Bardac glanced down, sighing at the knitting cuts on his hand, watching the light orange glow roll between his fingers. “Between fighting the civil war, hunting Alduin... thwarting vampires from destroying the world and preventing the return of the first Dovahkiin, Miraak? It is long overdue. But, as my father always said... you can rest when you are dead.”

“But surely you're not the only one who can protect Skyrim?” asked Twilight, keeping an eye on Bardac's healing hand. “There has to be others capable. ”

“There are,” said Bardac, “But... Alduin and Miraak? My powers were the only way to put them down for good.” Once his hand had finished healing, Bardac started to flex his fingers. “Twilight... how does Equestria manage to stay so peaceful? So... low in crime.”

Twilight thought for a moment, tapping her hoof against her chin. “Well... when you put together Celestia and Luna... our guards, magic and flight. We have everything we need to be pretty much anywhere at once,” she said. “But, as you discovered. It's not like there isn't crime in Equestria. It's just dealt extremely quickly.”

“I've had my tavern looted once or twice,” said the Bartender, glancing at Twilight, “But Princess Twilight is right, don't take the guards long to track down who did it. Speakin' of loot. I hope you got the bits to pay for all that mead.”

Bardac froze before slowly glancing down at the glass in front of him. “Draaf...” he muttered under his breath. “Twilight?”

“Oh no, I'm not bailing you out Bardac. You're the one who chose to drink half his mead,” Twilight snorted, glaring at the Nord with a piercing gaze. “What happened to all those bits that Applejack gave you anyway? Don't tell me you left them back at the restaurant.”

Bardac scratched slowly underneath his chin before turning to the Bartender. “I do not suppose you would consider exchanging the mead for a favour? Something you require help with?” he asked.

Twilight shook her head in disbelief, sighing loudly. “You just can't help yourself, can you Bardac.”

The bartender chuckled quietly. “Can't rightly say I've had anypony offer an exchange like that before. But, since you're offerin', I got a shipment of whiskey gettin' delivered to Canterlot within the hour. Should be arrivin' at the south sky dock any minute now, can't miss it. I only managed to get one guard to oversee it, so if you could lend a hoof. We'll consider it a deal.”

“I'm not sure you're in any state to escort anything Bardac... You've had enough mead to kill a small manticore,” objected Twilight. “Now, I understand you'd want to take your mind off things, but this might be a little too soon.”

“I will be fine,” grumbled Bardac, jamming on his gauntlets. “Besides, if I am lucky. I will get to punch something, or someone.” Before anyone could change his mind, Bardac left.

Twilight hesitated for the moment. She knew if she followed, more attention would be drawn to both Bardac and the delivery. It took her a few more seconds to decide, but eventually she sighed under her breath. “Don't do anything rash...”

The bartender looked over the bar down at Twilight. “He's an interestin' fellow to say the least. Wouldn't you say Princess? Just goes from one thing to another, no matter how he's feelin'.”

“It's what he does,” said Twilight, sitting back down on the stool by the bar. “Maybe, it's just his way to cope.”

Up at the south sky dock, a large and open platform filled with airships and pegasi in bright yellow jackets, Bardac and Thun Drum were waiting for the arrival of the merchant's airship. It wasn't uncommon for them to be a few minutes late. The docks were a hive of activity, airships delivering and loading, cargo being ferried here and there by the ponies working there.

“While I can't say I don't appreciate the assistance, I have to ask how you got involved in this, Bardac,” said Thun Drum as he looked up at the Nord curiously.

“The bartender who arranged this delivery. I drank most of his mead without the means to pay for it,” said Bardac, he sounded almost ashamed. “But, in Skyrim. Most shop keeps will offer goods in exchange for personal or business favours.”

Thun Drum chuckled, “Well, most ponies won't decline a helping hoof if it's offered. Though... as a guard. For the sake of seeming professional, I'm going to have to ask you not to make a habit of it. Otherwise, nothing would get paid for.”

“I will keep that in mind, may I ask who you are?” asked Bardac, leaning against a large, wooden crate behind him. “Either my old age is getting to me, or you were the guard escorting Celestia at the station alongside Light Flight.”

“Thun Drum, usually posted in Ponyville,” replied Thun Drum. “I help out every year with the market. While Princess Celestia hardly needs an escort... she chooses a different guard each year to do so.”

“Drew the short straw this year?” chuckled Bardac quietly, only to gaze out across the sky a few seconds later. “The delivery is running later than I would of expected... where is it coming from?”

Thun Drum examined the clip board he had tucked under his wing, going down each line of the list with a thoughtful hum, “Let's see... Privately owned, signature Lapis. Should of been here about fifteen minutes ago, says here the shipment's coming from Los Pegasus, a large city to the south west.”

Bardac approached the edge of the dock for a better look at the ground below and the sky on the horizon. Canterlot was situated high upon a towering mountain, but it still didn't give a clear view to Los Pegasus to the south west. Two smaller, but by no means less grand mountain ranges stood between the two. “So... it has either gone down between the mountains, or never left Los Pegasus,” he said, taking into account just how high Canterlot was located up the mountain and the view it gave him. “Is this common?”

Thun Drum joined Bardac at the edge of the docks, “Our airships are usually pretty safe... though we've had a few incidents over Ghastly Gorge before. Last time we lost an airship was when a rogue storm came over from the Everfree Forest,” he said, “Even then we managed to rescue the crew safely.”

“And what of the ship never leaving Los Pegasus?” asked Bardac.

“It's... a possibility,” answered Thun Drum. With a sharp whistle, he called over a unicorn who just guided a small airship to land nearby. “Any word from an airship with the signature Lapis?”

“Lapis?” replied the unicorn. “If you two are waiting for that airship, you're too late. I landed her about an hour ago. Something about an special passenger waiting for them over in Filly Delphia that couldn't wait. They made the drop off early so they could get to the other city in time. If you're looking for the cargo, head across to Shipping Warehouse B. It'll be waiting there.”

Thun Drum let out a thankful sigh, “That's a relief... I was starting to fear the worst.” Shaking his head to clear it, he looked up at Bardac, “C'mon. Let's head over to the warehouse, see it made it there in one piece and... to make sure nothing was damaged.”

“These ponies seem to know what they are doing, I doubt they would damage it. Besides, whiskey barrels are fairly sturdy,” said Bardac, scratching at his chin as he followed Thun Drum to a large, rectangular building. The two ends were open, while the two sides were lined with heavy windows and doors with ponies of all types scurrying about like an anthill. “Busy...”

“This is one of the busiest shipping warehouses in Canterlot. Lots of cargo being teleported in as well as being flown in by pegasi and airship,” explained Thun Drum. “However... how're we going to find a single barrel of whiskey in this lot is beyond me. Private drop off's like this are a pain in my flank.”

Bardac looked around slowly, yet all he could see was barrels upon barrels and crates stacked upon crates. “How do you find anything here?” he asked, “Even our three biggest trading companies combined could not handle this volume at once... and since when do guards get delivery duty?”

Thun Drum laughed loudly, “Only those who volunteer. The Canterlot Market is always a busy time and the best thing about Equestria? You rarely have to ask for help. It's almost always offered. Now... let's see about finding that barrel.”

“Interesting... those in my world are no where near as selfless,” muttered Bardac as he held out his hand. A small, pulsing blue orb started to form in his palm. “Lead me to where I desire,” Instantly, the orb grew in brightness, pulsing rapidly as a thin tendril erupted from the orb, leading in a direct line to a barrel that was... barely a foot to their left. “Well then. Better safe than spending all day searching.”

“How... does... How does that even work Bardac?” asked Thun Drum, eyeing the tendril, even going as far as to poke it with his wing, only to shiver a second later. “Feels like I just dipped my wing in ice.”

“It is a spell that points the way to what you searching for at that given time. Though, if you get distracted while using it, it can point you somewhere completely different,” explained Bardac. “For things like this however, it is ideal.”

“Any downsides?” Thun Drum asked curiously, “Our unicorn squad could use something like that... if it just magically knows where everything is.”

“Just one,” said Bardac dryly. “It goes as the crow flies. In other words, it could lead you off the edge of an abyss if you blindly follow it. Or, in this case, off the edge of the dock. Anyway, who is this barrel going to?”

Thun Drum got out a second clip board tucked under his other wing and scrolled down the list. “There should be a number somewhere on the barrel, could you check for me?” he asked.

With a grunt, Bardac lifted the heavy barrel up onto a nearby table and into the light. “Number... number...” he muttered to himself, twisting the barrel slowly. “Ah, here we go. There are three. Two, six and nine.”

“That'll do,” replied Thun Drum. “Two, six, nine... two six nine. There we are, looks like this is heading to the, well well, could be my lucky day. It's heading to the barracks!”

Bardac couldn't help but chuckle, “Someone is thankful for the work the guards put in, it seems.” Hoisting the barrel onto his shoulder, Bardac looked down at Thun Drum. “Shall we go make their day?”

“Two seconds,” said Thun Drum, scrawling something onto both of his clip boards before handing them to pegasus hovering nearby. “Just had to sign them off. Sure you're alright with that? Looks heavy. Besides, usually one of the courier ponies handles that.”

“I could do with the work out,” Bardac replied, shifting the barrel a little so it settled into the grooves on the shoulders of his plate armour. “Lead the way.”

About ten minutes or so out of the Canterlot air docks, Thun Drum lead Bardac down a large, spiralling stone staircase. The trip had been in relative silence until Thun Drum cleared his throat and asked, “Bardac... do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

“I see no harm in it,” replied Bardac, shifting his weight a little, this stone staircase seemed to go down the side of the entire castle.

Thun Drum stopped just as they reached the base of the stairs, his hoof scuffing against the stone as he asked. “Why are you here? I mean, I know why you're here in Equus, but... why here? Helping with this delivery. Every guard in Equestria knows what happened between you and Discord by now.”

“I see...” answered Bardac, placing the barrel of whiskey down on the ground before sitting on it in thought. “Thun Drum, I suppose the only way I could answer that question is with another question. When you are stressed, do you find yourself reverting to an old habit? Perhaps a way of doing things, or saying things that has simply become ingrained in your nature?”

Thun Drum had to think for a moment, his wings rustling slightly. “I... think I know what you mean?” he said, though not entirely sure he did. “I know after a taxing patrol, I enjoy nothing more than a refreshing daisy sandwich.”

“Every taxing patrol?” asked Bardac, stretching out a little.

“Well, come to think of it, yeah. End of every difficult patrol,” said Thun Drum. “A daisy sandwich and a cold glass of carro... ah, heh. I'm starting to understand.”

“This is simply my way of dealing with those stresses,” explained Bardac, “By allowing myself to focus on the problems of others, it allows me to take my mind off the ones that ale me. Until I am in the right frame of mind to figure out how I am going to tackle them.”

Thun Drum thought for a moment only to ask, “But, doesn't that delay the solving of your own problem? Even from a young colt, we were always taught to deal with our problems the moment they appeared.”

“Sometimes,” murmured Bardac, “The only answer is time.” Getting to his feet, the weary Nord hoisted the barrel back onto his shoulder. “Come now, there are thirsty guards who I believe would be relieved to see what we have to deliver.”

“If you say so Bardac,” replied Thun Drum, watching the Nord with care. “Still, I have the address of a good psychiatrist, if you need somepony to talk to.”

“A... what?” asked Bardac, his eyebrow raised.

“You're telling me you don't have psychiatrist's in your world? They're somepony who deals with mental health issues such as being over worked or, if you're under a lot of stress,” said Thun Drum.

“Huh...” muttered Bardac, “No. We do not. Closest thing we have to that in Skyrim, is the barkeeps who keep us fed with mead until we are too drunk to remember our own names and have to drag our arses to bed while we swear on our lives they are our best friend.”

Thun Drum shook his head and laughed, “Somehow I have a hard time picturing you in such a state.”

“You would... be surprised of the states I have found myself in. Remind me to tell you the story of the Sanguine Rose,” replied Bardac, chuckling quietly under his breath. “That is one drunken adventure I will never forget in a hurry.”

The two continued to talk until, before they knew it they had reached the entrance to the barracks where an elderly unicorn was waiting for them. The unicorn looked up at Bardac, their gaze inquisitive. “Are you Bardac?” asked the unicorn. “You match the description. I've been asked to deliver a royal scroll to you.”

Bardac frowned, though he did take the scroll offered to him that was floating in the magical grasp of the unicorn. “First of all,” muttered Bardac, glaring down at Thun Drum and the young unicorn. “How in Oblivion do you ponies seem to know exactly where I am?”

“Would you accept the answer, magic?” asked Thun Drum, sounding hopeful. “Because that's about the only answer I can give you.”

“Better than nothing,” Bardac replied before unrolling the scroll to read it under his breath. “Bardac. When you read this, you will be teleported... oh for FU-” He didn't even get to finish the sentence before he disappeared in a blinding flash of golden light.

The elderly unicorn chuckled at the last look it got on Bardac's face. “Oh dear... he didn't look very happy did he,” said the unicorn.

“He's had a busy day,” sighed Thun Drum, “I think it's about to get busier.”

Twilight paced back and forth inside the throne room. Beside her stood Celestia and Luna, both of who looked just as nervous as she was feeling. “Please be in a good mood, please be in a good mood, please be in a good mood.” Twilight muttered to herself over and over again, though she soon came to a halt when a large, white wing settled itself on her back. “Celestia?”

“Calm yourself Twilight,” said Celestia. “If there was any other way, I would of considered it.”

Luna, who had not seen the Nord since the first time he arrived in Canterlot was justifiably nervous about the whole idea that her sister had concocted. “I'm sure everything will be okay,” she said, though not sounding entirely sure of yourself.

Twilight rustled her wings, grumbling loudly. “Easy for you two to say! You're not the one that had to write the scroll! You know how he feels about teleportation, worst of all he's going to know I'm the one that wro—”

“—CK SAKE!” the windows, the walls, even the very foundation of the throne room itself shook upon Bardac's explosive arrival. Turning on the three alicorns, Bardac felt his patience nearing the breaking point. “Zu'u ofaal strin ond dii forahgol. You better have a good reason for this,” the Nord growled.

Under that cold, golden glare, even Celestia faltered. “Bardac, please listen. You know we wouldn't summon you in such a way unless it was of grave importance.” With a flash of her horn, Celestia summoned a large scroll which she unravelled in front of her. “Do you recognise this creature?”

Drawn rather crudely upon the scroll was a tall, crimson coloured humanoid figure, donned in a strange, red and black armour. Almost immediately Bardac walked up to Celestia and snatched the scroll from her grasp. “Where was this seen?” he asked, glaring at the three.

“Near the summit of Mount Everhoof,” said Luna, taking a reasonably large step back from the now pacing Nord. “The largest mountain in the north of Equestria.”

“Bardac... if you know what that creature is, please. We need to know,” said Twilight quietly, trying to soothe the situation. “My brother lives in the kingdom at the base of that mountain. I need to know if he's going to be safe.”

Bardac stopped his pacing to look down at Twilight. His expression softened, though only a little before he let out a long, grumbling sigh. “That is a Dremora. An intelligent and often dangerous being from the depths of Oblivion. On its own, not a great threat. However, there is only one way that creature could of come to be in Equestria.”

“How?” asked all three alicorns in unison.

“Someone summoned it here,” replied Bardac, his voice turning cold. “Dremora do not leave the realms of Oblivion unless they are called. They hold no loyalty except to those who summoned them and even then... they can go rogue.”

“How do we get rid of it?” asked Luna, looking towards Celestia, then back at Bardac. “We need to deal with it immediately if it poses a threat to anypony.”

Celestia had other concerns on her mind. “That creature has never been seen in Equus before. Are you seriously considering that somepony else from your world has been hiding in Equestria for who knows how long?” she asked.

“No considering needed, Celestia, there is someone out there,” answered Bardac. “Thankfully... there is a small silver lining. They are incredibly weak to magic. A strong, magical blast from one or two guards should be plenty to put it down.”

Scribbling something down as quickly as she could move the quill, Twilight jotted down every last bit of information she got from Bardac on a scrap of parchment in front of her. “I need to get this to the Crystal Empire as soon as possible, in case it comes down the mountain,” she said before disappearing in a flash of purple light.

“Is there anything else we need to know about this creature?” asked Luna. “Or the one who summoned it?”

“Just hit it with as much magic as you can, as for the one who summoned it... be prepared to face someone who knows their spells,” said Bardac before glancing at Celestia. “Is my helmet repaired?”

“Our armour smiths have it as we speak. It should be finished within the hour,” replied Celestia, “You're not planning on searching for this... other creature on your own?” asked Celestia. “It could take you weeks just to search one half of that mountain and even then the odds of finding them are so miniscule. I fear you'd die trying before you even came close.”

“Then, if I am to die in this world,” said Bardac, “I would rather die in a place that reminds me of home. That mountain would make an ideal burial ground.”

Luna and Celestia exchanged nervous glances. Luna was the first to clear her throat and suggested, “You may wish to visit the Crystal Empire first. Speak with Princess Cadence and Shining Armor? They would know that mountain better than anypony,”

“I implore you Bardac, do not go alone. Take at least a unicorn and a pegasus with you, in case things turn sour,” added Celestia. “If you do find the creature responsible. What will you do?”

“Talk. If that does not work. Kill,” answered Bardac, slowly drawing his sword to gaze at his reflection in the steel. “And maybe, when all is said and done. They will spew out a few much needed answers...”

Author's Notes:

Thank you all for your patience while I got my life in order. It has been too long since I have worked on this.