The world slowly faded back into view around me, and I regained my senses as Argentum released me from his memories. I took a sudden step back, dropping to one knee and breathing hard.
“Drayke, are you okay?” Cadence asked, rushing to my side and placing a comforting hoof on my shoulder. I reached up and grabbed the friendly appendage, hoping it would speed my recovery from the ordeal I had just faced. I had done more than look into the warriors past; I had literally experienced his memories firsthand, as if it were me instead of him.

“So, now you know,” he said sadly, “the price that is to be paid in order to keep balance. Tell me, Drayke Blackwood, before I officially grant you my sword: are you willing to make that sacrifice?” He stared at me blankly, his face giving away nothing.

I stood up slowly as my thoughts cleared. “What happened next?” I asked slowly, “what happened after you killed Sanguis?”
Argentum looked to the side as if his past were right there. “I made my way back to the stronghold,” he said slowly, “where I informed some of the others that I had slain Sanguis. After word of his defeat spread, the other humans lost the little morale they had to keep fighting the Sentinels, and they retreated. Sanguis’s body was locked in a tomb in hopes he would never reawaken or be discovered, and I lived a long, healthy life, surrounded by good friends. My last act was to ensure the Sword of Harmony was safely hidden in our stronghold, and after that… you brought me here,” he finished simply.

I nodded, thinking about what I was about to agree to. Had it been several days ago, I would have outright said no to Argentum’s question. Hell, I probably wouldn’t even be talking to him right now if I had that same mindset, but things had changed since I arrived here. Allen’s friends had softened the cold shell that had formed around my heart, and Cadence delivered the final blow that set me free.

“I accept this responsibility,” I said cleary, stretching out a hand to take the blade, “and I am ready to wield the Sword of Harmony.”

Argentum nodded, smiling proudly. “Then, Drayke Blackwood, the Sword of Harmony is yours,” he said, placing the blade in my hand as I wrapped my fingers around the grip. “I should mention, you were not the only one to experience the thoughts and memories of another,” he added slyly. “I have seen your past and what you have done, and I know the uncertainty you hold about that gem you carry with you,” he gestured to my waist, and I pulled the black crystal out of my pocket.

“This thing is what I used to take over Equestria,” I said bitterly. “I don’t think I could use it knowing I would be capable of that again.”
Argentum frowned. “Drayke, power is neither good nor evil. Power is pure; it is only the one who uses it that determines what the power can be used for. Tell me, Drayke, will you use this power to destroy, or to save?” he asked seriously.

And just like that, he was gone. I blinked my eyes, and the armored man that stood before me was nowhere to be seen.

“Well… that was definitely the most intense thing that has happened to me in a while,” I breathed, and then turned to Cadence and Zecora. “Now what?” I asked.
Zecora spoke up. “I believe the best course right now would be to retrieve the Elements of Harmony,” she said quickly.
Cadence nodded. “Zecora’s right, Drayke,” she said, “we’re going to need all the help we can get if we want to stand a chance of defeating Sanguis. The Elements of Harmony are our best bet.”

I twirled the sword in my hand and struck a heroic pose. “Then let’s go get those Elements of Harmony!” I declared triumphantly.

~-~-~-~-~

Twilight slowly opened her eyes to find herself chained to a massive boulder that was floating in an endless void. She looked around to see each of her friends were also shackled to a rock of their own, as well as Princess Luna and Princess Celestia.

“Ah, so the first of the ponies has awakened,” a cruel voice said quietly. Twilight looked ahead to see Allen standing on a central platform that floated in the middle of each of her friends. “Twilight Sparkle, correct? forgive me if I make a mistake on your name; my access to this boy’s memories is limited,” he apologised.

Twilight struggled to stand, but she felt as if her strength had been completely drained from her body. “Who are you?” she growled, glaring at the man masquerading as her friend, “why are you doing this?”

Allen laughed. “Ah, that’s right, we haven’t officially met yet, have we?” he asked, drawing closer until his face was inches from hers. “I am the one who nearly killed Allen Greathouse and every pony living in the Crystal Empire. I am the one who killed your brother,” I whispered mockingly.

Twilight suddenly exploded, regaining some of her strength as her eyes flashed a bright white. “I’LL KILL YOU!” she screamed, struggling to break free from her prison, “I’LL FINISH WHAT ALLEN STARTED AND DESTROY YOU!”
Allen rolled his ice-blue eyes. “I doubt that,” he said with a bored tone. “After all, if you had the power to stop me, you wouldn’t have been trapped here in the first place, would you?”

Twilight’s eyes faded back to their normal violet hue, and she collapsed, gasping for breath as she stared at her tormentor with pure contempt. “So… what is your endgame? Conquering Equestria? Stealing our magic?” she asked, gasping for breath.

Allen laughed. “While those will be additional outcomes of my master plan, I have a much bolder goal in mind. Tell me, do you know where we are?” he asked, gesturing to the endless expanse surrounding them.

Twilight took a good look around. “The Void,” she said in a hushed whisper.

Allen nodded, suddenly smiling. “That’s right; The Void, and endless expanse that fills up the cracks between the dimensions. Tell me, pony, do you know what would happen if a large enough blast of energy would be released here?” he asked,

Twilight widened her eyes. “You’re insane!” she shouted, struggling to move once again, “that would kill anything here, including all of us!”
Allen shook his head. “No, all of you would die, but not me; I already have my own powers, this boy’s power, and a large portion of each of your powers; nothing short of a true god can kill me,” he boasted.

Twilight suddenly grinned dangerously as her horn fizzled weakly. “A god, huh?” she asked quietly, “it just so happens that I know one.”

Just then, a swirling portal violently opened before her, and the master of chaos himself, Discord, emerged into the void. “You called, Twilight?” he asked, and noticed Allen’s altered expression and look of disbelief. “Ah, Allen!” he cried joyously, but suddenly frowned. “No, wait… I know those eyes. Sanguis Cruciatus, is it really you?” he asked, floating around the boy to get a good look at him, “I just want you to know, I was rooting for you back in the days of the war,” he whispered as he leaned in close, but cleared his throat when he noticed Twilight giving him a disapproving glare. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but you’re going to have to stop this mad scheme of your’s,” he said heroically.

Allen shook his head, smiling sadly. “So, this is the ‘god’ you have chosen to fight me?” he asked, chuckling slightly as he conjured a black, crystal sword that he held a his side. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

Discord placed his hands together as a white robe and sash materialized around his body.
“Ah, not everything is as it seems, Sanguis-san!” Discord quipped as he held his hands before him in a prepared stance. “If you really can see into Allen’s memories, you might find that he and I have sparred with one another in the past!”

Allen frowned. “A ‘spar’ that ended with you two swatting each other like children,” he said, unimpressed, “and then your friend Fluttershy came along and interrupted you!”
Discord shrugged. “I still would have beaten him,” he mumbled.
Allen suddenly twitched. “No you wouldn’t have!” he snapped in an undistorted voice, the blue glow fading from his eyes for a few moments, before his head twitched again and he was back to normal.

“My apologies,” he said, his voice layered once again, “but this boy has quite the spirit, and occasionally breaks through my influence for a moment. Of course, I have my methods of keeping him in line…”

Just then, the shackles holding each pony prisoner in place glowed a violent red, and they all cried out in pain. “Do you see what happens to your friends when you defy me, Allen?!” he shouted, “do you see the pain that you are causing them?!”

Discord glared at the human, all of the humor suddenly fading from his eyes. “You’re going to pay for that,” he growled, and hurled a ball of purple-and-black magic at Allen. The boy quickly spun to the side, dodging the attack effortlessly.

“Try again,” he said smugly.

Discord began to unleash a barrage of attacks, rapidly throwing blast after blast of magic as Allen either dodged or deflected each and every one. Eventually, however, Discord was able to predict Allen’s movements, and threw a ball right in the path of his spin, knocking him to the ground. The draconequus still continued his assault for several seconds, pelting his adversary with shot after shot of his magic, until he was certain he had incapacitated the boy.

“That should do it,” Discord said smugly, and turned to start helping his friends out of their shackles, but he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Allen standing behind him, his body surrounded in an aura that matched the attacks he had used moments before.

“Better,” he said slowly, “but not quite good enough.”

Just then, Allen thrust his hands forward, unleashing all of his stored energy on Discord and slamming him against the rock Twilight was chained to.

“Sorry, Twilight,” he said weakly as a group of chains suddenly appeared and shackled him next to his friend, “but it looks like we’re out of options.”
Twilight stared at Allen angrily. “No,” she said in a low voice, “we still have one more hope.”

~-~-~-~-~

I stared up at the glittering tree that Cadence and Zecora had led me to. It stood inside of a massive cavern, and glowed like a star. At the lengths of its branches were five different-colored gems, and one violet, star-shaped one in the center.

“Okay,” I said slowly, staring at the tree in confusion, “how exactly am I supposed to get those down?”

Cadence shrugged. “Try using the sword?” she suggested.

I held the sword with both hands, tip pointed down, and stood before the tree. “Let’s hope this works,” I said quietly, and stabbed the sword into the cave floor.

Nothing happened.

“Okay, screw figuring this out; Cadence, can you levitate me up there or something?” I asked the pink alicorn, scowling at the tree.
Cadence nodded and held her head high as her horn and my body became surrounded in a light-blue aura, and my feet were suddenly lifted off the ground.

“Come here, you little bastard,” I said as I stabbed the sword into the tree and pried one of the gems from it’s slot. It gave with a loud ‘pop’, and fell to the ground below with a thud. I did the same with the other five, and then gathered them up in my arms; each one was nearly the size of my hand!

“I remember these things being smaller when they were stabbed into me last year,” I said thoughtfully. “Maybe I was imagining things. Now what do we do?” I asked my equine companions.
Zecora stepped forward. “Something from Argentum’s past may be the key. Tell me, while you were in his memories, what did you see?” she asked.

I stared blankly for a moment, lost in thought. “The final battle with Sanguis,” I murmered.
Cadence raised an eyebrow. “What was that?” she asked quizzically.
I looked the princess of love in the eyes. “The Void!” I cried excitedly, “it’s where Argentum and Sanguis last fought! Before he left me in that cave, Sanguis said that history never goes the same way twice, which means…” I trailed off, my eyes growing wide. “Oh, shit.”

Cadence still looked confused. “What is it?” she asked, sounding a little fearful.

I suddenly began to run for the exit of the cave. “We’re going to need some backup!” I yelled back quickly. “If Sanguis’s plan is what I think it is, we need to make sure we stop him for good this time!”

Cadnece and Zecora rushed out after me, keeping pace just a few feet behind me. “Drayke, I don’t understand,” Cadence called out, “what is Sanguis planning?”
I skidded to a halt and spun around, staring straight at the ponies dramatically. “Sanguis is going to join our worlds again,” I said in a low voice, “and once he does, I don’t think even the Elements of Harmony are going to be much help.”