***Asphyxious pov. Bedroom. One hour later.***

I take back what I said this wasn't a bad thing that was amazing, I lift up my hand and saw my metal fingers again. I sighed to myself too bad I didn't stay human but why did I have a tail when I was in that form?. I heard a content moan as the Changeling Queen lay next to me under the covers. Before we started I asked if she could turn into an anthro version of herself, I was gobsmacked when she got it right on the first try.

That’s when I thought back to Everblight Heart Stone, I still had that inside my rib cage when I was hit with the Elements Of Harmony. I slowly reached in side of my rib cage and found the jar and the stone where missing. I guess I now have a piece of Everblight as a part of my body now. I felt anthro Chrysalis cling to my metal body and nuzzle my chest. I guess I can find out how to turn back into my human form later right now I was just fine with laying with Chrysalis cuddling me and resting.

I then saw her open her eyes and smile at me. “You were wonderful.” I would have smiled if I was still in my other form. Chrysalis then blinks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Why are you in this form?” I just shrug at her.

“Don’t know once we were finished with our… Exercise I changed back, maybe it has something to do with magic or something.” I said as I look at my hand again. Some how I was able to change into a human with a dragon like tail… Don’t tell me I have to go and find Everblight just to find out how this magic works.

“It could be changeling magic.” Said Chrysalis as she sat up and wiggled her new fingers. “What do you mean?” I ask as she smiled at me. “You did have Pupa in your arms when the Elements were used on you, it could be they used her magic in order to change you into that other-” She seem to trail off as a soft blush shows on her cheeks.

You know I love her and Pupa as if they were family but if she keeps this up it may become more than that. “So you liked my other form don’t you?” I could not help but laugh as the Changeling Queen became all flustered.

“Shut up, I’m only doing this for Pupa and to make my new hive!” She pouts at me as I just wave my metal hand at her. I was about to get up when she hugged me around the waist and give me those bedroom eyes. “I can teach you how to use Changeling magic even if it’s only for one form~.” My god she can be really sexy when she wants to be, I roll the idea around in my head for a bit then decide to let her teach me.

The magic was a lot harder to learn then I thought, at one time I changed my hand but that was it. I then changed my whole body and fell over, I blinked as I looked at my legs. Huh guess I have to get used to using my legs again. I then looked up and saw the way Chrysalis was looking at me. “Easy now, I think I need to get my walking legs back before-” She jumped right on top of me and started kissing me like crazy, god damn it I returned the kissing but when I heard a familiar voice call us I stopped.

“Mummy, Daddy, I’m all clean now!” We stop and looked at the doorway and saw Pupa smiling like it was her birthday or something, and behind her was a blushing Gilda with wide eyes. “Hey, why mummy look like that?” Pupa asked, I looked up at Chrysalis who was blushing like crazy. If I wasn’t the one under her I would most likely be laughing… Oh what the hell I laughed anyway, it was just too funny not to.

“Its okay Pupa, mummy was just showing me how to use magic to change what I look like.” I said what a smile, I then saw Pupa smile at that and nod her head. “Okay! Can I go play with the others now?”

“Sure.” I said as Pupa cheered and ran off back outside, I noticed the way Gilda was looking at us and I had the most evil Idea just to mess with her. I sit up and grab Chrysalis’s ass, that made her squeak, oh my god that was adorable and said this. “Like to join us?” It made Gilda blush even harder and run outside. “I gotta go!” She yells as she runs off.

I laughed a little and sighed until I look at Chrysalis who was giving me a glare. “You dare to touch me when someone else was in the room again I’ll-” I squeeze her ass again and that made her squeak. “Stop that!” She yelled with a deep blush.

“Okay I’ll stop.” I said as I remove my hands only for her to pin me to the floor. “Umm, I said I’ll stop.” She then grins at me showing off her fangs. “I didn’t say I would~.” She purrs at me. Well she got me there, that was when I heard an explosion. We both stopped what we were doing and go back to our true forms and saw one of the tunnels to the den was pumping out a lot of dust and smoke.

“What the hell happened!” I yelled. I saw a number of dogs rushing about trying to find out what was happening. I saw one diamond dog run out of the tunnel and made its way up to me. “Asphyxious; we, we’re under attack.” He gasped. That was all I need to know as I rushed out orders.

“Chrysalis find Pupa and Gilda and get somewhere safe. You, tell the diamond dogs keep the pups and the sick safe. I want the warjack up and running before whatever down there has a chance to get out of the tunnel, Move!” I ordered as I briskly floated back to my lab, to get my staff.

Once I got my staff, I decided to tie both of my books to my chains. Then I went to find Gear Shift, only for her to run up to me as I get out of my lab. “What’s going on? I heard an explosion.” I saw my shotgun dogs start to run over to the tunnel, I could already hear the squeals of Farrows from here. “Gears are the new warjacks ready for combat?” She looked at me like I was crazy, until we heard the gunfire and she give me a nod. “I’ll get them moving.”

She ran off and I wasn’t sure what to do right now we have no idea just how many of them there are, let alone if we can take them all. ‘Wait, I have the tokens.’ I quickly go to back to my room and try and call up Jack on the Hyperion Acquisition Beacon. “Jack you better pick up, I’m about to be over run by Farrows who want to eat my pack!”

A portal formed from the Hyperion token with Jack coming out first only for two strange Bots to appear following after, one who looked like a Custom Painted Loader Bot holding a strange Gatling Gun of sorts that had green glowing Corrosive rounds in the drum connected by a feed line. The first words out of it’s speaker was rather weird, as the sight alone from the armor on it showed a powerhouse of a tank trudging. “No bandit will ever, stop the Juggernaut!” Then proceeded to smash THROUGH the wall to the main area, falling out of sight into the room.

Looking back to Jack all he did was sigh into his hand. “I shouldn’t have fucked with the warranty on that ‘bouncer’… But as grudgingly it is to help ANY sort of dog, if they are your’s I’ll try not to flip out. Just keep them out of arm length and nothing will happen, also Yeah the other Claptrap with me is called ‘H.O.M.A.G.E.’. Though This one has been outfitted with a exotic support gear from another displaced.” He moved to get a look of where the Loader Bot went while I looked at the claptrap in question.

Blinking as by her figure to be a anthro Pegasus mare standing about 5’6”, wearing a business suit with a labcoat over it while a medical mask on her muzzle. But her glowing grey toned optics gave off a tone of not being happy about this situation while adjusting a fashionable set of rectangle glasses with her cable mane done up into a bun.

“The proper naming terminology would be as follows. ‘Hyperion, Off-site, Manager, Actuary, General, Enhancement. But aside from coming we are field testing a newly acquired piece of technology to be used in active combat, Despite the risks of Dimensional travel and illogical choices of associates we must strive to make the ‘best of it’ to ensure his capacity of this field test goes smoothly.” Shooting an icy look towards Jack.

“Jack I was thinking you could just send some bots I didn’t think you’d come here yourself.” That was when I heard an explosion, I don’t have time to deal with this. I ran out of the room and into the main den and wow. That a lot of Farrows, I saw dogs and boars fighting each other. It was a good thing it happening on the other side of the den for now. “Well Jack, shit hit the fan.” I said as turn on my shield.

Jack pointed to the left half of the main area with the ten foot tall lumbering Loader Bot whirling up the gatling in it’s hands before unleashing a spray of Corrosive custom rounds into most of the pigs in the path to where the smoke is coming from. Dealing fatal wounds that rip baseball sized holes into them, while some of the shots hit either a wall or thankfully the armored dogs that were in the path of said fire though it melted through their armor. But they were smart enough to dump the parts of armour that had the acid like rounds and stay lower to avoid more, due to lessons of how to avoid friendly fire.

“There’s nothing to worry about, with my-” That when two booms come from out of nowhere striking the walking loader bot of death’s shield. I looked to where the shots came from and saw two large Boars as tall as my warjacks with cannons mounted on their backs. “That sucks they have two Gun Boar’s.” I say as I cast Scything Touch on my dogs, that should give them an edge.

“Jack cover the dogs I’m going pig hunting.” I call on Cankerworm as it burrows out of the ground and follows me and I saw Seether walking up to the gun boar’s on one of the lower levels. Time to kill something.

***Jack’s Pov***

I Still am rather creeped out by him being some sort of thinking, floating undead lich or whatever. But at least I could use this opportunity to get away for awhile and do some combat testing, it doesn’t hurt to make sure new stuff always worked as intended or remembered. Drawing out my Crimson Invader rifle once more, easing my breath with each shot to strike at the ‘problematic’ looking Pig things that remind me of Duke Nukem’s pig cops, but uglier.

Turning on a Echo Channel to speak with Asphyxious, Taking the moment to lodge a bullet into one of the tall cannon wearing pigmen’s cannon to at least decommission the heavier weaponry. “So what’s the deal with the Pigmen things? Are they knockoffs of Duke Nukem or what?”

“I have no idea how they just came in and started kicking up shit. By the way they're called Farrows, HEY GET AWAY FROM PUPA ASSHOLE!” I hear the Lich yell before I hear the sound of a dying pig in the background.

I then heard more gunfire and saw the pig things had flintlocks of sorts, what the hell. “We fight for the good doctor!” One of the pigmen screams as it was waving what looks like a butcher knife, only to cut him short by shooting his jugular to see that pigman flail about in rage or was it panic? “I’ll provide cover fire while my ‘Bouncer’ stems the main flow of their forces giving you time to regroup your mutts…”

“Thanks Jack listen I’m sending someone over your way. If you see queen Chrysalis keep her and the foal that is with her safe okay, hey Jack what’s that blue thing in one of the tunnels by the main horde?” He seemed to ask, getting my attention to that direction.

“Hang on a second, let me get a better view from my scope, also Homage is saying you could be ‘47.6 percent more ‘efficient’ if you have extensive combat training.’” I spoke for her in that case while she loomed over behind me with her smaller Anthro Pegasus frame with me crouched looking into said spot with a blue glow he’s mentioned. Blinking in response to another human dressed in a tailored labcoat type fashion with speaking and gesturing in a commanding fashion. “You got a Human leading these pig fuckers, bald, goggles and has a sort of crossbow with syringes that could be launched from it.”

“Bullshit, thats Dr Arkadius but that can’t be right. Going by what I seen before he should be long dead… Or a vampire.” Said the Lich as I spot him throw a pig man over the side and into what looks like some type of metal works.

Giving a Flat look before attempting to shoot at the guy, only for him to dodge unnaturally fast with a crazy malicious grin on his face looking right at ME. “Okay, I’d say the Fucker’s real and has creepy levels of bloodlust. Also he DODGED a bullet, from my gun…” I said lamely at the end there, trying a couple more times only for him to give a cackling like response before going into the tunnel retreating.

“Jack, you remember what we dealt with when we was in the empire. I think the guy you're looking at is one of them. Because I know for a fact he can’t dodge bullets.”

A frown covered my features, turning into a deadpan stare before testing my shooting ability on other pigs as I took a few very pointed groin shots. “Yes, I didn’t miss. also no, I refuse to believe that bullshit. Vampire sounds more logical since YOU mentioned it.” I pointed out in a bit of irritation before seeing two changelings sit beside me, one looking at me in a weird manner while the younger one waved with a smile.

“The vampire bit was sarcasm Jack.”

I was looking for a new target when- Holy crap they have a morter! There were two pigmen running along the upper level one was holding a modified cannon looking thing and the other was holding a box full of primitive mortar shells. “They have a crap quality Mortar on the upper decks!” I shouted over the Echo, while taking shots at them only for them to mostly hide behind cover from sheer luck.

“Then kill them before they can get set up they may be crap but they can still explode, beside I got my hands full with this War hog.”

Looking at H.O.M.A.G.E. only to point to the other side saying this. “Well you know what to do, if you don’t want the field testing of equipment to be hampered.” I said in a mostly flat tone, which she responded by looking at me with a split of conflict before sighing with a adjustment of her glasses. Taking flight with a few flaps of her wings and thrusters from the bottom of her hooves to blast out of the doorway to the intended target while the two changelings were wide eyed. “What? You never saw what could be the most advanced thing your world ever knows?”

“She so pretty.” Said the younger changeling. Then the older one just blinks at this before smiling. “So this is where Asphyxious got the idea for my other form.”

Raising a brow at this, until a shit eating grin crossed my features. “Did you know that medically I am walking Alicorn eye candy?” Looking at them both making it so he could hear the conversation from my end, as i looked out seeing Homage efficiently behead both pigs before taking the munitions to drop them towards my ‘Bouncer’ Loader Bot.

“Bullshit I had sex with a Celeste.”

“Mummy what eye candy, and when will Daddy be back?” Said the younger one. “Don’t worry Daddy Asphyxious will be back as soon as all the mean Farrows are gone.”

Giving a flat look out to the battle, clearly seeing the Iron Lich in question to say this. “Hey, was she from my universe or not? If not than I’m fine, though if you go for bragging rights I might give you a ‘love tap’ on the head.” Looking to Chrysalis to see if she’s okay with that little idea.

“Did yours have a human girl in gold armour working for her?” She looks at me and shakes her head no and gave off a big smile. “I’ll ask him about that later.” Was her response as she had an interesting look on her face.

Adjusting the shot to blow out a Pigman’s brains next to him I say this in a flat tone. “No, also I would be the first to know if there was a human female in my world. Besides fuck all crazy vault hunters.. But I know for a fact My Celestia is into me, the levels of creepy are off the chart so you know.” A visible shudder left my body, both changelings cringed likely from the emotion I gave out.

The older Changeling covered the younger one’s ears before saying this. “You do know you have a part of her essence inside of your body, right?”

My head slowly turned to look at her, giving her a empty expression. “Yes, yes I do, matter of fact. Here is a bit of advice for your ‘mate’, never accept cake from a sun wielding alicorn who’s into you without knowing the ingredients.” My eye twitched from the memory, shuddering again from the sensation inside my body.

“So naughty~.” She purrs to herself. “I may try that with Asphyxious human form, he is really good with his hands~.” I swear I heard her wings buzzing.

I just looked at her, before looking very slowly back to what’s happening as my ‘Bouncer’ throws mortar rounds into the tunnel from where they were coming from to make a break in the next wave while it reloaded. “Your Changeling is surprisingly, normal…” Giving a flat look while taking a couple more shots, before reloading myself.

“HA!, dude we are displaced we don’t even know the meaning of the word normal anymore.”

“It’s under ‘not fucking crazy’ or ‘I use a point of reference to gauge differences’, since it’s a good practice you should do.” Checking for a round in the chamber before firing surprisingly close to him to hit a Pigman that was charging at him from up front.

“Too late for that already crazy here, DIE IN A FIRE!” I saw a small pillar of fire go off on the other side of the den.

“What is going on down there!?” A voice screams from behind me.

Pointing behind myself asking Chrysalis this question while taking some shots to clear the pig pile attempting to knock my ‘Bouncer’ over, knew those armor and synthetic muscle upgrades would work out. “Friends of yours or should I just not ask and shoot?”

“In a manner of speaking.” She said making sure the young changeling didn’t see anything to gorey from the battle that was happening under us.

“Hey it’s those pig things the diamond dogs were talking about!” Yelled Whom was likely ‘Pinkie Pie’ for this universe who was standing on my head.

“Pinkie get down from there, there is a battle going on down there you could get hurt!” Yelled the recognizable voice of ‘Twilight Sparkle’ princess of friendship, who is a purple unicorn as she lifted the party pony off my head with her magic.

My eye twitched before snap judgement forced a Nemesis Pistol into my hand, spinning about to shoot above my head where a pink pony WAS. Only to see her next to a quadruped unicorn with wide eyes. “Invading my ‘personal space’ earns a hole in the head at worse, Now if you little cuntwads want to interupt me while FUCKING DEALING WITH SHIT!” At that point H.O.M.A.G.E. flapped into the room, kneeling at my side with a hand resting upon my shoulder. with the ponies and changeling going wide eyed, at the likely at my outburst verbally.

“Sir, we have incoming hostile biological ‘boar’.” A large boar like thing was roaring and changing this way, it looked like someone was trying to make a frankenstein cyborg out of the damn thing. It also had two large battle axes in it’s robotic hands, while bellowing smoke from the back chimies. Pulling from my Echo a Fatale-Bitch with the Cryo effect, I started to unload upon it. But the damn thing was doing more than just slow it down, it was pissing it off.

“Run!” Someone screamed and I saw likely the six element bearers run away, with the two changelings not far behind them. I continued to unload even quick magazine change, as with a swing of it’s axe stopping an inch from my face with it’s hand and the rest of it stopped. Turning around giving a smug grin while blasting it’s face one with a Nemesis Pistol, to show them the situation was handled. Until I heard a sort of ‘refined’ voice of a man and clapping.

“Well done Mr Jack, well done indeed I didn’t think you would survive let alone stop a warbeast. The others have underestimated you, foolish on their part but understandable.” The man said smiling.

Raising my brow while keeping a defensive stance, ensuring my shield’s topped out while he spoke in a confident tone. “Well I’m the hero to any story, most often heroes overcome expectations if you can believe that.” Giving a trademark smile befitting of a true Handsome Jack.

“Yes, yes, so we all like to think I haven’t met many so called heros but I do know a fellow scientist when I see one. You and I Jack have a lot in common'” He said as he slowly walks up to me. “You see where some see wild beasts we see potential of what they could be, with a little work I think the farrows could be a very useful army don’t you agree?”

Gazing down at the battle taking place giving a slow nod as my features gained a critical look over how they moved. “Well everything has a ‘natural’ level of potential, then there is the ‘roads’ for different fields of science for possible evolution of said potential artificially or not. As a Scientist, I would say we all consider ourselves working for the ‘greater good’ it only just means of how we get there.” While Homage retained a neutral business look, while I gestured to her features.

“You get it.” He said with an almost feral grin. “All the others like to think they are higher beings, but I don’t really see it myself. I’m guessing you could say, as the black sheep of the family, I like to look at other means to complete my goals like say. Killing you and the Iron Lich, sadly I didn’t think he would call you for help, that can be a problem.”

He then takes out this large syringe, out of his coat and sticks it in the now ice boar. “Tell me Jack, what are the gene splicing effects of a fire element into a living being, starting with a number of side effects?” He asked as he pulls the syringe out and backed away from the Boar.

Narrowing my eyes at it, seeing the cracks from in the ice while it’s flesh rips. Expanding as I see and feel an increased amount of heat radiating off the Pig cyborg, shifting my view onto the ‘fellow’ scientist further away now. “Heat resistance, affinity to fire, small chance of magma blood hybridization if it melds with the host body’s mutation. Seeing the change in size you just introduced a ‘lovely’ Badass War Hog that was VERY intent on axing my face...” I gave him a mock smile before turning deadpan at him.

“Right you are Mr Jack, so with that I’ll-” Before he can finish Asphyxious appears above him and tries to impale him on the end of his staff. Only for the guy to sidestep it and do a backflip by twenty or so yards. He laughed and said this. “Nice try my boy, but you have bigger things to worry about. I Give you, The Badass War HOG!”

BADASS War Hog.

He is the pork that cooks you!

Blinking for a moment when said now Badass War Hog broke free a graphic background appeared, with it’s apparent name under it’s type. “Are you tripping out or is that a boss graphic?” I pointed a finger at it, while giving that guy who retreated a middle finger from how stupid things have become.

“I see it too Jack, I might be crazy but not that crazy. We are so fucked.” The Lich backed up next to me, likely not looking forward to what is about to happen here.

The Badass War Hog Give off a roar as its axes catch on fire. “I’m going to have pony steaks tonight!” It roared as the hair on its head neck and back turned into literal flames.

“Did that thing just talk?” Asked Rainbow Dash, who likely came back to watch only to falter. “Less talking more running!” Yelled the Lich as he turned around and flies past me, likely ‘making up’ for how I ran away last time.

***Asphyxious pov.***

What to do, What to do. This is so fucked up, its not even funny. Not only that but I got six ponies, a queen, and a foal to keep alive. Not only that but it looks like Jack and his helper are barely slowing that thing down! Good thing they are keeping up.

Okay think, this is your home, you know it inside and out, use what you know to weaken the enemy. Jack got the right idea with his Ice gun but that Boar’s body is so hot it’s melting down the ice effect while it forms. Wait, only it’s body has changed meaning the arms are still simple metal. The hard part will be getting those arms to cool down to a point where the metal warps. Heating them up and cooling them down again, that's how we’re going to win!

“Jack I need you to do something for me, only attack it’s arms, understand? I have a plan we’re going to head for the main forge. There is a large water container that we use to store water and use for cooling down the metals from the forge. We get that War Hog to go inside and we can win this.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll just ask it to stop and jump in a LAKE!” I heard Jack yell from behind me. I do a double take and found the main six, Chrysalis and Pupa were gone. I look at Jack as he fired his ice gun at the Badass and see me looking at him. “What?!”

“Where are the girls?” I asked in slight growl, wow I need to chill out for a bit once this was all over. I then heard his robot pony say this. “We saw them proceed into one of the side tunnels as this unit and C.E.O. Jack were keeping the biological ‘boar’s’ attention upon us as ‘requested’.” Her robotic pegasus wings fluttered in irritation, a disapproving scowl on her smooth machine face while firing her machine pistol at the Badass Boar in question.

Huh well then I guess all we have to worry about now is ourselves. I pulled up the SMG to add to the fire of bullets but all that did was piss the Badass off even more and ‘slightly’ dinged it’s large health bar. Oh come on just, wait where did the health bar come from and why do I hear a train? I looked down and the tracks we were all running on and saw small pebbles moving, oh that’s not good.

I grab Jack and the robotic pegasus then teleport us to one of the lower levels, I look up as the Badass start to yell at us. “When I get my hands on you I’m going to turn you into a BBQ!” After the Hog shouted in rage I heard a foghorn that was when I saw it turn around and get hit by the train going full tilt. Wow they went far…

Once the train stopped I see three diamond dogs stumble out, they don’t look like any of mine. “This unit begrudgingly thanks you, for saving C.E.O. Jack. Even if the means lacked efficiency.” I looked at the robotic pegasus as she looks up at me, for a lackluster color tone she is rather cute. ‘damn Jack I need to get me one of these I think to myself.’ Once I put them down Jack raises a finger, excuses himself for a moment before throwing up a couple feet away.

“I HATE, Teleportation magic. It’s up there with fucking alicorn instincts, don’t do that again… If you do, I’ll shoot you in the face Asphyxious...” Thats when I heard the three dogs yelling and run past us, I turn back to what’s left of the train and saw the Badass War Hog only lost half it health. “You have got to be kidding me, just die already!”

The train was lifted up and thrown off to the side, as he took a stance roaring at us. “I’m bringing the heat, and you're in my kitchen!” That was when an explosion of acid and bullets start hitting it. “I will bring the pain!” Well, Jack’s ‘The Juggernaut’ loader bot still alive, the Badass roared and charged the gatling wielding ‘Bouncer’ bot.

“So how long is your bot going to hold that thing off for?” I asked Jack, as I watch the fight that was now happening. The Hog and Bot were fighting on even ground only one problem I could see, the Loader bot may have good armor but the Badass War Hog could dish out more attacks then the bot could fight back.

I only knew one thing Jack was pissed off to all royal hell and back. I saw Homage place her palm while fluttering up to above his head to rest it against his neck but I had other things to worry about, like how to kill this Badass.

“There’s a reason why that quirky bouncer calls itself the ‘Juggernaut’, besides wherever it learned that name. It’s a powerhouse but lacks the finesse that lighter models have so he’ll be slow, but fitting for a role of a ‘tank’ by MMO terms.” Jack stated whipping his jaw, as he checked his ammo count maybe. Did he just pull out a Rocket Launcher?

I look at Jack with interest something tells me this could be a interesting fight. “So we sit back and watch?” I asked as I saw Jack fire a rocket at the Badass. “I’ll take that as a no.”

He just looked at me expectantly before he uttered this phrase. “Well like any ‘party’ a tank needs support, since I’m the Handsome ‘Ranger’ it’s your turn to get off your ‘wizarding’ metaphorical ass and whip out your magic might, or are you just limp where it counts?” He ribbed into me while firing off another rocket, as his loader seems to hold the Boar’s fury for now.

I laughed at that and started to draw up the magic for a spell I wanted to use but didn’t know if I could control it. “This is my first time using this spell I don’t know if it will affect your bot.” That was when I heard Sombra inside my head.

This weak minded fool knows nothing about the powers of a magic user! when I take over this body you will be the first I cut down for your slander!

I just rolled my eyes at this, as I drawed on my magic I just hope it works. That was when I heard the roar and saw the Badass was heading right for me!

Though a rocket to the face dazed it mid charge as the Loader Bot behind it grappled with it’s chimmies working to drag it further back only for Jack to figuratively rip into me again. “Having ‘performance issues’ girly? I thought I was fighting with a ‘mighty wizard’ not some second hand dropout. But if you need a pill to fix it for now, i’m sure I have some I left with your better half.” Likely having also jabbed at Sombra too with how he’s wording these things.

“Shut up magic is like napalm one wrong move and you’ll be a ice cube.” I growled almost there I just needed one more minute. There we go I had a orb of ice magic moving in the palm of my hand now I just had to hit the Hog with it. “You mite what your bot to back off things could get… Chilly.”

At that moment the Loader seemed to have slammed the Badass fire Hog into one of the walls before springing back with a loud thump that rattled some pebbles. “Well unleash the ‘fireworks’ and wow me, or I’ll forever call you a limp dickless bastard!” Jack shouted as he froze the Boar’s feet and ankles for that moment.

I just shoot the ball of magic into the floor five feet away from the badass, it then explodes into a blizzard all around the War Hog. I could even feel the cold from here and hear the Hog cries as the ice and cold was cutting into it. “How that?” I asked looking at Jack.

The place where he was standing at lacked Jack, but a cough a bit further back drew my attention to a prone lain Handsome Jack. With a large scorched axe thrown into his chest, having embedded itself where his echo was worn on his chest, sparking with flashes. As he had landed against the Claptrap who he was also laying upon attempting to get up. “Thhat, hurt-” With a single cough sputtering from his mouth as the light left his eyes, looking lifelessly at mine from where he lays.

“Jack…” I couldn’t look away, I already felt the blizzard die down and I heard the Badass War Hog laugh. I snapped, I let out a roar of my own as I teleported up to it and drove my staff right in to where it’s heart should be. I didn’t stop until the blade stuck out of its back, I then drive my claws into where its body was stitched together and started pulling things out. Flesh, Metal, Organs I didn’t care I wanted it dead for killing one of my FRIENDS!.

The Loader Bot helped hold the Squealing Badass fire Hog in place while it attempted to thrash and gurgle in rage, looking utterly impotent in my rage.

Once I pulled everything out and grabbed it by the skull and roared in its face. “I will eat your SOUL!” I then put my hand on its head and used a spell I never thought I’d use, then pulled its soul out of its body and broke it down in to mana. I then looked back to my friend. Oh god, why did he have to die?

I went over and looked to the claptrap. “I’m sorry…” It was all I could think to say to my dead friend.

The claptrap in question raised her eyebrow at me, before finally pushing Jack’s corpse off of herself with a uncaring ease. Even regarding the blood on her suit with disdain, with a dismissive move of her hand as if nothing was wrong. Treating the fact my friend just died as a footnote. “The test performance appears to be an exaggerated disappointment, revisions will have to be made and the biological matter to be hauled for disposal.”

“What the hell is wrong with you!” I scream at her I was just about ready to tear her head off. “My friend just died and that all you have to say!? He made you, don’t you feel anything at all!”

The look this robot gave me, it was like she was screaming that I was a complete moron, as if something oh so obvious was stated. “The Field test ended in failure, how can you be stating the biological waste is of importance?” Her gaze was neutral I was likely about to tear into her when her hand palm up rose up emitting a projection of Jack, giving me a shit eating grin. “Sup ‘wizard’?”

“What?” I, what?, who, I was never more confused didn’t he just die? “Jack?” I asked looking at the projection. “Is… that really you, or is your robot fucking with me so I don’t kill her?”

He lifted his brow looking at me before his smirk looked to be strained holding in a laugh, until he utterly lost it. “Well lets just say in a way I ‘did’ come by, though you know how in the game ‘I’ had body doubles? Well I just took that concept a bit ‘further’ by manipulating ‘me’ from a chair this whole time. Though I have been trying to compensate for the lag time by using Homage here.” He gestured a thumb towards said pegasus Claptrap.

I was going to kill him, here I was thinking he was dead and it turns out he was just driving around in a body double this hole time. “You bastard! I thought you died!” I yell at the projection I was still a little angry but I was happy my friend was okay.

“Hey before you go, got any clothes I could wear for my human form seeing as I don’t want to be naked every time I turn into it?” I asked looking around see what was left of the Badass and wait was that a gun?

He shrugged at me from the tiny hologram in the claptrap’s palm, giving his trademark grin stating this. “What, you aren’t one of those free love nudists? Well I wouldn’t put it pass you if you were, but sure we can get you some clothes. Or unless you want to go the ‘local’ fashion by the Element bearer generosity?” He gave a ‘whoop de do’ twirl of a finger above his, while at ‘Jack’s’ corpse the Loader Bot lifted it in his arms after removing the axe that was embedded in his chest carrying him bridal style.

“Clothes Jack.” I said as I pick up what looks like a shotgun, the butcher if I remember right it even had corrosive with it. Cool, there was even a handgun as well didn’t know what it was called. “Hey Jack what this handgun called?” I asked holding up the blood covered gun.

Jack was about to respond when a resounding gasp came from one end of the hallway closest to where the wrecked train was, the ponies had their elements on again and Chrysalis was with them too. Homage was ‘polite’ enough to respond. “Store it in your echo and all information will become listed for view, also grime upon weapons are cleaned off to their best condition within the inventory.”

“Right.” I said as I start cleaning the guns, I wave to the girls letting them know everything was alright now even if I was covered in blood. That when I saw the looks they were giving me. “Its not mine everything is fine.”

I saw the diamond dogs were starting to work out how to clean out the den and even saw one dog start eating a dead Farrow. “Hey save some for later I want to try some of that later when I’m human again, and cook it before eating it you have no idea where they have been.” I saw the main six look like unwell apart from Shy, who looked both sad yet curious about the dogs eating the farrows.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” Said Rainbow Dash, as she then flew off somewhere back into the tunnel, Gilda was not far behind her. I then look to holo Jack and saw a look on his face that made me laugh.

“So, eating your enemies a new ‘fetish’ for you? Or is it a necessity?” He said, while the look on his face read, something along the lines of likely ‘zombie alert’. Though Chrysalis was giving me a strange look, with The purple unicorn trying to hold up the most to speak to me likely.

“Think of it as politics, Farrows see eating their neighbors and friends once they die as just common sense. You don’t let good meat go to waste, and to not eat them is like saying there was something wrong with them. So I’m hoping this will tell them I know something about them and they will see no reason to attack me again for letting all those bodies go to waste. Plus there's pork when was that last time you had bacon?”

A strained cough loud enough to be noticed, turning to see Twilight Sparkle and her friends still wearing the Elements. Looking at my gore covered self, the corpse of ‘Jack’ in the Loader Bot’s arms and the Homage anthro Pegasus who Rainbow Dash was looking over then her own wings. “What in the name of Celestia, is going on here?!” A couple hairs sprung out from Twilight’s mane and tail.

“Oh that, don’t worry I just thought my friend just died but it turns out he was fine.” I said pointing at Jack hologram.

They blinked looking at the hologram of Jack appearing to be ‘hovering’ in Homage’s palm, looking back at his corpse than continuing the process until Fluttershy tried in despair to help him. “Oh dear, is there nothing we can do to help him? If you don’t mind.”

“Shy calm down it wasn’t his real body it was just a shill.” I try to explain.

Pinkie Pie at that moment let out a shuddered gasp pointing her hoof at the projection of Jack yelling out. “It’s a ghostie!” Twilight snapped her neck from pinkie to jack’s image on Homage’s palm tilting her head as more hairs spring out. “It makes no sense! This Ghost isn’t giving off a magic signature or even a ectoplasmic essence!”

“Pinkie no it just a projection, and Twi calm down look talk to Jack he can explain it to you.” I sighed as I put the gun in my echo and a name popped up, the handgun was called a Unkempt Harold, huh. I look back and, oh my god what is Jack doing!?

Jack had a full blown smile speaking in a semi exaggerated tone. “I’m speaking to you all from beyond your current existence!” Which unnerved Applejack greatly to start looking around, as she was about to raise her hoof to ask a question was when I stepped in.

“Jack! Cut the crap I haven’t explain that I’m a displaced to them yet!” I yelled at him only for homage to push my face away from the holo. “He’s not dead he's just, in another equestria, Universe… I don’t know.”

The element bearers blink looking at Me to Hologram Jack, he’s just grinning to this moment. “Well seeing as how ‘Purpleburgler’ will likely be transcribing events and every little ‘heresay’ back to her royal ‘stalkerestia’ the stalker supreme and actively attempting to ‘court’ me...” He literally shivered on that end.

“Droolestia.” I commented. Making sure he got it right for my world pain in the ass.

“Will you stop calling her that!” Twilight complains as she gives me the crazy eye. “And why would you two call her those things like that anyway?” I go right up to her and look in to her eyes. “You don’t want to know about Jack’s Celestia, you just don’t. As to why I call her that… I’m more then willing to tell you later.”

Twilight don’t look happy about but then she looks around and sigh. “I… I understand, your home was just attacked. We should just report what we’ve found already and call it a day. But you and I are going to have a long talk about this Asphyxious.”

Jack just looks between them, his brow raised as he glanced at me and said this ominous statement. “Beware the effects of ‘Alicorn Instincts’, if a studious overachiever like her asks and you see it. You’ll likely understand the implications...” He’s eyeing twilight with an intensity only to snap his fingers as the Loader Bot left likely to the Token.

I and Twilight just blink at him like his crazy, or maybe he's right I don’t know for now I just want the girls to go home where it some what safe. “Whatever just send the stuff I asked for and I’ll pay you later.” I said as I saw Pupa run up and hug me.

Aww, that's cute. That when I hear Rarity and saw her going up to holo Jack then give a dainty cough. “I do hate to be a bother, but darling would you kindly tell me which ever pony made that roguish attire you are wearing?” Jack just looked at her than shifted his gaze up to mine gesturing a finger towards her.

“Third time ‘she’ said those words to me, but anyways to answer your question. I made this, also other garments that our mutual acquaintance will be wearing in his other form. But I am sure that a mare of your quality wouldn’t mind helping him out by showing us which brand is better.”

“Wait what?” I asked looking at Jack oh no, you are not putting me in a suit! “Oh no, I’m fine hiding out from sunbutt. I don’t need the girls checking up on me.” I said quickly only for Jack smile to get even wider. I will get you back for this Jack.

“Whatever, Moon Dancer, Gear Shift, Kat. I need your help upgrading my body!” I call out as I head to the forge with the two ponies and diamond dog. I noticed the girls were following me to the forge but I didn’t care, if this battle taught me anything. it’s that I need to get stronger.

Author's Notes:

Crossover with Architect of Realities. And a big thanks to him for helping me out with this.

Dr Arkadius.