We stand by the gate waiting for the Captain to arrive while the guard still here is giving us odd looks.

"So what do we do now?" Hammer asks.

"We just wait until they let us in," I reply.

Discord then claps his hands together getting our attention. "Well, while you wait for them to pull their thumbs out of their posteriors. I'm going to get that surprise for you ready," he tells me.

"Alright, but it better not be a prank, we're here for Equestria's sake after all," I tell him.

"Oh don't worry, you're going to love it. Ta ta!" he replies, snaps his fingers and disappears in a puff of pink smoke.

---

---

Finally the Captain has arrived and looks us over.

"So you're the supposed royalty who wants to see the King..." he says. He's about five foot eight tall with a short beard and a scar across his right cheek.

"Yes, Captain. I am King Adrian Stormsword, and this is my wife Queen Luna," I introduce us.

"Alright. Now my next Question is, what are you? I've never seen or heard of your race before," he asks.

Luna replies. "We art ponies, or Equestrians while Chitain and Chameleon here are changelings. We come from the lands of Equestria on the world Equus," she tells him.

"Equus? Wait, world? Never heard of it, sounds like you're just making this all up to be honest," he says.

I frown at him. "I was sent to Equestria by some kind of portal spell. I met the people there and over the last four or so months, befriended them and even found love," I tell him and look at Luna.

"Wait a minute, you were sent there? You a human?" he asks with a raised brow.

I nodded and lift the visor on my helmet. "I was on my way to Elysium when I was pulled to their world where now an old necromancer named Grogar is rising to power again. We're here to ask for aid and to create an alliance between our worlds," I tell him.

"Grogar... I think I've heard that name before in a history book... and how did you get back here?" he asks.

"Through a portal Twilight here created," I reply and tap Twilight on her shoulder as she blushes from the attention.

"Alright fine. I'll escort you to the Castle and see if the King will see you, but cause any trouble and you will be thrown straight into the Dungeons," he says and orders the gate open.

I sigh in relief and we follow him inside, I recognize this street from my vision. People of all races stare at us; dwarves, elves, humans, and even some aquarians walking around on legs made of water.

"Oh my gosh, are they the other races you told us about?" Twilight asks as she looks at them.

"Yes, although I doubt we'll meet any of the kitsune people here," I reply.

I notice some of the elves looking at us with mixed expressions, and some look a bit unsettling. Luna and I are surrounded by our guards as we follow the Captain.

"By the way, what is your name, Captain?" I ask him.

"Theo Dryton," he replies.

"Why was the gate closed? I thought it's always open," I ask.

"Orcs attacked recently and it's just a precaution for now," he tells me.

"I see, are the attacks getting worse?" I ask with a frown.

"Yes, they even seem to have gotten hold of some strong monsters to fight for them. How they're taming them I have no idea," he tells me.

"What kinds of monsters?" Twilight asks.

"Class one to class four," he replies.

"Class? I take it the higher the number the more dangerous the monster?" she asks again.

"Correct. They've somehow gotten dire wolves to obey them, along with shadow bats, gnolls, even some manticores. Worst ones though are the deathmaws which are large reptilian beasts with strong jaws and sharp teeth, very quick as well despite their size," he replies.

"And you've been fighting them all off?" Hammer asks.

"Yes, but not without casualties. We lost just over two hundred of our soldiers in the last attack," Theo tells him.

I can just hear hushed whispers from the people around us.

"What are they?"

"Do some of them have wings?"

"Two of them look like insects."

"What do you think they're here for?"

"Well two of them are wearing crowns, maybe they’re royalty?"

"Mama! Look at the pretty horse!"

"Are those horns!?"

I tune out the rest and focus on where we're going.

After a ten minute walk we arrive at the Castle gates. "Open the gate!" Theo yells. The gate slowly opens and we enter where the guards giving us more odd looks. Theo leads us to a room with many comfy looking chairs and couches. "Please wait here while I let the King know of your presence," Theo tells us,

"Very well," Luna replies.

Theo leaves and closes the door behind him. Twilight and Bright Mind are looking through the bookshelf for something to read.

Dancer and Hammer stand guard by the door. Chitain and Chameleon stand by the windows while Luna and I are on the couch. Spitfire looks like she fell asleep on the chair next to us while Jasmine is also asleep on Luna's lap.

"So what shall we do with Jasmine?" Luna asks.

"Once we've met the King and got what we have to say out of the way, we can then look for her relatives," I reply and pat Jasmine on her head. She mumbles and cuddles closer to Luna.

After Twenty minutes of waiting Theo returns and says the King will see us. We get up and wake Spitfire and Jasmine. We then follow Theo down the hall and into a grand looking Throne Room, not as big as Canterlot Castle, but it does have more decorating it.

Sitting upon the left throne is a man in his forties with greying hair and tidy short beard. He has a crown similar to mine and is wearing a deep purple robe with white fur along his neck. Scars are dotted across his face, no doubt from all the battles I've heard he's fought in. A large battleaxe is also resting on a rack next to his throne.

On the throne next to him is a woman of the same age as long greying blonde hair flows down her back and chest. A beautiful powder blue dress hugs her body and a silver tiara sits upon her head.

"Greetings! So you are these royals who wish to speak with me? May I have your names?" the King asks.

I bow to him and the others follow. "I am King Adrian Stormsword, descendant of the mage Starswirl the Bearded," I reply.

"And we art Queen Luna, Queen of the night and dreams," Luna replies.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am King Vortigan Llywelyn," he says.

"And I am Queen Alyssa Llywelyn," the woman next him says.

"A pleasure, your Majesties," I say and stand up straight.

"So I'm told you require aid against a necromancer? And it's Grogar no less," he asks.

"Yes, he's recently escaped his imprisonment from Tartarus and is raising an army of the dead where we've already fought some of them. Equestrian magic is not very effective against the undead and it seems one of our nation's enemies, the gryphons, has been getting help from Grogar in the form of anti-magic shields and barriers. So far I'm the only one able to nullify the barriers with my magic at the moment, though and I can't be everywhere at once," I tell him.

"I see, and how do you propose we aid you? We already have our hands full with the orcs," he tells me.

"We wish to form an alliance with Reymorah. We have the means to set up a permanent portal between our worlds with us," I say.

"So you would aid us against the orcs in return?" he asks.

"Yes, we would lend you aid in any attacks you come under. Equestria has a policy of never attacking another race or nation unless provoked. We're at war with the gryphons because despite our attempts at peace, they still hunt us for sport and food," I tell him.

The Queen gasps. "They eat you?" she asks disgusted.

"Yes, they see us as nothing more than livestock. My wives and I have already repelled two attacks on our Castle and us within the last two months," I tell them.

"Wives?" the king asks with a raised brow.

"I know what you're thinking. Equestria's male to female ratio is three women to every man. So men can have around three to five women as lovers. I adapted to their culture and I am happily married to Queen Luna, Queen Celestia, and Queen Shella," I tell him and wrap my right arm around Luna's waist.

"Ah. That would make sense..." he says but a voice cuts him off.

"Who let these animals in here!?" an old fat looking man says.

"Mr Thornston, please show respect to our guests," Vortigan tells the man. I glare at the man at calling my wife and friends animals.

"Insult my wife and people again and I shall remove your tongue," I threaten him.

"Oh? You dare threaten the most powerful noble family in the Kingdom? I can have you thrown out of the City in an instant," he sneers.

I channel a shield and three air elements and cast the air wings spell. I hover into the air glaring down at him to look more intimidating, I then channel a single shadow element where my eyes turn black and red with the black mist leaking out of the visor.

"I would. Anyone who insults or threatens those I care for will answer to me," I tell him. My voice now sounds distorted, that didn't happen last time.

He cowers back a few steps. "You filthy beast. I'll have you chained in the Dungeons for this!" he threatens me. I lift my visor and glare at him and he gasps. "Y-You're human!? You would reduce yourself to wed an animal!?" he says disgusted.

That's it.

I cast the shadow element I'm channelling and shroud him in a mist. He panics as he goes deaf and I charge up my mana and blast him back with a gust of air.

He rolls a few times before getting up and flees out the door. Vortigan's soldiers then surround us with their weapons pointing at us. Shit... I let my anger get the better of me again.

I sigh and slowly land back on the floor, I then cancel my wings and turn back to the King.

"I apologise for my behaviour," I bow to him.

He sits there while eyeing me before he then bursts out laughing, confusing his guards and us.

"It's alright. The nobles believe they run the Kingdom, and to be honest it's almost true. Laws made by my great great great grandfather to allow the nobles to have a say in the countries workings has gotten out of hand. That was the first time I've seen Mr Thornston so afraid in years!" he tells me and laughs again.

I remove my helmet and hand it to Twilight to hold for me.

"Thank you for your mercy King Vortigan. I've had issues with our nobility as well. Some even hired assassins to kill me and my wives on our wedding a few days ago," I tell him.

His eyes widen at that. "I see, we've been having the same problem. Attacks on myself are few, but mostly against my wife and son. It does seem giving them power and status is more of a curse than a blessing. The nobles used to be an honourable lot, helping the Kingdom flourish, but the descendants that inherit their wealth and status grow in thinking that they deserve it, not earned it," he tells me with a sigh.

"Just like ours. Though once we return, we're setting up new laws whether they like it or not, although we do have the support of half of them," I reply.

"Maybe we should do that as well?" King Vortigan says to Queen Alyssa.

"Perhaps, but that may cause distrust among the citizens," she replies to him.

"Well, we can discuss that later. Would you and your guard care to join us for lunch?" he asks.

I smile and bow again. "We would be honoured," I reply.

"Oh and just call me Vortigan, I've never really liked using titles anyway," he says and walks to a side door. The stories I've heard of his kindness don't give him justice.

"Then please call me Adrian, and I know what you mean, I'm still getting used to mine. It just feels strange people bowing to me and calling me your Majesty, your Highness, or my King," I tell him.

He chuckles and we enter the room.

---

---

Over the last few hours we told Vortigan and Alyssa about Equestria. They were fascinated with pony magic as Twilight demonstrated some for them; levitation, conjuration, teleporting objects and many more.

They seemed sceptical about Luna and Celestia raising and lowering the Sun and Moon, but after telling them that I've witnessed it myself, they seemed more open to the Idea. I even told them that if the portal is allowed to be set up, they could come and witness it themselves.

They told me of events that have transpired since I've been gone. Orcs attacked the City a week ago and repairs have just finished, and that the orcs are getting stronger.

The aquarians have found a lost city that has sunk into the Ocean around three thousand years ago and have salvaged quite a few relics from it.

The kitsune have actually started to venture out from their homeland as more and more have been seen around.

The dwarves are working on a prototype of a train where Luna told them of the ones Equestria has and offered to give them blueprints of them to aid in theirs. The King was grateful and offered a large sum of gold for it. I accepted as we may need some Terran currency in the future.

I was slightly hesitant, but I told him of the Equestrian airships. He was intrigued by them and wondered if they could be altered for dwarven engineering, he said they would make for great defences and safer travel for traders over long distances. Luna offered to give him blueprints for the smaller designs in exchange for some mages willing to come to Equestria who can cast the nullify spell, saying they would be a great help against the gryphons defences and allowing our guards to have a better chance at fighting back. I also asked if we could get some designs for rifles and scatter guns. I remember their barrier defences weren't as good against physical attacks.

He agreed and has lead us to a secure room underground. We told him how we set up our portal and he agreed it would be much safer in a strong secluded area in case something that shouldn't get through does.

Twilight sets up the frame and casts her portal spell again on it. After a few minutes of waiting the portal stabilizes and I see the Crystal Caverns under Canterlot.

"There, I've connected the two portal frames together," she tells us while panting. "The only way the portal will fail now is if the frame is damaged or destroyed," she says.

"Wonderful! Adrian, I look forward to seeing this world of yours later, but right now I do believe we have an alliance to form. If you would follow me to my office, we can write up terms and trade agreements," Vortigan says.

"Sounds good," I reply. "Spitfire, go back to Canterlot and tell Celestia the portal is up," I tell her. She salutes and walks through the portal. We head back up where Luna and I sit with Vortigan and Alyssa in his office while our guards and Jasmine wait outside.

After about ten minutes writing and signing up a treaty, I hear a faint voice. "MY KING! KING VORTIGAN!" the voice shouts from outside the door. The door bursts open with a panicked looking man panting for breath. "My king! Prince Kain has been killed! Someone has infiltrated his room and murdered him!" the man says and falls to his knees gasping for breath.

Queen Alyssa starts breaking down and crying while Vortigan looks beyond angry.

"WHAT!" he yells and heads for the door.

"Luna, stay here and try to comfort Alyssa, tell her I'm going to try and revive her son," I tell Luna and she nodded.

"Just be careful," she tells me and kisses me.

"I will," I reply and a follow the King.

I arrive at a room where Vortigan is on his knees, staring at a boy around nine years old on the bed... with a dagger in his chest, there's also a note attached to the dagger.

"Vortigan," I say, getting his attention. "With your permission, I'd like to try and revive your son," I ask him.

"R-Revive him? You can cast such a powerful spell?" he asks, hope in his tone.

"I've only done it twice, but yes, I can," I reply.

"Then please, I ask not as a King, but as a father, please bring my boy back to me," he asks.

"I'll try," I tell him and stand beside the bed. I pull the dagger out and hand it to him with the note which he takes and watches me.

I hold my shield in front of me and concentrate. "Please don't disrupt me. If I fail this, it will kill me," I tell him.

He nodded and left the room and closed the door, I'm guessing to prevent anyone entering until I'm done.

I prepare the revive spell and create the vessel. It fluctuates a few times, but I get it stable. I then feel a presence in the vessel and charge it. I cast the spell and the boy's body begins healing as the lightning element courses through him and he gasps.

He coughs and starts crying where the door opens and a wide eyed Vortigan is looking at his son. Tears stream down his face as he walks in and hugs the boy.

"Thank the gods you're alive," he says and holds the boy tightly.

"Daddy! I w-was so scared! S-Some strange *sniff* man climbed t-through the window a-and hurt me!" the boy says.

"It's alright now, you're safe," Vortigan tells his son.

I walk over to the window while panting from casting the spell. I nearly slipped up when forming the vessel. I look around and notice a rope connected to the balcony and it goes all the way down to the ground. That's got to be at least a thirty metre drop.

Vortigan then gets my attention. "Thank you, thank you so much. If there's anything I can get you. Please, don't hesitate to ask," he tells me.

"It's alright *pant* I'm just glad I could *huff* help," I reply.

"I'll have some water brought to my office for you," Vortigan says and carries his son back to the office where Alyssa squeezes the life out of him.

"By the way Vortigan, what was written on that note," I ask him and drink some water as Luna clings onto me.

He frowns and pulls the note out of a pocket. "It was a threat to vacate the throne or next would be my wife... I still don't know how an assassin could get in as I've increased patrols around the Castle and grounds," he says.

"It could be a guard? We've had infiltrators in our ranks before, but not since our new allies joined us who can detect their own kind," I tell him.

"Our own guard?" he says and frowns. "If that is true, then my family isn't safe here anymore..." Vortigan says.

"They are welcome to stay in Canterlot if thou wishes. We would keep them safe and comfortable," Luna offers.

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm not comfortable with sending them to an unknown world just yet," he replies.

"We understand, but we shall leave the offer open should thou ever need it," she tells him.

Vortigan bows to Luna. "Thank you. Now if you don't mind, we have a treaty to finish," he says and we complete the treaty.

Once finished, Vortigan speaks up. "Right then, I've got an investigation to conduct. You're free to wander the Castle and City if you'd like, but I must get going if I'm to find the assassin," he says.

"Alright, we'll be back later tonight, I still have to find Jasmines relatives," I reply.

"Jasmine? The little girl that is with you?" he asks.

"Yes, we saved her from a pack of dire wolves on our way here... but her parents weren't as lucky," I tell him.

"I see, then I wish you luck with that. Would you like an escort to guide you through the City?" he asks.

"That would be nice, thank you," I reply.

---

We've been walking through the City for ten minutes looking for Jasmine's Uncle's house, but I start getting worried as we walk through a rather run down looking area of the City.

"You sure your uncle Lives here?" I ask her.

"Uh-huh... but he's not very nice," she tells me.

I frown and stop in front of a house that has seen better days as I knock on the door and we wait. I hear the door creak open and Jasmine grips my hand tightly.

A rather scruffy man who has a bit of a pudgy belly just glares at me, a bottle of some alcohol in his hand. I can smell his breath through my helmet.

"What do yooo *hic* want," he says.

I just stare at him and look behind him to see his house is a mess. Am I really going to let Jasmine live in here? I look back at the girl who is gripping my hand like if she let go she'd die. Even the City guard escorting us looks disgusted at the man.

"Well? What do ya wa-*hic*-ant ya, bastard," he says then spots Jasmine. "What's mah broother's brat doin' ere?" he asks with a belch

Yup, not leaving her here. "Sorry, I think we got the wrong house," I reply and start walking away.

"Waa? What are ya? Some stuu-*hic*-pid shit?" the man yells at us and grumbles.

"Where are we going?" Jasmine asks confused.

"I'm not going to leave you with that bum," I tell her.

"But I don't know anyone else," she says.

"Then thou art welcome to live with us," Luna says, I guess she agrees with me not leaving her here.

"R-Really?" Jasmines asks as her eyes beginning to moisten.

I raise my visor and nodded with a smile.

Her lower lip starts quivering and she clings onto Luna and sobs.

---

We wander around the City for an hour. I managed to trade in some gold and gems for about four-hundred gold coins and bought Jasmine a stuffed bear and new clothes. I bought Twilight some books on magic that she was ecstatic getting while I also got something for everyone else as well.

Hammer got a dwarven lightning rune and had it attached to his hammer. Now when he hits something, a discharge of lightning will go off, but it needs a few seconds to recharge with every use.

Dancer's was expensive, but with her skills and style, I thought it was okay. She got eight well made katana swords; light, durable, and perfect for speedy attacks. She thanked me with more emotion than I've seen of her since we've been here... she's just like Twilight with her books, jumping around and hugging all eight swords to her chest.

Chitain and Chameleon got a sword each that matched each other, broadswords with a wide hand guard that could be held with one or two hands.

Bright Mind got nearly the same as Twilight, some books on the magic of Terra and a few rune gems and crystals infused with elements.

I got a special scoped rifle for Spitfire with three hundred bullets for her. It would be better than her bow as a pegasus can just sit on a cloud and make for an effective sniper.

I have about one-hundred gold left and entered a jewellery store. I want to get some rings for my wives.

After a few minutes of looking around I find some nice looking rings: One has a topaz in the shape of a sun on a gold ring. Another has a diamond crescent moon on a silver ring, and the last one I like has a sapphire shaped butterfly on a silver ring. The sun one is ten gold, and the other two are eight gold.

While Luna and Jasmine are looking at the necklaces, I purchase the rings and hide them in my pack. A special surprise for my wives when we get home.

"Find anything you like?" I ask them.

"Not really, we have many rings and necklaces back at the Castle," Luna says.

I smile. "Oh well, then shall we head back to the Castle?" I ask.

"Very well, we should let our sister know of our success. Besides, we wish to know more of this world," she replies.

We head back to the Castle where I see Discord waiting by the Gates.

"Discord! Where have you been?" I ask him.

"I went and got your surprise ready," he says in a surprisingly soft tone.

"Alright then, where is it?" I ask.

He steps aside and two people walk out of the Castle's doors. My eyes widen and tears begin to flow down my face...

"Mom? Dad?"

Next Chapter: Chapter 45: Welcome Home Estimated time remaining: 12 Hours, 3 Minutes