It is the witching hour, curses are half price.

"This one is perfect! Aren't I the prettiest pony daddy?" Diamond Tiara asked her father as she strutted around in her new platypuses costume, her fake beak flapping up and down with her muzzle.

"Er, yes princess. But wouldn't you rather dress as an alicorn princess like you do every year?" Filthy Rich asked his daughter. Rarity was looking at the young filly in silent horror. She doesn't even know where that hideous thing came from. She certainly didn't make that thing. She knew that Nightmare night was a lucrative time of the year and the point was to be scary but that thing could scar a pony for life. And her friend, why of all things would she be wearing that!

"Um, Silver Spoon... Why are you dressed as a toilet?" Her father asked as he looked down at his daughter in her white body suit and the bowl helmet with the lid just opened enough that he could see her eyes. Though strangely enough her cutie mark was already on it's flank area.

"Because I make it look good." Silver Spoon boasted as she admired herself in a mirror.

Both of their fathers looked unsure about their choices but both of them always had the same parenting method. What their princesses wanted, their princesses got.

"Alright miss Rarity. How much for the costumes." Mr. Rich asked her as his daughter and her friend took them off and bagged them before running off with their new costumes.

"I-I-I N-no! I didn't make those things!" Rarity said in a panic.

"Oh?" Rich asked before a look of realization crossed his face. "Oh I understand. No worries miss Rarity I've made mistakes in business before. I can understand that you don't want anypony to know you made those costumes for the sake of your reputation and I promise that nopony needs to know." Filthy Rich said which Silver Tongue nodded to in agreement before they both dropped a bag of bits each at her hooves and walked out while Rarity just looked from the bags and the door in too much shock about what she just witnessed. She was thankful that Sweetie Bell wasn't here. The poor dear would be traumatized by seeing such bad fashion.

“Thanks for playing dolls with me miss Rin. Normally when my sister finds a babysitter to keep me out of her mane when she’s busy they won’t play with me at all.” Sweetie Bell said to me with a big smile.

“Thats ok Sweetie. I used to play dolls with Celestia and Luna all the time.” It also helps that I found my own way to make such a boring game fun. I think to myself as I took the Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon dolls and put them in a box which I locked and sent away to my private vault where I keep the things I don’t want anyone, not even my own minions messing with. The spell’s effect should end before tomorrow morning. I wish I could see their faces when they realised what they went out in. “Its almost time to go. You may be in your vampire costume but I need to get dressed. Why don’t you play with Mr. Nibbles again while I’m doing that?” I ask as I can hear the tiny protests coming from the cage in the corner and Sweetie squealed excitedly as she runs over to the dungeon’s pet. I use my hand of evil to bring in Trixie to watch her while I’m gone even though the room was locked. I just couldn’t allow a crusader free reign of the place. Also Trixie refused to partake in Nightmare night when she heard it was in Ponyvile so she might as well watch the squirt for a moment seeing as I know she’s not getting ready herself. I then create a portal to my room and use inspiration manifestation to go through different costume ideas.

A few weeks have past since we adopted Mr. Nibbles and I was happy to find that Ax sent me my own copy of his book. I could tell it wasn’t complete. There were obvious skips in them and warnings on every page. Not that I minded as it gave me the information that I wanted and I was glad for the warning as I didn’t want any unpleasant surprises. Though I needed to experiment with energy from what he wrote about that coal. I did build a warjack prototype but I haven’t finished a power source for it yet. But I was able to make one fully functional minion from that book. It was close enough to my flesh golems that I decided it was a good first project from the book. The hard part was finding a ghost willing to inhabit the body. All in all things were going well in my little dungeon though a few of my new minions baffled me. When I built the potion lab I expected it would attract Zecora. But no, not her or Twilight, but that one was no surprise with her loyalty to Celestia the heart wouldn’t have even considered her. I could think of several ponies or types of individuals but I never would have guessed at who my heart would attract. Berry Punch...I’m almost certain that she's using half the vats to make some kind of alcohol and though I will admit she somehow manages to do a good job I haven’t seen her sober once.

And my casino attracted a team of rogues which isn’t that strange except that they’re all breezies that specialized in stealing rare materials to sell on the black market to some depraved individuals that were stolen from famous mares. And apparently they fetch a higher price the dirtier the stuff is when they take it. In other words they were professional panty raiders...

I finally found a costume that I liked. “This one will do.” I say as I look at myself dressed in my green Riddler tuxedo and tie with the mask over my eyes and even the hat. Not scary but a fun character. Speaking of which the invites I sent to my friends should be activating any moment now. I think as I use a portal to jump back into the room I left Sweetie in to see that she and Trixie were taking a sadistic delight in dressing Mr. Nibbles up and putting makeup on him. I just grin and shake my head at the sight before looking around to see if the invitations I sent to Doom and Ax were accepted.

That's when I saw a portal open up and Asphyxious walks out of it with an anthro pony and wait, is that Gilda? The Lich then did a bow before throwing up his arms into the air and started to shout. “I am Asphyxious, Lich Lord of the Diamond Dogs, King of all alpha’s, Look at me and despa-!” That’s when the anthro Griffon hit him up side the head. She crossed her arms and glared at the Lich. “Cut that out you said we were coming here to relax and have some fun not hear you blow hot air.” Gilda said taping her lion paw foot on the floor.

Gilda was wearing some kind of blue armour, as for the pony she had what looked like a cloak. Going by how one part of her hood was sticking up I would say she is a unicorn.

I tilt my head in confusion. I was more than certain that when I was in his world it was one of quadrupeds like in mine.

“Gilda what happened to you?” Trixie asked when she saw them. As I recall they talked for a while at the celebration in Ax’s world though I don’t know what about.

“Yes I was wondering about the Anthro thing myself.” I say as I look them over.

“It a long story.” Asphyxious said as he rubs the back of his head. “Some griffons calling themselves, Die Leucht showed up and set off a magic bomb that did this. To everyone on the planet.” He explained pointing at Gilda and the pony next to him.

I blink a few times in confusion. “Why? Whats the point of creating such a thing that would require an absurd amount of energy to not only change the physiology of everyone but manage to affect the entire planet? What could they possibly gain from that?” I ask in a bewildered voice.

“Don’t know the Griffons were anthro before the bomb went off. My guess is they're from another world or some Displaced sent them to test the thing. For all I know they could be acting on their own.” Said Asphyxious as he looks at Gilda getting odd looks from Trixie.

“Let me guess she’s never seen a griffon with breasts before?” He asked.

“To be fair neither have I. And I can’t even make the right jokes for that statement because there is a filly present.” I say as I gesture to Sweetie as she was petting Mr. Nibbles.

Asphyxious looked at her then he let out a girly squeal as he rushes over and start hugging her. The Hooded pony just giggles at this as she walks up to me then holds out her metal claw like hand. “I’m Moondancer it is lovely to meet you.”

I give a polite smile and shake her mechanical claw. “I’m Rin and the same. I hope this doesn't sound rude but may I ask how you died?” I asked with curiosity.

She gave a some what sad smile and pulled a part of her mane away to show a stitched up scar just under her horn. “I was shot in the head. Asphyxious tried to save me but sadly lost all my memories of my life. All he knew about me was my name and that I had a family at one time. He doesn't know if they are even alive or not.” She said putting her mane back to hiding the scar.

“I need an adult, I need an adult!” Sweetie squealed from Asphyxious arms as he was lovingly cuddling her.

“Don’t worry Sweetie, Ax won’t do anything bad to you, he’s my friend.” I try to reassure her.

“What do you mean bad? That was just something Rarity told me to yell if a strange pony grabs me up and I can’t get away.” She said with fear as she looked at Asphyxious with worry and clutched Mr. Nibbles tightly to her chest like he was a teddy causing him to grumble at the undignified situation he was in.

That was when I saw Trixie touching Ax’s Gildas breasts in fascination. Gilda looked more annoyed than anything else. “Stop it.” The Griffoness growled. That's when I saw she was slowly reaching for her sword.

I magically locked her sword into its sheath so she couldn't draw it and picked up Trixie then deposited her next to me while silently wishing that I could do what she was just doing but that would be rude.

Asphyxious then let Sweetie go which she immediately ran under me and hid behind my forelegs and Ax went back over to his little group. “I couldn’t help it, shes my favorite.” He said with a chuckle.

I use my magic to slick her messy mane back into its position for her vampire costume as I responded. “I can understand that but try not to do that when we get into town or everypony will think you’re a pedo.”

“I make no promises, I like to hug things I think are cute.” The Lich said with a nod. I saw Gilda roll her eyes with a small smile and Moondancer giggling.

A small movement catches my eye and I see that Mr Nibbles is hiding behind a toy next to the door, waiting for it to open. “No Mr. Nibbles you can’t go wandering around on your own.” I say as I pick him up in my telekinesis.

“Mr. Nibbles?” Asphyxious said in confusion.

I then move Mr. Nibbles over to them to show him off in his little doll dress and makeup that Sweetie had dressed him up in. “He’s the dungeon pet.” I answer.

Asphyxious was laughing so hard I think something broke. Gilda was just smiling and Moondancer smiled to. “Awww its cute.” Said the somewhat undead pony.

“I will destroy you all!” He shouted in rage but it just came out in that high pitched voice anyone shrunken has.

“Oh my god! Hahahaha! Wait, wait say something else!” Asphyxious asked in between his laughter.

“Submit and I will show you mercy creature of metal and bone. Bow before me!” Mr. Nibbles demanded.

That just seemed to make the Lich laugh even harder. “Wait, say I will destroy you all with an iron fist. You obey the fist.” Asphyxious asked trying to control his laughter and failing.

“If you don’t submit to me I will do more than that monster!” Mr. Nibbles shouted angrily.

“It is like a mini invader Zim!” At this point Asphyxious was rolling on the floor laughing like mad.

“He can be a bit grouchy at times. We had to get him dehorned because he kept poking everyone with them.” I say as I watch Ax struggle to get up. I find it somewhat baffling that an undead would be having trouble breathing.

“Trixie thinks you should just have him neutered. That will calm him down.” Trixie said which causes me to cringe. As a former male I would never allow that to happen. No one in this world is evil enough to deserve that!

“What does neutered mean?” Mr. Nibbles asked in confusion.

“You get your balls removed.” Asphyxious said bluntly as he get himself under control.

“Balls? I don’t play with children's toys she can have them for all I care.” He said. Obviously not getting what he meant.

“...The things inbetween your legs man…” The Lich deadpan at him.

It took a few moments of Mr. Nibbles looking at us in incomprehension before it shifted to a look of horror and he turned as white as one of my ghosts. “That's barbaric! Who would come up with such a torture method! Even Sombra was never that cruel!” He said with a shaky voice as he looked at Trixie, who was just giving him a creepy smile.

“I can help with that, if you want.” Said Gilda giving off an even more creepy smile to match her friend.

Mr. Nibbles looked at Gilda’s razor sharp talons and trembled with fear. “No! You can’t! I’ll be good just please not that!” He said in a panic before turning to look at me. “Put me back in the cage, please!” He begged me and I showed pity then put him back into his home. The moment his hooves touched woodchips he quickly dug into them and buried himself to hide.

“What is that little guy anyway?” Asked Asphyxious looking into the cage.

“He is… or was one of the biggest bad guys in this world's history. He would literally suck the magic out of everything he came across and grew bigger and stronger because of it. He tried to take mine but was too weak so I took his, then I shrunk him down. Now that he doesn't have any magic he can’t steal any from others.”

Asphyxious slowly moves away from the cage and looks at me. “And now you keep him as a house pet? Brilliant!” He said.

It was around this time that a familiar if not more powerful static feeling rippled into the room, causing those close enough to it to have their fur stand on end with the sight of Doctor Doom in his grey metal armor and green flowing cape to form. With a slightly larger by appearance figure until what could literally be shown as a black anthro pony upper half with a strong lower spider build with eight legs, wearing a facial guard with two tubes leading to her back with six tinted eye goggles over them. Though the more noticeable part was the segmented armor you would see worn by swat or the army but black with even her legs and arms covered too. Though what looked like a brand or ‘flag’ of a Human Skull inlaid on her helmet and chestplate. The small turret like dual barrels on her spider abdomen turned with her gaze.

“I have come to accept the invitation offered by Rin, for this ‘event’. My-” Doom took a moment to appraise her before looking back at us continuing. “‘-Arachnipony Oath Sworn, has come along to fulfill her duties to me as her. God….” The last word he said sounded as if he wasn’t use to being referred to as such, at least not yet as she even bowed her head lower but remained silent. Only to stare quietly at the rest of us, but her gaze finally shifted to Sweetie Bell in her Vampony costume giving off what sounded like a slight growl pointed at her.

“Don’t like kids?” I ask the pony maiden of the nest as I block her view of Sweetie with my tails. My tone giving a slight warning to leave Sweetie alone.

“Don’t worry Daddy will keep everyone safe.” Said an anthro Sweetie Bell. Who was standing next to Rin on her other side dressed as a pirate.

Upon seeing another her Sweetie lost all of her fear on the pony/spider hybrid and rushed over to her. “Oh my gosh you’re me! Are you a clone of me? Are you my long lost sister lost at birth?” She then let out a gasp as her eyes shot wide open. “Do you have your cutie mark?!” She asked in her trademark squeaky voice before grabbing her doubles pants and pulling them down! When she saw that her flank was blank she gasped in excitement. “Want to join my club! Were the Cutie Mark Crusaders and we are always on our quest to find our cutie marks!”

“No I’m a changeling. My name is Pupa it nice to meet you. I’d also love to join your club.” Said the Pirate Sweetie Bell after she pulled her pants back up then holding her hand out to Sweetie Bell which she gladly takes with her hoof and shacks.

“Pupa.” Asphyxious said looking down at both Sweetie Bell’s. “How did you get here.” The tone Asphyxious was using was something like a father finding out that their kid broke a rule. The Pirate Sweetie giggled a little as she try to hide behind one of my tails.

“I heard you was going to a party and wanted to come to.” Asphyxious then got down and petted the changeling child on the head. “If you wanted to come along you could of just asked, what would happen if I was sent home and you got stuck here? You’d have you mother worried sick.” She just nods her head at this then went up to the Lich then hugs him and he hugs her back.

“Beside you used Occultation, when did you learn that spell?” Asphyxious asked sounding proud of the little changeling.

Doom coughed once, having masked what must have been clicks and growls from his company before he spoke to me. “My ‘Oath Sworn’ and her species has had a few generations of ‘bad blood’ due to an incident that is as blurry as the hundred year war, the short of it is that she perceives any sort of undead as threats to herself and me by proximity to any.” He gestured to the combat ready attendant watching vigilantly.

“I see. First of all she is just wearing a Nightmare Night costume and is not an undead...Secondly I can assure you that any undead in my dungeon now is completely unrelated to what happened in your world and won’t attack you unless you attack first. Also there will be plenty of normal, living ponies dressed up as undead tonight so I would appreciate it if you kept your issues with the undead under control tonight.” I say to her in a calming voice I learned from years of babysitting the girls and dealing with nobles. There is very little difference between nobles and toddlers. Both are prone to temper tantrums.

Asphyxious then put Pupa as I understand it on one of his shoulders and raises his hand up. “I also have a living body so I’m not sure if I can be classed as an undead or not so ya.” He said scratching the side of his head. “Let's just leave that alone for now.”

Doom pointed at said arachnipony, her eyes flicked to him immediately before he pointed at his eyes. Causing her to shuffle her legs for a moment, looking down at him with a nod. “You do nothing but watch over me and only act if any come in physical reach in a HOSTILE manner, also no ‘WILD HUNTS’ while we are here.” He stressed certain words making sure she nodded in understanding when it was said, though there was a look in her eyes at the last words that gave a hungry expression.

“I take it you’re hungry. Among the chambers of my dungeon I can create a magic room that will spawn an infinite supply of chickens. Take one and it will be replaced in mere seconds. Would you like to stop there for a bite to tide you over?” I ask… Ok from now on she will always be known in my mind as Spidermare! After seeing the look in her eyes and hearing Doom say something about hunting.

“Why do I get the feeling your friend wants to kill me Doom.” Asphyxious asked in a joking manner.

Doom nodded at me in a arm gesture of ‘lead on may you’, only to turn to AX with a likely smile in his refined tone. “That lich, would likely be the case you are viewed as a ‘Vampire’s’ equivalent of a lieutenant leading the undead. Though they often fight Flyers of any sort, tends to make it challenging.” Doom walked to the doorway with Spidermare in step behind him with the spider abdomen mounted dual turret watching the rear.

“Trixie please keep looking after Sweetie till we’re ready to leave. I don’t think she should see this.” I tell her before closing and relocking the door when the others came through.

Asphyxious then put Pupa down and has her follow Trixie out. Gilda and Moondancer go with them as well. “Right only this was done to me by a dragon… make sure she know about that. If you ever meet him don’t fight just run, I know I would.” Said Asphyxious as he starts to look around the dungeon.

Doom just watched him skeptically before turning to face me, with the slightly taller spidermare behind him. “May we be led there so she can have nourishment of a ‘fresh’ sort then hopefully stop delaying this party we were invited to?” Doom left room to follow as spider mare walked onto the wall closest to him, looking quite calm perhaps on the outside even naturally in gazing around from AX’s companions to the doorways.

“The closest hatchery is the giant one in the zoo. Please do not antagonize the animals or try to hand feed them.” I say as I lead them down the tunnel and take a shortcut through the hanger only partly because it was faster. I mostly wanted to show off the flying dutchmen. Steel airships with sentry traps all over it. Two balloons on each sides to hold the clouds and enchanted crystals set in places to create a shield for them. At the head of it was a giant kitsune mask and it had propellers built into four extensions in the back and some more between the balloons for maneuverability. And if one were to look at the top they would see catapults for launching explosives from the large ships.

“Why not, I have metal hands?” Asked Asphyxious wiggling his fingers. I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. “By the way is ‘IT’ under lock and key?”

“One, the zoo is for holding the giant monster types and the ones I have now can still take off those hands in one bite. As for ‘IT’. It’s currently at the bottom of a pool of lava in a room filled with traps designed to kill any intruder. Guarded by one hundred soulless skeleton soldiers all trained to a high level, as well as five hundred, also soulless, undead birds with powerful explosives in their chests that they will detonate when they come into contact with any intruders that make it inside the room. This of course is behind several steel and magic doors in the middle of a room I invented called a shifting maze. Which as you might guess is a maze with constantly shifting walls which is also being patrolled by one hundred skeletons of high caliber. And the entrance to the maze is also guarded by steel and magic doors and traps. All of which are guarded by two black knights at all times. All of this is in a hidden sealed passage deep beneath the earth protected by fear traps."

Asphyxious give out a sigh of relief at this. “That one thing off my mind.” He said sounding very relaxed now..

Doom just looked at our interaction, while spidermare had worked herself onto the ceiling following after us as her eyes likely tracked Doom’s movements. “What would this ‘IT’ be? Also your Hanger is rather nice of a small sized variety.” He commented looking at my flying dutchmen, even offering a suggestion for slightly improved airflow by adjusting the front edges of the balloons with a paper enchanted seal over the stitching seams which I listen to carefully.

Asphyxious looked at Doom and said this. “You don’t want to know, let just say if ‘IT’ got out everything on this planet is as good as dead.”

“Thanks Doom. Yes it is rather small but I don’t need any more ships at the moment but I left plenty of room to expand it. And thanks for the advice. Also Ax is right. I’m waiting on some preparations to have ‘IT’ sealed in a special container and use the collective magic of myself and my nieces to have it and some imps sent to a lifeless planet and build an even more elaborate defence to keep ‘IT’ from getting loose on this world. Even if I need to turn the entire thing into one giant dungeon.” I say with annoyance. That thing has been annoying me since I got it. My dungeon has been alerting me of an enemy presence every hour. Though I will admit that it’s a little cool that I attracted a windigo with it. Even if I needed to give it its own living area away from the others so it won't freeze them.

We then came into the zoo which I made to look like an indoors Jurassic park. So far I had a war hog which was a giant bore about the size of a bus, a young hydra, and a Tatzlwurm.

Doom’s eyes trailed over the zoo I held, his eyes trailing up to spidermare as she’s STILL walking on the ceiling. With a bit more obvious hunger reaction when seeing them, though reeling herself in when he made the gesture of ‘I’m watching you.’ at her. Which she nodded and took on an almost perfect stoic ‘mask’, to be alert though casting glances at the larger beasts. “She is a Carnivore type so you know, odd for a pony type but an interesting thing to watch.”

“So much bacon…” Asphyxious said staring at the bore. “This could feed my dogs for years.” He said in awe.

“The hatchery is over on that side of the room.” I say as I pointed to the food before turning to Ax. “He is a member of my army and has his own steel body armor with spikes. Imagine seeing that charging at an army like a rampaging rhino. He is not food. But I guess if he dies in battle I can send his remains over. I would hate to see him go to waste. But don’t hold your breath. His armor guards anything vital well.” I say to him.

“I’ve had a run in with an army of Farrows, I have a pretty good idea what this guy could do. As long as you don’t give him metal arms we’re good.” Asphyxious said eyeing the bore.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re from or what a Farrow is. Though I can guess based on the fact you compared them to Rhino here.” I say as I gesture to my war hog.

Doom simply rolled his eyes slowly, walking towards the hatchery with an eager spidermare following him up high on the ceiling towards the destination. Taking care to appear to be observant of the creatures while he could, to anyone’s guess. “I wonder how other species would appear as in my world, though most likely ‘anthro’ in nature..”

“Imagine an army of pigs that walk on two legs wielding cleavers and muskets. Then you get a huge ass Bore with metal arms wielding axes in each hand. That should give you a pretty good idea what I had to deal with. This thing was close to 12 feet tall and tried to kill me and my friend Jack… Well he did kill Jack just not the real one.” Asphyxious tried to explain.

I just nod at his explanation and look up at my bus sized hog. “Mines bigger.” I say with a smile. I briefly consider building a mana battery into the armor and giving him cannons but dismiss it. First time he charges through a building he would damage if not all out break them.

“But the one I’m worried about is Dr, Arkadius there's no way that guy should be alive. I bet he's one of those monsters that live in Jack's world. I met a Gaige one of those things and they're not human.” He said sounding like he had a lot on his mind.

Doom by this point reached what was the Hatchery’s doors, motioning for spidermare to come down, only for her in a showy action of using her spider silk onto the ceiling propelling down as someone would from a helicopter. For her to land softly on her legs giving a couple turns of her head, in a securing fashion before nodding at him. “Should I wait for you both inside the room or would you care to ‘compare’ sizes more from ego?” He called out over to us, as spidermare just looked stone faced from that.

“If I was comparing ego’s I’d be talking about who I slept with.” Asphyxious said with a light chuckle.

I smile as I walk over to the hatchery. He may have one changeling queen but I had an entire squad of changeling’s always looking for more love. The things they could do when they all work together. Besides my scientific curiosity got the better of me and I want to see her feed. Asphyxious followed after me as he looked at the hatchery and the hundreds of chickens running about.

“So… many…” Asphyxious said as he looked at them all.

I grin at that. “You’re welcome to take as many as you like back home when you leave the room will just replace them. I can even send them all over to your place when this is done and they will be replaced in minutes.” I tell him.

Doom just looked back at us, while spidermare had undone her face guard while it hung to her neck. Openly drooling as her pony like muzzle with her jaw mandibles opened in a splitting fashion, breathing out a smell of flesh. “May I hunt, now…?” She almost quietly breathed out in asking Doom who took a few side steps away from her, who was visibly vibrating with excitement or bloodlust.

Asphyxious body went up in blue flames and turned into his human form wait when did he get an eyepatch? “Can I join in on this I am kind of hungry…” He said licking his lips.

I raise an eyebrow but give him a nod. “Just don’t do it near her for your own safety.” I tell him as I see the look in her eyes.

“If she take a bite out of me I’ll bite back.” He said before slowly and calmly walking into the hatchery.

Without needing to say a word Doom just pointed at her than at the chickens, She vanished with a shimmer of light before a ‘twip’ of spider silk was heard until a strain of it appeared before a chicken from the crowd suddenly launched up into the air. A quick snap of it’s neck was heard before what looked like it’s head was bitten down resulting in a gush of blood onto what looked like spidermare’s hungering face, devouring the tiny morsel as she began a quick if bloody feast even jumping at those that got alerted to her sloppy if raw style.

Asphyxious on the other hand somehow got a chicken of his own and was in the works of skinning it then cooking it with his magic after he snapped it neck. Once he was done cooking it he started eating it right there in the middle of the hatchery. “Hey guys want some?” He called out to us as his eating as his tail moves from side to side.

I just take one in my magic before snapping its neck and magically pulling out all of it’s feathers then tossing it into my mouth. As I crunch down some blood gushes out of my mouth and the sounds of bones crunching could be heard before I swallow the entire chicken. “I’m a magic fox so my body can take it raw, bones and all. Also I like it better that way.” I answer Ax.

Doom stands there watching spidermare, stroking his masked chin in thought before idly responding to the question of food. “I believe waiting for the main course at this party would be far more fruitful than gorging myself now, though what should I expect from this ‘Nightmare Night’?” He looked over at me in question, while having to back up when a flying chicken was webbed up to spidermare’s grasp seeming to forego stealth in her bloodlust. With what looked like five other silk bags attached to her sides giving off panicked clucking.

“Pinkie Pie trying to be your friend.” Asphyxious said with a smile wagging his tail.

“Its a pony Halloween so mostly sweets and other junk foods.” I answer.

He looked at me for a moment before nodding, looking back at spidermare he called out in a commanding tone. “Are you finished with your raw feast?” Her head whipped towards our direction in response before her once lustful predator eyes dilated before giving a smile with a nod, before looking at her now six small silk webbed sacks of live chickens. making her way towards us by way of the ceiling, before saluting Doom in a bowing fashion. “I Believe she’ll need to clean off her face and take some kind of mint to disguise her breath from just eating. Would you happen to have either?”

“My dungeons do have hot and cold running water. There are a boy’s and girl’s bathroom in the hanger to your left when you go through the door you entered this area from. And we do have a pantry to hold the food for non carnivores. I don’t know about plain mints but I think we have mint cookies if a few of those will do. Otherwise it would have to wait till we get to the party.” I say as I see one of my minions walk through the hanger. “Hey go get some mint cookies for my guest!” I call out to the possessed ventriloquist dummy with the obviously fake slicked back, black hair in a suit and had a slimy green G painted as his cutie mark as I gesture to spider mare. He gave a sharp salute before running off.

Doom looked at me fully now as he stated. “She’s a carnivore, ‘meat’ only type so unless you have something stuffed or became ‘minty’ she won’t eat it.” spidermare came down to the floor again with wiggling spidersilk spun sacks hung over the front of her spider abdomen with two over one of her shoulders as she made a licking motion of her mandibles. “Also she’s made a point of saying this is ‘fourth’ on her list of eating..”

“Well I don’t have a make it minty spell. I never thought it would be needed. Would she object to an illusion spell that would make it look and taste like meat to her?” I ask as I glanced at her.

Spidermare responded by making a ‘ick’ face, moving her spindly gloved fingers to reattach her face guard. Her spider half swaying a bit as if one who had a tail would wag happily, with a pat onto the silk chicken sacks. Doom simply just dragged his hand over his masked face. “She’ll just keep her combat mask filter on, and take it off to eat one of her ‘for later’ meals…” He regarded her bowing salute again, before looking to me in gesture to her. “It is rather strange to be referred to as a god, for something I have yet to do. Though the Infinity Stones won’t find themselves.”

“Infinity stones? Those things are in your world? Man you have one hell of a time ahead of you.” I say as the dummy runs back. “Well I guess those will be freshening my breath since she doesn't want them.” I say as I grab the cookies and tossed a few into my mouth before offering Doom and Ax some. Ax takes a few while Doom carefully grasped some, taking a look over it before opening his mask placing one in his mouth before closing it again with a seal.

“Quite likely, though I have a few hunches to some already. It is just a matter of timing and planning..” Doom gave a nod while spidermare gained a narrow edge to her gaze, before simply relaxing after he finished eating. With a point towards the door in a gesture to open the door for me and AX.

“Hey gorgeous. Care to spend the night with some real wood?” The dummy asked spidermare.

“Bad idea. Trust me she really won’t like you.” I warn him.

“Well you can’t blame a guy for being a stiff! Get it?” He said as he laughed at his joke. I just rolled my eyes and gestured to the dummy.

“This is a ghost working for me named Show Stopper. In life he was a puppeteer and ventriloquist and now specialises in haunting by possessing puppets and dummies. I made him a few bodies to inhabit as payment for his services so he might not always look the same when you see him.” I explain as I gesture to Show

Doom gave a slow nod at that, while spidermare looked at Show Stopper with held disdain in her eyes, growling at him. A gloved spindly finger reached up to a button on her neck before speaking in a synthetic radio tone that buzzed. “I would prefer proudly giving my life to the Storm God before fornicating with undead or spirits…” Before releasing the button, with Doom’s eyes rolled once, moving towards the the young hydra to look at them with another cursory gaze before asking a question.

“When would anyone be expecting you and possible guests? For oddities abound for how we’ll be received if not a panicked mess.” Turning towards me, likely wondering where we’ll be going or how.

“Its Nightmare Night so they expect to be scared. Besides I came prepared.” I say as I summon a box and open it to reveal gold rings. “Enchanted to make the wearer look more approachable. It won’t disguise any of you just make you less scary to those that look at you unless you do something to warrant the fear. They’re also temporary and made from conjured gold. So they will disappear after about five hours of use so take a spare.” I say as I gesture to the rings.

Doom looked immediately at Spidermare, gesturing to how she might need them more. “My Honor Guard will likely need that but I will hold onto one if desired, who would you know to be in attendance of this festivity?” Offering an outstretched hand to me, as Spidermare gave a neutral glance at my direction.

“It’s not anything fancy, just a town party. Music, dancing, games and the like. Luna will be there but other than her and us it will just be normal town ponies… Well norrmalish.” I say as I paw them their rings. “And I’ll just make a portal to get there so no real hurry.”

“Hey I want to come to, just let me jump into Cutup.” Show said as he turned to leave but I grab him before he could leave.

“Hold on, don’t you think that body is overkill? Even my rings will be hard pressed to keep that thing from causing a panic. You can go as Slappy. Besides I think Pinkie would be offended by that horror.” I tell him in annoyance causing him to groan at not getting to go out in that body.

Doom simply tilted his head at the conversation we were having, as Spidermare just gave a look that had ‘neutral guard’ expression. “I think you would enjoy time with your niece, perhaps someone could play ‘guide’ while we enjoy the party before you and her join us.” He offered the idea, looking towards AX and his Gilda.

I just look down at Show with a grin. “Can I do it as Cutup?” He asked.

“No.” I tell him in annoyance.

“Oh come on that thing is perfect for tonight!” He complained.

“And it's nightmare fuel that will traumatize everypony. That thing even scared Vinyl and she doesn't scare easy” I say.

“You guys don’t think it's too scary do you?” He asked as he pulled a poltergeist and pulled in the pupped from his room down the hall. It looked like a ponified version of one of those clowns from 'Killer Clowns from Outer Space' only twelve feet tall with razor sharp knives for teeth and hanging from its side were fake cotton candy roles shaped to look like ponies with a look of despair were inside and died trying to force their way out. It also had a pair of giant kitchen knives on its back like swords. Its beady yellow eyes looked menacingly down at them from its wrinkled and distorted face. From its mouth a long rubber tongue hangs out. Its clown costume covered in fake dried blood stains.

Doom looked him over, expressionless before he pointed at the mouth. “You need more fake blood to sell the image of ‘having recently ate the living’, my second uncle would use a butcher’s gown with a heavy cleaver to dice up his victims. Learned of his personal ‘tastes’ when he ate my tutor for my aunt.” He also poked at the blades even asking which would be the ‘primary’ that he’d use to scare with, as a ticket to add more blood on that one and save the others to be ‘tainted’ later into the night as it got. “Depending on the flare, add a meat bag with something small as ‘bite sized’ being the excuse.”

Asphyxious quickly changed into his Lich form and had both hands changed with magic fire. “KILL IT WITH FIRE!” He yelled however Gilda and Moondancer were trying to hold the lich back from attacking the clown. “What is wrong with you!?” Gilda yelled at him.

“See you scared Ax. Now get back in Slappy.” I tell him as I point to the dummy. I then turn to Ax with a grin. “Also that body has a fire proof enchantment on it for that reason and is made of stronger materials. Cutup is a body built for fighting so inside the body are storage areas for gimmicky weapons. I made it look like that as a scare tactic.” I tell them.

“Your evil.” Asphyxious said once he calms down.

“Hey at least I didn’t give it the same enchantment that's on the fear traps.” I say with a shrug as I use my hand of evil to send Cutup back to Show Stopper’s room. Asphyxious then put one of the gold rings on his metal finger and looks at it.

“Hope this tones down my Terror ability.” He said still looking at the ring.

“I used the fear traps when creating those rings. The fear traps are the same thing as what you call your terror ability only stronger so it should have no problems blocking it. But it might deplete yours a little faster so take more.” I tell him. As an Imp walks up with another box of rings.

“Smart thinking.” He said taking the box off the imp. “Seeing as I can’t turn it off this will be a big help… now if only I can figure out why it don’t affect anyone in the den?”

I just shrug. “I know the fear traps don’t affect my minions because the heart allows it to discriminate between friend and foe like all my other traps. I don’t know about yours. Maybe it’s designed to discriminate depending on who you see as allies?” I guessed.

“Maybe, most of my spells are meant to buff my allies stats. Like attack power or spells that lower an enemy defense.” Asphyxious said calmly tapping his bone chin.

“Same with me. I don’t have any spells that boost attack but I have one that boosts defense, makes my minions invisible and one that gives them super speed. Debuffing less so. I do have this one spell from the first game I never used for obvious reasons, that inflicts one enemy with a highly contagious and deadly disease that can spread faster than the black death.” I reply.

“I think I have a spell that could help you, it called Breath Of Corruption. It's an AOE spell so go for large numbers when using it not only that it does one point of damage to them. As long as they stay in the AOE and you keep feeding the spell magic it can stay as long as you like.”

“I know. It was in the book you sent me.” I tell him.

“What book? I haven’t even started on that yet.” Asphyxious said sounding confused.

“Time in the multiverse is a bit wonky. You will finish the book and send it and I already got it. I’m working on a prototype warjack that will run on mana batteries like my war ships and I even already created a Bloat thrall.”

“So… we could meet someone or ourselves from the future? My head hurts.” Asphyxious said rubbing his skull. “And mana batteries? sounds interesting could you send me some notes?”

“When I finish I’ll send you some schematics. But mine will recharge themselves by being in contact with my claimed land through the mana running through it. You will need unicorns to recharge any you build.” I tell him. “Also the mana batteries are made from very large gems. Can you grow gems that are at a minimum the size of a bowling ball?”

Doom looked in our direction when the topic of time travel came up. “I apparently got a data dump from ‘my’ future self, when a LMD ‘me’ and my Oath Sworn came to me, in essence it’s my roadmap of what needs to be accomplished to even ‘have’ that information… Though the Time Stone would break the normal laws of time, such as what happened to Rin, but ‘I’ from the future is being careful by interacting with me through mediums set up or preprogrammed..”

“This is making my head hurt…” Said the Lich as he rubs the sides of his skull.

“... Would you like to hear a riddle to take your mind off it?” I ask with a big smile.

“Let just pick up the girls and go to this party I think I know a good song to sing once we get there. If you don’t mind joining in Rin?” Asphyxious asked as his soul cages glowed.

“I’ll just take the lack of an answer on the large gems question as a yes. Alright lets go.” I say as I walk back to the room I left Sweetie in with Show at my side. The Changeling Pupa had changed into a copy of Sweetie Bell fore legs and all and the room was now also full of little fillies in overwhelmingly cute costumes. I see that they're my minions so my changelings must want to go Nightmare Nighting to get love for their cuteness. My personal bodyguards, the first black knights I got were also present but in place of the black armor the sisters were wearing the bone metal armor made from parts of the undead dragon painted black. The skeletal design made them perfect for functional costumes. They still had steel swords on their backs. Cluck Norris was leaning against the wall.

Doom looked over my black knights, going so far as to get a couple pony lengths close to them taking in the details of their armor while spidermare just looked at them with a different type of likely appraising. “Glad to see you put those bones to use since the last time I had come, though these two do fit them well for it.” He stood up to his full height again while spidermare simply nodded once with a calm expression.

“Bone metal can only be made through advanced necromancy. Harder than diamond and light weight and it has the magic resistance of a dragon. Of course its only that tough because its made from dragon bones. And I wasn’t going to let my black knights go into battle without the best protection I could give them.” I say with a smile.

“They're so cute.” Asphyxious said. I could tell he just wanted to go up to all of them and hug them. He even went up to Pupa and started hugging her, how did he tell her apart? Oh right she was still dressed as a pirate... And now their all dog piling him. Asphyxious was even laughing when this happened. He must really love cute.

“Well lets get moving.” I say as I create a portal to ponyville and jump in. On the other side Pinkie was waiting. Almost like she knew exactly where we would pop out. When the visitors arrived she was in their faces faster than any of them could react talking at a million miles per hour. Oh great it’s Pinkie on a sugar rush. Cluck was looking up at her chicken costume with an unamused expression.

“Pinkie it is lovely to meet you but I think you need to slow down so we can understand what you're saying.” Asphyxious asked petting the pink mare on the head.

Despite Ax’s attempts to get Pinkie to calm down her excitement and sugar high kept her going but she was able to get her point across as with a speed that even the haste spell couldn’t replicate all of the off worlders found they had a cake in their hands with ‘Welcome to Ponyville and happy nightmare night!’ written on them.

“Cool.” Asphyxious said as he drops the cake into his mouth, I have no idea what happened to the cake after that.

Doom simply activated his shield pointing at his rather unamused spidermare guard, at Pinkie’s antics taking on a predatory look to her eyes added with her choice of costume. “I would ‘request’ your distance to be that of at least my personal shield, as no one loves being surprised especially without a personal guard..” His eyes were giving either a deadpan or neutral tone but his voice was held in contempt towards her antics.

The moment Doom said that no one likes surprises Pinkie just stopped moving… In midair. She was just floating in that one spot like time had stopped with a look on her face like she had just been told an entire basket of puppies had just been drowned. Her mane and tail then deflated and she slowly lowered back to the ground before bursting out into tears causing everypony to suddenly focus on us.

“What have you done Doom…” Asked Asphyxious with fear in his eyes. He then went over and try to calm the crying mare with Pupa and Sweetie Bell trying to help to.

I sigh and I use my tails to push all of my changelings towards her. “Look Pinkie it’s just the way he is but I assure you he is here for the party so he’s not some snooty stick in the mud and will enjoy your work. Why don’t you take the kids Nightmare Nighting. Being around happy kids and getting free candy should cheer you up.” I say to her which combined with Ax’s efforts did cheer her up.

“Come on everypony! FREE CANDY!” Pinkie shouts excitedly as she runs off with the little ones.

“Wait I don’t want to go Nightmare Nighting!” Called a panicked Show Stopper as he was dragged along against his will.

Asphyxious then looked to Doom and I before saying this. “You know this makes me want to sing a song.” He then started to sing the nightmare before christmas song this is halloween. The magic of Equestria kicked in causing the music to play in from nowhere and several ponies join in, somehow knowing the lyrics. From the fact that none of them are batting an eye at him the ring must be blocking his Terror ability.

Doom’s response was a flat unamused look towards Asphyxious without saying anything, only to look towards me and the town of ponyville. “This place is a bit different then the hamlet I circle AROUND when traveling, lower in height yes, but different.” He nodded towards the distant apple farm pointing out a lack of sprinklers or some older looking machines, he had guessed for loading up apples and produce or moving transplanted trees.

Luna hadn't arrived yet so I walk over to the party. There were Nightmare Night themed games off to one side and a giant buffet off to another. There was an area devoted only to dancing as Vinyl and Octavia had a stage set up to play music.

“Huh this don’t look so bad.” Said Gilda as she was walking next to Rin. She then waved her talion as she said this. “Don’t worry about Asphyxious Moon Dancer will keep an eye on him.”

I was about to respond when I notice a shadow slowly moving across the ground. I look at a window in a store and see in the reflection that it’s Rainbow Dash trying to sneak up on us with her thunder cloud. I use my magic to split the cloud in half. Because she wasn’t expecting it she fell and landed on a pumpkin which was sticking to her hind quarters like padding when she stood up. Slimy pumpkin guts dripping from her rear.

Doom had traveled over to the dance area taking a seat at one of the small clusters as spidermare simply laid down on her spider belly looking around, as he had his focus on the cello player with a likely raised eyebrow perhaps trying to figure out if she could play. Tapping his chin looking at the odd display, of the earth pony and her reared up plucking the strings fine tuning her instrument before taking up her bow and started playing a beautiful, haunting melody.

Gilda sigh and walks over to help Rainbow Dash get cleaned up. Which was a shock for RD seeing Gilda was here and her body went through a drastic change since the last time she had seen her. The two looked like they were going to start talking then Gilda whispered something into Rainbow Dash ear that makes her blush and yell. “I’M DATING PINKIE PIE!?!” After that Gilda laughs and flies off with an angry Dash after her. I look over and am tickled to see that Dash’s outburst was taken as a confession and the rumor mill starts working overtime as I see it spread from pony to pony.

Now where was Asphyxious? I could still hear the music in the background but it sounded like it changed to a different song. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of thunder and I look up to see a dark chariot being drawn by Luna’s bat pony guards. It circles the town a few times before coming in for a landing.

Asphyxious teleported back right behind Luna and all the ponies looked on in fear until he said this. “SENPAI!” He then started hugging her and nuzzling his skull like head under her chin.

“...Aunty doth this be one of yours?” Luna asked me as she tried to lean her head away before using her alicorn strength to push him off. “Senpai! Notice me!” He said as he was on his back on the floor waving his arms in the air in a silly fashion.

“No he's a friend. He's just really excited.” I tell her.

“We notice thee. Everypony in town notices thee with thy loud and strange words. Not to mention the smoke coming from thy backside.” Luna said to him in a deadpan.

“Hey it not my fault I was stuck like this. Woona~” Asphyxious said with a giggle.

Luna looks down at him strangely before a look of comprehension comes to her. “Ah we see. Aunty thou have taken up the art of babysitting once more. We thought he was an adult at first.” She said to me before leaning down to Ax with a friendly smile. “Would thou like a lollypop little one?” She asked as she presented the piece of candy to him.

“Wow I like you, oh the pain I feel that you have no funny bones. Little Sister, oh all that time we spent together I will never forgot the naughty things we did~” Asphyxious laughs as he then boops her on the nose and runs away from Luna.

Luna blinked as she watched him run off but then snickered into her hooves. “We love children. Always funny without trying. It almost sounded like he was being suggestive of inappropriate activities.”

Doom from his seated position now had what looked to be tea, for himself and spidermare was tilting her head back drinking from a squiggly straw. “He’s mentally deficient for an adult, perhaps a padded room may suit him better away from children.” Doom seemed to have eluded before placing his cup down retracting his pinkie finger, though from looking at his companion guard, she simply put on her face guard again with the offered thermus towards him.

“And who do we have to thank for that.” Asphyxious hissed from behind Dooms shoulder and then slowly backs away.

“You know how Celly can be at times with darkness. The one in his world went and trapped him in crystal.” I tell her.

“But thou were trapped in stone for a thousand years and thou seem fine.” She said to me in confusion. “And thou were even conscious and aware,”

“A mortal mind left alone in the deep and dark ends, the mind eats itself to no end, pain and sorrow, despair and fear. Wishing for death without a care.” Asphyxious said to himself.

I walk over and pat him on the back in a comforting manner. “Yes Lulu but I was up on the surface and had regular visits.” I say to her.

“I’m… sorry I get like that sometimes. Normally Pupas around to snap me out of it.” Asphyxious said rubbing his head.

Luna looks around uncomfortably before walking over and Giving Ax a hug to help him feel better. Asphyxious just chuckles and pets Luna on the head. “Like I said to my Luna back home it not your fault. And thank you.”

Doom raised his cup again having refilled it with what spidermare brought along, though he’s been shifting his focus back to the stage to listen to the music and likely what I am up to. “It is good to see you again, Rin’s younger niece Luna.” He regarded in a calm tone as the spidermare observed her with all six of her eyes quietly, her appearance to a leader or guard would show a rather strangely over prepared oddity of a mare. “Meet also my ‘Oath Sworn’, whom will do battle for me even on her death throes…”

Luna looked them over. “Greeting doctor of doom. Forgive us for not shaking thy hand in such a public place after last time. And greetings arachnipony! It has been some time since we have last met one of you. It duth be nice to see such a noble warrior. It would seem that in our absence our own guards have gotten quite lax.”

“Oh My god, what if I have spider ponies back home? This is so cool!” Asphyxious yelled after hearing Luna say that.

I myself am confused by this. If these spider ponies exist in this world why haven’t I attracted any? In the game the maidens of the nest were attracted by having large treasuries full of riches and that's never been an issue. Then again maidens are supposed to be high priestess of a dark goddess if the fanfictions I’ve read held any weight but she seems to be a warrior and not sexist. I guess I’ll need to look them up to see what attracts them.

“I forgot to ask this before Doom but are you and the spider lady, more than friends?” Asphyxious asked in a curious tone. “I mean she is hot not only that but those legs.”

Doom nodded in understanding to Luna as he merely waved at her, while spidermare merely nodded in respect to her before returning to her vigil. “I would say we are not friends as it were, though she is a devoute towards ‘me’ to come.. Also the culture is rather ‘odd’, to say the least but it’s at least new to me in a sort of understanding.” Said spidermare quietly shuffled on the ground having half hidden herself in the dirt, with a almost faraway look in her eyes at the question before looking at Doom. “Also lich, you just elluded to her and me her… God… being friends or more of a ‘lover’ status that isn’t true, also it would distract her from likely being her best at completing her Oath..”

“You didn’t say no~” Asphyxious said in a sing song tone.

He looked flatly at him, giving his full attention before uttering the words. “No, Are you happy now or would it be better if I treated you as a child too?” He turned halfway away from him, though he tilted his head looking at a ‘Starswirl the Bearded’ Twilight and Spike the first furiously scribbling on parchment the later holding a small pile with his dragon costume. “Is that unicorn wearing a Starswirl the Bearded costume?”

At those words her Twilight’s head shot up with twinkles in her eyes as she came over. “YES! Finally somepony gets it!” She exclaimed before calming down and looking between them. “Just need to make sure of something. Besides lady Rin are any of you related to the princesses?” She asked as a few hairs sprang up in her mane.

“Well maybe… Let's just say I meet their mother and she called me her… brother…” Asphyxious said awkwardly as he rubs the back of his skull.

Twilight’s eyes twitched at this and I can practically see the gears turning in her head. “Was that a yes or a no?” She asked in confusion.

“I don’t know! I’m not sure if it's that damn dragon controlling her to mess with me. Or if it has to do with that peace of athanc that is now a part of my body, I’ve been calling them heart stones.” Asphyxious saw the look in Twilight eyes and backed up a bit.

“...Dragon...controlling… heart stones?...” Twilight said as she went crosseyed and her mane started shooting up like popping popcorn.

“He doth not be of our family.” Luna told twilight which caused her to get a wide, hungry grin on her face that made Cutup look friendly. Then with a flash of her horn the ground shook with a loud thump when she summoned several stacks of papers that are literally as big as half a house.

“I have soooooooo many questions.” She said in a creepy voice as she grabbed him in her magic and started pulling him towards her. However Asphyxious moved a little closer then changed back to his human form and kissed her on the nose. “I’m all yours~”

The shock of this made Twilight let go of him, Asphyxious then picks her up and grins. “Want to do this back at your tree house. I can show you more there~” He purred into Twilight ear making her blush. Her eyes twitch harder but then her need for knowledge kicked in and she grabbed him again and walked over to her papers.

“Spike I’ll be in my lab studying this kind...volunteer. You have fun at the party. Tomorrow I’ll need you to wash my tools that I’ll have set aside. Nothing too difficult just some knives, a saw, my drill and blow torch.”

“Kinky~” Said Asphyxious with a grin. “Look after Pupa and Gilda for me Rin!” He calls out. Asphyxious then moves to Twilight's ear. “As long as I get to do to you what you’re going to do to me~”

Twilight blinks a few times before glaring. “No! I’m alive and you're a golem I’ll just put you back together, but I would die. Now lets go.” She said as she lifts the papers and starts walking.

“What makes you think I won’t either?” He asked as he walks with her. “Besides the body I have now is flesh and blood.” To make a point he reaches out and rubs behind one of her ears.

She quivered for a moment before shaking her head like a dog would and backing away. “Yes its a very convincing illusion but it's not scientifically possible for you to be a golem that can turn into flesh and blood. Watch I’ll prove it. If you were flesh and blood this would make you bleed.” She said as she summons a bone saw and activates it with her magic before moving it towards him.

“If this really is an illusion how far are you willing to go to find out if its real or not with out killing me?” Asphyxious then looks into her eyes and said this. “I know one way to show you~”

Twilight stopped just before the spinning blade could cut into his stomach. “...You’re right. I’ll cut the legs since I saw that you don’t have any.” She said with a crazy smile. That's when he kissed her on the lips. Unfortunately for him Twilight was prepared this time and with a swift motion cut off a piece of his leg. A good portion of mussel missing from his left leg.

“FUCK!” Asphyxious roared and jumped away from her, as he stands there he was bleeding everywhere not only that he was laughing. “It didn’t hurt.... this sucks...” He sighed.

“Twilight!” Luna screamed in shock as twilight was just staring at the hunk of flesh in her magical grasp whispering to herself about this being impossible over and over again. I then take the saw away from her.

Moon Dancer then appears next to Asphyxious and start casting spell to heal his wounds. The flesh in twilight magic start to turn to ash. The undead pony then turns to Twilight with a blue glow in her eyes. “You hurt Asphyxious, the one who saved me from Lord Toruk.” She reaches out and looked like she was about to cast a spell but Asphyxious stop her.

“It alright Moon. It… didn’t hurt, I just thought it did…” He said as he stands up. “Sigh why is it only other displaced can hurt me, make me feel pain.” He looks calmly at everyone.

“Its not possible. It makes no sense…” Twilight said before her grin returned and her eyes went in different directions. “Of corse. What an amazing, complex illusion. But the fact that the flesh disappeared and the wound is now healed without scarring is proof that it wasn’t real.”

“Oh please stop talking like me when I lost my mind. You can not understand everything, I don’t even understand how I ended up like this. All I do know is it involved changeling magic, the elements and one of Everblights stones to get this body. I don’t even know if Everblight can control me or not…”

“I refuse to believe in anything I can’t explain. So in order for me to believe it I need to know how you work.” Twilight said as she shook off some of her crazy and got that teacher giving a lecture face.

“And that's your weakness, look at Pinkie Pie she does things no one can understand. You can use magic, Fluttershy can talk to animals, the list goes on Luna can move the bloody moon and you're saying I’m impossible?” Asphyxious said as he crosses his arms.

“All of that can be explained. The princesses have enough energy to move those objects, Animals do have their own language that a pony that devotes enough time to can learn as proven by the work of Dr. Nosy Poker and Pinkie’s special talent is making ponies smile. So of course she learned some sleight of hoof. She’s always doing it so she just mastered an art of entertainment. If studied it will just be proven to be smoke and mirrors.” Twilight countered. She thinks Pinkie is doing parlor tricks? Well at least that explains why she didn’t even try till she witnessed the Pinkie sense.

“And what's to say a dragon can’t match that power?” He asked. “In my world there is a dragon with the power to destroy everything on that planet. But it is trapped in the void and I am going to make sure it stays there.” He walked up to her and got down to eye level.

“Twilight, there are something's we can not hope to understand no matter how hard we try. Think about what you just did, what would happen if one of your friends got in the way of you cutting me. What do you think would happen?”

Twilight got a shocked look on her face before looking around for the first time and seeing the looks that everypony around her was giving her. Her eyes started watering at this. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to go that far.” She then starts to ball her eyes out with tears as she turned and ran for home.

Asphyxious sigh and looks to Rin. “I think I should go and talk with her , let her know everything will be okay.” He said. He then makes his way to Twilight house.

“Just don’t teach her anything like necromancy or Celestia in this world will lock you away again.” I call to him.

“Don’t know any.” He calls back.

“I said like. That means your necrotech. And the soul cage and ghost are necromancy!” I reply.

“Yes MUM I get it!” He yells back as he got to the door to Twilight house and goes inside.

Luna then turns to her guards. “Watch them and make sure Twilight doesn't have another… episode. We will have to talk to our sister about what just happened.” Luna said with a serious look on her face.

Doom gave a cough from his current seat as the spiderpony that was with him had vanished, he held a cup still in one hand and had a closed thermos on the outdoor table he sat at. “Why is the lich whom is the catalyst cause for the situation going to the mare who may react worse in her current state of ‘being’? Also wise choice you had made Princess, though she may need some minor counseling if my opinion was taken into mind about rash actions..” He placed his cup down onto the table, nodding to a bewildered server pony.

“Minor counseling?! She loped off a piece of his leg!” Luna shouted in her royal Canterlot voice.

“I’m so sorry about this princess. She’s normally not like this but she got real antsy about wanting to study Rin and being afraid to do it because she’s yours and Princess Celestia’s aunt.” Spike said. Trying to calm the situation but failing miserably as I found myself flying through the air and then the next thing I know I’m having the life squeezed out of me in the super strong forelegs of Luna as she hugged me tightly.

“NEIGH! She shall not!" Ouch right next to my ear! I of course would voice my displeasure to her blasting my eardrums but I had a more pressing problem which happened to be the reason I couldn’t complain about anything...I couldn’t breath!

“Miss Luna is Rin meant to turn blue like that?” Asked Moon Dancer as she walks up to Luna with a worried look on her face.

“What doth thou speak of? Our aunt’s furr is clearly white, see.” Luna said as she looked down at me... “AUNTY!" She shouts as she loosens her grip on me but still refuses to let go. I gasp as my lungs finally have the room for the air which I was greedily taking in. Slowly the dizziness faded. “Aunty are thou alright!?"

“I would be much better if you would stop using the royal Canterlot voice mere inches from my ear.” I complained as I tried to wiggle out of her grasp but that only resulted in her tightening it again. Thankfully not so tight I couldn't breath this time.

Right at that moment Doom had taken that time to offer each of us a figurative hand up, though Luna still hugging me relentlessly. “Perhaps we could try moving onto happier subjects, or even tour ponyville’s events? Unless the other five haven’t heard by now and are either on their way or seeing what the issue is from your niece using ‘the voice’.” Stated while spidermare had somehow got up right behind him again without so much as a noise, in which he didn’t look surprised or phased by her until he clarified. “You could say I have ears in every direction.”

Asphyxious come back out of the house with what looks like ink drawings all over his face. Not only that Twilight also came out with Ink drawings over her face to. “We’re good now!” Asphyxious calls out waving his hand.

Luna looked at them funny and gave a stranger look at the two guards she sent to keep an eye on them returning with what appeared to be cake icing all over them. She just shook her head at this before looking back to Doom. “Thou are right good doctor. We can look around and I can work on turning this holiday into something grand instead of a night of fear.” Luna said with determination.

“Lulu, Nightmare Night is a great night. Just look around, have some fun! Trust me you don’t need to change a thing.” I tell her with a smile which might have been a little less effective as I was still trying to wiggle out of this uncomfortable position.

Doom offered up a suggestion as well with a knowing smile. “Perhaps if the tastes to this party event doesn't suit you, you could arrange one to happen at the castle gardens next year as a costumed event.. Or in effect a ‘masked ball’, if there is not one to be had.” Though it was at this moment that spidermare had dug into one of the six sacks to eat a chicken, in public where all the attention happened to be focused near me and Lulu.

Screams of horror filled the air at the sight of the chicken being devoured and the area devolved into a panic as ponies ran about, knocking things overs and locking themselves in their homes.

“Not again… It's like the time that Rockodile followed me to ponyville.” Said Asphyxious as he turns back to his Lich form then pulls his staff from his back. “Wait… PUPA!” Asphyxious yells in panic and flies off down the streets.

“Doth thou see!? This is no marriement! Everypony is so on edge they panic at the slightest thing!” Luna complained.

“Actually Lulu that's just ponies at seeing something die.” I tell her.

“Ponies were not that cowardly last time we checked. Face it aunty our holiday is not but fear and screaming.”

Asphyxious teleported back to the group. “Never mind shes fine, she is with Sweetie Bell and Pinkie Pie.” He said calmly.

“See! He had to check on this Pupa’s safety! That doesn't happen on Hearth's warming or even thy own holliday!” Luna complained.

“Luna, you’re talking to three beings that should not be in this world and one of them has been attacked by things that could give kids nightmares.” Said Asphyxious calmly. “Not only that I’m a father I’m supposed to worry about my daughter.”

...I have a holiday? No that can come later. I need something to show her that nightmare night is fine...Or at least something to distract until I do. You’re dungeon is under attack! I really need to stop tempting fate...

“DM? was that you?” Asphyxious asked looking around.

“No, that was the voice of the mentor from the dungeon keeper games. It alerts me when something is happening.” I say as I close my eyes and concentrate on my dungeon and am surprised to see that my warjack prototype is what's attacking. And panicked at seeing it’s tearing through my traps, skeletons, maze walls and doors Juggernaut style on a direct path for the skull!

“The warjack prototype is attacking and it's trying to get to the skull!” I shout in a panicked voice as I grew myself too big for Luna to hold.

“That can’t be right, the warjack can’t act on it own without a warcaster to control it or there is something wrong with the cortex... ITS GOING AFTER WHAT?!” Asphyxious shouts. “Get us back there, NOW!”

I waste no time and create a portal to the chamber holding the skull and jumped in just in time to see the thing smash through the door and launch my two miniature black knight which I just barely caught before they hit the lava. The sentry traps all aimed and opened fire on it and hundreds of undead birds flew down and crashed into it, exploding on impact The skeleton troops were also charging in but were quickly cut down.

Asphyxious came through next and fired a spell at the warjack. “Don’t let it get the skull of hate!” He yelled and cast another spell as a wall of ice came out of the floor to block the path.

Doom’s entry into the fray casting what felt like caffeine had been chugged into my veins, causing a improved reaction time with a palm blast striking the intended Warjack’s right leg motor with a ten second continuous beam hitting the shield at that place. “What is the material it is made out of and it’s power source?” Doom belted out at me as his other hand worked onto trying to hold the leg he was attacking in place to do some fusing metal damage.

“Rin why does it have a shield?” Asphyxious asked as he pulled out what looked like a shotgun with green lights on it. Then start shooting the warjack as the sound of acid could be heard.

“I didn’t give it a shield and it’s battery hasn’t been finished yet. It shouldn’t be functioning at all! Let alone have enough power to get all this way by itself, undamaged no less! And it’s made of steel. That barrier is an advanced dark magic defense spell! Don’t waist time with energy attacks and conjured weapons would be unadvisable. It would eat the energy out of the spell to replenish itself!” I shout out to the others.

Asphyxious teleported out of the way of the warjack charge as it fist slams into the wall. “So any ideas what or who's controlling it?” He asked as he keeps shooting it with little effect.

“No! Whatever its power source is, it's stronger then the manna batteries for my war ships and those are made from diamonds bigger than a traveling wagon! And that is an advanced spell to defend it with!.” I shouted as I ran around the room to keep my distance.

Doom frowned in hearing that as he made that point clear in resources. “Didn’t you think of installing a kill switch if it ever went rogue on you? Or simply have it fall apart if it moved itself from the floor without your direction?” Spidermare latched onto the ceiling while he asked me a another question. “How good is this thing against nullification?”

“Warjacks can be turned off by the warcaster, but seeing as Rin is not controlling it she will have to make a link with it and that's hard seeing as it's trying to kill us.” Asphyxious calls out as he dives behind a pillar as the warjack headbutts it way through.

“And I did make a kill switch...in the battery! It uses its own energy to destroy itself and the thing it’s powering so it won’t fall into the wrong hands. But it's not using the battery! And that depends on how much of the energy you can nullify!” I reply as I mentally scroll through my list of minions to see what I can use. The knights I made bone armor for would be effective if not for the terrain. There is barely any land and it could knock them into the lava.

Doom’s eyes leveled at the room from his location, pointing at spidermare than at the warjack in the middle of this mess. His hands glowed green as two large clumps of lava were lifted into the air, moving slowly towards the machine in question as he belted out towards us. “Distract it for now while I prepare an accurate drop flow if possible!” With Spidermare throwing what must have been a Null grenade of sorts for how a hole ripped in it’s shield causing a distortion.

The warjack turned towards Doom. Aparently whoever was controlling it heard him shouting and seeing the lava jumped back and started feeding its own magic into the shield.

“Well now someones a fast learner.” Said Asphyxious teleported in and out as he keeps shooting it. “Once we stop it I’m going to have to take it apart and see what makes it tick!”

I move as far as I can from it and concentrate on my claimed land. I look and look but I can’t find anyone. This makes no sense this thing is fighting too intelligently. But then I had a thought. I focus on the warjack itself to see if I can detect a ghost possessing it. I don’t find a ghost per say but… “I don’t understand how but there is a soul in it. And it's not undead!” I shout out. It then stopped moving and started charging up a lot of magic. “Be careful its casting a powerful spell!”

Asphyxious teleported in front of us and casted a spell as a wall of ice came out of the ground. “Before you say it, yes I know there's lava in here.” He said with an annoyed tone.

Doom meanwhile kept his focus, while having looked rooted to the ground shaping the contained lava into a swaying piped flow closer to our target as spidermare tossed a couple more null grenades at the Warjack’s feet likely hoping to trip it up.

Unfortunately the intense heat of the room caused the rapidly melting wall of ice to slide across the hot ground and fall into the lava which caused steam to start filling the room.

“Well… I need a new spell.” Said Asphyxious sadly as if knowing it wouldn’t work.

I shake my head and create two portals leading to windy mountains to vent the room before we could lose all visibility. I saw that it was now finishing the spell. It must be powerful because it's not even taking the time to repair its shield. It then lets loose...the shield spell? Oh no please tell me its not doing what I think it's doing. It cast the spell at the lava creating a large wall and is pushing it and therefore the lava like a wave at us!

“Hold on!” Yelled Asphyxious as he grabbed me and Doom then teleported. “Don’t worry about the dizziness that happens.” He said as my head was spinning. “Doom you okay?”

I hear as I groan from the sickness and dizziness. Why couldn’t he just let me jump through one of the vent portals. I think miserably to myself as I try to keep my food down.

Doom growled out before turning on Asphyxious. “You teleported me without permission, taken me WITHOUT my Bodyguard as well in a battle that could have been stopped!” The sound that followed was of an Arachnipony spider head poking out of the wall with a livid look in her eyes at the undead, holding a grenade in one spindly gloved hand in a threatening fashion. With Doom having a momentary baffled expression before returning it to the lich.

“I thought we were all going to die! I did what I thought would wait… where did all this steam come from?” Asphyxious asked looking at the floor. I groan as I seriously consider throwing Ax into the lava.

“We’ll worry about this later!” Asphyxious calls out. “Find a way to kill this thing.” Asphyxious then went off most likely to attack the warjack.

I was just getting the ability to see straight back and looked around and saw something disturbing. The lava wave had carried the skull with it bringing it onto the land. And Ax and that thing are getting closer to it! “Ax look where you're leading that thing!” I shouted as I grab the skull in my magic and try to pull it away.

“What Rin?” Asphyxious was then sent flying by the warjack as it punched him. Once he hit the floor he shook his head as he looked like he had trouble getting back up.

“I would rather not use them until they were better trained but this is a desperate situation.” I say as I search my dungeon and pulled in the two oldest dragons I have and dropping them in here. The biggest of the two was a muscular, dark red dragon that was twice Ax’s height while the other was a lighter shade of red dragoness.

“Oh what a nice pool.” The dragoness said until the sound of battle drew their attention.

“Attack the bigger one!” I shouted as I pointed to the warjack. The siblings quickly moved in for the offensive and with their wings were able to catch up to it faster and started tearing at the shield with claws and teeth. Unfortunately not enough training means that wailing on it was the best fighting style they had but their natural resistance to magic is letting them shred its shield faster then it's repairing itself.

Doom and Spidermare stuck closest to me as he moved in a way that was communicating that resulted in her drawing out a couple grenades, even a crossbow that was webbed onto her forward leg took her time shooting it to avoid the dragon siblings which seemed much to her disappointment. “Tell me the outcomes starting with failure to stop this versus actually having success with conquering the enemy.” He had lifted up some rubble before throwing it at one of the Warjack’s arms to work on hampering its attack or dulling while lifting some lava to try and get it’s feet.

I then notice Asphyxious was reaching out to the warjack. I wasn’t sure what he was doing then it looked like he was in pain. He then yelled out to us. “The Skull is the battery get it out of here!”

I blink in confusion but I toss the skull my way and work on creating a portal. Problem is the greater the distance the longer it takes and I wanted this thing far. The warjack lets out a cry of rage and forgoes the barrier and instead black, shadow like tindrel come from its body... With a magic I’ve seen before and grabbed and threw my dragons off of itself. “Those tendrils have the same taint I removed from your arm Doom!” I shouted out as I worked harder on the portal. I definitely wanted the skull far away from that thing.

“CHARGE!” Luna’s voice cried out as she flew in through the broken door in her royal battle armor and wielding her trusted warhammer which she had affectionately named the Stewardess. She flew in fast and swung the Stewardess and struck home. With the blow the hammer’s knockback enchantment kicked in and launched it across the room and embedded it into the wall cartoon style for a short time before it pulled itself out with its shadow tendrils leaving a warjack shaped hole in the wall. “The Stewardess thanks thee for flying air smackdown! Please return thy face to the full upright position! So we can smack it again!” Luna mocked in the royal Canterlot voice. When it turns to face her we can see a decent sized dent in its chest. But it was the tendrils that caught Luna’s attention “It is thou! Vile demon, prepare thyself for this time we shall be the one wh-” She was interrupted in her speech when a large rock was thrown at her by the warjack which knocked her out of the air. The room fell silent for a moment before Luna stuck her head out of the rubble. “It... is...on! Luna shouted as she shot up and flew at the possessed warjack. She swung her hammer with expert precision but the nightmare in a killer robot’s clothing was prepared this time and was able to use it’s tendrils to defend against the enraged princess’s assault. My dragons were wisely standing back but staying ready to act.

Doom’s eyes had narrowed with sparks of electric energy discharged from their corners in a style of a visualized fury appeared etched onto his now white irises, speaking simply three simple words likely directed at Spidermare because she cringed on edge. “Give me grenades.” In which she dropped two likely for each hand only to be caught in a different kind of grip, one that wasn’t magical. When his gaze shifted upwards she gave him more until he held twelve, with a slight zap a spark snuck off connecting with Luna’s horn. She blinked in confusion for a moment but had the good sense to jump out of reach but quickly got her determined look back and nodded before jumping back into the fight. I felt that I got the portal to go far enough… well the dark side of the moon was the furthest I could go on my own while staying in the same dimension.

“Hold on tight there’s going to be a strong vacuum!” I warn Doom and Spidermare. Doom quickly stomps his feet into the ground one at a time before using his magic to seal the rock closed around his feet again while Spidermare webbed him down before digging herself underground and webbing the hole shut. Doom was holding on to his grenades tightly so not to lose any. While they did this I summon some gems and transmuted them into steel chains and anchored myself down to several places on the floor, walls, and ceiling before opening the portal. Powerful hurricane like wind rushing past as it was all sucked in through the portal and I was lifted but kept in place by my chains and I used my telekinesis to push the skull towards the opening and when it was sucked in I let go and the portal sealed shut.

I looked to Asphyxious and saw the warjack had him in it's hand! He lift his head up and I could see a look of sorrow in his eyes. “Sorry… It caught me as I was sliding on the floor to the portal…” Asphyxious said sadly.

Though the moment was disrupted when an almost whistle like sound started only to end in an impact on the opposite side of the Warjack, there was a smoke trail ending with Doom’s raised palm while another grenade swiveled in place with a static charge focused on his hand. The action had left Luna with an opportunity using the Stewardess with an elegant swing struck at where the grenade’s side had hit with a noticeably damaged weaker defense and another short trip into the wall.

Despite being in the warjack’s grasp and going along for the ride Asphyxious swing his staff right into it face. Adding to the damage the warjack received he even hooks his staff to it’s head and was trying to get closer. “Watch where you're shooting damnit! You almost hit me.” The Iron Lich called out.

Doom’s reaction was a calm tone of reprimanding. “I am technically ‘Throwing’ my Kinetic projectiles, though your ‘size’ does add a nice challenge to get my figurative ‘lump of flesh’ from my target.” Only to have launched another the moment said Warjack had freed itself from the wall at the pelvis the edge of said grenade affect skirting Asphyxious body causing a cringe to keep away from the effect.

Luna moved in with another swing but do to the proximity to the wall this one was an extra short flight. Deciding that Doom and his grenades where the biggest threat in the room the Nightmarejack...which happened to have been made using the designs for the warjack called nightmare, gave an enraged roar and charged Juggernaut style past Luna, just barely avoiding another all expense paid trip. With dark energy building up in one hand as the Warjack threw Ax like a missile at Doom before throwing the dark energy ball right behind Ax while maintaining its charge towards Doom.

His reaction was to turn into what could be described as ‘fog’ shifting out of the path, as it seemed spidermare was keeping him in the loop about what was behind Ax. Only to turn solid again responding by giving the charging Nightmarejack a grenade to the face.While using a second gernade to nullify the Dark Magic attack behind Asphyxious. This leaving only the iron lich to be caught by Spidermare’s webbing planting him to the floor with a whiplashing thud of someone having pulled on a rubber band only to fly back onto the floor.

“I… hate you… so much right now.” Asphyxious growled as he tried to get up and out of the web. “When did the warjack start looking like the Helljack Nightmare?” He asked.

“...Um, since I made it. I used the design for it for my prototype. I figured since I have a limitless supply of metal through transmutation why not start big?” I replied.

“...You do know it knows the spell Imprint Ghostly right?” The Lich lord asked with a hint of worry. “You just made this thing harder to kill with that. What I don’t get is why is it still here?”

“...It smashed and blasted it’s way to this room. I don’t think the nightmare knows its spells. Otherwise why wouldn’t it just come in through all of that stuff?” I say. The Lich nodded at that point.

While we were talking Doom was maneuvering out of it’s melee reach with a flourish movement taking time to strike at it again with another grenade, leaving opportunity for Luna to smash the Nightmarejack’s next charge off course near us. “Speculation aside, action would be preferable!” Doom intoned loud enough when the Nightmarejack looked at us, maybe having heard what we were talking about. Facing off again seeming to have changed tactics. It then became transparent and sank into the ground.

Asphyxious jaw dropped at this then face palms. “Me and my big mouth…”

Luna’s eye twitches before she turned to Ax. “If thou know the body can do something dangerous and thou need to bring it up...Whisper it! Thou were literally right next to our aunty!” Luna shouted angrily right before the Nightmarejack jumped out of the ground like Jaws and grabbed Dooms leg and tried to smash him against the ground.

“I’m sorry but I’m not the one who built it!” Asphyxious yells back as he teleport over and attacked the Nightmarejack. It looked like he was trying to cut the tubes on the arms, legs and the ones going into it's body.

As black tendrils shot off of its body and whipped around wildly striking against Ax, Doom and spidermare I took advantage of the fact that we are in my territory and its shields were gone and used my ability to cast spells from any land I have claimed and blasted it with thunderbolt after thunderbolt through the floor. I could see that not only was it damaging it but all the electricity was traveling through its body up it’s legs and out of it’s arm that was still clutching onto Dooms leg like it’s life depended on it and into Doom himself. Just like in his comic. I thought with a grin as I just kept blasting.

On his end, he was working to free himself from the larger metal claws that had grabbed him before when it came out of the ground. Likely seeing the damage I was doing to it also for seeming to take a shudder at each bolt, entering him through his armor. “Your continued existence lays in the simple fact, that you got lucky in grabbing onto me.” He threatened only to fold all but two of his fingers with an arc welder reaction started intending to try and cut off the claws.

“Right keep telling yourself that Doomy.” Asphyxious said adding his own bolts of lightning to the attacks. Wait, ice spells, fire spells and now lightning. That wasn’t in the book.

It roared in pain as it let go. It’s arm only half attached from Doom’s welding. The pain of this distracted it enough that for a moment its tendrils vanished and Luna took full advantage and came in and swung the Stewardess like a croquet mallet and launched in into the ceiling off to the right over the lava pit and just as it came free from the ceiling she was on it again and smashed down on it like it was a whack a mole and sent it hurtling down into the lava with a splash. I couldn’t help it and brought a notebook and quill from the library and gave it a 9.5 for the landing.

“Ten points for Woona!” Asphyxious yelled out with both arms in the air like a football announcer. “Rin can we get a replay of that!”

I use the illusion magic I learned in this world and created a bubble bigger than the Nightmarejack was and showed a slow motion replay of Luna’s epic play. Giving extra detail to both times the hammer struck and even used ghost sound to make it sound like a crowd giving painful Ooos at the blows and cheers at the landing.

“That gotta hurt!” Said the Lich pointing at when Luna hit the Nightmarejack. “Rin what can you tell me about this just where did the Helljack go wrong in this fight?” It sounded like he was taking the role of announcer a bit too seriously.

I make a show of rewinding the bubble back to the proper moment. “Well for starters Ax, she thought it would be a good idea to grab onto Doom. This forced her to remain stationary and tangible. She also couldn’t create another barrier while doing this. The second mistake was being too stupid to realise her first mistake when she was being pummeled from all sides until she was in too much pain to defend herself, leaving her wide open for Luna’s finishing play.” I say in my own announcer voice.

“Interesting analysis seeing as warjack can’t feel pain. I think the closest thing to pain for them is when someone messes with the cortex.” Asphyxious say nodding at me.

“The body perhaps but not the nightmare inside. That thing could scream like a cat sleeping under a car’s hood when you start it up….wait a moment. I’m feeling a build up of dark magic.” I say seriously now as I look down at the lava. Soon it starts to bubble as the melted body of the Nightmarejack rose up and quivered before its head popped off like the quork on a wine bottle and a inky black wraith like pony rose up out of it and flew away from the abandoned warjack and at Doom to try to possess him instead only to bounce off his armor. It then started flying around him and feeding to grow stronger while staying in its natural ghostly form.

He naturally responded by attempting to blast at it with a couple bolts of lightning, snarling at it with a twitch in his eye. “I will ‘practice’ on you in order to learn your EVERY weakness, just to milk out your suffering you lowborn harlot.” He spoke with a restrained tone taking another charged bolt at the wraith pony.

“What is that?” Asphyxious asked sounding more confused. “Is that what I felt in the warjack? it’s so small hell it's not even scary.”

“Don’t let it’s appearance fool you. That is the nightmare. That which took over Luna and turned her into Nightmare Moon. It feeds on negativity and grows stronger because of it.” I tell him.

“But it's so cute.” Asphyxious said as he watches it float around Doom. “I’m going to call you Nyx.” He said to the nightmare.

I can tell that we’re making it angry with our talking but it’s good at controlling itself as it just keeps feeding on Doom. “So was Chucky from Child’s Play. Keep in mind that thing is what was attacking us and trying to use the skull to bring fear and pain to all so that she could feed and grow stronger.”

“But the Skull would of eaten her soul, we’re just lucky she didn’t get it. So in a way we saved it’s life.” Said Asphyxious in a happy tone.

The Nightmare used some of the energy it got by feeding on Doom to start shooting small dark energy balls all over the place which exploded when they hit something.

“No! Bad Nyx! We do not use dark magic in the dungeon!” The Lich yells. Making the annoyed Nightmare focus more on him with its attacks. “Don’t make me give you a timeout missy!”

“This is annoying. Its not physical but it can still cast spells.” I say before trying an experiment. I took a dragon’s tooth that I haven’t used for anything yet and threw it at her and am pleased to see she took the time to dodge it unlike with the other attacks.

Doom lifted one of the grenades he held in his possession, making it an obvious gesture of threatening to ignite it. “You CAN understand me, correct you harlot of a wisp?” Narrowing his eyes at the dark pony wraith, adjusting his stance focusing on it. It turns to him and nods slowly but keeps looking around at all of use to be ready for an attack.

He gazed at it with venom before continuing, slowly as he prepared to move if needed. “Now, if you can tell me.. Do you realize how much of a disadvantage you are in, at this time? For likely reference, most of those present in a confined room COULD do harm to something like YOU. Those dragons, the Alicorn, Rin, Myself. I am not certain about the Lich, but we could get back to that topic later.” He held a visible hate for what seems to be Nightmare Moon. It however just gave off a echoed, mocking laugh and started feeding harder on Doom’s hate for it. Obviously confident in the power it still had left from feeding on the skull and what she’s getting from him.

“Doom stop feeding it!” Asphyxious yelled at him. “Your being a bad influence on little Nyx.”

Without looking away he said this in a deadpan tone. “The undead who shows signs of mental trauma is giving ME advice? The artifact is gone how else can it get power?” His fingers twitched on the nullification grenade in his hand, as seven others floated in series around his head like a crown.

“Yes, yes I am and it's eating your hate.” Said the lich calmly. “I don’t know why you’re so angry right now but I can guess. But right now you need to let it go this is not our world it Rin’s. So we need to play by her rules.”

“I say go for it. If it gets away it will just find someone else to feed on and control to spread suffering and it’s too powerful right now to try to catch it anyways.” I say as I watch Luna pick up the dragon’s tooth in her magic and start swinging it at the Nightmare but it’s doing little damage.

The once angry expression on Doom’s face fell flat seeing what Luna was doing, sighing as it sounded out of his nose before speaking. “You can be cordial IF fed correct? Despite how I would ‘FEEL’ about your parasitical existence.” Returning a glare at the said dark pony wraith he wasn’t dropping his guard around, likely trying to gauge its response before adding on. “I don’t mean the ‘I’ll play along until striking when your guard is down’ type of cordial. You get enough of that around the worse of nobility.”

The Nightmare just floating in that one spot. Not even bothering to dodge the dragon’s tooth as it was getting more from Doom then it was losing from the attacks. With Doom’s words it giggled and gives a sinister smile before nodding and leans forward like she was preparing to pounce when the opportunity struck.

“Why do I get the feeling little Nyx likes you Doom?” Asked the Lich as he put his stuff away. “By the way Rin where did you send the Skull anyway?”

“...I’m not saying anything till she is nowhere around.” I tell him with a flat look.

“Good plan.” He said nodding at me. “I’m shutting up now.”

“Thou are making a mistake Doom. It just seeks an opportunity to take your body as it’s own the first chance it gets!”

“Oh please Sombra tries that in my head all the time and fails.” Said Asphyxious as he waves his hand dismissively. The room becomes quiet as we all give him a look. “What?”

“That aside Sombra had his own body and form. He wouldn’t have much if any real experience with body jacking. Taking over the bodies of others is what the Nightmare does. Its an expert from countless years of experience and unlike that ghost the Nightmare’s power is super charged right now.” I tell him.

Doom is looking at the Nightmare, leaning forward slightly in a narrowed response to it. “Well dark one, you can take your incorporeal cognitive matter off trying that, EVER.” The sight seemed to have looked as if a staredown had started, or perhaps what could be described as a unstoppable force meeting the unmovable wall.

“Are you two going to have sex now?” The Lich asked in a deadpan manner. “If you are going to do it please take it into one of the other rooms.”

Doom’s expression fell once more from what his eyes showed. “I would refuse on the grounds that this ‘Nightmare’ is inferior to me, as the denisons are quadrupedal making them appear far less of similarity.” Disdain held in his voice looking at it, before looking at me. “No offence on your part Rin.”

“You must have a iron rod up your ass Doom.” Said the Lich as he looks at the nightmare. “Hell I’ve had the pie’s so I’m not one to talk. Hmmm Maud and Pinkie oh the things those girls can do, even if one of them was made of stone.”

I just waved it off. “No worries Doom. I had to learn a lot of self control with the nature of my power, for everyone's safety, so no insults will rile me up.” I respond. Though I hear Luna’s annoyed snort from his words.

He stood fully back up before gesturing around. “The question would be this, ‘What now?’. For you have minions present, your niece, a dark abomination, two guests and yourself.” He folded his arms as the grenade he was holding floated up to the other seven rotating about his head, in a crown fashion as a ‘ticking’ motion ensuring the nightmare doesn’t forget he can hurt her.

Asphyxious looked at everyone and gave a light laugh. “Naked party?” He said holding out both hands. “It not as bad as it sounds, especially if you have drinks.”

I look up at the Nightmare and I can feel it grow stronger with each tick of the clock. “Its power grows just by sitting here. We need to make it weaker.” I say which it obviously didn’t like hearing because it went back to attacking only the dark energy balls were now bigger and flying much faster with her greater power.

“I’m pretty relaxed really.” Said the lich calmly as he moved out of the way. “Is it just me or is her aim off?” Asphyxious then pulls up one of his soul cages. “I’m getting sick of this.”

“She's not aiming she’s just rapid firing in all directions like a gatling gun with a drunk guy using it.” I say as I jump around to avoid them.

His arms are folded, activating his shield once more as it gave off two shifting glows of green to white then back again. “If you throw a tantrum, I will get involved in this abomination. Remember what I said of being Cordial?” His eyes narrowed as the grenades floated near his hands now, watching her reaction while the ‘rapid fire’ had proceeded.

“Hey this thing can be hurt by magic attacks now right?” Ax asked.

“Only if it’s harmony or love magic. I can’t help but notice we lack any users of them.” I say.

“We suck at this.” Asphyxious said as a orb of magic was held in his hand. “Fuck it Bizzard.” The next thing I know some how the room was turned into a snow storm. The Nightmare stopped its attack long enough to look around before laughing. And now the wet snow is reacting with the hot lava and the room is filled with a thick fog of steam removing all visibility in the room.

Then Ax start singing jingle bells rock, why I have no idea.

Doom starts to use his perspective from picking up the outlines of the others, sending out static messages to Rin, Luna and the two dragons present as when one is sent to Asphyxious due to his nature couldn’t receive his message nor could this Nightmare. ‘If you can receive this Rin, order your minions at the opening to this room to try and get the steam out by fans or what have you available.’ ‘Luna if you can move to your left then use a beam at the two o clock position before moving.’ ‘dragons, depending on your stance for combat your wing leverage would be useful in clearing this ‘fog of war’.’

“Nyx when I get my hands on you I am giving you a timeout you will never forget!” Yelled out the Lich. “You’re going to clean my den with a toothbrush!”

Closing my eyes I try looking down at the room with my keeper vision and though I can't see details I can see shadows in the fog from the still glowing lava and mentally guide my dragons into position before creating portals to two windy mountains again and clear the air. Its the only option I have as I never needed to create a ventilation system before. The dungeon supplies the air and cleans anything that might be toxic over time on its own.

Asphyxious was chasing the nightmare around the room, It looked really silly like something out of a cartoon. “Let me hug you, damn you!” He say trying to catch her.

Doom took this time to toss two grenades at the nightmare’s location dealing two hits with a familiar sort of whistle letting it know where he was. “If you desire Oblivion simply ‘continue’ what your fight instinct tells you ‘animal’, or use what a normal sapient being would use. A cognitive mind and peacefully surrender to our humble host, because I will not be staying in this world forever. which means YOU will starve.”

She gave off a cry of pain from the grenades before looking angrily at Doom. But rather than attack I’m surprised to see that it has a contemplative expression on its face. “If you’re thinking you can still find the skull I can assure you that it is no longer on this world.” I tell her which causes her to growl angrily.

Asphyxious stopped what he was doing and looks at everyone. “It would of just eaten her anyway.” He said from out of no where. But it just snorts, not believing it could fall victim to an artifact. “I bet Lord Toruk would love eating its soul. Slowly, painfully, it just the kind of Dragon he is.”

I can see that Ax’s words were getting nowhere. It was too proud to consider the possibility that it could be prey. “You can still feed. There are dark artifacts I know how to make that can generate hate. Nowhere near as much as the skull but unless you submit you won’t starve.” Luna looks at me like I lost my mind. “Don’t worry Lulu I can make it so she would need to be my minion to feed on it and I will have control if she is. Even if she jumps into my body I can remove her with my hand of evil.” I say and the Nightmare hisses at that. I can see she's trying to feed on Doom more discreetly to hide that its power is growing. “She's building up for round two I think she needs another spanking.” I say as I gave her a flat look.

Doom raises a grenade in each palm, their violent spinning rotations giving off a low whistle as he launched one at her to prove a point. “They might not be able to batter you down fast enough but I can, you have an offer of continued SURVIVAL, only an animal would be blind not to take the chance.” He seemed to prod at the nightmare, in a tone speaking down to her as his gaze gave the impression that she was as beneath him as a rat.

Asphyxious looked like he was brooding. “I should've brought the warjacks but no, it was a party what could go wrong? Apparently everything wants to KILL ME!” He yells off by himself. “I’m starting to think Jack was right, You hear me asshole! When I find you I’m going to kick your ass!” Okay then Ax is ranting to himself.

(Meanwhile in another Equestria)

A certain, if not VERY Handsome Jack sneezed while having an Awkward Lunch. In Canterlot Castle’s dining room, with a regal Celestia sitting with a strange smile on her muzzle wearing a revealing quarter opened blouse. “Would you be sick Jack?” Offering a tissue towards him, which he slowly accepts, looking around himself first.

“No, I am simply FINE. I just felt like someone was either using my name in vain, or someone fucked up from something. But back onto WHY you invited me here on business when-” The conversation cut off with what looked like a slow inching almost invisible being crawled under the table towards him, with a exact build to Celestia. Only to fade back to the correct story by an inky tentacle forcing the viewer out.

(Back in Rin’s dungeon)

“AND I WILL EAT YOUR SOUL!” Asphyxious looked like he was out of breath after his long ten minute rant. “I feel better now.” He said as he looked up at the disappointed Nightmare that looked like it was just about to jump into him. “Awww do you want a cuddle.” He said in a happy tone again causing her to cringe and fly out of his reach.

“I’m warning you. You need to drop that cocky attitude or you won’t live to regret it.” I tell her but I can tell she still thinks she's the apex predator.

Doom look’s to Luna for a moment then back to Nightmare, asking what could both be a simple question and a complex one depending on the view. “Tell me animal, what would have happened when EVERYTHING had died out? There would have been nothing for YOU to feed on, at best you are a parasite. What keeps YOU from coexisting with a host without ‘drying up’ your limited supply? For a smart animal just knows their limits, it only takes a dumb one to end up mounted to some wall or decomposing. Though in my case, your remains and the scene of their existence ending, would be on memorial next to anything else that earned my ire and died from either my hand or indirectly.”

The Nightmare just gave the annoyed look of someone hearing a lecture they heard a thousand times before.

Asphyxious then followed up on this. “Let me put it this way if you got a hold of the the Skull you would die. It is like a venus fly trap. It say to you come here I am food but really you’re the one feeding it.”

“I can see your stubborn and offended so I’m going to give you a little demonstration of something. Pay close attention now.” I tell her and she leans in close with a mocking look on her face. I then opened my mouth wide and chomp down. Swallowing her in one gulp.

“...Did thou just...eat the Nightmare?” Luna asked with a sick and confused look on her face.

“I don’t know why but that was hot…” Said the Lich in aw.

I open a mental link with the others so she can’t hear. The battles and those grenades made her magic reserves lower than mine so I used Mr. Nibbles magic stealing spell in combination with a soul stealing and soul eating spell I got from the Necronomicon. My body is draining her magic into me. Her soul will be protected by her magic. I’ll spit her out before she could be digested. I’m just proving a point.
I say through telepathy.

Asphyxious then moved up to me and started hugging my leg before saying this. “Can you please teach me that spell.” He asked looking up at me.

Doom regarded me with a look of curiosity, nodding at what I’ve said at each point. “As the lich has so ‘bluntly’ pointed out, I would be rather curious about this ‘Magic Stealing’ spell. It would be useful regardless, though I wonder if it merely only affects organic types.” Speaking in a lighter tone while rubbing his mask covered face.

“Excuse us.” Luna said with a stone face as she walked out of the room before I could hear the sound of her throwing up. I just sent a command to some of my imps to bring her a glass of water and some mops to clean up.

Ok, but be careful with this. When you use this spell you’re opening yourselves up to have your own magic stolen. I wouldn't have used it if I didn’t know her magic reserves were low enough that it was safe. You connect your magic with the targets and it becomes a tug of war so don’t think you can slowly whittle a stronger caster down with this. In fact that’s how I learned it. Mr. Nibbles tried to take my magic thinking I was just an animal so he underestimated me.

“Like linking with a warjack only your not sending commands.” Asphyxious asked nodding at what I was saying.

I’m telling you this way because I don’t want the Nightmare learning it. Be careful what you say out loud or I won’t teach you how the spell is cast. I told him with a deadpan. Asphyxious bowed his head at me. I give a nod and project the complex spell into the minds of my two guests.

“Ouch… That, a lot to take in.” Said the Lich as he rubs his head. “This is going to take years to work out.”

“If it were easy it would be more common.” I said simply.

Doom might have been eager to learn as he folded his arms with a tapping finger watching me, while Spidermare was watching him with an odd expression. Her arms were wiggling together in a silent ‘EEEE!’ sort of tone her body gave off, as his tapping finger sent a tiny jolt to me with the message. ‘I am ready, whenever you are.’

“Doom, what are you doing to the spider lady?” The Lich asked watching this.

Doom looked up back at her, only to see her ‘at ease’ turning her head with a neutral expression from her eyes. Though they would drift back to Doom repeatedly at least six times before he looked back at me and Ax. “I honestly have no idea, she is simply on standby waiting for a threat.” Though while he was looking away she had a glimmering look, holding the edge of the hole in the ceiling like a peeping fangirl. Ax slowly looks at me then back to Doom.

I can feel I have most of her power drained so I squeeze my stomach and force her up. At that moment Luna walked back in. “We’re ok.” She announced before she saw my mouth open wide and a dark grey ,rather than black Nightmare plopped onto the floor, shivering with a look of shock, disgust, and violation on her face. Luna looked down at the display before turning around and walking back out again. Only this time she gave off dry heaves.

“I’ve seen worse.” Asphyxious said calmly as if seeing something like this was nothing.

Doom simply looked down, not with the slightest look of his earlier hate. With that he simply crouched down to her shivering form, patting her on the head giving the equivalent of a inner ear rub. “Have you learned your lesson?” Was all he said, giving her a comforting look. She responds by nodding at him with a cartoonish speed.

“Good, now lets get out of this place. Its too hot down here.” I say miserably before turning to my dragons. “Now that there is no evil skull to guard do you guys want to use it as a pool or something?”

“Yes! Thank you. We have been missing the volcanic atmosphere.” The sister said as the brother gave a nod. Trying to look cool as usual.

(Later in the main part of the dungeon)

Luna was on her back laying on the floor as her legs kicked about uncontrollably with her laughter. “This doth be better than the Mr. Nibbles thing!” She shouted before losing control again. Sitting on the table in her new vessel was the Nightmare. The arms of the Nyx plushy that she now resided in crossed over her chest with a pout.

“That doll will feed you hate so long as you remain inside it. There is no need to pout you can come out whenever you want.” I tell her as I pat her soft head.

Doom’s expression remained unamused before making his comment. “You do realize you just insulted each of them by putting them in a separate ‘cages’ that devalues their former position, but for the question, can she fly or use magic? It is a security risk if so.”

“I want to cuddle her.” Asphyxious said trying to not go over to the plushy Nyx and hug her to death. But before he could she picked him up in her magic and threw him across the room.

“Did that answer your question?” I asked Doom.

Doom simply stared at what Nightmare did, giving the being in plushy form a respectful nod. “Nice toss, pony. Can you speak as well?” He held a likely smile at the throw still. She smiled but shook her head before gesturing to her throat.

“She can only speak to those she possesses or if she is in a body capable of it.” Luna said as she regained control of herself. “No vocal cords.”

“I’m okay… A spider broke my fall…” The Lich calls out. I turn to look as a pissed looking giant spider walks into the room and tosses the now tied in webbing lich onto the other side of the room before storming back out.

Doom and Spidermare looked at each other, the later looking down at the iron lich with disdain while doom seemed to regard him without care. “I see, well continuing on. That spell you wished me to SEE that we agreed upon?” He gestured as a topic to speak away from nightmare, as his gaze fell momentarily on Luna’s ruffled if slightly dirty appearance.

Asphyxious was freeing himself and looked at everyone. “I should really check on Pupa make sure she is okay.” He said pulling the webbing off of his head.

I nod and create a portal for Ax to Ponyville which my two guards came in from first. “Whoops...You're mad I left you behind aren't you?” I ask. They said nothing but gave me angry looks. “I’ll take that as a yes… alright Ax there is Ponyville. Go on so I can go give Doom his demonstration.” I tell him.

“Cutie mark crusaders explosives experts YAY!” Was heard from the portal

Asphyxious looked down at the four fillies that ran into him. “Pupa just what are you doing, I also see you made some new friends.” Pupa just grind along with Sweetie Bell. ‘BOOM!’ smoke flew in from the portal with the sound of the blast.

Asphyxious looked at the portal then at the girls as he crossed his arms. “Explain, Now.”

“Well Rainbow Dash was having fun scaring ponies with her thundercloud so we wanted to prank ponies to. But none of us could get to any clouds so we decided to use firecrackers instead. And we found a box of big ones in this shed outside of town..

“Girls, did it have the letters TNT on them…” The tone the Lich was giving them made it clear that the next thing they tell him will get them in trouble. But at the same time they can’t get out of it.

“Yes.” They all said sadly as I poke my head into the portal to see the damage then pulled it back. Asphyxious was giving them all a lecture about how dangerous that was and someone could of gotten hurt. The Lich then walks them to the portal. “Sorry I have to take these girls back to town to say their sorry for what they did.”

“They demolished the school house.” I said aloud as I gave the four a deadpan look.

“I didn’t think it would be that bad.” Said Pupa. She looked at me and Ax with the puppy eyes. “You know that don’t work on me, I was going to have you grounded once we get back but now I’ll have to add more to that punishment. You are going to learn enchanting from Moon Dancer for the next week.”

Pupa whined that was boring, but the Lich shooed her and the CMC through the portal.

“...Well, that happened.” I say before I close the portal behind Ax. I use my sight of evil on the forest above before creating a new portal. “Alright Victor let's get to it.” I say as I hop through. When he came through we were surrounded by wild wolves which I pressed down on with my magic before clumping them together. I pick one out and bring it to my face and closed the portal. “I already projected the process into your mind now just pay attention to the demonstration. I’ll make my magic as visible and move as slowly as I can.” I say as I extended a thread of magic from my mouth and injected it into the back of the wolf’s throat. Attaching the magic and then pulling it out and into myself. “Now you try.” I say as I lift a fresh wolf to his face as it snapped and tried to bite him despite being out of reach.

He took a few moments of preparation before trying his hand at it, though with the mask on it made it hard to see what he was doing. Causing a similar reaction drawing his head back upon finishing, as the bundle crumpled. “Hmmm, with practice it could be perfected. Though if you desire, I could teach you what I know of the casts and item needed resulting in what is called a Memory Orb. Which as you would guess the easiest step is having a translucent crystal orb of any quality, though that factor affects how well it is preserved without anyone breaking one.” He pulled out an empty orb as an example offering it to me.

“So does it just preserve memories like a home movie? Or steal them? What?” I ask as I study the orb.

Doom pulled out a second one that glowed before putting it back into his belt showing what a ‘full’ one looked like. “It is more of a ‘become the target’ when accessing the memory, you would think and react exactly how they did as one would on the ride. Normally it can only be used by Unicorns, but if a machine is invented to ‘play’ them that would be safer. The point is, you COULD copy and paste the memory you are desiring into the orb through the magic sequence, but that is the fine tuned advanced form. The original spell was used as instead of a cut and paste, it was a ‘rip out’ and paste into the orb, resulting in damaged individuals after that or complete memory loss.” He stated before doing his zap trick feeding me the incantation of it step by step, for both methods.

“I see. I can see this being useful. I never cared much for using the torture chamber for its intended purpose. Unless they did something really bad but as you no doubt guessed those are rare in this world.” I tell him as I moved the rest of the wolves towards us. “Might as well practice and not let them go to waste.” I tell him as I conjure some gems I mold into spheres and practice to catch some wolfe memories.

(When everyone was back together and ready to leave.)

“We’re ready to go big guy.” Said Gilda with a big smile on her beak. Asphyxious looked at her then at something else not far away. I looked to and saw Big Mac with what looks like scratch marks all over him. He was also walking wobbly.

“Okay, I’m not going to ask. Thanks for the party Rin and let me know if you find out whatever happened to ‘IT’.” He said with Pupa placed on his shoulder.

“Oh I know what happened to it I just didn’t say before.” I take a moment to check and see nightmare was playing chess with a ghost far off. “I would have preferred to have it sealed first. It is now located in a place where there are no souls. Like in Portal 2 the one ‘IT’ went through went to the moon."

Asphyxious looks up at the night sky and nods at me. “I understand.” Ax said as Moon Dancer was holding a bag of sweets.

Doom looked pretty satisfied, though Spidermare seemed excited behind him. “It was rather ‘interesting’ though educational here, are you sure that you don’t want me to stick around to collaborate your story with your niece if questioned? We did make a rather disturbed crowd, from that hamlet.” He questioned, having nodded at Luna.

Before I could reply I heard laboured breaths as Celestia came up to us with a battalion of guards. She moved like my sad attempt at making golems before getting the warjack how to book as her breathing was labored. “Where” Huff “Is” Huf “The enemy!?” she wheezed.

“Celly are you ok? It looks like your armor is trying to kill you.” I say as I look her over.

Asphyxious laughs as does his daughter and Gilda just smiles at this with Moon giggling.

“Sister what have we told thee? Those cakes are eighty five pounds of high calorie ingredients each. Thou really shouldn’t eat more than four a day.” Luna chastised her sister.

Doom’s face was likely the most blank it could have rivaled a skeleton’s skull with neutrality before he spoke. “By appearances, from what I am seeing now. You Rin would likely be a decent charge over a small country or larger depending on how long you have ruled, out of your two nieces as for reaction time. I would put ‘Luna’ first but lacking reinforcements, as for ‘Celestia’ last for the slowest if not sputtering readiness to bare.” Moving a hand he clasped my shoulder gently by saying this added on the end. “Out of the two results, I pity you and hope they can get better to a competent degree.” He removed his hand and stood up straight again folding his arms.

Celestia took in as deep a breath as she could to try to speak but that just made the armor around her torso pop off her back and sent it flying into a tree, embedding itself into the trunk. Standing back up with a look of grace and dignity she said. “I know the years of peace have softened us up but we are improving. Besides I was delayed by a problem with my armor. It clearly shrunk over the years.”

“Wow and I thought my Celestia was bad with her big…” He stop himself from saying more seeing Pupa was with him. “Wings…”

Doom said nothing, he raised a hand up covering his face with one hand. While Spidermare had the decency to ignore the scene, though there were a few barely noticeable flashes coming from his and her location. As the later was a momentary shift of her stance, after the moment passed he finally spoke up. “So, do you also blame the likely smiths who had poured their hours on end labor and hearts into crafting an item set. That has lasted up until this point in time, only to fail now?”

Gilda just rolled her eyes as she put her talons on her hips. “Really? Armor doesn’t shrink.” She said dryly. Asphyxious on the other hand was just waving at them.

“Metal can shrink if it gets cold enough.” She defended. “Just like heat expands.” Celestia lectures.

“Just like Big Mac.” Gilda said with a lustful smile.

“Wut!?” A voice cried out from behind the guards as Applejack knocked over the entire formation and got in Gilda’s face. I see that all of the barriers are present with their Elements. “What was that about my brother!?” She shouted with her face inches from Gilda’s.

“Why don’t you ask him.” Gilda purrs to Applejack with a smile that said she did buck with him.

“Oh that's it! Come On girls lets blast her!” AJ shouted as she moved over to her friends and started squinting at Gilda like she was trying to make her head explode. “Whatcha waiting for girls? You know how it goes! Things get real shiny, we toot rainbows and the bad guy goes poof!” Applejack told her friends when they didn’t help before, as I can guess, trying to activate the Elements by herself...Or maybe she’s really constipated all of a sudden. Its hard to tell.

Asphyxious was just hovering over Gilda and chuckles. “Oh no look at me I’m a pretty pony with rainbow powers, I shoot things with magic coz I say so. Look at me I’m so pretty. I look silly when I don’t get my way.” Asphyxious went on as Pupa was giggling at this but was interrupted when an apple smashed into his face getting applesauce in his eye sockets and nose. She had launched one at Gilda to but she was paying better attention and dodged.

Doom’s stance was to stay quiet, though much closer to me now with Spidermare watching Ax’s group looking back at Doom than the army of ponies Celestia brought with her. “Do you make it a point to be hated? Or childish to those who could ‘keep’ you from going home if they were vindictive.” He gave Twilight a nod, though not seeing her in her costume. “Some historical costumes were worthy of praise, perhaps next year a contest could be done for that?”

Asphyxious pulled an apple seed out of his eye and looked at it before handing Pupa to Moon. As the Arthro pony walks over to me. “I hope you realize this means WAR!” He summoned a small army of ghost like Knights who quickly went off and came back with baskets full of tomatoes and eggs. “Ponies and Dogs arm yourselves with eggs and tomatoes, for tonight we dine in HELL!” And that's how it all kick off with AJ starting a food war.

As I watch this I turn to see Celestia, Luna and Pinkie sitting beside me watching what will later be known as the Great Food War of 98. Each eating from a bucket of popcorn. “You’re only letting this happen because it distracted all of them from the armor thing aren't you?” I ask Celestia as one of the buildings were torn down to build catapults and the royal guard got in on the battle.

“I honestly don't know what your talking about.” She said straight faced as she used her magic to remove the armor from the tree and buried it deep beneath the earth so that none will find any evidence.

Doom Offers a couple pictures to me, showing a ‘blow by blow’ of Celestia and her armor blowing off into the now damaged tree. “I had heard that you have a thing for ‘embarrassing’ pictures..” releasing them into my magical grip, that had her facial reactions to the armor’s breaking off. “Will you send me and my Oath Sworn back now?”

I take the pictures then look up in bewilderment as a rotten fruit bomb fell from the sky and blasted Ax’s army leaving them laying on the ground covered in the innards of brave, fallen foodstuffs. “Yes, I believe that would be best. Doctor Doom, Asphyxious. Your contracts are complete!” While Doom and Spidermare went into their portal with dignity Ax...

When his portal opened Moon, Gilda and Pupa Jumped in leaving Asphyxious to be dragged into the portal but not before giving his last words. “This is not over Apple Famer! I will return with an army that will block out the sun! I will have my-” That was when all of his ghost Knights pushed him into the portal going in with him. Poor guy...Maybe sending him a few hundred chickens would cheer him up.

The great food war!

Author's Notes:

Iron Lich

Dr. Doom