The cavern grew quiet at the flashy entrance of this new displaced. The surprise of the situation giving me a moment of rest, though I doubt it will stay that way if that worm sees me charging up a spell. Besides I need this moment to fill Doom in. “Long story short that undead dragon is being controlled by a pony in its head who is being controlled by a sentient brain eating parasite that uses a powerful, addictive drug to break him and use him to catch ponies for him to kill and eat!” I tell him while keeping a wary eye on the dragon’s remains for any movement.

“Come now you can't blame a guy for eating, they’re prey in every way. I’m sure you can understand. You have the look of a predator, you don’t need to get mixed up in this little spat.” Aylmer said to Doom in a friendly voice from inside the dragon’s skull.

He stood there, now folding his arms as electric current jolted from his armor. His eyes are a mix of white irises with a moving cloudy grey, with his gaze shifting between us. “What of your story, Kitsune?” His voice was neutral in tone while his gaze shifted to the cage with ponies in it, giving a tilt of his head.

“I am Rin the dungeon keeper. Master of dark magic and forger of dark artifacts. And at the moment I’m trying to save those ponies from having their brains sucked out of their heads.” I replied as I kept my own eyes shifting though mostly keeping focus on the dragon.

He spoke loud enough just for the three of us to likely hear, his tone still neutral while he calmly shifted his gaze over us. “As a female from your voice, You should use ‘Mistress’ instead of ‘Master’ is my only gripe with your wording.. I will say this, ‘morality’ aside due to claim of survival versus heroics. What would I get in return for siding with either of you? On another note, who among you actually would KNOW of me?” He never seemed to change his tone, while leaving room to talk still with a possible gesture or twitch of his right hand.

“Well yes I’m a girl...now. Before I was displaced I was a guy though. I see no reason I was gender swapped, other then the guy that sent me to this world had a strange sense of humor.” When I said that I can hear Aylmer laughing hysterically. “And I was hoping to be friends. Friends help each other out do they not? I’m sure I can help you with a few things if you would call on me. And I know quite a bit about you. I have seen what kind of man you are through your token and supervillainy aside if you’re not, at least by my standards, truly evil. At least not from what I’ve seen so far.” I reply.

“Well as fuzzy as that is, I can give you whatever you want. With my power, I can enslave any sap. No one can take the pain of resisting me. Work with me and I can show you what true pleasure is like.” I hear from the skull, sounding as friendly and suave as ever.

Doom’s focus shifted completely onto Aylmer maybe causing panic to rise until he spoke. “There is a ‘slight’ issue with what was just mentioned parasite, by reasoning of your current existence including your very nature of manipulation and host bonding. I simply see no reason to trust you over what is an old if not powerful nine-tailed trickster, add onto the fact that what you offer is a trifle in likely comparison.” The second that last word left Doom’s lips his hand sprung up with a green telekinetic grip onto a neck vertebra in a pulling tug towards himself. With a pop, the head tumbled for a moment before glowing in a combination of black and green before moving back into place. However, it’s clear that the head is a little wobbly.

“That won’t work. The pony he’s enslaved is keeping active control. The only ways to stop it are to break the body in so many places it can’t function as a puppet or render the puppeteer unconscious and by that cut the strings.” I tell him as I try to work out a plan to get those two out of their hiding place.

Doom seemed to have formed a barrier around himself, before pointing a finger at one of the stalagmites on the ceiling before cracking it free throwing it downward striking the Dragon Skull with a reasonable force to jostle it again. “Well then kitsune, are you one who would abhor killing a host to kill the cause as a side benefit?” By this time he was preparing two more stalagmites, though one for each finger point.

“It's not his fault. I would only kill him if all other options were exhausted. However, if it becomes clear that it can’t be done and keeping him alive will only result in more casualties than… As they say, the needs of the many. Besides, I think we can do this. This parasite lives outside the body and injects his natural drug into the victim's head through a needle like appendage in his mouth. If we can get them out of that thing enough juice to K.O. the pony will cook the worm.” I answer as I watch the dragon bob and weave with impressive speed and skill for such a massive thing. Which makes the fact that Doom is still managing to hit the same spot on its head with each blow more impressive. When the behemoth tries to charge I focus a large amount of power into the create gold spell and conjure it where it was about to step. With no traction between coins one of its legs slips to the side causing it to stumble off course. An unconventional use for that spell but I’m trying to save the pony inside so my options are limited.

“I’m curious, do you have earplugs?” Doom asked as he had activated what looked to be thrusters in bursts to keep himself moving, to avoid many of the attacks while his shield held up against those that got lucky. After moving once again giving himself room before I could answer, an enchanting female voice came out of the likely speakers. The effect it had on the stallions was immediate, lulling them into a almost drunken dance while the mares were confused but more slowly brought under sway as he made it play. As the music plays I can feel something brushing against my mental barriers. But unlike most spells I’ve heard of that try to force their way in this one is more gentle. If a normal mind manipulation spell is like a hammer trying to smash down the door this one was like water trying to seep through the cracks.

“What are you doing you idiot! Don’t lose focus! You heard what that mongrel said, she was going to kill me! Do you remember when you tried to resist? The pain beyond all description, will destroy what little is left of you. You need me, so snap out of it!” Aylmer screamed and though I can tell some control was reestablished it wasn’t enough. The dragon has lost any sign of intelligent movements and lost all interest in us. Instead it's now focusing on the ponies trapped in the cage and moving in like a carnivorous animal stalking a wounded beast.

Doom raised his voice for Aylmer and I to hear this again when the song stopped, throwing a small boulder at the Dragon’s remains to get it’s attention before a palm blast after said rock scorching the side of it’s jaw. “It would seem little Parasite that you and your ‘fridge’, will be spoils of unchained monsters you have foolishly brought forth. Though I cannot fault you for being a simpleton, it’s in your nature to be dim.” Doom taunted, while insulting Aylmer’s intelligence and calling him incompetent.

The undead dragon turned towards Doom and growled menacingly before mindlessly charging forward. “HA! You call me a simpleton? You’re the one who obviously has no idea what he's doing! Even with this pony in a trance you’ll still be killed by this thing!” Aylmer yelled, for the first time showing signs of anger and fear. I smile at this. Before that thing was moving like a ninja, making it impossible for me to cast a spell that would have any use. But now that thing was just a barreling, clumsy behemoth with no signs of its acrobatics or tactics. Though that makes no difference now. With no more puppet master I can now add my own strings. I once again fire up the command undead spell, take control of the dragon and I make it do a Beatlejuice and had it spin its head like a carnival ride. With the pony in a trance and Aylmer with no limbs they had no way of holding on and flew out a distance to land roughly on the ground.

Doom calmly walked a few steps standing beside me, his bipedal stance with folded arms watching the spinning skeletal dragon’s head spin. “It would seem you are having fun, with dragon remains.” His finger pointing towards where Aylmar landed only for a green glow to encompass him levitating him back towards us into view, as Doom’s free hand crackled with arcing electricity between his digits. “But onto more pressing matters, would you desire the honors? Since I am a guest after all.” His expression was bored, even taking a few ‘light’ zaps at Aylmar to make him squirm in Doom’s telekinetic grip that held him firmly at barely above my muzzle level.

“Whoa Whoa let's all just calm down here. Why must we fight? Imagine what the three of us can do together. Can’t we talk this out?” Aylmer asked nervously as he struggled in the air.

“...No” I reply in an angry tone as I charge up my thunderbolt spell and let it loose on the parasite causing him to scream in pain for only a moment, as he was too small to last long and soon all that was floating there was a charred hunk of lifeless flesh. Before anything I use my eye of evil spell to look into the Canterlot palace and after a short moment of concentration a portal opens up from the ground in the cage. “That will take you to Canterlot. Tell the princesses what happened and that Rin will be there soon.” Rin said to the caged ponies, they were hesitant at first after what they just witnessed but soon started moving through the portal one by one till the cage was empty and I closed it behind them.

Doom gave me a deadpan look, holding the Charred Aylmer in his grasp likely to further cause overkill to what I have already done by continuously cooking him with lightning as he stepped along the path observing things of note from the corpses up to even the animated Dragon still present. “Let us hope your Royals do not over react, for it would seem my royalty knows of me even before I have done anything of note, though from the encounter I would presume time travel is the cause…” His expression rested on the mounds of the remains of Aylmer’s former victims laid out in a pile before tossing his ashen remains at it.

“I raised my world’s Celly and Lulu so I know...That Celly’s blood will boil when she finds out what happened but she won’t blame us. I taught her to learn the facts before jumping to conclusions. Though I think when this is all over she’s going to have a few words for me in private.” I say as I move the dragon over to the furthest corner of the cave and concentrate on a controlled tremor spell causing large boulders to fall and shatter the bones of the undead. “It's a shame I can’t keep it but I couldn't just safely leave it be when I’m not actively controlling it. Though I guess I can use the parts to create powerful artifacts if I ever need to.” I say as I mentally give some of my imps the command to come collect the parts. As they are high level ones they were making quick progress with teleportation and haste spells. I then use my magic to pull as much of the dark magic contaminating Star Fall's body as I safely can and send him to the palaces medical wing through a portal with an imp to write down what's wrong with him before turning to Doom. “Sorry about that. But I had to run some quick damage control… Speaking of damage you have small traces of dark magic in you. I don’t know what attacked you but It's not as woven into you as that unicorn’s taint. Would you like me to remove it? It will make healing the damage easier. Though I can’t repair spiritual damage myself.” I offer as I look him over.

Doom looked at his barely twitching hand before gazing at me again, a sigh escaped his lips behind that metal mask as he looked around. “In a better environment would be preferable, as it can wait a bit longer. As for spiritual damage, I may know a Zebra who could fix that..” He said cryptically as I’ve noticed his hand when not clenched gave a more noticeable twitch. “As for the one who caused this, let it be said she somehow knew me and from my siren’s statement she emanated Dark Magic of a ‘foul’ sort.”

I give a nod as I look it over. “Yes normally a body’s natural magic and life force will eventually destroy such a small amount of dark magic over time, so long as they aren't exposed anymore. But this stuff is like a living energy. It's keeping itself going strong.” I say as I turn away and get ready to create a portal. “Would you feel comfortable in the royal palace? Or would you rather we do this at my place?” I asked.

Doom stood there a moment, tapping the spot on his mask where his chin likely is before speaking again. “Would this ‘Royal Palace’ be in a place called ‘Canterlot’? If so that would be fine, also a tour of it would be fortuitous. But after things have settled I would require spell knowledge to give me an edge against potential dark users in the future or those of a higher skill of experience.” His eyes held an edge with a flare of tiny bolts from the corners of his eye.

I nod at this. “Defence against the dark arts? I can teach you that. But I can only use dark magic so if you're talking about holy magic… Well actually you couldn't even if you want to. Only those that follow the way of the light devoutly can use that stuff so I guess there’s no point in bringing that up…” I say as I create the portal and hop through. When Doom floats up into the medical wing I close it and motioned for him to have a seat on an unoccupied bed. “Well let's start with that nasty thing in you first before it does any more damage. Though I suggest you prepare yourself that stuff looks clingy so as much as it hurt going in it will hurt worse coming out.” I tell him as I summon a gem from my construction material pile in my dungeon.

He watched me with interest as his right hand twitched again, his expression shifted to his right arm, the gem and the ponies closest from the looks of it. “I was curious, could one of the dragon’s bones also have magic resistance?” Moving his left hand to clasp his right arm, when it shook more once we came to the palace in a jittery manner. “I also presume this intensified effect is a result of some reason, relating to the nature of this issue…”

I Blink at this before answering. “Well yes dragons are magic resistant by nature but as you can tell by the fact that thing was reanimated in the first place spells can get through with enough force. but to answer your question no. Dragon parts don’t radiate magic resistance. Think of magic like radiation and dragon bones as lead armor. No what's making it do that is I’ve already started charging up the spell to remove it and it's preparing to resist. This can only mean that the attack that placed it in you was meant to do just that. It could be a poison, a tracing spell or a way to spy on you. We won’t know till it’s removed and studied.” I say as I use a piece of paper and pen to make the ritual circle. When I finish my preparations I cast the spell. The paper became perfectly flat and stiff as the gem floated in its middle. Then Dooms arm jerked as a black wisp started to seep out and was slowly drawn into the gem.

Doom growled out as his eyes shut tightly, his left hand trying to keep his right one held but the pain looked to have caused muscle spasms. As he likely held back from cursing or yelling Doom listened to some music, likely to distract him from the pain. It was faint but he was listening to some singer’s voice that was familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. “I will have to ‘repay’ this wound, with one better at a later time.” His voice whispered out likely through gritted teeth. With a final tug the last of the dark magic was pulled out and into the gem. I cast the healing spell on Doom before looking down at the thing in my paw. It squirmed spasticity in a way that reminded me of Discord’s chaos magic but it’s erratic movements was the only similarity. I then heard a hostile snort that drew my attention to Celly and Lulu at the room’s entrance. Luna had an almost murderous look in her eyes as she looked ready to charge into battle and Celly looked about ready to do the same. At first I thought that maybe they were angry at Doom for some reason but then I realized it was the gem that had their focus. Luna then stomped up to Doom.

“Golem! We demand to know where that came from! Did thine creator put it in thee!?” She demanded.

Doom’s expression might have turned from pained to deadpan at this point, his eyes focused on her at least before speaking slowly. As one would talk to a child, if not outright saying anything bad. “For starters, Pony. I am NOT a ‘golem’ or a construct, I would be wearing ARMOR. A little ‘thing’, meant to protect your flesh from possible battle? By how things are traversing, I would state that I am a Human of certain standing, as for that ‘gift’ was received by blocking a whip made from some type of dark magic.” His tone of voice taking on a more refined tone, even if he was being terse with his answers.

“”...Did thou just call us pony!? We are a princess!” Luna bellowed in the royal canterlot voice.

“Luna this is a hospital!” Celestia said in a berating tone. “Besides there is something more important to focus on.” She continued while motioning to the gem with her eyes.

“I’m going out on a limb and guessing you two have seen this magical signature before?” I asked them while holding up the apparently offending object.

“Tis the Nightmare. The thing that took advantage of our moment of weakness and turned us into Nightmare moon. If this monster roams free we must hunt it down and stop it at once!” Luna said with a stomp of her hoof. “But our question has not been answered! Where did you get that? What form was it in? We must know!” Luna said in a demanding tone.

“Luna calm down he had that before he came to this world. Maybe you can help deal with the problem over there. Can you tell us what this does? I asked while showing her the gem.

“Tracking and something else, we know not what.” Luna replied as she glared at the thing. After a moment of awkward silence as Luna tried to kill the nightmare by glaring at its magic Celestia grabbed our attention by clearing her throat.

“Yes well, seeing as the nightmare isn’t threatening us at the moment we need to talk about what happened with the ponies that were found in the courtroom.” She said while looking at me expectantly.

“Alright Celly but can you spare somepony to give my new friend a tour of the palace?” She nods and calls in one of her guards. “Before that I have one question Victor. Though it's no longer in you, your attacker can still track this thing when in the same world. So do you want to keep it? Or do I just dispose of it here?” I asked him as I held the gem up in front of him.

He regarded the gem before waving it off, as if having quite a bit of disdain for the thing as he soon rubbed the once twitching right hand in a soothing manner. “I wouldn’t miss it if that was your meaning, do with it as you please. Though as for these two ponies, who would they be?” His glance towards Celestia and Luna were of a questioning nature, which could likely shock anyone for not having heard of them before.

“I thought you said you met the princesses in your world. Anyways these are my nieces Celestia and Luna the co-rulers of Equestria. And girls this is my new friend Victor Von Doom.” I say as I wave my paws in a presenting manner.

He started to eye Luna critically, having leaned forward to do so. “I’ve briefly met her, though Luna is it? I would simply say that you have quite a vibrant mane and tail, the you I met didn’t allot me time to properly observe your features.” He nodded offering a hand to Luna as if to take an offered hoof. Luna looked down at the offered hand before carefully placing a hoof in it.

He clasped his gauntleted fingers around said hoof before shaking it softly, the contact having been brief still caused a noticeable shiver along her coat with partially flared wings. Upon releasing said hoof he coughs once to say this. “It seem’s I have an ‘affect’ on winged creatures when in my presence or physical contact, a Griffon I met reacted the same though she became flushed for some reason.” Gesturing towards Luna’s wings and a slight staticy look of her coat.

“Oh my, Lulu you're in a public place.” I say teasingly as I place a paw at my lips to cover a snicker. She then blushes with embarrassment as she sputtered at my teasing.

“Ney! Twas not THAT, we were shocked by his touch!” She tried to defend herself.

“I’m sure.” I snickered as her face went completely red before she teleported out of the room.

His gaze shifted towards Celestia now, looking her over as it stopped at her face. “You must be Celestia then?” He offered her his hand just like he had before with Luna, waiting patiently as his face remained neutral since the dark magic was pulled from his arm. Celly looked closely at his offered hand and seeing the small arcs of electricity telekinetically grabbed some rubber hoof gloves which were basically just balloons for the hoof and with her protection accepted his hand.

He nodded softly at that, even perking an eyebrow at her action before smiling. “You could say I have yet to really control my shocking personality, but time will fix that hopefully. I’ve received a comment before that I am like a thunder cloud.” Doom stated in a conversational tone.

“I’m sure you will. I’m glad to see my aunt has made such a well mannered friend amongst the displaced. I understand the last one was, well… too friendly. And I would love to talk with you more but my courtroom is full of scared ponies talking about my aunt, talking stallion parts and dead bodies. And I must talk with her about that. My guard Hard Flanks will give you that tour if you’d like.” She said as she gestured toward her guard.

He nodded slowly, eyeing said guard in question as he stood up. Though by him tilting his head down he didn’t seem used to it. “That would be fine if said guard is trusted, vouched for by word carries a lot of weight with me.” Doom stated, as his eyes shifted to me once as he spoke again. “I hope after things do settle, we can have a suitable meal to discuss what was said earlier.”

I give him a nod before he follows Celly’s guard out of the room. Turning to Celestia I see her waiting patiently to hear about what happened earlier. She took it about as well as I expected…

(Meanwhile in the Golden Oaks library.)

Twilight’s eye was twitching as she paced around the room. She is a mare of science and proud of it. She is Celestia’s personal student and through her teachings and analytical mind, she has not only learned many spells but invented a few of her own. So when a new magical being she never heard of before not only shows up but so casually demonstrates a spell that she not only didn't know existed, but should require a large amount of magic to do! She had to study this Rin! She had to learn her magic! Just think of all the good it would do for all of ponykind!

“Twilight you’re wearing a hole in the floor...again.” Spike said as he looked down at twilight from the hole’s edge. Twilight just glared up at him before teleporting next to him.

“I can’t help it Spike! A new species not found in any books with magic I’ve never seen before and I can’t think of any way to study it!... I mean her!” Twilight yelled before falling to the ground while holding her own head in her forehooves, as her eyes rapidly dart around the room and a few more hairs pop up in her mane.

“You could just ask.” Spike deadpanned.

“Just ask? Just ask?! Spike how do you expect me to ask the princess if I can study her aunt?! Her aunt! The genealogical questions alone have their own pile!” Twilight exclaimed as she pointed a hoof at the table covered in mounds of papers.

“I meant ask Rin.” Spike said in exasperation causing Twilight to freeze. “I mean she seemed nice enough. Maybe she would be happy to answer your questions or take a few tests for you. Princess Celestia was when you were little.”

Twilight thought deeply on this before teleporting over to her writing desk and writing a letter. Soon she was back with Spike carrying a scroll with For Rin only! written all over it. “Hear Spike, send this letter.” Twilight said calmly now. With a salute spike took the scroll out of Twilight’s magical grasp and sent it away in a puff of smoke with his magic fire. “Hopefully the princess doesn't read it” Twilight said as she tiredly waited for a reply.

“WHAT!?” Celestia’s voice rang out all the way from Canterlot and into Twilight's home. Twilight has never heard her so angry before.

“On no! she read it!” Twilight exclaimed in fear before she ran upstairs and hid under her bed.

Celly’s mane and tail looked like they were on fire as she picked me up in her magic and brought me up to her face. I even saw a scroll materialize briefly over her head before burning away into ash. “How many did he kill?” She asked dangerously.

“I don’t know how many Aylmer killed before he died.” I answer sadly before she calmed down and released me.

“Aunty, please send all of the bodies to the morgue. It would seem I’ve got work to do.” Celestia said sadly before she left the room. I sigh sadly at her reaction before I head over to the palace library.

(A few hours later in the dining room.)

It would seem that the Aylmer incident has caused a ruckus as I saw a few servants and guards running about outside. And the girls were off working to help the survivors. Even Blueblood was absent which is a good thing right now, I would like to keep my friends. Which means it's just me and Victor. I telekinetically lifted a notebook over to him. “These are spells as well as advice for fighting a high level dark magic user. If you have any further questions feel free to ask. Now you wanted to talk?” I ask as I use my magic to lift a piece of fish to my mouth.

He took the notebook into his hand, opening it to from appearances slowly go over it with great care while he spoke. “Of course, first I would like to thank you for going along with my requests. As admittedly any information I would acquire, could be useful for my own ‘world’ outside of visiting here.” He took a moment to pause lifting off his face mask for the first time to reveal his face, marred by burns and scars to take a drink from the glass offered as his eyes stayed locked to mine. “Second; I would wish to ‘get to know’, one who from my guessing was forced here? For the record, my situation as it is, would be a vague wish granted by sheer luck or some cosmic alignment if you wish to get ‘biblical’.”

He used the silverware with practiced ease, having started on the sides before eating the main course. His choice of food likely a choice out of comfort, for anyone else who would had joined us tonight. “Third, when would either hostess for our meal in their ‘humble’ abode arrive to join us?” Pausing from the meal at present, to glance back at the pages of the book giving me time to answer.

“One, you’re very welcome! Though I’m not sure how useful the tour will be as our worlds are drastically different, what with you living in a world full of superheroes and villains I’d imagine there will be things added in and removed as a precaution against super sneak thieves and attackers. Three, I can't say. The prospect of murder is an old but uncommon one in this world so what Aylmer did is going to cause a big splash and I’d imagine they’re working to get as much control over the situation as they can before the wave hits. So I would be surprised if they showed up before we finish eating, if at all. Let's just hope that Blueblood doesn't show up, he doesn't exactly make a good impression. And two, yes I didn’t come here by choice but I’m glad it happened. Back on earth I was just a science nerd that fixed broken appliances. I had over one thousand years to grieve what losses I had and moved on. So what exactly do you want to know about me?” I ask as I happily finish my fish...now I’m less happy, They should’ve made more fish.

He nodded softly as he closed the notebook, tucking it behind his back. his fingers moving to start on the main course which was a ratatouille, with a bit of garnish. “Well anything that isn’t sensitive to start, but you say that you studied under the science field? Where specifically if so?” He took a cut piece from the plate into his mouth, offering a nod of approval to me while he continued.

“Oh I can’t remember the name. One can forget things in the time I’ve been here. But I always loved science since when I was a kid and would often look up experiments to do when at the library. Unfortunately I never had the funds to do any of the cool stuff but I was good at it and always got a ribbon in science fairs. When I got sent to this world I saw my magic as something new to study and experiment with. Luckily for me dark magic is just what my body produces naturally. I didn’t find out about the effects it has on those that try to use it without the immunity I enjoy till much later. Even now I use the scientific method when studying new spells and trap and room designs for my dungeons.” I answer as I fill my plait with my own helping of the main course.

A smile crossed his lips, gazing up at me with a look in his eye. “There was a reason or two that I choose this, seeing as the original that I portray is both a Scientist and Sorcerer. The potential left open for both fields brings out the imagination, though I would say that you are the first Displaced I was called into. Before you I had formed into at most three other universes, one of whom was a ‘alternate’ of my original home. The surreal moment when you talk to a younger ‘you’ can be interesting, especially if they don’t know that you could in a sense be the same individual and not one of their idols.” He gave a hand gesture creating an illusion, of himself that I saw and what looked to be a excited boy bouncing around himself.

I smile at the image. “I never messed with time myself. I studied it but from what I understand history is either immutable, so that whatever you do will change nothing and in fact only be what causes things in the present to be. Or step on a bug and blow everything up...Personally I lean toward the former but either way never saw a reason to risk it when I already had so many safer and easier things to get into for my experiments.” I say before continuing my meal.

He frowned a bit at what was said, shaking his head slowly. “I was SUMMONED by my anchor, others may refer to it as ‘tokens’ from read sources. But I see it as a tether with two beings, each one at a different end to ‘toggle’ it. Case in point, the young ‘me’ that had summoned me was not the same universe as when I had left. Another was apparently a ‘video game’ character by Cole Mcgrath who shares similar power set for lightning and had given me pointers for assisting him. But as for the young me that i was referring to earlier, I ‘helped’ to ensure he wouldn’t suffer the same as I had growing up.” He spoke cryptically at the end there, his eyes sharing a narrowed expression before softening up to continue another bite.

I frown at his words. “I’m sorry to hear that your childhood was so unpleasant… But the tokens need not be that way with everyone. You can communicate through them if you’re careful not to say anything that sounds like a summons and a good way to help friends. But you’re saying that a child you has a copy of your comic? I hope its a kid friendly version because when I found your token I saw what happened after you brought Gilda to Lyra’s new place.” I cringe at my own words as I bring up that embarrassing moment.

He lifted a brow just watching me for a moment, his posture still straight and polite as he put down the fork for a moment. “It isn’t censored if you wanted to know, but he didn’t really care about that part. More of the ‘action’ that played out, but in the end I happily pruned the family tree where ‘he’ was from to make things smoother. I had even worked out how to build a ‘Life Model Decoy’ to act as his personal ‘hand’ in teaching him the methods of our Prestigious family’s values that have been in place for generations..” He picked up his fork again, eating just as calmly as before seeing no issue in what I saw of him being intimate.

I just stare at him a moment. “...I hope those you ‘pruned’ did something to deserve it. How bad was your family? If you don’t mind me asking.” I say as I gave him a sad look.

He stopped mid lift of his next piece, easing it back down while he stared back at me. A possibly long quiet look into my eyes before he said this. “Do you really wish to know? Or are you simply being conversational on nobility family ‘politics’...” After he spoke in a slightly tense voice, moving a hand to grab onto the drink glass that was refilled, by a servant that his gaze casually locked onto. Who scurried out of the room and into the kitchen.

My ears flatten against my head. I’ve seen some pretty bad things from noble houses in the past. And those were ponies, humans are much worse. “I’m sorry for bringing up any unpleasantness. I did want to know but I’ve been with the royal family long enough to know that noble family politics are rarely pleasant. You won’t believe how many times I had to use my necromancy to flush poison out of my system in the past. Is there anything more pleasant you want to talk about?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation someplace less tense.

The right hand he’s been using to hold his drinking glass, swirled the contents slowly before he spoke up. “The interesting difference I first noticed was the use of what could be considered ‘steampunk’ Airships, I took the time to copy the designs from my recently departed second uncle’s drawing table. For a cannibal he is a genius in designing vessels of most sorts, except for the carriage design he was working on. That thing was a moving deathtrap with what he thought to use.” He took a long sip before continuing as he smiled again. “Well I am glad to have done some cathartic cleaning regardless, tell me how did you come to be I am presuming apart of ‘this’ family?”

“Well when I first came to this world with the powers from the Dungeon Keeper games I spent most of my time experimenting with the rooms, traps and spells. Seeing what rooms attracted what from this world. One day one of the scavenging parties I sent out to find new raw materials found a shiny sky carriage being attacked by a dragon. It was well guarded but they were using poor tactics. They were actually trying to fight him directly.”

“By this time I learned that creating a large treasury and filling it with a massive amount of gems can attract dragons so I already knew enough about them to know they would lose that fight. Unfortunately the dragons I had were just teenagers so I couldn't just go for a frontal assault. But dragons are very prideful and I knew how to throw the right insults. There is a saying amongst humans ‘anger makes you stupid’ and when you're arrogant enough to think of everything else as bugs and have a short temper it's easy to get baited in.”

“I lured him into a canyon too thin for him to use his wings and when he was deep enough I cast the tremor spell causing the rock walls around him to come crashing down. Unfortunately I lost some of my minions luring him in and barely got out myself. But I’m glad I reacted that way, even if it was a spur of the moment thing. Turns out that the carriage was transporting Faust, Celly’s and Lulu’s mother who was in no condition to fight, due to being in labor with Celestia at the time.”

“Though her husband had some trust issues at first, with my magic and its reputation, but Faust liked me quickly enough. I think she actually looked into my soul when we first met. I just can’t describe how that feels. Anyways at first, I worked as an adviser on dark magic, since I can safely use it which meant I got full access to the forbidden wing. This gave her husband, many sleepless nights.” I laugh after I say this, I can’t blame him for his paranoia about me but it was funny how he thought he was being subtle when he was spying on me.

“After a while and many babysitting jobs, we were pretty close and since I had no family in this world Faust had me legally adopted into the family. You should have seen the faces on all of those nobles when it was announced!” I say with a large grin on my face as I finish my meal and watch as a cake bigger than both of us combined was wheeled in.

Doom looked at it, then the ponies wheeling the cake in. “What is this?” He didn’t need to gesture at it, as he slowly pushed the meal to his left as his eyes met mine in question if they didn’t answer first. “For it seems rather excessive, if there isn’t more mouths at the table…”

I just smile as I look at the massive amount of food still at the table and back up to the cake. “I guess the cooks don’t know the girls are working on something or they’ll be around to finish it later. Alicorns are powerful both magically and physically. So believe it or not this banquet and that cake is a small, pleasant dinner for them.” I answer as I turn to gage his reaction.

His expression slowly drew into a flat line, still gazing at the cake before the full spread on the table. “You could feed seven families with this, and have ‘doggy bags’.” But it wasn’t as surprised as I had perhaps thought. “For a normal family diner back home, we would use a table like this once a month. with the Family to sit together and commonly talk about things, those outside the family would gawk at if not report.” His eyes drifted over the food again before he pulled over a jello dessert.

“I introduced my knowledge of agricultural science all those years ago. That combined with their earth pony magic means they can produce far more crops than either alone so it's fine. And we do have conversations like that at our meal times but I doubt they are quite so negative. And we use a telepathic link so no eavesdroppers can overhear. Though it can lead to some funny reactions when first timers are brought in. Like this vampire I have in my employ who was freaking out because the moment she knew we were all connected she couldn't stop thinking dirty thoughts and not knowing we can’t see any images this way started chanting in her head for her brain to stop.” I say as I take a slice of cake as my dessert.

Doom shook his head at that, moving he placed one arm on the table relaxing slightly while listening to me talk. “You would have quite a few stories like this, I would guess correct? Having dependable if not loyal followers is a good thing.” He stated before using a spoon to cut a portion of jello free to eat the jiggling mass.

“...You could say that. Mostly having to with this one guy that came to this world with me by jumping into the portal that I rode here. He was some kind of cultist that believed I was some chosen one or something. And a type of minion I learned to create through dark magic and a hatchery that I call a Cluck Norris. Those are some mean chickens.” I say as I use a simple illusion to show both of the ones I’m talking about.

He nods slowly as he soon looks towards one of the windows, seeing the activity outside gesturing with an open palm. “Do your nieces ever delegate tasks to make time for family? On that topic how big is your said family currently?” His head turning back to look at my eyes, seeming to make a habit to show that I have his full attention or something.

I give a sigh. “Yes but like I said the murder of so many, will cause a lot of problems and can spread panic. They are delegating, I’m sure but it works like a pyramid with them at the top. And they want to make sure that their kingdom is stable. Unfortunately being a leader, especially in any situation that can cause instability in your people can make things difficult.” Besides this is a rare occurrence and isn’t the norm.”

He looked up after finishing his jello before steepling his fingers, giving me a look as he spoke neutrally once more. “So there isn’t a sort of ‘emergency’ response team? The kind of overreaching organization like ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ has been hinted at from my anchor? I at least hope there is some type of ‘guild’ that handles monsters.” He looked to have been done with eating diner as he sat leaning forward onto the table slightly.

“There was an emergency response team last time I checked and I have no reason to believe it was disbanded and I personally aided in writing the book on dealing with monsters. But they are their mother’s daughters and will take a personal hoof in such a tragedy as the murder of so many of their subjects. You didn’t see the area of the cave where all of the bodies were kept. Even if he had one pony per meal he had to be around for a month at least. I can’t see how so many went unnoticed though. She probably didn’t bring it up around me to protect me. Something she picked up from me it would seem.” I say sadly as I take a look outside myself.

His gaze joined mine looking outside while he sat. “Death is rather easy, though the aftershocks can be wide spread.” He spoke simply with a somber tone before continuing in a lighter note. “Pruning the Family tree in my case was cause for the better, though with the LMD tech behind. ‘Me’ will likely use them to keep the former roles filled to avert any suspicion.” He looked out taking a drink, gazing out at the activity.

I nod at this before placing my empty plate aside. “I hope he’ll be ok, and that the body doubles don’t run afoul of any other noble family trying politics. If it’s discovered they aren't human it can draw all the wrong attention.”

Nodding softly without looking towards me, his eyes shifting over the foliage. “If he is anything like me, taking the imprinted lessons seriously. He’ll turn out better if not more prepared, besides I can only do so much for ‘me’.” His eyes shifted back towards me, a calm expression while his intense gaze remained.

“I heard some music when I was treating your affliction. I’m guessing that was the siren knight I saw in your comic. Was that just a recording or are you keeping in contact across dimensions?” I asked after remembering the enchanting song.

His gaze moved back to me as he smiled softly while his left hand held his mask. “You could say she gave me a lullaby to ease my pain from that attack, which also put me under after she had gotten my helmet off.” Stating this simply as he seemed naturally comfortable in the chair here. “After recovering from the effects I had stopped the recording process to edit it into the purest form without any background interference. And you got the result, unfocused trance if not drunken or limp forms from hearing it. I am rather surprised, that it affects both genders from seeing it in play.”

“You’re lucky I keep my mental shields up. I don’t think you would have liked it if I botched the spell to remove the taint and had to start over do to losing focus.” I reply with a grin.

His response was a glance before looking outside again, a confident smile forming on his face. “Then I would have simply waited for the effects to wear off, at worse you would have been a love drunk fox rubbing against me..” His tone condescending, watching for my reaction at his wording.

“Well since it's a siren's song, I can’t deny it but I’d much rather be rubbing up against a female if I’m going to get that way.” I joke as I lean back in my chair.

Doom looks back at me, raising an eyebrow having his full attention before looking my form over again. “Mounting or being mounted?” Was his simple yet awkward question, it was like he was literally poking at me with that.

“Mount? That implies a controlled situation. When I find a female interested and with the stamina it will be like a snake pit. It's been a thousand years so she wouldn’t be leaving for at least twenty four hours and a few broken toys.” My attention was then brought to the sound of something metal hitting the floor to see Celly and Lulu stairing with looks of horror at what they just heard. “Oh great. I guess I can’t put off 'the talk' any longer…” I say as I facepaw.

“Don’t thou dare!” Luna shouted while shaking a hoof angrily as they tried to recover from their embarrassment.

“I didn’t need that image. I don’t think I’ll be able to keep down more than twenty pounds of food after that.” Celestia said as she tried to cover her face in her hooves.

Doom’s reaction to her statement may as well have been helping out. “Since you two are likely not going to eat this ‘buffet’ of food, why do you not send it to the closest orphanage?” Gazing at them once more in the same slightly leaning forward seating position.

“What will three foals do with all of this food?” Celestia asked as she looked it all over. “It will spoil if we tried to spread it out to all of them.”

Doom simply put on his face mask, remaining quiet for the first time in a while just staring at them. His left hand moved to rest over his masked face, with a slow drawn out sigh. “Then your staff as well?” Finally came his verbal response, as if trying to keep himself civil in a awkward position he hasn’t experienced before maybe.

“They already had their banquet dinner and can take the leftovers.

Doom took a look at me, the princesses and finally the food again before saying this. “Your world so far seems too peaceful, the only natural part was that fight… Even that didn’t have the edge I had with that Hyena.” He had cast a small illusion just like earlier, showing him with a round shield on his right arm, a anthro unicorn in armor with two swords knocked out of the way then finally the whip that lashed onto his arm by a menacing looking anthro hyena with a burned suit as she had lost a right arm somehow.

“Thank you! I like to think that all the things I taught the girls while they were growing up helped them to better serve the peace and prosperity of this land.” I say with a happy smile.

“Yes aunty, many of the things you taught us are used to this day. And equestria is better for it.” Celestia said as she rolled her eyes with an exasperated look on her face. But I think I see a slight smile near the end.

I smile and nod before turning back to Doom. “Teach the leaders the right things early on and the influence it has on the lands they rule can be quite amazing.”

“Aunty thine ego is showing.” Luna deadpanned.

“Has she been successful in raising you both, to be shining unblemished rulers of the land in which is being stood on at this moment?” Doom asked looking at both Celestia and Luna as he brought his glass closer into view to see if it still had drink.

“Yes, for the most part.” She said as she gave Luna a sad look. “She taught us and our little ponies many things to improve our lives and taught us about different cultures in our world and the one she hails from. Diplomacy and if things go unwell, she made us memorize what she called the art of war. Apparently it was a book from her world. She started doing this after she lost her first heart. She came back a wreck saying she wouldn't let it happen here but nopony was able to get her to say what she meant.” She said as she gave me a look, probably hoping I would finally spill. I kept my mouth shut but after what happened today I’ll be thinking of reconsidering.

Though Doom on the other paw spoke his assumption. “Assuming by ‘heart’ not being a figurative sense, if by what I am guessing is that someone personally attacked your aunt in a place she felt safe and had decent success if she was shaken that much.” He answered looking in my direction again likely to gauge something.

“Actually my dungeon heart was being kept in Faust’s and Salaris’s palace the first time I lost one and that one was destroyed by the king back when he was still paranoid.” I say sadly as I remember the betrayal. And it wasn’t the loss of the heart that had me so shaken. “Thankfully it wasn’t long after that he started coming around. Though it wasn’t as peaceful back then so I lost a few more in wars and some noble politics from some ambassadors.” I say with a flat look. The girls just look uncomfortable and a little angry at my mentioning this.

Doom nodded softly as he looked at the girls. “I am rather curious, since you both have arrived and we’ve eaten. Would you desire to spend it with your aunt?”

“That would be lovely thank you.” Celestia said with a smile. “Um… would you like to take some of this home with you?” She asked sheepishly while gesturing toward the food but using her magic to lift the cake trolley and set it down next to herself.

A skeptical look went onto the table, towards myself than resting onto the girls once more as he lifted a hand in stopping. “I thank you for the offer, though I wouldn’t be able to carry any back safely with me. But it is appreciated, if not excessive..” He is still likely trying to get over the fact that they could eat all of this.

I smile as I open a portal next to him and a miniature dungeon heart floated up next to him. “My token.” I say with a friendly smile as it just floats there next to him.

He gave me a look at the mention of tokens before taking it with care, looking down at it in question speaking his mind. “You know, if this is your dungeon heart. You just physically gave the literal meaning of ‘gave my heart to him’ from a love context..” Upon saying this he attempted to tickle it, before tucking it behind his back showing a second time that he’s likely put it away.

I just deadpanned at his little joke. “Yes it's my dungeon heart and I can use it, if it's needed in your world but it’s just a token till I do. I wish you a good night Victor, and your contract is complete.” With that a comic book magically appeared on one of the few empty spots on the table and opened up to create a grey cloudy cyclone that pulled Doom back into his world. Though many things could have been said after this the first thing that came to mind was. “Where did all the food go?”

Author's Notes:

At long last it has arrived! Mwahahahaha!

This chapter is a crossover with Power ponies and Doom