***Asphyxious pov Everfree.***

I had word from Twilight something strange was going on in the Everfree. So I took Cankerworm and Seether to find out. I asked the Gatormen who lived here but they said the same thing and pointed me the way. I didn’t like this something fishy was going on.

I ended up finding a path, that in itself was strange. There are no paths in the Everfree. I even heard odd sounds in the forest the deeper I went. I saw the familiar glow of the timberwolves and tall shadows moving in the shadows.

“Anyone out there?” I called out didn’t really thinking I'd get a replay. Seether and Cankerworm hissed as they stand by my side.

“State your name, and tell me why you have come to my home.” Said a gruff voice as the pathway stopped at a strange hill made of rune covered stones.

“I am Asphyxious King of the Diamond Dogs, I was asked by Twilight to find out what the strange magic that's been going on out here was. Tell me are you human?” I asked as I waited to see what happens.

“As human as a member of the order of Orboros can be.” The voice said as a man in a brown cloak with gold and green shoulderplates and a giant stone sword stepped out from behind one of the stones.

“First the Cygnaran from the Griffon empire, now a member of the Circle to. I’m starting to think there are more displaced living here then just me.” I said as I placed my sword into the ground.

“I know not of this Cygnaran you speak of or this thing known as a displaced. But let me introduce myself, I am Baldur The Stonecleaver.” He said as he sunk his sword into the ground and held out his hand for me to shake it.

I take his hand carefully not to crush it as we shake hands. “Like I said before Asphyxious Hellbringer nice to meet you.” I said as I order Seether and Cankerworm to relax. “Let me guess you went to a con buy something next thing you know you ended up here right?” I asked getting to the blunt end of his story.

“What is a ‘con’? I woke up here a week ago with no memory, and was told this would be my new home.” Baldur said.

“What? you mean, you wasn’t cosplaying as Baldur and sent here?” I asked again. Okay things are getting weird.

“I do not know what this ‘cosplay’ thing is either, but I believe I was sent here by a being by the name of Crux.” Baldur replied.

“Huh, never heard of him before? Okay before we go on I’ll try and explain what happened to me and then we can compare notes.” I started over from the beginning explaining about the displaced and what happened to me all about finding another Displaced who was Major Victoria Haley.

“That is quite the tale, but I will believe you for you have yet to do anything to earn my distrust.” Baldur said.

“Trust me I think the real Asphyxious would of attacked first. I don’t think he bover with telling a story like that.” I replayed. As I saw Seether pettinga timberwolf. “And strange things happening seem to follow me wherever I go.” I said as I saw the helljack turned warjack being calm.

“I am surprised that one of my wolds has taken a liking to one of your machines.” Baldur laughed.

“Just roll with it, I find you stay more sane that way.” I laughed a little too before asking a question. “So what happened before you got here? What with the strange magic going on?”

“I guess it may be me using the magic of the forest, that's the best guess I can give you.” Baldur replied as he scratched his beard.

“I see well just a heads up there some Gatormen living out here too, they haven’t attacked anyone yet but just be careful with them.” I said as I look around.

“I would never harm an inhabitant of the forest without reason or need, do not worry. Although you may want to be wary of tharn tribesmen, I think I saw a few yesterday.” Baldur said as he lifted his sword back over his shoulder.

“Wait… tharn are here. I how I mean from what I found Immora fell.” I said trying to go over my head what happened. Then hit myself in the head. “I forgot to ask what happened to the other two moons!” I said as I go to a tree and start hitting my skull on it.

“Wait...” I said as I stop and look to slowly. “If you and the tharn are here then what about the others. What about the Skorne, are the Trollkin still around? I mean I’ve already meet the Farrow and Everblight Legion. What ABOUT THE REST OF CRYX!?” I start to panic.

“I only have basic knowledge relating to the circle, so I wouldn't know.” Baldur said. “But if the balance is in danger me and my wolds would be willing to assist you.”

“I… thanks. I’m calm now… I think?” I say calming down. Deal with one thing at a time, then worry about what happens next. “Okay, oh so there a village close by called ponyville. Yes I know the name sounds silly but you’ll understand when you go there. Maybe I should go with you, the inhabitants panic easily.” I said as I dust my skull off.

I was about to leave when i thought crossed my mind. “You didn’t happen to meet a mare by the name of Zecora did you?” I asked. A part of me didn’t want to know but I better warn him about her and her, habits...

“Why yes actually. She was quite nice and tends to let me have my privacy which i appreciate.” Baldur said as he stopped stroking his beard.

“Oh that good, I guess when I meet her she must of gotten in poison joke or something…” I say good thing I have no face or I would have been blushing.

“why? did she freak out? You do look like an undead.” Baldur chuckled.

“No… It just she got a bit grabby in my, other form.” I said as to better explain I turned into my human form. “I don’t really know what got into her.” I say as I ran my hand through my hair.

“I think I know what got into her then.” Baldur laughed as he glanced behind me.

I then felt two hands grab my tail at the base. I slowly turn around to find the sexy zebra smiling at me warmly. “Oh no…” I say as she kissed me and pins me to the floor.

“Hello zecora.” Baldur said as he gave me a cheeky smile.

“Hello my good friend it been some time, why didn’t you tell me Asphyxious was here to take up your time.” Zecora said in that sexy voice. My god do not hoard!

“He just got here, and I didn’t know you knew or liked him until he mentioned you.” Baldur said as he walked over to the hill made of stones.

“Don’t leave me alone with her!” I panic only to feel her hands slide up my shirt as she gave me the bedroom eyes.

“Dont worry, I am not leaving. But, I am going to give you two room for breathing.” baldur replied as he sat down on a stone chair I didn’t notice before.

“You son of a-!” I was cut of by Zecora kissing me.

---

“I can’t believe you did that.” I said as we walked back to ponyville with my warjacks following behind. “I can’t believe you just sat back and watched!” I just, I don’t know how to process this. Maybe I should give up and add her to my hoard already.

“It is not wise to get between a hunter and her prize.” Baldur chuckled. “Especially if the hunter is a Wolf of Orboros.”

“Wait, are you saying Zecora is a tharn?” I asked feeling a little shocked, well seeing as there are no humans anymore maybe it could happen.

“The Tharn and Wolves are not the same group, they just work together on occasion in service to a druid.” Baldur explained.

“Right sorry, 900 years of going insane makes you forgetful.” I said as we reach the town. I just hope nothing crazy happens, what am I saying this is ponyville! something crazy happens everyday.

“I hope they don't mind me bringing my sword.” Baldur said to himself as he shifts the gigantic stone weapon on his shoulder.

“They freaked out over Zecora’s stripes. I think it safe to say they freak out how we look. It happened the last time I was here.” I said walking down the street until I saw a pink blur.

“Asphy!” Yelled Pinkie Pie as she jumped me into a hug and then started kissing me. Not really the best time. But I was fighting not to fall over and failed as I land on my back as my hoard mate was kissing me.

“Pinkie I love you and all but let me breath!” I gasped as she giggled at me. She then looked up and gasped at Baldur before running off. “That was Pinkie Pie.” I said laying on the ground chasing my breath.

“She seems interesting.” Baldur chuckled.

I slowly get up and dust myself off. “She is don’t worry she just going to set up a party for you seeing as your new in town.” I said as I look back at him.

“I could guess, she seems to use the ley lines around here quite well to.” Baldur mused.

“Well I guess that explains how she get around everywhere and seems to know just what to do.” I said as we start walking again.

“That it would. I may not be able to use the leylines the way she does but I certainly can appreciate how she uses them.” Baldur replied as he started taking in the view of the town.

“Okay where was I before Pinkie started to show me how much she care? Oh right I was showing you around town.” I said as we walk past Cake’s shop, I didn’t want to worry them so we walk past as I told him about the cakes he could get in there if he had the money. Next was Rarity shop I didn’t stay long as she was outside her door and giving me the evil eye. Didn’t help that skirt hugged her hips in that sexy fashion.

“So any questions?” I asked as we made our way to sweet apple acres. I didn’t think having him talk with Twilight was a good idea I know what she like. She’ll most likely talk him to sleep or something. Or try and take his sword.

“None so far, but then again… there is a pony following us.” Baldur said even though he had been looking straight ahead the entire time.

“What?” I asked and turn around to see who he was talking about. It was a mint green unicorn and thank god she wasn’t naked. However the smile and the sparkle in her eyes told me to feel doom. I turned back to him and said. “You can handle this.” I said as I pat his arm and teleport away to hide in Twilight house.

***Baldur pov.***

I just grin at how Asphyxious is afraid of a mere pony. “Hello there, how can I help you?” I ask as I turned to face the mint green unicorn.

She gave out a squee as she ran up and hugged him. “Your real! oh my gosh I have to get a picture of this! No, wait I need to show you to Bonbon! No wait can I… Hold your hand?” She asked with a big hopeful smile looking up at him.

“Shure?” I said with a shrug. I then hold out my hand for her to mess around with.

“Real human hands~” She said as her eyes roll into her head and faints right in front of him.

“Not what I was expecting, but still cute.” I chuckled as I watched the unicorn twitch.

“Can you come home with ME!” She yells as she stands right up to him looking into his eyes.

“I can come visit if that's what you want, but I do have a home so I can't stay.” I tell her.

“Cool! wait right there I’ll get my friend and we’ll see your home right now!” She said as she ran off back to the village.

“Now… where did Asphyxious run of to?” I say before summoning a wold watcher to go find him. It then lead me to what looked like a house that that was part of a tree… Or was the tree a house? “Huh, now why would he be here?” I then dismiss the watcher and walk in the front door.

“Oi! Asphyxious! Where are you?” I call out once I am inside.

“Um, hello…” Said a little purple dragon as he looks at me. He was small… And was putting books on a shelf.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb anyone. have you seen anyone by the name Asphyxious?” I ask the drake.

“Oh ya his hadding down stares with Twilight here I’ll show you.” Said Spike as he opens a door and walks down the calls. “Twilight! Asphyxious friend is here!”

“Just a minute I’m looking over some of Asphyxious internal workings!” She called back.

“Just be careful with what you're poking in there. I’m not a toy!” Asphyxious yelled as well. The drake just shrugs at this as he walks down.

Once we reach the bottom of the stairs I open the door to the basement and walk in. “What in the name of Orboros!?” I say as I see the room.

“Hi Baldur don’t mind Twi she just seeing how my metal body works.” Said Asphyxious as he sit on a table as the one I guessed was called Twilight had her upper body and head inside of his metal rib cage.

“Oh, well… You may want to be carefull. the ley lines passing through this room are a mess!” I exclaimed as the natural energies passing through the room tangled and wrapped around all the strange contraptions laying throughout the room.

“Asphyxious says for me to be careful every time I tell him something I want to look at but says don’t touch.” Said Twilight as her wings move when trying to go deeper inside of the undead rib cage. “I’ll be fine. I know my magic and this is-”

Both Asphyxious and Twilight got a shock from something lighting up the room, then it stop as smoke rises from Asphyxious rib cage. “Ow…” Said Asphyxious as he carefully pulled the purple unicorn with wings out as she chough into her hand.

“Okay… I may have miss calculated that part.” She said blushing as Asphyxious turn back.

“We’re not doing that again.” Said Asphyxious as he hugs her.

“Yeah, whatever you did the already strained leylines did not agree with it…” I said as I tried to clear away some of the smoke.

“It was a miscalculation I sure it would have worked if someone let me look at their more fine tuned components.” Said Twilight looking up Asphyxious as he look back at her.

“Okay no I know you mean well Twi but unless Kat here to supervise I don’t want you poking around my inside again.” Said Asphyxious as he looks down at her.

“But I like being inside you.” Said Twilight and everything in the room stopped. Asphyxious was blushing at the comment and the drake Spike was laughing as he rolled on the floor. It took Twilight a moment to realize what she just said as she blushes like mad.

“Should I give you two some time alone?” I asked.

“I think we should let Mum and dad be alone.” Said Spike as he make kissing faces then laughs again.

“Spike go to your room!” Twilight yelled all flustered as the little dragon go back up stairs laughing.

“Ummm, anything else you need to know Baldur or are we good?” Asphyxious asked still a bit red over what was said before.

“A green unicorn asked me if she could visit where I live. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming with.” I said.

“Okay but if something strange happens I am leaving okay.” Said Asphyxious as he put Twilight down.

“Define strange.” I laughed.

“Like what Zecora did.” He said blushing at that.

“Like I said, I know why she did that. so that doesn't count.” I told Asphyxious, a cheeky grin on my face.

“Fine! but I’m bring Twilight with me.” Said Asphyxious as he blushes hard and walks past me with twilight grabbing a notebook following behind.

***Asphyxious pov the everfree.***

“Okay Lyra humans are real can we go home now why are we in the everfree?” I forgot that he invited them. But really I didn’t mind as long as my hoard mate was by my side at all time. I even left the warjacks back in ponyville don’t really need them right now anyway.

“We get to find out what a human home looks like isn’t this existing!” I sighed at Lyra and Bonbon talking they was in front of me and Twilight as Balour was leading the way. Really I was hoping Twi would keep me safe from Zecora, not like I don’t like her or anything she is nice.

“Mr Human are we there yet!” Asked Lyra as she ran up next to Balur, I could not help but smile. It looks like he has a fan, I laughed a little at that.

“Almost, though my home doesn't look like most human homes.” Baldur told Lyra. He then led us into the clearing where the strange hill made of rune covered stones was.

“Oh that interesting nice idea.” I said understanding what he did. I may use that for my Diamond Dogs who want to live above ground.

“Wait, how did you make the path?” Asked Bonbon as she looked around. “And where your house all I see is a hill.”

“My house is inside the hill.” Baldur laughed. “And as a druid of Orboros I can control and communicate with nature.” He told Bonbon.

“That so cool!” Yelled Lyra as she ran over and takes pictures.

“I’m so sorry about my friend she just a little.” Bonbon said trying to find the right words.

“It's alright, I find it entertaining.” Baldur said in a comforting manner.

Meanwhile as Twi was taking notes I kept an eye out for that sneaky sexy zebra. I swear she like a ninja sometimes.

“Wolf at twelve.” Baldur said as if reading my thoughts.

“What where?!” Asked Lyra as she looks around.

I however looked just in time to grab Zacore in mid flight and pin her to the floor. “Ha! got you.” I said smiling. But I didn’t like the way she was smiling back. “Oh crap.” I said realizing my mistake, she was naked.

“Hi Zecora!” Said Lyra happily waving her hand. As Bonbon looked shocked.

“Why did you try to attack him!?” I… I just facepalm at this I keep forgetting there used to being naked all the time.

“I’m only playing with my friend, for which there is no end~” Said Zecora as she nips at my neck. I look to Twilight for help only she taking notes again! Not helping!

“So, who wants to go inside?” Baldur asked as he started to walk towards the hill.

“I do!” Calls Lyra as she follows him along with Bonbon.

“Umm little help?” I asked as Zecora was wrapping her legs around me.

“Let me just take some more notes.” Said Twilight as she wiring. I just growled and warp my tail around her and pull her to me. Fuck it, I want my hoard.

---

After that, detor and a blushing Twilight who was now hugging my arm as Zecora was happily leaning on my side inside Bludar house. “Not one word.” I said trying to calm down from what just happened.

“Just so I understand Lyra want to become a warpworlf?” I asked as I look to Lyra who was now nuzzling Bludar. I would have found it funny if I wasn’t jumped by Zecora twice in one day.

“She said she wanted to join the Circle and I told her the options. And she chose the Skinwalkers.” Baldur said with a shrug.

“Well okay what about her friend?” I asked look to Bobon how looked a little annoyed.

“She has yet to decide, although I would suggest she becomes the same thing as her friend.” He said as he shook his head.

“You do not know Lyra that well then.” Said Bonbon as she rolls her eyes. “I’m the one who has to keep her under control and stop her from doing something crazy.”

“If you say so.” Baldur said. “Anyway, what do you all think of my home?”

“Don’t worry Bonbon my best friend and I love it here it so cool and the stone glow.” Said lyra as she let him go and pokes a stone. Bonbon just sigh at her friend but smiles to.

“I like the idea behind it. It would be a nice place to hide if things go crazy in town.” I said and blush at the way Zecora had her hand my tail. “Stop it.”

“It also helps that this place is enchanted so that you can only find this place if you're invited.” Baldur laughed. “Or if you're a member of the Circle.”

“Well I’d like to be a member but I’m a king to the dogs. Can’t really run off from that sadly I got to look after them.” I said as I look at the walls. I’d really like a place like this one day.

“At last you can make an alliance with us.” Baldur pointed out.

“I’d like that but don’t be afraid to make trade with ponyville there good people... Umm ponies.” I said as Twilight was smiles at me.

“I’ll make sure they are left alone should we have an ‘incident’.” Baldur said.

“Don’t worry Mr Baldur we can handle most things that come our way but it wouldn’t hurt to have another friend.” Said Twilight with a smile.

“You obviously don't know what I am talking about, but I guess that's a good thing.” Baldur told Twilight. “Just make sure to take care of the natural ley lines, the order doesn’t take kindly to too much disturbance in the natural world.”

“I’ll look into that thank you.” Said Twilight as I think about the underground cavern. “It was lovely meeting you but we should really be going.”

I nod at this as I get up I really need to get that teleporter network working. That when I felt Zecora on my arm. “Umm, what?” I ask in worry.

“Don’t be a stranger, even if there is danger.” Zecora purred and then she kissed Twilight on the lips before leaving… I also noticed a blue aura around the zebra's body just like my hoard-GODDAMNIT!

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