Princess Celestia was having a quiet day. Few ponies decided to come to court with any sort of problem for her to take care of. Something she could not complain about, and while she loved her little ponies dearly… Sometimes they really did come to her with some of the more strange or inane requests and problems.

So when a chance for a relaxing afternoon and some tea cane up it always sounded delightful to her. As Princess Celestia was about to get up she was stopped from her ascent off her throne when the doors to her courtroom were opened in a much more hurried manner than usual. Two guards were bringing in a prisoner, the pegasus private carried the unconscious pony and the sergeant looked grim as he walked alongside his partner.

The private gently set the prisoner on the ground before her throne. The two guards saluted her and Celestia spoke, “I see you brought in the pony as a prisoner. I take it that means the tip we received was correct?” Celestia looked saddened at the thought of one of her subjects breaking such a huge law.

“Yes, your Majesty. But… the soul gem was full.” Celestia’s eyes widened, even more so when the sergeant pulled out the full soul gem from his bag and her face fell when she realized what she is now required to do to the poor stallion. “And that’s not all… This pony here summoned the mad god at one of his shrines with this gem. Also, a strange island appeared in Ponyville Lake, on it was a three faced magical gate of some sort.”

“Are you sure? You are not mistaken in any way?” Pressed Celestia, her previous sorrow forgotten and her face taking a stony quality. This new information given to her does not bode well.

The sergeant shook his head, “No ma’am, I’m not mistaken. The private here and I heard the mad god speak to us, he even directed the prisoner to the lake itself. It seems he wanted all of Equestria to know about the gate and you specifically as well.”

“I see... “ Celestia was silent for a moment before replying, “Thank you, you two. You may place the prisoner in a holding cell, I’ll deal with his... sentence later. Afterwards take the next three days off, with pay. I’d think even hearing the mad god speak was taxing on your minds, no matter how well you think you may feel now.”

The two guards bowed, the private picking the prisoner back up and leaving with his superior by his side. Celestia leaned back in her throne, thinking about what Sheogorath could possibly be plotting. If he is even plotting something, for all she knew he was doing all this because he suddenly felt inconceivably bored.

Celestia rubbed a hoof to her head, the mad god was not something she wanted to deal with right now. Not when the Crystal Empire just got out of King Sombra’s dark clutches. After a few minutes of contemplating the situation she got up from her throne and started walking down the stairs leading up it.

“Fancy Script, please cancel all plans for today and reschedule them for a later date, I have urgent business to attend to. Please send my deepest apologies to the ponies that have had their appointments rescheduled.” The pony she spoke to quietly nodded her head and scribbled something on the scroll in front of her in her magic grasp.

Celestia quickly trotted to her sister’s quarters. The involvement of Sheogorath in any kind of affair wouldn’t be fair to have her kept in the dark about it. The only thing Celestia needed to do was try and find a way to placate her enough to listen to reason. The mad god and her sister had a history, a not so pleasant one when you realize that he was the one to trick her into giving into the Nightmare that was corrupting her.

She weaved through the halls of her castle with a practiced ease. Celestia didn’t even need to keep her eyes open when she walked through her castle. Thanks to that experience Celestia arrived at the doorway to her sister’s room posthaste and she silently debated how to break the news to Luna.

Sighing, she decided to go with the bandage approach. She rose a hoof and knocked on the dark wood.

“Luna! It’s me, we need to talk.”

There was a short silence until the dark wood doors opened, a dark blue magical aura over the door handle. Celestia stepped through the open doorway and took a look around the room. A large decorated bed with several crescent moons carved into the wooden frame was in the middle of the room with several night themed pieces of fancy royal furniture decorating the empty spaces around the bed.

“Dearest sister. What brings you here?” Luna asked, looking up from a book she was reading on her bed.

Celestia closed the door to the room with her magic and sighed once more. She looked at her younger sibling forlornly and said, “There has been some troubling news. News that you would find… unpleasant.”

Curiosity piqued, Luna closed the book and gave her sister a critical once over, “What kind of news could possibly be so bad that you would give me such a look?”

Celestia licked her lips, after a moment she said, “There has been an arrest today. A mad pony obtained a soul gem and it was filled with a soul.”

Luna rose an eyebrow, “Surely sister, while certainly unpleasant, that should not be the real reason you seem so unsure of being here. Tell me what is going on, please.” Luna got up from her bed during her speech, giving her sister a small smile.

Celestia nodded, “It seems that Sheogorath had a part in all of this.” Celestia watched her sister’s face slowly morph from surprise at the mention of the mad god’s name into rage. “And, he has a portal to his realm open in the middle of Ponyville Lake.”

“What?! That tartarus damned demon dare try and enter our realm once more?!” Luna snorted in her rage, steam billowing out of her nostrils. “I’ll lead a force against him now! I have much to speak with him about!”

Luna was about to teleport away but Celestia stopped her in the nick of time by grabbing her with a hoof. “Wait! You and I both know neither of us are a match for him! Not even the Elements could truly beat him, just banish him back to his realm!”

Luna looked at her sister, “But sister! Who knows what madness he will try and spread?! We need to keep whatever he will try and do contained there before it’s too late!” Luna was calmed down enough to not fly off the handle but she still felt the need for prompt action. Sheogorath was doing something and they needed to move now before whatever it is that he was doing caused untold suffering to those caught in his eyes.

“I know sister. I do have a plan that can help us keep a proper eye on things,” Luna looked at her, curious. “You will still lead an expedition, but not into his realm. That would be foolish, he’d play with you like a foal would a toy. No, you are right though, we do need to keep the area contained.” Celestia took a breath and released, “I suggest you set up a makeshift base near the lake’s edge. Take as many guards as you need, but we need to keep the public calm about all of this.”

“There would be a possibility of complete chaos in Equestria or the world if things aren’t handled properly. The mad god is very well known across the nations, the possibility of him being able to connect his realm to ours at will suggests that either the spell keeping him at bay is weakening even further than it already has or he could have done this at any time regardless of the spell,” Luna said, biting her lip.

“Exactly. At the same time we can not barr anypony from attempting to enter his realm.”

Luna looked at her sister, aghast, “But sister! Anypony that enters that accursed realm will certainly suffer untold horrors! Have you ever known a pony to survive with their sanity intact?!”

Celestia looked away, “I know it sounds bad. But ponies will be curious about the base and the gateway portal. Eventually we will have to come out and say the truth if we continue to push them away from their natural curiosity.” She sighed, “We need to keep them very well informed of the dangers of where the gateway leads. If we do that then there will likely be very few ponies being afflicted with his madness. Lying and covering up will get us nowhere here, and we can’t take away the rights of our citizens. If they wish to risk their life or their sanity in that realm... then we must at the very least prepare them as much as possible.”

Luna still looked unsure but hesitantly nodded, “If you are sure this is the correct course of action…”

Celestia nodded, “I’m positive.”

Luna sighed, “Then I shall reluctantly accept your position, sister. I’ll gather a force immediately and set off for the lake. I’ll leave handling the letter to Ponyville’s mayor to you.” Luna turned and quickly trotted out through the door of her room.

“Right,” said Celestia as she followed close behind her sister, already thinking about what to say in her letter.

The sound of an aluminum can of soda being opened filled the relatively silent throne room. A long, two colored, rug stretched across the floor to a throne that sat in front of a large tree. If one were to walk down the aisle to the throne there would be three braziers in a row to their right and left. The right having bluish flames, the left having red flames.

Sitting on the dual colored throne was a man in purple pants, with a two colored shirt. His right side a purple, the same color as his pants, and his left side a red. To his left stood a distinguished looking older unicorn.

“It is a fine day Jeeves,” said the man, a leg draped over an armrest as he swished the contents of the soda around. “A fine day indeed… for boooredoom! Honestly! Where’s all the fun?! The sense of adventure! That spinal cord ripping adventure!”

“Who knows my Lord Sheogorath? Perchance one of the ponies from outside the realm could relieve you of your boredom. Mortals can be so... entertaining I suppose is the right word,” replied Jeeves, giving a slight bow to the man.

“A mortal! Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? Or maybe I did and just didn’t know it. Quick! Bring me Mr Fluffles!”

There was a silent pause. Jeeves unmoving.

“Well?! I’m waiting! And I don’t like to be kept waiting. Or maybe I do. But I don’t. Now why isn’t Mr Fluffles being brought here?!” Sheogorath turned to look at Jeeves.

“You don’t remember? One of his handlers accidently dropped him through a portal to the mortal realm a few hundred years ago. You had him strung up, hung by his entrails, and danced a jig around him for that,” Jeeves replied as he bowed to Sheogorath. “I believe he is still alive and hanging around there.”

The mad god thought it over, a finger on his chin, “Oh yes… I think I remember that. That’s unfortunate. Best hold off on my dear pet until I get myself a champion. Unless… yes, yes! I’ll go to the mortal realm myself! With the full might of the Shivering Isles!”

Sheogorath made to get up but his ever faithful Chamberlain spoke up, “Sadly my Lord your full presence is still blocked for the time being. Remember? That spell cast by those trinkets that Celestia used against her sister and you.”

The mad god sat back down in a huff, “Yes, yes! I get it Jeeves! No fun for poor old Sheogorath. No hearts to smite, no people to break. Or was it the other way around? Nono, that’s correct. Or is it? Oh well.”

Jeeves looked at his Lord, “No worries my Lord, I’m certain something will happen to rid yourself of your boredom. Perhaps going there in a more mortal form is better? You’ve done so before.”

Sheogorath looked at Jeeves, “Maybe it will, or maybe it won’t. Either way we still need to wait. And I’m growing impatient. I don’t like impatience. I don’t even like regular patients. Mortal form always gives me indigestion, it’s the hat you see. So hard to chew! And where would we be if we can’t eat our own hats?”

It had been a week since Princess Luna assembled a force and mobilized to Ponyville Lake. She quickly had the troops and a few more specialized ponies to help organize and direct how the buildings were made. Soon Luna and her troops practically had a small town up and running next to the lake.

Luna stood in a watchtower and stared out over the water. Her gaze was fixated on the island, or more specifically at the three headed gateway. Her mouth turned into a sneer when she recalled her last interaction with the eccentric Daedric Prince. She had to turn away from the island after a while, lest her temper take control of her.

Luna turned around and began the slow climb down the tower. Nodding in greeting to her guards stationed there. She just passed the entrance of the tower when she heard her name being called. She looked around and saw five mares galloping, and one flying, towards her. She smiled when she realized it was her friends.

“Greetings Twilight Sparkle. What brings you here to our camp?” Luna knew why, she was no fool.

“What brings us here? Princess why is there a base camp full of guards next to the lake?! Is Equestria under attack?! And how did we not know about this new development for so long?!” Twilight was in near hysterics as her mind reeled with possibilities.

“Is there another super villain we need to smack around?” Rainbow Dash said, shadow boxing the air.

Luna chuckled, “Yes and no dear Rainbow.” This seemed to catch their interest. “Yes there is something that could be considered an evil ‘super villain’. However, you will not be facing him, even if you have the elements.”

Twilight looked confused but exclaimed, “What? But why? There has to be something we can do!”

“Yeah!” Said the others, loud and proud.

Luna shook her head, “I’m sorry. This is one battle that should not be fought.”

“But why Princess?” Urged Twilight.

Luna sighed, “Very well. I’ll tell you all. But let us do it somewhere more comfortable, we did not make all these building to not use them after all.”

Luna and company walked through the camp to Luna’s quarters. They walked through the guarded door and took positions around the living room. A few on a couch or a pillow. Once Luna was comfortable she looked around at the assembled team of ponies, five mares returned their own looks, one hid behind her mane.

Luna nodded, seeing something she liked, “Let me begin. Twilight, what do you know about the mad god, Sheogorath?”

Twilight blinked, not expecting that question. She got herself together and replied, “Not much I’m afraid. I never got around to reading about him or his followers. Why do you ask?”

“Because, Twilight Sparkle. In the middle of this lake lies a gateway to his realm. A realm full of madness the likes you will never see here in this world.” The mares around her gasped. “Indeed, the reason I am forbidding you to fight him with the elements is because you will be in his realm. It is highly unlikely that the elements would even work on him there, if at all. That place is his seat of power. The most they could do to him here was banish him out of the world and even then the spell grows weaker.”

“Then what do we do? There has to be something.” Twilight said, hope in her voice.

Luna nodded at her, “There is something we can do. We keep watch on the gateway and make sure nothing tries to come out of it.” The others looked like they were about to protest, “Now let me explain. We can not fight Sheogorath in his realm, we can not fight him here either. The best we can do is damage control, meaning do not let anything come through that portal escape. Not until they have been thoroughly scanned and tested for madness at least. Make no mistake my little ponies, Sheogorath might act a fool but he is surprisingly cunning and intelligent. He also enjoys toying with the lives of mortals, mostly for his sick amusement.”

“Does that mean he doesn’t like parties, or ponies, and is a big meanie?” Asked Pinkie.

Luna was silent, “Well… a ‘meanie’ yes. But I’m sure he would enjoy a party, depending on his mood.”

Pinkie swiped her forehead with a hoof, “Whew, I’m glad at least one super duper bad guy likes parties!” Everypony looked at her, “What?”

“Ignore her Princess. So basically ya’lls plan is to just sit here and watch an island?” Said Applejack, eyebrow raised.

“Yes Applejack, that is the plan until we come up with a better alternative. I do not like it myself, but I see the importance of it.” Applejack nodded, her question sufficiently answered.

“So Princess, just what exactly is he anyway? I don’t know of anypony that can’t be affected by the elements.” Twilight asked.

“Ah, that’s relatively easy. He once told us he is something known as a Daedric Prince, a being far above that of the typical Daedra that live in the realms of Oblivion and if he is to be believed he created all of the Daedra known today. He also said that the form he takes resembles a ‘human’. I do not know what a human is, I just assumed it was one of his many mad ramblings. He is fond of that form though, it’s why all of his shrines depict him in it.”

“I see, fascinating.” Twilight was busy scribbling down notes. The others rolling their eyes or tittering at her nerdy behavior.

Luna got up from her seat, “I’m afraid I must get back to work. You girls and any other pony are free to return here anytime you like. Just please tell us if you are about to go to the gateway.”

“Wait, you’re going to let ponies go through that ghastly thing? That doesn’t sound like a good idea at all Princess,” Rarity spoke up.

“Going through the gateway is always a choice. My sister feels like we shouldn't take that choice away from ponies. Instead we should warn them extensively of the dangers. That realm is very dangerous and we want records of ponies that go through it. Just in case,” Luna replied.

The others nodded, waved, and generally said goodbye to the lunar monarch. Once her guests had left Luna resumed her walk around the camp, making sure everything was up to standards and running smoothly.

“Oh, how I hope the future is not so bleak.” Luna thought to herself.

*Chapter retouched 6/10/2020