Celestia narrowed her eyes at Inanna. Taking in her features, she made a conclusion.

"Well, hello to you, Inanna the succubus." the alicorn spoke a little warily.

"Good day, princess Celestia." Inanna made a polite bow. "You may call me just Inanna. I'm not into any titles anyway... And is she—" the succubus pointed at unconscious body of Rarity. "—going to be alright?"

"It happens not for the first time," Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "And, um, who are you?"

"Well, you can say I'm Andromalius's adviser, kind of." Inanna replied. "And a companion... of many kinds." she winked.

"Alright, what is going on in here?" Twilight asked, free from her stupor she had been in for some time after Inanna's entrance.

"Apparently," Celestia started to explain. "Andromalius is a very special person, not just someone who got here by accident, or so it seems. He has destiny here, and many aid him, like Inanna. If he wants, he'll share the details."

"I don't want to sound suspicious, but I wish to stay silent for now." the hell stallion replied. "I can just say that a great destiny awaits me, and it will be something that I truly didn't expect at all. And Inanna... she's been with me almost from the beginning. I will tell more later, I promise."

"A tad confusing if ya ask me." Applejack sighed. "Ah expected this visit to be less... dramatic and confusing."

"More ponies — more fun!" Pinkie Pie said cheerfully.

"I am sorry, but I don't like more ponies..." Fluttershy muttered while hiding behind Applejack.

"Inanna, I still don't understand why did you need to meet all of them at once now." Andromalius turned to the succubus. "I am trying to teach here, not to make things more and more complicated."

"I like when it's confusing." Inanna replied with a grin, to which the hell stallion facehoofed. "Oh, don't be like that... I just want to know how you teach."

After some idle chat that lasted for about five minutes, everypony calmed down, and Twilight was ready to learn more. She was fine with Inanna, especially when Celestia accepted the succubus.

Rarity woke up and was fine, yet she excused herself to the restroom.

"So, Twilight," Andromalius spoke. "I was wondering... Why do I hear only a few objections? I thought you'd be rather protective to what you've learned from others."

"I was told that all teachers know everything better than me." she replied. "Well, my parents told me not to question a teacher."

"I don't want to sound rude or anything, but your parents are wrong." the hell stallion shook his head. "Say, have you ever been wrong?"

"I have." she admitted.

"And if you become a teacher, will you never ever be wrong again?"

"Uh..."

"Exactly." he nodded. "It doesn't matter what you are, a teacher or a student. Both can be wrong or right, and the status has to do nothing with it.

"Now tell me, why do you think that magic binds everything to the ground? Talk, prove your point."

"Well," Twilight cleared her throat nervously. "In ancient times, about ten thousand years ago, it was discovered that magic pierces everything: the air, the ground, the water. Unicorns could control all of those, even if only partly. So, it was concluded that everything is based on magic."

"That is rather logical." Andromalius replied. "So, do unicorns manipulate gravity?"

"Yes, in many ways actually." she nodded. "One can make it turn upside down for themselves, for some time. Levitation is a perfect example as well. The first one is a really difficult spell to accomplish, though, and it requires much energy from the user.

"And... What do you think of it, Andromalius?" Twilight asked.

"I have a theory about that..." he scratched his chin. "I didn't study magic much, but my guess is that it is another form of energy, which obeys different laws from those I know or changes the known laws. The research is needed to prove my theory right or wrong, but I have no time for that, sadly.

"What I will tell you might be wrong in some ways, actually. As I've said before, there is no magic from where I came. Keep it in mind, and don't you think that everything I tell you is an absolute truth."

"But how can you teach if you don't know what's right or wrong?" Twilight asked curiously.

"And that is progress." Andromalius chuckled. "Teachers are proven wrong through the time, and I don't think I will be different. Old knowledge is proven wrong, new is created. That is how the progress has come to be."

"Those are wise words." Celestia chimed in.

"I didn't know you were this smart, Andro." Inanna chuckled. "For a teenager, you are really smart."

"Uh, teenager?" Twilight replied, then turned to the succubus. "Isn't he older?"

"I am chronologically eighteen years old." Andromalius said. "I have no idea of my biological age, though."

"I am nineteen." Twilight blinked. "You are younger than me... And you teach me!" her eyes widened. "This shouldn't be scientifically possible!" and she fainted.

Everypony stared at the scene, and only a lone and hard facehoof was heard.

It was decided that it was it for Twilight, and the next lesson will take place on the next day.

So, Andromalius went to Arantir, who was in the room he was provided with. The necromancer was there, ready to teach the demon the art of swordsmanship. The weapon of the demon, Potentia Daemonis, was carried by Andromalius.

"So," Arantir spoke when the two were ready to start the training. "I by no means am a master of swords. I prefer magic, but I know someone who can teach you far better than I. Come."

Arantir cast a spell, making a magical archway open to the castle of Hornguard. He and Andromalius went there, and the portal closed behind them. The two appeared in the throne room of the castle. Two archliches guarded the throne, they were looking at Andromalius with their empty eye sockets.

A vampire walked into the throne room, carrying a sword in his magical grasp. Red split-pupil eyes were fixed on Andromalius, the face of the vampire was emotionless.

"He—" Arantir pointed at the vampire. "—will teach you how to wield your weapon properly.

"Fortunately, vampires gained some kind of telekinesis, allowing them to use their skills of combat even without hands or arms. So, don't expect the training to be easy. All vampires had decades or even hundreds of years to master their skills."

Andromalius used telekinesis to hold his new weapon tightly, bringing it in front of himself.

"My name is Harold." the vampire introduced himself. "I have been fighting demons alongside High Lord Arantir for many years... And I find it interesting that I am going to share my skills with one. I know my Lord to not argue with his decisions, for he knows what is best for all of us.

"So, tell me, what so you know about vampires."

"You are eternally young, but your body is empty." Andromalius replied. "You traded your life for eternal youth, thus able to live for many years. And these years you've spent on mastering the art of the sword, becoming too fast for your opponent to retaliate."

"Good. It seems you are fairly well-equipped with knowledge." Harold nodded, smiling a little. "So, what do you know about fighting with swords?"

"I admit I know nothing." Andromalius replied. "I wasn't really interested in swordsmanship until recently."

"It will be harder for you, then." the vampire pointed his sword at the demon. "Remember these three lessons: move fast, strike strong, mind your surroundings. These are the keys to succeeding in battle, coming out a victor."

This time, Arantir spoke: "The training cannot be completed unless at least a year is spent in training. I don't know whether we have so much time or not."

"What do you mean, Arantir?" Andromalius turned to the necromancer. "Why don't have we a year?"

"Because I was told by none but Asha herself that a great war will fall upon these lands." Arantir explained. "I don't know when it'll come, but I know is that it can be sudden as the war of Queen Isabel was. Peace is a fragile thing, and it can be broken by a single touch of evil."

"So what do I do?" the hell stallion asked. "If it comes, I must be prepared."

"Indeed you must." Arantir nodded. "And I have a way to help you. There is an old and powerful spell that I've used a few times. It is called "Serenity". When cast, this spell provides time and calmness of mind. This way, a caster can spend years studying while in reality only a few days pass. I've used it when I had to gain knowledge in short time.

"The spell preserves the sanity of a caster and anyone they want to "bring along", so to say, and it is so up to five people at once. If I cast such a spell on you and Harold, I and he will be able to train you in arts of might and mind. I see you have much to learn, and we have the knowledge to teach you. So, do you agree?"

"How much time will pass?" Andromalius asked.

"One year there equals one full day here." Arantir replied. "But I will be able to cast this spell only once in a real year, for it is very draining."

"I agree but I have to warn someone first."

"Of course," Arantir nodded. "Take your time."

Andromalius didn't go anywhere. Instead, he used his connection to Inanna to tell her the news. She accepted them, and told Andromalius that she'll be able to teach Twilight some basic fire battle magic while he is gone. The succubus told Andromalius that he can take his time, she'll be waiting for him.

"I am ready." Andromalius spoke.

"Good." Arantir replied. "Your true training begins... now."

Author's Notes:

Yes, this chapter is a lot shorter than a usual one, but have no fear! The next one will be long enough for satisfaction.

So... I've got news for you. I am pausing writing this story. I will, however, write and update other stories. I have some ideas that popped up in my head, and before I forget them, I'll write.

Remember! I will never abandon a story that is liked by many. There are three hundred people who follow this story, and I will disappoint none of them. Yes, you'll have to wait some time for the story to continue. But it will be worth the wait.

You now have time to think of what is accomplished by Andromalius so far. Will he succeed? What war is everyone talking about? Where the hell is the Shield of Hippogriff, the last needed artifact? Will Hell become Heaven? All questions will be answered.