Phantoms of the Truth

Chapter 10:

The Spirit Realm

Almost a mouth can change a lot of people; sometimes for the better or worse. But sometimes it can change people and turn them into something that’s not them and no matter what they do nothing can fill the void in their mind, in their heart…

*Location: Ponyville, Twilight’s Castle*

Twilight like all other days was sitting in her library with a tower of book wobbling as she read through the endless pages, more specifically the one on the ‘Nightmare Realm’.

It stated that if one where to become powerful enough they could even travel between worlds. The only on mention was a place known as the ‘The White Dimension’ though it was only theory.

“You seem to be more interested by Neckros’s home world ever since that day Miss Sparkle” came a calm-soothing voice making Twilight jump almost causing the tower of books to fall

“Who-whose there?” Twilight asked as she looked around before it spoke again

“I will tell you and show you who I am in good time but I need you to collect the elements of Honesty and Inspiration now” the voice said as Twilight narrowed her eyes “I know you might not trust me but I can understand but please I need the others”

“Ok but I’m warning you any funny business and I swear- “Twilight was cut off

“You have my word, only I wish that you don’t inform anyone else but these two, not even Celestia can know” the voice said seriously before seeing Twilight’s concern “Please trust me”

“Ok… ok I’ll get my friends but my threat still stands” Twilight warned as she quickly wrote a note and ran off to find Spike

Blaze sat atop the tree hanging off the cliff of his home as he played around with his thoughts as he wore a frown as a voice popped into his head, this one was like an echo, a ghost as it spoke

“You know you’ve been like this for almost a month are you going to do something or are you just going to mope around for the rest of your time?” the voice asked in a bored tone

“If you don’t like it then piss off, you know why I won’t do anything… there’s no point” Blaze said as he sighed as his head glanced towards the town

“I have to agree with Specter this sort of mind-set could lead to more… persuasive thoughts” KAI stated as he lingered in Blaze’s head

He sat and thought about it as memories of that night came flooding back as he remembered what Dash said as the words clung to his subconscious.

“It’s not your fault… were your friends and we want to help you” This made Blaze grit his teeth as he felt tears begin to form as he sighed

“Fine I will but I can’t promise it will be easy” Blaze said in a mundane tone as he smirked slightly

“That’s the spirit buddy!” KAI celebrated as Blaze could fireworks in his head going off as Specter cut in

“Yes but how long It will take will be debatable” Specter said in a questioning tone as all their attention was brought to another voice

“I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you smile in a long time Sugarcube” Applejack said with a small smile as Blaze smirked again

“Hey I have my moments of being either dramatic or awesome” He said with a shrug as he hopped off the branch

“Who are you and what have you done with Blaze?” Applejack asked as they laughed

“Ok well the real question is what haven’t you done with the idiot” Blaze answered as he cleared his throat “So why are you hear if I may ask?”

“Well Twi sent me a message and it asked me to come she her, but it also said to grab you because what she said next would get you to come no matter what” Applejack explained as her expression turned to worry

“AJ what is it?” Blaze asked in a more serious tone not like his own

“Well she’s got someone who wants to see us but he said his name was…”

As Twilight along with the hooded figure sat in the map room Twilight broke the silence

“So are you sure he’ll show up?” Twilight asked as he looked at her

“I have a feeling he’ll be hear any second” the figure said as voices could be heard down the hall

“Where is he?! I’ll kill him!!!” Yelled Blaze asked he soon rounded the corner and glared daggers at him as his visor seemed to glow as his face showed nothing but rage as he ran up and pinned the figure to the wall with ease

“You! This is all your fault!!” Blaze shouted but it did nothing to faze the man “You knew about Neckros but never warned me about him, I killed ponies because YOU did nothing to step in, I kill… I killed Rainbow Dash as you did NOTHING TO STOP ME!!!” Blaze finished sounding just like Neckros as he cleared his throat

“Funny, looks like he left a parting gift” Blaze said more calmly as Twilight ran up and tried pulling Blaze off

“He’s not here to fight you Blaze he wants to help fix his mistake!” Twilight shouted as Blaze slowly released his grip as he deactivated his armour as he glared at him

“What do you want God?” Blaze asked in an irritated voice as AJ walked in

“Well first it’s good to see you haven’t changed a bit” He said calmly as Blaze snorted and God sighed “But your right I could have helped but the others wouldn’t let me and all I could do was watch as he cut innocent ponies down like nothing as he knew I was watching, he wanted me to suffer alongside you”

Blaze’s face changed to sadness and guilt as Twilight and Applejack looked at God with concern as he continued

“But I may have a way to fix this mess, I know a way to bring her back” God said as Blaze along with the others stared in surprise as they all read through the words in their minds

“You-you can bring Dash back!?” Blaze asked first in surprise as he felt his chest begin to beat faster than ever before in a long time

“No, but I know a place where her soul is and one of you in this room know what it maybe” God spoke as his golden eyes fell upon Twilight

Twilight thought about it for a moment then answered “Yes but the Spirit World is only a myth right?” but his look told her the answer

“There are many worlds, Blaze’s home world, Equestria, The Nightmare Realm and more” God explained as Blaze asked

“It’s not as easy as you make it out is it?” Blaze asked sternly as he nodded “Ok what’s the catch?”

“The catch is I can only let 3 people in at once and that can only be for a day and if your time expires, so does your life” God said grimly as they gulped in fear before Blaze stood up with a determined look

“That’s all the time we need right girls?” Blaze asked as they soon nodded “So God how do we get there?”

“A what?” Blaze asked with a raised eyebrow as they all looked at the moss covered spiral of cobble in the ground

“A rift spiral, this is how we can access the Spirit Realm without having to go far to its lay-line, this is a relic of the Old Revelation” God spoke as his hand began to glow before Blaze stopped him

“Wait! I’ll- I’ll be right back, I need to grab something” Blaze said before he to AJ and Twi’s surprise teleported

Blaze stood in front of the finely cut bolt of stone as he stared at the blade jutting out of the dirt as he stood there for a moment before resting his hand on it.

“I’ll get you back, no matter the cost” Blaze said before wrenching the blade out as KAI digistruct Blaze holster as he holstered the blade and then with a flash he was gone.

“I’m back” Blaze announced starling the two as God saw the blade as he turned to face the spiral

“Alright then stand on the spiral and then I shall open the gate” God said before a white hand touched the end of the spiral as it lit up in a magenta colour “Oh and you might feel a bit dizzy when you warp”

Blaze then looked at Aj and Twi as they looked back and he smiled

“Let’s get our friend back!” Blaze shouted as they cheer with him

Then as the energy flowed around them they were gone leaving God to smile as he stood there, waiting.

*Location: Spirit Realm, time; Unknown*

The first thing Blaze felt was pain then nothing and then pain again as he slowly opened his eyes to… somewhere as he saw Twilight and Applejack coming around but what they all saw could only bring 3 words to Blaze.

“What. The. Fuck”

The trio saw the magenta sky as darker colours, mostly likely clouds passed over them. The world around them was black and grey with no noticeable difference as they slowly got to their hooves.

“So… do you think we’re here?” Twilight asked as they all looked around at the strange environment

“Yea” Blaze said as he pointed at the sign it read

WELCOME TO THE SPIRIT REALM

REIGON: MORNINGORBIT

“MorningOrbit huh well at least we know we’re here, but where is here?” Applejack asked as Blaze began to walk down the black road

“Well we might as well get moving, no use standing around” Blaze said as they shrugged and followed Blaze into the unknown world, unaware of what and who they’ll meet.

After the trio had travelled across the mysterious land they had seen no sign of life or anything for that matter as the world just seemed to stretch for miles on end.

They all then stopped by an overhang as they began to rest up for the rest of the journey.

“Hey Applejack Where’s Blaze?” Twilight asked as Applejack pointed towards the outside but stopped Twilight as she spoke

“But I think he said he wanted to be alone for a minute, I don’t think he’s right in the head right now” Applejack said with concern as Twilight nodded as she decided to observe from a distance

Twilight then saw him staring off into the distance in his armour as she listened on the conversation he was having

“If you don’t shut up about Dash I will personally burry you in a magma chamber” Blaze said to himself as he seemed to get frustrated by something

“Oh ha-ha you-“  

“Blaze are you alright?” Twilight asked as she approached him as he turned to face her

“Oh hey Twi what’s up?” Blaze asked as he sat down with his legs crossed

“I was wondering are you alright? I mean with everything that’s happened?” Twilight asked as he sighed and his frown returned

“I just don’t know” Blaze said as he stayed silent before continuing “I’m happy that we have a chance to fix my mistake but something is irritating me, perhaps it’s just me”

“Maybe but what do you mean by your mistake? You didn’t do anything” Twilight responded but realized that it was probably not the best answer as Blaze snorted

“Oh yea totally not my fault, it’s not like I was the one letting Neckros take control or anything” Blaze said sarcastically “And don’t even try to say it’s not my fault because it was and nothing is going to change that”

“Don’t get me wrong I know its my mistake and I’m going to fix it but this error will always be with me no matter what… nothing, not even our friends can fix that” Blaze said with a frown before seeing Twilight giving him a small smile

“Ok then I take your word on it” Twilight responded but snapped “But if you ever blame yourself like that again I will personally send you down here”

“Ok, ok no need to get all monarchy on me” Blaze joked as they Applejack approach

“Uh Twi, Blaze you might want to come see this” Applejack said with a hint of hesitation

As the made their way towards the pathway they didn’t know what to believe anymore. What they saw was ghostly like buildings as only the details gave away what they were. Spirits of all shapes and sizes moved through the streets as if they were alive.

Then the biggest structure was at the end of a cobblestone road, a castle of gold and grey stood high as if only newly built. Blaze was the first to speak up.

“It’s weird how we didn’t notice that before” Blaze said bluntly as all 3 of them made their way down the road unaware of what lies ahead.

As the trio walked the streets the village came to life, literally as spirits turned into people, creatures and other lifeforms as they went about their day. The streets became almost like Ponyville but with so many different types of people.

“This is amazing” Twilight said in awe as the others nodded as Blaze was too happy but felt something was off

“I wonder if Dash is here?” Blaze said as Twilight smiled happily

“Yea she could be here somewhere, maybe if we ask however lives in that castle if they know her” Twilight suggested but all of them soon felt the ground beneath them rumble.

“Uh hey yall what was that?” Applejack asked as they looked around and then Blaze sighed

“Now I know why no one uses the road” Blaze said as they looked back to see the ground collapsing in on itself as Blaze holstered the two mares on his shoulders and began to run towards the castle.

“Why can’t I just have a normal day!!!” Blaze yelled as the two mares screamed as Blaze jumped and dodged holes that appeared ahead of them.

“Uh Blaze where’s the road!?” Twilight asked in shock and worry as the road ahead of them had disappeared leaving a 200-yard gap between the castle and the village.

“Ok hold on!” Blaze said as he brought his wings out and began to move faster “Ok KAI activate the copy!”

“Activating copy: Metal Rainboom” KAI spoke as Blaze speed increased tenfold as he leaped with all his might into the air as they all screamed

Blaze then un-holstered his blade and as they almost missed the ledge as his blade sunk into the rock holding them all above the gaping chasm.

Applejack and Twilight soon stepped back onto the path as Blaze pulled his body up as his armour retracted as he spoke between pants.

“That was the worst trap ever… of all time” Blaze said as he slowly rose to his feet “So this is it huh?”

“I guess there’s no going back now” Twilight said in defeat

“Really I didn’t notice” Blaze said sarcastically as he pointed to the massive hole behind him as the two glared at him “Hey just trying to lighten the mood”

“Well then yall let’s get going” Applejack said as they made their way to the front doors as they opened on their own

“Ok...?” Blaze said in confusion as they entered

As they walked into the castle the inside was mostly grey with purple tapestry and wooden furniture to bring more depth into the dull halls. Purple flames crackled in lanterns as the room lit up.

At the end of the hall was two massive doors with the letters ‘L’ etched into the doors. What could be heard on the other side through was a different story.

“You know I believe there’s a saying in all of this, knowing when to live to fight another day, but I digress” Came a muffled voice as another rang out as the sound of fire could be heard

Blaze stepped out in front to open the doors and once they slowly creaked open what they saw gave two of them fear and despair and the other a long sigh.

“Oh now this is very embarrassing, if I knew you 3 where coming I would have prepared a welcoming party oh well” Responded Loki with glee as he sat atop a throne with a pile of ashes beneath him

“You know I’m not even surprised your alive” Blaze said bluntly as Twilight looked at him with fear in her eyes “He’s not going to hurt us, if he did we wouldn’t be in this dimension”

Then 2 jaws dropped at the response as Loki nodded as he waved his Kane around.

“So what brings a cyborg, a princess and a cowpony to my world?” Loki asked as Twilight spoke up

“Wait you rule here but why is everything so…” Twilight trailed off

“Peaceful well like I mentioned before I only attacked your world because someone asked me other than that I’m neutral, for the most part” Loki explained as he flicked his Kane and soon the trio were sitting on chairs “Oh and here my powers have no limitations so be careful not to overstep your boundaries” as he said this he clicked his fingers and soon a staircase formed

“So you want to go save your dead girlfriend or what?” Loki asked as they all looked at each other before following

“OK first she’s not my girlfriend and second how did you know?” Blaze asked as he rubbed the back of his neck

“Well one everytime you rub your neck you don’t want to admit the truth and second no limitations so seeing your agenda was easy pickings and you’re not thinking of a number your thinking about pancakes” Loki explained as Blaze smirked

“See he gets it” Blaze said as the others rolled their eyes

"So this is what you've been doing since that fight?" Blaze guessed as Loki put his cards away

"Yes though you have to tell me where that more interesting part of you is?" Loki asked as he looked at Blaze intently

"*Sigh* ok I guess I should start with what he is..." Blaze responded with annoyance as he began to tell the tale

As they ventured down the hallway Blaze explained how Dash’s soul got here and about Neckros as Loki seemed to enjoy every minute and then once he came to where her soul was located Loki piped up.

“Ah yes the Well of Souls that’s where all the souls come from but there’s a problem” Loki said as he flicked through his cards.

“Problem, what could possibly be a problem?” Twilight asked as Loki smiled and simply said

“Bonenapper”

“What?” the trio asked in unison as Loki sighed

“Bonenapper, it’s a dragon of bones and its soul, ha! purpose is to seal the souls and gain more power in doing so, so if you want skittles back you need to beat it” Loki explained as they approached a door

“But why can’t you just beat it yourself?” Blaze asked

"Because if fight it I might destroy half of this world trying to do so and my weapons don’t effect souls whist someone’s weapon here does” Loki said as he looked at Blaze, eyeing his blade

“The soul blade” Blaze said in understanding

“Good so you have been paying attention... actually don't answer” Loki responded as he opened the door and they all stepped into, Portal?

“Uhh what?” They all said in unison as a machine above them began to fire at them “RUN!!!”

As the jumped over the gap they entered the next room and found themselves facing another pony with grey fur and blue eyes with brown hair with blue streaks down it.

“Who the fuck are you?” she asked as Blaze walked up and pointed to the door “Oh ok go because the memes are coming"

all of them went 'Huh' and then turned to see a weird drawing coming towards them. They all quickly jumped into the next door as Blaze collided with, himself? But instead it was a mare.

“Ok now I know this is just wrong” They both said in unison as blue sprite popped up on the female Blaze’s side

“Um Blaze shall we just never talk about this?” He said in a childish voice as the female Blaze looked at the male one

“Yes” they both said in unison as they shook hooves and the 4 of them walked towards the next door

“Ok this better be IIIIIT!!!” Blaze yelled as him along with the others stood on nothing but air as they floated their “Ok if we don’t look down cartoon physics won’t apply”

Blaze then sighed

“You looked down didn’t you Loki?” Blaze asked in defeat

“Couldn’t resist”

“Son of a Bi- “Blaze said as they all fell and landed in a pile of bones

Nothing but bones for the eyes could see in a massive crater and in the centre a green glow emitted from the ground as souls of all sorts of beings moved freely amongst each other.

“Loki get the other out of here” Blaze said as he armoured up but before the two mares could protest they were teleported up the cliff

“Oh and don’t get snippy with me because he just saved your asses” Loki said as he pointed to the bone pile as it moved. As the rattling of bones echoed throughout the crater.

“LET THE BATTLE BETWEEN BLAZE AND THE BONENAPPER BEGIN!!!” Loki yelled as the bones shot into the air only to reveal the dragon.

The dragon was at least 50 feet high  and its wings, eye sockets and chest was glowing with lime-green energy, souls and then it roared shaking the entire world around them as it breathed green flames and soon glared at Blaze.

“Ok then” Blaze then brought out his blade as it glowed brighter with the souls around the area “Let’s Dance!”

The dragon seemed to agree as it shifted its leg and soon a pillar of bones collided with Blaze sending him flying into the edge of the crater.

“It can do that!?” Blaze said in alarm as another one shot out from behind him sending flying through the air. He then noticed that massive claw coming down on him and swiftly dodged it by a hair as a wall of bones met his face as Blaze then turned to see a fist collide with him sending like a comet into the ground.

Blaze had only just turned around to see a spiny tail hurdling towards him. Blaze held his blade above him as he tried to hold back the tail and quickly teleported away into the air only to slash away at the pillars of bones trying to grind him into dust.

“We can’t keep this up” KAI said worryingly “Armour is at 50% and dropping, at this rate he’ll kill us”  

“My blade can’t even land a blow on him” Blaze said as he dodged another hit from its tail and soon saw its mouth open as his entire body threatened to rupture as the cursed flames burned his entire body.

Blaze then fell to his knees as his armour sparked in protest. Warning were going off like wildfire as Blaze slashed away at the incoming attacks from either the ground or the dragon but each attack seemed to do less and less with each hit.

Blaze then felt his chest explode in pain as a pillar sent him flying into the wall again. Blaze slowly got to his feet and all of them even Loki was concerned.

“We have to do something, he’ll die otherwise!” Twilight said before Loki’s hand stopped her

“Trust me he’ll win, it’s only a matter of time” Loki said simply

Blaze’s faced showed pain and anger as he held his blade up and waited for the next pillar and as the attacks collided sparks flew as Blaze tried to break the pillar. But what happened next no one could predict.

*SNAP*

Blaze fell forward into another claw as 3 large gashes were left in his armour and chest as he fell back. Blaze saw as he fell his blade in two pieces as they both clattered to the ground.

“No…”

Blaze’s vision began to fade if not for the blue light stopping his eyes from closing as he heard that same voice from the night he beat Neckros.

“It’s not over yet Blaze, you came here on a promise and if you don’t keep it that thing will be the least of your problems” Dash’s voice echoed

“But… but without my blade how can I?” Blaze mumbled in defeat as he stared at his broken blade through the shattered part of his visor

“When something is broke you mend it duh even I know that” Dash said bluntly “Get up Blaze and kick his flank”

The dragon was about to turn and go if not for its prey moving again as Blaze slowly got to his feet.

“If you think I’ve come this far to die to a creature like you then your damn mistaken, his attacks hit way harder than anything you could throw!!!” Blaze shouted as the two pieces of his blade hovered in the air and soon disappeared in a blinding light

Blaze had now turned into his Rainbow Power form and held his hand out as a golden hilt constructed in front of him. The blade then formed with the elements etched into the silver blade as the blade glowed faintly of all colours.

The Dragon then roared as it sent another pillar into Blaze but it was easily cut with as single slash.

“Now it’s my turn to have some fun!” Blaze shouted as he slowly raised is left hand over the blade as he spoke

“Honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, magic, inspiration, loyalty" Blaze announced at the blade was engulfed in a mass of colours as Blaze smirked “Well come and get me”

The dragon acknowledged as it began to breath its cursed flames upon Blaze as his body slowly slid but soon the dragon stopped and saw nothing. then he heard a voice in the distance

"Dumbass look ahead and get on his level!" Loki shouted earning a decapitated head as his head slowly grew back

Blaze on the other hand was 100 feet away as he began to fly faster and faster as he yelled at the top of his lungs as it shook the air around him. This startled the dragon as it created at barrier of bones to protect itself.

Slowly the cracks began to appear and then a blindly light shone through as Blaze swiftly cut right through the dragon as the air fell silent. Then it followed by the body of the dragon crumbling into pieces as it shattered on impact.

Blaze then spun is blade around and holster his new weapons as he powered down and soon his entire body had souls dancing around him as he heard their voices thanking him as he smiled.

“You can all rest now” Blaze said calmly as he noticed a blue one snaking its way through a portal next to Loki as Blaze teleported up

“I can’t believe it you, you won” Twilight said in disbelief as Applejack nodded

“What you think I was going to lose?” Blaze asked sceptically as they both waved their hooves in protest

“Now listen here we knew you were gonna win not that we thought you would break your blade on for it to reform” Applejack said as they all stared at it

“Well it’s been fun, seriously its hard finding anything to do around here but still time for you to return, after all your time’s nearly up” Loki said as he pointed at his clock belt

“Well thanks for everything Loki as much as it pains me to say it” Blaze said as the others jumped through until Blaze was stopped

“A storm is coming Blaze so you best prepare yourselves because I want to fight you again so you better stay alive” Loki warned as he kicked Blaze through the vortex and closed the portal on him "Well looks like I have some human extinction plans to sort out"

Blaze awoke in the middle of the plains by himself as the sky had turned different shades of orange as he knew that the teleportation must have separated them. Blaze then snapped back to reality as he quickly got up and began to fly towards his new destination.

He soon landed in the graveyard as he walked towards Dash’s and soon found himself face to face with those same magenta eyes. Blaze didn’t know what to do as he slowly walked up.

“Well took you long enough” Dash said jokingly as Blaze felt something pull in the back of his mind

“Heh sorry Loki preoccupied me” Blaze said as he smiled back as he soon without even thinking hugged Dash as she stiffened but soon relaxed as she returned the jester

“Geez don’t become like the rest on me” Dash said but didn’t let go as she felt it leg tighten

“Sorry I just… I thought I wouldn’t see you again” Blaze said as he tried to hold back his tears

“Yea same here” Dash said feeling the same way as the pushed each other apart

“Well I think we shouldn’t keep our friends waiting any longer” Blaze said happily as they both got up and began to walk back home

“Yea after all I’ve missed them” Dash responded as the evening grew “I'm just glad I could see you again Blaze…”

To Be Continued…