Roam, Capital City of the Caribou Empire, Royal Palace Third Person P.O.V.

---

Diann sat on his throne in his palace, his body fully regenerated. His eyes focused straight ahead locked on his six remaining sons who were kneeling before him.

"Are you all positive that Bolanus is dead?" Diann asked in a calm tone as he looked directly at his eldest son Titianus.

"We are sure farther. We all saw his soul pulled from his body with our own eyes," Titianus said causing the others to nod in agreement.

"And the one who did the deed?" Diann asked.

"It was the wolf again farther and we have been informed he is the same one who crushed our hold over Baltimare and Ponyville, even freed the Bearers of Harmony," Titianus said.

"No matter, the Elements are useless against us. What interest's me is this wraith. It appears Death is pulling out his finest. No ordinary being or wraith would be able to do so much in so little time nor would any wraith free entire towns instead of going for its targets immediately," Diann said.

"Farther do you think this wraith is The Reapers Hand itself?" the second youngest of the caribou siblings asked.

"Most likely Mercator. Which means he must have been a great warrior in his time," Diann said.

"Let him come, I'll mount his head on a wall for what he has done to my little brother," the third youngest of the siblings said in hatred.

"Patience Gratian you have the right to be angry, I am too. However we must use our heads to think ahead. This wolf is not an ordinary opponent remember he is a wraith, no doubt a crafty and also powerful one at that. He has no doubt allied himself with the princesses and quite possibility the Knight of Vengeance himself," Diann said.

Suddenly an elite guard burst into the room carrying a box in his arms.

"Your Highness's," the guard said as he kneeled.

"There had better be a good reason for interrupting us!" Diann yelled.

"I'm sorry sir but this just came for you, it was marked as urgent," the guard said trembling before his king as he held the box out towards him.

Diann grabbed the box in his magic and removed the lid. A letter addressed to him was sitting over a piece of packaging paper.

Dear Diann King of the Caribou

Do not say you didn't have a fair warning for you had the chance to pull your forces from Equestria and her neighbouring countries then surrender yourself peacefully. But now you must pay the ultimate price for your stupidity. I will now be coming for you, your sons and reduce your empire to nothing but rubble. To prove my point, and make it clear, I sent you a gift. Call it a reminder if you will.

Diann removed the packaging paper and when he saw what was underneath he stared in horror. There in front of him was Bolanus's horns, a light coating of blood staining the area where his horns connected to his head.

Each time one of your sons falls to me I will send a piece of them back to you to remind you how you failed them. However that will be nothing compared to what will happen to you. When I come for you brace yourself Diann because the wolf is on the hunt and this hunt will not stop till you face your punishment for your crimes. Till next we meet.

The Reapers Hand.

P.S. I ran out of ink so I had to use your son's blood to write this letter. Hope that's not a problem.

Suddenly the letter burst into flames and Diann's hand became demonic, tightening into a fist. The brothers backed away, fearful of their father’s anger.

"Inform General Servius, tell him he is to hunt this wolf down with extreme measures. He is to eliminate anything that stands in his way, stallions, mares and foals alike. Also, if possible, I want this wolf taken in while it can still move that way I can torture it myself!" Diann roared while a flaming aura surrounded him.

---

The Dream World

---

Luna and Dream Catcher were walking down a path of doors surrounded by an endless void of stars. Each door was different then the last and each one led to someone's dream.

"Oh it is good to be back after so long," Dream Catcher said.

"Indeed sister, I've missed doing this," Luna said.

The two alicorns looked at the never-ending rows of doors checking each one for any nightmares. Suddenly, the two come across another figure in the dream world a figure the two sisters knew all too well.

"What are you doing here Nightmare Moon?" Dream Catcher asked, not in a threatening tone but a casual one.

Nightmare Moon did not answer nor did she move. When the sisters moved closer they saw she was staring at a door. Or rather a simple wooden door frame filled with a pitch black void and no door.

"It's a strange door," Nightmare Moon said her eyes never leaving the door frame.

"Do you know who dreams beyond this?" Luna asked.

"If I had to guess, I believe it belongs to Bones," Nightmare said.

"How, he cannot sleep he said so himself," Dream Catcher said.

"Does it matter? We have an opportunity to find out more about him, we must inform the others," Luna said before her horn lit up and a portal appeared above them. The mane six and the rest of the princesses along with Mac, Soarin and Thunderlane fell out, hitting the ground hard.

"What the- where are we?" Rainbow asked as she looked around.

"We apologies for interrupting your slumber Rainbow Dash but this is important," Luna said as she gestured to the doorway,

"Do you know who's dream door this is?" Chrysalis asked.

"We think it's Bone's," Dream Catcher said.

"But he said he doesn't sleep," Twilight said.

"Unless he was lying to us," Celestia said.

"But why would he lie about such a thing?" Nightmare asked.

"Y'know, she makes a good point," Thunderlane said causing most of the group to agree.

"Well I say we're wasting time when we should be looking for answers," Rainbow said before she flew at the doorway. But when she made contact with the darkness, it was like flying into a brick wall.

"Rainbow Dash be careful, we can't just go jumping into a rando-," Twilight started however the darkness then reached out, grabbed everyone and pulled them in.

Once the group recovered everyone saw they were surrounded by a volcanic landscape. The world about them was a flaming crimson colour and the air was hot and dry. Screams of pain and terror was one of the sounds that could be heard along with the sound of roaring fire.

"Where are we?" Thunderlane asked as he looked around.

"I can only think of one place that matches our location. It's a place where the wicked are sent to be punished for their crimes in life. One of the places where Ash's bloodline came from, Hell," Celestia said.

Suddenly the group heard screaming above them and saw a humanoid being, thin and showing its skeletal structure beneath its pale dead skin, falling from the sky. The soul was then impaled on sharp rocks on the edge of a cliff next to them. However the poor creature did not die but withered in agony causing Fluttershy to faint.

"Ok this is starting to become a little too much, even for me," Rainbow said.

Suddenly the rocks crumbled beneath the soul sending it falling into the inferno below.

"There are so many who are banished here," Luna said as she gazed at the millions of falling souls who looked like comets in the night.

"Why do you think whoever dreams here is dreaming of such a horrible place?" Chrysalis asked as she looked around.

"I don't believe this is a dream at all," Nightmare said.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"I tried to use my magic to alter this place but it seems I cannot do anything," Nightmare said.

"She's right, it appears we are walking in a memory," Luna said.

Suddenly the sound of laughter echoed on the rocky terrain. The group then followed the echo around a column of rock to behold a sight. There before them was a massive flaming pit with souls pouring into it. But resting against the column of rock the group was hiding behind was a massive pile of treasure. Hanging over the edge of the pit was a large crane like object and hanging upside down at the end of the crane was a figure in black robes. Chains were attached to the figures legs while its arms dangled loosely almost as if the figure was unconscious. The figure was wearing a hood concealing its face in darkness even in the light surrounding it. Finally, standing in-between the treasure and the old looking machine stood a row of seven demons.

The first demon was a muscular male with tan skin, a disturbingly charming face and bleach white fangs that looked well cared for. He was thin around the stomach area and on his back, in-between a pair of bat like wings, was a word branded upon him and that word was PRIDE. The next demon was a fat red Cyclopes with a sickly yellow eye and sharp teeth going around his mouth. Finally upon his stomach was another word which was also burnt into his flesh and it was GLUTTONY and resting on his shoulder was a large machete. The next demon was a green colour but was shorter than almost every demon in the group and was easily the ugliest. He seemed to be giving the prisoner dangling over the flaming pit a jealous look. Finally, branded upon his right leg was the word ENVY.

The fourth demon was an amber coloured demon who looked dragon like and also had bat wings. He was flying around the prisoner seeming to be searching for something. Grasped tightly in his left hand was a katana in a black scabbed and a strap attached to it. When the demon got close to the prisoner, and went to grab the cloak covering him, one of the demons growled at him. This caused the demon to back off. Branded upon his right hand was the word GREED. The demon that let out the growl was more muscular then the first demon. He also wore armour on his shoulders, legs, waist and a bit on his chest. He had dark blue skin and he was giving the prisoner a deep unfriendly scowl that was begging for the prisoner to step out of line. He was also cracking his knuckles and the word branded upon his forearm was WRATH.

The sixth demon was actually a lavender purple succubus. She wore a black leather bra and panties, a pair of thigh-high black leather boots, and a pair of shoulder-high black leather gloves. She had long sharp claws almost a foot long and branded upon her neck was the word LUST. Finally, resting upon a large floating pillow, was a pale and old demon. He had a long beard and appeared to be sleeping, Branded upon his chest was the word SLOTH.

"The Seven Deadly Sins," Twilight said.

"I'm impressed you know about them Twilight," Celestia said with a warm smile.

"The Seven Deadly what?" Rainbow asked.

"Ash mentioned them once. He said that these demons are the very embodiment of the sins they're named after and those words branded upon them kinda gave it away," Twilight said.

"Then who is that?" Soarin asked gesturing to the prisoner.

"Something tells me we're about to find out," Nightmare said.

"Jeez, I thought The Reapers Hand was supposed to be tough and yet it's only been a week since we caught him," Wrath said with a growl revealing the figure's identity to the group.

"Hey Pride can I have a taste? There's no telling what his flavour is and he's been over that fire for a while now. He's probably perfectly roasted all the way through, just the way I like it," Gluttony said as he operated the crane to pull Bones over to the demons.

"Hold it fat ass, I wanted to use him as a punching bag and I don't feel like going through your filth to do it," Wrath growled.

"Well I think I might copy his body, could be useful in the near future," Envy said as he gave Lust a wink but Lust responded with a look of disgust.

"Oh please Envy anything with your face on it repulses me. However I actually like the idea of taking this one to my chambers and giving him the ride of a lifetime," Lust said as she leaned down next to Bones. Suddenly, a serpent like tongue extended from her mouth and licked the face within the darkness of the hood before she pulled away. She then placed the back of her hand on her chin and gave Bones a sultry smile while Nightmare glared at Lust. "And I can tell this one is a fantastic kisser."

"Well Gluttony did ask first but only a small taste Glut, there are others who want to test him out," Pride said.

Gluttony then grabbed Bones and removed the chains on him, which was easy since he was twice Bones size. He then held Bones above him and held the machete at where his neck would be before he drew the blade across it. Suddenly, blood began pouring out of the wound at an alarming rate and into Gluttony's mouth while Bones withered around trying to stop the bleeding. But, Gluttony then stuffed Bones head first into his mouth and began to devour him whole much to the group's shock. Once Bones was gone Gluttony let out a massive belch that echoed through hell.

"You fat one eyed nitwit. I told you I wanted to use him!" Wrath roared in fury even Lust had a scowl on her face.

"Sorry Wrath, it's just he tasted too good to not finish up but in a strange way he tasted familiar," Gluttony said.

"Well when he passes maybe we can find out and by we I mean you Glut if you're smart enough to figure it out," Envy cackled.

"Don't say that Envy," Gluttony said.

"That's enough Glut when you're done with him you better clean him up and hope he's still moving otherwise I won't hold these two back," Pride said as he gestured to Lust and Wrath.

"Sorry Pride," Gluttony said.

The group of demons then began to leave when suddenly Gluttony let out a gasp causing everyone to look at him.

"Oh seems like you do have limits what's the matter Gluttony indigestion?" Envy asked mockingly.

"Nah just got caught in my throat is all," Gluttony said pounding on his chest.

Suddenly a discomforting bulge appeared in Gluttony's stomach before it reverted back to normal. Not long later another bulge appeared before it disappeared. This happened a few more times before a left hand burst its way out of Gluttony's stomach. It made the hole wider before Bones pushed his torso out of Gluttony's stomach. He then grabbed Gluttony by the shoulders, pulled his legs out and crouched on top of Gluttony's stomach. Bones then brought his face close to Gluttony's, no doubt driving fear into his very being. While leaving Gluttony paralysed and gobsmacked.

Bones then pulled himself back and tossed a strange object up and down in his left hand. The object was blue, red and also had sickly yellow lights on it. The item was connected to Gluttony's insides and pulsing. Gluttony then realized that Bones had torn his heart out and was showing it to him. But before he could do anything Bones reeled back his left hand and shoved the heart into his mouth and gave Gluttony an uppercut to the chin. This caused Gluttony’s teeth to smash against each other and destroy the vital organ. Bones then back flipped off Gluttony's stomach and landed on his feet before the demon. Gluttony then covered his mouth with his hands when suddenly he exploded leaving behind a spine and destroyed ribcage. But Gluttony's head continued to sit upon the spine. A piece of Gluttony had landed on Bone's shoulder but he simply flicked it off before he turned around to face the shocked demons and began to crack his knuckles.

"Alright...Who’s next out of you idiots?" Bones said as he cracked his neck.

Greed then flew at Bones from behind and went to grab him. A rune circle appeared below Bones and he leapt high into the air much to everyone's surprise. Bones then landed on Greed like a hammer in water smashing Greed into the ground. Bones had one of his feet on Greed's back before he reached down and grabbed the base of Greed's wings and ripped them off. The way Bones ripped the wings off Greed with such ease left Rainbow in shock. She then folded her wings against her body in fear of Bones ripping them off next. Bones then grabbed the katana and slung it over his left shoulder. He then grabbed Greed by the back of his head and slammed it into the ground leaving behind a red bloodied stain on the ground.

Bones then stood tall only to be knocked to the ground from a punch by Wrath. Bones lay on the ground and Wrath leapt at him determined to beat him to a bloody pulp. But Bones placed his feet on either side of Wrath's head. Bones then pulled him over himself and slammed him into the ground face first. Bones then kicked Wrath in the chest and sent him skidding across the ground and rest against a rock column. Bones leapt onto his feet once more before Lust let out a loud whistle and summoned a massive group of strange demons.

These demons were smaller then Bones, coming just barely up to his chest, but their numbers were more than enough to restrain him. Sloth's pillow then floated over to Bones and took a deep breath causing all the smaller demons to move as far away from Sloth as possible. But they still remained close enough to restrain Bones, much to the confusion of the spectating group. Suddenly Bones then pulled himself forward along with a group of demons as Sloth breathed out a strange purple smoke. The demons holding onto Bones flew into the smoke while Bones managed to dodge the cloud, all the demons caught in the cloud fell asleep instantly.

Meanwhile Bones got up and started to kill the small demons with his bare hands. He drove his fist through one demon and tossed the body at another. This sent them both flying off the edge of the cliff and into the flaming pit below. He then gripped one's head in both hands and tore it and the torso in two. He then kicked one in the side of its knee, breaking the leg entirel,y before he smashed a fist into the demons head. The punch was strong enough to destroy it.

While Bones was busy with the small demons, Sloth was moving closer to him before he took a breath. Before he could release it, Bones spun around and placed a gloved hand over Sloth's nose and mouth. Sloth panicked and tried to move the hand but soon his head began to swell at an alarming rate before it exploded. Bones then tossed the remains of the body aside before he looked at the frightened demons around him. No one could tell the expression on his face because of the hood which made him all the more terrifying.

Suddenly the back of Bone's head was grabbed and slammed into the ground by Wrath. Bones rolled onto his back then held his hands in front of his face to block the onslaught of punches that rained down on him from Wrath. Bones swept his feet under Wrath and punched him in the side of his head, throwing him off Bones. The two then got up and faced each other before Bones made a taunting gesture at Wrath. This caused Wrath to let out a roar and charge.

Bones then dodged a punch that was coming at him before he punched Wrath in the face and drove his fingers on both his hands into Wrath's neck. Bones then tore both his head and part of his windpipe and spine off of his shoulders. The body then stumbled about before it fell into a heap and lay lifeless.

"That's it, I'm gonna finish you off myself," Envy cried getting Bones attention before he cupped his hands together and a cloud of smoke appeared around him. But when it disappeared another being stood in his place. The figure looked exactly like Bones, however Envy's face was under the hood. Bones tilted his head at Envy and Envy did the same almost like a mirror image. "Alright hot shot, let's see if you can get past me. Anything you can do, I can do better."

Bones and Envy stood silently staring at each other for a few seconds when Bones lifted his hands to grip the front and back to his head and Envy did the same.

"Bet you can’t survive this," Bones said.

Envy's eyes widened in realization and horror but before he could do anything Bones twisted his head 180 degrees and Envy did the same, supposedly killing them. Envy's body then returned to normal before he collapsed to his knees and then stomach. But Bones just spun his head back into place and rolled his neck all the while several sickening pops and cracks echoed from him.

"W...What are you?" Pride asked in fear.

"I...am the last face you see when you're corpse goes cold," Bones said.

Pride was shaking now, but in fear or anger no one could be sure, before he let out a roar and flew at Bones but he disappeared causing Pride to stop. Suddenly Bones appeared from above, landed on Pride and brought him to the ground. He then grabbed the top of Pride's head and placed his fingers in Pride's mouth to grab his lower jaw. Bones then ripped Pride's lower jaw from his head much to everyone's shock before he pulled Pried overhead and impaled him on a pointed rock.

Bones then looked at Lust who just collapsed to her knees in shock of what she just saw. She then gazed at the bodies of her fallen comrades and servants before she looked back at Bones. Who was now standing in front of her but Lust was paralysed by fear and couldn't move. She just sat there staring into the darkness beneath the hood.

"Where is it?" Bones growled causing Lust to point at the pile of treasure her eyes never leaving Bones. "Smart," Bones said before he began to walk over to the treasure pile.

"Y...You're not going to kill me?" Lust asked fearfully.

"Are you going to stand in my way?" Bones asked causing Lust to shake her head quickly. "Then clear off."

Lust then got to her feet and began to run away before she took to the air and vanished. The group then walked out of cover to see Bones walk on top of the treasure pile. He then started picking up objects and tossed them away almost as if he was searching for something.

"What is he doing?" Rainbow asked.

Bones seemed to have found what he was looking for before he pulled it from the pile and inspected it. The item was long and covered in a large piece of cloth but Bones then removed the cloth revealing a massive scythe. The handle looked like it was made out of the spine of some poor creature. While sitting on top of the scythe was as a large humanoid shaped skull with a wide open mouth. Coming out of the mouth was the blade but the blade looked like a webbed wing. Bones then twirled the scythe around in one hand before placing it on his back with a click. Almost as if something on his back had grasped the weapon on its own.

Bones then slid down the pile of treasure before he began to walk away when suddenly Pinkie let out a sneeze causing Bones to stop. He then turned around to face the group causing everyone to look at him in fear.

"He can see us," Rainbow said.

"D-don't be ridicules Rainbow, we're in a memory. how can he see us?" Twilight said while trying to rid her fear with her logic when suddenly Bones disappeared. "See, nothing to worry about. Now then, shall we- oof."

Twilight was knocked onto her butt when she ran into something. But when she looked and saw what it was, she let out a shriek when she saw Bones. He was there staring at her with his arms folded over his chest while the others stood petrified that he was there suddenly till he pointed at them with his right hand.

"Mm-Mm-Mmmmm," Bones hummed as he shook both his finger and head at them.

Suddenly Bones snapped his fingers and the ground beneath them opened and the group was swallowed by darkness.

---

Nightmare woke up with a start, looked around and saw she was in her bed. She then went to the balcony and saw Bones resting on the rail against the wall, his eyes closed. From what Nightmare could here he was snoring gently. That, for some reason, brought a smile to her face before she shook her head.

"Why do I have these strange feelings about him. I feel jealous when he's with another and I feel safe when he's close," Nightmare thought.

Suddenly the sound of hooves came thundering into the room and the group from before charged in or tried to, but there was not enough room for everyone to fit through. Soon Celestia pushed past while the others stayed back.

"Where is he?" Celestia demanded.

"Still asleep on the balcony, why?" Nightmare asked.

"I have some questions for him," Celestia said.

"Sister can't this wait till tomorrow?" Nightmare asked.

"We are not sisters Nightmare Moon. Let me be clear on that and if you don't move aside now, I will force my way past and wake that monster myself," Celestia said.

"Try it and I will show you what a true monster looks like," Nightmare said bearing her sharp teeth.

"You'll defend that thing even after what we saw? He butchered all of them," Celestia said.

"That 'thing' has treated me as his equal ever since we met. Not as a monster or a member of royalty and power but as me when the rest of the world saw fear. He is the first one in my entire existence to show me kindness and also inspired others to do the same. He even offered me a place in his home when I had nowhere to go Celestia and I am grateful for that. I don't care if he did do what we saw in that memory. I was told Ash did the same thing when he was alive. And if you forgot, he let Lust live. He had every able opportunity to kill her easily but didn't," Nightmare said.

"Because she didn't stand in my way."

Everyone looked and saw Bones leaning against the doorway and a scowl on his face.

"Oh...Hi Bones did we wake you?" Twilight asked still a little fearful from when she slept.

"Yes and I wouldn't be surprised if the whole camp is awake. Also you all intruded upon my mind without permission. I can understand Luna and Dream Catcher hell even Nightmare Moon checking on dreams but all of you flat out looked into my memories," Bones growled.

"We were looking for answers," Celestia said.

"Then ask me first is that so difficult. Trust needs to be earned both ways and so far you lot are doing a lousy job of earning mine while I'm working hard to earn yours," Bones said causing everyone to stare at him in surprise.

"You're right and we apologize for our behaviour," Celestia said as she bowed her head slightly to both Bones and Nightmare.

"Get some sleep you never know if it will be your last for some time," Bones said before most of the group returned to the living room and both Bones and Nightmare settled into their own beds.

---

Morning Cadence's P.O.V.

---

I woke and found myself sleeping on the floor of the tree house that was made for Bones. I then remembered everything and shuddered when I thought how Bones killed those demons. Yet when Ash did kill it was different. Bones did say death and killing are all the same and I couldn't help but agree with him there. But when Ash killed he showed humility in his attacks. It was like what he was doing was right even though it meant taking up a sword and killing. But with Bones he just slaughtered anything and everything in his path. I thought about this all through breakfast and barely ate so now I sat by the calm waters of the lake while still thinking about it.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

I turned around and saw Nightmare Moon was standing behind me wearing a turquoise dress that reached just below her knees.

"N-no not at all," I said as I gestured to a spot beside me.

Nightmare Moon sat down beside me and looked at the lake before us. I sat silently staring at the lake but I couldn't help but glance every now and again at Nightmare Moon.

"I can tell my presence discomforts you," Nightmare Moon said.

"Oh no, it's just...This is actually the first time I actually get to see you closely without your armour...You look very beautiful," I said while stroking my mane.

"Oh...Thank you," Nightmare said before we entered another moment of silence. "I can tell there is something else."

"Many things actually," I admitted with a sigh.

"Do you wish to talk about it?" Nightmare asked.

"Well it's about Bones, the caribou and also our entire future but much of my concern goes towards my little Flurry Heart," I said

"Do you have a child?" Nightmare Moon asked.

"Yes a lovely alicorn filly her crystallizing was one to remember for certain," I said.

"I remember being told about that Rarity described it being a battle between gods and monsters," Nightmare Moon said.

"Indeed it was I've never seen anything like it before," I said.

“Tell me where is your daughter now?" Nightmare asked causing me to look at the water in sadness. "I'm sorry I guess I'm not allowed to know that yet...It's just you see Bones suggested I should get to know others that way they aren't so terrified of me."

"Oh no Nightmare it's just *sigh* when the caribou first came the first thing they presented to us was Ash's body. It was striped of its clothes and his left arm was missing. We learned that the items that Ash had gathered during his time in Equestria was scattered across the lands. All thanks to the caribou. When Ash's brother, Burning Rage, found out *shudder* he became furious," I said.

"I was not aware of a brother," Nightmare said.

"He's technically Ash's half-brother for you see he was actually Ash's subconscious fuelled by hatred that had separated from him. Now at first the two hated each other. But after some time the two grew closer till they finally started calling each other brother," I said causing Nightmare's eyes to widen.

"Incredible but tell me what happened with Rage when he became furious?" Nightmare asked.

"It was frightening to say the least. When Rage saw Ash's body in such a state an aura as hot or hotter than the very sun surrounded Rage. It was made up of pure hatred and bloodshed. The walls and ceiling began to melt and any caribou that were too close were burned alive. But Rage decided to show them how he used his swords and it put Bones to shame in brutality. Diann and his son's retreated and took Ash's body with them but even with them gone Rage took his frustration out on any caribou he saw. You could practically taste the bitter hate in the air that day. It was Rage alone who drove them out of Canterlot. It was agreed that Rage should go out and raise an army against the caribou. And for safety we gave Flurry Heart to him to watch over till we could be reunited," I said.

"I see...I hope that day comes soon," Nightmare said.

"As do I Nightmare Moon...As do I," I said.

---

Bone's P.O.V.

---

I was practicing with my sword within a clearing in the forest, all the while the memories I had regained danced across my mind along with many other questions. Like why I could sleep now when I couldn't before. I was so busy slashing and stabbing the world around me almost disappeared. My attacks were getting faster and faster when my concentration was broken by a snapping twig. I then spun around to deliver a killing blow. But stopped when all I saw was a blue butterfly fluttering in front of me. I then removed my blade and put it away before I held my hand out to the gentle creature. The butterfly then landed on my hand allowing me to have a good look at its wings which were a lovely shade of blue.

The butterfly crawled along my hand causing me to turn it over a few times before it flew away. Suddenly, I hear movement and my head snaps in the direction of the sound and I see Celestia walk out of the bushes.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"Apologies Bones I wasn’t aware you were out here," Celestia said.

"Uh huh," I said.

"But now that we are I have some questions for you," Celestia said.

"If it's about how I fell asleep or how I saw you in my memories then I'm afraid I can't help you there," I said.

"So you have no knowledge of how any of that happened?" Celestia asked.

"Not a clue," I said before we entered a long silence. "So what brings you out here?"

"Sometimes I like to think on my own away from others and everything," Celestia said.

"I see, ruling for over a thousand years can be tiring," I said.

"You have no idea," Celestia said before silence covered the clearing once more. "If I may ask Bones, why did you open your home to Nightmare?"

"Why shouldn't I? She was lost and alone when we met, kinda like I am. I guess you can say we have a bit of an understanding on a large number of things," I said.

"I see...Bones, I need to know right now are any of my little ponies on your list?" Celestia asked.

"Even if they are I'm afraid I can't tell you that it's kinda a rule that's been set up," I said.

"I understand," Celestia nodded.

"Hey Celestia feel free to answer this but at the Gala I found out you have, or was it had, a nephew before all this began," I said causing Celestia to stare at me in surprise before she looked at the ground with a slightly saddened expression.

"Yes, I did and once he was very dear to me but that's when he became jealous and angry which lead him down a dark path. I tried to help but it wasn't enough and when I saw something I wish I never saw I knew it was too late," Celestia said.

"So what happened?" I asked.

"He was banished," Celestia said causing me to nod silently. "Now tell why were you in hell of all places?"

"Ah yes well unlike the first two questions I can answer that one you see one day I was summoned by Death himself for a mission. I was to go and retrieve something that The Seven Deadly Sins had stolen from him," I said.

"You mean that scythe?" Celestia asked.

"The Grim Reaper's scythe, yes. Like every agent of death we all have what we call a Death Weapon this weapon is what we use to harvest souls and fight off other things," I said.

"Other things?" Celestia asked.

"Reaping the lives of the living isn't the only thing we were created for Celestia," I said.

“Alright but what is so important about the Reapers Scythe?” Celestia asked.

“Whoever holds the scythe controls Death himself along with the power to manipulate life. The mission was to retrieve it and kill anything that stands in my way,” I said

“So that is why you didn’t kill Lust,” Celestia said.

“Exactly, I just follow orders nothing more,” I said

Celestia was about to say something when suddenly Slendermane came out of the bushes.

"Bones intruders have breached the temple grounds the trees have told me that it's the caribou," Slender said.

"Took them long enough to find us but anyway you two get everyone ready to leave, I'll buy you all time," I said.

Celestia and Slender nodded before they ran back towards the camp. I put on my hood, ran into the forest and found the caribou using my highly trained senses. I then climbed a tree and ran across the branches till I was over them. I then saw that general Servius was leading the caribou. I gave a nod before I decided to play a familiar tune to freak them out.

The music echoed through the trees bringing fear to all the caribou except the general. Once I finished playing I summoned my blade and looked for a good way to attack them. Suddenly, I remembered a technique called Shadow Jumping. This technique allows wraiths to use shadows as a type of portal to come out of another shadow. Smiling I jumped into a shaft of shadows that had been created by a leafy branch blocking out the light. I then appeared out of another shadow beside the large group. I then pounced at a caribou and used my claws to kill him and push the body into the bushes. I leapt into another shadow and appeared on another branch overlooking the caribou.

The caribou looked terrified and kept their weapons trained on the bush. I then jumped on top of another caribou that was at the back of the group and then fled into the bushes again. I looked back at the dying caribou and watched his life vanish from his eyes. When he was gone I stepped out from behind the tree to face the caribou. But kept my hood over my face, giving the caribou a fearful image.

"Well this is a surprise Servius. I wasn't expecting you to pay me a visit," I said.

"Hand of the Reaper you are under arrest for the crime of killing Prince Bolanus, son of King Diann, the murder of several civilians and the liberation of mares," Servius said as he pointed at me.

"Please Servius no need to use my formal title just call me Bones," I said as I placed a hand on my chest and gave a small bow.

"I don't care what your name is, surrender now otherwise we'll take you by force and kill everyone who is hiding out here with you," Servius said.

"I take it Diann wasn't too happy with my letter, well It's not very cool if others get caught in a punishment that's meant for me so tell you what. I will go back with you and I won't put up a fight that way your soldiers can keep your lives. But only if you let the ones who are with me go free you will not pursue them or capture them but leave them in peace for the rest of their lives. Bloody fair deal if I say so myself," I said.

"Sir please tell me that you’re not going to accept this, think of all the mares we can fuck," one of the caribou said causing my eyes to narrow on him dangerously.

Servius seemed to have gone into deep thought, looking at his troops then to me and repeat till he finally took a breath and looked at me.

"I have my orders, you will be coming with us either way along with anyone else out here. Take him," Servius ordered.

After he gave the order I snapped my fingers. Tendrils rose from the ground and started killing the caribou troops but the one who spoke up he was tossed at me. I then grabbed him by the throat with my left hand and summoned my blade. I then placed the blade at his neck and slid the blade across it causing blood to spill out of the wound. Blood also went down his throat where he drowned in his own blood before I then tossed the dying caribou aside. I looked at Servius and made a tendril slam him into a tree before I walked towards him.

"I offered you a chance Servius. You only have you to blame now. Did you rely think this lot was going to be enough to catch everyone?" I asked.

"Who says I didn't bring more," Servius said.

Suddenly I heard a scream come from the camp causing me to look back in that direction before I ran towards it. when I arrived I saw caribou were all over the place. They were grabbing mares while the non-brainwashed stallions tried to hold them off. I then ran into the mess and began killing all the caribou in my sights, freeing mares and helping out stallions. Finally I made it inside the royals tent and saw all the alicorns and the mane 6 were there holding back the caribou. I joined in and before you knew it we killed them all.

"Bones!" Twilight said in surprise.

"Sorry I'm late but where's Slender?" I asked.

"He's locking down the temple and helping the Flutterponies," Celestia said.

"Surrender!"

I turned around and saw a group of about twenty caribou standing there carrying rifles and all of them were trained on me.

"You gonna make me," I said.

"Fire!" one of the caribou yelled

And before anyone could blink the caribou shot at me filling me with bullets but I stood still and took the punishment while the others ducked for cover. When the firing stopped I stood as still and as silent as a tombstone.

"You done?" I asked causing the caribou to freak out from the lack of damage they inflicted on me while I looked at the others. "Better cover your ears."

Instead of questioning me the group did as I requested. I then turned to the caribou and my head became a scull terrorizing my opponents. I let out a massive scream so loud and fierce you could see the sound-waves blasting out of my mouth. The force was powerful enough to rip flesh and muscle from the caribou leaving them as nothing but mutilated corpses. I then covered my face again in flesh before I looked at the others. They were all staring at the mess in shock and surprise at what I did.

"Damn and I thought Luna's Canterlot Voice was loud," Rainbow muttered.

"Now we need to go I hope you got everything you need," I said

"Hang on," Luna said before the entire royal tent was shrunk to the size of a toy and placed in a bubble and transported off someplace.

"Handy," I said.

"Bones we need to buy time for everypony," Celestia said.

"Alright," I said before I ran off.

As I ran I decided to play some music as I killed my opponents.

As I listened to the song my fury began to grow and my attacks came faster and hit harder. It was like the music was giving me new energy as I tore through the caribou. I even slashed at a caribou who was trying to sneak up on Big Mac. I then noticed a caribou with a flame thrower was burning down tents and I heard cries of help from inside one which was the food tent. I ran inside and saw Scootaloo, Sweetiebelle and Pip were inside and Pip was struggling to use his magic. I ran through the flames which touched me but did nothing to burn me.

"You three alright?" I asked when I reached the terrified foals.

"Bones watch out!" Pip shouted.

Suddenly something smashed into my neck and sent me flying into burning tables. I looked and saw a large axe embedded in my neck before I pull it out. I then sat up and saw the caribou that was burning this place down was going for the foals. I snapped a burning table leg off the table and whistled to the caribou to get his attention. Once I did I tossed the makeshift burning spear at him and watched as it impaled him in the thigh causing him to scream in pain. I then ran at him and kicked the caribou onto the burning ground. I then watched as the caribou squirmed and screamed from the raging fire. I then saw the foals were struggling to breathe. I grabbed the foals, ran out of the tent and placed them on the ground. When I looked around I saw caribou had surrounded me and with them was Servius.

"Should have taken the offer Servius," I said with a growl.

"Don't make this difficult," Servius said.

I responded by pulling out my blade while Servius drew his which was on his hip.

"You three stay behind me," I whispered to the foals.

Servius then charged at me and I blocked his attack before I swung my blade back but he blocked as well before I thrusted at him. He spun to the side but I blocked his attack. Suddenly I feel a slash going downward on my back leaving a burning sensation. This forced a scream of pain from my mouth and caused me to collapse to my knees. I then looked behind me and saw one of the guards had slashed at my back with his sword and the wound was smoking

"What the hell was that?" I asked in a raspy voice as I turned to glare at Servius.

"Blades granted to us by the king the same weapons used to end you're fellow wraiths. Blades made from soul steel," Servius said causing my eyes to widen.

"Impossible," I whispered as I shakily stood up.

"Leave him alone!" Pip said as he grabbed Servius by the leg.

"Shut up you little brat!" a caribou said as he grabbed Pip.

"Let go of our friend!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo yelled as they tackled the caribou.

Suddenly two other guards restrained the fillies but that's when I struck. I swept my feet under Servius and ran over to the guards. I killed them easily before I got ready to deal with the rest of the guards.

"You three get out of here!" I shouted while I was locked in place with a caribou causing the foals to run.

I then used my claws to strike at the caribou. But suddenly I felt something drive into me and when I looked I saw it was Servius. He had impaled me in my chest with his sword. I then pulled the blade out and walked backwards till I collapsed onto one knee. The wound suddenly had smoke pouring out of the wound and my vision began to darken.

"Any last words?" Servius asked but I remained silent and stared at him waiting for the ending blow.

However it never came. Suddenly a massive wall of fire appeared around us and I saw a tall figure standing on two legs walk through the fire. At first it was nothing but a shadow but when it walked through I saw it was someone wearing a suit of armour that looked like Ash's old armour. However, this one was blood red with two massive bull like horns on the side of the helmet pointing upward. There were spikes going along the top and back of the helmet and down the spine with spiked knuckles on each gauntlet. In the figure’s hands was a pair of swords with silver handles. The cross-guards were made to look like skeletal wings and on the hilt of the blades was a snake head bearing its fangs. Suddenly, two large skeletal wings extended from the figure's back and that is when I knew nothing but darkness.

Next Chapter: Chapter 9 Fragment Hunt Estimated time remaining: 38 Hours, 28 Minutes