Author's Notes:

Hey everyone, My next few bits of crucial story are going to be with a friend of mine named Rezas, in his story A Ghastly displaced Please read it if you want to know what's going on by the time I get back onto this story

Bob looked to me and held out his hand “Welp, one last hurrah, eh? No way we are surviving this, but we might as well go all out.”

Eris looked to Bob and folded her arms “Excuse me, I am the spirit of chaos! I can handle some measly dragon!”

Bob deadpanned “There are at least two hundred dragons out there that are resistant to magic, and that includes your chaos manipulation.”

“Yeah, but they don’t ALL have that, you can handle the rest!” She then gestures to Father Ash “He handled dragons far larger and meaner than these!”

Father Ash looked uncomfortable “I took down three dragon lords, my army, which was highly trained in battle and had nerves of steel, held off the others.”

Prax looked very worried as he looked to the approaching dragon horde. “We are in big trouble, The Elder Oak was basically a giant magic generator before it was completed, Now? It getting destroyed could be catastrophic.”

Celestia looked to him curiously “Just how catastrophic are we talking?”

“It would make the balefire megabomb spell look like a sneeze from a puppy.” Prax looked pale, as if he were losing all coloration. “We need to save that tree, or this entire continent is toast.”

I sighed as I looked back at Rose and my son. I gave them a hug before I let them go and slenderwalked to the border of the Faewood, in a field of white and black flowers. Some ways away I saw the dragons flying towards us.

I looked to my soldiers and sighed, “We are the only line of defence between the city and the Dragon Army. We, the Deer, are fighting not to save our loved ones, but to buy them precious moments of life. We must face these enemies head on, and delay them as long as we can, There is no glory to be had in this battle, only the knowledge that your efforts bring that many more seconds of life to those we love. Now, Let us fight, for the ones we love, and the city we called home!”

They all cheered from this as I turned to my friends and family.

Holly grunted as she put on her mask “I’ll drop the freaking stars on these bastards before I let them hurt you.”

Bob smiled and held out his hand as I took it “Let’s get jiggy with it!” I then put on my Brothers mask form and transformed for what was likely to be the last time, as Eris looked to me.

“Well, all I gotta say is-” she stopped as she looked past me and paled.

I looked to where she was staring and saw the land behind me go dark.

Celestia shouts out in shock “What in the name of Faust's fetlocks is that?!”

I looked up and if I had eyes my irises would be small as a massive dragon flew over us. The scales were midnight black and it soared over us, flapping once which caused the land below it to get destroyed as if a hurricane passed through.

Father Ash cleared his throat “I am grateful for my lack of a bladder.”

Holly looked to him curiously “What do you mean by that?”

I thought of what Father Ash could be talking about, then paled as well, a feat for me in any form. “That dragon is three times the size of the three dragon lords combined.”

As I said this the dragon landed in front of us quite a ways. It stood up on it’s hind legs as it towered over us. I heard some of the soldiers give a payer that it won’t eat them. I also heard roars of dragons from in front of it. I saw jets of flames spewing out from in front of it.

“Kos nusaan nol daar himdah, ahrk fun hin Dovah Drog tol waan rok wishes wah luft faal Driin, Rok fen lost wah luft zey!” The dragon yelled. The roars and flames stopped as nothing happened for some time. I heard a loud growl from the dragon. “Bui i flames -o i naur plane, narv-!”

With that, a large pillar of fire burst in front of the dragon. I heard painful roars and shouts in dragon tongue as I watched, from what I can see, the dragons flee away from the massive dragon. As the last one flew away, the dragon turned around and lowered its head towards us. Its head alone was bigger than the army.

Bob leapt from my face and landed in front of our group “Don’t hurt them!” He then pulls out a massive mallet and lets green flames ignite on the mallets surface “I would rather die than let you hurt my family!”

Eris looked offended “What about me?!”

Bob smiles “You're part of that too!”

With that, Bob yelled out as he swung his mallet at the dragon. It bounced off it’s nose, leaving no marks on its scales. “Okay, plan B! I’ll climb up yer nose and stab yer brains!”

We all watched as Bob began his climb up the dragon. I saw it’s clouded eyes do what I think is an eye roll. “Ven,” with that Bob got launched off the dragon, straight into Eris, which she took the opportunity to kiss him and run off with him in her arms “I just found love, I ain’t losing it!”

“They are weird,” the voice of Telyn said in my head.

I gasped as Everyone present heard the voice “Telyn, where are you!? Have you been eaten?!”

“No…” her voice said. The dragon gave me an deadpanned look.

Holly looked to the dragon for a moment “You are the dragon, aren’t you?”

“Well, looks like we know who the smart one of the family is,” the voice said.

I grumbled under my breath “I can’t help I got hit in the head a lot…”

Holly smiled “Well, I can see that beauty is something Dragons can have too. Quite the pretty Dragon you are, Telyn.” She then thought a moment “I wonder If I could make a mask to give me a dragon form, then we could fly together…”

The dragon didn’t say anything as the wind began to pick up as a large tornado wrapped itself around the dragon. It shrank down until it disappeared and Telyn stood in front of me, rolling her shoulders.

“You’re welcome,” she said.

I smiled “I would hug you if I wasn’t fairly certain you would not appreciate it. I swear, whatever you want, if it’s in my power, it’s yours.”

Holly smiled “I think Bob would say it’s time for a party, right about now.”

Celestia looked to Telyn and then to me “You were friends with a dragon this massive and powerful, and you didn’t tell me?!”

I shrugged “Just met her today, besides, I am just learning this as well, and information is a two way exchange. Tit for tat as it were.”

Celestia looked to me offended “What are you implying?”

I smiled “Well, there is the whole matter of your student wanting to study the Elder Oak.”

Celestia paled “H-how did you-”

I smiled “I didn’t, you just proved it to me, All I knew was that a powerful unicorn was wandering near the Faewood on several occasions. Don’t worry, I haven’t told Rose or the nobles.”

“A student sneaking off to learn powerful magic, sounds like normal to me,” Telyn commented as she looked around.

I shrugged “Yeah, but ponies are mostly not allowed in the Everfree, except for emergency situations. The only exception is taking the trails through the Everfree, and those change all the time.”

“Fun,” Telyn said. Celestia stared at her for a few moments. “Yes? You have a question?”

Celestia looked to Telyn with shock “How can a being so powerful with magic not have a horn of any sort, is something my student would ask. But my question is simple. Do you intend to bring harm to the Equestrian people?”

I looked to her in stupefaction “She just saved the deer from being wiped out, and mind you we are the one thing preventing Dragons from ruling the whole of equis, as you call it, But she just literally scared off an army of dragons that were the size of canterlot castle in the small sectors! What in blazes do you think you will accomplish by asking those questions, except offending someone much more powerful than you?”

“Wouldn't you?” Telyn asked.

I shook my head “Not in such an accusatory and hostile manner, and I’d of had Bob throw you a party for saving my kingdom first, maybe offer you some treasure, as I’m pretty sure all dragons hoard treasure, regardless of type, at least from the books I’ve read on them. Also, I’d ask if I could count you as an ally. So, No, not really.”

The two of them stared at me for a few moments. “To answer your question princess no, I don't have any intention of bringing harm to your ponies.” Telyn answered her. Celestia smiled and let out a breath that she was holding.

I looked to the two of them curiously “Why did you two stare at me like that? Do I have red on me?”

Prax chuckled “Nah, boss. You’re good there.”

“So… this party, is everyone here going?” Telyn asked, gesturing to everyone here, even Celestia.

I looked to Celestia and smiled “Depends, since last time I offered to have Bob throw her a party she seemed to flee as if the sun cutiemark she has had turned real and was burning her arse alive.”

Celestia blushed “That’s because…”

I smiled “You didn’t want me to see your castle layout and/or trash your castle, and assumed that the party would be there, since it was nearest?” Celestia nodded sheepishly, and I chuckled “Well, I don’t think you’d have to worry about that. I avoid alcohol since last time, and Bob does as well, so two out of the four people who could possibly do that are going to be stone cold sober.”

Telyn hummed in thought as my stomach did an odd flip flop. I tilted my head a bit at this. “Well, Miss Rose, is everything fine here?” Telyn asked. I looked over at her until I realised that… we’re back in the kingdom.

Rose took one look at me and calmly set a sleeping Arvir in the hands of Bob, who was standing with a flustered Eris hanging on him, then tackled me in a loving hug “I thought I was going to lose you! Never, EVER do that again! I don’t care if I’m Mother Birch, or queen of the Faewood, it doesn’t matter if you're gone!”

I smiled and held her tight as Arvir stirred and looked around before he saw me and smiled ecstatically “Daddy! You okay!” He leapt out of Bobs arms and flew, yes FLEW into my arms “Don’t scare again!”

I smiled and held them both for a moment as Bob looked to Telyn, uncharacteristically calm “What was this about a party?”

“You said something about a party so, party?” she said.

“Did I hear party?” I heard King ask as he was hanging upside down on the roof. “I make good brew for party!”

Bob grinned and looked to Eris “Let’s do this thing!” He then kissed her and they became a tornado of motion as that went into the grand hall and began to prepare for the party, and Holly walked up to Telyn, handing her a mask that I did not recognize “You dropped this on the way, umm… do you still want it?”

“I do, thanks,” Telyn said as she took it and spinned it, making it disappear. She smiled at Holly before her head twitched. “Hold on.” with that she disappeared.

I smiled at Holly “So, you like her, ey?”

Holly looked to me with a fierce blush “H-how did you know so fast?!”

I smiled “I’m your big brother, and I pretty much raised you. I can tell when you like someone. Besides, while I have no eyes, I’m not blind.”

Before she could answer we all heard Bob yelling. “THE BIRDS ARE BACK! AHHHHHHHHHH!” I saw him running down the hallway with a red and blue bird chasing him.

I sighed as I slenderwalked to the birds “Hey, I know it’s fun to torment my baby brother, but maybe you two could, I don’t know, chill out for a bit?” When I said that I looked at the two and realized that I know these birds; they were the same ones that froze and burned Bob some time ago. The Phoenix and Cryophoenix. “Seriously? I guess you two really have something in common when it comes to Bob, ey? Or maybe he was right and you two need to get a room. Either way, knock it off. Bob is prepping a party, and I’ll warn you this once, this is one of the few things he is serious about, you do NOT want to ruin this.”

I looked back and… they were gone.

I sighed as Bob shouted again, this time notably more Irate “KNOCK IT OFF YOU RATS WITH WINGS!”

I shook my head slowly as Celestia looked to me questioningly “Tried to warn em. Not responsible for what happens if they keep it up.”

“Also about this,” I heard a voice said. I jumped as Telyn appeared behind me. I turned and saw that she wasn’t alone. She had Twilight by the shirt as if she was dragged here. She gave a sheepish wave to the princess.

Celestia looked to Twilight and sighed as she pinched the space between her eyes in frustration. “Twilight, did I or did I not tell you, that the EverFree forest was off limits for now?”

Twilight didn’t look at her teacher in the eye, she simply looked down. “I’m-”

“I don’t see the problem?” Telyn cut in before Twilight. “She had spells that hid her presence from anyone around, quite skillfully I might add.”

Celestia sighed “Yes, but that does not change the fact that she was forbidden from coming here, and did it anyway. I was trying to keep the Deer Empire a secret until diplomacy was complete, luckily the Tree that is so massive here only shows itself to those who are nearby and mean it no harm.”

“Did you tell anyone about this place?” Telyn asked Twilight, now pulling her up to a stand.

“N-no, not even my best friends, or family… And Spike was very insistent on me telling him, but I didn’t even tell him where I was going… luckily Applejack and Applebloom could babysit.”

“Alright then,” Telyn said, looking at the Princess. “Can’t stop a wandering mind that wants to learn something new.”

Celestia sighed “I guess you are right… Maybe being around Greg and Bob will open her up a little, anyway.” She then gestured to me and smiled “Twilight, this is Greg King of the Deer Empire.”

I coughed uncomfortably “The actual title is Father Ash, the kingship is a rather dead title. I hold an equal amount of power as my wife, and the other council members.”

Twilight looked to me curiously as she took out a piece of parchment and a pen “Ooh, that is an interesting system of Government, do you elect your officials, or are they based on a merit system, or...?”

I smiled “The Nefereldens select their council members by level of power and ability to rule, of someone is strong magically, but unfit to rule, they are forcibly removed from power, and the next strongest is put into power. The Gremlins just have Praximus lead them, as he is basically immortal, and the Deer councilmembers, me and my wife, are selected through a cycle of reincarnation.”

Twilight nodded and followed me into the grand hall, where the party was being set up and the two birds were sitting up near the roof, watching everything happening. I looked to Telyn and gestured for her to come close “Hey, you can read minds, right? Can you help me convey to those two that Bob is a genuinely nice guy? He’s just… odd.”

“Says the one that threatened my birds that he’ll turn them to a sandwich and ice cream? Kinda hard.” she said, frowning.

I sighed “I’m sorry, I just am really protective of my baby brother, I know I go too far sometimes, hell most of the time. But I was all he had for a long time, it’s… hard, not to stand up for him.”

“Then tell him not to threaten my birds, or he’ll have something worse to deal with,” she said, now walking away from me.

I slenderwalked to Bob and quickly took him aside “Look, I know it’s annoying that they keep freezing and burning you, but can you patch things up with them? Telyn is VERY sore about how we talked to them.”

Bob sighed and thought a moment “Okay, how should I make things up to them? All I know about Phoenixes is that they are effectively immortal via rising from their ashes, and I don’t even know if that applies to the icey one.”

I shrugged “I don’t know, maybe you should offer them some food? We have an ample selection here already.” Bob shrugged as I looked around. The place was coming together as Telyn was talking with King. I don’t know how but he build a place so he could make his brew… which he’s going to serve for the party.

As Bob walked over to the highest part of the room, which was the top of the stairs leading to the ballroom,I walked over to Rose, who was talking to Twilight excitedly.

“Oh, you want to know how I came to know my husband? He came to my courtroom to save his baby brother. I doubt things would of ended the same if he hadn’t resembled the depiction of the next Father Ash so perfectly. I thank my ancestors every day that he did, though.”

Twilight smiled “He seems very kind, and smart too! That is, if he really was the one who proposed this unique government system?”

Rose smiled and nodded “Yes, he did, the nobles tried to cripple his endeavors for this reform, but he simply kept on trying, saying that ‘Everyone should be free to choose their own representative.’ Naturally, this reform took the power from a great deal of Nobles, and put us on a great deal of strife, but Luckily the dissenters all left without a problem when Greg sent us forward in time to here...aside from some petty theft.” She then looked to Twilight and rubbed the back of her head “Although, I suppose the Deer that left us had become a problem for Equestria, huh?”

Twilight nodded sadly “Yes, they raid our borders almost constantly.”

I then walked up to them casually “Why hello there! How are you two?”

Twilight smiled “I’m good, I’m eager to meet Praximus, he invented the machinery that revolutionized Equestrian society, right?”

I chuckled “Not to mention he was an instructor to a certain famous mage.”

Twilight looked to me curiously “Who? Maybe I know of them?”

I smiled “His name was Starswirl the Bearded.”

Twilight froze in place as her eyes went wide and Eris floated up to us “What were you saying about dad?”

I smiled “Oh, just about how Praximus taught him about magic, apparently he was very mischievous as an apprentice.”

Twilight then snapped out of it and grabbed me roughly “Tell me everything!”

I laughed “Ok, maybe after the party, okay?”

Twilight nodded ecstatically and hopped in place “yesyesyesyesyesyes!”

I then nodded to Rose and gave her a quick peck on the cheek and slenderwalked over to King, who was stirring his brew at the moment.” Hey, King, how are you doing? Ready for the party?”

“Almost, brew needs a few more minutes,” he said, stirring. I looked at the pot before thinking about it. He made it about an hour ago, how is it almost ready?

I looked to him “Do you have some sort of Time magic? Alcohol usually takes a while to make properly, the quick stuff usually doesn’t taste that good, or has a tendency to, well… explode.”

“King know brew, no magic, makes it taste funny, Brew will do in minutes, wait and you’ll try yes?” he asked.

I shook my head sadly “Nah, me and my brother are… dangerous drunks. Let’s just say the last time Bob got really, truly drunk, we had some serious repercussions. That, and I still can’t remember what I did completely.”

“Tis not strong, if problems happen King will use No-No stick,” he said with a smile.

I looked to the brew hesitantly “Ok, I’ll try it when it is ready, I just hope you have it in ample supply, Bob is...hard to keep under control.” I then took out my token and smiled at King “Since you helped save my life, I figure it’s only fair I repay the favor, call on me if you ever need help.”

“Thanks, but I don’t need token, give to dragon friend, she needs friends to rely on,” he said as he pulled his spoon out and and ladle some into take a sip. “Ah!”

I smiled and waved to him as I made my way to Telyn. She had both birds down and feeding them, some meat for the fire one and light blue berries for the ice one. “I don’t suppose Bob managed to smooth things over with our avian friends? And...I was wondering if you would like my and Bob’s Token? I’d offer Hollies, but she hasn’t made hers yet.”

“I got your tokens already,” she said, turning to me. “I found them around some time and waiting for Holly’s. As for Pyro and Cryo… well, they’re not burning or freezing him now, though he hasn’t done anything to mend that bridge.”

I nodded as Bob came up to us and bowed respectively to Telyn and the pair “I am sorry for my rude remarks to you two, I am deeply remorseful about offending you two, I hope I can someday mend the damage I have done, however long that may be, if you would like, you may freeze and burn me as much as you feel I deserve after the party, I humbly request that you let me throw this party in celebration for Telyns valorous deeds first, however.”

The birds looked at him for some time before continuing eating. Cryo cawed musically as she flapped her wings, sending a cool breeze at Bob.

Bob looked to Telyn hopefully “I hope that they at least agreed to freeze and/or burn me later? Also, may I say that the Frost-phoenix, Cryo was it? She has a very melodious voice.” this made the Frost phoenix stand up a bit with a proud look on her. The phoenix cawed, which sounded like a roaring flame, at the other and the two began cawing at each other. Telyn rolled her eyes.

“Good job, now they got mad at each other for that,” she said with a chuckled as the two flew off. “Those two have probably the biggest egos I have ever seen.”

Bob rubbed the back of his head and sighed “I guess I’ll find out after the party, anyway, would you like me to go get Holly? I saw her staring at the desserts.”

“For?” Telyn asked.

Bob smiled “Well, I saw how you two looked at each other, and I overheard while I was walking over here that you don’t have a token from her yet.”

“Okay,” she said, crossing her arms. I stared at her and wondered if she can turn off her emotions on demand or what.

Bob did a toon run, disappearing in a puff of smoke and grabbing a hat that he left spinning in mid air with a toonish stretched out arm appearing right next to Holly. As they talked, I looked to her “You do realise he is entirely serious about his apology, yes? As well as letting them hurt him. He genuinely feels bad when people dislike him, it makes him feel like he isn’t living up to his ‘purpose’. He… he only finds satisfaction in bringing a laugh and smile to others now…”

“It’s fine, the two of them won’t remember why they are mad at him after this spat,” she said simply.

I nodded and looked to Holly “Well, while I can’t really pose any threat to you, I will say this; please, take good care of Holly. She seems to really like you. I know I’m not the best role model, so if she can find a significant other like you, who is an actual good influence, I’ll be happy.”

“That’s yet to be seen, I’ll leave what your sister wants with her decision,” she told me. “Just know that if she want to do something, you must respect her wishes; even if you don’t agree with them.”

I looked to her curiously, “What do you mean by that?”

“What if she wants to come with me to my home and stay there?” she thought for a moment before shaking her head. “Sorry, read some romance novels before I was called. That sounded sappy.”

I laughed “If she wants that, I’ll let her do it, she just has to tell me where she’s going, in case if Arvir ever misses her, maybe set up a way for me to call ahead.”

I sighed “Hey, if… if something were to happen to me and my siblings, could you keep an eye on Arvir? I… I have this feeling… something bad is going to happen to me and Bob. I don’t want to leave him all alone in the world. You seem… dependable. I’m not asking for an answer now, just… think on it, please.”

“I will,” she said without a second thought. I looked at her and saw that she was, for the first time, sad. “I know the feeling of being alone.”

I smiled sadly “I can’t say I do, but I will say that you aren’t anymore. You have Holly, you have me, and you have Bob.”

“Thanks… I have others but that… that helps,” she said with a smile.

Bob then came back with a rather flustered looking Holly, who was now in a simple dress that was a floral pattern green with white background. “H-hi Telyn, h-how are you?” She held out her hand and focused as she made a small deku horn like from Twilight princess “I… I made a token for you…”

“Thank you,” she said, taking the horn. She looked at it before it disappeared. “You look lovely in that dress.”

Holly blushed and smiled “Thank you, you look gorgeous as well.”

Bob pointed to Telyn “But she isn’t wearing a dress.”

Holly slugged him in the arm “Let me make a compliment, huh? And besides, don’t you have a party to start?”

“Hmm, I never thought of what to wear…” she tilted her head a bit. “Any thoughts on what it should look like?”

Bob thinks a moment “Well, it’s supposed to be a party right? So… something prettier than what you usually wear…”

I thought a moment “Kimonos are pretty, plus it will give me an excuse to ask Celestia about the Neighponese and their Kirin population.”

Holly smiled “Anything’s good by me, you look pretty no matter what.”

“Hmm…” Telyn said as her clouded eyes glowed. She snapped her fingers and we all watched as her clothes shifted and changed. Soon she stood there in a black kimono with gold and silver designs on it as her hair was cleaned and shined like silk. She had a hand fan as well as she opened it. “How’s this? All I can go from is some old texts from a some old gods.”

Holly smiled “You look amazing!”

Bob kissed his fingers like a stereotypical italian man. “Bellisima.”

I smiled “You clean up nice.”

Bob then quickly ran to the top of the stairs with a cane in hand. “Welp, looks like everyone is here, you guys ready to party!?”

The Gremlins, Nefereldens, and Deer, gathered all cheered, excited for another of Bobs parties

Bob smiled and brought up some Gremlin musicians who looked like they were ready to play a bit of swing as Bob called out to the crowd and they all shouted out alongside him. “Let’s rock this joint!”

The band started playing from a selection of electro swing as Bob went off to dance with Eris and I smiled and decided to let Rose talk with Celestia for a bit, taking Arvir to try the fruits and veggies that Bob had gathered for the party.

“Oh, is that your son?” I turned to see that Twilight had come up to me and was smiling as she had a very full set of notes behind her.

I smiled at her and nodded “Eeyup, this little stinkbug is Arvir. He’s my pride and joy.”

Arvir looked up to me and frowned before putting his hand where my nose would be “No daddy! No tinkbug, me Deer!”

Twilight chuckled as Telyn walked over towards us. She smiled at me and saw Arvir. “Hello.”

Arvir smiled at Telyn “Hello! I’m Arvir! Who you?”

“I’m Telyn, that’s who me is,” she said.

Arvir giggled and smiled at Telyn as Twilight began to speculate aloud as to why he had heterochromia on top of albinism. Arvir then looked to Twilight and smiled “You're smart, you should be teacher!”

Twilight smiled and blushed “Well aren’t you sweet?”

Arvir shook his head innocently “No, I taste bitter, tried suck thumb, tasted bad.”

I then looked to Telyn and smiled “Would you like to hold him for a bit?”

“I don’t see why not,” she said.

I held Arvir out gently to Telyn as he reached out to her happily, giggling as I tickled him a little with my slendrils. “I’ll miss him being little like this, he’s growing up really fast.”

Arvir laughed and gently hugged Telyn “You are a nice lady.”

“Thank you,” Telyn said.

When I looked to Telyn holding Arvir, I felt a sense of deja vu, as if this were a common sight… but where would I of seen this before? I had never seen her before today…

“You okay?” Telyn asked me.

“Daddy?” Arvir looked to me worriedly

“Y-yeah… don’t… don’t worry.” I said unsteadily as I looked to them, wondering what was with that sudden flash of deja vu and dizziness.

Whatever caused it, I hope it was benign...