EDIT: Added a new, better intro, complete with a new, more fitting song.

EDIT: Fixed some grammar mistakes. Fixed a few other mistakes. Fixed one final mistake. Added an intro, complete with a song.

This is the first of the chapters of this crossover arc. Myself, InfernoRage008, and Maziodyne slaved away on this particular chapter for quite some time, and at one or more points we had to rewrite it so that their characters didn't mess up the flow of this story overly much. I'd say we did a good job of keeping it that way.

Hopefully you all feel the same.

Sadly, because of the sheer amount of characters to keep track of, a lot of them just didn't make appearances all that often, unless we wanted to make this whole thing 20,000 or more words instead of the current 13,000 or so. This also means quality likely dropped some, so I hope you'll all forgive me and try to push through it.

P.S: Also, sorry for not telling you earlier Inferno, (I kinda got caught up in the writing and forgot this fact) but Lucette and the Doom Marines share a lot of similarities. Glowing eyes, silvery white hair... Really the only thing different is the skin color and scars.

Anyways, thank you all for reading.

-Timeless Celestial

Lucette had finally gotten the set up done, and was currently waiting at the dock at the castle for the foreign leaders with her usual entourage, the same ones from when the ponies had visited last. Tempest was with her too, but the difference was she now had a horn, the two daggers Lucette had given her at her sides, which she had named Void Slicer and Storm Wind, and her gun on her back. She also had a small pouch with some ammo in it.

She bore armor that was similar to her old set, only dark purple and decorated with her badge of office, and gilded with platinum. It also came with a helmet, namely a barbute, styled similarly to the rest of her armor.

Lucette was in her own set of armor, the very same she’d arrived in. But her mind was elsewhere. Currently, she was giggling silently to herself as she remembered Magic-Eyes, or, as she called him, Bluey. She couldn’t deny she found him cute, as well nice to be around and someone nice to talk to, but she firmly denied having any feelings for him. It was just interest right now, nothing more. Still, she couldn’t help her giggles as she remembered his flustered and blushing face.

Tempest cleared her throat. “Huh?” Lucette looked around swiftly. “Oh, uh, sorry.” Tempest grunted and they went back to standing at attention, waiting for the foreign leaders.

In time, the mass of airships came into view, although one group wasn’t airships, but just dragons flying in. The dragons landed first, the ponies and, Lucette noted, zebras, next, then the changelings, minotaurs, and finally griffons and Yaks. Lucette raised her arms up in a welcoming gesture, and the guards arrayed around her and Tempest stamped the butt of their halberds on the ground in response, chanting. The large group that consisted of the many races on this world slowly walked forward, the ponies being noticeably wary, while the others didn’t seem to be as fazed, though they certainly looked intrigued.

Once they reached Lucette and Tempest, the two bowed deeply.

“Wonderful to see you all came,” Lucette said with a smile as the chanting and stamping stopped and she stood up straight, Tempest doing much the same.

“It’s good to see you again, Your Highness,” Celestia greeted with a smile, bowing as well.

“Indeed. I look forward to this Festival,” Luna concurred.

“Same here,” Cadence echoed.

“As do I,” Lucette answered. She looked to the other world leaders. “Nice to meet you all. It's an honor to finally make your acquaintance.”

“Feeling’s mutual,” said the gruff Emperor of the Minotaurs, Steel Axe VII. His horns were decorated with silver, and he had a jagged crown on his head, along with a harness and golden pauldrons and leggings. His fur was a striking jaded silver. “I’m Steel Axe.” He said, stretching a hand out. Lucette took the hand and shook it firmly, the Emperor returning it with double the force only to be pleasantly surprised when she did the same. He smirked as they let go.

Gilda, Queen of the Griffons, stepped forward. “Pretty good castle you got here. Looks ready for any siege,” she said with a grin. She extended a claw. “Name’s Gilda.”

“Lucette Petremol,” Lucette replied, shaking firmly. They released and Dragon Lord Ember took the stage.

“So, you’re the Storm Queen, eh?” she said, looking her up and down. “Pretty quirky for a Queen.” Lucette’s smile twitched a bit, but she kept her cool.

“Well, happens when you’re the only member of your race that’s made contact with the world,” Lucette answered, extending her hand. Ember grinned, shaking with one hand while holding her scepter in the other.

Thorax came next. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. I’m uh, Thorax, King of the Changelings,” he greeted meekly, smiling at her just as meekly. Lucette smiled warmly at him.

“Good to meet you too,” she said, and they quickly shook hooves/hands. Finally came Queen Zendaya, who stepped up with a jangle of her golden dzilla.

“I greet you, from one Queen to another, and I hope to see this Festival through, preferably without too much pother,” she said amicably. “I am Queen Zendaya of the Zebra.” Lucette shook her hoof.

“I wish you luck with that, Queen Zendaya. Trust me, you’ll need it,” Lucette replied.

“Heh, we’ll see about that,” Gilda said confidently. Lucette chuckled.

Prince Rutherford of the Yaks stepped forward. “Yaks look forward to Festival! Yaks and Skili friends for thousand moons!” he cried. Lucette chuckled.

“I look forward to it as well, Your Highness,” she said, bowing her head in respect. “Now, allow me to introduce to you all my Second-in-Command, Royal Advisor, and Vanguard Commander, Tempest Shadow,” Lucette said, gesturing to Tempest. Tempest simply bowed again.

“You’ve got some pretty high-end armor there, Commander,” Steel Axe complimented, stroking his chin.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. My Queen made it herself,” Tempest said, bowing her head in respect once more.

“Really now?” he said, curiosity piqued. The others gathered round were now curious as well. They had not heard of a ruler going so far as to make something for their advisor with their own two hands.

“Oh, it’s nothing special, just a hobby of mine,” Lucette said modestly, waving a hand airily. She gestured to the entrance to the castle. “Now, why don’t we get you all situated in your rooms for tonight? You’ve flown far, might as well get some rest before the big day tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Lady Petremol,” Celestia said gratefully. Lucette just smiled.

“Of course, Princess,” Lucette replied. She then lead the large group of royals and their champions through the castle to each of their rooms. Once they were all situated, she and Tempest walked to the lower level of the castle, all the way to the training room, where Lucette then rummaged around in her pockets.

“Are you sure about this, My Que-I mean, Lucy?” Tempest asked her ruler. Lucette nodded.

“Very much so. This’ll show the other nations that they aren’t the only ones with allies,” she said, before taking out a Token that’d fallen on her head in the bath during one of the prep days. It was a tiny doll, with a dark blue dress, simple black shoes, long blonde hair and blue eyes.

When she’d first grabbed it, she’d heard a message from the Token: “If you are in need of help, don't hesitate to call for me. However, understand that under no circumstances will I ever kill anything. If I can be of assistance, just speak the words 'Daughter of Gensokyo' and I will be there to help in any way I can.” Upon hearing this message, due to the impending festival that was on her mind, Lucette had decided to wait to use this Token until the festival to summon a Champion.

“Daughter of Gensokyo!” Lucette called out. A portal opened nearby in the training room, and a single girl came through. This girl seemed to be in her late teens, with shoulder-length brown hair, and stood - by Lucette’s estimation - about 5-foot-7. Her eyes were the first thing to draw Lucette’s attention, as they were two completely different colors from each other: the girl’s left eye was violet, and her right iris was a piercing, blood-red crimson. Her clothing was also very out-of-place, with a mostly white dress that had a blue, lattice-like lightning pattern on the skirt, and a ribbon that changed from blue to red in color at its midpoint wrapped around her waist and tied into a bow on her back.

She didn’t have socks on, her footwear reminding Lucette of ancient Japanese shoes: they were similar to sandals, but made of wooden blocks, one wide, flat one acting as a platform for the foot, with two slats on the underside, oriented perpendicular to the foot, in a way where it would look like a simple cartoon table when viewed from the side. These strange pieces of footwear had sandal-like straps which kept them on the girl’s feet; one had a blue strap, the other a red one. Another thing that drew Lucette’s attention were the two small, white horns that were protruding from the girl’s hair. Finally, there also seemed to be a doll identical to the Token - only bigger, about a foot tall - hanging from the girl’s shoulder. It was giving Lucette a curious look.

“Heya, nice to meet you. I’m Lucette Petremol, Storm Queen. Mind being my Champion in a little day-long tourney?” Lucette queried with a sweet smile. She was quick and to the point.

The girl seemed a bit surprised by Lucette’s forwardness, but quickly recovered, following after the woman’s lead. “Alexandria Kijin, half-Yokai,” the girl replied, with a slight bow as she bent her waist. She then gestured to the doll on her shoulder as she continued, “Shanghai, my partner Fairy. Pleasure to meet you too, Your Highness. If your reason for summoning me is because you need a Champion, then I’d be more than happy to comply.”

“Great to hear, but first, I’ll be needing a quick run through of your abilities. The other guy I’m summoning I already have a good idea of what he can do, but you’re new, so I need to make sure of things,” Lucette explained. She walked over and patted Alexandria on the shoulder absent of Shanghai, grinning. Somehow, the grin made Alexandria nervous. “Got all that, kiddo?”

Alexandria nodded before concisely listing off her abilities. “Natural flight, Lightning Magic, Magnetism Magic, novice-level Ki control, and the ability to turn over - or flip, in layman’s terms - anything for me,” she then made a small gesture with her head towards Shanghai, “Shanghai’s much more of a grab bag; can do a wide variety of things already, and has plenty of room to learn more in the right circumstances.” She then grabbed and gently shook a small pouch on her waist that Lucette had somehow missed before. “I’ve also got a weapon stored here called Die Leaguer, composed of six orbs, which when thrown each cause a fairly drastic effect upon impact, including freezing, burning, exploding, paralyzing, creating a whirlwind, and rotting. Some of those are fairly lethal, so I avoid using them.”

“Hmmm… That’s actually above and beyond what I needed, so, you’ll fit perfectly!” Lucette said cheerfully. Tempest walked up to the two, pulling on Alexandria’s skirt lightly. Alexandria was visibly confused by the action.

“Uh, y-yes…? Did you need something?” she asked the mare a bit awkwardly. Tempest summoned a bandanna with Lucette’s crest on it, one which gave Alexandria pause. It was a ring of fire with a dark circle in the middle, and in the middle of that, a symbol of purple that brought to mind the thought of a storm. The bandanna was a royal purple.

“Put this on, please. It will show that you're part of the Storm Team. It’s enchanted to withstand nearly anything, so don’t worry about it getting ruined,” Tempest explained. Alexandria’s expression changed to one of understanding once Tempest started speaking. She nodded as she responded, taking the bandana.

“Ah, it’s identification,” she said. “Proof that I’m your Champion.” As she said this, she handed the bandana up to Shanghai, who grabbed it before letting go of her shoulder to float in the air, tying it around Alexandria’s right bicep, making sure that the emblem on it faced outward and was wrinkle-free.

“Right, well, now I gotta grab the silent bastard. Try not to say anything untoward to him or his brothers, ‘kay cutie? Don’t want to have to clean your corpse off the floor,” Lucette said in that same sweet voice, Alexandria silently raising an eyebrow. Shanghai looked between Alexandria and Lucette quizicaly, but didn’t say anything. Lucette then took out the Obsidian stone and said, “Oi! Hunter! Need ya over here!”

Soon enough a portal opened, as Hunter, his brothers, and a cloaked female walked through it. Then something unexpected happened, “So, what’s the occasion?” They didn’t know how, but Hunter seemed to have communicated with them with his mind, projecting his thoughts unto them.

“Telepathy…?” Alexandria muttered, wondering to herself. Lucette brushed it off, having dealt with it before.

“Eh, just trying to show the world leaders I ain’t to be messed with. Basically, the Skili have this yearly festival for growing closer through friendly competitions of strength and fighting. I decided that this year I’d make a show of it. Show off some, not all of course, but some of the things I’ve had in the works, but the real kicker will be my Champions. You, Tempest, and this girl here,” Lucette explained. She waved her hand airily. “Nothing big to worry about. Just got all the world leaders here about an hour ago.”

“I’m not just some girl you know,” Alexandria retorted, muttering, but still making sure she was heard. Although Alexandria didn’t seem inclined to further push that issue, Shanghai suddenly spoke up, getting all heated.

“Yeah, Alexandria’s strong you know!” Shanghai announced proudly in Alexandria’s defense. “You shouldn’t take her lightly!” Lucette shot her a flat glare.

“You’ll be a woman in my eyes when you see limbs flying and moms crying over their sons,” she said crisply, getting raised eyebrows out of Alexandria, before turning back to Hunter. “So, you game?”

He nodded his head. “Yes.”

“This should be interesting,” Runner said with a chuckle.

“Hopefully it’s filled with people worth killing,” Berserker snorted out, cracking his neck and knuckles.

“Weeell that’s the thing. Only three Champions are allowed per team, aaand no killing. I mean, if there were, more heads than those in the fields on the stadium would roll,” Lucette informed.

“Three Champions?” Alexandria asked. “Hmmm, now I’m curious about something… Would Shanghai count as a separate Champion or no? I ask because of her interesting circumstances. She’s directly tied to my own life force, completely dependent on it, therefore, even though she’s her own individual, she and I are fundamentally inseparable.”

“Hmmm…” Lucette placed her hand on her chin. “I’d have to make a lot of exceptions, and the Warrior-Nobles’d get pissed, along with likely some of the foreign leaders… But I’ll see what I can do,” Lucette said with a nod to Alexandria.

“Lucy, if their lives are intertwined, technically speaking, they count as just one. No offense,” Berserker said.

Lucette just gave him a deadpan stare. “Berserker, it ain’t me that you gotta convince. It’s the Warrior-Nobles, Dragon Lord Ember, Prince Rutherford, Emperor Steel Axe, and especially Gilda.”

“Actually, I can convince one of them,” He retorted. “Ember. However, I may need to become your...Executioner. Figuratively speaking.” That last sentence intrigued her.

“Well, tell me what you got planned, then. Don’t just sit there holding your verbal piss like a little boy,” she said, hands on her hips as she looked to him.

“It’s simple; I become your Executioner - part time - everybody will keep their mouths shut. But, if any of them speaks out against you, I claim their heads. As for Ember and her Champions, they’ll immediately know that I’m a Dragon Lord as well, one that’s a lot older than her. They can’t do shit, or try anything stupid around here, just one command from me, and they’ll do it.” He explained to her. “Unless, you don’t like this idea. Then we'll have to come up with something to get everyone to listen.”

“Actually, I like it. It’s devious. Though I have to ask, just why would they immediately obey you?” Lucette queried.

“Easy; I become your Wrath, your Will, an extension of sorts. In a sense, it’s just for show...for now,” He answered her.

“Well, I’ve also got something to share,” Alexandria interjected. “Some of them might ask for proof, you know? Not all of them will be immediately willing to believe that Shanghai is dependent on my life force. If they need proof, I know how to give it to them: with an example.”

“Woah woah woah kid, you telling me you want me to let them beat you and her up? Fuck no!” Lucette retorted, swiping her arm in emphasis of the statement. “I’m not gonna just sit by and watch some kid get beat up by bigger people!”

Alexandria grinned. “I’m glad you’re worried about us, but we’ll be fine.”

Shanghai nodded vigorously. “Yeah!” she agreed before floating towards the Doom Marines, spreading her arms. “I even dare you to try and kill me!”

“No,” They all said to her.

“C’mon, just do it!” she pushed. “Trust me, I’ll be fine! Hit me as hard as you want!”

“She’s being completely serious,” Alexandria added. “And she’s also being completely honest. Hit her as hard as you can, she won’t feel a thing.”

“We can tell, and it’s still a bad idea,” Berserker told her. “Unless you want our bat-shit, motherfucking insane brother to find a way to make her feel it.”

Alexandria’s eyebrows went up at this… Out of amusement. “I’d actually like to see your reactions when he does,” she answered cryptically through her huge smile.

“Oh my, would you look at that; a couple of stupid anime twats, wanting their Death Wishes to come true~” Runner sang out creepily.

“Runny Nose you shut the fuck up! You are not going to hurt an innocent, motherfucking child!” Lucette roared, getting in his face.

“Woah, L, what-?” Ventus began, but Lucette cut her off.

“Fucking. Shut it. V,” she growled. Lucette pulled out her gun and pointed it right at Runner’s head. “Back. Off. Now.”

Sighing, he quickly whipped out his pistol, pointing it in her face. “Lucy, none of us are innocent.” Runner said coldly, both of their fingers squeezing the triggers slowly.

“Runner I swear to Jesus Christ-” Lucette began, before the sound of a flugel horn sounded out. Then bagpipes. Then very uncoordinated and terrible singing of multiple, familiar voices Lucette had only just met.

And then the doors to the training room exploded with confetti. The foreign leaders, their champions, and the Friendship Council members, along with Spike and Starlight, had burst into the room, singing out of tune and dancing into the room. They all stopped in front of the group in poses.

Silence ensued as the two groups stared at each other. Alexandria was speechless, her train of thought all but eradicated.

Berserker let out a groan of annoyance, before saying, “You useless pricks were fucking terrible.” He told the group that just barged in here, which shocked them beyond belief.

“WHAAAT?!” Roared Steel Axe. “My pose was impeccable I’ll have you know!” He flexed. “Look at these muscles!” He flexed more. “LOOK AT THEM!”

“Ugh, muscles for brains, nobody wants to see that,” Gilda commented. “Besides, my pose was obviously better.”

“Pfft, you wish!” Ember interjected.

“YAK WAS BEST POSER!” Prince Rutherford roared. The four rulers then devolved into petty feuding. Lucette slowly lowered her gun as she watched with a blank, dumbfounded expression. Runner did the same, putting his away.

Alexandria finally managed to shake herself from her stupor, and shot Berserker a glare, as if to say ‘This is all your fault’ before shooting him with a shock of electricity.

“... And what was that supposed to do?” Berserker asked her, unphased by her attack, which left her stunned, as he turned his attention back to the foreign group. “HEY FUCK-ASSES, LISTEN UP!!!!!” He growled, making the entire room shake from his outburst as he got their attention. “YOU BITCHES BARGED IN HERE, WITHOUT PERMISSION, AND THOUGHT THAT PLAYING AND DANCING LIKE A BUNCH OF USELESS POXY CUNTBAGS WAS GONNA IMPRESS THE STORM QUEEN!? NONE OF IT WAS IN SYNC, IT WAS COMPLETELY INCONSISTENT WITH ONE ANOTHER, GOING ALL OVER THE DAMN PLACE, NO RHYTHM, AND IT ALL ADDS UP TO A BAD FIRST IMPRESSION!!!!! YOU DICKS DONE FUCKED UP AND YOU ONLY HAVE YOURSELVES TO BLAME!!!!!” By this point, some of them were shaking in fear by his harshness, while others were angered by his blatant, callous and crude criticism, but Alexandria was slack jawed to see such an outburst from seemingly nowhere. He probably shook the castle.

“...I have no words,” Lucette said slowly, shaking her head.

“Me either,” Ventus concurred.

“Agreed,” Tempest chimed in, nodding.

“I agree with everything my brother said about you lot,” Runner stated, shaking his head along with the other four, in disappointment.

“I wasn't agreeing with his words-” Lucette began, before Celestia came up to her.

“Queen Lucette, we are so sorry, we didn’t know you were having time here with your family,” Celestia apologised.

“What!? But he insulted-!” Ember began but Luna stopped her with a feathered wing in the face.

“But-!” Gilda also tried, but Rainbow did the same to her.

“YAKS WILL NOT ABIDE BY-!” Prince Rutherford started, but Pinkie shoved a pie into his mouth.

“Really, we’re sorry, we’ll leave you alone,” Cadence continued the apology.

“Truly, we’re sorry,” Shining said, before the ponies pushed the others out and closed the doors.

Lucette blinked a number of times before turning to the others. “...Anyone else want to go to the tavern now?”

Alexandria regained her senses before answering. “I’d, uh, prefer not to get drunk on the eve of the competition,” she answered.

“I think it would be best if we do go for a drink. That whole scene might as well have given us a break from all of this nonsense,” Pillar said with a sigh.

“You can enjoy your hangovers then,” Alexandria retorted, rubbing a temple. “I’d rather stay here and get some practice in. Though, a live opponent would help to keep my reflexes sharp…” This last sentence was muttered quietly to herself.

“Do us all a favor, and just shut the fuck up. No one cares at this point,” Berserker groaned. “Let’s just get to the damn tavern already,” He said as Lucette, the Doom Marines and the cloaked woman left the room, not wanting to deal with any more random mumbo-jumbo for one day.

Tempest stayed behind, watching them all go with a sigh. Alexandria shook her head as she idly spoke to Tempest. “Well, we know one of them is participating as a Champion,” she said. “I just hope whichever one it is has enough sense to stay sober tonight. A hungover Champion wouldn't leave a very good impression.”

“Yeah, I hear ya,” Tempest said, sighing again. She looked to Alexandria. “So, you said you wanted a live opponent?”

“Mm,” Alexandria hummed in confirmation, nodding her head. “Back where I'm originally from, I'm rather well-known for having the highest skill in my minute dodging. ‘Hitting me’ was effectively on the same level as urban legends and the like.”

“Oh?” Tempest rose a brow in curiosity.

Alexandria crossed her arms as she tilted her head back, reminiscing. “Yeah,” she started. “Back in Gensokyo, I had one hell of a reputation. I had a clean record. Nobody could ever land a hit on me. Plenty tried, none succeeded.” She then looked to Tempest. “I've been practicing daily too, so I can say with confidence that that's true in the present as well. You're welcome to try if you'd like.”

“Well, I never was one to back down from a challenge,” Tempest said, drawing one of her blades.

“Alright, this'll also give me some good practice against the type of stuff I'll want to expect in the tournament,” Alexandria noted as she turned to face Tempest fully, and prepared for her attacks.

Thus began their practice. However, in the guest rooms, something else was happening…

“So, what do you think so far, Iron Bull?” queried Emperor Steel Axe.

The gray bull with the eyepatch hummed in thought, looking around. “Well boss, the place seems more tight on security than we initially thought. Guards are all over the halls, so the only real way of getting past them would be to go outside using one of the windows.”

“But doing that basically means death, since we’re so high up,” Iron Will, the blue bull, noted.

“Hmm… Let’s just keep an eye out for any opportunities to learn about these guys,” Steel Axe decided. He walked towards the window, gazing out at the stormy island outside. “We’ll find out your secrets soon enough, little miss Storm Queen…”

Lucette was feeling a little nervous. Once she and the others reached the tavern, she had hoped that they could drink that whole scene back in the training room away, but no. Instead, it felt more like she had been dragged into her Commanding Officer’s room for a scolding by her superior, as if she did something wrong. Or being like she was being Court Martialed. Right now, they were all sitting at a table, except for Runner, who said he would "sleep this whole bullshit off." The rest didn’t want to drink with her, sitting in silence with their helmets off. The bartender was a little concerned for his queen, though he was more worried about his tavern being destroyed for good.

The Storm Queen was sitting at the far end of the table, while the rest sat on each side. Berserker sat to her right, with their cloaked friend between him and Lucette, while the other three sat on her left. All of which were staring down at the table, their expressions neutral, save for the cloaked woman. Lucette wanted to say something, anything, to get rid of the tension. But whenever she tried, the words immediately died down.

“... Tell us what happened back in Africa,” Berserker said, as they all looked towards her. “What happened to the children?”

“...” Lucette looked down at her drink, staring at the purple, bubbling concoction like it would help her out of the mess.

“Lucette, if you don’t tell us, we won’t tell you about why Runner acted the way he did,” Berserker told her. “If you do, we’ll understand you a little better.”

“...” Lucette remained silent for a time, before sighing deeply and slamming her drink back. She snapped her fingers and the bartender gave her another. “...I’m too fucking sober for this shit, and we don’t have cigs here either… God fucking dammit…” She shook her head, slamming the drink back again. She motioned for another, and she got one. Finally, she spoke.

“I already told you all where I was stationed, right? CAR?” she began.

“Yes,” Collateral answered before realizing something. “Wait, don’t tell us THAT shit happened…”

“What shit?” Berserker questioned, making him sigh deeply.

“...Children of War,” Collateral told them after a pregnant pause.

“ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS!?” Berserker roared out, smashing his fist on the table in anger. “THAT STUPID SHIT IS STILL GOING ON!?”

“In my Earth, yeah. It was 2014 when I got sent there,” Lucette explained, tone hollow as she looked at her glass, eyes not leaving it.

“Children of War?” Ventus queried, appearing out of nowhere. “What are those? A Clan?”

“Actual kids with guns and bullets, trained to kill our own. It’s a psychological tactic of sorts. I’ve actually seen it on my tours a couple of times, a little boy carrying a rifle, or an RPG, to use on our own,” Collateral explained, which shocked the Ghost immensely.

“WHAT?!” Ventus shouted. She turned her optic to Lucette. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!”

“Because you’re you,” Lucette said simply. Ventus practically stopped moving at that.

“Wh-What?” Ventus began. Lucette groaned.

“You fuckin’ deaf and dense? It’s simple. You’re too innocent. You’d break if I mentioned even one of the events I had to witness,” Lucette said coldly.

“L… I…” Ventus tried to speak. Lucette sighed.

“Just… Just go to the room for now Ventus,” Lucette told her partner, seeming tired. Ventus looked to the Marines, then Lucette for a long moment. Her optic seemed like it would have cried if it could. Then, without a word, Ventus disappeared in a cloud of blue particles. Lucette slammed her head on the table.

“Fuck...well that explains a lot,” Berserker said with a growl. “I think that might be equally as bad as ours, if not more so… And Runner had to suffer through that, too. Fucking Hellspawn pricks!”

“Runner had faced something similar, though the psychological method behind it may have been a lot more brutal...for the children, at least,” Pillar told Lucette with a sigh. “It was a solo mission, at an Orphanage. He was sent there to check it out. For the most part, it seemed fine, on the outside. But inside, it was too quiet. He found the children, who were alright at first glance, but he couldn’t find the caretakers. When he did though, there wasn’t much left. That was when the trap was sprung.”

“The children were already possessed, but they didn’t know about it. When it happened, it was torture for them, their bodies being forced to change, the pain it brought in every, waking second… Runner was forced to watch it, as there was nothing he could do.” Collateral said, continuing the story. “What’s worse, the children’s souls were still there, bound to their new bodies, ones they no longer controlled, and all they could do was cry and beg for help. Runner didn’t know what to do, and sure as Hell didn’t want to start killing children, so he ran. Or tried to, at least. Apparently the Demons placed a barrier on the Orphanage, preventing him from leaving.” He took in a deep breath, as Lucette’s hand was clenching around her glass, hearing it crack under pressure.

“...Least you weren’t ordered to do what I was ordered to do,” Lucette growled. She was still staring at her glass. “...Killing would have been mercy compared to what I had to do.”

“Maybe. But it didn’t really help that the Devil started to speak through the children, taunting and mocking him through it all. Trying to break him,” Berserker stated, which made Lucette break her glass just from the mere mention of the Devil.

“So the fucker’s real…” Lucette scoffed. “Always thought a bit differently about that…” She sighed, motioning with her hand for him to continue. The glass hadn’t even managed to scratch her gloved hand.

“Yeah. Anyway, Runner was starting to have a mental breakdown from all of it, as that Satanic Fucker kept on speaking. He thought he finally had Runner, but while he did break his mind, it didn’t break the way he wanted it. So Runner went on a rampage, killing all of the possessed children inside the place until there was nothing left but the blood of innocent victims on his hands. And all he could do afterwards was laugh through his tears,” Berserker finished, as Lucette actually started to imagine Runner doing that, laughing out loudly, full of insanity, while his eyes just started to cry out tears of sorrow, guilt, and regret. “Of course, hearing that affected us all, while these three tried their hardest to keep it together, I went on a rampage myself. Out of anger. I leveled an entire section of the Everfree Forest, killing just about any and all in it, whether they be animals, monsters, or Demons. I passed out from it for five days straight.”

“Understandable reaction. Me… Well, after what I did, I quit the Force. Just broke code by punching a commanding officer so hard I broke his jaw, and walked out,” Lucette informed. “Oi, Tyl, ‘nother drink.” She said, motioning to the bartender. The bartender nodded quickly and produced yet another glass. She slammed it back as well, waiting for the Marines’ reactions.

They looked at each other and shrugged. “Eh. You did what you felt you had to do. We can’t hold it against you,” Collateral told her. “Shit. You know, I think Celestia might be right about that ‘family’ thing.” He commented, which confused Lucette, who she blinked at him.

“You’re probably right. I mean, we’ve all seen some really fucked up shit, been through tough shit, and just one of those should have been our ends, but no. Here we all are, alive, talking about the dark shit we’ve gone through and witnessed,” Berserker pointed out, making the Storm Queen think a little bit about his statement.

“...Never thought about it that way. Though I guess I could see you all as brothers. Sort of. I mean, this is only the second day I’ve seen you guys, so I wouldn’t rush it straight to brother material. Already got a little brother anyways,” Lucette replied. She slammed another drink back, then stood up from her chair.

“Take your time, we don’t mind. But, either way, the rest of the World Leaders in our world now see us as family. So we might as well get used to it,” Berserker said with a shrug. “Say, you got anything sour?” He asked her.

“Do you not remember the drinks you got last time you were here?” Lucette asked him with a raised brow and a look that said ‘are you that dumb?’

Before Berserker could retort, everyone's attention was caught by the sound of the door slowly creaking open. When they turned to look, they saw a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl peeking in. She looked exactly like Alexandria's Shanghai… But not doll-sized.

“Ah, it's you guys!” she said, her voice also perfectly matching Shanghai's from earlier. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her, and they noted that she appeared to be about 10, being four and a half feet tall or so. After closing the door, their eyes widened when she took to the air and shrunk down to about a foot in height, causing them to realize that she was Shanghai.

“... And what is it you want?” Berserker asked her.

“Ah, I'm just exploring!” the Fairy answered cheerfully. “Don't worry, I asked Alexandria if I could, and she said it was okay, as long as I don't cause any trouble.”

They all gave her a suspicious look, before turning to Lucette. “Do you believe her?” Berserker asked.

“No,” Lucette said before grunting as she looked to her drink. “Could just be the buzz telling me that, though.”

Shanghai looked almost heartbroken. “Awww… Am I really that hard to trust…?” she asked.

“No. Just using my old instincts,” Lucette replied.

“Same can be said about us, as well,” Berserker added.

“Sounds to me like you're just being meanies…” Shanghai retorted, crossing her arms and pouting adorably. The battle-hardened adults were unaffected, however.

“The world isn’t always nice, and that’s life. I’m surprised it hasn’t chewed your useless ass up and spit you back out like a bad joke,” Berserker shot back. Unfortunately, his words seemed to fall short as Shanghai seemed to become visibly confused by them. “And I rest my case.”

“I don't get what you're talking about,” Shanghai said. By this point, it was becoming more obvious that the Fairy wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, from the lack of using more complex words, as well as her innocent understanding of things.

“Exactly the point. You don’t understand much,” Berserker said with a sigh.

“Anyway, that's not important!” Shanghai suddenly said. “I was just exploring, and thinking maybe I could get some new abilities at the same time.”

“And why should anyone lend you their abilities?” Collateral questioned. Shanghai looked a bit confused by that.

“Eh? But, I don't borrow them,” she answered.

“Either way, give us a reason why should anyone lend you their abilities? You’re not exactly smart, and what if the ability you’ve learned gets the better of you? What if you lose control?”

“You mean,” Shanghai started, her eyes wide like saucers as she brought her hands to her mouth. “There are dangerous abilities too!?”

“No shit, dumbass,” Berserker groaned, shaking his head.

“That would be really bad if I couldn't control my ability to copy abilities then,” the Fairy said to herself. “I guess it's a good thing I can control it.”

“That’s not up to you to decide. It’s up to those you want to copy from to decide,” Berserker retorted.

“Eh?” Shanghai said, sounding both surprised and confused. “I can sometimes catch people by surprise while they're using an ability and take it that way.”

“We don’t trust you, yet. So you’ll have to wait until we deem it so,” he told her.

“Mmmm…! Fine!” Shanghai said, getting fired up. “I'll just have to show you how strong and reliable I am in the, uh, turn-a-mint tomorrow!” With that and a huff, the Fairy turned and left the room, returning to her larger size from before in order to open the door, then slamming it shut behind herself.

Once she was gone, they all turned to face Lucette. “Lucy, have Pillar partake in this tournament, in Hunter’s place,” Berserker said.

Lucette shook her head. “No. He may not talk as much as you guys, which is a plus, but he still talks too much. I need someone silent, someone they can’t read. And, with your guys’ tech, it’s better that it’s the one who is always silent.”

“Actually, we have a problem. Well, more specifically, you still have a problem,” Hunter said through his telepathy. “There are still spies lurking around your kingdom.” That sort of information didn’t sit well with her.

“...What race or races?” Lucette asked slowly, turning to him glacially.

“The Minotaurs. When the World Leaders and them barged into the training room, I quickly read their minds, to make sure they weren’t up to no good. Unfortunately, the Minotaurs have been keeping tabs on you, wanting to learn as much as they can about you. However, they’re wary of you,” Hunter explained.

Lucette stared at Hunter for a time, before sighing deeply. “Well, was hoping to keep my boys out of this shit sooner, but I guess putting their training to the test is better done now than never.” Lucette pulled out, to the Marines’ surprise, a communicator, and tapped a button on it. “Grih lack lo po tol. Esech Vilt Vilyv Orange,” she said in Skilin. She got a quick reply of affirmation, then put it away. “There. My Darkstriders will keep an eye on them. They learned from me, so they know how to stay hidden.”

“... Well, okay then. You won that round,” Berserker said with a chuckle.

“Guess I won’t have to worry about the spies, then,” Hunter said with a nod. “Very well, I’ll still be your Champion for this tournament.”

“Good. Now, I believe we’re done here, or at least I am. So, I’m off to bed. My guards will show you to your rooms,” Lucette said, walking towards the door and opening it. She made a quick two-finger salute to the Marines. “See ya.” She then walked out.

“Later,” they replied, as the guard lead them to their own room. Of course, they found Runner snoring away in it, which confused the guards, because none of them saw him coming this way. Once they were left alone, they closed the door and locked it.

“Well, at least you’d be having fun,” Berserker snorted. “Although, I think it’s safe to assume that we’ll be guarding Lucette, while Guardian keeps an eye on the World Leaders.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Collateral agreed, nodding his head.

“I guess I’ll just blend in with the crowd. At least this way they’ll be none the wiser,” Guardian spoke.

“That might be for the best,” Pillar said. Once they’d discussed things, they decided to go to bed themselves. Save for Guardian, who stayed up and watched over them.

Back in the training room, the mock battle between Tempest and Alexandria was still going strong. Just like Alexandria had promised, Tempest had yet to land even a single blow. However, Tempest noticed that once Shanghai had left to explore, the counterattacks she'd been receiving had abruptly stopped.

Tempest jumped back, spacing herself from Alexandria. “Well… I can see your claim was true,” Tempest noted, panting slightly.

“Of course,” Alexandria answered, looking much less winded. “I'm not one to make baseless claims.”

“You and me both. But what was that magic you were using? I’ve never seen anything like it,” Tempest queried, subtly searching Alexandria for any openings.

“The Lightning Magic and Magnetism Magic is purely hereditary,” Alexandria began explaining, watching Tempest from the corner of her eye. “My ability to turn over anything isn't magic, but is also hereditary.” Alexandria intentionally looked away as she said this last sentence.

Tempest took the seemingly offered opening, jumping up and aiming to slam her front hooves into Alexandria. Alexandria smirked and did a dodge roll under Tempest, the baited mare's eyes widening as Alexandria straightened up and delivered a roundhouse kick to the assailant’s back.

“Here's a tip for combat,” Alexandria said in a somewhat lecturing voice. “Always assume that your opponent is on-guard.”

Tempest just smirked as she stood back up. “Noted,” she said, and Alexandria then noticed a strange, gritty piece of paper on her back. Her eyes widened when Tempest pulled a tannish clay orb out of her satchel. “Best dodge this one.” She then flipped and kicked the orb towards Alexandria.

Alexandria quickly complied, side-stepping the orb, and it sailed past her. She didn't feel like finding out if that clay orb did anything.

She was given further surprise when Tempest blasted the orb with a bolt of magic as it landed behind Alexandria, the orb exploding, along with the slip of paper. Alexandria shouted out in surprise as she was engulfed in the detonation. The smoke cleared quickly to show Alexandria slapping out the last of the flame on her dress. Immediately after this, a very small tear of sorts opened in the air near Alexandria. The two ends were tied shut with red ribbons, and the space inside was a violet-red with many creepy, staring eyes. Tempest was surprised by this, but Alexandria was comparatively several times more shocked. Alexandria's shock multiplied further when a very angry Shanghai came out as the tear closed and disappeared behind the Fairy.

“What are you doing to Alexandria!?” came Shanghai's angry shout.

“Umm… Practicing with her…?” Tempest supplied, unsure how else to respond.

“Well, you hurt her just a second ago!” Shanghai retorted, as Alexandria just stood next to her, speechlessly staring at the Fairy.

“Well, it is practice. There’ll always be some pain. But it’s not like I’m gonna kill her. My Queen would have my head,” Tempest said truthfully.

Finally, Alexandria managed to find her voice. “Shanghai, when did you copy Yukari's gaps!?” she asked incredulously.

“Huh?” Shanghai started, caught a little off-guard. “Oh, I found her just a minute ago while exploring! I knew that no-good troublemaking woman was up to no good, so I snuck up on her and grabbed her to scare her off!” Shanghai then put her hands on her hips, a smug expression plastered on her face. “And it worked! She used one of her tears and left!”

Alexandria turned to Tempest, her face in her hand. “Ugh, I'm really sorry,” she apologized. “Someone I know followed me here. It sounds like she would've started a great deal of trouble if it hadn't been for Shanghai.”

“Umm… I’ve actually met this woman. Sort of. My Queen was the one to interact with who she uh… What was the word? Displaced?” Tempest hummed in thought before nodding her head. “Yeah, I think that was the term.”

Alexandria buried her face in both hands this time. “Yukari…” she groaned. “How many people have you displaced…?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Tempest replied. She looked to a clock on the far wall. “Well, we should go get some rest. It’s late, and we have a big day tomorrow.”

“You're right,” Alexandria agreed. “Come on Shanghai, we should get some rest.” Shanghai nodded in understanding as she followed Alexandria, who was lead to her room by Tempest.

Lucette groaned as she lifted her head from her desk. She looked to the monitor of the white, 3D printer style device in front of her and grunted as she found the two objects laying on it's tray. She slowly got up, wiped the drool from her mouth, and picked them up, placing them in a black bag and zipping it up. She sighed and looked out across her mess of a study with her hands on her hips.

"...Fuck it, I'll clean it when I get back, I need to get ready," she eventually decided, walking out of the room.

Alexandria woke up the following morning, and immediately got out of bed to do a few preparatory stretches. “Alright Shanghai, today's the big day,” she said to her partner Fairy, who was floating in the air in front of her. “Let's show these guys what we're made of.”

“Yeah, we'll show them that we're super strong!” Shanghai agreed, already pumped up.

“... So that’s why,” Runner said, as the others explained to him on what happened. “Well, I suspected it did have something to do with kids. But I thought of it differently, like, she and her squad just watched a bunch of kids get murdered.”

“Yeah, well, now you know,” Berserker said with a sigh.

“And you guys told her about my experience,” Runner said with a shrug. “Just don’t expect me to apologize, even though we’re both supposed to say that to each other. Because, in all honesty, I’m not looking for one, nor to be forgiven. I didn’t ask for it, and neither is she,” Runner stated.

“We’ve figured as much,” Collateral sighed, shaking his head.

“C’mon, let’s go,” Pillar said as they all left the room, going to meet up with Lucette and the others after Hunter finished tying his bandanna to his arm.

Lucette was waiting in the courtyard of the castle for everyone to show up, along with Tempest and six guards in the armor of her Lightbearers, only in truth, they were her Darkstriders, it was just hidden by the heavy armor. She figured that she might as well show off some of her elite soldiers for the walk to the stadium, and when the foreigners arrived, she grinned as she saw their eyes bulge out of their sockets at the massive ultra greatswords they hefted over their shoulders like they were nothing.

“How… How are they even holding those things?! They must weigh over a ton!” Shining Armor cried.

“Are they enchanted or something?” Twilight queried.

Lucette shook her head. “Nope. And actually, they weigh closer to three thousand pounds. About that much, at least.” The group’s jaws dropped, save for the Minotaurs and Dragons.

“Pfft, I bet I could lift one just fine, lemme see,” said Steel Axe, gesturing for one of the soldiers to hand him their weapon. The soldier looked to his queen, and she slowly nodded. He then easily flipped the greatsword in the air, caught it by the handle, and handed it to Steel Axe. Steel Axe grabbed it and tried to lift it, only to nearly collapse from the weight. “What the…?” He grunted, before trying again. Same result. Lucette hid a snicker behind her mask. The rest of the group was less polite, save the Royal Sisters. They were all laughing, especially Gilda and Ember.

“Hahahah! Jeez, you can’t even lift a sword like that? Here, let me try,” Ember said, walking over and taking it from him. To the groups greater entertainment, she also failed to pick it up. “What the-” She growled and tried to lift it, using her wings to help. “-Urgh… Come on!” The group continued to laugh.

While all this was happening, Alexandria entered the courtyard, Shanghai floating close behind. “Oh? And what's so funny?” she asked as she approached.

“Well, Scaly and Horny here have been trying to lift one of the Storm Queen’s soldier’s swords, and they’re failing spectacularly! It’s friggin’ hilarious!” Gilda explained, laughing again.

“Shut up!” the two shot back, once more trying to lift the sword, only together this time.

“Really?” Alexandria responded, seeming like she just had an idea, an amused look coming to her face as she raised an eyebrow. “Here, put the sword down, and I'll show you how it's done.” The group looked to her in surprise.

“You truly believe you can lift it?” Luna queried.

“Even after the Emperor of Minotaurs and Dragonlord couldn’t?” Spike added.

“You could hurt yourself,” Starlight pointed out, a bit worried for the young girl.

"We don't want a member of the Storm Queen's family injuring herself, after all, especially when there's a tournament on the way!" Rainbow agreed.

“I'll be fine,” Alexandria answered. “And I don't ‘believe’ I can lift it, I ‘know’ that I can. Come on, let me show you.”

“Fine. Let’s see what you got, kid,” Steel Axe relented, letting go of the sword. Ember did much the same.

“Alright, now let me show you just how easy it is,” Alexandria said as she approached the sword. However, instead of bending down to pick it up like the group was expecting, she instead looked at it with an intense gaze, one of concentration. After a moment, the sword shifted a little. Then, to the group’s shock, it slowly rose into the air to float upright in front of Alexandria. It then made a few swift test swings. “There, see? Wasn't so hard,” Alexandria said without taking her eyes off it. The group’s jaws dropped in utter shock.

“Is that Telekinesis?” They heard Berserker ask as the Doom Marines were the last to arrive.

“No, it's magnetism,” Alexandria answered shortly, unblinking gaze still fixed to the sword.

“I see,” he said as they saw the shocked looks on the foreigners’ faces.

“I… What…” Steel Axe began, before shaking his head and growling. “Hey! That’s cheating!”

“All I said was that I was going to lift the sword,” Alexandria retorted. “I never said how I would do it.”

“Still cheating!” Ember shot back. Lucette shook her head.

“Your Majesties, please, let’s not waste time on semantics. We have a long day ahead of us,” she placated.

“Grr… Fine…” Steel Axe relented. As he said this, Alexandria spun the sword in midair before breaking her hold on it with a blink, the momentum of the spin giving it a beautiful arc through the air where it's owner caught it and effortlessly twirled it back onto his shoulder.

“Wait, why is your family coming with? Where are your Champions?” Cadance queried.

“Bitch, who are you?” Berserker scoffed, surprising everyone at how casually he said that. He sighed deeply. “Sorry, tried to be funny.” Alexandria spoke up in response to Cadance.

“Actually, you're looking right at the Storm Queen’s Champions,” she said, gesturing to the bandana bearing Lucette's crest that was tied around her right arm, as well as Hunter's.

“As to why we’re coming along, one of us will also be participating in this, as well,” Pillar told them, as he gestured to Hunter. “The rest of us will be with Lucette.”

“So, you’re also going to partake in this festival,” Shining Armor surmised.

“Yes. Who are your Champions?” Berserker asked them. “Because if none of you little pricks could lift an Ultra Greatsword, what are your chances of even lasting long in this tournament, let alone winning it, at all?” That got a rise out of the visitors.

“I have to agree that I'm a bit disappointed,” Alexandria added, before gesturing to Shanghai. “I've started to think that even Shanghai here might be more than enough to sweep through today's tournament.”

“Ha! Fat chance! My Champions have it beat!” Ember said arrogantly. She gestured to three large dragons coming up the road. All were quite bulky with large wings on their backs, and they bore plate armor of the finest steel. One wielded a warhammer, one an axe, and one a giant mace.

“Yaks will win!” Prince Rutherford stated, his champions, simple Yaks with naught but their helmets behind him, three in all.

“Please, as if your puny Champions could beat my Masters of Combat,” Steel Axe scoffed, sweeping a hand out to his three Champions, two bulls and a cow. One of the bulls had grey fur and an eye patch, a leather harness and cotton pants, and a single-bladed greataxe with spikes. The other bull was blue, and familiar to the ponies. He had naught but two caesti as weapons, and wore leather armor. Then there was the cow, who had a greatsword of simple but refined steel resting on her shoulder. She had scale-mail covering her form, as well as protecting her modesty.

“I don’t know, I’m putting money on my own Champions,” Cadance said, nuzzling Shining Armor, who smirked smugly.

“Well, don’t count us out, for we might just win the bout,” Zendaya pointed out, giggling as her Warrior Shamans, garbed in fur cloaks and wielding glaives of bone and fangs, stepped up.

“Heh, you kidding? We got this in the bag,” Pharynx boasted, puffing up his chest as the other two changelings beside him simply stood at attention, Thorax wincing at the proclamation.

“Pfft, nothing beats a good Griffon soldier,” Gilda proclaimed, smirking at Pharynx.

“Who really knows? Honestly though, I’m just looking forward to seeing what your nation has to offer, Your Majesty,” Starswirl said respectfully. Lucette chuckled.

“Well, we’ll have to just wait and see what happens, dear scholar,” she said with a smirk, before turning back to the road. “Come on then, don’t want the citizens to get restless.” Alexandria nodded as she followed the Storm Queen. Shanghai was following Alexandria closely, but was seemingly staring down the other Champions with a look of determination and conviction.

“We're definitely going to win!” the Fairy proclaimed, rather loudly.

The rulers looked at each other, before bursting out laughing. “H-Hey!” Shanghai replied, a bit surprised by the unexpected - to her at least - response. “I mean it you know!” Alexandria glanced at her partner Fairy, as if contemplating something, before turning back around without saying a word several seconds later.

“Ohoho that is just adorable!” Celestia giggled.

“I know, right? Look at her!” Twilight said, pointing to Shanghai. Shanghai was pouting, quite a lot, with her arms crossed. This just served to further accentuate the two ponies’ point.

“Here’s a question; have any of you fuckers killed Demons for a living?” Berserker asked them, making them all stare at him. They weren’t sure if he was joking, or being serious. Although, from the sound of things, and from his previous remarks when they’d first laid eyes on him, he wasn’t one for making jokes. “Well, answer the question. Have any of you killed one or not?” Yep, he was serious, and getting rather impatient.

“You’re bluffing, right?” Shining Armor asked.

“Does it look like I’m bullshitting you, fuck-boy?” Berserker growled at him, making Shining back away. Even the Changelings, no matter how hard they tried to hide it, were starting to fear him, feeling the anger manifesting from his being. It was unlike anything they had felt before.

“U-Uh, Prince Shining Armor, he’s not lying,” Thorax told him, swallowing a lump that formed in his throat. “I think he...and his brothers, have killed Demons before.” Everyone looked towards him in shock and disbelief. During all this, Alexandria had been watching Berserker from the corners of her eyes, though there wasn't any indication of why she would want to be doing so.

“You have? How? Demons existed over three thousand millennia ago!” Twilight cried. Berserker was about to answer, but Lucette made a quick but discrete shushing motion at him. He did what she signaled before replying to Twilight.

“You say that as if the bastards no longer exist,” Berserker said to her, before taking off his helmet and surprising everyone. From his silvery white hair, to his red eyes and the many scars on his face. His eyes seemed to glow a bit from the dimly light of the weather, which made them wary of him. He was just like Lucette, save for the skin color. “If so, you’re all fools for thinking so.” He snorted before putting his helmet back on. “I won’t say much, but trust me; they’re brutal and without mercy. Killing without remorse or pity. Even so, WE were much worse, and they suffered for it.”

“I’m surprised we haven’t heard any word of Demon Slayers like you,” Emperor Steel Axe noted. He leaned down towards Berserker. “How do we know you’re not lying?” He asked, narrowing his eyes.

“You don’t know me, and that’s your problem; you don’t know any of us. And it’s Doom Slayers, not Demon Slayers,” he replied, easily pushing the Emperor away from him, almost making him fall. Steel Axe was surprised by this, not many had the gall to physically push him around in such a manner, nor the strength to do so with such ease. “Besides, you can’t even pick an Ultra Greatsword up. But the girl can, and she didn’t even use her hands to do it. What are your chances against a Demon?” Alexandria visually stifled a laugh at the last few comments.

Steel Axe was growing more upset at this. “How dare you-!” he began, but the gray bull with the eye patch put his hand on his shoulder.

“Let’s just let sleeping dogs lie, alright, Boss?” he said in a voice quite familiar to the Marines. “We can tousle over this stuff during the tourney.” Steel Axe growled, before huffing and crossing his arms.

“Fine, whatever,” he conceded, and Lucette let out a sigh of relief.

“Let’s continue, shall we?” she said.

“Sure,” Berserker said with a snort as they continued on. The Equestrians looked at each other in concern, hoping that this doesn’t end in disaster. They didn’t know what to make of the Storm Queen’s family, but it was clear that they’d been through darker times before.

In time, they made it to the city, and the leaders and Shanghai were in awe as they saw the mass of people on either side of the main road, cheering in their native tongue and even dancing. Lucette smiled as her guards flanked her and Tempest, whilst the world leaders followed behind. She waved to them all as she passed, and they erupted into even louder cheers.

One phrase that rang out the most was, “Skiv Fryg val tuoon!”

The stadium, which they all noted was made entirely of metal and even decorated with statues of Lucette herself, loomed above the cityscape in the distance.

“You've got quite a lot of admirers,” Alexandria noted to Lucette. “Though, I suppose that's to be expected, since you're queen.”

“You sure you ain’t compensating for something?” Berserker questioned, only this time, it was a joke. Lucette turned to him glacially, then punched him in the visor hard.

“I’ll have you know I’m a sexy beast, ass wad!” she cried with a bit of a blush. Alexandria pffft’d into her hand at this.

Berserker was laughing out loudly, taking off his helmet. “Oh, I’m sure you are. The only problem you have is not having a reverse-harem yourself,” he said, smiling a shit-eating, toothy grin, which showed that all his teeth were all razor sharp.

“Oh please, like I’d ever be so shallow as to have a harem,” Lucette said, rolling her eyes as she kept walking.

“Too bad, but alright. Your choice,” Berserker said with a shrug, taking a look at his visor, seeing that it wasn’t damaged in the slightest, before placing it back on. The World Leaders all looked at each other as if to ask what it was they’d just witnessed.

Suddenly, it seemed like Alexandria had a thought about something as she turned to Lucette. “I was wondering, are you married yet?” she asked.

“Me? Nah. I don’t really have any plans to go looking for a guy, and I’ve already got a kid, even if she’s not mine by blood,” Lucette answered as they drew closer to the stadium.

Alexandria grinned widely. “Guess that gives this ‘girl’ one up on you, since I'm already married,” the young-looking Yokai replied, holding in a snicker.

“Seriously? You look like you’re only just eighteen. How impatient was your husband?” Lucette queried.

“Well, he can’t have been any more impatient than Shining was with our wedding,” Cadance said with a giggle.

“Congratulations on that lucky guess with my age,” Alexandria started, also giggling a bit, though it seemed to be more in anticipation. “But my wife and I had been dating for years before we married.”

“Oooh, same gender marriage, now that is interesting,” Cadance said, trotting up next to Alexandria. “You must tell me more.”

“I agree. I’m quite curious myself,” Rarity agreed, walking up to Alexandria’s other side.

“I’m just gonna say I won that battle, because you just proved your lover was impatient,” Lucette replied with a shrug.

“Well, first off, I really have to say that being married to an angel is already quite an interesting experience,” Alexandria began explaining to the two mares, earning audible gasps from the majority of the foreigners.

“An angel?! Like the ones who carried Mother to the Heavens?!” Luna cried.

“But they only appear when an Alicorn is ready to return to the Aether…” Celestia muttered.

“Wow, that’s racist,” Runner commented sarcastically. “Just Alicorns? You pricks can go fuck yourselves, then.” His words made the Alicorns present flinch.

“My wife is a little different from the angels you're probably used to,” Alexandria said, interrupting and trying to divert attention away from Berserker's statement. “She's not the kind of angel who guides the deceased.”

“There are more than one kind of angel, then?” Twilight asked, growing excited as she summoned an ink and quill and some paper. It quickly got drenched by the rain, however, and she pouted. “Oh darn, I’ll have to make mental notes instead…”

“Dumbass,” Berserker said with a snark at her.

Alexandria ignored the Marines as she answered. “Oh, angels are much more complicated than you think,” she explained. “First off, there are two different species of angels: High Angels, and Fallen Angels, each with differing societies and each with their own language. High Angels tend to be more polite and overall well-mannered, with bright, pristine wing colors, while Fallen Angels could be described as more ‘casual’ in their attitudes, and have dark, sometimes even dull wing colors. Though, regardless of what kind of angel, all of them have their own quirks and individualities just like any of us.”

“That’s fascinating! What else can you tell us?” Twilight queried enthusiastically.

“What’s your wife like?” Cadance asked.

“Is she a Fallen Angel or a High Angel?” Rarity continued.

“We are quite curious as well, please, tell us more,” Luna pressed.

Alexandria answered each of their questions one by one, addressing Twilight first. “Well, I find that Fallen Angels tend to get a lot of flak due to their species name,” Alexandria replied. “It makes them sound evil, but they really aren't. Many of them are actually pretty righteous in their own right.” She then addressed Cadance. “As for what my wife is like, I'd say she's somewhat eccentric, and fairly straightforward about things. Coincidentally, she happens to be a Fallen Angel,” she continued, seamlessly transitioning to Rarity's question. “Because of that, she's a lot less reserved with her words compared to most, but I find being able to openly speak your mind to be a good quality.” Alexandria glanced in the direction they were all walking. “Though, as much as I'd like to keep talking about my wife, this conversation will unfortunately have to go on hold for now.”

When she said that, they all looked to find themselves at the entrance to the stadium, it’s large, imposing statues of Lucette with her Moonlight Greatsword stabbed into the ground making them once more a little wary, yet also awestruck. As they started down the tunnel that would lead to the stands, electric blue lights flared to life, crystals powering them.

Lucette pointed to the two tunnels on either side of the main tunnel, both leading inside the walls. “To the right is the rooms for the fairer sex, and the left for the males. You all have forty-five minutes to get ready, after that, Grubber will call you all out to the arena.”

“Alright,” Alexandria answered as she made her way down the right-hand hallway, being followed by Shanghai - who continued to faithfully hover by her shoulder as usual - and Tempest, as well as the cow, Sweetie Drops (aka Bonbon), two of the Changelings, and two of the Warrior Shamans. Hunter and the other males went to the left-hand hallway.

“Where are we going to watch them?” Pillar asked Lucette.

“VIP booth up the stairs at the end of the tunnel,” Lucette stated, gesturing to the steps at the far end of the main tunnel that also split off to either side, with just enough space for people to walk into the arena.

“We don’t have to wait that long, do we?” Berserker asked. “I mean, does this work like a battle royale?”

“One round does, the others, well, you’ll see,” Lucette winked at him, before going towards the steps and making to walk up them.

“Hm, I wonder how many are going to be eliminated?” He questioned, as the World Leaders, Lucette included, went up to the VIP booth and sat down with the Doom Marines. However, the Marines kept to themselves, not wanting to interact with any of them, only speaking to Lucette.

Very quickly, Skili entered the stadium, filling the seats for the audience in mere minutes. More Skili in armor, the Lightbearers, marched into the field where a podium stood. There was a moment or two where nothing further happened. Then, a dimensional tear that would've been familiar to Alexandria or Tempest - creepy eyes and bow-tied ends included - opened behind the podium.

“What in the-?!” Steel Axe cried. The Skili and other World Leaders had much the same reaction. The Lightbearers drew their weapons in an instant, surrounding the tear, while Lucette stood up and walked over to the edge of the VIP booth, gripping the rail. Then, a blonde-haired woman in a white, tiered dress with a purple apron-like rectangle of fabric down the front carrying a parasol with a strikingly similar design to her dress came through, closely followed by a somewhat short individual - who was very clearly female, if her breast size was any indication - with deep violet hair and large, lustrous jet-black wings, wearing a jacket and jeans. This second woman had a doll that looked exactly like Shanghai - but with longer hair - clinging to her shoulder. Immediately after the two women cleared the confines of the opening, said opening closed again, vanishing without a trace.

“What the fu-” Lucette began to say, before an identical tear to the previous one opened under the taller woman's feet, and she sunk into it, the tear vanishing behind her. A split second later, and a new tear opened in the air next to the balcony in front of Lucette, as the woman rose back out of it, before proceeding to use it as a floating seat.

“Hello, Storm Queen,” the woman greeted in a surprisingly cultured tone. “I apologize for crashing your festival, but I would just like for you to hear out my purpose for coming here.”

“Explain then. Quickly, before I call my guards to remove you. I’m in no mood for interlopers and their games,” Lucette said as she glared into the woman's bright violet eyes, recovering quickly from her previous shock as she shifted to a chilling tone.

“I am Yukari Yakumo,” Yukari began, completely and utterly unaffected by Lucette’s demeanor, remaining entirely calm, maybe even a bit lax. “I am here before you today because your scheduled singer is unfortunately sick, and cannot make it.”

“...Goddammit Belli…” Lucette cursed, facepalming. “I even fucking told her to take her pills…” She sighed.

“I also bring good news, however,” Yukari continued, causing Lucette to look back up at her. “As a replacement, I have brought Ayis Filya VII. She also happens to be quite close with one of your Champions, I might add.”

“WHY THE SALATEN WOULD YOU DO THIS YOU HAG?!” cried a very irate female from the podium, eyes shifting nervously between the many guards around her with their large swords pointed at her.

“Oh dear, I may have left out the possibility of you considering us intruders upon arrival from my explanation to her,” Yukari said to Lucette as she glanced back at Ayis, though Yukari's relaxed smile didn't waver in the slightest as she spoke.

“Technically speaking, you still are,” Berserker commented.

Lucette groaned. “Ugh, fine, fine. Can’t really have the ceremony without a singer, or the Warrior-Nobles’d have a field day.” She made a shooing motion at Yukari. “Just… Go inform her, and Alex.”

“Wait, Alex? You mean that woman down there is Alexandria’s wife?!” Rarity cried, hooves to her face. “Oh my stars she’s beautiful!”

“An angel… I never thought I’d see one so soon…” Celestia muttered to herself as she stared at Ayis’ form below.

“WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE SALATEN IS GOING ON?!” came Ayis’ voice again.

“That’s your cue,” Lucette said impatiently.

“Yes, yes, pardon me,” Yukari replied, sinking into the gap she was sitting on as it closed behind her. A moment later, and she re-appeared at the podium from another gap, and seemed to speak to Ayis, who gave her a few angry shouts afterward. Following that, Yukari then disappeared into another gap in order to re-appear at the balcony once again. “Now, you will still need to dismiss your troops yourself, as I have no authority over them. Until you tell them otherwise, they will unfortunately continue to see your replacement singer as an unwanted intruder,” Yukari told Lucette, a smile on her face that seemed pleasant at first glance, but contained some subtle undertones that couldn't quite be identified.

“Right, right,” Lucette said, before barking out an order in Skilin. Soon after, the Lightbearers retracted their weapons, and moved back to their positions before the podium. The audience was a roar of cries and shouts of confusion and some parts outrage, but Lucette stopped them with a raised hand as she stepped closer to the edge of the booth. “My subjects!” She called. “It would appear that the assigned singer for our grand ceremony has fallen ill, so, this woman was kind enough to offer us a replacement! Please give our replacement the same respect you’d give the original!” As Lucette spoke, Yukari floated up over the railing, then landed on the floor of the VIP booth to turn around and lean on the railing, crossing her arms on top of it.

The audience slowly calmed, and the air became a fair bit more quiet save for the sound of the ever-present storm in the background. In a short while, a small hedgehog with a white mohawk waddled up to the podium, seeming to speak to the angel for a moment, before said angel stepped aside and crossed her arms. The hedgehog then jumped up on the podium, producing a microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 5, 535th Annual Festival of Fellowship and Strength!” He twirled the microphone in his stubby hand. “I’m your host, Grubber, Her Royal Higness’ Left Hand!” He pointed to Lucette. “Let’s all give three cheers for our great ruler for not only funding this project, but helping to make this very stadium with her own two hands!”

The Skili erupted with three cheers of, “SKIV FRYG VAL TUOON! SKIV FRYG VAL TUOON! SKIV FRYG VAL TUOON!” Lucette just smiled under her mask as she waved to her subjects. In time, the audience settled down once more, and Grubber chuckled to himself.

“Alright, with that done, let’s get this Festival started! Champions, you are free to enter the arena!” he called out. A number of Skili at the entrance, bearing huge tribal drums, started to pound on said drums, sounding almost like thunder themselves. Alexandria was the first to step out from the entrance. She looked up towards the stage, and the first thing she noticed was Ayis standing on it, and her eyes went wide.

“WH-!?” she started, the shock rendering her unable from finishing the word.

“Alex?!” came Ayis’ similar response. The other Champions shot the two a look at this, but Ayis ignored it. Alexandria was about to respond, but then Shanghai tapped her shoulder, grabbing her attention. Alexandria followed the finger that Shanghai was pointing with, until her eyes landed on Yukari, who was waving down at her with a smile from the balcony.

“Ahem! Champions, if you wouldn’t mind standing over there? We have a ceremony to do, ya know!” said Grubber, gesturing to an area behind the podium. The audience let out low chuckles at this. Alexandria blushed slightly, embarrassed that she was holding up the ceremony as she moved to the designated area, muttering an apology. Internally, she cursed Yukari a little for ultimately being the cause of the disturbance. “Alright, now, since our original singer is out,” Grubber acted like he was whispering to the audience, despite still using the microphone, “And this one likely doesn’t know our ancient songs,” he returned to his original position. “We’ll let her choose a song she knows to sing!” He turned to Ayis. “Now, mind comin’ up here and giving it a go?”

Ayis looked to the crowd, then her wife, who gave her a thumbs up, then took a deep breath and stepped up to the podium, taking the microphone from Grubber. She cleared her throat.

“Um… This is an old song, from my uh… Homeland,” she said, before clearing her throat once more and starting to sing. Alexandria recognized it immediately. It was a song she had caught Ayis singing many times before, one she knew held a dear place in her wife’s heart.

“This song…” Alexandria whispered, smiling just the tiniest bit as she listened to Ayis’ beautiful voice sing. The crowd seemed entranced too, along with those in the VIP booth. Even Yukari seemed a bit impressed.

“I have no words…” Luna breathed.

“The pain, the wrath… The tinge of hope… It’s beautiful,” Celestia said with a soft smile.

“I…” Rarity sniffled, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief held aloft by her magic. “...I would have to agree, Your Majesties.”

“It does fit the story of my nation well,” Lucette agreed, watching on with a smile.

“Reminds me of my dad,” Ember said with her own smile.

"It's kinda scary... But pretty, too," Fluttershy said timidly. The other ponies nodded their agreement.

“Ah...this never gets old.” Berserker said with a chuckle, as he and his brothers smiled in nostalgia underneath their helmets, knowing full well about this song. “It’s…well, it’s been a long time, since we’ve last heard of this.”

“I must say that her singing voice is quite pleasing to the ears,” Yukari commented.

“It is rather unique,” Guardian stated, though she did surprise the World Leaders. “By the way, how long ago was it again?” She asked her Doom Marines.

“Ten thousand years or so, give or take,” Runner answered with a shrug. “However, it was only the instrumental version. There wasn’t a vocal one yet.” This nearly made the visitors fall out of their chairs.

“Where in the world did she come from?!” Thorax cried, stumbling over himself.

“Shouldn’t we call the guards? This seems to be quite a flaw in your security, Your Highness,” Steel Axe taunted. Lucette put on a forced smile.

“Oh, she was there from the beginning. I assure you my guards would and did notice her,” she said. “Now, please, listen to the song.” She put a finger to her lips before turning back to Ayis’ singing. Steel Axe seemed to be more than a bit disgruntled at this, but Zendaya put a hoof on his arm, daring him to make a move. He grit his teeth and snorted, before remaining silent.

“How did you guys not notice her? She was with us the whole time,” Collateral told them. “Seriously, do you need glasses or something?”

“I agree,” Yukari chimed in. “She was one of the first people I noticed in the VIP booth when I arrived. Her attire does seem to stick out the most after all.”

“Indeed. I was there when they barged into the training room, up to this point,” Guardian pointed out.

They all seemed surprised at this, turning to the cloaked woman. The ponies seemed the most shocked, whilst Steel Axe just seemed to look at her with an investigative gaze.

‘Just what is her deal…? I’m pretty sure I would’ve seen her with such a get up…’ He shook his head, turning back to the performance.

The song soon ended, and silence reigned. Ayis looked about, worried she’d done wrong, but then the crowd erupted in loud cheers, and she blushed. She hadn’t had such positive feedback before.

“U-Umm… Thank you…!” she squeaked into the microphone, before flying over to Alexandria in a flurry of black feathers, hiding behind her. Alexandria gave her a smile.

“You did great,” she assured the Fallen Angel.

“Yeah, not sure what you’re being so embarrassed about,” the Shanghai-like Fairy on her shoulder added.

“Alexandria is a lucky girl,” Runner commented with a nod.

“I’ll say. With a beauty like that, not to mention one who’s an angel, she is surely blessed,” Rarity agreed, smiling. She cupped her cheeks with her hooves. “Oooh, I can just imagine how she’d look in a nice dress!”

“Calm down there, Rares, don’t need ya getting too fired up when she’ll just be leaving soon,” Applejack told the fashionista.

“Does she have to?” Berserker asked Yukari. “Can she not stay to see Alexandria fight?”

Yukari gave Berserker a look. “You wound me,” she said, putting her hand to her chest mockingly. “Of course we are staying for the tournament. What better way to cheer on our fighter from Gensokyo than to have her wife there in the audience to give her moral support?”

“Good,” He nodded. “Lucette, should we get this tournament underway?”

“Damned right,” Lucette shot back, before raising a hand and making a signal for Grubber to speed things up.

“Alright, thank you for that wonderful song, Miss Filya!” Grubber said, seeing the signal. “Now… Who’s ready to get this underway?!” The crowd let out a roar of affirmations. “I can’t hear you!” Grubber said, cupping a hand to his ear. Another roar, louder this time. “There we go! Now let’s get this started!”

Another roar of cheers. The tournament, had finally begun.