With news of the enemies recent victory at the border, all of Equestria was shaken as citizens from across the kingdom began reading the latest headlines in the papers

War comes to Equestria once again

Prince Blueblood marches army across border

Unnatural blizzard continues to grow in the north

With so much troubling news, many began to wonder if things were going to go back to the days of the great war and some even considered moving out of Equestria entirely in hopes of avoiding it while others wasted no time in running to the nearest guard station to sign up for the army that was surely being assembled to combat the growing threat that was Blueblood. But while most found the war to be troubling, others had found it profitable as wars meant a high increase in demand for supplies such as food and blankets as well as medicines and spells.

Soon vendors from all across the land were out on the streets competing against each other to sell their wares to the numerous soldiers now patrolling the streets along with a few mercenariy groups from the allied kingdoms.

"You there sir! You look like a fine spell caster. How's about a scroll of invisibility? Perfect for sneaking around your enemies!"

"Please step right up! I got every kind of armor you need from leather to plate!"

"Finest weapons from the Crystal Empire sold right here! We got swords, shields, spears, axes and arrows!"

With the city more busy than ever, Celestia had her hands full trying to manage the kingdom but thankfully she had help in the form of her sister as well as her former student and friends.

Twilight was in charge of organizing the numerous meetings taking place in the castle with the help of Spike who now had his claws full preparing for his child now growing within Rarity's belly, Pinkie was in charge of providing refreshments for the various emissaries and lords who would be visiting the castle and had help from Fluttershy and her animals, Rainbow Dash was in charge of entertainment now that she was back in Equestria and flying with her old squad mates from The Wonderbolts.

Rarity was in charge of decorations but it would prove to be a more daunting task than usual now that she was carrying a little one inside her and would often find herself exhausted or sick leaving Spike to pick up the slack, not that he minded since he was used to doing multiple tasks with Twilight.

"Oh heavens. I'm so sorry Spikey Wikey." She apologized while her husband sat her down in a nearby chair and gave her some ice water to drink.

"No need to apologize Rarity. You work hard every day so it's fine if you need rest and besides, you're carrying precious cargo." Spike replied with a smirk and gently placed his hand on his wife's belly to feel a small bulge beginning to form.

"I seriously hope we can end this war and our child will only read about it in stories."

"I know Spikey."

Rarity held her husbands hand and seemed to enjoy it's warmth against her as they smiled down at her belly before he was called to help organize another meeting with Twilight and though she was not able to move for the rest of the day, she always brought something to help keep her busy.

"Well since I'm here I might as well knit." She said to herself while floating over a weave basket with a few knitting supplies and began to knit a purple baby blanket with green frills decorating its edge, seeing this tiny piece of cloth made Rarity smile knowing that her husband would appreciate it more once it was used to keep their little one warm and cozy at night or during naps. By the time she had finished knitting the blanket, it was already past noon which meant spike would be coming back with her afternoon tea.

"Can't let him see this yet can we?" She said to the little one inside her while putting the blanket away.

Spike came rushing into the room with a refreshment tray assorted with Rarity's favorite snacks and tea followed by Twilight and Fluttershy who had come to see how their friend was doing.

"Hello Rarity." Fluttershy said in her usual, gentle tone with a smile.

"Fluttershy darling! so good to see you." Rarity responded with a few friendly pecks to the cheek before allowing her to examine her belly.

Ever since the end of the great war, Fluttershy had become one of Ponyvilles most talented nurses and midwife. She began by taking out a stethoscope from a medical bag she brought with her and gently placed it on her friends stomach to listen for a heartbeat.

"How is it?" Spike asked feeling a little anxious.

"Your baby is fine Spike. Would you like to listen?"

Fluttershy handed the scope to Spike as he listened to the sounds of his infants heartbeat and sure enough he began to shed tears of joy while gently hugging Rarity.

"I still can't believe it. We're gonna be parents!"

"Oh Spikey wikey."

Rarity nuzzled her husband as they sat down to have tea when she noticed Twilight looking rather depressed while reading her newest book.

"Everything okay Twilight?" Spiked asked while sitting next to Rarity and helping with her tea.

"Hm? Oh i'm fine Spike. Just thinking." She replied before turning another page in her book.

"Thinking about what?"

"Well...seeing as how you'll be having a baby soon, I guess you'll be busier than ever which means I'll be looking for a new assistant."

"Oh darling there's no need to worry, Sweetie Belle has agreed to lend a hand once the baby is born. She's been looking forward to being called "Auntie Belle" for a while now."

"But what if-"

"Darling please. Spike is more than capable of filling both roles of father and assistant. You should know that by now."

Twilight smiled after seeing how much trust Rarity had in Spike and simply enjoyed tea with her friend for the rest of the afternoon.

Meanwhile at the Crystal Empire, Shining Armour was walking through the halls of the palace to check in on Cadence and Flurry as per usual. During his trek he heard a strange noise coming from one of the rooms he passed by. With curiosity getting the better of him he cautiously approached the door and reached for the handle. Shining then opened the door with a hand on his sword as he gazed at what was inside. A mirror, taller than he, stood in the room and seemed to oddly ripple a tad making him quirk a brow. With caution still high upon his senses, Shining slowly approached the mirror as the ripples continued along the strange object.

“How in the…” Shining muttered. “Is this…magical of some kind?” He wonders as he reaches for the mirror.

Suddenly, the mirror begins to ripple more startling Shining as he steps back ready to draw his sword. As the mirror ripples more, the sounds of screaming could be heard from it as the mirror begins to shine. Beige Shining could react, a mass of unknown origin comes flying out of the mirror and out the door causing a large crash to echo throughout the halls. Shining, still in shock glances back at the mirror that seemed to stop rippling entirely.

“AAAAHH, GOD MY CHEST!” A voice from behind him shouts.

Shining snaps his head out of the room in the hallway and sees something he never would have expected. A strange bipedal creature, with a pair of large crimson red wings on its back, stood on both its hands and knees as it clutched it’s chest in pain. Upon closer inspection the creature seemed to be wearing a black hooded jacket and had the hood on its head making it impossible to see its face, a pair of dark blue pants, and black boots. Shining shook his head from his shock and brandished his sword and pointed at the strange creature.

“Who the hell are you?!” Shining demands. “How did you infiltrate the palace through that mirror?!”

The strange creature, who was breathing heavily, shakily raised its head and looked up at Shining making him gasp slightly at what he was seeing. Instead of a face, there was only a dark shadow. It’s as if Shining was starring into some unknown abyss of darkness as the strange creature gazed at him.

“Shining…Armor…?” The creature wheezed. “How…is this…possible?”

Shining stood there confused as he had never met this creature before yet somehow it recognized him and as the strange being stood up, the prince drew his sword and cautiously approached the stranger asking.

"Who are you and how do you know me?"

“I…coughI must…be dreaming…”

The creature wheezed still clutching his chest as he staggered leaning against the wall.

“You…you’re not…suppose to…be here…”

The creature looks to his side and noticed the window looking out to the rest of the empire. Ignoring Shining’s blade pointing at him, the creature staggered towards the window and looked out. There he could see the rest of the empire with its citizens walking around as if there wasn’t a worry in to care for.

“How…how is this possible?” The creature asks. “The war…everything and everyone…it doesn’t make sense.” The creature looked at Shining who still had a very confused look on his face. “And you…still alive and breathing. This all just…doesn’t make any sense.”

It wasn’t until the creature looked back out the window and noticed something from down below. A few warriors from Wulfric’s clan had stayed behind by his request and as the creature starred at him something happened that made the prince go wide eyed. The creature’s wings seemed to catch flames as small embers appeared along his body as he clenched the crystal window frame making it crack. Small cinders flickers off of the creatures body as the creature seemed to become enraged.

“What are…the fucking Caribou doing here…?” The creature asked in a dark voice.

“I thought I rid Dainn of his control over this place, yet his followers still linger?”

Shining was surprised at the mention of the slayed tyrant’s name as the flames grew more tense. Sensing the danger, the warriors quickly formed a shield wall between the stranger and the prince.

"Stay back sire!" Shouted the first stag before he was sent flying out the door by a blast of flames.

However no flames came as the stranger grunted and fell to a knee while gasping for air. The soldiers, still wary of the creature, starred as it clutched its chest and looked up at Shining again.

“Shining Armor…I don’t know what’s going on. You’re still alive, there’s Caribou waking about in the Crystal Empire, my chest feels like it’s about to explode, all because of that damn mirror. Why aren’t these Caribou attacking? Is this all just some sick illusion one of Dainn’s Overlords cast on me? I just got done liberating this place and I was just investigating with Flash,” the stranger explained shakily.

He then slowly lifted his hands as the flames on his body extinguished themselves and grabbed his hood and lifted it off his head. Everyone in the room was silent, in all the years of being a soldier, Shining had seen his fair share of creatures of the land but never had he seen whatever this stranger was. He had no muzzle, no fur, his main was slightly long but did not resemble a mane, his ears were small and on the sides of his head, and yet his eyes looked soulless they also held slight fear and confusion.

The guards were prepared to move in when Cadence came storming into the room carrying little Flurry Heart who was crying from all the ruckus.

"Shining what's going on?"

"Cadence stay back." Shining warned while shielding her with his magic.

Wha…?” The stranger muttered looking to his side.

“Even Cadence and Flurry…” he said staggering to his feet.

“Damn you Dainn, what the hell did you do to that mirror?” He said to himself.

“Is this some illusion you’ve somehow trapped me in to try and stop me from ending your tyrannical rule?” He grunted clenching his fists.

Once again Shining heard the name of the fallen dictator as the stranger looked at his hands. Unable to contain his curiosity, Shining slowly approached him with his sword still raised to try and handle the situation more calmly.

"I don't know who you are but Dainn Stonehoof has been dead for ten years."

“Dead?” The stranger repeated in slight shock.

“No…that can’t be right. Unless…” The stranger glanced past Shining and into the room he came out of and saw the mirror. His expression softened a bit and then chuckled rubbing his hand on his face.

“Of course, why didn’t I realize it sooner,” he said as he straightened himself up. “

Sir Shining Armor, I understand you have many questions and as do I. But I am willing to answer any questions you have and I swear to answer them as honestly as I possibly can. And as a show of good faith,” He said as he held up his hands.

“I surrender to any any restraints you wish to put me in if that makes you feel secure. Know that I mean you, your family, the citizens, and even…” he paused glancing at the Caribou soldiers around him.

“Your other allies no harm whatsoever. I trust you to use your better judgement on what to do next,” The stranger said with a bow of his head.

“And to answer your first question,” he said glancing up at Shining.

“My name is Dimitri Lockdrom, I am a human.”

Shining stood shocked for a moment as he had heard of humans before but never thought he'd see one up close.

"Men. Take him to the stockades and get that soldier some treatment."

The guards did as they were ordered and proceeded to take Lock to the stockades while he got a better look at the crystal palace. All around him were equestrians and caribou working side by side as equals yet what surprised him even more were the number of female soldiers in the guard.

“It’s hard to believe what I’m seeing,” Dimitri said.

“It’s nothing like this where I am from, far from it.” He glanced at Shining who was still wary of him and he sighed glancing away.

“I apologize for your man back there, seeing him sparked my temper but he shouldn’t be as hurt as you may think. He’ll be singed a bit but nothing life threatening. I would also like to apologize for startling your wife and scaring your daughter, it wasn’t my intention despite the circumstances.”

"It's fine as long as you meant no harm."

As the group turned around the next corridor they spotted a female caribou guard flirting with one of the staff.

"Mmm you're cute. Wanna join me for lunch~?" She asked flirtaciously while leaning forward to give the stallion a clear view down her breastplate. Shining glanced over at Dimitri to see if how he would react but what he didn’t expect was him smiling as they passed by the blushing young stallion and Caribou gaurd.

“Young love, makes me wonder why things aren’t like that back home,” he said sadly. “Makes me wonder if it’ll even be like that if I get home and finish what I started.”

The moment they arrived at his cell, a barrier was activated and his shackles were removed.

"This barrier blocks out all magic. Compliments of the changelings." One of the guards said as he stepped into his new quarters.

“Changelings, huh?” Dimitri said examining the barrier.

“Impressive, but I should tell you I don’t use magic but I will comply since I don’t wish to cause trouble.”

"I hope not." Shining replied when he spotted the guard from earlier carrying the young stallion on her shoulder.

"Captain? I'm going on break!"

The guards couldn't help but snicker as she carried her partner off while he gulped nervously.

"Just don't take too long!" Shining shouted as they went out of view.

“That kid seems to be in more trouble than he realizes,” Dimitri chuckled.

“Now then, you probably have more questions than I do so why don’t you start.” Dimitri said as he unfurled one of his wings to check for any damaged feathers.

"Alright. Who are you and how do you know me?" Shining inquired eyes locked firmly on Dimitri.

“Well you already know my name, Dimitri Lockdrom but you may call me Lock,” Dimitri said looking back at Shining.

“As for how I know you…” he trailed off looking a little sad for a moment.

“It’s a bit of a long story but to start it off it has to do with that mirror I came flying out of. You see it leads to an alternate Equestria, my Equestria that I am originally from and I knew you through your counterpart. In fact there are counterparts of many different ponies I know besides you and even your family, your younger sister Twilight and her friends, the two Princesses of Equestria Celestia and Luna, and many other beings,” Dimitri explains.

"So how did you get here?" The prince asked as he continued his tale.

“I was investigating the palace with my apprentice Flash Sentry after we had just got done liberating the Crystal Empire from the Caribou,” Lock answers confusing Shining and the guards in the room.

“We stumbled upon the mirror in one of the main rooms, similar to the one your mirror is in, and when I examined it I was pulled into the mirror and wound up here with chest feeling it was about to burst,” he explains.

“This may be hard to accept but…” Lock trailed off not knowing how Shining wound react.

“Dainn Stonehoof still lives in my Equestria,” Lock said making Shining’s eyes go wide.

“He and the rest of his Overlords still hold most of my Equestria under his control. The Griffon, Minotaur, Yak, Diamond Dog, and Zebra Kingdoms, are all still under his rule despite there being resistance fighters thanks to me repairing the Crystal Heart and breaking his brainwashing. Flash Sentry and I now have the kingdom of Equestria, along with the help of the Changeling Hive, protected and rallying against Dainn and his army. When you told me Dainn had been dead for 10 years I realized that the mirror not only brought me to an alternate Equestria but apparently forward in time,” Lock said earning looks of disbelief to any who had overheard him.

"I see so...why were you surprised to see me?" Shining asked before noticing Cadence walk in with their daughter.

“You…sigh before I started my campaign against Dainn, I heard your counterpart had done a great many things before Dainn’s influence spread like wildfire. You personally led the evacuation of Ponyville and saved Twilight, her friends, and almost all the townsfolk. When everyone was safe behind the walls of Canterlot, you casted your strongest shield spell around the entire city so that at least it would still be left standing. For over three months you kept the spell active, barely eating and sleeping, and sometimes strained yourself despite the others sharing their magic with you. However the Caribou and traitor stallions were relentless in their assaults on Canterlot. Attack after attack, they bombarded your shield with their weapons stockades but you kept the shield up regardless of what they threw at you,” Lock said with a proud smile but soon frowned sadly.

“But nothing good lasts forever, the last assault on Canterlot would’ve quite literally been the last because of how much magical strain you put yourself through. Before I arrived to Canterlot and drove back the stockade, you went as far as to use your own life force to power your shield in a desperate attempt to save your family, the Elements, and the Princesses escape while you stayed behind,” Lock continued to explain not realizing Cadence was listening in.

“After I drove the enemy back and put up my own barrier around the city, your shield finally collapsed so at the time I figured you used the last of your magic and needed time to rest. However the next day when I decided to introduce myself, I was met with an unfortunate sight. You, in the emergency ward, no horn, and in critical condition with your loved ones standing by you,” Lock said earning small gasps around the room.

“According to the doctor your horn crumbled away due to magic overuse and you were barely clinging to life. I had a brief conversation with you before you had me swear to you that I would fight and bring back Equestria’s happiness so that your daughter Flurry could smile again as she once did,” Lock said leaning in to stare into Shining’s eyes with a solemn expression.

“You died…with a smile on your face…after I made my oath to you…and before you heard your daughters first word…dada, was the last thing you heard before you took your final breath.”

The room went quiet as Shining tried to absorb the information given to him when little Flurry flew onto his lap with a smile and laugh that seemed to instantly snap him out of his trance.

"By any chance....did you meet a chieftain named Wulfric in your world?"

“Unfortunately no,” Lock said standing up and walking to the other side of the room.

“So far I have not seen, heard of, or met any Caribou who resemble anything like this Wulfric you speak of. If I’m being honest the only Caribou I’ve met and…well killed have been loyal followers to Dainn’s regime who take what they please and defile any mare they see. But I’m a man who believes in the greater good of things so perhaps there are Caribou who do not believe in Dainn’s conquest and ideals. However that remains to be seen,” he said walking back to Shining.

“I assume this Wulfric is an ally of yours?” Lock wonders.

"More than that. He was crowned King in The North by the clans after defeating Dainn in single combat, he also lead the rebellion that helped us gain a foothold in the war." Shining replied before giving a more stunning answer.

"He's also the husband of Applejack and Rainbow Dash."

“Is that right?” Lock chuckled a bit surprised. “Well good on them finding a male fit to handle the two of them,” he joked causing a few chuckles here and there. “There’s probably a lot here I do not know of, perhaps you can-”

Lock cuts himself off when his senses spike causing him to snap to attention.

“What is this? Conflict? To the west it seems…” he said. “I thought you said the war was over, why do I sense so much violence as if this world is still at war?” Lock questions.

"That would be Blueblood." Cadence answered while taking back flurry.

“Blueblood…?” Lock sneered. Lock’s expression went from cautious to a blood chilling glare at the mention of the traitor prince’s name. His hands clenched into fists as he activated his flames casing the same affect from before making embers light along his body as his wings twitched and unfurled to its full 8ft width. The feathers along his crimson read wings all seemed to flicker small cinders of fire as Lock’s hands engulfed themselves in flames as his anger continue to grow.

“What has that fucking piece of rat shit done in this world? I thought I was rid of his unbearable existence when I tore his still beating heart from his corpse after he betrayed Equestria and tortured innocent souls to his hearts content. Now I find myself in another world still plagued by a bastard like him?” Lock growled as he paced around the room leaving burning footprints him his wake.

"Stop!" Cadence commanded in a regal manner while holding her daughter.

"You're scaring Flurry Heart!"

Lock looked over to Flurry to see she was on the verge of tears and clinging to her mother. Lock shook his head and took deep breaths to calm himself down and deactivated his flames while clutching his chest and leaned his head against the wall.

“I…I am sorry,” Lock said quietly.

“It’s just the Blueblood in my Equestria had done terrible things to the ponies of Equestria, on top of betraying his kingdom. Things I do not wish to repeat aloud, I did not mean to frighten your daughter…” Lock said sadly as he furled his wings back.

Flurry finally calmed down thanks to her mothers embrace before Shining ordered his men to open the cell.

"I'll need to speak with the council on this matter."

“If it’s any consolation,” Lock said not looking at Shining as he looked back at him.

“I still hold my oath to your late counterpart to heart. Even though I am in another Equestria at the moment I still fight for the sake of peace, despite how others may see the true me as you have just witnessed.”

Shining nodded as he left with his family but couldn't help but feel concerned about the fate of his counterpart and wondered what might happen to Cadence and Flurry if he were to die in this war as he made his way towards the council chamber and contacted hus allies through a communication crystal. Princess Celestia and Luna were first to appear followed by Twilight and finally Wulfric.

"Shining old friend! It's good to see you." The northern king said cheerfully.

"Good to see you to Wulfric but I'm afraid this call is for business."

"I see. What troubles you captain?" Asked Luna.

"I have..." The prince paused for a moment before giving his answer.

"There is a human here in the palace who claims to be from an alternate reality."

This news caught the council by surprise as the prince gave more details of his encounter, at first it seemed far fetched but after Twilights adventure to the human world it didn't seem impossible.

"Hmm...I wish to see this human. Bring him before us." Commanded Celestia as Shining bowed and ordered two of his guards to bring Lock before them.

About 15 minutes later as the council waited for Lock’s arrival, they all heard the doors open to see Lock walking through. Only to everyone’s surprise, he walked with his jacket and shirt slung over his shoulder wearing only a tank top that pressed against his muscular torso and exposed his large tribal marked arms.

“You know Sir Shining, I know a meeting with the council is important and all, but could you at least give a guy a bit more of a warning before you send guards to pick me up?” Lock sighs.

“I was in the middle of my exercise when they came to get me and I was just starting to work up a sweat,” he said wiping his forehead. As he walked in Lock instinctively unfurled his large crimson red wings and stretched them out wide along with his arms as he cracked his neck, as he was doing so, any maids or female guards in the room couldn’t help but blush madly at the full 8ft of his wings and some even gave bedroom eyes to the way they saw Lock’s muscles flexed and bulged along his torso and arms. Lock opened his eyes to see Shining and, to his surprise, the three Princesses and The King of The North himself.

“Oh, I see they’re already here,” Lock said nonchalantly as he walked over to Celestia, Luna, and Twilight.

“It’s nice to meet you, your majesty’s,” he greeted with a polite bow of his head.

“I am Dimitri Lockdrom, the human visitor you have heard about.”

"Odd I figured you'd be...older." Said Wulfric as he scratched his chin and asked a very odd question.

"I've heard legends of your kind. Is it true you hunted my ancestors for food and kept their heads as trophies?"

Lock looked over at Wulfric and sighed as he walked over to him and rubbed the back of his head.

“I won’t lie to you your majesty, in my home world where I am originally from we did indeed hunt Caribou for either sport or food and some still do. I personally never partook in it because I always found it cruel. I know that doesn’t justify anything but I would like to apologize anyway,” Lock said with a bow of his head to the Northern King.

"You May choose to hold it against me if you wish, I won’t blame you.”

"Hm. Honest and humble...I like him."

Twilight was next to ask her question as Wulfric sat back down with a smirk.

"Is it true...my brother didn't survive in your world?"

“It’s true,” Lock said with a sad sigh.

“The Shining Armor in my world is no longer with us, I apologize.” He then walked over to Twilight and kneeled in front of her.

“But you should know he went out like a hero, protected his family and loved ones to the very end. That’s why I fight not only for the sake of my Equestria but in Shining Armor’s name so I may keep my oath to him.”

Lock said with a comforting smile.

“Besides, I think King Wulfric and I can agree that this world’s Shining Armor is as tough as nails, next to his wife of course,” Lock joked glancing at Wulfric. The king in the north could not help but burst into laughter while Shining cleared his throat while trying to hide the blush on his cheeks.

Lock chuckled as he looked down and noticed he was still in only his tank top as he looked around the room and saw the maids and female gaurds were still blushing as they continued to gaze at his muscular body and large wings.

“Oops, we all got so caught up in our introductions I forgot to put my clothing back on,” Lock said as he stood up to put on his shirt and jacket.

“We’re not complaining, stud muffin~!” A doe guard calls out from the doorway.

“Are they always like this?” He asks Wulfric.

"Just be careful when they invite you to lunch." The king warned when the stallion from earlier came swaying into the room covered in lipstick and carrying a refreshment tray.

"Drinks gentlemen?"

"Perhaps we should discuss more in person and when you are better dressed." Luna suggested after noticing the doe from earlier waving to the servant.

“I Apologize, your highness,” Lock said after putting his jacket back on.

"The clothes you see me wearing are the only ones I came here with. Now then, I assume you all have questions like Sir Shining so I will answer them to the best of my ability. Would you care to start us off, King Wulfric?” Lock offers.

"I'm with Princess Luna. We'll discuss more face to face." Wulfric replied with a smirk now that his interest was piqued.

“I suppose you have a point,” Lock agrees as he puts his jacket back on.

“Does this mean I have to go back to my cell?” He asks glancing over to Shining.

"No." Shining said with a smile.

"As of now, you are my guest."

End.

Author's Notes:

A big thank you to WurkyWilk358 0W0 for making this chapter possible!!