After a bit of walking up and down the stairs again, Spike and I met up with the girls and the royals in the throne room. We were immediately hit with a barrage of questions from everyone.

“What was with that massive surge in power, where’s its source, and what did you do?” Twilight, Cadance, and Shining all asked in stages.

“Who’s that pretty lady on your back?” Pinkie asked.

“Yea, who is this chick and why is she wrapped up in nothing but Spike’s trench coat?” Rainbow looked at me suspiciously.

“I must say, I agree with Pinkie in that she’s quite beautiful but again who is she?” Rarity added. “I must get started on making the dear something wear worthy of her beauty.”

“She wouldn’t be Princess Amore, would she?” Fluttershy added. “And what was that presence we felt and then disappeared.”

“What happened here?” Everypony said at once asked.

“Asta summoned a Displaced to help free the Princess,” Spike said as he held his hand out in front of him.

“Yeah, I thought it would be the best course to go given his token and you’ll never guess who I summoned,” Asta smirked as he moved through the crowd and towards his room. Everyone soon followed the Knight curious to hear his story and worried about the unconscious Princess Amore. We soon arrived at my room.

Iset Amore down and asked Spike to light a fire in the fireplace. The crystal rooms here are great at keeping heat in but it takes time to fill them with heat. While I asked Fluttershy to tend to the Princess I asked everyone else to gather in the hall for the time being. Once Shy joined us I began to explain the happenings of the past few hours.

“I wasn’t sure I could save Amore on my own,” I explained with a little bit of nervousness.

“Why didn’t you just get me?” Twilight pointed to herself.

“Because we didn’t have time for long-winded tests Twilight. We’re talking about a pony’s life hanging in the through of Limbo,” I scowled at the scholar. “Look, I needed someone with experience and a sage is supposed to have hundreds if not more years of experience under their belts. Not to mention this Displaced is a high skill alchemist.”

“The person you summoned was a sage who studied alchemy, sorry but that’s nothing unheard of her Asta,” Cadance added in her two scents.

“It’s not the alchemy of Equestria he’s skilled in,” I rolled my eyes. “He literally can reconstruct matter into other states from base elements but back to who this guy was.”

“Asta?” Shy looked at me with a smile. “I know that look and this person has made you feel much joy in this one meeting.”

“Right,” I nodded with my goofy smile.

“Who was this guy exactly?” Shining Armour cut in.

“My older brother,” I stated proudly as I crossed my arms.

Everyone’s mouths dropped open.

“The older brother you said disappeared like ten years ago, “ Twilight’s eye grew as large as saucers. “ He was here and was the one who helped you free Princess Amore and is literally powerful enough to flood the entire Crystal Empire with overwhelming power.”

“He some kind of… ah… extremely powerful being now. Fix me up and my body so Sombra can’t have it anytime soon,” I flexed my arms. “Gave me some much-needed info on Displaced and their next stage of life called Void Dwellers via mental transfer. Hurt like a bitch though.”

“Asta,” Shy scowled at me. “Watch your language.”

“Sorry Shy,” I scratched the back of my head. “But, I think it’s time for us to get back to Canterlot and give the Princesses our reports.”

“Hold on Asta,” Cadance stepped in front of me taking in a deep breath. “We wanted to ask you to stay here in the Crystal Empire. I’m not going to lie to either. This is mostly because we want to have an eye on you to keep track of Sombra.”

“I’m truly grateful to you for facing the evil king and helping save the Empire,” Shining came forward. “But as a Prince and Captain of the Guard, I must think of what’s best for the ponies of Equestria. You can live in the palace or be given a house in the city. While here you’d be put in charge of your own regiment of guards and have the rank of Captain just under me and Cadance.”

“Would you be willing to stay?” Shy looked at me in softly dreading my answer.

“Yea, not a chance guys,” I waved them off. “I know you have your reasons but I have a pretty good life already back in Ponyville with my friends and my girl here,” I pulled Shy to my side and held her tight. “But if you’re really that worried I can stop in once a month for a regular check-up and stay a week to train a small unit for you while here. Not to sound greedy but I do expect to be paid for my services. On another note, I’m going to be headed out to the Savvanhs in a few weeks in order to sell off some lumber.”

“Ah thought ya weren’t gonna head over there,” Aj reeled back in shock.

“I said I’d think about it and I have my own reasons for going to,” letting go of Shy I crossed my arms. “ If things are as bad as you girls told me over there then I can’t stand by and let the ponies suffer under the Caribou’s slave system. But I’m not going to topple a kingdom and start a revolt either.”

“What’s your plan then darling?” Rarity looked at me concerned.

“I’m going to buy as many of the ponies back as I can. I have plenty of bits and not to mention lumber I can use,” I crossed my arms. “There are a few other reasons I want to go to. One being, to see more of the planet and two to see if there are more tokens that need to be found like my big brother’s watch. Apparently, I have an extensive family thanks to him.”

“What do ya mean by that?” Aj took off her stetson and scratched the back of her head.

“I think he’s talking about his brother’s children darling,” Rarity interjected while putting a hand over her mouth. “After all, one can’t be gone for almost ten years and not be expected to find love in a new world. Ah, to find true happiness,” She threw her hand up to her forehead in a passionate sigh.

“Yea, about that,” Spike butted in. “In his world, Asta’s older brother is like fifteen thousand years and married to both of his versions of Mom and Aunt Luna.”

“Good to know that some versions of my Aunties can actually find a stallion,” Cadance rolled her eyes after hearing that someone was able to get to her aunts’ hearts after she’d been trying for years to hook them both up with a good stallion. “Wait, Spike. You said Asat’s brother is married to both of them?”

“That’s what Allen confirmed when he showed me the pictures of them he keeps in his lockets,” I did loopty-loops with my finger. “Saw a picture of his little twins too. They have characteristics of their father but they mainly take after Luna. No kids with Celestia, yet, though.”

“You have a look as there is more to this,” Twilight squinted at me.

“Mhmm,” I nodded. “See, I can’t just summon him when I want but can go see him and or talk with him as I please.”

“I would imagine he’s pretty busy being married to the Princess of his world though,” Fluttershy spoke softly. “But it would still be nice to meet him sometime. I would like to know about your family at least… the family your fond of anyway.”

“Next time will go and see him, Okay,” I smiled at the thought of introducing my big brother to Shy as I rubbed her head. She smiled back at me warmly with a little bit of flush in her cheeks. “But more importantly is what are we gonna do about Princess Amore in there?” I pointed at the door. “I’d feel better leaving her here know she was awake at least but we need to get back to Ponyville as soon as possible. Who knows who my injuries have an effect Ymir?”

"We'll take care of looking after Amore Asta, have no fear," Cadance nodded to a nearby by maid.

“Is your bond with this Ymir more really all the important?” Shining raised an eyebrow mockingly.

“Hey, don’t mock him or the dragon, dude?” Rainbow went on the offense. I expected this much as she and Ymir have similar tendencies and personalities. Not to mention they have been found napping on the same clouds by Shy from time to time.

“Yes, well, her life is both indirectly and directly tied to mine as she is my partner slash adopted daughter. Shy was there when she hatched,” I crossed my arms. “So, excuse me if I want to get home to check on my family.” I left the room and head to the main door.

“Asta, wait for us,” Spike quickly ran after me, followed by everypony else.

“It’s been great seeing you both but I really need to get back to Canterlot and give the Princesses my report,” Twilight said she hugged her family before shooting after the group.

Cadance looked to Shining with a devilish smirk. “You think they’ll like the Statues our ponies built for them?”

“Oh, most certainly,” Shining nodded in agreement.

I was sitting by the window watching the scenery roll by as we had left Canterlot not just an hour ago. All went well when Twilight met with Celestia and Luna as it should have. Celestia gave her student the whole talk of how she sent her to save the Crystal Empire and how in the last minute she made the choice to entrust that responsibility to another or others in this case.

Spike and I were both hit with whammies when we left the Crystal Palace. There were two large crystal statues of the past days events of both of our deeds standing on either of the Town Square. Spike’s was similar to the one from the show with him holding up the Crystal Hearts in one hand but instead of a smile he had a serious look of courage on his face. My statue was a bit more epic as it depicted me in black form, luckily this was seen as wafting magic coming off my body, impaling Sombra to the wall with one-off my blades via throwing it through the bastard.

Back to the time in Canterlot. I told Celestia and Luna that Sombra was destroyed but sealed inside my Grimoire for the time being and that he’d tried to use me as his net me suit via his crystal horn stabby trick. I then explain how I summoned my older brother and he helped save Princess Amore and put some safety features in my body to prevent Sombra’s influence. They weren’t very thrilled about me playing hotel to an evil king’s spirit, neither was I for the matter, but I told them there was nothing that could be done unless they wanted him wandering around Equestria and then ending up possessing some other innocent pony. Safe to say they backed off when I mentioned he was a bigger threat to the ponies than me.

I then began to tell them I was going to hit the road as a wood-worker and merchant while heading over to the Savannah to meet with The Caribou. Safe to say they weren’t against me but the mere mention that I was going to be dealing with these guys was enough to a severe look of disgust on both Celestia and Luna.s faces. I didn’t like being scowled at so I quickly told them this was an off the books operations to get back as many of their ponies as I could as to not draw attention to them. Safe to say they both gave me full reign of this plan and command of a whole regiment of the Shadowbolts.

“Asta?” I heard one of the other pull me back to reality from the enjoyment of the passing scenery.

“Hnn..,” I looked to see Aj and Shy standing in front of me. “Oh, what’s up girls?”

“We’ve been talkin about ya going to the Savanna and well,” Aj rubbed the back of her head as she looked from Shy to me with a considerable look of concern on her face. “We don't think ya should be doin this.”

“As much as we tried, we can’t seem to understand your reasons behind this?” Shy started to speak with worry.

“Hmmm… I ... I don’t really know my reasons either girls,” I leaned forward-tilting my head as I scratched the back of my head. “I guess you can chalk it up to... The original Asta’s chivalry. That and I never could stand jack-asses that treat women like their worthless.”

“If you’re going to go through with this plan then we’ll be coming along,” Shy grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes with a serious look. One that caused me to know she wouldn’t be dissuaded from this idea of coming along.

“I know that look Shy, and as long as you girls are with me and don’t cause an uproar,” I leaned over to eye the others, specifically Dash. “I won’t try and stop you.”

“Oh it’s just me, Twilight, and Applejack that want to come, I have quite a bit of knowledge that could help you thanks to living in the Capitol with my mom when I was little,” Shy nervously pushed her fingertips together. She wasn’t telling me something but I’m not gonna push it.

“I’m going to learn of the Caribou and their customs,” Twi smirked. “Even if it’s going to be difficult.”

“You know me bro, I go where Twi goes, “Spike said over a comic book.

“I’m goin 'cause I think I could be of some use to ya with my Earth magic and whatnot,” Aj said happily.

“Alright,” I threw my hand up in the air. “Three to four days from now we meet up at Sweet Apple Acres. We’ll load up supplies into the wagons and head out to the Savanna from there. I think will use the trains to move out quickly until we reach the outskirts of Equestria.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Spike jumped up from his seat and clenched his fist as the train pulled into Ponyville station.

“See you guy after while,” I waved goodbye to the others as we all went our separate ways for the time being.

“I hope everyone's okay at home,” Shy said as she walked backward down the path to the cottage.

“I hope Ymir didn’t try and eat Angel again,” I smirked. ‘Fingers crossed.’

Next Chapter: Time for a Trip Girls- A New Friend arrives Estimated time remaining: 42 Hours, 38 Minutes