Asta and his closest knights and herd mates along with his daughter were currently riding on a train through the icy peaks and snow covered tundra of the Far Frozen North.

Spike was reading as he sat on the opposite side of the car from Rainbow Dash, though he'd occasionally glance up at her just to check on her. The prismatic mare just stared out the window, watching the roll snowbanks and snowflakes fall from the sky. The couple had been going through a rough patch causing Spike to move out of their shared homed totally and back into the homestead he originally occupied during Waillen's founding. Rainbow didn't try and stop him but she really wanted to and at the same time she didn't want him there. Spike decide it was best for them to separate so he left, though they still called each other lovers.

Fluttershy was busy holding her snoozing foal as she sat with her friends and sister wives.

"She's so cute," Pinkie gushes over the snoring child.

"Indeed she is dear," Rarity agreed, "I wish i could find a decent stallion to have one of my own with."

"Still hard to believe ya haven't found a fella yet Rares," Applejack snickers. "But then again... your standards were pretty high to start."

"Rarity puffed up her face, "I'll have you know I have greatly lowered my standards Applejack!" She sighs, "In fact... most stallions seem intimidated by me. Some of the younger ones show up thinking I'll dote on them. They say they want a sugar mama! I'm not even that old yet!"

"Well, you have looks, wealth, and not to mention status and power," Pinkie lists of in her finger. "So what you thing wouldn't want you as a sugar mama!" She thinks for a moment as she taps her chin, "I'd make a great sugar mama too!"

"Pinkie," Twilight eye the pin maned mare as she starts her usual spill.

"My point is I don't want a colt I have to pay for love or a stallion who want's prestige!" Rarity crosses her arms, "Most of boys back home are to intermediated to approach me let alone date me!"

"We are far from what most ponies call normal Rarity," Twilight points out. "We're Knights of Equestria, but even more so we're Magic Knights to the Black King. Not a whole lot of ponies have fought entire armies before or wield power to easily take down Equestrian guard platoons on their own."

"Speaking of royalty," Rarity eyed Aj, Fluttershy, and Twilight, "Where is your crown dear? You're an Equestrian Princess and one of the Black Queens. You she be wearing one of your crown at the least," she then turns to Aj nd Fluttershy., "And don't give me the whole 'I want to keep it quiet' thing you two. You know how big of a star Asta and Spike are to the Empire. Asta has been King for nearly eight months now. There is no hiding it so you might as well embrace it!"

"Last of the Black Queens Rarity," Twilight rolled her eyes. "I was the last one to join the herd making me the bottom of the totem pole and I have my Element Crown."

"And ya can't stop with the whole queen talk!" Aj cuts in. "Ya darn right know me, Twi and Shy hate wearing the darn things!"

"Girls please!" Fluttershy softly raises her voice. "You'll wake little Aurora up. Asta and I want her to sleep as much as she can before we get to the Empire. It's gonna be somewhat hectic when we get there."

"Sorry Shy," the girls all sulked.

"Where is our darling captain anyway?" Rarity asks looking around.

"He's on the roof," Pinkie giggles. "Something about cold weather training."

"That man," Aj pulls a hand slowly down her face.

Meanwhile...

On the roof of the train sits the Black King of Waillen. His legs were crossed as he sat and mediates while concentrating on his blood flow.

He slowly opens his eyes, "Hello big brother," He says as the eldest of the Ferris sibling sit directly in from of the Black King, totally unaffected by the weather.

"I wanted to give you heads up," Ed says. "This will be a bet different than last time. Sunset Shimmer, Celestia's former student comes through a portal from a world where she has been for a few years. Technically she is older then Twilight is now but they are the same age due to the portal's differing temporal points. She want the element and plans to steal it."

"And I have to stop her," Asta runs his hand through his hair.

"You can most certainly try but you will fail no matter what you do," Ed says as he cold wind blows right in his face. "This is a fixed point. One can't prevent a fixed point, but the can influence the outcome after it happens," He explains cryptically to his younger brother, "The world she was in granted her power, power which she sauté so desperately but there is si the thing she wants most. The thing she was being groomed for."

"The element of harmony," Asta thinks. "What about this world that gave her power? What can I except there?" He rubs his chin and looks only to see Edward gone with no trace of him ever sitting in front of the Black King, not even an indention in the snow.

"Those are things you'll have to find out for yourself Asta," Ed voice echoes on the wind, "Good Luck..."

"Tch..." Asta rolls his eyes and then turns to see the incoming Crystal Empire. He smirks as he stands up while the train's pace slows down, "Time to make an entrance..." he says as he pulls his Demon Slayer from his grimoire and quickly jumps off the train onto the sword surfing on it into the sky, "The girls won't like it to much but it's been to long since I was last here. I think I deserve this, hahahaha..."

A little later...

The Elements and pike all depart off the train and are immediately met with a sizeable Crystal Guard presence.

"What the hay is all this noise about?" Rainbow questioned as the group got off the train.

"Rainbow Dash," Twilight gave a low growl. "There is a summit being conducted here. It would be weird if we didn't see a contingent of guards or two before we left the station. Though..." Twilight's eyes darted around, "this seems a bit... much."

"Excuse me sirs," Rarity came up, "But what is with the heavy presence here? We're more than capable to handle ourselves if you don't mind me says."

"No offense taken ma'am," an officer states. "We've all heard tell of the feats performed by the Magic Knights of Black Clover Kingdom. We a more here as a deterrent for all of the fans of the Crystal Empire."

"Asta mentioned this a few times," Spike says waking out of the train car still reading his book. "They ponies would all swarm him for autographs and other crap like that."

All of the guards suddenly take a knee and bow to Spike, "Honor to you Spike the Brave and Glorious," the all say in unison before standing at attention again.

"Speaking of whom," Twilight says. "Where is he? I know he was on the roof be he should've come down before we got i the barrier."

Spike rolls his eyes, "I'll get him," he close his book and easily jumps on the top of the train. "Figures..." he says flatly.

"What is sugarcube?" Aj asks.

Spike jumps back down, "He's not there," everyone groans, "Probably took off when he saw the Empire so he could get in some laughs or more cold weather training. i say we wait it out and let him come to us."

"I have to agree," Fluttershy buts in as she sway he daughter, "Aurora is getting hunger and I know Asta won't be far. He always likes to feed her at lunchtime. He'll show up."

"I say we get movin then," Aj says as she notes the crowd starting to gather.

"Yes," the officer says, "Let us get you all to the palace and meet with the Empress and Emperor. Princess Amore has been eagerly awaiting you all to get here since her arrival a few weeks ago."

"How is she doing?" Rainbow asks with a knowing smirk.

"Many of the guards have been in the infirmary on more one account due to anemia," The officer sighs.

"Why?" Twilight raises and eyebrow.

"The princess is very... open on many accounts. One of them being her wardrobe," Another officer says. "The much warm climate of your region allows her to wear clothing that she preferred back her day but never could due to the cold here. Seeing as the Temperature spells and flow of love into the Crystal Heart was improved..."

"Leave it to your imagination Twi," Rainbow chuckles. "Then add Asta being smothered by Amore to the mix!"

Twilight thinks and then her face lights up bright pink as steam comes from the top of her head.

"Ahahahaaha!"

"The Empress at least got her to wear less reveling clothing," The first officer sighs, "For the sake of the guards not having to get constant blood transfusions at least."

At the palace...

Asta sat atop the tower from where the Crystal Heart had been hidden looking down on the Empire. He takes in a deep breath holding it in for a moment and then release it, "I hope I can Make the Black Clover Kingdom this peaceful one day. It
will be someday... My girls and I could finally settle down and retire then. Give them each a chance to be a mother," he sighs as eh recounts that he can barely see Aurora. "Well, best spend time with her while I can. Speaking of which," he looks down and notes the group incoming with the guards, "It's just about lunch time for my baby girl," he says as he jumps off the ledge with his Demon Slayer in hand as he plummets downward before he quickly readjust and then starts to surf down with the weapon under his feet.

On the ground...

"Cadence!" Twilight shouted with glee.

"Sunshine, Sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hands and do a little shake!" She and Cadence sang in unison as they danced.

"Where's Shiny?" Twilight asks.

"Making sure the last of the security details are in order for the summit," Cadence hugs her sister-in-law, "Where Asta?" she says noting one of the Empire's heroes was absent. She then looked at Rainbow and Spike, "Are they still having trouble?"

"Asta is off, being Asta somewhere around here," Twilight sighs as she shakes her head. "He rode on top of the train for nearly the whole trip since we entered the snow fields and then took off somewhere on his own. He'll be here soon though," the princess motions to Fluttershy who was holding a stirring Aurora, "It's nearly lunchtime for Aurora. As for Spike and Rainbow, they've been living separately for while now. What do you sense from them?"

"A lot of love for each other from them both," Cadence says, "But from Rainbow, there is also a deep uncertainty. I can't say I blame her though, especially after what happened between her and Gilda."

"Asta is keep a strict watch on her at all times," Twi says wit ha bit of anger for the griffoness. "He's still having her pass on false info to this Arborator, who ever that is..."

"I think these two need a good outlet," Cadence says looking at Spike and Rainbow again.

"C-C-Cadence!"

"Not that outlet Twilly," Shining Armor says coming up behind the princess and Empress. "Just something to let them know how each other really feels about the other. Not everything is solved in the bedroom, especially for your group." He chuckles lightly. "And security is all wrapped up."

"Shiny!" Twilight latches herself on to her older brother's arm.

"If there is anything I've learn from Asta it's that you guys communicate better on a battlefield and with your power and skills than anything," Shining remarks as he hugs his little sister. "You're getting taller. It won't be long you'll be my height. Speaking of my aforementioned brother-in-law, where is he?"

"No idea sugar," Aj shrugs.

"Aurora what is is it sweetie?" Fluttershy says suddenly as her daughter started to reach upwards to the sky as she giggled rather vigorously as she thrashed about, "Honey you need to calm down, mommy can't hold onto you if you keep moving around like that."

"Me and Asta are pretty much the only ones who can hold on to her when she gets like this. Here Shy give her to me," Aj says as she comes over taking the filly from her mother, "She may not have magic but Aurora is stronger than a normal filly too."

"What about you Twi" Cadence looks over only to see the alicorn's eyes shut with a slight mouth twitch.

"She squirms to much for my to hold onto," Twilight pouts. "And when I use my magic she gets even more excited and squirms even more. Our girl is a strong and restless one."

"Well, what do you expect dear?" Rarity giggles.

"She is Asta's Daughter after all," Pinkie remarks bouncing around, "Ooo.... Fluglehorn!" She say picking up said instrument from the ground before quickly stuffing it in her hair.

Aurora began to giggle even more as she reaches out to the sky grasping at the air with her tiny fingers. Suddenly a small spot starts to appear in the light in the sky and steadily grew bigger. The little filly growing ever more excited as she started to flail her arms up and down as she lets out a boisterous laugh. The spot in the sky now casting a shadow in the center of the when suddenly the spot turns out to be none other than Asta.

He slows his descent and gracefully lands in front of everyone in a kneeling position with one hand on the ground face the Empress and Emperor. His demon Slayer sword in his right hand, the blade resting on his back. Asta's current outfit consisted of the standard Demon Slayer uniform with a few color inconsistencies similar to those seen in the Hashira's uniforms.

He had a black wrap around his had with the loose part draped down on the right side of his face. Asta's uniform was an ink-black gakuran jacket with matching baggy pants with a sheen of red when he moved that extend into tabi socks, a white belt, a pair of zōri with red straps, and bands of white cloth wrapped tightly around his calves resembling Kyahan. Over top of all of this he wore one of his iconic haori. The haori was a deep purple around the shoulder that graded into a very dark dark vibrant maroon at the base and ends of the sleeves. If you looked closer you could make out a black tree with muted pink budding flower on it.

"Good day family of mine," Asta says with a smirk as he stands up. "How are all of you today?"

"Where have you been?" Twilight glares.

Asta points up, "On top of the Spire," he says nonchalant, "I saw the Empire from atop our train and decided to come before everypony."

"You should've let us know," Fluttershy scolds him.

"At least we know why Aurora was actin up now," Aj says as she heft the filly up as she reaches out for her father.

Asta quickly returns his sword to his grimoire and reaches out, "There's my little girl!" he say taking the giggle filly, "Who's a hungry filly?" he nuzzles his daughter.

"Dada!" Aurora says as she wraps her arms around her father's head returning his nuzzle.

Asta froze, "Did she just..."

"She said her first world..." Fluttershy throws her hands over her mouth before rushing to her daughter. "Aurora," she got the baby's attention. "Can you say Mama?" She points at herself.

"Mmmmm...."

"Come on, I know you can say it..."

"Come on Aurora say mama," Asta encouraged,

"Maaama..."

"Oh Aurora!" Fluttershy squee'd taking her daughter with tears in her eyes.

"You know what this means?" Pinkie says as she starts to vibrate, "A PARTY!"

While everyone was gushing over the baby Rainbow and Spike were of to the side.

"Spike, why do keep turning down every a mare or girl that asks you out down," Rainbow asks. "Then you go around telling everypony or creature that asks you that we're still together!"

Spike closes his book and lets out a sigh before looking at the pegasus, "We never said we broke up Dash," He points out, "I never once heard you say we were through."

"WE SPILT UP!" She yells. "We don't even live in the same house anymore!"

"That means what exactly!?" He shouts glaring at her. "Big deal! So we don't live under the same roof! A lot of couples don't even move with each other until over a year after going out together most of the time anyways!" He points out as he roars. "I left to give you some space Dash! I never wanted to leave! What happened to you was horrible!" He takes a deep breath to calm down, "As a drake, it sickens me because we hold loyalty on a very high standard, but at the same time I can understand why Gilda did what she did!"

"You're actually defending her after the stunt she pulled!" Rainbow shouted in outrage.

"Not in the slightest!" Spike countered. "I said I understand why she did it! Not that is wasn't wrong!" he crosses his arms, "If it had been you, mom, aunt, Luna, Twilight, Cadence, and any of our friend on the line I would do the exact same in the heart beat if it meant saving you all!" He sighs, "But that would be the last thing I would do. First, I would go to my friends and ask them for help. Gilda did what she did to save her family. Am I saying what she did is justified? Yes.am I saying it was the right path? No. She could've come to you at any time and told you what was going on and yet she didn't! She chose to sneak and lie to everyone here, most of all you!"

Rainbow had tears in her eyes as she grits her teeth.

"I tried to be there for you as your coltfriend but that wasn't working out other than you just hurting yourself and the cadets so I stepped in to be the be the punching bag," Spike sighs, " But that wasn't working and it only looked like it was making things worse. So... I left because I thought you had some stuff you wanted to work out as every time we went home you'd looked at me questioning why I was with you or if I cared about you."

"Spike..." she started to speak.

"I want you to know that I am with you because I love you," He says scratching the back of his head. "I told those other for that reason, but now..." he looks off to the side letting out a long heavy sigh, "I... I just don't know... If you really want me to stop saying we're together still then I will..." Spike said begrudgingly as he held back his tears with all the strength he could muster.

"You two!" Came the voice of Asta as he approached. "Still having issues," he shakes his head. "It's time you to settle this like Black Bulls should," he crosses his arms, "Shining," he looks over his shoulder to his brother-in-law, "It the arena clear to use?"

"Yea," Shining confirms. "I thought you might wanna use it for training while the girls are in the summit so I made sure to clear it out."

"Good," Asta smiles as he looks at the troubled duo in front of him. "Because we're going to use it now. you two versus me," he points at himself. "We'll see how strong you two have really gotten and if you really are right for each other at the same time. Heheheeee...."

Spike and Rainbow both looked straight at Asta then at each other from the corner of their eyes and then back at Asta.

"You're on!" They said in unison as they fist-bumped each other.

'Step 1: Get it all out verbally in front of them: Completed. Step 2: Get their minds focused on a singular thought: Completed. Step 3: Test just much they really care for each other in a real scenario that will really push them' Asta thinks with a smirk a he looks at his knights, eager to really see how strong they are. 'Coming right up!'

"Ahh..." Twilight looks at them, "Shy, do you think this is a good idea?"

"I do," She nods as she holds Aurora, the filly having calmed down being worn out from the earlier excitement.

"I'm sure our man knows just what he's doin Twi," Aj reassures the alicorn. "Let's have faith in him. That's what we're supposed to do anyways."

"Yea," Twilight says still unsure of this situation.

The Arena

Asta stood on the far side of the arena while Rainbow and Spike stood on the opposite side directly across from him, both readying themselves for the coming battle. Though it was only going to be a sparring match for the most part Rainbow and Spike knew that they'd have to bring their A-game if they even wanted to stand a chance in hell against Asta. They knew cause he never played favorites or held back with them in the past when it came to teaching, sparring, or outright fighting.

Rainbow and Spike both activated their grimoires. Spike became cloaked in sparkling emerald and amethyst draconic armor while pulling the main blades of his fusion sword out of their sheath on his back. Rainbow took a fighting stance while her hair and tail became more rigid while a melody of colorful electricity flows over her.

They were now ready to face the Black King.

Asta smirks at the display thinking 'They sure have come a long way since I first arrive here. I'm very proud to call them both my disciples'. He brings his fists up and cracks his knuckles and his grimoire flies up next to him opening itself up to a certain page. Antimagic flows from the book in two ribbons that wrap around Asta's arms from his fingertips to three-quarters up. The anti-magic hardens to form Asta's anti-magic gauntlets. His signature close combats weapon outside his swords.

Asta takes a stance and raises his left hand in front of himself, He motions to the couple with his pointer finger and middle finger, "Bring it!" he smirks.

In a flash of purple and blue, the couple took off leaving flaming lines of green and rainbow in their wake. Spike raises his swords above his head before bringing them down in a cross slash meeting Asta's left arm sending out a shockwave throughout the arena's floor. Rainbow came from the with a hard electrified palm thrust targeting Asta's shoulder.

Asta's smirks, "Nice try kids,"

He quickly forces Spike back by forcing the drake to stumble back. Asta had stuck his left arm with his right palm before proceeding to jump back out of the way of Rainbow Dash. The pegasus's strike instead of hitting Asta's shoulder struck her boyfriend's gut. The two went tumbling in an electrified humble on the other side of the arena.

If it hadn't been for his Spike would've been well done but that didn't stop the arena from smelling like fried chicken.

"What the hell lizard breath?!" Dash yelled with a glare at the salamander.

"What the hell? Wha the hell!" Spike countered. "You think that was my fault?! Maybe you should pay more attention to where you're going, Rainbow Crash!"

"The couple fumed at each other before turning to look in opposite directions.

"I don't need you, I'll take him down myself!" Rainbow snorts. "Stay out of my way," She growls as she takes off in a flash again.

"Idiot mare!" Spike yells as she takes off. He sighs as he looks into the blade of his weapon, looking at his own reflection then shifting it slightly to reflect himself and Dash in the distance, "We'll have to work together if we even want to touch him."

Rainbow was unleashing blow after blow on Asta. As soon as she got some distance between them she would send a few ki blasts at him having learned how to do so from Ayumi. That distance didn't last long as Rainbow would quickly rush back in and unleash more rage-filled blows on Asta who was doing what he could to block and counter. Rainbow quickly changed things up and brings up a kick.

Asta quickly counters and catches Dash's ankle and pinning around, disorientating her. He is going to throw her into the wall when suddenly he sensed something coming in from off to the other side from behind Rainbow. He quickly releases his grip on the Mare sending her flying across the arena where Spike was waiting to catch her. In the meantime Asta was staring at the wall where he planned on putting Rainbow and there sticking out of it, still reverberating, were the two smallest swords the made up the blade of Spike's Fusion Sword.

Spike sets his girlfriend down while Asta is distracted. He kneels her down as to let her get her balance again.

"Oh, my guts," Dash throws her hands over her mouth, trying to prevent herself from puking to little avail.

"You rest here," Spike stands back. He looks over at Asta who was now looking in their direction. "I'll hold him off while you recover a bit. "As soon as your done with being stupid help me with him. We won't be able to fight him unless we're in synch Dash," he throws up a hand, and his blades all fly to him.

Spike holds up the duel-edge sword and all six swords combine into their singular buster sword mode.

"Nice to see you've unlocked the true form of your weapons Spike," Asta smirks as his grimoire flies open to a new page and the hilt of a sword comes out of it. Asta takes ahold of the weapon, "Seeing as how you are fighting me with your buster sword I'll answer you with one of my own," he smiles as he pulls the weapon from his book.

Spike's eyes widen at the buster sword Asta pulled out. It was nearly identical to the Fusion Sword in his own hands but it was much rougher and worn looking with four holes in the blade. There was large black knaji on the blade that translated into 'fake' in modern Equish in the center of the blade on both sides of it,

"It's not the real buster sword of coarse but its just as powerful if not a bit my sturdy Asta says charging in only for Spike to deflect the sword upwards with the flat of his Fusion Sword. Asta jumps back a ways with a smirk, "You're movements with such a large blade are something to marvel at Spike."

"Don't give me the bull crap!" Spike glares, "You and I both know this sword's weight is no where near that of my Dragon's Maw let alone that counterfeit in you own hands right now," He remarks taking a stance, "Seeing as how your going with killing intent then I well too... Let me show yu what I've been working on in my spare time Sensei!"

Spike points his blade tip at Asta with the back of the sword towards the ground. He takes in a deep breath and tightens his grip on his weapon while speeding up the bleed flow, specifically more in his arms and legs.

"Dragon Breathing," Spiek says as his dragon traits start to manifest while steam starts to come off his body. He takes off in a flash, to fast for normal eyes to see. The only thing left in his wake are the massive craters in the ground indicating where his feet had touched down.

Asta's eyes widen as Spiek swings his sword down with enough force to cause a thunder clap. He manages to get his own sword up in the nick of time allowing Spike to slide down the edge before throwing the salamander back with a hard kick.

Asta smiles as a small slit opens on his let cheekwith a small line of blood flowing from it.

"Have to say," Asta reaches up and touches his cheek then brings it up to look at his hand, blood in it. "I didn't expect that at all Spike. So you developed you own breath style. Bravo. Well done," He points his sword with as stern look and smirk, "But this is only just starting," He says point his sword at the Salamander.

"I'd have it no other way Sensei," Spike says readying himself.

"Hmhm... Very well Spike," Asta remarks taking his stance, placing both hands on his weapon. "Let's just see ow long you can keep up your new style then," his gaze turns cold and he takes a breath and control his blood flow throughout his body as he leans in, "Inscet Breathing: Gokō no mai: Hyakusoku Jabara(Dance of the Centipede: Hundred-Legged Zigzag)."

Asta blurrs out of existence only to reappear in afterimages in a zigzag pattern coming straight for Spike. Spike reacts by slamming his sword into the ground causing Asta to jump back in to get his footing. Spike met with his teacher just as his stopped. To the untrained eye all that could be seen was the breifest glimpses of silver 'X' and sparks dancing in mid-air to the sound of the ringing of sword on sword.

From above it looked like two line, one of black and one of poruple and green that would collide only for the most brief moment with the ring of metal only to separate and dart away before coming at another.

Rainbow Dash was in awe of the display.

Suddenly Spike threw Asta into the air with his sword. He then turns his sword and it spilts back into its individual components as they start to glow. Asta's eyes widen as eh knows whats come. In several flash of purplish blue light Asta is sent flying with blood spraying form his body while the sword all lian in a circle around Spike. He then lets his main Fusion sword land next to him before catching Asta's Buster Sword.

Asta lands with a thud not far away, his eyes hidden under his hair.

Spiek quickly heads over to his still shocked girlfriend, "Rainbow, he won't stay down long. I don't think you really want to split up but if your serious about it then I'll stop, just know that I don't want to and like this fight, I need you. Cna we at least try and make things work?"

"Idiot," Rainbow laughs, "I'm sorry for being a real bitch Spike. I... You see... I don't know who to trust anymore... Gilda was my closest friend and she..."

"Betrayed you," Spike says holding up Asta's sword in front of her. "You blame me partially because I found her out.... I get that but that's still no reason to stop trusting our friends, Asta, or me... I did what I did beacuse-"

Dash takes the sword and huffs it onto her shoulder before kissing Spike, "You were my boyfriend and you were trying to protect me. I get that and I'm sorry for blaming you. It was just easier than blaming it all on Gilda and because you were right there. I'm sorry for being a bitch." She turns to see Asta on his feet shaking his head. "Looks like he's back... Shall we?"

Spike shakes off his blush and throws out a hand suming his swords to him. They all fuse into the fusion Sowrd once more before he takes a stance, "Yea, lets show him what we can do.!"

"Round three!" Asta says as he throws out his hand summoning his Demon Slayer and Dweller sword so his hands. "BRING IT ON!" He roars charging in.

Later...

"Ow..." Rainbow rubs her arms, her entire body covered in cuts and bruises as Aj wraps her arm.

"Quit complainin," Aj says with a roll of her eyes.

"Gods that stings!" Spike hisses as Twilight treats his own injuries.

"I'm with Aj, stop whining," Twilight scolds the young salamander, "You two were the ones that accepted Asta's challenge after all. This is what you get for it."

"Still worth it," Rainbow smirks. "I'm sorry for being a bitch Spike."

"You were well within your right Rainbow," Spike holds up a hand.

"Yes, you were," Asta says from the doorway, bandages around his chest, forehead, and arms. "As in past tense Dash. I'd hope that argument you two had would've let you get some stuff off your chest and it looks like it did. The fight helped you vent the rest of your aggression," he holds up his arm "I Gotta say though, you two have come a long way from where you were nearly two years ago. You two would've kicked even my but back then."

"Why are you all mummified dude?" Dash asks.

"A good portion of Asta's power was transferred into Ymir to help her heal remember," Twilight sighs, "He has no magic at all. Equestrian or mana to use for ancient magic pulse the fight spent his stamina so that means no vitality for Qi healing either," She scowls at him causing him to look away and rub the back of his head," Which means you can't get carried away like you did any more! Without magic you body become more burden to function due the Focusi Crystal in your bones. Its a double edged sword Asta," She looks down, "It's okay for you when you use anti-magic because that strengthens your body in place of magic but with out it your more prone to getting hurt like anybody else."

"She just worries about ya sugar," Aj agrees as she sinches Dash's last wrap. "We all do. You're our man after all."

"They have a point Asta," Amore says. "You"re too quick to through yourself in the fray of things. I understand that you wanted to help your knights and friends but sometimes you should really think about how you go about it. Okay?"

"I'm surprised you're not trying to smother my with your boobs right now," Asta says with a couple of blinks.

"Later," Amore holds up a hand. "I came to get you for the party. Fluttershy was asking about all of you."

"We better get up there then," Aj stands up and everyone starts to head out.

Twilight looks over her shoulder for a moment. "Hmm..."

"Come on Twilight!" Spike calls out.

"Coming," she says as she rushes to catch up.

In the shadow, a cloaked figure watches as the princess runs off...

Later after the party...

Everyone had thoroughly enjoyed Aurora's 'First word was Dada and second word was Mama' Party. Of coarse it had been planned by none other than her Auntie Pinkie and hosted by her Aunt Cadence and Uncle Shiny. The toddler was over the moon, literally as Luna had conjured a miniature moon and levitated the baby all around it. Asta, though he trusted them all, kept a very close eye on his daughter.

Everyone was currently resting in their rooms for the night. Fluttershy had laid Aurora down after feeding her last bottle for the day. The toddler was so worn out that she could barely stay awake to eat. This was fine with her parents as it meant she'd sleep through most of the night.

The girls were all snuggled into each other while Asta sat on the window seal with the window open to let in the night air of the Empire. He took in a deep breath then let it out before hearing a low creaking sound from across the room. Acting quickly and noiselessly using his air bending to get onto the ceiling. He used his earth bending to dig his finger into the crystal structure for a sure grip.

Just hanging there in the dark he silently watched the doors to the room creak open. In shambled a creature in a hooded floor length clock. Asta could make out that they were a unicorn mare from the focusi crystal poking out from her hood and from the body shape. He watched carefully as she mad sent out a low pulse of magic below him, luckily Asta was far above for it to reach him. Spell reacted as a green glow showed from the draw where Twilight had placed her Element of Harmony before crawling into bed.

"Should've guessed that's what you'd be after," Asta quietly mumbles to himself as he holds his chin.

The mare quietly sulks over to the nightstand and opens the drawer. Using her magic she lifts the artifact from its resting place in the drawer to reveal Twilight crown in a green aura.

"Finally," the mare whispers as she levitates the crown into her fingers. "I finally have what's owed to me. With it, I can get the power that's rightfully mine!" She chuckles lightly as she started to quietly stride to the still open door, but then something stops her, "Wait, she's sharing a bed with two others. That baby wasn't her daughter though, she is the pink-haired one's kid with that grey-headed stallion. Is this, a-"

"My herd," she heard as Asta drops down from above in front of her causing her to yelp and fall back on her butt and the Element to land in Asta's hand.

The startled yelp stirred the others, "Asta," Twilight says sleepily as she rubs her eye, "What's going on?" she then sees the crown in Asta's hand and the mare on the floor. "What the hell?! MY CROWN!"

Not wasting time the mare blast Asta in the chest with a bolt of green magic successfully knocking him through the door and the Element from his grasp. The mare quickly intercepts the artifact and bolts through the doors.

The commotion roused the other and Aurora stated to cry.

"Shy, Quiet Aurora," Asta coughs as he holds his chest, "Damn. That girl has some power. Aj," he looks at the cow mare, Alert the others and the guard we have an intruder and they have Twi's crown." He stands up with Twilight's help, "You're with me. We have a thief to catch."

Twilight nods and they gave chase after the mare.

Asta and Twilight rush through the halls of the crystal palace chasing after the unknown thief. Asta leading the way as he tracked the mare through her Qi. He quickly found she was headed for the throne room.

"Why would she be headed there?" He asks himself before looking at Twilight who was flying alongside him, "Head for the throne rom and we got her in a dead end."

Twilight nods.

Asta and Twilight burst through the massive doors of the throne room nearly breaking them off their hinge while also embedding them into the crystal walls.

"End of the line mare," Asta says coldly, "No one steals from my girls while I'm around. Now give back the crown and you'll receive a minor punishment for theft from the royal from of the Black Clover Kingdom."

The mare seemed to freeze for a moment, "The Black Clover Kingdom, you say," she says in a bet of a rasp but still feminine tone, "Never heard of it and as for this," she holds up the crown, "I'm just taking what is rightfully mine!" she growls as she pulls down her hood to reveal amber and crimson stripe hair with vibrant green eyes. On top of her head was a sparkling amber focusi crystal. On her shoulder was a yin-yang sun symbol of amber and gold. "Bet Celestia never mention me as being the one who was supposed get this did she."

"Who are you and what are you doing with my Element?" Twilight glares at the mare.

"Names Sunset Shimmer sweetie, the true master of the Element of Magic," Sunset snidely remarks as she twirls the crown on her finger. "Celestia's personal student before you of course."

Twilight's eyes got wide.

"And with this where it belongs and the power I have now, not even our former teacher can stop me," Sunset evil smirk with a smug grin. "Hell, I can blow you both away."

"Big talk for a little pony," Asta remarks as he walks forward cracking his knuckles.

"Go away little stallion," Sunset scoffs, "Let the mares play," she says while lighingt her horn and covering Asta in her magic with the intent to teleport him away but her face quickly distorts into one of shock, "What's going on? Why are you still here?"

"That would be my power little one," Asta says a he takes a sharp breath and suddenly vanishes with a blur only to appear right in front of the new mare. Sunset without even a hint of hesitation jumps back as Asta buries his fist right in the floor.

'He could've seriously hurt me' Sunset thinks in horror.

"Hoo..." Asta says as he effortlessly pulls his palm from the hole in the floor, "Good reflexes there little girl," He says puling his hand up and flexing it a bit. "But what happened to all your big talk about being stronger than Twi and Celestia just a minute ago, eh?"

'Not ever a small cut or scratch on his hand,' She gulps before shaking off the shock and quickly steeling her nerves again. "Fine!" Sunset counters before teleporting back. "Let me show you just how stronger I am!"

Asta smirks but it quickly changes to an expression of shock as book floats out from underneath Sunset's cloak. and not just any book...

"A grimoire?" Asta says taken aback by this.

Its cover was made of a solid dark black leather. It was adorned with several purple crystals of varying sizes with decorative gold bandings lacing the exterior of the book. In the center of the front and back covers was a gold fire made of the same gold banding but on the spin, just below another decorative emblem with a centered purple gemstone resembling an eye was a small four leaf clover.

"That's right, but this isn't just some run of the mills spell book grimoire either," Sunset says with renewed vigor and confidence as the book opens in front of her hand as it is surrounded by a brilliant red and yellow flame aura. A small drake formed from the magic aura and came to rest on Sunset's shoulder. "Now," Sunset smiles wickedly as she takes aim, her eyes drift to Twilight, "Flame Sprit Magic: Salamander's Breath!" The little drake hisses and the breast grows large with a mass of mana before shooting a massive fireball at the princess.

"Twilight!" Asta yells before he takes in another sharp breath, this time he feels a sharp pain preventing him from having complete control.

He quickly rockets in front of Twilight, activating his own grimoire at the same time. Asta quickly reaches down and pulls out a blade. Not caring which one he takes a hold of a hilt and pulls out a single-edged sword with a spine-covered back. Asta quickly channels his anti-magic, though it doesn't blacken his weapon as it only travels along the edge of the sword. Raising the weapon above his head Asta brings it down for it to collide with the fireball. He struggles but manages to cut the attack in half with the halves hitting the door and proceed to melt them to slag.

Sunset stares at what she just saw and is seeing. Standing in front of her was a heavily breath stallion with a grimoire that just cut her attack in half. It was crude and hastily done with weapon that she's never seen or heard of before but it was done nonetheless. What's more perplexing is from her time in the other world and this one she'd learned how to read magic but what just happened, there was no other magic but her own.

Asta staggered as he huffed then started to cough, "Asta!" Twilight says with worry as she rushes to help him stay on his feet. What she saw on his face worried her even more, blood coming from his mouth, "You're bleeding! But how? She didn't touch you?!"

"Internal," Asta huffed wiping the blood from his mouth, "The fight with Dash and Spike. I pushed myself without properly healing myself and then I go and do this in a spur of the moment." He stabs his sword into the floor steadying himself, "When I say so you rush in and grab your crown. I have some questions for her and I think I can get her to spill long enough for you to move in an close the gap."

"But..."

"No buts Twi," Asta cut her off.

"So, Sunset Shimmer was it," Asta says as the mare readies another act, "No hostilities," He says throwing up his hands, "Names Asta Ferris, and I have a few questions for you."

"Why should I answer?"

"I think it's because you're just as curious as I am," he says motion with his eyes to he grimoire, "Especially, seeing as how we both have unique grimoires. Tell me, did you get your from the tower?"

Sunset flinched slightly, "So what if I did! It's mine and no one else's!" She says before throwing her hands over her mouth.

"Now Twi!"

Sunset's gaze quickly shifted over to the lone alicorn who quickly lunged at the unicorn mare, "Give me back my Element!" She says as she pulls away from Sunset.

"Salamander!" Sunset calls to her flame spirit.

"Not this time bitch!" Asta flung himself into the mix.

Soon there was a three-way tug of war for the Element of magic. Between Asta and Twilight's combined strength they were able to wrench the crown from Sunset's vice-like grip. Soon they all heard the marching of guards coming down the hallway to the throne room.

"It's over Sunset," Twilight says, "Give up!"

Sunset looked at where the couple was standing and she smirks, "Not by a long shot princess! Salamander!"

The little drake blows a smoke screen hiding Sunset. Asta quickly summons his sword to his hand ready to strike, he locates Sunset's Qi off to the side but his eye is caught by a small light in front of him and Twilight.

"Twilight Get down," Asta pulls in the alicorn but it was too late at the fireball was shot from Salamander's maw at the floor beneath the couple's feet sending the flying backwards.

Sunset them jumps in as Salamander returns to her Grimoire as she lungs and once more grabs onto the crown as the trio are sent hurtling into a mirror. Instead of breaking the mirror the trio pass through it, a portal to the world from where Sunset had come from. The trio continued to fight over the crown as the plummeted through a whirling vortex

"Give it to me now!" Sunset yells as she blasts Twilight with magic. The beam connects causing the young mare to let go. "HAHAHA take that!"

Twilight flies into the vortex fading away to Asta's horror as he reaches out.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" Asta roars as he tightens his grip on the Element of Magic and pulls Sunset in close landing a hard right to her face causing her to let go of the crown. She too is sent into the vortex fading away, "Sorry girls," Asta says as tears start to flow from his eyes, "Sorry Twilight..." he says as he too fades into the vortex still holding the Element of Magic firmly in his grip

*THUD*

Later on...

The morning sun showed ever so brightly through the trees. There was a gentle breeze the blew, rustling the leaves of the tress and causing the sunlight to flitter about on the face of a young boy as he lay in front of a large stone table.

"Nahhhhhh... Somepony... shut the currents...." he groans as a leaf falls and tickles his eyelashes. "Okay, I'm up..." he set up. Wait what?" he looks himself over several times before filling around his face. "I'm alive.... and if I'm alive that means Twi is too!"

He takes a look around. The remnants of stone structures were littered all about the ground. His gaze then comes to the stone tablet behind him.

"I recognize this place," he says as he stands. As he does something glinting on the ground catches his eye. "Twi's crown," he says picking up the Element of magic. Standing back up he notices that his clothes have become extremely baggy, "This isn't right. Did I shrink?" He then notices his voice, his severally underaged voice.

"OH CRAP!" He yells causing serval birds to chirp and fly away.

After taking some time to think he was able to piece what was going on, "So I was flung into the vortex but instead of disintegrating, I was flung back in time, again," He deadpans before taking up Twilight crown, "I was also deaged back to little more than a five year old. I bet Twi and that Sunset chick had the some happen to them," he stands up and walk over to a nearby tree and pushes it only to hiss in pain, "More bad news, my body has none of my martial arts abilities," he walks over to his sword he'd been hang onto and tries to pick it up only to barely lift it.

"Okay..." he blows on his stinging hand, "or physical ability either. I still have some of my skills and a bit of bending to," he holds up a hand sparking a small flame. "Not to mention all my gear but I doubt I can't use any of it like this. Best to pack it up and store it for later. I won't be able to do anything now anyways." He clenches his fist. " I need food and shelter while I'm stuck here and I know just the place to go..."

The boy looks off at a church in the distance.

"Base of operation located, "he snickers, "Look out Hages Village Because here comes Asta!"

Next Chapter: Life in the Forsaken Realm Estimated time remaining: 15 Hours, 46 Minutes