-TERRARIA, THE UNDERWORLD-

A fiery portal manifests itself into being as The Voodoo Demon exits the anomaly with three other demons in tow. One of these demons was hauling Twilight’s barely recovering form, while the other two held the unconscious bodies of Starlight and Zecora. All the while, The Doll was being carried by the Voodoo Demon himself.

“No… No!” The Doll roars out in a mix of fear and recognition, “I beg you, please! Don’t do this to them!”

The Voodoo Demon lowers his gaze, “You remember The Pit, don’t you?”

As was mentioned, what lies before them was a large hole that served as the entrance to an endless drop. The ring of this hole was composed of obsidian bricks, droplets of lava, and ash grains.

The Doll gasps, “The absolute deepest depths of The Underworld… even lower than the Brimstone Crags, The Pit. Lucifer himself created this!”

“Ding, ding, ding!” Voodoo Demon exclaims in celebratory fashion.

As this goes on, Twilight could only weakly observe the conditions of her two unconscious friends. Zecora was dropped harshly onto the edge of The Pit as Starlight followed soon after. Unfortunately, the lavender alicorn would soon join them as she too was thrown onto the ashy/obsidian ground.

“I thank you all for your contribution here today!” He exclaims with wide arms, “And now-”

“Beep boop. My name is Sunset Striker. How may I be of service to you today?” says a mechanical voice from behind.

These words cut off The Imposter, who turns towards the source, raising an eyebrow, “The fuck is that thing?”

“I am a Mark IV Protogen, specializing in pharmaceutical processes and torture.”

The Doll seemingly ponders on this creature’s very being as he comments with a shocked tone:

“W-what in the… I have no information on this entity.”

The Voodoo Demon throws The Doll away, specifically landing right next to Starlight, as he roars out:

“Frankly?! I don’t give a fuck what you are!”

“That’s unfortunate. I was going to offer to take these prisoners off your hands. I am sure you have more important things to do.”

The demon laughs, “You must still be operating on fucking Microsoft 64 if you think you can intimidate me, machine!”

“Very well. I tried.” says the protogen, voice becoming more sinister.

The Voodoo Demon snaps his finger as the three large demonic entities that accompanied him all furiously rush towards the protogen. Teeth and claws bared in anticipation.

“That was a mistake.” Chuckles the protogen as some kind of weaponry appears on its arm, “I really was offering to help out. Oh well.”

With three explosions, all three demons get a hole in their chest from the sheer force of the protogens’ explosives.

Seeing this, the Voodoo Demon roars out:

“What the fuck are you three waiting for?! Regenerate yourselves! Imbeciles!”

The protogen calmly waits as the three demons’ attempts at regenerating are being thwarted by the contents of each explosive canister.

“I’m afraid they’re preoccupied. May I serve you any other way?” The protogen questions.

The Voodoo Demon chuckles in response, “Yeah… you can kiss my demonic left and right ass cheeks!” The demon rushes forth and unleashes a barrage of Demon Scythes.

Seeing this, the protogen quickly deploys a shield around itself, dissipating the Scythes as they land. It retaliates by sending another barrage of canisters upwards, explosively launching several stalagmites downwards.

The Voodoo Demon teleports via a spire of flames as he disappears from view and reappears behind the mechanical entity, preparing to strike again, “Calculate this!”

“Already calculated. Any other requests?” Says the protogen as the Voodoo Demon is immediately restrained by several cable-like tendrils, pulling him hard against the ground.

Struggling against his restraints, but seemingly not affecting them, the Voodoo Demon roars out in absolute scorn:

“What is this?! Release me at once!”

The protogen turns towards the Voodoo Demon before its visor seems to crack open to reveal a single eye and many sharp teeth.

“You haven’t been behaving, Voodoo Demon. So I’m going to be taking over your little mission to release Lucifer.” Zalgo says.

The demon’s eyes widened in absolute shock, and even a sense of horror sent waves down his form, “H-how did you know that?”

“I know many things, Voodoo Demon. Do not worry… They can’t hear a thing. For them, it seems as if we are still fighting, neither capable of landing a hit on the other.” The Protogen comments as the world around their general vicinity seemed to have changed, but not drastically.

“H-how can you-” The demon cuts off his own words, mouth momentarily imitating a goldfish, “No, it couldn’t be,” He says in absolute disbelief, “You… are you an eldritch like Nyarlathotep?! And the others?!”

“I am he who waits behind the wall. I am he who waits to end it all,” Says Zalgo, tentacles extending from behind him.

“What in the- what do you want with me?!” The Voodoo Demon exclaims.

“All that you know… All that you are. Simple, is it not? It even says it in my evocation… I do wish my little cultist devotees were around, but of course, they were a necessary sacrifice. I am not a proud Old One, Voodoo Demon.” Says Zalgo, slowly walking around the demon as eyes appear on his shoulders and hips.

“So it is true… there are indeed other Old Ones out there,” The demon responds, shock still present in his voice, “Xeroc… Terra… Cthulhu…”

“Do you like chess, Samuel?” The protogen questions.

The eyes of the demon practically threatened to tear his face further apart as they widened to their absolute capacity, “How did you know my name?! That can not be!”

“As I said. I know many things. Now, answer my question. Do you like chess?”

Samuel swallows a lump, “Y-yes…”

“How would you feel, were I to tell you that even Xeroc is naught but a pawn on the board? One promoted to a Queen, perhaps, but a pawn nonetheless.”

“That can not… no… how could the creator of all evil, the most destructive force to ever exist, be a pawn…?” Voodoo Demon asks in absolute shock.

With a disturbing squelch, a chessboard with pieces representing several familiar faces rises from the ground. Zalgo gives it a cursory gaze before turning a side towards Samuel.

“Shall we play a little game, Mr. Rodriguez? We have all the time in the world…” Says Zalgo, full eldritch form on display

The Voodoo Demon takes in the appearances of each and every one of these pieces, and to put it simply, he was absolutely horrified. He could see Cthuhlu, Terra, Xeroc, Nyarlathotep, various bosses that Twilight and her friends had defeated, even Blueblood’s shattered chess piece. However, what frightened him most was when he saw… himself.

The Voodoo demon, or Samuel Rodriguez, simply went blank at this realization. The world itself was one big game of chess… and he was speaking to its master. Madness practically overtakes him as a series of maniacal laughs escapes his mouth. However, this was also quite different from his past laughter. No, this was truly madness, plain and simple.

“I doubt we’ll be having any more problems with him,” Zalgo said. “Cozy, dear, it’s your turn now.”

“You got it!” The filly responds as she hops merrily towards the now crazed demon, ironic as it may sound, and Zalgo, “So what’s the plan, bossma- er, bossbot?”

“Your goal is to find the Murasama. If I recall, you should be able to find it in Draedon’s little laboratory. I saw it when I was moved there all that time ago, in a velvet case.”

The filly salutes the entity with a forehoof, “Oh golly, I sure won’t let you down, Mr. Zalgo, sir!” She then chuckles nervously, “So, uh, where exactly is this lab in this place?”

Zalgo places Cozy’s piece on a square where a beaker is engraved.

“You should be teleported there in a few seconds. Don’t disappoint me, now.”

She salutes him once more before vanishing in mere moments.

“As for you, Samuel… I’m sure you won’t mind if I eat your soul,” He says, snapping up the remnants of a black mist floating from the demon. “Or what’s left of it… I need to work on not breaking their minds…”

The Doll, having witnessed the entire scenario play out before it, hesitantly calls out to the strange entity:

“W-wait!”

The eldritch abomination slowly turns around before slowly walking towards The Doll.

“How very, very interesting… You managed to subvert my illusion. I suppose Terra does have some tricks after all.”

The Doll seemingly clears its throat, despite appearances, “P-please… I don’t care about what you do to me. Just… spare these ponies and the zebra.”

Zalgo looks neutrally at the Guide and says:

“You believe that I am evil. That I am doing this for my own gain.”

“To be honest with you, I can not say for sure,” The Doll responds. “However, I can only HOPE that you mean them no harm. They’ve already suffered enough… because of me.”

“... Tanner. Why do you think I showed up? To consume these ponies? I could have simply allowed them and you to be thrown into the Pit.”

The Doll pauses for a moment, “That is true… even I can admit that you haven’t done us any harm. In fact… you saved us.”

“A chess game cannot be played when four pieces are missing. This rescue was not for your sake, nor for mine. Sometimes, you have no choice but to do evil to destroy evil. Sometimes you must do good.” Says Zalgo, transforming back to his protogen form.

These words honestly shocked The Doll as this mindset, perhaps was the best way for him to describe it, was something that was foreign in Terraria. Impossible as that might sound.

“So what happens now?” The Doll questions. “And now that you’ve done… whatever you did to that demon, what about Nyarlathotep?”

“My fellow Old One is aware of my presence. Even now, he rushes towards us, intent on consuming me.”

As if on cue to The Old One’s words, a loud series of shouting, screaming, and roaring echoes throughout The Underworld.

“We have approximately five minutes before he arrives. Look above us.” The protogen says with an aiming gesture.

The Doll was confused by this at first but gasped as he couldn’t believe what lay just above them: A Hellevator. But also, THE Hellevator.”

“That passageway is the only way in or out of the Underworld. I will be escorting your pony allies through it. You, however, will be coming with me.” The protogen says

The Doll seems to sigh in response, “Like I said, whatever you wish to do to me… I welcome it. So long as you stay true to your words and leave them alone.”

“Despite what many think of me, I do not lie unless I absolutely must.”

The Doll chuckles, “Funnily enough… I believe you. Should I be worried?”

“Yes. No. Perhaps. No matter what, I am sure coming with me will be a much more pleasant experience than burning alive as they planned to do with you.”

The Doll remained silent for a few moments. In truth, despite his current state, he was actually glancing towards the forms of Twilight, Starlight, and Zecora. At that moment, he agreed with the entity’s words as he wanted them to escape this place with or without him.

“Very well, Zalgo. I agree to your terms.”

………………………

Upon those words being said, the illusion appears to dissipate as the protogen pants, as if tired.

“That is unfortunate. No matter. May I ask what ponies are doing down here? This does not seem to be the best place for you, according to my database.” It says, looking towards the ponies and zebra.

The Doll, seemingly playing with the entity’s ploy, acts ignorant to what had just happened as he responds:

“They were dragged here by that demon… Do with him as you please.”

“I deployed a non-lethal shock to cause the demon to become unconscious. However, my sensors indicate that a very powerful entity is approaching us. Would you like me to escort you to safety?

Still playing along with his ignorance, The Doll responds: “The Wall is coming! Please, yes, help us!”

Twilight was noticeably confused by this as she herself crawled towards Starlight and Zecora’s unconscious forms, draping a wing over both of them.

“Order received. Activating teleporter.” States the protogen as a loud buzz is heard. A small teleportation pad appears. “Where should I place its destination?”

“My guild, please… The Order Of The Guide.”

“Understood. Deploying. Please make your way safely to the teleporter. If you require assistance, please state this now.”

“Yes. Please carry them in my stead, given my current state.”

“Understood.”

The protogen mechanically walks towards the fallen ponies and picks all three of them up at once, deploying a small fabric cradle to keep them steady.

Twilight yelps in response, but The Doll calls out to her and says:

“Twilight! Fear not, my friend. For this is an ally of ours... For now.”

Twilight stutters as she’s being transported, “A-are you sure?”

The Doll chuckles, “As they said, we can’t exactly escape in our condition without their aid. If you can’t trust him, or it, then please trust me.”

Twilight glances towards her two friends, all of whom were being transported and placed onto the pad within the protogen’s grasp. She then looks back to The Doll and says:

“I trust you, Tanner.”

“Activation in three. Two. One.” The pad flashes as Twilight, Zecora, and Starlight are teleported to the Order of the Guide. Upon seeing this, Zalgo immediately drops the facade and says:

“We do not have time to escape before Nyarlathotep arrives.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but now that they’re safe… what happens to you and me is not my concern.” The Doll responds.

“That is understandable… besides, I have one more thing to do… So please, Nyarlathotep… let us meet once more,” says Zalgo, watching as the Wall of Flesh draws nearer.

..........

The Doll was absolutely shocked by these words as he comments:

“Why would you WANT to talk to that thing?”

“The runes that will bring the worlds together will grant him enough power to destroy most of Terraria. Unfortunately, that goes against my little chess game. I will weaken him enough that those on the surface have a chance. This also allows us to delay him until my portable chess board recharges. Sadly, my powers are limited when in Nyarlathotep’s realm.” says the eldritch being.

A memory seemingly pops into The Doll’s mind, “That makes sense. Oblivion, Discord, and various other entities fell prey to such… drawbacks, once.”

The Wall arrives as Zalgo takes a relaxed stance.

“Greetings, fellow Old One.”

The endless series of screams and roars silence themselves immediately as the numerous eyes of The Wall all lock onto Zalgo’s form, “Ah, we sensed a familiar presence… and yet, we are also unfamiliar with your name.”

“Not many know of me. As I am currently in your realm, I shall be polite and give you my taken name. I am Zalgo.”

The Wall seemingly ponders on those words, in its own unique way, as a large series of voices speak in tandem:

“We are Nyarlathotep.”

“A powerful name, indeed. I honor you,” Zalgo says politely.

“So why are you in our realm, Zalgo…?”

“I was curious as to how my fellow Old Ones were faring. Of course, I simply had to check on the most powerful of them all first, Lord Nyarlathotep.”

An echoing rumble escapes from The Wall, “Yes… our might was truly unstoppable!” The entity then seems to ponder on the past, “But then, our claim to this world became our undoing. And it is all thanks to that wretched Royal Family in Camelot!”

“Indeed. I would aid you in any way possible.”

“We could sense that our ally in their world, Ocram, disappeared,” The eyes of The Wall lock onto the Voodoo demon’s form, ”And the Voodoo Demon has failed us,” The Wall lets loose a series of chuckling, “You will take up their station and activate the runes.”

“Simply let me know when you are prepared, my lord.”

“That witch, Calamitas, Voodoo Demon was conspiring with her to let down Camelot’s barrier. It repels all forces of darkness and sin. And as I’m sure you can tell, the demons embody both.”

“I assume your wish is for me to speak with the mortal.”

“Not exactly her, perse’. You need to inform her of this little arrangement and activate the runes planted throughout Camelot. Another acquaintance of the witch planted them in our stead.”

“You will rise, and all will cower before you, my Lord.”

“Then go forth and see to this, lowly servant.”

“My Lord, I must prove myself to you first. I would grant you more power if you were to accept my offering.”

The Wall lets loose another rumble, “Very well. Prostrate yourself and show us your offering.”

The protogen does such, lowering itself in a deep position of worship, as it forms a ball of energy in its claws.

“As proof of my undying loyalty, I offer you this, my Lord!”

A fleshy tendril with a toothed mouth at its end extends forth and takes the offering. The energy is consumed gleefully by The Wall as a result. Suddenly, rather than roars of triumph that would accompany a power-up, the entity cries out in what was seemingly roars of discomfort and pain. Its appendages begin to lash out chaotically as even the multitude of eyes of The Wall Of Flesh squints in response.

“What?! Our power, it’s- YOU!” The hundreds of mouths shout in unison.

“Arrogance was your downfall, Nyarlathotep. Not the Royal Family. Think of this as a lesson. Do not worry… I will still release you. I am no hero, and your goals are of no concern to me.” Says Zalgo, getting up and dusting himself off nonchalantly.

“What is the meaning of this?! Why swear loyalty to us and perform the ritual to merge the worlds?!”

“Pride is a flaw that must be destroyed. Your arrogance is what destroyed you the first time. This time, I shall teach you never to underestimate your opponents. Take it as you will.”

The Wall growls; however, it also seemingly reflects on these words. Despite this act of what seemingly was treachery, Nyarlathotep came to a certain realization. It was confusing to the eldritch horror, but was this being, Zalgo, actually trying to aid him in a very unique way? Sure, his powers were reduced, but not to the point that he’d end up helpless. This wracked the multitudes of minds within the creature’s form as it says:

“Interesting. Very interesting, Zalgo. Perhaps we may have misjudged your actions,” Another rumble escapes from the army of mouths, “Yes, our sights were too… narrow. Perhaps you have shown us something that would’ve spared us this fate, long ago.”

“You nearly underestimated the ponies. Do not be fooled… They will not be easy prey. They have destroyed the Brain and the Perforators, in their strongest form. And Ocram did not betray you… He was driven off by a filly using the powers of madness. They even bested Razeem, despite his condition. They will face you upon your arrival, this I know.”

The Wall remains silent for a few more moments as in truth, Zalgo was right. Nyarlathotep witnessed the events play out through ‘Tanner’s’ eyes and every enemy the ponies faced, fell to them in the end. This absolutely dawned on the underworld menace as it says:

“Your words are wise, Zalgo. We shall prepare ourselves for the invasion.”

“I shall activate the runes in five days to give you ample time to prepare. I have taught you the only lesson I can. Don’t disappoint me, now.” Zalgo disappears in a cloud of black tentacles, bringing The Doll with him, and leaving Nyarlathotep to dwell on his words.

Character inventory/equipment:

Fluttershy: Statigel Armor(pony, equipped), Overloaded Blaster, Eviscerator, Crimslime Staff, Corroslime Staff, Slime Staff, Finch Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Hornet Staff, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Honey Comb(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Staff Of Necrosteocytes, Purified Jam.

Rainbow Dash: Necro Armor(pony, equipped), Star Cannon, Minishark, Eviscerator, Aquatic Discharge, Bloody Rupture, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Healing Potion, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Victory Shard, Slime Mount.

Zecora: Crimson Armor(zebra, equipped), Dune Hopper, Sausage Maker, Beenade, Tooth Ball, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Various Potions, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Sand Cloak(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Bloodstained Gloves(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Skeletron Hand.

Starlight Glimmer: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Starfury, Vein Burster, Purple Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Healing Potion, Victory Shard, Rocket Boots(equipped), Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand.

Rarity: Meteor Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Hornet Staff, Snow Flinx Staff, Ice Mirror, Blood Clot Staff, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Rocket Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount, Book Of Skulls, Skeletron Hand, Staff Of Necrosteocytes.

Applejack: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Orange Phaseblade, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Rope, Metal Detector, Healing Potion, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, Bone Glove, Skeletron Hand.

Twilight Sparkle: Meteorite Armor(pony, equipped), Space Gun, Book Of Skulls, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Mana Potion, Ichor, Victory Shards, Aero Stone(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Slime Mount.

Pinkie Pie: Crimson Armor(pony, equipped), Vein Burster, Blue Phaseblade, Bloody Rupture x2, Aorta, Deathbringer Pickaxe, Blood Lust Cluster Axe, Metal Detector, Rocket Boots(equipped), Honey Comb(equipped), Flurry Boots(equipped), Brain Of Confusion(equipped), Mana Polarizer(equipped), Bone Glove(equipped), Honeyed Goggles, Slime Mount, The Blood Butcherer, Skeletron Hand.