-TERRARIA, CAMELOT OUTSKIRTS-

A series of attacks ranging from magical to physical inflictors and varying distances continues to roar across the landscape. Said landscape is now taking on an appearance all too similar to the Crimson Biome as the conflict with the Mound of Flesh continues.

“Things are only getting worse by every passing second,” Comments Terra-lestia, flapping her angelic wings to keep herself aloft and just over the raging battlefield.

Down below, the multi-color-haired terrarian could see the forces of the Coalition and those who remained of Camelot--not to mention guild members and adventurers--combating against the hell risen abomination. Of course, this included the demons of The Underworld, and to make matters worse, enemies from the Crimson are beginning to take form as the area had indeed become a growing Crimson Biome.

“We need to put a stop to this. Everyone in The Underworld, please, you must hurry!”

A powerful explosion catches Terra-lestia’s attention, and upon lowering her gaze, she could see both Celebes the Dryad and Venomous Sting combating with Nyarlathotep’s weakened state, along with The Mech who, in turn, was in the process of firing a powerful laser from its’ chest region.

This scenario made it a sight to behold; the only other somewhat recent battle in Terraria to have ever had this many combatants in one place was during the fight with Cthorator.

The sky suddenly became illuminated by a series of multi-colored lights, mixing in with the crimson coloration, which caused some on the battlefield to look skyward. Following this phenomenon are many dome-shaped, gelatinous entities that rained from the skies. And if one were to look closely, they could catch the faintest glimpse of a yellow pegasus with a pink tail and mane.

The new arrivals began to aid in the efforts against the Mound of Flesh, its allied demon hordes, and the flesh monstrosities of the Crimson Biome. Especially after the yellow pegasus roars out:

“Go forth and help everyone the best we can! For Ebonian, for Crimulon, for Slimetopia!”

“All hail the slime goddess!”
“Praise be to the Core!”

Shouts the many slimes in attendance, each taking on different characteristics and colorations. And of varying types of elemental prowess.

……….

“FUS RO DAH!”

An echoing exclamation calls forth a powerful force that sends various demons and monsters of the Crimson flying away. Nearby adventurers take notice of the commotion, and upon looking towards it, they spot the one responsible for the attack: a zebra wielding a spear from the battle with Cthorator, Sausage Maker.

“I still do not understand my new power, but I shall use it to aid in our current strife—behold Zecora’s might!” The zebra exclaims as she raises her spear above her head.

A nearby adventurer approaches her with an amazed expression. They are a terrarian man who is a bit overweight but sported a brown beard. His head is completely bald as he wielded a silver war hammer and donned in silver armor.

“I-I can’t believe it, you’re… Dragonborn.”

……….

Among the masses of combatants, two large individuals stood back to back as demons currently surrounded them. More specifically, a yak and a minotaur from Equus’s Coalition. They are both donned in Shadow Armor, said apparel forged from The Corruption’s ore veins.

“King Domihaus welcomes your approach, monsters!” The minotaur shouts as he slams his war hammer into the ground.

“Yak smash red-skinned bat things!” Exclaims Prince Rutherford

Suddenly, a red aura surrounds the demons, which causes them to struggle in some invisible grasp. As the yak and minotaur rulers look on in momentary confusion, a feminine figure could be seen hovering just above them. The dark-skinned female currently has her hand surrounded by the same energy present on the demons, her silver hair blowing in the wind.

“No,” Says Callie, albeit strugglingly as her speech still needed improvement. “Demons, no hurt anyone. I promise. I help.”

-TERRARIA, THE UNDERWORLD: THE PIT-

The group sent down to the Underworld, reunited with some of the Element Bearers, Starlight Glimmer, Shadow Thunder, Arche, Linn, Pound Cake, and Sai Sahan, are now standing before a seemingly bottomless pit.

Twilight peeks over the edge with The Doll in her magical grasp, “Wait a second… I feel like we’ve been here before.”

These words garner the attention of the purple alicorn’s fellow princesses, all of which shoot their gazes towards her with concern.

“I should think it would be, Twilight,” Tanner the Doll responds. “This is where that Voodoo Demon tried to rid you, Starlight, and Zecora from existence. This… is the Pit.”

Twilight nods in response, but something is still bothering her as she responds:

“It’s a bit hazy since I was barely regaining consciousness, but… Tanner, was there someone else here with us that day?” She places a forehoof to her head, “I just can’t escape this feeling that someone else was here, and they helped us. I don’t even know how the Voodoo Demon was stopped. I just know that he was.”

In truth, the Doll did indeed know about what had transpired but feigned ignorance. Choosing to respond with:

“I truly have no idea what you’re talking about, Twilight… I’m sorry.”
-Forgive me, everyone… but you’re not ready yet.-

Both Starlight and Twilight exchanged looks of concern to each other, but before they could press any further, a motherly voice made itself known.

“Twilight…” Celestia comments remorsefully, getting the attention of her former student. “I’m so sorry that you and your friends ever had to-”

“It’s ok, princess,” Twilight interjects, looking back over her right shoulder with a smile. “I’m not scared anymore.”

Applejack, Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie—currently keeping Pound Cake near her—and Rarity agrees with nods.

“Heh, spending time here in Terraria toughened us up a bit,” Rainbow Dash comments as she puffs her chest out in the air, her wings flapping to stay aloft. “Seriously. We’ve faced and seen things that are waaay worse than anything back home.”

“Indeed, darling,” Rarity said. “We know how worried you can be, Princess Celestia. That’s what we’ve always adored about you, darling. Like a worried mother to all her foals.”

“Plus, our equipment isn’t anything to laugh at!” Pinkie Pie exclaims with a raised forehoof before bringing it to her chin in thought, “Then again, does anyone else think we’re not optimized for this boss fight?”

Applejack turns towards her with an amazed expression, “Optimized… how do ya’ even know that word…?”

“Why does everyone look at me like that when I say something so sophisticated?” Pinkie Pie questions with slightly annoying features. “I know things too, you know.”

“Equipment?” Celestia questions. “But, I don’t see anything on you.”

“Ohoho, darling,” Rarity responds. “It’s all thanks to Steven, the Clothier. He gave us what’s called Familiar Clothing. It hides your equipment from view, but make no mistake; we are indeed wearing our armor. Besides, I don’t want to trot around looking like a barbarian.”

Starlight trots forth, “You don’t need to worry about us one bit. Not to brag or anything, but we could definitely hold our own against even Equestria’s worst of foes.” She poses confidently, “Hay, I could beat Chrysalis with a hoof tied behind my back as I am now.”

“About that, Starlight,” Cadence responds with a sheepish expression. “Chrysalis is kind of on our side now. Although we have no idea where she's been transported.”

As the unicorn mare’s muzzle drops in response, Applejack chuckles, “Well, consider’n we’re good friends with Echo Silhouette, ah think we’ll need ta clear things up when we run into her again.”

Starlight scoffs as she rolls her eyes, “Don’t hold your breath on that one.”

Shadow Thunder approaches and places a forehoof onto Starlight’s right shoulder, “Now, now, beautiful. We can’t-”

A loud gasp can be heard from a certain pink alicorn, “It was you two!” Cadence shouts happily while pointing a forehoof towards them. “You two are the ones I’ve sensed from Equus!”

Cadence rushes forth and inspects the duo with growing excitement. Still, while Starlight takes on reddened features, Shadow Thunder couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity from the pink alicorn.

“H-have we met before?” He questions, causing Cadence to stop in place.

“Hmmm, I don’t think so,” She responds with a pondering forehoof to her chin.

As this goes on, Linn could be seen staring at the pink alicorn nearby with the absolute dumbfounded expression on her face that one could muster. She turns to Braelor, who stands beside her.

“Ok, I’ve gotta say: my cousin looks pretty good as a pony. Meeting her alternate self from another world is tripping me.”

Braelor chuckles in response before looking towards Cadence; saying internally:

-Cirrus, you silly drunkard. I hope you can see that your sacrifice wasn’t in vain.-

Celestia looked upon those before her with a shocked expression. Having taken in their words, the white alicorn is filled with conflicting emotions. She felt as if she had failed her subjects, her children, by permitting them to have ever faced such hardships at all. Granted, although they faced beings such as Discord, Tirek, Chrysalis, and King Sombra, Celestia had always calculated and planned for their victory. Even if she was defeated in the conflict, another could save the day in her stead. But when the Moon Lord appeared, it was something far different, which haunted her thoughts.

To know that there are foes she couldn’t protect her loved ones against is a concept that has consumed her thoughts ever since being brought back to life. The fact that it took a being from another world to aid them against the Moon Lord only further bolstered this uneasiness. However, despite this and deep inside her heart, Celestia also felt another emotion. After seeing their victories over Equus’s foes, in addition to hearing of their success here on Terraria, a sense of pride was always present. The satisfaction of a proud mother.

And it was this proudness that always managed to form a smile onto her muzzle. The same smile that she now wore.

“I guess I’ll have to accept that you’ve all grown up, my little ponies,” She mutters before looking upward, “And, I suppose, I’ll have to let you all go. Even If I’m too afraid to do so.”

……….

Twilight, Sai Sahan, Flame Heart, Tanner the Doll, Tzana, Arche, Tempest, and Princess Luna are currently in a conversation. During the interactions of the others, Luna, Tempest, Tzana, and Arche made their way over to the lavender alicorn as they, too, now stand before the Pit.

“So, let me get this straight,” Tzana starts. “This pit was made by Daedalus and Lucifer fighting against each other?” She whistles. “Sounds like one hell of a battle.”

“It was the most historical fight in the Underworld’s history,” The Doll responds. “Even more so than Calamitas’s actions, but that’s another story. Their conflict was so powerful, so chaotic and massive, that they not only shook the entire hellscape, but the surface world above could feel their rumbling.”

Arche tilts his head, “So why exactly do we have to throw you down here specifically? Wouldn’t just any body of lava do the trick?”

“Indeed,” Sai Sahan responds. “Rainbow Dash could’ve just thrown you anywhere else, just like she was trying to do against the Wall.”

The Doll remains silent for a brief moment. “Yes, that was the original plan. But Terra has just informed me of something else.”

“That being?” Tempest questions.

“This pit? It wasn’t something that was created from their conflict, perse’,” Tanner answers. “You see, Lucifer was creating this pit for another purpose, and Daedalus stopped its progress during his ravenous retribution. But the question remains: what is this pit’s true purpose?”

“By the stars…” Luna comments in shock. “One answer brings forth another question—tis most concerning."

Flame Heart, being incredibly curious of the Pit's depth, fires up his horn and drops a ball of flames down the hole. The light of the flame illuminates it as it's in freefall, but slowly disappears and dulls as it falls ever further into the abyss.

"Woah..." The fiery stallion comments. "That's really deep."

Twilight looked down the pit and back to the Doll, “And throwing you in there will help?”

Although they could now hear the approaching group’s steps behind them, a momentary silence ensues.

“Yes.” The doll said, breaking the silence. “Terra has a suspicion, and tossing me in there will help.”

A hesitant expression is etched onto Twilight’s face. “I’m so sorry it had to come to this, Tanner.” She said with a saddened tone.

“Don’t be sorry, Twilight. However, before you do the deed, please allow me to speak to everyone else here.”

Adhering to his request, Twilight floats the Doll higher up into the air, turning it in place to face everyone else present. Like an audience in attendance to a featurette.

“Everyone, there isn’t much time for a long speech, so I’ll have to ask you to forgive me. Please, save the world from our current predicament, but brace yourselves. This is only just the start of even greater challenges that lie ahead.”

Various ears of the ponies perk up in response, along with the attentive gazes from the terrarians present.

“You will face significant loss; you will be thrown into the abyss and be brought back by a death god’s touch. Pay attention, Luna, for you will be involved with this.” These words naturally cause the lunar princess to cock her head in confusion.

“You will meet powerful foes on your journey, both familiar and new alike. You will meet new infections born from various circumstances, although some of you who recently arrived from Equus, before the unification, have already met such an occurrence.”

Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Tzana, and Tempest nod in response, knowing the Divide’s influence the Doll was referring to.

“There is so much more I wish I could tell you, but I cannot do so, and I’ll have to ask you all to trust me. For that task falls onto another.”

Looks of curiosity are present in the crowd before him.

“Another?” Pinkie Pie questions.

“My time has come, and when I die, another Guide will be born to replace me. Just as it has always been for the Pillars of Terraria. Granted, we can also pass on our stations, but alas, things aren’t going the pleasant route.”

Applejack, now holding her hat close to her chest, comments:

“Is there anyth’n we could do for ya’, Tanner?”

“Just one,” The Doll responds. “Just do one thing for me.”

“Name it, darling!” Rarity exclaims. “If it’ll make this easier, we will do whatever you ask of us.”

The Doll lets loose a heartfelt chuckle, “Thank you... all of you. I know we haven’t spent much time together, but I’ve taken a liking to every one of you. I might even name the next Guide in your honor, a little pony influence if you will.”

“T-thou can do that?” Luna questions.

“Of course! Sometimes we let the next Guide choose their name, but I think I deserve to be a little selfish here. But as for my request, please keep an eye on the following Guide to be born. He’ll certainly be unlike any of us who came before him.”

“No problem,” Rainbow Dash responds with a dismissive forehoof.

“So, what’s this guy’s name gonna be?” Tzana questions.

The Doll hums in thought, but during his inner thoughts, and unbeknownst to everyone else present, a deep and echoing voice enters his mind.

-Yes. A perfect name indeed, Tanner.-

This voice took aback the Doll, but Tanner kept his composure to not startle everyone else present. After the momentary shock, the Doll seemingly recognized this voice and responded:

-Yog, I presume? Terra mentioned I might hear from you before my… end.-

-Yes, Guide. I am Yog, and I am the one who commissioned your station’s creation. One could say the Guide was created in my image.-

-Then I suppose it’s finally nice to meet you, although it’s a shame that we won’t have much time to chat.-

Yog chuckles, -There is no need for that, and I have already worked things out with Terra and Zalgo for an appropriate reward for your services.-

-Wait, what do you mean?-

-Now, now, Guide. There’s no fun in spoiling surprises; just ask Pinkie Pie.-

……….

As it so happens, Pinkie Pie could’ve sworn she heard someone mention her name.

……….

“Hey, uh, Tanner?” Applejack questions. “Y’all ok, partner? Ya’ just went silent all a sudden.”

The orange earth pony pulls The Doll out of his inner conversation. “S-sorry about that, everyone. Just had a moment of silence is all.”

-May you find peace, Tanner. Your name will forever be recorded in my library, and I shall always- Hey! Don’t drop that! I just organized that section of my library, you imbeciles!-

-Sorry, Lord Yog.- Says two other deep, gargled male voices nearby.

-Yig! Where did you find these incompetent fools?! I mean, seriously, how hard is it to transport a stack of books to another dimension?!-

-Harder than you might think, Yog- A female voice responds monotonously, in a fashion similar to Maud. -They sadly can’t do it so casually, it seems.-

-They’re eldritch! Opening a dimension is practically eldritch one o’ one! Next, you’re going to tell me that they don’t have tentacles!-

……….

As the inner voices seem to fade within the Doll’s mind, Tanner clears his throat, despite appearances, and mutters:

“Correction, I currently have a momentary lapse in mental fortitude. Pomp Neigh the Guide, you've got a lot of madness to deal with. Best of luck to you, my successor.”

I'm proud to say that only a few more chapters remain until this saga's conclusion!

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, Angel Wings(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, Angel Wings(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, Angel Wings(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.