-TERRARIA, CAMELOT CASTLE RUINS-INFERNON’S ARENA-

Having decapitated Infernon’s head with a single punch, sending it off into the atmosphere with force alone, Tirek, or Doomslayer, turns his gaze towards a weeping Cadance. However, during this time, Skeletox was noticeably absent. But from what the reawakened demon slayer could hear during his momentary conflict, the skeletal-alien entity mentioned sensing a ‘former host.’ Something about a pink pony.

The Princess is defeated emotionally as she sits on her knees with her gaze locked to the ground. Tears strolled down her face. She had lost everything that she ever knew. The future kingdom that she was meant to inherit is now laid in rubble and torn to ruin, her people dying and fighting for their lives. Even their spirits are threatened, no escape from the hell on Terraria even in death. But above all was the death of her very own mother.

However, hope literally approached her as powerful footsteps drew ever closer. A foot covered in mysterious armor plants itself before her as the being who owns it lowers itself onto a knee.

Even so, The Princess’s gaze remained lowered. But a gauntlet places itself below her chin and gently raises her gaze, causing her to meet a flaming helmet, the gaze of Doomslayer. Her eyes let loose the waterworks as she sniffles, but the Doomslayer’s right hand rotates as his thumb wipes away the tears on her right cheek. He follows this action by rotating his hand and bringing it over to her other cheek, using his index finger to wipe away those tears.

Without another word, the demon slayer gently picks up the Princess in his arms, the flames covering his form posing no threat to her. He turns and faces the same direction Infernon’s head had landed, bends his knees, and kicks off of Infernon’s Arena with a small grunt. However, as if to mock the demon one final time, Doomslayer caused the arena to crumble apart simply by the force of his liftoff.

As for the rest of Infernon’s body, that was a moot point… there wasn’t anything left. But the slayer has a head to go deal with.

Deeper within the warzone of Camelot, the remaining group from The Underworld looked upon Infernon’s head. They had absolutely no idea who this demon was due to their absence in the Underworld. But it matters not as another form descended upon them from the crimson sky and plants itself onto the demon’s head, dust being blown up in the process. The head is smashed into a fine paste as Doomslayer appears before them all, holding the Princess in his arms. The flames of his body burn away the gore that was, formerly, Infernon’s head.

Linn, taking notice of her cousin, hurriedly runs over to her while shouting in concern:

“Cadance!” This pulls the weeping Princess’s gaze away from the Doomslayer’s chest, her eyes widening in response.

“L-Linn…?” She questions in shock as the demon slayer gently sets her down, Linn’s arms wrapping around her cousin.

“I thought I lost you…” Linn said, tightening her hug.

The Princess gives in, and she wails into her cousin’s chest, screaming out all of her built-up pain, although it was muffled due to her being pressed up against her cousin. All while the Element Bearers, Sai Sahan, Starlight Glimmer, Shadow Thunder, Braelor, and Pound Cake look on in sympathy.

“Shhhh, let it all out, Caddy,” Linn soothes, patting her cousin’s back. “It’s ok… it’s ok…”

The Princess suddenly pushes herself off of Linn’s chest, “How is any of this ok?!” She screamed with tears still flowing. “Everything is gone, Linn! Camelot is in ruins; our people are dying! M-momma… s-she’s…” The Princess hesitates to go further, her words dying down in the process. But Linn catches onto the meaning.

“Aunty…” Linn said somberly with closed eyes. However, the pink-haired terrarian clenches her fist, turning her gaze to Doomslayer. “Thank you.”

The Doomslayer nods before turning towards the conflict with Nyarlathotep in the distance. He could see the beings of the former Equus raging against the mass of flesh. He could see Celestia, Luna, and Equus’s own Cadence flying through the air, bombarding the abomination with various spells. The slayer saw beings of Terraria also taking part in the battle. But on the flip side, he saw the flesh monstrosity killing and making victories of its’ own. Not to mention the demons and Crimson monstrosities that aided the fallen Outer God.

In short: It all made him angry, and one could hear a growl escape from his helmet.

……….

Back with the Princess and Linn, Cadence’s earlier outburst continued as she stated:

“So where does that leave us, huh?! Nothing is ok! Everything is-”

“Caddy,” Linn interjects. “I love you, but for aunty Amore’s sake, SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

The Princess steps back with wide eyes in response to her cousin’s outburst as everyone else from the Underworld lets loose their reactions.

“I never wanted you to ever experience this,” Linn starts. “I never wanted you to know what It’s like to lose everything… as I did,” She sighs, “That day when Yharim and his damned dragon burned everything away from me… it broke me. Just as you are broken, now,” The terrarian closes her eyes, takes a breath, and opens them once more, “However, a certain cousin of mine pulled me out of it. She taught me something that I live by to this very day. The same cousin who seemed to forget what I took to heart, the words that she told me, the words that motivates me.”

Flashback:

Two young girls sit on a lush-filled hill on the outskirts of Camelot, a white horse, Ves, sitting behind them as they lean against the equine. A single large tree is present just behind the horse, offering the group a semblance of shade.

The young Linn’s expression seemed unamused as she stared into the sunny skies. Then, after a silent moment between the two, she says:

“Why did you bring me out here, cousin?”

Cadance giggles, “I thought a change in scenery might help you, Linn.”

“This isn’t anything new; we’re sitting on the same hill that…” Linn hesitates, biting her lower lip, “T-that my parents used to bring me,” She turns around and glances towards the tree. A series of markings are present on the wood as if carved into it, but the most prominent feature was the large shield with an equine’s head peeking over it.

“If anything… It hurts to come here.”

“Look out there, Linn. To Camelot, and tell me what you see.”

Linn turns to her cousin, raising an eyebrow, “Seriously?”

“Just humor me!” The Cadence shouts with a pout.

Linn rolls her eyes and looks to the grand kingdom in the distance, “I see walls, flags, banners, and multiple roadways that lead in and out of Camelot. That is Camelot. So, why did you make me do that just now?”

Cadence smiles before standing up, dusting herself off, and walking towards Camelot a short distance. Ves’s ears perk up in response as Linn continues to observe her cousin.

“You’re not seeing the big picture,” Cadance says as she stretches her arms out and forms a box with her hand and fingers, fitting Camelot into it like a picture frame. “What I see is something very different.”

“Oh, please enlighten me, oh great artistic flair,” Linn comments sassily.

The Princess looks back to her cousin, sticking her tongue out at her, before looking back to the ‘box’ “You’re looking at it literally, but I see it in another light. I don’t see walls, flags, banners, and all that other material stuff.”

Cadance closes her eyes and takes a breath.

“I see the people within it. I see my mom, the guards, the adventurers, the people going about their business,” She lowers her hands and turns back to her cousin, “I see me, you, and even Ves over there!”

“Ok?” Linn questions. “We all live there, so… congrats?”

The young Princess giggles once more before taking on a serious expression. She lifts her index finger and states:

“Camelot isn’t walls and streets, cousin. It’s the people, us, who are Camelot. And so long as just ONE person who calls this place home lives on, so too will this glorious kingdom. For they will carry on our teachings and beliefs.”

“You’re just reciting what King Arthur said!” Linn responds in exclamation. “I don’t need a history lesson, Caddy!” She stands up hurriedly, annoyance plastered on her features. “What does any of this have to do with me, huh?! Why would-”

Linn cuts off her own words as she notices tears strolling down Cadance’s face, causing Linn’s eyes to widen.

“It has everything to do with you, Linn…” The Princess responds. “I am so sorry for what happened to your village, but it’s not gone for good,” She points an index finger towards Linn, “Because you live on, and Ves. You’re my family, and your village will live on through me as well,” She approaches her cousin and offers her hand, “So come with me. Let’s fight against the odds together. Let’s live life to its’ fullest….”

Present:

“And keep our home alive,” Linn finishes.

The pink-haired terrarian’s words affected her cousin and the ponies of Equus, who stood a short distance away from them. Braelor and Sai Sahan chuckle before nodding in agreement.

Shadow Thunder leans into Starlight Glimmer as Applejack and Rainbow Dash do the same in their own embrace.

“I’ve got my home right here,” Shadow Thunder comments, Starlight leaning deeper into their embrace.

“And you are mine, Shadow,” She looks into the stallions’ eyes, “Oh, and after we make it through this… we’re trying for a foal again~.”

……….

Both Twilight and Rarity look towards their friends with a beaming smile, although laughed nervously towards Starlight’s comment, as Pinkie Pie hugs Terraria's Pound Cake before saying:

“Once this is all over, I’m officially adopting you, Poundy!”

……….

“Hey, AJ?”

“Yeah, RD?”

“We never got to go on our date, so after we deal with that flesh jerk… let’s go on one.”

Applejack chuckles, “Ah’ look for’ard to that, Rainbow. So let’s go fight hard, t’gether.”

……….

The Princess had many emotions manifesting within her chest, and having taken in her cousin’s words, she wiped away her tears and formed a smile.

“I gave in to my despair, and I’m so sorry, everyone. Thank you for saving me, Linn,” she turns towards the nearby Doomslayer, “And to you, Tirek. And you… Daedalus.” However, her eyes are widened by what the Slayer does next.

Before anyone could say more words, a ball of light and flames are held within the Doomslayer’s grasp, manifesting within his right palm. The commotion garners everyone else’s attention. The Slayer raises his hand into the air as the ball explodes as if a supernova had just gone off.

The resulting wave sweeps across the landscape in one swift fashion, and those who fought against Nyarlathotep and its’ forces began to take on a dramatic change. Their bodies became engulfed by the same flame/light that the Doomslayer once wielded, and what forms after absolute shocks and awe everyone. This also affects everyone who stood near the demon slayer as he gave all who fought a great blessing:

Molten Armor and equipment that catered to their strengths.

Satisfied with his work, the Doomslayer conjures forth a Shotgun from his inventory, and with another bend of his knee, he kicks off with a mighty thrust.

The group watches as the Slayer’s form distances itself with every passing second, causing Rarity, now donning her new attire and equipment, along with everyone else, to question:

“W-where is he going, darlings?”

“Aww, man,” rainbow comments, seemingly disappointed. “I wanted to see how he fights.”

Linn smirks, “He’s entrusting us to deal with Legion. As for him, well… he’s got a demon invasion to stop.”

Cadance looks towards the same direction, and with her hands clasped together in front of her chest, she recites:

“Please save everyone, Doomslayer. Rip and tear until it is done.”

……….

If one were to look at Terraria from the point of view in space, one would see a glimmer of light and flame rushing across the planet. And wherever demonic runes are present, this fusion of light and fire would wipe it away.

All with the sound of a shotgun being cranked, fired, and cranked again.

The title of the chapter doesn't elude you, ladies and gents! This is, indeed, the opening to the saga's finale.

Side note: Next chapter will show what the ponies got from the Doomslayer.