-TERRARIA, OUTSKIRTS OF CAMELOT-

With the local Crimson Biome purified, all in attendance began their search for several pieces -- literally -- of their current objective. Some traveled by land while others searched through the skies like a bird of prey.

“Keep your eyes peeled!” Athena exclaims from above, her silver wings flapping as her silver hair flutters in the wind. “We mustn’t allow a single piece of that creature to escape!”

In response, everyone in attendance doubled their efforts. Some even began to sense for any type of signatures that would aid their search - be it life signatures, soul sensory, fragments of auras, and all manner of means.

A sudden flapping of wings encroaches on Athena, “Hey, Athena!”

The Ancient of Space turns her gaze towards the source and spots Rainbow Dash, who draws closer before hovering in front of her. Upon seeing the pegasus, a surge of emotions consumes Athena's form, although she masks them under a stoic expression.

-Hermes…- Athena starts internally. -Your bloodline runs strong with her. She even has your rainbow ha--

“Uh, hello?” The pegasus inquires, waving a forelimb in front of Athena’s features. “Terraria to Athena, you ok?”

Athena blinks several times, and amazingly, she spaced out for a moment. She manages to recollect herself before clearing her throat, all while Rainbow Dash looks at her with a raised eyebrow.

“F-forgive me, Herm-” She hesitates. “I mean, Rainbow Dash. I’ve had a lot on my mind as of late.”

The rainbow pegasus stares at Athena for a moment before shaking her head. “Ok, ok, never mind that. So, here’s the thing: Twilight was worried that pieces of that thing could’ve-”

“Your worries are warranted, but it’s already been taken cared of,” Athena interjects with a raised hand. “I am the Ancient of Space, Rainbow Dash. I’ve bent the entire spacial territory of Camelot and its outer regions, and should any of that creature’s essence try to breach my boundaries, well…” Her eyes suddenly turn sideways, and a smirk forms on her soft lips, “Perfect timing.”

[PLETHIM]

A chunk of moving flesh is suddenly teleported down below, following a pulsing boom in the very fabric of space itself. Several bystanders take notice of the entity before a series of smirks, grins, and narrowed eyes follow suit.

“Looks like flesh is back on the menu, boys!” Hades roars out as the fiery deity and several other entities begin to burn the gore with streams of flames. Each one of several different colorations.

“SKRA-AAAWW-AWWR!” The flesh roars out, its words fading as its form is steadily reduced to ashes.

Back in the air, Rainbow Dash looks on with wide eyes before a chuckle escapes her, “Well, that’s that, then,” She turns her gaze to Athena, “I’ll go tell Twilight that you’ve got this contained,” She waves a forehoof, “See ya!”

[ZOOMPH]

The pegasus dashes off in a rainbow-colored blur, and as Athena stares at the spot Rainbow Dash once stood, a small tear escapes her left eye and drapes down her left cheek.

“Athena… you should tell her…” The voice of Anubis echoes out before his form manifests from a collective of green flames.

“You need to stop doing that, Athena, and find a way to-”

“Do NOT speak to me as if you understand my pain, brother,” Athena interjects. “You and Oblivion had your losses, but neither of you can truly understand what it’s like to lose everything.”

The two Ancients turn to each other.

“Sure, Xeroc took away Genesis’s former glory, and yours as well,” Athena starts before placing a hand onto her chest, “But I lost EVERYTHING! At least you two still have your families and other survivors of your pantheons, but me? All that’s left is me, Enyo, and Hades!”

“You don’t know that for sure,” Anubis responds with crossed arms. “Some of them could’ve escaped Yharim’s ‘pet,’ as that fucker called it, and haven’t been revealed yet. There’s always that chance, Athena. Also, yes, Oblivion and I don’t know what it’s like to lose everything in that sense. But let me show you what we do know,” Anubis floats closer to Athena and gently presses a finger against her right cheek, pushing her gaze sideways.

The duo takes in the distant forms of the Element Bearers and their friends and allies. Along with other entities who had joined them, such as Rajah Rabbit, Akuma, and Santa Clause. However, they also take notice of two feminine individuals that are currently approaching them: a werebeast and an elf.

But the main garner of Athena’s attention is the rainbow pegasus amongst them, who stood beside Applejack.

“You see Gay Pride over there?” Anubis starts. “That, right there, is living proof that you DIDN’T lose everything,” Anubis removes his finger from Athena’s cheek, “You were once the one who taught us that, and you held us all together even through the hardest of times. ”

Athena’s gaze lowers as her silver hair hides her eyes.

“I know why you’ve lost heart, sister,” Anubis said with a somber tone. “Losing your loved ones was definitely a big blow for you… but, losing him-”

“Please…” Athena interjects sadly. “Don’t…”

Anubis remains silent and floats forth with a sympathetic gaze, “Don’t hold it all in,” He said.

“N-no…” Athena’s form shivers. “No…”

Anubis’s arms wrap around the Queen of the Seraphs, pulling her closer and into his embrace. He starts to pat her back with his left hand, her form still vibrating within his grasp.

“Stop fighting it… let it all go. You’ve been there for Oblivion and me in our weakest moments.”

Anubis has an inner flashback of Athena’s vibrant wings wrapping around the forms of both Oblivion and himself in two separate panels of scenarios. Holding them both separately in the same embrace Anubis had currently held her.

“You’ve seen us break down, sister,” Anubis starts, patting her back, “You’re allowed to do the same.”

And that did it. Athena buries herself into Anubis’s chest, and her resulting wailing screams are muffled. She tightly holds onto Anubis with her hands and arms wrapped around him, all while her wings drape down her back unfolded.

-Yharim… you absolute fuck.- Anubis states internally. -We faced GrimDarks, rival gods and deities, demons, eldritch horrors, and all manner of foes. But you managed to do the one thing no other could ever achieve.-

Athena continues to wail while the search for the Mass of Flesh’s severed and retreating remains continues. Anubis tightens his embrace with closed eyes before continuing:

-By taking Setheroth away, you’ve broken her…-

Athena suddenly pulls her head away from Anubis’s chest, a stream of tears strolling down her cheeks. Her expression is one of absolute loss, and gone is the demeanor of her once authoritative presence.

“I w-want my b-boy back,” She sobs and sniffs. “Yh-Yharim took my b-boy!”

“We’ll get Seth back, Athena,” Anubis responds with determined features. “Both him and Crystal.”

“B-but… what if-” Athena hesitates. “What if we can’t…? Crystal is one thing, but my Seth…” Her gaze falls downward, “Anubis, Crystal didn’t plunge into the darkness like my son did. It’s not the same…”

Anubis chuckles, much to Athena’s momentary confusion. “If Harmony were here, she’d likely go on her typical light and dark speeches,” Anubis starts. “Now, I’m not going to quote it all, fuck that, but I will say this: ‘Even in the deepest darkness, light can always be found. For one can never truly exist without the other.’”

“You’re telling me things that I already know, brother…”

Anubis raises an eyebrow, “Well, then, if you understand this,” He boops Athena’s nose, causing her to scrunch in response, “Then why do you believe that you can’t reach out to your son? He’s in the darkness, Athena, but I’d like to believe that you’re the ‘light’ that can get him out.”

“But… what if I fail him…?”

“We’ve all failed at one point or another, sis,” Anubis responds, tapping her shoulders. “The most important thing is that you try. And if you get kicked off that failure of a horse, well, you know what you say?” He floats backward a short distance and points to nowhere as if someone were there.

“Now listen here, failure horse! I’m going to mount you and slap you around until you’re begging me to turn your ass into glue!”

Athena stares blankly for a brief moment before bursting out into laughter with her right hand covering her mouth.

“Th-that was a terrible analogy, A-Anubis,” She responds between laughter. “L-leave the s-speeches to someone e-else, haha!”

Anubis grins, “Meh, never was one for speeches, anyway. Plus, between you and me, I’m pretty sure I took that from some ancient Egyptian king’s sarcophagus.”

Athena rolls her eyes with a small chuckle.

“Thank you, Anubis,” She said.

“No, Athena,” He extends a closed fist and invites a fistbump, “It’s my brother and I who should be thanking you.”

Athena smiles, and extends her own closed hand to meet Anubis’s own. However, a sudden feminine exclamation from a small distance roars out:

“Well fuck a doodle doo! Look what I found!”

Both Anubis and Athena turn their gaze towards the source of the voice, only to be met by the form of Tzana. But their attention is garnered by what the half-utopian mare had pierced on her blade, Bladecrest Oathsword:

A maw from the former Mass of Flesh.

……….

“Release me at once, filth!” The Mouth exclaims, spiked onto the business end of Tzana’s weapon. “Wretched creature! I will-mmmph!”

Tzana silences the mouth by shoving it into the earth, “I’m sorry, but the mare that you’re trying to reach is currently out of ‘gives a fuck,’ please try again.”

Tzana lifts the blade once more, the Mouth spitting out dirt as a result before growling in anger.

“You all haven’t won! I am Nyarlathotep! I am invincible!”

Tzana stares at the spiked mouth with a deadpan expression and a raised eyebrow. “Oh? You see, that would be intimidating if you were,” She stifles a peal of laughter, “Wehehell, intimidating.”

“Nngh! You dare mock me?!”

“Oh, no! No, no, no, no,” Tzana’s blade pulsates. “Pfft, yeah.”

The mare lifts the blade over her head, and a crimson energy scythe is let loose into the air, which eradicates the talking gore that was once spiked on top.

……….

Much like Tzana, many other beings and individuals locate and destroy other pieces of the former Mass of Flesh. And after some time, the entire force makes incredible progress.

Oblivion reduces a chunk of flesh into a mist of red and black; Greed crushes another with pure raw strength. Decay causes another to wither up by means of unknown clouds of sickening compositions, and Mewlu uses their psychic powers to lift other pieces into the air before blasting them away in a barrage of Aura Spheres. Lucifer snaps his fingers, which causes every last piece of flesh he discovered to ignite in hellfire, while Terabyte can be seen swallowing any flesh they had located.

Throughout the entire territory of Camelot, everyone worked diligently to destroy their shared foe. Mages unleashed their spells; melee fighters thrust their weapons, and any form of attack was instantly unleashed upon pieces of severed flesh. Said flesh trying to escape or remain hidden.

Finally, and after nearly a whole hour had passed, no one could procure -- let alone locate -- another piece of the former Mass of Flesh.

“This ain’t right,” Oblivion comments amongst a group. “It doesn’t feel like we killed that crimson fucker,” He suddenly places a claw to his chin in thought, “Heeey, I like that name. Oblivion, the Crimson Fucker… got a nice ring to it.”

“Ignoring the name part, I know what you mean,” Anubis comments, having parted from Athena. “I expected something more grandiose after killing an Outer God.”

“Right?!” Oblivion exclaims. “This is bullshit. Also, from this day forth, I take the title of Crimson Fucker! Copyright that in the Terraria history books, bitches!”

Anubis facepalms. “You were clearly dropped when Terra conceived us.”

“Bitch, you’re just jealous of my Crimson Fucker swagger!” Oblivion responds with a pointed claw, then chuckles. “See?! That shit practically rolls off the tongue!”

“Ugh…” Anubis resigns.

Nearby, and all the while, Terabyte can be seen seemingly talking to themself - the alicorn lost in inner conversation.

“Uhm, Terabyte?” Celebes the Dryad inquires, Venomous Sting located beside her as the duo stood alongside Terabyte. “Are you-”

“Yeah, yeah, I'll tell em,” Terabyte unintentionally interjects. “Alright! Looky here, everyone in attendance and yadi yada.”

These words garner the attention of those present.

“Simply put: some random dude named Yog told Silence about an ability he and every Guide possesses,” Terabyte said.

“The fuck’s a Yog?” A bystanding dwarve inquires, resting a warhammer on their shoulder.

“Good question, moving on,” Terabyte responds with a glance before turning forth once more. “We can locate any last remaining pieces by sensing their literal consciousness. Their thoughts, their emotions, all of that stuff. A nice perk that Silence, by extension me, and the Guides possess. Athena’s spacial manipulation will keep the remaining flesh in our vicinity, and all we need to do is find them.”

Silence ensues, along with questioning expressions.

Oblivion raises a single digit of his claw, “Yeah, uh, the fuck’s that supposed to mean?”

“Open a dictionary,” Terabyte responds simply, causing Oblivion to growl in response and take a step forth, only for Anubis to extend an arm in his path while saying:

“Just let it slide this time.”

Terabyte closes their eyes in concentration. Then, the world all around them goes black, although this wasn’t seeable from the perspective of those around him. Absolute quietness takes hold, but pulsing lines suddenly appear like a steady heartbeat. And these white transparent lines flicker in and out of reality, but what was most interesting about them is how they indicated a single direction. Because of this, one glaring fact is all too apparent: This was the last remaining piece of the former Mass of Flesh.

Terabyte opens his eyes, “Found you.”

---

A small glob of flesh with a singular eye and mouth etched onto it is steadily and stealthily distancing itself from those who searched for it - using elongated tentacles to crawl away. Of course, it couldn’t get too far as Athena’s barrier was still in place.

“I need to keep myself hidden,” The Spec of Flesh comments. “Perhaps they’ll give up after I lay low for a-”

“Yeah, no, don’t count on that,” Terabyte’s voice echoes before a series of glitches manifests, followed by his equine form. “Gotta give that Yog guy credit; they know their shit.”

“Blast that Yog!” The spec roars out upon hearing that name. “I should’ve known he’d be responsible for this!”

“Look, pal, you’re worrying about the wrong guy at the moment,” Terabyte responds before a series of glitching black energy surrounds their horn. “Yog’s not physically here to kill you,” The same aura surrounds the spec of flesh, floating it into the air. “We are.”

In tandem, a large assortment of individuals joins in via another spacial manipulation from Athena, who, in turn, floats just overhead.

“Well done, Terabyte,” Athena comments, looking down upon the flesh held within Terabyte’s aura with murderous intent. “It’s time we finish this, Nyarlathotep,” She spreads her arms, “And I know the perfect beings for the job.”

The assortment of individuals steps forth, consisting of Oblivion, Greed, and Lucifer. However, an unfamiliar face is also present. But one thing remained consistent with all in attendance: they were all beings who excelled at destruction.

“Destroyers of Terraria,” Athena declares. “Each of you wields your stations by your means and helps maintain balance in this world. Where there is creation, there must also be destruction. The two are among the great components for the balance of the entire universe,” Her eyes set on both Oblivion and, shockingly, Greed, “Although… some of you weren’t born into this role.”

“Cut the speech, Athena,” Greed comments. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Worm King’s got a point. Sorry, sis. I love the speech, though. Full stars from me,” Oblivion states, cracking his neck and joints. “Feels ironic being a creator turned destroyer, but I gotta admit, seeing shit go boom is pretty exciting.”

“Too bad you bloody suck at it,” Lucifer comments, grinning towards Oblivion. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen, eh?” His words cause Oblivion’s eyes to flash red. “You don’t deserve to stand among real destroyers, Genesis. You were born a creator and will never be one of us!”

“Don’t you DARE go there, Luci! Hypocritical fuck!” Oblivion roars out. “This from the former angel who created all other angels! You’re just like me; you weren’t born a destroyer - you got turned into one!”

Lucifer’s eyes become blackened in response, gritting his teeth as absolute anger festers within him.

“Oops, did I just let that one slip?” Oblivion taunts. “Nice piece of history, wouldn’t you agree? Better thank the Guides for being so… conservative.”

“Oh, is that how you bloody want to play it?” Lucifer inquires as fangs start to grow in his mouth. “Since we’re having a nice little bit of history lessons, who was it, consistently, mind you, who bloody failed constantly due to his-”

“Don’t you fucking say it!” Oblivion roars out, a crimson and black aura surrounding his form. “I swear to Terra, if you finish that fucking line, I will-”

Lucifer smiles, “Your blind loyalty to that slut, Harmony.”

A moment of silence ensues, followed by a roar from Oblivion, who charges forth. Lucifer roars out in response, and the duo careens towards each other following powerful shockwaves as they kick off their foundations.

“Stop this!” Athena exclaims from above. “This is madness!”

“I’ll stop when he’s dead!” Both Oblivion and Lucifer roar out in unison.

“Yup,” Terabyte comments while the scenario plays out. “Just gonna stand here with this flesh thing floating by my side, no big. Not like we were supposed to KILL THIS THING!”

Athena lands beside him, followed by a sigh and facepalm.

But even during this, the Spec of Flesh that's being held within Terabyte’s grasp looks side to side, trying to find any feasible way out of this situation.

-This is ridiculous!- The sentient gore roars internally. -These wretches are nothing more than children fighting amongst themselves! This can’t be my end; I refuse to die to these--

-You won’t,- A mysterious voice interjects, their tone a mixture of male and female while also echoing in the Spec of Flesh’s mind. -At least, that depends on if you screw this up.-

The Spec of Flesh’s single eye widens. -M-my Lord! Have you come to assist me?!-

-As I said, Nyarlathotep. I shall give you a second chance; let it be known that I always reward those who serve me well. And whether or not you succeed from this point on is entirely up to you.-

The Spec of Flesh hides their smirk from their captor, Terabyte, along with Athena, as its eye becomes more… pleasant.

-What must I do, Lord Azathoth?-

-Simply kick back, relax, and you shall see the fruits of my intervention. Oh, and, Nyar?-

-My Lord?-

-I hate disappointment.-

The world goes into slow motion for Lucifer and Oblivion, ready to tear into one another. Their appendages are mere inches away from colliding, but suddenly, a clawed feminine hand covered in black scales grabs onto both of their arms, stopping their approach in that very instant.

A female humanoid draconian entity stands between them, her fiery hair pulsating as her wings remain half folded but extended.

“How utterly childish of you two,” The female comments with a deep feminine tone.

She pulls Oblivion and Lucifer closer before parting her arms in two separate directions, sending them both flying in those directions, although they ski across the land as their legs dig into the earth.

At a distance, Oblivion and Lucifer recover with a grunt. The skull wolf observes who had intervened, and he instantly recognizes this powerful entity.

“Ragnarok,” He said

“Genesis,” She responds.

The skull wolf looks downward, “Not anymore.”

“Nonsense,” Ragnarok responds, garnering Oblivion’s attention. “Xeroc may have taken your body, but he did not take your spirit. You seem to have forgotten that,” She turns her gaze to Lucifer and nods, “Lucifer. Hela sends her regards.”

“Lovely as always, Ragna,” Lucifer responds. “And you can tell Hela that I’m not interested.”

Ragnarok chuckles, “Don’t be cute. She denied your advances, not the other way around.”

Ragnarok places her hands behind her back and starts to walk as her tail coils back and forth. Her gaze fixates on Greed, who stood nearby, and a seductive expression takes hold.

“Mmm, we meet again, handsome,” She comments, looking up and down Greed’s form. “Hela especially sent her sincerest regards to you~.”

“Not interested,” Greed responds simply. “If you two want a good fuck, you’re going after the wrong sin. I’m Greed, not Lust.”

“Mmmm, perhaps,” Ragnarok starts to walk around Greed, draping her tail beneath his chin, “But you take what you want, right? So, whaddya say?” She leans into his right ear and blows on it before whispering:

“Wanna try taking me, Greed?”

Greed turns his neutral gaze towards her, “No.”

Ragnarok pouts, “Awww.” She then chuckles before resuming her stride, a noticeable sway of her hips while walking away from Greed, saying:

“Well, if you ever change your mind, Greed,” She glances over her right shoulder, “My bed-chamber is always open for you.”

As she departs and approaches Terabyte and Athena, both Oblivion and Lucifer stare at Greed with their mouths slightly jawed. Oblivion creates a sudden applauding as he claps his claws together.

“Well fuck me sideways, Wormy!” Oblivion starts. “You’ve got game!”

“When the bloody hell did you and Ragna get acquainted?!” Lucifer inquires in absolute shock. “She and Hela kill most men who make moves on them, but here Ragna is making moves on you?!”

“For Terra's sake…” Greed sighs annoyingly, “Come on, let’s go kill that thing already.”

As the Ancient of Greed disembarks, both Oblivion and Lucifer turn to each other.

“Eat shit and die,” Oblivion scorns.

“Yes, fuck you,” Lucifer responds.

……….

After a small window of time, Ragnarok, Greed, Oblivion, and Lucifer stand around the floating flesh that’s being held within Terabyte’s glitching aura. Athena oversees the scenario for a moment before starting:

“Nyarlathotep, you have caused all manner of destruction and strife for this world. The Infections born from your flesh have scared this planet for far too long, and your actions with the demons are unforgivable!” She raises her right hand before holding out a closed fist, “This judgment is far too obvious, and the evidence is laid bare for all of history to see.”

“Get to the good part, las,” Lucifer comments, motivative. “I want to watch this guy disappear in front of me.”

“Indeed,” Athena responds before forming a thumbs down with her hand. “We sentence you to oblivion!”

“Terra, yes, I love hearing that word!” Oblivion exclaims, aiming his right claw towards the Spec of Flesh. All while Lucifer, Greed, and Ragnarok do the same.

“Goodbye, Nyar,” Ragnarok said.

“As my daughter would say: ‘Farewell, da-haha-rling,” Greed comments.

“Once you’re gon’, I've got a lot of bloody repairs to make in The Underworld,” Lucifer states. “Lata, ya fuck’n wankah!”

A series of energies are being gathered before Nyarlathotep’s pitiful state.

“W-wait!” The Spec of Flesh roars out. “That’s not fair at all!”

“I’m sorry,” Oblivion responds with a grin. “We don’t give a fuck!”

-My Lord!- The Spec roars out internally and in fear as the gathered energies from their executioners grow more vibrant. -You MUST assist me!-

-Have faith, Nyar. I, Azathoth, will deliver you from this.-

The energies get more vibrant, and the Spec of Flesh’s single eye dilates in terror. On one hand, or tentacle, Nyar had faith in their lord. But on the other, the destructive energies before him still sent waves of absolute caution.

Suddenly, they vanished. The energies of Oblivion, Greed, Ragnarok, Athena, and even Terabyte disappear without a trace. Because of this, Terabyte had dropped the Spec of Flesh due to his glitching aura disappearing completely.

“What the fuck?!” Oblivion roars out, looking over himself in confusion. “My magic! It’s fucking gone!”

“What is this?!” Ragnarok exclaims. “What did you do, creature?!” She booms as she turns to the Spec of Flesh. Said entity looking on with a devilish smile plastered on its maw.

“This can’t be happening!” Terabyte shouts. “The powers of the GrimDark, it’s being-” Suddenly, Terabyte regresses and transforms back into Silence, who breaths heavily after re-emerging once more.

“I… Impossible…” Silence says between breaths, “Terabyte… he’s been severed from me and has returned to the GrimDark. I-I can’t reach out to him.”

Lucifer falls to his knees and starts to fade away, “Bloody fuck… whatever’s happen’n, it’s sending me back to The Underworld…” As he fades, he looks toward Oblivion, “You wankahs had better not fuck this up, furry convention.”

Oblivion sports a middle ‘finger’ in response.

Thus, Lucifer disappears without a trace. However, when it comes to Greed, something absolutely unexpected happens. Several lights of energies shed his form, and what remains instead is a female entity. But what is most particular about this feminine figure is that she’s put simply: the Terraria version of Trixie.

“Tr-Trixie’s illusion spell!” Ter-Trixie comments in absolute shock. “What is happening?! Trixie has no magic!”

A small grin adorns Silence’s features, “I always knew it. The real Greed was never here, at least not in this moment.”

“What?!” Oblivion roars out. “And you didn’t think it appropriate to tell us?!”

“That would breach privacy, Oblivion,” Silence responds. “How would you feel If I went around exposing your own plans with the knowledge I wield?”

Oblivion’s left eye twitches, “This conversation isn’t over, Silence.”

A large number of questions surely arose, but before anyone could express them, a large spiral pillar of lavender energy fires up into the skies from a distance. They all turn towards the source, and Oblivion’s eyes widen with a sense of fear.

“Ah, shit… here we go again.”

“N-no,” Athena comments with dread. “By the halls of Olympus!”

“Uh, Trixie is a little confused here. What is going on, and why is there so much magic coming from that thing?!”

“It all makes sense now,” Silence comments as he steps forth. “Our magic being taken away isn’t a coincidence… Twilight Sparkle, Ancient of Magic and the Dawn, has returned.”

“A.K.A,” Oblivion comments. “The fucking Devourer of Gods.”

“Raaaaaauwr!” Ragnarok suddenly roars out in draconian fashion. “It escaped! That damned flesh escaped my grasp!”

As was revealed, Ragnarok had given chase to the Spec of Flesh but had unfortunately failed to secure the entity.

……….

Now safely secured in a new location, the Spec of Flesh began to channel its own energy, safe from the drainage that had weakened everyone else in attendance.

“I will have my revenge,” The Spec says as crimson energy dances all around it. “Nyarlathotep shall rise again!”

---

Twilight Sparkle’s equine form hovers in the central point of the pillar, which dances with the thick lavender clouds just above within the spiral of purple energy. Vibrant lines adorn her form, and her eyes are completely consumed by white light.

“My power,” Her voice echoes all across the land, her friends and loved ones looking on in absolute shock and terror. “Who said that you all could use it?! The magic, all of it, is… MIIIIINE!!!”

The earth began to rumble, and distant mountains crumbled. Bodies of water started to form waves on their surfaces while crackling lavender lightning bolts spread all across the skies.

“Twilight!” Twilight’s closest friends and fellow Element Bearers cry out in unison, hovering in the air before her but at a safe distance.

……….

“Shadow Thunder!” Starlight cries out with tears in her eyes on ground level. “You have to let me go; she needs me!”

Shadow Thunder tries to restrain the unicorn mare, “It’s too dangerous, Starlight! That’s way too much power she’s giving off!”

“I don’t care!” Starlight wails. “She’s the reason I’m even still here today! Please, let me help her!”

“You’ll die!” Shadow responds, his forehooves and wings keeping the struggling unicorn in place. “I want to save her, too, but she’d be heartbroken if she ended up hurting anyone!”

……….

“Twily!” Shining Armor roars out from a distance before kicking off into a stampede, his hooves digging into the earth. However, Cadence’s pink form suddenly flies into his path and halts him in place.

“Shiny, no!” The alicorn screams. “You have to stay away from that!”

“‘That’ is my sister!” He roars out. “Get out of my way, Cady!”

“Don’t be stupid, Shining Armor!” She roars out with flaring wings. “You saw what that energy did to those who approached her! We have to find another way!”

……….

“Egghead!” Rainbow Dash shouts. “Whatever’s happening, you need to fight it!”

Twilight’s gaze fixates on Rainbow Dash, “Hmmm, a demi-goddess… descendent of Hermes, are we?” She licks her muzzle, “You’ll be fun to digest.” She fires up her horn before leaning forth, “Haaaaa!”

The resulting magical blast careens towards Rainbow Dash, whose eyes widen in shock. Causing her friends to call out for her. However, a sudden orange form pushes Rainbow Dash away, and Applejack takes her place.

“Not today, R.D,” The Apple Family member states with a smile, a tear running down her face. “I love ya, Rain-”

[FWOOOMSH]

The beam completely overtakes Applejack’s form, and after the beam dissipates, a charred corpse falls afterward. Everyone who bore witness stared on in shock, but for Rainbow Dash, her eyes widened in absolute sorrow before shouting:

“APPLEJAAAACK!”

The rainbow pegasus thrusts herself forth as her speed remains intact due to it being a physical trait rather than magical. She manages to catch the scorched mare and gently lands on the earth below them.

“Pathetic,” Twilight comments.

……….

Down below, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie had lowered themselves to the ground and joined Rainbow Dash - who stood beside the badly damaged cowmare. Applejack is laid on her back, most of her fur scorched completely, with only her left eye being usable on her face. Her chest slowly rises and lowers, her breaths incredibly weak.

“A.J!” Rainbow cries out, her tears flowing like a river. “Come on! You’ve got this; you can pull through!”

“N… n… o… t…” Applejack struggles. “Th… i… s… t-tim…”

“Shut up! Don’t say that!” Rainbow cries out, all while Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy wept. The rainbow pegasus turns her head in multiple directions, “HEEEELP! Someone, anyone!”

Applejack’s breathing suddenly stops, to which Fluttershy lunges forth and places a forelimb onto the downed mare.

“Applejack!” The yellow pegasus screams. “You have to keep breathing! Come on, please!”

No response is made. Rarity cries out as she falls onto the floor and wails uncontrollably. As for Pinkie Pie, she approaches Applejack’s form with absolute sadness.

The pink mare sits onto her flank, located to Applejack’s right, “A-Applejack… y-you’ll be ok, right?”

No response.

“Oh, Pinkie Pie…” Rarity comments, still splayed out on the ground.

“C-come on, Applejack, you j-just have to P-Pinkie P-Promise me that you’ll be o-ok, hehehehehe,” The mare tries to laugh, only for her tears to betray her true emotions. “Repeat after m-me: c-cross my heart and h-hope to fly… s-stick a cupcake in my… eye.”

Another set of hooves can be heard trotting behind the pink mare, and another pink forelimb set itself onto the weeping, but in denial, party pony.

“She’s gone, sis,” Mena comments. “I barely even know these mares, but I know how much they mean to you. I’m sorry…”

---

-TERRARIA, TERRARIUM-

“Zalgo!” Terra cries out, her voice echoing from the emerald tree within the emerald cavern. “You must hurry, beloved!”

-I’m already on it!- Zalgo responds to her internally. -I will not waste this chance; Azathoth will be found!-

---

-TERRARIA, ???-

As the eldritch worked hastily within an undisclosed location, an empty cavern, Sunset Striker stood nearby as the protogen observed Zalgo’s actions.

“I just need more time!” Zalgo roars out.

“Beloved, can’t Yog locate Azathoth?” Sunset inquires with worry in her tone.

“Normally, yes. No one can hide from Yog’s gaze, not even myself, Xeroc, or Terra,” Zalgo responds as he seems to be tracing several dots on a transparent canvas of energy. And as time goes on, each dot disappears before him. “But Azathoth received a blessing from Cthuhlu, which makes Yog blinded to their location. A final mockery from Cthuhlu during their betrayal. Naturally, this blessing was also given to Xeroc and nyarlathotep.”

Sunset gasps.

“Fear not, for Azathoth and I have a connection, in a sense. Now, please, let me concentrate, my dear.”

-A connection?- Sunset inquires internally.

-Allow me to answer your inquiry, Sunset.- A familiar voice responds. -When the student is ready, the teacher appears.-

-Lord Yog?-

-You can drop the ‘Lord,’ my dear. I never was one for titles.-

As this goes on, the dots on the transparent canvas of Terraria continue to reduce, “Just a little more!” Zalgo shouts.

Yog continues:

-You see, Sunset, long ago, even before Zalgo had met you let alone the creation of Terraria, I had forged an artifact that would aid me in overthrowing Azathoth.-

-Y-you wanted to overthrow the Ruler of all the Outer Gods?!-

-...I’m a very ambitious entity.-

Sunset chuckles, -No wonder my beloved gets along with you; you’re both crazy.-

-Charmed, my dear. Charmed. Now then, this artifact was none other than the very same one you see sitting just beside Zalgo, right over there.-

Sunset’s eyes travel towards a very particular device, and the protogen instantly catches onto Yog’s meaning.

-It… it was you…- At that moment, a flashback occurs within Sunset’s mind.

“Beloved, how did you ever procure this - what did you call it?”

“This, my sweet Sunset, is the Terminus.”

“A powerful artifact, device, and weapon. One that will be of great use to our objective.”

Sunset is at a momentary loss for words. “Wh-who could even conceive such a powerful artifact?! The precision and intellect required to craft such a thing are beyond my sensors to comprehend!”

Zalgo chuckles, “Every weapon has a smith, Sunset. And trust me when I say that the Terminus was forged by perfect craftsmanship and a great mind to boot.”

“Wh-Who?!”

“Apologies, my dear. But they wish to remain incognito until the time is right. Rest assured, they are a great ally to myself, you, and Terra. And when the time comes, all shall be revealed.”

“You’re the one,” Sunset comments outwardly. “It was you who made it. You designed the Terminus.”

-Alas, it was I, Yog. This is why the Guides of Terraria are crucial, for none possess greater knowledge in this universe than they do. They will aid the mortals and craft weapons for them to stand up against all of their foes. Just as I do for us, and our battle against the Outer Gods.-

“But, then, how is Zalgo connected to Azathoth?”

-I’m getting there, my student. Now, Zalgo managed to fire the artifact at Azathoth due to a moment of desperation, but the drawback was that the artifact itself wasn’t fully charged. But it was just enough to tear away a small piece of Azathoth’s essence, and with my guidance, Zalgo integrated it into his own being.-

“Thus turning Zalgo into a sort of radar,” Sunset surmises.

-Precisely. Those dots you see on that transparent imitation of Terraria before Zalgo there? Those are traces of Azathoth’s actions and presence.-

……….

Zalgo continues to work, and the dots present on the transparent canvas of Terraria are merely numbered 43.

“Forty-three more!” Zalgo roars out. “I’m so close!”

-Poor, Zalgo.- A voice comments.

-Azathoth! Come out of hiding, coward. Face us!-

-I'm not a fool; you all have your traps ready to be sprung for me. Besides, why should I reveal myself at this very moment? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. It’s far too premature for that, and I’ve only begun to move my pieces on the board.-

Zalgo ignores the inner voice of Azathoth, doubling their efforts. The dots on the canvas only show ten more.

-So close, but sadly, I shall be leaving now.-

“No!” Zalgo roars out. “I tire of this game! Reveal yourself at once!”

-You're taunting me to make me stay longer so you lot can track me down and bind me to Terraria. Nice try, Zalgo. But I think I’ll be--

Zalgo chuckles, “For all your scheming, you made a big mistake, Azathoth.”

-What is this…?- Azathoth inquires. -Why can’t I sever our link?! What have you done?!-

“For someone who tried not to fall into a trap, you’ve already sprung it when you entered my mind.”

-What?! But your mind isn’t enough to contain this piece of my consciousness!-

-Maybe not his mind, old friend,- The voice of Yog responds. -But mine? Absolutely.-

-Yog?!- Azathoth questions in shock. “But, how?!”

“Just as Cthuhlu gave you a blessing to remain hidden from Yog, Yog gave me a blessing of my own,” Zalgo responds. “It’s a one-time use, but this moment is exactly what we needed.”

-What are you doing?!- Azathoth questions. -What blessing?!-

“The power of an infinite mind and consciousness!” Zalgo roars out before his eyes flash with green energy. “I WILL find you, and I will drag you to Terraria!”

As a result, Zalgo could see a plethora of stars, solar systems, and planets. And as his mind ‘expands,’ so too does the view of his sight. He could now see the very universe itself, and yet, his view continued to expand.

……….

“Incredible,” Zalgo comments after a few moments. “You see this constantly, Yog?”

-Indeed, I do.-

“What is it like, beloved?” Sunset Striker inquires.

“Endless universes, countless possibilities, and I can see them all. I can even search every universe in a mere fraction of a second. And the multiverse itself continues to expand everlastingly. My mind doesn’t feel fatigued, nor does it feel endangered. It feels so… natural.”

-The great endlessness of the Multiverse,- Yog responds. -And with this blessing, your mind won’t literally shatter itself.-

“Yog…” Zalgo comments as he continues his search. “I will never forget this service.”

-Think nothing of it, for as certain equines would often preach: what are friends for?-

Zalgo chuckles, “Heh, indeed.”

-No!- Azathoth roars out. -Stop this!-

“Ah, yes,” Zalgo said. “Nearly forgot this piece of your consciousness was here, but no need to worry, I’ll find you. And I will drag you here.”

Finally, after some time of searching the multiverse, Zalgo laughs lightly before stating:

“I found you.”

A struggle ensues afterward, and the eldritch seems to be pulling on something with his own mind. As this goes on, Sunset couldn’t see what Zalgo saw, but she knew what was happening: Azathoth was being brought into Terraria.

“Do not resist, Azathoth,” Zalgo comments, forming a smirk, “It is your fate to be trapped here. Even if we can’t locate you, we can at least know that you’ll be here.”

-Insolence! Blasphemy!- Azathoth roars out internally. -You never would’ve done this were it not for Yog’s help!-

-And I wouldn’t even be alive were it not for Zalgo and Terra’s aid,- Yog responds within their internal conversation. -I know this is a new concept for you, Azathoth, but it’s called: teamwork. I can give you the definition if you require it? Or I can fetch you a dictionary from my library.-

-Raaaaawr! I should’ve killed you long ago, Yog!-

-And I never should’ve formed the old Trinity with you and Nyarlathotep, but I guess we both have regrets.-

……….

A few more moments pass, and Zalgo suddenly falls to the cavernous grounds. Sunset Striker runs up to him, “Are you alright, beloved?!” She inquires.

Zalgo places a tentacle onto Sunset’s hand and wraps around it with a chuckle, “I’ve never been better, and all my doubts of ever succeeding have been washed away.”

“W-wait, d-does that mean…?”

“Yes, Sunset,” Zalgo responds with a happier tone, “Azathoth is now trapped within Terraria. Our mission’s success is nearly within our grasp.”

A sudden circular green anomaly with black oily liquid manifests itself, followed by the equine form of Yog. The green-furred, black-haired stallion approaches the duo before conjuring forth a table and a wine bottle with four glass wine cups. Then, another being exits the breach: a beautiful dryad unlike any other, Terra herself.

“After so long…” Terra starts. “W-we… I…” Tears start to stroll down her cheeks before she falls onto her knees and wails into her palms. “We are so close… so close to stopping this nightmare…”

Both Zalgo and Sunset approach Terra before lowering themselves and bringing her into a combined embrace. Zalgo glances toward Yog, who places the wine items on the table.

“I assume you won’t be joining us, Yog?”

“Not quite yet, Zalgo,” The stallion responds. “But please, enjoy the wine. I’ve adjusted it to stimulate our senses since we literally can’t get drunk.”

Zalgo laughs lightly, “Of course, you made such a thing.”

“What can I say, except,” The stallion poses dramatically on his hind legs, his forehooves dabbing. “I am Yog!”

Zalgo, Terra, and Sunset stare at the stallion’s ridiculous pose before bursting into joint laughter. During their laughter, Yog lowers himself onto all fours and starts to trot towards his anomaly.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, friends,” His eyes narrow, and an orange/green energy flashes in his pupils, “I have mortals who need myself and Tanner’s guidance.”

---

-TERRARIA, CAMELOT OUTSKIRTS-

“Art thou sure thee wish to perform this action, Oblivion?” Princess Luna inquires, flapping her wings high in the air as Oblivion holds onto her left hind leg.

“Listen, Lulu, I often do some dumb shit, but I’m dead serious here. Just fly me over to Twilight, and I think I can handle it,” Oblivion responds.

“Thou ‘think’?”

“Xeroc’s corruption gave me a certain resistance against other beings who also got corrupted by him. Greed and I are the only Ancients who had this happen to us but seeing as he’s not here, It’s only me.”

The pillar of lavender energy is still present, but Twilight Sparkle herself can be seen fighting against several of their allies and friends.

“Poor, dearest Twilight,” Luna comments somberly. “It pains us to see her like this.”

“Not as much as it sucks to be her when she realizes she, well… killed her friend,” Oblivion responds before looking up to Luna, “While we’re on the subject, WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO MAKE HER DO THIS?!”

Luna is taken aback by his tone, but responds:

“Some unknown force had controlled Twilight’s mind, but this is different compared to Nightmare Moon and ourself. A struggle ensued, and brave Twilight tried to resist it. But, well, thou can see what the ending result is.”

They both observe the spiral of lavender energy, Twilight’s silhouette still seen within.

“Twas strange, it’s as if two different beings had overtaken Twilight’s mind,” Luna said.

“Two?” Oblivion responds.

“The first voice stated that it allowed a fraction of this Devourer of Gods to take control of Twilight’s form by weakening thy seal. That voice vanished, and another one took its place… the haunting voice of Twilight herself, yet it wasn’t her all the same.”

Oblivion thinks this over as the duo is now positioned just above the pillar of energy.

“There’s only one race of beings who can do something like that,” Oblivion responds. “It’s all a game, Luna…”

“A game?” Luna inquires with a raised brow.

“Let’s just say that Terra talks to us, and there are powers out there that even I won’t fuck with. And if I understand you correctly, this is one big fucked up cosmic game of chess… and we’re the pieces.”

Luna remains stunned by this.

“Welp, if I'm a piece,” Oblivion comments, releasing his grasp on Luna’s hind leg, “Might as well make my move, then!”

The skull wolf drops downward, his form soon making contact with the lavender pillar. Once it does, a pained exclamation roars out:

“FUUUUUCK! I FORGOT HOW MUCH THIS FUCKING HUUUURTS!”

“Thy idiotic creature!” Luna responds from above. “Thou assured us thee were immune!”

“I SAID I WAS RESISTANT, NOT IMMUNE! THERE’S A BIG FUCKING DIFFERENCE! HARMONY, DAMNIT, THIS HURTS LIKE A REAL BITCH!”

Bystanders watch as the skull wolf’s form disappears into the lavender spiral of energy.

……….

“Good luck in there, brother,” Anubis comments as he, several other ancients and gods, and all manner of beings watch on.

……….

“Please bring Twilight back to us, papa,” Pinkie Pie pleads, her friends and loved ones gathering around Applejack’s downed form.

……….

Oblivion swam through the sea of energy, his body constantly in pain from the effects of the spiraling pillar. And the more he lingered, the more his body began to take damage.

“You owe me big time for this shit, Twiggle!” Oblivion roars out.

He draws closer to ‘Twilight,’ who takes notice of him.

“Well, well,” Her voice echoes. “If it isn’t the Bone Daddy.”

“It’s Crimson Fucker now!” He responds while swimming closer. “And did I forget to mention I’m in constant fucking pain?!”

“It’s already too late, Oblivion. Soon, I will completely undo the seal that has kept me out of Terraria for long enough. I’ll be feasting on you all upon my arrival.”

“Oh yeah? Well, guess what?” Oblivion now floats before Twilight, his body taking damage with every passing moment. “This is meant for the original Twilight, not pony Twiggle. You know what I have to say to that, huh?!”

‘Twilight’ chuckles, “Oh, by all means, please. Let’s hear what you have to say. I’ll just float here and watch as you become burned by my-”

Suddenly, her words are cut off as Oblivion’s arms bring her into an embrace.

“I know Xeroc and Yharim fucked you up, but If you’re still in there… I’m sorry,” Oblivion said, his tone for the first time in a very long time, saddened, “You taught me all kinds of magic, shit, it exists because of you. And I’ll never admit this to anyone else, but I gotta be honest: you’re more powerful than I could ever be.”

‘Twilight’s’ eyes widen within Oblivion’s grasp.

“I was too prideful back then and a bit of an ass to you,” Oblivion starts, pausing in thought, “Eh, shit, I’m still an ass. But at least now it’s only to people I really don’t like. And yet, despite that, you still saw me as worth a damn to train. And that training helped me a fuck-ton against Yharim and the GrimDark. So thank you, Twilight. Seriously.”

‘Twilight’s’ widened eyes shake, and the white energy that consumes them dissipates.

“O-Oblivion… I-I-”

“Shhhh,” Oblivion interjects. “We’ll save you one day, I promise. So hang on tightly until then. Also, don’t call me Oblivion, and no, not even Bone Daddy or Crimson Fucker.”

The spiral all around them starts to weaken.

“You get to call me Genesis. Teach’.”

The spiral dissipates completely, and all of the commotion caused by the phenomenon ceases. Both Oblivion and Twilight’s forms fall to the earth, but both Celestia and Luna save them. The sun alicorn lovingly and gently catches an unconscious Twilight in her forehooves, while Luna simply lines herself up so that Oblivion lands on her back.

“Ugh… you could’ve put a saddle or something back here,” Oblivion states tiredly. “I look like you fucking hunted me.”

Luna looks at him with a deadpan expression, “We could always have just let you fall.”

However, the lunar princess didn’t receive a reply due to the skull wolf falling unconscious. But what caught Luna’s attention was the grin Oblivion wore, satisfied that he finally had some form of closure with the one who taught him magic after all these years.

Both alicorn princesses land beside Applejack’s body, those who wept for her all around them. The two alicorn’s lowered Oblivion and Twilight to the ground - although Luna more accurately dropped him.

Those in attendance consist of Anubis, Celebes, Venomous Sting, Zecora, Tzana, Tempest, Shining Armor, Callie, Echo Silhouette, Chrysalis, Linn, both Terraria and Equus’s Cadence, Shadow Thunder, Flame Heart, Arche, the remaining Element Bearers, Mena, and several other allies.

……….

After some time, another conflict would arise as Rainbow Dash can be seen cradling Applejack’s scorched and deceased form. All while Anubis stood before her.

“What do you mean you can’t bring her back?!” Rainbow Dash roars out with tears toward Anubis. “You’re the boss of death, right?! Do whatever it is you do and bring her back!”

“Rainbow!” Rarity exclaims. “Darling, please!”

“That’s not how it works, Gay Pride,” Anubis responds with crossed arms. “Even if I had my powers, I am death, not life. The best I can do is transfer a soul from one body to another-”

“Then give her mine!” Rainbow cries out. “Give her everything about me, soul, life, whatever!”

“You don’t know what you’re asking for. You realize that that doesn’t bring her back, right? It would only transfer your soul into her scorched body, resulting in you dying. But, again, the issue is that our powers are gone until Twilight can restore them.”

“Wait a second,” Celestia comments. “Why exactly is that, Anubis? I would think that death, magic, life, and all these things would have separate sources of power.”

“They do, and they don’t,” He responds. “It’s a little complicated to explain fully…”

……….

Nearby, Starlight Glimmer stood beside Shadow Thunder, a look of worry plastered onto her features.

“Applejack, Twilight…” She said. She then turns her gaze to Shadow Thunder. “Hey, uhm, Shadow?”

“Yes, Starlight?”

“Well, before Twilight… you know, what was it that you wanted to ask me?”

Shadow’s eyes widened before looking away, “W-well, now might not be the appropriate time.”

“Oh, right. Ok,” She responds, turning back to the scene before them.

But unbeknownst to her, the dark pegasus had a very particular item within his inventory: a Wedding Ring.

……….

Both Tzana and Tempest turned away from the scene, looking over the horizon.

“This day has been nothing but a mess,” Tempest starts.

“Feels no different from what was on Equus if you ask me,” Tzana responds with a shrug. “Little more chaotic, sure, but same stuff. Monsters running around, things to fight, etcetera etcetera.”

“Speaking of which, what do you think happened to that infection?” Tempest inquires, turning to Tzana.

“The Divide?” Tzana answers, turning to Tempest.

“Yeah. The one that’s led by that Ambient pegasus.”

Tzana looks back out to the horizon, “Well, I can assume that she got dropped off here like the rest of us. And she’s probably doing what I’d be doing If I was in charge of an infection.”

“Killing things and going on a rampage?” Tzana joked.

“Cute, but no,” Tzana responds. “I’d go into hiding and bide my time, especially after I literally just got displaced into another universe. I’d learn more about this world and try to establish my own footing. Then, when the time is just right,” Tzana pulls out a small dagger from her outfit’s pouch and stabs it into the ground, “I’d make my move.”

“Wait, Journey Joy!” Tempest shouts with widened eyes. “Look out there!”

Tzana shifts her gaze, and what the two mares see instantly sends caution down their spines: A large cloud and gas of crimson coloration. Along with a vibrant red light within its epicenter. Its size starts to grow with every passing second, and a feeling of complete uneasiness grows alongside it.

“Hey uh, guys!” Tzana exclaims. “That doesn’t look right at all!”

Some among the group turned their gaze, while others had already noticed what was transpiring. Celebes, the Dryad, runs forth, standing alongside Tzana.

“Oh, no… no, no, no, no!”

A set of hooves can be heard approaching, “What the fuck?!” Arche roars out.

“No way,” Linn comments, standing beside her cousin. “That cloud is filled with so much power!”

“It’s worse, far worse,” Celebes said. “That’s not just a singular power source, Linn. Not entirely. That is comprised of several Crimson Biomes mixing together into one giant gathering.”

“B-but, we can stop it, right?” Flame Heart inquires. “We beat the last one, so surely we can beat this one.”

“This isn’t the same thing, pup,” Anubis chimes. “Each separate Crimson Biome has had many years to devour and accumulate power from those they’ve consumed. And now all of that energy is being combined,” Anubis’s eyes widens, “This is just like when Nyarlathotep first entered - ah, shit! Brace yourselves; this isn’t over yet!”

A thundering boom sounds off, followed by the words:

“TERRARIAAAA!!! I, NYARLATHOTEP, SHALL RISE AGAAAAIN!!!”

Next Chapter: Chapter 93 - "Have been unleashed!" Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 50 Minutes