All in attendance continues to observe the crimson gathering in the sky, which expands chaotically with every passing second. What started as a red cloud/mist and gas is now morphing into a physical manifestation. All while Nyarlathotep’s echoing laughter resonates throughout the landscape.

As the distant gathering of crimson mass grows - located at the group's rear, the unconscious forms of Oblivion and Twilight Sparkle remain laid on their backs. At the same time, Rainbow Dash continues to cradle Applejack’s deceased form with droplets of tears falling onto the earth pony’s scorched features.

The power emanating from the growing mass sends jolts of caution down the spines of all in attendance - said feelings even familiar to several individuals.

“Here we go again…” Anubis comments, standing at the forefront of his allies with Tzana and Tempest at either side. “It’s just like when this Chaos Orgy first entered Terraria,” He narrows his eyes, “And if my hunch is correct, we’re about to get slapped around big time, pups.”

“The legends,” Linn said, positioned behind the former Ancient and standing alongside her cousin. “My ancestor, Shining Armor, along with King Arthur, Merlin, and many figures throughout Camelot’s history had documented those events.”

“W-what do they say?” Fluttershy inquires, Santa Claus standing alongside her.

In the background, the forms of their friends and allies can be seen preparing for whatever is coming.

Linn swallows a lump, “Because of Yharim’s actions, many Gods, Ancients, powerful heroes, and even enemies we formed alliances with were wiped out. Erased from all of existence without a trace. However, because Terraria lost so many great defenders, it was now vulnerable to an even more powerful threat.”

Athena lands beside Anubis and folds her wings, “Nyarlathotep took advantage of Terraria’s weakened state and breached our world when no one expected it. Only a few of us deities were left to protect the world and not many mortals who possessed incredible powers.”

A set of footsteps can be heard approaching, “Even Yharim was forced to work alongside us all, less the Crawling Chaos stakes its claim to the world,” Comments Santa Claus. The jolly red muscular man now stands beside Tzana as he looks upon the forming mass.

“I know powerful reality-warpers, and that creature would put even my father’s abilities, Jatokai, to shame.”

Tzana places a forelimb to her chin in thought. “Alright, we get it. The dude’s very powerful. But the question remains: how’d you all even manage to beat that thing with such a low possibility for victory?”

A moment of silence ensues.

“We didn’t beat it,” Anubis answered; several nearby Gods, Ancients, and beings who possessed knowledge of those events flinching in response. “It ruled Terraria for hundreds of years… we failed.”

“Victory won’t always be ours,” Silence comments, standing alongside Celebes and Venomous Sting. “Loss is to be expected. Trust me; we sometimes lost against the GrimDarks while it remained sealed off from Terraria. But from what I can pull up from the knowledge of the past Guides… Nyar, at their full power, was far worse than any GrimDark that exists.”

“Nice history lesson, but we’re dancing around the most important thing,” Comments Mena, Pinkie Pie standing alongside her. “How do we KILL that thing?”

“Excalibur,” Terraria’s Princess Cadence answered. “With it, I think we can perform the same action as Shining Armor did in the past.”

“There, see?” Mena inquires. “That wasn’t so hard. Now, Princess, pop out that blade so we can-”

“But Excalibur was lost during the starting phase of this invasion,” The Princess interjects. “I have no idea where it is…”

“Of fucking course!” Mena roars out with her forelimbs raised into the air in frustration. “Once! Just ONCE can we not get a break delivered to us on a silver fucking platter?!”

“Mena!” Pinkie Pie scolds. “Language, Missy!”

Mena rolls her eyes with a grunt.

“Ask, and you shall receive,” Comments a deep, echoing voice. Said voice is heard by all in attendance. “It’s time for the finale of this conflict. And I happen to have your ‘silver platter.’ Nurse, if you would be so kind.”

Suddenly, a green and oily anomaly manifested itself, followed by the forms of two terrarian figures. One is the Nurse, who has a blade covered in brown linen draped over her right shoulder, while the other individual caused several beings in attendance to gasp and jolt with surprise.

“T-Tanner?!” Several of the ponies, mortals, Ancients, and Gods exclaim in unison.

Tanner the Guide looks upon them all with a surge of regret and sorrow festering in his form. He takes a breath, and before anyone could speak the near-endless amount of questions they had, he raises his hand before stating:

“I know you all have many questions, but we don’t have enough time to-”

Tanner’s words are cut off by a loud roar that’s let loose from the crimson gathering, causing everyone to look over at the commotion.

The culmination began to sprout several limbs, three crab-like legs which formed a tripod followed by a grotesque torso—elongated arms with shredding claws spread apart as the forming behemoth continued to roar during this process. Several tentacles protrude off of the entity’s shoulders along with the longest being present upon the being’s head, but the head itself could barely even be considered as one - thus the chaotic makeup of this strange being.

The monstrosity roars out, and large clouds of dust are kicked up into the air with every step the gargantuan takes, its tripod legs piercing into the earth like spears.

“At long last, I have regained my true beauty!” Shockingly, the beast poses as it drapes a claw down the tentacle positioned upon its ‘head’ as if it were hair.

“I, Nyarlathotep, am fabulous.”

……….

“F-fabulous?!” Rarity cries out in shock. “Does that thing truly believe itself to be beautiful?! It is absolutely grotesque!”

“A-apparently so…” Equus’s Cadence responds, a look of shock present on her features. All while Celestia, Luna, and Shining Armor stood with determined expressions.

Arche pulls back in disgust, “Eugh! And here I thought Mena was ugly!”

Mena glances over her right shoulder. “I will cut you.”

“Lot of talking but not enough doing, sweetie,” Arche responds.

“Knock it off, you two,” Braelor comments as the armored man steps forth, walking past them. “We’ve got a more pressing issue to attend to.”

As Mena and Arche flash a quick death stare toward each other before moving forth, Tanner the Guide takes his place at the forefront of the group during this time.

“Listen up!” The Guide starts, garnering everyone’s attention. “I have a plan, but I only have one question…”

Everyone tenses up in anticipation. What inquiry could Tanner have? What fantastic strategy has he-

“Who here likes to play catch?!” Tanner asks enthusiastically.

A dead silence ensues, along with deadpan expressions. Although others wore a face that could be translated into: ‘Huh…?’

“Ooh! Ooh!” Waves a certain pink forehoof amongst the crowd. “I love playing catch!”

“Pinkie!”

“Oops, sorry!”

Among the masses, Mena facehooves.

Silence chuckles in response before stepping forth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tanner.” He said as he approached, standing before the Guide moments after. “My apologies for not being able to aid you when the Voodoo Demon-”

Tanner raises his right hand. “You weren’t the Ancient of Knowledge when that demon replaced me. But the past is the past, and there’s nothing you could’ve done, although I appreciate the gesture.”

Silence nods. “Very well. Ah, that reminds me. Can I assume that this Yog persona has also contacted you?”

“Contacted?” Tanner laughs lightly. “They’re the reason I’m even still here, although it’s only temporary. Anyway, Helena the Nurse, if you’d please?”

Helena, the Nurse, nods in response before taking the wrapped blade off her shoulder and unwrapping the brown linen from the hidden object. As she removes the coverings, the shining hue of a beautiful blade is soon clear for all to see.

The eyes of both Linn and Terraria’s own Cadence widens, and a surge of emotions emanate within their forms. And with a hand covering her mouth with hope growing in her heart, the Princess mutters:

“E-Excalibur…”

“Alright, then,” Tanner starts. “Helena will take Oblivion, Applejack, and Twilight back to Home Town. As for the rest of us, here’s the plan…”

---

The empowered Outer God seemingly stares off into the sky, its chaotic form on full display as the skies above the entity start to twist and turn - accompanied by strong winds.

“I have forgotten how glorious it is to be ‘me’ again,” The being said. And If one were to look closely, a bloody tear could be seen strolling down from the entity’s ‘eyes.’ “I… I’m at a loss for words…”

The entity spreads its arms apart and basks in its own crimson radiance.

“I am glory. I am beautiful. I am power. I am Legion. I am the Crawling Chaos… I am Nyarlathotep.”

The Outer being lifts a claw, and the entire landscape shakes violently in response.

“This universe, and all who occupy it… will. Be. Ours.”

At that moment, the localized vibrations began to spread outward without any sign of limitation, accompanied by a strange pressure. This phenomenon soon reached the outskirts of Camelot’s vast territory before going far beyond. The pressurized and vibrating wave passed many biomes and nations. And as it continued to travel, various entities all across the planet took notice of this phenomenon.

In addition, this was also noticed by a very particular infection: The Divide.

---

-TERRARIA, THE DIVIDE: UNDERGROUND-

Deep below the foundations of Terraria and within a large cave system, a new yet familiar infection was making its roost. The walls of these caverns are scarlet red with patches of black etched into their canvas. A choking cloud of what is seemingly dust fills the very airspace of these caverns, but what is most unsettling about this underground world is one constant attribute: the continuous cries of pain and torment.

Within the epicenter of this infection and sitting upon a large boulder in eternal solitude, the form of a red pegasus mare with orange stripes and a light-green tail and mane can be seen. Her age was difficult to pinpoint, but her appearance gave off the impression of a pony in her teen years.

The equine’s head is lowered, wings folded on either side, and small sobs escape her form and a trail of tears down her face.

“I didn’t want to become… this,” Comments Ambient, her eyes reflecting her current sadness. “She was only trying to help me… and I killed her for it…” She wraps her forelimbs across her chest, “Harmony… I’m sorry.”

A series of past voices starts to scream in her mind:

-Monster!-

-Freak!-

-You call yourself the ‘victim?!’ Give me a break, murderer!-

-You’re just as bad as Ocram!-

Many different voices chimed in their own harsh opinions. However, there was one voice, its cadence carrying the opposite effect, that caused her the most sadness:

-I forgive you, Ambient- Says the weakened tone of the Empress of Light, Harmony. -May you somehow manage to live a peaceful life… I’m so sorry…-

Then, the voice of a certain lunar princess booms out:

-Thou barbaric monstrosity!-

“No!” Ambient screams outwardly, although no one else is present within the cavern. “It was an accident! It wasn’t me! I didn’t WANT to kill her!”

-Silence, knave! Foul trickster! Fiend!-

-Luna!- Cries out the voice of Celestia. -No, stooooop! She didn’t try to hurt me!-

-NO!- Luna responds. -Farewell, Ambient! Thy sickening infection!- A scoff can be heard escaping from Luna’s lips. -As far as we art concerned: ALL infections should be eradicated!”

Luna can be heard roaring out before some form of attack can be heard approaching Ambient. Then, Ambient could recall everything stopping with a flash of crimson light. The very same light that had brought her, and all of Equus, into Terraria.

The memories and distant voices fade in Ambient’s mind as she clutches herself tighter.

“I’m not a monster…” She said somberly. Her shaking form practically begged someone, anyone, to come and comfort her. “I-I’m not…”

Then, as if a switch had been flicked, a face of absolute scorn adorns Ambient before she roars out with red and black eyes:

“FUCK EVERYTHING! I HATE IT! I HATE THIS EXISTENCE! I HATE EVERYONE! I-” Suddenly, her words are cut off by the abnormal wave that passes through her domain. The same wave that had been let loose by Nyarlathotep.

Ambient’s eyes widened, a surge of concern growing within her. “What the…?” She inquired as she raised her head upward. “This power… I felt it before. Yes, this same energy transported me to this world.”

With no further words, Ambient disappears as her form slowly fades away into a black and red mist.

……….

Ambient’s form manifests itself on the surface of her biome, standing at the precipice of a mountain. Since her arrival, the pegasus’s infection had since taken hold and consumed the nearby mountains and landscape.

Ambient couldn’t quite put a hoof on it, but she could sense something was amiss. Then, a large worm-like entity makes itself known as it soars through the air and approaches the pegasus before coming to a stop.

“You can sense it too, huh?” Ambient inquires as she looks upon the apparent dweller of her biome. But before neither resident of the Divide could do anything, the sky above them literally began to break apart as a tear in reality itself is formed.

And that’s when Ambient saw them with her widened eyes.

“Oh, fuck me…”

Beyond the veil, she could see all manner of chaotic monstrosities. Tentacles writhed and wiggled, and millions of horrifying eyes peered into the very fabric and reality of Terraria.

Unbeknownst to Ambient, she wasn’t alone, for she saw what all of Terraria was currently seeing: eldritch abominations from far beyond.

---

-TERRARIA, CAMELOT OUTSKIRTS-

“Brothers and sisters,” Nyarlathotep starts. “I shall tear open the way for you all. Let the Planemeld commence!”

The breach in the sky begins to expand, and horrifying roars escape from the anomaly. All while Nyarlathotep starts to let loose laughter. But then, at that very moment, a flash of emerald light appears within the sky.

“I shall not allow this!” Terra herself roars out, her dryad form floating high above. “You, ALL of you, shall not pass!” She extends her right hand and aims it toward the breach. “My powers do not allow me to harm another being, but they do enable me to do this!”

In an incredible display of power, Terra causes an aura of green energy to start stitching the breach close. However, several eldritch beings from beyond used their ungodly appendages to keep the breach opened forcefully. This causes Terra to grunt in response; her teeth bared as a struggle ensues.

“Heed me, creations of Terraria!” Her voice bellows, and all upon the world could hear her proclamation. “I shall keep them at bay, but you must hurry!” She grunts but keeps her grasp upon the breach. “Believe in yourselves, as I have always believed in you!”

As this goes on and still positioned within an undisclosed cavern, Zalgo attempts to join Terra in her struggle.

“No, beloved!” Sunset Striker says as the protogen pushes against him. “You and Yog have used most of your combined strength in trapping Azathoth here!”

“Regardless, she needs me!” Zalgo responds. “I must help her!”

“Not in your current state!” She retorts. “You have always told me of how powerful Terra is! She can prevail; I do not doubt her!”

“You don’t understand, Sunset. Terra isn’t able to harm other beings with her powers. Seals, enhancements, protection, purifications, and shields are her best and only qualities in combat. And she’s not going up against just a handful of eldritch… that breach is a gateway to the Outer Realms. Hundreds, thousands, millions of our kind are beyond that veil! And if it tears further open, they’re ALL coming here!”

“Terra…” Nyarlathotep scorns as the abomination takes notice of her form. “So, you’ve finally left your little ‘tree,’” The eldritch laughs, “Good. Now I can kill you myself.” The abomination prepares to lunge its arms forth.

“FOR TERRARIA!!!”

A sudden joining of hundred of voices shouts in unison, and as Nyar turns their gaze toward the source, the Outer God is presented with the united force of all who remained throughout the entire conflict.

Beings from Equus, residents of the former ruined Camelot, and all manner of entities who came to aid from distant lands run and fly towards the eldritch unhesitantly.

Nyar observes these ‘fools’ approaching, both by land and the air, for a mere moment before the being raises one of its tripod legs.

[KTHOOM]

The leg is brought down with a frightening force, which sends a large wave of rubble, boulders, and dirt careening towards the large party who traveled by land. Then, the horror thrusts its right arm forth, which causes a powerful shockwave to travel through the air.

Some of Terraria’s united forces fall victim to both attacks. Flyers are blown away and destroyed by the aerial shockwave, while terrestrial members are buried under the wave composed of shattered earth. But those who managed to avoid this by their own means continue to trek towards the Outer God.

“Don’t let up!” Athena declares in the sky as she and several other fliers soar together. Most notably, Rainbow Dash can be seen to her left. But what is most interesting is the weapon Athena keeps hidden behind her back: Excalibur.

-We can’t let Nyar take notice of this.- The Queen of the Seraphs states internally. -Tanner, Helena, thank you for giving us this chance.-

Suddenly, Athena takes notice of several limbs lunging forth from Nyar’s flesh. These appendages barrages towards the flyers - at the same time, others lunge toward the forces on land.

The fleshy appendages make contact with several flyers, covering their forms completely before retracting back to Nyar in one rapid movement. The same happens to those who travel by land. Those who remained in the air had begun to avoid these strikes.

As Athena twists and turns in an aerial acrobatic fashion, she notices one of the appendages rapidly firing towards an unaware Rainbow Dash. A surge of emotions overtakes the silver-winged Ancient, and her body reacts as she flies forward with a powerful flap of her wings.

……….

Rainbow Dash grunts as she barrel-rolls past an appendage.

“No way, freak show!” The rainbow pegasus shouts, progressing further.

Suddenly, and nearby, Fluttershy cries out:

“Rainbow, behind you!”

The world goes into slow motion, and as Rainbow’s gaze turns towards the appendage that threatens to grab her from behind, a mass of silver feathers pushes her aside. But at that very moment, the individual shoves the blade, Excalibur, into the pegasus’s grasp.

“Live on for us, descendant of Herm-” Athena’s words are cut off as her entire form is enveloped within crimson flesh.

The appendage containing Athena’s struggling form retreats away, leaving behind a wide-eyed rainbow pegasus. The pegasus shakes her head to regain her composure, and she flaps her wings before flying away - Fluttershy joining alongside her.

The two pegasi lower themselves to the ground, flying just a few feet above the earth as Rainbow Dash clutches Excalibur closely with her forelimbs. Located around them, the forms of Santa Clause, Arche, Mena, Rarity, Braelor, Linn, Flame Heart, Tzana, and Echo Silhouette can be seen running towards the Outer God.

“Remember, everyone!” Braelor exclaims, the armored paladin’s shield placed onto his back. “We can’t use our magic, but this plays well into our plan!”

Echo Silhouette, currently running alongside Flame Heart and Arche at the center of the group, looks towards Santa Clause’s red gift sack, who’s positioned in front of him.

-Be safe, my sister.-

“Incoming!” Rainbow Dash shouts.

As was pointed out, several appendages lunged toward the group. In response, Braelor quickly grabs his shield off of his back, wields it, and runs toward the fleshy encroachments while shouting:

“GO!” His shield starts to glow with a strange golden aura. As a result, each and every one of the tentacle-like grapplers focused all of their attention on Braelor.

“What is that?!” Flame Heart exclaims as he and everyone else dodges away, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash adjusting their flight path. “He’s attracting them!”

“It’s an enchantment!” Linn responds from nearby. “It draws attention off of one’s allies!”

As the remaining group members run away and on route to their objective, Braelor’s form can be seen batting away several appendages with his shield, even tearing a few in half with his bare hands. But numbers can overwhelm, and the last thing they see is the terrarian’s form being covered in the fleshy tentacles before being pulled away and ‘joining’ Nyarlathotep’s grotesque form.

---

The group continues to advance, thwarting several fleshy aberrations that tried to claim them all. All while Rainbow Dash still holds onto Excalibur as she and Fluttershy remain airborne.

“Hah!” Arche laughs outwardly. “This is almost too easy!”

Tzana looks towards the earth pony with a deadpan expression, stampeding alongside him.

“Welp, you just uttered the cursed words,” She said. “Prepare for us to get screwed in-”

Suddenly, Nyarlathotep performs a rather strange action in the distance. The Outer God spreads its arms apart before its body begins to burrow itself into the very land beneath it. As a result, only the horror’s torso remains above ground, followed by powerful tremors and disturbances throughout the landscape.

The group comes to a halt, the two pegasi hovering above them, as they then survey their current situation. That is until several of Nyarlathotep’s armored tripod limbs erupt from the ground - as if insects were crawling out of their dwellings with only their legs. In addition, large tentacles emerge throughout the entire landscape - with Nyarlathotep itself positioned in the epicenter.

The group forms a circular formation, tentacles and armored ‘crab-legs’ all around them, as Mena turns to Arche with an annoyed expression before shouting:

“Nice jynx, jackass!”

“Oh, shut up!” Arche responds.

“Guys, seriously?! Not the time!” Tzana exclaims.

Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Linn, Flame Heart, and Echo Silhouette all prepare for battle, as do Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash just above them.

As every limb lunges forth, a fight ensues, causing the group to parry and block every strike. Both Pinkie Pie and Arche display their earth pony prowess by blocking and striking at the limbs with their forehooves. As for Tzana, she dual-wielded her blades while Mena sliced at other limbs with her Vampire Knives, although it failed to produce any type of projectile. Rarity tries to reach into her inventory, but the lack of magic forbade her from doing so.

“AHH! Oh goodness!” The unicorn cries out. “I can’t get anything out from my inventory!”

A fleshy limb lunges towards her, but the swipe of a blade intercepts the appendage before it falls to the floor as Tzana exclaims:

“Here!” She tosses Rarity her Bladecrest Oathsword, to which the fashionista catches hurriedly—leaving Tzana with only her Old Lord Oathsword.

“You’re a dear, darling!” Rarity expressed before she swung her blade toward an armored appendage, cleaving it in half.

“Huh,” Echo Silhouette comments as he kicks away another limb. “I thought for sure your blade would’ve bounced and clinked off of that armor or something.”

Linn had unfortunately sent her lance into her inventory; thus, she had faced the same consequence as Rarity and everyone else on the battlefield. But the beautiful pink-haired terrarian’s physical might was nothing to scoff at. She punched away a fleshy tendril, and as an armored ‘leg’ tried to pierce her, she caught the appendage with closed hands.

“Hrauuuu!” She roars out before elbowing the armor, although she’d be lying if it didn’t hurt to do so. But the appendage is forced to the ground before Linn plants her left foot onto it, holding it in place.

Santa Claus, having seen Linn’s actions, steps over to the limb trapped under her armored foot and grabs onto it before pulling it away and throwing it afar like a football.

“Ho ho ho!”

Both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash bucked away their own eldritch limbs that tried to reach out for them, although it was strange to see that Rainbow was not using Excalibur. But then, as Rainbow lowered her gaze, the pegasus could see several of the sliced and destroyed limbs starting to expand beneath the entire group without any of them noticing.

“Everyone!” She screams out. “Look out!”

The sound of expanding flesh makes itself known, and a wall of flesh surrounds the group, which slowly starts to close above them like a fleshy dome.

Both pegasi could only watch from above, unable to aid their allies within the fleshy obstacle. But a sudden limb elongates from the flesh, which wraps itself around Fluttershy’s left hind leg.

“Eeep!” The pegasus shouts, struggling to get the limb off of her.

Rainbow Dash’s body was about to move in response, to aid her childhood friend. But Fluttershy extends her left forelimb while shouting:

“No! You have to go, Rainbow Dash!”

The rainbow pegasus nods in response. In truth, Rainbow’s loyalty to her friends and allies screamed out for her to help. But she knew that something else took priority, although her heart remained conflicted. She flies away with Excalibur clenched tightly to her chest while muttering:

“I’m so sorry…”

Fluttershy still struggles against the limb wrapped around her leg as it pulls her down and towards the nearly closed dome of flesh, her wings working overtime to defy the appendage. From this view, the yellow pegasus could see everyone within struggling to get many of the tentacles off of them.

Santa Clause looks upward from within the nearly-closed dome, and his eyes widen as he sees Fluttershy’s predicament. As for his allies, Tzana, Arche, Echo, and Mena are all that can be seen who haven’t been covered entirely by the flesh.

The jolly red muscular man narrows his eyes, and despite the tentacles that are wrapped around his arms, along with the rest of his body, he grunts as he uses physical might to raise his own appendages. Santa manages to take off his sack, opens the top, and aims it toward Fluttershy as if he were about to throw another football.

“Grandma Fluttershy!!!!” He shouts, causing Tzana, Echo, Arche, and Mena to take on ‘The fuck…?’ expressions.

Santa grunts and throws the opened sack towards the pegasus. The apparel is thrown with such might that it scoops up the yellow pegasus instantly by sucking her in like a Black Hole, thus causing the fleshy appendage that grabbed her to be torn off in the process.

“Oh, gee, that’s fair!” Arche roars out as he struggles against his bindings. “Why didn’t you do that to all of us?!”

Santa chuckles. “I sadly didn’t have enough time, and I certainly didn’t expect this to happen,” He looks up with closed eyes and a satisfied exterior, “Even so, I made my choice. And I’m proud of it.”

-Skelly, Toxin, if either of you have any ideas, now’s the fucking time to do it!- Mena exclaims internally.

-It’s only me in here, Mena,- Skeletron responds. -Toxin’s already gone.-

-...WHERE THE FUCK DID HE GO?!-

The dome of flesh closes completely, encasing those within before pulling itself away and retreating towards the epicenter, returning to Nyarlathotep.

---

-???-

Fluttershy falls into a mysterious realm that’s seemingly connected to Santa’s sack. A large plethora of colorations dances all around her, along with floating presents and various Christmas ornaments and decorations. She extended her wings to stop her fall, but it did nothing. And yet, if she didn’t know any better: it felt as if it was less her falling and more her being pulled towards another destination.

And pulled she was for as she shifts her gaze and takes in her surroundings, she soon takes notice of several familiar individuals standing on a floating Christmas present. She was being guided towards them, but unbeknownst to her: a sizeable serpentine-like being had been controlling her current course, watching her from the background of this realm.

-Why hellooooo there!- A male voice speaks into her mind, something almost akin to another voice she knew all too well. -What an interesting guest that has stumbled upon my humble abode. Would you care for a tea of cup? Or perhaps a chocolate of mug?-

As she listened to this being, the way they spoke was so incredibly familiar. In fact, she couldn’t deny it: it was just like Discord.

-Ooh, I know! You seem like the type to enjoy a nice tea of chocolate with a side of cake carrot.-

“O-oh my,” She starts. “W-well, um, if it’s not too much to ask: would you by chance know someone by the name of-”

-Ah, ah, ah!- The voice interjects. -Too soon for that! Now, your friends are waiting for you. I’d love to chat for a bit longer, especially with you, but I must go. Ta ta for now, ahahahahaha!-

The laughter slowly fades away from within her mind, but the pegasus had already become accustomed to this due to her many interactions with Discord.

Her yellow form is soon sat down gently upon the same floating present, and those who stood upon it started to approach the pegasus. She raises her gaze, and her sight sets on several familiar faces:

“Hi, Fluttershy!” Pinkie exclaimed happily, hopping in place.

Behind the bouncing pink mare stood Shadow Thunder, Chrysalis, Starlight, Celebes, Callie, Cadence the Princess, Snow, Andriell, and Celestia - although the alicorn bore a face of sadness.

“It’s good to see that you made it, Fluttershy,” The Princess starts, although a trace of hesitancy is present in her tone. “W-we saw everything through Santa’s eyes… this realm is connected to him in very particular ways, along with anyone who carries one of his sacks,” She looks down with a saddened expression, “Linn…”

A moment of silence ensues, and even Pinkie Pie’s mane deflates as she thinks about seeing Mena’s fate through the eyes of Santa. Chrysalis didn’t show it, but seeing her own brother being covered completely by flesh and taken away had indeed tugged a heartstring. But when it comes to Celestia, she could only think about her sister and how she’s the reason the alicorn had been thrown forcefully into another sack of Santa’s.

Both Tundra and Andriell, since arriving into this realm via their own Santa sack, had taken notice of Celestia’s appearance. The equine had reminded them a lot about a small alicorn filly they had safely tucked away at NEXUS: Flurry Heart.

Callie observes the realm all around them like a curious child.

As part of their plan, they all could only be grateful that Santa Claus had passed out several copies of his sack and distributed them out to numerous individuals.

Suddenly, the Princess breaks the silence with a determined expression. “We still have a job to do,” She starts. “That monster will pay for this!”

A bright golden light manifests itself before her in response to the Princess's words. The light morphs into a blade, and as the light breaks away slowly in particles, a sword of such beauty now floats itself before the Princess: Excalibur.

“I know we all lost someone dear to us, but the plan is still in motion. We can not- no! We WILL not fail them!” The Princess exclaims in determination. “And now… we wait for the right opportunity.”

---

-TERRARIA, CAMELOT OUTSKIRTS-

Following her departure from Fluttershy and the others, Rainbow Dash continued to soar through the air and seemed to be searching for an individual. All the while, Terra’s form can still be seen high above, keeping the eldritch forces out of this universe. These are coupled with the fact that Nyarlathotep’s appendages continue to take away many of their allies.

“Rainbow, over here!” Shouts Tanner the Guide, flying on the back of Silence.

Rainbow nods and hurriedly approaches them, to which Silence inquires:

“Where is Athena?”

Rainbow falls silent and shakes her head.

“Ah…” Silence responds somberly. “I see. Anubis had also shared the same fate after he saved me from many of those… appendages.”

Tanner takes notice of the blade Rainbow Dash wields and smirks, “That’s just like Athena. Saving her family while still focusing on the objective.”

This naturally causes the pegasus’s eyes to widen. “Wait, family?”

“It’s a long story,” Tanner responds. “You’ll have to get her or Silence here to tell you that one, Olympian,” He winks before turning his gaze to Nyarlathotep, “Right now, we’ve got business with that abomination.”

“This is crazy,” Rainbow Dash comments as the trio looks upon Nyarlathotep. “That monster is this strong even though this isn’t even their max?”

“That’s the power of an Outer God,” Silence answers. “Even at this state, Nyar is still a force to be reckoned with.”

……….

Nyarlathotep would be lying if the being didn’t feel proud of itself. Its brethren are nearly ready to claim this reality, the forces who stood up to the eldritch are nearly obsolete, and all that remains is Terra herself. The lower portion of the being still remained buried into the land while its upper torse looked upwards with its gaze.

“With all this power I have acquired, I shall eliminate you here and now, Terra,” The entity raises their left claw and prepares to ‘grab’ onto their fellow Outer God. “Die now, in vai-”

“NYARLATHOTEEEEEP!!!”

The Outer God scoffs and turns its ‘gaze’ towards the source of the voice. “Tanner… annoying pest as always.”

Tanner, still mounted upon Silence, looks down upon the eldritch with a smirk. All while Rainbow Dash floats next to them.

“You tried to be rid of me with the Voodoo Demon, but failed,” He spreads his arms, “You hoped that my death would silence me forever, but as you can clearly see, I’m back, motherfucker! You’re not the only one who’s got powerful friends!”

The Outer God shifts its torso to face the trio above.

“Your actions have caused all manner of destruction-”

“If I may interject, Guide,” Silence interjects. “Athena actually already made that speech.”

“Ah, shit, you’re right,” Tanner responds, scratching the back of his head before shrugging. “Skipping to the end: It’s time to die!”

“Much better,” Silence comments. Rainbow chuckles.

The trio begins to dive towards the eldritch at full speed, the wind blowing through Silence and Rainbow’s mane along with Tanner’s hair.

“Very well, wretches,” Nyar said, taking in their encroaching forms. “Before I kill Terra, I’ll let her hear your squeals of,” The eldritch’s arms and hundreds of appendages lunge towards the flyers, “TORMENT”

The barrage of appendages rushes towards the flyers with ravages intentions. But Silence and Rainbow Dash perform incredible maneuverability as they duck under limbs and spiral around others. All while keeping a sort of duo flying formation.

-Your flying skills are quite impressive, Rainbow,- Silence said internally as the duo continued to dodge. -Almost as good as a GrimDark version of you… my mother.-

Suddenly, in the corner of Silence’s eye, he takes note of a tendril that elongates off from another tendril before firing toward the trio - although Rainbow Dash had failed to notice it. If Terabyte had still been connected to the ancient, they would undoubtedly tell Silence to dismiss the rainbow pegasus’s well-being. But Silence was not Terabyte, and his next action was fueled by another desire.

-I despise you, mother,- He states internally before pushing aside Rainbow Dash and throwing Tanner off of his back. -But Rainbow Dash isn’t you… she’s what I wish you’d be.-

Rainbow Dash quickly rights herself, following Silence’s actions. All she could see was a mass of flesh covering Silence’s form, but as she looked downward, she could see Tanner the Guide in freefall, who shouted:

“Rainbow, catch my ass!”

The rainbow pegasus obliges and flies downward in one swift motion, causing Tanner to fall onto her back, although she grunts from the added weight while commenting:

“D-dangit, dude! You’re so-”

“If you call me fat, I swear to Terra!”

Suddenly, the duo lets loose a painful exclamation as a large tendril bats them both away. This sends both of their forms crashing into several limbs and colliding into several more as they fall to the earth below.

The collisions had slowed their fall, but some damage had still been done as both Tanner and Rainbow Dash now laid bare on the earth. The pegasus had been knocked unconscious; her wings dislocated from the many collisions, while Tanner himself laid on his back in pain with closed eyes.

“Oh, f-fuck…” He manages to get out. “Th… that sucked…”

Nyarlathotep, having witnessed the failure of the Guide and pegasus, wills one of its tendrils to pick Tanner up and bring him towards the monstrosity, thus leaving Rainbow Dash’s unconscious form behind. And, most unfortunately, Excalibur.

The tendril brings the Guide closer and closer before raising him up into the air and dangling his pained form in front of Nyarlathotep, their size eclipsing the Guide’s view.

“Tell me, Tanner, what was that about killing me?” Nyar questions with a chuckle. “Oh, and don’t think I didn’t take notice of that pegasus holding that wretched blade.”

Tanner coughs up blood, although he laughs lightly. “Heh. Y-yeah, you got us good there.”

“Flattery won’t save you, Tanner,” The beast chuckles, “Like it didn’t save your wife and child.”

“Don’t you ever mention them out of that fucked up mouth of yours,” The Guide responds with scornful determination. “You took my wife; you took my child! And for your fucking information,” Tanner smirks, “That wasn’t the real Excalibur.”

Nyar’s ‘head’ reels back, “W-what?!”

Tanner smiles. “Let me tell you; Pinkie Pie is one hell of an artist. It’s a good thing I got some paint from the Painter for our plan back in Home Town.”

Nyar releases a growl.

“Yup, your dumb ass was looking at a wooden blade painted to look like Excalibur,” Tanner continued. “Imagine being an all-powerful eldritch from beyond who apparently can't differentiate between painted wood and metal, ahahahaha!”

Nyarlathotep’s form becomes consumed by rage. “How dare you!” The Outer being swirls Tanner’s form around with the attached tendril before releasing the terrarian with frightening force.

“BEGONE!”

Tanner’s body soars through the air, but a content smile is present on his features as his eyes remained closed.

“Well… I played my role…” He takes a breath. “I kind of wish I was the one to do that fucker in, but… I realized that someone else deserves that pleasure. I’m ready to go now, Yog. I’ve kept Pomp Neigh waiting to be born for long enough.”

-May you forever know peace, Tanner. Although, I don’t mean that in the way you might think.- Yog responds internally as the Guide’s form starts to fade. -My power has been mostly spent in our trapping of Azathoth. But I have enough left for your reward… your family is waiting for you.-

Tanner’s eyes shoot wide open. “Wait, what?!” With those final words, Tanner’s body vanishes in green particles.

---

-???-

It happened so fast for Tanner, and as he grits his teeth to lift himself off of a grassy field on a sunny day with birds chirping in the- wait.

“What the hell…?” The Guide inquires, standing tall with all of his previous wounds healed. Looking around his newfound landscape in confusion. “This isn’t-”

“Papa!” The voice of a little girl calls out. “Momma said to come home, lunch is ready!”

Tanner’s eyes widened, and tears start to fall as he slowly turns his head towards the voice in disbelief. There, in the distance and running towards him on a dirt road, a little girl with light-brown skin and hair wearing a pink dress with white flowers can be seen.

“Wh… m-my daughter…”

“Go to her,” Yog comments as the green earth pony stands at Tanner’s side. “You’ve earned this.”

Tanner didn’t even realize the pony was there, but he pushed it aside and needed no further push as the terrarian kicks off into a full sprint. And as he reaches his child, he scoops her up into his arms before showering her with all his love.

As the reunion between Tanner and his child ensues in the distance, Yog turns towards you, the reader, and comments:

“I’m sure you all have many questions,” He gestures all around him with a forehoof. “Like where we are, for instance. Well, as I said, this is a reward for services rendered, and Tanner has performed many miracles in Terraria’s distant past. This isn’t an afterlife. It’s Tanner’s second chance. It’s another universe I created some time ago, and it’s all for him to live out the rest of his days.”

Yog turns back to Tanner, who walks over a hill with his daughter’s head resting on his shoulder as he holds her up with both arms.

“Terra had preserved the souls of his wife and child, and all that was missing was Tanner himself. Now that he’s here… It can finally begin.”

Tanner’s form disappears over the hill, and a small house sits at the precipice of a cliff face in the distance.

“Goodbye, Tanner,” Yog comments. Then, a mysterious black book manifests before him. Its cover remained blank for a moment before a series of white words started to form on its cover:

‘Pomp Neigh the Guide.’

The earth pony chuckles before opening the book to the very first page, which reads:

‘Chapter 1: Pomp the Guide has arrived!’

“I can’t wait to see you fill out your tale, Pomp.”

---

-TERRARIA, CAMELOT OUTSKIRTS-

Nyarlathotep relished in their ‘disposing’ of Tanner.

“At long last, that pest is no more,” The being comments before turning towards Terra once more. However, something catches the eldritch’s attention as it lowers its gaze towards a red sack of Santa Clause.

It was strange to the eldritch; they also could’ve sworn that they saw this bag get thrown over here earlier. And a strange energy source emanates from it. After a moment of staring, it turns its gaze away and up towards Terra once more.

[SKSHOOOOM]

The top portion of the sack opens, and, coincidentally, it’s the same sack that Santa Clause had thrown. A vortex pops out of the bag, which spews forth several individuals - catching Nyarlathotep completely off guard.

Fluttershy, Celebes, Chrysalis, Shadow Thunder, Starlight, Celestia, Pinkie Pie, Callie, Tundra, and Andriell can be seen falling towards the eldritch. But the falling form of the Princess, Cadence, is blocked behind the wall of her allies.

“What is this?!” The entity roars out.

“Nooow!” Celebes the Dryad shouts. “Princess, we’re all with you!”

Both Celebes and Starlight move aside, only for Nyar to see Shadow Thunder and Tundra grab onto Cadence’s form.

“Hrrraaauuuh!” The duo roars out as they throw the Princess towards Nyarlathotep, and the eldritch becomes concerned as it notices what Cadence wields in her grasp: Excalibur.

“This is for everyone whose lives you’ve snuffed out!” Cadence shouts as she careens towards Nyar with her blade, ready to impale the beast.

In response, Nyar sends out the tendrils located on their shoulder and head so as to intercept the Princess. However, the quick form of a black pegasus covered in an alien life form swiftly kicks away these appendages.

The one responsible is none other than Rainbow Dash with Toxin, the Symbiote, using her as a host.

“Imagine my surprise at finding a temporary host just lying there for me to use. She’s still unconscious, though, so I’m taking charge,” Toxin comments as the Princess soars past them. “Good thing I detached myself from Mena in time, hrraugh!” Tox-Dash kicks away another tendril, acting as a guardian for the Princess’s approach. “This pegasus’s wings were busted up, well, actually, most of her body was. But I fixed her right up!”

Nyar raises their right arm and swings with full force at the Princess, but Tox-Dash rams into the arm, which holds it back. Then, the eldritch raises their remaining arm and tries to perform the task. But the forms of Celestia, Tundra, and Chrysalis slam into that arm as well.

“Goooo!” Chrysalis roars out as Tundra and Celestia grunt beside her. “Finish this thing off!”

Thanks to the actions of her allies, Cadence’s form finally makes contact with Nyarlathotep as she plunges Excalibur deep into the beast’s form.

“HRAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGH!!!!” Nyar roars out. “NOOOOO!!!!”

A sudden shockwave throws the Princess away, although Excalibur remains driven in place. Because of the separation, Nyar had stopped roaring out in discomfort as the beast once again tried to retaliate.

“I will not allow that blade to stop me again, NEVER AGAIN!”

The eldritch pulls its arms away from those who tried to push against them. But suddenly, Nyar’s entire form freezes in place as a crimson aura surrounds the eldritch.

“WHAT?!” The beast bellows. “HOOOOW?!”

……….

Down below, and with her hand placed onto the being’s body, Callie grits her teeth as her eyes are closed in the effort.

The clone of Calamitas could hear the past words of Braelor play through her mind:

-Callie, despite the circumstances of your birth, you are still a Brimstone Witch. They are beings who can control dark and chaos magic as if it were second nature to them. However, since they are a race born in the Underworld, they can also influence demonic energy. And If I understand Tanner’s plan well, you are our great ace in the hole. Let us not forget that when Nyar was first defeated, it was demon prowess that saved them, thus turning them into the Wall of Flesh.-

“I… I h-help… world…” Callie struggles.

……….

Nyar’s ‘eyes’ glare downward and toward Callie. “You miserable wench! I never should’ve allowed Draedon and Yharim to get what they needed from the Underworld to create you!”

“All eyes on us, Nyar!” Calls out the unified voices of their opponents. The eldritch could only watch as Princess Cadence had been caught by her allies, and they all can be seen supporting the Princess as they make contact with Nyar’s form.

Cadence fixates her eyes upon the blade, and after approaching it, she grabs onto its handle and continues to push against it. Nyar roars out once again, and Callie tries her best to keep the horror in place.

Another shockwave is let loose, but this time, the Princess is supported and held firm by everyone else. Starlight, Celebes, Shadow Thunder, Tox-Dash, Celestia, Andriell, Fluttershy, Chrysalis, Pinkie Pie, and Tundra all act as an anchor against the force.

Excalibur suddenly reacts in a way not even Cadence had expected, and shockingly, she could hear a feminine voice call out to her:

-You’ve made me proud, my daughter. But no matter what happens next, know that there was simply no other way, my sweet.-

“M-mom?!”

[KTHOOMSHK]

Nyar’s chest suddenly tears open as a large beam of light and darkness is released into the atmosphere before spreading outwards. In tandem, the breach that Terra had been struggling against had become weakened, thus allowing Terra herself to seal it completely - and cutting off the eldritch forces from coming through.

Nyarlathotep begins to thrash chaotically during its torment, and as for those who had gravely assaulted the behemoth, they had all been blown away from the resulting action. But while this was a victory for them all, some among them couldn’t help but feel like something is... wrong.

Next Chapter: Chapter 94 - Interlude. Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 18 Minutes