Episode 23 - Confusione

Two bipedal figures, one colored red and another colored blue stood parallel from each other in the middle of a clearing. They tower over everything in the area, including trees,buildings and other formations that adorn the land. A group of ponies stand a great distance from them, spectating to see the outcome of the confrontation that is about to commence.

“It has been too long, Creator.” The red being says with a sly smile on his face. The Blue being continues to stare at the red being with a gaze that could cut the thickest steel. “I will not let you take this universe like you did the last, Destruction. My vessel may not show it, but I have grown in power, and the potential I have gained from my vessel is far beyond your vessel’s power level.”

The red being known as Destruction leans backwards and lets out a deep laugh. “Even with your so called ‘infinite potential’, you still pose no threat to me; I have and always will be more powerful than you.” The blue bipedal figure known as Creation clinches his fists. “It does not have to end like this Destruction.”

Destruction strikes his hand through the air. “NONSENSE, YOU AND I KNOW FULL AND WELL HOW THIS MUST END.” Destruction breaks into a sprint toward Creation and impacts him with great speed. Creation doesn't move an inch as Destruction presses into Creations form with great force. Creation pulls back his right hand and brings it down onto Destruction, which sends Destruction tumbling to the ground.

“I told you, my vessel’s potential makes my power far greater than yours. You do not even move me with your greatest force.”  As Creation finishes talking, Destruction balls his hands into fists, then shoots a beam of pure destruction at Creation. Creation had already seen the attack coming, and formed a shield out of pure energy, which deflected the beam and cause it to leave a large crater in the ground.

Below the two fighting Colossals, a red equine and a floating human lie, surging power through every inch of their bodies. when their physical forms came into contact, the celestial beings inside of them had awoken and projected themselves.

Destruction gained its footing and was now in a heated fist fight with Creation, but it had seemed that it was a one sided fight. Creation did nothing but block and dodge, wishing not to strike until Destructions power was drained temporarily . As Destructions punches came to a slow, Creation delivered a swift kick to Destruction’s ribs. As Destruction was staggered, Creation then landed a left hook to the Destruction’s face and landed a right hook to Destruction’s lower abdomen. As Destruction fell to a knee, Creation looked down upon Destruction with pity. “We could merge and create neutrality, are you sure you wish to choose the path of defeat instead of one that benefits us both.”

As Creation pulled back his foot to deliver a kick to Destruction, The Crimson being kneeling suddenly thrust his head forward and shot a beam of pure destruction energy toward Creation, effectively making Creation falter; thus putting him in a compromising position.

“YOU” Destruction uppercuts Creation, hitting him in the chin and making him fly back and landing on the ground with a large thud. “ARE” Destruction jumps in the air and delivers an elbow drop to Creations stomach. “NOTHING!” Destruction gets to his feet and starts charging his magic.

“THAT IS ENOUGH!” yells creation as he hovers off the ground into a standing position. He’s now glowing with energy, almost like something from Dragon Ball Z. Creation thrusts a hand forward and penetrates his entire fist through Destructions chest. “YOU, ARE, DONE!” He yells as he pulls his fist out revealing a glowing orb. Destruction falls to his knees, and then onto his face. “Destruction will always exist.” Destruction murmurs as he fades from existence.

Creation holds the orb in his hands as it starts being absorbed into his form.

And then

It ended

or more likely, it began with a boy.

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Max POV (1rst) [Pre Recreation]

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“Hello Max.”

I cant see anything, what the fuck is going on?

“Dont worry, there's nothing to see.”

What do you mean?

“The universe does not exist yet as you have yet to create it.”

That doesnt make sense, what's happening?

“A process called Recreation, its what happens when the creators vessel is stronger than the Destroyers vessel; which isnt very often. I have been waiting a very long time to find a being like you Max.”

A being like me?

“Yes, a being with infinite potential. Your life hasn't made the most sense as of late, has it?”

I guess not…

“You see, the reason it has not made sense is because there was no sense of whether or not you were going to succeed, the universe could not decide. As of now, the universe is ruled by me, the essence of creation. I choose you; or more likely, you choose you.”

Im still not wrapping my head around this whole thing.

“I would not expect you to.”

‘S that supposed to mean?

“Nothing, the mechanics of the universe are strange and confusing to that of a lesser form like a human.”

Okay, so what now?

“For the past thousand recreations, Destruction has won the final confrontation. Then you came along, a being with infinite potential. You must now; Create the Universe.”

Woahwaitholdon, you want ME to create the universe.

“Yes, one presumably without destruction. The events leading to Destruction and I’s confrontation are fixed, but there is one condition such a task.”

What's the condition?

“It may not make sense now, but you must die in the universe you exist in now.”

I've already died, a few times. What would be different about this time?

“This time, you will lose your humanity and become a lesser form presumably equine. I blessed you with the form of a human so you may have a high amount of potential. Little did I know the amount of potential you would have.”

Oh shit...that sounds….not too bad…

“When you die in your human body, you will not be in the same place when you perished when you regain your physical form.”

Where am I gonna respawn?

“That has yet to be known.”

What an odd order of events that led up to this point.

“That is an understatement. Odd does not even begin to describe your existence; you are an enigma to me. You continue to baffle me with your nonsensical thinking and insane actions. Please, once we part; do not speak with me again.”

For the creator of the universe, youre kinda a fucking asshole.

“Must have picked up the attitude from you.”

Yeah yeah, lets just get this over with.

And then, there was light.

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Celestia POV (2nd) [Post Recreation]

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Youre Celestia now, and you've been at your son's side for a good week now. His condition has not been getting better, and this worries you greatly. You check his vitals, then go back to his side, holding his hand in your hoof like a worried mother would. Max was still the closest thing to a son you have ever had, and you were proud of him; no matter how many faults he had. You had resolved that one day when he came back from Ponyville, you were going to get him counseling but at the moment that did not matter. His condition was worsening, no matter what you or the doctors did, nothing would better the human.

“Princess, I am sorry but we have tried everything in our power; i'm afraid the only thing we can do now is wait.”

You turn to see Doctor Stable.

“Are you sure there are no other solutions.” Celestia says, dropping your head. The brown coated doctor approaches the humans unconscious body. “We have tried everything, even herbal remedies that were long forgotten.” You let your head hang as a tear drops.

“I understand, please, leave me with my son.”

The brown stallion exits the room, a silence fills the air. The only other thing heard is the heart rate monitor, which is progressively getting slower. “Please….dont leave me, my son.” The sound of a flatline is heard, the heart rate monitor is unplugged by a golden aura. “Im so sorry I couldnt do more.”

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6 Months Later

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Canterlot palace is quiet, as it has been for the last six months. Since the apparent death of the Humanoid prince, Celestia has been grieving, and Luna has taken full potential control of the throne.

As Luna traverses the halls, she passes her sisters quarters and stops. She turns and knocks on the doors “Sister, your country needs you….I need you...I understand your loss, but you must return to your rightful place on the throne. I cannot govern this country alone any longer.” A tear drops from Luna’s eye as she turns to leave, but is stopped by a hoof on her shoulder. “Sister, I think it is time for me to return to my little ponies.” Luna turns to see her sister, her mane is no longer in its celestial state, and her fur is stained with the remnants of tears.

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Somewhere in ponyville

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The roads are empty, as the winter air fills the small town. Snow litters the ground as ponies inside their houses gather around the hearths warming tree. A lone pony in a hooded cloak, walks the grounds of the small town, dragging a long slim blade behind him that seemed to be taller than the pony himself; letting it dig into the frozen soil. He does not say a word, nor does he make any sound. He slowly approaches the middle of the town and looks around, his breath escapes his mouth and shows in the air as he exhales deeply. “Im finally back…”He says in a raspy voice. The strange pony hears hoofsteps behind him, and turns to see a lavender unicorn named Twilight behind him. “Sir, are you new in town? If so can I direct you toward the town hall so we can get you situated quickly.”

The strange pony looks at Twilight with a smile. “No, I think i'll be alright.” He says with a heave, he collapses to his haunches and exhales. He then unholsters his blade and stabs it into the frozen dirt. “Are you alright sir? Is there anything I can do to help you?” the unicorn says getting closer to the mysterious hooded pony.  The stranger holds up a forehoof; as the cloak slides back from the appendage it reveals a pink coat. “No no, im fine thank-” The raspy voice stops as the pony lets out a series of violent coughs. “Thank you, i'll be fine.” Twilight gets closer as she can make out the look of the ponies face. His eyes are closed, but she can see many scars on the what appeared to be a stallions face, but no real distinctive features. “If your cough is bad we have excellent medical centers here in Ponyville.” The stallion held up a hoof again. “Dont worry, ive been here before, but thank you.” He looks up into the Unicorns eyes as the hood on his head fell to his shoulders. When the hood fell, it revealed a brown mane and a pink stallion unicorn with many scars on his face, and one very large scar over his right eye, giving it a milky look. The unicorn stumbles back as she looks at the stallion, she's seen him somewhere she's sure of it. “W-w-who are you?” Twilight asks in fear from his appearance.

The stallion lets the rest of the cloak fall off of him as the rest of his body is revealed. His entire body is covered in dry blood and scars all across, but as Twilight scans the rest of the his figure to see his cutie mark, which makes her gasp.

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A little later on (Twilights POV)

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“I dont get it, you’ve been dead for six months Max, how are you back?” Twilight asked as her and Max sat in the library. He was stroking his long blade with a silk cloth in his telekinetic grasp, looking up and down its length, almost as if he was attracted to the blade.

“I see your confusion Twilight Sparkle, you see when the final confrontation ended between Creation and Destruction” he stopped to look at Twilight “Which was very anticlimactic by the way.” He continued wiping the blade which was stained with blood and other unidentifiable dried substances. “I was thrust out of my body, to a time before the universe was created; SO I could create the universe in creation’s image.” He picks up the blade with his magic and leans it against the chair he was sitting on. “But that doesn't explain how you died, and how you’re sitting in front of me.”

Max sighs and looks down, then looks over his form. “I'm quite beaten up aren't I?” Max says to her, looking at himself. Twilight nods and gives him a look of concern “What happened to make all of these scars?” she inquires.

“Twi, that is such a long story I would rather wait until I have informed everyone of my return before I tell it.” Max says with a sigh as he looks at his blade and smiles. Twilight looks at Max with concern once more. “Should i send a letter to Celestia and the others informing your….return?” she ask Max. He leans back and closes his eyes before looking at Twilight intently.

“Tomorrow, please. I haven't slept for a good portion of three days, and i haven't slept in a bed in forever.” Max gets to his hooves and lifts his sword with his magic. “But right now, i need to light a bonfire. Is there a good place i can stab this particularly large blade into the ground?” i ask looking at Twilight. Twilight looks at me with a confused look, and tilts her head to the side. “What do you mean bonfire?” she asks as Max exits the Library through the back door. Snow falls from the night sky as Max stands in the middle of Twilights back yard. “Max, what are you doing?” she asks as Max stabs his blade into the ground until only half of the blade and the hilt are showing. He turns around and looks a Twilight. “Do you have any coals or firewood?” he asks with a raised eyebrow. Twilight goes into the library and returns with a bag of coal, then watches in curiosity as Max pours the entire bag of coal around the base of the blade that was embedded into the ground.  “Its a crude version of what i had to use back in…..that place….” he said pausing, then holding his hoof over the coals and blade. As he sat on his haunches, the fire spontaneously combusted, scaring Twilight. “What did you just do Max?” she asks as she sits by the bonfire.

Max adjusts himself as he looks at Twilight, the fires reflection burns in his eyes. “Twilight, the place i….resurrected...was a place in equestria...but I recall someone calling it...the forgotten planes.” Max continues to look at Twilight, a frown on his face. “When i was there, i woke up in this equine form near a bonfire, like this one.” he says looking at the weakly burning fire. “A very nice fellow, The Crestfallen Pony, he called himself, told me that these bonfires bounded someone to the curse of eternal life.” Twilight’s jaw dropped. “B-but thats impossible, there’s no such thing as eternal life.” Twilight says looking at Max. “I was skeptical at first as well, but then i reconsidered, because like you said….I died in Equestria….My human form is gone, and my only chance to obtain it once more, I turned down.” Twilights jaw still hung at his words.

“Twilight, in The forgotten planes, I may have perished many times, but as you can see.” Max looked all over his body, scars adorned almost every inch of his pink coat. “The scars of past sins are not something you can wipe away.”

With that Max got up from the fire, causing it to pulsate and let out a burst of heat. “Come inside Twilight, you don't want to look at the fire too long….you begin to see things you don't want to.”

As Max walked inside, he showed a very apparent limp in his left foreleg, but Twi decided to call it off as the two Ponies headed to bed.

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The Next Day

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As Twilight woke, she ventured down the stairs of the library. A noticeable snoring was heard as she walked down to greet the sleeping figure of Max. A million thoughts went through her head as she looked over his sleeping form ‘What happened while he was gone?, how did he get all of the scars that adorn his body?’

“....no….NO...NO PLEASE, NO NOOOO!”

Twilight turned to see Max yelling in his sleep, Twilight rushed down to his side and started shaking him with a hoof, which effectively awoke him. “What is it Twilight?” Max says, rubbing his left eye with a hoof. he didnt even seem to notice his right eye, but Twilight would ignore that. “You were screaming, in your sleep.” she said before looking around the library.  “Yes, i suppose i do that sometimes.” Max says as he sits like he would in his human form. “Today is the day I inform my friends and Celestia that your back, surprisingly.” Twilight said, Conjuring a scroll and quill.

It took her a while to write down a few things, but as Twilight finished up the letter, she went to wake spike and send the letter. As she walked back into the main room, Max could hear a resounding burning noise echo throughout the library. “What did you write to...Mom…” Max says with a sigh. “I told her that she should come to the library quickly, and that it involves you.” Twilight walks to the front door and wraps a scarf around her neck. “Where are you going?” she asks. “Im going to get my friends...i know at least two of them who will be happy that you're back.”

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A few minutes later. ( Max POV 1rst )

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I was upstairs, and Twilight was downstairs with Celestia, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and finally with Pinkie.

“Alright everyone, just calm down. I have something you all need to hear.” I hear Twilight say over all the hushed voices.  “Now, there has been a recent development that has come up.” she was talking about me. “It was very unexpected, and It will come as a surprise to most of you.” Twilight started walking up the stairs where i was. “What happened my dear student?” I hear my Mom ask. “Yeah Twi, i don't mind coming here and all, but I kinda want to know why I AM here.” I hear a brash voice from what i assume to be a agitated Rainbowdash say. I hear Twilight shuffle a bit uncomfortably as she speaks again “I've gathered you all today for one reason, im sure all of you were….devastated….by our recent loss.” She says, I hear the atmosphere of the room change to one of the somber type.

“Twilight, what does this have to do with Max?” I hear Pinkie say. My heartbeat quickens, i feel my metaphorical hands start to sweat and I start hyperventilating. I slow my breathing as I hear Twilight talk again. “Thats the thing….everyone....you see, yesterday a strange pony wearing a cloak came through Ponyville wielding behind him a very large blade. Naturally, I assessed the threat and greeted him”

“But Twilight, I would have gotten a Pinkie sense if there was a new pony in town.” Pinkie interrupted.

“Im getting to that Pinkie.” Twilight said after.

“You see, as I greeted him he introduced himself to me.” There was a pause. I assumed that was my cue, I started walking slowly down the stairs, getting all of their attentions.

As i reached the bottom of the steps, all eyes were now on me. “It can't be….” I heard my Mother say as she started walking towards me. As we came face to face, she looked me in the eyes “Who are you?” I hear her say in a very angry tone.

I look down, then back at her “Who do you think I am?” i ask in a very raspy voice. I see her magenta eyes trail all over my body, cringing as she reaches each of my scars. But as she reaches my cutie mark, her eyes grow wide. “M-M-M-Max?” I hear her stutter.

I nod once as she brings me into a bone crushing hug. I feel tears dropping from her eyes and hitting my coat. “I was so sure I had lost you.” she whispered into my ear as she held me close “...Never….” I whisper back.

“Ah dont understand.” I hear applejack say.

“Im afraid im lost as well.” Rarity chimes in.

“Princess, who is this?” Rainbow Dash asks.

Pinkie is silent.

“Is...is that Max?” I hear Fluttershy barely whisper.

Celestia releases me from the hug and stands at my left side closely. Pinkie approaches me, her mane straight, eyes with dark circles around them. “Who are you….to just walk in here and…” she stops and looks at me, I look at her back. “Pinks...I'm home…” I say as I approach her. She stays where she is, her blue eyes lock into mine. She launches herself at me as yells something intelligible. Her hooves wrap around my midsection as she cried into my chest. “I'm missed you so much.” she cries into my chest. She says some other things that were unintelligible, but i could hear ‘Thought you were dead.’

I look up to see Celestia staring at me with concern.

“Ahm still not wrapping my head around what the hay is happenin’.” Applejack says as she rubs a hoof on her head.

“My word, could it really be?” i hear rarity say.

Silence from the Rainbow one.

As Pinkie recovers her composure, she leans her head my on right shoulder. Many other reintroductions were made.

As we stood in a circle many questions were asked.

Rarity asked “What happened to your coat Darling, those scars look….dreadful.” I told her that i would explain in time. Rainbowdash asked me about my Blade, and I responded with going outside and pulling my blade out of the fire, immediately extinguishing the fire. I felt a tiny bit of my soul go with the fire as I showed everyone my blade. All the ponies revealed over it as I showed them my best friend. Yes, my sword was my best friend as me and it had gone through so much, to the point where i would talk to the sword itself. As we all settled, Celestia came to my side. “Max, what happened in those six months, my dear son...I was so distraught…” I look at her and nuzzle her neck. “I was about to get to that.”

I stand up and look at everypony. “Well, i have no doubt that all of you have questions, and im kinda sick of it. So everyone gather around and let me tell my story of how I got like….this..”

Celestia looks at me and nods as I sit on my haunches and look up at everyone.

“It all started with my death...or should I say….my undeath?

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What happened six months ago

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I hadn't known where i was going to wake up, nor if i was going to be safe.

“Ah, the lone wanderer awakens, hehehe.” I had heard from behind me. I try to speak, but my voice comes out as nothing but wheezes. “Try not to speak, lone wanderer. It is no use, as the land does not wish for you to speak.” I look at this pony speaking to me, and see an old pony in heavy chainmail.  I raise an eyebrow at the elder pony and cock my head, as i do that he places a armored hoof on my head. “Do not fret, little pony. For when you have something important to say, the land will allow you to speak.”

That sounded like some LOST shit going on, and I didn't know how i felt to be a part of it.

I got up to my hooves and observed my surroundings. I appeared to be in some sort of ruins, the stone features around me were covered in moss as they made a half circle around a small fire in the middle of the ruins. The very weak fire had nothing but embers hovering around it, which struck me as odd, but i had seen weirder in equestria….if that's still where i was.

“The bonfire is what brought you here, it seems.” I look over to him as he stares at the fire and scratches his chin. “It also seems that you have been chosen by the Dark Sign…” He stops and looks at me with narrowed eyes. I look all over my body, and notice that my coat is slightly decaying, and disheveled. I felt no different than i had the previous day, if anything i felt better than i did the day of the party. But he mentioned a curse, so i looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Ah, you are confused as to what ‘The Dark Sign’ Is….Well, I directly cannot tell you the meaning of it, as I still do not understand it. But from what i have gathered, The Dark Sign signifies the accursed undead...and those branded with it are reborn after death, but will one day lose their minds...and go hollow...I fear my time is closer than I had anticipated, but...for now….let us focus on the new undead…” He steps closer to me as he gets in my face. “Death….is what triggers the curse...young one...and the bearer of the curse returns to the last bonfire he or she had rested at….in this case, it would be the Firelink…But what created the Dark Sign, and how it works in coalition with the Bonfires and the Land….Is unknown... ”

The pony walks away from me and sits on his haunches near the fire. I process this entire thing in my head and look at him with a worried look. He looks back at me with a nod “ Fear not, young one...In time, i believe all will be revealed. This place….The Forgotten Planes….Consumes and destroys the minds of innocent ponies….but the chosen few who will eventually leave this land will understand in the end.” He sighs and looks down, then back to me. “Come, rest by the fire. It will reenergize you, and give you new motivation and strengthen you.”

I Approached the fire and feel its heat as I near it, I feel an odd sense of welcoming as i sit on my haunches next to the fire. “Young one….that is not your name, is it?” The armored pony looks at me with a chuckle. “Place your hoof over the coals, and focus on your name, young one.” He says to me. I give him a single nod, and hold my left hoof over the fire and then focus on my name. Max….Max….Ma- OW FUCK!

My eyes shoot open to see the armored pony holding a dagger against my hoof as my own blood drips from it. I look at him surprised like and raise a high eyebrow at him, I see a thin stream of what looks to be black energy flow from my hand and into the coals of the fire. “Let the bonfire consume part of your soul, it chose you for a reason.”

I let my blood and soul into the bonfire as I let the pain subside, and look at the elder pony next to me. I grunt and poke my hoof on his chest, which caused him to chuckle and look at me. “Ah, his curiosity deludes no one. You may call me Crest…. As the name assigned to me, was the Crestfallen Warrior....”

We sit there in silence, I let my mind wander to back where i belonged with Mom...and Pinkie..

“Do not fret, Max…” He paused as i looked up at him, I could now feel the fires heat growing as we both sat at the fire. “I see your sadness and your longing to return to where you belong, and I can reassure you that you would not have been brought here for no reason...If you were not chosen to eventually be one of the ones who leaves this place, i would have killed you long ago…”

That's reassuring, i had thought.

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Present time. (Max’s POV)

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“Max, i would hate to stop you in the middle of you telling the story of how you got back...but there are pressing matters in Canterlot, and i would like you to come with me.” Celestia said, interrupting me and causing all of the ponies in the room to look at her with a look of confusion.

I look at her with a face of confusion as well. “Very well, Im sure all of you are perplexed by the first part of my tale.” I look to my right and am stopped by Pinkies face. Her head is leaning my right shoulder and her eyes are closed mostly as if she was about to fall asleep, I smile warmly and nuzzle her cheek. “Pinks, I have to go to Canterlot, are you gonna come with me?” I ask the pink mare.

I see Pinkie’s eyes open more as she picks her head off of my shoulders. “Maxie, I can't come with you….but i want you to promise that as soon as you get back to Ponyville you will come to Sugarcube corner.” She nuzzles me and brings me into a hug. She hangs her head over my shoulder as she whispers into my ear “I've missed you so much Maxie, i never want to lose you ever again…” I pull her closely into the hug and whisper back “Don't worry, You don't ever have to worry about losing me ever again.”

With that, I said my goodbyes to everyone and lifted my blade with my magic and put it into the sheath i enchanted to be invisible with my magic. I had learned a lot in the forbidden planes, and enchantments was nothing compared to some of the skills i had learned.

As me and my mother made our way out of the library, I tightened the sword around my waist and followed her to a chariot she had used to get here, we both got into the chariot, As Mom gave the order for them to bring us back to Canterlot, I looked at her with a stern look. “Alright, what in Gwynivere is this about?” i ask looking at her with a raised eyebrow. She looks at me with a smile “Im just so very happy to see you again, my son...you have no idea how distraught i was, but when you were gone there were some developments that not all of my little ponies were aware of…”

I looked at her with a face of utter seriousness. “Like?”

Her expression changed to one of seriousness. “War….Max….I should have headed your warning, but the griffons have been very persistent in their conquest to take the frozen north from us.”

I cock my head to the side and look at her. “What's in the frozen north that we can't give the griffons?”

“Nothing is there that we can’t give them, its what was once there that we can't give them a chance of having.”

With that i lean my head in and push the side of my head into my mothers chest, making sure to avoid impaling her with my horn. “Mother, what aren't you telling me. I had to traverse through the frozen north in order to get back to Ponyville; There is literally nothing there but snow and ice.”

“Max, I cannot fully detail you on why we are defending it, but it is imperative that we do.”

I look at her with a stern look now. “Alright Mom….so, War eh? I remember a long time ago a little voice in my head told me there would be war, and if I didn't aide in it Thousands of Ponies would die.” I sit on my haunches and look down at my hooves “I just didn't think i would be in this state.”

Mom brings me into a hug, being careful to not cut herself on my blade. “Max, you just returned, i cannot allow you to aide in a war we are trying to prevent.”

I bury my face in her coat as I let tears drop from my face. “Mom, I had to kill...good ponies in the forgotten planes….ponies i called friends….ponies that were so mad, they begged to be killed...The last thing i want to do, is kill again. But if i have to defend this land, i will with my last breath...several times…”

I could feel her wing drape around me. “I will not let you relive your nightmares, my son.” she says reassuring me.

I continue to let my tears out into her coat. “So many times, Mom…..I died so many times, yet the scars never washed away.” i said to her, causing her to hug me tighter.

The rest of the trip was spent in silence, when we arrived inside the castle, Mom led me to a circular room. In the middle of the circular room, was a table which emanated a blue aura.

during my time in the planes, I had learned that illusion magic is correlated with the color blue, and the color purple, but mostly blue.

I circled the table and looked at the white alicorn. “Illusion magic, mother?” I asked her which causes her to give me a look of surprise. “How could you tell, I have the spell hidden.” A smirk dawns on her face as she looks at me with narrowed eyes.

I look back at her with a smile. “Mom, i believe with the experience and training i got in the forgotten planes very well puts me in front of your student, skill wise.” I say with a very large grin.

She approaches one side of the table as her horn start to illuminate. “I guess we will have to test you one day, Max.”

I nod as what appears to be a hologram appears on the table, what looks to be a battlefield is laid out before me. Craters litter the ground and the hologram is split in half with what looks to be a wall of spikes. Ponies are on one side, firing magic bursts at the other side, while I see what I assume to be griffons on the other side, firing flaming ballistas at the ponies who are blocking it with magic.

“Death….so much death…” I say as i feel the pain of each and every single dead pony on the battlefield. I look at Celestia who is looking down at the hologram with concern. “This is a battle that happened about a month ago. The griffons are pushing for the border harder than they ever have. Good ponies are dying, our ponies, My Little Ponies….”

I look at my mother sternly and then back at the hologram. “These good ponies are getting slaughtered, they look like they are only doing light spells and suppression spells.”

My mother did nothing but nod and look at me. I look at her and raise an eyebrow “Why aren't you retaliating with lethal force?”

Celestia looks at me then walks up to me with a concerned look on her face. “My little ponies haven't had to use lethal spells in such a long time. Since the time of discords reign, We locked away all of the lethal and offensive spells in the forbidden archives long long ago.”

I looked at her with wide eyes. “You said THE forbidden archives?” I ask incredulously.

Celestia double takes at me and looks at me with a surprised look. “You’ve been?”  She asks me and gets closer to me.

I scratch my chin with a hoof and look at her. “Yeah, I made friends with a dragon named seath the scaleless.”

My mother shakes her head and looks at me again. “You and your adventures, Max. You never cease to impress me.” I look down and then back at her. “You know Mom, if you want i can train some of your guards and create an elite unit. Thats kinda one of the things i wanted to do when i got back, seeing as i still am a prince of Equestria, i would like a personal guard; And now with my expertise, i can train them in swordplay and magic.”

Celestia looks at me doubtfully. “Max, i have no doubt that you are skilled in magic, but please do tell, what makes you think you can train my little ponies in swordplay any better than my instructors have.”

I turn around and begin walking a few feet, then turn around and look at her. “Celestia...I had to kill monsters that would be able to kill your entire guard in one sweep, I've had to go through a fortress of traps and serpent monsters that wanted to do nothing but shock me to death and dismember me, and to top it all off, i had to kill a humanoid iron golem that was about as tall as your throne room.”

Her jaw was on the ground, i was still looking at her with a stern look and a raised eyebrow.

“Max...I would like to hear the rest of your story in time.” she says to me with a grin. “And if you wish to try to train your own guard, I must first put you through a test of skill.”

I chuckle and look to a nearby window. “Very well, gather your most skilled warriors, I will fight them all when the time is right.”

Celestia approaches me from behind and puts a hoof on my shoulder. “Im very glad to have you back, my son.” she says as she wraps me in a tight hug.

I nuzzle her and break the hug. “Im going to go sleep, mother.” I say exiting the room.

After that, i was lead to my own royal quarters, which was made after my apparent demise in memoria.

I look around the room flare my horn to illuminate it fully. The wallpaper was blue, with a white trim near the floor, The walls were covered in paintings which featured a certain human in all of his glory. “Shit, did i really look like that?” i asked myself as i look at a portrait of my human form. How did they even get that?

I threw myself on the bed and closed my eyes. “This….is comfortable, as FUCK!” I yell which makes my eyes grow wide. “I haven't said the word fuck in….so long…”

--------------------

The Next Day

--------------------

As we walk through canterlot gardens, Celestia and I walk through the statue garden, which is filled with different statues that represent many things. Some represent victory, and peace, while others were there to commemorate lost ones in a disaster. But then there was one...it looked alive, and was made of different animal parts which were connected and intertwined.

I stop and notice it gives off a very negative scent, almost like…

“A hollowed…” i say to myself as i stop at it.

“What is that, my son?” My mother says, stopping beside me.

I point my hoof at the statue and say “This statue has a soul, and….to be honest….i kinda wanna eat it…” I see Mom visibly flinch as i say that i would eat the soul of another creature. “Why would you want to do that, Max?” My mother asks me.

I look over to her and say “Because his soul is negative, hes lost his purpose in life. And as a cursed undead, its my duty to….well….devour it after i rip him apart.”

Celestia puts a hoof on my shoulder. “I hope it does not have to come to that, my dear son.” she says pulling me into an embrace.

“10,743,123” i say looking up to her. As we release from the embrace she looks at me with wide eyes.

“What does that number represent?” she asks me with a raised eyebrow.

I look at her and bring a hoof up. “The amount of souls i have inside me right now.” Her gaze drops to the ground and then she looked at me. “I see…” She pauses.

-=-==-=-=-=-=-=

Later that Night

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“We are very pleased to see thee, dear nephew.” Luna said as she threw a hoof over my back.

I look over to the lunar mare and give her a smile. “I’m pleased to see you as well, i was hoping you were watching my endeavors in the forgotten planes.” I say looking at her.

She puts a hoof to her chin and looks up “How could i have seen you, my dear nephew?” she asks me with a smirk. I look at her with an annoyed look as she sits on her haunches next to me.

“Because you can see dreams, literally all over the place, and i'm pretty sure that the only thing that i had whilst in the forgotten planes was Nightmares of all of you dying.”  i say, letting my head hang.

I feel Luna drape a wing over my shoulder. “Do not fear, nephew; you are in safe hooves now.” I rest my head on her shoulder and let a tear fall from my eye. “Thats good to know, Auntie.”

A little later on in the night, Luna and I decided to go stargazing, which lead to us comparing the stars i saw on the forgotten planes to the ones i saw in equestria.

“Nonono, you see thats the Great Kite Drake!” i say gazing at the constellation that Luna called “Cancer”.

“Max, I do not doubt your knowledge of the stars, but you must remember who put the stars you see before you in the endless sky.” I pause as she says this to me, and look down, then back at her. “Thats amazing Luna, i had no idea.” Luna nods at this and looks back up to the sky.

We stay there for a few moments and revel in the majesty that Luna’s sky really gave us.

“Max, How did you leave?” Luna asked me out of nowhere.

I look over to her and give her a look of confusion. “What do you mean luna?” As i ask that to her she look as me with tears in her eyes. “How did you leave the place you were sent to, if you were under such conditions that you described?”

I look at Luna, than at the ground, and then back to her. “Under my current mental state, talking about it would be horrible, but i think for you I could tell you.”

I tilt my head up and to the left as i remember what happened. “It was my final challenge in the forgotten planes, an epic battle with myself.”

Luna’s eyes grew large. “What does thou mean, a battle with thines self?”

I slam my forehooves on the ground and look at her. “It was a fierce battle, sword against sword, wits against wits. In a final, very skilled conflict my doppelganger and I battled to the death.”

Luna gets a confused look on her face. “But i thought you could not die, truly”

I wear a smirk on my face as i look at her. “But thats the thing, he told me that if I desired to leave the forgotten planes, I would have to face the fate of eternal death and suffering.”

Luna’s eyes grow wide as she hugs me close to her with a wing. “Dear nephew, you were brave to accept such a challenge.” I nuzzle her side and look up at her. “Don't worry, im here aren't i? Nothing bad happened…..well…” I run my hoof over my left eye with a hoof. “I lost my left eye.”

Luna’s embrace grows tighter as we gaze at the night sky.

“We do not understand what loss and suffering you went through Max, but if it means anything; I am glad you’ve returned.” Luna nuzzles me and hugs me close. I nod and close my eyes as I rest my head against her chest.

-------------------Back in The Forgotten Planes----------------

“Do you fear death?” Crest asked me as we traversed a desolate field, where jackrabbits and red foxes roamed. I look over to him and open my mouth, but get a hasty reminder that my vocal cords don't work. As Crest looks back at me expectantly, I point at my throat with a hoof; which then causes him to give a hearty laugh. “You need not speak, young traveler. Actions speak louder than words.”

As we continue to traverse through the fields, I think to myself the answer of the question that Crest had asked me.

‘DO I fear death?’ I think to myself as I look down at the dead grass under my hooves as I trample the ground under me. I’ve never really looked at death in a scary way, I’ve been pretty used to it since my family members back on Earth started dying; and even that wasn't scary...it was sad...it broke me to pieces, and every time one of my loved ones DID die, a piece of me died with them. But then came Equestria….Oh man, Equestria….I thought it was a dream at first, but I soon came to see that it wasn't, and all of the things i was seeing were just a delusion that my madness was conjuring. The first time I died, I would have to admit to myself that it WAS very scary, I thought I was a gonner; but then came Creation or….clause...or whatever... He could have simply brought me back to life without any theatrics, no dramatics, just with the snap of his fingers; but thats not how Creation is. I knew better than anyone else because I practically had him living in my head for so long, even if we didn't converse that much until the end of our painstaking journey. He knew that when i died, i hadn’t actually realized many things that I would be worth staying alive for, so he gave me a little push in the right direction and showed me my feelings for Pinkie.

And with that began a lot of other things, like how i’m here now; with a curse that makes me immortal. Now, if i was anypony else, i would say No im not afraid of death; i'm immortal and that makes me immune to death.

But i'm not just anypony, I'm someone who has had a close relationship with death his entire life, and with all the things that i've gained through trials and tribulations, through all of my madness; A Lover, a Mother, New Friends and Family….

I speed up and stand in front of Crest as his walking comes to a halt. I look at him with a look of determination as I nod my head once at him. He stares at me for a few seconds before a smile grows on his face.

“I’m glad, as long as you fear death.” He approaches me and sits on his haunches. He puts a forehoof to my chest and looks at me, with age showing clearly in his eyes. “Nothing can stop you.”

------------------------------

Canterlot, the next day

------------------------------

Wake up (Check)

Mess my hair up (Check

Check if i still have a cutie mark (Check)

Polish William Wallace, my valiant blade (Uncheck)

I run a hoof covered cloth over the long blade thoroughly as I revel in its brilliance. I got this blade from my best friend, who treasured this blade in his armory for over 200 years; and still it glimmered in the light like it had been forged yesterday.

“Thines blade shines in the sunlight like it had been forged recently, but from its handle and edges i can tell it has brilliant stories to tell.” I hear Luna say from behind me. I wasn't surprised that luna had kept an eye on me, I did arrive shortly before there was a threat to the city; for all she knew i could be an imposter.

I continued to rub a clothed hoof over the long, slender blade as I narrowed my eyes.

“It has its fair share of stories to tell.”

I hear luna walk a bit closer to me as i hold the blade vertically. “Would you be willing to tell some of those stories one day; dear nephew.” She says finally sitting next to me.

I look at her with uneasy eyes as she glares at me; I nod and comply with a grunt.

“I hear that some of your companions got tired of waiting for you in ponyville and are coming to Canterlot. I heard the Pink one is especially excited.”

I could feel myself perk up at the mention of Pinkie. But then i reminded myself of something, and felt my mood significantly decrease.

“That sounds….good i guess.”

I throw my blade onto the bed with my magic and sit on my haunches again. “What is the matter? Are you not excited to see the ones you love once again?” Luna asks, a bit of confusion in her tone.

I turn to her and let a frown adorn my face. “Its not that i'm not excited, i'm plenty excited. Its just that I don't know how much has changed since my death. I don't know how Pinkies feelings have changed, i don't know if she even still loves me. I know, that since my leaving my feelings have done nothing but grow from my yearning to see her once more.”

I let out a large sigh and look down. “Thats why im not that excited. I can't even be the Shipmaster anymore, that power died with my other body, which sucks ass because I love romance. You know what, NO; im fucking angry at this fucking shit universe throwing shit at me that i can't fucking handle because i'm apparently special, but you know fucking what?

Nothing has made sense at all since my Mother and Brother died in that god forsaken car crash, I've died at 100 times and to top it all off, im still uncertain whether the one pony in this world i actually FELL IN LOVE WITH, still loves me because i left her for so long. But oh no, lets get some billy mays in on this shit BUT WAIT THERES MORE, I come back; and theres a fucking war waging over something that apparently doesn't exist anymore which is completely IRRATIONAL.”

I finish my rant, exhaling and inhaling heavily; I feel my lungs burn as my breathing comes to a halt. I feel a hoof on my shoulder and I immediately slap it off with a hoof and turn around. “Dont touch me, I don't feel like being touched right now.” I turn around to see a concerned Luna, I brush it off and storm out of my room and down a hall to my left. I didn't care where i was going, only that i needed to get the fuck away from everything.

as i slow down, i fall to my haunches and look down, my unkempt mane falls over my face as the tears drop from my face.

I stay there for a few minutes, letting myself calm down before i felt like i could see ponies again. I look down at my pink hooves and flex my invisible fingers, which weren't there of course.

I hear hoofsteps behind me, i don't bother to turn around as i'm quite confident i know who it is.

“Listen, i know that I freaked out, and im sorry….” i let my head drop again. “Everything thats been happening lately i don't know how to keep my head together.” I grasp my head in my hooves as I sit on my haunches. I ruffle my mane and let my hooves fall to my sides.

There was a long pause before the hoofsteps got closer, and stopped directly behind me.

Theres a long pause as two particularly pink hooves wrap around my body.

“Im sorry i wasnt here to make you feel better Maxie, i'll never not be here ever again.”

I feel Pinkies head lean onto my back. My heartbeat races as I feel Pinkies breath on the back of my neck. “Its okay Pinks...I didn't know you got here so soon..” I say hesitantly as i feel Pinkie’s hug tighten. “Its okay Maxie, you know when you were gone I didnt forget about you...Princess Luna told me why you freaked out...I know that you were worried that i would stop loving you, even when you were gone...but somewhere deep down in my heart i knew you would come back….sometimes I would go to that tree where we had our first kiss and remember how cute you were...and how you fainted because it was your first kiss…” Pinkie giggles as she nuzzles me from behind. “I never stopped loving you Max...I would never stop loving you…”

I feel Pinkie pull away from the hug as she walks around me to face me; her blue eyes glistening in the light.

------------------------------------

Back in the forgotten planes

------------------------------------

as Crest and I trudged through the snowstorm it nipped at our faces as it ripped and bore through the heavily populated town of Torrenburg, which seemed….not so heavily populated at the time.

“Let us stop here and wait for the storm to subside, my friend.” Crest said as he parted to the left toward an Inn that looked strangely abandoned.

I tighten the short sword on my side with my telekinesis as my senses heightened and my awareness raised. There were far too many times where i was almost killed by a deranged hollowed; so i could never really be too careful.

As Crest slowly opened the dilapidated door, were met with the warm light of a bonfire; and the faces of two NOT undead ponies; finally.

“Ah, two more wanderers have taken shelter in here; but are they friend, or foe?” I hear Crest say to himself.

The we immediately catch the two ponies attention as we enter the building. “WHO GOES THERE!” One of the ponies yells as he leaps to his hooves and draws his sword with his mouth...wait...his mouth?

As Crest negotiates peace with the pony with a particularly large sword drawn, a thought goes through my head.

Why haven’t I seen a Pegasus or a unicorn in this land? Not that i mind, Unicorns are fucking dangerous because they have control of magic, and a Pegasus would have a flying advantage; but in my mind It's sort of lonely...i kinda miss Twilights mumbo jumbo about how to channel magic through my horn.

I tune back in to the real world to see Crest staring at me, and the two ponies sitting at the fire once more. “Are you okay, friend?” he says to me, a look of concern in his eyes.

Still not being able to speak, i nod and walk over to the fire and sit, causing the room to glow brighter and the air’s temperature to raise.

“Does this one not speak?” A pony to the left of me says.  I look at said pony, who has a red coat and yellow hair; and dashing green eyes.

I look at him with a raised eyebrow as Crest sits next to the fire across from me. “He does not have the ability to speak.”

The red pony hums in ponder as he scratches his chin with a hoof. He then shoots out said hoof and says “Well it is my pleasure to meet you, silent adventurer. How did you come to hail this barren land?”

Crest speaks up this time.

“He awoke by the flame at firelink, which then arises the question of just where hes from. All i know of him is that he uses magic without a catalyst, and his name is Max.”

My eyes grow wide as I look at Crest. How did he learn -

Crest looks at me with a smile. “We rested at the same bonfire, which means that with the right ability I could see you into your mind. A hectic place, but i managed to find your name simply because you were thinking of it. I Cut your hoof over the fire so that you may kindle the fire with your knowledge and understanding.”

I take the red ponies hoof in mine as we shake hooves. “My name is Solaire of astora, an adherent of sunlight. Your arrival here startled me, as not all ponies of this land are as hospitable and kind as Crest and Yourself. Me and my friend Arthur here were taking shelter from the snowstorm when we came upon this place, and it seems you were as well. Maybe this is no coincidence, perhaps fate has brought the four of us together.” As he releases my hoof, he turns and reaches into a burlap sack. As he turns to me he thrusts his hoof out once more holding out a white stone. “There's no telling how much longer your world and mine will remain in contact. But, use this, to summon one another as spirits, cross the gaps between the worlds, and engage in jolly co-operation!”

I took the stone out of his hoof and held it to myself as his words went through my head; for some reason I had a feeling that I would hold those words close to me for the rest of my days.

-----------------------

Back in canterlot

-----------------------

As i lean on the shoulder of the love of my life, I look at the scene before me. Twilight and Shining armor converse on the subject of someone named “Cadence” which seemed oddly familiar to me.

“Hey Pinkie, update me on the situation.” I say tilting my head to look at her. She looks at me and then back at Twilight and Shining. “Well, we were having a picnic and it was really fun and stuff, then spike came running with a scroll from Princess Celestia saying all these things about a wedding, but he forgot to give Twilight the first scroll that came before that scroll so he gave her the first one and it said that her brother was getting married to someone named ‘Princess Mi Amore Cadenza’-”

Something clicked in my head.

“Wait, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?”

She looks at me with a tilted head. “What of it?”

I furrow my brow and scratch my chin with a hoof. “Nothing i can’t look into later.” I say narrowing my eyes.

Pinkie takes a deep breath before continuing. “So after learning her brother was getting married she did this super awesome song thingy that transitioned to us taking a train ride here. And thats when I came to see you and ran into Luna and she told me how you freaked out and then i saw you and then i hugged you from behind and then you had a flashback thingy you have sometimes and now were here watching Twilight argue with her brother.”

I lean on the pink mare next to me as I eye the soul counter in the bottom right corner of my vision. I really needed to find a way to spend these stupid souls, they are a constant reminder of past sins and i don't want them anymore.

I could simply die and then die again without picking them up, but what's the use in wasting over 1,000,000 souls?

There is….one thing…I look over to the pink mare leaning on me; who no doubt has a million thoughts going through her head.

“Pinkie, how have Rarity and Firestorm been?” I ask her with a smirk.

She looks at me with a large smile “They have been so good, i think that Firestorm is completely in love with her, its pretty great.”

A large smile now adorns my face as i get to my hooves and turn to her. “How about a double date, just Me, You, Rarity, and Firestorm. Its been far too long since we’ve had a date.”

Pinkie seems content with the idea as she nods and gets to her hooves, then walks next to me. “Its gonna be a good day Maxie, i can feel it.”

--------------------

End of Episode

--------------------