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// [Eclipsed]Talonsberg 
// Story: Reaper Tales 
// by aapur 
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Part 1 – Talonsberg

Airship Raine was flying steadily ahead, staying low as it passed over the jagged mountains below. Rows and rows of sharp mountains, less and less worn down by time could be seen as they approached the destination. The airship was keeping a steady pace, the engines barely making a sound as she pushed on.
In the side-loading cargo bay, the old wagon had been stored. It was just one part of the transport. On deck, several Director was looking ahead, studying the mountain structure. He had noted the unusual shapes of the ranges, their formation almost being crater-like in structure. However, this wasn’t a trip to study geology. 
“So what do you think?” Blue asked. “Is it a real threat, or just rumors.”
Director sighed, stepping away from the railing. “If it was just a rumor, the boss wouldn’t have sent all of us. He’d send Eclipse.”
“I guess you’re right.” She looked fairly miffed, having to travel so far away again. “What threats are we even talking about?”
“Supposedly someone plans to cast Equestria into eternal darkness. The threat was traced back to a remote gryphon city known as Talonsberg.” He wasn’t too happy about it either. It was furthest away they had been for ages.
“Let’s not start pouting.” Eclipse had joined them. “We’re arriving shortly, and I’ve been informed that someone is going to meet us.” He retained his calm and composed tone, looking ahead. “And Talonsberg, huh. I’ve only heard rumors of this place.”
Director was about to ask when Pilot sounded the bell. “We’re coming in for landing!” The bat pony shouted, before bringing the airship over the last row of mountains. Ahead of them, a massive round valley appeared, the jagged peaks going all around it like a crown. In a few areas, hotsprings could be seen, bubbling away. In the middle, a tall and wide mesa-like peak could be seen, a decently sized city having been built on it. Airship docks and all could be seen.
As they got closer, it was possible to see gryphons too, flying around, going about with their usual business. The airship wasn’t attracting any unusual attention either, so it was not a huge problem. Eclipse went back below deck as they prepared to dock, Mintie and Haze coming up to help with the mooring lines.
Five minutes later, Pilot returned to the others. “You’ve been cleared for disembarking. Your friends should stay on board though, to not attract any unwanted attention.”
“That was the plan.” Director nodded. “They’ll likely find a room to spend some quality time in anyways, so don’t worry.” He then stretched. “Alright team. Grab your stuff. We’re disembarking.”
They then left the airship, leaving Pilot to do his trading while they went to investigate. The four continued down to the market, deciding to check that out first. Director and Blue spent a lot of time scouting the market stalls, while Mintie watched ahead. Haze was somewhat keeping an eye back. 
It was a bustling city, lively as it could be, despite being so remote. Guards could be seen, keeping an eye on the crowd, while citizens were going about on their business. Things didn’t seem too much out of the ordinary as far as they could see.


Part 2 – Prince of Shadows

Watching from the shadows was a pegasi mare. She was sticking out of sight as the four left, and she started following them as they went through the city. Her dark ashen coat, and ashen and purple mane and tail didn’t stand out too much, and she’d switch from staying in the shadows, to blending with the crowd. She was managing to remain unnoticed, or so she thought. 
Haze suddenly broke off from the group, seemingly wandering on his own now. He went down a side passage, into a back alley. This had caught her attention, and she decided to follow him, rather than stick to the others. She continued down, reaching a dead end. Haze was nowhere to be seen, but a light mist was in the alley instead. “Huh?”
“You really shouldn’t trail strangers…” The voice came from behind her.
She quickly turned, facing the alicorn who now was looming over her. “What if I wasn’t?”
“Then you wouldn’t have followed me.” Miasmic looked to her, his eyes having a very unamused gaze. “But hey, I can’t really do anything with my, irresistible charm.” His voice had a lightly snarky tone to it.
“Oh, gee. I can’t keep my eyes off you.” She rolled her eyes.
Miasmic had his weapon drawn, the chain already surrounding the mare as he held on to the blade, ready to tighten them up. “Now be a good mare, and tell me what you’re up to.”
She chuckled, her eyes having a flash of red. “I always thought a Reaper was a dead serious agent. For once, I’m glad I was wrong.” She stretched, flipping a metal case out from under her hoodie. With a flash of red, she was gone, a Changeling price in her stead. His mane was crimson, his eyes too. And he had a scythe, looking unmistakably like the one Horror had. “But enough games. It was I who helped trace back the letter to here. Or rather, one of my many agents. We need your help.”
“First you’re going to explain how you got that weapon. It’s not-“ Miasmic was interrupted when the changeling drove the blade into the ground.
“It’s not mine?” He asked. “You’re wrong. This is the original. What your leader has is but a copy, one crafted as a sign of friendship with the Equestrian Throne by one of our ancestors. I’m surprised to see it ended up in the hooves of a Reaper. Pleasantly so too.”
“Enough talk.” Horror had appeared now, Darth and Stormy alongside him. “If you’re friends with the throne, why do you hide in the shadows, rather than coming right to us?”
“And here he is...” Mumbled Miasmic, wrapping up the chain again and moving over to the others.
The changeling laughed. “That was a thousand years ago. Since then, they forgot we even existed. To be safe, I even had every file on us destroyed.” He bowed. “Regardless. Call me Lord Serendipity. Captain of the Crimson Hive, and eldest son of Queen Crimson.”
“That’s a lot of crimson.” Darth pointed out.
Seren glared to her. “If you dare insult my mother’s name, I’ll make you regret it.”
Horror sighed, stepping in between them. “In the name of Celestia, stop bickering! This is getting us nowhere.”
“He’s right.” Seren nodded. “Anyways, let’s talk. I can show you the way to my office, so it’s easier to do so.”
“So you’ll explain how these ponies plan to blot out the sun?” Stormy inquired.
Seren laughed. “Tell? I will show you what they plan to do. Of course, promise me to leave certain parts out of the report.”
“Fine.” Horror sighed. He didn’t like this guy, but they had no choice.
Seren nodded. “Fantastic. Follow me.”


Part 3 – Hive of Fire and Brimstone

The group was lead through back alleys and hidden passages, and down to the foot of the peak that the city was built on. They continued through the dense forest underneath it, before reaching the start of the mountain range. In front of them, what looked like an abandoned mine could be seen.
“I’m curious. Why is this valley like this?” Stormy asked. She was curious about it. “Did something massive fall from space to create it?”
“That would have been the reassuring explanation.” Seren sighed, leading them down the mines. “But be patient. You’ll see soon enough.”
They continued down a maze of tunnels, going deeper and deeper for what felt like miles. Eventually, the tunnels stopped splitting, and only one lead deeper. The group was getting worried, as there was the feeling of something powerful ahead.
And that’s when they entered the great cave. A massive open cavern, half a mile wide, and over a mile long. Most of the floor of it was a massive lake of magma, boiling away aggressively. Along the walls, a city was carved into the very bedrock, bustling with life as changeling could be seen flying around. On the other side, an ancient temple could be seen, and several magically warded barges could be seen, transporting crates over the magma. On top of that, a faintly visible magical seal could be seen over the magma, and a massive, rune-covered rock was hanging in the middle of the cave ceiling, over the lake.
“Here we are.” Seren remained calm. “The Crimson Hive. We protect the seal on this lake of magma.”
Horror looked over it, looking more terrified than amazed. “And just why is there a massive magma lake and a seal here?”
“The seal is here because the crater above was created in the latest of a series of cataclysmic eruptions. All caused by this volcano.” Seren nodded, walking towards the lake. “And she’s overdue to blow again. Nearly a thousand years overdue.”
Stormy approached the lake too. “So if the seal breaks…”
“The world as you know it will change dramatically. Talonsberg will be vaporized, the immediate area turned into a hellscape, and the ashes will blot out the sun across the world.” It was another voice. A changeling queen appeared before them. “And that’s why we saw it fit to reveal ourselves. The threat that was sent was made by someone who knows about our Hive, and the seal. They intend to break it, so they can plunge the world into chaos.”
“Yet, with the security you have, why can’t you stop them.” Miasmic sounded annoyed. “You’re the guardians after all. It shouldn’t be our job to do your job for you.”
“Unless the threat is of the supernatural kind.” Horror pointed out. “It’s been a rather annoying occurrence ever since that one incident.”
The others nodded silently, knowing too well the result of the Rainfall Incident.
Seren gave them a folder, labeled “Viktor Drakenclaw”, and another labeled “The 13th Legion”. “This is what we have on those making the threats. We sent a group to deal with them, but they have developed weapons I have never seen.”
Horror was reading through the files on the 13th, and he looked concerned. “So they’re using magical launchers with a near endless pool of magic?”
“Drawn from a strange hole in the fabric of reality.” Seren took out a file photo.
“A rift.” Horror cursed loudly. “Of course it’s a rift. Eclipse is going to flip a table.”
Darth was pacing. “Is that all? I would prefer if we left already. This place is a bit too Hellish, even for my tastes.”
“Very well.” Seren nodded. “I’ll be coming with you.”
Horror looked concerned. “You sure?”
“Of course!” He exclaimed. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world.”
Horror rolled his eyes. He didn’t know what to say, but he shrugged. “Sure, but please stay out of the way when we fight.”
“I’ll try.” Seren disguised again, before heading back out with them.


Part 4 – The Golden Core

“So let me see if I got this right. A rift opened up nearly a year ago now in the camp of this legion, and they started getting a bit, crazy?” Eclipse sounded rather annoyed. He hated dealing with rifts, as it usually involved dealing with something nasty too.
Seren nodded. “Yup.” He looked outside the airship window, watching the mountains under them. “And then they got the bright idea to cast the world into chaos.”
“Why am I not even surprised.” Miasmic shrugged. “At least it’s action for once.”
Horror was about to say something when the airship shifted course, starting to go lower. “We’re coming in for landing at a safe distance. Please hold o-“ Pilot could be heard over the speakers, but was cut off before he could finish. The whole airship shook as an explosion was heard, and it quickly went from a controlled descent to an uncontrolled one. It crashed into a lake, which prevented it from taking serious damage.
Blood came down seconds later, carrying Pilot on his back. “Those magic weapons in the report? They’re seriously long-range. It’s a miracle he wasn’t killed up there. Or seriously injured in that case.” He placed the bat pony on a couch, before getting to work with bandages. “I’ll be staying here to watch over him. You lot better get moving to deal with that rift.”
Seren got up, nodding. “Sounds like a good idea.” He looked briefly to Pilot, narrowing his eyes before Horror gave him a nudge.
“He’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Horror headed out, followed by the others.
They headed off the ship, and started moving through the forest and towards the fort. The aura of the rift could already be felt, and it was a nasty one. The whole walk, Eclipse said nothing. He looked rather unamused by the thought of dealing with another rift. Seren had also not said a thing, something clearly on his mind.
They pushed closer towards the fort, and soon they were beneath the walls. Seren stretched. “Are you ready to storm the fort? We’re too close for the big guns to harm us, and I assume your combat skill should overpower the lesser stuff.”
“Unless they got a nasty surprise, we should do good.” Darth chuckled, revving up the chainsaw. “At least this puppy gets to see some action again. She’s been longing for a neck to sink her teeth into.”
Horror started moving up the stairs. “Let’s go. Primary objective is to secure the rift, and then seal it.”
“Secondary objective is to fry Viktor. His treason is unacceptable.” Seren added.
“Can’t make promises, but it sounds like a fun challenge.” Miasmic chuckled.
They moved onwards, arriving at the gates. To their surprise, they were open and unguarded. Seren looked suspicious, scanning the open plaza inside. Stone buildings and cards of weapons and gunpowder barrels could be seen. The rift was also visible, a crack in the fabric of space. There was not a single character in sight.
“This doesn’t feel right…” Seren growled, tossing a rock in. As it got closer, it seemed to vanish. He took another and tossed it harder, aiming it above the back wall. It seemed to vanish, and then appear again as it left the fort. “That’s interesting.”
“Is it a problem?” Stormy asked, watching it.
“Unlikely. The rift seems to be causing a degree of Dimensional Distortion.” Seren walked forward. “And the welcome party is likely waiting inside, hoping to catch us by surprise.”
Horror laughed. “Then we give them a surprise of their own.” He grabbed a barrel of gunpowder.
“I like your way of thinking.” Seren chuckled. He set fire to the fuse that was poking out.
“Allow me to help.” Stormy grabbed the barrel and tossed it towards the rift. Seconds later, splinters, smoke, and dead gryphons came flying out.
“Now!” Horror ordered, charging inside. The others followed, meeting the remaining troops with surprising viciousness.
The fight that broke loose was quite one-sided. The troops were crushed by the combined might of the five reapers, and even Seren looked amazed. That’s when Viktor revealed himself, standing under the rift.
He was holding a golden orb, chuckling. “Well would you look at that. “Brother” has finally come to see me.” He cackled. As he held the orb, his blood veins were glowing gold from the arm, pulsating with power. “If you’re here to defeat me again, I regret to inform you that it’s not going to happen.” He raised the orb, the glowing blood veins starting to spread. “Never again will I be second to you. I will become a God, and my first act will be to let the world purge itself!”
Seren didn’t think. He just ran right for him, blade ready. “I will not let you do this!”
“Oh but you don’t have a choice.” Viktor laughed as a bright light enveloped him. The blast of energy sent Seren flying backwards, crashing into the dimensional barrier which now was solid. “And to see that you brought pets, how kind. I will enjoy stomping them all, like insects.”
The light faded, and before them, a massive gryphon stood. The rift was now between his head feathers, moving with his head. He had six wings too, shining white, and he was standing on two legs, rather than four. In his free hands, two massive blades were being held. On top of that, the outside of the barrier had faded, and they were now on an island floating in a magical space.
“Bow before me, or perish!” He roared.
Eclipse stepped back, standing with Seren. “I will protect him. You four deal with that, thing!”
“With pleasure.” Darth laughed, going for Viktor with her chainsaw.
Stormy and Horror both followed, while Miasmic sighed. “Brutes.” He then went around the side instead, aiming to deal cheap blows to the godlike being Viktor had become.
It was not an easy fight, and they took several blows while trying to wear him down. But it was soon revealed that he had a serious weak spot, and that was the orb that now was embedded in his chest, gruesome golden veins pulsating from. A plan was quickly set up.
Miasmic was the first to act, getting his blade and chain around Viktor’s neck. He tightened it, pulling his head backwards as Horror and Stormy went for his arms, holding them away from the chest. Lastly, Stormy took to the air, before driving the chainsaw into the orb. As it went deeper, a golden liquid burst out violently, almost like gold, and Viktor screamed in agony. As he did, the dimensional bubble collapsed, and soon things returned to normal. The rift was now in the air again, and Viktor laid limp on the ground below it. 
Eclipse got up, casting Mend on the rift. It sealed shut, its aura fading. “That’s over.”
Viktor stirred, coughing up blood. “So this is how it ends…” He tried to get up, but he collapsed. “Guess I will always be… Number two…”
Seren was up again now too, walking over to him with help from Eclipse. “Had you only told me, I would have helped you get strong enough to match me.” He raised the scythe. “But this is the price you pay for treason, brother. It pains me to do this.” He then struck the blade down, beheading the gryphon. He then put a hand to his chest. “Bring the body to the Hive. Despite what he did, he deserves a proper burial.” With that, he started making his way back to the airship. 


Part 5 – Queen’s Awakening

“He’s not getting better.” Blood was speaking to the others. “Despite minimal physical injury, he’s losing energy, fast. It’s as if the weapon that hit him is burning up his energy, and if we don’t help him, he’s dead.”
Horror looked at him, looking concerned. “But what do we do? The only doctor we know is Rainy, and she’s been out of town since they broke up.”
“I have another suggestion.” Seren stepped in. “But it’ll only work if my intuition is right.”
“Oh?” Horror looked to him. “What do you suggest?” He was open for any suggestion.
Seren stepped towards the door. “Bring him to my mother. She’ll know what to do.”
Horror just nodded. “I trust you.” He left to tell Eclipse. The others remained, looking concerned. In the little time they knew Pilot, they had deemed him a very important ally. If he died, they’d have fewer options of transport.
Eclipse was already flying the airship, heading back into the valley and towards the mines. He knew it was urgent, and he almost crashed the airship as he came in faster than he should. Outside, several hivelings were already waiting, and helped carry out both the carpet-wrapped corpse of Viktor, and Pilot. Pilot was rushed down faster, the others urged to follow.
They arrived back in the Hive, where a barge already was waiting. The queen was onboard, waiting. The barge then started moving as soon as they were on board.
“Mind explaining the plan now?” Horror asked.
“How much do you know of changeling hives?” Seren asked.
“As good as nothing.” Horror shook his head. “We don’t have access to info at that clearance level. Only special investigators do.”
Seren sighed. “Then I doubt you know of the Sky Hive.”
“The Sky Hive?” Stormy asked. “Never heard of it.”
“Not surprising. It vanished off the face of Equestria 15 years ago.” Seren closed his eyes. “We were allies, and had limited access to their data. They were investigating rifts, and to find ways to detect and seal them, but then one day, they were gone. Not eradicated. It was as if they had never existed in the first place.”
“A dimensional shift, maybe?” Eclipse suggested. “I have experienced those a few times. The last was the one we just hit.”
“A plausible theory.” Seren nodded. “But to the point, your friend might be a remnant of this Hive.”
The others fell silent. “And you believe so, because why?” Miasmic sounded critical. There was literally no evidence to prove this.
“What do you know about him?” Seren asked.
“That he has no memory of what happened before he woke up in the Ponyville Hospital. That was-“ Horror fell silent, looking shocked. 
“15 years ago…” Stormy looked to Pilot. “But why the memory loss.”
“Could be a side effect.” Seren nodded as they arrived. Pilot was carried to a chamber, where Crimson had prepared a pod. 
“If my son is right, he’ll be essentially reborn. It will kill the spell.” She nodded. She helped Seren with slipping Pilot into the pod. “For now, meet me in the throne room.”
The group followed her back outside, and over to the temple. As they passed the massive metal doors, they entered a large rom. The floor had a long, red carpet, pillars on either side bearing the Hive’s banner, along with the banner of Talonsberg. A throne could be seen, and behind it a massive carved stone tablet, showing the story of the Hive. 
“It’ll take a week. You should check back then.” Crimson settled down. “Please take care of the airship too. It’s truly a beautiful piece of work.”
Horror stepped forth. “I have one question.”
“Hmm?” She raised an eyebrow. “Do ask.”
“How much do you really know.” He looked concerned. “You know more than we know, and clearly have ears to the wind.”
She laughed. “Maybe one day I’ll tell. Until then, it’ll remain a mystery.” She then got up again, leaving the team to themselves. She had one of the hivelings show them to a place to rest for the night. They needed it after all.