//------------------------------// // Of Their Own Accord // Story: Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms // by Alphadude007 //------------------------------// Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms Chapter 47-Of Their Own Accord -North Equestrian Mountain range- Trixie felt paralyzed in the cold changeling queen's gaze. She wanted to scream, but her throat was closed shut. She wanted to run, but her traitorous hooves stayed in place. Her eyes darted to the Speedy, Silver, and Palm as they stood next to the queen. "What are you doing?" she shrieked, finding her voice again. "Run!" Silver Star's mouth opened in a deranged toothed smile as green magical mist began to surround his form. With a flash of green magic, Chassis revealed his true form to the unicorn, his flat teeth replaced with fangs. Trixie's eyes shot to Speedy Delivery, Palm Spring and Timber Pile, her eyes widening in realization. "No." she breathed, half pleading for this to be a bad dream. Speedy bowed his head as the three began to unveil their changeling forms. Within moments, five changelings stood before Trixie. "Wow, did you fall for our trick like a mindless larva." Chassis gloated as a string of saliva dripped from the side of his mouth. His instincts were screaming at him to pounce on the unicorn and feast, but he caught a glance of the shadowy form in the corner, and paused. Calm yourself, Chassis. Bigger and better meals will soon come. The Shadow spoke telepathically in Chassis's mind. He gave a slight nod and turned towards Chrysalis. "So, your Highness, we have brought the unicorn as you commanded. What now?" Chrysalis's smile grew in proportion to the fear she saw in the unicorn's eyes. "I believe that is for our host to decide," she said, turning her eyes to the Shadow. "Host?" Trixie asked. "W-what do you mean 'host'?" "Trixie Lulamoon." The Shadow growled from his prison. The respective pony's form suddenly straightened as she turned around to face the creature behind the blue shield. "Y-you know who I am?" "The travelling magician pony, often calling herself the 'Great and Powerful'." The Shadow elaborated, Trixie blushing at the mention of the title she used to give herself. "Yes, I know who you are." "What do you need her for?" Fang asked, in an almost defensive tone, from behind Trixie. The Shadow uttered a short chuckle. "This prison I have been confined to these past few years is one that was fabricated by unicorn magic, and it is with only such magic that I may be free." "So… you're not going to feed on me?" Trixie asked, casting a nervous glance back at the changelings. She swallowed a nervous gulp at Chrysalis's answering gaze. She already knew the answer to that question. "I think we all know the answer to that. Now c'mon, Trixie." Chassis urged. "We don't have all day." "She's going to do it, Chassis. No need to rush it." Cipha said, Chassis turning his head to give her a venomous look. "What choice does she have anyway?" "What if I don't want to?" Trixie squeaked, mustering what courage she had. Raspian bared his fangs in reply. "Then we'll find another unicorn to get the job done." He watched Trixie contemplate her options. "You refuse, we consume your love, toss your husk off this mountain, and find another unicorn to do the exact same thing to should they refuse. We'll find a willing unicorn sooner or later. So why stall the process?" Trixie looked back at the light blue shield, her eyes settling on the swirling shadow behind it. She wouldn't want somepony else to die in her stead, but at the same time, it's not like she had a choice in the matter anyway. "Tick, tock, Miss Lulamoon." The Shadow smiled behind his fluid shadowy form. "Will you let your obstinate pride get someone else hurt again? Except this time, the Ursa Minor can't be put back to sleep." Trixie was at a loss for lip quivered at the decision she was forced to make. I don't want to do this. "We are all forced to do things we don't want to do, Trixie." The Shadow said in reply to her thoughts. "But we must do them for the greater good." Trixie clenched her jaw. "If I get you out of that shield spell, will you let me go?" A tense silence followed the unicorn's question. "I will." The Shadow said with a nod. "No!" Chassis blurted angrily. "We worked hard to bring this unicorn to you, the least you can do is give us something to feed on!" "Hold your tongue!" Chrysalis snapped at the drone. "You will have love to feed on soon enough, Chassis, but in the meantime, you will have to wait a little bit longer." Chassis looked incredulously back and forth between the Shadow and Chrysalis. You will have plenty to feast on, Chassis. I guarantee it. The Shadow spoke in the changeling's mind. "Alright." Chassis huffed, turning his eyes to Trixie. "Just hurry it up and free him." Trixie swallowed as she approached the pulsating blue shield. "Do I need a specific spell to lower it?" "No certain spells are required. Only a sample of unicorn magic is all that is required." The Shadow replied. Reluctantly, Trixie's horn began to glow faint lavender as she pointed it towards the shield spell. Suddenly, a light purple bolt of magic shot from Trixie's horn and struck the blue shield in the center, leaving a glowing white mark on the shield spell. At first, nothing happened. Then a small crack stretched from the glowing point on the shield. Then another, this one bigger. And another. And another. The unicorn and the five changelings watched as the cracks stretched all across the shield spell, covering the once blue shield in a bright white light. Instantly, the shield shattered, all six beings in the room covering their ears at the sound the dying shield produced. BROOOONNNNNGGG -Sweet Apple Acres- Big Mac bucked his hind legs into the apple tree, the red fruit raining down upon him no more than a second later. He turned to behold the other trees he'd have to buck the apples from as a slight smile stretching across his face. Gonna be a pretty good harvest this year. I can already tell. The farmer pony let his mind wander as he picked up the apples off the ground that didn't land in the buckets. Applebloom had just come back from yet another Cutie Mark Crusading attempt. What was she trying this time? Oh yeah, tight rope walking. Big Mac's green eyes rolled at the thought of Applebloom walking across a rope high above the hard, uncushioned… bone-breaking… ground. Okay, maybe that's not such a good idea. Thankfully she and her fellow crusaders decided to do their practice over the Sweet Apple Acres' swimming hole, so at least they knew to be safe when trying it out. And what's Granny been up to today? Big Mac wondered as he plucked the last apple off the ground and chucked it into the bucket. Starting towards the next tree, Big Mac continued his thoughts. Well, I know she's been working on those new honey-nut apple fritters. I suppose after I'm done with this orchard I'll- BROOOONNNNNGGG Big Mac's head snapped in the direction he heard the sound, the mountain range beyond Canterlot coming into his view. Am I hearing things? "Big Mac!" he heard Applebloom's voice cry from behind him. He turned around to see his youngest sister galloping towards him. "What is it, Applebloom?" "Did ya hear that sound?" she asked. Big Mac turned his head back towards the mountains in the distance. So it wasn't just him that heard the loud gonging sound. But what did it mean? "Eeyup." -Manehattan- "Ugh. With a day like this, why torture me with homework?" Babs Seed whined, burying her face into her bed. After a somewhat normal day at school, she returned to her parents' apartment in downtown. While she could have been going out to play with friends or experiment special talents with her fellow Cutie Mark Crusader recruits, this paper on Crystal Empire geology wasn't going to write itself. Didn't really help that it was due tomorrow, either. With the afternoon sun taunting her out her window, Babs figured she'd endure the assignment for just a little longer before taking a break. BROOOONNNNNGGG Babs's head shot up from the pillow and towards her bedroom window. It sounded like it came from out her window. I guess I'm going crazy from boredom. I'm starting to hear things now! "Babs!" the filly heard her father call from behind the bedroom door. No sooner had she heard her dad that he burst into her room. Bab's eyes were met with Mr. Orange's wide-eyes. "Babs, did you hear that sound too?" "Yeah I did." Babs replied, her visage taking on a similar look to Mr. Orange's. "So if you heard it, who else did?" Mr. Orange was out the door in a flash. "Dear! Dear! Did you hear that sound?" he shouted, his voice fading down the hallway. Babs glanced back at her homework. "I was gonna take a break anyway." With that, she leapt from her bed and followed her distressed father. -Aeolus, Western Griffon Kingdom- Gilda sat on her cloud, tapping it with her claw as she waited. He's late again. She thought with a roll of her eyes. Granted, what he pushed her to do yesterday was something that had greatly relieved her conscience, but that was no excuse to be tardy to their usual meet-up. I'm just glad that everything with Dash is back to the way it was prior to the last time I visited Ponyville. Gilda thought back to the other day, about how willing Rainbow Dash was to reaccept her as a friend. I must be one lucky sucker to have the friends I have. A flapping of wings behind her alerted Gilda to her friend's arrival. The griffon turned around to see Hawkeye flying towards her. "Where've you been?" Gilda folding her arms as she gave her griffon friend and inquisitive look. As Hawkeye neared, she could hear him panting. "Sorry." Gilda scanned Hawkeye's figure as he landed on the cloud next to her. "Dude, your feathers look like you jumped into a swimming hole and you're panting like you just flew a mile long dash. What's up?" "Training… with dad." He said between pants. "Training?" Gilda's eyebrow rose. "What for?" "Dad… worried that… I might… have to fight." Hawkeye gave her a somber smile. Gilda's eyes widened. "Don't you say that, Hawk. I just got one of my friends back and I'd hate to lose another." Seeing her worry, Hawkeye began to clarify. "I'm not… fighting in… army. I'm training… to protect… family if things… go bad." "Still though." Gilda said with a relieved sigh. "I just can't picture you fighting somebody." "If it… comes to that." Hawkeye resigned with a shrug. BROOOONNNNNGGG Both griffons' heads snapped in the direction they heard the sound. "Hawkeye?" "Yeah?" "Tell me you heard that too." "Yep." A short silence settled over the conversation before Gilda asked, "You wanna find out what it was?" "Nope." Hawkeye answered flatly. "Sounded… like it came from… Equestria." Gilda's eyes narrowed at the land beyond her sight. Granted, the land of Equestria was one of magical mystery, but she'd never heard of random gonging noises that could be heard for miles. "Well, whatever caused that probably has it under control." -Canterlot- "Those sure were some good fritters." Applejack announced her delight with the snack car's wares as she patted her lower torso. "Not quite the same as Granny's, but still." The six mares and Spike sat contently in their passenger car, their stomachs filled with all kinds of goodies the snack car had provided. Apple fritters, chocolate pieces, small bowls of fruit salad, sugary drinks, and to Twilight's delight, hay fries. "Still bummed they didn't have any jewels." Spike groaned discontentedly. Sure, the hay fries had been good, but they couldn't hold a candle to a good chunk of sapphire or emerald. Rainbow Dash gave the dragon playfully slap on the back. "I'm sure they'll have jewels for you to munch on in Canterlot, Spike." A sudden lurch of the train caused the seven to jerk forward as the train stopped. "Hey! What's the big idea?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. The passenger car door opened to reveal the pale blue conductor pony, All Aboard, as he tipped his blue and red-striped cap to the group. "Sorry, folks. Word just came in from Canterlot. I'm afraid we're gonna have to turn this train back at the next junction and head back to Ponyville." All Aboard said. "On whose orders?" Twilight spoke up. The conductor gave a slight bow to Twilight before returning to his original stance. "Princess Celestia's, your Highness. I'm sorry, but we need to go back." "Aww! No Canterlot?" Pinkie exasperated. "But we were so looking forward to seeing the princesses again!" "Pardon me, sir. But is there any way we can still get to Canterlot?" Rarity asked. "I'm afraid not, Miss." The train conductor shook his head. "Unless you plan on walking the rest of the way to Canterlot, then I can't help you." Twilight furrowed her eyebrows together as she puffed out her chest with authority. "Mister Conductor, sir, as Princess, I order you to continue the trip to Canterlot. Upon our arrival, I will explain the deviation to Celestia myself and you can go back to Ponyville station." All Aboard's eyes narrowed in thought as he considered his options. One princess's orders versus another's… Ah, buck it. "Very well, Princess Twilight. I will stay the course, but I expect not to be prosecuted upon entering Canterlot." Twilight gave All Aboard a gracious smile. "Thank you. And I will see to it that you won't be." All Aboard turned back to the main engine, closing the door behind him. "Dang. Way to take some authority there, Twilight." Spike complimented, nudging his guardian with an elbow. Twilight regarded the dragon with a bashful grin "Thanks, Spike. But what could be happening that Celestia is preventing incoming passage to Canterlot?" Princess Luna let out a sigh as she looked down on the bustling streets of Canterlot from the castle tower's balcony. The Citadel Initiative had just gotten underway as families and small business owners began packing up to leave the city. Given Canterlot's decently large population, the citywide evacuation was going to take at least a week. If only we had a week left. Luna shook her head. The thoughts of the Shadow attacking Canterlot sent shivers down her spine. Even if he came alone to take on the entire Royal Guard and both her and Celestia, Luna feared that even that wouldn't be enough to stop him. Her blue eyes scanned the city, taking in the image of a still intact Canterlot. Who knows? The Shadow might spare the city and just take prisoners. After all, his agenda is giving out his version of freedom, so why destroy everything in his path? Wishful thinking. "Luna?" Celestia's voice spoke up from behind her. The princess in question kept her gaze focused on the city. "Yes, Tia?" Celestia's hooves clomped on the stone floor of the balcony as she approached Luna's side. Within a few moments, both sisters stood side by side. "I was just making sure that you're alright." "You ordered the guards to enact the Citadel Initiative?" Celestia nodded. "Yes. Better to do it now than to wait until the Shadow is freed." "He's not going to be satisfied with Canterlot, Celestia." "I know." The conversation was put on hold as both sisters let those words sink in. Should Canterlot fall to the Shadow, the rest of Equestria would go too. Manehattan, Fillydelphia, Ponyville, Appleloosa, all the land would soon be subjugated if Canterlot fell. Celestia shuddered at the thought of the Equestrian capital city's destruction. She prayed it would not come to that, but a part of her knew it was hoping against the inevitable. "All the airships are readied for the evacuation?" Luna inquired. "Most of them." Celestia thought of the massive air balloons suspending boat-like structures for the civilians to escape in. "They'll be bound for cities all across Equestria. From there, hopefully they will be able to escape to safer locations." Luna turned to look at her sister. "With the Shadow, what safer locations could there be?" Celestia opened her mouth to speak but was quickly cut off. BROOOONNNNNGGG Both Luna and Celestia turned to see where the sound had come from. In front of them was the northern mountain range that divided Equestria from the Crystal Empire. Luna thought back to what Discord had said in the library. But be warned that when the mountains chime, you will be out of time. Luna's eyes widened as the realization hit her. "No." She breathed as she realized that the Shadow had just been set free. -North Equestrian Mountain Range- The Shadow yellow eyes glowed through the darkness of the cave, a victorious look blazing through them. The liquid-like shadow had fallen from his figure, revealing his storm grey fur, sharply angled wings, and horn. Cautiously, he took a tentative step forward. To his elation, the shield no longer held him back. He was finally free. Trixie took a couple steps back at the fanged grin that stretched across the shadowy alicorn's mouth. "At last." The Shadow breathed, closing his eyes in bliss. Raspian took this moment to position himself between Chrysalis and their newly freed benefactor. "So… what are we going to do now?" Fang asked, casting his gaze back and forth between his queen and the yellow-eyed alicorn. The Shadow opened his eyes and cast them down to the black gauntlet on his right forehoof as a faint red glow began to pulsate around it. "I see you're taking freedom well." Chrysalis raised an eyebrow at the newly freed pony. "Lodestar, if you may-" "My name is not Lodestar." The Shadow's gaze shot to the changeling queen's. "Henceforth, I am to be called the Shadow." Chrysalis narrowed her eyes at the Shadow. "I care not for what you name yourself. Are you still willing to help our cause?" The Shadow bowed his head. "I am a malakh of my word." Run, Trixie. The Shadow's voice said in the unicorn's head. Trixie's eyes dashed from Chrysalis to the Shadow. "Wha-?" Run, Trixie, and tell your princesses that I am free. I desire a challenge upon my return. Trixie's legs shook for a moment as her mind screamed at them to move. Within seconds, the unicorn's horn suddenly glowed light purple as she disappeared in a flash of lavender. "Hey! Where'd she go?" Cipha asked as she and Fang looking around the cavern. A small flare of light caught their attention at the opening to the main chamber of the cave. "After her!" Chrysalis pointed a perforated hoof at the tunnel. "We can't have a witness!" "Trixie! Get back here!" Cipha shouted as she and Fang spread their wings and shot into the air towards the tunnel. Chrysalis looked down to see Chassis hadn't moved an inch. "Chassis! I gave you an order!" She bared her fangs at the insubordinate changeling. I once told you that you can have it all, Chassis. Now is your chance. All the power, all the food, all the glory that the changelings will never give you, I can provide. The Shadow telepathically spoke to Chassis. You told me you are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals. Prove it now. Chassis's eyes narrowed in hostility, his horn glowing bright green. "What if I'm tired of your orders, Chrysalis?" "You don't want to do this, Chassis." Raspian intervened as he spread his legs into a defensive stance in front of his queen. A fanged smile stretched across Chassis's face. "But maybe I do." Suddenly, a bolt of green energy shot from Chassis's horn and struck Raspian in the forehead, knocking the changeling captain unconscious to the cave floor. "Raspian!" Chrysalis brought her horn to bear on Chassis and fired a blast of magic. It would have been milliseconds before the shot would have incapacitated Chassis. But it didn't. A glowing yellow shield flashed into existence just before the blast could harm Chassis. Chassis turned to see the Shadow's horn glowing bright yellow. "A wise decision, Chassis. One that will handsomely pay off for you." The Shadow said with a grin. Chrysalis took a couple steps back from the pair. "This is treason!" "No. This is freedom." The Shadow announced as the shield dissipated. "And I have you to thank for it, Chrysalis." The changeling queen couldn't react in time as a yellow burst of magic from the Shadow's horn struck her chest. Chrysalis cried out in pain as she fell to the rocky floor. She strained her legs to stand back up, but found they wouldn't move. Her mind began to panic when she found that even her wings wouldn't expand. She lay paralyzed on the floor. "My queen." Chrysalis heard Raspian wheeze nearby. Her eyes shot to where her captain lay. Before he could stand up, the Shadow was already over his figure. Chrysalis flinched as the alicorn pinned Raspian to the ground with a stomp of his hoof. She could've sworn she heard a faint crack as the Shadow's hoof met Raspian's side. "I believe I promised you the first meal you'd have upon my freedom, Chassis." The Shadow said, motioning towards Chrysalis. "Claim your reward." Chrysalis's eyes widened as tears began to well up in them. How could I have been so stupid? Her thoughts went back to the hive as Chassis approached her. She'd bet the future of the hive on the Shadow helping her, and she lost. No, not just her. The entire hive had lost, all because of her mistake. "Finally. I've been in need of a decent meal for some time." Chassis drooled over the queen, a droplet splashing on her cheek. Baring his fangs, Chassis aimed his bite for the throat. "One more thing, Chrysalis." The Shadow spoke up. All eyes turned to look at the Shadow as he spoke. "Didn't you say that there would be blood on this cave floor if I tricked you again? Well, you weren't exactly wrong." Chrysalis let the tears flow freely as she faced her fate. Receiving a nod from the Shadow, Chassis returned his attention to the queen at his hooves. "All hail the queen." * With a lunge, Chassis sank his fangs into Chrysalis's neck. Green blood oozed from the wound as Chassis began to feed. Her love, such delicious love, began filling Chassis's maw. Within moments, a puddle of royal changeling blood pooled beneath Chrysalis's neck while Chassis feasted. Chrysalis didn't try to struggle, she didn't even make a whimper as she gave her body to the chilling death that was beginning to course through her being. Chassis withdrew his now green-tainted fangs and closed his eyes as he let love's orgasmic taste linger on his taste buds. "Succulence. And now for the source." Lunging for Chrysalis's chest, his fangs sunk into the queen's chest cavity. A smile formed around his mouth as he felt his fangs puncture Chrysalis's heart. Green blood spilled from the tears in her chest and neck. As Chrysalis felt herself slipping, she thought of the hive. How she'd failed them. How she could've found another option to find love. How she wished she could have another chance. How… she… Blackness fell over her vision as the queen of the changelings sank into death's embrace. Chassis lifted his fangs from Chrysalis's fresh carcass and looked back at the Shadow, displaying his mad green grin. "Well done, Chassis. You have chosen well." "My queen!" Fang's voice sounded from down the tunnel. "We've recaptured Trixie. What should we do with-" He stopped at the sight of Chrysalis's dead body in the middle of the cave with Chassis standing over her, his teeth and chin dripping with changeling blood. "Chassis? What did you…?" "Get them." The Shadow ordered. Chassis's wings shot out as he took off towards the tunnel. Fang disappeared down the tunnel with Chassis in pursuit. A soft whimpering sounded from beneath the Shadow as Raspian sobbed into the cave floor. The Shadow looked down at the captain as he stared at Chrysalis's body. "I'm sorry." He wept, blinking tears out of his eyes. "I swore to protect you… and I failed." The Shadow raised his gauntleted hoof, a sharp psshng sounded as the hoof blade sprang into the open. The Shadow smiled at the gauntlet. "Your patience has paid off, Siphon." "I'm sorry." Raspian repeated to the dead changeling's body. The Shadow turned his attention back to Raspian. "Do not worry, captain. If it is any consolation, you have helped bring freedom to this world. And for that, I thank you. Please accept my most heart-felt condolences for your queen." "Heart-felt?" Raspian's voice turned angry between sniffs. "You… don't have a heart." Shadow regarded the captain with contempt. "I know I don't." Raspian's form stiffened as the blade shot into his body. He could feel it penetrate his lungs and stomach, green blood quickly filling them. The chill of death washed over him as blackness began to fill his vision. "I gave up that right long ago." The Shadow withdrew the blade as quickly as he had thrust it in. Raspian let his head fall to the cave floor. The last thing he saw before the darkness took his vision were his queen's lightless eyes. * "Cipha! Run!" Fang screamed as he raced down the cave tunnel. "What? But we just got her!" Cipha's voice echoed in reply. Fang panted between words as he ran for his life. "Murder! Chrysalis has been murdered! Get on the balloon!" "Am I worthy of being treated equally now, Fang?!" Chassis called from behind Fang. "I just killed the queen! That should be enough, shouldn't it?" Fang's legs ran as fast as they could carry him. "Cipha! Get Trixie in the balloon and untie it!" He called as he began to see the midday light at the end of the tunnel. "Come on, Fang! There's plenty of love to feed on now!" Chassis taunted. "Balloon's untied!" Cipha called. "What's going on in there?" Fang heard Trixie shout. "Your love! Cipha's love! Trixie's, the queen's! It's all going to be mine!" Chassis screamed. Fang could make out the balloon slowly floating away from the cave entrance. His wings extended as he neared the edge of the tunnel. Cipha motioned for Fang to get on board. "Come on, Fang! Fly in!" Fang leapt off the ground and let his wings take him through the rest of the tunnel. Shooting past the hole in the mountain, Fang cleared the cave and shot into the balloon's basket. "Let the wind take it!" Fang shouted as the howling wind began to toss the balloon back and forth. "You're not gonna let me have all the fun for myself, are ya?" Chassis's voice echoed as he neared the cave entrance. "Don't let him pass! He's gonna kill us!" Fang panicked and lay flat onto the balloon basket. Trixie looked from the cowering changeling to the cave entrance, a pair of crazed blue eyes rapidly approaching the exit. In an instant, her horn lit up as she cast a light purple shield wall that covered the cave's entrance. The three in the basket watched as Chassis stopped just short of hitting the shield spell. Chassis stared back at them with hungry eyes as they blew away. "Just get us out of here." Cipha spoke up. Fang stood up and took the ropes of the balloon. Next stop, anywhere but here! Chassis returned to the main chamber to find the Shadow looking over the recently stabbed Raspian. Didn't like that guy anyway. "They got away?" the Shadow inquired without looking at the changeling. Chassis hung his head in disappointment. "They did." "Good." Chassis's head rose to see a smile on the Shadow's face. "Let them spread the word of my freedom. Strike some fear into the hearts of this world's populace before without having to lift a finger. As for you, Chassis," The changeling looked up into the Shadow's yellow eyes. "You have done well today." The Shadow raised a hoof to Chassis's forehead. As soon as the hoof made contact with the changeling's head, Chassis's form straightened as he stared straight ahead. Chassis's features rapidly shifted in form. His horn grew longer and tapered to a sharper point. Bulky muscle mass grew on his shoulders and torso, increasing his height by a few inches. The changeling's wings grew in mass, the holes in them filling themselves with sinewy tissue. The Shadow removed his hoof and looked on the mutated changeling, satisfied with his magic. "Your old title is no longer needed, seeing as you are no longer subservient to Chrysalis. Therefore, I give you the name… Brutus." Chassis, now Brutus, blinked his eyes. The blue gaze of a changeling was gone, now replaced with glazed red eyes. "Brutus." The reformed changeling repeated his new name. His new red eyes narrowed approvingly. "I like the sound of it." "Excellent. Now, seeing as your former changeling hive is now without a ruler, what say we go fix that problem?" The Shadow said, extending his wings. Brutus's newly restructured wings shot out in agreement. "My thoughts exactly."