//------------------------------// // Episode 9: Haven // Story: Entities of Emotion 2: Dark is the Night // by Michael_Ravencroft //------------------------------// Twilight and Rainbow watched as a blue light rose up from one of the houses, and not too long after that, an indigo lit up the area as well. Both mares knew this was serious if both Entities were getting involved. Twilight concentrated, calling to her white ring. The ring responded immediately, phasing through the drawer where she kept it and zipping away like a lightning bug with a jetpack. The white streak continued to fly through walls and doors before ending up around Twilight’s horn. Her body glowed and was instantly adorned in her White Lantern regalia. The moment Twilight donned the ring, she was able to see them. Masses of pony shaped darkness crawled around in the blackedout village, each one breaking into a random home or smashing their way through. That wasn’t all, Twilight could feel the Life Lights of the ponies being snuffed out and turned into the same type of darkness that attacked them. “What’s going on, Twi?! What do you see, ‘cause I can’t see crap!” Rainbow asked. “Everypony’s in danger! They’re being killed!” Twilight shouted. She wasted little time as she sprang into the air with one jump, the ring’s aura assisting with her flight and speeding her up. She dove down and locked onto where she sensed the darkness, Concentrating the energy in her ring, she fired a multiple beams of white light that diverged and bent. Each one entered a residence, and with pinpoint precision, struck their targets. The fading echoes of the destroyed dark ones was all that was heard. Ponies who were saved by her attack came running out of their homes, each one frightened and scared out of their minds about what had attacked them. “Princess Twilight!” A pony shouted. “Run to the castle! NOW!” Twilight ordered. The alicorn mare kept her eyes on the ten ponies who ran towards her tree castle, she had no idea if it was amply fortified enough to protect them, but at least there were magical wards placed upon it by herself, designed to repel any hostile or malicious force. Twilight turned her gaze forward, sensing danger ahead. Three ponies appeared from the shadows, their white pupils giving off a faint glow in the darkness. The rain continued to fall, but thanks to her aura field, Twilight remained completely dry. Her light gave her the chance to see what it was she was fighting, and she regretted that she did see them. The three opponents in front of her were decayed corpses, each one donned in a uniform similar to the stories of the Lanterns that the Entities spoke of. What caught Twilight’s attention was their insignia, it resembled hers, but the bars were vertically straight, in contrast to the bars on her insignia which radiated out. Plus, there were five compared her seven. Adara wasn’t joking about the dead rising! This…This is sick! These are somepony’s loved ones, family, lovers, friends! How could anypony be so depraved to desecrate the dead like this! Twilight’s answer was a growl from each zombie as they all lunged at her at the same time. Her horn shined with white light and discharged three simultaneous blasts of white light, piercing the zombies through their chests and evaporating them into nothingness. The alicorn mare bit her lip, trying to stave off the urge to cry for these undead ponies. “I’m sorry…you’re bodies are being used in such a way long after your death…” Twilight’s eyes narrowed as white light filled, now fueled by her wrath. “I swear to Elysium and the All Mothers, I’ll see the one responsible pay for violating your peaceful rest!” The hordes of Black Lanterns screeched at the sight of the glowing alicorn, some even foolishly tried to attack her, but a quick burst field of energy turned them to ash. Twilight turned her gaze towards the sky and saw Black Lantern pegasi descending towards her, but they never made it to their target. A beam of blue light blazed through the sky, engulfing the squadron of undead minions and sending their remnants hurdling towards the ground. While Twilight was distracted, another group of Black Lantern ponies tried to attack her from behind, but indigo light tentacles quickly pierced through their chests, each one had their tips laced with white light energy. The group of zombies shrieked before becoming ash. Twilight glanced over her shoulder and saw Fluttershy float to her side, already in her unified form. Scootaloo flew overhead, hovering above her adopted mother and old foalsitter. “Okay that’s so not fair, we can barely manage to keep them down, and you two manage to turn them into dust?!” Scootaloo griped. ‘Twilight’s white light of Life is the ultimate weapon against Death, the Black Lanterns fall before it. And Proselyte can channel any light in the Spectrum, but the white light is difficult to outright channel, so it helps that Twilight is nearby.’ “Still not fair. So, what’s the plan, Twi?!” “We draw a line and keep them on the other side of it! Fluttershy and Proselyte, use your teleportation to rescue as many ponies as possible and get them to the castle! Scootaloo and Adara, help me maintain the line and keep them from getting close to the ponies trying escape!” “GOT IT!” ‘GOT IT!’ Twilight focused her magic and the power of the white ring, her body glowed with a bright white aura, burning like fire. With a mighty shout, Twilight forged a wall of pure white light. The wall erupted forth, pushing everything that was associated with the darkness away. Some of the Black Lanterns tried to maintain their positions but the power of Life was too strong, throwing them all towards the outskirts of the town. The alicorn mare panted, feeling the drain on her mana and ring, but it was worth it, now they had a chance to draw a battle line. The Bearers of Harmony and Light set off to do their work. Fluttershy began teleporting in and out of as many homes as she could, wrapping her light tentacles around as many ponies as possible and disappearing in a puff of smoke. The next thing they knew they were rescued and didn’t have a clue as to how they arrived in Princess Twilight’s castle, but they weren’t complaining about the shelter from the undead army. Meanwhile, the Black Lantern horde shook off the disorientation from their forceful exit. All of them set their black and white eyes on the village once more, ready to add to their ranks. The horde charged in, not caring at all for stealth anymore, now that their presence was known, they were free to attack in the open. The Black Lanterns smashed through one house after the other, hissing in agitation at the absence of their prey, but once they focused their gazes, they were able to see a rainbow of Spectrum lights gathered at or heading towards the white oak tree castle. With their target set, the horde charged again, smashing through more buildings and flying through the streets and air as they encroached on the stronghold. Suddenly a wave of sapphire light blasted through the horde, sending them spiraling and crashing into the surrounding structures. Scootaloo flapped her four wings towards an oncoming group of Black Lanterns, showering them in energy bullets that tore them to pieces. Twilight followed up with a beam of white light, turning them to ash. Scootaloo and Twilight worked in tandem, with the teenage pegasus crippling them and Twilight delivering the final blow. Their fervour was doubled with each confirming puff of purple smoke they saw. The rain continued to pour down, beams hissing from the evaporated water. Lightning flashed in the sky and thunder roared, adding to the explosive detonations of the Light Wielders’ attacks. The horde halted their attack for a moment, allowing Twilight and Scootaloo to regroup. Just then a puff of smoke appeared behind them, revealing Fluttershy. “We got as many ponies into the castle as we could, but…” Fluttershy’s eyes began to tear up, prompting Proselyte to finish. ‘But we couldn't get to all of them, some were turned.’ Twilight lowered her gaze while Scootaloo cursed under her breath, these monsters had snuck up from under them and claimed many of the town's inhabitants, and now the three of them had to put the dead back down. “Then let's put them to rest...and then kick the ass of the son of a bitch who did this!” Scootaloo exclaimed. ‘I'm in agreement, the sooner we help return them to the grave, the sooner we can fight the source of this wretched Night!’ Suddenly, Scootaloo found herself blindsided by a flying Black Lantern. The zombie crashed into her, sending the both of them into several buildings before finally ending up in City Hall. Scootaloo quickly released a burst wave of power, throwing the Black Lantern off her and allowing her the chance to right herself. In the main rotunda of the building, Scootaloo floated down to the ground, her aura field at its maximum level to protect her from harm. Her blue eyes scanned the darkness, she couldn’t see the undead attacker, but felt it, skulking in the shadows. “You got some balls taking me one on one, I'll give you that. Now why don't you show yourself and I will make sure to make it quick!” A mocking chuckle echoed in the room, making the wood creak as if straining against something. {Always so bold and brave, you always liked pretending to be strong. But deep down I know you’re really a frightened little filly. All the hope in the world can't ever change that...my Little Bird.} At hearing this, both Scootaloo and Adara stiffened. They had heard that nickname before, and the abomination that uttered it. While Adara wondered, Scootaloo knew, and even while wielding power equal to a demigod, she still felt a twinge of fear. “W-Who are you?! Show yourself,” she demanded. The Black Lantern chuckled darkly, but soon, it stepped into the light. Scootaloo’s blood became ice cold as her eyes widened at the sight of the pony before her. He wore a coat akin to doctor's lab coat, a vest with the Black Lantern insignia covered his chest. The stallion, a unicorn with gray fur, smiled maliciously at the teenage pegasus, making Scootaloo’s pulse race. “No...No y-you can't be here! Y-You’re -!” {Dead, dear, the word you're looking for is ‘dead’. But I guess that's to be expected, since, after all, you are the one who killed me.} Scootaloo backed away from the stallion, going all the way until her rear bumped the stage behind her. Adara could feel her fear growing inside, making the Entity of Hope struggle to maintain their union. ‘Scootaloo, what’s the matter?! What nonsense does this creature speak?!’ “That thing…...That thing's my Dad!” “Where did she go?!” Twilight shouted as she blasted a zombie into dust. Fluttershy whipped her tentacles about, lashing and slicing through one Black Lantern after the other, channeling the white light of Life to aid in the undead’s destruction. “She got thrown into City Hall judging by the trail of destruction!” Three Black Lanterns rushed for Twilight, but a sword made of white light appeared, slashing in a wide arch and cut down the corpses in a single blow. Another two were about to blindside her, yet again, like the others, their efforts were for not. A round shield construct materialized between Twilight and the zombies, both smashing face first into the construct. Twilight crafted a third construct, that of a large warhammer. In one swift motion, the warhammer crashed into one of the Black Lanterns, blasting its body to pieces before the pieces disintegrated. The second Black Lantern was about to make an escape, only to watch as the hammer doubled back and came down full force, destroying the undead minion. “Go lend her a hoof and regroup with me after!” Twilight ordered. Fluttershy nodded and gathered her thoughts and energy to teleport, but a black shadow zipped and zoomed straight into the mare. Using its momentum to carry Fluttershy all the way into the sky, the shadow began unleashing rapid punches to the mare’s midsection. Fluttershy could feel each blow crack a rib and rupture an organ, making blood spill from her as she coughed in pain from the onslaught. When the both of them were high in the sky, Fluttershy hurriedly teleported away from the attacker, reappearing a few yards away from the Black Lantern. The indigo light of Compassion shined bright, healing Fluttershy’s internal injuries. Within a few seconds the pegasus mare was fully healed, her pain little more than a memory in the back of her mind. With that done, Fluttershy channeled the white light of Life into her tentacles and fired a barrage of light beams at the shadow. The Black Lantern’s eyes narrowed before he sped towards her, nimbly dodging each blast as it came whizzing at him. A barrier formed around Fluttershy just in time, making the shadow halt and change directions now that it was unable to directly attack the powered up pony. Fluttershy concentrated, using her indigo light and the white light to create sparrow and falcon constructs. Each one chased after the Black Lantern, dogging the shadow relentlessly. The indigo sparrows proved to be more nimble and agile, blocking the Black Lantern at each turn. Some dove straight for the zombie, exploding on impact and disrupting its flight pattern. Although the indigo light wouldn't destroy the zombie, it would, however, slow him down long enough for the white hawks to strike. Two white hawk constructs screeched as they descended on the Black Lantern from high above, talons pointed forward in preparation to obliterate the undead creature. However, the Black Lantern saw the hawks at the last second and fired a dark energy blast at them. The constructs and beam collided, exploding in midair and forcing the rain to clear away for a few seconds. Despite deflecting the blast, the Black Lantern was unable to avoid the shockwave generated by the explosion, hurling it through the roof of Sugar Cube Corner. Fluttershy followed after the zombie, intending to put it down before it had the chance to impede her again. The united pony floated into the shop, her light illuminating the darkness. Her eyes fell upon the Black Lantern, it appeared to be a pegasus, the upper half of its body was covered in the ebony uniform of the Black Lanterns, and its wings seemed to be made of darkness. From what she could tell, the undead pony was small, possibly a foal. Fluttershy felt her heart ache at seeing that not even deceased youth were spared this atrocity. “I'm sorry you don't deserve this…” Fluttershy spoke as she readied her tentacles to deliver the final blow. {Yeah...sounds fitting, after all, you're the reason I'm dead in the first place.} Fluttershy’s brow arched at that. “What do you mean?” The pegasus mare made her light shine brighter, and gasped when she saw the face of the foal. It was a colt, his coat was a dull sky blue, along with his equally dull white mane. The pegasus colt smiled wickedly as he slowly crept towards the mare. Fluttershy’s eyes grew wider with each step the colt took. {What’s the matter, did you forget who I am, Sis?} It took a moment, but soon even the Entity within recognized the colt, from the memories of Fluttershy’s foalhood. “H-H-Headwind…! No...Nononono - NO!!! You should be resting, in Cloudsdale! You can't be...be…!” {Why are you even alive right now?} Fluttershy felt a twinge of pain in her heart. {I died saving you! You're my big sister, you should've protected me! I'd be alive if it weren't for your weakness!} Headwind accused. Fluttershy shook her head back and forth as tears streamed down her cheeks. All the guilt, all the pain she had finally been able suppress was now clawing its way back into her heart and soul. Proselyte could feel it, Fluttershy’s concentration was wavering. {Just do the right thing for once, Sis…} Headwind, in the blink of an eye, sped towards Fluttershy and appeared right before her eyes, {…AND DIE!!!} Headwind opened his mouth and released a column sized beam of black energy. Proselyte acted, taking control of the tentacles and quickly forming a barrier to defend the distraught mare. Fluttershy was hurled out of Sugar Cube Corner and plowed through the street, cutting a groove into the earth as she came to a halt. Fluttershy coughed, having gotten the wind knocked out of her. She dragged herself up from the indentation she made in the road, the heavy rain not making the process any easier. Fluttershy paused when she heard wet hoofsteps trotting through the mud. ‘Fluttershy, you must not let it get to you! That is not your brother, it is only a husk! A puppet that is using your little brother's memories to throw you off kilter, don't listen to it!’ Proselyte warned. “I…I can’t…it's-it's my little brother!” Twilight was getting worried, neither Fluttershy nor Scootaloo had returned from getting sneak attacked by the Black Lanterns, and it really didn’t help that there were still explosions going off in the respective locations where they were taken. Unfortunately, this left Twilight alone to hold the line. The alicorn mare panted, her power was not an issue, she had plenty to spare. The problem lied in her stamina, Twilight was panting, her muscles ached, and fatigue was starting to set in. No matter how many Black Lanterns she obliterated, it just seemed like more kept coming. At this rate, it would be numbers that would prove to be the deciding factor here. I can't keep this up on my own! They’re strong, but I'm definitely stronger. Unfortunately, if they keep attacking in this manner I won't be able to protect everypony in the castle! At that moment a massive explosion sounded behind Twilight. She turned in time to witness Scootaloo battle a Black Lantern stallion. Scootaloo was flying frantically, lobbing one blue bolt after the other at her pursuer. The Black Lantern dodged her attacks with ease, as it got closer to its prey. “STAY BACK, DON'T YOU TOUCH ME YOU BASTARD!!!” Scootaloo cried. {Oh my Little Bird, I plan on doing more than just touching you!} The undead unicorn created scalpel constructs and fired them in rapid succession at the teenage mare. The aura field protecting Scootaloo wavered due to her fear, allowing the scalpels to cut through the field and slice her flesh. Scootaloo hissed in pain, the dark light of the constructs seemed to double the intensity of the pain, which only worsened her concentration. ‘Scootaloo calm down, please! You're letting fear consume you, at this rate we won't be able to maintain our union!’ Scootaloo’s eyes shot wide open. “NO! Adara, don't leave me, not now, I'm begging you!” ‘I am trying, but you have to believe Scootaloo, I will keep you safe! I promise!’ Suddenly Scootaloo felt something pierce her right hind leg. The mare yelled out in pain as she felt the embedded object pull her up higher into the air, only to bring her down swiftly to the ground below. A muffled thud rang out upon impact, Scootaloo may have landed on mud, but that didn't make the pain lessen that much. Unfortunately, Scootaloo was no longer in her united form. She was back to her normal form, now without Adara’s power. The teen mare was becoming drenched in the rain, the mud clinging to her fur and matting it. She coughed a few times before taking in big gasps of air. Scootaloo was about to attempt to get herself up, but in the blink of an eye, a figure teleported over her. Her eyes widened with fear, hyperventilating as long buried memories began to resurface. The stallion looked down on her, trapped underneath him and trembling like a little filly. {Hmm, you've grown into an exquisite young mare. But I'm not surprised, even at such a young age, you were still alluring.} The Black Lantern brushed his right hoof against Scootaloo’s cheek, causing her to freeze in dread of his every action. His hoof traveled down, stopping over her heart. Through his eyes he could see his daughter glowing with the golden light of Fear, it was so delicious, and he so wanted to bring his only daughter into the ranks. But that wouldn't be much fun, no, the real fun was to be had while she was still alive. The undead unicorn’s hoof traveled downward again. Scootaloo began to whimper and cry, her body refusing to move despite her mind desperately crying out for her to fly like the wind, but he stopped, surprising Scootaloo, although she wasn’t about to complain. Her undead father seemed to be staring at something intensely, she carefully followed his gaze to her left wing and Scootaloo’s breath hitched. {Hmm...now that's odd, you still have your wings?} Scootaloo stiffened yet again as she felt the Black Lantern’s hoof run across her outstretched wing, the sensitivity of her wings made the mare almost wish he went back to what he was doing earlier, almost. {I would've thought they'd have been clipped by now, especially after all the trouble I went through with getting that virus to stick. You have pretty strong immune system, but then again, daughter of a doctor.} Scootaloo’s jaw dropped at hearing those words. “Y-You mean, YOU were the one who gave me that virus?! The thing that almost took my wings?!” The Black Lantern pressed his hoof against the wing bone, making Scootaloo hiss at the painful pressure being put on it. {Well what better way to keep a bird from wandering off and flying away then to clip its wings? You were always so outgoing and energetic, I had to make sure you couldn't just up and fly away from me. But now, I suppose, I'll just do what I should’ve done years ago!} Suddenly, a black scalpel construct appeared near the wing joint. Scootaloo’s eyes practically bulged out of her eyes, pupils the size of pinpricks as she watched the blade descend on on her fur and near her skin. Scootaloo shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her muzzle and mixing with the rain water. “NO, PLEASE DON’T CUT MY WINGS OFF!!! I'LL LET YOU DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO ME, JUST PLEASE, NOT MY WINGS!!!” Scootaloo pleaded. A sadistic smile spread across the decayed flesh of the zombie as its black eyes narrowed. {Oh a very tempting offer my Little Bird, but I have to make sure you don't try and scurry away, now don’t worry, I'm still a good doctor...but this will hurt a lot!} The Black Lantern managed to pierce through Scootaloo’s flesh, making her cry out in pain as the blade met bone and continued to cut. But thankfully, the sadistic torture did not last much longer as a bright blue light blazed its way towards the stallion. The Black Lantern looked up at the last second and received a light enveloped punch right between the eyes. The force and power of the punch sent the Black Lantern flying into the wall of a house, making an imprint of his body. Scootaloo panted as she clutched her bleeding wing the best she could, eyes falling on the raging sapphire aura of Adara. Her wings were flared out, and her right hoof was still ablaze with power. “YOU WILL NOT COME NEAR HER AGAIN!!!” Adara bellowed. She glanced over her shoulder to Scootaloo, and she gasped. She had never seen Scootaloo with such a look of horror and fear, she was visibly trembling, her wing bleeding and mixing with the mud. This mare, whom she cared for, fought for and alongside her, who practically laughed in the face of danger and was so full of confidence it bordered on Rainbow Dash levels. But now, she looked so vulnerable, so broken. “Scootaloo…” “A-A-Adara, please unite with me again, hurry!” Adara trotted up beside Scootaloo and placed her hoof on her mare’s shoulder, but unfortunately, the glow of their unity did not shine. In fact, Adara could feel no hope, fear had gripped Scootaloo’s heart. “I'm sorry, Scootaloo, I can't unite, it won’t work,” said Adara in a somber tone. Before Scootaloo could inquire why her eyes fell on the body of her undead father, now peeling himself off the wall. His face was completely smashed in, bone and muscle tissue visible amongst the ebony ichor that dripped from the wound. Suddenly, the black blood swirled about, reforming the damaged head until the horn and muzzle were back to their original state. The Black Lantern opened his eyes and cackled like a madpony. {Oh, so this is one of the creatures our Master spoke of! An alien monstrosity hiding in the form of a pony, how fascinating!} Adara quickly put herself between Scootaloo and the Black Lantern, raising a shield to protect them. “You will not prevail here Nekron! I know not how you got your puppet, Black Hand, to Equestria, but I assure you, the outcome will be the same!” The undead unicorn blinked in confusion. {‘Nekron’, ‘Black Hand’? I know not who they are, I serve the Entity of Death, The King of Darkness!} Wait, neither Nekron or Black Hand are behind this?! That cannot be, they are the only beings capable of ushering the Blackest Night! {I wonder, do you have a heart? A being like you? If I rip out your heart, will you die or simply cease existing as a pony and stay in your real form? Shall we test that theory?!} The Black Lantern surrounded himself with all manner of construct surgical tools, some even more medieval instruments were there amongst the collection. As either side readied to do battle a beam of pure white light cut into the earth, the Black Lantern saw the beam and quickly retreated away from the attack, disappearing into the shadows. Adara could tell that this Black Lantern was one of the more intelligent ones, granted a bit more cognitive thought than the horde of zombie drones. She had no doubts that this battle was far from over, and that Scootaloo’s torment was to continue. The originator of the beam sailed down to the ground, landing before Adara. The Entity of Hope was happy to see Twilight, although she looked a little haggard. “Twilight!” “Adara, thank goodness I found you two! The Black Lanterns are gathering in number and I can't -- wait, why are you two separated?!” Twilight asked. The alicorn’s eyes peered behind Adara, widening in shock at the state Scootaloo was in. She quickly threw up a barrier around them and moved quickly to the teenage mare’s side. “Oh Faust above, what happened to you Scootaloo?! Adara, how did this happen?!” “Later, Twilight, right now I can't unite with Scootaloo and we need to regroup immediately!” Adara’s keen eyes scanned the area before she asked, “Where are Fluttershy and Proselyte?!” One crash after another sounded out amongst the thunder and flashes of lightning. Fluttershy flew through five houses, six businesses, and one produce cart before skidding to a halt on the muddy ground. The mare was covered in bruises and had bleeding gashes all over her body. Her right hind leg and left foreleg were limp, the bones dislocated and broken in several places. Proselyte’s healing light bathed over the pegasus mare, mending her wounds at as rapid a pace as he could go. His time was limited, Headwind was incredibly fast and would soon be upon them. As fast as his healing powers were, the damage inflicted onto Fluttershy was being done even faster. Plus, it didn't help that Fluttershy wasn’t fighting back. It was as if her will to fight, nigh, her will to live, had completely vanished, as if resigning herself to this fate. ‘Fluttershy, please fight back! That may be Headwind’s body and voice, but it does not have his soul! All that is inside that husk is a malicious darkness that is using his memories against you!’ “But it's true...I don't deserve to be alive...not after it came at the price of my little brother's life…I failed him…” Headwind descended from the sky and landed a few inches from Fluttershy, his right hoof was covered in a black claw construct, which he used to grab hold of Fluttershy by the throat. The colt hoisted the mare into the air, clenching his construct claw a little more with each passing second. Fluttershy made gurgling, gasping noises as her airway was being constricted, he hooves trying in vain to rise up and force the claw open {Yeah, Sis, you’re right, you don't deserve to live! I should be the one with a family!} Headwind threw Fluttershy into the air, the Black Lantern followed after her as he cocked back his right claw. {I should be the one living with my very special sompony, and having foals, and being part of the Wonderbolts!} The Black Lantern punched Fluttershy square in the chest, the subtle sound of multiple rib fractures echoed out for a brief moment before the united being was sent flying in the other direction. Headwind’s body was wrapped in a black aura before shooting off after her. Headwind appeared behind his big sister, smirking evilly at her injured form. [b\{But if I had known you'd still be this weak mare, after I sacrificed my life for you, I'd have just let you fall!} The undead pegasus brought his hooves together, a sphere of black energy forming until it pushed against Fluttershy’s back. The spheres snapped and unleashed a jet colored beam directly onto Fluttershy’s back. The mare was finally sent to the ground, exploding on impact and sending a strong enough shockwave to push the rain away for a few seconds. Proselyte formed a barrier bubble around them, splitting his focus between healing and defense. Fluttershy’s body was almost completely ready to give out if she continued on like this. Proselyte contemplated switching tactics, he did not want to see Fluttershy die, so perhaps possession would be better, it wouldn't be the first time he had to overwrite the mind and will of a host. No, he couldn't, he wouldn't, that was the old him, not the new Proselyte. But still, Fluttershy’s refusal to do battle with the shade of her younger sibling would soon cost her life if things stayed on this present course of action. Just then, a beam of pure darkness struck the barrier, making the Entity within wince as he struggled to maintain the defense and finish up healing Fluttershy. Headwind fired volley after volley of dark energy bolts from his wings, painting the area around them in destructive explosions. It was only when Proselyte sensed the last rib fall back into place did he make his next move. Headwind growled in frustration and readied himself to smash through the barrier, he’d have his prize, to see the light snuffed out of his “big sister’s” eyes. A beam of pure indigo light fired from the barrier, Headwind dodged it easily enough and smirked down at his enemy, but then arched an eyebrow at the sight below. Fluttershy was lying on the ground, in her normal state, without the indigo coloring, tribal markings, or the light tentacles. The beam that had zoomed past Headwind curved back, aiming right for the Black Lantern. The beam took the form of a pegasus, Proselyte took the rest of the light surrounding him and forged it into a spear of indigo light. Before Headwind realized it, a glowing indigo construct spear pierced through his chest, he glanced back behind himself, spotting a purple teenage pegasus stallion thrusting the weapon through him. Proselyte released the spear and delivered a kick to the butt of the spear, propelling the Black Lantern like an arrow straight into the Clock Tower in the distance. Taking advantage of this window, Proselyte created many spear constructs, all of which he launched like missiles straight for Headwind. The Black Lantern had no time to dodge as indigo spears rained on him, slamming into the side of the Clock Tower with resounding force. The Entity of Compassion forwarded all his power and concentration into the creation of a giant glaive that was nearly as long as the whole town. With a mighty battle cry, Proselyte hurled the colossal glaive straight at the Clock Tower. The bladed end pierced through the rain and found its mark right where Headwind was, but the glaive continued, slicing through the entire tower until it imbedded itself in the forest. The Clock Tower crumbled in that same moment, the tolling of the bell sounding one last time as the historic structure became nothing more than a pile of wood and clockwork. Proselyte panted as the rain drenched him, he knew that would not end the Black Lantern, but it would give him and Fluttershy time to regroup with Twilight and the others. The Entity of Compassion quickly flew down to Fluttershy, he paused, seeing the listless look in her eyes as she let herself remain on the muddy ground. “Fluttershy, please, we must withdraw and regroup with Twilight immediately!” Proselyte urged. “I…I…” The Entity of Compassion stamped his hoof. “Fluttershy! You can’t just simply give up now! Derpy, your wife! Dinky and Amethyst, your daughters! Your friends! Are you really ready to just give up and make them sad?!” Fluttershy began to stir, looking up at Proselyte with a wavering conviction, but somehow it was enough to get Fluttershy back to her hooves. Proselyte quickly used his light to search out the light of Life, mentally locking onto the signature. He then grabbed Fluttershy’s foreleg and poofed away in a puff of smoke. Twilight unleashed on blast after the other, trying to keep the zombie horde at bay, but her response time was slowing. Her movements becoming sluggish and forced. Adara had hurried and got Scootaloo inside the castle before rejoining Twilight, both firing into the horde to keep them from getting closer. Proselyte poofed in, summoning his light tentacles and lashing out at all the Black Lanterns in his path, skidding to a halt beside Twilight and Adara. “Need I ask how bad our situation is?!” Proselyte asked. “Scootaloo’s down…hurt, we need the others!” “Their each at different places, there’s no way we can summon them all here!” Twilight shouted. A bolt of black light was launched from the horde, catching Twilight by surprised as it slammed into her chest and sent her flying right at the doors to the tree castle. Adara and Proselyte hurriedly poured their light energy into creating a dual barrier around the castle. The Black Lanterns didn’t seem to care that the barrier was up, already beginning their assault and blasting away at the barrier bit by bit. Despite the nearly unlimited power of the twin Entities, the black light of Death, even though wielded by these undead creatures, it was still dangerous to them, and could still break their constructs. Even their shields. Inside the castle, everypony gasped upon watching Twilight fly through the door and land on the floor in a hard landing. Many of the ponies inside parted as Twilight came to a skidding halt on the floor, but once she was stopped, many of the ponies rushed to her aide. One among reached her faster, appearing as a cyan blur that practically weaved in and out of everypony there just to get to her. Rainbow Dash stopped before Twilight’s disheveled and tired form, concern heavy in her eyes as she looked upon her wife. “Twilight! C’mon, talk to me, are you alright?!” Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight groaned as she lifted herself up, only to fall back down on the floor. Rainbow Dash watched as she tried again, but this time quickly put her neck underneath Twilight’s head, supporting her as she got back up. The alicorn mare stood on wobbly legs, taking a brief moment to enjoy the scent of Rainbow’s mane, and the comforting feeling that swelled in her heart at this act of support. “I…I’m fine, Rainbow Dash…” “The Tartarus you are! You look like you’re about to keel over!” Twilight grunted as she tried to push away from Dash, her determination to keep Ponyville, its citizens, and her love from the evil that awaited outside. But the Princess of Friendship barely made it two steps before nearly collapsing. Rainbow Dash hurried to Twilight, using her own body to support Twilight. No, not now, I have to try and fight! I was given this ring to protect life! I can’t just allow this evil to take their lives! Suddenly, the white ring glowed. Many of the ponies inside the castle backed away from Twilight, but Rainbow Dash stayed her ground, refusing to leave her wife’s side as the phenomenon occurred. The bright light of the ring condensed and then shot through the floor, pulsing out in a wave that ran up through every nook and cranny of the castle. Outside, Adara and Proselyte watched as the giant white oak tree began to glow. The six-pointed star shined, overlapped with the insignia of Life. A powerful burst of energy erupted from the tree, spreading out in the form a blast wave. The wave smashed into the horde of Black Lanterns, pushing them further and further away from the tree castle, many of them tried to fight back, but the shield wall was too strong. After a few seconds the energy wave ceased and took the form of a giant dome that covered a seven mile radius around the tree and encompassing a good portion of the homes and business of Ponyville. Adara and Proselyte could feel the power, it was the white light of Life, the tree was actually projecting the power of the white light to protect them. Both Entities rushed inside the main hall, making a beeline for Twilight, but stopped when they noticed that Twilight was on the floor, her head resting on Rainbow Dash’s forelegs. Adara and Proselyte had worried expressions as they neared the alicorn mare, but Rainbow looked up at them, giving them a confident smile. “It’s alright guys, she’s just exhausted and knocked out,” said Rainbow Dash as she nuzzled the top of Twilight’s head. “And yet the barrier is still active?” Proselyte sent a wave of his indigo light through the floor, trying to discern the inner workings of the tree itself. “It appears this castle, this tree, is similar to a power battery in some aspects. It’s literally providing the energy needed to keep the barrier up and the Black Lanterns at bay.” Most in the room released a sigh of relief, thankful that, at least for the time being, that the zombies would not be able to get them, allowing them all a much needed reprieve. However, both Entities knew that this was only the beginning, and now another worrisome factor has been added to the equation. If Black Hand and Nekron, the very progenitors of the Blackest Night, were not behind this event, then who was? And, most frightening of all, what was its next move?