//------------------------------// // A sibling's Dance (Pt.2) (Edited) // Story: Final Fantasy: Twilight Elysium // by Matrix7o6 //------------------------------// Chapter 12:  A Sibling’s dance (Part 2)                                              (Equestria) (Unknown Location) The sounds of hooves echoed throughout musty rooms. Light chatter of current events fluttered through abandoned walls as a pink alicorn roamed empty halls. She seemed lost in her thoughts. “Cadence, you’re late,” Dusk said as she kept pace with the princess. “S-sorry,” Cadence answered dreamily. “I’ve lost out on a bit of sleep.” “Why is that?” Dusk glanced through several rooms as they walked on. Cadence’s eyes were wide with what seemed to be panic. “It has been... difficult going from Canterlot and back disguised.” Her words left her mouth quickly before she let out a sigh. Dusk’s eyebrows quirked at the mare’s behavior, but decided to let it slide for now. “Did we find out anything more of Princess Luna?” Dusk nodded. “She is being looked after by only one guard; Day Guard Flash Sentry. He seems easy going, and reports say he always leaves the castle in a rather sullen mood.” “He might sympathize with Luna,” Cadence suggested. “It’s hard to say at this point, but it would be a boon to have him as our ally when we spring our Princess.” The two stop as several Night Guards passed by. Dusk puts a hoof to her chin in thought. They continue their walk once the guards pass. “But therein lays a new problem; smuggling our Princess out of Equestria.” Cadence’s eyes widened at the last statement. “You can’t be serious!” she cried out in alarm. “We can’t just run away and leave Equestria. We need to take the throne from Celestia and find Twilight.” Dusk turned to her as they reached a door at the end of the narrow hallway they’d been walking in. “I want nothing more than to get our Princess free and help the ponies of Equestria. But we will do more damage if we attempt a coup, even with all of the information we do have. Let me show you.” Dusk opened the door and the hallway was flooded with voices. “Let’s go,” Dusk instructed. She heads inside and Cadence followed. Cadence looked in awe; the room was filled with batponies. They all seemed to be working around the clock. There was a large table in the middle of the room that was covered in maps, pictures, and files stolen from the Canterlot archives. The walls were lined with boards with newspaper clippings plastered onto them. “Incredible,” Cadence whispered to herself. “You gathered all of this in such a short time.” Dusk smirked. “Push us against the wall and we do pretty much anything.” She let out a sharp whistle. “Alright! I want current events; what’s going on out there?” “Riots broke out in Canterlot Square today at noon,” one batpony spoke. “Riots?” Cadence questions. Dusk nodded. “Public moral is steadily decreasing despite the victory at the Crystal Empire,” another batpony chimed. “Captain Shining Armor has taken back command of Celestia’s guard.” Cadence’s heart filled with regret and sorrow at the mention of Shining’s name. “Captain Spike has been temporarily transferred to the Crystal Empire to ensure safety of trades while Shining Armor trains a regime of guards to take his place,” added another batpony. “On top of that, rumors of a changeling scout sighting at the edge of the Empire have spread a minor panic among the Empire’s citizens.” Cadence was at a loss for words. “I have wondered if Celestia lost her mind in only assigning one guard to keep our Princess locked up. Luna is not only resourceful, but combat savvy as well. She is more than capable of taking down one guard and escaping. But then it dawned on me,” Dusk explained as she turned to face Cadence. There was a serious gleam in the Night Guard Captain’s eyes. “You have been out of the loop, but my guards have been keeping ears to the ground. “Ever since the changeling attack citizens of Canterlot live in constant fear that their neighbor is a changeling. These feelings of hysteria will sometimes boil over and escalate to riots. Nopony has been killed yet, thankfully. But the victims are usually horribly beaten, and they get sent to the intensive care unit at the hospital. From what we’ve heard, the largest riot to date took place today. “It took the Day Guards three hours to get them under control. The spike in violence is due to the fact that the anniversary of the changeling invasion is in less than a week. Celestia is still a major symbol of the endurance it took to withstand that trial. She is a symbol of the ponies’ resolve. If we take the throne from her we will be mistaken as changelings and attacked by the very ponies we’re trying to protect. “And even on the off-hoof chance we have many allies to help us with this coup, they will be labeled as changelings or brain-washed by changelings and attacked as well. It would lead to an all out civil war; the first one in history,” Dusk explained to the Cadence. Cadence stood in pure shock. She took a moment to read some of the bulletins and memos, then turned back to Dusk. "So what do we do?" "It goes without saying that I need your help, Princess," Dusk replied. "Our situation is far more delicate than what we can handle on our own. You have your own life to live, but would you be willing to help us?" All eyes in the room locked on to the Princess with pleading looks. Cadence felt like the weight of the world was being thrust upon her. And with the way things were turning out, it very well may be. With a sigh, she bowed her head to whisper a prayer, "Velvet, Night Light... Please look after Flurry Heart, and tell her to forgive me." With the prayer finished, she steeled her nerves and stared Dusk down. "I am at your disposal." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Crystal Empire) (Crystal Palace Balcony) Truly, the rewards for being a hera are ample indeed, but what are these rewards when the ones closest to you are not there to witness them? Sitting on the balcony of the Crystal Palace, Spike growled in frustration. Ever since the defeat of King Sombra, the teenage dragon was idolized by the Empire. Ponies cheered, fillies gave him flirtatious winks when he passed, foals asked for his autograph the moment they saw him. All in all, Spike was a hero to the Empire and an inspiration to all. But a past failure weighs heavy on the hero's heart, even in the midst of these celebrations. Spike sighed and looked to the sky. He admired the clouds floating listlesly as he let his mind wander. Twilight... I finally did it... I got stronger... Now Celestia won't be able to separate us... I'm on to her; she wants me away so I can't protect you... But she won't stop me... His thoughts were interrupted by a Crystal guardspony. "Captain." "What is it?" Spike slightly growled as he turned to face the guard. "Reports of changeling hysteria have started to grow in Canterlot," the guardspony explained with a salute. "Though things are pretty quiet for the moment, if it was a changeling that the traders saw..." "Then we will find it," Spike interrupted. "But I will look for it alone." He stood up. The guardspony looked at Spike as if he'd grown a second head. "Pardon my insubordination Sir, but are you out of your mind? If you go alone the thing could easily capture and replace you to infiltrate the Empire... What if it's another one of Chrysalis's plans?" the guard asks, to which Spike only smirks. "You're right; she could be laying in wait. Or maybe she's already made her move." Spike's voice was ominous as he moved to pace around the guard. "It's kind of odd. The name of the changeling queen has yet to be released to the public, given that the Crystal Ponies were just freed from a tyrant king and returned to us." The guard's eyes widened. "So," Spike continued, stopping in front of the guard, "in order to make sure their integration back into sociey was comfortable, the guards from Canterlot were not to speak of the changeling queen, lest panic ensues, by order of Celestia." His eyebrow raises as he continues. "So how is it that a Crystal Guard like you, who wasn't there during the initial attack, know the name of the enemy queen?" The guard refused to answer. "Let me make this simple for you," Spike said. He drew his sword. "Give yourself up now and I'll let you live." The guard pony stumbled back as a smokeless green flame engulfed him. In his place was now a frightened changeling drone. "Start talking; what does your queen want now?" Spike growled. "Please, I don't know," the drone shivered, only causing the dragon's anger to grow. "Wrong answer." Spike's tone was cold. He lunged toward the drone. "Please have mercy!" the drone shouted with his eyes shut tight, bracing for the fatal blow. However it never came. He opened his eyes to see the blade had stopped mere inches from his face. "Mercy?" Spike questioned. "That's a funny concept coming from the creatures that attacked my friends and family." "I didn't take part in the attack," the drone responded. "I couldn't do it." "And why is that?" Spike asked catiously. He didn't move his blade from above the changeling's head. "I-I've been living among you ponies for some time," the drone mustered. "I was scouting for my mother, the queen." At hearing this, Spike drove the sword into a the wall mere centimeters from the drone's head. "Keep talking," Spike hissed. "Ponies are known for being rich with love; an emotion we thrive off of," the drone explained. "My mother said she was going to present us at the upcoming wedding as a surprise. I never thought it was going to be an invasion. I wanted to go down and apologize to all the poor ponies... but when the barrier returned, most of my siblings were flung ot the badlands. I was flung here, to the frozen north. I wanted to integrate into pony society; I wanted to show them that not all of us are like our queen." Much to the drone's surprise, Spike pulled his sword out of the wall and sheathed it. Minutes passed as the dragon stared at the drone, who gulped in anticipation for the verdict he knew without a doubt as going to be- "Alright," Spike said sternly. The drone blinked. "W-what, just like that? You're going to let me go?" "Of course not," Spike said as he facepalmed. "No, you're going to reveal yourself to the Crystal ponies. You're also going to have a guard follow you around unless you're in my sight. Ples, you are also forbidden from going beyond the walls of the Empire. Other than that, you're fine." "That's all?" The drone blinked in surprise. "Yes." Spike nodded. "B-but why?" Spike sighed and looked out toward the balcony. "A few years ago, we met a friend who put our town in a panic because no one knew anything about her. The town judged her, my mother judged her. However, after she helped them, my mother and her friends learned to never judge a book by its cover. "My mom learned from that experience and she taught me the same. Make no mistake; you will have to work long and hard to earn my trust, and the trust of the ponies here in the Empire. But if you're telling the truth I will welcome you. I'm sticking my neck out for you, so don't waste it." He spoke in a profound tone. "Thank you," the drone replied. "My name is Thorax." The now-named changeling held out a hoof, which Spike grasped with a clawed hand. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (CMC Clubhouse) "How about this one?" Sweetie Belle asked as she sat down a paper containing crudely drawn crayon words. Scootaloo inspected the paper and smiled. "I like it, Operation: Over The Rainbow," she giggled at the very thought of the crusaders' plan. Applebloom sighed as she looked the plan over. "So, what do you think?" the orange filly questioned as her small wings fluttered. After a brief moment of pause, Applebloom cleared her throat. "It's too small," Applebloom finally replied. "What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Rainbow Dash is ah Wonder Bolt, ah well known hero throughout Equestria. Or, at least that's wut mah sister tells me. Tryin' to one up her is not only gunna be hard, but nearly impossible." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle sighed as they registered what Applebloom was saying. "We need a better plan," Sweetie Belle concluded. "But all the stuff we can think of is filly's play compared to Rainbow Dash." "Well, we could sabatoge her," Scootaloo suggested. Applebloom pounded the table with a hoof, resulting in a surprisingly large dent for a filly her age. "Absolutely not!" the farm filly shouted. "Ah know ya want ta get back at her Scoots, but sabatoge is out of tha question. We wunt ta beat Rainbow on our terms, not stoop ta her low." "It's not like she wouldn't deserve it!" Scootaloo shot up in rage. "I waited for three years Applebloom! I waited for three long years for her to come to the orphanage and finally adopt me. But she betrayed me! I just wanted a home! "I just wanted a sister. Do you know what that's like?! To see you both run to your sisters and give them a big hug after a long day of playing. When all I have to look forward to is an old room at the orphanage?" Scootaloo cried. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle could only embrace their friend as sorrow washed over her. "Ah know it hurts, Scoots," Applebloom offered. A few tears over her own started slipping from her eyes. "But we're not gunna give up. We jus' need ta find sumthin' Rainbow Dash can't or hasn't dun already." "Twilight," Sweetie Belle whispered, which caught the attention of her fellow crusaders. "What?" Scootaloo raised a brow. "Twilight," she stated again, this time for her friends to hear. "She has been missing for over a year, right?" "Yeah, that's right," Applebloom replied. "So if we find her, not only will we upstage Rainbow Dash, but we'll also show everypony in town that we're awesome at finding and/or rescuing an Element of Harmony. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon would have no room to bully us anymore-" "And ponies would be lining up to adopt the orphan who helped save Twilight!" Scootaloo interrupted while she bounced with joy. "That's right!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "Sweetie Belle, that is an excellent idea!" Applebloom chimed in. "But where do we start?" Scootaloo put hoof to chin, trying to think of possible places to look for Twilight. "The new mare, Sunset Shimmer, is livin' in Twilight's house," Applebloom mused. "Maybe she knows where Twilight was last seen." "Then that is where we begin," Sweetie Belle declared. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Golden Oaks Library) Sunset lay in her bed... well, her temporary bed. But that's beside the point. She hasn't been the same since the liberation of the Crystal Empire. She had to think. Think about her past, think about... A loud banging shook the mare from her thoughts. "Coming!" she announced. She rolled her eyes as she made her way down the stairs. "Alright Rarity, another spa dat-" But before she could finish she is struck in the face with pie. "HA! TAKE THAT TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" a voice boomed in triumph. Confetti and smoke exploded as a mare with an azure coat leapt forward. She had a pale cornflower-blue mane, and was wearing a magician's hat and cape. "In the end you are powerless before the Great and Powerful... Wait, you're not Twilight." "NO I'M NOT!" Sunset roared. "I am so SICK of everypony comparing me to Twilight Sparkle! I am Sunset Shimmer DAMN YOU! SUNSET SHIMMER!" Sunset's temper flared, boiling the very pie off her face. Her teeth became sharper and her eyes radiated with power as her coat slowly turned to a blood red. "M-miss?! Miss! I'm sorry!" The azure mare started to slowly back away in fear. Upon realizing this, Sunset froze in horror . She began to breathe heavily. The color of her coat reverted to normal, as did her eyes and teeth. "What did you see?" she asked frantically. "W-what are you..." the mare stuttered. "Answer me!" Sunset shouted. "Y-you changed!" the mare whimpered. Before she could scream, an opal aura enveloped her. "No! Wait!" She was dragged into the library, the door slamming shut behind her. "I didn't mean it!" The mare was starting to panic. She backed into a bookshelf. "I swear I didn't know-" "I'm sorry!" Sunset Shimmer sobbed. "Please don't tell anypony! I didn't mean to!" the once frightened mare looked at Sunset catiously. "I-it's okay. I won't tell anypony. Who are you... what are you?" "A pony! I'm a pony!" Sunset sobbed louder. "Okay, Okay!" The mare tried to calm her down and patted Sunset's pack with a hoof. "You said your name was Sunset Shimmer, right?" Sunset looked up at the mare with puffy red eyes and nodded. "Well, Sunset Shimmer, I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!" The mare threw her front hooves into the air in a dramatic pose. Though the attempt was noble, it did nothing to calm the amber colored unicorn. Trixie sighed. "But, you can call me Trixie. Trixie Lulamoon." She paused for a moment. "Look, I'm not going to tell anypony what I saw, okay? Jut stop crying, you're making me nervous." "Okay." Sunset stood up. "Again, I'm Sunset Shimmer." "That much I gathered," Trixie mumbled. "So, if you don't mind my asking, why are you in Twilight Sparkle's home?" "I'm replacing Twilight Sparkle, who is away on business," Sunset explained. "However, I have no idea when she will be back." "I see," Trixie said with a nod. "Which means I came all this way for nothing." "Do you have a place to stay?" Sunset sighed. "Not really. I just have my cart and that's it." Trixie peeked outside to make sure her cart was still right where she left it. She'd almost forgotten about it when she was considering running for the hills moments ago. "If you..." Sunset paused. "If you keep what you saw to yourself, then I will let you stay. And as long as you help out around here." Sunset sat on the sofa, allowing Trixie to think it over. "I wasn't going to expose your secret, on The Great and Powerful Trixie's honor. But since you're offering I will humbly accept. In this way, I can learn all Twilight Sparkle has learned. But I must warn you my dear. I'm going to need to know what that was all about." Trixie smirked, eliciting Sunset to roll her eyes. "We'll see," Sunset grumbled before trotting off to make up the guest bedroom. As she did so, Trixie waited quietly in the main area. I was hoping to exact my revenge against Twilight Sparkle, Trixie thought, but you're proven to be of great interest. Who are you, Sunset Shimmer? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Fluttershy's Cottage) After feeding animals outside of her cottage, Fluttershy trotted into her kitchen. She hadn't gotten around to thinking about it until today, but she had to know... what did the Element of Loyalty mean? The questions were plaguing her since the judgement; what is going to happen to Rainbow Dash? Fluttershy started to cut some carrots for Angel when Discord appeared in a flash of smoke with said bunny dressed in a fairy princess outfit. Angel looked rather displeased. "Discord, I-" her words stopped short upon seeing her baby bunny in the outfit and she giggled. "Get him out of that," she demanded with a smirk. Discord snapped his fingers and the outfit disappeared. "What? I personally thought it was cute," Discord chuckled. Angel started at the being with a death glare. "Now, you wished to speak to me?" "Yes. I wanted to know if you knew what Loyalty meant by his message?" she asked as she put the carrots on a plate for Angel. Seeing his meal, the bunny's glare softened and he scurried straight to the plate; he'd had enough of Discord's antics for the day. "Ah, so that's what you wanted to talk about." He chuckled to himself. "Yes. I don't want to see Rainbow Dash hurt, but she doesn't think the Element was serious." "How can she?" he snorted in amusement. "She is a hero, and heroes don't need to worry about superstitions. Or should they?" Fluttershy gulped. "Make no mistake, Rainbow Dash is going to be in for some pain. But it's going to be something far worse, something even I can't comprehend. "She's going to have her pride ripped right out of her. And the worst part is she'll have no one to blame but herself." Fluttershy listened in thought as he continued. "This has always been Loyalty's karma; its weilders swell with pride. Then they find themselves crushed under the weight of humiliation. That's the fate that will befall Rainbow Dash." "How can I stop it?" she asked frantically. "You cannot stop what she has already brought upon herself. In the end, if Loyalty falls it will take the other Elements to help her back to her hooves. So just be ready and be there for her." Discord spoke in a calm tone. Seeing no way around it, Fluttershy sighed in defeat. "Thank you Discord," she managed. "It's what-" he started to turn away but she stopped him. "No, I mean it. Thank you. For everything." Fluttershy smiled. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Eos) (Wiz Chocobo Post) After the group's fateful battle with the Archaean and their escape from certain death, they found themselves without their transportation. Even Twilight's motorcycle was gone. Though, she seemed to be handling it very calmly. "I swear if those bastards so much as scratched the paint on my baby, I'll cut them open from the belly to brain and feed them their intestines through their-!" "Twilight!" Lunafreya shouted. "Discontinue that line of thinking." Twilight only grumbled. Ignis retuned to the group then. "Just spoke with Cindy," he said. "And?" Noctis asked. "The Regalia and the Fenrir have not shown up in any shops. She even looked back where we left them." "Then the Empire most likely has them," Gladio mentioned. "It would not surprise me," Lunafreya stated. The group turned to her. "The Regalia belonged to the former King Regis, which would make it a grand trophy for the Emperor." "Ledolas," Twilight chortled, "the old bastard has lost his mind. I heard he was going to take on the Gods, but I thought it was a figure of speech. He truly is going to run the Empire through the ground on this damned fool's crusade." "How much do you know?" Noctis questioned. She shrugged. "They've made weapon after weapon after weapon to try and break into Lucis. Ironically it was the call to peace that brought the city down." "Hey!" Gladio stomped up to Twilight. "We want to know what they're doing. We did not ask for your condescension." "And I didn't ask for the walking hunk of beef to be in my face, but we're all making compromises now aren't we?" Twilight shot back. "Anyway," she continued, taking a step away from Gladio, "one of the weapons they made to take Lucis on is called the Wall Breaker Wave. It is a weapon meant to nullify Lucian Magic, and if the tests are accurate, then it is also being used with the breach lances to successfully take on the Astels." Twilight's ominous words made the group look to Noctis in concern. "Then how do we stop it?" he asked. "Just like any other magitek weapon, it requires energy. Destroy what generates it and you get your powers back," she explained. "And what about you?" Ignis eyed her suspiciously, pushing his glasses up on his face. "Wouldn't this thing affect you as well?" "My magic operates on something different," Twilight responded. "The principles of my magic are far more complicated than Noctis's. But that doesn't mean it can't be learned." She gave Noctis a reassuring look. "You're going to teach Noctis?!" Prompto exclaimed. "That's gonna be so cool!" "But, first thing's first. We need to get our vehicles back," she added. The clouds became darker above them, blotting out the sun. Rain and lightning soon followed. "Oh, great," Noctis groaned, his face deadpanned. "It's a sign," Lunafreya said softly. She held a hand out to the rain, letting the cold orbs of water drop into her palm. "That is it, Luna," a familiar voice announced. Gentiana stepped from the woods. "It's good to see you again, Gentiana," Twilight said with a small hint of suspicion. "But I'd prefer it if you didn't take Lulu away this time." "Be still Twilight. I am not here to take Lunafreya away. However, I am here to send a message. To follow the wards is to follow the chosen path, bridging heaven and earth it strikes the storm's ephemeral, yet eternal light. To the light must go the king." Her words were cryptic; most of the group looked around with confused faces. "So, follow the lightning bolts," Twilight interpreted with a deadpanned look at the forest line, where a lightning bolt was striking. "Pretty straightforward," Prompto commented. "All we need to do is hit Altissia, but with the harbor out..." He let his sentence trail off. "There is another way," Ignis said. He looked to Noctis. "Caem may serve us as it did your father, Noct." Noctis smiled at the idea. "The hidden harbor," Gladio said to himself. "That's a great idea," he says to the group. "I'll get Iris to set it up." "Tell her to get Cindy and Cid as well," Twilight added. "It would be a bad day for all of us if te boat sank mid-trip. But for now we worry about contacting Ramuh and getting our vehicles back." "Then we need to get moving," Lunafreya said. "We can rent our chocobos for three days; that should give us enough time to get the Regalia back." "Sweet," Prompto said, throwing a celebratory fist in the air. "But before we go, I want to get a picture with all of us in front of the ranch." "We're on a bit of a tight schedule, Prompto," Twilight sighed. "What do you think, Noct?" Prompto asked his friend, shrugging off Twilight's protest. "I don't see why not, but we gotta make it quick," Noctis answered with a shrug. The group makes their way to the chocobo ranch for Prompto's photo. "Alright everyone, huddle together," Prompto instructed. They scrunch together comfortably as Prompto steadies the camera on a post. He sets a timer and hurried to the front of the group, kneeling in the center. "Say cheese." The entire group smiled as they heard the beeping of the timer. Once the flash and click signaled the picture was taken, most of the group immediately turned away to get to their chocobos. Prompto went to retrieve his camera. Twilight stayed close to him. "I'm surprised you're not worried about your camera getting wet," she commented. "A little water won't hurt it," he replied. "Besides, a moment like this is worth a little rain."He smiled at Twilight and joined the group into the outpost, Twilight following after him. Each person got on their respective chocobo and rode off toward where the first bolt of lightning struck. As the group made their way through the dense forest, Twilight spotted several Niflheim transport ships unloading Magitek troopers and armors. "They must be after the same thing we are," Twilight said to Lunafreya, who was riding close behind her, their chocobos jumping over a variety of rocks and fallen trees. "We need to hurry," she added, addressing the group. They did their best to sneak past the check points. "Quickly Noctis," Lunafreya urged at one point. Noctis dismounted his chocobo and touched the plant the lightning had struck. After a few quiet moments, he spoke up. "I remember, back in Tenebrae with Gentiana..." The revelation of the stormsender awaits the King. Hurry, hence the eye of the storm. Foreign hordes fear the true King's ascension; the fearful seek to seal the path of what must come. Noctis shook his head to clear it. "It was Gentiana again," he explained. "I heard it too," Twilight added with a nod, much to Lunafreya's surprise. "How?" she questioned. "Only the King should be able to hear her." "I don't know," Twilight sighed, "but that's not important right now. Let's get to the next sight." "I just hope it doesn't give me a headache like the Titan did," Noctis grumbled. They all continued on. After a while of silence, Prompto decided to break it. "So, what is Gentiana?" he asked. "As the Oracle, it is my job to speak to the Gods for the people," Lunafreya explained, "while Gentiana speaks to the people for the Gods." They cross a street and back into the forest. "Ah." "The more you know," Twilight chuckled. "What about you, Twilight?" Ignis questioned as he steered his chocobo beside hers. "How did you know all that stuff about Niflheim's wave generator?" Lunafreya pulled up to ride beside Noctis. "Despite being in Niflheim's top ranks, I hold no love for the country, or its Emperor. He had the queen of Tenebrae assassinated and took me, Lulu, and Ravus as prisoners of war. When they learned about my magic prowess, they did endless tests on me, and trained me until my bones broke. Then trained me harder as punishment." As she spoke, her voice was steady, hear gaze not moving from what was in front of her. "Personal vendetta aside," she continued, "the country itself has been on the decline for the past ten years. Ledolas has become obsessed with the Crystal that maintained Lucis's shield. He has poured all money and resources into the war efforts. There is not a single casual citizen in Niflheim. Only soldiers and scientists." She groaned at some of the memories then glanced at Ignis before facing front again. "It was not easy for us growing up." Ignis looked at Twilight with a hint of concern as they continued their trek. "My apologies," Ignis said. As he watched, he noticed the slightest hint of a blush flush her face. "I-it's fine," she mutters. "We can't all grow up with good lives." She kept herself from looking at Ignis, feeling herself getting the slightest bit emotional about her Eos upbringing. "Come one, pick up," Gladio grunted in frustration from the back of the group. "Still can't get a hold of her?" Noctis questioned. They all stopped for a moment. "Probably has her phone on silent," Gladio suggested. He sighed and they continued their search. They soon reached a hill that was located between rock walls. They travel up and stop in front of a dead tree that slightly resembles a lightning bolt. Noctis wasted no time in dismounting and walking to it. He placed his hand to it, allowing lightning to course through his body. O King, the seal is broken. Journey to Fociaugh, the Eastern Hollow. In the heart of rock lies the runstone; the portal to power. No other must be allowed to find it. "The last one is a cave," Noctis announced. "Then let's get this over with," Gladio commented. "Race you there," Twilight said with a smirk, giving her chocobo a light kick in the sides. It made a beeline out of the canyon entrance. "Not so fast, Twilight!" Lunafreya called as she trailed close behind, the rest of the group in tow. Within minutes they reached the cave. Although, they were not alone. "Magitek troopers," Twilight whispered. She spotted twelve of them before her group ducked behind some rocks. "They're lining the cave entrance with explosives. Noct, you take Lulu and the others into the cave. I'm about to create a distraction." "You going to be okay?" Prompto asked. Twilight smirked at him. "Watch and learn." She pulled out her horn and it started to glow. A lavender aura sprouts from it and envelopes a nearby broken tree. The aura lifts the tree into the air. By the time the magitek troopers were alierted, it was too late for a reaction; the tree cam flying at four of the troopers, crushing them against a rock wall. "Go!" Twilight leapt over the rocks they were hiding behind and quickly started to lay waste to the troopers. While the troopers fought Twilight, the rest of the group runs into the cave. "I hope she'll be okay," Noctis said in concern. "Only twelve troopers; Twilight is going to be fine. Might be kind of upset her fun ended too soon," Lunafreya giggled. They navigate the maze with haste, running into an assortment of daemons as they went. "Be careful Luna," Noctis whispered as they rounded another corner. Prompto rolled his eyes, ready to make a joke. "What are we, chopped-?" A hissing noise stopped Prompto dead in his tracks and sent chills down his spine. ...My baby... "What what that?!" Prompto spun around in a panic, trying to find the source of the noise. Ignis kept walking. "We don't have time for the Prom-" At that moment, Prompto fell to the floor as a serpent like tail wrapped around his feet and began to drag him. "ARGH!" he screamed as he was being dragged away. "Prompto!" Noctis yelled after him. "That gap leads to the other side," Lunafreya explained after a quickl examination. "If we keep going we'll find him." The four rushed to the other side to find a large room. Prompto was close by. "Hey, are you alright?!" Gladio called out to him. "No, I'm not alright!" Prompto yelled back. "This place is literally the worst! And why did it have to be a snake?! That thing dragged me all the way over here!" "Daemons," Lunafreya whispered. As if awakened by Prompto's screaming, daemons began to rise out of the floor. "Prompto!" Noctis shouted. He threw his sword into a daemon close be his friend. "Eyes up." The others quickly joined the fray. Noctis and Lunefreya stood near each other, Noctis taking down daemons with his broadsword while Lunafreya took them down with her spear. Noctis was swinging his sword with enough force to cut down several daemons in one blow. Not to be outdone by Noctis, Lunafreya threw the body of a defeated goblin at a gang of goblins as the body was beginning to disintegrate. The smoke from the body acted as cover for her next move; with a great effort she was able to slam the goblins in the side, sending them tumbling over a cliff into the dark abyss. Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto formed a group and attacked. Prompto fired several rounds into a troll as Gladio sliced another clean in half. A troll tried to creep up behind Prompto but was thwarted by Ignis stabbing into its knee with pin-point accuracy. As it crumbled forward, Prompto shot it in the head, putting the daemon down permanently. The group finished up with relative ease after that. Once the last of the daemons had been taken care of, they were able to breathe a momentary sigh of relief. "With that out of the way, it is time to move forward," Noctis urged his companions. "I sense we're on the right track," Ignis said in response. "But this way has several paths to go through." "Over here," Lunafreya said, pointing to a man-sized hole. "I sense Ramuh's power through here. But I also sense a large daemon." "It's that snake thing!" Prompto whimpered. "If it attacks us, we can deal with it," Gladio stated. "So let's head through the hole." The group crawled through the hole one by one. Noctis trailed behind Lunafreya, taking care not to- "It's not wrong for the husband-to-be to see his wife in all aspects," Lunafreya joked. "After all, we're both adults." She stood up as she made it to the other side. "R-right," Noctis said with a blush. He climbed out after her. "She's here, I just know it," Prompto mentioned. His eyes darted around as he stood up. "Show yourself already!" he yelled, slightly startling Gladio in the process. "Cool it," Gladio said firmly. The group continued on, not stopping to listen to Prompto's ramblings. It wasn't long after the group started to walk up a small incline that the hissing noises picked up again. This time they were louder. "S-she's here!" Prompto panicked. He watched as a serpent-like creature with a woman's head appeared in front of them. "I told you! Do something Noct!" "My... Baby... Where..." the creature distortedly hisses. "You poor soul," Lunafreya lamented, "long since left to the coil of humanity. Alas, we do not have your child." "Then... I... will keep... YOU." The creature hissed violently and lunged at the group. They dodged from all directions. "Stay apart! Keep it off balance!" Ignis instructed as the Naga slithered in between the group. It came to rest in front of Lunafreya, who dodged the spit attack that was attempted. Lunafreya stabbed it in the side then retreated as it tried to swat at her with its tail. Noctis took a chance to hurl his lance into the back of the beast's head when it looked up to the ceiling. "Noctis! Get away from it!" Lunafreya urged. At that point, it was too late; the Naga showered itself in a thick green mist. Noctis was helpless as the mist consumed him. When the mist cleared, Noctis was gone and in his place, a tiny frog. Ribbit. With a terrified look on it' face, the frog started to hop away from the Naga and toward Lunafreya. As the frog tried to hop for safety, Ignis and Gladio dish out a relentless mixture of light and heavy attacks on the Naga. In doing so, they tore its attention away from the frog and onto them. "Got a frog prince," Prompto joked as he picked up the frog. He tossed it to Lunafreya. Once he saw that she caught the frog, he went to assist his friends in the fight. Lunafreya giggled and gave a light peck to the frog's head. She then sets him down and watches the spell wear off, smiling at a slightly irritated Noctis. "A kiss to change the frog prince," she says. "Oh my, the stories must be true." "Ha, ha. Very funny." Noctis rolled his eyes. "Hoppy to see you back," Ignis chuckled as he dodged another blow from the creature. "Welcome back Prince Croak-tis," Gladio added while slicing the Naga's scales. "I... will keep... You..." the Naga hissed again before its eyes went wide in horror. The group was dumbfounded at the Naga's sudden stillness. However, the silence was short-lived as its head fell off the body. "Sorry to keep you waiting," Twilight hummed. "Twilight!" Prompto called out. She was sitting on a stalagmite. "So I had to cut that short, but I intercepted some chatter from the Empire. They have the Regalia and my Fenrir held in a base. A stransport was scheduled to arrive about three hours ago to take them both back to Niflheim, but the storm is making it difficult for the airship to even reach the base." "Thank Ramuh for that," Prompto sighed. "Yeah, but we should get the blessing first," Lunafreya said. "Right," Noctis agreed. "Then what are we waiting for?" Twilight groaned. "The thunder God awaits." They all started to make their way to the final hall to reach the runestone. But as Twilight was about to leave, something caught her attention; the Naga's severed head was speaking to her. "...You... did this... to us..." the head hissed. "How?" Twilight questioned as she cautiously approached it. "Your... blood... brought this... plague... on usssss all... You... are cursed... by fire....repent... your sin..." The Naga then dissolved into black smoke and disappeared. Twilight pondered for a moment, but remembered she had to get back to the others. Noctis, knowing his song and dance, placed a hand before the runestone. Pure lightning danced into his hand, causing it to shimmer a bright red. Intense heat rose in his chest as he was imbued with the power of the Fulgurian. "This is the power of the storm," he said to himself. "I expected more fire than brimstone," Prompto sighed in relief. "I guess some Gods are friendlier than others," Gladio remarked as they reached the exit. Twilight surveyed the area littered with magitek infantry parts and broken weapons. "Maybe I got a little carried away," she snickered. The roar of jet engines bring everyone's attention to the sky. They watch as a huge plan flew over them. Lunafreya turned to Twilight. "I would assume that's the transport?" she asked. "Yes, but I'm surprised. A regular transport ship would have done fine... Why the flashy plane?" Gladio asked. "Magitek generator," Twilight responded. "It will strengthen the magitek troopers fighting near it. We'll want to disable that before we take the Regalia." "Then let's get moving," Noctis suggested. The group whistled for their chocobos, who came swiftly since they hadn't gone far. They mounted and took off. After around a half hour of travel, they stood at a ledge close to the base. The base was lined with stone walls to counter enemy assaults. Niflheim infantry and mech suits were walking in and out of the large steel doors. As the group watches, Ignis decides to try and come up with a plan. Obviously, breaking through haphazardly would be a suicide mission, so he needed to think of something that wouldn't get everyone killed. But before they do anything, he felt that there was some much needed time for rest. "We'll infiltrate the base tonight," Ignis started. "But it is best that we rest up for the coming battle; I do not forsee this being easy." "Agreed," Twilight said. Gladio started to make an area for a fire pit, and Noctis and Lunafreya went off to gather firewood. Ignis was flipping through his recipe book. Prompto was looking through the photos on his camera when Twilight walked over to him. "Hey Prompto?" "Yeah?" he perked up from his camera screen. "Would you care to accompany me to the store? I could teach you the inner workings of autos as we go." She smirked when his eyes lit up. "Yes!" He jumped up. "Let's go!" "Granted,it will take time for you to understand," Twilight warned as she mounted her chocobo. Prompto hopped on his in kind. "Anything for my grease monkey goddess," he gushed. "Oh brother," Twilight responded while rolling her eyes. "So, what runs the car?" "Are you kidding me?! The engine!" They two took off while in a fit of giggles. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3 Hours Later) (Sothmocke Haven) The night descended quietly on the camp. Ignis had prepared succulent Toadsteak Drumsticks. Prompto and Noctis fed the chocobos as Gladio set the chairs. Lunafreya was keeping to herself, reading a book to pass the time. Twilight had gone scouting after she and Prompto returned from the shop run, and they were all waiting for her to return. Twilight emerged from some bushes behind the campsite, startling everyone aside from Lunafreya, who looked up and smiled at her. "Sorry about that," Twilight announced. She waved to inform them that it was safe. Noctis, Gladio, Prompto, and Lunafreya were sitting in a group discussing dinner. Twilight took a seat next to the fire. "It's quite alright," Ignis replied as he handed her a plate. "What did you find out?" "I found the Regalia and my Fenrir," she explained. "However, they seem to be at the heart of the base. Magitek troop patrols are becoming more lax and predictable, but there are several armors on patrol as well. Reinforcements are ready in wait should an alarm go off." She took a moment to take a bite of her food, then continued. "On top of that, the spire toward the back of the base powers all of the magitek troopers in the area. If we take it out,we can wrestle this entire area out of Niflheim control." "Excellent," Ignis responded. "But, if they've put the vehicles in the middle of the base, they must be ready to ship them out at first light." "Then we take them before morning." Twilight grinned. "Precisely." Ignis pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I'll inform the others." Twilight nods and then continues eating her meal. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (45 Minutes Later) The group gathered behind some containers as two magitek troops passed by. "On my signal," Ignis whispered. He waited for the troopers to separate. As one walked further up the road to scan for unauthorized personel, Ignis saw his window of opportunity. "Three... Two... One... Now." At the signal, Noctis threw his sword into the back of the trooper closest to them. Lunafreya vaulted her spear into the other trooper. Both targets were destroyed instantly. "Let's move," Twilight ordered softly. She grabbed Noctis by the collar before he could run out into the open. "Not so fast," she warned. "There are search lights everywhere; stick to the metal crates." He nodded. The six party members snuck behind the crates,carefully maneuvering while they were crouched. They only stopped here and there to avoid being seen by magitek troopers and armors. These troopers seemed to be marching into separateareasof the base. "That's a lot of troops,"Prompto whispered to Gladio. "Best not to raise any alarms," Gladio warned. Noctis hurled his short sword into the first sword. Twilight followed by throwing her horn into the second one's eye. She smirked as it fell to the ground. Lunafreya jumped in front of Twilight and threw her spear into the last troop before it had a chance to turn around. "Moving on," Twilight said as she picked up her horn. It wasn't long after that they saw the Regalia and the Fenrir. "Ah, there's my baby," Twilight sighed in relief. "And there's ours," Noctis added as he stood beside Twilight. "And non the worse for her time in imperial hands," Ignis stated. He tried to walk up to the vehicles but was stopped by Twilight's hand at his chest. "Wait... This is too easy," she remarks, looking around suspiciously. "She's right," Lunafreya agreed after a quick scope of the area. "Over there!" she shouted, pointing to the far side of a wall. They looked to see a Magitek armor rise from its rest. "They were waiting for us," Noctis concluded. He drew his sword. "Go figure," Prompto said. He started firing rounds at the armor. The armor began releasing a barrage of missiles at the group. Twilight smirked as the missiles started heading there way. She took hold of her horn and slung them back toward the Magitek armor. "Here, you can have them back!" This caused a heavy damage to the armor's core and weapon systems. "Attack while it's down!" Noctis yelled. They all charged at the armor. "Gladio, Twilight; aim for its legs," Ignis ordered. "Got it!" they both shouted in unison. Twilight and Gladio wound up and swung their swords with a great deal of strength, cutting into the armor's metallic legs. This rendered it unable to stand any longer. The armor's systems overloaded at the frontal assault from the rest of the group and fell to the ground. "Move!" Twilight yelled. They ran from armor mere seconds before it exploded. "It's not over yet!" Ignis warned. They all turned to see several Magitek troopers headed their way. The group charged at them. "When will it end?!" Prompto whined after shooting three troopers in the head. "It's when you stop whining and keep fighting!" Gladio shouted back. He spun with his broadsword in hand, cutting down a few that surrounded him. "Twilight!" Lunafreya called out. Twilight ducked and Lunafreya chucked her spear into a trooper that was standing on top of a tank behind Twilight. "Destroy the generator!" Twilight shouted as she cut down a trooper. "Then we can bring this place down! This way!" The group made their way toward the edge of the base, fighting more troopers as they came across the generator. "Not goo!" Prompto ducked behind a wall as he saw another Magitek armor. "Great!" Twilight said. "It's the upgraded model!" "What's the plan?" Gladio turned to Ignis. While the group struggled to come up with a plan, Noctis started to hear another voice in his head. Face them; I will lend you my power. Fear not, King. He looked around the group and then walked out in front of the armor and the troopers. "Noct! What are you doing?!" Prompto yelled. The group scrambled to get to him before the worst could happen. But as the troopers and armors fired at him, Noctis's eyes started to glow. The sky turned black as a large hand gripped Noctis. "Is that...?!" Twilight started. She turned to Lunafreya in disbelief. "Yeah, that's Ramuh. The Fulgurian," Lunafreya responded. She stared in awe as the God of the storm looked down upon the group. Ramuh slowly raised his staff. Lightning struck it as it was raised higher, charging it with more power. "I'd recommend getting to cover!" Twilight yells to the other four. They waste no time in running away from the eminent attack. Ramuh drove his charged staff into the ground where the troopers and armors stood. In the process, everything in that immediate area was disintegrated, including the Magitek generator. With the base destroyed and nothing left but scorched earth, Ramuh puts Noctis down. He nods to the prince before fading away. "So that's the power of the Six," Noctis said to himself after sprinting to meet back up with his group. "Only one of the Six is capable of that," Ignis remarked in awe. "We might just have a chance against the Empire," Prompto added. After a few moments, Twilight started stepping away from the group. "Let's get back to the vehicles," she announced. "We need to get them to Cindy to make sure nothing has been done to them." She turned away then and began her trek. Everyone nodded in agreement and followed her. "That was totally cool how we just came in and busted the base," Prompto said, his eyes lighting up. "I've got it! Bust-a-base." "Sounds a bit flippant," Ignis said. "Don't care! That's what we're calling it; Bust-a-base." They walked back to the vehicles briskly without the worry of more troops to stop them. But their breath of relief was short lived. A clanking noise brought the group's full attention to the Fenrir and the Regalia. Ravus was standing there, robed in a regal white frock with purple trim. He left his place and approached the group, who were standing in place in mild surprise. "Ravus," Lunafreya muttered. "Long has it been, Noctis," Ravus growled. He passed a cold look toward Lunafreya and Twilight. "You've obtained the storm's blessing, and yet you know nothing of the consequences." He set his saber upon Noctis's throat upon reaching the prince. "Watch it," Gladio warned. He attempted to step in, only for Ravus to aim the blade at Gladio's throat. "Be still, all of you," Ravus ordered as he raised his prosthetic arm. Twilight drew her horn and stepped in front of Lunafreya. She eyed her brother's arm. "What happened to your arm, Ravus?" she questioned. "Not good," Prompto muttered to himself as he noticed other Magitek troopers and armors in the area. They made no attempt at attacking, but he was keeping his eyes on them. A hint of guilt and unyielding anger flashed upon Ravus's face as he looked at his arm. He slowly lowered it back down. He seemed to ignore the question and said in a calm manner, "Heir to a crown befitting no other, witness his splendor and glory. All hail the chosen king." "Awful high and mighty for an Imperial rat," Noctis hissed. "Severing the enemy to hunt down Luna and Twilight!" In an instant, Ravus grabbed Noctis by the throat. "I do not serve; I command!"Ravus exclaimed as he threw Noctis back. "Like hell you do!" Twilight shouted. Ravus turned his face to her. "You're being used, Brother. The old man sent you to kill us; what do you think he'll do to you, even if you do succeed?" Ravus turned his full body toward her and stepped closer. "You really think you know everything, don't you Twilight?" he taunts. He paused before continuing. "I will do what I must for the Empire. If that means Luna must die, then I have no choice." "You do have a choice, Ravus," Twilight said as she pointed her horn at him. "We defected and so can you. Leave the Empire behind." She did her best to keep her voice steady. "You know me Ravus; all I want is to make sure you both are safe. Just like I promised your mother." "Why do you go on about her like you knew her? You were only with us for four months before the Empire appeared. She wasn't your real mother." This took Twilight by surprise. "But I loved her like she was!" Twilight shot back. She cleared her throat to calm her tone. "I was alone when I came here and she took me in. She offered me kindness... I must fulfill her last wish. Please, Ravus." "I will not serve the ones who abandoned my mother, Twilight. Run back to where you came from. And if I were you, I wouldn't show up here again." Those words rang in her mind like a bell. If I were you, I wouldn't show up at all! Twilight smirked. "Very well Brother. If you want to do this the hard way." Her eyes changed to a blood red color. "Come, let us dance a sibling's dance." Her horn morphed into a sword. Both Twilight and Ravus rushed forward then, their swords pointed toward each other. The sound of steel running against steel could be heard as they ran past each other. As they resumed their clash, Ravus tried to stab Twilight, only for her to spin to the side. She used her momentum to swing at his neck, but he was prepared. He ducked under the blade and palmed her stomach with his prosthetic arm, causing her to skid back. "Your new toy may come with some perks," Twilight started as she paced around him, "but it won't be enough!" She charged at him again with her sword drawn. Ravus parried with a horizontal slash, but was left open for Twilight to punch him in the face. He stumbled back and Twilight's sword transformed into a lance. She swung at him, but he skillfully dodged the barrage of stabs. Twilight kept pressure on with her stabs, occasionally having to swat Ravus's sword from blocking himself. Once he was able to find an opening, he grabbed Twilight by the neck with his prosthetic arm. "You'll be happy to know that the General is dead," Ravus said as he tightened his grip. By this point, none of the Magitek troopers or armors had made even the slightest attempt to engage; they just seemed to be watching. "Good... Who... did him in?" Twilight choked out. Her hands went up to his, trying to pry herself away. "It was a Kingsglaive by the name of Nyx Ulric." "W... well remind me... to thank him... if I ever... see him again." Twilight tightened her grip on his hand to steady herself, then kicked Ravus back into a wall. His grip on Twilight faltered as he stumbled back and she broke loose. "Now try this on for size." Her horn reverted back to it's natural state and started glowing red. The aura from the horn made it's way to a near-by Magitek armor and surrounded it. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the armor flying toward Ravus. The group watched in disbelief as Ravus sheathed his sword and just back handed the armor to the side. Though Ravus's counter was a feat to behold, they were seeing more of the power of the Sorceress of Niflheim in action. I was sworn to protect the king. But how can I protect him against this? Gladio thought to himself. He watched as Twilight continued hurling Magitek armors at Ravus as if they were nothing. As if they weighed nothing. Ravus deflected another armor and jumped onto another that was flying at him. Another armor came flying and he pushed it back in Twilight's direction. She dodged it, and then transformed her horn into Nyx's kukris, an ethereal copy appearing in her other hand. Ravus and Twilight rushed at each other again. "I'd say that's far enough!" A voice yelled at the two, stopping them both in their tracks. Ardyn sauntered up beside Ravus. "A hand, Twilight?" he gestured. "What?" she scoffed. "No!" "But I'm here to help," he responded, offering a smile of assurance. "How?" Noctis walked up with the others. "By taking the army away." Ardyn tipped his hat and stepped away from the group, looking toward the rising sun. "You expect us to believe that?" Gladio questioned. "When next we meet, it will be across the seas. It just so happens that we have business with a tutelary deity ourselves." Ravus rolled his eyes and turned away from him. Ardyn walked to Noctis. "Fare thee well, Your Majesty, and safe travels." He tipped his hat to the group once more and followed Ravus out the entrance. Twilight goes back to Lunafreya and grasps her shoulder lightly. "Sis, I think you need to tell me why Ravus's arm is like that." "Who was that guy?" Prompto asked Twilight. "Ravus Nox Fleuret," Twilight said. Her eyes returned to their lavender color. "First son of Tenebrae, and brother to me and Lulu." "Let's get out of here," Ignis announced as he turned to the Regalia. "I get the feeling we're going to see him again," Gladio remarked. They all started walking toward the vehicles. "I want to know how Twilight could do all that cool stuff," Prompto chimed in. "Later," she said. "For now, I'm beat."