//------------------------------// // Chapter 68: Battle for Naught (Part 4) // Story: The Phoenix King // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// “Isn’t this the most horrid and depressing place you have ever seen? I have to admit that my first impressions of this place were a bit skewed by all the black magic, but this is no more a stretch then typical chaos. I mean really, a giant squid with acidic slime, malformed creatures made of rock and stone, weather that tries to suck the light from you, it really is a home away from home.” Discord was taking in all the Kingdom of Naught had to offer. The residual energy of immense black magic hung in the air like a mist, clinging to Discord like wet t-shirts in the rain. While the heavy aer of black magic had stopped Discord from using his own powers to attempt to open the portal, having now placed himself inside of it, it was beginning to reveal different effects it had with chaos. While facing down a rock wall, a pony may try to climb over it or go around it. The pressure of the black magic had prevented Discord from entering in the first place. Now that it was more like wading through water, Discord’s powers had become even more dangerous. Black magic and chaos was like fire and gasoline, it could increase Discord’s chaos ten or even a hundred fold, but the results would be catastrophic. On a rainy day, Discord could make a summer home here, make it dream getaway for unbridled chaos, but with the possibility of doing more harm than good, Discord kept himself in check. “Have you located Princess Celestia or the other ponies yet, Discord?” Princess Luna asked. The pair had remained near the portal, allowing the flame ponies first crack at the Echoes, while Princess Cadance and Shining Armor assisted with the charge. With the Elements of Harmony safely tucked away in a chest beneath her arm, Princess Luna had tasked herself in bringing them to Twilight and her friends as quickly as possible. A sudden snap of his claws Discord had conjured an immense radio tower with several oversized tape reel computers and a rather large radar dish that spun comically searching for the missing ponies. Princess Luna looked rather confused, if not concerned, by Discord’s overzealous antics. Although, Discord looked marveled if not surprised himself by his own conjurings. “Well that’s certainly a marvelous development, my powers seem to have doubled, if not tripled since stepping into the place. I had intended for something much less of an eyes soar, but it I suppose it will do.” Discord stated. “Please restrain from doing anything more outlandish than what is absolutely necessary. I cannot have to out of control beings to tend with today.” Princess Luna warned him. Discord was already seated with a radio headset, trying to tune into Princess Celestia’s whereabouts with a noticeable frequency humming from his radar screen. A large ping rangout, as Discord took Princess Luna around the shoulder and pulled her close to the screen. “I’ve got a lock on her! She’s almost twenty miles due east. If my readings are correct she is near the Trottingham portal.” Princess Luna’s face was close to the screen, watching the small blip ping again and again. “Are Twilight and her friends with her?” “I can’t say for certain, I only placed a tracker on Celestia.” Discord replied. Princess Luna withdrew her face from the screen, giving Discord a rather deadpan look. “Did you put a tracker on me as well?” Discord remained stone faced. Tapping his claws together rhythmically, refusing to blink or look away from Princess Luna’s cold stare. “Remain here for the meantime, Discord. You will be our last line of defense of the Storm attempts to enter Equestria.” With a sudden fan of her wings, Princess Luna walked off, still staring down Discord before leaping up into the air to head towards her sister. “If you see Fluttershy, tell her I kept her animals fed while she was gone!” Discord shouted after her.   Private Nightshade, Private First Class Cosmic, and Specialist Peanut had been at the forefront of the charge but lost a lot of ground to the sheer speed in which the flame ponies could gallop. Having to veer off from the back due to their slower speeds and the incredible heat that was being generated from the legions of flame pony soldiers, the trio found themselves in the middle of the battlefield without any clue to what they would do next. “How about the giant squid?” Nightshade suggested. “You want to go fight the giant squid? And do what? Beg it to not crush us with its massive tentacles?” Cosmic asked sarcastically. “It was only an idea, it’s not like we’re being much help just standing around.” Nightshade retorted. “How about helping those guys?” Peanut suggested. Nightshade and Cosmic saw Peanut’s outstretched arm pointing towards a ground of tall creatures draped in robs running from the mangled monsters that everypony else was fighting. What was left of the Void Walkers, a mere group of nearly thirty, were running from the Echoes that had chased them from the underground tunnels of Naught. Asher was among them, near the back urging his fellow Void Walkers to run faster and harder from the Echoes. Giving the ones that fell behind shoves to force them onward, while pulling at others to keep moving. It was apparent to Asher that their efforts would end in failure, as the Echoes would not stop until they had gotten at least one of them to devour. Which is why Asher slowed his pace before coming to a stop. “Malachi... “ Asher whispered. The Void Walkers get running, a few noticing that Asher had chosen to remain behind, and slowing their own pace to run back for him. Asher’s hand was raised to them, signaling them to not come back, that this was his choice to allow his friends the chance to escape. The staggered steps of the Echoes were quickly approaching, the trembling beneath his feet was growing stronger, and the hunger that stemmed from them ran a chill through his body. “This is what you would have done for us. So give me the courage to do it on your behalf.” A swing of the Echoes mace like arm struck Asher in the back and knocked him the ground. Shielding his head from the next blow, Asher waited from the Echoes to tear into him and braced for the pain. “Sneak attack!” Nightshade collided with the Echo towering over Asher, breaking through it like a ceramic clay pot, while Cosmic leapt over him to knock down the next one. Despite having called out their plan of attack, Peanut had managed to come up behind the Echoes and suplex one without it even having the chance to react. The Echoes struck back, wildly swinging their blunted stumps for arms and sharpened forearms at the trio. While many of their attack were unpredictable, their training within the royal guards had trained them to handle rough and rowdy ponies that may have had one too many ciders. With metal bracers fashioned to their arching wings, they were able to deflect many strikes that would have been lethal if not maiming away from them. Nightshade and Cosmic had always worked best together, ever since their academy days, and it really showed when either them were threatened. Because both of them fought to protect each other and it made for a rather unstoppable tag team. Peanut on the other hoof had been their liaison during the academy, a sort of mentor to them, it was meant for new recruits to be able to approach members who had been through the basic training and get help or at least have somepony to reach out to. Luckily, Peanut had been only a year older then the two of them and they bonded quickly over an incident that had become infamous within the academy. Nicknamed the ‘Princess Shoe Polish’ incident. A forked handed Echo got under Cosmic’s guard, the forks just grazing the sides of his neck but forcefully pinning him to the ground. Nightshade had already jumped to Cosmic’s defense, leaping atop the Echo and wrenching its head back attempting to pull it off. With its free arm the Echo tried to claw Nightshade from its back while the struggling Cosmic tried to pull the forks from around his throat. The Echo caught hold of Nightshade’s tail, pulling him from his back and tossing him aside. Just seconds later a massive blast of fire impacted the Echo and blew it to pieces. Cosmic shielded his face from the falling debris, its forked arm still pinning him to the ground. “Need a hoof?” Cosmic uncovered his face, seeing Goldie standing over him, the flames of her flash step having just fizzled away. With his face flushing, Cosmic attempted to act natural, placing his arms beneath his head to appear unnerved by his predicament. “I was just… uh… waiting to make my move.” Cosmic replied. “Okay.” Goldie replied. Goldie stepped around him, buying into his cool colt attitude, which made Cosmic double back on his provato. “W-Wait! I’m… stuck.” Cosmic looked rather dejected having to admit to his special somepony that he was stuck, but it would have been more embarrassing for him to try and fail in front of her. With a quick swipe of her hoof the forked arm crumbled around Cosmic. Slowly getting up, Cosmic patted the dust off his person before glancing at Goldie in a rather shameful expression. Goldie smiled at him. Lifting her hoof to her lips she kissed the palm of it before blowing to towards Cosmic. A small breath of hot air flushed across Cosmic’s cheek. His face turned red as he held his hoof to his cheek looking longingly at her. A sudden pile of rock and debris showered near the two of them before realizing that Peanut and Cosmic had been left to fight the remaining Echoes. Lifting a Echo over his head, as if he had just won some sort of title belt, Peanut slammed it on the ground with such force that it exploded into pieces of rock and sand. Visibly tired from the constant barrage of Echoes, Peanut retreated near Nightshade who was looking a bit worn out himself. A line of fire sprinted past several Echoes, each being struck in a flash leaving hoof sized fiery holes with torsos and abdomens. Some Echoes collapsed from the damage, while others staggered in place before taking a knee, but the ones were still standing got another round from the fiery line. Gleam dropped out of her flash step near Peanut’s side, having dispatched what was left that Echoes intruding upon them. Nightshade whistled aloud at the display of speed and power Gleam had behind her secretary like demeanor. “Are you alright, Charles?” Gleam asked. Peanut simply gazed at Gleam, a smile strewn about his face he sighed longingly at her. Gleam bumped his armor chest plate with her bracer, telling him to cool it as her mane flared and sparked from embarrassment. “Down, boy.” Gleam mumbled. Cosmic and Goldie grouped up with them, but found Nightshade chuckling under his breath at first glance at them. Cosmic found this quite strange, if not embarrassing, and decided to find out why. “What are you laughing about, chuckles?” “That thing almost turned you into a kabob.” Nightshade replied. “And me being almost run through makes you laugh?” “Kabob Cosmic. Ka-Bob.” Nightshade chuckled. Peanut perked up, getting the joke Nightshade was trying to make. Smiling wide and snickering to himself. Gleam had also found this funny, but no more so than Goldie who did her best to hide it from him. Cosmic flushed again, feeling that a horrible nickname had just been born. “No, don’t you put that evil on me, Shades. I will not have any pony calling me Kabob! Not now not ever!” Asher looked on at the group of ponies, having been spared his life once again, and finding himself unable to reconcile that fact right away. He felt the arms of the other Void Walkers lifting him from the ground, they hadn’t run away as he had wanted them to, but returned to help him against the Echoes. Luckily for them, these ponies had intervened first. With Cosmic having everypony swear never to spread the nickname of kabob, his eyes fell to the group of Void Walkers they had come to help. “Is everypony alright?” Cosmic asked aloud. “Why did you help us?” Nightshade looked rather confused by their question and replied with one of his own. “Because… you were in trouble?” It seemed to astonish many of the Void Walkers. No pony knew what the Void Walkers had been through, but to them the selflessness of the ponies did not stop at Rarity or Pinkie Pie. It amazed them that this concept would span across many if not all ponies here. It was new to them to find creatures so willing to help, but it amazed them that they would risk their lives for them. “Are you not here to save the Lords of Light?” Asher asked. Nightshade leaned in near Cosmic to whisper. “Lord of Light?” “Maybe he’s talking about Smolder.” Cosmic whispered. “We’re here to save any and everypony we can.” Peanut responded. “Smolder is our friend, but we won’t just ignore those in need of help.” “Yeah, what Peanut said.” Cosmic agreed. The Void Walkers bowed low to them, a sign of their gratitude for their help. Nightshade couldn’t help but feel reminiscent of how Smolder had felt having been saved as well. It seemed that these creatures were not used to being shown any sort of kindness and receiving any seemed foreign to them. “You lot should head towards the portal, we’ve got some ponies there that will keep you safe until this is over.” Goldie instructed them. A sudden flash of fire lit up the sky for a moment, icy winds rushed past them seconds later. Smolder and Sapphire were making their way through the mass of Echoes, leading the charge towards Null. Nightshade, Cosmic, and Peanut could see the small flame of their friend in the distance, it brought some much needed relief to see that Smolder was still alive, but it seemed that Smolder was not planning on leaving any time soon. “If we’re going to reach the King, we’ll need to join up with the rest of the flame pony soldiers and help push the line.” Gleam stated. “We’ll stick to the outside, so that you three won’t get caught in the crossfire.” Goldie added. Cosmic cracked his neck, preparing himself for the coming battle. “Time to earn us a knighthood.” “And some much needed vacation hours.” Peanut pointed out. Princess Luna soared across the darkened skies, observing the battle raging below. Her attention was mostly upon the giant squid, having been challenged by Lord Tundra and Lady Frost, being forced back into the hole it had crawled out of. With the aid of their Ice Pony Soldiers, they kept the squid moderately frozen, slowing its movements while Lord Tundra and Lady Frost focused on the tentacles. Lady Cadance had joined the fray, conjuring large piece of rock that had been struck from the mountain side and having them moved high over the squid’s head to smash it back into its hole. Shining Armor was commanding a legion of flame pony soldiers to combat the Echoes attempting to interfere with efforts to nullify the squid. General Horizon and Leader Fizzle dealt with the bulk of the Echo forces with the help of the jungle ponies and the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers. A horn had rung out across the fields, one that seemed to be of warning, which had many of the Fusiliers beginning to retreat from the fight. Princess Luna could see the portal to Trottingham in the distance, and her fears were put to rest as the multicolored mane of her sister was visible near its entrance. Her approach was met with cheers, just barely touching down she was already beset by her sister Celestia, embracing her tightly. She returned the affection ten fold, feeling relieved that her sister was unharmed. “I’m so glad to see you unharmed and in good spirits, sister.” Luna remarked. “Luna, I am so proud of you.” Princess Celestia began. “The Duke has told me of your efforts at the Summit, having risen to the task and making this all come together.” Princess Luna flushed, her smile wide from her praise. “It is was a little unnerving knowing that I had to convince several ponies that this venture to save you all was worth all the risks that came with it. Not to mention having to handle the day to day workload of Canterlot . Although, the cookie compartment within the throne was a wonderful touch.” “You found… my secret cookie compartment?” Celestia asked slowly. “It was hardly secret, sister. The throne practically smells of a bakery.” Princess Celestia narrowed her eyes, becoming almost menacing. “How many did you eat?” Princess Luna knew better then to tell her that the royal throne would need to be restocked, but more importantly she knew of the reprisal she would face if she let slip the last slice of cake she had eaten the night previously that Celestia had saved days prior. “I-I brought the Elements of Harmony.” Twilight and the other hurried over to Princess Luna, watching her open the chest to them and revealing the trinkets within. “Now we’re talking.” Rainbow Dash remarked. The horn rang out once again, several battalions of Fusiliers had returned, forming up near the portal and waiting for further instruction. “Are we retreating already?” Princess Luna asked. “It May be out of our hooves at this point.” The Duke said aloud. Lord Nox and the Duke approaches Princess Luna and Princess Celestia looking rather grim. “Queen Chrysalis did a lot more damage than we thought. The Obelisk isn’t going to hold for much longer, and there is no telling what’s going to happen when it does. What we do know is that the Storm is going to break free.” The Duke explained. “Which is why we want to minimize the number of ponies trying to get through the remaining portals if it does shut down before we can destroy the Storm.” Lord Nox added. “We need to find Smolder.” Princess Luna stayed. “He’ll be wherever Null is.” Princess Celestia replied. Twilight and everypony else had their Elements ready to go. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia flared their wings ready to escort them into battle and help Smolder defeat Null once and for all. I was flipping over backwards in the air. It was a bit of showing off and bit of dodging the rock spears that the Echoes were throwing my way. Letting myself fall back towards the ground sparked my flash step and with my wings fanning wide I soared across the fields just inches off the ground. My flames slicing through Echoes while careful shots of fire broke up clustered enemies giving Sapphire room to work. We traded being on point. Sapphire led the charge, but would need time to recover from her push, so that’s where I had come in. Once I had pushed the line again, Sapphire would take over and clear a path for us to charge on through. We were clearing a lot of ground, leaping from one massive and crowded area to the next, trying to get to Null as quickly as possible. Each section we fought side by side, working together to decimate our foes, but it soon seemed like we were trying to impress one another. I wouldn’t say that I wasn’t trying to look cool in front of her. I was simply trying to show off some of the magic I had learned during my time with Mira. One particular spell being that of my fire shield, to which I had improved upon my increasing the size of the dome to push and incinerate any caught within it. Sapphire on the other hoof had taken a more physical approach, coating her wings in her trademark razor sharp ice, and mowed down dozens of Echoes with complicated strikes. At one point she had done a flip over me. Her face, just centimeters from mine, winked at me as if to impress me. Granted the control she had, the skill she displayed, and the elegance she showed was breathtaking to say the least, but all I could think about was how beautiful she looked doing it. Together we found ourselves side by side, surrounded by Echoes again, scrambling to tear us limb from limb. We held our own quite well, stepping in small circles around each other to defend our blindsides and maintain a forward position. “We’re close now, Smolder. I can handle these Echoes while you catch up with Null. I won’t be more than a few minutes behind you.” Sapphire said. “If you think I’m leaving you here by yourself…” I began. “If he escapes then this horror will never end. Finish him, Smolder, so we can go home.” With a final blast of my fire, I looked towards Sapphire who looked serious about what she had said. It was another moment where I couldn’t be Sapphire’s friend, but a King that had a job to do. I raised my hoof to her with a smile. Sapphire knocked it against mine. A show of trust between us that we would see each other again. Leaping into the air I flew up and over the Echoes who were distracted by my light, giving Sapphire a huge opening to blast them with magic. Null glanced over his shoulder watching the flames of Smolder grow closer. Struggling to keep himself from falling forward, clutching his chest in pain, feeling his husk like hide fall away without returning. Reaching the edge of the abyss, Null swayed at brink, unable to toss himself from the side into the darkness below. Staring down into the abyss, Null felt fear again at the prospect of throwing himself into darkness once again. Withdrawing my wings I touched down on the earth and dropped out of my flash step to find Null waiting at the edge of the abyss. The yellow of his eyes peering through his damaged helm. They were full of hatred and anger for me, but I could also see his fear. “Lord of light…” Null muttered. “... you have denied me my destiny.” I could feel my fire begin to mount, every part of me wanted to burn this creature from existence, to make it pay for everything it’s done, but knew what needed to be done. Taking a step forward, I could already see Null dragging his foot to the edge of the abyss, ready to throw himself from the cliff side. “Null,” I began. “I just want to talk.”