Never before have I ever wanted to punch a smug face more than Malice’s.
Chrysalis and I watched the horrific scene unfold, speechless. A happy reunion, ruined by Malice’s needlessly cruel attempt to crush her resolve by pitting mother against daughter with Spike, the hospital patients and innocent changelings caught in the crossfire. Judging from the sickened look on her face, his plan was working.
Malice released the ice restraints on Chrysalis. She collapsed on her haunches like an unstringed puppet, helplessly staring at the screen.
“I’m willing to stop all of this, Chrysalis,” Malice ‘reassured’. “You know how much I detest traitors, and I have no problem killing both of them if that’s what it takes. If you won’t return to me willingly, I’ll let the hatred in your heart answer for you upon seeing your daughter and granddaughter slain. A waste of precious resources, but a necessary evil I’m willing to commit.”
Chrysalis’ pupils shrunk.
She barely managed to get away from him thanks to Discord. If she goes back, there’s no telling what he will do to her. Forget whatever advantage Malice would get. I refuse to do nothing and watch a mother get her heart ripped apart.
“We can’t give in, Chrysalis!” I yelled. “You know what going back to him means. There’ll be nothing stopping him from killing them even if you do go back. You know that!”
Chrysalis didn’t budge. Not even a blink. Whatever was going through her mind kept my words from reaching her.
“Flash,” Malice snarled. “Are you forgetting these are the same creatures who slaughtered your fellow soldiers? Stormed Canterlot Castle and attempted to take over all of Equestria? This should be a celebration for you rather than a tragedy. It’s rather unfortunate that Spike’s life will end in this conflict. A painful, but necessary sacrifice in the name of war.”
Lightning crackled around my legs as I lunged at him.
Malice danced around my raging strikes, grinning all the way.
“Perhaps you can use the power I’ve granted you to save them. It doesn’t take much; just continue to harness that rage. Accept the song of bloodlust that runs through your veins.”
My hoof stopped just short of Malice’s chest, trembling. I took some steps back, breath short from emotional restrain.
The moment I give in to that anger, he wins and we’re back to square one! But I can’t just do nothing. What do I do?
I turned to the screen. Noble was doing everything she could to hold together and keep Elytra from killing Spike. One look at Spike revealed the crumbling hope fading from his eyes. I didn’t like how his blade seemed to be pointed a Noble.
Hot, seething anger boiled within me and threatened to bubble over. If a miracle didn’t happen, there was going to be a lot more blood being spilled.
“There is one thing I can’t figure out about you,” Malice admitted. “Why do you care what happens to Noble Heart or any of the Changelings? Your emotions speak from a place that’s not rooted in self-interest, not to mention the amount of hatred you still harbor for them. I’ve yet to see another being in a similar predicament care this much about what happens to their enemies.”
He… has a point.
I moved closer to the screen, focused the changeling who murdered my squad and drove me to the brink of insanity. The same Changeling who manipulated me during this mission and lied for the sake of getting closer to Twilight. Similar could be said for Elytra, who led the operation in Ponyville and Chrysalis who started all of this.
Part of me hated them. I still hate changelings.
...Or is it I should hate them?
That’s not it. I shook my head. What they’ve done, what I went through, that has nothing to do with it, does it?
I breathed in through my nose.
“That doesn’t matter. Not right now,” I growled.
“Oh?”
“This isn’t about some petty revenge. It isn’t even about saving Changelings, I couldn’t care less. Not anymore.”
A heat shimmered in my chest. I chose to ignore it for now.
“This vicious cycle. The whole ‘eye for an eye’ mentality. I’m sick of it. I lost my friends, yeah, that still bothers me, but what I did to those changelings wasn’t any different. Friends, lovers, family, they’re not coming back. Killing those changelings did nothing but create more victims like me. This has to end, or we will keep killing and taking until there’s nothing left. I’m going to put an end to this stupid cycle.”
I threw a sharp glare at Malice. “And that starts with ending you.”
Swaths of heat rushed through the dungeon halls. Ice began to melt, as did Malice’s confident smirk.
“I’ve let you and my anger ride my ass way too long. I don’t know how, but I’m going to find a way to save everyone. Changeling, pony, I don’t give a damn!”
I stomped on the ground. Electricity ran down the hallway. Static rippled on the screen. Malice, for the first time since we’ve met, glanced around with concern. The vassals flanking us flickered in transparency as my electricity leapt from the walls and surged through them. I’d expected them to get hurt or dissolve, but they simply grew lethargic, eyes set on me. Whatever happened filled my body with searing hot energy, painful and invigorating at the same time.
“Mark my words Malice, I’m going to save everyone and kick your ass, or die trying!”
A snap reached my ears.
Fiery energy surrounded Chrysalis and detonated. I was barely able to keep myself from getting knocked back. The same could not be said for Malice and the vassals, knocked several meters back and crashing into walls.
From the flames emerged Discord, coiled around a surprised Chrysalis.
“D… Discord?” Chrysalis called out in a daze.
Discord beamed down at Chrysalis. “Didja miss me, sugar lips?”
Chrysalis started to answer, paused, then continued, a tiny smile on her muzzle. “Perhaps a little.”
Discord turned his attention to me. “About time you got that blood flowin’, Flash!”
“Where the hay have you been?!” I screamed.
“Long story short, I got everything set to convert the catalyst. Whatever you did shook up Malley’s connection just enough for me to get the ball rolling. All we need to do is get the last one going and—”
“Discord~!”
Malice raged with the wrath of a god as he leapt at Discord through the air, sword raised overhead. Discord snapped his fingers. The blade carved through the stone like cheap wallpaper. Chrysalis and Discord materialized behind me.
“You three are not going anywhere!” Malice spat a ball of black fire at the memory crystal that held the invasion catalyst. Once struck, flames blackened and engulfed it.
Static screech in my ears, splitting my head in two. Visions of the invasion ran in and out of my vision like a film stuck in fast forward, assaulting my senses from all directions. Catching glimpses of my squadmates’ deaths. The smell of acid, blood and fire. Sounds of clashing metal and screams drilling into my skull. All sense of motor control was swallowed in the pain exploding inside my head. It wasn’t long until everything went black.
I woke up to the rush of cold air cutting through the warmth that had flooded the dungeon and woke me up. A head-splitting migraine greeted me as I picked myself off the floor. Sharp ringing drilled into my ears, muffling screeches and sounds of combat.
“Fl...you…can you hear me?”
I blinked the spots out of my eyes to find myself thrown over Chrysalis’ back and away from Discord and Malice’s clash of magic. Malice hammered away at Discord’s barrier like his life depended on it. Every strike pushed Discord back, who struggled and trembled under the pressure of Malice’s onslaught.
Chrysalis craned her head and said something I couldn’t make out thanks to the deafening pain in my ears. I took deep breaths and pushed through the pain, straining my hearing.
“Ugh, what happened to my head?”
“Malice poured his power into the catalyst to strengthen his hold. You have to let go of your anger or we will never be able to push him out!”
I looked back at Malice, wailing against Discord’s cracking shield. The vassals didn’t move, still as a ponnequin. My gaze went back to the battle with Noble, Elytra and Spike. Noble and Elytra continued to clash against each other while Spike stayed behind Noble, his hollow gaze laser focused on Noble’s back.
Is Spike seriously thinking about… I’m running out of time. I need that spark.
I tried to summon my spark, only to sense a chill seeped into my chest. Wind Stride’s anguished face flashed in my mind.
Let go of my anger? How am I supposed to do that? How did I feel that surge of power in the first place?
The faces of my comrades flashed in my mind. All of them dead.
Can I really just let go like nothing happened? Just put it all to the side and move on? It took years just to suppress those memories. Yet Malice—no, not just him, this entire situation—undid all of that work so easily.
Discord slammed into us, knocking Chrysalis and I to the ground like bowling pins. I struggled to my hooves. Malice let the tip of his blade hit the ground.
“This ends here, Discord! Never again will you take what belongs to me!” Malice charged, blade sparking along the ground.
Malice’s words triggered something in me. Echoes of similar words he said sprang to mind.
“The feeling of losing something important to you. A core part of your soul, gone in a blink. It is a terrible weight for warriors like us carry.”
Something about Malice’s words rang true, relatable and familiar. Whatever Discord took from Malice drove him to single-minded obsession with revenge and despising traitors. A cycle of vengeance driven by despair.
Malice and I… huh. Why didn’t I see this before?
I sprung to my hooves and, with a conjured spear, dove in front of Discord and Chrysalis.
The sharp clash of metal rang through the silent hallway. Malice’s eyebrows rose with surprise.
I blocked Malice’s advance. It felt like I was holding back the weight of Equus itself, but I stopped him.
“I get it now,” I hissed with effort. “Why you seem so drawn to me. This obsession to kill Discord and take back Chrysalis. You can’t let go either!”
Malice hopped back and darted to the side to get around me. I moved to intercept, blocking another blow.
“I hate you, Malice. Everything you are. Anything you do, I despise it. Yet, I understand now we have some things in common. I… I can’t let go either.”
Malice’s face contorted with effort as he pushed towards me. I held my ground, much to both of our surprises.
“In fact, as much as I hate to admit it, I do need to embrace my hatred.”
I took a step forward. Malice’s eyes shot wide as he was pushed back.
“I’ve hated bullies who took advantage of the innocent. Hated Sunset for breaking my heart. Hated Chrysalis for taking away my closest friends. Hated myself for feeling this way, like I had no control over my life or ability to protect those I love. Hated myself for being too weak.”
Two more steps forward. Malice slid further back.
“But in doing that, I’d forgotten that I need to embrace my other side too. My love for music. Desire to protect those who can’t protect themselves. The respect I have for all of my friends and family who helped me get this far. My passion. Everything!”
“Enough!”
Malice broke the deadlock and unleashed a flurry of slashes. Every block felt like my bones would break from impact. Yet somehow I held my ground as steel clashed against steel.
“Malice, that is where we’ve both failed!” I ducked under a slash and sprung forward. “That’s where I’m going to surpass you!”
My hoof cracked his jaw.
Malice stumbled back, nearly toppling over. He regained his balance and threw me a murderous glare. “You speak nonsense, colt! You will never surpass my power!”
I turned my head just enough to catch Discord and Chrysalis rooted in shock. “Discord, Chrysalis, get to work on that catalyst. I’ll hold him off.”
They nodded and hurried towards the invasion memory still engulfed in fire. When they attempted to get close, the fire expanded and nearly licked them with its flames.
“No good! The magic is too strong!” Discord cried. “I recommend dropping the whole ‘embrace hatred’ part! That’s kinda what got you into this mess!”
“You’re wrong!” I shot back. “Trying to bury my hateful side is the problem. Trust me on this, I’ll make it work!”
Malice wore a mad grin. “I know of your plan, Discord, but it won’t work! If you attempt to convert my catalyst now, our combined magic will tear his soul in half!”
“What?!” I gasped. Malice used that moment to close the gap with a leap. I jumped back to avoid a swipe of the blade. Our weapons clashed again, caught in another deadlock.
Chrysalis growled. “He’s right. If your soul can’t handle the combined magic of Malice and Discord, there’s a risk you’ll turn into a magical bomb and explode. With the amount of magic inside you now, Ponyville might be wiped off the face of the planet.”
“There is one good thing that can come out of it,” Discord pondered. “If Flash can somehow pull it off, there is one thing I can do. The catch is, well…”
A bead of sweat rolled down my cheek. “Plan B?”
“Plan B,” Discord confirmed. It was all too clear what that meant: Containment.
Malice would be locked away inside me. If I fail, then I risk taking Ponyville with me.
Spike. Noble. Everyone in Ponyville. They will die, just like my comrades did.
...No. They won’t die. No one else is going to die.
“The moment you get things going, take Chrysalis and get out of here.” I hollered.
Malice’s eyes shot wide. “Do you think I just wanted to lie to you? You will literally cease to exist, and that’s after destroying Ponyville from the convergence. Are you crazy?!”
I flashed my wildest grin.
“That's a very good question, Malice!” I glanced at Discord and Chrysalis and gave them a nod. Chrysalis looked to speak, only to be stopped by Discord who shook his head. They exchanged a look before Discord teleported the memory crystal into his claws, pouring orange magic over it.
“No, no, no! It will not end like this!” Malice pushed harder than ever to break out lock, but I held my ground.
“And to answer your question, yes. I am crazy. You have to be crazy to be a Royal Guard!” I bellowed. Orange energy rushed down the hallway. Cracks formed on the walls, matching the sensation of tearing flesh all over my body.
“All Royal Guards are crazy. And guess what; I’m the craziest of them all! After all, what sort of sane pony willingly puts themselves in danger?”
Malice broke the deadlock and tried to move around me again. I met him at turn to clash blades.
“Every day, there's a Royal Guard out there somewhere fighting for their lives against terrifying beasts, struggling in a hopeless battle they know they can’t win.”
Temperature in the hall skyrocketed. More cracks appeared. Frost spilled from the crevices. The once lethargic vassals sprung to life at Malice’s glare and rushed at us. I continued to hold my ground, raising my voice.
“Everyday, there's a Royal Guard who is squeezing out every ounce of willpower they’ve got to push that extra inch, lift that extra weight, throw that extra punch when they don’t have any strength left!”
Half of the vassals flickered an orange light and stopped their advance. The others slowed their advance, fighting some unknown force from within. Everything inside me burned like I was being incinerated, muscles and bones tearing apart at the seams. Yet I held my ground, staying on my shaking hooves.
“Every day, we're putting our lives on the line to protect somepony else, probably somepony we don’t know or even like. What sane pony does any of that?”
“Silence!” Malice pushed with all his strength and knocked me back. He only got a stop forward before dozens of spears rushed out from the walls, ceiling and floor, barricading him in a bladed prison.
The blades lasted little more than a few seconds as he shrugged through them, breaking off rows of spears with a single swing of his arms. “I will not be stopped by some upstart—GAH!”
Malice finally broke free, only to get dogpiled by Flash-variant vassals wrapped in an orange light. “What is the meaning of this?!”
I continued, smiling like a mad stallion. “If I was a sane pony, a sensible pony, I wouldn’t do this to myself. I would just quit and go home. I would probably be a baker. Or a farmer. A caretaker. Hay, maybe a librarian or something. Those are safe. Those make sense. Why put myself through these crazy trials, fighting impossible enemies for ponies and changelings you don’t even know? Isn’t that insane? Who would want to do that? Who would want to be crazy?”
Malice tried to shake off what I now realized were my vassals.
“We would, sir!” They shouted in unison. Face full of fury, Malice resorted to crawling in our direction.
The castle shook with the force of an apocalypse. I glanced back to see the catalyst in Discord’s hooves flash a brilliant orange light. It took everything I had to continue standing, the fractured and crumbling castle were as beaten and broken as my body and mind felt.
“All done, Flash. The rest is up to you,” Discord nodded at me.
“We’ll be waiting at the tree of harmony. Don’t die on us.” Chrysalis ordered. Discord snapped his fingers, and in that moment they vanished.
“No... no!” Malice screamed, voice now filled with panic.
I sneered back at him. “Feeling lucky, Malice? Let’s roll that die.”
Blinding light rushed down the hallway. Just as the pain hit a crescendo it stopped as the light engulfed my vision.
My body felt light, tingling with an odd sensation of needles piercing the skin just enough to feel it without hurting. The world faded black.
I woke up on the floor of the castle’s grand hall. The spiraling stairway and countless corridors were still present. Everything was brighter. Warmer. No longer was the castle dark and dreary, sunlight pouring from the windows to fill out the interior. There was no ice, frosty breeze or creeping darkness. A sense of familiarity ran over me as if I walked through the main hall of Canterlot Castle on a calm afternoon. This time I truly felt home.
The only unsettling point was the familiar chamber of Malice that still resided at the center. Although, a second glance revealed an insignia encircling Malice’s symbol: a stone emblem of Discord in a circle like he was chasing his tail.
“What just happened?” I asked myself.
“Discord sealed your fate.”
I tilted my head upward to find a semi-transparent version of Malice standing fairly close, arms crossed and brow creased in irritation.
I jumped to my hooves and faced him, ready for a fight.
“Count your lucky stars, colt. I cannot harm you in this form. Not yet, at least.” His mood shifted from annoyed to pleased. “My prediction about you turned out correct after all. Your potential is even greater than anticipated.”
“What do you mean? What’s going on?”
“You accomplished what I’d believed to be outside your capabilities. Rather than tear yourself and the land around you apart, you’ve assimilated my power for yourself. Believe it or not, you’ve ascended as not only my champion, but Discord’s as well. My essence, my pathos, is your magic now, as well as diet.”
I blinked rapidly, staring at this tyrannical warlord who seemed way too happy about this arrangement. “You… you sound awfully pleased about this.”
Malice laughed. “What, pleased that I’m not only imprisoned once again, but this time within the soul of the one who bested me? Quite the contrary, I’m vexed and enraged beyond measure. If I could, I would tear you apart and turn everything you love into glass.”
“Then… then why are you so—”
“Amused? Two reasons, really. One, I have plenty of opportunity to torture your existence until I have a means to break free and kill Discord. Entertainment to pass the time.”
“Well, consider me thrilled to have you as a roommate.” I rolled my eyes.
“Second, and slightly more satisfying,” he continued, “I was able to relay one final order to my warlord: Kill them all.” Malice snapped his fingers.
Just like in the dungeon, a screen materialize before me. Unlike the previous screen, white wisps of mist emanated off it. I noted the same, frosty vibe which came off the screen matched what oozed from Malice’s chamber door. On the screen was the same scenario with Noble, Spike and Elytra.
“Noble Heart. Elytra. Spike. Noble’s brood and the inhabitants of Ponyville. They will all die for your insolence.”
“What? No!” I reached out at the screen, helpless to do anything to save them.
Is there really nothing I can do? I stopped Malice inside me, but that means nothing if I can’t save them.
My breath ran short, panic rising in my chest. What do I do? What can I do?
Heat flooded me as I slammed my hoof at the screen. What’s the point if I can’t save anyone I care about? It’s back to square one all over again!
“...No. Not this time.”
“Oh?” Malice mused.
“I won’t let you take them away from me…!”
I punched the screen a little harder.
“I’m going to save them. Save everyone, and there’s not a Celestia-damn thing you can do to stop me!”
Another punch. The screen rattled, a crack forming.
Malice’s grin dropped, tilting his head. “How is that...” He trailed off in confusion.
Noting the breaking glass, I shared Malice’s confusion for a moment. I wasn’t sure why, but in the back of my head it seemed like a very good idea to smack it again. I threw an even harder punch. The crack spread. “I’ll show you what the Royal Guard can do, so sit there and watch, Malice!”
A roar ripped out my throat as I punched again. Each strike caused the crack to grow bigger and bigger until it enveloped the screen. I had no idea what I was doing, if I was actually doing anything. All I could do was go forward and see what happens.
My punches grew stronger and quicker. Shifts in the pane began to form, on its last legs of resistance.With one final punch with all my might, the screen shattered.
Pieces of the glass screen spilled onto the other side. An unholy howl of agony was carried by the icy wind from the opening into the castle.
Malice choked, gawking at the sight. “W...wh… what? How?!”
I was just as stunned, attention glued to the ensuing fight in Noble’s area stopped as all eyes turned to… me?
Noble was the first to snap out of it. “What in the... Flash?!”
I blinked. Noble just spoke to me. She can actually see me? What just…
It hit me. What I was seeing was a breach into the real world. This seemed impossible. Should have been impossible. But it was real nonetheless.
Malice recovered before I did, fist clenched at his sides. “Run all you want, boy. You will never escape me.”
Well that certainly confirms it. Here goes nothing.
I galloped and jumped through the opening.
All sense of weight left me the instant I passed the threshold and landed onto the ceramic tile floor of the hospital. A glance at my hooves left me speechless. Leaving the castle somehow stripped my colors, turning my body into a ghostly blue version of myself. The vassal who had been toying with my teammates looked like his face was nearly split in half, unable to close it over the shattered piece of reality revealing the castle and a stupified Malice.
Even stranger was the white mist permeating the room. It had no physical presence to it like normal mist, nor even scent. Whatever it was sent tingling sensations through my magic-sensitive wings and down my back.
Whatever that uncomfortable white energy was it also rushed out of Elytra in waves and mildly came off of Spike like vapor. Noble had the least amount on her, though it seemed to flow out of her foreleg and barrel akin to smoke seeking the closest window to escape through. They stared at me like I’d just come back from the dead.
Is… is this a dream? Or maybe a vision?
Just to make sure, I prodded at the ground and broken boxes and equipment. The objects felt normal to the touch, smaller items shifting from my poking around.
No. This is real. I’m really in the hospital with my team!
“W-w-what are you?!” Noble produced two daggers from some invisible space on her barrel. This seemed to wake up Elytra who also got into a defensive stance. Spike was still in a daze, the ice sword shaking in his grip.
This snapped me into focus. “I’ve seen the whole thing, Noble.”
Noble looked ready to faint on the spot. “H-How did you do that?”
“I’ll explain later. Well, try to anyway. We got bigger things to worry about.” I stole a glance at the warlord, grunting and howling until his maw snapped shut, closing the portal. Just the sight of this menace ignited something hot in my chest. “Time to make this bastard pay.”
“Flash Sentry!” The warlord roared. A wave of white energy rushed forward and over us. “I know not of what you just did, but you will not—”
Reality stretched around me as I dashed in and punched him with everything I had.
The room rocked as the warlord smashed into the back wall of the room. He gasped and shook his head in a daze, blowing an angry snort through his nose. “Impossible! How could a mere pegasus tele—”
Another reality jump forward and an uppercut. The warlord’s huge body was thrown upward, forelegs off the ground. I seized the opportunity and rained down a hail of hammering shots into this stomach. I’d nearly drilled a hole into his exposed gut and chest before he had enough.
I bounced back before he could stomp on me. With pivots and hops, I dodged a furious storm of kicks and punches. Anger committed him to slow, powerful swings. He was rewarded with more cracks and hammer hoofs to the face.
One of my blows shattered his helmet, pieces dissolving after leaving its master. He lurched to the side, nearly tipped over with my hoofprint left on his cheek. I took into the air and tried to strike his face again.
Halfway through recovering, the warlord opened his mouth to fire a magical blast at my face. I pulled back my hoof. Electricity crackled around it as I thrust it forward to push out a lightning bolt. A deafening boom rippled through the room as it collided with the energy in the warlord’s mouth and detonated. I was blown across the room and onto the floor, while he was knocked flat on his flank.
I picked myself up and was about to rush at him again when I realized Noble and Elytra weren’t attacking. They’d barely moved from their spot, glancing nervously between the warlord and the fire wall with various changelings and ponies.
That’s right. He’s still holding them hostage.
The warlord must’ve caught my glance as he staggered onto his hooves. His feral stare bore into my skull. “You will pay in blood!” His gaze swept the others. “Kill him! Now or else!” He stomped in fury.
Several ponies and changelings materialized in the fire. A dozen on each side? Maybe two? At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if he attempted to erase the Noble brood and Ponyville population in one fell swoop. I knew I had him running scared if he was resorting to such a dirty tactic, yet I had no idea what I could do before he killed all those ponies and changelings.
True hesitation washed over the others. Elytra’s attention was solely on the blazing murals now. Noble walked up to me, slow and deliberate. The ice sword dropped from her hooves, reaching for a dagger that made my skin crawl for reasons I couldn’t grasp. The white energy in the air seemed to dissolve just by being near it.
I had no idea what was going through her mind, staring down a stony mask wielding weird daggers. She stopped about a hoof away, grip on her blade as hard as her stare.
“You really are Flash, aren’t you?” Her voice was strangely low, almost a whisper.
“Yeah. Feels like ages since we’ve seen each other.” I kept my expression stern, ignoring the ingrained instinct to expect the worst from the one who killed my comrades in the past.
“Flash, I...” Her head tilted downward. Voice was even smaller. “I don’t know what to do.”
I could only stare back in surprise. Here we were, a genocidal warlord relishing in having my friends and Noble’s daughter fight to the death with countless lives hanging by a thread. There was no easy answer I could think of that didn’t risk the lives of dozens, maybe even hundreds.
“I thought I was ready for this,” Noble continued. “Ready to sacrifice everything to accomplish my mission. My mother, my daughter, my brood, everything I’ve ever cared about is on the line… and I’m out of ideas.”
She moved closer, her face a breath away from mine. Tears spilled down her face. “Give me something. Anything. I just need a chance to do the right thing for once in my miserable life. Don’t let me do something I will regret.”
Everything we’ve gone through came down to this. Here was the killer of my squad. Deceived Shining Armor and myself from the beginning. Manipulated us for her gain. Now, pressed in a corner, she was begging for my help. Neither of us knew exactly what to do I realized. But I knew where to start.
“Noble Heart, do you trust me?”
Noble locked gazes with me, lost in uncertainty. “I… w-why does it matter? After everything I’ve done to you. To everyone.”
To everyone...
Those words were like a twitching in the back of my head.
Something was missing… a piece of the puzzle…
My eyes went wide. A single, subtle look around was all it took to confirm my suspicion. Heh, you glorious, sneaky bastard!
Unaware of my flash of insight, Noble continued. “It’s not like you can ever trust me, so…”
I couldn’t help but smile at her. “I think this is the first time I truly felt like you were being real with me, Noble. A lot has happened, and there’s only one thing I can say...”
I reached out for her throat. She gasped, confused. Elytra and that damn warlord were rapt with attention.
“Aegis Code: four-six-two-one. Alpha lock disengaged. The sky is clean.”
Mechanical clicks echoed in the quiet. A silver choker emerged out of invisibility and slid off Noble’s neck and clattered on the floor.
“Let’s both start learning trust our teammates a little more.”
Noble’s eyes grew wider and wider, shining like a foal experiencing their first birthday present. Energy flared on her horn, a faint aura appearing around her form.
She was free.
Whatever she was doing caused the Warlord to snarl. I glared at him, muscles tensed and electricity coursing my body like a lightning coil. My threat was clear: Try me.
Defiant rage shimmered to concern when Noble faced him, all fear and concern replaced with renewed purpose and a mighty urge to murder this warlord.
“You… you think this pathetic posturing will save your lives?!” A hint of hesitation slipped in his voice.
“Think begging will save yours?” Noble threw back.
Rage returned to the clearly intimidated warlord. “It appears you are not taking me seriously. Such foolishness will cost—” He never got to finish.
Spike burst from underneath a stack of boxes on the warlord’s side, a screaming force of vengeance. The warlord only had a chance to blink before Spike latched himself onto his back and buried the blade into the back of his head. The warlord’s jaw slacked with speechless agony as he crumbled to the floor, his once burning white energy dimming rapidly.
White flames representing changelings and ponies began to fade alongside the warlord’s body. Any attempt to move or speak was cut off as Spike dragged the blade through his spine. There was a pained gasp, a shudder, then silence as it stopped writhing. The warlord’s body dissolved like vapor, Spike landing on all fours once it disappeared. All trace of the white energy I sensed in the area were gone.
I knew Spike was up to something, yet I was still floored with how quickly Spike ended him. Judging from Elytra and Noble’s faces, they couldn’t believe it either. Spike took down the warlord and saved us.
No one moved. Time crawled by as we waited for any impending attack or crisis. Nothing happened.
Once it was clear there was no danger to be found, we all sunk to the floor. Noble and myself could barely move, slumped against each other as we dropped to our haunches. Spike was sprawled on his stomach while Elytra flopped on her back. A lengthy, comfortable silence stretched between us, every one of us gasping for much needed breath.
As adrenaline left my body, it left me with only exhaustion. I could barely see straight from the spots in my vision. My own light dimmed to reflect the massive loss of energy. Yet I couldn’t be happier.
We did it. The fight is far from over, but damn it, we go through this one.
“So...” I started after a few minutes of catching my breath, “talk at the castle?”
“Talk at the castle,” the others sighed simultaneously.
“Might be kinda hard for me to pass though the hospital, given my new paint job,” I chuckled.
“I’ll come up with something. Just need a minute,” Spike gasped.
Noble snorted under her breath. “What if I threw a white sheet over you? I could introduce you as the Buttermilk, the friendly ghost.”
“Friggin’ hay,” I nearly choked, facehooving. Elytra rolled her eyes while Spike rolled with laughter. “Buttermilk, the friendly ghost? Really?”
“You could totally make it work. The foals would love it.”
Elytra stared at us like we lost our minds. “Are… are we actually doing this right now? After the bloody mess we just got through?”
“Well, if you’re wanna look like a ghost, we’ll have to cut out eye holes. But where are we gonna find the sheets?” Spike asked, blatantly ignoring Elytra’s question.
Elytra shook her head, tip of her hooves rubbed at her temples. “Bloody loons, the lot of you.”
“Loosen up, Elytra,” I chided lightly. “We all deserve something of a break after that.”
“Elly, the soldier with the stick up his flank is telling you to relax. You’ve officially hit rock bottom.” Noble joked. I repaid her comment with a lighthearted, lazy punch to the shoulder.
Elytra dramatically flopped onto her back, exasperating a long-winded sigh.
“This is crazy. You’re all crazy!”
I smiled.
“If you wanna hear crazy, just wait until you hear what I went through.”