//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Terrible Things // Story: Equestria Wars Episode XVIII: The Fall of the King // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// Ever since Starshine and the master's attempt to seize Charming Thunder from the Crystal Empire failed two days ago, Charming Thunder sent the masked pegasus and his son; Starshine, now being controlled, to invade Ponyville. Starshine runs into the area where his partner, the mysterious masked pegasus, was reported at. When he arrives, he sees Infinite hovering in the air while staring at Rainbow Dash while Rarity was tending to an injured Applejack. "This wasn’t part of my agenda, but I’m always happy to crush a hero," the masked pony said to Rainbow Dash. "It keeps the other rabble in line. Shows them that there is no hope." "Does anyone but you believe your lies?" Rarity asked the masked pony. Before Rainbow could add anything, the masked pegasus charges at her and she dodges and began to give chase. They clashed a few times as blurs before the masked pegasus knocks Rainbow down and she lands behind Applejack and Rarity. "Seeing is believing." The Masked pony then charged at the three ponies. Before he could hit them, a flash of light appeared and a light brilliant raspberry barrier appeared. The masked pegasus hit the barrier and was flung back but he easily recovered. The barrier lowered, revealing Twilight Sparkle with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy tending to Rainbow and Applejack. "You girls stay here, I got this one," Twilight said as she looked at the masked pegasus. "Well, look who came for her friends. The Princess of Friendship. But what is that I smell? You and your friends reek of fear. Glad to see I left an impression." "I am not afraid of you, neither are my friends. And you haven’t left an impression. We don’t know anything about you! Not even your name." "You may call me 'Infinite' in the brief moments that remain to you." Infinite then gestured to Starshine. "I don’t think I need to introduce my partner in crime here; Starshine Sparkle, the true heir of Charming Thunder." "Pleasure to see again, mother," Starshine said; grinning evilly. "Father wanted me to advise you; 'You can fight and all of you will die. Or you can not fight and submit to my rule'." "Equestria will not submit to what Charming has become, Starshine," Twilight said before looking at Infinite. "Though I must ask, what is the source of your power?" "The source of my power is none of your concern," Infinite resorted to Twilight. "Oh, but the source of your power is quite interesting, I simply need to know what it is." Twilight ignited her magic. "I insist!" The right side of Infinite’s mask began to glow as a red energy sphere surrounded Infinite and the area turned red. "Your insistence is futile!" Twilight was caught off-guard and began to levitate off the ground as did the others beside Starshine, like he wasn’t affected by whatever was happening. She began to flail around as she was levitated off the ground. "Twilight, you ok?" Rarity asked. "This is exactly what Infinite did to Applejack!" Rainbow called out. Infinite charged at Twilight before he knocked her away. (Note: Sung to the tune of Infinite ) Sung by Infinite and ??? I am the tallest of mountains I am the roughest of waves I am the toughest of terrors I am the darkest of days I'm the last one that's standing Don't try to stand in my way 'Cause I've been up against better Just take a look at my face 'Cause If you're messing with me I am a dangerous weapon I am the sharpest of blades I'll cut you down in a second 'Cause I was born in this pain It only hurts if you let it So if you think you can take me Then you should go and forget it Twilight recovers and charges at Infinite while he looked calm about the attack. She launches a magic beam attack but Infinite easily dodges the attack before several cubes surrounded them before Infinite launches them at Twilight. Twilight tried to dodge them but she gets hits a couple of times. And after all this time, you're back for more (I won't stop until they know my name) So I'll take what's mine and start this war (I'm coming at you like a tidal wave) When everything you know has come and gone (You are at your lowest, I am rising higher) Only scars remain of who I was (What I find in the ashes, you lose in the fire!) When there's no one left to carry on (This is an illusion, open up your eyes and...) The pain persist I can't resist But that's what it takes to be Infinite (Yeah) Twilight teleports and tries to attack Infinite from the side. However, a red wormhole appeared and another wormhole appeared above Twilight. The magic beam went through the first wormhole and out the second, hitting Twilight and cause her to cry out in pain while knocking her down to the ground. Twilight lands by her friends as Infinite looks down onto them. So look around you And tell me what you really see I never end And that's the difference in you and me Cause when your time is up And everything is falling down It's only me and you - who is gonna save you now? So look around you And tell me what you really see You live a lie And that's the difference in you and me I have the power Let me show you what it's all about It's only me and you - who is gonna save you now? Twilight struggles to get up, ready to continue fighting. This causes Infinite to sigh before giving Twilight the ‘Come at me’ gesture with his right hoof. Twilight began to fly before charging at Infinite. Infinite was casually dodging attacks but he was knocked back by a surprise magic beam from Twilight. However, Infinite easily recovers and looks at Twilight. I am the tallest of mountains And don't you ever forget it If you step in the ring, Then you're gonna regret it. Twilight charges at Infinite, deciding to take the combat close quarters since she felt most of Infinite’s attacks were ranged but he was easily dodging and evading her attacks and now was dodging any surprise magic attacks. (Take it) Cause if you're messing with me, Then you should know that it's over I don't crumble for nothing I've got the world on my shoulders Twilight was getting tired of dodging from Infinite. So, she gathered her magic and unleashed a magic blast. However, Infinite entered a red wormhole behind him and evaded the blast completely. When the blast was over, Twilight was panting. And after all this time, you're back for more (I won't stop until they know my name) So I'll take what's mine and start this war Twilight’s eyes turned as Infinite came from the clouds, looking down upon her. His only visible purple eye looking down on her like it was judging her. Not only that but they held something inside of them that Twilight felt was… familiar. When everything you know has come and gone, (You are at your lowest, I am rising higher) Only scars remain of who I was (What I find in the ashes, you lose in the fire!) When there's no one left to carry on, (This is an illusion, open up your eyes and...) This pain (persists), I can't (resist), But that's what it takes to be Infinite (Yeah) Infinite dashed at Twilight before punching her a few times before he fires a big beam from his forehooves and that sent Twilight crashing down to the ground. Her friends gather around her, calling out her name. Infinite, however, descended from the sky to look upon them. So look around you And tell me what you really see I never end And that's the difference in you and me Cause when your time is up And everything is falling down It's only me and you - who is gonna save you now? So look around you And tell me what you really see You live a lie And that's the difference in you and me I have the power Let me show you what it's all about It's only me and you - who is gonna save you now? Infinite held his forehooves out and multiple red energy cubes appeared all around him. It looked like there was a hundred, maybe more. (Who is gonna save you now?) Infinite raised his forehooves before he suddenly lowered them, the red cubes disappearing. They drew everyone’s attention. "You know, why should I kill you?" Infinite said as his right hoof began to glow black engulfed in a vivid violet haze with light brilliant green edges. It was dark magic. "Why waste such a perfect opportunity to have the Mane 6 along with the Elements of Harmony to serve King Charming!" Infinite began to descend to them, his right hoof continuing to glow in dark magic. Starshine stood where he was, despite his mental struggle. 'No! I can’t… let him… hurt mom and her friends...!' Starshine thought; desperately as he struggled to move his body to stop Infinite but couldn’t. 'But… can’t move...! S-someone! Anyone please... Save my mother and her friends...!' Infinite was now in front of them, the group cowering before Infinite. He lifted his right forehoof in preparation to grab someone. "You all will belong to King Charm--" "I don't think so!" a voice said before a beam of light turquoise hit at the base of Infinite’s front hooves, causing Infinite to back up. "What the!?" Infinite looked up to see Starlight Glimmer surrounded in her magical aura to allow her to fly. "Starlight!" the Mane 6 called out to Starlight in relief and joy. "Isn’t this a surprise?" Infinite said. "I get the pleasure to meet the powerful Starlight who actually managed to beat Twilight time and again at her own game." "Girls, you ok?" Starlight asked as she landed on the ground, her eyes still staring at Infinite in caution. "Twilight, Rainbow, and Applejack took a beating fighting Infinite," Rarity said. "But besides that, we’re ok." "I must admit, I thought you were too busy trying to protect that school that Twilight made," Infinite said. "But I guess, in the long run, you made my job easier to try you down. The Mane 6 AND Starlight Glimmer as King Charming’s servants, that will show that even the mightiest of Equestria cannot withstand the ultimate power in the world!" "You will not make me or my friends servants to Charming Thunder!" Starlight said as she stared at Infinite. "You will release Starshine from your control!" "I regret to inform you, Starlight, but I am not the one in control of Starshine. If you want to release Starshine, you’ll have to fight and beat King Charming Thunder. I’m sure he would be happy to see you and submit yourself to his rule. Besides Starlight, if I could beat the three strongest of the Mane 6, what hope do you have? You are in no position to make threats!" "Is that so?!" a voice said. "I wouldn’t bet on it, Infinite!" another voice said. Suddenly, a new group arrived on the scene. Both Infinite and Starshine see the Young Six, Trixie Lulamoon, Sunset Shimmer, Discord, and Starswirl. "How’s this..." Discord said as he gestured to the group. "To even the odds." "Well, ain’t this cute," Infinite said. "The possible replacement group of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, Celestia’s former prodigy, the Great and Powerful Trixie, Starswirl the Bearded, and the Spirit of Chaos himself." Infinite began to hover over to Starshine, keeping close to him. "Though I’m afraid we must take our leave! But don’t worry, we’ll be back." Before anyone could do anything, a red wormhole opened underneath Infinite and Starshine. "Hey!" Trixie shouted. "Get back here!" "Coward!" Sunset added. The red wormhole disappeared as Infinite and Starshine finished going through.