-EQUUS, CRYSTAL EMPIRE CASTLE: THRONE ROOM-
Luna, Cadence, Tempest Shadow, Spike, and Shining armor are currently alone in The Throne Room discussing the recent events of the battle in Ponyville. The two Alicorn Princesses sat on their thrones while everyone else present stood at the bottom of the steps located at the base of each throne. In addition, Luna also saw fit to tell them about Discord's shocking tale within The Crystal Heart’s Chamber.
“Tis the truth dear friends, Discord himself has revealed to us thy true origins. The threat we now face is but a mere aftermath of a war not of this world, the large monstrosity who calls thyself: ‘Eater Of Worlds’, is but a part of an ancient being who was split into many different parts due to an act of desperation.”, Luna says as she then sighs heavily with a hint of annoyance and frustration.
“Ok... Let me get this straight.”, Shining armor says as he raises a hoof to his chin in thought. Everyone else present just stares on in shock upon Luna’s revelations. “That giant worm creature from Dr. Whooves’s P.O.N-E footage is but a piece of another creature that Discord and the beings of that other world, Terraria, defeated but not entirely destroyed. In addition, that Moon Lord monster is also a piece of that very same being?, Cthulhu... I believe you called it?”
“That’s right Shining armor.”, Luna replied. Shining Armor nods as he continues:
“And then, when he came to our world he not only brought with him The Corruption but by association The Eater Of Worlds?. How does something that big travel within The Corruption?, why didn’t we see it when the infection first began to spread?... Where was it hiding?”, Tempest Shadow had a sudden realization upon hearing those words as she says:
“Wait a second... When I watched that footage, thank you for letting me by the way, what stood out to me most was that big, purple, floating orb thing. It’s just a theory of mine but could they be connected somehow?. Not to mention, we found another one in Ponyville floating above Town Hall.”
“That’s right!, Shining told me all about that when you all returned from the battle.”, Cadence interjects, this causes Tempest to nod as she continues:
“I know this might be too soon to ask for, especially after what happened in Ponyville, but I have a strong belief that there lies yet another orb inside of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s Castle and I think it might be best that we see it for ourselves.”, Tempest then puts a hoof to her chin as something else begins to bother her. Luna notices this and asks:
“Is something the matter Tempest Shadow?”
“Well, it’s just, don’t you all think it’s suspicious that these orbs were placed in such key locations which also happens to be three of The Corruption’s greatest or most well known cities and towns?”, Everyone ponders on those words however Spike suddenly seems to catch on to what Tempest is implying:
“Wait a second... You’re not saying that somepony, helped... The Corruption, are you?”, This causes various reactions from Shining Armor, Luna, and Cadence:
“What?!, who would be mad enough to want this horrible infection to spread?” - Shining Armor.
“That’s very discomforting if it does turn out one of our own had coerced with The Corruption.” - Cadence.
“Tis a bold claim, doth thou have something to support this Tempest Shadow?”- Luna.
“Nothing concrete yet princess, but think about it?. Of all the places for The Corruption to settle down into, of all the world, it specifically chose Canterlot and the nearest town including Twilight’s Castle. How could they have known this from the very moment they entered our world?. I’ll be honest with you, If I were some monstrous infection from another world and came here I wouldn’t have a clue of where to start. I wouldn’t at all be familiar with this worlds populace let alone various nations and landscapes, I’d settle down somewhere secluded and slowly but surely learn about this world before making my move.”, Luna, Shining Armor, and Cadence’s eyes shot wide open as they all came to understand the broken unicorn mare’s, for lack of better word, theory. Luna is the first to regain her composure and says:
“T-that... Makes sense Tempest Shadow. We must admit, when we first re-emerged as Nightmare Moon from our imprisonment we didn’t know much about how our kingdom has changed in our absence. It took stealth and cunning to familiarize ourselves with the nation before we made our presence known to all.”
“So, if we do find another one of those orbs in Twily’s castle... By sweet Celestia, there might truly be a traitor among us.”, Shining Armor says with a slightly horrified expression. Cadence was pondering on this during their conversation as she finally speaks up and says:
“Ok, let’s say there is indeed a traitor in our midst we still have a bigger problem. We’ve yet to find a way to successfully fight against the monsters of The Corruption, none of our current weapons and armor helps us much against these new monsters that have recently been revealed. They destroyed all three of The Outposts and to make things worse one of the new creatures, which we are now calling: Corruptors, can spit a projectile that kills the living and spreads The Corruption-”
“Wait!, I got it!”, Spike exclaims as he accidently cuts Cadence’s words off. This catches everyone’s attention as they all turn their gaze towards the young drake. “Let’s go back to the story Discord told you Princess Luna, you said he tried to make amends by giving those beings weapons and armor made from that other infection, The Crimson. Well, can’t we do the same with this infection, The Corruption?”, Everyone stares at the young drake with wide eyes as he sighs’ and says: “Yeah... You’re right, maybe that is a stupi-”
“Huzzah!, Thou art a genius Spike The Brave And Glorious!”, Luna declares as she cuts off the drake from berating himself.
“Spike!, I can’t believe we didn’t even think of doing that!. You really were raised by Twily you little genius.” - Shining Armor.
“Heh heh, not bad kiddo. Now I understand why Twilight called you her number one assistant when I had her imprisoned... No offence.”, Tempest says as she smiles nervously. Cadence gets off of her throne, runs over to Spike, and bows before him saying:
“You have saved us again oh Spike The Brave And Glorious.”, Spike was momentarily shocked by their praise but he manages to recover and puffs out his chest, giving it a quick bump with his closed fist as he says:
“Of course, I am Spike The Brave and Son Of Twilight Sparkle you know?”, This causes them all to laugh, it was a reassurance to them all to be able to find some moments of happiness in these troubled times. Luna recovers from her laughter as she clears her throat and declares:
“Then it is settled, we shall contact Discord and ask if thy know of a way to turn this infection into weapons and armor of our own to use against it. We shall soon reclaim not just Canterlot, but all of Ponyville and Twilight’s domain.”, Luna then gets off of her throne and begins to walk down the stairs located at its base to join the others at ground level. “Come dear friends, we have much to do. We must tell our allies of this plan, also, I’d like to check on the Flim Flam Brothers if they’ve managed to complete their new weapon to aid us against The Corruption.”
“Wait, a weapon?”, Spike interjects.
“Of course, it utilizes The Crystal Heart in combination with an artifact The Dryad has given us alongside the Purification Powder and The Sunflower. This artifact has the appearance of a pink flower, one that she herself has enchanted. We believe she called it: Floret Of Purity.”
-EQUUS, CORRUPTION BIOME, CANTERLOT CASTLE: THRONE ROOM-
The Hivemind watched over the corrupted landscape of their beloved biome. Where others see nothing but disgust and repulsion, The Hivemind saw only beauty and admiration In its own twisted way exclusively known only to the gathered intelligence of The Corruption. The Hivemind turns around and looks upon the large purple orb floating above the ruined thrones of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
”Beautiful... Simply, beautiful. Thanks to these orbs granted to us by The Eater Of Worlds, my beautiful infection can spread throughout the land. You have my eternal allegiance and gratitude... Spawn Of Cthulhu.”
Suddenly, the clopping of hooves could be heard nearing the throne of which The Hivemind was currently located. The Hivemind then turns and says:
”Ah, welcome my dear ally. We couldn’t have gotten this far were it not for you, future God-King Blueblood. The information you’ve provided us for this world has been most lucrative and you will be handsomely rewarded.”
“Why of course, this is a business transaction after all and I always aim to please my fellow benefactor.”, Blueblood replies with a face full of malice. “It’s unfortunate that my aunt Luna had the foresight to take all of the castle’s artifacts with her but worry not, they’re all likely stored away in The Crystal Empire.”
”Very good... And with you acting as our... [chuckles] ’Trojan horse’, we can enter that pathetic Empire once The Corruption spreads to its borders.”
“It’s a shame you can’t drink Hivemind, at least you never seem interested to, because I’m going to toast to that.”, Blueblood replies as he conjures a bottle of wine accompanied with a glass flute Champaign cup. “Here’s to our future endeavors and my eventual ascension.”
Some time goes by and Blueblood was now within Celestia’s room in the solar section of the castle, or at least, her former room before Blueblood self proclaimed it to be his own. Apparently, Blueblood wanted the room to remain spotless and undamaged as per the agreement with him and The Hivemind. The unicorn then spots a painting that was made in Celestia’s image and scowls as he says:
“You... You made me like this Aunty... I was supposed to be the next ruler of Equestria!. Instead, you planned to make that peasant Twilight Sparkle the inheritor of both you and that witch Luna’s thrones!. To make matters worse you made sure she became an Alicorn, not me!. All of those so called ‘problems’ you made her and the rest of her peasant friends face was to prepare her for the ascension that should’ve been mine!”, Blueblood exclaims as he fires up his horn and destroys Celestia’s painting with a beam of yellow energy.
[BOOM] [CRASH]
“My only regret was that I didn’t kill you myself, but, I can kill those you love. Twilight Sparkle might be beyond my reach but your sister and that whore Cadence are not!. I will make them suffer just to spite you as I take my rightful place as God-King!”, Blueblood then walks out to the patio and looks off into the distance of the corrupted landscape saying:
“It might not look very presentable now, but that’s what servants are for. Pegasi and Earth Ponies are only useful for that and any Unicorn who dares to question my rule will join those lower classed peasants. Soon, all of Equestria will be mine!”, Blueblood proclaims.
Maniacal laughter echoed across the landscape and if one were to look closely they could see The Corruption was getting stronger as it feeds on the sinful actions of the self proclaimed unicorn God-King.