//------------------------------// // Fallen One Pt. II // Story: Alone // by Quill of Filth //------------------------------// Lightning bathed the dawn struck sky, generated from the crystal spire. A giant pulse of magic boomed away from the tower, causing the magical dome encapsulating the Empire to fade.  King Sombra stared at the shattered pieces of the Crystal Heart on the platform, his gaze one of ire, not due to the Crystal Heart's destruction, but of his plan being under threat. "You know, I've always disliked control freaks with the exception of one." Sombra swiftly turned to the voice, seeing a chimeric serpent dragon levitating in air with his arms crossed. Sombra was perplexed at first, but his expression shifted into a fanged grin. "Discord? Have you come to join me?" "That's a bit quixotic of you isn't it? No. I've come to put an end to your little reign." Sombra's visage morphed into one of irate. "Where's Mrs. Better Edge?" Discord asked. "Where you'll be," he growled, shooting a beam of dark magic at Discord. Unfazed, Discord snapped his talons, causing the beam of dark magic that was no more than a few feet away to dissipate into bubbles. "Alright lygophile, first hurting an acquaintance of mine, now failing to tell me where Tempest is, not to mention attempting to enslave an empire, your time is limited," he noted, a clock floating out from behind him. "No. I will become beyond lawless. I will become a God! And I will rule this kingdom as I bask in my glory." Discord guffawed. "Oh my, the vanity. Trying to evade entropy? For what? To feel power. To control. To avoid the greatest fear above them all. Well, you won't be avoiding the last reason for much longer." In response, Sombra's eyes widened, the fury evident. His horn bubbled and charged dark magic, as the winds began to pick up, causing his crimson mantle to undulate. He roared, shooting a large continuous beam of dark magic at the Spirit of Chaos. Sombra finally let up for energy replenishment and a status on his target.  Discord had his paw held out in front of him, and appeared unscathed, his gaze one of annoyance. "Times up." He lifted his arm and held his talons out as if he was pinching something from below. A small ball of dark purple energy appeared between his talons, it's form chaotic and rapidly expanding, almost cosmic in appearance. The ball expanded until it was double the size of his hand, it's form flowy like water. He lifted his paw up as if he was gripping something from below while a yellow glow emanated from it. Sombra felt his posture stiffen. He attempted to use dark magic but felt as if it was being stifled.  "Enjoy the darkness where you belong." The dark magic grew in intensity as he grit his teeth, his eyes displaying a fiery a hatred. Discord flicked his wrist down pointing at Sombra, sending the ball of chaotic energy at him. The last thing in Sombra's beastly crimson eyes was fear. A violent swirling purple explosion sprouted from the platform, creating an odd sound. The energy slowly dissipating revealed Sombra had vanished. Discord scanned his surroundings, his eyes locking on to trails of crimson. Starting at the blotches and puddle, he followed it toward the destroyed pillar. Hoof and claws just before the edge of the platform, he peeked over the edge, his eyes widening. He saw a maroon blur on a platform far below, it's form motionless. His eyes flicked to the edge of the city, seeing a cloud of relentless winter approaching. He snapped his fingers, disappearing and reappearing in a starry flash on the platform far below. Tempest's body was laid on her side, blood dripping from a wound next to her broken horn and pooling on the platform, with no signs of life. Discord hurriedly scooped her up, her body sprawled in his arms. He leaped forward off the platform, slithering through the air down toward the enormous crowd gathered below. Seeing her head sagging over his arm, he moved it, covering the wound with his talons, lessening the dripping of the blood. Crystal ponies were stricken with fear, until they noticed the flying chimera above and the body he held. Not knowing where a medical center was located, Discord scanned the crowd for a familiar face or some sort of medical team, paying no heed to the looks of concern or wonder. Guards at the far edges of the crowd appeared to have stretchers, with limited medical supplies on a table. At the stretcher, he briskly laid Tempest on it. "Take her to the hospital. Now." The threat broke their concerned and perplexed gaze as they quickly came to her aid. Discord's gaze fell to his open hands, his talons soaked with blood. He focused on it, his expression solemn as a deathly chill passed with the howling snowy wind. He gently closed his talons.