Chapter 15: An Encounter Through Time
The jagged black tower loomed into view as the airship sailed through the coal black sky. Further away, the rest of the armada continued to blast the flying Workhorses out of their flight giving the smaller dirigible a clear path to Locust’s fortress. Below, the epic conflict between the fire wielding unicorns and their robotic foes ensued; there seemed to be no trouble as the Workhorses’ numbers dwindled. Midnight looked down at the battle in awe; the fighting had left his blue coat slightly blackened with fire residue and even some of his mane had been singed. Takeoff steered the airship with Marigold standing by. Sitting at a lone table was Stir Fry looking over a large paper littered with rough sketches. Midnight looked over his shoulder at his diagrams. There was a crude drawing of the fortress with various cross sections and labels indicating the interior.
“I’m glad to see you’re okay, Midnight.” Fry said. “While you were out fighting, I took the liberty of analyzing the fortress from nearby. I think I’ve mapped the place out so that we’ll be able to find Locust easily. We can enter through this open balcony and make our way through these corridors here which lead to his study.”
Midnight was stunned. “Fry, how do you know so much about architecture?”
“What? You thought cooking was my only talent? There’s not much use for that here. Besides, I became interested in architecture after figuring how to sneak into Appetizer’s to make off with a few snacks.”
“And how is that the same principle as breaking into a massive changeling fortress built and secured by robotic ponies?”
“Relax, I have my methods.”
“You’re weird, Fry.”
They approached closer and closer to the spire fortress that scraped the clouds. Midnight could now see a large platform jutting out from one side high up on the tower. Takeoff lowered the airship to its level and turned so that the door faced the balcony. Marigold opened the airship’s door and Midnight and Fry prepared to step out.
“This is it!” called back Takeoff. “We’ll be here for you two when the job is done. Midnight, give him one for me.”
“Will do, Takeoff,” replied Midnight. “Thanks for the lift.”
“Good luck Midnight.” Marigold hugged him before he and Fry stepped onto the metal balcony. They looked back at the airship as it cruised off.
“Well let’s get a move on.” Fry announced as he started off toward an open doorway leading into the fortress. “You’ve got a changeling to take down.”
“Lead the way, Mr. Architect.” Midnight gestured.
The two stallions stormed off inside. Although half expecting to find Workhorses patrolling the inside, there wasn’t a single sign of them in the metal halls. The dark industrial interior reminded Midnight of the prison back in the Crystal Mountains. He and Fry proceeded to the right down the dank corridor taking cautious steps in case of any mechanized security guards. Lighted only Midnight’s horn, Fry led him down numerous twisting and turning halls; he stopped often to get his bearings. Midnight was surprised at his earth pony friend’s apparent knack for figuring out the interior of such a structure just from hypothesis. It was a wonder why his cutie mark wasn’t a building blueprint.
“Fry, are you sure you know where we’re going?” asked Midnight.
“Trust me on this.” Fry answered. “With the Workhorses being beaten back, Locust is sure to be hiding in a more secure room.”
Up a long hallway, a distant clanging sound was heard. The two ponies followed the clanging which became louder and was accompanied by sparking and mechanical whirring. They came to a large observation window which viewed an enormous metal room. Inside, there was a production line moving metal forms which were added with other similar parts by automated arms along the conveyor belt. Midnight widened his eyes with shock upon realizing that the metal forms were being made into Workhorses.
“Dear Celestia!” exclaimed Fry. “This is where they’re being made!”
“Those robots outside weren’t the only ones;” added Midnight. “He’ll just send in more and more waves.”
“That’s all the more reason to stop him. We’re gonna find Locust and you’ll knock him into next week; or however far that spell of yours takes you.” Fry chuckled lightly.
“Let’s keep going, he can’t hide forever.”
Almost instantly, Midnight stopped himself from running off when he heard a familiar cackle echoing through the corridor. As expected, he saw a gnarled shadow pass over the far wall before the hated changeling lord entered into view. He stalked toward the two ponies wearing his usual grizzly smile. He kept laughing with increasing volume and maniacal joy as he stared daggers at his nemesis. Both Midnight and Fry glared at Locust.
“Did you really think it would be that easy?” boomed the changeling. “Did you think that was all the machine power I had to offer? I told you before, Midnight Hour, and I’ll tell you again. I’ll just make more of my magnificent Workhorses no matter how big an army you manage to scrap together. I am unstoppable!”
“It ends now, Locust!” scolded Midnight. “From this moment on, Equestria will no longer suffer from your soulless machinery. It’s over for you!”
“Oh such confidence from such an eager pony; it’s truly touching.” Locust mocked. “But has it yet occurred to you that you have just risked your pathetic country by setting hoof in my base of operations? Once I destroy you, Equestria will have no precious savior to defeat my machines. I admire your bravery, Midnight, but your intelligence leaves much to be desired.”
“Hey listen you slime,” seethed Fry. “Midnight here is more powerful than you’ll ever be. And he’s going to stop your toys once and for all.”
“And just who are you to stand up to me, commoner?”
“My name is Stir Fry, bug.”
“Stir Fry?” scoffed Locust. “I would have expected a typical earth pony to have such a ridiculous name. You’re not worth the trouble blasting out of existence. You’ll just have to stand back and watch as your friend falls.”
“I’d like to see you try, scumbag.” Midnight retorted.
With a slight chuckle, Locust sealed his eyes and strained. Midnight watched in disgust as a long jagged horn grew from the changeling’s forehead. Immediately, it began to glow a toxic green.
“Are you ready to pay for your actions, Midnight?” he taunted.
Midnight only responded by charging his own horn and taking aim. But suddenly, Locust disappeared in a burst of black and green flame. Darting around in anticipation, Midnight heard Fry shout to him.
“Midnight, look out!”
A loud whoosh was heard and Midnight turned around to face the fiend. With an excited hiss, Locust fired his sickly magic at him. But before Midnight could match his fire, something flew in from the side of his view. He flinched then looked back to see what had gotten in the crossfire. To his horror, he saw Fry thrashing on the floor with the changeling magic encasing him. The earth pony yelled in agony as the green aura zapped his every fiber. After several grueling seconds, Locust ceased his magic and Fry lay motionless on the cold metal floor with his eyes shut.
“Stir Fry!” shouted Midnight as he hurried over to his fallen friend. He rolled Fry over and held his head up. Much of his coat had been singed from the horrifying electrocution and he twitched slightly making hushed grunts of pain.
“Oh dear me,” sulked Locust sarcastically. “It’s a pity my magic had to be wasted on such a meager undeserving soul. No matter, at least the two of us have no more distractions.”
Ignoring Locust’s teasing, Midnight held Fry close as he trembled with tears welling up.
“Fry, I’m so sorry buddy,” he pleaded. “I never wanted you to get hurt! This was supposed to be my burden!”
Groaning, Fry managed to open his eyes halfway for his friend. “Midnight,” he said in low breath. “Don’t stop now. Use the spell. Just do it. Don’t…worry about me. This is about you and the rest of Equestria. Do it now, stallion, I know you can.” Fry’s glassy eyes closed. Midnight touched his neck and felt that his heartbeat was still pulsing, but only at a decreasing rate. He hugged his friend as he tried to fight back the water in his eyes.
“Don’t mourn him, Midnight,” continued Locust. “He was nothing more than a commoner and he didn’t deserve your friendship. You’re too powerful for that. He wouldn’t understand.”
Midnight carefully laid Fry back on the floor and slowly wiped the tears from both his eyes. He then opened them and grimaced vengefully at Locust. Without taking the time to find the right words, he let out a furious roar. The magic within his horn shone brightly as he prepared to initiate the risky time spell. He bowed his head keeping his eye on Locust. But the changeling saw right through his intent and immediately teleported again within his black and green wisp. Midnight looked around at random until he saw Locust appear to his left. He prepared to fire, but hesitated when the changeling disappeared once again. This continued several times all while Midnight recited the words for the spell hoping he would be able to catch Locust when he was done.
“Leaving the present, leaving the past,”
Locust appeared to his right. He aimed but came up with no target.
“Time goes on, and forever lasts,”
Another teleportation to the left and he failed again to keep steady.
“Wherever it may be, whether far or near,”
Locust manifested in front of him as he took aim once again.
“Take me to the future, and away from here!”
Midnight raised his fore hooves ready to charge, but Locust only disappeared again. But Midnight knew better. He quickly turned around and caught the changeling behind him, tackling him to the floor just in time to fire the spell. Locust hissed in shock as the unicorn magic quickly began to swirl around them. Midnight looked around, still pinning him to the floor, as everything around him changed at an alarming rate. He could no longer see Fry’s body or the Workhorse assembly line. The metal walls gave way to fleeting images of different places throughout Equestria with fast motion events taking place, moving too fast to comprehend. The only sounds were various random voices back meshed together resulting in unintelligible gibberish. At one point, Midnight recognized the city of Fillydelphia and then Canterlot and other places he recalled visiting at some time in his life. As he gazed at the images with the trapped changeling underneath his hooves, he suddenly felt weaker and weaker; he assumed it was the spell draining him of his energy. At long last, the passing scenes were interrupted by a blinding white light encasing him. After a brief moment of feeling suspended in the air, Midnight finally dropped onto what felt like soft grass. He opened his weary eyes to see that, in fact, he was lying on his front in the middle of a grassy yard. Peering around, he saw a clear sunny blue sky above him, and a wide open landscape around. Ahead was a peaceful looking town not too far away. He found the place serene, but knew there was one thing missing. Struggling with all his might, he pushed himself off the ground and managed to stand up unstably. Then he spotted him. Locust had been lying in the grass right in front of him all along. The changeling seemed to be near unconscious as he lay on his side wheezing tiredly. Midnight thought he had done it; he had weakened the mighty bug and put an end to the Workhorses’ spell. Before deciding what to make of this moment, a shadow appeared in the top edge of his sight. He looked above the dazed changeling and saw a pony standing by him; he had never seen this new face before. It was a unicorn mare seeming to be just about his age and had a lavender purple coat and matching eyes. Her mane and tail were a darker shade of purple with a pink stripe leading downward. Her cutie mark seemed to be a twinkling diamond shaped star. This mare looked at Midnight with curiosity and awe; he figured this would be an appropriate reaction to seeing a pony covered in cuts, bruises, burn marks and a matted mane. She stared at him intently before noticing the panting Locust on the ground. A look of shock and confusion overcame her as she turned back to Midnight with question in her eyes. He knew she deserved some explaining and he opened his mouth to so. But before he could utter a word, he noticed the blinding light looming in from behind him. He darted his head in confusion as the light grew. Then it hit him; the spell was retracting. He had forgotten that he could only stay in the future for just a minute. He looked back in desperation at the mare as the magic enveloped him. He stretched out his hoof and she copied his gesture. But that was the last he saw of her. Quickly, the fleeting images came back surrounding Midnight and the limp Locust at a much faster speed. His fatigue became replaced by racing anticipation. Before long, the light returned suspending him in motion and dropping the pony and the changeling this time on a cold floor. Midnight felt weaker than ever. He could barely make out what was around him this time with his vision beginning to blur and fade. The last thing he could make out lying there on the steely surface was a small pink form running up to him. It seemed to be a filly, but he could not process the image before finally closing his eyes and fading out. Midnight left one last thought concerning whether or not he would wake up again.