//------------------------------//
// File 16: Month 5-Part 1: Rising Flames 
// Story: SWWC: Something Wrong With Canterlot 
// by Lighttone GryphonStar 
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The night fell with aggressive heavy clouds covering the sky without warning, and the air became thick. The light of Moon had long faded from all sight since the fall of Canterlot. However, everypony was still on edge of this night felt particularly pit black. The tension was so thick that not even the sharpest sword could cut it.

Floating just on the edge of Ponyville's sight was a single airship cloaked in a lightless void. It wasn't like a type of darkness, rather the complete lack of light at all. The entire surface of the airship was affected by the lightlessness. The hidden soldiers within the airship were completely void of all light, forced to rely on the word of their king.

Slice Kilm had long gotten used to the lack of light in his life. His eyes had long turned to ash along with his flesh. Relying of the mind of his King had become second nature some time ago. King Kray had saved him from the edges of death and the tyranny of the alicorns.

He had heard the whispers of a new prophecy coming from this town. They spoke of hope that the main six would return. Speaking of the princesses regaining their throne. All uniting against the king's power and might. But the true words of the future would be known only by his King. It was his duty to lead the forces of King Kray and save Equestria. To bring it out these dark times, marching through bloodshed and ashy flames to achieve true peace. This made him proud of his actions, even if others were not.

This resistance would not break their resolve. They had already destroyed their capital and their princesses. The main six vanished without a trace and other heroes that stood with them fell too. Ponyville would be no different even if it was his former homeland.

He gritted his exposed teeth at the thought of their destination. Ponyville had been the home of the one he loved most. Oh, how he used to do everything thing that pink mare desired. Always at her beck and call, but no more. The pink mare was gone, and now his king was the only vow in his mind. To serve and bow, to adore and praise with all his strength and might. He was but a simple soldier for the King of K.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" The king's voice echoed behind him.

"My King... I can no long see such beauty." Slice Kilm stood at attention. "The void of all light is our home."

"Yes..." His voice mused deep in the ears of ifrit, fueling his desire and rage ever more. "Ever since those demonic alicorns cast me out of the light, I was left to suffer." The king's words echoed past Slice Kilm and up to the ship's edge. "I was forced to watch from the sideless as my children were morphed and defiled. Unable to stop the horrible things that came to pass." He gazed out into the night sky and the approaching the city of Ponyville. "And thus, the former home of that Pale Mare shall be the next place to suffer my vengeance."

"Yes, my King," Slice Kilm bowed his head.

The king smiled. "Tonight, the dear Pale Mare will know the same pain. All shall learn to fear the void and praise the name of the King condemned to it."

"The King of K!" Slice Kilm held up his flaming hand and his army followed. "King Kray, the King of K." Cheering it for several seconds until he dropped his hand down as if offering it to his king. King Kray never turned away from the sight of the front of the airship.

Much like the surface of the airship, Slice Kilm's sight was void of utter blackness. His eyes had long turned to ash, never remade like the rest of his form, but that didn't matter. His mind was void of everything but his King's will. At least, he hoped it was void as thinking back was too painful. Seeing the pink mare would be too painful, so better to meet the ponies that raised her and the Pale Mare they swore to with ash and flaming tears. The fire within him was still bright, though. He wanted revenge for all he had lost, from his flesh, bones and sanity.

The airship gave a loud bang and landed. The doors opened to unveil that armies to Ponyville. They marched outward and continued to chant their King's degree. "The void of all light is our home, but his grace is always with us. Behold the will of the King of K!"

Guards standing at the front Ponyville's border were shocked by the sight of the approaching forces. Yet, the greatest fear came from the one at the lead, Slice Kilm. The bleak light of the night was enough to show what had truly become of him. His body was little more than a skeleton wrapped in burnt skin and muscle tissue. His fur seared off long ago, all forms of wrinkles were more like tears straight to the bone. His mane was pure fire, like that of an ifrit of legend. His eyes had long been burned from his skull, and only blackened pits were all that were left.

Those voids of blackened eyes stared back at those guards with such rage and malice that they could barely hold up their weapons. "No one crosses us!" the first guard cried out in a wincing panic. He rushed forward, throwing his spear right at Slice Kilm's head.

The heat from his body was so intense that the spear caught flame before reaching him and cracked apart into an ash mess upon making contact. Slice Kilm listened as the guard collapsed in a full panic of screams and wails. The flaming pony silenced him by crashing his hand into his face. The guard burst in flames before quickly crumbling to ash.

With the first death claimed, Slice Kilm threw the peppered skeleton to the side and proclaim. "King Kray's will shall prevail! On this night, Ponyville burns to the ground!"