“A soul cage, what's that?” Twilight asked.
“Talk and fight darling. Applejack needs us!” Rarity interjected.
Twilight cursed under her breath and turned back just in time to see the soul cage sprinting after Applejack. Its sword was raised high over its head, and about to be brought down on the still-shaken farmer when a barrier sprung into existence. Though Rarity was able to block the strike, her shield cracked, and Rarity herself was forced to the ground.
“A creature is trapped in the armor and then killed. Its angry soul can't escape from the magical prison,” Fluttershy explained. “It's the force of the enraged, and now mindless soul that animates it, not some outside magic.”
“Then how do we beat it?” Pinkie Pie asked.
Applejack raised her club, blocking the downward stroke of her foe’s blade. The strength behind the hit knocked Applejack down to one knee, and the second was aimed at her skull. This time Pinkie Pie aided her fallen friend, the party girl whipping a bubble gum bomb on the creature’s head.
The pink mass did no obvious damage but did disorient the thing for just long enough for Applejack to get out of harm’s way. It was then cast aside, allowing the soul cage to see as a blast of superheated plasm hit it square in the face. Though hot enough to melt steel, the attack did little more than heat up the creature’s metal exterior.
“We need to free the soul somehow, but to do that we need to interrupt the Lazarus rune somewhere on the inside of its body,” Fluttershy continued.
“How?” Twilight pressed.
“Damage it in some way, I don't know! It's apparently fairly brittle but it could be anywhere inside of the creature!” Fluttershy concluded.
“Less talkin’, more fightin’!” Applejack shouted.
The farm girl found herself locked in melee once more, the iron golem swinging recklessly, its poor coordination compensated with its blistering fast speed. Applejack managed to stay ahead of it, but it was clear to the various onlookers that there was no way she could escape or strike back. Thankfully Rainbow Dash was there, a blackjack striking the back of the iron golem’s knees.
Though it had no ligaments or muscles to worry about, the creature was still susceptible to being put off balance. This was exactly what Rainbow Dash did, but not for very long, the creature spinning its torso around and swiping at her. The attack was faster than most could even see, but Rainbow Dash was not most people and sidestepped in time.
She was out of the way by the time a thermite slammed into the creature’s chest and exploded. White hot fire burned angrily on its metal form, yet was unable to pierce the faintly glowing metallic shell.
“Hey, that's cheating!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
“A soul cage’s body is naturally reinforced with necromantic magic. It's almost completely immune to any traditional attack,” Fluttershy exclaimed.
“Twilight, knock it off balance. Rarity, keep on Applejack,” Sunset Shimmer shouted.
Both of her friends moved as ordered, with Twilight weaving a potent spell while Rarity covered Applejack’s flank. Around them the rest of the team started to get back into some semblance of order, covering one another’s weaknesses. Then there was a pulse, and a greenish-blue mist billowed out of the iron cage’s body, spreading across the ground.
“What is this gunk?” Rainbow Dash remarked, dipping a hand into the mist only to recoil in pain. “Yowch what the hay? It's like acid!”
“Stay away from it! It's trying to steal your life force!” Fluttershy shouted.
“Rainbow Dash, grab some water bombs from Pinkie Pie, I got an idea!” Sunset Shimmer bellowed.
While Rainbow Dash moved to do just that, Applejack was busy in the fight of her life. The mist was trying to slip past her armor and seep into her clothes but between all the layers it was having a hard time. That wasn't her main concern though, as the creature itself was still swinging away at her, its movements blindingly fast.
Rarity was able to help block some, but each impact was enough to visibly distress the fashionable girl. After the fifth instance of this happening in a three-second period, Applejack found herself staring down a descending sword. Only for a different kind of shield to be erected before her, one made of fire strong enough to block the strike.
Pushing her advantage, Applejack stepped forward and delivered a booted kick into the creature’s chest, pushing it back. It wasn't much distance, but the breathing room was enough for Twilight to enact her spell and blast the soul cage with a conjured wave of force. The rippling tsunami of magical energy tore chunks of stone from the ground and sent dust flying into the air. Despite all its power, it wasn't enough to knock the iron golem down, only push it back and force it to raise its blade in a defensive posture.
“Now, go!” Sunset Shimmer shouted.
Rainbow Dash sprinted out from cover, an armload of blue spheres tucked against her chest and one held in her right hand. Blitzing across the field, Rainbow Dash swerved toward her target but found that the greenish mist had solidified, becoming a sea of snakes. The many strange creatures leaped out at her, attempting to sink their ethereal fangs into the speedster.
Altering her course, Rainbow Dash watched as one of these spirit-like animals lurched out at her. Their paths intersected perfectly, and Rainbow Dash knew that there was no way that she was going to be able to avoid it. Thankfully she didn't need to, as the snake sunk into the ground, its power drained by a butter-yellow aura.
Fluttershy stood with arms outstretched, fingers splayed to create a triangular void between them. It was from this simple shape that a swirling yellow vortex emerged, drawing in the mist and causing the necromantic energy to change direction. The course of the fight had changed, and the soul cage knew it despite its almost nonexistent intelligence.
It turned and broke into a sprint, sword raised high above its head. In a split second, it had crossed a good chunk of the distance, though it didn't reach its target before someone else reached it. Barrelling in from the side, Applejack put her shoulder down and slammed into the thing with all the force she could muster.
Sunset Shimmer used the opening to drive home a flurry of concussive flares that knocked the creature back even further. A gum grenade stuck one of its legs to the ground, while stoney spikes erupted a moment later, trapping the other. A trio of conjured gemstone barriers completed the prison, pinning the soul cage against the ground. With Rainbow Dash closing in, the plan was enacted perfectly with no one present even requiring to be informed of it.
Or at least it seemed perfect.
With Rainbow Dash only a few feet away, the soul cage threw its arms out, shattering Rarity’s barriers. Its powerful feet ripped free of the gum, and the spikes while its body spun around to face Rainbow Dash. The speedster was coming in too fast, and the lightning-fast girl was unable to react quicker than the golem.
“Oh no you don't,” Applejack declared, wrapping her arms around the creature. “Go on sugar. Put this jerk in the dirt!”
Rainbow Dash grimaced, and leaped forward, landing on the strange creature’s shoulders. Green mist lashed out at her and bit into her legs, but Rainbow Dash didn't back down. She chucked the one water bomb straight down the grille before releasing the rest atop the golem’s head.
Just in time too, as the undead automaton had broken free of Applejack’s grip, shattering several bones in the process. She had bought just enough time for Rainbow Dash to leap off their foe, backflipping to safety. The soul cage tried to follow but found that its interior was now filled with exploding spheres of water.
For a moment it seemed fine, then all at once, it became inert, falling straight down as if it were a mere puppet that had its strings cut. The moment it hit the ground, the gathered mist exploded outward, dissipating into the air and vanishing.
“Doc, I need a hand here,” Applejack muttered through grit teeth.
Fluttershy dismissed her magical attack and quickly stepped forward. “Where does it hurt?” she asked while unslinging her backpack.
“Think it popped my arms out of their sockets and also broke more than a few bones,” Applejack remarked.
“And whenever you're done with that you best check this out. I don't think my skin is supposed to look like that,” Rainbow Dash added.
The girl had pulled cut out a small section of her pant where she had been bitten by the strange ethereal snake. Revealing a black blob of necrotized flesh that seemed half rotten and ready to fall off her body completely.
“Everyone else, secure the area, watch the exits. Fluttershy you know what to do,” Sunset Shimmer ordered, gesturing to either side.
“Best help her first. My arms ain't gonna get any less broke, but that looks mighty nasty,” Applejack exclaimed.
“Normally I’d fight you on this, but this hurts like you would not believe and I’m fairly certain the shock is wearing off,” Rainbow Dash added.
“Right away. Sunset Shimmer distract Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy ordered back.
Sunset did as was asked of her immediately, stepping over to Rainbow Dash and grabbing the other by the chin.
“No need to look down there. You wouldn't want to distract Fluttershy would you?” Sunset Shimmer gently asked.
“R-right,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Is it cold down here or is it just me?”
“Nah. Pretty sure someone just walked over your grave, and that person was probably you,” Sunset Shimmer continued. “But let's not dwell on that for the moment.”
“Probably for the best,” Rainbow Dash murmured.
“You did really good back there,” Sunset Shimmer complimented. “Your quick thinking and teamwork really won the day.”
“T-thanks. Pretty sure it was Applejack who did all the heavy lifting though,” Rainbow Dash retorted.
“Well yeah. Who else is gonna do it?” Pinkie Pie interjected. “Rarity and Fluttershy can barely deadlift a hundred pounds between the two of them.”
“H-hey!” Rarity shouted.
“It is true,” Fluttershy muttered under her breath.
“That doesn't mean it's not still hurtful,” Rarity retorted.
Rarity harumphed dramatically.
“There,” Fluttershy piped up. “I’ve gotten rid of the curse, and healed you up as best as I can but I still want to check in with you again once we are out of this place.”
Rainbow Dash blinked and looked down at her bandaged leg. “Huh. Thanks, doc. It just kinda burns now.”
“Think you’ll be able to get Applejack in fighting order?” Sunset inquired.
“I should be able to,” answered Fluttershy. “I trained quite a bit to fix broken bones.”
“Well you best hurry cus I’m pretty sure I busted a rib earlier,” Applejack interjected.
“Oh r-right,” Fluttershy stuttered.
As the field medic got to work, Sunset Shimmer looked over the shattered pile of rust and stagnation. It was a grisly sight and a grim reminder of just how cruel their foes were. It was also a great victory, but Sunset wasn't ready to celebrate that quite yet.
“Any magic on that door?” Sunset Shimmer asked, gesturing to the stone exit the soul cage had been protecting.
Twilight shook her head. “Nothing, it was caught in my previous scan.”
Sunset Shimmer continued staring at the thing while in the background Applejack grunted in pain. A few minutes later and Sunset heard the sound of timid footsteps coming up from behind her.
“How are they looking Fluttershy?” Sunset asked without turning around.
“They’ll both be fine but I don't want Applejack to take another big hit like that any time soon. If her bones break again so soon then no amount of magic will be able to help her,” Fluttershy replied. “I’d warn you that Rainbow Dash is going to need to see a real doctor soon or it will scar but she’s probably looking forward to that part.”
Sunset smirked. “Noted.”
“What's with the door?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Not sure,” Sunset admitted. “It has a seal on it of some kind but I can't figure out what it does.”
“Seems to me like we should trigger it from a distance,” Applejack reasoned.
“Dynamic entry, go!” Pinkie Pie shouted before whipping a spherical object at the door.
“Wait, Pinkie!” Was all Sunset Shimmer was able to shout before the explosive detonated, turning the barrier to dust and creating a plume of dust that blinded everyone present.
“Is everyone,” Sunset paused and coughed violently, the thick dust coating the inside of her throat. “Is everyone okay?”
“Leeroy, Jenkins!” Pinkie Pie cried before sprinting into the darkness.
“Everyone go, support Pinkie!” Sunset shouted.
Dazed, confused, and also coughing, the rest of the girls ran after the departing pink form barely visible in the dust. Emerging out from the other side, the group found themselves in a rather homey section of the cave that looked unlike the rest. Here there had been care put into creating a real living space, complete with a bedroom, raised kitchen, a lower section that housed a couch, and a small area at the back where a desk sat.
“What, who’s there?” wheezed an aged voice.
Sunset looked over to find an earth pony struggling to stand up from his chair, eyes widening with recognition.
“Invaders! You shall regret coming here!” he declared, strength returning to his voice with each word he uttered.
Stone flowed from the ground and walls like water, traveling up the earth pony’s body and encasing him from head to hoof. Like armor, it covered him completely, leaving no visible way for him to see, or hear. In moments he had doubled in size, and was pulling a two-handed sword from the ground beneath him.
“Orders, boss?” Applejack asked.
“Pinkie Pie, stun grenades, Twilight nonlethal incapacitation,” Sunset Shimmer ordered.
Pinkie Pie turned a handful of confetti into a pair of stun grenades while Twilight had formed a magical array before her. Both girls were about to launch their attacks when the earth pony suddenly stopped moving. His sword fell back into the ground, and he lurched forward, falling out of his armor in the process.
“Hold!” Sunset ordered.
The earth pony crumpled like a wet paper bag, laying naked on the cold hard ground. Behind him, his half-solid set of stone armor remained rooted in place, forgotten.
“It's y-you,” he stuttered, thin forelimb reaching up toward Sunset. “I’ve seen you in my dreams.”
“So what? I’ve seen Angelina Jolie in my dreams,” Rainbow Dash remarked, only to catch an elbow to the side. “Hey!”
“Quiet sugar. This is serious,” Applejack whispered.
“What do you mean, and why aren't you attacking us?” Sunset Shimmer pressed.
“Why would I attack someone who is not my foe?” Retorted the aged stallion dryly.
Sunset knelt down and looked a little closer at the male, only now realizing just how old he looked. It was remarkable that he was even alive, as he seemed a step away from becoming a sort of mummy. His skin was shriveled and paperlike while his face was gaunt and had barely any visible muscle. Her inspection was interrupted by another dull boom followed by a rain of dust falling from the ceiling.
“You saw my struggles,” Broken Stone whispered. “I felt it when you used my memory stones. I felt the anger, and resentment you had towards Celestia.”
“What else do you know?” Sunset Shimmer pressed.
“That is it,” Broken Stone replied. “I just know that you can help me and that you understand why I want to give magic back to my people.”
“How the hay does all this accomplish that?” Rainbow Dash asked, gesturing around the room.
“I must agree with Rainbow Dash. This certainly doesn't seem like a good way to teach earth ponies magic,” Rarity muttered.
“I…” The stallion winced and clutched at his head. “Something changed me after I fought with you that first time. I was trying to give you the mental key necessary to unlock my stones, to teach you what I’d been through and why we were fighting but then I blacked out.”
“The elements,” Twilight whispered.
“Are you feeling alright? Do you need something for your head?” Fluttershy asked, kneeling down next to the crumpled stallion.
“N-no. Just listen. I need you to take the books and bring them back to Equestria. Remind my people of what they’ve forgotten,” Broken Stone pleaded, a skeletal hoof pointing back to his desk.
Sunset Shimmer gestured to Rarity, prompting the girl to carefully placed the large tomes in her bag.
“Good. Promise me you’ll tell them, please,” he begged.
“I will,” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed.
“Good, now I have one final request,” Broken Stone murmured.
“Anything,” Sunset Shimmer replied.
“Please, kill me,” Broken Stone exclaimed.
“What?! We can't do that! You're a good guy! Er stallion,” Pinkie Pie declared.
“Yes. We have a way to remove the influence of the elements. If we could bring you back to the mansion-” Rarity added.
“No,” Broken Stone interrupted. “Already I can feel the magic digging into my mind. I do not want to hurt or be hurt anymore. I just want to rest, please let me rest.”
“I don't know sugar cube. This leaves a mighty bad taste in my mouth,” Applejack murmured.
“It's not your choice,” Fluttershy interjected. “If this is what Mister Stone truly wants then we should give that to him.”
“If it makes you feel any better, the only thing keeping me alive at this point is my hatred. Without that, my magic won't be strong enough to hold this body together,” Broken Stone explained.
“Either way you’ll die,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “This stinks.”
“It is better to meet your end with dignity and honor,” Sunset Shimmer stated, hand outstretched. “Fluttershy, your firearm please.”
“No,” Broken Stone interrupted. “I want you to burn me. I’ve been so cold for so long, let me touch the sun one final time.”
“I’ll make it quick,” Sunset promised, rising back up and looking at her friends. “Everyone out. This is going to get warm.”
“We… we want to stay here and make sure mister Stone knows we forgive him,” Fluttershy replied.
The others nodded and stepped back to a safe distance.
“Alright, and Broken… thank you,” Sunset whispered.
“Go now, child. Go and do what I could not,” replied the ancient stallion.
Sunset Shimmer conjured a ball of fire between her hands, the orb spinning rapidly and growing hotter by the second. Within moments it was hot enough to raise the temperature of the room by several degrees, becoming a pure white color. With one final glance down into the soft, tired eyes of Broken Stone, Sunset shoved her arms forward, releasing the ball of flame.
Serene calm passed over the stallion’s face before all at once he was gone, incinerated down to the bone. There was no dust, or debris left behind, only a small pool of liquid rock and a faint trickle of smoke wafting up from the divot in the ground.
“So many years, so much experience, gone forever,” Rarity muttered.
“Is it bad that I kind of wanted him to be a mustache-twirling villain?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“It sure would make me feel better to know he was cruel and unrepentant up until the end,” Twilight added.
“I don't think so,” Fluttershy stated. “He was able to pass on his mission and die free. I think that it's better this way.”
A sudden rumble shook the entire room bad enough that the group was forced to hold onto one another for support. Hunks of stone as large as a basketball fell from the roof, and dust filled the air in great clouds.
“I think the whole thing is coming down!” Shouted Sunset Shimmer. “Everyone hold onto each other, Rainbow take the lead!”
“You got it. Come on girls, let's get out of here!” Rainbow Dash yelled.