//------------------------------// // Chapter 21 // Story: Kamen Rider Lux: Sins of the Parent // by Rixizu //------------------------------// “Woah!” Twilight leaped back, almost getting impaled by Ditzy Doo’s metallic claws. Each movement caused a fresh ripple of pain across her bloody back, but she persevered.  “Call me, Death Head. I’ve been looking forward to this! Now, we will avenge the Great Leader’s destruction! Die, Rider!” The monster’s ruby eye glowed, shooting a beam of pure destruction. Only a quick flip away saved her from getting blasted to pieces. A ripple of fear spiked across Twilight’s spine as she saw the almost three-block groove the metal monstrosity had carved into the solid rock.  “Doctor Shinigami, Colonel Zol, allow me to deal with Lux.” Death Head said. “We can’t afford to forget our greater goal of conquering Equestria.” “You are correct, Inquisitor,” Zol said, inclining his head. “I will lead our forces deeper into Ponyville. But it’d be best if we didn’t underestimate our opponent. I’ll leave Doctor Shinigami here to assist you in defeating Kamen Rider Lux.” “That’s fine by me. Trixie’s still around somewhere, scurrying around like a rat!” Death Head said. “It shall be done.” With care, Doctor Shinigami undid the tie of his cape, smirking all the while. Once unfastened, he lifted it high over his head. “Now Kamen Rider Lux, you shall witness my true form and despair!” When the Shocker General dropped his cape over his head, a new form revealed itself.  His fishy skin was a sickly white, the color of a dying pony. A grotesque squid-like face leered at her, two tentacles swaying where his mouth should be. More writhing tentacles wrapped around his arms, claws extending from his hooves. Across his back were red fins that resembled the cape the vile doctor had been wearing. “Now, I, Ika Devil, will be your opponent!” “I wish you success, Ika Devil, Death Head!” After a smirk, Colonel Zol leaped onto Destron’s main battle tank and guided it and several dozen Combatponies toward Ponyville’s castle and seat of government.  Not good. Twilight cursed herself for allowing herself to drop her guard around Shocker. With Destron breathing down their necks, it’d seemed prudent to ally with the broken remnants of the evil organization. While she’d always assumed Doctor Shinigami had selfish motives, Twilight had expected he’d betray her after Destron’s defeat. It never crossed her mind that Destron and Shocker were one entity all along. Now her foalish naivety might cost thousands of pony lives. Instead of self-loathing, however, it only fueled Twilight’s determination to defeat these monsters.  “I won’t allow you to have your way!” Twilight snarled, entering her transformation pose. “Like I’ll let you!” Another beam from Death Head’s ruby eye screamed toward Twilight. The Kamen Rider leaped aside, her wounded back howling in protest as she landed hard against the gravel floor. Another beam blasted towards her, giving Twilight no chance to transform.  “Now that’s not fair at all!”  “What?” Death Head yelped in surprise as somepony kicked her from behind, almost making her lose balance. “Trixie Lulamoon!” Ika Devil said with a growl.  “The one and only!” Trixie flipped in the air and helped her fellow Rider up. “The rat has finally shown herself!”  “Trixie?” Twilight said, pleased her nebulous but powerful ally had survived. “Are you sure you can fight? You’re still hurt!” Trixie responded with a dismissive snort. “No worse than you. Besides, we’re Riders. Injuries mean nothing when a fight needs doing. And I’ve been looking forward to this, Doctor Shinigami! I owe you for the living hell you put me through!” This only earned a smile from Twilight. “Thanks. Let’s do this!” Both Riders entered their transformation pose.  “Henshin!” --- Ponies cheered as the weapon of destruction toppled over, its tank treads spinning uselessly. Another exploded from a lobbed grenade from an Equestrian soldier, metal remains clanging to the street. Ha! These Destron chumps are falling like a wingless chick! It seemed like only a matter of time until Destron’s total defeat. Buoyed by their success, the combined Shocker and Equestrian forces pressed forward. Zol’s campsite wasn’t far.  More Destron Combatponies rushed to greet them. Gilda responded with her talons, her blood singing an ancient griffon battle song as they died.  Harried from all sides, the Destron forces retreated. Namazuguiller continued to decrease their number, shocking any unwary Destron Combatpony into unconsciousness.  “Yeah, we got them! For Princess Sparkle!” A pony cried, charging with her spear. While somewhat fowlhardy, Gilda admired the mare’s gusto. She joined the pony in step, slashing through a makeshift barricade made from a car door.  “Onward! Keep pressing them!” Shining Armor yelled, decking a Destron Combatpony.  Above, Rainbow scattered their numbers with quick slashes with her spear, moving quicker than the enemy could even blink.  “With these guys gone, they can’t flank the Princess from behind,” Rainbow said, flying down as the remainder of the Destron Combatponies fled. From a distance, Gilda’s sharp predator eyes spotted the princess pony engaging Colonel Zol. Soon, this battle would be over.  Shocker Combatponies and Equestrian forces cheered the Kamen Rider on, heartened by her bravery and determination. Despite herself, this earned a quirk of a smile from Gilda’s beak.  “You go, Twi!” Shining said, tears welling from pride.  “Enough celebrating. Save it until we have Zol’s head on a spike!” Gilda said, putting her taloned foot down. “Press forward and back up the princess.” “Yes, mam!” Her forces said, saluting.  “Good, now…” Gilda paused, heart racing as she caught something strange from the corner of her eye. Her head jerked in that direction, ice stabbing her heart.  “Attention Shocker, attack the Equestrian forces! In Shocker’s and the great Destron’s name, Equestria will be ours!” The Shocker General’s voice boomed across the battlefield. Silence hung over the combatants as they absorbed Doctor Shinigami’s words. The momentary quiet lasted only scant seconds before all hell broke loose. A mare screamed as Namazuguiller’s electrified whips struck in the chest. After releasing a horrified scream, she collapsed dead.  “Finally, I can abandon this pretense and fight for real!” The Shocker monster said, “Face the full 100,000 volts of my whips!”  To emphasize the creature’s words, the once paralyzed Destron Combatponies rose as one, not as stunned as everygrif had assumed. Gilda uttered a curse, feeling the fowl for her naivety. Together with their counterparts, the Combatponies struck as one.  But this only earned Gilda’s ire, deciding she wouldn’t play around either. Even outnumbered ten-to-one, a Griffon warrior fought like a demon until her last breath. A fact a Combatpony learned as she gutted one when he’d tried to attack her from behind with his pitiful sword.  “Bring it on! Who else plans to join this Shocker scum in hell!” Gilda bellowed, extending her wings wide with hate in her eyes. The challenge made the Combatponies quaver under her glare, realizing they faced a ruthless predator. Bolstered by Gilda’s display, the small Equestrian forces took advantage of this lapse.  “Foals!” Namazuguiller said, extending a claw toward Gilda. “She’s only one bird! Run, and I’ll execute you all!” “Just try it!” Gilda said, circling around the Shocker monster. Meanwhile, Shining organized their dwindling forces into a more defensible position while Rainbow swiped at the newly revealed enemy with her spear from the air.  Electricity crackled as her opponent’s whips struck against the bare stone, just missing as Gilda dodged away. Like any skilled predator, Gilda stayed patient. With her prey capable of killing with a single strike, any mistake would cost Gilda her life. She continued her circle around Namazuguiller, taunting him into attacking to waste energy. The monster’s temper flared as his attempts failed to produce any fruit. “Gah!” Rainbow hissed in pain as an unexpected jab from a spear struck her from behind. Crimson stained rock as Rainbow danced away from a second thrust.  “Rainbow!” The distraction cost Gilda dearly, howling as thousands of volts jolted through her system. Her feathers sizzled as she collapsed to the ground.  “Foal!” Namazuguiller cackled in delight at his victory over his opponent.  “Gilda!” Rainbow tried rushing to her fallen friend’s side, but several pegasi Combatponies barred her path.  “Don’t bother!” Namazuguiller said. “Nothing can withstand my 100,000 volts sting!” “Gilda!” Rainbow replied, tears glistening in her eyes.  But the griffon warrior wasn’t dead. Her augments had allowed her to survive, if barely, but her body hurt like hell. When the Shocker monster turned to address the remaining standing Equestrian soldiers, Gilda raised a shaky head.  No, can’t die yet. But Gilda knew her strength was faltering fast. She smirked, realizing she still had her trump card. When she activated her arm cannon, however, it refused to function. Her metallic claw wouldn’t unlatch, jammed shut by the damage. A curse escaped her beak. That’d been her only shot at defeating that monster. But Griffon warriors never despaired, fighting until the bitter end. On shaky taloned feet, Gilda rose.  “What?” Namazuguiller said, eyes widening in comical surprise. The situation became twice as comical, at least to Gilda, when the monster howled in pain as her talons met his flesh. “Damn you! Die!” Then the monster struck her with both whips, unleashing his worst. Her best friend watched in wide-eyed horror, helpless to help.  “That’s it? I barely feel it!” Gilda said, her talons grabbing the offending appendages. She accepted the pain coursing through her system, eyes alight with fury. While her real arm seized up, her mechanical one suffered no such ill effect. Black ichor squirted from the wound as Gilda tore the tendril free. The pain made the Shocker monster stop his attack. With a grunt, Gilda used her remaining strength to rip off the remaining tendril.  “No!” Rainbow watched in horror as Gilda’s strength failed, collapsing to the ground. Despite her doom, Gilda only wore a smile on her beak. While much remained unsaid between her and Rainbow, she’d done enough. Without a single regret, Gilda was happy to give her life to protect her friend. That happy thought carried with her until darkness consumed her.  --- “Curse that bird,” Namazuguiller said, whimpering as he held where Gilda had damaged his precious whips. “Never mind. They’ll be repaired soon enough.” Despite his bravado, however, Rainbow noticed his body sagged. Using so much electricity had exhausted him.  “Gilda.” Rainbow dropped to her knees, eyesight blurring with tears. With a shaky hoof, she extended it to check if her friend still lived, but a scream stopped her. A soldier yelped in pain as Namazuguiller’s claws slashed across her back. Another died in another foalishly brave attempt. Rainbow’s teeth gnashed together, furious this creature dared steal any more lives. Morning would happen later. Now, Rainbow needed to fight. “Gah!” Namazuguiller flinched back in surprise as Rainbow bashed into her so quick, the monster hadn’t seen her coming. “Pest!” The Shocker monster swiped his claws, but a blue shield protected her.  “Don’t worry, I got you!” Shining said, grimacing under the Shocker monster’s tremendous strength.  The monster howled again as the Wonderbolt crashed into him. Despite her best efforts, Rainbow only seemed to annoy the creature. Other pegasi Combatponies tried attacking her, but Shining’s shield waylaid them.  “It’s not enough!” Rainbow struck Namazuguiller even harder, but the blow still only bounced off. “I won’t lose!”  “Pointless!” Namazuguiller said with a throaty chortle. “No mere pony can defeat a Shocker cyborg! Your efforts are useless!” But Rainbow knew this wasn’t true. If Pinkie could defeat one, so could she! “Useless, huh? I’ll attack you with my best weapon then!” “Huh?” Namazuguiller blinked in confusion as Rainbow vanished in a rainbow streak. “Your best weapon is fleeing? Such bravery from the Wonderbolts!” A mile away, Rainbow’s hooves dug into the firm earth. Her wings flexed as she prepared, getting into a better launching stance. Her idea was crazy, impossible, but she didn’t care. With a boom, Rainbow dashed forward.  Combatponies scattered or got knocked aside as Rainbow zipped through them, hoof extended. She ignored them, aiming toward her true target.  “What is…” But Namazuguiller didn’t get to finish its sentence as Rainbow careened into him, pushing him high into the air. The creature flailed in panic as it suddenly found itself several dozen hooves in the sky.  “Let me go!” The Shocker monster said, his voice tinged with fear. Its panic increased as Rainbow increased her speed even fast. “What are you doing?” But Rainbow ignored the creature, pushing herself even harder, but she still wasn’t quick enough. Gilda would have laughed at her for such a pathetic display. Her wings burned as she pushed them beyond their limits. A cone appeared around her as incredible g-forces fought against her, telling her she was fighting against an impossibility. In response, Rainbow only pushed harder.  “No, please! Let me go!” Namazuguiller had forgone any attempt at appearing tough, breaking into panicked tears. “Mercy!” “Mercy? What does Shocker know about mercy!” Rainbow channeled everything into her wings, her pain, fear, sorrow, and outrage, into pure speed. Electricity crackled around her body as she tapped into the pure essence of speed. Rainbow refused to allow this monster to hurt anyone else! A boom resonated through the sky as it exploded into a rainbow shockwave. Entire trees ripped from their roots as the force of a Sonic Rainboom struck them. Rainbow could only watch in awe, her sorrow forgotten from the thrill and exhilaration at her current speed. What was this? Had she just broken the sound barrier or beyond?  Electricity crackled around her hoof as she smirked, eager to give payback to this creature who dared hurt her friend. Namazuguiller opened his mouth to beg for mercy. Rainbow, however, only responded by releasing the monster with the g-forces she unleashed.  Onlookers stared in shocked awe at what remained of Canterlot Mountain. During the Great Battle for Equestria, the once fantastical city of Canterlot suffered a cataclysmic explosion. The city structure had crumpled, causing it to collapse to the mountainside below. Many claim this fall claimed Princess Luna’s life. Shocker’s engineered explosion paled compared to the meteor strike that had blown a chunk out of the entire mountainside.  Panic broke out in Ponyville as nobody knew what was happening. Had Shocker unleashed a terrible new weapon? Or had it been from Princess Sparkle’s side? Everypony stared wide-eyed at the remains of Equestria’s once-beloved landmark.  Rainbow, however, was ignorant of the turmoil she’d unleashed, landing on a grassy hill utterly exhausted. Pain lanced through her spine after an experimental flap of her wing. Her efforts to outrun death and destiny itself had sprained a wing. Despite her aches, Rainbow flopped onto the grass with a grin. Even now, she wondered if she’d dreamt it all.   “That was a Sonic Rainboom.” Rainbow laughed, hardly able to believe her own words. It was an ancient fairy story from Pegasi myth, not something that’d happen in their modern, scientific world.  Tears watered the grass beneath her as Rainbow sobbed a choking laugh. Gilda would have called it silly pony nonsense, laughing at the very idea anypony could be awesome enough to break physics.  “She would have loved it.” Rainbow didn’t hold back, allowing her grief to take flight. That idiot. It wasn’t fair. Too many had already died, taken too young. “Gilda. I hope your sacrifice was enough.” While Rainbow had defeated Namazuguiller, Destron was far from beaten. She tried her wings again, only to wince in pain. No, she couldn’t do anything else to help. Rainbow had used everything for that single victory. She only prayed to Princess Luna it’d been enough to tip the scales.  “It’s up to you, Twi. Please be safe.”