//------------------------------// // Chapter 24 // Story: Kamen Rider Lux: Sins of the Parent // by Rixizu //------------------------------// “Darn it.” Rainbow limped through town, exhaustion eating away at her with every step.  Crawling her way back towards Ponyville from Canterlot Mountain had taken considerable effort. First commandeering a vehicle from a local farmer, then fighting through scores of angry Combatponies. They’d given her a terrible beating, worsened by her inability to use her wings. They spiked with pain, incapable of flight. But never mind, Rainbow had returned to Ponyville with the castle looming over her. While it seemed suicidal to enter in her condition, it didn’t matter. As a Wonderbolt, she’d sworn to protect the princess with her life. She had her friend’s back, no matter the cost. That egghead needed her help, and she’d get it. After performing the mythical Sonic Rainboom, she could do anything. “But how to enter?” Scores of ponies fought over the gaping hole in the castle’s side, the defenders fighting off a surge of Combatpony forces. Pushing through such a crowd wouldn’t be easy. Before Rainbow gathered the courage to fight her way to the princess, a wave of nausea washed over her. She cursed, wondering if she’d received a blow on the head worse than she’d thought. But then terror struck her heart, watching as a black shape darted towards the hole in the castle’s wall.  Then the darkness and the inky blackness clutching at her heart vanished, the terror seeping away. After a moment of heavy breathing, Rainbow regained her senses.  “What the hey was that?” Rainbow’s fear for her friends had heightened to a fever pitch. She needed to reunite with Twilight before it was too late! Against what foe, Rainbow didn’t know. But she needed to do something! At least the path was clear, ponies on both sides too injured or frightened to stop her. Before Rainbow departed, a voice stopped her. Her heart jumped, unable to believe her ears. Tears stung her eyes, the world turning blurry.  “Hey, are you just going to leave me behind? Some friend you are. I thought you never left anyone hanging?” --- “Damn it!” Ditzy said, panting as she led against a wall. Each breath brought a rush of pain as she struggled to steady herself. Despite her Death Head’s armor’s near indestructibility, that Photon Slash had inflicted a terrible wound. Curse both those Riders. Fear spiked across her spine as her ears caught a fluttering sound, only to sigh in relief when it turned out to only be a bird. It titled its head at her from its perch on a street sign, but Ditzy ignored it.  How pathetic, an Inquisitor jumping at shadows. But she was being hunted, dogged all across Ponyville. Trixie Lulamoon refused to surrender the chase, always finding her no matter how hard she ran. Still, Ditzy hid a smile. This worked to Destron’s advantage. With Trixie distracted, Zol would finish the false princess with ease.  Ditzy refused to die here. Regardless of their degrading relationship, she still wanted to see her daughter again.  And she would survive this. She just needed to play smart. Inquisitor Doo studied her surroundings for anything useful. It seemed their mad chase had driven them into an industrial district. Besides some factories and warehouses, there wasn’t anything that interesting. Or was there? A lock melted to slag as her eye beam blasted it. With a squeal, the chained door opened on rusty hinges. The smell of sawdust and freshly cut wood struck her nostrils as she entered the lumbering yard. In rows, wooden logs rested stacked neatly on shelves, piled dozens high. Machinery sat forgotten from where the workers had abandoned them. No doubt the invasion changed their work schedule somewhat.  Yes, this would suit her purposes nicely. Besides, she refused to run any further. She’d do her duty and finish this troublesome Rider once and for all. After a minute and a half of waiting, her arch-enemy arrived. “There you are!” Trixie said, landing with a graceful, unnecessary flourish. She folded her wings behind her back.  “Indeed.” Giddiness bubbled in Ditzy’s stomach. She’d enjoy hurting the mare that corrupted her daughter. “I thought it’d be nice to have a stage for our final battle without distractions.” Lux wouldn’t come to save Trixie’s sorry hide this time.  “Good.” Trixie cracked her neck. “One more piece of Shocker trash to add to the pile.” Hatred surged in Ditzy’s heart, knowing how many comrades this creature had killed. She never realized it was possible to despise one person this much. Death was too gentle a punishment for Trixie Lulamoon, all of them.  “And I’m ready!” Her fur bubbled as she summoned her real form, skin turning cold, heartless metal.  “Let’s finish this!” Trixie entered a pose, grimacing as her belt pushed itself out of her skin. “Henshin!” Stone shattered into fragments as Death Head’s opponent dodged a wild swing. She barreled forward, determined to crush this Kamen Rider like the bug she was. But Protean proved more nimble, darting around her attacks with surprising grace. Hadn’t she just been in an intense fight? Where did this energy come from? Or had her thirst for revenge pushed her beyond her limits? Whatever the case, Death Head would exhaust her into helplessness. While quick on her hooves, Trixie couldn’t match Ditzy might to might.  “Stand still, damn you!”  But Trixie didn’t seem intent on slowing down, taunting her opponent with every dodge. Despite herself, Death Head’s temper flared out of control. Her attacks became sloppier as she became more intent on pulverizing the Rider’s annoying skull! And Trixie took full advantage of Death Head flailing as a punch knocked her off balance. Her metal face struck the pavement as Protean kicked her knee, staggering her. Humiliated and outraged, the Inquisitor charged again to similar results.  A beam shot from her mechanical eye, blasting past Protean’s helmet by inches. More lasers fired at the Kamen Rider, each just missing her. As her opponent darted around, Death Head noted the Rider’s location.  Just a little further. Got you! Behind her metal faceplate, Death Head smirked. The next blast flew wide again, but hitting Trixie hadn’t been her intention. The world shook as the metal strap holding a pile of wooden logs broke, causing its contents to tumble forward.  “Nice try!” But Protean hadn’t been caught off guard as Death Head had hoped, her wings buzzing as she leaped away. The logs rolled every which way, but missed the Rider completely.  “My turn. Protean Spinning Rider Kick!” Protean’s wings darted her forward, her extended leg striking Death Head in her metal skull. “Damn you!” Death Head howled in pain, head ringing. Part of her vision blurred as her systems realigned themselves, recovering from the near-fatal blow. No, she couldn’t lose yet. Against such a foe, only heartlessness and iron determination would prevail. Her mind emptied of all other considerations, Death Head focused on her only goal, destroying Trixie Lulamoon. Destron must win, whatever the cost. “Die Rider.” Death Head said, her voice flat and emotionless. A beam shot from her eye, shooting through the lumberyard’s fence and leveling a nearby apartment complex. Ponies screamed from within, but the Inquisitor was beyond caring. If it meant killing the Kamen Rider, she’d burn the entirety of Equestria to ash.  “Are you crazy!?” Trixie screamed in alarm. “Not with so many ponies around!” But Death Head continued forward, blasting her eye beam with quick bursts at her foe. Logs of wood and machinery exploded, making Trixie wince in pain as debris and fire washed over her. The Rider howled in pain as a fragment of broken wall smashed against her head, dazing her. The lumberyard’s office building got leveled as Death Head stuck Trixie’s helmet with her full strength.  With the Rider covered by tons of concrete and rubble, she was helpless as Death Head unleashed a full burst of her eye beam into the debris. Solid stone melted under its heat, leaving the office only a heap of glowing black charcoal. She had obtained victory. Ponies wavered in fear, horrified their false savior had fallen. “Dear Shocker!” A soldier cried out in alarm. “She got the Kamen Rider.” His breath left him as Death Head turned her iron eyes toward him. Before he raised his weapon to defend himself, the Inquisitor burned him to ash. With more soldiers in sight, she unleashed more death on her foes. And she’d keep doing it until the enemies of Destron were dead. The entire city of Ponyville was a hive of traitors. They’d all suffer for it. Everyone would suffer for it. It was Death Head’s purpose. More soldiers died as she wreaked havoc, bolstering Destron’s dwindling Combatpony forces. With impassive eyes, Death Head watched as a cathedral burned. A memory flashed of a filly laughing while watching an opera, but it faded into nothing soon after. Neither it nor the child mattered. What mattered was Destron and her mission. “Get behind me!” A white stallion said, leading a last desperate charge against her. With desperate determination, Equestrian soldiers followed his lead.  Magical bolts and arrows dashed against Death Head’s metal carapace, but she only continued forward like they’d been gnat bites. The suicidal foals stood no chance against Destron. Death Head would teach them the folly of their actions.  “Gah!” A beam lashed against the white stallion’s conjured shield, but it maintained its integrity. Impressive, but still folly. His next shield shattered as Death Head fired a continuous burst.  “Mr. Armor!” A filly cried out, horrified. Death Head ignored her, focusing another beam to blast Equestria’s last protectors to pieces.   “No, momma! Don’t!” The filly said, rushing to protect the doomed stallion.  This only earned a snort of disdain from Death Head. If the filly had a death wish, she’d get it. Her right mechanical eye blazed with energy, ready to scorch the surrounding city block. No survivors.  “Protean Spinning Rider Kick!” Death Head jarred aside as something slammed into her, the beam going wide and missing its target. “Trixie!” The filly said, crying tears of relief.  “Protean.” How grating. Trixies had a bad habit of not dying when they were supposed to.  “That’s your daughter! What are you doing?” Protean said, outraged.  “Irrelevant.” The statement passed through Death Head’s memory, ignored. Only cold logic mattered. Only Destron and the mission. “Die, Rider.” “Woah!” Trixie flipped aside, just dodging the beam. “Get going, Dinky!” “But! Momma, please! It’s me, Dinky! Can’t you remember me?” But Death Head continued her assault, hooves flying as she aimed to crush Protean’s skull. Strikes struck against her metal skin, but bounced off harmlessly.  “Argh. So annoying.” Protean said with a huff. She changed strategies, ripping two bone blades from her wrist. It shot forward, slashing at any weak points she found.  This proved an annoyance, the blade leaving deep rivulets in Death Head’s already damaged chest plate. If this continued, she would suffer serious injury.  “Hey!” Protean grimaced as a sudden beam blasted her off her hooves, her back crashing against some rubble.  “Die.” But a shimmering blue shield intercepted her next beam. The white stallion stood on shaking hooves, breathing hard. His specialized magic had a tremendous physical and mental cost, taxing him beyond the breaking point.  Seeing her chance, Protean took full advantage of the distraction. Death Head howled as twin bone blades stabbed into her carapace right where Lux’s Rider Kick had struck it. They bit deep into her armor, going in almost to the hilt. Sparks from damaged circuitry flew from the impact point, black oil oozing from the wound.  In retaliation, a metallic hoof impacted Protean’s skull, knocking her senseless. She collapsed in a heap, barely conscious. Before Death Head enacted a killing blow, the filly intervened again.  “Please, momma. Look at me! It’s your muffin!” The filly said, again throwing herself into danger to protect the Kamen Rider.  Memories flashed in her metal head, telling her something was important. But she discarded them like trash. Destron was all that mattered. The filly yelped in surprise as Death Head plucked her from the ground. The filly’s tears of fear flowed freely, pleading for her momma not to do this.  “All enemies of Destron must be destroyed.” The filly yelped, closing her eyes, hoping her end would be quick. But a voice rose in challenge. “Leave her alone.” With steel in her voice, Protean rose again. Beyond all logic, the Rider refused to surrender. “Back me up, Shining. We need to protect Dinky at all costs.” “Right behind you!” The stallion said, gritting his teeth.  With remarkable speed, Trixie tore a bone sword from Death Head’s chest. In the same motion, she slashed across her opponent’s wrist. Pain made Death Head release her hold of the filly, dropping her.  “Back off!” After the filly plopped to the ground, the white stallion unleashed another burst of shield energy. It struck like a tide wave, blasting Death Head off her hooves. With a crash, she collided with a nearby street. Spider web-like crack remained on the pavement where she’d struck.  “I’m sorry, Dinky,” Trixie said, her voice raw with emotion. But she didn’t hesitate as she flew into the air. “Protean Spinning Rider Kick!” Pain stabbed into Death Head’s chest as her chest plate collapsed. Impossible. She’d lost…? Her transformation failed, returning to her pony form.  “Momma!” The filly looked away, horrified.  “Dinky?” No. What was going on? Why was her muffin staring at her with such terror? Her momma would never… Then it clicked, remembering how she’d surrendered herself to her Shocker programming to defeat Trixie. Her breaths came out in muted sobs as everything returned to her. “No, I…” Ditzy choked on her words. Needles stabbed her heart as her muffin hid behind Trixie, certain her mother intended her harm.  “Please. No…” Her mind flashbacked to Doctor Shinigami’s words, ordering her to choose between her daughter and Shocker. How had she made the wrong decision? This was her muffin, her only love. Why did this have to happen? Had she been wrong? “I didn’t want to hurt you…” Her breathing quickened, blackness encroaching on her from the edges. No! Not yet! She wanted to see Dinky grow into a fine mare, watch her graduate, and walk her down the aisle to her special somepony.  “Momma?” Dinky stepped a hesitant hoof forward, both scared and worried.  “I don’t want to hurt you,” Ditzy repeated this manta, her words interrupted by broken sobs. She’d been such an idiot. How could anything matter more than Dinky? “Momma!” Tears dripped on Ditzy’s face as Dinky snuggled her tight. As the black closed in, Ditzy kept her daughter in view. Nothing, not even Shocker, would steal this prize away from her.  “Dinky.” She tried wiping away the tears from her muffin’s face. But her strength collapsed midway, her arm flopping to the ground. So many regrets plagued Ditzy Doo as her eyes closed, so many sins she wished to reverse. But she at least took comfort in that her muffin was safe. Shocker wouldn’t get her too.  --- “The poor dear,” Shining said, watching the filly cry over her shrouded mother. They’d used a gray curtain to mask the body. “It’s never easy. I’ve seen too many sad foals during my time at the force.” “Yeah.” Trixie’s ears folded back, heartbroken. While Ditzy Doo was a monster, her foal didn’t deserve to see her mother die like that.  And now she’ll hate me forever. I caused her mother’s death. It’s been unavoidable. The Inquisitor had become an enemy to ponykind.  If wishes… While painful, Trixie couldn’t dwell on the past. It wasn’t like it’d do her any good. Her only chance was pushing forward. If Dinky hated Trixie for the rest of her life, so be it. Only Zol remained. Then Destron would crumble to pieces. But Trixie was uncertain she could fight any longer. Her battle with Ditzy Doo had pushed her past the brink. But on the other hoof, she couldn’t afford Twilight Sparkle taking all the credit and defeating Zol by herself.  “I’m going to the castle,” Trixie told Twilight’s brother. “Guard Dinky for me. No way she should be anywhere near there. It isn’t safe.” Much to her relief, the stallion nodded. “Fine by me. I won’t be much help, anyway.” “You’re leaving?” Dinky sniffed, pulling away from her late mother.  “I must. Somepony needs to defeat Zol. We can’t count on that useless fake princess to do it.” Much to Trixie’s surprise, Dinky launched into a big hug. She gripped the Rider tight. “Be careful, okay?” “I’m shocked you even want to talk to me,” Trixie said, avoiding looking at the sheeted body across the street.  Dinky wiped her tears, trying to be brave. “It isn’t your fault. It’s Shocker’s. They did that to... to my momma.” “Thanks.” Unexpected tears dripped onto the filly’s head as Trixie returned the hug, moved that Dinky didn’t hate her. The filly’s forgiveness touched a spot on Trixie’s heart she’d assumed had become barren. It seemed crazy, but they’d become family. After regaining her composure, she tousled the filly’s mane. “Be good for Shining for me, okay?” After a sniff, Dinky nodded and released the older mare. After a playful wink, Trixie extended her wings wide, taking to the air. While a shabby flier, the Rider made excellent time. Yet, for reasons unexpected, her flight became reluctant as she approached the black citadel of the later Great Leader to Shocker.  “What is this?” A primal dread struck Trixie’s heart, activating some instinct to flee and save her sorry hide. “No!” Trixie shook her head, fighting against the urge. She hadn’t killed her sister’s mother to flee now. Before she could fly towards a half-destroyed window, she flew back as the structure shook violently.  “What?” Her ears rang as something exploded, pebbles raining onto her head. A roaring sound drowned out the surrounding battle, Trixie gasping as she glanced up. A column of darkness had shot through the roof, gathering sickly, muted clouds around the castle.  What the heck was going on? Was this Zol’s doing? What had happened to Twilight Sparkle? Was she even alive?  While her heart filled with dread, Trixie pushed forward away. For Dinky’s sake, she’d face any evil, regardless of its power. She was a Kamen Rider, and they never fled a fight.