//------------------------------// // Armageddon Part 14: A Prophecy Fulfilled // Story: Chaotic Harmony // by shirotora //------------------------------// A white and blue blur slammed into Twilight, sending her and the pony projectile rolling in a heap. The two Alicorn unwrapped themselves from each other and glared at the shadowed tiger. It was much stronger than before when Twilight held him off by herself. Now she, Shining, and Luna were struggling to fight him. Luna fired a jet of indigo chaos fire to meet his black flames. The siblings could feel the energy the two were emitting. “Twily, I think we're in over our heads.” Shining said. “No! We have to keep him away until he turns back.” Twilight said. “And how long is that? He was in stone for months last time.” Shining said, “It might take that long for him to turn back. Face it Twilight, unless we can get the Elements here, we might have to take extreme measures to protect Equestria.” Twilight's eyes went wide, “No! We are not going to kill Shiro.” “I don't want to either, but we can't put one life before thousands.” Shining said, I'm not even sure we can kill him. Twilight took back to the air, charging a spell. Shining was right beside her doing the same. Twilight fired hers first, wrapping the raging beast in lavender chains. Armor's spell enveloped him in a cocoon of energy. Luna joined in with a spell of her own, indigo bands clasping down on him. The Black Beast was completely encased in the magic of three immortals. “We've got him!” Luna cheered. Their joy was quickly drained when the magical bindings where suddenly sucked into him. “What the buck just happened?” Shining asked. “Oh no.” Twilight gasped, “He still has his amulet! He's been absorbing the magic we've been shooting at him, not enduring it!” “Then how do we stop him?!” Shining asked. “I... I don't know.” --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Midnight's side was on fire. Every step made the pain worse and worse, but it didn't matter. His dad needed him. He limped through the empty halls of Canterlot Castle. Everypony else had been evacuated, but he hid from the guards so they left him. Unfortunately for him, though, the Castle was like a maze and he was having trouble finding his way through. The young colt went to an open window to see if he could figure out where he was. It didn't help, but a bird did fly by the window. “Hay you, bird.” He called to it. The bird swung back around and landed on the sill, “What want?” “You wouldn't happen to know how the way out of here, would you?” He asked. “Window.” It said. “But I can't fly.” Midnight said. “Then speak mouse.” It said and flew off. “Mouse?” He repeated. He turned around and saw a mouse looking at him. “You need help?” It asked, speaking very quickly. “Um, yes.” Midnight replied, “I need to find the way out. Can you help me.” “Oh, I know way out, but it small, you are big and bigs use a different way. I know the way bigs use. You follow me now.” The mouse said and scampered off. The mouse ran as fast as he could, but Midnight had no trouble keeping up at a brisk jog. The little critter navigated the halls of the massive capital with ease. After about five minutes of twists and turns, the pair found the front doors... the gigantic... heavy... closed... doors. “Oh, great.” Midnight deadpanned, “Now what?” “How about I open that for you.” Said a deep voice behind the little pony. Midnight jumped and spun around to see who spoke. He saw what looked like two dragony, one familiar. “I'm here to take you to your dad.” Said Kataya. “Fluttershy.” He said, “Look I know I'm suppose to be leaving the city but... wait, what?” “You heard me right.” She said, “And it's Kataya now.” “Isn't that just Fluttershy in draconic?” He asked. “Yes.” Replied the dragony, “Stand back.” She guided Midnight away as Paruk approached the door. He glowed as his body started to grow and change into that of a pure blood dragon. Luckily the entrance was big enough to hold him. Once he achieved his full size he just swung the door open as if were just an ordinary house door. “Why are you helping me?” Midnight asked, “I thought you would want me safe, away from dad when he's like this.” She answered, “Because I think you can save your father.” Kataya Picked up the young druid and flew out the door toward her rampaging friend.. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Shining Armor had been reduced to chucking levitated objects a the Black Beast, trying too keep away from his sister as she healed the gash on Luna's side. This battle wasn't going like they hoped. With their magic all but useless against him, they could only try to distract him. Unfortunately, Shining Armor's second magic was earth pony magic, so when the monster leaped at him, he couldn't move in time. If not for the night goddess pushing him out of the way, he would have been killed. “OK, she healed, but she can't continue the fight.” Twilight said, “We have to get her...” She was cut off as her brother slammed into her after being struck by the Beast. The purple alicorn forced her eyes open to see where the crazed kitty was. She could make out his form stalking around them, relishing in the soon to be kill. “Dad!” A young voice shouted. Twilight's heart fell. She saw the Black Beast turn towards the child as he limped towards them. The creature turned towards the new arrival and charged. “Dad! Please... don't do this!” The colt screamed. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Grief. Pain. Anger. Everything else was black. The only thought in my mind was that my son was dead. Murdered right in front of my eyes, and couldn't do anything about it. I could see, hear, and feel what I was doing, but I couldn't do anything about it... why even bother. I just wanted to fade into nothingness. I saw Twilight, Shining, and Luna trying to stop me. The fools should run away before I kill them. I thought to myself, Don't they know I'm a killer. Look what happened to Luna. She got hurt because she tried to fight me. “...ad!” What was that? Who would be coming toward me? Is that... no, it can't be. He's dead. It's got to be a colt that looks like him I felt my body lurch toward the foal. Nearer and nearer I came. “Dad! Please... don't do this!” He IS alive! And I'm going to kill him. No... No... NO!!! --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Twilight watched in horror as the killer charged the colt and... stopped? What the hay is going on? She thought to herself. It stood with it's claw back, ready to strike, but didn't move. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- I couldn't let my demon take my son. I forced my will against it. It was a battle unlike any other I had ever been in. There were no blows or strikes, just the will of the evil shadow within me and the will of a father protecting his son. It was a battle I would not lose. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Twilight struggled to her hooves. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. The unstoppable force... just stopped. For no discernible reason he just stopped his attack. Twilight tried to make it to Midnight so she could get him to safety, but was beaten to the punch by Kataya. She landed beside him and said, “You did what you needed to, let's get out of here. Things are going to get dangerous.” Twilight watched her dragony friend carry Midnight to safety and breathed a sigh of relief. Her attention, however, was drawn back to the matter of her deranged friend when his paws grasped either side of his head and let out a deafening roar. Twilight put her hooves to her ears in the hopes of blocking out the ear shattering cry, but it didn't help very much. When the sound died down, the young princess looked up at her friend and gasped. His body was covered in flames, half black as tar, half silver, and both were fighting for dominance of a single body. He's fighting it. She realized, He's fighting the Beast within himself. I thought it was impossible, but I guess with Shiro there's no such thing. A smile found it's way onto Twilight's face as the darkness slowly started to give way. It was pushed back up his legs and arms, up his torso, and finally back to his mouth. Finally, the once again white tiger stood ridged in place for several more seconds. Then, his head snapped back as a sickly black cloud shot out from his eyes and mouth. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- I could feel it giving way. It was physically strong, but trying to match wills with that of a pissed off, protective father is a fool's errand. I forced it to relinquish control of my body and then purged it from me. When I finally became aware of my surroundings again, the first thing I noticed was the two unmoving ponies behind Twilight. I struggled to ask, “Oh, god, did I...” “Huh?” Twilight said before realizing what I was asking, Oh no, They're just unconscious. You actually didn't kill anypony except for the Tartarus spawn. I hate to say it, but the Black Beast actually saved lives.” I laughed, “Well that's a bit of a twist.” “Yeah.” Said my purple friend, “How do you feel?” “Honestly, pretty good.” I replied, “I feel like new man.” “I bet.” Twilight said, “Finally not having to worry about... do you feel that?” I did. It was like the air had just turned to molasses, it was so hard to breath. There was something evil in the air, and we could feel it. We looked around for the source, but it seemed to be everywhere... until we saw it. A black cloud swirling in the air above us. It radiated an aura of pure rage and malice. It was an all too familiar feeling. The cloud descended to the ground and started taking on a more familiar form... the form of the Black Beast. I was face to face with my own inner demon, but it wasn't quite as 'inner' as it use to be. ************************************ This is it folks. The moment you've all been waiting for. The exciting final battle for Chaotic Harmony is coming up. There's only two more chapters and an epilogue left, so were in the final moments. I'm sure several of you figured that the Black Beast would be involved in the final battle, but who saw it like this, honestly? The next chapter is, obviously important, so I'm going to be taking a little extra care with it. That means it might take a little longer to finish, but it'll be worth it.