//------------------------------// // Crash Landing // Story: The Element of Corruption // by Fyronarion //------------------------------// Thirty minutes after the rescue of Captain Armor... The airship was going at a steady pace towards Canterlot, slowly being pushed by the turbulent air. Cadence was inside the pilots’ cabin, overseeing their work. The two pilots, clad in golden armor, were professionally flipping switches and buttons on the dashboard. The door to the cabin opened, and Onyx entered. Shining Armor was leaning against him, gritting his teeth against the pain. Cadence turned and her eyes widened before she rushed towards him. Slipstream let go of him as she grabbed and embraced him. “Shining! Are you okay? What did they do to you?” she asked in a worried tone, softly stroking his mane. He just shook his head, staying silent. Cadence looked up to Slip, who shrugged unsurely. Moments later, he finally answered. “Where is Slipstream?” he asked. “Sir, he is going under medical treatment. He was hit by one of your sister’s spell. Fortunately, it only affected his leg.” said Onyx. Shining Armor nodded before turning to Cadence. “Well, you look beautiful as always.” he said, smiling. She beamed at him before pecking his snout with hers. “You have to be careful with what kind of tasks you do for the Royal Guard. Someday, you will end up hurting yourself.” she playfully scolded him. He chuckled before shakily standing up. His hooves trembled before he fell down, but was caught by a quick Cadence. “Are you alright? You haven’t answered my previous question.” she said. He waved her off. “I’m fine. I’m just exhausted.” he said. She nodded understandingly. “Very well. The bunks are close by. Onyx, please take him there.” she said. Onyx saluted her before holding Shining Armor as they both left the cabin. As they left, one of the pilots coughed loudly. Cadence turned to him. “Princess, we are nearing Canterlot. I estimate that we will arrive in about one hour.” he said, checking the instrument panel. Cadence nodded before telling them to keep up the good work. Just when she was about to leave, a low whistling was heard. She felt the fur on the back of her neck rise up. Something bad is about to happen- Bang! The ship shuddered before tilting violently to the left. Cadence almost fell, but she grabbed hold onto the door handle. The ship slowly regained its’ balance, but now it kept shuddering as it moved. The stench of molten metal floated around the cabin. “What just happened?!” she asked, frightened. The copilot looked at her in fright. “Ma’am, engine one has been hit. The steam turbine has failed. We will still be airborne, but we will have to move at a slower pace. At this speed, I believe we will reach Canterlot in two hours.” he said. Cadence growled. “What caused it?” she asked. The pilot was about to answer her, but the cabin door slid open. Onyx galloped in, parts of his armor scorched with burn marks. He grimaced as he stood himself in front of her. “Princess Cadence, we have been boarded by the changelings! They’ve blown through the exhaust vents and are slowly advancing towards the cabin. We’ve held them off at the ballista cabin, but they are nearing the steam room now-” he was interrupted when a second, loud explosion was heard. The airship jerked severely, tossing everypony inside like ragdolls. “What now?” shouted Cadence to the pilot after getting up from being thrown against the window. It took a moment, but he slowly turned to her, a look of absolute terror on his face. “Princess, the steam room has been severely damaged. The hull lining has been punctured, letting all the steam billow out. Without it, our ship cannot lift itself. I’m afraid we will go down.” he said, trying to stay calm. Cadence stared at him silently before turning to Onyx. “Corporal, evacuate everypony off this ship. We’re not going down without a fight.” "But Princess-" "NOW!" He gulped before nodding in resignation. He turned and dashed out of the cabin. “Losing altitude control...!” shouted the copilot. Indeed, they were slowly dropping through the air towards the ground, which was a large snowy forest. Cadence hoped for the best as the ship slowly descended... Meanwhile, in the bunker of the ship... Shining Armor stood by the window. The room he was sleeping in was small, but comfortable. A single bunk bed lay there, with a tiny cabinet. Other than that, the room was dull. Smoke was billowing from the rear of the ship, but he didn’t notice that. He also didn’t feel the last two explosions because he was asleep, but he did wonder why the airship was slowly floating down. Probably a mechanical failure...these things are unreliable, after all. he thought. Just as he thought that, something black zipped past the window. That surprised him, and he looked more closely. When he saw the familiar purple streak, he almost fainted. Twilight was hovering near the airship, directing swarms of changelings to attack the ship. She had a neutral expression on her face as they flew away from her. She looked up and saw Shining Armor staring at her from the window. She slowly flew up to the window and stared at him intently. He too stared back, not uttering a word. She put her hoof on the window, and he placed it where she had it. As they were doing this, the bunk door burst open. One of the unicorn guards trotted in, a serious expression on his face. “Sir, we have to leave now. The ship is going down-What in Celestia are you doing with that thing?!” he said, jumping back and charging his horn. Shining Armor tried to stop him from firing, but was too slow. The guard unleashed a magical beam towards the window, and it shattered to pieces. Fortunately, his spell didn’t hit Twilight, but Shining Armor decided not to take second chances. As the guard moved forward for another strike, he tackled him against the wall. The guard squirmed under his weight, trying to break free and to attack Twilight. “What is wrong with you?! Are you working for them?” shouted the guard. Shining Armor quickly subdued his yells and cast a simple sleeping spell. The entire room glowed bright blue before the guard fell limp. He was asleep. As Shining Armor breathed heavily, realization flooded him with what he has done. He has attacked a fellow officer. No doubt that the guard will inform Princess Celestia with what happened- “Thank you, Shining.” said a voice behind him. He turned to see Twilight standing there, morphed in her normal, pre-conversion form. He frowned at her. “Twilight, what are you doing here? You have to leave now. What I had just did to my fellow guard might cost me my job...and my honor.” he said angrily, trying to control himself. Twilight took a step forward. “I’m just here to say...I’m sorry for what I have caused for you. The conflicts I have created with my friends, the princess, my own brother and parents.” she said, tears forming in her eyes. He stared at her incredulously. His sister, a changeling, coming to confess her mistakes? “Twily, you’re my sister. I love and care for you deeply, but you chose your own path...even if you come back, you will be arrested by the Royal Guard for treason. The Princess, she might not be as forgiving as you think. You might be imprisoned for years, or even worse, executed. And the worst part is, I cannot have any say about it. They know I’m your brother. Any statement I make that defends you will be counted as a biased defense.” he said sadly. Twilight stayed silent for a while, letting that sink in. She then shook her head. “If that happens, I will do all that is necessary to restore my honor in the Princess’s kingdom.” she said defiantly before leaping into the air and taking off out of the window. Shining Armor rushed to the window, wanting to say something to her, but the words were stuck in his throat. As he looked on, he saw that the ground was dangerously close. The tips of the trees were slowly brushing against the bottom of the cabin. He turned and woke the unconscious guard. “W-what happened?” he asked, dazed. Shining thought it was best not to answer that as he picked him up. “We have to get going. The ship, it’s going down!” he said, gesturing the guard to follow him. He jumped and galloped after him. Both of them navigated through the corridors that were illuminated with candles. As they galloped past the ruins of the armory, Shining Armor saw the bodies of a few fallen guards. He picked up one of their swords and helmets before dashing off. As they both made a left at an intersection, he bumped into Onyx and Slipstream, the latter who had his hoof bandaged. “Sir! We have to get out of here!” said Slipstream. Onyx nodded. “That’s what we’re doing. But I’m not leaving here without my wife. Is she still in the control room?” he asked frantically. Just when Slipstream was about to reply, a loud scream echoed through the hallway. Shining Armor gasped. He knew that voice. “CADENCE!” he shouted, suddenly galloping towards the source of the scream. “Wait! It might be a trap!” shouted Onyx as he made a grab for him, but he was too fast. Shining was already way ahead of them as he raced for his wife... Meanwhile, to the Mane Five (With Spike & Trixie) The carriage that Trixie always possessed is very fast. Already they had crossed past the mountain ranges and are now at the grasslands. Nopony questioned how it moved; It seems like the carriage was being pulled by invisible steeds. Inside, it was magically enlarged, so it looks like the size of the Princess’s throne room. From the outside, one could question how six ponies and a dragon can fit in there, but the interior explains it. Trixie had it decorated with her personal belongings, such as a few pictures of herself doing her magical feats and a small blue chest that was sitting at the corner. There was also a cozy couch and a few armchairs lying around, complete with a coffee table. Rarity, Spike and Fluttershy were sitting on one of the couches quietly. Rainbow Dash was looking outside the window with a dark expression on her face, Applejack was at the helm where Trixie was and Pinkie Pie was covertly shooting looks at the locked blue chest, as if she was trying to open it telepathically. “Where are we now, exactly?” asked Rarity, breaking her silence and not enjoying the bumpy ride. Trixie was at the helm of the carriage, looking carefully at the map. She finally looked up and glared at Rarity. “You know, your patience is that of a griffin’s-” “Enough. Ah’m tired of you two fightin’ like a bunch of fillies.” said Applejack sharply. Rarity sighed and went back to filing her hooves. Applejack turned to Trixie as she looked on at the map. “So we are here eh?” she said, placing her hoof on the southeast corner of the map. Trixie nodded before placing her hoof all the way west on the map. “If Trixie’s calculations are correct, which it always is, we will reach the spot where your friend Twilight is residing. It will not be far until we reach our destination.” she said confidentially. Applejack nodded before returning to sit on one of the armchairs. She looked at her friends, who mostly had stony looks on their faces. “Ah reckon we’ll be there soon.” she said encouragingly, trying to lift their spirits. Rarity and Rainbow Dash only grunted in reply. Applejack sighed and rolled her eyes before turning away from them. Meanwhile at the front, Trixie was studying the map as it was levitated in front of her. It seemed confusing, but she did place a marker on it for her carriage to go to. As she was looking at it, something caught her eye from the distance. She glanced towards the window and saw a cloud of black smoke. Trixie got up from her seat and trotted towards the window, wanting to see a better view. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be an airship that was slowly losing power. Trixie looked back at the bored mares. “All of you, come here. You should see this...” called Trixie. They got up and walked to the window. Trixie moved away so they can see closely. Their stale expressions faded as they looked on with awe. “W-what is that?” stammered Fluttershy. “Trixie believes it is an airship. It seems to be losing altitude, from the looks of it.” she said. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie had one of her Pinkie Senses moments as her ears twitched, tail waved and hooves trembled, followed by her eyes blinking. Trixie stared at her strangely, wondering what the hay is going on. “Turn the carriage to that ship!” she ordered. Trixie gaped at her in surprise. “Are you crazy? Trixie thought all of us are heading towards Twilight” she said. “I don’t know about you, but I have a weird hunch that Twilight is there. Besides, I’ve never seen those things in my life. Oh, and if we don’t go towards the ship, something blocking the path ahead will flip the carriage over.” said Pinkie cheerfully. Trixie glanced at Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Applejack and Spike. “What is going on? Trixie is utterly confused!” she asked. Rainbow Dash coughed discreetly. “Pinkie has one of those “moments” where whatever she predicts actually happens. I think it’s best if you listen to her and go to that ship. I remember how Twilight ignored her warnings and bad stuff happened to her. So yeah, you should follow her.” she explained. Trixie burst out laughing, wiping tears from her eyes. “Oh, that is the craziest and funniest thing Trixie has ever heard! But if you insist, it is your loss.” she said before her horn glowed, illuminating the carriage with bright blue light. A moment later, the carriage slowly leaned to the right. “We are heading towards the airship.” reassured Trixie. Everypony sighed in relief as they took a seat, waiting to arrive... Back at the ship... The screaming persisted down the hallway as Shining Armor fought his way to the cabin, followed by Slipstream and Onyx. The guard that was along them had to leave to help support the guards holding back the changelings. “CADENCE!” he shouted, almost making it towards the door. Just when he reached for the handle, the ship tilted sickeningly, sending him flying back down the corridor. Luckily, Slipstream caught him and held him until the ship balanced itself. After it regained its’ balance, Shining Armor ripped himself from Slipstream’s hooves and smashed himself against the door. It groaned under his weight before collapsing. Smoke flew everywhere as he coughed, waving his hoof to fan it out. When his vision cleared, he saw Cadence held down with a gel-like substance that the Changelings used during their first invasion of Canterlot. Five drones surrounded her, licking their lips. The pilots were dead, holes peppered across their chests as their bodies leaned against the seat. “You will taste good. You full of love” said one of the drones. Cadence squirmed against the gel holding her down. She growled at them. “My husband will destroy you!” she screamed. One of them laughed. “Ha! You funny! Ship going to crash. We take you out now. Your husband die with guards when ship go boom-boom.” he said, which sounded like it was one of the longest sentences he has ever said. As Cadence opened her mouth to retort, the changeling clamped her mouth with his hooves. “Enough! We send you to Queen Chrysalis and Miss Twilight. They take care of you.” he hissed. Her eyes widened with fear when he mentioned Chrysalis’ name. Shining Armor took a step forward and growled at them. The five changelings turned around, surprised to see him. “Love princess husband! What you doing here?!” asked one of them, his voice filled with worry. Shining laughed as Slipstream and Onyx stood by him, their swords drawn. His horn started glowing with magic. “Taking my wife back!” he shouted, before lunging towards them. The first three changelings charged towards them, baring their fangs. Shining Armor swatted one aside easily, his hoof fiercely connecting with the changeling’s cheek. It collapsed on the ground, unconscious. Just when he was about to land a strike against the second changeling, he was tackled by the third one. It pushed him down and snarled at him, getting ready to take a chunk of his flesh out. Just when it was about to bite, it had a dazed expression on its face before it fell over. Shining Armor looked behind to see that Slipstream punched it behind the head. As the last changeling tried to make a jump for Slipstream, Onyx jumped in front of him and speared it in the chest with his horn. The drone screamed as blood gushed out before falling to the ground.. The last three changelings looked at horror as the three stallions made an advance towards them. Right then, one of the changelings made a sudden movement and released the gooey substance towards them. They were too slow to dodge it, and it hit all three of them, pushing them back against the wall as they were imprisoned inside the thick shell. The drone laughed as they struggled weakly against the gel. “Ha! You will not get out in time! You! Take her out of ship! It going to crash!” he shouted, ordering his comrade to whisk Cadence away. The changeling nodded, slowly undoing the goo that was holding Cadence. While it was doing that, a low whistling sound was heard. The changeling perked its ears. Something was off... Suddenly, a precise beam hit the drone that was untying the Princess. It didn’t even have time to scream as it quickly disintegrated into dust. The changeling that was standing by it looked around wildly for the source, but it too was hit by the beam again. As it burst into dust, the last drone looked up and gasped. Hanging from the ceiling was Twilight. She was using the sticky resin on her hooves to hang upside down, and her horn was glowing red and sizzling. She pulled herself off and landed gracefully on the floor, a neutral expression on her face. “You will not hurt my brother or Cadence.” she said, walking slowly up to the changeling. It trembled, trying to retreat. “You kill friendly drones! You traitor! I tell Chrysalis about this.” it said before jumping out of the broken window. Twilight tried to stop him, but was too slow as he quickly flew away. She sighed, turning to Shining Armor, who was quickly breaking the gel that was holding Cadence. He finally broke it and she hugged him, sobbing. Slipstream trotted to the window and his eyes widened. “Um...guys? I think we should leave. Now.” he said. Twilight looked out the window and gasped. The ship was gently scraping against the ground. She turned to everypony. “Leave now! I’ll see if I can try to slow it down-” She was interrupted by the sound of wrenching metal. The ship suddenly shook, throwing debris around. All of them stumbled and fell over as all the windows shattered from the impact. Flames started forming as the cabin skidded through the ground, leaving a trail like how a meteor does after it crashes into land. Trees around the flaming ship collapsed as it tore through them. Inside, Twilight clung onto one of the handlebars until she felt the cabin slowly turn over. Cracks started forming on the floor, followed by a few explosions. That was the last thing Twilight heard before everything blacked out for her....