Dusk's steps were slow but each one purposeful as the remaining scientist and doctors cowered behind their Goddess. They all watched as the pony they were studying was now grinning slightly with narrowed eyes staring both Celestia and Luna down. The area was quiet as the guards followed Dusk's movement with their spear points. If Dusk was actually worried about the weapons he didn't allow it to show. “Muzzle your dogs, Celestia.” Dusk asked with a hint of annoyance as his attention shifted to his younger brother who still seemed to be in slight shock.
Celestia recovered quickly as her gaze was unwavering from the Pony standing before her. How this Dusk could have been the same one in the Hospital was the current question in her mind. Obviously the weird contagion in his system has something to do with it but everything was still so clouded in her mind. First however was the safety of her Ponies. “What did you do with the rest of the team sent inside to retrieve you?”
“Oh, you mean the few ponies that were making a mass barbeque?”
“They were sent in to purify the area and retrieve you safely. What did you do, Dusk?” The white figure spoke again as her intention for the conversation was cement.
“Excuse me for being defensive, oh powerful one.” Dusk's tone rose to match a proper snob of a Canterlot native. “I tossed them around but worry not. I do believe that they are still alive.” Dusk explained as he took another step forward only to be meet with a spear point coming dangerously close to his exposed throat.
“Do not come any closer, Dusk.” Shining Armour warned as he drew his sword with ease thanks to his magic. His face begun to harden as a pair of lavender eyes were shifting to size him up.
“Sit aside, little Brother. This conversation is well beyond you and your dogs.” Dusk said as he noticed a few guards narrow their eyes towards him. Dusk tried to take another step forward but again the spear was thrust forward slightly to impede his movement. “Celestia, you have three seconds to disband your little band of shiny trinkets. I wish to have a conversation that does not involve your watch dogs.”
The Goddess of the Sun watched the interaction dissecting each little motion Dusk made along with Shining. The timid and friendly Dusk from earlier was now gone; replaced with this aggressive replacement. “Anything you have to say to me, you can mention in front of my trusted guards.” Celestia stood firm.
Dusk simply rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. This was not going as planned and soon he felt the situation slip from his hooves.
The Zerglings are hiding in the forest near to my position correct?
Yes, Hive Mind.
Dusk didn't even bother replying as he mentally linked with the fast creatures and summoned them to his side. Dusk shifted his attention back to the Princesses as he made an disappointed face and turned away. “And here I was thinking I could have a reasonable chat with a Pony I thought I could trust.” Dusk motioned as he hung his head low and begun walking away. Not the best acting he has ever done but the point still stood. He needed a reaction.
“Don't turn your back to royalty!” Shining shouted as he pointed his sword directly at the slow moving pony.
Dusk stopped but not the way he wanted. Multiple pains hit his chest as his inner hatred flared. Or what? Lips snarled to show jagged teeth, he turned to stare daggers towards the Captain. “Who do you think you are, Captain Shining?” Dusk asked with utter poison on each word. “You're nothing!” Dusk slammed his hoof down with might as his horn glowed then projected several thin, razor objects towards the guards.
Shining Armour had nary the time to even bring up a defensive barrier as the small circular objects did their damage. Several cuts became apparent but after opening his eyes he found that they were only that, minor cuts. The group of ponies sat shocked for a moment as they registered the attack made upon them. Shining stood with a mouth slightly agape until his gaze fell back onto his older brother.
“Let that be a lesson. Voice another warning against me and I’ll sever that horn from your body.” Dusk threatened before Celestia stamped her hoof down to pull every ones attention to her.
“That will be enough!” Her voice now holding much more aggressive authority. “I don't know what that virus has done to you, Dusk, but it has clearly been swaying your sense of judgement. Can we take this conversation to the Ponyville Library and discuss it in civility?” She asked as her tone evened out to a calming plea.
“What are those things?” A voice cried out as Dusk smiled knowing that his two favourite pets had arrived. The Zerglings raced up to Dusk's side as both foreign beings to Equestria snarled and screeched at the group, easily getting a mix of expressions. The guards lowered and shifted their spears slightly to adjust for the Zerglings height although the slight fear was evident in their eyes.
Dusk grinned as he watched the surprised Princesses react to the very different creatures. The Zergling on the right snarled as a large glob of saliva fell from it's mandibles. Hook, Line and Sinker. A hoof ran along the exterior carapace of the creature as Dusk gently shushed it. His hoof ran along the spine as he lifted his gaze towards Celestia.
Shining was rooted in place by several emotions. His older Brother not only assaulted him but now called in creatures from the depths of the forest? The Pony before him was becoming less and less of Dusk that he knew and something on a much different tier. His eyes observed the moonlight that shone off the talons that extended from the new foes. He had a feeling they were not meant for cutting trees.
“Hold your ground, Captain.” Celestia whispered as her gaze never left Dusk's. “This will be a long night. I will need your strength.”
Dusk cleared his throat to attract their attention before he tilted his head towards Ponyville. “A long night indeed.”
“And Ah was 'bout to schmake the damn pony!” Fiddlesticks shouted at the bartender before slamming the rest of her ale back effectively leaving a empty mug to hit the bar top. “Ah mean, when do Ah get my Stallion? Mr. Perfect sits outside mah shap and who is he? A 'Goverment Asset' Celestia hershelf told me. Horse apples!” Her form becoming increasingly wobbly.
“Uh huh” the bartender nodded as he refilled the Mare's mug.
“He was so damn cute too. Oh, oh! Ya should have sheen him on the piano! Ah swear that guy has shome cheating magic tah make it sound that good!” Her cheeks flustered a deep red as the memories began to flood her fore thought.
“Then why are you here and not with him?” the Bartender asked as he placed a clean mug away on the nearby shelf.
“Hm?” Fiddlesticks hummed before taking another deep drink. “Apparently he's too much of a fancy pants Canterlot pony with Princess Celestia's Goverment.” Her explanation caused the Tender to shift an eyebrow in curiosity as he watched the Violinist slump her head onto the bar table. “He was supposed to take me out on a date tonight. Ah miss 'em.”
The Stallion only shook his head at one of his most valued customers. He lost count on how many times this Mare had come in to drink her woes away. Just when he thought she had a guy in her life, she's back her. “Tough luck, Fiddles. It's time for last call however so you know what that means.” he prepared for her usually tantrum.
“How about one more round?”
“Yah!” Fiddlesticks perked up at the idea that some pony put forth. Turning her head she found a rather charming stallion park himself on the chair next to her.
“Hey there, cutie.” He said with a slight grin.
Dusk walked next to Celestia and Luna as if friends relaxing underneath the starry sky. When you widened the picture to include multiple guards, each armed to the teeth and the Zerglings who flash their mandibles in response; it was much more hectic. The guards constantly kept their eyes focused on the danger that was mere steps away from their Princesses. The Zerglings watched with glaring gazes that focused on throats and other exposed armour joints. A happy walk in town.
“I admit, Princess.” Dusk announced from the awkward, tension filled quiet. “Allowing me to leave you're little improvised Hospital is surprising. Are you not afraid that I will infect every pony else?” He asked as he turned his head slightly to the right to gauge her expression. To her credit, Celestia has stayed very neutral in every conversation they had. Every action was meet with fair reaction. Guess a thousand or so years of ruling Equestria will do that.
“Would you have stayed?” she responded quickly her eyes taking a moment to look down at him.
Dusk was mute for a moment as the idea bounced around in his head. “No, I would have attempted to escape from that stuffy tent as well.” his response was made as Celestia chuckled lightly in response. “Something funny?”
Celestia leaned across to whisper, an action that caused the Zerglings to tense in preperation. “I'd have done the exact same thing.” she answered with a smirk before trotting past a particular pub.
Dusk was slightly stupefied at the Princess' light mood especially with the current circumstances. Although the initial attack against his Brother was not exactly planned, he accomplished his main goal. He gathered the attention of both the Princesses and now had a meeting with said Royalty. Now all I have to do is strike some sort of deal and... Dusk stopped in his steps and with his thoughts as a certain pony walked out of the pub. Although this wasn't what alarmed him, it was the pony he had held beside him. “Fiddlesticks?” He breathed as his soul focus was now placed on the obviously drunk mare and the stallion.
“Dusk?” Celestia asked quietly as she noticed her party was down one pony. She turned to see the said pony on a intercept course with two unaware previous bar patrons. Celestia only needed a moment to identify the mare as Fiddlesticks. Her focus was placed on Dusk as she watched from afar. “Prepare to intervene, Captain.”
Shining nodded his head as his group of guard ponies readied themselves once more for a fight.
Dusk's lip was now lifted at one side in a snarl. His Zerglings flanked him on either side were easily emanating their master's very emotions. Get your hoof off of her. Dusk thought dangerously as his horn started to glow brightly. Clouds rumbled above them and as the moonlight was starting to disappear from the dense coverage. A bolt of what seemed to be lighting shot out in unpredictable patterns before many just like it joined in the ensuing mayhem.
“We need to disperse this weather, Luna!” Celestia noted as her horn began to glow. One hole appeared in the rapidly swirling storm before shutting once more. Celestia watched astonished that not only did her magic not work but immediately was overcome. She watched Luna attempting to do the same only to be just as easily over thrown. “Impossible.”
Shining Armour took this as his cue as his signature shield was formed around the group and just in time. A bolt arced towards the group as it dispersed upon impact but not without leaving a small hole. Shining grunted as his magic quickly repaired the damage and was once hole. Celestia watched from her position as Dusk approached the couple of terrified ponies. Both Fiddlesticks and the stallion were taking shelter under a shop's canopy.
Fiddlesticks was now beyond completely freaking out as she watched several bolts scar the earth around her. Her attention was then pulled to the single pony who calmly walked towards her. She recognized the Stallion immediately as the events were starting to sober her up enough to concentrate slightly more. “Dusk Breaker?” she asked although her volume of voice was lost in the storm. She watched his view however as she slowly caught on to what was happening. She began to push the stallion that still had his hooves around her although by now it was more because of terror then anything else. “Ya 'ave to run!” she yelled.
The Stallion didn't say anything but soon caught on as the snarling pony came closer. The sobering up lad shot out from underneath the canopy only to be halted by bolt of lightning that left a smoking hole in the ground. He turned to change direction only to have another block his path. The situation begun to become desperate as Dusk unleashed his Zerglings like a pack of blood thirsty dogs. The two creatures rapidly closed the distance and they lunged for the kill.
Fiddlesticks closed her eyes knowing full well at what was about to happen.
Dusk was more then disappointed however when he witnessed both creatures only get a mouthful of dirt. He knew a teleportation spell when he saw one. Whipping his head around he noticed a particular lavender mare staring him down, a shivering stallion behind her. “Give him to me, Twilight!”
Fiddlesticks opened her eyes only to see the two bizarre creatures shaking their heads. She tried to make her way to Dusk's side only to find that her legs were more then unstable. Each step was wobbly until she found her hooves unable to grasp the dirt beneath her. The Violinist sailed for a moment before finding that she was placed upon Dusk rather large back. A certain fear strike through her body as the creatures from before ran up to either of Dusk's side. What in the hay is going on?
“Stop this, Dusk! This isn't you!” Twilight shouted over the storm's howling wind. She examined her oldest brothers features and knew that he didn't care or even heard her. She even yelped as a bolt of lightning stroke dangerously close to her. “Can't you see the harm you're doing to your family, Dusk?”
Dusk was mute for a second as a huddled and frightened Fiddlesticks clasped onto his sides for support. He let a few breaths in and out before closing his eyes and concentrating. The clouds above them started to slow their swirling devastation until disappearing altogether to let the moonlight grace Ponyville once again. Dusk was quite for a moment until he heard and felt Fiddlesticks fidget on his back. “Are you ok, Fiddlesticks?”
Her response was a simple yet unrefined vomiting to his left. He could even feel the trickles drip down his sides as he himself shivered. “Ah'm gonna die.” she moaned before giving in to her body rejecting the contents of her stomach. The Zergling lurched away as he tried to shake small bits of lettuce of his leg. “This's the worst date ah've ever been on.” she managed to mumble before just trying to get comfortable, the willingness to deal with any of this fleeting.
Twilight watched as she shooed the poor Stallion that was hiding behind her. The poor guy ran for all his worth until he was out of sight. Turning her attention back onto her brother she approached with caution. “What happened to you, Dusk?” she asked as the Zergling gaurd dogs screeched at her approach.
Dusk gave them a mental lashing which seemed to shush them up tight. “You'll see, Twilight.” Dusk responded with a grin before turning to walk up to the still shielded royalty. “Come Princesses, we have a important meeting and the Zerg do not like to be held up.” he beckoned as he happily trotted past. His Zerglings easily able to keep in stride as he pushed the door open to the Library.
Twilight was lost for words as she looked to her teacher for guidance. Celestia just let a deep breath out before patting Twilight's back in reassurance. Together the group of ponies filled into the now crowded Library as Dusk was already seated at the large round table. Twilight trotted past Celestia to take a seat near him, instantly taking note of a slumbering mare on the nearby couch. “What is going on, Dusk? Celestia? Anypony?”
“Your brother escaped from the Hospital tonight by sabotage. He then assaulted several ponies in the claim of self defence. From there he managed to inflict very minor wounds against your brother using foreign offensive magic. You have a long list of charges, Dusk.” Celestia accused with her eyes landing on the guilty pony.
“How could you, Dusk?” Twilight asked in shock.
“Easy. The ponies came in and begun to set the hospital on fire room by room to kill any of the virus. It seemed like they were getting rid of any sort of infection, living or not. I reacted like any normal pony.” Dusk reasoned with a dismissive hoof. His other hoof ran along one of his Zergling carapace. “Anyways, this is not what I wanted to discuss. You can go ahead and charge me with what ever felony but I would think that you're more interested with my connection to these cute little guys.” Dusk said while scratching under one of the Zerglings jaw.
“They are abominations.” Shining Armour spoke up which only caught a glare from his eldest brother.
“You are correct, Dusk Breaker. To call me interested would be a understatement.” Celestia admitted to the gathered ponies. “I'm assuming they are connected to your latest run in with this unknown infection?”
Dusk nodded his head a few times. “They call themselves the Zerg. They also have placed me to be their sort of leader. Which brings me to the point at hoof. Could we display a sort of truce between our species?”
“Diplomacy?” Celestia asked with slight shock. “Well, to be quite honest, you're already one step above Gryphons for first contact. You should know how delicate a situation of this magnitude is Dusk Breaker. Introducing a foreign species to Equestria is dangerous to the ecosystem and the ponies themselves. You already displayed more then enough violence then I am pleased with. At least Gryphons are more predictable then you are.”
Dusk was quiet for a moment in thought. He had already learned how dangerous the Zerg are to such a ecosystem. He was about to speak until he found that the Princess had raised her hoof for silence. He bit his tongue to hold his tongue as he nodded for her to speak.
“Such a matter can not be decided in the Ponyville Library or without much more studying upon this species you have accustomed yourself to. I will respect your decision for a truce however but only for allotted temporary time. Where do these Zerg live?” Celestia asked as she never wavered in her ever searching eyes.
“I have showed my good faith in you, Celestia. Instead of trying to just kill you and your sister, effectively leaving Equestria leaderless, I tried simple diplomacy. It seems like I'm the only one giving in this relationship so far.” Dusk stood his ground and faced the Princess with little to no effort in budging from the topic at hoof. “For all I know, you already have several group of ponies ready to 'Purge' the rest of the infection, a thing I control by the way.”
Celestia was quiet for a moment until she leaned to her side for Luna who whispered into her ear. “You want a sort of reassurance from Equestria is it then? A showing of our good faith?”
“Why that is most courteous of you, Celestia and Luna. My Swarm is in need of resources, gems and large amounts of concentrated crystal formations are best.” Dusk suggested as he tapped a hoof against the table slightly.
Celestia was about to answer until a voice broke into the conversation first.
“I may know how to help you with that.” Twilight spoke up with uncertainty. She was not dense and soon found that this was starting to seem like a meeting of nations instead of a chat with old friends.
“Twilight, shush. Don't try to help him.” Shining warned against her before catching Dusk looking at him. The Captain had steeled himself for this conversation since the Hospital incident. “He's not Dusk anymore.”
“He's still family, Shining!” Twilight furrowed her brows in anger. “Just like when you joined the guard, you changed into a different Pony, Shining. Show him the same respect.” Her defense was not only reasonable but Dusk was surprised she even came to his defense. He silently mouthed a thank you to her which only got a happy nod in reply.
“Twilight is right.” Celestia spoke after letting the moment die down. “I will be calling a meeting of the highest powers in Equestria in a fort nights time. Even though you have showed yourself and your new kin a possibly violent species, I will grant thee a truce. Tomorrow we will discuss further into detail of this trade transaction. For now I think everypony here needs some sleep to help already fried nerves.” She said with reason and before she continued, all eyes turned to Fiddlesticks who shuffled on the couch before darting to the garbage can in the kitchen, heaving greatly. “And stomachs it would seem.”
Dusk nodded solemnly as he stood up from the table along with his Zerglings. “I will be staying here tonight, Princesses. If at any time you need of me, please send word. I'm glad we could come to some sort of agreement, if not only temporary.”
“As are we, Dusk Breaker.” Luna responded with a small smile at the current situation. “You however, must steel yourself. The Grand Summons will truly test your resolve to your new found kin. I bid thee, good night.”
“We shall come to you in the morning, Dusk Breaker. I wish the best of luck for poor Fiddlesticks. I may have told her that you were not to be visited while in the Hospital and she may have taken it to an unfortunate extreme.” Celestia said with a huff before following her Sister out of the Library.
The guards followed their leaders all except one who sat with his eyes on the two ponies across from him. “I don't know what you're playing at but you will never bring harm to the Princesses or my family while I'm here.” his threat was loosened as he stood and made for the door. He was about to exit until he felt a hot sting hit his flank which elicit a yelp from him. He turned to see Dusk smirking mischievously, his horn slowly dimming from his minor attack of psionic lightning. Shining growled before slamming the door shut with his magic.
“Where 'n tarnation am Ah?” A voice called out from the kitchen as both Twilight and Dusk let out a long sigh.
“That's all you, Tiger.” Twilight said as she stood to stretch before heading upstairs to go to sleep herself.
“Thank you, Twilight.”
She paused herself as she looked back to Dusk who stood besides the table looking up at her with deep appreciation. “It's what family are for. You may be wacky as Tartarus, but I love you all the same.” She smiled before going back upstairs and crawling into bed. Eager to meet tomorrow and the mysteries that hold with in it.
Dusk smiled once before retreating into the kitchen to see the disheveled mare looking around in confusion. “I'm here, Fiddlesticks.” he spoke softly as he sat down by her side, his hoof rubbing her back in support.
“Dusk?” Fiddlesticks asked with confusion, clearly not remembering much. “Ah thought ya were at the Hospital?” She asked as her own hoofs tried to rub her temples. Her form soon slouched until it rested against Dusk's chest.
He chuckled quietly knowing full well what loud noises did to a Pony that was feeling the strain. “It seems that I was released early. I'm sorry for not making it to our date, Fiddlesticks.” He apologized as he levitated a glass to the sink for water. Something Fiddlesticks eagerly took with her hooves.
“Worry none there, Sugar.” Fiddlesticks said with glee as the water seemed to settle well in her stomach. She took the chance to lean further onto the living pillow until a familiar tingling magic lifted her from her rump. She noticed the lights to both the kitchen and library go quiet as she floated into a darkened room.
“You can have the guest room.” Dusk said as he laid her down gently before pulling the cover over her. He also placed a trash can nearby in case she had the urge. He was more then well practiced so it came to no surprise to him. “If you need me, I'll be on the couch in the next room. Good night, Fiddlesticks.”
“Stay.”
He paused for a moment as if he misheard. “What?”
“Ah said git in the damn bed.” she repeated although she held much more aggravation.
“That's the alchol talking, Fiddl-” Dusk said until he witnessed the Mare flail her limbs slightly.
“Git. In. Bed.” she growled.
“Yes, Ma'am.”
Dusk easily pulled the covers over himself as he felt the Mare shift beside him as she easily held the Stallion tight, her head resting on his chest. Her breath blew his hair back and forth as he tried to understand what exactly to do. “Fiddlesticks?”
She didn't reply, not with words exactly. She let loose soft snores that were actually quite cute but he had a feeling she may not agree if she were to know. Levitating her hat onto the nearby bedside table he simply closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.
My apologies, Hive Mind.
God Dammit. What is it?
Earlier, I said that Negotiations would prove useless, Hive Mind. It would seem however that you have proved me wrong. Not only did you access a possible high bio-energy resource but also a meeting to scout out possible military enemies. Can we trust the Princesses?
Ugh. Too early to deal with this crap. Dusk breathed which tossing some of Fiddlesticks mane around. Yes we can, to an extent I believe. We will have to limit just how much research they can perform. Put the Hive on full alert in case the royal sisters try anything stupid. Have the Drones gather enough Tree resources for another batch of Zerglings.
May I advise an overlord, Hive Mind?
Those big bulbous slow things?
Yes, Hive Mind. They are great tools to keeping a certain amount of Zerg focused on certain tasks.
Less micro managing?
Yes, Hive Mind. In a sense.
You silver tongue devil. Make it so.
Dusk waited for a moment as he chuckled, noticing that he gave the Swarm another mental lapse.
Thank you, Hive Mind.