Immediately after he finished singing, Soren quickly advanced on Nyra, sending all kinds of spells at her. Grinning, Nyra blocked some of the spells, but was also hit by a good amount. As a retaliation, she began using dark magic. Her horn began to glow purple, and the cave started rumbling. Soren looked up to see at least twenty stalactites falling down on both of them. Both alicorns teleported out of the way of the spikes. Although that was intentional, Nyra knew it wasn't a very smart plan.
The two Nyrs looked at each other from across the cave room. Nyra was still grinning while focused, and Soren was serious but was smiling. Nyra admitted to herself that his expression unnerved her. Before the two alicorns could send another barrage of spells at each other, voices broke the silence that the pause in conflict caused.
"Sweet Celestia. Brother, do you see her?" said a familiar voice.
"She's so hot, she's so flippin' hot," replied a deeper but still familiar voice. Both Soren and Nyra turned towards the entrance, which was equal distance from them, and saw two pegasi standing there. Nyra didn't recognize them but Soren knew immediately that they were the Pega-Singers.
"What are you two doing here?!" Soren exclaimed.
"We expected you to be more grateful for some backup," said the shorter twin.
"Hey, lady, do you like music?" the other twin asked Nyra. She didn't answer, instead she sent an explosive bolt at them. The twins simultaneously flew up into the air and landed across from each other on either side of Nyra. "Well let's change your attitude then."
Soren watched at the Pega-Singers began to sing and dance around Nyra. She constantly tried to blast them with magic and even tried to levitate them off the ground. Since she could only see one at a time during levitation, whenever she tried to levitate one, the other would bump into her to disrupt the spell, thus releasing the twin. Soren took this opportunity to set up a certain spell that would end this.
At the end of their song, the twins managed to position Nyra to where her back was turned towards Soren. Quickly realizing her position, Nyra turned to face Soren, but it was too late because the next thing she knew, she was pinned down to the ground by Soren. She struggled but Soren had enough time to cast his next advanced spell: The Horn-Lock Spell. This was the same spell that Nyra used when she captured the princess. Once the spell was cast and he was sure Nyra couldn't use magic, Soren got off of her and stepped away.
The twins were now standing side by side with Soren as they looked upon Nyra, who was slowly sat up. But Soren wasn't looking at Nyra, he was looking at the device that the taller twin had on his back.
"What's that on your back?" Soren asked.
"Your pal Vinyl Scratch gave it to us. She said to bring it to you in Canterlot. She says it's called a soundboard."
"So it can play music and stuff? That's pretty cool. How did you guys know to come here anyway?"
"Well that's an interesting story. You see..."
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Hey Luna,
Rainbow Dash here. The Shadow Horses are gone, and me and my friends should be running through the Canterlot Caves by the time you get this. I just wanted to tell you that...and I also have a question. After Soren left, you and I had a little chat. Right before you had to leave, you told me to "cherish my time with him." What the hay is that supposed to mean? I guess you can tell me later.
See you then,
Rainbow Dash
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Canterlot Caves
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"Why are you trying so hard to help me?" Soren and Nyra were sitting in front of one another. The twins were off to side, sitting down as well, watching the conversation take place. After the Singers finished explained to Soren that Princess Luna told them where he would be, the four of them decided to sit down and talk things out, since Nyra had clearly been defeated.
"I know there is good in you, and I know you're lonely," Soren answered. "I can help you, we can help you."
"There is nopony who could possibly help me!" She paused. There was sadness as she spoke the next sentence. "Not after the things I've done."
"Allow me to at least try to help you have a normal life. A life where you can experience friendship, fun, and love."
"How could you, of all ponies, show me how to find love and friendship? I'm nothing but an evil mare created by Nightmare Moon." The Pega-Singers decided to answer this one.
"This lucky stallion right here is actually dating one of the princesses," the taller twin explained. Soren almost blushed.
"It shan't be a good day for her," she muttered to herself, but no one heard her.
"Do you want to know what love feels like?" Soren asked.
"Might as well since I already lost. But no funny business, lover colt." Soren facehoofed and finally blushed.
"Not like that! I'm going to sing a song." Soren looked at the twins. "Can you give me the soundboard, please?"
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"These caves go on forever!" Rainbow Dash complained. "How are we supposed to find Soren in here?" Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were flying above Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack as the group of friends were quickly moving through the Canterlot Caves to catch up to Soren.
"I don't know, Rainbow, but we have to keep moving forward," Twilight Sparkle replied. 'Why can't I track him with my magic? One would think two alicorns would be using magic left and right. Unless...' Twilight picked up the pace after she expected the worst case scenario.
As the girls ran (and flew) through the cave system, they began to hear tranquil sounds echoing through the area. The sounds calmed them and made them less nervous, but it didn't lessen their focus.
"Why it's like nature is singing a song to us," Rarity commented.
"It sounds like an actual song, don't it?" Applejack added. As the girls gained more ground, Twilight's eyes widened.
"That's because it is an actual song! Somepony is singing. Come on, we need to follow it." With newfound determination, the six mares continued their journey through the maze of caves.
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I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognise your beauty's not just a mask
I want to exorcise the demons from your past
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart
Soren had just finished singing "Undisclosed Desires" for Nyra. As Soren sang, Nyra was entirely focused on him and his voice. The lyrics to the song had captivated her. When the song was over, Soren looked at Nyra, who looked as though she was just coming out of a trance.
"It would be nice for somepony to sing a song like that to me," she finally said. "I never knew how powerful songs could be."
"If you have a normal life, eventually you will find somepony to love, and they will love you in return. Did I mention that you won't be starting alone? You'll have at least one friend." The Pega-Singers came forward and simultaneously said "Make that three." Nyra smiled. She actually smiled!
She sighed. "I will give living normally a try."
"Yes!" Soren exclaimed. "This is a new start for you, Nyra. You won't regret it. Let me remove that spell from your horn now." Soren walked over to Nyra and removed the Horn-Lock Spell. In return, Nyra's horn began to glow. Soren's eyes widened.
"Don't be scared, it's just the Trust Spell. I just want to make sure I can fully trust you." Fortunately and unfortunately for them, the spell wouldn't reach its destination in time.
As the spell was about to reach his horn, Soren saw the most horrible sight in his life. A sickening piercing sound echoed throughout the room. Soren managed to see what had just happened: a stalactite flew straight into Nyra's side, going through most of her body. She didn't scream in agony but simply fell over, shocked.
"NO!" Soren screamed. He quickly used his magic to teleport the spike out of her. He also began trying to use magic to heal her, but he quickly realized the wound was far to great to heal. Knowing the inevitable, Soren sat beside Nyra and held her in his legs. The twins, wide-eyed, were struck silent at the sight.
"Who would do this?" Soren whispered. Then the three of them heard hoofsteps. Tears in his eyes, Soren turned towards the noise. He saw Twilight and her friends walking up to them with expressions of sadness and guilt. Soren turned towards Nyra and began stroking her mane to calm her. He knew she was dying, everyone knew, including her.
In return to having her mane stroked, Nyra spoke to Soren. Her voice was so weak that everypony had to be completely silent to hear her. "Don't cry, Soren. I am at peace, I assure you. It is because of you that I feel this way. You three were willing to give me a second chance. That alone brought be happiness." Nyra coughed violently. Soren was trying his hardest to stay strong, but he was barely able to. Before he could break down, he took a few deep breaths and gave one last symbol of friendship to Nyra.
Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you.
By now you should've, somehow, realized what you gotta do.
I don't believe that anypony feels the way I do about you now
Back beat, the word is on the street that the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before but you never really had a doubt.
I don't believe that anypony feels the way I do about you now
And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don't know how
Because maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall
Today was gonna be the day but they'll never throw it back to you.
By now you shoulda, somehow, realized what you're not to do.
I don't believe that anypony feels the way I do about you now
And all the roads that lead you there were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don't know how
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall
Nyra died towards the end of the song. The cave was completely silent, except for the sounds of a few ponies crying. Soren wiped his eyes with parts of his leg that wasnt covered in blood and began thinking. 'Nyra was maimed by a spike and then my friends walked in. One of them had to have thrown it.' Soren slowly stood up and turned towards his friends.
"Soren, are you-" Twilight began, only to be silenced by Soren's voice.
"Quiet!" Furious, Soren walked up to the six mares. "Which one of you threw it?!" The mares flinched away but were silent. "Well?" When not a single one of them answered, Soren already lost his patience.
Soren's horn started glowing, his eyes turned pure white, and he began floating off the ground above everypony. When he stopped floating, Soren spread out his wings and they were soon covered with fire. All eight ponies backed away from Soren.
"WHO THREW THE ROCK?" Soren asked in a voice that rocked the room. With his flaming wings, glowing eyes, and slightly bloody forelegs, Soren was indeed a terrifying sight.
"I threw it!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she flew up to get in Soren's face. Without calming down, Soren's eyes turned normal, and they both floated back down at the same time. Soren still held the same, mad expression as he landed.
"Why?" Soren asked angrily. Rainbow Dash proceeded to explain to Soren how they were traveling through the Canterlot Caves to find me. Eventually they heard singing so they followed it. Within a few minutes, they found this room, and the first thing they saw was Nyra casting a spell. Panicking, Dash saw the stalactites on the ground, picked one up, and threw it across the room.
"Soren, I'm sorry," she apologized. "You know I wasn't trying to actually kill her. We just wanted to make sure you were safe." Soren didn't say anything right away. He walked away from them towards an empty portion of the room. Turning back to face his friends, Soren spoke again.
"I'm disappointed in you, Rainbow Dash. You betrayed me and my plan; you acted without thinking, and this caused a new friend of mine to die." Rainbow Dash flinched when he said she betrayed him. "I'm leaving, and don't think any of you can follow me."
Soren used magic to create a ball of air, which floated right beside him. He then teleported away, and the ball of air exploded outward, causing a gust of strong wind. Rainbow Dash sat on her haunches and hung her head. Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder as she sat next to her. Rainbow hugged Twilight but didn't cry.