//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11 - Revolution Deathsquad 
// Story: Through the Fire and Flames 
// by Rhodesm96 
//------------------------------//


Changeling Hive, Night


The four of them looked fearfully upon the Carnifex as it towered over them. It was easily five times the height of a normal changeling, and had a pair of appendages that ended in scythe-like blades extending forward from it's torso. Its horn had a serrated edge to it, as did its fangs, each of them the size of a pony. A third eye sprouted from its forehead.

"Carnifexes are the elite of the changelings." The councillor said. "They're highly resistant to damage, very intelligent, and incredibly strong, both magically and physically."

"Well, fuck." Jason said. The carnifex gave another earth-shaking roar as it landed, the ground trembling under its weight. "Okay, he's big, but that means he'll be slow, right?"  The carnifex snorted, before running toward Jason. Jason yelped in surprise and took off to his left, the carnifex changing direction with surprising agility and following him. "OHFUCKHE'SNOTSLOW!"

Suddenly, a large magical bolt struck it in the side of the head, causing it to stumble. It whipped its head around to the councillor who had shot at it, a fierce green aura enveloping its horn. A sphere of verdant energy took shape above it. It whipped its head down, letting loose the ball of death, only for it to be knocked off course by Flashpoint slamming into its face. The sphere exploded on the ground a few feet away.

"Keep it off balance!" Jason said, before firing a gout of flames into its eyes. "Don't let it recover!"

One of the carnifex's appendages crashed into the ground before Jason, the bladed tip sinking several inches into the dirt. Jason grabbed onto the limb and poured fire through his hands into the flesh. The giant changeling reeled back, screeching, clutching its wounded limb to its chest. It whipped its other blade out at Jason, who dodged to the side and shot another fireball into its head. 

This was quickly followed up by a magical bolt from the councillor, and then a hit-and-run from Cirrus when it turned to them. She was too slow to retreat, however. One of the carnifex's wings shot out and caught her in the head, causing her to tumble to the ground. Cirrus landed hard on her face, dazed, as the carnifex turned its full attention on her.

"Cirrus, run!" Shouted Jason, blasting the carnifex in the face. Cirrus struggled to her hooves, and was about to run when one of the carnifex's bladed limbs descended upon her. 

She screamed in pain as the razor edge penetrated her body, pinning her to the ground beneath it. Blood began to stain the earth beneath her as it spilled from the wound. The carnifex roared in triumph as the others looked on, shocked. Slowly, Cirrus was lifted up as the carnifex brought her to its gaping maw, still impaled upon its limb.

"No!" Jason said, his body exploding in fire as he ran directly at the carnifex. He leapt into the air, propelled by a burst of flame beneath him. As he reached the peak of his leap, he drew back his fist, the fire enveloping his arm surging in intensity and changing to a blue colour.

"You bastard!" He screamed as he fell toward the carnifex. It looked up at him just as he collided with its face. An explosion engulfed the carnifex's head. As the smoke cleared, all that remained of its face was a smouldering crater, with Jason embedded in the centre of it.

The giant corpse toppled to its knees as Jason jumped from his perch, changeling blood and brain matter adorning him. With a flash of fire, he rid himself of the grisly remains and ran to where Cirrus laid on the ground, still bleeding from the gaping hole in her chest. He knelt next to her limp form, cradling her head in his arms.

"Cirrus!" He said. "Hang in there!" Cirrus smiled weakly.

"Sorry Jason..." She said. "I don't think I'm going to make it." She coughed, blood spraying from her mouth.

"No." He said. "No, you are not dying on me! You're gonna be okay, Cirrus! We'll get you to a doctor!"

"I don't think that'll help, Jason." She said, weakly. "I have a giant hole in my chest..."

She let out a deep sigh as the light left her eyes. Jason held on to her still body for a few seconds longer until Flashpoint roused him.

"I'm sorry, Jason." He said. "There's nothing we can do for her now except see to her remains. We need to move on as son as possible." Jason nodded, rising to his feet.

"You're right. We don't have the time or the tools to bury her, so..." He said, raising his hand toward her corpse. A stream of flames poured outward from it, incinerating Cirrus' body until all that was left was a small pile of ash which was blown away in the wind.

"We need to move on." He said. "Flash, can you pull the chariot by yourself?"

"Yes, but it'll be slower." Flashpoint said.

"We could reinforce the weight enchantments on it." Said one of the councillors. "It'll be lighter, so you can pull it faster."

"That'll help." Said Jason. "We've no time to lose. The Nightmare looks to have gotten even stronger now, so we need to head back to Canterlot and regroup ASAP."






???, Night


"So, where to?" Luke said, as his wings propelled him through the crisp night air under the guise of a regular pegasus.

I sense another concentration of power northward. The Nightmare said. It's very faint, which means it's very far away. It will take us a few days of travelling to reach it.

"Days?." Luke said. "Fuuuck. This'd better be worth it."

It will be. I sense that this one is even stronger than Chrysalis.

"If you say so."

Also, Jason has defeated the carnifex we set upon them.

"Knew it. He's getting stronger by the hour." Luke said. "I could sense his power when we were talking to him, and he's significantly stronger than when we first fought."

Indeed. He may yet become a challenge, though when we reach this next power source we will surely outclass him once more.

"Well then, let's get to it." Luke said, propelling himself further into the night.