//------------------------------// // Ch. 19: Resurrection Part Three // Story: Legacy of the Pegasi // by secret89 //------------------------------// Legacy of the Pegasi: Ch. 19: Resurrection Part Three Rainbow Dash emerged from the orchard into the large gathering area in front of the Apple Family's farm. The chaos from earlier had subsided slightly. Instead of a boisterous and fearful crowd, the refugees from Ponyville had calmed, spread out in small groups in the haven of Sweet Apple Acres. Families and neighbors alike pulled together to assist one another, pooling food and water. Small fires and torches illuminated the many temporary shelters that had sprung up amongst the Apples' expansive land, ranging from tents to shelters built from debris. Doctors and nurses still shuffled to and fro, but it seemed concerted and directed, much of the panic and distress subsided. Despite the uneasy lull, cries of anguish still cut through the air. They were far less countered by cries of joy. Ambulance carts still raced from the makeshift hospital to Ponyville. Other, lesser times they moved at a melancholy trot, sometimes from the hospital barn, other times from Ponyville, but always disappearing down a lonely trail to a distant hill dotted with somber stones. Rainbow tried her best to blot out the sounds and images around her. Likewise she resisted the urge to seek out her friends. Though she craved their collective comfort and support, she couldn't delay. And the sooner the Wonderbolts and I leave the better, Rainbow thought. She couldn't let her friends talk her into allowing them to follow her into the Everfree. The Wonderbolts were not far off, gathered alongside the Apple Family farmhouse. Despite the lanterns above that cast a glowing light around them, Rainbow had nearly missed the group in their new attire. Unlike their flashy show attire, each Wonderbolt now wore a jet black flight suit. This tactical version was somewhat bulkier, made with a mesh weave that allowed for sections of armored padding to cover the jugular, sternum and ribs. The Wonderbolts distinctive winged lightning bolt rested on the flanks, accompanied by a number one just above the left wing. Like the rest of the uniform's color, the symbol was tactical, subdued to a gray scale. A slim zippered cargo pocket ran along each forehoof for ease of access. Below the pockets and woven into the mesh above the hoof was a metal bar for parries and strikes. Upon the shoe of each forehoof were short serrated blades along the front edge, with shallow spikes flush on the rear half. The suit zippered up to the collar, the trademark mask of the Wonderbolts absent. Instead a separate piece of tactical head gear was used. A special lightweight helmet covered the entirety of the user's head. Shaped at hard angles, the helmet included a full face mask with a special filter located where the mouth would be, for use at high altitude flights and combating gas warfare. Within the filter, modified pegasi beacon technology allowed verbal contact between flight teams. Replacing the goggles was a wide visor that was seated within the mask. Its base sat above the filter to just above the wearer's eyes. It tapered around the sides of the helmet, ensuring full use of the peripherals. A special glass altered under a pegasi lightning forge, the visor featured a HUD capable of night vision, displaying friend from foe and visor dampening in storm scenarios. The final piece to the Wonderbolt uniform were narrow, very slender, hollow pieces of feather weight steel. They were arranged in pairs of three; short, medium and long. Each were fashioned with a razor edge. Each Wonderbolt carefully adorned their primary feathers with the blades, held in place by a special gel, three to a wing. Known as wing-blades, they were light enough to allow flight, but strong enough for combat, both in the air and on the ground. Coupled with extensive training, the result afforded the pegasus an extreme degree of flexibility and unpredictable lethality to engage their foes. Rainbow Dash strode up to Soarin' and Spitfire. Both Wonderbolts were in full tactical uniform, sans their head gear. Her eyes lingered over the matte black blades at Soarin's side. “That's some pretty fancy stuff you've got there,” she said sullenly. Any other time Rainbow would have been wide-eyed at the aggressive looking equipment with an endless number of questions. But now it seemed only an afterthought. “Special issue,” Soarin' replied. “You won't see this gear outside special ops units.” “Sorry, we don't have an extra set for you Rainbow,” Spitfire said. Rainbow Dash shrugged. Protection was far from her mind at that moment. She had faced down several dangerous foes in the past; from dragons and mad unicorn tyrants to the fallen goddess of the night. She wasn't worried about herself. At least, she didn't think would be. “I'll manage,” she said casually, pushing away thoughts of doubt. Spitfire nodded. She turned to the rest of the Wonderbolts. “Alright everpegasi, listen up.” The group turned in attention, huddling closer to their captain. Spitfire addressed the group. “Here's the game-plan. We're going into the Everfree to take out each and every one of those clipped-wing bastards.” Several Wonderbolts including Fleetfoot grunted in approval. Rainbow cast a surprised glance at Spitfire. It wasn't often she heard a pegasi slur outside of Cloudsdale. Not that she disagreed; she wanted nothing more than to personally introduce her hoof to each and every one of the Tempest Guard. Repeatedly if necessary. She clenched her jaw. Her mind simmered on the cloaked pegasi, surprising herself with thoughts of how she would enjoy pummeling them. I'm going to destroy them for what they did to Scootaloo, Rainbow thought. Her aura flared in anger. For a brief moment it touched on another. Spitfire's aura was white hot, awash in a barely subdued fury. But beyond the anger that seeped into Spitfire's words, Rainbow felt a deeper, more personal anguish from the Wonderbolt. Soarin' must have felt it as well, as the stallion cast a concerned glance Spitfire's way. The connection disappeared before Rainbow could think on it more. Spitfire's wings fidgeted irritably as she spoke up again. “Based on what we know, they're likely to be in the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters to bring back an Archon. And he's not the heroic kind from the legends,” Spitfire said, taking a moment to let her words sink in. Several of the Wonderbolts shuffled uncomfortably but said nothing. “Archon or not, you all have seen what the Tempest Guard can do,” Soarin' added. “Our primary objective is to take them out quickly.” “The route is a covert flight just under the Everfree Forest canopy,” Spitfire droned. “Offensive formation and tactics. Once we get to the castle we're going to have to be flexible. Be prepared for small team tactics. We engage quickly. Subdue if you can,” Spitfire said, pausing. “Kill if you need to.” Kill? Rainbow Dash thought, shivering. Could she do that? She had been on many adventures and faced down several villains. But to actually kill another pony? The fury that resonated within her at the Tempest Guard was suddenly absent. Rainbow looked to Soarin', but Spitfire's words hadn't outwardly fazed the stallion. His aura was likewise stoic. “Anything beyond that,” Spitfire glanced towards Rainbow and Soarin', “Rainbow Dash and Soarin' will take care of.” Rainbow could feel the assembled Wonderbolts looking to her through their opaque visors. Judging her. Assessing her. They would be trusting her with their lives. “A civilian? You sure about that Spitfire?” A muffled voice came from one of the Wonderbolts. Rainbow recognized it as Fleetfoot's. Soarin' stepped forward. “Rainbow Dash is one of Legacy Bearers, like me. She's more than capable.” Rainbow looked at the Wonderbolts around her, her eyes floating from visor to visor. “I'm not a Wonderbolt yet, but I know my way around danger. I won't hold you back,” Rainbow said. She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. Fleetfoot regarded Soarin', then Rainbow for a moment. Even beneath his masked face, Rainbow could tell the Wonderbolt was silently mulling over Soarin's words. A second later he nodded. “If its good for you Soar, then its good for me.” “Don't forget me.” Those assembled abruptly looked upward. A form came into view, gliding silently down from the farmhouse roof. Scootaloo landed softly in the center of the group, facing Rainbow Dash, Soarin' and Spitfire. “No way,” Rainbow and Spitfire said in unison. Scootaloo looked between Rainbow and Spitfire. Her face was sullen and devoid of emotion, even as her eyes narrowed into a glare, setting squarely on Rainbow. “Yes, I am,” Scootaloo said icily. Rainbow was surprised at the malice in Scootaloo's voice. All sadness was gone from the younger pegasus. Rainbow's eyes widened as she looked on at Scootaloo. Something had changed in the younger pegasus, beyond the sudden lack of sadness. Abruptly Rainbow felt the aura around her jump. So very much like when Soarin's connected with hers... Dread suddenly filled Rainbow, her worst fears confirmed. No... she can't be. How can she be? A familiar feeling touched her aura. Scootaloo's aura mimicked her father's, combined with the younger pegasus' own signature. Yet Rainbow could barely feel it; Scootaloo's aura was distant, reclusive and cold. The life that she felt every time Soarin' joined with hers was absent. It was as if Scootaloo's aura barely recognized Rainbow's, unfeeling like the glare on the young mare's face. But there was no mistaking the signature of the third Legacy Bearer. “Scootaloo,” Spitfire said more softly, “it's too dangerous.” “I have more right to go than anypony here,” Scootaloo snapped at Spitfire. Spitfire barely cringed at Scootaloo's bite. Rainbow barely noticed it, but she was more confused by the spiral of guilt that was pouring from Spitfire's aura. However, it quickly vanished as Spitfire's aura recoiled from Rainbow. Rainbow shook her head. She didn't have time to think on the Wonderbolt Captain. Rainbow took a tentative step toward Scootaloo. “It's just so soon Scootaloo,” Rainbow said, trying a different approach. “You've been through more than anypony should ever have to...” Scootaloo looked between Rainbow and Soarin'. Her stony expression began to falter, traces of sadness coming to the surface once more. “I... I won't lose anypony again...,” she whispered, seemingly more to herself than those around her. Inwardly Rainbow let out a sigh of relief. Scootaloo was still there. She could feel the dormant grief upon her. She's not thinking straight. Maybe I can still convince her to stay behind. She didn't get the chance. Rainbow nearly jumped back when that grief was pulled away and buried away where her aura couldn't reach. In fact it seemed as if Scootaloo's aura had walled off any entry, reclusive once more. Hostile even. Scootaloo looked up, devoid of any emotion. “I am the third Legacy Bearer. None of you can change that. I won't let Rainbow and Soarin' go without me,” she said robotically. Scootaloo's words tumbled through Rainbow's head. What had changed in Scootaloo? Only an hour before she was torn apart from her parents' death. Now she was demanding to go with them into the Everfree. Her words of concern for Rainbow and Soarin' conflicted with the young mare's reclusive aura. But she's right, Rainbow thought. She's the third bearer now. I have to do everything I can to protect her. Rainbow's questions would have to wait for the time being. “As much as I don't want her to be, she's right,” Soarin' said. Spitfire looked incredulously at Soarin'. “You can't be serious. I can't even begin to list the reasons why she can't come with us.” “Commander Hurricane said it took three united to defeat the Archon. I don't even know how we're supposed to fight an Archon, but there are three bearers for a reason,” Soarin' said with a sigh. “She has to come with us if we want to have a chance of pulling this off.” Spitfire turned to Dash. “Rainbow?” “She already knows the answer Spitfire,” Scootaloo said irritably. Rainbow nodded glumly. “She's right. Soarin' and I had been searching for the last bearer,” she said looking sadly to Scootaloo. “And here she is.” Scootaloo looked back silently, her aura lessening its defiant stance, though it still acted warily around Rainbow's own. With it the young mare's face softened slightly, easing into a small smile as she looked between Soarin' and Rainbow Dash. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “Fine,” Spitfire said tersely. She turned to Soarin', thrusting a hoof into the stallion's chest. “You keep them close and guard them with your life. Got it?” Rainbow could tell Soarin' was surprised at Spitfire, but again the the Wonderbolt Captain's aura betrayed her frustration. Guilt now mixed with tremendous fear. “Yes ma'am,” Soarin' replied. “Good. Now let's go. We've already missed our time hack and-” “Hold on just a minute!” Rainbow spun around only to come face to face with Applejack and the rest of her friends. Each wore saddlebags. Oh no you guys, Rainbow thought. Despite the odd mixture of fear and admiration for her friends, she couldn't let them do this. “Applejack? You guys better not be doing what I think you're doing.” “'Fraid so sugarcube. I knew you'd try to sneak outta here without telling us,” Applejack said, looking to Rainbow's friends. “We're coming with ya.” “Absolutely not!” Spitfire jumped forward in front on Rainbow Dash. “This is a military operation and I won't have civilians getting in the way!” Twilight Sparkle stepped forward. “We're certainly not military ponies, but I hardly think that my friends and I are civilians at this point. We can help.” Rainbow watched as Spitfire's glare intensified, zeroing on the unicorn. “I don't give a damn what you think you can do. This is our problem, and by extension the Cloudsdale government's problem.” Twilight didn't back down. “That storm was hardly normal and it destroyed half of Ponyville! Our home! I think it is our problem!” Rainbow could tell Spitfire was beginning to lose her temper. The yellow pegasus snorted angrily through her nose, stepping closer to Twilight. “I don't have time for unicorns who think that because they're Celestia's student they can exact that dictator's authority whenever the hell they want!” “Princess Celestia is not a dictator! And I'm not just a student! And we,” Twilight gestured to her friends, “have the Elements of Harmony!” The Elements? Rainbow thought. How could she have forgotten? They were perhaps the most powerful relics in Equestria. If they could redeem Nightmare Moon, surely they could defeat an Archon? “We're done here,” Spitfire sneered. She turned to Fleetfoot. “Get everypegasi in the air, we're-” “Spitfire, hold on,” Rainbow said. Spitfire snapped toward Rainbow. At that moment her eyes looked very much like her namesake, burning through Rainbow's skull. Rainbow walked up to Spitfire, gesturing to Soarin' to join them in the huddle. “This better be good Rainbow,” Spitfire growled. “Just hear me out Spitfire,” Rainbow said, looking between the two Wonderbolts. “The Elements of Harmony are very powerful. My friends and I stopped Nightmare Moon and Discord. Who's to say they couldn't stop an Archon?” “I'm already pushing it by letting Scootaloo go,” Spitfire countered. “And that's only because we need all three of you to stop an Archon, if there even is one. And now you want me take five untrained, non-pegasi civilians into my formation, right before we head into the Everfree-bucking-forest to face down a group of highly trained, highly lethal rogues?” “My friends might not be military pegasi, but they've face danger before. If the Archon is as dangerous as we think he could be, then why wouldn't you use something as powerful as the Elements?” “The Elements are powerful,” Soarin' said slowly. “It might not be a bad idea to have a plan B.” Spitfire simply stared at the stallion, at a loss for words. “Please Spitfire,” Rainbow asked. “I'm asking you to trust me on this one.” Spitfire looked for a moment between the pegasi before her and Rainbow's friends. Her scowl was gone but the mare was clearly still irritated as she thought. Finally she looked to Rainbow. “Fine. They can come. But we play by my rules. They don't make a move until I say so. And until then, they stay quiet and out of my way.” Rainbow nodded but Spitfire had already shoved past her and Soarin', stopping nose to nose with Twilight. “We're traveling under the Everfree canopy. Fleetfoot and three other Wonderbolts will escort you on the ground. You do what they say when they. Do not fall behind,” Spitfire ordered tersely at Twilight. Abruptly the Wonderbolt Captain thrust her helmet on, her crimson visor glaring at Twilight. Twilight opened her mouth to speak. “I underst-” “No exceptions.” Twilight could only gape at the Wonderbolt Captain, taken aback. Without another word Spitfire leaped into the air. The rest of the Wonderbolts immediately followed her, taking up their positions in the formation. Rainbow strode up to her friends. Outside of Twilight's flabbergasted reaction from Spitfire, each seemed unfazed by the challenge ahead. Like so many times before. Hopefully it will end like all those times too, Rainbow thought wistfully. “We better get moving,” Soarin' said, walking up next to Rainbow with Scootaloo at his side. “We've got a lot of ground to cover and Spitfire isn't about to slow up.” Rainbow nodded. “Right.” She turned to her friends. “Let's go take down an Archon.” Windswept continued to focus on the stones beneath his hooves. Once again he was a conduit, this time for the ethereal powers of the Tempest Guard, feeding it against the resistances of the runes. The strain was minimal so far, but he knew it wouldn't last. The crack of stone cut across the silence, following by an ominous roll of thunder. Windswept winced at the sound. Despite losing one of their own, the runes seemed to increase in tenacity, fighting all the more against Windswept. He could feel the strain intensify, a sudden jolt of pain burning at his hooves. Dominus grunted aloud. “Steady my friends,” Silver said through clenched teeth. “Though it may take time, we must break the runes.” Another stone cracked through the silence. Another jolt of pain. Windswept clenched his teeth. He could feel the power of the Guard coursing to his clasp, through to his body. Sweat formed at his brow as he fought against the runes, the pain stretching from his hooves to the rest of his body. Another jolt struck Windswept's clasp. But this was not the clash of power between the Tempest Guard and the imprisoning runes. It was all too familiar. The ravenous presence of the Archon clawed at Windswept's aura, swirling silently around him like a tornado. He tried to keep his fear in check, to simply focus on the runes beneath his hooves, but the Archon's subconscious was relentless, even stronger than from outside the tomb. Windswept's ears perked up, almost expectantly. Whispers and harsh voices coursed through the air. They returned with the same power as before, bearing down on Windswept, paired with the waves of the Archon's battering aura. The pain was nearly unbearable. Windswept fell upon his forehooves, trying his best to contend with the combined power of the Tempest Guard and the Archon's suffocating presence. Windswept's breath came in short gasps, his whole body wracked in pain and sweat. Hold on, just hold on... Silver and Dominus remained steadfast, seemingly under less strain than their companion. Another solid crack of stone cut through the air. Another jolt of power followed by a violent thunderclap. “I-It's working! I c-can feel him! In the m-mist!” One of the Tempest Guards exclaimed aloud. Windswept slowly opened his eyes, trying his best to ignore the sweat that stung his eyes and the rampant surges that still assaulted his body. “We must outlast this! The Archon is returning to his body!” Silver exclaimed almost maniacally, his eyes aflame with excitement. A hazy mist wafted into the room. Windswept nearly forgot the ethereal burn that coursed through him as his eyes followed the haze. It seeped in from the walls, converging onto the burial site, slowly swirling around above the head of the internment. The mist was ice cold, freezing vapor permeating the burial chamber. Windswept could feel the Archon's presence within it, reaching and biting at his hooves, grasping to be free. “Who... are... you?” Windswept froze at the deathly hollow voice, stilled by fear. His blood ran cold as the whisper echoed in his mind, its deep and sharp voice driving his fright. Never before had they been so clear, with such clarity and precision. He knew what it was, who it was, but he desperately wished he didn't. He glanced toward Silver and Dominus, but neither seemed to have heard the voice. I-ignore it, drive on. You want this. T-this is right. T-this is just... Windswept pleaded with himself, trying to drive away his fear. But it was an impossible task. The whispers continued to ravage around him, clearer than ever before. Fear assaulted him as he felt the Archon's presence through the mist, the deep and ancient power forming, coalescing into one monumental entity. It was slowly drawing together, towering above him and the collective aura of the Tempest Guard. Unfocused and split apart the Archon's mind was wild and ravenous. As it continued to form, so to did the colossal ethereal aura that crushed down upon the Tempest Guard. “By the ancestors...” Dominus barely whispered. Another crack. Another violent thunderclap. Another element of the Archon reformed. Windswept struggled to keep his head aloft. His hooves burned, wisps of smoke beginning to curl up from his glowing steel shoes. “You... are not as the others...,” the voice came once more. “Their destinies are known to them, known to myself...” Windswept clenched his eyes shut, trying to drive out the echoing voices that tore painfully with each word through his mind. I... can do this... Windswept thought to himself. Just fight through it... “Does the prodigal son not know his own?” The words abounded in Windswept's skull, but he barely had time to contemplate them. He bowed his head, clenching his eyes shut, trying to the force the words from his mind. The mist had grown, icy wafts of vapor shrouding the ring of Tempest Guards. Only the amethyst light continued to peer through the haze. The mist billowed more violently throughout the burial chamber, accompanied by small flashes of lightning crackling within. Volleys of thunder continued to erupt from beyond the burial chamber. Then all was quiet once more. Windswept opened his eyes. The presence of the Archon was gone. In fact, so was the link to the rest of the Guard. “Silver, what hap-” Windswept caught his words in his throat. The chamber around him seemed to be frozen, not by ice but in time. Silver, Dominus and each Tempest Guard was like a statue. Not a breath escaped them, no movement of any kind. “What in great pits of Tartarus?” He whispered, gazing about the rest of the Guard. A sudden thought popped into Windswept's mind. His face paled as it twisted in his mind. A trap? Was it possible to do such a thing? To freeze sompegasi in time? “Then why haven't I been affected?” He wondered aloud. “You are not trapped,” spoke an eerily spectral voice from behind. Windswept spun around. Before him stood the ghost pegasus. Windswept gasped, falling to the floor. He thrust his hoof in front of him like a shield, hiding his face from the spirit. “P-please d-don't hurt me!” The ghost stepped forward. Heavy hoof steps echoed in the chamber, along with the shifting of plate armor. Its form was no longer a haze, features as sharp as any living, breathing pegasus. Only the stallion's body remained semi-transparent, colored in a grayish teal. The specter stopped in front of a trembling Windswept. “Calm thyself. I am not a vengeful spirit. Far unlike the being you are attempting to revive.” Windswept slowly looked up at the ghost. Semi-transparent eyes looked back, true to the spirit's words, there was no malice. Only a dour and tired face from under an ancient and worn battle helm looked on at Windswept, if a bit distant. Windswept swallowed, trying to calm his racing heart. It hasn't hurt me yet, just take it slow. With some trepidation, Windswept rose to his hooves, all the while watching the being before him. He could feel his aura reach out to the ghost. Upon connecting, Windswept found that it was far stronger, and far more familiar than any he shared with the rest of the Tempest Guard. The ghost smiled weakly, though Windswept found it to be all the more unsettling. “W-who are you? Why are you following me?” The ghost gave pause for a minute as if it was puzzle by the question. Then he slowly removed his helm, tucking it against his chest. “I am Captain High Winds, the last commander of the Tempest Guard, and the guardian of this forsaken place.” “I know about you...” Windswept said slowly, his fear subsiding as his mind began to churn. “Silver Wings told me you disappeared just after the Archon was defeated.” The ghost seemed to think on Windswept's reply for a moment. “Yes, that is... likely to be true.” Likely to be true? Windswept thought curiously, but he didn't get the chance to question further. “You must stop what you and the others gathered here are doing.” The chamber suddenly shook. Out of the corner of his eye Windswept thought he saw the swirling mist resume its movement for just a moment, the bite of its icy chill once more upon his hooves. Thunder sounded in the distance, but it was muted and muffled, barely reaching his ears. He could feel a faint pressure build in the back of his mind, but it quickly subsided. The ghost looked around the chamber, frowning. “Stop? But why?” Windswept said. “You're one of the Tempest Guard, shouldn't you want this more than anypegasi? Isn't that why you're here, after all these years?” “I am not here by choice. Otherwise my soul...” The ghost trailed off, a pained expression on his face. “Otherwise, my soul would be whole in the Valley of the Stars. But there is little time. What you and the Tempest Guard endeavor to do will bring devastation upon all, even the pegasi.” “How can you say that? We are righting the injustices thousands of years old!” Windswept tried to say proudly, but it felt forced. Instead, he felt a yearning to agree with the ghost, his fears of the Archon's power overshadowing his thoughts. Windswept mentally shook himself. No, Silver is right. What we're doing here is just. “We will restore the lost glory of the Skythan Empire.” “Skythus...” The ghost trailed off again wistfully, but quickly regained himself. “What history you, and the rest of the Guard believe, is false.” The room suddenly rumbled again, much more violently this time. Windswept nearly fell over as he felt a jolt of the Tempest Guard's power surge through him, along with the malevolent pressure of the Archon's power tearing through his mind. The icy mists shifted once more, accompanied this time by the momentary howling of wind. Thunder erupted again, clearer than before. The ghost fell upon his forehooves, his form flickering in and out of focus. Windswept could feel his aura tug as the ghost slowly stood up. “I cannot hold this time forever, the Archon's power will soon overwhelm me.” “How can we be wrong?” Windswept said. For some reason he desperately wanted to know. “I cannot tell you.” “Can't tell, or won't tell?” Sadness overtook the ghost, his eyes cast to the floor. “I cannot tell you, because I do not know. I am but a fragment of the soul that is High Winds. I know little, but the emotions from my time in the mortal world tell me that what we did those many years ago was wrong. What I did.” “Feelings?” Windswept said. “You want me to throw away a future for the pegasi race, the truth, just because you feel like what we're doing is wrong? That's hardly convincing,” Windswept said. Yet as much as he wished to deny it, he could feel the conviction in High Winds' words. Why did he want to believe this ghost so much? High Winds looked up abruptly, looking Windswept in the eye. “I know you feel this as well.” “And how is that?” The ghost smiled broadly. “Our aura's have linked, far stronger than those you would call your allies. Something only shared through blood.” “You mean I'm... you're...” Windswept stammered in disbelief. “Perhaps I was not the last of my line after all...” “Is that why only I can s-” The burial chamber suddenly shook at the sound of a massive thunderclap. Windswept fell on his hooves as his mind exploded. The echoing scream of a stallion swept through his mind, battering it with dark presence of the Archon. The room flickered with movement. The mists swirled, stopping and starting as the frozen time began to break down. Silver Wings and Dominus' struggles reemerged, both pegasi moving haphazardly with the rapid start and stop of time. Thunder continued to boom unimpeded, drowning out all sound in the chamber. High Winds' form began to faze in and out violently. His form struggled against the stone floor, against some kind of force pulling against him. Windswept clenched his eyes shut. The conduit of the Tempest Guard rushed through him. His hooves burned against the runes beneath him. The presence of the Archon continued to form, words flowing through his ears and mind. All the while he struggled to maintain his contact with High Winds' aura. He could feel the Archon's powers assault the tether, trying to wrench the specter from the burial chamber. “YOU MUST STOP THIS!” High Winds called out against the howling wind and booming of thunder. A particularly violent wave of the Archon's power crashed against High Winds. The bottom half of his body dissipated against the surge as the ghost struggled to remain. A second later his body reformed, but continued to flicker, like a candle against the wind. “THE TEMPEST GUARD WAS NOT ALWAYS THIS WAY!” Another wave of dark power. High Winds nearly disappeared completely, only his head visible before his hazy form returned. “HEAL THE SPLINTER!” High Wind's words barely reached Windswept's ears. But it mattered little. All of his senses were assaulted at once. The runes beneath his hooves exploded with light. The surge of the Tempest Guards' power electrified through his body once more as his hooves burned white hot. Icy mist billowed through the chamber, obscuring sight. Lastly, Windswept could feel the building pressure of the Archon's presence against his mind, reaching a breaking point. Windswept could only watch on as a monumental wave of the Archon's power swept through the chamber. The fluctuation of frozen time shattered. Windswept's aural tether abruptly severed. His eyes locked with High Winds. The ghost looked to Windswept for one fleeting moment. There was no struggle or resistance from High Winds as his body succumbed to the forces around him. Only a serene hope. Then, resigned to his fate, the spectral pegasus closed his eyes, and was swept away in the flurry of the Archon's aural storm. Windswept fell to his hooves, unable to think as he contested with the pain. His vision began to darken. The sound of a series of deep, dull cracks echoed loudly within the chamber. Windswept gasped aloud as all pain left him. The crackling lightning about the runes ceased, as did the thunder above. For a split second all was silent and unmoving. A vortex of wind erupted from the burial mound. The mist in the chamber was violently sucked into it, disappearing into the dirt. Windswept and the rest of the Tempest Guard clawed at the stone beneath their hooves as the vortex continued to pull anything and everything toward the tomb. A scream suddenly sounded from the exit of the chamber, echoing from the winding tunnels above. Steadily it grew, louder and louder, reverberating against the stone walls. Louder still it came, a deep screaming rage of an ethereal stallion. Windswept's blood ran cold. The screaming roar burst into the chamber, forcefully blasting all inside to the ground. Windswept gritted his teeth and clenched his eyes shut. He tried to shut out the tormenting scream, thrusting his hooves over his ears. But such actions did little to guard against the Archon's presence that physically pressed his body against the floor and ran rampant within his mind. Then all was silent in the burial chamber. The vortex had abruptly ceased, and with it the otherworldly scream. Only a singular lazy roll of muffled thunder sounded above through to the chamber below. Windswept dared to open a single eye. The Tempest Guard were still strewn about the burial chamber, each struggling to get to their hooves. Silver Wings and Dominus were likewise upon the floor a short distance away from Windwept. Dominus still kept his eyes shut tightly, breathing deeply but unhurt. Silver Wings on the other hoof grinned maniacally as he stared wide eyed at the burial mound before him. Windswept opened his mouth to speak, but he didn't get the chance. The ground began to shake violently, filling the chamber with the loud rumblings of shifting stone and coaxing dust from the ceiling above. At the same time streams of red-purple light burst forth from the edges of the burial mound. It grew in intensity, light further streaming forth from cracks upon the interment. Silver Wings jumped to his hooves. “HE IS HERE!” Silver shouted, a frenzied expression on his face as he stared expectantly into the ever brightening light. Windswept scrambled to his hooves, darting away from the center of the chamber. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dominus tackle Silver Wings, the two pegasi colliding to the floor and rolling to the side of the chamber. The burial mound exploded in a wave of light, blinding all within. Chunks of earth were thrown throughout the chamber. For several seconds there was only the silent column of amethyst light. A darkened silhouette suddenly appeared within the light. As he squinted with his hoof shielding his eyes, Windswept could barely make out what appeared to be a stallion. The column of light disappeared. Windswept's world was plunged into darkness, even as he madly searched about the chamber, fear and excitement compelling him. Sound came before sight. A deep and rattled breathing sounded from the center of the chamber. Windswept zeroed his vision toward the sound. His eyes adjusted slowly, torturing him. An icy blue mist rhythmically appeared and faded with the raspy breaths from the center of the chamber. A split second later Windswept realized the bluish haze wasn't mist, rather it was the strange, magical frozen breath from a very much alive being just a few hooves away. The breathing continued, deep and rattling. It was followed the sudden rapt of a hoof against stone. Immediately the broken runes at the perimeter of the tomb glowed with a dim amethyst light, granting sight. Windswept's eyes looked to the figure at the center of the chamber, finally revealed. A large stallion pegasus stood just outside the vacated tomb. But large would have been too simple a term. Windswept had never seen a pegasus of such a size. The stallion easily stood a head over the rest, likely as tall, if not taller than Princess Luna. However, any other similarities to the Princess of the Night ended there. His frame was thin, frighteningly so, almost as if his skin and fur were hanging from his bones. His fur was matted and dull, but underneath Windswept could see the amethyst-red coat obscured by grime and dirt. If there was a mark upon his flank, it was hidden by soil. The stallion's mane was likewise sullied, but carried a darker shade. The pegasus' wings were the largest Windswept had ever seen. A slightly lighter shade of red than the stallion's coat, the wings were massive, suiting his frame. They appeared thin and were missing many feathers, but they still demanded a silent majesty, folded by their master's side. The stallion's eyes darted about as he looked around the room. Windswept flinched as the pegasus' face came into view. It was gaunt and tired, much like the rest of the magnified stallion's body. But any such thoughts of weakness left Windswept instantly as his eyes peered at those of the stallion before him. A discerning and frighteningly sharp intelligence was behind the coal colored eyes that glowed faintly in the dim lit chamber. By the Archons... Windswept thought numbly, too awestruck to appreciate the irony. The rattled breathing slowed, as did the icy vapor. The pegasus' continued to scan the chamber, the faintest traces of confusion upon his face, Slowly his eyes drifted amongst the dumbstruck pegasi within the chamber. His searching stopped, resting his gaze upon Windswept. The stallion's eyes narrowed in greater confusion as he regarded the junior-most Tempest Guard. A shiver ran down Windswept's spine as he gawked from the floor. Fear urged him to look away from the ancient eyes that beheld him, from the familiar and barely restrained power that lingered behind them. But he looked on, almost as if he no longer controlled his body or mind. His aura was at the helm. It was unlike anything Windswept had ever felt it before, his aura attention and with a renewed vigor of strength and loyalty that urged Windswept toward the pegasus before him. “My... my Lord Archon?” Both Windswept and the magnified pegasus looked toward where the voice had come. Silver Wings stood hesitantly on his hooves. Windswept could still see the rush of euphoria upon the stallion, but it was mixed with uncertainty and a healthy dose of fear. Silver's words seemed to resonate with the pegasus. All confusion disappeared from the stallion as he looked more intently at Silver. “Tu quis es? Vos ex Tempastate Militiae?” The stallion said boldly. Though foreign, Windswept could tell the words were not directly threatening. Silver recoiled slightly under the stallion's gaze, but he gave pause at the language. “Tempastate Miltiae...” he said slowly. A sudden look of realization overcame the stallion as he looked down at the insignia that held his cloak. “Yes, yes!” He exclaimed, looking up. “We are the Tempest Gua-” The stallion abruptly raised his hoof, signaling Silver to silence. The dark pegasus lifted his head slightly, closing his eyes in apparent concentration. Windswept watched for a moment, then abruptly felt a jolt through his aura, as did every other Tempest Guard at that very moment. There was no mistaking the signature of the Archon that Windswept had become familiar with in the previous hours, but now it was controlled, tamed and non-threatening. Instead of ravaging his mind ruthlessly, it passed through his aura with fluidly and with care, joining Windswept's own power to the others. Immediately Windswept was more attuned to his brethren than he had up to that point, the Archon's aural mastery weaving together the ethereal strands of each pegasus into a unified cord. The intensity of the connection faded, but it still lingered in the backdrop of Windswept's aura. Despite the absolute certainty that his aura and the power of the Archon had beset him, Windswept was confused. Is this truly the Archon? He thought, flinching as his mind thought back to the mental trauma he had been subjected to only minutes before. Gasps echoed through the chamber briefly. The stallion seemed momentarily weakened from channeling those around him, but quickly composed himself. “There. Though this vernacular is... simple, we may now speak equally,” the stallion said calmly. His voice was strong and deep. “I ask again: Who are you? Are you of mine own Tempest Guard?” Silver's mouth was ajar as he stared at the stallion. “Then... you truly are...,” Silver whispered in awe. Abruptly he snapped his mouth shut, forcefully taking to one knee. “Yes my Lord Archon! We are what remains of the of Tempest Guard, and I am it's Captain, Silver Wings.” Windswept found himself like Silver, as did every Tempest Guard, despite their injuries and fatigue. Again the strange compulsion within Windswept's aura seemed to be guiding him toward this figure... this Archon. Everything Silver had promised seemed to be standing before him, so why did he feel so unsure? High Winds' words crept into his mind. "You must stop what you and the others gathered here are doing." Windswept pushed them away. No. High Winds is wrong. The Archon will restore the pegasi race. He will prove it to us all. This was right. We are right, he thought, as pride swelled within, shared within his aura and those of his comrades. “Rise, Tempastate Miltiae,” The Archon said. “My lord,” Silver began eagerly, stepping forward without hesitation. “We have released you from your imprisonment. It was not without difficulty. Many years of searching and planning have culminated in this moment,” Silver said proudly, looking between the rest of the Guard and the Archon. “Even so, there have been casualties along the way. I have hoped and dreamed that we might right the injustices from so long ag-” “Stop.” Silver closed his mouth quickly, recoiling slightly at the Archon's curt command. “Show them to me,” The Archon said. Silver Wings looked around for a moment, then to Dominus confused. Dominus simply shrugged at his Captain. Silver looked back to the Archon. “My lord, we are all assembled here.” “Not all,” the Archon replied stoically. He looked Silver squarely in the eye. “Take me to the victorious dead.” “Oh,” Silver said absently, seemingly caught off guard by the Archon's request. “Yes, of course! This way my lord,” Silver said, gesturing outside the tomb. Windswept silently gaped as Silver led the way, two guards quickly rolling the stone doorway aside. Silver pointed to the three deceased pegasi, laid together in a row. “They are over he-,” The Archon strode past without a word, stopping before the deceased. Windswept's could only stare. What was about to happen? The Archon had said nothing, and yet he could feel the weight of the situation, unable to speak. The rest of the Guard was of a like mind, silently watching. The Archon knelt with some difficulty, bowing his head. He began to whisper. Windswept strained to hear, but he could only pick out a few words, all in the Archon's native tongue. “...and may swift winds bear you to vallis stellarum,” the Archon finished, extending his wings above the dead. A tiny flash of light immediately emitted at the head of each of the dead. It quickly faded, but Windswept could clearly see the faint glow of a four pointed star upon the brow of each of the dead pegasus. The Archon turned to the assembled Guard. “My name is Typhonis, Lord Archon of Storms. You have freed me from this prison, but not without cost,” he said solemnly, gesturing to the dead. “They have given their lives that I may be free. Everypegasi assembled here, including myself, now bears the great privilege of ensuring their sacrifice is not in vain.” Windswept's mouth was ajar, but he barely noticed it. The Lord of Storm's eyes were ablaze with a passion that filled the room. It was infectious, and Windswept didn't need his aura to know it. “I am united once more with the Tempest Guard,” Typhonis continued, ambling before the crescent formation of the Guard. He stopped before Silver Wings, looking to pegasi behind him. “Your Captain was right, we will right a great many injustices. But your numbers are small, and from your speech I fear much time has passed. I recall little,” the Archon said wistfully, his eyes drifting off into space. “As I slept dark dreams filled my mind. Dreams of anger, storms and fleeing pegasi.” “And dark whispers,” Windswept said softly without thinking. The Archon looked to Windswept. Windswept stiffened as the Archon regarded him for a moment, cocking his brow. Did I say something wrong? Windswept thought, withering under the gaze of the Archon. The Archon looked at Windswept for several seconds more. The corners of his mouth curled into a knowing smile. “Whispers indeed.” Windswept shivered. What's that supposed to mean? Unfortunately, he had little time to ponder the cryptic reply. “My lord, we must leave,” Silver announced. “There is no telling if our enemies have tracked us here.” “They persist then,” Typhonis said darkly. “There is more I must know, but it will wait.” He turned to address the Guard. “Lead me beyond this cursed prison Tempastate Miltiae.” Silver beamed. “Yes my lord!” He turned to Dominus. “Gather the dead, there is no time to lose.” One by one the Tempest Guard filed past, through the stone doorway and into the narrowly ascending passageway. Only Windswept, Silver Wings and the Archon remained. Typhonis seemed to be distracted. His eyes hovered over the inscribed text above the tomb door. “Peril and ruin await the world,” he said absently. “The Skythan Traitor.” Windswept studied the Archon's face. There was no rage, not any kind of anger like he had expected. Only confusion and... sadness? Windwept looked to Silver. The other pegasus seemed just as unsure. “My Lord Archon-?” Typhonis ignored Silver, walking toward the wreckage of twisted steel from the armored guardians. His brow furrowed as he studied the metal corpses. “Aeterni, jailors fit for a traitor,” he said softly. "Were you so desperate to keep me here?” Windswept suddenly felt an outpouring of emotion through his aura. It came in a flash from the Archon, but it was indecipherable. A flurry of thousands of emotions crammed together, recalled from a deep chasm of time that Windswept could even begin to fathom. It quickly vanished. Windswept's eyes flicked toward Silver. There was no reaction from the Captain. The Archon abruptly turned around. He strode past the two puzzled pegasi toward the doorway. “Come, let us depart,” Typhonis said evenly. “The world awaits the Skythan Traitor.”