Nigel grumbled while he awoke, a strange sensation on the side of his face. A soft, wet object was dragging itself up and down his cheek, and he swatted at it with a hand.
It made contact with a smooth surface, a child’s giggle rousing him further. The wet object, Nigel now guessing that it was a tongue, moved onto licking his hand. Blinking open his eyes, he placed one hand down on the bed and lifted himself up.
Reflection was smiling up at him, another three nymphs standing beside her on the bed with grins as well.
“Morning!”
He turned his head around at the greeting, spotting the rest of the nymphs on the other side. Many wings buzzing was the only warning he got before he was swarmed, gleeful nymphs bounding forwards to rub up against his armour and give hugs.
It was at the same time incredibly touching and sickeningly cute.
“Okay, calm down,” he told them, and they began to settle down on the bed while staring at him. He examined the crowd of nymphs, and raised an eyebrow. “Why are you ten all out of your room, where’s Chrysalis?”
In response, Reflection buzzed her wings and took off from the bed, the child hovering in the air shakily but was managing to stay up. Nigel’s eyes widened when the others followed, each one buzzing around the room with confidence.
“That’s… that’s pretty good.” He looked towards the door, a low-flying nymph grazing the top of his head with her hooves. It was wide open, and there was still no sign of Chrysalis. It was odd, she was quite protective of the children and it wasn’t like her to just let them roam around without her supervision. One check of the time later, and he also came to the conclusion that it was far too early for Chrysalis to be up and active.
Swinging his legs off the bed, he dodged flying nymphs and poked his head out of the doorway. The door to Chrysalis’ room was also wide open, and the trail of stuffed toys leading out through the hall indicated that the nymphs were the culprits. A weight on his shoulder drew his attention, a turn to the left revealing that it was Buzz.
Nigel stared into the nymph’s eyes, taking note that the changeling’s fangs were noticeably larger. The wide grin that Buzz was giving him was perfect for showing them off, Nigel craning his head to see more of the nymph.
‘Wow, he’s certainly growing up,’ he thought upon seeing the large torso and bulked up shoulders. With an armoured finger, he tapped the chitin covering the nymph’s back. It was hard and firm, Buzz giving him a proud look while expanding his wings to their full span.
“I think I better go check on Chrysalis,” he told Buzz, using both hands to lift the nymph off and set him down upon all four hooves. Buzz was about the size of a medium dog, his horn coming up to the middle of Nigel’s armoured shins. Looking at the other flying and playing changelings, the observation that all were growing fast was obvious. “All of you stay here, okay? Chrissy is going to be pretty grumpy when she wakes up.”
“Ca.. can I come?” Buzz managed to ask, his tail swishing behind him. Nigel glanced back into his room, the other nymphs too busy having fun to notice his departure. Even Reflection was too busy examining the inside of his helmet.
“Sure,” he whispered to Buzz, the nymph brightening with joy. “But keep quiet, okay?”
Buzz nodded without a sound, Nigel pressing the button to close the door. The metal barrier slid shut without a sound, leaving Buzz and Chalmers alone in the hall. With the nymph trotting along beside him, he slowly approached Chrysalis’ room and looked in.
Chrysalis, head under a pillow, was currently fast asleep. Judging from the messy covers, her tussled mane, and debris strewn room, he deduced that her sleep had not been a peaceful one. Gesturing for Buzz to follow him, he began to pick up all of the toys he could find.
With arms full of toy dragons, he returned to his room and opened the door.
A tide of nymphs rushed out, their eyes going straight for the toys. Hooves were extended towards him and Nigel quickly acted before they could begin to ask for them. Heading down the corridor, he moved to the recreational area.
“Once again, everyone sleeps in,” he muttered upon entering the empty room. Kicking open the playpen door, he tossed the dragon toys into the middle. Nymphs swarmed in, most going for the toys while other seemed more intent on chasing their fellows. Once all were in, Nigel shut the door before pausing and looking around. Spotting the table between the couches, he got a great idea.
Brushing his hands with a grin, he observed his brilliant solution to the problem of the nymphs new flying skills.
With the table placed over the top of the playpen, there was no way the children could escape. Leaving his devious plan behind, he turned around and headed back towards the bedrooms. ‘Perfect, absolutely nothing can go wrong.’ He stopped at the kitchen, his eyes landing on the single refrigerator that dominated the room. He had something important to do, and he knew that if he considered himself a good person then he’d have to do it. Opening the door, he examined the lone pitcher of water sitting on the middle shelf… alongside a single slice of vintage cheddar.
Quickly shoving the cheese into his mouth, he savoured his breakfast before glancing over the jug of water.
‘Huh, maybe I should get some water for Chrysalis as well.’
Shrugging, he picked it up and shut the fridge before resuming his walking. Coming up to her door, he peeked inside the darkened room. Chrysalis was still asleep, so he carefully snuck in and placed the jug on the bedside table. Staring down at her, he frowned.
In about an hour he was planning to leave for the pony Capital, to help Sombra prepare for the hopeful arrival of the Pegasi to talk business. He was confident that they wouldn’t be able to resist the offer, but he couldn’t shake the gut feeling that it was going to go down badly somehow. However, there was no possible way that some pegasi would get the better of him, or Sombra for that matter.
Leaning down closer to Chrysalis, he watched her sleep for a few moments. She was surprisingly entertaining and interesting, at the same time caring and overbearing. She’d adapted to the situation amazingly well, given the circumstances. He hadn’t really dwelled on it before, but during dinner the previous night he had noticed that she was growing to be quite attractive. Sure, when she had revealed her true form to him he’d thought that she was cute, but he suspected that his tastes for exotic natives learned from his infantry days was really starting to resurface.
A smile on his face, he went over all of the memories of her fawning over him. Gently ignoring her advances had grown harder and harder as time had gone by, having her around now seemed normal. As such, what he was about to do was made all that much harder.
Brushing the lengths of silky hair away from her face, he placed a brief kiss on her forehead before standing back up. “Hold the fort for me,” he whispered, making sure to make little noise while he exited the room and closed her door. His most pressing task complete, he ducked into his room to fetch his helmet.
He had a meeting to attend.
Platinum strutted out of the elevator with her nose held high. Her sleep had been amazing, her mind swelled with the knowledge of three new spells.
“Such power,” she murmured to herself, glancing back towards the black tower that had housed her. “As soon as this is done, I think I’ll make you my new castle.” Her mind replaying the thoughts of how great it’d be to possess all of the tower’s magic ‘showers’ for herself and herself alone, she resumed her trotting.
Her bare hooves clacked upon the cobbled stone road, Platinum inwardly wincing whenever an early-rising peasant looked at her. She was naked without her crown and jewels, something she sought to rectify. Now, all she had to do was find a way out of the city and infiltrate the castle, then it would be time for some much-deserved vengeance. A smirk graced her face, while she was content to let the Alicorns deal with Chalmers she really wanted to defeat Sombra by herself.
“Platinum? You’re up early.”
Her prideful steps froze at the voice of the human, Chalmers approaching from behind. Doubt swelled in her mind when she once again was faced with his fully armoured form, did the alicorns really want to fight this? His helmet optics seemed to be staring into her soul, and Platinum shifted on her hooves.
“I… I wanted to…” she focused, she needed a cunning plan.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t think of one in time.
“I wanted to travel with you to the castle… so I could forgive Sombra?”
“Really? That’s great! Of course you can come.”
‘What?’ she struggled to hold back her words. ‘He can’t really be that stupid, can he?’ Watching Nigel carry on down the road, she came to the conclusion that yes, he was that stupid. Now, she had the perfect ticket to get into the castle, and most importantly she had his trust.
It was hard to believe that such a naïve individual could get the better of her, but she supposed that luck was a powerful thing.
Following him down the road, they both approached the edge of the town. Dangerous weapon-topped towers scanned the area, Platinum shuddering when the red light of one passed over her. She couldn’t stuff today up, the human wouldn’t give her a second chance.
“You’re not going to bring Clover?” he suddenly questioned, his eyes still ahead.
“No,” she quickly responded. “I thought that she deserves some rest.”
“Huh, the same for Chrysalis, although I hope she’s better by the time she finds the nymphs.”
Now Platinum remembered, Chrysalis and Chalmers had gone out to dinner last night. Obviously the changeling had drunk a little too much, like the rest of the esteemed ponies that had attended the grungy tavern with her. The grimace at the memory of the alcohol-fuelled night was wiped away by the imagining of the reaction that Spyglass would have when he’d wake up.
“That’s too bad,” she tried to sympathise. “Still, at least I’m up.”
“Indeed,” he chortled, leaving the town behind them. “And incredibly chirpy as well.”
‘Really? He thinks I’m chirpy?’
A strange sound broke her from her thoughts, originating from the human. He was humming, his finger waving in the air in time with the beat. She moved to his side and matched his pace, trying hard to ignore the sound. Looking up, she saw the castle, her castle, in the distance.
‘Soon,’ she thought, her smile genuine. ‘It pays for a lady to be patient, after all.’
“Never again, never.”
Chrysalis groaned and rubbed her head, the throbbing not dying down. She pulled the pillow down tighter, but it still didn’t solve the issue of her pounding headache. Her hoof hit a glass jug, green bloodshot eyes focusing on the item of wanted refreshment. With great effort, she looped her hoof through the handle and carefully brought it to her lips.
She drank deep, gulps of water disappearing down her gullet until half of the jug was gone.
“Ah,” she sighed, slamming the jug down on the table. Taking a deep breath of air, she tried to ignore the pain in her head before sliding out of bed.
Well, less like sliding and more like ‘falling flat on her face’.
Chrysalis rolled on the floor with her hooves on her head and her teeth clenched. Stumbling back to her hooves, she focused and made her way out of the room. Her eyes went to the room next to hers, Chrysalis feeling some of the pain fade away at the happy memory of the previous night.
She was confident to call it the best night of her life so far, and she knew that it wasn’t the wine talking last night when he had complimented her mane and eyes. The kiss was a little more blurred, Chrysalis still not sure whether it was a ‘friend kiss’ or a ‘romantic kiss’, but she was hopeful that it was the latter. How could it not be, she had seen the way that he had finally looked at her across the candlelit table. With these thoughts helping her power through the hangover, she opened his door and grinned into his room.
“Morning Nigel, I was thinking that we could get some breakfast…”
She was met with an empty bed, Chrysalis deflating when she remembered that he was heading to the Equestrian capitol for the day. Sighing, she backed out of the room and trotted to the recreational room. Maybe she could see him from the command room, and there was the possibility that she could zoom in like he had before.
Just before reaching the room, she paused when the voices of the nymphs reached her ears.
‘I forgot all about them!’ she panicked, rushing into the room. Stopping and staring at the table placed over the playpen, she shook her head. ‘Well, at least he tried.’ Thinking about Nigel again distracted her, Chrysalis breaking out into another grin. Trotting over to the playpen, she undid the simple latch and released them. The nymphs flooded out, flocking around her legs with smiles and cheered greetings.
“Morning Chrissy!” Reflection giggled, nuzzling up against a foreleg.
“Chrysalis,” Shade corrected, taking the other leg and embracing it. Her headache was forgotten, and she bent down to give each one a welcoming nuzzle. The buzzing of wings took her by surprise, Chrysalis looking back when three of them landed on her back. She looked back when another flew past her, Chrysalis wincing at the realisation that they could now fly with some skill. Great, that explained the table over the playpen that had greeted her.
Any concerns were soon lost when she decided on what to do, nymphs flocking around her legs. Trotting into the elevator, she waited for the nymphs to follow her in before she hit the button for the command tower. She didn’t even feel the jolt of the lift starting, a few moments of travel before the doors opened once more.
The nymphs swarmed out ahead of her, rushing out towards the large command chair. Chrysalis watched with a sad smile while they sniffed around it before the windows drew their attention. They started to entertain themselves with pointing out objects below and sharing the names with each other, Chrysalis getting an idea.
Trotting to the chair, she climbed up on it and settled in. With her forelegs on the armrests, she swivelled around until she was facing the castle.
‘How do I work this?’ she wondered, focusing on finding out on how to make the windows act the way she wanted by pressing the buttons on the chair.
Sombra frowned while he stared at the broken tower on the castle. A team of construction unicorns were currently replacing the stone, however, no amount of repairs could ever remove the memory of the attack. He grinded his teeth, all he had to do was wait and soon the human would become complacent.
Turning around, he tilted his head towards the two knights at the side and began to trot down the main street. Metal armour and swords clanked together, Sombra going over the surrounds with a keen eye. Soldiers, both unicorn and peasantry, patrolled the streets with spears at the ready. Catapults were aimed towards the sky, their crews maintaining a careful watch.
A brown peasant mare leading a small colt backed away from the road at his passing, the pony having the sense to bow. Sombra gave her a small nod of approval, his eyes returning to the walls. He was confident that they were ready for the possible arrival of the Pegasi, and ready to defeat them if the meeting turned sour.
He stopped at the large gate, the forty guards standing watch focusing on the road out ahead of them. Sombra needed to only give a glance for the soldiers to spring into action, the heavy gates swinging open on their iron hinges. As soon as they were fully split, he advanced out and stared at the tower in the distance.
“You better not fail to live up to expectations, Human,” he muttered. “Potential usefulness is your most becoming trait.”
“Ah…”
Nigel stretched his arms out in his armour, thankful for the chance to stretch his legs. The pony by his side was less than chuffed with the exercise, Platinum huffing with a sweat-soaked mane. The Princess was almost dragging her hooves along the ground, her eyes locked on the dirt road. A smile under his helmet, Chalmers glanced to the left and gestured towards a single tree growing out of the dull grass.
“Hey Platinum, do you mind if we stop for a break?”
At his words, she brightened and nodded.
“Of course, final- I mean, if you wish to rest then I will allow it.”
‘Whatever you say, Plats,’ he thought with a hidden grin. She tried to appear cool and collected, but he noticed her legs shaking while she followed. He sat down under the tree and watched the former princess collapse onto her side with a huff. Platinum panted and rolled over onto her back, glancing back to make sure he couldn’t see before she stretched out her limbs.
“I hate this midday sun,” she groaned, fanning her face with her forehooves.
Nigel looked at his helmet readouts. “It’s only twenty-four degrees centigrade,” he told her, Platinum glancing back with furrowed eyes.
“Deg-rees? Centralgrade?”
“Nevermind,” he chuckled with a wave. “I’m saying that it’s not that hot today. You must have spent too much time in castles and not enough outside.”
“Says the creature in magical armour all the time,” she muttered, Nigel rolling his eyes at her.
They waited for ten minutes before he got bored, and he only had a few more hours to meet with Sombra before the Pegasi were supposed to show up. He stood up and stretched, Platinum refusing to move from the ground.
“Look, do you want me to just get a transport to pick us up and-“
“No!” Platinum exclaimed, rushing to her hooves with shaky knees. “That will only show weakness!”
With a raised eye, he held his tongue at the comment. Shrugging, he continued walking, leaving Platinum to follow behind. Pausing to look at the city growing ever closer, he heard a twinkling sound coming from behind him.
“Plats?” he inquired, looking behind him.
“What?” she questioned, tilting her head.
“I heard a strange sound just then, are you okay?” Her eyes widened slightly.
“I… uh, yes, I’m fine,” she smiled, before hurrying along to overtake him. “We better hurry up if we want to make it in time.” She began to gallop while laughing nervously, Nigel snorting before breaking into a run after her.
Platinum seemed like she knew something he didn’t, but at least she wasn’t falling behind anymore.
‘Wait, I just need to wait.’
She had fought the urge to just unleash all of her new magic on Chalmers right then and there; the human’s back having offered up a prime target. He had almost caught her charging a spell, and Platinum didn’t want to know what would happen if Chalmers found out about her treachery. At least with her plan, there would be two alicorns in-between her and a likely infuriated human.
Instead of blasting him, she had instead surged ahead to avoid the temptation. Unfortunately, galloping at full speed like a mud-pony running from the guards had worn her out and that had been about three hours ago. Now, the sun was halfway between the middle of the sky and the horizon, and her hooves were killing her.
What was even worse was the fact that Chalmers was strolling along her side, whistling merrily. He had shown no sign of fatigue, Platinum doubting that he even noticed the hours of walking that they had done. “Would like to see him remain so cheerful when he isn’t in armour,” she muttered under her breath.
“Silly Platinum, you’ve seen me without my armour. What, you think you get a body like mine without some exercise?”
Chalmers’ words caused her to blush lightly at the memory, but she quickly hit back with a smirk.
“I thought you said that you had genatic improvements done that stop you from getting fat?”
His boasting stopped and he waved a finger at her. “Firstly, it’s ‘genetic’. Secondly, despite any scientific enhancements I may have gained for effective application of my duty, I still likely do more physical activity than a throne-potato like you.”
“Throne potato!?” she fumed, pointing a hoof back. “Potatoes are food for the peasantry, how dare you insinuate that my royal form is a tubular vegetable!?”
“Um, excuse me?”
Both broke their staring contest to see a group of guards looking at them in confusion. Platinum peered past the armoured ponies and realised that they were standing out the front of the city arguing like children. She straightened and tossed her head, letting her silver mane glitter in the sunlight.
“Excuse my companion’s rudeness,” she said with a forced smile. “We have travelled long to meet with Sombra, he is expecting us.”
The unicorn leading the earth ponies narrowed his golden eyes. “It’s King Sombra, Platinum, I suggest that you show some respect. Also, I was only informed to expect the Human.”
“Actually, it’s Commander Human… er, I mean, Commander Chalmers.”
Platinum’s mouth twitched, and she held in a growl at his attempt at humour. Most would confuse it for a simple slip-up, but she had gone through enough of his bedroom puns to know that he was doing it on purpose.
“Okay,” the unicorn guard replied after a few moments. “Well, Commander, the King is indeed expecting you.”
“Platinum is with me,” Nigel informed, patting the unicorn guard’s helmet while he walked past into the city. “Don’t worry, I know the way.”
“Sir, I can’t-“
The guard’s protests fell on deaf ears, Nigel strolling into the city with a spring in his step. Platinum huffed and made to follow, but not before she fixed the other unicorn with a hard stare.
“Tell me, what’s your name?”
“One Shot,” the stallion replied, his horn glowing sightly. “I never miss my target. Why do you ask?”
“Oh,” Platinum dismissed before making to follow Chalmers. “I just wanted to know which utterly delightful guard greeted me with such respect.” She smirked and glanced back at him. “A welcome I’ll have to… reward generously when I regain my power.” Leaving on that note, she hurried to re-join the Human. He glanced at her but didn’t say a thing, something she was perfectly fine with.
She spent her time dodging piles of muck on the cobbled road, a sure sign that they were in the middle of the peasant area. Still, she soldiered on despite the dirt and focused on the future.
Her persistence paid off, the dirty road transitioning to polished stone. She knew this street, Platinum raising her head to stare at the castle before them. A red-robed unicorn was advancing down the steps, a glittering crown on his head and rows of knights alongside him.
‘Sombra,’ she frowned, watching the upstart noble first smirk at Chalmers before snarling at her.
“What is that… thing, doing in my city!?”
“Thing!?” growled, bearing her teeth at him. Something was placed on her head, Platinum looking up to find that Chalmers had placed his hand upon her head.
“Now, now,” he lectured, before directing his attention to Sombra. “Platinum is here with me, she wished to speak about a matter with you.”
“What gives you the impression that I’d even stay in the same room with her, let alone listen to whatever self-inflated nonsense she has to say?”
Platinum gritted her teeth, not looking forward to the next part. She stepped forward and bowed her head before Sombra, enough to show respect but not submission. “I was actually going to attempt to fix things between us… King Sombra.”
Silence reigned over the courtyard, even Chalmers not saying a word. Sombra resumed his trotting, descending down the stairs until he was only a body-length away. Platinum looked up to be met with a gaze of utter amusement, and she silently cursed Sombra and his ways.
“Platinum, fixing things with me?” he mused, his grin hardening. “You know, I’m actually tempted to take up the offer just to hear you beg for my forgiveness.”
‘Forget the country,’ she fumed, preparing to pounce and tear him limb from limb. Before she could act on her thoughts, a metal-covered leg stepped between her and Sombra. Platinum growled, Chalmers holding his hands out.
“Come on you two, enough of that kind of talk,” he told both of them. “Platinum, don’t rise to the jibs. Sombra, should we really be using our time to insult ladies instead of preparing for guests?”
“I am already prepared,” Sombra replied with only a touch less venom in his voice than when talking to her. “But if you are so keen on getting started, then why don’t I return the curse you inflicted on me and offer you a drink?” Chalmers snorted.
“Pfft, I’ve drunk water that is stronger than the alcohol on this planet, I look forward to the test.”
‘Is he really thinking about drinking before the most important political meeting in years?’
Platinum was gobsmacked, the King and the Human staring off before they began to move into the castle. She shook her head and followed them, knights and guards watching her all the while with loathing gazes. Platinum paid them no mind as her bare hooves climbed the stairs, her face locked in a small smile.
It mattered not if the Human wished to slow his mind with drink, it would only mean her that her most difficult target would be easier to deal with.
The smile grew into a vicious grin.
And then, Sombra would be ripe to destroy at her leisure.
Spyglass groaned uncomfortably and raised a hoof to his neck, his eyes unable to see in the darkened room. He touched the metal collar around his neck, the red light blinking steadily. He winced, the weight less worrying than the thought of what would happen if it went off. Rolling over, he made contact with a warm body next to him.
He froze, his hind legs pressed up against the other pony’s rump. Slowly, he moved his foreleg and stroked a flowing mane, his eyes widening at the realisation.
‘I can’t believe it! I must have managed to woo Sunflare successfully in the tavern!’ He smiled to himself and buried his snout in her mane, nuzzling her neck and embracing her from behind. Spyglass breathed deep, taking in the soothing scent of salt and the wonderful sea air.
‘Wait…’ he thought to himself, his heart skipping a beat. ‘Sunflare lived in the city away from the sea…’
“Mhmm, I can feel that someone’s having a good morning.” Red eyes opened to look at him, a yellow-and-white striped mane raising up from a pillow. Morning Sparkling yawned and looked down at him, Spyglass blushing heavily before sliding back from her and covering his ‘problem’ with the blue sheets. Shaking her head, he received a small smile from the pirate captain. “What’s the matter? It wasn’t like I didn’t see it last night.”
“I… I…” he began, trying to find a way to say ‘I thought you were someone else’ without having Morning disembowel him afterwards. She waited for him to answer, Spyglass gulping while he looked at her. He had no doubt that she’d take any offence harshly, and he was trotting on thin ice. He pulled the sheets up closer, and gulped again.
“Yes?” she pressed, an eyebrow raised.
“I… thought that you… would like to get some breakfast?”
Morning Sparkle’s face lit up with a warm smile at his words, the mare leaning forward and kissing him on the lips. Spyglass froze in shock, the pirate releasing him but keeping her body over him.
“Such a gentlecolt,” she told him with a light laugh. “I’ve had my fair share of both sailors and the occasional naval officer, but you’re the first stallion to actually try and take me to breakfast. You must have really enjoyed last night, hmm?”
Spyglass made to protest the point, however he stopped and considered Morning’s words. The truth was, from what he could remember, he did enjoy their time together. He also recalled that before they had left the tavern, she had been pretty nice to him. After receiving her boat and title of Captain, she had also become a lot friendlier to everyone.
Besides, it was only breakfast.
“It was good,” he confirmed, before returning her smile. “So, do you want to?”
Morning answered the question by leaving the bed, her tail swishing while she made her way to the bathroom. “Sure, I’ll just need to clean up a little, I’ll be right out.”
He watched her disappear into the bathroom before shutting the door, leaving him alone in the room. Spyglass quickly regained his senses and left the bed, scrambling for the door in his haste. He had a great idea, Morning would love it if he cooked breakfast for them instead of having to rely on machines.
After all, while Sunflare was great, maybe this wasn’t going to turn out so badly…
“Ah!”
Sombra watched while Chalmers drained another mug of mead, the human drinking in the last drops before gently placing down his mug.
“Another! If you don’t mind, that is.”
Sombra rolled his eyes, sipping southern white wine from a thin glass. He waved a hoof, a beautiful servant mare trotting out to take the empty mug and replace it with a fresh one. Sombra sent her a glance while she passed him, the mare nodding before leaving out the door. He had instructed the mares serving them to keep the Human distracted with hints and subtle gestures so the pirate might let slip with vital information, but so far Chalmers hadn’t even blinked at their displays. It was impossible; even he was starting to lose himself in the sights of the fine rumps.
‘Maybe he prefers stallions?’ Sombra thought, taking another sip of wine. ‘Or it could be that he takes no notice of pony mares.’ This line of thinking caused an idea to surface. He knew that the changeling was seemingly attracted to the human, maybe it was a mutual feeling that wasn’t that noticeable. That was an issue if true, he’d have to resort to another method of distraction.
Conversation.
“Do you think the Pegasi will turn up?” he began, tapping his hoof on the large meeting table. He watched Chalmers take another gulp of mead, a line of the golden liquid running down Nigel’s hairless chin.
“They’ll turn up,” he answered, waving one of his freakish hands. “Our offer is good, and they’d be fool to refuse.” Chalmers paused. “Speaking of which, who’s their King or Queen by the way?”
Sombra couldn’t be sure that he wasn’t joking, surely the human wasn’t as stupid as to not know that information before making a plan that hinged on it?
“They’re led by a stallion named Commander Hurricane,” Sombra informed, still not believing it. “He’s an experienced leader in wartimes, but a terrible politician.” His eyes narrowed. “I get the feeling that you and him would get on well.”
A chuckle from the biped was followed by a very uncivilised belch. “All the better to get our way, right Sombrero?”
“Sombra,” he corrected with a frown. ‘And it’s my way that we’ll be following, not yours.’
“Oh, sí , por supuesto, mi amigo que todo lo sabe , lo tonto de mí.”
“What was that?”
“Spanish,” Chalmers answered with a puffed-out chest. “I speak it mucho burro grande. What do you do for hobbies?”
“I have no time for such trivial pursuits,” he rebutted, finishing his wine and using his magic to dab his mouth with a cloth. “Ruling a country is tiring enough as it is,” he nodded towards a servant mare as she refilled his glass from a bottle. “I don’t even have time to pursue the base desires of a stallion.”
“I hear you,” Chalmers nodded, a few drops falling from his mug while he waved it around. “How about while we wait, you tell good ol’ Nigel all about?”
He shrugged internally, he supposed that some idle conversation about mares couldn’t really hurt. Besides, it wasn’t like they had much to do while they waited.
“Well, I know that some may be content with utilising some of their servants, but I am a stallion of taste and thus only the purest unicorn beauty will do.”
Platinum glared at the servant, the yellow mare returning it before trotting out of the room with the tray of tea supplies on her back. Returning to her freshly-made cup of the brown liquid, Platinum once again huffed and continued planning her attack. Sitting back in the simple chair, she glanced around the simple quarters she had been assigned for the meeting. Sombra and Chalmers had both told her that they thought her presence wouldn’t be very helpful, so she was left alone for the time being.
The Alicorn hadn’t been very informative as to what exactly they were going to do, the blue creature saying that when the time was right then she’d know. Secretly, Platinum wondered if the two alicorns even knew what they were going up against and if they had a solid plan in mind. For all she knew, they were going to just burst in and fight Chalmers.
‘Hmph, not likely,’ she thought while taking a sip. ‘Surely for such advanced beings, they’d have a better idea than that.’
Luna stared into the window and adjusted her hoofing on the stone tiles. The air shimmered around her, her invisibility spell heating up the area outside. She watched the Human and the evil King Sombra laugh, the Human taking another drink for his mug. Chalmers, that was his name if she remembered correctly.
‘Strange,’ she thought, tilting her head. ‘He doesn’t look that scary.’ Luna hummed to herself. ‘Maybe I could defeat him and Sombra by myself, then Tia wouldn’t have to fight at all!’
The flapping of wings distracted her, Luna glancing behind and seeing nothing. She forgot all plans of rushing in by herself, armoured hooves stepping forwards over stone.
“Tia!” she greeted, giving her equally invisible sister a smile. “How was your trip?”
“Constructive,” Celestia answered, Luna feeling a wing over her back. “What has happened in my absence?”
“The Human has arrived and is talking with the King, what about the P-“
“I have arranged things,” Tia cut her off. “Is Platinum ready?”
Luna grinned and nodded. “Yep! She knows the three spells you wanted, and I told her to wait until we acted.” Her grin wavered. “Still, Tia, is it right to get her to betray one of her friends? It doesn’t seem nice.” She couldn’t see it, but Luna could tell that Celestia was frowning.
“Luna, one thing we’re going to have to learn if we want to look after these ponies is to when to make hard decisions. This Human is the biggest threat to this planet; he treats everything like a game. The little good that we’ve seen from him is driven by his own desires.” Tia sighed. “I still regret that we decided to teach Platinum, but once we’ve defeated the Human and Sombra we can keep a close eye on her.” The wing on her back rubbed to comfort her. “Besides, I doubt that Platinum considers the Human her friend.”
Luna hummed and turned back to the window, considering Celestia’s words. Tia was probably right, after all they weren’t planning to kill him, just to make sure that he couldn’t hurt anymore ponies. Looking back in the window, her eyes went to the glittering crown sitting atop Sombra’s head.
All thoughts about good and evil were forgotten, Luna imagining what it would be like as a Princess while her sister continued to watch the two males intently.
Lieutenant Arcane watched the sky intently, his solders preparing their spears and aiming their horns. The lone speck grew into the shape of a single pony, the pegasus approaching the town gates slowing as he noticed the weapons. Arcane narrowed his eyes, his mind racing to find answers while he gazed upon the dark-grey stallion armoured in silver-plated metal.
‘A single pony?’
“You, soldiers,” the hovering pegasus addressed, scanning their ranks with pink eyes. “I am here to meet with your King.”
“And who are you?” Arcane returned, his front hoof fidgeting near his spear hilt. “Do you serve Commander Hurricane? The conditions were that the Commander himself attend the meeting, and not a lackey.”
The Pegasus hovered lower, the soldiers parting to allow him to land. Arcane watched while the stallion fiddled with his wings, two razor sharp wing blades dropping to the ground. “I can assure you,” the stallion answered. “Commander Hurricane is indeed intending the meeting between King Sombra and the creature known as ‘The Human’. Now, if you would be so kind as to escort me to your castle.”
Arcane fought hard to not show surprise, Commander Hurricane smirking at him. Quickly, he gestured for his soldiers to collect the surrendered weapons, two earth ponies rushing out to collect the blades while Hurricane remained still. “You came all of this way without an escort?”
“I do not need one,” the Pegasus boasted while fluffing out his wings. “Besides, I am in no danger here.” Arcane found a stare directed towards him. “Enough time wasting, I wish to get this affair over with as soon as possible.”
“I…” Arcane tried to think of something to say, but he couldn’t find the words. “Fine, this way. Stay with us or face the consequences.”
Hurricane didn’t say a word, and followed while nervous soldiers surrounded him. Arcane looked back to the front and advanced towards the castle, the streets clear of peasantry. Armoured hooves clacked on the stone pavers, a few minutes passing before the castle doors were in sight. He had no need to talk to the door guards, even the fully-armoured knights watched the group pass without a word.
“Stay on watch, all of you,” Arcane ordered. “I will escort the Pegasus myself to the meeting room.”
Hurricane and himself continued into the fortress, immediately heading for the large centre staircase. Arcane had already been informed of the correct route, and he needed no direction to lead the Commander to the King. Servants ducked into rooms and passageways before their passing, Arcane leading Hurricane through the castle until they reached a simple set of oak doors.
With three knocks, he awaited permission.
“Enter.”
Pushing open the door, he was met with the gazes from Sombra and the Human, Arcane bowing his head.
“Sirs,” he addressed, struggling to not show his distaste at having to show respect to the biped. “Presenting Commander Hurricane.”
A body pressed past him, Arcane frowning while Hurricane entered the meeting room. Sombra raised an eye before nodding towards him, his King waving a shoed hoof. “Very good, Lieutenant, you are dismissed.”
Bowing his head a final time, Arcane retreated backwards and used his magic to close the door.
He had a bad feeling about this.
Hurricane took a seat at the large table and examined his two hosts, earning the same in return. King Sombra was everything like his scouts had described, the dour unicorn glaring at him with barely contained distaste. Dressed in a flowing red robe and a shining crown, it appeared that Sombra had embraced his new title with extreme eagerness.
The second being was far more intriguing, Hurricane detecting something in the cold blue eyes. He couldn’t put his hoof on it, but he felt that his information regarding the Human being a childlike madpony wasn’t as airtight as his two new allies would have him believe. The armour the human was wearing was certainly intimidating, Hurricane wondering what methods could fashion such impressive war-plate.
“Greetings,” King Sombra began. “Commander Hurricane, I believe.”
“That is correct,” Hurricane answered. “I’ve heard many things about you, King Sombra, it seems like you might prove to be far more respectable than your predecessor.” He watched Sombra carefully. “This new plan of yours also seems promising, from the little information I was given.”
“It was not my plan,” Sombra informed, nodding towards the biped who was in the middle of downing a mug of mead. “Chalmers here is the one who thought of it.”
A sigh was followed by a belch, Hurricane wrinkling his nose while ‘Chalmers’ placed his mug down on the table and wiped his mouth. “Hmm? Oh the plan,” Chalmers cleared his throat, his free hand tapping a blank-faced helmet resting on the table. “Yes, well, we asked you here in order to purpose a very beneficial alliance for all involved.”
“Oh?” Hurricane pretended to be interested, his eyes roaming the room for the signal. ‘I already have an alliance, evil creatures.’
“Chalmers has proposed that…” Sombra didn’t appear too happy with having to say the words. “That all ponies should unite once more, Unicorns, Pegasi, and…”
“Say it,” the Human prompted.
“Mu-“
“Sombra, no.”
“Earth ponies,” Sombra shuddered, before recovering. “Moving on. With all ponies united, and with the aid of Chalmers’ mechanical legions, we’ll take control of the known world and beyond. The other races will bow to our whim or be forced to, and then we’ll work the land to extract the riches within. Chalmers has assured me that he has access to methods that will ensure maximum wealth, and through our efforts Ponykind will prosper and grow.”
“At the cost of the other races along the way,” Hurricane pointed out, Chalmers waving a hand in dismissal.
“Eh, most of them are slave-owning scum anyway,” the Human rebutted. “We’ll go easy on the ones that aren’t, of course, but the first step to successful ruling is to control your population and to retain order. With you two at the head of the world, and with my wise advice of course, firm order will be restored and maintained.” The human stared into his empty mug, before raising it and emptying a final drop into his mouth. “Relax, we’ve got this handled.”
‘I wouldn’t trust you to manage a single raincloud,’ Hurricane thought, grinding his teeth at the proposed plan. His mind was made up, these two were rotten to the cores. A glint at the window behind the two awaiting beings caught his eye, Hurricane watching while a beautiful white mare appeared in a brief flash of light.
The Alicorn who had introduced herself as Celestia the night before gave him a nod, Hurricane letting his body relax while he prepared to enact his part of the plan.
“I’ve given your plan much thought,” he replied, reaching his wing behind him. The tip slipped into the hairs of his two-tone grey tail, Hurricane taking hold of the ultra-light throwing knife attached to the strands with his dexterous feathers. “I wish to make a few minor adjustments.”
“Oh?” the Human inquired, still inspecting his mug for any last drops. “What did you have in mind?”
Hurricane didn’t answer with words, and instead he flicked his wing with practiced ease. His knife soared through the air, the pointed tip homing into the most pressing target.
With a fleshy thunk, the blade sunk into the human’s right cheek up to the hilt. Silence reigned over the room as everyone froze, Hurricane cursing under his breath while Sombra’s eyes widened in shock. ‘Damn, I need to practice my throwing.’
“Mrg faths.” Chalmers mumbled, a gush of blood escaping his mouth. Hurricane hesitated for a second, wondering what he was saying. His eyes widened when the Human reached up with an armoured forelimb and grasped the hilt of the knife with three digits. With a tug, the weapon was pulled free and thrown to the ground, a burst of blood splattering onto the red carpet. Hurricane left his seat and prepared a fighting stance, planning to resort to hoof-to-hoof combat. The Human also left his seat, anger burning in his eyes.
“My face,” the Human’s words were clearer now, however blood still spurted from his cheek. “You dared, to harm… my face.”
’Ponyfeathers,’ Hurricane realised. ’I’m dealing with a madcreature who has vanity issues.’
“Prick!”
What could only be a battle cry was accompanied by the Human picking up the mug. Hurricane barely had time to blink before it was sent hurtling towards him, and his helmet was no protection against the makeshift projectile.
It smacked him square in the snout, Hurricane’s eyes filling with stars. He felt himself collapse to the ground, and he cradled his bleeding nose with both hooves. He managed to squeeze open his eyes in time to see the human bend down and pick up the discarded knife, stained red with blood.
“You know what they say, a face for a face. I’m going to use yours into a toilet seat cosy.”
The voice was hard and cold, armoured shoes stomping towards him.
The being’s advance was thankfully cut off by the shattering of glass, Hurricane thanking the gods that his allies finally decided to intervene.
“About… time,” he managed out, using his hooves to pull himself away from any line of fire.
Sombra glanced from Chalmers, to the bloody knife that Chalmers held, to Hurricane, and then to the two large ponies that had busted through his window.
To say that the meeting was not going well was an understatement.
Taking a step back and waiting for his soldiers to arrive, he prepared one of the few attack spells that he knew. His horn glowed a deep orange, his targets both glaring at him and Nigel.
“Your evil deeds are at an end, foul beasts,” the white pony announced, Sombra taking in her golden armour, her horn, and her wings. “I am Celestia, and with my sister Luna I will defeat you and bring long-needed peace to these lands.”
“That’s right!” the blue one agreed, flaring her wings. “You’ve both hurt innocent ponies!”
“… I surely haven’t lost that much blood,” Chalmers stated, the human picking his helmet off the table and placing it on his head. Sombra managed to catch a glimpse of the cut on his cheek, the wound already clotted over. He couldn’t help but agree with the biped, the turn of events was certainly strange.
“You are the ones that put Hurricane up to this,” he guessed, the pony named Luna nodding her head.
“Yes, he’s a good pony who understands how bad you are!” She finished with a frown towards him, a growling interrupting them. Celestia and Chalmers were staring off, the human’s fists clenched while Celestia was baring her teeth.
“He’s a pony that’s going to be turned into a rug,” Chalmers threatened harshly, his arm glowing before a squat barrel popped out. “Granted, a rug that will have to be made from individual and scorched hairs, but a rug none-the-less.”
“There will be no rug making,” Celestia informed, stamping her hoof down. “You are going to pay for your crimes.”
“I killed, like, a few ponies in self-defence. Sue me, harlot.”
“And the Griffons you slaughtered?”
“That was a policing action.”
Celestia’s horn glowed, Luna looking towards her before powering her own horn. Sombra jolted when Chalmers’s gaze was directed towards him. “Sombra, you take Blue, I’ll deal with Golden Gal.”
“Works for me,” Sombra replied, facing the obviously younger intruder with a determined face.
“Great, let’s have at them.”
At the words, Sombra fired an energy bolt towards Luna, the young mare’s eyes widening in surprise. It hit her full on in the armoured chest, propelling her back out of the window with the force of the attack.
“Tia!”
“Luna!” Celestia cried, watching her sister sail away. Sombra grinned when he saw Chalmers level his arm weapon at the remaining attacker.
“Don’t worry,” Nigel reassured without a trace of niceness in his voice. “You’ll be joining her momentarily.”
With those words, the barrel on his arm discharged a flash of light and heat. Sombra shielded his eyes, catching a brief golden glow before an explosion rocked the floor. He looked back up, gulping at what he saw.
The window was gone, a huge smoking hole in the wall where it used to be. Peering outside, he could swear that he saw a golden orb in the sky.
“Bugger,” Chalmers cursed. “Stupid magic-horse shield.”
“At least they’re gone,” he nodded. “Don’t worry, my guards will arrive shortly.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
Before he could turn to face the mare’s voice, Sombra found himself imprisoned within a cage made from silver energy. Looking to his right, he noticed that Chalmers was in a similar predicament.
“Platinum, you traitor” Chalmers muttered, Sombra turning to face the mentioned pony. Platinum was standing in front of the opened door, a number of unresponsive guards lying on the floor behind her. Hurricane was staring up at her with confusion, Platinum ignoring him while trotting forwards with a grin.
“Very good observation, Nigel,” the former Princess laughed. Sombra found her glare directed towards him. “However, it’s not you that I’m here for.”
Chalmers stared at the smirking mare, more puzzled than angry. He reached out an armoured hand towards the shimmering bars, a few taps proving them to be solid despite their nature. “Why Plats? I thought we had something.”
“We shared a single night. Nothing more, nothing less,” she explained, flicking her mane out. “What, you expected me to just sit and wait for some worthless promotion for being a good and quiet mare?” Platinum’s eyes narrowed. “No, there was no attention payed to me, you were far too preoccupied with that pirate peasant and that changeling, giving them ships and power. As it happened, I recently received a visit from someone who offered me more than you could give.”
She paced in front of them, her eyes gleaming with joy. “Sombra’s guards couldn’t even handle a simple stunning spell, my weakest power. Now I have you trapped in cages, like simple animals.”
“Oh really?” he questioned, his arm raising towards her.
“Platinum, enough.”
A golden aura yanked his arm back down, Nigel turning his head back to see his previous target return.
Celestia’s armour was scorched but intact, the alicorn herself appearing completely unharmed. Fluttering down alongside her was Luna, both landing on the stone floor and fixing them with glares.
“We’re back, did you think you could dispose of us so easily?” Celestia informed, Luna panting but nodding to support her sister. Nigel rolled his eyes under his helmet, his cut already forgotten.
“Tough words coming from someone who had to use a patsy,” he taunted, pointing a finger behind at Platinum.
“Patsy!?”
“Platinum, that is enough,” Celestia ordered, flaring out her wings. “You have done well, and trapped the King and Human as we asked. Now stand back, and allow us to deal with them properly. The magic we are about to use is ancient and dangerous.”
Chalmers concentrated on raising his arm again, the golden glow slowly giving way.
“No!” An angry Platinum dashed out to confront Celestia, a hoof flying out to point directly at Sombra. “You can’t take away my revenge, we had a deal!”
“I said that we’d help you defeat Sombra,” Luna explained between huffs. “I didn’t say that you could hurt him.”
“But I must!” Platinum protested.
“No,” Celestia commanded. “He will be imprisoned for his crimes, be satisfied with that.”
“Do I get a say in who gets to punish me?” Sombra inquired from his cage, the King not sounding happy at all. Nigel almost grinned under his helmet at the question.
“Silence, you are a terrible excuse for one of my ponies.”
“Your… pony?” Sombra tilted his head. “What do you think you are, a goddess?”
Silence reigned, Celestia faltering for a second. “Well… I wouldn’t say that my sister and I are goddesses…”
Nigel couldn’t help it.
A low chuckle grew to a loud bellow, and he slapped his knee while the others watched him with shock.
“Oh, oh that is priceless!” he congratulated. “And I thought that I had an ego! You actually think that you are gods?”
“Do not mock me!” Celestia growled, taking a step closer.
“Make me,” Nigel challenged. “I would think that a goddess would be able to do that, no?”
Celestia was fuming, her white face going a deep red. She lowered her horn, the three gems set into her chest armour glowing with power. He watched her grind her teeth, her purple eyes focused on him while Sombra was forgotten.
“Luna, get ready, remember what we practiced.”
“Right!”
The younger sister joined Celestia, Nigel opening his arms wide. “Give me your best shot.”
Both alicorns concentrated, Chalmers smirking while he prepared the next step. His arm was free from magic know that Celestia appeared to be charging a new spell, and the fuming Platinum was watching the alicorns with her back towards him. All-in-all, every one of the magic users were distracted.
“Practice with this.”
With the, admittedly less than stellar line, he lashed out with a boot. The powered limb struck the magical bars and shattered them, Platinum’s spell shattering under the force of the kick. Without hesitation, Chalmers dashed forwards and lunged at Celestia, identifying her as the most pressing target.
“Sister!” Luna cried, her horn fizzling while he smashed Celestia to the ground. The stone cracked under the weight, Celestia snapped out of her spell by the impact. Staring down at the pony pinned underneath him, Nigel raised an armoured fist.
With a crack, it smashed against Celestia’s snout. Blood was drawn, Nigel pulling back and preparing to strike again.
“Monster,” she cursed out through clenched teeth. She sniffed, some of her blood dropping down to soil her breastplate. “You won’t win.”
“I always win,” he retorted, his fist sailing down again with no intention of holding back like the first time.
“No! Don’t hurt Tia!”
The other pony, Luna, wailed and grabbed his arm with her hooves. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to stop him, Nigel dismissing her before returning to his task. With Luna still grasping his arm, he punched Celestia again.
Another crack rang out, Nigel cursing the crying pony holding onto him. She hadn’t stopped him, but Celestia wasn’t quite dead yet. Aiming to finish the would-be goddess, he focused on the angry eyes staring up at him with defiance.
“Say goodbye to your younger sister,” he told her, leaning down. “If it’s any consolation, I won’t kill her after I’m done with you.”
“Chalmers, behind you!”
He paused at the shout, Sombra’s warning interrupting his moment. He turned his head, spotting the Platinum glaring at him with her horn charged with power.
“Platinum…” he started slowly. “What are you doing?”
“You will not rob me of my vengeance!” she yelled in reply. “Look upon my power and learn your place!”
Nigel saw Platinum’s horn increase in illumination, and his eyes widened with realisation at what she was about to do.
“Platinum, no! You’ll kill yourself!”
His warning went unheeded, the pissed-off mare firing an energy blast straight into his chest. The magic gouged the metal like a high-powered plasma shot, but what happened after was far worse.
Once again, his suit’s teleporter homed in on a signal.
Nigel froze when his vision was replaced with a blue glow at first, and then a fine red mist. He remained still, the red cloud surrounding him coating his armour. He looked down at his feet, a few strands of silver hair and an eyeball lying on the floor. It was all that remained of Platinum, the unicorn no more.
‘Platinum,’ he thought, staring at the puddle of gore. ‘You stupid, stupid pony…’
“I… what?”
He didn’t look up at Celestia’s question, his attention focused on his former friend.
“Ah! It’s on me!” Luna cried out, before bursting into tears.
“Wow,” Sombra muttered, the cage surrounding him sizzling out. “You sure got her.”
“Sombra, not now,” he requested, taking a few moments to get his bearings. Sure, she had betrayed him, but it still didn’t mean that he felt nothing at her death. “I just need a second.”
Celestia spat out blood, both hers and the unfortunate Platinum’s, before struggling to her hooves. Her shock at the violent and unexpected death was pushed back by the urge to prevent it happening again, her horn glowing once more. The gems on her chest lent her their power, and she focused upon the motionless Human.
“L… Luna,” she whispered, standing upright. Her crying sister looked towards her with moistened eyes, Celestia holding back a wince at the blood stained face. Luna was far too young to witness a death like that, no matter what Mother said. The time for worrying was not now, they had a monster to defeat. “Get ready, while he’s… not looking.”
Luna didn’t reply, but took a stance. Her horn glowed with power, Celestia concentrating and forming the image of the spell in her mind.
‘Godstones, lend us your aid.’
Time seemed to stop for a split second, before the room lit up with blinding light. Beams of red, green, yellow, purple, pink, and cyan magic shot from both of their horns to form one solid wave of pure magic. Celestia imagined what she wanted, feeling the Godstones pulse with power. Opening her eyes, glowing with heavenly power, she started at the monster who was looking at them in what could only be surprise.
“For your crimes, you shall be imprisoned until existence decides to free you. Goodbye.”
The beam stopped short of the Human, before it surrounded him in a pulsing aura. Celestia, knowing that they had risked the same fate as Platinum, focused on the feet of the Monster as a change began to take effect.
The biped staggered, his lower limbs turning to stone as the magic of the Godstones consumed him. He looked down at his hands, the metal armour he wore turning solid before his eyes. The magic locked his arms in place, and he had only a second to raise his head to look right at her with his faceless mask.
“Huh,” he stated without emotion. “I didn’t expect this.”
With those words, it was over.
Celestia hesitantly approached him with wide eyes, having witnessed the Godstones’ power for the first time. The Human was motionless, locked in the pose with his hands palms up. With an armoured hoof, she tapped on the stone and received no response.
“Is he…?”
“He’s no longer a threat,” Celestia reassured Luna, her own legs shaking. Seeing her teary sister, Celestia extended a wing towards her. “You did well Luna, come here.”
Luna galloped towards her, burying her face into her neck. Celestia nuzzled her, before refocusing on the room ahead of them. Past the statue of the biped was an empty floor, no sign of Sombra at all.
“Luna, I know it’s been hard,” she told her sister. “But we cannot rest yet. We still have to deal with the human’s base, while it remains there is still a danger to our ponies.” She peered around the table, wincing when she saw the knife embedded in the dead Hurricane’s throat. ‘Sombra, you will also have to be dealt with.’
Shielding Luna from the dead pegasus, Celestia pointed them towards the shattered wall. Down below, the sounds of panicking ponies rose up to greet them. “Come, Sister. After we do this one last thing, then we can rest.”
“Wh-what about the Monster?” Luna sniffled, pulling away and glancing back towards the new statue.
“Leave him here, he won’t hurt any more ponies. We’ll come back for him later.”
“Okay.”
With her agreement, Celestia nodded to Luna and took flight. Aiming towards the black tower in the distance, she hoped that the next battle would not be their last.
Morning Sparkled nearly toppled over when her ship jolted, crew falling to the deck as the vessel pulled away from the pier without any warning. She stood upright and steadied herself, a group of concerned ponies rushing up to her.
“Morning, what’s going on!?” Sunflare demanded, still limping on her leg. Spyglass and Clover were following behind, both less sure on their hooves.
“I don’t know!” she yelled over the dim of the panicking crew. “Follow me!”
So much for treating them all to a relaxing afternoon cruise.
Staggering once more when the ship turned again, Morning fought to control her hoofing while making her way to the control room. Dodging pirates rushing to look at the distant shore, she reached the door and shoved it open.
All around the control room, red lights were flashing while screens filled with text.
“Sea Biscuit, what’s wrong!? Why are we leaving the shore!?”
“Attention, Emergency Operation Three-Seven-Four is now in effect. All crew to battle stations, batten down the hatches and prepare for submersion. Attention, Emergency Operation Three-Seven-Four is now in effect. All crew to battle stations, batten down the hatches and-“
“Sea Biscuit!” Morning yelled the computer’s name with the full strength of her voice.
“Captain Morning recognised,” Sea Biscuit finally responded. “Emergency Operation Three-“
“What is Emergency Operation Three-Seven-Four!?” she demanded, the others making it into the cabin just before the alarms died out. The door slammed shut and sealed, while outside the ship’s metal covering was starting to close over the deck. Morning rushed to her chair and tried to press the controls, but none responded. She had no control over the ship, and it was diving for the first time with everyone trapped on board.
“Emergency Operation Three-Seven-Four: Loss of control signal, and implementation of failsafe programming.” Sea Biscuit’s monotone reply sounded sinister, Morning trying to figure it out.
“Loss of control signal?” Sunflare repeated. “Didn’t Chalmers say that his suit controlled everything?”
The words sent a chill down her spine, Morning freezing in her seat. ‘No, it’s not possible… surely he hasn’t been…”
“Beginning message playback.”
All attention went to the large screen, a single image replacing the readouts and information. Morning stared as Chalmers brushed himself down, and she recognised the room he was in as the ship’s command room.
“Ahem, hello Morning and anyone else listening,” Chalmers began, continuing to tap away at the computer console. “Apologies for working while doing this, but I don’t have much time, I’m planning on taking Chrysalis out for dinner later.” His chuckle was completely out of place for the current situation, all of them wondering what was happening. “Unfortunately, if you’re seeing this, then it means that I have, in the ancient words of my chosen Terran nationality, ‘come a cropper’. Given the circumstances, I’m willing to bet that the meeting has gone bad and that some angry pegasus shanked me.”
“No,” Morning whispered.
“Now I know what you’re thinking,” Nigel continued. “It’s something along the lines of ‘Oh Chalmers, but you are so dashing and brave! How can a simple knave slash Sombra if I pissed him off even come close to defeating you?’ Well, my friends, even the best laid plans and super-armour can go astray. However, as much as I’d love to answer hypothetical questions, we have business to discuss.
First off, you’ve all been an endless source of entertainment, and I thank you for making my stay on this planet enjoyable. Now, onto the more personal orders.
Morning Sparkle, you can keep the ship, I thank you for your loyalty and friendship. Currently, it’s going to submerge and take you somewhere to the west ocean. Hopefully you’ll be safe from whatever krumped me, and if the rest of the plan was pulled off then the others will be there with you. You can keep all of the loot you manage to save, and you have my permission to use the ship as you wish."
He paused on the screen, leaning forward towards whatever device was recording him. “Just, ah, make sure to initiate the self-destruct if it looks like you’ll lose it, or if my Empire finally sorts out it’s game and finds me. Let’s just say that giving a pony pirate a ship modified with plasma weaponry and other goodies would get me into huge trouble with the Brass. And yes, not even death will stop them from chewing me out.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied, even though he couldn’t hear her. “I will.”
“Clover, Spyglass and Platinum, consider your crimes against me forgiven. You’ve all been good guests, willing or not.”
Morning turned to look at Spyglass, a beeping from his collar growing louder and faster. The red light on it was flashing faster, everyone back peddling away while Spyglass’s eyes widened.
“No, what is it-“
His panicked question was cut off, the collar popping open with a hiss. It fell to the cabin floor, everyone staring at it.
Then, the light went out.
Spyglass visibly sighed in relief, the dead collar no longer a threat.
“Heh, I bet Spyglass just shat himself,” Chalmers laughed from the screen, Morning turning back to focus on him. “Ah, Spyglass, tell you what. I will herby order Morning to take you on as part of the crew, if you want to that is.”
“You Bastard,” Spyglass whispered, before doing a double take and looking at Morning. “Wait, what?”
“Welcome aboard,” she nodded, trying hard to hide her emotions from the rest of them.
“Any way, the same offer goes for all of you.” Chalmers sighed on the screen, sitting down on the chair and leaning back. “Here comes the difficult part,” they heard him mutter, before he smiled at the screen. “And last but not least, Chrysalis.”
Morning’s eyes widened, Chrysalis was still at the tower!
“Chrysalis, I went from thinking you were named Sea Biscuit to being unable to take my eyes off you.” Nigel chuckled sadly, shaking his head. “I think my damn past is bringing out some old tastes. Still, I think we both know how we both feel about each other, and that the other knows that as well, even though we both acted like we had no feelings for the other… I think.”
Chalmers sat and thought for a few seconds, before he shook his head again. “Moving on, Chrysalis, I know that you loved me and I want you to know that even though you never asked, I love you as well. You probably won’t be that happy if you’re hearing this, but what sort of man would I be if I let my own special Brood Queen go on without knowing that I cared for her like she wanted me to?
Now, with that sorted out, please continue to look after the nymphs for me. It doesn’t really need to be said, but I’d just like to say it. Hopefully you’ll be aboard Morning’s ship before it leaves, and if not then I want you and the nymphs to get as far away from the city as possible. I’d let you have my tower, but I don’t intend for it to fall into enemy hands, if you get my drift. Needless to say, a prompt evacuation from the town would be best for everybody. There’s a small chest of gold coins buried under that oak tree we walked to the other day, the one you carved your name onto. Take it and start a new life, if you live a happy one then I did a good job.”
He sighed again, a sad smile on his face.
“Well, I better finish up. By now, the alarms will be sounding around the town and there will be panic on the streets. I wish all of you the best of luck, and when my fellows arrive I ask that you inform them as to what happened. Morning and whoever is on the ship, happy hunting. Anyone else not on the ship, please gallop for your lives in an orderly fashion. Reflection, Buzz, Swissy, Holey, Cupid, Shade, Mirror, Joy, Chatter, and Keith, behave yourselves and listen to your mother. Chrysalis…”
Chalmers paused, the next words coming out with obvious difficulty. “Don’t do anything rash, okay? Just get out of the town and don’t look back. Goodbye all, I hope you all have happy lives without good ol’ me threatening to rule over you.”
With that, the screen went black before returning to the instruments and readouts.
“What do we do now?” A pale Clover questioned, glancing outside to see the metal covering the entire ship.
Before Morning could answer, the screen returned to the picture of Nigel again.
“Oh, before I forget,” he mentioned, raising a finger in the air. “All Hail Eviltopia, hip-hip hoorah.”
The video cut off once more, Morning waiting a few moments to make sure there were no more announcements from the ex-Commander.
“What we do is obvious,” she told the awaiting three, looking back to the wheel and watching the status of the ship while it dived. “We follow his last orders.”
There were no objections, Morning sitting in the silence and waiting for the ship to complete its task.
‘I hope Chrysalis gets out okay, I shouldn’t have let her stay in that tower.’
“… hip-hip hoorah.”
Chrysalis rushed out of the town as the voice of Nigel boomed out into the air. The nymphs galloped along by her side, a horde of townsponies laden down with belongings also fleeing the doomed settlement. Tears were streaming from her eyes, Chrysalis focused on one thing and one thing only.
Finding Nigel, surely he couldn’t be dead. There was no way; he wouldn’t just leave her and the nymphs alone. There must be something wrong with his armour, Sombra must have trapped him somehow and the signal would have been cut off by the spell. She needed to help him, the others were all on Morning’s ship. Well, except for Platinum, no-one knew where she had gone that morning.
She continued to gallop for ten minutes, never slowing. The nymphs struggled to keep up, Chrysalis ignoring them in her quest to help her dearest friend. The town was left behind, the fleeing townsponies following the path instead of crossing the meadows of grass like she was. Chrysalis stared at the far off pony city with her eyes narrowed; nothing could stop her from lending Chalmers her aid.
“Chrysalis, tired!”
She slowed, glancing behind her. All ten nymphs were panting as they tried to keep pace, the long grass slowing their smaller hooves. The speaker, Buzz, was leading the pack. Chrysalis stopped, allowing them to catch up. “We can’t stop now,” she explained between her own huffs and tears. “Nigel needs our help, okay?”
“Help?” Reflection questioned, plopping her rump down in the grass. Her fellows followed her lead, all of them puffing and catching their breaths.
“Yes Reflection,” Chrysalis explained. “Nigel needs our help, now come on.”
Groaning, all ten nymphs got to their hooves and resumed their trotting at a decreased pace. Chrysalis was about to turn around to resume her journey, but stopped. The nymphs looked up at her with tired eyes, Chrysalis remembering Nigel’s words.
“Okay,” she told them, sitting down in the grass before wiping her eyes. “We’ll… we’ll rest for five minutes, okay?” They nodded and joined her, collapsing down onto their rumps. Chrysalis sighed and stared at the pony capitol, her hooves fidgeting nervously.
Then, all of a sudden, three loud klaxons rang out from the town they had left behind.
Chrysalis turned around just in time to see a bright glow envelop the tower that she had once called home. It grew so bright, the blue light causing her to shield her eyes. The air hummed with energy, Chrysalis having just enough time to think that the glow was the same as the one that nearly destroyed Sombra’s castle, before it exploded into blinding light.
The nymphs cried out and ducked into the grass with their eyes covered, Chrysalis joining them as a gigantic boom seemed to shatter the world around them. The ground shook violently, and the force was so great that she could feel her teeth chatter together. Her ears rang with sound, the thunderous roar the loudest thing she had ever heard.
It seemed to go on for hours, before the light began to dim and the noise retreated to a dull roar. Removing her hooves from her eyes, Chrysalis looked up and felt her heart drop.
The entire town was gone. A massive crater was the only thing left, and that crater was quickly filling up with sea water.
Chrysalis stared with unbelieving eyes, her bottom lip quivering as her mind brought up a distressing concern.
The tower was gone. Everything she knew was gone, turned to dust. There would be no more walks to get ice-cream, no more helping Reflection wash her tail in the shower, no more romantic diners.
Watching the dust begin to fall to the earth, she realised that it was true.
Nigel was no more.
With the knowledge that she was once again alone, and this time with ten nymphs to look after, Chrysalis collapsed into the grass and wept.
The nymphs recovered and rushed to her, but even their attempts to comfort her could do nothing. One by one they followed the example of their mother, and wept for the loss of the human that had fed them without fail.
Celestia hovered in the air, staring down at the devastation that had formerly been the town of Quayble. Already the sea had claimed it, the water steaming into a bubbling mess.
Frowning, she had to admit that her fallen adversary certainly knew about how to make an exit.
Luna gasped beside her, only now having recovered her eyesight.
“Tia, the town, it’s gone!”
“I know, Luna.”
“What are we going to do?”
Celestia sighed, they had arrived too late. “There is nothing we can do now.” Her eyes focused, and she examined all the ponies fleeing the town below them. “Well, there is one thing.” With her wings flapping faster, she began to descend towards the nearest group.”
“What are we doing?” Luna asked again, following her down.
“It’s simple, Luna. We have new subjects that require our aid, and we need to help them now.” She quickened her pace. “All other concerns are secondary to the safety of our ponies.”
In the castle, left alone in a meeting room with nothing but a dead pegasus for company, a single bipedal statue stood in silence.