//------------------------------// // Chp 17: Honorary Titles // Story: Frie-n-emy // by Guy Balkur //------------------------------// Shining armor was enjoying his first in quite some time, day off in the Crystal Empire. With the recent vanquish of the dreaded king, Sombra, he was unable to do anything nice with his dearly beloved. After a quick stroll through the markets, he had gathered himself a bundle of roses from one of the stands, as well as some crystallized daffodils.This day was going to be just him and her. No duties or responsibilities to concern their upcoming anniversary, and no threats to deal with. The air felt nice and the place smelt peaceful from the cheerful ponies all around him. Something these ponies had not been able to experience in quite some time. Pairs of newly found happy couples walked side by side as their young ones ran around the streets, enjoying the summer air. Shinning walked past a couple who had been to discuss the events of their upcoming foal. "Hey buddy." Said the soon to be father. "Heard you're coming out some time in a couple of months." The blue crystal pony leaned down onto his wife's stomach as they sat outside the public cafe. Shinning slowed his pacing as he listened in. "I just want you to know that I think you're going to to be awesome." He said softly. "And just in case I miss your delivery when I'm out on business," He gave his wife a quick peck on the stomach. "HEY!" his wife giggled as she wrapped her hooves around him. "We can continue at home before you leave." The Blue crystallized earth pony laughed as he trailed kisses up to his wife's muzzle. "I'm just making sure the ovens warm enough." He smiled. Shinning was about far enough now to not be able to hear the continuous and painful diabetes enthused love display. But still, that event began a snowball of thoughts into other areas he had not noticed in a while. "Well, we did mention it. But..." He thought some more on it until he arrived at the castle. A few moments went by and still his mind could not wrap his head around the idea of being a father right now. He decided to shake it off, for now at least. Some things, he just wasn't ready for. "Maybe a message to Dad.” Shinning said to himself before leaving the subject for another day. The guards saluted their captain as he trotted through the halls up to his beautiful wife. His smile widened as he knew she’d still be asleep from the excess strain from yesterday’s events. Strains that will soon be forgotten for she had married a loving and rather handsome gentle-colt. He slowed down as he turned the corner, nearing the door to his and his wife’s chambers. Straightening his mane and giving a content deep breath as he gently opened the door slightly. He pushed his head in slowly, watching for any movement near the bed. He saw that the curtains were closed and the bed was occupant. He watch for a moment as her breathing slowly lifted up and down against the covers of the bed. He took a light step against the ground as he moved towards the bed. When he made it to the desk next to it, he placed the bundle of flowers into the vase he emptied earlier that morning. Shining carefully pulled himself up on the bed. “Honey?” He whispered. This made the Pink unicorn stir a bit in her covers. Shining traced a hoof on her form, making her squirm into him. “Honey, its me, your sunshine.” He said seductively into her ear. His hot breath made the pink alicorn turn her head towards him. Shining looked at the sleeping princess for a moment, waiting for her twitching eyes to open. But something about her subtle muzzle twitching was something that was off. To him, he knew every aspect there was to his wife, especially her muzzle which Shining began to get this eerie feeling as he lay on the bed facing his wife. Something was not right here, only he couldn't tell what it was. The only time he felt this was when…….No…. Shining’s eye’s shot open as a green flare engulfed him in a flash. He tried to back away but the energy concealed him within the bed. “Damn! Not again.” Shining was about to summon his magic, but something made him stop. Standing in front of him was not who he had suspected before. The charcoal color reminded him yes, but the form and the smile gave away to a different being. “Sure, bunny boo, let’s have some fun.” Smiled Discord as they both vanished from the chambers, leaving nothing but discarded blankets. The door to the restroom opened as a pink alicorn stepped out with a towel wrapped around her form, letting the moisture soak out of her beautiful pink coat. Another towel was wrapped around her head, letting her mane absorb more of the moisture. “Shining? Was that you?” She asked as she looked about the room. Although nothing seemed to be out of order, something in the corner of her eye gave her pause. She finished wrapping her mane and trotted over to the bundle of new flowers. “Awww, he must have gotten these this morning.” She sniffed them briefly, absorbing the fresh dew that the arousing textures anointed the air with. “I’ll have to plan something extra special for him tonight.” She said as she traveled back into the bathroom. Celestia, Luna, Spike and Zecora all stood motionless on the inside of Fluttershy’s cottage. All four watched with unease as the three aliens sat together on the bank of the flowing river that passed under the bridge. Celestia continued to watch their physical and subtle motion to see if any aggression was to form its unwanted head once more. Even though she was at her breaking point of exhaustion, she still readied herself for anything that could bring harm to her subjects. Luna followed her older sibling as well, keeping her gaze more so on the elite who glumly watched the bald human talking. "I still would like to know how this all happened." Celestia looked at her young sibling who was not using her mouth to speak, but her thoughts. "Luna, I understand that this all seems, rather rushed and risky." She said, or rather, thought back. "But you need to trust me on this." "I do trust you sister. It is them that I find, unusual." Luna kept her gaze on the three as Celestia let out a small deep breathe. " Your caution is justified profusely Luna. But take head that they have just helped save our species, along side their...." Celestia's voice gave way to a subtle crack that Luna quickly turned her head towards. "Their commander, you said, you saw what broke him?" Celestia turned to her sister. I...I saw something inside him, something dark Luna". "What did you see Celestia?" Luna asked with much concern. "....I saw death, loss, and destruction. It was awful Luna. Although, I believe that was just the tip of the ice berg." Celestia breathed in the air around her, letting it settled deeply in her lungs. Luna looked horrified at how strained and torn apart her older sibling was about this whole ordeal. Luna placed her head into her shoulder, giving her some stability. "We can discuss about the commander later, if you want to. But for now, the most immediate threats are his....Squad mates." Celestia closed her eyes once more, thinking of a way. " Luna, my heart thanks you for understanding the peril that we were in. Now we must deal with the aftermath." Celestia looked down at Luna who seemed confused for a bit. " I say we give them temporary stay here as contractors under us." Luna continued to stare at her sister, still confused. You mean, you want them to be a temporary force under a military contract? Completely still their own military force, but still help us?" Celestia nodded. "Tia." Luna sighed before looking back outside the window. "Is this because you feel like the elements are not enough to handle Discord?' Celestia stayed silent. "Tia, are you worried about Discord throwing his hat back into the ring? " Celestia stepped a bit forward, her tired yet determined eyes kept looking at the three beings that sat besides one another. "The chaos energy in their universe gave him a window to escape from his prison. But it cannot overpower the elements. The Elements of harmony are, and will be the kingdoms defense against anything that chaos throws at us." Luna looked back over Cesestia's shoulder, studying the strange creatures that barely moved. She began to think about how to play this very dangerous game of chess, one that could lead to consequences not in favor of either party. "Do you trust them?". Luna said as she continued to watch them. Celestia slowly nodded. They can be great allies to us. "Then so be it. I shall summon the deed." Luna said with no hints of emotions or gratitude. "Thank you Luna." Luna turned around before she barely whispered out. "I hope so Tia. Celestia stayed uncomfortably quite as she watch from afar the three beings on the bank. She stood right behind a very bored dragon and cautious Zebra. Spike, unlike Zeccorra who had the same intentions as the princesses, began to periodically tap his claw. Frustrated that the trace of his cold was still lingering, he sniffled the tiny droplets of mucus that drizzled down his nose. Spike stayed all but silent as he contemplated the rather bizarre and terrifying events that had transpired as he tapped furiously on the window sill. If it weren't for the princess’s containment bubble that shielded the cottage and most of the ever free from the giant explosion, they’d all be dealing with a lot of charred remains of a forest residue mixed with burning metal parts right about now. Spike’s shaky body and irritating tapping began to get noticed by Zeccora, who for a moment took her watchful gaze off the three aliens. “Young spike, breather of fire. What is it that sets your heart dire?” She asked Spike rubbed the back of his head before answering. “I...well this all seems way to fast to me.” he said. Zecora stayed silent as he continued. “One second I'm at Applejack's house, the next I'm in between a fight that determines the fate of equestria." Spike folded his arms over the window sill. "Again." "Yes, you have fought both brave and strong. Yet you feel like this has gone all wrong." "I wasn't able to do much in this fight but help a bunch of woodland critters." Spike glanced over at Angle who stuck his tongue out as he began to eat a carrot on the chair. Spike grumbled something under his breath before looking back glumly at the three beings. "You feel as if this fight was unfulfilled? By your claws it would have victory you would have willed?" "But we won...." Spike said unconvincingly Zeccora shook her head. "Not with out the cost that you find so wrong, to see your friend go out so strong." Spike shifted a bit. "Yeah, I guess he was a pretty cool dude. I just don't know how to handle knowing someone and having them gone, just like that. I mean I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him, We all wouldn't." Spike sniffled a bit, not to dry his nose, but to hold back his tears. Zeccora bowed her head as she patted the young dragon on the back. “A stranger’s kindness isn't unexpected, from those who wish innocents protected.” She said smiling. Spike Looked at her before solemnly nodding. There was a load thump as the three beings approached the doorway. Luna and Celestia looked at each other before the door swung open and in came the three remaining heroes. Sam and Daniel step forward as they approached the princesses, followed by Konthou who humbly walked right behind the two soldiers. Sam gave a respectful bow at the sun goddess before he explained the situation to her. “Your highness, we thank you for your assistance in taking down that super scarab.” Daniel stepped next to him. “I’d like to say you pack quite a fu---Um….Freaking punch.” Daniel coughed as he corrected his ease of vulgarity in front of royalty. “And thank you, um…..” “Luna, princess of the moon and co-ruler of Equestria.” Her tone was banal. “A princess of the moon?” Konthou mumbled. The elite turned his body away from the group as he rolled his eyes at the absurdity of the "Royal" title. “We have come to an agreement of stability in my unit. The elite is now part of my squad.” Sam motioned with his head for the elite to step forward. Daniel crossed his arms as they all watched the Elite slowly make his way to the rulers of equistria. "With the recently deceased Commander of the Special forces group of Captain James Raynoir, Commander Alan, Spartan 027, service number 8016364567109/A027." Sam straightened himself as the Daniel lined up on his left doing the same. "I hereby take over this unit as head squad leader and adopt this rebel elite as a voluntary solider of the UNSC and Special Ops for Intel and combat within my unit." Both Sam and Daniel snapped simultaneously as they turned to Konthou who now stood as straight as he could before giving an awkward military salute to Sam. “I am Begarg’Konthou’icee, known as Kontho from this day forward.” He landed on his thick knee, making the cottage vibrate subtly as painfully tugged at the words that went against his covenant bond. “I have been deceived by my family, followed a lie I wish no more to blindly follow.” His voice cracked a bit as images of his brothers in arms all dying for a cause he no longer accepted. Everyone in the room all watched as he hung his head in shame. “With my brother gone I wish to honor what he believed in by joining with the remainder of the demon’s squad.” He said with much strain as he choked back his tears of whatever was left of his covenant bond with his blind brothers. Celestia and Luna kept their gaze on Konthou before Celestia looked over to the remaining two soldiers. Sam’s eyes looked over to Celestia who kept her gaze on him and Daniel. “Sergeant." She asked as Konthou raised himself up. "Yes ma'am?" "With..Alan gone, and you being the next in line.....Me and my sister have a proposition for you." Daniel and Konthou slightly looked at each other before looking at the sergeant. "And what would that be?" Sam slowly asked. Celestia looked over at Luna who stared right back at her. "Trust me Lulu." She pleaded. Luna trotted up to the beings, letting her gaze fall on the leader who was just a bit taller than her. Still this did not frighten her as she had powers beyond his comprehension. "We deem it necessary, for you and your squad mates to accept a contract of ours in order to have your presence noted and monitored." Sam raised an eyebrow, while Daniel of course had to respond. "Wait, you mean like being a mercenary?" "No, private contractors to us so that our world will not see as a threat and keep..." "What's in it for us?" Sam interjected. Luna rose her head a bit, her face now showing some confusion aside from the cold stone stare. "You shall be housed, fed and bathed if you desire..." Luna continued, but stopped as Sam raised his hand. "No, not that...." Sam turned to Celestia. "I meant, can you two, Find any way for us to return home?" Konthou and Daniel looked at each other as their eyes lighted on that subject. Celestia stared at the Sergeant with no emotion present in her face. She took in a deep breath before giving the young man his awaited question. "Me and my sister will do everything in our power to send you back home." Sam folded his arms, not pleased by the answer. "Your Highness....We cannot stay here forever." Sam's voice was cold and determined. "Our commander sacrificed himself for your world. He sacrificed even more in our world. We all have." He said turning to his squad mates. Konthou said nothing and Daniel had that look on his face, the one were he would pull him aside and tell him a crude joke about the whole thing. Celestia and Luna stood there trying to think of how to go about this. "We are soldiers, We've seen some shit.......We cannot stay in a perfect world like yours because ours needs us..." "Sergeant.....We will do everything we can to help you get back home. It will be out number one priority." Celestia looked at him, her voice almost sounding like she needed his help again. The young Sergeant Sighed deeply before Daniel Laid his hand on him. "Hey bro, it's better than running around with our thumbs up our ass." Sam looked over to him, smiling a bit as did. Konthou put his fist onto his chest, showing his respect to Sam. "As long as you find a way to help us get home. We'll do it." he said. Luna tilted her head a bit before summoning a piece of parchment. "Thank you sergeant." "You did say We get some grub though right?" Daniel said as he stepped up behind Sam. Luna raised her brow, unsure on what a grub he was referring to. "Goddammit Daniel" Sam irritable rolled his eyes. "If we were Mercs, you be the one with the mouth for sure." "The Demon is here?” Bathou’mus asked again. Chrysalis nodded again before she scooted more into the corner, waiting for the next question to appear that would instantly show her true colors. “How do you know all this?” There it was. The Question that she knew she had no choice but to answer truthfully. Chrysalis hung her head and began to quietly sob some more. She felt pathetic and weak, something she built over the years that she was nothing like. But wasn't she always like that? Deep down? Always trying to prove it to the world that she wasn't a pushover. Now look where that got her. She continued to stifle sobs before Bathou’mus grew irritable. “Please, tell me how you know all this.” He asked calmly but frustrated. “I was, supposed to help him, but like I said, I was betrayed and placed here forever.” She stopped as she waited for the being to lash out at her, knowing that he would most likely dismiss her for partly placing him here. “I see.” Was all that Bathou’mus could say before he looked down and scooted slowly to her in a crouch position. Terrified at his closing space, the queen instinctively braced herself against whatever it was that he was going to do. Instead of the fear that penetrated her soul, she felt his closing form grab hold of the chain that connected to the wall and to her form. He grunted profusely as the links grind and expanded from the blunt pulling. The bolts at end squeaked as they slowly disconnected from the cobble stone wall. Chrysalis looked in awe as the Elite began to strain his muscles from exertion until finally the links gave way and snapped from each other like a broken hunter bond.. After she felt the link of the chain fall to the ground, she opened her eyes and saw him looking right at her. He huffed a bit before nodding at her collar that stopped her magic. “If you don’t mind.” He said politely as he gazed at the metal collar around her neck. Chrysalis straightened her back as she felt his powerful hands wrap around the metal collar. With a short but careful tug of his hands did the metal rip apart and fall to the ground near her back hooves. Baffled by his actions, the queen looked at the metal beast who dominated her size with such ease that it was terrifying. “I’m going to need your help if we are going to make it out of here. You know what’s going on here a lot more than me, so please, I ask that you dismiss the leadership of Diskchord and help me return to reality.” Bathou’mus held his digits out to her, waiting for her to grab it. “I…..I….” She stammered for a moment before looking at her rather two only options. Rot here forever or take the offer the Elite was giving her. With the latter being more than an valid reason to live, she lifted her hole filled hoof into his palm, heaving herself off the dirty floor. Bathou’mus nodded as he carefully helped her on her hooves. Her strength was almost gone save for the ability to lean on the hunched over elite that held her up carefully. “Now, we need to think. How do we escape?” he began. His helmet scanned around the interior before something around the corner of the metal bars caught his eyes. “The way you described it made it sound like you appeared from a door way.” Chrysalis started. “Perhaps there are more that Discord did not notice before he trapped me here without my magic powers. But if we can find one and make it out of here I will be able to counter his magic with my own.” She looked down as she clung to the Elite who stared at her. “That is assuming there’s still enough energy in me to do so.” “Well, you are not going to be able to get any here.” Bathou’mus gently put her down next to the cell wall. Before the Queen could ask, the metal beast backed up as much as he could into the back of the cell before taking a few quick steps then using his evasion equipment to burst through the bars like the wooden door from earlier. The loud crashing shook the entire cell, causing the former queen to shield her head from the debris. Something in the castle walls from the impact started to swirl tons of dust all around them, making it difficult to see or hear. Behind the elite, he heard the Changeling yell something about a magic security system. Bathou’mus reached back into the cell to grab the queen who was coughing furiously. Before they could venture forward, he lifted his helmet off. He began to choke on the unsettled dust that poisoned both their lungs. “Can you make room for your horn?” He asked in-between cough. Chrysalis, blinded by the increasing sand that swirled the old dungeon, nodded before she felt the inside of Bathou’mus’s helmet touch the tip of her horn. “The dust is only going to get worse, judging by the way this place is designed! (Cough) I need to make sure you can breathe otherwise you’ll suffocate before we make it out of here.” With what little magic and energy she had, she made a big enough hole in his helmet to allow her horn to slide through. The helmet automatically shrunk around her neck to filter the miniature sand storm so she could breathe and see. After she shook the particles out of her one good eye was she able to through almost perfectly through the sandy filled castle. “Wait! How are you going to breath?” She asked as he lifted her on his shoulder. “I’ll be fine. But we need to hurry! I can’t see but I can hear. Guide us through with your vision and I shall push onward to safety!” He shouted before he began to take steps through the dungeon, keeping his eyes covered with one arm while the other supported the rather light changeling on his bulky shoulder. “To your right!” She shouted. Bathou’mus obeyed and stepped against the storm which grew more aggressive the more he traveled away from the cell. “To the left! No wait! Another Right!” Chrysalis shouted again. “Please! Assert your judgment to a single phrase!” His mandibles tightened as he shifted through the now desert filled dungeon. “STOP!” She shouted. Bathou’mus did as instructed, but he begin to get a funny feeling as the ground vibrated. He took one peek through the storm, before him lay a large piece of the said castle. He began to find that the whole place began to denigrate with the sand storm. “RUN!!” She shouted again. Without hesitation, Bathou’mus ran forward ignoring the loud crash from his previous position. He began to run straight forward until the changeling shouted for him to start to run in a zig zag. “LEFT!! RIGHT! LEFT!!RIGHT!!” She shouted. Although Bathou’mus couldn’t see the degree that crashed all around him, he still felt the vibrations and sounds of crashing of parts of the structure. His settling trust in the changeling began to turn into an iron grip around her waist as he held her tight for direction. “Oh Buck!!” Chrysalis cursed as she saw a large gap from the exit and the falling dungeon behind them. “What has happened?!” Bathou’mus yelled back. “Large Gap! Walls on either side but it’s too big to make it!” Bathou’mus grinned a bit. “Walls on the side are still up right?!” He asked as he begin to quicken his speed. “Yes, but the gap is…” Her sentence was cut off when the mighty elite shoved his weight forward. “As long as those walls hold, I’ll make it!!” he yelled. All around the two, Chrysalis could only stare in fear and awe at the demolishing structure. She closed her eyes as he ran full speed at the increasingly growing gorge that separated them from freedom. Bathou’mus tilted his body at an angle as he thrust with all his might in his legs, feeling his old wound rip from earlier as his massive boots landed sideways on the wall. With another massive and painful push from the right wall that crumbled from his weight, and another push with his evasion gear, he tore through the air with a razor streak of blinding light. The pony screamed as he landed and rolled forward into the opened doorway, losing her from his grasp. They both rolled and rolled out into the blinding light similar from what Bathou’mus’s earlier encounter. Chrysalis opened her eye and saw nothing but whiteness. She breathed a sigh of relief before shakily rolling on her stomach, shaking her daze from the adrenaline rush. “That was of the most fearful ride of my life.” Her breathing began to catch up and calm her nerves as she began to give into deep breaths. Bathou’mus crawled towards her as he tried to get up. His leg made a sickening snapping sound as he stood straight up. He jerked downwards from the pain, giving a soft hiss from his mandibles. Chrysailis said nothing, but Bathou’mus knew from within she was freaking out from his features. He sat back down and began to see if he still had any of medical equipment in the base of his armor. “If you wouldn't mind, that helmet and I have been through a lot.” He gestured. Chrysalis scooted a bit closer to him as she tilted her head for him to pry it off. Bathou’mus gently grabbed it and slowly lifted past her horn. As he lifted it he saw her bright emerald eyes staring at him, not in awe, or even in fear but curiosity. “Do I have something in on my face?” He asked casually. “Your scar. In what battle did you acquire it?” She asked. Bathou’mus grunted a bit before placing the helmet back on. The white lights activated before he replied. “A tale from the depths of hell will be of more kindness to you than what had happened to me that cursed ring.” Bathou’mus grumbled to himself out of bitterness before he felt an odd shape in his storage compartment in his back armor. He felt around a bit before getting a hold of the human shaped gun. He examined the full ammo clip of the pistol he kept for safe keepings before cocking it and holstering it next to his sword that luckily was still attached to him. “Before we venture forward, I’d like to discuss a few more things with you about this purgatory.” Chrysalis nodded as they lay on the ground next to each other. “Has anyone here experienced anything like this?” “To my knowledge no, but we have researched the effects back when I was little. It was part of acquiring different strategies of dark magic.” She sighed before shaking her head. “Even I know that to use that energy can consume you to your own dark ambitions.” “Which would mean that this Diskchord is using this dark…’Magic’ to contain us and….the demon.” “I only had a few things known of his plans before he put me here, the fact that he some how obtains magic from chaotic events is why you and the....this Demon are here. But judging how we are here in this realm of existence, one separate from our bodies is a form of dark magic. The pain part of it is what makes it a form of dark magic. ” "This thing feeds off of Chaos?" Bathou'mus placed a hand on his head as he cursed the logic that this place lacked. "He is 'draconequus' And consume any chaotic event that happens in equstria." Chrysalis rolled her eyes at the notion. "Usually it would take something so little like a disagreement or a fight to break him free. But ever since you and this, Demon, showed up, has got in his head that if he keeps you two fighting long enough, it'll make him even stronger. Bathou'mus lifted his hand before coming to a realization. "He's using us. Our species's history, that's what's doing it." "Magic is a useful tool here." Chrysalis said with a sigh. Bathou’mus shook his head a bit. “I am still having difficulty in understanding this whole magic concept. Back where I am from, it was called technology, for we had no way of harnessing the essences around us without the use of some machine.” “I see.” Chrysalis said. “I would like to know more about you and your kind once we find a way out of here.” “One more question.” Bathou’mus said, his tone shifting deeper. “Can I trust you?” Chrysalis let out a long painful sigh. “I don’t have an option in betraying you, yet I would seal my own fate if I did.” Bathou’mus took a moment, before he gradually nodded. “But take heed, Bathou’mus.” Chrysalis said, her anger rising until she pushed against the ground as hard as she could to stand up. Grunting in pain and anguish, the fire in her eyes and hooves became the strength of vengeance she once sought. “I will make that slimy weasel pay. For every second I was here, I will return tenfold.” “This is getting us nowhere Twilight!!” Yelled an impatient Rainbow Dash. “You know, I think you’re right.” Twilight Agreed. “We should have been at the garden by now.” “You don’t suppose this is a….” As if on cue, all six girls vanished from the halls that guided them through the castle. When they had appeared, all that was visible was the amount of candy and treats that Discord had turned their beloved capital into. Twilight was aghast from seeing her childhood home turned into a chocolate fantasia that gave the viewer a cavity from just gazing upon the treats that hung on every wall. “Oh….My” Fluttershy began. “What a ghastly design for such a historic structure.” Rarity poked at a large blub of ice cream that was soon slurped up by an even more ecstatic Pinkie Pie. “ARE YOU GUYS NUT!?” Pinkie ran towards a nearby giant cup cake and proceeded to devour it whole. “THIS. IS. AMAZING!! SUPER DUPER SPECTACULAR!” Pinkie had no such beliefs in slowing down as she continued her campaign to devour every single bit of the moist and succulent morsels of the confectionery treats all around them. “Pinkie, please.” Twilight began “Oh come one Twilight.” A voice echoed through the castle, prompting Applejack to grab Pinkie Pie from eating a large lollipop. “DISCORD!” Rainbow Dash yelled out. “Come on out here and face us you freak.” “Oh how rude. I take the time to create such a delightful display of your power in your capital and you call me the freak?” Discord appeared in front of the group, hovering right above them with a purple top hat and a cane. “Well, at least one of you likes what I've done with the place.” Discord chuckled as Pinkie bit out a large chunk of the chocolate floor. “Pinkie, Darling, please focus.” Rarity said as she placed her hoof on her pink friend. “Oh, sorry, got kind of carried away right there.” Pinkie spat out some of the chocolate before falling in line with the rest of the group. “Celestia warned us the you had escaped, but that’s impossible without the elements.” Twilight gaze shot at Discord who was now standing on the chocolate pathway. “Oh there are things outside our world that are far beyond your precious elements powers.” Discord snapped his paw, turning the entire room into the throne room. Here he sat lightly back down in the throne that Celestia preoccupied only now it was filled with gumdrops with a unique jawbreaker theme to it. Here Discord lazily outstretched himself before smiling at the group of mares. "But don't take my word for it, see for yourself." "Fine by me." Rainbow proclaimed planting herself firmly on the ground. "Alright. Girls, just like last time." Twilight said as the entire group formed behind her. The elements began to take light as the each rose above the ground. The Glow barely fazed Discord as he still relaxed himself as much as possible, showing no signs of fear whatsoever. The critical point of the elements of harmony began to vibrate the entire castle as they aimed at Discord who smiled to himself as the beam approached him. Shinning would've lied to himself if he said he wouldn't have preferred helping his wife with their usual clothing pick up on the early mornings of the weekend. Rather compared to this watching bore fest. Even though the two beings were amusing to wander and ogle over, they soon lost their awe after a half an hour. "I swear I will put my hoof through his..." Their was a sudden rumbling that made him turn his head towards the to ascended beings, namely towards the hunched looking one that began a fit in the air. The energy around him began to degrade as Shinning watched in utter shock from the now sentient form began to thrash around, trying to free itself from its invisible bonds. Before Shininig could use the Jawbreaker, a bright light filled the room, stunning him slightly. When he looked at the being he saw it crumpled on the ground, holding in his arms a dark colored, familiar Swiss cheese appearing being. When it started to breath heavily, raising itself on the ground, Shinning could now see the gratuitousness stature, and why it had god like rumors to it. The bore fest quickly became a sudden rush of adrenaline and almost failure bladder control. Bathou'mus shakily rose from the ground as his vision came back. His first glance was at a white pony who seemed to be stunned from from his mere existence. But on further examination, he saw that the pony was looking more at the being that he had underneath him. Looking back down he saw Chrysalis, wrapped around his arms tightly, as if he were the only thing keeping her alive. He placed a hand on her, shaking her a tad to get her to awaken. "Um, we made it." He said. Chrysalis opened her eyes, only to find herself looking up and into the eyes of the metal being that had saved her from a torment. Her bright eyes began to tear up slightly as she shifted around the room until they fell on one familiar captain. Her face quickly changed into on of pure regret. "Oh, Buck." She plainly spat out as Shining began to fuel with rage. "CHRYSALIS!!!!." He shouted with a large snort through his nose.