Celestia came to the odd creature known as Ammon not really expecting anything beyond a cryptic, confusing answer, and sealed lips. What she got, however, was a wellspring of information, though the actual answer she sought wasn't something he seemed to know himself.
The creature was something called a 'human'. Or, at least, he used to be, before he had accepted a deal with a strange, otherworldly entity that he called 'The Lady'. The human had apparently either been gravely wounded, or had died, defending an innocent from brigands. Whichever it was, the human wasn't too sure. What he was sure about, though, was that after his apparent death, he had woken up to see The Lady, and had been given an ultimatum.
Serve as her champion, or die.
The strange thing about this deal, though, was that this Lady hadn't given him an objective, or indeed, anything to do at all. She hadn't even told him where he was going, and had been fairly vague on what form she was sending him in.
The only information she had given him was that there was some sort of contest going on between her and some entities that were similar to her, and that he was to serve as her champion.
“What happened next?” Celestia asked with interest.
“Well, I agreed, there was a flash of light, and I woke up in the woman's bathroom. I believe you know the rest,” Ammon said with a shrug. “I'm not even sure what the stakes in this game of theirs is, though considering the power that they seem to posses, I'm going to bet that it's something pretty big.”
“I believe you are right. Thank you for your time, and your civility, by the way. All the other 'champions' have been rude, evasive, or downright hostile,” Celestia said with a shake of her head. “A few have been benign, as you have proven to be. For the most part, they have been destructive, psychotic, and dangerous. None of them have even attempted to give me any answers, with even the most benign-seeming ones preferring to run away rather than tell me what was going on.”
The reptile sat up at that, a look of alarm on his face. “Now, when you say psychotic, what do you mean exactly by that?” he asked nervously.
“The perfect example would be the one known as 'Peter the Everburning',” Celestia said with a great deal of contempt. “This, 'champion', entered Los Pegasus and, with only a short proclamation of his name and title, tried his best to burn the entire city to the ground.”
Ammon just looked stunned at that. “Holy... and I'm supposed to fight those things? As the freaking Hunter?”
“It took the combined powers of both me and my sister to bring Peter down, as he seemed to gain more power for each thing he burned. The guards have since referred to the perpetrator of this atrocity as 'Pyro Pete', and have used his example as a caution to all of our armed forces of the destructive potential that these 'champions' posses,” Celestia said grimly. “To be honest, when I had heard that one of you had finally surrendered to us, I had thought that it was some kind of trap. At best, I was expecting a few cryptic answers, and then you vanishing before my eyes. At worst...”
“You were expecting me to attempt to blow up your city, with you inside,” Ammon finished for her. “Well, you don't have to worry about that kind of thing from me. The Hunter was designed for sneaky fighting, and as far as I can remember, wasn't capable of anything remotely close to Pete's level of destructive power.”
Before Celestia was able to ask any more questions, she was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come in,” she said, her heart sinking as she spoke.
As she had feared, a guard entered, a serious look on his face. “Your Highness, I have grave news. May we speak privately?”
“Of course,” Celestia said, getting up from her seat next to Ammon. “If you will excuse me, duty calls.”
“Of course,” the reptile said with a nervous smile.
With that, Celestia got up and followed the guard outside of the room. “What is wrong, sergeant?” she asked.
“A being calling herself 'The Mistress of Shadow' has attacked the Manehattan Train Station,” the soldier reported grimly. “She's taken hostages, and demands either your or your sister's presence.”
“Where is Luna right now?” Celestia asked quickly.
“I'm sorry, your Highness, but your sister is currently dealing with a beast that calls itself The Sandman that appeared near Dodge Junction. You'll only have us to support you in this,” the sergeant said with a frown.
Celestia just shook her head at that. “It can't be helped. Is this 'Mistress of Shadow' still at the train station? Or has she decided to move her captives to a more defensible location?”
“I think she's rather cocky, to be honest. Though, knowing what these monsters can do, I'm not really surprised about that,” the sergeant said with some distaste. “She's promised not to move from the station downtown, but has stated that if you do not arrive by sundown, she'll begin eating people.”
Celestia just shook her head weakly at that. “Radio ahead, and tell them that I will be right there.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the sergeant said with a salute.
Celestia sighed at this, then turned and opened the hospital room door again. “I apologize, Ammon, but-” she started to say, but stopped herself when she realized that he had disappeared, taking his weapons with him. The open window, revealing the slowing rainfall outside the only clue to where he might have gone.
"By the spirits, I don't have time for this," Celestia grumbled as her horn began to glow. There was a bright flash of light, and she was gone, leaving behind a very confused-looking guard.
The guard took a look around the empty room, then quietly closed the door. "Did I miss something?" he asked the guards outside the door.
The two guards flanking the door gave short shrugs, but otherwise didn't answer him. "It just looks like it's going to be one of those days..." he grumbled as he began trotting away from the door,
* * *
Yeah, I know it's not really polite to eavesdrop, but I really couldn't help myself. Besides, as I had listened to her conversation, I could tell right off the bat that this was some sort of trap. Not only that, but I knew that Celestia knew it as well.
Yet, despite all of this, she was still going to run straight into it without her sister to back her up. And since it took the combined might of both of the dynamic duo to take down that nut case Pyro Pete, she was more than likely walking to her doom.
I know that I probably should have waited for her to come back first before I made my move, but I couldn't trust that she wouldn't try to put some sleep spell on me to keep me from doing what I was doing right now. After all, she seemed like the kind of person who took charge of things, and would probably have been too worried about my own health and safety to even consider allowing me to tag along.
Yeah, yeah, my leg's still busted, but in my logic's defense, it was feeling much better. The doctors had wrapped it in a cast, zapped me with all sorts of healing mumbo-jumbo, then told me that I could take off the cast in less then a week. Now, I'm no doctor, but after the injury I sustained against that dragon, I should have been laid up for at least three months, if not longer. If it was going to be less than a week, and it had already been about two days, I should be up to taking this sucker on, right?
Well, okay, maybe I shouldn't try to press my luck, I thought as I climbed down the hospital's storm drain. But still, if Celestia is willing to spring this trap with no help, the least I can do is be there to be her backup. After all, I'm the one who's supposed to be fighting these th-Crap!
That last bit was thought in complete terror as the drain pipe pulled away from the side of the hospital. Instinctively, I reached out with my right arm to try and grab hold of a nearby windowsill, but only managed to slap my claw against the brick wall of the hospital.
At that point, I knew I was well and truly screwed, and began to flail blindly as I fell, letting go of the pipe as I went. However, as I did this, my whole body jerked against my right arm, nearly tearing it from my socket as I was stopped from falling to my doom. Somewhat dazed, I looked up in confusion, only to see my right claw glued to the wall Spider Man style.
Wait, what? I thought intelligently as I tried to process what was happening to me.
The more that I thought about it, though, the more that I remembered about The Hunter and the powers I had given him when I was young. Again, I had to remind myself that I did not give him powers based on what the chameleon actually could do, but off of what an eight year old thought a chameleon should be able to do.
And that meant that I could stick to walls, just like everybody's favorite web slinging superhero.
Yeah, I know. It's not the most imaginative thing in the world, so sue me. I was eight. At least one of my powers was going to be a direct ripoff of one of my favorite superheroes. At this point, I wasn't going to complain, though I couldn't help but wish that I had put in Superman's invincibility, or Green Lantern's construct generation.
Or Batman's utility belt. Man, if I had that thing, I would have this contest in the bag.
At any rate, I was just glad that I had something that was going to keep me from splattering against the pavement below. “Thanks again, younger me,” I said with a sigh of relief as I pressed my other claw and my good foot against the wall. “But to be honest, I could have used that little tidbit of information days ago. It really would have come in handy against that dragon.”
It took me a few tries, but I was eventually able to get the hang of getting my other limbs to stick. It was another story entirely to get them to release, however, making me fight with the wall for a couple of minutes until I was finally able to get the knack of the darn thing down. Eventually, I was able to traverse the wall with ease, despite the fact that I was still sporting a broken leg during this whole time, and that the wall was still quite wet from the recent downpour.
Once I finally reached street level, I noticed that quite the crowd had gathered where the drainpipe had broken. Luckily, no one had been hurt when the thing had come loose. Also, nobody seemed to notice the giant green lizard who had caused it either, making it fairly easy for me to slip away. One of these days, I'm going to have a long sit down, just to work out precisely what each of my powers are and how they bloody work. I mean, seriously, besides no one noticing me, there is no discernible clue that my invisibility is actually working. I can still see myself, so it must be something that messes with the perception of other people.
As I thought about this, I suddenly realized that I had absolutely no idea where the train station was. As I sat there, scratching my head over what I needed to do, I perked up when I heard an oddly familiar shout.
“Taxi!”
I turned my head just in time to see one pony flag down another pulling a chariot-style taxicab. “To city hall, and step on it.”
Well, that's convenient. This is the hospital, and you have ponies coming and going all the time. If I sit here and wait long enough, I should find someone who's headed in the right direction, I thought as I looked around. Though, just to be on the safe side, I should probably find a map, just in case that doesn't happen.
* * *
The Mistress of Shadow hummed as she waited, patiently tossing a knife in the air, then catching it in harmony with the beat.
“Mistress of Shadow, Princess Celestia is here, as requested!” she heard the insufferable guard from earlier shout.
This immediately brought a smile to her fanged lips, her head perking up at the thought of what she had in store for the self stylized 'Princess of the Sun'. “Oh, I had hoped that it would be you that would come,” she said with a purr. “I'm coming!”
She then stepped out onto the train platform, still tossing her knife to herself as she went. The rain had all but stopped, but she was still a little bit annoyed when a few drops touched her shadowed head. She ignored the rising feeling, instead choosing to focus on the brilliant white pony that was approaching her. “My, my, aren't you a pretty pony princess?” The Mistress taunted Celestia in a sing-song voice. “I bet all the little girls just flock around you.”
If Celestia found any of this offensive, she didn't show it. “I understand you have taken several of my little ponies hostage. I want them returned at once,” Celestia said with authority.
“Yes, yes, very stern, very commanding. I bet that little power trip would have scared anyone into submission,” The Mistress said with a low, sweeping bow. “However, I can't just return them. I need something from you, or you will never see your pretty little ponies ever again.”
Celestia just raised an eyebrow at that. “Really? What is stopping me from just knocking you out here and now?” she asked.
“Simple. You even think about flashing that perfect little horn of yours at me, and they die,” The Mistress answered maliciously. “Now, I don't think you want to be the one to tell your little ponies why their mommies and daddies couldn't come home today, so if you care to follow me, we can discuss my terms.”
Celestia stared at her, trying to detect any falsehood in what she said, but eventually relented. “Fine, lead the way.”
“There's a good little princess,” The Mistress said with a grin. She then stepped back into the train station, her maniacal grin not letting up for an instant.
As calm as a gentle spring morning, Celestia followed The Mistress into her trap, knowing full well that she might not come out alive. However, just because she was walking into a trap, did not mean that she would go down without a fight.
As Celestia entered, she couldn't help but see all the terrified faces of her little ponies. Each of their faces lit up at the sight of her, though, their whole beings filled with hope at her very presence.
This only steeled the princess for what laid before her. However, she decided to give diplomacy one more chance, and hopefully talk this lunatic down. “What is your real name?” Celestia asked The Mistress.
“I don't know what you're talking about,” The Mistress said, her malicious smile fading a little bit.
“Oh, I think you know full well what I'm talking about. Before you came here from earth, what was your name?” Celestia asked again.
The Mistress just giggled at that, acting as if Celestia had told some great joke. “Oh, someone has been breaking the ru~les!” The Mistress said in a sing-song voice.
“Listen, I don't know what your master promised you, but my sister and I could find a way to get you home! We could-” Celestia said, attempting to reason with the girl. The Mistress was having none of that, though.
The Mistress let out a loud, maddened laugh, her twisted, deformed body radiating pure darkness with each howl, interrupting Celestia's attempt at reason. “No no no, my dear. My Queen specifically promised me that she wouldn't return me home.”
“But... why wouldn't you want to go home?” Celestia asked in confusion.
“Simple, really. I was on death row,” The Mistress said, her laughter becoming more insane with every passing moment. “Something about how knifing people wasn't proper, or any such rot as that. She saved me, and for that, I am eternally at her command. Her will is my will. Her desire is my desire. And what she desires, is for you to hurl that dreadful ball of fire orbiting this pathetic rock as far away as you possibly can.”
Celestia just raised an eyebrow at this. “Really? That is your big play? You want me to kill the very people I am trying to protect?” she asked flatly.
“Oh, I know that you wouldn't possibly do such a thing. After all, you're Princess Celestia! You've lived for thousands of years, and during that time, I'm sure you've made all the tough decisions,” The Mistress said, her grin growing with each passing moment. “I'm sure you care about each and every one of your subjects, don't get me wrong, but each one's life is just a flash in the pan to you. They burn out quicker than candles, and I'm sure you've seen plenty of faces die.”
At this point, the psychotic demon started to circle Celestia, still carelessly flipping that knife. “You're what I like to call a 'big picture' girl. Sure, each of these lives are important to you, but you'd sacrifice them at the drop of a hat to ensure that everyone else is safe and sound. The worst part is, is that the survivors will praise you for it, praise you for saving the majority at the expense of the minority,” she rambled, never stopping for an instant.
Celestia, on the other hand, did not move an inch. “Am I supposed to be impressed by your powers of reasoning?”
“Oh, no, you're supposed to be impressed by the army of puppets on your back,” The Mistress said as she sat back down in front of Celestia.
“Army of- Ooph!”
At that exact moment, every single hostage that The Mistress of Shadow had taken began to dog pile Princess Celestia, bearing her to the ground with their weight alone. “What are you doing?” she asked her ponies in alarm.
“Oh, I wouldn't waste time trying to talk to those puppets,” The Mistress said slowly. “They wouldn't be able to hear you anyway.”
“What did you do to them?” Celestia demanded of her.
“Why, what I'm going to do to you of course!” The Mistress said.
The Mistress then opened her mouth, inhaling deeply, almost as if she were trying to breath in the world's atmosphere all in one go. Dark tendrils snaked out of her mouth, and latched onto Celestia, pulling at her, twisting this way and that.
However, Celestia did not move an inch. Instead, she gave the demon above her a smug smile. “Having trouble there?” she asked innocently.
“Why... why isn't it working? I should be able to devour anyone's soul,” The Mistress said with a pant.
“You are hardly the first to try such a tactic, and you will not be the last,” Celestia said with a smirk. “But if you wish to devour my soul, you'd need to be strong enough to swallow the sun's soul first.”
“But... But...”
“Now that I know what you've done to my little ponies, I'm afraid there is no hope for you,” Celestia said sadly as she levitated the pile of soulless ponies off of her, then fabricated a cage around them to keep them safe. “You have devoured their souls, and the only hope I have now of saving their lives, is to end yours before you're able to digest them.”
At this, Celestia's horn and eyes began to glow a deep golden color as heat cascaded off of her form. Her crown disappeared, as did her regalia and shoes. In their place, armored plates sprang into being, protecting her chest, barrel, legs and head from any assault. Her once lovely Aurora Borealis mane and tail transformed as well, turning into a aura of terrible flame, threatening to burn anything in its way. Finally, at her side, she conjured a great golden glaive, wreathed in fire and hungry for the blood of any who would threaten Celestia's subjects.
Gone was the pretty white princess. Gone was the benevolent ruler. Gone was the one who gave second chances.
In her place stood the Avatar of Death.
The Mistress of Shadow made a sound that was similar to that of a stepped on mouse, then quickly vanished in a puff of shadow.
“GET BACK HERE YOU COWARD!” Celestia shouted, teleporting after her.