Following the destruction of Shrieking Raven’s protective robe by Fluttershy’s final radiant arrow, the grotesque monster twisted its skeletal visage with primal fury. The creature rushed forward with magically-enhanced speed, and eschewed her devastating shriek, preferring to attack with sharp skeletal claws. The banshee’s first blow knocked Fluttershy’s bow out of her hands, and Raven’s follow-up strike tore through the girl’s shirt to rake deep furrows in her stomach and side. Fluttershy’s shrill scream of pain echoed across the cemetery as she crumpled to the ground, with small streams of blood flowing over her pale yellow hands as she desperately tried to staunch the three wounds on her abdomen. Shrieking Raven, with a predatory skull’s grin on her face, gloated as she stood over her victim.
"No! Not her!" Discord’s incensed voice sounded like the most beautiful music that Fluttershy had ever heard in her life. As she lay on the ground, her pain transformed to wonder as a multicolored, swirling magical aura enveloped her protector. Fluttershy had read Twilight’s journal entry closely, but her writing emphasized Discord’s behavior, instead of his physical description. Despite her wounds, she couldn’t conceal her amazement at a partial glimpse of her friend’s true form. A pair of wings, one feathery and one leathery, sprang into being upon his back. Fuzzy pony ears, much longer than her own, appeared on his head along with a blue goat’s horn and a jagged deer’s antler. Below his mismatched wings, a scaly red tail extended behind him, ending in a prehensile tuft of white fur. The Spirit of Chaos’ hands glowed with a golden aura, and light from his crimson eyes pierced the darkness as his emotions released his magic. Raven swiftly turned away from Fluttershy to confront Discord.
He clenched his fists, and passionately shouted, "Never again, Fluttershy! I won't fail you ever again!"
Discord’s magic summoned Chainbreaker into his right hand, where it flickered once and came to life once more, brightening the cemetery with its pale white radiance. The Spirit of Chaos ripped his ever-present lapel pin free of his clothing, and gripped it in his left hand. The pin transformed itself into a huge steel shield, pointedly decorated with three pink butterflies, twining vines and rainbow-colored songbirds. Discord held Chainbreaker high and charged Shrieking Raven.
Before the banshee could assume a defensive stance, the Spirit of Chaos slammed his tail on the ground, and he used it as leverage to jump high into the air. Raven tried to leap out of the way, but the ferocity of his attack had caught her off guard. Chainbreaker struck her on her left side as he bounced by, breaking several ribs and scorching her parchment-like flesh underneath the simple tunic she wore. The powerful blow knocked the sheath holding Raven’s bronze dagger to the ground. The shards of Adagio’s heart-pendant glittered in Chainbreaker’s luminance.
“Feel the burn, Cassiopeia?” Discord taunted the wounded banshee. “I’ve learned how important it is to correct old mistakes. You’ve bided your time well, but you haven’t learned a damned thing!” Breathing heavily, he positioned himself between Raven and the magical dagger, sparing glances at both Aria and Fluttershy.
Raven's flat black eyes flicked down at the dagger for a moment, then her gaze returned to Discord and the incredible amount of arcane energy emanating from him. She spoke slowly and deliberately, as though she had all the time in the world. “You had all of Equestria, but you were such an idiot that you were more concerned with entertaining yourself than ruling. Just like when the alicorn sisters petrified you, now you stand alone. Your spirit has weakened to the point where you actually care about what happens to these mortals. Pathetic! I’m doing you a favor by putting you out of your misery. When I seize your power for myself, at least I’ll do something useful with it!” She concentrated, and a destructive beam of violet magic lanced forth from the unicorn’s skull she wore.
He raised the pale-green kite shield and gritted his teeth. The arcane attack dissipated harmlessly against the barrier, and Discord used the shield to block a pair of follow-up strikes from Raven’s claws.
“Even when you were mortal, I knew you couldn’t understand emotion. Every being was just a piece on a grand gameboard to you. So, once again you’ll fail to comprehend what I’m trying to tell you.” Discord used his telekinetic powers to carefully toss Raven’s dagger towards his discarded backpack. “This still sounds ridiculously cheesy when I say it, even though I know it to be true, but there is potent magic in friendship. Fluttershy’s Equestrian double first taught me that, and the girl you’ve wounded has driven that lesson home. She’s selfless with her brief life, and is certainly a better teacher than you. Of course, being blasted by the Power of Harmony multiple times has caused me to reflect on the errors of my long existence.”
He snapped his fingers and distracted Raven by hurling a dozen small stone statues of himself at the banshee. His breathing came in increasingly ragged gasps, and perspiration beaded on his forehead.
-----
As Discord and Raven faced off, Aria Blaze felt the cold water pooling around her and into her agonizing wounds as she slowly regained consciousness. Her eyes snapped open. The moon, waning towards a crescent, filled her vision. I don’t want to think about how much worse this would be if I hadn’t landed in the brook. At least I have enough magic left in me for the water to accelerate my healing. Most of the bleeding seems to have stopped. She gasped upon viewing Discord’s changed form, and she winced anew when she saw the blood staining Fluttershy’s clothes.
-----
Twenty yards away, on the other side of the angel statue, Fluttershy dragged herself across the ground to where Discord’s pack lay. She quietly opened the main compartment, retrieved some medical supplies, and grimaced while she clumsily wrapped a battle dressing around her wounded stomach. Fluttershy heard Discord’s compliment, which helped her fight through the pain. I have to help my friends! I’ve proven to myself that I’m not weak and helpless tonight, but that does no good if Raven wins, she thought. Fluttershy somehow managed to tie the straps on the field bandage, and she pillowed her chin on top of the backpack to watch Discord fight Raven, all the while fanning the flames of her own quiet determination.
-----
Rainbow Dash rolled over and tried to settle in again. Annoyance triggered in her sleepy mind, I hate it when I have to take a nap without a pillow, and why are these sheets so scratchy? She distantly heard the sound of some guy screaming down the street and mentally groaned. Dude, could you pick a better time to freak out, I’ve got things to do! Consciousness began to return to her addled mind. Her ears rang and she smelled pine sap mixed with the distinctive odor of ozone. Things to do! The evil dead thing blew up and tossed me wherever the hell I am. Get up! You’ve got to help Flutters, Aria and Discord!
Forcing her eyes open, Rainbow Dash found herself at the foot of a tall pine tree, where a thick bed of needles had softened her fall. She could feel a knot rising on the right side of her forehead, and her right shoulder hurt like crazy. She saw Chainbreaker’s glow in the distance, and painfully struggled to her feet.
-----
Shrieking Raven continued to goad Discord. “You’d better hurry, Discord! I sense your resolve wavering. You can’t deny your true nature! Soon, you’ll forget all about the bleeding girl and the stricken Siren to make some joke elsewhere. Just think of all the pain you’ll spare them. The moment you forget about protecting them, they will become mine forever!” Periodic blasts of dark magic from the unicorn skull atop her head forced Discord to keep his shield at the ready.
Discord's eyes glowed red with wrath as he soaked in the banshee's words. Chainbreaker thundered as he shouted, “They will never become yours!” He dropped to his knees, and he slammed the magical mace onto the earth, creating a tremor that knocked Raven to the ground.
“They are already mine! They will die soon enough,” the banshee declared.
Surrounded by a glimmering golden aura, the Spirit of Chaos threw his head back and laughed heartily, as the banshee struggled to regain her footing. “You know that Vecna can’t claim all death, or you’d never go through all this effort! Cassiopeia, you’ve made the toilet bowl of the multiverse your home, and revel in the fact that you’re a half-step from oblivion. To be immortal, you threw away the mystery of the planes, the joy of belief, the might of emotion and the thrill mortals feel from riding the Wheel of Time! You’ve learned nothing. I show you Equestria’s greatest lesson to me. Behold, the mingled power of chaos and life!”
Green, leafy vines burst from the ground, and wrapped themselves around Raven’s arms and legs, trapping her in place. Clouds of chewing gum swarmed the banshee’s helmet, blocking her spellcasting, and a lightning bolt made of sugar struck the earth next to the angelic statue, exploding into square, brightly-colored candies. Discord, clenching his teeth, ignored the sweat pouring down his face, as he stepped forward menacingly. He began to spin Chainbreaker in a slow, deadly circle.
“I’m not so easily bound!” Raven smiled, and the bracelet granting her magical strength glowed with blinding intensity. She stood, snapping the vines holding her left leg in place. As they parted from the ground, the vegetation immediately withered. “So much for your rampaging magic, fool!”
Smirking, Discord snapped his fingers, and slender black plunder vines grew from the piles of candy that had gathered around the banshee. They twined up to Raven’s wrists and their tiny spikes plucked free each and every one of the bracelets she wore. He furrowed his sweaty brow, and wiggled his fingers in an elaborate set of gestures. Suddenly, the vines expanded their girth twenty-fold, destroying all of Raven’s magical baubles in an explosion of precious metals and gemstones. The banshee bared her teeth and snarled at Discord, as she struggled to free her right leg and left arm from the lush vegetation.
His chest heaving, the Spirit of Chaos panted a soliloquy. “Flowers bloom in a wasteland, and nopony knows why. Death and decay help a redwood seed sprout, and then it grows for thousands of years.” He glanced at Fluttershy, who simultaneously winced and smiled. Discord wheezed, and advanced towards the entangled banshee. “Kindness, in a miracle beyond belief, transforms the heart of a villain.”
Discord gripped Chainbreaker in his right hand, and put all of his strength into a sideways swing aimed at Raven’s head that left him open to attack. Her claws dragged across Discord's chest, but failed to slow the mace's momentum and Chainbreaker's radiance forcefully connected with the helmet's dim purple glow. Despite her restraints, the banshee managed to roll with the impact, which prevented her head from being separated from her shoulders. The magical weapon shattered the grisly unicorn skull in a multicolored explosion of arcane energy that lit up the sky. The blast knocked Chainbreaker from Discord's grip as he was thrown backwards towards Fluttershy, the light of the weapon winking out as it sailed in the opposite direction.
A smoky mist rose from the helmet’s fragments, and then coalesced into the form of a unicorn with a purple blaze beneath its ghostly horn. Freed at last, the unicorn reared up, tossed its ethereal mane in gratitude and galloped across the field of stars towards the moon. A single unearthly whinny echoed across the sky as the equine spirit vanished into the heavens.
The awe-inspiring moment was spoiled by the banshee's sudden screaming. “Nooooo! My hair! My face! You’ve ruined me!” Discord’s blow had burned all of Raven’s black hair from the right side of her head, and created a ghastly spiderweb of scorch marks across her face.
With the last of his strength, Discord chuckled weakly, reached into his camouflage jacket and tossed Raven a small mirror. “Now, the carpet really does match the drapes.” He spat on the ground, clutched at his chest, and moaned. The crimson light in Discord’s eyes winked out, his chaotic appendages disappeared, and the Spirit of Chaos slumped to the ground, his limbs quivering from exhaustion and his face creased with frailty. Gone was the powerful being that fought the banshee; only a fragile old man remained in his place.
The banshee tugged at the vines that stubbornly encircled her arm, then meticulously sliced them with her opposite claws. “For centuries, I planned the way that I would torment you if you ever fell into my hooves again.” Raven lapsed into an Equestrian speech pattern, and her black eyes glittered gleefully. “Just like that insufferable foal’s author wrote, ‘I see that your heart grew three sizes this day.’ It’s too bad for you that such a wonder happened just in time for me to carve it from your chest! But, that agony is just too direct for the soon to be former Spirit of Chaos, isn’t it?”
“You leave him alone!” Fluttershy had propped herself up on Discord’s backpack, and her teal eyes looked beyond Raven for a moment, and then focused upon the banshee with incredible intensity. She gasped painfully with each inhalation, but her voice remained strong and determined. “See, he’s old and useless. But, you can make use of me if you let Aria and Discord go!”
The Spirit of Chaos fumbled with his left hand and plucked the now-still lapel pin from the mud and placed it in his pocket. “No, Fluttershy!” he groaned. Then, Discord noticed movement behind the banshee, and he changed his tone. “Don’t do this! You wouldn’t let me sacrifice myself, now I’m rubber and you’re glue. Anything you say bounces off me and sticks to you.” His sing-song voice masked the sound of a rustling bush and splashing water.
Her eyes wide and unfocused as she met Fluttershy’s gaze, Raven ceased trying to free herself. “Make use of you… Yes, I can do that…” As she stared at Fluttershy, her arms dropped to her side, and she cocked her head. “Tell me, Fluttershy, do you play chess?”
“Not yet, but you can teach me. Now let them go!” Her soft voice had a hard edge to it, like an order given to a ferocious animal.
Raven, held captive by the teal irises, nodded once. “Of course I will let Discord go…” The banshee heard herself, closed her eyes and shook her head to clear it. Realization struck her, and the monster’s ruined face twisted with grotesque rage. “What in Vecna’s name did you almost do? I must take this power from you!” she shouted. Raven tore her claw free and sliced at the last stubborn vine holding her in place. She inhaled to let loose her horrific shriek.
A brilliant white light filled the cemetery, taking Raven’s unholy breath away.
-----
Rainbow Dash’s right arm hung limply by her side as she hurried through the cemetery. She zigzagged towards the combat area until she found the brook, and then followed it upstream. Chainbreaker’s light acted as a flickering beacon that grew closer with each painful step. Her head pounded, and her lavender eyes were narrowed with concentration.
What the hell is that? she silently asked herself as she caught a glimpse of Discord’s wings and tail between trees. Rainbow Dash gasped. If he’s fighting with Chainbreaker, that means… Aria! Fluttershy! I have to get to them.
She accelerated her limping stride to an attempted jog. Close enough to hear the combatants screaming at one another, Rainbow Dash did her best to ignore the agonizing throbbing behind her eyes. A hundred yards shortened to sixty, and then to forty. The surrounding trees thinned just in time for her to see Discord’s attack shatter Raven’s helmet. Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to scream with triumph, when the magical mace’s light went out. Plunged into darkness for a moment, she silently dropped to her knees in the brook.
The moonlight reflected off of the landscaped white gravel guiding the gurgling flow of water. Rainbow Dash’s eyes rapidly adjusted to the gloom, and she saw two violet pinpricks of light staring back at her from the brook.
“Aria!” she called, using a loud stage whisper.
The pinpricks of light shook side to side. Aria shushed her and looked pointedly to the ground between them.
Twenty yards away, next to the statue, Chainbreaker lay on the grass. Discord delivered his final insult to the banshee. “Now, the carpet really does match the drapes.” His pocket mirror dimly reflected the moonlight as he tossed it at the banshee’s feet.
Any other time, Rainbow Dash would have erupted in laughter, but as her eyes continued their adjustment to the moonlight, she recognized that both Discord and Fluttershy were badly hurt. Her stomach swam with worry.
Creeping closer to Chainbreaker, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but listen as Raven mercilessly taunted Discord. Menace dripped from the banshee’s voice. “For centuries, I planned the way that I would torment you if you ever fell into my hooves again.”
She crouched behind a bush ten yards away from the weapon, and miraculously the banshee remained so intent on her revenge that she hadn’t noticed her. Upon seeing Raven’s scorched face, Rainbow Dash barely prevented herself from throwing up onto the ground.
“I dislocated my shoulder, Aria!” She rustled the bush and balanced her weight on the balls of her feet. Addressing the Siren’s drenched silhouette, Rainbow Dash shook her head sadly. “I can’t use Chainbreaker.”
The violet eyes narrowed, and Rainbow Dash heard a splash and saw water fly into the air as Aria pantomimed a kick. “You’re much closer. Get it to me. Quietly,” whispered the Siren.
Rainbow Dash gulped. Chainbreaker lay in an area with no cover. She thought, Raven’s going to see me, and she’ll finish me off just as I kick it to Aria. But, I’ll save them all! It’ll be awesome! She tightened the muscles in her legs and prepared to spring into the open, when a determined voice caught her attention.
“You leave him alone!” The force behind Fluttershy’s words demanded that both Aria and Rainbow Dash look at her. Fluttershy stared down the banshee, who seemed strangely compelled by her teal eyes. Discord’s face turned in their direction and he began to babble loud nonsense about rubber and glue.
With a burst of speed, Rainbow Dash hopped into the open, hooked her right foot underneath the branch from the Golden Oak Library, and using all of the strength in her aching legs, she lifted it into the air. Chainbreaker arced towards Aria, who balanced herself on one knee and caught the weapon in both hands. Rainbow Dash pumped her fist, but the sudden movement proved too much for her shaky legs, and she fell unceremoniously on her rear end.
They heard Shrieking Raven break Fluttershy’s fragile hold on her. The banshee, still tenuously confined by vines twisted around her leg, loosed her fury. “What in Vecna’s name did you almost do? I must take this power from you!” Rainbow Dash perceived Raven’s impending shriek, and she braced herself.
Before the banshee could use her lethal magic, Chainbreaker’s radiance transformed night into day. Aria Blaze, her soaking wet pigtails streaming behind her, sprinted past the statue of the angel. She spun Chainbreaker rapidly, and with a massive two-handed blow, she brought the weapon’s artfully-forged head down on the top of Shrieking Raven’s skull.
“Checkmate, bitch!” Aria bellowed triumphantly.
The banshee, so close to victory, didn’t even realize she had been destroyed until the light flashed across her eyes. Shrieking Raven howled impotently as the power of the magical mace unmade her terrifying body. Her black heart exploded in a final arcane counterattack, but Chainbreaker, held firmly in Aria’s hands, sucked in the dark shockwave. Like a prism splitting a beam of light, the Aquastrian coral inlay transformed Raven’s unholy energy into a beneficial wave that crested over Fluttershy, Discord, Aria and Rainbow Dash. Their wounds stopped bleeding, and flesh knitted itself together to a small degree.
Covered in their own blood, they wept and embraced one another at the foot of the angelic statue. Color returned to both Discord and Fluttershy’s faces and the lump on Rainbow Dash’s head halved its size, whereas Aria’s wounds were merely superficial.
“You were magnificent,” Fluttershy gazed into Discord’s eyes. She blushed and swept her pale yellow arm over the entire group. “All of you were magnificent!”
Discord gently patted Fluttershy’s shoulder, and after a brief hesitation, he gave it a lingering squeeze. A mischevious look returned to his red eyes, and the butterfly lapel pin slowly climbed out of his pocket to rest on his collar. “Don’t sell yourself short, my dear. Not only did you destroy Raven’s cloak, you stared down one of the most horrifying creatures in existence!” He shook his head and mumbled to himself. “The pony stares down a cockatrice and lives. But that’s not enough! The human version tops that by nearly bending an elder banshee to her will. Incredible!”
“I just had the privilege of delivering the coup de grace. Each of us wore her down, kept her angry, and distracted Raven long enough to send her on a one way trip to nothingness.” Aria looked at each of them in turn, and her genuine smile touched her violet eyes. “We all tried to give our lives for one another tonight. But, I’m glad none of us succeeded.”
Discord leaned over towards Rainbow Dash and pulled a giant white lily from behind her ear. He tossed it on the circle of charred grass where the banshee had met her demise. “We’re not done yet, Handlebars! Anyway, before we get going, thank you all very much. For the first time in at least fifteen hundred years, I honestly thought my eternal reward was at hand. I’ll have to move on sometime, but I’m just glad you all prevented that journey from starting with my former colleague.”
“I’m with you, Discord! I’ve had enough of almost dying tonight. I’m just glad my legs still worked the way that they were supposed to.” Rainbow Dash grinned crookedly. Her right arm still hung limply at her side. “Too bad that penalty kick won’t go into the record books!”
“I think it’ll go into a book that counts for a lot more, Dash.” Aria looked up at the darkening sky. “We have to hurry! Sunset needs all of us, right now. I can feel He Who Swims in Darkness approaching.” She frowned at Rainbow Dash, and nervously pointed at the base of the nearby statue. “Fluttershy, help her pop that shoulder back in while I get Adagio’s shards.”
“Not like that, you won’t!” Discord warned Aria, and halted her with his hand. He emptied the first aid box into the main compartment of his backpack. “That weapon is devastatingly, soul-suckingly, horribly evil! Don’t touch it! Until we can figure out how to get the shards free, I’ll put it in here.” He cautiously used a pair of bandage scissors as tongs to lift the dagger, and he placed it into the empty metal container.
Purple lightning flashed from the black clouds that had gathered over the beach. Fluttershy, ignoring her own wounds, tenderly rolled Rainbow Dash’s right arm in small circles. Suddenly, the athlete’s strong musculature involuntarily took charge, and her shoulder popped back into place. Rainbow Dash’s yelp of pain punctuated a loud crack of thunder overhead.
Fluttershy softly apologized to her patient. “I know that hurt, but don’t you feel better now?”
“Damn! I don’t even want to think about how you learned to do that,” said Rainbow Dash, shaking her head. She gritted her teeth while gingerly moving her right arm in a circle. “I’m not great, but good enough to run. Is everyone ready?”
Aria wearily rested Chainbreaker against her shoulder. “We have to be. We’re out of time.”
As quickly as their partially-healed injuries would allow, the quartet jogged out of the cemetery towards the billowing black clouds.
-----
Sunset Shimmer’s boots left the path and sank into the beach’s intermingled sand and gravel. The light show overhead slowly built in intensity, with each lightning bolt illuminating the unnatural black clouds that shrouded the sky. The moon had started its descent towards the western horizon, escorted by a blaze of twinkling stars. Two hundred yards away, the entrance to Bridal Cave beckoned.
“At last, we’ve made it! We’re all mostly in one piece, too.” Sunset turned and smiled at the rest of her group.
Applejack removed her hat, wiped sweat off of her forehead with the back of her arm and looked skyward. “Not a moment too soon! Those clouds are straight out of a nightmare.”
“Yes, darling, and our baby sisters are in the center of that storm.” Rarity flinched as thunder rolled across the beach. “Let’s keep moving!”
Skipping merrily across the beach, Pinkie tore off her black bandana and let it flutter in the breeze. “You call this a storm? This is just weird, and I know when things aren’t right!”
Sunset wrapped her arms around herself as the wind increased its gusty intensity. “You’re right, Pinkie. Raven and Adagio have planned this out far too well for them to leave the cave undefended.” She nervously rummaged through the pockets of her bandolier. “Strolling right in there without doing some recon is a recipe for disaster. There must be something I can use for divination in here.”
“Look at that!” Rarity pointed an alabaster finger back towards the cemetery. An enormous flare of green and white energy lighted the night sky, followed by a bass rumble. “Oh no! I hope the others are alright.” She jogged back towards the path leading to the battlefield.
Pinkie narrowed her eyes and leaned on her handaxe. “Either they’re fine, or they aren’t. When Sunset made her choice to split us up for a bit, it was like starting up the mixer. You can’t turn batter back into flour, eggs, sugar and milk!” She lifted her weapon and followed Rarity towards the path, balancing the handaxe on her shoulder.
Sunset produced a jagged blue crystal from her bandolier. The Element of Redemption flared to life, with the nearby whitecaps reflecting its green-blue glow as she muttered to herself. “I’ll see what I can learn about what we can expect in there. It’s too bad that Adagio stole my compact.” She concentrated intently on the crystal, and stared into its depths.
“Rarity, we have to do what we came here to do, which is saving our sisters!” While Sunset worked on her spell, Applejack stepped in front of Rarity, blocking her path. The farmgirl dispensed her practical wisdom. “Just like Pinkie said, it’s a mite late for second thoughts.”
Sunset cast her spell, and the crystal transformed into an orange wisp that floated in front of her eyes. She shooed it towards the cave. “Go, and show me what’s happening in there.” The shimmering ball of energy floated towards the cave entrance.
Skipping across the beach, Pinkie grabbed Rarity’s arm. “Come on, silly! Let’s follow Sunset’s magical pet.” The optimistic enthusiasm ended the fashionista’s indecision, and with an overdramatic flip of her purple hair, Rarity began walking back towards the cave, and Pinkie dashed ahead of her. Applejack adjusted her hat while striding briskly across the sand.
Rarity, her footing suddenly uneven, stopped and peered at the sole of her left boot. “Ugh! How did a piece of gravel get between the treads?” She struggled to free the wayward stone from her footwear.
“That is a wizard’s eye. It’ll show me what’s happening inside the cave, so we can plan our entrance.” Sunset proudly explained to Applejack and Pinkie as they approached. “The only problem is that it isn’t very sneaky.”
Shrugging her shoulders as they walked, the farmgirl glanced at Pinkie, and then looked back to where Rarity hopped up and down on one foot. Applejack raised an eyebrow, returning her attention to Sunset. “That’s fine by me. There’s no way we’re going to surprise Adagio at this point. I think of her like a snake or a badger. It’s almost better that she’s not spooked, so she doesn’t hurt my sister by mistake.”
“I’ll take your word for it. Powerful ancient evil, a Siren princess and three freshman girls make for a volatile mix. I don’t think anyone knows for sure how they’re going to react in there.” Sunset furrowed her brow while sending the wizard’s eye into the cave entrance.
When the orange wisp passed through the threshold, a sickly violet wave of dark magical energy swept it away, and blanketed Sunset, Applejack, and Pinkie. The nimbus wavered as it reached Rarity, who stayed focused upon banging her boot against a tree. While physically unharmed, the sensation they felt resembled claws rifling through all the memories contained within their minds. As suddenly as they detected the mental invasion it stopped, and the dark energy ceased its intrusion, leaving behind a foggy mental unsteadiness.
Sunset took her hands away from the sides of her head, and opened her eyes. She gazed at the apparently placid surface of the lake and saw Twilight Sparkle emerging from the water.
“Twilight,” Sunset gasped. She covered her racing heart with her right hand.
The Princess of Friendship strode boldly on to the beach like a figure out of legend, with a golden tiara perched atop her head. Her long, multi-colored hair rippled in the wind, trailing tiny six-pointed stars, and Twilight’s purple eyes portrayed ferocity and determination. She seemed slightly taller than she had been just a few days ago. Her shoulders and arms were alluringly bare, and a violet cape trailed behind her. Adding to her regally warlike aura, the princess had cinched herself into a custom-fitted silver breastplate emblazoned with her cutie mark in eerily glowing gemstones. Twilight wore a sword belt with a scabbard chased in silver atop a skirt of chainmail that intermingled with a flowing violet garment. In her right hand, she held an artfully forged longsword that trailed motes of lavender light each time it moved.
Applejack, her green eyes unfocused and a joyful smile on her face, rushed up to Twilight. “Thank God you’re here! What took you so long?”
“Ooooh, a sword! Nice work, Twilight. I bet that thing slices and dices like nobody’s business!” Pinkie shouted breathlessly, hopping in circles around the new arrival. She didn’t seem to care that her boots were soaked from the waves rolling on to the beach.
Twilight ignored their comments and gazed directly at Sunset. Her loud, commanding voice quivered with arcane power. “Sunset, I have granted your heart’s desire. I’m here to give you victory during your darkest hour, but you must do as I say.”
“Of course, Twilight.” Sunset bowed her head respectfully, and her voice grew distant. “You’re so much stronger with magic than I am. There’s no way I could do anything better than you.”
The princess’ mouth curved in an enigmatic smile. “Good, my faithful student. Make sure that the others follow you.”
Rarity, still standing near the path that led back to the battlefield and cemetery, remembered the searing pain in her mind when Sunset’s orange ball of light had breached the cave. She saw her three friends rush towards the blindingly beautiful figure emerging from the water, and saw Twilight speak into each of her three friends’ ears. Rarity donned her left boot, while fighting through the haze in her mind. Something’s wrong. I want her to be here, too. I’m afraid to face Adagio without her, but she’s not acting like the Twilight I know. No! I want Sunset to lead us the rest of the way, not Twilight!
“Rarity, do you see who’s here?” called Sunset Shimmer. “Twilight’s going to help us against Adagio and He Who Swims in Darkness!”
Cupping her hands to her mouth, Rarity replied. “Where are you going? Come back over here! We need to get into the cave.”
Pinkie dropped her handaxe onto the beach and shouted back. “Twilight says there’s a short cut underneath the water to get to the cave!”
“Yeah, once we go under, she’s going to cast a spell to let us breathe. But, she said to leave our weapons here, since we’ll sink into the mud unless we leave them behind.” Applejack tossed her sickle, hat and lariat on top of Pinkie’s weapon.
Rarity sprinted as fast as she could across the uneven beach, nearly turning an ankle on her way. As she got closer, she saw that there were many things that didn’t add up about Twilight’s appearance. She’s too beautiful, her figure has filled out more than is possible in a week, and there’s not even a trace of “adorkableness.” This is wrong! Rarity’s mind raced.
“Together, we will slay Adagio and her Master! The underwater route will take her completely by surprise.” Twilight twisted her lips cruelly and her voice took on a sinister undertone as she issued orders. “Sunset Shimmer, remove the garment containing my feathers and drop it in the lake. But before you do, give that necklace to me. You certainly wouldn’t want to disappoint me, my faithful student.” Twilight extended her left hand expectantly. Her right hand maneuvered the glittering longsword to a ready position.
Slowly and sadly, Sunset’s hand reached underneath her red-and-gold hair, searching for the Element of Redemption’s clasp. Her pupils were dilated, and her eyes remained unfocused. “But I worked so hard to create it, Twilight! Why would you give me the materials to make it, and then ask for it back?”
Twilight clenched her jaw and tightened her grip on her sword. She suddenly smiled, wiggling the fingers on her waiting hand. “Just think of what I could do with a magic item like that, Sunset. Adagio’s Master wouldn’t stand a chance!” She moved sinuously and seductively in time with the waves.
Applejack and Pinkie swayed side to side as the waves struck them. Their eyes were fixed downward, mesmerized by the moonlight sparkling on the lake’s dark surface.
Rarity reached them as they were waist-deep in the chilly waters of Lake Piebald. Her stomach knotted in fear as she saw the waves wash diamond dust out of the bandolier, and dampness ruined several other spell components stored around Sunset’s waist. “Sunset, wait!” A question came to her mind that could prove whether or not Twilight Sparkle actually stood before them. “Twilight darling, what material is that absolutely divine scabbard and swordbelt made from? It looks quite sturdy.”
The Princess of Friendship narrowed her eyes at Rarity in annoyance. She sheathed the sword and spread her arms with exasperation. “It’s leather, Rarity! What else would it be? We don’t have time to talk fashion! Don’t you care about what happens to your sister?”
“Yeah, don’t you care?” Sunset echoed vacantly. Her eyes had glazed over with confusion, as she dropped her head to stare into Lake Piebald’s black waters. Like Pinkie and Applejack, Sunset began to surrender to the motion of the waves, a motion that echoed the movements of the figure wearing Twilight’s image.
Rarity reached her arm around Sunset’s waist and used her left hand to pluck an item from the bandolier’s sash. She thought, I won’t let this creature, whatever it is, hurt them and doom Sweetie Belle!
“Yes, just put your heads beneath the waves, girls. I’ll cast my spell in a moment,” purred Twilight’s imposter. Her hands crept up Pinkie and Applejack’s backs, and she gripped their hair so hard her lavender-tinted knuckles turned white. “Just surrender your will to me. It’s the only way that it will work for certain.”
Sunset looked back at Rarity with dull, half-lidded eyes. Lazily, she beckoned to follow her. “Come on, Rarity. We have to stop Adagio and save your sister,”
Rarity closed her deep blue eyes and thought of her first happy memories of being a big sister, and clarity pierced through the fog of confusion that emanated from the false Twilight. Her eyes popped open, and blazed with determination. The real Twilight once let slip that the Rarity in her world is a unicorn, just like Sunset. This vicious creature, whatever it is, is certainly not the Princess of Friendship from Equestria. I don’t think she would ever wear animal hide! If she did, then the Twilight I remember would give us a long, excited explanation about its magical origins. This had better work, or we’re all dead, she thought.
Holding a foot-long feather from Princess Celestia high in the air, Rarity vividly remembered the first time that she and Sweetie Belle had sang together. Her father had been “working late” with the orange-haired administrative assistant who favored low-cut blouses, while her mother sat in the dining room by herself, crying and drinking the betrayal away. Rarity tiptoed upstairs, and sneaked into Sweetie Belle’s room. Even though she was only six years old, Rarity suddenly knew that she must be responsible for her sister. Despite the despair evident downstairs, Rarity recalled the joy of the first time that Sweetie Belle remembered all of the words and gestures from one of their favorite children’s songs. She raised her voice in a simple melody:
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout
Standing in Lake Piebald, Rarity’s snowy-white pony ears appeared, and her purple coiffure lengthened and fell into the water as she sang with all her heart, just as she had more than a decade ago. The feather in her left hand began to glow with a pale blue radiance.
Down came the rain
And washed the spider out!
With a violent gesture of her right hand, which still held her brass club, the pale blue aura surrounded Pinkie, Sunset and Applejack. Rarity’s miraculous telekinesis tossed them fifteen yards back towards the shore, where they fell awkwardly into shallow water.
The creature masquerading as Twilight drew its sword, which had turned as black as the clouds collecting over the lake. It advanced on Rarity with murder in its purple eyes. Rarity, emboldened, continued to sing:
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
Celestia’s feather exploded in a simple, dazzling burst of light that stripped away the disguise shrouding the deceitful creature. The light exposed it as a physically frail humanoid with seaweed for hair, and arms that ended in webbed hands. It shrieked in pain as the radiance scorched its large, black eyes.
Rarity let the feather drop into the lake, and gripped her cudgel with both hands. Before the monster could recover, she put all of her strength into a blow that cracked its skull and sent it back beneath the waves. She finished her song with an improvised line:
And the itsy bitsy spider won’t get up again!
Rarity’s shoulders convulsed as the adrenaline surge receded, and her terror overcame the crisis of the moment. Still thigh-deep in the lake, she burst into tears and shouted into the night. “I won’t let anything take you from me, Sweetie Belle, but I couldn’t let my friends be drowned, either! Oh, no! This all took too much time.” A crack of thunder overhead complimented her loud wail. Her pony ears disappeared, and her violet hair returned to its normal length.
From the beach, a comforting voice said, “You saved us all, Rarity. Just think what would have happened if you hadn’t stopped to get that stone out of your boot, or if we would have just waltzed into the cave! That trap and the monster it summoned would have been the end for us.” Sunset’s magic caused the Element of Harmony to glow with green-blue radiance. “Now get over here and dry off for a second!”
Sunset’s telekinetic power lifted the fashionista from the water and placed her gently on the beach. The four young women piled upon each other in a soggy group hug, while Sunset cast a spell that created warmth in a futile attempt to dry their clothes.
“Deep down, I wanted Twilight to be here to lead us into the cave, Rarity! I think that’s what that awful critter saw in our minds,” declared Applejack. Pinkie nodded her agreement.
Sunset helped to wring out a long lock of purple hair. “I’m just scared to do this on my own. I know Twilight could do this so much better than I could. I suspect that the cave entrance had a trap that summoned that terrible thing. How did you keep from falling under its spell, Rarity?”
“Honesty’s more of her thing,” Rarity gestured to Applejack, who smiled sheepishly, “but here’s the truth, and it’s damned selfish: I want you to lead us, Sunset. Not Twilight. Not Discord. Not Aria. This story begs for the exiled, gorgeous, redeemed heroine from another world to save us from unspeakable evil. Most of all, and apologies to Twilight when we next see the real her, I want to thank a dear friend I’ve known for years for saving my sister instead of some new arrival.” She wiped a tear away from her eye.
Sunset rushed forward and embraced Rarity. Their cheeks pressed against each other for an instant. “That’s twice in one week you’ve given me compliments I can never repay, even though we’ve only been friends for a few short months of those years you’re talking about.” She broke the hug and held Rarity by both shoulders, grinning broadly. “Accept my congratulations to be the first human I know of that has cast an Equestrian magic spell, by the way. When you apologize to Twilight in person, you’ll have to be sure to tell her that story over a cup of tea.”
“Darling, while I’m in a brutally honest mood, please consider this bit of advice: You should never feel inferior to Twilight!” Rarity’s blue eyes echoed the seriousness of her voice. “We are all friends. Just like a splendid outfit, we all have different strengths and weaknesses that complement one another. When the task demands physical courage and boldness, I’d pick you to lead us over our bookish royal friend every day of the week!”
Sunset’s lip quivered and a tear of gratitude ran down her cheek. She moved to hug Rarity again, but a pink cloud of curls intentionally interrupted her.
Interposing herself between Sunset and Rarity, Pinkie gently knocked on both of their foreheads. “Okay, it’s time for more heroism and less sappiness, you two! Remember that whole ‘time crunch’ thing? We’ve got to get going!” She issued her order cheerfully, and handed Applejack her sickle, hat and lariat.
Applejack got her gear in order, and calmly asked Sunset, “So what’s left from your magic supplies?"
“Not much.” She frowned as she rummaged through the pockets of the bandolier. “There’s not enough time for a complete inventory, but it looks like I have one of Celestia’s feathers, one from Cadence, and two from Twilight. Let’s see, there are a few gemstones left in the sash, and maybe there are enough materials to circumscribe a magic circle or two. Oh, and the silver dagger made it through, thanks to Rarity.”
Rarity smiled encouragingly as the quartet closed on the cave entrance. “It’ll have to be enough, darling. But, we made it, and I know in my heart that the others must join us soon. Even if they’re delayed, four to one puts the odds squarely in our favor!”
“Nah, I think we’re squarely in ‘four to two’ territory, Rarity. Those clouds give me the willies!” Pinkie boldly skipped ahead, and stepped into the dark mouth of the cave.
Sunset fidgeted with the potent magical amulet around her neck. She turned to Applejack and asked, “Do you think Adagio can be redeemed?”
“Let’s see. My brother’s in the hospital, my sister’s kidnapped and my granny doesn’t know about any of it.” The farmgirl shook her blonde ponytail in exasperation. “I’m just about past worrying about how we go about this. The bottom line is that I’m willing to do anything to save my sister, and that’s the honest truth. I don’t want to hurt anybody, but I reckon we’re way past that point now.”
Sunset cast a basic cantrip, sending a ball of light into the cave’s first cavern. She pursed her lips, cocked her head and then nodded. “I just hope it’s that simple, but all my senses tell me that it won’t be. Let’s end this nightmare!”
Sunset Shimmer, Applejack and Rarity stepped into Bridal Cave. Their eyes adjusted to the dim illumination provided by the single ball of light conjured by Sunset. Pinkie stood in the middle of the chamber, slowly turning in a circle with her mouth hanging open in awe. The bluish celestite crystals sparkled in the magical light.
“My goosebumps tell me that incredibly powerful dark magic is very close, but where could they be?” asked Sunset. She chewed her bottom lip impatiently. “There must be another part to this cave.”
Rarity, entranced by the glittering crystals, ran her alabaster hand along the damp wall. “Then we must be meticulous! This must be the place, or Raven wouldn’t have had it so carefully guarded.” She knelt and picked up a small crystal from the ground and placed it in her pocket. “These would be divine in a summer headdress or for a masquerade party!”
“Focus, Rarity. If we don’t figure this out quickly, the only dress we’ll need is for our funeral.” Applejack carefully circled the cavern in the opposite direction.
Pinkie bounced randomly from one side of the cave to the other, pushing off the wall each time with the handle of her handaxe. “From the top rope! Death from above!” she squealed as she repeatedly sprinted across the chamber.
Her antics caused an echo near Rarity, who heard pebbles moving near a brilliant crystal formation. She extended her arm, expecting to find a wall, and instead she found a narrow curving passageway. “Aha! Sunset, darling, please bring that ball of light over here. I’ve found a tunnel.” She grinned triumphantly, and placed a hand on her hip.
Sunset smiled at Rarity as they walked side-by-side. “Good work. I can feel the magic getting stronger!” The conjured ball of illumination floated ahead of them, and came to a sudden stop against a stretchy curtain made of pale white light.
“Cannonball! Make a hole!” screamed Pinkie.
Sunset and Rarity flattened themselves on opposite sides of the passage as Pinkie streaked by, her axe raised and her curly hair trailing behind her. She collided with the barrier and it stretched and flexed from the impact, but didn’t show any signs of giving way. Like a rubber band, the wall snapped back and tossed Pinkie to the ground.
Applejack raised her sickle, and helped Pinkie to her feet. “Get behind me, you crazy sugar cube! Maybe the direct approach will work better.” She tried to slice into the curtain of light, and the sickle got gummed up in the stretchy magical barrier. Grunting, she freed the tool.
Sunset raised her hands, and sent five arcane arrows forth from the Element of Redemption. They splashed harmlessly against the obstacle. She gritted her teeth and a gout of flame burst from her hands against the shimmering wall. Still, nothing happened.
“Dammit!” cursed Sunset, as she smacked her fist into her palm with frustration. “What made that thing? Its resonance didn’t even change. Powerful magic must have created it to be so flexible and so strong. This has Raven’s claws all over it!” she lapsed into more profanity as she futilely tried more simple spells.
Between flurries of arcane energy, Rarity stepped forward and pinched a corner of the pale curtain between her thumb and forefinger. She raised her painstakingly sculpted eyebrows, and turned towards Sunset. “Darling, it’s like a stretchy fabric. Maybe you have to hold it taut to cut it!”
“Maybe it’s like a rubber gasket. The O-rings at the farm start to break when it gets too cold in the winter,” added Applejack helpfully, adjusting her hat.
The cavern rumbled, causing Sunset’s green-blue eyes to widen with worry. She brushed her fiery hair out of her face, and placed a hand on her suddenly nauseous stomach. “This is taking too much time. I need to puzzle this out, and fast!”
“Did someone say puzzles?” intoned a deep, bemused voice from behind them. “Twists and turns are my master plan, after all!”
Pinkie dropped her handaxe, sprinted down the narrow passageway and hugged Discord so hard that she nearly knocked him over. “You’re alive! All of you are alive!” she shouted gleefully.
“Easy with the hugging, Pinkie. We’re all hurt!” grunted Rainbow Dash, who propped up the Spirit of Chaos to keep him from toppling over as a result of Pinkie’s affectionate assault.
Aria called from the back of the queue, as she rested Chainbreaker against the cave floor. “Some of us are hurt worse than others, but I’m happy to report that Canterlot High School now needs a new literature teacher!”
The tunnel erupted with cheers. After safeguarding the pointy parts of their improvised arsenal, everyone embraced everyone else. Fluttershy and Rarity led the storytelling session, rapidly summarizing their injuries, failures and eventual victories over Shrieking Raven and the aquatic monster masquerading as Twilight Sparkle.
As they were about to move on to the task at hand, Aria took the floor from Fluttershy. She pursed her lips, clutched at her stomach and frowned. “There’s one more thing that bears mentioning. Raven carried a dagger that has Adagio’s heart-pendant set into the pommel. Discord put it into the first aid kit in his backpack.”
“It’s one of the foulest weapons that I’ve ever encountered, and it is specially crafted to compel and destroy Adagio’s soul. She had plotted to use the Siren princess’ connection with Leviathan to steal his power somehow,” added the Spirit of Chaos, who shrugged off his backpack and removed the box. He double-checked that the clasps were securely shut. “The specifics of Raven’s elaborate plan died with her, since someone stubbornly whacked her head off before she could tell us what she intended!”
Aria opened her mouth to protest, but stopped when Fluttershy stepped between her and Discord. The look in her determined teal eyes contrasted vividly with her bloody shirt and neatly tied bandages. “We can worry about Aria’s timing in saving our lives later! Sunset and the girls need our help.”
Brandishing the final pink alicorn feather in her depleted supplies, Sunset motioned for everyone to crush closely together. “We need to be ready to fight. This may not heal us much, but every little bit helps!” The Element of Redemption glowed brightly, and the feather exploded into a cloud of fatigue-erasing powder.
“Oooh! I love the way that feels!” Pinkie energetically bounced up and down.
Rainbow Dash punched the air, creating intimidating shadows on the passageway’s wall. “It’s time to whoop some butt!”
“Alright, Discord, how do we breach this barrier?” asked Sunset.
The Spirit of Chaos fidgeted with his camoflague top while the butterfly lapel pin slowly walked up his chest to rest upon his shoulder. Tapping his temple with a gray-skinned finger, he said uncertainly, “Well, I’m not sure how much help I can be in there. My magic is slowly recovering after my fight with Raven, but in this world I’m puny compared to Big, Bad and Slimy.”
The cavern rumbled again. “Time’s up, Discord. More action. Fewer words. I have a feeling that Chainbreaker can do this if we use both Applejack and Rarity’s ideas together.” Sunset turned and began to issue orders. “Pinkie, you and Applejack stretch out the curtain.”
The handaxe and sickle hooked into the flexible obstacle and they pulled it back several feet into the passageway. Pinkie and Applejack grunted from the strain of holding the elastic energy in place.
“Fluttershy, you’ll find that the arrow with the snowflake on it is admirably suited for this purpose.” Discord snapped his fingers, and a tiny burst of white light appeared between his thumb and middle finger. His military hat replaced itself with an oversized ice cream cone.
The shy girl shook her head sadly, and looked up into the red eyes. “I’m sorry, Discord. When you got hurt, all of my arrows turned back to normal.”
The Spirit of Chaos winked, and the corners of his mouth lifted. “Check one more time, my dear.”
Amid the target shooting and hunting arrows, a single ice-blue shaft poked out of Fluttershy’s belt quiver. She nocked the rime-coated arrow and announced, “I’m ready, Sunset!”
Rarity gripped her cudgel and excitedly purred. “This teamwork is divine!”
“Just wait until you see the epic beatdown I’m going to lay on Adagio!” boasted Rainbow Dash.
“Okay, Aria, you’ll only get one shot, so make it a good one!” Sunset produced an enormous diamond, and began muttering under her breath. The Element of Redemption and the gem both glowed, reflecting Sunset’s green-blue magical aura. With a flash of brilliance, the energy leaped to Chainbreaker. The mixture of magical radiance crackled around the legendary weapon. The companions hugged the tunnel’s wall as best they could, making room for Aria and Fluttershy to use their weapons.
Flipping her pigtails behind her, Aria gritted her teeth, and gripped Chainbreaker with both hands. “Alright Fluttershy, fire over my shoulder. One. Two. Three!”
The icy arrow plunged into the stretched barrier, and its unearthly motion ceased as frost spread across it. Aria charged forward, and Chainbreaker, glowing momentarily with Sunset’s added eldritch power, crashed into the curtain. An arcane blast forced its way into the second cavern, destroying the obstacle.
Her red-and-gold hair streaming behind her, Sunset Shimmer’s body was enveloped with a bright magical aura as she intrepidly led her friends into the presence of He Who Swims in Darkness.
-----
“Master, it is a great honor and an immense comfort to bask in your presence once again. Much has changed since we last spoke,” Adagio pressed both hands over her nauseous stomach, struggling to keep her voice steady as she addressed the being that slowly grew larger in the subterranean pool. She paced around the cavern as she waited for Leviathan’s permission to begin her report.
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle whimpered in their cage. They alternated between huddling together with their eyes squeezed shut, and watching the pool intently. The fear engendered by He Who Swims in Darkness battled against their fascination with the magical energies swirling around the cavern.
The deep voice rumbled through the cavern. “It is a difficult, tiring journey across the ether after my long slumber, Adagio. I carry many burdens with me. If you truly wish to become Queen at last, perhaps you should speed my progress with a fresh sacrifice.”
Sweetie Belle’s green eyes popped open and she looked at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo with unhinged terror. She reiterated the obvious while stammering. “H-h-h-he m-means one of us!”
“Believe in your sisters! They’ve got to get here soon.” encouraged Scootaloo. The disembodied voice caused her to tremble with her fellow captives, but she fared significantly better than Sweetie Belle.
The time between responses steadily decreased, but the long delays aggravated Adagio. Over a half-hour had passed since He Who Swims in Darkness first announced himself, and the princess had barely completed the appropriate pleasantries with the dark being. She pursed her lips and tapped her cheekbone with an index finger as she thought. I need a chance to negotiate terms, and I must learn how this bloody ritual is to proceed. At least the tiara still seems to protect me from the worst of the Master’s terror.
Adagio gulped and leaned over the rocky lip that contained the semicircular pool. The surface of the water seemed to be tilting upwards, so she didn’t have to lean over very far any more. An inky blob containing two deep violet eyes took up over half of the water’s surface area, and Adagio could see the Master’s ten tentacles wriggling as they propelled his being towards Bridal Cave.
She brushed a stray lock of orange, curly hair out of her face, while keeping her voice firm. “With deepest respect, I will not provide a sacrifice at this time. I will remain patient, and I request an opportunity to discuss certain contingencies prior to my coronation.”
Apple Bloom narrowed her yellow eyes and used her confidence to calm Sweetie Belle for a moment. “See, just like she said, Adagio wants to keep us alive if she can. The more time she spends talking to this thing, the more chance we have of being rescued.”
“I see. Just like the First Queen, you wish to negotiate with me.” A gurgling noise that could only be Leviathan’s laugh interrupted his bone-rattling response. “Can you at least spare me a song, Princess Adagio Dazzle? Your musical voice is memorably nourishing.”
Surprised by her god’s laughter, Adagio raised her eyebrows. While running the implications of Leviathan’s mention of the First Queen through her mind, she cautiously responded only to the second half of his comment. “While I am honored by your compliment and your request, Master, I regret to remind you that my abilities have been reduced by my banishment to this low-magic world. Also, more recently, the gem you gave to me when I became a Siren has been shattered by the servants of the alicorns. My singing is but a shadow of what it used to be centuries ago.”
Adagio could tell when her words reached Leviathan. The inky tentacles waved wildly, and she braced for an unpleasant response. Signaling annoyance that bordered on anger, Leviathan’s deep voice rumbled. “What use are you then, Adagio? Never forget that you are mine! Your sustained beauty and long life are possible only through my magic. What have you brought to give to your Master?”
“I have three females on the cusp of maturity to give to you.” Adagio gestured to the cage. “Their sacrifice would seal the bargain that you have made with Aquastrian queens for generations.”
In the pool, which now defied the laws of physics and sloped upwards at a forty-five degree angle, Leviathan’s glowing violet eyes narrowed to slits. “You ask much with very little to give in return, Siren princess. My bargain with your mother maintained her power as long as she expanded the Empire into the surface world. Because of your defeat and her failure to defend the capital, my temple has been destroyed. Restoring my dominion in Aquastria will require a new bargain. Three souls is only the first of many offerings that I require to regain my proper place beneath the waves.”
“My God! That thing is talking about us like we’re groceries, and Adagio isn’t making any headway in her promise to try and save us.” Sweetie Belle moaned with despair. She squeezed her eyes shut, and pillowed her head on Scootaloo’s lap.
Scootaloo stroked her friend’s two-toned hair with her bound hands. The blood drained from her orange-tinted skin, and she shivered involuntarily. “I’m trying as hard as I can, but I can’t be brave for much longer. Our souls are being bartered away.”
Pressing her face against the cage’s door, Apple Bloom peered through the dark magical mist, and saw that the semicircular pool resembled a window into a dark expanse of infinity. A dark black blob shaped somewhat like a human face peered through the shimmering curtain of water that inexplicably tilted up towards the cavern’s ceiling. Its malevolent violet eyes were fixed upon the Siren.
Her red bow hopelessly askew, Apple Bloom called out to the gateway. “Mister, excuse me. Adagio said that she wanted me to serve her in Aquastria. How does that happen?”
The terrifying eyes flicked over to the cage, and the violet mist expanded from the subterranean pool, and filled half of the spherical cavern. When the fog reached the cage, the three captives screamed in terror and toppled to the cave floor. Too terrified to speak, they held onto each other’s quivering limbs.
Leviathan’s gurgling laugh and growing power forced Adagio to grit her teeth to keep from retching. Darkly bemused, he stopped his disgusting chortle. “Princess Adagio, you have chosen bold sacrifices. I am close enough to sense that their spirits are quite strong! Binding them to me may crown you, but it won’t win you the throne.” The darkness between the being’s eyes spasmed. “I’m insulted that you were forced to cooperate with Vecna’s Herald, but I understand how persuasive his servants can be. Once we conclude our business, Vecna and I have much to discuss. At any rate, you are mistaken about the shortage of magic in this world. There’s a veritable font of power just beyond that barrier.” With an inky tentacle, Leviathan gestured at the pale curtain of light that Shrieking Raven had conjured before teleporting to the battlefield to confront Discord.
Adagio had started to perspire, despite the cave’s cool dampness. She unzipped the black fleece vest, took a deep breath and fidgeted with her tiara. After a long pause she asked, “Master, may I speak plainly?”
Two of the tentacles crossed over themselves beneath the being’s violet eyes. “The alicorn’s rainbow must have addled your mind by separating you from me, Adagio.” Leviathan’s voice sped up and rose a half-octave in its exasperation. “I’ll endure much to shorten this ridiculous delay in receiving my sacrifices. Fine. I will not show my displeasure if you ‘speak plainly’ for a moment.”
The three girls continued to writhe in despair on the cave floor. Adagio glanced back at them, and then stepped to the edge of the pool and looked up at her Master’s form. “I have an enduring obligation to you for granting me the benefits of being your Siren. I also acknowledge that your magical power kept order in Aquastria, and permitted the Empire to thrive.” She raised her index finger, and narrowed her magenta eyes. “But upon my return, I must also lead the mermares, and inspire them to take their proper place in our society. Restoring your laws will require conquest, and I will need your help to reclaim what’s ours. Still, in a thousand years, I’ve never been able to figure out the first step. Master, how will you get me home?”
Leviathan’s eyes narrowed dangerously, another set of tentacles crossed over one another, and the lowest appendage on his left side bobbed up and down rhythmically. “You anger me with your doubt, and with your prevaricating. Still, I will keep my word and not punish you. Once I crown you, using the energy that the sacrifices will give me, my power will be such that you will just have to walk through the veil before you, and you will be in my domain. From here, I can easily take you to Aquastria.”
“Master, I’m not done speaking plainly. I am fully aware that conquest and war require death, but as my magic has bled away during the past few days, I have recalled my mother’s murderous decisions.” Adagio straightened herself and her dark tiara sparkled in the dim light. “I will not repeat her mistakes. I have realized that it is folly to slay those that could be useful to us. I want you to transform the three females in the cage, and not claim them.”
Dark motes flashed across Leviathan’s violet eyes, and the tentacles uncrossed themselves and reached towards the veil separating him from the cave. “You are bold, Princess! Perhaps I should have heeded the high priestess and permitted your mother’s assassination to start your reign sooner. What you want is irrelevant. What you have chosen is at hand. I need three sacrifices, Adagio. More is better, but I need at least three.”
“Master, I have chosen nothing yet.” Adagio took a step back, and it became her turn to cross her arms over her chest. “Raven and Vecna called you here, not me. I know the sacrifices, and I know the depth of their talents. They will certainly give you more power as Sirens, continually sending you a stream of magic from this vulnerable world.” She grew even more daring, and flashed Leviathan her seductively crooked smile. “The magic that you granted me long ago has been bleeding out of me since the rainbow shattered my heart-pendant. If you wish for me to use that power for your benefit, I suggest you accept this offer, since my time is short!”
Leviathan thundered, shaking several celestite crystals free of the cavern walls. “My patience with you is even shorter, Adagio!” The tentacles slowed their wriggling, and he continued in a more measured tone. “But, I am not without gratitude for your part in my reawakening.”
The dark being lifted a black tentacle and touched it to the barrier between worlds. Adagio thought she heard a hiss of pain along with distant anguished moans. The veil rippled, and a flow of pure midnight dripped to the cave floor. It coalesced itself into a bar of darkness six feet long that sprouted three cruelly barbed tines at one end. He Who Swims in Darkness withdrew his appendage, and the weapon clattered loudly as it fell.
Astonished, Adagio covered her mouth with yellow-tinted fingers. “This is the Trident that my mother wielded in battle after you transformed me! With this, I will surely rally the mermares to my banner.”
“Pick it up, Your Highness. It is the weapon of Aquastrian queens, after all.” He Who Swims in Darkness’ deep voice flowed like an oil slick. He spread his tentacles, imploring Adagio. “I know you must remember the powerful magic in your mother’s crown. The magic in your crown will cause you to become the greatest Queen the Aquastrian Empire has ever known. To give it to you, I require that you personally sacrifice those females to me. The Trident, the crown and my aid will all be yours. You must raise an army to return the seaponies, narwhal, aqualions and the others to their proper place: Chained beneath my black tentacles!”
Bewitched by Leviathan’s words, Adagio meekly crouched down towards the cave floor. Her fingers curled around the vicious weapon. Goosebumps raised on her skin as the Trident’s arcane power coursed through her body. The remnants of fear fled her tortured mind, replaced by feelings of confidence, superiority and servitude to He Who Swims in Darkness.
"I will execute my duty to my people. What must I do, Master?" she asked as she rose
The dark being radiated pleasure with the Siren’s decision to grasp the Trident. “It is very simple, Your Highness. Or should I say, ‘Your Majesty’ instead? My aura of terror will keep the sacrifices hopeless. Bring them to the edge of this pool, pierce them with the Trident in my name, and then roll them through the veil. Once this is done, I will give you your crown, restore your voice and take you home to Aquastria to begin our war.”
With Leviathan’s mood improving, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle felt their terror recede for a moment. They opened their eyes and beheld Adagio basking in the horrible power of He Who Swims in Darkness. The Princess removed her black fleece vest, and tossed it to the ground. As Adagio approached the cage, her orange curls flowed behind her on an unfelt breeze, and her magenta eyes revealed an unhinged, predatory gleam.
Her hips swayed seductively, as if she were sleepwalking across the cavern. “Very well, Master,” she said dreamily.
“Excellent, Adagio. Just listen to my voice. That’s all that matters, now. Pick your first offering to me, though I hunger for them all,” intoned Leviathan. His black form eagerly pressed as close as it could to the window between worlds without touching it. The violet mist intensified near the watery veil, and the lanterns’ sickly light flickered even more eerily throughout the cavern.
Unlocking the cage, Adagio reached inside and roughly grabbed the first limb that came into her grasp. Apple Bloom screamed, but her body succumbed to terror and refused to obey its mind’s command to fight back. As Adagio dragged her out of the cage, Apple Bloom’s red bow came untied and slipped out of her scarlet hair.
Adagio locked the cage and looked down at her prey in a sickening mockery of kindness. “This is the best I can do for you, little one. You will serve, though I am a bit saddened that you will not serve me as a clan chief, or possibly even as a Princess one day. At least you won’t have to watch your friends perish.”
The long red ribbon floated on a swirling current of air towards the center of the cavern. Suddenly, the sound of metal striking metal chinked loudly, followed by a green-blue explosion that breached the barrier blocking the path back to Lake Piebald. Five pairs of eyes darted towards the passage. Adagio jumped as if she had just been awakened from a bad dream.
Bruised, battered, soaking wet, and cloaked in arcane radiance, Sunset Shimmer boldly stepped into the spherical cave. Wordlessly, she picked up the red ribbon from the ground, and held it reverently in her hands. As Adagio used her boot to roll Apple Bloom towards the dark being, Sunset’s hands clenched into fists. The Element of Redemption glowed ominously, as Discord, Aria, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack hurried into the cavern with their weapons at the ready.
He Who Swims in Darkness loosed his disgusting watery laugh. “Adagio, it appears that your sacrificial options have increased. Perhaps you will be able to make clan chiefs out of the young females after all.” He pointed a tentacle at Aria, who frowned fiercely while brandishing Chainbreaker. Leviathan’s violet eyes fixated upon the glowing mace, and his voice suddenly raged with a hysterical edge. “But first, you will bring me the heart of the Oathbreaker’s Daughter. She has betrayed us both, and she now serves our enemy. Destroy the weapon she carries! Adagio, I demand you kill Aria Blaze!"