//------------------------------// // Conflict - ultra1437 - March 31, 2015 // Story: The Sun and Stars: Lightning Round // by JKinsley //------------------------------// By Ultra1437 The otherworldly dirt kicked up as Celestia landed in a clearing, her gleaming white armor only offset by four green, holographic pads projected from the front of her legs. A horde of Hive Thralls closed in, chasing her unrelentingly. Where she landed, she turned and faced her pursuers. As they closed, Celestia’s hooves started moving. Not in a charge, not in a retreat. She started dancing. Music started playing, seeming to emanate from the holographic pads. The Thralls stopped suddenly, almost as if they were compelled. After a few seconds, they followed along in her hoofsteps. Celestia’s mouth opened, and she sang, “It's Crota's End time, And something evil's lurkin' in the dark.” She reared up onto her rear hooves and slid sideways a step. Her forehooves clapping together. The Thralls mirrored her perfectly, seemingly entranced. “Within the Hellmouth, You see a sight that almost stops your heart. You hear a shriek- The Weight of Darkness fallin' on your raid team!” Celestia’s forehooves sprung up in mock surprise to her face as she backpedalled, the Thralls keeping pace, pushing forward toward her. She clapped her hooves together again as she crooned, “Your knees are weak, As Crota looks you right between the eyes- You're paralyzed!” Twilight landed next to her, joining in effortlessly as both ponies shake their hips. They lock forehooves and Celestia dips Twilight back. The rest of the fireteam laughs as a dozen Thralls partner up and copy their movements. Celestia’s voice is joined by Twilight’s as they belt out the chorus, “'Cause this is Thraller! Thraller night! And no-one's gonna save you from the Hollowed Acolytes! You know it's Thraller! Thraller night! You're fighting for your life inside a brawler Thraller tonight!” A pair of sword-wielding Knights spin their way in, staying off to the side, but still in sight. They pantomime Celestia and Twilight’s actions, facing the Thralls. “You hear a great roar! And realize that there's something in your path. You feel the Presence- Of Crota keepin down your team’s health.” Twilight took off, only to be replaced by Applejack. The new couple then spins freely for several seconds, only for Applejack to hoist Celestia above her head. A thundering applause from the Thralls follow. “You check your synth count And hope that you've possibly stocked enough. But all the while you hear your team screaming about those orbs! You're outta time!” Celestia and Applejack turned to the Thralls, stomping forward several steps. The Thralls backed up in mock fear. Applejack takes over the chorus alone this time, her alto voice booming off the rocks. “'Cause this is Thraller! Thraller night! There ain't no second chance against him with his Oversouls! You know it's Thraller! Thraller night! You're fighting for your life inside a brawler Thraller Tonight!” The Thralls playfully hit each other, pretending to fight amongst themselves. Twilight, hovering over them, sings, “Gatekeepers call; And exploding cursed Thralls blend in with the hordes!” Two pale Thralls wander behind them, before exploding impressively. “There's no escapin' the eyes of those Ogre twins.” Celestia and Applejack sang in the background, “They're raging now!” Twilight’s voice sounds over their own, “This is the end of your run!” A pair of massive Hive Ogres eyes glow before purple blasts of energy release, crossing above Twilight. “They're coming to get you; Thralls closing in on every ramp.” The Thralls pair up and one ducks between their partner’s legs lithely before they right and repeat the maneuver with the other Thrall ducking down. “They will wipe you; Unless you change up the place to hide!” Everyone present hides their faces behind their limbs before peek-a-booing childishly. “Now is the time- For you and I to take out that Swordbearer. All through the run, I'll save you from the aggro from the Boomers, We'll kill him now!” Twilight lands and takes her place alongside Celestia and Applejack as they slide-step and clap their hooves. After three claps, they turn to their side and mock a predator’s stance, quick-turning to the other side. Celestia’s voice rings alone again as she sings the chorus, “That it's a Thraller, Thraller night Let’s build this bridge so we can get that ch~est open guys! Guys, this is Thraller, Thraller night So let me pop a bubble and hold this totem, got 'em! Get him! Popped him! Here tonight!” A purple sphere appears behind the three, between the Ogres. A pair of shots cracked out, each finding a Knight’s head, vanquishing them instantly. “'Cause this is Thraller! Thraller night! ‘Cause when I lock on I can shoot my rocket launcher twice! Guys, this is Thraller, Thraller night Come on guys, let’s take the fight to ‘em! Brawler Thraller!” Two rockets soar over the three ponies, only to veer around and strike the Ogres, killing them instantly. Big Mac’s basso voice resounds as he intones the final verses. “Darkness falls across your room, The midnight hour is close at hand. Guardians scour in search of loot, To gnaw at Crota's mighty boots.” A massive green Knight steps into view, only for a pair of rockets to shoo him away. Celestia, Twilight, Applejack, and the rest of the incapacitated Hive continue to dance unhindered. “And whatever shall be found- Without the Oversoul wiping the round- Must stand and face Wizards from Luna’s Moon. And restart their run once again.” Two floating Wizards are struck with multiple bullets, killing them. Their rags float down. “The foulest stench is in the ‘Mouth, The cheese strewn about for seven weeks. And armored Knights from every door, Are closing in to wipe your team…” Several Thralls drop to the floor as their energy is spent. Others look to be on their last legs, barely keeping up with the madly dancing ponies. “And though you fight to get your loot… Your body starts to shiver. For no mere Guardian can resist- The call of the Thraller.” The entire fireteam laughed uncontrollably as the final Thralls are finally vanquished. After the last Hive was killed, the music faded. Setting back down on all fours, Twilight panted heavily. “That… that was exhilarating, Tia.” Celestia was sweating under her armor, but wasn’t winded. “Well, these new Radiant Dance Machines are something, aren’t they?” Applejack kept rocking on her hooves to the tune. “Darn tootin’. Never knew we’d have such an easy time against them Hive. Must be some kind of hidden ability’re somethin’.” Celestia nodded. “I guess they do have surprising social benefits.” Her wings flapped, lifting her to a hover. “C’mon, we’ve still got Crota to slay. It won’t likely be as easy as that was.” The six ponies continued on, unaware of the consequences from their act.