The Final wars of Equestria CH 11 Lost and Found Twilight awoke on a field half a mile from the Crystal Empire. Her head pounded like a drum as she rose to her hooves. She looked around the field and found her friends nearby. She rushed to them worried out of her mind. “Girls! Girls wake up!” Twilight shook Rainbow Dash and stirred her from her sleep. “Huh Twi? What happened,” she stuttered as she got to her hooves. “I remember us at the Crystal palace and then there was this light then…nothing.” “I don’t know. Let’s wake the others and get back to the flagship.” Twilight and Rainbow stirred the others from their slumber and made their way back to the airship. As they scaled a large hill they got a view of the Crystal Empire (or what was left of it). Twilight gazed at the desolate black crystal filled crater that was once the cradle of the Crystal Empire. The earth around the crater was singed and burned beyond recognition (no chance anything survived). Twilight gawked at the site. “Sweet Celestia.” “W-what could have done this?!” Fluttershy cried with tears forming in her eyes. “Peryite probably blew the place up like he did with Cloudsdale. That creep; he’s gonna pay,” Rainbow cringed. “We should head back girls. Come on,” Twilight said hanging her head in shame as they trotted back to the flagship. After fifteen minutes the six mares arrived at a small encampment outside the Empire. Several Alliance soldiers were helping Equestrian and Union forces onto cots. “Hey,” Twilight called out to the soldiers. “Where are the rest of the forces? Are they at another encampment?”
The soldiers nearly dropped the wounded trooper they were helping. “H-highness! You’re alive.” “Huh?”
“Hold on now. We’re heading back to the forward command base not far from here. We’re tearing down this encampment and moving out soon.” “Alright. What happened here?” “How can you not remember? The Crystal palace…it just…exploded. Everything in the Empire was destroyed. Not a single building was left standing. Everyone died.” “But enough of this grim talk; you’re alive and that is reason enough to see a ray of light through the stormy horizon of pain and malice.” Twilight and friends got seated in the transport and waited for the two soldiers to finish their business. After fifteen minutes the two had torn down the encampment and gotten all the soldiers into the back of the transport. “The captain has been taking all this…hard. Knowing you’re still alive might just save his sanity.” With that the transport took off to the forward command base.
Peryite slowly awoke in the fields outside the Crystal Empire. He got to his hooves and turned to the ruins of the once great empire. He stared mouth agape at the destruction before coming to terms with it. It was something he knew; something he once again had to live through. Peryite sighed as he slowly trotted onward to nowhere in particular. His forces were gone along with any nearby bases. The only nearby town was the city of Manehattan and that was leagues away. His only first instinct was to get to somewhere his opposing force was less likely to find him. As he made his way across the plains and hills he heard the approaching sound of a vehicle. He ducked behind a hill and peeked his head over the top. He watched the Equestrian transport drive out of sight. When the coast was clear he continued trotting down to the destination he didn’t know he had. After eight minutes he heard the voices of soldiers. Cautiously he followed the voices and surveyed the scene. Four Equestrian troops held Union POW’s at gunpoint as they loaded them onto a transport. “You are under arrest for treason against the crown,” the soldiers said loading the last several Union soldiers into the transport. “Alright Jenkins you collect the ammo while the others pack up the outpost. I’ll warm up the transport and watch the prisoners.” Peryite watched the Alliance soldiers separate and carry out their tasks. He wanted to fight the soldiers head on but couldn’t seem to concentrate his magic. Still he wasn’t about to leave his forces behind. When the one called Jenkins turned his back to collect some crystals and grenades Peryite slowly snuck behind a supply crate and waited. When Jenkins turned back to collect the last grenade Peryite pulled it away with his magic. “Huh.” Jenkins tried to grab the grenade once again but this time it fell off the stand where it was. “Hey get back here.” Jenkins chased down the grenade as though it was running from him. “Come here you little bucker,” Jenkins said chasing the grenade behind a supply crate. “Got ya you crappy mother b…” Jenkins felt a foreleg wrap around his mouth and neck as he was pulled behind a supply crate. He tired to struggle but Peryite overpowered him and snapped his neck. Hastily he took the shot gauntlet off the soldier and moved on to the two tearing down the camp. Ash streamed out of his pocket and formed his twin blade. “So what do you think happens now?” “Not sure. Peryite and Twilight are both dead most likely so I got no guess how this will end.” “Aw well. Guess we just have to keep fighting and see how it turns ou…” “Hay Straw. Hay Straw? Hay Straw where the buck are…” “Hey. Want to find out?” Without waiting for and answer Peryite plunged his sword into the soldier’s chest and pulled him behind the crate. Peryite crept his way to the shotgun seat of the transport where the driver sat. “Are you done Jenkins?” “Yeah. Also I got ya something.” The soldier’s eyes dilated as he turned to the unfamiliar voice. He turned to see a shot gauntlet inches from his face for a split second before his head was blown off. “I hope you like it,” Peryite snickered. Peryite made his way to the back of the transport and opened the POW compartment. “Your Eminence!” One of the soldiers said in shock. “Y-you’re alive.” “Of course he’s alive you bumbling idiot. You cannot kill the messiah!” “Yes I am alive my children. Now come. Let me sever those bindings.” Peryite carefully cut the bindings on the Union POW’s front legs and helped them out of the transport. “That’s better. Now I have to ask; do any of you know a decent place to retreat to until we can call reinforcements?” “Actually sir, we were told to rendezvous with forces near the Crystal Mountains. We were part of Colonel Markov’s forces which had retreated but we got left behind and eventually captured.” “Markov is alive. Well at least I know one of my officers survived this calamity. The Crystal Mountains are still quite some ways off. I know a bunker shortcut leading to them from the chasm not far from the Empire. Come on boys I’m driving.” The Union soldiers got back into the transport and joined Peryite on the way to the bunker. Twilight and friends arrived at the forward command base a few miles from the Empire. While the two soldiers brought the wounded out from the transport they boarded a barge back to the flagship. “Twilight.” “Yeah Rarity.” “I just have to ask. How DID we get out of the Empire?” “Yeah. I mean I remember you fighting that creep Peryite and stopping the Crystal Heart and then…nothing,” Rainbow Dash added. “I don’t know girls I…” “You alright Sugarcube?” Applejack asked. “I’m fine. Let’s just try and put this day behind us. I’m going to check up on the cockpit. You girls just relax.” No one argued as they went their separate ways. Twilight opened the door to the cockpit to see her brother bent over the control panel of the ship with Cadence behind him trying to comfort him. “Damn it. DAMN IT ALL!! Is this accursed war hell-bent on taking everything from me?” “Shining Armor,” Cadence said placing her foreleg on his shoulder not at all sure what to say. “We lose our home, then my sister is lost to me for a year, then our home is destroyed, and now Twilight is dead.” Shining Armor shut his eyes in grief and pounded his hoof against the control panel in a fit of rage. “Brother.” Shining Armor opened his eyes at hearing the familiar voice of his sister. The white stallion wasted no time contemplating if he was hallucinating or not. He galloped to his sister and locked her in an embrace. “T-Twily. H-how are you alive?”
“That’s something probably too complicated to go into detail right now,” Twilight said embracing her brother. “Oh what’s it matter? You’re here and that’s what’s important. What about your friends though; did they…” “They’re fine. Don’t worry they’re aboard the ship as well.” “Then at the very least that ended well. The tragic loss of the Crystal Empire will haunt us through the rest of this war, but with Peryite gone and the forces here extinguished the war in Equestria will at least come to an end soon. I’m glad you’re alright. NOW I don’t EVER want you to get on that battlefield again!” “I don’t have any arguments with that,” Twilight said slowly ending the embrace and taking a seat at the cockpit. “Shining Armor sir,” a soldier said trotting into the cockpit. “Yes what is it?” “Some science members from Lightspeed Research Facility have come here responding to the reports of these odd crystals. They have asked for some guards against any Union remnants.” “Very well. Assign them a squad of soldiers to keep them safe.” “Yes sir.” With that the soldier took his leave. “Anyhow. Twilight let’s get you home.” “Let’s at least get something to eat before we jet back to Canterlot.” “Alright. Cadence you want to join us?” “Maybe. I just…still need time to come to terms with this. I failed them…again.” “There was nothing we could have done. We couldn’t have stopped Peryite.” “I know. I’ll be there in a few moments.” With that Twilight and Shining Armor left for the cafeteria. “How many soldiers did we lose here?” “Two infantry divisions, five Gryphon divisions, a tank division, and countless other platoons and squads.” “With the Empire gone how many other bastions or strongholds does the Union have in Equestria?” “Aside from Appaloosa, Manehattan, Baltimare and the other costal cities there are a few bases around the wilderness. There is of course a launch facility where the Union orders its, intercontinental strikes. We’ve yet to locate it.” “And the foreign lands?”
“Not sure. Zozo has been the only place I’ve heard significantly about. Other than that things seem to be settling down there.” “This war may at last be coming to an end.” “Maybe but let’s count our chickens after they hatch. Come on Twily that food won’t eat itself.” Twilight and Shining Armor entered the dining area of the ship and were promptly served. The ship’s cooks were quite ecstatic to learn that their princess was still alive. After five minutes the rest of Twilight’s friends entered the dining area. “Well darling it seems we weren’t the only ones with this idea,” Rarity said. “Well come and join us girls,” Twilight replied. The five other mares seated themselves at the table and were served their food. “Hope there’s still room,” Cadence said with a forced smile. “Goodness darling you look absolutely awful. I mean that in no disrespect of course,” Rarity said apologetically. “Yeah Sugarcube. Ya look like you just got bucked in the stomach,” Applejack added. “Well she did just watch her home go up in flames,” Pinkie Pie replied. “It’s alright,” Cadence lied. “It’s just something I have to learn to live with like other regrets. But sulking about it only spreads tears…I say that from experience. Let’s just try and eat. It’s been a while since we all had a meal together.” The eight sat, conversed, and enjoyed their food. It was a simple pleasure they had forgotten in the times of war; a simple pleasure they now found a luxury. Rarity finished the last of her hay sandwich and turned to Twilight. “So dear. Now that one of the most beautiful places I had the privilege of seeing before its untimely demise has been completely destroyed have you finally had enough of this war?” “I think I’m ready to stay off the battlefield for a while Rarity,” Twilight replied. “Well I guess this succeeded where I failed so many times,” Shining Armor said with a smile and a bit of agitation. “Maybe now you can finally stay out of harm’s way and…” “Captain Armor. Captain Armor,” Casimir panted as he rushed into the cockpit. “I just needed to report that…” Casimir’s heart nearly stopped when he saw the lavender mare sitting next to her brother. “Twilight. Y-you’re alive!” “You say that like you’re utterly surprised,” Cadence said a bit cross. “It’s just that I heard the Empire had exploded. The calamity happened there and…never mind. I’m glad to see your still among the living.” “Anyway what did you want to say?” Shining Armor asked. “Huh. Oh yes. I came to report that all the soldiers you sent to guard the science team are dead.” “What?! How? How could they have possibly died? There’s no way there were that many Union forces lingering around.” “It wasn’t the Union that did it. It was…well. Perhaps you should see for yourself.” “Perhaps so.” Casimir pulled out a miniature projector from his coat pocket and turned it on. “This is footage from the field reports my lab boys recorded.” The projector began displaying the field reports on the wall. “Field report one. Excavation of the new bizarre crystalline formations that sprouted up in the ruins of the Crystal Empire seemingly over the span of a few hours, but sources tell us these odd crystals sprouted minutes after the explosion that took place at the Crystal Palace. So far we’ve collected the several samples of these crystals and have sent them back to Chief Scientist Casimir.” “Sweet Celestia, look at the size of these.” The camera panned out to a large slightly bent crystal that towered over the science team. “Get a few samples from these; the magic readings are off the charts.” A science team member slowly began fracturing the large crystal. After a few moments it began to glow an eerie dimmed red. “Whoa! What the hell is happening?” “Maybe you made it mad,” another scientist laughed. As if on cue the crystal fired a beam of magic from its top setting the scientist who had chiseled it ablaze. “Shit!! What the…” The other large seven-foot tall crystal structures began to glow and fire bolts of magic at the science team and soldiers. “Fall back! Run!” The video turned to static and ended. “What few who survived were sent to the infirmary. As you can see those crystals are…violent. I still want to do some excavation of them. Maybe send in oh I don’t know…a tank.” “Casimir that’s a tall order JUST after you lost your assigned squad and we just lost the Empire. I may reconsider, but just wait for now. Just make do with what you have; besides this command base isn’t going anywhere. Besides why do you even need these crystals so much?” “One for research, two well...maybe that too is something you ought to see for yourself. And that brings me to my final reason for coming here. I want to issue the QZ protocol on the area around the Crystal Empire.” “You want to make this area a quarantine zone?! For what, military level restriction seems perfectly fine to me.” “I’ll show you. You’re invited to come as well Twilight.” Twilight sighed. “Alright. Not like things could get much worse.” “Eh. I’ve had worse days honestly. Sure a city got destroyed but I’ve seen near global extinction happen in the span of thirty minutes.” “What?” Cadence asked a bit shocked. “Never you mind. Come now. Captain Armor, Princess Sparkle.” “We’ll be back soon girls.” “Just watch yourself Twilight,” Applejack warned as she watched the three leave the dinning area. Casimir opened the door with his genetic key and stood aside waiting for Twilight and Shining Armor to enter. “This was a storage area before, but we converted it to a short notice research lab for Lightspeed facility.” “What exactly were you going to show us?” Twilight asked. “We’re here. Hind!” The young Gryphon scientist nearly jumped out of his skin. “Y-yes Chief Scientist Casimir what is it sir?” “Fetch me habitat A. And get me the purest batch of liquid Celerium.” “Yes sir,” the scientist said walking out of the room. “Celerium?” Twilight said in a confused tone. “Celerium is the name I have given to the crystal around the wreckage of the Empire.” Hind as well as two motorized Equines entered the room carrying the things Casimir asked for. “Thank you Hind. You are dismissed.” The Gryphon saluted his superior before taking his leave. “Now I’ll show you how Celerium works.” “Excuse me; I don’t mean to interrupt but why did you name it Celerium?” “I gave it the name partly because of how fast it sprouts up and partly after Celestia.” “Why are you naming dangerous dark magic based crystals after Princess Celestia?” “Moving on. Now this is a simple tank of nutrient rich soil. You could plant seeds in this soil and with some sunlight and water they would grow pretty healthy. Now watch what happens when I sprinkle it with this liquid Celerium.” Casimir carefully levitated a test tube and collected some of the thick oil-black liquid from the titanium container. He poured the liquid onto the soil and watched it seep deeper into the dirt. Within seconds the brown soil had turned a pestilent shade of black. Seconds after that, Celerium crystals sprouted from the top of the soil spreading at an alarming rate. After five minutes the crystals were protruding out of the container. “As you can see. This is quite a problem. From what I’ve seen Celerium acts like a malignant cancer. It feeds on the life sustaining minerals in the soil, absorbing them and growing. Like a virus it has a mindset and one instinctive goal, to spread and increase in numbers. This is why I have asked to make this place a quarantine zone. We haven’t found a way to stymie the growth of Celerium, let alone stop it. Save from cutting it off from uncorrupted soil altogether. If Celerium spread it will cover all of Equestria. Nothing will be able to live where it grows. And from what I’ve seen these things are definitely alive. The larger ones knew we were cutting them down, and they defended themselves. They are magic based so they can easily kill a civilian or soldier. If we don’t stop it nothing will be left for us. These things will kill anything they view as a threat to them; I don’t know what kind of effects they might have on carbon-based life but I really don’t want to find out.” “I agree Casimir. We’ll begin the preparations to make this place a QZ.” “Also. This is more just precaution than anything but I’d like to put Twilight under quarantine observation.” “What! Why?!” Twilight replied shocked. “I have determined the source of Celerium growth to be the residue the Crystal Heart made when it exploded. Since you were at ground zero at the time of the explosion; from what I’ve heard that is. It means it’s possible you’ve been exposed to liquid Celerium. I’d like to observe you just to make sure no abnormalities are present.” “Very well.” “Shining Armor. While I make sure your sister is alright I want you to begin making this place into a QZ. Anyone exposed to Celerium must go through a three-hour quarantine before being cleared as uncontaminated. Also on a slightly lighter note I also am starting a mining operation here. Celerium does have a single use so far. Liquid Celerium and crystal Celerium is a good source for magitech weaponry. So I think we should take this opportunity to make another mass production of magitech weapons and secure our dominion over central Equestria and begin our push into the east.” “Very well. Just make sure no one gets killed this way.” With that Shining Armor took his leave to begin the QZ protocol. “How does it look Casimir?” Twilight asked a bit concerned. “Everything seems fine. Your respiratory system, digestive tract, blood circulation, pretty much everything seems fine.” “So am I cleared to go?” “Yes. But before you do…” “What?” “I just wanted to apologize for nearly getting you killed.” “You don’t have to apologize Casimir. You couldn’t have know.” Casimir was silent. “Casimir?” “I…I did know. Not at first mind you. But…I did later learn that the Elements of Harmony would destabilize the heart.” “You knew and you didn’t tell us! WHY!! What in Equestria would have compelled you to not give us this information?!” “You wouldn’t understand. You couldn’t. I’ve already said too much,” Casimir said slowly trotting away. “Casmir. I could potentially put you on trial for this.” Casimir turned to the lavender mare with a face of agony and regret. He sighed and closed his eyes. “I know. I also know more likely than not, you won’t do it. I ask for your forgiveness.” Twilight watched Casimir trot away. She sighed and made her way to the exit. As she made her way to the door she stopped. She wasn’t going to take that as an answer. She was going to make Casimir give her a real answer. His actions caused an entire civil center population to die. She galloped back down the hall but stopped at the door. These things required genetic keys to be opened. While she could easily blow them down and get away with it she preferred not to. Twilight turned her head to the Gryphon scientist she saw before. “Hey you!” “Huh. Me?” Hind asked. “Yeah. I need your help. Get me to Casimir.” “O-okay. Uh. Why do you want my boss?” “That’s not your concern.” “Alright. Come along now. He did say that he had to meet someone so he sent me away just a few minutes ago.” “Well he’ll have to cut that meeting short.” Hind lead Twilight through the short notice facility and to Casimir’s temporary office. “Thank you. You’re dismissed.” Hind bowed and took his leave. Twilight was about to open the door but stopped. She could hear voices coming from behind it. She pressed her ear against the door and listened in. “You idiot! I told you not to tell them anything about the heart!” “Calm down. Plus it already happened what harm does telling her do now?” “It draws suspicion. She knows something kept you from telling her the information.” “But she has no idea it’s…” “NO. I have been patient with you. My ‘employer’ has been patient with you so far but now…” “Ghast come now. I’ve done what you asked for almost twenty years. This was one slipup it won’t happen again.” “You’re right. I should remind you of something. Jedidiah failed us. He is now a discarded asset. Perhaps you’ve been thinking my threats have been empty. I can see why. Brandishing a sword doesn’t send a message as strong as cutting of a limb does. Perhaps it is time I did something along those lines.” “Ghast. What are you…” Casimir watched the black unicorn’s horn glow and prepare a spell. Before he could even complete a beat from his rapid, terrified heart, a purple aurora surrounded Ghast and he was thrown to the wall. He grunted from the pain of the impact. “I don’t know who you are but you’d better explain yourself now!” Twilight said trotting into the room. “My oh my. Aren’t you a fiery lass. Now, now child. How about this. You put me down and I won’t have to get too violent with either of you.” “You come to our military zone, threaten one of our most important ponies in power, and now you feel you’re in a position to be making demands. You’re crazy.” “Twilight he’s much more than that; he’s a sadist with unimaginable power, wealth, and influence. Please just…” “You should listen to the scientist Twilight. They tend to be smart. Foolish; but smart.” “The only fool here is you,” Twilight said pushing Ghast harder against the wall.” Ghast closed his eyes and chuckled softly. His horn began to glow once again with dark magic as Twilight prepared herself for a fight. As Twilight waited for the black stallion to try and escape or attack his eyes shot open. The lavender mare stared shocked at the mismatched eyes. His right eye was now empty; only void whiteness without a pupil. His left eye now glowed with dark magic. Twilight felt a burning sensation on her neck began to throb more and more unbearable. She fell to the ground in pain as the mark on her neck began to glow a deep pestilent red. “You dare defy the will of Nod!” Ghast kneeled next to the near collapsed mare and smiled. “Like a dog one must teach you obedience. Let’s start. Ahem, bow.” Ghast’s eye glowed brighter and the mark on Twilight’s neck synched and grew brighter. The lavender mare cringed in pain and cried. “Now bark.” “Go to hell.” “I can’t until my work here is done,” Ghast said chuckling “Now I said bark!” “Ghast please. Don’t!” “Oh I just realized.” The mark on Casimir’s neck began to glow and send pain coursing through the white unicorn’s body. “Can’t leave you unpunished now can I?” As Ghast watched Casimir suffer Twilight concentrated her magic and illuminated her horn. Ghast turned to see the lavender mare open her eyes and fire a beam of magic. The magic shot past him and ripped through the wall next to him. “I can’t even begin to tell you how pathetic that was. You can’t aim for the life of you,” Ghast mocked. “I hit what I was aiming for,” Twilight laughed Ghast raised an eyebrow at her not sure if she was just bluffing or was crazy. Seconds later his ears shot up at alarms sounding in the distance. Ghast cringed in fury as his eyes locked with the lavender mare staring slyly back at him. “Congratulations. I’ll be sure to let you sit atop the mountain of corpses once I’m done with them.” Twilight looked up at a pair of hooves being raised above her before they came down followed by darkness. Ghast quickly grabbed Casimir with his magic and slammed his head on the corner of his desk, knocking him unconscious. He galloped out of the office as quickly as his hooves would allow; knowing if he wasn’t immediately brought in as a suspect he would be kept for questioning and then his cover would be gone. Ghast concentrated his dark magic and formed a long scythe and placed it on his back. As he galloped down hall a squad of guards came galloping from the other end. “Halt. You there what did you see, did you…” Ghast grabbed the scythe from his back and picked up speed. “GREET THE REAPER!!” Ghast swung the scythe with all his might. The sickle tore clean through the soldier’s neck killing him almost instantly. Without giving the soldiers proper time to react he quickly removed the blade from it’s victim’s neck and slashed at the next soldier’s chest. Blood coated the blade as well as the manes of the Ghast and soldiers. The walls were painted like a canvas of death with blood. “Aye truly there is no better poison than fear. Sure it makes the meat tough, but hunting is a sport not a necessity.” Ghast illuminated his horn and filled the corridor with illusion magic. Deafening screams of tortured souls filled the ears of the soldiers as well as images of mutilated equine, shaking their very souls. Ghast was determined to give his prey quite the show before their demise. He drove his scythe up the gullet of one of the remaining four soldiers; hoisting him up, like a rat on a skewer. This act along with the illusion magic was enough to drive the remaining three soldiers over the edge. They dropped their weapons and began darting back down the hall. Ghast smiled as he cut his prey down one at a time. He freed his blade from the back of the last soldier and galloped down the corridor. The unicorn sped through the halls of the base cutting down any who he crossed. He left a trail of death and blood in his wake like the ponies of the apocalypse. Ghast blew down the doors to the outside and galloped into the sunlight. A battalion of troops greeted him by the exit at gunpoint. Ghast quickly made a barrier of dark magic around him to absorb the gunfire. The magitech bursts were strong but not enough to do more than crack and facture the barrier. “You should have let the calamity take you; would have been less painful that way.” Ghast concentrated and strained his magic as he called forth four hovering lion heads. The mouths of lions slowly opened and fired large beams of magic at the Equestrian troopers. Ghast laughed at the smoldering remains of the soldiers before continuing on to his escape. Before he could make it five feet a white unicorn leapt from the catwalk above and pinned him to the ground. Shining Armor quickly snapped a siphon around Ghast’s horn disabling his magic. The black unicorn bucked hard sending the captain sprawling to the ground. Ghast attempted to use his magic but found he couldn’t. “Not so tough now are you,” Shining Armor mocked. “You want to see how tough I still am.” Ghast concentrated his magic and managed to illuminate his horn. The siphon severely hindered his magic but he had enough to use simple spells even with the siphon. He grabbed his scythe with his magic and stared Shining Armor down with cross-eyes. “You think you’re strong enough huh. I think you’re just garbage! And now I’ll rip your soul out of your body!” Ghast charged the white unicorn locking the two in a competition of power. Shining Armor quickly began to get pushed back by Ghast whom smiled wickedly at him. The captain concentrated his magic and illuminated his horn. Ghast quickly leapt out of the way distancing himself from Shining Armor to evade the attack. “Come now. I can’t use my magic very well now can I? How about we keep this fair. You fight me with weapon combat. What do you say?” “You come to our military base, kill our troops, destroy our property, and now you expect us to treat you with dignity and honor? You reap what you sow.” “Eh. It was worth a shot. You Equestrians are such pathetic whelps who cling to honor. I guess war can teach you fools something,” Ghast mocked. “Enguarde you fiend!” Shining Armor grabbed several pieced of debris and launched them at Ghast. He blocked them by countering with another beam of magic. Ghast tried to keep Shining Armor in close combat due to the siphon on his head. He charged at the captain with unfathomable ferocity making him struggle just to evade the attacks. As he parried of Ghast’s scythe and leapt backwards to keep distance Shining Armor tripped over some metallic rods. Ghast smiled as he galloped over to the captain with his scythe ready to strike. As he leapt onto his prey Shining Armor grabbed one of the rods with his magic and thrust it up towards his aggressor. The rod struck Ghast just below his trachea knocking the air out of his lungs. The black unicorn gasped for air as he struggled to his hooves. Shining Armor wasted no time using the opportunity to stab Ghast in the chest with his spear. Ghast wailed in agony before ramming his horn into Shining Armor’s side. The captain cringed but was happy that Ghast had so foolishly left himself vulnerable once again. He slammed his hooves down on Ghast’s back with all his might. Ghast grunted but held onto the captain with his front legs. With his brute strength he grabbed Shining Armor and threw him to the ground, pinning him under his weight. “No one. Defies Nod and gets away with it!” Ghast repeatedly punched Shining Armor across the face with his right hoof. “You ignorant buck! I only wish your sister was awake enough to watch me do this!” Shining Armor gritted his teeth and spit blood at Ghast. “Oh. Did I forget to mention that?” Ghast laughed. Don’t you worry she’ll be fine. You on the other hoof are as good as…” Ghast was cut off as a magitech burst tore clean through his chest bathing Shining Armor in blood. “Filth,” Heinrich hissed as he descended to Shining Armor’s side. Shining Armor pushed the now limp Ghast off of him and trotted towards General Amherst. “Herr Armour, are you alri…” Heinrich cringed at the pain from his yet to be healed wound. “I should ask the same of you. You need to take things easy until that wound is all patched up.” “I know, but I couldn’t let a fine soldier such as yourself be cut down by a lunatic with a scythe.” “You’re keen with that rifle now Heinrich. Clean shot, clean kil…” “Get down!” Heinrich hollered pulling Shining Armor to the ground with him as Ghast’s scythe flew over their heads. “Scheisse.” “Argh. Why won’t you just die?!” “I could ask the same of you!” Shining Armor said as he grabbed a piece of debris with his magic and launched it at Ghast’s head. This final blow was the last straw for the black unicorn. Shining Armor watched Ghast slowly slump to the ground; broken and defeated. The sound of metal hooves on concrete metal was heard as a battalion of soldiers galloped into the room. “Took you long enough,” Shining Armor said agitated. “Sorry captain. We needed to get rearmed.” “You always need to be armed!” “Sorry captain I…” “Never mind. Get this…FILTH to an interrogation room; and get him patched up while you’re at it. I want him alive, but just barely. Something tells me this scum isn’t loyal to the Union. I want to know why he attacked our base.” “Yes captain.” Half the soldiers detained Ghast while the other half checked to make sure the base was secure. “Now that that’s over. Heinrich.” “Yeah I know; back to the infirmary.” “I know being confined to a bed is not your idea of a good time Heinrich but you need to let yourself heal.” “Yeah I know. Still wasn’t gonna pass up the opportunity to fire of a shot at some bastard.” “And I’m glad you didn’t. Come on Heinrich.” With that Shining Armor led his longtime brother in arms back to the medical ward.
Peryite plunged his sword through an Equestrian soldier before ripping it out, washing the ground with blood. “That the last of them?”
“Yes my liege.”
“Good. Onward.”
“My liege. What’s wrong with your neck?”
“Huh?”
“It’s glowing sir.”
Peryite pulled at his robe collar until his neck was bare. “Huh. It hasn’t done that in decades.”
“Are you alright my king?”
“I don’t feel anything wrong; so I must be alright.”
“Are you sure my liege.”
“We’ve got bigger things to worry about than a glowing mark. Come on we’ve got to get going. We’re almost at the Crystal Mountains.” Peryite and his soldiers once again boarded the transport and sped off to their destination.
Two Alliance soldiers watched the transport speed off into the distance. “We should have fought.
“We would have died. Besides we need to get back to the base. And tell our commanders that Peryite is still among the living.”
“We don’t even have a transport. How are we supposed to get back to the forward command base?”
“We can still walk.”
“For forty miles!?
“It’s what we have to do.”
“Let’s get going then.” With that the two soldiers began their journey back to the base.
“Easy does it,” a doctor said as Shining Armor laid Heinrich back down in a cot. “Herr Amherst I told you not to get out of bed until…” “The Captain already gave me the talk. You need not waste your breath.” The doctor frowned at the Gryphon. “Well several officials, science team, and soldiers were injured during that ponies ahem…rage. You’ll be sharing this room with several other prominent members. Also, Captain. Your sister has been admitted into the medical ward as well as the chief scientist. Both had sustained blows to the head and needed to receive treatment to stop swelling in their skull. Twilight had minor treatment while Casimir had a small portion of his skull removed to relieve pressure from his concussion.”
“Are they alright?”
“Their conditions are stable.”
“Good. I need to see them.”
“Alright, follow me.”
“Heinrich I must now take my leave.”
“Go to your sister Herr Armour,” Heinrich said saluting Shining Armor.”
Shining Armor followed the doctor to the surgery wing of the medical ward. He opened the door for the captain as the two entered. Shining Armor approached his unconscious sister lying on a bed. “Can she hear us?”
“No. She’s really out cold. Bastard did a good blow to her head.”
“And what’s this mark on her neck. Why’s it glowing like that?”
“Not sure. We found the same markings on Casimir. Glowing all the same.”
“Think they’re linked some way?”
“I don’t doubt it. I just have little to prove it.”
Shining Armor watched Twilight toss and turn in her sleep. “Rest easy Twily.”
“Excuse me captain,” a guard said entering the room. “I don’t mean to interrupt but the prisoner has awakened. He has been properly restrained and is ready for interrogation. I felt you might want a crack at him.”
“Thank you. And yes I will enjoy this.” With that Shining Armor left to tend to Ghast.
“We can do this all day if you’d like,” an Equestrian soldier said slamming an empty bottle on the side of the table. He took a piece of glass and forced Ghast’s mouth open. He placed the piece of glass firmly in his mouth before slugging him on the side of his mouth where the glass was. Blood seeped out of the corners of Ghast’s mouth. “Who needs recycling when we have perfectly fine uses of old bottles?” The interrogator proceeded to dowse Ghast with water.
“Careful. You might get me wet,” Ghast chuckled.
“You think this if funny you little Buck!” The interrogator said smashing his hoof against Ghast’s snout.
“Yeah, I do actually. I THINK IT’S BUCKING HALLARIOUS!! Or maybe I’ve just lost my mind; hell if I know?”
“I think you lost your mind the minute you felt you could fight you way out of here.”
“Oh my simple, pathetic, expendable little friend. I’ve preformed more impressive feats. Here, undo these bindings and I’ll show you just how much I can do. Guess we both know that isn’t going to happen. I’ve failed, and failure is forgivable. However I have been detected and captured. Should I somehow worm out of this; I cannot return.”
“Return where?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know? I really should stop this waggling tongue of mine.” The door to the interrogation room opened and a white unicorn walked in
“Warder Billingsworth, let me hand things from here,” Shining Armor said.
“You want your crack at this tealeaf.”
“I want to give him his own medicine. Your dismissed warder.”
“Yes sir.”
Shining Armor watched the warder leave before turning his attention to Ghast. The black stallion had an extra siphon attached to his horn as well as being restrained to the table with reinforced bindings. “Aye. I see you got patched up from the beating I gave you,” Ghast mocked.
“Aye. Now then leave me.”
“Not until you tell me why you attacked us!” Shining Armor said slamming his hoof down in Ghast’s head.
“I’ve given you enough information by simply being captured. ‘Never compromise the brotherhood, uphold our principles and all that for which we stand. Never divulge the truth or the names of your brothers, and do so from now until death; whatever the cost.’” Those were the words I said long, long ago. And I have already begun to fail. I shall not give you any more information. I have some honor in this you know; even so you might have the will to torture me, and the tools. But what will fail you is your imagination. Know whatever you bastards think you can do to me…HE WILL DO DOUBLE!! If I am to die may it be at the chopping block and not in a sea of fire.”
“I’d gladly take up your offer and put a hole in your head…but sadly that could get me court-martialed. No. Canterlot will see how true you are to those words. If you are, then we’ll just see how much you prefer death at our hooves.” With that Shining Armor left Ghast. “Warder. Get him on a transport to Canterlot. We’ll break his will or break his bones. The choice is his.”
“Aye sir.” Shining Armor felt the warder had things under control and made his way back to the medical ward.
“And…that will do princess Sparkle. Your physical is complete. You seem fine. Your concussion is over.”
“Thanks doc.”
“Do you know what happened to that psychopath that did this?”
“From what I heard he’s being interrogated as we speak.”
“So he was captured. Good. Does Shining Armor know I got into a scuffle?”
“Yes. Your brother stayed by your side until he got the opportunity to interrogate the one that did this.”
“Very well. Thank you for this.”
“Your welcome. Now if you’ll excuse me I must make sure Mr. Casimir makes the same recovery.”
“Please give Casimir my regards when he wakes up.”
The nurse nodded to Twilight before leaving the lavender mare. Twilight trotted out of the medical ward and down the hall. As she turned the corner a voice called to her. “Twily!”
“Brother. It looks like I can’t get away from fighting even in what should be a safe place.”
“Don’t worry. That freak is on ice.”
“I heard. Looks like he did a number on you as well.”
“Yeah. Nothing too bad though.”
“I don’t doubt it. Come on let’s head back to the ship.”
As Twilight and Shining Armor made they’re way out of the medical ward a voice called to the latter. “Captain Armor. Captain Armor!”
“What is it doc?”
“You didn’t happen to see Casimir on your way here.”
“Yeah actually. He took off like hell on wheels; asked why he was in such a hurry, didn’t say a word.”
“I don’t think his concussion is healed yet. He needs to stay here. Do you know where he could have gone?”
“If he needed to leave the base he would have to check out his transport from the armory.”
“Let’s head there now. I need to get him back here.” With that the three galloped off to the armory.
“Did you hear what happened earlier today?”
“That that freak a scythe came into here and killed a whole bunch of soldiers.”
“Yeah. Makes you glad we got guard duty here and not the better more climate-controlled placed huh.”
“Hell it makes scrubbing the toilets sound good. Poor bastards.”
“Yeah I still here he got his just desserts.”
“Hope I get sent back to Canterlot to see that bucker’s neck get stretched. I hear warder Billingsworth has taken an odd if not sadistic hobby of personally overseeing the executions of traitors.”
“Yeah well…oh hell.”
“What?”
“Our superiors. Quick, don’t look guilty.” The two guards stood tall looking as though they had nothing better to do than to be on duty. “Highness. Captain. What brings you two down here?”
“Have you two seen Chief scientist Casimir?”
“Yeah. ‘Glasses’ came down here not five minutes ago and practically stole one of the transports. We told him he needed to check it out. Did that make him, NO!”
“You have any idea where he went?”
“He had said something about needing to check up on somepony important. Not sure who that is? I think he should worry about himself; they guy looked like he got his arse bucked.”
“Well, thanks anyway. So what now?”
“Nothing more to do,” the doctor said. “We just wait and hope to hear back from the chief scientist.”
“Well alright then. Farewell doctor.”
The doctor bid the two farewells and trotted back to the medical ward. “Well this day certainly has been trying to kill us left and right huh brother.”
“No kidding. If we don’t find trouble, trouble finds us.”
“I think I might need to just rest for the rest of the day.”
“You can say that again.”
“Let’s head back to the flagship and…”
“Shining Armor! Twilight!”
The two turned to the pink alicorn galloping towards them along with six mares. “Cadence, girls, what are you all doing here?” Twilight asked.
“Some soldier said there was an attack on the base and that you two had got hurt.”
“Nothing too bad. Believe me we’ve both been through worse,” Shining Armor reassured.
“I didn’t think those Union creeps were bold enough to attack us here,” Rainbow Dash said.
“I don’t think that guy was a Union soldier. Something about him seemed…wrong. It’s hard to explain it.”
“Speak of the devil,” Shining Armor hissed.
The eight watched Ghast be escorted to a POW transport. His legs were shackled together by titanium chains. Four guards carefully watched him for even the minutest signs of an attempt to escape. Two soldiers flanked him and kept him moving along while two at the front kept their shot gauntlets pointed at his head at all times. The four soldiers loaded him into the back of the transport and shut the door. “Wait,” Twilight said. “I have a few questions for him.”
The soldiers opened the door and brought Ghast back out. The black stallion stared down the lavender mare. “You want something child?”
“What do these marks mean?”
“How do you expect me to know?”
“You used them. You…activated them or something. But I know they responded to your magic.”
Ghast chuckled. “Think of them like a branding. They show we own you.”
“Who is we?”
“Say no evil, hear no evil, miss Sparkle. Gentlecolts. I believe we’re done here. I have nothing more to say to her.”
The four guards threw Ghast back into the transport. The eight ponies watched the transport speed off to Canterlot. “Hope that creep likes the dungeon,” Rainbow hissed.
“I could have sworn I had seen him before,” Cadence said.
“Where?!” Shining Armor asked a bit taken off guard.
“Just a nightmare I think. I’d never forget that grin.”
“Well at least we stomped that varmint. I’d say weeding out two ponies like that in a day is at least an accomplishment. What do ya say we finally head back home and…”
“Captain Armor. Princess Twilight!” Two soldiers shouted as they galloped out of the armory.
“What could it possibly be now?” Shining Armor groaned.
“King Peryite. He’s alive.”
“What! How? That bastard went up in flames with my home!”
“I don’t know. But he lives. He and several Union soldiers killed the rest of our squad and blew up our transport.”
“Luckily for us we managed to find a patrol squad to take us back here.”
“Do you know where he might be headed?”
“From what we heard, he was heading for the Crystal Mountains; possibly to rendezvous with his forces. He wasn’t that far away from them when we encountered him. He’ll have to travel through the Crystal Pass to reach the mountains. If we go by air we may be able to catch up with him.”
“I’m gathering several battalions and we’ll give chase. That son of a bitch won’t get away with what he’s done.”
“Brother. Please don’t.”
“Twily. He killed all of them. The Crystal Empire is destroyed. I have to get him back. For all he’s done.
“You don’t know how strong he is. If you insist on going then…I’m going with you.”
“I’d object; but chances are I couldn’t hold my own with him. I would like your help.”
“Then we fight as family.”
“Hold on Twilight. We can’t very well let you fight this psycho on your own. We might not be able to fight much but we’re stronger together,” Applejack said
“I couldn’t have you girls come along with me. Please. The Crystal Empire was one thing but this…”
“We’re coming along Twi. Right girls?” Rainbow asked.
All nodded in agreement. “I’m going too,” Cadence said with a noticeable amount of shakiness in her voice.
“No,” Shining Armor replied. “Coming to oversee the Crystal Empire’s reclamation was one thing. But you want to come with us to hunt down the biggest threat to Equis?!”
“I know it’s dangerous and in all reality I’m terrified to do so but…I don’t know. Maybe this will give me some kind of closure for all this.”
“Cadence.”
“I’m not even going to fight. I just need to know the job is done. To see him know what it’s like. Maybe it’s wrong to feel that way but…”
“Cadence, please think about this.”
“I’ve given it all the though I’m going to. Now every second we waste arguing is a second Peryite is using to get away.”
“Why is it I can’t get through to anyone here? Fine. But if we do encounter Peryite you stay behind Twilight and me. Got it?” Cadence nodded. “Good. Well Twilight. Let me rally some forces; and then we’re off to skin us a bastard.”
Twilight nodded and watched Shining Armor leave to gather a battalion. “Well come on girls. Let’s get back to the ship.” With that the seven mares made their way back to the flagship.
Journal Entry ten
Official Journal of Twilight Sparkle of the United Equestrian Alliance
Return if Found
This is it. We’re heading to capture Peryite…again. The last time we tried this a city full of innocents and soldiers died and a once great Empire was destroyed and replaced with a crater of dark crystals that seek to suck the life out of the world itself. William made it clear that Peryite is not to die. I know not what his plans are but I feel searching for answers will lead only to more questions. Perhaps Peryite may know something about all this. Perhaps capturing him will shed some light on this. Perhaps we’ll all get cut down and our heads will decorate a spike on the Peryite’s chamber walls. Who knows what this will bring? Peryite is sly, cunning, brilliant, and ruthless. A combination I’m not too friendly or comfortable with. We’re nearing the Crystal Mountains. May we see the next sunrise.
Twilight wrote the last words in her journal before heading out the door of her chambers to the cockpit. The winds seemed to howl as they cascaded down the mountains. Light snow coated the northern mountains giving a sting of briskness in the air. Twilight opened the door to the cockpit and trotted inside. “Alright Lieutenant. I want you to make your way around the western mountains. Make sure any Union forces are taken care of. You and the major will see that this place is secure. When you can, strike that Union outpost that our scouts saw. The sounds war should draw Peryite away from there. When he runs Twilight and I will be waiting for him on the eastern pass.”
“Yes sir.”
Shining Armor turned off the transmitter and sighed. “We can’t let him get away again.”
“Brother.”
“Twilight. Good we’ll be landing the ship soon so…”
“We can’t kill him.”
“Huh?”
“We can’t kill him. I know we have to capture him but…that doesn’t mean we have to kill him.”
“Do you expect us to just ask him nicely to come with us?!”
“Of course not. We might have to break every bone he has to get him to comply with us. But let’s not kill him unless he gives us no choice.”
“Why do you care so much?”
“The same reasons as before. We can’t do anything about the dead, but those that are still alive are a different story.”
“We’ll do what we can. And I’ll try not to snap his neck.”
“We’re here. Your barge is ready Captain,” A crewmember said.
“Thank you. Well Twily. Come on.”
Twilight and friends as well as Cadence and Shining Armor boarded the barge and sped off to an area in the mountains clear for departure. The eight hopped off and trotted down the winding pass deeper into the mountain. “Damn, sure is cold up here,” Twilight said.”
“Yeah I know,” Shining Armor replied. “Just keep your body warm and your will strong and we’ll be fine.” Fifteen minutes passed and they reached a point where they had to rest. “We can’t stay here for long. Just a few minutes.” Shining Armor opened his supply satchel and brought out a thermos full of soup. He drank from it before passing it around. All drank until the thermos was empty. Shining Armor placed the empty thermos back in his satchel and the eight were once again on their way. “We shouldn’t be far from the path that leads directly to the outpost here in the mountains.”
“Do you think that this will work?”
“It had better. Are you sure you want to do this Twily?”
“Hey girls,” Pinkie pie said.
“Yes positive.”
“Hey girls,” Pinkie repeated
“I know you’ve probably become a better fighter than me by now. I would never say this in public but I think you’re the one looking after me.”
“Girls!”
“What Pinkie what is…” Twilight was cut off as Pinkie wrapped her foreleg around her muzzle.
“Up there,” Pinkie said pointing with her other foreleg.
Twilight followed the path of her friend’s foreleg and her eyes rested on a slightly misshaped crag on a higher plane. Sitting atop it was a familiar white Unicorn in a green robe. “Peryite,” Twilight said with her voice still muffled by Pinkie’s leg. Twilight pushed down Pinkie’s leg and turned to Shining Armor. “What do we do?”
“I don’t know. What the hell is he doing this far up here?! Maybe this is good.” Shining Armor watched the fiend. He stared out into the distance as though contemplating something. “Maybe we can sneak up on him. If we can carefully position ourselves we can…”
“Come have a seat Twilight. The view up here is to kill for. You would know what is worth killing for though…right?” Those words put more chills in Twilight than the mountain air and the snow. Shining Armor gritted his teeth as his body prepared for a fight. “Even here you dog my steps. You truly are willing to destroy the world if it means I’d be killed in the process. I had thought better of you. This fanaticism, this perseverance, this determination; it’s fatal to the both of us. Sometimes giving up is the best thing you can do. Sure that reward may have looked shiny but it was merely gilded. When it peels away you’ll be left with only the truth. And the truth is a fickle bitch. I’d like to take my own advice; but I owe it to others to see this through.”
“Either surrender or get ready to fight!” Shining Armor said illuminating his horn.
“HAS THERE NOT ALREADY BEEN ENOUGH DEATH!?!? “Is this Genocide not enough?! Give up and just go home. I’ve had enough of all this for one painful death filled day. Can we not agree on that alone?! Are we truly THAT different?!”
“You destroyed my home! How dare you pretend to be a victim in this!”
“WRONG! I told your sister what would happen if she used the Elements of Harmony on the Crystal Heart. She destabilized it and because of that everyone there died. YOU DESTROYED THE EMPIRE TWILIGHT.”
“How dare you pin this on her!”
“Everyone will believe what they want to believe Twilight. You know this is true. They care not for the truth; only what they want to be true. But you and I both know who it falls on. I know you didn’t want to destroy the Empire. You simply refused to believe me. I can understand that. I wouldn’t expect you to trust me; but I hope you understand when I say I hope it eats your mind whole!” Shining Armor fired a beam at Peryite who simply stepped aside. “How rude,” Peryite said grabbing Shining Armor with his magic and slamming his face into the snow. “I knew you’d come Twilight. I have friends within your ranks and they told me of your plan. I knew you’d be here waiting to try and ambush me. So I came here myself to try and put this to an end for at least the day. I know not how we survived the calamity, but I don’t believe in such dumb luck. I know some force out there wanted us to survive. In its respect I ask of you, indeed, if you make me BEG of you: There has been enough death this day. Turn back and go home. We can lunge at each others’ necks some other day.”
“After all that’s happened? Do you really think we can just let each other go our separate ways? If you want peace so bad then fight me. May either of our defeats bring this war to a quicker end.”
“I’d like to think violence is not a foregone conclusion. I think it is an answer to many problems. It will always work. But I don’t think it to be the most optimal.” Peryite chuckled. “You know sitting up here reminds me of Uralia; the cold embrace of the northeastern winds and snow. Though it may sting it is just a form of love from the motherland. Life was not always great but it was always worth going on. We both have our reasons to draw breath, yet we both go and take life. It’s a beautiful day today Twilight. Snow is falling, nature is singing, on days like this. Ponies like us should be burning in hell.
Listen and hear the song the wind is singing
Sit down a while, and watch the snow falling
Life is a dream that always ends in dust
And it’s our fault right?
Standing in this mountain pass.
Who thought we’d be here like this together?
In a tranquil land like this,
Why would you want to seek death?
Once upon a better time
We could have been the best of friends.
Eating good food, enjoying laughs,
And having a good time.
But who can say now.
Those days are gone
And they’re not ever gonna come back.
Even after what I did she still looks at me…the same.
Looking at what she was. I knew I couldn’t afford not to do anything anymore.
Please just turn around and go back home please. Choose life.
Just go…away.
Let’s both choose life…please.
Listen and hear the song the wind is singing
Sit down a while, and watch the snow falling
Life is a dream that always ends in dust.
Look at what, we have done.
Is there still, a heart left in you?
Here’s your chance to not choose violence.
Please open.
Just one ear
And listen real close.
Listen and hear the song the wind is singing
Sit down a while, and watch the snow falling
Life is a dream
“Please just turn back Twilight. Just show me that you’re not consumed by violence.”
“What’s the point? We’ll only delay the inevitable.”
“Death is inevitable. But only the truly hopeless embrace it. We all try and prolong life.”
“But our lives will only keep ending others. So many have died; what does one more matter?”
Peryite sighed. “I see. Well…it was worth a shot I guess.” Peryite’s gloomy face abruptly dissipated and he smiled. “Guess you just like things the hard way. I just had to at least look for another way.” Peryite chuckled and slowly formed his blade. “Just don’t say I didn’t give you an alternative. I give you an olive branch, and you slap it from my hooves. Sorry Mother Celestia, but at least I can say with candor that I tired.” Peryite spread his wings and leapt down to the pass below. He illuminated his horn and fired a beam of magic at the ground and made a line of melted snow between him and the others. “Those of you foolish enough to try your luck against me, step forward. Everypony else had better not cross that line.” Twilight and Shining Armor stepped forward while the rest stayed respectfully behind the line. “There is some honor involved in challenging somepony to a fight to the death. It is respectable in a challenge for only one to fight at a time. Though I doubt either of you care. Come at me at the same time if you will. Call in a battalion of mages while you’re at it, why don’t you.”
“Don’t tempt me Peryite,” Shining Armor hissed.
“Enguarde you bucking son of a bitch!” Shining Armor and Twilight charged at Peryite who immediately took flight. Twilight pursued him in the air while Shining Armor fired at him from the ground. The two clashed. “You really are a bloodhound aren’t you Twilight? You felt you had to personally kill me didn’t you?”
“I don’t want to kill you. I only want this to end.”
“Really? Would it not make you smile to watch me bleed and cry?”
“I really want to say no.”
“But can you?”
“At the rate we’re going. We’ll find out soon enough.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’ll carve you like a turkey!”
Peryite pushed Twilight away from him and fired a beam of magic. Twilight quickly countered with another beam. The two strained their magical strength to try and overpower the other. “That Amulet of yours might make your power multiply but don’t bet your life on it. Even though your strength is far greater than before it is no match for the power I already posses.”
Peryite slowly pushed back Twilight’s magic as the lavender mare strained to keep his at bay. Shining Armor steadied his shot gauntlet and fired at Peryite. The burst of magic narrowly missed taking his head off but singed a hole through his right ear. Peryite cringed as the pain shot down his neck. He flew upward and then dived down towards Shining Armor. The white Unicorn fired at him with both his shot gauntlet and magic, which Peryite evaded. Shining Armor quickly gathered the snow around him with his magic and launched it at Peryite. Peryite shielded his face with his forelegs and passed through the snow. It did nothing to slow him down but it gave Shining Armor an opportunity to get out of the way safely. Peryite landed on the ground and frantically searched for Shining Armor. “I’ll end you for all you’ve done!”
Peryite felt a striking pain on his back as Shining Armor’s spear sunk into his skin. He cringed and bucked hard knocking Shining Armor to the ground. He took the spear from his back and severed it in two. Peryite fired a beam of magic at the white unicorn, smiling as Shining Armor yelled in agony. Twilight flew down to combat her brother’s aggressor. Peryite watched the lavender mare approach and chucked slightly stepping on Shining Armor’s neck. Twilight cringed as she picked up speed. When she neared him Peryite illuminated his horn and slammed her on the ground with his magic. She struggled to get up and he slammed her down once more with his hooves. He turned his blade to its dark half and stabbed Shining Armor in his right hind leg. The sounds of his cries of agony seemed to echo through the mountains. “You bastard!” Cadence yelled galloping forward to her husband.
“Uh, uh, uh,” Peryite mocked pulling his sword from Shining Armor and pointing it at Cadence. Cross the line and I’ll kill you.”
Cadence stopped in her tracks. She knew she couldn’t stand up to Peryite. She watched in horror as Peryite kicked Shining Armor in his head and laughed. “Please stop!”
“Don’t worry. Just look away and cover your ears and this won’t be so bad.”
“Why you dirty creep,” Rainbow yelled as she charged at Peryite.
“And one more joins in the fun,” Peryite said taking to the sky. “I don’t need a weapon or my magic to trample you!” Rainbow took several swings at Peryite who mockingly dodged all of them. “Tell me what do you think? Do you think the rest of your friends are spineless, or just smart? The difference between brave and stupid can be trivial.” Peryite illuminated his hoof with magic and swung at Rainbow Dash. The cyan pegasus sprawled to the snow clenching her ribcage in pain. “Get comfortable there unless you want to die.” Peryite trotted past Rainbow and returned to Twilight who was still held down by his magic. He held her down once more and knelt beside her. “Killing you holds but one true boon. Revenge. That being said, it would be…unfulfilling to make it quick.” Peryite pulled out a small phial of red liquid. He uncorked it and placed it up to Twilight’s nose. “Do you smell that? That’s the smell of death. Hebenon, the wrath and vengeance of each and every one of my soldiers you killed, bottled and itching to bring your end.” Peryite pushed Twilight’s head to the side and exposing her ear. “May your blood curdle and burn. DOSVIDANYA!” Twilight’s eyes dilated as she felt ice-cold liquid cascade down the side of her ear as she struggled to break free. “Take you medici…” Peryite was cut off as Shining Armor fired a beam of magic at him. Peryite leapt aside evading the attack. “You didn’t really think it would be that…” Peryite yelped as another beam ripped its way through his side.
Cadence panted heavily as her horn slowly dimmed. “I’ve lost too much to you already.”
Peryite cringed in pain as he turned towards the pink Alicorn. “I’ll mangle you, you godless whore!”
Peryite spread his wings and charged at Cadence. She did the same in an attempt to get away but Peryite had gained enough speed to knock her to the ground. Cadence struggled to her hooves and backed away from her aggressor. As Peryite readied to make chase again a burst of magic narrowly missed him. Twilight got to her hooves as well as Shining Armor. “Stand down Peryite,” Twilight said still panting a bit.
“You’ll NEVER take me. YOU’LL NEVER TAKE ME!!”
Peryite illuminated his hooves with magic and slammed them into the ground several times. The vibrations made by the shockwaves destabilized the snow on the top of the mountains. “Avalanche!” Rainbow shouted.
“Are you insane?” Twilight yelled.
“I’m desperate Twilight. The difference can be trivial.”
“We need to get out of here!” Shining Armor said.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Peryite said spreading his wings and taking flight.
“Wait! Get back here!”
“Forget about him. We need to get out of here. Come on, Cadence, Rainbow, Fluttershy, I need you to help me carry everypony else.”
“Right,” the three mares said as they aided the others.
Rarity clung to Twilight, Shining Armor held tightly onto Cadence, Applejack rode on Rainbow, and Pinkie saddled onto Fluttershy. The four took flight carefully making sure not to lose their passengers. “Well, that went about as south as I felt possible,” Rarity said.
“I know,” Twilight replied. “At least we’re all still here.”
As the four flew on a beam of magic narrowly missed hitting Cadence. “What the hell,” Shining Armor yelled.
“What’s happening?” Applejack asked.
“Peryite,” Twilight cringed.
Another beam nearly hit Twilight as they flew along. Peryite glided by the eight mocking them. “Two birds at a time, with one stone.”
Peryite dived down and struck Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus and pink earthpony plummeted to the ground. “Hold on,” Cadence said diving down to catch the falling mares.
Twilight tried to fight Peryite but she had used much of her strength already plus she was carrying Rarity. “Rainbow we can’t stay here. We need to find somewhere to land, somewhere with close quarters.”
“How about that cave,” Rainbow said pointing to a small opening in the side of a mountain.
“That’s as good a bet as we’ll get. Maybe this will give Cadence time to help Fluttershy and Pinkie to safety.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea dear?” Rarity asked. Without giving an answer Twilight and Rainbow made a turn for the cave entrance.
“How much longer?”
“We haven’t even reached Ponyville yet. Just hold on.
“Why are you so antsy?”
“The prisoner’s been so, quiet.”
“Would you rather I scream to the heavens and bang on the door?” Ghast asked.
“Not particularly. Guess I should be grateful. Why are you so calm?”
“I don’t see what good panic would do.”
“Well then just sit tight you son of a bitch. We’ll be in Canterlot by sunset.”
“Hey. What the hell is that?”
“Crap.” The driver slammed the brake and looked onto the road. Eight feet from them was a black pegasus sitting in the road. He stared into the distance with his back to the transport. “Hey! What the hell! Get out of the road!” The black pegasus turned his head to the driver before turning back to the horizon. “IF you don’t get out of here I’m gonna…” The black pegasus spread his wings and took flight. “Thank you! Come on let’s get go…” the driver was cut off as the roof of the transport dented inward. “Shit, come on.” The soldiers exited the transport to find the black pegasus standing atop the roof. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”
The soldiers opened fire on the pegasus who took flight and dived down on the driver with brute force. Ghast sighed and listened as the sounds of gunfire slowly stopped one by one. A single pair of hooves slowly made their way around the transport and stopped outside the back. The doors dented buck by buck until they swung open. The black pegasus stared at Ghast who did not return the gaze. “Brother Ghast. You look as though you’ve seen better days.”
“Go away Azrael.”
“Ungrateful to the end aren’t you Ghast.”
“Have you come to kill me or has our father simply sent you to retrieve me so he may do the job himself?”
“The latter would be more correct but father does not seek your death.” Ghast looked into the pegasus’s eyes trying to find even the slightest trace of deceit. “Undeniably he is quite upset you exposed yourself as you did. However he felt your skills would still be going to waste. You will of course be punished for this failure. Five years to a decade in the void. Time I’m sure will fly by your eyes. Also you are being removed from your duties here in Equis indefinitely.”
“Are you taking over?”
“No. Young Venn will see to it that the sheep are kept inline.”
“Cael trash!”
“He has proven his loyalty unquestionably. He is an honorary brother now.”
“Whatever. Just break these binds so we can get out of here!”
Azrael gripped the chains in his mouth and hooves and severed them, freeing Ghast. “Here. I brought you some ichor to mend your wounds,” Azrael said giving Ghast a phial of dark liquid. Ghast drank it in seconds taking a deep breath. Almost instantly his wounds began to heal. “Shall we be off?”
“Yes. Let us be rid of this wretched land.” With that Ghast grabbed hold of Azrael’s neck and he took flight.
“Yes I’m fine! I just had somewhere important I had to be. I know, I probably was in no condition to be driving that transport. Well, tell them if they care so much about it come down here and pick it up!” Casimir turned off his communicator and slipped it into his lab coat pocket. Seconds later it hummed once more. Casimir angrily answered it. “WHAT?! What is it now!”
“Sorry sir. Just forgot to mention the one that injured you was detained. Just thought you might like to know.”
Casimir had to think hard about what he was just told. “That…pony. Was detained?”
“Correct sir.”
“By who?”
“By…us. Is there something wrong sir?”
“No, no just…where is being taken?”
“To Canterlot sir.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me this soldier.” Casimir turned off his communicator and placed it back in his coat pocket. “Ghast captured. Could those words be true? For twenty years that stallion has held me in a grip of fear; that no one could help me. Could the answer have been that simple? Could authority have always brought him down? Am I free? Are we free? Even if Ghast can’t get to us I’m in far too deep. I’ve done such unspeakable things…all for that son of a bitch. I can’t ever let anyone know what Lightspeed Research was doing. Our secrets must be kept hidden at all costs.”
“Brother.”
Casimir sighed. “Yes Prim.”
“Is everything alright?”
“When is everything alright? Nothing has been alright for twenty years and it isn’t gonna change now.”
“Please brother! I heard what that stallion said. That … that monster that’s been the cause of our pain is finally gone.”
“You don’t honestly think that he’ll stay behind bars do you?”
“I think the fear he has over you is far more powerful than any magic he truly possesses. I think he’s got you on a leash, but now … now you have the power to take it off. We’ve been living in fear for so long. I know things have been hard on you; on both of us, but it can end.”
“While we’re on that. You’ve done precious little to make things easier. You run away every other week it seems. I have to drag you back here so you don’t tell the world about Lightspeed Facility’s true purpose.”
“I wanted to stop all this, but now we can together. Come on brother, no more death. Turn off the Mammon Machine.”
“Prim. Ghast specifically stated to NEVER turn off the Mammon Machine.”
“You would never let anyone tell you what to do if they didn’t have anything to make you.”
“Once I see Ghast’s head roll away from his lifeless body I’ll tear this thing apart with my own two hooves.”
“Brother we don’t have time to wait for that. You’ve done all this to keep us safe, but was the price worth it? We don’t even know what this…THING does.” Casimir turned to the large device in the center of the room. The main base of the large construction looked like a chrome heart. Atop it, several conductors siphoned some form of dark magic from the upper floors of the facility. Several large tubes and wires kept the Mammon Machine powered at all times by its own three private generators. At its bottom, a large thorn like object siphoned more dark magic from the floors below it. Various lights and fixtures glowed with the magic siphoned up from the facility. Casimir slowly trotted to the control panel of the Mammon Machine. He hesitantly slid his hoof across the various buttons on the panel until it rested on the shutdown switch. Casimir swallowed hard working up the courage to pull the switch. The white stallion shut his eyes as beads of sweat formed on his brow. Another hoof gently rested on his. Casimir opened his eyes and stared at his sister. “Let’s do this together.”
Casimir shut his eyes once more before wrapping his foreleg around Prim’s neck pulling her into an embrace. The two placed their hooves and slowly pulled the switch down. The machine’s hum slowly quieted until it slept. “Well now, that wasn’t so bad,” Casimir said breathing a sigh of relief.
“No challenge is too big if we tackle it together brother.”
“I suppose you’re right Prim, Guess I’ve just been too afraid to…”
“Brother what’s going on?!” Prim said with a worried tone as she pointed towards the Mammon Machine.
The device began emitting a high pitched sound as dark magic began to seep out of some of its pipes. “Prim let’s get out of here. This thing might be volatile. Come on,” Casimir said taking his sister’s hoof. As he did a bolt of dark magic erupted from the Mammon Machine knocking Casimir and Prim to the floor. Casimir cringed as he struggled to get to his hooves. The two began to glow with a black aura as the machine siphoned more of the dark magic out of them. Casimir panted heavily; he felt as though his energy and will were being sucked out of him. Casimir dragged himself across the steel floor to his sister’s side. “P-Prim,” Casimir said as he tried to shake his unconscious sister awake.
Casimir’s eyes slowly began to close as his vision blurred. “My oh my. What a can of worms you’ve opened up. You look pale, even for an Ural pony.” Casimir watched as a yellow veil of magic shrouded him and his sister. A cinnamon unicorn stallion trotted to the control panel of the Mammon Machine and turned the device back on. The Mammon Machine slowly quieted its high pitched noise and returned to a hum. Casimir felt his strength return to him slowly as the cinnamon stallion trotted up to him. Casimir looked up at him, his deep brown eyes showing warmth. The cinnamon pony wore yellow and brown robes with a leather tunic over them. The sleeves were yellow with brown at the base of the hoof area and had two blue stripes near the beginning of the shoulder area. The vest was a button up and had a small pocket holding a black book. At the end of the vest the robes continued with a black and white striped design much like a zebra. At last, at the end of that was one last section, a blue base with gold stripes. “Are you alright?” He asked in a calm soothing voice.
“Define alright.”
“You feel better than terrible, your body feels better than terrible, and things are looking okay.’
“Well then I’m only a third alright.”
“Turning off the Mammon Machine was not a good idea, Mr. Casimir.”
“How do you know about the Mammon Machine?”
“I’m Mr. Ghast’s replacement.” The fur on Casimir’s neck stood straight up at hearing this. “Relax now Mr. Casimir. I feel we can be in a much better ‘business’ arrangement than you had with Ghast. Where he sees a problem solvable with a pound of violence; I see the same solvable with an ounce of diplomacy.”
“If you serve the same bastard as Ghast how am I to trust you?”
“Did I not just save your hide and your sister’s hide? Yes Ghast and I might work to the same end, but our methods are worlds apart.”
“What do you want?”
“For things to remain the same. The Mammon Machine will continue to do its ahem…thing. Lightspeed will continue to do its…thing. And should we need anything particular from you I will see to it the message is delivered to you. Any question?”
“Only one. What’s your name?”
“Venn. Venn Fitzwilliam.”
“Very well then. Fare well Cael.”
“I hope there’s no bad blood due to the past.”
“None. Now what you do now determines if there is bad blood.”
“Obey and all will be well.” With that Venn took his leave.
“Are you two okay?” Cadence asked.
“I-I think so,” Fluttershy said still a bit shaken up.
“We can’t rest here for long. We need to find Twilight and the others,” Shining Armor added.
“I know. But I don’t think Fluttershy is ready to fly again, and I know I’m not.”
“Well let’s at least get out of this cold. The mountain looks like it has a cave with an entrance here.”
“Looks like it could at least keep us warm. Let’s…” Cadence was cut off as a sniper bullet hit the ground next to her.
“Where the hell are you aiming?! Kill the bitch!”
Another bullet narrowly missed the pink Alicorn. “Hurry, into the cave!”
Cadence threw Shining Armor on her back once more and followed the Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy into the cave. “Those soldiers aren’t giving up. They’ll hunt us down to the ends of Equestria.”
“Come on Cadence, we have to keep moving,” Fluttershy begged.
“No. There’s a higher path here. You take Pinkie and head up it.”
“But what about…”
“They won’t kill you…probably. You’re not symbolized as their hate. I’m a royal and Shining Armor is an officer. They’ll see us as the bigger catch.”
“But.”
“No. We need to split up now.” Cadence watched the yellow pegasus take the pink mare to the higher path before she galloped off. The Union soldiers were on her tail the whole way and her strength had begun to fail her after carrying her wounded husband for so long. “Shining Armor, can you walk?”
“I don’t know. Let me try and…ARGH!” Shining Armor cringed as he put weight on his wounded leg. “If I can apply the medical supplies in my satchel I may be able to limp but that would take about five minutes.”
“Shining Armor, I can’t keep carrying you like this. Sooner or later my strength will give out. I doubt those Union soldiers will search around for you if I’m still at large.”
“Cadence I’m not letting…”
“No! This is final,” Cadence said carrying Shining Armor behind several rocks. “When the Union soldiers pass start patching yourself up. I’ll be back soon.”
“Cadence!”
“I love you.”
Shining Armor watched his wife gallop off through the next tunnel. She didn’t make it ten feet before she stopped. A squad of Union soldiers held her at gunpoint as she backed up into the previous cave. “Bind her and give her a siphon.”
Two Union soldiers bound her wings and attached a siphon to her horn. As they did the previous squad that had pursued her galloped into the room. “Took you long enough, we called for your help quite some time ago. You couldn’t have intercepted them any sooner?”
“We got here as fast as we could.”
“Yeah well three of them got away.”
“Who cares? His eminence said he only needed one, then the rest will come to him.”
“You’d best hope that the king gives you a swift death highness. Otherwise you’ll find yourself begging us to give you death.”
“Not everyday we get to boast that we bagged ourselves a princess.”
“We’ll all get medals of the green banner for bringing you to the king.”
“Now be a good girl and come with us.” Shining Armor watched the Union soldiers take Cadence prisoner. He knew he didn’t have the strength to stop all of them, especially with his wound. He was the only one who knew of her fate so he had to bring the news to Twilight. When the sound of hooves grew quiet he began to patch his leg.
“You think we lost him Twi?”
“Nothing’s trying to kill us so…yeah.”
“Good point. But what now?”
“We have to find the others. Hopefully Cadence got to Fluttershy and Pinkie in time.”
“We have to believe she did Sugarcube,” Applejack said.
“Couldn’t we have picked a dryer cave? There’s ice all over the ground here.”
“Come on Rarity we have to keep going. Quit your complaining.”
“I’m not complaining.”
The four continued trotting deeper into the cave. The cold became more bearable as the mountain better held the winds back. “How much longer do you think we need to go to find an exit?” Rainbow asked.
“How should we know, it’s not like we came with a map of this place,” Applejack replied.
“Well sorry for asking I just…”
“Girls do you hear that?” Rarity asked in a hushed voice.
The four listened to the sound of several pairs of hooves clopping in synch. “Guess we found them Twi,” Rainbow said.
“Hold on. The Union has control over most of this area. Let’s find some cover, just in case.”
The four galloped behind a group of stalagmites and waited for the approaching ponies to come into view. “Marshal Kilian. Please wait up; these crystals are heavy,” a Union soldier complained as he carried a large crystal on his back.
“No excuses. No resting until we get these to our Generalissimos,” the Union pegasus marshal said. “Peryite needs us to get these in to him before the elements escape.”
“But Kilian…”
“Marshal! Only Peryite and the other marshals have the right to address me in such a way. All save Nikita,” Kilian added under her breath.
“Marshal Kilian. Please just give us a moment to…”
“Oh hell, give me that,” Kilian said taking the crystal from the soldier. “You keep watch for the elements. If you see them fry their manes. One of my divisions was in the Empire when they attacked. I want to see them pay for the deaths of my boys.”
The marshal led her troops down the cave to their destination.
“Damn, that was close,” Rainbow said.
“No kidding, Twilight dear I don’t know what that pegasus back there has planned for us but I think we need to find Shining Armor and the others before we find out.”
“I know, let’s get going.” The four continued down into the mountain keeping a close eye for any other movement. The caves grew darker to the point where Twilight and rarity had to illuminate their horns to see the path in front of them. “Be careful girls. That’s quite a chasm.”
“Damn, where’s the way out of here? We need to find the others,” Rainbow said
“I don’t mean to be pessimistic about our situation but…what if they got captured.”
“THEY DIDN’T!”
“I know it’s not something any of us want to think about but it’s a possibility we have to keep open. If they did then looking for them will only get us captured.”
“Enough, we’ll look for them once we’re outside of this cave but until then we need to keep moving until we find an exit.”
“Twilight hold on.”
“What is it?”
“Stop moving.” The four mares stood still. “Do ya hear that?” Applejack whispered.
Twilight and the others listened close to the sounds of approaching hooves. “Union soldiers,” Twilight whispered. “Let them pass.”
“Hey Fluttershy, where did that glowing we saw earlier go?” Pinkie whispered
“I don’t know. It was the only light in this cave too. Oh, why couldn’t it have stayed around a little longer? Let’s be careful Pinkie I can barely see the hooves in front of my face.”
“Fluttershy! Pinkie!” Twilight hollered.
“Twilight! Where are you?” Pinkie said galloping towards her voice.
In her hurry she forgot to take caution in finding the path and fell into the chasm. “Hold on,” Twilight said illuminating her horn and flying down to catch the pink mare.
She wrapped her forelegs around her and flew back up to the path. “Nice catch Twi,” Rainbow said.
“Oh thank goodness,” Fluttershy said breathing a sigh of relief.
“What are you two doing in here?” Applejack asked.
“Soldiers attacked us. We fled into this cave to escape. Cadence told us to run a different path so we could get away.”
“We need to find them. Union forces said they had some trap or something for us.”
“Fluttershy, can you retrace your steps and show us which path Cadence took?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Let’s go then.” With that the six mares began backtracking the yellow mare’s steps.
“Are you almost done yet?”
“Yes, you’re all patched up highness.”
“Ah, thank you Nikita,” Peryite said stretching.
“Of course. That lass did a number on you my liege.”
“I know; we’ll get her back though.”
“Also my liege, all the troops have evacuated the command post here. Soyuz launch facility is poised to bury our secrets and those allied dogs in a tomb of metal and snow.”
“Excellent Nikita. Our trap is almost ready. Soon, all we need is…”
“Your eminence. We brought you a prisoner.”
Peryite and Nikita smiled as the soldiers brought Cadence into the room. “Perfect. A fine catch boys, I’ll see to it you get A-level rations tonight. If all goes well then you’ll even get to dine with the Marshals tonight. Ah but first things first…” Peryite turned to Cadence. “Highness. How nice of you to join us.” Cadence didn’t respond. “Cat got your tongue? If not then you’re wasting it. We could always cut it out!” Peryite said placing his blade up to her mouth. Cadence’s eyes fixated on the cold sharp metal pressed to her lips. She gazed at Peryite; her eyes pleading for the white stallion to muster any mercy he could for her. “I haven’t forgotten what you did; attacking me when I meant no harm to you. I wasn’t going to kill you or any who stayed behind the line. Yet YOU attacked me. You’re an ignorant little bitch; and I’d love to cut you open and hang your worthless body on a spike. BUT. Even royal scum like you can learn to serve the collective good. All I require from you is an act of obedience. Show me that you can bow to me and serve the army of the populace.”
“W-what do you want from me?”
“Easy, your friends are still running amuck in this place. I want them punished. They’re quite near by now. I need you to scream, lure them here when my trap is ready and then we can detain them.”
“W-what will you do with them?”
“I won’t lie to you; they will be executed for treason against the populace of Equis. When Twilight’s head adorns the top of a Union flagpole all of my…nyet if you comply; our armies, will parade through the streets of every city we control.”
“I won’t help you kill them! I don’t care what you do to me; I won’t have them suffer with me.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Nikita said with a chuckle. “Can we torture her now?”
“Let’s give her a second chance now. My dear, believe me when I say it’s in your best interest to do what I say. I will get what I want from you one way or the other. But if you give it to me willingly then at least one of you will live. Doesn’t that sound good?”
“I won’t help you. You can do whatever you think will make me cry for help but I won’t”
“My liege. The crystals are in position!”
“Excellent Kilian! The trap is ready; now’s your last chance doll.” Cadence didn’t respond. “Suit yourself. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Peryite grabbed Cadence’s head and pulled her close. The pink mare’s eyes widened as she found herself locked in a kiss with the monster she hated and feared. Cadence tried to push herself away but Peryite kept her in place. After what felt like an eternity he released her and allowed the pink alicorn to catch her breath. “You’re disgusting you vile horrid…”
“Oh please highness, don’t flatter yourself. There is merit to that act, not lust. You might have known this already but my species can mimic the voice of anyone. All we needed was to get more…familiar with that tongue.” Peryite cleared his throat and changed his pitch of voice. “It’s both beautiful and horrifying; isn’t it my dear,” Peryite said in Cadence’s voice.
“My liege, the Elements of Harmony are close by,” a soldier said as he galloped into the room
“Excellent. What do you say my dear? Shall your friends come to your rescue?”
Without waiting for an answer Peryite screamed for help in Cadence’s voice. “No please…” Cadence was cut of as Nikita wrapped a cloth around her muzzle. Tears filled Cadence’s eyes as the sounds of hooves echoed closer and closer.
“You sure this is the right way Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked.
“I-I think so.”
“What do you mean think so? I know we were here,” Pinkie replied.
“Alright. Now which way did Cadence and Shining Armor go?” Twilight asked
“They went down here.”
The six mares followed the tunnel network that Shining Armor and Cadence had taken. It was evident that they had been here and were pursued by the hoof marks in the snow. “You sure this is where they went Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.
“This is the only path they could have taken.”
“Twi what if they got taken captive? I don’t want to believe that but maybe AJ was right.”
“Rainbow Dash?! Twilight, are you girls there?”
“Shining Armor!” Twilight called out as she followed her brother’s voice.
Shining Armor limped into the room a bit out of breath. “By Celestia I’m glad to see you girls.”
“I’m glad we found you too. Are you hurt?”
“No more than I was before. I managed to patch my leg enough so that I can limp but that’s about it. Never mind that though; Cadence was captured!”
“What!” Twilight wailed.
“I wanted to stop them but…in this condition there was nothing I could do.”
“It’s okay. They couldn’t have gotten far. Let’s check around, I’m confident we’ll find the soldiers that captured her.”
“Help, Twilight Shining Armor please!”
“Cadence!”
“Come on girls,” Twilight said galloping onward with her brother.
Shining Armor’s leg throbbed with agony but he ignored it as he hurried forward. “Cadence we’re here we’re…”
“NOW!!”
Nikita and several Union wizards fired beams of magic at the crystals. The yellow crystals glowed with magic and pinned Twilight and friends to the ground. “Oh thank goodness you came. I thought you would miss little princess prissy’s farewell party,” Peryite mocked in Cadence’s voice.
“H-how did you…”
“What speak in her voice? Believe me Twilight, that isn’t something you’ll need to concern yourself with for much longer.”
“Let’s kill them now my liege!” Nikita said smiling.
“Before we do that hand me our little guest you have there.” Nikita shoved Cadence over to Peryite who removed her gag. “Remember when I told you that I would get what I wanted from you one way or another? And that it was in your best interest to do what I said. Well here we are; and you’re all out of chances,” Peryite said shoving her to the ground.
Cadence stood still watching the approaching pony. She knew she was going to die here; no chance she could overpower or outrun him; She might as well just get it over with. “RUN,” Shining armor shouted.
Peryite was now right before her. She gazed up at the pony towering above her. “Strange,” he said somewhat indifferently.
“What is?” Cadence asked.
“You,” he replied. “Most don't face certain death with acceptance. Most go through denial, anger, bargaining, and sadness before finding acceptance. You look at me and you show you are accepting of what you are going through.”
“You're going to kill me,” Cadence replied. “I will not bend my knee and beg for mercy I know is nonexistent. If you're going to kill me; then in the name of whatever decency exists in you make it quick.”
Peryite looked down at her as if trying to comprehend her. “Tell me girl.” Peryite levitated his blade putting it under her neck. “When one is about to die their life flashes before their eyes. Tell me; what do you see.”
“I don't want to talk about it,” Cadence pleaded.
“Aww,” Peryite said somewhat sarcastically. “Well tell me how you feel about what you see.” Cadence was silent. “Well that doesn't sound like a very good life. I suppose I'll put you out of you're misery.”
“MISERY!” Cadence wailed. “MISSERY AND DISGUST AND DISAPPOINTMENT.”
“Really,” Peryite said somewhat curious. “Misery about what?”
“Somepony I hurt.”
“Hmm and the disgust?”
“I see that and disappointment in me.”
“Truly; now I'm curious. Tell me who was this pony.”
“A colt,” Cadence replied. “Somepony I loved.” Shining armor stared at Cadence shocked at what he heard. “Not like that,” Cadence said. “He was family.”
“Hmm and what did you do to this colt?”
“I told him one night I wanted him to go away. I never thought that would be the last time I ever saw him, dead or alive.”
Peryite felt a knot in his stomach turn. “Who...What was his name?”
“WHAT'S IT MATTER TO YOU?” Cadence wailed. “I loved him; can you even comprehend such emotion?”
“Peryite raised his right hoof, preparing to strike. Cadence fell back and raised her front hooves in defense. She waited but pain never came. She opened her eyes to meet Peryite (now eye level with her). “Tell me child. Did this colt care for you? Would he put himself between you and danger?”
“H-He cared for me; yes,” Cadence managed to say. “Why do you care?” she asked.
“Because; if you have something you need to do in this world it would be wrong to send you off with unfinished business.”
“Does it matter?” Cadence asked. “I'll never see him again.”
“I'm not so sure,” Peryite replied. “I can relate to you, you know. I lost somepony I loved once. I saved her life once; she did the same for me only ten fold. My life was nothing to brag about. Her life was something out of a fairytale. Yet she gave me a chance, a chance to make my life worth living. I thought of nothing but her. But after years I forgot about her. I can't remember anything about her now; only that she meant the world to me. I even made a little lullaby to her. I forgot the lyrics but not the melody. To this day every night I play it and reminisce when we use to sing together.” Peryite placed his hoof on cadence's cheek caressing her. She knew she should feel disgusted by this but to her astonishment this pony brought her an incomprehensible comfort. “You think I'm a bad pony yes. Yet for some reason, you can't call me a monster. You see something in me that somehow, you like. You just can't put a name to the feeling. Here let me help you.” Peryite leaned in close to Cadence. “Nostalgia,” he whispered in her ear. They say that sometimes one must bring back what is lost.
Or start anew. I think this is a time for both.”
(Peryite)
Though I know, not your name. I can still remember.
Your embrace, your warm face. All your love oh so tender.
Through the rain, through all the pain, I can still remember.
After all, the cold, cruel snow: Love is all that I know.
Tales tell; life is swell. Yet it's not always splendor.
But snow will go. Flowers grow. Love is all I remember.
Though time will flow. I still know. Love is always forever.
Though the rain, through all the pain, you must always remember.
I'll be there, so don't despair. You're more than just a mare.
Find your strength, in this song. Hear my voice and remember.
Love is strong. Sing along. Love is always forever.
Always know. I won't let go.
Of your love oh so tender.
The room was silent for all save the winds of the north’s muffled howls outside the cave. Twilight and friends stared at the stallion and mare. The Union soldiers and marshals were in the same state, nopony exactly sure how to respond. “C-Cadence,” Twilight stuttered.
Cadence got to her hooves and shakily placed a hoof on Peryite’s cheek. “P-Pyreite. “Is that truly you?!”
“So you are my sister. I never truly forgot you; but believe; when one thousand years passes before your eyes you’re grateful to be able to remember your own name; let alone others.”
“B-but you’ve only been gone about a decade. How could a thousand years have…”
“There’s an advanced age spell involved. I had forgotten what you looked like.”
“I-We thought you were dead!” Cadence said burying her face in Peryite’s chest.
“There, there. No more tears,” Peryite said embracing his sister.
“Ahem,” Nikita cleared his throat. “I don’t mean to interrupt this but uh KING PERYITE! There IS an elephant in the room.”
“Of course. Kilian. Escort Cadence here back to our HQ, I’ll tie up these loose ends.”
“Yes my liege!” Kilian said saluting Peryite.
The Union marshal and three soldiers approached the pink mare. “Pyreite.”
“That name died long ago Cadence. It’s Peryite, king of the Global Union.”
“Please don’t do this! How did all this happen?”
“I’ll tell you that tale later my dear.”
“How could you do this? The colt I knew would never have done this?! How do I know you’re still the pony I love inside?”
Peryite turned to his sister. “Cadence, I was always capable of violence. I nearly killed five colts when we first met so don’t say you didn’t know I was incapable of this. Second I’m still VERY capable of mercy.”
“Prove it.”
“How would you like to see said proof?”
“Spare them. Please.”
“My liege we’ve sacrificed so much for this moment. Don’t let this kraut trick you into…”
“Watch your tongue Nikita! Very well then Cadence. I will spare then. Well all of them except Twilight of course. She is after all the symbol of the U.E.A. And as for her brother well…I’ll be flat out honest, I just hate his guts.”
“My liege!”
“Calm down Nikita. It’s not like sparing the Elements helps our enemies. Now Cadence you won’t want to see this; believe me.”
Peryite drew his blade and approached Twilight. “Brother please!” Cadence said wrapping her forelegs around Peryite’s neck.
All the soldiers in the room drew their weapons and pointed them at Cadence. “At ease! She’s no threat.” Peryite turned to Cadence with a smile though he was clearly irritated. “Cadence dear. I love you; but I have a duty to my populace to be Twilight’s judge, juror, and executioner. So my dear, tell me, why should I spare her? Give me one good reason.”
“Because…because…” Cadence sighed. “Because they’re family.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“She’s your sister Peryite.”
Peryite trotted up to Twilight and knelt before her. He gently moved his right hoof over her mane much to the lavender mare’s unrest. “Family…but…but that would mean you…you…” Peryite took a deep breath trying to come to terms with the information. “OF ALL THE STALLIONS IN ALL OF EQUESTRIA!!! HIM. Why?!?! Why would you…I just can’t wrap my mind around it. Wait a minute, why am I yelling at you? It’s you I should be mad it you bucking son of a bitch!” Peryite yelled in fury as he pinned Shining Armor to a wall. “You bucked my sister you bastard I’m gonna cut your cock off!”
“Pyreite!”
“Fine! FINE! I won’t judge your ‘taste’ in stallions. I’ll spare all of them. BUT. In exchange, you will come with me back to the U.G.E.R. We have much to discuss dear sister.”
“King Peryite this is insanity!”
“We’re still taking Twilight prisoner Nikita. She will do no more harm and believe me she will be made miserable.”
“Pyreite.”
“No, sparing her is the most I’ll do. The rest of the Elements and captain sister bucker over there will be let go. That is the deal.”
Cadence sighed. “Very well. Do you promise?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll go with you.”
“Excellent,” Peryite said illuminating his horn. Cadence’s vision began to blur as she fell into unconsciousness. Peryite caught his little sister and set her on the floor of the cave. “Sorry Cadence. But I can’t let you see how we get back home; else you might try and run away. Kilian.”
“Yes my liege,” Kilian said picking Cadence up.
“Be gentle with her now Kilian.”
“I swear if you harm a hair on her mane I’ll…”
“Oh shut up you dirty sister bucker! It’s bad enough I have to spare you.” Peryite walked up to Twilight. “So…I guess we’re brother and sister huh? This bring sibling rivalry to a whole new level.” Peryite illuminated his horn and cast a sleep spell on Twilight and friends. The six mares slowly fell asleep. He moved to Shining Armor to do the same. “Huh, it appears as though I can’t concentrate my magic all of a sudden. What a pity. Guess I’ll do this the old fashioned way.” Peryite slammed his hooves down on Shining Armor’s head with all his strength. He repeatedly struck the white stallion until he was unconscious and his face was a bloody mess. “That’s for bucking my sister,” Peryite said spitting on Shining Armor.
“Peryite. You never told us you were related to the Alicorns,” Nikita said coldly.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“OF COURSE IT MATTERS! What else have you been hiding?”
“Nothing. Now grab Twilight and we’ll be heading home.” Nikita grabbed the lavender mare with his magic and threw her on his back. With that the Union forces and marshals made their way back to the heart of the U.G.E.R