55 - The Dark Lord Rises
Extended Holiday
Ch 55: The Dark Lord Rises
Act 6
Pensword, Grif, and Shiral raced down the halls together. Later they were joined by Conor, who was dressed in pants, but missing his shirt. A hospital gown covered his hairy torso as wires draped beneath, clacking together as he ran, grimacing. In the final moments Lunar Fang met the others, quickly handing Pensword his wing blades as she finished mounting her own. Pensword recognized them well, the blades from his wedding. He nodded grimly as they found Tower and Blast trying to attack the door, not budging.
“Out of the way!” Grif shouted as he headed for the door. Both earth ponies looked confused, but obeyed as Grif punched a heavy fist against the door. As it made contact a strong blast of wind shot out, tearing the door from its hinges.
Pensword ducked below Grif’s arm and charged the room. The others saw him freeze mid step as he stared. Lunar Fang jumped over Grif and froze, landing on Pensword’s back, both looking like life sized statues that could stack one on top of the other.
“Guys? What is it? What’s wrong? I can’t see.” Conor tried his best to wedge past the now frozen ponies and gryphon.
“Tower, Blast, take the girls and Conor and get them out of here.” Grif’s voice shook as he spoke. “Get them away now.”
“Like hell you will!” Conor swore, shocking both Grif and Pensword as he thrust his way through the opening and into the room before anyone could pull him back. A dark chill fell over his body as he passed. Something was in here. Something dark. And it was not happy. He winced, putting a hand to his head once more as the headache stabbed into his skull.
The inside of the study was completely black save for a single candle still burning faintly as it somewhat revealed the room. Shadows warped and shifted, causing all to be distorted. The once pristine desk was flipped onto its side, books and papers scattered about the room covered in a dark purple, near black, fluid that crawled towards the back of the room. There, against the wall, Shawn lay prostrate on his knees and elbows, the fluid pooling around him. His eyes closed as he coughed. With each bout more of the substance flew from his mouth, each time with greater violence, greater force.
Conor stepped slowly forward. He hadn’t felt this way since his friends had decided to talk about ghost stories and horror shows. All the warmth seemed to leech out of the room as the talk had continued. The main difference here was this felt more malevolent, amplified.
“... Shawn?” Conor called gently, concerned. “Shawn, are you alright?” He pressed closer to the slime, careful to remain away from the edge.
“What do you think, genius?” Shawn responded, his voice hoarse as he spoke before he groaned loudly in pain. The fluid collected itself around his right arm, slowly rising.
“Conor, get back.” Grif finally managed to find his voice again. “Something’s wrong. That’s not our Shawn.”
“What do you mean, not your Shawn?” Shawn called out once again before groaning, his voice soft as he spoke again. “...Run… I… I’m fading...” The substance was slowly solidifying itself onto his right arm, taking a crystalline appearance as it congealed.
Pensword had a look of absolute terror on his face. His eyes were almost glazed as he zoned out. “Fall back,” he whispered. “Fall back… get the door solidified.” He felt ice in his barrel as his life mate collapsed and hugged him around his neck.
Shawn moved his head towards them as he opened his eyes, his left eye clouded and unfocused while his right showed differently. A black energy seeped from it, his iris crimson as the rest turned black. “...Run… you… idiots..”
“Shawn?” Conor reached out and touched the crystal briefly. Receiving a shock, he recoiled, then turned to leave. “We’ll find a way to help you, Shawn.” With that, he left the room, back into the warmth of the hallway, his body trembling. “I have felt this but a few times in my life. Whatever’s got a hold of Shawn, it’s pure evil.”
As Conor passed, Pensword and Lunar Fang finally broke and tore out of the room like Tirek himself was after them. Pensword looked gravely to the Shields. “Drop Containment walls six and seven. I want this corridor sealed off to delay him.”
“Delay?” Blast Shield asked.
“This is Lord Shawn we are talking about. We can only delay at most. I want all civilians evacuated across the bridge. All of Shawn’s troops are to go with them as escort,” he ordered. “If he breaks through these…. I want the bridge destroyed and the Princesses to recall the Element holders if they can. That is Corruption.” He pointed a wing behind him, his mind drawing parallels between the events with Sombra in the Crystal Empire and just now. “NOW MOVE, YOU FOALS!” He ordered as the others started to race past them.
Grif looked to Shrial.
“Get to the family. Get the fledglings, the elderly, and anyone else who isn't ready to fight together and have Kalima and Thalia guide them to Zecora’s. Or perhaps this garden Thalia visited if necessary. Get Big Guns to bring down the gate.”
“I’ll do it. But you’d better not die on me. We need you alive, Grif Grafson.” She kissed him full on the beak, then flew off. “Mother!” She shrieked, unleashing a battle cry to rally the gryphon forces together.
Pensword nodded as a metal gate was pulled from the top of the ceiling and swung down to latch into place. They quickly flew back and lowered another sheet to reinforce the first. As they pulled back, Pensword looked down the other abandoned hallway before looking at the T-Section. He ordered another plate lowered to seal off the junction before he nodded. “Pull all you can from the castle. We are implementing Empty Nest,” he ordered.
“You get to the gate with the rest. I’ll meet you there,” Grif told Pensword as he turned to the metal plates and began hitting the outer surface with blasts of air. Slowly the metal cooled under the gryphon’s efforts. “I can buy a few seconds.”
“Right.” Pensword nodded his head. “Just do not go last stand. I do not want you at my side having passed on. I want you whacking me on the head with your wings when I do something dumb in the future.” He kept his voice under control. “Keep him busy, but do not engage him. If he starts to talk to you, talk back. Stall if you can.” With that he took off down the hallway to help with the sudden retreat. He had a gut feeling that whatever happened, Celestia would be coming soon. He just hoped she could help.
Pensword looked to his Life Mate, Lunar Fang, as they raced to their quarters. They would be carrying only the bare necessities and leave the rest. They quickly entered the room and while Pensword made use of his build to carry supplies for their trip, Lunar Fang was gathering all the supplies and a few toys for Moon River, who she carefully strapped to her barrel. They looked at each other for a moment before Lunar Fang took to the stairs while Pensword sealed up the Solar Suite. He looked around the hallway. “I shall Return,” he whispered before flying up and releasing the metal slab. It swung down and fell into the grooves built to hold the metal in place. “Hopefully that thing will not come this way.” He landed and took to running down the stairs. He did not want to risk straining his wings with the extra weight he was carrying.
Doctor Glyph Reader was practically dancing as the pillar throbbed with energy. A deep purple glow covered the stone as tendrils of darkness fed into it. “Yes, master, feed on it. Feed on the precious darkness and regain your former self.”
A dark and malevolent laughter echoed in the pegasus’ brain. “Yes! I feel it. So fresh, so powerful. So dark. Who would have thought my little crystal could produce so much evil. Welcome to the dark side, Hammer Strike.” Sombra laughed again.
“Master, the bird is back.” Glyph Reader frowned. “And he’s changed from your memories. Should I act to stop him?”
“No. If I know the bird, and I know him well, he will seek to destroy his lord. Let my viceroy to be take care of him. We shall remain hidden for now and bide our time until the opportunity arises to strike.”
“Soon all shall know your beautiful darkness, Master.” Glyph Reader smiled. “Your glory shall block out the sun and sunder the moon.”
“Celestia will die swiftly. But as for Luna … I have plans for her.” Sombra chuckled darkly. “Yes, I will kill her precious stars one spark at a time. And then, my darkness shall consume her pathetic light.”
“No one may know the true glory of your darkness, Master. The elements and the heart shall shatter and the light be forever shrouded.” He cackled. “And what of the mare who dared to reveal your secrets?”
“She has already had a taste of power. There is potential. I will use that potential and bend it to my will. Twilight Sparkle will succumb to the darkness in her heart, or she will perish.”
Outside in the main plaza, the commotion was as bad as market day. Confused ponies watched and bumped into one another as Soldiers did their best to herd them over the bridge to safety.
“Thalia, Kalima, take the little ones and all the old ones and get them to safety. Fly to the forest. You’ll find a hut there with several totems and boulders. A zebra lives there. Go, tell her the situation, and don’t let anyone leave her protection,” Shrial ordered. Thalia nodded.
“I know the place. I will seek her advice on the matter,” she said as she took to the air, the little ones soon joining her.”Alright, fledglings, time to earn your wings. Mother, you lead the old ones and follow me.” With that, the gryphons flew off together, the elder trailing the younger as they sought the refuge of the Everfree.
Shrial turned to face the rest of the troops.“As for the rest of you, I want you on escort detail. Get those civilians to safety in an organized manner, understood? No harm is to come to them. If any does, I’ll have your primaries. Now move!”
While the Griffons worked to maintain order from above, some of the architects were interrupting the flow below, blocking traffic as ponies tried to sift around them.
“Now hold on a minute. What’s the deal here? What’s happening?” they demanded in a babbling chorus as the guards did their best to keep the herd moving forward. One particularly stubborn craftspony, most likely their leader judging by his size, glared stubbornly at the guards.
“We aren’t moving from this spot until we get some answers.
Finally one of the guards snapped. “Look, I don’t know why, but we were told to get all civilians away from the castle as soon as possible. Whatever it is, it spooked the Commander, Grif is nowhere to be seen, nor Lord Shawn, nor Lord Hammer Strike. The Commander doesn’t give an order like this unless there’s a good reason. Now you’d better turn that flank of yours around or so help me, I’ll move it for you.”
“Are you saying that something is in that place attacking ponies?” One of the Civilians cried out as the word picked up. It soon spread like a grassfire on a dry Australian day. The artisans paled, many ponies screamed, and soon, rather than trying to push ponies forward, the guards were trying to prevent a stampede.
Fortunately, the bridge itself was being controlled by two rather large guards. One had a solid red coat while the one next to him had a solid blue one. Otherwise, they were completely identical.
“Calming down. Ponies is not getting anywhere with the screaming and the running,” the red one boomed in a deep voice.
“Da! Da! Best be taking the bridge in groups being no larger than five wide at a time,” the blue one roared. The stampede seemed to at least slow down as the two heavy muscled ponies kept them organized.
Pensword looked to his wife and kissed her on the forehead before dropping down to kiss his daughter. “My two,” He began, “Please be safe. When you arrive in Ponyville I need thee to both contact High Chieftess Luna and Princess Celestia.” He turned his head to the castle for a moment, his face unreadable. “Please be safe,” he repeated. “Lunar Fang, if I fall, You are to be the next in line for command in this battle situation.”
Lunar Fang’s face grew angry as she leaned forward. “Don’t you dare think like that. I am not,” She stopped as Pensword kissed her deeply on the muzzle. He slowly pulled away.
“Dear, I plan to have another foal with you in another year. But I have to keep the future of the military in tact. I will hold and snuggle with you when this is all over. Just remember, keep Moon River safe, and keep those panicking foals on the bridge in line. I will fall back when I can.”
Lunar Fang nodded her head slowly before pushing her forehead against her Life Mate’s. “I know, just, you come back to me in one piece.”
“I know. And dear,” He whispered. “Thank you for helping me get that Dragon’s blood off my body back during the Third Gryphon War.”
She smiled, showing her fangs.
“I promised I would be with you, and help you in everything I could do. You stay safe.” With that She quickly joined another group that were streaming out the gate. Thankfully, the evacuation was nearly finished. Pensword just hoped Grif would help stall Shawn.”
Pensword watched his Life Mate leave before turning to find Conor wearing some hodgepodge armor. He frowned. “Conor, you are to accompany the Cadets and Lighting Dust towards Ponyville and Fort Necessity. Await either our all clear, or us falling back to your position.” He held up a wing and spoke over the objections. “Also, I need someone to watch my daughter while Lunar Fang follows her calling and helps with the battle preparations.” He took to the air to look right into Conor’s eyes. “Is that clear?”
“... Fine,” Conor grumbled. “But you’d better not kill him. He’s still our Shawn.” Conor held out his arms, waiting for the foal, his face screwed into an angry scowl, whether from the headaches, or the anger at being sent away, none could tell.
“Moon River is with her mother, who just exited the gate. Meet up with Lunar Fang on the road or at Fort Necessity. Is that clear?” Pensword asked, still in the air. “You want to hold your adopted Niece? Then go find Lunar Fang.”
“... Good luck, Pensword,” Conor said, his expression softening. “Be safe. All of you.” Then he rushed across the bridge, pushing his way through like a pale styrofoam peanut in a flowing river.
Pensword looked towards Conor. “Good luck. And may this trouble not follow you,” he whispered as he turned back to help with some other evacuees. He noticed Epona pulling her wagon again, only this time ponies stared, confused, from the back as they looked on the castle. Link was doing his best to comfort Zelda as she cried. “Smart Mare,” Pensword muttered to himself.
Sweat started to trickle down Grif’s forehead as he kept the air moving around the metal. The problem was that Grif could move the air, but not cool it, and the room was running out of cool air to move. He could already see points where the metal was turning a cherry red. He had to back away from it as the heat became too much for him to take.
At one of the points where the metal glowed red, Shawn's fist broke through. After a moment he grabbed hold of the edge and began to pull at it. The sound of bending and screeching metal followed.
“Sh… Shawn?” Grif asked, stepping back cautiously.
“Of course it’s me, you idiot!” He heard Shawn yell back, his voice still hoarse. “Now help me get this barrier out of my way.” Shawn continued as he pulled away the metal, revealing the blackened crystals around his right arm as it stuck through.
“Shawn wasn't one to hold back, but he'd never call a friend an idiot,” Grif said. “I don’t know what you are, but you're just using him.”
“And you’re an idiot for thinking so.”
Grif threw his hands out, his energy nearly spent. The best he could do was send a hardened gust of air through the hole at shawn.
“What do you think you’re doing? You’re not helping in the slightest,” Shawn said as he slammed his foot against the metal, bending it out of his way with each strike.
“Not helping you,” Grif said, drawing his swords. He slashed at the nearby supports for the doorway. They cut clean through with the first stroke. The roof began groaning with the new strain. He ducked through the door just as the stones gave way, effectively blocking the passage, at least for a time.
Grif took a moment to breathe only to watch as the stones began to shrink away to nothing. The gryphon’s eyes widened. He moved down the hallway striking randomly at stone and wood, attempting to hold his friend off.
Tearing through the entrance, Grif took to the air. “BIG GUNS, PLEASE TELL ME YOU GOT THAT GATE DOWN NOW!” he shouted.
The minotaur grunted. “Almost … GOT IT!” he bellowed triumphantly as his axe cut through the support chains and pulleys. “Incoming!” he shouted as the gate boomed heavily shut with the finality of a tomb.
“Get across the bridge now,” Grif ordered as he landed outside the wall.
Big Guns dropped a rope and slowly rappelled down, his hooves clopping heavily into the stone wall with each impact. Then he dropped to the ground and started to run. “What about you?” he called back.
“I can fly,” Grif said, pointing to his wings. “I’ll keep an eye out from this end.”
“What now? You want me to head for Ponyville?”
“Head into the forest. You’ll find a hut. Thalia and her mother are there. Keep everybody safe.”
“I know the place.” Big Guns nodded and immediately trotted into the woods. “Be careful!” he called back.
The entrance doors slammed open. After a second Shawn walked out. His sleeves were in tatters, his right arm covered in darkened crystals that traveled up to his shoulder. Both eyes trailed a black energy that continuously flowed. He scanned the courtyard, noting the distinct lack of ponies before turning to head back inside.
Pensword was in one of the smaller side rooms storing documents and the like in a stone vault in the floor. He nodded his head as he moved to the door, looking to the sky and then back to the castle. He planned to return once he got information on how to combat what he was seeing. The Crystals reminded him too much of Sombra to be a coincidence. He froze as the doors slammed open and he saw Shawn. His eyes widened as the new Shawn stood in all his terror, the dark crystals pulsing in the sunlight. He guessed he made a sound as Shawn shifted his gaze to the pony. Pensword’s body froze in a sense of dread, feeling that if he tried to move he would die where he stood.
“Pensword,” Shawn called out. “Where is everyone?”
Pensword’s mouth felt dry. One wrong word could mean his death.
“Something came up that we felt couldn’t be fully contained. I ordered the evacuation of the castle. We were going to return with proper equipment to contain the breach and make it safe for Civilians again.” He prayed to faust the lie would work.
“Figures,” Shawn commented. “What is it exactly that is so hard to contain?”
“Magic,” Pensword responded. “Magic similar to what we encountered at the Crystal Empire.” He hoped his half truths would fit. “At the moment it is loose and could be hiding anywhere in the castle. There is no way I am going to let a second Sombra rise.” He fluffed his wings in a twitch.
Shawn chuckled. “Sombra… The fool had no idea what power he sat on. What he could have done with it,” Shawn said, lifting his right arm as he gazed into the pulsing light of his crystals. “But I know what can be done… I know exactly how to do it, too...” He chuckled again.
Pensword couldn’t begin to explain the emotions he had going through his mind as he looked on his friend. “What,” he began, “are you planning?” He continued praying, this time asking that Celestia or Luna would arrive to give a challenge, or at least distract Shawn for him to escape alive.
“I plan on fixing issues that I’ve noticed. The nobles, for example. Perhaps I could teach Celestia and Luna a few things, tell them about a few changes for the kingdom.”
Pensword paused. “Let’s stick with talking to the Princess's first, and maybe move from there,” he suggested, still unable to move. He gave a nervous smile. “Shawn, why am I terrified?”
“I don’t know. Why are you lying to me?” Shawn replied.
“Lying?” Pensword asked. “I am not lying about talking to the Princesses. They are on their way, most likely. There is something here in the Castle that needs to be contained to prevent a second Sombra-like incursion. And third,” he turned around and yelled at thin air. “Of course I am scared Whirlwind, I do not want to be on your plane of existence yet. I have a family to protect from this magic.”
“What are you hiding, Pensword?” Shawn raised his tone.
The moment Pensword broke eye contact the terror lessened and he found he could move. Without a word he shot into the air and flew as fast as equinely possible away from the corrupted human. “Shawn,” His voice broke. “I’m sorry, I have to make sure my daughter is okay… she didn’t look right.” He hoped this one last white lie might buy him some time.
Shawn waved his hand with disinterest.
Pensword caught the move from the shadows, but was too frightened to care. He quickly landed onto the pathway leading back to Ponyville. He turned back to the sealed gate, pondering it for a moment. Then he turned to the bridge and slowly walked away, his head bowed in shame. How was he going to save his friend? How could they purify him? They couldn’t risk the crystal heart; that blew Sombra up. He couldn’t risk losing his friend. He wouldn’t.
“What are we going to do?”
Grif couldn't look at Shrial or the other gryphons as he ordered the retreat. He had run from a battle and left a friend in trouble. Worst of all there was still something else in the castle he could feel pulling right down to his very soul. He took one look back before he led the warriors beyond the forest's edge to Zecora's hut.
“Why are we retreating?” Gilda asked as they moved. “You said a warrior's resolve should be their rock.”
“That magic,” Grif said. “Last time I encountered it, good ponies were corrupted and turned into mindless slaves by the one wielding it. Myself and the group I had with me fighting them were wiped out. I can't see you all dead. Neither by that magic, nor by the fight that would follow,” Grif said. “It almost took me.” He subconsciously rubbed his left arm.
“Then how did you fight it last time?” she asked.
“We holed up in the mines, struck at random places before fading back. We managed to get enough of Star Swirl’s exploding stone to destroy the city’s outer wall. Help got through, but not before every one of the ponies fighting with me died.”
“Then why don’t we just call in the crystal empire for help? They have a weapon that can beat it, right? And you and Pensword are close to the royal family. Can’t you just …?” Gilda left it hanging in the air.
“The weapon is a device with a very strict range and needs to be in a specific location to be used. Unless we can move the crystal empire a few thousand miles, we can’t expect help from that.” Grif shook his head. “We need to regroup and think about this in safety.”
“Why not just rush him? I mean there are a few dozen as is. If we all attacked him at once we could probably-” Gilda was cut off as a throwing blade sheared the air so close to her face she could feel it.
“We could what? Kill him? Even if we had enough force that's not an option. Somewhere under all that dark power is my friend. And for some of us, that means something!” Grif glared at her. He unsheathed a blade and held it out. The gryphons all looked on the sword with a type of awe and fear as the eons old razor sharp blade stood firm in his grasp. “I read the notes on this metal. Apparently Twilight did some tests for shawn while he was working on it. It can channel and absorb magic and seems to be one of the few materials that even hammerstrike can’t identify the aspects of. You think I couldn't have turned these blades on him?” He glared at Gilda. “You want to be a warrior? Then remember this: your heart reflects your code. I will not be the one to kill Shawn. There will be another way. I don't care if we need to wait till the elements return and use the elements of harmony against him. We won't be attacking him. Is that clear?”
Gilda gave a gulp and a nod, which was followed and repeated by a few of the other warriors. Grif looked to Zecora as they alighted at the makeshift camp. Tents and the like had already begun to be set up as the zebra trotted out to meet him. “I realise you're not a refugee camp or anything, but can the young and old stay with you? I’m willing to pay you for it.”
“They may stay as long as they need. But they must hunt in the wilds to feed. I have but one rule as plain as can be. Stay away from my potions. Do not touch anything.” A large minotaur tromped up to her and smiled sheepishly.
“Thank you, Zecora,” Big Guns said. “We appreciate it more than you know.”
Zecora’s eyes widened, then narrowed when she saw the weapons. “You. Inside. Now. We have much to discuss, and how.” Big Guns nodded and clopped inside as the other gryphons and younglings prepared to make camp.
Conor kept a close eye out, searching for any signs of Lunar Fang, but every thestral he passed said they hadn’t seen her. He sighed as they crested the final slope. There lay the little hamlet he had grown to love for its crazy antics and loving atmosphere. Now they were fleeing to Ponyville as a refugee camp where a wooden fort lay in wait to house the ousted ponies. He absently pulled at his newly spun navy cotton shirt. For some reason it kept yanking at his hairs, leaving little nicks of pain like a hairbrush catching a snag.
“Rook, how’s everyone holding up?” he asked, looking back at the herd with concern.
“We've been taking shifts carrying those who can't keep moving, but everypony is worn and tired. Morale’s low at the moment,” Rook said. “Whatever was in there had Pensword and Grif frightened. That’s not a pleasant thought.”
“No, no it’s not.” Conor looked down on the hamlet again as he and the other cadets pointed the herd towards the town. “A scout is going to need to alert the mayor about what’s happened. Has a pegasus or thestral gone ahead already?”
“We sent Forward Scout ahead,” rook said. “No one liked his jokes anyway.”
“Good. Then most of the ponies in Ponyville should hopefully have the fort ready for occupation. I’d hate for anyone to be caught out in the cold.” He sighed heavily as he put a hand to his head.
Something gooey and sticky brushed against Conor's other hand. He looked down to see the timberwolf pup, more than a little surprised.
“Oh, Sylvio. What’re you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with the gryphons and Grif right now?”
The timberwolf looked to his back where a familiar foal sat happily enjoying her ride. Sylvio let out a small yip, making the foal giggle. He looked to Conor with what almost seemed to be a grin.
“Moon River?” Conor stared at the wolf, his eyes wide. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for her? Has she been on your back this whole time?”
Sylvio let out a whimper communicating in the best way possible that he was protecting this small pony because she was important to Grif.
“Did Lunar Fang give her to you?”
The wolf lowered his head and rose it once, growling slightly. The she pony trusted him with her pup and she was part of Grif’s pack. Therefore, she was part of Sylvio`s pack.
“Why that no good, lying little …” Conor wrung his hands and gritted his teeth as another spasm of pain ran through his head. “Augh!” Without thinking he brought his sticky hand up to his head, leaving a trail of sap all over his face. He growled. “Great, just great! All I fricking need!”
Sylvio let out a whimper, backing away slightly as his wooden ears slid downwards.
Conor turned to storm down the street, stepping forward with a purpose, but as he planted his first step, his momentum didn’t stop as he suddenly fell forward, his face planting in the dirt and stones of the path. Black Rook swiveled as he heard the fall.
“Conor!” Rook rushed over to the human. He looked around anxiously before spotting some familiar figures “Oak, Williow, help us!”
Tall Oak and Little Williow charged forward. The mare was quick to check his vitals. “He’s alive. We need to get him to the hospital.” She looked at her brother. “Think you can carry him?”
“Eeyup,” Tall Oak answered, lowering himself to the ground. Little Willow and Black Rook carefully worked on lifting the prone human’s body and positioning him so he wouldn’t fall. Using some cord to secure him on the stallion’s back, Little Willow and her brother charged ahead in the direction of Ponyville Hospital.
In New Unity, forgotten by the former residents, and ignored by the current corrupted lord, The Great and Powerful Trixie was just finishing her breakfast of milk, oats, and an apple when a deep tingle raced through her body and a chill clutched at her heart. She had felt this way only once before when she first lay eyes on the Alicorn Amulet. Now that she knew it for what it was, The Great and Powerful Trixie stood bolt upright. “Dark Magic? Here?” She let loose a small eep as she eyed the dark mists billowing from the dungeon door and seeping up from the stones. “The Great and Powerful Trixie must defend herself!” She shot at the mists with her horn only for the energy to pass lightly through, leaving no lasting effect.
“Ohhhh what was that spell Light Horn used?” she said to her herself, trying to recall her training before she left and took to the road. The shadows drew nearer, as did the mist. She screamed. “I don’t want to die!” Her eyes darted left and right, desperate as she jumped onto her cott. She slapped herself with a hoof. “Come on, Trixie, get ahold of yourself. Concentrate.” She closed her eyes, her brow furrowed as her magic began to pool at her horn. The mists crept up the legs of her cott.
“Against the darkness I now defend. Protect me that I may make amends!” She cried aloud as she raised her horn, her eyes glowing white as her body rose. A shining barrier of light purple, almost pink, magic flowed outwards, pressing the darkness back. Slowly she lowered to the bedding. She swayed on her hooves. “I … I did it? I did it!” Trixie cried triumphantly before letting out a groan and crumpling into her sheets.
Pensword looked at the bridge from his position. He marveled, well, his human side marveled, at how he could inspect the bridge without any safety gear. Even after all this time, the fact he had wings that could fly still fascinated him. What made him frown was what he saw.
“Nothing. We built this thing to be sturdy, but...” He looked where the rock had blackened. “What did Shawn build this out of? The blasts should have knocked the bridge out. Do I need an Abrams Tank or something? Could a Saber round even do that?” He moved back to the path, looking around as he landed. “We sure know how to build things to last,” he said to himself, shaking his head.
A bright flash of light caught the Pony’s attention coming from within the walls of the general courtyard. “Pensword? Hammer Strike? Grif? Is everything alright?” Celestia called, her voice filled with worry.
“Princess.” Pensword spoke in shock. He quickly took to the air and flew over the wall. He landed, giving a hurried bow, another item he had come to terms with, and another step in integrating into Equestria. He approached the Princess and rapidly began to speak. “Shawn, Shawn, something happened, he, went all crazy on things. And he reminds me so much of Sombra now, but,” he paused for a moment. “Yet he did not attack us. He seems like himself, but not like himself. I can feel it inside me. That same emotion, that same, gut feel with Sombra. Princess, what are we to do? We do not have the Elements of Harmony with us. Nor can we really go all out for fear of killing our friend.”
“Pensword, Pensword, please slow down. Tell me what happened from the beginning. Slowly. When I felt Hammer Strike’s magic dissipate and received word of the evacuation from Spike I came to investigate. You mentioned Sombra?”
Pensword looked nervous. “Not here. Not in the courtyard… I do not want to bring his ire. Can I speak to you outside on the bridge?” His left ear twitched at every sound in the courtyard. A moment later a loud clang of metal being struck rang through the deserted castle city. Pensword jumped into the air. “Also, do not look into his eyes or you will feel like a false step will kill you.”
Celestia dropped her look of concern for her grave expression. “Clearly you have much to tell me.” In a bright flash of light, the pair were gone as a cold wind blew through the courtyard and black clouds gathered overhead.
Conor lay on the hospital bed. A sheen of sweat covered his furrowed brow as he tossed and turned weakly, mumbling incomprehensibly in his sleep. Nurse Redheart and Doctor Strange sat looking over his charts.
“I’ve never seen anything like it before, Doctor. You’re our special cases, and well … this seemed a special case,” she said, shuffling her hooves. Doctor Strange flipped through the charts.
“Shouldn't you be calling in a mage or something? You already confirmed the source is magical,” Little Willow noted.
“The scans showed more than an issue with magic, Willow.” Nurse Redheart pulled out a black sheet of a similar consistency to photographs. Doctor Strange took it in his magic and placed it on a light board as he flicked the switch. The human’s skull was now on display for everyone to see. “You see that? Right there,” Redheart said, pointing to the forehead. A strange mass had appeared, pressing awkwardly against the bone. “Our tests indicate this could be only one thing, but it’s impossible.”
“Okay, I’ve never seen a human’s skull before, let alone a pony’s, but-” Little Willow pointed to the object with her hoof. “-that can't be what it looks like.”
“... Interesting, but not my concern,” Doctor Strange said “If he can’t pay for the bills I have no business treating him.” He turned to leave just as the doors burst open, a huffing Lunar Fang blocking his way.
Lunar Fang looked at the Doctor. “Okay, right,” She smiled as brushed off a few imaginary dust spots from her armor. “I am here to say that all billings are to be forwarded to Lord Shawn. He’s taken a keen interest in helping the human find his place in Equestria. If you have a problem with that, you can take it up with him.” She was looking right at the Doctor, and thus missed the x-ray. “Is that understood? Do everything you can. Do any test you think can help. Bill when this is over.”
“Umm … alright then,” the unicorn doctor said as he rubbed a hoof over his forehead. “Nurse, I want a biopsy ready stat. We need to verify before we jump to any conclusions. Slate the patient as soon as possible. I’ll prep for the surgery.”
Conor stared into the darkness surrounding him. Roots and trees reared in ugly poses, their bows reaching down as if to take grab him and never let go. “Hello?” he cried, searching for any signs of life. “Is anybody there?” No response came. Shivering in a cold wind, he walked as dark clouds brooded overhead. Thunder boomed and water poured, chilling him further as it lashed against his glasses, sopping his clothes. He ran for shelter, searching anywhere, everywhere. At last he came upon a cave and ran inside. The patter of the rain grew less as he shivered in the darkness. Soon it passed altogether.
“Where am I?” he asked, searching for any signs of light. He could barely make out the hand in front of his face and soon, even that light was gone. His voice re-echoed back upon him as he looked down the tunnel, or at least where he thought the tunnel was. He got up and slowly picked his way as he felt the tunnel walls. They slowly grew softer, more moist as he continued along. Finally, he pulled his hand away entirely. “Eeyuck, what is this stuff?”
“This stuff, this stuff,” echoed back. The sticky substance clung to his hand even as he tried to wipe it off on his pants. A gurgling sound echoed faintly as he slowly made his way along, doing his best not to touch the slimy walls this time, though he did bump into them occasionally. How long had he been walking now? He didn’t know. His legs felt so tired. He sat down for a time. The sounds had grown so loud now. He was so close. Maybe there was a river, a stream, something to drink from and get a position for where to go. He sighed and closed his eyes for what felt like moments. When he opened them again, lights bobbed down the path. He closed. He opened. Closer now. They looked so cute. So small. Closed. Opened. Bigger now, but still cute. Little purple blobs. He looked down, nodded his head and …
“Oh, Gross!” Conor shot to his feet. Whatever had been on the walls, he was covered in the stuff now. The lights from the approaching creatures shone, revealing a purple fleshy cave lined with a black viscous substance. Conor tried to run, but his feet wouldn’t move. Looking down, two blackened, clear crystalline structures had formed around his feet. He shuddered. “Okay, calm down, calm down, this is a dream. A nightmare. It has to be. You just have to wake up, Conor. So go ahead, just wake up. Wake up. … Now.” He squeezed his eyes shut, then opened again. No difference could be seen. “... Now.” He tried again. Again, nothing. “Come on!” The creatures had pooled around his feet and began to crawl up his legs, surrounding and drying, forming more of the same crystal … crystal he had seen before.
“Ohh crap.” He struggled, doing his best to break free as he tried to brush the things off or break them apart. It worked for a time, but then they latched onto his hands, congealing into a large gelatinous mass. Slowly, it hardened and weighed him down. He watched as the crystal began to emanate a dark mist while his hands and arms gradually joined with his lower torso in his rapidly growing crystalline prison. Deep in the facets, he could see the glowing red eyes of the corrupted Shawn. A red horn curved in the purple glow as glowing green eyes trailing purple smoke appeared, their laughter echoing, redoubling.
“Join us.”
“You are mine.”
“You are ours.”
“Come.” Echoes upon echoes and whispers upon whispers filled the air. And still they came; still the mass grew, until he could hardly move his own head. He felt something plop on his hair. Then, against his rational nature, he did something he had not done in a very, very long time. He screamed in absolute terror.
Celestia sat looking gravely upon her Commander. The court had been cleared of nobles and the usual spies routed by her magic. When the princess wanted a private audience, she got it, whether the nobles liked it or not. The curtains over the stained glass effigies of Equestria’s greatest moments made the room dark as the princess awaited the report. Pensword kneeled on the red carpet as torches ignited magically in the suddenly brooding atmosphere.
“Now tell me, Pensword. What’s happened?” Celestia demanded from her place on her throne.
“I do not know. Grif just returned from his honeymoon.” She looked at him, confused. “Its a human term for the time couples spend after being married. Still, semantics can be held back for another day. He’d just returned when a scream rent the air and we raced to knock down the door. It had come from Hammer Strike’s office.” He shuddered as he recalled the memory.
“When we arrived, the desk was flipped and papers were strewn everywhere. Shawn was in the corner as he was overcome by something ... something that harkened back to the days of Sombra’s corruption in the Crystal Empire. We sealed up his area, and knowing his strength and fire, I ordered the evacuation of New Unity. I did not, I could not, risk having an army under whatever dark influences had taken Shawn.”
Pensword moved a wing to rub his body as if he was cold. “We left, and I got a good look at him. He appeared like the corrupted guards: black crystals everywhere. We need something to combat this, to save him. But we don’t have the means right now. When can the Element holders arrive? Or can we only contain it? Keep him in New Unity?” He looked at Princess Celestia. “How do-?” he broke off. “You have fought Sombra directly. How do we proceed?”
Celestia looked stricken as she took in the pony’s report. “And you are certain of this?”
“I saw it with my own eyes. I stared right into the black and red abyss of what you might call the eyes of whatever that thing is. Shawn is in there, I know it. Just buried underneath. I want to attack it, to break it upon the might of the Equestrian Military, but I do not know if we can. This is Shawn we are talking about. This is Lord Hammer Strike. We would need fifty Dragons to even make him so much as pause. I … I am scared I am going to lose my friend. I thought I would be the first to be lost in this world, not him.”
Celestia got up from her throne and trotted to Pensword’s side, laying a wing upon him. “Pensword, we never know what life may throw at us. Such is the burden and privilege of leadership. For now, as much as we both may love Shawn and Hammer Strike, we must think of the bigger picture. If he truly has been corrupted as you say, we must protect our subjects.” She stared back at her throne where her trusty broadsword lay mounted, glimmering with its own miniature corona. Then she nodded her head. “Very well. As much as it pains me to say this, I will fight him. For now all we can do is stall him and pray to mother that Twilight and the others get back here in time. I’ll dispatch a message to them before we head out. You’d best prepare yourself as well. Get something to eat from the kitchen. Calm your nerves if you can. We reconvene here in one hour.”
Pensword nodded his head. He looked at his armor and wing blades. He had been ready for battle ever since Shawn had cried bloody murder. He sighed heavily.
“I wear this a little too often,” he muttered, trying his best to lighten his spirits. “I shall see you in one hour ... after I raid the kitchen. I hope they have sugarcane in supply,” he muttered under his breath as he left.
Celestia nodded, then disappeared in a flash of light. She had allies to contact and a state of emergency to declare.
Grif examined the large totems that lay around the property outside Zecora’s hut. He had suspected a while back that they somehow kept the beasts of the Everfree away, but this was the first time he'd actually stopped to examine them. Doing his best to sense the magic in them all he got was the feel you get when your hands are covered in dust, like touching something ancient.
“What are these?” Grif asked.
“These totems represent Zebras from the past. Their spirits protect me from evil’s blast.”
“Shawn said that everything has some sort of thaumaturgic feel, but when I try to identify what makes these up there’s nothing there. Just a feeling. How old are these things? Even their energy feels dusty.”
“The age does not matter, but the spirits that guide. Their wisdom and love powers the magic inside. Much like your swords, wind rider’s pride,” she said, motioning to Grif’s sabers.
“What do you know about these swords?” Grif asked, drawing a blade. “Shawn couldn't even figure out what they’re made of.”
Zecora smiled in that mysterious way of hers. “That is not my place to say. Seek out the spirits to show you the way. As you learn from the masters they each will reveal, a fragment of story for the power you wield.”
“I don't suppose you have something, a potion or anything that could save him?” Grif asked her. Seeing the look on her face, he sighed. “Can’t make a potion for everything, huh?”
Zecora shook her head sadly. “To purify and save his life, another must rise to end the strife.”
“You know, you are by far one of the easiest people to talk to in this entire area. That scares me somewhat.” He chuckled. “It's all too easy for you to get people’s secrets.”
“If I had wanted, no secret would be. Every pony’s truth would belong to me. But such would be an evil desire. To act on it would make me a cheat, spy, and liar. It is better to wait and let them come to me, so we both may learn, and we both may see.”
“Is there anything out there that can help shawn?” he asked the zebra.
Zecora sighed. “Nothing the spirits will allow me to see. The future, once clear, has grown very murky. I know not why they hold back now. What I said to you earlier is all they would allow.” Her brow furrowed in frustration.
“I really can't thank you enough for letting the others stay,” Grif said. “I don't even know if Shawn's dangerous, but I can't have my entire clan stuck there when they could be sitting over a crate of dynamite while the fuse is lit.”
“It is my pleasure to help those in need. In fact, it is my duty and creed.” She smiled forlornly. “I may not know what will happen next, but I believe that all will end for the best.”
“I need to head to Ponyville and reconvene with the others. But before I go, Shrial and I were wondering if there was something you could predict for us.” Grif smiled.
Pensword appeared in the Throne room. He looked to Celestia as he adjusted the armor straps and nodded his head. “I am ready, Princess.”
“Good. I’ve alerted my sister and sent out a message to the crystal empire to alert Twilight and the others. We just need to hold Shawn off until they get here. Hopefully the elements will be able to purge him of the crystals. In the mean time, it’s up to us to keep him occupied. We must neutralize this threat, no matter what.”
Pensword nodded as he looked to her. “I also sent messages to both Grif and Lunar Fang that I am having her act in my station as Commander of the Equestrian Forces. I am fully expecting to be chewed out by her when this is over, but I cannot just stand by while you fight Shawn alone. I have to help delay, or at the very least, help if he overpowers one of us.”
“Pensword, I have little hope of succeeding. Hammer Strike taught us how to fight in the first place. The most we’ll likely be able to hope for is a brief delay. If we’re lucky we may be able to knock him out. If we do, we can create a containment field for him until the element bearers arrive. But enough talk. We have to act.” Celestia hovered her sword onto her back and strapped it in place, her body fully bedecked in shining golden armor. “Alright, I’m ready. Let’s go visit Hammer Strike.” In a flash of sunlight the pair appeared in New Unity’s courtyard. Celestia sighed. “I had hoped never to have to fight on these grounds again.”
“I just hoped to never have to be the attacker on these grounds. I was prepared to defend it, but-” he trailed off suddenly as his ears moved to listen and try to find their target. “Do not move first. Let us see what he does first,” he whispered.
“Damned barriers!” They heard Shawn shout in the distance, other voices accompanying him as another clang of metal rang through the air.
Pensword froze. “Why do I hear other voices? Do you hear that Princess?” He asked as he moved to a defensive stance, unsure of what was happening. “How should we proceed?”
“... We wait. This is to buy the others time to find a cure. The longer he takes to get out here, the better.”
Soon heavy footsteps began to grow louder and louder as Shawn made his way through the castle. Eventually the doors burst open, revealing the human lord in all his darkened splendor. The crystals had grown from their last encounter, spreading over his neck to his face. Meanwhile, underneath, his veins showed on his skin in a dark purple hue that pulsed in time to the crystals. After a moment of looking at them he spoke. “Need something?”
“Rebus egent?” A voice whispered softly into their ears.
Pensword looked to the Princess before looking back at Shawn, careful not to look into his eyes this time around. “Well, I figured you might have liked to discuss some things with Celestia. As I am a friend still, but no longer in your employ.”
“You don’t come in here armed to the teeth just to talk,” he said, eyeing Celestia. “Now stop lying, what are you both doing here?” His voice echoed in whispers around them.
“I’m here to stall. And to fight, if you’re up for the challenge,” Celestia said, smirking.
“A challenge?” The voices chuckled around him. “If you want to spar you shouldn’t have brought equipment, because let's face it…” He eyed the gear they had. “It’s not going to last long…”
“Non diu ad omnes…”
“We are prepared to give it our all, Corruption.” Pensword dropped any and all pretenses. “You have taken a friend, and we shall have him back.”
“And he will come back,” Celestia said with surety in her voice.
“You really don’t know, do you…?” Shawn smiled as he began to laugh, the echoes surrounding the group as they grew in volume.
The hospital was a whirl of activity as screams echoed up and down its halls. Doctor Strange ran for all he was worth, horn glowing as he burst into the room. Conor’s eyes were wide open, his pupils dilated. The sensors were beeping off the charts as his heart rate continued to increase. Adrenaline levels climbed ever higher as the once comatose patient continued his terrified wail.
“Nurse Redheart, tell me what happened. I want to know five minutes ago!” He barked. “And get me some anesthetic on the double!” Conor tossed and turned, lashing with his arms and legs as pony nurses did their best to secure him to the bed with padded leather restraints.
“Move!” The doctor yelled as his horn flared. The straps came to life, latching on to the human’s ankles and wrists. Still Conor thrashed as thin white hairs began to emerge with the pale ichor that was his sweat. More straps lashed up to attach to calves, thighs, upper arms, and torso. Running a brief emergency scan with his horn brought mixed readings. Something was warping the magical field of the hospital room, reaching from an outside source. The doctor swore.
“How am I to treat a patient if I can’t find out what’s attacking him? Get me a mage in here, stat!”
In Fort Necessity, Lunar Fang sat in what was meant to be the quarters for Pensword and she now that they were married. She marveled that the residents of Ponyville had been following through and finished building despite their abandonment. She smiled as Sylvio lay on the carpet while Moon River played with her favorite wooden toy Gryphon. Lunar Fang, of all things, was trying to knit. Though the product she was making was not anything recognizable. She frowned. “I hope I can make a Lunar Helmet hat for my little Moon River,” she muttered, then smiled again as she looked forward to when her daughter would be old enough to start defensive lessons. It was something to pass the time and help take her worries away from her husband. Yet even so, her hooves still twitched from time to time as she continued working with the midnight blue yarn.
Sylvio Lupis got to his paws suddenly as his ears perked up. He leaned down to give moon river a lick on the head, causing her to giggle as sticky sap seeped its way in before he turned around and lunged out the window, shattering the glass.
Lunar Fang gasped as the wolf scattered into branches below before reforming and dashing off to Tartarus knew where. “GRIF!” She yelled as she flew to the fragmented panes. “You are paying for a new window!” she yelled out to the open air. Then, when she realized she was alone, she turned around. “He needs to train that wolf better,” she growled as she stomped away to find something to cover the new gap. At least the broken glass was on the outside of the building.
Outside, Sylvio took off as he hit the ground. Dirt clouds and sawdust lingered in the air as the Timber Wolf ran at full speed towards Ponyville Hospital. He didn't slow down as Big Mac pulled in front of him with a cartload of apples. Seconds before the wolf made impact, his body broke into pieces that slid under or over the cart before reforming on the other side.
Sylvio continued in a similar manner, ducking and dodging ponies, and sometimes simply jumping right over them. Nothing could deter him. As he approached, the hospital doors barely opened in time as he leapt over a little orange pegasus with a bandage wrapped around her foreleg. As he did so, bits of sap and sawdust dropped from his mouth, dripping over her mane.
“Not again!” Scootaloo cried aloud as Sylvio bounded into the waiting room. The nurses attempted to stop the wolf, but he simply broke apart and shifted around them. He knew where he had to be and nothing would keep him from his goal.
“What is all the ruckus about?” Doctor Strange yelled into the halls, pulling a nurse to the side as the Unicorn Mage consultant continued his work, his brow beaded with sweat as his horn pulsed and he mumbled words and incantations under his breath.
“I’m sorry, Doctor. A stray Timber Wolf has gotten into the building. We’re trying to contain it, but it keeps eluding the orderlies. We weren’t trained for this sort of thing.” The screams had grown hoarse, practically fading as the human’s eyes rolled into the back of his head, his chest heaving beneath the straps.
The timber wolf in question suddenly ran through the door, bowling past Nurse Redheart as he bounded, landing at the foot of the human’s bed. He growled menacingly at the doctor and mage. Unlike other members of its species, who were made of jagged pieces covered in bark, Sylvio’s wooden plates were smooth like varnished wood. Their colouring now stood a clean snowy white contrasted by the mud and dust he had gained during his run. Unlike the sickly green energy that burned in a normal timberwolf`s eyes, Sylvio’s burned with a blue fire.
The wolf turned to face Conor. The sound of several ponies gasping could be heard for a moment before the wolf leapt onto the bed, crep up to the human’s head, and slowly leaned down. A brief glow surrounded the wolf as the unicorn mage tried to pull him away only for it to die and snap back as the unicorn groaned. Sylvio paid it no mind as he sniffed the human, whimpered, then started licking his forehead repeatedly. The screams died instantly. Conor convulsed once, twice, coughed up a brief cloud of blackish purple mist, then settled limply on his bed. Sylvio continued to lick him until a thick layer of sap had formed over the human’s head. Then he leapt down, sat next to the bed, and waited, blinking curiously at the pony onlookers.
“Aroo?” he asked, cocking his head.
“Okay, Guns, you stay here out of sight. I'm going to do a few fly overs. I’ll call if I need you, alright?” Grif asked.
Big Guns nodded. “Got it.”
Grif took to the air towards the castle. Oddly enough, as he rose up he started noticing trails of smoke coming from the courtyard. Craters and burnt areas dotted the space. Shawn sat on one of the steps near the entrance to the castle looking out towards the closed gates.
Against his better judgement, Grif dropped altitude. Changing in a flash of light a few feet above the ground, he landed with a flip, one sword already out. “Shawn,” Taze said. “What happened here?”
Shawn smiled, his red eyes pulsing in time with the purple crystal and veins. “Celestia and Pensword wanted to spar, so I sparred with them a bit.” He stood up.
“A quick fight,” whispers followed behind.
“But, now that you’re here… I need you to do something for me,” Shawn finished.
“And that is?” Taze held the blade forward, unswerving. “You know as well as I do I can't spar with these swords.”
Shawn strode towards the entrance and walked inside only to walk out a moment later, two individuals on his shoulders.
“Take them to a hospital or something… I don’t think they were ready for the match,” he said, throwing Celestia and Pensword towards Taze, both landing in front of him with a dull thud. Celestia’s armor was warped, bent, and torn at various places as scorch marks shaped like fists revealed the points of impact. A crumpled piece of metal bounced next to them, its crossguard barely recognizable. Pensword fared little better. His wingblades looked more like a snake about to shed its skin, its interlocking feathers now but a few. The rest had likely been torn from their mounts, or worse yet, vaporized in a blast of heat.
“Auferet eos.”
“I’ll do that, but you go back inside first,” Taze said, keeping the blade pointed. “Besides, you probably have a lot of work to do.”
Shawn rolled his eyes. “I’ve done enough paperwork to last a lifetime. I’m going to be heading to Canterlot in the next couple days and I plan on doing something with those nobles…” He grinned malevolently. “Who knows, perhaps I can set them right.”
“Ad esse rid eorum.”
“Yeah, well we can discuss that later. Go now. I can’t match you in magic, but we both know a dance with weapons is a different story.” Taze’s face never left shawn’s.
Shawn reached a hand out to his side, energy flowing as it solidified itself into metal, an average longsword forming and gleaming in the sun. He grasped its hilt as it finished and turned it over a few times before looking at Grif. “Perhaps another time,” he said, dropping the sword to the ground with disinterest. “I have more important things to do.”
“Then I suggest you do them,” Taze said.
“You don’t give the orders around here. Don’t you dare forget that.” Shawn’s brows lowered before he turned back towards the entrance and walked inside once more.
“And you don’t treat people like dirt. Seems change is contagious,” Taze said with a glare.
“Pugnam eum. Percutite eum!” The voices called out around them as Shawn stopped in his tracks and gave a small twitch. His hands curled into fists before he exhaled loudly and continued walking inside.
Taze sheathed his sword before shifting back to Grif. He lit the end of an arrow and fired it over the wall, waiting for Big Guns to confirm he was outside. An answering bull bellow echoed across the old castle ruins, which had now practically become new ruins in the wake of the last battle.
Grif moved to Celestia. His first attempt to lift her proved him unprepared for her weight. “Lay off the Faust damned cake, Celestia,” he groaned as he tried again, managing to take the alicorn’s weight with a strain he flew up over the wall before landing outside. “Guns, take her and get her to Ponyville Hospital,” he said, bending for the bull to take his burden.
“You got it. Big Guns’ll get started right away.” The minotaur was able to bear the pony’s weight a little more effectively as he draped Celestia’s limp form over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. The red root-like protrusions grew out to wrap around her form, securing her in place. “Huh, neat trick.” Big Guns smirked before he started charging down the forest path. “See you there, Grif,” he called back.
Grif took to the air again and flew over the wall, scooping up Pensword with alot more ease. “You got some explaining to do when you wake up, buddy.” Grif looked back to the castle. “And we are in need of a miracle.” With those words he headed back towards Ponyville.
Conor screamed in his dream, fear gnawing at his every fiber. He didn’t want to be evil, and he sure as Tartarus didn’t want to be petrified for all eternity like an insect in amber. Just as he thought all hope to be gone and his vision went dark, he heard a metallic clicking sound followed by a crack. The whispers grew more urgent, panicked even, as they muttered darkly. Then, with the sound of crashing glass, they shrieked and were gone as Conor’s prison broke into bits before flying away in a whisp of smoke. Cracks of light gutted the cave, spidering around and around until everything shattered. A blank white expanse now met his vision. On the edge the shadows had mixed with the purple now and flared angrily in the light.
“Be gone,” a voice echoed … well, not exactly. It was difficult for Conor to describe. It seemed almost like a voice and many voices all in one, but it wasn’t. It sounded feminine, yet it sounded like him. Kindof like how he felt when he got those weird premonitions from time to time. The darkness hissed as the shadows recoiled.
“It is ours,” a voice hissed in a tone that starkly reminded Conor of the character Smeagol from the Lord of the Rings films.
“You have no right. You have no claim.”
“Nor do you,” the flame-like thing spat.
“He has chosen a different path. You cannot sway him. You have no right.”
The creature lunged forward, only for a flash of light to push it back. It snarled in frustration. “The boy will make his choice. You will not interfere with the balance,” the voice echoed, reverberating through Conor as well as the creature.
“Give it to us,” it whined. “Let us have him. We’re so weak.”
“You lie, as is your purpose and your want. Be gone. He is under my protection and my power shall guide him. The balance will be maintained. Tell that to your master.”
The creature, or whatever it was, let out a gurgling roar of rage as it lunged for the human. Conor flinched, closing his eyes as the vision of light flickered for a moment. The thing laughed in triumph, pulsing purple and black like an angry bruise. “Your power is weakening, Binder. And we claim our prize. You are ours!” the chorus of voices said, returning in a triumphant howl of victorious laughter. Then the light flashed once more, bright as the sun as the white light split into a kaleidoscope of color.
“I rebuke thee, foul creature of chaos. Thy time of reign is come already and must needs end that the cycle may continue unbroken. Thou hast claimed thy champion. Thou shalt not claim another. Be gone!” The creature cried out in pain as it slowly shrank, its vaporous form compounding into a tiny wisp of darkness which faded from sight. As the light enveloped Conor, he sighed, feeling a warmth and peace he had not felt in what seemed like ages. He closed his eyes.
“I await thee, child from another world. Follow the messenger with the twin flames. He is an errant child, liable to much mischief, but he is loyal and true in heart. Follow him quickly, for time is not on thy side. Hurry, child. Fly to me with all haste,” the voice said, fading as the colors began to die.
“Wait, who are you?” Conor cried.
“Fly …”
“Wait!” Conor jerked upright in bed, well as upright as he could manage as he landed violently in his pillows again. Checking his surroundings, he noticed the restraints and the large set of hospital gown cloths that had been thrown over his body. “... Ow,” he said.
“My stars, Doctor, he’s awake!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed. Sylvio bit the restraints, chewing in an attempt to break them.
“What’s going on?” Conor asked, confused at his surroundings. “Where am I?”
“Ponyville Hospital,” Doctor strange said as he stepped cautiously forward. “You collapsed on your way to the town borders. Tall Oak and Little Willow came to check you in. And then this monstrosity here came bounding in shortly after you were hooked up. He hasn’t let us take so much as a single step near you since.”
“That ‘monstrosity’ seems to have accomplished more than you have, doctor,” A familiar voice spoke from the door as Sylvio’s ears perked up in excitement. His owner had returned. Grif looked to Nurse Redheart with a serious expression. “Redheart, we got an emergency here and another on the way,” he said as he lay Pensword down on a empty bed.
“Oh dear,” She said, rushing to the prone Pegasus as she began running the initial diagnostics, probing for broken bones, taking pulse, etc. “What happened?” she asked.
“The Commander-” Red Heart flinched. Pensword’s friends only used the title when they were angry. “-And princess celestia decided to ‘spar’ with lord shawn. Big guns is on his way with the princess. He’ll be as discreet as he can, but you're going to need a private room for her.”
“The Princess?” Doctor Strange scoffed.
“Yes,” Grif said. “The princess and the commander made a stupid choice, and now they both are lucky to still be breathing. Please keep up, doctor. I need to go inform Pensword’s wife of what’s happened. Lose those restraints, but if any of you so much as lift a finger against Sylvio, I won't be held responsible for the consequences and neither will he.” Grif left the room followed by a stiff breeze.
Lunar fang heard Grif before she saw him. The sound of the air blowing through the hallway was unmistakable as the black and green gryphon opened the door. “You're going to kill him, and Celestia. Then we're going to Tartarus to find them so I can kill them each again,” he growled.
Lunar Fang turned from where she was nailing a board to cover a window. “Is that before I get to smack your wolf to bits, or after?” She replied with a glare before it turned to worry. “What did he do?” She paused as she finally processed the other information. “Wait, Princess Celestia? What happened?” Her face creased with worry.
“They decided to go confront Shawn by themselves. No backup, no warning. I went to do some scouting and found them both unconscious and severely beaten. You remember Celestia’s nigh indestructible sword?” Grif asked as he pulled a long, bent, twisted and dented piece of metal out for her view. “Think about what he did to their bodies.”
“He was toying with them,” She replied as she stepped forward, her world shaken at seeing the blade. “What…? Will Celestia have to purge that place with solar fire? If he can do that to her blade, what will he do to the guards if they try to stop him? Or Ponyville?” She looked at Grif. “What has taken Shawn to cause my life mate to risk losing his family for need to stall?” She was smart and she knew her husband was smart. “What are they delaying for?”
“Even so, they played their cards too soon. He wasn't planning to leave for another two days. All they did was annoy him and take both of them off the board.” Grif looked at her. “Which means I need you with me on this. There is no way I can organize everything alone. I know this is a lot to ask, but I need you on duty until we figure this out.”
Lunar Fang slowly nodded her head as she walked towards a closet where her armor was stored. She paused as she gazed at the mounts. Something had caught her eye. “He didn’t use the wedding blades,” She whispered her eyes watering. She sniffed once before moving to place armor on her body.
“He’s going to be fine, Lunar Fang. You'll just have to tie him down for a while,” Grif said. “I promise you we’ll get this sorted out.”
She chuckled. “Oh, I have ways to tie him down without the rope.” She smiled as she swayed her hips. “Also, I think Fox Feather was looking forward to meeting Moon River. We’ll just have to hasten that meeting a little.” She finished tying on her helmet before turning to her daughter as she knelt down on her forelegs. “Now Moony, Mommy is going to have to fight.” She nuzzled her daughter, who cooed and looked completely at ease seeing her mommy in what some might call frightening armor. “So be nice and don’t get in trouble with Fox Feather, okay?”
Moon River smiled as Fox Feather walked into the room and paused. “Uh, this a bad time?” Fox Feather turned to go only to have Lunar Fang stop her with a leathery wing.
“No. Look, the Commander and Princess Celestia were operating based on how Sombra would have acted. Currently we got intel stating we have two days before the thing that drove Grif and Pensword scared will move from the castle. I need you to keep this quiet. Both Pensword and Celestia are knocked out from their attack, but-” She turned to Grif. “What intel did you get? You said that thing is moving out in two days. Did it say where?”
“He’s planning to invade Canterlot,” Grif said gravely.
Lunar Fang froze and so did Fox Feather. Lunar Fang looked back at Grif. “Grif, that news there...” She breathed out slowly. “Then losing two pieces was worth it.” Her voice choked. “They might be knocked out, but Canterlot? No, we have to stop this menace before it can move.” She looked to Grif. “As the Acting Commander those are my words. As his wife-” She looked to Moon River. “How I feel would be unfit for her ears. However, I will say this much. When he gets home from the hospital, he’s going to be sleeping on a cloud for a week.”
“Okay. Come on, we need to go see when Conor is getting out of the hospital. And then we need to talk to Luna. Quite possibly we may need to practice a bit. If we need to fight Shawn on even ground it’s going to take all three of us,” Grif said. “And no holding back.”
“Even ground? Oh, I have no plans on making this a fair fight. We push every single advantage we have. You go see your friend. I am going to see my husband and make sure he is stable.” She sighed. “I sometimes wish he was still on those blood thinners. He didn’t take these kind of risks when he was first in Equestria.” She looked to Fox Feather. “I leave Moon River in your care. Be safe and keep her safe.”
Fox Feather saluted in the affirmative as the two left.
Conor looked at himself in the mirror one more time, shifting his head for a better vantage point before running his hand through his hair again.
“How is this possible?” he asked. “I’m supposed to be balding. My hair stopped growing up there ages ago.”
“The way things are going, that’s the least of your worries,” Doctor Strange said as he placed yet another Archanoscan on the backlight. “For the last several weeks you’ve been growing what appears to be a solid mass of alichorn just above your gabella.”
“And that is … what exactly?”
“The substance which all unicorn horns are made from. It’s a natural way for us to conduct magical energies. We’re not sure how, but it seems that your body is absorbing and converting magical energies into physical manifestations, including your hair growing back and the mass you see growing in the scan. I believe your human doctors would call this a type of tumor. It certainly explains the headaches you’ve been suffering and the strain your body has been going through. Beneath that alichorn, your body has been forming what is called a carbuncle: a bundle of nerves that connects the horn to the brain, and thus,the ambient magic that exists throughout Equestria. I’d like to keep you here over the next few days for further study. This is by far one of the strangest cases I’ve faced in my entire career.”
“Wait a second. A tumor?” Conor jerked away from the mirror. “You’re telling me that my body is growing a mass in my head, here,” he said, jabbing his forehead and wincing. “And that it could potentially kill me?”
Doctor Strange snorted derisively. “Alichorn doesn’t kill. It’s merely the substance that acts as a conduit for magic. If anything, should the mass continue its rate of growth, you’ll find yourself sporting a lovely horn. In theory, once the horn finishes growing you would be capable of using magic just like any other pony. We took the liberty of performing a biopsy while you were out. The alichorn your body seems to be producing is a very high grade and there appear to be absolutely no signs of rejection.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better how, exactly?”
“It means you aren’t dying and there’s not anything really medically wrong with you. Your body just seems to be going through some changes. Call it a second puberty if you will.”
“And just how far are these ‘changes’ going to go? I can’t exactly go back home sporting a horn. It’d turn more than just a couple of heads.”
“Completely,” a familiar voice spoke up from the doorway.
“Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?” Conor asked as he turned to the purple unicorn. “Wow, I was wondering when I’d get to meet you. But um … what did you mean by completely? Were you talking about my heads comment or the former?”
Twilight rubbed one foreleg against the other. “The former, actually. It’s my theory that these changes will go on until there’s nothing left but an Equestrian unicorn,” she declared as she walked into the room. “I’m sorry it took so long, Doctor. We were in the Crystal Empire when your message arrived.”
“Thank you so much for coming all the same. I figured if anyone would have an idea about strange magics, it would be you,” Doctor Strange said, nodding in approval. “If what you say is true, we should keep him here under close observation. Just in case anything goes wrong.”
“Excuse me? You just told me I’m basically going to change species against my will, permanently, and all you can think to say is you want to keep me under observation while I go through it?”
“Do you have a better suggestion, Conor? We don’t know how to reverse this. The most we can do is try to keep you comfortable as you transition,” Twilight said. “I’m sorry. I really am. If I had a little more knowledge about how the transition between worlds works, I’d suggest an alternative, but as of right now, all we can do is wait.”
“Then why didn’t this happen to the others? And why’d this start happening to me now? I’ve been here long enough,” Conor demanded.
“According to the notes shawn translated, the thaumaturgic field does everything to preserve the well being of the being it surrounds-”
“Woah woah woah woah, the thaumaturgic what?” Conor asked, his hands raised in a slowing motion.
“Shawn didn't explain it to you?” Twilight asked.
“No, he didn’t. What’s a thaumaturgic field and what does it have to do with all of this?”
“You were pulled through to Equestria by Discord. Shawn, Taze, and Matthew fell through a tear between worlds,” Twilight explained. “When they did, they were exposed to a specific kind of magical energy that surrounded them and created a sort of field, or barrier. This field protects and heals them from damages both physical and magical in nature. Theoretically, that would mean that it prevented these changes from happening.”
“And since I don’t have this field, Shawn figured it wasn’t important to mention.” Conor sighed as he sat down on his bed. Sylvio whined, his ears laid back. “How long do I have?”
“I’m ... not sure,” Twilight said. “Going over the data, I think it might be that Equestria is trying to correct what it sees as an anomaly.”
“Well I guess your world has that right. I certainly am an anomaly. After all, Discord himself brought me in.” Conor laughed hollowly.
“And that's why I think this didn't happen sooner,” Twilight said as she lay a comforting hoof on the human’s leg. “Discord’s magic was messing with things to keep you unaffected, but even chaos magic can only last for so long. I've contacted Princess Luna about modifying the disguise spell she used for the others in order to give you a way to hide, so to speak. But I have no idea how to halt the process itself.”
“Shawn and the others are going to kill us,” he muttered. “Assuming we can even save Shawn.”
“To assume makes an ass out of U and ME,” Grif`s voice carried as he and Lunar Fang entered the room. “And we will save him. Nice hair, by the way. Didn’t know they’d developed a cure for baldness here.”
“Yeah. Let’s just say that’s not all I’m gonna be growing over the next couple of days,” Conor said.
“Well there’s more bad news. When we confront shawn it's going to be without the help of Pensword or Princess Celestia,” Grif said.
“What happened to the princess?” Twilight asked with worry.
“She and Pensword went to challenge shawn alone. When they wake up, they’re going to be very, very sore.”
“Well, now that the six of us are back we can get the elements and fix Lord Shawn,” twilight noted.
“Yeah... “ Grif started
“No,” Lunar Fang finished, shaking her head. “Not while he’s at full strength anyway. He'd likely have all of you unconscious before you had a chance to get in position.”
This started Twilight, Grif, and Lunar fang on a heated debate over the strategic value of the elements when Conor felt something tugging at the sleeve of his hospital gown. Looking down, Sylvio stared up at him, wagged his tail, then started to pull harder as he backed away.
“Sylvio, stop it. I’m not decent,” Conor said.
“The fruit will not be enough. You must possess the source.” The voice was quiet and seemed to echo in Conor’s head. He shook his head, looking about the room to see if anyone else had heard. Then it came again.
“We need to go while the white one is still strong.” Sylvio tugged again and whined. Conor looked down at the wolf even as he stared up in turn with his burning blue eyes.
“... The messenger with the twin flames …” Conor mumbled, his brows scrunching together. “You?” he asked
“Please!” the wolf’s eyes somehow looked sad despite the fact that they lacked any emotionally defining properties “We must help alpha before the darkness consumes his friend too much.”
“Conor? Everything ok? You're talking to Sylvio like he’s talking back,” Grif noted, having halted the argument with two extended hands.
“I … think he is, Grif,” Conor said uncertainly. His hospital gown tore in the timberwolf’s jaws as he yanked just a little too hard. “He wants me to follow him.”
“Well, why not just follow him then? It wouldn’t get any more bizarre,” Lunar Fang muttered, having done her best to tune out the fact that the human in the room was slowly turning into a Unicorn. She paused. “Twilight,” she asked sweetly. “Can you ... see what the others would have become if it was not for the magic field?” A sly twinkle shone in her eyes. “Something to start while you wait for us to deem it safe to use the Elements? As a personal favor to me.”
“I can, but that research would take too much time to even begin until this crisis is over.”
Grif looked at Conor. “A lot of disasters could have been avoided if more people had just listened to a dog.” He sighed. “Doctor, get him his clothes.”
Dr.Strange glared. “Now see here. I am the doctor and I said he stays for observation.”
“You may be the doctor, but I’m the patient. You said I was medically fine, right?” Conor asked.
“Yes, but-”
“Then I want to check out of this hospital right now. You have no right to keep me here since you’ve deemed me perfectly healthy. And if you try to stop us, I’m sure Sylvio and Grif will be more than happy enough to convince you otherwise.”
“Redheart, if you would?” Grif said with a nod.
The nurse nodded in return, running off and coming back with a bag. She then offered it to Conor.
“I’ll be in the lobby,” Grif told Conor. “Meet me there when you’re done. Come on, Sylvio.” The dog whimpered for a moment but followed his owner with Lunar Fang in tow.
Moving as quickly as he was able, Conor donned the clothing, gritting his teeth as he felt a familiar tug of fabric against coarse hair. He stubbornly set his jaw and shoved his personal concerns away for now. There were bigger things to worry about.
“You aren’t seriously thinking of leaving are you?” Doctor Strange asked.
“Yes, Doctor, I am. If there’s even the slightest chance of finding a way to save Shawn, I’m taking it.”
“But following a Timber Wolf? They’re one of the most dangerous animals in the Everfree.”
Conor shrugged. “Sylvio’s different. And if he is dangerous, then so much the better. He’ll be able to help keep me safe.” He slipped on his socks and tied up his shoes.
“You’re sure you won’t reconsider?”
“Doctor, these are my friends. I’m scared to death about all this, especially since I have absolutely no military training to speak of, let alone fighting. But they need me. If there’s any way that I can help them, I’m going to do it. I don’t know how friendship works for you here, but to me, my friends are family. And that means I have to do all I can to help them.” He stood and began walking to the door, then turned back with a wry smile. “Just look at it this way. In all likelihood, I’ll probably wind up back here again once this is all over. So you’ll still get your favorite patient.”
Doctor Strange’s mouth hung open.
“Goodbye, Doctor Strange. See you later.” With that, Conor left, walking with a deliberate pace to the hospital checkout desk. Grif and Sylvio were waiting for him. Lunar fang was hovering anxiously.
“Do you seriously believe me, or do you just not like doctors that much?” Conor asked, cocking an eyebrow.
“I have seen a lot of weird things since we got here,” Grif said. “But only an idiot doubts his dog.” He scratched behind Sylvio’s ears gently, the Timber Wolf panting happily.
“That wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with Old Yeller would it?”
“Not everything has to do with a movie,” Grif said. “I had a dog back home. She was a close friend for 14 years. I learned a thing or two from that dog.”
“Nuff said,” Conor replied as he turned to face the wooden wolf. “Alright, Sylvio. Where to now?”
“Lunar fang, get Luna. Tell her to meet us at Zecora’s hut. Hopefully we should be back by nightfall. It’s a full moon tonight so it may be our best chance.”
Lunar Fang looked to Grif and huffed in annoyance. “I shall. But if you go and do something insane like you always do, I will be sorely vexed.” She turned and quickly galloped away to the Fort to contact Princess Luna.
Grif smiled as she receded into the distance. “Good. Now we don’t have to worry about any issues with her. I get the feeling this one needs to just between the three of us.” He turned to his Timber Wolf. “Go on, Sylvio. Show us what you know.”
With a yip the white wood wolf leapt out the doors and began heading off towards the Everfree.
“By the time Grif and Conor return we’ll have this all sorted out.” Twilight smiled as she pressed boldly onwards, her tiara firmly set.
“Twilight, dear, are you sure this is absolutely necessary? I mean, we don’t even know if the elements will work on corruption. We never used them when we had to deal with Sombra,” Rarity said.
“Well I don’t care,” Rainbow Dash spoke as she flew over their heads. “If we’re gonna go and be awesome, I say we do it.”
“I don’t know, Twi,” Applejack started. “It feels wrong going round our friends’ backs like some two bit snake oil salespony: Saying one thing and going to do another.”
“I think Applejack has a point,” Fluttershy meekly whispered. “I mean, if it scared out all the ponies working at New Unity, it must be something pretty frightening.”
“And we’ll just kick its sorry flank, use the Elements of Harmony, purify the monster, and Princess Luna will have another friend,” Rainbow Dash responded swooping down and giving Fluttershy a hug. “So, Twilight, who are we facing anyway?”
“Lord Shawn’s been possessed by the same dark magic that King Sombra used.”
“Now hold on just one minute, Sugarcube. You saying that Sombra’s causing problems again?”
“No.” Twilight shook her head. “Sombra’s gone, but the dark magic he used is very powerful. It can corrupt the mind easily.”
“They why in all of Equestria are we going to try to face it? As I recall, a certain chaos spirit was able to change our minds no problem when we faced him before. How are we to stand against dark magic if we can’t even stand against chaos magic?” Rarity asked.
“Are you kidding? Twilight came through for us and we beat Discord. We know what to expect from the Crystal Empire. We won’t be caught surprised. We’ll beat this thing and get Shawn back. You wait and see.” Rainbow Dash looked at the others. “What? He told me to call him Shawn.”
Pinkie hopped into the middle of the group. “Sorry, girls. I just wanted to pack some cupcakes for when the big surprises happen. And to help cheer all of us up after.” She looked at the sky with a smirk. “Still, it is crazy all this is going on.” She took a deep breath and before any of her friends could stop she went on one of her single breath exclamations. “From Pensword and Princess Celestia fighting Shawn and getting into the hospital to Conor finding out he’s going to be a unicorn if he doesn’t find a way to stop it and now he’s getting some of his special talent with talking with Grif’s wolf, and-”
“PINKIE!” Twilight shouted, halting the bullet train monologue in its tracks. “How do you know that?”
“Know what?” Pinkie asked cheerfully.
“That-” Twilight face hoofed. “Never mind. It’ll be more confusing trying this conversation, and more than likely fruitless.”
The others laughed a little, soon to be joined by Twilight as she began to feel better. “But seriously, be on your guard, girls. The bridge is coming up.”
“I’m so glad they built this road in the forest,” Fluttershy began. “However, I think they’ll have to see about reworking it again. There are already small sprouts forming in the road.”
Applejack paused and looked at one of them. “Eeyup, just like the rest of the trees.” She shook her head. “We should get this path trampled a little more, or maybe covered in cobblestone.”
The six ponies soon came to the imposing gates, a solid wall of stone preventing entry … or exit. With a purple flash, Twilight ported herself and her friends into the courtyard, looking around nervously. “Lord Shawn, are you in here?”
“At least someone remembers the title.” Shawn said, walking into the courtyard from the front door.
“Aliquis recordatur.” The voices echoed after.
“Ohhh.” Pinkie began. “I love the echoes, how did you do it?” She asked appearing right in his face as she tilted her head to the side. “That’d be such a cool Nightmare Night prank to pull with Princess Luna. Can you do anything else? Turn into Smoke? Oh! How about crazy moves? Turn into bats?” Pinkie was suddenly cut off as she got yanked back by Twilight’s magic.
“Pinkie, please, don’t irritate Lord Shawn.” Twilight said hastily.
“Really? He looks more confused than irritated. No, wait, you’re right. He’s getting irritated,” Pinkie replied, her ears going flat against her head as she pouted. “You used to like my doing that.”
“I’d prefer you keep your distance,” Shawn said, dusting off his vest. “Now, what are you all doing here?”
Twilight stood forward. “We’re here to help.”
Shawn scoffed at the statement. “Help with what, exactly? Taking more of my research?”
“Opus meum?”
“Okay, first of all, you gave that research willingly. Secondly, I’m talking about that!” Twilight gesticulated to the dark crystals and veins pulsing in time to Shawn’s heartbeat. “I mean, look at you! This can’t be healthy.”
“I’m just as fit as ever, I’ll have you know,” Shawn said, glancing at the crystals on his arm before turning his attention back to them. “And I do not need help with these. All you would do is just screw it up, just like you planned on doing.”
“Proditores!” Shawn gave a small twitch with the word.
“The only thing we’d be ‘screwing up’ is whatever it is that’s controlling you. Girls, positions!” The ponies darted around the lord, arranging themselves into a circle.
“You’re just like the rest of them.” He gave a dark grin. “Go on and try.”
The rainbow chain began to form as each element glowed upon its bearer, weaving in the harmony of their friendship as they recalled all of their memories of the Shawn then knew and loved. The ribbon swirled round and round until it gathered into Twilight’s crown. Then she opened her eyes, smiling as the rainbow magic burst forth, her body surrounded in a white glow that shone from her eyes and mouth, radiating like a beacon as it bore down on the corrupted human.
High Chieftess Luna stalked the halls of Canterlot in her Ursa Major armor while the Lunar Guard stood protectively around her. She was rapidly writing messages on parchments before rolling them up and teleporting them away.
“How can this evil still persist? Shall we never be done with it?” She asked facing one of her guard Thestrals. “First Sombra, then I, then Sombra again, and now our teacher is being corrupted and our sister foolishly went after him. While it pleases me that she has taken to the blade again, she was not ready to face our teacher.”
“Oh, Lulu, something got you down?” a familiar voice asked.
“Discord! You…” Luna yelled before stopping and slowly smiled. “Discord, my sister tells me thou art reformed. We are loath to ask you, but we need thine help with a problem.”
“Oh?” Discord gasped over dramatically. “A problem your great and powerful elements can’t solve?” he asked, running a finger up her chin.
Luna’s left eye twitched while a wing moved to hold her guards at bay. “Yes, Discord. Unlike my sister, we prefer to have more than one plan in the basket. We need your help to contain a nightmare before it decides to come to Canterlot and play games with the nobility.”
Discord appeared in midair sipping a cup of tea. “And what, May I ask, is the name of this nightmare?” he asked pulling off his mane and using it to shine his hoof.
“Our teacher, Hammer Strike,” Luna replied, her expression flat.
Discord dropped his mane, the hair shattering like fine china as his eyes widened and contracted respectively. “Nope, not happening,” he said as his mane poofed back into existence. Conjuring up a suitcase he began packing bunches of oddly coloured boxer shorts.
“The Spirit of Chaos running?” Luna spoke in a mix of real and fake shock. “What has the world come to? What could possibly have gotten you so scared of him? You never met him more than a few minutes.”
“In those few minutes he managed to remove some energy from me. Permanently! I simply can’t take the risk, Lulu. Soooo sorry,” he said opening an umbrella and starting to float away. “Arrivederci.”
Luna looked at Discord as he floated out the window. “I have seen everything this day,” She said, stunned. She paused as a scroll appeared in front of her. She took it in her magic before it could fall to the ground and she laughed. “Guards, prepare to march on New Unity. We have been asked to join Grif and Lunar Fang in another planned assault. Huzzah!” She yelled as she moved towards the sky chariots. “Come. We ride!”
Grif and Conor trekked silently behind the timber wolf as he snuffled along the trail, weaving in and out of trees on barely discernible paths. The dark trees seemed almost to glare as their branches reached low toward the party of adventurers. Conor occasionally scratched at his arms as they walked along through the mists.
“So uh … how much further do we have to go before we reach this … white one, you called it?” Conor asked the wolf.
“The white one hides before the den of the sun and moon now empty after the eclipse,” the wolf responded.
“Hold it, you’re telling me we have to go practically to Shawn’s doorstep to meet this person? Won’t he sense us coming?”
“The white one is old. Too old. The corruption is not yet strong enough to find the white one,” the wolf responded.
“And I’m guessing neither could anypony else?” Conor shook his head. “Great, now I’m talking more like one too.” He sighed. “Normally I wouldn’t view this as such a bad thing if I weren’t slowly turning into a pony.”
“Try living as one for twenty years then finding out you weren't one to begin with,” Grif said. “It’s much more of a jar….” He stopped suddenly, drawing his blades with blazing speed as he sniffed the air. Sylvio began to growl at the forest around them. “Timber Wolves.”
“And not the friendly kind, I’m guessing?” Conor asked.
“Sylvio is the exception, not the rule.” Grif said
“They have fed on the black roots,” Sylvio added cryptically.
In an instant a huge bark covered wolf hopped out of the bush at Conor’s direction. Grif struck without a second thought and Conor got a first hand show as the wolf's body shredded to pieces as it flew towards him. “Sylvio, get him to wherever. I can handle this.”
“But-”
“Go, Omni!” Grif roared. Startled, Conor started to run as Sylvio darted through the trees and brush. Back in the distance, he could hear the sound of battle as Grif issued a loud cry. Multiple growls, yips, and snarls carried on the wind until the distance grew great enough for them to fade.
“Where to now, Sylvio?” Conor asked as a green mist rose around their ankles.
“Follow. Alpha will kill them. You follow,” Sylvio said as he bounded along a faded trail. The albino timberwolf shone like a beacon in the sickly mist as Conor raced after him. He jerked to a stop as a large ravine gaped in front of him. On the other side of the gorge, he could just make out the castle of New Unity. He pinwheeled his arms, doing his best not to fall, but the momentum was too much. Time seemed to slow as he gradually fell forward.
“Sylvio!” he cried.
The wolf bit the waistband of the human’s pants just in time and pulled him back.
Breathing deeply, Conor exclaimed. “That was too close. Thanks for the save.”
Then the timberwolf stepped over the edge and into the mist.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Conor said as he cautiously followed. The mist seemed to change here as sickly green met with a billowing greyish white. As Conor took his first probing step, he felt solid rock. Tapping harder, a brief echo answered back. It was solid. Breathing a sigh of relief he slowly walked downward, step by step as the mists and dangers of the Everfree fell far behind. “The white one’s been using a distractor spell, hasn’t she?” he asked as he looked back on the broad flight of steps and the lip of the chasm. “There’s no way someone wouldn’t notice the way down here otherwise.”
“This pup was pushed into the mist by his little brothers. This pup was scared and alone and followed the stars. The white one comforted this one. The white one gave this one the white wood. The white wood made this pup strong, made this pup feel good. This pup searched for his mother, but when he found her he was attacked. This pup would have died if not for alpha,” Sylvio said as he led Conor down the stairs.
“That’s horrible.” Conor reached out and ran his hand down the wolf’s head and neck as they continued to walk. It was sort of a reflex with him by now. He may not have been able to always help out with what people needed, but he sure knew how to show love and compassion.
“This pup was found by alpha. Alpha took him to the healer. Then alpha made this pup his packmate. This pup needs to help Alpha,” Sylvio said. “You are also part of Alpha’s pack. So this one can trust you to help Alpha.”
“I’m glad one of us can. I’m not really of much use in a fight. I can’t stand the thought of hurting someone else.” Conor sighed. “You could say it’s one of my biggest strengths and biggest weaknesses.”
All further conversation stopped as they stepped into a cave at the end of the stairwell. An incredible feeling of immense calm and peace overtook both man and wolf as Sylvio led him through its gaping mouth. A small glimmer shone in the darkness as they approached before lighting up to reveal one of the most breathtaking sights Conor had ever seen. A large crystalline tree with long branches that reached to the roof of the cave and even longer roots that spidered out across and under the floor stood grandiosely, its crystal fronds waving gently in the draft like wind chimes. Five empty gem shaped holes stood on the branches while the trunk seemed to have some sort of locked star shape knothole. Below it, growing into the wood were the images of two incredibly familiar cutie marks.
“... What is this place?” Conor asked.
Welcome, Conor, a serene and familiar feminine voice spoke. I am harmony.
“Okay, I know you were in my head earlier, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised that you know my name. Um … it’s nice to meet you, but uh … where are you?”
Right in front of you, the voice spoke back.
“Where? I can’t see you. Are you supposed to be a spirit of some kind?”
You are looking right at me, the voice said.
The comment Sylvio made about fruit and it not being enough came back to him as he looked at the sconces in the tree once more. “Waaiit a minute,” he said. “Harmony? As in the elements of harmony?”
They are my fruits, my children. I do so miss their company. The tree’s voice had a sad tone to it.
“Alright, so you’re a sentient tree. I’ve heard of weirder things.” Conor shrugged. “One thing I always believed is that everything has an intelligence. Yours must just be really advanced to be able to reach out to my mind. Oh, by the way, thanks for saving me before.”
I regret to say I have only partially saved you, the tree said. Chaos is too much a part of you to be cleansed fully. But I will also make harmony a part of you. Thus the balance may be maintained and you will be free to choose your own fate.
Conor shuddered. “Thank you. I’d rather not go through … what Shawn is right now.” His face fell. “You said something about saving him, right?”
You must purge him, the tree said. The branches shook and something glinted as it broke away and landed on the ground, ringing with the musical note of pure crystal. The crystal in question sat glinting white in front of Conor, nearly a foot long, its cylindrical shape tapering to a lethal looking point as it glowed with little pinpricks of light like stars swirling inside the mass.
“... Please don’t tell me I have to kill him,” he said as he picked it up like he would a live snake.
Have faith! He will survive. But to be saved he must be destroyed, the tree warned. The magic will leave his body without discrimination. He will be very weakened from the experience.
“For how long?” Conor asked as he drew closer to the tree, laying a hand on its trunk. He closed his eyes as a brief tingling sensation ran across his palm. The wood was smooth as can be, almost gemlike in its quality of cut. “And sorry, but this has been eating at me for a while now. How is it that I can hear you anyways, but nobody else can?”
When the young one’s sap came into contact with your alichorn, a bond was formed with you and him. And thus, through him, you were connected to me, She explained as the feeling moved into his fingers and across his body until his whole frame tingled. The crystal in his hand pulsed and flared as it grew steadily brighter before tapering off and becoming completely clear. Looking down, Conor could just make out a tiny concentrated pinprick of light deep within the crystal, biding its time like a turtle in its shell. The tree shuddered, its wind chime crystals clinking madly.
“Are you alright?” Conor asked, concerned.
I will be fine. This is more important. Take the crystal and go to the Zebrican’s home. She will be expecting you, as will your friends and allies. I have but one request.
“Yes?”
Tell no one of what you have seen and experienced here. No Pony, Gryphon, animal, or human can know of my existence.
“Not even my friends?”
Not even they. You know of me and have heard my purpose. I must preserve the balance. Now you must also by keeping my secret safe. Can I trust you?
Conor sighed heavily. “It’s going to be difficult to explain this without telling at least a little bit,” he said, running his hand up and down an arm absently.
Sylvio is a good judge of character despite his youth. Ask him and he will direct you aright. But know this. Those with whom you share this secret must take it to their graves.
“I understand. Thank you, Harmony. I’ll do my best.” With that, Conor turned to leave. “Sylvio, let’s go. We have a friend to save.” As the two left the cave and started up the stairs, they turned back one final time to glimpse the beauty that was the tree of harmony, the great keeper of balance. Conor gave a last distant salute before the pair rose back into the chaos that was the Everfree Forest.
The flash of rainbow light slowly died as the ponies lowered to the ground. What rainbow energy remained seemed to almost writhe as it gradually coalesced into the shadowy hand of a silhouette. As the dust began to settle, Shawn stood there, crushing the ball of light in his fist as the dark mists rose from his smoldering eyes, pulsing in time to his crystals.
“But that’s not possible,” Twilight said moving back slightly.
“Did this go according to your plans?” Shawn questioned.
“Misellus! Vobis omnibus.”
“What did you do?” Rainbow Dash shouted in horror.
“I simply took the energy from the elements and solidified them,” Shawn said, opening his hand to reveal a bright crystal in his hands. “A neat trick… Now, do you want to see one of my tricks?” He grinned.
“Bring it on, Crystal Brain!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she reared in the air.
Twilight paled as she took a step back. “Girls, we should be moving away. What he holds is crystallized aspect of the Elements of Harmony. I don’t know what will happen. But I really don’t want to find out what he could do with it.” Her mind returning to the box Shawn destroyed with the small crystal, a crystal that far smaller than what he now held in his hand.
“Come now, I want to show you all an interesting experiment.” He twitched. “You could have killed me with those elements. You all want me dead, don’t you?” His grin grew.
Twilight glared at Shawn. “The Elements don’t kill, they restore balance. They saved Nightmare Moon, turned Discord into stone and back to flesh. They wouldn’t kill.”
“To do such a thing is to kill me. This power flows through my veins, keeping me alive. And should you attempt to ‘fix’ this....” He shook his head. “You would purge every bit of power in me, thus…” He rolled his hand towards Twilight, wanting her to finish his sentence.
Rainbow Dash answered. “If Twilight says it won’t kill Shawn, it won’t kill him. It might kill you, whatever you are. You’re just using his body for yourself.”
“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelled.
“What? You think I didn’t hear you and Spike talking through your window about Nightmare possessions while I was trying to nap?”
Twilight rolled her eyes before facing Shawn, smiling. “What he’s saying is true.” The rest of the mane six gasped. “But Rainbow is right as well. We would only be killing the corruption, not Shawn.”
“None of you are getting it through your thick skulls!” Shawn shouted, the echoes silenced themselves. “I am Shawn! I am myself, my actions, my drive, everything I have done.” His grin was gone, his expression was flat. “There is no parasite, there is no being controlling me! If words won’t get through to you…” His hands clenched into fists. “You are leaving me less and less choices…”
“So, what choices are left?” Rainbow Dash asked as she snorted and snapping her wings open to fly in to the air while Fluttershy put a hoof on Rainbow’s side.
“Please, be careful. We shouldn’t antagonize him anymore… maybe we should leave and come back another day?”
“Getting rid of you would be a wonderful option,” Shawn said. “Either by your own means…” He reached out a hand, metal forming over his fingers as a gauntlet covered it. “Or by my own methods.” He grinned. “Perhaps even test a few ideas I had.”
Fluttershy shivered. “I want to go home,” she whispered.
Applejack looked around, unsure what to think. The elements had failed, and as she looked at the battle damaged courtyard, she realized just how strong Shawn must have been. “I have to agree with you, Sugarcube. It might be best to retreat for now.”
“Retreat?” Rainbow Dash asked in anger. “How can we retreat? We always save the day. We can't just stop now.”
Twilight looked at her friends, trying to weigh their options. “No,” she said, her voice dropping. “Applejack is right. We should retreat for now.” She looked to Rainbow Dash. “We have to plan better.”
Rainbow Dash glared at her friends before she turned to face Shawn, locking eyes with him in a test of dominance and daring. “I am not leaving my friend.”
“You want to try something, don’t you?” Shawn grinned. “What will you do? Leave, or go against what they want you to do?”
Rainbow Dash glared at Shawn a few more seconds. Her front left hoof left a groove in the dirt as she pawed. “I’ll be back to beat your sorry tail,” she said with a glare. She turned around. “Come on, Fluttershy, I bet we can do something in Ponyville to cheer you up.”
Shawn chuckled darkly as he shook his head. He kept his eyes on the group, waiting for them to leave. Twilight’s horn lit up and they disappeared in a flash of violet colored light.
“Pathetic,” Shawn said as he turned back towards the entrance. “Perhaps I should speed up my plans…”
Grif looked at the gryphons around him. “Okay, listen up. I don’t have long, but this needs to be said. In a few moments I am heading out to what is likely to be the most dangerous fight I’ve ever picked. It’s entirely possible I won’t make it back alive. So, if something happens to me, I don't want you all breaking up.” Grif looked around the assembled faces, his smirk betraying his pride. “You all are my family and I am proud to share your name. Bring me honor. Bring us honor.” With a solemn nod he turned away in time to notice two approaching figures.
“You’d better not be thinking about doing anything stupid without me!” Conor called out, smiling as he walked triumphantly into the camp with Sylvio at his side.
“Conor, this is a fight, not a storybook thing where everybody lives. You could die!” grif said.
“Yes, I could. But so can my best friends. You think I’m going to just sit back and let you guys endanger yourselves recklessly while I’m stuck on the sidelines? Besides … Sylvio helped me find an antidote.”
“Oh?” Grif asked “What sort of antidote?”
“... This.” Conor gently lifted the crystal up, his hands now rough with stout white fur over them. His nails looked smoother now, and slightly thicker. He grimaced at the sight, but said nothing. “It’s a crystal filled with pure energy. The exact opposite of Shawn’s corruption, right?”
“Okay, so you're holding an incredibly volatile, dangerous bundle of condensed purity aspect. I’ve read Shawn’s notes. He’s shown me first hand what that stuff can do. Are you sure you want to be anywhere near that?”
“I have no idea what it can do. I just know that it’ll work. … Somehow.”
“Which is?” Grif asked.
“... A mutual acquaintance of Sylvio and I said Shawn has to be purged. I assume it has to be done with this crystal. I just don’t know how.”
“When Chaos and Order work together as one, only then can corruption be undone,” Zecora said sagely as she approached from behind. “Where corruption has taken a physical form, there you must strike to restore the norm.”
“So I have to hit Shawn where the crystals on his arm formed?” Conor asked. Zecora nodded sagely.
“So the spirits have told me to say. It is the one and only way.”
“So you wish to not only enter a battle against a master combatant with no previous training,” Luna's voice carried over as she joined the small gathering. “But to get in close enough to stab him? I am not sure if you are brave, stupid, or both.”
“You have a better idea?” Conor asked. “Also, I haven’t tried fighting him. For all I know, he may be neutral enough to let me approach.”
Grif and Luna looked to Lunar Fang for her input.
“While that is an interesting take, and a possibility, I cannot allow that kind of risk,” she stated. “You will be with us. That could automatically declare you to be an enemy. You also mentioned that this crystal-” She moved a wing to point at the thing. “-Is to destroy this corruption. That means if he can sense it, he will go on high alert right away.”
“Then what should we do?” Conor asked, looking into the crystal’s depths. “Too bad I can’t see the future with this,” he said, letting out a hollow laugh.
“It is not good to know one’s own future,” Lunar Fang muttered. “It can lead to overconfidence. I almost fell to it a few times in the Third Gryphon War.”
Grif reached for the crystal. “If anyone’s going to stand so much as a chance of hitting Shawn with this, it’s me. Let me take it.” Conor sighed heavily as he presented it to the Gryphon. As much as he hated to admit it, Grif was right.
Sylvio’s ears pulled back and he whined. “Wait, Grif, don’t!” Conor cried, but it was too late. The crystal flared angrily as the gryphon made contact and a jolt of white light shot into his arm. Grif let loose with an eagle’s cry as he recoiled, holding one taloned hand with the other.
“What the hell was that?” Grif shouted.
“... Sylvio warned me just now. The crystal was a gift given specifically to me. It won’t let anyone else hold it. And … well, it really doesn’t like you for some reason. Sylvio said it had something to do with chaos.”
“So basically we have to take you with us no matter what.” Grif let loose an exasperated sigh, absently rubbing his claws as he tried to restore feeling.
Lunar Fang looked to Princess Luna. “I’ll Watch him,” She offered as she narrowed her eyes at the crystal. “But you better not do anything dumb.”
“Why on earth would I go and do a thing like that?” Conor asked.
She had a flat expression with her eyes showing long suffering. “Because they do it all the time,” she replied pointing at Grif with a wing.
“Ahhhh, so you know my pain.”
“You’ve been here for a few weeks, Conor. You haven't even begun to see the dumb things yet.” Grif chuckled to himself.
“True, but I sure had to deal with enough antics back home before with Matthew and Taze. From what I understand, your personality and Pensword’s are dead ringers with theirs.”
“So we keep hearing.” Grif sighed. “Okay, lets gear up and get this circus on the road. I just hope we don't end up regretting this.”
“You have a plan?” Conor asked.
“We usually do,” Lunar Fang responded.
Luna nodded. “Tis a simple plan. We distract him so you can get that Crystal where it needs to go.”
“So where would I need to be positioned then? I assume I need to hold back until after the battle is engaged, then probably sneak in while his attention’s on you, right?”
“Sneak up on Lord Shawn?” Grif laughed. “You’re going to wait on the wall.”
“I meant hang back and have somepony help me get into my hiding place after the battle is engaged. We don’t want Shawn to know the crystal is there, right?”
“He might even know already,” Grif said. “That thing gives off a pretty strong pulse.”
“... Fair point. I’ll take your word for it. Alright, so just get me in and I make my way up to the top of a wall? Or will Lunar Fang fly me up there while you engage with Shawn and I just wait?”
“Three shifts,” Grif said. “Lunar fang will carry you to the wall while I initiate combat. Luna is going to come in after a few moments and make him split his attention. Lunar Fang will then harass him from the air once you’re firmly situated. We’ll lure him to the wall and then you can take him by surprise, ok?” he looked to the three of them for acknowledgement, his military bearing coming once more to the forefront.
“Sounds like as good a plan as any,” Conor said. “I guess it’s a good thing I haven’t lost too much weight yet. Should work to my advantage when I jump on top of him.”
“Yeah, you might even stun him for a second,” Lunar Fang spoke with a poke from her hoof to his stomach. “Still, just be careful and let us know if that head of yours starts to hurt. We’ll do something to fix it in the mean time.”
“I can take a headache,” Conor said grimly, even as he winced. “What I want is Shawn back.”
“That’s all any of us want,” Grif said. He drew one of his swords and stuck the point into the circle of friends. “Glory or death. We either come back with shawn or we don’t come back at all. Only come if you're serious.”
Luna nodded to Grif, placing meteor impact across the blade “So let it be.”
Lunar Fang extended a wing and placed it upon Luna’s Meteor impact. Her freshly polished wing blades glinting in the light.
“Count me in.” Conor placed his hand on top of the pile, his ears slightly pointed as he flicked his hair out of the way.
“Then this warrior’s pact is set. Glory or death. Let’s go kick some flank!” Grif said, withdrawing his blade and sheathing it. “I will meet you in front of the gate in 20 minutes. There is something I’m going to need from the tower if I’m going to do this.”
“... We’ll meet you there.” Conor took a deep breath. “This is really happening, isn’t it?”
“I would know if this were a dream,” Luna said as she reattached her hammer to the harness on her back. “I Never thought I’d have to do this fight for real, though.”
Lunar Fang remained silent as she did a personal check on her armor, wing blades, and harnesses. She nodded her head once. “Ready, High Chieftess,” she said, doing her best to hide her worry.
“Then let’s go. Sylvio, you come along too. You can wait at the gate. If anything goes wrong, head back here and warn the others,” Conor said.
Sylvio whimpered a bit but followed the four.
Grif stood at the gate wearing an armor that he, well, Taze, hadn’t worn in months. The dragon scale armor had mercifully been adjusted with the changing spell to fit Grif’s body. The scales added better protection against heavy impact and heat, both of which the gryphon figured would be coming in great quantity in the coming fight. He had added the pauldrons from the crystal empire and the wing protection for greater defense. He stood at the far end of the bridge facing the gate as he waited, idly cleaning his flintlock.
Lunar Fang approached the bridge with Conor at her side as they formed up next to Grif. A moment after that, Luna teleported in her Ursa Major Armor. She looked upon the group. “We are ready to face our teacher. May we pull him back from the darkness.”
“Amen,” Conor said, fervently.
“Lunar fang, get him to the wall.” Grif nodded to the thestral.
“Yes, sir.” Lunar Fang saluted before wrapping her hooves under Conor’s armpits and lifting him up to the wall. She quickly dropped him and crouched behind some of the crates on the ramparts for protection while she scouted the courtyard. Conor took cover behind one of the sconces in the parapet as he held his precious bundle close.
Before they could do anything else, the gates to the castle burst open. Shawn took a few steps forward before noticing Grif and Luna. No weapons were on his person. “Well now...” he said looking to the two. “What are you two doing here?”
“You could say this is an intervention,” Grif said as he holstered his pistol, “Everyone here is here ‘cause they care about you.”
“The two of you and possible others hiding away?”
“Teacher, look what the corruption is doing to you,” Luna pleaded with him. “This needs to stop. We can heal you just as I was healed.”
“You mean just like the Elements of Harmony tried?” He questioned as he reached into his coat and pulled out a glowing white crystal. “I don’t think they worked.”
“Put that down,” Grif said, reaching for a throwing blade. “We have something else. Something more powerful.”
“I’ll stick with my crystals for power,” Shawn replied as he rolled his eyes and placed the crystal back into his coat. “They continue to collect energy for my own use.”
“Valde utilis.” Shawn’s voice came from behind them with the sound of his footsteps. “Very useful.”
Luna and Grif both drew their weapons instantly. “What sorcery is this?” Luna said.
Shawn stood in front of them and behind them. “It’s simple, really, but I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details.”
Grif charged the one behind them, then stood shocked as the image vanished on contact with his blades.
Luna turned and charged, her hammer contacting with the other Shawn. Once again he vanished, a mere illusion.
“Did you really think it would be that easy?” Shawn questioned as he exited the building, walking towards them.
Grif sent one of his blades towards this shawn, expecting another illusion.
Instead of sitting still Shawn grabbed the knife before it made contact. “Good throw,” he said as he bent the knife in his hand. After a moment he opened his hand, rolling his wrist. To his right a solid mass of metal began to form, shifting until it took the shape of a hammer. “I’m done playing games with you all.”
“No holding back?” Grif asked. Not waiting for an answer, he took off. The burst of speed was a bit of a shock to Luna as a miniature gale buffeted her. Sparks clashed as Grif’s blades met Shawn’s hammer, the two objects meeting consistently in rapid succession. However, just as Grif went to take an opening, Shawn vanished again.
Lunar Fang watched the battle from her perch, doing her best to try and find where Lord Shawn would appear next. The challenge was figuring out which Shawn might be doppleganger and which might be real. Suddenly she smiled. “The Left one!” She shouted and Luna took off with a burst of speed flying with her hammer towards Shawn’s back.
Luna had resolved to remove all her limiters for this fight, and it showed. Shawn was forced to retreat a step with every hit of her arm numbing blows. However, when her advantage seemed taken, Shawn reached out, stopping meteor impact in his hand and sending the Lunar princess flying with a blow to the side of the head.
Luna staggered back, shaking her head to clear it, only to feel her back hit from another side. Without a word she shot into the air to recollect and orient herself to the battle. The blow might have taken a mortal out of the fight, barely alive. But Luna was no mere mortal.
Lunar Fang looked to Grif. “Courtyard: far corner,” she shouted, once again spotting the real Shawn.
This time Lunar Fang could see the split second the wind swirled around Grif before he took off again, raining down blows. Shawn Blocked formidably. Grif’s efforts seemed utterly fruitless until one strike was just barely blocked in time and the sword cleaved the skin on Shawn’s non-crystallized shoulder. Thick, dark blood exited the wound in a manner similar to tar.
“What has it done to you?” Grif said, stopping for a fatal second as he was sent into the air by a punch. The dragonscale male just barely managed to prevent a break.
Luna teleported in behind shawn, landing a blow to his side, which caused him to stagger before he melted away.
“He moved-” Lunar Fang did not finish as she yelled from her position, hit from the side by one of the shades. “He’s on the wall!” She shouted as she saw the real Shawn move forward jumping off the wall to try and get to her. She flew up higher into the air, landing on the top of one of the towers. “He’s on the courtyard west wall!” This time she would keep her senses more alert to prevent another sneak attack. She was glad as a moment later she turned and cut off the head of one of the shadows, causing it to melt away. She shuddered. “Feels like the horror stories of Sombra,” she whispered.
Grif met Shawn on the wall. More sparks flew as their blades met. Shawn’s hammer, however, was begging to wear. Scores, scratches, and gouges became more apparent as Grif continued the assault. Finally, the blade of his left handed sword chopped through the haft of the hammer, sending the head flying at Shawn.
The pieces of the hammer burned away, vanishing, only for a new hammer to form in Shawn’s grip.
“Well, that’s unnerving,” Grif thought out loud before pressing his attack, doing his best not to give Shawn an opening. As the corrupted lord backed off he was suddenly knocked off the side of the wall by a golf swing from Luna … and vanished upon impact with the ground.
“Lunar Fang, where is he?” Luna called, her eyes darting left and right as she searched for their foe.
“He,” She paused. “He’s gotten better. One mo-” They heard the sound of a cry as she took to the air. “My position is over run. Need to relocate.” Even as she flew through the air, searching for a suitable perch, she scanned the grounds. Finally, she pointed toward an old pile of rubble that had been stacked where the entrance to the barracks would eventually be rebuilt. “There!” She shouted as she landed on one of the restored balconies.
Grif and Luna returned to the courtyard looking around them as they tried to pinpoint shawn. Grif had no time to react as the hammer slammed into his chest, sending him flailing into a nearby wall as large chunks of stone and mortar landed on him, pinning his paws beneath. Luna charged shawn with a wide arc of her hammer, only for Shawn to effortlessly grab it and physically lift the alicorn into the air by her throat. She gasped for air as the human squeezed harder. The sound of powder igniting filled the air. Shawn’s head snapped to Grif, who weakly held his flintlock in a shaky grip. It was obvious to the three of them that the last ditch effort failed.
From the Balcony Lunar Fang looked and quickly pulled a glinting object from a pouch. Matthew’s Flintlock shone brightly under her wing with its polished nickel plate. She rose the pistol, and using her hooves to hold the handle, primed it based on her observations of Grif and Pensword. She pointed it down, aimed it at the corruption, and prayed to Faust she could score a hit. A second before she fired she felt the weapon jerk down a hair as the flint struck and the explosion of black gunpowder erupted through the air. She felt the pistol jerk up as she staggered back from the way the pistol reacted. She did not see what her shot accomplished as yet another shade attacked her. The pistol fell useless to the ground as she grappled with the enemy.
The arm holding Luna fell limply to Shawn’s side as the alicorn tumbled away, gulping air greedily. Shawn grimaced and gripped the hole as black ichor seeped from the mark before staggering back to the wall.
Now! Use the white one’s gift! Sylvio Lupus howled through the air. Shawn’s head jerked toward the gate as Conor peeked over the edge. Fear clutched at his chest and stomach as he looked down. It would be a long drop. If he missed, he would be seriously injured. “Then don’t miss,” the dry thought entered his brain. He smiled wryly. Knowing Shawn could recover at any moment, he took a deep breath, unravelled the tanned leather that had protected the crystal, and took the plunge.
It took everything he had not to scream.
Raising his arms above his head as the momentum carried him, Conor inverted his stance, thrusting down with all his might as he collided with the human. Shawn’s head smashed against the cobblestones, dazing him.
“With Chaos and order united as one, let corruption’s control now be undone. Puritas!” He cried aloud as the crystals drew closer to contact, the purity crystal blazing with the light of the sun surrounded by a corona of rainbows as the dark purple of the corruption created an aura of shadow and dark. Pushing with all the might he could muster, Conor continued on. Dark voices hissed at the back of his mind.
You will regret this.
He will die.
You will suffer.
Stulte!
“Oh would you just SHUT UP ALREADY!” Conor roared as he rebuked them. Many of the voices cried out in shock. One hissed back, its voice filled with venom and hate.
You have sealed his fate.
“And that fate is freedom,” Conor countered. The dark arua flared as the two stood at a stalemate. Then a bright light similar to a star shone from within Shawn’s pocket. The blackened shroud began to shrink as the light grew stronger. It would seem the power of the Elements of Harmony would have a use after all. “Release him!” Conor shouted with authority as his hands and crystals both erupted with white fire. Raising his arms once more, he brought the crystal crashing down as he stabbed it into Shawn’s shoulder where the purple veins pulsed from the blackened mass.
White light erupted as a geyser of black fluid spurted on Conor’s face and clothes. The voices shrieked as the crystal pulsed and throbbed, growing all the brighter as Shawn’s eyes flashed open. “I’m getting you out of there, Shawn.” Conor glared at the dark crystals. “In the name of the pure one, I command the dark prison broken and the captive released. Let the balance be restored.” Cracks wove up and down the dark crystal as a sound like fracturing glass filled the courtyard.
Lunar Fang stood slack jawed on the balcony as she watched the display. The shade had wavered and disappeared the moment the crystals began their struggle. She could neither speak, nor move at what she was seeing. Instead, she stood there, rooted with worry and fear for the two humans.
Grif stiffened at the sound of the crystals. He knew what could happen if they shattered. “Conor, get back!” he shouted, but too late.
Shawn’s hand clutched at Conor’s shirt as his glowing red irises stared with malevolent hatred. Grimacing through the pain of the bullet, he threw the human for all he was worth, sending him flying into the stone wall behind. Conor cried but once, then fell prone to the ground.
Shawn stumbled to his feet, reaching up towards the white crystal in his shoulder only to stop near it, unable to get any closer. His arm fell to his side as he took a few steps backwards, a small grin appearing on his face. “You have no idea, of what you’ve done.” He began to chuckle softly, even as he staggered, gasping in short breaths.
“To think, I’ve been defeated by someone with little to no training.” Shawn’s chuckle turned into a strained laugh. “To have been killed by someone unfit, someone who got lucky, not even a magic field around you…” He laughed harder as blood began to exit his nose. He turned towards Grif. “You planned this the whole time, didn’t you…?” He coughed violently between laughs as black blood flew from his mouth.
“You’re not dying, Shawn,” Grif said as he struggled to extract himself from the rubble. “And wasn’t it you who always liked to have something up his sleeve?”
Shawn laughed harder. “The only reason I’m alive is because of this magic, and he just started the process of ripping it out of me!” Blood continued to flow from his mouth mixed with spittle as he gasped between the laughter. The crystals on his arm shrunk as they dissipated into the air.
“There are some magics deeper than that, Shawn.” Grif smiled. “You’ll live whether you want to or not.”
Shawn gasped as the crystals finally disappeared with a whine and a pop. His eyes returned to his old shade of blue as he looked at Grif. He coughed once more before taking one last gasp in, his eyes losing focus as he fell forward, hitting the ground.
“Omni is much stronger then he gives himself credit for. He has the heart to love people indiscriminately and the strength to spread that as far as he can. He did this because he sees us as family, heck we’re the closest thing to family we have in this world. If friendship is magic then love is definitely the stuff of miracles.” With a groan Grif pulled himself up as rocks and dust fell by the wayside. He looked grimly to the Lunar princess as he cradled his injuries. “Luna, get him to the hospital and keep him exposed to mana until his vitals stabilize.”
Luna nodded. Lifting Shawn, and then Conor, onto her back, the Lunar princess teleported away instantly. Grif looked at Lunar fang to speak only for him to stop. A strange look overcame his face followed by a near feral snarl. The gryphon turned for the entrance of the fortress and bolted.
Lunar Fang tried to follow only to sway and sit down again as she lost the last of her adrenaline rush. She looked upon the empty Courtyard, slowly chuckling as she gave a silent prayer of thanks to Faust. They had won.
Glyph Reader sweat profusely as his eyes darted up and down the corridor, his ears flicking back and forth. He flinched as Grif’s snarl carried through the cracks before turning fearfully to his prize. “Please, Master. Hurry. The Gryphon is on to us. The viceroy is defeated. We must away before he kills us.”
“It is already too late!” The voice boomed and shook as the last of the dark energy seeped into the pillar. There was an instant of absolute silence before the pillar itself exploded. Dust, stone, and miasma blanketed the room as a pair of red and green eyes shone in the dark. The fool is soft. He has gone to retrieve the unicorn first! And we will be long gone before he will be aware of us. Without another word the darkness swirled around Glyph Reader, whose form evaporated into the mist. In an instant both lord and slave tunneled through the cracks in the stone and out the walls of the castle as the sky echoed with maniacal laughter. King Sombra had risen anew.
Meanwhile, Grif heard the explosion just as he made the castle stairway. His senses were screaming and he found himself letting out a roar without willing it. Like a bloodhound on the trail he descended into the receding miasma of corruption and dark magic. As he walked through the tunnels he came to the T where the hallway branched off to the holding cells. He was about to charge forward when he heard a cough from the prison. Grif’s eyes widened as he barely managed to snap himself out of his hunting frenzy. Someone was still down here? This place was supposed to have been evacuated days ago. Clearly someone had been missed. And that someone needed help. The area could have been soaked in dark magic for hours. Who knows what might be happening to them?
As he moved into the cell block he noticed a deep purple light pulsing feebly from one of the doors. Peering through the bars, an egg-like shell of purple magic shone dully, its form practically opaque as it surrounded the prison bed. Grif could just make out limp form of a pony inside. The shell was covered in spidering cracks and tiny wisps of darkness wriggled at them, seeking entrance. Backing up, Grif threw his weight against the cell door. Fortunately the aged metal gave way to the massive weight of a fully armed and armoured gryphon. Carefully, Grif reached out and attempted to touch the egg-like barrier. It faded to a dead grey and crumbled to dust on contact. It took a moment for Grif to recognise the figure on the bed, but when he did, tears welled up in his eyes. He gently lifted the filly up and headed towards the entrance. The dark magic was already clearing, and somehow, as angry as it made him feel, he knew that Sombra was gone. But not before leaving his mark.
Pensword groaned as he opened his eyes. A moment later he tried to sit up only to find himself loosely bound. “Oh great,” he muttered. He looked around with worry, then jerked back with pain. “Next time, get both Alicorns to fight,” he muttered to himself. His voice came out in a crackling whisper.
A glass of water was offered to him by a taloned hand. “Or you could try not doing something stupid,” Grif responded.
Pensword reached for the glass only to be reminded by the braces that he was still being tied down. He looked to Grif, who smiled and helped him sip. “Well, we had to do something,” he finally replied. Stall the attack. He was going after the nobles. After Canterlot.” He closed his eyes. “I just could not stand by and do nothing. Evil only wins if good beings stand by.”
“And good only wins when it is patient and smart,” Grif retorted gently. “How would you have reacted if you were to find out Lunar Fang didn’t survive the final battle because you were laid up?”
Pensword glared. “She would have visited me if that were the case. What really happened?” He growled angrily before he sighed and lay back. “I still have much to learn. Why is it so hard to think clearly when I realize my family is in danger? This is twice I have gone off with only half a plan. If I keep this up I might be short lived.” He frowned. “Just what is my problem?”
“Seeing as you are over a millennium old, that might be impossible.” Grif laughed dryly. “Well, there is news. A bit of it positive, but not all of it.”
“What happened?” Pensword pressed again.
“For starters, we managed to cure Shawn. With Conor’s help to boot. He got a crystal made of the purity aspect somehow, but he refuses to explain where. We managed to back Shawn into a corner after a somewhat painful fight, and then Conor stabbed him with it.” Grif made a placating motion with his hands as Pensword jerked in his harness before letting out a hiss of pain. “Take it easy, Pensword. Shawn’s fine … well, he will be anyways. The crystal cleansed him of the corruption ... as well as everything else.” Grif grimaced. “He’s stable now, but he needs a constant flow of magic to live. The act of doing this managed to knock Conor out and he hasn’t woken for several hours. Shawn flinging him into stone wall didn’t exactly help things much either. Also, it seems king Sombra is back,” Grif growled through gritted beak. “And that's not the worst news.”
“Okay, what is worse than King Sombra returning from the dead?” Pensword whispered back. “Because that is rather bad, what with what we faced last time we fought him. And we were green back then too. We have more experience now. So what is worse than Sombra?” he frowned. “Please tell me they expect both to wake soon.”
“Pensword, who was in charge of clearing the holding cells during the evac?” Grif asked bluntly.
“That would have been Fox Feather, however he was too...” he paused. “Grif, get into my saddle bag in the corner and bring me the scroll with the Red wax seal, please.”
Grif handed the scroll to pensword, already knowing the truth. “During a shift change in the event of an emergency, Commander Pensword, or Grif, shall be responsible for making sure the prisoners are taken into protective custody for the evacuation,” Grif quoted as pensword opened the scroll.
“Yes, I know. I delegated the task because I had to. I told Lighting Dust to open the cells. I need to find out the break down, at which point, you are to place me under arrest and place me in a cell for no fewer than three days.”
“Trixie was still in her cell when the lower levels became saturated with dark magic. she managed to keep herself defended, but not totally ... and there were side effects.”
Pensword blinked in surprise as he processed the information. “Well, that, I want all charges dropped,” Pensword began. “From what you just told me, she survived something of my own fault and making. I don’t care about what you might say, but I want anything with my name dropped. We need to help her recover from this ordeal.” He closed his eyes as tears threatened to form. “I am such a foal. I really messed up this time. A life almost lost because of my own breakdown in communication.”
Grif pulled back the curtain. “You need to see,” was all he said as he did. Pensword turned his head since the rest of his body was pretty much immobilized.
Trixie’s fur was covered in large, vicious looking markings. The fur, where marked, had died a deeper, more sinister blue. One mark that pensword could make out had crossed over the wand on her cutiemark, turning it into a cruel and evil looking sickle. Her mane and tail now possessed lighter, almost grey streaks. Her horn had taken on a slight curve and the spiral texture had grown less distinct. Somehow Pensword could feel the scars went deeper than he could see, but for now there was no way of telling how changed the unicorn had become.
He turned his head in sorrow. “Find out what we can do for her. Make sure she is safe. And, if needed, find a place for her to stay. In fact… I want her to be my jailer for my sentence,” He finished as he hung his head in shame.
“We can do self pity later,” Grif said. “The first step will be recovery. I’ve already got the engineers working on an estimate of the extent of the damages and how long it will take to repair them. The guards are working on calming the civilians. Recovery must be our first priority.”
“Understood. But the moment recovery is over I must face my terms. I will not be above the laws I put in place.” Nurse Redheart entered, smiling as she began to tend to his IV. “Oh, more pain meds. I really pulled a wing in that fight, didn’t I?”
“Much more than a wing, Pensword. But you’ll be fine as long as you get plenty of rest. This should help,” Redheart said cheerily as she fluffed the pegasus’ pillow.
Pensword yawned as the IV drip flowed into his veins. “... Yeah. It makes me … kinda drowsy.”
Grif chuckled. “Have a good rest. And then, be ready. I’m pretty sure I saw fire under Lunar Fang’s hooves last time she was in here to check on you,” Grif said, getting to his feet as he headed for the door.
“I deserve her fire,” Pensword responded after a yawn. “I truly do.” Moments later, he fell asleep as the medication went to work.
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Hmm, so it seems I was right about the world trying to reshape Conor. This is the second story I've read where a human was transformed from exposure to magic and severe headaches was the first symptom with passing out and the cause being a horn growing.
Now I'm curious if Trixie's protection spell shielded her mind if not only partially her body. I'd think the dark magic wouldn't be able to change a cutie mark, unless it altered a pony so deeply mind, body and soul. Because of the cutie mark change I fear for Trixie.
I wonder, does Conner have a copy of The Evil Overlords List, and should he be pointing out that the heros reading such means they get a better idea of how their opponant works and thinks, givivng them more of an equal chance, as the opponant always knows pretty much how the hero is going to behave, otherwise they wouldnt be the hero?
Simple rule. Scout first, because heros dont use final weapon straight off.
Now we got a mad doctor on the roam along with Mr Smokie.
Of course, if Sombra has learnt from Shaun, Id say it would take however long it was to regain his form, powers etc, then he could Fallout the country in minutes due to Shauns Crystals. 8(
EDIT
Yaay, Zecora dragging Big Guns the minotaur into her hut.
Nope, nothing going on except a details look at his weapons.
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True, humans are different from Minotaurs; however, it was the closest equivalent they could come up with at the time since Luna and the other ponies have never encountered humans before. Lyra would be the only one who might know them for what they are, and I doubt that the princesses would have consulted her on the matter. That aside, I do hope you're enjoying the story. I'm afraid I'm still working on editing the earlier chapters since I wasn't brought into the project until around the thirties.
I'm not big on reusing villians, but we will see.
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Understood.
I hope you enjoy where it comes.
I have to admit I do not reuse villains too much, but at times ,you just have to keep one villain because they become somewhat, we, fun to write. In fact I will let it lose here.
She is our only villain we have reused to date.
So if that's what happens when Shaun loses his magic, then I wonder what his encounter with Tirek will be like, looking forward to the next chapters
OMG, they're actually going to get another shot at Sombra?! WHOOPEE!!!
I vote for Sylvio getting his own Assassin outfit.