Beyond the Portal

by Firestar463

Chapter 45

Kyle’s staff flashed out, clobbering one Changeling over the head and narrowly missing another one. The stricken Changeling instantly dropped to the floor, while the second pressed the attack. It charged in close and lashed out with two sword-shaped forelegs. Kyle ducked under the first, horizontal strike and sidestepped the second downward one. His movements put him directly beside the Changeling, and he brought the sharp end of his staff upwards. The metal point connected, punching through the chitin covering its heart and piercing deep. The Changeling let out a deep grunt before slumping over. Kyle withdrew his staff, and the Changeling collapsed to the ground.

Around the room, the others were dealing with their own Changelings in a similar fashion. Twilight was letting loose bolts of lavender energy,striking Changelings left and right. Many of her targets fell down, and while most got back up, some did not. Rainbow Dash was at a disadvantage, grounded as she was with her injured wing, but she still was able to take on a pair of Changelings on her own. Even on the ground, she was quick and agile, almost Monk-like herself. If not for her brash attitude and quickness to emotion, Kyle would have reconsidered his opinion of her ability to become a Monk.

Shade and Amber, along with their ShadowGuards and SI:7 Assassins, used their own, decidedly more lethal approach. They held nothing back, striking quick and strong. While Shade and the ShadowGuards were unarmed, the SI:7 members were not. Amber hid in the shadows near the passage they had entered from, and her rifle made quick work of any Changeling unfortunate enough to get caught in her crosshairs. The Assassins, meanwhile, sported a pair of razor-sharp daggers each. Time and time again, their small blades would find their mark in critical locations - necks, chests, skulls, spines.

Yxia and the two Changelings loyal to her, however, were decidedly less aggressive. Though they did not hesitate to defend themselves, they also did not retaliate with lethal force. as Kyle watched, Yxia blocked an overhead strike from one of her foes. She quickly spun around and slammed her elbow into her attacker’s face in a display of dexterity Kyle had not expected. The Changeling clutched its snout and fell to the ground, hissing in pain. Yxia did not, however, move in for the kill. Instead, she slammed a hoof into its head, knocking it out but not killing it.

And so it continued. The Changelings outnumbered the attackers by a sizable margin, but even their advantage of numbers was not enough. Soon, only two remained alive and able to fight. Amber scoped in on one and took her shot, striking it in the back of the neck. Kyle was duelling with the final Changeling, waiting for his opportunity. It presented itself as the Changeling reared up on its hind legs to lash out with both forehooves simultaneously. Kyle reached in with his staff and swept the Changeling’s legs out from under it. It fell hard on the ground on its back, and yelped in surprise as Kyle raised his staff once more. The blunt end struck the Changeling on the snout, eliciting another yelp of pain before the Changeling lost consciousness.

With the Changelings all incapacitated or dead, the group was now free to prepare for the next stage of their attack. Twilight dragged all of the Changelings who were still alive off to the side and bound them, placing rings on their horns to disrupt their magic. The others began to clear the floor of the dead bodies, dragging off to the other side. Yxia and her Changelings were the most efficient at this task, moving faster than the others to haul the bodies off and deposit them gently on the ground.

Kyle, however, helped with neither task. Instead he closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. Looking. Searching for their targets. But locating Chrysalis and the Sha proved to be impossible past the overwhelming presence of that Sha-covered orb of Chi energy. Its presence was stronger than ever before, overpowering Kyle’s senses and quickly forcing him to withdraw back into the safety of his own mind.

“I can’t find them,” he announced as he opened his eyes once more. “There’s this weird… something or other overwhelming all other Chi signals. It’s this sphere of Sha energy with a core of Chi energy. And if I had to guess, I’d say it was close. Maybe even in this room.”

“But we’d see it if it were here,” Amber replied. “Sha energy isn’t exactly inconspicuous.”

“Now that you mention it…” Twilight interjected quietly. She glanced around the room, and her horn began to glow softly. “... I’m sensing some sort of magical residue around here. Echoes of a powerful spell, recently cast.”

“Could it be the spell that summoned this weird sphere thing Mr. Slater mentioned?” One of the ShadowGuards suggested.

Kyle shook his head. “I doubt it. Sha energy is a very unique kind of magic, unrelated to the mana-based magic you’re most familiar with. Whatever residue Twilight’s feeling, it’s not to do with that Sha energy.”

“Hold on,” Twilight announced suddenly. She wandered over towards the throne, wandering this way and that. She walked off to the left side, and froze. “Got it!” she exclaimed. “It’s a cloaking spell! There it is. The air is shimmering a bit here. Something’s hidden over in this corner.”

“Well let’s find out what this thing is,” Kyle said. Twilight noded, and her horn lit up once more, brighter this time. A few seconds later, it flashed even brighter, and then fade completely. For a moment, nothing seemed to be happening.

And then, the air began to waver. The movement was very slight at first, almost unperceivable, but the distortion became greater and greater as the seconds passed. Soon, the air was rolling and swirling like the sea during a storm. Suddenly, the air seemed to explode outwards, revealing what lay underneath.

On the other side was a large sphere of black energy. Like the cloaking spell seconds before it had been dispelled, the energy frothed and raged, swirling wildly around itself. Just underneath the swirling sphere of Sha energy, Kyle could see a small glow. A second sphere rested inside of the Sha energy, this one jade green. Unlike the Sha energy, the green sphere seemed calm and serene. Within that sphere, Kyle could see something.

Or rather, someone.

“Somepony’s in there!” Twilight exclaimed. Her eyes bulged with fear as she rushed forward towards the swirling energy. “We’ve got to get them out!”

“Hello? Twilight?”

Kyle froze. That voice… no, it couldn’t be. She couldn’t be here. Slowly, he moved towards the sphere, peering deeply into the swirling energies. “He… hello?”

"Kyle?"

It was all Kyle could do to not rush at the sphere and try to tear it apart with his bare hands. “Scootaloo!” he cried out. “What… how did… what are you…”

“Any chance you could get me out of here?” she asked. Unlike Kyle, her voice was calm, serene. Peaceful. “I’ve been fighting this Sha energy for the past couple of hours, and I’m starting to get tired.”

“A prison of Sha energy…” Twilight murmured. “Do you know which Sha trapped you in here?”

“I think it was Hatred,” Scootaloo replied.

“Right. So if I do this…” Twilight stepped forward and raised one hoof. Slowly, gingerly, she reached out and touched the sphere of Sha energy.

Instantly she recoiled, drawing her hoof back. For a moment, Kyle feared that the energy had done something to her. But as she put her hoof back down, it became apparent that her reaction had been more out of fear than anything. And it seemed that her touch had done the trick. Almost immediately, the swirling sphere of Sha energy dissipated, revealing Scootaloo within her green Life Cocoon. That too quickly faded, allowing her to fall to the ground. Slowly, she pushed herself back to her hooves, breathing heavily.

“You okay, Scoots?” Kyle asked as he kneeled down next to her.

Scootaloo looked up at him, her eyes full of mixed emotions. Joy, fear, wonder… Kyle didn’t have time to pick out any more as she flung herself at him, wrapping her hooves around his neck. “They… foalnapped me,” she explained quietly. She lunged forward and buried her face into Kyle's chest. He gently wrapped his arms around her, trying to sooth the frightened filly.

Slowly, her crying died down. Kyle took the opportunity to look her in the eyes. “Why?” he asked. “Why did they come for you?”

“They… didn’t say,” she replied quietly. “The Changelings just burst in and…”

“That’s enough,” Kyle murmured gently.

“But I did… learn something while I was here,” Scootaloo continued, rubbing her eyes. “I figured out what the Sha are doing. What their plan is.”

“Really?” Twilight exclaimed. She ran over towards the pair. “What is it? What are they planning?”

“The Sha are the pieces of the spirit of this dead Old God called Alp’tauum, right?” Scootaloo asked. Kyle noded. “So… they stole the Crystal Heart from the Crystal Empire and have been trying to twist and corrupt it ever since they got it. And they’re really close to succeeding.”

“But we knew all of that,” Twilight interrupted. “What are they doing all of this for?”

“So, they also took the Sha Crystals,” Scootaloo continued as if she had not been interrupted. “Now, do you remember what the Crystal Heart does?”

“It’s a Titan relic,” Kyle replied. “One whose power is not of destruction, but of cleansing and healing.”

“Restoration,” Scootaloo nodded. “So, they have all the pieces. The Crystal Heart, tainted by darkness. All six Sha brought together once more.”

A feeling of horror washed over Kyle as the implications hit home. “By all that is holy…” he murmured quietly, glancing over at Twilight. By the look of terror on her face, she too understood what was going on.

“Exactly,” Scootaloo murmured. “They’re going to use the Heart to merge the Sha together and re-create this Alp’tauum.”

“We’ve got to stop them!” Twilight cried out. “Where are they? If we can get to them fast enough -”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Every head turned towards the sound of the voice. There, at the top of the steps leading to the throne, was Chrysalis, glaring down at them. Kyle couldn’t help but notice that the chitin around her midsection had shrunk since the last time he had seen her - she had lost a lot of weight.

Chrysalis stared out across the thirteen gathered allies as they all moved in close to each other. “So, Equestria and the Alliance dare set foot into my domain?” she hissed. “The final mistake you all shall ever make.”

“It’s over Chrysalis,” Yxia announced, stepping forward. Chrysalis stared as the Changeling queen stood at the foot of the stairs. “You killed my father, destroyed my Hive, sent my subjects to their deaths and brought my empire to ruin. But no more. Today you will answer for every single one of your crimes.”

“Ah, I thought I recognized you,” Chrysalis purred, her voice suddenly calm and smooth. “Princess Yxia, former heir to the throne before your line was… indisposed. I do hope you put up a better fight than your father. His death was far too easy.”

“He would have beat you were it not for your Sha master,” Yxia snarled. “Face it, imposter. Everything you’ve supposedly done, you’ve only claimed credit for while the Sha do all the work!”

Chrysalis replied with her own snarl. “You dare speak to your empress in such a way?” she demanded.

“You are no empress. Not mine, and not of my people.”

“Enough,” Kyle interrupted as he stepped forward as well. “Chrysalis, it’s not too late,” he said, staring up at her. “The Sha are using you. They’ve sent every Changeling in the empire to fight and die just to buy them time for their own purposes. Once they’ve fulfilled their plans… what do you think will happen to you?”

“We Changelings strong enough to stand by them will be rewarded for our sacrifice,” Chrysalis retorted. “And those who are not wise enough to join us shall be purged as we ascend to rule this world.”

“Do you honestly believe that?” Rainbow Dash yelled angrily. “The Sha won’t do anything for you! One of them is called TREACHERY for Celestia’s sake! You honestly think they won’t stab you in the back as soon as you’re no longer of use to them?”

Kyle could see Chrysalis hesitate. Rainbow Dash’s words had struck a chord with her, that much was obvious. For a brief second, the Changeling that stood atop the stairs was not Chrysalis, Grand Empress of the mighty Changeling Empire. Instead, it was Chrysalis, broken and defeated, pawn of the Sha. For an instant, Kyle couldn’t help but pity her.

And then, that brief moment was gone. “When they have already granted me power beyond anything you are capable of?” she spat. Her horn was engulfed in a cloud of black smoke, which exploded outwards in a ring of energy. As the ring dissipated, a large number of small, black creatures rose from the ground. Gaping maws. Razor-sharp talons.

The Sha.

“I command the Sha now!” she cried out. “Go! Bring me their heads!”

The Sha nearest Kyle lunged forward, lashing out with two sets of claws. He backpedaled quickly, barely avoiding the attack. The Sha continued its charge, forcing Kyle to continue his backwards retreat. Around him, the others were likewise under attack.

Finally, Kyle managed to regain his balance and composure. He sidestepped the next attack, ending up with a perfect opening. He rammed the point of his staff into the Sha’s side, where it lodged itself. He hopped up onto the staff and used that as a point of leverage, leaping high into the air. As he came back down, his foot slammed through the Sha, dissipating it into a fine, black mist. He quickly recovered his staff and brought the blunt end down on yet another Sha that had jumped at him.

Around him, the other Allies were all engaged with their own Sha as well. And yet, every time one was destroyed, another would take its place. It was an unending battle, and he knew it. There was only one way to finish it - kill Chrysalis.

“Yxia! With me!” Kyle called out. The Changeling Queen bucked the Sha she was fighting hard in the chest, sending it flying against a wall. As the Sha exploded, Yxia galloped over towards the stairs. Together, the two ran up towards Chrysalis.

She was waiting for them. Kyle opened up with a forward stab, aiming to pierce her heart. Chrysalis managed to sidestep the attack, so Kyle followed up with a spinning slash that would have taken her head off had she not ducked. Yxia was right behind him. She lunged forward at Chrysalis, fangs bared. The two Changelings collided and rolled on the ground, slashing out with sword-arms and biting at each others throats.

Suddenly, Yxia was hurled away, high into the air. She quickly righted herself and buzzed her wings, landing lightly beside Kyle. She had a couple of scratches, but appeared mostly unharmed. Chrysalis looked no worse than Yxia as she glared at the two.

The battle continued. Kyle and Yxia both rushed Chrysalis, hoping to overwhelm her together. Yxia used surprise attacks wherever she could, while Kyle relied on his normal style of fast, powerful blow from unexpected angles.

And yet Chrysalis, despite her obvious hunger, displayed her own graceful agility. She ducked and dodged underneath their combined attacks while lashing out with her own periodic flurries of lightning-fast attacks. Her legs had become shaped like the Sha’s claws, though this was not the Sha’s influence - she had willingly changed her body to form the razor-sharp talons. One swipe could have easily disembowelled Kyle. Yet she also knew that she had to defend herself well against the pair.

So it became a battle of attrition. Each side attempted to wear the other down, alternating solid defense with furious barrages of attacks. The sound of wood against chitin continuously rang out through the throne room as Kyle’s staff was blocked time and time again, and then as his staff parried Chrysalis’s own blows.

Though Kyle began to tire, he could tell that Chrysalis was feeling it even more than he was. Her hunger was weakening her, tiring her more quickly. Her breathing was heavy, her attacks were slowly becoming less and less powerful, her defenses began to falter. One thrust of his staff narrowly missed piercing her throat, more due to Kyle’s own error than Chrysalis’s ability to dodge.

But if Yxia was feeling any fatigue, she was not showing it. If anything, her attacks were becoming more furious, her defenses more potent. She was unrelenting, unyielding, unstoppable. It quickly became her attacks that came closer and closer to landing home, rather than Kyle’s.

Suddenly, Chrysalis snarled loudly. “Enough!” she screeched. Kyle yelped as his ears were assaulted by the impossibly loud sound, and he could tell that Yxia was suffering a similar attack.

Something hard and solid slammed into Kyle’s stomach, lifting him off of the ground. He flew backwards and slammed against the hard amber wall behind the throne. He slumped to the ground with his staff in his lap, dazed by the impact.

“Now that that worm is out of the way,” he heard Chrysalis growl. The sound of battle reached his ears, and he groggily opened his eyes. Yxia and Chrysalis were battling once more, but the tides had turned. Chrysalis was now radiating dark energy, and her attacks had become more frenzied. She moved faster, struck stronger, blocked more easily - every aspect of her fighting had been enhanced.

One blow struck Yxia’s defenses at an odd angle, knocking her off balance. The second blow lifted her from the ground as well. She flew high into the air before falling back down, landing hard at the top of the stairs.

Chrysalis was on top of her in an instant. Her claws slammed down towards her head, and Yxia was forced to raise both of her hooves in defense. She was pinned underneath Chrysalis, desperately trying to fight out from underneath her attacker. But somehow, Chrysalis was the stronger one now. Tiny cracks began to form on the chitin over Yxia’s forelegs as Chrysalis pressed down hard.

“It is over,” she hissed menacingly. “The Sha energy flows through me! I am unstoppable!”

Kyle shook his head, still dazed from the impact. He staggered to his feet and gripped his staff tightly. Slowly, quietly, he stepped closer to the struggling pair. Soon, he was mere feet away.

“Now, little princess…” Chrysalis cackled. “You will die!”

“You first, bitch.”

Chrysalis gasped as Kyle’s staff finally struck home. The point pierced deep into her side, lodging itself in her ribcage. But it had missed her heart. She was still alive, as her howl of pain announced. She turned her head towards Kyle, her eyes full of hatred and fury.

Which meant she took her eyes off of the Changeling underneath her

Yxia grunted as she pushed upwards, heaving Chrysalis off of her. The false empress was flung backwards, forced to rear up on her rear hooves to stop from falling over. Yxia leaped to her hooves and lunged forward. Her right forehoof shifted, turning into a long, sharp blade. She thrust it forward.

Right into Chrysalis’s heart.

Chrysalis’s eyes went wide as the blade pierced deep into her chest. For a moment, she stood there, staring down at the sword-arm lodged within her. Slowly, she looked back up at Yxia. It was as if a haze had been lifted from her eyes - a haze that manifested itself as a small cloud of black mist, rising from her head and fading into nothingness. Below them, the Sha that she had summoned had vanished, and everyone else was gathered around the foot of the stairs. Slowly, Chrysalis opened her mouth.

“What… have I… done…”

“What indeed,” Yxia murmured. She yanked her arm back out of Chrysalis and fell down to all four hooves. Chrysalis swayed back and forth before finally falling to the side, landing with a loud thud.

Chrysalis, Empress of the Changeling Empire, was at long last dead.

“It is done,” Yxia said quietly. There was no victory in her voice. No joy. Only pain and sorrow. “Now, we just need to find the Sha. Once they are dead, this damned war can finally be over.”

Kyle nodded and rubbed his head where he had hit it. Though it didn’t feel like he had a concussion, he knew he would be feeling that blow in the morning. He walked over to Chrysalis’s boy and slowly pulled his staff out. It was coated in green Changeling blood, drawing a grunt of disgust from him.

“Here, let me help,” Twilight offered. Her horn lit up, and a rag popped into existence. Within a few moments, all of the blood had been transferred from the staff to the rag, which vanished with another pop.

“Thanks,” Kyle murmured. “So. Sha. Any idea where they are?”

“Last I saw, they were headed in there.” Scootaloo pointed towards a door on the left side of the throne room. “The empress’s bedroom, I think.”

“Alright.” Kyle motione dfor everyone to come with him. Togheter, they all moved towards the door. Kyle placed his hand on the latch.

“Let’s get this over with.”

Author's Note:

What's this? Another update so soon? Well, I can't leave you all hanging for too long.

Oh wait. Another cliffhanger ending. Man I seem to do those a lot

Also, next chapter is likely going to be an alternate PoV, showing the main battle going on outside of the hive.

Comments

[WanderingPony]

You can even see that point where Queen Raidbos- er, Chrysalis hits her second stage of the fight.

"AURA'S UP, MORE DPS!"

[Europa]

5205400 More dots on the boss! Come on, more dots. Throw more dots! More dots more dots more dots!

Come on throw more dots!

Okay now stop dots!

[Firestar463]

5206903 I'm surprised that, in a fight where most of the 'raid' is dealing with adds, I was able to resist making the classic "MANY WHELPS! HANDLE IT!" joke.

[katarjin]

Much better story than I was exspecting. I eagerly await more.

[Charedfirescale]

The battle scene was great, but why did they kidnap Scoots?

[Firestar463]

5217583 I haven't explained it yet, but it'll be explained in a couple of chapters.

[Charedfirescale]

5217897 okay