> The darkhorse chronicles > by gluestick-thepony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Welcom to Ponyville > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darkhorse Chronicles -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PS: this is an idea for a mod, but i have no resources, and it would be too big to complete anyhow. So I wrote a story instead. Sallet= full helm with a mane and a bridge covering the nose (Spartan helms for instance.) Zweihander=Dual sword --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oath to Order= in this story you are a khajiit assassin. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a well deserved rest, after one battle of epic proportions, slaying Alduin in the afterlife. The pressing matter of choosing to serve the Nords or the Empire proves problematic. But you awake, ready to attack the day. Your sharp eyes look about your room in Whiterun, your humble abode being on of several. While dawning your glass armor, being careful with your feline tail, you think about your other homes as to take your mind off of the decision of which side to choose. You make your way outside after eating superb soup and letting your eyes adjust to the bright sun. The town is ever so active as you move around the randomly roaming populace; you approach the gate and get a sinking feeling as you open the gate that today was going to blow your whole plan for the day to pieces. You pause as you open the door expecting a surprise, somewhere under the line of giant monsters. as you make your way down the hill, passing that feeling off as paranoia, streams of colorful light fork from the earth off in the distance. You continue toward the corral in front of white run; as you mount your horse a booming voice is heard in the distance. "Dovakin!.. Dovakin!?. If you are out there we need you!" Your startled response is to turn your gaze toward the direction the lights were emanating from. Somehow you knew that the call was from the far north east. You roll your eyes and decide to travel toward the lights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five days on the road, taking your time riding horseback careful to avoid the abominable snowmen as you take in the frostbitten surroundings. As a khajiit you can help but to think about your older kin back in Murrowind. As you continue to be lost in thought your horse stops, your eyes roll down from the sky to see several bandits; a dark elf, two Nords, a Breton, and an Argonian. Further detail was not relevant to you, they were aiming bows at you and that was reason enough. "You will pay us if you want to leave unharmed" You wave off the statement and draw two black glowing customized Deadric swords. Bows fire as you duck past them and rush to the center of the five bandits. You hear swords drawn, you reach out with one sword to block an ax to your right; then repel an oncoming zweihander with the other, then slicing the second assailant across the thought with the right. You slash quickly to the right killing the first assailant. You cross your sword breaking the bow in front of you into three pieces before he could stay his weapon, the swords reached far enough to open his chest. The first two assailants were dead before the third one hit the ground, the last two bandits just stood there as you took in your surroundings, the speed of your attacks stunning as you cast your invisibility spell on yourself. The last two bandits fled tripping over each other. You are about to give chase when two arrows suddenly pick them off, on top of a nearby hill stood a bazaar being. He was a white animal looking humanoid; his muzzle was squarer and had different fur than a Khajiit. It appeared almost equine, in his silver black and red heavy armor. He came down the hill as you sheathed your weapon. "Sorry to interrupt you but I do not have the time to wait around." You thought about a land almost on the other side of the North Pole from Skyrim; a land called Equestria. "Are you an Equestrian?" "Yes... yes I am. I know it must be weird seeing how we almost never leave the kingdom." "Why not?" "Mostly because we are content with our lives, and some believe the rest of the world to be corrupt." "I am." "Thought so, when the call was cast by Twilight the aura made a shape with a cloak and dagger we assumed it was a assassin of your breed- er I mean race." "What exactly are you talking about?" "Chaos, pain, and panic is loose in Equestria. My sister cast a spell to summon you, the Oath To Order spell was created to that the Dovakin line can serve some debt... but I really don't care about what a stranger did thousands of years ago." "What debt?" "A Dovakin sold his soul to Hermeas Mora, he made a pact with our royal family to live out his days and wait until death, and needless to say it was the title of Dovakin and found himself yanked into another realm in his mid forties." (Why does that sound familiar?) You think to yourself. "So the spell was made because a Dovakin owes Equestria one." "So we can ask of your aid." "How do you know this?" "Twilight told me... she tends to talk... but like I said we can stall any longer, so will you come with me?" "To that light?" "You’re the only one who can see it, it is part of the call." "Very well then, lead the way." You follow the white stallion toward the harbor just over the hill. There was a balloon awaiting you, a large purple and red balloon that had a torch in it. You ponder the purpose of such a perplexing contraption as you board the aero buoyant mode of transportation. "And that is a?..." "Hot air balloon... by the way you want to rest on the way, it will be a week or two..." =========================================================== As you approach a landing pad for the balloon you look around to the gloomy and fearful citizens of Ponyville, this small town was filled with guards as well. The guards were clad in bronze armor with chromed leather. The sallets they wore hand red manes, they golden yellow matched the cuirass, the armor itself was a metal shell with metal pauldrons, and the armored skirt was splint mail. The grieves were rather plain as well; they carried spears and shields as well. Two of the guards approached the basket you and the white Equestrian were in. "Is Twilight awake?" asked the white unicorn. "Yes Shining Armor, she hasn't slept since you left." "What!? You didn't think to try to get her to sleep!?" "It’s not easy with the Darkhorse terrorizing her constantly sir!" Shining armor stepped out of the basket as you followed him out "did you find out why this cur is bothering Twilight of all things!?" "Yes sir! It seems that she is a great way to get to both princesses as well as being a bearer of an element of harmony." "Of course." The guard turns to you "sir... are you... Dovakin?" "Yes I am." "We should take you to Celestia." "Can it wait awhile?" said shining. The guard nodded as you are addressed by Shining again "we should go speak to twilight." you roam the town looking at the mostly pony populace as you approach a giant hallow tree. You and shining go inside to be greeted by a nervous wyrm drake, a wingless dragon, like an Argonian but more serpent like. A purple (earth pony) equestrian walked down a flight of stairs to greet you, she dawned a plain royal blue robe. You both stand there for a moment. "Are you Dovakin?.. YES! YYEESSS!! this is amazing it worked and now we can fight off the followers of hate and were saved because we have a Dovakin to aid us and there will be victories and save my friends but first i must study you to see of I can make-" "TWILIGHT!" interrupted shining armor. "oh... right sorry." She turns her attention to you "Right. My name is Twilight sparkle, I used an old spell to send a message, and as it turns out you 'do' exist. But before we begin do you have any questions?" "I'm good." "Okay then... a few weeks ago I and my friends started getting nightmares, the images of pain and agony was merely an omen, foretelling an old urban legend emerging from the Durance of hate. This mare’s mother, Selini, was put there by the Deadric princes after making the equestrian race to fight the Deadra; the war was involved with Talos and his origin. as a punishment to these allies to Talos that embraced this demon; they were changed to match the dark horse... but the Deadra did not know that Selini was pregnant... (She starts to sob) "So this child born in the Durance only knows negativity, she uses it as a weapon and has legions of followers. Unlike Selini Linear has one advantage over the Deadric princes... she... she is impervious to magic. She also stole the elements of harmony." "How much of an advantage is that?" "The Deadric princes are polymorphic beings, without magic they would not hold nearly as well. As long as they are using a form that requires magic or supernatural energy then Linear has a huge advantage. We actually shot her with the elements but she was immune to 'it' as well." "How do we begin?" "The princesses need to see you ASAP." "Then I will see you later-" "The situation gets a little bit deeper than that." "..." "One of our spies mentioned that she overheard something about titans... I have no idea what she was talking about but titans sound like very bad news." "I will look into that." "please do." Shining Armor turns to leave "you gets some sleep Twilight... lets us head to Cantorlot, our presence Is needed." You look back one last time as twilight heads to bed. ============================================================ Next chapter the plot device is revealed, I will be posting sketches of the races and armor on my Deviant art, also need proofreader, > Cantorlot > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previously the hero (the khajiit assassin Dovakin) entered Ponyville and met twilight sparkle who explained what she might be planning, the dark horse's intentions are not well known but they do go in a dark and dangerous direction. (there is not a unicorn race, instead they are earth ponies, earth ponies are called equestrians, or just ponies. If I got the wrong shout with the wrong effect let me know I haven't played it in awhile. Dovakin is what everyone calls you, instead of Dragonborn.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cantorlot --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You and Shining Armor approach the city of Cantorlot, as the plains come into view armies are formed storming the walls to Cantorlot. Several Cantorlot guards approach, two of which are pegasai. You think back at all of the other equestrians you've met so far then turn to shining. "what are they?" Shining armor replies "I knew twilight left out a detail... these are pegasai, Linear is kidnapping and gathering them, we don't know why yet, but we have almost all of them in hiding in Cantorlot." "Are we also talking genocide?" "Most likely, they also have some weird weapons and armor on occasion, usually dawned by her elites." "Are we going to fight our way through them?" you gesture toward the enemy masses. "sadly, we-" A loud explosion is heard, glowing magic missiles hail fire from two tank like mechanisms; you are blinded by smoke and burning ash as you feel yourself being yanked underground. "Follow me..." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Are you okay khajiit?" "Yes I am fine." "Then get up." The smoke clears and you realize you are underground, "where am I?" "Our kin created tunnels giving us passage into Cantorlot, as you could guess..." You look to see a black equestrian, but with green eyes with blue irises, his body is black with hard skin, he wore almost like a thick hide and bone armor. "I am tool, a changeling, we are seen as monsters thanks to 'one tyrant', so now we are trying to recover from her damage. I am helping you because we need just a love filled atmosphere to thrive; Which is made impossible by that one black mare." "Very well then, lead the way to Cantorlot." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After your trek through some rather uneventful tunnels you appear in a cavern filled with crystals, it was beautiful with the light reflected through the variety of colored stones from the surface world. There were a few insects along the way; you eventually make your way to a sewer system. Tool covers his nose as he walks off gesturing you to follow. A few corridors later and you step out into what is supposed to be daylight. Civilians are crowding to watch a scene going on in the distance. After pushing through the crowd; you and Tool, who is disguised as a blue equestrian with a black mane, hear a prosecuting voice, the voice starts to become clearer. "...your friend Twilight didn't even bother to come help you, two of your friends abandoned you and now you finally start to realize you neglected one of your friends. Not caring about her insecurities and denying her the aid she needed and treating her like a holiday special martyr..." You analyze the castle balcony to see a seven foot tall black equestrian, her shimmering bright silver mane, yet menacing neither worldly eyes, and abysmal black coat dug an image into your mind as she towered over two female equestrians. A white one with e curly purple mane, and a freckled orange country girl struggled to keep their balance, clad in bruises and bound in chains. A pink pony stood next to Linear, she was scared and clinging to the Darkhorse like a child. "Pinkie you might want to go inside, Surprise has a Surprise for you." The Darkhorse pulled out a crown, and five necklaces, you were too far away to see in detail. The audience gasps as two axed are raised up above the two helpless wemon. "you do not deserve your elements of harmony!" with a loud smash and a boom the necklaces shattered sending a dark cloud over Cantorlot, Linear stands up to examine her work clapping her hands together. "kill these two." Tool turns to you "Are you a good archer?" "Yes I am." A changeling bow is shoved in your hand, you admire the bazaar shape, it did not match the rest of his armor or his weapon; it also had four wheels in it as well. you quickly draw and fire the bow, the arrow is caught midair by the massive mare. "It has been days since someone had the courage." She jumps down to where you are standing, looking down at you with her misty blue eyes with black irises and red pupils. "So Twilight's rebuttal is to beg for your aid..." she lets out a small chuckle as she walks away and starts to fade "very well Dovakin, we will see where this goes, I will withdraw my armies if you can save the princesses." Tool looks at you "that is never a good sign, her men are controlling the castle. We should help the princesses." "let’s get to it." you look up at the balcony to see the two women being hauled back inside; you rush down the main street toward the castle outer gates. There stood a massive gate, on the other side a garden, and beyond the garden is two flights of stairs leading up to the door to the main hallway. Beneath the main door were two smaller doors, most likely to the guard barracks and the dungeon. "How do you purpose we get in, those guards are not Celestia's, and diamond dogs are not common in Equestria." you look around to see soldiers of all races roaming about in unorganized fashions, and diamond dogs were guarding the doors. The diamond dogs resembled werewolves but Doberman versions; one of them was talking to a grey delivery mare with a blonde mane. She smiled right before flying away. "we had better hurry before the hiding pegasai are discovered, or we could rescue the princesses... your call." "Or we could retake Cantorlot Castle." You look back to see Shining and twelve heavily armored stallions "glad you could join us, however we should probably use stealth." Tool said "of course! The princesses were blessed with great magical power. They could easily retake the castle if we free them." Shining armor replied "We can enter through one of the servant’s entrances." Tool turns to you "could you meets us behind the castle at midnight." "Of course." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You spent the time until then analyzing the castle from afar, is was like a city inside of a city, you asked around finding out about several servants entrances, one being in the music hall. You, Tool, and a grey mare with a black mane, named Octavia, met outside of the orchestral hall. Octavia welcomed you as you approached her "You must be Dovakin, you rather dapper for a Skyrim warrior." "Either that or your have VERY high standards. Get in here!" a green mare with a white stripe in her mane stood at the now open entrance. Octavia whispered "Damn it Lyra! We will get caught!" "don't sweat it; everyone on the block was relocated by linear to place her newest concentration camp-" Tool interrupts "THEN WATCH OUT FOR ENEMY GUARDS YOU IDIOT." "Oh..." everyone quickly rushed inside; you, Tool, Octavia, and Lyra followed a fifth party member to the back, he was a winged blue stallion. Octavia spoke up after the door was fastened "So Soarin, how was your luck?" the blue stallion shrugged "not good, so I took option 'B' which is to chase the followers out of Cantorlot." Octavia and Soarin continue their conversation as the party drops down a hatch beneath the stage. After everyone is in they close it tight, just seconds afterward a series of thuds and smashing noised perks everyone’s ears. An ominous almost electronic voice is heard giving commands. "Break nothing you morons; what I'd bid not to suffer stereotypical destructive behaviors as presented by cannon fodder!" a hole in the hidden door allowed you to peak through; a Breton covered in glowing eerie runes was directing several diamond dogs and Orcs. "will this be a good place to perfect the electrum?" no one responded to him, but he nodded as if being told something. "of course madam, Nova is in charge of the dig site." You are pulled away as you and the others moves quiet yet swiftly off until you reach a series of tunnels. Lyra rubbed her chin "Electrum eh?" she started to fall behind as you decided to speak to her. "what is electrum?" Lyra broke out of her trance "oh! um... Electrum is a mythical metal; Selini used forbidden magic and alchemy to forge a material by killing races naturally imbued with mystical energy. Deadra and Pegasai are two races I can think of. Pegasai were easier to catch and were convenient, the younger ones were processed into Electrum to make weapons and armor, and needless to say they almost went extinct. If it weren't for the fact that they can breed with other races they would be no more. Of course this also meant the electrum would be weaker so they were bred like animals." "What magic exactly do the pegasai possess again?" "They can walk on clouds and manipulate weather on an advanced level; they also started teaching wind spells." "Hey you’re falling behind!" interrupted Tool. "I was a researcher on the history of Electrum, but that can wait." you both rush forward to catch up to your party, you eventually enter the room where the performers keep their supplies and take their breaks; the room is empty and dark. Not but a silhouette in the darkness was noticeable. "linear told me you would come in through here." Lyra and Tool create light spheres to illuminate the room, they lay their eyes upon a yellow mare with wild golden and crimson hair. "Let’s first get the really stupid cliché questions out of the way." you reply. Lyra turned to you "that's Sunset Shimmer, a powerful mage-" "it's okay Lyra, he has a point." everyone looks at Sunset "unlike most times some villain boasted how he is unbeatable, Linear is aware that she can be beat, she used her brain alone to predict everything to the letter; From Twilight Sparkle's desperate attempt to summon you to Pinkie pie's abandonment complex. She knows how to beat her. But can you get a few steps ahead of her? We'll first have to start with taking back the castle." "And you?" "I'll watch, you see there are a few with a grudge against the princesses, Deadric princes included, but that can wait." Sunset shimmer disappeared in a pouf of purple flame "Ta-ta for now." As the smoke cleared Octavia carefully opened the door and peaked through then closed it "they know..." Tool and you ponder for a moment. You speak "any details on Sunset Shimmer?" "She is a Fireborn, a tribe of wild and unruly people from all races who worship the sun and believe it to be connected to the hells instead of the heavens... and believe the 'holy' beings are the most 'corrupt'. Fireborn don't trust the gods and worship the Deadric princes, but only certain ones valuable information on the princes are owned by the Fireborn, so they gain there favor. Sunset is also the only Fireborn in history who accepted the invitation into Celestia's academy." Octavia spoke louder "GUYS." "Why would a Deadra worshiper help in a plan to take down the Deadra?" "let's think about this another way, our information might be off as it holds no grounds." Lyra joins in "what if Linear had captured a Deadric prince?" "GUYS!" Octavia interrupted Soarin gave her a glare "they'll hear us-" Octavia placed a hand on his muzzle "they knew, they are waiting for us." "Yes We Are!" hollered one enemy in particular, a demonic being resembling a tall black stallion but with fangs and griffon claws, his wings were bat wings and he had a lions mane, he wore black chainmail grieves and boots. The five heroes stepped out of the room into the theater; there were hundreds of them, cad in Fireborn armor making it very hard to tell the races apart; except for the large diamond dogs. The armor itself was as if forged in a primitive forge, the colors were warm. The helm was an armet with a mouthpiece covering the lower half of the face, the gauntlets were essentially a warped metal tube with an eye sketched onto the elbow piece with mitten like armor plating for the hands, that and the shoulders were almost bone like in appearance, the collar was armored and led to a metal disk at the collarbone. The torso was an armored skirt open at the front, and at the front was heavy plate mail. The torso had exposed shoulders but the rest was in a metal shell that was patterned after the muscular structure. The boots were heavy and resemble early Dwarven armor, aside from the knees which matched the gauntlets. A Sunset Shimmer was up in a theater booth, like a roman emperor, a smug grin on her face as she spoke. “If they were talking about the possibility of a kidnapped Deadric prince, kill them. If they were talking about me being Celestia's apprentice, Nikodemus can have his way with the mares-” Swiftly Tool, you, and Soarin shot arrows at Nikodemus (the demon with the armored pants) he flew up as to avoid them when a wind tunnel from Soarin blasts him onto the balcony with Sunset Shimmer. The armored guards charged you, you sharpened your senses and started to work, with precision you aimed for the gaps and creases in the armor, slashing throats and arteries. The diamond dogs on the other hand just a little bit faster, you duck one claw, with his back almost facing you, you jab at his neck, as it dropped, the massive canine performed a falling soccer ball kick knocking you back. You look over to see Lyra going wild with clawed gauntlets. As you get up Soarin had an aerial advantage as he dodged and fired multiple arrows at the canines. Tool on the other hand had turned into a giant and was smacking everyone silly, and Octavia... You quickly knock out another guard “where is Octavia!?” Just then Sunset Shimmers words ring in your head (...If they were talking about me being Celestia's apprentice, Nikodemus can have his way with the mares.) you bust through two armored guards and out the door, you enter a massive hallway. Tools voice can be heard “We've got this, hurry up!” You look both ways before you hear her scream, you sneak swiftly down the hallway, you round the corner with a blade drawn, in that instant a guard is lying over your arm with a knife in his neck. You continue your sprint knocking over several guards; you eventually come across a stairwell. You hear muffled screaming so you sprint to the next floor. You come across an open door; Octavia is in her underwear tied to a bed. You can't understand her muffled screams as you rush over to untie her, but before you can begin a force pins you to the ceiling, and the once invisible Nikodemus steps out of the corner. “Do you know nothing of a demon's deception-?” “NUL-TAH-SHOOR!” the screaming burning demon ran out of the hallway as you cut the ropes loose; Octavia fell into your arms. “Why did no one tell me he was Dragonborn!?” You hear from down the hallway. “Because you needed a lesson in self control Nik.” answered the voice of sunset shimmer, “I knew you would try this, so I gave him the hint instead of giving you permission.” you walk down the hallway with blades drawn; you enter a large circular junction with much room for action. Nikodemus calmed himself “Will you be informing Linear?” “No, you spent a long time losing your mind in the Durance; I am simply reiterating self control.” “very well then, now if you excuse me Sunset, you have to go contemplate whose side you’re on while I fight this intruder.” Sunset shimmer disappeared again with a huff as Nikodemus turned toward you “it is not our fight yet.” he said before vanishing as fleshy monsters, Atronachs, took his place. You can feel your strength being drained as you barely dodge a kick shattering the pillar behind you, all this time you have yet to analyze your surroundings, you got a great view of the hallway, admiring how the halls stone reflects the moonlight adding a subtle difference to the day and night themes. You also took in the silver drapes on the windows while you were airborne before taking the time to admire the pillar you smashed into several yards down. You are barely conscious but you can hear a giant coming at you when a loud explosion snaps you out of it, you look to see an arrow exploding above your head. The Atronach falls over as Octavia bulrushes the second with a flamburge. You’re three other friends catch up to you as Octavia walks back toward you wiping blood off of her hand. “Those were flesh atronachs, I had only heard of them from tales of Murrowind and the Shivering Isles.” Said Lyra as Octavia spoke “thank you.” “You're quite welcome, by the way, were those exploding arrows just now?” “Why yes... we have quite the alchemic creations in Equestria.” “umm guys, we need to locate the princesses.” said Soarin. “but what about those two mares Linear almost killed?” said Lyra “I agree.” you said “I am pretty sure that Linear still needs the princesses if Lyra's Electrum story is true.” said Octavia. Tool interjects “Won't they still be in the same dungeon?” Everyone facepalms -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- after twists and turns, and a flight of stairs the party arrives in a dungeons guards office. Across from them were hallways filled with cells, all were empty but two. Lyra runs up to the two mares trapped within “Rarity! Applejack!” The two mares barely responded. Lyra began to panic “Um... L-l-look! Dovakin!” you stand there awkwardly “And I'm supposed to-” “Our sisters... where are they?” the two mares deadpanned. “Don't know, but they definitely expect to be found do they not?” you said. Rarity stood up and walked over “a-and... Where is Pinkie Pie.” “She is probably fine.” said Tool. “Damn it that cur!!” cried out Rarity only to be interrupted by Applejack. “Rarity! Pinkie pie was not herself!” Octavia is working on the lock as Applejack walks over letting Rarity grief “Pinkie Pie gave Linear the elements and gave Fluttershy to Vadim.” “Vadim?” “A criminal well known for strange and bazaar magic, A bret'n who start' out on weird runes.” the cage door comes open, “there, now let’s go find the princesses-” Rarity and Applejack interrupt “Celestia was nailed to the throne and Luna is trapped in the armory.” “very well then, are you in any shape to fight?” they both nod. “now let’s get you two some armor.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- after pillaging the enemy guards you defeated, you find that all of the guards had fire tattoos and were all males in the older twenties and older. “Could they also be Fireborn?” pondered Octavia. “I overheard Linear saying that only several hundred were freed from the Durance.” said Rarity. Lyra replied “can you capture a deadric prince?” “Nothing is impossible.” said Soarin. Everyone makes their way upstairs, they are surprised there are not more guards. “we've already been here don't act surprised. Now then! Where is Luna.” “why Luna first?” asked Applejack. “Luna can be used against Celestia.” “Lyra, how do you know so much?” “She spent her life studying fairy tales.” said Tool. “Do I know you?” asked Lyra. “My usual guise is as a stallion named Codek, I am your librarian.” everyone stood there confused but you. “I am a changeling.” he said timidly. Everyone but you looked shocked so you interrupted “now now everyone! He is my friend and a valuable ally.” Rarity was upset “but the attack on Cantorlot?!” “Ya'll can't just-” “Chrysalis wanted the throne but her younger sister got it; so she pulled her recourses together and tried to make a second hive out of Cantorlot. Chrysalis is a criminal to the changelings, note how every one of her followers was identical, greed and black with holes...” Tool changed back into his black form, with blue pupils and energy wings that reminded one of blue fire. “Note, how I have no holes, and I am dark silver and blue.” “But you're black” you said. “Dark silver, it is dark at night, and sh-hush!” “Very well.” You replied. Everyone calmed down and appeared to be alright with this, so everyone continued onward, fighting guards and dogs until they reached a locked down vault, with more runes on it. “are those Vadim’s?” asked Soarin. Lyra stepped forward and analyzed them, “I've seen these words in old paintings of Hermeaus Mora.” you watch patiently as everyone talks about how to break the door, you don't listen to them, instead you watch as Soarin backs away readying a punch. “HHYYAHHH!” CRACK! CLING! KA-THUD! “Hurricane hands.” gloated Soarin as he stepped inside. You follow afterward into a massive room with weapons and armor galore, but your focus was on the mare pinned to the floor by a glowing sword. “Release... me...” you're surprised she is able to talk; Lyra casts a levitation spell to lift the sword out of the ground freeing Luna. She was quick to her feet while grasping her stomach “We thank thee khajiit, now if you'll excuse us, we must get rid of Linear’s lackeys.” she teleported, leaving nothing in her wake. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- you don't find any guards on the way back up, your party starts to relax knowing that Luna has chased out the followers for now... except for one. Celestia sat pinned to her throne, with Sunset shimmer standing right beside her. “Strange, somehow I figured Nikodemus would have fought you. Then again Luna is rather formidable.” “what are you doing exactly?” you asked. “I am simply working on acquiring what is mine, Linear is going to get it for me.” “and that is?” “Entei.” Sunset shimmer disappeared again, leaving Celestia a broken mess crucified to her throne. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia was freed from her binds,wrists healing up as the doors slammed open, Shining Armor and Twilight sparkle came busting through the door with several guards. Celestia through her hand out to silence the guards before they had a chance to freak out over Tool. “Nice to see I am appreciated” Tool scoffed toward the guards as they lowered their spears. “We have bigger problems than a changeling right now, we can worry about how Changelings got into Cantorlot later.” said shining. “Sais the tool whose broad let Linear take off with the elements because in hopes of 'friendship'!” everyone looked toward a large shattered stained glass window as a purple pegasus with an extravagant blue and green spectral mane flew in. his armor was similar to Shining armor's, he wore heavy boots and gauntlets matching his cuirass. Shining armor drew his blade and rushed the pegasus. Both of their swords locked. “don't you dare pin this on my wife Adnan!” “we had one chance to kill her and she removed her one weakness and let her go! It's your fault Twilight and ‘MY’ sister is being terrorized by that cur!” “ENOUGH! LET'S NOT FORGET WHO WAS STUBBORN ENOUGH TO AVAOID CALLING FOR AID VIA HIS VANITY!” Shouted Luna as she entered the room. Adnan and Shining went quiet as Luna continued “AND SHINING, WE DO NOT CONDONE PREJEDUCE. CHANGELINGS ARE NOT BORN EVIL EITHER SO HOLD YOU’RE TOUNGUES, BOTH OF YOU.” Celestia walked over hugging her younger sister “Luna, you're okay.” “We are well, I rallied the troops into Cantorlot, but Celestia...” “What is it sister?” “Linear's men disappeared from outside of Cantorlot, and the lab set up in the music hall vanished, I think Linear might be planning something with Dovakin now that he is here.” “Linear's actions have always been illogical, all I know is the Fireborn need our help.” “They attacked us sister, they are sexist, and they worship the Deadric princess.” “Can we discuss this another time, we need a plan of action.” Lyra stepped forward “Your highnesses, we did acquire information if we may take turns discussing what we know so far.” Celestia sat down on her throne “Luna, you go rest, we may need your power in case of emergency.” Luna “we'd rather stay here, morning is not for another few hours.” “Very well.” Adnan and Shining stood across the room from each other. Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Applejack gathered next to Luna and Twilight next to Shining Armor. There was an uncomfortable silence as Lyra walked up to Celestia “If I may?” she asked before continuing to speak. “The first thing I want to press is the use of Electrum.” “Electrum?” asked Celestia. “I want to know what you know about it.” Celestia sighed in discomfort “Is Vadim involved?” “Yes.” said Lyra. “The elements of harmony were born from some of the most tragic disasters in history. The Rainbow factory was a laboratory created by Vadim to harness Electrum from Pegasai and other mystical races, his genocidal actions got him thrown in the Durance of Hate. Electrum is a metal that has the effect of absorbing energy. Either through impact, or magical attack, however for a single suit of armor they would have to kill several Pegasai children. Deadric Electrum is different in color and has effects based on parts of the body, The Fireborn can get the dark electrum from there Deadric princes. But Electrum from pegasai can't be gained through positive means... Shining could you go examine the music hall for anything useful that Vadim left behind? Lyra will be in charge of researching and catching up on the subject.” “At once your highness.” said Shining as he walked out of the room. “If there is anything to do with Electrum, odds are the factory is almost up and running once again.” said Luna. “Is Fluttershy there by any chance?” asked Rarity. “We believe so, that is where all of the Pegasai are being taken.” said Luna Soarin stood walked over to Adnan “we should probably go aid the townspeople with cleanup.” Adnan was quiet, clearly disturbed by something “Luna.” “What is it Adnan?” “It would be a good idea to asked the aid of our hidden changeling friends, if they do feed off of love than it would behoove them to aid us.” “That is a great idea, the changelings are polymorphic beings that can turn invisible indefinitely as well. Tool, could you send a letter to your queen? We need spies to find and infiltrate the factory.” Tool bowed his head “of course.” Adnan, Tool, and Soarin left the room with Luna. “I will stay here in Cantorlot; Applejack, Rarity, you two head back to Ponyville. I need to speak to Celestia about the titan.” “I've heard enough about the Titan, May I ask you to try and identify the being while I speak to Dovakin alone.” It was just you, Octavia and the princesses. There was silence for a moment while Celestia recollected herself. “Dovakin, Celestia is most likely troubled by the changelings in Cantorlot; so we will address this problem instead. The Fireborn were our allies once, so not much needs to be said. Celestia also is starting to feel the bane of being a ruler bearing down on her after thousands of years. Being afraid of making another mistake; she will need help along the way.” said Luna “I understand.” you said. “Then you will get ready, rest up, and then go to the Fairborn’s tribe and solve the case of why they would serve an enemy of the Deadra they worship so.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next chaper is the liberation of the Fireborn and the first conflict with Linear.